Join Senior Fellow Michael Doran, director of Hudson’s Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, for an event with Bernard Haykel, a new Hudson senior fellow and a leading authority on Saudi Arabia’s political, societal, and religious landscape. They will discuss Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for the kingdom, including his ambitious social and economic reforms. The event will also address the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Gulf region, the persistent challenge Iran po...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 670
On a near-daily basis, Chinese forces encircle Taiwan, interfere with Philippine fishing and shipping, and intrude on Japan’s territory. China’s leaders regularly threaten these United States allies with further escalation—including invasion—if they do not yield to Beijing’s demands. Fortunately, the new administration has made protecting US allies from China its top defense priority. But to do so while also seeking to rein in defense spending, the US will need to use emerging technologies and t...
Apr 11, 2025•58 min•Ep. 668
In his new book On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization , journalist Douglas Murray examines the historical and ideological motivations that underpin the latest global wave of antisemitic violence. Using accounts of both survivors and perpetrators of the October 7 massacre, he pieces together the true story of those atrocities and their aftermath. He draws a clear distinction between Israel’s commitment to individual rights and democracy and Hamas’s glorification of...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 667
Stephen Miran, chairman of President Donald Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers, will provide remarks at Hudson Institute and join Senior Fellow Thomas Duesterberg for a conversation on the administration’s economic agenda and the outlook for America’s trade partners. Chairman Miran will also discuss the intersection of trade and national security and global public goods provided by the United States.
Apr 07, 2025•53 min•Ep. 666
Join Hudson for a discussion on European Union and United Kingdom competition and regulatory authorities’ increasing focus on digital platforms. Topics will include: The features of digital platforms that have attracted competition law and regulatory scrutiny Reform initiatives including the UK Digital Markets Unit, and European Commission’s Digital Markets Act, and antitrust probes into big tech Emerging challenges for defining and regulating digital platforms Policy interventions relating to d...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 664
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum faces a formidable set of challenges with enormous stakes for the country. New American tariffs signal a turning point in supply chain integration with the United States and will disrupt Mexico’s most productive economic sectors. And although Sheinbaum has taken a stronger approach to organized crime by extraditing cartel leaders, increasing arrests, and seizing more fentanyl, the recent discovery of a mass grave of cartel victims underscores the country’s rul...
Apr 04, 2025•59 min•Ep. 665
The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most sensitive and strategic regions. It overlooks vital shipping lanes that connect Asia and Europe, shares a maritime border with the Middle East, and has thousands of miles of Indian Ocean coastline. The region is also home to Africa’s second most populous country, Ethiopia; one of the continent’s most important ports, Djibouti; and Chinese, American, and other military bases. But the Horn’s deep political tensions and history of conflict make it diffi...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 663
Join Hudson’s Mario Mancuso, William Chou, and Thomas Duesterberg for a discussion about the Trump administration’s recently announced America First Investment Policy. The event will explore the new policy through the lens of strategic competition between the United States and China, US alliance politics, and broader political economy considerations.
Apr 02, 2025•54 min•Ep. 662
The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most sensitive and strategic regions. It overlooks vital shipping lanes that connect Asia and Europe, shares a maritime border with the Middle East, and has thousands of miles of Indian Ocean coastline. The region is also home to Africa’s second most populous country, Ethiopia; one of the continent’s most important ports, Djibouti; and Chinese, American, and other military bases. But the Horn’s deep political tensions and history of conflict make it diffi...
Apr 01, 2025•54 min•Ep. 661
Drones’ prominent role in the Russia-Ukraine War and air strikes across the Middle East have demonstrated that the future of warfare will be automated. Despite being the first to field robotic systems, the United States military has been slow to embrace autonomous capabilities at scale or take operators out of the decision-making loop. The Department of Defense’s hesitance is due, in part, to legitimate concerns about the reliability of automated capabilities. But adversaries like China or Russi...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 660
The next four years will be critical for American industrial policy as Washington seeks to strengthen its position in global semiconductor fabrication. Building on the Trump administration’s efforts to reshore semiconductor design and manufacturing, policymakers and industry professionals will need to collaborate on a comprehensive plan to foster a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the United States. Senior Fellow Jason Hsu will moderate a discussion with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Compa...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 659
The integration of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) with Virginia -class nuclear-powered submarines is transforming undersea warfare. This breakthrough enhances autonomous launch and recovery, extends stealth and survivability, and strengthens electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in even the most complex undersea environments. Join Hudson Institute’s Bryan Clark for a panel discussion on how crewed-uncrewed teaming and advanced electronic warf...
Mar 28, 2025•56 min•Ep. 657
The United States Department of Defense is unlikely to get the sustained funding required to achieve its desired scale and capabilities. Therefore, maintaining costs will be a central challenge for the department. Norm Augustine warned several decades ago about the punishing increases in platform costs, and operating costs have continued to climb. What capital and operational strategies should the department consider? To what extent should the DoD be concerned about deferred costs like veterans’...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 658
The Indo-Pacific appears to be a key area of focus for the Trump administration. Members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue—which is known as the Quad and includes the United States, Australia, Japan, and India—have received particular attention. The Japanese and Indian prime ministers were among the first foreign leaders to meet with President Donald Trump. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first major diplomatic engagement was a foreign ministers’ summit with his Japanese, Indian, and A...
Mar 27, 2025•48 min•Ep. 657
Ukrainian Member of Parliament Oleksii Goncharenko joins Hudson’s Luke Coffey for a conversation on the current state of United States–Ukraine relations, ongoing peace negotiations, and why Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty matters to both the US and Europe. Goncharenko will discuss the war, the many risks and opportunities of peace talks with Russia, and how continued Western support is vital to ensuring a just and lasting peace in Europe’s most consequential conflict since World War II.
Mar 26, 2025•27 min•Ep. 656
As democracies with open media ecosystems, the United States and Japan face the constant challenge of information uncertainty. Bad actors, including those associated with nation-states, constantly seek to undermine the two nations’ civil societies by spreading disinformation on social media, as well as traditional media and other outlets. Join Hudson for an expert discussion on how the US and Japan approach the threat of information uncertainty and foreign influence.
Mar 21, 2025•54 min•Ep. 655
The Middle East is undergoing a dramatic shift. The Assad regime in Syria has fallen, Iran’s proxies are vanishing, and Turkey is expanding its regional influence. Meanwhile, the Trump administration may withdraw United States forces from the region. Washington’s next move will be critical. Senior Fellows Michael Doran and Can Kasapoğlu will discuss the evolving situation, what is next for Syria, and the future of US foreign policy in the region with Research Fellow Zineb Riboua.
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 654
Ecuador, once among the most peaceful countries in Latin America, faces an existential threat from an array of criminal groups. These organizations have committed unprecedented violence, infiltrated political structures, and challenged the government’s authority. Meanwhile, the country is going through an economic contraction and an energy crisis triggered by severe drought. In a repeat of snap presidential elections held in 2023, Ecuadorians will vote on April 13 in a runoff pitting incumbent D...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 653
When President Donald Trump hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February, the two leaders committed to doubling bilateral trade, deepening their defense partnership, and furthering their cooperation in critical technologies. With shared democratic principles and deeply rooted people-to-people ties, the United States and India are committed to advancing global prosperity and security in the twenty-first century. Please join Hudson’s Dr. Aparna Pande and Dr. Ashley Tellis, Tata Chair on Strateg...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 652
The West’s attempted transition away from fossil fuels has given its adversaries an advantage. China dominates much of the green energy sector, and Russia continues to fund its war against Ukraine with oil and natural gas profits. Meanwhile, Iran has capitalized on this shift by using its oil revenues to bolster its regional influence, fund proxy militias, and strengthen ties with both Russia and China. The Trump administration has begun to reverse the energy policies that created this dangerous...
Mar 12, 2025•40 min•Ep. 651
As Iran’s regime tightens its grip at home, it is also strengthening its anti-Western alliance with China and Russia. But with President Donald Trump back in the White House, Tehran will likely face maximum pressure sanctions and increased strikes on its proxies. With simmering domestic unrest and escalating regional tensions, where does Iran go from here? Join Zineb Riboua, research fellow and program manager at Hudson’s Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, for a conversation with ...
Mar 11, 2025•59 min•Ep. 651
The Sahel is quickly becoming an important battleground in a high-stakes geopolitical contest—and Russia is making bold moves. From military entanglements to economic footholds and disinformation campaigns, Moscow’s expanding influence is upending old alliances and forcing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Western governments to rethink their strategies. Join Research Fellow Zineb Riboua as she interviews Mali-based expert Ulf Laessing, director of the Regional Sahel Program at the Konr...
Mar 11, 2025•38 min•Ep. 651
Since Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election, which opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia won decisively, Nicolás Maduro’s regime has defied the will of the people and intensified its campaign of repression and terror. Over 1,600 political prisoners remain behind bars, while opposition leaders have been forced into hiding or exile. Despite international condemnation, Maduro had himself inaugurated for a third term in January. Under Maduro, Venezuela has transformed into a crimi...
Mar 11, 2025•42 min•Ep. 651
The past two weeks of United States–European relations have seen a flurry of activity, beginning with the visit of a US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, to the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris and the Munich Security Conference. As the Trump administration lays out its next steps, join Hudson for an event with Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and vice president of the European Commission. She will join Senior F...
Feb 28, 2025•45 min•Ep. 649
Major General Joseph Kunkel, the Air Force’s director for force design, integration, and wargaming, will discuss why the Air Force needs to rapidly evolve its capabilities and how it can generate, in the near-term and beyond, combat-effective, agile, and adaptive airpower at scale. Major General Kunkel will join Hudson Institute Senior Fellows Dan Patt and Timothy A. Walton for a fireside chat. Major General Kunkel will then take questions from the audience.
Feb 27, 2025•58 min•Ep. 649
The Chinese Communist Party’s economic warfare has granted it tremendous influence in American society, industry, and even government. Never was this more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic, when those who questioned the CCP’s conduct around the virus—and potential role in creating it—faced accusations of hysteria, xenophobia, and fearmongering. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) was one such voice. In his new book Seven Things You Can’t Say about China , he examines how the CCP threatens America...
Feb 27, 2025•50 min•Ep. 649
Israel faces mounting challenges on multiple fronts in an increasingly complex security environment. The Trump administration’s postwar plan for Gaza has sparked debate over Israel’s long-term strategy, while instability in Syria continues to threaten regional security. Meanwhile, Washington’s evolving approach to the Middle East raises key questions about the future of the United States’ relations with Israel and the region more broadly. Hudson Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East D...
Feb 24, 2025•46 min•Ep. 648
For decades, the United States has sought to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons among friends and foes alike. But this goal may be at risk. Adversaries like China, Russia, and North Korea pose an increased threat, leading US allies to question America’s security guarantees. In particular, South Korea appears to doubt the credibility of US extended deterrence. Seoul has sought to strengthen deterrence and even weighed the benefits of acquiring its own nuclear weapons. To promote nonproliferati...
Feb 24, 2025•34 min•Ep. 647
The United States Navy faces challenges across many of its shipbuilding programs. Thanks to numerous causes, some programs are years behind schedule. At the same time, China is building up its fleet and intensifying threats against US allies. The chief of naval operations and other Pentagon leaders are concerned that Beijing may be preparing to move against Taiwan in the next two years. While the US may be unable to surge production of existing ships by that time, the Navy could increase the num...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 646
The debate over what constitutes democratic and acceptable governance in the twenty-first century European Union continues regarding several member states, including Poland. The governing center-left Citizens Coalition, led by the Civic Platform party and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, charges the right-of-center Law and Justice party with violations against democracy, the rule of law, and media freedom. Law and Justice, led by former PM Jaroslaw Kaczynski, denies these charges and accuses the curr...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 645
