Next Up with Mark Halperin

What's Really Behind Trump’s Greenland and Iran Strategy, and the Truth About the Economy, with Doug Sosnik

20 Jan 2026

Audio

Description

Mark Halperin kicks off today’s episode with a sweeping reported monologue on Donald Trump’s escalating pressure campaign over Greenland and what it reveals about his broader foreign policy theory of the case and about his unique decision making style. Mark lays out five fundamentals about the president and this international controversy, from Europe’s dependence on U.S. power and Trump’s obsession with leverage to the idea that markets, not Congress or NATO allies, may be the only real constraint on how far he goes. Mark then turns to Iran and the aftermath of the mass protests, breaking down why Trump’s decision not to strike was not a sign of weakness, but a calculated bet. He walks through the internal and allied pressure that shaped the decision, the risks of retaliation and regime consolidation, and why the story of Iran’s uprising may be closer to the beginning of the end than the end itself.Finally, Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik joins the show to explain what will actually matter in the 2026 midterms, why Trump’s standing on the economy is the central metric, and how structural realities in the House map could limit the implications of even a wave election. Sosnik also outlines what Democrats need to do to rebuild with working-class voters, why candidates define party brands more than messaging, and what traits the 2028 electorate may be looking for when the next presidential fight begins. Masa Chips: Ready to give MASA or Vandy a try? Get 25% off your first order by going to http://masachips.com/MARK and using code MARK.Bank On Yourself: Discover the retirement plan banks Don't want you to know about—get your free report at https://BankOnYourself.com/MarkBeam: Visit https://shopbeam.com/MARK and use code MARK to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcription

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.

0 upvotes

🗳️ Sign in to Upvote

Popular episodes get transcribed faster

Other episodes from Next Up with Mark Halperin

Transcribed and ready to explore now

The Truth About Trump's Second Term Foreign Policy Strategy, and the Charlie Kirk Void, with Michael Knowles, DeRosa and Bednar

22 Jan 2026

Next Up with Mark Halperin

Trump’s Greenland End Game and His Showdown with Europe and NATO, Plus Iran’s Next Chapter Revealed, with Ben Ferguson, Yemisi Egbewole, and Morton Halperin

15 Jan 2026

Next Up with Mark Halperin

How America’s Red-Blue Divide Plays Into the ICE Shooting in MN, and Trump’s Global Power Plays Explained

08 Jan 2026

Next Up with Mark Halperin

Rubio’s Political Resurrection and Power in Trumpworld, and Jessica Reed Kraus Spills Political Tea

06 Jan 2026

Next Up with Mark Halperin

Why The Bidens are "Big Liars," and Joe Scarborough on His "Best Biden Ever" Moment and What He Saw

20 May 2025

Next Up with Mark Halperin

Next Up with Mark Halperin

What's Really Behind Trump’s Greenland and Iran Strategy, and the Truth About the Economy, with Doug Sosnik

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from Next Up with Mark Halperin

The Truth About Trump's Second Term Foreign Policy Strategy, and the Charlie Kirk Void, with Michael Knowles, DeRosa and Bednar

Trump’s Greenland End Game and His Showdown with Europe and NATO, Plus Iran’s Next Chapter Revealed, with Ben Ferguson, Yemisi Egbewole, and Morton Halperin

How America’s Red-Blue Divide Plays Into the ICE Shooting in MN, and Trump’s Global Power Plays Explained

Rubio’s Political Resurrection and Power in Trumpworld, and Jessica Reed Kraus Spills Political Tea

Why The Bidens are "Big Liars," and Joe Scarborough on His "Best Biden Ever" Moment and What He Saw

Journalistic Corruption Continues with "Original Sin" Tour, and Charlie Kirk on What MAGA Wants Next

Sign in to Audioscrape

Share this moment