• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
Podcast Episode

Biden, Trump, and a Foreign Policy That’s Gone Off Course

In this special edition episode, Christopher Chivvis and Stephen Wertheim explore Biden's foreign policy legacy, challenges in restraining Israel and Ukraine, prospects for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, and paths to stabilizing U.S.-China relations amidst Cold War tensions.

Link Copied
By Christopher S. Chivvis and Stephen Wertheim
Published on Jan 17, 2025

Subscribe on

YoutubeSpotifyApple PodcastsOvercastPlayer FM

The Biden administration contends it has left the United States in a better geopolitical position than when it entered office four years ago. In a year-end foreign policy review from Carnegie’s American Statecraft Program, Director Chris Chivvis and Senior Fellow Stephen Wertheim critique Biden's foreign policy legacy and discuss what Trump might do next.

Why has it been so difficult for Biden to restrain Israel and succeed in Ukraine? What might a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal look like? How can the U.S. navigate toward a more stable U.S.-China relationship, despite entrenched beliefs that we are living through a second Cold War?

Join them for a wide-ranging conversation on the most pressing issues facing the United States and the world. 

Shownotes:

  1. The Economist, Chris Chivvis: Talks Between Russia and Ukraine would Save Lives
  2. Financial Times, Stephen Wertheim: It's Time for Europe's Magical Thinking on Defence to End 
  3. The Guardian, Chris Chivvis: Admitting Ukraine to NATO Would be a mistake for both Ukraine and NATO  
  4. Global Asia, Stephen Wertheim: Asia Should Encourage 'Trump the Peacemaker'
  5. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, U.S. China Relations for the 2030s: Toward a Realistic Scenario for Coexistence

Hosted by

Christopher S. Chivvis
Senior Fellow and Director, American Statecraft Program
Christopher S. Chivvis
Stephen Wertheim
Senior Fellow, American Statecraft Program
Stephen Wertheim

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from The World Unpacked

  • The World Unpacked
    Podcast Episode
    How a U.S.-China War Would Unfold

    A U.S.-China war over Taiwan would be catastrophic for all sides and the world. Preventing such a war requires understanding how it might unfold—from start to finish—including worst-case scenarios.

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Charles Hooper

  • A New Middle East?
    Podcast Episode
    In the New Middle East, No One Is In Charge

    Marwan Muasher—a former foreign minister of Jordan and now a VP at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace—joins The World Unpacked to make sense of a region in flux.

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Marwan Muasher

  • Theo Baker
    Podcast Episode
    Is Silicon Valley Corrupting Stanford?

    Theo Baker is no ordinary college senior. His student newspaper articles brought down Stanford’s president. Now he’s written a book about the making of the young tech elite. 

      • Jon Bateman
      • Theo Baker

      Jon Bateman, Theo Baker

  • Alexandra Prokopenko
    Podcast Episode
    Putin Is Losing His Grip on Russia

    Alexandra Prokopenko, a former Moscow insider who quit over the Ukraine War, says that Vladimir Putin has lost focus on running the country. She joins Jon Bateman on The World Unpacked to explain the erosion of Russia’s social contract and share stories from her new book From Sovereigns to Servants: How the War Against Ukraine Reshaped Russia’s Elite.

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Alexandra Prokopenko

  • Podcast Episode
    What to Know Before Trump Attacks Cuba

    Javier Corrales and host Jon Bateman discuss Cuba’s economic vulnerability, its political staying power, and why Trump might wind up making a deal with the Castros very similar to one made by Barack Obama. 

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Javier Corrales

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.