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Series
Recent Episodes
Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States, joins Robert to assess the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term. They discuss tariffs, the Middle East, Ukraine, and the differences from Trump’s first term. Mike Pence has served as a member of the House of Representatives, governor of Indiana, and Vice President over the course of his career in public service. Read more about the work of his new organization, Advancing American Freedom, here.
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The Heritage Foundation
March 2025
Colin Dueck joins Robert to discuss the historical contexts and animating ideas behind the Trump administration's reorientation of American foreign policy. They discuss the evolution of the Republican Party, the effects on Canada and Europe, and the need to confront China. Colin is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute where he studies the interconnection between US national security strategies and party politics, conservative ideas, and presidential leadership. Read his three part series on the Trump administration and Canada.
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Kimberly Kagan joins Robert to explore breaking developments in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. They discuss weapon systems, strategies, and the toll of the war on both countries. Dr. Kimberly Kagan is the founder and president of the Institute for the Study of War. Read more about her work here.
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Zack Cooper joins Robert to talk about strategic competition with China and his new book Tides of Fortune: The Rise and Decline of Great Militaries. They discuss the balance of military power, the kinds of weapon systems the US should invest in, and the Trump administration's approach to Taiwan. Zack Cooper is a senior fellow at AEI where he studies US strategy in Asia, including alliance dynamics and US-China competition. Read more about his new book here.
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January 2025
James Capretta joins Robert to talk about how the US can address increasingly unsustainable spending on Medicaid and Medicare. They discuss actions the executive branch and Congress can take to drive down prices; limit waste, fraud, and abuse; and increase revenue. James Capretta is a senior fellow and Milton Friedman Chair at AEI where he studies health care, entitlement programs, and fiscal trends in advanced economies. Read his latest writing on federal budget baselines, defense spending, and health care reform.
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December 2024
In the second of two episodes on the US tax policy outlook, Alex Brill joins Robert to talk about the political dynamics of tax legislation in 2025. They discuss how the reconciliation procedure will shape legislation, what issues could divide Republicans, and what role Donald Trump could play in negotiations. Alex Brill is a senior fellow at AEI where he studies federal tax policy and a former policy director and chief economist of the House Ways and Means Committee. Read his latest writing on the child tax credit, auto loan interest deductions, and taxing overtime income.
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In the first of two episodes on the US tax policy outlook, Kyle Pomerleau joins Robert to talk about the impending expiration of many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. They discuss what policies are at stake, from the individual rate cut to the child tax credit, and how Congress could balance cutting taxes with the US's deteriorating fiscal picture. Kyle Pomerleau is a senior fellow at AEI where he studies federal tax policy. Read his latest writing on the Congressional Budget Office, tariffs, and corporate tax reform.
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November 2024
In this special episode recorded at AEI’s 2024 Annual Dinner, outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell joins Robert to talk about his almost 40 years in Congress. They discuss the past and continuing importance of the Senate and the challenges facing the next Senate Republican Leader. Leader McConnell has represented Kentucky in the Senate since 1985 and has served as Leader since 2007. Watch the full remarks from the 2024 Annual Dinner here.
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As Americans head to the polls, Frederick Kagan joins Robert to talk about what the next administration can do to deliver victory in Ukraine. They discuss current conditions on the battlefield, the arrival of North Korean troops, and the global stakes of the conflict. Frederick Kagan is a senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI. Read his latest research on Taiwan, Ukraine, and China.
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October 2024
Hal Brands joins Robert to talk about the foreign policy challenges around the world facing the United States. They discuss the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the future of the war in Ukraine, and the looming threat from China. Hal is a senior fellow at AEI where he studies US foreign policy and defense strategy. Read his latest pieces on Israel and Iran, China and Taiwan, and Ukraine.
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Danielle Pletka joins Robert on the first anniversary of Hamas's October 7 terrorist attack against Israel to discuss its ongoing impact on the Middle East. They discuss Iran's involvement, the state of Israeli-Arab relations, Israel's military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah, and the concerning persistence of antisemitism. Danielle is a distinguished senior fellow at AEI, where she focuses on US foreign policy generally and the Middle East specifically. Read her latest pieces on antisemitism, October 7, and Iran.
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John Fortier joins Robert to talk about why voters should feel confident in the accuracy and integrity of this year's federal elections. They debunk voter fraud myths and explain how election administration has changed since 2020. John is a senior fellow at AEI, where he focuses on Congress and elections, election administration, election demographics, voting (and absentee voting), the US presidency, and the Electoral College. Listen to the latest episode of his podcast on election administration, "The Voting Booth," here.
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September 2024
Chris Stirewalt joins Robert to react to the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and assess the current state of play in the presidential and congressional races. They discuss undecided voters, key Senate races, and what election night might look like. Chris is a senior fellow at AEI, where he focuses on American politics, voting trends, public opinion, and the media. He is concurrently a contributing editor and weekly columnist for The Dispatch and the host of The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt on NewsNation. Read his latest pieces on the debate, the Senate race in Texas, and undecided voters.
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August 2024
Christine Rosen joins Robert to talk about her new book, The Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World. They discuss how technology, particularly social media, is alienating us from each other in everyday life, especially in younger generations, and what we can do about it. Christine is a senior fellow at AEI, where she focuses on American history, society and culture, technology and culture, and feminism. Read more about her new book here.
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Ruy Teixeira joins Robert to react to the selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Kamala Harris’s running mate and to analyze the state of the presidential election. They discuss the strategies, policies, and voters both campaigns need to pursue to achieve victory in November. Ruy is a senior fellow at AEI. His work focuses on the transformation of party coalitions and the future of American electoral politics, and he is co-editor of The Liberal Patriot. Read his latest writing on Kamala Harris's coalition, working-class voters, and the changing demographics of the GOP.
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