Daniel Bessner

North Korea’s Roots in Christianity—With Jonathan Cheng North Korea’s Roots in Christianity—With Jonathan Cheng

Jonathan Cheng joins Danny and Derek to explore Christianity’s influence on North Korea’s founding ideology, the Kim family, and its enduring personality cult.

Aug 26, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

US President Donald Trump and Air Force Col. Christopher M. Robinson walking to board Air Force One on August 14, 2026.

Israel Strikes Syria, Trump Escalates the Economic War on Iran, the US Seems to Move Toward Diplomacy With North Korea Israel Strikes Syria, Trump Escalates the Economic War on Iran, the US Seems to Move Toward Diplomacy With North Korea

Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from Israel, Syria, Gaza, and Iran to Sudan, Ukraine, Korea, US tariffs, and Trump’s military agenda.

Aug 21, 2026 / Podcast / Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

Phillipines President Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos at the White House with US President Ronald Reagan in 1982.

American Austerity in the Philippines—Lisandro Claudio American Austerity in the Philippines—Lisandro Claudio

Lisandro Claudio joins Danny and Derek to explore how US colonial austerity shaped the Philippines and continues to influence its economy and politics today.

Aug 19, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

The navigation bridge of a sunken vessel in the Port of Mokha the day after an attack by the Houthis on the city of Mokha, on August 10, 2026.

The US-Iran Standoff Over Hormus, the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Alliance, a West Bank Community Besieged by Israeli Settlers—and More The US-Iran Standoff Over Hormus, the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Alliance, a West Bank Community Besieged by Israeli Settlers—and More

Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from extreme heat, Iran, and Gaza to Yemen, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Colombia, and shifting regional alliances.

Aug 14, 2026 / Podcast / Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

March of the Jewish socialist Bund on May Day, 1930, in Poland.

The History of the Jewish Bund—With Molly Crabapple The History of the Jewish Bund—With Molly Crabapple

Molly Crabapple joins Danny and Derek to explore the history of the Jewish Labor Bund, its battles with Zionism and Bolshevism, and its legacy for the Jewish left.

Aug 12, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

What Happened to the American University? What Happened to the American University?

Once the envy of the world, higher education in the United States is now in a state of endless crisis.

Aug 10, 2026 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Bessner

The sun sets behind American flags on July 27, 2026, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner

Danny Bessner joins Derek to discuss his new book, "Imperialist Realism", and how American empire shapes both US foreign policy and popular culture.

Aug 5, 2026 / Podcast / Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

Peru’s President Keiko Fujimori following her inauguration ceremony in Lima on July 28, 2026.

The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru

Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from Iran, Gaza, and Yemen to Sudan, Ukraine, China, climate disasters, Latin America, and the International Criminal Court.

Jul 31, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Demonstrators stage a protest to thank countries that recognize the State of Palestine and to demand an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza in Ramallah, West Bank, on September 23, 2025.

Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson

Brad Simpson joins Danny and Derek to explore the history of self-determination, from decolonization and the Cold War to its enduring significance for conflicts today.

Jul 29, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

The bridge linking Bandar Abbas and Kehuristan in Iran’s Hormozgan province, where Iranian authorities said the US carried out attacks on 95 locations across 12 cities over the past 10 days, on July 19, 2026.

The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General

Danny and Derek break down the week’s global headlines, from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Gaza to Lebanon, Ukraine, the DRC, Trump’s tariffs, and US foreign policy.

Jul 24, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

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Daniel Bessner

North Korea’s Roots in Christianity—With Jonathan Cheng North Korea’s Roots in Christianity—With Jonathan Cheng

Israel Strikes Syria, Trump Escalates the Economic War on Iran, the US Seems to Move Toward Diplomacy With North Korea Israel Strikes Syria, Trump Escalates the Economic War on Iran, the US Seems to Move Toward Diplomacy With North Korea

American Austerity in the Philippines—Lisandro Claudio American Austerity in the Philippines—Lisandro Claudio

The US-Iran Standoff Over Hormus, the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Alliance, a West Bank Community Besieged by Israeli Settlers—and More The US-Iran Standoff Over Hormus, the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Alliance, a West Bank Community Besieged by Israeli Settlers—and More

The History of the Jewish Bund—With Molly Crabapple The History of the Jewish Bund—With Molly Crabapple

What Happened to the American University? What Happened to the American University?

Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner

The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru

Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson

The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General

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Daniel Bessner

North Korea’s Roots in Christianity—With Jonathan Cheng North Korea’s Roots in Christianity—With Jonathan Cheng

Israel Strikes Syria, Trump Escalates the Economic War on Iran, the US Seems to Move Toward Diplomacy With North Korea Israel Strikes Syria, Trump Escalates the Economic War on Iran, the US Seems to Move Toward Diplomacy With North Korea

American Austerity in the Philippines—Lisandro Claudio American Austerity in the Philippines—Lisandro Claudio

The US-Iran Standoff Over Hormus, the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Alliance, a West Bank Community Besieged by Israeli Settlers—and More The US-Iran Standoff Over Hormus, the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Alliance, a West Bank Community Besieged by Israeli Settlers—and More

The History of the Jewish Bund—With Molly Crabapple The History of the Jewish Bund—With Molly Crabapple

What Happened to the American University? What Happened to the American University?

Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner

The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru The US-Iran Air War Resumes, the Sudanese Army Secures a Kordofan Highway, Fujimori Takes Office in Peru

Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson Who’s Allowed Self-Determination? With Brad Simpson

The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General The Iran War Kills US Troops, the US and Saudi Arabia Strike a Nuclear Deal, Zelensky Fires His Top General