Books and Insight with Frank Lavin

Frank Lavin talks with Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for New American Security, to discuss why the U.S. should shift from a Europe-oriented foreign policy to an Asia-oriented one. We review recent developments in U.S.-Asia policy in a discussion of Richard’s book, “The Lost Decade,” written with Robert Blackwill. Richard also recommends David Fromkin’s, “A Peace to End All Peace,” a look at the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, with implications for the Mideast of today.

Frank Lavin talks with Jason Hsu from the Kennedy School of Government, discussing semiconductors and Taiwan-China-U.S. relations. Appropriately, Jason’s book recommendation is Thomas Schelling’s, Arms and Influence, the classic work of deterrence theory and Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.

Frank Lavin discusses the Indo-Pacific region with Alexander Downer, former Foreign Minister of Australia. We discuss China, AUKUS, India, Indonesia, Ukraine - and most consequentially, the role of the U.S.  The book we discuss is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.

Frank Lavin talks with Renee DiResta, Internet disinformation analyst. How does misinformation and disinformation travel so rapidly on the Internet and what steps can be taken to push back?  How will this affect U.S. elections or U.S. support for Ukraine? Books discussed include Renee DiResta’s Invisible Rulers, Peter Pomerantsev’s Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible and Annalee Newitz’s Stories are Weapons.

Frank Lavin talks with Alexander Radwan, Member of the German Bundestag (Parliament). Alexander formerly served in the Bavarian state Parliament and in the European Parliament, all of which makes him well-grounded in national, regional, and international issues. The discussion includes Russia’s war in Ukraine, the success and future of the European Union, anti-Israel and pro-Hamas protests on U.S. campuses, and immigration. Books discussed include Ian Kershaw, Personalities and Power and Theo Waigel, Honesty is a Currency. This visit was supported by the American Council on Germany and the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

Frank Lavin talks with Mike Murphy, political analyst, presidential campaign strategist, and host of the “Hacks on Tap” podcast discusses 2024, the debates, Trump’s running mate, Trump’s legal problems, the prospects for unrest at the Democratic convention, the down-ballot races, Ibogaine and the politics of electric vehicles. Books discussed include Sasha Issenberg, The Lie Detectives; Ralph G. Martin, Ballots and Bandwagons; Ed Flynn, You’re the Boss; Tim Crouse, The Boys on the Bus; and Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail.

Frank Lavin talks with presidential historian and attorney Talmage Boston on presidential leadership and what constitutes a "great" president. The books discussed are How The Best Did It, by Talmage Boston and And There Was Light, by Jon Meacham.

Frank Lavin talks with world-renowned cellist Steven Isserlis, currently on a concert tour in the U.S. The conversation ranges from Beethoven and Lenin to Amor Towles and prospects for Labour beating the Tories.

Books Discussed

A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry

Why Beethover Threw the Stool by Steven Isserlis

Table for Two by Amor Towles

Frank Lavin meets with noted Chinese historian Frank Dikötter to discuss his latest book, "China After Mao" and to examine China's economic record in the post-Mao era.

Books discussed

Red Roulette, by Desmond Shrum

China After Mao, by Frank Dikotter

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