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

President Franklin D. Roosevelt endorses New Deal candidates during a radio broadcast from his Hyde Park home.

How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston

Andrew Preston joins Danny and Derek to trace the evolution of the American national security state, from the early republic to the Cold War and beyond.

Jul 22, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM

Danny and Derek round up the week’s global news, from Iran, Gaza, and Yemen to Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, the ICC, and shifting US-China influence.

Jul 17, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Demonstrators rally during a protest against artificial intelligence outside Anthropic headquarters in San Francisco, California, on July 11, 2026.

The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright

Robert Wright joins the show to examine AI’s promise and perils, from machine intelligence and automation to capitalism, climate, and global regulation.

Jul 15, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

US President Donald Trump poses with other heads of state prior to the North Atlantic Council meeting held at the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026.

The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault

Danny and Derek break down the week’s global headlines, from NATO, Iran, and Gaza to Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, Latin America, and US strategy in the Pacific.

Jul 10, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

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Daniel Bessner

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

How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston

The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM

The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright

The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault

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Daniel Bessner

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

How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston How the New Deal Invented the National Security State—With Andrew Preston

The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM The US Resumes the Iran War, the Ebola Outbreak Surges in the DRC, Andy Burnham Becomes the UK’s PM

The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright The Need for Responsible AI—With Robert Wright

The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault The US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza’s Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for an RSF Assault