Mona Charen and I have recorded another episode of our podcast, Need to Know. We begin with Netanyahu, Iran, Obama, and the fate of the earth. Then we turn to more mundane matters — such as the Clintons’ ongoing venality. And the little surprise in the former president’s official portrait.

We also talk about the Oscars — politically. Are women really denied equal pay in this country (as was claimed from the stage)? Is Harry Belafonte really a humanitarian? If he is, then the Castro brothers, his dear friends, are.

In Cuba, criticizing the government can be bad for your health. It can get you killed. So it is in Russia, as we have seen, redundantly. Mona and I talk about this, as we do a global-warming guru: Rajendra Pachauri, outgoing chairman of the U.N.’s climate panel.

Before we say goodbye, we talk about the late Stan Evans. One can’t talk about him without smiling and laughing (with him, I emphasize). At the end of our ’cast, I mention an opera by Horatio Parker, composed in 1911. It’s called “Mona.” It originally starred Louise Homer, the contralto who was aunt to Samuel Barber.

To listen to us — and a little excerpt from Mona, at the end — go here.