In this episode, our host Kelly McFarland sits down with Ambassador Robert Blackwill, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, who previously served on the National Security Council and as U.S. Ambassador to India, to discuss his new report "America Revived: A Grand Strategy of Resolute Global Leadership."

What We Cover: The five historical schools of American grand strategy: primacy, liberal internationalism, restraint, American nationalism, and Trumpism Why Ambassador Blackwill proposes a sixth approach: "Resolute Global Leadership" The rise of China as a peer competitor and what it means for U.S. strategy The critical importance of alliances in an increasingly dangerous world Defense spending, military superiority, and procurement reform The risks of withdrawal and security vacuums in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East Why values matter in American foreign policy What should the next administration prioritize to restore American leadership

The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity.

Produced by Freddie Mallinson. Recorded on February 18, 2026.

Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @gudiplomacy

📚 Featured article: https://www.cfr.org/reports/america-r...

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#diplomacy #foreignpolicy #GrandStrategy #USChinaRelations #InternationalRelations #Geopolitics

In this episode, we break down the major takeaways from the Munich Security Conference, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a notably softer speech than last year's JD Vance address—but the underlying message remains the same. We analyze speeches from Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Scholz, and others as Europe grapples with its "vacation from history" and debates its future role on the world stage.

We also discuss the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Trump's claim that it will "look over the United Nations," and what this means for international institutions. Finally, we examine the US military buildup in the Persian Gulf as a potential strike on Iran looms—is this a negotiating tactic or the prelude to regime change?

Topics Covered:

• Munich Security Conference: Rubio, Macron, Scholz & the future of Europe

• Board of Peace: Gaza reconstruction or UN replacement?

• Iran: Analyzing the armada and what comes next

Produced by Freddie Mallinson. Recorded on February 24, 2026.

Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @gudiplomacy

🔔 Subscribe for more in-depth conversations on diplomacy, foreign policy, and international relations.

This week, Kelly talks with former US Diplomat Joel Wit, author of the new book Fallout: The Inside Story of America's Failure to Disarm North Korea. Joel was a diplomat negotiating with North Korea in the 1990s and 2000s, and has researched and published on the DPRK ever since.

The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity.

Produced by Freddie Mallinson. Recorded on February 12, 2026.

Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown