Three Questions

Two months into the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, the conflict shows no signs of imminent resolution, with both sides convinced that time is on their side. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has rattled global energy markets, but neither Washington nor Tehran appears ready to back down, raising the possibility of a prolonged "no war, no peace" stalemate. How long can each side endure, and what would it take to force a settlement? How does the war intersect with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine? And what lessons is China drawing as it watches another great power struggle to bring a middle power to heel?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Nikolas Gvosdev, a professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College. Dr. Gvosdev serves as the editor of Orbis and was previously editor of The National Interest.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Long dismissed in the U.S. as uneconomic and proliferation-prone, the recycling of used nuclear fuel is becoming a strategic imperative the country can no longer afford to ignore. The U.S. is sitting on roughly 96,000 metric tons of used nuclear fuel, the vast majority of which is reusable material rather than waste, even as global uranium demand surges and China races to build dozens of new reactors. Meanwhile, France and Russia dominate the recycling landscape, with Russia increasingly setting the terms for nuclear partnerships with non-allied countries. What do modern recycling technologies actually do, and how do they differ from the legacy processes that raised proliferation concerns decades ago? Why might commercial recycling finally be viable in the U.S. today, what role should the federal government play in a market-based approach, and can this activity be carried out safely and securely?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Dr. Christina J. Leggett, Director of Fuel Cycle Technology at Oklo, Inc. Prior to working at Oklo, she was a lead engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she worked as a nuclear technology advisor for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). Dr. Leggett also worked as a federal program manager in the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy and as a nuclear engineer and reactor systems engineer at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. She holds a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of California-Berkeley.Read the EIRP report: The Case for Commercial Recycling of Used Nuclear Fuel: Assessment and Recommendations

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has abruptly severed a fifth of global oil and LNG supply. Far from simply spiking energy prices, a supply chain shock of this magnitude will have cascading impacts across the entire global economy. The current crisis threatens to halt as much as 30% of global fertilizer production, for example, resulting in major food shortages. How can policymakers promote global energy resilience and mitigate future supply chain disruptions like the one in the Persian Gulf?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Mel Ydreos, Secretary General of the International Gas Union (IGU), a global trade association representing gas production, transmission, and distribution companies. Ydreos also serves as the Executive Director of Energy Vantage Inc. in Toronto, Canada. He launched Energy Vantage Inc. after a long career at Union Gas Ltd., where he held several executive positions. He served as interim president and CEO of the Ontario Energy Association from 2013 to 2014.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

With Israeli and Iranian strikes targeting the critical energy infrastructure of the Persian Gulf, GCC countries have found themselves caught in the crossfire of a war beyond their control. Iran's retaliatory drone and missile strikes threaten to derail global energy markets and the Gulf states' fragile economic recovery from the Covid era. How are the Gulf states reacting to escalating strikes on critical energy infrastructure? Will they retaliate militarily? And might they begin to question their close security and economic ties with the United States after the conflict ends?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Abdulla Al Junaid, a geopolitical columnist and commentator in Middle Eastern and international media. Al Junaid is the former Department Head for Analysis and Policies at the National Unity Party in Bahrain, the former deputy director of MENA2050, an advisory board member of the German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG), and a permanent committee member of the Germany-GCC Annual Conference on Security and Cooperation.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Critical undersea cables and pipelines are increasingly vulnerable to sabotage by geopolitical rivals, adding a new threat dimension to competition in the Baltic Sea and elsewhere. Such "gray zone" tactics allow adversaries to test NATO resolve without triggering open conflict. What are the legal and military challenges of protecting infrastructure that lies outside clear territorial boundaries? And how can Western governments deter further disruption?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Martha Miller, a Senior Fellow at the Center for the National Interest. Miller recently served as deputy executive director of the National Security Institute at the Antonin Scalia Law School and was a special assistant to President George W. Bush. She also held national security roles in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. State Department.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

America is seeing a renewed push to expand nuclear energy, driven by rising electricity demand, data centers, and growing geopolitical competition. But building new reactors is slow, expensive, and risky, raising hard questions about financing, siting, and political will. Can the United States realistically catch up to China and Russia while rebuilding its domestic nuclear supply chain? And should Washington prioritize speed, self-sufficiency, or deeper cooperation with allies?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Kenneth Luongo, President of the Partnership for Global Security. Luongo is a member of the Advocacy Council of Nuclear Matters and the Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (NENSC). He served from 1994-1997 as the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Energy for Nonproliferation Policy and simultaneously as the Department of Energy’s Director of the Office of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Director of the Department of Energy’s Russia and Newly Independent States Nuclear Material Security Task Force, and Director of the North Korea Task Force.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Mass protests in Iran have been met with brutal repression, raising the stakes for the Trump administration which is now weighing whether to respond in support of the demonstrators. Do the protests threaten the Islamic Republic's existence, or is it yet another cycle of unrest the regime believes it can weather through force? What are the risks of U.S. military intervention? And how far would Washington need to go to avoid strengthening the very hardliners it hopes to weaken?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Greg Priddy, a Senior Fellow for the Middle East at the Center for the National Interest. Priddy consults for corporate and financial clients on political risk in the region and previously served as Director for Global Oil at Eurasia Group.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

The stunning U.S. raid that removed Nicolás Maduro from power has upended Venezuela’s political landscape and forced Washington to confront what comes next. Rather than pushing immediately for regime change, the Trump administration appears to be testing a pressure-and-incentives strategy, with sanctions relief, oil production, and economic access used as leverage to shape the behavior of the remaining leadership. Can this approach actually deliver meaningful political reform in Caracas, or will regional stability and U.S. energy interests take precedence over Venezuela's democratic transition?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Dr. Vanessa Neumann, the founder and president of Asymmetrica, a Latin American business advisory firm. Neumann served as the Official Representative for Interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaidó to the United Kingdom and Ireland, from March 2019 through November 2020. Prior to her diplomatic posting, she served as group leader at the High Level Risk Forum Task Force on Charting Illicit Trafficking at the OECD.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

The ongoing peace negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine War have entered a delicate phase, with both Kyiv and Moscow signaling interest in talks even as fighting continues on the ground. Can Ukraine secure meaningful security guarantees without conceding territory? Is Russia seeking a genuine deal or merely buying time? And what would a workable endgame actually look like for a conflict that has reshaped global politics?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Andrew Kuchins, a senior fellow at the Center for the National Interest in Washington, DC. Kuchins most recently served as president of the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Before that, he served as Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (2007-2015) and at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2000-2003, 2006), where he also directed their Carnegie Moscow Center (2003-2005).Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

It’s been a big two weeks in U.S. politics, and some political observers are asking whether the MAGA movement is finally losing steam. A year after President Donald Trump’s stunning comeback, Republicans face fresh blowback from the record-breaking government shutdown, renewed public scrutiny of the "Epstein Files," and major electoral defeats on November 4. Is the MAGA movement fraying at the edges? And could these developments hint at further weakening ahead of the 2026 midterm elections?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest. Heilbrunn previously served as a senior editor at the New Republic and an editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times and has written on both foreign and domestic issues for numerous publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Reuters, Washington Monthly, and the Weekly Standard.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

What does “realism” in foreign policy really mean, and why are some experts calling for a return to it? In this episode, Paul Saunders breaks down the core tenets of realism that separate it from more idealistic and moralistic approaches.Saunders is the president of the Center for the National Interest and an expert with more than three decades of experience in U.S.-Russia policy. He previously served in the George W. Bush Administration from 2003 to 2005 as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

President Trump’s indecision on providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine has raised fresh questions about what his true endgame may be. Is the president using the weapons issue as leverage in a broader negotiation with Moscow? Could his push for a ceasefire bring about lasting peace, or does it risk merely freezing the conflict on Russia’s terms? And what does this shift reveal about the administration’s broader approach to Europe, NATO, and America’s global role?In this episode, Paul Saunders discusses these latest developments. Saunders is the president of the Center for the National Interest and an expert with more than three decades of experience in U.S.-Russia policy. He previously served in the George W. Bush Administration from 2003 to 2005 as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

On September 17, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA), a formal pact pledging that aggression against one will be treated as aggression against both. The agreement effectively extends Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent over Riyadh, raising questions about whether this marks the emergence of a new “nuclear umbrella” in the Gulf. Is this a pragmatic hedge by Riyadh amid doubts about U.S. reliability, or a step that could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East? And what risks does it pose for American security policy in the region?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Greg Priddy, a Senior Fellow for the Middle East at the Center for the National Interest. Priddy consults for corporate and financial clients on political risk in the region and previously served as Director for Global Oil at Eurasia Group.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

President Donald Trump's state visit to the UK concluded with a new technology partnership and major investment pledges, but also highlighted sticking points—from Trump’s refusal to lower tariffs to sharp differences with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Russia, Ukraine, and Gaza. What does this visit reveal about the durability of the “special relationship,” and where might tensions pull Washington and London apart?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest. Heilbrunn previously served as a senior editor at the New Republic and an editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times and has written on both foreign and domestic issues for numerous publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Reuters, Washington Monthly, and the Weekly Standard.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

The recent summit between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing produced a landmark agreement on the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline, a massive project that would redirect Russia’s natural gas exports from Europe to China. The deal raises far-reaching questions: how will it reshape global energy markets, especially for U.S. and allied LNG exporters? Why has Beijing now moved forward despite past hesitations over sanctions and supply needs? And what strategic calculations drove China to favor a secure overland pipeline through Mongolia rather than riskier Arctic LNG shipping routes vulnerable to U.S. power?In this episode, Paul Saunders discusses these latest developments. Saunders is the president of the Center for the National Interest and an expert with more than three decades of experience in U.S.-Russia policy. He previously served in the George W. Bush Administration from 2003 to 2005 as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will meet President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday for their first summit, a high-stakes encounter following last month’s trade agreement that eased U.S. tariff pressures on Seoul. The meeting comes at a critical moment, as Seoul seeks to reaffirm its alliance with Washington while navigating domestic political pressures, shifting trade dynamics, and the challenges of an unpredictable American president. How will President Lee balance strengthening economic ties, avoiding confrontation over U.S. troop costs, and maintaining flexibility in dealing with North Korea and China? And can this pragmatic approach reshape the U.S.–Korea relationship for the years ahead?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Dr. Jae Ku, Senior Fellow for U.S.-Korea Relations at the Center for the National Interest. From 2007-2018, he served as the Director of the U.S.-Korea Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, a research institute he co-founded. He was also the director of Freedom House’s Human Rights in North Korea Project, a Congressionally mandated international campaign under the North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

The United States is in the midst of an energy export boom, driven by a massive expansion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipments to allies in Europe and Asia. This surge carries significant consequences for American domestic energy production, with export capacity projected to double by 2030, while also establishing energy as a central tool of U.S. foreign policy. This new reality raises critical questions: Is the recent $750 billion U.S.-EU energy deal a realistic commodity agreement or a broader strategic framework designed to counter Russia? What are the prospects for the ambitious, multi-billion-dollar Alaska LNG project, and how does it fit into America’s strategic competition with China in the Arctic? Finally, will the threat of U.S. secondary sanctions on Russia's top oil customers, China and India, successfully pressure Moscow to seek an end to the war in Ukraine?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Douglas Hengel, an adjunct lecturer in the geopolitics of energy at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Hengel is a former American diplomat who worked extensively on economic and energy issues, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy, Sanctions and Commodities. In that capacity, his responsibilities included formulating and advancing U.S. international energy policy and being a member of the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency in Paris.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

President Donald Trump has once again moved his deadline for Vladimir Putin to begin peace talks on Ukraine, this time to just 10–12 days. But with no breakthrough in sight and repeated Russian missile strikes undercutting diplomatic overtures, frustration in the White House is mounting. What happens if Putin ignores this latest ultimatum? Could extreme tariffs or indirect pressure on other countries make a difference? And what might the war’s trajectory look like if neither side is willing or able to negotiate?In this episode, Paul Saunders discusses these latest developments. Saunders is the president of the Center for the National Interest and an expert with more than three decades of experience in U.S.-Russia policy. He previously served in the George W. Bush Administration from 2003 to 2005 as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has revived one of his signature economic tools: tariffs. But will this strategy revitalize the U.S. economy or sabotage it? With Trump pressing forward on new levies against hundreds of countries and industries, global trade relationships are in flux and domestic markets are bracing for impact. What could this mean for consumer prices, interest rates, and America’s already staggering $36 trillion debt? And will Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” deliver growth or invite economic catastrophe?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest. Heilbrunn previously served as a senior editor at the New Republic and an editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times and has written on both foreign and domestic issues for numerous publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Reuters, Washington Monthly, and the Weekly Standard.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iran, followed swiftly by American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and a White House-declared ceasefire, revealed a new strategic posture in Washington and Jerusalem. As the regional order reshuffles and traditional proxies splinter, Iran’s nuclear ambitions may likely intensify. Will the strikes deter Tehran, or entrench a dangerous stalemate with no clear endgame? In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Joshua Yaphe, a senior fellow at the Center for the National Interest. For fifteen years, Yaphe was the lead analyst for the Arabian Peninsula at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research. In 2020, he was a Visiting Fellow at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and from 2022 to 2024, he served as a visiting faculty member at the National Intelligence University.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

America’s nuclear advantage, once the envy of the world, is no longer guaranteed. With China and Russia now leading the global nuclear buildout, Washington faces a critical juncture. The stakes go far beyond energy: nuclear innovation is quickly becoming a pillar of geopolitical influence, economic competitiveness, and strategic security. Can the U.S. reclaim its leadership role before the gap becomes irreversible?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Dr. Ashley Finan, Chief Science Officer for the National and Homeland Security Directorate at Idaho National Laboratory. Dr. Finan is also a global fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy and previously served as the founding Director of the National Reactor Innovation Center. She holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Ukraine stunned the world on June 1 with a series of daring, high-precision drone strikes against airfields deep inside Russian territory. These drone attacks, which damaged or destroyed dozens of long-range bombers and even an AWACS aircraft, not only embarrassed Russia’s military establishment but also raised serious questions about the vulnerabilities of strategic assets and nuclear triads globally. The operation’s use of commercial components underscored how accessible and asymmetric drone warfare has become, prompting alarm among Western defense planners about the potential for copycat strikes. Could this mark a new era of warfare in which small, stealthy technologies rival billion-dollar military systems?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Samuel Bendett, a defense and technology advisor at the CNA Corporation. Bendett's previous experience includes working for National Defense University, the U.S. Congress, the private sector and nonprofit organizations on foreign policy, international conflict resolution, and defense and security issues.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

President Donald Trump’s Gulf trip in May 2025 offered more than just photo ops and billion-dollar deals; it signaled a shift in America’s posture toward the region. From flashy personal business signings to a notable departure from the Bush-era “freedom agenda,” Trump’s visit drew regional praise for its message of humility and realism, even as it stirred controversy back home. His decision to lift sanctions on Syria without preconditions and his hands-off approach to Israeli normalization efforts revealed a broader recalibration of U.S. ambitions in the Middle East. Does this trip mark a strategic pivot or simply a tactical pause in America's regional engagement?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Greg Priddy, a Senior Fellow for the Middle East at the Center for the National Interest. Priddy consults for corporate and financial clients on political risk in the region and previously served as Director for Global Oil at Eurasia Group.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Drone warfare has emerged as one of the most defining and disruptive features of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. What began as a supporting capability has now become a central element of modern combat, transforming the battlefield with swarms of low-cost UAVs conducting everything from reconnaissance and resupply to direct attacks. The implications extend far beyond Eastern Europe, as non-state actors, authoritarian regimes, and militaries worldwide take note and begin to adapt. How has the drone war in Ukraine changed military doctrine, and what does it mean for future conflicts from Gaza to the Taiwan Strait?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Samuel Bendett, a defense and technology advisor at the CNA Corporation. Bendett's previous experience includes working for National Defense University, the U.S. Congress, the private sector and nonprofit organizations on foreign policy, international conflict resolution, and defense and security issues.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Korea’s energy sector is at an inflection point—one shaped by deepening nuclear cooperation abroad, the Trump administration's tariffs, and a presidential transition in Seoul. These developments could reshape not only Korea’s domestic energy mix but also its role in international LNG markets, global clean tech supply chains, and joint reactor exports with the U.S. Will the next Korean administration double down on renewables, microgrids, and energy storage—or stick with the current nuclear-heavy approach? And how will Washington’s tariff and trade policies influence Seoul’s long-term energy partnerships? In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Chinho Park, the Acting President of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH). Dr. Park served previously as a strategic planner at Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.

A wave of optimism has surrounded the U.S. nuclear energy sector in recent years, but that momentum now faces mounting headwinds. Canceled data center projects, a shaky economic outlook, and uncertainty over tariffs have raised new questions about whether America’s nuclear renaissance can stay on track. With nuclear power poised to play a vital role in both the clean energy transition and global strategic competition, the stakes are high—not just for jobs and innovation, but for U.S. influence in a world increasingly shaped by Chinese and Russian state-backed exporters. Can the United States secure its place as a global nuclear leader, or is it falling behind in a high-stakes race?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Dr. Jennifer Gordon, Director of the Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative at the Atlantic Council. Gordon previously co-directed the Atlantic Council's task force on U.S. nuclear energy leadership.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.