American Foreign Policy: Retrench or Expand?

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the long-term ramifications of the fall of the Soviet Union before introducing Michael Anton. We often treat foreign policy as a mystery that can only be understood by an enlightened few who have committed their lives to understanding the complexities of international life. This view is dangerous because it encourages citizens to ignore a critical aspect of American political life that it’s our duty to understand. And it’s false because the basics of foreign policy are commonsense and a joy to learn. For the Founders, the basic premise of foreign policy is simple—we must make every decision with a view towards securing the equal, natural rights of American citizens. This understanding requires that America’s leaders remain accountable to the people, and it places essential limits on our interventions abroad. Yet, for over a century, this traditional understanding of American foreign policy has been challenged by new and more ambitious doctrines that argue for increased American involvement and leadership abroad. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, America was left as the sole great power on the world stage, which led many Americans to expect a return to noninterventionist policies. But the foreign policy establishment argued that America as the sole great power left in the world had a responsibility of leading in a new international order. The threat of global terrorism entrenched this new role.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Larry Arnn's eulogy at the funeral of Charlie Kirk, developments in the hostage negotiations in Israel, and how president Trump's relationship with Israel will affect his legacy. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 10 October 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colin Mullaney, director of operations at Hillsdale College’s K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss Dr. Kevin Majeres’ OptimalWork platform, how to apply OptimalWork in the classroom, and how to help students bring their highest ideals into each day. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: Aaron Kheriarty & Wilfred McClay Host Scot Bertram talks with Aaron Kheriarty, director of the Program in Bioethics, Technology, and Human Flourishing at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, about America's failing healthcare system and his new book Making the Cut: How to Heal Modern Medicine. And Wilfred McClay, Victor Davis Hanson chair in classical history and western civilization at Hillsdale College, discusses how the Hebrew tradition influenced the American Founding and his co-edited collection of essays Jewish Roots of American Liberty: The Impact of Hebraic Ideas on the American Story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Rose, headmaster and superintendent at Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivers a lecture on the rewarding life of a classical school leader. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Reading and Writing” in March 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation before introducing Michael Anton. We often treat foreign policy as a mystery that can only be understood by an enlightened few who have committed their lives to understanding the complexities of international life. This view is dangerous because it encourages citizens to ignore a critical aspect of American political life that it’s our duty to understand. And it’s false because the basics of foreign policy are commonsense and a joy to learn. For the Founders, the basic premise of foreign policy is simple—we must make every decision with a view towards securing the equal, natural rights of American citizens. This understanding requires that America’s leaders remain accountable to the people, and it places essential limits on our interventions abroad. Yet, for over a century, this traditional understanding of American foreign policy has been challenged by new and more ambitious doctrines that argue for increased American involvement and leadership abroad.  The rise of nuclear power and the doctrine of mutually assured destruction kept the Cold War from erupting into outright war between the great powers. The superior industrial and technological capacity of the United States enabled America to outlast the Soviet Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week: The philosophical grounding of the Constitution, George Washington's military experience, and the concept of "Fabian Tactics." Matthew Spalding, vice president of Washington Operations and dean of Hillsdale in D.C.’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 3 October 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Russell, associate professor of biology at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss developing research in anti-aging methods, the importance of diet and exercise, and the ethics of extended lifespans. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: Mollie Hemingway & Benedict Whalen Host Scot Bertram talks with Mollie Hemingway, senior journalism fellow at Hillsdale College and editor-in-chief at The Federalist, about the recent Comey indictment and revelations in a recent letter from YouTube officials to Rep. Jim Jordan. And Benedict Whalen, associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, continues a series on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Semi Park, headmaster at Orange County Classical Academy in Orange County, California, delivers a lecture on how to lead students to truly pursue happiness. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Upper School Literature” in February 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.