“Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor thought foreign policy was boring and complicated until he got the education of a lifetime working for President Obama’s ...
Tommy and Ben discuss Trump’s freeze on foreign aid and the deadly consequences of stopping programs like clearing unexploded bombing and HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, Trump’s move to revoke security details for former officials like Anthony Fauci, Mike Pompeo, and John Bolton. They also talk about Trump’s tariff threats and foreign policy bullying with the leaders of Colombia and Denmark, his call for “clearing out Gaza” and sending Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt, troubling developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, China’s DeepSeek upending assumptions about AI development, the latest from Syria, and outrage in France over a contemporary addition to the Notre Dame cathedral. Then, Tommy speaks to Peter Beinart about his new book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza, and the challenges surrounding open dialogue about issues like antisemitism and Israeli policy.
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1:26:37
Trump the “Peacemaker”
Tommy and Ben discuss Trump’s inauguration, the tech oligarchy that was on display, foreign leaders in attendance, some of the most damaging and far-reaching executive orders from pulling out of the Paris Climate agreement to designating Mexican cartels terrorist organizations, and nomination updates on Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Hegseth. They also talk about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and the debate over who gets credit for it in Washington DC, the continued agony of uncertainty for Israeli hostage families and civilians in Gaza, the failed TikTok ban, the arrest of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, and a story of cancel culture coming after one man’s enhancements in Italy. Then, Ben speaks to Sam Rose, Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, about the conditions on the ground and immediate humanitarian needs as the ceasefire takes effect. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
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1:38:22
Biden’s Foreign Policy Farewell
Tommy and Ben discuss Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense, President Biden’s final foreign policy speech, and the many global challenges Donald Trump will be inheriting on his first day in office. They also talk about the potential for a last minute ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Lebanon’s new president, far-right parties and candidates that are ascendant in Croatia, Austria, and Germany, Paul Manafort’s international comeback attempt, and the politics of naming aircraft carriers. Then, Ben speaks with Ian Bremmer, founder and president of the Eurasia Group, about the top global risks of 2025. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
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1:26:22
Elon Musk’s Quest For Global Domination
Tommy and Ben discuss Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, South Korea’s growing political crisis after President Yoon Suk Yeol barricaded himself in his home and refused arrest, and why we should take seriously Donald Trump’s threats to use “military or economic coercion” to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. They also talk about why Elon Musk is boosting far-right parties in Germany, Canada and the UK, the Biden administration’s determination that the RSF rebel group has committed genocide in Sudan, and Biden’s partial relaxation of sanctions on Syria and 11th-hour effort to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
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1:17:30
Introducing: Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
The Pod Save The Word team is off this week, but we're excited to bring you an episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams. In this episode, Stacey speaks to Dr. Céline Gounder, an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and editor at large for public health at KFF Health News, about the threats to public health with the incoming Trump Administration. They talk through Trump’s appointees for the nation’s top health and science agencies like RFK Jr., how to bring scientific thinking back to policy making, and how to differentiate between public health and individual healthcare. Then Stacey explains how to make change by “power-mapping” an issue, finding out who is responsible for the problem, who has jurisdiction over it, and who is already thinking and talking about solutions. Make sure you subscribe to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams wherever you get your podcasts and on Youtube, so you don’t miss an episode. Learn & Do More:Check out KFF Health News to get health news and read about health policy research, and sign up for their newsletters at KFF.Org/Email
“Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor thought foreign policy was boring and complicated until he got the education of a lifetime working for President Obama’s National Security Council. On “Pod Save the World,” he and former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes break down the latest global developments and bring you behind the scenes with the people who were there. New episodes every Wednesday.
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