The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

1. 1
   Number 1: Life in Iran after six months of war

   It has been six months since the U.S. and Israel launched a war in Iran. And the effects of the conflict can be felt in the United States in higher fuel prices and extended deployments for some members of the military. In Iran, the war is felt more acutely. Economic exhaustion and an atmosphere of fear have left virtually no part of Iranian existence untouched. Civilians have had to adapt an intensifying wave of state repression and a collapsing domestic economy. We hear from people inside Iran to understand what their lives are like. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

   August 28, 2026·6min
   Play
2. 2
   Number 2: Will the U.S. really control Venezuelan oil?

   The U.S. and Venezuela say they have entered into a partnership that would give the U.S. majority control of more that 65 billion barrels worth of oil reserves. President Trump hopes to lower energy costs in the U.S., Venezuela’s leaders hope to bring investment and keep the unpopular U.S.-backed interim president in power. But given the U.S. oil industry’s past experiences in Venezuela, it’s not clear when, or if, that oil gets to U.S. gas pumps. And it was a weekend of violence in the Israeli Occupied West Bank, with multiple assaults on Palestinians reported and one on a U.S. news crew. The attacks by Israeli settlers were condemned by both Israeli and U.S. officials, but no arrests were made. We go to the West Bank. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

   August 31, 2026·9min
   Play
3. 3
   Number 3: How Israeli and American attitudes towards each other have changed

   Since the October 7th, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, much has happened with the U.S.’s key ally in the Middle East. Israel launched an invasion of Gaza and then Lebanon. The U.S. and Israel launched a war in Iran. So, how do Americans feel about Israel now? And vice versa? Four years ago, 67 percent of Americans had a favorable view of Israelis, according to Pew Research Center. Last month, that number was 52 percent. To get beyond the numbers, we hear how Americans and Israelis talk about each other in Washington and Jerusalem. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

   August 27, 2026·5min
   Play
4. 4
   Number 4: Are U.S. embassies in the Middle East weakened?

   After the U.S. and Israel launched the war in Iran, and Iran responded by attacking U.S. targets in the region, hundreds of U.S. diplomats were evacuated from embassies in Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and half a dozen other countries. Some of those embassy staff may start returning to their posts soon, however the State Department is still limiting the number of personnel in the Middle East as the war in Iran drags on. NPR’s Diplomatic Correspondent tells us what that reduced presence means for U.S. interests. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

   August 21, 2026·5min
   Play
5. 5
   Number 5: Will the Trump Administration’s latest economic pressure on Iran work?

   U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new pressure on Iran Monday, that the administration is calling an “economic D-Day”. Almost six months after the U.S. and Israel launched the conflict in Iran, this so-called Operation Economic Outcast aims to marginalize the country even further. It includes measures to impose sanctions on any country or entity that deals with the the government in Tehran. We hear from NPR’s diplomatic and White House correspondents on what the sanctions hope to accomplish in the conflict. And from an Iran expert on how that country’s leadership might respond. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

   August 24, 2026·12min
   Play