Bulwark Takes
Netanyahu Bet Everything on Trump—And Lost (w/ Andrew Fox) | Mona Charen Show
Andrew Fox and Mona Charen dissect the geopolitical missteps of Netanyahu's reliance on Trump, the ineffectiveness of the recent Iran deal, and the distorted global narrative surrounding Israel's actions in Gaza.
Marco Rubio Was Humiliated on the World Stage (w/ Adam Kinzinger) | Bulwark Podcast
Donald Trump's 'surrender' to Iran, formalized in a 14-point MOU signed in Versailles, is framed as a catastrophic foreign policy failure that empowers Iran, alienates allies, and exposes the former president's weakness.
Trump is Drowning Us in Lies—On Purpose (w/ Anne Applebaum) | Bulwark Podcast
Anne Applebaum details how the Trump administration employs a 'firehose of falsehoods' strategy to obscure reality in foreign policy and domestic issues, prioritizing online engagement over real-world outcomes or human impact.
The Ukraine War Is a Disaster for Russia. So Why Is Putin Still Fighting? | Shield of the Republic
Two seasoned foreign policy experts dissect the escalating global distrust of the United States, Russia's staggering war losses in Ukraine, and North Korea's alarming nuclear ambitions, revealing a world on edge.
Ending the War Will Require Force | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the complexities of US foreign policy, from media integrity and defense mismanagement to strategic approaches for Iran, China, and Cuba, emphasizing the need for robust leadership and public understanding.
Trump’s Humiliation in Iran Changes Everything (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode details how Trump's foreign policy failures in Iran and Europe, coupled with domestic political maneuvers like gerrymandering and cabinet incompetence, are fundamentally reshaping the global order and American political landscape.
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.
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 Wants to Invent a Fake Reality (w/ Anne Applebaum) | The Bulwark Podcast
Anne Applebaum details how Hungary's Viktor Orban employs 'post-reality' politics and disinformation to maintain power, a model increasingly adopted by the American far-right, while critiquing Trump's chaotic foreign policy and the breakdown of international relations.
Trump & Hegseth Ignored Experts—Then Tried to Run a War (w/ Tom Nichols) | Command Post
Experts dissect the Trump administration's disastrous handling of the US-Iran conflict, revealing a 'one-sided ceasefire' and strategic incompetence driven by a disregard for expertise and a 'Pentagon purge' of experienced officers.
From Unconditional Surrender to…Whatever This Is (David French & Rep. Subramanyam) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the chaotic and strategically flawed US-Iran conflict under Trump, highlighting the degradation of military integrity, the weaponization of the DOJ, and the broader erosion of democratic norms.
Trump’s Iran Endgame Fantasy | Shield of the Republic
This analysis dissects the US President's flawed Iran strategy, revealing the high risks and unclear objectives of potential military ground operations and the broader implications for US credibility and regional stability.
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.
This is Beyond Mere Incompetence (w/ Robert Kagan) | The Bulwark Podcast
Robert Kagan details how the ongoing US military action in Iran, initiated under the Trump administration, is dismantling the post-WWII global order, isolating the US, and empowering rivals like China and Russia.
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 Won’t Stop—Because He Can’t Look Weak | Secret Podcast Preview
Trump's desperate need to avoid appearing weak is driving dangerous escalation in the Iran conflict, threatening the petrodollar system and the collapse of the US-led world order.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trump Is Dismantling America's Future (w/ Atul Gawande) | Mona Charen Show
Dr. Atul Gawande, a leading surgeon and former USAID administrator, details how recent political decisions are actively dismantling critical global health infrastructure, undermining scientific progress, and eroding US soft power, with devastating human costs.
Trump Imposes New Tariff After SCOTUS Loss
The Supreme Court struck down Trump's use of the IEEPA for tariffs, but the former President immediately announced new tariffs under different authorities, signaling a continued era of high tariffs and complex trade negotiations.
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.
Trump's Polls Are Awful—and the Real Pain Hasn’t Started Yet (w/ Bill Kristol) | Bulwark Podcast
The hosts dissect Marco Rubio's shift to 'blood and soil' nationalism and his endorsement of Viktor Orban, contrasting it with Democratic responses to a changing global order and examining domestic issues like Trump's struggling approval and government agency misconduct.
Want more on international relations?
Explore deep-dive summaries and actionable takeaways from the best minds across different podcasts discussing this topic.
View All International Relations 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