Don't forget about the Rohingya | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya community are waiting for justice. A landmark genocide case at the International Court of Justice is a major step. In this episode, Noor Azizah, a survivor who heads a Rohingya civil society group, tells her family’s story of being driven from their homeland. She explains why today’s Rohingya trial paved the way for other atrocity crime cases, and discusses humanitarians’ complex role delivering aid in Myanmar. Guests: Noor Azizah, co-executive director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network Got a...
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What’s happening in Iran? The wider context | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
Protests have spread across Iran, and the fallout is rapidly evolving. In this episode, Hamid Dabashi, Iranian-American author and professor of Iranian studies and comparative literature at Columbia University, explains the wider historic context and evolution of these protests. He helps host Tammam Aloudat think through the nuance of opposing an abusive government while also rejecting imperialism – whether that be in Venezuela, Iran, or the al-Assad regime in Syria. And Dabashi discusses what humanitarians might pay attention to as events unfold. Guests: Hamid...
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What we’ve learned so far: Key takeaways for 2026 | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
The crisis of illiberalism. The global gender backlash. Aid blind spots. Gaza and the failure of international law. Our guests have taken on difficult topics, but they’ve also come up with ideas on how to move forward. In this episode: Key takeaways to navigate today’s challenges, and the issues driving conversations in 2026. Guests: Anjali Dayal, assistant professor of international politics at Fordham University Saskia Brechenmacher, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program Sana Bég,...
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No one wants to depend on aid, including refugees | Power Shift (REPLAY)
The New Humanitarian
The UN has a new refugee chief: Barham Salih is the former president of Iraq. He takes over as high commissioner for refugees in January 2026. Salih may be a surprise pick. The head of UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency, has almost always been a European. Just as rare: The new refugee chief has actually been a refugee. But does a change at the top really address the power imbalances refugees face in the aid sector? Revisit our series, Power Shift, which puts decision-makers – and those affected by their choices – at the same table. In this episode, Hafsar Tameesuddin, a Rohingya...
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International law is failing us. What now? | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
When countries can commit genocide or invade neighbours with few repercussions, it’s clear that international norms and laws are not working. On the podcast, three legal experts discuss the problems and some steps forward, from decentralised ways of enforcing criminal law, to including non-state actors, to erasing the legal loopholes used to justify violence. Guests: Neve Gordon, professor of international law and human rights at Queen Mary University of London and a fellow of the British Academy of Social Sciences. He has written extensively about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict,...
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Who wants to be the new UN refugee chief | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
The UN’s high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, finishes his term at the end of the year. As with most top UN roles, picking the next UN refugee chief is far from transparent. What’s different this time around? Refugee-led organisations held rare public forums with some of the candidates. Co-organiser Hourie Tafech joins host Tammam Aloudat to talk about the race to lead the UN refugee agency, how to make the selection more transparent, and what refugees want from a new UNHCR boss. Guests: Hourie Tafech, director for refugee leadership and partnerships at Refugees...
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Security Council backs Trump’s Gaza plan. What could go wrong? | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
The UN Security Council has passed a resolution backing US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. It authorises an “international stabilisation force”, and approves a “board of peace”. Essentially, this would govern Gaza, and oversee reconstruction and humanitarian aid. It also follows a playbook similar to the occupation of Iraq, warns international law expert Shahd Hammouri: “The US using international legal mechanisms to normalise an unlawful occupation.” Guests: Shahd Hammouri, lecturer in International Law and Legal Theory at the University of Kent, and an...
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Why emergency education saves lives | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
When aid funding is tight, education is often cut first. But schools offer more than just learning, and communities say education is their priority. “We have to believe that survival means more than just breathing,” says emergency education expert Faiza Hassan. On this episode: Why disrupted schooling is the norm as climate change worsens, and the argument for prioritising education in an era of aid cuts. Guests: Faiza Hassan, director of the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies Got a question or feedback? Email podcast@thenewhumanitarian.org or post on social...
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What’s behind the COP climate circus | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
The UN climate summit, COP30, is getting under way in Brazil, with global temperatures rising – and global cooperation under deep strain. Ten years on from the Paris Agreement, the UN Secretary-General warns that the world has missed its targets to limit global temperature rise. The stakes are high. But do COP discussions match the urgency? The New Humanitarian journalists unpack what happens behind the scenes at COP, and what humanitarians and everyday citizens can do while negotiators wrestle over targets and funding. Guests: Will Worley, staff reporter and editor for policy at The...
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How to make people care? Emergency aid’s marketing problem | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
Global polls show citizens in many countries want their governments to fund humanitarian aid. But the US and other nations have gutted aid departments or shrunk budgets – with little public pushback. Has the aid sector gotten too wonky to connect with the public? On the podcast: Emergency aid’s marketing problem, and ideas to win the battle for attention. Guests: Sana Bég, executive director, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada Dr. Polly Pallister-Wilkins, political geographer and associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the...
info_outlineAfter a decade of fighting jihadist groups in the Sahel – and losing – isn’t it time for governments to try dialogue? Speaking about her research project Negotiating with Islamist and jihadi armed groups: practices, discourses and mechanisms across Asia and Africa, Laura Berlingozzi tells What’s Unsaid host Obi Anyadike she’s detected a “timid openness” from the region's military juntas for dialogue.
What’s Unsaid is a podcast by The New Humanitarian, where we explore open secrets and uncomfortable conversations around the world’s conflicts and disasters.