Guests - Ava Chen, Daniel Butierez, Rick Shaftan

China's Strategic Global Alliances: A Growing Threat to American Influence

Global Realignment: China's Multi-Front Strategy

The global stage is witnessing a concerning realignment as China moves strategically to build powerful alliances across multiple continents. While Americans remain distracted by domestic issues, China is methodically expanding its sphere of influence through strategic economic and security partnerships that could fundamentally alter the global balance of power.

During a particularly rainy Wednesday in Arizona, Ava Chen from the New Federal State of China highlighted several critical developments that demand America's attention. "In the past two months, America has not paid enough attention to what's happening in that part of the world," Chen warned, referring to what she called the "axis of nations" – primarily China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, with extensions to countries like Pakistan, Turkey, Brazil, and Venezuela.

These nations aren't merely conducting diplomatic visits; they're strategically positioning themselves against Western influence. In May, Xi Jinping visited Russia, followed by Brazil's President Lula visiting both Russia and China. These diplomatic moves signify deeper strategic alignments that threaten to undermine American interests globally.

BRICS Expansion: Building an Anti-Western Coalition

The BRICS economic alliance, originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. This enlarged coalition now represents approximately 45% of the global population, 37% of the world GDP, and 25% of global trade.

"If you're counting all those member states, if you're counting ASEAN, if you're counting BRICS, if you're counting SCO...if you put a BRICS, put an ASEAN, if you put SCO, okay, all of those members, you would draw a map. And I can tell you, if the map has a color, you could put the communist red in that map," Chen explained.

The strategic inclusion of countries like Egypt and Ethiopia isn't coincidental. "The CCP would not do anything haphazardly. Everything was calculated meticulously to the T," Chen emphasized. "They do everything for a reason. And that reason is to destroy the West."

Countries like Ethiopia and Egypt provide strategic geographic advantages, particularly due to their proximity to Israel and the Middle East. These alignments allow China to extend its influence into regions traditionally within the American sphere of influence.

De-Dollarization: Targeting America's Economic Power

One of the most alarming strategies emerging from these alliances is the push for de-dollarization – a deliberate effort to reduce global reliance on the U.S. dollar.

"They know that in order to destroy the West, the number one thing they have to destroy is your currency," Chen explained. "If the United States dollar is no longer a global reserve currency used in trade, then what's going to happen with the United States power? This is your power."

The lopsided trade relationship between the U.S. and BRICS nations illustrates this economic challenge. The U.S. exported $300 billion worth of goods to BRICS countries but imported around $650 billion from them, creating a substantial trade gap. China alone sent goods worth $448 billion to the U.S., clearly benefiting from the imbalanced trade relationship.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly described the current moment as "a generational opportunity to reset the systematic trade issues that have been a problem for decades." The Biden administration's policies have allowed this trade imbalance to worsen, particularly in 2023-2024, while President Trump has identified BRICS as a significant threat to U.S. economic dominance.

ASEAN and SCO: Expanding the Red Sphere

Beyond BRICS, China is also exerting influence through other regional organizations. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with approximately 11 member states, represents a significant economic bloc. Their preliminary meeting on May 25, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was followed by the main meeting on July 9, where foreign ministers discussed economic cooperation and intelligence sharing.

Similarly, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), covering much of Eurasia, held foreign minister meetings on July 13-15, with a main summit planned for August 31 to September 1. These organizations collectively control substantial natural resources, including energy, minerals, and agriculture, creating potential self-sufficient blocs outside Western influence.

"They have energy, they have minerals, and they grow food," Chen noted. "They can self-supply and be self-sufficient. They're creating a closed circle of authoritarian states, and they're exporting communism to those member states."

The Gold Standard: China's Hidden Reserves

A particularly troubling revelation concerns China's gold reserves. According to Chen, the CCP has been "hoarding gold, 32,000 tons." This represents approximately 12% of the world's total gold supply, concentrated in just one country. When combined with the gold reserves of other BRICS, ASEAN, and SCO nations, this creates a powerful economic lever that could be used to challenge the dollar's global supremacy.

The strategic acquisition of gold provides these nations with a potential alternative to dollar-based transactions, further undermining American economic influence. As trade relationships within these alliances strengthen, America's importance as a trading partner diminishes. Chen noted that "American exports are only counting 13% of Chinese, the CCP's imports. So you're not that important to China."

Exporting Authoritarianism: The Dictator Club

Chen characterized these alliances as creating a "dictator club" – nations united by authoritarian governance models that reject democratic principles. The CCP's strategy for expanding this club is straightforward: enrich the leaders of target nations personally.

"So if you think about those nations, they don't have a strong democratic system," Chen explained. "The people cannot be able to fight back. So all they have to do is to promise the leader, the so-called elected prime minister or the president of that country, and enrich the family personally."

This approach allows China to export its authoritarian model without resistance, creating a bloc of nations aligned against Western democratic values. The corruption facilitated by this strategy undermines good governance and concentrates power in the hands of those willing to align with Chinese interests.

Military Buildup: China's Hidden War Preparations

Beyond economic and diplomatic maneuvers, China is engaged in a concerning military buildup. According to Chen, the CCP has been "extending the military capacity, stealing your technology, including the most advanced technology in space, hypersonic... laser weapons, they have it all."

To conceal the true extent of military spending, China allegedly hides military expenditures under civilian budgets. "They kind of do it stealthy... they hide those dollars in other parts of the budget. And don't call them, don't label them as military use, but they put under civil," Chen claimed. "That's lies because they don't want the West to be picked off."

Chen specifically mentioned several companies directly linked to the Chinese military, including Huawei and Norinco. She emphasized that these aren't merely "CCP military-linked companies" but "companies directly answered to the military."

Huawei, in particular, was identified as having ownership ties to Xi Jinping's family, with "the largest owner is Xi Jinping's sister's brother-in-law," while "the other part is military." Despite being banned in the United States under the Trump administration, Huawei continues to make inroads in other nations, including parts of Europe.

Digital Control: China's Internet Surveillance

The conversation also addressed China's new internet law, which intensifies digital surveillance over Chinese citizens. This law, which came into effect on July 15, 2025, requires real identification for internet usage and app downloads, further tightening government control over online activities.

"The Chinese government has been implementing this since 2017," Chen noted, adding that even before that, secret policing controlled online activities. "If you're doing something that the Chinese government is not allowed, they have something called internet police. They were knocking a door, threatening you, and then the next time, they're going to just take you to the black jail."

This digital surveillance system represents a model of control that could potentially be exported to other nations within China's sphere of influence, creating a network of digitally controlled societies aligned against Western interests.

The American Response: Vigilance and Strategic Trade

While these developments paint a concerning picture, there are signs of a more assertive American response under President Trump's leadership. Trump has recognized the BRICS alliance as a threat to U.S. economic dominance and has begun establishing strategic trade relationships, particularly with India, to counterbalance Chinese influence.

"I think his relationship with India is strategic, right? So he recently set up trade agreements there. And I think he's trying to create trade relations that benefit the United States of America," Winn noted. These efforts aim to balance trade relationships that have long favored China and other nations at America's expense.

The challenge for America lies in maintaining this vigilance while dealing with domestic distractions. As Chen emphasized, "Through all those most springs, you really have to understand if you really cherish freedom... it's the Chinese Communist Party that's behind a lot... they are intentionally doing that. And they're very strategic and very patient and very methodical."

A Call to Action: Information and Awareness

The discussion concluded with a call for increased awareness and vigilance. Chen encouraged Americans to follow reliable sources of information about China's activities, specifically mentioning Getter as a platform that provides "news that you cannot find any other social media platforms that has a lot of true information behind what's going on in China."

The threat posed by China's expanding influence requires an informed and united response from the American public and policymakers. As Chen emphasized, "This is the fight worth fighting for with every minute of your life."

Without sustained attention to these developments, America risks being outmaneuvered in a global realignment that fundamentally threatens its interests and values. The choice, as framed in this discussion, is clear: "Either we stand and we take a stand and we fight for what God has given us or we allow the world to be taken over by people who want to have heavy censorship and tell us what to think and tell us how to feel and tell us how to live our lives."

CD7 Special Election Update: Republican Nominee Daniel Butierez

A New Voice for Congressional District 7

Following the Republican primary victory in Arizona's Congressional District 7 special election, Daniel Butierez emerged as the GOP nominee who will face Democrat Adelita Grijalva in the upcoming general election.

Butierez secured 59.3% of the vote with 20% reporting on election night, establishing a commanding lead over his opponents. The election won't be certified until July 28, but Butierez's substantial margin makes his nomination virtually certain.

CD7, which spans seven counties and includes all four ports of entry along Arizona's southern border, has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold. However, Butierez believes Republicans have a fighting chance. "I believe we're moving closer and closer in that direction," he stated optimistically.

Challenging the Grijalva Legacy

Adelita Grijalva, daughter of long-serving former Congressman Raúl Grijalva, faces criticism from Butierez for what he characterizes as divisive campaign rhetoric. "She will represent a small portion of the district. She has already promised to go in and fight MAGA, which is 50% of her district," Butierez pointed out. "She's telling them, 'I'm not going to represent you.'"

Regarding the Grijalva family legacy in the district, Butierez acknowledged Raúl Grijalva's long service while questioning its impact: "I've got to respect them because he did give 50 years of his health to our community. But he really didn't accomplish a whole lot. You ask people, 'Well, what'd he do for us?' And nobody has an answer."

Butierez contrasted his approach with the Grijalvas', noting, "The tribes, the natives will tell you he did stuff for them. And he did. He put a lot of time into them, which if I'm elected, I will also work with the tribes. I just happen to have a lot more energy and drive and ambition so I can help everybody, not just one certain group."

Immigration and Border Security

On immigration, Butierez clarified his position regarding DACA recipients, pushing back against media characterizations that he opposed the program. "I never said I was against DACA," he explained. "What I said was Trump had written up a plan. He came out and he wanted to give DACA amnesty and in turn, he wanted them to end chain migration. The Democrats would not agree to end chain migration, so we got no deal made."

Butierez cited personal connections to DACA recipients, including "friends that were DACA that got their citizenship. As a matter of fact, one of them was one of my endorsements. She went and served in the Marines for five years. And then she took her studies and took her tests and she got her citizenship."

He emphasized the importance of fairness in immigration policy: "It's not fair to her who worked very hard to get her citizenship for someone that didn't do anything to get their citizenship."

Regarding voter integrity, Butierez expressed concern about non-citizens potentially voting in elections: "If there's one illegal on our voting rolls that gets to vote, it denies one legal voter their right to vote... By allowing one illegal to vote, you're denying a United States citizen their right to vote."

Addressing Local Issues with Federal Solutions

When asked about how he would address local issues like homelessness and crime from a federal position, Butierez drew on his experience as a business owner who regularly employs homeless individuals.

"I generally run an ad when I got a lot of work to do... and generally I hire a lot of homeless at this time because it's not rocket science," he explained, describing how his company provides opportunities for homeless individuals to clean apartments during college turnover periods.

Butierez proposed bringing this approach to a federal level: "What I'd want to do is bring it to a federal level by getting funds to fund programs after speaking in a round table to the individuals that have the power to do this and letting the public know, 'Hey, I'm willing to go to Washington and bring funds for this program.'"

On crime, Butierez highlighted increasing problems in the district, including Walgreens store closures due to shoplifting and open drug use. "The crime crisis needs to be addressed by enforcing our laws," he stated. "For example, it's not legal to smoke fentanyl if they do it at the bus stops all over town."

Water Conservation in Arizona

Addressing water conservation concerns, Butierez discussed the controversial topic of recycled water: "We've been talking to a gentleman named Rudy who's very upset about the recycled water that they're wanting to use as their drinking water. Now, I don't have as big of a problem with that because I have actually spent years drinking recycled water. And I know it's fine, but people are really bothered by it."

Butierez advocated for strategic water usage: "We need to conserve our drinking water, our underground water as our drinking water, and use the recycled water for farming, mining, road work where we use a tremendous amount of water."

Winning in a Democratic District

When asked how he plans to win in a district with more registered Democrats than Republicans, Butierez emphasized the need to highlight Democratic policy failures: "We really need to open their eyes to the failures of the Democrat because right now the Democrats are the only ones in power and we have a lot of failures here in our city."

Butierez's campaign slogan reflects his core message: "It's time." This simple phrase encapsulates his belief that voters are ready for change after years of Democratic leadership in the district.

New York City Mayoral Race Analysis: A Potential Communist Mayor?

The Rise of Zohran Mamdani

Political analyst Rick Shaftan provided insights into the surprising New York City mayoral race, where TikTok phenomenon Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a frontrunner following his Democratic primary victory. Mamdani's rise represents what Shafton describes as "decades of generational change in the Democratic party that people are just catching up to now."

Mamdani benefited from New York City's rank choice voting system, which allowed him to consolidate support despite opposition from establishment figures. "There were just a certain number of people who would never rank Mario or Andrew Cuomo under any circumstances. They would rank every other candidate but him," Shaftan explained.

Now heading into the general election, Mamdani faces a complex field that includes former Governor Andrew Cuomo running as an independent, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams also running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

A Four-Way Race with Two-Way Dynamics

According to recent polling from Newsweek, Mamdani leads with 26%, followed closely by Cuomo at 24%, with Sliwa at 22% and Adams trailing at 13%. However, in a hypothetical two-person race between just Mamdani and Cuomo, Cuomo would lead.

Shaftan predicted the race would ultimately consolidate: "I think it's going to be the ultimate candidate who's going to take on Mamdani is either going to be Cuomo or Adams. It's going to be one of the two. And the other one's just going to drop to nothing because ultimately you're going to have two sides here."

This consolidation could potentially block Mamdani from winning the mayoralty. "I think there is a good chance that Mamdani gets beat," Shaftan noted, explaining that while Mamdani benefits from a divided opposition that would allow him to win with just 40% of the vote, anti-Mamdani voters might strategically consolidate behind a single alternative.

The Communist Concern

Mamdani's political leanings have raised alarm. Described as "openly communist" and "openly racist against white people," his potential election represents what Winn called "a danger sign for this entire nation."

Shaftan explained how TikTok played a crucial role in Mamdani's rise: "He is an AI candidate. He's using all the intelligence that is part of this algorithm to get elected." This social media strategy has proven highly effective, particularly with younger voters.

The connection to China wasn't lost on the analysts. Chen noted, "In China, when they're locking 1 billion people [through internet controls], but in the United States, the same thing, the same technological breakthrough, enterprise, TikTok, owned by CCP, the black box of algorithm, are helping those communists who people have the aligned ideology."

Broader Electoral Implications

Looking ahead to upcoming elections, Shaftan provided analysis of several races, including the New York governor's race between incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Elise Stefanik. "She's really unpopular," Shaftan said of Hochul, noting that "Lee Zeldin almost won that the last time."

Regarding the broader political landscape, Shaftan acknowledged that Republicans face challenges in the short term, particularly with Hispanic voters due to immigration enforcement efforts. "We made a lot of gains last year through the Hispanics. Now the community is kind of freaked out by a lot of this... being hyped up in Spanish media and we're getting, so you're just hearing their message."

However, he expressed optimism for Republican prospects in 2026: "By next year what's going to happen is the economy's going to be stronger. We're going to solve this immigration problem. The raids won't be continuing because we'll take care of things. Everything's going to be straightened out. And we're going to go into the election with a stronger economy and people are going to look at the reasons they voted Republican in 2024."

Electoral Strategy in Polarized Times

Shaftan emphasized that modern politics has become increasingly polarized, making crossover voting less common than in previous decades. "This is what's really made politics different from say 30 or 40 years ago," he explained.

"People say, 'Oh, Juan Ciscomani, you have great constituent service. I'm a total Democrat, but I'll vote for him anyway,'" Shaftan said, referencing an Arizona congressman. "These Democrats aren't going to vote for him... And similarly, if there is some Democrat in a competitive race, they could have great constituent service, they could vote with the Republicans 20% of the time. We're still not going to vote for them because they're still a Democrat."

This polarization shapes campaign strategies, with parties focusing less on persuading opposition voters and more on energizing their base and consolidating support among those already inclined to support them.