A little over a week ago, Iran directly attacked Israel from its own territory for the first time in history. And while the United States and Israel shot down almost all of the missiles and drones, the attack remains unprecedented. Since the release of this episode, Israel has launched a relatively moderate counter strike, and tensions appear to be cooling. But the Middle East might still be on the brink of a wider war. Host Dan Kurtz-Phelan and guests Suzanne Maloney and Ali Vaez discuss the consequences of deteriorating Iran-Israel dynamics and more in this Foreign Affairs Interview episode.   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit Foreign Affairs at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/can-israel-and-iran-step-back-brink 

Thirty years ago, Rwanda’s government began a campaign to eradicate the country’s largest minority group. In just one hundred days in 1994, roving militias killed around eight hundred thousand people. Would-be killers were incited to violence by the radio, which encouraged extremists to take to the streets with machetes. The United Nations stood by amid the bloodshed, and many foreign governments, including the United States, declined to intervene before it was too late. What got in the way of humanitarian intervention? And as violent conflict now rages at a clip unseen since then, can the international community learn from the mistakes of its past?   Featured Guests: Claude Gatebuke (Executive Director, African Great Lakes Action Network) David Scheffer (Senior Fellow for International Law and Criminal Justice, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/remembering-rwandan-genocide   

Many Americans are losing faith in the benefits of internationalism. But whether it’s wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine, worsening extreme weather as a result of climate change, or the trade-offs of globalization, events abroad are increasingly having a local impact. At the same time,  more state and local officials in the United States are becoming involved in global affairs, conducting their own form of diplomacy on international issues and driving investment home. What role should the United States play in the world economy? And how do states and cities fit in?   Read about the RealEcon Initiative.   Featured Guests: Matthew P. Goodman, Distinguished Fellow for Global Economic Policy and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies Nina Hachigian, U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/local-leaders-global-economy   

Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are real. And the truth about them is often hidden from the public, for reasons related to national security. That secrecy has fed conspiracy theories about the possibility of alien life on Earth, creating a stigma around the legitimate scientific search for life on other planets. Why are UFOs considered a defense concern? And does a defense framing of UFOs inhibit scientific research?   Featured Guests Philippe Ailleris (Copernicus Programme Project Controller, European Space Agency) Shane Harris (Intelligence Correspondent, Washington Post) Kai-Uwe Schrogl (President, International Institute of Space Law)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ufos-close-encounters-national-security-kind

Paul B. Stares, a senior fellow for conflict prevention, explores the chaotic landscape of 2024. He discusses the alarming rise of domestic terrorism and political violence linked to election polarization in the U.S. Stares highlights how this unrest might weaken America's global credibility. He also addresses the migration crisis at the southern border, stressing the urgent need to tackle root causes. Additionally, he emphasizes the often-overlooked influence of climate change on future conflicts, suggesting a tumultuous year ahead.

The podcast explores the risks of AI in elections and the potential for AI-powered disinformation. It delves into the dangers of deep fakes and the threat they pose to democracy. The challenges of election security efforts and the risks of manipulation are also discussed. The podcast emphasizes the need for AI governance to address disinformation campaigns and deep fakes. It concludes by highlighting the importance of informed leaders and the need for diversity in decision-making about AI governance.

Exploring the shared concerns and challenges between the US and India, including the impact of India's nuclear tests, the Biden administration's stance on India and its implications, the limitations and concerns of US-India collaboration on China, the differing views on the Quad, and the limitations and challenges in the US-India relationship.

An ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the US government's support of Israel, shifting US public opinion, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the involvement of the United States in the war, the role of US aircraft carriers, domestic public opinion, the status quo in Israel and Palestine, the controversy surrounding aid to Israel, and analyzing the US role in resolving the conflict.

International trade has shaped the world for much of the past century. Countries benefited from the global flow of goods, and the world became richer and safer. At the same time, many Americans lost their jobs to cheaper overseas competitors. Now, a series of compounding challenges, including great power competition and climate change, have led U.S. officials to rethink trade policy. What's next for international trade? And can the United States retain the benefits of trade while protecting critical supply chains and fighting climate change?   Featured Guests: Jennifer Hillman (Senior Fellow for Trade and International Political Economy) Inu Manak (Fellow for Trade Policy) Edward Alden (Bernard L. Schwartz Senior Fellow)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/turning-point-global-trade

Over the past few years, a new threat has emerged as a leading cause of death in the United States: fentanyl. Yet even as the drug wreaks havoc on Americans lives, preventing its flow into the United States is complicated, partially because of the supply’s overseas origins, which is often China. What is China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis?   Featured Guests: Tom Bollyky (​​Senior Fellow for Global Health, Economics, and Development, and Director of the Global Health Program) Zongyuan Zoe Liu (Maurice R. Greenberg Fellow for China Studies)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/americas-fentanyl-epidemic-china-connection