The Truth of the Matter

CSIS’s Seth Jones joins the podcast to discuss how Russia’s war with Ukraine could become a “frozen conflict,” as the battle rages on and neither side makes much headway, how the U.S. is assisting Ukraine with critical intelligence, and what lessons China may be learning from the conflict.

In this crossover episode with CSIS's The Impossible State podcast, Andrew Schwartz is joined by Victor Cha and Tom Karako to discuss the implications of the current conflict in Ukraine on North Korea's missile threat. They also discuss what it means for North Korea's capability going forward and what practical steps can be taken to accomplish denuclearization.

CSIS’s Jake Kurtzer joins the podcast to talk about the rescue of civilians stuck in the war-torn cities of Ukraine. 

CSIS’s Dr. Cynthia Cook joins the podcast to discuss President Biden’s $33 billion proposed military aid package to Ukraine and what kinds of weapons and equipment have been effective for the Ukrainians. 

CSIS’s J. Stephen Morrison joins the podcast to discuss the possible end of the pandemic, how Ukraine impacts combatting coronavirus, booster burnout, the covid culture war, and what is happening with China’s lockdowns.

In this crossover episode with CSIS's Coronavirus Crisis Update podcast, Andrew Schwartz and Steve Morrison are joined by Dr. Larry Gostin, professor of global health law and the faculty director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University. They discuss the aftermath of the April 18 nationwide injunction to block government mask mandates on public transportation. In Judge Mizelle’s opinion, the C.D.C. has exceeded its legal authority. But if the C.D.C. doesn’t have the power to make someone do something as unintrusive as wearing a mask, what can it do? If this ruling stands, it changes the role of the government, and our regulatory institutions will lose the power to protect us. The C.D.C. has been in a weakened position since the Trump administration but is staffed by strong scientists who want to do their best for Americans. Dr. Gostin argues for a High-Level Commission to take a top-down and bottom-up review of the C.D.C. to determine what systems, data, scientists, funding CDC needs, and what powers are legitimate. He does have hope: the U.S. is approaching higher levels of immunity, and the darkest days of the pandemic may be behind us.

New CSIS Europe Program director Max Bergmann joins the podcast to discuss the war in Ukraine, Sunday’s French election, and the future of the transatlantic relationship.

Ann Lee, co-founder of the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) with actor Sean Penn joins the podcast to discuss her organization’s relief efforts in Poland and Romania in support of Ukrainian refugees.

Spirit of America Founder/CEO Jim Hake joins the podcast to discuss his entrepreneurial approach to providing private U.S. assistance in the form of non-lethal aid to Ukraine.

CSIS Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies Rick Rossow joins the podcast to discuss India’s view of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and its relationship with the United States in its wake.