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What the Hell Is Going On

AEI Podcasts
Joe Biden
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Ukraine
Israel
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The American Enterprise Institute’s Danielle Pletka and Marc Thiessen address the questions we’re all asking in their podcast, “What the Hell Is Going On?” In conversational, informative and irreverent episodes, Pletka and Thiessen interview policymakers and experts, asking tough, probing questions about the most important foreign policy and security challenges facing the world today.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes200Founded7 years ago
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GovernmentNewsPolitics

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Latest Episodes

With regime change brewing in Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran, and the Russian war of attrition still marching on, Cold War déjà vu shapes our understanding of what happens when regimes do fall and offers a hopeful conclusion. Former Soviet states that hav... more

The so-called “pro-Israel lobby” in Washington, D.C., has long been a target for antisemites and for fringe voices on both sides of the aisle. Contrary to conventional wisdom, however, support for Israel in the United States is not a predominantly Je... more

The world is watching as protests rage across Iran amid nationwide internet blackouts, state-sponsored propaganda, and lethal security force crackdowns. Despite reports suggesting that hundreds, possibly thousands, have been killed at the time of thi... more

For many Americans, Operation Absolute Resolve, which brought Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro to trial in New York, was an unexpected New Year’s surprise. For others who have endured the corruption of his regime and watched as American adversaries... more

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Recent Guests

Michael Tory
Co-founder and chairman of the financial advisory firm Ondra Partners
Ondra Partners
Episode: WTH Can’t Putin Afford to Fail in Ukraine? Michael Tory Explains How He Will.
Ralph Reed
Founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, and chairman and CEO of Century Strategy.
Faith and Freedom Coalition
Episode: WTH Is Christian Zionism? Ralph Reed Has the Gospel.
Michael Rubin
Senior fellow at AEI, specializing in Iran and the broader Middle East.
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: WTH Is Going On In Iran? Michael Rubin Explains.
Roger Noriega
Former ambassador to the OAS and former assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs
Vision Americas LLC
Episode: WTH Is Next For Venezuela? Roger Noriega Explains.
Gordon Wood
Emeritus Professor of History at Brown University and renowned historian.
Brown University
Episode: WTH: America 250 Begins! With Professor Gordon Wood.
Kori Schake
Senior Fellow, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at AEI and author.
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: WTH Is Going On With Civilian Control of the Military? Kori Schake Explains.
Norbert Michel
Vice President and Director of the Cato Institute Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives.
Cato Institute
Episode: WTH Does Gen Z Think Life Sucks? Norbert Michel Explains.
David Shedd
Former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Episode: WTH Are We Letting China Steal All Our Secrets? David Shedd Explains.
Scott Lincicome
VP for General Economics at the Cato Institute and lecturer at Duke University Law School.
Cato Institute
Episode: WTH Is Going on With Trump's China Deal? Scott Lincicome Explains.

Hosts

Danielle Pletka
Co-host, commentator on national security and foreign policy issues.
Marc Thiessen
Co-host, commentator on national security and foreign policy issues.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 737 ratings
  • Very informing

    Great guest today with insight on Venezuela and foreign policy in general . Guests such as this will keep you in the rotation, despite Pletka’s brain dead anti Trump mewlings

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JWtwobeagles1
    Canadaa month ago
  • Superior material

    I love this podcast and it has become one of my favorites. I lead a constitutional conservative forum in my community and this podcast has inspired and informed material that I have used. Please keep up the great work, including interviews and conversations. You may not know it, but you’re helping me out!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GeoConservative
    United Statesa month ago
  • Well done

    I listen to every episode

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PilotBillFromTexas
    United States2 months ago
  • Pletka is Awful

    Marc is fantastic and the only reason I listen to this show at all is because of him. Pletka is pretentious and utterly off putting. I often just delete the show because I don't want to listen to her arrogance. She even thinks hard-working taxpayers should pay for NPR. Put a decent person in her place and I will listen every day.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Marines of 75
    United States4 months ago
  • Embarrassingly biased

    Pathetic pandering. Genocide denialism is their new low.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Kronos Employee
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Criticism often centers around the hosts' personalities, with some finding them polarizing or overly smug in their presentation.
The blend of humor and serious analysis is noted positively, with many valuing the insightful guest appearances and topic depth.
Listeners appreciate the informative and critical discussions but express concerns about perceived biases in the hosts' attitudes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#228
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#161
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#24
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#98
Ukraine/News
Apple Podcasts
#168
Sweden/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#200
India/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

WTH Can’t Putin Afford to Fail in Ukraine? Michael Tory Explains How He Will.
Q: What does this mean for the prospects of peace?
The end of the war could lead to rapid economic growth in Ukraine, which Putin would want to avoid as it poses a threat to his regime.
WTH Can’t Putin Afford to Fail in Ukraine? Michael Tory Explains How He Will.
Q: What is the root cause of Russia's invasion of Ukraine according to your analysis?
The real root cause is not NATO or ideology, but rather the economic disparity that Putin fears will be highlighted if Ukraine becomes prosperous.
WTH: America 250 Begins! With Professor Gordon Wood.
Q: Why is America considered a creedal nation?
America is defined not by ethnicity but by shared ideals like liberty and equality as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
WTH Is Going On With Civilian Control of the Military? Kori Schake Explains.
Q: How has the U.S. military been a bulwark of democracy for 250 years?
Kori explains that it is due to the example set by George Washington and the distrust the founders had for a standing army.
WTH Do MAGA Republicans Think on Foreign Policy? Roger Zakheim Explains.
Q: What are the top lines from the new poll regarding American views on foreign policy?
The American people want a strong military, support for allies, and leading with strength in the world.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About What the Hell Is Going On

What is What the Hell Is Going On about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A comprehensive examination of the most pressing foreign policy and national security issues defines the content. The conversations facilitated by the hosts often feature interviews with policymakers and experts, resulting in informative discussions that blend serious analysis with a conversational tone. Topics include military engagements, trade policies, the dynamics of U.S.-China relations, and sociopolitical shifts in America and abroad, with a particular focus on the implications of these issues for various global contexts. The engaging format and the hosts' knack for addressing complex questions make this a noteworthy choice for listeners interested in current events and political discourse.

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Which podcasts are similar to What the Hell Is Going On?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What the Hell Is Going On:

1. The Commentary Magazine Podcast
2. The McCarthy Report
3. The Editors
4. The Ricochet Podcast
5. 3 Martini Lunch – Political Humor & Commentary

How many episodes of What the Hell Is Going On are there?

What the Hell Is Going On launched 7 years ago and published 200 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on What the Hell Is Going On?

Recent guests on What the Hell Is Going On include:

1. Michael Tory
2. Ralph Reed
3. Michael Rubin
4. Roger Noriega
5. Gordon Wood
6. Kori Schake
7. Norbert Michel
8. David Shedd

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