The Rest Is Politics: US

Mike Froman, Council on Foreign Relations president and former U.S. trade official, joins Mark Polymeropoulos, a former CIA Middle East specialist. They dig into Trump’s sudden Iran ceasefire push, whether the truce can last, and why Hormuz still gives Tehran leverage. They also explore Israel’s frustration, NATO’s shaky standing, fading US credibility, and the murky intelligence picture.

Trump’s deadline with Iran takes center stage, alongside fears of escalation, oil shocks, and chaos in the Strait of Hormuz. The conversation digs into troop buildups, attacks on infrastructure, and the political trap closing in around the White House. There’s also a look at diplomatic escape routes, corporate pressure, and a dramatic pilot rescue complicated by propaganda and surviving Iranian defenses.

Trump’s war speech on Iran sparks confusion, fears of more military action, and questions about who really benefits, with China and Russia looming in the background. The conversation also turns to gas prices, de-dollarization, and America’s shifting global image. Then it pivots to birthright citizenship, executive power, constitutional strain, and Pam Bondi’s sudden fall.

Trump’s inner circle comes under the microscope as the conversation follows possible further escalation with Iran, the pressure points around Hormuz, and why US allies fear a half-finished conflict. It also turns to the rise of populism on both left and right, Hasan Piker’s anti-establishment appeal, institutional collapse, and whether J.D. Vance can become more than an outrage candidate.

Trump talks peace while moving troops, raising fears of a wider clash with Iran. The conversation zeroes in on why Tehran may see simple survival as victory and why a sweeping 15 point plan looks doomed. It also digs into suspicious pre announcement trades, insider tip off questions, and the political damage piling up at home.

Trump’s claimed Iran talks come under fire as the conversation turns to bluff, deadlines, and a shrinking path out of conflict. There’s also a look at why intelligence may have misread Tehran, how markets are betting on a face-saving climbdown, whether Israel could escalate further, and why Diego Garcia has exposed Europe’s missile vulnerability.

Did Trump really not know about Israel's strike on Iran's gas fields? Will the Save America Act pull up the ladder on his own coalition? How long before the economic pain turns Trump's base against the war? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and more. Listen to “Becoming Trump”.  Unpack how Donald Trump was made: hidden family history, New York legal battles, ruthless mentors, reality-TV reinvention, and his path to the White House. Sign up to listen here. Instagram: ⁠⁠@RestPoliticsUS⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@RestPoliticsUS⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠therestispoliticsus@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ Sign up to our free newsletter here Producer: Fiona Douglas, India Dunkley Video Editor: Kieron Leslie  Social Producer: Charlie Johnson  Senior Producer: Callum Hill Head of Digital: Sam Oakley Exec Producer: Tom Whiter Advertise with us: Partnerships@goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From reality TV fame to birtherism, this dives into how Donald Trump turned spectacle into political momentum. It explores racial conspiracy politics, the fallout from Obama’s birth certificate release, and the sting of public humiliation at the Correspondents’ Dinner. It also tracks why 2012 was too early, and how populist anger was already reshaping Republican voters.

Richard Haass, veteran US diplomat and foreign policy expert, joins for a sharp look at Trump’s Iran dilemma. They dig into why the White House seems unprepared for a long conflict, the split between hawks and restrainers, why allies are reluctant to help, the danger around the Strait of Hormuz, and how China and Russia could benefit from the chaos.

A brisk unpacking of Trump's handling of the Iran strikes and rising US military doubts. They probe whether MAGA loyalty is eroding amid media criticism and high-profile dissent. Conversation touches on regional fallout, economic pain for Gulf allies, and political consequences for midterms and Latino voters. Tension around messaging, military readiness, and who truly defines MAGA keeps resurfacing.