The Powers That Be: Daily

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The Donroe Doctrine in Iran Jan 13, 2026

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Julia Ioffe joins Peter for a close examination of mass demonstrations and state killings in Iran—and whether Donald Trump, newly emboldened on the world stage after the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, might press for regime change in the Islamic Republic. Then they turn to the latest Washington intrigue, and discuss the meme-worthy meltdown of Trump-appointed H.R. director Lew Olowski at his farewell party after learning he’d been passed over for a coveted assignment.

Media Monday: WBD’s Stub Sweepstakes & Semafor’s Number Games Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Jon Kelly returns to debate Peter about the value of WBD’s stub of linear networks, and then the two evaluate the math behind Semafor’s recent fundraise.

Hollywood’s Future ’26 War Stories Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

Matt Belloni joins Dylan and Julia to chart the latest updates surrounding the Warner Bros. Discovery bidding war between Netflix and Paramount—and what each side stands to gain or lose. Then they dive into Hollywood’s accelerating A.I. anxiety in light of Disney’s pact with Sora 2, the upcoming film slate for 2026, YouTube's rights deal with the Oscars, and more. Plus: Matt explains his choices for Hollywood’s heroes and villain of the year.

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The Great Saks Collapse & GQ’s New Era Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Lauren Sherman joins Peter to explain why Saks Global is now staring down bankruptcy—and what, if anything, could save its historic department store business. Then they turn to Will Welch’s sudden exit as GQ’s top editor and the short list of candidates who could replace him.

Washington’s New Year Whiplash Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to make sense of a frenetic week in Washington, from the ICE shooting in Minneapolis to classified national security briefings on Venezuela. They also dig into growing anxiety over Trump’s interest in seizing Greenland, a bloc of Republicans breaking ranks to join Democrats in extending Obamacare health subsidies, and more.

The Making of an Interventionist Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss Trump’s turn from isolationism to interventionism in the wake of the Venezuela raid. Drawing on Trump’s first term, Ioffe explains how earlier risk-free strikes taught him that he could attack foreign targets without escalation, retaliation, or U.S. boots on the ground—potentially emboldening him to stay in attack mode.

Maduro’s Mugshot Diplomacy & The Tim Walz Scandal Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Abby Livingston joins Peter with fresh reporting from Capitol Hill on how Republicans and Democrats are responding to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Then they turn to Tim Walz’s decision to abandon his reelection bid for Minnesota governor amid a mounting social services scandal, and what the episode reveals about the increasingly brutal realities of modern political life.

Media Monday: CBS News’ Loyalty Oath & Netflix’s Pod Strategy Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Jon Kelly and Peter are reunited to discuss CBS’s fascinating new set of principles and then delve into Netflix’s decision to plow into broadcasting podcasts.

Impolitic 2025: Ezra Klein’s Year in Review Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

In the second part of a special crossover episode, John Heilemann welcomes New York Times columnist, podcasting dynamo, and de facto Democratic strategist Ezra Klein to discuss the state of the nation: Trump, tariffs, the looming Newsom–Vance showdown, and more.

Impolitic 2025: Jon Favreau & Jon Lovett Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

In a special crossover event, John Heilemann welcomes two of the Pod Save America dudes to the show for the first installment of a two-part, year-end review of the national political scene in 2025.

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