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Counterpoint

Counterpoint

By: Foreign Policy
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Every day, experts from around the globe present their arguments for solving the world’s biggest problems. And every day, these experts disagree in small and large ways. At Foreign Policy, our approach is to share a wide range of opinions, side by side, day by day. But what if people could hear those arguments tested in real time, under pressure from an opposing view—by an international cast of diplomats, journalists, academics, and activists? That’s the idea behind Counterpoint, FP’s debate-style podcast. Each episode pits two experts on opposing sides of one key question. Should the United Kingdom rejoin the European Union? Are tariffs the right approach? Is Western aid helping or harming Africa? Some say yes, some say no, and the path forward might just be in the in-between. Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum.062646. Copyright 2021, FP Studios, a division of Foreign Policy/The Slate Group LLC, a Graham Holdings company. All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Could AI Destroy the World?

    Could AI Destroy the World?
    Oct 14 2026
    Artificial intelligence continues to advance at a remarkable pace, raising big questions about the future of humanity. Leading figures warn that increasingly powerful AI systems could one day escape our control, but peers argue that line of thinking is just speculative fearmongering. Welcome to Counterpoint, where we look at one big question facing world leaders from opposing points of view. In this episode, we’re asking: Could AI destroy the world? Arguing in favor is Stuart Russell, who has been referred to as the ‘godfather of AI’, and whose foundational textbook, Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, is used in universities around the world. He’s currently a professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. And arguing against this is Jürgen Schmidhuber, who has been referred to as the “father of modern AI” for his breakthroughs in the technology. He is currently co-chair of the Generative AI Center at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum. The show is hosted by FP deputy editor Nick Danforth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Has the Middle East Benefitted from the Abraham Accords?

    Has the Middle East Benefitted from the Abraham Accords?
    Oct 7 2026
    It's been six years since the Abraham Accords were signed and like so much in the Middle East, their impact and future are very much an open question. The agreements were originally aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states. But analysts debate whether they have strengthened regional cooperation and security, or contributed to greater instability in the Middle East. Welcome to Counterpoint, where we take one big question facing world leaders and look at it from opposing points of view. In this episode, we’re asking: Has the Middle East benefitted from the Abraham Accords? Arguing in favor is Steven A. Cook, senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, and a columnist at Foreign Policy. Arguing against is Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy and a former foreign policy advisor to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. He recently co-authored the piece “How the Abraham Accords Fueled a New Era of Conflict” with Zuri Linetsky. Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum. The show is hosted by FP deputy editor Nick Danforth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Is a Confrontational Approach With Iran Necessary?

    Is a Confrontational Approach With Iran Necessary?
    Sep 30 2026
    Last week at the United Nations, U.S. President Donald Trump made clear that another round of war with Iran was on the table. But after more than 200 days of conflict, what else can the United States do to force the Iranian leadership to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and abandon nuclear enrichment? Welcome to Counterpoint, where we take one big question facing world leaders and look at it from opposing points of view. In this episode, we’re asking: Is a confrontational approach to Iran necessary? Arguing in favor is Matt Kroenig, a professor at Georgetown University and former U.S. Defense Department strategist. And to argue against this is Trita Parsi, a co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and former president of the National Iranian American Council. Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum. The show is hosted by FP deputy editor Nick Danforth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
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