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Welcome to the Crusades, Episode 1: Rome, 1095

On this episode of American Prestige, we launch a miniseries about the Crusades.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

June 17, 2025

The siege of Jerusalem by Saladin, 1187.(Fine Art Images / Heritage Images via Getty Images)

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Welcome to the Crusades, Episode 1: Rome, 1095 | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

And now for something a little different: American Prestige has released the first two episodes of their standalone miniseries with the crew from We're Not So Different⁠. Get the rest of the episodes here.

Our journey through the First Crusade starts where the Crusaders themselves did: in western Europe with Pope Urban II and the Council of Clermont. We’ll discuss conditions in Latin Christendom in the late 11th century, what prompted the Pope’s call for Crusade, and how it was received by European nobles.

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American Prestige has released the first two episodes of their standalone miniseries with the crew from We’re Not So Different⁠⁠. Get the rest of the episodes ⁠here⁠.

Our journey through the First Crusade starts where the Crusaders themselves did: in western Europe with Pope Urban II and the Council of Clermont. We’ll discuss conditions in Latin Christendom in the late 11th century, what prompted the pope’s call for Crusade, and how it was received by European nobles.

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.

The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Thailand–Cambodia Fighting, Venezuela Escalation, Yemen Separatists | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

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Jolly Saint Nick is giving the U.S. government lots of coal this year, a boon to fossil fuel companies. In this week’s news: Thailand–Cambodia fighting resumes despite Trump’s ceasefire claim (1:52); an Israeli airstrike in Gaza threatens what remains of the ceasefire (6:00), and a winter storm devastates Gaza as Israel continues blocking shelter materials and aid (9:10); Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council prepares to declare a new government amid Saudi threats (12:08); the U.S. approves the largest-ever arms package to Taiwan (16:10); China reportedly unveils a prototype advanced chipmaking tool (18:18); the Bondi Beach attack in Australia has possible Islamic State links (19:48); a New America Foundation report documents extensive U.S. airstrikes in Somalia (22:01); M23 announces its withdrawal from Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (24:49); Ukraine peace talks continue as the war nears its fourth year, including disputes over Kupiansk (27:59); Chile elects far-right president José Antonio Kast (32:23); the U.S. escalates pressure on Venezuela with military deployments and a partial oil blockade (33:27); and Congress passes a $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act, including a repeal of Syria’s Caesar Act and changes to Selective Service registration (41:40).

Listen to our special with Annelle Sheline on what’s going on in Yemen.

Don’t forget to listen to our Chinese Prestige miniseries.

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


Derek DavisonDerek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.


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