Space the Nation
Space the Nation
On Space the Nation, we take our love of science fiction (and fantasy and horror) and smash it together with our professional passions: international relations (as brought to the table by Tufts University professor and Washington Post columnist Dan Drezner) and cultural criticism (as brought to the table by political columnist Ana Marie Cox). It's a highly informed but hilarious conversation that starts with an examination of a particular text (everything from Ursula K. LeGuin to the MCU, Star Trek to Colson Whitehead) and veers into current events, mental health practices and imagined conversations between Ted Cruz and the Predator. For people who like white papers and graphic novels, Chapo Trap House and what Political Science Twitter used to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 26, 2025 • 46min
SPACEGIVING 2025
Ana and Dan set the table for some fine genre dining: Pluribus, Welcome to Derry, a book called "The Ministry of" something that's good, not bad! And many, many more. There is hardly any discussion of IR in this episode.The video version of this podcast is available for free on our Patreon page, patreon.com/spacethenation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 35min
WARGAMES
Ana and Dan would like to play a game. There is some IR in this movie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 11, 2025 • 50min
ALIEN: EARTH (Part 2)
Ana and Dan sort of forgot we recorded this episode about the last four episodes of the series.We did have a few more thoughts on what is definitely in the top four or so products in the Alien franchise! Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 25min
HOUSE OF DYNAMITE
Ana and Dan also have loved ones in Chicago, why do you ask? Kathryn Bigelow's return to cinema gifts us a meticulously shot and expertly acted mess of a movie that's underwhelming in every respect. It is fun to think about President Stringer Bell, though. If I told you there was no IR in this movie, would you believe me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 11, 2025 • 59min
TRON: ARES
Ana and Dan de-res, but not before reviewing this latest and undoubtedly last entry into the Tronverse. It isn't very good and the ideas it raises aren't very interesting but Dan got to make a lot of Depeche Mode references in our script! Happy hunting! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 17min
TRON: LEGACY
Ana and Dan get the high scores on Galactic Narcissists and check out the middle entry in this middling franchise. There's some interesting stuff about non-attachment that gets promptly disregarded for Plot Reasons and also a hot program that who will later go on to direct Don't Worry Darling, a movie with exactly as much insight into video games as this one. Not much IR in this movie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 16, 2025 • 27min
EXTRA: THE ANDOR MOMENT
"I have friends everywhere." How does a quote from a Star Wars prequel wind up the unofficial slogan for a national movement? Indivisible's Ezra Levin joins Ana for a special Dan-less episode to talk about how Andor infiltrated anti-Trump protests and who he'll be cosplaying as on Halloween.Find out about the No Kings protest near you here. Remember this: Try.There is IR in this podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 13, 2025 • 1h 11min
TRON
Ana and Dan challenge each other to a round of Space Paranoids, the hit video game kids are into these days! It's the summer of Tron: Ares and so we're diving into the surprisingly light movie footprint of the franchise. It's the second-best Bruce Boxleitner movie you'll see all year! There's a bit of IR in this movie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 12min
SNEAKERS
Ana and Dan dive into the classic film Sneakers, paying tribute to Robert Redford and exploring its relevance today. They compare it to other 90s hacker films, revealing its unique Bay Area inspirations. The hosts share behind-the-scenes stories from the star-studded cast and analyze the film's themes of information power and capitalism. They discuss what has aged well and what hasn't, while uncovering clever infiltration tactics used in the plot. Join them for a nostalgic yet insightful look at this timeless gem!
Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 10min
ALIEN: COVENANT
Ana and Dan land on an Earth-like planet and don't think it's suspicious at all. Touch things! Don't wear masks! What could go wrong? Part of our comprehensive coverage of the Alien franchise (by which I mean, I made Dan watch it), Alien: Covenant is notable mainly for Ridley Scott's surface-level capitulation to audience wishes (more xenomorph, less God stuff!) while still engineering a sizeable "f--- you" into the subtext. Also, Michael Fassbender fingers his flute. There is some IR in this movie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
