Three Questions

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.