The Realignment

2,382
Politics #175

The United States is in the midst of a dramatic political realignment with shifting views on national security, economics, technology, and the role of government in our lives. Saagar Enjeti and Marshall Kosloff explore this with thinkers, policymakers, and more.

Recent Episodes
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    Apr 24, 2025 – 01:02:57
  • Introducing "Endless Frontiers": CFR's Rush Doshi on the U.S.-China Challenge
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  • 547 | Krish O'Mara Vignarajah: The Post-Realignment Politics of Refugee Policy and Immigration Reform
    Apr 18, 2025 – 00:47:03
  • 546 | Rotimi Adeoye: Where Does Abundance, the Anti-Oligarchy Movement, and the Dem Tea Party Go Next?
    Apr 8, 2025 – 01:11:07
  • 545 | Richard D. Kahlenberg: Is Class-Based Affirmative Action the Future of Higher Education?
    Apr 3, 2025 – 01:01:54
  • 544 | State Senator Mallory McMorrow: The Realignment Comes to Michigan
    Apr 1, 2025 – 00:56:37
  • 543 | Rep. Jake Auchincloss: How Democrats Lost the Battle of Ideas During the Realignment
    Mar 27, 2025 – 00:48:41
  • 542 | Edward Fishman: Chokepoints - How America and Other Great Powers Wage Economic Warfare
    Mar 25, 2025 – 00:59:09
  • 541 | Ezra Klein: The Abundance Agenda - Why Liberalism Needs to Build Again
    Mar 18, 2025 – 01:01:55
  • 540 | Felicia Wong & Steve Teles: Can the Abundance Agenda and Economic Populism Get Along?
    Mar 11, 2025 – 01:46:31
  • FAI Presents | George P. Bush: Texas at the Center of The Realignment
    Mar 10, 2025 – 00:48:49
  • 539 | Didi Kuo & Steve Teles: Why Are Political Parties So Unpopular?
    Feb 28, 2025 – 01:06:36
  • 538 | Yoni Appelbaum: Stuck - How the Engine of American Opportunity Broke
    Feb 25, 2025 – 00:49:12
  • Pankaj Mishra: The World After Gaza - What Will Trump II Mean for Israel, Palestine, & the Middle East
    Feb 20, 2025 – 00:58:17
  • 536 | Marc J. Dunkelman: Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress - and How to Bring It Back
    Feb 18, 2025 – 00:59:39
  • 535 | Ross Douthat: Why You Should Be Religious & the Rise of the Post-Christian Right
    Feb 11, 2025 – 00:46:58
  • 534 | Jon Askonas: The Rise of the Tech Right - Smartphones, Porn, DOGE vs. USAID, and the New Trump Coalition
    Feb 4, 2025 – 01:06:32
  • 533 | Senator Ron Wyden: Why We Need More "Chutzpah" in Politics + Marshall's Baby Announcement
    Feb 3, 2025 – 00:31:24
  • 532 | Juan Williams: The Rise & Fall of the 2nd Civil Rights Movement
    Jan 23, 2025 – 00:58:47
  • 531 | Saagar Enjeti: The Trump Vibe Shift Hits Washington
    Jan 21, 2025 – 00:49:05
  • 530 | Felicia Wong: What Joe Biden's Legacy Means for the Future of American Politics
    Jan 16, 2025 – 01:10:17
  • 529 | Senator Chris Murphy: Can Economic Populism Win the Fight for the Working Class?
    Jan 14, 2025 – 00:32:06
  • 528 | Jennifer Pahlka & Andrew Greenway: The State Capacity Agenda for 2025
    Jan 9, 2025 – 01:06:46
  • 527 | Julius Krein: The Blueprint for an American Manufacturing Renaissance
    Jan 7, 2025 – 01:02:03
  • 526 | Steve Teles & Marshall Kosloff: Abundance and Its Enemies
    Dec 12, 2024 – 00:54:50
  • 525 | Noah Smith: The Trends That Will Define American Politics in 2025
    Dec 10, 2024 – 00:55:21
  • 524 | Jason Willick: Why the Resistance Failed to Stop Trump
    Dec 3, 2024 – 00:52:47
  • 523 | Misha Chellam: What's Next for the Abundance Agenda?
    Nov 26, 2024 – 00:49:38
  • 522 | Rep. Jake Auchincloss: Democrats Shouldn't Offer Voters Diet Coke Populism When They Order Coca-Cola
    Nov 21, 2024 – 00:57:29
  • 521 | Kevin D. Roberts: Trump's Election Mandate and the Legacy of Project 2025
    Nov 19, 2024 – 00:55:43
  • 520 | Reihan Salam: How Republicans Built a Grand New Party During the Trump Era
    Nov 14, 2024 – 01:19:43
  • 519 | Rep. Ro Khanna: Rebuilding the Democratic Party After Trump's 2024 Victory
    Nov 12, 2024 – 00:40:22
  • Saagar Enjeti and Marshall Kosloff Discussion & AMA: How Will a Second Trump Presidency Go? - Free Edition
    Nov 10, 2024 – 00:46:03
  • 517 | Steve Teles & Marshall Kosloff: 2024 Election Autopsy Part I - The Democrats
    Nov 8, 2024 – 00:56:17
  • We're All in the Realignment Know - Reflections on Trump's 2024 Election Victory
    Nov 7, 2024 – 00:34:35
  • Horns of a Dilemma: Danielle Pletka - What the 2024 Election Means for America's Foreign Policy
    Nov 5, 2024 – 00:37:26
  • 516 | Marshall Kosloff & Saagar Enjeti: The Realignment's 2024 Election Day Special
    Nov 5, 2024 – 00:58:39
  • 515 | Timothy Shenk: Has the Left Lost the Realignment?
    Oct 29, 2024 – 00:57:30
  • 514 | Steve Teles: What Does the Post-November Policy Agenda Look Like?
    Oct 24, 2024 – 00:55:10
  • 513 | Alex Trembath: How America Can Build an Abundant Clean Energy Future
    Oct 22, 2024 – 01:09:21
  • Saagar & Marshall Supercast AMA & Discussion Preview: State of the 2024 Race, Climate Protestors at Marshall's Abundance Agenda Event, Audience Qs, and More...
    Oct 13, 2024 – 00:26:09
  • 512 | Cameron Abadi: Why Radical Climate Activism Isn't Helping Environmental Politics
    Oct 10, 2024 – 00:45:30
  • 511 | Admiral James Stavridis: Pre-War America, the U.S. Navy, and How the Lessons of the 1930s Apply to Today
    Oct 8, 2024 – 00:41:18
  • Realignment Supercast AMA & Discussion Preview: How Can Listeners Advance the Abundance Agenda, 2024 Winner Prediction, JD Vance as VP, and More...
    Oct 6, 2024 – 00:06:20
  • 510 | Steve Teles & Marshall Kosloff: Why We Embraced the Abundance Agenda
    Oct 3, 2024 – 01:26:25
  • 509 | H.W. Brands: America First - Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh and the Long Shadow of WWII
    Oct 1, 2024 – 00:59:05
  • 508 | Gary Winslett: The New Cost-of-Living Agenda, Abundance, and Supply-Side Reform
    Sep 26, 2024 – 00:52:09
  • 507 | Max Boot: The End of the Reagan Era and the Future of the GOP
    Sep 24, 2024 – 00:57:57
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    Sep 19, 2024 – 00:41:23
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Recent Reviews
  • RoutineDrop
    Finally!
    Can finally listen to Saagar talk without Krystal yapping her mouth off about everything and complaining!
  • Resenate
    The Best Geopolitics and Current Affairs Podcast Available
    Marshall is one of the most effective podcast hosts. His ability to interview the world’s leading thinkers and draw from his own vast knowledge about foreign and domestic affairs makes this truly the bleeding edge of thought and discussion on these topics. I find myself envying Marshall and his ability to go toe to toe with the world’s leading thinkers on topics as diverse as the war in Ukraine, and US housing policy. Huge kudos to Marshall and the guests for providing one of the most important forums of discussion on critical topics of the day.
  • Avec La Tempete
    Interesting show
    This is a pretty useful exploration of a historic political evolution that is happening in real time. Unrelated: I would suggest a drinking game. Every time Marshall starts a list by saying “one” or “A” and never comes back to finish the list with “two” or “B” - take a drink.
  • Norweigian
    Cronkite journalism
    Realignment has a refreshing neutral tone
  • WchBlok
    Why Is Saagar still Involved?
    Marshall comes across as doing his best to be intellectually honest and maintains some humility when expressing his opinions, many of which I don’t even agree with. Saagar is the opposite and I find his delivery and lack of humility obnoxious. Fortunately he’s barely ever on anymore. I struggle to even finish anything that he is on.
  • Prince By-Tor
    Most disappointed.
    As much as i wanted to like this podcast, I’ve determined that the hosts are socialists committed to the elitist woke thinking that is leading this country into ruin. They seem to have no ability to think outside the 3x5 card of mainstream allowable opinion. Very disappointed.
  • Thejillibean
    Response to Craig Whitlock episode
    Love the show! RE Fat Leonard the I agree that the lack of morals when our high ranking officials thought no one was looking is astounding, but it leads me to ask what this story says about our culture. That the people who maintain our borders and infrastructure: from privates to admirals and day laborers to licensed engineers are valued at fractions of bankers or software maintenance for entertainment platforms in terms of pay scale. How are these incredibly important fields supposed to recruit and maintain top talent when our society values values the antics of Mr. Beast well above secure clean water or bridges that don’t collapse as you’re driving on them? And what can rational people do to move the needle toward responsible priorities?
  • M. Gratt
    Shallow analysis based on unsupported claims
    Used to be higher quality. Not worth your time these days….
  • statedept1515
    Taylor Lorenz should not be a guest
    This was so embarrassing that I had to unfollow
  • DN4486
    Unfortunately a bad joke
    This is a podcast called “The Realignment” yet features conservatives plugging the same failed center right policies as they have for 40 years. Lots of talk of “changing the culture” since solving the problems discussed on this pod would mean addressing economic problems with a new ideology. Misleading title, but clever enough to get people to think there’s something original being discussed.
  • MkeY234Z62
    Good
    First listen: Peter Turchin episode : show seems intellectually humble + honest. Interviewer asks question and then listens to answer without interruption. Whatever bias interviewer may have he does not let it take over. Guest shared a lot of information on his topic. Well done.
  • lil Country Folks
    I have hope!
    Fantastic Noah Smith episode. Because of you two I have hope for the future of our country and a rational path to achieve it. My favorite podcasts in the rotation, by far. I’m glad NS put out Econ 102 and I’d like to hear more of the arsenal of democracy podcast. These are clear views without hedging with fact based historical examples that illuminate the path forward. This provides a well articulated definition of success. I mean who says we need bigger and better government institutions ?! Absolutely the right kind of MAGA. Like they guy I didn’t vote once said ‘I can hear you and the whole world will hear us.’ Press on !! (Chuck Yeager)
  • AZ&NY
    Master class
    If you're looking for some hard-hitting, well-rounded political commentary, look elsewhere. This show is basically Fox News with a fancy coat of paint. In the land of biased media, this show is like the king of the castle. A master class in propaganda, presented with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop.
  • Cbo626
    Space time continuum
    I just hope Marshall finally gets a Time Machine, so he can actually go back in time with his guests and ask the question instead of just saying "say it's 1972…”.
  • Biggixyz
    Crazy person
    John Lovell said some of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard in my life. It’s hilarious that he can’t accept that the number of people who still reason like him is dwindling, and that he would recover a lot faster if he just took full responsibility for his declining following, and made some adjustments in his thinking. The people that live in these alternate realities like him, haven’t figured it out yet that they are at a disadvantage when it comes to predicting the future in many ways BECAUSE they are bad at reasoning. For example: To not have the capacity to understand a black athlete wanting to use his platform to raise awareness about an obvious issue affecting black men, and to frame it instead as he hates the flag or the country is willful ignorance. To not recognize that taking a woman’s right to make choices about her own body away, and that awakening to systemic racism and sexism is a good thing, suggests he may have another agenda that he’s not fully disclosing. Great content! -Niles
  • Aanwadecescakl799
    Skeptical
    With each episode raising a new apocalyptic warning it’s different not to be skeptical when it boils down to a book release press run.
  • Tha Gram Cracker
    I just mostly enjoy this show!
    I’m starting from episode 1. It’s like time traveling to beginning of the pandemic.
  • Janice Fahy
    An entire episode on the future of the GOP and
    Not a single mention of the only issue that matters - now, in 2024 and beyond - ABORTION. Why are Marshall, Sagar and Henry afraid to touch this issue? The GOP will get right with women’s rights or never hold meaningful political power again.
  • Chris Mottola
    Kind of sad
    Marshal is gutless. Pathetic. Has become a dump for woke r-words and washed up war hawks feigning disbelief that the populace views their forever wars as criminal enterprise.
  • dylan gee
    I love the realignment lol
    This is my favorite political podcast. They always have a diverse group of guests and a diverse group of ideas being presented, always being presented in a non condescending way which other podcasts lack. I appreciate Marshall letting guests speak their mind and responding rather than trying to push his ideals or condescend on guests.
  • nortbynorthwest
    Referred by Holman W. Jenkins October 16th Editorial.
    So appreciate Mr. Holman’s shoutout. This is a very interesting, very well done podcast.
  • AATX1228
    High Quality Guests, Low Pushback
    For a current events/politics podcast that is based on a jumbled “realignment” of politics, it has now devolved into bringing in smart high end guests with little to no push back on the guest’s intended narrative. Noah Smith episode is a good example. The host let’s him go unchecked as he makes blanket statements and affirmation of the nation outlook with little to no response. There’s nothing challenging or interesting at play.
  • jma286
    Not What It Used to Be
    A year ago this was one of my favorite podcasts, now I find myself listening to one out of every ten episodes, max. I think there are two problems, which may or may not be interconnected: - First, Saagar’s role in the show has been substantially diminished. He used to participate in most of the interviews but he now only comes on twice a month for discussion episodes with Marshall. I know that this is because of his increased commitments to Breaking Points (which I subscribe to) but I always find myself missing his questions during interviews. Marshall is good at a lot of aspects of interviewing but he rarely has any tough questions for his guests. Marshall says this is because of his interviewing style, which I would accept if I hadn’t heard him pointedly question interview subjects with dovish or right-leaning views in the past. Unfortunately, this issue seems to be a product of Marshall finding himself in general agreement with most of his guests’s positions on the topic at hand and thus unable or unwilling to find significant areas of difference to tease out. - Second, the distribution of guests has noticeably shifted over the past year. Originally this show’s guests were varied and interesting, both in terms of the topics they discussed and their positions on those topics. Unfortunately, that diversity has been waning on both fronts. Today there are 3 archetypal guests on The Realignment: hawkish foreign policy analysts (most of whom used to work for the US Government), esoteric VC/tech personalities, and left-liberal commentators who have a direct stake in the preservation of the current neoliberal regime. There are still some episodes on issues like industrial policy or the problems with higher education with guests who are making interesting arguments that you won’t find in mainstream sources, but they’re not as common as they used to be. I know the show has always stayed away from social/cultural issues but issues that could be addressed in a non-culture warry way like immigration and crime are never discussed. In the end, while I still check in on new episodes, I doubt that I will be able to re-engage with this show in the way I used to. It seems to have found a new niche that I personally find much less interesting.
  • v19k
    Theme music needs update
    Big fan of the show, but every time I here the theme show music it gives me a very Calvin and Hobbesian-Rocket ship underpants kinda feeling of what is gonna come next in terms of the discourse.
  • Codybroken
    I dig these cats
    Unicorn blend of education, humility, intellect, youth, experience, exuberance and wisdom. Not maxed out in all of the above, but high enough scores to make for an excellent (not “excrement”, spellcheck!) pod.
  • overelle
    Perfect 4 moderates
    Interesting topics and conversations. I may not agree with all the guests, but that would be pretty boring, lol. Marshall has a great voice & calm demeanor. He could challenge the guests a bit more & probably would make it even better :)
  • jessica fig
    Confused
    Why is this now a woke, left leaning show?
  • AustinBuff27
    Mostly good. Some trash
    Most of the shows are great and informative. The Ricks episode was laughable. File it under fiction. Good to hear Saagar without Krystal.
  • SR8181
    The show seriously needs Saagar back on
    I used to look forward to the this pod, but it is close to becoming an unfollow.
  • TemudjinFromATL
    Marshall is a great interviewer
    & Thomas E Ricks is an idiot…
  • foxcskid
    Not much evidence but sure likes to talk how terrible this country is
    Guy has some good shows but the majority is nonsense held with zero evidence. You can get the same shpeel he’s pushing by watching cnn. Pick your episodes wisely and it’s worth a listen.
  • calimom39
    Fascinating interviews
    Also so great to hear Saagar w/o Krystal
  • 88KevT
    Refreshing
    It’s becoming addictive to hear well informed, passionate and common sense solutions for ideas that modern society is facing.
  • SomethingWitty11
    Revisionist History
    I used to like Saagar, even when he went on Fox News or other places and regurgitated the party line talking points for the day. However, after listening to the latest episode, the blatant ignorance regarding JFK’s foreign policy (e.g. “the JFK admin orchestrated the coup in Vietnam”) and basic facts about the Vietnam War (e.g. “…we didn’t even really invade Vietnam”), I have unsubscribed and am leaving this review. We all have limited time in our lives and we choose to rely on certain sources as experts (or at least for their well-informed assessments) to save us time of having to do the research ourselves (your listeners have jobs, families and responsibilities). In sum, if you can’t do the work to make sure you’re statements are accurate and well informed, then people won’t listen to your podcast.
  • Zos79
    Critical listening
    The Realignment is one of those podcasts that is pretty regularly going to make you uncomfortable by challenging your presuppositions. Marshall and Saager are both excellent interviewers and manage to ask insightful, thoughtful, and probing questions without disintegrating into partisan hackery. Well worth listening to, *especially* if you’re in the over-40 category and don’t quite grasp how the next generation of thinkers are approaching the world they will inherit.
  • Jarret Levine
    Fantastic Podcast!
    Love the podcast I’ve been a listener for a while keep up the great work! Loved your latest interview with Peter Zeihan he was an excellent guest!
  • #8#24
    Marshall star in making
    Great job by Marshall standing his ground today interviewing Ian Bremmer who really comes across as a bully from the Right. Interrupts Ian seamlessly to continue the conversation intelligently. Breadth of knowledge is admirable. Thanks for your work
  • Dodez
    Really solid
    Marshall in particular is a very, very strong interviewer. Super relevant topics and much needed even handedness and thoughtfulness.
  • Jessica JEllen
    One of my go to shows
    I really appreciate Marshall and Saagar’s perspective and approach to interviewing a variety of guests on challenging topics. It’s so rare to find a podcast like this. Thanks Marshall and Saagar! Keep up the great work.
  • Cjc1514
    Great in depth discussion
    If only I wasn’t indebted to the United States Government, $425 a month for the next 17 years, I would be able to donate and become a lifetime member.
  • Jagger_Brady
    Need more Saagar!
    Marshall is a little too much of a bleeding heart to be doing these interviews solo lol. Still a good podcast tho!
  • moderateguy101
    Question: Voting Rights
    Hi guys, love the show! My question is about voter suppression. Growing up as a Republican in Washington State, I always assumed voter suppression in the 21st century was simply a talking point for Democrats when they lost elections. However, as I’ve moved more to the center (thanks to shows like yours) I realized that I may not be seeing the full picture. I’m curious to get your guys’ thoughts. Is voter suppression a scapegoat for elite Democrats, or is there a need to ensure more broad voting rights to certain groups in 2022? I’m sure the answer is somewhere in the middle but I’d love to hear your opinions. Thanks!
  • SSD4Life
    Breath of Fresh Air
    Genuine discussion, self-correcting when needed, open-minded and generally interesting takes. Can’t go wrong with this pod. Cheers!
  • mattylonglegs69
    Kodak - innovators dilemma
    Hey guys, in your latest episode (Saager’s triumphant return) you mentioned Kodak inventing the digital camera and then sitting on it for decades while they tended to their golden goose of film. It just so happens that my grandfather (Peter Dillon) won a nerd Emmy for being 1/2 engineers of that technology that Kodak then proceeded to sit on. Also - I’m almost positive he invented it in the 60’s not the 80’s and the Japanese started really developing digital in the 70’s which then took off in the 80’s, totally killing Kodak. You guys rock and I’d love for you two to explore more political examples of the innovators dilemma. Keep on rockin’ in the free world 🤘🏼
  • Dmjoekeogh
    Holy Context, Batman!
    Almost every episode leans into sensitive and/or complex current events, and subsequent reactions to those events. It’s a great mixture of historical references, exposing the problems with our current hot takes, and they’re not afraid to admit when they’re not sure, or when mistakes were made. Great show!
  • Dodkcfo
    I trust the hosts’ sincerity.
    Love the podcast for its striving to engage in thoughtful discussions. In this world where I don’t know which sources to trust, this is one of the places where I turn to as I gather information. Appreciate the tone and demeanor of the hosts as well. Q: which era in our country’s history is the present time similar to? (Comes from the school of thought that “nothing is new under the sun.”). Please keep up the sincerity in your show.
  • Subscriber 640
    Fantastic and Informative
    Marshall really brings the heat on every episode. Topics are well researched, his guests are experts in their fields, and his questions are so well thought out and insightful. Also, I’m loving the recent Ukraine series he’s put together. I’m excited to see this podcast continue to grow and flourish. Keep up the great work!
  • Will_123456
    Better Without Saagar
    Marshall’s recent interviews have been incredibly helpful in understanding the situation in Ukraine. I really appreciate the humility and thoughtfulness with which he approaches his questioning and analysis.
  • speakformyself
    Suggestion
    Timestamp—do the intro like you used to, w/ some background, thoughts on the episode, context, whatever, but give a timestamp for people who want to skip right to the interview. Might even be nice to hear Saagar’s perspective on the solo Marshall episodes, and this could be done in the first 10 minutes. Keep it up, great guests and topics!
  • Vincent6049
    Invaluable discussions.
    High level insights- past and present
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