Conversations with Bill Kristol

Veteran Republican political strategist and commentator Mike Murphy shares his perspective on possible scenarios as we head toward the midterm elections and 2020. Will Republicans hold Congress? What are Trump's prospects for reelection (and renomination)? What kind of presidential candidate might Democrats choose? Could there be a viable independent candidacy in 2020? Murphy and Kristol discuss these and many other questions in this incisive (and often humorous!) Conversation.

John Podhoretz is the editor of "Commentary" and film critic of "The Weekly Standard." Podhoretz shares his perspective on movies as an American art form, pivotal eras in filmmaking (the 1930s and the 1970s), Hollywood today, and the broader cultural significance of movies and TV. Kristol and Podhoretz also consider innovations in television during the last decades and whether TV has surpassed film in cultural importance. Finally, Podhoretz argues that we have to much to learn and enjoy from watching the greatest movies of earlier decades.

In his fourth appearance on Conversations, former world chess champion and human rights activist Garry Kasparov discusses artificial intelligence and the political and social implications of it. Drawing on his recent book "Deep Thinking," Kasparov outlines what he considers the potential of new technologies built on “machine learning.” Kasparov explains why free societies must prioritize technological progress and embrace the challenges associated with innovation. Finally, Kasparov considers the new artificial intelligence chess program, AlphaZero—what we can learn from it about chess, as well as the relationship between humans and machines.

Jack Goldsmith is a professor of law at Harvard University and served as Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel (2003-2004). In this Conversation, Goldsmith shares his perspective on how American institutions, and political and cultural norms, have fared during the Trump presidency. While arguing that judicial independence and other constitutional checks and balances remain robust, Goldsmith also reflects on various stresses to the system during this volatile period in American politics.

In this Conversation, Harvey Mansfield considers the connection between the thought of Alexis de Tocqueville and Niccolo Machiavelli. In Tocqueville's "Democracy in America," there is just one reference to Machiavelli. Yet, according to Mansfield’s illuminating interpretation, Tocqueville draws significantly on Machiavelli’s thought—and ambition. Even while opposing the effects of Machiavelli's teaching, Tocqueville learns from Machiavelli in his effort to develop and advance a “new political science” for democratic citizens that preserves honor and political liberty. This Conversation reflects on the essay “Tocqueville’s Machiavellianism” by Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop.

Dan Balz is chief correspondent at The Washington Post, having been a political reporter and editor at the paper for four decades. In this Conversation, Balz shares his perspective on the increasing fragmentation of the media—and the dramatic rise of social media as a political force. Balz also discusses Donald Trump’s relationship with the media, and considers how Trump's experience in the world of New York tabloid journalism and on reality television helped contribute to his success as a presidential candidate. Finally, Balz and Kristol reflect on our political situation more generally, sharing their thoughts on President Trump and the parties as we head toward elections in 2018 and 2020.

Kristen Soltis Anderson is a pollster, author, and political analyst. In this Conversation with Bill Kristol, Anderson considers the millennial generation and shares her research on their political, social, and cultural attitudes. She also reflects on the longstanding failure of the Republican Party to attract younger voters, and explains why these difficulties may be getting worse. Finally, Kristol and Anderson discuss what the voting patterns of millennials might mean for American politics in the short and medium term.

In his third appearance on Conversations, National Review senior editor Jonah Goldberg joins Bill Kristol to discuss how the first year of the Trump presidency has affected American politics in general and conservatism in particular. Goldberg and Kristol also reflect on the history of the conservative movement and consider the prospects for American conservatism in the years to come.

Former Senator Spencer Abraham and former Congressman Vin Weber are both respected political strategists and thoughtful analysts of American politics. In this release, Abraham and Weber join Bill Kristol for a wide-ranging Conversation about our current political moment. Analyzing both the Republican and Democratic parties and the Trump presidency, the group look ahead to elections in 2018 and 2020 and consider possible outcomes. Abraham, Weber, and Kristol also reflect on the extent to which current American and global politics represent a break from recent history.

The Hertog Scholar at the Center for Strategic Studies, Eric Edelman has had a distinguished career in government, serving as ambassador to Turkey and to Finland, and as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the George W. Bush administration. In this Conversation, Edelman considers the rise of authoritarianism around the globe and explains why it threatens world order. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Turkish history and politics, Edelman highlights the descent of Turkey into an Islamist, authoritarian regime under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Finally, Edelman recalls momentous events from his career in foreign service, including serving in Russia during the collapse of the Soviet Union and his appointment to Turkey during the Iraq War.