The President’s Inbox

Captain John Barrientos and Colonel Kristen Thompson discuss challenges facing the U.S. military, including adapting military strategy, reflections on Navy teamwork, sailor participation, and leadership philosophy, and exploring leadership and skill development in the military.

Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at CFR, and Ray Takeyh, the Hasib J. Sabbagh senior fellow for Middle East studies at CFR, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel and the prospects for a broader Middle East war.   Mentioned on the Episode    Steven A. Cook, "Iran Attack Means an Even Tougher Balancing Act for the U.S. in the Middle East," CFR.org   Steven A. Cook, The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East [forthcoming]   Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh, “Keeping U.S. Power Behind Israel Will Keep Iran at Bay,” New York Times   Ray Takeyh, "Iran Attacks on Israel Spur Escalation Concerns," CFR.org   Ray Takeyh, The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/irans-attack-israel-steven-cook-and-ray-takeyh 

History professor Michael Kimmage discusses Russia's war in Ukraine, exploring the conflict's origins, global repercussions, and the complex interactions between Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and Europe. The podcast delves into historical events, security arrangements, NATO membership debates, and the global fallout of the conflict, highlighting Russia's strategic miscalculations and the impact on global security.

Steven A. Cook discusses the conflict in Gaza, Israeli military tactics, the debate over drafting the Haredim community, Israel's political landscape amidst trials, US-Israel relations, and challenges in influencing the conflict's outcome.

W.J. Hennigan, a correspondent for the Opinion section of the New York Times, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the risk of nuclear war in an era of growing geopolitical competition.    Mentioned on the Episode    "At the Brink," New York Times   J. Hennigan, "How America Made Nuclear War the President's Decision," New York Times   J. Hennigan, "Nuclear War Is Called Unimaginable. In Fact, It's Not Imagined Enough," New York Times   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at:  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/confronting-nuclear-threat-wj-hennigan 

Exploring the case for U.S. retrenchment in foreign policy, historical shifts from isolationism to containment, consequences of the Iraq War on US foreign policy, prioritizing Asia over Europe and the Middle East, and debating U.S. retrenchment and global power dynamics.

Exploration of the surge in migrants at the U.S. southern border, impact of Title 42 policy, challenges of immigration and asylum, complexities of immigration law and policy, and proposed solutions to address immigration challenges.

Exploring challenges that adolescent girls face globally, such as violence and early marriage. Highlighting the importance of education in empowering girls and addressing issues like child marriage. Advocating for policy changes and international assistance to support girls' education and well-being.

The podcast discusses promoting economic development in impoverished countries, empowering women in rural communities for economic stability, implementing a holistic development approach in global aid initiatives, economic development and security challenges in West Africa, and combatting extremism and political turmoil in the region.

Journalists Miriam Elder and Carla Anne Robbins discuss the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting struggles faced by Ukrainian forces, Putin's control in Russia, challenges of passing military aid in Washington, and the importance of continued support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.