Daniel Bessner

Peru’s President Keiko Fujimori following her inauguration ceremony in Lima on July 28, 2026.

The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru

Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from Iran, Gaza, and Yemen to Sudan, Ukraine, China, climate disasters, Latin America, and the International Criminal Court.

Jul 31, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Demonstrators stage a protest to thank countries that recognize the State of Palestine and to demand an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza in Ramallah, West Bank, on September 23, 2025.

Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson

Brad Simpson joins Danny and Derek to explore the history of self-determination, from decolonization and the Cold War to its enduring significance for conflicts today.

Jul 29, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

The bridge linking Bandar Abbas and Kehuristan in Iran’s Hormozgan province, where Iranian authorities said the US carried out attacks on 95 locations across 12 cities over the past 10 days, on July 19, 2026.

The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General

Danny and Derek break down the week’s global headlines, from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Gaza to Lebanon, Ukraine, the DRC, Trump’s tariffs, and US foreign policy.

Jul 24, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

President Franklin D. Roosevelt endorses New Deal candidates during a radio broadcast from his Hyde Park home.

How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston

Andrew Preston joins Danny and Derek to trace the evolution of the American national security state, from the early republic to the Cold War and beyond.

Jul 22, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM

Danny and Derek round up the week’s global news, from Iran, Gaza, and Yemen to Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, the ICC, and shifting US-China influence.

Jul 17, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Demonstrators rally during a protest against artificial intelligence outside Anthropic headquarters in San Francisco, California, on July 11, 2026.

The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright

Robert Wright joins the show to examine AI’s promise and perils, from machine intelligence and automation to capitalism, climate, and global regulation.

Jul 15, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

US President Donald Trump poses with other heads of state prior to the North Atlantic Council meeting held at the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026.

The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault

Danny and Derek break down the week’s global headlines, from NATO, Iran, and Gaza to Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, Latin America, and US strategy in the Pacific.

Jul 10, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Rome’s Colosseum at sunset on January 10, 2012.

Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel

Jake Nabel joins Danny and Derek to explore Roman-Parthian relations, ancient imperial rivalry, cultural misunderstanding, and the politics of historical memory.

Jul 8, 2026 / Podcast / Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

The owner of The Cornish Arms gastropub adjusts the Union Flag alongside the American flag on the exterior of the pub in St. Ives, Cornwall on June 10, 2021.

How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman

Danny and Derek are joined by historian Andrew Shankman to talk about the road to US independence from Great Britain.

Jul 6, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

A newspaper stall showing an “Etemad” front page with a headline reading, in Farsi, “The night of the end of the JCPOA.”

The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi

Sina Azodi joins the show to trace the history of Iran’s nuclear program, from the shah and the NPT to the JCPOA, Trump, and the recent war.

Jul 1, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

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Daniel Bessner

The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru

Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson

The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General

How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston

The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM

The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright

The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault

Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel

How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman

The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi

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Daniel Bessner

The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru

Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson

The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General

How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston

The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM

The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright

The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault

Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel

How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman

The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi