Government

Pivotal States

by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Share this ranking Is this your show? Claim it

Listen on Apple Podcasts RSS feed

Chart positions today · United States

Not on the United States charts we track today.

If you like Pivotal States, try…

Europe Inside Out

About the show

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 United States. Through these conversations, we aim to pave the way for a foreign policy equipped to navigate the mid-21st century.

Latest episodes

How Türkiye Navigates a World of War

September 28, 2026 · 54 min

The war in Ukraine to its north; the war in Gaza to its south; the war with Iran to its east: Türkiye sits at the crux of several dangerous conflicts straining the global system. It is a critical American partner but also one of the most…
Can America Avoid a Forever War with Iran?

August 3, 2026 · 60 min

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…
Is America Ready to Reset Ties with Israel?

July 8, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min

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…
Is America's North Korea Policy Out of Touch with Reality?

June 30, 2026 · 59 min

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…
Do U.S.-German Relations Have a Future?

May 13, 2026 · 52 min

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…
Should Americans Fear China's Dominance?

April 9, 2026 · 55 min

In Washington, policymakers frame competition with China as a zero-sum contest for power. But does slowing China’s progress actually benefit Americans—or is it a fool’s errand? What might a more stable future for U.S.-China relations look…
What Does the United States Want From Cuba?

March 20, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

For more than sixty years, Cuba’s revolutionary government has survived economic crises and sustained pressure from the United States. But today, the island may be facing its most severe test yet. Daily life is grinding to a halt, under…
Spheres of Influence or American Primacy? The World Trump is Making

February 13, 2026 · 1 hr 13 min

From 'spheres of influence' to 'naked imperialism' to 'peace through strength,' analysts of foreign affairs are offering competing explanations for Trump’s foreign policy whirlwind. Over the past year, he has rattled the world with…