Deep Dish on Global Affairs

Latest Episodes:

The Oppenheimer Effect: Reigniting Nuclear Awareness Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Deep Dish explores the recently released 'Oppenheimer' film and journeys back to the Cold War era when nuclear weapons were etched into popular consciousness. Rachel Bronson and Avery Restrepo of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists explore how nuclear weapons have seemingly faded from public awareness. They draw parallels to today and suggest ways that Gen Z can shape a safer and more responsible future.

Reading List:

Majority in US Want to Learn More about Nuclear Policy, Dina Smeltz, Craig Kafura, and Sharon Weiner, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, July 19, 2023

What Oppenheimer can teach the new generations about nuclear weapons, Magritte Gordaneer, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, July 31, 2023

Population Paradox: Are Declining Birth Rates Good or Bad for the World? Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

As birth rates decline and life expectancies increase, some regions are now experiencing a net decrease in population, leaving us to question whether that's good or bad for the world. Stephanie Feldstein of the Center for Biological Diversity and John Ibbitson, author of the Empty Planet unravel the layers of this population paradox and its implications on society, the global economy, and the environment.

Reading List:

Population Decline Will Change the World for the Better, Stephanie Feldstein, Scientific American, May 4, 2023
Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline, Darrell Bricker & John Ibbitson, Crown, February 5, 2019
The Climate Baby Dilemma, Documentary, 2022

Will Politics in Taiwan Increase the Risk of Conflict with China? Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

As stakes rise and tensions mount between the United States and China, the future of Taiwan hangs in the balance. With a pivotal presidential election on the horizon, what are the implications for Taiwanese policy, its alignment with the US, and the risk of war with China? Sam Houston State University's Dennis Weng and New Bloom Magazine's Brian Hioe join Deep Dish to offer a glimpse into the uncertain future of the region.

Tune into last week's episode for part one of this conversation where Deep Dish focuses on the different positions in the US debate over policy toward Taiwan.

The Debate on US Strategy in Taiwan-China Relations Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

As tensions escalate between Taiwan and China, should Washington back Taiwan through increased militarily deterrence or prioritize reassurance and diplomacy with China? Quincy Institute's Michael Swaine and the Council on Foreign Relations' David Sacks debate the growing policymaker consensus for US military support to deter a Chinese attack, while considering dissenting views that prioritize political solutions for China-Taiwan unification from the US standpoint.

Tune in next week for part two of this episode where Deep Dish focuses on Taiwan's internal politics around these issues and their views on how to best preserve peace in the China-Taiwan strait.

Reading List:

U.S.-Taiwan Relations in a New Era: Responding to a More Assertive China, Council on Foreign Relations, June 2023

How a reckless report could increase the chance of a crisis with China, Michael Swaine, Jake Werner and James Park, Responsible Statecraft, June 29, 2023

From Stability to Prosperity: Understanding Costa Rica's Success Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

What is the secret to Costa Rica's exceptional success as a politically stable and environmentally sustainable nation? While other countries in Central America struggle with political upheaval, violence, corruption, and extreme poverty, Costa Rica has become a global example of success with robust institutions, visionary policies, and a thriving eco-tourism industry. The Atlantic Council's María Fernanda Bozmoski joins Deep Dish to discuss the reasons for Costa Rica's achievements, explore lessons for other countries, and unpack the challenges that lie ahead for this remarkable nation.

Lost Lives, Little Attention: The Overlooked Migrant Crisis Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

While the world closely followed the fate of five privileged men who went missing aboard a Titanic-bound submersible, a fishing boat crowded with migrants traveling from Libya sank in Greek waters. This upped the number of migrants who have died trying to reach Europe by sea this year to nearly 2,000. Award-winning journalist Sally Hayden joins Deep Dish to shed light on the underreported crisis of migrant treatment, the heartbreaking stories of those traveling on the world's deadliest migration route, and the inadequate news coverage and resources dedicated to this humanitarian issue.

Reading List:

My Fourth Time, We Drowned: Seeking Refuge on the World's Deadliest Migration Route, Sally Hayden, Melville House, March 29, 2022
Ignoring the Humanity of Migrants Won't Fix Migration Problems, Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, June 30, 2023

Unraveling Haiti Two Years after Moïse's Assassination Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

Haiti marks the two-year anniversary of President Jovenel Moïse's assassination. On Deep Dish, we unravel the intricate dynamics that make Haiti's path to stability so challenging. Haitian journalist Monique Clesca and the International Crisis Group's Renata Segura offer their perspectives on the complexities of the situation and explore pathways on Haiti's struggle for a brighter future.

Understanding Uganda's Anti-LGBTQ Law Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

With Uganda's recent passage of an extreme anti-LGBTQ law, Deep Dish explores the external influences, particularly US evangelical groups, that have intensified discrimination in Uganda and beyond. Ugandan journalist Lydia Namubiru unravels the historical context and societal factors behind this pressing issue. And Minority Africa's Caleb Okereke sheds light on the experiences and challenges faced by LGBTQ communities in Uganda and elsewhere on the continent.

Reading List:

The Unholy Relationship Between Uganda's Anti-LGBTQ+ Law and US Evangelicalism, Emma Sanderson, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, June 8, 2023
How US Evangelicals Helped Homophobia Flourish in Africa, Caleb Okereke, Foreign Policy, March 19, 2023
Exclusive: US Christian Right pours more than $50m into Africa, Lydia Namubiru, Open Democracy, October 29, 2020

Rethinking our Engagement with the Global South Jun 15, 2023

Show notes

Why is the relationship between the West and the Global South failing and what can be done? Stimson Center's Aude Darnal challenges the dominant focus on great power competition and highlights why this approach fails to foster meaningful, mutually beneficial relations. Discover why redefining this lens is essential for the United States, the Global South, and the world.

Rethinking Conflict Resolution in Sudan Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

What role do international partners like the United States play in shaping Sudan's transitional path forward? Deep Dish explores the need for a new approach to conflict resolution that prioritizes civilian interests, joined by Jacqueline Burns, former advisor to the US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, and Peter Biar Ajak of the Belfer Center. They question traditional methods and uncover alternative strategies for constructive international engagement to secure a peaceful future for Sudan.

Reading List: