The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer

Vox Media Podcast Network
  • 4.8 (524)
  • News Commentary
  • Weekly

The Long Game is a weekly national security podcast hosted by Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s National Security Advisor, and Jon Finer, his Principal Deputy—senior aides who sat in on the classified Presidential Daily Brief each morning and translated raw intelligence into policy advice. Each week, Jake and Jon will pull back the curtain on how power really works helping you make sense of the national security stories unfolding today. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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  1. 2d ago

    Dwarkesh Patel: AI Could Overthrow The Government

    Backlash against AI and data centers helped fuel Democrats sweeping midterm victory last week. As AI promises to reshape geopolitics and national security, Jake and Jon speak with Dwarkesh Patel, host of the Dwarkesh Podcast, whom economist Tyler Cowen has called “the number one chronicler of the AI era.” They discuss Patel’s prediction that by 2030, “we'll have AIs that are at least as good as the best human experts in every field.” They also explore whether AI regulation can keep pace, whether the U.S. and China can agree on AI safety, and the debate over advanced chip sales to China amid reports of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s relationship with an alleged Chinese spy. Upgrade to The Long Game+ on Apple to support the show and access exclusive audio segments. This week, Patel weighs in on which tech CEO has the most “realistic” vision of the future and whether instilling AI with human values is the wrong move.  Join us on Substack for video versions of exclusive podcast segments, transcripts, and more: https://thelonggame.substack.com/ Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@podlonggame Email Jake and Jon with your questions and comments at longgame@voxmedia.com  Follow The Long Game so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly. The Long Game is produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network. References and supplemental materials Tom Cunningham, Nate Rush, Parker Whitfill, and Hjalmar Wijk, Independent Assessment of AI R&D Acceleration at Anthropic in October 2026, METR, November 5, 2026. OpenAI, On the Navier–Stokes Millennium Prize Problem, OpenAI, September 8, 2026. Dwarkesh Patel, The Rise and Fall of Agent Civilizations, Dwarkesh Podcast, August 29, 2026. Dwarkesh Patel, Jensen Huang – TPU competition, why we should sell chips to China, & Nvidia’s supply chain moat, Dwarkesh Podcast, April 15, 2026. Dwarkesh Patel, Blog prize for the big questions about AI, Dwarkesh Podcast, April 24, 2026. Bernie Sanders and Greg Casar, Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act (announcement and bill links), Office of Senator Bernie Sanders, September 23, 2026. Photo Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Dwarkesh Patel: AI Could Overthrow The Government

  2. 2d ago ·  Bonus · The Long Game+ Only

    Dwarkesh Patel on the Problem of AI and Power

    What happens if AI becomes more powerful than the people who built it? Dwarkesh Patel looks to human history to explore whether giving AI our values will be enough to keep that power in check. In this rapid-fire excerpt for paid subscribers, Jake and Jon explore Patel’s unpopular opinion about AI’s future, which industry leader he thinks sees it most clearly, and an overlooked obstacle to its development. Photo Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

    Dwarkesh Patel on the Problem of AI and Power

  3. Nov 5

    Trump After the Midterms: Iran, China, and the Limits of Power

    New York Times reporter Jonathan Swan, co-author, along with Maggie Haberman, of the bestselling book Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, joins Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer following Democrats’ sweeping midterm victory. As results continue to come in, they examine what drove the Republican defeat and what it means for Trump’s final two years in office. After the Iran war fractured Trump’s winning coalition, what can a Democratic Congress do to constrain a president with broad power over foreign policy?  Drawing on his reporting inside the White House, Swan explores the tension between political weakness and presidential power. Then, in The Wrap, Jake and Jon revisit their predictions, flag stories to watch, and share recommendations for what to read and watch. Upgrade to The Long Game+ on Apple to support the show and access exclusive audio segments. This week, Jake and Jon discuss the latest news from Iran. Is further US military escalation on the horizon? Join us on Substack for video versions of exclusive podcast segments, transcripts, and more: https://thelonggame.substack.com/ Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@podlonggame Email Jake and Jon with your questions and comments at longgame@voxmedia.com  Follow The Long Game so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly. The Long Game is produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network. References and supplemental materials Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan,  Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, Simon and Schuster,  June 2026 Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, Ana Swanson, Paul Mozur, Tripp Mickle and Julian E. Barnes, “Nvidia Chief Seen as Target of Chinese Spy Plot,” The New York Times, October 29, 2026  Gideon Lewis-Kraus, “Computer Chips Are the Most Magnificent Things Humanity Has Ever Made,” The New Yorker, October 19, 2026  Conan O’Brien, “Conan’s Chaotic Bidet Ad Read,” Team Coco, December 23, 2023  The Diplomat, Netflix, October 15, 2026   Photo Credit: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Trump After the Midterms: Iran, China, and the Limits of Power

  4. Nov 5 ·  Bonus · The Long Game+ Only

    Three Paths for Trump in Iran but No Easy Exit

    The White House has dismissed Tucker Carlson’s claim that Trump is considering a nuclear strike on Iran’s Pickaxe mountain. But the broader question of escalation remains. Will we see more strikes, a deal, or more of the same? Jake and Jon explore Trump’s options at this juncture, the strain of sustaining military pressure, and how politics could complicate a way out. Photo Credit: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

    Three Paths for Trump in Iran but No Easy Exit

  5. Oct 29

    Trump’s Russia Deals, Musk’s Starlink Leverage, and Ukraine’s Hardest Winter Yet

    Michael Kofman, defense analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, returns to The Long Game as Russia intensifies its bombardment of Ukraine and decisions made in Washington reshape Kyiv’s ability to fight.  Kofman examines the gap between Russia’s military performance and its demands at the negotiating table; the leverage each side currently holds and the deadly consequences of throttling Ukrainian access to SpaceX’s Starlink and StarShield.  Upgrade to The Long Game+ on Apple to support the show and access exclusive audio segments.  Join us on Substack for video versions of exclusive podcast segments, transcripts, and more: https://thelonggame.substack.com/ Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@podlonggame Email Jake and Jon at longgame@voxmedia.com  Follow The Long Game so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly. The Long Game is produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network. References and supplemental materials Alexander Ward, Natalie Andrews, and Josh Dawsey “Musk Ordered Starlink Slowdown That Blindsided Ukraine,” The Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2026  Photo Credit: Nikoletta Stoyanova/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Trump’s Russia Deals, Musk’s Starlink Leverage, and Ukraine’s Hardest Winter Yet

  6. Oct 29 ·  Bonus · The Long Game+ Only

    Students Win, Lula Returns, Netanyahu Holds On—for Now

    Serbia’s students defeat the ruling party, Lula defies expectations in Brazil, and Israel faces another struggle to form a government. With US midterms approaching, these elections offer striking examples of how turnout can upend political expectations and how an apparent setback at the polls may not end a leader’s hold on power. Jake and Jon examine what drove the results and what comes next. They spend extra time on Israel, where preliminary results suggest neither major bloc can form a government alone, and Netanyahu’s opponents face difficult choices about how to replace him.

    Students Win, Lula Returns, Netanyahu Holds On—for Now

  7. Oct 22

    Israel Votes. What Changes?

    Israelis are preparing to vote in their first election since the October 7 terrorist attacks. Barak Ravid, global affairs correspondent for Axios, joins Jake and Jon to discuss the stakes of the election. Will Benjamin Netanyahu be re-elected for a historic seventh term as prime minister?  With polls exceedingly close, Barak explains the challenge Netanyahu’s opposition will face in translating their electoral support into a governing coalition. He also weighs in on what the elections will mean for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and the future of Pres. Trump’s Middle East agenda.  Drawing on his deep-sourced reporting and decades covering Israeli politics and the US-Israel relationship, Barak says October 7 is on the ballot and next week’s election will determine the future of Israeli democracy.  Access to video versions of exclusive podcast segments, transcripts, and more on Substack: https://thelonggame.substack.com/ Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@podlonggame Email Jake and Jon at longgame@voxmedia.com  Follow The Long Game so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly. The Long Game is produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network. References and supplemental materials Barak Ravid and Marc Caputo, “Inside Trump, Netanyahu’s dilemma: Strike Iran before elections or wait,” Axios, October 13, 2026. Barak Ravid, “Trump tells Axios why he endorsed Netanyahu’s reelection,” Axios, October 18, 2026. Barak Ravid, “Biden tells Bibi he's concerned about Israel's judicial overhaul legislation,” Axios, September 20, 2023  Donald J. Trump, “President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,” The American Presidency Project — White House press release, September 29, 2025. The American Presidency Project P5+1, European Union, and Iran, “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” US Department of State, July 14, 2015. Photo credit: Jack GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Israel Votes. What Changes?

  8. Oct 22 ·  Bonus · The Long Game+ Only

    Chinese Export Controls, Venezuelan Democracy, and A Giant Squid

    Jake and Jon share recommendations, something they may have gotten wrong, and stories they’re watching in an exclusive segment from The Long Game: The Wrap Topics include Chinese export controls on AI, the future of Venezuelan democracy, an ode to East of Eden, Amelia Earhart's fate, and a gripping new Netflix show, “Deep,” which Jon describes as “Jaws with a squid.” References and supplemental materials East of Eden on Netflix Below on Netflix Eduardo Baptista, “Beijing seeks tighter grip on AI exports amid US rivalry,” Reuters, October 16, 2026 Julie Turkewitz, “Our Interview With María Corina Machado,” The New York Times, October 19, 2026 Jin Yu Young, “‘The Mystery Continues’: Latest Hunt for Amelia Earhart’s Plane Comes Up Empty,” The New York Times, October 19, 2026 Photo Credit: JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images

    Chinese Export Controls, Venezuelan Democracy, and A Giant Squid
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The Long Game is a weekly national security podcast hosted by Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s National Security Advisor, and Jon Finer, his Principal Deputy—senior aides who sat in on the classified Presidential Daily Brief each morning and translated raw intelligence into policy advice. Each week, Jake and Jon will pull back the curtain on how power really works helping you make sense of the national security stories unfolding today. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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