What Next | Daily News and Analysis

David Zipper, visiting fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, discusses the recent suspension of permits for self-driving car companies in California. The podcast explores the incident of a self-driving car hitting a pedestrian and the conflicting regulations surrounding their operation. Safety concerns and the interplay between transportation policy, technology, and society are also discussed.

Tim Miller, political consultant and writer, discusses the unexpected election of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House and his alignment with Trump. It explores his pressure tactics, promotion of conspiracy theories, and the risks for the Republican party. Additionally, it delves into Johnson's background, challenges faced as a new politician, and the chaos despite selecting a speaker.

Former State Department official, Josh Paul, shares his decision to resign over US arms sales to Israel. He discusses the moral complexities in his role, lack of accountability and debate, and the need for a course correction in US foreign policy towards Israel.

Following Kevin McCarthy's removal as Speaker of the House, Republicans are still struggling to elect a new leader. The candidate pool keeps growing, with Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan both having unsuccessful runs. The podcast discusses the current state of Congress, the challenges in electing a Speaker, and the potential make or break moments that could determine its progress. It analyzes Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan as potential replacements, exploring their records, relationships, and support within the party. The podcast also highlights the broken state of the House GOP conference and the need for someone to unify Republicans.

Before the new abortion clinic even opened in Casper, Wyoming, it was set ablaze. But to the clinic’s founder, property damage and violence aren’t new. Guest: Julie Burkhart, founder of Wellspring Health AccessIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Schreier, covering the video game industry for Bloomberg, discusses Microsoft's Activision Blizzard takeover, concerns about exclusivity of popular content like Call of Duty, the troubled history of Activision Blizzard, the rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox, the impact of consolidation on the gaming industry, and the recent trend of acquisitions in the gaming industry.

Since war broke out, Hamas has been efficient in getting its message out on social media - both in providing crucial information to refugees fleeing the area, and in waging psychological warfare. How can platforms meet the need for open lines of communication without spreading propaganda? Guest: Sheera Frenkel, covering tech for the New York TimesIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next TBD. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With bombs falling in Gaza, President Biden traveled to Israel to make a show of support. But as meetings with allied government leadership around the region were canceled, is the president doing more harm than good?Guest: Yousef Munayyer, Palestinian-American political analyst and writer and Senior Fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, who was the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was charged with conspiring to act as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. This follows on the heels of an indictment for bribery and federal corruption. But Menendez says he isn’t stepping down.Guest: Jessica Taylor, Senate-and-governors editor at The Cook Political Report. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has been saying shocking—even violent—things for so long, it barely registers as news anymore. But after January 6, and with Trump again leading the field of Republican candidates for president, is there a real-world danger to what he’s saying?Guest: Robert A. Pape, professor of political science and the director of the University of Chicago’s project on security and threatsIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.