Anatol Lieven, Eurasia director at the Quincy Institute, and Alex Vitale, Professor of Sociology at Brooklyn College, dive into the unpredictable world of Trump's potential policies. They analyze the challenges of his foreign appointments and the implications for U.S.-China relations and military strategy. Vitale discusses how Trump's stance could influence crime rates and policing, pointing to historical trends and the role of organized retail theft. The conversation highlights the urgent need for community-based approaches amid rising tensions.

Anatol Lieven, Director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute, analyzes the aggressive tactics of the Biden-Harris foreign policy, touching on military entanglements in Ukraine and the Middle East. Writer Lily Lynch delves into the political chaos in the Balkans, examining the region's leadership decline and emigration trends. They explore the complexities of U.S.-China tensions and critique America's interventionist stance. Together, they highlight the historical factors shaping these geopolitical dynamics and the implications for global stability.

Dr. Anatol Lieven, Director of the Eurasian Program at the Quincy Institute, shares his insights on the catastrophic implications of climate change, specifically the looming shutdown of the Gulf Stream. He discusses how this could lead to radical weather shifts, economic turmoil, and political instability. The conversation also highlights pressing migration crises and critiques the politicization of climate science. Furthermore, the episode explores the complex relationship between climate policy and future geopolitical tensions.

Robert Wright, a geopolitical commentator, teams up with Anatol Lieven, a renowned expert on international relations, to dissect the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. They discuss Ukraine's controversial incursion into Kursk and the potential implications of Zelensky's cabinet reshuffle. The conversation dives into Russia's resilience, prospects for peace negotiations, and how opinions from the Global South may influence outcomes. The exchange highlights the delicate balance of military strategies, public sentiment, and the international political landscape surrounding this critical situation.

Anatol Lieven, an expert on wars in Gaza and Ukraine, discusses the conflicts and the diminishing power of the US. The podcast also explores class differences in economic policy preferences and the rise of the DLC in the Democratic Party. It highlights the impact of education on analysis and the changing nature of Democratic politicians.