Best UnDeclared Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 9: A Military Without Rival 39:12

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14d ago39:12

39:12

The military and the very idea of national security changed a lot in the 1990s. Politicians promised a new period of peace and prosperity after the Cold War, but the military would not draw down from the international arena. On the contrary, the United States turned to policing the world, and the military carried out new types of missions meant to …

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Episode 8: The Cost of Humanitarian Intervention 43:12

28d ago43:12

43:12

When the Cold War ended, many imagined a more peaceful world. Yet the 1990s were marked by humanitarian crises in Somalia, Rwanda, and former Yugoslavia. Images of mass atrocities and genocide reached wide audiences on newly available 24/7 TV news channels, as humanitarians increasingly advocated for military intervention. The United States under B…

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Episode 7: America's China Gamble 41:25

2M ago41:25

41:25

China’s violent Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 marked a turning point in US-China relations. After two decades of slowly but steadily nurturing friendly relations, the United States would choose to develop economic ties without insisting on democratic reforms. The prevailing hope was that China’s economic growth would inevitably lead to politic…

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Sudan and the Limits of Western Peacebuilding (from the archive) 26:33

2M ago26:33

26:33

Sudan’s civil war recently entered its third year. It has claimed the lives of around 150,000 people and displaced around 13 million. In this archival episode, we revisit the outbreak of violence that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, led by…

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Episode 6: How Apartheid Ended in South Africa 40:05

3M ago40:05

40:05

In the 1990s, South Africa ended apartheid, a brutal system of racial segregation, and became a democracy. During the Cold War, the United States supported South Africa’s apartheid government because it was anti-communist. But American civil rights activists pushed Washington to reassess its support – which it did as the Cold War wound down. Nelson…

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Episode 5: Why the Israel-Palestine Peace Process Failed 45:19

3M ago45:19

45:19

The 1990s witnessed a turning point in one of the world’s most intractable disputes. After four decades of conflict, the 1991 Madrid Conference opened the door for peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. A flurry of negotiations and agreements followed. The Camp David Summit in 2000 was the Clinton administration’s last-ditch attempt to prod…

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Episode 4: Fewer Nukes, More Danger 38:29

4M ago38:29

38:29

Nightmares of mushroom clouds and fears of mutually assured destruction plagued many during the Cold War. But by the early 1990s, both the United States and Russia promised a world with fewer nuclear weapons. Together, they agreed to dismantle 80% of their strategic nuclear warheads. Meanwhile, other countries such as North Korea and Pakistan saw v…

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Episode 3: The CIA, Afghanistan, and the Road to 9/11 46:17

4M ago46:17

46:17

This is the story of how a CIA covert action program inadvertently created the conditions for the Taliban to seize control and provide safe haven for Osama bin Laden. Following a Cold War proxy battle between the Soviet Union and the United States, al Qaeda gained strength throughout the 1990s, leading to the deadliest attack on American soil on Se…

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Episode 2: How Democracy Failed in Russia 45:24

4M ago45:24

45:24

America was on top of the world in the 1990s as its erstwhile rival, Russia, was struggling to find its footing. President Boris Yelstin's liberal reforms were soon dashed by economic crises and infighting among Russian elites. US policymakers also contributed to this tragedy, which would lead to Vladimir Putin's rise by the end of the decade. In t…

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Episode 1: Dawn of Unipolarity 42:32

5M ago42:32

42:32

The 1990s were a decade of transformation and optimism. Teenagers were listening to grunge rock and hip hop on their walkmans. Flannels and jean jackets became staples of ‘90s fashion. And seemingly without warning, the Cold War was over, the Soviet Union had dissolved, and the United States emerged as the sole superpower. Today’s world seems more …

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The Chainsaw Effect: Javier Milei and the Disruption of Argentina’s Politics 25:11

1y ago25:11

25:11

The surprising election of Argentina's controversial new president, Javier Milei, captivated international media attention. Milei just passed his first major legislative package, and promises to further slash state spending and promote policies to privatize much of the Argentine economy. What drives his support beyond voters’ weariness of the count…

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The Hell of Bad Assumptions: Lessons from Afghanistan 34:25

1y ago34:25

34:25

In the aftermath of 9/11, America’s political leaders lept to action based on, what turned out to be, a series of misplaced and untested assumptions. From conflations between the Taliban and Al Qaeda to misguided theories about nation building, these assumptions drove two decades of policy failure in Afghanistan. Critical missteps came with a human…

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Hubris in Haiti: Ambassador Dan Foote on Learning from America’s Failures 40:03

1y ago40:03

40:03

Haiti has been in a state of political uncertainty since its president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated two years ago. Ariel Henry assumed power with the backing of the US – but not of most Haitians – and promptly suspended elections. Competing gangs jockeyed for political power, and have seized control of the capital city Port-au-Prince. The propo…

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War Stories (from the archive) 36:47

1y ago36:47

36:47

From the Crimean War of 1853 to Russia’s war inUkraine, journalists, reporters, and the media have shaped the public’s understanding of war. But do the stories we read and the photos we see provide an impartial picture of the wars they document? As the Institute for Global Affairs’ Mark Hannah explained in his 2022 Foreign Policy piece, certain asp…

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Anchored Insight: Admiral James Stavridis on Fiction, History, and Service 36:07

1y ago36:07

36:07

Many have argued that NATO, the transatlantic alliance forged at the dawn of the Cold War, is merely a vestige of another era. But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine thrust NATO back into the spotlight, and reignited debates about the value and strategic imperatives of America’s alliances. With a distinguished career of over three decades in the United S…

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Bonus Episode: Israel’s Complicated Relationship with Human Rights 43:19

1+ y ago43:19

43:19

In December 2023, South Africa brought human rights law into the fold of the Israel-Hamas war when it filed a genocide case against Israel in the World Court. South Africa’s unprecedented move sparked conversation surrounding the line between collateral damage and indiscriminate bombing campaigns. In this extended cut of a recent episode of None of…

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Who are the Houthis? Inside America's Undeclared Air War 33:13

1+ y ago33:13

33:13

The Houthis continue to attack commercial vessels in the Red Sea amid Israel’s assault in Gaza. This Yemen-based political and military organization says its disruption of international shipping is a response to Western support for Israel. It likely also hopes its attacks will revitalize flailing domestic support within war-torn Yemen. The United S…

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The Case Against Israel: South Africa's Genocide Suit at the World Court 41:14

1+ y ago41:14

41:14

Last month the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide, and protect the human rights of Gazans. Almost everything about the case has generated controversy, from South Africa’s invocation of the Genocide Convention to the court’s decision not to order a ceasefire. In this episode of None Of The Abov…

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Ukraine at Two Years: Sam Charap and Alex Ward on US Aid and Interests 45:15

1+ y ago45:15

45:15

Next month will mark two years since Russia invaded Ukraine after amassing over 100,000 troops at the border. As we look ahead, we ask: What has victory in Ukraine come to symbolize for the Biden administration’s foreign policy? Are Ukraine and its partners making full use of diplomacy to bring an end to the war? And how might the 2024 Presidential…

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Information Battleground: Disinformation in War with Claire Wardle and Steven Lee Myers 38:03

1+ y ago38:03

38:03

It’s always difficult to gather and verify information in times of armed conflict. But recently that task has gotten much harder. From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza, journalists and consumers alike are inundated with intentionally misleading images, information, and narratives. The media ecosystem has become incre…

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Targeting Lumumba: Stuart Reid on the CIA-backed Destabilization of the Congo 29:49

1+ y ago29:49

29:49

Instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been making headlines in Western newspapers for months. Since the fall of Mobuto Sese Seko’s 30 year dictatorship in 1997, the cobalt rich Congo has dealt with civil war, insurgencies from bordering nations, and government corruption. But before Mobuto, there was another charismatic leader. Pa…

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The Problem of Our Power (from the archive) 21:30

1+ y ago21:30

21:30

The United States military is one of the most advanced and best funded militaries in the world. But critics argue this has helped make US foreign policy overly reliant on the use of military force. Over the past several decades, the US has grappled with blowback and retaliation, a ballooning defense budget, and a decline in traditional diplomacy. F…

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The Struggle for Stability: Israel, Hamas, and US Policy in the Middle East 31:02

1+ y ago31:02

31:02

Today marks one month since the Palestinian militant organization Hamas launched a brutal terrorist attack on Southern Israel. Before October 7th, the Biden administration’s foreign policy had largely centered on Europe and Asia. Issues of Palestinian self-determination and self rule appeared to be something the administration (and Israel) were eag…

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Worldviews: Data-Backed Discoveries on Americans’ Opinions 29:24

1+ y ago29:24

29:24

With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, the Biden administration’s foreign policy decisions will face increasing scrutiny. Some think foreign policy decisions should be exempt from regular public debate. To gain a better understanding of the concerns and priorities of voting age Americans, we at the Eurasia Group Foundation compiled our…

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Beyond Superpowers: Global “Swing States” and the Need for UN Reform 27:50

1+ y ago27:50

27:50

The United Nations, founded in the aftermath of history’s most destructive war, is the world’s premier forum for international diplomacy. But is the UN a vestige of a bygone era? This year’s session of the UN General Assembly, which today closes general debate, has been the site of much frustration over the war in Ukraine, the stalled progress of t…

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Authors at War: How War Stories Shape the American Psyche 29:55

2y ago29:55

29:55

Yesterday’s anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States has us turning to the legacy of America’s post-9/11 wars. As veterans reflect on their time in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as the country contemplates the impact of these wars on the morale of the US military and America’s standing in the world, literature offers a powerful wa…

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American Foreign Policy’s Diversity Problem 32:19

2y ago32:19

32:19

We here at the Eurasia Group Foundation are very curious about the extent to which US foreign policy reflects the interests of the American public. In today’s episode, we turn our attention to an important group: Black Americans. Black Americans make up 12 percent of the national population. They are over-represented in the rank and file of the US …

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What is the Opposite of a War Crime? Samuel Moyn on Making War More “Humane” 33:20

2y ago33:20

33:20

Last week, the Biden administration agreed to share evidence with the International Criminal Court of Russian war crimes in Ukraine. President Biden insists Vladimir Putin has “clearly committed war crimes.” But however atrocious Russia’s tactics are, is there a version of this war – or any act of war – that is not? In this week’s episode of None O…

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Toward a Pacific NATO? A Critical Look at America’s Indo-Pacific Alliances 30:53

2y ago30:53

30:53

As President Biden meets this week with America’s NATO allies at the Vilnius Summit, attention has turned to Sweden’s and Ukraine’s prospects for the Atlantic alliance. Europe is not the only continent where America’s military commitments are up for debate, however. On this episode of None Of The Above, we look further east to America’s alliance in…

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Modi’s Trip to Washington: Shivshankar Menon on How India Sees the World 28:40

2y ago28:40

28:40

This week, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi traveled to the United States in his first official state visit as prime minister. Once denied entry into the United States for inciting communal violence in the Indian state of Gujarat, Modi is now being given one of the highest honors for foreign dignitaries by addressing a joint session of Congress.…

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Why Japan Passes The Buck - Japan’s Military Buildup Faces Resistance 26:51

2y ago26:51

26:51

Over the weekend, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hosted the annual G7 summit in Hiroshima. Nuclear proliferation, Russia’s war on Ukraine, and the rise of China dominated conversation between the leaders of the world’s most advanced democratic economies. Kishida hosting the summit is significant: Japan is reinventing its role on the global s…

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Sudan and the Limits of Western Peacebuilding 25:20

2y ago25:20

25:20

On April 15, violence erupted across Sudan between the Sudanese Army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, led by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan–known also as Hemedti. As the warring factions compete for control of resource-rich Sudan, regional leaders like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, as w…

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Kara Swisher Talks TikTok Ban & National Security Fears 18:52

2y ago18:52

18:52

When TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress, he was grilled on whether the popular short form video hosting app used by an estimated 150 million Americans has links to the Chinese government. The Biden administration and several members of Congress from both parties want to ban TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech firm ByteDance, claim…

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How the War in Ukraine Ends: A Conversation with General Mark Milley 31:05

2+ y ago31:05

31:05

We recently marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Many are wondering: how does this seemingly intractable conflict end? On Friday, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Vladimir Putin’s arrest. On Monday, Putin and Xi Jinping met to discuss China’s peace proposal for Ukraine. The United States and its allies in…

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Defending Europe: How the Transatlantic Alliance Protects and Imperils American Security 32:41

2+ y ago32:41

32:41

President Biden traveled to Poland in February after his surprise visit to Kyiv to encourage NATO countries' continued support for Ukraine as the war enters its second year. “Democracies of the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow and forever,” Biden said. The United States reiterated its commitment to defend countries throughout Eur…

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Russia’s Red Lines: Where the Russia-Ukraine War Stands at One Year 31:45

2+ y ago31:45

31:45

A year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war grinds on. Early Russian advances were successfully rolled back, but intense fighting continues in the east, where a renewed Russian offensive looms. The United States and many of its European allies remain resolute in their support for Ukraine. In a sign of their commitment, the United States and …

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Is a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Inevitable? The Future of Cross-Strait Relations and Washington’s Commitments to Taipei 27:11

2+ y ago27:11

27:11

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, observers anxiously watched China’s reactions as many feared a similar conflict would break out in the Taiwan Strait. In recent years, it appears China has been increasingly determined to enforce its One-China policy, first against Hong Kong and now against Taiwan. From afar, the United States is caught between d…

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Bonus Episode: America’s Past, Present, and Future Role in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict 40:28

2+ y ago40:28

40:28

Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to be sworn in as Israel’s 15th prime minister in the coming days. Israel’s government, which is expected to be the most right-wing in the country’s history, has raised questions about the role the United States should play, if any, in what could be a high consequence and volatile year for Israelis and Palestinians. B…

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Bibi’s Back: What the New Hardline Government Means for Israel, Palestine, and the United States 35:31

2+ y ago35:31

35:31

In early December, just weeks after Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party won Israel’s parliamentary election (again), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked that America’s commitment to Israel has “never been stronger.” The incoming governing coalition that Netenyahu is forming is expected to be the most right-wing in Israeli history. What…

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Avoiding Armageddon: Rose Gottemoeller on the Potential for Nuclear War 36:11

2+ y ago36:11

36:11

Last month, President Biden warned of “nuclear Armageddon” as tensions with Russia reached their highest point since the Cuban Missile Crisis. While the Biden administration appears to be working around the clock to prevent this kind of nuclear catastrophe, the American public has been largely kept in the dark about how the United States would resp…

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Of Mushrooms and Midterms: How Pennsylvania Voted on Foreign Policy 15:30

2+ y ago15:30

15:30

It’s Election Day in the U.S. Americans across the country head to the polls to cast their vote in this year’s midterm elections. Much is at stake for the Biden administration: Republicans are poised to take control of the House of Representatives, if not both houses of Congress. What are the issues motivating Americans to vote (or not)? A month af…

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When Does an Uprising Become a Revolution? Reza Aslan and Assal Rad on the Protests in Iran 36:06

2+ y ago36:06

36:06

Iran is in upheaval. The death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, in the custody of Iran’s “morality police” has sparked an uprising throughout the country. Protesters have turned the current regime’s revolutionary iconography against it. Faced with what might be the biggest test to its legitimacy since 1979, the Iranian government has imposed a brutal…

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Another January 6th?: Catherine Osborn on Brazil’s Election & Political Violence 24:50

2+ y ago24:50

24:50

Brazilians head to the polls Sunday to elect their next president and other key legislators in Brazil’s general election. If neither presidential candidate – Brazil’s current right wing president Jair Bolsonaro or Brazil’s former left wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – wins a majority of the vote, a runoff election will take place on Octobe…

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America’s Secrecy Regime: Alex Wellerstein on Donald Trump and Nuclear Secrets 30:42

3y ago30:42

30:42

In early August, the FBI seized boxes of classified documents, some suspected to contain nuclear secrets, from former president Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago. News of the FBI’s raid ignited a political firestorm but it also shed light on an obscure aspect of US foreign policymaking — America’s “nuclear secrecy regime.” From its WWII origin…

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Partner of Choice? Michael Woldemariam and Robbie Gramer on Biden’s Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 25:23

3y ago25:23

25:23

Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world and home to some of the world’s most critical developing economies. But historically, US foreign policy has treated the continent as a monolith and a site for great power competition, ignoring the role of African nations in deciding their own future. This week, None of the Above …

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The Crude Truth: Emma Ashford on the Global Energy Crisis 25:29

3y ago25:29

25:29

The fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine has disrupted the global energy market and hiked the price of fuel nearly everywhere around the world. In Europe, which finds itself caught between efforts to cut itself off from Russian oil and Moscow’s firm grip on energy exports, the repercussions of today’s energy crisis are acute. While in the United St…

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From Kosovo to Kyiv: Jamie Shea on NATO Then and Now 28:43

3y ago28:43

28:43

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created at the dawn of the Cold War to stop the expansion of the Soviet Union. But in the 1990s, when NATO intervened in the Balkan wars, it assumed a new role for itself. Our guest this week was responsible, more than two decades ago, for explaining the NATO campaign in Kosovo to the international press. …

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Brink of Catastrophe: Matthieu Aikins and Masuda Sultan on the Plight of Afghans 29:32

3y ago29:32

29:32

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Losing China: Daniel Kurtz-Phelan on George Marshall’s Less Glorious Mission 23:24

3y ago23:24

23:24

General George Marshall occupies a central place in the pantheon of American heroes. He helped lead the Allies to victory in World War II, and as the secretary of state, he championed the plan to rebuild Europe which would be named for him: The Marshall Plan. But Marshall’s record as a statesman wasn’t perfect. Tapped by President Truman to negotia…

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War Stories: Brooke Gladstone and Fred Kaplan on the Media, War, and Ukraine 36:43

3y ago36:43

36:43

From the Crimean War of 1853 to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this year, journalists, reporters, and the media have shaped the public’s understanding of war. But do the stories we read and the photos we see provide an impartial picture of the wars they document? As the Eurasia Group Foundation’s Mark Hannah recently explained in Foreign Policy, cert…