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What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

by Tablet Magazine
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Latest episodes

  • The Generation Conflagration: Protests in France and India

    October 24, 2026 · 48 min

    This week, Walter and Bill discuss Trump's endorsement of Benjamin Netanyahu days before Israel votes, Elon Musk's throttling and alleged restoration of Ukraine's Starlink and Putin's push for a summit with Trump and Xi, the AI-discovered…

  • Trump’s Shock and Awe Strategy

    October 19, 2026 · 43 min

    After more than 140 episodes, Jeremy Stern is stepping down as co-host, and Hudson's Bill Drexel takes his place. This week, Walter and Bill discuss the Houthis' widening missile war on Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon's plan to livestream a…

  • A Bad Year For Incumbents

    October 13, 2026 · 28 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the success of US sanctions on Iran, America's expanding budget deficit, China's destruction of the EU's economy, and why 2026 is proving to be a bad year for incumbent political leaders.

  • China Check-In

    October 2, 2026 · 22 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the final US withdrawal from Iraq, the bipartisan consensus to allow Congressional insider trading, Russia’s nuclear threats over Kaliningrad, and China’s efforts in AI and the US

  • What Really Matters (Live in DC)

    September 24, 2026 · 1 hr 0 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the three grand narratives shaping world history. The episode was recorded live on September 23 in front of an audience at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC.

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  • Why Geopolitics Will Make US Colleges More Nationalist

    September 18, 2026 · 33 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Flock camera debate, Canada's prospects for joining the EU, America's weaponization of outer space, and why geopolitical competition with China is going to make American higher ed more patriotic.

  • 25 Years After 9/11

    September 11, 2026 · 32 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the AfD's victory in Eastern Germany, the breakdown of global shipping, trouble on the Chinese internet, and the impact on American society and foreign policy of 9/11.

  • The Limits of Democracy in War

    September 7, 2026 · 26 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Trump's reasons for optimism in Iran, the responsibility voters bear for the quality of their elites, and the greatness of Dolly Parton.

  • Zelensky, Universities, Syria, and Chinese Christians

    August 26, 2026 · 30 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss challenges to Zelensky's power, the Pentagon's ultimatum to US universities with ties to China, the Turkish-Israeli standoff in Syria, and the fate of China's Christians.

  • Is the Era of Mass Migration Coming to an End?

    August 12, 2026 · 29 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Abdul El-Sayed's primary victory in Michigan, updates from the Persian Gulf, New York rabbis' meeting with Mayor Mamdani, and the global backlash to immigration.

  • Religion and Politics in the American Experiment

    August 7, 2026 · 57 min

    Walter and Jeremy are on the road this week, so please enjoy Walter's recent appearance at the Aspen Ideas Festival.

  • The Slop of War

    July 30, 2026 · 33 min

    This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss new sanctions on Russia, why America is entering a golden age of small-business creation, China's ability to shut down oil imports, and why Iran is the hedgehog to Trump's fox.

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

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.