Shield of the Republic

Eric runs through the week’s jackassery & corruption nominees including CBS’ 60 Minutes, White House Counsel Will Scharf & Attorney General Todd Blanche, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, The U.S. House of Representatives, and perennial candidates Jared Kushner & Steve Witkoff. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe

Eric and Eliot joined the 2026 George Washington Symposium for a conversation about the first president’s foreign policy moderated by Executive Director of the Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, and friend of the podcast, Lindsay Chervinsky.0:35: Foreign Policy During Washington’s Early Career11:48: President Washington’s Constraints15:27: The Neutrality Crisis26:41: Washington’s Farewell Address40:58: How Important is Travel in Foreign Policy?47:33: Effective Modern Decision Makers This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe

Plus the impeachment of Pete Hegseth, and more on a special midterm edition of Shield!2:27: Jackassery of the Week7:28: Unpacking the Midterms19:30: What Comes Next?36:43: Knives Out for Hegseth42:06: Risks for the Democrats This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe

Plus a report from Israel, election analysis, and more in a special Friday primetime Shield!1:40: Jackassery of the Week11:08: Annals of Corruption14:40: Updates on Venezuela21:08: Marco Rubio’s Aspirations23:42: President Pete?25:52: A Trip Report From Israel37:42: Interpreting the Israeli Election Results47:27: What’s Next in the Iran War?Eric’s Latest Hot Take on Venezuela:https://www.shieldoftherepublic.com/p/erics-hot-take-acfEric’s Latest Hot Take on France:https://www.shieldoftherepublic.com/p/erics-hot-take-640 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe

Eric dives into Jackassery of the Week & Annals of Corruption ahead of a full-length episode this Friday! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe

Plus updates on Ukraine, riots in France, and special guest Katrina Manson!1:06: Jackassery of the Week3:58: Annals of Corruption6:51: Ukraine War Updates22:54: Trump Endorses Bibi29:04: Untangling the French Riots---37:43: Katrina Manson on Project MavenProject Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfarehttps://a.co/d/0dWdDvHC This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe

Plus a new recurring segment, a German spy scandal, and much more on this week’s super-sized show:2:00: Jackassery of the Week14:52: Annals of Corruption20:36: A Dark & Immoral Spectacle25:52: Burn After Reading29:28: France’s Student Fracas35:39: War in Ukraine Update39:37: Middle East Wars Update45:02: Ethiopia Continues to Spiral---49:15: Discussing THE STRATEGIST: How to Think About War & PoliticsPaid Shield of the Republic subscribers can take 30% off when ordering THE STRATEGIST from Princeton University Press!https://www.shieldoftherepublic.com/p/special-offer-30-off-eliots-upcomingThe Strategist: How to Think About War & Politicshttps://a.co/d/06Omof4b This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe

Eric and Eliot react to Trump announcing the U.S. purchase of Russian diesel in a special emergency episode This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.comEric and Eliot return for another round of your questions! What would convince Putin he’s losing his war? Did the U.S. have any alternative to invading Afghanistan? That and more in this month's mailbag!As a reminder, for just $5 a month, paid subscribers gain access to mailbags, hot takes, book reviews, and more!

Plus jackassery of the week, the U.S. withdraws from Iraq, and more!1:20: Jackassery of the Week19:35: New Operation Rough Rider Details Emerge26:23: Saudi Offensive in Yemen38:12: U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq52:58: Ethiopian Conflict Update This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.shieldoftherepublic.com/subscribe