Beth Van Schaack on Foreign Policy

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Key takeaways

Timely look at 2026 diplomacy: A candid look at how the U.S. confronts global challenges—from Latin America to Ukraine and the Middle East—in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
ICC and global justice: Insights into the evolving role of the International Criminal Court and how war-crimes discourse shapes policy decisions.
Policy shifts in leadership: Analysis of how the dismissal of ambassadors complicates diplomatic strategies and accountability.
Practical policy takeaways: Actionable perspectives for policymakers, scholars, and informed readers navigating international relations.

Overview

2026 is off to a complex and contentious start for international politics. The United States has been involved in the removal of Nicholas Maduro in Venezuela, and President Donald Trump has floated remarks about action against other Latin American leaders, Greenland, and Iran. With fighting ongoing in Ukraine and Gaza, the global stage remains volatile. This edition of Sound of Ideas continues the quarterly series Talking Foreign Policy, produced in partnership with Case Western Reserve University.

Guests

In this episode, BETH VAN SCHAACK, Former Ambassador At Large For Global Criminal Justice, and MICHAEL SCHARF, Former Dean of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and President of the American Branch of the International Law Association, join host to discuss today’s pressing international policy challenges.

Policy Focus: Global Criminal Justice and the ICC

The guests weigh in on the evolving role of the International Criminal Court and on how the international community handles war crimes accusations in the 21st century. The conversation covers accountability mechanisms and the balance between national sovereignty and international justice.

U.S. Foreign Policy Context in 2026

The discussion is set against a backdrop of major geopolitical shifts: the U.S. involvement in leadership changes, Latin American diplomacy, and ongoing tensions in Ukraine and the Gaza region. The program situates these developments within the broader framework of American foreign policy and global security.

Listen & Learn

Tuesday on the Sound of Ideas, listeners can hear the new installment of the quarterly series Talking Foreign Policy, in partnership with Case Western Reserve University. The episode highlights BETH VAN SCHAACK and MICHAEL SCHARF discussing how the U.S. is navigating foreign policy after ambassador dismissals, the ICC’s role, and how war crimes investigations are addressed today.

Beth Van Schaack on Foreign Policy