Hi, it’s Beth. It’s Saturday night, February 28. Sarah is on a plane heading to Texas, where we will be speaking to faith leaders and communities on Sunday and Monday. I fly out tomorrow morning.
I don’t know what the world will look like by the time this episode reaches you. I know it looks different right now than it did when we recorded this episode a few days ago.
Today, the United States and Israel attacked Iran. President Trump has announced that the attacks killed Iran’s supreme leader. Both President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said that regime change is an explicit goal of this operation. Iran has already begun a campaign of retaliatory attacks.
Today’s episode is about war. We knew, as you’ll hear, when we recorded that the US going to war with Iran was possible and perhaps likely. We felt and feel that this episode reflecting on four years of war in Ukraine is important. War is changing. The contours of what it can and can’t create are different all the time. We need to be aware of that as we process these strikes and what follows them.
I spent the day today reading questions for elementary school academic team students. A few times during the day, I felt a little guilty. This news is huge; shouldn’t I be doing something else? But…what? Scrolling X? Posting on Instagram? The more I considered it, the more I realized that I was right where I can and should be—connected to my community, helping kids see the world in as big a context as possible, watching families work hard for their goals, and celebrating their accomplishments. I know many of you feel intense emotions and are compelled to do something to help. I guarantee that in your ways, you already are.
Sarah and I will be back with you here on Friday, and we’ll know so much more then than we do now. Until then, we wish for peace, in and around you and throughout the world.
Topics Discussed
Four Years into Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
The Changing Nature of War
Outside of Politics: Listener Question: High Heels?
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Episode Resources
Opinion | Overmatched: Why the U.S. Military Must Reinvent Itself (The New York Times)
The Looming Taiwan Chip Disaster That Silicon Valley Has Long Ignored (The New York Times)
Episode Transcript
Coming soon…
Show Credits
Pantsuit Politics is hosted by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers. The show is produced by Studio D Podcast Production. Alise Napp is our Managing Director and Maggie Penton is our Director of Community Engagement.
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