Podcasts about Sadanand Dhume

After the latest round of state elections, India's political landscape looks more lopsided than at any time in the post-2014 era. The BJP claimed big wins in West Bengal and Assam—continuing its march across eastern India and solidifying its status as a hegemonic party. But politics at home is only part of the story.  Overseas, India is facing a turbulent moment—from the Iran war and Pakistan's diplomatic resurgence to Trump 2.0's approach to China and the uncertain future of the Quad.  To talk about the BJP's dominance, the opposition's crisis, and India's positioning in a rapidly shifting world, Milan is joined this week by Grand Tamasha regulars, Sadanand Dhume and Tanvi Madan.  Sadanand is a senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also a regular columnist for the Wall Street Journal.  Tanvi Madan is a senior fellow in the Center for Asia Policy Studies in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. The trio discuss whether India is becoming a “one-party state,” the current state of the opposition, and the headwinds facing the Indian economy. Plus, the three discuss Pakistan's diplomatic moment, Trump's recent China trip, and Marco Rubio's visit to India. Episode notes: Sadanand Dhume, “Why Would Anyone Trust Pakistan to Mediate With Iran?” Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2026. Sadanand Dhume, “India's Ruling Party Beats the Odds,” Wall Street Journal, May 6, 2026. Sadanand Dhume, “Pakistan Has Put Itself Back on the Diplomatic Map,” Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2026.  [Audio] “Flash Episode: India's 2026 Elections Explained (with Yamini Aiyar and Neelanjan Sircar),” Grand Tamasha, May 8, 2026.  Tanvi Madan, “India's China Strategy in an Uncertain Strategic Environment,” in Milan Vaishnav, ed., India and a Changing Global Order: Foreign Policy in the Trump 2.0 Era (Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2026)  [Video] “Udit Misra Explains | Forex Fears? What PM Modi's Big Appeal Actually Says About India's Economy,” Indian Express, May 12, 2026.  “From UP to Karnataka: Six Routes Around the 1991 Places of Worship Act,” The Wire, May 17, 2026.  

Sadanand Dhume reports that the BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal marks a significant defeat for longtime leader Mamata Banerjee. Her neglect of the economy and corruption allegations led to her ouster. This victory signals Narendra Modi's regained political strength, cracking opposition bastions and positioning India as a vital alternative in global supply chains. (14/16)1909

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 5-21-2026.1943 USA INFORMATION WAR.Anatol Lieven discusses the resignation of Latvia's Prime Minister following air defense failures. Ukrainian drones targeting Russia have been transiting Baltic airspace, leading to Russian threats of retaliation. Lieven explores the risk of unintended escalation between NATO and Russia amidst suspicions of Baltic-Ukrainian cooperation regarding these drone flight paths. (1/16)Following meetings in Beijing, Vladimir Putin seeks to finalize a gas pipeline to China to offset lost European markets. Anatol Lieven notes that while trade in dual-use technology grows, China remains cautious about full military escalation. Russia's involvement in the Iran and Ukraine wars complicates its position, as it lacks spare weaponry for Iran. (2/16)Russia has resumed military cargo shipments to Syria for the first time since the al-Sharaa government took power. Ahmad Sharawi explains that President al-Sharaa is balancing relations with Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine to rebuild his military. Tensions remain regarding the integration of foreign jihadist groups, such as al-Qaeda affiliates, into the new Syrian army. (3/16)Mary Anastasia O'Grady reports that the U.S. has imposed sanctions on GAESA, a shadowy military-controlled conglomerate dominating 70% of Cuba's economy. The company manages retail, ports, and foreign currency, including billions allegedly gained through human trafficking of medical personnel. These financial restrictions aim to pressure the regime toward democratic transition and have already impacted foreign investors. (4/16)Evan Ellis reports that Bolivia faces nationwide protests and blockades over austerity measures and fuel shortages. President Rodrigo Paz attempts reconciliation, but former President Evo Morales is accused of destabilizing the government to avoid child trafficking prosecution. While La Paz faces resource shortages, the eastern lowlands remain calm, highlighting a deep regional and political divide. (5/16)Evan Ellis characterizes protests in Bolivia as an organized "coup in motion" funded by coca growers' unions. Figures like Evo Morales and rivals within the government benefit from dismantling reforms. The instability threatens counter-drug efforts and allows criminal organizations to flourish while the government struggles to maintain order amidst resource blockades. (6/16)Evan Ellis reports that the U.S. Justice Department has indicted 94-year-old Raul Castro for the 1996 murder of "Brothers to the Rescue" pilots. The indictment serves as leverage in transition negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia and China pledge support to Cuba, and the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier signals a potential shift toward selective military pressure. (7/16)Evan Ellis reports that Venezuela has surrendered Alex Saab, Nicolas Maduro's former bagman, to the U.S. for prosecution. Saab possesses critical information on illicit financial flows involving Iran, Cuba, and Colombia. Delcy Rodriguez's decision to extradite him suggests a complex internal power play to appease Washington while eliminating her own political rivals. (8/16)Peter Mauch explores the early life of Hideki Tojo, focusing on his failed 1945 suicide attempt and the military code prohibiting the disgrace of surrender. Born into a samurai-descended family, Tojo's ambitions were fueled by the perceived mistreatment of his father by a cronyist military system, leading him to excel academically. (9/16)Peter Mauch explains that during the 1930s, the Japanese army split into the "Imperial Way" and "Control" factions. The Imperial Way prioritized morale and the Emperor, while Tojo's Control faction advocated for "total war" preparation involving all state resources. This rivalry turned murderous, culminating in assassinations and coup attempts against the civilian government. (10/16)Peter Mauch explains that in 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge incident sparked conflict between Japan and China. While Tokyo sought de-escalation, the Kwantung Army, including Tojo, pushed for escalation and conquest. Chiang Kai-shek's refusal to surrender drew the Japanese military into a "quicksand" interior, creating an inescapable and draining quagmire for the army. (11/16)Peter Mauch explains that as War Minister, Tojo—nicknamed "The Razor"—instilled iron discipline within the fractious Japanese army to earn the Emperor's favor. He consolidated political power by centralizing military communication and cashiering insubordinate officers. Meanwhile, Japan eyed the defenseless Southeast Asian colonies of European powers, determined not to "miss the bus." (12/16)Veronique de Rugy argues that tariffs function as taxes paid by Americans, with costs passing to consumers at a 96% rate. Despite promises to revive manufacturing, employment in that sector has continued to decline. The policy is described as a "catastrophe" resulting in billions in unconstitutional levies that require federal refunds. (13/16)Sadanand Dhume reports that the BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal marks a significant defeat for longtime leader Mamata Banerjee. Her neglect of the economy and corruption allegations led to her ouster. This victory signals Narendra Modi's regained political strength, cracking opposition bastions and positioning India as a vital alternative in global supply chains. (14/16)Anatoly Zak reports that despite sanctions and corruption scandals, Russia successfully launched the Soyuz-5 rocket, a joint project with Kazakhstan designed to replace Ukrainian technology. While international commercial prospects have vanished, Russia is pivoting toward domestic military payloads. Development continues on the Angara family of rockets, though the program faces significant spacecraft production delays. (15/16)Anatoly Zak reports that Russia has successfully tested the Sarmat, a heavy liquid-propellant ICBM designed to target the United States. Capable of carrying up to 20 maneuverable warheads, it replaces the Ukrainian-built "Satan" missile. While technologically complex and using toxic propellants, it represents Russia's commitment to maintaining a formidable strategic nuclear deterrent. (16/16)Notes: corrected "Akmed Sharawari" → Ahmad Sharawi; "Alshara" → al-Sharaa (Syrian president). Flag if you prefer alternate transliterations.

PREVIEW for Later Today: Sadanand Dhume discusses India's efforts to attract supply chains from China. While Apple has successfully diversified iPhone production there, India struggles to compete with more nimble nations like Vietnam in other various economic sectors.

13. HEADLINE: Pakistan's Emerging Role as a Neutral Diplomatic Site GUEST: Sadanand Dhume SUMMARY:Sadanand Dhume discusses Pakistan's surprising role as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, facilitated by its unique geography and ties to China. Field Marshal Asim Munir leads this effort. A successful resolution could weaken the pernicious ideology of Islamism, reverberating positively throughout the broader Muslim world.1916

14. HEADLINE: Ideological Barriers in Pakistan's Foreign Policy GUEST: Sadanand Dhume SUMMARY:Sadanand Dhume explores Pakistan's deep-rooted hostility toward Israel, which persists despite regional shifts toward normalization. While India views Pakistan's mediation role with envy, Pakistan's military leadership, under Field Marshal Munir, maintains power behind a civilian facade to insulate itself from economic discontent and governance pressures.1916

Preview for Later: HEADLINE: Pakistan's Diplomatic Balancing Act with Iran GUEST: Sadanand DhumeSUMMARY: Dhume explores Pakistan's role mediating between the US and Iran while managing its own restive Shiaminority. Despite past friction, Pakistan maintains deep consular ties, handling Iranian affairs in Washington since 1979.1850 PERSIAN EMPIRE

15. Sadanand Dhume Headline: India's Strategic Neutrality in the BRICS Grouping Dhume analyzes India's unique position, balancing relationships with the U.S. and Israel against energy needs. He describes BRICS as an economically underperforming and politically fractured group with deep-seated internal rivalries. (15)1865 KOLKAATA

Sadanand Dhume Sadanand Dhume outlines Narendra Modi's foreign policy hierarchy, prioritizing the United States and Israel for defense. He notes India's strategic energy dependence on Gulf nations, leaving Iran as a significantly lower diplomatic priority. Modi's Strategic Hierarchy: Prioritizing the West and Gulf (3)1900 BENGAL

2-19-261970 IRAN The European Left and the Ukraine Conflict. John Batchelor and Anatol Lieven discuss the European left's evolving stance on the Ukraine war. Facing economic strain, radical leftist parties are prioritizing peace and domestic issues over punishing Russia, driven by historical anti-NATO sentiments and deep skepticism toward European military expansion and the United States. #1 Negotiated Settlements and Expanding Security States. Anatol Lieven explains the European left's growing concerns about the Ukraine war fueling authoritarian security and surveillance measures. While a negotiated settlement requiring Ukraine to surrender the Donbas seems impossible in Kyiv, the conflict risks becoming a prolonged war of attrition dictated by modern drone warfare. #2 Truman, the Fed, and the 1951 Accord. Professor John Cochrane explores the 1951 Treasury-Fed Accordduring the Korean War. Fearing another World War II-style crisis, President Harry Truman pressured FedChairman Thomas McCabe to keep interest rates low. Instead, the Fed fought for its independence to combat inflation, establishing modern monetary policy precedents. #3 Modern Lessons from the Fed-Treasury Accord. Drawing parallels between 1951 and today, John Cochraneexamines the tension between presidential administrations and the Federal Reserve during crises. He emphasizes that the Fed must maintain its independence, warning against perpetually funding government spending and urging a strict focus on inflation control over politically motivated easy money. #4 Peru's Political Crisis and Chinese Influence. Professor Evan Ellis details Peru's chronic political instability following the appointment of its eighth president in eight years. Amidst endemic corruption and a fragmented Congress, the nation is deeply intertwined with Chinese investments, particularly in telecommunications, mining, and the strategically vital, Chinese-controlled deep-water port of Chancay. #5 Cuba's Severe Energy and Economic Collapse. Evan Ellis describes the catastrophic collapse of Cuba'seconomy. Cut off from Venezuelan and Mexican oil, the island faces severe rationing, blackouts, halted public services, and completely collapsed tourism. With millions fleeing the dire conditions, the communist regime's survival is heavily strained as basic resources fail. #6 Border Drone Threats, USMCA, and Venezuela. Evan Ellis discusses the closure of El Paso's airspace due to sophisticated cartel drones. He also highlights the critical necessity of renegotiating the USMCA to preserve Mexico's economy and cooperative security posture. Finally, he notes a surprising US military delegation visit to negotiate with Venezuela's Maduro regime. #7 Guyana's Massive Oil Boom. Evan Ellis highlights the profound economic transformation of Guyana following the discovery of billions of barrels of light, sweet crude oil. Driven by massive investments from ExxonMobil and Chevron, the South American nation serves as a prime example of effective management and foreign partnerships generating transformative national wealth. #8 Israel's Initial Response to the October 7 Atrocities. Following the horrific October 7 attacks by Hamas, Israelileaders reacted with understandable outrage and mobilized forcefully to neutralize the threat. While Hamas is currently severely degraded militarily and controls less territory, the group remains armed and continues to pose an ongoing security challenge fueled by Iranian backing. #9Defining Israel's Deep Political and Demographic Divides. Peter Berkowitz clarifies crucial definitions in Israelipolitics, explaining why a one-state solution would destroy Israel's democratic and Jewish character. He outlines how traditional left-right divisions have morphed into pro- or anti-Netanyahu factions, heavily influenced by religious demographics and the ultra-Orthodox community's contentious role in military service. #10Trump's Middle East Legacy and Israel's Judicial Crisis. Examining the Trump administration's lasting diplomatic legacy, Peter Berkowitz praises the embassy move to Jerusalem, the withdrawal from the flawed Iran deal, and the strategic Abraham Accords. He also analyzes Israel's internal turmoil over its overly activist Supreme Court, which sparked mass protests prior to the ongoing war. #11Confronting the Ignorance Fueling Anti-Israel Protests. Dismantling the arguments of global anti-Israel protesters, Peter Berkowitz highlights their culpable ignorance regarding Israel's defensive sovereignty. He refutes false accusations of colonialism, exposing how Hamas deliberately uses Palestinian civilians as human shields and actively seeks to destroy both the Jewish state and broader Western democratic civilization. #12Viktor Orban's Dangerous Alliances with Russia and China. Facing domestic electoral pressures, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban manipulatively courts the Trump administration while deepening dangerous alliances with Russia and China. Ivana Stradner explains that Orban leverages these relationships to project global relevance and maintain power, falsely claiming that Hungary is a victim of unavoidable Russian energy dependence. #13Bangladesh's Political Turmoil and Rising Islamist Influence. Following the violent ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh faces severe political and economic instability under Tariq Rahman. Sadanand Dhume warns of a concerning Islamic revival, highlighting the growing parliamentary power of the radical Jamaat-e-Islami movement and the critical need to pragmatically repair fractured diplomatic relations with India. #14Justice Scalia and the Unitary Executive Theory. Reflecting on Justice Antonin Scalia's legacy, Professor John Yoodetails the concept of the unitary executive. Scalia powerfully argued that the Constitution vests all executive power directly in the president, warning that independent agencies fragment federal authority, diminish democratic accountability, and disrupt the essential separation of powers. #15The Supreme Court's Threat to Independent Agencies. Analyzing upcoming Supreme Court cases, John Yoopredicts the potential overturning of the historic Humphrey's Executor precedent. Such a ruling would fundamentally dismantle the protections shielding independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission from direct presidential control, sparking a massive structural revolution within the federal government's executive branch. #16

Bangladesh's Political Turmoil and Rising Islamist Influence. Following the violent ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh faces severe political and economic instability under Tariq Rahman. Sadanand Dhume warns of a concerning Islamic revival, highlighting the growing parliamentary power of the radical Jamaat-e-Islami movement and the critical need to pragmatically repair fractured diplomatic relations with India. #141910 IMPERIAL ORDER OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE EMPIRE

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Sadanand Dhume. Dhume reports on the India-EU trade deal after 21 years of negotiations, especially the provisions allowing Indian nationals to work in the EU.1865 CALCUTTA

Guest: Sadanand Dhume. Dhume reports on the India-EU trade deal after 21 years of negotiation, analyzing the significance of this agreement for both economies and regional geopolitics.1930 MUMBAI

SEGMENT 7: MODI'S TIMID REFORM AGENDA Guest: Sadanand Dhume (Wall Street Journal) Dhume assesses Prime Minister Modi as a timid reformer constrained by political realities and socialist-era institutions. India's growth potential remains unrealized as legacy regulations protect inefficient industries. Modi raised some thresholds but fundamental transformation of labor laws and state enterprises remains politically impossible.1895 BRUSSELS

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY: INDIA'S STALLED REFORMS Guest: Sadanand Dhume (Wall Street Journal) Dhume discusses disappointment with Prime Minister Modi's cautious third term, noting India's growth remains hindered by socialist-era labor laws. Although Modi raised worker thresholds, the textile industry lost competitiveness to Bangladesh and Vietnam. The political challenge of enacting business-friendly reforms without electoral consequences remains unsolved.1930 BOMBAY

Sadanand Dhume examines the shift in US foreign policy, where President Trump now favors Pakistan and its military chief, General Munir. This followed intense combat between India and Pakistan after a horrific terrorist attack. When the US mediated a ceasefire, Trump took credit, which embarrassed Indian Prime Minister Modi. Pakistan cleverly thanked Trump and nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize, securing his favor over India. India now needs a trade deal. Guest: Sadanand Dhume.

HEADLINE: Implications for Delhi of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabian Handshake GUEST NAME: Sadanand DhumeSUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Sadanand Dhume about Pakistan-Saudi Arabian relations. This development concerns Delhi, which has maintained close ties with Saudi Arabia through trade and counterterrorism cooperation. As Pakistan remains an adversary, any strengthening of Riyadh-Islamabad relations is viewed with suspicion and concern in New Delhi. 1865 ISLAMABAD

PREVIEW HEADLINE: Implications for Delhi of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabian Handshake GUEST NAME: Sadanand Dhume 50 WORD SUMMARY: John Bachelor speaks with Sadanand Dhume about Pakistan-Saudi Arabian relations. This development concerns Delhi, which has maintained close ties with Saudi Arabia through trade and counterterrorism cooperation. As Pakistan remains an adversary, any strengthening of Riyadh-Islamabad relations is viewed with suspicion and concern in New Delhi.

PREVIEW HEADLINE: Implications for Delhi of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabian Handshake GUEST NAME: Sadanand Dhume 50 WORD SUMMARY: John Bachelor speaks with Sadanand Dhume about Pakistan-Saudi Arabian relations. This development concerns Delhi, which has maintained close ties with Saudi Arabia through trade and counterterrorism cooperation. As Pakistan remains an adversary, any strengthening of Riyadh-Islamabad relations is viewed with suspicion and concern in New Delhi. 1922 MUMBAI

For a quarter century, Washington policymakers made a strategic bet on India premised on the belief that shared values, shared interests, and a shared strategic convergence in Asia would bind these two countries together as ‘natural allies' in the twenty-first century. All of this optimistic talk came crashing down to Earth a few months ago with the Trump administration's decision to slap 25 percent tariffs on Indian exports. This was exacerbated by a second decision to add an additional 25 percent tariff on India for its import of Russia oil. Taken together, these policy measures plunged U.S.-India relations into their most significant crisis since the late 1990s and the era of U.S. sanctions on India in the wake of the latter's nuclear tests.How did we get here? Where are we now? And where might we be going? These are the questions Milan takes up on this week's show with guest Ashley J. Tellis. Tellis is the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and is well-known to Grand Tamasha listeners as one of the sanest, wisest voices on South Asia and U.S.-India relations, more specifically. Milan and Ashley discuss the policy of U.S. “strategic altruism” toward India, the ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and India, and Modi's recent visit to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in China. Plus, the two discuss the latest turn in U.S.-Pakistan relations and whether the thaw in China-India relations is sustainable. Episode notes:1. Robert D. Blackwill and Ashley J. Tellis, “The India Dividend: New Delhi Remains Washington's Best Hope in Asia,” Foreign Affairs 98, no. 5 (September/October 2019): 173-183.2. Ashley J. Tellis, “India's Great-Power Delusions: How New Delhi's Grand Strategy Thwarts Its Grand Ambitions,” Foreign Affairs 104, no. 4 (July/August 2025): 52-67.3. Lisa Curtis, Dhruva Jaishankar, Nirupama Rao, and Ashley J. Tellis, “What Kind of Great Power Will India Be? Debating New Delhi's Grand Strategy,” Foreign Affairs 104, no. 5 (September/October 2025): 186-195.4. Ashley J. Tellis, “America's Bad Bet on India: New Delhi Won't Side With Washington Against Beijing,” Foreign Affairs, May 1, 2023.5. Milan Vaishnav, “How India Can Placate America,” Foreign Affairs, July 16, 2025.6. “Trade Wars: Trump Targets India (with Sadanand Dhume and Tanvi Madan),” Grand Tamasha, August 12, 2025.7. “What Kind of Great Power Will India Become? (with Ashley J. Tellis),” Grand Tamasha, July 2, 2025.

HEADLINE: India-China-Russia Axis Dismissed as Propaganda Despite Modi-Xi Handshake GUEST NAME: Sadanand Dhume SUMMARY: Sadanand Dhume dismisses speculation of an India-China-Russia "Eurasian axis" following Modi-Xihandshake at SCO summit as "nonsense." Relations remain hostile due to border disputes with tens of thousands of troops deployed. China's ties with Pakistan, supplying 80% of arms and investing through CPEC, further strain India relations. 1904 INDIA

PREVIEW: GUEST NAME: Sadanand Dhume SUMMARY: John Batchelor and Sadanand Dhume discuss the "false narrative" of an India-China coalition. Dhumeattributes this to "Chinese agitprop" and, significantly, "Russian agitprop." He emphasizes that Russia, leveraging its Soviet superpower past, remains the most sophisticated player in propaganda across the developing world, including South Asia, even surpassing China. 1900 BOMBAY

• Guest Name: Sadanand Dhume • Affiliation: American Enterprise Institute, writes "East to East" column for the Wall Street Journal • Summary: The discussion analyzes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, amidst declining US-India relations due to tariffs. India's large farm lobby, especially dairy, heavily influences trade policy. Despite diplomatic gestures, India maintains vigilance against Chinese aggression due to deep-rooted border disputes and China's close ties with Pakistan, indicating India won't align closely with China. 1862 INDIA

PREVIEW: MODI AND XI: Colleague Sadanand Dhume of AEI and WSJ comments on the long standing distrust between India and China -- unlikely to be solved by photos of Modi with Xi and Putin. More. 1922 BOMBAY

INDIA: CHINA ARRIVES OPEN HANDED SADANAND DHUME

INDIA: DC BREAK - SADANAND DHUME, WSJ BOMBAY

Preview: Delhi-DC Colleague Sadanand Dhume of AEI outlines a remedy for the present friction between PM Modi and POTUS Trump. More. 1865 KOLKATA

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order slapping India with a 25 percent special tariff due to its purchases of Russian oil. This surprise measure raised the total tariff on Indian exports to the United States to 50 percent—among the highest rates imposed by the United States on any country in the world.But India is not just “any country.” Over the last quarter-century, it has emerged as one of America's most valuable strategic partners. Trump's tariff move has plunged the bilateral relationship into crisis, raising difficult questions about the future of both U.S. and Indian foreign policy.Grand Tamasha emerged from its summer hiatus for an emergency episode to make sense of these developments and their global ramifications. For this special episode, Milan is joined by Grand Tamasha regulars, Sadanand Dhume of the American Enterprise Institute and the Wall Street Journal and Tanvi Madan of the Brookings Institution.The trio discuss the drivers behind Trump's decision, India's response to the crisis, and the future of India's policy of “multi-alignment.” Plus, the two discuss the U.S. government's 180-degree turn on Pakistan and the prospects for an amicable resolution of the U.S.-India trade spat by summer's end.Episode notes:1. Praveen Swami, “Asim Munir's India nuke threat from US ballroom—‘will take half the world down,'” ThePrint, August 10, 2025.2. Sadanand Dhume, “India Is Losing Its Best and Brightest,” Wall Street Journal, July 30, 2025.3. “Tanvi Madan on the geopolitical shifts revealed by the India-Pakistan crisis,” The Economist, May 12, 2025.4. Ashley J. Tellis, “India's Great-Power Delusions,” Foreign Affairs (July/August 2025).5. Nirupama Rao, Dhruva Jaishankar, Lisa Curtis, and Ashley J. Tellis, “What Kind of Great Power Will India Be?” Foreign Affairs (September/October 2025).6. Milan Vaishnav, “How India Can Placate America,” Foreign Affairs, July 16, 2025.7. “What Kind of Great Power Will India Become? (with Ashley J. Tellis),” Grand Tamasha, July 2, 2025.

India tariffs 50%. Sadanand Dhume

India and SILICON VALLEY. Sadanand Dhume

Preview: India: Colleague Sadanand Dhume comments on why young hired techs leave India for the US rather than succeed at home. More later. 1958

AEI's Sadanand Dhume joins the podcast to discuss Zohran Mamdani's ideological origins, why government stores are not a fresh, new idea, Indian democracy, poverty, capitalism, and how Bangladesh went its own way.

SHOW SCHEDULE THURSDAY 19 JUNE 2025. THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE WARS OF EURASIA... 1855 BRITISH ARNY CRIMEAN WAR CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9:00-9:15 Ukraine: No end in sight. Anatol Lieven 9:15-9:30 EU: No European army. Anatol Lieven 9:30-9:45 AI: Job cuts at Microsoft. Chris Riegel. #ScalaReport: Chris Riegel CEO, Scala.com @stratacache. 9:45-10:00 Canada: Blessed, with a busy new PM. Conrad Black. SECOND HOUR 10:00-10:15 Israel: The bombardment. Alex Traiman and Malcolm Hoenlein 10:15-10:30 Iran: The US response. Rob Satloff, and Malcolm Hoenlein 10:30-10:45 Iran: The Eurasian response. Rob Satloff, and Malcolm Hoenlein 10:45-11:00 Iran: What of Gaza? And Malcolm Hoenlein THIRD HOUR 11:00-11:15 Iran: No surrender for the Supreme Leader. Cliff May FDD 11:15-11:30 Iran: Pakistan and the bomb. Sadanand Dhume, WSJ 11:30-11:45 Hotel Mars: Black hole universe. Enrique Gaztanaga, University of Portsmouth 11:45-12:00 Hotel Mars: Black hole universe. Enrique Gaztanaga, University of Portsmouth continued FOURTH HOUR 12:00-12:15 #NewWorldReport: Colombia violence. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @revanellis #newworldreportellis 12:15-12:30 #NewWorldReport: Brazil lawfare. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @revanellis #newworldreportellis 12:30-12:45 #NewWorldReport: Venezuela hopelessness. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @revanellis #newworldreportellis 12:45-1:00 AM #NewWorldReport: Argentina house arrest. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @revanellis #newworldreportellis

IRAN: PAKISTAN AND THE BOMB SADANAND DHUME, WSJ 1965 ISLAMABAD 

On April 22, 2025, Islamist terrorists struck Indian civilians in Kashmir. Twenty-six people were killed, most of them Hindu tourists. This attack would trigger what analysts now call the “88-Hour War”—a brief but intense conflict between India and Pakistan that ended only after American diplomatic intervention. This four-day war revealed a shift in the strategic landscape that only decades ago would have been unthinkable. When Indian forces engaged Pakistani positions, they deployed Israeli-made drones. When diplomatic support mattered, Israel stood unambiguously with India. Meanwhile, Pakistan relied heavily on Chinese weapons and Turkish diplomatic backing. The conflicts of the Middle East were being played out on the Indian subcontinent.   On this week's podcast, Jonathan Silver is joined by Sadanand Dhume, a senior fellow of the American Enterprise Institute and the author of a June 4 article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Mideast Power Plays in India and Pakistan.” In it, Dhume explains that India—once among Israel's harshest critics and a reflexive supporter of the Palestinian cause—has become Israel's largest arms customer, accounting for 34 percent of Israeli weapons exports. That story about arms exports then opens up onto a larger story about how two democracies, each seeing themselves as ancient civilizations facing modern terrorist threats, have found common cause. Silver and Dhume discuss the transformation of Israel-India relations from cold-war hostility to strategic partnership, by focusing on the arms trade between them.

KASHMIR: UNFINISHED STANDOFF. SADANAND DHUME, WSJ 1947 MOUNTBATTEN

GOOD EVENING: The show begins in Russia where Kyiv forces launched massive drone attack on many regions of Russia in a major escalation of the DRONE WARS... CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9-915 #UKRAINE:  ESCALATION COLONEL JEFF MCCAUSLAND , USA (RETIRED) @MCCAUSLJ @CBSNEWS @DICKINSONCOL 915-930 #IRAN:  COLONEL JEFF MCCAUSLAND , USA (RETIRED) @MCCAUSLJ @CBSNEWS @DICKINSONCOL 930-945 SPACEX: TEST 9. BOB ZIMMERMAN BEHINDTHEBLACK.COM 945-1000 SPHERE: MYSTERY. BOB ZIMMERMAN BEHINDTHEBLACK.COM SECOND HOUR 10-1015 ROK: Morse Tan, former ambassador and now leader of the Election Monitoring Team in South Korea, on the latest on election integrity efforts there. @GORDONGCHANG, GATESTONE, NEWSWEEK, THE HILL 1015-1030 ROK David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, on this: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/rethinking-south-koreas-naval-strategy-for-a-taiwan-strait-contingency/ @GORDONGCHANG, GATESTONE, NEWSWEEK, THE HILL 1030-1045 INDONESIA: Charles Ortel of the On the Money with Charles Ortel podcast on this: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-05-26/china-mulling-new-economic-policy-tools-premier-li-says @GORDONGCHANG, GATESTONE, NEWSWEEK, THE HILL  1045-1100 GOLDEN DOME Blaine Holt, retired Air Force general who served as deputy military representative to NATO, on this: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3311539/can-chinas-new-stealth-tech-challenge-trumps-golden-dome @GORDONGCHANG, GATESTONE, NEWSWEEK, THE HILL THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 KASHMIR: UNFINISHED STANDOFF. SADANAND DHUME, WSJ 1115-1130 RUSSIA: STAGFLATION. MICHAEL BERNSTAM, HOOVER 1130-1145 CHESTERTON: WHAT IS A CONSERVATIVE? PETER BERKOWITZ 1145-1200 DPRK:CYBERCRIME EMPLOYMENT SCAM. ANNIE FIXLER, FDD FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 #FRANCE: PLUM TREES RIPENING. SIMON CONSTABLE 1215-1230 LIVERPOOL: TRAGEDY INSTEAD OF JOY.. SIMON CONSTABLE.  1230-1245 #HOTEL MARS: PRC ASTEROID MISSIONS.RICK FISHER, IASC. 1245-100 AM #HOTEL MARS PTCT GOES TO WAR. RICK FISHER, IASC.

PREVIEW: Colleague Sadanand Dhume reports that the Kashmir battle is suspended and ceasefired but not ended. More later. 1862 KASHMIR

#INDIA: MODI RESPONDED TO THE PROVOCATION, SADANAND DHUME, WSJ. BOMBAY 1930

Good evening: The show begins in Beijing and Washington as the global markets react to trade talk... 1885 OHIO RIVER CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9:00-9:15 #POTUS: Blinking US. Grimacing PRC. Alan Tonelson, Reality Check. @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill 9:15-9:30 #EU: Gets a Vote in the Deal. Alan Tonelson, Reality Check. @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill 9:30-9:45 1/2: #Ukraine: Waiting for Putin. John Hardie, FDD 9:45-10:00 2/2: #Ukraine: Waiting for Putin. John Hardie, FDD SECOND HOUR 10:00-10:15 #POTUS: Outbound for Riyadh, Dubai, Doha. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 @ThadMcCotter @theamgreatness 10:15-10:30 #Israel: State Department and the PA. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 @ThadMcCotter @theamgreatness 10:30-10:45 #NewWorldReport: #Brazil: Lula with Putin and Xi in Moscow. Ernesto Araujo, Joseph Humire @JMHumire @SecureFreeSoc. Ernesto Araujo, former Foreign Minister Republic of Brazil. #NewWorldReportHumire 10:45-11:00 #Yemen: Rebuilding Sana'a Airport. Bridget Toomey, FDD THIRD HOUR 11:00-11:15 #Kashmir: Poor Performance Both Sides. General Blaine Holt (USAF Retired) 11:15-11:30#Kashmir: Nuke Sites Threatened. General Blaine Holt (USAF Retired) 11:30-11:45 #India: Modi Responded to the Provocation. Sadanand Dhume, WSJ 11:45-12:00 #Syria: Doubting Damascus. Ahmad Sharawi, FDD FOURTH HOUR 12:00-12:15 #Pakistan: Self-Respect. Husain Haqqani, Hudson 12:15-12:30 #Pakistan: Nuke Alarms. Husain Haqqani, Hudson 12:30-12:45 #Gaza: Hostage Released. Joe Truzman, FDD 12:45-1:00 AM #Lebanon: Too Quiet. Joe Truzman, FDD

Preview: Colleague Sadanand Dhume of AEI and WSJ reports that the PRC leaned on Pakistan to end the combat exchanges. More later. 1900 KARACHI

#KASHMIR: ESCALATORY PATH. SADANAND DHUME, AEI, WSJ. 1947 MOUNTBATTEN

Good evening: The show begins downtown Las Vegas.. JANUARY 1930. CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9:00-9:15 #PACIFICWATCH: #VEGASREPORT: NICK AND DIME STRIP, DOWNTOWN BOOM @JCBLISS 9:15-9:30 #LANCASTER REPORT: JOBS FAIR SUCCESS FOR MANUFACTURERS. JIM MCTAGUE, FORMER WASHINGTON EDITOR, BARRONS. @MCTAGUEJ. AUTHOR OF THE "MARTIN AND TWYLA BOUNDARY SERIES." #FRIENDSOFHISTORYDEBATINGSOCIETY 9:30-9:45 #SMALLBUSINESSAMERICA: TARIFF WORRIES ON THE WEST COAST CONTAINERS. @GENEMARKS @GUARDIAN @PHILLYINQUIRER 9:45-10:00 #SMALLBUSINESSAMERICA: AI AND FRONT EDGE EXPERIMENT. @GENEMARKS @GUARDIAN @PHILLYINQUIRER SECOND HOUR 10:00-10:15 #KEYSTONEREPORT: JOHN FETTERMAN ICONOCLAST DEMOCRAT. SALENA ZITO, MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE, @DCEXAMINER PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, NEW YORK POST, SALENAZITO.COM 10:15-10:30 #PRC: CHINESE AIR TO AIR MISSILE OVER KASHMIR. JIM FANELL, AUTHOR "EMBRACING COMMUNIST CHINA." @GORDONGCHANG, GATESTONE, NEWSWEEK, THE HILL 10:30-10:45 #SPACEX: FAA COOPERATION. BOB ZIMMERMAN BEHINDTHEBLACK.COM 10:45-11:00 #SUNSPOTS: MAXIMUM. BOB ZIMMERMAN BEHINDTHEBLACK.COM THIRD HOUR 11:00-11:15 #KASHMIR: ESCALATORY PATH. SADANAND DHUME, AEI, WSJ. 11:15-11:30 #ITALY: WHITE SMOKE WITH AN ITALIAN GRANDFATHER. LORENZO FIORI 11:30-11:45 1/2: #USA: ROSY IN COMPARISON TO THE GLOBAL NEIGHBORS. JOEL KOTKIN, CIVITAS INSTITUTE 11:45-12:00 2/2: #USA: ROSY IN COMPARISON TO THE GLOBAL NEIGHBORS. JOEL KOTKIN, CIVITAS INSTITUTE FOURTH HOUR 12:00-12:15 #IRAN: WHAT GETS 67 VOTES IN THE US SENATE. HENRY SOKOLSKI NPEC 12:15-12:30 #POTUS: WHAT IS THE GOLDEN DOME. HENRY SOKOLSKI NPEC 12:30-12:45 #POTUS: SKINNY BUDGET AND DISCONTENT. RICHARD EPSTEIN, CIVITAS INSTITUTE 12:45-1:00 AM #ANTISEMITISM: COLUMBIA ATTACKED AGAIN. RICHARD EPSTEIN, CIVITAS INSTITUTE

#INDIA:  VANCE AND POTUS SUPPORT MODI. SADANAND DHUME, WSJ1930 BOMBAY

Good Evening: The Show Begins in Kashmir with Alarms That India and Pakistan Are Determined Adversaries.  1862  SKETCH OF KASHMIR VALLEY FROM SOLEIMANS SEAT TO THE NISHAT BAGH  CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9-915 1/2: #KASHMIR: TERROR AND GUNFIRE. BILL ROGGIO, FDD. HUSAIN HAQQANI, HUDSON 915-930 2/2: #KASHMIR: TERROR AND GUNFIRE. BILL ROGGIO, FDD. HUSAIN HAQQANI, HUDSON 930-945  1/2 #UKRAINE: CRIMEA JAW-JAW. JOHN HARDIE, BILL ROGGIO, FDD. 945-1000  2/2 #UKRAINE: CRIMEA JAW-JAW. JOHN HARDIE, BILL ROGGIO, FDD. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 #INDIA VANCE AND POTUS SUPPORT MODI. SADANAND DHUME, WSJ 1015-1030 #PRC: JIMMY LAI'S FATE. MARK SIMON, GORDON CHANG 1030-1045 #DPRK:  BOLDER. GREG SCARLATOIU 1045-1100 #PRC:MASS LAYOFFS. @GORDONGCHANG, GATESTONE, NEWSWEEK, THE HILL THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 #NEWWORLDREPORT: BRAZIL AND BRICS AMBITION.  JOSEPH HUMIRE @JMHUMIRE @SECUREFREESOC. ERNESTO ARAUJO, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL. #NEWWORLDREPORTHUMIRE 1115-1130 #NEWWORLDREPORT:  ARGENTINA AWAKENS. JOSEPH HUMIRE @JMHUMIRE @SECUREFREESOC. ERNESTO ARAUJO, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL. #NEWWORLDREPORTHUMIRE 1130-1145 #LEBANON: HEZBOLLAH REMAINS DANGEROUS. DAVID DAOUD, BILL ROGGIO, FDD 1145-1200 #GAZA: BRIDGET TOOMEY, BILL ROGGIO, FDD. NOT ERASABLE.   FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 #YEMEN: RESIDENT HOUTHIS, RELENTLESS US NAVY. BRIDGET TOOMEY, BILL ROGGIO, FDD 1215-1230 #IRAQ: M. SADR SITS OUT THE NOVEMBER ELECTION BAGDAD. BRIDGET TOOMEY, BILL ROGGIO, FDD 1230-1245 #CA: HIGH SPEED FAILURE. BILL WHELAN, HOOVER 1245-100 AM #UN: HUMAN RIGHTS AGITPROP. PETER BERKOWITZ, HOOVER INSTITUTION

Preview: Colleague Sadanand Dhume of AEI and WSJ Reports Small Steps Toward an Amending of Dialogue Between the Two Giants of Eurasia, India and the PRC — Prior to the Kashmir Crisis. More. 1850 DELHI

#INDIA: 17TH CENTURY VIOLENCE. IN THE 21ST.  SADANAND DHUME, WSJ 1925 BOMBAY

PREVIEW: Colleague Sadanand Dhume reports on street violence in India because of a hit Bollywood movie that displays a notorious villain. And why? More later. 1862 INDIA

#INDIA: PM MODI AND TRUMP. SADANAND DHUME WSJ 1865 KOLKATA

#GAZA: FREE TOGO. SADANAND DHUME WSJ 1945 RAMALLAH