Washington Week with the Atlantic full episode, 2/21/25
Feb 22, 2025
auto_awesome
Susan Glasser, a staff writer at The New Yorker, offers sharp insights into the dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, particularly the surprising pivot towards Russia at Ukraine's expense. She discusses the implications for traditional European alliances, the alarming dismissal of military leaders over political loyalty, and the complexities in Trump's personal relationships with democratic allies. The conversation reveals how diverging ideologies within the administration complicate America's global standing and trustworthiness.
President Trump's shift in blaming Ukraine for the war instigated by Russia undermines U.S. support for Ukraine and European alliances.
The firing of General C.Q. Brown reflects a concerning trend towards military leadership aligned with personal agendas rather than expertise.
Deep dives
Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy Towards Russia
The episode highlights a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia. The speaker elaborates on President Trump's alarming shift in rhetoric, suggesting that Ukraine is to blame for the war initiated by Russia, undermining years of U.S. support for Ukraine's defense. This reversal raises concerns among European allies who are left questioning America's reliability and commitment to the NATO alliance. The remarks signal an unsettling transition where America's longstanding role as a supportive ally is being compromised, indicating a potential pivot towards an adversarial stance against Ukraine.
Impact on Military Leadership
The episode discusses President Trump's controversial decision to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown, potentially reflecting a desire for military leaders who align closely with his personal agenda. The move is viewed as unconventional, raising questions about the politicization of military leadership in the U.S. and the implications for military trust and integrity. Concerns are also expressed about what this signifies for future military decisions, especially regarding domestic policies and actions like the Insurrection Act, alluding to a troubling trend towards loyalty over expertise within the armed forces.
Deterioration of U.S. Alliances
The episode underscores the broader implications of Trump's foreign policy on international alliances established after World War II. As emphasized, the perception that the U.S. is shifting to align more closely with authoritarian regimes like Russia poses a serious threat to transatlantic relationships. Trump's overt support for Putin and disparagement of elected leaders such as Zelensky contribute to an unpredictable diplomatic landscape and unsettle U.S. allies around the globe. The consequences of this shift may lead to a weakened response against aggression in Europe and an uncertain future for democratic leaders reliant on U.S. support.
This week, America switched sides. Ukraine is out, Russia is in. President Trump has blamed Ukraine for starting the war that was started by Russia, and America’s traditional European allies are in a state of shock. Join moderator Jeffrey Goldberg, Peter Baker of The New York Times, Susan Glasser of The New Yorker and Jonathan Lemire of The Atlantic to discuss this and more.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode