My wife and I listen all the time. We are so glad someone is covering global news, event, politics. We are so much more informed about what is happening globally because we listen. Tommy and Ben have great chemistry and are so smart and funny. Also super interesting guests.

How Carney told Trump the White House would never be for sale

Love the show. Can you guys touch on the what Trump said about Crimea being given up by President Obama during his administration. I am curious if there are similarities or if Trump is just lying like always. Thank you.

Viva Vietor and Rhodes for bringing the smart and the funny with a laser focus and insight on global issues.

It’s a bit much.

I really appreciate the international perspective they bring. They have also bring in very informative people. Thank you this is a never miss an episode show for me.

Would be great if your voices didn’t taper off into a freaking whisper. Ugh.

Such limited understanding of the Environment, no wonder our U.S. waterways struggle. It’s not just Brazilian sharks inundated with human produced drugs. Instead of jokes, learn about the issue. It’s scary we pollute so much and don’t admit it, try to own the material if you’re going to make content about it. Then people could learn and your voice could contribute to a stronger future for the world. These issues aren’t that hard, but they do take learning new perspective. You guys seem smart enough to learn about pollution in waterways, might help you with other big political issue around the world. But you guys drink so much no wonder Obama’s work didn’t stick. It was done in between getting hammered representing us in Japan and “not sleeping” the whole trip. I wonder what else you were doing, probably helping establish Fat Leonard. Obama must be proud of how you guys speak loosely about alcohol use. Doesn’t he have a foundation for young leaders? Maybe you guys could learn from him since you couldn’t the first try. I was a People to People Delegate, a program established by Dwight Eisenhower. He didn’t leave us any instructions to get hammered overseas. Later as a Sailor, the only time I did drink overseas was not worth it. I made a worse sailor, and a worse American. Sorry, but you guys always critique other leaders as if y’all were Obama, and I would hope he would not bring you back in the White House if he ever had a chance. A lot of self-diagnosis is tricky so I wanted to give you the heads up you guys sound quite elitist and could probably gain more fulfillment and impact using your communication skills and knowledge in a meaningfully invested way at the local level for at least four or five years. If you thought international trips and all out drinks was service, and you still can’t find a way to be humble, it’s a good time now to visit the local beach or park and pick up trash. You would make far more positive impact there. I will stop listening, but if you wonder how to break through to more people it is to learn how to speak with people not at them or to them. I would listen at that point, because I do think you guys can have strong insights. Invest in the land of your people boys, it will clear your mind and make you feel stronger in positive natural ways. Believe me, Dwight would not be impressed. We don’t have time to get hammered if we only have four years to make an impression type thing. To each their own though, good luck and I wish you well!

Keep it up!

I love this podcast to keep up with what’s happening in the world and how the United States interfaces with those events. Easy to listen to with engaging hosts and guests.

Crooked media needs to stop supporting Elon get off Twitter no excuse at this point do better

More Ben. Less Tommy.

I used to love this show. Today, to hear Glen Greenwald spouting, among other things, that a small country like Ukraine (I’d argue Ukraine is not small) cannot win a war against a large country like Russia with minimal push back was disheartening. In addition to Afghanistan, Vietnam and the American Revolutionary war come to mind, and I’m sure many historians out there could name others. And giving credit to the current US administration? The only person who deserves credit for anything is Zelensky who has displayed tremendous physical and mental courage. Maybe you were trying to show a broad POV but this was not the way. I learned nothing from this episode. Awful.

I usually love the show. The guys are smart and I appreciate the deep dives into topics that most media just skims through. But…Tommy Vietor might sometimes be just too nice. Could have used more pushback on that Glenn Greenwald interview. Glad to hear other points of view and I’m not looking for a shouting match, but I think Tommy could’ve shown more than just that little bit of skepticism and pushed Greenwald to defend his positions.

It’s so great to have more discussion of and insights into what’s happening outside the U.S., while connecting it to current events in America. The interview segments with journalists, activists and others are great contributions to knowledge of people and issues abroad.

Thanks for weighing in against Zelensky and completely negating all your previous remarks about the meeting. Re: Zelensky, thank goodness someone had the moral courage to stand up to the thugs. In the last weeks we have been witness to the unsavory spectacle of one European leader after another fellating Donald Trump on live TV. Maybe that’s your kink. I prefer honest, courageous confrontation. And, by the way, did you happen to catch Russian media’s response to the meeting? Tragically, Zelensky is probably not long for this world. I guess he could have played it safe to save his own skin. I guess he could have at least gone for a hand job and ended up with a deal that would exploit his country. Instead he chose to display the kind of integrity that the Trump administration is doing everything it can to wipe from the face of the earth, He should be celebrated. You are dead wrong on this one.

I value and respect your podcast. But even with your experience, expertise and politically astute observations, as a human being with none of your bona fides, I believe Zelenskyy gained more than he lost in that disgusting ambush. He held his ground, thought on his feet under attack in the most extraordinary circumstances possible, and simply by defending himself and jousting a bit, the true nature of Trump et al was revealed to the whole world in the process. They looked like the complete, heartless villains they are. Zelensky knew twenty minutes in, probably hours earlier, that he would be leaving the White House empty handed. Like you said, this was a set up, a cowardly display and a clarifying moment, a wake up call for Europe who have since rallied around Zelensky, and a shocking revelation for the American people: America has abandoned Ukraine and is partnering with the Russian enemy. The ridiculous rare earth minerals deal might completely collapse now, and I think that’s a good thing. In the short term and long term, I don’t see Zelensky damaged. If he hadn’t stood up to them, he would have been damaged. Thank you for listening.

I think this pod is going to be so important as we see our country change to something unimaginable. Thank you both for your honest perspectives even when they are dark and sad.

While overall i like to maintain a neutral position on certain things regarding worldly affairs, i cant help but notice how Tommy’s language tends to be very one-sided regarding certain conflicts. I do appreciate Ben’s more centrist approach in addressing both of the human suffering sides of a conflict, but Tommy is always quick to use very demonizing language toward the Palestinian Resistance and to ignore the conditions of the Palestinian people altogether while throwing all his sympathetic language for the Israeli’s and it is a little upsetting to see such a stark bias. I would just ask for Tommy to look at what’s happening to the people suffering on both sides of the fence and not just demonize how Israeli “hostages” are treated and ignoring the monstrous treatment the Palestinian hostages are also going through and the conditions in which they are being returned. At least Hamas has decency to return them in coffins and not in blue zip-tied body bags as Isreal returns deceased Palestinian hostages? Who’s the real monster here?!

Largely aligned with my view on world affairs, more balanced and thoughtful insights for international listeners. Not a big fun of PSA btw.

Thank you for what you do. Listening to this pod I know I can trust what you guys say because you always give it to us straight and I appreciate that because it’s hard to find these days. I live in a place where people lack common sense and lack common decency when it comes to doing the right thing. Please don’t stop ever podcasting because I feel less alone when I listen to your pod and I can say these guys get it, how I get it. where nobody seems to see what’s happening in the world. Great show

I’m 63 and have followed you from the beginning. While what you report is heartbreaking, beyond frustrating and reason and now just terrifying, it’s so overwhelming. Your podcast puts it into context. Thanks

100% podcast. A book that has Marburg and Ebola out-breaks and the science behind them. These journalists are fist line of defense against the not zee information machine.

These gentlemen generally do good work but after listening to many episodes over many months the truth is plain: they let their antipathy for Bibi steer them into soft Antisemitism. Disappointing.

The amount of knowledge and insight that Ben and Tommy have is what keeps me listening to their podcast over any other form Crooked Media. This is an honest podcast that takes into consideration how U.S. government decisions have a global impact. This podcast gives me hope for change and I cannot recommend it enough.

I would not consider myself a member of the left but I do find their commentary on international issues insightful. Go-to if I want to understand what is going on outside the country.

I’d become a subscriber if Pod Save the World produced more episodes per week.

“So that could just be the Gaza fatigue thing manifesting with just younger progressive college kids” The way they reference genocide and those refusing to put their name on a ballot voting for genocide in either direction is so out of touch.

If you want to hear constant complaining then this is the podcast for you

These guys are facile industrial corporate neoliberal agents of the US security state. Like agents, not actors. Like employed by the STATE. They want to get your data and control the message. For what purpose? US policy is amoral. Biden/Harris. Obama, Clinton. Democrats can’t oppose republicans when their policies are worse for women, children, the earth and only serve an unchecked war meat grinder. Democrats don’t want to vote for war criminals and baby killers. If the liberals have leaders who don’t honor domestic law, international human rights, climate justice, they are the bad guys. Liberals are not civilized good guys. Liberal voters are asked, yet again, to enable policy makers that will kill us and the planet differently than Repubs will. This pod is for disingenuous blood drenched baby killers. Either you are against killing babies and take responsibility for when you do by going to jail or you are gaslighting the world. I’m not listening to obvious gaslighting and psyop dumb dumb podcasts to tell me who I should vote for or which country needs to be bombed next. It’s dishonest to pretend you care about humans only if they share your beliefs based on inconsistent data. Podcast for cult members wannabe

You heard it direct from the hosts! Not a single fact reported on DJTs cabinet picks, just a bunch of pure speculation and libel. Of course there was no criticism of Bidens picks, not even a comparison. Such bias and TDS on this pod. Really embarrassing for these goons.

LOL for the two of you frat boys to criticize anyone’s qualifications to hold office is a joke. Talk about lack of experience to hold a position of responsibility.

Four stars for knowledge and empathy. One star off for sometimes being a little too unaware of their own biases. But I’ll be listening to this one long after I’ve stopped listening to Pod Save America.

Every once in a while I check back in to see if they’ve made progress. They have not. And don’t be fooled. These two know that the election was not lost because of Israel-gaza. The data from the election makes that clear. They want you to hate Israel and Jews. I won’t speculate as to why, because I don’t know. But there can be no other conclusion based on their knowledge as compared to their statements that the gaza issue was a material issue in this election. If you value genuine analysis, go elsewhere. If you hate Israel, come here to have your beliefs affirmed.

I love this show and the episode on the importance of climate for America’s and the world’s future was the best. From the great work of the Biden admin’s IRA to Harris’ work to protect our health to the amazing opportunities of the clean energy transition to the deep injustice of climate impacts in other countries, you covered it! With great thanks, Jean, Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteer and fan of the show.

I left Twitter a while ago and this really fills an information void that just reading newspapers alone couldn’t. The commentary is informed, contextual, and empathetic. All in all, a huge upgrade in my news diet.

Hands down the smartest foreign policy podcast out there. Two wise guys. 😉

Kudos to the hosts for the content of the podcast. It’s fascinating and informative while being entertaining. One critique is Ben’s near constant use of the “you know” filler, he uses it so excessively that it’s very distracting. I find myself counting how many times he does it instead of listening to what he is saying. Update: the “you know” filler use has not improved. I can’t make it through an entire episode because of it. Update: you know you know you know you know

Thank you for keeping me informed Tommy and Ben. Long time listener. I appreciate you guys!

Best crooked podcast. Actually close enough to subject material to almost honestly critique the US government when democrats are in power. Also, way to rep Kenyon.

Could not get past the first few minutes of feigned ignorance and speculation about Israel’s terror attack on pagers in Lebanon. You lost me at, “where does it all lead?” Really?

Excellent interviews! Regarding the conversation about the withdrawal from Afghanistan, I’m no foreign policy expert, but I do know that my reaction to what happened in Kabul then was, and still is, “it was always going to be thus.” Keep up the good work!

The insight these gentlemen bring to the conversation is very interesting. They make it enjoyable to be educated on these topics. I appreciate this podcast!

I read it and it says alleged and they don’t have any proof. Also the fighters where trying to get hostages and fighting off and going back to Gaza with the hostages. It really doesn’t make any sense. Is this another propaganda like the lie about 40 beheaded babies so justify their genocide. How about thekilledJournalist

Sorry not sorry! Keep up the good work.

Their last episode was so lecturing and sanctimonious toward Uncommitted voters (and just generally voters concerned about Gaza). But over the last year, they have been consistently anti War, calling for a ceasefire almost every episode, critiquing Biden’s deceptive language on the ceasefire, saying he was turning off Democrats. Now, it’s like they rethought every position and suddenly disagree with their past podcasts. It really turned me off. I know political types do see policies as a way to gain voters, not necessarily an end in themselves. But it was really shocking to see the about-face. It seems like they have been treating all these sad handwringing news stories as a way to gain popularity and win, but not as moral issues that affect how people think. Even their advice to Kamala Harris was phrased like she needs to perform empathy better, at least for now, and this will help her consolidate power. It was a big turnoff.

Coverage of world politics from foreign policy experts. They interview other experts and cover on-the-ground journalists across the world to give first person insights. Helps me better understand how US foreign policy affects the world and how we can best pressure our representatives to be good stewards of democracy and human dignity.

#KeepCrookedProgressive and #FriendOfTheUnion

I support unions. #FriendOfTheUnion

Never noticed him interrupting Tommy. This can be a good podcast but Ben’s arrogance and need to constantly show off the fact that he’s met people they are talking about gets old. It’s just not impressive. Like dude you met them because of the role you had, not that you are some independent power broker. On the flip side I’ve always thought it’s weird that Tommy acts like global affairs is a really nerdy and niche interest. Like…following international news and events is…a normal thing to do. But apparently Tommy knew nothing about it and had no interest in it until he was given a high level communications position in the administration. Like….its just very weird.