Today’s Battlegrounds

Join Mr. Zohar Palti, former director of the Policy and Political-Military Bureau at Israel’s Ministry of Defense, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster as they discuss Israel’s security posture after the October 7 attacks, strategic lessons of the war in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and beyond, and the implications of the Trump-brokered peace agreement for Israel, the broader Middle East, and global security. Drawing on decades of experience within Israel’s security and intelligence community, Palti assesses the prospects for regional stability, the future of Hamas in Gaza, emerging opportunities and risks in Lebanon and Syria, and the critical role of U.S.–Israel cooperation in countering Iranian aggression. Palti reflects on the necessity of sustained American engagement in the Middle East and the shared responsibility of democratic nations to confront terrorist and proxy threats while upholding the democratic principles they seek to protect. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Zohar Palti is the former Director of the Policy and Political-Military Bureau at Israel’s Ministry of Defense. He previously led the Mossad Intelligence Directorate and served as the agency’s Chief of Counterterrorism, following twenty-five years in the Israel Defense Forces Intelligence Corps. Mr. Palti has also been a senior research fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center and is currently a fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded him the Medal for Distinguished Public Service for strengthening U.S.–Israel strategic defense cooperation. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Join Dr. Ali Ansari, Professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they examine the nature of the Islamic Republic, Western misunderstandings about the regime and why engagement strategies have repeatedly failed, and the widening gap between the regime’s propagandized image of strength and the vulnerabilities revealed in recent conflicts. Drawing on recent events, including the 12-day Israeli campaign exposing profound intelligence and air-defense failures, Ansari examines the IRGC’s struggles to reconstitute its terrorist and militia proxies in the region while confronting severe financial and economic crises at home, including shortages of electricity and a growing water crisis in the capital city of Tehran. Despite these mounting pressures, Ansari reflects on Iran’s potential futures, from the emergence of new leadership to the enduring resilience of the Iranian people. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ali Ansari is a Professor of Iranian History, the Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, and a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. As a leading historian of modern Iran, Dr. Ansari combines archival research with a deep understanding of Iranian political culture and nationalism. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and President of the British Institute of Persian Studies. His books include Modern Iran since 1797 and Confronting Iran. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Join Dr. Francisco Sagasti, former President of Peru, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they discuss lessons from Sagasti's leadership, regional challenges to freedom and prosperity in Latin America, and his latest books, which explore the life and relevance of Sir Francis Bacon’s philosophy for today’s international system. Reflecting on Peru’s turbulent political landscape and its role in a new era of geopolitical competition, Sagasti shares his perspective on the recent ouster of President Dina Boluarte and his advice to the interim leadership. He explores the roots of popular discontent in Peru, the demands of citizens seeking accountable governance, and his concerns about sovereignty from an economic and cognitive warfare perspective. Despite these pressures, Sagasti discusses his continued confidence in democracy and the qualities that must be rekindled in political leadership to sustain it for future generations. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Dr. Francisco Sagasti served as President of Peru from November 2020 to July 2021. Sagasti previously served in the Peruvian Congress where he headed his party’s parliamentary caucus and chaired the Science, Technology, and Innovation Committee. He has been Head of Strategic Planning at the World Bank and President of the United Nations Council on Science and Technology.  Sagasti has taught at the Wharton School, IE Business School, and the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Sagasti is currently a professor at Pacífico Business School in Lima. He is the founder of the Peruvian think tank GRADE.  He is a prolific scholar who has authored over 25 books and hundreds of academic papers. Sagasti holds engineering degrees from the National Engineering University in Peru and Penn State University, as well as a PhD in operations research and social systems sciences from the University of Pennsylvania. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

In this engaging discussion, Justin Bassi, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and former National Security Advisor, delves into Australia's vital role in the Indo-Pacific. He highlights China's military rise as a significant threat and emphasizes the need for strategic alliances like AUKUS to counter its aggression. Bassi also touches on internal debates in Australia regarding its foreign policy and the importance of transparent discussions on security issues. Additionally, he uses rugby as a metaphor for teamwork in international alliances, showcasing the need for unity in facing global challenges.

Nando Parrado, a businessman and renowned speaker, shares his extraordinary survival story from the 1972 Andes crash. He discusses the deep bonds formed through rugby, emphasizing teamwork and brotherhood as essential for overcoming challenges. Parrado reflects on how his family’s values shaped his resilience and leadership during adversity. He also highlights the importance of real connections over digital interactions and promotes rugby as a catalyst for personal growth and community building. His inspiring insights resonate especially with the younger generation.

Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Iceland’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Special Envoy for children in Ukraine, joins H.R. McMaster to explore the U.S.-Iceland relationship and the significance of NATO. She sheds light on the plight of Ukrainian children amid the conflict, discussing trauma and accountability. The conversation touches on Iceland's role in Arctic security, its renewable energy potential for data centers, and the country’s appeal to travelers, all while emphasizing the importance of community engagement and resilience.

Petr Pavel, President of Czechia and retired army general, shares his insights on European security and transatlantic relations. He discusses the historical resilience of Czechia and its role in NATO, emphasizing the dangers of Russian aggression and the necessity of U.S. leadership. Pavel highlights the strategic responsibilities of Europe in a shifting geopolitical landscape and the importance of military collaboration. He also touches on the challenges posed by the Russia-China nexus and the need for democratic nations to unite for a secure future.

In a thought-provoking discussion, David Vigneault, former director of CSIS, dives into the evolving relationship between the US and Canada post-election. He analyzes Prime Minister Mark Carney's victory and President Trump’s controversial statements about Canada. Vigneault emphasizes collaboration on defense, intelligence, and energy security while addressing the challenges posed by Canada-India tensions and broader geopolitical issues, particularly regarding China's influence and the need for resilience in international norms.

Join The Right Honorable Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the war in Ukraine, British and European politics, and the future of the transatlantic relationship. Reflecting on the special relationship between the US and UK, Johnson provides his thoughts on how the relationship is evolving and the importance of US-UK cooperation in tackling Chinese aggression, as well as the broad nature of geostrategic competition with the axis of aggressors of North Korea, China, Russia and Iran, the need for a strong coordinated international response to Russian aggression and why we should continue to care deeply about the war in Ukraine. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS The Right Honorable Boris Johnson served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. Johnson first entered Parliament in 2001, representing Henley for the Conservative Party. He quickly rose to become Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party in 2003. In 2008, he was elected Mayor of London, a position he held for two terms, overseeing significant urban development and leading the city through the 2012 Olympics. Johnson returned to national politics in 2015 and served as Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018. In 2019, he became the leader of the Conservative Party and assumed the role of Prime Minister. Under his leadership, Britain formally left the European Union, fulfilling the referendum mandate of 2016. In 2022, he stepped down as Prime Minister and, in 2023, resigned from Parliament. Johnson published his memoir, Unleashed, in 2024. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the National Leader of Belarus and key figure in the fight for democratic reform, shares her journey after challenging the Lukashenko regime. She discusses the critical need for international support in opposing authoritarianism and the resilience of the Belarusian people. The conversation highlights her anti-war efforts against Belarus's involvement in Ukraine and the campaign for political prisoners' release. Tsikhanouskaya advocates for solidarity among democracies to counter global threats from regimes like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.