The Foreign Affairs Interview

Nadia Schadlow, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and former deputy national security adviser, dives into the complexities of Trump's foreign policy. She discusses the lasting impact of the 2017 National Security Strategy and its focus on great-power competition, particularly with China. Schadlow also explores the challenges in U.S. foreign policy with countries like Ukraine and North Korea. She highlights the need for innovative approaches in military production and the importance of balancing humanitarian aid with national security priorities.

Donald Trump famously promised to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of returning to the White House. But he is just over 100 days into his presidency, and the war is certainly not over. With Kyiv opposed to territorial concessions, and with Russia’s military campaign showing no signs of slowing down, the Trump administration has threatened to walk away from the conflict if both sides don’t agree to a cease-fire and a path to peace—leaving Ukraine and its European partners planning for a future in which Russian aggression continues, but U.S. support does not. In a recent article for Foreign Affairs, Jack Watling, senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute in London, argues that Europe can, in fact, replace the United States as Ukraine’s primary backer. Senior Editor Hugh Eakin spoke with Watling on April 28 about the latest developments on the battlefield—and what the coming months will demand of Ukraine and its partners in order to avoid a catastrophic defeat. You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

Kimberly Clausing, a UCLA professor and former Treasury official, and Michael Pettis, a Peking University expert on trade imbalances, share insights on Trump's tariffs. While Clausing critiques protectionism and proposes a progressive trade system, Pettis argues that the reckoning in global trade is long overdue. They discuss how tariffs impact the global economy, the role of the U.S. dollar, and the challenges of American manufacturing. Both highlight the need for a reevaluation of trade strategies that address systemic issues rather than temporary fixes.

Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi, both former officials in the Biden administration, dive into why the narrative of China's decline is misleading. They discuss the strategic shifts in China's foreign policy under Xi Jinping, including military expansion and the Belt and Road Initiative. The pair assert that America must reassess its alliances in Asia to enhance stability and counter threats. They also touch on escalating trade tensions and the systemic complexity behind U.S.-China negotiations, emphasizing the need for strong diplomacy to navigate these challenges.

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.