Nathan Robinson and Edward Fishman

US journalist and commentator Nathan Robinson and world expert on economic statecraft and sanctions Edward Fishman discuss the US’s place and role in the world and what the Trump presidency may have in store for us.

Robinson co-authored The Myth of American Idealism with the internationally renowned linguist and political commentator Noam Chomsky. The book warns of the threat to humanity that US power poses. It argues that a ‘reckless’ US foreign policy has wreaked havoc across the globe and serves the interests of only a few. They argue that the US role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are pushing us closer to war with Russia and China. Robinson is the cofounder and editor in chief of Current Affairs magazine. He is also author of Why You Should Be a Socialist and Responding to the Right.

In Chokepoints: How the Global Economy Became a Weapon of War, Fishman explains the behind-the -scenes activities of diplomats, lawyers and financial wizards using Western dominance in finance and technology to counter the rise of authoritarianism in the likes of China, Russia and Iran. Fishman says co-ordinated sanctions against Russia are probably the biggest the world has ever seen, but they won’t be the last. Control over chokepoints such as the US dollar, microchip technology and energy supply have become the key to geopolitical power in the 21st century. Fishman teaches at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and has previously served at the US State Department, the Pentagon and the Treasury Department. He earned awards for his work on implementation of the Iran nuclear deal and on designing and negotiating sanctions on Russia following its 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Part of the programme of American literature and culture.