Global Affairs Live

Latest Episodes:

American Values in a Global Age Mar 16, 2018

Show notes

Democracy, free enterprise, and egalitarianism are central to America’s self-identity. Emerging from the Cold War as the sole superpower the United States has confidently projected these values across the world through its culture, commerce, diplomacy, and military. But in recent years the United States has appeared to retreat from global leadership and waver in defense of its ideals. The rise of rival powers and the disruptive effects of globalization have also heightened the appeal of alternate ideologies. How is America viewed from abroad today, and what factors influence these attitudes? If America loses its appetite to lead, whose values will shape the world? Featuring: Reuben E. Brigety II, Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs, the George Washington University; Brian T. Edwards, Crown Professor and Director, Program in Middle East and North African Studies, Northwestern University; Richard Wike, Director, Global Attitudes Research, Pew Research Center . Moderated by Evelyn Farkas, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council.

The Good Friday Agreement: Ireland 20 Years Later Mar 15, 2018

Show notes

Join the Council on Global Affairs and Minister Ciarán Cannon for a conversation on the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, what Brexit means for Ireland’s future, and Ireland’s role in the European Union. Featuring: Ciarán Cannon, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ireland.

Terrorism in Cyberspace Mar 15, 2018

Show notes

In cyberspace borders, regulation, police, and passports cease to exist. Evolving their tactics terror networks have entered the cyber realm and exploited its immense power. Popular platforms such as Google, YouTube, Twitter and others, have enabled global terror networks to quickly and efficiently recruit, communicate, and coordinate deadly attacks worldwide. Meanwhile, anonymizing software and encryption tools help them to avoid detection by intelligence services. How did the internet evolve into a breeding ground for terrorists and how are they exploiting its power? How should governments respond? Featuring: Gabriel Weimann, Professor of Communication, University of Haifa, Israel.

The Puzzle of Growth and the US Economy Mar 14, 2018

Show notes

The bulls have been raging and the economy has added jobs year after year, yet productivity growth has remained stubbornly stuck for more than a decade. Years after the financial crisis—and despite a high-tech innovation economy—this productivity paradox continues to bedevil economists, businessmen, and policymakers around the world. Is the productivity paradox due to a mismeasurement of our modern digital economy, or must we face up to persistent productivity doldrums? And what will be the fate of the US economy more broadly over the next few years as the Federal Reserve transitions from Janet Yellen to Jerome Powell and finally normalizes monetary policy? What impact will the recently passed tax cut have on growth? Featuring: Martin Feldstein, George F. Baker Professor of Economics, Harvard University; President Emeritus, National Bureau of Economic Research.

International Women's Day: Tech Trailblazers for Social Good Mar 08, 2018

Show notes

Gender imbalance pervades many workplaces, and nowhere more so than in the STEM fields. Despite this, women have been at the forefront of major technological breakthroughs. From NASA’s Hidden Figures who helped win the space race, to the courageous all-girl Afghan Robotics team, women and girls are harnessing tech to change the world. What barriers have traditionally held women back from careers in STEM? How can men support women and drive tech equality? How is tech being used as a force for social good? This International Women’s Day, join the Council for an exciting discussion with leading innovators whose extraordinary minds are showing the world that women and girls have a key role to play. Featuring: Emily Church, Director of Strategy and Impact, XPRIZE; Roya Mahboob, Founder and Executive Director, Digital Citizen Fund. Moderated by Brad Keywell, Cofounder and CEO, Uptake.

South Korea at the Crossroads Mar 06, 2018

Show notes

The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics placed South Korea front and center on the world stage. Yet this country of just over 50 million people has been occupying the headlines often in recent months, and South Korean policymakers are finding themselves at a crossroads. While Chinese economic influence in the country continues to grow, the security alliance with the United States remains critical in the wake of North Korean advancements to their nuclear weapons and missile programs. What path will South Korea pursue as China and the United States compete for influence on the Korean peninsula? What are the prospects for progress on inter-Korean relations in the wake of Kim Yo-jong’s historic visit to South Korea for the Pyeongchang Olympics? Featuring: Scott A. Snyder, Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on US-Korea Policy, Council on Foreign Relations.

Red and Blue: America and the Millennial Agenda Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

Millennials are now the most populous living generation in the United States, and have overtaken baby-boomers and Gen Xers in becoming the largest voting group. As the most sizeable demographic in the electoral system, their opinions and values in shaping future party policies and political institutions are more apparent than ever. With increased demographic, political, technological, and global shifts to their core platforms, how will the Republican and Democratic parties engage millennials? And with two-thirds of youth fearful about America’s future according to the Harvard Public Opinion Project, how will the parties address millennial concerns and pressing issues on immigration, climate change, and terrorist threats? Featuring: Bob Dold, Former Member, US House of Representatives (R-IL10); Craig Kafura, Research Associate; Robin Kelly, Member, US House of Representatives (D-IL2) Moderated by Natasha Korecki, Senior Reporter and Author, Illinois Playbook, POLITICO.

India's Journey: 70 Years Of Independence Feb 13, 2018

Show notes

Seventy years after independence, India is the world’s largest democracy, one of its most diverse societies, and the economy with growth potential that could rival China’s. Yet it also remains one of the poorest and unequal, with hundreds of millions mired in deep poverty and limited by a rigid caste system that constrains social mobility. The Narendra Modi-led government’s turn to Hindu nationalism has sharpened sectarian tensions and raised questions over the rule of law—and hasn’t helped relations with Pakistan either. With three decades left before its centennial, what must India do to become a decisive force on the world stage and convert its expected demographic dividend into broad prosperity? Featuring: Alyssa Ayres, Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia, Council on Foreign Relations; Raghuram Rajan, Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business;Somini Sengupta, UN Bureau Chief and Foreign Correspondent, New York Times; Tunku Varadarajan, Virginia Hobbs Carpenter Fellow in Journalism, Hoover Institution, Stanford University. Moderated by Marshall Bouton, Senior Fellow, Center for Advanced Study of India, University of Pennsylvania.

The Future of Asia-Pacific Economic Integration Jan 24, 2018

Show notes

Shortly after his inauguration, US President Donald Trump announced he would withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The withdrawal from this agreement, which was previously billed by the Obama administration as a way to enhance American economic growth and sustain American influence in the Asia Pacific region, signified a major shift in US trade policy. What will be the future of Asia Pacific economic integration following the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership? What local and regional impacts will this withdrawal have for the United States on foreign direct investment and trade from Asia? Featuring: Bart Édes, Asian Development Bank; Shihoko Goto, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Jonathon Hallberg, Jefferson County Development Corporation; Jason Hester, Greater Columbus Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Fukunari Kimura, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia; James Mathis, Komatsu America Corp - Peoria Operations; Christopher Nelson, The Nelson Report; Kei Pang, Nidec Motor Corporation; Jeffrey J. Schott, Peterson Institute for International Economics; Sheila Smith, Council on Foreign Relations; Yorizumi Watanabe, Keio University; Karl Friedhoff, Public Opinion and Asia Policy; Michael Lev, Chicago Tribune; Phil Levy, Global Economy.

Preparing Today's Workforce for Tomorrow's Economy Jan 24, 2018

Show notes

The majority of jobs in the future are expected to require post-secondary educational attainment and credentials that recognize specialized training and skills. Yet today only 40 percent of the US labor force possess degrees beyond a high school diploma. After several years of strong job growth many employers are struggling to find workers with the required skills while workers struggle to find meaningful employment. How should post-secondary education itself be re-envisioned to adapt to an increasingly diverse population and meet future labor force demands? Does the United States need to rethink immigration policy and business practices, and is there an appetite for such change? Featuring: Courtney Brown, Vice President of Strategic Impact, Lumina Foundation; Rob Paral, Nonresident Fellow, Global Cities;Juan Salgado, Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago. Moderated by Douglas Belkin, Higher Education Reporter, The Wall Street Journal.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected