The Dispatch Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Future of Supreme Court Fights Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Our hosts are here to discuss what her confirmation foreshadows for future Supreme Court fights. Plus, the Biden administration announced plans to end use of Title 42, a pandemic-era border policy, next month. What does that mean? Sarah, Jonah, and David finish the show discussing the practicality of bringing charges of war crimes as we learn more about the atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine.

Show Notes:

-The Dispatch: “The Bucha Massacre and the Horrors to Come”

-G-File: “Is It Okay to Use the ‘G-Word’?”

-The Dispatch: “What are Secondary Sanctions?”

-TMD: “How Will the U.S. Admit Ukraine's Refugees?”

-Uphill: “Congress Finally Meanders to a Russia Trade Bill”

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Cheri Bustos Reflects on Her Service Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

Rep. Cheri Bustos is leaving Congress at the end of this term. What has she learned from her five terms in the House and—as the former leader of the House Democrats’ campaign arm—from the 2020 election? How can Democrats improve their prospects in the 2022 midterms? Sarah gets these answers and more in a candid conversation with the Illinois congresswoman.

Show Notes:

-Hope from the Heartland: How Democrats Can Better Serve the Midwest by Bringing Rural, Working Class Wisdom to Washington

-How Dems Win in Trump Districts

-The Sweep: “Tsunami or Ripple? What a Midterm Wave Might Look Like.”

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Biden Taps Oil Reserve Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

President Biden announced he would tap our strategic oil reserves in an effort to fight high gas prices. Our hosts are here to discuss the economic realities of that decision. Plus, it was the slap heard around the world: Why can’t we stop talking about it? Sarah, Jonah, David, and Scott finish the show talking about gaffes, cocaine-fueled orgies, and standing in line.

Show Notes:

-TMD: “It’s a Petroleum Reserve Release, but Is It Strategic?”

-The Dispatch: “The Uncomfortable Truth of Biden’s Gaffe”

-G-File: “Madison Cawthorn’s Warped Washington”

-Capitolism: “Why You Should (Almost) Never Wait in Line”

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Understanding Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1557 into law on Monday. The Parental Rights in Education Act—or “Don’t Say Gay” bill, as its detractors call it—is one of the most contentious and least understood pieces of legislation in recent memory.

On today’s podcast, Declan is joined by Gabriel Malor, an appellate litigator based in Virginia, and Eugene Volokh, a law professor at UCLA, for a thoughtful conversation that dives into the bill text and elucidates what the law does—and doesn’t—do. Plus: What are the benefits and drawbacks of writing legislation with vague terminology? And why is Florida passing this bill now? Are the political right and left swapping sides on the exercise of government power?

Show Notes:

-TMD: “Breaking Down the So-Called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill”

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KBJ's Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings Wrap Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings have wrapped, and our hosts are here to break down the week on Capitol Hill. Jonah, David, and Andrew then turn to the latest developments in the war in Ukraine. Plus, what do the guys make of those Ginni Thomas texts to Mark Meadows? Or Trump dropping his endorsement of Mo Brooks in the Alabama Senate race?

Show Notes:

-TMD: “Biden, World Leaders Huddle on Russia”

-The Dispatch: “Inside the First Ukrainian City to Fall to Russia”

-Washington Post: “Virginia Thomas urged White House chief to pursue unrelenting efforts to overturn the 2020 election, texts show”

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One Month of War in Ukraine Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

Steve talks with Taras Byk, a political consultant now working with the Territorial Defense Forces in Kyiv, to get a sense of what’s happening on the ground in Ukraine. What’s changed since the last time they talked? Steve then has a conversation with Tom Karako, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Why has Russia not been able to establish air superiority? What do we need to know about those hypersonic missiles that Russia launched? Tom has those answers and more.

Show Notes:

-The Dispatch: “Just How Many Russian Soldiers Have Died in Ukraine?”

-French Press: “Questions and Answers After One Month of War”

-New York Times: “How Ukraine’s Outgunned Air Force Is Fighting Back Against Russian Jets”

-CSIS report: “Complex Air Defense: Countering the Hypersonic Missile Threat”

-Bayraktar song

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Russia, Iran, and the American Response Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

As we pass the third week of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, our hosts are here to discuss the latest: The Biden administration looks to make a deal on Iran’s nuclear program. What are we to make of the president’s foregin policy? Plus, Sarah and the guys talk about inflation and the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates.

Show Notes:

-The Dispatch: “Concessions to Iran, Russia Pile Up in Nuclear Talks”

-Uphill: “The House Hits Russia on Trade”

-TMD: “An Interest Rate Increase”

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Zelensky Makes His Plea to Congress for Ukraine Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

On today’s episode, Steve speaks with Eric Edelman, a member of the U.S. foreign service for 28 years who served as a U.S. ambassador, a national security adviser to the vice president, and an under secretary of defense. They discuss Vladimir Putin and his strategy going into the invasion of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to Congress, and finish with the latest on the Iran deal.

Show Notes:

-Edelman’s page at The Dispatch

-Edelman’s podcast Shield of the Republic

-TMD: “Iran Deal on the Ropes?”

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On the Ground in Ukraine Mar 11, 2022

Show notes

On today’s episode, Steve has a conversation with Taras Byk, a political consultant and former journalist now working with the Territorial Defense Forces in Kyiv, Ukraine. What’s he seeing on the ground? How are the people of Ukraine holding up as we pass the second week of Russia’s invasion? Plus, Sarah, Steve, and Jonah are here to discuss the latest fallout around the world and here at home.

Show Notes:

-The Dispatch: “The Past Offers a Way Forward on Foreign Policy”

-Uphill: “The Tug of War Over America’s Russia Response”

-The Current: “School’s in Session”

-The Dispatch: “Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine Now?”

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Ukraine Under Attack Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

On today’s podcast, Sarah and Steve talk with Natalie Jaresko, Ukraine's former minister of finance. They discuss the history of Ukraine, its people, and what the last two weeks have meant for the country.

Show Notes:

-NPR: “Kenyan U.N. ambassador compares Ukraine's plight to colonial legacy in Africa”

-The Dispatch: “Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine Now?”

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