A Historian's Perspective on US Foreign Policy & the State of the International Order

A Historian's Perspective on US Foreign Policy & the State of the International Order

Author: Mark McNamee May 28, 2026 Duration: 0:00
Always honored to have back on the show my professor from graduate school, John Harper. I was fortunate to have his class - one of the best classes I've ever taken - American Foreign Policy since 1945. Considering the historic events going on globally, I wanted to take a step back and take the historical view of things. We discuss Ukraine but more broadly the current state of the international order, US foreign policy, and where things are heading.- What does the failed policy in Iran mean in terms of US global influence looking ahead? How does the US seem to keep getting over its foreign policy failures as in Vietnam and Iraq and maintain an assertive foreign policy? Where is US foreign policy is heading: isolationism/unilateralism/return to western leadership? How will things in Europe develop in the next generation? Is the world moving into a multipolar/spheres of influence direction or continuation of the Western dominant order or something else? About the Guest Professor John Harper is an expert on US Foreign Policy and the Cold War, having written 4 books related to the Cold War and teaches a course titled American Foreign Policy Since World War II at my graduate school, Johns Hopkins SAIS. He Originally from the US, he lives and teaches in Bologna, Italy. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We are living through events that will define our century, and History in the Making: The War in Ukraine is an attempt to make sense of them as they unfold. Host Mark McNamee brings his deep knowledge of Eastern Europe to the fore, not just to recount headlines, but to untangle the complex historical, cultural, and political threads that led to this moment. This isn't a dry recitation of facts; it's a grounded exploration of how a conflict reshapes a nation's identity and the global order. Each episode moves between the sweeping strategic picture and the intimate, human stories of those living through the war, highlighting a profound resilience. You'll hear analysis that connects past empires to present-day battles, and conversations that reveal the personal cost and extraordinary fortitude within Ukraine. The goal of this podcast is to provide context and clarity, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the news cycle. By focusing on the people, the history, and the on-the-ground reality, Mark creates a vital record of a world changing in real time. Tune in for a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for all of us.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Venezuela - what happens next and how will it impact Ukraine? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:35
So what now in Venezuela? Trump has put himself in dangerous territory by removing a foreign leader and now vowing to "run" the country, precisely what he has promised his MAGA support base the US under him would no long…
Fighting the Information War - a Ukrainian in the USA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:36
There's an information war going on related to the War in Ukraine, and unfortunately Russia has been very successful in spreading its propaganda into the West and influencing popular perceptions and also policy-makers th…
The critical role of electronic warfare (EW) in saving lives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:03
What is electronic warfare (EW), and how important is it to protecting Ukraine? How does EW work to detect and jam drones? How has EW evolved during the war, and how will it develop in the future? Serhii Skoryk, Commerci…
Battle of Pokrovsk: How problematic is it for Ukraine? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:56
Is Pokrovsk going to fall, and if so what does it mean for Ukraine? There have been lots of doomsday scenarios arising about the loss of Pokrovsk and how it could lead to a collapse of the front for Ukraine. But is that…