What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

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Walter Russell Mead, a historian, columnist, and popular author, is encyclopedic about politics, culture, and history. On What Really Matters, Mead joins Bill Drexel, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, to help you navigate the headlines, decide what news matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. Check out Walter Russell Mead’s Wall Street Journal column at www.wsj.com/news/types/global-view

  1. 4d ago

    The Generation Conflagration: Protests in France and India

    This week, Walter and Bill discuss Trump's endorsement of Benjamin Netanyahu days before Israel votes, Elon Musk's throttling and alleged restoration of Ukraine's Starlink and Putin's push for a summit with Trump and Xi, the AI-discovered software flaw that knocked websites offline around the world, and why generational revolt is spreading from France to India.

  2. Oct 19

    Trump’s Shock and Awe Strategy

    After more than 140 episodes, Jeremy Stern is stepping down as co-host, and Hudson's Bill Drexel takes his place. This week, Walter and Bill discuss the Houthis' widening missile war on Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon's plan to livestream a military execution, the fall of Kimberly Guilfoyle, and why President Trump's shock-and-awe foreign policy shows no sign of slowing down. A Houthi missile hit Saudi Aramco's headquarters days after a deadly strike on Riyadh's airport, and The Wall Street Journal reports that the group is building an advanced missile with Chinese parts. Back home, the Catholic archbishop for the military condemned the plan to stream Nidal Hasan's firing-squad execution, and Guilfoyle resigned as ambassador to Greece after reports that she asked a donor to pay her credit card bill. In the big conversation, Walter expands on his latest Journal column, "Russia, Iran and Trump's Shock-and-Awe Foreign Policy," and the tip of the week asks which president left the biggest physical mark on Washington.

    Trump’s Shock and Awe Strategy

  3. Oct 13

    A Bad Year For Incumbents

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the success of US sanctions on Iran, America's expanding budget deficit, China's destruction of the EU's economy, and why 2026 is proving to be a bad year for incumbent political leaders.

  4. Oct 2

    China Check-In

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the final US withdrawal from Iraq, the bipartisan consensus to allow Congressional insider trading, Russia’s nuclear threats over Kaliningrad, and China’s efforts in AI and the US

  5. Sep 24

    What Really Matters (Live in DC)

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the three grand narratives shaping world history. The episode was recorded live on September 23 in front of an audience at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC.

    What Really Matters (Live in DC)

  6. Sep 18

    Why Geopolitics Will Make US Colleges More Nationalist

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Flock camera debate, Canada's prospects for joining the EU, America's weaponization of outer space, and why geopolitical competition with China is going to make American higher ed more patriotic.

    Why Geopolitics Will Make US Colleges More Nationalist

  7. Sep 11

    25 Years After 9/11

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the AfD's victory in Eastern Germany, the breakdown of global shipping, trouble on the Chinese internet, and the impact on American society and foreign policy of 9/11.

  8. Sep 7

    The Limits of Democracy in War

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Trump's reasons for optimism in Iran, the responsibility voters bear for the quality of their elites, and the greatness of Dolly Parton.

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Walter Russell Mead, a historian, columnist, and popular author, is encyclopedic about politics, culture, and history. On What Really Matters, Mead joins Bill Drexel, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, to help you navigate the headlines, decide what news matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. Check out Walter Russell Mead’s Wall Street Journal column at www.wsj.com/news/types/global-view

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