The President’s Inbox

Matthew Kroenig, Vice President at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center, brings insightful expertise on U.S. foreign policy. He discusses Trump’s mixed but generally positive approach in his second term. Kroenig highlights the 'peace through strength' strategy, emphasizing a decisive response in Venezuela. He connects great-power competition, particularly with China, to tech measures. The conversation covers Trump's fluctuating tone towards Russia, including potential nuclear pressures regarding Ukraine, and explores future U.S. options in the Middle East and North Korea.

Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, dives into the fallout from the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro. He discusses the tactical successes of the operation and its broader implications for U.S. strategy. Freeman elaborates on the power dynamics in Caracas, the weakened Venezuelan opposition, and why mass protests are unlikely. He assesses the geopolitical value of Venezuelan oil and regional impacts on Cuba and Nicaragua, while also exploring the reactions from China and Russia.

Carla Anne Robbins is a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, specializing in U.S. national security and international journalism, while Matthias Matthijs focuses on European politics and transatlantic relations. Together, they discuss the dramatic shifts in U.S. foreign policy in 2025, highlighting how allies felt trapped while rivals like China and Russia thrived. They explore concerns over NATO's trustworthiness, analyze Trump's mercantilist views, and debate the fate of the liberal order amidst stark party divisions on foreign policy.

Kathleen Hicks, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense and currently a senior fellow at Harvard and Johns Hopkins, discusses the challenges within America’s defense industrial base. She highlights the shift from government-led efforts to commercial R&D and the rising influence of tech firms. Hicks addresses critical workforce shortages, the fragility of supply chains, and the implications of military readiness in a competitive global landscape. The conversation also explores innovative approaches to munitions production and the necessity of adapting to modern warfare dynamics.

Rebecca Lissner, a senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former National Security Council official, delves into the impact of Trump's National Security Strategy on U.S. foreign and defense policy. She critiques post-Cold War overreach while stressing the importance of retaining liberal order gains. Lissner highlights distinct shifts in the 2025 strategy, emphasizing economic priorities over military concerns, and warns against overlooking China's expanding influence in Latin America.

In this discussion, Jonathan Hillman, a senior fellow for geoeconomics at the Council on Foreign Relations, dives deep into U.S. economic security amid rising global challenges. He explores the vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19, particularly in supply chains for medical equipment and semiconductors. Hillman highlights the strategic stakes in AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology, discussing the risks of over-reliance on China. He urges practical steps like onshoring and strengthening data-center supply chains to bolster American innovation and security.

Hal Brands and Michael Kuiken share their insights on China's strategy to reshape global power dynamics. Brands highlights the coalition-building efforts of China and its implications for rival nations. Kuiken discusses China's military modernization, particularly regarding Taiwan, and the effects of leadership purges in the PLA. They elaborate on the 'axis of autocracies' and the material support China provides to Russia. Both guests emphasize the urgency for the U.S. to adapt its economic and security strategies in response to these shifting tides.

Chris McGuire, a senior fellow for China and emerging technologies at the Council on Foreign Relations, delves into the intense U.S.-China chip competition. He discusses how advanced semiconductor chip denial might inadvertently boost Chinese innovation. The conversation touches on China’s strengths in areas like EVs and biotech, while emphasizing the critical role of AI in global power dynamics. McGuire also outlines the complexities of U.S. export controls, the need for allied coordination, and the pressing challenges in energy and talent that could shape future tech landscapes.

Jessica Brandt, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and expert in AI and national security, joins to discuss the evolving landscape of cyber operations and influence campaigns. She highlights the dual nature of AI as both a risk and a benefit, particularly regarding public safety and geopolitical dynamics. Brandt delves into how AI enhances cyber threats and intelligence gathering while posing unique challenges for democracies. She also warns about the implications of AI-driven influence operations and calls for a whole-of-society response to foreign malign influence.

In this engaging discussion, Michael Horowitz, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania and expert on military technology, delves into how AI and emerging weaponry are transforming warfare. He highlights the concept of 'precise mass' and why adapting to these technologies is crucial for the Pentagon. Horowitz explains the historical context of military innovations, the importance of organizational capital, and how AI is set to revolutionize logistics and decision-making on the battlefield. He also raises concerns about human control in an era of increased autonomy.