What the Hell Is Going On

What the Hell Is Going On

By AEI Podcasts

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.

04/23/26

WTH Is Going On In Lebanon? Ambassador David Hale Explains.

On the eve of talks in Washington between leaders in Lebanon and Israel, Beirut has signaled a push to extend the 10-day, U.S.-mediated ceasefire set to expire this Sunday. The ongoing conflict with Iran has put its proxies’ regional struggles into tRead more

04/16/26

WTH: The Iran Blockade? Miad Maleki Explains.

One week after claims of an "Iranian victory", with Tehran supposedly leveraging the Strait of Hormuz and outmaneuvering Donald Trump, the narrative has shifted. U.S. and allied naval forces have applied sustained pressure, effectively constraining IRead more

04/10/26

WTH Is Going On With NATO? Secretary General Mark Rutte Explains.

Against the backdrop of Operation Epic Fury and President Trump’s frustration with military support from NATO allies, Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Washington to discuss the alliance’s evolving burden sharing. Moving away from American codepenRead more

04/02/26

WTH: The Mythical MAGA Split on Iran. Kristen Soltis Anderson Explains.

The story from mainstream media is that the core of MAGA is "split" on the war with Iran, strikes in Venezuela, the Houthis, and other Trump 2.0 international policies. This supposed "MAGA schism" over foreign policy challenges Trump's coalition of ARead more

03/30/26

WTH Is Next in Iran? Israeli Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter Explains.

Operation Roaring Lion, now in its fourth week, has been a striking display of military coordination between the United States and Israel. Building on the success of decapitating Iran’s senior leadership, crippling its navy, and degrading its abilityRead more

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