Robert Kagan: America Is Entering a Dangerous New World

Robert Kagan joins Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer for a live conversation at the Aspen Ideas Festival to assess America's role in the world at 250, the future of the U.S.-led international order, and whether the world is entering a new era of great-power competition. As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, Kagan offers a sweeping "net assessment" of American power, arguing that the country is living through two historic shifts at once: a renewed struggle over American identity at home and a retreat from the global leadership that defined the post-World War II era. He explains why he believes the world is becoming genuinely multipolar, what that means for NATO, Europe, China, Taiwan, and Russia, and whether American democracy is facing another cyclical test, or something more fundamental. Topics covered: The future of American power and the international order China, Russia, NATO, and a multipolar world Democratic backsliding and American identity What still gives Robert Kagan hope about America's future Jake and Jon also challenge Kagan on Iraq, Iran, and the use of American power abroad, discuss whether the United States can rebuild trust with its allies after the Trump era, and ask what America's role in the world should look like over the next quarter century. Subscribe to The Long Game on YouTube for weekly conversations on national security, foreign policy, and the forces shaping the world. New episodes drop weekly. Follow The Long Game on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1850526014 Subscribe to The Long Game on Substack for exclusive video segments, transcripts, and more. This week, Jake and Jon wrap up their conversation with Robert Kagan with a lightning round, where Kagan offers quick takes on everything from presidents and power to books, baseball, and a few questions he definitely didn't see coming. Follow The Long Game on socials: Instagram:   / podlonggame   TikTok:   / podlonggame   Email Jake and Jon at [email protected] #RobertKagan #America250 #ForeignPolicy #NationalSecurity #Geopolitics #AmericanHistory #USForeignPolicy #InternationalRelations #WorldOrder #NATO #China #Russia #AspenIdeasFestival #TheLongGamePodcast Chapter Titles: 00:00: Robert Kagan's Warning: A New Multipolar World (cold open) 00:43: Introduction: America at 250 & Robert Kagan Live at Aspen 03:47: America's Net Assessment at 250 05:00: The Two Cycles Shaping American History 12:30: Iran, Iraq & When America Should Use Force 22:08: NATO, Russia & Europe's Security After Trump 27:15: China, Taiwan & the Return of Great-Power Politics 40:48: Nuclear Proliferation & The Future of U.S. Alliances 45:54: Democracy, Trump & America's Identity Crisis 52:00: What Still Gives Robert Kagan Hope