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Shield of the Republic

The Bulwark
Ukraine
Russia
Iran
United States
China
Israel
NATO
National Security
Donald Trump
Cold War
Venezuela
World War II
Hamas
Military Strategy
Soviet Union
Biden Administration
Trump Administration
Middle East
Trumpism
Gaza

Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. We probe beyond the hive mind of Washington conventional wisdom on national security and foreign affairs.

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Artwork for Shield of the Republic

Latest Episodes

Eliot reviews the week’s jackassery and offers his thoughts on Juneteenth and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He then welcomes Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, distinguished professor at Emory University ... more

With Eric on vacation, Eliot welcomes Kenneth Pollack, VP for Policy at the Middle East Institute, to the show. Ken outlines MEI's mission before providing analysis on the current state of the Iran war. They discuss the difficulty of ending a conflic... more

Eric and Eliot dissect the latest jackassery before pivoting to the war with Iran. They offer differing assessments of the negotiations and discuss the prospects for a lasting ceasefire. Next, they return to the Russia-Ukraine war and reflect on the ... more

Eliot joins Eric from the shores of Lake Champlain to break down the latest administration jackassery before pivoting to the ongoing negotiations with Iran. They also discuss Russia's recent drone and missile barrage directed at Kyiv which included a... more

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Recent Guests

Deborah Lipstadt
Emory University Distinguished Professor; author and former Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism
Emory University; U.S. Department of State
Episode: Rising Antisemitism is a Dark Omen for Society (w/ Deborah Lipstadt)
Kenneth Pollack
Kenneth Pollack, vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute; former CIA analyst; author of multiple Middle East-focused books
Middle East Institute
Episode: The Iranian Regime Isn't Going Anywhere (w/ Kenneth Pollack)
Marc Bennetts
Author, The Descent: Witnessing Russia's Spiral Into Madness Under Putin
Former Times of London correspondent in Moscow
Episode: Trump's Regime Change Plan for Cuba
Mona Charen
Bulwark contributor and guest on the program
Bulwark
Episode: Trump's Path of Destruction (w/ Mona Charen)
Mike Nelson
Contributing writer at The Dispatch; Chief of Staff and Director of Communications at Penn Washington; retired Army Special Forces officer
The Dispatch; Penn Washington
Episode: The Cost of Boots on the Ground (w/ Mike Nelson)
Michael O'Hanlon
Brookings Institution defense analyst; author of To Dare Mighty Things
Brookings Institution
Episode: Trump Needs Approval for This War (w/ Michael O'Hanlon) | Shield of the Republic
Jason Burke
Distinguished author on terrorism; author of Road to Kandahar and The Revolutionists
Author, scholar on terrorism
Episode: Iran and the Roots of Islamist Terror (w/ Jason Burke)
Norman Roule
Former CIA National Intelligence Manager for Iran
Intelligence Community, former CIA
Episode: Iran's Regional War Strategy is Failing (w/ Norman Roule)
Seth Jones
President of the Defense and Security Department, Harold Brown Chair at CSIS
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: China Is Ready For War. We Aren't. (w/ Seth Jones)

Hosts

Eric Edelman
Host of Shield of the Republic; counselor at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments; Bulwark contributor
Eliot Cohen
Co-host; Professor Emeritus of Strategy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; Atlantic contributor

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 740 ratings
  • Imperialist perspective

    Love the neocon confidence in the US Constitution Recommend reading

    The Exxoneration

    It was considered more fantasy than fiction.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arthur in the city
    Canada23 days ago
  • In Need of Self-Reflection

    This podcast is a good example of the limits, or at least challenges, of the Bulwark model. Where much of the network feels like an effort in coalition building and an active reworking of political ideas to meet the moment, Eric and Eliot’s analyses more often amount to criticisms from a conservative perspective that has failed to evolve.

    They have some valuable insights and smart critiques of the Trump administration, but they struggle to engage with ideas from outside their political traditi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Rhexia1
    United States2 months ago
  • Isreal

    Its not anti semite to feel like Netayahoo is out of control. Isreal is bombing hospitals schools and apartment buildings. I dont want USA taxpayers paying for their war against woman and children. I believe we need to stop funding Isreal. They are committing war crimes against the people of Lebanon they are wiping them out like they did in Gaza. This isnt ok in my book, it is a crime against humanity. No Im not anti semite. My family donated film my CIA 5 star decorated uncle got off an officer... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Ricky Rizzle
    United States2 months ago
  • Canadians are not self pitying!!!

    OMG your April 26 podcast was more than I could take. You sound like warmongers and arrogant USA can do no wrong

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Kthom5
    Canada2 months ago
  • Teddy Roosevelt

    He wouldn’t have seething contempt, he would start building his Bull-Moose party again!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    WilderLander
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistent rigor and historical context; some listeners seek more balance in viewpoints.
Occasional criticism of tone and ad load, but high-value for deep-dive geopolitics fans.
Analytical, policy-forward discussions with experts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#222
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#135
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#244
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#113
United Arab Emirates/History
Apple Podcasts
#114
Japan/History
Apple Podcasts
#135
Colombia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rising Antisemitism is a Dark Omen for Society (w/ Deborah Lipstadt)
Q: How did you come to focus on Holocaust denial and antisemitism as a field of study and public service?
Two Holocaust historians urged me to take on Holocaust denial as a new form of antisemitism, and their invitation, paired with a fellowship offer, made me see it as a scholarly and public-defense project rather than a sidetrack; the work evolved into a broader study of antisemitism in its modern manifestations through academia and policy.
Trump's Regime Change Plan for Cuba
Q: Let me just be upfront with my fear. How do you see the potential Cuba scenario playing out?
The fear is real: Cuba's regime is entrenched, and any attempt at a Venezuela-like intervention could trigger significant resistance, strong military defense, and complex internal political backlash, making a rapid, clean operation unlikely.
The Cost of Boots on the Ground (w/ Mike Nelson)
Q: What should the administration consider if the pressure tactic does not yield concessions?
Prepare a clear next-step plan, including air power and non-kinetic pressures, and avoid signaling weakness; ensure allies are engaged and know their role, with a credible plan for exit if pressure does not move Iranian calculus.
The Cost of Boots on the Ground (w/ Mike Nelson)
Q: How do you view the risk-reward balance of seizing Kharg Island or other Gulf islands?
These options offer leverage and a potential bargaining chip, but they are limited in achieving a lasting political settlement and expose Marines to intense coastal defense, missiles, and air threats; they also risk destabilizing regional alliances and complicating the strait's stability.
The Cost of Boots on the Ground (w/ Mike Nelson)
Q: What is your assessment of the ground-forces option to secure Esfahan's enriched uranium?
It is technically possible and could create a tangible end state, but it would be an enormously dangerous, multi-day operation with high risk of American casualties and significant logistical challenges, potentially depleting special operations capabilities for a generation.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shield of the Republic

What is Shield of the Republic about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program features two veteran national security strategists who dissect US foreign policy, defense strategy, and global diplomacy with a focus on real-world constraints, alliance management, and geopolitical competition. Episodes frequently explore Iran, China, and NATO dynamics, blending historical context with contemporary decision-making, warnings about escalation, and nuanced critiques of policy messaging. A standout trait is the hosts' willingness to challenge conventional wisdom while drawing on deep policy expertise and academic rigor, often grounding debates in historical parallels and strategic tradeoffs. The show is likely to appeal to listeners who want high-signal analysis, thoughtful counterpoints, and access to guests from... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Shield of the Republic?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Shield of the Republic:

1. Conversations with Bill Kristol
2. The Mona Charen Show
3. The Next Level
4. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
5. The Focus Group Podcast

How many episodes of Shield of the Republic are there?

Shield of the Republic launched 5 years ago and published 204 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Shield of the Republic?

Recent guests on Shield of the Republic include:

1. Deborah Lipstadt
2. Kenneth Pollack
3. Marc Bennetts
4. Mona Charen
5. Mike Nelson
6. Michael O'Hanlon
7. Jason Burke
8. Norman Roule

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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