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21 June 2026

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Jun 4, 2012 — Michael Brendan Dougherty & Adam Serwer
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Washington Squares

On Washington Squares, Michael and Adam begin by debating Chris Hayes’s controversial remarks about calling veterans “heroes.” Michael talks about the danger in the fact that the military is the most trusted institution in American society, which Adam suggests has to do with its apolitical nature. They consider whether the process of dissent and conscientious objection in the military can lead to a slippery slope. Michael and Adam discuss the Obama administration’s “kill list” and whether America will ever have peace again. Michael asks Adam whether Romney is the most conservative GOP nominee ever, and Adam explains why that is a dumb question. Finally, Michael and Adam lampoon Mayor Bloomberg’s soda ban, while urging viewers to put down their Dr. Pepper anyway.

Jun 3, 2012 — Conor Friedersdorf & Philip Klein
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Friedersdorf

Conor interviews Phil about his new e-book, Conservative Survival in the Romney Era, which argues that the right must give Mitt Romney the close scrutiny it failed to give George W. Bush. Phil believes Romney only won the GOP primary because of the failure of the conservative base to settle on a credible alternative. Conor wonders why Republican primary voters refused to even consider Jon Huntsman as a candidate, despite his conservative record. The two disagree about whether Tea Partiers confuse being principled with being combative. Phil argues that when it comes to the deficit we have a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Conor insists that a commitment to limited government ought to include restraining the national security state, and criticizes the GOP for being unconcerned with civil liberties.

Jun 2, 2012 — Robert Wright & Marc Ambinder
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Jun 1, 2012 — Brenda Talbot
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The Posner Show
On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with Emily about why she left Israel, a country she chose as her home, after the second intifada. They discuss recent mob violence against African immigrants in Tel Aviv, and how American Jewish groups have reacted to it. Emily talks about her column about the lies of Jerusalem Day, and why the modern construct of Jerusalem is not the same as the holy city revered by Jews. Sarah questions whether American Jews really understand the increasingly right-wing trajectory of the Israeli government. Emily says the government is “wholly dedicated to protecting the occupation,” and doubts she will live in Israel again. Plus: Is the discussion generated by the blog Open Zion having an impact?
Jun 1, 2012 — Robert Wright & Shadi Hamid
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Worldwise
May 31, 2012 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
On The DMZ: Is Mitt Romney fumbling by palling around with The Donald or is President Obama stumbling by going too negative? And Bill’s big idea: Obama’s “kill list” is squarely within the century-long tradition of Democratic foreign policy. So will the GOP concede foreign policy to Obama?
May 30, 2012 — Robert Farley & David Axe
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Foreign Entanglements
On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and journalist David Axe discuss the controversy over David’s recent story about US Special Forces operating in North Korea. David describes his harrowing experience in the policy journalism grinder, faced with skeptics and official denials. Rob and David then talk about what Special Forces would do in North Korea. They also address the role South Korean forces might play, and the response in Seoul to David’s story. Rob wonders whether the growing power of the Special Forces is beginning to affect heretofore conventional defense debates. Finally, David talks about some lessons that he’s drawn from the experience.
May 30, 2012 — Glenn Loury & Harold Pollack
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The Glenn Show
On The Glenn Show, Harold makes the case for the Affordable Care Act, but Glenn wonders why Obama isn’t defending the law on the stump. In the wake of the controversy over Obamacare, Harold fears a “legislative Vietnam syndrome.” How should proponents of same-sex marriage treat those who use religion to argue against gay rights? Glenn and Harold discuss the problems with using religious arguments in the public sphere, and Harold defends the decidedly uncivil rhetoric of the writer and gay rights advocate Dan Savage. Turning to the presidential campaign, Glenn derides Obama’s attacks on Romney’s tenure in private equity. Should we be leery of a resurgent economic populism?
May 29, 2012 — Conor Friedersdorf & Jim Manzi
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Friedersdorf
Conor interviews Jim Manzi, author of the new book Uncontrolled. Jim explains how his background in business consulting shaped his view of what’s wrong with government. The two debate whether localities should be permitted to experiment with policies that reduce the freedom of their residents. Conor cites professional licensing as an area where localities experimenting with different approaches don’t seem to learn anything useful. Jim considers whether value-added teacher evaluation is worthwhile. Finally, Jim explains why he thinks there are no silver bullets for complex policy problems.
May 28, 2012 — Robert Wright & Shadi Hamid
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Worldwise
Shadi details how the US should aid the Syrian rebels, and Bob asks if he’s really ready for all-out war. Bob asks whether intervening wouldn’t mean being on Al Qaeda’s side. Bob and Shadi disagree about the lessons of Libya. They close by discussing which is more naïve—believing that sanctions will topple Assad or believing that military intervention would bring stable peace.

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