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Foreign Policy Live

Foreign Policy Live

Foreign Policy 217 Episodes Aug 21, 2026

Each week, Foreign Policy Live features a substantive conversation on world affairs. Host and FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal is joined by leading foreign-policy thinkers and practitioners to analyze key issues in global politics, from the U.S.-China relationship to conflict and diplomacy. FP Live is your weekly fix for smart thinking about the world. Foreign Policy magazine subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions.

Episodes

Why Your Political Anger Feels Futile
Why Your Political Anger Feels Futile Aug 21, 2026 2563 Political outrage is a constant part of modern life, from social media to surges of global protests. But what actually changes? Why do so many structural issues seem deeply entrenched despite high levels of voter turnout? Anton Jäger has a term for this mismatch: hyperpolitics. He joins FP Live to explain the paradox of politicization without institutionalization, why right-wing parties maneuver t
The Gulf’s Postwar Playbook
The Gulf’s Postwar Playbook Aug 12, 2026 2401 Gulf countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have created entire cities and world-class airlines off the back of energy riches and U.S. security. The Iran war has upended the calculations of the Gulf monarchs. How are they rethinking their strategies? Allison Minor worked on Gulf policy in the Biden administration and joins FP Live to share her analysis.  Plus, Ravi
Why Everyone Is Talking About Chokepoints
Why Everyone Is Talking About Chokepoints Aug 5, 2026 2711 The Strait of Hormuz may be the chokepoint of the moment, but it’s actually not even the one that’s most concerning to Eddie Fishman, the author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare. He explains why U.S. dollar dominance, Chinese critical mineral control, and the semiconductor supply chain are more potent in terms of how much they can impact geopolitics—and how countries a
Why the Energy Crisis Isn’t Worse—Yet
Why the Energy Crisis Isn’t Worse—Yet Jul 30, 2026 2628 The ongoing war in Iran has been called the biggest energy crisis in history. How is it changing the plans of countries and companies? Which changes will be permanent? Ravi turns to Daniel Yergin, the world’s foremost expert of the oil industry and its history. Yergin is the vice chairman of S&P Global and the author of The Prize, The Quest and, most recently, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the
The Iran Expert Trump Fired
The Iran Expert Trump Fired Jul 21, 2026 2719 Iran and the United States are locked in a familiar pattern. Conflict has resumed, both sides seem caught in an escalation trap, and oil prices are rising. What would it take for Tehran and Washington to both save face and step back? Ravi Agrawal turns to career diplomat and Iran expert Nate Swanson, who was fired by the Trump administration last year.  Plus, Ravi shares his read on India’s
Is the Trans-Atlantic Relationship Over? A Debate.
Is the Trans-Atlantic Relationship Over? A Debate. Jul 15, 2026 2794 Is the trans-Atlantic relationship over? Nathalie Tocci argues that it cannot be rebuilt as it was: The liberal order that birthed trans-Atlanticism is gone, and a fundamental breach of trust has occurred. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer sees it differently: Trans-Atlanticism was never based only on values but also on security, economic, and technological interests. The relationship has now entered a p
Can Ukraine Win in Russia?
Can Ukraine Win in Russia? Jul 10, 2026 2386 Ukraine has a new strategy in its full-scale war with Russia: using drones to attack deep into Russian territory and bring the war home to the Russian people for the first time. Has this put Moscow on the backfoot? What will it mean for the chances of a deal? Dmytro Kuleba, a former Ukrainian foreign minister and senior fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center, joins FP Live for a frank and re
Is Trump Really Planning to Invade Cuba?
Is Trump Really Planning to Invade Cuba? Jul 1, 2026 2413 After the United States ousted Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro in January and then took out Iran’s senior leadership in the following months, U.S. President Donald Trump set his sights on Cuba, claiming that he would have the “honor of taking” the island. Michael Bustamante, a leading historian of Cuban-American relations, joins FP Live to assess the White House’s strategy and Havana’s options.  Plus,
The Geopolitics of SpaceX and Elon Musk
The Geopolitics of SpaceX and Elon Musk Jun 26, 2026 2651 SpaceX’s initial public offering broke records as the largest ever and one that (briefly) made Elon Musk the first trillionaire. But just how much power should one person or one company have in space? Quinn Slobodian, a co-author of Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed, joins FP Live to argue that Musk’s network of integrated companies—from X to Starlink—amplifies not only his economic power but his
Deciphering the U.S.-Iran Deal
Deciphering the U.S.-Iran Deal Jun 24, 2026 2388 The United States and Iran have struck a memorandum of understanding to end the war that began in February. Will the deal last? And what does it mean for the United States, the Middle East, and the world? Ali Vaez has long been involved in unofficial dialogues with Iran and the United States, and he joins FP Live to analyze the deal. Plus, Ravi shares his read on why the cease-fire deal, despite
Is the U.S.-Israel Special Relationship Over?
Is the U.S.-Israel Special Relationship Over? Jun 17, 2026 2393 U.S. public opinion is undergoing a dramatic shift, with more and more Americans calling for less military support to Israel. So, is the “special relationship” between the two countries over? According to an essayist in Foreign Policy’s latest print issue, the partnership has peaked—and the only way to go is down. Why is that, and how did we get here? Joshua Leifer, a columnist for Haaretz and aut
The Geopolitics of the World Cup
The Geopolitics of the World Cup Jun 10, 2026 2311 This week, the largest-ever World Cup will commence. Across the three host countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—48 teams will play 104 matches in 16 cities. But it also comes amid a particularly fraught geopolitical backdrop. Not only have the three hosts spent the last year sparring over immigration, trade, and even national sovereignty, but one of them, the United States, is at war wi

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