Shield of the Republic

Dennis Ross, a prominent figure in U.S. diplomacy and national security, shares his insights on adapting statecraft in today's multipolar world. He discusses the evolution of American foreign policy, contrasting various schools of thought, including America First and Realism. Ross emphasizes the importance of strategic communication and preparation in effective statecraft. He also examines presidential decision-making and its impact on international relations, using case studies like the Syrian conflict and the Ukraine crisis to illustrate complex geopolitical dynamics.

Edward Luce, a Financial Times Washington commentator and author of 'Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski', dives deep into the legacy of Zbigniew Brzezinski. He discusses why Brzezinski’s contributions to U.S. foreign policy are often overshadowed by Henry Kissinger, examining their contrasting styles and impacts. Luce highlights Brzezinski’s pivotal role in nuclear strategy and the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan, as well as key diplomatic challenges he faced, including the fallout from the Iranian revolution. A fascinating exploration of power dynamics in foreign policy awaits!

Larry Summers, former President of Harvard and ex-Secretary of Treasury, brings his expertise to the discussion regarding inflation and its political ramifications, warning that the Biden Administration may not fully grasp its impact. He critiques Trump's economic policies and their negative effects on the stock market and dollar. Summers also reflects on anti-Semitism in academia and the declining role of universities as centers for truth, urging a more accountable and open discourse in education and society.

Edward Fishman, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy and an adjunct professor at Columbia, shares his expertise on economic warfare. He discusses how the U.S. has weaponized the dollar and technology, making sanctions an alternative to military action. Fishman highlights historical examples like the Non-Intercourse Act and explores the consequences of sanctions against Iran and Russia. He questions whether economic warfare can truly change authoritarian regimes' behavior and examines shifts in global economic power.

Eric and Eliot welcome former Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi, Assistant Professor of Security Studies at Georgetown University's school of Foreign Service and author of The Long Game: China's Grand Strategy to Displace American Order, to discuss their article in the current issue of Foreign Affairs, "Underestimating China: Why America Needs a New Strategy of Allied Scale to Offset Beijing's Enduring Advantages." They discuss China's massive advantages of scale in the strategic competition with the United States and the metrics that can be used to measure it including manufacturing capacity, not only in traditional industries but also in areas like biotechnology and aviation where the U.S. used to have the lead. They note how this translates into military production of ships, ballistic missiles, and drones. While acknowledging ongoing Chinese demographic, economic and environmental problems and continuing U.S. advantages they call for right-setting U.S. understanding of China rather than swinging from defeatism to triumphalism and back again. They examine the prospects for a U.S. led alliance to offset China's scale advantages but argue that it will require a new kind of alliance management by Washington policymakers that they call "capacity-centric statecraft." They also touch on the prospects of conflict over Taiwan in the next 5 years and whether it will take the form of a cross channel invasion or a blockade.

Hosts delve into the absurdity of a proposed military parade for Trump’s birthday, questioning its implications. They discuss the unsettling purge within the National Security Council, influenced by conspiracy theorists, impacting key military figures. Tariffs are critiqued for their economic self-harm, as the balance between executive and legislative power is questioned. Geopolitical tensions regarding Iran and Israel are examined, highlighting regional conflicts and their implications for democracy. The intricate dynamics of U.S. diplomacy, particularly in relation to Russia and Ukraine, further underscore the complex political landscape.

This discussion covers VP Vance's impactful Greenland visit and a controversial museum initiative. The hosts dissect the turbulent historical narrative around World War II, referencing diplomat Robert Murphy's pivotal role in North Africa and his dealings with the Vichy regime. They explore conflicting perspectives on American policy during the war and debate the implications of current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. The importance of diplomatic expertise and history emerges as a key theme, emphasizing the need for professionalism in government.

Katie Stallard, Senior Editor for Global Affairs at the New Statesman and author of "Dancing on Bones," shares insights on how autocrats twist historical narratives to maintain power. She discusses the manipulation of WWII history in China, North Korea, and Russia, highlighting the dangers of displacing present concerns with glorified pasts. Stallard connects these patterns to contemporary issues in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of 'living in truth' amid the distortion of history for political gain.

The hosts unravel the chaos of the Trump Administration, discussing the disbanding of the crucial Office of Net Assessment and its implications for military strategy. They highlight the silencing of key international broadcasters that played vital roles during the Cold War. The conversation shifts to U.S.-Canada relations, reflecting on how current policies may push Canada towards the EU. Additionally, they delve into Netanyahu's political maneuvers, drawing parallels to Trumpism and its effects on democratic norms.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, a former National Security Council director for Europe and author of 'The Folly of Realism,' shares insights on U.S.-Russia relations and Ukraine's struggles. He critiques past U.S. administrations' transactional policies toward Ukraine and examines the repercussions of Russia's treaty violations. Vindman discusses the damaging effects of the Trump era on American alliances and the erosion of national security expertise. He also highlights the resilience of Ukraine amidst misreported war dynamics.