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Compass Points from PBS News

Compass Points from PBS News

PBS News 22 Episodes Jul 3, 2026

Leading experts analyze prominent international affairs topics and their impact on America today. The podcast is supported by PBS News and hosted on Acast.

Episodes

America's global legacy at 250 Jul 3, 2026 24:21 As the United States grew from a series of small colonies into a global superpower, it took bold, transformative steps on the world stage, but it has also stumbled. On this 250th anniversary, guest moderator William Brangham, Esther Brimmer, Michael Mandelbaum and Robert Zoellick examine America's global legacy and what history will teach us about President Trump's foreign policy. PBS News is supp
How the Iran war and peace talks are straining the U.S.-Israel alliance Jun 26, 2026 24:29 Four months ago, the U.S. and Israel launched a joint war with a level of military and political integration rarely seen in history. But the U.S. is now unilaterally negotiating a memorandum of understanding with Iran. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses the future of the U.S.-Israel alliance with former Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog, Danielle Pletka and Aaron David Miller. PBS Ne
Why some Russians are breaking with Putin as Ukraine war drags on Jun 19, 2026 Russian President Vladimir Putin's iron grip on power is being challenged by the war in Ukraine and his government's authoritarian crackdowns. He finds himself in unfamiliar political territory, questioned by some of the country's elite and embarrassed by Ukraine's strikes into Russian cities. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses the state of Russian politics with Arkady Ostrovsky. PBS
How Iran's 'Stolen Revolution' failed to live up to its promise Jun 12, 2026 24:20 Many supporters of Iran's revolution believed some form of democracy should govern the country. But over the decades, the Islamic Republic's radical religious rulers have launched brutal crackdowns on social justice and political freedom. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses how the 1979 revolution failed to live up to its promise with Yeganeh Torbati and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin. PBS New
Is it time for the U.S. to reassess its Iran strategy? May 22, 2026 26:47 With talks stalled and Iran maintaining its chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump is weighing whether to restart the war. Strikes failed to eliminate Iran's regime or destroy its military and nuclear capabilities, so is it time for the U.S. to reassess its strategy? Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses this with Sina Azodi, Justin Logan, Firas Maksad and Danielle Pletka.
How Moscow's turbulent past shapes Putin's vision for Russia May 15, 2026 24:25 Moscow started as a fort on a hill and has survived invasion, revolution, civil war and Soviet collapse to transform into a formidable world power. But with the limits of Russia's power tested in Ukraine, is history doomed to repeat itself? Nick Schifrin discusses how Moscow's complex past helps us understand the present with Simon Morrison, author of "A Kingdom and a Village." PBS News is support
Inside the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden 15 years ago May 8, 2026 24:00 It's been 15 years since the U.S. found and killed the world's most notorious terrorist, Osama bin Laden. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin continues last week's conversation with Mark Kelton, the CIA's station chief in Pakistan at the time, for more on the raid and its fallout. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
Retired CIA officer reflects on the intelligence that led to Osama bin Laden's killing May 1, 2026 24:09 It has been 15 years since the historic Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden in retribution for the deadliest attack on U.S. soil. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin gets an inside look at the dangerous operation — and the intelligence that led up to it — from the man who at the time led the CIA in Pakistan, where bin Laden met his demise. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/n
Will Congress push back as Trump tests presidential power? Apr 24, 2026 President Trump is not the first to push the boundaries of his power as commander in chief. The law on war powers gives presidents 60 days to conduct military operations without congressional approval. That timeframe for Iran is about to end. Will Congress assert power and push back? Guest moderator Lisa Desjardins discusses that with former Sen. Ben Cardin and former Rep. Connie Mack IV. PBS News
Vance faces first global test as U.S. negotiator with Iran Apr 17, 2026 24:35 Vice President JD Vance makes his first major foray onto the world stage as America's top negotiator with Iran. He's the most prominent isolationist in the Trump administration and his assignment puts him front and center on an issue with enormous consequences. Compass Points guest moderator Lisa Desjardins discusses more with Heather Conley, Matthew Kroenig, Curt Mills and Jeffrey Rathke. PBS Ne
Can the U.S. and Iran turn the temporary ceasefire into long-term peace? Apr 10, 2026 24:19 President Trump finds an off-ramp to the five-week war in Iran, but at what cost? He began the week threatening Iran's "whole civilization." But when Pakistan presented a plan to temporarily halt hostilities, Trump embraced it. Can the U.S. and Iran make a long-term deal? Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses that with Danielle Pletka, Dana Stroul, Ray Takeyh and Alex Vatanka. PBS News
Pope Leo's political voice and how much influence he holds Apr 3, 2026 24:37 Pope Leo XIV is the first American to lead the Catholic Church, and after nearly a year of advocating for the poor and cautiously opposing controversial U.S. policies, Leo is offering a more public contrast with Trump. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses the pope's first year and what his recent criticism says with Joseph Capizzi, Father Thomas Reese, Annie Selak and Stephen White. PB

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