The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer Podcast By Vox Media Podcast Network cover art

The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer

The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer

By: Vox Media Podcast Network
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The Long Game is a weekly national security podcast hosted by Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s National Security Advisor, and Jon Finer, his Principal Deputy—senior aides who sat in on the classified Presidential Daily Brief each morning and translated raw intelligence into policy advice. Each week, Jake and Jon will pull back the curtain on how power really works helping you make sense of the national security stories unfolding today. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • John Kerry on Iran, Israel, and Diplomacy

    John Kerry on Iran, Israel, and Diplomacy
    Apr 16 2026
    Former Secretary of State John Kerry, who has spent more time negotiating with Iranian leaders than anyone, joins Jake and Jon to discuss the marathon diplomacy efforts that resulted in the JCPOA, Trump’s decision to strike Iran, the likelihood of a deal, the prospects for a two state solution between Israel and Palestinians, and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Then, Jake and Jon discuss Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s surprising defeat in Hungary’s election and what his loss means for the MAGA movement, Trump’s relationship to Europe’s far right, and Ukraine. Follow The Long Game so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly. Watch the video of this episode on YouTube. For show notes and transcripts, find and follow us on Substack. Email Jake and Jon at longgame@voxmedia.com. The Long Game is produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network. Photo credit: Thomas Imo/Photothek via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Iran Ceasefire Explained: Winners, Losers, and What Comes Next

    Iran Ceasefire Explained: Winners, Losers, and What Comes Next
    Apr 9 2026
    Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer break down the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, announced Tuesday evening. They walk through how the deal came together from President Trump’s escalating rhetoric to Pakistan’s role as an unlikely intermediary and assess what the ceasefire actually is, and what it isn’t. They also break down the deeper questions about what the U.S. achieved, what Iran gained, and how this reshapes the strategic balance going forward. Topics discussed: What the ceasefire includes and address the major gaps that remain Why Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz may be the most important outcome of the war What could come out of the upcoming negotiations, including the future of Iran’s nuclear stockpile The impact of the war on U.S. deterrence, military readiness, and global credibility The broader implications for Russia, China, NATO, and the U.S.-Israel relationship At the end of the episode, Jake and Jon open up the Long Game mailbag for the first time, answering listener questions on targeted assassinations, Russia’s status as a great power, what’s next for Cuba, and why they started the podcast after leaving the government. Follow The Long Game so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly. Watch the video of this episode on YouTube. Show notes are available here. Transcript coming soon. Join us on Substack. Email Jake and Jon at longgame@voxmedia.com. The Long Game is produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Trump's Iran Speech & Debating the Deal

    Trump's Iran Speech & Debating the Deal
    Apr 2 2026
    One month into the war with Iran, President Trump addressed the nation in prime time — but instead of clarity, the same big questions remain about how this war ends. This week, Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer break down what the president said, what he didn’t say, and what it reveals about where this war is heading. They then take on a Red Team / Blue Team exercise: Jon argues to Iran’s leadership that it should take the deal; Jake makes the hardline case that Iran should stand firm and let America suffer. Follow The Long Game so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly. Watch the video of this episode on YouTube. For show notes and transcripts, find and follow us on Substack. Email Jake and Jon at longgame@voxmedia.com. The Long Game is produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network. Photo credit: Photographer: Alex Brandon/AP Photo/Bloomberg via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
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