Today’s Battlegrounds

H.R. McMaster in conversation with Vera Songwe, Chair of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and co-chair of the High Level Panel on Climate Finance, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 9:00am PT. In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Vera Songwe discuss the future of the United Nations and security, economic growth, and development on the African continent.

H.R. McMaster in conversation with His Excellency Shaikh Abdullah Bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 9:00am PT. In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah Rashid Al Khalifa discuss developments in Bahrain, regional dynamics, and the future of peace and security in the Middle East.

H.R. McMaster in conversation with Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and activist, on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 9:00am PT. In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Masih Alinejad discuss the protests in Iran, their implications, and Alinejad’s vision for the future of her country.

H.R. McMaster in conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Lithuania, on Monday, November 21 at 9:00am PST. In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discuss how to overcome today’s threats and strengthen the alliance for the future.

H.R. McMaster in conversation with Vladimir Milov, Russian opposition politician, economist, and advisor to Alexei Navalny, on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 9:00am PT. In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Vladimir Milov discuss the status of the Russian opposition and what more can be done to advance Ukraine's fight for freedom.

H.R. McMaster in conversation with Ingrida Šimonytė, Prime Minister of Lithuania, on Wednesday, October 19 at 9:00am PT. In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė discuss the future of European security, energy security, the future of NATO, Russia's reinvasion of Ukraine and aggression against Europe and the West, and prospects for strengthening...

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi discuss the future of Iraq and the Middle East, the threat of Iranian influence in the region, and how to break the cycle of sectarian violence. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Haider al-Abadi on September 28, 2022 at 9:00am PT. Dr. Haider al-Abadi was the Prime Minister of Iraq and led the country’s...

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Paul Carrese discuss the need for civics and history education and opportunities to foster an understanding of our nation’s history that acknowledges contradictions and imperfections while extolling the virtues and great promise of our republic.  H.R. McMaster in conversation with Paul Carrese, September 7, 2022 at 9:00am PT.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Nader Nadery discuss human rights law, the dire situation in Afghanistan, and what more might be done to foster peace and protect innocents. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Nader Nadery, August 10, 2022 at 9:00am PT.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan discuss Singapore’s economic and social innovations, the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew; the competition with revanchist authoritarian powers, and how to preserve peace and promote prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on July 27, 2022 at 9:0...

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ine Søreide discuss geopolitical realities after Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine and implications for European security, the European Union, NATO, and the transatlantic relationship. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Ine Eriksen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 9:00am PT. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ine Eriksen Søreide is a Norwegian politician from t...

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and David Schwendiman discuss the evolution of human rights law, international criminal justice, investigations and prosecutions, and its implications for prosecuting war crimes in Ukraine.  H.R. McMaster in conversation with David Schwendiman on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 9:00am PT. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS David Schwendiman served for over twenty-five ye...

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan discuss Jordan-US relations; Jordan’s perspective on the most significant challenges in the Middle East; and opportunities for multi-lateral cooperation to improve security and prosperity in the region.  H.R. McMaster in conversation with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 9...

Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Hoover Institution, Stanford University   In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and European Parliament Secretary-General Klaus Welle discuss European Parliament’s priorities including the EU response to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian and security crisis.  H.R. McMaster in conversation with Klaus Welle on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 9:00...

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 Hoover Institution, Stanford University   In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Vladimir Milov discuss the Russian opposition, the internal and external threats to Putin’s grip on power, and the impacts of Russia’s aggression on the world. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Vladimir Milov on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 9:00am PT.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Leopoldo López discuss the ongoing crisis in Venezuela and the prospects for restoration of democratic governance under the Constitution and recovery from economic collapse. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Leopoldo López on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 9:00am PT.

Thursday, March 10, 2022 Hoover Institution, Stanford University In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster speaks to Battlegrounds guest and former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Oleksiy Honcharuk, who is in Ukraine now, fighting for the freedom of his country alongside fellow Ukrainians as they confront a continued assault by the Russian military and the indiscriminate bombardment of Ukrainian...

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Hoover Institution, Stanford University   In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and General Rajmund Andrzejczak discuss the US-Poland relationship and security  challenges including increasing Russian aggression in Europe, energy security, and transnational terrorism.  H.R. McMaster in conversation with General Rajmund Andrzejczak on Wednesday, February 2, 202...

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 Hoover Institution, Stanford University   In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib discuss the causes of the collapse in Afghanistan, the consequences, and options to mitigate the growing crisis. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 9:00am PT. Battlegrounds  provides a neede...

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ambassador Joe Hockey discuss economic recovery from the pandemic, trade, the interconnected challenges of energy security and climate change, and the need to compete in the face of a coercive Chinese Communist Party. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Ambassador Joe Hockey on Wednesday, December 1 at 9:00am PT.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021 Hoover Institution, Stanford University   In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and former Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk discuss the U.S.-Ukraine relationship, the Russian threat to security, and priorities for reform and strengthening governance in Ukraine. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Oleksiy Honcharuk on Wednesday, November 17 at 9:00am PT. ABOUT...

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Hoover Institution, Stanford University   In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Brigadier General Meir Finkel of the Israeli Defense Force discuss Finkel’s latest book, Studies in Generalship: Lessons from the Chiefs of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces and how to evaluate the effectiveness of military leaders.

H.R. McMaster in conversation with Ambassador Husain Haqqani, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow and Director for South and Central Asia, on October 6, at 9:15AM PT discussing Pakistani foreign policy, jihadist terrorism, and the future of South Asia in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

H.R. McMaster in conversation with Yalda Hakim, BBC World News presenter and correspondent on Thursday, September 9 at 9:00AM PT discussing her new film "Return of the Taliban," which explores the Taliban of today, what they stand for and what is at stake in the unfolding situation in Afghanistan. ABOUT RETURN OF THE TALIBAN In Return of the Taliban, which was filmed during the weeks before the Ta...

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Peter Bergen discuss the history and evolution of jihadist terrorist groups, their objectives, and the implications for international security. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Peter Bergen on Tuesday, September 7 at 9:00am PT.