SUMMER READING SPECIAL: The World From the Beach With Carlos Lozada

Looking for nonfiction book recommendations to kick off your summer? In this annual episode, hosts Jim Lindsay and Bob McMahon join Washington Post book critic Carlos Lozada to discuss the books they’re reading, the books they’re looking forward to, and the books they’re packing with their towels for the next trip to the beach.

Play Button Pause Button
0:00 0:00
x
Hosts
  • James M. Lindsay
    Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair
  • Robert McMahon
    Managing Editor
Episode Guests
  • Carlos Lozada
    Washington Post Nonfiction Book Critic

Show Notes

Looking for nonfiction book recommendations to kick off your summer? In this annual episode, hosts Jim Lindsay and Bob McMahon join Washington Post book critic Carlos Lozada to discuss the books they’re reading, the books they’re looking forward to, and the books they’re packing with their towels for the next trip to the beach.

Bob's Picks
Grant by Ron Chernow
Tailspin by Steven Brill
Lagos Noir edited by Chris Abani

Jim's Picks
The World America Made by Robert Kagan
Stalin: Waiting for Hitler, 1929-1941 by Stephen Kotkin
Heat by Bill Buford

Carlos's Picks
A Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú
The List by Amy Siskind
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
The Death of Truth by Michiko Kakutani
Beautiful Country Burn Again by Ben Fountain
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcolm
The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro

Climate Change

All twenty-seven European Union (EU) member states vote in European Parliament elections with polls showing right-wing parties poised to gain more seats; the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrial democracies meet in Italy with a sizable agenda, including support for Ukraine and trade concerns with China; the United States prepares for an above-normal hurricane season; and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and partner exporters, known as OPEC+, extend oil output cuts.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

U.S. President Joe Biden faces increasing international and domestic pressures on his policy toward the Israel-Hamas war amid worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip; Western leaders commemorate the eightieth anniversary of D-Day with Russia’s war in Ukraine front of mind; Mexico holds massive general elections that are likely to usher in the country’s first woman president; and North Korea tests new satellite and missiles.

Iran

Iran’s regime carefully vets candidates for new presidential elections after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash; Israeli leadership reacts to the International Criminal Court (ICC) request for warrants to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant; South Africa prepares for a general election that could contest the ruling African National Congress’ long-standing majority; and Taiwan inaugurates Lai Ching-te as the new president, aggravating China.

Top Stories on CFR

Election 2024

Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: President Joe Biden spoke with Time magazine about the importance of alliances to U.S. security.

Middle East and North Africa

Steven A. Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the United States’ past, present, and future policy in the Middle East.

India

The third term win for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an unsurprising result, but the loss of Parliament seats means his party will need to work with a fragile coalition government to enact polices effectively.