The Dispatch Podcast

Jamie Weinstein is joined by David Petraeus—retired Army general, former CIA director, and author of Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine—to break down the latest out of Syria and weigh in on the unexplained drone situation in New Jersey. The Agenda: —Syria and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham —Striking Iranian nuclear sites —Israel and Gaza —Humanitarian crisis in Gaza —The Taiwan strait —Threat of nuclear escalation —U.S. military involvement in Mexico —The New Jersey drones —The JFK files The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes discuss the latest potential government shutdown and whether we are about to enter an Elon Musk co-presidency. The Agenda: —Co-president Musk's fight against a debt deal —Trump's presidential honeymoon —Who gets blamed for a shutdown? —Should conservatives be excited about DOGE? —TikTok's divestment —Is this a moral panic? —Bret Stephens: "Done With Never Trump" —NWYT: Modern Christmas music and Grinch remakes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Weinstein is joined by author and Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin to give context to the Assad regime’s fall and explain what’s next for the Syrian people. The Agenda: —Fall of Assad’s regime —The refugee crisis —Syria’s new government —Christians in Syria —Israeli relations —Is there a famine in Gaza? —Taiwan and China The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does the praise of Luigi Mangione—the alleged assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—say anything profound about Americans? Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, Steve Hayes, and Megan McArdle discuss. The Agenda: —Against 'But …' —The acquittal of Daniel Penny —Did Mangione get what he wanted? —The lamest duck —Age limits? —The Great De-Wokening —Syria and Iran —NWYT: How journalism works —Flagship debate redux The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie is joined by Jonathan Spyer—director of research at the Middle East Forum and writer for the Jerusalem Post—to explain the insurgency in Syria. The Agenda: —Syria post-ISIS —The fall of Assad’s regime? —Lessons from Israel and Gaza —Syrian Kurds —Turkey’s interests in Syria —Proxy War or Local Uprising? —What should happen next? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah is joined by Steve and Jonah to discuss the developments in Syria and South Korea, President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, and what the “Deep State” really is. The Agenda: —Syrian Civil War —South Korea —The populism moment —The Hunter pardon —Preemptive pardons —Sarah and Steve’s Air Force Two stories —What is the “Deep State”? —NWYT: Real or fake Christmas trees? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Mazza, a senior fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute, joins Jamie to discuss the United States’ relationship with Taiwan relationship and what to do if China invades. The Agenda: —Responding to Lyle Goldstein's argument —China’s military capabilities —Consequences of Taiwan falling —Taiwan’s chipmaking capabilities —Nuclear war The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie is joined by Lyle Goldstein—director of the China Initiative at Brown University and the director of Asia Engagement at Defense Priorities—to discuss Goldstein’s case against American engagement in Taiwan. The Agenda: —Potential Chinese invasion scenarios —Democracy vs. realism —Red lines in the Pacific —Strategic ambiguity —China’s military capability —World War II —Moral considerations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur, Steve Hayes, and Chris Stirewalt revisit the election results and what they could mean for the future of American politics before examining the impact of Trump’s most recent cabinet appointments. The Agenda: —Permanent majority? —The Republican mandate —Failing to constrain Trump —Cabinet of allegations —Gaetz, Thune, and McConnell —How the media lost this election —Social media’s role in the election —Rise of misinformation —RFK Jr. and his track record Show Notes: —Sarah’s tweet —Horse in the hospital —Broken News —Georgetown Battleground Civility Poll —RFK Jr. on Joe Rogan The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National Review’s Andy McCarthy joins Jamie to defend his vote for Trump, discuss what we considers to be the weaponization of the Justice Department, and debate the implications of Rep. Matt Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general. Buckle in folks, we’re just getting started. The Agenda: —A binary choice —Will Gaetz be confirmed? —Investigating January 6 —Pete Hegseth and the large bureaucracy of the Pentagon —The president’s power to pardon raises legal questions —Rudy Giuliani’s decline Show Notes: —Andy McCarthy's previous appearance on The Remnant The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie welcomes Rich Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former National Security Council staffer during the Trump administration, to discuss the future of U.S. foreign policy under President-Elect Donald Trump. Together, they explore key strategies, potential challenges, and the incoming administration’s approach to global diplomacy. The Agenda: —Iran as the sower of discord —The issue with the term “hostage diplomacy” —Making a deal with the Saudis —Should Israel or the U.S. take out Iran’s nuclear capabilities? —Putin back in international conferences? —Don’t ignore the energy policy shift The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Dent, former GOP representative and senior policy adviser at DLA Piper, joins Jamie to discuss how Harris could win Pennsylvania and what motivates voters in swing states. The Agenda: —Harris’ chances in collar counties —As Northhampton county goes —Swing states, post-Dobbs —The Madison Square Garden rally —When will we get Pennsylvania results? —Trump’s illiberalism —January 6 —Moderating on abortion Show Notes: —Interview with Hugh Hewitt The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah is joined by Steve, Jonah, and special guest Steve Kornacki—national political correspondent and polling extraordinaire for NBC News—to discuss the state of the race just four days out from Election Day. The Agenda: —Is polling worth our time? —The Haley-Cheney voters in Wisconsin —Is the race really tied? —The gender gap —Garbage trucks —Will garbage-gate affect turnout? —Predictions Show Notes: —Stirewalt on The Remnant —The Daily Show garbage montage The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve dive into the latest geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Ukraine, and Israel before turning to Liz Cheney’s influence on Kamala Harris’ political strategy and its implications for conservatives. The Agenda: —North Korea and Russia —Israel update —What if Ukraine loses? —What a Harris administration could look like —Conservative vs. Republican —Liz Cheney —Abortion —Spousal voting —Halloween Show Notes: —The Dispatch Summit The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Notorious RINO and Atlantic writer David Frum joins Jamie Weinstein to explain why he’s voting for Kamala Harris this election. Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and a longtime critic of Donald Trump, believes that the current Republican Party no longer reflects conservative principles and has been overtaken by populism. The Agenda: —Frum’s history with conservatism —Donald Trump as a “unique danger” —Frum’s personal connection to the Gaza hostages —Assessing Kamala Harris’ and Donald Trump’s foreign relation strategy —Is J.D. Vance dangerous? —Is Frum still a border hawk? —Canada’s new leaders are emerging after housing crisis —What to make of campus protests over Gaza Show Notes: —Frum for The Atlantic: Women Can Be Autocrats, Too The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah, Jonah, and Declan are joined by Megan McArdle, a columnist for The Washington Post, to discuss Kamala Harris’ recent media blitz culminating in her interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier. They also dive into the latest vibe shift and close with a conversation about the purpose of “steelmanning.” The Agenda: —Kamala Harris’ media blitz —Is Harris prepared for tough questions? —Avoidance of Biden slander —Sexism or partisanship? —Analysis of the evolving polls —Trump and male voters —Trump’s exaggeration —Mommy Party vs. Daddy Party —What is steelmanning? Show Notes: —Harris’ Fox News interview —J.D. Vance discussing Venezuela on ABC News —Noah Smith's post on steelmanning The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tevi Troy, author of The Power and the Money, joins Jamie to discuss the clash and collusion of business and politics. The Agenda: —When the CEO met the preisdent —Barack Obama and Elon Musk —Selective enforcement of policies —Risk of political bets —Are Republicans anti-business? —Strategies for a better country —Overworking FEMA Show Notes: —The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry —Ye Olde Deep State —Shall We Wake the President? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah, Kevin, and Steve discuss the devastation of recent hurricanes and the politics of the disaster response. Also, with several interviewers fawning over Kamala Harris, journalists coming under fire for committing journalism, and newsrooms collapsing into emotional struggle sessions, they ask: Is CBS News worth their time? The Agenda —Political polarization —Reliability in voting trends —Hurricane politics —FEMA conspiracies —Blame in crisis management (Bush v. Biden) —CBS producers shield Ta-Nehisi Coates and Kamala Harris from journalism —The ethics of editing journalism Show Notes: —The effect of conspiracies —The CBS News interview before the struggle sessions The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Editorial director and executive producer: Adaam James Levin-Areddy Associate producers: Victoria Holmes and Noah Hickey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah, Adaam, and Charlotte join Jamie for the first half of a two-part series commemorating the horrific October 7 attacks on the Israeli people. Charlotte provides a first-hand account from her reporting in Israel over the past year; Adaam, a native Israeli, offers insight into the psychological ramifications of the event; and Jonah explains what this moment means for American Jews and the resurgence of antisemitism in politics. The Agenda: —Charlotte's reporting in TMD about October 7 —Reflections from a year ago —Psychological ramifications —What is Benjamin Netanyahu’s role now? —Media reactions and public perception —Life in Israel currently Show Notes: —Jonah and Adaam's October 8 podcast following the attacks —Bill Buckley's In Search of Anti-Semitism —Dispatch Faith remembering October 7 The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and Jonah welcome Mike Pesca, the host of The Gist, to dive into the nuances of the recent vice-presidential debate. They explore J.D. Vance’s approach of creating a likable persona in an attempt to woo voters, and discuss how, at times, the guidance of field experts has led public opinion astray. They also contemplate the potential future of the Supreme Court, examining the implications of current political dynamics and how they might shape future judicial decisions. The Agenda: —Jonah's G-File on the race to being likable —Should we continue listening to experts? —TMD: Israeli Leaders Mull a Retaliatory Attack on Iran —Advisory Opinions episode: Supreme Court litigations —Supreme Court legitimacy Show notes —Mr. Nice Guy Maneuver —Israel Ponders A “Winnable War” —The Genius of Israel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices