GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Rahm Emanuel, former congressman, Obama chief of staff, Chicago mayor and ambassador, brings decades of public service perspective. He argues the Iran conflict is a presidential choice and examines US isolation from allies. He warns about China watching American dysfunction and discusses how domestic politics complicate foreign policy and rebuilding allied trust.

Thomas Wright, Brookings foreign policy expert and former NSC senior director, breaks down the widening war in Iran. He maps competing U.S., Israeli, and Iranian endgames. He explores risks of fragmenting Iran, regional spillovers, and how global powers and cutting-edge tech like AI factor into the conflict’s trajectory.

Scott Lincicome, a trade policy expert from the Cato Institute, and Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize–winning economist and NYT columnist, debate the fallout from recent tariff rulings. They discuss legal challenges and potential huge refund claims. They dissect how tariff politics clash with consumer behavior and what this means for U.S. trade, business strategy, and upcoming midterm political dynamics.

Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow and Iran specialist at the Carnegie Endowment, offers a compact portrait of Tehran’s moment of peril. He walks through leadership uncertainty and why many insiders wait for Khamenei’s passing. He discusses Iran’s diplomatic isolation, deep but fraught ties to China, and the regional dynamics that shape potential conflict.

Michael Froman, former U.S. Trade Representative and current CFR president, offers sharp expertise on trade and diplomacy. He discusses how a power-first U.S. approach is reshaping global order. Short takes cover allies hedging, tariffs used without restraint, Europe’s need to scale defense and innovation, and shifting U.S.-China dynamics.

Brian Cute, interim CEO at the Global Cyber Alliance, builds practical cyber toolkits for small firms. Shamina Singh, founder of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, drives digital and financial inclusion for small businesses. They discuss phishing, ransomware, QR-code sticker scams and AI-driven deepfakes. They explore localized toolkits, training, supply-chain ripple effects and scalable public-private defenses.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore and seasoned policymaker, discusses how a small city-state navigates radical global uncertainty. He talks about coalition-building beyond single powers. He explores AI governance, risks, and Singapore’s role as a neutral convener. He outlines lifelong learning and public-private strategies to future-proof the workforce.

Alexander Stubb, President of Finland and seasoned European statesman, discusses Arctic security, NATO strategy, and the war in Ukraine. Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director, talks about surprising global economic resilience, AI-driven productivity, and the case for independent central banks. Fast-paced Davos conversations on transatlantic ties, European unity, and policy tools shaping global stability.

Stephen Walt, a Harvard International Affairs Professor, delves into the evolving dynamics of Trump's second term. He discusses the rapid shifts in global politics, emphasizing Trump's aggressive stance on foreign policy and preference for short, impactful military actions. Walt analyzes Trump's differing approaches to Ukraine and Russia, and the concept of 'predatory hegemony.' He warns that U.S. actions may lead allies to diversify their partnerships and highlights potential domestic and global backlash against U.S. unilateralism.

Ruben Gallego, a U.S. Senator and former Marine, shares insights on the political landscape following Nicolás Maduro's capture, expressing concerns about the lack of a clear strategy from the White House. He advocates for a sustainable approach to Venezuela's future, emphasizing the need for elections and economic reforms. Joining him, Frank Fukuyama, a renowned political scientist, warns that eliminating Maduro does not resolve deeper systemic issues. He underscores the risks of U.S. involvement and the need for careful planning to avoid mission creep in the region.