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Shield of the Republic

The Bulwark
Ukraine
Russia
Iran
China
United States
Israel
NATO
National Security
Donald Trump
Cold War
Venezuela
World War II
Hamas
Military Strategy
Soviet Union
Biden Administration
Trump Administration
Trumpism
Gaza
October 7th Attacks

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

Eric and Eliot review an extended buffet of jackassery before turning to the current state of affairs in Iran. They assess the prospects for a negotiated settlement to the war, and whether we could end up in a "no war, no peace" situation. They also ... more

Eric welcomes Eliot back from his sojourn in Spain to break down the latest jackassery from the administration. They discuss the current state of the Iran war, including the somehow simultaneously open and closed Strait of Hormuz, the ongoing negotia... more

Eric welcomes The Bulwark's own Mona Charen back to the show to discuss the week's developments. They cover the President's meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Vice President's trip to Hungary before pivoting to Vance's new diploma... more

Eric welcomes retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer, and Penn Washington's Chief of Staff and Director of Communications, Mike Nelson to the show. They discuss the President's White House speech to sell the Iran war to the American people, and its... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Frank Dikötter
Distinguished historian of China and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University
Hoover Institution at Stanford University
Episode: On The Precipice of Illegal War (w/ Frank Dikötter)
Stephen Kotkin
Currently a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and at the Freeman-Spogli Institute at Stanford University. Author of works on Stalin.
Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Princeton University
Episode: How Evil Regimes Cling to Power (w/ Stephen Kotkin)
Michael Weiss
Internationally respected investigative journalist, Editor at The Insider
The Insider
Episode: Don't Count on Trump Coming to the Rescue (w/ Michael Weiss)

Hosts

Eric Edelman
Counselor at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, Non-Resident Fellow at the Miller Center, and Bulwark contributor.
Eliot Cohen
Professor Emeritus of Strategy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and contributing writer to The Atlantic.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 706 ratings
  • „Strategery“ par excellence

    One of the best podcasts on strategy, both historical and current. The co-hosts are extremely experienced and great communicators. One gripe: commercials are inserted without the hosts taking any pause, sometimes even mid-sentence. That‘s annoying and should be rectified.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    reglogge
    Germanya month ago
  • Sometimes pro-murder.

    Podchaser
    2
    Seyfert
    2 months ago
  • Neocon

    trash

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Just Some Dude 420
    United States2 months ago
  • On the Precipice

    SOTR is becoming one of my favorite podcasts because it is a substantive dive into international relations. In the latest episode, guest Frank Dikötter discusses his new book, Red Dawn Over China: How Communism Conquered a Quarter of Humanity. The conversation was compelling. I routinely learn something valuable about how our domestic lives are influenced by events seemingly distant and removed. The discussions are too short. It would be ideal to set aside time for "lessons learned" reflection. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Intrepid Inquirer
    United States2 months ago
  • Do your homework

    They lack subject matter expertise on the topics they discuss. Many of the arguments made rely on dated or simply incorrect information. One example of many, the Europeans cannot crank out long range fires systems that are independent of US technology in months. Criticizing the administration is fine if you can back it up, but you have to do your homework.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    allothernamesaretaken23
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critiques of partisanship arise, with some expressing concerns about biased interpretations of current events.
However, some listeners note that the frequency of ads has become a distraction, slightly diminishing the overall experience.
The podcast is hailed as a valuable source of insightful analysis, particularly concerning international relations.
Listeners appreciate the well-informed discussions, often highlighting the expertise and credibility of the hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#182
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#205
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#205
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#49
Philippines/History
Apple Podcasts
#58
Mexico/History
Apple Podcasts
#101
South Korea/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Trump Needs Approval for This War (w/ Michael O'Hanlon) | Shield of the Republic
Q: What is your view on Congress's role in modern defense, especially regarding funding for current conflicts and the defense industrial base?
He argues Congress should be an active partner, not merely a rubber-stamp, and suggests targeted funding for replenishment and capacity, with mechanisms to avoid excessive ground commitments and to assure a credible industrial base for multi-year needs.
Trump Needs Approval for This War (w/ Michael O'Hanlon) | Shield of the Republic
Q: How do you assess the role of the three offsets in maintaining a technological edge, and how might AI fit into that going forward?
The guest outlines the evolution from nuclear- and conventional-edge offsets to more networked and precision-enabled approaches, noting that AI/autonomy will redefine balance but that clear, scalable procurement and doctrine will determine whether the edge endures.

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?

The content focuses on a layered exploration of national security and foreign policy, discussing complex geopolitical dynamics involving major global players like the United States, China, and Russia. It features critical dialogues on contemporary challenges such as arms control, civil-military relations, and the impact of authoritarian regimes on global stability. Episodes feature a range of discussions from historical perspectives to current events, providing listeners with nuanced insights into the multifaceted world of international relations. The inclusion of expert guest interviews enriches the depth of analysis, allowing for a well-rounded perspective on pressing global issues, making it an engaging resource for those interested in u... 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 Next Level
3. The Mona Charen Show
4. The Focus Group Podcast
5. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

How many episodes of Shield of the Republic are there?

Shield of the Republic launched 5 years ago and published 196 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. Mona Charen
2. Mike Nelson
3. Michael O'Hanlon
4. Jason Burke
5. Norman Roule
6. Seth Jones
7. Frank Dikötter
8. Stephen Kotkin

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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