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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
Ukraine Aid
Government Shutdown
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 Targets Venezuela's Oil, Intensifying Pressure on Maduro | Why Are Trump and Vance Trashing a "Decaying" Europe When They Have a Better Quality of Life Than We Do? | The Vexed Relationship Between the U.S. and Iran With a Hostility That Has Las... more

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Will the Anti-Capitalist Gen Z Left Which Has Energized the Democrats Dominate American Politics in the Future? | The Bill Introduced Today for Rank Choice Voting in House and Senate Primaries and General Elections | Will the Release of Records From ... more

YouTube

Trump Says Maduro's Days Are Numbered at War Against Venezuela Could Break Out at Any Time | The Ellison's Have Promised Trump They Will Revamp CNN to Trump's Liking | Australia's Social Media Ban and How the "Tech Left" Can Mobilize Against Techno-U... more

YouTube

Trump's Billionaire Buddy Launches a Hostile Takeover To Create a Trump-Friendly Media Giant | Zelensky Meets with Europe's Leaders Alarmed by Trump's New National Security Strategy | How Do the Democrats Take Back the House in the Face of a Partisan... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Mike Pepi
Technologist and author focused on the intersection between culture and the internet, promotes progressive use of technology.
Episode: December 9, 2025 - William LeoGrande | Victor Pickard | Mike Pepi
Jordan Schwartz
Student at Harvard University and chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project, involved in the Harvard Vote Challenge.
Harvard University
Episode: December 7, 2025 - Rachel VanLandingham | Lydia Camarillo | Jordan Schwartz | Lisa Graves
Mstyslav Chernov
Ukrainian photojournalist and war correspondent known for his coverage of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the siege of Mariupol.
Associated Press
Episode: December 4, 2025 - David Broder | Mstyslav Chernov | Casey Michel
David Broder
Historian of the Italian far-right, regular contributor to the New Statesman, and Europe editor of Jacobin.
Episode: December 4, 2025 - David Broder | Mstyslav Chernov | Casey Michel
Thomas Nichols
Professor Emeritus of National Security Affairs at the United States Naval War College.
The Atlantic
Episode: December 2, 2025 - Tom Nichols | Jonathan Metzl | William Hartung
Alejandro Velasco
Associate Dean and Associate Professor at New York University, a historian of modern Latin America focusing on social movements, urban culture, and democratization.
New York University
Episode: December 1, 2025 - Alejandro Velasco | Alex Lawson | Sidney Blumenthal
Jackie Mitchell
Political data analyst at Open Secrets with extensive experience in ballot measures and campaign finance.
Open Secrets
Episode: November 27, 2025 - Richard Parker | Jackie Mitchell | Brian Holmes
Brian Holmes
Cultural critic and activist, co-founder of Watershed Art and Ecology.
Watershed Art and Ecology
Episode: November 27, 2025 - Richard Parker | Jackie Mitchell | Brian Holmes
Julia Loktev
Russian-American film director, screenwriter, and video artist
Episode: November 26, 2025 - Adele Stan | Julia Loktev

Host

Ian Masters
Host of a news analysis series, bringing expert insights into national and international issues.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 756 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 States2 months ago
  • Appreciate you and your guests

    Please can you speak to the US accepting Afrikaners

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Melissa J83
    United States7 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 States7 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
    8 months ago
  • Good guests, I wish Ian did more interviewing and less pushing his own thesis.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    curmudgeon
    9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some appreciate the blend of political critique and informative discourse, while others express concerns over perceived biases.
The host's ability to engage with guests and foster discussions on complex issues is highlighted positively by the audience.
Listeners praise the in-depth analysis and diverse array of expert guests, finding it essential for understanding current events.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

December 2, 2025 - Tom Nichols | Jonathan Metzl | William Hartung
Q: What implications do you see if the Democrats lose the Tennessee Special Election?
It would signal trouble for Speaker Johnson and possibly shift power dynamics in Congress.
December 2, 2025 - Tom Nichols | Jonathan Metzl | William Hartung
Q: Do you think there's a link between Trump's rhetoric and the actions of his administration?
Yes, the overly aggressive response indicates deeper issues at play.
December 4, 2025 - David Broder | Mstyslav Chernov | Casey Michel
Q: Is there a money trail connected to the pardons Trump has granted?
Yes, there is a clear relationship between money and power, particularly in how it correlates to Trump's decisions and pardons.
December 4, 2025 - David Broder | Mstyslav Chernov | Casey Michel
Q: What do you believe is happening in terms of the public's support for Ukraine?
There is a disconnect; public interest in foreign conflicts often fades, but the threat persists.
December 4, 2025 - David Broder | Mstyslav Chernov | Casey Michel
Q: What could happen if Russia succeeds and destroys Ukraine?
It will take over military technologies unmatched in the world, making Russia a dangerous power.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Background Briefing

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

Utilizing a robust mix of expert guests and critical analysis, the content often focuses on pressing political, social, and economic issues both domestically and internationally. Key topics frequently include the implications of the Trump administration's policies, critiques of media practices, international relations, and the intertwining of technology with modern political discourse. With an emphasis on providing thoughtful insights, the discussions aim to promote understanding of complex and often controversial subjects, presenting a range of voices from various fields such as economics, law, and political advocacy. This podcast appears to be particularly suited for listeners seeking in-depth discussions that challenge mainstream narrati... more

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How many listeners does Background Briefing get?

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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 Hartmann Report
3. Talking Feds
4. The Al Franken Podcast
5. The DSR Network

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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Background Briefing?

Recent guests on Background Briefing include:

1. Mike Pepi
2. Jordan Schwartz
3. Mstyslav Chernov
4. David Broder
5. Thomas Nichols
6. Alejandro Velasco
7. Jackie Mitchell
8. Brian Holmes

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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