logo

22 December 2025

logo
Dec 4, 2013 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
video screenshot
The DMZ

On The DMZ: Did Mary Cheney betray her family by attacking sister Liz over same-sex marriage? Has opposing gay marriage become an unacceptable position? Matt explains why Rush Limbaugh is wrong about Pope Francis’s comments on capitalism. Bill defends the first year of Obama’s second term, which Matt says has been horrible. Is this the second-term curse? And is John Boehner poised to revive immigration reform—conservative base be damned?

Nov 29, 2013 — Robert Wright & Mark Oppenheimer
video screenshot
Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Nov 27, 2013 — Robert Farley & Mark Oppenheimer
video screenshot
Foreign Entanglements
On Foreign Entanglements, Rob speaks with Erica about the effectiveness of non-violent protest. Erica works through the logic of why non-violence often proves a better practical choice than violent resistance, while Rob wonders why so many movements nevertheless resort to violence. Erica contrasts Egypt’s 2011 revolution and 2013 coup. They discuss the possibility of creating a policy infrastructure for supporting non-violent resistance, which Erica views with some skepticism. Is it possible to turn a violent movement toward non-violence? Plus: What Erica’s research could have taught the Occupy movement.
Nov 21, 2013 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
video screenshot
The DMZ
On The DMZ, Matt discusses his un-DMZ-like appearance on MSNBC, where Michael Eric Dyson accused him of displaying “white privilege.” Does the cable news format make encounters like this inevitable? Bill and Matt discuss the role that racism has played (and continues to play) in American politics, but Matt says liberals can’t keep pointing the finger at racism to explain away their troubles. Have Senate Democrats hurt themselves in the long run by limiting the filibuster? Matt says the “nuclear option” makes repealing Obamacare more likely, but other unintended consequences may occur as well. Plus: Why some liberals fear a Hillary Clinton presidential juggernaut.
Nov 19, 2013 — Kevin Glass & David Freddoso
video screenshot
Rational Actors
On Rational Actors, Kevin and David analyze Obamacare’s troubled debut. Kevin says the Affordable Care Act is a Rube Goldberg machine, and David warns of an insurance death spiral. David uses the law to make a larger philosophical case against government action. Who are the real winners and losers if the ACA works as planned? David says health care reform should have focused on making insurance cheaper, not people with preexisting conditions. Plus: Does the GOP have a realistic alternative?
Nov 18, 2013 — Glenn Loury & Ross Levine
video screenshot
The Glenn Show
On The Glenn Show, Glenn and Ross discuss the recent book by Anat Admati and Martin Hellwig, The Bankers’ New Clothes. Ross says that the government is inadvertently subsidizing bank fragility. Can anything be done about “too big to fail“? They explain the real reason that Wall Street wants to keep equity low and debt high—more money for bank executives and shareholders. Is it unrealistic to think that government could ever rein in the financial system? Glenn and Ross critique Admati and Hellwig on how accurately regulators can assess bank assets. Ross closes by explaining why he’s not optimistic about removing catastrophic risk from the financial system.
Nov 15, 2013 — Greg Marx & Richard Parker
video screenshot
Democracy in America
Nov 14, 2013 — Matt K. Lewis & Michael Brooks
video screenshot
The DMZ
On The DMZ, Matt and guest-host Michael discuss a possible Elizabeth Warren presidential run in 2016. Michael thinks that Warren’s outsider status and anti–Wall Street populism could appeal to the zeitgeist on both left and right. But what are the odds of Warren running, let alone being able to defeat Hillary Clinton? Moving to foreign affairs, Michael makes the case for nuclear negotiations with Iran. Can America and Iran put aside their problematic history? Why did France oppose the deal? Plus: Why does Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen still have a job?
Nov 13, 2013 — Matthew Duss & Meir Javedanfar
video screenshot
Foreign Entanglements
On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Meir discuss the Iran nuclear negotiations. They disagree over whether the Arak reactor should be halted as a first step or under a final deal, but agree that additional sanctions now being considered by Congress are a bad idea. Would a nuclear deal help or hinder the cause of political reform in Iran? Turning to Israel, Matt can’t believe that Avigdor Lieberman is now sounding more reasonable than Netanyahu. Does Bibi recognize the linkage between settlements and Iran?
Nov 12, 2013 — Robert Wright & Paul Bloom
video screenshot
The Mind Report

Archives