The Fletcher Forum Podcast

KP (MALD '26) spoke with Professor Erin Coughland de Perez on the connection between climate science and climate policy. Professor Coughlan de Perez is an Associate Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition and Science Policy at Tufts University. She is a leading expert on climate risk management at the Feinstein International Center. Her work sits at the intersection of climate science, policy, and humanitarian practice, focusing on how we can anticipate and respond to extreme events like droughts, floods, and heatwaves before they occur. Professor Coughlan de Perez is also a Lead Author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report, where she contributed to global thinking on climate risk and decision making.

Matt Livesay  (MGA '26) and Maya Spalding-Fecher (MALD '26) are joined by Abby Wulf for a timely discussion on critical minerals. Abby is the founder and CEO of Lattice Strategies, a DC-based consultancy, and was previously the Head of the American Battery Metals Initiative (ABMI) until 2025. ABMI is a coordinated, interagency effort between the White House and Department of Energy to secure the minerals needed to meet the United States' electric vehicle and broader electrification goals. Before working for the Federal government, Abby was the founding Executive Director at SAFE's 'Center for Critical Minerals Strategy,' a nonpartisan nonprofit organization where she worked closely with industry, academia, members of Congress, and Federal officials to support vital critical mineral supply chain initiatives for the United States and its allies.

In this episode, Ryan Long and Katherine Walsh (MALD '26) explore the evolving landscape of intelligence, risk, and resilience, including what skills will matter even more in the AI era. Ryan also discusses the realities of building a career in intelligence today, the tensions shaping multigenerational teams, and what organizations are still struggling to develop in their analysts and security professionals. He offers clear and practical insight for anyone navigating the modern risk landscape.   Ryan Long is the Founder of INTELAB Ventures, a hybrid firm and incubator that equips risk and resilience practitioners with the advice, tools, and resources they need to succeed. Ryan is also the co-founder of the Pathfinder Collective and AI x Intelligence Exchange. He hosts The Business of Intelligence Podcast.

What does it mean to depend on a world you cannot trust? In this episode of the Summer 2026 Print Edition series, Armaan Mathur (MALD'26) and Katherine Walsh (MALD'26) sit down with scholar, columnist, and author Dr. Happymon Jacob to excavate the fractures and possibilities of a global order in flux. From the death of normative globalization to the rise of minilateralism, Jacob argues that the old architecture of collective security and multilateral institutions was never as universal as it claimed, and that its unraveling may be less a tragedy than an opportunity for the Global South to finally claim its seat at the table. Drawing on India's quest to become a pole in international politics, he maps a world where trust is transactional, alignment is strategic, and values and interests are far less separable than once assumed. Provocative, pragmatic, and cautiously optimistic, this conversation challenges us to ask not how we restore the old order, but whether we should want to.

In this episode of the Summer Print Edition Series, Fletcher Forum Editor-in-Chief Armaan Mathur (MALD '26) speaks with Professor Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School, about what the evolving US-China relationship means for the world order. Professor Mitter notes how the theme of "Interdependence Without Trust" is exemplified in the paradox at the heart of Sino-American relations: the two economies are more deeply integrated than ever, yet trust between them may be at an all time low. With a landmark Xi-Trump summit on the horizon, Professor Mitter explores how trade diplomacy might navigate deeper structural tensions — and what Beijing's quiet outreach to Taiwan's opposition, its role in the Iran crisis, and its ambitions within multilateral institutions reveal about China's long game.  Want to learn more? Subscribe to the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs for access!

The Summer Print Edition is here! Listen to Lauren Davis (Managing Print Editor), Armaan Mathur (Editor-in-Chief), and Katherine Walsh (Managing Podcast Editor) discuss the origins of the theme "Interdependence Without Trust", what pieces they are most excited to share, and how current geopolitical challenges informed the Summer Print Edition. Want to learn more? Subscribe to the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs for access!

Shabnam Waheed (MALD '26) sat down with Dr. Sima Simar, a medical doctor, human rights advocate, and visiting fellow at the Fletcher School. They discussed Afghanistan's past and present, international responsibility, and the resiliency of Afghan girls.

Katherine Walsh (MALD '26) was joined by retired Ambassador Daniel Rosenblum for a candid conversation on U.S.–Central Asian relations as well as career advice for anyone interested in diplomacy. Daniel Rosenblum is a distinguished career diplomat with decades of service in the U.S. State Department. He retired in March 2025 after a tenure that included roles as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, and U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan. A graduate of Johns Hopkins SAIS, he serves on the board of trustees for the American Councils for International Education and is co-host of the American Diplomat podcast at Arizona State University. 

Shabnam Waheed (MALD '26) sat down with Dr. Marlene Daut to break down Haiti's rich history, covering topics in her latest book, The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe. Daut is a Professor of French and African Diaspora Studies at Yale University

Rupture in the rules-based international order, the role of middle powers, and the future of multilateral climate governance and more! Listen to Krishna Priya (MALD '26) in conversation with Jennifer Morgan, Senior Fellow at the Climate Policy Lab on the rise of plurilateral agreements, the need to reform COP processes, and how to stay hopeful in light of current geopolitical challenges.

Matt Livesay (MGA '26) sat down with investigative journalist and author John Dinges for a conversation about Chile's 1973 coup, the era of military dictatorship under Pinochet, and the United States' involvement in Latin American affairs up until the present day.   Dinges' journalistic career spans more than five decades and he is the author of multiple books including Assassination on Assembly Row, The Condor Years, and Chile in Their Hearts: The Untold Story of Two Americans Who Went Missing After the Coup. 

This episode is the final part of a series highlighting prices from the Forum Winter Print Edition, themed: "Assertions of Indigeneity: The Non-West and The Rest:. In this episode, hear Professor Sachin Chaturvedi discuss his piece titled: "Convergence and Contestations in Global Affairs: Promises and Options for the Global South.

Krishna Priya (MALD '26) sat down with Dr. Patrick Brown, executive director of Equal Right, a global NGO that works on advancing human rights, equity, and climate justice. Tune into their discussion about the future of climate finance and its intersections with climate justice, the work of Equal Right, their takeaways from COP-30 and the state of climate multilateralism.

This episode is part of a series highlighting pieces from the Forum Winter Print Edition, themed: "Assertions of Indigeneity: The Non-West and The Rest". In this episode, hear Ambassador Kishore Mahbubani discuss his piece titled: All Civilizations are Equal.

This episode is part of a series highlighting pieces from the Forum Winter Print Edition, themed: "Assertions of Indigeneity: The Non-West and The Rest". In this episode, hear Ambassador Jorge Heine discuss his piece titled: Which Way The World Order? A Rising South, A Fractured West, And The Path Ahead.

Fletcher Forum Editor-in-Chief Armaan Mathur (MALD '26) and Managing Print Editor Lauren Davis (MALD '26) sat down with Mannat Dutt (MALD '27) to discuss this year's theme for the Winter 2026 edition:  Assertions of Indigeneity: The Non-West and The Rest This episode is part of a series on the topic of the Winter Print Edition theme. Stay tuned to hear from the authors of some key pieces in this edition!

Shabnam Waheed (MALD '26) is joined by Christina Bain, visiting fellow at the Feinstein International Center within the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Veerdittya Podder (MIB '26) and Vaibhav Panwar (MIB '26) sit down with Sean West and Steve Heitkamp (MALD '08) the co-founders of The Unruly Corporation, an AI agent for political risk analysis to discuss current challenges in the political risk environment.

Shreyanshi Sikaria (MALD '27) spoke with Charles Hua about the much overlooked power of public utility comissions (PUCs) in utlity regulation and the clean energy transition. Hua is the executive director of PowerLines which aims to empower energy consumers to lower utility bills.

Veeradittya (MIB '26) spoke with Michael Klein, the William L. Clayton Professor of International Economic Affairs and founder of EconoFact. They discuss how well designed institutions shape the stability of the global economy.

Matt Livesay (MGA '26) sat down with Professor Michael Glennon to discuss his recent article titled, "Where Have All the (War) Powers Gone?" which is his latest in a series of publications analyzing the rapidly changing international and domestic legal environments. 

On this "Fletcher Focus" episode, Shabnam Waheed (MALD '26) was joined by the student organizers of the 2025 Conference on Gender and International Affairs (Emily Ruhm PhD, Maeve Murphy MALD '26). Through a discussion of this year's conference, Emily and Maeve address misconceptions of how gender is viewed in international affairs, the wide range of applications for the lens, and why it is so salient today. The conference will take place on campus November 13 and 14th. Please see the links below for more details. Conference Website: https://sites.tufts.edu/genderconference/ Article Referenced:  https://worldpeacefoundation.org/blog/interrogating-the-authoritarian-frame-boundaries-of-belonging/   -The views shared on the Fletcher Forum Podcast are not representative of the Fletcher School or the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs-

Matt Livesay (MGA '26) sat down with Professor Mikhail Troitskiy to discuss the current state of diplomatic negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine War, the challenges of negotiating with authoritarians, nuclear risks arising from this conflict, and events at the Russia-Eurasia Center at Fletcher.

The Decolonizing International Relations Conference is back at Fletcher October 16 and 17! DIR 2025 intends to highlight transformative practices that unsettle imperial legacies and challenge the rearticulation of colonial modes of control in policy, scholarship, and everyday life.

Katherine and Lorenzo sat down with Professor Juan Carlos Portilla Jaimes on September 12th to discuss Arms Smuggling, International Law, and the future of education in Colombia. Professor Juan Carlos is an internationally recognized speaker specializing in anti-money laundering and the global fight against transnational financial crime. He received an L.L.M. from Fletcher and currently teaches International Financial Law at Sabana University School of Law in Chia, Colombia. (Image courtesy of Professor Juan Carlos)​

The civil war in Sierra Leone ended more than two decades ago, but that's no reason for Theresa Betancourt and Moses Zombo to turn their eyes away. In this episode, we speak about their decades of work in Sierra Leone and their most recent book, Shadows into Light: A Generation of Former Child Soldiers Comes of Age, where they present findings from tracking more than 500 former child soldiers over the course of twenty years. Their insights are surprising but hopeful: despite immense suffering, this is not a lost generation. Theresa and Moses take us on a journey to Sierra Leone to explore the long road of recovery, resilience, and what it means to come of age after war.

KP and Katherine sit down with Climate Policy Lab scholars - Bethany Tietjen, Hengrui Liu and Nora Hampl to discuss the upcoming Symposium themed "Mind The Gaps: Climate Policy Integration and Implementation" happening September 18 and 19 on campus! REGISTER HERE: https://www.climatepolicylab.org/symposium  

Michael Caster, Head of Global China Programme at ARTICLE 19, joins the podcast to discuss the growth of Chinese norms in digital governance and cybersecurity.  Check out Article 19! : ARTICLE 19 - Defending freedom of expression and information. Report on Cybersecurity with Chinese Characteristics: cybersecurity-with-chinese-characteristics.pdf Report on the Digital Silk Road: China: The rise of digital repression in the Indo-Pacific - ARTICLE 19

Bhaskar Chakravorti is the Dean of Global Business at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He is the founding executive director of Fletcher's Institute for Business in the Global Context, where he established and chairs the Digital Planet research program. His recent book Defeating Disinformation (co-edited with Joel Trachtman) was published by Cambridge University Press in January 2025.   Dean Chakravorti is joined by Veeradittya Podder and Alexander Wolfe for a frank discussion on the theoretical limits of AI and the politics which lurk behind it.

Today, Marlene is joined by Emily Prey (F20), a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy. Her research focuses on women and children in crisis and conflict situations. She most recently co-authored a report on Children Born of War (CBOW). In this episode, we explore what CBOW entails, how countries can handle the trauma of victims, and why this phenomenon has always been present in wars. We touch on a variety of case studies which show that children are in the midst of every war — no matter if we continue to ignore them. Trigger warning: We speak about sexual violence in this episode. Children Born of War: Considerations for Policymakers by Ingvill Constanze Ødegaard and Emily Prey, co-published with the Children Born of War Project Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ukraine: Lessons from Bosnia by Emily Prey, Tanya Domi, and Dr. Kinsey Spears   Emily Prey offers her special recognition and thanks to Inger Skjelsbæk, leader of the EuroWARCHILD project, and Torunn L Tryggestad, Deputy Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), who co-hosted a workshop on children born of war in Oslo. Thank you to all of the participants for sharing their research and deep expertise on this topic, which have led to such a rich conversation on this podcast.

In our final installment of the 50th edition miniseries, the Forum traveled to India to interview one of the Fletcher Forum's founding editors: Dr. Shashi Tharoor. Dr. Tharoor, along with Dr. Jeff Sheehan and Fred Smith, were three of the core founding members of the Forum. Dr. Tharoor joins us to reminisce on his time at Fletcher and the founding history of the Journal. Edit: This interview was recorded in March before the May 2025 commencement of hostilities between India and Pakistan

For our third episode, the Forum sits down with Dean Gallagher to discuss the role of the Forum at Fletcher and the administration's forthcoming strategic plan. As the Forum has evolved, Fletcher has evolved with it, and we discuss the Forum's role in thought leadership as Fletcher embarks on a new journey under new leadership. 

Alex is joined by Maria Selde, Colin Steele, and Pulkit Aggrwal, three of the five members of the 2017/2018 Forum Executive Board who founded the Podcast, for an informal conversation recollecting on the start of the podcast, the state of Fletcher during Donald Trump's first election, and perhaps a bit of encouragement in challenging times.  The third episode in our Forum 50 Series. 

Fletcher historians rejioice! We're joined this episode by Lee E. Dirks Professor Emeritus of Diplomatic History, Alan Henrikson. Professor Henrikson was named (he would say volun-told) the first faculty advisor to the Fletcher Forum, and he remains on our Board of Advisors today in 2025. Professor Henrikson joins us to revive some of the long-untold history of the Forum, as well as to discuss his 1981 piece on Space Politics which was published in the Forum.  Between 1981 and 2025, many Fletcher students have entered the aerospace industry, and the interests of private businesses and governments in the industry surrounding space has expanded dramatically. We discuss these changes, what inspired Professor Henrikson to write on the potential politics of outer space as a tenured professor of Diplomatic History. 

In this episode of the Fletcher Forum Podcast, host KP sits down with Professor Nigel Purvis - veteran climate diplomat and CEO of Climate Advisers, to explore the future of global climate action. From the early days of the Kyoto Protocol to the road ahead for COP-30 in Brazil, Professor Purvis shares insights on the shifting role of the U.S., the rise of non-state actors, and lessons from decades of negotiation. Whether you're a student, policymaker, or climate advocate, this conversation offers both a candid reflection on the past and a hopeful look toward what comes next in climate governance.

In this episode of The Fletcher Forum Podcast, we dive into the key takeaways from COP-16 in Cali, Colombia with biodiversity governance expert Professor Charles C. Chester. From the groundbreaking Cali Fund to the challenges of aligning global biodiversity strategies, we explore the biggest hits and misses of the conference. We break down the most pressing issues in biodiversity financing, indigenous rights, climate action and discuss the evolving role of the U.S. in international environmental policy ahead of the COP-30 in Brazil. 

Following up on our episode last week, we're in conversation with Dr. Bridget Conley, the Research Director at the World Peace Foundation. Dr. Conley currently works on analyzing the impacts of mass incarceration in the US and has also recently released a podcast series titled Disrupting Peace, an investigation of how peace begins and ends which highlights her and others' body of work analyzing what peacebuilding actually looks like.    Link to Disrupting Peace: https://open.spotify.com/show/2OVCiz6iZyMywzEzqz2xpK?si=e9793ffcf47e4aa4

Loing before the big power conflicts of the 2020s, many international relations theorists were focused on how to use international law as a framework for intervention to protect human rights and human dignity. From these thinkers emerged R2P, the Responsibility to Protect, which became a broad idea that was used to justify humanitarian interventions that theoretically and practically violated the sovereignty of internationally recognized states.  Dr. Sidita Kushi, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Bridgewater State, joins us today to discuss some of the flaws built into the historical applications of R2P. This is also the topic of her forthcoming book: From Kosovo to Darfur: The Regional Biases within Humanitarian Military Interventionism. Dr. Kushi explains how she created and leveraged groundbreaking data which systematizes histories of humanitarian interventions following the Cold War.  Pre-order From Kosovo to Darfur!: https://www.amazon.com/Kosovo-Darfur-Regional-Humanitarian-Interventionism/dp/0472077449?ref_=ast_author_dp  Her First Book (Dying By the Sword): https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Sword-Militarization-Foreign-Policy/dp/0197581439   

In our latest podcast, the Fletcher Forum dives into the multifaceted world of DeepSeek the AI firm challenging Open AI. We're joined by Pf. Thomas Cao, an Assistant Professor of Technology Policy at Fletcher, to discuss its implications not just for technology, but also for geopolitics, privacy, and the ethical challenges surrounding AI. Join us as we unpack how this innovative technology is reshaping the US tech landscape and what it means for the future of data security and global relations. With expert insights and thought-provoking discussions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of tech and society. 

Chinese studies are a mainstay in all realms of international relations, especially in the United States. Today's guest, Dr. Daniel Green, offers his thoughts of how future US administrations could approach China as a strategic competitor in AI, security, and great power politics. He surveys these thoughts, and his contributions to a new book: Confronting China: U.S. Defense Policy in an Era of Great Power Competition.  Dr. Daniel Green is a national security and foreign affairs expert who has served for 20 years inkey positions that shape U.S. defense and foreign policy, including as a Commander in the U.S.Navy Reserves, a Political Advisor with the U.S. Department of State, and Deputy AssistantSecretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development. He is also an accomplished author, withfive books and numerous publications on defense, security, and counterinsurgency topics. Hisscholarly work includes more than 60 award-winning papers and articles in various military andpolicy journals. He holds a Ph.D. and MPhil in Political Science from George Washington Universityand a Masters in International Affairs from Florida State University. Link to Confronting China: https://www.amazon.com/Confronting-China-Competition-Security-International/dp/1440879664 

In this episode, Natasha Zarine, co-founder of EcoSattva and a TEDx Boston speaker at MIT this year, shares how her groundbreaking work brought the Kham River back to life in India. Explore her innovative approach to blue-green infrastructure, community-driven solutions, and building climate resilience.    Tune in for an extraordinary story of transformation, determination, and impact.

Annie Levy and Rebecca Kelly are two of the Co-Chairs for Fletcher's 2024 Conference on Gender in International Affairs. CGIA 2024 exists to create a collaborative environment in which international systems, norms, and power structures can be challenged and reimagined through a gender and intersectional lens. CGIA recognizes that intersectional solutions that amplify a diverse range of voices are needed to effectively address global challenges in uncertain times. It's Fletcher's longest running student-led conference and it's on its 10th anniversary! The Conference will be held in person and via zoom on November 21 & 22, register below!    Conference Registration: https://sites.tufts.edu/genderconference/register-2/

Pf. Joel Trachtman joins the Fletcher Forum Podcast to discuss his work on the Remaking Trade Project. The project aims to reimagine international trade policy for the 21st century and outline how it can contribute to a sustainable future. Pf. Trachtman is the Henry J. Baker Professor of Commercial Law at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and recently returned from a stint at the College of Europe. He has published numerous works including "Advanced Introduction to International Trade Law" (Elgar 2020), "Collected Essays: Trade Law, Domestic Regulation, and Development" (World Scientific 2015), "The Future of International Law: Global Government" (Cambridge 2013), and "The Tools of Argument" (Createspace 2013)." Find out more here: https://remakingtradeproject.org/ 

Dr. Vivek Mishra joins the Fletcher Forum Podcast to discuss the upcoming US Presidential Election. Dr. Mishra is the Deputy Director of the Observer Research Foundation's Strategic Studies Programme, where he writes on US elections and US-India relations. We discuss the election's key inflection points, as well as his perspective of Indian observers' impressions of the election.   

In this episode, we're in conversation with Ellie Johnson and Abdullah Alharoun, Chairperson and Content Chair of this year's Decolonising International Relations Conference, scheduled to take place on the 24th and 25th of October. We discuss the nature and importance of the decolonizing exercise, the role of the conference in bridging the gaps in contemporary narratives on IR and Fletcher's own contributions to the Decolonizing exercise.

This week we're featuring a conversation with Maggie Adomako and Richard Geegbae, two of the three members of the 2024 Fletcher D-Prize winning Ongeza Zao Na Pato (OZP) team. OZP is bringing farmers beans and cow peas in Kenya to support a business-smart and environmentally sustainable transition. We even discuss Richard's new idea for how Fletcher students can help their classmates gain valuable experience in development work. 

Our inaugural 2024-2025 episode features members of Fletcher's Russia and Eurasia Program discussing the upcoming conference on Russian sanctions and the broader economic impacts of economic warfare resulting from the war in Ukraine. Arik Burakovsky, Assistant Director of the Russia Eurasia Program, Pavel Luzin, a fellow at the program, and Akshat Dhankher, a graduate assistant and second year MALD student at Fletcher join us to discuss how they had the idea for a conference entirely focused on sanctions against Russia. 

With South Africa's historic elections concluding on May 29th 2024, the ANC is facing its first coalition since its inception in 1994. Michael Walsh, visiting scholar at UC Berkeley and Senior Fellow at FPRI joins us to discuss his latest article, covering the South African elections and providing a systematic framework to understand political landscapes through evaluating internal party conflict adjacent to their platforms.

Second year MALD, Julia Shufro, discusses the field of human security with international security professor, Rockford Weitz. Listen to their conversation about the role of protecting civilians in conflict, considering people when creating policy, and the nexus of human rights and human security.

As the world's largest democracy, India, wraps up its election cycle, the team speaks with Milan Vaishnav, a Senior Fellow and Director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Paul Staniland, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, on the theme. We delve into questions around what makes Modi, the man to beat, what do the voters care about and how the election may shape India's democracy.