Jonah Goldberg is joined by Ken Pollack, AEI senior fellow and expert on the Middle East, to discuss Iran's shift in foreign policy towards diplomacy and its implications for the United States and other nations. They also explore the issue of hostages in Iran, Turkey's shifting stance in the Middle East, different perspectives on idealism, and military capabilities and strategies in the region.

Prolific author Daniel Hannan provides erudite insights on topics including republican virtue and fighting wokeism. They discuss the state of conservatism in the UK and US, the impact of lockdowns, the importance of gratitude, and concerns about divisive ideologies in education. They delve into democracy versus autocracy, highlighting Russia's dysfunction. They explore the concentration of power in London and the disadvantages of a centralized capital. The host expresses gratitude, discusses flexibility versus brittleness, and admires the guest.

Jonah’s world is often defined by the things he hates, but just can’t resist talking about. Today’s Ruminant kicks off with an unrelenting rant against many of such subjects, including Trump; populism; and petty, meaningless Twitter feuds. After that, things drift in a more eggheady direction, as Jonah examines Israel’s governmental framework and provides a few musings on public morality. But even if none of those eclectic topics interest you, you’ll want to stick around until the end of this episode to answer an urgent call. The Remnant has received a nomination in the 2023 Podcast Awards, and we need you, our faithful listeners, to vote for the show right here. Show Notes:- The Remnant with Andy McCarthy- The Dispatch Podcast on Israel’s constitutional moment- Politico on the online porn industry’s retreat- Vote for the Remnant in the 2023 Podcast Awards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Remnant—which happens to be more than a year in the making—Jonah’s joined for the first time by Ian Rowe, a senior fellow at AEI and the author of Agency (2022), which explores how young people can build strong families and take control of their destiny. Much of their conversation focuses on one of Ian’s primary interests, the success sequence, and whether it’s still valid in modern America. But plenty of wonkish musings are also mixed in on the importance of stable marriages, the achievement gap in education, and the values we should impart to our children.Show Notes:-Ian’s page at AEI -Ian’s book, Agency-AEI’s special forum on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington-The Remnant with Thomas Sowell-Ian: “The Game of Life”-Ian: “A Vision of Black Success” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you were hopelessly confused by Jonah’s recent conversation with Sarah Isgur on the Trump indictment, prepare to be even more bewildered by today’s follow-up, which features the overdue Remnant return of Andy McCarthy, National Review’s chief legal poobah. It’s an episode of relentless legal nerdery as they dig deep into the weeds on Trump’s latest legal woes, and whether the claims against him hold up to scrutiny. There’s also some less mind-melting discussion mixed in on the legacy of the Civil Rights Act, the madness of Sidney Powell, and whether the federal government was right to punish Al Capone for tax evasion (yes, really).Show Notes:- Andy’s page at National Review- Jonah and Sarah on the indictment- The McCarthy Report on the indictment- Andy: “Anti-Indictment and Pro-Editorial”- Andy: “The Civil-Rights Theory of Indicting Trump for Election Interference” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a mysterious fortress in the depths of the Adirondacks comes today’s Ruminant, which may be the most pointless in quite some time. Addled from weeks of often traumatic travel, Jonah can’t quite keep his thoughts in order, and the result is an episode that glides across the surface of a whole range of topics. Among these are English theater, the Trump indictment, and the evolving Hunter Biden saga. But thanks to the sublime landscape around him, he dedicates most of his time to climate change and the latest hysterics from Greta Thunberg. No, Soylent Green still isn’t reality.Show Notes:- The Economist: “Soylent Green Is an Eerie Prophecy”- Jonah: “Soylent Green Is Wrong, People”- Jonah: “Threat Level Midnight Forever” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in the USA—but sadly not back at chez dingo—Jonah’s in a particularly exhausted state on today’s Remnant. It doesn’t help that his original plan for this episode—a fun, substance-free conversation with Sarah Isgur—was thwarted by the latest Trump indictment news, which forces the duo to engage in some actual serious discussion on the subject. They explore whether the indictment holds up to scrutiny, how the field of GOP candidates should respond to it, and whether Trump could rightly be convicted under criminal law. Then, as a bonus feature, Jonah taps into another area of Sarah’s expertise—she’s both the mother and wife of a male—to examine how we can address the challenges facing men in civil society. It’s an episode so informative, you’ll wonder why that niche legal podcast even exists.Show Notes:- The Collision, Sarah and Mike Warren’s new newsletter- Sarah and Mike on the new Trump indictment- The Morning Dispatch, three strikes edition- Jonah: “Who Are the Real Kingmakers? Voters.”- Nate Cohn: “Yes, Biden and Trump Are Tied”- Christine Emba: “Men Are Lost. Here’s a Map Out of the Wilderness.”- Jonah: “The New Right Is Neither New nor Right” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reflecting on the state of New York City in the 1970s, the podcast explores urban politics, criminology, and reversing social decay. It discusses the perception of crime, the regulation of private and public space, and the decline of American strength. The podcast also touches on Curtis Lee and New York politics, as well as the role of conservative intellectuals in American politics. With comparisons to TV shows and a desire for more uplifting conclusions, it offers a nostalgic and informative discussion.

Today’s Ruminant finds Jonah across the pond, indulging in greasy fish wrapped in newspaper while trying to forget about some of the less pleasant aspects of his recent trek through the Italian mountains. After recounting a few tales of that arduous expedition, he switches his brain into pundit mode, addressing some of the biggest political questions that have arisen during his absence. What’s going on with the Hunter Biden plea deal? Have the wheels fallen off the DeSantis bus? And what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?Show Notes:-The Telegraph’s Ukraine podcast, which should really be sponsoring the show at this point -The McCarthy Report on Hunter Biden’s plea deal-Kathryn Jean Lopez: “Jason Aldean Isn’t Helping” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to David French’s treachery, Jonah is forced to step into the world of evangelicalism on today’s episode, which features the Remnant debut of Russell Moore, a theologian, pastor, and writer at Christianity Today. Dr. Moore’s new book, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, calls for an evangelical revival in the face of America’s contemporary challenges. Together, he and Jonah take a deep dive into what that revival should look like and what role religion should play in American life, while providing enough context to ensure heretical listeners won’t be lost at sea.This episode is sponsored by our friends at FIRE. FIRE's mission is to safeguard and uphold the right of all Americans to freedom of speech. Be a part of the front line of a growing movement by joining the FIRE Update.Show Notes:-Dr. Moore’s webpage-Dr. Moore’s new book, Losing Our Religion-C.S. Lewis’ The Weight of Glory-Christine Emba: “Men are lost. Here's a map out of the wilderness.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices