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The Close Read Podcast

Associate editor Spencer Klavan phones up authors whose CRB essays have prompted deeper reflection and discussion. Over a drink, he'll chat with the leading minds on the Right about what's going on in politics and literary culture. claremontinstitute.substack.com

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America's Revolution, 250 Years On

The American Revolution produced a lasting republic, now in its 250th year. But is it still the country the founders envisioned? Claremont Review of Books editor Charles Kesler joins associate editor Spencer Klavan to review the CRB’s summer 2026 edition, including Kesler's own essay on the principles and lasting success of our revolution as distinguished from its English and French counterparts.…

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Wine Lunacy

Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “ Wine Lunacy ,” Sam Schneider’s most recent entry to the column Under the Vine and Fig Tree, featured in the Claremont Review of Books’ Summer 2026 issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

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Is the Electoral College Still Viable? ft. Christopher DeMuth

Following Richard Nixon's victory in the turbulent 1968 election, an amendment threatening to dismantle the Electoral College gained startling momentum. Enter the young senate staffer Michael Uhlmann, whose 1970 report put forward what would become the definitive case for the institution thereafter. The amendment failed, but a torrent of new challenges to our constitutional system now arise ahead…

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Pedro Sánchez and the Anti-Trump Left's Global Coalition

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has emerged as the leader of the global Left. As president of the Socialist International and co-founder of the Global Progressive Mobilization, Sánchez has pioneered a new strain of European politics to counter Trump. Contributing Editor Christopher Caldwell joins the show to discuss his latest piece, “Pedro Sánchez’s Kingdom,” and the anti-American sentiment…

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Melville at Sea

Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “ Melville at Sea ,” Algis Valiunas’s essay featured in the Claremont Review of Books’ Summer 2026 issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

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How America Taught China to Build ft. Emmet Penney

Excited by the prospect of capitalizing on China’s rise in the 2010s, American firms—notably Apple—funneled billions of dollars of capital and masses of infrastructure into the nation without regard for geopolitics. Today, China has realized its opportunity to rival the U.S. as a regional power, using our investments as a springboard. This week, Claremont Lincoln Fellow Emmet Penney joins Spencer…

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“We Shall Not Fight on the Beaches,” by Theodore Dalrymple

Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “ We Shall Not Fight on the Beaches ,” Theodore Dalrymple’s review of The Camp of the Saints , featured in the spring 2026 issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

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The American Military at 250 ft. Will Thibeau

The U.S. Military is the mightiest fighting force in history. Yet its evolution has been long and complex, and today it is suffering from the damage done by decades of social justice initiatives. Continuing a celebration the U.S.’s 250th year, American Military Project Director Will Thibeau joins Spencer Klavan to examine the pre-revolutionary origins of the Army and consider Donald Trump's…

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"The Renegade Academy," by Spencer Klavan

Associate Editor Spencer Klavan his piece, “ The Renegade Academy ,” featured in the spring 2026 issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

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America 250: Harry Jaffa and the Declaration ft. Glenn Ellmers

As America continues to celebrate its 250th year in existence, Glenn Ellmers, Salvatori Research Fellow in the American Founding, sits down with host Spencer Klavan to illuminate the life, teaching, and significance of Harry Jaffa, godfather of the Claremont Institute. Jaffa gave new life to, among other things, Abraham Lincoln’s rich understanding of Declaration’s principles. Ellmers and Klavan…

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