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.

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

Bullsh*t Ceasefires Everywhere

Pod Save the World