Bulwark Takes

For the First Time Since WWII, Moscow Is Under Attack (w/ Marc Bennetts) | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the unpredictable nature of US foreign policy under Trump, the hollowing out of American diplomacy, and offers a grim, first-hand account of Russia's descent into authoritarianism and the pervasive impact of state propaganda.

Why in the World Are We Pulling Troops out of Poland? | Command Post
The US is systematically undermining its own strategic interests and long-standing alliances by unilaterally withdrawing troops from key European partners like Poland and Germany, signaling weakness to adversaries and eroding trust with allies.

Trump Blew Iran War Diplomacy—and Now Everyone’s Furious | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the Trump administration's disastrous handling of Iran war diplomacy, the hollowing out of the State Department, and the profound geopolitical shifts reshaping the Middle East and Europe.

MAGA’s Iran War Is Cracking Apart | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the Trump administration's Iran strategy, revealing internal power struggles, geopolitical realignments, and the evolving nature of modern warfare, while questioning the long-term viability of current approaches.

Trump Is Getting a TERRIBLE Deal (w/ Ben Rhodes) | The Bulwark Podcast
Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor, dissects the catastrophic consequences of Trump's Iran policy, arguing his 'deal' is a costly re-negotiation of a superior agreement that strengthened Iran and alienated US allies.

Trump Broke U.S. Foreign Policy—Now What? (w/ Juan Gonzalez) | How to Fix It
Former National Security Council staffer Juan Gonzalez analyzes how the Trump administration's 'drunk on coercive power' foreign policy destabilized Latin America and the Middle East, contrasting it with previous administrations' approaches and proposing a new path for US engagement.

Possible Ground Troops in Iran, Trump Speech Preview and The Slow-Motion Destruction of NATO
This episode critically dissects the Trump administration's 'flailing' military strategy in Iran and its accelerating 'slow-motion destruction' of NATO, drawing parallels to past military miscalculations.

Trump Says He’s Talking to a “New Regime” in Iran (w/ Sue Gordon)
Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon dissects the US-Iran relationship under the Trump administration, revealing Iran's strategic patience, the degradation of US intelligence, and the limited, problematic off-ramps in the current standoff.

This Trump Nomination Was So Bad…They Had to Pull It
Nick Adams, known for his 'alpha male' online persona and controversial tweets, had his ambassadorship nomination to Malaysia withdrawn and was instead given a newly created, largely ceremonial role as Special Presidential Envoy for American Tourism, Exceptionalism, and Values.

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’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.

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.

Did Taxpayers Just Fund Kash Patel’s Olympic Getaway?
From Kash Patel's taxpayer-funded Olympic beer chugging to Tucker Carlson's botched Israeli interview and a Florida candidate faking arson, this episode exposes the absurd and hypocritical antics of prominent right-wing figures.

Lindsey Graham Berated Denmark’s Prime Minister (w/ Frank Dikötter) | Shield of the Republic
This episode exposes the fragility of US alliances under populist pressures and re-evaluates the true origins of the Chinese Communist Party's rise, challenging long-held Western narratives.

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.

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.

Sen. Mark Warner: Trump Is Talking About Invading U.S. Allies
Senator Mark Warner critically assesses the US operation in Venezuela, highlighting its dangerous precedents for international law and US alliances, and expresses alarm over the administration's 'imperialist whim' extending to potential actions against allies like Greenland.
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