Advertise on podcast: Alternate Shots with Richard Haass and John Ellis

In episode 16 of Alternate Shots, John Ellis and Richard Haassbegin with Iran and the critical question of how the U.S. defines “success” as well as the limits to what military force could accomplish. They then turn to the expiration of the New Start, the last remaining U.S.-Russians ams control pact, and the even bigger problem of horizontal proliferation—particularly if countries like South Korea and Japan begin doubting U.S. security guarantees. The discussion turns to concerns about the integrity of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Ellis and Haass examine the potential for voter suppression and inaccurate counts by the Trump administration, casting doubt on the willingness of Republicans in Congress to stand up for democratic stability. They also reflect on the decline of major media institutions in light of the massive firings at The Washington Post. The episode concludes with lighter fare: Super Bowl predictions along with explanations of why Ellis loves curling and Haass the biathlon. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In this episode of Alternate Shots, John Ellis and Richard Haass begin with the muddled US response to upheaval in Iran, highlighting the lack of clarity as to both US objectives and the potential role of military force. Here at home, they examine Minneapolis and the larger issue of immigration policy, arguing that Democrats would be wise to find a middle ground between both borders and the administration's excessive deportations on one hand and between "Abolish ICE" and letting ICE run amok on the other. They then turn to the growing brain drain in the sciences and the federal work force that amounts to nothing less than national self-sabotage.  Finally, they call out the outrageous NFL Hall of Fame snub to Bill Belichick and, turning to golf, wonder if we are witnessing the end of the expensive LIV effort to compete with the PGA tour. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In episode 14 of Alternate Shots, John Ellis and Richard Haass delve into the new "real estate doctrine" of American foreign policy, discussing the irrelevance of ownership in international relations, particularly in the context of Greenland. Haass critiques the U.S. shift from an approach to allies based on consent to one of coercion under the Trump administration, a shift that has raised fundamental concerns about America's reliability and intentions. The conversation also touches on the failure thus far of American policy toward Iran. The discussion discusses in detail the implications of Trump's speech at Davos, which among other things heightened concerns about his mental capacity and judgment. Haass for his part had nothing good to say about the Board of Peace initiative, be it its mission, membership, or funding model. The episode concludes with predictions and analysis of the upcoming NFL matchups, with the co-hosts agreeing on Seattle and going their separate ways on Denver and New England. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In the newest episode of Alternate Shots, hosts John Ellis and Richard Haass dig into many of the most pressing issues around the world. Iran is experiencing widespread protests against a regime that has lost widespread support. The Trump administration needs to decide on its definition of success there and how to bring it about. Haass and Ellis go on to discuss how Venezuela is an example of where the U.S. opted for considerably less than regime change—and is encountering problems in bringing about stability and large-scale oil development. The two agree that Trump's outlandish approach to Greenland is equal parts unnecessary and counterproductive, while Cuba could be a case where regime changes comes less because of U.S. efforts than internal decay and collapse. Closer to home, the hosts predict the midterm elections may be manipulated to suppress voter turnout and alter voting outcomes in a year meant to celebrate American democracy. And as always, the two wrap up with sports and the latest in college and pro football, a much-needed pressure valve to a heavy set of topics. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In the year's first episode of Alternate Shots, hosts John Ellis and Richard Haass discuss the U.S. intervention in Venezuela: what led to it, why it is better understood as leadership rather than regime change, and why the US might well encounter difficulties down the road. They also discuss what it is likely to mean for oil prices, its implications for U.S. interests in the region, and why Russia and China might be happier with it all than their public comments suggest.   Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In the latest episode of Alternate Shots, John Ellis and Richard Haass look back at 2025, focusing on a Trump foreign policy that is radically different from what we have known for 80 years, the resistance of the Military Industrial Legislative Complex to much needed military reform, an executive branch that dominates both the Congress and the Supreme Court, and the adverse impact of a host of policies, from immigration to defunding research, on innovation. The conversation also delves into the AI bubble that isn't, the changing media landscape, and on two women shaking up the world of sports. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In this episode of Alternate Shots, John Ellis and Richard Haass discuss the recent National Security Strategy, highlighting a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy that has come to prioritize commercial interests and the Western Hemisphere over the balance of power in Europe and Asia, the rule of law, or traditional alliances. They delve into what is transpiring in and around Venezuela, and explore the implications of China's advances in fracking. The conversation also touches on President Trump's unsuccessful attempt in Pennsylvania to demonstrate he understands affordability concerns, the Biden administration's botched handling of immigration, and the controversial proposal for social media scrutiny of visitors to this country. The episode concludes as always with reflections on sports, in this case the return of a 44 year old grandfather to the NFL. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In this episode of Alternate Shots, John Ellis and Richard Haass discuss flaws in the US approach to negotiating an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine on terms consistent with US interests, new doubts raised about U.S. foreign policy commitments to NATO and Taiwan, the complexities of attacking boats allegedly carrying drugs off Venezuela, and why we are spending our defense dollars in the wrong way. They also delve into the health of Donald Trump and the never-ending struggles of the New York Giants. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In this episode of Alternate Shots, John Ellis and Richard Haass discuss the recent developments in U.S. foreign policy, particularly focusing on the controversial Ukraine peace plan. They explore the implications of the plan, the disarray within the U.S. administration, and the public's sentiment towards Ukraine. The conversation also touches on the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal, rising tensions between China and Japan, and concludes with a light-hearted discussion about the New York Giants' future in sports. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In this episode of "Alternate Shots," hosts John Ellis and Richard Haass dive into a range of pressing global issues and intriguing insights. John, the founder and editor of two Substack newsletters, and Richard, a seasoned expert in foreign relations, bring their unique perspectives to the table. They explore the complexities of U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, discussing its implications for Venezuela and the broader geopolitical landscape. The conversation shifts to Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, examining the sustainability of Russia's war efforts and potential future scenarios. The hosts also tackle the topic of U.S. debt, drawing parallels to climate change as a slow-motion crisis that demands attention. They ponder the role of AI in economic growth and the potential for a "debt coalition of the willing" to address fiscal challenges. As the episode unfolds, John and Richard share their thoughts on the evolving media landscape, the rise of alternative voices, and the future of traditional news outlets. With a touch of humor and candid exchanges, they wrap up with a lighthearted discussion on sports, injuries, and the New York Giants' prospects. Tune in for a thought-provoking and engaging episode that navigates the intersections of politics, economics, and media. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In this new episode of 'Alternate Shots', Richard and John discuss the diplomatic twists and turns of the Ukraine "peace" negotiations, the "Donroe Doctrine" and Venezuela, financial "cockroaches", and the politics of the U.S. government shutdown and Congressional map redistricting. At the end, Richard yet again bemoans the sorry state of the New York Giants. At the very end, John and Richard marvel at Shohei Ohtani's performance in Game Four of the NLCS.  Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

John Ellis and Richard Haass discuss various pressing global issues, starting with the Middle East situation and the potential for a deal involving hostages and ceasefire in Gaza. They explore the political dynamics in Israel, the rise of right-wing politics in Europe, and the implications of AI-generated videos on political discourse. The discussion also touches on the declining trust in news media and the current government shutdown situation, concluding with heavy-hearted reflections on being a New York sports fan. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

There was a famous rap song (at the time) entitled “Things That Make You Go Hmmmm”. That’s the general sentiment of this episode of “Alternate Shots”. Richard and John discussed (1) President Trump’s “unusual” speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations, (2) the shift in the president’s thinking about the Ukraine war, one of more than one since his election, (3) H-IB visas vs. China’s K-Visa, (4) a gloomy American electorate, (5) Mr. Trump’s continued hold over the GOP and his declining support amongst Independents, and (6) Daniel “Indiana” Jones, the former NY Giants QB, now flourishing as the QB for the Indiana Colts. Hosted by John Ellis and Richard Haass News Items on Substack Home and Away on Substack Produced by Dale Eisinger 

In Episode #3 of "Alternate Shots", John and Richard discuss five "stories" much in the news of late: (1) the active/passive Trump presidency, (2) the local election results from Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's largest state, (3) The murder of Charlie Kirk and the globalization of MAGA politics, (4) Charlie Kirk and the "youth vote" in the 2024 election, and (5) RFK Jr. vs. Big Pharma. John thinks and Richard suspects that Big Pharma will emerge victorious. Finally, Richard finds a silver lining (or two) in Sunday's crushing defeat of the New York Giants by the Dallas Cowboys.

In the latest episode of Alternate Shots, hosts Richard Haass and John Ellis begin with a discussion of Richard’s new essay in Foreign Affairs, “A Palestinian State Would Be Good for Israel". It could also be a win for President Trump. Next up: Xi's anti-American gathering of world leaders in Beijing and the evident breach in U.S.-India relations. In the realm of geopolitics, the breach may be more important than the gathering. Part three: Judge Mehta's ruling on the DOJ's antitrust case against Google; good for Google, good for Apple and arguably what's best for the United States. Part four, the sports section, addresses three subjects: (1) The New York Giants, (2) Bethpage Black, the venue for the Ryder Cup, and (3) Bill Belichick's debut as coach of the UNC football team. All in 30 minutes. Well worth your time.