American Prestige

Independent journalist and lawyer Jessica Pishko sits down with Danny and Derek to talk about sheriffs and the power that they hold. The group explores the rise of sheriffs in the 1820s under Andrew Jackson, their unique position as both law enforcement officers and politicians, their relationship to militias, the rise of “constitutional sheriffs”, figures from Wyatt Earp to Joe Arpaio, sheriffs and border policy, and more.Be sure to pick up a copy of Jessica’s book The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy.     Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and much more content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny and Derek welcome back to the podcast Paul Reitter, professor of Germanic languages and literature at the Ohio State University, this time for a discussion on Karl Marx through the lens of his Judaism and how that might illuminate new elements of his work or reshape our thinking of it. They talk about Marx’s place among other radical Jewish thinkers from the Rhineland, ideas of Jewish masculinity in his era, Jewish intellectuals becoming prominent atheists, how Marx’s background might have inspired his focus on the proletariat, and more.Be sure to grab the new edition of Capital translated by Paul Reitter and edited by Paul North (on which we did an episode recently).     Subscribe now for the full episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bi-monthly collaboration between AP and Nonzero Newsletter continues! Our dear paid subscribers also get access to the additional "Overtime" conversation and a discounted membership to Nonzero, so subscribe now for that and much more content!Video0:00 What could go right with Trump’s foreign policy?7:47 Trump’s Bibi-pleasing Middle East path  13:25 How would Europe-led defence of Europe work?15:31 What most miss about the Oval Office blowup19:20 Has relying on America doomed Ukraine? 26:29 Heading to Overtime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in the news roundup: the Gaza truce expires and Israel resumes its blockade (0:29); the Arab League proposes a “day after” plan for the Strip which Trump rejects (5:53); the US is negotiating directly with Hamas (10:30); the PKK declares a ceasefire in Turkey (13:24); fighting breaks out on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan (15:10); a political crisis emerges in South Sudan (20:04); in Ukraine news, Zelensky embarks on a “repentance tour” while Trump suspends arms (22:00); the EU considers the “ReArm Europe” plan (28:59); BlackRock is buying up Panama Canal ports (31:08); and updates on the Trump tariff front (33:55).Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and much more content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Derek welcomes back to the program Gönül Tol, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, and Djene Bajalan, associate professor of history at Missouri State University, to talk about leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call last week for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disarm and disband. They talk about Öcalan’s history in this conflict, the need to manage his constituencies when announcing this ceasefire, how this fits into Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s plans, whether this move could broaden rights and protections for Kurds in Turkey, the potential implications for Syria, what this means for Kurds elsewhere in the region, and more.Read Gönül’s book Erdoğan's War: A Strongman's Struggle at Home and in Syria.   Listen to Djene’s radio show/podcast Talking History. Note: this was recorded before the ceasefire was declared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the fascinating relationship between the military and video games with Jesse Robertson. Discover how early games like 'Spacewar!' paved the way for military simulations in the 70s. Explore the evolution of gaming culture with insights on the 'Call of Duty' series and its ties to real-world military operations. Learn about key figures like Michael Zyda, who bridged the gap between the Pentagon and game developers, and unravel the implications of these connections on national security and culture.

A tense meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky reveals cracks in U.S.-Ukraine relations. The discussion digs into the implications of this fallout for both countries. Zelensky's recent visit to the White House is examined, shedding light on the challenges Ukraine faces amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Listeners gain insights into Russia's territorial ambitions and how they might shape future military strategies and peace talks.

Danny and Derek, the greatest news anchors since Lennon/McCartney. This week: Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan calls for the group’s disarmament (0:32); Syria hosts a “National Dialogue” conference to work through the country’s transition (6:34); Israel and Hamas salvage a hostage deal, but the end looms on Saturday (10:07); Yoon’s impeachment trial concludes in South Korea (20:46); in Sudan, increased fighting rages around Al-Fashir (23:27), the military makes gains in the country’s south (25:13), and the RSF and military set up dueling governments (26:43); Ukraine and the US potentially agree on a minerals deal (29:42); the results of the German election (34:41); Austria’s government attempts to form a coalition (38:17); Trump ends a sanctions waiver for Venezuela (40:35); the Trump admin muses kicking Canada out of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing network (42:29); the US announces tariffs on the EU, potentially Canada, and maybe even Mexico (44:20); Trump announces the “gold card” visa plan (46:45); and Trump’s attempts at a humanitarian aid blockade continue (48:45).Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and much more content.Join the Discord! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

William Hartung, a senior research fellow focusing on the arms industry and US military budget at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, joins the program to discuss reports that the Trump administration is planning “sweeping budget cuts” for the Pentagon. They talk about these “cuts” being more accurately termed “reinvestments” into other areas, the enormous amount of defense spending and the culture that engendered this, how the defense industry has changed in the past 20 years, actual moves that could meaningfully reduce the military budget like reducing bloated systems (F-35s, aircraft carriers) and overseas bases, whether there exists an influential constituency to support military budget cuts, and more.Read William’s recent piece on this, “Hegseth orders 8% cut to Pentagon budget. Not so fast.”           Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation dives into Elon Musk's controversial role in the U.S. government and its implications for public discourse. The speakers dissect the unprecedented merger of Silicon Valley and politics, revealing how tech moguls like Musk wield power over federal agencies. They discuss the self-delusion of tech billionaires and the shifting media landscape that allows them to shape narratives. The episode also raises alarms over the risks of unvetted influence in governance and the potential rise of technofascism.