Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger distinguished professor of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how and why control of Eurasia affects U.S. national security. This episode is the fifth in a continuing TPI series on U.S. grand strategy.

This episode was originally released by The President’s Inbox on January 21, 2025.

Mentioned on the Episode

Hal Brands, The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World

H. J. Mackinder, “The Geographical Pivot of History,” The Geographical Journal

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/eurasia-challenge-hal-brands

Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia and if the current ceasefire will hold up.

Mentioned on the Episode:

Joshua Kurlantzick, Beijing’s Global Media Offensive 

Joshua Kurlantzick, “Thailand and Cambodia’s Ceasefire: Will It Stop War When Elites Want Conflict?,” CFR.org 

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/cambodian-thai-border-clash-josh-kurlantzick

Liana Fix, Fellow for Europe at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the current status of the fighting in Ukraine and the significance of President Trump’s recent ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mentioned on the Episode:

Liana Fix,  “Can NATO Keep It Together?” Foreign Policy

Liana Fix, “How the Berlin Bubble Failed in the Ukraine War,” Internationale Politik

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/donald-trumps-russia-ultimatum-liana-fix

Oliver Stuenkel, associate professor at the School of International Relations at Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo, Brazil, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the recent BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro and what Brazil sees as the group’s purpose.

Mentioned on the Episode:

Oliver Stuenkel,  BRICS and the Future of Global Order

Oliver Stuenkel, IBSA: Rise of the Global South

Oliver Stuenkel, Post-Western World

Oliver Stuenkel, “In Rio, BRICS Tries to Play It Safe," Foreign Policy

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/brazil-brics-oliver-stuenkel

William Henagan, a research fellow at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the current state of U.S. foreign aid programs after President Donald Trump’s reforms.

Mentioned on the Episode:

William Henagan, “Reauthorizing DFC: A Primer for Policymakers,” CFR.org

William Henagan, “Sovereign Funds and American Investment Strategy: How to Responsibly Create a U.S. Strategic Investment Fund,” CFR.org

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/future-us-foreign-aid-william-henagan

Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss ongoing efforts to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and the war’s ripple effects across the Middle East.

Mentioned on the Episode:

Elliott Abrams, If You Will It: Rebuilding Jewish Peoplehood for the Twenty-First Century

Elliott Abrams, "Meanwhile, Hamas Is Killing Civilians Who Seek Food," CFR.org

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/elusive-ceasefire-gaza-elliott-abrams

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

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

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

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