Prof Robert Pape: The Politics Of Force

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!-Originally published on October 14th to paid Substack members-In six days, attacks hit Riyadh’s international airport, a Riyadh refinery and Saudi Aramco’s headquarters. Nothing like it has happened in the Kingdom’s modern history. The pattern of targets tells us what comes next, and that next target would move every oil price on earth.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Previously recorded from a Substack Live BriefingAmerica is experiencing a surge of political violence—and it is no longer confined to the fringes. From mass protests that turn destructive to attacks on political leaders and assassination attempts, the past five years have seen a breadth of political violence not witnessed since the 1960s.But the deeper danger is not simply the violence itself. It is the slippery slope by which violence becomes normalized: first condemned, then excused, then accepted as a legitimate weapon against political enemies.Why does this keep happening? What transforms isolated incidents into broader waves of confrontation? And how close are we to a point where political violence becomes a regular feature of American political life?I’ll begin with a 20-minute presentation explaining the mechanisms driving this transformation and what they mean for America’s future.Then, for 20–25 minutes, I’ll answer your questions live. Bring your questions about political violence, the forces driving it, and what comes next for American democracy.My new book, Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism, explores the deeper forces behind this dangerous shift.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!The Pickaxe Mountain Trap: Why a Tactical Nuke Won’t Stop Iran—And Could Wreck the American EconomySHOULD TRUMP USE A NUCLEAR WEAPON?With domestic gas prices skyrocketing and construction rapidly accelerating at Pickaxe Mountain—Iran’s most fortified facility for weaponizing enriched uranium—the geopolitical clock is running out. Pressure is mounting on President Trump to deliver a decisive blow against Tehran before the pivotal midterm elections on November 3.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!The War Is Coming Home: Support for Political Violence Has DoubledIn the year America went to war with Iran, support for political violence at home doubled.That’s the finding of our new CPOST national survey, taken Aug 29-31 2026:16% of American adults, over 40 million people, support President Trump using the U.S. military to suppress protests against his agenda.25%, over 60 million, support using force to prevent Trump from being president.Both have doubled since September 2025.Read those together. Using troops against protesters is becoming more popular. So is resisting the president by force. That is a pernicious cocktail, and it’s being mixed in the middle of an election.I’ve studied political violence for 30 years. Here’s what most coverage misses: wars don’t stay abroad. They change politics at home.