Daniel Bessner

dbessner

Daniel Bessner is an historian of US foreign relations, and cohost of American Prestige, a podcast on international affairs.

Supporters of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group block the streets with burning tires as they rally in cars and motorbikes to protest the government's endorsement of a plan to disarm it, in Beirut’s southern suburbs early on August 8, 2025.

Lebanon Moves to Disarm Hezbollah, Netanyahu Announces His Gaza Occupation, and It’s the 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing in Hiroshima Lebanon Moves to Disarm Hezbollah, Netanyahu Announces His Gaza Occupation, and It’s the 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing in Hiroshima

On American Prestige: the week's news.

Aug 8, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

A Thai soldier stands guard amid the escalation of the Thailand-Cambodia dispute in Surin Province, Thailand on July 25, 2025.

Gaza Starvation, ICJ Climate Ruling, Thai-Cambodian Border Clash Gaza Starvation, ICJ Climate Ruling, Thai-Cambodian Border Clash

On this episode of American Prestige, all the news you need to know this week.

Jul 25, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

CIA chief Allen Dulles in 1958.

The CIA’s Imperial History, Part 2 The CIA’s Imperial History, Part 2

On this episode of American Prestige, the final part of our conversation with Hugh Wilford.

Jul 22, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

A view of damage at the Syrian General Staff headquarters and nearby buildings following Israeli airstrikes targeting the capital Damascus, Syria on July 17, 2025.

Israel Bombs Damascus, Militant Violence Erupts in Haiti, France Withdraws Troops From Senegal Israel Bombs Damascus, Militant Violence Erupts in Haiti, France Withdraws Troops From Senegal

On this episode of American Prestige, all the news that’s fit to hear.

Jul 18, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner

Ford assembly line workers in 1914.

The History of America’s Entrepreneurial Work Ethic The History of America’s Entrepreneurial Work Ethic

On this episode of American Prestige, Erik Baker on the deep-seated roots of US hustle culture.

Jul 15, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

An activists reacts with emotion as she joins others holding Kenyan flags during the funeral of Boniface Kariuki, a street hawker who died from gunshot wounds days after being shot by Kenyan police during nationwide protests against police violence and government policies, in a village near Kangema on July 11, 2025.

Houthis Resume Red Sea Attacks, New IDF Strikes in Lebanon, Deadly Kenya Protests Houthis Resume Red Sea Attacks, New IDF Strikes in Lebanon, Deadly Kenya Protests

On this episode of American Prestige, all the news that's fit to hear.

Jul 11, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks about US sanctions on Russia.

The Human Cost of Economic Sanctions The Human Cost of Economic Sanctions

On this episode of American Prestige, Mark Weisbrot talks about economic sanctions and how they affect people’s lives.

Jul 8, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) speaks during a peace agreement signing ceremony between Democratic Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner (R) and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in the Treaty Room of the State Department in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2025.

DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal, PKK Disarmament, US Air Strikes in Somalia DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal, PKK Disarmament, US Air Strikes in Somalia

On this episode of American Prestige, all the news you need.

Jul 4, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Iranian protesters chant slogans to protest US attacks on June 22, 2025, in Tehran, Iran.

Iran and Israel Hold Their Fire, Nato Ups Defense Budgets, the US Supreme Court OKs Government Trafficking of Migrants Iran and Israel Hold Their Fire, Nato Ups Defense Budgets, the US Supreme Court OKs Government Trafficking of Migrants

On this episode of American Prestige, headlines from around the globe.

Jun 27, 2025 / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Vice President JD Vance (R) waves goodbye during the American Compass New World Gala at the National Building Museum on June 03, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Tracking the Murky World of Think Tanks Tracking the Murky World of Think Tanks

On this episode of American Prestige, Ben Freeman and Nick Cleveland-Stout discuss their work monitoring the seamy underbelly of the think tank world.

Jun 24, 2025 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

x