Podcast: Breaking the New Axis with Seth Cropsey
Link to podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caf%C3%A9-berlin/id6790478378
Originally published by the National Association of Scholars (NAS) on August 21, 2026
Seth Cropsey of the Yorktown Institute discusses U.S. strategy in the 21st century, which should center on the New Axis: China, Russia, and Iran as a connected “Eurasian axis,” united mainly by opposition to the United States. He argues that Washington should stop treating these as separate threats and instead respond with a broader maritime and alliance-based strategy.
A major theme is geography. The U.S. should strengthen partnerships with the “rimland” states around Eurasia, including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, India, Australia, the Gulf states, and Israel, with the aim of containing the ambitions of the continental powers of the New Axis. He also emphasizes Latin America, Africa, and Europe as important strategic theaters, especially where Chinese, Russian, and Iranian influence can be checked at relatively low cost.
Cropsey argues that modern American leaders lack the formative wartime experience that shaped past generations of strategists, and that colleges and universities often fail to teach strategic thinking while sometimes weakening civic confidence. He supports stronger military-to-military ties with Taiwan, more defense cooperation with allies, and a renewed focus on strategy in education.
The discussion closes on AI and future warfare. Cropsey is cautious, saying AI’s full implications are still unclear, and he ends by arguing that restoring American maritime strategy will require informed presidential leadership and promoting officers who truly understand strategy.
Café Berlin is a production of the National Association of Scholars. You can support this podcast by making a tax-deductible donation at this link: https://www.nas.org/cafe-berlin-donate/
Books by Seth Cropsey
Mayday https://a.co/d/0c2Lgbrl
Breaking the New Axis: A U.S. Grand Strategy for Eurasia https://a.co/d/03jNscVv