Frank Lavin talks about the mid-east with Bucky Apisdorf, President and CEO of the Israeli charity, Let’s Do Something, formed after the tragic attacks of Oct 7, 2023. We discuss how this calamity affected Israel, the Palestinians, and prospects for peace. Bucky recommend’s Herman Wouk’s magisterial novels of World War II, “The Winds of War,” and “…

Frank Lavin talks with Anil Ananthaswamy, journalist and author to discuss the role of artificial intelligence. We discuss Anil’s book, “Why Machines Learn” which examines machine learning and the origins of AI, and we learn of Anil’s recommendation of Anil Seth’s “Being You.”Av Franklin L. Lavin

Frank Lavin talks with Jonathan Martin, Senior Political Writer, Politico, to discuss the 2024 presidential race and what Harris and Trump each need to do in the final stretch. We also discuss Jonathan’s book, “This Will Not Pass,” as well as Richard Ben Cramer’s masterpiece of the 1988 presidential campaign, “What it Takes.” At least one swear wor…

Frank Lavin talks with Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for New American Security, to discuss why the U.S. should shift from a Europe-oriented foreign policy to an Asia-oriented one. We review recent developments in U.S.-Asia policy in a discussion of Richard’s book, “The Lost Decade,” written with Robert Blackwill. Richard also recommends David…

Frank Lavin talks with Jason Hsu from the Kennedy School of Government, discussing semiconductors and Taiwan-China-U.S. relations. Appropriately, Jason’s book recommendation is Thomas Schelling’s, Arms and Influence, the classic work of deterrence theory and Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.Av Franklin L. Lavin

Frank Lavin discusses the Indo-Pacific region with Alexander Downer, former Foreign Minister of Australia. We discuss China, AUKUS, India, Indonesia, Ukraine - and most consequentially, the role of the U.S. The book we discuss is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.Av Franklin L. Lavin

Frank Lavin talks with Renee DiResta, Internet disinformation analyst. How does misinformation and disinformation travel so rapidly on the Internet and what steps can be taken to push back? How will this affect U.S. elections or U.S. support for Ukraine? Books discussed include Renee DiResta’s Invisible Rulers, Peter Pomerantsev’s Nothing Is True a…

Frank Lavin talks with Alexander Radwan, Member of the German Bundestag (Parliament). Alexander formerly served in the Bavarian state Parliament and in the European Parliament, all of which makes him well-grounded in national, regional, and international issues. The discussion includes Russia’s war in Ukraine, the success and future of the European…

Frank Lavin talks with Mike Murphy, political analyst, presidential campaign strategist, and host of the “Hacks on Tap” podcast discusses 2024, the debates, Trump’s running mate, Trump’s legal problems, the prospects for unrest at the Democratic convention, the down-ballot races, Ibogaine and the politics of electric vehicles. Books discussed inclu…

Frank Lavin talks with presidential historian and attorney Talmage Boston on presidential leadership and what constitutes a "great" president. The books discussed are How The Best Did It, by Talmage Boston and And There Was Light, by Jon Meacham.Av Franklin L. Lavin

Frank Lavin talks with world-renowned cellist Steven Isserlis, currently on a concert tour in the U.S. The conversation ranges from Beethoven and Lenin to Amor Towles and prospects for Labour beating the Tories. Books Discussed A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry Why Beethover Threw the Stool by Steven Isserlis Table for Two by Amor Towles…

Frank Lavin meets with noted Chinese historian Frank Dikötter to discuss his latest book, "China After Mao" and to examine China's economic record in the post-Mao era. Books discussed Red Roulette, by Desmond Shrum China After Mao, by Frank Dikotter https://www.booksandinsight.comAv Frank Lavin