How Trump broke the grand bargain

Even before Trump started raining bombs down on Iran, harassing allies to clean up his mess, and yanking sanctions off Russia, the global order that kept Americans safe for generations was in shambles. Historian and foreign policy expert Robert Kagan discusses his landmark article explaining how Trump broke the “Grand Bargain” that promoted peace and prosperity after World War II. The crucial question now—according to Kagan—is not whether that order is coming back, but what will replace it.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kagan’s article: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/03/trump-national-security-greenland-spheres-of-interest/685673/

Kagan’s latest book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714679/rebellion-by-robert-kagan/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices