Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters
The longest running independent international affairs podcast features in-depth interviews with policymakers, journalists and experts around the world who discuss global news, international relations, global development and key trends driving world affairs. Named by The Guardian as "a podcast to make you smarter," Global Dispatches is a podcast for people who crave a deeper understanding of international news.
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A Major Study Finds Giving Pregnant Women Cash Massively Improves Children's Health
08/28/2025
A Major Study Finds Giving Pregnant Women Cash Massively Improves Children's Health
A new study out of Kenya shows that one of the most impactful ways to reduce infant and child mortality is to provide cash—no strings attached—to pregnant women. A randomized controlled trial by economists from UC Berkeley and Oxford University found that unconditional cash transfers reduced infant mortality by 48% and under-5 child mortality by 45% in rural Kenya. These results suggest that this intervention is as impactful for improving child health as the provision of vaccines or antimalarial drugs. I'm joined today by Dr. Miriam Laker-Oketta, Senior Research Advisor at GiveDirectly, the nonprofit that carried out the cash transfers on which this research is based. In our conversation, Dr. Laker-Oketta explains why well-timed cash transfers to women late in pregnancy can so dramatically improve health outcomes. She also discusses how this new study adds to the growing body of evidence on the impact of unconditional cash transfers for people living in poverty in the developing world—and why such interventions are logistically simple yet politically difficult to scale. Support our work with a paid subscription to Global Dispatches! https://www.globaldispatches.org/
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How Global Development Finance Deals Can Actually Drive Local Impact | Future of Africa Episode 3
08/26/2025
How Global Development Finance Deals Can Actually Drive Local Impact | Future of Africa Episode 3
Making promises on financing for development is the easy part. Following through on them is hard. Ambassador Chola Milambo speaks frankly about turning global financing commitments into tangible benefits for African communities. Chidi Okpala highlights the role of innovative private-sector partnerships, while Tumi Mkhizi Malebo offers a youth perspective on making finance work for the next generation and Nabila Ageule emphasizes the particularly important role of young women. Together, they map out what it takes to bridge the gap between conference promises and action on the ground, from transparency and inclusive planning to youth-led monitoring of how funds are actually spent. If you’ve ever wondered why big financial agreements rarely reach the people they’re meant to serve, this episode offers both the diagnosis and the solution. Guests , Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations , Executive Director of Group Integration and Strategy, Heirs Holdings , Chief Executive, Nigeria at the Malala Fund Tumi Mkhize Malebo, United Nations Foundation Partnerships Next Generation Fellow Background Materials , All Africa , Brookings Institution , Our Future Agenda
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Can a Series of Global AI Summits Actually Shape the Rules that will Govern the World’s most Powerful Technology?
08/21/2025
Can a Series of Global AI Summits Actually Shape the Rules that will Govern the World’s most Powerful Technology?
In 2023, the United Kingdom hosted the world’s first major international summit on the risks of advanced artificial intelligence. That Bletchley Park gathering kicked off a series of high-profile summits — in Seoul in 2024, in Paris earlier this year, and with India set to host the next in 2026. But here’s the big question: are these summits actually building the guardrails the world needs to keep AI safe — or are they falling short? My guest today, Robert F. Trager, says the answer depends on whether this summit series is reformed. Trager is Co-Director of the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative, which recently published a roadmap for how the AI Summit Series can live up to its potential. We dig into those recommendations, and we also take stock of what these summits have accomplished so far — and what’s at stake if they fail. This episode was supported through a grant from the Tarbell Center for AI Journalism Report mentioned:
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The Climate, Peace & Security Nexus | Future of Africa Episode 2
08/19/2025
The Climate, Peace & Security Nexus | Future of Africa Episode 2
What does it mean to make peace with nature — and why could that be the key to lasting peace between people? Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos shares the extraordinary indigenous mandate that shaped his leadership, while Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim explains how climate shocks in Africa are driving conflict and migration. Khouloud Ben Mansour brings in the youth, peace, and security lens, stressing that climate justice must include women and young leaders at the table. Across the conversation, you’ll hear why African knowledge systems are vital to global climate solutions, and how reframing climate as a security issue could shift the way the world responds. Guests , Chair of the Planetary Guardians and President of the Indigenous Women and Peoples Association of Chad , Tunisian junior diplomat and former African Union Youth Ambassador of Peace , former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Chair of The Elders Background Materials , The Elders , Africa Union , Planetary Guardians
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What We Can Expect from the Putin-Trump Alaska Summit
08/14/2025
What We Can Expect from the Putin-Trump Alaska Summit
The past week has seen a frenzy of diplomatic activity on Ukraine, culminating in Donald Trump’s extraordinary announcement that he will host Vladimir Putin in Alaska for talks on the war. Setting aside the propriety of Putin visiting the United States (he launched this war of aggression and is wanted by the ICC for the systematic abduction of Ukrainian children) what could such a summit actually achieve? Would Ukraine really be willing to trade land for a ceasefire? And would Putin simply use a pause in hostilities to regroup? I put these questions and more to , a longtime Ukraine specialist who is now the CEO of the McCain Institute. We spoke just hours before Trump announced the Alaska summit and we kick off with a discussion about the current state-of-play of the conflict on the ground before discussing the prospects of a diplomatic solution to this conflict.
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Africa's Role on the Global Stage | Introducing: The "Future of Africa" Podcast Series
08/12/2025
Africa's Role on the Global Stage | Introducing: The "Future of Africa" Podcast Series
Africa is the world’s youngest continent — and its future is everyone’s future. By 2030, 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population will be under the age of 30. By century’s end, one in three people on the planet will be African. What happens in Africa will shape the course of the 21st century. That’s why Global Dispatches is proud to launch a bold new podcast series: The Future of Africa. Produced in partnership with the African Union, The Elders, and the United Nations Foundation, this series explores how Africa’s rising generation is transforming the world—and how global leaders are engaging with this dynamic shift. Hosted by the powerhouse Kenyan journalist Adelle Onyango, The Future of Africa features intergenerational conversations between former presidents, Nobel Peace Prize winners, diplomats, and trailblazing young leaders. These are solutions-driven discussions tackling the most urgent issues of our time: climate, education, economic growth, governance, and more. Africa’s influence on global decision-making is rising as the world’s youngest and fastest-growing continent — but will young people be given the power to shape it? Chukwuemeka Eze lays out why legitimacy at home is the foundation for influence abroad, while Chido Mpemba champions young people’s leadership in every sphere of governance. Jake Obeng-Bediako warns against “waithood” as the lost years between education and meaningful leadership, and calls for young Africans to be decision-makers. Together, they highlight ways young African countries are navigating geopolitical shifts, increasing their role in multilateral forums, and leveraging demographic and economic momentum. This is a call-to-action for anyone who believes Africa should lead as an innovator on the world stage. Guest Speakers Director of Policy and Implementation for Global Citizens Move Afrika Initiative. , Director for Democratic Futures in Africa at the Open Society Foundation , formerly the African Union’s Special Youth Envoy and currently the Advisor to the African Union Commission Chairperson for Women, Gender and Youth.
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Famine in Gaza — A Political and Humanitarian Tipping Point?
08/07/2025
Famine in Gaza — A Political and Humanitarian Tipping Point?
“The worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.” That was the conclusion of a July 29 report by the leading global authority on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The report found that more than one in three people in Gaza (39 percent) are now going days at a time without eating. More than 500,000 people—nearly a quarter of the population—are enduring famine-like conditions. Malnutrition rates are skyrocketing, and deaths from acute malnutrition are mounting. This is the direct result of Israel’s policy of preventing sufficient food from entering Gaza. Now, as images of emaciated children flash across screens around the world, will that be enough to generate the political will in Israel, the United States, and Europe to change course? Alternatively, how much worse can this get? Joining me to discuss the ongoing famine and humanitarian crisis is Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, the CEO of Mercy Corps, a major international humanitarian NGO with ongoing operations in Gaza. She explains why famine has taken hold, what can be done to immediately end it, and why this crisis is very much at a tipping point. Support our humanitarian journalism with a paid subscription: https://www.globaldispatches.org/
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The Stark Demise of the Era of NGOs
08/04/2025
The Stark Demise of the Era of NGOs
In 1997, Jessica Matthews' landmark Foreign Affairs essay “Power Shift” captured the growing influence of NGOs and other non-state actors in shaping global affairs. But nearly three decades later, that tide has turned. A provocative new piece in Foreign Affairs argues that the age of NGOs is over—and states are reasserting dominance. Joining me to unpack this shift is Jennifer Hadden, co-author of the new article and Associate Professor at Brown University. We discuss the heyday of NGOs in the 1990s, what led to their decline, and what this reversal means for the future of human rights, democracy and freedom worldwide.
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A New Study Shows that Sanctions Kill As Many People As War
07/28/2025
A New Study Shows that Sanctions Kill As Many People As War
A groundbreaking new study published in the British medical journal The Lancet Global Health finds that unilateral economic sanctions—most of which are imposed by the United States—lead to approximately 564,000 excess deaths worldwide each year. Up to half of these deaths are children. While sanctions are often touted as an alternative to military force, this research shows they can devastate public health, cause severe food and medicine shortages, and drive mortality rates to levels comparable to those seen in armed conflicts. In fact, the findings suggest that sanctions are about as deadly as military conflicts around the world each year. Joining me to discuss this new study is one of its authors, Mark Weisbrot of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. We begin by examining his key findings and then explore how and why sanctions end up killing so many people globally. Mark Weisbrot's
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Comfort Ero on How Foreign Aid Cuts May Spark Conflicts Worldwide | Live from the Aspen Security Forum
07/24/2025
Comfort Ero on How Foreign Aid Cuts May Spark Conflicts Worldwide | Live from the Aspen Security Forum
I caught up with Comfort Ero at the Aspen Security Forum last week. She is the President of the International Crisis Group, and in that role, she brings a truly global perspective on the drivers of conflict worldwide. Earlier in the forum, she participated in a panel on international aid—timely, given the massive scaling back of foreign assistance by the Trump administration and other traditional donors in Europe. So, for most of this conversation, we explore the implications of this sudden retraction of foreign aid on regional and global security—that is, how might these aid cuts impact conflict dynamics around the world? Get a 40% discount off Global Dispatches and support the show!
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Can Europe Stay Unified on Ukraine? With Thordis Gylfadottir, Iceland's Former Foreign Minister | Live From the Aspen Security Forum
07/21/2025
Can Europe Stay Unified on Ukraine? With Thordis Gylfadottir, Iceland's Former Foreign Minister | Live From the Aspen Security Forum
My guest today, Thordis Gylfadottir, served as Iceland's foreign minister until 2024. We spoke last week at the Aspen Security Forum, where she delivered a forceful case for the necessity of continued military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. However, that view—once broadly shared across Europe and the Atlantic—is no longer as ubiquitous as it once was. In our conversation, I wanted to learn from her exactly how firm support for Ukraine remains across Europe, both in politics and in society. And what, if anything, can be done to shore up that support. We begin, however, with a discussion of her current work as the Special Envoy for the Council of Europe on the situation of children in Ukraine, where she helps bring home Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia during its invasion.
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What We Learned From Mike Waltz's Confirmation Hearing for UN Ambassador | To Save Us From Hell
07/17/2025
What We Learned From Mike Waltz's Confirmation Hearing for UN Ambassador | To Save Us From Hell
Trump’s pick for UN Ambassador, Mike Waltz, faced questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week. You may recall he previously served as National Security Advisor before being sidelined by Trump after “Signalgate.” But Waltz was never officially fired — he was banished to the United Nations instead. For over two hours, he fielded questions from senators. So, what did we learn about how the Trump administration might approach diplomacy at the United Nations with Mike Waltz as U.S. Permanent Representative? Mark and Anjali watched the full two-and-a-half-hour hearing so you don’t have to. Upgrade to paid to acccess the full episode.
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The Global Backlash Against Gender Equality
07/14/2025
The Global Backlash Against Gender Equality
A furious backlash against gender equality, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights is sweeping the globe. In a new report for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, my guest today, Saskia Brechenmacher, shows that this backlash is not just a temporary reaction to recent progressive reforms but a key front in a larger cultural and political realignment taking place across a diverse set of countries. Saskia Brechenmacher is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. In our conversation, she explains how this backlash is manifesting across regions and the multitude of forces driving this trend. Get 40% off a paid subscription: Support the show at full price: https://www.globaldispatches.org/
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Nigeria's Herder-Farmer Violence is Escalating
07/10/2025
Nigeria's Herder-Farmer Violence is Escalating
The farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria is a long-running and deadly struggle over land and resources, primarily between nomadic herders—mostly from the Fulani ethnic group—and settled farming communities. Driven by factors such as desertification, population growth, and shrinking grazing land, herders increasingly move south in search of pasture, leading to violent clashes with farmers over farmland and water access. The conflict has intensified in recent years, contributing to insecurity and displacement, particularly in Nigeria's Middle Belt region. It was there, in the middle of the night on June 13th, that an unknown group attacked the village of Yelewata. An estimated 200 people were killed, mostly farmers and their families, in what is considered the single deadliest massacre of its kind. The attack sparked a massive public outcry over the government's apparent inability to prevent such violence. Joining me to discuss what is driving this conflict—and why Nigerians are increasingly losing confidence in the government's ability to provide security in the Middle Belt region—is Isaac Albert, a professor of African History, Peace, and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. We begin by discussing the recent attack on Yelewata before taking a broader look at what his research suggests is fueling this conflict—and what may be done to prevent massacres like this in the future.
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To Save Us From Hell: Searching for Compromiso in Seville | Is Rafael Grossi Suddenly Radioactive?
07/07/2025
To Save Us From Hell: Searching for Compromiso in Seville | Is Rafael Grossi Suddenly Radioactive?
The major Financing for Development Conference wrapped up in Seville last week with the so-called Compromiso de Sevilla, which commits countries to accelerating efforts to fund the Sustainable Development Goals and support economic and social development in lower-income countries. In our first segment, we are joined by Michael Sheldrick, co-founder of Global Citizen, who explains what was accomplished at this major UN meeting — and what was left on the table. Then, Anjali and Mark discuss the current predicament facing IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi as he tries to navigate the capricious sensitivities of Donald Trump following the U.S. bombing of Iran. Full episode is available for our paying subscribers. Here's a discount link:
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How Trump’s Aid Cuts Are Costing Lives in Sudan—The Largest Crisis on Earth
07/03/2025
How Trump’s Aid Cuts Are Costing Lives in Sudan—The Largest Crisis on Earth
As of July 1, what remains of USAID’s programming is being folded into the State Department. The independent agency, created 64 years ago to advance American values and support global humanitarian causes, is no more. With USAID’s demise comes a staggering human cost. The Lancet today published a finding that more than 14 million people — a third of them children — will die by 2030 if current U.S. foreign aid cuts remain in place. Behind those numbers are countless stories of tragedy — and heroism. My guest today, Katharine Houreld, is the Bureau Chief for East and Southern Africa for The Washington Post, who recently reported from Sudan on the We begin our conversation with the stories of individuals living through it — from the grieving mother of a toddler who died of an easily preventable chest infection, to the soup kitchen volunteers fighting to keep their neighbors alive as food supplies vanish. Support the show at a 40% discount
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What the NATO Summit Tells Us About The Future of European Security
06/30/2025
What the NATO Summit Tells Us About The Future of European Security
The leaders of NATO met in The Hague on June 25th for a rather truncated meeting with a limited agenda. Unlike recent NATO summits, this one did not focus much on the war in Ukraine, countering China, or other broad international security concerns. Rather, this meeting was dedicated to securing a commitment by most NATO members to double their defense spending from 2.5% to 5% of member states' GDP. This is a massive increase with profound implications for both European security and, according to my guest today, European society as a whole. Zachary Paikin is a research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. We kick off by discussing why Ukraine was not on the agenda and the odd comportment of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, before having a broader conversation about what this summit says about the future of Europe and transatlantic relations.
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How the Israel-Iran-US War Forever Changed the Middle East
06/26/2025
How the Israel-Iran-US War Forever Changed the Middle East
Will the ceasefire between Israel and Iran actually hold? How might Iran respond to the unprecedented American attacks on its nuclear program? And more broadly, how have events over the last two weeks changed the entire security dynamic of the Middle East? I’m privileged to bring you a conversation with one of the foremost experts on these questions. Dalia Dassa Kaye is a senior fellow at the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations and author of the forthcoming book Enduring Hostility: The Making of America’s Iran Policy, which will be published in December. We kick off by discussing the events of the last few days before having a deeper conversation about Israel’s strategic calculus moving forward, Iran’s options for retaliating against the United States, and whether the American bombing of Iran may have traded short-term gains for a long-term disaster. Or, support the show at full price:
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How the US Bombing of Iran May Split the Republican Party
06/22/2025
How the US Bombing of Iran May Split the Republican Party
Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran lays bare a major rift within Republican foreign policy. Until recently, the more isolationist “America First” wing seemed ascendant, sidelining the hawks. But that dynamic decisively shifted on Saturday when Trump ordered American strikes on several targets in Iran My guest today is Andrew Prokop of Vox, who recently wrote a deep dive into the GOP’s foreign policy divide. In our conversation, we explore the history of these two Republican camps—and how the debate over Iran is playing out now. We also discuss the potential domestic fallout of dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war.
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Why The UN Oceans Summit Matters
06/19/2025
Why The UN Oceans Summit Matters
From June 9th to 13th, some 15,000 participants—including more than 60 Heads of State and Government—convened in Nice, on France's Mediterranean coast, for a major UN-sponsored conference on oceans. So what happened at the UN Oceans Summit, and why does it matter? Joining me to answer these questions and more is Bruna Campos of the Center for International Environmental Law. We caught up last week as the conference was coming to a close, and in our conversation, Bruna Campos explains why this summit was convened in the first place, which governments are pushing for more robust protections of our oceans, and which countries are standing in the way. Support the show at full price here:
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"They Have Decapitated the Iranian Military" - Will The Iran-Israel War Drag in the US?
06/13/2025
"They Have Decapitated the Iranian Military" - Will The Iran-Israel War Drag in the US?
After years of threats, the Israeli government launched a major attack overnight, targeting both Iran’s nuclear program and several senior Iranian military and political leaders. At the time of writing, Iran had yet to respond in a major way, though the expectation is that the regime will hit back—and much harder than it did last year after a previous (and more limited) Israeli strike on Iran. The key question now, according to my interview guest Barbara Slavin, is whether this inspires Iran to gather the nuclear material it has and make a sprint toward weaponizing its stockpiles of enriched uranium and becoming a nuclear weapons state. Barbara Slavin is a longtime journalist and think tank expert focusing on Iran and U.S.-Iran relations. She is a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center and the editor of Middle East Perspectives. We kick off by discussing what Israel’s target list suggests about its intentions behind these major strikes, before having a longer conversation about what Iran’s response may entail and what role the United States might play in a widening conflict in the Middle East.
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Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Head of UN Peacekeeping, on Why It Still Matters—And What Happens If Funding Disappears
06/12/2025
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Head of UN Peacekeeping, on Why It Still Matters—And What Happens If Funding Disappears
There are nearly 70,000 UN peacekeeping personnel serving in 11 missions around the world. My guest today, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, is in charge of them all. He has served as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations for the last eight years, giving him deep visibility into the unique role that UN Peacekeeping plays in maintaining international peace and security. In our conversation, he describes the work of UN Peacekeeping in places like Cyprus, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Lebanon, and the work peacekeepers do to prevent conflict and protect civilians. However, today UN Peacekeeping faces profound financial strain. While the United States contributes very few personnel to peacekeeping, it has historically provided about 25% of the cost of these missions. But the Trump administration is now seeking to eliminate American financial contributions to UN Peacekeeping. In our conversation, Under-Secretary-General Lacroix explains how he is preparing for potential cuts, and what impact such a massive budget shortfall would have on the operations of peacekeeping around the world. This is a pivotal moment for UN Peacekeeping, and Jean-Pierre Lacroix explains what is at stake in terms of the ability of blue helmets to protect civilians in conflict and prevent crises from spilling out of control.
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A Personal Note from Mark
06/10/2025
A Personal Note from Mark
Global Dispatches is entering a new era—and I need your help to keep it going. For years, I’ve been able to produce this show thanks to institutional support, especially from the UN Foundation, which has backed my work for two decades. But due to recent funding cuts, that support is ending, and I now need to raise $140,000 to keep the show going at current levels. If this podcast has helped you make sense of the world, informed your work, or simply earned your trust, please consider becoming a paying subscriber. Most episodes are free, but they’re not free to make. You can support at full price—or with a 20% or 40% discount. All subscribers get access to our sister podcast To Save Us From Hell, my essays, and the full 13-year archive. And if you join based on this pitch, I’ll mail you a Global Dispatches sticker as a thank-you.
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The Gaza Aid Debacle
06/09/2025
The Gaza Aid Debacle
After an 80-day total blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a new scheme to distribute food to desperate Gazans began operations this week. The “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” is an Israeli-American creation, designed by consultants, backed by American security contractors, and headed by an evangelical Christian supporter of Donald Trump who has little experience in humanitarian aid. They have set up four aid distribution sites, mostly in remote locations in southern Gaza, where thousands of Gazans have scrambled to access the limited food that Israel is permitting into the territory. Independent humanitarian agencies and the United Nations are not participating in this scheme because it is clearly designed to advance Israeli political and military aims, rather than meet Gazans’ increasingly desperate humanitarian needs. Ciarán Donnelly, Senior Vice President for international programs at the International Rescue Committee, explains why this aid scheme is deeply flawed, what we know about this “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” and what needs to be done to get food and aid to people in Gaza before a widespread famine takes hold.
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A Fight Over Horses(!) Tells Us A Whole Lot About The Sad State of Trump's Diplomacy at the UN | To Save Us From Hell
06/05/2025
A Fight Over Horses(!) Tells Us A Whole Lot About The Sad State of Trump's Diplomacy at the UN | To Save Us From Hell
The General Assembly selected five new members of the Security Council and one new President of the General Assembly this week in not-so-hotly contested elections. These new Security Council members will take their seats in January, and former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will assume the PGA gavel at UNGA in September. So what can we expect from these new faces in the UN’s two key bodies? Anjali and Mark break down the implications of a reshaped Security Council and the fact that a longtime German Green Party politician will helm the General Assembly as the UN enters its 80th year. But first: The Trump administration throws down the gauntlet in an effort to block Mongolia’s attempt to celebrate the unique contributions of horses in today’s world. Seriously, that happened. And it’s actually a way bigger deal than you’d expect! Get the full episode here: https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/new-faces-at-the-unand-a-horse-fight
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When Treaties Work: The Pandemic Agreement
06/02/2025
When Treaties Work: The Pandemic Agreement
On May 20th, after years of negotiation, World Health Organization member states adopted the Pandemic Agreement — the first international treaty focused on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Developed in response to the shortcomings revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement emphasizes equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, and promotes international cooperation in disease surveillance and health system strengthening. But will this brand-new agreement live up to its potential? And what role might the United States' decision to remain on the sidelines — and not become a party to the agreement — play in how it is adopted and implemented? Joining me to discuss these questions and more is Alexandra Phelan, Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. We begin by examining how the deficiencies in the global response to COVID-19 revealed the need for such a treaty in the first place, before having a longer conversation about what the agreement actually obliges of its signatories — and what factors will determine whether or not it works as intended. This episode is produced in partnership with Lex International Fund, a philanthropic fund dedicated to strengthening international law to solve global challenges. It is part of a series that demonstrates the impact of Treaties on state behavior that we are calling "when treaties work"
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Pope Leo Makes His Foreign Policy Debut
05/29/2025
Pope Leo Makes His Foreign Policy Debut
The Pope is not just a religious leader—he's also a Head of State. The Holy See maintains formal diplomatic relations with most countries on Earth and holds the status of a permanent observer at the United Nations. In recent years, the Pope has leveraged his dual role as the leader of the Catholic Church and a head of state to pursue a purposeful foreign policy vision and play a key diplomatic role. Indeed, Pope Francis was instrumental in brokering a major détente between the United States and Cuba during the Obama administration. So, what is Pope Leo’s foreign policy vision? How does it differ from that of his predecessors? And how might the fact that he is an American and a native English speaker influence the kind of impact he can have on the world stage? Joining me to explore these questions and more is Tom Reese, a Jesuit priest and senior analyst for Religion News Service. In our conversation, Tom Reese unpacks the key takeaways from Pope Leo’s first foreign policy address to foreign diplomats at the Vatican and offers insights into the role the first American pope might play on the global stage as he assumes leadership of the Vatican.
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How Science Can Build a Nuclear Free Future | Zia Mian
05/26/2025
How Science Can Build a Nuclear Free Future | Zia Mian
My guest today, Zia Mian is co-director of Princeton University's Program on Science and Global Security. He's a physicist who has long studied nuclear weapons and nuclear security. In our conversation Zia Mian explains how scientists have impacted policy discussions about nuclear weapons since the dawn of the nuclear age, and how as the nuclear security landscape is evolving--and as science is advancing, scientists can continue to contribute to our understanding of the effects of a nuclear war. In addition to his perch at Princeton, Zia Mian serves as Co-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Group of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This is the first first international scientific body created by a United Nations treaty process for the purpose of advancing nuclear disarmament and in our conversation he explains how the work of scientists can contribute to a nuclear free world. We kick off, however, discussing the recent conflict between India and Pakistan and what this conflict says about the role of nuclear weapons in international security today. We recorded this conversation in conjunction with the. To view other episodes in this series please visit GlobalDispatches.org
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India and Pakistan: A Fragile Ceasefire Holds—But for How Long?
05/23/2025
India and Pakistan: A Fragile Ceasefire Holds—But for How Long?
On April 22, militants launched a brutal assault on a tourist site in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing 26 civilians in what became the deadliest terrorist attack in India in nearly 15 years. What followed was the most intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan in decades—airstrikes, drone attacks, and a terrifying cycle of escalation that threatened to spiral out of control. Then, suddenly, came a ceasefire on May 10. But why? And will it hold? In today’s episode, I speak with Debak Das, Assistant Professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, to unpack the deeper roots of the Kashmir dispute and why it remains such a dangerous flashpoint between two nuclear-armed rivals. We explore how this crisis escalated so quickly—and why it stopped just short of the brink. Debak also offers sharp insight into the precariousness of the current ceasefire and what might come next. Get a discounted subscription to Global Dispatches at this link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/40PercentOff
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The Nuclear Threat From Space | Bill Hennigan
05/19/2025
The Nuclear Threat From Space | Bill Hennigan
What would actually happen if a nuclear weapon were detonated in space? This isn't just the stuff of science fiction — it's a scenario that researchers have studied closely, and the implications are deeply unsettling. From disrupting satellite a nuclear detonation in space would have immediate, global consequences — even without a single casualty on the ground. In today’s episode, we’re exploring how our growing dependence on space-based infrastructure — for communications, surveillance, and national security — is changing the conventional calculus around nuclear deterrence. How are major nuclear powers, including Russia, responding to this shifting landscape? Are we on the verge of a space-based nuclear arms race? And what can be done now to preserve space as a peaceful domain? My guest is Bill Hennigan, author of the At the Brink series, which We recorded this conversation live at the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference — and it’s a fascinating look into how the nuclear order may be evolving in ways that are still underappreciated.
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