The Best & Worst: 250 Years of U.S. Foreign Policy with CFR’s James Lindsay | WorldNow with Jim Falk

March 31, 2026 – From the Marshall Plan, the Louisiana Purchase, and the creation of the United Nations to the bombing of Nagasaki, Indian Removal Act, and the invasion of Iraq, U.S. foreign policy decisions throughout its 250-year history have had an immense impact in reshaping our nation and the world.

James Lindsay, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins us on WorldNow to unveil the ultimate rankings of the best and worst decisions in U.S. foreign policy in 250 years – from a CFR survey of SHAFR historians. We explore these foreign policy moves, their impact on the U.S. and the world, and the future of U.S. foreign policy in the century ahead.

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Read the full CFR Report on the 10 best and 10 worst U.S. foreign policy decisions of all time here.

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WorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, the World Affairs Councils of America, and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.

Presented in partnership with the Alaska World Affairs Council, Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Columbia World Affairs Council, Columbus Council on World Affairs, Foreign Policy Association, Global Santa Fe, Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Montana World Affairs Council, Off the Record, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, World Affairs Council of Albuquerque, World Affairs Council of Austin, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, World Affairs Council of New Orleans, World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio, World Affairs Council of Orange County, World Affairs Council of San Antonio, World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, and WorldOregon.

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Music composed by Zac Harmon and Christopher Troy

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