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The President’s Inbox

Council on Foreign Relations
China
United States
Russia
Iran
Artificial Intelligence
Ukraine
NATO
Israel
Donald Trump
Council On Foreign Relations
Middle East
Climate Change
Taiwan
Hamas
US Foreign Policy
Cold War
U.s.-China Relations
Foreign Policy
U.S. Military
Trump Administration

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes102Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for The President’s Inbox

Latest Episodes

This episode unpacks unsettling parallels between today’s increasingly multipolar world and geopolitical conditions on the eve of World War I, and reviews lessons from history about the cost of great-power war.

Host:

James M. Lindsay, Mary and Davi... more

YouTube

This episode surveys the foreign policy stakes of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, from the Iran war and gas prices to tariffs, Ukraine, and Israel.

Host:

James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CF... more

YouTube

This episode unpacks America’s strategic stalemate with Iran, Trump’s post-midterm options, and how Tehran and the Gulf see the war.

Host:

James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR

Guests:

Cole... more

YouTube

This episode unpacks the ongoing threat of influence and interference operations posed by Russia, China, and Iran as the 2026 U.S. midterm elections approach.

Host:

James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Hannah Hartig
Senior researcher studying U.S. political attitudes and voting behavior
Pew Research Center
Episode: Foreign Policy and the 2026 Midterms
Jessica Huseman
Editorial director at Votebeat and former ProPublica lead elections reporter
Votebeat
Episode: Foreign Policy and the 2026 Midterms
Cole Bucy
Former CIA analyst and former director for Iran at the National Security Council
National Security Council
Episode: The Iran War and the Midterms
Nate Swanson
Director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council and former member of the Trump administration's Iran negotiating team
Atlantic Council
Episode: The Iran War and the Midterms
Jessica Brandt
Senior Fellow for Technology and National Security at the Council on Foreign Relations; former Director of the Foreign Malign Influence Center at ODNI
Council on Foreign Relations; Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Episode: Will There Be Meddling in the Midterms?
Eliot Cohen
Author of The Strategist, Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at CSIS
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: The Seven Questions Every Military Strategist Must Ask
Julian Gewirtz
Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs
Columbia University
Episode: Trump Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Xi
Bonny Lin
Director of the China Power Project and Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; former Pentagon official
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: Trump Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Xi
Rohinton Medhora
Professor of Practice at McGill University; distinguished fellow at CIGI
McGill University; Center for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Episode: Elbows Up: How Canada Is Fighting Trump’s Tariffs

Host

Jim Lindsay
Host of The President's Inbox

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • The logic of Bill Brands

    For Bill Brands to argue that the US historically is not an imperial power is absurd and disingenuous. And he actually argues that US imperialism in the Philippines was actually less severe than other imperialisms? How brutal does a military campaign have to become, like the one the US waged against the Philippine resistance, before we condemn it as inhumane and barbaric? According to Bill Brands logic, US imperialism is also US exceptionalism.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Len Bussanich
    United States6 months ago
  • Poor man Graham

    Thomas Graham must not understand finance. Iran comes out stronger financially from this conflict, enhancing Russia’s position geopolitically. Like many things Trump there was no consultation, but a Russian ally beating the USA strengthens Russia, not “at their expense,” either. The administration has taken the Russian interest into account and acted accordingly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WilderLander
    United States7 months ago
  • Outdated

    Disappointingly, these programmes feature relics from the postwar consensus period, figures still living in the past, incapable of change – approaches that could have been filmed in black and white. Their ideas are stale and simplistic; their thinking persists in a state of rigor mortis; and their philosophy has collectively been marked more by its failures than its successes.

    To take but one example, for people in this secular CFR church NATO is an article of faith—never mind that its benefit... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • I Love It

    I am a longtime listener and enjoy this podcast above most others. Dr. Lindsey is the sole reason why; his rigor and sober approach are very much appreciated. When Dr. Lindsay left The World Next Week, that podcast suffered tremendously and soon thereafter failed. I wish that we could have kept him on both podcasts, but I do sincerely hope that we get to enjoy the President’s Inbox with Dr. Lindsay for a long time to come. I do miss hearing from Shannon K. O’Neil, if you take requests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJG179
    United States7 months ago
  • Jim’s fantastic. Please consider bringing back the World Next Week.

    The world next week by CFR was my favourite podcast. Unfortunately. it was canceled. I still love to hear Jim on this podcast, but I wish he had more opportunities to participate in the conversation instead of purely interviewing. It would be nice to hear more of his insights.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    _Selina__
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critiques often target perceived bias or balance in guest selection.
Some listeners perceive bias or advocacy in coverage, depending on the topic.
Guests are consistently expert and insightful, guiding nuanced discussions.
Host questions are precise, keeping conversations focused on policy implications.
Fans appreciate rigor and practical takeaways for policy and strategy.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#138
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#144
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#231
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#156
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#197
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#226
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Foreign Policy and the 2026 Midterms
Q: When you talk to state and local election officials, are they expressing any concerns that that risk is going up?
Huseman says election officials are not expressing concern about foreign actors disrupting vote tabulation at scale. She points to more secure voter-registration systems, stronger access controls, and established chain-of-custody procedures.
Foreign Policy and the 2026 Midterms
Q: How would you describe the mood of the American electorate on the eve of Election Day?
Hartig says the mood is sour: Americans view the economy poorly, believe the country is on the wrong track, and Donald Trump's approval is at its lowest point since taking office.
The Iran War and the Midterms
Q: What is your advice for this White House?
Swanson argues that ending the war should be the priority and suggests a negotiated arrangement, potentially facilitated by Gulf countries, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and stop attacks on ships. Bucy adds that if the United States is not willing to bear the costs of removing Iran's government, it should seek its essential objectives and rebuild deterrence.
The Iran War and the Midterms
Q: If you were asked, Cole, to give a situation report, a sit rep on the war with Iran, where would you say we are?
Bucy says the United States has been strategically stuck for months between escalating, negotiating, and trying to outlast Iran through economic pressure. The blockade has constrained Iran, but keeping the Strait of Hormuz partly open consumes substantial U.S. military resources.
Will There Be Meddling in the Midterms?
Q: How have the main actors evolved in their tactics over time?
Russia, China, and Iran started with more overt tactics like troll farms and hacks; over time they've shifted toward more covert, domestically framed content and targeted campaigns to avoid detection, including leveraging AI and proximately local narratives.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The President’s Inbox

What is The President’s Inbox about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program focuses on U.S. foreign policy challenges and global affairs, with in-depth interviews and timely analysis from policy experts, diplomats, and scholars. Episodes span topics like U.S. sanctions, great-power competition, global health, and historical lessons in diplomacy, often weaving in on-the-ground reporting, regulatory perspectives, and strategic implications for policymakers and business leaders. A standout feature is its emphasis on balancing power with values, anchored by a steady, seasoned host who guides conversations with precise questions and solid guests from prestigious think tanks and academia. Listeners are likely professionals in policy, national security, and international business seeking rigorous, evidence-ba... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The President’s Inbox?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The President’s Inbox:

1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. Foreign Policy Live
3. Why It Matters
4. Net Assessment
5. Pekingology

How many episodes of The President’s Inbox are there?

The President’s Inbox launched 10 years ago and published 102 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 The President’s Inbox?

Recent guests on The President’s Inbox include:

1. Hannah Hartig
2. Jessica Huseman
3. Cole Bucy
4. Nate Swanson
5. Jessica Brandt
6. Eliot Cohen
7. Julian Gewirtz
8. Bonny Lin

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