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Pod Save the World

Pod Save the World

By: Pod Save the World
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Each week, “Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor and Obama’s former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes break down the biggest developments in foreign policy, national security and global politics. They try to explain which stories matter and why, and what we can all do to understand and shape the world around us.

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Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Breaking: America and Israel at War with Iran
    Mar 1 2026
    Tommy and Ben discuss the breaking news that Israel and America launched hundreds of joint strikes against Iran, throwing the region into chaos. They talk about reports that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead, Iran’s retaliation against Israel, US bases in the region and civilian targets in Gulf nations, how Democrats should respond, the international reaction, and the uncertainty that lies ahead.
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    44 mins
  • 508: Countdown to War With Iran?
    Feb 25 2026

    Tommy and Ben discuss seemingly imminent American military strikes on Iran despite the absence of clear goals or military plan, the lack of concern for both the Iranian public and US troops who are caught in the middle of President Trump’s chaotic warmongering, and Tucker Carlson’s striking interview with Mike Huckabee where Carlson pins him down on Israeli border expansion and justification for war with Iran. They also talk about the Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs and what it means for Trump’s foreign policy, why companies like Anthropic may be the only hope to control the military’s use of AI, a mass exodus of ISIS supporters from a detention camp in Syria, and FBI Director Kash Patel inserting himself into the US Men’s hockey team’s celebration at the Olympics. Then Tommy speaks to Ricardo Zúniga, founder of Dinámica Americas, about the significance of Mexican forces killing drug lord “El Mencho” and the resulting violence in the country.

    Preorder Ben’s book All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches and subscribe to his Substack here.

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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • 507: AOC on the World Stage, Trump Starves Cuba
    Feb 18 2026

    Ben and guest co-host Ayman Mohyeldin break down the news out of the Munich Security Conference, including Marco Rubio’s condescending speech, why all eyes were on Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the grim outlook for Ukraine, and Ben’s sense of the mood on the ground there. They also talk about Israel's slow-motion annexation of the West Bank, the lack of progress on Gaza, and Lindsay Graham’s enthusiasm for future wars fought with Israeli tech. Also covered: what Iran could look like if the current regime falls, and Trump’s responsibility for the dire humanitarian situation in Cuba. Finally, new clues on Kim Jong Un’s succession plan for North Korea and the extremely satisfying downfall of MAGA troll Richard Grenell. You can find Ayman hosting The Weekend: Primetime, which airs Saturdays and Sundays at 6pm ET on MS NOW.

    Preorder Ben’s book All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches and subscribe to his Substack here.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
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