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.