U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to India was overshadowed by sectarian riots in Delhi, but his meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped reinforce areas of security cooperation between the world's two largest democracies. In this episode, Senior Fellow Tanvi Madan talks about where trade negotiations stand between the two countries, how concerns about China shape the U.S.-India relationship, and what fueled the outbreak of violence between Hindus and Muslims.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2wai8kF 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Following U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Ethiopia, Senegal, and Angola, Witney Schneidman lays out the security and governance issues on the agenda in each country, the questions surrounding the Trump administration's plans for trade with the continent, and the need for Pompeo to articulate a more coherent U.S. approach to Africa.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/37Ggqo9 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

This week, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte announced the cancellation of the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. While withdrawal from the military cooperation pact doesn't dissolve the mutual defense treaty between the two countries, Lindsey Ford warns that it reinforces a narrative of declining U.S. influence and leadership in the Indo-Pacific, and is also a significant loss for the safety and security of the Philippine people.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/37q5mvd 

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Following the first two contests in the 2020 presidential race, Elaine Kamarck examines how Democratic candidates performed in Iowa and New Hampshire, the future of caucuses in the presidential selection process, and what's important to watch for in the upcoming Nevada and South Carolina contests.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2tTWK2a 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

The recently released infrastructure framework from House Democrats is a broad statement of purpose, not a specific legislative agenda, says Adie Tomer, a sign that it's intended more as a platform for generating productive debate over the details--especially the always-contentious funding question. Tomer explains the wide range of programs covered in the proposal, why Democrats are putting it forth now, and why progress on infrastructure priorities is so hard to achieve.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2SjOZuE 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

President Donald Trump’s third State of the Union address “at many points departed from reality and facts, but laid out a clear strategy and vision that he will have moving forward into his re-election.” John Hudak lays out how the speech anticipates the president’s political and rhetorical tactics and challenges for Democrats in the 2020 campaign.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2RYBQbt 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

On January 31, the U.K.'s withdrawal from the European Union is official. Over the next eleven months, the British government will negotiate its future relationships with the EU, the U.S., and the rest of the world. Robert Bosch Senior Fellow Amanda Sloat explains the possibilities and challenges for Britain's trade relationships, how Brexit day will affect EU citizens currently living and working in the U.K, and regional tensions within the U.K. being exacerbated by Brexit.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2tg30B8 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

After President Trump announced his plan for the future of Israel and the Palestinian territories, Tamara Cofman Wittes explains how this one differs from previous U.S. peace proposals, the conditions placed on Palestinian statehood, and whether the plan, if implemented, would actually resolve the long-standing conflict.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2U8n1EA 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposed sweeping constitutional changes have stirred speculation about his plans to maintain power after his term of office expires in 2024.

Russia expert Angela Stent, author of "Putin's World," interprets Putin's latest moves, the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the rest of the current government, and what to watch for during the next few months. 

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/3anSPee 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or on Google podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

The U.S. and China recently signed what's being called "phase one" of a trade agreement, rolling back some tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for China promising increased purchases of U.S. goods and services.

David Dollar breaks down the details of the new deal, including China's commitments on intellectual property rights and technology transfers, whether the U.S. can increase production to meet those export goals, and the likelihood of any further concessions anytime soon.