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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 the potential purposes and implications of CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s recent surprise trip to Moscow.

Host:

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

Guest:

Stephen Sest... more

YouTube

This episode unpacks the current state of the U.S.-Iran conflict, broader dynamics in the Middle East, and the shifting U.S. role in the region.

Host:

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

G... more

YouTube

This episode unpacks reporting that U.S. munitions stockpiles are dangerously low and lays out the consequences of the shortage both for Washington’s ongoing war with Iran, and for its deterrence of adversaries.

Host:

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

YouTube

This episode unpacks how the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign is accelerating Cuba's economic collapse and what a firsthand trip to the country reveals about life amidst the crisis.

Host:

James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Disti... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Will Freeman
Fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Maximum Pressure on Cuba, With Will Freeman
Sadanand Dhume
Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: U.S.-India Relations Under Stress, With Sadanand Dhume
Alvin Wang Graylin
Senior Fellow for Technology at the Asia Society; Digital Fellow at Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI; Professor of AI and Technology at the University of Washington
Asia Society; Stanford HAI; University of Washington
Episode: The Myth of the AI Race, With Alvin Wang Graylin
Robert Kagan
Senior fellow at the Brookings Institution; author of Dangerous Nation and The Ghost at the Feast
Brookings Institution
Episode: Lessons From 250 Years of U.S. Foreign Policy, With Robert Kagan
Linda Robinson
Senior Fellow for Women in Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations; author of Women in Power
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Women in Power, With Linda Robinson
Thomas Bollyky
Bloomberg Chair in Global Health and Director of the Global Health Program at CFR
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: America’s Ebola Preparedness, With Thomas Bollyky
Nicholas Burns
Roy and Barbara Goodman Family Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government; former US ambassador to the People's Republic of China
Harvard Kennedy School; former US ambassador to China
Episode: What Trump and Xi Didn't Settle in Beijing, With Nicholas Burns
Christy Goldsmith Romero
Former commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CFTC
Episode: The Spillover: Are Prediction Markets Forecasting Tools or Virtual Casinos?
Michael Mandelbaum
Professor Emeritus of American Foreign Policy
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Episode: How to Build an American Foreign Policy, With Michael Mandelbaum

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 States4 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 States5 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 Kingdom5 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 States5 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 States7 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
#124
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#169
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#207
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#160
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#168
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#207
Italy/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Six Months of War With Iran, With Steven Cook
Q: What role do Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE expect from the United States going forward?
There is a sense that Gulf states may seek greater strategic depth and security arrangements beyond a traditional U.S.-led order, with the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement highlighting a move toward regional, rather than umbrella, security guarantees.
Six Months of War With Iran, With Steven Cook
Q: What is the rationale behind 'Operation Economic Outcast' and how credible is the idea that sanctions can force regime change?
The host and guest debate whether economic pressure can produce regime change or primarily hurt the civilian population, noting that Iran has alternatives and that the regime's hardliners have maintained control despite sanctions, making collapse uncertain.
Six Months of War With Iran, With Steven Cook
Q: So let's start with the big picture—who, if anyone, is winning this war?
The discussion suggests that no clear winner has emerged; over time, Iran has expanded its capabilities and the region is moving toward a new security order where the United States may be less central, with regional powers seeking their own solutions.
U.S.-India Relations Under Stress, With Sadanand Dhume
Q: What is the most promising long-term opportunity for improving U.S.-India ties?
The greatest area of opportunity lies in technology cooperation, driven by the private sector in the United States and a strong Indian component, which could shift the narrative from bad news to a positive trajectory.
U.S.-India Relations Under Stress, With Sadanand Dhume
Q: What explains Modi's reaction to the changing U.S.-India dynamic, and how has he managed public perception in India?
Modi has remained calm and focused on deepening other relationships, presenting a statesman-like posture to avoid antagonizing the United States while managing domestic concerns and balancing China.

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. Net Assessment
4. The Asia Chessboard
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. Will Freeman
2. Sadanand Dhume
3. Alvin Wang Graylin
4. Robert Kagan
5. Linda Robinson
6. Thomas Bollyky
7. Nicholas Burns
8. Christy Goldsmith Romero

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