The President’s Inbox

637
Politics #142

Each episode of The President’s Inbox explores a foreign policy challenge facing the United States.

Recent Episodes
  • Climate Change Realism on Earth Day 2025, With Varun Sivaram
    Apr 22, 2025 – 37:57
  • Trump’s Plan for the Panama Canal, With Will Freeman
    Apr 15, 2025 – 31:53
  • Confronting the China Challenge, With Dmitri Alperovitch
    Apr 8, 2025 – 45:44
  • Germany's Rearmament, With Sophia Besch
    Apr 1, 2025 – 34:34
  • The New Era of Economic Warfare, With Edward Fishman
    Mar 25, 2025 – 41:18
  • Conflict in Eastern Congo, With Mvemba Dizolele
    Mar 18, 2025 – 31:54
  • U.S. Space Policy, With Nina Armagno and Jane Harman
    Mar 11, 2025 – 33:01
  • Reporting from China, With Jane Perlez
    Mar 4, 2025 – 33:09
  • Trump’s Peace Plan for Ukraine, With Liana Fix and Charles A. Kupchan
    Feb 25, 2025 – 37:05
  • Modi Meets Trump, With Tanvi Madan
    Feb 18, 2025 – 33:10
  • New Podcast Spotlight: The Interconnect
    Feb 14, 2025 – 30:27
  • A New U.S. Grand Strategy: A World in Permanent Crisis, With Robert Kaplan
    Feb 11, 2025 – 29:24
  • DeepSeek Upends AI Competition, With Adam Segal
    Feb 4, 2025 – 32:58
  • The Gaza Cease-Fire, With Steven Cook
    Jan 28, 2025 – 30:49
  • A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Eurasia Challenge, With Hal Brands
    Jan 21, 2025 – 36:00
  • Trump's Immigration Policy, with Edward Alden (Transition 2025, Episode 9)
    Jan 14, 2025 – 34:04
  • Iran Reacts to Trump’s Victory, With Ray Takeyh (Transition 2025, Episode 8)
    Jan 7, 2025 – 36:55
  • TPI Replay: The Case for Multipolar Pluralism, With Stephen Heintz
    Dec 31, 2024 – 32:06
  • TPI Replay: The Case for Liberal Realism, With Charles A. Kupchan
    Dec 24, 2024 – 37:35
  • China Reacts to Trump’s Election, With Zoe Liu (Transition 2025, Episode 7)
    Dec 17, 2024 – 34:39
  • Japan Reacts to Trump’s Victory, With Sheila Smith (Transition 2025, Episode 6)
    Dec 10, 2024 – 39:15
  • Latin America Reacts to Trump’s Election, With Will Freeman (Transition 2025, Episode 5)
    Dec 3, 2024 – 29:07
  • Europe Reacts to Trump’s Victory, With Liana Fix and Matthias Matthijs (Transition 2025, Episode 4)
    Nov 26, 2024 – 39:34
  • Trump’s National Security Appointees, With Christopher M. Tuttle (Transition 2025, Episode 3)
    Nov 19, 2024 – 31:48
  • Trump and the Middle East, With Steven A. Cook (Transition 2025, Episode 2)
    Nov 12, 2024 – 35:55
  • Staffing a New Administration, With Stephen Hadley (Transition 2025, Episode 1)
    Nov 5, 2024 – 37:37
  • The Axis of Autocracies Challenge, With Jennifer Kavanagh and Andrea Kendall-Taylor (Election 2024, Episode 7)
    Oct 29, 2024 – 49:02
  • The China Challenge, With Liza Tobin and Jake Werner (Election 2024, Episode 6)
    Oct 22, 2024 – 46:06
  • The Taiwan Challenge, With Oriana Mastro and David Sacks (Election 2024, Episode 5)
    Oct 15, 2024 – 48:46
  • The Middle East Challenge, With Steven A. Cook and Amy Hawthorne (Election 2024, Episode 4)
    Oct 8, 2024 – 48:50
  • The Trade Challenge, With Edward Alden and Ana Swanson (Election 2024, Episode 3)
    Oct 1, 2024 – 39:29
  • The Climate Challenge, With Alice Hill and Varun Sivaram (Election 2024, Episode 2)
    Sep 24, 2024 – 43:41
  • The Russia Challenge, With Liana Fix and Thomas Graham (Election 2024, Episode 1)
    Sep 17, 2024 – 40:07
  • Ronald Reagan on U.S. Global Leadership, with Max Boot
    Sep 10, 2024 – 33:39
  • A Wider Middle East War, With Steven Cook
    Sep 3, 2024 – 33:39
  • Ukraine’s Attack on Kursk, With Liana Fix
    Aug 27, 2024 – 34:48
  • A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Case for Multipolar Pluralism, With Stephen Heintz
    Aug 20, 2024 – 32:06
  • America’s China Strategy, With Rush Doshi
    Aug 13, 2024 – 37:19
  • Silicon Valley and the Future of Warfare, With Christopher Kirchhoff and Raj M. Shah
    Aug 5, 2024 – 32:57
  • A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Case for Liberal Realism, With Charles A. Kupchan
    Jul 30, 2024 – 37:35
  • A U.S.-China Cold War, With Robin Niblett
    Jul 23, 2024 – 36:18
  • The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism, With Stephen Flynn
    Jul 16, 2024 – 32:44
  • The Elections in Britain and France, With Matthias Matthijs and Daniela Schwarzer
    Jul 9, 2024 – 38:06
  • TPI Replay: The Fourth of July, With Jack Rakove
    Jul 2, 2024 – 33:29
  • The U.S. Pivot to Asia, With Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine
    Jun 25, 2024 – 37:38
  • Sudan’s Ongoing Civil War, With Michelle Gavin
    Jun 18, 2024 – 29:17
  • The Right Surges in EU Elections, With Liana Fix and Matthias Mattijs
    Jun 11, 2024 – 34:35
  • U.S. Policy in the Middle East, With Steven A. Cook
    Jun 4, 2024 – 32:35
  • Mexico’s Presidential Election, With Andrés Rozental
    May 28, 2024 – 42:34
  • America’s New Cold Wars, With David Sanger
    May 21, 2024 – 38:18
Recent Reviews
  • Unapaulita
    On China
    Absolutely wonderful episode with Dimitri!
  • This Ken
    Out of touch
    While the leftist elites were in charge with Biden administration CFR was somewhat worth listening to because they were the same idiots who were screwing things up so bad. At least they had some idea of what the Biden administration would do next. Now when they are out of power they are completely clueless.
  • Jon 802
    Usual from CFR
    Limited and Biased as usual. Analysis and perspective of the usual people that this show and most CFR podcast create fail to show actual opposing perspectives and reasons for them.
  • John Stryker03
    Informative
    Informative, neutral, insightful discussions. So hard to find unbiased media these days, I appreciate what these people do.
  • Joshua Xi
    Zoe Liu
    This person deserves a medal. From China.
  • jimhorlan
    Appointment listening
    Always an interesting discussion, with good guests and a solid host
  • another RJF
    Fool me twice, shame on me
    The PRC/CCP told Tibet in 1950, 1 country, 2 systems, and the PRC invaded Tibet anyway. Fool me once, shame on you. The UK lease of Hong Kong ended and there wasn’t much the UK could do, but the UK should not have believed the PRC/CCP when they said, 1 country, 2 systems, for Hong Kong. Fool me twice, shame on me. Maybe the PRC/CCP will wait 50yrs before telling Taiwan’s leaders’ grandchildren, 1 country, 2 systems…don’t believe them.
  • ClarkeNutcracker
    Top Shelf
    This pod is one of my go to sources for informed and in depth investigations on current topics in foreign - and occasionally domestic - affairs. I really like the Q&A format and the host (Jim Lindsay) is really a pro, guiding the discussion and topics while really getting the most from his guests. I'm just not sure how this could be better.
  • J.jiggity
    A show of real experts in a time of talking heads
    James Lindsey asks critical questions to guide bona fide experts in their respective foreign affairs fields. Much better than cable
  • K!p
    A great show and give the people more
    I love this podcast and one I look forward to listening to every week. The only thing I wish for is to make the episodes longer than 30 minutes because there is a lot of interesting information to discuss with the excellent guests the show brings on!
  • Joeynsc
    Lack of balance
    I have been listening to this podcast for a while now. I keep thinking that I will hear something from the podcast with an actual perspective not predetermined. I haven’t heard a single one without the lurch left. Half the country are right wing terrorists. Never mind that the klan were democrat enforcers
  • SJ Veneziano
    Pragmatic insight to important topics.
    I wanted to comment on how much I enjoy the podcast after discovering it on the CFR.org site. Some of the episodes helped me find ideas for papers I wrote in my International Security Studies master’s program at Arizona. As for a future topic for discussion for the show I would like to hear some expert insight on if Biden has, in some way, fallen into a sunk cost trap or fallacy over Ukraine. I recently wrote a blog post on my portfolio site about this issue, but wanted to hear the experts’ opinions. Keep up the great work!
  • Robert Rawlings
    Amazing
    My favorite non history podcast. Excellently executed by the hosts. Very informative. A great show.
  • Truthfull criticism
    Mainstream presstitutes
    I just listen to hear the mainstream trash they try to shove down our throat. Swallow the trash.
  • LogeNonDorma
    Probably the best foreign affairs podcast
    Jim Lindsay is an excellent host, always framing the right questions in a thought provoking, non-confrontational manner.
  • John520
    Great way to learn what the supervillains who run the USG think!
    Know your enemy….and no one is more of an enemy to the American people than the CFR.
  • trussvilledgc
    Liberal slant
    Love the topics, the guests are informative, and I learn a lot of information every episode that I listen too. I just wish their wasn’t such a liberal slant.
  • John McDermott
    Review
    This is the most informative podcast that I listen to. I consider myself to be a fairly sophisticated listener as I am an 84 year old retired Naval Supply Corps Officer. Your presentation is extremely competent and professional. Having said that though I do agree with the other reviewers comments about the outgo music.
  • Andieo1997
    Brilliant!
    This is the perfect choice for anyone interested in learning more about international relations! Each episode is informative and enjoyable.
  • Richnikon33
    Steven Cook relayed 0 insights on Saudi Arabia
    Jim Lindsay, almost like leading this horse to water, had to put constant leading questions to this guest who was equivocal on all his comments. Lindsay is always insightful and worth listening to - unfortunately this guest would take Not One stand on any forward positions the US and Biden administration should take with this obvious slap before the midterms. With the likely re-emergence of Netanyahu as PM - could he have told the king that this would help the republicans??
  • Spaximus
    CIA Shill-cast
    Obvious State Department and CIA propaganda.
  • leb54321
    Please stop playing music at the end
    Hey Team - you’re my favorite podcast. The interviewer and guests are of incredible quality. But please please please, stop playing that outro music while the conversation is still going on. It’s distracting and detracts from the final words of both the guest and interviewer. To be clear, the outro music is fine, but it plays too early, instead you should let the conversation fully end, and just play it at as Jim reads the credits. 5 stars if you can fix that! Keep doing great work
  • statedept1515
    Great podcast BUT
    The episode on Friday about Ukraine with Charles A. Kupchin was awful. Charles shared some of the weakest, mealy-mouthed answers and opinions that I couldn’t Believe it. I really like the host Jim but was super disappointed in the lack of pushback on almost everything.
  • Michael Greenan
    Good Info, But Please Slow Down
    I listen to these CFR podcasts to be informed about foreign affairs, and these podcasts generally are good for that. My issue with them, though, is technical. They seem to be overly edited in order to make episodes play as quickly as possible. Maybe the producers think listeners will get bored unless episodes are played at hyper-speed. But this results in information being lost due to the rapidity. I often replay sections multiple times in order to get the basic info. Please, please, slow down. If the pace of the show is at normal conversational level, I would give the podcasts five stars instead of four.
  • JJW59
    Too opinionated with no data.
    This is a global topic and the USA has stepped by dramatically reducing emissions. China is the biggest abuser so solve that behavior!
  • Littletoydrum
    Irrelevant content
    The President’s Inbox has had, from time to time, interesting material but recently it has become just ridiculous. Almost two weeks after the most significant event in foreign policy and foreign relations this year – the collapse of US supported Afghanistan government - this show decides to run an episode on… wait for it… Climate Change. Yep. No primer on US policy about Afghanistan, nothing about how the “Good War” became the “Forever War” under President Trump and how that impacted the Biden Administration, nothing on the history of US involvement in Afghanistan since 2001 or even before, nothing on British Parliament denouncing the current administration on about its evacuation of Afghanistan, nothing about Pakistan Intelligence services and its impact on Afghanistan, nothing about who the Taliban are, nothing, nothing, nothing. Instead we get “Climate Change.” Maybe I’ll tune back in when they actually talk about what’s in the President’s Inbox.
  • Marie Speaks
    Great content, so-so audio quality
    The content and information shared in this podcast is TOP NOTCH. However, the audio quality of the podcast leaves much to be desired. If you’re walking down the street without noise cancelling headphones, there’s a very real possibility that passing cars will make the podcast inaudible since the audio can be muddled and low volume. Overall, great content, but the audio quality must be improved.
  • GoFasters27
    Good when fact based, garbage when not.
    This used to be a a great show. It provided information and context to the major issues of the day facing the President. Now it is a mouthpiece for liberal agenda. I wasn’t even a Trump supporter in 2020 but the amount of focus and opinion based coverage on Trump and the “horrible republicans” has gotten sickening. If I wanted to listen to biased dribble I would tune into CNN or FOXNews. You’re no longer better than either of those two pandering excuses for news coverage.
  • /r:b:
    Great interviewees and interviewer
    You'll often learn much more about topics from these experts than journalists' articles. And the interviewer is excellent.
  • 357830444
    Space policy
    Can you guys do a show about international space policy? There are a lot of topics. The international space station was jointly built with Russia, which will be retiring soon. But there is not a clear direction next, and relationships have been strained. China space exploration has increased dramatically. For example with their recent mission to bring lunar soil back to the earth; however US policy prohibits them sharing with with NASA. The Trump administration redirecting NASA to return to the moon, and the standing up of the space force. That’s just a sample.
  • jim fits pat
    Biden in box
    Just listened to the podcast. The host mentioned that Harris is part Indian and that should give us a leg up. You have got to be kidding me. I can’t believe he made that comment. Given the complications of foreign affairs with India you actually believe all it takes is to have a vice-president with India heritage. Wow. I lost a lot of respect. You guys sound good, but that’s about it.
  • Niemits
    Just Ok
    Mostly liberal slant
  • BGreig3
    Council on Anti-USA and Anti-Trump Rants
    Council on Anti-USA and Anti-Trump Rants As someone who has traveled throughout the USA and the world, I don’t recognize the USA you pretend to present. We don’t need your tired old globalist rants. Wake-up, the world has changed and we are not going back to your failed ideas. You act like a mouthpiece for the CCP and DNC. Please add balanced perspective to your discourse. You are careening left in a country and world that are centrist-right.
  • kat08080808
    I love this podcast
    I wish our current President wild listen to this so he’d at least be informed on some level. I love this podcast!
  • J.Sweeney
    Excellent analysis
    Very thoughtful and nonpartisan analysis. Extremely interesting
  • New Israel
    1st Show
    I just finished the show on unorganized US terrorism and thought it was great. Look forward to more of this Podcast.
  • SHCVMI
    Please add show notes
    Fantastic analysis for people interested in international relations. But can you add show notes with references, mentions, and reading recommendations from the episode?
  • Truepadsfan
    Sound Quality
    It’s really good and informative. But sound quality is bad. You will have a hard time hearing what they’re talking about.
  • Rrfrakes
    In depth analysis + nose whistle.
    This podcast takes what would normally be a 5 minute part of "the world next week" podcast and elaborated upon. Ideas and issues presented are fully discussed. Good show. Minus one star for audible nose-whistle.
  • Toledo4563
    Tough to Beat This
    So nice to hear measured, informed debate. If I had to recommend one podcast to listen to about foreign policy related issues, this would be it.
  • RDMD2
    The President’s Inbox
    Always an excellent debate! I always enjoy and find this podcast very informative.
  • Hawaii Redhead
    One of the best podcasts. Period.
    Always thoughtful. Some episodes do a deep dive into specific issues and others take a more bird’s-eye approach of the structural issues of the international order. But whether it’s micro or macro, the podcast’s hosts do a great job of asking probing questions of their expert guests. Even if you disagree with a guest’s point of view, you will hear the best articulation if that view.
  • TexasGooner6
    Must listen for those interested
    The podcast delves into critical subject matter in a thoughtful and interesting manner. Wish it was an hour!
  • JThomson453
    Wonderful
    Wonderful and informative discussion on world events. I love that this podcast discusses the ISSUE at hand and not what trump is doing. Provided amazing context, background information, and understanding for world events without discussing the idiocy of the trump administration
  • Leebv
    Tried and tried to give this a chance, but too biased.
    Does not appeal to all listeners due to underlying political bias.
  • 1stMonthFree
    Brilliant and Unbiased
    Look forward to this podcast every week. I appreciate every expert that has come onto the podcast and every episode is a great learning experience.
  • biggerdoofis
    Great Discussion on March 13, 2018
    March 13, 2018 discussion was prescient and engaging. I wish all of the administration's reorganizations were relevant to this podcast. Fantastic listen. Love all the CSR topics, however :-) Thank you!!
  • nuvigilante
    Great but Quiet
    I look forward to this podcast every week, as the other reviewers have said, it's interesting, unbaised (but realistic), and Mr. Lindsay is a great host. I had to take off 1 star because it's so quiet! Sometimes I have to turn the volume to max and still can barely hear what our host is saying.
  • Jdhgsgsvsv
    Excellent
    A consistently excellent series narrated lucidly by experts. Among the best podcasts, eagerly awaited each week. The only downside is the number of books I end up buying because of it.
  • PodMaan
    Consistently excellent
    This is the fnest podcast out there for the topic. Consistently substantive and smart. Listen to The World Next Week by them too. Same quality. Thank you.
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