Fareed Zakaria GPS
CNN Podcasts
Fareed Zakaria GPS takes a comprehensive look at foreign affairs and global policies through in-depth, one-on-one interviews and fascinating roundtable discussions.
Recent Episodes
20 episodesThe Post-9/11 Wars, Trends of ’26, State of Democracy
Today on the show, twenty-five years after 9/11, America is still living with the consequences of the war on terror. It produced major tactical successes, at enormous human and financial cost. Fareed speaks with CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen, author of "All the Presidents’ Wars," about the legacy of America’s war on terror. Then, Fareed talks to Derek Thompson, host of the podcast “Plain English” and author on Substack, about his deep dive into the “megatrends” that he sees defining the news cycle in 2026 including AI’s impact on jobs and media, social isolation, and global violence. Finally, there are many signs that liberal democracy itself may be in retreat — from the rise of authoritarianism around the globe to deepening political polarization and declining public trust. At the Aspen Ideas Festival, Fareed sits down for a wide-ranging conversation on the topic with three terrific guests: political scientist Francis Fukuyama, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland and New York Times columnist David French. GUESTS: Peter Bergen (@peterbergencnn), Derek Thompson (@DKThomp), Francis Fukuyama (@FukuyamaFrancis) Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland), David French (@DavidAFrench) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Imperial Ambitions: The Rise of Presidential Power
What does it mean when a President claims, 'when the president does it, that means it's not illegal'? Unpack the implications with us in our latest special report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump’s Korea Pivot, Chinese AI, Summer of Heat
Today on the show, Trump cut short military drills between the US and South Korea this week, saying that they sent the wrong signal to the "unthreatening and respectful" North Korea. Fareed asks former NSA official and scholar Victor Cha if Trump is throwing over one longtime US ally to court a rogue state...again? Then, China spends a fraction of what the US does on data centers and lacks the most advanced AI chips. Why, then, does its AI industry appear to be catching up, and rivaling Silicon Valley? Fareed discusses with Evan Osnos, staff writer at the New Yorker. Later, Fareed speaks to climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe about this summer of record heat and raging wildfires in many parts of the world, and climate change’s role in all of it. Finally, the V-Dem Institute’s latest Democracy Report has downgraded the US from a liberal democracy to an electoral democracy. Why is American democracy in decline? Fareed asks Nobel Prize winning economist Daron Acemoglu. GUESTS: Victor Cha (@VictorDCha); Evan Osnos (@eosnos); Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe); Daron Acemoglu (@DAcemogluMIT) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump’s Escape, 5 Years of Taliban Rule, AI Mania
Today on the show, President Trump's plane switch after last month's NATO summit was said to be in response to an assassination threat from Iran. It begs the question: How credible are Iran's threats against the president and, more broadly, against the United States? Fareed asks David Sanger of the New York Times. Then, it’s been five years since the US’ tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Fareed talks to Jason Kander, a veteran of America’s war there, about what has happened to the thousands of Afghan allies who aided American forces during the war but are now trapped in the country under Taliban rule. Later, Fareed speaks with Asutosh Padhi, a senior partner at McKinsey about why despite the hype, AI has yet to dramatically reshape the way many businesses operate, or deliver meaningful returns. Finally, worries of mass layoffs thanks to AI haven’t materialized yet, but what happens if those fears become reality? Fareed asks former US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. GUESTS: David Sanger (@SangerNYT), Jason Kander (@JasonKander), Asutosh Padhi, Gina Raimondo (@GinaRaimondo) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Special Bonus - Introducing: Civilian or Spy
When a Russian-born American citizen named Ilya Beloozerov is gunned down by the FBI in 2024, the authorities refuse to say why they’d killed him. CNN’s Isabelle Chapman embarks on a sprawling investigation that takes her from the Mississippi parking lot where he died to Washington, D.C. to unravel the mystery: Why did Ilya abruptly leave his family and his job and head for the border with laptops and cash? Why is there still no official explanation of his death? And maybe most importantly: Was Ilya a spy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Middle East Shakeup; Ukraine’s Air War; Behind the Ceuta Migrant Rush
Today on the show, after the destabilizing Iran war and a new NATO-style defense alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, is the Gulf moving toward a new, post-American order? Fareed speaks with Tarek Masoud, director of the Middle East Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Danny Citrinowicz, former head of the Iran branch of Israel’s military intelligence. Then, Russia's war in Ukraine is increasingly being fought in the skies. Russia bombarded Kyiv this week with ballistic missiles and Ukraine has recently successfully struck targets deep in Russian territory. Fareed discusses with Ben Hodges, the former commanding general of US Army Europe. Finally, last week, more than 70,000 migrants from Morocco arrived on the shores of Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa. It appeared to be a coordinated event. So who was behind it? Fareed talks to Anne Applebaum of The Atlantic. GUESTS: Tarek Masoud, Danny Citrinowicz (@citrinowicz), Ben Hodges (@general_ben), Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How Iranians are Responding to War; Does Iran want a deal?
Today on the show, the Iran war seems to be caught between sudden outbursts of fighting and fragile pauses for diplomacy. How are Iranians responding? Fareed asks Abdi Latif Dahir of The New York Times, who just spent 10 days in Iran after he was granted rare access to report on last month’s funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Then, despite a June memorandum on hostilities, the US and Iran remain locked in a tit-for-tat conflict. Does Iran want a deal? Fareed speaks with Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House. Later, Black fourth-graders in Mississippi now score higher in reading, on average, than those in Massachusetts. For a state with historically weak educational rankings, how did they make such remarkable progress? Fareed talks with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof. Finally, when Theo Baker enrolled at Stanford University he was passionate about coding and excited to be in Silicon Valley. But over time, he grew troubled by what he saw as the influence of big tech over the university. He has written a new book about this and more, called “How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University.” GUESTS: Abdi Latif Dahir (@Lattif); Sanam Vakil (@SanamVakil); Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof); Theo Baker (@tab_delete) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Exclusive Interview with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella; Prospects for Democracy in Venezuela
Today on the show, Fareed speaks with Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, about some of the dangers posed to humans and companies by artificial intelligence, as well as some of its profound benefits, in an exclusive interview. Then, After US forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, many expected President Donald Trump to install Maduro’s main political opponent—María Corina Machado—as the country’s new leader. That has not happened, however, and she remains in exile. Fareed speaks with Machado about when she expects to go back to her country and what the future might hold for Venezuela. GUESTS: Satya Nadella (@satyanadella); Marina Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
New Phase in Russia’s War on Ukraine, Israel’s Attempt to Recruit Former Iranian President, The End of Reading?
Today on the show, after Ukraine said it struck more than 100 Russian vessels over nine days in the sea near Russian-held Crimea, Fareed speaks with Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar about how this new phase of the conflict could finally be provoking a reckoning in Russia. Next, Fareed talks to Mark Mazzetti, a New York Times reporter who helped break an astonishing report that Israel worked to groom the former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset. Then, have we reached the end of reading? Fareed asks Atlantic writer Rose Horowitch, whose cover story suggests we're getting dangerously close to that point. Finally, as Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film “The Odyssey” hit theaters this week, many are asking how it holds up against Homer’s classic. Fareed sits down with writer and classicist Daniel Mendelsohn. GUESTS: Mikhail Zygar (@zygaro); Mark Mazzetti; Rose Horowitch (@rosehorowitch); Daniel Mendelsohn (@DAMendelsohnNYC) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Europe After NATO, Rahm Emanuel on Israel, and Syria’s Uncertain Future
Fareed examines Europe’s response to this week’s NATO summit and the future of the transatlantic alliance with Jeppe Kofod and Frans Timmermans. Rahm Emanuel discusses rethinking US support for Israel, his proposed "23-state solution," and 2028 presidential speculation. The program concludes with an update on Syria following explosions during French President Macron’s landmark visit to Damascus. GUESTS: Jeppe Kofod (@JeppeKofod), Frans Timmermans (@F__Timmermans), Rahm Emanuel (@RahmEmanuel), Loubna Mrie (@Loubnamrie) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ken Burns on 250 years since the Declaration of Independence; The economics of the AI revolution; How the war with Iran fundamentally reshaped the Middle East
Today from the Aspen Ideas Festival, Fareed is joined by Ken Burns, legendary documentary filmmaker to discuss the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and what we can learn from it today. Next, is AI a bubble? Fareed speaks with Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, about whether tech companies are overvalued, how to power the AI revolution, and how to close the stark wealth gap in America. Finally, the US and Israel’s war with Iran has fundamentally changed the Middle East. Fareed sits down with Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Karin Sadjadpour, Financial Times contributing editor Kim Ghattas and CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Mark Dubowitz to break down shifting regional dynamics. GUESTS: Ken Burns (@KenBurns), Larry Fink, Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour), Kim Ghattas (@KimGhattas) , Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Navigating Global Challenges: From Political Shifts to Space Exploration
Join me at the Aspen Ideas Festival where I dive deep into the future of liberalism, Iran negotiations, and space colonization. From debates on socialism to Elon Musk's moon factory dreams, don't miss out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Navigating Global Challenges: AI, Oil, and Political Dynamics
From AI regulation battles to the strategic allure of Greenland. Dive deep with Fareed Zakaria and expert guests as they unpack these fascinating global issues and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
US and Iran Close in on a Deal; SpaceX’s Grand Ambitions; The AI Job Panic
Today on the program, as the US and Iran appear to be closer to an agreement to end the war, Fareed speaks with Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group. Next, Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX became the largest IPO ever this week. The company has ambitious goals for space exploration — are they realistic? Fareed asks astrophysicist Janna Levin. Finally, according to a new poll, more than half of Americans believe AI could put them or someone in their household out of a job. But the labor market data shows that the panic may be premature. So, what is the reality? Fareed speaks with AI policy expert Molly Kinder. GUESTS: Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour), Ian Bremmer (@ianbremmer), Janna Levin (@JannaLevin), Molly Kinder (@MollyKinder) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Navigating Global Diplomacy: Challenges and Opportunities
From the Iran nuclear deal to the shifting dynamics in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, dive into the week's global issues with Fareed Zakaria. Special guests include Ben Rhodes and top experts on geopolitical tensions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Global Public Square: Navigating War, AI, and the World Cup
Dive into the complexities of geopolitics, the ethics of AI, and the power of human connection. Join us on GPS as we explore these pressing issues with experts and thought leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Perspectives on Power: Analyzing Global Politics and Economic Change
Tune in to GPS as we dissect the Beijing-Moscow axis, the state of democracy under President Erdogan, and the chilling truth about the grim job market for recent graduates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Takeaways from the US-China summit; Jason Furman on the New Fed chair
Today on the show, President Trump is back from two days of high-level talks in China. Matt Pottinger, the deputy national security advisor in the first Trump administration, and Jessica Chen Weiss, professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, join the show to discuss the summit and what it means for Taiwan. Next, Fareed speaks with Jason Furman, professor at Harvard Kennedy School and former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama. They discuss why the stock market continues to rise even while inflation spikes in the midst of the Iran war, and what Furman expects from new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Finally, a recent poll shows 70% of American adults under the age of 50 now hold an unfavorable view of Israel. Fareed discusses with Israeli-American historian Omer Bartov who has a new book out, “Israel: What Went Wrong.” GUESTS: Jessica Chen Weiss (@jessicacweiss), Matt Pottinger, Jason Furman (@jasonfurman), Omer Bartov (@bartov_omer) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Former Israeli Intelligence Officer On the Prospects for Peace in Iran
Today on the show, it’s been more than a month since the U.S. and Iran began a shaky ceasefire, and a peace deal is under active consideration. Fareed is joined by Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies and former head of the Iran branch of Israel’s military intelligence, to discuss what a real negotiated peace might look like. Then, this July marks the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author Beverly Gage went on a road trip across the country visiting historic sites, museums, and national monuments to better understand America’s complex past. She tells Fareed what she learned. Her new book chronicling her trip is “This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History.” GUESTS: Danny Citrinowicz (@citrinowicz), Beverly Gage (@beverlygage) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
War, Markets, and Power Shifts”
Today, Fareed speaks with Anne-Marie Slaughter and James Stavridis on Iran’s peace proposal and the U.S. plan to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein explains why the Iran war hasn’t shaken markets despite a major oil shock. As midterms near and Donald Trump’s approval hits a low, Fareed talks with Nate Cohn about possible political shifts. In Hungary, Viktor Orbán loses to Péter Magyar; historian Timothy Snyder discusses what it means for global democracy. Finally, Kateryna Bondar breaks down the growing role of AI in the Ukraine war. GUESTS: Anne-Marie Slaughter (@SlaughterAM), James Stavridis (@stavridisj), Lloyd Blankfein (@lloydblankfein), Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn), Timothy Snyder (@TimothyDSnyder), Kateryna Bondar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices