Tommy and Ben survey the wreckage of another week in global politics. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer clings to power after Labour was crushed in local elections. Tommy and Ben debate whether Starmer should step aside or stay and fight. Then they run through the latest with Iran, from the short-lived “Project Freedom” to why Trump says the ceasefire is on “life support.” They recap Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s softball interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, including Netanyahu’s claim that Israel is ready to wean itself off US military support and that social media is to blame for Israel’s tattered image. They preview Trump’s visit to Beijing for his long-delayed summit with Xi Jinping, mock some recent fawning coverage of Marco Rubio, and recap FBI Director Kash Patel’s grilling about his drinking habits by the US Senate. Finally, Ben talks with journalist Suzy Hansen about her new book, From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdogan.

For Friends of the Pod, Tommy and Ben answer questions from Discord about how the US can repair its relationship with Canada, and give insight on their favorite rappers and wines.

Preorder Ben’s book All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches, subscribe to his Substack, and reserve a spot for his virtual book launch event on May 18 here.

Ben and Tommy break down another chaotic week in foreign policy full of bad ideas and worse outcomes. Trump rolls out—and just as quickly unrolls—a new Pentagon plan—dubbed “Project Freedom”—to “guide” ships through the Strait of Hormuz, leaked intelligence reports show that the war has not changed Iran’s nuclear timeline, and polling confirms that the war has become a political disaster for Trump. They also share a rare, firsthand account from a teacher in Iran about living under the regime's internet blackout and surveillance state, and discuss how the war has derailed Trump's upcoming trip to China. Then they turn to the humanitarian catastrophes unfolding in Lebanon and Gaza, where so-called ceasefires have not stopped the killing, rodent infestations are causing infant deaths, and reconstruction is fantasy. They also check in on the war in Ukraine, from the staggering death toll to reports that Putin has retreated into his bunker because he fears for his life, and how online dissent from a Russian influencer finally broke through. Finally, Tommy speaks to Rep. Jason Crow about Iran, why he wants to get Pete Hegseth fired, and what troop reductions in Germany will mean for our relationship with Europe.

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, episode title, and episode date.

Preorder Ben’s book All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches and subscribe to his Substack here.

The US-Iran ceasefire is holding, but the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the global economy is teetering on the edge of disaster, and America's precision weapons stockpile is badly depleted after repeated conflicts with Iran, with experts warning that it could have grave consequences for US readiness in the event of a conflict with China. Meanwhile, King Charles becomes the first British king to address Congress as the UK tries to use a royal charm offensive to paper over major differences on Iran, Mali's military government teeters on collapse after coordinated terrorist attacks rock the country and drive out Russian mercenaries, and the CIA's covert operations in Mexico blow up into a sovereignty crisis for President Sheinbaum. Also covered: more US foreign policy corruption (fun!) after Eric Trump lands a $24 million Pentagon contract and a member of US special forces is arrested for betting on military operations in Venezuela. Then Ben talks with Federica Vinci and Nick Antipov of Democracy Hub about their Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit that provides strategies to defeat autocrats worldwide.

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, episode title, and episode date.

For Friends of the Pod, the guys answer questions about North Korea’s nukes, what other parts of the world we should be keeping an eye on, and the latest scandal engulfing the New England Patriots.

Preorder Ben’s book All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches and subscribe to his Substack here.