Radio Live - Podcasts - The Foreign Report - Fmr Ambassador Joseph Manso on Why Soft Power is Important and his Global Power Rankings

Fmr Ambassador Joseph Manso on Why Soft Power is Important and his Global Power Rankings

Author: Last Podcast Network May 9, 2025 Duration: 57:21

Podcast episode

The Foreign Report

News Comedy Commentary Politics

The Foreign Report from Last Podcast Network dives into the wildest corners of global politics with sharp analysis and pitch-black humor. Each week, producer, comedian, and lawyer Seena Ghaznavi teams up with a rotating crew of journalists, experts, and policy nerds to unpack the stories shaping our world, from power struggles and propaganda wars to strange moments of competitive authoritarianism and beyond. Expect smart, irreverent commentary that cuts through official narratives, explains why today’s headlines actually matter, and still finds room to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Whether you obsess over international news or just want someone to translate the chaos into something you can argue about with friends, this podcast has you covered. Hit play, listen episodes that challenge your assumptions, and stay just informed enough to worry productively.

This week TFR welcomes former Ambassador Joseph Manso to the show to help us figure out what the hell is going on out there. We discuss his career in foreign service, his thoughts on the shifting global order, cuts to the State Department, the war in Ukraine, the potential for a new Iranian nuclear deal, and much more.

More episodes

A Red Carpet for Putin, Netanyahu Plays Coy, and JD Bakes

22.08.2025 Duration: 45:34

This week Seena and Travis dig into Trump’s red carpet roll out for Putin and his subsequent shift away from a “mere ceasefire agreement,” leaving Russia free to launch their largest offensive of the war in the following…

Episode page

War Crimes, Military Wack-A-Mole, and JD Goes Kayaking

15.08.2025 Duration: 54:44

The week Seena and Travis take a look at the Geneva Conventions– why they exist, who they’re supposed to protect, and what happens if they’re ignored (or not signed in the first place), in order to provide some context f…

Episode page

Starvation in Gaza, Elections in Japan, and JD’s Looking for Aliens

08.08.2025 Duration: 53:22

This week Seena and Travis take a look at Gaza and the stated Israeli strategy of occupation and “voluntary migration.” Seena remembers the Eggshell Plaintiff from his law school days and explains why a recent NYT correc…

Episode page

Marcus Parks on Epstein Conspiracies, Ukraine, and the End of Trump & Putin’s Situationship

01.08.2025 Duration: 1:05:57

Seena’s back! He & Travis are joined in the studio by Marcus Parks to talk all the Epstein ugliness. How did this case instigate such intense right-wing theorizing? Will the MAGA-world love for Trump stretch all the way…

Episode page

Trae Crowder on Trump, His Travels, and Meeting JD

25.07.2025 Duration: 57:54

This week, comedian and “liberal redneck” Trae Crowder joins the show to talk Trump, his appeal to Southern voters, and why certain chickens may be coming home to roost. Seena and Travis also ask him all about his most r…

Episode page

The House Is On Fire, Folks: A Conversation with Constitutional Law & Political Science Professor Corey Brettschneider

18.07.2025 Duration: 1:13:28

This week, Seena and Travis bring back Corey Brettschneider to discuss the recently completed Supreme Court term, focusing primarily on the birthright citizenship/universal injunction case and two cases dealing with reli…

Episode page

What Is Bibi’s Endgame for Iran, Plus the Big, Beautiful (Piece of Garbage) Bill

11.07.2025 Duration: 51:58

This week, Seena and Travis take a frightening look inside the mind of Bibi Netanyahu to try and figure out what his real goals are in Iran. Who is Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and why is he so cozy with Israel? Why would I…

Episode page

From Terrorist to Statesman: Who is Ahmed al-Sharaa and What is Happening in Syria?!

04.07.2025 Duration: 52:51

This week we dive deep into the Abraham Accords: what they are, why they matter, and how a former terrorist on the US most wanted list might just launch Syria to the big kids table in the Middle East. We also cover some…

Episode page

Two Policy Experts on the Iran/Israel Non-War & (Ceasefire)

27.06.2025 Duration: 1:34:12

We have a big show for you all this week as Seena is joined by Jonathan Panikoff, the Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, and Rachel Brandenburg, the Managing Director of th…

Episode page

Israel and Iran at War, Trump Sidelined, and Tucker Carlson Humiliates Ted Cruz

20.06.2025 Duration: 52:10

Marcus Parks joins Seena and Travis this week to discuss the escalating war between Iran and Israel. They dig into the context for BiBi’s decision to launch a preventative strike and project forward to where this may lea…

Episode page

Iran vs. Israel: The War Nobody Wanted | Foreign Report Bonus Episode

19.06.2025 Duration: 1:21:46

As an Iranian-American, Seena shares his emotional exhaustion and fear for what lies ahead. Seena answers questions posted to the TFR YouTube page. This episode features insightful interviews with experts like Ambassador…

Episode page

Trump, Protests, and an Empire in Decline

13.06.2025 Duration: 58:46

*Note - this podcast was recorded before Israel’s attack on Iran This week Seena and Travis walk through the timeline of Trump’s decision to send the National Guard, and later the Marines, to Los Angeles, in response to…

Episode page

The Baba Yaga Strikes Back, Elon and Trump Beef, and JD Vance Can't Stop Losing

06.06.2025 Duration: 53:51

This week Ukraine goes big and blasts open the door to a whole new type of warfare. Not generally something we'd celebrate but the Baba Yaga demands respect. Seena and Travis go deep and break down why this drone attack…

Episode page

Michael Albertus on Land Power, Climate Change, and Trump’s Claims of White Genocide

30.05.2025 Duration: 1:03:48

This week Seena welcomes Michael Albertus, professor at the University of Chicago and author of Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies to discuss how land ownership infiltrates…

Episode page

Marcus Parks on Trump Unmasking America and the Great (?) Middle East Realignment

23.05.2025 Duration: 1:10:00

This week we had to bring Marcus Parks back to help us wrap our brains around the unthinkable. Could Trump’s upsetting of the Middle East apple cart, reordering alliances, and embracing autocracies somehow be a good thin…

Episode page