Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters

Eliana Johns hunts for nuclear weapons. She's a senior research associate at the Federation of American Scientists, where her team uses open-source intelligence — or OSINT — to uncover secrets about countries' nuclear capabilities and intentions. In fact, much of what we know today about China's nuclear arsenal comes from her colleagues' work, which used commercial satellite imagery to reveal that China is undertaking a massive nuclear buildup — at a pace far exceeding publicly available estimates from U.S. intelligence agencies. In our conversation, Johns explains where OSINT has worked best and why greater transparency around nuclear weapons is essential for a more stable and peaceful world. We recorded this live at the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference. 

The race to succeed António Guterres is unofficially underway. His term as UN Secretary-General ends in December 2026, but the backroom jockeying has already begun.  In this episode, Mark and Anjali are joined by Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group to break down the early contenders, how shifting geopolitics could shake up the selection process, and the daunting mess the next Secretary-General is likely to inherit. But first, they react to Trump's eyebrow-raising pick for UN Ambassador: recently fired National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Unlock the full episode by getting a paid subscription --> https://www.globaldispatches.org/ 

The legendary international relations scholar Joseph Nye passed away on May 7th at the age of 88. He's best known, of course, for developing and advancing the idea of “soft power”—the ability to influence others and shape outcomes through attraction, persuasion, and cultural or ideological appeal rather than coercion or force. But over his singularly illustrious career, he authored hundreds of scholarly articles and dozens of books on international relations. To honor is legacy and memory, I wanted to share our conversation from way back in 2014. We began our conversation talking about Russia's (then recent) annexation of Crimea and occupation Ukraine, and what it suggests about long held ideas in international relations theory. We then pivot to his personal story, including his childhood in New Jersey and how his entry into the world of international relations was as an Africanist—he wrote an award-winning thesis as a Rhodes Scholar on decolonization in East Africa. Of course, we also discussed at length how he came up with the idea of “soft power,” which, as he explains, stemmed from an “a-ha!” moment while sitting in his kitchen.

In just the first four months of the Trump administration, several pillars of American foreign policy have been upended — USAID dismantled, most foreign aid frozen, and the rules-based international trade system thrown into disarray. Could nuclear policy be next? To find out, I spoke with Alexandra Bell, President and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and a former senior State Department official on nuclear issues. She breaks down the key decisions facing the administration — and the risks tied to some of the options on the table, particularly around missile defense. We also unpack the state of nuclear diplomacy with Russia and China, and why forcing trilateral arms control talks is likely a dead end. This conversation is a clear-eyed look at the current state of play in Trump's nuclear policy — and where it may be headed next. We recorded this live at the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference. More conversations are coming soon. To catch them live, subscribe below or get the Substack app.

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, better known as the CTBT, expressly prohibits its signatories from testing nuclear weapons. It was opened for signature in 1996 and is now one of the most widely adopted treaties in the world.  Since the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was opened for signature in 1996, there have been ten nuclear tests conducted worldwide. These include two tests by India and two by Pakistan in 1998, and six tests by North Korea between 2006 and 2017 .​ This limited number of tests since 1996 stands in stark contrast to the more than 2,000 nuclear tests conducted in the preceding five decades, highlighting the CTBT's significant role in establishing a global norm against nuclear testing My guest today, Robert Floyd, is the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty Organization, which—as the name suggests—is the international body responsible for monitoring and facilitating the implementation of this treaty. It does so, in part, through a sophisticated global monitoring system capable of detecting a nuclear test anywhere in the world. I sat down with Robert Floyd on the sidelines of the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference in Washington, DC, earlier this month, where he explained why the CTBT has been so successful in constraining nuclear testing—and what challenges the treaty now faces amid a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. 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"

Ankit Panda's new book delivers a stark message: we've entered a new nuclear age. This one is shaped by rising U.S.–Russia tensions, China's emergence as a major nuclear power, and a wave of tech breakthroughs — including AI — that are transforming the nuclear landscape. The result? A world where nuclear security is more complicated, and more dangerous, than ever. In The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon, Panda breaks down the key trends driving this shift. In our conversation, he explains why this moment is so perilous — and how we might avoid stumbling into a new nuclear war. We recorded this live at the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference. More conversations are coming soon. 

The escalating trade dispute between the United States and China has, in the view of my guest today, unofficially crossed the threshold into a full-blown trade war. Wendy Cutler is Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute and a longtime diplomat and negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. We spoke on Friday, April 18, as both countries were rapidly imposing tariffs and counter-tariffs, measures and countermeasures. In our conversation, Wendy explains which of these actions may prove particularly damaging to both the U.S. and Chinese economies. She also breaks down China's diplomatic response, including a recent trip by Xi Jinping to three Southeast Asian countries aimed at shoring up regional trade alliances. Finally, Wendy offers insight into how bad this trade war could get—and identifies potential offramps that might help prevent the worst-case scenarios.`

The crisis in Sudan is taking another devastating turn. Over the past several days, a genocidal paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has attacked a sprawling refugee camp in Darfur. As I write this, nearly 400,000 people have fled the camp and are now traversing the desert in search of safety. Meanwhile, the RSF is mounting an offensive on the last major city in Darfur not under its control. This escalation comes as the world rather quietly marked the second anniversary of Sudan's civil war. In April 2022, two rival generals vied for control of the country, plunging it into chaos. Two years on, Sudan has become the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with over 12 million people forcibly displaced from their homes. One of them is Dalia Abdel Moneim. She fled her home in Khartoum shortly after the war began and is now living in Cairo. She joined me for a conversation about the unfolding catastrophe in Sudan.

"Nobody wins in trade wars," said António Guterres as he left a UN Security Council meeting this week. But it's clear there's at least one big loser: American diplomacy. This week, Anjali and Mark break down how the Trump tariffs are rippling through the UN — and how they're complicating diplomacy on issues that have nothing to do with trade. We also speculate on who Trump might tap as his next envoy now that Elise Stefanik is out. Plus, we dig into the UN's role in Gaza as both diplomacy and humanitarian aid grind to a halt, and what's next for the World Food Program after a stunning announcement — and sudden retraction — from a senior DOGE official. Get the full episode with your paid subscription. https://www.globaldispatches.org/  

Heather Hurlburt is a former chief of staff in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the Biden Administration and now a fellow at Chatham House. She is also someone I've routinely turned to over the years for insights into broader geopolitical trends. In our conversation today, we dig into the real geopolitical fallout from Donald Trump's escalating trade war — and how the global balance of power is already shifting in ways that most people aren't paying attention to. She explains why the trade war is about much more than tariffs, who the real winners and losers are likely to be, and what ripple effects we're already seeing across Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond. Get a discount subscription to Global Dispatches at this link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/40PercentOff   

A few months ago, the Canadian Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, was cruising toward a massive victory in the upcoming Canadian elections, with most polls showing him holding a 20-point lead over his Liberal Party opponent. But what a difference an American election makes! Since Trump's musings about annexing Canada and his sweeping trade war against the country, polls have shifted decisively in favor of the Liberal Party, now led by Prime Minister Mark Carney. It seems Canadians are poised to soundly reject the so-called “Maple MAGA.” With Canadian elections just a few weeks away on April 28th, I knew I wanted to speak with one of my favo(u)rite explainers of all things Canada: journalist Justin Ling. He's written for numerous outlets, created some amazing podcasts, and is the author of the Bug-Eyed and Shameless newsletter here on Substack. We spoke one day after Trump's latest global tariff announcements, which hit Canada hard. In our conversation, Justin explains the current state of Canadian politics in the Trump era, and more broadly, how Trump's moves against Canada are rallying Canadians in unexpected ways—sparking a surge of national pride and solidarity in defiance of the threat from their powerful neighbor to the south. It's a fascinating conversation that reveals how Trump's bluster is reshaping Canadian politics in real time—and why this moment might mark a turning point for Canada's political identity.

On March 28th, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar—the strongest to hit the region in a century. The epicenter was in the Sagaing region, near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, in the northwest of the country. Sagaing is also the epicenter of Myanmar's civil war and the humanitarian crisis caused by the brutal conflict that has raged for the past four years. In other words, this earthquake created a crisis on top of a crisis. And it struck just as the main backer of global humanitarian relief—the United States—has suspended nearly all foreign aid and emergency humanitarian assistance programs. Joining me to discuss the damage caused by the earthquake and the ongoing local and international response is Bob Kitchen, a veteran humanitarian official and the Vice President for Emergencies at the International Rescue Committee. We begin by discussing the scope of the damage and the complexities of mounting a response in the midst of Myanmar's civil war, before delving into how the response to this sudden-onset natural disaster is being shaped by the absence of American leadership, which has long played a central role in global emergency relief efforts. Use this link to get a 40% discounted subscription to Global Dispatches and all we have to offer! https://www.globaldispatches.org/40PecentOff Use this link if you'd like to support us at full price https://www.globaldispatches.org/ 

Effectively and efficiently responding to humanitarian crises is one of the things the United Nations and its partners in the NGO community do best. Over the years, they have gotten very good at saving lives. This system is now under unprecedented strain due to the Trump administration's decision to freeze foreign aid and dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development. These cuts are being felt across hundreds of NGOs. So, for today's episode, I wanted to dig deep into what these funding cuts mean for one long-standing humanitarian organization: the NGO Relief International. I'm joined by Relief International's CEO, Craig Redmond, who explains the difficult choices his organization is making as it responds to massive funding cuts. He details how these cuts are impacting not only the people Relief International serves and the organization itself, but also the broader global humanitarian system—of which NGOs like Relief International are a key part.

The UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration are two entities now squarely in the crosshairs of their once-strongest backer. Both agencies rely heavily on American funding—but with that funding now cut, they're laying off staff by the thousands. In this episode of our UN-focused podast, To Save Us From Hell, Anjali Dayal and Mark Leon Goldberg discuss the impact of these cuts on the agencies themselves, as well as the broader question: What does it mean to live in a world where the two global agencies most responsible for supporting refugees and displaced people can no longer operate anywhere near full capacity? We also examine massive cuts hitting a lesser-known entity: the UN Department of Safety and Security. This is the UN's risk management arm, which typically works behind the scenes to ensure the rest of the UN can carry out its work safely. Finally, we zoom in on Cox's Bazar—the world's largest refugee camp, located in Bangladesh and home to around a million Rohingya refugees who fled genocide in Myanmar. Because of these funding cuts, that camp is now on the verge of collapse. Get the full episode at a 40% discount by following this link:  https://www.globaldispatches.org/124f4694 

Trump is serious about his intention to seize the Panama Canal. He discussed it in his inauguration address and has dispatched Marco Rubio to Panama to put a plan in motion. But what do Panamanians think about this? My interview guest is Ed Price, a political economist at New York University and a columnist for the Financial Times. We begin by discussing the general mood on the streets of Panama City before turning to a broader conversation about how political and policy elites in Panama are responding to this assault on their sovereignty. We also examine the wider geopolitical implications of Trump's ambitions for territorial expansion, including annexing the Panama Canal, acquiring Greenland, and making Canada the “51st state.”

Imagine a world in which companies could secretly export toxic waste and dump it in unsuspecting communities. Until the 1992 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, there were no rules governing the international movement of toxic waste. Today, this convention ensures that such waste cannot be sent to unsuspecting recipients, particularly in the Global South. What makes this treaty so interesting to me is that it was inspired by an environmental scandal in the late 1980s, when an Italian company dumped toxic waste in the Nigerian town of Koko. The discovery of the waste sparked international outrage and led to stricter global regulations, including the Basel Convention. Joining me today to explain the impact of the Basel Convention is one of the world's foremost experts on environmental treaties, Maria Ivanova. She is the director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University and a professor of public policy. We kick off by discussing how this scandal led to a treaty on the international movement of hazardous waste, followed by a longer conversation about its lasting impact on the world today. 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, which we are calling "When Treaties Work."  

South Sudan is the world's youngest country—and it has been troubled from the start. After decades of struggle, the country broke free from Sudan in 2011, gaining independence with the support of the United States, Europe, and most Western powers. But soon after independence, the turmoil began. Political rivalries intensified, as did competition over oil resources. Meanwhile, vain political leaders prioritized their personal fortunes over the good of the country. South Sudan was soon torn apart. A brutal civil war killed some 400,000 people from 2013 to 2018, when a peace agreement was signed. But that peace agreement is now rapidly unraveling. Last week, the International Crisis Group issued a rare alert, warning that the country was on the precipice of a renewed, full-blown civil war. This is partly a consequence of the conflict north of the border in Sudan, which is spilling over into both the territory and the fraught politics of South Sudan. Joining me for an in-depth conversation about what is happening in South Sudan is Daniel Akech Thiong, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. https://www.globaldispatches.org/

The Trump administration has turned the United Nations into a battleground in its war on gender equality. At the Commission on the Status of Women this week, the U.S. sought to block references to gender equality…in a conference dedicated to that very cause! Meanwhile, at the Security Council, the U.S. refused to join a statement condemning the Taliban's treatment of women, signaling a broader retreat from the “Women, Peace, and Security” agenda. In this episode of To Save Us From Hell, Anjali Dayal and Mark Leon Goldberg break down how Trump's anti-DEI crusade is playing out at the UN and what it means for global diplomacy. Get a discounted subscription and unlock the full episode by following this link. 

Water is indispensable - and also irreplaceable. There are no substitutes for its most crucial uses. Yet rising demands, mounting environmental pressures, and unsustainable management practices increasingly strain global water systems. Many major rivers and groundwater aquifers have reached or surpassed the limits of their renewable supplies.  Where countries and communities rely on the same resources, frictions over the availability of, access to, and decision-making about shared waters are growing.  Around the world, water systems and water supplies increasingly figure as deliberate tools or collateral targets of war, and as contributing triggers of violent conflict.  Hidden Depths is a new, six-part podcast series from CSIS – the Center for Strategic and International Studies in which David Michel, Senior Fellow for Water Security at CSIS, talks with policy specialists, academics, and practitioners to understand the drivers of rising water tensions and the tools of water diplomacy.   Learn more about Hidden Depths

When a man-made or natural disaster strikes, aid agencies must turn to donors, hat in hand, to fundraise for the response. This includes UN agencies like the World Food Programme and UNICEF, as well as international NGOs like the International Rescue Committee and Save the Children. Over the years, the UN has established a mechanism to consolidate these appeals through the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It's a relatively straightforward and streamlined process: agencies outline their needs, and donors pledge funds to support the response. Historically, the United States has been the largest single donor, accounting for about 40% of all emergency humanitarian relief funding. But now, that funding has been abruptly cut. The consequences of this decision have been profound, both for the people who rely on humanitarian assistance and for the professionals who have dedicated their careers to relief work. As my guest today, Thomas Byrnes, explains, the freezing of U.S. foreign aid and the dismantling of USAID have triggered a collapse of the global humanitarian system, with ripple effects we discuss in detail. Thomas Byrnes is the director of Market Impact, a humanitarian and development consultancy firm. We begin by exploring how the global humanitarian system functions, why the United States was its lynchpin, and the near- and long-term implications of the near-total upheaval of the world's approach to humanitarian crises. Get 40% Off a Subscription using this link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/124f4694 

On Monday February 24, the General Assembly convened for a long-scheduled vote marking the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In a stunning shift, the United States abandoned its European allies and abruptly sided with Russia in an attempt to block any condemnation of Russia's aggression and any affirmation of Ukrainian sovereignty. This vote sent shockwaves through the halls of the General Assembly, with a ripple effect that could shake the foundations of the entire United Nations system. In this special live recording of To Save Us From Hell, Anjali Dayal and I explain what happened at the UN this week and why this moment is so consequential for the future of the United Nations. The full conversation is available for our paying subscribers. You can get a paid subscription at https://www.globaldispatches.org/

The Mine Ban Treaty is one of the most successful humanitarian disarmament agreements in modern history. Also known as the Ottawa Treaty, it emerged in the 1990s in response to the devastating impact of landmines on civilians worldwide. At the time, millions of these hidden explosives were scattered across conflict zones, continuing to kill and maim long after wars had ended. A coalition of activists, survivors, and diplomats led a groundbreaking campaign to ban these weapons, culminating in a treaty that transformed global approaches to disarmament and humanitarian action. But how did this treaty come to life? What made it so effective? And what challenges does it face today? I speak with Tamar Gabelnick, Director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines – Cluster Munition Coalition, who tells the story of the treaty's journey from grassroots activism to high-level diplomacy, explaining how the ban became a reality. We also examine the treaty's lasting impact—how it has reduced the use of landmines, driven demining efforts, and supported victims—while also considering ongoing challenges, including some recent setbacks. 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"  

There are a small number of people to whom I owe my career, and one of them is Ted Turner. In 1998, he famously pledged a billion dollars to support UN causes, leading to the creation of the United Nations Foundation. The UN Foundation, in turn, was one of my key backers early in my career when I launched the first blog about the UN, UN Dispatch. There's a new six-part documentary on Netflix about Ted Turner that I cannot recommend highly enough. Call Me Ted delves deep into both his personal history and business ventures, including the founding of CNN. But for me, the most intriguing part of the documentary is its exploration of Ted Turner's deep commitment to philanthropy. As I discuss in my interview with filmmaker Keith Clarke, his example stands in stark contrast to today's social media moguls.

The Trump administration's fight against DEI has come for the United Nations. In this episode of To Save Us From Hell, Anjali Dayal and Mark Leon Goldberg discuss what we are seeing unfold at the UN in terms of Trump's push against inclusion and gender equity. These moves are already disrupting the regular order of business at the UN, and we explore what this portends for the organization moving forward, including potential impacts on a wide range of UN agencies, programs, and policies—from peacekeeping to the Sustainable Development Goals. Make no mistake: Trump's crusade against DEI is coming for the UN. We explain what that means and how this anti-DEI agenda may manifest itself at the UN. Meanwhile, Trump's pick for UN Ambassador, Elise Stefanik, is languishing in the Senate. For now, her confirmation appears to be on ice — and she may not get confirmed at all, despite having some support from Democrats! Get a subscription for 40% off by following this link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/124f4694

The foreign aid freeze, destruction of USAID, and withdrawal from the World Health Organization have severely undermined America's ability to fight infectious diseases at home and abroad. With outbreaks of the deadly Marburg and Ebola viruses underway in East Africa and a fast-mutating bird flu spreading across the world, these moves by the Trump administration have left Americans highly vulnerable. I'm joined in today's live chat by Dr. Emily Smith, an epidemiologist at Duke University. She is a fellow Substacker who runs Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist and is the author of the book The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger about Loving our Neighbors. We kick off with something of a global tour of concerning infectious diseases before having a wide-ranging conversation about how recent moves by the Trump administration have incapacitated our system of disease surveillance and pandemic defense. 

On February 12rd, Donald Trump held lengthty calls with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to advance a vague peace plan for Ukraine. But can a peace deal actually come together in a way that upholds Ukraine's determination to exist as an independent state, free from Russia's yoke? And does Russia have any incentive to relent, given its slow but steady progress on the battlefield against war-weary Ukrainian soldiers? Joining me to discuss these questions and more is Yaroslav Trofimov, a Ukrainian-born journalist and chief foreign affairs correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. His book Our Enemies Will Vanish, published last year, tells the story of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Ukrainians' determined efforts to push back. His new book, No Country for Love, is a work of historical fiction set in Ukraine in the 1930s. Hear directly from one of the best journalists covering Ukraine today as he shares insights on the current state of the conflict, Zelenskyy's domestic political challenges, and whether or not Trump's peace plan is for real. You will learn a lot from this conversation. I certainly did.

On January 26, a Rwanda-backed militia known as M23 captured the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, massive city of two million people and a major regional trading hub. While M23 had been active in the region for quite some time, this move marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. To escalate things further, the group also vowed to march to Kinshasa, DRC's capital, and overthrow the government. So who are M23? Why is Rwanda backing them? What may come next in the conflict? And what can be done to de-escalate this crisis? Joining me to answer these questions and many more is Zaynab Hoosen, Africa Analyst at Pangea-Risk in Cape Town, South Africa. We kick off discussing the background to this conflict before having a wider conversation about its current dangerous trajectory.  

Today's episode is a crossover with Robert Wright's Nonzero Podcast. I have followed Bob's work for years—he is a thoughtful commentator, author, and podcaster. He asked me to come on his show to discuss how the new Trump administration may approach the United Nations and what impact Trump's policies may have on international cooperation and global governance more broadly. This is a long episode in which I more freely share my thoughts than I would in a conventional Global Dispatches episode. But I thought you would find this conversation useful and interesting—I know I did. The first 45 minutes of this episode are freely available, and then there's a paywall for the second half of our chat. You can access the full episode by getting a paid subscription at GlobalDispatches.org or, if you are listening on Apple Podcasts, you can unlock our premium feed directly in the app with just a few taps. I hope you do.  

On Day One, Donald Trump froze nearly all U.S. foreign aid. On Day Eight, the State Department issued a stop-work order for USAID. This is causing massive ripple effects around the world. USAID staff and contractors are being laid off in droves. HIV patients in several African countries are being turned away from clinics where they had long received crucial medicines. Humanitarian and development non-profits in the United States and across the globe that depend on contracts from USAID and the U.S. government are now wondering if they'll be able to continue their work. Joining me to discuss the impact of this sudden curtailing of nearly all U.S. foreign assistance is Jeremy Konyndyk. He is a veteran humanitarian affairs official who led USAID's response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa during the Obama administration. Now, he leads Refugees International, an advocacy group. He is in a unique position to speak freely on this topic because the NGO he currently leads does not receive government funding—whereas other NGO leaders fear retribution if they speak out. https://www.globaldispatches.org/

For the past two decades, Sri Lankan politics has been dominated by the Rajapaksa family, with two brothers more or less alternating between serving as president and prime minister from 2005 to 2022. Their regime was marked by corruption and sustained through appeals to ethnic nationalism among the majority Sinhalese Buddhist population, including by deliberately inciting sentiment against minority Muslim and Tamil communities. This kind of appeal to nationalism was the dominant force in Sri Lankan politics for most of the last 20 years — until, that is, the elections this fall. In presidential and then parliamentary elections, a new coalition called National People's Power, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, better known as AKD, campaigned on a platform of ethnic pluralism and good governance. They won overwhelmingly, securing 159 out of 225 seats in Parliament — a supermajority — leaving the Rajapaksa party with just three seats. Joining me to explain how this so-called "Peaceful Political Revolution" was achieved is Neil DeVotta, Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University. He is the author of a new article on this stunning turn of events, which appears in the most recent edition of the Journal of Democracy. We begin by discussing just how remarkable this political transition has been and what drove Sri Lankans to abandon the fractious ethnic politics of the past two decades. We then delve into how AKD and his National People's Power coalition can reverse Sri Lanka's democratic backsliding.

In this special live recording of To Save Us From Hell, our sister podcast about the UN, co-host Anjali Dayal and I discuss the highlights (and lowlights) from the confirmation hearing for Donald Trump's pick as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise Stefanik, a member of Congress from New York and a staunch Donald Trump loyalist, did not display the hardcore MAGA vibes one might expect during her confirmation hearing. As Anjali and I note, she came across as a fairly conventional Republican—touching on many familiar GOP talking points about the United Nations, but without suggesting that she believes the U.S. should withdraw from the UN or pursue any particularly radical actions. To be honest, this may come as a relief to many at the UN, especially since just hours before the hearing, Donald Trump signed an executive order demanding American withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

At long last, a ceasefire agreement has been reached in Gaza. The agreement, finalized in the closing days of the Biden administration, calls for the phased release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. It also includes provisions for the redeployment of Israeli troops within Gaza and a surge of humanitarian aid to the Strip. Joining me to discuss this ceasefire deal, why it was agreed upon just as the new Trump administration takes office, and what comes next is Joel Burnold, managing director of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. We begin by examining the provisions of the ceasefire before delving into a broader conversation about its potential implementation and how recent political and diplomatic changes might impact this deal and the broader prospects for lasting peace. Support the show! https://www.globaldispatches.org/ 

Misinformation is rampant in conflict and war, and the extent to which people believe misinformation can often influence the trajectory of these conflicts. But when is misinformation actually believed, and when is it not? My guest today, Daniel Silverman, is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Carnegie Mellon and the author of a groundbreaking new study on misinformation and war. His book, Seeing is Disbelieving: Why People Believe Misinformation in War, and When They Know Better, examines this phenomenon in depth. Through case studies spanning Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria, Daniel Silverman identifies the circumstances under which people are more or less vulnerable to misinformation. He concludes that the closer people are to a conflict, the less credulous they tend to be. In our conversation, we begin by discussing what we mean by misinformation and disinformation before diving into his findings from these three case studies.

Donald Trump's foreign policy team is taking shape. So for today's episiode, I wanted to give listeners a deeper understanding of some of the key players that will shape US foreign policy in the years to come. My guest is Josh Keating, a senior reporter at Vox and a veteran of DC foreign policy reporting. We go through a list of key foreign policy figures in the incomming administration, discuss the distinct foreign policy traditions and personal experiences that have informed their worldviews, and explain what baggage or, perhaps more charitably, perspectives they will bring to their new roles. We then discuss how key decisions on Ukraine may determine what faction of Republican foreign policy ideology may have the upper hand in Trump's second administration. Get a 40% discount off a paid subcription while supporting our work!  https://www.globaldispatches.org/40Off  

A new year. A new United Nations. In this 2025 debut episode of To Save Us From Hell, Fordham University professor Anjali Dayal and I discuss what to expect in the year ahead at the United Nations. We cover a lot of ground—from the new composition of the UN Security Council to China's new status as a major funder of the UN system, the chaos Trump is likely to bring, and much, much more. Get 40% off your subscription by following this link! https://www.globaldispatches.org/40Off

  The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which prohibits the manufacture, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons, entered into force in 1997. It is now the most widely adopted international arms control treaty, with 193 states parties. The CWC is a clear example of a treaty that works. Since its adoption, all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed, including those of the United States last year. Its broad acceptance has also reinforced international norms against chemical weapons use. When such weapons were deployed in Syria in 2013, the atrocity prompted Russia and the United States to pressure the Assad regime to join the CWC and allow investigators from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to oversee the destruction of Syria's remaining stockpile. This effort earned the OPCW the Nobel Peace Prize that same year. The CWC is fulfilling its purpose. Joining me to discuss how the treaty was created, its success in shaping state behavior, and what lies ahead now that all declared stockpiles have been eliminated is Paul Walker. He is the chair of the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition, vice chair of the Arms Control Association, and a former weapons inspector. We begin with the history of efforts to ban chemical weapons before exploring how the CWC has transformed the global approach to these weapons of mass destruction. This episode is produced in partnership with Lex International, a philanthropic fund dedicated to strengthening international law to address global challenges. It is part of a series showcasing how treaties make the world a safer place. To access the transcript of this episode and others in the series, visit GlobalDispatches.org    

Today's episode is produced in partnership with the CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration for a series that examines what works to improve the well-being of people in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings. CGIAR is a global partnership that unites international organizations engaged in research about food security. We are calling this series “From Fragility to Stability,” and in today's episode, we examine how a novel school milk program in Yemen is fighting food insecurity and achieving other impressive results. You will hear from: Adeeb Qasem, Director for Economic Development Initiatives at the HSA Group Lily Bliznashka, a research fellow at the Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)  

Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29th, at the age of 100.  Jimmy Carter's term in office coincided with some key events in international affairs, including the Iran hostage crisis and the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. But for my money, Jimmy Carter's most lasting legacy will be what he did after office.  And in terms of history alterting impacts on the human species, Jimmy Carter has no greater legacy than his determination to eradite guinea worm disease.   Guinea worm is a water born parasite that when ingested grows and grows until it painfully exits the body through a lesion in the skin. There is no treatment for it. There is no cure for it. But it can be prevented.  And if prevented everywhere, Guinea Worm Disease will be eradicated.  We are now on the cusp of global eradication moment. This is largely thanks to the work of the Carter Center.  In 1986, 3.5 million people a year were impacted by guinea worm disease across 21 countries in Africa and Asia. Then, Jimmy Carter decided to make guinea worm eradicationa pillar of his post-presidential work. According to the Carter Center, the incidence of Guinea worm has been reduced by more than 99.99 percent. As of last year there were just 14 cases of the disease.  In February 2023, I caught up with Adam Joseph Weiss, director of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program at the Carter Center. In our conversation he explained how the Carter Center and its partners are able to confront this ancient parasite and why they are so tantalizingly close to global guinea worm eradication.  Rest in power, Jimmy Carter 

Tjada D'Oyen McKenna is a veteran humanitarian official who now leads Mercy Corps, a major international NGO that provides relief in disaster zones, including Gaza and Syria. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, I have periodically checked in with her to discuss the challenges of meeting the needs of Gazans trapped and displaced by the conflict. Over a year later, the dynamics of getting aid into Gaza have largely remained unchanged—there are still significant bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the Israeli government, which controls the flow of aid. Moreover, there is no meaningful so-called "de-confliction mechanism" to allow aid groups to operate in Gaza without fear of being attacked by warring parties. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, even as new signals suggest a ceasefire may soon be reached. In Syria, the situation has obviously changed dramatically over the past several weeks, so we discuss how Mercy Corps plans to expand its aid operations as the new de facto authorities consolidate power in Damascus. Please support our humanitarian journalism with a paid subscription: https://www.globaldispatches.org/ 

Today's episode is produced in partnership with the CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration as part of a series that examines effective approaches to improving the well-being of people in fragile and conflict-affected settings. CGIAR is a global partnership that brings together international organizations focused on research for food security. We are calling this series “From Fragility to Stability.” In today's episode, we host a roundtable discussion with three experts on how to place women's empowerment at the core of resilience-building efforts. Our guests include: Vivian Efem-Bassey, Programs Management Specialist in the Women's Rights Unit at ActionAid in Nigeria. Sarah Hendricks, Director of the Policy, Program, and Intergovernmental Division of UN Women and Head of the Secretariat for the Secretary-General's Gender Equality Acceleration Plan. Jordan Kyle, Research Fellow in the Gender and Inclusion Unit at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

If Donald Trump actually follows through on many of his campaign promises to impose tariffs, it would thoroughly upend the rules-based system governing international trade. That system, which is partially embodied by the World Trade Organization, was once championed by the United States. However, over the years, U.S. presidents, including President Biden, have occasionally skirted its rules and processes. The incoming Trump administration, though, seems willing and eager to ignore it altogether. So, what does that mean for global trade? And could Trump's actions spark a trade war? Joining me to answer these questions and more is Dmitry Grozoubinski, a trade expert and author of the new book Why Politicians Lie About Trade...and What to Do About It. The book is an excellent primer on trade policy—I learned a lot from it. We kick off by discussing the book before diving into a long conversation about how Trump's approach to international trade upends the logic of the rules-based trading system and whether or not his policies might result in a trade war. https://www.globaldispatches.org/

As a journalist who covers international humanitarian crises, I'm accustomed to seeing masses of refugees fleeing their homes for safer locations. But in Syria over the last several days, the reverse has happened. Thousands upon thousands of displaced people are now returning home -- the scenes of traffic jams, literally on the road to Damascus, were indicative of the fact that Syrians believe this new era to be one in which they are safe to return home. A brutal regime has been toppled, but are the new de-facto authorities going to respect the rights of Syrians and be able to undertake the basic functions of government to avoid state collapse and the chaos that would bring? I put these questions and many more to my guest today, Emma Beals, a longtime Syria analyst and reporter who is a Senior Advisor at the European Institute of Peace and a non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute. We kick off discussing the mood on the street in Damascus before having a long discussion about Syria's political future. Support the show!  https://www.globaldispatches.org/   

Joe Biden's final foreign trip as President was a long-promised visit to sub-Saharan Africa—Angola, to be precise. Biden had pledged to be the first President to visit Africa in nearly a decade, but the trip was delayed and is only happening with just a few weeks left in his term. Still, the trip was intended to solidify at least one part of the Biden administration's legacy: a major infrastructure project called the Lobito Corridor. This rail line links the mineral-rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo to a port on Angola's Atlantic coast. A key question now is whether this legacy will survive the incoming Trump administration. How might the Trump administration's approach to Africa differ, if at all, from that of the outgoing Biden administration? Joining me to answer these questions—and many more—is Ziyanda Stuurman, Senior Analyst for Africa at the Eurasia Group. We begin by discussing why Angola is well-suited for a major American investment like the Lobito Corridor and then dive into a wide-ranging conversation about how this investment fits into the geopolitical competition between China and the United States, as well as what might—or might not—change about U.S. policy toward Africa under the new administration.  

Today's episode is produced in partnership with the CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration for a series that examines what works to improve the well-being of people in Fragile and Conflict Affected Settings. CGIAR is a global partnership that unites international organizations engaged in research about food security. We are calling this series “From Fragility to Stability” and in today's episode we hold a roundtable discussion with three experts about Climate Security and Resilience in the Sahel. You will hear from: Ollo Sib, Head of the Research, Assessment Monitoring Division at the World Food Program's Regional Bureau for Western Africa Federico Doenhert: Deputy Head of the Research, Assessment Monitoring at the World Food Program's Regional Bureau for Western Africa Carolina Sarzana: Climate Security and Adaptation Specialist – Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, a center of (CGIAR) – who is seconded to WFP's West Africa Hub.

Listeners will no doubt remember the devastating Ebola outbreak of 2014–2016. More than 28,600 people were infected, and 11,325 people died across several countries in West Africa. One of the hardest-hit places was Sierra Leone, where nearly 4,000 people lost their lives. In the years since, scientists and civil society advocates have raced to develop and implement a vaccine to protect against future outbreaks. That vaccine works—and works well. It was tested during outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is now being deployed proactively to protect at-risk populations, including frontline health workers. This includes Sierra Leone, where the vaccine is being rolled out to 20,000 frontline workers so they can protect their communities and the world from the next outbreak. My guest today, Allyson Russell, is at the forefront of these efforts. She is the Senior Programme Manager for Outbreaks & Global Health Security, Vaccine Programs at GAVI—the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization—which is supporting the rollout of this vaccine in Sierra Leone. We begin by discussing the toll the 2014 outbreak inflicted on the region before diving into how this new Ebola vaccine will help prevent the next outbreak from spreading.

  Botswana's general elections were held on October 30th, and the results were nothing short of a political earthquake. Botswana has had the same ruling party for 58 years—since independence. Even by the standards of long-ruling post-independence parties in Africa, this is remarkable. Just days after the elections, President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) conceded defeat. The incoming president is a human rights lawyer and advocate named Duma Boko, who leads the opposition coalition known as the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Botswana is a politically stable, upper-middle-income country—a rarity in the region—and it has long maintained this status. This stability partly explains the longevity of the Botswana Democratic Party. However, as my guest Ringisai Chikohomero explains, Batswana have grown disillusioned with the BDP, reflecting a broader global trend against incumbent governments. In our conversation, Ringisai Chikohomero discusses why the BDP lasted so long in power, what to expect from the incoming government, and why Botswana's politics and economy matter to the global community. He is a researcher specializing in political affairs, governance, and democracy in the Southern Africa program of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria. We spoke last week.

Over the past few weeks, the situation in Haiti has gone from bad to worse. On November 10, the interim prime minister of Haiti, Gary Conille, was dismissed by the council that had appointed him in May. Since then, violence has surged throughout Port au Prince and in surrounding locals. A Kenyan-lead police mission has been powerless to stop this escalating security and humanitarian crisis. In our conversation, Renata Segura of the International Crisis Group explains the shifting contours of this violence and what steps can be taken to enhance security in Haiti. She also delves into the ongoing debates about transforming the Kenyan-lead mission into a formal UN peacekeeping mission, discussing the potential advantages and disadvantages of such a move.

The major UN climate conference, known as COP29, kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan, last week. Tens of thousands of attendees are present, including members of civil society, the private sector, and delegates from every country on the planet. This long-planned summit, however, takes place just a week after the world's largest economy and second-largest emitter elected as president a man who denies climate change and intends to pursue American withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. What impact is the U.S. election having on these negotiations and on climate diplomacy moving forward? Joining me to explore this question and much more is Ryan Hobert, Associate Vice President for Climate and Environment at the UN Foundation. We begin with an extended conversation about this and another elephant in the room: the irony of a petrostate hosting a climate conference. We also spend much of our discussion focusing on the substance of this year's COP, particularly the effort to reach an agreement on funding for less-developed countries to help them adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts.

Today's episode is produced in partnership with the CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration for a series that examines what works to improve the well-being of people in Fragile and Conflict Affected Settings. CGIAR is a global partnership that unites international organizations engaged in research about food security.  We are calling this series “From Fragility to Stability” and in today's episode I host a roundtable discussion with three experts about how to escape the nexus of climate change, conflict and forced displacement Ms. Jana Birner, Associate Partnerships Officer in the Office of the Special Advisor on Climate Action for the UN Refugee Agency Barthelemy Mwanza, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who works with the Global Refugee Youth Network   Alessandro Craparo, a Bioclimatologist with CGIAR

Republicans will soon control the House of Representatives, the Senate, and, of course, the White House. What does this Republican trifecta mean for the United Nations? Peter Yeo, Executive Vice President of the United Nations Foundation, explains the nuances of how Republicans have traditionally approached the United States's relationship to the United Nations, what we can expect from the second Trump Administration, the Senate and House moving forward. 

It was neither a surprise nor an upset: Donald Trump overwhelmingly won the United States Presidential Election. Republicans will also control the United States Senate, while control of the House of Representatives remains undecided. Joining me less than 24 hours after this election is Robbie Gramer, national security correspondent for Politico and host of Politico's excellent NatSec Daily newsletter. Few people are as connected to both the political and foreign policy worlds as Robbie Gramer, so I thought it would be valuable to hear what he is learning from his sources about the foreign policy implications of a second Donald Trump term and the potential Republican control of Congress.