Foreign Policy Live

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 Should Handle a Fragmenting World Adam Posen: America’s Zero-Sum Economics Doesn’t Add Up Adam Tooze: The IMF is an anchor adrift in a changing world economy And FP is looking for a new producer of this show. If you’d like to work with us, please check out the job description: https://foreignpolicy.com/employment-opportunities/.

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 Underwater Stephen J. Hadley and Richard Fontaine: Americans Need Domestic Unity for Effective Foreign Policy FP Live: ‘We Do Not Have an Iran Plan’ Brought to you by: hellofresh.com/FPLiveFree

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 the director of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa program. Suggested reading: Jack Detsch: 3 Options for How Biden Could Respond to Iran Adam Weinstein and Steven Simon: U.S. Troops Are Dangerously Vulnerable in the Middle East Ravi Agrawal: Ian Bremmer: Attack on U.S. Troops 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

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 Problem James Palmer: Taiwan’s New President Won’t Placate China Howard W. French: The Reason China Can’t Stop Its Decline The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party: Reset, Prevent, Build: A Strategy to Win America’s Economic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party: Ten for Taiwan: Policy Recommendations to Preserve Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait

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 2023 Elisabeth Braw: In the Red Sea, the Royal Navy Is Back

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 Lipavský is the foreign minister for the Czech Republic. Smriti Zubin Irani is India’s minister of women and child development.  André Kudelski is the CEO of the Kudelski Group. Alexandra Reeve Givens is the CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology. Matthew Prince is the co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: The Year the World Votes Rishi Iyengar: What AI Will Do to Elections Pratap Bhanu Mehta: The Specter of Nationalism Jan-Werner Müller: The Myth of Social Media and Populism Leslie Vinjamuri: What Another Trump-Biden Showdown Means for the World

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 larger region as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon rise and the United States responds to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Hezbollah and the Houthis are both backed by Iran.  Host Ravi Agrawal revisits conversations with experts on all sides of this conflict as we enter a new phase of the war. Suggested reading: Jon Hoffman: U.S. Middle East Policy Has Failed Elisabeth Braw: In the Red Sea, the Royal Navy Is Back Amy Mackinnon: How the Gaza War Could Shape Global Politics in 2024 Raphael S. Cohen: The Trouble With a Cease-Fire

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 2024 FP Contributors: 8 Simmering Threats You Shouldn’t Ignore in 2024 FP Contributors: 5 Issues to Watch 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 2024 Comfort Ero and Richard Atwood: 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024 FP Contributors: 5 Issues to Watch in 2024

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 2023 Stephen M. Walt: Universities Shouldn’t Ever Take Sides in a War Stephen M. Walt: The World Won’t Be the Same After the Israel-Hamas War

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

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 Development under President Barack Obama. He is now president of the Rockefeller Foundation and the author of Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens. Suggested reading: Rajiv Shah: Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens Christina Lu: Good COP or Bad COP? Lili Pike: The Climate Envoys Who Could Shayak Sengupta and Abhinav Jindal: Are Global Climate Partnerships Fit for Purpose?

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 his report card.  Suggested reading: FP Contributors: How Will This War End? How Can the Next One Be Prevented? Tareq Baconi: What Was Hamas Thinking? Steven A. Cook: Israel May End Up Reoccupying Gaza Steven Simon and Aaron David Miller: Grading Biden on the Israel-Hamas War

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’s Green Energy Ambitions? Shayak Sengupta: India Isn’t Interested in the West’s Climate Money Vijay Vaitheeswarran: The Dark Side of Climate Finance Brought to you by: betterhelp.com/fplive greenchef.com/fplive250

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.

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 and Xi Try the Personal Touch James Palmer: Can Xi and Biden Repair U.S.-China Ties? Agathe Demarais: Don’t Expect Much From Biden and Xi Christina Lu: Beijing Tightens Its Grip on the Critical Minerals Sector

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 Agrawal: Why America Has a New Tech Ambassador Rishi Iyengar: Biden Turns a Few More Screws on China’s Chip Industry Rishi Iyengar: Inside the White House-Backed Effort to Hack AI

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 FP columnist and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Suggested reading: Kim Ghattas: Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-year Rivalry that Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East Steven A. Cook: Saudi Arabia is Mysteriously Absent in the Israel-Hamas War Steven A. Cook: Why the U.S. Tolerates Qatar’s Hamas Ties Oliver Stuenkel: Why the Global South is Accusing America of Hypocrisy

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 of Foreign Policy Live. Suggested reading: Daniel Byman: The Israel-Hamas War Has Entered a ‘New Phase.’ Here’s What to Expect. Tal Alroy: ‘We Will Never Forgive Netanyahu for What He Did to Us’ Stephen M. Walt: Universities Shouldn’t Ever Take Sides in a War Franz-Stefan Gady: Israel’s Military Tech Fetish Is a Failed Strategy

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 Century Amy Mackinnon: What Putin Stands to Gain From Israel-Hamas War Ian S. Lustick: Vengeance Is Not a Policy Kenneth M. Pollack: The 1973 War Analogy Is Deeper Than You Think Howard W. French: Biden’s Unquestioning Support for Israel Could Be a Costly Error

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 of Warfare From 1945 to Ukraine David Petraeus and Frederick W. Kagan: Ukraine’s counteroffensive might yet surprise critics Robbie Gramer: How Congressional Chaos Hampers U.S. Aid to Israel, Ukraine Ian S. Lustick: Vengeance Is Not a Policy For other podcasts, check out: https://www.goalhangerpodcasts.com/disorder

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 Failure Howard W. French: The Peril in Declaring ‘I Stand with Israel’ Alexandra Sharp: Blinken Visits Israel to Pledge U.S. Military Aid For other podcasts, check out: https://www.goalhangerpodcasts.com/disorder

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 Hamas Attack Has Changed Everything Daniel Byman: Will Hezbollah Join the War Against Israel? Michael Hirsh: Netanyahu’s Road to War Elisabeth Braw: How the Israel-Hamas War Could Spike Oil Prices Yousef Munayyer: Laying Siege to Gaza Is No Solution

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 Time Bomb Hal Brands: The Dangers of China’s Decline Tony Chan, Ben Harburg, and Kishore Mahbubani: America Can’t Stop China’s Rise

BONUS EPISODE: The Global Dispatches podcast—“How Interpol Works, with Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock”

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 Richardson: How the U.S. Created Its Own Reality Heather Cox Richardson: Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America Hélène Landemore: More Power to More People FP Contributors: 10 Ideas to Fix Democracy Brought to you by: betterhelp.com/FPLive greenchef.com/60FPLive

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 initiatives. Suggested reading: Gordon Brown: A New Multilateralism Stefan Theil: The Alliances That Matter Now Darren Walker: Can the G-20 Be a Champion for the Global South? Brought to you by: betterhelp.com/FPLive greenchef.com/60FPLive

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, Robbie Gramer, and Avian Muñoz: What to Expect When You’re Expecting the U.N. General Assembly Mark Malloch-Brown: The United Nations is Convening—and Sputtering Gordon Brown: A New Multilateralism

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 Failing Joseph Wu: Why Taiwan Has a Lock on the World’s Chip Market Raymond Kuo: ‘Strategic Ambiguity’ Has the U.S. and Taiwan Trapped Gabriel Scheinmann: 4 Ways U.S. Support for Ukraine Helps Defend Taiwan

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-7 Becomes a Power Player Michael Kugelman: Will India’s G-20 Summit Succeed? James Palmer: Xi Jinping Will Be a G-20 No-Show Michael J. Green: Never Say Never to an Asian NATO

BONUS EPISODE: The Irregular Warfare podcast—“Deterrence through Asymmetry: Preparing for Conflict in the Taiwan Strait.”

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 People Shadi Hamid: Lessons for the Next Arab Spring Michael Hirsh: Trump’s Trials Are America’s Stress Test Disinformation, Intimidation, and Other Threats to Press Freedom

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 foreignpolicy.com/subscribe and enter promo code FPLIVE. If you sign up for the annual subscription, you’ll get 50 percent off the entire year. Our usual discounts are much much smaller, so if you've been thinking about subscribing, now is the time. Suggested reading: Howard W. French: Niger’s Coup Is a Turning Point for Africans FP Live Debate: Has China Peaked? Paul Scharre: AI’s Gatekeepers Aren’t Prepared for What’s Coming

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 Diplomacy With Myanmar Sushant Singh: Modi Can’t Look Away From Manipur

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: The New Washington Consensus on Trade is Wrong Ravi Agrawal: The White House’s Case for Industrial Policy Adam Tooze: The Mixed Bag of Bidenomics Ravi Agrawal: ‘De-Risking is Consulting Gibberish’

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.-China Geopolitical Challenges Gregory W. Meeks: Anti-China Rhetoric Distracts Washington—and Boosts Beijings A. Wess Mitchell: Why Biden’s China Reset Is a Bad Idea Reid Smith: Why the U.S.-China ‘Cold War’ Framing Is So Dangerous

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 Decline Hal Brands: China Is a Declining Power—and That’s the Problem Robert A. Manning: The U.S. Doesn’t Need China’s Collapse to Win Howard W. French: A Shrinking China Can’t Overtake America Ravi Agrawal: Has China Peaked?

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 reading: Simon Sebag Montefiore: Putin’s Fear of Strong Generals Is as Old as Russia Itself Anastasia Edel: Inside Putin’s Surreal Television Empire Jack Detsch: Wagner Mutiny Rattles the Kremlin’s War in Ukraine Stephen M. Walt: Cluster Bombs and the Contradictions of Liberalism

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 Prepared for What’s Coming Stanley McChrystal: AI Has Entered the Situation Room Sasha Polakow-Suransky: Can ChatGPT Explain Geopolitics? Alondra Nelson: How to Regulate AI

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 Accession? No One Knows.

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 reflections on China when living in Shanghai, joins FP Live host Ravi Agrawal.  Suggested reading: Dan Wang: 2022 Letter Dan Wang: 2021 Letter Jon Bateman: Biden Is Now All-In on Taking Out China Agathe Demarais: How the U.S.-Chinese Technology War Is Changing the World Rishi Iyengar and Liam Scott: What the ChatGPT Moment Means for U.S.-China Tech Competition

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 India C. Raja Mohan: For Biden and Modi, Interests Prevail Over Ideology Rishi Iyengar: Why India and the U.S. Are Closer Than Ever Sushant Singh: Modi Can’t Look Away From Manipur Ramachandra Guha: The Cult of Modi

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. Suggested reading: Rishi Iyengar: Who Will Make the Chips? Howard W. French: The Risks of the CHIPS Act No One’s Talking About Elisabeth Braw: Taiwan Needs Business Help to Harden Its Economy Against 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 Reid Smith: Why the U.S.-China ‘Cold War’ Framing Is So Dangerous Rishi Iyengar and Robbie Gramer: The U.S. and China Are Caught in a Technology Trap Hal Brands: The Battle for Eurasia Ravi Agrawal: How Europe is Navigating a Fraught U.S.-China Relationship

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 Rishi Iyengar: The Global Race to Regulate AI

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 should care about the conflict in her country. She joins host Ravi Agrawal to discuss her global diplomatic push and how she views offers of mediation from countries like Brazil and China. Suggested reading: Jack Detsch and Robbie Gramer: Ukraine’s Next Big Diplomatic Offensive Is in the Global South Angela Stent: The West vs. The Rest C. Raja Mohan: Why Non-Alignment Is Dead and Won’t Return

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

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 China Hawks Take Flight Christina Lu: Washington Doesn’t Want You to Call It Decoupling Adam Tooze: America Has Dictated Its Economic Peace Terms to China

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: What Happens When a Turkish President Loses an Election? No One Knows. Steven A. Cook: What if Kemal Kilicdaroglu Wins Turkey’s Election? Halil Karaveli: Turkey’s Opposition Can’t Win Without the Working Class Gonul Tol: Erdogan’s War: A Strongman’s Struggle at Home and in Syria

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 Partnership to Save the Planet Scott Moore: The U.S. Can Steal China’s Climate Leadership Crown Adam Tooze: Should the World Adjust Its Climate Targets

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 Defenses Colin Kahl: ‘We’re All In’ on Supporting Ukraine

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 Hawkish? Adam Tooze: Why a Soft Landing Is Possible Even if It Defies Economic Theory Agathe Demarais: Don’t Trust Russia’s Numbers Adam Posen: America’s Zero-Sum Economics Doesn’t Add Up Eswar Prasad: The World Will Regret Its Retreat From Globalization

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/.

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/.

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 questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/.

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 local economy.

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 suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/.

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 can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/.

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 these initiatives create unfair competition.  Foreign Policy subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/.

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 Institution and Michael Kofman is the program director at the Center for Naval Analyseis.  Foreign Policy subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/. And as you know, this feed includes episodes from previous FP shows. You can clean your feed and see just FP Live episodes in two quick steps. On Apple Podcasts, click on the button with the three dots at the top of the FP Live page and select “Remove downloads.”

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/.

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.

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://foreignpolicy.com/live/.

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 subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/.