CSIS the truth of the matter
Podcast

The Truth of the Matter

Many of us have questions about global issues and not a lot of places to turn to for reliable and thoughtful answers. In The Truth of the Matter, host Andrew Schwartz breaks down complex policy issues of the day. No Spin, No Bombast, No finger pointing. Just informed discussion.

The Truth of the Matter is produced by David Lotfi and Ava Rose.

Podcast Series by H. Andrew Schwartz

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All The Truth of the Matter Podcast Episodes

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The Truth of the Matter

The Golden Dome and the New Missile Age

Tom Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project and senior fellow in the CSIS Defense and Security Department, joins the podcast to discuss the development of the Golden Dome and how missile defense has evolved over the last decade.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Tom Karako — May 16, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

Trump’s Middle East Minerals Deal

Gracelin Baskaran, director of the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program, joins the podcast to discuss potential minerals deals with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar during President Trump’s trip to the Middle East.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — May 14, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

Emergency Podcast: U.S.-China Tariff Pause

Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and director of the CSIS Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics, and Philip Luck, director of the CSIS Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business, join the podcast to discuss the 90-day suspension in the trade war between the United States and China.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz, Philip Luck, and Scott Kennedy — May 13, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

Analyzing Missile Attacks in Ukraine

CSIS’s Benjamin Jensen, director of the CSIS Futures Lab and senior fellow in the CSIS Defense and Security Department, joins the podcast to discuss the CSIS Russian Firepower Strike Tracker and how to quantify wartime tactics.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Benjamin Jensen — May 9, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

Trump and the Australian Elections

CSIS’s Charles Edel joins the podcast to discuss the Australian elections and what it means for the Trump administration and the United States.  

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Charles Edel — May 7, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

A Drone and Ground View From Ukraine

CSIS’ Emily Harding joins the podcast to discuss observations from her recent visit to Ukraine including drone warfare, the state of the battlefield, U.S. and European support as well as the mining deal forged by President Trump and President Zelensky.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Emily Harding — May 2, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

Debt Matters

CSIS’s Phil Luck joins the podcast to discuss the U.S. national debt, why it matters and what the Trump administration and Congress can do to address it. 

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Philip Luck — May 1, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

Trump’s Panama Canal Policy

CSIS’s Ryan Berg joins the podcast to discuss the U.S. strategic interests in the Panama Canal, competition with China and potential outcomes.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Ryan C. Berg — April 29, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

Can Policy Win the AI Race?

Josh Geltzer, former deputy White House counsel under President Biden and former legal advisor to the National Security Council, joins the podcast to discuss how the Trump administration might approach AI policy and how their approach differs from that of the Biden administration.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Joshua Geltzer — April 24, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

China Weathers the Storm of U.S. Tariffs

Scott Kennedy, CSIS senior adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics, joins the podcast to discuss the latest in the U.S.-China trade war.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Scott Kennedy — April 17, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter