Foreign Policy Live

Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, shares insights as he prepares to step down. He discusses the pressing challenges Ukraine faces, including drone threats and power outages. The conversation dives into the complex debate around providing long-range missiles and NATO's potential expansion. Stoltenberg highlights the surprising role of North Korea in supplying Russia and the growing threat of authoritarian regimes. He emphasizes NATO's strategic balancing act amid evolving global alliances and the critical importance of military support for Ukraine.

An exclusive episode for our podcast listeners: Host and FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal gives a preview of the latest print issue: “Letters to the Next President.”Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Martin Kimani: How to Restore the American CenterArancha González: Isolationism Doesn’t ProtectDanny Quah: Why America Should Drop Its Obsession With Being No. 1Joseph E. Stiglitz: Play by the RulesCatherine Ashton: The Trans-Atlantic Partnership Still MattersJason Bordoff: Clean Energy Is SecurityMark Malloch-Brown: Muster Global MajoritiesJoseph S. Nye Jr.: Invest in Soft PowerNirupama Rao: Strategic Autonomy Is Nothing to Fear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

H.R. McMaster, former National Security Advisor during the Trump administration, provides insights on the recent Harris-Trump debate. He delves into the implications of foreign policy amidst global tensions and discusses the need for military modernization. McMaster critiques past U.S. actions in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran, and emphasizes the importance of a unified international response to threats. With humor, he navigates the unpredictable political landscape and addresses the need for coordinated approaches to economic and military challenges.

Nicholas Burns, the U.S. ambassador to China since 2022, shares insights on the complex U.S.-China relationship during a pivotal period. He discusses strategies for addressing rising tensions, focusing on diplomacy over hostility. The conversation delves into critical issues like the fentanyl crisis and military competition, highlighting the need for responsible engagement. Burns emphasizes balancing national interests with people-to-people ties and the importance of maintaining open communication to prevent conflict.

The violence on Oct. 7 and the war in Gaza seem to have derailed any hope for a two-state solution. With tensions in the Middle East continuing to escalate, and a cease-fire agreement proving elusive, what does a path forward for both the Israelis and Palestinians look like? Former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad shares his insights with FP Live.Suggested reading (FP links are paywall-free):Foreign Affairs: Salam Fayyad: A Plan for Peace in GazaJohn Aziz: Violence Has Failed the PalestiniansFP Contributors: How Will This War End? How Can the Next One Be Prevented? Stephen M. Walt: The Dangerous Decline in Israeli StrategyTickets to see FP's Ones and Tooze podcast live at Sixth & I in Washington, DC:https://www.sixthandi.org/event/foreign-policys-ones-and-tooze-podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Duss, a former foreign-policy advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Anne-Marie Slaughter, former director of policy planning at the State Department, dive into Kamala Harris's evolving foreign policy. They discuss her balancing act in Middle Eastern politics, navigating the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The duo also highlights her pro-worker agenda, challenges with immigration, and the delicate U.S.-China relations, all while emphasizing the need for a pragmatic, rules-based approach to global interactions.

How do the proposed economic policies of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump differ—and where is there overlap? Adam Posen, the president of the nonpartisan Peterson Institute for International Economics, joins FP Live to discuss the two campaigns’ agendas.Suggested reading:Adam Posen on Industrial Policy: America’s Zero-Sum Economics Doesn’t Add UpRavi Agrawal’s Interview With U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai (FP Live March 2023)Edward Alden on Robert Lighthizer: The Man Who Would Help Trump Upend the Global EconomyJared Cohen: Don’t Bet Against the DollarKeith Johnson: Trump’s Plan to Weaken the Dollar Makes No SenseFP Staff: The Kamala Harris DoctrinePeterson Institute for International Economics: Election 2024: Assessing Presidential Economic Platforms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The assassination of a key Hamas leader in Tehran, following the killing of a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, could escalate an already tense conflict between Israel, Iran, and its proxies. Middle East expert Trita Parsi sits down with Ravi Agrawal to discuss what might happen next.Suggested reading:Steven A. Cook: Why Americans and Israelis Don’t See Eye to Eye on IranChicago Council on Global Affairs: Majority of Americans Oppose Sending US Forces to Defend Israel if Attacked by IranTrita Parsi: The U.S. Should Negotiate With Iran on One Issue Right NowTrita Parsi: Netanyahu Wants War With Iran. Biden Can Prevent It.FP Live: Iran’s Attack on Israel—What Happens Next?Sina Toossi: Iranians Voted for Change. Will They Get It? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A leading figure in the Trump administration’s national security team, Elbridge Colby, joins FP Live to discuss the Republican nominee’s potential agenda. He argues for a more business-like approach with allies and alliances as well as prioritizing Asia over Europe. Suggested reading:Transcript: Decoding Trump’s Foreign PolicyStephen M. Walt: The Trump-Vance Unilaterialist DelusionElbridge Colby and David Ochmanek: How the United States Could Lose a Great-Power War Elbridge Colby: How to Win America’s Next WarTranscript: How Singapore Manages U.S.-China TensionsTranscript: Is Canada Free-Riding on Defense?Elbridge Colby: The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Platon, a celebrated British portraitist, is known for his stunning photographs of world leaders like Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin. He discusses the art of capturing power through the lens, sharing insights on human emotion and authenticity in photography. Listeners will be intrigued by his anecdotes about the complexities of political resilience and the impact of minimalist settings in revealing character. Platon also reflects on the shared human experience and the photographic responsibility of shaping societal narratives.