Fareed Zakaria GPS

Episode: Former Sec. of State Blinken on the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy

Date: December 21, 2025
Host: Fareed Zakaria
Guests: Antony Blinken, Jessica Stern, David Miliband

Overview

This episode of Fareed Zakaria GPS delves into the first year of the Trump administration’s second term, focusing on changes in American foreign policy—including its new "regional power" strategy—and ramifications in Ukraine, Iran, and Gaza. Fareed discusses the global context, the administration’s shift away from internationalism, and interviews former Secretary of State Antony Blinken for an insider’s critique. Other featured discussions tackle the resilience of the Islamic State after recent terror attacks and the deepening humanitarian crises worldwide as international aid recedes.

Main Discussion: The Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy — Interview with Antony Blinken

The Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy Strategy

• [01:30–09:18] Fareed Zakaria’s Analysis
  • Zakaria critiques Trump’s new national security strategy, characterizing it as “Make America a regional power again.”
  • He warns against a narrow focus on the Western Hemisphere, arguing the U.S. economy and security depend on global engagement.
  • Points out the economic insignificance of Latin America (excluding Mexico/Canada) in comparison to the EU or Asia.
  • Draws historical parallels to the isolationism of the 1920s and 1930s, predicting chaos if the U.S. steps back from global leadership.
  • Quote:

    “What the Trump administration is proposing is not so different from what the isolationists proposed in the 1920s and 1930s.” [08:25 – Fareed Zakaria]

The Trump Doctrine and Its Dangers

• [09:19–11:32] Antony Blinken’s Response
  • Expresses concern the Trump approach abandons 80 years of "enlightened self-interest," where U.S. investment in global stability returned benefits—new markets, strong alliances, and deterrence.
  • Notes the Trump strategy moves the world toward dangerous great-power "spheres of influence," evocative of the 19th century.
  • Quote:

    “This 19th-century view of the world where great powers get to do what they want and everyone else has to suffer what they must is not a recipe for stability.” [10:39 – Antony Blinken]

Ukraine: Stalemate and Security Implications

• [11:32–14:44]
  • Blinken argues Russia’s aggression is about more than territory; it threatens the core principles of the international order.
  • Predicts a military stalemate: “The line on the ground, on the map is not going to move very much... The Russians have been inching out at horrific cost, just a little bit of territory.” [11:55 – Blinken]
  • Stresses the need for a reliable deterrent and security guarantees: U.S. credibility in defense commitments remains critical.
  • On Trump administration’s push for Ukrainian concessions:

    “It’s awfully hard to demand of the Ukrainians that they voluntarily give up more territory, that they reward the aggression that they've been on the receiving end of.” [13:29 – Blinken]

  • Doubts concessions will satisfy Putin, who ultimately wants to neutralize Ukraine as an independent state.

The Iran Strike: Did the Hardline Approach Work?

• [16:59–18:37]
  • Blinken reviews the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
  • He maintains that while the bombing may have set back Iran’s program for one to two years, the risk is Iran rebuilding out of reach underground, making future intervention harder.
  • Diplomacy under the JCPOA would have delayed the program longer and kept options open.
  • Quote:

    “If Iran made the decision to rebuild, but to rebuild deeper underground ... we'd wind up with an even worse problem.” [17:50 – Blinken]

Gaza and the Humanitarian Catastrophe

• [18:37–22:51]
  • Blinken expresses profound regret over the inability to end the Gaza conflict earlier or to alleviate suffering:

    “How can anyone starting with me, not wish profoundly that we could have brought an end to the conflict a lot sooner, that we could have alleviated more the suffering of people who were caught... in this horrific crossfire that Hamas initiated...” [18:58 – Blinken]

  • Details U.S. efforts: ultimately achieving a ceasefire and getting aid in, but slower than desired.
  • Explains competing imperatives: preventing another attack like October 7th, avoiding a wider war with Iran/Hezbollah, and maximizing humanitarian relief for Gaza's civilians.
  • Argues Hamas repeatedly pulled back from ceasefires when seeing discord between the U.S. and Israel, prolonging the war.
  • Admits the tragedy in Gaza is “historic,” but defends administration as working daily to reach a ceasefire and balance conflicting priorities.

Notable Quotes

• Fareed Zakaria, opening critique:

  “It seems absurd to limit the US to that perspective today, when America is an international behemoth with interests spanning the world.” [06:00]

• Antony Blinken, on the U.S. foreign policy legacy:

  “Enlightened self-interest was the way to go, that the success and strength of other countries could be our own… We've moved away from that.” [09:58]

• Antony Blinken, on Ukraine:

  “Putin’s not interested [in a fair peace]. He still thinks that he can get what he wants by force, and he's willing to sacrifice a tremendous amount to stick it out.” [13:48]

• Antony Blinken, on Gaza:

  “For the people of Gaza. There's no question that this was a tragedy of historic proportions. There's no question about that. But the question is what to do about it?” [21:02]

Segment: Islamic State Terror Post-Caliphate

Guest: Jessica Stern (Boston University)

• [24:22–27:59]
  • ISIS remains active globally, mainly via sophisticated digital propaganda targeting marginalized individuals in the West.
  • Largely outpaces Al Qaeda in recruitment and radicalization due to digital expertise and initial wealth from the territorial caliphate.
  • Lone wolf terrorists often have a history of personal or emotional trouble, not just ideological motivations.
  • Western counterterror resources have shifted to migration, leaving a readiness gap if attacks spike again.
  • Quote:

    “They're much more savvy than Al Qaeda ever was in terms of their propaganda and how they try to appeal to alienated people actually in the West.” [24:34 – Jessica Stern]

Segment: Global Humanitarian Crisis & U.S. Retreat

Guest: David Miliband (International Rescue Committee, IRC)

• [29:08–35:25]
  • Zakaria notes a record 61 global conflicts and drastic U.S. cuts to foreign aid (83% program cancellations under Trump 2.0).
  • Miliband reports a 50% global drop (to $12B) in humanitarian crisis response; “2 million clients” of IRC left without aid in one year.
  • Cites deadly outcomes: 50,000 civilians killed in conflict zones this year alone.
  • Rebuts accusations that NGOs enable dependency or siphon aid through waste; underscores efficient vaccine delivery and low overhead (12-13%).
  • Spotlights Sudan—now the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 30 million people dependent on aid, rampant rape and violence, famine, and diminishing international attention or funding.
  • Quote:

    “Sudan is an avatar for the modern global disorder.” [34:50 – David Miliband]

Closing Analysis: Venezuela, Cuba, and Regime Change

• [36:22–end]
  • Zakaria examines the Trump administration’s escalating crackdown on Venezuela, emphasizing Marco Rubio’s central role due to his anti-Castro leanings.
  • Explains Cuba’s strategic relationship with Venezuela and why U.S. attempts at regime change can destabilize both countries—and possibly unintentionally promote state collapse.
  • Warns: the past 25 years of regime change efforts (Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya) have often led to disorder, not democracy.

Key Timestamps

• [01:30] Zakaria’s opening monologue: Trump’s foreign policy direction
• [09:19] Interview with Antony Blinken begins
• [11:32] Ukraine stalemate and security discussion
• [13:28] Feasibility of Ukrainian concessions
• [16:59] The Iran nuclear strike: appraisal and fallout
• [18:37] Gaza: humanitarian catastrophe and U.S. role
• [22:54] Hanukkah shooting & ISIS—Jessica Stern interview
• [29:08] Humanitarian aid cuts—David Miliband interview
• [36:22] Venezuela, Cuba, and regime change

Memorable Moments

• Blinken’s candor about the Gaza crisis:
  “I'll probably think that for the rest of my days.” [19:10]
• Zakaria’s historical warning:
  “An America that looks mainly after its backyard will leave the world rudderless, unstable and chaotic. Let's hope we will not have to learn that lesson again.” [08:12]
• Miliband’s numbers on Sudan:
  “Thirty million people out of a total population of 45 million are dependent on humanitarian aid to survive… 21 million at the highest levels of food insecurity.” [33:55]

Conclusion

This well-rounded episode blends sharp critique, first-hand diplomatic insight, and ground-level humanitarian perspective. It warns of the risks associated with American withdrawal from global leadership, dissects the complexities of ongoing conflicts, and highlights areas of acute crisis exacerbated by strategic neglect and aid cuts.

For more: Fareed directs listeners to his Washington Post column and promises more coverage on ongoing crises around the globe.