Best Undiplomatic Podcasts (2025)

1
Hamas Lies, The World Believes: Israel’s Battle for Truth 39:48

5d ago39:48

39:48

In this episode, we cut through the noise and expose one of the biggest lies being pushed about the war in Gaza—that Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians. The truth is far different. The evidence is clear: Hamas is hijacking humanitarian aid, controlling distribution, and using food as a weapon against its own people. Yet global media outle…

1
D.C. Military Occupation | Trump-Putin Summit | Guesting on Hasan Piker | Bloody Blinken’s WSJ Op-Ed | Ep. 254 41:38

4d ago41:38

41:38

Co-host Matt Duss makes a guest appearance on Hasan Piker's Twitch stream! Van, Matt, and Julia talk about the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, which has all the makings of either failure or an imperialist peace. Scott Bessent lies about tariffs, economic recession, and America's fake "sovereign wealth fund." Tony Blinken's blood-covered op-ed in the …

1
Perspectives on the potential of AI-powered policing 28:56

4d ago28:56

28:56

Policing has always embraced new technologies and Artificial Intelligence is, of course, the flavour of the month. Working out when and why it should be used is crucial, according to law enforcement specialists. What’s also important is ensuring appropriate human oversight. Future Tense - The creeping militarisation of our police Guests Dr Marion O…

1
Anti-Intellectualism in Pentagon Life | BRICS and Civilizational War | Palestine Action | ICE Recruiting Fascists | Ep. 253 35:28

10d ago35:28

35:28

The rupture between the Pentagon and the think tank technocrats. The next clash of civilizations will be between the Global North and the Global South. Why ICE is now recruiting white supremacists and fascists. Palestine Action are not terrorists; they're trying to oppose state terrorism. Subscribe to the Un-Diplomatic Newsletter: https://www.un-di…

1
The truth about AI and productivity 29:08

11d ago29:08

29:08

How real is the link between Artificial Intelligence and increased productivity? Jon Whittle from the CSIRO, one of Australia's leading science agencies, has been examining the latest research. He helps us sort facts from fiction. Also, literacy and problem-solving skills have taken a dive in many developed countries — could an over-reliance on tec…

1
Annexation and Hostages: The Future of Israel’s War Strategy 41:58

13d ago41:58

41:58

In this episode, we dive into the growing rumors that Israel may move to annex Gaza after Hamas is dismantled—and what that could mean for the region. With Hamas rejecting yet another hostage deal, it’s becoming increasingly clear that they’re not interested in peace, only prolonging the conflict. Meanwhile, inside Israel, the conversation is shift…

1
Live! Roots Action National Teach-In on Militarism Under Trump | Ep. 252 1:11:42

17d ago1:11:42

1:11:42

Dr. Van Jackson spoke as part of a live teach-in webinar for Roots Action and Defuse Nuclear War. He's joined on his panel by Emma Claire Foley, William Hartung, and Taylor Barnes. Together they explain what American militarism looks like under Trump 2.0; what makes Trump foreign policy imperialist; why it's being driven by both a crisis of capital…

1
Sinking Cities 29:09

18d ago29:09

29:09

Cities across the world are beginning to sink — some by as much as 10 centimetres a year. A recent study suggests that more than a third of urban Chinese resident now live in a sinking city. The cause is often ascribed to climate change, but is there something else at play? Could our thirst for water actually be the culprit? Also, how much do our u…

1
Starmer stumbles: A reward for October 7th? 31:40

19d ago31:40

31:40

In this episode, we break down the shocking move by European leaders—specifically Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron—to recognize a Palestinian state while echoing Hamas’s propaganda about a so-called starvation crisis in Gaza. This isn’t just political posturing—it’s a dangerous endorsement that plays directly into the hands of a terror group respon…

1
White Nationalist Social Democracy | Oil v. Israeli Primacy | Post-American Korean Peninsula | Japan’s Failure of Imagination | Ep. 251 1:08:27

25d ago1:08:27

1:08:27

The tables have turned! In this crossover episode, Dr. Van Jackson gets interviewed by Jacob Shapiro of The Jacob Shapiro Podcast. Together they cover the enter landscape of geopolitics from a critical perspective: why the MAGA project of white nationalist social democracy cannot work; why Israeli primacy, not oil, explains US militarism in the Mid…

1
How to balance the population needs on our planet 29:08

25d ago29:08

29:08

We face multiple looming demographic crises — and our responses seemingly contradict each other. A rapidly aging population means that we need more children to be born. But it's foreseeable that resources on Earth simply can't sustain many more people. How can we solve this conundrum? Original broadcast on May 22, 2022 Guests Dr Stuart Gietel Baste…

1
The Gaza aid hoax: How Hamas controls the narrative and the food 33:45

26d ago33:45

33:45

Is the world being misled about the crisis in Gaza? In this eye-opening episode of "Israel Undiplomatic," Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev uncover the truth behind the media’s portrayal of famine, exposing how Hamas manipulates aid while the international community turns a blind eye. Both former advisers at the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Ruthie and…

1
Spencer Ackerman's New York State of Mind: Peace, Populism, and Zohran Mamdani | Ep. 250 34:51

1M ago34:51

34:51

Award-winning journalist, author, and lifelong New Yorker Spencer Ackerman joins the show to talk about the world from a New York point of view: The importance of NYC-DSA and the Zohran Mamdani mayoral campaign; how New York's oligarchs used unfounded claims of anti-semitism to protect class privilege; ICE's preparations to do mass extraordinary re…

1
Lessons from South Korea's security dilemma 28:38

1M ago28:38

28:38

South Korea is a test case in how to maintain democracy against sustained pressure from dictatorship. The innovative and entrepreneurial country lives in the shadow of China and Russia, and its capital Seoul lies only 50km from the North Korean border. It hasn't been easy, but the difficulties South Korea faces and the way it deals with them could …

1
"There's Something BIG Brewing Within Israel, And It's Getting Serious..." 40:56

1M ago40:56

40:56

Is Syria the new front in Israel’s multi-pronged war and could a known terrorist become an unlikely strategic ally? Senior contributing editor at JNS Ruthie Blum and former Israeli Ambassador to the U.K. Mark Regev, both former advisers in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, break down Israel’s rapidly evolving security landscape, where threats fr…

1
Run For Your Life: A Nostalgia Trap Podcast Crossover | Ep. 249 55:04

1M ago55:04

55:04

Van joined David Parsons of The Nostalgia Trap--literally Van’s favorite pod--in a delicious freak out about ICE arresting local college professors, MAGA's Jeffrey Epstein fissures, Andrew Cuomo aiming to spoil Mamdani's victory in NYC, Trump sending weapons to Ukraine, and the overall Third Reich vibes that America is currently giving. As the ever…

1
The Art of Memoir and Stories of Conversion: A Bang-Bang Podcast Crossover | Ep. 248 18:27

1M ago18:27

18:27

Free episode cross-over with the Bang-Bang Podcast. The question of “Which side are you on?” haunted me (Van Jackson) intermittently throughout the long Global War on Terror. It was a beat that I would hear during occasional moments of consciousness, which I tried to suppress or rationalize away…until I no longer could. On my other show, The Bang-B…

1
A turning point for the United Nations 28:38

1M ago28:38

28:38

Suffering internal division and stymied by geopolitical bullying, the United Nations is facing a future of diminishing influence. As the organisation marks its 80th birthday, it's also dealing with a serious financial shortfall brought on by both China and the United States, its two biggest donors. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has launched …

1
Is Israel headed towards a ceasefire or a trap? 36:15

1M ago36:15

36:15

In this week’s episode of “Israel Undiplomatic,” Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev—both former advisers at the Prime Minister’s Office—unpack a series of urgent and unfolding developments in the Middle East, beginning with the rumored ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The two hosts debate whether Israel is being pushed toward a short-term t…

1
Project 2029 Farce | The Zohran Mamdani Model | Peter Thiel, Anti-Christ? | Fascist Public Policy | Nobody Likes Hegemony | Ukraine-China Missiles | Ep. 247 53:49

2M ago53:49

53:49

Ross Douthat confronts Peter Thiel with the possibility that he is the anti-Christ. Zohran Mamdani shows a model for politics that the media fears. The Democrats' Project 2029 is a farce that shows leaders of the party don't actually want to win. Fascist public policy is here, and it's class war. According to Gallup, even most Americans think US he…

1
The potential benefits and risks of developing "mirror life" 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

Synthetic biologists are hard at work developing artificial biological molecules as the first step toward developing a mirror cell that would be immune from infection. If they're successful, it could transform the world of medicine. But while the potential of mirror life is great, so too are the risks. There are warnings of a catastrophic impact if…

1
Andor Season 2 Finale + Rogue One w/ Matt Duss and Paul Adlerstein | Bang-Bang Podcast Crossover | Ep. 246 1:37:36

2M ago1:37:36

1:37:36

Free cross-over episode with the Bang-Bang Podcast. In this finale to our Andor series, Van and Lyle are joined by returning guest Paul Adlerstein and—making his first appearance on the pod—Matt Duss, former foreign policy advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders and current executive vice president at the Center for International Policy. The conversation…

1
The world after us! 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

What will Earth look like when humans become extinct? What "technofossils" will paleontologists of the future unearth and no doubt ponder over? Will we be remembered for our achievements or merely our rubbish? Also, which animals might rise to fill our role at the top of the pecking order? And is the future of live music really as dire as many pred…

1
Media’s FALSE CLAIMS (Iran reactor untouched?), Mamdani wins NYC 36:06

2M ago36:06

36:06

Is Iran’s nuclear program truly finished—or are we being lulled into a false sense of victory? Ruthie Blum, senior contributing editor at JNS and former adviser at Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, joins Mark Regev, former Israeli ambassador to the UK and fellow Prime Minister’s Office veteran, to break down the ceasefire, U.S. involvement and what…

1
Tucker Carlson Ruins Ted Cruz | No War with Iran | “No Kings” Protests | Democrats Need a Peace Agenda | Ep. 245 43:52

2M ago43:52

43:52

Van Jackson, Julia Gledhill, and Matt Duss confronting all things fascism at home and war with Iran abroad: Tucker Carlson roasting Ted Cruz over Israel and Iran is a bit too enjoyable…and says a lot about the fissures within the MAGA movement. America is already in Israel’s war with Iran. The promise and limits of the “No Kings” protests across th…

1
How to start your own golden age 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

History has many lessons for how to develop a successful civilisation. The trick is to understand the patterns that lead to optimism and innovation. So, where do we rate in the 21st century? Also, why all history is revisionist and why a healthy sense of revisionism drives a deeper understanding of the past, present and future. Guests Johan Norberg…

1
BOMB or NOT to Bomb: Trump decides! 34:31

2M ago34:31

34:31

President Donald Trump finds himself at a historic crossroads as Israel continues a bold and highly coordinated military campaign to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Will he authorize targeted U.S. airstrikes to help finish the job or will the isolationist wing of the MAGA movement keep America on the sidelines?…

1
War on California, United Farm Workers, and Leaving the “Lockheed Left” w/ Antonio De Loera | Ep. 244 1:06:45

2M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

The Trump administration's troop deployments to California are in defense of surging ICE raids against farm workers and immigrant communities across the state--a straightforward project of white supremacy meant to discipline the entire American labor force. But Antonio De Loera--communications director for the legendary United Farm Workers (UFW) un…

1
Australia and Canada — Strategic partners, but near total strangers? 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

Australia and Canada share much in common, politically, historically and socially. Why then do we know so little about each other? In a time of global uncertainty does it make sense for Canada and Australia to build a closer bond? If the two prosperous liberal middle powers worked together more closely, could they be a greater force for positive ch…

1
Trump-Netanyahu RIFT IS FAKE news 33:21

2M ago33:21

33:21

Ignore the cynics, we’re here to clear the air! Is Trump really turning on Israel or is the U.S.-Israel alliance stronger than ever?In this week’s episode of “Israel Undiplomatic,” senior JNS contributing editor Ruthie Blum and former Israeli ambassador to the U.K. Mark Regev—both former advisers at the Prime Minister’s Office—take a sharp look at …

1
Abolish Palantir | Ukraine Drones | White Supremacy State Department | South Korea's Bernie Sanders | Ep. 243 1:01:17

2M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

Inside Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb—a tactically brilliant drone operation against Russian bombers...but does it change anything? Why Palantir is a civil liberties nightmare. The bureaucracy of a white supremacist foreign policy—inside Rubio’s restructuring of the State Department. Elon Musk and the fractures in the oligarch coalition. And South K…

1
Reassessing the laws of war; and why progress isn't always a straight line 28:39

2M ago28:39

28:39

The International commitment to ban landmines is wavering. Several European countries are reversing their opposition to using them. The shift comes as disarmament negotiators struggle to regulate the spread of "killer robots" — AI-controlled autonomous weapons. So, is the future of weapons containment and control under threat? And are treaties sign…

1
Trump’s realists vs. isolationists: Who will win on Iran? 35:12

3M ago35:12

35:12

Will negotiations win the day or will Israel be forced into military action against Iran?Senior JNS contributing editor Ruthie Blum and former Israeli ambassador to the UK Mark Regev—both former advisers in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office—unpack the escalating nuclear crisis with Iran and the deepening tug-of-war within the Trump administration…

1
Live! The Pacific Sovereignty Deficit and Sino-US Rivalry | Ep. 242 49:25

3M ago49:25

49:25

Dr. Van Jackson was invited to speak at the first Security of Micronesia Group, hosted by the Pacific Center for Island Security in Guam. I debuted a number of new arguments here, covering how to think about China’s desire for “strategic space” in the Pacific and its surplus labor problem compared with US declining hegemony and Washington’s desire …

1
Beyond the cloud — storing data in space 29:10

3M ago29:10

29:10

Researchers and corporations are already working to relocate data servers beyond the Earth's atmosphere — on satellites. Data servers are essential to the functioning of the modern world, but they're both power and water hungry. When they're built, they often meet with community concern and environmental protest. So, why not build data centres in s…

1
Hamas hoodwinks UN, West in aid and negotiations 34:20

3M ago34:20

34:20

As Hamas faces collapse, the UN rushes to its defense!In this episode, JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and former Israeli Ambassador to the UK Mark Regev expose how the United Nations is being manipulated to prolong Hamas’s rule over Gaza.By JNS Podcasts

1
Andor Season 1 Finale with David Austin Walsh | Bang-Bang Cross-Over | Ep. 241 1:13:38

3M ago1:13:38

1:13:38

Free full-episode cross-over with the Bang-Bang Podcast. Van (minus Lyle) is joined by historian David Austin Walsh to explore episodes 10-12 of Andor’s first-season finale. Their conversation focuses on Andor’s embrace of revolution and the surprising political realism of the show’s portrayal of labor exploitation and social uprisings. Van and Dav…

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