53 Best Council on Foreign Relations Podcasts to Listen to (2026)

Each episode of Why It Matters breaks down an issue that is shaping our world's future. Join host Gabrielle Sierra as she speaks with the leaders and thinkers who are facing these questions head on. Fueled by the minds at the Council on Foreign Relations, Why It Matters brings some of the world's most compelling stories home to you. more

Each week, 'Pod Save America' cohost Tommy Vietor and Obama's former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes break down the biggest developments in foreign policy, national security and global politics. They try to explain which stories matter and why, and what we can all do to understand and shape the world around us. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked's work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts. more

The world is on fire. There's a coup. Inflation is through the roof, and AI is taking our jobs. What does it all mean? Each week, Matt Bevan explains the biggest story in world news while hiding in his basement from assassins and authoritarian regimes.Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine's incursions into Vladimir Putin's Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs.The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom's 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, Donald Trump's presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin's scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia's turbulent history with climate change.There's a new episode of If You're Listening every Thursday. more

Fareed Zakaria GPS takes a comprehensive look at foreign affairs and global policies through in-depth, one-on-one interviews and fascinating roundtable discussions. more

The official home of Deep State Radio, Need to Know, Words Matter, The DSR Daily, The Daily Blast, Siliconsciousness, and more. If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider becoming a member by visiting https://dsrnetwork.substack.com/ more

Discussions over drinks with security, defense, and foreign policy insiders and experts. The original War on the Rocks podcast series. more

The World Next Week brings a journalist's perspective to the critical and intriguing stories developing around the globe—from Kyiv, to Pyongyang, to Capitol Hill, to Cannes. TWNW's hosts have years of experience covering international and Washington news. Before joining CFR, Robert McMahon, managing editor of digital content, reported for the Associated Press and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Carla Anne Robbins, a senior fellow and director of the MIA Program at Baruch College's Marxe School, was deputy editorial page editor at the New York Times and chief diplomatic correspondent at the Wall Street Journal. more

Each episode of The President's Inbox explores a foreign policy challenge facing the United States.

GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History, & Geopolitics is a flagship videocast from the Hoover Institution where senior fellows John Cochrane, Niall Ferguson, and H.R. McMaster cut through the noise, challenge conventional wisdom, and explain what's driving markets, power, and public policy. Drawing on rigorous economic analysis, deep historical perspective, and national security leadership at the highest levels, these leading thinkers deliver clear, trusted insight into the challenges facing the United States while debating the forces shaping the modern world. more

Each week, Foreign Policy Live will feature a substantive conversation on world affairs. Host and FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal will be joined by leading foreign-policy thinkers and practitioners to analyze a key issue in global politics, from the U.S.-China relationship to conflict and diplomacy. FP Live is your weekly fix for smart thinking about the world.Foreign Policy magazine subscribers can watch these interviews live and submit questions and suggestions by going to https://foreignpolicy.com/live/. more

Foreign Affairs invites you to join its editor, Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, as he talks to influential thinkers and policymakers about the forces shaping the world. Whether the topic is the war in Ukraine, the United States' competition with China, or the future of globalization, Foreign Affairs' weekly podcast offers the kind of authoritative commentary and analysis that you can find in the magazine and on the website. more

Three experts, one Story. Each fortnight we host a panel of international experts diving into the biggest geopolitical stories shaping the news both here and overseas. Hosted by Michael Hilliard more

A weekly discussion of the geopolitical implications of current events in the Asia-Pacific, hosted by Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz from The Diplomat, with regular guests. more

The longest running independent international affairs podcast features in-depth interviews with policymakers, journalists and experts around the world who discuss global news, international relations, global development and key trends driving world affairs.Named by The Guardian as 'a podcast to make you smarter,' Global Dispatches is a podcast for people who crave a deeper understanding of international news. more

American Diplomat goes behind the scenes to hear real stories from diplomats who lived newsworthy events overseas. Experience the Cuban revolution, Central American insurgencies, the end of apartheid and more through the eyes of those who were there. A project of Arizona State University. more

A non-partisan podcast brought to you by Geopolitical Futures, an online publication founded by internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster George Friedman. Geopolitical Futures tells you what matters in international affairs and what doesn't. Go to https://geopoliticalfutures.com/podcast for details. more

Deep Dish on Global Affairs helps you make sense of our rapidly changing world. Join host Leslie Vinjamuri, President and CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, as she speaks with thought leaders, journalists, and experts shaping foreign policy and global events. Together, they go beyond the headlines, explaining how events unfolded, why they matter, and what to watch for. Can global trade survive the shock of Trump's tariffs? What's behind the global race for AI dominance? New episodes every Thursday. Learn more at https://globalaffairs.org/deep-dish more

Gideon Rachman, the Financial Times chief foreign affairs columnist talks to the decision-makers and thinkers who are shaping world affairs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

​Presented by ​Andrew Mueller, Monocle's flagship global-affairs show features​ expert guests ​and in-depth analysis of the big issues of the week. Nominated for 'Best Current Affairs' show and the 'Spotlight Award' in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.  more

The Lowy Institute is a leading international think tank that looks at the world from Australia's perspective.This channel aggregates audio from across all of our event and podcast channels. more

Hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS, Russian Roulette explores the politics, history, and complex societies of Russia and Eurasia. Tune in for fascinating interviews and discussions on some of the biggest questions facing the broader post-Soviet space. Produced by David Lotfi, Lexi Linafelter, and Nicholas Fenton more

Brought to you by the Texas National Security Review, this podcast features lectures, interviews, and panel discussions at The University of Texas at Austin. more

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute's China Center, hosted by Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world's future. more

Tough decisions rattle us all to the core.  But for our guests on One Decision— the choices they are up against can also shape history.  No pressure!  They take us through all of their doubts, emotions and—sometimes unexpected--consequences.A fresh take on foreign policy.Hear the former head of Mi6, Sir Richard Dearlove alongside international journalists as they analyse, interview, and discuss. more

Weekly podcast on the events, policies and ideas that will shape the world.World in 30 minutes is curated by Mark Leonard, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and features top-level speakers from across the EU and beyond to debate and discuss Europe's role in the world. It was awarded 'Best podcasts on EU politics' by PolicyLab in 2019.Member of the EuroPod network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

The 'Asia Chessboard' features in-depth conversations with the most prominent strategic thinkers on Asia. Host Michael Green, Henry A. Kissinger Chair at CSIS and CEO of the United States Studies Centre, takes the debate beyond the headlines of the day to explore the historical context and inside decision-making process on major geopolitical developments from the Himalayas to the South China Sea. Experience the hard calls and consequential debates that drive US policy towards this critical region of the world. more

Welcome to The Foreign Report — where global chaos meets sharp analysis and dark humor that keep you from screaming into a pillow (maybe) (doubtful). Every week, producer, comedian, and lawyer Seena Ghaznavi and a rotating crew of experts, journalists, and policy nerds break down the wildest stories in foreign affairs. From competitive authoritarians taking over countries to Ai taking over our minds - Seena will drag you through the gory details of everything you need to know around the world.Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of The Foreign Report ad-free.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. more

North Korea is the Impossible State. Each episode, join the people who know the most about North Korea for an insiders' discussion with host Victor Cha about one of the United States' top national security priorities. more

The World Unpacked is a weekly podcast where insiders, intellectuals, and iconoclasts dive deep into the most pressing global issues. In a time of violent convulsions and heady new possibilities, host Jon Bateman mixes it up with the thinkers making sense of what's happening and the power brokers building what comes next. Tune in for lively, free-wheeling conversations with some of the world's most interesting and informed people. more

As the United States confronts an ever-changing set of international challenges, our foreign policy leaders continue to offer the same old answers. But what are the alternatives? In None Of The Above, the Eurasia Group Institute for Global Affairs' Jonathan Guyer asks leading global thinkers for new answers and new ideas to guide an America increasingly adrift in the world. www.noneoftheabovepodcast.org more

The Middle East never stops moving. Neither does the FDD Morning Brief. Three mornings a week, FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer cuts through the noise with the experts who have spent their careers studying, shaping, and living the region's most consequential moments. All before your morning coffee gets cold. more

Latin America in Focus is the leading English-language podcast on Latin American politics, economics, and policy. What does AI's tectonic change mean for Latin America? Are youth losing faith in democracy? Can the region power up its lithium and critical minerals prospects? Will security or foreign policy influence elections? Latin America in Focus (or LatAmFocus) takes on topics like these, giving context to the big issues affecting the Americas today. Twice a month, Americas Society / Council of the Americas Online team brings you in-depth interviews with top experts, journalists, artists, and entrepreneurs on the ground in and from countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, and more. Go in depth on the latest trends in Latin American politics, regional trade and economics, foreign policy, and culture in this podcast series by Americas Society/Council of the Americas. more

Chatham House director Bronwen Maddox hosts conversations with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts to provide insight into the latest international political issues.Independent Thinking gives listeners the opportunity to engage with the high level conversations hosted by Chatham House. more

Join Crisis Group's Executive Vice President Richard Atwood as he dives deep into the conflicts that rage around the globe with Crisis Group analysts and special guests. These experts bring a unique, on-the-ground perspective to understanding both why those conflicts persist — and what could bring them to an end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

Podcast from the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) at Stanford University, featuring Director Colin Kahl, former under secretary of defense for policy at the U.S. Department of Defense. Colin and his guests dive into critical international issues, offering insights into the history and context of the biggest stories in the news. more

Ever wondered how automation will change the world? Maybe you puzzle over what India could do to ease traffic congestion, or how China's aircraft carriers will transform Indian Ocean geopolitics? All Things Policy, a daily podcast brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, brings you all the answers. Every weekday, our researchers break down complex economic and geopolitical ideas through the lens of current events. For everyone from the busy executive to the curious student, All Things Policy is all you'll need to understand the world (and appreciate your breakfast) better. more

Welcome to the War Studies podcast. We bring you world-leading research from the School of Security Studies at King's College London, the largest community of scholars in the world dedicated to the study of all aspects of security, defence and international relations. We aim to explore the complex realm of conflict and uncover the challenges at the heart of navigating world affairs and diplomatic relations, because we believe the study of war is fundamental to understanding the world we live in and the world we want to live in. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please rate and review us on your preferred podcast provider it really helps us reach more listeners. The School of Security Studies harnesses the depth and breadth of expertise across War Studies and Defence Studies to produce world-leading research and teaching on issues of global security that develops new empirical knowledge, employs innovative theory, and addresses vital policy issues. Visit our website: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/security-studies Sign up to our mailing list: https://kcl.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cc0521a63c9b286223dea9d18&id=730233761d DISCLAIMER: Any information, statements or opinions contained in these podcasts are those of the individual speakers. They do not represent the opinions of the Department of War Studies or King's College London. more

Fault Lines, the National Security Institute's flagship podcast, gets you quickly up to speed, three-times-a-week, on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America. Our regular cast of foreign policy experts includes NSI Founder and Executive Director Jamil N. Jaffer, NSI Advisory Board Member Lester Munson, and NSI Senior Fellows Morgan Viña, and Jessica Jones. Tune in to learn more about the issues dominating headlines and the news stories you may have missed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

A national security and foreign policy podcast from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

Founded in 1961 by strategist Herman Kahn, Hudson Institute challenges conventional thinking and helps manage strategic transitions through interdisciplinary studies in defense, international relations, economics, energy, technology, culture, and law.Hudson seeks to guide policymakers and global leaders in government and business through a robust program of publications, conferences, policy briefings, and recommendations. more

Chain Reaction is the Foreign Policy Research Institute's flagship network of podcast series examining the political, security, economic, and social trends shaping our world. Throughout the year we are talking with experts about developments in Russia's war in Ukraine, the new European security order, defense and geopolitical issues in the Baltic States, as well as current and future national security challenges and opportunities in the technology and space sectors. Join us each month for: Bear Market Brief, Behind the Front, Baltic Ways, Report in Short, and the Ties That Bind: NATO at 75 and Beyond. fpriinsights.substack.com more

You love International Intrigue, so why not listen to our dulcet tones as well? Subscribe for all things Intrigue, including new episodes of Election Intrigue, Intrigue Explained, and plenty more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth talks with some of the world's foremost thinkers, writers, and diplomats in this interview series. New episodes released weekly. more

Interested in defending America's interests in an age of great power competition? Join host American Foreign Policy Council senior vice president Ilan Berman as he explores insights from foreign policy experts, journalists, and policymakers to help craft a solid foundation for America's grand strategy. more

Leading scholars provide insight on urgent policy debates. Jeff Friedman of Dartmouth College interviews contributors to the premiere peer-reviewed journal of security studies. They offer sophisticated, authoritative analyses of contemporary, theoretical, and historical security issues from the role of China in the world and cyber in international security to the long history of ethnic cleansing in Europe. The podcast is produced at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. International Security is a quarterly journal edited at the Belfer Center and published by MIT Press. more

Providence is a journal of Christianity and American foreign policy equipping the American mind to engage the real world. more

We are a world-leading authority on global security, political risk and military conflict. We were founded in 1958, and have offices in London, Washington, Singapore and Bahrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

The Global Gambit (TGG) is the preeminent independent social podcast on geopolitics, foreign policy, macroeconomics and current affairs, involving live, interactive audience participation. Each month, TGG brings you top-tier interviews or panels consisting of policymakers, journalists, or academics covering every region and theme in international relations. Previous guests include experts from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Atlantic Council (AC), Crisis Group (ICG), and Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Support TGG by subscribing as a patron at www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit and receive unique perks insights AND be featured in future episodes. Follow & engage with us on Facebook or Twitter at The Global Gambit. Download Clubhouse to participate in future events.TGG is hosted by Pyotr Kurzin, a geopolitical & UN professional, with an MA from Johns Hopkins University, and whose English-Russian origins make him a product of the Cold War and broader geopolitical events. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit Email: ****@gmail.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Global-Gambit-102112199163652/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

ASIL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational membership organization founded in 1906 and chartered by Congress in 1950. ASIL holds Special Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies. The Society is headquartered at Tillar House in Washington, DC. more

Synopsis: Every Friday, get our distinct take on global issues with an Asian perspective, with ST's globally-based correspondents.Produced and edited by: Fa'izah SaniExecutive producer: Ernest LuisA podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media. more

Carnegie Connects is our premier virtual event series hosted by Aaron David Miller. Every other week, he tackles the most pressing foreign policy issues of the day in conversations with journalists, policymakers, historians, and experts. more

Emerging technologies are transforming international relations and our country's economy. So how do we connect science and engineering labs with Washington and the world of business? This is The Interconnect, a new limited podcast series from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Stanford Emerging Technology Review. Each episode brings together leading minds in cutting-edge technology and foreign policy to explore recent ground-breaking developments, what's coming over the horizon, and the implications for U.S. innovation leadership. more

Europe Inside Out brings together experts to explain Europe's foreign policy challenges and opportunities. Every month, go beyond the headlines with Carnegie Europe and explore where the continent stands, how it got here, and where it is heading. more