The World Unpacked

During World War II, there were six significant naval powers: the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan. However,  compared to the other powers, the economic and shipbuilding might of the United States was far superior and proved to be a decisive factor in securing an Allied victory. The end of the war reset the global balance of power and left the United States as the unquestionable superpower. 

Paul Kennedy, the J. Richardson Dilworth Professor of History and founding director of International Security Studies at Yale University, joins Doug to unpack his latest book, Victory at Sea: Naval Power and the Transformation of the Global Order in World War II, and the lessons drawn for today’s great power competition on the high seas.

Follow Doug on Twitter @DouglasLFarrar.

You can order a copy of Victory at Sea: Naval Power and the Transformation of the Global Order in World War II, here.

The United States, India, France, and other major players all share interests in the Indian Ocean, making the region geopolitically important. While some of these countries developed policies that prioritized and engaged with the island nations that call the region home, the United States focused its priorities elsewhere. The recent security deal between China and the Solomon Islands only further demonstrates China’s growing presence as the main competition for the United States in the region. President Biden’s first trip to Asia since taking office starts tomorrow, and the stage is set for him to emphasize the United States’ commitment to reprioritizing the region.  

Darshana Baruah, a fellow in Carnegie’s South Asia Program where she leads the Indian Ocean Initiative, joins Doug to unpack the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region. 

Follow Doug on Twitter @DouglasLFarrar. 

1. Darshana M. Baruah. (2022, May 2). “The Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The U.S.-China tech relationship has always been complex and intertwined. In the last few years, the United States and China have been undergoing a partial “decoupling”. With the two countries reducing their technological interdependence between each other, we could end up with two separate, competing technological domains. So, what does a decoupling in tech look like? And how should the United States decouple to make sure it comes out on top?

Jon Bateman, a fellow in Carnegie’s Technology and International Affairs Program who was a former intelligence officer in the Defense Department, joins Doug to unpack his new report on U.S.-China tech decoupling.

Follow Doug on Twitter @DouglasLFarrar. 

1. Jon Bateman. (2022, April 25). “U.S.-China Technological “Decoupling”: A Strategy and Policy Framework.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Ukraine’s military resistance has defied Russian forces since the invasion began almost two months ago. The war has underscored the Russian military’s vulnerabilities as tanks have been stopped in their tracks while Russian warships are on alert after the sinking of Russia’s Black Sea flagship, the Moskva. But why has the Russian military not met expectations? That’s the question analysts have been trying to answer, while countries like China are closely observing the conflict as they mull over their own military capabilities.

In this episode, Charles Hooper, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, joins Doug to unpack lessons drawn from Ukraine and what they might mean for the future of warfare.

Follow Doug on Twitter @DouglasLFarrar. 

1. Elliot Ackerman. (2022, March 24). “Ukraine’s Three-to-One Advantage.” The Atlantic.

Last week, Russian and Ukrainian officials arrived in Istanbul, Turkey for the latest round of peace talks amid the ongoing crisis. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has cornered Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan into a difficult dilemma. As a NATO member, Turkey is trying to balance its support for Ukraine without aggressively provoking Russia. 

Alper Coşkun, a senior fellow with Carnegie's Europe Program who was a career diplomat in the Turkish foreign service, joins Doug to unpack Turkey’s unique role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Follow Doug on Twitter @DouglasLFarrar.

1. Alper Coşkun. (2022, March 24). “What the Russian War in Ukraine Means for the Middle East.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
2. Alper Coşkun. (2022, January 18). “Strengthening Turkish Policy on Drone Exports.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

China has found itself in a predicament ever since President Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine a month ago today. President Xi Jinping has stated China’s neutral stance on the war but when it comes to the coverage of the invasion, the Chinese media has mostly aired pro-Russia propaganda and disinformation while often censoring pro-Ukraine information.

Emily Feng, NPR’s Beijing correspondent, joins Doug to unpack China’s perspective on the unfolding Russia-Ukraine crisis.

1. Face the Nation. Chinese ambassador says condemning Russia for Ukraine invasion "doesn't solve the problem" [Video]. YouTube.
2. Qin Gang. Opinion: Chinese ambassador: Where we stand on Ukraine. Washington Post.

Putin's war of choice has been met with harsh sanctions and global condemnation from heads of states, institutions, ordinary citizens, and the soccer world. The world of soccer has put up a united front to protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The reaction from the players, clubs, fans, and governing bodies of the world's game have put into focus the soft power soccer brings to world affairs.

Roger Bennett, acclaimed soccer pundit and co-host of the Men in Blazers Podcast, joins Doug to unpack the intersection of geopolitics and soccer. Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Men in Blazers. 

The global rise of authoritarian power has become a troubling trend. Today’s autocrats are better equipped to undermine the state of democracies. This battle for power between autocratic and democratic societies will determine the future of freedom around the world. 

Moisés Naím, an acclaimed columnist and a distinguished fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, joins Doug to unpack his new book, The Revenge of Power. 

You can order a copy of Naím's new book, here. 

For the past two decades, American foreign policy has been entangled in major conflicts in the Middle East, but the Biden administration has signaled a shift toward Asia. Despite the pivot to other pressing global challenges, the region still plays a crucial role in America’s grand strategy. So, what is the United States’ game plan for the Middle East? 

Maha Yahya, the director of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, joins Doug to unpack the future of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East

With the imminent threat of a Russian attack on Ukraine looming, the United States is urging for more diplomacy between the West and Russia. The crisis has put the spotlight on the relationship the United States has with its European allies at a time when a unified front on Russia is preferred. Although the focus has been primarily on what’s unfolding in Ukraine, it isn’t the only foreign policy challenge that awaits the United States this year. 

Counselor to the U.S. Department of State Derek Chollet joins Doug to unpack the ongoing Ukraine crisis and the challenges and successes for the Biden administration's foreign policy. 

1. Fiona Hill. Putin Has the U.S. Right Where He Wants It. New York Times.
2. RussianPerspective. Putin's famous Munich Speech 2007 [Video]. YouTube.