The White House and Global Conflict

No audio? Hover over the video player, and tap the Click to Unmute button.

Already an FP Subscriber?

On-demand recordings of FP Live conversations are available to FP subscribers.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has begun his fifth trip to the Middle East since the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, as the White House vows more retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed militias in the region. Meanwhile, the Biden administration also has its eyes on Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelensky is hinting that he will undertake a shake-up of his government in a bit to reboot the war effort against Russia.

How can the United States shape an end to these conflicts and negotiate lasting peace? Does Washington have enough leverage over its allies—and if so, will it use it? How are these conflicts impacting Biden in the polls?

Watch FP’s Ravi Agrawal in conversation with James Stavridis, a retired four-star U.S. Navy admiral and former NATO supreme allied commander.

Video clips from this event

  • Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis on whether U.S. attacks on Iranian-backed groups and targets in the Middle East are helping to deter Iran itself.

  • Stavridis says the United States does not have a plan when it comes to China, Russia, or Iran, and explains it is critical to have a coherent long-term strategy to avoid conflict with these countries.

  • Stavridis says the U.S. attention span and its resources are finite, and that the conflict in the Middle East is hurting the Ukrainian cause. 

  • Stavridis on how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s expected leadership shakeup will impact the war against Russia in the coming year.  

Read the Transcript

‘We Do Not Have an Iran Plan’

A former supreme allied commander of NATO on how the White House is managing conflicts on two continents with “finite” resources.

Insider  |  Ravi Agrawal

Go to the FP Live Podcast page

Prefer to listen? Follow the FP Live podcast for the entire conversation, plus other in-depth discussions, wherever you get your podcasts.

Related

Upcoming

Back to the FP Live landing page

 Discussions

On-Demand from FP Live

The Trump-Xi Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to great fanfare but left with little to show for it. What does the Trump-Xi summit reveal about the balance of power between the world’s two biggest economies?

China scholar Rana Mitter joined FP Live’s Ravi Agrawal to debrief on what was gained from this diplomatic mission.

Watch Now

  1. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

  2. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

Is Russia the Winner in Iran?

While much of the world is suffering from the spike in energy prices, Russia has enjoyed a rare windfall from increased oil revenues. Alexander Gabuev argues that U.S. President Donald Trump’s moves in Iran and Venezuela are not only a boon to Russian interests but also will push Moscow into a deeper partnership with Beijing. The director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal to explain how Russia is navigating a moment of particular global flux.

Watch Now

  1. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

  2. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

Inside Iran

How are regular Iranians coping with months of war and economic pressure? How have U.S. and Israeli attacks changed their perception of their own government? Journalist Ali Hashem spent weeks in Tehran since the war began and argues that Iran’s current leaders have adapted and unified over the course of the conflict. Hashem sat down with FP Live’s Ravi Agrawal to discuss what he’s been seeing and hearing in the country.

Watch Now

  1. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

  2. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

FP Live: The Ask-Me-Anything Edition

On a special ask-me-anything episode, regular host Ravi Agrawal will take stock of a world at war. What does the Iran conflict mean for the global economy or traditional alliances? More than a year into U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, how are world leaders navigating his leadership? And what of the U.S.-China relationship? FP Live’s executive producer, Dana Sherne, turned the tables on Agrawal, taking questions from FP subscribers and viewers alike.

Watch Now

  1. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

  2. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews.

    ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER?

Foreign Policy’s forum for live journalism, convening experts and world leaders.

Contact FP Live

Enter your email address to manage your FP Live notifications preferences.

Manage your FP Live notifications preferences:

Your email address:

Not You? Log Out

All FP Email Preferences Subscribe

The White House and Global Conflict

Add to Calendar:

Loading graphics