The Dispatch Podcast

Graham Wood, Atlantic staff writer focused on the Middle East. Michael Warren, senior editor and political commentator. Mike Nelson, retired Army Special Forces officer and military analyst. They discuss the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, reported leadership hits, timing and motives, uncertainty about end states, regional reactions, risks of blowback, and who might fill any power vacuum.

Declan Garvey, executive editor and panel analyst; Kevin Williamson, national correspondent and conservative commentator; Megan McArdle, Washington Post columnist and policy critic. They discuss the Trump administration’s “war on fraud” and whether rooting out fraud changes budgets. Then they pivot to the teenage dating recession: smartphones, looksmaxxing, risk aversion, and cultural shifts reshaping young people’s social lives.

Charles Hilu, on-the-ground congressional reporter, describes chamber reactions and empty seats. David Drucker, political analyst, raises concerns about election rhetoric and political consequences. Mike Warren, seasoned commentator, critiques theatrical claims on economy and foreign policy. Kevin Williamson, conservative writer, challenges grandiose rhetoric and policy performance. They focus on theater, economic claims, voter affordability, court reactions, and election denial warnings.

John McCormack, reporter who interviewed small businesses harmed by tariffs, and Scott Lincicome, trade law and economics expert, discuss the Supreme Court ruling on Trump-era tariffs. They cover why the legal basis was weak, how tariffs raised costs and disrupted suppliers, the messy refund fight, and what legal and political moves might follow ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Megan McArdle, columnist offering libertarian-leaning takes on regulation and free speech, and David French, opinion and legal commentator, join a spirited discussion. They tackle the FCC’s changing equal-time guidance and how broadcast rules could be weaponized. They also debate the plausibility and risks of military strikes on Iran and whether returning to the moon is worth the cost.

Stephen Richer, former Maricopa County recorder and CEO of Republic Affairs, explains election administration and audits. John McCormack, reporter and analyst, and Mike Warren, roundtable commentator, examine how errors became conspiracy fodder. They discuss the Fulton County records seizure, why Trump is relitigating 2020 now, and the wider consequences for future elections.

Megan McArdle, economics and policy columnist; Kevin Williamson, conservative commentator; Jonah Goldberg, political analyst. They debate the DOJ’s failed move to indict six Democrats and the grand jury rebuke. They dissect Pam Bondi’s theatrical Capitol testimony and loyalty politics. They weigh Republican splits over tariffs, the January jobs report, and whether the president can claim a supposed economic golden age.

Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow and Iran specialist, outlines Iran’s leadership crisis and five possible post-Khamenei paths. He highlights rising monarchist sentiment, protesters’ focus on everyday freedoms, and how foreign models shape elite thinking. The conversation also touches on U.S. policy options and risks amid unrest.

David French, legal commentator on constitutional and civil liberties issues. Megan McArdle, policy analyst focused on governance and rhetoric. Jonah Goldberg, political commentator and author on conservatism. They debate DHS subpoenas and free speech concerns. They unpack norm violations, escalation in politics, detention abuses, and when charged labels like fascism or totalitarianism help or hurt persuasion.

Emily Oster, Brown economics professor known for data-driven public health, outlines shifts in vaccine and dietary guidance. Kevin Williamson, conservative columnist, debates law, journalism ethics, and market policy. Mike Warren, media commentator, helps unpack the Epstein documents and Southwest’s seating changes. They discuss trust in health guidance, journalism transparency, legal consequences, and airline business decisions.