America at a Crossroads

Veteran diplomat and Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross joins longtime public radio host Larry Mantle for an in-depth discussion of the rapidly evolving relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States, and what American diplomacy should look like in an increasingly volatile Middle East. Drawing on decades of experience advising both Republican and Democratic administrations, Ross examines...

Former federal prosecutor and legal analyst Andrew Weissmann joins acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Patt Morrison for a discussion of the rule of law, democratic accountability, and the legal and political challenges confronting the United States. Drawing on his experience leading major public corruption and organized crime prosecutions—including service on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s tea...

Veteran journalist, media executive, and author Josh Tyrangiel joins acclaimed journalist and columnist Patt Morrison for a timely conversation on the promises and perils of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on government, democracy, and everyday life. Drawing on reporting for his new book, AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter, Tyran...

Veteran Democratic strategist and political commentator James Carville joins Madeleine Brand for a wide-ranging discussion on the 2026 midterm elections, the future of the Democratic Party, and the political landscape leading into the 2028 presidential race. Drawing on decades of campaign experience, Carville shares his candid assessment of key Senate and gubernatorial races, Democratic messaging,...

National security columnist and global affairs analyst Josh Rogin joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a discussion of America’s role in an increasingly fragmented world and the strategic challenges posed by China’s growing influence. Drawing on decades of reporting on foreign policy, national security, and U.S.-China relations, Rogin examines how geopolitical competition, economic int...

Senior democracy scholar and former White House policy advisor Ami Fields-Meyer joins award-winning investigative journalist Julia Angwin in conversation with acclaimed broadcaster Patt Morrison for a timely discussion on courage, dissent, and democratic engagement in an era of growing fear and polarization. Drawing on their book On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear, Fields-Meyer an...

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman joins veteran broadcaster Larry Mantle for a wide-ranging conversation on global instability, geopolitical conflict, technology, climate, and the forces reshaping the modern world. Drawing from decades of reporting on international affairs and themes explored in The World Is Flat, Friedman examines how globalization, polit...

Former Homeland Security official and national security expert Juliette Kayyem joins veteran journalist Warren Olney for a timely conversation on security, democratic stability, and the growing challenges facing the United States. This episode of America at a Crossroads examines domestic instability, political violence, crisis response, and the future of public trust in democratic institutions. Dr...

This week on America at a Crossroads, presidential historian Tim Naftali joins Madeleine Brand for a timely conversation on democratic resilience, political polarization, and the institutions shaping America’s future. Topics include: • Historical parallels to today’s political climate • The role of the presidency and democratic institutions • Extremism, accountability, and constitutional limits •...

In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, CNN Senior Legal Analyst and former federal prosecutor Elie Honig joins Larry Mantle (AirTalk, NPR) to break down the evolving legal landscape in the United States. With deep experience in federal and state prosecution, Honig examines how recent legal battles, shifting precedents, and questions of executive power are reshaping the rule...

America is at a pivotal crossroads. Join us for a timely and urgent conversation on the state of democracy in the United States. As political divisions deepen and democratic norms face increasing strain, what signals should we be watching? Are we approaching a turning point—or moving further into instability? Aaron David Miller is an American Middle East analyst, author and negotiator, brings shar...

Democracy Under Stress: Is the Tide Turning? Featuring David Frum in conversation with Warren Olney America is at a pivotal crossroads. Join us for a timely and urgent conversation on the state of democracy in the United States. As political divisions deepen and democratic norms face increasing strain, what signals should we be watching? Are we approaching a turning point—or moving further into in...

In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, Middle East policy expert Dalia Dassa Kaye joins award-winning journalist Robin Wright to examine the critical decisions facing the United States in its approach to Iran. At a time of heightened geopolitical tension, this discussion explores the strategic, diplomatic, and security implications of U.S. policy in the region—and what is at...

In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, political commentator Jennifer Rubin joins journalist Patt Morrison to examine the state of American democracy and the responsibilities of leadership in a time of institutional strain. Rubin, co-founder of The Contrarian and former longtime columnist for The Washington Post, brings a sharp perspective on the rule of law, political accou...

In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta joins Larry Mantle, host of NPR’s AirTalk, to examine the shifting global landscape and the challenges facing American leadership in an era of renewed power politics. Drawing on decades of experience in national security and government, Panetta discusses how geopolitical ten...

In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns and Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Rick Atkinson join journalist Patt Morrison to examine how the American founding era continues to shape today’s political and cultural debates. Drawing on their extensive work exploring the Revolutionary period, Burns and Atkinson discuss the ideas, conflicts, and leader...

Max Boot with Larry Diamond What Is the Endgame? U.S. Policy and the Future of Venezuela and Beyond Recorded Wednesday, February 25, 2026 In this episode of America at a Crossroads, Max Boot and Larry Diamond examine the trajectory of U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela and its broader implications for democracy, authoritarianism, and global stability. The conversation explores: • The current state o...

 Collapsing Norms: Can American Democracy Survive This Stress Test? Recorded February 18, 2026 In this recorded conversation from America at a Crossroads, journalist Susan B. Glasser joins Madeleine Brand to examine the current state of American democracy and the pressures facing its institutions. Drawing on Glasser’s reporting and editorial leadership across major national publications, the discu...

 On February 11, 2026, Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist Carol Leonnig joined veteran broadcaster Warren Olney for a timely conversation on her latest book: Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America’s Justice Department  Leonnig, a five-time Pulitzer Prize winner and longtime investigative reporter for The Washington Post, examines how political pressure, institutional fear...

 CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein joins journalist and author Patt Morrison for a timely conversation on the 2026 midterm elections. Together, they examine the political forces shaping the cycle ahead, the balance of power in Washington, and what the outcomes could mean for democracy, governance, and the country’s future. 📅 Wednesday, February 4, 2026 ⏰ 5:00 PM Pacific 🎙️ America at a...

Getting Beyond the Border: How Immigration Became a Political Crisis  Immigration has become one of the most polarizing issues in American politics—but how did we get here? In this episode of America at a Crossroads, Jonathan Blitzer, staff writer at The New Yorker, joins Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist Patt Morrison for a wide-ranging conversation about immigration, power, and political narrativ...

 Why does hunger persist in the wealthiest nation on earth? In this episode of America at a Crossroads, Abby J. Leibman (MAZON) and Bob Greenstein (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) join veteran journalist Larry Mantle to examine the politics behind poverty, food insecurity, and inequality in America today. This conversation explores the policy choices shaping hunger, the human impact of eco...

How is the Supreme Court really operating today—and what does it mean for American democracy? In this episode of America at a Crossroads, legal scholar Leah Litman, professor of law at the University of Michigan and co-host of Strict Scrutiny, joins journalist Madeleine Brand for a timely conversation about the modern Supreme Court and the forces shaping its decisions. Drawing from her New York Ti...