What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead
Tablet Magazine
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 3, 2024 • 29min
Where Did the Democratic Party’s Pro-Hamas Wing Come From?
This podcast discusses the US Southwest outpacing Kuwait in crude oil production, the International Criminal Court's threat to arrest Israeli officials, the financial industry moving from NY and CA, and how support for Hamas may divide the Democratic coalition.
8 snips
Apr 25, 2024 • 33min
America's Popular Universities for Palestine
This podcast delves into Ukraine aid, TikTok ban, FTC overreach, and pro-Hamas protests at US colleges. It questions the impact of campus activism, challenges on noncompete agreements, and the importance of meaningful learning over prestige in education.
Apr 18, 2024 • 40min
The Rise of the Cyber City
Topics discussed include Israel's retaliatory options against Iran, IMF criticism of US fiscal policy, Zelensky's plea for support, WFH revolution changing American cities, and potential political advantages in city dynamics.
Apr 11, 2024 • 33min
Czar Tucker and the Antisemitic Right
Czar Tucker delves into the Israel-Iran conflict, European gender care bans, Indonesia-Israel normalization, and Tucker Carlson's Russian Czar antisemitism. Walter and Jeremy analyze the news, discuss Christian perspectives on Israel, and explore South Korea's transformation.
Apr 5, 2024 • 26min
Foreign Policy in a Second Trump Term
The podcast discusses Biden's industrial policy, Israeli airstrikes in Syria and Gaza, the fentanyl crisis, and the potential foreign policy outcomes if Trump is re-elected. It also explores challenges in establishing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, competitiveness in the EV market, America's industrial policy impact, global crises, and an analysis of the Trump administration's foreign policy performance.
5 snips
Mar 29, 2024 • 30min
Twilight of the Wonks
This podcast discusses ethnic tensions in Russia, the race for AI talent in Silicon Valley, security concerns in China-Pakistan relations, the rise of populism, and the evolution of blogging and individual content creation.
Mar 22, 2024 • 36min
Build Back Better Palestinian Authority
This podcast discusses universal basic income, the decline of New York City, the threat posed by the Houthis in the Red Sea, and the need for a Konrad Adenauer figure for the Palestinians. It explores job transformations in the modern economy, challenges faced by the US Navy, and hopes for improving NYC quality of life. The hosts also share their love for cities and reminisce about their favorite urban landscapes.
Mar 14, 2024 • 34min
Biden v. Bibi
This podcast discusses academics complaining about AI, 200 years of US failure in Haiti, American high school slackening, and the public fight between Biden and Bibi benefiting both. It also explores escalating AI model costs, AGI development, violence in Haiti, educational standards, and favorite religious sites around the world.
Mar 8, 2024 • 35min
Where The Green Movement Went Wrong
This podcast discusses Super Tuesday results, Benny Gantz’s visit to Washington, the China Shock effect on global economy, and the declining support for environmental movements worldwide. Also, it explores Israel's arms independence from the U.S. and recommends books to understand capitalism better.
Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 40min
The Great MacGuffin and the Quest for the Holy Grail
Explore the history of Israeli-Palestinian peace process, American diplomatic involvement, challenges in reaching peace, religious and geopolitical dynamics in conflicts, Israeli skepticism of liberal order, hurdles faced by Palestinians in statehood, complexities of Israeli settlements, and the role of American administrations in Middle East peace efforts.
