Within a week of President Biden announcing he is ending his candidacy for a second term, Vice President Kamala Harris secured scores of endorsements, set fundraising records and secured enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee.

How would a Harris administration be different from the Biden administration? Who’s on Harris’ VP short list? Does Harris stand a chance against former president Trump?

To discuss these questions, USSC Non-Resident Fellow Victoria Cooper welcomed DC insiders and USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellows Bruce Wolpe and Lester Munson on the podcast. Bruce worked with Democrats in Congress during President Obama’s first term and Lester served in senior positions on the Hill, most recently as Staff Director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

Former president Donald Trump narrowly avoided death when a bullet grazed his ear at a campaign rally on 13 July. The images of him rising, holding his fist high and chanting “Fight!” while blood streamed down his face instantly became iconic.

Donald Trump has been called a ‘strongman’ throughout his political career, how does this assassination attempt shape the mythology around him? What cultural factors contribute to his persona and perception at home and abroad? How could this change in his standing influence perceptions of him for the rest of the election?

USSC Non-Resident Fellow Dr Yancey Orr joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss these questions from a cultural perspective.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

Last week, NATO leaders gathered in Washington DC for their annual summit, this year celebrating the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. However, much of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s final summit was overshadowed by scrutiny of President Biden and then quickly followed by the assassination attempt on former president Trump and the announcement of his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.

What was the main objective for NATO at this summit and was it achieved? Did competing for attention with President Biden and former president Trump hinder those objectives? What does the announcement of Senator JD Vance, one of the most prominent voices against aid for Ukraine mean for the future of NATO under a second Trump administration?

To discuss these issues, we welcomed USSC Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic back on the podcast for a conversation with USSC Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck. Dr Grgic attended the NATO Summit again this year and offered her perspective on the experience in the room as the eyes of the world were on DC.

Recommended reading and listening:

• USSC Briefing Room | Inside the NATO Vilnius Summit with Dr Gorana Grgic and Mari Koeck
• ‘I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine’: what a JD Vance vice presidency could mean for the world by Ava Kalinauskas and Samuel Garrett
• Red Book | Blue Book 2024: A guide to the next US administration by various
• Redefining NATO’s Indo-Pacific partnerships: cooperative security meets collective defence and deterrence by Dr Gorana Grgic

Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat