Today’s Battlegrounds

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Francisco Sagasti discuss the lessons of Sagasti's presidency, political and economic trends in Latin America, and his new book, Knowledge is Power, which explores the life and legacy of Sir Francis Bacon. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Dr. Francisco Sagasti served as interim President of Peru from November 2020 to July 2021 during one of the most turbulent stretches in the country's recent history. An industrial engineer by training, with graduate degrees from Penn State and a PhD in operations research and social systems science from the University of Pennsylvania, Sagasti built a career bridging technocracy, philosophy, and public service — heading the World Bank's Strategic Planning Division, chairing the United Nations Council on Science and Technology, and founding GRADE, one of Peru's leading think tanks. He has taught at Wharton,…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Vladimir Kara-Murza discuss the state of the war in Ukraine, the prospects and perils facing Russia's opposition, the shifting currents of Russian domestic politics, the effort to organize the Russian diaspora into a coherent political force, and prospects of a post-Putin Russia. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Vladimir Kara-Murza is a Russian opposition leader, historian, and journalist whose career has placed him at the center of the struggle over Russia's political future for two decades. A protégé of the murdered democratic leader Boris Nemtsov, Kara-Murza served as deputy leader of the People's Freedom Party in 2012 and helped shape the Magnitsky Act framework, which transformed targeted human-rights sanctions into a global instrument now used by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, and Australia. He…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Minister Bohlin discuss Sweden's approach to civil defense, Nordic-Baltic security cooperation, and how Sweden is strengthening NATO to improve deterrence in the High North. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Carl-Oskar Bohlin has served as Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence since 2022. Bohlin has been a member of Sweden’s Parliament, the Riksdag, since 2010 and completed law courses at Uppsala University. As Minister for Civil Defence, he plays a central role in strengthening Sweden's resilience against both natural and man-made threats, and holds the distinction of being Sweden's first Minister for Civil Defence since 1947—reflecting the country's renewed and urgent emphasis on comprehensive national security. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ine Eriksen Søreide discuss the future of U.S.–Norway cooperation in the High North, Russia’s threat across the Arctic and North Atlantic, and what it will take for Norway to protect critical infrastructure and preserve democratic resilience in this more dangerous European security environment. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ine Eriksen Søreide is the Leader of the Conservative Party of Norway. Ms. Søreide served as Foreign Minister from 2017 to 2021 and as Defence Minister from 2013 to 2017. She has represented her party in the Storting, Norway’s national parliament, since 2001. She now leads Norway’s principal center-right opposition as Russia continues its war on Ukraine and is conducting a ‘shadow war’ against Europe of sabotage, intimidation, and subversion. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Haider al-Abadi discuss the future of US–Iraq relations as the new Prime Minister al-Zaidi and his government endeavor to strengthen Iraqi sovereignty, fight corruption, improve security, recover from a regional war, and diversify its economy. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Dr. Haider al-Abadi is the former Prime Minister of Iraq. Born in Baghdad in 1952, he earned a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Manchester and spent twenty-seven years in exile in the United Kingdom, during which Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime executed two of his brothers. He led the Dawa Party’s opposition from abroad and returned to Iraq in 2003, serving as minister of communications and first deputy speaker of parliament. As prime minister from 2014 to 2018, he served as commander-in-chief during the campaign that defeated ISIS, also known as…

On the 100th episode of Today's Battlegrounds, join Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss how Singapore is charting its own strategy amid great-power competition, the future of the U.S.–Singapore strategic partnership in advancing regional security, and how the United States and its partners can preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has served as Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2015 and is one of the Indo-Pacific’s longest-serving chief diplomats. As Foreign Minister, Dr. Balakrishnan chaired the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in 2018, oversaw Singapore’s role as host of the Trump–Kim summit, and helped facilitate the negotiations that culminated in the Paris Climate Agreement. He has become one of the clearest voices…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Radosław Sikorski discuss the future of NATO deterrence on the alliance’s eastern flank, the U.S.–Poland strategic partnership’s role in securing Europe, and what a successful outcome in Ukraine would mean for European security and the defense of democratic nations. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Radosław Sikorski is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland. Minister Sikorski earlier served as Speaker of the Sejm, the lower house of Poland’s parliament, from 2014 to 2015, as Foreign Minister from 2007 to 2014, and as Minister of Defence from 2005 to 2007. As Foreign Minister, he launched the European Union’s Eastern Partnership and led the EU mission to Kyiv that negotiated an end to violence during the Maidan protests. Before entering politics, he reported as a war correspondent from Afghanistan and Angola,…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Shigeru Kitamura discuss Japan’s transformation into a leader in economic statecraft, how democratic nations can secure strategic autonomy in critical technologies and supply chains, and the future of US-Japan cooperation in confronting coercion, cyber threats, and growing competition in the Indo-Pacific. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Shigeru Kitamura is the former Secretary General of Japan’s National Security Secretariat and Japan’s National Security Advisor from 2019 to 2021. Earlier in his career, he held senior positions in Japan’s intelligence and law enforcement communities, including Director of Cabinet Intelligence and Executive Secretary to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Following his government service, he helped draft Japan’s Economic Security Promotion Act, which established economic resilience and technological protection as…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Iván Duque Márquez discuss the implications of Colombia’s runoff election, the threats associated with narcotics and transnational crime, and how the United States and Colombia can strengthen security and confidence in democratic institutions. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Iván Duque Márquez was the 34th President of the Republic of Colombia. President Duque served from 2018 to 2022 after a career that combined public service, economic policy, and international development. Before entering the presidency, he worked for more than a decade at the Inter-American Development Bank and later served in Colombia’s Senate. During his administration, he emphasized security, counter-narcotics, economic growth, and democratic governance. He gained international recognition for granting legal protection to nearly two million Venezuelan migrants…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Kyriakos Mitsotakis discuss Greece’s economic resurgence, the country’s expanding role in international security, and the future of US-Greek cooperation. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Kyriakos Mitsotakis serves as Prime Minister of Greece and leader of the center-right New Democracy party. Prime Minister Mitsotakis earned degrees from Harvard and Stanford and worked in the private sector before entering public service in 2004 as a member of the Greek parliament. Since taking office in 2019, he has overseen Greece’s recovery from the sovereign debt crisis and guided reforms that restored economic growth and investor confidence. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Norbert Röttgen discuss US-German relations, Germany’s defense, economic, and foreign policy priorities; strains in transatlantic relations; and the future of NATO and the European Union. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Dr. Norbert Röttgen serves as deputy chairman of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag. Dr. Röttgen oversees foreign affairs, defense, European security, and human rights. He has served in the Bundestag since 1994 and chaired its Foreign Affairs Committee from 2014 to 2021. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety. A lawyer with a doctorate from the University of Bonn, he is co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the boards of…

In this episode of Today's Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Kai Sauer discuss Finland's defense and economic priorities, its role in NATO, Russia's persistent threat to European security, and how US-Finland cooperation enhances both nations’ security and prosperity. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Kai Sauer has served as Finland's ambassador to Germany since September 2023. Ambassador Sauer served as ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN from 2010 to 2014, and as Finland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2014 to 2019. He then served as under-secretary of state for foreign and security policy, where he helped guide Finland's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its decision to apply for NATO membership. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at…

Join Rosa María Payá, founder of Cuba Decide and a commissioner on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss US-Cuba relations, Cuba’s deepening economic and humanitarian crisis, its internal challenges of governance and repression, and prospects for a more peaceful and secure future for the Cuban people. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Rosa María Payá is the founder of Cuba Decide and a commissioner on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. She is the daughter of Oswaldo Payá, who led the Varela Project — a citizen initiative that invoked Cuba’s own constitution to demand a referendum on free elections, free assembly, and free expression. The regime responded in 2003 with what became known as the Black Spring, jailing 75 activists, many of them Varela organizers. Oswaldo Payá pressed on with his work until he died in a 2012 car…

Join Abbas Milani and H.R. McMaster as they discuss the Iran War, its effects on the Iranian people, the Iranian regime, and prospects for peace and security in the Middle East and beyond. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Professor Abbas Milani is the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University and a research fellow at the Hoover Institution. Professor Milani taught at Tehran University before 1986. He has written extensively on Iranian political development, US–Iran relations, and the ideology of the Islamic Republic. His work on the 1979 Revolution and the evolution of Iran’s ruling system informs debates over regime stability and the prospects for political change. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and…

Join Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former prime minister of Denmark, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss international security, the prospects for the US-Danish relationship, and the health of NATO and the transatlantic alliance as wars continue in Ukraine and the Middle East. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Anders Fogh Rasmussen served as prime minister of Denmark from 2001 to 2009 and as the 12th Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) from 2009 to 2014. Rasmussen became Denmark’s youngest member of parliament at the age of 25, and he was named minister of economic affairs in 1990. In June 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Rasmussen to co-chair an international task force on security guarantees for Ukraine. The resulting Kyiv Security Compact became the basis for a web of security guarantees negotiated between Ukraine and NATO allies that…

Join Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, prime minister of Haiti, and Hoover senior fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss Haiti’s escalating security crisis, efforts to dismantle gang control, and the role of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force in restoring order. Fils-Aimé outlines how his government is working to reclaim territory, strengthen police capacity, and restore security to enable long-delayed elections. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé is a businessman and economist educated at Boston University, who built his career in private enterprise and previously served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti. In November 2024, he was selected as acting prime minister by Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council, and when that body's mandate expired in February 2026, he became Haiti's de facto executive, focused on defeating gang coalitions and…

Join former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss Canada and US cooperation on Arctic and North American security, prospects for deepening economic cooperation after the 2026 review of the USMCA trade agreement, and opportunities to turn recent tensions into opportunities for both nations. Reflecting on current geopolitical forces shaping North America and the Western Hemisphere, MacNaughton provides his insight on shifting dynamics in Venezuela, China’s expanding economic and strategic footprint in Latin America, and the implications of political rhetoric and rising tensions on the US–Canada relationship. Exploring a forward-looking agenda centered on continental defense and resilience, including the modernization of NORAD, missile defense, and the protection of critical infrastructure, McMaster and MacNaughton highlight the growing importance of energy security, critical minerals, and resilient supply chains as pillars of…

Join Chung Eui-yong, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the future of the US–ROK alliance in the face of North Korea’s accelerating weapons programs, the implications of a growing Russia–North Korea partnership, and how Washington and Seoul can strengthen deterrence while preserving space for diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Chung Eui-yong is the former minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Korea. Minister Chung joined South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1971. He later served in the National Assembly and contributed to deliberations over the US–Korea Free Trade Agreement. In 2017, President Moon Jae-in appointed him director of the National Security Office, where he coordinated South Korea’s national security strategy. He went on to serve as foreign minister from…

Join Ian Rowe, cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies and Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and Hoover senior fellow H.R. McMaster as they discuss education reform and the importance of cultivating agency, character, and civic understanding in young people. Recorded at Vertex Partnership Academies in the Bronx, the conversation explores how education can help students develop responsibility, meaning, and moral discernment. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ian Rowe is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where his work centers on education, upward mobility, family formation, and adoption. Mr. Rowe holds degrees from Cornell University and Harvard Business School. He is the author of Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover their Pathway to Power. The FREE acronym stands for Family, Religion,…

Join Mr. Zohar Palti, former director of the Policy and Political-Military Bureau at Israel’s Ministry of Defense, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster as they discuss Israel’s security posture after the October 7 attacks, strategic lessons of the war in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and beyond, and the implications of the Trump-brokered peace agreement for Israel, the broader Middle East, and global security. Drawing on decades of experience within Israel’s security and intelligence community, Palti assesses the prospects for regional stability, the future of Hamas in Gaza, emerging opportunities and risks in Lebanon and Syria, and the critical role of U.S.–Israel cooperation in countering Iranian aggression. Palti reflects on the necessity of sustained American engagement in the Middle East and the shared responsibility of democratic nations to confront terrorist and proxy threats while upholding the democratic principles they seek to protect. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries,…

Join Dr. Ali Ansari, Professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they examine the nature of the Islamic Republic, Western misunderstandings about the regime and why engagement strategies have repeatedly failed, and the widening gap between the regime’s propagandized image of strength and the vulnerabilities revealed in recent conflicts. Drawing on recent events, including the 12-day Israeli campaign exposing profound intelligence and air-defense failures, Ansari examines the IRGC’s struggles to reconstitute its terrorist and militia proxies in the region while confronting severe financial and economic crises at home, including shortages of electricity and a growing water crisis in the capital city of Tehran. Despite these mounting pressures, Ansari reflects on Iran’s potential futures, from the emergence of new leadership to the enduring resilience of the Iranian people. For more…

Join Dr. Francisco Sagasti, former President of Peru, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they discuss lessons from Sagasti's leadership, regional challenges to freedom and prosperity in Latin America, and his latest books, which explore the life and relevance of Sir Francis Bacon’s philosophy for today’s international system. Reflecting on Peru’s turbulent political landscape and its role in a new era of geopolitical competition, Sagasti shares his perspective on the recent ouster of President Dina Boluarte and his advice to the interim leadership. He explores the roots of popular discontent in Peru, the demands of citizens seeking accountable governance, and his concerns about sovereignty from an economic and cognitive warfare perspective. Despite these pressures, Sagasti discusses his continued confidence in democracy and the qualities that must be rekindled in political leadership to sustain it for future generations. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to…

Join Justin Bassi, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and former National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they discuss threats to international security, Australia’s role in the Indo-Pacific, and opportunities for Canberra and Washington to work together to promote peace and prosperity. Viewing China’s military and technological rise as Australia’s top security threat, Bassi discusses the ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party leaders and how Australia and its allies can compete more effectively to counter CCP aggression and prevent a war with China. The US and Australia sharing a deep history since World War I, Bassi reflects on how more recent internal debates are playing out within Australia regarding Trump administration policies, how we can promote a positive agenda to advance our mutual interests, and his views on the future of AUKUS – the alliance between Australia, the US and the UK to strengthen defense…

Join Fernando “Nando” Parrado, businessman, author, and internationally recognized speaker, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster as they discuss endurance, crisis leadership, and the remarkable will to survive. Surviving one of the most harrowing events of the twentieth century: the 1972 crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, tragically losing his mother, sister, and many rugby teammates, Parrado reflects on how the values and work ethic his family engrained in him, which was nurtured on the rugby pitch, helped build the resilience needed to withstand 72 days in extreme conditions and lead a mission across the Andes to save the remaining survivors. Author of international best-seller, Miracle in the Andes, Parrado describes why he chose to publish the book 36 years after the ordeal, how he went on to create a second life after the trauma, why rugby instills life lessons like no other sport in the world – moral clarity, collective responsibility, self-confidence, and his inspiring advice for young people…

Join Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Iceland’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the evolving U.S.-Iceland relationship, Icelandic-European relations, and the continued security challenges of the Arctic. Appointed as the Special Envoy of Council of Europe Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine, Gylfadóttir provides an insight into her vital role in raising awareness of the challenges facing the children of Ukraine, the driving forces behind Putin’s behavior, and why sustained support for Ukraine from Europe and the US is critical. Iceland a founding member of NATO, Gylfadóttir discusses the importance of NATO to transatlantic security from an Icelandic perspective, the importance of the transatlantic relationship in the fight against Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, as well as current priorities for the US-Iceland relationship and why Americans should experience a visit to the country of Iceland. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS…

Join Petr Pavel, President of Czechia, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss Czechia’s evolving role in European security, opportunities to restore peace to Europe and prevent future conflicts, and a vision of a positive agenda for a transatlantic relationship between the US and Europe. Reflecting on the importance of collective defense, Pavel provides his thoughts on the transatlantic response necessary to counter Chinese aggression and the shadow war Russia is waging against Europe, the crucial role the US plays in NATO, as well as the importance of the European Union to Czechia, what we can expect from Poland’s presidency in the Council of the EU and why Americans should be interested in European security. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS President Petr Pavel is a retired army general and former chairman of the NATO Military Committee. President Pavel previously served as the highest-ranking officer in the Army, Chief of the General Staff. In 2022, Pavel ran for president as an independent nominated…

Join former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, David Vigneault, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the Canadian federal election results, trade, and the potential for a common agenda for the future of the US-Canada alliance. Reflecting on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s victory in the Canadian federal election in April 2025 and President Trump’s recent controversial comments on Canada as the ‘51st state’, Vigneault provides his thoughts on the importance of the US-Canada relationship and outlines a positive agenda of cooperation between both countries in areas including North American defense, intelligence cooperation, missile defense, supply chain resilience and energy security. Vigneault discusses Canada’s relationship with Mexico, the dangers associated with conflicts in South Asia, including the current conflict between Pakistan and India, and how best to secure critical infrastructure, sensitive technologies, and intellectual property from hostile countries such…

Join The Right Honorable Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the war in Ukraine, British and European politics, and the future of the transatlantic relationship. Reflecting on the special relationship between the US and UK, Johnson provides his thoughts on how the relationship is evolving and the importance of US-UK cooperation in tackling Chinese aggression, as well as the broad nature of geostrategic competition with the axis of aggressors of North Korea, China, Russia and Iran, the need for a strong coordinated international response to Russian aggression and why we should continue to care deeply about the war in Ukraine. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS The Right Honorable Boris Johnson served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. Johnson first entered Parliament in 2001, representing Henley for the Conservative Party. He quickly rose to become Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party in 2003. In…

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discuss the Belarusian opposition, her fight for freedom, and the importance of countering Russian aggression in Europe.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Bilal Bilici discuss Türkiye’s evolving role on the global stage, its central role in the volatile Black Sea and Middle East regions, and its future in NATO.

Join General Sir Nick Carter, the United Kingdom’s former Chief of the Defence Staff, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the future of warfare through the lens of conflicts in Israel, Ukraine, and Africa. Drawing on his extensive military career - serving in Western Germany, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, General Carter provides his thoughts on the Trump administration’s approach to the conflict in Ukraine, Putin’s ambitions in Europe, and Russia and China’s revanchist power in Africa. He discusses how conflicts in Africa, the Middle East and Europe are connected to the looming crisis in the Indo-Pacific associated with China’s revanchist agenda, as well as the US-UK relationship and whether he is optimistic for the future prospects of the Free World. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS General Sir Nick Carter served as the United Kingdom’s Chief of the Defence Staff from 2018 to 2021, where he led the British Armed Forces as the most senior uniformed military advisor to the…

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Juan Carlos Pinzón discuss Colombia’s evolving security landscape, its relationship with the United States, and international politics in the Western Hemisphere.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Gilberto Teodoro discuss the history of US-Philippine relations, defense cooperation, and security in Southeast Asia.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Gabrielius Landsbergis discuss the Baltic nation of Lithuania.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Djo Munga discuss the Democratic Republic of Congo, also known as the DRC.

The rewards of service, transitions from military service, and the tremendous value veterans bring to American businesses and civil society.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Drs. Alta DeRoo and Don Elverd discuss substance use disorder as a national security issue.

H.R. McMaster and Leopoldo López discuss ongoing protests in Venezuela, the Maduro regime’s tactics of repression, and prospects for the restoration of the Venezuelan constitution and the end of Maduro’s despotic rule.

H.R. McMaster and Adela Raz discuss the humanitarian catastrophe and systemic human rights abuses under Taliban rule, the lessons and consequences of the collapse of the Afghanistan Republic, and the future of Afghanistan and its diaspora, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Lobsang Sangay discuss China’s repression of the Tibetan people, Tibet’s efforts to advocate for freedom and rule of law, and prospects for the future in Tibet and in East Asia, on Wednesday July 31, 2024.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Meir Finkel discuss the Israeli campaign to destroy Hamas in Gaza, the broader regional conflict, and how the wars in the Middle East might evolve in the coming months and years, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ahmet Üzümcü discuss the vital role of Turkey in advancing peace and prosperity in a time of economic distress; strained relations between Ankara and Washington over Turkey’s acquisition of Russian air defense systems; disagreements over US support for Syrian Kurdish forces in the fight against ISIS in Syria; and more, on Wednesday June 26, 2024.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Jorge Castañeda discuss the future of Mexico and Mexican-US relations, on Friday, May 31, 2024.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Elbegdorj Tsakhia discuss Mongolian security concerns, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the continued threat of warfare in the Pacific, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Vladimir Milov discuss the war in Ukraine, the status of the Russian opposition, and prospects for the restoration of peace, Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Pål Jonson discuss European security concerns, NATO, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and Sweden’s defense technology and innovation, Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Sebastian Junger discuss the necessity of unity, the importance of the tribe, and the future of American democracy, Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Richie McCaw discuss the state of rugby and the lessons the sport offers for developing leaders, fostering teamwork, strengthening communities, and building a better future, Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Kai Sauer discuss the war in Ukraine, Finland’s priorities in the areas of defense and the economy, digital and energy security, and the future of Europe and the transatlantic relationship, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ambassador John Sullivan discuss Russia’s aggression, its impact on the US and NATO, and the future of Ukraine on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.