American Prestige Archives

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

Rome’s Colosseum at sunset on January 10, 2012.

Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel

Jake Nabel joins Danny and Derek to explore Roman-Parthian relations, ancient imperial rivalry, cultural misunderstanding, and the politics of historical memory.

Jul 8, 2026 / Podcast / Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

The owner of The Cornish Arms gastropub adjusts the Union Flag alongside the American flag on the exterior of the pub in St. Ives, Cornwall on June 10, 2021.

How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman

Danny and Derek are joined by historian Andrew Shankman to talk about the road to US independence from Great Britain.

Jul 6, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

A newspaper stall showing an “Etemad” front page with a headline reading, in Farsi, “The night of the end of the JCPOA.”

The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi

Sina Azodi joins the show to trace the history of Iran’s nuclear program, from the shah and the NPT to the JCPOA, Trump, and the recent war.

Jul 1, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a news conference in Jerusalem on June 15, 2026.

How Zionism Failed—With Omer Bartov How Zionism Failed—With Omer Bartov

Omer Bartov joins the program to talk about Zionism’s transformation from an emancipation movement into a form of ethnonationalism.

Jun 25, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

US Vice President JD Vance makes an opening statement at the start of a quadrilateral meeting between the U.S., Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar at the Lake Lucerne Summit.

The US-Iran MOU Takes Effect, West Bank Settlements Expand, Fujimori Leads the Peru Election Count The US-Iran MOU Takes Effect, West Bank Settlements Expand, Fujimori Leads the Peru Election Count

Plus: attacks on Lebanon, a brewing battle in Sudan, Russia’s push into Ukraine, a US drawdown in Europe, and the deadly toll of DOGE cuts.

Jun 23, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Visitors pass by wax figures representing Cro-Magnon humans, the early Homo sapiens sapiens such as those who painted in the Lascaux caves.

Human Prehistory and How Societies Rise and Fall—With Patrick Wyman Human Prehistory and How Societies Rise and Fall—With Patrick Wyman

Historian Patrick Wyman returns to the show to talk about the deep history of human societies and how they can inform the current moment.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a press conference in Jerusalem on March 19, 2026.

US and Iran Exchange Fire, Pentagon Raises an Israeli Spy Threat, a Jihadist-Rebel Alliance Pressures Mali US and Iran Exchange Fire, Pentagon Raises an Israeli Spy Threat, a Jihadist-Rebel Alliance Pressures Mali

The World Cup is upon us, so Danny and Derek are showering visiting players with crocheted NATO flags.

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

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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

Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel

How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman

The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi

How Zionism Failed—With Omer Bartov How Zionism Failed—With Omer Bartov

The US-Iran MOU Takes Effect, West Bank Settlements Expand, Fujimori Leads the Peru Election Count The US-Iran MOU Takes Effect, West Bank Settlements Expand, Fujimori Leads the Peru Election Count

Human Prehistory and How Societies Rise and Fall—With Patrick Wyman Human Prehistory and How Societies Rise and Fall—With Patrick Wyman

US and Iran Exchange Fire, Pentagon Raises an Israeli Spy Threat, a Jihadist-Rebel Alliance Pressures Mali US and Iran Exchange Fire, Pentagon Raises an Israeli Spy Threat, a Jihadist-Rebel Alliance Pressures Mali

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American Prestige

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

Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel

How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman

The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi The History of Iran’s Nuclear Program—With Sina Azodi

How Zionism Failed—With Omer Bartov How Zionism Failed—With Omer Bartov

The US-Iran MOU Takes Effect, West Bank Settlements Expand, Fujimori Leads the Peru Election Count The US-Iran MOU Takes Effect, West Bank Settlements Expand, Fujimori Leads the Peru Election Count

Human Prehistory and How Societies Rise and Fall—With Patrick Wyman Human Prehistory and How Societies Rise and Fall—With Patrick Wyman

US and Iran Exchange Fire, Pentagon Raises an Israeli Spy Threat, a Jihadist-Rebel Alliance Pressures Mali US and Iran Exchange Fire, Pentagon Raises an Israeli Spy Threat, a Jihadist-Rebel Alliance Pressures Mali