What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead - podcast cover

What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

Tablet Magazinewww.tabletmag.com
Walter Russell Mead, a historian, pundit, and popular author, is encyclopedic about politics, culture, and history. On What Really Matters, Mead and Tablet deputy editor Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what news matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. Check out Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column at https://www.tabletmag.com/columns/via-meadia.
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Episodes

Mr. Modi Goes to China

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss US naval warships in Latin America, the latest poll of American opinion on Gaza, Trump's attempt to fire the governor of the Federal Reserve, and Xi Jinping's summit with Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin.

Sep 02, 202533 min

The Trump-Putin Summit

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss why Americans are moving less, Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, declining alcohol consumption in the US, and the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska.

Aug 19, 202530 minEp. 97

How Trump Is Like Napoleon

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss plummeting public school enrollment, Netanyahu's five-point war plan for Gaza, Nvidia's weird China deal with the White House, and the political, diplomatic, and strategic similarities between Napoleon Bonaparte and Donald Trump.

Aug 12, 202535 min

The Art of Trump's Trade Deals

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss transatlantic pressure on Israel, Arab pressure on Hamas, Xi Jinping's new infrastructure play in Tibet, Trump's criticism of India's relationship with Russia, the significance of Trump's trade deals with Japan and the EU, and tips for haggling in bazaars, souks, and night markets.

Aug 01, 202542 min

The Role of Public Intellectuals

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the White House's new "AI action plan," protests against Zelensky in Ukraine, hot conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, and the role of public intellectuals throughout history.

Jul 25, 202535 min

Right Nation

Walter's on the road this week, so in place of regular programming, we’re bringing you something special: an extended excerpt from Walter’s most recent book, The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People .

Jul 18, 20251 hr 39 minEp. 93

Gaza, Ukraine, Energy, and the Big Beautiful Bill

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Trump-Bibi meetings, the consequences of the president's legislative achievement, where he stands on arming Ukraine, the Western Hemisphere's bright fossil fuel future, and Gore Vidal vs. William F. Buckley.

Jul 10, 202538 minEp. 92

What Does Trump’s Bombing of Iran Mean for the Middle East?

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss why China, Russia, and North Korea haven't come to Iran's aid, what Zohran Mamdani's primary victory in New York could mean for national politics, how Trump understands Europe and NATO better than Obama and Biden did, and what the long-term significance might be of America's bombing of Fordow.

Jun 27, 202528 minEp. 89

Trump and the Israel-Iran War

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Israel’s control of Iranian skies, the prospects for a negotiated settlement, and the domestic politics shaping Donald Trump’s pending decision to involve US forces in military operations.

Jun 19, 202534 minEp. 88

Unrest in Los Angeles

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the ICE raids and riots in LA, heightening tensions with Iran, changing demographics in world religions, and trouble in the U.S.-India relationship.

Jun 12, 202529 minEp. 89

The Trump-Musk Eruption

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the public spat between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the AI threat to white-collar jobs, Ukraine’s drone attack on Russian aircraft, and “Zero Day,” a new 10-part Taiwanese TV drama about a war with China.

Jun 06, 202528 minEp. 88

The Foreign Policy Consequences of Biden’s Decline and Fall

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Elon Musk’s departure from Washington, America’s nonexistent shipbuilding capacity, plans to revoke visas from Chinese students, and the conspicuous absence of Biden’s foreign policy team from the new book on the ‘coverup’ of his condition. Also in this weeks episode, an interview with Tablet editor-in-chief Alana Newhouse, from the podcast How to Be a Jew , about why she decided to start a print magazine. If you want to subscribe to that magazine, click here...

May 30, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 87

Resistance Fighters of the World Unite

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Trump's ban on foreign students at Harvard, the Supreme Court's decision on the president's authority to fire federal commissioners, the Senate's vote against California's EV mandate, and a report from the Copenhagen Democracy Summit.

May 23, 202536 minEp. 86

Trump's Persian Gulf Tour

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the declining fortunes of young men and boys in America, the Trump-China trade truce, Qatari cash in Washington, and Trump's visit to the Middle East.

May 15, 202535 minEp. 85

The New Pope and the Scramble for Africa

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the first American Pope, the India-Pakistan conflict, Trump's trade deal with the UK, and the new struggle for mastery in Africa.

May 09, 202540 minEp. 84

Lurching Toward Hot War in Asia

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the impact of tariffs on China's economy, Trump's mineral deal with Ukraine, the Canadian election, and how rising tensions between India and Pakistan could suck America and China into war. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/whatreallymatters. You ...

May 02, 202530 minEp. 83

Why the Papacy Is One of the Greatest Shows on Earth

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Trump's take-it-or-leave-it Ukraine deal, why he walked back threats against China and the Fed, what the terror attack in Kashmir means for Modi's India, and the legacy of Pope Francis. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/whatreallymatters. You can ...

Apr 25, 202541 minEp. 82

The Almighty Dollar

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Harvard vs. Trump, Israel vs. Iran, Tourists vs. US Customs, and the Dollar vs. the World. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters . You can read Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column here , and check out more from Tablet here . Connec...

Apr 18, 202537 minEp. 81

The Consolidation of Trump's Power

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the effect of Trump's tariffs on Russia's economy, Apple's operations in China, Netanyahu's visit to the White House, and how tariffs are concentrating power in Trump's hands. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters . You can read Wa...

Apr 10, 202550 minEp. 80

Liberation Week

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Donald Trump's tariffs regime, and what the neoliberal era in American politics was and wasn't. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters . You can read Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column here , and check out more from Tablet here . C...

Apr 07, 202537 minEp. 79

The View of the Middle East From Mar-a-Lago

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Signalgate, Palestinian protests against Hamas, JD Vance's trip to Greenland, and what Trump sees when he scans the Middle East. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters . You can read Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column here , and ch...

Mar 28, 202534 minEp. 78

The Current State of US-China Competition

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Trump-Putin phone call, Israel's attacks in Gaza, America's attacks on the Houthis, and how the Sino-Russian-Iranian bloc is measuring up against what's left of the US-led alliance system. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters ...

Mar 20, 202538 minEp. 77

Trump's Deal With Moscow?

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss fears of a U.S. recession, universities abandoning DEI under pressure from the White House, a new Chinese railway in Africa, and how Trump's approach to Putin compares with Roosevelt's to Stalin, and Nixon's to Brezhnev. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tablet...

Mar 14, 202539 minEp. 76

Trump, China, and the Tariff Wars

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the U.S. cutting off intelligence sharing with Ukraine, shutting down American consulates overseas, TSMC's $100 billion investment in Arizona, and Trump's on again, off again tariffs on U.S. allies and enemies. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/wh...

Mar 07, 202540 minEp. 75

Trump's Establishment Russia Policy

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Trump-Zelensky mineral deal, the rise of Christian faith among American youth, Germany's election results, and why Trump's Russia policy is also Obama, Merkel, and Biden's, only with greater chance of success. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com...

Feb 27, 202537 minEp. 74

Which Way Euro Man?

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the White House scrapping environmental regulations, the Trump-Modi bromance, the New York Times ' adoption of AI tools, and the beginning of the end of the transatlantic alliance. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters . You can re...

Feb 19, 202548 minEp. 73

JFK, DOGE, China, Jews

This week, Walter and Jeremy talk the FBI's Kennedy assassination files, a constitutional crisis manqué, antisemitism among the young, and how Trump is hoisting China on its own green petard. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters . You can read Walter Russell Mead’s T...

Feb 13, 202540 minEp. 72

What Is Foreign Aid For?

This week, Walter and Jeremy talk Donald Trump's plans for Gaza, buying out the CIA bureaucracy, the problems of the NGO complex, and the controversy around USAID. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters . You can read Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column here , and chec...

Feb 07, 202554 minEp. 71

Walter’s Holiday Gift Buying Guide

In the last episode of 2024, Walter gives his picks for what you should read and learn next year. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters . You can read Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column here , and check out more from Tablet here . Connect with us Follow the podcast o...

Dec 13, 202437 minEp. 70

The Syrian Quagmire

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the prospects for a Trump-brokered ceasefire in Ukraine, South Korea’s martial law scare, the fall of the French government, and what the latest developments in Syria tell us about Israel, Russia, and America. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/wha...

Dec 06, 202436 minEp. 69
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