International Affairs Archives - Chris Riback's Conversations

Ben Rhodes: After the Fall

June 4, 2021 admin All Conversations, International Affairs, Politics, Public Policy

Ben Rhodes discusses his personal post-Obama journey that sought to answer a simple question: What happened to the world, America, and himself as the undertow of history pulled us into the currents of nationalism and authoritarianism – and what we should do about it?

Gen. H.R. McMaster: Battlegrounds, The Fight to Defend the Free World

December 9, 2020 admin International Affairs, Public Policy

I spoke with former National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster, Lt. General, U.S. Army, retired, about foreign policy, national security, and America’s standing in the

Chris Riback asks Peter Bergen: What happens when "the unstoppable force of President Trump meets the immovable object of America’s national security establishment?”

Peter Bergen: Trump and His Generals

December 20, 2019 admin International Affairs

What happens when “the unstoppable force of President Trump meets the immovable object of America’s national security establishment?”

Fintan O’Toole: Brexit and The Politics of Pain

November 12, 2019 admin International Affairs

If you’re feeling lousy about the state of politics in America, now might be the time to surround yourself with some Brits. As they surely must ask about us: What in the world is going on over there?

For this podcast, I read the opening statement of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman to the US House Impeachment Investigators on October 29.

LTC Alexander S. Vindman: Opening Statement to US House Impeachment Investigators

October 31, 2019 admin DocuPods, International Affairs, Public Policy

For this podcast, I read the opening statement of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman to the US House Impeachment Investigators on October 29.

For this podcast, I read the opening statement of Amb. William B. Taylor, the senior U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, who testified behind closed doors before the U.S. House Impeachment Investigators on Oct. 22.

Amb. William B. Taylor: Opening Statement to US House Impeachment Investigators

October 29, 2019 admin DocuPods, International Affairs, Public Policy

For this podcast, I read the opening statement of Amb. William B. Taylor, the senior US diplomat in Ukraine, who testified behind closed doors before the US House Impeachment Investigators on Oct. 22.

Isaac Stone Fish: Where Do US-China Relations Go Next?

October 4, 2019 admin Business & Economics, International Affairs

As the 2020 campaign heats up, several key questions will be asked and debated, including: How did we get here – and where do China and Chinese-U.S. relations go next?

Philip Mudd explains the state of our national intelligence and law enforcement agencies -- and revisits the CIA's Black Sites, where our national debates on torture, waterboarding, counterterrorism, and the deep responsibility to prevent another attack were born.

Philip Mudd: Trump & the Attack on U.S. Intelligence + Discussion of “Black Site”

August 2, 2019 admin International Affairs, Public Policy

Philip Mudd explains the state of our national intelligence and law enforcement agencies — and revisits the CIA’s Black Sites, where our debates on torture, counterterrorism & the responsibility to prevent another attack were born

How is today’s polarized, disrupted world one in which Russia can thrive? That’s what Angela Stent explains through history and analysis in her remarkable new book, "Putin's World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest."

Angela Stent: Explaining Putin’s World

July 5, 2019 admin International Affairs, Public Policy

How is today’s polarized, disrupted world one in which Russia can thrive? That’s what Angela Stent explains through history and analysis in her remarkable new book, “Putin’s World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest.”

Richard Clarke: “Democracy is on the Ballot”

October 19, 2018 admin International Affairs

Richard Clarke, national security analyst and host of the Future State podcast, joined me for a discussion on the future of our country. Subscribe via

Amb. Nicholas Burns: What Happened This Week

July 20, 2018 admin International Affairs, Public Policy

Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and current professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government Nicholas Burns helps explain what happened in Helsinki (and since), the damage

Bill Browder: Putin’s Public Enemy No. 1?

June 1, 2018 admin Business & Economics, International Affairs, Public Policy

If you know his story already, you surely won’t mind hearing it again. It’s extraordinary. If you haven’t heard it before, get ready. Bill Browder