The Trialogue

John Mearsheimer, world-renowned scholar of international relations, joins us to discuss the state of play in the Middle East, East Asia, and Eastern Europe. We also examine the relationship between realism and morality, the nature of the China threat, and the origins of “offshore balancing.” Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leonard Benardo, Senior Vice President at the Open Society Foundations, joins us to discuss OSF’s emergence and evolution, defining values of open societies, and heterodox thinking for turbulent times.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:01:29 – Lenny Benardo’s Biography05:20 – Origins of OSF’s Name and Mission09:23 – The “Wild East” and OSF’s Work in the Former Soviet Union16:55 – OSF’s Approach to Russia, Post-Soviet States, and Eastern Europe18:53 – Conceptualizing Human Rights22:06 – Western Foundations, Domestic Politics, and the Case of Hungary25:01 – Tensions Between Nationalism and Liberal Universalism30:14 – Dynamics of EU Expansion36:36 – “Open Society” as a Concept Today38:42 – Ideas Versus Action47:45 – Lessons Learned for Approaching China50:43 – Future of Transatlantic Relationship54:28 – The Status of American Empire Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Zhao Long, Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Strategic and Security Studies in Shanghai, returns to the Trialogue to discuss Beijing’s perspective on a slew of recent high-profile summits, in the context of China’s complex relations with Russia, the United States, India, and North Korea. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:01:13 – Beijing’s Take on Alaska Summit07:38 – China as a Guarantor in Ukraine?11:54 – SCO Summit & China-India Relations17:05 – SCO’s Role & Non-Western Banks23:17 – Russian Energy & Power of Siberia 230:11 – Putin, Xi & Kim Meet on Victory Day36:58 – A Series of Trilateral Relationships Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Samuel Moyn, the Chancellor Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale University, joins us to discuss the philosophical underpinnings of liberalism, its role in international relations, and the possibility of a multipolar liberal order emerging in a period of U.S. decline.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:01:15: The Liberal Order in Decline03:47: Features of Liberalism08:51: Liberalism in International Relations11:15: The Intellectuals’ Abandonment of Liberalism16:58: The Roots of Neoconservatism20:43: Liberal Internationalists, Human Rights, and Intervention 27:41: Decolonization as a Liberal Project32:41: A Coming Liberal Multipolar Order?43:35: The EU’s Position in the Emerging Order Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jana Kobzova, Director of the European Security Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations and former foreign policy adviser to the president of Slovakia, joins us to discuss the European perspective on the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, the Washington meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and top European leaders, and the future of the war in Ukraine.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:04:21 Domestic Dynamics in Ukraine and Anti-Corruption Agencies11:28 Europe’s Reaction to Shifts in U.S. Policy Under Trump17:00 Origins of Alaska Summit20:24 European Red Lines27:42 Europe’s Take on Alaska Summit Outcomes30:03 European Shock Over Trump’s U-Turn on Ceasefire37:57 Any Evolution in Ukrainian and Russian Positions?43:02 Trump Administration’s Objectives48:05 European Goals: What is the Alternative to Russia’s Proposals?57:13 Possibility of Putin-Zelensky Meeting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director at the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, offers insights into U.S.-Russia relations and the strategic significance of the Alaska summit. He discusses Russia's expectations regarding the Ukraine situation and the complexities of security guarantees. Suslov also highlights shifting alliances, particularly the U.S.-India relationship, and explores differing Russian perspectives on Ukraine’s potential EU membership. His analysis sheds light on the broader geopolitical landscape and the intricate dance of diplomacy.

Victoria Panova, Vice Rector of HSE and Head of Russia’s BRICS Expert Council, joins us to discuss the history of BRICS, Russia’s attitude toward the association, and the differences between BRICS and other international formats, such as the G7 and the G20.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:02:01 Russia and the G7/G808:35 Origins of BRICS09:50 Primakov and the idea of RIC16:36 First meetings of BRIC in Russia18:52 Adding South Africa to BRICS21:34 China-India tensions24:04 Changes in BRICS over the last 15 years29:27 Global South, Global East, Global Majority?31:31 How has the Ukraine war changed BRICS?33:36 BRICS and the West44:23 Could the US join BRICS?45:55 BRICS expansion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Curtis Yarvin returns to discuss the logic of the “empire of love” and the possibilities of an American “perestroika.” He calls on Washington to shutter its foreign embassies, withdraw from the UN, and dissolve the transatlantic relationship.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:01:38 What is the American Empire?03:12 The centrality of the State Department06:10 The significance of withdrawing from the UN08:10 Eliminate US embassies12:37 Recentering the national interest14:10 Afghanistan as a self-licking ice cream cone16:03 The importance of dominating outer space18:41 End the pursuit of global order19:52 We don’t care about your conflicts22:23 Trade surpluses as the outdated assumption of the “empire of love”25:10 Parallels with perestroika30:30 Dissolve the transatlantic relationship Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Xiang Lanxin, Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, joins us to discuss Trumpian “kayfabe,” the possibility of a grand bargain over Taiwan, and the US-Russia-China “grand strategic triangle,” among other subjects.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:01:27 China’s optimistic view of Trump 203:26 The promise of Trump 106:25 Danger during the Biden years12:06 Trumpism as WWE14:42 Trade negotiations17:03 Grand bargain over Taiwan23:52 Trump’s threat of 100% “secondary tariffs”25:31 Iran-Israel27:25 The US-Russia-China “grand strategic triangle”31:15 China-EU relations44:33 Modern-day McCarthyism48:17 China doesn’t want to rule the world Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sunjoy Joshi, Chairman of India’s Observer Research Foundation, joins us to discuss Indian philosophy, subtleties of the subcontinent, and India’s relations with the US, China, and Russia.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes!*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:01:29 What is the Observer Research Foundation?05:21 Joshi’s government service05:40 India’s vision of the world11:50 The subcontinent22:41 India-China27:48 India-USA43:57 India-Russia52:57 BRICS Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.