Justice Alito’s Logic
This week, Bill and Phil discuss the implications of overturning Roe v. Wade, what lessons to draw from the latest election in the Philippines, and whether the United States will be able to stay out of the Russia/Ukraine war.
A Seismic Shift at the Supreme Court
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on news that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, compare the nuclear threat in Ukraine to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and break down the New York Times’ look at the impact of Tucker Carlson.
An Expanding War?
This week, Bill and Phil discuss the conflict in Ukraine and whether its likely to spread beyond Ukraine’s borders, what to make of news that Kevin McCarthy was secretly supportive of removing Trump from office after January 6th, and whether the 14th amendment might keep Marjorie Taylor Greene from being on the ballot in 2022.
Democracy in Danger
This week, Bill and Phil reflect on recent developments in Ukraine, stunning new findings on the state of the U.S. democracy, and the global debate over free speech, and then they play a round of “What’s More Stupid?”
France as a Microcosm
Bill and Phil discuss the first round of the presidential election in France, David Brooks’ argument that the era of globalization is over, and the challenges historians face in assessing the Trump presidency.
Genocide in Ukraine?
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on Russian atrocities in Ukraine and whether they meet the definition of genocide, the wave of nationalism spreading around the world, and why Vladimir Putin, and not Joe Biden, is enjoying a rally-around-the-flag bump in approval ratings.
Ukraine, Democracy, and the Future of the Liberal World Order
This week, Bill and Phil examine President Biden’s speech on democracy, the potential rebirth of the liberal world order, why autocrats fear women, and what to make of Clarence Thomas’ wife sending text messages to Mark Meadows about overturning the 2020 election.
Judge Jackson
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the Senate confirmation hearing of Ketanji Brown Jackson, debate whether Russia can be held accountable for war crimes for its actions in Ukraine, and play a foreign policy edition of “what’s more stupid.”
What Will China Do?
Bill and Phil break down recent developments in Ukraine, reflect on what Russian history can teach us about its current invasion, and think through the upcoming challenges facing U.S. courts as they try to determine the proper balance between free speech and disinformation.
Ukraine and the Defense of Democracy
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss recent developments in Ukraine, how Russia’s invasion will impact the global world order, whether Vladimir Putin is acting rationally, and what political science research tells us about madman theories of international politics.
War in Europe
Bill and Phil break down the Russian invasion of Ukraine, discuss China’s use of social media to shape global opinion on the Olympics, and play a game of ‘Whose Home State is Dumber?’
The Intelligence of Intelligence Disclosures
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on the thinking behind the US’s intelligence disclosures on a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, whether Republicans are living within a lie, and if Trump’s mishandling of documents might prove to be a big problem. Then we wrap up with a game of “What’s More Stupid?”
Olympic Politics
This week, Bill and Phil ponder whether the Olympics bring the world together or inflame nationalism, what this Olympics reveals about China’s rise, new data on the declining competitiveness of congressional districts, and Trump’s relentless habit of destroying documents.
Teacher Loyalty and the Future of Education
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss a potential new law in New Hampshire that demands teacher loyalty, recent developments in Ukraine and what it means for the future of US foreign policy, Trump’s place in the Republican Party, and the future of the filibuster.
Biden’s Foreign Policy
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on Biden’s first year of foreign policy, escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, why more inexperienced candidates are running for office, and what to make of the GOP’s idea to create a voter fraud police force.
The Politics of Covid
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the changing politics of Covid and whether Donald Trump just launched his reelection campaign.
One Year Later
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on the anniversary of January 6th and new research on the prospect of civil war, a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Novak Djokovic’s efforts to play some unvaccinated tennis in Australia.
2021 Year in Review
This week, Bill and Phil take a look back at 2021, including some of the major political stories you may have already forgotten, as well as a big picture look at what the year taught us about the state of our political world.
Democracy and Disinformation
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil take a deep dive into democracy and disinformation, including what we learned from Mark Meadows text messages and January 6th powerpoint presentations, the extensive use of disinformation in political emails, and China’s attempt to troll Biden’s democracy summit. Then we close by pondering whether the next political coup is already underway.