The Bulwark Podcast

Robert Kagan: We’re Transitioning to a Post-American World

The pro-Iran war hawks keep crowing about how U.S. military prowess is supposedly striking fear in Beijing and Moscow. But what’s really happening is that Trump is doing exactly what China and Russia hoped he’d do. Beijing has wanted the U.S. out of the Western Pacific and Putin, of course, wants NATO wrecked. Our major allies are scrambling to form new economic and military relationships, and America is likely to be very lonely in the world with only a few stooges to count as friends. This is what ending our role as a global superpower would look like. Plus, the U.S. is unable to win the war at a cost that is acceptable to Americans, Trump is taking a cue from Putin by bombing civilian infrastructure, and blaming NATO for not being willing to fight for the Strait of Hormuz is absurd when the world’s most powerful navy doesn't seem to want to do it either.Bob Kagan joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.show notes Bob's recent piece in The Atlantic Tim's bimbofied livestream "Foreign Policy" piece on South Korea that Bob referenced Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news over the weekend Tim's playlist

Susan Glasser: The President Is Crazy and Delusional

Trump fired Pam Bondi, maybe the most destructive AG in the history of the United States, because she wasn't able to magically and lawlessly jail his political enemies. On Wednesday night, he told Americans that gas prices would naturally go down when he was finished with his war—much like the way he told the country in March 2020 that COVID would just go away. In reality, China may end up in control of the Strait of Hormuz and with freight passage paid with the Chinese Yuan. America and the world are paying for the incompetent (and petrified) advisers Trump has surrounded himself with. Plus, POTUS threatened war crimes on national television, the Iranian diaspora bet on the wrong horse, and who will be the next Barbie to get the ax? Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller.show notes: Susan's column on Trump's Wednesday address Susan on Trump breaking up with NATO

Josh Barro and Paige Cognetti: The World Is Going to Blame Trump

The war-induced global oil shock is already pushing consumers and businesses to new pain points because of higher fuel prices. Airlines are cutting back routes and ticket prices have started to spike. Expect road trips to be canceled, lifestyles to change, and more people to work from home. Trump is trying to deflect blame onto Iran and NATO, but the world will focus its rage on him and his war of choice. Plus, stagflation may be in the offing, tariffs made people poorer, both Kristi and her husband have unnatural ideas about what the body can do, and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti is taking on one of the most corrupt inside-traders in Congress. Paige Cognetti and Josh Barro join Tim Miller.show notes The Bulwark LIVE tonight after Trump’s address at 9 ET: YouTube or Substack Tim's livestream Thursday at 8 ET Josh's Substack Cognetti's campaign website  Josh's "Serious Trouble" pod  "Central Air" podcast  Scranton's "The Office" 5K on May 2 

Jon Lovett: It Is Time to Scream and Yell

Trump has served up so many rationales for why he had to do this war, but helping Iran project even more power in the region was surely not one of the reasons. And yet, here we are. Iran is in control of a good chunk of the global energy supply, and other countries are going to have to beg to get through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the moment for Democrats to show what a real opposition is—especially when warmonger Lindsey Graham runs off to play at Disney World. Plus, Trump's coalition is mid-crackup, Hegseth's self-pity and insecurity is pathetic, and of course, Tim and Jon react to the news of Kristi Noem's bimbofied husband. Jon Lovett joins Tim Miller.show notes Jon's "Lovett or Leave It" pod The book Tim and Jon discussed, "People of the Lie"

Bill Kristol: No Kings

Thousands of soldiers and Marines have arrived in the Middle East to potentially engage in combat on Iranian soil. Trump has done nothing to make the case for an invasion of Iran, even though he’s got plenty of time to wax rhapsodic about the patios and Corinthian columns on his ballroom project. The Republican congress may have abdicated its Constitutional obligations, but that doesn’t mean Democrats can’t raise hell: Cut your vacation short, demand a vote on the deployment of troops, and go on Fox and denounce Republicans for allowing one man to call the shots on this war—and also make a mess of our economy. Plus, the united opposition in the "No Kings" protests, the wisdom of Lincoln, and life lessons for poor Duke fans. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.show notes Monday's "Morning Shots" Lincoln's letter about the Mexican-American war "Bulwark Takes" pod for breaking and developing news Tim's interview with Al Gore ProPublica on the nursing home owner with a Trump pardpon The Atlantic on how the AI boom wasn't built for this kind of crisis Tim's closing song today For 30% off your order, head to BloodFlow7.com/THEBULWARKand use code THEBULWARK.  Stay ready for anything with the American Giant Classic Full Zip. Go to https://www.american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code BULWARK. Thanks to American Giant for sponsoring the show!