The Foreign Affairs Interview

Brian Winter, longtime editor of Americas Quarterly and Latin America analyst, discusses the shifting political landscape in Latin America under Trump’s administration. He highlights how leaders from Argentina to Mexico are adapting to confrontational U.S. policies while navigating their own political challenges. Winter explores the region's response to issues like immigration and drug trafficking, as well as the rise of strongman governance. He emphasizes that Latin America may be better positioned than many think to handle the geopolitical turmoil ahead.

Jude Blanchette, Head of the China Center at RAND, and Ryan Hass, a Brookings Institution Fellow and former China policy expert, delve into the vital U.S.-China relationship dynamics. They discuss Trump's tariff threats and military concerns in the Taiwan Strait while contemplating a potential 'grand bargain' between Trump and Xi. The conversation highlights the risks of American decline and the complexities of assessing China's growing influence amid shifting geopolitical realities, including its ties with Europe and Russia.

Fiona Hill, a renowned expert on Russia and former senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council, joins the conversation. She discusses Trump’s complex relationship with Putin and the implications for U.S.-Russia ties amid rising tensions in Ukraine. Hill critiques Trump's diplomatic approach with Zelensky and evaluates the risks of negotiating with a strongman like Putin. She also sheds light on the evolving Russia-China dynamic and the broader impact on global power dynamics.

Nataliya Gumenyuk, a seasoned Ukrainian journalist known for her frontline reporting, sheds light on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the shifting dynamics with the U.S. under Trump. She discusses the intense Ukrainian resistance to ceding territory, driven by patriotism and the stark realities of Russian rule. Gumenyuk delves into daily life under occupation, the manipulation of local populations, and the complexities of navigating U.S. pressure for a settlement. Her insights reveal the profound human impact of geopolitical decisions amidst the war.

Eve Fairbanks, a senior editor at Foreign Affairs, engages with scholars Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way on the alarming signs of democratic erosion in the U.S. They discuss 'competitive authoritarianism,' where elections persist, but the state targets opposition. The conversation highlights the GOP's evolving power dynamics under Trump, including bureaucratic weaponization and media cooptation. Despite the risks of political polarization, they explore hope and strategies for resisting authoritarianism from within the party, emphasizing the need for a robust democratic culture.

Join Jason Furman, Aetna Professor at Harvard and former chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, as he dives into the complexities of Biden's economic policies. Furman highlights the stark disconnect between optimistic goals and voters' realities, linking this gap to Trump’s resurgence. He critiques the post-neoliberal delusion held by both parties and explores alternative approaches to tackle inflation and manufacturing struggles. The conversation also touches on the influence of private sector challenges and the vital role of industrial policy in national security.

Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a former intelligence official and expert on authoritarian regimes, teams up with Michael Kofman, an analyst known for his insights on the Ukraine conflict. They delve into Russia's military strategy and the implications for global politics as Ukraine faces increasing challenges. The duo discusses the resilience of the Russian economy under sanctions and Putin's enduring ambitions that may threaten Western interests beyond the current war. Their analysis paints a complex picture of the battlefield and the shifting political landscape.

Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia, shares his firsthand experiences with Trump’s first term and offers strategies for effective diplomacy. Bilahari Kausikan, a seasoned diplomat from Singapore, provides an Asian perspective on the implications of Trump’s return for regional dynamics. They discuss the complexities of U.S.-China relations, the risks posed by a second Trump administration, and the challenges that global leaders face in navigating Trump’s transactional foreign policy. Insights abound on managing alliances amid shifting power balances.

Nicholas Burns, the U.S. ambassador to China since 2022, reflects on his extensive foreign service career and the tense U.S.-China relationship. He discusses Xi Jinping's centralized power and China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, as well as the contrasting views of Chinese leadership on Western decline. Burns emphasizes the delicate balance of critique and connection in diplomacy, particularly regarding human rights. He also addresses the significance of Taiwanese relations and the strategic importance of fostering ties with Chinese students in America.

Nicholas Eberstadt, a prominent political economist and expert on demographics, joins Kanishk Tharoor to discuss a looming global challenge: the age of depopulation. They delve into the dramatic drop in fertility rates, particularly in places like India and Europe. Eberstadt argues that personal choices, rather than policies, drive these declines. They explore how governments can better manage the implications of shrinking populations, touching on migration, automation, and the balance between individual freedom and societal needs in an evolving world.