In the National Interest
Center for the National Interest
"In the National Interest" is a podcast that explores the intersection of foreign and defense policy, national security, and U.S. politics. It is not about world affairs, but about American interests and the realist approach needed to promote them. What actually constitutes true realism is, of course, a source of controversy. And so, the series promotes fresh debate by featuring a variety of leading experts from government, industry, journalism, and academia, many of whom may at times disagree with each other. Each episode is hosted by Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest magazine, and published by the Center for the National Interest.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 5, 2024 • 17min
Overcoming America’s Nuclear Energy Challenges (w/ John Deutch)
Despite initial optimism about nuclear energy in the fight against climate change, recent setbacks have dampened expectations for rapid nuclear energy growth in the United States. America today faces significant hurdles in extending the operational lifespan of its existing nuclear reactors, reducing construction costs, and fostering investment in new nuclear technologies. On this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with John Deutch, an emeritus Institute Professor at MIT who served as director of energy research, deputy secretary of energy, deputy secretary of defense and director of central intelligence in the Clinton administration. Deutch recently wrote a piece for The National Interest titled "COP28’s Nuclear Energy Promise Is Still a Long Way Off."Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay
Dec 4, 2023 • 1h 1min
Why Whittaker Chambers and Richard Nixon Matter for Today’s GOP (w/ Sam Tanenhaus)
On the 75th anniversary of their discovery, what is the history of Whittaker Chambers’ infamous Pumpkin Papers, their implications for Richard Nixon’s career, and their significance for conservatism, patriotism, and loyalty in America today? On this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with Sam Tanenhaus, a contributing writer at the Washington Post’s Book World. He is a former editor of The New York Times Book Review and the author of “Whittaker Chambers: A Biography” (Random House, 1997). His work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, and the National Interest. His forthcoming book, “William F. Buckley, Jr.: His Life and Times,” will be published in Fall 2024.Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay
Dec 1, 2023 • 31min
Henry Kissinger and His World (w/ Barry Gewen)
Henry Kissinger became the bête noire of the American right and left during and after the Vietnam War era for pursuing what critics decried as amoral realpolitik. On the event of his passing at age 100, what is Kissinger’s legacy for U.S. foreign policy? On this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with Barry Gewen, a former editor at the New York Times Book Review and the author of “The Inevitability of Tragedy: Henry Kissinger and His World” (W. W. Norton, 2020). Gewen has written on politics, international affairs, and culture for several publications, including The New York Times, The New Republic, Dissent, and The National Interest.Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay
Nov 21, 2023 • 22min
Why America Needs a National Security Software Revolution (w/ David Pearah)
What kind of software revolution does Washington need to promote, and how well is the Pentagon adapting to this new challenge? What are the implications of the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel for software and national security? On this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with David Pearah, an MIT-trained computer engineer and CEO of SpiderOak, a space cybersecurity company. David recently wrote a piece for The National Interest titled "Defense Gaps with China Can Be Closed with Commercial Software."Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay
