The President’s Inbox

The History of U.S. Isolationism, With Charles A. Kupchan

Charles A. Kupchan, CFR senior fellow and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the long history of American efforts to avoid foreign entanglements. Kupchan’s newest book, Isolationism: A History of America’s Efforts to Shield Itself From the World, hit bookstore shelves earlier this month.

War, Culture, and Society, With Margaret MacMillan

Margaret MacMillan, professor of history at the University of Toronto, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how war has shaped culture and society throughout history. MacMillan’s new book, War: How Conflict Shaped Us, hit bookstore shelves earlier this month.

Preparing for the Next Pandemic, With Sylvia Mathews Burwell

Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of American University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how the world can prepare for future public health emergencies. Burwell recently co-chaired the CFR Independent Task Force report “Improving Pandemic Preparedness: Lessons From COVID-19.”

Energy, Geopolitics, and the Global Map, With Daniel Yergin

Daniel Yergin, a leading authority on energy, international politics, and economics, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the changing face of global power dynamics. Yergin’s most recent book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations, recently hit bookstore shelves.

The Road to a COVID-19 Vaccine, WIth Luciana L. Borio

Luciana Borio, vice president of In-Q-Tel and senior fellow for global health at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the process of developing and distributing a coronavirus vaccine.

Grand Strategy and An Open World, With Rebecca Lissner

Rebecca Lissner, assistant professor in the Strategic and Operational Research Department at the U.S. Naval War College, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how the United States might revamp its foreign policy. Lissner recently coauthored, with CFR senior fellow Mira Rapp-Hooper, An Open World: How America Can Win the Contest for Twenty-First-Century Order.

Pushing Back Against Beijing, With Aaron L. Friedberg

Aaron L. Friedberg, professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how the United States should respond to China’s growing strength and ambition. Read Friedberg’s article "An Answer to Aggression: How to Push Back Against Beijing" on ForeignAffairs.com.

The Belarus Protests, With Stephen Sestanovich

Ambassador Stephen Sestanovich, CFR’s George F. Kennan senior fellow for Russian and Eurasian studies, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the political protests in Belarus.

Shinzo Abe’s Resignation, With Sheila A. Smith

Sheila A. Smith, senior fellow for Japan studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the consequences of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to step down. Smith most recently authored Japan Rearmed: The Politics of Military Power.

The Israel-UAE Peace Deal, With Martin S. Indyk

Martin S. Indyk, distinguished fellow at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the Abraham Accord, which was brokered by the United States and will begin normalizing relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.