Presented by the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston

In this episode, James M. Lindsay — Senior Vice President at the Council on Foreign Relations — offers a sharp analysis of the early trajectory and defining foreign policy decisions of the current U.S. administration. Drawing on his decades of experience in international affairs, Dr. Lindsay explores key issues reshaping America’s global role, including shifts in trade strategy, evolving alliances, and the ripple effects of new tariff measures.

He provides an in-depth look at how the administration is navigating the escalating Iran-Israel conflict — balancing nuclear diplomacy with Tehran while recalibrating U.S. support for Israeli military action — and what this reveals about broader Middle East strategy.

Dr. Lindsay also discusses the long-term implications of these early decisions for America’s standing with allies and adversaries alike.

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In this inspiring conversation, journalist Loren Grush and pioneering astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher reflect on the historic journey of NASA’s first six female astronauts, chronicled in Grush’s acclaimed book The Six. From media scrutiny to spacewalks and satellite rescues, they share the challenges and triumphs that helped redefine what it means to have the right stuff.

Khaled Elgindy, former advisor to the Palestinian leadership and expert on U.S.–Palestinian relations, offers a sobering look at the future of Gaza, the West Bank, and the broader region following the devastation of October 7 and its aftermath. With decades of peace efforts faltering, Elgindy explores what realistic paths—if any—exist for Palestinians, Israelis, and international actors amid political dysfunction, displacement, and deepening crisis.

Mark Clifford tells the extraordinary story of Jimmy Lai—a self-made billionaire turned fearless pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong—whose bold defiance of the Chinese Communist Party led to his arrest and possible life sentence. From escaping famine in mainland China to founding Apple Daily and challenging authoritarian power, Lai’s life is a powerful symbol of courage, freedom, and the high cost of dissent.

In this thought-provoking episode, Malcolm Gladwell explores the dark side of contagious phenomena—from the rise of social engineering to the unexpected forces behind epidemics like COVID and the opioid crisis—through gripping stories and sharp social analysis. With his signature blend of storytelling and science, Gladwell challenges us to rethink tipping points and the hidden dynamics shaping our world.

Elliott Abrams, one of the foremost architects of Republican foreign policy across multiple administrations, offers a powerful analysis of what Trump’s second-term foreign policy could look like—from Iran and Venezuela to China, Russia, Israel, and beyond. Drawing on decades of high-level experience, Abrams explores how Trump may reshape U.S. alliances, global conflicts, and America's role on the world stage.