International affairs

Georgetown professor Daniel Byman discusses Ukraine’s daring offensive into Russian territory. And he reflects on the future of Gaza, after Israel’s military operation ends.

Each year, nearly half a million migrants cross the perilous stretch of jungle between South and Central America. Pulitzer Prize-winning Atlantic reporter Caitlin Dickerson made the harrowing journey.

Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, shares Hamas’ goal of destroying the state of Israel. New Yorker writer Dexter Filkins talks about his reporting trip to the Lebanese/Israeli border.

Anne Applebaum, has been writing for years about the rise in authoritarianism around the world and the erosion of democracy. Her latest book, "Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want To Run The World," is a potent read on how today's autocracies are not just ruled by one powerful leader, but are instead a sophisticated interconnected network.

Time correspondent Simon Shuster has been interviewing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since 2019, when Zelenskyy was still a famous entertainer and satirist. Shuster talks about Zelenskyy's rise to power, the infamous call with Trump that led to Trump's first impeachment, and how the war with Russia has changed him. Shuster's new book is The Showman.

New Yorker writer Evan Osnos explains the contentious relationship between China and the U.S. and discusses the significance and possible results of Wednesday's meeting between Biden and President Xi.

New York Times journalist Isabel Kershner says before war broke out between Israel and Hamas, it sometimes looked as if Israel was headed toward a civil war. Her new book is The Land of Hope and Fear.

New York Times reporter Mark Mazzetti says prior to Oct. 7, Israel's leadership was focused on an attack by Iran and its proxies —not Hamas. "They were ... myopic about what the true threat was."

Terrorism expert Daniel Byman explains the origins of the war between Israel and Hamas, and where it may lead. His books include A High Price: The Triumphs and Failures of Israeli Counterterrorism.

The U.S. used atomic weapons against Japan 78 years ago. We listen back to archival interviews with psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton and journalists Lesley M.M. Blume and Evan Thomas about the decision.