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What the Hell Is Going On

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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.

#200

WTH Does Gen Z Think Life Sucks? Norbert Michel Explains.

If you were in your twenties and could choose to be born at any point in human history, wo... more

11 Dec 2025

56 MINS

56:59

11 Dec 2025

#199

WTH Are We Letting China Steal All Our Secrets? David Shedd Explains.

Over the last decade, China has carried out the largest illicit transfer of capital, innov... more

04 Dec 2025

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:24

04 Dec 2025

#198

WTH Is it: Insubordination or Sedition? John Yoo Explains.

Between the pardoned turkeys and those running loose on Capitol Hill, controversy over ins... more

26 Nov 2025

57 MINS

57:01

26 Nov 2025

#197

WTH Is Going on With Trump's China Deal? Scott Lincicome Explains.

For Donald Trump, China has served as a major justification for economic protectionism, hi... more

20 Nov 2025

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:25

20 Nov 2025

#196

WTH Would Any Republican Consider Ending the Filibuster? Martin Gold Explains.

The legislative filibuster is one of the most important guardrails against the tyranny of ... more

13 Nov 2025

1 HR 12 MINS

1:12:45

13 Nov 2025

#195

WTH: How Do We Keep Neo-Nazis Out of the Conservative Movement? Eli Lake Explains.

The fever swamps of the alt-right have crept upstream. Fringe figures are making their way... more

07 Nov 2025

1 HR 12 MINS

1:12:27

07 Nov 2025

#194

WTH: Is Europe Lost? Adam O'Neal Explains.

Europe’s center of gravity has shifted eastward, and few political leaders stand out as ca... more

06 Nov 2025

58 MINS

58:28

06 Nov 2025

#193

WTH Do Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists Really Believe? James Kirchick Explains.

With just one week until Election Day in New York City, we’re reflecting on the past and f... more

30 Oct 2025

1 HR 04 MINS

1:04:00

30 Oct 2025

#192

WTH Is Next for Ukraine and Israel? General Jack Keane Explains.

The Trump administration continues to focus on achieving peace in the Middle East, navigat... more

24 Oct 2025

1 HR 14 MINS

1:14:30

24 Oct 2025

#191

WTH Is Happening With Middle East Peace? Dan Senor Explains.

After two incredibly long years, we are finally able to celebrate the return of all living... more

17 Oct 2025

58 MINS

58:26

17 Oct 2025

#190

WTH Could Ukraine do with $300 Billion Russian Dollars? Stephen Rademaker Explains.

More than three years into Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, our European allies are... more

10 Oct 2025

55 MINS

55:39

10 Oct 2025

#189

WTH Extra! Two Years Since October 7. Dany and Marc Discuss.

Two years ago today, Hamas perpetrated the worst massacre of Jewish people since the Holoc... more

07 Oct 2025

46 MINS

46:05

07 Oct 2025

#188

WTH Extra! Another Shutdown Showdown. Dany and Marc Discuss.

On this episode of WTH Extra! Dany and Marc discuss Marc’s column, [Democrats shut down th... more

03 Oct 2025

31 MINS

31:47

03 Oct 2025

#187

WTH: Trump at the UN. Brett Schaefer Explains.

President Trump’s speech before the General Assembly has sparked debate over its style and... more

02 Oct 2025

1 HR 04 MINS

1:04:00

02 Oct 2025

#186

WTH Is Next After the Assassination of Charlie Kirk? Marc and Dany Discuss.

On this episode of WTH, Dany and Marc discuss the assassination of conservative activist a... more

24 Sep 2025

47 MINS

47:53

24 Sep 2025

#185

WTH: Trump's Capital Crime Crackdown. Rafael Mangual Explains.

According to major news outlets, the capital of the free world is under federal occupation... more

18 Sep 2025

56 MINS

56:18

18 Sep 2025

#184

WTH There Is No "State of Palestine". Elliott Abrams Explains.

After splashy announcements from our European, Australian, and Canadian allies, later this... more

11 Sep 2025

50 MINS

50:24

11 Sep 2025

#183

WTH Is the Path Out of the Wilderness for the Democratic Party? Jay Cost Explains.

The intersectional coalition the Democrats put together in 2024, comprised of the 1%, coas... more

04 Sep 2025

1 HR 10 MINS

1:10:53

04 Sep 2025

#182

WTH Should I Read This Summer? "The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbi...

Closing out What the Hell’s summer book series, we offer a timely reminder of the value of... more

28 Aug 2025

46 MINS

46:15