25 February 2026
Will Trump Pull the Trigger on Iran?
Robert Wright and Middle East expert Joshua Landis discuss the logic (or lack thereof) behind air strikes—and the implications for the US, Israel, and the wider region.
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In this video:
- Teaser
- Why is Trump threatening Iran, really?
- What’s the strategic logic behind striking?
- Trump vs Bibi on Gaza
- How would—and could—Iran respond?
- What a post-regime-collapse Iran could look like
- Josh: Trump has painted himself into a corner
- Is a new “axis of resistance” against Israel emerging?
- Heading to Overtime
Agency, AI, and the MAGA Impulse
Nikita Petrov argues MAGA and similar movements are collective responses to a felt lack of agency. Robert Wright warns AI is about to make that feeling universal. Plus: Spanish rituals as a survival model, the “Claude Code hangover,” and Bob’s case for slowing AI development down.
Is the Singularity Near?
Robert Wright and Timothy B. Lee, author of the Understanding AI newsletter, discuss recent AI developments (more autonomous agents, more automated coding in the labs, Moltbook, etc.) that have fostered a sense that things are speeding up.
The Meaning of Moltbook
Psychologist and Small Potatoes EIC Paul Bloom joins Robert Wright to discuss the Moltbook phenomenon, the latest Epstein Files release, and more.
The Grand Unified Theory of MAGA
Robert Wright and Nikita Petrov discuss whether MAGA can be seen as a coherent global phenomenon. Plus: The paradox of international nationalism; Burkean conservatism vs. Silicon Valley libertarianism; and the crumbling rules-based order.
New World Disorder
Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner of the American Prestige podcast join NonZero’s Robert Wright to discuss Trump’s latest foreign policy eruptions.
The Past and Future of Digital Media
Robert Wright talks with Mike Pesca, host of the long-running daily podcast The Gist, about new technological challenges to independent journalists and the perils of opining on Israel.
AI Consciousness: The Hard Problem
Robert Wright and AI researcher Cameron Berg discuss whether AIs are (or may someday be) sentient–including why it matters, why it’s such a hard question to answer, and what Cameron’s innovative LLM experiments tell us about it.
Is Space Still the Final Frontier?
Robert Wright and Joel Achenbach, author of a recent Slate deep dive on America’s new moon program, discuss the history and future of NASA—and its Elon-friendly new chief. Plus: The prospects for a Star Trek future, Mars, aliens, and more.
Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Is Anthropic Misanthropic?
Holly Elmore, executive director of PauseAI US, makes the case for naming and shaming people who are fueling an AI race whose perils they understand
Nonzero (The Wright Show)
The AI Apocalypse Cometh?
Robert Wright and Paul Bloom discuss whether reports of AI acceleration are greatly exaggerated—and what’s at stake if they’re not. Plus, in Overtime: Bob’s Epstein files cameos and Paul’s big news.
Nonzero (The Wright Show)
The Case Against AI
Alex Hanna and Emily Bender, co-authors of the book The AI Con, join Robert Wright to discuss and debate AI—including whether LLMs are more than “stochastic parrots” (a term Emily coined), AI’s present and future impact on society, and more.
Nonzero (The Wright Show)
AI After Us
Robert Wright and Daniel Faggella, host of the podcast The Trajectory, discuss the fate of humankind in a world of increasingly powerful AI—including the “succession” scenario.
Nonzero (The Wright Show)
The Minneapolis Shooting Rorschach Test
Robert Wright and Paul Bloom discuss the killing of Renee Good—and what it says about the state of the nation. Plus: Trump & Hitler compared (carefully); Elon & a madman compared (less so); Should professors fear AI?
Nonzero (The Wright Show)
2025: A Year-End (And Quarter-Century-End) Reckoning
