What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

After more than 140 episodes, Jeremy Stern is stepping down as co-host, and Hudson's Bill Drexel takes his place.

This week, Walter and Bill discuss the Houthis' widening missile war on Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon's plan to livestream a military execution, the fall of Kimberly Guilfoyle, and why President Trump's shock-and-awe foreign policy shows no sign of slowing down. A Houthi missile hit Saudi Aramco's headquarters days after a deadly strike on Riyadh's airport, and The Wall Street Journal reports that the group is building an advanced missile with Chinese parts.

Back home, the Catholic archbishop for the military condemned the plan to stream Nidal Hasan's firing-squad execution, and Guilfoyle resigned as ambassador to Greece after reports that she asked a donor to pay her credit card bill.

In the big conversation, Walter expands on his latest Journal column, "Russia, Iran and Trump's Shock-and-Awe Foreign Policy," and the tip of the week asks which president left the biggest physical mark on Washington.

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This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the success of US sanctions on Iran, America's expanding budget deficit, China's destruction of the EU's economy, and why 2026 is proving to be a bad year for incumbent political leaders.

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This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the final US withdrawal from Iraq, the bipartisan consensus to allow Congressional insider trading, Russia’s nuclear threats over Kaliningrad, and China’s efforts in AI and the US

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This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the three grand narratives shaping world history. The episode was recorded live on September 23 in front of an audience at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC.

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This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Flock camera debate, Canada's prospects for joining the EU, America's weaponization of outer space, and why geopolitical competition with China is going to make American higher ed more patriotic.

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This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the AfD's victory in Eastern Germany, the breakdown of global shipping, trouble on the Chinese internet, and the impact on American society and foreign policy of 9/11.

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This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Trump's reasons for optimism in Iran, the responsibility voters bear for the quality of their elites, and the greatness of Dolly Parton.

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This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss challenges to Zelensky's power, the Pentagon's ultimatum to US universities with ties to China, the Turkish-Israeli standoff in Syria, and the fate of China's Christians.

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This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Abdul El-Sayed's primary victory in Michigan, updates from the Persian Gulf, New York rabbis' meeting with Mayor Mamdani, and the global backlash to immigration.

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Walter and Jeremy are on the road this week, so please enjoy Walter's recent appearance at the Aspen Ideas Festival.

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