Bulwark Takes

Reckoning With Trump’s Iran Defeat. Plus: The Meaning of Memorial Day (w/ Michael Wood)
A combat veteran and former Marine officer critically assesses the Trump administration's handling of the Iran conflict as a strategic defeat and expresses deep concern over the politicization of the U.S. military, linking these issues to the solemn meaning of Memorial Day.

From Bunker Hill to Normandy, JD Vance Is Wrong About America (w/ Rep. Auchincloss) | How to Fix It
Congressman Jake Auchincloss advocates for a 'patriotic radical center' within the Democratic Party, proposing bold policy solutions for housing, education, and taxation, funded by taxing big tech, while critiquing the current administration's strategic missteps with China and Iran.

Trump’s War Is Becoming a Political Extinction Event | The Next Level
The hosts dissect the Trump administration's handling of the Iran conflict, its economic fallout, and the political implications for the Republican party, highlighting a disconnect between public perception and the administration's self-serving narratives.

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’s Idiotic “Mad Man” Strategy Has Collapsed (w/ Sam Stein) | The Bulwark Podcast
Donald Trump's 'mad man' strategy has reportedly collapsed as he struggles to find an off-ramp in the Iran conflict, while Democrats successfully outmaneuver Republicans in redistricting battles and concerns rise over political appointments and neglected domestic tragedies.

JVL Is the Reigning Champion of All the Internet | The Next Level
The Bulwark hosts dissect the internal Republican power struggles, the strategic pivots of figures like Tucker Carlson, and the surprising viability of Donald Trump Jr. as a future presidential candidate, all while critiquing the current administration's chaotic handling of foreign policy and domestic appointments.

Tim Miller Reads Mean Reddit Posts | Tim's a Streamer Now
Tim Miller offers sharp political commentary, critiques Trump's economic and war rhetoric, defends the 'get stuff done' approach to policy, and addresses personal criticisms while advocating for pragmatic Democratic strategies and youth engagement.

Hegseth's Pentagon Shakeup Gets Even Worse | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the multifaceted challenges facing US foreign policy, from internal Pentagon turmoil and the strategic miscalculations in the Iran conflict to shifting European political dynamics and the resilience of Ukraine, all against the backdrop of a perceived decline in US leadership and alliance management.

Trump's Path of Destruction | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects how former President Trump's actions and rhetoric are systematically dismantling America's global alliances and democratic norms, from NATO to the Middle East, and the alarming rise of illiberalism both domestically and abroad.

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.

The Next Level LIVE: Trump Extends Civilian Annihilation Threat For Two Weeks
Hosts JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller dissect Trump's 'deal' with Iran, framing it as a catastrophic foreign policy defeat driven by political desperation and external influence, while exposing deep-seated corruption and hypocrisy within the administration.

BREAKING: Trump Threatens Genocide in Iran | Morning Shots Live
Former President Trump's escalating threats against Iran, culminating in a post interpreted as genocidal, expose a dangerous political crisis, fracturing his base and challenging the military and Congress.

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.

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.

Trump is Struggling | Secret Podcast Preview
Hosts JVL and Sarah Longwell dissect how Trump's political maneuvers, including cabinet shake-ups and a widely panned Iran speech, reveal a struggling presidency amidst escalating foreign policy crises and rising oil prices.

Tim Miller, Sam Stein, JVL and Mark Hertling React to Trump's Iran Address
A panel of analysts dissects a recent presidential address on Iran, framing it as an incoherent, contradictory, and strategically damaging 'Truth Social rant' with severe economic and geopolitical consequences.

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 Needs Approval for This War (w/ Michael O'Hanlon) | Shield of the Republic
Michael O'Hanlon dissects the assertive and often contradictory nature of US defense strategy throughout history, from continental expansion to modern challenges in AI and industrial capacity.

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.

Is Trump’s Movement in a Death Spiral? (w/ Michael Steele) | The Bulwark Podcast
Veteran Republican strategists Michael Steele and Tim Miller dissect the perceived 'death spiral' of the Trump movement, arguing that current economic and political decisions demonstrate a profound disregard for national stability and an alarming focus on culture wars over tangible solutions.

The 5 Most Unhinged Things Trump Said in One Cabinet Meeting
Hosts Sam Stein and Andrew Egger dissect a recent Trump cabinet meeting, ranking the five most 'unhinged' and factually dubious statements made by the former president and his allies, from Sharpie rants to alarming claims about nuclear weapons and NATO.

Trump’s Support is About to Crater | The Next Level
The hosts critically analyze Trump's handling of the Iran conflict, arguing it is a self-inflicted economic disaster that will erode his base, while also dissecting the ideological void and financial motivations within the modern conservative movement.

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.

BREAKING: Trump Blames Hegseth for Iran War, Insults Widower
Donald Trump's erratic handling of the Iran conflict, marked by shifting threats and self-serving narratives, reveals a leadership style detached from geopolitical realities and economic consequences.
Want more on iran conflict?
Explore deep-dive summaries and actionable takeaways from the best minds across different podcasts discussing this topic.
View All Iran Conflict 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