Navigating a New Global Reality with David Ignatius

With decades of experience covering global intelligence, diplomacy, and conflict, David brings a rare insider’s perspective on the dynamics shaping U.S. foreign policy.

Together, he and Willy examined ongoing international conflicts, how the U.S. is faring from a geopolitical standpoint, the global effects of the current administration, outcomes to expect over the next year, and David’s pulse on worldwide power shifts.

1. Who is David Ignatius?

David Ignatius is a reporter, columnist, and editor at The Washington Post, where he writes a bi-weekly foreign affairs column focused on U.S. national security, geopolitics, and intelligence. He is also the author of twelve novels, several adapted into major films, and is widely known for his reporting and expertise on the Middle East, the CIA, and global power competition.

2. What are the top reasons to listen to this webcast?

• ‍A balanced, real-world read on U.S. power right now
  David walks through what’s working, what’s risky, and what’s being underestimated in U.S. foreign policy about a year into Trump’s term.

• ‍A clear explanation of the shift from rules-based order to power-based competition
  The discussion frames why today’s instability is less about any one event and more about a global transition where old rules are fading and new ones are not yet settled.

• ‍Actionable context on the headlines everyone is watching
  From Greenland and NATO to Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Venezuela, China, and Taiwan, David connects the dots across regions and explains what to watch for next.

3. How does David assess U.S. foreign policy about a year into Trump’s term?

He describes Trump as disruptive and unusually aggressive in wielding power, sometimes more effectively than prior presidents, while warning that the cost could be a long-term erosion of America’s alliances, credibility, and the systems that sustain U.S. influence.

4. What is the “Trump doctrine,” as David describes it?

David frames it as the belief that the American superpower will not be challenged where U.S. interests are at stake. He also suggests Trump’s approach reflects a spheres-of-influence mindset that tests how far America will go in the Western Hemisphere while potentially conceding other regions to competitors.

5. Are we moving into a multipolar world and is this bigger than Trump?

David agrees the transition is real and unpredictable, and that the rules-based order has been weakening for years. The danger, as he frames it, is the shift toward a power-based system, because transitions between systems are historically the most unstable periods.

6. Is Trump the “right leader for these times,” given Biden’s consensus-driven approach?

David sees Trump as the opposite of “normal order” and believes some outcomes may be beneficial, but he is deeply concerned Trump is weakening an enduring U.S. advantage, a powerful country with strong allies who want to be on America’s team.

7. What does David mean by “air war, spy war, and algorithm war”?

He describes modern conflict as powered by data integration, precision targeting, and real-time coordination, where intelligence, signals, cyber, and strike capabilities converge. He points to the ability to hit leadership networks and key figures nearly simultaneously as an operational feat that reflects a new era of warfare.

8. Could alliance strain reduce intelligence sharing with the U.S.?

David says yes, and he senses some countries are beginning to protect their interests by treating the U.S. as a potential obstacle rather than a predictable partner. That shift can lead allies to hedge, hold back information, and quietly diversify relationships, including with China.

9. What future headline should leaders watch for over the next year?

David flags that the way the Ukraine war ends will shape global stability for decades, and he warns that America’s unpredictability could push Europe closer to China economically. In his view, many current trajectories create primary benefits for China, with secondary benefits for the U.S.

10. Are we safer or less safe a year from now?

David argues that increased risk-taking reduces safety, and he contrasts Biden’s tightly managed approach with Trump’s willingness to roll the dice. He believes some benefits come with renewed deterrence, but warns that thin staffing, reduced process, and limited outreach beyond an inner circle create gaps that could carry serious costs.

Watch or listen to the replay.