
Foreign Policy Live
215 episodes — Page 3 of 5

The Case for Trump’s Tariffs
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is the self-proclaimed “tariff man.” On the campaign trail, he talked about tariffs of 20 percent on goods from most countries and 60 percent on those from China. Now, tariffs have trade-offs, especially domestically. To break it down, Ravi Agrawal is joined by a conservative economist who has long made the case for tariffs: Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Matthew Kroenig: Why the World Should Stop Worrying About a Second Trump Term Keith Johnson: Everything You Wanted to Know About Trump’s Tariffs But Were Afraid to Ask Transcript: Economist Adam Posen on How Trump and Harris Differ on Economic Policy Transcript: Biden Advisor Heather Boushey on Whether Bidenomics Is Trying to Do Too Much Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Geopolitical Risk in a Trump 2.0 World
Trump’s election can be interpreted as a change election, signaling the rejection of things as they were. But what does all this change mean for the world? How are countries and companies navigating new geopolitical risks with Trump’s win? In a bonus episode, FP’s Ravi Agrawal puts these questions to the world’s foremost geopolitical risk expert, Ian Bremmer. He’s also the president and founder of Eurasia Group, as well as GZERO Media. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Ian Bremmer: The Global Credibility Gap Ian Bremmer: The Next Global Superpower Isn’t Who You Think Carl Bildt: Trump’s Dealmaking Record Could Be Bad News for Ukraine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Navigate Trump’s Foreign Policy
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is moving rapidly to nominate loyalists to key administration positions. How much do these choices matter? And what do his personnel choices mean for our assessments of his foreign policy? Conservative scholar Kori Schake sits down with Ravi Agrawal to share what we might expect from a second Trump term. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Transcript: How Much Do Trump’s Personnel Choices Matter? FP Staff: Trump’s Foreign-Policy Influencers Stephen M. Walt: The 10 Foreign-Policy Implications of the 2024 U.S. Election Kori Schake: North Korea Joining Russia’s War Is a Sign of Weakness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How History Will View Trump’s Return
What was supposed to be one of the closest elections in history ended early Wednesday morning with a decisive victory for former U.S. President Donald Trump. The election took place against a backdrop of a particularly divided and polarized electorate. Does history have any precedents or lessons for the current moment? Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal in conversation with historians Julian E. Zelizer and Joanne Freeman. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): FP Staff: What Trump’s Win Means for U.S. Foreign Policy Julian E. Zelizer: When Did Democrats Lose the Working Class? Michael Hirsh: Why She Lost Barbara F. Walter: Could Civil War Erupt in America? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
America Votes: What It Means for Asia
As China’s influence grows in Asia and around the world, how will the next U.S. president manage Washington’s most important relationship? And beyond China, how do Donald Trump and Kamala Harris compare in their approach toward other Asian countries? In the fifth and final episode of a special election series, FP’s Ravi Agrawal speaks with Ryan Hass and Lynn Kuok. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Lili Pike: How Does the U.S.-China ‘Cold War’ End? Agathe Demarais: Why China Is Rooting for Trump Derek Grossman: The Once Wobbly Quad Is Here to Stay Sumit Ganguly and Dinsha Mistree: Modi’s Third-Term Foreign Policy Looks the Same Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
America Votes: What It Means for Latin America
Judging by the way Latin America is discussed in the U.S. presidential elections, Americans view the continent mostly in negative terms: as the source of unwanted immigration and drug cartels. But the reality is obviously more complex. The region includes America’s largest trading partner—Mexico—and it is an arena for intense geopolitical competition. In the fourth episode of FP Live’s special election series, host Ravi Agrawal asks Moisés Naím, a former Venezuelan minister of trade and industry, and Catherine Osborn, the writer of FP’s Latin America Brief, how Trump and Harris differ on policy. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Catherine Osborn: How Migration Became a U.S. Foreign-Policy Priority Connor Pfeiffer and Ryan C. Berg: Mexico and the United States Need to Talk About China Now Oliver Stuenkel: Trump Has His Own Monroe Doctrine Geoff Ramsey and Jason Marczak: What’s Next for U.S. Policy in Venezuela? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
America Votes: What It Means for Africa
Africa has been neglected by recent administrations; the last presidential visit was in 2015, though President Joe Biden will be making a trip to Angola in December. How will the next president handle this large and diverse continent? FP’s Ravi Agrawal is joined by two Africa experts—Martin Kimani and Zainab Usman—on the third installment of FP Live’s special election series. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Martin Kimani: How to Restore the American Center Henry Tugendhat: The U.S. Has a Better Offer for Africa Than Debt Christina Lu: Washington Wants to Revive a Critical Minerals Mega-Railway Through Africa Chris Murphy: Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Protests Are a Wake-Up Call for Washington Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
America Votes: What It Means for Europe
Among foreign policy issues, how the United States should approach its relationship with Europe might be the one on which presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris disagree most. To find out why, hear Nathalie Tocci, the director of Rome’s Istituto Affari Internazionali, and Mark Leonard, the director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, on the second episode of FP Live’s special election series. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): A. Wess Mitchell and Jakub Grygiel: U.S. Strategy Should Be Europe First, Then Asia Hal Brands: Trump’s Return Would Transform Europe FP Contributors: Europe Alone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
America Votes: What It Means for the Middle East
Every day this week, FP Live will have a new episode focused on a different part of the world and how presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris would tailor their foreign policies for those regions. In this episode, host Ravi Agrawal looks at the Middle East and speaks with experts Steven A. Cook and Sanam Vakil. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Steven A. Cook: Why Americans and Israelis Don’t See Eye to Eye on Iran Talal Mohammad: Why the Gulf States Are Likely Backing Trump Rishi Iyengar: Why Everyone’s Suddenly Talking About Iranian Election Hacking Arash Reisinezhad: Iran’s Israel Strategy Has Already Changed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Middle East After Sinwar
Last week, a regular Israeli patrol in southern Gaza chanced upon the person they had been hunting for more than a year: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. His death raised some big questions: How much of a blow would this be for Hamas? What would it mean for Israel’s strategy? This week’s guest has thought a lot about all of these questions. Gen. David Petraeus led U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan at the height of counterterrorism efforts there. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): FP Live: David Petraeus on a World at War FP Live Transcript: David Petraeus: Why 9/11 Is a Cautionary Tale for Israel Steven A. Cook: Sinwar Is Dead. Hamas Is Very Much Alive. Daniel Byman: Israel’s Killing of Yahya Sinwar Is Not a Turning Point Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Alliance of Autocracies?
North Korea and Iran are fascinating countries for many reasons, but also because they're part of an emerging alliance of autocracies. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly helping each other out in a range of global hotspots, often stymieing U.S. interests. But what is their end goal? FP Live asks Barbara Slavin, an Iran expert at the Stimson Center, and Chung Min Lee, a Korea expert at the Carnegie Endowment. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Daniel R. DePetris and Jennifer Kavanagh: The ‘Axis of Evil’ Is Overhyped Robbie Gramer: Looks Like ‘Axis of Evil’ Is Back on the Menu The Economist: A new “quartet of chaos” threatens America Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 7, One Year On
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel and set in motion a new cycle of violence that has rocked the Middle East. Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East advisor to both Republican and Democratic secretaries of state, joins FP Live to look back—and ahead. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Aaron David Miller and Steven Simon: Oct. 7 Changed Everything–but What if It Didn’t? Aaron David Miller and Lauren Morgenbesser: Don’t Blame Biden for the Yearlong War in Gaza FP’s Oct. 7 Roundup: Is the Israel-Hamas War Closer to Its Beginning or Its End? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How America Should Prepare for Political Violence
Unrest, even violence, could be a concern heading into the U.S. presidential election in November. What should be done to strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions? And what lessons can be learned from other countries facing similar challenges? Author and political scientist Barbara Walter joins FP Live to share her findings from her research on civil wars around the world. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Transcript: Could Civil War Erupt in America? Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware: How Bad Will Political Violence in the U.S. Get? Stephen Marche: Why the U.S. Military Isn’t Ready for Civil War Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze: What a Real Civil War Would Do to the U.S. Economy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
South Africa’s Foreign Policy
South Africa’s allegations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice draw on the African National Congress’s own long history and views on apartheid. But is Pretoria’s foreign policy consistent across other parts of the world—for example, Russia or Sudan? Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola sits down with Ravi Agrawal to discuss how he’s shaping South Africa’s foreign policy. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Nontobeko Hlela: Why South Africa’s Nonalignment Is Here to Stay Oliver Stuenkel: BRICS Faces a Reckoning Chile Eboe-Osuji: South Africa’s ICJ Case Was Too Narrow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inside the U.N. General Assembly
With the United Nations General Assembly now underway, longtime U.N. watcher Richard Gown joins FP Live to discuss what’s on the agenda for the world leaders in attendance. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Sophie Eisentraut: Can the West Revive Multilateralism? Michael Galant and Aude Darnal: Who’s Afraid of the Global South? J. Alex Tarquinio: The U.N. Security Council’s Default Is Deadlock Michael Hirsh: The World Is Leaving Biden Behind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jens Stoltenberg’s Exit Interview
NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg joins Ravi Agrawal for an exit interview as he prepares to step down on October 1. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Transcript: NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg on the Future of Russia’s War in Ukraine Stephen M. Walt: This Time, NATO Is in Trouble for Real Christopher S. Chivvis: NATO is Turning 75, but How Much Is There to Celebrate? Jack Detsch: NATO Wants Everyone to Help Deter Russia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Dear America”: FP’s Fall 2024 Print Issue
An exclusive episode for our podcast listeners: Host and FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal gives a preview of the latest print issue: “Letters to the Next President.” Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Martin Kimani: How to Restore the American Center Arancha González: Isolationism Doesn’t Protect Danny Quah: Why America Should Drop Its Obsession With Being No. 1 Joseph E. Stiglitz: Play by the Rules Catherine Ashton: The Trans-Atlantic Partnership Still Matters Jason Bordoff: Clean Energy Is Security Mark Malloch-Brown: Muster Global Majorities Joseph S. Nye Jr.: Invest in Soft Power Nirupama Rao: Strategic Autonomy Is Nothing to Fear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Harris-Trump Debate
Former Trump administration National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster joins FP Live to debrief after the Harris-Trump debate. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Christina Lu and Amy Mackinnon: Top Foreign-Policy Moments From the Harris-Trump Debate FP Contributors: Letters to the Next President H.R. McMaster and Gabriel Scheinmann: U.S. Restraint Has Created an Unstable and Dangerous World H.R. McMaster: At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House H.R. McMaster: Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is America’s China Policy Too Hawkish?
Nicholas Burns has served as the U.S. ambassador to China since 2022, a period that encompasses not only the country’s COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns but also a series of high and low points in the U.S.-China relationship. How should Washington compete with Beijing without spiraling into conflict? Burns joins FP Live for a rare longform interview. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Robbie Gramer and Christina Lu: Washington’s China Hawks Take Flight Bob Davis: Who Got China Wrong? Michael Hirsh: No, This Is Not a Cold War—Yet Bonny Lin: The China-Russia Axis Takes Shape Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Salam Fayyad on the ‘Day After’ in Gaza
The violence on Oct. 7 and the war in Gaza seem to have derailed any hope for a two-state solution. With tensions in the Middle East continuing to escalate, and a cease-fire agreement proving elusive, what does a path forward for both the Israelis and Palestinians look like? Former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad shares his insights with FP Live. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Foreign Affairs: Salam Fayyad: A Plan for Peace in Gaza John Aziz: Violence Has Failed the Palestinians FP Contributors: How Will This War End? How Can the Next One Be Prevented? Stephen M. Walt: The Dangerous Decline in Israeli Strategy Tickets to see FP's Ones and Tooze podcast live at Sixth & I in Washington, DC: https://www.sixthandi.org/event/foreign-policys-ones-and-tooze-podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What We’re Learning About Kamala Harris’s Foreign Policy
The Democratic National Convention concluded Thursday night with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the party’s nomination. What did we learn about a potential Harris foreign policy? Matt Duss, former foreign-policy advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Anne-Marie Slaughter, former director of policy planning at the State Department, join FP Live to unpack this week’s DNC. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall free): Michael Hirsh: Preparing for a Less Arrogant America Michael Hirsh: Kamala Harris’s 21st-Century Foreign Policy Matthew Duss: Harris Candidacy Gives Democrats a Change to Pivot on Gaza Matthew Duss: The Democrats’ Pro-Worker Agenda Can Go Global Financial Times: What Might a Harris Foreign Policy Look Like? Bhaskar Chakravorti: If Kamala Harris Was the Czar of Anything, It Would Be AI Abdelhalim Abdelrahman: Democrats’ Gaza Policy Is Repelling Arab American Voters FP Staff: The Kamala Harris Doctrine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Trump and Harris Compare on Economic Policy
How do the proposed economic policies of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump differ—and where is there overlap? Adam Posen, the president of the nonpartisan Peterson Institute for International Economics, joins FP Live to discuss the two campaigns’ agendas. Suggested reading: Adam Posen on Industrial Policy: America’s Zero-Sum Economics Doesn’t Add Up Ravi Agrawal’s Interview With U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai (FP Live March 2023) Edward Alden on Robert Lighthizer: The Man Who Would Help Trump Upend the Global Economy Jared Cohen: Don’t Bet Against the Dollar Keith Johnson: Trump’s Plan to Weaken the Dollar Makes No Sense FP Staff: The Kamala Harris Doctrine Peterson Institute for International Economics: Election 2024: Assessing Presidential Economic Platforms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Iran Might Do Next
The assassination of a key Hamas leader in Tehran, following the killing of a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, could escalate an already tense conflict between Israel, Iran, and its proxies. Middle East expert Trita Parsi sits down with Ravi Agrawal to discuss what might happen next. Suggested reading: Steven A. Cook: Why Americans and Israelis Don’t See Eye to Eye on Iran Chicago Council on Global Affairs: Majority of Americans Oppose Sending US Forces to Defend Israel if Attacked by Iran Trita Parsi: The U.S. Should Negotiate With Iran on One Issue Right Now Trita Parsi: Netanyahu Wants War With Iran. Biden Can Prevent It. FP Live: Iran’s Attack on Israel—What Happens Next? Sina Toossi: Iranians Voted for Change. Will They Get It? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Decoding Trump’s Foreign Policy
A leading figure in the Trump administration’s national security team, Elbridge Colby, joins FP Live to discuss the Republican nominee’s potential agenda. He argues for a more business-like approach with allies and alliances as well as prioritizing Asia over Europe. Suggested reading: Transcript: Decoding Trump’s Foreign Policy Stephen M. Walt: The Trump-Vance Unilaterialist Delusion Elbridge Colby and David Ochmanek: How the United States Could Lose a Great-Power War Elbridge Colby: How to Win America’s Next War Transcript: How Singapore Manages U.S.-China Tensions Transcript: Is Canada Free-Riding on Defense? Elbridge Colby: The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Platon Photographs Power
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Pussy Riot all have one thing in common—they’ve all sat in front of British portraitist Platon’s wide-angle lens. Platon joins FP Live to share what it’s like to be in the room with the top people in power and discuss how he captures these moments with his camera. Suggested reading: FP Live: How Platon Photographs Power Platon: The Defenders: Heroes of the Global Fight for Human Rights Clips: When Platon Met Putin & Clinton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Singapore Manages U.S.-China Tensions
Few countries are better equipped to interpret the U.S.-China relationship than Singapore. The small but wealthy city-state has extensive contacts with Washington and Beijing and understands both sides. Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen sits down with FP’s Ravi Agrawal on stage at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado to discuss China’s assertiveness, U.S. soft power, and a shifting global order. Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: How Singapore Manages U.S.-China Tensions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is Canada Free-Riding on Defense?
As NATO members up their defense spending to better equip the security alliance in the face of Russian aggression, Canada is coming in from criticism for lagging behind. How is Ottawa planning to rejuvenate its defense sector, and how is it thinking about new threats from the north, in the Arctic? Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair sits down with Ravi Agrawal at FP’s Security Forum ahead of NATO’s annual summit. Suggested reading: Jack Detsch: NATO Wants Everyone to Help Deter Russia Robbie Gramer, Amy Mackinnon, and Jack Detsch: What to Watch for at NATO’s 75th Birthday Bash Caroline de Gruyter: NATO’s New Leader Was Planning This the Whole Time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Europe Wants From the NATO Summit
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski joins FP Live ahead of a summit marking NATO’s 75th anniversary in Washington. Suggested reading: FP Contributors: Europe Alone Hal Brands: Trump’s Return Would Transform Europe Christopher S. Chivvis: NATO is Turning 75, but How Much is There to Celebrate? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Fallout From Biden’s Subpar Debate Performance
U.S. President Joe Biden’s age and apparent frailty stole the show during the CNN presidential debate on June 27, overshadowing much of the domestic and foreign-policy issues discussed between him and his rival, former President Donald Trump. How is the debate being seen in the rest of the world? Political analysts Leslie Vinjamuri and Gideon Rachman join Ravi Agrawal to share their takeaways. Suggested reading: Michael Hirsh: Yes, Biden Flopped. But Let’s Not Overreact. Rishi Iyengar and Christina Lu: Key Foreign-Policy Moments From the Trump-Biden Debate Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware: How Bad Will Political Violence in the U.S. Get? Leslie Vinjamuri: What Another Trump-Biden Showdown Means for the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Fix Capitalism
Is capitalism broken? A growing number of Americans think so amid declining social mobility and rising inequality. According to investor Ruchir Sharma, author of What Went Wrong With Capitalism, the United States has gone on a decades-long debt binge, with too many regulations and a culture of bailouts, which he says has weakened dynamism in the economy—and capitalism itself. Sharma joins FP Live to discuss potential solutions and lessons from around the world. Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: Capitalism Is Broken. Here’s How to Fix It. Cameron Abadi: Adam Tooze: What Is ESG Investing and Why the Sudden Backlash? Ashley Lester: Why Is Adam Smith Still So Popular? Adam Tooze: The Hidden History of the World’s Top Offshore Cryptocurrency Tax Haven Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Solve the World’s Refugee Crisis
The United Nations’ high commissioner for refugees Filippo Grandi talks to FP Live ahead of a visit to Sudan on World Refugee Day. Are international institutions adequately equipped to help a rising number of displaced people around the world? What more should be done? Neha Wadekar: The World’s Refugee Relief is Utterly Broken Shelly Culbertson: A Chance to Fix the Broken Refugee Model Robbie Gramer: Why is the World Ignoring a Looming Genocide in Sudan? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why India’s Modi Underperformed
From pundits to polls, there was a wide expectation this year that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not only win a rare third consecutive term, but also secure an even bigger parliamentary majority than he had before. As results emerged on Tuesday, it was clear that India’s voters had other ideas. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party won the most seats—more than the entire opposition alliance combined—but it will need the help of coalition allies to form a government. How will Modi govern in a third term, and what will it mean for the world? FP’s Ravi Agrawal is joined by experts Milan Vaishnav and Yamini Aiyar to discuss. Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: Why Modi Underperformed Devesh Kapur: Modi’s Power Has Peaked Sushant Singh:Modi’s Campaign Rhetoric Is Dangerous Ravi Agrawal: The New Idea of India Mukul Kesavan: 4 Books to Understand Modern India Josh Felman and Josh Felman: Is India Really the Next China? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What to Expect From Mexico’s Elections
The presidential election in Mexico this weekend will likely result in the country’s first female president. It’s an open question, however, whether the front-runner in the polls and expected winner, Claudia Sheinbaum, will carry on the policies of her political mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Former Mexican Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhán joins Ravi Agrawal to analyze López Obrador’s legacy and how Mexico’s next leader may or may not enact different policies. Suggested reading: Christina Lu: Mexico’s Historic Elections, Explained Ana Sofía Rodríguez Everaert: The Woman Inheriting AMLO’s Revolution Isidro Morales: Mexico’s Next Leader Has an Energy Problem Connor Pfeiffer and Ryan C. Berg: Mexico and the United States Need to Talk About China Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fareed Zakaria’s ‘Age of Revolutions’
Does progress always come with a backlash? How should societies think about managing the immense changes unleashed by technology and globalization? CNN host and author Fareed Zakaria joins FP Live to discuss his latest book, Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash From 1600 to the Present. Suggested reading: Michael Hirsh: Is This a Revolution? Or Are People Just Very Ticked Off? Michael Hirsh: No, This Is Not a Cold War—Yet Fareed Zakaria: Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash From 1600 to the Present Fareed Zakaria: The Rise of Illiberal Democracy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Raisi’s Death Means for Iran’s Future
Tehran has announced that it will hold elections on June 28 after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Who might win, and what would that mean for Iranian politics—both at home and abroad? Iran experts Karim Sadjadpour and Robin Wright join FP’s Ravi Agrawal to discuss. Suggested reading: Robin Wright: What Raisi’s Death Means for the Future of Iran Ali Vaez and Hamidreza Azizi: Why Iran Believes It’s Winning Against Israel Jack Detsch: What Raisi’s Death Means for Iran’s Future Raphael S. Cohen: The Iran-Israel War Is Just Getting Started Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the White House’s New China Tariffs
Increasingly, countries are closing off their economics and questioning the case for globalization. But where does this leave the Bretton Woods institutions intended to facilitate peace and prosperity through trade? World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala joins FP Live to discuss. Suggested reading: Gordon Brown: A New Multilateralism Eswar Prasad: The World Will Regret Its Retreat From Globalization Joseph E. Stiglitz: Where Global Governance Went Wrong—and How to Fix It Adam Posen: America’s Zero-Sum Economics Doesn’t Add Up Gita Gopinath: How Policymakers Should Handle a Fragmenting World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
China’s Attempt to ‘Divide and Conquer’ Europe
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Europe this week is “perhaps one of the most aggressive attempts on the part of the Chinese to actively foment disunity,” Evan Medeiros says. How will his visit play out in Washington, particularly on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s own diplomatic efforts in Beijing? And what would closer EU-China ties mean for U.S.-China competition? Medeiros was a key advisor on China policy during the Obama administration. He is currently a professor at Georgetown University. Suggested reading: The Economist: Emmanuel Macron in his own words (English) Hal Brands and Michael Beckley: China Is a Declining Power—and That’s the Problem Evan S. Medeiros: The Delusion of Peak China Fareed Zakaria: The dangerous new call for regime change in Beijing Christina Lu: Can Xi Win Back Europe? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Stave Off a Famine in Gaza
Gaza faces what the World Food Program is calling “catastrophic levels of hunger.” And the United Nations recently issued a report that said a famine is “imminent.” Ravi Agrawal is joined by two experts on the humanitarian situation in Gaza to discuss what the international community can do to prevent the worst outcomes. Sari Bashi is a program director for Human Rights Watch. Shira Efron is the director of research at the Israel Policy Forum. Suggested reading: Mohannad Sabry: How to Get More Aid Into Gaza Shira Efron: The Best Way to Deal With Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Howard W. French: Why Aren’t We Talking More About the Famine in Gaza? Human Rights Watch: Israel: Starvation Used as Weapon of War in Gaza Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Kyiv Plans to Use American Aid
Now that Congress has approved around $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Washington is racing to get military supplies to the war’s front lines. How will Kyiv use the assistance, and how will it impact the course of the war? Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba sits down with FP Live from his office in Kyiv. Suggested reading: J.D. Vance: The Math on Ukraine Doesn’t Add Up Jack Detsch: Ukraine Is Still Outgunned By Russia Robbie Gramer and Rishi Iyengar: U.S. Allies Relieved After Senate Passes Long-Delayed Aid Bill Christian Caryl: What Do Russians Really Think About Putin’s War? Ravi Agrawal: How Kyiv Plans to Use American Aid For more podcasts, check out the latest episode of Disorder, 'How Small States Can Save the World,' featuring Former President of Armenia Dr Armen Sarkissian: https://linktr.ee/disorderpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Does the Republican Party Have a Foreign-Policy Vision?
The Republican Party is clearly divided on Ukraine, as recent votes in Congress have underscored. But beyond that, is it more united on foreign policy than we imagine? A new book argues just that. Matthew Kroenig is an FP columnist and a co-author of We Win, They Lose: Republican Foreign Policy and the New Cold War. He joins FP Live to discuss what a Trump 2.0 foreign policy might look like and who would be at its helm. Suggested reading: Matthew Kroenig and Dan Negrea: Republicans Are More United on Foreign Policy Than it Seems Emma Ashford and Matthew Kroenig: Are Both U.S. Parties Divided on Foreign Policy? Stephen M. Walt: Another Trump Presidency Won’t Much Change U.S. Foreign Policy Ravi Agrawal: Does Trump Have a Foreign-Policy Vision? For more podcasts, check out the latest episode of Disorder, 'How Small States Can Save the World,' featuring Former President of Armenia Dr Armen Sarkissian: https://linktr.ee/disorderpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Israel Strikes Iran
Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend accelerated concerns of a widening Middle East crisis. Israel’s response on Friday was limited and appeared to heed calls for caution by Western allies. What does this mean for the conflict in Gaza as well as the region? Ravi Agrawal is joined by Iran expert Suzanne Maloney and Israeli journalist Ronan Bergman for this discussion. Suggested reading: Emma Ashford and Matthew Kroenig: Have Israel and the United States Done Enough to Deter Iran? Jack Detsch and Robbie Gramer: Israel’s Military Risks Being Overstretched Sina Toossi: Iran Has Defined Its Red Line With Israel David E. Rosenberg: Why Arab States Haven’t Broken With Israel For more podcasts, check out the latest episode of Disorder, 'How Small States Can Save the World,' featuring Former President of Armenia Dr Armen Sarkissian: https://linktr.ee/disorderpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inside Narendra Modi’s India
Why is Narendra Modi so popular? As India begins voting this week, FP Live host Ravi Agrawal discusses his essay “The New Idea of India” with executive editor Amelia Lester. The two take subscriber questions on how India is changing under Modi and what New Delhi’s foreign policy will look like in the future. Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: The New Idea of India Rishi Iyengar: Modi’s Messenger to the World Snigdha Poonam: Meet India’s Generation Z Josh Felman, Arvind Subramanian: Is India Really the Next China? Anusha Rathi: 5 Charts That Explain India Amitava Kumar: Becoming Indian Mukul Kesavan: 4 Books to Understand Modern India Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Crisis in Haiti
The largest security crisis in the Western Hemisphere—the ongoing violence in Haiti—is severely underreported. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing the capital. Aid organizations are warning of an impending famine. What should be done? FP Live host Ravi Agrawal is joined by Miami-based journalist Jacqueline Charles and Jake Johnson, the author of Aid State, to discuss the crisis and possible responses by the international community. Suggested reading: Jake Johnson: Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti Howard W. French: Haiti Must Liberate Itself, Again Alexander Causwell: Haiti is Facing an Insurgency, Not a Gang Problem Imran Bayoumi: Haiti’s Chaos Shows How Far U.S. Stability Efforts Have to Go Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Return of Great Powers
CNN’s chief national security correspondent Jim Sciutto sits down with FP Live to share insights from his new book, The Return of Great Powers. What does a growing alliance between Russia and China mean for U.S. influence abroad? How does this moment differ from past historical instances of great-power competition? And how could this all shift with a potential second term for Donald Trump? Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: Did Russia Come Close to Using a Nuclear Device in 2022? Jim Sciutto: The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War Jim Sciutto: The Shadow War: Inside Russia’s and China’s Secret Operations to Defeat America Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is the World Prepared for More Terrorism?
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the recent attack in Moscow that killed at least 139 people. It was the country’s deadliest terrorist attack in more than a decade. Why did the Islamic State choose Russia as a target? And what does this mean for terrorism globally? Counterterrorism analyst and regular FP contributor Colin P. Clarke shares his insights with Ravi Agrawal. Clarke also serves as a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center. Suggested reading: Lucas Webber, Riccardo Valle, and Colin P. Clarke: The Islamic State Has a New Target: Russia Colin P. Clarke: Could Hamas Become a Global Threat? Lynne O’Donnell: Al Qaeda Is Back—and Thriving—in Afghanistan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the Campaign Trail Impacts Foreign Policy
Foreign policy is not typically a priority for the American voter. And yet, the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election will have an outsized impact on world affairs. How are allies and adversaries alike weighing the 2024 election? Former diplomat Richard Haass joins Ravi Agrawal to discuss. Richard Haass is president emeritus at the Council on Foreign Relations and the author of the popular substack at Home and Away. Suggested reading: Richard Haass: The War That Israel Could Have Fought Richard Haass: At Home and Away Fareed Zakaria: The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad Damon Wilson and Lynn Lee: South Korea Can Be a Democratic Leader Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The View From the Middle East
Negotiators failed to reach a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war that would have paused hostilities before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. How does the rest of the Middle East view this breakdown in negotiations? For the United States in particular, how will this shape its standing in the region, and what does it mean for the conflict moving forward? Mina Al-Oraibi, the editor in chief of the National newspaper in the United Arab Emirates, shares her insights with Ravi Agrawal. Suggested reading: Aaron David Miller: Why an End to the War in Gaza Is Still Far Off Daniel Byman: Will Gaza Ever Recover? Caroline de Gruyter: Israel and Palestine Are Now in a Religious War Stephen M. Walt: It’s Not Too Late for Restrained Foreign Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Susan Glasser on Biden’s State of the Union
President Biden’s tenure has been marked by numerous foreign-policy flash points: the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, and the conflict in the Middle East. Public perception of how he has handled these challenges could have a direct effect on his chances for reelection—a factor he tried to influence in his annual State of the Union address on Thursday, March 7. Journalist Susan Glasser joins Ravi Agrawal to share her reactions to Biden’s speech. Glasser is a staff writer at the New Yorker and a former editor in chief of Foreign Policy. Suggested reading: Michael Hirsh: Biden Starkly Lays Out the Stakes for 2024 Susan Glasser: So Much for “Sleepy Joe”: On Biden’s Rowdy, Shouty State of the Union Steven A. Cook: War Between Israel and Hezbollah Is Becoming Inevitable Jack Detsch and Robbie Gramer: State Department Beefs Up U.S. Diplomatic Presence in Kyiv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is America Becoming Isolationist?
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ annual survey of American voters shows that for the first time in nearly 50 years, a majority of Republicans prefer an isolationist approach to foreign policy. Before the Trump presidency, the Republican Party was more likely to support an active U.S. presence in the world. Former U.S. ambassador to NATO and the CEO of the Chicago Council Ivo Daalder joins Ravi Agrawal to discuss the survey and what it could mean for the 2024 election. You can listen to Daalder’s podcast, “World Review,” here. Suggested reading: Survey: Majority of Trump Republicans Prefer the United States Stay Out of World Affairs Edward Alden: A Self-Absorbed America Means Disorder for the World Doug Klain: How Europe Can Prepare for a Second Trump Term—Now Anna Merlan: Trump’s International Fan Club Descends on Maryland For more podcasts, check out: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510333/throughline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anders Fogh Rasmussen on a Grim Anniversary for Ukraine
Feb. 24 marks two years since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine. The conflict has changed the face of Europe and set off a protracted war that has had ramifications reaching far beyond its borders. Could Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy of waiting out the West prove successful, or can Western leaders rally to continue supporting a drawn-out war? What would a future peace deal look like? NATO’s former secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, argues that Western leaders need to continue to supply Ukraine with weapons—and quickly, before the war results in further instability. He joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal ahead of the war’s second anniversary to discuss the state of the conflict, lessons learned, and what the future might hold for Ukraine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices