Explore every episode of the podcast Clearer Than Truth
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Elliot House | Former Publisher, The Wall Street Journal | Pulitzer Prize Recipient | 23 oct. 2026 | 00:41:23 | |
Karen Elliott House, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former publisher of The Wall Street Journal, returns to Clearer Than Truth to discuss Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership and the future of Saudi Arabia. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience in the kingdom, House examines the tension between Saudi Arabia’s sweeping social transformation and its continued political repression, MBS’s ambitions to become a global powerbroker, and the economic and security pressures created by regional conflict. She also explores Saudi Arabia’s relationships with the United States, Iran, Israel, and other regional powers, the risks of a wider war, and whether the kingdom can sustain its modernization ambitions amid instability. Looking decades ahead, House weighs Saudi Arabia’s prospects against the shifting balance of global power and explains why she remains pessimistic about the near term but more optimistic about America’s long-term position. 00:00 Introduction: Karen Elliott House on Saudi Arabia | |||
| Richard Fontaine | CEO of the Center for a New American Security | 15 oct. 2026 | 00:41:53 | |
Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security, joins Clearer Than Truth to examine the strategic challenges facing the United States in an increasingly contested world. From the Trump administration’s approach to military force and the future of American alliances to defense spending, the competition with China, and the growing role of artificial intelligence, Fontaine explores whether the United States has a coherent strategy to match its global power. He also explains why Washington has repeatedly struggled to prioritize the Indo-Pacific, how allies are reassessing American reliability, and why he remains cautiously optimistic about America’s long-term advantages. 00:00 Richard Fontaine on America's Changing Foreign Policy | |||
| Michael McFaul | Former US Ambassador to Russia | Author of "Autocrats vs Democrats" | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:38:20 | |
Ambassador Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia and author of Autocrats Versus Democrats, joins Clearer Than Truth to examine how Vladimir Putin transformed Russia’s relationship with the West and why the war in Ukraine remains so difficult to end. McFaul argues that Putin’s greatest fear is not NATO expansion but the spread of democracy, which threatens the legitimacy of his autocratic rule. He reflects on the achievements and failures of the Obama administration’s Russia reset, contrasts Putin’s leadership with Mikhail Gorbachev’s approach to Eastern Europe, and discusses the uncertain prospects for political change inside Russia. The conversation also explores Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament and security guarantees, the risks of leaving Ukraine outside NATO, China and India’s limited roles in seeking peace, and why McFaul believes stronger military support for Ukraine and tougher sanctions offer a better path toward a negotiated settlement than appeasing Putin. 00:00 Michael McFaul on Russia and Putin | |||
| Julius Krein | Founder and Editor-In-Chief of American Affairs | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:34:38 | |
Julius Krein, founder and editor of American Affairs, joins Clearer Than Truth to examine why the United States has struggled to rebuild its industrial base even as the case for reindustrialization has entered the mainstream. Krein argues that tariffs alone cannot restore American productive capacity: the country needs strategic investment, skilled workers, coordinated supply chains, permitting reform, and institutions that can help critical industries become commercially viable. He explains why the goal should not be to centrally plan the entire economy, but to open opportunities for private investment in sectors weakened by decades of underinvestment. The conversation explores the political costs and potential benefits of rebuilding manufacturing, whether a more productive economy could narrow class divides, and how the United States might redirect its financial resources to compete with China. Krein’s broader message is that America has made progress in recognizing the problem, but the real test is whether it can overcome institutional bottlenecks and deliver tangible results before political support fades. 00:00 Julius Krein on Rebuilding American Industry | |||
| Barbara Keys | Author of "Super K: The Making, Breaking, and Remaking of Henry Kissinger's Legacy" | 12 oct. 2026 | 00:36:23 | |
Historian Barbara Keys joins Clearer Than Truth to examine the making, breaking, and remaking of Henry Kissinger’s legacy. Drawing on her book Super K: The Making, Breaking, and Remaking of Henry Kissinger’s Legacy, Keys explores how Kissinger cultivated journalists, managed his public image, used personal relationships and behind-the-scenes pressure to influence coverage, and maintained extraordinary influence for decades after leaving office. She examines the gap between his private policy positions and public presentation, his support for repressive anti-communist governments, and the role of the human rights movement in reshaping how his record is judged. The conversation also considers Kissinger’s diplomatic relationships across political divides and the media’s role in sustaining his reputation, raising a broader question about how power, access, and storytelling shape the way history remembers political leaders. 00:00 Barbara Keys on Henry Kissinger’s Legacy | |||
| Vali Nasr | Dean Emeritus of Johns Hopkins SAIS | Author of "Iran's Grand Strategy" | 05 oct. 2026 | 00:42:52 | |
Vali Nasr joins Clearer Than Truth to explain why Americans often misunderstand the forces shaping the Middle East. Nasr argues that the region cannot be understood simply through religion, terrorism, or ancient sectarian divisions; instead, geopolitics, competition for power, contested borders, resources, and outside intervention are central to understanding its conflicts. He examines the evolution of terrorism, explaining why it has never been exclusively a product of poverty or religious extremism, before turning to Iran’s grand strategy and the legacy of Ayatollah Khamenei’s resistance to American influence. Nasr also assesses the failures and constraints of U.S. policy toward Iran, the consequences of a potential Iranian nuclear capability, and the possibility of a broader nuclear race across the Middle East. He closes with a warning that the current war may fundamentally reshape the regional order—and that the United States needs to prepare for a Middle East that may look very different when the fighting ends. | |||
| James M. Lindsay | Distinguished Senior Fellow | Council on Foreign Relations | 29 sept. 2026 | 00:44:51 | |
James M. Lindsay joins Clearer Than Truth for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of American power and the international system the United States helped build. Lindsay is a longtime scholar of U.S. foreign policy and the policymaking process at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he previously served as senior vice president and director of studies and where he hosts The President's Inbox. For roughly eight decades, American foreign policy has operated around an assumption that U.S. security and prosperity depend on an active role in the world. Lindsay argues that consensus is now under enormous strain, but says the story did not begin with Donald Trump. The American-led system has evolved through several distinct eras, from the bipolar Cold War order to the post-Cold War “unipolar moment,” before the return of great-power competition forced Washington to confront a more complicated geopolitical environment. The conversation then turns inward, examining the changing balance between Congress and the presidency. Lindsay explains why the modern “imperial presidency” predates 9/11, how Congress gradually gave presidents greater discretion in foreign policy, and why that authority has proven difficult to reclaim. He also discusses the limits of courts as a check on presidential power and the enduring political difficulty of constraining a president once military action has begun. 00:00 James M. Lindsay on the Future of American Power | |||
| Joby Warrick | Two-Time Recipient of the Pulitzer Prize | Author of "The Jackal" | 25 sept. 2026 | 00:40:01 | |
Joby Warrick returns to Clearer Than Truth to discuss his new book, The Jackal: The Rise and Fall of Carlos the World's First Super-Terrorist. A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for The Washington Post, Warrick has spent decades reporting on terrorism, intelligence failures, and the conflicts shaping the modern Middle East. This time, he goes back to the 1970s to examine the extraordinary career of Carlos the Jackal and what his story can tell us about terrorism today. Carlos was more than a terrorist for hire. Warrick describes him as a remarkably flexible figure who moved between Palestinian militant organizations, communist governments, intelligence networks, dictators, and eventually anyone willing to employ him. His ideology was often secondary to his ambition, ego, and desire to become a revolutionary celebrity. But his greatest innovation was understanding the power of spectacle. The early terrorist groups around Carlos realized that attacks far from the battlefield could force television cameras, governments, and the public to pay attention to a cause.
00:00 Joby Warrick on Carlos the Jackal | |||
| Richard Overy | Fellow of the British Academy | Renowed Military Historian | Author of Why the Allies Won | 23 sept. 2026 | 00:40:05 | |
Richard Overy is one of the world's leading historians of the Second World War and the history of warfare. In this episode of Clearer Than Truth, Overy draws on decades of research to examine one of the most enduring questions in international politics: why do leaders continue to choose war when history repeatedly demonstrates how difficult it is to control? The conversation begins with the dangers of comparing today's conflicts too directly to the 1930s and 1940s. Overy argues that today's geopolitical environment is fundamentally different, particularly because of nuclear weapons and the existence of the United States and China as major global powers. Yet some historical patterns remain strikingly familiar. Leaders can become convinced that their opponents are weaker than they are, underestimate the costs of conflict, and assume that military force can produce a quick and decisive outcome. 00:00 Richard Overy on the Dangers of Historical Analogies | |||
| Robert Zoellick | Former World Bank President | 15 sept. 2026 | 00:42:53 | |
Robert Zoellick, former U.S. Trade Representative, Deputy Secretary of State, and President of the World Bank, joins Clearer Than Truth for a wide-ranging conversation about globalization, trade, American power, and the future of the international order. Zoellick argues that the backlash against globalization has become intertwined with a broader backlash against elites and established institutions—but warns that the United States risks responding to legitimate concerns in ways that ultimately make the country weaker. He defends the strategic logic behind NAFTA and North American economic integration, arguing that a stronger relationship with Canada and Mexico gives the United States a powerful economic and security advantage in a world increasingly shaped by China. The conversation then turns to the weaponization of economic interdependence, protectionism, supply-chain resilience, and the danger of using national security as a justification for restricting trade. Zoellick argues that the United States should build greater resilience and redundancy where necessary—but shouldn't mistake economic isolation for security. He makes a similar case regarding China: compete aggressively in critical areas, but remain focused on staying technologically ahead rather than simply trying to shut the world off. Zoellick also examines the health of America's democratic institutions and the international alliances that underpin U.S. power. He warns that undermining confidence in elections, the rule of law, independent institutions, and America's commitments to allies can have consequences far beyond domestic politics. Drawing on his experience during the end of the Cold War and the global financial crisis, he argues that institutions can adapt to profound changes—but they must be strengthened rather than dismantled. The episode ultimately becomes a discussion about what comes next. Zoellick believes the international system is being disrupted and that a new generation will have an opportunity to reshape it. His advice is straightforward: avoid unnecessary conflicts, maintain openness to capital and talented people, and preserve the alliances and institutions that allow the United States to lead without having to dominate. 00:00 Robert Zoellick on the Backlash Against Globalization | |||
| Declan Walsh | Pulitzer Prize Recipient | Chief Africa Correspondent, The New York Times | 27 août 2026 | 00:41:08 | |
Africa is becoming increasingly central to the global order, yet many of its conflicts and political shifts remain overlooked in Western discourse. On this episode of Clearer Than Truth, Nathan speaks with Declan Walsh, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Chief Africa Correspondent for The New York Times, about the forces reshaping the continent. Walsh begins with the war in Sudan, a conflict whose scale and human toll rival some of the world's most prominent wars but has received considerably less international attention. He explains why Sudan has become a critical case study in the changing priorities of the United States and the broader Western world. The conversation then turns to Africa's extraordinary demographic transformation. While much of the world faces aging and shrinking populations, Africa remains young and rapidly growing. Walsh discusses what this population boom could mean for the continent—and for the rest of the world—as Africa's share of the global population continues to increase. Walsh also examines the changing geopolitical competition in Africa. As American engagement has receded, countries including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India, and Russia have expanded their influence, pursuing access to resources, investment opportunities, ports, and strategic relationships. A major focus is the impact of reduced U.S. aid. Walsh describes what he has witnessed firsthand in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the collapse of humanitarian food programs and weakened disease-surveillance networks. The discussion also explores Africa's increasingly restless younger generation, the rise of Gen Z protests, the failures of democratic governments to deliver economic opportunity, and the growing appeal of military leaders in parts of West Africa. Finally, Walsh identifies some of the continent's most dangerous potential flashpoints—including rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea—and returns to the war in Sudan, warning about the possibility of the conflict spreading across borders and drawing in neighboring powers. Despite these challenges, he closes on a more hopeful note, pointing to Africa's enormous human potential, improving health and education outcomes, and the many people driving progress across the continent. 00:00 Why Africa Matters to the World | |||
| H.W. Brands | Two-Time Pulitzer Prize Finalist | Preeminent Presidential Historian | 21 août 2026 | 00:44:05 | |
Two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and acclaimed presidential historian H.W. Brands joins Clearer Than Truth to explore what history can teach us about American leadership, democracy, and the presidency. Brands discusses what separates great presidents from mediocre ones, arguing that the most important quality in a leader is good judgment—the ability to make wise decisions in circumstances where there are rarely clear answers. He explains why presidents like George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin Roosevelt succeeded in their own historical moments, and why greatness cannot simply be transplanted from one era to another. The conversation also examines Donald Trump and his place in presidential history. Brands compares Trump's dominance of American political life to Franklin Roosevelt's, while asking whether Trump represents a temporary departure from traditional presidential norms or a lasting transformation of the presidency. As America is in the midst of its 250th anniversary, Brands reflects on the extraordinary experiment the United States represents: a nation founded around the idea that people can govern themselves. He considers whether American democracy is in danger, why political polarization isn't new, and what today's fractured media environment means for an informed electorate. Finally, Brands discusses his biography of George Washington, revealing how Washington's restraint, patience, and ability to gather information before making decisions helped establish the presidency—and why his actions helped shape the power of the executive branch for generations to come. 00:00 What Makes a Great President? | |||
| Arne Westad | Author of The Coming Storm, Preeminent Cold War Scholar | 14 août 2026 | 00:37:09 | |
Arne Westad, one of the world’s leading historians of international history and the Cold War, joins Clearer Than Truth to examine the geopolitical forces reshaping the world. Westad argues that today’s rivalry between the United States and China should not simply be viewed as a new Cold War. Instead, he sees stronger parallels with the period before World War I—a time when a relatively stable international system began to fracture, multiple regional conflicts emerged, and no one could predict which crisis might ultimately trigger a global catastrophe. The conversation explores the increasingly consequential relationship between Russia and China, Russia’s dependence on Beijing, the future of Putin’s regime, NATO expansion, Russian nationalism, and the lessons history can—and cannot—teach us about today's conflicts. Westad also examines China’s extraordinary economic transformation, its relationship with Taiwan, and how Beijing is interpreting Russia’s experience in Ukraine. He ultimately argues that the coming decades are likely to be defined by multipolarity, rising nationalism, and a series of smaller conflicts that could test the ability of major powers to maintain global stability. 00:00 Introduction: Arne Westad | |||
| Mike Rogers | Former Commander of US Cyber Command | Former Director of the National Security Agency | 07 août 2026 | 00:43:24 | |
Admiral Mike Rogers joins hosts Nathan Kiker and George Bogden to assess how cyber deterrence, disinformation, and rapid advances in AI are reshaping strategic competition. Rogers argues that the United States’ most consequential vulnerability is domestic: deep polarization that blocks consensus on hard problems—public debt, social programs, and technology governance—making solutions more costly the longer they’re deferred. The result is a political system struggling to keep pace with a security environment defined by speed, interdependence, and information manipulation. Rogers contends that credible cyber deterrence remains elusive. Adversaries still view peacetime cyber operations and influence campaigns as low-cost, low-risk tools to impose friction on the United States and its allies. He calls for a broader, risk-informed menu of response options—some signaled publicly—to shift adversary cost-benefit calculations, backed by consistent attribution and the capacity to impose costs across domains. The conversation examines critical infrastructure exposure in an era of dense interconnection and fragile dependencies, from power grids and ports to finance, communications, and GPS/PNT. Despite notable improvements since NotPetya and Colonial Pipeline, Rogers warns that complexity creates hidden failure modes that demand anticipatory standards, cross-sector exercises, and sharper prioritization of high-impact, high-probability risks. On AI, Rogers separates hype from operational reality. He highlights the true costs of development and deployment, the likelihood of a tiered model ecosystem rather than a frontier-model default, and the regulatory lag behind private-sector innovation—especially as China and Russia pursue state-driven approaches. His near-term worry is less a technical catastrophe than a breakdown in societal cohesion catalyzed by technology; his optimism comes from motivated innovators building guardrails and tools that strengthen, rather than corrode, open societies. 00:00 Introduction to Admiral Mike Rogers About the Guest Admiral Mike Rogers is the former Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command (2014–2018). A retired four-star U.S. Navy officer, he previously led U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Tenth Fleet and brings decades of experience at the intersection of signals intelligence, cyber operations, and national security strategy. | |||
| Julian Zelizer | Professor of History at Princeton | CNN Political Analyst | 29 juil. 2026 | 00:34:14 | |
Julian Zelizer joins Nathan Kiker and George Bogden to assess how polarization and party dynamics have reshaped U.S. governance—and why that matters for foreign policy, markets, and national security. He argues that political parties are indispensable institutions that organize interests and enable collective decision-making, but warns that key guardrails and leadership norms have eroded since the 1990s. The result is a Congress more prone to procedural hardball and performative conflict, with downstream effects on deterrence credibility, budget stability, and the steadiness of U.S. strategy. Zelizer traces a pivotal shift to Newt Gingrich’s ascent, which normalized a confrontational style that weaponized procedure and treated political opponents as illegitimate. Combined with narrow, shifting majorities and social media incentives, these dynamics reward zero-sum tactics over governing. The consequence is a legislature less able to absorb disagreement, negotiate tradeoffs, and deliver predictable policy—conditions that allies, adversaries, and businesses now price into their decisions. He also charts the long arc of the “imperial presidency,” noting that executive power has expanded for decades across parties. Yet Congress retains real leverage: the power of the purse, oversight, and statute remain decisive tools. Zelizer highlights the 1970s as proof that institutional renewal is possible, pointing to reforms on budgeting, ethics, disclosure, and impoundment limits, and offering a sober assessment of the War Powers Resolution’s mixed record. Looking ahead, Zelizer outlines practical steps to rebuild capacity: reestablish guardrails, strengthen committee work and regular order, and better connect party organizations to voters. For policymakers, investors, and security professionals, the message is clear: institutional design and leadership incentives are strategic variables that shape U.S. reliability, crisis response, and long-term competitiveness. Key Topics Discussed
01:05 Why Defend Partisanship? 04:01 Is America's Political System Broken? 06:30 Newt Gingrich and the Modern Republican Party 08:12 How the U.S. Compares to Other Democracies 12:26 Are Today's Politicians Less Effective? 15:48 How Congress Lost Power to the Presidency 21:11 Executive Power, Congress, and the Supreme Court 24:29 The War Powers Debate and Foreign Policy 27:21 Why Biden Succeeded Legislatively 30:06 What the Founders Intended for Congress 31:10 Why Julian Zelizer Remains Optimistic Julian E. Zelizer is a leading historian of American politics and Congress, serving as the Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University. He is the author and editor of numerous books on U.S. governance, including Burning Down the House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party, and is a frequent analyst on the presidency, party politics, and institutional reform. | |||
| Bojan Pancevski | Chief European Political Correspondent, The Wall Street Journal | 23 juil. 2026 | 00:44:31 | |
Bojan Pancevski, Chief European Political Correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and author of The Nord Stream Conspiracy, unpacks the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines and its far‑reaching strategic consequences. The episode centers on attribution, tradecraft, and the emerging legal case in Germany—an unusually clear window into how a small clandestine team can generate outsized geopolitical effects by targeting critical undersea infrastructure. Nathan Kiker and George Bogdan press Pancevski on “Operation Diameter,” a plan conceived within a Ukrainian special operations unit but executed by civilian deep‑sea divers with limited clandestine training at 80–100 meters in the Baltic. He traces the recruitment pipeline, rapid training, and a chain of approval that ran through General Valery Zaluzhny, alongside the unresolved question of what, if anything, reached President Zelensky. The result, he argues, was an audacious, low‑budget mission that struck at the heart of Europe’s energy map in 2022. The conversation then turns to the German federal prosecutor’s decision to pursue war‑crimes charges—an attempt to bypass combatant immunity (the legal protection afforded to lawful combatants) by arguing the target was German infrastructure and the operatives were out of uniform. Pancevski outlines how this approach collides with politics in Berlin and Kyiv, intersecting with Germany’s energy strategy, the legacy of Angela Merkel’s Nord Stream policy, and live parliamentary debates. Finally, the episode situates Nord Stream within U.S.–European dynamics, from CIA warnings to the Biden administration’s stance on Nord Stream 2, and distills the strategic lesson: modern undersea networks—pipelines, power interconnectors, data cables—are acutely vulnerable to low‑cost attacks. With a Hamburg trial on the horizon, the case could set legal precedent, strain alliances, and reshape how states plan covert action and defend seabed infrastructure. Key Topics Discussed
Bojan Pancevski is the Chief European Political Correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and the author of The Nord Stream Conspiracy. He reports on European politics, security, and transatlantic affairs, with a track record of breaking stories at the intersection of intelligence, law, and statecraft. | |||
| Benjamin Alarie | CEO of Blue J Legal and co-author of Superjustice: The Future of Law | 15 juil. 2026 | 00:38:24 | |
Benjamin Alarie joins hosts Nathan Kiker and George Bogdan to examine how rapidly improving AI systems can strengthen the administration of law—starting with tax, where complexity, volume, and inconsistency have long constrained access to justice. Alarie argues that legal AI is transitioning from promise to performance, producing measurably more accurate and comprehensive research while enabling the kind of population-level analysis that policymakers and practitioners have struggled to execute at scale. | |||
| David Ignatius | Associate Editor, The Washington Post | 03 juil. 2026 | 00:33:40 | |
David Ignatius assesses how a fragmenting international order is reshaping U.S. strategy, allied cohesion, and day‑to‑day security. He argues the Middle East is settling into a harder-edged equilibrium: Iran’s hardliners have gained leverage despite battlefield setbacks to Tehran’s proxies; the Strait of Hormuz will likely reopen on Iran’s terms; and Turkey’s assertiveness is now a central strategic variable for Israel. These dynamics matter because they redefine risk at an energy chokepoint and test Washington’s ability to manage allies with diverging interests. Joining hosts Nathan Kiker and George Bogdan, Ignatius is struck by China’s passivity during the Hormuz crisis—even as Beijing’s technological and manufacturing advantages deepen. That paradox, he warns, could reshape American life unless the U.S. rebalances supply chains and rebuilds industrial capacity. In a world where economic power is concentrating while geopolitical discipline is eroding, technological dependence becomes a strategic liability. Beyond the region, Ignatius contends the U.S.-led postwar order is decaying without a clear successor. Asian allies read mixed U.S. signals on trade and security, even as Japan emerges as Washington’s most trusted partner and Vietnam’s importance grows. The result is a wary Indo-Pacific looking for consistency and credible capacity rather than speeches and episodic deals. On Ukraine, Ignatius sees a brutal but durable stalemate that is strategically costly for Russia, with domestic support eroding under the strain. Ukraine’s rapid drone innovation is setting a new standard for modern conflict, altering cost curves and operational tempo. Yet the greater risk, he cautions, may be a destabilized, post‑Putin Russia—an outcome that could be more dangerous than a negotiated pause if not carefully managed. Ignatius closes with a broader worry: a two‑speed world where technology races ahead while geopolitics fragments is unsustainable. Smarter policy, tighter allied coordination, and potentially AI‑enabled systems for crisis management may be necessary to restore a measure of stability so people can live “normal” lives. Key Topics Discussed
David Ignatius is a columnist and associate editor at the Washington Post, widely recognized for reporting and analysis on foreign affairs, intelligence, and national security. He has covered the Middle East, U.S. strategy, and great‑power competition for decades and is the author of several acclaimed novels rooted in geopolitical and intelligence themes. | |||
| Brad Thor | NYT Bestselling Author of Choke Point | 11 juin 2026 | 00:38:53 | |
Brad Thor returns to the show to discuss his latest thriller, Choke Point, a geopolitical suspense novel that explores one of the most consequential strategic questions of the 21st century: what happens if China gains control over the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. A #1 New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Scott Harvath series, Thor explains how real-world concerns about China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Strait of Malacca, and gray-zone warfare inspired the novel's plot. He discusses the growing importance of shipping lanes, soft power, and strategic infrastructure in global competition, as well as why he believes the next major geopolitical challenge for the United States will center on China. The conversation also explores covert conflict, military deception, the lessons of history, and how fiction can help readers better understand emerging threats before they become tomorrow's headlines. Thor reflects on the evolution of Scott Harvath after 25 years, the changing reading habits of modern audiences, and why geopolitical thrillers remain a powerful way to engage with the world around us. 00:00 Introduction to Brad Thor and Choke Point | |||
| Dr. Michael Auslin – Stanford Hoover Institution Fellow & Author of National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America | 07 juin 2026 | 00:29:47 | |
Dr. Michael Auslin, historian, Hoover Institution fellow, and author of National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America, joins the show to explore the remarkable journey of America's founding document as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. In this conversation, Auslin explains why the Declaration of Independence was originally viewed as a practical wartime necessity rather than a sacred national text. He walks through the dramatic debates surrounding independence, Thomas Jefferson’s drafting process, the influence of Enlightenment thinkers, and the political compromises that shaped the final document. The discussion also examines how the Declaration evolved over time—from a revolutionary announcement to what Abraham Lincoln called the nation's "apple of gold." Auslin traces how generations of Americans, from abolitionists to civil rights advocates, embraced its promise of equality and liberty, transforming it into one of the most influential documents in world history. As America approaches its semiquincentennial, Auslin argues that the Declaration remains the country's ultimate unifying document—a statement of ideals that continues to shape debates about freedom, citizenship, and national identity today. | |||
| Mark Galeotti - Author of over 25 books on Russia; Director of Mayak Intelligence | 22 mai 2026 | 00:42:10 | |
Mark Galeotti is one of the world’s foremost experts on Russia, an honorary professor at University College London, director of Mayak Intelligence, and author of more than 30 books on Russian history, intelligence, and organized crime. His latest work, Forged in War, explores the military history of Russia from its origins to the present day. In this episode, Galeotti explains why Vladimir Putin’s recent Victory Day parade revealed not strength—but vulnerability. He breaks down the growing strain inside Russia, from economic pressure and Ukrainian drone strikes to elite infighting and declining public trust in Putin’s leadership. The conversation also explores Putin’s worldview, the Soviet legacy that shaped him, and why Galeotti believes Russia is entering a generational transition. He examines the growing divide between Putin’s aging inner circle and younger elites preparing for a post-Putin future, while offering insight into what Russia could look like in the decades ahead. Throughout the discussion, Galeotti argues that the war in Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped Russia politically, economically, and psychologically—and that even if the fighting stopped tomorrow, the consequences will last for generations. 00:00 Intro — What Putin’s Victory Day Parade Revealed | |||
| Douglas Brunt - New York Times Best-Selling Author | 18 mai 2026 | 00:36:00 | |
Douglas Brunt is a New York Times bestselling author, and host of the podcast Dedicated. His latest book, The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel, uncovers the forgotten story of the Nobel family’s oil empire — a business that once rivaled Rockefeller’s Standard Oil before being erased from history by the Soviet regime. In this episode, Brunt explores the rise of Emanuel Nobel, nephew of Alfred Nobel, and how the Nobel family transformed the Russian oil industry into one of the largest petroleum empires in the world. The conversation traces the origins of global oil competition, the rise of industrial capitalism, and the violent political upheavals that reshaped the 20th century. Brunt also discusses the role of oil in world history — from the early battles over energy dominance to the Russian Revolution, World War I, and the emergence of modern geopolitics. He explains how Emanuel Nobel crossed paths with figures like Joseph Stalin and why the Bolsheviks saw the Nobel empire as a symbol of everything they wanted to destroy. The episode also dives into the origins of the Nobel Prize, the legacy of Alfred Nobel, the relationship between energy and global power, and why stories buried in forgotten archives still shape the modern world. | |||
| Ryan Crocker - Former U.S. Ambassador | 12 mai 2026 | 00:38:42 | |
Ryan Crocker is one of the most distinguished diplomats in modern American history, serving as U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Kuwait over a decades-long diplomatic career at the center of U.S. foreign policy. In this episode, Ambassador Crocker argues that the world is passing through a dangerous geopolitical “hinge point” — one marked by growing instability in the Middle East, rising strain on U.S. alliances, and the potential breakdown of the post-World War II international order. Drawing on firsthand experience from Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Syria, Crocker reflects on the long-term consequences of the Iraq War, the evolution of terrorism and proxy warfare, and the limits of American power. He warns that weakening alliances like NATO could accelerate nuclear proliferation and return the world to a far more dangerous balance-of-power system. The conversation also explores the Iran conflict, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, China’s growing role in global affairs, and why diplomacy and personal relationships between leaders still matter in statecraft. Throughout, Crocker offers a sobering but deeply informed perspective on what happens when global leadership becomes uncertain. | |||
| David McCloskey - Co-Host of The Rest is Classified | 05 mai 2026 | 00:42:02 | |
David McCloskey is a former CIA analyst and presidential briefer, now a bestselling author and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest Is Classified. He is the author of acclaimed spy novels including Damascus Station, Moscow X, and The Persian. In this episode, McCloskey pulls back the curtain on the world of intelligence—explaining why people are so fascinated by espionage and how secret operations can shape global events. He discusses the role of individuals versus systems in geopolitics, arguing that decisions often come down to what’s happening inside the minds of powerful leaders. The conversation also explores the intersection of fiction and reality, including how McCloskey draws on real-world conflicts—like the shadow war between Israel and Iran—to inform his novels. He shares insights into storytelling across mediums, from books to podcasts to television, and why different formats demand different approaches. McCloskey also reflects on the current state of the intelligence community, the impact of political dynamics on analysis, and the challenges of delivering clear, unbiased information at the highest levels of government. Throughout, he offers a rare look at how intelligence is created, consumed, and sometimes ignored. | |||
| Kenneth Rogoff - Professor of International Economics at Harvard University | 30 avr. 2026 | 00:38:13 | |
Kenneth Rogoff is a professor of international economics at Harvard University and former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund. One of the world’s most influential economists, his work spans financial crises, central banking, and global currency systems. His latest book, Our Dollar, Your Problem, examines the future of U.S. financial dominance. In this episode, Rogoff explains why the U.S. dollar’s global dominance—long a cornerstone of American power—may be gradually weakening. He breaks down how the dollar gives the U.S. enormous economic and geopolitical advantages, from lower borrowing costs to control over global financial flows, and why those advantages are now being challenged. The conversation explores rising global debt, the risk of a future debt crisis, and why simply taxing the wealthy won’t solve the problem at scale. Rogoff also discusses the growing pressure on central bank independence, the disruptive potential of AI, and the risks posed by crypto and stablecoins to financial stability. He offers a sobering but nuanced outlook: while the U.S. economy remains historically strong, long-term risks—from political dysfunction to global fragmentation—could reshape the financial system in ways policymakers are not fully prepared for. | |||
| Robert Kaplan | Preeminent Geopolitical Analyst & Author | 20 avr. 2026 | 00:29:15 | |
Robert Kaplan is a bestselling author and geopolitical analyst, known for works like The Revenge of Geography. A longtime foreign affairs correspondent for The Atlantic, he has also advised the Pentagon and served as a leading voice in strategic analysis for decades. In this episode, Kaplan explains how geography and human behavior together shape global conflict—from the Strait of Hormuz to Taiwan. He argues that while geography sets the stage, it is ultimately leaders, decisions, and historical memory that determine how events unfold. The conversation explores the risks of a future U.S.-China conflict, why a war in the Pacific could be far more catastrophic than conflicts in the Middle East, and what a realistic outcome in Ukraine might look like. Kaplan also examines the weakening of NATO, the long-term instability facing Russia, and the dangers of what he calls “middle-sized wars”—conflicts that are large enough to be destructive but too small to fully capture public attention. Drawing on lessons from Iraq and decades of geopolitical analysis, Kaplan offers a sobering warning: policymakers must think beyond immediate action and ask the critical question—“what happens next?” | |||
| Nataliya Gumenyuk | CEO & Founder of the Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL) | 10 avr. 2026 | 00:36:26 | |
Nataliya Gumenyuk is a Ukrainian journalist, documentary filmmaker, and CEO & founder of the Public Interest Journalism Lab, as well as co-founder of The Reckoning Project. She is one of the leading voices documenting war crimes and pursuing international justice in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine. In this episode, Gumenyuk explains why the war in Ukraine must be understood not just as a series of tragedies, but as deliberate crimes that demand accountability. Drawing on hundreds of survivor testimonies, she discusses the challenges of documenting war crimes, the limits of international institutions like the ICC, and why journalists and legal teams are increasingly turning to alternative jurisdictions to pursue justice. The conversation also explores the human dimension of war—what victims actually want, why truth and recognition matter as much as punishment, and how disinformation threatens to erase these crimes from global memory. Gumenyuk offers a sobering perspective on war fatigue, Western support, and why Ukrainians continue to fight—not out of choice, but necessity. | |||
| Branko Milanović | Former Lead Economist at the World Bank | 08 avr. 2026 | 00:32:09 | |
Branko Milanović is one of the world’s leading economists and a former lead economist at the World Bank. Known for his groundbreaking work on global inequality, Milanović has spent decades analyzing how wealth and power shift across countries and individuals. In this episode, Milanović argues that the era of neoliberal globalization is over—and is being replaced by what he calls “national liberalism.” He explains how countries are abandoning free trade and global integration while continuing pro-market policies at home, creating a new and more fragmented economic system. The conversation explores the rise of Asia, the decline of Western economic dominance, and how global income is being reshuffled across both nations and individuals. Milanović also breaks down why some economic policies can be “lose-lose” in absolute terms but still make sense geopolitically, and how inequality—both within and between countries—continues to shape global stability. | |||
| Charles Kupchan | Senior Fellow and Director of European Studies | 06 avr. 2026 | 00:27:15 | |
Charles Kupchan is a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He previously served on the National Security Council under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, helping shape U.S. policy toward Europe. In this episode, Kupchan explains his concept of “liberal realism” and why he believes the world is entering a new geopolitical era—one defined not by a single dominant power, but by a fragmented, “de-centered” global order. He discusses the decline of multilateral institutions, the uncertain future of NATO, and the growing shift of power from West to East and North to South. The conversation also explores whether the liberal international order is truly collapsing, what a multipolar world means for global stability, and why democracies must adapt to survive in the digital age. Kupchan offers a sobering look at the future of global cooperation, warning that demand for coordination is rising just as the ability to achieve it is declining. | |||
| Ram Charan | Author of China's 90% Model | 25 mars 2026 | 00:40:14 | |
Ram Charan is a world-renowned business advisor, speaker, and author who has spent decades coaching top CEOs and boards across the globe. He is the author of more than 30 books, including the bestseller Execution, and his latest, China’s 90% Model, argues that Beijing is pursuing a strategy of total industrial dominance. In this episode, Charan outlines his controversial thesis that China’s goal is not just to compete globally—but to eliminate the industrial capacity of rival nations through what he calls the “90% model.” He explains how China uses scale, subsidies, and pricing power to dominate entire industries, from solar to electric vehicles, and warns that this strategy could reshape the global economic order. The conversation explores whether this represents a new kind of economic warfare, why tariffs may not be effective, and what a realistic U.S. response could look like—from industry-by-industry negotiation to deeper coordination with allies. Charan also discusses the geopolitical implications of China’s rise, the risks to Western manufacturing, and what the next decade could mean for global power. | |||
| Mohammed Soliman | Senior Fellow at The Middle East Institute | Director at McLarty Associates | 15 mars 2026 | 00:39:22 | |
Mohammed Soliman is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, director at McLarty Associates, and a nonresident senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He is also the author of West Asia: A New Grand Strategy for the Middle East. In this episode, Soliman argues that policymakers should stop thinking about the region as the “Middle East” and instead understand it as West Asia—a strategic crossroads increasingly shaped by the rise of Asia, shifting trade routes, and emerging technology infrastructure. Drawing on themes from his new book, he explains how energy flows, migration, supply chains, and capital investment are linking the Gulf, South Asia, Europe, and Africa into a single geopolitical system. The conversation explores the growing role of India and the Gulf states in global trade, the strategic implications of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, and how artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers are becoming new strategic targets in modern warfare. Soliman also discusses how conflicts in the region could reshape Asian geopolitics and why U.S. strategy should focus less on military dominance and more on flexible coalitions and economic integration across West Asia. | |||
| Ravi Agrawal | Editor-in-Chief, Foreign Policy | 10 mars 2026 | 00:39:13 | |
Ravi Agrawal is the Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy and the host of FP Live. In this conversation, he discusses the implications of a new Middle East conflict and what it reveals about America’s evolving role in the global order. Agrawal explains the concept of a “world minus one”—a moment of transition where the United States appears to be stepping back from the international system it helped build. He examines the risks of military action taken without clear objectives, the precedent set by targeting foreign leaders, and how such actions may reshape global norms around power and sovereignty. The discussion also explores the potential ripple effects for Russia, China, and global energy markets, as well as the long-term consequences for nuclear proliferation and international institutions. | |||
| Benjamin Nathans | Pulitzer Prize Winning Author, To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause | 09 mars 2026 | 00:45:23 | |
Benjamin Nathans is a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement, an acclaimed work that explores the individuals and ideas behind resistance to Soviet authoritarianism. Nathans’s research focuses on Russian and Soviet history, political dissent, and the struggle for human rights under authoritarian regimes. | |||
| Yukon Huang | Carnegie Endowment | Former World Bank Director: China, Russia | 26 févr. 2026 | 00:41:16 | |
Yukon Huang is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a leading authority on China’s economy and global financial relations. He previously served as the World Bank’s Country Director for China and Russia, giving him firsthand insight into the economic transformations of two major global powers. Huang’s work focuses on China’s growth model, U.S.–China tensions, and the evolving role of emerging markets in the global economy, making him a key voice in debates over trade, development, and geopolitics. | |||
| Edward Luce | Financial Times Chief US Commentator & Columnist | Author of Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet | 09 févr. 2026 | 00:31:10 | |
Edward Luce is the chief U.S. commentator and columnist for the Financial Times, where he covers American politics, foreign policy, and global power shifts. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Great Power Prophet, a definitive biography of one of the most influential strategic thinkers of the Cold War era. Luce is widely respected for his sharp analysis of U.S. leadership, geopolitics, and the future of the liberal international order. | |||
| Brad Thor | New York Times Bestselling Author | Author of Cold Zero with Ward Larsen | 05 févr. 2026 | 00:37:04 | |
Brad Thor is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the most prominent voices in the modern thriller genre. Best known for his long-running Scot Harvath series, Thor’s novels explore terrorism, intelligence, and global security with meticulous research and real-world insight. His latest work, Cold Zero, co-authored with Ward Larsen, continues his tradition of high-stakes storytelling grounded in contemporary geopolitical threats. Thor frequently consults with intelligence and military professionals and is a sought-after commentator on national security issues. | |||
| Jeffrey Sachs | Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University | 30 janv. 2026 | 00:34:00 | |
Jeffrey Sachs is an economist, university professor, and influential author known for his work in sustainable development. He is the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and the President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. His notable roles at the United Nations include serving as a Special Advisor to three different UN Secretaries-General: Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, and António Guterres. He currently serves as an SDG Advocate for the present Secretary-General, focusing on promoting the Sustainable Development Goals. Sachs' work spans global poverty, geopolitics, and public policy, making him a key voice on the frontlines of economic development and international relations. | |||
| Dmitri Alperovitch | Author, The World on the Brink | Co-Founder: Crowdstrike | 20 janv. 2026 | 00:49:30 | |
Dmitri Alperovitch is a cybersecurity expert, entrepreneur, and author of The World on the Brink: How the Hybrid World War Threatens Our Future. He is the co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike, a global leader in cyber threat intelligence and defense, and currently serves in senior advisory roles shaping how governments and organizations respond to digital conflict and nation-state cyber operations. Alperovitch’s work spans cyber risk, geopolitics, and emerging threats, making him a key voice on the frontlines of cybersecurity and global stability. | |||
| Peter Pomerantsev | Best-Selling Author - Nothing is True and Everything is Possible | 13 janv. 2026 | 00:44:29 | |
Peter Pomerantsev is a best-selling author, journalist, and leading expert on propaganda, disinformation, and modern information warfare. He is the author of Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible and This Is Not Propaganda, widely regarded as essential books for understanding how authoritarian regimes manipulate media and reality itself. Pomerantsev has advised governments and institutions on counter-disinformation strategies and regularly contributes to major global outlets on democracy, power, and the battle over truth. | |||
| Nicolas Niarchos | Author, The Elements of Power Writer, The New Yorker | 13 janv. 2026 | 00:47:18 | |
Nicolas Niarchos is a staff writer at The New Yorker covering foreign affairs, geopolitics, and global power dynamics. He’s the author of The Elements of Power: Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a New Global Order, a deeply researched book that explores how control over critical elements like rare minerals, weapons, and technology shapes international politics. Niarchos’s work brings sharp insight into how resources and innovation influence statecraft in the 21st century, blending narrative reporting with expert analysis. | |||
| Stephen Walt | Columnist | Foreign Policy Professor, Harvard Kennedy School | 11 janv. 2026 | 00:43:28 | |
Stephen M. Walt is a renowned columnist for Foreign Policy and the Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School. A leading scholar in foreign policy theory and U.S. grand strategy, Walt is best known for his work on realism, alliance politics, and international security. His influential books include The Origins of Alliances, Taming American Power, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, and International Relations: One World, Many Theories. Walt’s writing and commentary challenge conventional wisdom and shape debates on America’s role in the world. | |||
| Tim Bouverie | Author, Appeasing Hitler, Allies at War | 06 janv. 2026 | 00:29:56 | |
Tim Bouverie is a British historian, journalist, and bestselling author specializing in World War II and modern European history. His acclaimed debut, Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War, explores the diplomatic failures that paved the way for conflict, and his latest book, Allies at War, examines the fractious wartime relationship between Britain and the United States. A former political journalist for Channel 4 News, Bouverie brings deep research and sharp narrative skill to his writing on power, diplomacy, and the lessons of history. | |||
| Yaakov Katz | Former Editor-in-Chief , Jerusalem Post | 02 janv. 2026 | 00:30:55 | |
Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author, journalist, and senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute in Jerusalem. He served as editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post from 2016 to 2023 and continues to write a popular weekly column while appearing regularly as an analyst on CNN and the BBC. Katz is the author of Shadow Strike: Inside Israel’s Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power, Weapon Wizards: How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower, and Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War, and his upcoming book While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East is a national bestseller. He previously spent nearly a decade as the paper’s military reporter and defense analyst, served as a senior policy adviser to Israel’s government, and was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard. | |||
| Max Boot | The Washington Post | The Council on Foreign Relations | 15 déc. 2025 | 00:36:10 | |
Max Boot is a senior columnist for The Washington Post and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. A leading voice on U.S. foreign policy, national security, and military history, he has advised senior policymakers and served as a defense analyst for multiple administrations. Boot is also the author of several acclaimed books, including The Road Not Taken, Invisible Armies, and War Made New, and is a frequent commentator on global affairs and American strategy. | |||
| Ilan Berman | Senior Vice President, American Foreign Policy | Author of "The New Imperialists" | 08 déc. 2025 | 00:49:36 | |
Ilan Berman is Senior Vice President of American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) in Washington, D.C., and a leading expert on security issues in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Russia. He has consulted for the CIA and U.S. Defense and State Departments, and advised congressional offices on foreign policy and national security. Berman is also an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics and associated faculty at Missouri State University’s Department of Defense and Strategic Studies. He is the author and editor of numerous books on Iran, Russia, warfare, and global security — including a forthcoming work titled The New Imperialists. | |||
| Edward Fishman | Author of Chokepoints | 20 nov. 2025 | 00:36:47 | |
Edward Fishman is a leading scholar of economic statecraft and a former U.S. diplomat who helped design sanctions policies at the State Department and Treasury. He is currently a Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and also teaches at its Center on Global Energy Policy. His book Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare (2025) offers a gripping, behind-the-scenes account of how the U.S. turned global finance, technology, and energy infrastructure into tools of geopolitical influence. | |||
| Barry Posen | Director Emeritus | MIT Security Studies Program | 14 nov. 2025 | 00:36:55 | |
Barry R. Posen is the Ford International Professor of Political Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Director Emeritus of its MIT Security Studies Program. A leading scholar in grand strategy and defense policy, his influential works include Restraint: A New Foundation for U.S. Grand Strategy and The Sources of Military Doctrine. Posen continues to shape debates on global power shifts, U.S. force posture, and military intervention through his teaching, research, and commentary. | |||
| Scott Kennedy | CSIS | Chair in Chinese Economics | 17 oct. 2025 | 00:42:45 | |
Scott Kennedy is Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). A leading authority on Chinese economic policy and U.S.–China commercial relations, he has traveled to China for nearly four decades and focuses on China’s industrial policy, tech innovation, and global economic governance. His publications include The Business of Lobbying in China, The Fat Tech Dragon, and numerous policy reports on U.S.–China tensions. | |||
| Don Bentley | Author of "Denied Access" | 06 oct. 2025 | 00:28:11 | |
Don Bentley is a bestselling American thriller author and former FBI Special Agent, SWAT team member, and U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot. He currently continues the legacy of Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series, with his newest novel Denied Access, which takes fans back to Rapp’s early days as he battles threats to the CIA and a lover in peril. Bentley’s diverse writing portfolio also includes the Matt Drake series and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Jr. novels. | |||
| Jake Tapper | CNN Anchor | Author of "Race Against Terror | 01 oct. 2025 | 00:36:34 | |
Jake Tapper is a prominent CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent, and the author of Race Against Terror: Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer at the Dawn of the Forever War. His book uncovers the high-stakes global hunt to prosecute an al Qaeda operative who surrendered during the Arab Spring and sheds light on the challenges of delivering justice in the War on Terror. Tapper is also known for his political journalism, previously penning works like The Outpost and his bestselling novels. | |||