America at a Crossroads

Political strategists Mike Murphy and Bob Shrum join award-winning journalist Madeleine Brand for a bipartisan conversation examining the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.Bringing decades of campaign experience from both sides of the aisle, Murphy and Shrum separate conventional wisdom from political reality, exploring the electoral dynamics, voter behavior, and strategic narratives likely to shape the fight for Congress.Topics include:• The 2026 midterm elections and control of Congress• Swing states, battleground districts, and electoral strategy• Political polarization and shifting voter coalitions• Campaign messaging, media, and public opinion• What the election could mean for the future of American democracy  

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, will voters deliver a political reckoning?In this timely edition of America at a Crossroads, journalists Peter Baker and Susan B. Glasser join moderator Larry Mantle to examine the forces shaping the midterms, the stakes for both parties, and what the results could mean for the future of American politics.Peter Baker is chief White House correspondent for The New York Times and a political analyst for MSNBC. Susan B. Glasser is a staff writer for The New Yorker and author of its “Letter from Trump’s Washington” column. Larry Mantle is the longtime host of AirTalk on NPR member station LAist 89.3.Wednesday, July 15, 20265:00 p.m. Pacific

Veteran diplomat and Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross joins longtime public radio host Larry Mantle for an in-depth discussion of the rapidly evolving relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States, and what American diplomacy should look like in an increasingly volatile Middle East.Drawing on decades of experience advising both Republican and Democratic administrations, Ross examines regional security, nuclear tensions, shifting alliances, and the strategic choices facing U.S. policymakers in a changing global order.Topics include:• U.S. policy toward Iran and Israel• Middle East diplomacy and regional security• Iran’s nuclear program and deterrence• American leadership in a multipolar world• Prospects for peace, stability, and future diplomacy#AmericaAtACrossroads #DennisRoss #LarryMantle #MiddleEast #Iran #Israel #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #NationalSecurity #CurrentEvents

Former federal prosecutor and legal analyst Andrew Weissmann joins acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Patt Morrison for a discussion of the rule of law, democratic accountability, and the legal and political challenges confronting the United States.Drawing on his experience leading major public corruption and organized crime prosecutions—including service on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team—and his book Liar’s Kingdom: How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America, Weissmann examines the intersection of truth, justice, political power, and democratic institutions.Topics include:• The rule of law and democratic accountability• Political misinformation and public trust• Prosecuting public corruption and abuse of power• The future of American democracy and its institutions• Lessons from high-profile federal investigations

Veteran journalist, media executive, and author Josh Tyrangiel joins acclaimed journalist and columnist Patt Morrison for a timely conversation on the promises and perils of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on government, democracy, and everyday life.Drawing on reporting for his new book, AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter, Tyrangiel explores how AI is already transforming healthcare, education, public services, and civic institutions while also raising urgent questions about regulation, employment, misinformation, and democratic governance. The discussion examines how society can harness AI's benefits while mitigating its risks in an era of rapid technological change.Topics include:• How artificial intelligence is reshaping government and public services• The opportunities and risks posed by AI for democracy and society• AI regulation, public trust, and the role of government oversight• The future of jobs, education, and the workforce in the age of AI• Healthcare breakthroughs and real-world applications of AI• Data privacy, misinformation, and cybersecurity concerns• The role of technology companies in shaping public policy• Why human judgment, creativity, and civic engagement still matter in an AI-driven world

Veteran Democratic strategist and political commentator James Carville joins Madeleine Brand for a wide-ranging discussion on the 2026 midterm elections, the future of the Democratic Party, and the political landscape leading into the 2028 presidential race.Drawing on decades of campaign experience, Carville shares his candid assessment of key Senate and gubernatorial races, Democratic messaging, voter turnout, coalition-building, and the party's next generation of leaders. He also weighs in on the lessons of the 2024 election, the role of identity politics, and why winning elections remains the Democratic Party's most important objective.Topics include:• The 2026 midterm elections and Senate battleground map• California's governor's race and national political trends• Democratic messaging and coalition-building• Potential Democratic presidential contenders for 2028• Lessons from the 2024 election and the Biden-Harris campaign• Voter turnout, election integrity, and the SAVE Act• Identity politics, populism, and the future direction of the Democratic Party• Why concise messaging and coalition politics still win elections

National security columnist and global affairs analyst Josh Rogin joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a discussion of America’s role in an increasingly fragmented world and the strategic challenges posed by China’s growing influence.Drawing on decades of reporting on foreign policy, national security, and U.S.-China relations, Rogin examines how geopolitical competition, economic interdependence, technological rivalry, and shifting global alliances are reshaping international affairs.Topics include:• U.S.-China relations and strategic competition• Global security and shifting alliances• Trade, technology, and economic rivalry• The future of American leadership abroad• Geopolitical flashpoints and international stability

Senior democracy scholar and former White House policy advisor Ami Fields-Meyer joins award-winning investigative journalist Julia Angwin in conversation with acclaimed broadcaster Patt Morrison for a timely discussion on courage, dissent, and democratic engagement in an era of growing fear and polarization.Drawing on their book On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear, Fields-Meyer and Angwin explore how individuals and institutions can respond when democratic norms, public trust, and civic participation are under pressure.Topics include:• Courage and dissent in modern democracy• Free expression and civic engagement• Media, technology, and public trust• Political polarization and democratic resilience• How individuals can act in challenging times

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman joins veteran broadcaster Larry Mantle for a wide-ranging conversation on global instability, geopolitical conflict, technology, climate, and the forces reshaping the modern world.Drawing from decades of reporting on international affairs and themes explored in The World Is Flat, Friedman examines how globalization, political fragmentation, economic disruption, and environmental pressures are colliding in unprecedented ways.Topics include:• Global instability and shifting world order• U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East• Technology, AI, and economic disruption• Climate change and global resilience• Democracy, polarization, and the future of leadership

Former Homeland Security official and national security expert Juliette Kayyem joins veteran journalist Warren Olney for a timely conversation on security, democratic stability, and the growing challenges facing the United States.This episode of America at a Crossroads examines domestic instability, political violence, crisis response, and the future of public trust in democratic institutions. Drawing on decades of experience in homeland security, journalism, and public policy, Kayyem and Olney discuss what resilience looks like in an increasingly uncertain era.

This week on America at a Crossroads, presidential historian Tim Naftali joins Madeleine Brand for a timely conversation on democratic resilience, political polarization, and the institutions shaping America’s future.Topics include:• Historical parallels to today’s political climate• The role of the presidency and democratic institutions• Extremism, accountability, and constitutional limits• Whether American democracy is built to withstand this momentRecorded live on May 6, 2026.#AmericaAtACrossroads #TimNaftali #MadeleineBrand #Democracy #AmericanPolitics #PoliticalExtremism #Constitution #USPolitics #PoliticalHistory #DemocraticInstitutions

In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, CNN Senior Legal Analyst and former federal prosecutor Elie Honig joins Larry Mantle (AirTalk, NPR) to break down the evolving legal landscape in the United States.With deep experience in federal and state prosecution, Honig examines how recent legal battles, shifting precedents, and questions of executive power are reshaping the rule of law—and what it means for the future of American democracy.The discussion explores key questions including:• How are legal norms and precedents changing in today’s environment?• What are the implications of expanding or challenged executive power?• How should the public interpret major legal developments and rulings?Offering clear, accessible analysis, Honig provides insight into the forces redefining the American legal system and the potential paths forward.SpeakersElie Honig – CNN Senior Legal Analyst and former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He prosecuted organized crime and public corruption cases and later served as Director of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. He is the bestselling author of Hatchet Man and Untouchable.Larry Mantle – Host of AirTalk on NPR-member station KPCC 89.3 FM. Mantle has led one of Southern California’s longest-running public affairs programs since 1985.Event DetailsAmerica at a CrossroadsApril 29, 2026Hosted by Jews United for Democracy and Justice