Podcasts about jcpoa

On Thursday's Mark Levin Show, we have a Memorandum of Understanding with Iran requiring another 60 days of negotiations. The full details remain unreleased and unseen, which makes premature celebration impossible. If it is done and will be signed in 48-72 hours, let's see it. The core concern is long-term enforcement, given Iran's history as a terrorist regime that has never abided by any agreement, and exists to destroy the West and non-compliant Muslims through funding groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. How effective will enforcement be post-Trump presidency, especially under Democrats. We have the enemy where we want it. We may never again. It was right to attack them, and in a few weeks' time they were on their back. We hit the brakes for 9 weeks. First the Israelis and then we went back to military action this week, and the regime was badly damaged beyond the original damage. Rather than destroy it, including arming the Iranian people, we have an MOU and future negotiations. Also, Roger Zakheim, Director of the Ronald Reagan Institute, calls in and details the lack of any trustworthy record from the Iranian regime, warning that the deal may not be worth the paper it's written on despite the U.S. having weakened Iran through Operation Epic Fury and economic blockade pressure. Any worthwhile agreement must reverse the JCPOA by demanding zero enrichment, ending the missile program, halting support for terrorist groups like Hezbollah, and ensuring open Straits. Later, Rep Jamie Raskin is already leading a plot to impeach the President if the Democrats take the House. Republicans should move to expel Jamie Raskin from the House.  If he can continue to abuse our constitutional system and undermine our electoral process (ironic, since he blames Trump and Republicans for doing so), having led every effort described above, then take the necessary steps to charge him under the expulsion clause. Finally, Rep Bryan Steil calls in to discuss his three-year investigation into potential fraud at ActBlue, particularly its weak fraud prevention standards that allow foreign funds into U.S. elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comDaniel, previously the editor-at-large at The American Conservative, is currently the editor of Modern Age, a conservative academic quarterly journal. He's also a Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought at the Heritage Foundation and a columnist for The Spectator — and one of the few Trump supporters allowed to write op-eds for the NYT. I wanted to engage the most intelligent defense of Trump I could find. And Dan did not disappoint. But you be the judge.For two clips of the episode — on Trump as a corrective to the liberal establishment, and questioning how revolutionary the American Revolution really was — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: born into a Navy family in Missouri; going to UK grammar school in the Thatcher years; George III; Locke and self-government; the French Revolution and Jefferson; Washington and US neutrality; Jackson and populism; the Spanish-American War; Burke and Oakeshott; paleoconservatism and Pat Buchanan; the rise of China's economy; the managerial elite; mass migration; multiculturalism; Obama the deporter-in-chief; nuke proliferation and the JCPOA; Trump as disruptor; Hazony's The Virtue of Nationalism; January 6; Biden betraying his moderation; the woke youth vs weak liberals; lawfare against Trump; shutting down the border; ICE in Minneapolis; evangelical fervor over Israel; the antisemite card; the Iran War; ethnic cleansing in Palestine; Ukraine's drones; NATO finally stepping up; the Trump cult and AWOL Congress; caving to China over rare earths; Bezos and the WaPo; the ballroom; crime down in DC and better parks; and Trump purging dissenters.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Tiffany Jenkins on privacy in a liberal democracy, John Gray on Trump's new world, Bob Wright on the evolutionary force of AI, Stephen Grosz on the struggles of love, David Thomson on cinema history, James Verini on Ukraine, John O'Sullivan on Hungary, and Robby George on all our disagreements. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

[00:30] Trump's JCPOA (27 minutes) President Donald Trump has been saying the U.S. is close to a deal with Iran for five months. Iran is still fighting because America is weak, and Trump's deal is a repeat of the disastrous JCPOA. America doesn't understand that Iran is willing to sacrifice anything to attain its goals. [27:00] WorldWatch (4 minutes) [31:00] Study Like Herbert W. Armstrong (26 minutes)

In this week's Autopsy, we react to a debate from the Munk Debates in Canada, featuring Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer against Mike Pompeo and Victoria Nuland on the question of Iran. The full video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntiLygd0ihEOn paper this is a clash between academia and policy. In practice it is a demonstration of exactly how Western Bubble thinking shuts down serious analysis the moment it feels threatened.Walt and Mearsheimer do what good analysts are supposed to do: follow the evidence. The JCPOA worked. The IAEA inspectors were on the ground. Iran was not stockpiling. Iran was not, by any serious measure, this close to a nuclear weapon, despite thirty years of Western politicians insisting otherwise. The academics make these points clearly, without drama, and with data.Pompeo's response is essentially: don't trust the inspectors, don't trust the international institutions, trust me. I was Secretary of State. I had information. Iran are monsters. That is the full argument. It is the same logic that preceded the invasion of Iraq, delivered with the same confidence, by someone who has apparently learned nothing from that episode.What makes the debate particularly revealing is the moment Nuland effectively ends the conversation by saying "there you go" when Walt and Mearsheimer decline to describe Iran as a monster. That two words. In those two words you see the entire problem with Western foreign policy thinking: the moment someone refuses to accept the good versus evil frame, they become an invalid conversational partner. Not wrong, not misguided, simply irrelevant.We also discuss what the debate says about the difference between policy and academia, why Iran's weapons development makes considerably more rational sense than Pompeo wants to admit, and why North Korea's survival as a state tells you everything you need to know about the real incentive structure around nuclear weapons.This podcast is an individual project between us, Dario Hasenstab and Balder Hageraats. We are supported by our producer Stefani Obradovic from Western Bubble Insights & Strategy. If you would like to get in touch with us, write us an email at thewesternbubble@gmail.com.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comBen is a writer and political adviser. He served as a deputy national security advisor and speechwriter to Obama for both terms. He's currently a co-host of “Pod Save the World,” a contributing opinion writer for the NYT, and a contributor for MS NOW. He's the author of After the Fall and The World as It Is, and his new book is All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches. We avoided saying anything that might upset the Ellisons. Enjoy!For two clips of the episode — on AIPAC opposing the JCPOA, and our latest catastrophe in the Middle East — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: raised in NYC by a Methodist dad from small-town Texas and a Jewish mom whose relatives died in the Holocaust; lots of political debate growing up; Hemingway and Fitzgerald as formative writers; Orwell; Graham Greene and the brokenness of the world; Obama's sense of realism; Lee Hamilton a key mentor; moving to DC after 9/11 to write about foreign policy; Obama and Crimea; Syria and the refugee crisis; the Paris agreement; Netanyahu's disdain for Obama; the antisemite card; the Iron Dome; the Dish covering the Green Revolution; Hegseth's hubris; the LEGO meme videos; Trump's supervillain statements; the Hormuz debacle; the IDF quartering its soldiers in Palestine; the never-ending settlements; pogroms in the West Bank; the abuse in Israel prisons; the Greenland threat; NATO stepping up to fund Ukraine; the drone revolution; Trump's demagogic genius; Obama's speechmaking; his Peace Prize; Niebuhr; Lincoln's second inaugural; FDR's “Four Freedoms” speech to end isolationism; JFK; the talent of Jon Ossoff; and the disappointments of Obama's post-presidency.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Tiffany Jenkins on privacy in a liberal democracy, Daniel McCarthy on conservatism, John Gray on Trump's new world, Bob Wright on the evolutionary force of AI, Stephen Grosz on the struggles of love, David Thomson on cinema history, James Verini on Ukraine, John O'Sullivan on Hungary, and Robby George on all our disagreements. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

A deal with Iran sounds simple until you read the fine print. We dig into the reports of a memorandum of understanding that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift parts of the pressure campaign, then ask the uncomfortable question: is this “freedom of navigation,” or is it a new normal where Iran and Oman set the rules and the fees at the world's most important oil chokepoint? From there, we get specific about the nuclear issue that could make or break everything. What does it actually mean to “destroy” enriched uranium, and what options exist that are technically real, verifiable, and compatible with the Non-Proliferation Treaty? We talk through downblending, fuel grade caps, IAEA oversight, and why political slogans can't replace inspection regimes. We also push back on the postwar victory narrative and the attempt to relitigate the JCPOA instead of facing what changed on the ground. Then we move to the part many leaders try to bracket off, but can't: Lebanon and Gaza. If a ceasefire is supposed to apply to Lebanon, does that require Israel to stop bombing and withdraw from the south? And when an Israeli soldier describes Gaza with no meaningful civilian rules of engagement, alongside UN reporting on detainee abuse, what does that demand from U.S. policy and public honesty?

Enjoy this entire 30-minute bonus episode! To listen to future bonus content and get early access to ad-free episodes, become a subscriber today. History As It Happens Premium costs $5 per month. Why do some opponents of the abandoned JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal of 2015, continue to lie about it? Many of these critics are now the most vocal backers of President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fiasco of a war against the Islamic Republic, which has failed in all its main objectives while leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. What was actually in the JCPOA? What did it really accomplish? And why is President Trump reluctant to agree to something similar, or possibly a little better, than what President Obama came up with a decade ago? A negotiated settlement is the only way out of this war. Nuclear arms expert Joe Cirincione is our guest. Further reading: Dollars For Dust by Joe Cirincione (Strategy & History newsletter)

Chris Cuomo explains why he believes there will be no meaningful deal with Iran anytime soon, arguing that Trump's approach suffers from three major flaws: Iran's leadership doesn't trust him after he abandoned the original nuclear agreement, the United States entered this confrontation without the international coalition that made previous negotiations possible, and America lacks the political will to do what would actually be required to force regime change. Cuomo also challenges claims that Iran was only weeks away from a nuclear weapon and argues that the administration sold the public a far more urgent threat than the available intelligence supported. Cuomo breaks down the collapse of the JCPOA, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, Israel's role in the conflict, and why he believes military action has left the United States with fewer options rather than more leverage. He also argues that Democrats are missing an opportunity to challenge Trump politically, urging them to stop focusing on outrage and start making a direct case that Trump's foreign policy, tariffs, and economic decisions are making life harder for ordinary Americans. According to Cuomo, the real political fight isn't about convincing voters to be offended by Trump — it's about convincing them that his policies are failing. #news #politics #iran #trump #cuomo Join The Chris Cuomo Project on YouTube for ad-free episodes, early releases, exclusive access to Chris, and more: https://www.youtube.com/@chriscuomo/join Follow and subscribe to The Chris Cuomo Project on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday: https://linktr.ee/cuomoproject Get 30% off Soul Mood Gummies at https://GetSoul.com with promo code CUOMO. Try QUO for free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/CUOMO. Head to https://Superpower.com and use code CUOMO at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chuck Todd opens with the latest from the Iran war's increasingly costly stalemate, arguing Trump doesn't actually want a deal — he wants the ability to declare an accomplishment without ever looking like he capitulated, the same trick he ran with NAFTA and the JCPOA where he ripped up agreements only to sign nearly identical ones under new names. June, Chuck warns, is when the energy shock will start showing up in domestic prices, every day Hormuz stays closed exponentially increases the damage, consumers may begin behaving irrationally and hoarding, and a single bad natural disaster on top of all this could trigger a genuine crisis. But the heart of the episode is Chuck’s meditation on a single phrase: character is destiny in politics. It's not whether character flaws exist — everyone has them — but when those flaws become public and start affecting the people you were elected to serve. Trump's character problems were on display long before he ever became president, but his defenders now include the exact same Rubios and Grahams who used to blast him as morally unfit. And the most uncomfortable part of Chuck argument for the Democratic base: the same progressives who mocked Trump supporters for excusing his behavior are now using essentially identical defenses for Maine's Graham Platner — who has been accused of sexting in 2023, behavior that isn't youthful indiscretion and isn't going away. Chuck argues political parties used to function as imperfect but real vetting organizations, that once voters become emotionally invested in a candidate they will defend literally anything, that running for office sometimes becomes a substitute for therapy rather than a vehicle for service, and that democracy itself depends on elected officials being able to separate their personal motivations from their public obligations — something Biden failed at when his family obligations led to those preemptive pardons. He notes the Bidens were genuinely beloved before the election but Biden's ambition did real harm to his party, his family, and his own legacy. Todd points to Pope Leo as a potential moral leader Americans seem desperate for at exactly the moment when neither party seems remotely interested in finding the best possible actors. He observes that Platner vs. Collins is starting to feel like a rerun of Trump vs. Clinton in 2016 — two candidates voters genuinely don't want to choose between — and closes with quick hits on Jill Biden's forthcoming memoir, the California gubernatorial primary (where Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer could finish in the top two), and the increasingly strange Los Angeles mayoral race in which Karen Bass appears to be deliberately ignoring Spencer Pratt because she would much rather face him in a general election than the genuinely formidable Nithya Raman. Then, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade — the independent who won a culturally conservative city by running as a true centrist who refuses to be boxed into either party — joins the Chuck Toddcast to make the case that quality-of-life governance still beats partisanship when voters are actually given the chance to choose it. Mobolade, who adapted his governing principles from Abraham Lincoln, argues that there's a genuine and growing appetite for leadership that isn't red or blue — but warns that working for unity is incredibly hard and tiring work that few politicians want to do anymore. He walks through Colorado Springs' fight to retain Space Command after Trump and Biden moved the headquarters back and forth between Colorado Springs and Huntsville, Alabama, and explains why he ultimately chose not to sue over the relocation (the decision was within the president's purview, and burning that bridge would have cost the city more than it gained). Mobolade describes hiring his own mayoral opponent Wayne Williams after the campaign — a move he calls part of his "radical collaboration" approach — and argues that mayors don't have the luxury of partisan posturing because their job is fundamentally about producing deliverables for actual residents who want safer streets, better services, and a higher quality of life. The conversation moves into the practical challenges facing every American mayor in 2026, with data centers emerging as the political pain point in nearly every community across the country. Mobolade describes calling an emergency meeting to develop a data center strategy for Colorado Springs, walks through the balanced-but-responsible-growth framework his team has settled on, and explains the tradeoffs honestly: residents are worried about quality-of-life impacts, but the tax revenue from data centers is exactly what cities need to fund essential services. Larger data centers in his city are now forced to pay impact fees to offset their costs, some are being placed on military bases for security purposes, and Mobolade is candid with residents that they cannot have the services they demand without the revenue base to pay for them. The conversation turns to Colorado Springs' housing shortage — the city has been named one of the best places for young people, but only if young people can actually afford to live there — and Mobolade discusses his work with HUD to expand supply, his belief that the country needs genuine innovation in finding cheaper ways to build, and his frustration with a Colorado political landscape that he says no longer has room for center-left and center-right voices the way it used to. His closing argument is the one that ties the whole episode together: the country needs more independent leadership, not because partisanship is bad in theory, but because the current version of it is incapable of delivering the basics that voters actually care about. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit two stories that occurred on the same day… the Tiananmen square massacre, and Poland’s first post-soviet elections. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Predict the action all the way through the finals. Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on https://fanduel.com/predicts Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 05:30 Iran war/ceasefire has settled into a costly stalemate 06:45 Trump doesn’t want a deal, just ability to declare an accomplishment 07:30 Trump doesn’t want to look like he capitulated 08:00 Trump ripped up other deals, then got same deals with new names 09:15 June will be when the impacts of energy shock show up domestically 10:30 Every day Hormuz remains closed exponentially increases the damage 11:30 Consumers may begin to behave irrationally, start hoarding 12:30 If a natural disaster hits during energy shock, it could be major crisis 13:45 Pulling out of WHO has exacerbated Ebola outbreak 15:00 We can’t foresee all negative impacts, we just know they’re coming 16:15 Character is always destiny in politics, it’s a matter of when people see it 18:00 Everybody has their own motivation for voting, character isn’t always important 18:45 People defending character flaws are a huge part of the problem 20:00 Rubio & Graham used to blast Trump’s character, now defend it 20:30 People criticizing Trump’s behavior are now defending Graham Platner’s 22:00 People run for office for a variety of reasons, and sometimes not good ones 23:15 Sometimes entering politics become a substitute for therapy 24:30 Character matters because it’s predictive 25:30 Trump’s character flaws did not stay private, they became public 26:30 Biden ran for office when his kids were in crisis 27:30 Biden’s family obligations competed with public ones, gave preemptive pardons 28:15 Democracy depends on elected officials separating personal & public 29:15 Political parties used to be vetting organizations, even if imperfect 30:00 Once people become emotionally invested in a candidate, they defend them 30:45 Character flaws don’t just disappear, they show up… and affect us all 33:00 Democrats in a difficult spot having to defend Graham Platner 33:45 Plater accused of sexting in 2023, these aren’t youthful indiscretions 34:45 Eric Swalwell’s indiscretions were ignored until they became too much to ignore 37:15 Platner can still win, Susan Collins has worn out her welcome 38:00 Progressives may have put blinders on for Platner 38:45 People who mocked support for Trump using same defenses for Platner 40:00 At some point credibility will matter to a majority of voters 42:30 Trump’s bad behavior has alienated 1/3rd of Republican voters 44:30 Trump is politicizing celebrating America 250…making it hard to celebrate 45:45 Trump’s character flaws were on display well before he became president 46:30 The Pope may become the moral leader Americans are desperate for 48:30 Parties don’t seem to be worried about finding the best possible actors 49:30 Platner vs. Collins feels like a rerun of Trump vs. Clinton in 2016 51:15 Jill Biden to release new memoir - Bidens seem insulated from public opinion 52:15 Before election, the Biden family was fairly beloved by most 52:45 Biden’s ambition did real harm to the party, family and their legacy 53:30 The Bidens are good people and people were willing to overlook their flaws 54:30 Xavier Becerra & Tom Steyer could finish in Top 2 spots in CA gov primary 56:30 Karen Bass has mostly ignored Spencer Pratt in LA mayoral race 57:00 Bass wants to face Pratt rather than Nithya Raman 1:07:00 Mayor Yemi Mobolade joins the Chuck ToddCast 1:08:30 The people care more about quality of life than partisanship 1:09:45 Adapted governing principles from Abraham Lincoln 1:10:45 Colorado Springs is culturally conservative, yet elected an independent 1:12:30 Ran as a true centrist, hard to box in his politics 1:13:45 There’s an appetite for leadership that isn’t red or blue 1:14:30 Trump & Biden moved space command back and forth from Co. Springs 1:15:45 The city fought hard to keep space command 1:16:30 Worked with the mayor of Huntsville to ensure smooth transition 1:17:30 Why did you decide not to sue over relocation of space command? 1:18:15 The decision was within the president’s purview 1:19:30 The city is safer now than when he took office 1:20:45 A mayor’s job is to produce deliverables for the people 1:22:45 There’s a lack of competition of ideas in Colorado politics 1:23:45 Have a good relationship with the governor and statehouse 1:24:30 People get too stuck in their partisan lanes 1:25:00 Working for unity is incredibly hard and tiring 1:27:15 There used to be room for center-left and center-right in Colorado 1:28:15 Hired his mayoral opponent Wayne Williams 1:28:45 Wayne ran a more traditional campaign, Yemi ran on different leadership 1:30:00 The goal was radical collaboration and the community embraced it 1:30:45 Data centers are a political pain point of every local community 1:31:30 Called an emergency meeting to discuss data center strategy 1:32:15 The sweet spot of data center policy is balanced but responsible growth 1:33:00 Residents are worried data centers will lower their quality of life 1:34:30 Data centers being placed on military bases for security 1:36:30 Larger data centers are forced to pay a fee to offset impact 1:40:00 Data centers bring in much needed tax dollars 1:41:00 The city budget needs the revenue to provide essential services 1:41:30 Residents want services but no data centers… can’t have it both ways 1:43:30 Colorado Springs also struggling with a housing shortage 1:45:30 Working with HUD to try to increase housing supply 1:46:15 Colorado Springs named one of the best cities for young people 1:47:45 Need innovation in housing construction, find cheaper ways to build 1:49:30 The country needs more independent leadership 1:50:30 ToddCast Time Machine - June 4th, 1989 - Tiananmen Square massacre 1:51:00 The image of a man standing in front of a tank is iconic 1:52:00 On the same day, Polish citizens were casting ballots in a post soviet election 1:52:30 One communist system responded with elections, another responded with force 1:53:30 The Chinese students protesting were easy to empathize with 1:54:15 At the time it felt like freedom was advancing and communism was retreating 1:55:15 The elections in Poland humiliated the communist government 1:56:00 Chinese leaders closely watched events in Europe 1:56:45 Protest movement in China was one of the largest in their history 1:58:15 Chinese government cracked down on reformers and protest movement 1:59:00 Martial law was declared and troops moved into Beijing 1:59:45 We don’t have an accounting of the total death toll of protestors 2:00:15 The image we all remember is “tank man” 2:00:45 The incorrect assumption was that China’s middle class would demand rights 2:02:00 China proved that their model could survive and remain durable 2:04:00 Tiananmen ultimately was the birth of the current bipolar world 2:05:00 Poland chose the ballot box, China chose the tank 2:05:30 Ask Chuck 2:05:45 Would you ever consider running for president? Colbert as a running mate? 2:09:00 Do you think Paxton heads into the general overconfident? 2:15:45 Could the “Wyoming Rule” be a more realistic step than expanding house? 2:18:45 Any lesser known founding fathers that deserve more credit? 2:23:45 Thoughts on the Catholic church as a source of moral authority? 2:27:45 Any advice for people needing to step back from news while staying informed?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd opens with the latest from the Iran war's increasingly costly stalemate, arguing Trump doesn't actually want a deal — he wants the ability to declare an accomplishment without ever looking like he capitulated, the same trick he ran with NAFTA and the JCPOA where he ripped up agreements only to sign nearly identical ones under new names. June, Chuck warns, is when the energy shock will start showing up in domestic prices, every day Hormuz stays closed exponentially increases the damage, consumers may begin behaving irrationally and hoarding, and a single bad natural disaster on top of all this could trigger a genuine crisis. But the heart of the episode is Chuck’s meditation on a single phrase: character is destiny in politics. It's not whether character flaws exist — everyone has them — but when those flaws become public and start affecting the people you were elected to serve. Trump's character problems were on display long before he ever became president, but his defenders now include the exact same Rubios and Grahams who used to blast him as morally unfit. And the most uncomfortable part of Chuck argument for the Democratic base: the same progressives who mocked Trump supporters for excusing his behavior are now using essentially identical defenses for Maine's Graham Platner — who has been accused of sexting in 2023, behavior that isn't youthful indiscretion and isn't going away. Chuck argues political parties used to function as imperfect but real vetting organizations, that once voters become emotionally invested in a candidate they will defend literally anything, that running for office sometimes becomes a substitute for therapy rather than a vehicle for service, and that democracy itself depends on elected officials being able to separate their personal motivations from their public obligations — something Biden failed at when his family obligations led to those preemptive pardons. He notes the Bidens were genuinely beloved before the election but Biden's ambition did real harm to his party, his family, and his own legacy. Todd points to Pope Leo as a potential moral leader Americans seem desperate for at exactly the moment when neither party seems remotely interested in finding the best possible actors. He observes that Platner vs. Collins is starting to feel like a rerun of Trump vs. Clinton in 2016 — two candidates voters genuinely don't want to choose between — and closes with quick hits on Jill Biden's forthcoming memoir, the California gubernatorial primary (where Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer could finish in the top two), and the increasingly strange Los Angeles mayoral race in which Karen Bass appears to be deliberately ignoring Spencer Pratt because she would much rather face him in a general election than the genuinely formidable Nithya Raman. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit two stories that occurred on the same day… the Tiananmen square massacre, and Poland’s first post-soviet elections. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Predict the action all the way through the finals. Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on https://fanduel.com/predicts Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 05:30 Iran war/ceasefire has settled into a costly stalemate 06:45 Trump doesn’t want a deal, just ability to declare an accomplishment 07:30 Trump doesn’t want to look like he capitulated 08:00 Trump ripped up other deals, then got same deals with new names 09:15 June will be when the impacts of energy shock show up domestically 10:30 Every day Hormuz remains closed exponentially increases the damage 11:30 Consumers may begin to behave irrationally, start hoarding 12:30 If a natural disaster hits during energy shock, it could be major crisis 13:45 Pulling out of WHO has exacerbated Ebola outbreak 15:00 We can’t foresee all negative impacts, we just know they’re coming 16:15 Character is always destiny in politics, it’s a matter of when people see it 18:00 Everybody has their own motivation for voting, character isn’t always important 18:45 People defending character flaws are a huge part of the problem 20:00 Rubio & Graham used to blast Trump’s character, now defend it 20:30 People criticizing Trump’s behavior are now defending Graham Platner’s 22:00 People run for office for a variety of reasons, and sometimes not good ones 23:15 Sometimes entering politics become a substitute for therapy 24:30 Character matters because it’s predictive 25:30 Trump’s character flaws did not stay private, they became public 26:30 Biden ran for office when his kids were in crisis 27:30 Biden’s family obligations competed with public ones, gave preemptive pardons 28:15 Democracy depends on elected officials separating personal & public 29:15 Political parties used to be vetting organizations, even if imperfect 30:00 Once people become emotionally invested in a candidate, they defend them 30:45 Character flaws don’t just disappear, they show up… and affect us all 33:00 Democrats in a difficult spot having to defend Graham Platner 33:45 Plater accused of sexting in 2023, these aren’t youthful indiscretions 34:45 Eric Swalwell’s indiscretions were ignored until they became too much to ignore 37:15 Platner can still win, Susan Collins has worn out her welcome 38:00 Progressives may have put blinders on for Platner 38:45 People who mocked support for Trump using same defenses for Platner 40:00 At some point credibility will matter to a majority of voters 42:30 Trump’s bad behavior has alienated 1/3rd of Republican voters 44:30 Trump is politicizing celebrating America 250…making it hard to celebrate 45:45 Trump’s character flaws were on display well before he became president 46:30 The Pope may become the moral leader Americans are desperate for 48:30 Parties don’t seem to be worried about finding the best possible actors 49:30 Platner vs. Collins feels like a rerun of Trump vs. Clinton in 2016 51:15 Jill Biden to release new memoir - Bidens seem insulated from public opinion 52:15 Before election, the Biden family was fairly beloved by most 52:45 Biden’s ambition did real harm to the party, family and their legacy 53:30 The Bidens are good people and people were willing to overlook their flaws 54:30 Xavier Becerra & Tom Steyer could finish in Top 2 spots in CA gov primary 56:30 Karen Bass has mostly ignored Spencer Pratt in LA mayoral race 57:00 Bass wants to face Pratt rather than Nithya Raman 1:05:00 ToddCast Time Machine - June 4th, 1989 - Tiananmen Square massacre 1:05:30 The image of a man standing in front of a tank is iconic 1:06:30 On the same day, Polish citizens were casting ballots in a post soviet election 1:07:00 One communist system responded with elections, another responded with force 1:08:00 The Chinese students protesting were easy to empathize with 1:08:45 At the time it felt like freedom was advancing and communism was retreating 1:09:45 The elections in Poland humiliated the communist government 1:10:30 Chinese leaders closely watched events in Europe 1:11:15 Protest movement in China was one of the largest in their history 1:12:45 Chinese government cracked down on reformers and protest movement 1:13:30 Martial law was declared and troops moved into Beijing 1:14:15 We don’t have an accounting of the total death toll of protestors 1:14:45 The image we all remember is “tank man” 1:15:15 The incorrect assumption was that China’s middle class would demand rights 1:16:30 China proved that their model could survive and remain durable 1:18:30 Tiananmen ultimately was the birth of the current bipolar world 1:19:30 Poland chose the ballot box, China chose the tank 1:20:00 Ask Chuck 1:20:15 Would you ever consider running for president? Colbert as a running mate? 1:23:30 Do you think Paxton heads into the general overconfident? 1:30:15 Could the “Wyoming Rule” be a more realistic step than expanding house? 1:33:15 Any lesser known founding fathers that deserve more credit? 1:38:15 Thoughts on the Catholic church as a source of moral authority? 1:42:15 Any advice for people needing to step back from news while staying informed?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Les, Algene, and John dig into the murky details of a reported Memorandum of Understanding between U.S. and Iran— a document that Iran refutes, hasn't been signed by Trump, and hasn't actually been seen by the public. A controlled leak to Axios attempting to outline the MOU's terms — including sanctions waivers, a 60-day ceasefire, and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days — quickly unraveled, with Rubio, multiple news outlets, and Iranian officials all offering contradictory versions. Meanwhile, the White House communications operation is visibly struggling, leaving the impression that Tehran, not Washington, is controlling the narrative.What is actually in this MOU, and does anyone in a position of authority on either side truly know? If the JCPOA took two years to negotiate under the Obama administration, is it an indicator of success that this admin is producing framework agreements after just two months? Would reopening the Strait of Hormuz constitute a genuine strategic victory, or does it paper over a war that has drifted without clear objectives or an exit strategy? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.@lestermunson@algenesajery@johnclipseyLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube; watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/t-EyP5czv1U Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What, exactly, is Trump's plan in Iran? Does he know? Does anyone? Negotiations are underway over Iran's nuclear capabilities, but the likelihood that a deal is reached that comes close to the original JCPOA is slim to none. Joe Cirincione and Jon Wolfsthal join David Rothkopf to share why the US under Trump is in a worse spot than ever with Iran and why Iran is succeeding.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We currently have a reported 60-day framework on the table between the United States and Iran that would temporarily extend the current ceasefire dynamics and create space for renewed nuclear negotiations. To be clear, it's not a breakthrough deal. This feels like a pressure valve built to prevent escalation from snapping back while both sides decide whether they can actually land something bigger.The center of gravity here is the Strait of Hormuz. That is where the entire arrangement becomes real or falls apart. The reported structure prioritizes restoring and guaranteeing commercial shipping through the strait, easing maritime restrictions, and reducing the risk of renewed disruption in one of the most important energy chokepoints on the planet. In exchange, Iran would gain movement on sanctions relief and potentially access to frozen funds, while the United States would push for verifiable constraints on uranium enrichment and clearer handling of existing stockpiles.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Nobody is pretending this is a final settlement. It reads more like a staged de-escalation plan: stabilize shipping first, then attempt to negotiate the more politically radioactive issues like enrichment levels, inspection access, and long-term nuclear limits. The idea is to reduce immediate risk before trying to solve the underlying conflict.That underlying conflict is the same one that has defined U.S.–Iran relations for decades. Economic relief in exchange for nuclear restraint. The structure is familiar, even if the packaging is not. Anyone watching this unfold will recognize echoes of past negotiations, especially the JCPOA framework, where the core trade was access to global markets in return for limits on Iran's nuclear program. The political debate around that model has never really gone away, and it is very much present again here.The fragility of the situation is obvious in the way it is being described. Working-level agreement is one thing. Leadership approval is another. That gap is where deals like this tend to stall, shift, or collapse entirely. Even small changes in political appetite can rewire the entire structure.Still, this feels like the first tangible step towards restoring reliable, uninterrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. If that actually does happen, everything else becomes more plausible. If it does not, the rest of the framework is just another document waiting for even events to overtake it. God knows we've seen enough of those.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:07 - Iran Deal?00:10:49 - Interview with Michael Tracey00:36:18 - Update/LA Mayor Polling00:39:46 - Trump's AI Deal00:43:43 - 2028 Dem Frontrunners00:46:09 - Interview with Michael Tracey, con't01:25:16 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

In this latest Conflicted Conversation, Thomas talks with Tory MP Sir Jeremy Hunt. Over fourteen years of Conservative government, Hunt served as Culture Secretary, Health Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer. But in this discussion, Jeremy draws especially on his eventful year running the Foreign Office to argue against Western defeatism and to make the case for liberal democracy. Sir Jeremy discusses: The view from inside power during Britain's 2010–2024 crisis years Britain's imperial inheritance, post-Brexit identity, and the “Global Britain” problem Trump's 2018 NATO shock and Hunt's case for higher European defence spending China, Russia and Iran as the new autocratic challenge to liberal democracy Yemen and the Stockholm Agreement as a tragic test of humanitarian diplomacy Iran, hostage diplomacy, the JCPOA and the limits of Western coercive power Join the Conflicted Community here: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm Find us on X: https://x.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conflictedpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Conflicted is a Message Heard production. Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren. This episode was produced by Thomas Small and Ross Field and edited by Mariana Ramirez-Zablah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What, exactly, is Trump's plan in Iran? Does he know? Does anyone? Negotiations are underway over Iran's nuclear capabilities, but the likelihood that a deal is reached that comes close to the original JCPOA is slim to none. Joe Cirincione and Jon Wolfsthal join David Rothkopf to share why the US under Trump is in a worse spot than ever with Iran and why Iran is succeeding.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump says the latest negotiations with Iran are "proceeding nicely," but the details of any nuclear deal remain elusive, as U.S. forces strike new Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. How should proposed terms be evaluated, particularly in comparison to President Obama's agreement, known as the JCPOA? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For perspective on the latest developments in the conflict with Iran, Amna Nawaz spoke with John Bolton. He served as national security advisor in President Trump's first term. During his tenure, the U.S. announced it was withdrawing from the JCPOA, the nuclear agreement with Iran that had been negotiated during the Obama administration. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Republican senators Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, and Roger Wicker initially called the deal a disaster and a surrender before reversing course. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and analysts from The Atlantic and The Bulwark all weighed in on what amounts to the worst U.S. strategic defeat since the Iraq War. Robert Kagan's piece in The Atlantic argued that Trump's endgame was surrender, and that Iran is using the ceasefire to lock in Strait of Hormuz control by forcing nations including South Korea, Turkey, and India to normalize diplomatic and economic ties with Tehran. Russia and China benefit most. Iran emerges stronger militarily and economically. Hamas and Hezbollah get refunded. Israel is left isolated. And the United States loses 20% of the world's energy supply to Iranian control. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

For perspective on the latest developments in the conflict with Iran, Amna Nawaz spoke with John Bolton. He served as national security advisor in President Trump's first term. During his tenure, the U.S. announced it was withdrawing from the JCPOA, the nuclear agreement with Iran that had been negotiated during the Obama administration. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Edward Fishman joins Rory for a sweeping conversation on the evolution of modern economic warfare, the origins of U.S. sanctions strategy against Iran, and how today's Strait of Hormuz crisis is reshaping global energy markets in real time. Drawing from his book Choke Points, Fishman explains how sanctions, secondary sanctions, and financial pressure campaigns evolved from quiet Treasury Department diplomacy into one of America's most powerful geopolitical tools. The discussion also explores why oil prices have remained surprisingly subdued despite major supply disruptions, including the role of Trump's public interventions, market psychology, and the growing belief that geopolitical risk no longer guarantees an oil price spike. Rory and Eddie debate whether Iran has permanently changed the balance of power in the Persian Gulf by effectively institutionalizing control over the Strait of Hormuz and what that means for global trade, shipping, and future sanctions policy. The conversation revisits the Obama-era sanctions campaign, the collapse of the JCPOA, the rise of shadow fleets and sanctions evasion, and how both China and Iran have adapted to years of American economic pressure. From nuclear negotiations and frozen Iranian assets to tanker tolls, oil inventories, and the limits of American power, this episode connects decades of economic statecraft to the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape investors face today.

In Episode 481 of The Andrew Parker Show, Andrew Parker delivers a direct and uncompromising discussion on Iran, failed foreign policy, media influence, and the growing political divide shaping America today.Andrew examines the long-term consequences of the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, the dangers posed by the Iranian regime and the IRGC, and why he believes prolonged negotiations with Iran create the dangerous illusion of peace rather than lasting stability. He discusses President Donald Trump's handling of the current negotiations, the role of military strength in deterrence, and the broader implications for Israel, the United States, and the future of the Middle East.The episode also turns to the influence of mainstream media, digital news algorithms, and political messaging in modern America. Andrew shares his frustrations with media bias, the dominance of left-leaning narratives across major platforms, and the growing cultural and political polarization impacting younger generations and public discourse.This episode is a candid conversation about foreign policy, national security, media narratives, political power, and the fight over truth and influence in America.Support the showThe Andrew Parker Show - Politics, Israel & The Law.  Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and X. Subscribe to our email list at www.theandrewparkershow.comCopyright © 2026 The Andrew Parker Show - All Rights Reserved. 

The major turning points in Iran's nuclear program were not the JCPOA or the latest wars, but the Shah's defiance of Henry Kissinger and the Iran-Iraq War, says Dr. Sina Azodi, Assistant Professor of Middle East Politics at George Washington University and author of Iran and the Bomb: The United States, Iran and the Nuclear Question.

Tez is on assignment so Bryan steps in to deliver the news! The war in Iran is stuck, Trump has no plans. Trump goes to China to try to sell them soybeans they don't want, the south bans black voters, again, and the economy is in huge trouble with rising inflation and no relief in sight. So naturally, we make fun of it all.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chipchat--2780807/support.

Chuck Todd opens by previewing Mark Zandi's sobering economic forecast from this episode and arrives at a simple, devastating conclusion: every single policy decision Trump has made has made the economy worse, tax refunds have already been gobbled up by inflation, and the math guarantees voters will feel even worse by the midterms — meaning Republicans on the ballot should be furious with the president, and those in swing districts have no choice but to start distancing themselves from his policies now. But the real heat in this episode comes from his analysis of Trump's trip to Beijing to meet Xi Jinping, which he frames as the diplomatic equivalent of going hat in hand. He argues there's simply no winning a trade war with China, that scrapping the TPP and the JCPOA will go down as two of the most colossal strategic mistakes of the modern era, and that Trump's combined Iran and China policies have somehow managed to strengthen both adversaries simultaneously — to the point that his foreign policy decisions are starting to make him look, in Chuck’s words, like a Manchurian candidate. The world is now beginning to view the United States itself as the global boogeyman, and Trump's presidency is doing damage to America's long-term standing that will take a generation to repair. The brutal irony, he notes, is that Trump now needs more from China than China needs from America: China is the only country with real leverage over Iran, defenders of Taiwanese independence are quietly terrified that Trump could trade them away for an economic off-ramp, and Xi gets to sit across the table from a desperate American president whose negotiating position keeps eroding by the day. Then, Mark Zandi — chief economist at Moody's Analytics and one of the most quoted forecasters in America — joins the Chuck Toddcast to deliver a remarkably sobering verdict on where the economy actually stands: without the $700 billion currently being poured into AI investment, the United States would already be in or close to recession. The latest CPI and PPI reports came back ugly and uglier, oil shocks from the Iran war will keep prices elevated through 2027 even if the war ended tomorrow (Zandi says don't expect $3 gas again until then), real disposable income has been flat or falling for a year, FHA mortgage delinquencies are at their highest level since the Great Recession, and the bottom 40% of earners are living genuinely paycheck to paycheck. Zandi pushes back on lazy comparisons to the 1970s — conditions were objectively worse then, with a self-reinforcing wage-price loop that took a brutal recession to break — but warns that nominating Kevin Warsh as Fed chair specifically to cut rates would risk replaying exactly that movie, and that a policy of low rates at any cost would be catastrophic. The deeper diagnosis is brutal: employment was growing steadily and inflation was easing until Liberation Day, when both reversed simultaneously — meaning Trump's tariffs are the most obvious thing to cut, and the question of who actually benefits from them gets harder to answer every month. The mass deportation policy is costing the country roughly 0.5-0.7% of GDP growth that normal immigration would have provided, with agriculture, construction, hospitality and services taking direct hits. Zandi sees economic weakness most pronounced in the South and West, healthcare-anchored cities like Philadelphia outperforming Florida and Texas, and a national debt now exceeding GDP that's setting the conditions for a potential bond market sell-off — with global investors already being advised to diversify away from the dollar as America deglobalizes and the world quietly pulls away. His most striking observation: the fixes are all sitting on the shelf. America doesn't need new ideas to solve any of this — it needs the political will to use the ones we already have, and that will probably won't materialize until a genuine crisis forces it. By the midterms, voters will be feeling the worst of it, and while partisan media can try to spin the numbers all it wants — reality is much harder to spin. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Try ShipStation free for 60 days with full access to all features, No credit card needed! Go to https://ShipStation.com and use code TODDCAST for 60 days for free! Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Mark Zandi paints a sobering picture about state of the economy 02:30 Every Trump policy decision has made has made the economy worse 03:45 Tax refunds have been gobbled up by inflation 04:15 The economy will only feel worse to people by midterm elections 06:30 Republicans on the ballot should be furious with Trump 07:15 Republicans in swing areas have to distance from Trump policies 08:15 Trump in China to meet with Xi Jinping 09:00 There’s no winning a trade war with China 10:30 Getting rid of the TPP & JCPOA were colossal mistakes 11:30 Trump is losing the Iran war and strengthened Iran & China 12:00 Trump’s policies make him look like a Manchurian candidate 12:30 The world is now starting to view the US as the boogeyman 13:15 Trump’s presidency has been terribly damaging long term to the US 14:30 We need more from China than they need from us 15:00 China is the only country that could lean on Iran 15:45 Defenders of Taiwan independence worried Trump could cave 16:45 Trump is desperate for Xi’s help 21:00 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast 21:45 CPI inflation and PPI inflation reports came back ugly & uglier 23:00 The through lines are ugly and going to get worse due to oil prices 23:45 Even if the war ended today, higher prices would last all year 24:15 Inflation has been accelerating under Trump, was on track under Biden 25:15 Inflation was worse during Covid combined with start of Ukraine war 28:00 Economy and stagflation were much worse in the 70s than now 28:45 Conditions different from 70s, there was a self-reinforcing loop in 70s 29:30 The only way out of 70s stagflation was a very severe recession 30:15 Kevin Warsh nominated for Fed chair to lower interest rates 31:00 If Warsh cuts interest rates, we risk a repeat of the 70s 31:45 A policy of low rates at any cost would be catastrophic 32:15 Rate cuts won’t happen since they are set by a board 32:45 Economy won’t have time to recover in time for the midterm elections 34:00 Partisan media can try to spin the economy, but reality is hard to spin 35:15 We won’t be back to $3/gallon gas until 2027 most likely 35:45 Last 3 months, the economy got a boost due to tax refunds that are fading 37:00 Real disposable income has fallen or stayed stagnant the past year 37:45 Bottom 40% earners are struggling badly, living paycheck to paycheck 38:45 FHA mortgage delinquency rates are rising, highest since great recession 40:00 Things will feel worse economically by the midterm election 41:30 Without $700B in AI investment, we’d be close to, or in a recession 43:45 Last two jobs reports better than expected, tax cuts acted as stimulus 44:30 The job market is still very weak 45:30 With normal immigration we’d grow GDP by 0.5-0.7%, and lost that 46:30 Data shows immigrants don’t take jobs native born workers have 47:30 Lack of immigrants will hit state & local government budgets hard 48:15 Agriculture, construction, hospitality and services hit hard by deportations 50:00 Air travel hasn’t fallen off due to economic conditions… yet 50:45 High end consumer spending on recreation hasn’t fallen off at all 51:45 Is the proposal to cap credit card interest rate at 10% a good idea? 52:30 Companies won’t offer credit lines to consumers without great credit scores 53:15 Trump cutting the tariffs is the most obvious solution to higher prices 54:00 Employment was increasing regularly until Liberation Day tariffs 54:30 Inflation also took off on Liberation Day 55:15 Who actually benefits from Trump’s tariffs? 56:30 Suspending gas tax would result in .10-.15c lower prices at pump 58:30 Cutting the gas tax likely won’t result in any political benefit 1:00:00 Economic weakness most pronounced in the south & the west 1:02:00 Cities with big healthcare industries having most job growth, Philly leading 1:03:45 Pennsylvania economy rowing faster than Florida or Texas 1:04:15 America’s national debt exceeds GDP, how concerned should we be? 1:06:30 Indicators show we having a massive debt and deficit problem 1:08:00 The conditions for a sell off in the bond market are in place 1:08:30 It’s going to take a crisis to generate political will to act on the debt 1:09:45 America is deglobalizing, and world pulling away from us 1:10:15 Investors being advised to diversify away from the dollar 1:11:30 The fixes to the economy are all sitting on the shelf. Don’t need new ideas 1:13:00 AI job displacement hasn’t hit hard yet, but could be coming soon 1:16:15 Need a stiff drink after the interview with Mark Zandi 1:16:45 Ask Chuck 1:17:00 Alternative idea for formula to expand the house of representatives? 1:21:45 Will there be any impact from Susan Collins disclosing her tremors? 1:25:30 Thanks for interview with lawyers suing big tech, screen time is down 1:26:45 Could you argue that SCOTUS striking down New Deal policy was most impactful? 1:28:45 Is Dems gerrymandering more about deterrence and not pure hypocrisy? 1:33:15 If a justice steps down, who would Trump nominate. What would impacts be? 1:37:45 Thanks for the pod. It’s helped me get through long dialysis sessions 1:39:15 NBA playoffs reactionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Iran's nuclear program was obliterated” is a bold claim to make under oath, especially when the same testimony implies Iran's ambitions remain. We sit down with Jim Webb to pull apart the contradictions, the messaging, and the strategy vacuum that shows up when leaders sell total victory while hinting we may need the next round of strikes. We get into the details most coverage skips: what uranium enrichment levels do and don't mean, how the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty shapes the argument, and how the U.S. exit from the JCPOA changed Iran's incentives. From there, we stress-test the scare stories by looking at deterrence and mutually assured destruction, then compare the “North Korea path” framing with the darker lesson many governments took from Libya: give up your leverage and you might not survive. The second half turns practical and blunt. We talk about the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices, and what a real negotiation might require, including the controversial question of U.S. military bases in the Middle East and whether they deter conflict or simply create targets and hostages. We also break down reports of deploying Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles, shrinking standoff-munitions inventories, and what it signals when targets move inland and our “easy options” disappear. If you care about U.S. foreign policy, Iran negotiations, Middle East escalation risks, and the real state of American military capacity, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your answer: what would a realistic endgame with Iran look like?

The dark fleet was on the ropes with enforcement risking military boardings after Venezuelan oil sanctions started to be lifted. Then with the attack on Iran, business started booming again as ships and traders navigated the granting of licenses to Russian and Iranian Oil (for a time). Where are oil sanctions right now? What do they mean for traders and banks - especially the cost and risks? What room is there left to forge a deal with Iran like the former JCPOA? Sanctions and Maritime Compliance expert David Tannebaum, Director at Blackstone Compliance joined me in my Houston office yesterday to discuss the latest on sanctions, their role in the Iran conflict and current ceasefire. For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global

Explained: New terms in U.S.-Iran negotiations, including proposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and why Iran is targeting the UAE instead of Israel. The episode also examines what separates a potential new agreement from the 2015 JCPOA and whether economic pressure could threaten the Iranian regime. Plus: former prime ministers announce a political alliance ahead of Israel's next election, reshaping the opposition bloc against Prime Minister Netanyahu. Hear how it works with analyst Benyamin Moalem. Plus! A Torah thought with Rabbi Yossi Madvig of Oswego, New York. PodSnacks.com Code:EXJ67Israel Daily News website: https://israeldailynews.orgYOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@israeldailynews?si=UFQjC_iuL13V7tyQIsrael Daily News Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shannafuldSupport our Wartime News Coverage: https://www.gofundme.com/f/independent-journalist-covering-israels-warLinks to all things IDN:⁠ https://linktr.ee/israeldailynews⁠

Conservative writer Kevin Williamson — National Correspondent for The Dispatch and one of the sharpest voices on the right — joins the Chuck Toddcast for a wide-ranging and characteristically blunt conversation about Trump's Iran disaster, the collapse of the political parties, and what kind of country America is becoming. Williamson argues Trump made a colossal mistake getting into the Iran war and there's now no way out without national humiliation: the goals of the conflict have constantly been changing, and Trump effectively told the Iranians where his political weaknesses were and they called his bluff. He notes the absurdity of America blockading the Strait specifically because we're mad that it's been blockaded, observes that the firing hasn't actually ceased despite the supposed ceasefire, and offers a withering verdict on the president himself: "Trump is just not a smart guy, he's an insult artist," surrounded by people who don't have the nation's interests in mind. They explore whether China could end up being the country Trump needs to bail him out in Iran, whether a nuclear Iran could benefit Putin (would he actually sell them one?), and notes the Gulf states are tired of this. He warns that securing the Strait of Hormuz requires ground troops Trump is too afraid to commit, that the Iranian regime is nothing like Venezuela's and won't fold, and that Trump never prepared the country for pain at the pump. The conversation broadens into Williamson's structural diagnosis of American politics, and his unsentimental view of where this is all headed. He argues that politics has become like religion, especially for the most religious, which is why Trump's coalition won't fracture even when farmers are being destroyed by Trump's own policies and still vote for him. He says Trump's declining popularity isn't restraining his decision-making at all, that Republicans are already assuming a midterm wipeout, and that Trump will be impeached if Democrats take the House — and should be — though he acknowledges it may not be the smartest political move. They dig into whether both American parties are at genuine risk of collapse, arguing their decline has been a huge loss for the country: celebrity and social media have filled the vacuum, with communication ability now mattering more than actual governing competence. He half-jokes that Taylor Swift could be president if she wanted to be, dismisses the idea that Stephen Colbert could carry a progressive banner, and closes with a genuinely dark prediction: America is losing its identity, may simply be too rich for its own good, and is heading for a low so bad that most Americans aren't prepared for it. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Try ShipStation free for 60 days with full access to all features, No credit card needed! Go to https://ShipStation.com and use code TODDCAST for 60 days for free! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Kevin Williamson (The Dispatch) joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:15 Trump made a colossal mistake with Iran war 01:45 We can’t get out of Iran war without being humiliated 03:00 The goals of the war have constantly been changing 04:30 Iran can’t win a battle with the U.S. but its45 sphere of influence is bigger 06:00 Trump told the Iranians what his weaknesses are, they called his bluff 07:00 The firing has not ceased, there’s no actual ceasefire 07:30 We’re blockading a Strait because we’re mad it’s blockaded… 08:30 Trump is just not a smart guy, he’s an insult artist 09:15 The people around Trump don’t have the nation's interests in mind 10:00 Rubio looks good because the people around Trump are so bad 12:00 Will China be the country Trump needs to bail him out in Iran? 13:00 Iran having a nuke could benefit Putin, would he sell them one? 14:30 Trump didn’t prepare the country for pain at the pump 15:45 We could really use our European allies that we spurned 16:30 Unclear if Iran would accept a JCPOA style deal now 19:30 50 years after the revolution, Iranian regime hasn’t changed priorities 21:00 The gulf states have influence over Trump and they’re tired of this 23:15 Gulf states probably assumed Trump would go for regime change 24:30 The Iranian regime is nothing like the regime in Venezuela 26:00 The rural vs urban divide leads to failed democratic states 27:45 Trump’s declining popularity isn’t restraining his decision making 28:45 Republicans are already assuming a wipeout in the midterms 29:15 Trump will be impeached with a Dem majority in the house, and should be 30:00 Impeaching Trump may not be best option politically, but the right thing to do 32:30 Securing the Strait requires ground troops, which is terrible politics 33:15 Trump is a coward, and afraid of the risk of using ground troops 35:00 Trump doesn’t want to get into an open ended occupation of Iran 35:30 Unlikely that Trump’s coalition fractures, it’s a personality cult 36:45 Farmers are being destroyed by Trump, yet many still support him 38:00 Politics has become like religion, especially to the most religious 39:15 Kevin quit the GOP over Arlen Spector, which now seems quaint 41:00 What kind of conservative do you consider yourself to be? 45:30 Are both American parties at risk of collapse? Could another party emerge? 46:15 The parties matter less now than before Trump was elected 47:00 The decline of the parties has been a huge loss 48:00 Celebrity & social media has filled the gap left by the parties 49:15 Stephen Colbert is unlikely to be the celebrity to carry the progressive banner 50:30 Taylor Swift could be president if she wanted to 51:30 Communication is the winning trait of politicians now, not ability 54:30 We’re losing our American identity, maybe too rich for our own good 56:00 We’re going to hit a low that’s so bad, Americans aren’t prepared for it 57:45 The next election is not going to solve our problemsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd opens with the latest from the Iran war: the Saudis have now denied the U.S. military access to strikes from their bases and airspace, the U.S. cannot claim any net positive from this conflict, and Trump's best realistic outcome is some version of the Obama nuclear deal 2.0. He notes that both sides are being squeezed — Iran can't keep this going forever either — but warns that beyond the immediate political damage to Trump, the war has handed China tremendous long-term leverage, AI spending is the only reason the U.S. economy hasn't already tanked, and asymmetric warfare has once again proven it can beat superpower militaries. He argues Trump's request for $1 billion in taxpayer funds for a White House ballroom is political suicide — if Obama had made the same ask, the media firestorm would have been deafening — and that Congress approving the money would be handing Democrats an enormous political gift. He flags the FBI's new investigation into Virginia Democrat Louise Lucas, warns that nothing coming from Trump's DOJ can be trusted at face value, and argues the trumped-up charges against James Comey create reasonable doubt about every other case the administration brings. He warns the administration is actively poking the bear with African American voters in ways that could supercharge Black turnout and reshape the midterm calculus, flags the FBI investigation related to The Atlantic's story on Kash Patel's drinking (the bureau denies investigating the reporter, but the careful language suggests a leak investigation exists. He closes with a beautiful and personal commencement-style address to the graduating class of 2026 as his daughter prepares to walk. Then, conservative writer Kevin Williamson — National Correspondent for The Dispatch and one of the sharpest voices on the right — joins the Chuck Toddcast for a wide-ranging and characteristically blunt conversation about Trump's Iran disaster, the collapse of the political parties, and what kind of country America is becoming. Williamson argues Trump made a colossal mistake getting into the Iran war and there's now no way out without national humiliation: the goals of the conflict have constantly been changing, and Trump effectively told the Iranians where his political weaknesses were and they called his bluff. He notes the absurdity of America blockading the Strait specifically because we're mad that it's been blockaded, observes that the firing hasn't actually ceased despite the supposed ceasefire, and offers a withering verdict on the president himself: "Trump is just not a smart guy, he's an insult artist," surrounded by people who don't have the nation's interests in mind. They explore whether China could end up being the country Trump needs to bail him out in Iran, whether a nuclear Iran could benefit Putin (would he actually sell them one?), and notes the Gulf states are tired of this. He warns that securing the Strait of Hormuz requires ground troops Trump is too afraid to commit, that the Iranian regime is nothing like Venezuela's and won't fold, and that Trump never prepared the country for pain at the pump. The conversation broadens into Williamson's structural diagnosis of American politics, and his unsentimental view of where this is all headed. He argues that politics has become like religion, especially for the most religious, which is why Trump's coalition won't fracture even when farmers are being destroyed by Trump's own policies and still vote for him. He says Trump's declining popularity isn't restraining his decision-making at all, that Republicans are already assuming a midterm wipeout, and that Trump will be impeached if Democrats take the House — and should be — though he acknowledges it may not be the smartest political move. They dig into whether both American parties are at genuine risk of collapse, arguing their decline has been a huge loss for the country: celebrity and social media have filled the vacuum, with communication ability now mattering more than actual governing competence. He half-jokes that Taylor Swift could be president if she wanted to be, dismisses the idea that Stephen Colbert could carry a progressive banner, and closes with a genuinely dark prediction: America is losing its identity, may simply be too rich for its own good, and is heading for a low so bad that most Americans aren't prepared for it. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Try ShipStation free for 60 days with full access to all features, No credit card needed! Go to https://ShipStation.com and use code TODDCAST for 60 days for free! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 04:30 Saudis have denied U.S. military access to bases & airspace 06:00 Trump is only going to get the nuclear deal 2.0 at best 07:30 Iran can’t keep this going as well, both sides being squeezed 08:30 U.S. can’t claim any net positive from this war 09:30 This is bad for Trump politically, but it’s bad for the US long-term 10:15 Trump has handed China tremendous leverage 11:00 AI spending is the only reason the U.S. economy hasn’t tanked 12:30 Asymmetric warfare beats superpower militaries 14:15 Greenlighting $1B in taxpayer funds for ballroom is political suicide 15:15 If Obama made the same ask, there would be a media firestorm 16:00 Congress giving Dems a huge political gift by approving funds 17:15 FBI launches investigation into Virginia dem Louise Lucas 18:30 You can’t trust the narratives from Trump’s DOJ 20:00 Trumped up charges against Comey create doubt in other cases 20:45 Administration is poking the bear with African Americans voters 22:00 Supercharged black turnout would change midterm election calculus 23:00 FBI investigation into Atlantic story about Kash Patel’s drinking 23:45 FBI denies investigating the reporter who broke the story 24:30 Denial language suggests a leak investigation exists 26:00 Worried about the future and for this graduating class 28:30 Chuck’s advice for the graduating class of 2026 29:15 Graduates are heading into a very uncertain future 29:45 Adulthood is not a race, don’t always need to hurry 31:00 The first job you take isn’t your forever job 32:00 Don’t confuse a setback with failure 32:45 Respect your elders and respect experience 35:00 Don’t be embarrassed by your struggles or disregard someone else’s 36:00 Life happens. Don’t wait for the perfect time for something 37:15 Road trips are the best way to learn about America 38:15 Don’t be a “Yeah, but” person 40:00 Life is not a competition with your friends’ lives 40:45 It takes a lot of hard work to get lucky 42:00 Sorry that we’ve brought grads into a very angry America 42:30 Talk to people who disagree with you 43:30 If you only experience America through an algorithm, you’ll misunderstand it 47:45 Kevin Williamson (The Dispatch) joins The Chuck ToddCast 49:00 Trump made a colossal mistake with Iran war 49:30 We can’t get out of Iran war without being humiliated 50:45 The goals of the war have constantly been changing 52:15 Iran can’t win a battle with the U.S. but its sphere of influence is bigger 53:45 Trump told the Iranians what his weaknesses are, they called his bluff 54:45 The firing has not ceased, there’s no actual ceasefire 55:15 We’re blockading a Strait because we’re mad it’s blockaded… 56:15 Trump is just not a smart guy, he’s an insult artist 57:00 The people around Trump don’t have the nation's interests in mind 57:45 Rubio looks good because the people around Trump are so bad 59:45 Will China be the country Trump needs to bail him out in Iran? 1:00:45 Iran having a nuke could benefit Putin, would he sell them one? 1:02:15 Trump didn’t prepare the country for pain at the pump 1:03:30 We could really use our European allies that we spurned 1:04:15 Unclear if Iran would accept a JCPOA style deal now 1:07:15 50 years after the revolution, Iranian regime hasn’t changed priorities 1:08:45 The gulf states have influence over Trump and they’re tired of this 1:11:00 Gulf states probably assumed Trump would go for regime change 1:12:15 The Iranian regime is nothing like the regime in Venezuela 1:13:45 The rural vs urban divide leads to failed democratic states 1:15:30 Trump’s declining popularity isn’t restraining his decision making 1:16:30 Republicans are already assuming a wipeout in the midterms 1:17:00 Trump will be impeached with a Dem majority in the house, and should be 1:17:45 Impeaching Trump may not be best option politically, but the right thing to do 1:20:15 Securing the Strait requires ground troops, which is terrible politics 1:21:00 Trump is a coward, and afraid of the risk of using ground troops 1:22:45 Trump doesn’t want to get into an open ended occupation of Iran 1:23:15 Unlikely that Trump’s coalition fractures, it’s a personality cult 1:24:30 Farmers are being destroyed by Trump, yet many still support him 1:25:45 Politics has become like religion, especially to the most religious 1:27:00 Kevin quit the GOP over Arlen Spector, which now seems quaint 1:28:45 What kind of conservative do you consider yourself to be? 1:33:15 Are both American parties at risk of collapse? Could another party emerge? 1:34:00 The parties matter less now than before Trump was elected 1:34:45 The decline of the parties has been a huge loss 1:35:45 Celebrity & social media has filled the gap left by the parties 1:37:00 Stephen Colbert is unlikely to be the celebrity to carry the progressive banner 1:38:15 Taylor Swift could be president if she wanted to 1:39:15 Communication is the winning trait of politicians now, not ability 1:42:15 We’re losing our American identity, maybe too rich for our own good 1:43:45 We’re going to hit a low that’s so bad, Americans aren’t prepared for it 1:45:30 The next election is not going to solve our problems 1:47:15 Ask Chuck 1:47:30 How would you approach teaching, more depth or more breadth? 1:52:00 Should we pay members of congress more? 1:55:45 What can make local law enforcement a more enticing job? 2:01:15 How does Trump’s drift towards lame-duck status play out? 2:05:45 Why do you think redistricting would create an electoral backlash? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the world's most controversial nuclear deal… just came back from the dead? Because overnight, a leaked outline tied to Iran negotiations is setting off alarms across Washington—pro-Israel hawks, foreign policy insiders, and even former UN officials are all asking the same question: Are we walking straight back into Obama's Iran playbook… or something even riskier? And while diplomacy unfolds behind closed doors, global shipping lanes are freezing, military assets are repositioning, and accusations of “strategic surrender” are exploding online. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, we break down the renewed controversy surrounding a reported U.S. diplomatic framework with Iran—one critics are already calling a “JCPOA 2.0.” Supporters argue it could stabilize a volatile region. Critics say it mirrors past agreements that allegedly allowed Iran to maintain nuclear enrichment pathways while regaining economic leverage. At the same time, tension is escalating in global maritime corridors, with disputed security operations, suspended protections for commercial shipping, and rising fears about energy supply disruptions. Former officials and military voices weigh in—some warning of strategic overreach, others urging restraint and continued negotiation. SEGMENT 1: “THE DEAL THAT WOULDN'T DIE” A leaked outline reportedly resembles elements of the Obama-era JCPOA framework Key concern: partial uranium enrichment allowances vs. full dismantlement demands Critics argue sanctions relief could restore Iranian financial capacity without full compliance guarantees Supporters say inspections and diplomacy remain essential to avoid escalation Soundbite theme: “We've seen this movie before—but the ending is different every time.” SEGMENT 2: “STRAIT OF TENSION” Reports surface of paused maritime security operations tied to regional negotiations Commercial shipping congestion grows, including energy transport vessels Debate intensifies over whether easing military presence supports diplomacy—or exposes vulnerabilities Economic ripple concern: potential pressure on global fuel prices Key tension: security enforcement vs. diplomatic signaling SEGMENT 3: “IRAN, CHINA, AND THE SHADOW SUPPLY CHAIN” Claims of continued indirect material flows into Iran's missile program Accusations that sanctions enforcement gaps remain unresolved Counterpoint: officials argue intelligence operations and interdictions are ongoing Broader concern: long-term deterrence credibility SEGMENT 4: “THE HAWKS PUSH BACK” Former defense voices argue negotiations may not change regime behavior Calls for stronger enforcement—or in some commentary, decisive military resolution Other analysts warn escalation rhetoric risks closing diplomatic exits Core divide: containment vs. confrontation strategy SEGMENT 5: “OBAMA ERA FLASHBACK OR NEW STRATEGY?” Critics say current framework mirrors past nuclear diplomacy structures Officials counter: updated inspections + revised enforcement mechanisms Debate centers on trust, verification, and leverage retention TAKEAWAY This isn't just about Iran. It's about whether diplomacy can function in a world where: trust is fractured enforcement is contested and every agreement is immediately framed as either surrender—or salvation CLOSING LINE The question isn't just what deal is being made… It's whether anyone believes any deal can hold at all.

Today's show breaks down the explosive reaction to a reported Iran nuclear framework that critics say mirrors the Obama-era JCPOA, raising fears of renewed sanctions relief, missile buildup, and strategic risk in the Middle East. Meanwhile, political tremors ripple at home—polling shifts among Black voters, accusations of crime data manipulation in major cities, and a heated fight over a proposed digital ID system. Plus: a controversial UK childcare policy sparks global outrage.

What if the Iran war never really ends—but instead settles into a dangerous, permanent limbo? In this episode, Ravi Gupta sits down with former Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer to unpack the confusing reality behind Trump's Iran strategy, the collapse of diplomacy, and why the world may now be worse off than before the war began. Together, they revisit the Obama-era JCPOA nuclear deal, debate whether any future agreement is still possible, and explore how America's shifting foreign policy has damaged trust with allies and adversaries alike. It's a sobering conversation about war, power, diplomacy—and what happens when no one can clearly define what “winning” even means anymore. Jon's podcast: The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer ____________ Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 201-305-0084⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ravi at @RaviMGupta Notes from this episode are also available on Substack: ⁠⁠https://thelostdebate.substack.com/⁠⁠ Read more from Ravi on Substack: ⁠⁠https://realravigupta.substack.com⁠⁠  Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785 Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F⁠⁠ Listen to Where the Schools Went: ⁠⁠https://thebranchmedia.org/show/where-the-schools-went/⁠⁠ 

When President Trump talks about his attempts to reach an agreement with Iran, he often mentions a previous deal: the 2015 JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), or Iran nuclear deal. Trump pulled America out of the Obama-era accord during his first term and has called it, "the worst deal in history". His own deal, he says, "will be FAR BETTER". Asma speaks to Ambassador Wendy Sherman, the lead US negotiator on the JCPOA, to get the inside story on how the deal was done, and ask what it might take for Trump to get a deal now.Producers: Viv Jones and Xandra EllinSound engineer: Travis EvansSenior news editor: China CollinsPhoto: Wendy Sherman. Credit: Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Jimmy's guest, former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, argues that Trump is exhibiting "demonstrable signs of early dementia" based on his erratic behavior, including personal insults against Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, the Pope, and others, while ignoring that Iran already submitted a peace plan 14 days ago that Trump refuses to accept. Johnson explains that Iran's willingness to return to the JCPOA nuclear deal is genuine, citing their refusal to use chemical weapons against Iraq in the 1980s despite being attacked with them, due to religious beliefs against such weapons.  Johnson also debunks claims that Iran is the world's top state sponsor of terrorism, pointing out that the US State Department's own data shows the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel have funded far more terrorist acts, including the US backing the MEK. Johnson concludes that a ground invasion of Iran would require 1-3 million troops and is impossible given Iran's missile capabilities, and notes that Iran's seizure of two ships in the Strait of Hormuz proves Trump's claim of destroying their navy is false. Plus segments on the coming energy lockdowns, the only way Americans can help prevent World War III and the latest James O'Keefe honeypot operation to ensnare a high ranking government official. Also featuring Kurt Metzger, Professor Jiang, Stef Zamorano and Mike MacRae. And a hilarious phone call from Kash Patel!

Caitriona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann talk peace. They discuss the differences between the JCPOA agreement and today's peace talks. It seems unlikely a peace deal will happen in a week, or even a month. And what about Ukraine? The White House has suggested that when the war in Iran is over - they might turn their attention to Cuba instead. Every weekend, The President's Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what's on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk Senior producer: Clare Casey Editor: Gareth Bebb Executive producer: Anna Holford

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe-have we met before, or did we just share a zip code?-Iran is a disaster from basically every possible angle-you don't go to war with this president-maybe just crawl back to a worse JCPOA and call it historic-Venezuela “worked,” which is exactly why it made the next disaster easier-take the oil, burn the soft power, call it realism-Europe gets lectured,…

This afternoon Dan, Cheryl and myself (the LGM NatSec Gang) talked through the state of affairs in the current ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Our agenda: Where we are (quick run down of the situation as we understand it) Weirdness of a cease-fire that allows both sides to pretend they aren’t at war when they’re both committing acts of war Leadership incoherence on both sides (can include firing of Phelan et al here) The state of diplomatic negotiations (unprofessionalism, JCPOA redux, Vance/Witkoff/Kush, etc.) What’s next? Is there any way out of this? We recorded two hours ago so things are relatively fresh! Transcript is here. Apple Podcasts Android Youtube Podchaser Podcast Index Subscribe by E-mail Audible Spotify Amazon Music The post LGM Podcast: Quagmire(s) in the Middle East appeared first on Lawyers, Guns & Money.

Can the US and Iran strike a last-minute nuclear deal to end the war?With the two-week ceasefire deadline expiring on Wednesday, peace talks are tentatively set to go ahead in Pakistan between US Vice President JD Vance and an Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Ghalibaf. Donald Trump has threatened to resume bombing if negotiations fail, but a major stumbling block remains: Iran's nuclear programme. Washington wants Tehran to end all advanced uranium enrichment and give up its 450kg of “nuclear dust” that is currently buried under rubble. Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, tells foreign editor Louis Emanuel that without proper verification on the ground, any agreement will be an “illusion”. Meanwhile, senior foreign correspondent Memphis Barker explains how the "ghost" of the previous Iran nuclear agreement - Barack Obama's 2015 JCPOA - looms large over everything. Can Trump strike a better deal now than the one he tore up in 2018?Plus, Roland Oliphant runs through the latest updates and news from across the region, including what is going on in the Strait of Hormuz and some clarity on when the ceasefire actually ends. Highlights:Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, on why a nuclear deal with Iran is tricky but doableWhy the ghost of Obama's 2015 Iran nuclear deal looms over peace talksCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantMemphis Barker, senior foreign correspondent @memphisbarkerLouis Emanuel, foreign editor @louisjemanuelRafael Grossi, director general IAEA @rafaelmgrossiCONTENT REFERENCED:Exclusive interview: World faces new nuclear arms raceWhy Obama's Iran nuclear deal looms large over Trump's negotiationsProducer: Peter ShevlinExecutive Producer: Louisa Wells► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are several possible developments moving forward on Iran: an improved version of a JCPOA; a resumption of hostilities; or a continuation of the current situation with economic pressure grinding down the Islamic Republic. The US can afford to wait longer than Iran can. Trump is likely to choose between those options based on how he views the impact on China. Also in this episode: Israel's imperial Supreme Court thinks it has the authority to remove an elected minister. Read Mike's piece in Tablet here.

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back, the final installment of our four-part series with Ronen Bergman. After the U.S. exits the JCPOA, Israel and the U.S. launch a campaign of sanctions, sabotage, and targeted assassinations, what Bergman calls “death by a thousand cuts.” In this preview, Bergman details the AI-assisted assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist and why, despite the scale and sophistication of the operation, it was not enough to stop Iran's nuclear program. More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What's Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

美伊戰爭已持續近50天，川普宣稱美國已達成階段性目標、伊朗的海空軍不復存在，停戰談判為何失敗？川普的戰爭目標和終戰標準是什麼？川普稱美國隨時可以一走了之，是基於美國能源不仰賴中東而底氣十足，還是談判策略？伊朗被國際制裁多年，美國此時即使再封鎖伊朗進出口貿易，殺傷力比得上伊朗封鎖荷姆茲海峽對全球油氣造成的衝擊嗎？斬首行動是否促使伊朗內部產生權力矛盾？伊朗扶植的代理人陸續受到重創，「抵抗軸心」零零落落，未來中東安全局勢將由以色列主導？波灣國家對伊朗態度漸轉強硬，會因此提高戰後與以色列結盟的意願嗎？中國和俄羅斯對伊朗只給予保守被動的支持，而烏克蘭對波灣國家提供了反無人機相關的軍事諮詢和支援，是否會導致波灣國家原本對俄烏戰爭的中立態度發生轉變？習近平是否顧慮到5月中旬的川習會，而對伊朗有所保留？歐洲國家這次作壁上觀，未來在中東還有話語權嗎？川普抨擊日、歐等盟友不出力護航荷姆茲海峽，日本政壇和民間對此有何反應？美伊戰爭給世界最大的啟發，是能源供應鏈應從「效率優先」轉向「安全優先」？精彩訪談內容，請鎖定@華視三國演議！ 本集來賓：#賴怡忠 #矢板明夫 主持人：#汪浩 以上言論不代表本台立場 #油價 #能源危機 #美伊戰爭 #川習會 電視播出時間

The fastest way to understand the Iran war scare isn't cable news hype, it's leverage. We sit down with Larry Johnson to map what Tehran is demanding, why Washington looks desperate for an exit plan, and how a single chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, can squeeze the global economy. If ships need to pay a steep user fee to move in and out of the Persian Gulf, the story instantly becomes bigger than battlefield headlines: it's oil prices, shipping risk, inflation pressure, and a potential global recession. We also pressure-test Trump's public posture that Iran “has no cards” against the hard constraints on escalation. We talk through why naval and ground options look limited, why crossing the nuclear line would be globally destabilizing, and how sanctions and frozen assets have become the real bargaining table. Larry lays out a plausible face-saving deal where sanctions are lifted, assets are released, and Iran returns to JCPOA-style enrichment limits and intrusive inspections, while still refusing to surrender its core rights. Then we widen the lens to the alliance and war system around it: NATO strain, Israel's growing political backlash, and what the Middle East focus means for Ukraine as Russia advances and Western air defense and missile inventories run thin. If you're searching for clear geopolitical analysis on Iran negotiations, the Strait of Hormuz, US foreign policy, NATO cohesion, and the future of Ukraine, this conversation connects the dots. Subscribe, share this with a friend who follows world affairs, and leave a review. What do you think is the most misunderstood piece of leverage right now?

For the full episode, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back This is a sneak peek from this week's members-only Inside Call Me Back (Part 3 of our 4-part series on Inside Mossad's Shadow War with Iran with Ronen Bergman). In the aftermath of the JCPOA, Israel is forced to rethink its approach. With a military strike off the table, the strategy shifts. Mossad is tasked with finding a definitive “smoking gun” that would prove Iran's military nuclear ambitions. That effort sets off a chain of events that leads to one of the most daring intelligence operations in modern history - the discovery and theft of Iran's nuclear archive. For the full series, subscribe here to Inside Call me Back More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Subscribe here to Ark News Daily Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What's Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Melania Trump makes a surprising speech, forcefully denying any ties to Jeffrey Epstein. John Kerry slams Trump for “walking away” from Obama's JCPOA. Rep. Beth Van Duyne joins us live in studio to share what she said to John Thune about the DHS shutdown, the state of the Iran strikes, the debate over the War Powers Resolution and much more.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…Relief Factorhttps://www.ReliefFactor.com or call 800-4-RELIEFRelief Factor is your simple first step toward feeling better—start the 3-Week QuickStart for just $19.95. PreBornhttps://www.PreBorn.com/Dana or Dial #250 and say “BABY”Preborn helps make a life-changing difference for mothers and babies in crisis. Sponsor an ultrasound for just $28, or five for $140.Noble Goldhttps://NobleGoldInvestments.com/DanaSchedule a free gold strategy session now and stay ahead of the curve.GhostBedhttps://GhostBed.com/DANAGhostBed has the cooling luxury mattress you need for deep sleep use code DANA for the lowest prices of the season + an extra 10% off sitewide.Patriot Mobilehttps://PatriotMobile.com/DANA or call 972-PATRIOTSwitch to Patriot Mobile in minutes—keep your number and phone or upgrade, then take a stand today with promo code DANA for a free month of service!HumanNhttps://Humann.com/DanaSupport your heart health with SuperBeets Heart Chews Zero Sugar now Buy 2 get 1 Free.  Visit today to learn how to get a Free 30-day supply. Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/DanaMake 2026 the year you protect your family with solid options—Get the Byrna today.Subscribe today and stay in the loop on all things news with The Dana Show. Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramXMore InfoWebsite

Recorded March 24, 2026. Subscribe at angryplanetpod.com to hear episodes first and commercial free.Last week an article published in Al Jazeera by an academic at the University of Doha in Qatar proposed something that felt crazy to some western war watchers: America and Israel's strategy in Iran is working.On this episode of Angry Planet, author Muhanad Seloom is here to explain his position. Seloom is an assistant professor of international politics and security at the University of Doha. He's also an Iraqi who lived through the Iran-Iraq war and both US invasions. From his perspective, the US has degraded Iran's ability to hurt its neighbors in the long term and changed the regime.What comes next is a more complicated question.Why did this war even start?Setting aside morality and legality to look at ground truths“Iran is much weaker”Missile production, missile rangeThe highly enriched uranium is in one place“The regime has changed. Whether we like it or not, the regime has changed.”The case against the new KhameneiWhat is it like to live nextdoor to Iran?There's a reason no one is standing up for IranWhy isn't the GCC doing more?What happens if we pick up and leave?What's the plan for what happens next?“It's not easy to rise up.”Charging tolls on Hormuz“I have to say this: I am against the war in any way.”What about the JCPOA?A great unanswered question of historyAir campaigns don't win wars…did America really lose in Afghanistan and Iraq?“War is hell.”Labelling Ethno-Political Groups as TerroristsThe US-Israeli strategy against Iran is working. Here is whySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael takes a deep dive into the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) with peace and conflict expert Dr. David Cortright of Cornell and Notre Dame Universities, breaking down how the agreement came together, what it accomplished, and why it ultimately unraveled. They explore the role of the Obama administration, the arguments from critics, and the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal under President Trump. Then, listeners weigh in with passionate and wide-ranging perspectives—from military strategy and oil politics to trust, diplomacy, and the risk of nuclear escalation. Original air date 9 April 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

C dans l'air du 9 avril 2026 - Cessez-le-feu : Trump négocie, Netanyahu pilonne Les négociations qui doivent commencer demain au Pakistan sont déjà menacées après les frappes massives menées par Israël au Liban et le doute que laisse planer l'Iran sur sa participation. Hier, l'État hébreu a frappé le Liban à plus de 100 reprises en quelques minutes, faisant au moins 254 morts et plus de 1 000 blessés, selon un bilan provisoire des autorités libanaises. « Des tueries épouvantables », a dénoncé l'ONU. Le ministre des Affaires étrangères, Jean-Noël Barrot, parle d'un « choc » après « des attaques intolérables qui fragilisent le cessez-le-feu ». Pour le chef de la diplomatie française, « le Liban doit être impérativement couvert » par le cessez-le-feu, ce que refuse le gouvernement israélien. Une possible suspension de l'accord entre l'Union européenne et Israël pourrait être rediscutée après les frappes israéliennes «disproportionnées» au Liban et les exactions commises par les colons en Cisjordanie, a-t-il ajouté.Israël frappera le Hezbollah « partout où il le faudra », a déclaré ce jeudi encore le Premier ministre Benyamin Netanyahou. L'Iran, de son côté, a prévenu que le Liban constituait une « partie inséparable » de l'accord de cessez-le-feu au Moyen-Orient, ajoutant que toute violation de la trêve provoquerait une « réponse ferme » de sa part. « Éteignez l'incendie immédiatement », a ajouté le président du Parlement iranien, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Pour lui, trois points importants du plan iranien en dix points ont déjà été violés avant même le début des négociations, citant l'attaque d'Israël au Liban, le survol d'un drone sur le territoire iranien et le refus « du droit de l'Iran à l'enrichissement d'uranium » par les États-Unis.Des négociations plus qu'incertaines vont s'ouvrir ce vendredi. En route pour le Pakistan, le vice-président JD Vance dirigera cette fois la délégation américaine à Islamabad, alors qu'aux États-Unis, le débat enfle sur les décisions prises par Donald Trump et sa santé mentale. Dans une longue enquête, le quotidien américain The New York Times raconte les heures décisives au cours desquelles le président des États-Unis a écarté les mises en garde de ses conseillers pour décider, sur proposition de Benyamin Netanyahou, de déclencher la guerre en Iran.Très critique à l'égard de Donald Trump, qu'il accuse d'avoir « sous-estimé l'impact de la guerre », Robert Malley, ancien conseiller Moyen-Orient de Barack Obama et Joe Biden, nous a accordé une interview. Ce diplomate est l'un des artisans du fameux JCPOA, l'accord sur le nucléaire conclu avec Téhéran en 2015. Il nous livre les coulisses de ces négociations et décrypte le plan de paix proposé par le régime iranien, soutenu par la Chine.Nos experts :- Guillaume LAGANE - Spécialiste des questions de défense, enseignant à Sciences Po- Philippe GELIE - Directeur adjoint de la rédaction du Figaro - Patricia ALLEMONIERE - grand reporter, autrice de Géopolitique du Sahel publié chez PUF - Jean-Dominique MERCHET - journaliste à L'Express, spécialiste des relations internationales et des questions de défense, auteur Sommes-nous prêts pour la guerre publié chez Tempus / Perrin- Sonia DRIDI ( en duplex) - Correspondante à Washington pour France 24 et LCI

Rob Bernstein opens with a produced satirical cold open hitting Lindsey Graham, Hegseth purging generals, animals judging your kinks, and Israel's negotiation strategy of assassinating people mid-talks. The main show kicks off with the Kristi Noem husband scandal -- Rob wrestles with crossing his own "leave the guy alone" red line before diving into the bigger question: how does the political machine have a dirt folder ready on everyone the second they turn on you? From there, Rob gives a quick update on the Charlie Kirk shooting inconsistencies (inconclusive bullet match, sheriff resigning, trial pushed back), predicts the shooter becomes "the left's Kyle Rittenhouse," then moves to Trump attending Supreme Court oral arguments on birthright citizenship and trying to stare down his own appointees. The bulk of the episode is a deep breakdown of Trump's Iran war speech -- Rob reads the transcript line by line, exposing contradictions about regime change, the Hormuz Strait "naturally" reopening, and the claim that Iran was about to nuke the entire Middle East. He riffs on data centers becoming war targets ("I don't want to have to go back to thinking"), shouts out Claude over Grok for AI accuracy, pitches Mad Max oil tankers with Trump holograms singing "Can't Touch This" as a cheaper alternative to $1.5B/day war spending, and covers the UAE joining the Hormuz fight and Dubai squeezing IRGC money flows. The tariff segment highlights businesses wasting time trying to figure out overly complicated metal tariff rules. The show closes with Pam Bondi getting fired as AG -- Rob questions whether she'll flip on Trump at her deposition or take a cushy private sector job to keep quiet. Sponsored by YoKratom.com Sheaht.com (Promocode RYM) Merch at: RobBernsteinMerch.Com Support the show at: RobBernsteinComedy.com Send me porches at: Robsnewsroom@gmail.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Cold open / fake news headlines 1:19 — Welcome & intro, porch tour requests, YoKratom sponsor read 2:25 — Correction corner: the Gerald Ford ship story & Trump video 3:25 — Kristi Noem's husband: Rob breaks his own rule 5:00 — "They have folders on everyone" — the blackmail theory 7:00 — Deep dive into the Noem marriage dynamics 15:56 — Iran War update: data centers as military targets 17:45 — Grok vs. Claude — which AI is telling the truth? 22:12 — Trump's national address breakdown begins 28:30 — The JCPOA argument & Trump's "I saved the Middle East already" logic 35:50 — The Hormuz Strait "just opens naturally" bit 42:00 — Trump's presidential library plans roasted 42:44 — UAE joins the fight / Dubai crackdown on Iran's money 45:38 — Tariff overhaul — aluminum & copper chaos, small business fallout 48:22 — Trump vs. Macron / NATO fractures 53:10 — $1.5B/day war cost — Rob pitches a cheaper plan (Mad Max tankers + Trump hologram) 56:02 — Pam Bondi fired — Epstein files, deposition, and what comes next 1:00:28 — Wrap up, see you Wednesday

Rob Bernstein opens with a produced satirical cold open hitting Lindsey Graham, Hegseth purging generals, animals judging your kinks, and Israel's negotiation strategy of assassinating people mid-talks. The main show kicks off with the Kristi Noem husband scandal -- Rob wrestles with crossing his own "leave the guy alone" red line before diving into the bigger question: how does the political machine have a dirt folder ready on everyone the second they turn on you? From there, Rob gives a quick update on the Charlie Kirk shooting inconsistencies (inconclusive bullet match, sheriff resigning, trial pushed back), predicts the shooter becomes "the left's Kyle Rittenhouse," then moves to Trump attending Supreme Court oral arguments on birthright citizenship and trying to stare down his own appointees. The bulk of the episode is a deep breakdown of Trump's Iran war speech -- Rob reads the transcript line by line, exposing contradictions about regime change, the Hormuz Strait "naturally" reopening, and the claim that Iran was about to nuke the entire Middle East. He riffs on data centers becoming war targets ("I don't want to have to go back to thinking"), shouts out Claude over Grok for AI accuracy, pitches Mad Max oil tankers with Trump holograms singing "Can't Touch This" as a cheaper alternative to $1.5B/day war spending, and covers the UAE joining the Hormuz fight and Dubai squeezing IRGC money flows. The tariff segment highlights businesses wasting time trying to figure out overly complicated metal tariff rules. The show closes with Pam Bondi getting fired as AG -- Rob questions whether she'll flip on Trump at her deposition or take a cushy private sector job to keep quiet.Sponsored by YoKratom.com Sheaht.com (Promocode RYM)Merch at: RobBernsteinMerch.ComSupport the show at: RobBernsteinComedy.com Send me porches at: Robsnewsroom@gmail.com⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Cold open / fake news headlines1:19 — Welcome & intro, porch tour requests, YoKratom sponsor read2:25 — Correction corner: the Gerald Ford ship story & Trump video3:25 — Kristi Noem's husband: Rob breaks his own rule5:00 — "They have folders on everyone" — the blackmail theory7:00 — Deep dive into the Noem marriage dynamics15:56 — Iran War update: data centers as military targets17:45 — Grok vs. Claude — which AI is telling the truth?22:12 — Trump's national address breakdown begins28:30 — The JCPOA argument & Trump's "I saved the Middle East already" logic35:50 — The Hormuz Strait "just opens naturally" bit42:00 — Trump's presidential library plans roasted42:44 — UAE joins the fight / Dubai crackdown on Iran's money45:38 — Tariff overhaul — aluminum & copper chaos, small business fallout48:22 — Trump vs. Macron / NATO fractures53:10 — $1.5B/day war cost — Rob pitches a cheaper plan (Mad Max tankers + Trump hologram)56:02 — Pam Bondi fired — Epstein files, deposition, and what comes next1:00:28 — Wrap up, see you Wednesday

Kabir Taneja, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation Middle East, joins the podcast for an Indian perspective on the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Jacob and Kabir discuss how ordinary Indians are feeling the economic anxiety of potential energy shortages, India's long-standing policy of non-alignment in the Middle East, its deep ties with Gulf states, and why any lasting regional resolution will ultimately require Iran's security buy-in.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Welcome(00:57) - Global Economy Worries(01:40) - Meet Kabir Taneja(02:02) - ORF Middle East Explained(03:26) - Why Dubai Matters(04:14) - India View on War(06:46) - Economic Fallout at Home(08:56) - Politics and Nonalignment(11:40) - Cooking Gas Stove Detour(12:51) - What Can India Do(13:55) - Energy Dependence Reality(15:01) - Iran Ties and JCPOA(18:25) - Trump Exit and Trust(24:58) - China Perception and Border(27:12) - Galwan Shifts Public Mood(28:36) - Russia As China Counterweight(29:28) - China Benefits From Gulf War(30:51) - Pakistan Diplomatic Surge(32:46) - Islamabad Reenters Washington(34:54) - Pakistan Security Leverage(37:21) - Asymmetric War Lessons(39:23) - India Pakistan Conventional Focus(42:10) - Iranian Frigate And US India Ties(44:56) - India Best Case Strait Outcome(49:28) - Gulf Partnerships And Multipolarity(54:48) - Closing Thanks And Signoff--Referenced in the Show:Kabir Taneja - https://www.orfonline.org/people-expert/kabir-taneja--Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapJacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com--Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today's volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--