FP Live

Historian Heather Cox Richardson has long grappled with questions of how democracy has weakened in the United States and how its citizenry can try to take back control. That topic is the focus of her new book, Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America. Richardson joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a wide-ranging discussion. 

Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal sat down with USAID administrator Samantha Power for a wide-ranging interview. The two discussed USAID’s priorities for UNGA, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and how the Biden administration views the United Nations. 

As world leaders arrive in New York City for high-level meetings at the United Nations General Assembly, what are the White House’s main priorities? Linda Thomas-Greenfield is the Biden administration’s ambassador to the United Nations. She joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal to discuss the war in Sudan, the global food crisis, international cooperation in Ukraine, and the world’s progress in meeting the U.N.’s sustainable development goals.

FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke with Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. The two discussed U.S. relations with Taiwan, tensions in the Taiwan Strait, semiconductors, and much else.

How are alliances shaping geopolitics? Is the West correct in prioritizing like-minded clubs over reforming the postwar multilateral institutions it helped create? Watch Princeton University scholar G. John Ikenberry, a contributor to FP’s Fall issue, in discussion with FP’s Ravi Agrawal. Ikenberry authored the issue’s lead essay on the growing significance of the G-7.

In a special Ask-Me-Anything on FP Live, the tables have turned. Host Ravi Agrawal fields questions from FP subscribers and listeners about everything from the real state of the Chinese economy to what book is on his bedside table.

What is actually going on in Manipur? What should New Delhi do? What are the ramifications for India, Myanmar, and the world? Indian journalist Barkha Dutt has reported extensively from Manipur this year. Watch her and defense expert Sushant Singh, who has chronicled the conflict in Foreign Policy, in conversation with host Ravi Agrawal.

The Biden administration’s National Security Strategy has called for an “allied techno-industrial base” to safeguard U.S. interests, security, and values. Key to the technological aspect of that strategy is the White House’s new Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, run by Ambassador-at-Large Nathaniel Fick. Fick joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal to discuss cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, tech diplomacy, and more.

Is Washington’s turn toward industrial policy working as planned? Is Bidenomics working? As a member of Biden’s Council of Economic Advisers and chief economist of his Invest in America Cabinet, Heather Boushey is one of the primary intellectual architects of the U.S. approach to inequality, growth, and job creation. Boushey joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a wide-ranging discussion on the U.S. economy. 

The White House’s China policy needs a reset. That’s according to Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat who has represented California’s 17th Congressional District since 2017. Khanna joined FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal for an in-depth discussion about not only China, but also Ukraine, U.S. national security priorities, trade policy, and more.

Where is Russia’s war in Ukraine headed? Will Wagner’s forces reemerge on the battlefield? And has Putin been weakened by the most public mutiny in his time in power? For answers, FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke with Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow and the director of the trans-Atlantic security program at the Center for a New American Security.

For much of the past several decades, there was widespread consensus that China’s continued rise was inevitable. But in recent years, an alternative school of thought has become popular: China has already peaked. Which theory is correct? It depends on who you ask. Michael Beckley and Keyu Jin aired out their perspectives in a debate on FP Live. 

NATO’s former secretary- general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a discussion on what to expect from the NATO summit and how discussions there might impact the war in Ukraine.

Who will win the AI race? What does it mean for critical minerals and mining? How will it impact global trade, sanctions, and great-power competition? To discuss his lead essay in FP’s summer print issue, “The Scramble for AI”, join FP’s Ravi Agrawal in conversation with Paul Scharre, author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

FP’s Ravi Agrawal sat down with three experts at the Aspen Ideas Festival to discuss why countries are experiencing what scholars call a “democratic recession” and what can be done about it. The panelists included 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, who is also the co-founder and CEO of Rappler; Mike Abramowitz, president of Freedom House; and Shadi Hamid, author of The Problem of Democracy.

Is Washington expecting too much of New Delhi? Is India somehow taking advantage of a moment when the United States is preoccupied with competition with China? Ahead of Modi’s visit to the United States, FP’s editor in chief interviewed Ashley J. Tellis, a former U.S. policymaker and longtime watcher of U.S.-India relations. Tellis is the Tata chair for strategic affairs and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Where is U.S.-China tech competition headed? Are Washington’s restrictions on Beijing working? How is China’s tech sector reacting? Dan Wang, a tech analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics, lived in China from 2017 until last year, closely observing the country’s tech sector. Wang is famous in part for his perceptive annual letters reflecting on developments in the world’s second-biggest economy. FP’s Ravi Agrawal interviewed Wang about China’s technological rise and whether U.S. actions can really stop it.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) controls about 90 percent of the market for advanced chips—and it doesn’t seem as if any other company or country can catch up. What is TSMC’s secret sauce?  And why are semiconductors so crucial to the world economy and geopolitics? FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke with Chris Miller, the author of Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology.

The Singapore summit underscored how the U.S.-China relationship was different from that of Europe’s relationship with China, its biggest trading partner. But what is the substance of those differences, and will Beijing try to exploit them? FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke to Cindy Yu, an assistant editor at the Spectator and the host of its Chinese Whispers podcast, and James Palmer, the writer of FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter.

Is the White House prepared to deal with the remarkable growth of artificial intelligence? What are the current and potential risks to Americans? Watch Alondra Nelson, the architect of the White House’s “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights,” and formerly the head of the White House’s Science and Technology policy,  in conversation with FP’s Ravi Agrawal. 

Can Ukraine swing the global south? What tools and leverage does Kyiv have over New Delhi, Brasília, or Jakarta? And amid these efforts, what are Ukraine’s plans to maintain Western support? Watch Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova in conversation with FP’s Ravi Agrawal as they discuss a crucial angle in the continuing war in Ukraine. 

What will the next phase of the war in Ukraine look like? Is Russia prepared for what Kyiv is planning? Will Crimea play a role? Could battlefield outcomes lead to a negotiated settlement? Watch military expert Dara Massicot in conversation with FP’s Ravi Agrawal as the two explore the dynamics of the planned Ukrainian counteroffensive. 

Are U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan finally listening to their European counterparts and advocating for a softer approach on China? Join FP’s reporters in conversation with FP executive editor Amelia Lester for a wide-ranging discussion about how Washington is thinking about Beijing now. 

What are the driving issues in Turkey’s upcoming election? If Erdogan loses, will there be a peaceful transition of power? Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a discussion with FP columnist Steven A. Cook and Gonul Tol, the founding director of the Turkey program at the Middle East Institute.

John Kerry is U.S. President Joe Biden’s special envoy for climate. He joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal to discuss the United States’ role in the climate crisis and the White House’s plans to reach its goals. The interview serves as a preview to FP’s 2023 Climate Summit on April 26. 

How does Washington plan to deal with China?  How does it prioritize this alongside more pressing immediate concerns, not least with Russia’s war in Ukraine, but also regarding North Korea, Iran, and beyond? Colin Kahl is the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy and one of the Biden administration’s senior-most policymakers. He has in the past served as a deputy assistant to President Barack Obama, and between 2014 and 2017 served as Vice President Joe Biden’s national security advisor.

FP’s Ravi Agrawal sat down with the renowned economist Larry Summers, a former president of Harvard University. Summers has held top jobs at the World Bank, the National Economic Council, and was U.S. treasury secretary from 1999 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. The two discussed the global economic outlook, but also spent time examining the state of Russia’s economy, the dollar’s strength, accusations of U.S. protectionism, and the economic impacts of U.S.-China competition.

James Stavridis is a retired four-star admiral who served as supreme allied commander at NATO. He is currently a managing director of the Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke with him on FP Live to discuss how Washington should think about arming Ukraine and what Kyiv should consider while planning its forthcoming push to repel Russian forces.

Economist Adam Posen argues that for U.S. industrial policy to be successful and resilient, it needs to be barrier free. How and why? Subscribers are encouraged to send in their questions. Posen will discuss his FP cover essay in a conversation with FP’s editor in chief, Ravi Agrawal.

Three China experts joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal to discuss the recent meeting between the presidents of China and Russia, the recently concluded “two sessions” meetings in Beijing—an annual rubber-stamp convening—and the ongoing dramas over TikTok and a recent public sighting of Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba. They also talked  about the rival diplomatic missions from Taiwan.

Ehud Barak, Israel’s former prime minister, who also served as the country’s defense minister and army chief, shared his candid thoughts about the escalating crisis in Israel on FP Live. Asked about what happens next in the current impasse between the demonstrators and Netanyahu, he said “He will double down. We will double down. At the end, he will fall.”

Heading into a possible reelection year, FP’s reporters discussed how U.S. President Joe Biden can juggle substantial foreign-policy issues—and how the campaign trail might change things. They also talked about the budget and what it reveals about the administration’s foreign-policy agenda. 

There’s a growing debate among Western policymakers and politicians about the choices they face when it comes to dealing with Russia’s war in Ukraine. For an in-depth military perspective on the options facing Washington and its partners, FP’s Ravi Agrawal sat down with Philip Breedlove, a retired four-star U.S. general who served as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe between 2013 and 2016, a period that included Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Is the Biden administration’s China policy too hawkish? And how might that be impacting the world? Jessica Chen Weiss, formerly a senior advisor for policy planning at the State Department under the Biden administration, makes the case that the United States is becoming consumed by competition with China, a strategy that could lead to dangerous conflict. 

To understand Washington’s part in fostering industrial policy, FP’s Ravi Agrawal sat down with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, the Biden administration’s top official tasked with mapping out and implementing the White House’s trade policy. Tai counters critics who say the United States is fostering unfair competition over semiconductors and clean energy.

This week marks exactly one year since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine. FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke with two of the very best Russia experts: Angela Stent, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and the author of Putin’s World: Russia Against the West and With the Rest, and Michael Kofman, the research program director of the Russia studies program at the Center for Naval Analyses. Watch the conversation or read the condensed transcript.

The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is going ahead with legislation designed to weaken the country’s Supreme Court, a move that analysts are warning could lead to an erosion of democracy and a dramatic constitutional crisis. To understand more about the legislation and the potential impact on Israel and the region, FP’s Dan Ephron spoke to Amir Tibon, a senior editor at the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

The very public spat over alleged spying is just the most recent example of strains in the world’s most important relationship. Beyond the kerfuffle over the balloon, what are the broader impacts on Washington’s China policy?  Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a discussion with Emily S. Weinstein, a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, and James Palmer, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy and the author of FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter.

FP’s Ravi Agrawal spoke with two experts on sanctions to find out if they have worked: Agathe Demarais, global forecasting director at the Economist Intelligence Unit and author of Backfire: How Sanctions Reshape the World Against U.S. Interests; and Nicholas Mulder, an assistant professor of history at Cornell University and author of The Economic Weapon: The Rise of Sanctions as a Tool of Modern War. FP subscribers can watch or read a condensed version of the interview.

Two years into his first term, how has U.S. President Joe Biden fared on foreign policy? Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a lively discussion about the Biden administration’s foreign-policy successes and failures, with Stephen Wertheim, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Nadia Schadlow, a former U.S. deputy national security advisor for strategy.

How will the delivery of Western tanks change, and potentially escalate, fighting in Ukraine? And is NATO as united as it was earlier in the war? For the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war, watch FP’s executive editor Amelia Lester’s timely conversation with FP’s team of reporters.

FP’s Ravi Agrawal sat down with industry leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss how businesses can build resilience amid a turbulent geopolitical era. The panelists included Anne Richards, CEO of Fidelity International; Carmine Di Sibio, CEO of Ernst & Young; Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore; and Lubna S. Olayan, chair of the executive committee of Olayan Financing Company.

Jonathan Pershing, formerly the Biden administration’s No. 2 global climate envoy, joined FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal to discuss Washington’s climate policy, and how it is being seen around the world. The two also discussed climate cooperation with China, the road to COP28, and much else.

Remember the adage that generals always fight the last war? Of late, we at FP have been wondering: What can Russia’s war in Ukraine teach the world going forward? What have we learned so far, and how can we apply those lessons to make sure we don’t sleepwalk into yet another war? FP’s Winter 2023 print issue brings together 12 experts to help us answer those questions. Watch Ravi Agrawal in conversation with two of the contributors to the magazine’s cover story: Anne-Marie Slaughter and David Petraeus.

How will the various crises in the world play out in 2023, and what can the international community do to mitigate the catastrophe? What are world leaders doing wrong? And how can populations in need receive proper aid? There’s no one better to ask for answers to these questions than David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, who will be in conversation with FP’s Ravi Agrawal. Enter the new year better informed—and equipped to help solve—humanity’s biggest problems.

Geopolitics dominated the world in 2022, with Russia’s war in Ukraine and competition between the United States and China impacting everything from energy to food to semiconductors. What trends from 2022 will prove enduring? Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal for part 2 of a conversation with FP columnist and Harvard University professor Stephen M. Walt.

Geopolitics dominated the world in 2022, with Russia’s war in Ukraine and competition between the United States and China impacting everything from energy to food to semiconductors. What trends from 2022 will prove enduring? Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a conversation with FP columnist and Harvard University professor Stephen M. Walt.

What should the world expect from China in 2023?  How will Beijing manage its economy? How will it handle dissent? What role will it play in Russia’s war in Ukraine? And how will China navigate relations with the United States? For answers, watch FP’s Ravi Agrawal in discussion with three China experts: Susan Shirk, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, and FP’s James Palmer . 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely the most popular elected leader in the world. How exactly has Modi corralled so much power? Why have India’s opposition parties crumbled? What does a changing India mean for the world order? Join FP’s editor in chief, Ravi Agrawal, for a rare in-depth interview with historian Ramachandra Guha.

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues into 2023, the weather will have an important impact.  Why are policymakers in Brussels and Washington worried about dwindling weapons stockpiles? Is Ukraine fatigue on the rise in the United States and Europe? Tune in to watch FP’s Amelia Lester in conversation with the magazine’s reporters as they provide insights on where the war in Ukraine will head next.

Europe’s top climate negotiator, Frans Timmermans, says the goal of 1.5 degrees is on “life support.” Where does this leave the fight against climate change? How will Brussels continue negotiations with Washington, Beijing, and other global capitals? Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a conversation with the man responsible for Europe’s Green Deal.

Is there a way to revive the Iran nuclear deal? Is U.S. President Joe Biden considering a military option if diplomacy fails? Watch U.S. special envoy for Iran Robert Malley in discussion with FP’s editor in chief, Ravi Agrawal. The two talked about the stalled nuclear deal, the violent crackdown on protests in Iran, and how Washington plans to respond to Tehran’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Leaders of the world’s largest economies gathered in Bali, Indonesia, for the G-20 summit this week. What were the main summit takeaways from the summit? FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal spoke with FP columnists Matthew Kroenig and Edward Alden, and Lynn Kuok, a senior fellow for Asia-Pacific security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The Biden administration has dramatically expanded controls on technology flowing to and from Beijing by imposing aggressive sanctions targeting China’s chip and semiconductor industry. What impact will these changes have? Will other nations support Washington’s new approach? Watch FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal’s conversation with Jon Bateman.

What’s next for Britain under Rishi Sunak’s leadership? What will he do about Russia’s war in Ukraine and China? Join FP’s Amy Mackinnon, for a wide-ranging interview with Robin Niblett, a distinguished fellow at Chatham House, and Anand Menon, a professor of European politics at King’s College London.

The Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Congress is arguably the world’s most important convening in 2022. What are the key revelations? Will more political purges follow? Join FP’s James Palmer and Beijing-based reporter Melinda Liu and Evan S. Medeiros, chair of Asian studies at Georgetown University, for answers and insights.

What will Russian President Vladimir Putin do if he feels he has lost the war everyone believed he’d easily win? For in-depth analysis on the most recent developments in Ukraine, join FP’s Ravi Agrawal in conversation with Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a former CIA analyst and intelligence officer focused on Russia.

With Russia’s war in Ukraine impacting food supply chains around the globe, how can we ensure food security? Crop scientist Sarah Taber and Arif Husain, the World Food Program’s chief economist, will join FP Live to discuss ways in which the world can build a resilient and functioning food system.

Are U.S. sanctions working, and what other measures has the White House taken to hurt Russia? Ahead of the annual IMF and World Bank meetings, the U.S. Treasury’s Wally Adeyemo joined FP Live to discuss the dizzying state of the world economy, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, and more.

With Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order of a partial mobilization of reservists, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has potentially entered an even more destructive and dangerous new phase. Tune in as FP’s executive editor, Amelia Lester, and FP’s team of reporters answer your questions about where the war is headed next.

Amid catastrophic flooding, political turmoil, and economic crisis, Pakistan’s new foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, joins FP Live to discuss his plans to set the country on the right course, how his government is managing multiple crises, and much more.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations joined Ravi Agrawal on FP Live for an interview to discuss Washington’s priorities at the General Assembly, and how U.S. diplomacy has changed over the course of a turbulent decade

There’s a longstanding debate in international relations over whether to conduct a muscular and proactive foreign policy or a more restrained one that shuns long-term entanglements. How should America plan its foreign policy? FP spoke with historian Stephen Wertheim, who makes the case for U.S. restraint.

One year since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, how are Afghans coping with their new rulers? What does the future hold? For answers, watch this in-depth discussion with FP’s Lynne O’Donnell and Michael Kugelman.

In less than two years, journalist Maria Ressa has received 10 arrest warrants from the government, and her media company, Rappler, has been ordered to shut down. Watch FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal’s interview with Ressa about current and past Filipino administrations and her fight to ensure press freedom.

A top Russia advisor to three U.S. presidents explains why the world shouldn’t fall for Moscow’s narrative that it can wait out the West. As the war in Ukraine continues, watch FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal’s interview with Fiona Hill about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s thinking and strategy.

Energy prices are surging. Food supplies are depleted. Stocks have entered bear market territory. And inflation is running at historic highs. Watch this interview with FP columnist and Columbia University professor Adam Tooze to find out why despite the rapid slowdown, this isn’t an economic crisis.

NATO is at a critical juncture as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to rattle the global order and as the alliance faces its greatest security crisis in a generation. FP talked with U.S. NATO envoy Julianne Smith about NATO’s new strategic concept, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and much more.

In the months since Russia invaded Ukraine, NATO has transformed: It is more united, better funded, and is expanding. What does NATO’s rejuvenation mean for the fate of the war and the future of foreign policy in Europe? For answers, watch FP’s interview with former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

As Ukrainians fight for their sovereignty, the fate of neighboring Belarus is closely entwined with the outcome of the war. The country’s longtime president, Aleksandr Lukashenko, sided with Russia, but where do the Belarusian people stand? Can sanctions change Lukashenko’s calculus? Watch FP’s interview with Belarus’s opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Anthony Fauci joined Foreign Policy editor in chief Ravi Agrawal for a conversation about the global response to COVID-19, China’s COVID-19 situation, the rise of misinformation surrounding the virus, challenges ahead, and more.