The Briefing Room

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Factual

David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Briefing Room: What next for President Biden’s foreign policy?

What next for President Biden’s foreign policy?

BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, What next for President Biden’s foreign policy?

How will events in Afghanistan shape the future of US foreign policy?

What  was President Joe Biden's calculation when deciding to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, and what impact will it have on his future foreign policy decisions?

‘The likelihood there’s going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely,’ said President Joe Biden six weeks ago. This prediction has not aged well. 

One harrowing scene this week saw some Afghans trying to escape their new reality by clinging to the wheels of a US Air Force plane as it took off from Kabul airport. Some of them fell to their deaths.

Amidst growing international condemnation of the United States, President Biden has remained unrepentant about the end of the US mission in Afghanistan, arguing it was never about nation building or creating a unified democracy. It was about preventing a terrorist attack on American homeland. 

But what impact will events in Afghanistan this week have on the President's future foreign policy decisions?

Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:

Alex Ward, National Security reporter at Politico

Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director of the US & Americas programme at Chatham House 

Madiha Afzal, Brookings Institution 

Prof Michael Clarke, former Director General of RUSI and Professor of Defence Studies at King's College London

Producers: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Sharon Hemans
Editor: Penny Murphy
Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Briefing Room

What next for President Biden’s foreign policy?

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4