What the Hell Is Going On
AEI PodcastsThe American Enterprise Institute’s Danielle Pletka and Marc Thiessen address the questions we’re all asking in their podcast, “What the Hell Is Going On?” In conversational, informative and irreverent episodes, Pletka and Thiessen interview policymakers and experts, asking tough, probing questions about the most important foreign policy and security challenges facing the world today.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 200 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsGovernmentNews | |||
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Latest Episodes
What the hell is happening with U.S. defense technology? Chris Brose, the President and Chief Strategy Officer of defense tech firm Anduril joins us to talk about how private defense companies are innovating and revolutionizing American national secu... more
On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we hosted a live recording of the podcast, What the Hell Is Going On?, featuring former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley and former Deputy National Security Adviser J. D. Crouch II. Both ... more
In our back-to-school episode, we welcome the return to D.C. by diving straight into the upcoming midterm elections. Who the hell is running? What the hell do they believe in? Where the hell are particularly crucial races? Between the Iran War, heigh... more
What the hell is Beijing doing to seduce Washington? Join us for the last in our summer book series for a discussion with Dr. Audrye Wong for a conversation about her new book, Subversion and Seduction: China’s Economic Statecraft. How the hell has B... more
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- Could be better
Quite (out)dated perspectives at times. Pletka seems lovely, but I’m not convinced the podcast format plays to her strengths. I’m sorry to say she can be a bit repetitive at times, making the same point ten different ways, which can be grating; Marc seems much better attuned to the changing times, more contemporary.
AEI is pretty pedestrian as a think-tank, and perhaps this is about the most one could realistically hope for. Overall, a little disappointing if I’m honest, but I will keep tuning ... more
Apple Podcasts3Bibliophenia
United Kingdom2 months ago - You must listen to this podcast
I think of all the podcasts I listento each week, this is my favorite and I look forward to it. You need to listen to it if you wanna know more about the Middle East I would hope that in the future they would focus more on China. I think China is our main adversary.
Apple Podcasts5Scholomo ben Yisrael
United States3 months ago - Iran war - 3/19/26
Great common sense podcast. Go baby go.
Apple Podcasts5GeoplanterUnited States6 months ago - Unfollowing b/c Pletka is Awful
Marc is fantastic and the only reason I listened to this show at all is because of him, but I am unsubscribing. Pletka is pretentious and utterly off putting. She even thinks hard-working taxpayers should pay for NPR. Put a decent person in her place and I will subscribe again.
Apple Podcasts1Marines of 75United States7 months ago - Very informing
Great guest today with insight on Venezuela and foreign policy in general . Guests such as this will keep you in the rotation, despite Pletka’s brain dead anti Trump mewlings
Apple Podcasts5JWtwobeagles1
Canada8 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #139 |  South Korea/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #213 |  Israel/News/Politics |
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Frequently Asked Questions About What the Hell Is Going On
What is What the Hell Is Going On about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show hosts sharp conversations on foreign policy, defense, and global security, anchored by two AEI insiders who push for rigorous analysis and accountability. Episodes mix interviews with policymakers and subject-matter experts—ranging from military strategists and constitutional scholars to think-tank researchers—with the hosts' brisk, sometimes pointed, banter. Listeners can expect deep dives into Iran, Ukraine, the Middle East, and U.S. alliance dynamics, plus policy implications, sanctions debates, and governance questions, all grounded in current events and historical context. A notable strength is the ability to pair high-level expertise with practical, real-world implications for policymakers, professionals, and informed skepti... more
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Which podcasts are similar to What the Hell Is Going On?
These podcasts share a similar audience with What the Hell Is Going On:
1. The Commentary Magazine Podcast
2. The Editors
3. The McCarthy Report
4. Breaking History
5. The Charles C. W. Cooke Podcast
How many episodes of What the Hell Is Going On are there?
What the Hell Is Going On launched 7 years ago and published 200 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 the Hell Is Going On?
Recent guests on What the Hell Is Going On include:
1. Chris Brose
2. Stephen Hadley
3. J. D. Crouch
4. Audrye Wong
5. Roy Altman
6. John Spencer
7. Hussain Abdul-Hussain
8. Nick Eberstadt
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