This week's episode takes a step back in time to the 1980s and a country caught between East and West: Poland. CSIS's Seth Jones previews his new book A Covert Action on the previously classified story of QRHELPFUL, the CIA's program to support the Solidarity movement in Poland, the group that helped bring about the end of Soviet influence in the country. It gives us a glimpse in to the world of information warfare we experience today, as well as delivering lessons that can be applied even now. Hosted by Colm Quinn.

It's 17 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11th shook America and launched the still ongoing War on Terror. But after $5.6 trillion dollars have been sunk into the endeavor, extremism continues worldwide - especially in fragile states. This week we hear from Rockefeller Foundation President Dr. Rajiv Shah as well as CSIS Senior Fellow Alice Friend on a new initiative that seeks to get at, and solve, the root causes of extremism in these countries. Hosted by Colm Quinn.

Learn more about the Task Force on Extremism in Fragile States: https://www.usip.org/programs/task-force-extremism-fragile-states

Turkey's currency and debt crisis was bad enough, but further U.S. pressure over the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson means that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could be in the deepest trouble he's faced as leader. We hear from CSIS's Stephanie Segal and Bulent Aliriza on what can be done to solve Turkey's crisis, and whether the damage to U.S.-Turkey relations will be long-lasting. Hosted by Colm Quinn. 

The U.S. government is bracing for another round of efforts by Russia to disrupt the 2018 midterm elections, so how vulnerable is the United States this time around? We hear from James Lewis, the head of the Technology Policy Program at CSIS on what's at stake and ways the United States can deal with these measures. Hosted by Colm Quinn.

After weeks of tit-for-tat between the EU and the United States, it seems as if EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s visit to the White House has stemmed the worst of the brewing trade war. So what was agreed, and will it be enough to close the chapter on the latest trade tiff between the United States and another major economy? We hear from CSIS Senior Adviser Scott Miller on what to expect. Audio Produced by Yumi Araki. Hosted by Colm Quinn.

On this week’s show we look at the fallout from this week’s meeting between President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, with Olga Oliker and Jeff Mankoff. We then turn to Dan Runde and Africa, where a frozen conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea has reached a peaceful conclusion. Audio produced by Yumi Araki. Hosted by Colm Quinn.

President Trump has made no secret about his feelings towards the NATO alliance, and came in all guns blazing to this week’s NATO summit in Brussels, admonishing allies for not footing more of the financial burden for defense as well as threatening that the U.S. might “go it alone.” CSIS Europe program deputy director Jeff Rathke joins the show this week to discuss what kind of effect this week has had on the NATO alliance and whether allies are measuring up in their commitment to NATO. Hosted by Colm Quinn. Audio produced by Yumi Araki.

The new CSIS report available here: Counting Dollars or Measuring Value: Assessing NATO and Partner Burden Sharing

At 12.01am on Friday July 6, the long-telegraphed trade war between the United States and China began with U.S. tariffs imposed on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods - and the Chinese responding in kind. How far will it go, and how does it affect the regular consumer? We hear from Bill Reinsch, CSIS's head of all things trade.

Later in the show we hear from Mexico expert Richard Miles on Mexico's new president and how he's likely to approach the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

Hosted by Colm Quinn.

For more on trade, listen to the Trade Guys: https://www.csis.org/podcasts/trade-guys

And to keep up with developments in the Western Hemisphere, be sure to tune in to CSIS's 35 West:  https://www.csis.org/podcasts/35-west​

This week the White House announced that President Trump would meet Russia's leader Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on July 16. Before that meeting, Trump travels to the NATO summit in Brussels as well as calling on Theresa May in London. On this week's show we talk to CSIS expert Heather Conley on what to look for on the upcoming trip, as well as how the EU is dealing with a less friendly United States. Hosted by Colm Quinn.

On The Readout this week: Donald Trump announced his intention to create a "space force" that would become the sixth branch of the U.S. military, CSIS space expert Todd Harrison joins the show to discuss whether that plan will get off the ground. In Turkey voters go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president and parliament - has Erdogan done enough to secure another term? Bulent Aliriza talks through the possibilities. 

Hosted by Colm Quinn with production by Yumi Araki.

Read Todd's latest report: Space Threat Assessment 2018.

And Bulent's assessment of Turkey's elections in the latest CSIS Commentary.