Revisiting U.S. Interests in Asia with the Honorable H.R. McMaster

February 9, 2026 — On this special episode of Asia Inside Out, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, 25th Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and non-resident distinguished fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute, speaks with Daniel Russel, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and distinguished fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute. They discuss U.S. defense and alliance strategy following the release of the 2025 National Security Strategy and 2026 National Defense Strategy, and how U.S. policy toward Asia fits within the current global security landscape. (55 min., 21 sec.)Asia Inside Out brings together our team and special guests to take you beyond the latest policy headlines and provide an insider’s view on regional and global affairs. Each episode we’ll deliver an interview with informed experts, analysts, and decision-makers from across the Asia-Pacific region. If you want to dig into the details of how policy works, this is the podcast for you. This podcast is produced by the Asia Society Policy Institute, a “think-and-do tank” working on the cutting edge of current policy trends by incorporating the best ideas from our experts and contributors into recommendations for policymakers to put these plans into practice.