Nearly a week after the tense Oval Office meeting between President Trump and President Zelensky, and just days after the Trump administration’s abrupt decision to pause military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, serious questions loom over America’s commitment to Kyiv’s security. At the same time, the White House appears to be exploring a thaw with Moscow—including potential sanctions relief with little in return.
In this episode, Sophia Besch and Dara Massicot unpack the implications of these moves: What message does this send to Ukraine and its European allies? How are European leaders responding? And what does this shift mean for U.S. foreign policy and great power competition?
Notes:
Peter Harrell is a top trade expert and lawyer fighting the tariffs on behalf of 207 members of Congress. He joins host Jon Bateman on The World Unpacked to take stock of the ever-changing tariffs, peer into the Justices’ decision-making process, and predict the fallout for America and the world.
Noah Oppenheim, former president of NBC News, joins Jon to discuss the filmmaking process behind A House of Dynamite, which offers a new look into the realities of nuclear war.
Co-Founder and Co-Director of InSight Crime Steven Dudley joins The World Unpacked this week to dive into MS-13's grip on El Salvador and President Nayib Bukele's fight to dismantle its power.
Rachel Bonnifield joins The World Unpacked to discuss the risks, and benefits, of the Trump administration's termination of USAID and attempts to restructure U.S. foreign assistance.
Oliver Stuenkel, a prominent analyst of Brazilian politics, breaks down the trial and conviction of former president of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, and their implications, with Jon Bateman on The World Unpacked.