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

Thursday, March 26, 2026
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Ideas Uncorked: Tribal Sovereignty And Economic Freedom
The Hoover Institution in DC hosts Ideas Uncorked: Tribal Sovereignty And Economic Freedom on Thursday, March 26 from 5:00–6:30 pm ET. The event will… Hoover Institution in DC
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
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In Science We Trust? Understanding Americans’ Confidence In Science, Scientists, And Scientific Institutions
The Hoover Institution's Center for Revitalizing American Institutions, in partnership with the Hoover Technology Policy Accelerator, invites you to… Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Friday, April 3, 2026
The Man Who Told the Truth:   A Film Screening & Discussion Honoring Fang Lizhi
The Man Who Told The Truth: A Film Screening & Discussion Honoring Fang Lizhi
The Hoover Institution Program on the US, China, and the World invites you to The Man Who Told the Truth: A Film Screening & Discussion Honoring…
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