Foreign Policy Live

Elbridge Colby, U.S. undersecretary of war for policy and architect of recent defense strategies, outlines NATO 3.0 and urges Europe to shoulder conventional defense while the U.S. sustains nuclear deterrence. He explains shifting U.S. focus to the Indo-Pacific, deterrence in the first island chain, and the need for allied burden-sharing and planning for concurrent crises.

Thom Tillis, U.S. senator and free-trade conservative, critiques tariff advisers and defends fair trade. Lars Klingbeil, German vice chancellor and finance minister, urges European sovereignty and outreach to the Global South. Alexander Stubb, Finland’s president and pro-multilateralist, pushes European cooperation and values-based realism. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO chief and former finance minister, discusses WTO resilience and the need for reform.

Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow and Iran analyst at the Carnegie Endowment, joins to break down Tehran’s strategic posture. He weighs the likelihood of U.S. military action. He maps Iran’s missile and regional retaliation risks. He discusses succession, why the regime projects strength, and what might actually trigger its collapse.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece’s prime minister since 2019 known for pushing stronger European defense and close US ties. He discusses NATO and the changing European defense strategy. He talks about financing collective defense, managing tensions with Turkey, migration policy, and Greece’s role as an energy hub. He outlines Europe’s push for strategic autonomy while maintaining trans-Atlantic links.

Heather A. Conley, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Arctic policy expert, explains why Greenland matters for sea lanes, missile warning and submarine surveillance. She contrasts Russian military moves and China’s dual-use Arctic presence. She outlines U.S. policy gaps, the role of allies and NATO, and the long timelines for Arctic resources and infrastructure.

Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Arabia's minister of industry and mineral resources, discusses the kingdom's strategy to diversify its economy through mining. Jonathan Price of Teck Resources highlights the impending copper supply gap due to rising demand from electrification. Jack Hidary from SandboxAQ reveals how AI and quantum computing can innovate material science and reduce supply chain reliance. Boitumelo Mosako emphasizes the need for regional collaboration in Southern Africa to maximize mineral benefits and advocate for beneficiation.

Ian Bremmer, President of Eurasia Group and renowned geopolitical analyst, discusses the motivations behind Trump's second term foreign policy, emphasizing the 'law of the jungle' and a focus on power. He highlights Trump's preference for limited military interventions rather than regime change, assessed through his dealings with countries like Iran and Venezuela. Bremmer also analyzes how vulnerable nations are adapting to manage U.S. pressures and the future of U.S. congressional oversight amidst growing global challenges.

Matthew Kroenig, a Foreign Policy columnist and senior director at the Scowcroft Center, argues that Trump's removal of Maduro in Venezuela was a justified move due to security threats and Venezuelan suffering. He outlines a cautionary transition plan to stabilize the country without repeating past mistakes like Iraq and Afghanistan. Kroenig also discusses how changes in Venezuela could affect Cuba and emphasizes the strategic importance of U.S. national security efforts in the region. Lastly, they touch on Iran's protests and the risks involved in U.S. intervention.

Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group and a veteran in conflict resolution, explores pivotal global issues. She analyzes potential shifts in Venezuela following Nicolás Maduro's capture, debating the implications for democracy and U.S. foreign policy. Ero also discusses rising global conflicts, from Sudan's humanitarian crisis to the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. With a focus on the U.S.-China dynamic, she offers insights on how global powers interpret American actions and the risks of regional instability.

Peter Baker, Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, shares his insights on the pivotal year of 2026. He discusses how Trump will likely leverage the 250th anniversary of the U.S. to enhance his public image while navigating the politics of immigration and travel bans tied to the World Cup. Baker highlights the impact of midterm elections on governmental oversight, the dynamics of Republican leadership post-Trump, and the evolving global approach to U.S. foreign policy under a potentially renewed Trump administration.