Is America Becoming a Rogue State?

Is America Becoming a Rogue State?

From Foreign Policy Live by Foreign Policy

April 15, 2026 · 44 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of the Iran war on U.S. foreign policy and the perception of the U.S. as a rogue state.

The Iran war has become the most serious foreign-policy challenge for U.S. President Donald Trump in his second term. But does it reveal a larger point about U.S. power? Stephen M. Walt, a professor at Harvard University and Foreign Policy columnist, argues that it does and that the United States is increasingly acting like a rogue state. What damage will this cause, and what can countries do about it? Plus, Ravi offers his read on Hungary’s election and why it matters for the world. Thomas Carothers: Why Viktor Orban’s Fidesz Party Lost Stephen M. Walt: The United States Has Become a Rogue State Foreign Affairs: Stephen M. Walt: The Predatory Hegemon Ravi Agrawal: Trump Is Ushering In a More Transactional World Howard W. French: Trump’s Recipe for Accelerated U.S. Decline Pew Research Center: International Views of China Turn Slightly More Positive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Ravi Agrawal

Guest: Stephen M. Walt

Topics covered

  • U.S. foreign policy
  • rogue state
  • Iran war
  • Hungary election
  • global implications
  • Trump administration

Keywords

  • U.S. power
  • foreign policy
  • rogue state
  • Iran war
  • Trump
  • Hungary election
  • Stephen M. Walt
  • Ravi Agrawal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Foreign Policy, Pew Research Center

Places: Hungary, United States

More episodes of Foreign Policy Live

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Foreign Policy Live podcast page.