x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Stephen Zunes Podcast

I am Professor of Politics, University of San Francisco. I write on US politics and the Middle East. stephenzunes962006.substack.com

news politics

All Episodes

12:07

This Isn’t Just Trump’s War on Iran. Both Parties...

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2026/04/18

First published in Truthout, April 17, 2026. Read by Greg BatesUnlike the invasion of Iraq, which received the support of a sizable minority of congressional Democrats, Donald Trump’s war on Iran has received near-universal criticism. Still, the party has focused primarily on process-style critiques — such as the legality of declaring the war under the Constitution and the war’s economic impact — rather than the humanitarian consequences and flagrant violations of international law.That should not

en

7:07

Trump’s Disastrous War of Choice in Iran

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2026/04/12

First published in The Progressive, April 10, 2026. Read by Greg Bates. t is difficult, as of this writing, to speculate as to whether a genuine ceasefire in the war with Iran will take hold, even temporarily. Under previous U.S. presidential administrations, it was easier to make predictions, even when foreign policy decisions were based on faulty assumptions, since there was at least some sense that decision making would be based on strategic thinking.Not so under President Donald Trump, who has

en

10:21

The United States Cannot ‘Win’ a War on Iran

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2026/04/05

First published in The Progressive Magazine, April 3, 2026. Written by Stephen Zunes, Read by Greg Bates.Iran certainly cannot win a war in the face of the massive U.S. and Israeli onslaught. As recent weeks have shown, however, it can still prevent the United States from winning.In a new form of asymmetrical warfare, Iran has proven itself capable of wreaking havoc on the global economy to punish the United States and Israel for its aggression.President Donald Trump is a bully. Whether with women

en

12:54

What Are the Trump Administration’s True Objectives...

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2026/03/05

First published in Truthout, March 4, 2026.The ramifications of the escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran remain to be seen, but they will not be good. Indeed, as with the U.S.-led war on Iraq, the war on Iran could prove disastrous. It is important to understand, therefore, what would motivate the United States to launch such a reckless, illegal, and destructive action.Not surprisingly, most of President Donald Trump’s justifications for the war are demonstrably false:First of all, there is no

en

16:09

THE IRANIAN PROTESTS EXPLAINED

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2026/02/07

By Daniel FalconeFirst published in Foreign Piolicy in Focus, January 28, 2026In this interview, international relations scholar Stephen Zunes and Middle East historian Lawrence Davidson help to unpack the Iranian protests and explain their relevance within the context of U.S. and Israeli national interests.Daniel Falcone: Jeffrey St. Clair of CounterPunch, recently cited filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s insistence that change in Iran must come from the will of the people, not from outside intervention. As

en

4:30

BBC Interview on Trump's "Board of Peace" for Gaza

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2026/01/20

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

8:59

The Real Reason Trump Invaded Venezuela

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2026/01/11

First published in The Progressive, Janury 6, 2026. Read by Greg Bates.The U.S. attack on Venezuela resulted from having an incredibly corrupt and autocratic-minded President using his office to enrich himself and his supporters, deploying the country’s armed forces against his own citizens, abusing the justice system to punish political opponents, and manipulating the electoral process to try to stay in power.Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has engaged in similar behavior as well.While there is

en

6:25

A Peace Prize for Trump the Militarist?

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/11/26

First published in The Nation November 25, 2025TranscriptAs US forces continue to engage in illegal attacks on boats in the Caribbean and with the growing threat of direct US military intervention in Venezuela, you might be wondering, “What happened to Trump’s promises to avoid foreign military entanglements?”In reality, Trump was never the anti-interventionist he claimed to be.When running for president in 2016, Trump gained support from swing voters, possibly in sufficient numbers to win the

en

9:28

Nancy Pelosi’s Dismal Record on Israel and Palestine

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/11/21

First published in The Progressive, November 20, 2025. Also available on the Stephen Zunes Podcast.TranscriptThere is much to admire about U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who recently announced her plan to retire in 2027 after thirty-nine years in office, including her progressive domestic agenda, superb legislative skills, and groundbreaking role as the first female Congressional leader. But we must also remember that her unwavering support for successive, rightwing Israeli governments

en

6:47

Has Trump Finally Ended Western Sahara’s Dream of...

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/11/19

First published in The Nation, November 13, 2025. Read by Greg Bates. Also available as a podcast.TranscriptOn October 31, the United States successfully pushed a resolution (UNSC 2797) through the United Nations Security Council largely endorsing a dubious “autonomy” proposal by Morocco which would recognize its takeover of the nation of Western Sahara. The kingdom, with US support, seized that former Spanish colony by force in 1975 in defiance of virtually the entire international community.The

en

7:07

The International Community is Pushing for...

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/10/29

First published in The Progressive, October 8, 2025. Read by Greg Bates. A text is available at the Stephen Zunes substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

10:05

A Shaky Ceasefire Is Better Than An Ongoing Genocide

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/10/25

First published in The Progressive, October 16, 2025. Read by Greg Bates. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

6:44

Democratic Leadership Still Hasn’t Caught Up to the...

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/09/05

Also available as text on the Stephen Zunes Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

12:29

Bipartisan US Push Tries to Label Democratic African...

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/08/04

A text version is available at the Stephen Zunes Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

7:04

316 Trump’s Plan for Gaza Expulsion is Rooted in...

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/07/27

This is also available as a text on the Stephen Zunes Substack. Get full access to Stephen Zunes at stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

24:28

317 By Rejecting Evidence of Genocide in Gaza, the US...

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/07/20

First published in New Lines Magazine, February 14, 2025. Text available on the Stephen Zunes Substack. Get full access to Stephen Zunes at stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

7:02

318 A Long Legacy of Hypocrisy on Occupations

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/07/15

Originally published in The Progressive March 6, 2025. Read by Greg Bates Get full access to Stephen Zunes at stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

4:57

Panetta’s false charges of terrorism make no sense

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/07/14

This audio version of an op-ed that was first published inthe Santa Cruz Sentinel can also be read by subscribing to the free Stephen Zunes substack. Get full access to Stephen Zunes at stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

7:47

319 The Silence of the Dems

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/07/11

Originally published in The Progressive, April 11 2025. Read by Greg BatesOn March 15, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz informed fellow Trump Administration officials through their now-infamous Signal chat that a U.S. missile attack had resulted in the collapse of an apartment building filled with Yemeni civilians. Vice President J.D. Vance replied, “Excellent.” Get full access to Stephen Zunes at stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

46:52

The Strategic Functions of US Aid to Israel (from 1996)

Stephen Zunes Podcast ·

2025/07/09

First published in Middle East Policy, Volume. 4, Issue 4, October 1996Note from Greg: This article, first published nearly 40 years ago, provides both the history of US aid to Israel and illuminates the essential continuities that have persisted and continue today. Get full access to Stephen Zunes at stephenzunes962006.substack.com/subscribe

en

24 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci