Switzerland with Tom Switzer

A new Iran deal? | John Mearsheimer

This week on Switzerland, Tom Switzer is joined by U.S. political scientist John Mearsheimer for a a discussion on the US-Iran negotiations to reach peace. According to leaks, a peace deal could comprise of a 60-day ceasefire, opening the Strait of Hormuz, easing sanctions and dealing with the nuclear issue later. But is it a done deal? John Mearsheimer is professor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of The Tragedy of Great Power Politics.  Join Tom's Exclusive Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cff5e11f69a3/switzerland-with-tom-switzer Read Tom's Substack: https://substack.com/@tomswitzer Tom Switzer is a journalist and broadcaster who has been a prolific commentator on politics and international affairs. His writing and commentary have appeared in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times (international), The Australian, and across ABC and Sky News, where he has been a regular presenter and panellist. For 30 years, since 1995, he has worked at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, the London-based Spectator magazine, and the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies, which he headed from 2017 to 2025. He is the host of Switzerland, a long-form interview series exploring global politics, modern history, and the ideas shaping the world.

China, Iran, Russia, Cuba | John Mearsheimer

This week on Switzerland, Tom Switzer is joined by U.S. political scientist John Mearsheimer for a wide-ranging discussion on the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China.  From Trump’s dealings with Xi Jinping and the Iran crisis to Taiwan, Russia and the future of American power, the conversation explores whether the world is entering a new era of great-power competition, and whether Washington and Beijing can avoid the “Thucydides Trap” that has historically driven rising and established powers toward conflict.  Other subjects addressed include Iran, Russia and Ukraine and Cuba. John Mearsheimer is professor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. Read Tom's Substack: https://substack.com/@tomswitzer Tom Switzer is a journalist and broadcaster who has been a prolific commentator on politics and international affairs. His writing and commentary have appeared in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times (international), The Australian, and across ABC and Sky News, where he has been a regular presenter and panellist. For 30 years, since 1995, he has worked at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, the London-based Spectator magazine, and the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies, which he headed from 2017 to 2025. He is the host of Switzerland, a long-form interview series exploring global politics, modern history, and the ideas shaping the world.

Britain in crisis | Simon Heffer

Westminster is once again consumed by speculation about whether the Prime Minister can survive. The turmoil surrounds Labour’s Keir Starmer, the man elected in a landslide less than two years ago on a promise to restore stability after years of chaos.  Today, his leadership is on life support. Dozens of Labour MPs have turned against him, ministers have resigned, enemies are circling and questions are growing about the future of a government — and a country — confronting deep political divisions and serious economic headwinds. Simon Heffer is professor of modern history at the University of Buckingham, a columnist at the UK Daily and Sunday Telegraph and the author of numerous acclaimed books on British politics and history.

The Thomas Massie Primary | Dan McCarthy & James Antle

The war in Iran has exposed visible strains within President Trump’s MAGA coalition. Prominent voices associated with the movement -- including Joe Rogan, Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Marjorie Taylor Greene -- have sharply criticised Trump’s decision to wage war on Tehran. So, too, has Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Now Massie faces a May 19 primary challenge backed by President Trump as well as pro-Israel and Trump-aligned Super PACs. The contest has become a test case for the future of the Republican Party: is MAGA a coherent foreign-policy worldview rooted in restraint and “America First” principles -- or is it ultimately a coalition held together by loyalty to Trump himself? What does the Massie fight reveal about the future of Republican foreign policy, the politics of the U.S.-Israel alliance, and the balance of power inside the conservative movement? Guests: Dan McCarthy, distinguished fellow in conservative thought at the Heritage Foundation. James Antle, executive editor of the Washington Examiner magazine. Join Tom's Exclusive Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cff5e11f69a3/switzerland-with-tom-switzer Read Tom's Substack: https://substack.com/@tomswitzer Tom Switzer is a journalist and broadcaster who has been a prolific commentator on politics and international affairs. His writing and commentary have appeared in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times (international), The Australian, and across ABC and Sky News, where he has been a regular presenter and panellist. For 30 years, since 1995, he has worked at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, the London-based Spectator magazine, and the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies, which he headed from 2017 to 2025. He is the host of Switzerland, a long-form interview series exploring global politics, modern history, and the ideas shaping the world.

Will Trump’s new ploy work? | John Mearsheimer & Trita Parsi

The exchange of missiles and bombs may have paused, at least temporarily, but the struggle between the United States and Iran is not over. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, U.S. sanctions are still in place, the US naval blockade continues, which is aimed to squeeze Iran’s oil output and exacerbate Iran’s deep economic crisis. Bilateral negotiations have made no meaningful headway, and the gap between them remains wide. What if the U.S. resumes military strikes against Iran? Could they bring Tehran to heel?  Will Trump's plan to guide stranded strips through the Strait of Hormuz work? Guests are Trita Parsi, co-founder and vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and John Mearsheimer, professor of political science from the University of Chicago.  Join Tom's Exclusive Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cff5e11f69a3/switzerland-with-tom-switzer Read Tom's Substack: https://substack.com/@tomswitzer Tom Switzer is a journalist and broadcaster who has been a prolific commentator on politics and international affairs. His writing and commentary have appeared in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times (international), The Australian, and across ABC and Sky News, where he has been a regular presenter and panellist. For 30 years, since 1995, he has worked at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, the London-based Spectator magazine, and the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies, which he headed from 2017 to 2025. He is the host of Switzerland, a long-form interview series exploring global politics, modern history, and the ideas shaping the world.