In this episode, Andre Archie, associate professor of ancient Greek philosophy at Colorado State University, discusses the ideas presented in his 2024 book The Virtue of Color-Blindness. A specialist in Plato, Aristotle, and ancient political philosophy, Archie’s work engages both classical methodology and contemporary debates. The conversation explores why he views colorblindness as an important American ideal, why he disagrees with critical race theorists, and how the United States might move forward in addressing racial inequality while upholding this principle.

In this episode, Michael Mazarr, senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation and adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies, examines the sources of American national dynamism. A former associate dean at the U.S. National War College and president of the Stimson Center, Mazarr has written extensively on information technology, foreign policy, and national competitiveness. The conversation explores whether the United States can overcome disinformation and polarization to meet China’s great power challenge in the 21st century.

In this episode, Mary Elise Sarotte, the Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies and research associate at Harvard University’s Center for European Studies, discusses America’s role in shaping the post–Cold War world. Drawing on her book Not One Inch: America, Russia, and the Making of Post–Cold War Stalemate, she examines the legacy of NATO expansion, Western relations with Russia, and what the Russia-Ukraine war reveals about a new global order.