Mike Benz is the Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, a non-profit watchdog group dedicated to protecting digital liberties and restoring the free and open Internet. He previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Technology at the US State Department during the Trump administration, where he formulated US policy on Internet diplomacy issues and interfaced with private industry. Benz has been a vocal critic of technological government overreach, most recently in his critiques of USAID and his advocacy against online censorship. He actively brings attention to people and organizations involved in controlling speech on social media.
Prior to his role at the State Department, Benz was a White House speechwriter for President Trump and advised on technology policy. Prior to his public sector work, he practiced business law as an attorney in New York, representing technology companies and financial firms.
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00:00 Introduction
02:34 Foreign Policy Establishment and Domestic Impact
07:02 The USAID Shutdown
19:21 Romanian Election Interference and USAID's Influence
37:33 Global Influence and Media Manipulation
49:17 USAID's Extensive Reach
51:40 Understanding “The Blob”: U.S. Foreign Policy Mechanisms
52:28 The Role of USAID in U.S. Foreign Policy
58:05 USAID's Controversial Operations and Scandals
01:05:46 USAID's Covert Actions in Cuba
01:10:37 The Role of USAID in Modern Political Warfare
01:19:02 The Impact of USAID on Global Media and Elections
01:26:16 Reforming USAID: Challenges and Proposals
01:48:25 Funding Controversies and the Wuhan Lab
01:51:45 Universities as State Arms
01:53:04 NGOs and Dark Money Networks
01:56:19 Manipulating Immigration Policies
01:58:34 Samantha Power and Financial Gains
02:16:38 USAID's Impact on Legacy Media
02:33:37 Reforming USAID and Future Directions
