Alternate Shots (E16)
From the Middle East to the Mid-terms.
In this episode of ‘Alternate Shots’, Richard Haass and I begin with Iran and the critical question of how the U.S. defines “success” as well as the limits to what military force could(most) accomplish. We then turn to the expiration of the New Start, the last remaining U.S.-Russians ams control pact, and the even bigger problem of horizontal proliferation—particularly if countries like South Korea and Japan begin doubting U.S. security guarantees.
The discussion turns to concerns about the integrity of the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections. A few days ago, President Donald Trump called for the “nationalization” of voting procedures, urging Republicans to “take over” the administration of elections in at least 15 areas. It won’t be the last time he does so. The question is whether Republican elected officials will go along.
We then discuss the recent turmoil at The Washington Post. Haass bemoans the loss of the major newspaper in the nation’s Capitol. I point out that the previous management team left the paper in miserable condition; $100 million in the red and ceding ground to challengers like Politico, Axios and Punchbowl.
As always, we end with the sports section: our Super Bowl predictions and an appreciation of two of the great “games” of the Winter Olympics — the biathlon and curling.
(Alternate Shots. Episode #16. Recorded on 7 February 2026. Produced by Dale Eisinger)
You can listen to this episode (and all the previous episodes) on Apple, Amazon, Spotify and most of the other major podcast platforms.