Gabrielle Sierra

What’s Cracking in the Arctic?

with Esther Brimmer, Jeff Randall and Gabrielle Sierra March 29, 2023

Artificial Intelligence and Great Power Competition, With Paul Scharre

with James M. Lindsay, Paul Scharre and Gabrielle Sierra March 28, 2023

What’s Cracking in the Arctic?

with Esther Brimmer, Jeff Randall and Gabrielle Sierra March 29, 2023

Silencing the Messenger: Global Threats to Press Freedom

with Gabrielle Sierra, Carin Zissis, Jan-Albert Hootsen and Neil Brandvold April 12, 2023

Ukraine

Ukraine Pushes Peace Summit, Sudan in Catastrophe, Israel-Hamas Deal at a Crossroads, and More

Ukraine pushes for wider international support and endorsement of its proposed peace process at Switzerland’s Ukraine peace summit; the UN Security Council deliberates how to assist Sudanese civilians and de-escalate the civil war; diplomatic pressure builds for a U.S.-backed cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip; and Russian ships arrive in Cuban waters for exercises.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 13, 2024 The World Next Week

European Union

The Right Surges in EU Elections, With Liana Fix and Matthias Matthijs

Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at the CFR, and Matthias Matthijs, senior fellow for Europe at CFR and associate professor of international political economy at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the results and consequences of the 2024 European Parliament elections.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Liana Fix and Matthias Matthijs June 11, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Climate Change

European Parliament Elections, G7 Leaders’ 50th Summit, Powerful Hurricane Season Looming, and More

All twenty-seven European Union (EU) member states vote in European Parliament elections with polls showing right-wing parties poised to gain more seats; the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrial democracies meet in Italy with a sizable agenda, including support for Ukraine and trade concerns with China; the United States prepares for an above-normal hurricane season; and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and partner exporters, known as OPEC+, extend oil output cuts.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 6, 2024 The World Next Week

Maternal and Child Health

Global Abortion Access After Roe

In the past thirty years, sixty countries have expanded access to abortion care as an underpinning of maternal health. The 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade made the United States the fourth country ever to decrease access to abortion—and the world took notice. Some countries have since reinforced protections for abortion care, while others have moved to further restrict it.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Onikepe Owolabi and Patty Skuster June 5, 2024 Why It Matters

Middle East and North Africa

U.S. Policy in the Middle East, With Steven A. Cook

Steven A. Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the United States’ past, present, and future policy in the Middle East.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Steven A. Cook June 4, 2024 The President’s Inbox

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Biden’s Gaza Dilemmas, 80 Years Since D-Day, Mexico’s Milestone Election, and More

U.S. President Joe Biden faces increasing international and domestic pressures on his policy toward the Israel-Hamas war amid worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip; Western leaders commemorate the eightieth anniversary of D-Day with Russia’s war in Ukraine front of mind; Mexico holds massive general elections that are likely to usher in the country’s first woman president; and North Korea tests new satellite and missiles.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 30, 2024 The World Next Week

Mexico

Mexico’s Presidential Election, With Andrés Rozental

Andrés Rozental, a distinguished retired Mexican diplomat, president of Rozental & Asociados, and the founding president of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the dynamics of Mexico’s upcoming election and its consequences for the Mexican people as well as for U.S.-Mexico relations.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Andrés Rozental May 28, 2024 The President’s Inbox

India

India, Modi, and Hindu Nationalism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular man in India. On track to be elected for a third term, he has boosted the country’s global standing and propelled strong economic growth while consolidating power and galvanizing majoritarian support for his Hindu nationalist agenda—all while growing closer to the United States. How could Hindu nationalism reshape India?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Ashok Swain and Hartosh Singh Bal May 23, 2024 Why It Matters

Iran

Iran’s Succession Woes, ICC Angers Israel, South Africa’s Election, and More

Iran’s regime carefully vets candidates for new presidential elections after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash; Israeli leadership reacts to the International Criminal Court (ICC) request for warrants to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant; South Africa prepares for a general election that could contest the ruling African National Congress’ long-standing majority; and Taiwan inaugurates Lai Ching-te as the new president, aggravating China.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 23, 2024 The World Next Week

Defense and Security

America’s New Cold Wars, With David Sanger

David Sanger, the White House and national security correspondent for the New York Times, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how the post-Cold War ended and why the new era of geopolitical rivalry began.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and David E. Sanger May 21, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Ukraine

Ukraine Tries To Halt Russian Advance, Biden Woos Kenya, the Fate of Assange, and More

Ukraine rushes to push back against a new Russian offensive in its northeast Kharkiv region; U.S. President Joe Biden invites Kenyan President William Ruto for a state visit, the first U.S. state visit for an African leader since 2008; London’s High Court decides on whether to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to stand trial; and tens of thousands protest in Tbilisi, Georgia, after its parliament passes the controversial “foreign agents” bill.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 16, 2024 The World Next Week

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The Impact of AI on Warfare, With Andrew Reddie

Andrew Reddie, an associate research professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing warfare.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Andrew Reddie May 14, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Media

Publishing in a Polarized World

In a wide-ranging conversation, Foreign Affairs Editor Dan Kurtz-Phelan joins Why It Matters to discuss nonpartisan publishing in a polarized political climate, the state of press freedom around the world, and the future of journalism.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Daniel Kurtz-Phelan May 10, 2024 Why It Matters

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Israel’s Rafah Plans, Greece and Turkey Boost Diplomacy, Cannes Festival Unveils New Films, and More

Israel’s newest military operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah stirs concerns of catastrophe for Palestinians in Gaza, and prompts the United States to condition its offensive military aid for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war broke out; Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meet in Ankara, Turkey, to continue their diplomatic efforts; the seventy-seventh Cannes Film Festival showcases new films ranging from niche to blockbuster; and Russian President Vladimir Putin orders tactical nuclear weapon drills as a signal to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 9, 2024 The World Next Week

Grand Strategy

A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Case for Liberal Internationalism, With G. John Ikenberry

G. John Ikenberry, the Albert G. Milbank Professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss whether liberal internationalism and U.S. global leadership are fit for purpose in the twenty-first century. This episode is the second in a special TPI series on U.S. grand strategy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and G. John Ikenberry May 7, 2024 The President’s Inbox

China

A Second China Shock, With Brad Setser

Brad Setser, the Whitney Shepardson senior fellow at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the causes and consequences of China’s export surge.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Brad W. Setser April 30, 2024 The President’s Inbox

China

Blinken Visits China, May Day Stirs Workers’ Rights Concerns, the U.S. Resumes Ukraine Aid, and More

Secretary of State Antony Blinken wraps his second visit to China as tensions mount over Beijing’s military support of Russia’s war in Ukraine and ongoing threats in the South China Sea; International Workers’ Day on May 1 comes at a time of revived labor activism over wages and inequality; and U.S. President Joe Biden approves a $61 billion foreign aid package providing critical military assistance to Ukraine, potentially improving the situation on the ground in the war with Russia.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins April 25, 2024 The World Next Week

India

Aftermath of Iran’s Attack on Israel, EU Talks Ukraine, India’s Massive Election, and More

Concerns grow over the widening Middle East conflict after Iran launches three hundred ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at Israel; European Union (EU) leaders discuss how to bolster aid to Ukraine amid an uptick in Russian attacks and the situation unfolding in the Middle East; India kicks off the world’s largest democratic election—spanning more than forty-four days—where the incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win again; and warming water temperatures cause a mass bleaching of coral reefs.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins April 18, 2024 The World Next Week

Iran

Iran’s Attack on Israel, With Steven Cook and Ray Takeyh

Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at CFR, and Ray Takeyh, the Hasib J. Sabbagh senior fellow for Middle East studies at CFR, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel and the prospects for a broader Middle East war.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Steven A. Cook and Ray Takeyh April 16, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Sudan

Congress’s Urgent Agenda, Sudan’s Year of War, Ecuador-Mexico Embassy Fray, and More

Congress returns from recess and grapples with contentious agenda items, including reauthorization of a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and a Ukraine aid package; Sudan enters a second year of civil war with more than half of the country’s population in need of aid and millions more displaced; and Ecuadorian police breach international law by raiding the Mexican embassy in Quito to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins April 11, 2024 The World Next Week

Genocide and Mass Atrocities

Remembering the Rwandan Genocide

Thirty years ago, Rwanda’s government began a campaign to eradicate the country’s largest minority group. In just one hundred days in 1994, roving militias killed around eight hundred thousand people. Would-be killers were incited to violence by the radio, which encouraged extremists to take to the streets with machetes. The United Nations stood by amid the bloodshed, and many foreign governments, including the United States, declined to intervene before it was too late. What got in the way of humanitarian intervention? And as violent conflict now rages at a clip unseen since then, can the international community learn from the mistakes of its past?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, David J. Scheffer and Claude Gatebuke April 10, 2024 Why It Matters

Ukraine

Russia, Ukraine, and Global Instability, With Michael Kimmage

Michael Kimmage, a history professor at the Catholic University of America and a senior associate with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the origins of Russia’s war in Ukraine and its repercussion for the global order.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Michael Kimmage April 9, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Rwanda

Rwanda 30 Years After Genocide, U.S.-Japan-Philippines Summit, ABBA’s Eurovision Legacy, and More

Rwanda marks thirty years since its genocide against the Tutsis; U.S. President Joe Biden hosts the first trilateral leaders’ summit with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.; music fans celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Swedish pop group ABBA’s Eurovision win; and Ekrem İmamoğlu is elected mayor of Istanbul, in a rebuke to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins April 4, 2024 The World Next Week

Economics

Local Leaders in the Global Economy

Many Americans are losing faith in the benefits of internationalism. But whether it’s wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine, worsening extreme weather as a result of climate change, or the trade-offs of globalization, events abroad are increasingly having a local impact. At the same time, more state and local officials in the United States are becoming involved in global affairs, conducting their own form of diplomacy on international issues and driving investment home. What role should the United States play in the world economy? And how do states and cities fit in?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Matthew P. Goodman and Nina Hachigian April 2, 2024 Why It Matters

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The War in Gaza, With Steven A. Cook

Steven A. Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the state of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the prospects for an end to the fighting, and the tensions in U.S.-Israeli relations.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Steven A. Cook April 2, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Russia

Biden and Netanyahu at Odds, Putin Responds to ISIS-K Attack, Cuba Food and Electricity Shortages, and More

The fallout after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and release of all hostages further reveals a growing strain between the United States and Israel; Russia reels from the ISIS-K terrorist attack on concertgoers near Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin deliberating how to respond; the Cuban government cracks down on recent protests across the country over food shortages and power outages; and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is found to have stayed overnight at the Hungarian embassy in Brasília in February 2024.

Podcast with Carla Anne Robbins and Miriam Elder March 28, 2024 The World Next Week

Space

UFOs: Close Encounters of the National Security Kind

Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are real. And the truth about them is often hidden from the public, for reasons related to national security. That secrecy has fed conspiracy theories about the possibility of alien life on Earth, creating a stigma around the legitimate scientific search for life on other planets. Why are UFOs considered a defense concern? And does a defense framing of UFOs inhibit scientific research?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Philippe Ailleris, Shane Harris and Kai-Uwe Schrogl March 27, 2024 Why It Matters

Nonproliferation, Arms Control, and Disarmament

Confronting the Nuclear Threat, With W.J. Hennigan

W.J. Hennigan, a correspondent for the Opinion section of the New York Times, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the risk of nuclear war in an era of growing geopolitical competition.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and W.J. Hennigan March 26, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Nuclear Energy

Senegal and Slovakia Elections, Pakistan and Afghan Taliban Clash, Nuclear Energy Gains Favor, and More

Senegal holds its postponed presidential election amid fears of democratic backsliding; Slovakia chooses a new president in voting that could bolster Prime Minister Robert Fico’s illiberal tilt; Pakistan and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan exchange blows after a string of terrorist attacks on Pakistani territory; nuclear energy gets a boost at a first-ever summit in Brussels, Belgium; and the European Union provides Egypt with $8 billion worth of aid.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins March 21, 2024 The World Next Week

Grand Strategy

A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Case for U.S. Retrenchment Overseas, With Stephen Wertheim

Stephen Wertheim, a senior fellow in the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss whether and where the United States should be less involved in the world. This episode is the first in a special The President’s Inbox series on U.S. grand strategy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Stephen Wertheim March 19, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Russia

Russia’s Gloomy ‘Elections’, U.S. Budget Divisions, Elton John-Bernie Taupin Awarded, and More

Russia holds its presidential election with the Kremlin aiming to orchestrate a sweeping endorsement of President Vladimir Putin; the U.S. Congress continues its partisan battles over the 2024 budget as concerns of shutdown and aid to allies mount; the U.S. Library of Congress flexes its soft power by awarding Elton John and Bernie Taupin with the Gershwin Prize; and the crisis in Haiti worsens.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins March 14, 2024 The World Next Week

Center for Preventive Action

2024: What’s the Worst That Could Happen?

Every January, CFR’s annual Preventive Priorities Survey analyzes the conflicts most likely to occur in the year ahead and measures their potential impact. For the first time, the survey anticipates that this year, 2024, the United States will contend not only with a slew of global threats, but also a high risk of upheaval within its own borders. Is the country prepared for the eruption of election-related instability at home while wars continue to rage abroad?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Paul B. Stares March 13, 2024 Why It Matters

Immigration and Migration

The Crisis at the U.S. Southern Border, With Dara Lind

Dara Lind, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the record surge in migrants and asylum seekers crossing the U.S. southern border.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Dara Lind March 12, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Ramadan Cease-Fire Prospects, Portugal’s Snap Election, Oscars Go International, and More

Negotiators attempt to establish a six-week cease-fire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas before the start of the sacred Islamic month of Ramadan; Portugal holds a snap parliamentary election with a far-right party gaining traction; international films gain prominence at the ninety-sixth Academy Awards; and Chinese President Xi Jinping breaks with the thirty-year tradition of the premier’s press conference after the National People’s Congress.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins March 7, 2024 The World Next Week

Women and Economic Growth

International Women’s Day, With Ann Norris

Ann Norris, a senior fellow for women and foreign policy at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss International Women’s Day and the challenges facing adolescent girls around the world and the solutions to address them.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Ann Norris March 5, 2024 The President’s Inbox

United States

Biden Addresses SOTU, Iran Holds Elections, Bosnia’s Pipeline Feud, and More

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his last State of the Union address before elections to a polarized Congress; Iran holds its first parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections since the 2022 protests sparked by the death of activist Mahsa Amini; Bosnia and Herzegovina marks independence as ethnic divisions fester; and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) welcomes Sweden as its newest member state.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 29, 2024 The World Next Week

Development

Combating Global Poverty, With Kate Schecter

Kate Schecter, president and CEO of World Neighbors, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss progress and setbacks in promoting economic development in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Kate Schecter February 27, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Ukraine

Grim Ukraine War Anniversary, WTO in Limbo, Blinken’s Lula and Milei Tour, and More

Ukraine marks the second anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion; the World Trade Organization (WTO) holds its thirteenth ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi amid deep uncertainty about progress on dispute settlement system reform; U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Argentina and Brazil to forge stronger U.S.-South America ties; and the World Health Organization raises alarm about the situation at the Gaza Strip’s Nasser Hospital.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 22, 2024 The World Next Week

Ukraine

Year Three of the Ukraine War, With Miriam Elder and Carla Anne Robbins

Miriam Elder, the Edward R. Murrow press fellow at CFR, and Carla Anne Robbins, a senior fellow at CFR and co-host of CFR’s The World Next Week podcast, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss where the war between Russia and Ukraine is headed as it enters its third year.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Miriam Elder and Carla Anne Robbins February 20, 2024 The President’s Inbox

North Korea

60th Munich Security Conference, African Union’s Conflict-Laden Agenda, Bellicose North Korea, and More

World leaders gather for the sixtieth Munich Security Conference with growing concerns about a continued war in Ukraine and threats to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) cohesion; the African Union holds its annual summit as multiple crises mount, including armed conflict and democratic blacksliding; Kim Jong Un increases aggressive language and acts as North Korea prepares to celebrate the late father and leader Kim Jong Il’s birthday; and former Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is nominated to lead a coalition government as the new prime minister.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 15, 2024 The World Next Week

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Governance of Artificial Intelligence, With Kat Duffy

Kat Duffy, a senior fellow for digital and cyberspace policy at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the capacity of the U.S. government to lead in creating a framework for regulating artificial intelligence (AI).

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Kat Duffy February 13, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Chile

Chile’s Inferno, NATO Ramps Up Security Exercises, Indonesia’s Presidential Election, and More

Chile works to recover from the devastating wildfire in its central Valparaíso region; the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) continues with its 2024 Steadfast Defender exercise, the largest since the Cold War, while uncertainty over members’ commitment grows; Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, holds vast general elections; and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attempts to reach a deal for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and hostage release.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 8, 2024 The World Next Week

China

Biden Confronts Iran, China’s Lunar New Year Economic Slowdown, Pakistan’s Flawed Elections, and More

The Joe Biden administration contends with how to respond to a deadly attack on U.S. service members at a base in Jordan while also preventing a wider regional war; a faltering economy clouds festivities as millions of Chinese travel home for Lunar New Year; Pakistan will elect a new prime minister and National Assembly, but lackluster candidates, economic crisis, and unraveling security situation loom over the vote; and Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announce their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, increasing security concerns in western Africa.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 1, 2024 The World Next Week

United States

Henry Wallace and the Origins of the Cold War, With Benn Steil

Benn Steil, a senior fellow and director of international economics at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how Henry Wallace might have changed history had he and not Harry Truman succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt as president.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Benn Steil January 30, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Haiti

Rebels Gain As Myanmar Marks Coup Anniversary, EU's Ukraine Aid Challenge, Kenya’s Pending Mission to Haiti, and More

The Three Brotherhood Alliance and other armed ethnic groups in Myanmar pose a significant threat to regime control as the country enters its third year under junta rule; the European Union (EU) meets for a special summit on military aid for Ukraine, but concerns remain over Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán; Kenya’s high court will decide whether if it is constitutional for Kenya to lead a multinational peacekeeping mission to Haiti; and hundreds of thousands across Germany protest against the Alternative for Germany’s anti-immigration policies.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins January 25, 2024 The World Next Week

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

U.S.-Iran Proxy War Intensifies, Sudan Conflict Rages On, Sundance Film Festival Marks Forty Years, and More

More than one hundred days into the war in the Gaza Strip, hostilities continue to escalate regionwide, marked by clashes between proxies of Iran and U.S. forces; Sudan’s civil war worsens as a new diplomatic initiative stalls; the Sundance Film Festival celebrates its fortieth anniversary; and the small island nation of Nauru cuts ties with Taiwan.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins January 18, 2024 The World Next Week

Yemen

The Houthi Threat to Red Sea Shipping, With Katherine Zimmerman

Katherine Zimmerman, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the ongoing attacks by the Houthis in Yemen on commercial ships transiting the Red Sea.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Katherine Zimmerman January 16, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Taiwan

Taiwan’s Pivotal Elections, Apple Battles Regulations, Davos Addresses World Risks, and More

Taiwan holds its presidential and legislative elections, which have major geopolitical consequences for both the United States and China; tech giant Apple deals with patent infringement allegations while more governments consider regulations on tech; the fifty-fourth World Economic Forum Annual Meeting hosts global business and political leaders in Davos, Switzerland, to address multiple crises such as conflict, climate change, and misinformation; and France appoints Gabriel Attal, the country’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins January 11, 2024 The World Next Week

Taiwan

Taiwan’s Presidential Election, With David Sacks

David Sacks, a fellow for Asia studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the potential geopolitical consequences of Taiwan’s presidential race.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and David Sacks January 9, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Middle East and North Africa

Mideast Tensions Grow, Consumer Electronics Show Spotlights AI, Divided U.S. Congress Returns, and More

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to the Middle East as the region reacts to attacks in Iran, Lebanon, and the Red Sea; the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas previews new products and services equipped with artificial intelligence (AI); the U.S. Congress returns from its holiday recess with divisions over migration and defense aid; and the stabbing of South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung stirs fears ahead of elections.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins January 4, 2024 The World Next Week

Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Far-right Terrorism, With Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware

Bruce Hoffman, the Shelby Cullom and Kathryn W. Davis senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at CFR, and Jacob Ware, a research fellow at CFR, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the rise of far-right violent extremism in the United States and abroad.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware January 2, 2024 The President’s Inbox

United States

Year End Q&A Special, With Shannon O’Neil

Shannon O’Neil, vice president, deputy director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller senior fellow for Latin America Studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to answer questions submitted by listeners to The President’s Inbox.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Shannon K. O'Neil December 26, 2023 The President’s Inbox

2023 in Review

The World Next Year: Stories to Watch in 2024

In this special, year-end episode, Nahal Toosi, Politico’s senior correspondent for foreign affairs and national security, joins Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins to review the biggest events of 2023 and the stories to keep an eye on in the coming year. They discuss instability caused by the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s war in Ukraine, the global push for a greener future, challenges to immigration policy, the numerous elections of 2024, U.S. global leadership, and more.

Podcast with Robert McMahon, Carla Anne Robbins and Nahal Toosi December 21, 2023 The World Next Week

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The Year of AI and Elections

Billions of people will take to the polls next year, marking the world’s largest-ever electoral field. But this historic scale is not the only thing that will make 2024 unique. As new threats like deep fakes become cheaper and more widespread, these upcoming elections could serve as a test run for democracy in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. What risks does AI pose to elections next year? And will a surge in AI-powered disinformation change the nature of democratic elections?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Kat Duffy and Yoel Roth December 20, 2023 Why It Matters

Ukraine

The Future of the War in Ukraine, With Kori Schake

Kori Schake, a senior fellow and the director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss where the fighting in Ukraine is headed.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Kori Schake December 19, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Venezuela

Guyana-Venezuela Border Dispute, Missile Defense Base in Poland, DRC Elections, and More

Guyana and Venezuela begin discussion on a territorial dispute over the Essequibo region; the Redzikowo U.S. missile defense base in Poland becomes operable; the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds presidential elections; and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny goes missing.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins December 14, 2023 The World Next Week

South Korea

The U.S.-South Korea Alliance, With Scott A. Snyder

Scott A. Snyder, a senior fellow for Korea studies and director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the importance of the U.S.-South Korea military alliance and how domestic and international forces could be undermining it.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Scott A. Snyder December 12, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Fighting Resumes in Gaza, EU Summit’s Ukraine Challenge, Egypt’s Elections, and More

Palestinian civilians find fewer safe places to shelter as Israeli forces expand ground operations south in the Gaza Strip; European Union (EU) leaders discuss prospects for more aid and EU membership for Ukraine; Egypt holds presidential elections amid an economic crisis; and a former senior U.S. diplomat is charged as a spy for Cuba.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins December 7, 2023 The World Next Week

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Renewed Fighting in Gaza, With Steven Cook

Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the collapse of the temporary ceasefire in Gaza and the future of the conflict between Israel and Hamas

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Steven A. Cook December 5, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Climate Change

COP28 in Dubai, Russia Crackdown on Journalists, China Illness Spike, and More

The United Arab Emirates, a major oil and gas producer, hosts the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), where hundreds of world leaders meet to discuss limiting global warming and helping states that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change; Russia arbitrarily detains a journalist with U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; and the World Health Organization asks China for information on a spike in respiratory illness.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 30, 2023 The World Next Week

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Understanding the U.S. Role in the Israel-Hamas War

Scenes from the Israel-Hamas war have reverberated across the world. In the United States, debate about the conflict has intensified, and it has resurfaced long-standing questions about policy toward Israel and the Palestinian territories. What is the U.S. goal for the region? And how is the United States responding to the war?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Steven A. Cook November 22, 2023 Why It Matters

Globalization

The Anti-Globalization Backlash, With Peter Trubowitz

Peter Trubowitz, a professor of international relations and director of the Phelan U.S. Center at the London School of Economics and an associate fellow at Chatham House, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the reasons for the rise of anti-globalism in Western countries and its consequences for world order.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Peter Trubowitz November 21, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Ukraine

Winter Stalemate in Ukraine, Argentina’s Presidential Runoff, Turkey’s President visits Berlin, and More

Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces stalls as the future of U.S. aid remains uncertain; Argentina gears up for its presidential election runoff while inflation rates soar; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrives in Berlin to address refugee flows and the Israel–Hamas war with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; and David Cameron returns to the United Kingdom government as foreign secretary.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 16, 2023 The World Next Week

Diplomacy and International Institutions

The APEC Summit, With Matthew Goodman

Matthew Goodman, a distinguished fellow for global economic policy and director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 forum in San Francisco, California.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Matthew P. Goodman November 14, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Indo-Pacific

Biden and Xi at APEC, Macron’s Gaza Conference, Arab League Emergency Summit, and More

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit begins in San Francisco with U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping set to meet on the sidelines; French President Emmanuel Macron hosts a humanitarian conference to discuss new aid options for civilians in the Gaza Strip; the Arab League holds an emergency summit in Riyadh at the request of the Palestinian Authority and Saudi Arabia; and the United States and China discuss nuclear arms control.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 9, 2023 The World Next Week

Trade

A Turning Point for Global Trade

International trade has shaped the world for much of the past century. Countries benefited from the global flow of goods, and the world became richer and safer. At the same time, many Americans lost their jobs to cheaper overseas competitors. Now, a series of compounding challenges, including great power competition and climate change, have led U.S. officials to rethink trade policy. What's next for international trade? And can the United States retain the benefits of trade while protecting critical supply chains and fighting climate change?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Jennifer Hillman, Inu Manak and Edward Alden November 8, 2023 Why It Matters

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Israel-Hamas War Ground Campaign, Biden Hosts Latin American Leaders, Congress Debates Israel and Ukraine Aid, and More

Israel’s ground operations in the Gaza Strip intensify as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Israeli leaders amid calls for a pause in fighting; U.S. President Biden hosts the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity Summit to discuss regional economic growth and the migration crisis; Congress considers aid to Israel and Ukraine as a government shutdown approaches; and conflict displaces 6.9 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 2, 2023 The World Next Week

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Laws of War, With Matthew Waxman

Matthew Waxman, adjunct senior fellow for law and foreign policy at CFR and the Liviu Librescu Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the laws of warfare and how they apply to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Matthew C. Waxman October 31, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Diplomacy Intensifies With Israel-Hamas War, UK’s AI Safety Summit, China’s Foreign Minister Visits Washington, and More

Diplomatic contacts surge ahead of anticipated escalation in the Israel-Hamas war; the United Kingdom (UK) hosts its first artificial intelligence (AI) Safety Summit to develop strategies that mitigate the risks of AI; Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in Washington, DC to speak with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan; and Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan possibly faces the death penalty.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 26, 2023 The World Next Week

Drug Policy

America’s Fentanyl Epidemic: The China Connection

Over the past few years, a new threat has emerged as a leading cause of death in the United States: fentanyl. Yet even as the drug wreaks havoc on Americans lives, preventing its flow into the United States is complicated, partially because of the supply’s overseas origins, which is often China. What is China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Thomas J. Bollyky, Zongyuan Zoe Liu and Shannon K. O'Neil October 25, 2023 Why It Matters

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Future of the Israel-Hamas War, With Linda Robinson

Linda Robinson, a senior fellow for women and foreign policy at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the diplomatic and political challenges triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Linda Robinson October 24, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Eyes on Gaza, Argentina’s Presidential Vote, Putin Seeks Friends, and More

As the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues, diplomacy ramps up in the Middle East amid concerns of spreading tensions; Argentina holds an election while its economy suffers record inflation; Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials venture abroad to seek allies as their war with Ukraine grinds on; and the death toll from Sudan’s conflict reaches at least nine thousand.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 19, 2023 The World Next Week

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Israel-Hamas War’s Next Phase, Poland’s Democracy Test, Australia’s ‘Indigenous Voice’ Referendum, and More

Israeli and Palestinian casualties rise as fighting between Israel and Hamas continues; Poland holds a pivotal parliamentary election; Australia votes on whether to enshrine representation for Indigenous people in its constitution; and Afghanistan struggles with the aftermath of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 12, 2023 The World Next Week

Ukraine

The Case for Rebuilding Ukraine

Russia has caused unprecedented damage in Ukraine. And with no diplomatic end in sight to the conflict, many Ukrainians are wondering when, if ever, they will be able to go back to their homes. According to many experts, the answer is actually sooner rather than later. Can reconstruction begin before a war ends? Who pays, and where should world leaders begin?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Philip Zelikow and Sam Greene October 11, 2023 Why It Matters

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Israel-Hamas War, With Elliott Abrams and Steven Cook

Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at CFR, and Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at CFR, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the context and consequences of Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Elliott Abrams and Steven A. Cook October 10, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Russia

Russia Tests New Missile and Seeks to Rejoin UN Human Rights Council, ICJ Takes On Syria, and More

Recent satellite imagery indicates that Russia is preparing to test a new nuclear-powered missile; the UN Human Rights Council votes on new members, with Russia vying to rejoin after its April 2022 suspension; the International Court of Justice (ICJ) begins hearings on torture in Syria; and one hundred thousand ethnic Armenians flee as Azerbaijan asserts control over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 5, 2023 The World Next Week

Russia

Getting Russia Right, With Thomas Graham

Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how U.S.-Russia relations have evolved since the Cold War.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Thomas Graham October 3, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Health Policy and Initiatives

PEPFAR Reauthorization Struggle, Banned Books Week, Slovakia Democracy Test, and More

Important provisions of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) could expire due to partisan divisions, threatening a widely successful initiative; libraries take part in U.S. Banned Books Week in the face of a rising censorship movement; Slovakia holds an early parliamentary election amid concerns that pro-Russia parties will gain power; and Chinese President Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announce a partnership.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins September 28, 2023 The World Next Week

Climate Change

Could Climate Change Break Home Insurance?

For decades, U.S. homeowners have counted on property insurance to protect them from catastrophic loss if their homes are destroyed—and the U.S. economy has rested on the functionality of that model. But as this summer’s extreme weather broke records, private companies reduced their coverage. As climate disasters become more frequent, can home insurance hold up?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Nancy Watkins and David Marlett September 27, 2023 Why It Matters

China

China’s Underground Historians, With Ian Johnson

Ian Johnson, the Stephen A. Schwarzman senior fellow for China studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how Chinese filmmakers, journalists, and artists are challenging the Chinese Communist Party’s version of history.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Ian Johnson September 26, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Ukraine

Zelenskyy in Washington, Spain Tries to Form a Government, UN Spotlights Nuclear Weapons, and More

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with U.S. President Joe Biden and members of Congress to ensure continued U.S. military aid amid Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia; the Spanish parliament attempts to choose a prime minister, with both Alberto Núñez Feijóo and serving President Pedro Sánchez reliant on smaller fringe parties to secure a majority; the United Nations observes the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons despite the continuing global prevalence of nuclear weapons; and relations between Canada and India are frayed after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of ordering the death of prominent Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins September 21, 2023 The World Next Week

Ukraine

Ukraine’s 2023 Counteroffensive, With Max Boot

Max Boot, the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow in national security studies at CFR and a columnist for the Washington Post, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the progress Ukraine is making in its ongoing effort to retake the territory Russia seized in its 2022 invasion.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Max Boot September 19, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Iran

Anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s Death, UN Summits On Climate and Development, Russia Recruits Cubans, and More

One year after the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran’s morality police prompted widespread domestic protests, the Islamic Republic appears to have rebounded while keeping a prominent international profile; the United Nations General Assembly begins its high-level debate week with leaders gathering to attend major summits on Sustainable Development Goals and climate challenges; and Cuba arrests Russian recruiters looking for more fighters.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins September 14, 2023 The World Next Week

Inequality

Who Runs the World?... Not Women

Female representation in politics leads to numerous benefits, but the vast majority of the world’s most powerful politicians are men. Using the Council on Foreign Relations’ Women’s Power Index tool to track women’s leadership across the globe, this episode examines the problems that arise from a shortage of female leaders.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Linda Robinson and Sandra Pepera September 13, 2023 Why It Matters

United States

AI’s Impact on the 2024 U.S. Elections, With Jessica Brandt

Jessica Brandt, policy director for the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative at the Brookings Institution, where she is a fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how artificial intelligence might affect the 2024 U.S. elections.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Jessica Brandt September 12, 2023 The President’s Inbox

North Korea

India’s G20 Summit, 9/11 in Chile and the U.S., Kim Jong Un and Putin Draw Closer, and More

Leaders of major global economies meet in New Delhi, India for the annual Group of Twenty (G20) summit to solve the most pressing economic challenges; on September 11th, Chile marks fifty years since General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte’s military coup and the United States observes the twenty-second anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks; a possible meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin troubles national security experts; and the European Union struggles with a surge in asylum applications.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins September 7, 2023 The World Next Week

European Union

Europe’s Geoeconomic Revolution, With Matthias Matthijs & Sophie Meunier

Matthias Matthijs, senior fellow for Europe at CFR and associate professor of international political economy at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, and Sophie Meunier, a senior research scholar at the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how the European Union has transformed its approach to economics and the implications for transatlantic relations.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Matthias Matthijs and Sophie Meunier September 5, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Mexico

ASEAN Summit, AMLO’s Final Year, COVID-19 Variants Emerge, and More

Southeast Asian leaders meet in Jakarta, Indonesia for the forty-third Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, working to improve the bloc’s cooperation with external partners; Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, commonly known as AMLO, begins the last year of his six-year term; new COVID-19 variants drive a spike in U.S. cases and hospitalizations; and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo’s visit to Beijing spurs renewed interest in U.S.-China trade.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Shannon K. O'Neil August 31, 2023 The World Next Week

Russia

EU Crackdowns on Big Tech, After Prigozhin, Two Years of Taliban, and More

Major technology companies rush to comply with the European Union (EU) Digital Services Act, which makes online platforms responsible for moderating harmful content; questions mount about the Russian private military company Wagner Group after its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is reportedly killed in a plane crash; the Taliban enters its third year in power since the U.S. military evacuated from Afghanistan; and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visits Saudi Arabia as the former rival countries to normalize relations.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins August 24, 2023 The World Next Week

Saudi Arabia

Israeli-Saudi Peace Deal, With Steven A. Cook

Steven A. Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the ongoing negotiations to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Steven A. Cook August 22, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Northeast Asia

U.S.-Japan-South Korea Summit, Ecuador’s Snap Election, BRICS Leaders Meet, and More

U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol meet at Camp David to try to strengthen security cooperation against North Korea and coordinate China policies; Ecuador holds a snap election amid political violence; South Africa hosts the fifteenth summit of BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa with the goal of expanding the group’s geopolitical influence; and Niger’s crisis worsens as the military junta vows to prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins August 17, 2023 The World Next Week

China

China’s Economic Downturn, With Zongyuan Zoe Liu

Zongyuan Zoe Liu, the Maurice R. Greenberg fellow for China studies, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the causes and consequences of China’s faltering economy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Zongyuan Zoe Liu August 15, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Food and Water Security

Global Food Insecurity, With Caitlin Welsh

Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how Russia’s war on Ukraine and the Kremlin’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative threaten global food security.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Caitlin Welsh August 8, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Russia

Navalny’s Verdict, Amazon Cooperation Summit, Israel’s Political Crisis, and More

A Russian court will deliver the final verdict for opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s trial on “extremism” charges; eight South American heads of state meet in Belém, Brazil to try to strengthen a common policy for Amazon Rainforest protection; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for judiciary reform intensifies; and protesters in Niger direct their anger towards France.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins August 3, 2023 The World Next Week

Latin America

Latin America’s Crime Surge, With Will Freeman

Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss spiking crime rates across Latin America and their consequences for the region and the United States.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Will Freeman August 1, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Colombia

Blinken Visits South Pacific, Colombia-ELN Cease-Fire, Thailand’s Political Face-off, and More

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Australia to wrap up a visit aimed at boosting security ties and offsetting Chinese influence; the Colombian government and guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) agree to implement a cease-fire; the formation of a newly elected Thai government remains in limbo as differing factions disagree on who can stand for prime minister; and China’s government removes former Foreign Minister Qin Gang after only seven months of service.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins July 27, 2023 The World Next Week

Sudan

Sudan’s Civil War, With Michelle Gavin

Michelle Gavin, the Ralph Bunche senior fellow for Africa policy studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the deadly struggle between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for control of Sudan.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Michelle Gavin July 25, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Ukraine

Black Sea Grain Blockade, Spain’s Snap Elections, Hollywood Strikes’ Broader Impact, and More

Russia’s rejection of extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative threatens global food security; Spain holds an early general election amid signs of a resurgent populist right; Comic-Con and the media industry cut back on events due to strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA); and a U.S. soldier crosses through the demilitarized zone into North Korea.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins July 20, 2023 The World Next Week

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Assessing the NATO Summit, With Ivo H. Daalder

Ivo H. Daalder, the chief executive of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and former U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the decisions reached at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Ivo H. Daalder July 18, 2023 The President’s Inbox

New Zealand

EU, Latin America, and the Caribbean Summit, U.S. Defense Spending Conflicts, Women’s World Cup Down Under, and More

Leaders from the European Union (EU), Latin America, and the Caribbean meet to renew a strategic partnership on issues including trade and climate change; the U.S. Congress wrestles with unprecedented divisions over the annual National Defense Authorization Act; thirty-two soccer teams land in Australia and New Zealand for the FIFA Women’s World Cup; and grim days appear likely for the Wagner Group amid a post-rebellion crackdown from the Kremlin.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins July 13, 2023 The World Next Week

Taiwan

Taiwan, China, and the Threat of War

A small island one hundred miles off the coast of China could be the flashpoint that determines the future of great-power competition. Experts increasingly warn that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be globally catastrophic, regardless of its success or if the United States intervenes. How concerned should Americans be?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, David Sacks and James Lin July 13, 2023 Why It Matters

Climate Change

What Climate Change Means for the Bay of Bengal, With Sarang Shidore

In this special series of The President’s Inbox on climate change, Sarang Shidore, the director of studies and senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the impact of climate change in the Bay of Bengal region. This series is made possible by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Sarang Shidore July 11, 2023 The President’s Inbox

United States

TWNW Special: What to Read This Summer 2023

In this special episode of The World Next Week, Rosa Brooks, the Scott K. Ginsburg Chair in Law and Policy and professor at Georgetown University Law Center, joins Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins to discuss the books they recommend reading, the books they’re looking forward to reading, and other entertainment they’re enjoying this summer.

Podcast with Robert McMahon, Carla Anne Robbins and Rosa Brooks July 6, 2023 The World Next Week

United States

The Fourth of July, With Jack Rakove

Jack Rakove, the William Robertson Coe professor of history and American studies and professor emeritus of political science and law at Stanford University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss why the United States declared independence in 1776 and its meaning for the country today.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Jack N. Rakove July 4, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Russia

Russia’s Post-Rebellion Moves, NATO’s Vilnius Summit, Europe’s 21st Century Woodstock, and More

Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to assert control and stability after the coup attempt by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin; NATO prepares for its summit in Vilnius, Lithuania with mounting questions about Ukrainian membership; hundreds of thousands attend Denmark’s Roskilde music festival that highlights the power of art in society; and Zambia secures a deal to restructure its $6 billion in sovereign debt.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 29, 2023 The World Next Week

Foreign Policy

The Future of U.S. Foreign Policy, With Richard Haass

Richard Haass, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, sits down with James M. Lindsay upon completing two decades leading CFR to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the United States.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Richard Haass June 27, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Guatemala

EU Leaders’ Summit, Biden Marks Abortion Ruling Anniversary, Guatemala’s Election, and More

Heads of state from the European Union’s twenty-seven members meet in Brussels to discuss support for Ukraine and new initiatives to coordinate defense, economics, and migration; the Biden administration takes part in events marking the one-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which continues to draw international scrutiny; Guatemala holds its general election with voters concerned about poverty, crime, and political corruption; and the UN pledges $1.5 billion in aid to Sudan as fighting continues.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 22, 2023 The World Next Week

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI Meets World, Part Two

The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought lawmakers and industry leaders to the same conclusion: regulation is necessary to ensure the technology changes the world for the better. The similarities could end there, as governments and industry clash on what those laws should do, and different governments take increasingly divergent approaches. What are the stakes of the debate over AI regulation?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Sebastian Mallaby and Janet Haven June 21, 2023 Why It Matters

Taiwan

The Future of U.S.-Taiwan Relations, With Susan M. Gordon and Michael G. Mullen

Susan M. Gordon, former principal deputy director of National Intelligence, and Admiral Michael G. Mullen, former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the nature and extent of U.S. support for Taiwan in the face of growing Chinese power.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Susan M. Gordon and Adm. Michael G. Mullen June 20, 2023 The President’s Inbox

India

Blinken’s Rescheduled China Trip, Modi’s State Visit to U.S., Ukraine’s Counteroffensive, and More

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken finally heads to China amid hopes that U.S.-China tensions will subside; U.S. President Joe Biden hosts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit to focus on expanded, strategic economic ties; Ukraine presses on with its long-awaited counteroffensive; and four indigenous children survive forty days in the Amazon after a plane crash.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 15, 2023 The World Next Week

U.S. Department of Defense

The U.S. Military Recruiting Crisis, With Nora Bensahel

Nora Bensahel, a visiting professor of strategic studies and senior fellow of the Merrill Center at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the challenges the U.S. armed services are having in attracting new recruits and what can be done about it.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Nora Bensahel June 13, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI Meets World, Part One

After decades of seeming like another sci-fi catchphrase, artificial intelligence (AI) is having its moment. Some experts predict that AI will usher in an era of boundless productivity and techno-utopia; others see a new realm of great-power competition and the end of humanity. Nearly all agree that AI will change the world. But will it be for the better?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Sebastian Mallaby and Janet Haven June 8, 2023 Why It Matters

Climate Change

Canada’s Wildfires, OPEC Oil Report, NATO’s Largest Air Drill, and More

Canada’s unprecedented wildfire season overwhelms Canadian firefighters, and many in the eastern United States deal with dangerous levels of smoke; the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries releases its monthly oil report as Saudi Arabia seeks to boost prices; Germany hosts NATO’s largest air defense exercise as a signal to Russia; and Ukraine rushes to respond to the humanitarian and security crises caused by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 8, 2023 The World Next Week

Turkey

Erdoğan’s Victory, With Steven A. Cook

Steven A. Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss what the reelection of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan means for U.S.-Turkey relations and the future of NATO.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Steven A. Cook June 6, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Australia

Australian Submarine Deal, Asian Security Summit, Blinken in Finland, and More

The International Atomic Energy Association reports on the nuclear-powered submarines that the United States and the United Kingdom will provide to Australia within the AUKUS alliance; world leaders and defense officials meet in Singapore for Asia’s premier security event– the Shangri-La Dialogue; U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wraps up his Nordic tour with his final stop in Helsinki, meeting with Finnish officials to discuss North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) priorities; and NATO sends additional troops to Kosovo to respond to ethnically-charged clashes.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 1, 2023 The World Next Week

Drug Policy

The Fentanyl Epidemic, With Vanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss why the United States is struggling to stop the flood of fentanyl entering the country.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Vanda Felbab-Brown May 30, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Supply Chains

Down and Dirty: The Global Fertilizer Dilemma

Feeding the world's eight billion people has never been easy. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine shocked the market for fertilizer, that task has gotten even harder. The fertilizer crisis threatens to exacerbate food insecurity worldwide, especially in low-income countries already reeling from record-high inflation and rapidly depreciating currencies. What is fertilizer’s role in the food supply chain?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Michelle Gavin and Laura Cross May 25, 2023 Why It Matters

Nigeria

Turkey’s Runoff Election, Debt Ceiling Dangers, Nigeria’s Tinubu Inaugurated as President, and More

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his opponent Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu face off in Turkey’s runoff election; U.S. government leaders contend with a looming deadline to avoid a disastrous default; president-elect Bola Tinubu is sworn in as Nigeria contends with an economic crisis; Evan Gershkovich’s pre-trial detention is extended; and Sudan struggles to find a lasting solution to the conflict between the military and a paramilitary group, exacerbating its humanitarian crisis.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 25, 2023 The World Next Week

Pakistan

Pakistan in Crisis, With Sadanand Dhume

Sadanand Dhume, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a South Asia columnist for the Wall Street Journal, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the political, economic, and climate crises roiling Pakistan.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Sadanand Dhume May 23, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Syria

Syria Returns to the Arab League, G7 Summit in Japan, UN Discussions on North Korea, and More

The Arab League summit marks the return of Syria and its president, Bashar al-Assad; Japan hosts the leaders of the Group of Seven democracies in Hiroshima, Japan, with concerns over China and Russia at the fore; the UN Security Council discusses sanctions on North Korea amid the country’s missile buildup; and migration slows at the southern U.S. border after the lifting of Title 42.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 18, 2023 The World Next Week

India

U.S.-India Relations, With Ashley J. Tellis

Ashley J. Tellis, the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the challenges inherent in the evolving relationship between the United States and India.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Ashley J. Tellis May 16, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Turkey

Momentous Elections in Turkey and Thailand, Black Sea Grain Initiative, and More

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan faces off with opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in Turkey’s presidential election; Thais vote in their first general election since 2019; the Black Sea grain deal faces possible expiration; international film makers step forward at the Cannes Film Festival; and Ukraine fends off Russia’s recent drone attack.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 11, 2023 The World Next Week

Nuclear Weapons

A New Nuclear Age

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the possibility of nuclear war felt like a problem of days past. Now, as great-power competition heats up, the potential for nuclear conflict seems higher than at any point in decades. How did the nuclear taboo fade, and what does nuclear proliferation mean for the United States?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, J. Andrés Gannon and Rupal N. Mehta May 10, 2023 Why It Matters

Ukraine

U.S. Strategy in Ukraine, With Charles Kupchan

Charles Kupchan, senior fellow at CFR and a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the status of the war in Ukraine and whether it is time for the United States and the West to rethink their strategy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Charles A. Kupchan May 9, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Immigration and Migration

South Korea-Japan Summit, U.S. Border Policy Changes, U.S. Annual Threat Assessment, and More

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio meets with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul, South Korea; major pandemic-related U.S. immigration policies such as Title 42 end, straining an already overwhelmed southern border; the director of national intelligence and the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency brief a Senate panel on the top international threats to U.S. national security; and the U.S. Congress debates a plan to prevent default.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 4, 2023 The World Next Week

South Korea

The Biden-Yoon Summit, With Scott Snyder

Scott Snyder, a senior fellow for Korea studies and the director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s recent state visit with U.S. President Joe Biden and its implications for the U.S.-South Korean alliance.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Scott A. Snyder May 2, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Hungary

Syria-Turkey Relations, Israel’s Ongoing Domestic Tensions, the Pope Visits Hungary, and More

Iran and Russia aim to broker a rapprochement between Syria and Turkey; the Israeli Knesset begins its summer session in the face of mass protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms; Pope Francis makes a three-day visit to Hungary, where he is expected to raise concerns about migration and the war in Ukraine; and a cease-fire fails to put an end to conflict in Sudan.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins April 27, 2023 The World Next Week

National Security and Defense Program

Army of Some: Recruiting Trouble for the All-Volunteer Force

All current U.S. military personnel have one thing in common: they volunteered. But falling recruitment has raised questions of national security, military readiness, and the health of U.S. society. Can the all-volunteer force handle a changing international security landscape?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Max Boot, Amy Bushatz and Timothy J. MacDonald April 26, 2023 Why It Matters

China

Critical Minerals and China, With Morgan Bazilian

Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute and a professor of public policy at the Colorado School of Mines, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss why critical minerals have emerged as a major issue in the U.S.-China geopolitical competition.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Morgan Bazilian April 25, 2023 The President’s Inbox

South Korea

Biden Hosts South Korea’s President, Earth Day, UN Addresses Haiti, and More

U.S. President Joe Biden hosts South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol for a state visit, marking the seventy-year U.S.-South Korean alliance; people worldwide celebrate Earth Day with pledges to take environmental action; and the UN Security Council discusses its mission to Haiti and plans to stabilize the turbulent country.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins April 20, 2023 The World Next Week

Economics

IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, NRA-ILA Leadership Forum, UN in Libya, and More

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group wrap up their joint spring meetings, where the focus is on restructuring debt for low-income countries; expected Republican presidential candidates convene at a National Rifle Association Leadership Forum amid ongoing mass shooting concerns; and the United Nations discusses the prospects for national elections in Libya, as the country continues to grapple with sharp divisions.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins April 13, 2023 The World Next Week

Censorship and Freedom of Expression

Silencing the Messenger: Global Threats to Press Freedom

Freedom of the press is under attack around the globe, but for journalists in Latin America in particular, reporting has become a matter of life and death. Populist leaders in the region have consolidated power and clamped down on press freedom, making the area the deadliest in the world for reporters. With anti-journalist sentiment on the rise, can a free and fair press prevail in an increasingly polarized world?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Carin Zissis, Jan-Albert Hootsen and Neil Brandvold April 12, 2023 Why It Matters

North Korea

North Korea’s Nuclear Program, With Jenny Town

Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center and the director of Stimson’s 38 North program, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss North Korea’s nuclear advances and their consequences for the security situation in Northeast Asia.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Jenny Town April 11, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Ireland

Macron Goes to China, Good Friday Agreement Turns 25, Iran’s ‘Nuclear Technology Day’, and More

China’s President Xi Jinping woos France’s President Emmanuel Macron, while Macron urges Xi to bring “Russia back to reason” on Ukraine; Northern Ireland’s Good Friday peace agreement turns twenty-five; and as Iran celebrates National Nuclear Technology Day, its enriched uranium stocks grow.

Podcast with Carla Anne Robbins and Matthias Matthijs April 6, 2023 The World Next Week

Oceans and Seas

The U.N. High Seas Treaty, With Esther Brimmer

Esther Brimmer, The James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance at The Council on Foreign Relations, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss a recent multilateral agreement reached at the United Nations to protect biodiversity in the world’s oceans.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Esther Brimmer April 4, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Diplomacy and International Institutions

Turkish Presidential Campaigning Begins, Russia’s Cloudy Security Council Presidency, Disney World at 50, and More

Turkey’s presidential candidates officially kick-off their campaigns ahead of May elections; Russia begins its term as president of the UN Security Council; and Walt Disney World wraps up its fiftieth anniversary celebration amid legal disputes with the Florida state government.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins March 30, 2023 The World Next Week

Arctic

What’s Cracking in the Arctic?

As rising global temperatures thaw the ice at the North Pole of the planet, competition between nuclear-powered states threatens to heat up the Arctic Circle even further. An increasingly minable Arctic, which contains vast natural resources, has piqued the economic interests of oil-hungry great powers, even as the warmer climate jeopardizes Indigenous tribes. Here’s how the Arctic could become the next frontier of great-power competition.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Esther Brimmer and Jeff Randall March 29, 2023 Why It Matters

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence and Great Power Competition, With Paul Scharre

Paul Scharre, the vice president and director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping great power competition and intensifying the geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Paul Scharre March 28, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Democracy

Brazil’s Lula visits China, Earth Hour, Second Summit for Democracy, and More

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China to discuss Brazil-China economic ties; millions of people around the world switch off their lights for 60 minutes to celebrate Earth Hour; and the United States, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Zambia co-host the second Summit for Democracy.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins March 23, 2023 The World Next Week

Immigration and Migration

U.S. Immigration Policy, With Edward Alden

Edward Alden, the Bernard L. Schwartz senior fellow at CFR and Ross Dist Visiting Professor at Western Washington University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the crisis at the U.S. southern border and the domestic debates over U.S. immigration policy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Edward Alden March 21, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Iraq War

The UN in Afghanistan, Twenty Years Since the U.S. Invasion of Iraq, Black Sea Grain Initiative, and More

The UN Security Council decides whether to renew the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan; on its twentieth anniversary, Americans and Iraqis take stock of the U.S. invasion of Iraq; and the future of the Ukraine-Russia Black Sea Grain Initiative, a vital food export agreement, is decided.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins March 16, 2023 The World Next Week

Center for Preventive Action

2023: What’s the Worst That Could Happen?

The world is entering a new era of great-power competition. As U.S. policymakers look ahead, it pays to know what global threats to anticipate. Every January, the Council on Foreign Relations publishes a survey that analyzes the conflicts most likely to occur in the twelve months ahead and rates their potential impact on the United States. But can the country prepare itself for mass immigration, cyberwarfare, and nuclear tensions while still cooperating with adversaries on global issues such as climate change?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Paul B. Stares March 15, 2023 Why It Matters

Mexico

Mexico’s Democratic Backsliding, With Shannon K. O’Neil

Shannon K. O’Neil, vice president, deputy director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller senior fellow for Latin America Studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Mexico’s new electoral law and other developments that may be eroding the country’s democratic governance.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Shannon K. O'Neil March 14, 2023 The President’s Inbox

United Kingdom

UK-France Summit, 3 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Foreign Films at the Oscars, and More

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss migration, trade, security, and other issues; the world enters the fourth year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic; and Academy Award-nominated films spotlight international issues.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins March 9, 2023 The World Next Week

Nigeria

Nigeria’s General Election, With Ebenezer Obadare

Ebenezer Obadare, the Douglas Dillon senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the results of Nigeria’s presidential election and their consequences.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Ebenezer Obadare March 7, 2023 The President’s Inbox

China

German Chancellor Scholz Visits Washington, China’s Congress Convenes, Cambodian Opposition Leader On Trial, and More

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss U.S.-German security cooperation in NATO and in the Indo-Pacific; China’s National People’s Congress begins its legislative session; Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha awaits the verdict of his treason trial as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s authoritarian grip tightens; and political tensions rise in Nigeria as the country reacts to Bola Tinubu’s presidential win.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins March 2, 2023 The World Next Week

China

China’s Nuclear Forces, With Fiona S. Cunningham

Fiona S. Cunningham, assistant professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss China’s expanding nuclear weapons program and the likelihood of an arms race with the United States.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Fiona S. Cunningham February 28, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Ukraine

Nigeria’s Election, One Year Since Russia Invaded Ukraine, U.S. Asylum Restrictions, and More

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, holds its presidential election; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reaches the one-year mark; U.S. President Joe Biden’s new restrictions on migrants seeking asylum spurs fury from immigration activists.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 23, 2023 The World Next Week

Ukraine

The Long War in Ukraine, With Samuel Charap and Miranda Priebe

Samuel Charap, a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, and Miranda Priebe, director of the Center for Analysis of U.S. Grand Strategy and a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss where the war in Ukraine is headed and how U.S. foreign policy should respond.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Samuel Charap and Miranda Priebe February 21, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Defense and Security

Munich Security Conference, Biden Visits Poland, Israel’s Judiciary Overhaul, and More

World leaders attend the Munich Security Conference, a high-level event focusing on global challenges; U.S. President Joe Biden visits Poland to reinforce NATO’s resolve for supporting Ukraine; and tens of thousands protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed changes to powers of the judiciary branch.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 16, 2023 The World Next Week

Climate Change

What Climate Change Means for the Horn of Africa, With Michelle Gavin

Michelle Gavin, the Ralph Bunche senior fellow for Africa policy studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the impact of climate change in the Horn of Africa. This series is made possible by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Michelle Gavin February 14, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Turkey

Turkey-Syria Earthquake Aftermath, Khamenei’s Pardon, Lula Visits Washington, and More

Turkey and Syria struggle to respond to devastating earthquakes; Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, puts forward possible pardons for thousands of protesters; and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, DC.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 9, 2023 The World Next Week

Canada

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, With Jonathan Berkshire Miller

Jonathan Berkshire Miller, senior fellow and director of foreign affairs, national defense, and national security at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Canada’s first Indo-Pacific strategy and the implications for its allies.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Jonathan Berkshire Miller February 7, 2023 The President’s Inbox

United States

Biden’s SOTU, Blinken Visits China, EU Bans Russian Petroleum Products, and More

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address; U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Beijing to try to stabilize U.S.-China relations; and the European Union’s embargo on Russian refined oil products is scheduled to go into effect.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 2, 2023 The World Next Week

Japan

Japan Rearmed, With Sheila Smith

Sheila Smith, the John E. Merow senior fellow for Asia-Pacific studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the reasoning behind Japan’s new defense strategy and the Japanese government’s decision to double defense spending.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Sheila A. Smith January 31, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Central Africa

The Pope Visits the DRC, Tanks for Ukraine, UN Presses Taliban on Women Aid Workers, and More

Pope Francis visits the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan during his fourth visit to Africa; Russia reacts to Western pledges to send tanks to Ukraine; and the United Nations works to counter the Taliban’s discrimination against women amid an escalating humanitarian crisis.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon January 26, 2023 The World Next Week

United States

The Obligations of American Citizens, With Richard Haass

Richard Haass, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss his new book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Richard Haass January 24, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Israel

High-Level U.S. Visit to Israel, China’s COVID-Clouded New Year, Greece-Turkey Tensions, and More

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discusses Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; China grapples with a sharp influx of COVID-19 cases amid Lunar New Year travels; and NATO concerns rise over tensions between Greece and Turkey.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Steven A. Cook January 19, 2023 The World Next Week

China

China’s Covid Surge, With Yanzhong Huang and Zongyuan Zoe Liu

Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council and professor and director of global health studies at Seton Hall University's School of Diplomacy and International Relations, and Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a fellow for international political economy at the Council, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the consequences of China’s decision to end its zero-COVID policy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Yanzhong Huang and Zongyuan Zoe Liu January 17, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Brazil

Attack on Brazil’s Capital, Japan’s PM Visits Washington, Czech Presidential Election, and More

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confronts the challenges posed by riots in the capital, Brasília; Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio visits U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss U.S.-Japan security cooperation; and the Czech Republic votes for a new president.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Sheila A. Smith January 12, 2023 The World Next Week

Israel

Israel’s New Government, With Martin Indyk

Martin S. Indyk, the Lowy distinguished fellow in U.S.-Middle East diplomacy at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the consequences of Benjamin Netanyahu’s return as Israel’s prime minister.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Martin S. Indyk January 10, 2023 The President’s Inbox

U.S. Congress

The 118th U.S. Congress, North American Leaders’ Summit, China Reopens, and More

The 118th U.S. Congress gets off to a rocky start; U.S. President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador meet in Mexico City for the tenth North American Leaders’ Summit; and China relaxes its strict COVID-19 border policies amid a surging COVID caseload.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon January 5, 2023 The World Next Week

China

China’s Global Influence Campaign, With Joshua Kurlantzick

Joshua Kurlantzick, a senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how China uses its media power to influence the domestic politics of countries around the world.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Joshua Kurlantzick January 3, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Climate Change

What Climate Change Means for Central America, With Paul J. Angelo

In this special series of The President’s Inbox on climate change, Paul J. Angelo, the director of the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies at the National Defense University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the impact of climate change in Central America. This series is made possible by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Paul J. Angelo December 27, 2022 The President’s Inbox

2022 in Review

The World Next Year: What to Watch in 2023

In this special year-end episode, CFR Senior Fellow Carla Anne Robbins joins James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon to review the biggest events of 2022 and the stories to keep an eye on next year. They discuss precarious U.S.-China relations, climate change, Russia’s war in Ukraine, Iran’s protests, the state of democracy globally, and more.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins December 22, 2022 The World Next Week

Trade

Biden’s America First Economic Policy, With Edward Alden

Edward Alden, the Bernard L. Schwartz senior fellow at CFR and Ross Dist Visiting Professor at Western Washington University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how the Biden administration’s economic policies are creating rifts with some of the United States’ closest allies.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Edward Alden December 20, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Global Governance

Another Year of Living Dangerously

In 2022, several colossal events dominated the headlines, most prominently the war in Ukraine and the worldwide inflation that it helped spark. But beyond Ukraine, events with global implications continued to unfold. In this episode, Why It Matters checks in with three CFR fellows and CFR President Richard Haass to understand the least-covered stories of 2022 and to take a peek at what could await the world in 2023.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Steven A. Cook, Richard Haass, Shannon K. O'Neil and Ebenezer Obadare December 20, 2022 Why It Matters

Tunisia

Tunisia’s Election, U.S. Congress Seeks to Avert Shutdown, World Cup Ends, and More

Tunisians will vote in the first elections since the adoption of a new constitution that critics say is antidemocratic; the U.S. Congress rushes to pass a spending bill to avert a government shutdown; and Argentina and France compete in the World Cup final as host Qatar faces international scrutiny.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon December 15, 2022 The World Next Week

Ukraine

The War in Ukraine, With Liana Fix and Michael Kimmage

Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at CFR, and Michael Kimmage, a history professor at the Catholic University of America and a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the current status of the war in Ukraine and to assess the strategies that Russia, Ukraine, and the West are pursuing.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Liana Fix and Michael Kimmage December 13, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Russia

Russia’s Constitution Day, EU Mulls Enlargement, U.S.-Africa Summit, and More

Russia celebrates its Constitution Day as President Vladimir Putin manages the messaging around his war in Ukraine; the European Union’s top political leaders discuss possible expansion of the bloc and energy and security concerns amid the Ukraine war; and President Joe Biden hosts the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit to boost cooperation on trade, food security, COVID-19 responses, and other issues.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon December 8, 2022 The World Next Week

Technology and Innovation

The Three Internets

For years, the world thought of the internet as a borderless zone that brought people from around the world together. But as governments pursue very different regulatory paths, the monolithic internet is breaking apart. Now, where there had been one, there are at least three internets: one led by the United States, one by China, and one by the European Union.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Anu Bradford, Adam Segal and Tarah Wheeler December 7, 2022 Why It Matters

China

The U.S.-China Economic Cold War, With Sebastian Mallaby

Sebastian Mallaby, the Paul A. Volcker senior fellow for international economics at the Council and a columnist at the Washington Post, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the likely consequences of the recent U.S. ban on the export of advanced semiconductor chips and technology to China.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Sebastian Mallaby December 6, 2022 The President’s Inbox

China

UN Biodiversity Conference, Russian Oil Sanctions, China’s COVID Protests, and More

The UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) takes place in Montreal, Canada; the European Union and Group of Seven (G7) plan to implement price caps and partial embargos on Russian oil to respond to the war in Ukraine; and the Chinese Community Party reacts to nationwide protests over its zero-COVID policy.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and James M. Lindsay December 1, 2022 The World Next Week

International Organizations

A Troubled Cup for the Beautiful Game

The 2022 FIFA World Cup has kicked off in Qatar, and billions of fans worldwide are tuning in to the world’s most popular live event. And yet as in years past, the Qatar Cup is transpiring under the shadow of controversy.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Laurent Dubois November 23, 2022 Why It Matters

U.S. Congress

2022 U.S. Midterm Elections, With Daniel Silverberg and Christopher Tuttle

Daniel Silverberg, managing director at global strategy firm Capstone and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, and Christopher Tuttle, senior fellow and director of the Renewing America Initiative at the Council, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the results of the 2022 U.S. midterm elections and its impact on U.S. foreign policy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Daniel Silverberg and Christopher M. Tuttle November 22, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Climate Change

Iran’s Human Rights Abuses, COP27 Concludes, World Cup Kicks Off, and More

The UN Human Rights Council meets for a special session on the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters; the COP27 conference draws to a close amid calls from developing countries to increase funding for climate damages; and the 2022 FIFA World Cup begins in Doha, Qatar, even as controversy lingers.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Alice C. Hill November 17, 2022 The World Next Week

Climate Change

What Climate Change Means for the Sahel, With Beza Tesfaye

In this special series of The President’s Inbox on climate change, Beza Tesfaye, director of Research and Learning for Migration and Climate Change at Mercy Corps and senior associate for the Project on Fragility and Mobility at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the impact of climate change in the Sahel region. This series is made possible by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Beza Tesfaye November 15, 2022 The President’s Inbox

G20 (Group of Twenty)

U.S. Midterm Results, G20 Summit, Prospects for Russia-Ukraine Diplomacy, and More

The United States takes stock of the midterm election results; geopolitical tensions loom over the Group of Twenty summit in Bali, Indonesia; and conversation swirls around possible diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon November 10, 2022 The World Next Week

Iran

Protests in Iran, With Suzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney, vice president and director of the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the causes and consequences of the recent protests in Iran.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Suzanne Maloney November 8, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Climate Change

COP27, U.S. Midterms, ASEAN Summit, and More

Egypt hosts the COP27 climate conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt; Americans vote in closely watched midterm elections; and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, kicks off a month of summitry in Asia.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 3, 2022 The World Next Week

Foreign Policy

Ideology in U.S. Foreign Policy, With Christopher Nichols, Emily Conroy-Krutz, and Jay Sexton

Christopher Nichols, professor of history and Wayne Woodrow Hayes chair in National Security Studies at The Ohio State University, Emily Conroy-Krutz, associate professor of history at Michigan State University, and Jay Sexton, professor of history and Rich and Nancy Kinder Chair of Constitutional Democracy at the University of Missouri, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how ideology has historically influenced and shaped U.S. foreign policy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Christopher Nichols November 1, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Brazil

Brazil’s Runoff, Sunak’s UK Vision, Israel’s Elections, and More

Jair Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva face off in Brazil’s presidential runoff; the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party selects Rishi Sunak to be the new prime minister; and Israel holds general elections, with Benjamin Netanyahu looking to make another political comeback.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Sebastian Mallaby October 27, 2022 The World Next Week

Arms Industries and Trade

The Cost of the U.S. Arms Trade

The global arms trade is big business and the United States accounts for more than 40 percent of the world’s weapons exports. Aside from the profit motivation, selling arms abroad can be an effective foreign policy tool, allowing the United States to exert influence over conflict and security worldwide without having to put boots on the ground. But are the risks worth the reward?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 26, 2022 Why It Matters

Saudi Arabia

U.S.-Saudi Relations, With Steven A. Cook

Steven A. Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the future of the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia in the wake of the decision by OPEC+ to cut oil production.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Steven A. Cook October 25, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Saudi Arabia

‘Davos of the Desert’, Ukraine’s Reconstruction, U.S. Chip Restrictions, and More

Investors and high-ranking officials land in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the Future Investment Initiative, dubbed the ‘Davos of the Desert;’ the German Group of Seven (G7) presidency and the European Commission host experts to discuss Ukraine’s postwar recovery, reconstruction, and modernization; and U.S. import controls on chips take effect, with major consequences for China’s technological growth.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon October 20, 2022 The World Next Week

Globalization

The Globalization Myth, With Shannon K. O’Neil

Shannon K. O’Neil, vice president, deputy director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller senior fellow for Latin America Studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how regionalization, not globalization, has been the biggest trend of the past forty years—and why that matters.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Shannon K. O'Neil October 18, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Iraq

Iraq’s New President, China’s Party Congress, Israel-Lebanon Maritime Agreement, and More

The Iraqi parliament meets to choose a new president; Xi Jinping is expected to consolidate power at the Twentieth National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party; and Israel and Lebanon prepare to finalize a historic agreement on a disputed maritime border.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Steven A. Cook October 13, 2022 The World Next Week

Ukraine

Update on Ukraine, With Richard Haass: How Will It End?

How does a war end? In this special episode, Why It Matters speaks with CFR President Richard Haass on the conflict in Ukraine. We ask if and how this war can come to a close and discuss what compromises might have to be made.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 12, 2022 Why It Matters

China

China’s 20th National Party Congress, With Ian Johnson

Ian Johnson, Stephen A. Schwarzman senior fellow for China studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss what the Chinese Communist Party’s upcoming 20th National Congress means for China and its approach to the world.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Ian Johnson October 11, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Arctic

UNGA Vote on Russia’s Annexation, Arctic Circle Assembly, International Day of the Girl, and More

The UN General Assembly is set to vote on a resolution condemning Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory; thousands of participants gather in Reykjavik, Iceland, for the Arctic Circle Assembly; and the United Nations marks the tenth anniversary of the International Day of the Girl Child.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon October 6, 2022 The World Next Week

Germany

Germany, Russia, and Ukraine, With Liana Fix

Liana Fix, a CFR fellow for Europe, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how German foreign policy has changed in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and whether the Kremlin’s decision to halt natural gas exports will force Berlin to end its support for Kyiv.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Liana Fix October 4, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Energy and Environment

Nord Stream Leaks, Brazil’s Elections, Iranian Protests, and More

European leaders investigate the sudden leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, suspecting sabotage; Brazil holds its presidential election amid strong partisan tensions; and Iranians continue their anti-government protests over the death of Mahsa Amini.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon September 29, 2022 The World Next Week

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Exception

The U.S.-Saudi relationship is fraught with complications. Saudi Arabia has the largest oil reserves in the world, giving it influence over what Americans pay at the gas pump. At the same time, the kingdom’s human rights abuses are at odds with the United States’ stated democratic values. Who holds the power in this partnership? And what compromises are being made so the countries can work together?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra September 28, 2022 Why It Matters

Censorship and Freedom of Expression

Threats to Free Expression, With Suzanne Nossel

Suzanne Nossel, the Chief Executive Officer of PEN America, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss growing threats around the world to free expression and how the fight to protect human rights needs to adapt to succeed in a world of great power competition.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Suzanne F. Nossel September 27, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Italy

Italy’s Pivotal Election, Putin’s Referendums, U.S.-Pacific Island Summit, and More

Italians vote in a snap general election with an expected populist surge; occupied territories in Ukraine stage referendums on whether or not to join Russia; and the Joe Biden administration holds a summit with Pacific Island leaders to counter growing Chinese influence.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon September 22, 2022 The World Next Week

United Kingdom

Britain After Queen Elizabeth, With Leslie Vinjamuri

Leslie Vinjamuri, the Director of the US and the Americas programme and Dean of the Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs at Chatham House, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss what a new monarch, a new prime minister, and the legacy of Brexit mean for Britain’s future.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Leslie Vinjamuri September 20, 2022 The President’s Inbox

Climate Change

Trouble Brewing for Coffee

Beware, coffee lovers: climate change could disrupt your precious morning cup of joe. Coffee beans could lose half of their farmable land by 2050 as temperatures and weather patterns become more extreme and less predictable. This could lead to scarcer yields and pricier brews. But there is hope that unique varieties and novel farming techniques could change coffee’s destiny. The transition will require massive investments and many observers question whether the industry can meet the challenge.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra September 15, 2022 Why It Matters

United Nations General Assembly

UNGA77, NATO Military Chiefs Convene, U.S. Inflation, and More

World leaders gather for the seventy-seventh session of the UN General Assembly; NATO’s senior military authority meets in Estonia to discuss the war in Ukraine; and the U.S. Federal Reserve plans another interest rate hike to combat inflation.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon September 15, 2022 The World Next Week

Mexico

Secretary Blinken Visits Mexico, Sweden’s Election, Big Power Summitry in Uzbekistan, and More

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Mexico with an economics-focused agenda; Swedes head to the polls for a general election that’s expected to be a close race between the ruling left-wing bloc and right-wing opposition; and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi join leaders from across Asia in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to discuss regional stability, food security, and trade at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon September 8, 2022 The World Next Week

Diplomacy and International Institutions

Hip-Hop Diplomacy

Hip-hop is a phenomenon that has captured hearts around the world. Its musical form ranges from party anthems to critical social commentary. But the genre plays another role: it is an influential soft-power tool for the United States. Like its predecessors jazz and rock, hip-hop is utilized by the U.S. State Department to connect with young minds, and its unique ability to inspire goodwill toward the United States offers a significant advantage over adversaries such as China and Russia. How did hip-hop become a go-to diplomatic instrument?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra May 25, 2022 Why It Matters

Religion

The Power of the Pope

For the past two thousand years, the pope has been a major player in global affairs. He is frequently called upon to act as a peace broker, a mediator, an advocate, and an influencer; and with over 1.3 billion followers around the world, the pope and his governmental arm, the Holy See, have the power to shape the future. How has the pope's power changed over time, and what is his role today?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra May 13, 2022 Why It Matters

Russia

Update on Ukraine, With Richard Haass

In this special episode, Why It Matters follows up with CFR President Richard Haass to hear his insights on the war in Ukraine.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra April 27, 2022 Why It Matters

Financial Markets

What in the World Is a Global Minimum Tax?

For years, large corporations have exploited international tax laws to pay less taxes. But last year, 137 countries backed a potential solution: a 15 percent corporate tax applied regardless of a company’s location. The reform could raise global tax revenues by more than $150 billion a year, but as advocates garner political support, there are significant roadblocks.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra April 14, 2022 Why It Matters

Technology and Innovation

Quantum Leap

How can the world create better medicines? More powerful solar cells? New batteries? The answers could come from a revolutionary research tool known as the quantum computer. It can seem like magic—harnessing the power of quantum physics to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. But there are unmitigated risks too, as the technology continues to develop. What would a quantum-led future hold?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 31, 2022 Why It Matters

Climate Change

Climate Adaptation: Rising Tides in Coastal Cities

The world is already witnessing the effects of climate change. One inescapable and irreversible consequence is sea-level rise, which could destroy coastal cities. How will the world adapt to rising tides?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 17, 2022 Why It Matters

Ukraine

Perspective on Ukraine, With Richard Haass

In this special episode, Why It Matters sits down with CFR President Richard Haass to ask the basic questions about the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s frame of mind, and his threat to world order.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 2, 2022 Why It Matters

Climate Change

Batteries Not Included

The world is moving toward electric vehicles and clean energy, but a green future doesn’t depend on wind turbines, solar panels, and Teslas alone. It will also require a vast supply of advanced batteries. As a result, global demand for lithium—an essential battery ingredient—is outpacing supply, with the gap expected to grow in the years to come.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 16, 2022 Why It Matters

Global

Season Five Trailer

Why It Matters is back for a fifth season, asking the important questions about the global issues, problems, and trends that will affect the future. What role does American music play in international relations? Will the global supply chain put the path to clean energy at risk? What the heck is quantum computing?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 26, 2022 Why It Matters

China

Hyperventilating Over Hypersonics

Last summer, China tested a hypersonic missile that traveled through orbit. The test shocked many observers and led to widespread concern about the potential for nuclear-armed missiles that can evade detection and defense systems. The technology is not as new as it might seem, but this latest test highlights an underlying threat that the world has been living with for decades.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 12, 2021 Why It Matters

Nuclear Energy

The Climate for Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is critical for decarbonization in the fight against climate change. But high-profile accidents, substantial costs, and concerns about waste management have kneecapped its expansion. As the climate crisis intensifies, the world is rethinking how to use nuclear energy to tackle ambitious climate targets.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 29, 2021 Why It Matters

Mexico

Experts argue that Mexico affects daily life in the United States more than any other country. For years, U.S. and Mexican officials have attempted to tackle immigration, trade, and security challenges, and their success has depended on cooperation. With so much at stake, Why It Matters investigates the complex relationship and the factors that threaten it.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 14, 2021 Why It Matters

Military Operations

Sexual Assault in the U.S. Military

Female service members are more likely to be sexually assaulted by a fellow member of the military than shot by an enemy combatant at war. As the reports increase, the controversial military justice system remains intact. The current policy gives commanders authority over the prosecution, often allowing perpetrators to evade accountability. The consequences are dire for survivors and the armed services at large, as the status quo undermines military readiness.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra September 30, 2021 Why It Matters

Nonproliferation, Arms Control, and Disarmament

Podcast Takeover: Nuclear Security, From The President’s Inbox

Why It Matters is pleased to present an episode from its sister podcast, The President’s Inbox. Today, U.S. national security is dependent on international nuclear agreements. How does the world regulate nuclear weapons as countries continue to advance their arsenals?

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Gabrielle Sierra September 16, 2021 Why It Matters

Intelligence

Spying 101

The glamour and thrill of espionage, brought to life on screen by characters such as James Bond, have long captivated imaginations. But this profession is deeply misunderstood, and it is always changing. Today, spycraft hangs in the balance as new technologies emerge and societies change.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra September 1, 2021 Why It Matters

Afghanistan War

Perspective on Afghanistan, With Richard N. Haass

In this special episode, CFR President Richard N. Haass examines the war in Afghanistan and the lessons to be learned in its wake.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Richard Haass August 19, 2021 Why It Matters

Japan

Japan’s Population Problem

The United States’ alliance with Japan is the centerpiece of U.S. security in Asia, but new demographic challenges from within Japan raise concerns about the future of the region.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra July 22, 2021 Why It Matters

Food and Water Security

Water Scarcity

Fresh water is more than just a resource, it is the source of all life. But in many arid regions of the world, water supplies are under pressure from climate change, and outdated rules and infrastructure are making the problem worse. What does the world need to know about water consumption, and how can societies build better systems for a dryer future?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra July 8, 2021 Why It Matters

Technology and Innovation

When the Microchips Are Down

Silicon chips are in almost all electronics, and access to them can make or break a country’s economic future. Their production relies on complex supply chains, and during the pandemic, the world learned just how fragile these supply chains are. Many countries, including the United States and China, are investing billions of dollars to develop the capacity to produce chips domestically, and some analysts see chip-related conflict on the horizon.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra June 23, 2021 Why It Matters

Global

Season Four Trailer

Will the world have enough water to survive in the era of climate change? Could a shortage of silicon chips eventually lead to war? Do human spies matter in the era of cyber espionage? Why It Matters is back for its fourth season, unpacking new problems and speaking with a host of new guests.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra June 16, 2021 Why It Matters

Oceans and Seas

Gone Fishing

Industrial overfishing and other man-made factors have pushed one-third of the world’s fish stocks to be threatened with extinction, and many other species are not far behind. The problem represents a serious risk to ocean biodiversity, and to large human populations that rely on fish for day-to-day survival. What can be done?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 18, 2021 Why It Matters

COVID-19

A Global Shot in the Arm, With Anthony Fauci

Successful vaccine rollouts in the United States and other wealthy nations have made many people hopeful that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight. But the majority of the world’s population does not yet have access to these vaccines. Without a strong global effort to immunize everyone, new variants could tighten the pandemic’s grip on rich and poor countries alike.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Anthony S. Fauci, Richard Haass and Tidjane Thiam March 3, 2021 Why It Matters

Currency Reserves

The Dollar Privilege

The dollar is the world’s primary reserve currency, accounting for $6.7 trillion in foreign reserves. This has given the United States what some have called “an exorbitant privilege,” allowing it to borrow easily and to levy painful sanctions. But could it lose this status?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 18, 2021 Why It Matters

Terrorism and Counterterrorism

‘The Most Persistent and Lethal Threat’

For years, security experts have warned that white nationalist and white supremacist extremism represent the most significant domestic terrorism threat to the United States. Now, in the wake of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the country seems to be gaining clarity about the seriousness of the situation for the first time. How did we get here, and what can be done?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 3, 2021 Why It Matters

Russia

There is no country quite like Russia. Despite having a relatively small economy, it has been able to maintain global influence through a range of unconventional tactics. How has Vladimir Putin played his country’s weak hand so effectively? And what is his goal?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 19, 2021 Why It Matters

China

China’s Starring Role in Hollywood

What does it take to make a Hollywood blockbuster? Movie stars? A great script? How about approval from the Chinese government? In this episode, two guests explore the surprising role of Chinese censorship and oversight in the production of U.S. films and ask what’s at stake as their presence increases.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 6, 2021 Why It Matters

Sub-Saharan Africa

The Future Is African

Projections show that by 2050, Africa’s population will double. By 2100, one in three people on Earth will be African. This means that, by the end of the century, sub-Saharan Africa—which already has an extraordinarily young population—will be home to almost half of the young people in the world. In this episode, two experts examine whether Africa’s youth boom will be a blessing or a curse.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra December 11, 2020 Why It Matters

Brazil

A Climate Bomb in the Amazon

The Brazilian Amazon is burning, threatening the world’s largest repository of biodiversity. If the fires are not controlled soon, they could release a “climate bomb” of stored carbon that would accelerate climate change.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 24, 2020 Why It Matters

Health

Let’s Talk About Toilets

Fifty-five percent of the global population lacks access to safe sanitation, a deadly global health disparity that rarely finds its way into the spotlight. In this episode, we examine the scope of the problem, and the cultural challenges that have made it surprisingly difficult to fix.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 11, 2020 Why It Matters

Election 2020

Make America Vote Again

The United States trails far behind most advanced democracies when it comes to voter turnout, with just 55 percent of eligible voters participating in the 2016 election. What are other countries doing right, and what is the United States doing wrong?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 28, 2020 Why It Matters

Global

Season Three Trailer

What happens when the world runs out of fish? Does TikTok actually present a national security risk? Will Africa's population boom change the world as we know it? In season three, Why It Matters explores a new series of challenges that are gathering on the horizon.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 14, 2020 Why It Matters

Transnational Crime

Treasures Looted in War

Works of art and cultural heritage sites are common casualties in war. In many cases, the sale of plundered treasures has helped finance ongoing conflict. In this episode, two experts examine the history of conflict-driven looting. Along the way, they trace the opaque, unregulated international art market that allows irreplaceable treasures to travel from strife-torn regions to the catalogues of prestigious auction houses.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra August 25, 2020 Why It Matters

Education

Why We Need International Students

For decades, international students have enjoyed bipartisan support in the United States, with strong consensus that they fuel American innovation, job creation, and competitiveness. But in recent years, their access to U.S. colleges and universities has come under threat, and other nations are seizing the opportunity to bring in the world’s brightest students.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Edward Alden and Esther Brimmer August 12, 2020 Why It Matters

Climate Change

Pricing Our Climate

As the effects of climate change move from scientific predictions to daily headlines, some investors have begun sounding the alarm about impending dangers to financial markets. In this episode, experts break down the intersection of climate change and the economy, and examine whether the persuasive power of the dollar can be leveraged in the fight for climate action.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Kate Mackenzie and Michael Greenstone July 29, 2020 Why It Matters

Olympics

Hey, Remember the Olympics?

Hosting the Olympics is a monumental undertaking that often leaves behind rusted stadiums and financial losses. So why do nations compete to do it? This episode examines the political history of the games, and the soft power that countries hope to gain by hosting them.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Jules Boykoff July 15, 2020 Why It Matters

Political History and Theory

Living in History

Whether you think we are making history or repeating it, it’s safe to say we are living in a historic time. In this episode, Why It Matters asks three historians to weigh in on how to use the past to examine the present and make better choices for the future.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Richard Haass, Margaret MacMillan and Annette Gordon-Reed July 1, 2020 Why It Matters

Demonstrations and Protests

The World Is Watching Us

The killing of George Floyd, the anti-racism protest movement that followed, and the Donald J. Trump administration’s response have shaken the United States and captivated the world. Why It Matters speaks with two foreign correspondents to understand how the protests are being understood abroad.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Chika Oduah and Keith B. Richburg June 17, 2020 Why It Matters

U.S. Foreign Policy

TWNW Special: What to Read, Watch, and Listen to This Summer

In this special episode of The World Next Week, James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon are joined by Gabrielle Sierra, CFR podcast producer and host of Why It Matters, to discuss their favorite quarantine reads, beloved documentaries and television series, podcasts, and more entertainment they’re looking forward to enjoying this summer. Read more about Jim, Bob, and Gabrielle’s picks on Jim’s blog, The Water’s Edge.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay, Robert McMahon and Gabrielle Sierra June 11, 2020 The World Next Week

Human Trafficking

The Human Cost of Labor Trafficking

It is estimated that twenty to forty million people around the world are victims of human trafficking. Of these, the majority are trafficked for labor, and many of them are exploited in the United States.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra, Susy Andole, Mark P. Lagon and Anita Teekah June 3, 2020 Why It Matters

China

Exporting Authoritarianism

China is undertaking massive infrastructure projects across the world and loaning billions of dollars to developing nations. On paper, the objective is to build a vast trade network, but is China also exporting authoritarianism?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra May 20, 2020 Why It Matters

India

WhatsApp With India?

Roughly four hundred million people in India use the encrypted messaging platform WhatsApp. Now, the country’s ruling party is trying to force WhatsApp to let the government trace and censor messages. The outcome could change digital freedoms in the world’s largest democracy, and could have strong implications for the future of privacy everywhere.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra May 6, 2020 Why It Matters

Globalization

Wearing the World Out

What’s the true cost of cheap clothes? Fast fashion has become a multibillion-dollar industry in recent decades, reshaping the world’s shopping habits. But the industry’s low prices disguise a staggering environmental cost.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra April 19, 2020 Why It Matters

COVID-19

Bonus Episode: “A Medically Induced Economic Coma”

Is the coronavirus a zero-sum game in which we must choose between saving lives and saving the economy? In this episode, we sit down with two experts to find out.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra April 8, 2020 Why It Matters

Global

Season Two Trailer

Is China exporting its authoritarian model to other countries? Is the “fast fashion” industry accelerating climate change? In season two, Why It Matters explores a new series of issues that are flying under the radar now, but won’t be for long.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 25, 2020 Why It Matters

COVID-19

Coronavirus

The worldwide spread of the new coronavirus has pulled back the curtain on the vulnerabilities of our interconnected world. Now we are left asking some basic questions. What lessons have we learned so far?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra March 11, 2020 Why It Matters

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

The One Where We Talk About NATO at a Party

You’re making the rounds at a party when someone asks you about NATO. Is it still important? The alliance is credited with preventing a third world war, but a lot of us don’t know what it is or how it works. This episode takes a look at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from the ground up, paired best with a cold drink.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 26, 2020 Why It Matters

Climate Change

Dimming the Sky

As climate change accelerates, some scientists are researching ways to alter our climate to slow down warming. But the method, called solar geoengineering, comes with some serious risks.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra February 12, 2020 Why It Matters

Elections and Voting

Voter, You’ve Been Hacked

The aftershocks of Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. election are still being felt today. Is the United States ready for future elections?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 29, 2020 Why It Matters

Technology and Innovation

Robots That Kill

Militaries around the world are designing artificial intelligence–powered weapons that could one day make their own decisions about who to target. The technology could change the scope of warfare, but at what cost?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 15, 2020 Why It Matters

Nuclear Energy

New Year’s Special: 2020 Hindsight

At the start of the new year, the Why It Matters team takes a look at some of the best interview segments that didn’t make it into the episodes.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra January 1, 2020 Why It Matters

Public Health Threats and Pandemics

Prescription for Disaster

Antibiotics have saved untold millions of lives, but bacteria are learning to outsmart them at alarming rates. Projections show that by 2050, ten million people could die each year from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra December 18, 2019 Why It Matters

Space

Space Jam

Space is getting crowded. The biggest challenge is space junk—the debris that results when satellites break up or get shot down. If we aren’t careful, space junk, and space conflict, could cause a lot of problems down here on Earth.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra December 4, 2019 Why It Matters

Women and Women's Rights

STEMinism

Women and girls are excluded from career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This gender gap is causing the world to lose out on “the genius of half the population,” according to former U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 20, 2019 Why It Matters

United States

TWNW Presents: Why It Matters

The first episode of CFR's new podcast, Why it Matters, takes a look at nuclear launch authority in the United States.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 12, 2019 The World Next Week

China

China Doesn’t Want Your Trash

For years, China processed more than half of the world’s plastic recycling. Then, in 2018, it stopped. Things have gotten messy since then.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra November 6, 2019 Why It Matters

United States

The Big Red Button

A U.S. president can launch a first-strike nuclear attack at any time and, according to the law, does not need to seek advice first. Some experts think that’s too much power to put in one person’s hands.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra and Richard K. Betts October 23, 2019 Why It Matters

Global

Trailer: Why It Matters

Each episode breaks down an issue that is shaping our world’s future. Join host Gabrielle Sierra as she speaks with the leaders and thinkers who are facing these questions head on. Fueled by the minds at the Council on Foreign Relations, Why It Matters brings some of the world’s most compelling stories home to you.

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra October 2, 2019 Why It Matters

United States

CFR 2018: The Year in Events

In 2018, CFR once again hosted high-level discussions of global affairs, from U.S. election security to the Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry to the artificial intelligence race.

Article by Gabrielle Sierra November 26, 2018

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