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  1. Podcasts/
  2. Guests/
  3. Eli Lake

Eli Lake

Columnist for the Free Press, and host of the Breaking History podcast.

Series

The Glenn Show•1 episodeThe Ricochet Podcast•9 episodesWhat the Hell Is Going On•1 episode

Recent Episodes

Aug 15
August 15, 2026The Glenn Show
The Glenn Show•August 15, 2026

TGS Live: Norman Finkelstein and Eli Lake on Israel and Palestine (with John McWhorter)

Nearly three years after October 7th, Glenn and John McWhorter host two guests with sharply opposing views on Israel and Gaza — in succession rather than debate, to prioritize clarity over conflict. First, Norman Finkelstein discusses his forthcoming book Gaza's Gravediggers, which examines failures within the international human rights community to protect vulnerable civilian populations. Then Free Press columnist Eli Lake argues that Israel's military response has been broadly justified and warns against the growing influence of anti-Israel sentiment in Democratic politics. Glenn and John interrogate both positions in good faith — not to reach a tidy verdict, but to model the kind of serious engagement the subject demands. Buy Norman Finkelstein's new book, Gaza’s Gravediggers: An Inquiry into Corruption in High Places The Glenn Show is almost entirely audience-supported, so to those of us who are already full subscribers, let me extend a heartfelt thank you. And if you’re not yet a full subscriber, please consider becoming one. The Glenn Show can only do what it does through the generosity of viewers and listeners. For a mere $6/month or $50/year, you’ll get access to weekly livestreams, monthly Q&A episodes with John McWhorter, commenting privileges, access to the full Substack archives, and other exclusive bonus content.
Host:
•Glenn Loury

July 2026

Jul 10
July 10, 2026The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•July 10, 2026

Our Favorite Bands

As the late Johnny Thunders would say, "Rock and roll is simply an attitude." And we bring the attitude this week with Free Press contributor Eli Lake, as we talk Graham Platner's Maine implosion, underestimating the Ukranians and how Donald Trump may have stumbled to the right answer in Iran. All that and Eli leads us through a round of "What Are You Listening To?" and Charlie's collection of semi-pornographic album covers. Let's have ourselves a podcast...
Hosts:
•Charles C. W. Cooke•James Lileks•Steve Hayward
Organization
Ricochet

November 2025

Nov 7
November 7, 2025What the Hell Is Going On
What the Hell Is Going OnAmerican Enterprise Institute•November 7, 2025

WTH: How Do We Keep Neo-Nazis Out of the Conservative Movement? Eli Lake Explains.

The fever swamps of the alt-right have crept upstream. Fringe figures are making their way onto increasingly mainstream platforms, spreading ideological contagion to impressionable young audiences. Having long covered the creeping antisemitism of the Left, the fight now unfolding on the Right is an inspiring and essential one. With his debut WTH appearance, Eli Lake reminds us that this isn’t a question of free speech, it’s a question of policing one’s own coalition with moral clarity. If the Right doesn’t get this right, what will 2028 look like for the Republican Party? Eli Lake is a veteran journalist with expertise in foreign affairs and national security who has reported for Bloomberg, The Daily Beast, and Newsweek. He was the senior national security correspondent for the Daily Beast and covered national security and intelligence for the Washington Times, the New York Sun and UPI. Eli is currently the host of Breaking History, a new history podcast from The Free Press, where he regularly publishes. Read the transcript here. Subscribe to our Substack here.
Hosts:
•Danielle Pletka•Marc Thiessen
Organization
American Enterprise Institute

June 2025

Jun 20
June 20, 2025The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•June 20, 2025

The ‘Find Out’ Phase of Diplomacy

The Iranian regime is receiving an education of sorts this week, and while we await President Trump's decision on the extent of America's role in busting up the nuclear site at Fordow, the Free Press's Eli Lake (and host of the Breaking History podcast) returns to educate us on why surgical involvement in Iran fits with the "America First" agenda that voters signed up for last November. Plus, the reunited James, Charles, and Steve talk Skrmetti and Mamdani. - Sound from this week's open: The Israeli Air Force has a hit on Iranian State Television
Hosts:
•Charles C. W. Cooke•James Lileks•Steve Hayward
Organization
Ricochet

February 2025

Feb 14
February 14, 2025The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•February 14, 2025

Avengers Abroad

In ways both subtle and decidedly not, American foreign policy is a-changin'. Eli Lake joins James and Steve to caution against cuts to the National Endowment for Democracy and to nod approvingly of the Trump administration's boldness in the Middle East. We also get into "Breaking History," Eli's new podcast that pushes back against disheartening presentism by coloring today's headlines with historical antecedents. Plus, Lileks and Hayward applaud J.D. Vance's New Sheriff tour in Europe, and say their goodbyes to copper change. Sound from this week's open: Vice President Vance addresses the Munich Security Conference.
Hosts:
•James Lileks•Steve Hayward
Organization
Ricochet

October 2024

Oct 4
October 4, 2024The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•October 4, 2024

Screed Adjacent

With Israel's stunning string of victories over its enemies and the approaching anniversary of October 7th, Eli Lake returns to the Ricochet Podcast. He gives his take on the reasons for the administration's dithering support and rallies for the West to give its ally the greenlight! Plus, Charlie, Peter and James discuss the Veep debate, the averted longshoremen's strike and an ineffective Federal Emergency Management Agency... We count three rants out of Charlie Cooke. - Sound clips from this week's podcast: Churchill's "We shall fight on the beaches" speech and Tim Walz's "Knucklehead" remark
Hosts:
•Charles C. W. Cooke•James Lileks•Peter Robinson
Organization
Ricochet

October 2023

Oct 13
October 13, 2023The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•October 13, 2023

They’re Called ‘World Wars’ for a Reason

That war in the Middle East had been predicted did little to allay the shock of all who’ve followed the news from Israel since October 7th. Today's first guest Niall Ferguson was among those who made such a prediction. He joins to discuss the Second Cold War, why it's warming up, and the difficulties the US will face if the temperature continues to rise. And Eli Lake joins to expound upon a shift in Israel's national security policy as the country concludes that existence in a world that contains Hamas is impossible. Sound clip from the opening music: Benjamin Netanyahu's address in response to Hamas' attack. Photo credit: Pro-Israel demonstrators take place in a rally in response to the attack in Israel, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo: Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock)
Hosts:
•James Lileks•Peter Robinson•Rob Long
Organization
Ricochet

February 2023

Feb 24
February 24, 2023The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•February 24, 2023

Button Pushers Everywhere!

There's a lot to gab about this week, so it's a good thing our hosts had some extra time. Among other things, the trio delve into the moral scolds who think it'd be a great idea to bowdlerize our favorite children's stories; and they're glad to hear how Vivek Ramaswamy will shake things up as the newest Republican candidate for 2024. Then Eli Lake, who spoke with the hosts the day after the invasion, returns to assess Ukraine, Russia and the United States after one year. They get into Putin's troubles, Europe's surprising resilience, China's alleged jump into the fray, and... nukes, of course.
Hosts:
•James Lileks•Peter Robinson•Rob Long
Organization
Ricochet

August 2022

Aug 19
August 19, 2022The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•August 19, 2022

Fishing Expedition

Since our plans to hide away forever at a remote Minnesotan lake house were dashed – on account of James not having one for us – we decided instead to jump on into the mucky swamp that's swallowed up our institutions. At least we have Eli Lake (who, as you'll hear, knows everybody) to tour us through the law enforcement agencies who've undermined their standing with the public in order to get the guy who they blame for undermining the public's trust in them... Also, the hosts chat some about the former rep from Wyoming; a Florida judge who hopes to stop Gov. DeSantis from stopping the woke; Lileks is seeing a resurgence of masking; plus, Rob had lunch with Viktor Orbán! (And check out Eli's podcast.)
Hosts:
•James Lileks•Peter Robinson•Rob Long
Organization
Ricochet

February 2022

Feb 25
February 25, 2022The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•February 25, 2022

#UkraineUnderAttack

Is anybody else wondering why we're seeing more coverage about politicians chattering or journalists ducking from skirmishes than, you know, military movements, logistics and strategy? Our hosts sure do, and that's why they're eager to hear from Eli Lake, Bloomberg's foreign policy columnist. Eli gives his take on the Russian pipe dream, Europe's need for a wakeup call, and how Biden can get serious about his promise to stand up to Putin (hint: some crow eating would be in order). On the bright side, our hosts notice that we've been relieved of CoViD talk for the past few days; on that note, John Kerry tries to keep our eye on the greatest anti-climate(ick!) consequence of the whole ordeal. And Rob still wants you to join, so you hang out with him and the gang for our members-only events coming down the line! Music from the week's podcast: Back in the U.S.S.R. by The Beatles
Hosts:
•James Lileks•Peter Robinson•Rob Long
Organization
Ricochet

August 2021

Aug 20
August 20, 2021The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet PodcastRicochet•August 20, 2021

Scary and Confusing

What can we say? Frustration has a way of concentrating the mind, and this week we've got one word: Afghanistan. Victor Davis Hanson joins us to talk about our absurd administration and its pathetic priorities. Then national security correspondent Eli Lake joins us to speak on the Taliban, Biden's "return to normal" on the world stage and his moral illiteracy. The fellas also have a chance to muse on the tug-of-war of nation-building versus our security interests, along with the question of what America's choice will be regarding its role as the leader of the free world. We'd be interested in what Ricochet members think. Let us know in the comments! Music from this week's podcast: Bad Decisions by The Strokes
Hosts:
•James Lileks•Peter Robinson•Rob Long
Organization
Ricochet

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