Joe Lonsdale: Religious persecution in Nigeria is a critical global issue, Iran’s destabilizing influence on Lebanon, and the US is poised for a nuclear energy resurgence | Shawn Ryan Show

Religious tensions in Nigeria highlight the global impact of extremist groups and geopolitical instability.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team May. 7, 2026

Key takeaways

• Religious persecution remains a critical global issue, with Nigeria being a significant hotspot.
• Jihadi groups target Nigeria due to its balanced religious demographics.
• Iran’s influence has destabilized Lebanon, impacting its Christian population.
• Data center infrastructure is rapidly evolving, necessitating continuous investment.
• The data center sector is a key driver of US economic growth.
• The US is poised for a resurgence in nuclear energy development.
• A new era of American growth and productivity is emerging.
• Venezuela’s political landscape poses threats to US interests.
• Russia’s geopolitical actions are reminiscent of Soviet-era strategies.
• The US needs more aggressive border security measures against cartels.
• The influence of extremist groups in Nigeria is tied to its religious composition.
• Iran’s funding of Hezbollah has had lasting impacts on Lebanon’s stability.
• Technological advancements drive the need for data center upgrades.
• The US economy is heavily influenced by investments in data centers.
• US nuclear energy development is overcoming past regulatory hurdles.

Guest intro

Joe Lonsdale is a founding partner at 8VC, a venture capital firm investing in technology companies at the intersection of innovation and public policy. He is a co-founder of Palantir Technologies, a data analytics platform used by US defense agencies and governments to address complex institutional challenges. Lonsdale has founded three of the nine US defense unicorns to emerge in recent years and was an early investor in three others.

The issue of religious persecution

• There is a significant issue of persecution against Christians worldwide, particularly in Nigeria.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Three hundred and eighty-eight million persecuted Christians worldwide.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Four thousand eight hundred and forty-nine murdered for their faith.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Seventy-two percent of those murders were in Nigeria alone.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Understanding the global context of religious persecution is crucial.
• Nigeria’s religious demographics make it a target for extremist groups.
• The scale of persecution highlights a critical humanitarian issue.
• The situation in Nigeria reflects broader geopolitical tensions.

Nigeria’s vulnerability to extremist groups

• Nigeria is a significant target for jihadi groups due to its religious demographics.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Nigeria is a country in Africa that’s close to fifty-fifty, slightly more Muslims than Christians.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• It’s a very obvious very big target for these same jihadis in Iran.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Iran is sending out money to do bad things.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Understanding Nigeria’s religious demographics is essential for context.
• The geopolitical tensions in Nigeria are influenced by external factors.
• Extremist groups exploit Nigeria’s demographic composition.
• Iran’s influence extends beyond its borders, impacting Nigeria.

Iran’s impact on Lebanon

• Iran’s influence has significantly destabilized Lebanon.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Lebanon was a very safe Christian-dominated country.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Iran funded Hezbollah and destroyed Lebanon as a safe place.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Understanding the historical context of Iran’s actions is crucial.
• Iran’s geopolitical strategies have long-term consequences.
• The Christian population in Lebanon has been significantly affected.
• Iran’s influence in Lebanon is a case study in geopolitical shifts.

The evolution of data center infrastructure

• The data center infrastructure investment will not be totally useless after three years.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• New technology will drive the need for upgrades.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• There’s so much better stuff based on the new technology.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• You’re gonna want some new stuff for certain workflows.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• The rapid evolution of technology impacts data center investments.
• Continual investment is necessary to keep up with technological advancements.
• The data center sector is dynamic and requires constant adaptation.
• Understanding the implications for infrastructure investment is key.

The economic significance of data centers

• The data center sector is a major driver of economic growth in the US

  — Joe Lonsdale

• There are trillions of dollars going into it.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• The data center industry shapes the future of the US economy.
• Investment trends in technology heavily influence economic growth.
• The significance of data centers extends beyond technology.
• Understanding the economic landscape is crucial for future planning.
• The US economy is increasingly driven by technological investments.
• Data centers play a pivotal role in shaping economic dynamics.

The resurgence of US nuclear energy

• The US is beginning to catch up in nuclear energy development.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Fusion and fission have been held back by regulation.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• We’re gonna catch up and do a massive amount of it.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• The nuclear energy landscape is shifting towards growth.
• Overcoming regulatory hurdles is key to nuclear energy development.
• The potential for growth in the nuclear sector is significant.
• Understanding historical regulatory challenges is essential.
• The US is poised for a resurgence in nuclear energy investments.

The new era of American growth

• The US is entering a new era of growth and productivity.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• We went through a crazy deindustrialization period from 1971 to 2023.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• This is now the American century again if we keep it up.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• The US is on the brink of a significant economic recovery.
• Economic and industrial trends indicate a shift towards growth.
• The potential for US dominance in the global economy is high.
• Understanding past economic trends is crucial for future planning.
• The US is entering a period of renewed economic potential.

Venezuela’s geopolitical implications

• Venezuela’s political situation poses significant threats to the US

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Venezuela is taken over by cartels, socialists, and communists.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• They’re allying with our adversaries like Hezbollah, China, and Russia.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Understanding Venezuela’s internal politics is crucial for geopolitical analysis.
• Venezuela’s alliances impact broader international relations.
• The political landscape in Venezuela poses challenges for the US
• Geopolitical strategies in Venezuela have far-reaching implications.
• The interconnectedness of Venezuela’s issues with global politics is significant.

Russia’s geopolitical strategies

• Russia’s actions reflect a belief that they can still operate like the Soviet Union.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• These guys in Russia still think it’s the Soviet Union.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• They’re causing messes around the world.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Understanding Russia’s historical context is crucial for geopolitical analysis.
• Russia’s current strategies are reminiscent of Soviet-era tactics.
• The implications of Russia’s actions for global stability are significant.
• Russia’s geopolitical maneuvers impact international relations.
• Lonsdale’s critical view of Russia highlights key geopolitical concerns.

US border security and cartel threats

• The US should take more aggressive actions against cartels.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• If you put a fentanyl plant next to my border, I blow it up.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• There’s a lot more we could do to go after the cartels.

  — Joe Lonsdale

• Understanding current US border security policies is essential.
• The role of cartels in drug trafficking poses significant challenges.
• More decisive action is needed to address border security threats.
• The US needs to enhance its strategies against cartel operations.
• Lonsdale’s viewpoint reflects a strong stance on national security.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.