Bulwark Takes
Trump’s Story on the Iran War Changed 5 Times in 48 Hours (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
The hosts dissect the Trump administration's chaotic and contradictory handling of the Iran conflict and the DHS shutdown, arguing it led to economic instability and exposed a dangerous level of incompetence and political opportunism.
Trump Calls Iran War an “Excursion” and Brings Up Pearl Harbor To Japan
Donald Trump's Oval Office meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister devolved into a series of gaffes, including calling the Iran conflict an 'excursion' and referencing Pearl Harbor when seeking Japan's help.
Trump Is About to Own a Disastrous Middle East War | Secret Podcast Preview
The Bulwark hosts dissect the shifting landscape of Democratic political strategy, the unexpected impact of a potential Middle East war on the Republican party, and the surprising resignation of a controversial figure.
Trump’s Base Isn’t As Unified As It Looks (w. Rep. Ro Khanna) |
Representative Ro Khanna discusses how bipartisan coalitions, exemplified by the Epstein files release, can challenge established political narratives and push for accountability, while also critiquing current US policy in Iran and proposing a progressive economic vision for the AI era.
Laura Loomer Publicly Humiliated Over Racist Statements | MAGA Mondays
Laura Loomer's racist past explodes in India, Tucker Carlson claims CIA surveillance, Megan Kelly drops a "micro penis" insult, and Newt Gingrich proposes nuking a new shipping channel—all in a wild weekend of political drama.
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.
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.
America’s at War—and Trump’s Dancing to YMCA (w/ Sam Stein) | The Bulwark Podcast
The Bulwark hosts dissect the Trump administration's chaotic Iran war, disastrous immigration policies, and pervasive political idiocy, highlighting a leadership more concerned with personal image than national consequence.
Trump’s Own Fans Are Furious
Donald Trump's core base shows signs of fracturing over foreign policy and economic issues, with some loyalists expressing 'betrayal' and nostalgia for the 'Uncle Joe economy,' posing a significant challenge for the Republican party.
Joe Rogan Says Trump “Betrayed” His Base Over Iran War
Joe Rogan's perceived betrayal by Trump's Iran policy sparks a discussion on the recurring 'betrayal' narrative among populist supporters and the psychological defenses against admitting misjudgment.
Trump’s Iran War Narrative Doesn’t Match Reality (w/ Laura Rozen & Sonny Bunch) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the Trump administration's incoherent Iran policy, highlighting a lack of expertise and conflicting interests, then pivots to a critical examination of AI's dystopian impact on society and media consolidation.
Trump Blames Iran for Bombing School, Then Says “I Just Don’t Know”
Donald Trump's conflicting statements on a recent military operation in Iran, his proposed 'Venezuela model' for regime change, and his perceived lack of empathy for American military casualties and civilian deaths are critically analyzed.
Sarah Longwell: No One Should Trust this Government | The Bulwark Podcast
The hosts argue that Trump's nihilism and isolation from reality are driving a poorly conceived war with Iran, leading to economic pain and eroding public trust, while also reshaping voter perceptions of US foreign policy and Israel.
Sarah’s Little Secret is Out | Bulwark on Sunday
Sarah Longwell unveils her new book, 'How to Eat an Elephant One Voter at a Time,' detailing critical shifts in political communication, the power of community, and strategic insights for Democrats to effectively counter Trumpism.
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 Made an Insane Bet on a Risky War (w/ Derek Thompson) | The Bulwark Podcast
Derek Thompson and Tim Miller dissect the Trump administration's foreign policy and domestic governance, revealing a pattern of executive overreach, transactional decision-making, and the weaponization of obscure legal statutes.
Trump Made a Mess in Iran—And Democrats are Blowing It (w/ Morris Katz) | The Bulwark Podcast
Morris Katz, a Democratic strategist, discusses the pragmatic political strategy behind Zoran's engagement with Donald Trump, critiques the Democratic party's muddled messaging on foreign policy, and analyzes the viability of left populism in diverse political landscapes.
Tulsi Gabbard Believes in Nothing
The host meticulously details how Tulsi Gabbard abandoned her anti-war principles to endorse and serve in the Trump administration, despite his actions directly contradicting her past criticisms.
NEW POLLS: Trump’s Iran War is Deeply Unpopular
Early polling indicates broad public disapproval for Trump's military strikes against Iran, particularly among independents and even some of his base, challenging his 'America First' platform.
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.
Trump Can’t Control His Own Base on Iran War
The hosts analyze the unexpected and widespread discomfort within the MAGA movement regarding a new war in Iran, revealing internal divisions and a potential political liability for Trump.
Kleptocrat-in-Chief (w/ Alexander Cooley & Daniel Nexon) | Mona Charen Show
Trump's foreign policy is primarily driven by a kleptocratic impulse for personal enrichment, fusing with far-right ideology to dismantle traditional diplomatic structures and anti-corruption measures.
Why Hasn’t Trump Addressed the Nation?
Despite initiating military action that resulted in American casualties, the Trump administration failed to formally address the nation, relying instead on edited social media videos and maintaining an unusual silence from key officials.
The Darkest State of the Union in Years (w/ Susan Glasser) | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects Donald Trump's State of the Union address as a performative, policy-empty spectacle, highlighting his administration's escalating attacks on free speech, democratic norms, and media independence, while pursuing contradictory foreign policies.
Want more on foreign policy?
Explore deep-dive summaries and actionable takeaways from the best minds across different podcasts discussing this topic.
View All Foreign Policy 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