What happened to American soft power? episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 23, 2025 · 21 MIN

What happened to American soft power?

from Make Me Smart · host Marketplace

President Trump is not a fan of the United Nations—he made that clear in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly today. Under Trump, the United States has pulled back from several efforts, including U.N. organizations, that have contributed to the country’s so-called soft power goals. On the show today, Joshua Eisenman, professor of politics in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, joins Kimberly to discuss the changing role of the U.S. in global politics and how China is seizing this moment to gain more influence.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Trump tells UN in speech that it is 'not even coming close to living up' to its potential" from AP News"Geopolitics of Trump Tariffs: How U.S. Trade Policy Has Shaken Allies" from Council on Foreign Relations"How China Stands to Gain as the U.S. Steps Away From the U.N." from The New York Times"The Global South Won't Give Up on China" from Foreign RelationsIt's Marketplace's Fall Fundraiser! Give now and be one of 2,000 donors in 10 days: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

NOW PLAYING

What happened to American soft power?

0:00 21:24

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Eat to Live Jenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman Our health is our most precious gift and smart nutrition can change your life. Each month, join Dr. Fuhrman and his daughter, Jenna Fuhrman as they discuss important topics in the world of nutrition. Eat to Live will change the way you eat and think about food. The Field Priest Methodius Chwastek The Field is a place of cultivation and of battle. In the Church, we learn to cultivate a life pleasing to God. This life is shaped in the spiritual battle. This series examines, chapter by chapter, the Christian classic The Field, by Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov. Please join me as I explain this great work in terms the modern Orthodox Christian can understand.  PodSights Health & Wellness podsights.ai Transform your wellbeing journey. Get trusted, evidence-based answers to your health, fitness, and mental wellness questions. Make informed decisions about your health. Visit podsights.ai to create your own wellness podcast. Leading From All Sides Abbie Mirata Discover the various styles of leadership, from leading at the forefront to steering from behind, rising to the top or empowering from the bottom. We'll explore horizontal and vertical leadership, leading through your brand, and even leading in your most intimate relationships. Join me in engaging conversations with special guests who are leaders in their careers, communities, and families. Gain insights, perspectives, and invaluable lessons that challenge traditional notions of what it means to lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Make Me Smart?

This episode is 21 minutes long.

When was this Make Me Smart episode published?

This episode was published on September 23, 2025.

What is this episode about?

President Trump is not a fan of the United Nations—he made that clear in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly today. Under Trump, the United States has pulled back from several efforts, including U.N. organizations, that have...

Can I download this Make Me Smart episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!