Pod Save the World

Crooked Media
  • 4.8 (24K)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Pod Save the World

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“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. To get access to extended ad-free Pod Save The World episodes, sign up to be a Friends of the Pod member at crooked.com/friends

  1. Assad Spins His Surrender From Moscow

    3 DAYS AGO

    Assad Spins His Surrender From Moscow

    Tommy and Ben discuss the latest developments out of Syria, including the rebel leadership’s promises to disband and focus on building the state, international delegations and journalists making trips to Damascus, and Israel’s bombing campaign on Syrian territory and plans to build more settlements in the Golan Heights. They also talk about trouble for some of Trump’s cabinet nominees, concessions from Hamas in ceasefire negotiations, the impeachment of South Korea’s president, a no confidence vote in Germany, trouble for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Prince Andrew’s latest misadventure. Then, Tommy speaks to PBS NewsHour special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen from Aleppo, who gives an on the ground perspective from Syria.

    1h 34m
  2. What’s Next for Syria?

    DEC 11

    What’s Next for Syria?

    Tommy and Ben discuss the latest developments in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, including the debate in Washington and European capitals about whether to talk with the new Syrian government, remove sanctions, or remove Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham’s terrorist designation. They also cover Trump’s trip to France and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump’s loyalty test for those seeking national security jobs in his new administration, whether South Korea’s president will be impeached after declaring martial law, the collapse of the French government, a court order canceling Romania’s election results, and the corruption trials of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Then Ben speaks to Dareen Khalifa, Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group, about what’s next for Syria and her insights into rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.

    1h 19m
  3. Bonus Q&A: Will the ICC Go After Assad?

    DEC 11 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Bonus Q&A: Will the ICC Go After Assad?

    Tommy and Ben answer questions from subscribers about whether or not Bashar al-Assad should be a target of the International Criminal Court, if categorizing the US China relationship as a "Cold War" is accurate, and how Democrats can be more effective at countering disinformation. To unlock these episodes, sign up for Friends of the Pod on Apple. To submit your own questions for the guys, join the Friends of the Pod community at the Friends with Benefits or Best Friends tier. Head to https://crooked.com/friends to learn more.

    11 min
  4. Breaking: Assad Regime Falls

    DEC 9 · BONUS

    Breaking: Assad Regime Falls

    Tommy and Ben discuss the breaking news that Bashar al-Assad has fled Syria after rebel factions took over Damascus in a stunning sweep after 13 years of Civil War. They talk about the speed with which it all happened, what could come next as Syrians decide their own fate after decades of dictatorship, and how the events will affect US policy.

    56 min
  5. South Korean President Declares Martial Law

    DEC 4

    South Korean President Declares Martial Law

    Tommy and Ben discuss President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law in South Korea, how Trump and his team will approach the Syrian civil war, and why Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, is so dangerous. They also talk about Trump’s nepotism hires, more troubling news reports about Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, Trump’s threats to levy tariffs on BRICS countries, UNRWA closing a crucial aid route into Gaza due to looting, a former Israeli defense minister’s declaration that Israeli is engaging in ethnic cleansing, protests in Georgia, and elections in Romania and Ireland. Finally, Tommy speaks with Natasha Hall, Senior Fellow in the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, to unpack what’s happening in Syria, who all the players are, and how we got here.

    1h 23m
  6. Israel and Hezbollah Reach Ceasefire Deal

    NOV 27

    Israel and Hezbollah Reach Ceasefire Deal

    Tommy and Ben discuss the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the latest additions to Trump’s national security team, and his threat to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China months before taking office. They also talk about the ICC arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli government sanctioning left-leaning news outlet Haaretz, Russia striking Ukraine with a missile that can carry nuclear warheads, the influence of the fossil fuel industry at COP29, new sentencing for pro-Democracy activists in Hong Kong, coup charges against Brazil’s former president, and a new draft dodging tactic out of South Korea. Then, Ben speaks to Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Malala Yousafzai, and director Sahra Mani, about their new documentary "Bread & Roses".

    1h 21m
  7. Bonus Q&A: How To Stay Informed But Avoid Trump Burnout

    NOV 26 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Bonus Q&A: How To Stay Informed But Avoid Trump Burnout

    Tommy and Ben answer questions from subscribers about how to stay informed while avoiding burnout from the barrage of news sure to come with a second Trump administration, as well as what they think the incoming President's policies will be towards China and the Sahel region in Africa. To unlock these episodes, sign up for Friends of the Pod on Apple. To submit your own questions for the guys, join the Friends of the Pod community at the Friends with Benefits or Best Friends tier. Head to https://crooked.com/friends to learn more.

    12 min
  8. Trump’s Looming MAGA Military Purge

    NOV 20

    Trump’s Looming MAGA Military Purge

    Tommy and Ben discuss how Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard could reshape and politicize the US military and intelligence community, and how Trump’s choice to lead the FBI will signal how intensely he plans to go after his political enemies. They also talk about Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to hit targets in Russia with US-made weapons, the dark irony of COP29 being held in Azerbaijan, Biden’s trip to the G20 and APEC, Brazil’s sports gambling crisis, and a serious case of banana-phobia. Then Tommy speaks to Senator Bernie Sanders about his effort in Congress to ban offensive weapons sales to Israel.

    1h 9m
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Trailer

Shows with Subscription Benefits

  • Pod Save America is a no-b******t conversation about politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. It cuts through the noise to break down the week’s news and helps people figure out what matters and how they can help. They’re regularly joined by journalists, activists, politicians, entertainers, and world leaders. You can watch on YouTube or listen to new episodes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Ad-Free Pod Save America episodes available NOW through Friends of the Pod subscription. Head to crooked.com/friends to join today! For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email transcripts@crooked.com (edited)

    • 4.5 (80550)
    • POLITICS

  • Terminally Online is Crooked Media’s loosest series featuring unscripted convos between Pod Save America hosts and Crooked staff about what it’s like being way too online while producing the shows you love to listen to. We’ll hold hands and dive deep into the internet (some would argue too deep), only to resurface with our picks for the most can’t-miss moments of the week across politics, culture, and beyond. New episodes drop weekly for Friends of the Pod subscribers. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod on Apple Podcasts now to get access to exclusive episodes from Terminally Online, Pollercoaster, and Inside 2024 or learn more about the Friends of the Pod community at crooked.com/friends.

    • 4.3 (28)
    • SOCIETY & CULTURE

  • Does every new poll make you want to crawl under your desk and get into the fetal position? Do you hate the polls but can’t quit them? Well, we have a podcast that’s just for you (and us!). Pollercoaster is Crooked’s new home for exclusive in-depth analysis across the biggest national polls, latest voter trends, and closest races up and down the ballot. Join former White House Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer and a series of expert guests to break down the polls, unpack what they actually mean, and whether or not it’s time to hit the panic button. New exclusive episodes of Pollercoaster drop twice monthly for Friends of the Pod subscribers. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod on Apple Podcasts now to get access to exclusive episodes from Pollercoaster, Inside 2024 and Terminally Online or learn more about the Friends of the Pod community at crooked.com/friends.

    • 3.8 (17)
    • GOVERNMENT

  • Interested in never-before-heard campaign stories and insight into what it takes to actually run a presidential campaign? Inside 2024 is just the show! Each monthly episode features a rotating cast of former White House officials including Tommy Vietor, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett and Alyssa Mastromonaco as they look ahead to the 2024 Presidential election and share the gritty (and often hilarious) reality of running for president and the many, many ways candidate’s decisions can spectacularly backfire. Expect campaign trail stories on everything from debate prep and convention speeches to campaign ads and botched media appearances. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod on Apple Podcasts now to get access to exclusive episodes from Inside 2024, Pollercoaster, and Terminally Online or learn more about the Friends of the Pod community at crooked.com/friends.

    • 3.6 (12)
    • GOVERNMENT

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4.8
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“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. To get access to extended ad-free Pod Save The World episodes, sign up to be a Friends of the Pod member at crooked.com/friends

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