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Shield of the Republic

Shield of the Republic
Ukraine
Russia
Iran
United States
China
Israel
NATO
National Security
World War II
Donald Trump
Cold War
Venezuela
Hamas
Military Strategy
Soviet Union
Biden Administration
Afghanistan
Trump Administration
Middle East
Trumpism

Foreign policy and national security analysis from Eric Edelman and Eliot Cohen www.shieldoftherepublic.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes211Founded5 years ago
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News CommentaryHistoryNews

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Latest Episodes

Eric and Eliot react to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s second-ever “State of the Force” address at Marine Corps Base Quantico today

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,... more

Plus updates on the Iran war, Denmark’s dire warning, and more!

1:15: Jackassery of the Week

10:06: The Decline of the U.N.

7:13: Iran War Updates

40:57: Powder Keg: Horn of Africa

47:39: The Russian Threat to Europe

Danish Defense Intelligence... more

Plus the Houthis dig in, German elections disappoint again, and more!

1:53: Jackassery of the Week

12:56: Trump at the U.N.

22:06: Houthi Offensive Update

30:00: More Troubling German Elections

37:49: Trump-Zelensky Meeting

42:25: A Greenland R... more

Plus updates from the Middle East & Ukraine, and special guest Will Hitchcock!

2:27: Jackassery of the Week

16:30: Houthi Offensive

36:30: Iranian Leadership Divisions

42:38: UK Sanctions on Israel

56:59: Ukraine War Update

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1:03:49: Will H... more

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Recent Guests

Will Hitchcock
William Hitchcock, James Madison Professor of History at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Episode: The Iran War Explodes into the Red Sea
Paul Miller
Author of Choosing Defeat, Afghanistan fixer and analyst
Cambridge University Press (author)
Episode: Japan’s Nuclear Taboo is Shattering
Frank Kendall
Former Secretary of the Air Force; author of Lethal Autonomy, The Future of Warfare
Former U.S. Department of Defense and Air Force leadership
Episode: Frank Kendall and the Weapons of Tomorrow
Robert Parkinson
Professor of American History, author of Tyrants and Rogues, Understanding the Declaration of Independence
Binghamton University
Episode: The Iranian Doom Loop (w/ Robert Parkinson)
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)

Hosts

Eric Edelman
Host with deep ties to multiple think tanks and defense centers; frequently presents as lead host with co-hosts; affiliations include Bulwark, Miller Center, CSBA, and university-affiliated centers.
Eliot Cohen
Co-host with a long tenure in strategy and international affairs; frequent commentator and contributor to major outlets; specializes in strategic studies and diplomacy.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 764 ratings
  • A New Era

    At the Bulwark they represented the adults in the room with their sober exploration of US foreign affairs. I will continue to follow them regularly and look forward to new journey.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sullyhome
    United Statesa month ago
  • Instructive Example

    Example of intelligence being no substitute for a strong and sturdy moral compass. Learn through listening, do not follow the example set by these podcasters.

    I wish them and their guests all the best health, with the longest possible lifespan. So that in time they can see the error of their clouded judgement and out-of-control biases, and have plenty of time to reflect on why they rationalized and supported abhorrent and life-negating policies. You will experience shame and embarrassment at a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lizzzzzzxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    United States2 months ago
  • Hey Elliot?

    You crapped on Professor Robert Pape from University of Chicago, but Pape seems to be on it.

    Maybe you and Eric could have him on for a discussion so you guys can share your outlooks and learn from each other.

    It’d be a great episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    WilderLander
    United States2 months ago
  • Shield: wonderful. Bulwark Takes with Sam Stein: smut.

    I subscribed to Bulwark. I wanted to listen to Tim Miller and Bill Kristol, and all of the fine people associated with Bulwark.

    I was totally appalled to listen to Sam Stein on Bullwark Takes talking pornography.

    I can not give money to a Channel that broadcasts pornography.

    I canceled.

    It’s a bad sign that Stein has a key role in your organization. I’m out.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hokkaido North Country
    Japan3 months ago
  • Reading reviews

    Dearest Commentators, I find your podcast fascinating and informative. I see many of these comments in reviews where people are agitated. All I can say is you must be doing something right.

    Godspeed! Keep up the great work on educating people like myself.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Susanyb60
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, expert conversations with deep policy insight.
High-quality, evidence-based discussions; occasionally polarizing but consistently informative.
Strong guest roster and historical context enriches understanding of geopolitics.
A few listeners find the tone or pacing challenging but the depth is valuable for decision-makers.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

September Mailbag Episode
Q: What would a Europe without America look like, in practical terms—military capabilities, manufacturing, and diplomacy?
The hosts outline a speculative, strategic discussion about European defense needs, potential production and alliance arrangements, and the geopolitical implications of reduced American involvement, framing it as a topic for future data-driven analysis.
September Mailbag Episode
Q: I'd be most interested in a special podcast on the legacy of the Combined Chiefs of Staff in World War II; perhaps with Andrew Roberts or Tim Bovary.
The hosts acknowledge the request and express interest in exploring various aspects of World War II, including the legacy of the Combined Chiefs of Staff, indicating this topic could be a future focus for deeper discussion.
Frank Kendall and the Weapons of Tomorrow
Q: What is the core idea behind Kendall's vision for future warfare?
The core idea is to reorganize forces around autonomous and supervised autonomous platforms, reducing reliance on human in-the-loop operation for every function, while preserving essential human oversight in command and control to enable scalable, rapid decision-making and force multiplication.
The Anti-Strategic President
Q: what is the policy prescription moving forward given the current coalition dynamics and AI considerations?
Stop adding new crises; shore up transatlantic and Indo-Pacific alliance cohesion, deter aggression while avoiding overextension, and invest in allied capacity and joint capabilities to counter economic and military coercion, while carefully integrating AI developments into both military doctrine and diplomatic strategy.
The Anti-Strategic President
Q: could you talk about the Heartland and Rimland concepts and how they apply in the current era?
The Heartland-Rimland framework describes competing coalitions: a divided Rimland coalition led by the US and allies, facing a more cohesive but revisionist Heartland. The current era features greater fragmentation among Heartland players (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea) and nuanced, transactional cooperation rather than a unified ideological bloc, influencing how power is projected and contested.

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?

Two veteran national security voices host rigorous, policy-forward conversations that dissect geopolitics, defense, and U.S. strategy with a heavy emphasis on real-world implications and internal political dynamics. Episodes frequently explore Iran, Russia, China, NATO, and regional flashpoints, while also debating U.S. governance, think-tank influence, and domestic political constraints on foreign policy. Noteworthy bylines include transitions to independent platforms and a willingness to critique both strategy and messaging, making it a dense, analytically sharp show for listeners who want depth, context, and actionable takeaways for policy, diplomacy, or sponsorship alignment with serious foreign affairs content.

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How many subscribers and views does Shield of the Republic have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Shield of the Republic has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Shield of the Republic?

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

1. The Mona Charen Show
2. Conversations with Bill Kristol
3. The Next Level
4. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
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 211 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Shield of the Republic?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Shield of the Republic?

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What guests have appeared on Shield of the Republic?

Recent guests on Shield of the Republic include:

1. Will Hitchcock
2. Paul Miller
3. Frank Kendall
4. Robert Parkinson
5. Deborah Lipstadt
6. Kenneth Pollack
7. Marc Bennetts
8. Mona Charen

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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