Foreign Policy Live
Foreign Policy
Each week, Foreign Policy Live will feature a substantive conversation on world affairs. Host and FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal will be joined by leading foreign-policy thinkers and practitioners to analyze a key issue in global politics, from the U.S.-China relationship to conflict and diplomacy. FP Live is your weekly fix for smart thinking about the world.Foreign Policy magazine subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/.
One-on-One With Finnish President Alexander Stubb
Finnish President Alexander Stubb sits down with Ravi Agrawal on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference to discuss European security in Trump 2.0.Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Transcript: Finland’s President: Trump’s Strategy ‘Is a Bit of a Seesaw’Transcript: The Speech That Stunned EuropeC. Raja Mohan: India Sees Opportunities as Trump Jettisons the Western OrderJames Crabtree: Trump Could Make China Great AgainKishore Mahbubani: It’s Time for Europe to Do the Un
Why the World Is So Polarized Over Gaza
How history will weigh the war in Gaza, with author Pankaj Mishra. Mishra recently previewed his new book on the subject with Foreign Policy, in a piece titled “How Gaza Shattered the West’s Mythology.” He shares more now with Ravi Agrawal.Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Pankaj Mishra: The World After Gaza: A HistoryPankaj Mishra: How Gaza Shattered the West’s MythologyDavid E. Rosenberg: Why Gaza Is Israel’s Forever WarRan Greenstein: Settler Colonialism Isn’t What You Th
Assessing Trump’s Early Moves
U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term with rapid-fire proposals ranging from invading Greenland to imposing tariffs on top trading partners. How are these moves being viewed globally? FP Live host Ravi Agrawal is joined by three experts, spanning three continents, to learn more.Nathalie Tocci serves as the director of the Italian think tank Istituto Affari Internazionali. Former Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani is an author and geopolitical analyst. And Ed Luce is a columnist f
Trump’s Tariff Wars
At a White House press briefing on Tuesday, the Trump administration maintained that it would impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada on Feb. 1. This comes after announcing a 10 percent duty on China earlier in the week. Trade and capital expert Brad Setser is skeptical that it will follow through, though, saying that the economic ramifications of tariffs at that scale would be a “ pretty bloody big shock.” Setser sits down with host Ravi Agrawal to share more.Suggested read
FP at Davos: Defending the Cyber Frontlines
FP Live host Ravi Agrawal kicked off a lively discussion on the new frontiers of cybersecurity at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He was joined by panelists Samir Saran, president of the Observer Research Foundation; Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare; Andrius Kubilius, European commissioner for defense and space; Joe Kaeser, chairman of Siemens Energy’s supervisory board; and Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cros
Will Trump Actually Deport Millions of Unauthorized Workers?
Immigration was a top issue among voters in the 2024 U.S. election, with President-elect Donald Trump calling for the “largest deportation operation in American history.” And with the incoming administration expected to take action as soon as Trump returns to office, what are the possible ramifications of this policy? Edward Alden, author of the recent book When the World Closed its Doors: The COVID-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders, joins host Ravi Agrawal to share his insights.Suggested rea
10 Conflicts to Watch
FP Live is joined by Comfort Ero, the president and CEO of the International Crisis Group, as she details the 2025 edition of “10 Conflicts to Watch.” From Sudan to Myanmar, Haiti, Ukraine, Iran, and beyond, why is the world facing so many crises at once, and how can it solve them?Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Comfort Ero and Richard Atwood: 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2025Aaron David Miller and
Trump World
Pundits love calling President-elect Trump’s leadership “transactional.” But is that true? FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal shares his take in this audio essay from the upcoming print issue of Foreign Policy’s magazine. Take a listen.Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Kori Schake: Why Biden’s Foreign Policy Fell ShortRaghuram Rajan: Isolationism Won’t Make Anyone Gre
Looking ahead to 2025
Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS and the author of Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, sits down with host Ravi Agrawal to look ahead to 2025. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Fareed Zakaria Looks Back at 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inside Trump’s Defense Policy (Re-Air)
National security analyst and former Trump administration official Elbridge Colby joined FP Live earlier this year to share his take on what a second Trump term could mean for foreign policy. He was recently tapped to be the under secretary of defense for policy in the incoming administration. As such, he will be an integral part of Trump’s decision-making—making this episode newly relevant. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Transcript: Decoding Trump’s Foreign PolicyElbrid
Looking back at 2024
This year closed out with ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and numerous incumbents forced out after a record year of elections around the world. Fareed Zakaria, author of Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, joins FP Live to reflect on the year and share his insights on what these trends could mean for our liberal global world order. Zakaria is also the host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS.Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Transcript: The End
Samatha Power’s Exit Interview
Top humanitarian aid official and longtime diplomat Samantha Power discusses lessons learned from her post at USAID and what she’d like to share with the next administration in this bonus episode.This conversation was taped before the passage of last week's Continuing Resolution.Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Walter Kerr and Amanda Arch: U.S. Foreign Aid Is Broken but Fixable Agathe Demarais: Aid Is the Next Battleground Between China and the West
The Future of Clean Energy
The incoming Trump administration is expected to gut a key piece of President Biden’s climate legacy: the Inflation Reduction Act. How will rolling this law back shape energy policy in the future? And what does this mean for the Paris Climate Accords? The Biden administration’s top climate diplomat, John Podesta, joins FP Live to discuss. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free): Transcript: Will Trump Dismantle Biden’s Clean Energy InitiativeCameron Abadi and Adam
Chip Wars in a Trump 2.0 World
Inside a nontraditional war: the chip wars. Can Trump’s tariffs stop China’s efforts to catch up on semiconductor production? How will the AI boom change the game? The leading expert on semiconductor competition, Chris Miller, joins FP Live to discuss the state of the tech race and the impact of a second Trump administration. Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Rishi Iyengar: Everyone Wants a Chip FactoryChris Miller: Biden Opens Sneaky New Front in Trade War Against China
Syria’s Crisis and the Israel-Hezbollah Cease-Fire
For most Middle East watchers, the big news last week was that after nearly 14 months of war, Israel and Hezbollah signed a cease-fire agreement. But before the ink on that agreement was dry, another big shift was afoot: Rebel groups in Syria took control of the country’s second-largest city, Aleppo, in less than four days of battle. Middle East expert Fawaz Gerges joins FP Live to discuss the regional and global implications.Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Jeremy Hodge an
What’s Wrong With Our Environmental Politics?
The global target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius looks increasingly unlikely. What approaches to solving the climate crisis can best provide solutions? FP deputy editor Cameron Abadi joins FP Live to debut his new book: Climate Radicals: Why Our Environmental Politics Isn’t Working, which compares the policies of Germany and the United States. He shares what he has learned with Ravi Agrawal.Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze: Is Climate Activis
The Case for Trump’s Tariffs
President-elect Donald Trump is the self-proclaimed “tariff man.” On the campaign trail, he has talked about tariffs of 20 percent on goods from most countries, and 60 percent on 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 Wo
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: T
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
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.
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?
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,
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
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 Grygie
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
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:
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 Jen
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 GazaFP’
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 War
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
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 DeadlockMichael Hirsh: The World Is Leaving Biden Behind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho
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 UkraineStephen M. Walt: This Time, NATO Is in Trouble for RealChristopher 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 CenterArancha González: Isolationism Doesn’t ProtectDanny Quah: Why America Should Drop Its Obsession With Being No. 1Joseph E. Stiglitz: Play by the RulesCatherine Ashton: The Trans-Atlantic Partnership Still MattersJason Bordoff: Clean Energy Is
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 DebateFP Contributors: Letters to the Next PresidentH.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 HouseH.R. McMaster: Battlegr
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 FlightBob Davis: Who Got China Wrong?Michael H
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 GazaJohn Aziz: Violence Has Failed th
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
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 UpRavi Agrawal’s Interview With U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai (FP Live March 2023)Edward Alden on Robert Lighthize
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 IranChicago Council on Global Affairs: Majority of Americans Oppose Sending US Forces to Defend Israel if Attacked by IranTrita P
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 Wi
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 & Clinto
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
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 RussiaRobbie Gram
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 AloneHal Brands: Trump’s Return Would Transform EuropeChristopher 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 Chris
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: Ca
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 BrokenShelly Culbertson: A Chance to Fix the Broken Refugee ModelRobbie Gramer: Why is the World Ignoring a Looming Genocide in Sudan? Learn more about your ad choices. V
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 go
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.Sugge
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 t
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 Ira
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 MultilateralismEswar Prasad: The World Will Regret Its Retreat From GlobalizationJoseph E. Stiglitz: Where Global Governance Went Wrong—and How to Fix
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
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
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 UpJack Detsch: Ukraine Is Still Outgunned By RussiaRobbie Gramer and Rishi Iyengar: U.S. Allies Relieved After
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 Uni
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 Ir
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 IndiaRishi Iyengar: Modi’s Messenger to the WorldSnigdha Poonam: Meet India’s Generation ZJosh Felman, Arvind Subramanian: Is India R
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 Pani
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 Sciutt
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, Riccard
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 FoughtRic
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 readi
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
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 Daa
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 cont
Gita Gopinath on the Global Economy
Economics is sometimes called the “dismal science.” But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has a surprisingly positive outlook for the U.S. economy—even if public sentiment hasn’t yet caught up. Host Ravi Agrawal discusses the state of the global economy with Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s first deputy managing director. The two begin with Gopinath’s latest essay in Foreign Policy about trade fragmentation and fears of a new Cold War. Suggested reading:Gita Gopinath: How Policymakers Shoul
‘We Do Not Have an Iran Plan’
James Stavridis, a former NATO supreme allied commander and retired four-star admiral, sits down with Ravi Agrawal to share his insight on how Washington is navigating conflicts across two continents.Suggested reading:Thomas L. Friedman: A Biden Doctrine for the Middle East Is Forming. And It’s Big.Keith Johnson: The Houthis’ Next Target May Be UnderwaterStephen J. Hadley and Richard Fontaine: Americans Need Domestic Unity for Effective Foreign PolicyFP Live: ‘We Do Not Have an Iran Pla
What Is Tehran Thinking?
A drone strike by an Iran-backed militant group, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members, threatens to push the Middle East into a wider regional conflict. Iran has distanced itself from the attack, while President Biden has said that the U.S. will respond.Middle East experts Vali Nasr and Sanam Vakil join Ravi Agrawal to discuss what Tehran might be thinking at this moment. Nasr is a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Vakil is
A ‘Red Line’ for Biden?
Geopolitical analyst Ian Bremmer joins Ravi Agrawal to forecast the world ahead in 2024. From expanding conflict in the Middle East and a potentially partitioned Ukraine to a more optimistic take on the rise of artificial intelligence, listen in to hear his predictions.
Suggested reading:
Jack Detsch: 3 Options for How Biden Could Respond to Iran
Jared Cohen and Ian Bremmer: The Global Credibility Gap
Adam Weinstein and Steven Simon: U.S. Troops Are Dangerously Vulnerable in the Middle East
Lear
How America is Viewing Taiwan’s Election
Taiwan’s recent election resulted in the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party retaining power, prompting China-watchers to wonder how Beijing might respond. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, shares his insights with host Ravi Agrawal.Suggested reading:Hal Brands and Michael Beckley: China Is a Declining Power–and That’s the ProblemJames Palmer: Taiwan’s New President Won’t Placate ChinaHoward W. French:
FP at Davos: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Host Ravi Agrawal sits down with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for a special one-on-one conversation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Suggested reading:The Economist’s Country of the Year for 2023Elisabeth Braw: In the Red Sea, the Royal Navy Is Back Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
FP at Davos: The Year the World Votes
The rise of artificial intelligence, and its potential risk to the democratic process, is top of mind in a year of record elections. From mis- and disinformation to deepfake videos, this emerging technology could dramatically shape election outcomes. How should policymakers and tech companies work together to combat this threat? Host Ravi Agrawal moderated a panel discussion titled “Protecting Democracy Against Bots and Plots” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Panelists:
Jan Li
Israel-Hamas War: 100 Days Later
Jan. 15 marks 100 days since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people. Israel then retaliated by launching a ground invasion of Gaza. More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, and numerous others face a dire humanitarian crisis. After months of conflict and mounting international pressure, Israel announced on Jan. 1 that it would begin to pull some troops back from Gaza. But the war’s reverberations continue to threaten the stability of the l
10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024
With wars in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the world begins the new year on high alert. Comfort Ero, the president of the International Crisis Group, joins Ravi Agrawal to share her analysis of the state of the world, building on her annual essay in Foreign Policy. Suggested reading:Comfort Ero and Richard Atwood: 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024FP Contributors: 8 Simmering Threats You Shouldn’t Ignore in 2024FP Contributors: 5 Issues to Watch in 2024 Learn more about your ad choice
The World in 2024
We already know that 2024 will be the year that more people vote than in any other time in history. That’s an easy prediction to make. But what other global trends will impact the world this year? FP columnist and Harvard University professor Stephen M. Walt sits down with Ravi Agrawal to look ahead at the next 12 months.Suggested reading:Allison Meakem: Elections to Watch in 2024Comfort Ero and Richard Atwood: 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024FP Contributors: 5 Issues to Watch in 2024 Lear
Looking Back at 2023
From wars on two continents to U.S. competition with China and the rise of artificial intelligence, 2023 has been yet another impactful year. FP Live looks back on the year with columnist and political scientist Stephen M. Walt. Suggested reading:Stephen M. Walt: 5 Things in the World to Be Thankful for in 2023Stephen M. Walt: Universities Shouldn’t Ever Take Sides in a WarStephen M. Walt: The World Won’t Be the Same After the Israel-Hamas War Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg
The Ask-Me-Anything Episode
FP Live host Ravi Agrawal is joined by Foreign Policy’s executive editor, Amelia Lestor, for another ask-me-anything episode. The two discuss the Biden administration’s foreign policy strategy, the wars in Europe and the Middle East, how FP covers these conflicts, and much more.Suggested reading:FP Contributors: How Will This War End? How Can the Next One Be Prevented?Jared Cohen and Ian Bremmer: The Global Credibility Gap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Good COP, Bad COP?
Leaders from nearly 200 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at this year’s annual U.N. climate summit, known as COP28. But the agreement is nonbinding, and questions on how to finance such a transition remain unanswered. This week’s guest, however, might have those answers—and it all comes down to public-private partnerships, the reform of multilateral lenders, and better political will. Rajiv Shah served as administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Developmen
Grading Biden’s Middle East policy
More than 16,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel’s response to Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. As Israel resumes ground operations in Gaza, is there an end in sight?
Rashid Khalidi is the author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance and a professor at Columbia University. He describes why he thinks decades of failures of diplomacy have led to this moment and why the Biden administration’s Middle East policy gets an “F” in
A Primer for the International Climate Summit
The 28th edition of the international climate summit known as the Conference of the Parties—or COP—convened in Dubai this week, just as scientists announced that 2023 was likely to be the hottest year in human history. Host Ravi Agrawal spoke to Vijay Vaitheeswaran, the Global energy and climate innovation editor at The Economist, about what to expect.
Suggested reading:
Rajiv J. Shah: At COP28, the World Needs to Prioritize Financial Reform
Catherine Osborn: Will COP28 Jump-Start Latin America’
How to Reboot Charity
What’s the most effective way to give to people in dire need?Rory Stewart, a former U.K. cabinet official and the head of the charity GiveDirectly, discusses the power of unconditional cash transfers and how that could revolutionize attempts to combat poverty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Takeaways From the Biden-Xi Meeting
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the United States for the first time in six years this week, announcing with U.S. President Joe Biden a range of new collaborations between the world’s two biggest economies. Host Ravi Agrawal convenes a panel to analyze takeaways from this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco and is joined by FP’s James Palmer, the Spectator’s Cindy Yu, and former Obama administration advisor Evan Medeiros.
Suggested reading:
Robbie Gramer: Biden
Why America Has a New Tech Ambassador
The State Department has a new Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, and it’s run by Nathaniel Fick, a former cybersecurity executive and marine. Ambassador Fick joined the Biden administration to make sure that every department’s digital policy is connected up together. And his job is to make sure the White House can combat threats emerging from cyberspace and AI in the best possible way. Fick joins Ravi Agrawal to share his vision for this new department.Suggested reading:Ravi Agra
Regional Reverberations from Israel’s War on Hamas
What does the Israel-Hamas war mean for the region and the world? That’s what’s on the minds of policymakers as the conflict enters a new phase with the start of Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza. Experts Kim Ghattas and Steven A. Cook share their analysis with host Ravi Agrawal.Ghattas is a journalist based in Beirut and the author of Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East. Cook is a regular F
Ehud Barak on What Happens Next
Over the weekend, Israel began its ground invasion of Gaza, compounding the humanitarian crisis there and causing record civilian losses. This comes amid growing concerns from experts of a larger regional conflict. How should the United States and the global community respond to prevent further escalation in the region and minimize harm to the Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians?
Former Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak joins host Ravi Agrawal on this week’s episode o
Fiona Hill on the War in Ukraine
How is Russian President Vladimir Putin assessing the unfolding conflict in the Middle East? And how will that impact Western support for Ukraine? Fiona Hill is just the person to ask. She’s advised both Democratic and Republican administrations on Russia policy and is currently a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.Suggested reading:Fiona Hill: There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the 21st CenturyAmy Mackinnon: What Putin Stands to Gain From Israel-Hamas WarIan
David Petraeus on a World at War
Renewed conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine have left policymakers scrambling. Retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus joins FP Live to discuss America’s role and what he expects to happen next. In a 37-year career in the military, Petraeus led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming CIA director from 2011 to 2012. He is also a co-author of Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare From 1945 to Ukraine.Suggested reading:David Petraeus: Conflict: The Evolution
War in the Middle East—and Congress Is Dysfunctional
Israel has demanded that 1.1 million Gazans relocate from the north into the south, as a siege of the strip intensifies. What is Washington’s role? Democratic Rep. Andy Kim joined Ravi Agrawal amid a continued failure to elect a new speaker of the House of Representatives. Part of this conversation, focused on China, will also be featured in Foreign Policy’s podcast Global Reboot, in partnership with the Doha Forum.Suggested reading:Daniel Byman: Hamas’s Strategy of FailureHoward W. Fre
Israel Orders Complete Siege on Gaza
An extra episode this week: Aaron David Miller joins Ravi Agrawal to share his insights as Israel orders a complete siege of Gaza and declares war on Hamas. The declaration comes after a deadly Hamas attack last weekend that killed hundreds of Israelis.
Miller has advised six Republican and Democratic secretaries of state on Middle East policy. He is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Suggested reading:
FP Contributors: Israel-Hamas War
Steven A. Cook: The Ham
What China’s Slowdown Means for the World
The world’s second-largest economy is slowing down. But are concerns overblown? What’s at risk for the global economy? How should policymakers react?
The Wall Street Journal’s chief China correspondent, Lingling Wei; economist Adam Posen; and FP’s James Palmer join Ravi Agrawal to decipher the economic data and news from China.
Suggested reading:
James Palmer: As China’s Property Sector Crumbles, Who Takes the Fall?
Zongyuan Zoe Liu: Xi’s Policies Have Shortened the Fuse on China’s Economic Tim
Global Dispatches Podcast
BONUS EPISODE: The Global Dispatches podcast—“How Interpol Works, with Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock”
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heather Cox Richardson on American Democracy
Political polarization and disinformation may seem to be on the rise in the United States, but these tactics are not new. As historian Heather Cox Richardson notes, political candidates in early U.S. history would game elections by saying that their opponent was dead.Are there reasons to be hopeful about democracy? Boston College Professor Heather Cox Richardson joins Ravi Agrawal to discuss her new book, Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America.Suggested reading:Heather Cox R
Samantha Power on Development Diplomacy
Samantha Power is a powerful voice in the Biden administration. She not only is the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the country’s primary arm for international aid, but also sits on U.S. President Joe Biden’s National Security Council. How does Power think through which countries need U.S. aid the most, and how do decisions get made? Power joins Ravi Agrawal to discuss how this week’s United Nations General Assembly might move the needle on key initiative
What Washington Wants From the U.N. This Week
The United Nations today is often criticized for being ineffective, even paralyzed, a far cry from what Winston Churchill once referred to as the “only hope of the world.” Is that true? Can it still serve as an effective tool for solving today’s global challenges?
Linda Thomas-Greenfield is the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She joins Ravi Agrawal ahead of the United Nations General Assembly this week to discuss the Biden administration's priorities.
Suggested reading:
Amy Mackinnon, Ro
How Taiwan Is Learning From Ukraine
Taiwan has long lived under the shadow of China’s desire to take over its territory. And as China’s economy and military have grown, so too has the threat of a potential invasion. What is Taipei’s strategy for defense and security, and how is it marshaling support from other countries? Ravi Agrawal is joined by Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.Suggested reading:Hal Brands: Deterrence in Taiwan Is FailingJoseph Wu: Why Taiwan Has a Lock on the World’s Chip MarketRaymond Kuo: ‘Strateg
The World’s Most Important Alliances
People often describe the United Nations as paralyzed. If that’s the case, where do countries turn to if they want to advance global issues that require cooperation? Is it the G-20? The G-7? Smaller groups? Foreign Policy’s Fall 2023 print issue, “The Alliances That Matter Now,” explores the state of global policymaking. Princeton University’s G. John Ikenberry joins host Ravi Agrawal to discuss his essay on the G-7 and its role in the new world order.
Suggested reading:
G. John Ikenberry: The G
Irregular Warfare Podcast
BONUS EPISODE: The Irregular Warfare podcast—“Deterrence through Asymmetry: Preparing for Conflict in the Taiwan Strait.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Democracy Dilemma
Democracies are in decline around the world. What can be done to strengthen democratic institutions? At the annual Aspen Ideas Festival, host Ravi Agrawal sat down with Nobel laureate Maria Ressa; Freedom House President Mike Abramowitz; and Shadi Hamid, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.Suggested reading and listening:Hélène Landemore: More Power to More PeopleShadi Hamid: Lessons for the Next Arab SpringMichael Hirsh: Trump’s Trials Are America’s Stress TestDisinformation,
The Ask-Me-Anything Edition
As a special summer edition of Foreign Policy Live, Ravi Agrawal shares the mic with his colleague Amelia Lester and answers audience questions on China’s economic slowdown, the state of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, and more.This episode was recorded before the Wagner group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was reportedly killed in a plane crash in Russia.And while you're here, listeners, we're offering a rare 50 percent discount on a subscription to Foreign Policy for a short time. Go to forei
Inside Manipur’s Ethnic Violence
Home to just over 3 million people, the Indian state of Manipur is the site of intense conflict between its two largest ethnic groups. The violence, which broke out in May, has largely gone uncovered in the West. Why is it happening? What can be done to stop it? And how will it impact the broader region? Journalist Barkha Dutt and defense analyst Sushant Singh join Ravi Agrawal to discuss.
Suggested reading:
Sushant Singh: Manipur Crisis Tests Modi’s India
Michael Kugelman: India Steps Up Diplom
Is Bidenomics Working?
Inflation is slowing, unemployment remains low, and a recession is now considered unlikely. And the Biden administration is taking credit, citing its economic policies—Bidenomics—as the reason. But is that true? And have these policies followed through on their promise?
White House economist Heather Boushey debates Ravi Agrawal on the merits of Bidenomics and how to strengthen the American middle class.
Suggested reading:
Adam Posen: America’s Zero-Sum Economics Doesn’t Add Up
James C. Capretta
Ro Khanna’s Plan to Reset the U.S.-China Relationship
The White House’s China policy needs a reset. So says Rep. Ro Khanna, who has a plan to rebalance trade ties with Beijing and reduce tensions. Host Ravi Agrawal quizzes Khanna on China, the war in Ukraine, India, and more.
Foreign Policy Live will be holding an ask-me-anything later this summer. Send in your questions to podcasts@foreignpolicy.com or by visiting foreignpolicy.com/live.
Suggested reading:
Melissa Morgan: Congressman Ro Khanna Addresses Intersection of America’s Economy and U.S.-
Has China Peaked?
Will China keep on rising? Or has it reached a peak? The answer to this question is crucial because it determines how countries should deal with Beijing. But there’s no clear consensus. Scholars Michael Beckley and Keyu Jin join FP’s Ravi Agrawal to debate opposite perspectives on China’s trajectory. Foreign Policy Live will be holding an ask-me-anything later this summer. Send in your questions to podcasts@foreignpolicy.com.Suggested reading:Hal Brands: The Dangers of China’s DeclineHa
Assessing Kyiv’s Counteroffensive
It’s been a mixed summer for Ukraine. Kyiv’s counteroffensive is progressing slowly, and the country was stymied in its bid to join NATO. But Russia has suffered military setbacks, and the West continues to offer Ukraine important security guarantees. Andrea Kendall-Taylor joins FP Live host Ravi Agrawal to discuss the latest in the war and assess where things might head next. Kendall-Taylor is the director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for New American Security.
Suggested
The Scramble for AI
The world’s most powerful countries are racing to dominate artificial intelligence. Who will win? The answer might lie in who controls high-end chips—and the critical metals behind them. Paul Scharre, the author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, describes this competition in FP’s new Summer 2023 print issue and joins host Ravi Agrawal to discuss how AI will shape geopolitics for years to come. Suggested reading:Paul Scharre: AI’s Gatekeepers Aren’t Prep
NATO and the War in Ukraine
World leaders will gather in Vilnius, Lithuania, next week for NATO’s annual summit. Will Sweden be accepted into the security alliance? Will member states offer security guarantees for Ukraine? Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen joins host Ravi Agrawal for insights.
Suggested reading:
FP Contributors: NATO’s Next Decade
Elisabeth Braw: Sweden Is Doing Fine in NATO’s Waiting Room
Poll: U.S. Elites Agree on NATO Enlargement
Sinan Ciddi: Will Erdogan Finally Ratify Sweden’s NATO A
Inside the U.S.-China Tech War
Over the last few years, the United States has moved to limit China’s technological rise. U.S.-led sanctions have imposed unprecedented limits on Beijing’s access to advanced computing chips. In response, China has accelerated its own efforts to develop its technological industry and reduce its dependence on external imports.Where is U.S.-China tech competition headed? How are other countries being impacted as a result? Technology expert Dan Wang, who was known for his yearly reflection
Is India Taking Advantage of America?
In its geopolitical struggle with China, the thinking goes, the United States can rely on India as a key partner. Longtime U.S. policymaker and India analyst Ashley Tellis disagrees: He argues that New Delhi is likely to do only what serves its interests, and that Washington should beware. Is he right? Tellis debates FP Live host Ravi Agrawal. Suggested reading:Ashley Tellis: America’s Bad Bet on IndiaC. Raja Mohan: For Biden and Modi, Interests Prevail Over IdeologyRishi Iyengar: Why I
Why Taiwan Has a Lock on the World’s Chip Market
Nearly 90 percent of the advanced semiconductor chips that power the modern world, from high-end smartphones to weapons systems, are made by one company in Taiwan. This monopoly has a profound impact on geopolitics and the global economy. How did we get to this point? And does any other country or company stand a chance at breaking in? To discuss this and much more, FP’s Ravi Agrawal is joined by Chris Miller, the author of Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology.Su
Are Europe and the United States Aligned on China?
A shaky U.S.-China relationship was on display at last weekend’s Shangri-La Dialogue security conference. What does it mean for Europe? Ravi Agrawal is joined by James Palmer, author of Foreign Policy’s China Brief, and Cindy Yu, host of the Chinese Whispers podcast and assistant editor at the Spectator, to discuss how Brussels and Washington differ in their approaches to China—and how Beijing could exploit that dynamic.
Suggested reading:
James Palmer: Why Beijing Won’t Engage With Washington
Is AI Out of Control?
The rise of artificial intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities for policymakers, prompting questions of how it should be regulated by governments. FP’s editor in chief Ravi Agrawal is joined by Alondra Nelson, a former White House official and the mind behind the Biden administration’s “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.”
Suggested reading:
Bhaskar Chakravorti: Big Tech’s Stranglehold on Artificial Intelligence Must Be Regulated
Howard French: Only Humility Can Save Us From AI
R
Why Ukraine Is Wooing the Global South
It’s well known that the West has rallied to support Kyiv and punish Moscow right from the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But large parts of the developing world—the so-called global south—have chosen to stay neutral. In fact, China has reaffirmed its friendship with Russia, and New Delhi has dramatically ramped up oil imports from Moscow. What should Kyiv do in response? Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova recently visited India to make a case for why the world s
Has Ukraine’s Spring Offensive Already Begun?
Is the next phase of the war in Ukraine upon us? Rand Corp. expert Dara Massicot joins host Ravi Agrawal to discuss Kyiv’s much-anticipated spring offensive and how Moscow might respond.
Suggested reading:
Dmytro Kuleba: 5 Reasons Ukraine Should Get F-16 Jets
Robbie Gramer: Ukraine Is Knock, Knock, Knocking on NATO’s Door
Russia’s Boom Business Goes Bust
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is America’s China Policy Shifting?
Recent statements by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan have dominated discussions in political circles in Washington. Is America’s China policy shifting? Is the White House adapting its approach based on feedback from Europe? FP executive editor Amelia Lester is joined by reporters Christina Lu, Jack Detsch, and Robbie Gramer for a wide-ranging discussion on U.S.-China relations.Suggested reading:Robbie Gramer and Christina Lu: Washington’s Chin
The Most Important Election in 2023?
After 20 years in power, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces a tough reelection on May 14. High inflation and an earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people have created a political opening for opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. What are the dynamics shaping this election? And what would a change of leadership in Ankara mean for the world?Host Ravi Agrawal is joined by FP columnist Steven Cook and Gonul Tol, author of Erdogan’s War.Suggested reading:Reuben Silverman: Wha
John Kerry on the Climate Crisis
A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sounded the alarm once again that the time to act is now if the global community hopes to limit the effects of climate change. But is there sufficient political will across countries to implement the necessary policies? And how should top polluters—such as the United States and China—be held to account?
FP’s Ravi Agrawal is joined by U.S. climate envoy John Kerry to discuss this and much more.
Suggested reading:
Thom Woodroofe: A P
Inside the White House’s Defense Strategy
In early April, the U.S. government became aware that classified documents had been shared widely online, in what is considered to be the most damaging national security leak since Edward Snowden. How will the Biden administration respond?This week, FP’s Ravi Agrawal is joined by Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, to discuss the recent leaks, U.S. strategy in Ukraine, China, and beyond.Suggested reading:Rishi Iyengar: Biden Wants to Reboot America’s Cyber Defense
Larry Summers on China, Russia, and the Global Economy
Could the United States enter a recession this year? Renowned economist Larry Summers thinks such a scenario is more likely than not. He also thinks the United States’ increasingly hawkish China policy is dangerous for the world. Summers discusses all that and more with host Ravi Agrawal. FP subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/.Suggested reading:Jessica Chen Weiss: Is America’s China Policy Too Hawki
Ukraine’s Spring Offensive
Russia’s winter offensive in Ukraine was largely a bust. Now, it’s Kyiv’s turn to strike back. What can its army achieve, and what help does it need from the West? Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis joins FP’s Ravi Agrawal to game out what happens next, plus how Beijing is viewing the conflict.FP subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone
What Made in America Means for the World
In a Foreign Policy essay that is being much discussed by policymakers this week, Adam Posen argues that U.S. industrial policy is needlessly protectionist—and is likely to backfire. Why does he think Washington has it wrong? And how did we get here? Posen discusses and debates his ideas with host Ravi Agrawal.FP subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.
Ehud Barak, Israel’s former Prime Minister
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent move to overhaul the judiciary branch has prompted weeks of protests. Critics are calling this moment a constitutional crisis, one that could jeopardize the future of what many consider to be the Middle East’s only democracy. FP’s editor in chief Ravi Agrawal is joined by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, one of the top voices protesting this move, to hear more.Foreign Policy subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questi
The Catch
Every now and then, we’ll introduce you to some of our other podcasts in this feed. If you like them, you can subscribe directly; if not, we’ll have a fresh FP Live episode for you soon. This week, try out a sample of season two of The Catch, a Foreign Policy podcast in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation. Host Ruxandra Guidi travels to the upper gulf of California to hear from shrimp fishers and local experts on how conservation efforts to save an endangered porpoise is shaping their
America’s Role in Helping Ukraine
With the help of Western allies, Ukraine has been able to hold off Russian forces for over a year. And with winter coming to an end, experts are now looking at potential outcomes to what could become a prolonged conflict. This week, Ravi Agrawal is joined by Gen. Philip Breedlove, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, to gauge options that Western policymakers are currently weighing.Foreign Policy subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestion
Is America’s China Policy Too Hawkish?
It’s rare in Washington for Democrats and Republicans to agree on anything. And yet, when it comes to countering China’s rise, both parties are gravitating towards a more aggressive stance. Anyone who diverges from this is accused of being too sympathetic to China.FP Live’s guest this week is a prominent voice arguing for a more measured approach. China expert and former State Department staffer Jessica Chen Weiss joins FP’s Ravi Agrawal to share her concerns.Foreign Policy subscribers
Is the World De-Globalizing?
With international trade still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, countries are turning inward by prioritizing domestic investments over global trade. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and U.S. President Joe Biden’s calls to “Buy American” have prompted accusations of “protectionism” from leaders in Asia and Europe.
FP’s Ravi Agrawal is joined by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to discuss the Biden administration’s economic policies and whether
Russia’s War in Ukraine, One Year On
This week marks exactly one year since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine. There is now little doubt that Putin failed in his initial goals. But can the West stay united in helping Ukraine? Host and FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal is joined by top Russia experts Angela Stent and Michael Kofman to analyze the state of the two countries’ militaries and where the course of war may go from here.Angela Stent is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings I
COMING SOON: Foreign Policy Live
We're making a change. Starting this week, Foreign Policy Playlist's feed will be the audio home for our forum for live journalism: Foreign Policy Live. Check back each week to hear our latest discussion with world leaders and policy experts. Foreign Policy magazine subscribers can also watch these discussions live by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/This feed's listeners have access to a special discount for a limited time. Use the code FPLive for 15% off a subscription of your choice.Th
Israel’s Constitutional Crisis
Protests erupted in Israel over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary. Experts warn that this move could lead to a constitutional crisis. To better understand how this could impact U.S.-Israel relations, regional stability, peace with the Palestinians, and much more, FP’s Dan Ephron is joined by Amir Tibon, senior editor at Haaretz. Ephron is FP’s executive editor for podcasts and former Jerusalem Bureau Chief for Newsweek. Foreign Policy subscribe
Ensuring A Just Transition in Komati, South Africa
FP Playlist recommends: Heat of the Moment.This week on FP Playlist, we feature an episode from Heat of the Moment, a Foreign Policy podcast in partnership with the Climate Investment Funds. Heat of the Moment's latest season looks at how communities and economies are transitioning away from fossil fuels in a fair and equitable way. Playlist host Laura Rosbrow-Telem sat down with reporter Elna Schutz who traveled to Komati, South Africa to hear firsthand from workers affected by a recent power p
Are US Sanctions on Russia Working?
FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke with two experts on sanctions to find out if they have worked: Agathe Demarais, global forecasting director at the Economist Intelligence Unit and author of Backfire: How Sanctions Reshape the World Against U.S. Interests; and Nicholas Mulder, an assistant professor of history at Cornell University and author of The Economic Weapon: The Rise of Sanctions as a Tool of Modern War.
FP subscribers can watch or read a condensed version of the interview.
Learn more about your
Grading Biden's Foreign Policy
Biden Foreign Policy : Two years into his first term, how has U.S. President Joe Biden fared on foreign policy? FP’s Ravi Agrawal discusses the Biden administration’s foreign-policy successes and failures, with Stephen Wertheim, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Nadia Schadlow, a former U.S. deputy national security advisor for strategy.
Foreign Policy subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreig
Introducing FP Live
Join FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal each week for insightful conversations with leading experts in world affairs.
Foreign Policy subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices