Walter Russell Mead, a fellow at the Hudson Institute and an expert on foreign policy, discusses the paradox of technological progress making us safer, yet more vulnerable to human-caused threats. He argues that we are in a pre-war era and emphasizes the importance of addressing the decline of trust in institutions and the rise of populism. Mead explores America's shifting role in global politics, critiques past foreign interventions, and highlights the necessity of strategic engagement amidst rising challenges from powers like Russia and China.
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Gen Z and American Foreign Policy
Bari Weiss recounts a dinner party conversation with Gen Zers about US foreign policy.
They displayed apathy towards US global leadership and the American dream, surprising Weiss.
insights INSIGHT
Humanity's Biggest Danger
The biggest danger to humanity isn't the natural world, but human actions and technology.
Technology empowers us to both manage natural catastrophes and create human-caused ones.
insights INSIGHT
Optimism and Risk
Walter Russell Mead agrees with Steven Pinker's optimism about human capabilities.
However, he acknowledges significant global risks similar to those present in 1935 or 1810.
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This book examines the complex relationship between the United States and Israel, exploring historical, cultural, and political factors that have shaped their alliance. It challenges common myths about the influence of the Jewish lobby and highlights the role of American Christians in supporting Zionism. The book also discusses how this relationship affects contemporary politics and American identity.
Recently, Walter Russell Mead wrote an outstanding article in Tablet titled “You Are Not Destined to Live in Quiet Times.” It’s about the paradox—and great dangers—of technological progress: “Human ingenuity has made us much safer from natural calamities. We can treat many diseases, predict storms, build dams both to prevent floods and to save water against drought, and many other fine things. Many fewer of us starve than in former times, and billions of us today enjoy better living conditions than our forebears dreamed possible. Yet if we are safer from most natural catastrophes, we are more vulnerable than ever to human-caused ones.”
Today on Honestly, Walter talks about that significant vulnerability, and why human-caused catastrophes are the most serious threat to humanity today. Walter also explains why he believes we have definitively entered a pre-war era, and what he thinks needs to change in order to get us out of it.
Walter Russell Mead is a fellow at Hudson Institute, a columnist at The Wall Street Journal, and a professor of foreign affairs and humanities at Bard College. He’s written numerous books on foreign policy, including last year’s excellent book on Israel titled The Arc of a Covenant, and he is the host of the brand-new podcast What Really Matters.
Honestly with Bari Weiss 
