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

Friday, February 27, 2026
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Partners In Need?: Tracking Europe-Taiwan Relations Amidst Global Disruption
The Project on Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region invites you to a Panel Discussion on Partners in Need?: Tracking Europe-Taiwan Relations amidst… Annenberg Conference Room, George P. Shultz Building, Hoover Institution
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
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How Can Universities Strengthen Civic Education in K–12 Schools?
The Alliance for Civics in the Academy hosts "How Can Universities Strengthen Civic Education in K–12 Schools?" with Jennifer McNabb, Joshua Dunn,… Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Judicial Importance, Independence, And Legitimacy In Polarized Times
The Center for Revitalizing American Institutions (RAI) invites you to join us for the next webinar—co-sponsored by the Stanford Constitutional Law… Hoover Institution, Stanford University
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