Bulwark Takes

Even a Barrister’s Wig Can’t Save This Garbage Affidavit (w/ Ben Wittes) | The Bulwark Podcast
Ben Wittes reports from Ukraine on a dire humanitarian crisis and unwavering national resolve, contrasting it with America's self-inflicted political 'decadence' and a struggling legal system.

Trump is Leading America’s Global Collapse (w/ Robert Kagan) | The Bulwark Podcast
Robert Kagan argues that Trump's 'America First' policies are dismantling the post-WWII global order, pushing the world towards a dangerous multipolar environment where US allies become adversaries and democratic institutions face deliberate subversion.

America's New Defense Strategy is Nonsense | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the US's 'unserious' National Defense Strategy, Trump's 'tacoing' on Greenland, and the implications of China's military purge and potential action against Iran, highlighting a world increasingly defined by disorder and US fatigue.

Retired General: Minneapolis Exposes Leadership Crisis Among ICE and CBP
Retired General Mark Hertling dissects the critical legal distinctions between military and law enforcement roles, arguing that the deployment of untrained ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis exposed severe leadership failures and risked escalating civil unrest.

How Evil Regimes Cling to Power (w/ Stephen Kotkin) | Shield of the Republic
Historian Stephen Kotkin dissects the inherent vulnerabilities of authoritarian regimes, arguing that their perceived strength is often a facade for deep internal divisions and structural weaknesses that can be strategically exploited.

What Replaces the Ayatollahs in Iran? (w/ Christiane Amanpour) | How to Fix It
Veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour dissects the complexities of Iranian uprisings, external interventions, and the profound challenges of achieving lasting regime change, drawing on decades of experience covering the region.

Trump Looks Unwell on the World Stage (w/ Mike Murphy) | The Bulwark Podcast
Veteran political strategist Mike Murphy and host Tim Miller dissect Donald Trump's erratic international behavior, the Republican Party's complicity, and the dangerous 'short-termism' driving current economic and political decisions.

Europe Is Planning for a Post-America World (w/ Fiona Hill) | The Bulwark Podcast
Fiona Hill details how Europe is actively preparing for a post-America world, driven by US unreliability and Trump's disruptive foreign policy, leading to a "rupture" in global alliances and potential nuclear proliferation.

Retired General Breaks Down Trump’s Davos Speech | Command Post
Retired General Mark Hertling and Ben Parker dissect former President Trump's Davos speech, revealing critical misinterpretations of military strategy, international relations, and domestic troop deployment.

Trump Chickens Out on Greenland After Markets Flinch
The hosts analyze how market pressure, specifically a 'sell America' trade and rising interest rates, forced Trump to back down from his Greenland tariffs, highlighting the long-term damage to US alliances and economic reliability.

BREAKING: Trump Melts Down at Davos, Confuses Iceland and Greenland
Donald Trump's chaotic Davos speech, marked by confusing Iceland for Greenland and threatening allies, exposed the US's eroding global standing and introduced significant economic and geopolitical instability.

Putin Won Davos Without Even Showing Up (w/ Caolan Robertson)
While Kyiv faces a catastrophic winter and European leaders gather in Davos, the focus has shifted from Ukraine to Trump's potential actions, inadvertently benefiting Russia and weakening NATO.

The Worst Interview of the Trump Administration So Far
The host dissects Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant's 'embarrassing' attempts to justify former President Trump's threats against Europe over Greenland, highlighting the administration's aggressive and illogical foreign policy stance.

Trump's Greenland Text Is Publicly Embarrassing America
President Trump's bizarre text to Norway's Prime Minister, demanding Greenland and linking it to his unreceived Nobel Peace Prize, exposed a 'mob boss' approach to international relations that is driving Europe towards China and dismantling the American-led world order.

Don't Count on Trump Coming to the Rescue (w/ Michael Weiss)
This episode dissects the unpredictable and transactional nature of Trump's foreign policy across Iran, Venezuela, and Ukraine, revealing how his personal psychology and covert US intelligence operations shape global events, often independently of stated policy.

BREAKING: Trump Threatens Europe Over Greenland; Europe Responds
President Trump issued an ultimatum to Europe and Denmark over Greenland, threatening tariffs if Denmark does not agree to sell the territory to the United States, escalating a geopolitical standoff.

Why is Trump Fighting NATO Instead of Putin? | Command Post
Military experts dissect how US policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and Greenland, is inadvertently aiding Putin's strategic goals by dividing NATO and creating global power vacuums.

Taking Greenland Would Trigger a NATO Crisis (w/ Mark Hertling) | The Bulwark Podcast
Retired US Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling dissects the geopolitical absurdities of potential US military interventions in Greenland and Iran, highlighting the erosion of alliances and the critical need for comprehensive strategic planning.

Trump Gave the White House a Tramp Stamp (w/ Susan Glasser & Jacob Soboroff) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode exposes how Donald Trump's unchecked power, enabled by a broad network of individuals and institutions, threatens democratic norms both domestically and internationally, exemplified by his pursuit of Greenland and the militarization of federal agencies.

A Dangerous Start to 2026 | Shield of the Republic
The hosts dissect a volatile global landscape, from aggressive US foreign policy actions and European alienation to internal political shifts in Ukraine and escalating protests in Iran, warning of a perilous 2026.

Anne Applebaum: Europe Is Preparing for an America That Turns Hostile | The Bulwark Podcast
Anne Applebaum details how Europe is actively 'hedging' against a potentially hostile US, while domestically, the transformation of ICE into a paramilitary force represents a significant shift towards authoritarian tactics.

Trump’s Open Oil Grab | Shield of the Republic
Hosts Eric Edelman and Elliot Cohen dissect the US military operation in Venezuela, framing it as a dangerous 'oil grab' by the Trump administration with severe, unpredictable international consequences and a blatant disregard for international law and congressional oversight.

Sorry Trump, No Oil Company Wants to Drill in a War Zone
A military expert breaks down the complexities and risks of US interventions in Venezuela and the strategic absurdity of pursuing Greenland, revealing critical gaps in planning and significant geopolitical fallout.

Stephen Miller Created an Enemy (w/ Jon Blitzer & Imran Ahmed) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the Trump administration's foreign policy in Venezuela, revealing Stephen Miller's influence and the weaponization of immigration rhetoric, alongside the shocking targeting of a digital hate researcher by the US government for his advocacy.
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