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What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

Tablet Magazine
Israel
Biden Administration
Donald Trump
United States
Iran
Green Movement
North Korea
Hamas
Middle East
Argentina
Kissinger's Middle East Policy
American Jewish Community
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Middle East Peace Process
Ukraine
Javier Milei
Global Trade
Zionism
Antisemitism
Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Walter Russell Mead, a historian, pundit, and popular author, is encyclopedic about politics, culture, and history. On What Really Matters, Mead and Tablet deputy editor Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what news matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. Check out Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column at www.tablet... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes120Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsSociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for What Really Matters

Latest Episodes

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Joe Kent's resignation, Trump's frustration with NATO's refusal to help in the Gulf, JD Vance's show of support for Viktor Orban, and the state of the war in Iran.

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Iran campaign's economic shocks, the upsides for Russia, US-Cuba negotiations, and the three ways the Iran war could end.

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Anthropic's standoff with the Pentagon, whether munitions being used in Iran are really drawing down US stockpiles in other theaters, the CIA's attempt to arm a Kurdish rebellion, the cards the Ayatollahs still ha... more

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the drug wars in Mexico, the tides turning against Russia in Ukraine, Trump's plans to strike Iran, and the Supreme Court's ruling against his tariff regime.

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Walter Russell Mead
Historian, pundit, and author
Tablet, The Wall Street Journal, Hudson Institute, Hamilton School at the University of Florida
Episode: How Iran Ends
Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine
Government of Ukraine
Episode: Live From Davos 2026

Hosts

Jeremy Stern
Co-host and Deputy Editor at Tablet, involved in discussing geopolitics and current events alongside Walter Russell Mead.
Walter Russell Mead
Historian, pundit, and popular author known for his deep insights into politics, culture, and international relations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 736 ratings
  • Enjoyable and informative

    This has become one of my essential listening activities. The show has a very skilful host (Jeremy) who deftly steers a well read and opinionated “guest” (Walter) through news / faux news / big topics etc.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OziMozzie
    Australia2 months ago
  • An insightful podcast

    In an age of alarmism and news “fluff”, Mr Mead provides a calm and seemingly objective interpretation of the stories. He seems to be primarily concerned not with telling his audience what to think, but rather in teaching his listeners how to think about geopolitics and culture, which is much-needed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John Kreis
    United States3 months ago
  • Truth

    WRM seems to have no dog in any fight. In

    All he wants to do is help us understand what’s true, and he’s very very good at that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    iwantpizzawithswine
    United States3 months ago
  • ‘splain it to us, Russ!

    Thank you, Mr. Mead. I do appreciate your inside and levelheadedness. Reminds me of my deceased David who was my anchor. Keep up the good work, good health, and happy holidays.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chattasteff
    United States3 months ago
  • Please change the intro music

    You need a more upbeat musical intro.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Joshgladwin
    Australia3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Reviews highlight the hosts' ability to connect history with contemporary issues, fostering an engaging dialogue on complex topics.
Some comments point out a desire for more diverse discussion formats, while many praise the clarity and depth of analysis offered.
Listeners appreciate the insightful, objective analysis of current events, making the show essential for understanding geopolitical affairs.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#210
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#189
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#60
Argentina/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#80
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#84
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#198
Chile/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Iran Ends
Q: What are the practical costs or risks if Trump and the administration have not clearly defined the mission or end state of this conflict?
He argues that war planning cannot be reduced to charts and fixed end states, stressing that a great power must adapt to changing circumstances, with credible messaging to supporters and the public while avoiding overpromising quick victories that undermine legitimacy if the conflict drags on.
How Iran Ends
Q: Walter, you wrote earlier this week about the three main ways the Iran War could end, and the end state scenario you think is most likely. So tell us what these are.
Mead outlines three scenarios—an optimistic good outcome with democratic shifts or a Venezuela-style regime realignment that cooperates with the United States; a middle ground ugly scenario where a prolonged but manageable stalemate preserves pressure but delays resolution; and a worst-case path where sanctions and open oil flows are not secured, allowing Iran to leverage control over Gulf energy through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tariffs Are Dead, Long Live Tariffs
Q: What is your sense of China's support for Russia going forward in the war?
Mead suggests a Chinese interest in leveraging Russia's vulnerabilities, potentially guiding China to expand influence in Central Asia and beyond as Moscow's options dwindle.
Tariffs Are Dead, Long Live Tariffs
Q: Is this episode news or faux news regarding Trump and Iran?
Mead characterizes it as newsworthy for illustrating ongoing strategic postures, while noting the volatility and uncertainty around how Trump would execute any potential action.
Tariffs Are Dead, Long Live Tariffs
Q: What happens to tariffs if Democrats win in 2028 and need revenue?
Mead argues tariffs could endure as a revenue source, especially given fiscal pressures, tax tradeoffs, and political incentives to tax consumption indirectly, making the policy unlikely to vanish entirely.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About What Really Matters

What is What Really Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Covering a wide array of political, cultural, and historical topics, the discussions emphasize understanding current events through a nuanced and often critical lens. The episodes often touch on significant geopolitical issues including relationships between major world powers, internal political dynamics in the U.S., and notable global movements. The hosts aim to not only inform but challenge listeners to consider the deeper implications of news stories, making complex subjects accessible and engaging.

What's particularly noteworthy is the way the content merges weekly news summaries with historical context, allowing listeners to grasp not just the 'what' but the 'why' behind current events. The format encourages thoughtful discussions th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to What Really Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What Really Matters:

1. Breaking History
2. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
3. The Commentary Magazine Podcast
4. The Tikvah Podcast
5. Ask Haviv Anything

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What Really Matters launched 3 years ago and published 120 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 What Really Matters?

Recent guests on What Really Matters include:

1. Walter Russell Mead
2. Volodymyr Zelensky

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