All Episodes - World Policy On Air
World Policy On Air is a podcast from the pages and website of World Policy Journal featuring former Newsweek On Air host David Alpern and conversations with experts and journalists from around the globe.
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World Policy On Air, Ep. 154: "The Rights of Indigenous Peoples"
When Indigenous representatives began to draft a U.N. document enshrining the right to self-determination, many states worried that their proposals would open the door to secession. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, University of Alaska professor Dalee Sambo Dorough discusses the lengthy process of overcoming these concerns and securing support for the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 153: "Protest & Community at Standing Rock"
Photographer Josué Rivas spent months on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota, documenting not only the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, but also the culture that developed among the participants. This week, he joins World Policy On Air to discuss his photoessay in the winter issue of World Policy Journal.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 152: "Native Voices"
Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the first international treaty to recognize Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, editor Jessica Loudis discusses the new issue of World Policy Journal, which features Native contributors from across the globe.
World Policy On Air [Encore]: "Kill The Indian, Save the Man"
On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we revisit our conversation with documentary photographer Daniella Zalcman about the painful history and legacy of Canada's Indian Residential Schools, which separated Indigenous children from their families in an effort to eradicate their culture and language. The discussion in this episode was originally published on Oct. 13, 2016.
World Policy On Air [Encore]: "Innovation at the Arctic Council"
This week on World Policy On Air, we revisit our conversation with Nadine Fabbi, the head of the Arctic Fellows program at the University of Washington, who discusses the progress the Arctic Council has made after 30 years of operation. This episode is an encore of the episode originally published on Aug. 25, 2017.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 151: "The Kremlin's Revolution Problem"
Russian state media marked the centenary of the Bolshevik revolution this year by airing new television dramas, launching interactive websites, and live tweeting. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Moscow-based journalist Amie Ferris-Rotman discusses the current government's conflicted relationship with the country's Soviet past.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 150: "Budapest's Drug Scare"
The Hungarian government has taken a law-and-order approach to address a rise in drug use, often targeting poor and minority communities in police raids. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, drug-policy expert Peter Sarosi discusses the social issues, from structural racism to a lack of affordable housing, that contribute to high rates of drug use and are largely ignored by policymakers.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 149: "Turkey's Imperiled Press"
As Erdoğan's Turkey becomes increasingly polarized and intolerant of political opposition, a 1943 novel by Sabahattin Ali demonstrates how literature can introduce dissident themes in ways newspapers cannot. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, president of English PEN Maureen Freely discusses the state of Turkish media culture today.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 148: "Responsible Paternity"
Trends in Latin America's marriage rates, and rates of children born outside of marriage, often reflect changes in laws that create economic incentives—or disincentives—for certain family structures. This week on World Policy On Air, Barnard College professor Nara Milanich discusses how 21st-century "responsible paternity" laws serve the agendas of neoliberal states more than the low-income, unmarried mothers they were intended to help.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 147: "Rape and Power in Nicaragua"
Nicaragua ranks fourth in the world for most reported incidents of rape, and this problem originates in the highest echelons of power. This week on World Policy On Air, journalist Ian Bateson talks about rape and power, and why the country’s laws are failing Nicaraguan women.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 146: "Past Corruption Haunts Tunisia"
In the wake of the Arab Spring, Tunisia is the only state where a protest movement gave way to a democratic transition. This week on World Policy On Air, Amna Guellali of Human Rights Watch discusses how Tunisia's past corruption and authoritarianism are haunting the fledgling democracy.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 145: "How Likely is Trade War?"
President Trump railed against China on the campaign trail, citing unfair trade practices, but as he meets with Xi Jinping many speculate that Trump will reconsider plans to limit Chinese imports. This week on World Policy On Air, World Policy fellow James H. Nolt argues that the conventional wisdom is wrong and a trade war is far more likely than many believe.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 144: "Arms & Alliances in East Asia"
The specter of nuclear conflict has been hanging over the Korean peninsula for some time, but recent inflammatory rhetoric has brought heightened urgency to the situation. This week on World Policy On Air, World Policy fellow Jonathan Cristol discusses the future of security cooperation in East Asia.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 143: "The Global Gamble"
In 2014 people across the world spent over $293 billion on lottery tickets, an amount greater than the gross domestic product of more than 150 countries. This week on World Policy On Air, Jeff Kelly Lowenstein describes the multinational gaming organizations that dominate this global industry.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 142: "The Price of Family Unification in the UK"
When she served as home secretary, Prime Minister Theresa May devised a "minimum income requirement" to limit net migration to the United Kingdom to 100,000 people. This week on World Policy On Air, journalist Ismail Einashe describes the effects of this salary threshold, which prevents thousands of British residents from bringing spouses into the country, on children and families.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 141: "Saving Families From Our Fate"
Hundreds of young people have left Belgium to join terrorist groups abroad since 2011. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we speak with journalist Lisa De Bode about how one woman, Saliha Ben Ali, whose son died in Syria in 2013, is sharing her story in an effort to help fellow mothers recognize signs of radicalization in their children.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 140: "Terror and the Family"
Former U.K. Prime Minster David Cameron, when discussing the possible radicalization of Muslim men, said that Muslim women could be a "moderating force" on their husbands. This week on World Policy On Air, Rafia Zakaria disputes this orientalist thinking and describes how jihadi groups' new recruitment tactics are changing views on women and Islam.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 139: "Constructing Family"
In this week's episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Journal managing editor Laurel Jarombek previews the new "Constructing Family" issue, discussing responses to a "Big Question" about family values as well as essays on terror and gender roles, intimate violence in Shinzô Abe's Japan, and "responsible paternity" policies in Latin America.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 138: "North Korean Nuclear Quandary"
At his first speech at the U.N., President Trump threatened to "completely destroy" North Korea in response to its nuclear weapons program and provocative missile tests. This week on World Policy On Air, World Policy Senior Fellow Jim Nolt discusses how a slide into open conflict may be more likely than we think.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 137: "Fanning the Flames of Violence in Burundi"
Earlier this month, a report by the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Burundi recorded a litany of human rights abuses and recommended that the International Criminal Court open an investigation immediately. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, political analyst Amilcar Ryumeko discusses how the international community has failed to protect Burundian victims of atrocities.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 136: "Why Global AIDS Relief Failed to Stop the Disease"
The campaign to combat HIV/AIDS is often cited as an example of how fundraising efforts by states and private organizations can be channelled to address critical global issues. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, journalist Ross Benes discusses why the billions of dollars that poured into AIDS-relief groups' coffers failed to stop the spread of the disease.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 135: "The Convergence of the Far Right"
In the wake of the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, President Donald Trump was widely criticized for emphasizing violence "on many sides" and failing to forcefully condemn white supremacists. This week on World Policy On Air, we speak with Jacob Davey, a project coordinator at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, about the increased visibility and collaboration of neo-Nazi movements across the U.S. and Europe.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 134: "Innovation at the Arctic Council"
In 1987, Mikhail Gorbachev became the first major political figure to deliver a speech on Arctic issues, setting in motion a process to establish a regional governance body. This week on World Policy On Air, Nadine Fabbi, the head of the Arctic Fellows program at the University of Washington, discusses the progress the Arctic Council has made after 30 years of operation.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 133: "Investing in Murder"
In March, EarthRights International filed a lawsuit against the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank’s private-lending arm, on behalf of a group of farmers in the Bajo Aguán region of Honduras. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, lawyer Lauren Carasik discusses the IFC's role in backing the agribusiness at the center of a bloody land dispute and the farmers' struggle for justice.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 132: "Trump's New Militarism"
During his campaign, Donald Trump promised decisive and successful military action. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we speak with Karen J. Greenberg, director of the Center on National Security at Fordham Law School, about how Trump has dealt with foreign policy challenges in the first few months of his presidency.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 131: "Russia's Power Play in the Balkans"
In recent years, Russia has made efforts to extend its diplomatic and economic reach in the Balkans. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we speak with Milos Rastovic of Duquesne University about why Moscow is able to gain outsized influence in countries like Serbia, despite its relatively low level of investment in the region compared to Europe's.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 130: "The New Berlin"
As Berlin develops, modern high-rises, start-ups, and gentrification threaten to upend the subcultures that have shaped the city over recent decades. This week on World Policy On Air, World Policy Institute fellow Paul Hockenos discusses his latest book, Berlin Calling, which explores the occupied squats, artistic ferment, and street politics in the anarchic years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 129: "The Rights of Trees"
Climate change is accelerating faster than scientific models predicted. This week on World Policy On Air, associate director of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund Mari Margil argues a transformation in law and culture is needed to curb the damaging effects on the world's ecosystems.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 128: "Dignity, Not Deadly Force"
Over the last 20 years, the U.S. government has given about $4.3 billion in surplus military equipment to state and local authorities. Now, conversations around #BlackLivesMatter and police brutality have amplified the call for less militaristic methods of policing. This week on World Policy On Air, University of Chicago professor Aziz Huq discusses procedural justice and police reform.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 127: "Climate Leviathan"
In the face of looming environmental catastrophe, Geoffrey Mann and Joel Wainwright's book Climate Leviathan describes the new world order emerging from efforts to force countries to comply with climate agreements. This week on World Policy On Air, Mann discusses state sovereignty, climate change, and social movements in response to threats to the environment.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 126: "Criminal Injustice"
In this week's episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Journal editor Christopher Shay previews the new "Justice Denied" issue, discussing an interview with incarcerated Philippine Senator Leila de Lima as well as essays on codified oppression in Egypt, racism and the law in Germany, prisons in Singapore, and indigenous rights in Canada.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 125: "Bulgaria's Pro-Russia Propaganda"
Pro-Russian propaganda, common in Bulgaria, is typically fabricated not by Kremlin agents but by ordinary Bulgarians. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we talk with Canadian freelance journalist Michael Colborne about how this anti-Western, anti-democratic, and anti-NATO content on news sites and social media affects politics in the Balkan nation.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 124: "Ukraine Past & Future"
The National Corps, the political wing of the far-right Azov battalion currently serving as part of the National Guard of Ukraine, was launched when Russia seized Crimea in 2014. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we talk with journalist Ian Bateson about how this nationalist group uses historical figures and artifacts to help justify its vision for Ukraine's future.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 123: "Infrastructure & Insurgency"
To convince residents to support an occupying force, the logistics of counterinsurgency are as significant as the actual fighting. On this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, we talk with University of London professor of politics Laleh Khalili about how the U.S. and Israel use road construction to reach political and tactical ends in Afghanistan and Palestine.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 122: "Brazil's Retro Macho Politics"
Last September, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was removed from office on charges of illegally using Central Bank funds to conceal the budget deficit amid a worsening economy and growing corruption scandals. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we speak with professor of political studies at Bard College Omar G. Encarnación about the misogynistic political culture that helped bring down Rousseff.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 121: "Israel: States v. Rights"
President Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East (“and Israel”) has been met with international controversy, but some in the diplomatic community argue that his inconsistent approach to regional policy could be just what the Israeli-Palestinian conflict needs. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we speak with Sari Bashi of Human Rights Watch about how Trump has been received on both sides of the issue.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 120: "Another Korean War"
Just days after President Donald Trump said he’d be “honored” to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “under the right circumstances,” the country conducted yet another ballistic missile test off its western coast. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Institute senior fellow James H. Nolt discusses the potential for military escalation on the Korean peninsula.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 119: “The Left Restored Is Mightier Than Le Pen”
France’s far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen conceded defeat on Sunday to Emmanuel Macron, an independent, moderate candidate. In this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, we talk with Paris-based writer Cole Stangler about the results of the French presidential election and the future of the nation’s political parties, both left and right.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 118: "Fabricated Terrorism"
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway was correct when she told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews the “Bowling Green Massacre” wasn't covered by the media—but it was because the event never really happened. In this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we talk with Central Asia expert Sarah Kendzior about why Americans should heed the warning of similar efforts by Uzbekistan's leaders to tamper with the truth.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 117: "How the Left Can Right Itself"
After the first round of presidential voting in France, the leader of the right-wing National Front, Marine Le Pen, finished a close second to centrist candidate Emanuel Macron. In this week’s episode, provost and political science professor Terri E. Givens discusses the right-wing revival in Europe and the U.S. and offers ways for progressive parties to fight back.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 116: "VietSubs"
Earlier this year, Vietnam purchased its sixth Russian-built submarine amid rising Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, Sarosh Bana, executive editor of Business India in Mumbai, discusses the implications of Vietnam's increased military capabilities for stability in the region.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 115: "Muslim in America"
The idea that Muslim women are more oppressed than women of other religions is a common belief in the U.S. today, but this wasn't the case 20 years ago. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we speak with Dr. Leila Ahmed, an Egyptian-born author and the first appointed professor of women's studies in religion at Harvard Divinity School.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 114: "Warehouse of Souls"
If President Trump follows the latest missile strikes in Syria with further U.S. military intervention, the escalation could drive even more refugees from the embattled country. On this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, journalist Tania Karas discusses the effects of the massive wave of migration to Greece, where thousands are trapped in makeshift housing.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 113: "Abortion in the Americas"
Tough abortion laws across the Americas and the Caribbean are threatening women’s lives and family stability. On this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, we discuss how these harsh policies exacerbate inequality and gender discrimination with Medellín-based journalist Angelika Albaladejo.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 112: "All Else Follows"
“Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two equals four. If that is granted, all else follows.” - George Orwell, 1984. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, sales of the iconic, dystopian novel have jumped 9500 percent. In this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, we preview key components of the new Spring 2017 issue of World Policy Journal “Fascism Rising” with Editor Christopher Shay.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 111: "Worst Case Scenario"
With plans for a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping next month still unconfirmed, Premier Li Keqiang stated that China hoped to avoid a trade war but pointed out the harm this outcome would cause to U.S. firms. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, New York University professor Ann Lee, author of What the U.S. Can Learn from China, discusses the future of relations between the two nations.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 110: "Cold War Bromance"
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have denied rumors of a "Cold-War bromance," but evidence of the Trump administration's ties to Russia appears to be piling up. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, we talk about the future of U.S.-Russia relations with New School Russian expert and World Policy fellow Nina Khrushcheva, great-granddaughter of the late Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 109: "Changing Horses"
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's support for the Russian-brokered cease-fire in Syria continued a trend of closer ties with Russia and increasing distance from the U.S. On the latest episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Institute fellow and Turkey expert Elmira Bayrasli assesses what Erdoğan's geopolitical maneuvering means for the numerous security challenges his country still faces.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 108: "Racist in the Machine"
The world was stunned last year when Tay, Microsoft’s premier Twitter chatbot, evolved from innocent social media consumer to a sexist, racist troll after operating only a few hours. On the latest episode of World Policy On Air, cybersecurity expert Megan Garcia explains why governments and companies must be conscious of the institutional biases picked up by complex algorithms.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 107: "Good Girls Revolt"
A new wave of feminism is quietly sweeping through China amid the government’s recent crackdown on freedoms of assembly and expression. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, historian Maura Elizabeth Cunningham considers the likely outcomes of activists' efforts to advance women’s rights in the face of a regime looking to subdue dissent.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 106: "Partnering Up"
Winning hearts and minds in the war against Islamist terrorism benefits from partnering with religious leaders—not blaming them. On this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, Manal Omar of the U.S. Institute of Peace talks about missteps in U.S. policy and better ways to conduct digital and conventional diplomacy.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 105: "A Seat at the Table"
Fighting to provide women a "seat at the table" in the political process in countries like Kenya and Somalia involves challenges beyond cultural tradition and harmful stereotypes. On the latest episode of World Policy On Air, Nairobi-based political analyst Nanjala Nyabola discusses parliamentary quota systems in East Africa and what happens when they are undermined by patriarchy.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 104: "Islands Apart"
Protests in Egypt against government plans to cede two uninhabited islands to Saudi Arabia are indicative of increasingly strained relations between the two nations. On the latest episode of World Policy On Air, Cairo-based journalist Sarah El Sirgany explores divergent Egyptian and Saudi approaches to Islamic extremism, foreign aid, oil, and Israel.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 103: The Common Good
Despite its prevalence around the world, capitalism has many pitfalls — from economic inequality and environmental degradation to inhumane living and working conditions in the quest for higher profits. On this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, author Christian Felber talks about his new book, "Change Everything: Creating an Economy for the Common Good" and the need for a shift in law and values to benefit all.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 102: Putin's Brinksmanship
With even Donald Trump conceding evidence of Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential elections, Vladimir Putin's efforts to effect global political change should not be underestimated—but that ability to meddle should not be confused with strength, argues Olga Oliker, Russia and Eurasia program director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Oliker surveys Putin's strategies from the Syrian conflict to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 101: Foreign Policy, Interrupted
Although women are increasingly among the top graduates from advanced degree programs in foreign policy, the media too often relies on a proverbial old boys’ club to supply international expertise for op-eds and panel discussions. On this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, Istanbul-based correspondent Lauren Bohn discusses the Winter 2016/2017 issue of the World Policy Journal, which imagines a media landscape where all the foreign policy experts quoted, by-lined, and miked are women.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 100: "Bring Me the Ethiopian Jews"
Ethiopian Jews have faced discrimination in Israel since they were first invited to immigrate in 1977. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Journal's Omri Bezalel discusses Ethiopian Israelis' ongoing struggle for equal rights.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 99: In Defense of Peace
A deal to end the decades-long struggle between the Colombian government and FARC rebels was narrowly defeated in a referendum split largely between middle-class, urban voters and the communities most directly affected by the conflict. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Colombia human rights advocate Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli explains the critical role Afro-Colombian and indigenous groups played in securing legislative approval for a revised peace settlement.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 98: The Trump-Brexit Appeal
Months after the Brexit vote and with a Trump presidency fast approaching, is France next in line for a nativist victory? On today's episode of World Policy On Air, British political blogger Jonathan Stubbs examines how Republican presidential nominee François Fillon has shifted his rhetoric to appeal to a growing populist electorate.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 97: Hong Kong's Reclamation
The 1972 U.N. decision to remove Hong Kong from a list of territories deserving self-determination got minimal media coverage at the time. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, NYU master's degree candidate Jeffrey Ngo talks about his work with Joshua Wong, leader of the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement, to examine that period of history and build support for demanding political autonomy from China.
World Policy On Air, 96: The Death of Fidel Castro
The passing of revolutionary Fidel Castro this week triggered public mourning on the streets of Havana, marking a milestone in Cuba's transition to a younger generation of political leaders. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Institute fellow Lissa Weinmann considers the future of the island nation under Raúl Castro and his potential successor, as well as Cuba's relations with the U.S. and the rest of the Western Hemisphere.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 95: "The Currency of History"
From bartering to coins, paper, and virtual currency, economic transfers have taken many forms over the centuries to facilitate finance and trade. Yet, as historian Rebecca L. Spang explains on today's episode of World Policy On Air, the narrative tying changes in money to technological progress obscures the political aspects of currency and the inequality it produces.
World Policy On Air, 94: Challenges and Opportunities in the Arctic
As the effects of climate change pose new challenges in the Arctic, melting ice and warmer temperatures also present economic opportunities. On the latest episode of World Policy On Air, Inuuteq Holm Olsen, the first Greenland representative at the Danish embassy in Washington, explains how the semi-autonomous nation is working to balance an emerging tourism industry and natural resource extraction with environmental sustainability.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 93: The "Unthinkable"
From TPP to NAFTA, President-elect Donald Trump’s stated positions on free trade will directly and negatively impact many of those who voted for him in Tuesday’s election. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Institute fellow Jonathan Cristol assesses the implications of Trump’s policies for the global economic system.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 92: "Ethiopia's Original Sin"
The current protests by members of the marginalized Oromo ethnic group in Ethiopia have origins in the fight to expel Italian colonialists from the country in the late 19th century. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Mohammed Ademo, founding editor of Opride.com, discusses why history books must be rewritten to properly recognize the Oromo people's contributions to Ethiopian independence, nationalism, and culture.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 91: "When the Shooting Stops.."
As Colombia grapples with the legacy of its 50-year conflict with the FARC, examples from Argentina to South Africa offer lessons for moving forward from a violent past. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, human rights expert Robin Kirk of Duke University examines the strengths and weaknesses of transitional justice in redressing human rights abuses.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 90: "The Citizen and the State"
Several authoritarian states in the Middle East fail to listen to the demands of their citizens. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, Beirut-based journalist Rami Khouri explains why governments continue to breach their social contracts five years after the Arab Spring uprisings.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 89: "Kill the Indian, Save the Man"
For more than 100 years, Canada’s Indian Residential Schools separated indigenous children from their families in an effort to eradicate their culture and language. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, documentary photographer Daniella Zalcman explores the painful history and legacy of these schools and similar institutions across the globe.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 88: Theater of War
The ancient Greek tragedy Philoctetes by Sophocles tells the story of a wounded soldier left behind by his comrades. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, director of the “Theater of War” series Bryan Doerries explains how performances like Philoctetes can provide a forum for veterans of all ranks to listen to each other and share their struggles.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 87: Revisiting Tiananmen
The Chinese government has worked tirelessly to erase the 1989 protest in Tiananmen Square from the country's historical memory. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, former BBC and NPR China correspondent Louisa Lim explains how this campaign reflects the state's emphasis on preserving political stability over other national concerns.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 86: "History's Ghosts"
Despite signing the Arusha Accords in 1993, Burundi is still struggling to move past its history, one marked by violence and division between its largest ethnic groups. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Journal Managing Editor Yaffa Fredrick explores the contributions from Burundi and other countries to the fall issue's Big Question: "What lessons from history keep being forgotten?"
World Policy On Air, Ep. 85: "Casablanca Calling"
Following terror attacks in Casablanca, Morocco’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs began enrolling women in training programs to serve as religious guides against extremism, or "morchidats." On today's episode of World Policy On Air, British filmmaker Rosa Rogers discusses her documentary, Casablanca Calling, where she follows these women around streets, schools, shops, and farms.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 84: The Upstairs Wife
Increased urbanization and the spread of social media have facilitated unprecedented political awareness and workforce participation among Pakistani women, but these shifts have been accompanied by growing acceptance of polygamy and a recent rise in honor killings like that of web star Qandeel Baloch. On this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, activist and author Rafia Zakaria considers the complex and contradictory role of women in the country's divisive history.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 83: Weaponized Information
Social media has become an essential weapon in the war of narratives that plays an ever-greater role in global conflict, from Russian disinformation about NATO to ISIS recruitment and intimidation strategies. Following last week’s conversation on the blurring lines between war and peace, WPI Advisory Council member Anja Kaspersen, former head of international security at the World Economic Forum, returns to World Policy On Air to discuss the impact of "weaponized information."
World Policy On Air, Ep. 82: Eyes In the Skies
The distinction between peace and war is being blurred by proxy forces, militant extremist groups, and lone attackers empowered by increasingly deadly and available technology. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Anja Kaspersen, member of the WPI Advisory Council and former head of international security at the World Economic Forum, discusses the complex new realities of hybrid warfare.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 81: Global Responses to the U.S. Elections
Breaking with World Policy Institute's tradition of staying out of U.S. politics, Joseph A Cari Jr, chairman of the Board of Directors, launched a weekly series of comments from around the world on this year's U.S. presidential race. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Cari comments on views from the U.K., Mexico, Turkey, Israel, and more.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 80: "Honor Killings"
Coverage of honor killings in Muslim societies has increased in Western media in recent years, but so have the numbers of incidents and victims. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, activist attorney, author, and columnist Rafia Zakaria argues that the Western media model of "naming-and-shaming" in cases of honor crime has failed the very victims they are trying to help.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 79: Double Trouble
Waves of anti-immigrant, anti-globalist, and anti-elitist sentiment buoyed the success of both Brexit in the U.K. and Donald Trump in the United States' Republican primary. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, British political blogger Jonathan Stubbs discusses these two campaigns and why post-Brexit Britain could find it difficult to engage in trade partnerships with a potential Trump administration.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 78: "The West's Democratic Distemper"
Much of the Western world is experiencing a right-wing resurgence, from Donald Trump's popularity in the U.S. to Brexit in the U.K. and angry Euroscepticism across the continent. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Michael Genovese of Loyola Marymount University explores social divisions and the roots of these phenomena.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 77: The Coup That Wasn't
After military units failed to unseat Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he began a massive purge of opponents in and out of uniform. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Ahmet S. Yayla of George Mason University and former chief of counterterrorism and operations in the Turkish National Police says coup leaders underestimated Erdogan’s ability to exploit their plot and his support among the people, despite growing claims of top-level Turkish aid to ISIS. Also: how ISIS made specific calls for "lone wolf" terror attacks in France, Germany, and beyond.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 76: 'Attention: Deficit Disorder!'
Since the 2008 financial crisis, the world's major economies have not done all they could or should do to minimize the threat of another global economic collapse. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, political scientist Edward A. Fogarty discusses the obstacles for multinational institutions like the EU and G-20 in coordinating fiscal policy.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 75: The New Cold War
Decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, tension between Moscow and Washington may once again amount to a Cold War, albeit with some caveats, says Robert Legvold, a leading expert on U.S.-Russian relations. In today's episode of World Policy On Air, Legvold explores policies that could potentially increase trust and stability between the two countries.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 74: "The Feebleness of the Northern Powerhouse"
The U.K.'s Conservative government launched a plan to revitalize the northern industrial cities of Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Hull, and Newcastle as a unified region to rival Greater London. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, architectural critic and author Owen Hatherley surveys problems with creating the "Northern Powerhouse," even before Brexit raised new questions about the administration's political future.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 73: "Bottling Up Discontent"
Government failure to provide quality water to Chennai, India, has led to increased risk of plague—and a growing black market in potentially unsafe water. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Institute fellow and author Kavitha Rajagopalan discusses her piece for the Journal’s summer issue on Chennai’s water woes: “Bottling up Discontent."
World Policy On Air, Ep. 72: "Burning Down the House"
When affordable housing isn't properly incentivized in cities from the U.K. to China, the result is often corruption and a rise in homelessness. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Managing Editor Yaffa Fredrick discusses responses given by activists and journalists to the Big Question from World Policy Journal's summer 2016 issue: How can governments collaborate with the private sector to provide affordable housing?
World Policy On Air, Ep. 71: "The Challenge of Public Sector Corruption"
Since the Panama Papers leak uncovered tax evasion and fraud across the globe, policymakers have been forced to focus on the siphoning of wealth into offshore tax havens and related corrupt practices. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, David Fellows of PFMConnect addresses the need to properly identify the policy and institutional failures that lead to excess public sector corruption.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 70: India's War on Sex Selection
Last year, the “Save the Girl Child” campaign championed the criminalization of abortion for sex selection in India. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Nairobi-based attorney and journalist Jill Filipovic explains the cultural norms in India that play into the detrimental outcomes of policies designed to protect female infants.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 69: Entering the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Science fiction has often dealt with the prospect of artificial intelligence becoming humanity's nemesis. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Sam Winter-Levy of Foreign Affairs describes the real dangers of so-called "machine super-intelligence" and the care that tech companies and world leaders must take as technology moves closer to this perhaps inevitable end.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 68: "The Sky is Falling!"
The winner of the next U.S. presidential election will face a wide range of foreign policy challenges. On today’s World Policy On Air, however, World Policy fellow Jonathan Cristol argues that if Donald Trump wins, he will likely become his own biggest national security threat.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 67: "Not Blacks But Citizens"
Shortly after the 1959 Cuban Revolution, the government took steps to combat racism in the island nation. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Devyn Spence Benson, assistant professor of history and African and African-American studies at Louisiana State University, discusses the country's mixed record on race policies and anti-black discrimination as documented in her new book, Antiracism in Cuba: The Unfinished Revolution.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 66: "The Upsurge of Genocide in Darfur"
A recent referendum in Darfur rejected the proposal to unify its five administrative districts and did nothing to end the genocidal violence. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Ahmed H. Adam, visiting fellow at Cornell University’s Institute for African Development, brings greater context to the longstanding conflict and explores the purpose behind the government-initiated referendum.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 65: "Diplomacy with Dictators"
The recent resurgence of violence in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in the South Caucasus has led Moscow, Washington, and Tehran to launch a joint diplomatic effort to calm tensions. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Anna Ohanyan, chair of the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Stonehill College in Massachusetts, argues for a more diversified, bottom-up approach to reaching a long-term resolution of the conflict.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 64: "Black is a Country"
On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, founder of the United Kingdom’s Organization of Black Unity, Dr. Kehinde Andrews, discusses his contribution to World Policy Journal’s latest issue, which focuses on the ways black struggles transcend borders.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 63: Africa and the Panama Papers
The Panama Papers represent the largest leak in history, revealing financial transactions connected to corruption, organized crime, and tax avoidance around the world. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Khadija Sharife of the African Network of Centers for Investigative Reporting discusses how these secret dealings affect nations across Africa.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 62: Black and (Often) Blue in the EU, Part 2
In a special two-episode feature, World Policy On Air presents an excerpt from a radio documentary by World Policy Institute Fellow Damaso Reyes based on interviews with black Germans and Poles about their experiences living in historically homogeneous white societies. Part Two focuses on black lives in Germany before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 61: Black and (Often) Blue in the EU, Part 1
In a special two-episode feature, "Black and (Often) Blue in the EU," World Policy On Air presents excerpts from a radio documentary by photojournalist Damaso Reyes, a World Policy Institute senior fellow. Part one focuses on the experiences of black Poles living in a historically homogeneous white society.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 60: Affirmative Action Across the World
From New Zealand to Israel, affirmative action programs across the globe have both intended and unintended consequences. On today's podcast, World Policy Journal Managing Editor Yaffa Fredrick discusses responses to the Big Question posed in the spring 2016 issue: “Is affirmative action necessary to overcome institutional racism?”
World Policy On Air, Ep. 59: "A Ticket to a Bigger Party"
Emerging economies throughout Latin America have recently experienced disappointing rates of development. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary-General Ángel Gurría discusses what went wrong and how the OECD is trying to promote structural reform, transparency, and investment in sustainable growth.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 58: "Deadly Interactions"
The tepid ceasefire in Syria that began at the end of last month has been ruptured by numerous violations on both sides. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, Ahmet S. Yayla, chairman of the Department of Sociology at Harran University in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, explains the connections between the continuing violence and the historically porous border between Syria and Turkey.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 57: "Crimes Against Humanity in Burundi"
Despite assurances from Foreign Minister Alain Aimé Nyamitwe at this year’s African Union Summit, violence and repression in Burundi persist while the international community seeks consensus on meaningful relief. Amilcar Ryumeko, Burundi native and former political advisor in Canada, highlights ongoing human rights violations, from sexual abuse to charges of genocide by government security forces and supporters.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 56: "The Changing Face of Cuba"
On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, former U.S. State Department foreign affairs officer Amanda Mattingly traces the Castro regime's progress in opening the Cuban economy to international investment and addressing human rights issues.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 55: "Open SESAME"
In a region marked by instability, the Jordan-based SESAME Project, a synchrotron-light for experimental science, stands to advance both physics research and diplomatic relations. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, Washington-based environmental journalist Richard Blaustein explains how the construction of SESAME is bringing together scientists and researchers from countries as disparate as Israel and Iran.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 54: "Imagining Eden"
A unified Latin American identity may seem utopian to some, but as historian Ángel Gurría-Quintana explains on today's episode of World Policy On Air, the region’s unique cultural diversity should be viewed as a source of economic strength—not weakness.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 53: Journalism in Rwanda Under Attack
Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s regime has taken steps to control the country's media and silence independent journalists. Today's episode of World Policy On Air considers both of these issues with Anjan Sundaram, author of "Bad News: Last Journalists in a Dictatorship," based on his experiences working with local journalists.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 52: "The Hangover"
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank's annual meeting last October was overshadowed by violent protests and poor economic conditions in the host country, Peru. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Portafolio editor-in-chief Ricardo Ávila discusses his analysis of the Latin American 'hangover' from World Policy Journal’s latest issue.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 51: Latin American Shake Up
On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Journal editor Christopher Shay examines the answers given by a panel of experts to our latest issue's ‘Big Question’: What are the challenges determining your country’s position within Latin America?
World Policy On Air, Ep. 50: The Death of Nimr al-Nimr
The fallout from the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia earlier this month succeeded in further isolating Iran from the Arab world. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy fellow Jonathan Cristol discusses the escalating tensions between the two rival powers in the Middle East and the likely consequences as the drama plays out over the next year.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 49: The Year in Putin
The highs and lows of President Vladimir Putin’s leadership illuminate the subtle dynamics of Russia’s oligarchic power structure. From the ulterior motives behind Russia's proposed U.N. resolution on racism to the Kremlin’s response to internal unrest as Western sanctions take their toll, World Policy Journal Managing Editor Yaffa Fredrick discusses the strategic thinking behind Putin’s foreign and domestic policies in 2015.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 48: Reforming the EU or "Brexit"
Rising euroskepticism among the U.K.'s political right has led some to call for a British exit from the European Union in 2017. On today's podcast, Member of the European Parliament from the U.K. Conservative Party Geoffrey Van Orden explains that substantive changes need to be made to the EU in order to avoid a "Brexit."
World Policy On Air, Ep. 47: China's Ambitions in the South China Sea
Rising tensions between China and the United States over territorial claims in the South China Sea made for some of the most ominous political headlines this year. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, economist James H. Nolt discusses the possible economic and diplomatic consequences of the ongoing dispute.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 46: COP21 & the Future
Last weekend, participants in the Paris Climate Conference unveiled an agreement to curb the effects of climate change through a historic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. On today's show, World Policy Journal Editor Emeritus David A. Andelman summarizes his extensive coverage of this year's conference and discusses the future implementation of the agreement.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 45: The Venezuelan Elections
Earlier this week, a Venezuelan opposition coalition won a supermajority in the country's legislative elections, weakening the Socialist Party that has ruled the country for nearly 16 years. On today's episode, World Policy Journal contributor Christopher Reeve examines the economic factors that drove Venezuelans to vote against President Nicolás Maduro's administration.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 44: "RusNet on the Offensive"
Russian President Vladimir Putin has left no stone unturned in his quest to control digital media. On today's podcast, author Andrei Soldatov argues that despite the Kremlin’s aggressive attempts to shut down opposition voices online, the lack of hierarchy and rapid pace of change on the Internet may ultimately undermine these efforts.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 43: The Answer to the Islamic State
In the wake of the Paris attacks, French, U.S., and Russian air forces increased their bombardment of Islamic State targets in Syria and Northern Africa. On today's episode, Jonathan Power explains why a strictly military approach alone will not solve the problem of the Islamic State.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 42: Terror and the Migrant Crisis
Even before the tragic events in Paris a week ago, Sweden — widely regarded as the most progressive European country on asylum issues — was forced to backtrack on several of its commitments to aid Syrian refugees earlier this year. On today's episode, Damaso Reyes articulates the growing pressures on EU member states to close their doors to those fleeing terror and tyranny.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 41: The Climate Conference
An estimated 40,000 people, including delegates from 190 nations, will gather in Paris this December to try and reach an international agreement to help the planet avoid the worst effects of climate change. On today's podcast, World Policy Journal editor emeritus David A. Andelman previews this year's crucial climate conference and discusses the relationship between climate change and global food demands.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 40: The Turkish Elections
The Turkish elections last weekend yielded a surprising win for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and prompted accusations of unfairness at the polls. Author, World Policy Institute fellow, and co-founder of Foreign Policy Interrupted Elmira Bayrasli joins host David Alpern on today's podcast to discuss the results and the curious role the Kurdish vote played in the AKP victory.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 39: "China Slips Quietly Into Italy... and Europe"
In the midst of economic struggle and societal disorder, Italy finds itself vulnerable to foreign interests looking to take advantage of European markets. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, former advisor to the Italian Minister of Finance Francesco Galietti details China’s subtle entrance into Italian manufacturing and power companies, which is driving a wedge through the Italian political elite.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 38: "Waste Not"
On this week’s episode, Amy G. McDermott expands on her contribution to World Policy Journal's latest issue and sheds light on the dark side of the global food chain. She discusses food that is lost or wasted at various points along the supply chain, which according to the Food and Agriculture Organization amounts to 32 percent of food produced across the globe.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 37: Don’t Reform the Security Council
On today’s episode, World Policy Senior Fellow Jonathan Cristol explains why calls from rising powers and underrepresented regions to expand membership and transparency within the U.N. Security Council are flawed. He argues that the closed-door debates and veto powers held by the P5 better reflect the geopolitical realities of today than when the Council was first founded.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 36: Problem is the Solution
Modern agriculture is rife with inefficiencies and environmentally destructive practices. With the globalization of food production and the damaging effects of climate change, innovation in this field is necessary, now more than ever. Louis Albert de Broglie, known in his native France and around the world as the “Gardener Prince,” argues that by experimenting with permaculture, microfarming, and other sustainable techniques, agriculture can play a key role in creating a more productive global food system.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 35: Providing for the Future
With the world’s population soaring past the 7 billion mark, a host of countries are finding it increasingly difficult to feed their people today, while laying the foundation for a future that promises to be even more crowded — and hungrier. On today’s podcast, World Policy Journal Managing Editor Yaffa Fredrick discusses responses to the Big Question section of the Journal’s Fall 2015 issue, in which we asked experts from around the world: “How will your country satisfy its future food needs?”
World Policy On Air, Ep. 34: Extraordinary Entrepreneurship
On today’s show, World Policy Senior Fellow Elmira Bayrasli discusses her recently released book, Other Side of the World: Extraordinary Entrepreneur. Profiling seven entrepreneurs in seven countries, Bayrasli explains how the next Steve Jobs is just as likely to come from Lagos or Nairobi as he is from Silicon Valley.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 33: Food and Nationalism
On today’s show, chef-turned-political scientist Ronald Ranta examines the world through a “gastro-national” lens, where political differences arise in the form of cultural custody battles over a dish’s provenance. The food fights highlighted here stretch to some of the furthest corners of the international community, responding to disparate societal and economic pressures, but at their core, they share a common cause — the defense of national pride.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 32: “Fear in Istanbul, Relief in Prague”
Turkey and the Czech Republic have long histories with their respective Jewish populations. Their approaches toward Jewish culture, however, have shaped disparate public perceptions of Jews. Aliza Goldberg compares how the two countries have formulated relations with their Jewish populations and suggests that the Czech case can stand as an example for other European countries to follow.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 31: “India’s Right Turn”
On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Jas Singh discusses how the Bharatiya Janata Party’s landslide victory in the 2014 elections has precipitated a revival of Hindu nationalism in the world’s largest democracy. In the aftermath of the elections, Hindu extremists have directed hostilities toward Indian Christians and Muslims, among other minorities. He suggests the BJP and its affiliates could bring about drastic changes in a country that has long claimed to be pluralistic and inclusive.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 30: “Nicaragua’s Big Dig”
On today’s episode, Ted Andersen discusses the historical and environmental implications of the Nicaraguan Canal, the world’s largest civil engineering project.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 29: “In the Warming Arctic Seas”
The Arctic is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the globe. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Subhankar Banerjee details the plight of the Arctic’s indigenous population, who are witnessing the disastrous effects of climate change firsthand.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 28: A Light Bulb Goes Off
On today’s episode, Professor Hiroshi Amano, a member of the Nobel Prize-winning team that developed the blue light emitting diode, discusses the science behind his groundbreaking work and the future of global energy efficiency.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 27: “China’s Smoke-Smothered Sky”
On today’s podcast, Chinese novelist Qiu Xiaolong discusses the inspiration behind his short story, “China’s Smoke-Smothered Sky,” which was featured in the latest issue of World Policy Journal. Qiu explains how political corruption stands in the way of almost every effort to combat the pollution affecting Chinese citizens on a daily basis.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 26: To Deal or Not to Deal
On today’s podcast, Gary Sick, former National Security Council member under Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan, argues that a world without an Iranian nuclear deal far more dangerous than the alternative.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 25: Greek Confidence & Grexit
On today’s podcast, Peter Atwater returns to World Policy On Air to explain how lacking confidence in the Greek economy among Greeks and EU member states will make a “Grexit” from the eurozone a self-fulfilling prophecy.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 24: Kicking the Oil Addiction
The modern world’s addiction to fossil fuels has proven detrimental to our ecosystem, but renewable energy sources come at a high price and pose several major technological difficulties. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Israeli scientist David Andelman explains that nuclear energy may be the only viable near-term alternative and delves into the process of achieving a more energy efficient future.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 23: “When the Mountains Shook”
On today’s podcast, editor of Nepali Times, Kunda Dixit tells host David Alpern about his hopes for major political change in his country following April’s earthquake.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 22: Climate Change and Its Victims
On today’s podcast, World Policy Journal Managing Editor Yaffa Fredrick discusses responses to the “Big Question” in our Summer issue: “Who has the most to lose from climate change in your country?”
World Policy On Air, Ep. 21: The Transition to Renewables
On today’s podcast, legendary environmentalist Lester R. Brown discusses the uphill battle to address climate change with host David Alpern, and how Pope Francis’s recent encyclical on the issue is helping to change minds.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 20: “Ending the European Refugee Crisis”
On today’s podcast, does solving the refugee crisis playing out in the Mediterranean Sea require a more holistic approach from EU member states? Host David Alpern asks Sophie des Beauvais of the Fondation Pour l’innovation Politique in Paris about this issue, which she wrote about in her most recent World Policy article, “Ending the European Refugee Crisis.”
World Policy On Air, Ep. 19: “Lettergate” and Other Scandals
On today’s podcast, Khadija Sharife of the African Network of Centers for Investigative Reporting details her investigations into South Africa’s “Lettergate,” which demonstrates how major corporations routinely thwart regulatory practices and propagate widespread government corruption across the continent.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 18: "The Next Step in Yemen's War"
David Alpern speaks with Fernando Carvajal, a Ph.D. candidate in Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, about the forthcoming UN peace talks to resolve the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Already on the brink of political and economic collapse, the country is currently serving as the stage of a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 17: The Iran Deal
As the deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran steadily approaches, leaders from across the world anxiously anticipate the results. Host David Alpern speaks with former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense William Beecher about the controversial role that Congress will play in finalizing the deal.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 16: The Unseen War
HIV/AIDS is emerging as a critical health issue across the Middle East and North Africa, but many political leaders in the region are refusing to take action. Writer and consultant Christopher Reeve talks with host David Alpern about the struggle of patients and survivors to overcome cultural and religious stigmas surrounding this disease.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 15: The Greatest Fears
World Policy Journal Managing Editor Yaffa Fredrick discusses major talking points from ‘The Big Question’ section of the Journal’s Spring issue. From man-made disasters in the Asian Pacific to Italy’s aging population, Fredrick expounds on expert responses to the question of “What is your country’s greatest fear for its future?”
World Policy On Air, Ep. 14: The Promise of Normalization
The promise of normalized relations between the United States and Cuba poses enormous opportunities for both American business and the Cuban people. Lawrence Gutman speaks with host David Alpern about business leadership in the context of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's recent visit.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 13: "The Next Rising Tax Haven"
Hiding taxable assets in tropical islands or pariah states is hardly a secret to anyone anymore. But as Andres Knobel of the Tax Justice Network explains to host David Alpern, the tax havens of tomorrow are more likely to be major Western cities, such as London or New York.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 12: Abandoned
British journalist Nicholas Jubber discusses his new World Policy e-book, Abandoned: Life for Mali's Nomads in the Wake of War, with host David Alpern. Jubber describes how Malian nomads serve as the last bulwarks against jihadism in the war-torn Northern African country.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 11: The Next Unknown
CIA veteran Jack Devine joins host David Alpern to discuss the challenges in identifying the next global security risks. Despite the intelligence community's best efforts to thwart terrorism, there continue to be small- and large-scale attacks. And, according to Devine and his colleague Amanda Mattingly, these failures will continue to happen unless we start to embrace a less conventional approach to intelligence gathering.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 10: The Future of Islam
Professor Ziauddin Sardar joins host David Alpern to tackle the question of what it means to be a Muslim in the 21st century. From new interpretations of Shariah law in Morocco to a more critical analysis of Islam's role in Middle Eastern politics, Sardar argues that the future of the monotheistic religion depends on its ability to embrace a plurality of ideas and diversity of thought.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 9: 2015 African Elections
After six weeks of delays over "security concerns," former Nigerian dictator Muhammadu Buhari emerged as the successor to Goodluck Jonathan in the most recent Nigerian elections. David Stevens of Fireside Research discusses the results and gives a preview of other elections taking place across Africa.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 8: Hong Kong at the Crossroads
The pro-democracy Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong prompted a brutal response from Beijing at great cost to the city’s economy. Hong Kong-based attorney Alvin Y. H. Cheung discusses with host David Alpern how 25 years after the Tiananmen Square Massacre the city finds itself at a critical crossroads.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 7: "Redrawing Europe's Map"
A wave of political populism is surging through France and Europe at large. World Policy On Air host David Alpern discusses with Josse de Voogd, author of "Redrawing Europe's Map" from the Winter 2014/15 issue of the Journal, the significant electoral shifts taking place in European parliamentary elections.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 6: "Africa's Last Colony"
Host David Alpern speaks with Algiers-based journalist Hannah Rae Armstrong about her recent article in World Policy Journal, "Africa's Last Colony." In their conversation, Armstrong examines how Morocco has illegally exploited Western Sahara for its resources and argues the Sahrawi refugees may be forced to take up arms once again.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 5: "Choosing Jihad"
Host David Alpern speaks with Tunis-based journalist Simon Speakman Cordall on the appeal of radical Islam in the shadow of the Arab Spring and what Tunisian officials are doing to curtail the spread of extremist rhetoric. Plus, Paul Brandus of West Wing Reports gives us the White House’s take on Netanyahu’s visit to Congress.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 4: Promise or Peril?
Do Israel's upcoming elections represent its last chance at making peace with the Palestinians? Dr. Alon Ben-Meir of New York University explores this and more for World Policy in his article, “Choosing Between Promise or Peril.” He speaks with host David Alpern about the promise of the Arab Peace Initiative and the dangers of a toxic residue that lingers between neighbors and enemies.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 3: "The Syriza Triumph"
Does a victory for Greece's leftist Syriza party mean a "Grexit" from the eurozone? Host David Alpern speaks with Peter Atwater about his recent post for the World Policy blog, "The Syriza Triumph," and what this says about confidence in the EU.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 2: "Putin, Power, and Europe"
Host David Alpern speaks with World Policy Fellow Nina Khrushcheva, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of International Affairs at The New School and great-grand daughter of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. She offers her comments on Russian journalist Andrei Babitskiy's analysis for the current issue of World Policy Journal.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 1: "Europe Under Fire"
Host David Alpern speaks with Patrice de Beer, author of the lede story for the Winter 2014/2015 edition of World Policy Journal, titled "Europe: Flailing or Divided?" He discusses the state of European unity in the light of the recent ttack on the weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo in France.