Monday Night Philosophy revisits America’s foreign policy. The United States a neutral nation for 150 years after its inception, observing George Washington’s “Great Rule.” Following the Truman Doctrine, some argue that the U.S. has acted as the world's policeman for the past 70 years. Are we ready for a third phase of American history? Is the global community ready? The panelists will debate questions and possibilities regarding the U.S. as an empire or an umpire for the rest of the world, raised in the forthcoming PBS documentary, American Umpire, based upon the book by Elizabeth Cobbs.

For more information on this event or to buy tickets, click here.

American Umpire is a 56-minute documentary targeted for PBS that examines why the United States became the world’s policeman and asks how long we must play this role. Narrated by renowned journalist Jim Lehrer, the film explores the historical foundation of American foreign intervention from George Washington to Barack Obama. The film combines unusual archival footage with candid interviews of three former secretaries of state (Shultz, Albright, and Rice), two American generals (Mattis and Eikenberry), winners of the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes (Spence and Kennedy), and eight scholars from around the world. American Umpire is filmed in a compelling, cinematic style. It helps voters understand the critical debates about American foreign policy in time for the 2016 presidential election, when they must decide who leads the country going forward.

For more information on this documentary and insight into the major interviews showcased, click here.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Lyuba's Hope
Lyuba's Hope
Please join us for an extraordinary screening Lyuba's Hope on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. PT in the Hauck Auditorium, Hoover…
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
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Ideas Uncorked: One Year After Pahalgam
The Hoover Institution in DC hosts Ideas Uncorked: One Year After Pahalgam on Wednesday, June 3 from 5:00–7:00 pm ET. The event will feature Šumit… Hoover Institution in DC
Thursday, June 4, 2026
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Lighting Candles In Darkness: From Tiananmen Square To Hong Kong
The Hoover Institution's Human Security Project and Program on US, China, and the World invites you to a discussion on Lighting Candles in Darkness:… Shultz Auditorium, George P. Shultz Building
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