Counterpoint

Last week at the United Nations, U.S. President Donald Trump made clear that another round of war with Iran was on the table. But after more than 200 days of conflict, what else can the United States do to force the Iranian leadership to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and abandon nuclear enrichment?

Welcome to Counterpoint, where we take one big question facing world leaders and look at it from opposing points of view.

In this episode, we’re asking: Is a confrontational approach to Iran necessary?

Arguing in favor is Matt Kroenig, a professor at Georgetown University and former U.S. Defense Department strategist.

And to argue against this is Trita Parsi, a co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and former president of the National Iranian American Council.

Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum. The show is hosted by FP deputy editor Nick Danforth.
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This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trade, technology, and Taiwan are all expected to be on the agenda. It’s the two leaders’ second meeting in less than six months, as they try to stabilize the future of U.S.-China relations. Many fear tensions are brewing, but with their tariff war in the past, could it be possible for the world's two biggest economies to work together?

Welcome to Counterpoint, where we take one big question facing world leaders and look at it from opposing points of view.

In this episode, we’re asking: Can the United States and China build a stable relationship?

Arguing in favor is Jessica Chen Weiss, a professor of China studies at Johns Hopkins University and a former senior advisor at the U.S. State Department.

Arguing against it is Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies U.S. strategy in Asia and U.S.-China competition. He is also a former staffer at the U.S. National Security Council.

Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum. The show is hosted by FP deputy editor Nick Danforth.
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NATO was created after World War II to deter the Soviet Union and protect Western Europe. But the trans-Atlantic organization did not disband after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In fact, in the years since, its membership has doubled to include countries in Eastern Europe and eventually Finland and Sweden. Supporters say the expansion helps protect countries from Russian aggression and makes Europe safer. But critics argue that NATO’s growth has provoked a confrontation with Vladimir Putin.

Welcome to Season 3 of Counterpoint, where we take one big question facing world leaders and look at it from opposing points of view. Our host this season is Nick Danforth, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy.

To launch the season, we’re asking: Has NATO expansion made Europe safer?

Arguing in favor is Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia and a political science professor and senior fellow at Stanford University.

Arguing against is Emma Ashford, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center and an assistant professor at Georgetown University. Ashford is also a columnist at Foreign Policy.

Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum.
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The world at this moment is more fractured than it’s been in decades: more wars, more extremism, and deeper disagreements on a range of issues. On season 3 of Counterpoint, we get to the heart of those disagreements with a series of debates—hosted by Nick Danforth, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy magazine. Nick brings together two of the smartest people in their field on each episode, to face off over the world’s most vexing questions, including: Are the U.S. and China on a collision course? Has NATO expansion made Europe safer? And will AI destroy the world? Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum.
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On a special bonus episode of Counterpoint, FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal sits down with former U.S. secretary of state Hilary Clinton on the main stage of this year’s Doha Forum to discuss the Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy, what Congress needs to do better, the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and more.

Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum.
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