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Artwork for Pivotal States
United States
China
Trump Administration
Venezuela
Iran
U.S. Foreign Policy
Russia
Taiwan
Middle East
NATO
Nicolás Maduro
Greenland
Sanctions
Nuclear Program
Oil Market
Latin America
U.s.-European Relations
Western Hemisphere
North Korea
Israel

In a fragmented and transactional world, the United States faces a host of challenges. To meet the moment, Washington needs new habits of statecraft, the courage to make difficult trade-offs, and the wisdom to work with a diverse array of global partners. The American Statecraft’s Pivotal States podcast series focuses on key nations that present strategic challenges and opportunities for the Unite... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes27Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Pivotal States

Latest Episodes

President Trump entered office promising a historic breakthrough with Iran. Instead, the United States finds itself in a costly war with no clear end in sight. Despite moments of optimism for diplomacy, fighting persists, raising difficult questions ... more

For decades, the U.S.-Israel relationship has been one of the closest partnerships in American foreign policy. Today, that relationship is under immense strain. Israel's brutal response to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack and the costs of the war... more

YouTube

For decades, U.S. policy toward North Korea has been organized around a single objective: denuclearization. Yet despite sanctions, diplomatic initiatives, and pressure campaigns, Pyongyang has continued to expand its nuclear arsenal while deepening i... more

YouTube

Germany is the key power in Europe today. The future of the continent—and America's relations with it—will hinge on decisions made in Berlin. Yet the relationship is under mounting strain amid the war with Iran, President Trump's claims on Greenland,... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Matt Duss
Executive Director of the Center for International Policy
Center for International Policy
Episode: Is America Ready to Reset Ties with Israel?
Aaron David Miller
Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Episode: Is America Ready to Reset Ties with Israel?
Victor Cha
A longtime scholar, practitioner, and leading expert on North Korea
Georgetown University (and related policy circles)
Episode: Is America's North Korea Policy Out of Touch with Reality?
Sophia Besch
Senior fellow in the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Episode: Do U.S.-German Relations Have a Future?
Jessica Chen Weiss
David Lampton Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS
Johns Hopkins University SAIS
Episode: Should Americans Fear China's Dominance?
Michael Bustamante
Associate professor of Cuban and Cuban-American studies, University of Miami
University of Miami
Episode: What Does the United States Want From Cuba?
Oliver Stuenkel
Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment and Professor of International Relations at Fundação Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Episode: Does Trump Understand America's Real Interests in Venezuela?
Colin Kahl
Professor at Stanford University and former policy chief at the Pentagon during the Biden administration
Stanford University
Episode: Peril and Promise in the U.S.–China AI Race
Tom Wright
Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning on President Biden's National Security Council and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
Episode: Hard Limits: Testing U.S. Power in Ukraine

Hosts

Chris Chivvis
Host with leadership in foreign policy analysis and statecraft programs; affiliated with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Eli Ratner
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs; brings defense strategy and alliance perspectives.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 47 ratings
  • Best Think Tank Podcast Ever Produced

    This is the best podcast that any think tank has ever produced. It does an amazing job of exploring a complex set of issues through skilled storytelling. The guests are all compelling and the show itself is easy to listen to

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bfeldman916
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent

    Well crafted overview of corruption in democracies, including interesting historical references, interviews, and case studies.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Km_anders
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality production and rigorous discussion of tough foreign policy questions.
A think-tank quality podcast that makes complex geopolitics accessible.
Thoughtful, policy-rich conversations with credible guests.
Impressive guest lineup and nuanced analysis that's useful for sponsors and guests alike.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#95
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#215
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#242
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#162
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#4
Mexico/Government
Apple Podcasts
#14
Singapore/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Do U.S.-German Relations Have a Future?
Q: How optimistic are you that the US and Germany can construct a constructive relationship in the absence of the old trust?
It's possible to build a constructive relationship based on clearly stated interests and bargaining rather than blind trust, though trust in the past cannot be fully recovered.
What Does the United States Want From Cuba?
Q: Can you summarize the main strategic options the United States has toward Cuba?
The options range from a radical Obama-style open normalization with broad embargo relief, to a maximum-pressure approach that could involve threats or even military options, with a middle path resembling Biden's cautious engagement but with ongoing pressure. Each option has trade-offs between humanitarian impact, credibility, and potential political change inside Cuba.
Does Trump Understand America's Real Interests in Venezuela?
Q: What kind of conversations are going on in Latin American capitals right now regarding Trump's actions in Venezuela?
Discussions reveal a polarization in views, where right-wing leaders celebrate U.S. intervention while left-wing leaders express concerns, reflecting on the historical context of U.S. involvement in the region.
Does Trump Understand America's Real Interests in Venezuela?
Q: How should we conceptualize the importance of Venezuela in terms of America's role in the world, America's role in the region?
Oliver explained that Venezuela is significant due to its large oil reserves, migration issues, and its unique political dynamics, which influence U.S. foreign policy and regional stability.
Does Trump Understand America's Real Interests in Venezuela?
Q: How did you feel when you woke up on Saturday morning and heard the news about the operation that had taken place overnight?
Oliver expressed mixed feelings, celebrating the end of the Maduro regime while also feeling unsettled about the way it happened, reflecting on Venezuela's capacity for domestic change versus external intervention.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pivotal States

What is Pivotal States about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A globally focused foreign policy deep-dive that centers on U.S. statecraft, alliances, and strategic competition. Conversations weave together practical policy options, geopolitical risk, and the politics shaping Washington and partner capitals, with frequent attention to the Middle East, Europe, North Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. Notable strengths include rigorous guest lineups drawn from think tanks, universities, and government, plus a clear emphasis on bipartisan realism, risk assessment, and long-range strategy. The show often features nuanced takes from senior policymakers and senior scholars, making it a valuable resource for listeners who want actionable insight into how U.S. policy is formed and contested on the world stage.

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Which podcasts are similar to Pivotal States?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pivotal States:

1. The World Unpacked
2. Carnegie Connects
3. Russian Roulette
4. The President’s Inbox
5. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes

How many episodes of Pivotal States are there?

Pivotal States launched 3 years ago and published 27 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Pivotal States?

Recent guests on Pivotal States include:

1. Matt Duss
2. Aaron David Miller
3. Victor Cha
4. Sophia Besch
5. Jessica Chen Weiss
6. Michael Bustamante
7. Oliver Stuenkel
8. Colin Kahl

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