Bulwark Takes
BOMBSHELL WaPo Story on Tulsi Gabbard—Was She Controlled by a Cult? | MAGA Mondays
This episode unpacks the bizarre political dramas of the week, from Trump's furious reaction to the Reflecting Pool's algae bloom to a bombshell report alleging Tulsi Gabbard was controlled by a cult leader, and the strange saga of a Candace Owens death hoax.
What History Says Comes Next (w/ Deborah Lipstadt) | Shield of the Republic
Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, a leading historian of anti-Semitism, explains how rising anti-Semitism is not just a threat to Jews but a flashing amber light for the stability of global democracy and national security.
Iran's Leaders Know Trump Is Desperate (w/ Kenneth Pollack) | Shield of the Republic
Kenneth Pollack details how the US-Iran conflict has devolved into a 'hurting stalemate,' with Trump's erratic strategy convincing Iran of American desperation, leading to Gulf states seeking reconciliation and new regional power dynamics.
Is Trump's Iran War Legal? (w/ Ryan Goodman) | Bulwark on Sunday
NYU Law Professor Ryan Goodman details the alarming erosion of the rule of law across key US government agencies, from intelligence and justice to defense, highlighting critical legal battles and their long-term implications.
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.
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.
The GOP Paralyzed Congress for Trump’s IDIOTIC Ballroom (Sarah, JVL & Martha Raddatz) | Bulwark Pod
The Bulwark hosts dissect alleged corruption surrounding a $1.8 billion 'slush fund' for Trump's allies and a $1 billion Secret Service 'ballroom,' arguing these are unprecedented acts of legalized fraud and misprioritization, while Martha Raddatz offers insights on the opaque nature of current US foreign policy and the human cost of war.
Tom Nichols: There’s Something Wrong with the President | The Bulwark Podcast LIVE
Tim Miller and Tom Nichols dissect the alarming implications of former President Trump's erratic behavior, a failed Iran war, and a nonsensical counterterrorism strategy, arguing these issues directly impact American citizens and global stability.
EXCLUSIVE: Trump Keeps LOSING to Seashell Jim Comey | The Bulwark Podcast
Former FBI Director James Comey and host Tim Miller discuss the Trump administration's alleged weaponization of the Department of Justice, detailing specific cases of political targeting and the resulting demoralization and operational risks within federal agencies.
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 Started a War With No Allies, No Vote, and No Exit Strategy (w/ Seth Moulton) | How to Fix It
Congressman Seth Moulton critiques the current state of US politics and foreign policy, particularly Trump's handling of Iran and China, while proposing a progressive Democratic agenda focused on age limits, term limits, and core human rights like housing, healthcare, and education.
Iran Experts: Fired. FBI Chief: Blacked Out. Good Luck, Y'all! (w/ Bill Kristol) | Bulwark Podcast
Tim Miller and Bill Kristol dissect Trump's chaotic Iran policy, the alarming conduct of FBI Director Cash Patel, and critical domestic political maneuvers, highlighting the systemic risks and shifting geopolitical landscape.
Bill Kristol & Ryan Goodman: How Trump Could Weaponize Surveillance | Bulwark on Sunday
This episode dissects how Section 702 of FISA, an essential national security tool, could be weaponized by an administration to target domestic critics through its 'backdoor' access to American communications.
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 & 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.
Tim Miller vs. Rep. Gottheimer: War Debate Gets HEATED
A heated debate between Tim Miller and Rep. Josh Gottheimer exposes deep divisions and frustrations over the US's war with Iran, focusing on the administration's unclear objectives, economic impact, and potential foreign influence.
Trump is Remaking National Security to Enforce His Agenda (w/ Tom Joscelyn)
Tom Joscelyn and Bill Crystal dissect how the Trump administration is systematically politicizing and weaponizing national security agencies, from the Pentagon to the FBI, to enforce a specific ideological agenda against perceived domestic opposition.
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.
FBI Director Hacked by Iran in Middle of War
An Iranian hack team breached the personal accounts of FBI Director Cash Patel, exposing embarrassing photos and his resume, raising serious questions about national security and his competence amidst an undeclared 'war' with Iran.
Tim Miller: The GOP’s Florida Problem Is Real
Despite recent Republican dominance, new data and election results suggest Florida is unexpectedly back in play for Democrats, signaling a potential broader blue wave.
The Easy Part of the Iran War Is Over | The Bulwark Podcast
The escalating US-Iran conflict has exposed critical vulnerabilities in American homeland security, strained key alliances, and revealed a profound lack of strategic planning for its long-term geopolitical and economic fallout.
Former General Gives Brutally Honest Iran War Assessment | Command Post
General Mark Hertling and Ben Parker dissect the ongoing Iran war, highlighting the critical mismatch between US kinetic military objectives and Iran's asymmetric political and economic warfare, emphasizing the lack of a clear US end state.
Is Trump Already Getting Tired of His Iran War? | Morning Chaser
The hosts dissect the Trump administration's approach to the Iran conflict, arguing Trump is seeking an exit despite maximalist objectives, and then pivot to the emerging political and regulatory challenges of rapidly advancing AI.
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