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Podcast

State of Play

The world order has been disrupted, and a new international system is emerging. Hosted by Will Todman, State of Play unpacks the biggest geopolitical developments of the week. Every episode brings together CSIS’s leading regional experts to explore how global power is shifting, how allies and adversaries are responding, and what it all means for the future of international order. 

State of Play is produced by Cera Baker.

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All State of Play Podcast Episodes

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State of Play

What are CSIS experts' boldest geopolitical predictions in 2026?

12 CSIS experts join Will to share significant developments in different parts of the world in 2025, and predictions for 2026.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Ryan C. Berg, Max Bergmann, Victor Cha, Thomas J. Christensen, Charles Edel, Kristi Govella, Henrietta Levin, Bonny Lin, Oge Onubogu, Gregory B. Poling, Richard M. Rossow, and Mona Yacoubian — January 15, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS
State of Play

Did Trump remake the global order in 2025?

Victor Cha and the Brookings Institution's Dr. Tom Wright join Will to discuss how the United States' global strategy changed in 2025.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman and Victor Cha — December 17, 2025

Photo: iLab/CSIS
State of Play

Where now for Europe and Ukraine after the NSS?

Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya join Will to discuss what we should expect from ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Max Bergmann, and Maria Snegovaya — December 10, 2025

Photo: iLab/CSIS
State of Play

Did the Saudi & Syrian Trump visits meet expectations?

Mona Yacoubian and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney join Will to discuss how successful the visits really were, what failed to materialize, and what surprises emerged. 

Podcast Episode by Will Todman and Mona Yacoubian — November 21, 2025

Photo: iLab/CSIS
State of Play

Are President Trump's tariffs working?

Navin Girishankar and Phil Luck join Will to discuss President Trump’s foreign policy and economic agendas.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Navin Girishankar, and Philip Luck — November 12, 2025

Photo: iLab/CSIS
State of Play

Was President Trump's Asia trip a success?

Victor Cha and Brian Hart join Will to discuss if President Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping met expectations.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Victor Cha, and Brian Hart — October 31, 2025

Photo: iLab/CSIS
State of Play

Will U.S.-China tensions dominate the ASEAN summit?

Greg Poling and Henrietta Levin join guest host Catherine Nzuki to assess what’s at stake for Southeast Asia and whether U.S.–China tensions will overshadow the summit.

Podcast Episode by Catherine Nzuki, Gregory B. Poling, and Henrietta Levin — October 16, 2025

Photo: iLab/CSIS
State of Play

What can U.S. pressure on Venezuela achieve?

Mark Cancian and Ryan Berg join Will to discuss what U.S. military buildup tells us about its implications for Venezuela and more.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Ryan C. Berg, and Mark F. Cancian — September 18, 2025

Photo: iLab/CSIS