Pod Save the World

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken joins the hosts to discuss the war in Ukraine, G20, and reported Saudi Arabia-Israel normalization deal. Other topics include Kim Jong Un's trip to meet Vladimir Putin, Armenia's diplomatic shift, US-China economic war, undercover Chinese spy in UK parliament, Biden's trip to Vietnam, Mexico's future female president, and a Florida man's attempt to cross the Atlantic in a hamster wheel.

The podcast discusses a range of topics including the Russia/Ukraine war, Putin's actions and diplomatic efforts, political unrest in Thailand, China-India relationship, protests in China, and the role of Save the Children in Ukraine.

The podcast covers a range of interesting topics including Spain's 'MeToo' moment in soccer, the expansion of BRICS and the impact of climate change on the Panama Canal, Tucker Carlson's support for autocratic leaders and Saudi Arabia's indiscriminate murder of Ethiopian migrants, the White House response to criticism of MBS, India's space exploration efforts and the funeral of a Russian warlord, and the concept of 'ad hoc racy' in Putin's Russia.

The podcast discusses the alleged deaths of Wagner Group leaders in a plane crash near Moscow, speculating on implications for Wagner forces, Putin's inner circle, and more. They explore the potential reasons behind Prigozhin's death, Putin's possible involvement, and the immediate response at the White House. The impact of the plane crash on operations in Africa and skepticism towards making deals with Putin are also analyzed.

Tommy and Ben talk about negative headlines surrounding Ukraine’s counteroffensive, Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin’s re-emergence in Africa, a Human Rights Watch Report about Saudi Arabia’s horrendous abuse of Ethiopian migrants, a fun twist in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, and rare good news for climate change from voters rejecting oil drilling in Ecuador and a drop in deforestation in Brazil. They also discuss Canada’s unprecedented wildfires, Ecuador’s election runoff a week after the assassination of a presidential candidate, the rise of a far-right political party in Germany, GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s remarks on America’s commitment to Israel, and the crash of a Russian lunar probe. Then Tommy is joined by Kurt Campbell, President Biden’s Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, to break down the historic summit at Camp David the US hosted between Japan and South Korea’s leaders. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Janet Yellen, Treasury Secretary, talks about US hostage deal with Iran and updates on the coup in Niger. They also discuss President Biden's critical comments on China's economy, Biden's meeting with presidents of South Korea and Japan, and Russia's deteriorating economy. Then interviews Bobi Wine, Ugandan opposition leader, and his wife about their campaign against long-time authoritarian Uganda leader Yoweri Museveni.

Tommy and Ben talk about the global response to the coup in Niger, Ukraine’s sea drone attacks and peace talks in Saudi Arabia, new polling about approval Biden’s foreign policy and support for Ukraine, a quick look at some foreign policy debates in the 2024 GOP primary, and reports that US Marines will defend ships in the Persian gulf. Then updates from Colombia, Pakistan, ISIS, Chinese information operations, crypto scams, and why Rishi Sunak is the Prime Minister of Soul Cycle. Then Crooked Contributor Max Fisher joins to talk about the health of democracy around the world.  For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben talk about a coup in Niger, progress on the Ukrainian counteroffensive, drone attacks on Moscow, Yevgeny Prigozhin attends a summit of African leaders in Russia, prospects for a US-Saudi Arabia-Israel diplomatic deal, the eroding democratic process in Thailand, and an ISIS attack in Pakistan. They also discuss how to inspire action on climate change. Then Tommy talks to Ambassador-At-Large For Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack about prosecuting Russian war crimes. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben talk about the gutting of Israel’s judicial system, and the (lack of) response from the US. They also discuss good-ish news from the elections in Spain, a US soldier who fled to North Korea, Putin’s crackdown on a far-right blogger, how Ron DeSantis and Senator Tommy Tuberville are hurting military recruiting, the UK’s fight with Apple, Saudi Arabia’s $1.1 billion soccer star, and doggie DNA passports in France. Then Ben talks to best friend of the pod Samantha Power, administrator of the US Agency for International Development about her recent visit to Ukraine, and the impacts of Russia pulling out of a vital grain initiative.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Listen to a past Pod Save the World bonus episode on Israel, with Crooked Contributor Max Fisher.

Tommy and Ben talk about Russia pulling out of a vital grain initiative with Ukraine, 2024 Republican primary candidate views on Ukraine, Trump and Taiwan, the culture war amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, John Kerry’s visit to China and climate change, the strange disappearance of China’s foreign minister, renewed fears of a second genocide in Darfur, the EU’s deal with Tunisia to curb migration, Iran’s morality police are back, and how a typo caused a massive military security leak. Then Tommy talks to Amir Tibon, the diplomatic correspondent for Haaretz Newspaper, about Biden inviting Israel PM Bibi Netanyahu to Washington as Bibi is trying to gut the Israeli supreme court. Crooked Media Reads' first book, Mobility by Lydia Kiesling, is out now! Get your copy at www.crooked.com/mobility For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.