Episodes

2 days ago
2 days ago
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.
Mentioned on the Episode:
Bernard Bailyn, The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Paul Revere’s Ride”
Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution
Jack N. Rakove, Revolutionaries: A New History of the Invention of America
Jack N. Rakove, The Beginnings of National Politics: An Interpretive History of the Continental Congress
1619 Project, New York Times
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/fourth-july-jack-rakove

6 days ago
6 days ago
Erin Dumbacher, Stanton Nuclear Security Senior Fellow at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the U.S. attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities, what the strikes accomplished, and how the conflict might evolve.
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/answering-your-questions-us-airstrikes-iran-erin-dumbacher

Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
A New U.S. Grand Strategy: A Return to Spheres of Influence, With Sarang Shidore
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Sarang Shidore, director of the Global South Program at the Quincy Institute, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss whether a return to great power spheres of influence is practical in the twenty-first century.
Mentioned on the Episode:
Sarang Shidore, “Spheres of Influence Are Not the Answer,” Foreign Policy
Sarang Shidore, “The Quiet Development Shaking America’s Power,” New York Times
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/new-us-grand-strategy-return-spheres-influence-sarang-shidore

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Israel Strikes Iran, With Steven Cook
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Steven Cook, Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s attacks on Iran’s senior military leadership and on its nuclear infrastructure.
Mentioned on the Episode:
Steven A. Cook, “Israel Is Going for the Death Blow on Iran,” Foreign Policy
Steven A. Cook, The End of Ambition: America's Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East
Steven A. Cook, “The World’s Criticism Doesn’t Bother Israel,” Foreign Policy
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/israel-strikes-iran-steven-cook

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Zbigniew Brzezinski, With Edward Luce
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Edward Luce, U.S. national editor and a columnist for the Financial Times, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss what we can learn from the life, career, and writings of Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security advisor to President Jimmy Carter.
Mentioned on the Episode:
Edward Luce, In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India
Edward Luce, Time to Start Thinking: America in the Age of Descent
Edward Luce, The Retreat of Western Liberalism
Edward Luce, Zbig, The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski: America's Great Power Prophet
Zbigniew Brzezinski, Out of Control: Global Turmoil on the Eve of the 21st Century
Zbigniew Brzezinski, The Fragile Blossom: Crisis and Change in Japan
Zbigniew Brzezinski, The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperatives
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/zbigniew-brzezinski-edward-luce

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
The China-Philippines Standoff, With Derek Grossman
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst at RAND and professor of policy analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the confrontations between China and the Philippines over their competing claims in the South China Sea and the consequences for the United States.
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/china-philippines-standoff-derek-grossman

Tuesday May 27, 2025
The United States and South Africa, With Reuben Brigety
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Reuben Brigety, President of Busara Advisors and U.S. Ambassador to South Africa from 2022 to 2025, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss relations between Washington and Pretoria in the wake of last week’s meeting between President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/united-states-and-south-africa-reuben-brigety

Tuesday May 20, 2025
The India-Pakistan Crisis, With Šumit Ganguly
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Šumit Ganguly, senior fellow and director of the U.S.-India Program at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the origins and consequences of the recent military clash between nuclear powers India and Pakistan.
Mentioned on the Episode:
Šumit Ganguly, “What Is the Risk of a Conflict Spiral Between India and Pakistan?” Foreign Policy
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/india-pakistan-crisis-sumit-ganguly

Tuesday May 13, 2025
The Iran Nuclear Talks, With Karim Sadjadpour
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the ongoing talks between the United States and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program.
Mentioned on the Episode:
Karim Sadjadpour, “Iran Wants to Avoid Both Peace and War With the United States. Trump Isn’t Having It," Emissary
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/iran-nuclear-talks-karim-sadjadpour

Tuesday May 06, 2025
The U.S.-China Trade War, With Zoe Liu
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Maurice R. Greenberg senior fellow for China studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss China’s response to President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes and what it means for the future of U.S.-China relations.
Mentioned on the Episode:
Zoe Liu, “How China Armed Itself for the Trade War,” Foreign Affairs
For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/us-china-trade-war-zoe-liu