Are allies or autocrats managing Trump better?

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Victor Cha, and Max Bergmann

Published August 28, 2025

After a busy month of U.S. diplomacy, Victor Cha and Max Bergmann join Will to discuss what East Asian and European allies are learning about summits with President Trump and what patterns are emerging about how President Trump engages with autocrats.

"⁠Statesmen’s Forum: His Excellency Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea⁠" CSIS, August 25, 2025.

• • "⁠Max and Maria on the Alaska and White House Peace Summits⁠" Russian Roulette, CSIS, August 21, 2025.

Will Todman

Will Todman

Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Victor Cha

Victor Cha

President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair

Max Bergmann

Max Bergmann

Director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center