Why It Matters

Latest Episodes:

The Saudi Exception Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

The U.S.-Saudi relationship is fraught with complications. Saudi Arabia has the largest oil reserves in the world, giving it influence over what Americans pay at the gas pump. At the same time, the kingdom’s human rights abuses are at odds with the United States’ stated democratic values. Who holds the power in this partnership? And what compromises are being made so the countries can work together?

Featured Guests:

Lina Alhathloul (Head of Monitoring and Communications, ALQST for Human Rights)

Madawi Al-Rasheed (Visiting Professor, Middle East Center, London School of Economics)

Steven A. Cook (Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/saudi-exception

Trouble Brewing for Coffee Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

Beware, coffee lovers: climate change could disrupt your precious morning cup of joe. Coffee beans could lose half of their farmable land by 2050 as temperatures and weather patterns become more extreme and less predictable. This could lead to scarcer yields and pricier brews. But there is hope that unique varieties and novel farming techniques could change coffee’s destiny. The transition will require massive investments and many observers question whether the industry can meet the challenge.

Featured Guests:

Aaron P. Davis (Senior Research Leader of Crops and Global Change, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)

Amanda Grossi (Senior Africa Regional Manager, International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Earth Institute, Columbia University)

Jonathan Morris (Research Professor in History, University of Hertfordshire)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/trouble-brewing-coffee

Hip-Hop Diplomacy May 27, 2022

Show notes

Hip-hop is a phenomenon that has captured hearts around the world. Its musical form ranges from party anthems to critical social commentary. But the genre plays another role: it is an influential soft-power tool for the United States. Like its predecessors jazz and rock, hip-hop is utilized by the U.S. State Department to connect with young minds, and its unique ability to inspire goodwill toward the United States offers a significant advantage over adversaries such as China and Russia. How did hip-hop become a go-to diplomatic instrument?

Toni Blackman (Alumni Outreach Director, Next Level)

Mark Katz (John P. Barker Distinguished Professor of Music and Director of Graduate Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at:

https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/hip-hop-diplomacy

The Power of the Pope May 24, 2022

Show notes

For the past two thousand years, the pope has been a major player in global affairs. He is frequently called upon to act as a peace broker, a mediator, an advocate, and an influencer; and with over 1.3 billion followers around the world, the pope and his governmental arm, the Holy See, have the power to shape the future. How has the pope's power changed over time, and what is his role today?

Timothy Byrnes (Third Century Chair in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Professor of Political Science, Colgate University)

Francis Campbell (Vice Chancellor, University of Notre Dame Australia)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/power-of-the-pope

Update on Ukraine, With Richard Haass Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

In this special episode, Why It Matters follows up with CFR President Richard Haass to hear his insights on the war in Ukraine.

Featured Guests:

Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at:

https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/update-on-ukraine-with-richard-haass

What in the World Is a Global Minimum Tax? Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

For years, large corporations have exploited international tax laws to pay less taxes. But last year, 137 countries backed a potential solution: a 15 percent corporate tax applied regardless of a company’s location. The reform could raise global tax revenues by $150 billion a year, but as advocates garner political support, there are significant roadblocks.

Featured Guests:

Shu-Yi Oei (Professor, Boston College Law School)

Richard Rubin (U.S. Tax Policy Reporter, Wall Street Journal)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/what-in-the-world-is-a-global-minimum-tax

Quantum Leap Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

How can the world create better medicines? More powerful solar cells? New batteries? The answers could come from a revolutionary research tool known as the quantum computer. It can seem like magic—harnessing the power of quantum physics to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. But there are unmitigated risks too, as the technology continues to develop. What would a quantum-led future hold?

Featured Guests:

Shohini Ghose (Quantum Physicist and Professor, Physics and Computer Science, Wilfrid Laurier University)

Marissa Guistina (Quantum Electronics Engineer and Research Scientist, Google)

Kate Weber (Public Policy Lead, Quantum Computing, Google)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/quantum-leap

Climate Adaptation: Rising Tides in Coastal Cities Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

The world is already witnessing the effects of climate change. One inescapable and irreversible consequence is sea-level rise, which could destroy coastal cities. How will the world adapt to rising tides?

Featured Guests:

Alice C. Hill (David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment, Council on Foreign Relations)

Klaus Jacob (Geophysicist and Emeritus Research Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University)

Henk Ovink (Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, Netherlands)

Gernot Wagner (Climate Economist and Visiting Associate Professor, Columbia University)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/climate-adaptation-rising-tides-in-coastal-cities

Perspective on Ukraine, With Richard Haass Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

In this special episode, Why It Matters sits down with CFR President Richard Haass to ask the basic questions about the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s frame of mind, and his threat to world order.

Featured Guest:

Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at:

https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/perspective-ukraine-richard-haass

CFR Resources for the Ukraine Crisis Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, here are some resources from the Council on Foreign Relations to stay informed:

Charles A. Kupchan, “Why Putin’s War With Ukraine Is a Miscalculation,” CFR.org, February 24, 2022

“TWNW Special: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine,” The World Next Week, February 24, 2022

“Ukraine’s Struggle for Independence in Russia’s Shadow,” CFR.org, February 24, 2022

“Crisis in Ukraine,” CFR.org, February 23, 2022

Alina Polyakova and Daniel Fried, “Putin’s Long Game in Ukraine,” Foreign Affairs, February 23, 2022

Thomas Graham, “Has Russia Just Started a Wider War With Ukraine?,” CFR.org, February 22, 2022

Max Boot, “Why the U.S. Ramped Up Its Information War With Russia,” CFR.org, February 10, 2022

Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow, “How Do the Militaries of Russia and Ukraine Stack Up?,” CFR.org, February 4, 2022

Jonathan Masters, “Why NATO Has Become a Flash Point With Russia in Ukraine,” CFR.org, January 20, 2022

Jonathan Masters, “Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia,” CFR.org, December 2, 2021

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