About this episode

Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama discuss the implications of Fukuyama's views on the Iraq War and the neoconservative movement's impact on foreign policy.

Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama delve into 9/11, the hubris of humanitarian intervention, and the letter he regretted signing. Francis Fukuyama is the Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at Stanford University. His latest book is In the Realm of the Last Man. He is also the author of the “Frankly Fukuyama” column at Persuasion.  In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama discuss why Fukuyama initially supported the Iraq War and what changed his mind, how the neoconservative movement’s experience of Eastern Europe shaped its disastrous assumptions about the Middle East, and what his break with former colleagues cost him personally and professionally. Enjoying this discussion? In an event exclusively for readers of American Purpose and Persuasion, Yascha Mounk will be interviewing Francis Fukuyama about his life and thought at 5pm on Sunday, September 6 at The Abbey Centre, London. Find out more and get tickets here. Paying subscribers of Persuasion and American Purpose can access a code for a free ticket here. We’re delighted to feature this conversation as part of our series on Liberal Virtues and Values. This series, made possible with the generous support…

People in this episode

Host: Yascha Mounk

Guest: Francis Fukuyama

Topics covered

• Francis Fukuyama
• Iraq War
• neoconservatism
• humanitarian intervention
• liberalism
• Eastern Europe
• Middle East

Keywords

• Francis Fukuyama
• Iraq War
• neoconservatism
• humanitarian intervention
• liberalism
• Eastern Europe
• Middle East
• American Purpose
• Persuasion
• John Templeton Foundation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stanford University, Persuasion, American Purpose

Books & works: In the Realm of the Last Man

Places: The Abbey Centre, London

More episodes of The Good Fight

• Sarah Longwell on How Democrats Can Defeat Trump · September 8, 2026 · 48 min
• Jared Diamond on Whether Leaders Make History · September 5, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Abigail Marsh on Psychopaths (Rerun) · August 29, 2026 · 1h 18m
• The Eras of Francis Fukuyama: Building Things · August 22, 2026 · 53 min
• Adam Bodnar on Why Defeating Populists at the Ballot Box Isn’t Enough · August 11, 2026 · 1h 25m
• The Eras of Francis Fukuyama: Human Nature · August 8, 2026 · 59 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Good Fight podcast page.