John Podhoretz is the editor of "Commentary" and film critic of "The Weekly Standard." Podhoretz shares his perspective on movies as an American art form, pivotal eras in filmmaking (the 1930s and the 1970s), Hollywood today, and the broader cultural significance of movies and TV. Kristol and Podhoretz also consider innovations in television during the last decades and whether TV has surpassed film in cultural importance. Finally, Podhoretz argues that we have to much to learn and enjoy from watching the greatest movies of earlier decades.

In his fourth appearance on Conversations, former world chess champion and human rights activist Garry Kasparov discusses artificial intelligence and the political and social implications of it. Drawing on his recent book "Deep Thinking," Kasparov outlines what he considers the potential of new technologies built on “machine learning.” Kasparov explains why free societies must prioritize technological progress and embrace the challenges associated with innovation. Finally, Kasparov considers the new artificial intelligence chess program, AlphaZero—what we can learn from it about chess, as well as the relationship between humans and machines.

Jack Goldsmith is a professor of law at Harvard University and served as Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel (2003-2004). In this Conversation, Goldsmith shares his perspective on how American institutions, and political and cultural norms, have fared during the Trump presidency. While arguing that judicial independence and other constitutional checks and balances remain robust, Goldsmith also reflects on various stresses to the system during this volatile period in American politics.

In this Conversation, Harvey Mansfield considers the connection between the thought of Alexis de Tocqueville and Niccolo Machiavelli. In Tocqueville's "Democracy in America," there is just one reference to Machiavelli. Yet, according to Mansfield’s illuminating interpretation, Tocqueville draws significantly on Machiavelli’s thought—and ambition. Even while opposing the effects of Machiavelli's teaching, Tocqueville learns from Machiavelli in his effort to develop and advance a “new political science” for democratic citizens that preserves honor and political liberty. This Conversation reflects on the essay “Tocqueville’s Machiavellianism” by Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop.

Dan Balz is chief correspondent at The Washington Post, having been a political reporter and editor at the paper for four decades. In this Conversation, Balz shares his perspective on the increasing fragmentation of the media—and the dramatic rise of social media as a political force. Balz also discusses Donald Trump’s relationship with the media, and considers how Trump's experience in the world of New York tabloid journalism and on reality television helped contribute to his success as a presidential candidate. Finally, Balz and Kristol reflect on our political situation more generally, sharing their thoughts on President Trump and the parties as we head toward elections in 2018 and 2020.