Best Undiplomatic Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 36: Tick Tock: Trump Gives Final Warning to Release Hostages Before Inauguration 32:33

5d ago32:33

32:33

Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States couldn’t come soon enough for many people awaiting the safe release of the hostages held by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. In this episode of "Israel Undiplomatic," JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, former Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom—bo…

1
Live! Silicon Valley's Class War and the New Defense-Industrial Complex w/ Max Read | Ep. 215 51:20

4d ago51:20

51:20

What is the role of crypto and AI in the new American oligarchy? What does it mean that Mark Zuckerberg has declared a re-embrace of "politics?" And what do Palantir, Anduril, and the new defense-industrial cartel have to do with everything from domestic governance to World War III and the "future of war?" All that and more in Van Jackson's chat wi…

1
Live! Stephen Wertheim on War and Peace in Europe and Asia Ep. 214 1:00:29

7d ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Stephen Wertheim joins as a guest in the Un-Diplomatic Podcast’s special livestream edition. He discusses two of his latest pieces, in the Financial Times and Global Asia magazine respectively. The chat includes thoughts about NATO in Asia, the unreliability of US commitments, how the Democratic Party has ceded peace narratives to Trump, and the ro…

1
Ep. 35: Remembering the President Who Sided with Hamas 28:20

12d ago28:20

28:20

President Jimmy Carter passed away at age 100 this week. He left behind a legacy of being a peacemaker between Egypt and Israel who subsequently turned on the Jewish state, calling it an “apartheid” nation and claiming Hamas terrorists were more interested in peace than Jerusalem. JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, former Is…

1
Live Dumpster Fire: Military Primacy is Anti-LGBTQ | Amazon’s Union-Busting | Economic Anxiety and the Right | Ep. 213 1:20:43

17d ago1:20:43

1:20:43

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Ep. 34: On Christmas, the Pope Forgets Who the Real Bad Guys Are 31:29

19d ago31:29

31:29

Pope Francis characterized Israeli counter-terrorism operations in the Gaza Strip as "cruelty" in his Christmas Eve speech. This marks the second time the pontiff has criticized the Jewish state's actions over the course of a week. Earlier, the pope suggested that the world should investigate whether Jerusalem is committing genocide against the Pal…

1
Livestream! Confronting China Wargames and Nuclear Escalation | Ep. 212 1:13:37

25d ago1:13:37

1:13:37

This live episode streamed on the Un-Diplomatic Podcast’s new Twitch channel, critiquing a think tank report about nuclear escalation in a conflict with China over Taiwan. Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/undiplomaticpodcast Un-Diplomatic Newsletter: https://www.un-diplomatic.com Stream on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/live/7N3IFWdqb2g?si=L…

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Ep. 33: Israel-Irish Relations Worsen Over Dublin's 'Genocide' Stance 35:12

26d ago35:12

35:12

After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his testimony in court on Dec. 17, citing "special circumstances," rumors were abundant about what was imminent to happen. A strike against the Houthis in Yemen? A hostage deal with Hamas? Normalization with Saudi Arabia? Palestinian sovereignty? Or was he running scared because of threats fr…

1
Dumpster Fire: MAGA Views Syria, North Korea Crisis, China and the Bully Pulpit, Annexing Mexico and Canada | Ep. 211 22:03

1M ago22:03

22:03

Checking in on the dumpster fire that is world politics. This week: Trump’s threat to annex Canada expands to Mexico (!). Australia’s sphere of influence absorbs Nauru. The South Korean right has been begging for a crisis with North Korea—here’s why. JD Vance and Trump take on the Syria question. A Biden China hand wants us to support Trump on Chin…

1
How Israel Went From Disaster to Victory 34:29

1M ago34:29

34:29

News in Israel changes from minute to minute, and the past week has been no different. A notable difference is Jerusalem's change of course vis-à-vis its enemies—from the defensive stance that has pervaded policy since the 1990s to the return of an old-school, aggressive posturing. Join JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, for…

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Dumpster Fire: South Korean Self-Coup Attempt, NZ Labour Against AUKUS, Canada Annexation Threat | Ep. 210 26:31

1M ago26:31

26:31

Checking in on the dumpster fire that is world politics. This week: South Korea’s president declares martial law in what is clearly an attempted self-coup. Trump threatens to annex Canada. Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS nations for a non-existent alternative currency. New Zealand’s Labour Party declares its independent foreign policy. Let th…

1
Ep. 31: Trump Takes the Reins! Middle East Scrambles Before Inauguration 33:18

1M ago33:18

33:18

What exactly did U.S. President-elect Donald Trump mean when he said on Dec. 3 that there will be "all hell to pay" if Hamas doesn't release the remaining 100 hostages from the Gaza Strip? Join JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, former Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom—both former advisers at the Prime Minister's Offi…

1
Beating Ethnonationalism, Trump’s Appointees, the AntiWar Myth, Asia’s Hottest Flashpoint, Imperial Foreign Policy | Ep. 209 53:51

1M ago53:51

53:51

Julia, Matt, and Van convened for a mailbag episode to answer all the questions you sent in. Is Korea Asia’s hottest flashpoint? What concerns us about Trump’s political appointees? What do we say when someone claims that Trump is “antiwar?” How should we understand the rise of ethnonationalism, and how can we beat it? What does a democratically ac…

1
Ep. 30: Ceasefire Firestorm! Debating Israel's Truce With Hezbollah 34:11

2M ago34:11

34:11

Israelis woke up on Nov. 27 to something very unusual: quiet on the northern front with Lebanon. While that comes as a relief, there is little doubt that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization will soon be back to its usual antics. Join JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, former Israeli ambassador to the United K…

1
Dumpster Fire: People Hate Cheney, Primacy is Bipartisan, Plundering Ukraine, Philippines Assassination Threat, Fareed Zakaria as Sychophant, Hungary’s Lessons | Ep. 208 20:27

2M ago20:27

20:27

Checking in on the dumpster fire that is world politics. This week: Polling shows that Liz Cheney’s endorsement depressed enthusiasm for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania and Michigan. Trump’s national security adviser co-signs Jake Sullivan’s threat perceptions. Senator Lindsay Graham’s plans to plunder Ukraine—“It’s about the money!” The Philippines’…

1
European Self-Reliance, Hopefully (w/ Nevada Lee) | Ep. 207 35:19

2M ago35:19

35:19

How does the incoming Trump administration affect the future of EU defense? What obstacles does Europe face in advancing strategic autonomy? Nevada Lee joins the podcast to discuss recent initiatives to bolster European self-reliance, and why the United States should support them. Read Nevada’s policy memo on the topic, here: https://www.stimson.or…

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Dumpster Fire: Temu Supply Chains Gig-ified, The Russian Missile Crisis, New Zealand’s Hikoi | Ep. 206 22:43

2M ago22:43

22:43

The world is a dumpster fire right now. For my own sanity, but also for yours, we need more critical takes about current events. There’s too much happening and it’s hard to keep track of everything that matters. So as a bonus for patrons of the newsletter, I’m going to check in each week with a run down of stories that deserve amplification, with c…

1
Ep. 29: Should Israel Continue Feeding Hamas in Gaza? 30:45

2M ago30:45

30:45

Hamas continues to wreak havoc in the Gaza Strip by stealing humanitarian aid meant for civilians. But why is Israel providing aid in the first place, and who should be in charge of distribution? While Israel hopes for a change in American policy with the new administration, the United Nations looks to call for a unilateral ceasefire without mentio…

1
PDF Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir Kindle Edition 0:46

2M ago0:46

0:46

"free read Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir Kindle Edition COPY LINK : musimyangselanjutnya48.blogspot.com/?cung2=B0CH7ZWNPT “The book I wish I'd had growing up.?? -Chanel Miller, author of Know My Name Best Books of 2019: Esquire O, The Oprah Magazine Variety Lit Hub Book Riot Electric Literature Autostraddle Finalist: NBCC John Le…

1
PDF A Terribly Serious Adventure: Philosophy and War at Oxford, 1900-1960 Hardcover 0:26

2M ago0:26

0:26

"free read A Terribly Serious Adventure: Philosophy and War at Oxford, 1900-1960 Hardcover – July 4, 2023 COPY LINK : musimyangselanjutnya48.blogspot.com/?cung2=0525510605 “Teeming with Oxford characters [and] lively storytelling . . . [recasts] the history of philosophy at Oxford in the mid-twentieth century by conveying not only what made it infl…

1
PDF Unforgetting: A Memoir of Family, Migration, Gangs, and Revolution in the America 0:26

2M ago0:26

0:26

"Read Unforgetting: A Memoir of Family, Migration, Gangs, and Revolution in the Americas Hardcover – September 1, 2020 COPY LINK : musimyangselanjutnya48.blogspot.com/?cung2=0062938479 “Splendid. . . . haunting and beautifully written.?? — Washington PostThe #1 New York Times bestselling chronicle of the rise and fall of a legendary American dynast…

1
The Battle of Algiers (1966) | A Bang-Bang Podcast Crossover | Ep. 205 17:25

2M ago17:25

17:25

Free preview crossover with the Bang-Bang Podcast! Arguably the most successful revolutionary film of all time, Gillo Pontecorvo’s The Battle of Algiers boasts many legacies. For film buffs, its import derives from its landmark status in the pantheon of Italian neorealism and political cinema. For anti-imperialists, its value comes from its hardnos…

1
Ep. 28: Should Israel Now Go for Broke With Annexation? 33:29

2M ago33:29

33:29

In this episode of Israel Undiplomatic, hosts Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum discuss the recent political changes in the US, particularly focusing on Trump's appointments and their implications for Israel. They explore the potential shifts in US foreign policy, the role of the UN, and the ongoing debate about civilian casualties in conflict. The conver…

1
Militarized Police: Women for Weapons Trade Transparency and the Imperial Boomerang | Ep. 204 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

How exactly do police end up supermilitarized? What is the imperial booming that brings militarism abroad to the Homefront? And what does the feminist standpoint offer analysts of these problems? Part of the answer are obscure programs called 1033 and 1122. The founders of the Women for Weapons Trade Transparency (W2T2) join the pod to explain. W2T…

1
Ep. 27: Israel Reacts to Trump’s Victory 35:13

2M ago35:13

35:13

Israelis this morning woke up to the news of Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election and breathed a collective sigh of relief. They’ll soon find out if their high hopes are valid or if President Trump switches course in his second term. And how will a Trump presidency affect the current war and efforts to free the hostages? JNS sen…

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Counterterrorism Copycats w/ Sarah Yager and Yumna Rizvi | Ep. 203 52:15

2M ago52:15

52:15

Is the War on Terror really over? Or is it just less visible? Julia is joined by Sarah Yager and Yumna Rizvi to discuss the makings of a militarized, counterterrorism-based U.S. foreign policy, how it impacts the world, and how to change it. Sarah is the Washington Director at Human Rights Watch, where she leads the organization’s engagement with t…

1
Ep. 26: How Israel Is Defeating the Iranian Paper Tiger 35:59

3M ago35:59

35:59

Now that the dust has settled from Israel's Oct. 26 retaliatory strikes on Iran, Jerusalem's road to victory is finally taking shape. And despite the difficulties, the Israel Defense Forces is more determined than ever to restore peace to the citizens of the Jewish state. On today’s episode, JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev…

1
Who Matters? Foreign Policy’s Place in the Presidential Election, w/ Chris Shell | Ep. 202 41:52

3M ago41:52

41:52

Does foreign policy matter in the presidential election? The answer might surprise you. Chris Shell joins the pod to discuss recent survey findings about foreign policy and the presidential election. Gaza, Ukraine, immigration, climate change, and China all feature in the discussion, as well as what's really going on with the African American vote.…

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Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Political Campaigns, and China Rivalry--Block & Build Crossover | Ep. 201 1:07:45

3M ago1:07:45

1:07:45

Crossover episode! Van appeared on Convergence Magazine’s Block and Build podcast, hosted by Convergence founder Cayden Mak, to talk about Kamala Harris’s foreign policy. They end up covering all the big issues--Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, and China rivalry. They also gab about what it’s like working as an unpaid foreign policy adviser to a presiden…

1
Zero Dark Thirty (2012) Free Preview of Bang-Bang Podcast | Ep. 200 13:15

3M ago13:15

13:15

Free preview of the Bang-Bang Podcast. “We tortured some folks.” Katherine Bigelow and Mark Boal’s cinematic blockbuster about the Bin Laden assassination was alternately ballyhooed and panned upon its release. Fans praised its purported cinematic achievements while critics lamented its alleged militarism or pro-torture sympathies. What’s remarkabl…

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Ep. 25: Goodbye to the ghoul of Gaza, Yahya Sinwar 31:05

3M ago31:05

31:05

Is yesterday’s assassination attempt on Prime Minister Netanyahu that much of a game-changer? And what happens now that Israel’s attack plans seem to have been leaked to Iran? Join Josh Hasten and JNS CEO Alex Traiman in our Jerusalem studio for insight and analysis! We’ll also cover Israel’s elimination of Yahya Sinwar and reactions; continued roc…

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Ep. 24: Was the UN Just Caught Red-Handed in Lebanon?! 32:24

3M ago32:24

32:24

Earlier this week, the Israel Defense Forces made a shocking discovery in Southern Lebanon suggesting that the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was aware—and maybe even complicit—in war crimes against Israeli civilians. How should the Jewish state respond, and what does this mean for the future of the region? Join JNS senior contributing edit…

1
Ep. 23: Will Israel Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites? 32:59

3M ago32:59

32:59

Join JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, former Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom—both former advisers at the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office—as they discuss the latest developments regarding the Iranian attack that sent millions of Israelis to bomb shelters. What will Jerusalem’s response be? Will Israeli Prime Minist…

1
Veep Debate, Ta -Nehisi Coates Slays Anti-Semitism, Middle East War, China War Fanatics | Ep. 199 36:58

3M ago36:58

36:58

Matt and Van chop it up about the Veep debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance; how Ta-Nehisi Coates has taken up the mantel of James Baldwin; the Biden administration's expanding role in Middle East war; and the fanaticism of about China that is dividing America, predictably. Subscribe to the Bang-Bang Podcast: https://www.bangbangpod.com…

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Combat Obscura--A Bang-Bang Podcast Cross-Over | Ep. 198 1:32:14

3M ago1:32:14

1:32:14

Crossover episode! In addition to Un-Diplomatic, Van is now co-hosting Bang-Bang--a new show about war movies, with an anti-imperialist twist. Van and his co-host, Lyle Jeremy Rubin, are military veterans, war critics, and film junkies. Enjoy this free cross-over episode where Van and Lyle discuss Combat Obscura, a 2018 documentary from Miles Lagoz…

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Ep. 22: Iran In Our Sights 33:54

3M ago33:54

33:54

Join us for a special Rosh Hashanah episode of Israel Undiplomatic with the audacious Ruthie Blum and the very measured Mark Regev! We’ll be celebrating Israel’s recent wins and analyzing what we should look for in the coming days as Israel pushes back against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Stay informed about Israel and the Jewish World! Latest news: Get i…

1
Live! World War III and the Presidential Election | Ep. 197 57:31

4M ago57:31

57:31

Van spoke at the New Zealand Fabian Society about how the Democratic and Republican Party’s views on foreign policy are changing, and what those changes (and continuities) mean in the context of the US presidential election. Written remarks: https://www.un-diplomatic.com/p/live-world-war-iii-and-the-presidential…

1
Ep. 21: This Is What Iran May Be Planning 31:59

4M ago31:59

31:59

Israelis in cities across the country's central region woke up early Wednesday morning to air-raid sirens warning of incoming terrorist missiles fired by Iran-backed Hezbollah from Lebanon. The attack comes after a series of major Israel Defense Forces victories over the past week. Tune in to "Israel Undiplomatic" for a complete assessment of what …

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China Tripping, Israel's Horizontal Escalation, Pakistan's Climate-Debt Nexus | Ep. 196 30:13

4M ago30:13

30:13

Matt reports out on his recent trip to China. Israel's terrorism in Lebanon and the horizontal escalation happening before our eyes. And Pakistan as a case study of why geopolitics, climate adaptation, and the sovereign debt crisis must be addressed together or not at all. Matt's remarks from the Xiangshan Forum: https://internationalpolicy.org/pub…

1
Ep. 20: Paging Hezbollah: What Comes Next? 34:44

4M ago34:44

34:44

Thousands of Lebanese Hezbollah terrorists were wounded and dozens were killed on Tuesday afternoon when their communication devices exploded across the country. While Israel has yet to claim responsibility, the Jewish state is waiting with bated breath to see what happens next. Join JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, former…

1
Ep. 19: Everything Wrong With the Trump/Harris Debate on Israel 36:15

4M ago36:15

36:15

In this episode of “Israel Undiplomatic,” JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, former Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom—both former advisers at the Prime Minister’s Office—discuss the 23-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the recent presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as well as the …

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MAGA foreign policy influencers, democratic party contradictions, manufacturing fetishes | Ep. 195 49:00

4M ago49:00

49:00

The MAGA foreign-policy braintrust in Trump world is militarism all the way down. The unpopularity of the Democratic Party's popular front. The problem with threat inflation about disinformation. A defense budget out of control. And why Washington's manufacturing fetish is key to a convergence of jingoism, patriarchy, and oligarchy. Further Reading…

1
Ep. 18: 'Remember Who the Real Enemy Is' 32:44

4M ago32:44

32:44

Israeli anger over Hamas's execution of six hostages has reached a boiling point. Join JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev, former ambassador to the United Kingdom, both former advisers at the Prime Minister's Office, as they debate this issue on the latest episode of "Israel Undiplomatic." They also explore the motivations be…

1
Anti-War Organizing, Student Activism, and the Uncommitted Movement | Ep. 194 58:11

5M ago58:11

58:11

The election is nearing, and students are going back to school. What does this mean for student organizers demanding a ceasefire in Gaza? For the uncommitted movement? In this episode, Julia facilitates an intergenerational conversation about anti-war organizing. Guests Phyllis Bennis and Roua Daas reflect on campus demonstrations in the spring and…

1
Ep. 17: What will it take to push Hezbollah back? 32:46

5M ago32:46

32:46

The newscycle in Israel changes every few hours and this week was no different! On today’s show, we’ll discuss yesterday’s hostage rescue and also try to understand how Israel will bring safety to its northern residents. Was Israel’s “preemptive” action on Sunday enough or will Hezbollah need to be pushed back with ground forces? Stay informed abou…

1
Ep. 16: Who’s at Fault for Failed Hostage Negotiations? 34:41

5M ago34:41

34:41

The hostage talks with the Hamas terrorist group in Doha seem to have hit a wall—and in classic Israeli fashion, everyone is pointing fingers. In this episode of “Israel Undiplomatic,” JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Ambassador Mark Regev, former advisers at the Prime Minister’s Office, try to get to the bottom of the latest developm…

1
Nuclear Disarmament v. Nuclear Abolition | Ep. 193 1:02:58

5M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

What are the differences between nuclear disarmament and nuclear abolition? How do disarmers and abolitionists balance the need for policy change with the need for sustainable, intersectional organizing? In this episode, Jasmine Owens discusses how Black and Indigenous thinkers inform her vision for the future of the nuclear abolition movement. She…

1
Ep. 15: Causing Chaos: Is Ben-Gvir's Temple Mount Prayer To Blame? 34:00

5M ago34:00

34:00

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir came under fire this week for fanning the flames in the region after praying on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Judaism’s holiest site. Is Ben-Gvir deserving of the blowback or are Jew-haters worldwide simply happy to have a reason to blame Israel? Join JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and…

1
Understanding Primacy: Hegemonicon Podcast Cross-over | Ep. 192 1:23:14

5M ago1:23:14

1:23:14

Cross-promotion! Van Jackson joined the Hegemonicon podcast and is sharing the experience here with Un-Diplomatic listeners. Van and show host William Lawrence discuss the dangerous strategy of global primacy that drives US foreign policy from many angles. What are the contradictions in US industrial policy? How does primacy relate to China and gre…

1
Gaza and the Moral Question of Public Service | Ep. 191 37:14

5M ago37:14

37:14

"This is what courage looks like." Today Matt talks to three people -- two Biden appointees and one career military -- who made the courageous choice to resign in protest over US support for the Gaza war. We hear from each of them how they came to work in the administration, how they made the decision to leave it, and how that choice has impacted t…

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