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Background Briefing with Ian Masters

Ian Masters
Donald Trump
CPAC
Russia
Gaza
Ukraine
Christian Nationalism
Supreme Court
Democracy
Joe Biden
Fascism
Christian Theocracy
Israel
U.S. Politics
Alexei Navalny
Putin
Russian Intelligence
Gaza War
Government Shutdown
Ukraine Aid
Vladimir Putin

Background Briefing goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard elsewhere in American media. Background Briefing features international and national news, expert guests, policymakers, and critics offering analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural, and social issues. backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.co... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes606Founded12 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Trump and Rubio Turn the Screws of Collective Punishment on the Cuban People | Rubio Makes Nice in Munich Without One Word About Ukraine | Trump Issues a Death Sentence on Our Children, Grandchildren and the Planet With His Payoff to the Fossil Fuel ... more

Today's Senate Hearing Grills a White Supremacist, Racist, Homophobic Antisemite Trump Nominated to Interact With the UN and international Organizations | Will Trump's Yearning For a Nobel Prize Overwhelm Netanyahu's Opposition to Making a Nuclear De... more

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Trump Has Finally Found His Roy Cohn in the Disgraceful and Corrupt AG Pam Bondi | The Trump and Republican Plan to Prevent a Blowout Electoral Loss in November: The SAVE Act | How to Fight the Oligarchy and Reclaim America With Positive Populism bac... more

YouTube

Trump's Demented Rant Warning Canada that China Will Terminate ALL Ice Hockey and Eliminate the Stanley Cup Suggests We are Nearing the 25th Amendment | The Heads of ICE and CBP in the Hot Seat Today Before the House Homeland Security Committee | Why... more

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Recent Guests

Desirée Cormier Smith
Co-Founder and Co-President of the Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice
Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice
Episode: February 12, 2026 - Desirée Cormier Smith | Mark Fitzpatrick | Lisa Graves
Adam Klasfeld
Editor-in-Chief at All Rise News, Senior Journalism Fellow at Just Security
All Rise News
Episode: February 11, 2026 - Adam Klasfeld | David Daley | Charles Derber
Laura Field
Associate with the Illiberal Studies Program at George Washington University
Brookings Institution
Episode: February 10, 2026 - Stephen Marche | Lindsay Koshgarian | Laura Field
Luis Martinez-Fernandez
Professor of History at the University of Central Florida, historian of Latin America and the Caribbean
University of Central Florida
Episode: February 9, 2026 - Luis Martinez-Fernandez | Reece Jones | Stephen Walt
Reece Jones
Guggenheim Fellow and Political Geographer, author of important works on immigration and borders
University of Hawaii
Episode: February 9, 2026 - Luis Martinez-Fernandez | Reece Jones | Stephen Walt
Jean Guerrero
Opinion writer at the New York Times and investigative border reporter, author of Hate Munger.
New York Times
Episode: February 1, 2026 - Jean Guerrero | Jeet Heer | Anne Nelson
Lila Hassan
Independent investigative journalist focused on extremism, human rights, and immigration
Type Investigations and Business Insider
Episode: January 29 - Bruce Fein | Nina Burleigh | Lila Hassan
Brad Carson
Co-founder and president of Americans for Responsible Innovation, former acting undersecretary of Defense.
Americans for Responsible Innovation
Episode: January 28, 2026 - Dean Baker | Brad Carson | David Faris
Dr. Jessie Daniels
Professor of Sociology at Hunter College
Hunter College of the City University of New York
Episode: January 27, 2026 - Dr. Jessie Daniels | Richard Hasen | Joshua Horwitz

Host

Ian Masters
Host with a focus on critical analysis and in-depth discussions of current events, often featuring expert guests across various fields.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 769 ratings
  • The only podcast I seek out consistently

    The discussion with Prof. Sean Wilentz on 10/26/25 distills perfectly the monstrosity we are dealing with in very clear terms and the more people who understand it, the better we will be able to overcome this moment in history.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mettaminx
    United States4 months ago
  • Appreciate you and your guests

    Please can you speak to the US accepting Afrikaners

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Melissa J83
    United States9 months ago
  • Ian Masters's Background Briefing: A show that stands apart from any other.

    As essential as any other number one news and analysis resource, this program remains at the very top of my list. A part of my daily routine, I credit Mr Masters with providing us with a detailed picture of our current affairs through a, almost daily, series of wildly diverse and highly credentialed guest interviews. I could never thank the staff of Background Briefing enough for taking me through this very difficult decade. If I ever hit the jackpot, you will know it. thank you for all of your ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Railer
    United States9 months ago
  • Often the guests have very on point analysis and commentary. This can't be said of all guests. Some seem as clueless as the relatively uninformed may be. Many are also cagey, unwilling to state ugly realities, unlike Ian.

    This is definitely a podcast for the left leaning given Ian's tendency to insert his own left leaning opinions into discussion. So some right wingers and "centrists" may not like it. However, Ian still has excellent editorial standards (like keeping to the facts) nonetheless.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    mindful86
    10 months ago
  • Good guests, I wish Ian did more interviewing and less pushing his own thesis.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    curmudgeon
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive feedback emphasizes critical analysis that goes beyond surface-level news coverage;
Listeners appreciate the in-depth discussions and expert guests that illuminate complex issues;
Many describe the show as an essential resource for understanding contemporary political and social dynamics;
Some reviewers express concerns over perceived biases in the host's questioning.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

February 12, 2026 - Desirée Cormier Smith | Mark Fitzpatrick | Lisa Graves
Q: What should be done to preserve the rule of law under the current Justice Department?
Control of Congress is vital to investigate and hold accountable those who have turned the Justice Department into a tool for political revenge.
February 12, 2026 - Desirée Cormier Smith | Mark Fitzpatrick | Lisa Graves
Q: What are your thoughts on Jeremy Carr's nomination and the implications for US representation?
It's shocking and appalling that someone with such blatant white supremacist views is being considered for a position representing the US.
February 9, 2026 - Luis Martinez-Fernandez | Reece Jones | Stephen Walt
Q: How has the Trump administration impacted U.S. foreign policy?
Stephen Walt argues that Trump's approach is driven primarily by a predatory view of international relations, disadvantaging traditional alliances.
February 9, 2026 - Luis Martinez-Fernandez | Reece Jones | Stephen Walt
Q: What insights can you provide about the violent history of the U.S. Border Patrol?
Reece Jones outlines that the border agency has a long track record of violence and low levels of training which have perpetuated systemic issues.
February 9, 2026 - Luis Martinez-Fernandez | Reece Jones | Stephen Walt
Q: What are your thoughts on the cultural significance of Bad Bunny's performance?
Luis Martinez-Fernandez emphasizes that it serves as a unifying statement for Puerto Ricans and touches on historical contexts of music as resistance.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Background Briefing

What is Background Briefing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on exploring underreported issues and providing in-depth analysis, the content is primarily centered around international and national news. It features discussions with expert guests—including scholars, journalists, and policymakers—who offer insights on a range of topics from national security to social and political issues. The unique approach of elevating lesser-known conversations is complemented by a critical examination of U.S. foreign and domestic policies, particularly regarding the actions and implications of the Trump administration. The podcast stands out for its commitment to presenting diverse perspectives and expert commentary on contemporary challenges facing society.

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How many listeners does Background Briefing get?

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What are the audience demographics for Background Briefing?

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How many subscribers and views does Background Briefing have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Background Briefing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Background Briefing:

1. Ralph Nader Radio Hour
2. The Chris Hedges Report
3. Lever Time
4. The Intercept Briefing
5. Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

How many episodes of Background Briefing are there?

Background Briefing launched 12 years ago and published 606 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Background Briefing?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Background Briefing?

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What guests have appeared on Background Briefing?

Recent guests on Background Briefing include:

1. Desirée Cormier Smith
2. Adam Klasfeld
3. Laura Field
4. Luis Martinez-Fernandez
5. Reece Jones
6. Jean Guerrero
7. Lila Hassan
8. Brad Carson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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