Best Demore Podcasts (2025)

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S8 Ep113: Bernard Montgomery, supported by his patron Alan Brooke, took command of the demoralized Eighth Army in August 1942. He immediately planned an attack at El Alamein, believing the best defense ... 7:45

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30m ago7:45

7:45

Bernard Montgomery, supported by his patron Alan Brooke, took command of the demoralized Eighth Army in August 1942. He immediately planned an attack at El Alamein, believing the best defense was attack. Rommel was suffering from chronic health issues, including high blood pressure and stomach problems, stemming from exhaustion and poor self-care d…

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S8 Ep114: Legacies in Modern Asia: China's Judge and Japan's Shrine Controversy Professor Gary Bass Chinese Judge May Ruo centered the suffering of Asian peoples but chose to return to Mainland China ... 6:43

8m ago6:43

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Legacies in Modern Asia: China's Judge and Japan's Shrine Controversy Professor Gary Bass Chinese Judge May Ruo centered the suffering of Asian peoples but chose to return to Mainland China, making him vulnerable as a "bourgeois" intellectual. Modern tensions persist regarding the Yasukuni Shrine, which has enshrined 14 Class A war criminals. Forme…

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S8 Ep114: Indian Judge Rabhabinod Pal wrote a massive dissent, arguing the court lacked legitimacy due to the dominance of imperial powers. Pal, who focused heavily on racism and colonialism, questioned ... 12:57

10m ago12:57

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Indian Judge Rabhabinod Pal wrote a massive dissent, arguing the court lacked legitimacy due to the dominance of imperial powers. Pal, who focused heavily on racism and colonialism, questioned the evidence of Japanese atrocities at Nanjing. During the 1948 executions, army defendants chanted "Banzai" (Long live the Emperor). The US Supreme Court up…

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S8 Ep114: The conspiracy charge, borrowed from Nuremberg, was awkward given the rivalries within the splintered Japanese government. The legal foundation for Class A (aggressive war) relied on treaties ... 7:58

11m ago7:58

7:58

The conspiracy charge, borrowed from Nuremberg, was awkward given the rivalries within the splintered Japanese government. The legal foundation for Class A (aggressive war) relied on treaties like the Kellogg-Briand Pact. This 1928 pact made aggressive war illegal but failed to establish individual criminal responsibility or penalties. All survivin…

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S8 Ep114: As the Cold War set in (1948), George Kennan urged MacArthur to halt progressive liberalization policies. Kennan argued that extensive democratization risked communist subversion, emphasizing ... 9:52

11m ago9:52

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As the Cold War set in (1948), George Kennan urged MacArthur to halt progressive liberalization policies. Kennan argued that extensive democratization risked communist subversion, emphasizing the need for a strong, stable, anti-communist Japan. This marked a major shift, recognizing Japan, rather than China, as the crucial strategic anchor for Amer…

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S8 Ep114: Truman's "crony-like" approach led to the appointment of Chief Prosecutor Joseph Keenan, who was incompetent and struggled with alcoholism. Keenan was far inferior to Nuremberg's Robert Jackson ... 6:20

25m ago6:20

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Truman's "crony-like" approach led to the appointment of Chief Prosecutor Joseph Keenan, who was incompetent and struggled with alcoholism. Keenan was far inferior to Nuremberg's Robert Jackson. The trial transcript reached 50,000 pages over two and a half years. Chief Judge Sir William Webb was overly cranky and seemed to favor the prosecution, al…

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S8 Ep114: The American occupation began amidst vast ruins; Japanese officials burned evidence regarding atrocities like Nanjing. Class A crimes focused on aggressive war, targeting senior leaders like ... 13:13

26m ago13:13

13:13

The American occupation began amidst vast ruins; Japanese officials burned evidence regarding atrocities like Nanjing. Class A crimes focused on aggressive war, targeting senior leaders like Tojo Hideki. Crucial prosecution evidence was found in the detailed diary of the emperor's advisor, Kido Koichi. The US Supreme Court ruled against jurisdictio…

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S8 Ep114: Japan's nominal unconditional surrender was conditional on retaining Emperor Hirohito, who was deemed helpful for managing troops and legitimizing the US occupation. General MacArthur, haunted ... 7:19

18m ago7:19

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Japan's nominal unconditional surrender was conditional on retaining Emperor Hirohito, who was deemed helpful for managing troops and legitimizing the US occupation. General MacArthur, haunted by the Bataan Death March, conducted immediate, swift trials via military commissions against two former enemies. MacArthur initially planned a short, six-mo…

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S8 Ep114: Truman Takes Command: Unconditional Surrender and the Brutality of Final Battles Professor Gary Bass Harry Truman assumed the presidency unprepared for the war in Asia or foreign policy. He ... 10:31

16m ago10:31

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Truman Takes Command: Unconditional Surrender and the Brutality of Final Battles Professor Gary Bass Harry Truman assumed the presidency unprepared for the war in Asia or foreign policy. He inherited the demand for unconditional surrender. The immense casualties at Okinawa terrified him about a ground invasion. Before the atomic bombs, US firebombi…

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S8 Ep113: Rommel was increasingly critical of Hitler's flawed personality and his callousness regarding troop lives, ultimately dying because he was a respected military professional who commanded the ... 5:54

29m ago5:54

5:54

Rommel was increasingly critical of Hitler's flawed personality and his callousness regarding troop lives, ultimately dying because he was a respected military professional who commanded the loyalty of the Wehrmacht. Patton repeatedly displayed abusive behavior toward subordinates, physically and verbally, dating back to WWI. While this behavior wa…

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S8 Ep113: Montgomery, commanding ground forces for D-Day, gave a "scintillating" and persuasive briefing on his revised Overlord plan. He set objectives in Normandy, like capturing Caen, that were perhaps ... 14:44

30m ago14:44

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Montgomery, commanding ground forces for D-Day, gave a "scintillating" and persuasive briefing on his revised Overlord plan. He set objectives in Normandy, like capturing Caen, that were perhaps beyond the means of his exhausted British troops, worsening his relationship with American generals. Montgomery's Operation Market Garden failed to achieve…

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S8 Ep113: Pre-WWII US exercises, influenced by Patton and his peers, successfully showcased armored warfare. Patton was eccentric, boring audiences with detailed lectures on Roman generals and claiming ... 11:00

31m ago11:00

11:00

Pre-WWII US exercises, influenced by Patton and his peers, successfully showcased armored warfare. Patton was eccentric, boring audiences with detailed lectures on Roman generals and claiming to be the reincarnation of Napoleon, which disconnected him from his troops. Montgomery, leading the Third Division, trained his men endlessly and formed a co…

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S8 Ep113: Rommel developed a love-hate relationship with Adolf Hitler, often venerating him but glossing over his political and anti-Semitic excesses. Rommel's falling out with Hitler was usually due to ... 5:54

32m ago5:54

5:54

Rommel developed a love-hate relationship with Adolf Hitler, often venerating him but glossing over his political and anti-Semitic excesses. Rommel's falling out with Hitler was usually due to distrust or Hitler letting the army down, not politics. Rommel, a Suabian outsider, connected with Hitler partly because both were fighting the "pernicious i…

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S8 Ep114: Patton, a cavalryman, carefully accepted that mechanized warfare was the future and became a great advocate of the tank, though his career progression required caution. He was wounded in WWI ... 14:44

44m ago14:44

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Patton, a cavalryman, carefully accepted that mechanized warfare was the future and became a great advocate of the tank, though his career progression required caution. He was wounded in WWI, feeling he had failed his destiny to die a hero. Montgomery, post-war, was an aloof but talented brigade major who gained confidence by publishing his views o…

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S8 Ep113: Wartime Beginnings: Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel in the Early 20th Century Professor Lloyd Clark Patton sought action and heroism early on, gaining fame as the "bandit killer" in Mexico in ... 8:30

1h ago8:30

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Wartime Beginnings: Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel in the Early 20th Century Professor Lloyd Clark Patton sought action and heroism early on, gaining fame as the "bandit killer" in Mexico in 1916 and exploiting the media spotlight. Montgomery was shot and severely wounded leading a charge during WWI. This injury led to staffing jobs, which benefite…

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S8 Ep113: V 10:19

1h ago10:19

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Professor Lloyd Clark's book, The Commanders, contrasts the styles of Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel. Patton, born into privilege, struggled at West Point, finding it difficult to form meaningful relationships and compensating by pulling rank. Montgomery, raised by religious and disciplinarian parents, was not the brightest student and was sent to …

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S8 Ep112: SHOW 11-21-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT UKRAINE FIRST HOUR 9-915 HEADLINE: Las Vegas Shifts Focus with Formula 1 and Lower-End Tourism; ... 5:48

23h ago5:48

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SHOW 11-21-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT UKRAINE FIRST HOUR 9-915 HEADLINE: Las Vegas Shifts Focus with Formula 1 and Lower-End Tourism; California Politics Hit by Indictments GUEST: Jeff Bliss Jeff Bliss reports that the Formula 1 race on the Las Vegas city circuit is attracting major spectacle and…

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S8 Ep111: 2/2 HEADLINE: Scenario: Russia Attacks NATO Member Estonia; Europe's "Kantian Dreams" and Lack of Readiness Prevent Article 5 Response GUEST: Jakub Grygiel 8:01

10h ago8:01

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2/2 HEADLINE: Scenario: Russia Attacks NATO Member Estonia; Europe's "Kantian Dreams" and Lack of Readiness Prevent Article 5 Response GUEST: Jakub Grygiel Jakub Grygiel analyzes the German book If Russia Wins, which outlines a scenario where Russia attacks NATO member Estonia around 2028 following a stalled conflict in Ukraine, capturing Narva and…

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S8 Ep111: 1/2 HEADLINE: Scenario: Russia Attacks NATO Member Estonia; Europe's "Kantian Dreams" and Lack of Readiness Prevent Article 5 Response GUEST: Jakub Grygiel Jakub Grygiel analyzes the German ... 11:44

10h ago11:44

11:44

1/2 HEADLINE: Scenario: Russia Attacks NATO Member Estonia; Europe's "Kantian Dreams" and Lack of Readiness Prevent Article 5 Response GUEST: Jakub Grygiel Jakub Grygiel analyzes the German book If Russia Wins, which outlines a scenario where Russia attacks NATO member Estonia around 2028 following a stalled conflict in Ukraine, capturing Narva and…

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S8 Ep111: 1/2 Henry Sokolski states that Saudi Crown Prince MBS's goal is to obtain a bomb option, and while the new US-Saudi agreement does not include assistance with nuclear fuel production, a reactor ... 8:52

10h ago8:52

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CONTINUED 2/2 Henry Sokolski states that Saudi Crown Prince MBS's goal is to obtain a bomb option, and while the new US-Saudi agreement does not include assistance with nuclear fuel production, a reactor still provides the necessary "cover" used by countries like Iran. MBS has made clear he will acquire a bomb if Iran does, regardless of the Non-Pr…

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S8 Ep111: 1/2 Henry Sokolski states that Saudi Crown Prince MBS's goal is to obtain a bomb option, and while the new US-Saudi agreement does not include assistance with nuclear fuel production, a reactor ... 9:03

10h ago9:03

9:03

1/2 Henry Sokolski states that Saudi Crown Prince MBS's goal is to obtain a bomb option, and while the new US-Saudi agreement does not include assistance with nuclear fuel production, a reactor still provides the necessary "cover" used by countries like Iran. MBS has made clear he will acquire a bomb if Iran does, regardless of the Non-Proliferatio…

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S8 Ep111: CONTINUED 8/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking ... 9:28

10h ago9:28

9:28

CONTINUED 8/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats.... …

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S8 Ep111: CONTINUED 7/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking ... 10:17

10h ago10:17

10:17

CONTINUED 7/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats.... …

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S8 Ep111: CONTINUED 6/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking ... 7:42

10h ago7:42

7:42

CONTINUED 6/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats. 191…

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S8 Ep111: 5/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust ... 10:13

10h ago10:13

10:13

5/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats. He asserts th…