Bulwark Takes
A Monthlong Closure of Hormuz Will Bankrupt Countries (w/ Sal Mercogliano)
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade choke point, is now under de facto Iranian control, leading to economic disruption, humanitarian crises for seafarers, and a potential restructuring of global trade patterns if the closure persists.
Even Trump’s Cheerleaders Are Saying “Oops” | The Next Level
The Bulwark hosts debate the 'stove touching' theory, arguing that current geopolitical and economic crises, exacerbated by political leadership, are a necessary but dangerous learning moment for the American public.
Former General Gives Brutally Honest Iran War Assessment | Command Post
General Mark Hertling and Ben Parker dissect the ongoing Iran war, highlighting the critical mismatch between US kinetic military objectives and Iran's asymmetric political and economic warfare, emphasizing the lack of a clear US end state.
Top Trump Aide Quits Over Iran War | Morning Chaser
A top Trump administration official resigned over the Iran war, exposing deep rifts within the MAGA movement and highlighting the war's destabilizing impact on global alliances and the economy.
Iran War Could Trigger a Global Terror Wave | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the US-Iran conflict, criticizing both media coverage and the administration's communication while emphasizing the brutal nature of the Iranian regime and the long-term strategic challenges.
Iran War Consequences: Will Epic Fury be an Epic Failure? (w/ Robert Kagan) | Bulwark on Sunday
Robert Kagan details how the ongoing Iran war has fractured US alliances, empowered adversaries like Russia and China, and left the US facing a critical, high-stakes decision on long-term military commitment in the Middle East.
Trump’s Iran War Could Send Prices Soaring (w/ Kenneth Rogoff) | How to Fix It
Harvard Professor Kenneth Rogoff details how escalating US debt, attacks on Federal Reserve independence, and geopolitical instability in the Middle East threaten the dollar's global reserve status and could trigger a domestic economic crisis.
JD Vance Knows the Iran War Is a Disaster—But Can’t Say It (w/ Tom Nichols) | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the Trump administration's chaotic and ill-conceived Iran war, highlighting its strategic blunders, economic fallout, and the dangerous lack of competent leadership and internal dissent.
BREAKING: GDP Growth Revised WAY Down
Revised GDP growth, sticky inflation, and a disrupted global oil supply from the Strait of Hormuz closure reveal a fragile economy, with geopolitical decisions exacerbating challenges and undermining climate efforts.
Tim, JVL, and Katie Couric: Trump, Iran and Manosphere Drama
Katie Couric joins Tim Miller and JVL to dissect the Trump administration's chaotic Iran strategy, its domestic political fallout, and the 'manosphere's' surprising reaction to the conflict.
Iran's Regional War Strategy is Failing (w/ Norman Roule) | Shield of the Republic
Former intelligence official Norman Roule details why Iran's current leadership structure makes a US-backed 'Venezuela playbook' for regime change impossible and how Tehran's regional 'messaging attacks' are backfiring, solidifying Gulf state opposition.
BREAKING: Massive Oil Price Increases
Hosts Tim Miller and Jonathan Vlass discuss the immediate and severe global economic fallout from the escalating Iran war, driven by a massive spike in crude oil prices and Trump's unexpected doubling down on the conflict.
Trump Says He’ll Choose Iran’s Next Leader (w/ Marc Polymeropoulos)
A former CIA officer dissects the Trump administration's chaotic Iran strategy, revealing a dangerous lack of planning, divergence from Israeli goals, and a 'brain drain' within US intelligence agencies.
BREAKING: Jobs Report Shows MAJOR Miss; Warning Signs for Economy
A new jobs report reveals significant losses and a slowing economy, exacerbated by the administration's Middle East war and trade policies, creating a 'handcuffed' Federal Reserve scenario with looming inflation and political fallout.
Did Stephen Miller Just Pull Off a Palace Coup? | Secret Podcast Preview
This episode unpacks the dramatic firing of Kristi Noem, a 'palace coup' theory involving Stephen Miller, and a critical analysis of the US's strategic missteps in the war with Iran, contrasting it with Iran's more sophisticated approach.
Trump's Iran Gamble | Shield of the Republic
This episode critically analyzes the Trump administration's strategy and execution in the US-Iran conflict, highlighting the significant, often overlooked, role of Israel as a peer military partner and the potential for miscalculation on all sides.
Mark Hertling and Ruben Gallego: A Rush to War | The Bulwark Podcast
Retired General Mark Hertling and Senator Ruben Gallego critically analyze the US and Israeli military actions against Iran, exposing a lack of clear objectives, inadequate planning, and the high human and financial costs of a rushed intervention.
Tom Nichols: There Are 500 Ways This War Goes Wrong | Mona Charen Show
Tom Nichols and Mona Charen dissect the Trump administration's war strategy in Iran, concluding it's a high-stakes gamble lacking planning, allies, and a realistic path to success.
Hegseth’s Press Conference Felt Like an SNL Sketch (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
The Bulwark hosts and guest Bill Kristol dissect the US-Iran conflict, highlighting the Trump administration's incoherent war objectives, chaotic communication, and the significant domestic political risks involved.
JD Vance Will Say Absolutely Anything (w/ Seth Jones) | Shield of the Republic
The US defense industrial base, once the 'arsenal of democracy,' has critically atrophied, leaving America unprepared for a protracted conflict against a rapidly militarizing China and facing acute munitions shortages in current skirmishes.
Trump Goes to War: Iran Strike Breaks Promise of No Regime Change
Donald Trump's administration initiated a major military operation in Iran, contradicting his campaign promises of a 'peace-time presidency' and raising concerns about international legality, domestic political fallout, and the reliability of information in a fragmented media landscape.
Rahm Emanuel: “It’s time to take a power washer to Washington, DC!” | How to Fix It
Rahm Emanuel, former Chief of Staff and Chicago Mayor, outlines actionable solutions for America's most pressing issues, from education and housing to foreign policy and government corruption, emphasizing a direct, results-oriented approach.
Trump to Europe: Give Me Greenland… Or Else
The host argues that Donald Trump's actions and rhetoric towards Europe, Venezuela, and Greenland mirror the very 'extortion' tactics Marco Rubio warned against regarding China, undermining the concept of a reliable Western supply chain.
The Epstein Files Could Blow Up Everything | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the US political landscape, the expiration of the New Start treaty, evolving European security, and the far-reaching implications of the Epstein files, highlighting elite incompetence and geopolitical shifts.
Want more on geopolitics?
Explore deep-dive summaries and actionable takeaways from the best minds across different podcasts discussing this topic.
View All Geopolitics Episodes→Don't see the episode you're looking for?
We're constantly adding new episodes, but if you want to see a specific one from Bulwark Takes summarized, let us know!
Submit an Episode