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Crooked Media

“Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor thought foreign policy was boring and complicated until he got the education of a lifetime working for President Obama’s National Security Council. On “Pod Save the World,” he and former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes break down the latest global developments and bring you behind the scenes with the people who were there. New episodes every Wednesday. 

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Pod Save the World

Tommy & Ben sound the alarm about how Trump is laying the foundation for war with Venezuela—breaking down the administration’s justifications, what escalation could look like, and why attacking Venezuela won’t solve America’s drug problem. Then, they discuss the latest negotiations between Israel and Hamas over Trump’s Gaza “peace plan,” Israel's treatment of activists arrested from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, an update from journalist Noa Avishag Schnall, who’s currently sailing to Gaza with another flotilla, and the United States’ unprecedented security agreement with Qatar. Also covered: how MAGA is advocating for an El Salvador-style judicial takeover, Russia’s “hybrid war” on Europe and its shadow fleet of decrepit oil tankers, and the over-the-hill rock stylings of Argentina’s embattled president, Javier Milei. Finally, Tommy speaks with Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. Trade Representative under Obama, about Trump’s trade “strategy,” the death of the rules-based system of global commerce, and why the humble soybean has become a flashpoint in the trade wars.

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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Trump Barrels Towards War with Venezuela

Tommy & Ben react to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump's bizarre and alarming gathering of top military officials, including Trump's fascistic rhetoric about the "enemy within", wildly inappropriate partisan rants, and Hegseth's anti-DEI, pro-war-crimes lecture that could have been an email. They also talk about Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of a 20-point plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas, Netanyahu's apology to Qatar for striking Hamas leaders in Doha and why the hell Tony Blair is involved. Also discussed: Marco Rubio's secret plan for regime change in Venezuela, the revocation of the Colombian president's visa by the U.S., how Trump's trade war with China could sell out Taiwan and hurt American farmers, "Gen Z" protests in Madagascar, and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy's latest prison sentence. Finally, they explain why the comedy world is headed to Saudi Arabia and how Trump bonded with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over rigged elections. Then, Ben speaks to foreign policy analyst, author, and journalist Rula Jebreal about the sidelining of Palestinians in Trump's peace plan, the threat of West Bank annexation, and what the international community can do for Palestine.

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.

 

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump's Fascist Military Jamboree

Tommy & Ben grit their teeth and dive into Trump’s rambling, insulting address at the United Nations and fact-check his ridiculous claim that he solved seven wars. They cover Trump’s proposed bank bailout for Argentina, his threat to re-invade Afghanistan, Pete Hegseth’s crackdown on journalists’ access to the Pentagon, and Russia’s continuing incursions into NATO airspace. They also discuss a trio of immigration stories: the administration’s new goalposts for high-skilled H-1B visas, the ending of Temporary Protected Status for Syrians, and the chilling deportation order for Mahmoud Khalil. Finally, updates on America’s rogue attacks on alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela, a potential new approach to nuclear negotiations with North Korea, how French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are fighting back against conspiracy theorist Candace Owens, and potential U.K. Prime Minister Nigel Farage’s incredibly undignified side hustle. Then, Ben speaks with Robert Malley, co-author of the new book Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine, about the failures of the peace process under Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, the recent move by several countries to recognize a Palestinian state, and what a path to peace could look like beyond a two-state solution.

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.

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Has Trump Ended 7 Wars? (No)

Tommy & Ben start with Gaza: the UN Human Rights Council’s finding that Israel has committed genocide, and Israel’s ground operation into Gaza City. They discuss how Marco Rubio signaled that Trump has given up on brokering a peace deal in Gaza, and why the Netanyahu government is telling the press that Trump is lying about his knowledge of the IDF airstrike in Qatar. Also covered: Kash Patel’s combative Senate hearing about the rampant dysfunction at the FBI, the global reaction to the murder of Charlie Kirk and the dark conspiracy theories that have emerged around it, the long-term harm to the US-South Korea relationship caused by the ICE raid on a Hyundai plant in Georgia, Nepal’s democracy by Discord, Trump’s UK state visit amid Jeffrey Epstein fallout and far-right protests, Trump’s ultimatums to NATO, and Conor McGregor’s aborted bid for the Irish presidency. Then, Tommy speaks to Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, about the humanitarian situations in Haiti, Sudan, and Gaza, the devastating effects of the gutting of USAID, and what’s giving him hope right now. Check out Be Hope 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.

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can the FBI Survive Trump & Kash Patel?

Tommy & Ben react to Israel’s shocking strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar. They cover how this closes the door on ceasefire negotiations, how the attacks humiliate the Arab world and make normalization in the region next to impossible, and the Trump administration’s incoherent response. They also discuss the alleged Israeli bombing of a humanitarian aid flotilla in Tunisia, the horrific terrorist attack in Jerusalem, and Spain’s roadmap for opposing what’s happening in Gaza. Also covered: Keir Starmer’s misguided cabinet reshuffle in the UK, French President Emmanuel Macron’s chronic inability to hold onto a prime minister, what protest movements in Nepal and Indonesia say about the state of the world, and the ongoing threat of a US war with Venezuela. Then, Ben speaks with Susan Rice, national security advisor and UN ambassador under Obama, about the redirection and weaponization of the military under Trump, how this administration’s foreign policy is pushing our allies into our adversaries’ arms, and the “brazen violation of international law” that is Israel’s attack on Qatar.

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.

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Israel Bombs Hamas Leaders in Qatar

Tommy & Ben discuss China’s summit in Tianjin, which brought together leaders from 20 countries, including India, Iran, Russia, and North Korea, and how it signals a major shift in global alliances. They talk about the schism between Trump and India’s President Narendra Modi and how Trump keeps conceding to China on issues like AI and student visas despite his many empty threats. Also covered: the administration’s illegal airstrike on a Venezuelan boat allegedly carrying drugs, the new for-profit ethnic cleansing plan for Gaza, how the gutting of USAID is hobbling the response to Afghanistan’s devastating earthquake, and Steve Witkoff’s stupendous incompetence in his role as special envoy for….everything. Then, Tommy speaks with journalist Jasper Nathaniel, who covers the West Bank on his Substack, Infinite Jaz. They talk about what life is like for Palestinians there, the far-right’s goal of achieving total annexation of the territory, and the pipe dream of a two-state solution. 

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.

Donate to Uplift Afghanistan’s earthquake relief efforts here.

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump Is Humiliated by China

Tommy & Ben dig into the FBI’s raid on John Bolton and how Pete Hegseth’s firing of the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency fits into Trump’s ongoing ideological purges of the US intelligence community. They discuss Israel’s criminal “double tap” strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, The Free Press’s sanctimonious reaction to criticism of their reporting about starvation in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s constant moving of the goalposts on a ceasefire deal, why Trump’s meeting South Korean president Lee Jae Myung was humiliating for America, Trump’s lies and delusions about being a peacemaker, the latest on Iran negotiations, why Australia expelled Iranian diplomats, and Putin’s answer to Eurovision. Then, Tommy speaks with Franklin Nossiter, Sahel Analyst at the International Crisis Group, about the complex dynamics in a region where military juntas, jihadists, and foreign powers are all jostling for influence.

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.

 

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump's Military and Intelligence Purge

Tommy & Ben sift through the week’s flurry of meetings on Ukraine, including Putin and Trump’s Alaska summit and Zelensky’s White House visit. They discuss how territory and security guarantees factor into negotiations, what Putin means by the “root causes” of the war, and how Russia won the optics game. They also talk about why a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel isn’t likely, massive anti-war protests in Israel, the Free Press’s ghoulish “reporting” on starving Gazan children, Laura Loomer’s malicious influence on medical visas for injured Palestinian kids, and the imprisonment of a 16-year-old Palestinian-American boy in Israel. Also covered: a rightward shift in Bolivia, Trump’s mobilization against cartels, and we say a fond farewell to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Then, Ben speaks with Representative Ro Khanna about his letter supporting the recognition of a Palestinian State and how to think about the future of Democratic Foreign Policy.

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.

 

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How Putin Dominated Trump, and Can Ukraine Survive

Ben and guest co-host Yalda Hakim, Sky News’ Lead World News Presenter, discuss Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s upcoming Alaska summit, previewing what might unfold, Ukraine's predicament, and how Europe has struggled with being sidelined. They also talk about Trump’s fixation on the Nobel Peace Prize and his ‘real estate diplomacy,’ as well as Israel’s frightening plan to take over Gaza, the targeted killing of several Al Jazeera journalists, and Europe’s uncoordinated response to Israel’s expanding war and the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Finally, they discuss the fourth anniversary of the fall of Kabul and what life is like for women and girls under the Taliban’s rule. Then, Tommy speaks with Michael C. Horowitz, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Development and Emerging Capabilities, about how drones and artificial intelligence have ushered in a new era of warfare, and why the US military is lagging behind. Check out Yalda’s podcast, The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim.

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.

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump's Strongman Summit Is a Gift to Putin

Tommy and Ben kick off the show by digging into Trump and Netanyahu’s incompatible visions for the war in Gaza: a comprehensive peace deal vs. more fighting and annexation. They also discuss the continuing humanitarian disaster in the Strip, horrific violence in the West Bank even as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson visits the occupied territory, and Netanyahu’s firing of Israel’s attorney general. Then they cover Trump’s tariff threats against India and his newly rocky relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, how America has screwed over Lesotho and Switzerland on trade, and Russia’s tightening control over citizens’ internet access. Also covered: the legal case against former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, and President Nayib Bukele’s move to end term limits in El Salvador. Finally, Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry get cozy in Montreal and State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reinvents what’s possible when it comes to word salad. Then, Ben speaks with Elly Schlein, secretary of Italy's Democratic Party, about what it’s like being in opposition to Giorgia Meloni and how progressives can position themselves against the far-right.

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.

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump Torches Every Ally

Tommy and Ben discuss the Davos summit, the latest round of Biden documents, the U.K. blocking a Scottish law that would make gender change easier, more Russian attacks in Ukraine, the new climate spotlight on the UAE, protests in Israel, China’s population on the decline, and Italy’s biggest mob boss finally getting caught. Then, Tommy is joined by The New York Times Brazil bureau chief Jack Nicas to discuss the fallout from the riots, the comparison to January 6th, and what it all means for Brazil’s new president Lula.

 

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.

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to handle the Biden docs

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