Global Affairs Live

Latest Episodes:

Brexit Update Conference Call Nov 21, 2018

Show notes

On November 15 United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May announced details of the draft Brexit deal she has negotiated with the European Commission. Council members were invited to join a conference call with expert analysts to discuss the deal, and its political and economic ramifications for the UK.

Realism and Restraint: America's New Foreign Policy? Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

The United States has been the dominant global power for over a quarter of a century, yet it has struggled to realize its lofty vision for a more peaceful and prosperous world. Relations with China and Russia have soured, the European Union is wobbling, and violent extremism continues to spread, all in the face of US efforts to maintain international stability. The reason, Stephen Walt argues, lies in America’s sense of omnipotence, which has encouraged successive administrations to pursue ambitious, risky, and often unnecessary foreign policy adventures. Is it time for the United States to develop a more restrained foreign policy outlook? Or would this only invite greater instability?

Jordan: A Struggle for Peace in the Middle East Nov 16, 2018

Show notes

Nestled in the heart of the Middle East, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has played a pivotal role in the struggle for peace in the region. While neighboring Syria, Israel, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia have attracted an array of headlines—from sectarian disputes to proxy wars and social media revolutions—Jordan has not gone unscathed from the tensions surrounding it. Terrorist networks, the bordering Israel-Palestine conflict, and the Syrian civil war have burdened the country’s borders, resources, and security. Notably, it has become central to hosting Syrian refugees, with the Zaatari camp now Jordan's fourth largest city. Yet, despite nearby turmoil, the Hashemite Kingdom continues to engage in strategic partnerships with adjoining countries and maintain strong relations with the United States. Jordanian journalist Rana F. Sweis portrays the intricacies and complexities of life in Jordan and the Middle East.

Latin America's Populist Revival Nov 05, 2018

Show notes

The center appears to be collapsing across Latin America. In Colombia, Ivan Duque’s tough stance on the FARC peace deal and the economy swept him into office in June. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s left-wing populism delivered a historic electoral victory in Mexico this past July. And Jair Bolsonaro’s outspoken, far-right platform has made him a frontrunner for Brazil’s presidential election in October. Twenty years after Hugo Chavez took power with a populist agenda, Venezuela is in turmoil. Will this new wave deliver on their promises to tackle the region’s corruption and inequalities? And how will these elections affect relations with the United States?

Breaking the News: Trust in the Age of Digital Media Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

Distrust in digital news media is on the rise. The digital revolution has reshaped American news habits, making information readily available and engaging. Yet, concerns over misinformation and “fake news”, objective reporting sources, news feed algorithms, and the security of users’ data are increasing among the public. What role do journalists, news dissemination platforms, and consumers have in identifying and countering false information? And how will continued technological innovations shape news platforms and the way future generations will consume news?

The Trump Economy: Taking Stock Oct 31, 2018

Show notes

The global economy as we know it is changing before our eyes. The Trump administration has implemented shifts in economic policy—retreating from multilateral trade negotiations, deploying tariffs, and passing a huge tax reform bill—that have already made their mark on America’s economy and Americans’ daily lives. The great debate now is around these policies’ long-term impact. Could these policies could spur growth and address the concerns of those left behind by globalization and technology for decades to come? Or will they further weaken not only Americans’ financial mobility, but also America’s role as economic superpower on the world stage?

June 12, 2018 The Future of Energy: Insights From Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz Oct 30, 2018

Show notes

From shale gas to solar power, the US government has historically invested in the kinds of high-risk, high-reward energy projects that the private sector is loath to touch. Yet as the current administration’s recent attempts to eliminate the Department of Energy’s cutting-edge research arm ARPA-E demonstrate, this kind of investment is always precarious. The Trump Administration has proposed cutting R&D investment across the board at a time when countries like China and India double down on investment in clean energy and renewables. How can the United States maintain its global leadership position on energy innovation in the current political environment?

Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism Oct 29, 2018

Show notes

Proponents of globalization promised a world of shared prosperity and universal liberal values. But the political upheavals of recent years have been driven by a sense that, for many in the West, globalization failed to deliver. Rising inequality, rapid social change, and the fissiparous effects of technology have created fertile ground for populists with promises to “take back” control of their nations from globalist elites and outside forces. Does today’s political climate of distrust and division spell the end of the age of globalism? And as this world order is dismantled what might take its place?

The Empty Throne: America's Abdication of Global Leadership Oct 25, 2018

Show notes

Council President Ivo Daalder and James M. Lindsay, senior vice president and director of studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, will take the stage tonight to discuss their new book The Empty Throne: America's Abdication of Global Leadership—an inside look at President Trump’s foreign policy and its implication for global order. Has America relinquished its global leadership role? From the ruins of World War II the United States led the creation of an international order based on strong alliances, free and open markets, and a commitment to democracy and human rights. But today this order, and the historic peace and prosperity it has underpinned for seven decades, is unravelling—a process that has dramatically accelerated since the election of President Trump and his America First agenda. What does this new foreign policy outlook mean for America’s influence and security? How might the rest of the world respond as the US abandons the institutions and agreements it once established?

Let’s Talk About Funds: Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy Oct 24, 2018

Show notes

Why are money matters a taboo for many women? Tremendous progress has been made globally towards women's financial empowerment with record numbers of women joining workforces and managing their personal finances. Yet, research continues to show that women earn less than men and that men are four times more likely than women to ask for a raise – and when women do ask, they receive 30 percent less than men. Women are also less likely to invest, generating an investment gap between genders that can reach as high as $1 million over time. As a result, women retire with two-thirds the money of men, even though they usually live years longer. Women are also primarily responsible for unpaid work, especially in developing countries where they often lack access to financial services, and in some countries even require male consent to work. What role does gender inequality play in money and finance? How can we demystify money and empower women through financial literacy?

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected