Today’s Battlegrounds

David MacNaughton, veteran Canadian diplomat and former Ambassador to the U.S., discusses U.S.–Canada cooperation on Arctic and continental defense, modernizing NORAD, and protecting critical infrastructure. He also covers energy and trade opportunities after the USMCA review, China’s footprint in Latin America, and how current tensions could spur stronger continental resilience and industrial policy.

Join Chung Eui-yong, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the future of the US–ROK alliance in the face of North Korea’s accelerating weapons programs, the implications of a growing Russia–North Korea partnership, and how Washington and Seoul can strengthen deterrence while preserving space for diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Chung Eui-yong is the former minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Korea. Minister Chung joined South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1971. He later served in the National Assembly and contributed to deliberations over the US–Korea Free Trade Agreement. In 2017, President Moon Jae-in appointed him director of the National Security Office, where he coordinated South Korea’s national security strategy. He went on to serve as foreign minister from 2021 to 2022, helping steer South Korea’s alliance management, North Korea policy, and regional engagement. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Join Ian Rowe, cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies and Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and Hoover senior fellow H.R. McMaster as they discuss education reform and the importance of cultivating agency, character, and civic understanding in young people. Recorded at Vertex Partnership Academies in the Bronx, the conversation explores how education can help students develop responsibility, meaning, and moral discernment. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ian Rowe is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where his work centers on education, upward mobility, family formation, and adoption. Mr. Rowe holds degrees from Cornell University and Harvard Business School. He is the author of Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover their Pathway to Power. The FREE acronym stands for Family, Religion, Education and Entrepreneurship. Rowe is cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies, a network of virtues-based International Baccalaureate public charter high schools launched in the Bronx in 2022. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Joining H.R. McMaster, Zohar Palti, former Israeli defense official and ex-Mossad intelligence leader, dives deep into Israel's security landscape post-October 7 attacks. He analyzes critical intelligence failures, the rise of Hamas, and the broader implications of Iran's proxy network. Palti underscores the importance of U.S.–Israel cooperation to counter threats and advocates for sustained American engagement in the Middle East. His insights reflect decades of experience in navigating the intricate web of regional security and diplomatic challenges.

Join Dr. Ali Ansari, Professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they examine the nature of the Islamic Republic, Western misunderstandings about the regime and why engagement strategies have repeatedly failed, and the widening gap between the regime’s propagandized image of strength and the vulnerabilities revealed in recent conflicts. Drawing on recent events, including the 12-day Israeli campaign exposing profound intelligence and air-defense failures, Ansari examines the IRGC’s struggles to reconstitute its terrorist and militia proxies in the region while confronting severe financial and economic crises at home, including shortages of electricity and a growing water crisis in the capital city of Tehran. Despite these mounting pressures, Ansari reflects on Iran’s potential futures, from the emergence of new leadership to the enduring resilience of the Iranian people. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ali Ansari is a Professor of Iranian History, the Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, and a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. As a leading historian of modern Iran, Dr. Ansari combines archival research with a deep understanding of Iranian political culture and nationalism. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and President of the British Institute of Persian Studies. His books include Modern Iran since 1797 and Confronting Iran. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Join Dr. Francisco Sagasti, former President of Peru, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they discuss lessons from Sagasti's leadership, regional challenges to freedom and prosperity in Latin America, and his latest books, which explore the life and relevance of Sir Francis Bacon’s philosophy for today’s international system. Reflecting on Peru’s turbulent political landscape and its role in a new era of geopolitical competition, Sagasti shares his perspective on the recent ouster of President Dina Boluarte and his advice to the interim leadership. He explores the roots of popular discontent in Peru, the demands of citizens seeking accountable governance, and his concerns about sovereignty from an economic and cognitive warfare perspective. Despite these pressures, Sagasti discusses his continued confidence in democracy and the qualities that must be rekindled in political leadership to sustain it for future generations. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Dr. Francisco Sagasti served as President of Peru from November 2020 to July 2021. Sagasti previously served in the Peruvian Congress where he headed his party’s parliamentary caucus and chaired the Science, Technology, and Innovation Committee. He has been Head of Strategic Planning at the World Bank and President of the United Nations Council on Science and Technology.  Sagasti has taught at the Wharton School, IE Business School, and the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Sagasti is currently a professor at Pacífico Business School in Lima. He is the founder of the Peruvian think tank GRADE.  He is a prolific scholar who has authored over 25 books and hundreds of academic papers. Sagasti holds engineering degrees from the National Engineering University in Peru and Penn State University, as well as a PhD in operations research and social systems sciences from the University of Pennsylvania. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

In this engaging discussion, Justin Bassi, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and former National Security Advisor, delves into Australia's vital role in the Indo-Pacific. He highlights China's military rise as a significant threat and emphasizes the need for strategic alliances like AUKUS to counter its aggression. Bassi also touches on internal debates in Australia regarding its foreign policy and the importance of transparent discussions on security issues. Additionally, he uses rugby as a metaphor for teamwork in international alliances, showcasing the need for unity in facing global challenges.

Nando Parrado, a businessman and renowned speaker, shares his extraordinary survival story from the 1972 Andes crash. He discusses the deep bonds formed through rugby, emphasizing teamwork and brotherhood as essential for overcoming challenges. Parrado reflects on how his family’s values shaped his resilience and leadership during adversity. He also highlights the importance of real connections over digital interactions and promotes rugby as a catalyst for personal growth and community building. His inspiring insights resonate especially with the younger generation.

Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Iceland’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Special Envoy for children in Ukraine, joins H.R. McMaster to explore the U.S.-Iceland relationship and the significance of NATO. She sheds light on the plight of Ukrainian children amid the conflict, discussing trauma and accountability. The conversation touches on Iceland's role in Arctic security, its renewable energy potential for data centers, and the country’s appeal to travelers, all while emphasizing the importance of community engagement and resilience.

Petr Pavel, President of Czechia and retired army general, shares his insights on European security and transatlantic relations. He discusses the historical resilience of Czechia and its role in NATO, emphasizing the dangers of Russian aggression and the necessity of U.S. leadership. Pavel highlights the strategic responsibilities of Europe in a shifting geopolitical landscape and the importance of military collaboration. He also touches on the challenges posed by the Russia-China nexus and the need for democratic nations to unite for a secure future.