The World Unpacked

Latest Episodes:

Could Solar Climate Intervention Buy the World Some Time? Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

Last month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its latest assessment report. The news is not good, which makes it somber reading on this year’s Earth Day. Scientists warn that critical components of the Earth system may be approaching tipping points, and that crossing these thresholds could generate sudden and irreversible changes that themselves increase warming. Given this trajectory, what else might we do? Some scientists and policymakers are contemplating an unconventional approach to limit warming, called solar climate intervention.

Kelly Wanser, the executive director of SilverLining, joins the show to unpack the idea of solar climate intervention and the research efforts happening both in the United States and internationally.

Israel in Turmoil Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu currently leads the most right-wing government in the country’s history since returning to power after winning last year’s election. Following an attempt by Netanyahu to weaken the Supreme Court, outraged Israeli citizens began protesting out of concern for the country’s democratic future. So, where does Israel go from here?

Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow in Carnegie’s American Statecraft Program and host of Carnegie Connects, returns to the show to unpack the ongoing Israeli political turmoil. A veteran State Department negotiator and analyst, Aaron also examines with Stewart the broader implications for democracy in Israel.

Aaron David Miller. (2023, March 30). "Israel Is Somewhere It’s Never Been Before." Foreign Policy.
Aaron David Miller. (2023, March 26). "Why Biden Won't Lash Out Against Netanyahu - for Now." Haaretz.
Aaron David Miller. (2023, February 23). "Netanyahu Faces His Own ‘Israeli Spring.'" Foreign Policy.

The End of TikTok? Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

While TikTok might be one of the world’s most popular social media apps, it has raised national security concerns among U.S. lawmakers and the Biden administration. With the app now facing a nationwide ban, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before Congress amid heightened U.S.-China tech tensions. Could this be the end of TikTok?

Returning to the show is Jon Bateman, a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Technology and International Affairs Program and author of U.S.-China Technological “Decoupling”: A Strategy and Policy Framework. He joins Stewart to unpack the drama over the possibility of a nationwide TikTok ban and how it fits into the broader picture of U.S.-China strategic competition.

The Future of Nigeria: Africa's Wounded Giant Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

In Nigeria’s pivotal election, the so-called godfather of Lagos and Nigeria’s kingmaker, Bola Tinubu, snatched victory. This comes amid calls of election fraud from the opposition parties and their two candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. Tinubu nonetheless faces compounding crises amid persistent security threats in Nigeria and a flailing economy dependent on oil revenues. Yet Nigeria also holds great potential as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy with a young population looking for a reason to remain in Nigeria if the conditions improve.

Ruth Maclean, the West Africa bureau chief from the New York Times, joins Stewart to unpack Nigeria’s consequential election and where the Giant of Africa goes from here. The two discuss the immediate crises Tinubu must confront early on in his presidency, how to solve Nigeria’s endemic brain drain, and the reverberating effects the new president will have in West Africa.

The China-Russia Bromance: A Year Later Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

Days before Russia illegally and brutally invaded Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a “no limits” partnership, demonstrating their deepening relations. It has been a year since Putin’s full-scale invasion on February 24 and the relationship between China and Russia seems as strong as ever. While Xi has proposed a peace plan and wishes to remain neutral in the war, China has still yet to condemn Russia for the invasion. Meanwhile, Western officials are looking at the visit from Beijing’s most senior foreign policy official, Wang Yi, to Moscow this week as an indication of China’s continued support of Russia.

Alexander Gabuev, one of the world’s foremost analysts of the Sino-Russian relationship, joins Stewart on the show to unpack how that relationship has changed since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago and the vision Xi and Putin share for a new world order. As the incoming director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Alexander also discusses the future of Russia as a nation as well as how the war might end.

Alexander Gabuev. (2022, August 9). "China's New Vassal." Foreign Affairs.

Lula’s Brazil: Encore Edition Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

On January 1, 2023, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in for the third time as Brazil’s president with the challenge of leading a deeply divided country. Just a week later, on January 8, supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court, and the presidential palace. But Brazil is far from being the only country experiencing threats to its democracy, as other countries across Latin America are currently dealing with turmoil.

Joining Stewart this week is Matias Spektor, a nonresident scholar in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program and a professor at the School of International Relations at FGV in Sao Paul, to unpack what to expect from Lula’s meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House this week. Matias will also discuss Lula’s global and regional aspirations for Brazil and the political trends facing Latin America.

Gailherme Fasolin and Matias Spektor. (2022, November 7). "What Lula's Return Means for the Amazon." Foreign Affairs.

Ukraine's Silver Tank? Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

The tanks are heading to Ukraine! After facing pressure from European and international allies, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced this week that Germany will supply Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. Following this, President Joe Biden announced the United States will send M1 Abrams tanks to the frontlines as well. The new supplies of tanks will aid Ukraine against Russia as the war nears the one-year mark.

As the war in Ukraine continues, the EU is having to confront its own defense and security architecture with Germany playing a central role.

Sophia Besch, a fellow in Carnegie’s Europe Program, joins Stewart to talk about Germany’s decision to supply tanks to Ukraine and what lies ahead for European defense.

Sophia Besch. (2023, January 18). “To Really Modernize Its Armed Forces, Germany Needs a Long-Term Increase of the Regular Defense Budget.” 49security.

Sophia Besch. (2022, December 21). “EU Defense and the War In Ukraine.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Sophia Besch and Liana Fix. (2022 November 21). “Don’t Let Zeitenwende Get Derailed.” War on the Rocks.

Grading Biden's Foreign Policy Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

Halfway through his term in office, President Biden has achieved significant accomplishments in 2022. The administration marshaled support around Ukraine to hold off the Russian invasion. It also passed major legislation to boost semiconductor production to compete with China, while also making great strides to be a leader in the fight against climate change.

At the same time, the Biden administration still has major hurdles in the new year: a long war in Ukraine, little progress on negotiations with Iran, and the U.S. House of Representatives with the Republican Party at the helm.

In the first episode of 2023, Nahal Toosi, Politico’s senior foreign affairs correspondent, talks to Stewart about Biden’s successes and challenges in the last year and what’s on the horizon for U.S. foreign policy in the new year. Nahal also hands Biden his foreign policy report card for the last year.

We’re excited to announce that The World Unpacked will resume its regular schedule with new episodes every other week. Happy New Year!

Reading from episode:

Nahal Toosi. (2022, October 23). “‘Frustrated and powerless’: In fight with China for global influence, diplomacy is America’s biggest weakness." Politico.

Humanity at Eight Billion Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

At eight billion people, humanity has reached a major demographic milestone. Yet with a growing population, questions arise over whether nations can keep up. While developed Western countries struggle to take care of aging populations and low birth rates, many developing countries need to find answers to support a booming young population ready to work.

Jack Goldstone, a political demographer and a professor of public policy at George Mason University, joins the show to talk to Stewart about the world at eight billion, the regional trends in population growth and decline, and how governments around the world can meet the moment to promote human flourishing across the globe.

The Breaking Point: COP27 Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

This week, world leaders and delegates have gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt to commence COP27. Despite the intensified calls for wealthier countries to deliver on reparations and help climate-vulnerable countries with the impacts of climate change, geopolitical and economic realities may complicate these objectives. Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and surging global inflation, climate diplomacy has taken a back seat to other pressing issues. So, what can we expect from COP27?

Joining The World Unpacked’s new host Stewart Patrick is Dan Baer, the senior vice president for policy research at Carnegie, to unpack what’s happening on the ground at COP27 and the state of climate action.

Want more on the ground coverage of COP27? Make sure to follow Dan Baer, Amr Hamzawy, Zainab Usman, and Olivia Lazard on Twitter for updates from Egypt!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected