One on One with Robert Doar

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 w...

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 nati...

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 .

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 dynamic...

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 tren...

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 po...

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...

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. W...

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 , Ukrain...

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 Ukra...

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...

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 presiden...

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...

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, technolo...

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 e...

In the second of a two-part episode, Adam White and Robert continue their discussion of landmark decisions of the Supreme Court’s 2023-24 term. After wrapping up their discussion of presidential immunity, Adam and Robert cover the court’s decisions on homelessness ( Grants Pass v. Johnson ) and social media censorship ( Murthy v. Missouri ) before ending with a big picture assessment of Chief...

Adam White sits down with Robert to talk about the landmark decisions of the Supreme Court's 2023-24 term. In the first of a two-part episode, they discuss two cases with vast implications for the executive branch:  Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo , which ended Chevron deference,   and  Trump v. United States , which set the limits of presidential immunity from criminal prosecu...

Ed Pinto joins Robert to talk about the state of the American housing market. They discuss the harmful effects of government regulation, policies that can increase affordability, and advice for homebuyers today.  Ed is a senior fellow and the co-director of the AEI Housing Center. His work focuses on the role of federal, state, and local policy in housing markets and the use of light tou...

Jonah Goldberg joins Robert to talk about the transformation of the American political and media landscape in recent years. They discuss ideological realignments on the right, media bias, and the importance of character in the presidential election. Jonah is a senior fellow and the Asness Chair in Applied Liberty at AEI. His work focuses on political and cultural issues, and he is concurrently the...

Ken Pollack sits down with Robert to talk about the war in Gaza and the broader context of Arab-Israeli conflict. They discuss how the war has shifted public opinion about Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, as well as what an end to the conflict would look like. Ken Pollack is a senior fellow at AEI, where he works on Middle Eastern political-military affairs, focusing in particular on Ira...

Nat Malkus joins Robert to talk about the staggering number of children who regularly miss school each year. They discuss chronic absenteeism in schools, and how teachers, parents, and elected officials can address the serious problem facing the nation.   Nat Malkus is a Senior Fellow at AEI where he conducts empirical research on K-12 and higher education. His recent research focuses on...

Marc Thiessen joins Robert to talk about the recent passage of Ukraine aid, why Donald Trump needs Nikki Haley voters to win in November, and the continuing fascination with Hungary among elements of the American right. Marc Thiessen is a Senior Fellow at AEI. His work focuses on US foreign and defense policy issues and American presidential leadership. Read his recent columns on Viktor Orban , Uk...

Dan Cox joins Robert to talk about the growing divide between Generation Z men and women. They discuss the corrosive effects of social media, declining interest in relationships and marriage, and the potential effects on the 2024 election of increasing gender-based political polarization.  Dan is the Director of the Survey Center for American Life at AEI. His work focuses on public opinion an...

Tony Mills joins Robert to talk about what policymakers and scientific experts got right and wrong throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss school closures, lockdowns, masks, and vaccines. Tony highlights the loss of trust in experts and how the relationship between science, the media, and politics needs to change. Tony Mills is the Director of the Center for Technology, Science, and Energy...

Michael Strain joins Robert for a bonus episode to discuss the recent inflation numbers. They discuss whether the US economy will experience a soft landing, the US's economic relationship with China, and Trump and Biden's policy track records. Strain is the AEI Director of Economic Policy Studies and a columnist for Project Syndicate . His work focuses on labor markets, public finance, social poli...