French Election Shock, NATO Descends on D.C.
Digest
This episode of Pod Save the World begins with a discussion of the French parliamentary elections, where Macron's party lost seats but managed to prevent a far-right victory. The hosts then move on to the UK election, where Labour won a landslide victory, with the Tories suffering a historic defeat. They discuss the implications of these results for both countries, including the potential for a more progressive agenda in the UK and the possibility of a more right-wing shift in the Conservative Party. The episode then turns to the upcoming NATO summit, where the focus will be on supporting Ukraine and increasing defense spending. The hosts discuss the potential impact of a Trump victory in the US election on NATO and the war in Ukraine. They also discuss the implications of Iran's new government for US-Iran relations, particularly in light of the ongoing nuclear negotiations. The episode concludes with a discussion of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Netanyahu's government continues to face criticism for its handling of the situation. The hosts also discuss the recent protests against tourism in Barcelona, where residents are frustrated with the impact of tourism on their city.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the hosts, Tommy Vittor and Ben Rhodes, and the topics that will be discussed in the episode, including the French elections, the UK election, the NATO summit, Iran's new government, the conflict in Gaza, and the protests in Barcelona.
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NATO Summit
This Chapter discusses the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, DC, focusing on the need to shore up support for Ukraine and increase defense spending. The hosts discuss the potential impact of a Trump victory in the US election on NATO and the war in Ukraine.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Iran's New Government
This Chapter discusses the implications of Iran's new government for US-Iran relations, particularly in light of the ongoing nuclear negotiations. The hosts discuss the potential for a more moderate approach from the new Iranian president and the challenges of negotiating with Iran in the context of a potential Trump presidency.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Conflict in Gaza
This Chapter discusses the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Netanyahu's government continues to face criticism for its handling of the situation. The hosts discuss the challenges of achieving a ceasefire and the potential impact of Netanyahu's upcoming visit to Washington, DC.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Protests in Barcelona
This Chapter discusses the recent protests against tourism in Barcelona, where residents are frustrated with the impact of tourism on their city. The hosts discuss the potential for a more sustainable approach to tourism in Barcelona and the challenges of balancing the needs of residents and tourists.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
UK Election Results
This Chapter discusses the UK election results, where Labour won a landslide victory, with the Tories suffering a historic defeat. The hosts discuss the implications of these results for both countries, including the potential for a more progressive agenda in the UK and the possibility of a more right-wing shift in the Conservative Party.
Keywords
French Parliamentary Elections
The French parliamentary elections are held every five years to elect the members of the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament. The elections are conducted using a two-round system, with a runoff election held if no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the first round. The elections are significant because they determine the composition of the government and the direction of French politics.
UK Election
The UK general election is held every five years to elect the members of the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament. The elections are conducted using a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency is elected. The elections are significant because they determine the composition of the government and the direction of UK politics.
NATO Summit
The NATO summit is a meeting of the heads of state and government of the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The summits are held periodically to discuss issues of common concern, such as security, defense, and cooperation. The summits are significant because they provide a forum for NATO members to coordinate their policies and to demonstrate their commitment to the alliance.
Iran's New Government
The Iranian government is a theocratic republic, with the Supreme Leader as the head of state and the president as the head of government. The president is elected by popular vote, but the Supreme Leader has the final say on all matters of state. The new Iranian government is significant because it represents a shift in power from the hardliners to the reformists, which could have implications for Iran's foreign policy and its relationship with the West.
Conflict in Gaza
The conflict in Gaza is a long-running dispute between Israel and the Palestinian territories. The conflict has its roots in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which began in the early 20th century. The conflict has been marked by violence, displacement, and political instability. The current conflict in Gaza began in 2007, when Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip. The conflict has been characterized by a series of military operations by Israel, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties. The conflict is a major humanitarian crisis and a source of international concern.
Protests in Barcelona
The protests in Barcelona are a series of demonstrations against the impact of tourism on the city. The protests have been sparked by concerns about the rising cost of living, the displacement of residents, and the loss of local culture. The protests are significant because they highlight the challenges of managing tourism in a popular destination and the need to balance the needs of residents and tourists.
Liz Truss
Liz Truss is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from September 2022 to October 2022. She is a member of the Conservative Party and has held a number of cabinet positions, including Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for International Trade. Truss is a controversial figure, known for her right-wing views and her support for Brexit. She was defeated in the 2022 general election and lost her seat in Parliament.
Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak is a British politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022. He is a member of the Conservative Party and is considered to be a potential future leader of the party. Sunak is known for his economic policies, which have been criticized for their impact on the poor and the working class. He was defeated in the 2022 general election and lost his seat in Parliament.
Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer is a British politician who has served as Leader of the Labour Party since 2020. He is a former human rights lawyer and has been a Member of Parliament since 2015. Starmer is considered to be a moderate Labour leader and has sought to move the party to the center ground of British politics. He led Labour to a landslide victory in the 2022 general election.
Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage is a British politician who is known for his Eurosceptic views and his role in the Brexit campaign. He is a member of the Reform UK party and has been a Member of Parliament on several occasions. Farage is a controversial figure, known for his anti-immigrant rhetoric and his support for right-wing causes. He was elected to Parliament in the 2022 general election.
Q&A
What were the key takeaways from the French parliamentary elections?
Macron's party lost seats, but managed to prevent a far-right victory. The far-left coalition gained seats, but it's unclear if they can form a government.
What were the key takeaways from the UK election?
Labour won a landslide victory, with the Tories suffering a historic defeat. The results suggest a potential shift towards a more progressive agenda in the UK.
What are the key issues at the upcoming NATO summit?
The summit will focus on supporting Ukraine and increasing defense spending. The hosts discuss the potential impact of a Trump victory in the US election on NATO and the war in Ukraine.
What are the implications of Iran's new government for US-Iran relations?
The new Iranian president is seen as more moderate and open to engagement with the West. However, the hosts discuss the challenges of negotiating with Iran in the context of a potential Trump presidency.
What are the key challenges in the conflict in Gaza?
The hosts discuss the challenges of achieving a ceasefire and the potential impact of Netanyahu's upcoming visit to Washington, DC. They also discuss the Israeli military's frustration with Netanyahu's failure to develop a plan for the day after the war.
What are the key issues in the protests in Barcelona?
The protests are driven by concerns about the rising cost of living, the displacement of residents, and the loss of local culture. The hosts discuss the potential for a more sustainable approach to tourism in Barcelona and the challenges of balancing the needs of residents and tourists.
What are the potential implications of the UK election results for the Conservative Party?
The hosts discuss the possibility of a more right-wing shift in the Conservative Party, as they seek to fill the space vacated by Labour's move to the center.
What are the key areas that progressives in the UK will be watching closely under the new Labour government?
The hosts discuss the Labour Party's official position on the conflict in Gaza, their commitment to clean energy, and their approach to the National Health Service.
What are the potential implications of a Trump victory in the US election for the war in Ukraine?
The hosts discuss the potential for Trump to withdraw support for Ukraine and to embolden Putin.
What are the challenges of negotiating with Iran in the context of a potential Trump presidency?
The hosts discuss the potential for Trump to tear up any deal negotiated with Iran, which could undermine trust and make it difficult to reach a lasting agreement.
Show Notes
Tommy and Ben discuss the surprising French election results and debate whether Macron’s decision to call early elections was a success or failure, the Labour landslide in the UK, and how American politics loom large at this year’s NATO summit in Washington, DC. They also talk about the election of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran and how a new president could change relations with the West, the latest on negotiations to end the war in Gaza, what to expect from Bibi Netanyahu’s address to Congress, and why you should wear a poncho if you’re planning on visiting Barcelona. Then, Ben speaks to Coco Khan and Nish Kumar of Pod Save the UK about last week’s elections.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.