Ben Rhodes

Mentioned in 14 analyzed podcast episodes across 8 shows

Former Obama administration official serving as co-host on Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, where he provides analysis on foreign policy and national security issues. Frequently appears as a commentator on major news networks discussing Trump administration policies, particularly regarding Iran, military escalation, and national security strategy. Also contributes to The New York Times as a columnist on foreign policy and homeland security matters.

Appears On

Deadline: White House Armstrong & Getty On Demand Letters from an American Pod Save the World Pod Save America O'Connor & Company All In with Chris Hayes The Opinions

Episode Appearances

Deadline: White House · Apr 16, 2026

“Is Trump... all there?”

“Analyzed Trump's foreign policy recklessness, international coalition dynamics, and Republican Party fear-based capitulation”

Presidential Mental Fitness and Constitutional RemovalIran War Economic Impact and Gas Price InflationConsumer Confidence and Sentiment Deterioration

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Armstrong & Getty On Demand · Apr 16, 2026

Too Many Ks!

“Quoted discussing media manipulation of reporters lacking substantive knowledge of policy issues”

U.S. Naval Blockade of IranStrait of Hormuz Strategic ControlIRGC Military Miscalculation

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Letters from an American · Apr 8, 2026

Trump’s Mad and Desperate Threats

“Analyzed ceasefire outcome as catastrophic for U.S. despite claimed victory; detailed costs of war”

Iran-U.S. Military Conflict and Ceasefire NegotiationsStrait of Hormuz Closure and Global Oil Supply Chain DisruptionPresidential War Powers and Congressional Authorization

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Pod Save the World · Apr 8, 2026

Trump Threatens Genocide

“Co-host of Pod Save the World; provides foreign policy expertise and moral analysis of genocide threats”

Iran War Escalation and Genocide ThreatsNetanyahu's Role in Pushing Trump to WarStrait of Hormuz Closure and Global Energy Crisis

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Deadline: White House · Apr 1, 2026

"Donald Trump's political coalition is fraying"

“Analyzes Trump's second-term foreign policy differences and erosion of political coalition”

Iran Military Conflict and Ground Troop DeploymentTrump Political Coalition FracturingRepublican Party Internal Divisions

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Pod Save the World · Apr 1, 2026

Trump Begs Allies to Clean Up Iran Mess

“Co-host analyzing Iran policy, conducting interview with Nika Kovac about election interference, and discussing military escalation risks”

Iran War Strategy and IncoherenceU.S. Military Escalation in Middle EastCivilian Infrastructure Targeting in Warfare

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Pod Save America · Mar 22, 2026

Trump’s Wartime Messaging Disaster (feat. Jen Psaki)

“Led coordination calls on Iran negotiations messaging across government agencies”

Iran War Messaging StrategyTrump Administration Communications FailuresDemocratic Primary Dynamics 2026

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Pod Save the World · Mar 2, 2026

Update: Trump Breaks Silence About Iran War

“Pod Save the World co-host providing foreign policy analysis and criticism of war's lack of strategic coherence”

Iran War Military Operations and CasualtiesTrump Administration Foreign Policy IncoherenceCongressional War Authorization and War Powers

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O'Connor & Company · Mar 2, 2026

U.S. AND ISRAEL STRIKE IRAN OVER THE WEEKEND, BELTWAY STABBER, AUSTIN MASS SHOOTER

“Obama foreign policy advisor criticized for Iran nuclear deal and cash payment strategy”

U.S.-Israel Military Strikes on IranAyatollah Khamenei AssassinationWar Powers Act and Presidential Authority

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All In with Chris Hayes · Feb 28, 2026

Republicans are interviewing the wrong president in Epstein probe, says Hayes

“Former Deputy National Security Advisor analyzing Trump administration's AI coercion tactics and national security implications”

Epstein Files Transparency and DOJ ObstructionRepublican Selective Prosecution StrategyAI Safety Regulation vs. Military Autonomy

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All In with Chris Hayes · Feb 20, 2026

Trump: Ex-Prince Andrew arrest is "very sad" and "a shame"

“Former Deputy National Security Advisor discussing Iran military escalation and lack of Congressional war authorization”

Prince Andrew arrest and Epstein files criminal accountabilityUS-UK law enforcement cooperation on Epstein investigationJeffrey Epstein enabler network investigation

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The Opinions · Feb 12, 2026

Trump and the Death of Shared Morality in America

“New York Times contributor; wrote recent piece on rethinking Department of Homeland Security”

Executive Power Expansion and Constitutional LimitsDemocratic Institutional ErosionImmigration Enforcement and ICE Operations

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Pod Save America · Feb 10, 2026

1119: MAGA: Defenders of the Epstein Class

“Pod Save America co-host analyzing political developments and foreign policy implications”

Freedom250 fundraising and influence peddlingEpstein files political implicationsImmigration enforcement reform

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Pod Save America · Jan 11, 2026

2026's Biggest Questions

“Featured on Runaway Country discussing Venezuela and foreign policy”

House Democratic investigations and subpoena power strategySupreme Court tariff decision impact on consumer prices and administration credibilityImmigration enforcement escalation and denaturalization quotas

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