Pod Save the World
313 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 22.1K ratings“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 developments and bring you behind the scenes with the people who were there. New episodes every Wednesday.
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Episodes
Who is President of Venezuela?
January 30, 2019 08:05 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBTommy talks with Anthony Faiola, the Washington Post bureau chief for South America and the Caribbean, about the dire situation in Venezuela. Then Ben Rhodes joins to discuss the Trump administration's approach to Venezuela's leadership struggle, the Worldwide Threat Assessment hearings in Congress, a potential peace deal in Afghanistan, Ebola, Jared's security clearance (again) and bumbling spies.
Brexit breakdown
January 23, 2019 08:05 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBFirst, Tommy and Ben talk with David Lammy, a member of parliament from the UK, about the slow-rolling disaster that is Brexit. Then they discuss Trump's announcement of a second meeting with Kim Jong Un, recent Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria, and the latest from Afghanistan.
Owned by Russia but itching to bomb Iran
January 16, 2019 08:13 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBFirst, Tommy and Ben discuss two stories about the Trump administration agitating to attack Iran. Then they discuss several unnerving reports about Trump potentially being compromised by Russia, followed by Brexit, the World Bank, and our Twitter troll ambassador to Germany. Then a Sudanese-American activist named Wafa May Elamin joins to discuss the ongoing protests in Sudan.
New year, same problems
January 09, 2019 08:05 - 43 minutes - 40 MBFirst, Tommy talks with Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin about Trump's Syria flip flops and how he's demoralizing the intel community. Then, Ben Rhodes joins to talk about Secretary Pompeo's middle east trip and Cairo speech, the new authoritarian President in Brazil, and the anti-BDS bill going through Congress.
Foreign policy in 2019
December 26, 2018 08:07 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBTommy and Ben Rhodes talk about Trump pulling US troops out of Syria, the MLB and Cuba, and then talk about how US policy towards Israel, North Korea and Russia could change in 2019.
Foreign policy in 2019
December 26, 2018 08:07 - 57 minutes - 50.2 MBTommy and Ben Rhodes talk about Trump pulling US troops out of Syria, the MLB and Cuba, and then talk about how US policy towards Israel, North Korea and Russia could change in 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The French President and General Flynn had a bad, bad week
December 19, 2018 08:05 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBTommy and Ben Rhodes discuss General Flynn's trial and what the hell he was doing for the Turkish government. Then they discuss new Senate reports about Russia's propaganda efforts, China's muslim internment camps, and updates from Syria and Afghanistan. Then French journalist and activist Rokhaya Diallo joins to discuss the Yellow Vest protests in France.
U.S. policy towards Israel
December 12, 2018 08:07 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBTommy and Ben Rhodes talk with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro about his time in Israel, why the Middle East Peace process failed, Trump's approach to Israel, the BDS movement, whether support for Israel is getting politicized, Netanyahu's legal jeopardy, and Jared Kushner managing our relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The 2020 Democrats and foreign policy
December 05, 2018 08:05 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBFirst, Tommy and Ben talk through George H.W. Bush's foreign policy record, the good the bad and the ugly. Then they discuss the news out of the G20, the latest on Saudi Arabia, and the Democrats' foreign policy messaging. Then Tommy is joined by Kelly Magsamen to discuss Elizabeth Warren's foreign policy speech and what issues 2020 democrats should be talking about.
War between Russia and Ukraine, Wikileaks, Brexit and more
November 28, 2018 08:09 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBFirst, Tommy talks with former US Ambassador to Russia Mike McFaul about fighting between Russia and Ukraine. Then Ben Rhodes dials in to discuss the latest with Brexit, a reported meeting between Wikileaks’ Julian Assange and Trump stooge Paul Manafort, protests in France and the climate report, Saudi Arabia, and how the US caused instability in some Latin American countries.
Update on Jamal Khashoggi and monitoring right-wing extremism
November 21, 2018 08:36 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBFirst, Tommy talks with Karen Attiah, the Washington Post Global Opinions Editor who used to edit Jamal Khashoggi’s work, about Trump’s statement Tuesday about Jamal's murder that essentially absolves Saudi Arabia. Then he talks with Jared Holt from Right Wing Watch about his work monitoring right-wing extremist groups.
Global news roundup and North Korea
November 14, 2018 08:09 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBFirst, Tommy talks with Ben Rhodes about some major foreign policy news out of Israel, Trump's visit to France and the Russia investigation. Then Tommy talks with North Korea expert Lisa Collins about a new report detailing North Korea's ongoing development of its missile program.
We won the House! What does it that mean for the world?
November 09, 2018 03:45 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBTommy talks with foreign policy expert Jake Sullivan about what Democratic control of the House means for US foreign policy, including US relations with Saudi Arabia, the Iran deal, Trump's ties with Russia, trade and North Korea.
Saudi murders and the war in Yemen
October 31, 2018 07:23 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBTommy talks with The Intercept's Mehdi Hasan about the international community's response to murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the catastrophic Saudi-led civil war in Yemen.
Democrats Not Dictators
October 24, 2018 07:03 - 56 minutes - 49.7 MBTommy's in Philadelphia for HBO! So Ben Rhodes reviews the latest on Trump’s refusal to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for brutally murdering a journalist. Then he talks to three candidates who could hold Trump accountable if Democrats take back the House: Rep. Stephanie Murphy, Minnesota's Dan Feehan, and New Jersey's Andy Kim. All of them have national security backgrounds. All of them are among the very best people. All of them (and America) need you to vote this election: votesaveamerica.c...
Democrats Not Dictators
October 24, 2018 07:03 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBTommy's in Philadelphia for HBO! So Ben Rhodes reviews the latest on Trump’s refusal to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for brutally murdering a journalist. Then he talks to three candidates who could hold Trump accountable if Democrats take back the House: Rep. Stephanie Murphy, Minnesota's Dan Feehan, and New Jersey's Andy Kim. All of them have national security backgrounds. All of them are among the very best people. All of them (and America) need you to vote this election: votesaveamerica....
The Great British Breakdown Show
October 17, 2018 07:00 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBTommy is in Austin with Beto O'Rourke for Pod Save America on HBO! So this week, Crooked contributor Ben Rhodes travels across the pond to sit down with David Lammy, a trail blazing long time Member of Parliament, to break down the looming catastrophe of Brexit, why Trump is as accepted in the UK as well as "a cold bucket of sick," and what progressives need to do to change course in Britain, the U.S. and across the West. There are 20 days until the election: votesaveamerica.com
National security candidates
October 10, 2018 01:42 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBFirst, Tommy ticks through some major news about UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. Then he interviews three candidates (Jesse Colvin, Abigail Spanberger, Lauren Baer) who have different national security backgrounds that all made them decide to run for Congress this cycle. They are inspiring and brilliant. You won't want to miss it.
Kim Jong-Un found love in a hopeless place
October 03, 2018 07:05 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBTommy talks with the Washington Post's David Ignatius about Trump's visit to the UN general assembly, including potentially explosive claims by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu about Iran's nuclear program, Trump's love affair with North Korea and some legitimately hopeful signs, and escalating tensions with China.
Is the Mueller investigation doomed?
September 26, 2018 07:08 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBTommy talks with The Atlantic's Natasha Bertrand about how the potential departure of Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein would impact the Mueller investigation and operations at DOJ. Then they discuss what we've learned about Russia's efforts to influence our elections over the past two years, and the shady right-wing characters that link Trump to Wikileaks.
John Kerry: Recording for Duty
September 19, 2018 07:09 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBTommy (with an assist from Jon Favreau) talks with former Secretary of State John Kerry about Iran, Israel, Trump's attacks and what he learned from the 2004 presidential campaign about how to respond to fake news.
War in Venezuela and Al Qaeda 17 years after 9/11
September 12, 2018 07:07 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBTommy talks with new LA resident Ben Rhodes about the bizarre Trump NSC memo naming him leader of the Echo Chamber, the state of al Qaeda and the war in Afghanistan, talk of war in Venezuela and weird old John Bolton.
Foreign lobbying and what Bob Woodward taught us about Trump's foreign policy
September 05, 2018 07:11 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBTwo part show this week! First, Tommy talks with the Wall Street Journal's Julie Bykowicz about new and insidious ways foreign countries are lobbying the Trump administration. Then, Tommy is joined by Vox's Alex Ward to discuss North Korea, revelations in Bob Woodward's book, new theories about what harmed diplomats in Cuba, and Burma.
Trump's racist South Africa conspiracy theory
August 29, 2018 07:07 - 33 minutes - 28 MBLast week, President Trump tweeted about a segment on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show that claimed white farmers in South Africa are being murdered and that the government is taking away their land. The Economist's Africa bureau chief John McDermott joins to explain what the hell he's talking about and what he got wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump's racist South Africa conspiracy theory
August 29, 2018 07:07 - 30 minutes - 28 MBLast week, President Trump tweeted about a segment on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show that claimed white farmers in South Africa are being murdered and that the government is taking away their land. The Economist's Africa bureau chief John McDermott joins to explain what the hell he's talking about and what he got wrong.
Revoking John Brennan's security clearance
August 22, 2018 07:03 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBTommy talks with former acting CIA director Michael Morell about President Trump's decision to revoke his opponents' security clearances. They discuss why the politicization of intelligence is so dangerous and why many former spy chiefs decided to speak out on Brennan's behalf.
"Space Force all the way!"
August 15, 2018 07:04 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBTommy talks with defense expert Katherine Charlet from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about President Trump's plan to create a Space Force!!! How much is the military currently operating in space? Is this proposal smart, necessary or a gigantic waste of taxpayer money. Listen to this episode (which includes lasers) to find out!
Devastation in Syria and Yemen
August 08, 2018 07:07 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBTommy talks with VICE on HBO correspondent Isobel Yeung about her recent reporting trips to Raqqa, Syria and Yemen. Isobel talks about what it was like to interview two of ISIS's most brutal foreign fighters and to witness heroic efforts by average citizens to rebuild the city and find loved ones taken by ISIS.
Bassem Youssef: doctor, comedian, enemy of the Egyptian state
August 01, 2018 07:15 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBTommy talks with Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef about his improbable path to comedy, fame, and becoming an enemy of the Egyptian state.
Wanted by Putin and rage tweeting at Iran
July 25, 2018 07:05 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MBTwo part show today! First, Tommy talks with Ambassador Michael McFaul about Vladimir Putin's request to interrogate him and Trump's shocking refusal to immediately rule it out. Then Tommy talks with the Washington Post's Jason Rezaian about Trump's late-night rage tweet at Iran and the future of US/Iranian relations.
Trump's disastrous European vacation
July 18, 2018 07:07 - 41 minutes - 35.9 MBTommy talks with Julianne Smith, a former Pentagon official and advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, about Donald Trump’s truly awful trip to Europe, and why his terrifying press conference with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki is only a piece of the lasting damage it might cause to some of America’s most critical relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump's disastrous European vacation
July 18, 2018 07:07 - 39 minutes - 36 MBTommy talks with Julianne Smith, a former Pentagon official and advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, about Donald Trump’s truly awful trip to Europe, and why his terrifying press conference with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki is only a piece of the lasting damage it might cause to some of America’s most critical relationships.
The politics of the World Cup with Roger Bennett
July 11, 2018 04:30 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBToday's episode is two parts. First, Tommy talks with Politico's Nahal Toosi about North Korea, NATO and Trump's Putin meeting. Then, Roger Bennett from Men in Blazers joins to talk about the agony, ecstasy and politics of the World Cup.
“Abdi American”
July 05, 2018 07:01 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBTommy talks with Abdi Nor Iftin, the author of “Call Me American,” about his incredible story of survival in war-ravaged Somalia and literally winning the lottery to make it to America.
Cyber war
June 29, 2018 01:29 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBTommy talks with New York Times reporter David Sanger about the new world of cyber warfare. From North Korea's attack on Sony to targeting of Iran's nuclear program and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, cyber attacks are increasingly used first in war even though there's no rules of engagement and little public debate.
Hunting terrorists
June 19, 2018 22:04 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBTommy talks with the outgoing National Counterterrorism Center chief Nick Rasmussen. Nick worked in senior counterterrorism roles for Presidents Bush, Obama and Trump, and they discussed how weird the transition from Obama to Trump was, how you hunt terrorists, how you fight ISIS propaganda, Trump's North Korea summit and more.
North Korea nothingburger?
June 13, 2018 21:43 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBTommy talks with defense and Asia policy expert Kelly Magsamen about Trump's just-completed summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un. What did they accomplish? Are we safer? Should we worry about the optics of meeting with a dictator?
Obama's legacy after Trump
June 06, 2018 22:36 - 53 minutes - 49 MBTommy talks with Ben Rhodes, author of the new book "The World as It Is", which documents Ben's eight years working in the White House. They talk about Ben's criticisms of Obama, leading talks with Cuba and going to dinner with Raul Castro, becoming a target of right-wing attacks and more.
White House extremists
June 01, 2018 00:34 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBTommy talks with journalist Mehdi Hasan about a troubling series of hires on Trump's National Security Council staff of individuals with far-right, paranoid, Islamaphobic views. Then they talk about the situation in Gaza now that the protests have ended and TV cameras have left.
Trump's hostage policy
May 23, 2018 01:29 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBTommy talks with NewYorker.com executive editor David Rohde about the way Trump is handling - and showcasing - hostage negotiations as President. Rohde was held hostage by the Taliban for over seven months until he escaped in 2009.
North Korea and Gaza
May 17, 2018 18:40 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBTommy talks with Washington Post reporter Anne Gearan about the on again, off again North Korea summit, the situation in Gaza and the Trump administration's response, and Rex Tillerson's harsh criticism of President Trump.
Trump shreds the Iran deal
May 08, 2018 23:23 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBTrump just tore up the Iran deal. Tommy talks with Ben Rhodes about what happens next. Then Tommy talks with Russia expert Mike McFaul about his new book, From Cold War to Hot Peace, about his time working at the White House and as US Ambassador to Russia.
Ronan Farrow
May 02, 2018 16:02 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBTommy talks with Pulitzer Prize winning author Ronan Farrow about his new book War on Peace and the militarization of American foreign policy.
Ronan Farrow
May 02, 2018 16:02 - 53 minutes - 46.6 MBTommy talks with Pulitzer Prize winning author Ronan Farrow about his new book War on Peace and the militarization of American foreign policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The CIA's tortured history
April 27, 2018 07:05 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBTommy talks with ACLU political director Faiz Shakir about the nomination of Gina Haspel to lead the CIA despite her role in the Bush-era torture of terrorism suspects. They also discuss the politics of national security in the Trump era, and whether Obama did enough to hold the CIA accountable for its actions.
Syria strikes and North Korea talks
April 18, 2018 22:25 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBTommy talks with foreign policy expert Kelly Magsamen about Trump’s strikes on Syria’s chemical weapons site, his lack of a broader strategy, and her attempt to “red team” the policy options during the Obama administration. Then they talk about CIA Director Mike Pompeo’s trip to North Korea.
Madeleine Albright’s warning about fascism
April 11, 2018 22:03 - 41 minutes - 38 MBTommy talks with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about the rise of fascism around the world and her concerns about how it is being enabled (and emulated) by Donald Trump. Then they talk about how Trump should respond in Syria, and Albright’s visit to North Korea in 2000 for meetings with Kim Jong-Il.
Mr. Putin goes to Washington?
April 05, 2018 07:02 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBTommy talks with New Yorker writer Robin Wright about Putin’s possible visit to Washington, his relationship with Trump, and what we know about Trump the negotiator vs what’s required for success. Then they discuss Robin's visit to North Korea, the situation in Gaza, Syria and John Bolton.
Nowhere to hide: Facebook, encryption, and privacy
March 30, 2018 07:05 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBTommy talks with Wired editor in chief Nick Thompson about the insane amount of data that Facebook and other tech companies collect on us and what we can do to erase or prevent it. Then they talk about how to use encryption to protect your communications and scary new developments that allow you to make fake videos of real people.
Fresh Prince of Saudi Arabia
March 22, 2018 02:54 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBTommy talks with Washington Post columnist David Ignatius about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States and his "reform agenda". Then they discuss Trump’s call with Putin, reports that he ignored his staff’s plea to be tougher, and the risk of North Korea negotiations.