Best Forum For Regional Thinking Podcasts (2024)

1
What Raisi’s Death Means for Iran’s Future 44:17

15m ago44:17

44:17

Tehran has announced that it will hold elections on June 28 after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Who might win, and what would that mean for Iranian politics—both at home and abroad? Iran experts Karim Sadjadpour and Robin Wright join FP’s Ravi Agrawal to discuss. Suggested reading: Robin Wright: What Raisi’s Death Me…

1
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the White House’s New China Tariffs 36:36

39m ago36:36

36:36

Increasingly, countries are closing off their economics and questioning the case for globalization. But where does this leave the Bretton Woods institutions intended to facilitate peace and prosperity through trade? World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala joins FP Live to discuss. Suggested reading: Gordon Brown: A New Multila…

1
China’s Attempt to ‘Divide and Conquer’ Europe 46:38

5d ago46:38

46:38

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Europe this week is “perhaps one of the most aggressive attempts on the part of the Chinese to actively foment disunity,” Evan Medeiros says. How will his visit play out in Washington, particularly on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s own diplomatic efforts in Beijing? And what would closer…

1
How to Stave Off a Famine in Gaza 42:18

12d ago42:18

42:18

Gaza faces what the World Food Program is calling “catastrophic levels of hunger.” And the United Nations recently issued a report that said a famine is “imminent.” Ravi Agrawal is joined by two experts on the humanitarian situation in Gaza to discuss what the international community can do to prevent the worst outcomes. Sari Bashi is a program dir…

1
How Kyiv Plans to Use American Aid 43:58

13d ago43:58

43:58

Now that Congress has approved around $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Washington is racing to get military supplies to the war’s front lines. How will Kyiv use the assistance, and how will it impact the course of the war? Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba sits down with FP Live from his office in Kyiv. Suggested reading: J.D. Vance: …

1
Does the Republican Party Have a Foreign-Policy Vision? 50:16

19d ago50:16

50:16

The Republican Party is clearly divided on Ukraine, as recent votes in Congress have underscored. But beyond that, is it more united on foreign policy than we imagine? A new book argues just that. Matthew Kroenig is an FP columnist and a co-author of We Win, They Lose: Republican Foreign Policy and the New Cold War. He joins FP Live to discuss what…

1
Israel Strikes Iran 28:01

26d ago28:01

28:01

Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend accelerated concerns of a widening Middle East crisis. Israel’s response on Friday was limited and appeared to heed calls for caution by Western allies. What does this mean for the conflict in Gaza as well as the region? Ravi Agrawal is joined by Iran expert Suzanne Maloney and Israeli journalist R…

1
Inside Narendra Modi’s India 42:43

28d ago42:43

42:43

Why is Narendra Modi so popular? As India begins voting this week, FP Live host Ravi Agrawal discusses his essay “The New Idea of India” with executive editor Amelia Lester. The two take subscriber questions on how India is changing under Modi and what New Delhi’s foreign policy will look like in the future. Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: The New…

1
The Crisis in Haiti 47:31

1M ago47:31

47:31

The largest security crisis in the Western Hemisphere—the ongoing violence in Haiti—is severely underreported. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing the capital. Aid organizations are warning of an impending famine. What should be done? FP Live host Ravi Agrawal is joined by Miami-based journalist Jacqueline Charles and Jake Johnson, the author o…

1
The Return of Great Powers 44:48

1M ago44:48

44:48

CNN’s chief national security correspondent Jim Sciutto sits down with FP Live to share insights from his new book, The Return of Great Powers. What does a growing alliance between Russia and China mean for U.S. influence abroad? How does this moment differ from past historical instances of great-power competition? And how could this all shift with…

1
Is the World Prepared for More Terrorism? 40:10

2M ago40:10

40:10

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the recent attack in Moscow that killed at least 139 people. It was the country’s deadliest terrorist attack in more than a decade. Why did the Islamic State choose Russia as a target? And what does this mean for terrorism globally? Counterterrorism analyst and regular FP contributor Colin P. Clarke shar…

1
How the Campaign Trail Impacts Foreign Policy 43:11

2M ago43:11

43:11

Foreign policy is not typically a priority for the American voter. And yet, the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election will have an outsized impact on world affairs. How are allies and adversaries alike weighing the 2024 election? Former diplomat Richard Haass joins Ravi Agrawal to discuss. Richard Haass is president emeritus at the Council on Forei…

1
The View From the Middle East 43:56

2M ago43:56

43:56

Negotiators failed to reach a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war that would have paused hostilities before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. How does the rest of the Middle East view this breakdown in negotiations? For the United States in particular, how will this shape its standing in the region, and what does it mean for the conflict moving forw…

1
Susan Glasser on Biden’s State of the Union 41:42

2M ago41:42

41:42

President Biden’s tenure has been marked by numerous foreign-policy flash points: the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, and the conflict in the Middle East. Public perception of how he has handled these challenges could have a direct effect on his chances for reelection—a factor he tried to influence in his annual State of the U…

1
Is America Becoming Isolationist? 46:48

3M ago46:48

46:48

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ annual survey of American voters shows that for the first time in nearly 50 years, a majority of Republicans prefer an isolationist approach to foreign policy. Before the Trump presidency, the Republican Party was more likely to support an active U.S. presence in the world. Former U.S. ambassador to NATO and t…

1
Anders Fogh Rasmussen on a Grim Anniversary for Ukraine 41:24

3M ago41:24

41:24

Feb. 24 marks two years since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine. The conflict has changed the face of Europe and set off a protracted war that has had ramifications reaching far beyond its borders. Could Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy of waiting out the West prove successful, or can Western leaders rally to continue supporting a drawn…

1
Gita Gopinath on the Global Economy 42:52

3M ago42:52

42:52

Economics is sometimes called the “dismal science.” But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has a surprisingly positive outlook for the U.S. economy—even if public sentiment hasn’t yet caught up. Host Ravi Agrawal discusses the state of the global economy with Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s first deputy managing director. The two begin with Gopinath’s …

1
‘We Do Not Have an Iran Plan’ 48:46

3M ago48:46

48:46

James Stavridis, a former NATO supreme allied commander and retired four-star admiral, sits down with Ravi Agrawal to share his insight on how Washington is navigating conflicts across two continents. Suggested reading: Thomas L. Friedman: A Biden Doctrine for the Middle East Is Forming. And It’s Big. Keith Johnson: The Houthis’ Next Target May Be …

1
What Is Tehran Thinking? 47:57

3M ago47:57

47:57

A drone strike by an Iran-backed militant group, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members, threatens to push the Middle East into a wider regional conflict. Iran has distanced itself from the attack, while President Biden has said that the U.S. will respond. Middle East experts Vali Nasr and Sanam Vakil join Ravi Agrawal to discus…

1
A ‘Red Line’ for Biden? 47:56

4M ago47:56

47:56

Geopolitical analyst Ian Bremmer joins Ravi Agrawal to forecast the world ahead in 2024. From expanding conflict in the Middle East and a potentially partitioned Ukraine to a more optimistic take on the rise of artificial intelligence, listen in to hear his predictions. Suggested reading: Jack Detsch: 3 Options for How Biden Could Respond to Iran J…

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How America is Viewing Taiwan’s Election 37:52

4M ago37:52

37:52

Taiwan’s recent election resulted in the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party retaining power, prompting China-watchers to wonder how Beijing might respond. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, shares his insights with host Ravi Agrawal. Suggested reading: Hal Brands a…

1
FP at Davos: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis 37:17

4M ago37:17

37:17

Host Ravi Agrawal sits down with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for a special one-on-one conversation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Suggested reading: The Economist’s Country of the Year for 2023 Elisabeth Braw: In the Red Sea, the Royal Navy Is Back Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
FP at Davos: The Year the World Votes 48:37

4M ago48:37

48:37

The rise of artificial intelligence, and its potential risk to the democratic process, is top of mind in a year of record elections. From mis- and disinformation to deepfake videos, this emerging technology could dramatically shape election outcomes. How should policymakers and tech companies work together to combat this threat? Host Ravi Agrawal m…

1
Israel-Hamas War: 100 Days Later 1:06:02

4M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Jan. 15 marks 100 days since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people. Israel then retaliated by launching a ground invasion of Gaza. More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, and numerous others face a dire humanitarian crisis. After months of conflict and mounting international pressure, Israel announc…

1
10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024 46:52

4M ago46:52

46:52

With wars in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the world begins the new year on high alert. Comfort Ero, the president of the International Crisis Group, joins Ravi Agrawal to share her analysis of the state of the world, building on her annual essay in Foreign Policy. Suggested reading: Comfort Ero and Richard Atwood: 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2…

1
The World in 2024 39:32

5M ago39:32

39:32

We already know that 2024 will be the year that more people vote than in any other time in history. That’s an easy prediction to make. But what other global trends will impact the world this year? FP columnist and Harvard University professor Stephen M. Walt sits down with Ravi Agrawal to look ahead at the next 12 months. Suggested reading: Allison…

1
Looking Back at 2023 39:32

5M ago39:32

39:32

From wars on two continents to U.S. competition with China and the rise of artificial intelligence, 2023 has been yet another impactful year. FP Live looks back on the year with columnist and political scientist Stephen M. Walt. Suggested reading: Stephen M. Walt: 5 Things in the World to Be Thankful for in 2023 Stephen M. Walt: Universities Should…

1
The Ask-Me-Anything Episode 37:52

5M ago37:52

37:52

FP Live host Ravi Agrawal is joined by Foreign Policy’s executive editor, Amelia Lestor, for another ask-me-anything episode. The two discuss the Biden administration’s foreign policy strategy, the wars in Europe and the Middle East, how FP covers these conflicts, and much more. Suggested reading: FP Contributors: How Will This War End? How Can the…

1
Good COP, Bad COP? 37:25

5M ago37:25

37:25

Leaders from nearly 200 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at this year’s annual U.N. climate summit, known as COP28. But the agreement is nonbinding, and questions on how to finance such a transition remain unanswered. This week’s guest, however, might have those answers—and it all comes down to public-private partnerships, the …

1
Grading Biden’s Middle East policy 49:26

6M ago49:26

49:26

More than 16,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel’s response to Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. As Israel resumes ground operations in Gaza, is there an end in sight? Rashid Khalidi is the author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance and a professor at Columbia University. He …

1
A Primer for the International Climate Summit 46:10

6M ago46:10

46:10

The 28th edition of the international climate summit known as the Conference of the Parties—or COP—convened in Dubai this week, just as scientists announced that 2023 was likely to be the hottest year in human history. Host Ravi Agrawal spoke to Vijay Vaitheeswaran, the Global energy and climate innovation editor at The Economist, about what to exp…

1
How to Reboot Charity 32:05

6M ago32:05

32:05

What’s the most effective way to give to people in dire need? Rory Stewart, a former U.K. cabinet official and the head of the charity GiveDirectly, discusses the power of unconditional cash transfers and how that could revolutionize attempts to combat poverty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Takeaways From the Biden-Xi Meeting 39:56

6M ago39:56

39:56

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the United States for the first time in six years this week, announcing with U.S. President Joe Biden a range of new collaborations between the world’s two biggest economies. Host Ravi Agrawal convenes a panel to analyze takeaways from this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco and is …

1
Why America Has a New Tech Ambassador 46:42

6M ago46:42

46:42

The State Department has a new Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, and it’s run by Nathaniel Fick, a former cybersecurity executive and marine. Ambassador Fick joined the Biden administration to make sure that every department’s digital policy is connected up together. And his job is to make sure the White House can combat threats emerging fro…

1
Regional Reverberations from Israel’s War on Hamas 46:23

7M ago46:23

46:23

What does the Israel-Hamas war mean for the region and the world? That’s what’s on the minds of policymakers as the conflict enters a new phase with the start of Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza. Experts Kim Ghattas and Steven A. Cook share their analysis with host Ravi Agrawal. Ghattas is a journalist based in Beirut and the author of Black Wave: …

1
Ehud Barak on What Happens Next 46:50

7M ago46:50

46:50

Over the weekend, Israel began its ground invasion of Gaza, compounding the humanitarian crisis there and causing record civilian losses. This comes amid growing concerns from experts of a larger regional conflict. How should the United States and the global community respond to prevent further escalation in the region and minimize harm to the Isra…

1
Fiona Hill on the War in Ukraine 53:51

7M ago53:51

53:51

How is Russian President Vladimir Putin assessing the unfolding conflict in the Middle East? And how will that impact Western support for Ukraine? Fiona Hill is just the person to ask. She’s advised both Democratic and Republican administrations on Russia policy and is currently a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Suggested reading: Fiona…

1
David Petraeus on a World at War 42:56

7M ago42:56

42:56

Renewed conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine have left policymakers scrambling. Retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus joins FP Live to discuss America’s role and what he expects to happen next. In a 37-year career in the military, Petraeus led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming CIA director from 2011 to 2012…

1
War in the Middle East—and Congress Is Dysfunctional 30:50

7M ago30:50

30:50

Israel has demanded that 1.1 million Gazans relocate from the north into the south, as a siege of the strip intensifies. What is Washington’s role? Democratic Rep. Andy Kim joined Ravi Agrawal amid a continued failure to elect a new speaker of the House of Representatives. Part of this conversation, focused on China, will also be featured in Foreig…

1
Israel Orders Complete Siege on Gaza 46:02

7M ago46:02

46:02

An extra episode this week: Aaron David Miller joins Ravi Agrawal to share his insights as Israel orders a complete siege of Gaza and declares war on Hamas. The declaration comes after a deadly Hamas attack last weekend that killed hundreds of Israelis. Miller has advised six Republican and Democratic secretaries of state on Middle East policy. He …

1
What China’s Slowdown Means for the World 47:07

8M ago47:07

47:07

The world’s second-largest economy is slowing down. But are concerns overblown? What’s at risk for the global economy? How should policymakers react? The Wall Street Journal’s chief China correspondent, Lingling Wei; economist Adam Posen; and FP’s James Palmer join Ravi Agrawal to decipher the economic data and news from China. Suggested reading: J…

1
Global Dispatches Podcast 38:09

8M ago38:09

38:09

BONUS EPISODE: The Global Dispatches podcast—“How Interpol Works, with Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Foreign Policy

1
Heather Cox Richardson on American Democracy 44:40

8M ago44:40

44:40

Political polarization and disinformation may seem to be on the rise in the United States, but these tactics are not new. As historian Heather Cox Richardson notes, political candidates in early U.S. history would game elections by saying that their opponent was dead. Are there reasons to be hopeful about democracy? Boston College Professor Heather…

1
Samantha Power on Development Diplomacy 31:39

8M ago31:39

31:39

Samantha Power is a powerful voice in the Biden administration. She not only is the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the country’s primary arm for international aid, but also sits on U.S. President Joe Biden’s National Security Council. How does Power think through which countries need U.S. aid the most, and how do de…

1
What Washington Wants From the U.N. This Week 30:27

8M ago30:27

30:27

The United Nations today is often criticized for being ineffective, even paralyzed, a far cry from what Winston Churchill once referred to as the “only hope of the world.” Is that true? Can it still serve as an effective tool for solving today’s global challenges? Linda Thomas-Greenfield is the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She joins Ravi …

1
How Taiwan Is Learning From Ukraine 45:26

8M ago45:26

45:26

Taiwan has long lived under the shadow of China’s desire to take over its territory. And as China’s economy and military have grown, so too has the threat of a potential invasion. What is Taipei’s strategy for defense and security, and how is it marshaling support from other countries? Ravi Agrawal is joined by Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.…

1
The World’s Most Important Alliances 38:23

9M ago38:23

38:23

People often describe the United Nations as paralyzed. If that’s the case, where do countries turn to if they want to advance global issues that require cooperation? Is it the G-20? The G-7? Smaller groups? Foreign Policy’s Fall 2023 print issue, “The Alliances That Matter Now,” explores the state of global policymaking. Princeton University’s G. J…

1
Irregular Warfare Podcast 49:23

9M ago49:23

49:23

BONUS EPISODE: The Irregular Warfare podcast—“Deterrence through Asymmetry: Preparing for Conflict in the Taiwan Strait.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Foreign Policy

1
The Democracy Dilemma 38:22

9M ago38:22

38:22

Democracies are in decline around the world. What can be done to strengthen democratic institutions? At the annual Aspen Ideas Festival, host Ravi Agrawal sat down with Nobel laureate Maria Ressa; Freedom House President Mike Abramowitz; and Shadi Hamid, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Suggested reading and listening: Hélène Landemore…

1
The Ask-Me-Anything Edition 55:59

9M ago55:59

55:59

As a special summer edition of Foreign Policy Live, Ravi Agrawal shares the mic with his colleague Amelia Lester and answers audience questions on China’s economic slowdown, the state of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, and more. This episode was recorded before the Wagner group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was reportedly killed in a plane crash in Russia…

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