Tommy and Ben discuss Trump’s freeze on foreign aid and the deadly consequences of stopping programs like clearing unexploded bombing and HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, Trump’s move to revoke security details for former officials like Anthony Fauci, Mike Pompeo, and John Bolton. They also talk about Trump’s tariff threats and foreign policy bullying with the leaders of Colombia and Denmark, his call for “clearing out Gaza” and sending Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt, troubling developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, China’s DeepSeek upending assumptions about AI development, the latest from Syria, and outrage in France over a contemporary addition to the Notre Dame cathedral. Then, Tommy speaks to Peter Beinart about his new book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza, and the challenges surrounding open dialogue about issues like antisemitism and Israeli policy.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss Trump’s inauguration, the tech oligarchy that was on display, foreign leaders in attendance, some of the most damaging and far-reaching executive orders from pulling out of the Paris Climate agreement to designating Mexican cartels terrorist organizations, and nomination updates on Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Hegseth. They also talk about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and the debate over who gets credit for it in Washington DC, the continued agony of uncertainty for Israeli hostage families and civilians in Gaza, the failed TikTok ban, the arrest of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, and a story of cancel culture coming after one man’s enhancements in Italy. Then, Ben speaks to Sam Rose, Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, about the conditions on the ground and immediate humanitarian needs as the ceasefire takes effect.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense, President Biden’s final foreign policy speech, and the many global challenges Donald Trump will be inheriting on his first day in office. They also talk about the potential for a last minute ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Lebanon’s new president, far-right parties and candidates that are ascendant in Croatia, Austria, and Germany, Paul Manafort’s international comeback attempt, and the politics of naming aircraft carriers. Then, Ben speaks with Ian Bremmer, founder and president of the Eurasia Group, about the top global risks of 2025. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, South Korea’s growing political crisis after President Yoon Suk Yeol barricaded himself in his home and refused arrest, and why we should take seriously Donald Trump’s threats to use “military or economic coercion” to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. They also talk about why Elon Musk is boosting far-right parties in Germany, Canada and the UK, the Biden administration’s determination that the RSF rebel group has committed genocide in Sudan, and Biden’s partial relaxation of sanctions on Syria and 11th-hour effort to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The Pod Save The Word team is off this week, but we're excited to bring you an episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams. In this episode, Stacey speaks to Dr. Céline Gounder, an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and editor at large for public health at KFF Health News, about the threats to public health with the incoming Trump Administration. They talk through Trump’s appointees for the nation’s top health and science agencies like RFK Jr., how to bring scientific thinking back to policy making, and how to differentiate between public health and individual healthcare. Then Stacey explains how to make change by “power-mapping” an issue, finding out who is responsible for the problem, who has jurisdiction over it, and who is already thinking and talking about solutions.

Make sure you subscribe to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams wherever you get your podcasts and on Youtube, so you don’t miss an episode.

Learn & Do More:

Check out KFF Health News to get health news and read about health policy research, and sign up for their newsletters at KFF.Org/Email

Tommy and Ben discuss the latest developments out of Syria, including the rebel leadership’s promises to disband and focus on building the state, international delegations and journalists making trips to Damascus, and Israel’s bombing campaign on Syrian territory and plans to build more settlements in the Golan Heights. They also talk about trouble for some of Trump’s cabinet nominees, concessions from Hamas in ceasefire negotiations, the impeachment of South Korea’s president, a no confidence vote in Germany, trouble for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Prince Andrew’s latest misadventure. Then, Tommy speaks to PBS NewsHour special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen from Aleppo, who gives an on the ground perspective from Syria.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the latest developments in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, including the debate in Washington and European capitals about whether to talk with the new Syrian government, remove sanctions, or remove Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham’s terrorist designation. They also cover Trump’s trip to France and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump’s loyalty test for those seeking national security jobs in his new administration, whether South Korea’s president will be impeached after declaring martial law, the collapse of the French government, a court order canceling Romania’s election results, and the corruption trials of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Then Ben speaks to Dareen Khalifa, Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group, about what’s next for Syria and her insights into rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the breaking news that Bashar al-Assad has fled Syria after rebel factions took over Damascus in a stunning sweep after 13 years of Civil War. They talk about the speed with which it all happened, what could come next as Syrians decide their own fate after decades of dictatorship, and how the events will affect US policy. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law in South Korea, how Trump and his team will approach the Syrian civil war, and why Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, is so dangerous. They also talk about Trump’s nepotism hires, more troubling news reports about Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, Trump’s threats to levy tariffs on BRICS countries, UNRWA closing a crucial aid route into Gaza due to looting, a former Israeli defense minister’s declaration that Israeli is engaging in ethnic cleansing, protests in Georgia, and elections in Romania and Ireland. Finally, Tommy speaks with Natasha Hall, Senior Fellow in the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, to unpack what’s happening in Syria, who all the players are, and how we got here.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy and Ben discuss the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the latest additions to Trump’s national security team, and his threat to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China months before taking office. They also talk about the ICC arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli government sanctioning left-leaning news outlet Haaretz, Russia striking Ukraine with a missile that can carry nuclear warheads, the influence of the fossil fuel industry at COP29, new sentencing for pro-Democracy activists in Hong Kong, coup charges against Brazil’s former president, and a new draft dodging tactic out of South Korea. Then, Ben speaks to Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Malala Yousafzai, and director Sahra Mani, about their new documentary "Bread & Roses".

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.