Iran Contra: Episode 2 - Trade Secrets

Iran Contra: Episode 2 - Trade Secrets

Author: Pushkin Industries April 7, 2025 Duration: 48:12

How the Reagan administration landed in a hostage crisis…and extended a hand to one of America’s sworn enemies.

For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics


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In Fiasco, a production of Pushkin Industries, host Leon Neyfakh doesn't just recount history-he reconstructs it, placing you inside the tense rooms and critical moments where things went wrong. Each season of this podcast meticulously examines a different political or governmental disaster, moving beyond the headlines to reveal the human decisions, bureaucratic failures, and unforeseen consequences that defined these events. The result is a gripping narrative that feels both immediate and deeply researched. You'll hear how the 2012 attack in Benghazi, which killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans, ignited a political firestorm that reshaped American diplomacy and partisan combat. Neyfakh's storytelling illuminates how these crises are born and how their echoes shape our present. For anyone fascinated by the messy intersection of power, history, and human error, this is an essential listen. The podcast turns complex history into compelling audio, revealing the often-overlooked details that explain why we live with the aftermath of these fiascos today.
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