Is Donald Trump Creating the Conditions for Another World War?

Is Donald Trump Creating the Conditions for Another World War?

Author: The New Yorker January 9, 2026 Duration: 43:54
The Washington Roundtable discusses Donald Trump’s use of force in Venezuela, his desire to take over Greenland, and the historical echoes of the Administration’s new imperialist projects. The panel also considers Trump’s brand of “narcissistic unilateralism” and the increased risks of global conflict when foreign policy is based on one man’s whims. “Donald Trump wants to write his name into history,” the staff writer Susan B. Glasser says. “He wants every single person in the world to have to exchange their map for one of the United States that looks different, that looks bigger, and that everybody for all eternity will say, ‘Donald Trump did this.’ ”  This week’s reading: “Why Donald Trump Wants Greenland (and Everything Else),” by Susan B. Glasser “Minneapolis Grieves, Again,” by E. Tammy Kim “Mr. Mamdani’s (New) Neighborhood,” by Molly Fischer “The Aggressive Ambitions of Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine,’ ” by Robin Wright  “What Will Become of Venezuela’s Political Prisoners?,” by Stephania Taladrid “J. D. Vance’s Notable Absence on Venezuela,” by Benjamin Wallace-Wells “The Dramatic Arraignment of Nicolás Maduro,” by Cristian Farias “The Former Trump Skeptics Getting Behind His War in Venezuela,” by Isaac Chotiner “Jack Smith’s Closing Argument,” by Ruth Marcus “Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Big Breakup,” by Charles Bethea  The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week.  Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts.

Each week, The Political Scene | The New Yorker brings the magazine’s signature depth and clarity directly to your ears. This isn’t just a recap of headlines; it’s a sustained conversation with the people who spend their days investigating the forces shaping our world. You’ll hear from the publication’s own writers and editors, whose reporting and analysis provide essential context for understanding today’s complex political landscape. The rhythm of the week structures these discussions: Mondays feature editor David Remnick in thoughtful conversations and narratives about unfolding events. Then, on Wednesdays, senior editor Tyler Foggatt selects one consequential story and explores it thoroughly through interviews with both New Yorker staff and leading outside voices. Fridays round out the week with contributions from the magazine’s staff writers, offering their distinct perspectives. Tuning into this podcast means getting behind the scenes of the journalism itself, listening as sharp minds dissect power, policy, and the human stories at the heart of it all. It’s for anyone who wants to move beyond the noise and find a more nuanced, informed take on American politics and global affairs.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Political Scene | The New Yorker
Podcast Episodes
What Pro Wrestling Taught Linda McMahon About Politics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:19
The New Yorker staff writer Zach Helfand joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss his Profile of Linda McMahon, the Secretary of Education. They talk about the sweeping layoffs and downsizing at the Department of Education during…
A Genocide Scholar Asks “What Went Wrong” in Israel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:47
Omer Bartov is an Israeli professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University. He grew up in a Zionist home and served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, but he has long been concerned about Israel’s…
Corruption Toppled Viktor Orbán. Could Donald Trump Be Next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:23
The Washington Roundtable discusses how the anti-corruption candidate Péter Magyar brought down Hungary's autocratic Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, and what implications that victory holds for the far-right movements arou…
Is Zohran Mamdani’s “Sewer Socialism” Resonating? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:11
The New Yorker staff writer Molly Fischer joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss Zohran Mamdani’s first hundred days as mayor of New York. They talk about how Mamdani has carried his highly disciplined, media-forward messaging s…
Sam Altman’s Trust Issues at OpenAI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:10
At the end of February, OpenAI’s C.E.O., Sam Altman, made headlines by swiftly cutting a deal with the Pentagon for his company to replace Anthropic, which had balked at the Trump Administration’s bid to use its A.I. tec…
Will J. D. Vance Inherit MAGA? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:49
The Washington Roundtable discusses Vice-President J. D. Vance’s week on the world stage: stumping for the Kremlin-aligned Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orbán and being tasked with leading American negotiations in Pakistan t…
Pam Bondi Fails to Make Her Case [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:51
The New Yorker contributing writer Ruth Marcus joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss Pam Bondi’s removal from her post as Attorney General. They examine the series of missteps and failures that led to her firing—from her contin…
The Art of No Deal: Trump’s Approach to the Iran War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:33
The Washington Roundtable discusses Donald Trump’s address on the Iran war and the playbook that has defined his career in business and politics when confronted with a crisis: escalate and blame others. The panel discuss…