In the second of our series of interviews, Toast n’ Topics speaks with Michael Beckley, Associate Professor of Political Science at Tufts University. We dive into his work on the U.S.–China power balance, exploring the future of U.S. foreign policy, the limits of China’s rise, and the broader lessons for how America should navigate great-power rivalry.

In the first of an exciting series of interviews, Toast n' Topics speaks with Stuart Reid,  Senior Fellow for History and Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. We focus on Stuart's book "The Lumumba Plot", discussing the riveting plot of the CIA to assassinate Patrice Lumumba, The Congo's first Prime Minister. In the podcast, we learn more about Congo's history, their relationship with the US and other foreign countries, as well as the role that other peacekeeping organizations had in the final outcome of Congo's independence. 

For more info on Stuart and his book, click here: https://www.stuartareid.com/the-lumumba-plot

In this episode, Ben and Sachin dive into the trajectory of U.S. debt and consider its sustainability in the years and decades ahead. 

In our latest episode, we discuss the recent string of technical failures that unfolded at Newark Airport, including the longer-term problems of outdated infrastructure and staffing shortages in the industry, as well as what could be done to improve them. 

In this episode, Sachin interviews Ben on his new coauthored book, Command of Commerce: America's Enduring Economic Power Advantage over China. 

The book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Command-Commerce-Americas-Enduring-Advantage/dp/0197802303

In this episode, we interview Nikhil Kamdar, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and a current med student at George Washington University, about a recent medical service trip that he made to Uganda and his observations on the ground

In this episode, Ben and Sachin examine recent cuts to foreign aid spending and consider the effects of it being removed. 

In this episode, Ben and Sachin discuss the progress that has been made in generative AI technology and the tangible evidence that it could be improving productivity.

See a sample of Ben's webpage mentioned in the podcast here: https://commandofcommerce.com/

In this episode, Ben and Sachin examine the drivers of recent egg shortage in the United States. 

In this episode, we unpack the latest developments in the global AI race including the recent breakthroughs from Deepseek, a Chinese AI startup, and what it could mean for the future in the race for global AI dominance.