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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 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

This episode unpacks what strategy really is, the seven questions every strategist must ask themselves before initiating a military operation, and why war stays so stubbornly unpredictable.

Host:

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

YouTube

This episode unpacks Xi Jinping’s high-stakes Washington visit, discussions of “constructive stability,” and tensions over Taiwan, AI, and Iran.

Host:

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

G... more

YouTube

This episode unpacks the deepening U.S.-Canada trade war, the collapse of a potential deal to end it, and whether decades of economic integration are rupturing.

Host:

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

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Walter Russell Mead
Global View columnist at the Wall Street Journal, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the Hamilton Society/University of Florida
Wall Street Journal; University of Florida
Episode: What the U.S. Got Wrong in the War on Terrorism
Steve Sestanovich
Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: The CIA Director’s Not-So-Secret Trip to Moscow
Michael Horowitz
Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation and Director of the Defense and National Security Program at CFR
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Washington’s Missile Shortage, With Michael Horowitz
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

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 States6 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 States8 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
#235
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#183
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#181
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#242
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#19
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#28
Singapore/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Will There Be Meddling in the Midterms?
Q: What is the practical difference between foreign influence operations and foreign interference operations?
Influence operations are about shaping attitudes and opinions, while interference operations are about disrupting voting or altering outcomes; both require different countermeasures.
The CIA Director’s Not-So-Secret Trip to Moscow
Q: Why meet with Russian intelligence officials instead of Putin?
It's portrayed as a way to address core concerns through the verticals of intelligence sharing and signaling to elites, suggesting the administration wants to influence policy through established channels rather than a personal summit.
The CIA Director’s Not-So-Secret Trip to Moscow
Q: Does Ratcliffe's surprise visit signal a clear policy shift or more of a messaging exercise?
The guest argues it's a blend: it serves as a warning about Russia's behavior, signals potential diplomatic avenues through Russian intelligence channels, and aims to reassure NATO and European allies, all while allowing room for diplomacy.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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. NatSec Matters
5. Net Assessment

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. Eliot Cohen
2. Julian Gewirtz
3. Bonny Lin
4. Rohinton Medhora
5. Walter Russell Mead
6. Steve Sestanovich
7. Michael Horowitz
8. Sadanand Dhume

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