Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast Sen. Andy Kim on the Putin-Xi-Modi (and Trump?) World Order
Sep 2, 2025
U.S. Senator Andy Kim, a former Pentagon and State Department official, shares insights from his recent trip to Asia, highlighting the vital alliances with South Korea and Japan. He discusses the evolving global leadership landscape, focusing on the growing ties between India, Russia, and China. Kim also addresses the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party on foreign relations, particularly regarding Israel and Gaza. Additionally, he navigates the potential government shutdown and the importance of a united budgeting vision amidst political challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Global View: U.S. Seen As Unpredictable
- Andy Kim warns that other countries view the U.S. as declining and unpredictable under the current administration.
- This unpredictability drives partners to build resilience and pivot toward competitors like China and Russia.
Leadership Is Economic Power
- Kim reframes leadership as economic leadership tied to innovation, semiconductors, and tech leadership rather than charity.
- He argues strong global engagement is required to protect the U.S. economy and generational prosperity.
Alliances Rebuild U.S. Capacity
- Kim rejects isolationist 'America Alone' approaches and says U.S. domestic capacity is insufficient to go it entirely alone.
- He highlights alliances (e.g., South Korea) as partners to rebuild U.S. manufacturing and strategic advantage.