TWNW Presents: Back-to-School Reading Special

In this special episode of The World Next Week, James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon are joined by CFR senior fellow Carla Anne Robbins to discuss their most recently beloved books, the books they’re looking forward to reading, and the book they’re reading for fun.

Read more about Jim, Bob, and Carla’s picks on Jim’s blog, The Water’s Edge.

Hosts

James M. Lindsay

Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair

Full Bio
Robert McMahon

Managing Editor

Full Bio
Carla Anne Robbins

Senior Fellow

Full Bio

Show Notes

In this special episode of The World Next Week, James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon are joined by CFR Adjunct Senior Fellow Carla Anne Robbins to discuss the books they’ve recently loved, the books they’re looking forward to reading, and the books they’re reading for fun.

Read more about Jim, Bob, and Carla’s picks on Jim’s blog, The Water’s Edge.

Jim’s Picks

Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy, 1945–1975 by Max Hastings

President's of War by Michael Beschloss

A Legacy of Spies: A Novel by John le Carré

Bob’s Picks

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide by Tony Horwitz

This Is Not Propaganda: Adventures in the War Against Reality by Peter Pomerantsev

Carla’s Picks

Our Man: Richard Holbrooke and the End of the American Century by George Packer

The Great Successor: The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong Un by Anna Fifield

Berlin Noir: March Violets; The Pale Criminal; A German Requiem by Philip Kerr

Havana Gold: The Havana Quartet by Leonardo Padura

France

France, Iran, and the UK Hold Snap Elections, EU Pushback on Chinese EVs, and More

France’s governance is at stake as it holds snap elections for its National Assembly, with the far-right National Rally looking to build on its success in the European Parliament elections; the United Kingdom (UK) has its own snap general elections with Keir Starmer and his Labour Party looking to end the fourteen-year rule of the Conservatives; Iran’s snap presidential elections could signal unity of regime hard-liners or glimmers of change; the European Union (EU) plans to impose provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles; and Ukraine strikes more than thirty Russian oil refineries.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 27, 2024 The World Next Week

Russia

Russia’s Secret Trial for Gershkovich, EU’s Rightward Shift, Boeing in Space, and More

A Russian court moves judicial proceedings for detained U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich to Yekaterinburg for a closed-door espionage trial; the success of far-right parties in the European Parliament elections challenges the power of several incumbent European Union (EU) leaders; the Boeing Starliner "Calypso" spacecraft prepares to return from the International Space Station after delays; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolves his war cabinet.

Podcast with Carla Anne Robbins and Miriam Elder June 20, 2024 The World Next Week

Ukraine

Ukraine Pushes Peace Summit, Sudan in Catastrophe, Israel-Hamas Deal at a Crossroads, and More

Ukraine pushes for wider international support and endorsement of its proposed peace process at Switzerland’s Ukraine peace summit; the UN Security Council deliberates how to assist Sudanese civilians and de-escalate the civil war; diplomatic pressure builds for a U.S.-backed cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip; and Russian ships arrive in Cuban waters for exercises.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 13, 2024 The World Next Week

Show Notes

Explore More on U.S. Foreign Policy

Top Stories on CFR