The Trialogue
Peter Slezkine
Peter Slezkine, the Director of the USA-Russia-China Trialogue project at the Stimson Center, hosts a series of conversations with experts and ex-officials from the United States, Russia, China and beyond to discuss cold wars past and present, potential areas of conflict and cooperation, and alternative visions of global order, among other subjects. Since the middle of the 20th century, the shifting relationship among the United States, Russia, and China has had a profound impact on each country separately and on the world as a whole. Yet the breakdown of contacts, combined with political, cultural, and linguistic barriers, have hindered the study of the full trilateral dynamic. At a time when even bilateral channels of communication have begun to break down, the Trialogue offers a new and necessary perspective on the defining geopolitical relationship of our time.
*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.
**The first twelve episodes of this podcast were published by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.
*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.
**The first twelve episodes of this podcast were published by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 1min
Jana Kobzova: Europe’s Take on the Alaska Talks
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
6 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 53min
Dmitry Suslov: Russia’s Take on Alaska Talks
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.
Aug 15, 2025 • 52min
Victoria Panova: Russia and BRICS
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
Aug 2, 2025 • 39min
Curtis Yarvin (Part 2): The Empire of Love
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
Jul 25, 2025 • 50min
Xiang Lanxin: Is Trump Good for China?
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
Jul 18, 2025 • 57min
Sunjoy Joshi: The View from India
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
Jul 11, 2025 • 45min
Curtis Yarvin: The Empire of Love (Part 1)
Curtis Yarvin, a Silicon Valley veteran and prominent voice in the modern right, dives into the concept of the 'empire of love' and its historical roots. He explores the intricacies of political ideologies, from the tragedy of the French Revolution to contemporary populism's challenges. Yarvin critiques liberalism as an instrument of power and considers the merits of monarchy over democracy. He also highlights Xi Jinping's advantages and the urgent need for a new governance structure in the U.S., drawing parallels to significant historical transformations.
Jun 20, 2025 • 47min
Samuel Charap: Russia Policy in Retrospect
Samuel Charap, Distinguished Chair in Russia and Eurasia Policy at RAND, joins us to discuss US policy toward Russia since 2008, the war in Ukraine, and the prospects of a settlement.*The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM.Time Stamps:00:40 How did you get interested in Russia?01:59 US-Russia relations since 200811:05 EU-Russia relations15:41 The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine18:32 The Biden administration’s Ukraine policy 25:27 Should we have tried to negotiate sooner?27:21 Has Trump made a deal more likely?30:01 Is there a window for a deal in the fall?33:16 How should negotiations be structured?37:42 How far apart are US and Russian positions?40:44 How to best combine carrots and sticks44:04 Prospects of US-Russia normalization
4 snips
May 30, 2025 • 56min
Maksim Suchkov: What Does Russia Want?
In this discussion, Maksim Suchkov, Director of the Institute of International Studies at MGIMO University, delves into the complexities of Russia-Ukraine negotiations and the underlying motives of the Kremlin. He addresses why Russia resists a ceasefire and outlines their core objectives in the conflict. Suchkov also examines the geopolitical balancing act between Russia, China, and the U.S., and critiques Western approaches to its conservative identity. The conversation concludes with insights on potential avenues for improving U.S.-Russia relations and Russia's vision for Europe.
24 snips
May 16, 2025 • 1h 9min
Emma Ashford: Where do American interests end?
Emma Ashford, a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center, dives into the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, discussing the concept of restraint and military overextension. She examines the historical lessons from Britain’s imperial past and how they influence current American strategies against threats from Russia and China. Ashford also unpacks the significance of the Anglosphere and transatlantic alliances, while exploring the challenges in supporting Ukraine amidst geopolitical tensions and the need for flexible, pragmatic approaches in an increasingly multipolar world.
