Pod Save the World

22,811
News #65Politics #23

“Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor thought foreign policy was boring and complicated until he got the education of a lifetime working for President Obama’s National Security Council. On “Pod Save the World,” he and former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes break down the latest global developments and bring you behind the scenes with the people who were there. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts.

Recent Episodes
  • Chaos at the Pentagon
    Apr 23, 2025 – 01:14:17
  • World’s Lamest Dictator Goes to Washington
    Apr 16, 2025 – 01:38:01
  • Trump Tariffs Create Global Chaos
    Apr 9, 2025 – 01:38:58
  • Happy "Liberation Day" to All Who Celebrate
    Apr 2, 2025 – 01:30:44
  • Call of Duty: Dumbass Group Chat
    Mar 26, 2025 – 01:40:18
  • Trump Reignites the Forever Wars
    Mar 19, 2025 – 01:39:22
  • A true story of money, Mafia & the Vatican (Shadow Kingdom Episode 1)
    Mar 17, 2025 – 00:27:27
  • Ceasefire in Ukraine?
    Mar 12, 2025 – 01:41:59
  • Can Ukraine Survive Trump?
    Mar 5, 2025 – 01:24:08
  • Trump and Zelensky's Disastrous Meeting
    Mar 1, 2025 – 00:42:22
  • The US and Europe’s Conscious Uncoupling
    Feb 26, 2025 – 01:31:12
  • Putin’s Wildest Dreams Come True
    Feb 19, 2025 – 01:35:20
  • Trump’s Insane Plan To “Own” Gaza
    Feb 12, 2025 – 01:27:42
  • Elon Musk’s DOGE Dorks Gut USAID
    Feb 5, 2025 – 01:33:17
  • Trump's New MAGA Deep State
    Jan 29, 2025 – 01:26:37
  • Trump the “Peacemaker”
    Jan 22, 2025 – 01:38:22
  • Biden’s Foreign Policy Farewell
    Jan 15, 2025 – 01:26:22
  • Elon Musk’s Quest For Global Domination
    Jan 8, 2025 – 01:17:30
  • Introducing: Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
    Jan 1, 2025 – 00:52:58
  • Assad Spins His Surrender From Moscow
    Dec 18, 2024 – 01:34:09
  • What’s Next for Syria?
    Dec 11, 2024 – 01:19:26
  • Breaking: Assad Regime Falls
    Dec 9, 2024 – 00:55:38
  • South Korean President Declares Martial Law
    Dec 4, 2024 – 01:22:51
  • Israel and Hezbollah Reach Ceasefire Deal
    Nov 27, 2024 – 01:20:30
  • Trump’s Looming MAGA Military Purge
    Nov 20, 2024 – 01:09:14
  • Trump’s National Security Team Takes Shape
    Nov 13, 2024 – 01:27:46
  • Russian Interference Won’t Stop After Election Day
    Nov 6, 2024 – 00:53:12
  • Election 2024: The Stark Choice on Climate Change?
    Nov 2, 2024 – 00:53:56
  • North Korean “Storm Corps” Deploys to Russia
    Oct 30, 2024 – 01:32:32
  • Election 2024: Cooperation, Competition, or War with China?
    Oct 26, 2024 – 00:48:43
  • Trump Blames Zelensky for War, Sucks Up to Saudis
    Oct 23, 2024 – 01:37:11
  • Election 2024: Israel, Gaza, and the Future of the Middle East
    Oct 19, 2024 – 00:55:10
  • Trump Officials on an Iranian Hit List
    Oct 16, 2024 – 01:30:27
  • Election 2024: Ukraine, Russia, and Whether the War Will End
    Oct 12, 2024 – 00:52:10
  • One Year of War in the Middle East
    Oct 9, 2024 – 01:32:57
  • Election 2024: What are the Stakes for Global Democracy?
    Oct 5, 2024 – 00:49:36
  • Israel Invades Lebanon, Iran Attacks Israel
    Oct 2, 2024 – 01:14:56
  • Israel Bombards Hezbollah in Lebanon
    Sep 25, 2024 – 01:24:12
  • Israel Sends Exploding Pagers to Hezbollah
    Sep 18, 2024 – 01:13:34
  • Republicans Blame Kamala Harris for Afghanistan Collapse
    Sep 11, 2024 – 01:30:16
  • Hamas Executes Hostages, Israelis Protest Netanyahu
    Sep 4, 2024 – 01:22:32
  • Telegram Founder Arrested in France
    Aug 28, 2024 – 01:30:47
  • Gaza Protests and the DNC
    Aug 21, 2024 – 01:07:01
  • Ukraine Invades Russia
    Aug 14, 2024 – 01:22:23
  • Harris-Walz Ticket, A Russian Prisoner Exchange
    Aug 7, 2024 – 01:19:27
  • Venezuela's Stolen Election
    Jul 31, 2024 – 01:23:58
  • Breaking Down Kamala Harris’s Foreign Policy
    Jul 24, 2024 – 01:20:41
  • World Reacts to Trump Assassination Attempt
    Jul 17, 2024 – 01:22:58
  • French Election Shock, NATO Descends on D.C.
    Jul 10, 2024 – 01:13:53
  • UK Election Preview with David Lammy
    Jun 26, 2024 – 01:20:47
Recent Reviews
  • jlsistrunk
    POD save
    I really appreciate the international perspective they bring. They have also bring in very informative people. Thank you this is a never miss an episode show for me.
  • Fiona4.3.2.1.
    Speak up!
    Would be great if your voices didn’t taper off into a freaking whisper. Ugh.
  • WilderLead
    No Empathy for Environment
    Such limited understanding of the Environment, no wonder our U.S. waterways struggle. It’s not just Brazilian sharks inundated with human produced drugs. Instead of jokes, learn about the issue. It’s scary we pollute so much and don’t admit it, try to own the material if you’re going to make content about it. Then people could learn and your voice could contribute to a stronger future for the world. These issues aren’t that hard, but they do take learning new perspective. You guys seem smart enough to learn about pollution in waterways, might help you with other big political issue around the world. But you guys drink so much no wonder Obama’s work didn’t stick. It was done in between getting hammered representing us in Japan and “not sleeping” the whole trip. I wonder what else you were doing, probably helping establish Fat Leonard. Obama must be proud of how you guys speak loosely about alcohol use. Doesn’t he have a foundation for young leaders? Maybe you guys could learn from him since you couldn’t the first try. I was a People to People Delegate, a program established by Dwight Eisenhower. He didn’t leave us any instructions to get hammered overseas. Later as a Sailor, the only time I did drink overseas was not worth it. I made a worse sailor, and a worse American. Sorry, but you guys always critique other leaders as if y’all were Obama, and I would hope he would not bring you back in the White House if he ever had a chance. A lot of self-diagnosis is tricky so I wanted to give you the heads up you guys sound quite elitist and could probably gain more fulfillment and impact using your communication skills and knowledge in a meaningfully invested way at the local level for at least four or five years. If you thought international trips and all out drinks was service, and you still can’t find a way to be humble, it’s a good time now to visit the local beach or park and pick up trash. You would make far more positive impact there. I will stop listening, but if you wonder how to break through to more people it is to learn how to speak with people not at them or to them. I would listen at that point, because I do think you guys can have strong insights. Invest in the land of your people boys, it will clear your mind and make you feel stronger in positive natural ways. Believe me, Dwight would not be impressed. We don’t have time to get hammered if we only have four years to make an impression type thing. To each their own though, good luck and I wish you well!
  • Che Block
    Episode photos
    Do they all have to be Trump? What is this the Trump show?
  • Cpatel05
    Brilliant!
    Keep it up!
  • To T or not to Tee
    Excellent way to keep up with what’s happening!
    I love this podcast to keep up with what’s happening in the world and how the United States interfaces with those events. Easy to listen to with engaging hosts and guests.
  • Meg Reynolds1983
    Get off twitter
    Crooked media needs to stop supporting Elon get off Twitter no excuse at this point do better
  • Carla IS
    Excellent rundown
    More Ben. Less Tommy.
  • mdpnyc
    Ceasefire in Ukraine
    I used to love this show. Today, to hear Glen Greenwald spouting, among other things, that a small country like Ukraine (I’d argue Ukraine is not small) cannot win a war against a large country like Russia with minimal push back was disheartening. In addition to Afghanistan, Vietnam and the American Revolutionary war come to mind, and I’m sure many historians out there could name others. And giving credit to the current US administration? The only person who deserves credit for anything is Zelensky who has displayed tremendous physical and mental courage. Maybe you were trying to show a broad POV but this was not the way. I learned nothing from this episode. Awful.
  • Bmore opinionated
    Too nice?
    I usually love the show. The guys are smart and I appreciate the deep dives into topics that most media just skims through. But…Tommy Vietor might sometimes be just too nice. Could have used more pushback on that Glenn Greenwald interview. Glad to hear other points of view and I’m not looking for a shouting match, but I think Tommy could’ve shown more than just that little bit of skepticism and pushed Greenwald to defend his positions.
  • christolo13
    Invaluable complement to national political commentary
    It’s so great to have more discussion of and insights into what’s happening outside the U.S., while connecting it to current events in America. The interview segments with journalists, activists and others are great contributions to knowledge of people and issues abroad.
  • Drew in Seattle
    Thanks
    Thanks for weighing in against Zelensky and completely negating all your previous remarks about the meeting. Re: Zelensky, thank goodness someone had the moral courage to stand up to the thugs. In the last weeks we have been witness to the unsavory spectacle of one European leader after another fellating Donald Trump on live TV. Maybe that’s your kink. I prefer honest, courageous confrontation. And, by the way, did you happen to catch Russian media’s response to the meeting? Tragically, Zelensky is probably not long for this world. I guess he could have played it safe to save his own skin. I guess he could have at least gone for a hand job and ended up with a deal that would exploit his country. Instead he chose to display the kind of integrity that the Trump administration is doing everything it can to wipe from the face of the earth, He should be celebrated. You are dead wrong on this one.
  • Marshamcgregor
    Oval Office Disaster
    I value and respect your podcast. But even with your experience, expertise and politically astute observations, as a human being with none of your bona fides, I believe Zelenskyy gained more than he lost in that disgusting ambush. He held his ground, thought on his feet under attack in the most extraordinary circumstances possible, and simply by defending himself and jousting a bit, the true nature of Trump et al was revealed to the whole world in the process. They looked like the complete, heartless villains they are. Zelensky knew twenty minutes in, probably hours earlier, that he would be leaving the White House empty handed. Like you said, this was a set up, a cowardly display and a clarifying moment, a wake up call for Europe who have since rallied around Zelensky, and a shocking revelation for the American people: America has abandoned Ukraine and is partnering with the Russian enemy. The ridiculous rare earth minerals deal might completely collapse now, and I think that’s a good thing. In the short term and long term, I don’t see Zelensky damaged. If he hadn’t stood up to them, he would have been damaged. Thank you for listening.
  • MDBJS84
    What do we do now?
    I think this pod is going to be so important as we see our country change to something unimaginable. Thank you both for your honest perspectives even when they are dark and sad.
  • The Teegs
    Tommy is very pro-Israel biased
    While overall i like to maintain a neutral position on certain things regarding worldly affairs, i cant help but notice how Tommy’s language tends to be very one-sided regarding certain conflicts. I do appreciate Ben’s more centrist approach in addressing both of the human suffering sides of a conflict, but Tommy is always quick to use very demonizing language toward the Palestinian Resistance and to ignore the conditions of the Palestinian people altogether while throwing all his sympathetic language for the Israeli’s and it is a little upsetting to see such a stark bias. I would just ask for Tommy to look at what’s happening to the people suffering on both sides of the fence and not just demonize how Israeli “hostages” are treated and ignoring the monstrous treatment the Palestinian hostages are also going through and the conditions in which they are being returned. At least Hamas has decency to return them in coffins and not in blue zip-tied body bags as Isreal returns deceased Palestinian hostages? Who’s the real monster here?!
  • Юлона
    Better balanced than PSA
    Largely aligned with my view on world affairs, more balanced and thoughtful insights for international listeners. Not a big fun of PSA btw.
  • lg9601
    Great informative points
    Thank you for what you do. Listening to this pod I know I can trust what you guys say because you always give it to us straight and I appreciate that because it’s hard to find these days. I live in a place where people lack common sense and lack common decency when it comes to doing the right thing. Please don’t stop ever podcasting because I feel less alone when I listen to your pod and I can say these guys get it, how I get it. where nobody seems to see what’s happening in the world. Great show
  • Vote2018
    Keep doing what you’re doing
    I’m 63 and have followed you from the beginning. While what you report is heartbreaking, beyond frustrating and reason and now just terrifying, it’s so overwhelming. Your podcast puts it into context. Thanks
  • Freshcoastwave
    Do not read The Hot Zone.
    100% podcast. A book that has Marburg and Ebola out-breaks and the science behind them. These journalists are fist line of defense against the not zee information machine.
  • B.R. on LI
    Can you be anti Israel and not be antisemitic? Emphatic NO.
    These gentlemen generally do good work but after listening to many episodes over many months the truth is plain: they let their antipathy for Bibi steer them into soft Antisemitism. Disappointing.
  • BatCountry77
    Best Podcasf from Crooked Media
    The amount of knowledge and insight that Ben and Tommy have is what keeps me listening to their podcast over any other form Crooked Media. This is an honest podcast that takes into consideration how U.S. government decisions have a global impact. This podcast gives me hope for change and I cannot recommend it enough.
  • wi11iam1234
    Will from Pittsburgh
    I would not consider myself a member of the left but I do find their commentary on international issues insightful. Go-to if I want to understand what is going on outside the country.
  • lifeisgood001
    More episodes please
    I’d become a subscriber if Pod Save the World produced more episodes per week.
  • mariathecloud
    Intellectually lazy
    “So that could just be the Gaza fatigue thing manifesting with just younger progressive college kids” The way they reference genocide and those refusing to put their name on a ballot voting for genocide in either direction is so out of touch.
  • Pus Doc
    Just hit the skip button
    If you want to hear constant complaining then this is the podcast for you
  • yourrock
    Obvious psyop
    These guys are facile industrial corporate neoliberal agents of the US security state. Like agents, not actors. Like employed by the STATE. They want to get your data and control the message. For what purpose? US policy is amoral. Biden/Harris. Obama, Clinton. Democrats can’t oppose republicans when their policies are worse for women, children, the earth and only serve an unchecked war meat grinder. Democrats don’t want to vote for war criminals and baby killers. If the liberals have leaders who don’t honor domestic law, international human rights, climate justice, they are the bad guys. Liberals are not civilized good guys. Liberal voters are asked, yet again, to enable policy makers that will kill us and the planet differently than Repubs will. This pod is for disingenuous blood drenched baby killers. Either you are against killing babies and take responsibility for when you do by going to jail or you are gaslighting the world. I’m not listening to obvious gaslighting and psyop dumb dumb podcasts to tell me who I should vote for or which country needs to be bombed next. It’s dishonest to pretend you care about humans only if they share your beliefs based on inconsistent data. Podcast for cult members wannabe
  • reviewer1675243
    Pure Speculation!
    You heard it direct from the hosts! Not a single fact reported on DJTs cabinet picks, just a bunch of pure speculation and libel. Of course there was no criticism of Bidens picks, not even a comparison. Such bias and TDS on this pod. Really embarrassing for these goons.
  • LA Zorro
    Qualified to hold office
    LOL for the two of you frat boys to criticize anyone’s qualifications to hold office is a joke. Talk about lack of experience to hold a position of responsibility.
  • yenooc2
    Knowledgeable, empathetic
    Four stars for knowledge and empathy. One star off for sometimes being a little too unaware of their own biases. But I’ll be listening to this one long after I’ve stopped listening to Pod Save America.
  • Djicdnj
    Tune in today for your daily dose of Anti-Israel Porn (part 2)
    Every once in a while I check back in to see if they’ve made progress. They have not. And don’t be fooled. These two know that the election was not lost because of Israel-gaza. The data from the election makes that clear. They want you to hate Israel and Jews. I won’t speculate as to why, because I don’t know. But there can be no other conclusion based on their knowledge as compared to their statements that the gaza issue was a material issue in this election. If you value genuine analysis, go elsewhere. If you hate Israel, come here to have your beliefs affirmed.
  • Jean frim Arkansas
    Climate is THE Issue
    I love this show and the episode on the importance of climate for America’s and the world’s future was the best. From the great work of the Biden admin’s IRA to Harris’ work to protect our health to the amazing opportunities of the clean energy transition to the deep injustice of climate impacts in other countries, you covered it! With great thanks, Jean, Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteer and fan of the show.
  • MEllwood
    Smart and thorough
    I left Twitter a while ago and this really fills an information void that just reading newspapers alone couldn’t. The commentary is informed, contextual, and empathetic. All in all, a huge upgrade in my news diet.
  • jayne griff
    Worldo
    Hands down the smartest foreign policy podcast out there. Two wise guys. 😉
  • Dirk's Diggler
    Informative and engaging
    Kudos to the hosts for the content of the podcast. It’s fascinating and informative while being entertaining. One critique is Ben’s near constant use of the “you know” filler, he uses it so excessively that it’s very distracting. I find myself counting how many times he does it instead of listening to what he is saying. Update: the “you know” filler use has not improved. I can’t make it through an entire episode because of it. Update: you know you know you know you know
  • megleigha
    These guys are SMART
    Thank you for keeping me informed Tommy and Ben. Long time listener. I appreciate you guys!
  • ..oo00 Eric 00oo..
    #KeepCrookedProgressive
    Best crooked podcast. Actually close enough to subject material to almost honestly critique the US government when democrats are in power. Also, way to rep Kenyon.
  • Sutah123
    September 18th episode
    Could not get past the first few minutes of feigned ignorance and speculation about Israel’s terror attack on pagers in Lebanon. You lost me at, “where does it all lead?” Really?
  • interesting review
    Sept 10 episode
    Excellent interviews! Regarding the conversation about the withdrawal from Afghanistan, I’m no foreign policy expert, but I do know that my reaction to what happened in Kabul then was, and still is, “it was always going to be thus.” Keep up the good work!
  • Kathyinil
    Fascinating!
    The insight these gentlemen bring to the conversation is very interesting. They make it enjoyable to be educated on these topics. I appreciate this podcast!
  • nnnnnsne
    Alleged. Propaganda to promote genocide
    I read it and it says alleged and they don’t have any proof. Also the fighters where trying to get hostages and fighting off and going back to Gaza with the hostages. It really doesn’t make any sense. Is this another propaganda like the lie about 40 beheaded babies so justify their genocide. How about thekilledJournalist
  • Basedgodlovesyou
    Leaving a review to make up for skipping ads
    Sorry not sorry! Keep up the good work.
  • uppercrusttrophy
    Excessive snark about Gaza
    Their last episode was so lecturing and sanctimonious toward Uncommitted voters (and just generally voters concerned about Gaza). But over the last year, they have been consistently anti War, calling for a ceasefire almost every episode, critiquing Biden’s deceptive language on the ceasefire, saying he was turning off Democrats. Now, it’s like they rethought every position and suddenly disagree with their past podcasts. It really turned me off. I know political types do see policies as a way to gain voters, not necessarily an end in themselves. But it was really shocking to see the about-face. It seems like they have been treating all these sad handwringing news stories as a way to gain popularity and win, but not as moral issues that affect how people think. Even their advice to Kamala Harris was phrased like she needs to perform empathy better, at least for now, and this will help her consolidate power. It was a big turnoff.
  • 1612lex
    Proud Worldo
    Coverage of world politics from foreign policy experts. They interview other experts and cover on-the-ground journalists across the world to give first person insights. Helps me better understand how US foreign policy affects the world and how we can best pressure our representatives to be good stewards of democracy and human dignity.
  • KMP3396
    #KeepCrookedProgressive and #FriendOfTheUnion
    #KeepCrookedProgressive and #FriendOfTheUnion
  • alltheusernamesaretakenalready
    #FriendOfTheUnion
    I support unions. #FriendOfTheUnion
  • malynagalore
    Ben interrupts Alyona a lot
    Never noticed him interrupting Tommy. This can be a good podcast but Ben’s arrogance and need to constantly show off the fact that he’s met people they are talking about gets old. It’s just not impressive. Like dude you met them because of the role you had, not that you are some independent power broker. On the flip side I’ve always thought it’s weird that Tommy acts like global affairs is a really nerdy and niche interest. Like…following international news and events is…a normal thing to do. But apparently Tommy knew nothing about it and had no interest in it until he was given a high level communications position in the administration. Like….its just very weird.
  • BibliophileG
    Bummer
    Anti union actions from a “pro union” org…sry can’t support ANY Crooked Media until this is resolved
  • Legit.Ethan
    Friend of the Union!
    Start living up to the progressive values you espouse and negotiate in good faith! Treat your workers fairly!🌹✊
  • Truetilbeth
    In support of Crooked Workers Union
    I won’t listen to any of your content until a deal is negotiated that the union agrees to.
  • Oldlizzard
    #friendoftheunion
    I have learned so much from this show over the years. I love the guests they bring on. I’ve learned so much as an ignorant American. But if Crooked doesn’t return to negotiations with their employee union and give them the pay they deserve then I will unsubscribe.
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