Global Questions

Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Natalia Grincheva, Program Leader in Arts Management at LASALLE, University of the Arts Singapore, and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. A globally recognized expert in contemporary museology, digital diplomacy, and international cultural relations, Dr. Grincheva shares insights from her illustrious career—spanning prestigious research fellowships, groundbreaking work with UNESCO, and industry collaborations from ACMI to ICR Research in London. Tune in to explore how culture, technology, and global dialogue intersect in today's digital world.

In this episode, hosts Thien and Oz dive into the vital role of cultural diplomacy in Australia—how the arts are used to foster international relationships, promote national identity, and project soft power on the global stage.Oz, our in-house cultural diplomacy expert, unpacks the institutions, strategies, and stories behind Australia's international cultural engagement—including the role of Creative Australia as a key player in shaping cultural narratives at home and abroad.From policy to practice, funding to festivals, this conversation explores how Australia's creative sector intersects with global diplomacy. Whether you're an artist, policymaker, or globally curious listener, this episode sheds light on the cultural forces influencing Australia's place in the world.

Xenia Hanusiak wears many hats—artistic director, cultural diplomat, and scholar are just a few of the impressive roles that define her multifaceted career. With a resume that spans continents and disciplines, Hanusiak brings a rare blend of creativity, intellect, and global perspective to everything she touches.In this captivating episode, Poppy sits down with Xenia to delve into her journey through the world of cultural diplomacy. From curating groundbreaking international projects to bridging cultural divides through the arts, Xenia shares insights into what it truly means to work at the intersection of creativity and diplomacy. She opens up about the defining moments of her career, the challenges and triumphs of her path, and how she carved out a space for herself in such a unique and influential field.Don't miss this inspiring conversation with one of the most dynamic voices in the global arts scene.

In this episode, we explore the foreign policy frontlines of the Australian election. From rising tensions with China to migration and climate diplomacy, we break down how international dynamics are influencing the domestic debate. Whether you're a foreign affairs junkie or just curious about how global issues play out at the ballot box, this is your ticket to understanding how Australia's vote echoes around the world.

Introducing Jeremy Dicker, the current Managing Director of International Intrigue, a premier geopolitical news platform, offering unparalleled insights from the experts who know international relations better than anyone—diplomats. With a distinguished 14-year career at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jeremy has worked across diverse global regions, including Mexico, Peru, and the United States.In this episode, Poppy delves deep into Jeremy Dicker's remarkable journey, from his early days as a young lawyer with the United Nations in Fiji to his pivotal decision to pivot into his current role leading International Intrigue.Discover what sparked his passion for international law and diplomacy, what shaped his extensive career, and the experiences that led him to become the driving force behind one of the most respected sources of geopolitical news today.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who's fascinated by the world of foreign affairs, and it offers a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from someone who has truly “been there and done that” in the realm of Australian diplomacy and international relations.

In this episode, we dive into some of the most pressing global conflicts and political shifts for 2025. We'll explore the Ukraine-Russia peace plan, with a spotlight on Donald Trump's involvement and its potential impact on the region. The conversation then shifts to the Israel-Palestine situation, focusing on the latest ceasefire developments. We also provide background on the ongoing crisis in Sudan, shedding light on its complex roots and current state. Finally, we examine the rise of far-right politics across Europe, sharing insights on its growing influence. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of today's most critical global issues.

Shadi Rouhshahbaz (she/her) is an Associate Research Fellow at The Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADI). She is a PhD student at the University of Melbourne and holds a Double-Joint Master's degree in International Development - Migration and Mediation from the Ca Foscari University of Venice and Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3. Shadi has worked with UN Women HQ, UNICEF and the United Network of Young Peacebuilders. Her research focuses on the intersections of foresight studies, youth, gender, peace and security, the Middle East and multilateral institutions. Shadi is committed to conducting research that influences policy by bridging the gaps between the lived experience of individuals and the required developments of systems and academia. We are grateful she shared her time with Trailblazer host Poppy Bell.

This week, hosts Thien and Oz are joined by Professor Tim Lynch, an expert in American politics. Together, they dive into the U.S. election, exploring the possibility of a Trump comeback and the role Kamala Harris could play in stopping it. He unpacks the perception of a Trump victory as inevitable—and why U.S. elections matter globally.

Welcoming our first guest for In-Depth in 2024 Dr Stuart Murray, Associate Professor in International Relations at Bond University. Dr Murray is a Global Fellow at the Academy of Sport (University of Edinburgh), an Honorary Member of the Centre for Sports Law, Policy and Diplomacy at the University of Rijeka (Croatia), and an Associate Editor of Brill Research Perspectives on Diplomacy and Foreign Policy (The Netherlands) and the Journal of Public Policy (South Korea). A globally respected writer, speaker and expert on international relations, diplomacy and sports diplomacy, Dr Murray has consulted and advised government, international institutions and non-state actors on a broad range of matters. Among his many achievements, he was also recommended to us as the sports diplomacy guy, so we were honoured he had time for an interview. Now as Paris 2024 has wrapped up, we delve with him into the world of sports diplomacy and its future.

In this special return episode of Global Question's Trailblazer series, incoming Trailblazer host Poppy interviews Sarah Leary, the Perth USAsia Centre's First Nations Foreign Policy Fellow. 
A proud Palawa woman from Tommeginne Country in North-West Tasmania, Sarah leads the Centre's research, policy advocacy, and partnerships initiatives which focus on WA's engagement with Australia's First Nations Foreign Policy agenda. 
Sarah spent 14 years in the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Attorney-General's Department, serving diplomatic missions in Solomon Islands, Cambodia and Vietnam, and at times representing Australia in the United States. 
A big thank you to Sarah for returning to our listeners' earbuds with us in 2024. 
Keep up with us on instagram @global.questions and @ydsociety 
Presenter: Poppy Bell Editor: Abby Wellington

We can't believe we're saying this, but this is our last Global Questions episode! After 2.5 years and 100+ episodes, Josh, Rhiannon and Kelly have decided it's time to turn off the mics and take a well-earned rest. So, join the entire GQ team as they: Recap their favourite episodes Give a sneak peak behind the scenes Chat about the highs (and lows) of putting together a podcast Hopefully you'll miss us just as much as we'll miss you! Thanks for tuning in and providing us with a reason to put the show together. If you've enjoyed listening to us, we'd love to hear from you. Shoot us a message on our Instagram page: @global.questions. Although we're finishing up, the Young Diplomats Society (our parent organisation) isn't! If you love international affairs, attending events and hearing from inspiring people, follow them here on Facebook or Instagram. From all of us here at Global Questions, thank you.

Inequality is complex and varied, but have you ever heard of the digital divide? As new technologies emerge and we live more of our lives online, the divide between those who have reliable internet access and those who don't only deepens. This week, for our final In-Depth episode on technology, Rhiannon talks to Dr George Ingram, a senior fellow at the Centre for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. They chat about: What the digital divide is The impact of Covid-19 on tech inequality The role of private companies in making things better (and worse) Why we can (and must) bridge the digital divide. Want to know more? Check out Dr George Ingram's bio on the Brookings Institute here. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Join Kelly and Josh as they discuss: The collapse of Israel's government, and why it means Netanyahu could become PM *again*. Why the UK's attempt to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was temporarily blocked by a European court. Hun Sen's strategy to crush Cambodian democracy and establish a dictatorship. The ‘civilised' conflict you've probably never heard of: the Whisky War. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

Social media has revolutionized terrorism. It has made recruitment easier, sped up the process of radicalisation and provided a safe haven for extremists to talk to each other. It's also increased the impact of acts of terror. With a click of a button, terrorists can livestream their acts to millions of people. So, what are tech companies doing to address the issue? Should governments step in? And is using AI to remove violent content a good idea, or could it pose hidden dangers? Rhiannon chats to two guests from Tech Against Terrorism, an UN-supported initiative that helps the global tech industry tackle terrorism while respecting human rights. Want to know more? Check out the Tech Against Terrorism website or contact them via contact@techagainstterrorism.org. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Join Kelly and Josh as they discuss: Why the new president of the Conference on Disarmament is ... North Korea. Why El Salvador's president has jailed 36,000 people in two months. What Putin's recent meeting with the head of the African Union was about. Whether the British monarchy can survive the next few decades. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

In this episode we are talking all things space! Does space law actually constrain the behaviour of states? Do we have a responsibility to care for the environment in space? Is there a space race between the US and China, and if so, what are the stakes? Does space exploration represent the latest form of colonialism? Discussing all of these questions and more, this episode will look at the overlap between modern technologies and space, focusing on the benefits that space exploration has brought. Our guest today is Leonard David, a space journalist from the US, who has been reporting on space activities for over 50 years. Leonard is the author of the new book, Moon Rush: The New Space Race, published by National Geographic in May 2019. They discuss: political tensions over the race to space the militarization of space and great power space dynamics legal and political space regulations and environmental protection of space Want to know more? Check out Leonard's website for all of his work and links to the books he has written! Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

In light of the recent federal election, today's episode is a shorter one that keeps with the election theme! Join Kelly and Josh as they discuss: How BongBong Marcos, son of a brutal dictator, convinced the Philippines to elect him President. Why the collapse of Sri Lanka's economy can be attributed to one family. As Josh mentioned, here are some fascinating articles on how Labor's win could shape Australia's foreign policy: Can Penny Wong reset difficult relationships? (ABC News): https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-25/wong-albanese-labor-foreign-policy-security-defence-diplomacy/101097144 How will the Labor government shape foreign policy on China? (ABC News): https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-25/china-australia-relations-foreign-policy-labor-win/101091996 Imagining Labor's first 100 days in foreign policy (Lowy Institute): https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/imagining-labor-s-first-100-days-foreign-policy Labor will rebuild Australia's international development program (DevPolicy): https://devpolicy.org/labor-will-rebuild-australias-international-development-program-20220516/ Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to augment military capabilities since the missile defence systems of the 1980s, but today's AI is becoming more sophisticated and pervasive in the development of semi-autonomous weapons. So what does this mean for the future of warfare and contemporary conflicts around the globe? This week, Rhiannon chats with Dr Peter Layton, a Visiting Fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University. He has extensive aviation and defence experience and, for his work at the Pentagon on force structure matters, he was awarded the United States Secretary of Defense's Exceptional Public Service Medal. His research interests include grand strategy, national security policies particularly relating to middle powers, defence force structure concepts and the effects of emerging technology. They chat about: Why AI is becoming integral to warfare and military operations When AI should be used over human decision making the competition over the development of AI technology and how this will play a role in great power politics and the future of AI in warfare Want to know more? Check out Peter's book 'Grand Strategy', his LinkedIn or email him at p.layton@griffith.edu.au. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Join Kelly and Josh as they discuss … Unprecedented anger within China at Xi Jinping's harsh Covid strategy. What the Supreme Court's abortion decision could mean for America *and the world*. The growing threat of war between Israel and Palestine over evictions. Sinn Fein's historic victory in Northern Ireland's elections – and their plan to leave the UK. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

There is little that is uncontroversial when it comes to cryptocurrency, from its wild fluctuations and energy usage to its links to transnational crime and mysterious origins. In this episode, Rhiannon chats to David Gerard, an author and cryptocurrency journalist from London. They talk about: What cryptocurrency is and how it came about back in 2008 The benefits and dangers of digital currencies The failure of Facebook's stable coin Libra and the approach of state regulators El Salvador's fiasco integrating bitcoin as legal tender The future of crypto and what it means for our society You can read more of David's articles on cryptocurrency here and find him on Twitter. David also has several books out – find them here. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

It's finally here! Join Josh and Kelly as they discuss some of the *crazy* stories from the last fortnight. They chat about: The secretive private army that murdered civilians, and then tried to blame the French military. Why China's deal with the Solomon Islands is controversial. Whether Tunisia's President is a democratic hero, or an aspiring dictator (spoiler: no one knows!). How Honduras' president helped traffick 500 tonnes of drugs to the US. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

Our first in-depth episode for Season 6 tackles the controversial topic of mass surveillance. New technology allows governments and companies to track nearly everything we do: what we buy, where we go, who we meet and how we think. It's given them an unprecedented amount of power. So, what does this mean for our safety, democracy and global stability? Join Rhiannon, Kevin Macnish and Moira Paterson as they consider: The future of surveillance and "smart cities". Whether mass surveillance is good for us in the long-run. What we should make of whistleblowers like Edward Snowden. Whether the law and civil society can hold governments to account. Kevin Macnish is the Digital Ethics Consulting Manager at Sopra Steria, a leading tech company in Europe. He has taught ethics and IT at the University of Twente and the University of Leeds. Kevin researches the ethics of surveillance, cybersecurity and technology. Read more of Kevin's work here. Moira Patterson teaches and researches in field of information law at Monash University. She focuses on freedom of information, privacy and data protection, and has advised the Australian Information Commissioner. Moira's articles can be found here. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram and Facebook for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Join Josh and Kelly as they unpack the wild stories making news over the last fortnight! We chat about: Why Russia was removed from the UNHRC, and whether it could be kicked out of the UN entirely. The fate of Pakistan's ex-cricketer and ex-PM, Imran Khan. Why this year's World Cup in Qatar may be responsible for up to 6,750 deaths. How a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could see year-long delays for a new phone, computer or car. For more on the tragic situation in Qatar, check out The Guardian's report. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

We are back!! Join Rhiannon, Josh and our *new co-host* as they reveal the topic for this season's fortnightly IN-DEPTH episodes. Season 6 will also feature our popular news summaries (THE WRAP UP) and tips for how to start your international career (TRAILBLAZERS). First episode is out next Tuesday 12th April. Tell your friends, share it on your socials and get ready for our best season yet!! FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

This is a throwback to the very first episode ever published on Global Questions! At the end of 2019, Gen interviewed Gillian Triggs, the former head of the Australian Human Rights Commission and current Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. Gillian chats with Gen about: Australia's inhumane refugee policies; What the Commission uncovered during its investigation into offshore detention; How it felt being on the receiving end of personal attacks from the Abbott government; and Gillian's hopes for her role at the United Nations. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

In 2020, Gen had the privilege to interview the former PM, Kevin Rudd, about his campaign for a royal commission into the Murdoch empire. They discuss: Why media diversity is so important How the Murdoch empire influences media coverage, politics and public discourse What you can do to speak up for media diversity in Australia FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

In 2021, Gen spoke to Nuria Yu and Nathan Ruser about the ongoing persecution of the Uyghur ethnic group in China. It's estimated that up to 2 million Uyghurs have been detained in 're-education' camps that are similar to the concentration camps of World War II. There's evidence the Chinese government is forcibly sterilising, torturing and enslaving Uyghurs -- which human rights groups say constitutes genocide. Nuria Yu is a Uyghur woman and activist living in Australia. She has family in China who have been persecuted and detained. Nathan Ruser is a research at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). Through looking at satellite images, he was able to uncover multiple 're-education' camps. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

We may be on a break, but you can still listen to some of our favourite episodes! In 2021, Josh chatted to Paul Govind and Mark McVeigh about why young people are suing companies and governments over climate change. At age 23, Mark took his super company, REST, to court. He argued the $57bn company failed to consider climate change when investing. Days before the trial, REST admitted Mark was right! Mark tells Josh about his experience and why it's necessary to hold companies accountable for their climate change records. To understand why people are taking companies and governments to court, Josh also chats to Paul. Paul is a Lecturer at the Centre for Environmental Law at Macquarie University Law School. Paul unpacks recent climate change cases and explains how environmental law is changing our globalised world. For more info and to connect with both our fascinating guests, check out Mark's LinkedIn and Paul's blog ‘Law and Nature Dialogue'. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

We have finally reached the last episode of season 5 on the decline of democracy and boy is it a good one! This week Rhiannon brings you two incredibly passionate guests, Iain Walker and Tim Hollo. Iain is the executive director of New Democracy – a research organisation established to ensure citizens trust their government's decision making and democratic processes. Rhiannon chats to Iain about deliberative democracies, increasing participation and community involvement in democratic processes, and what new kinds of democracy could look like in the future. Then Rhiannon chats to Tim Hollo, who is not only the executive director of the Greens institute and an author but is the Greens candidate for the seat of Canberra. They discuss the crisis of democracy in contemporary society, international and national issues influencing democracy and citizens involvement, and how to work towards ecological democracy. You can find more about Iain and his organisation New Democracy here! Tim is active on Twitter and Facebook and you can also check out his page on The Greens! We hope you have loved this season as much as we have and are inspired to help protect democracy in the future. The Global Questions team will be taking a short break and getting ready for next season, so don't go anywhere!! Stay tuned for updates on next season on our socials! FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Our monthly Trailblazer episodes are back and Rhiannon had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Janielle Beh for this month's episode! After completing her schooling at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Janielle graduated from the Melbourne Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music in 2014, and then went on to complete her Master of Teaching (Music Education) at Monash University in 2017. Since then, she has taken her passion for music and combined it with social change and peacebuilding initiatives all across the globe. Janielle has run music workshops in Israel, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda, India and the United Arab Emirates, and was the Head of Piano at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music since 2018 into the period of the Taliban takeover in 2021. Janielle chats to Rhiannon about: transforming her creativity and passion for music into a global career path how she is developing programs for social change and peacebuilding through music her inspirations and motivations in her career teaching music during the Taliban takeover in 2021 Check out more of Janielle's work and experiences on her website. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Join Josh and our special guest, Kelly, as they both unpack: Why the potential invasion of Ukraine could cripple Europe's gas supplies How a group of Irish fishermen took on the Russian navy … and won Why leaders of the far-right are gathering in Budapest next month The global implications of Honduras' first female president Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

We're back!! After the Christmas holidays, it's time to bring you the final episodes in our series on the decline of democracy. Today, we take a closer look at the Chinese Communist Party. Under Xi Jingping, China has sought to undermine democratic nations and to export its authoritarian form of government to other countries. What does this mean for the future of liberal democracy around the world? Our guest is Dr Roger Huang, a lecturer in terrorism studies and political violence at Macquarie University. We discuss: The relationship between Chinese culture and democracy; What the crackdown in Hong Kong can tell us about the CCP; and Whether tensions between the US and China could trigger a new Cold War. To get in contact with Roger or read more of his work, check out his academic profile. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

It is the last episode of the year and boy is it a good one!! Rhiannon chats to Jesse Walker, a renowned writer and the editor of Reason magazine, on conspiracy theories and political paranoia, and how they are affecting democracy worldwide. Jesse has written numerous books including his most recent book - "The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory”. They discuss: the history of conspiracy theories around the world and the united states why people continue to reach for conspiracy theories how political paranoia persists throughout time how conspiracy theories are eroding democratic institutions and processes more broadly. Check out Jesse's Twitter here and don't forget to look at his book "The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory” for more info on conspiracy theories!! FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Join us for Hugh's final episode on The Wrap Up (more details in the episode!). Today on the show: Why Rohingya refugees are suing Facebook for US$150 billion. Can the Iran deal be saved, or is war on the horizon? Protests in Serbia over Europe's biggest lithium mine. Why Algeria and Morocco are fighting over the African Men's Handball Championships. Josh and Hugh also chat about their favourite stories from the year and give a preview of what The Wrap Up will sound like in 2022. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

Since receiving its independence in 1947, India has stood as a bastion of democracy in the Indo-Pacific. However, while India boasts a liberal-democratic constitution and a strong culture of political participation, we have seen shifts away from democracy to arguably more authoritarian systems. In this In-Depth episode, Rhiannon chats with Mauktik Kulkarni, an entrepreneur, neuroscientist, author, and filmmaker from India who currently lives and works in the United States. After training in engineering, biophysics and neuroscience at several prestigious universities across India and the United States, Mauktik became involved in multiple health care and tech startups, backpacked across 50 countries and even wrote two books! Since then he has written articles on US domestic and foreign policies, international news, technology, Indian democracy and politics for places like the Fair Observer and The Wire. In this episode, Rhiannon and Mauktik discuss: The relationship between democracy, Indian and Hindu nationalism, and authoritarianism India's long and multifaceted history as a democracy in South Asia Modi's populist India and how he has influenced Hindu nationalism The rivalry between India and Pakistan in the region of Jammu and Kashmir and whether the decline in democracy in India will influence the region more broadly. You can catch Mauktik on LinkedIn or see his work on his website - https://www.mauktik.me/. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

It's the first Thursday of the month, so it's time for another Trailblazer Thursday! Today's guest is Bronte Munro. Bronte is completing her Master of Cybersecurity at Macquarie University and is the Cyber and Technology Fellow at Young Australians in International Affairs (YAIA). She also interns as a research officer at Thales Australia, a global technology leader that invests in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology. On top of that, she is a contributing writer to the Young Diplomats Society! Bronte chats to Rhiannon about: Becoming interested in cybersecurity and technology throughout her university study Gaining experience as a researcher through internships How to think critically about global issues Tips for turning your passion for international affairs into practical experience as a writer Check out Bronte on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronte-munro-2b382714a/. You can see her journey as the Cyber and Technology Fellow at YAIA here - https://www.youngausint.org.au/fellows. Her work is also featured on the Young Diplomats Society publications page - https://www.theyoungdiplomats.com/post/blurred-lines-solarwinds-and-the-private-sector-in-national-cyber-security Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

Join Josh and Hugh as they unpack: Why Ethiopia's PM has left his palace and is now living on a battlefield. The dramatic events in the Solomon Islands, including why Australia is sending troops there. Competition between the US and China over the future of Taiwan. Sweden's first female PM (who resigned on her first day in office!) Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

The world has witnessed unprecedented levels of globalisation over the past few decades, and while it has substantially improved living conditions, communication and flow of information, it has also created new levels of inequality within and between countries. In today's In-Depth episode, Rhiannon chats to Steven Slaughter, Associate Professor in International Relations at Deakin University, and Estella Kabachwezi, an activist and lawyer in Uganda, on the intersection between globalisation and inequality and whether it is contributing to the decline in democracy internationally. They discuss: the rise of globalisation through communication and the internet, and whether this helps promote democracy the relationship between inequality and globalisation how the developed world and the developing world can work to protect democracy the implications and benefits of globalisation in Africa Check out Steven's profile or you can find him on Twitter! You can get in touch with Estella via her Twitter here. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Your fortnightly dose of news is here! Join Josh and Hugh as they unpack: The good, the bad and the ugly from COP26. Why Belarus is flying migrants to the EU border. The latest attempt to silence Thailand's student activists. A potential boycott of the Winter Olympics as China/US tensions rise. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

The rise of populism in recent years has provoked profound questions around the viability of existing democratic systems and the future of developing democracies. This week we have two insightful guests to discuss the rise of populism and how it is influencing democracy around the world. First up, Rhiannon chats to Anastasia Kapetas, the National Security Editor at The Strategist from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, about the history of populism, its rise throughout politics and politicians in the United States, the impact of faux-populism and if there is any hope for democracy internationally. Then, we welcome Brandon Wu, a political activist from the United States, who chats to Rhiannon about Trump-style populism and its influence on democratic processes and institutions in the US in today's society. If you want to get in touch you can reach Anastasia via her email - anastasiakapetas@aspi.org.au. You can also touch base with Brandon via his email - brandonw2002@gmail.com. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

We are back with our new Trailblazer Thursdays - our special monthly episode where we chat to young professionals about their global careers. Today's guest is Daria Impiombato, a researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's (ASPI) International Cyber Policy Centre in Canberra, Australia. Her research includes human rights, technological advancements, activism in authoritarian regimes, Chinese domestic and foreign policy, and the role of communication/media in international politics. We chat about: gaining knowledge and experience through internships how she turned her interest in global issues and politics into an exciting career tips for young people embarking on a career in research and international relations. Check out Daria's work at ASPI here, follow her on Twitter, and/or get in touch via her email - dariaimpiombato@aspi.org.au. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

Josh and Hugh's fortnightly recap of international news is here! Join us as we discuss: The aim of COP26 (and why it's been dubbed the world's “last chance”). How Sudan's coup could affect global trade and help Russia. Why a dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia has worried Iran. Why Richard Gere is testifying against Italy's former deputy PM in a kidnapping trial. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

Press freedom is the 'cornerstone' of democracy according to the UN. Yet in the past few years, journalism has been under attack. Reporters face physical and legal threats both in Australia and around the world. This week Josh chats with Marcus Strom about the decline in press freedom, what it means for democracy and how we can repair the damage. Marcus Strom is the President of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance. He's worked as a journalist in Australia and the United Kingdom for over 25 years, including for news outlets like the Sydney Morning Herald. Check out Marcus on Twitter for all his work! For more info about the MEAA, visit its website. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Josh and Hugh's fortnightly recap of international news is here! Join us as we discuss: Why Beirut was in chaos last week (and what it means for Lebanon). How the world is responding to Afghanistan's aid crisis. Kenya and Somalia's ocean spat in the world's highest court. Controversy over the US's “kindergarten level” cyber security. Are you enjoying Global Questions? Got an idea for an upcoming episode? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Head to our suggestions page. Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news updates, quizzes, and bonus content. For more info about us, check out our website.

Tune in for the first episode in our In-Depth series on Democracy in Decline. This week, Rhiannon chats to Associate Professor Tom Daly and Asanga Abeyagoonesekera about how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting democracy around the globe. Tom is the Deputy Director of the University of Melbourne's School of Government. He's also the Director of the research platform Democratic Decay and Renewal. His research focuses on the future of liberal democracy and how it's been tested by the pandemic over the past 18 months. Asanga is an international security and geopolitics analyst, as well as a strategic advisor from Sri Lanka. He has almost 2 decades of experience in the government sector, working in foreign policy and defence think tanks. Asanga is an expert in Sri Lankan geopolitical security. We discuss how politicians have used Covid-19 as a distraction to consolidate power and the interplay between certain political systems and democracy in the Covid-19 era. We look at Sri Lanka as a case study, focusing on how the Rajapaksa dynasty has used the pandemic to concentrate power. Get in touch with Tom Daly via his Twitter page or LinkedIn. Check out Asanga's work and get in touch with him on Twitter and read his article on the Rajapaksa regime here. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Josh and Hugh's fortnightly recap of international news is back! (Trust us, we're as excited as you are!!) Join us as we discuss: The power outages crippling Chinese cities and factories. What Germany's election stalemate means for EU stability. Whether a boxing champ could be the Philippines' next President. Nigeria's decision to turn off phone networks and ban motorcycles. Are you enjoying Global Questions? If so, subscribe, leave a review and share us on your socials! Follow us on Instagram @global.questions for breaking news, quizzes, and bonus content. And if you'd like to get in touch, check out our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Global Questions is back for an exciting fifth season!  We have had a decent break over the past few weeks and are super excited to be back in your ears delivering you guys a new season on the topic 'Democracy in Decline'.  In the break, we underwent some pretty big changes, and we would like to introduce you to one of them - our new In-Depth host Rhiannon! Join Josh, Hugh and Rhiannon as they discuss what we will be covering this season. From Covid-19 and democratic backsliding to freedom of the press and conspiracy theories - this season really has it all.  So stay tuned, as Season 5 begins NEXT WEEK on Tuesday 5 October 2021!!!! FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more content! Find out more about the Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

In light of some of our founding members moving on from Global Questions, we are bringing you their all-time favourite episodes! This week, we are re-sharing Emma's favourite episode - the In-Depth discussion with Ama Burkoh and Nayonika Bhattacharya on the BLM movement and how it relates to Indigenous Australians. For this episode we delve into the increasing protests against police brutality in the United States, analysing how systematic racism has transpired through American history, and link it back to Australia's own systematic racism towards Indigenous Australians. What is the BLM movement? What is systematic racism? What is America's history that concerns African Americans? How can we see this in Australia? What is a good ally? What is white privilege? How can you support the movement? Ama Berkoh is a 20-year-old African Australian, born in Ghana and raised in Australia, who has recently graduated from UNSW with a Bachelor of Communication (Public Communication) majoring in PR and Digital & Social Media. Ama is passionate about all things technology and is incredibly passionate about utilising empathy, innovative design, and human-centred principles to solve some of the world's most complex problems through social change. Nayonika is a 5th year Arts/Law student at UNSW specialising in Politics and International Relations. She is passionate about creating platforms for young women in tech and reforming the law to make it more accessible. She is a City of Sydney ISLA AMbassador, MHAHS International Student Advisor, Executive Assistant to the CISA Education Officer and the UNSW Student Council Welfare Officer. You can connect with Ama on Linkedin here and Nayonika here. FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

In light of some of our founding members moving on from Global Questions, we are bringing you their all-time favourite episodes! This week, we are re-sharing Gen's favourite episode - the In-Depth discussion with Bernard Collaery on Witness K during our season on security. Bernard Collaery is an Australian barrister, lawyer and former Attorney-General being prosecuted for conspiring against the government. Gen and Bernard discuss Australia's national security through the lens of the Witness K trial. Since this episode aired, Witness K and Bernard Collaery were charged over their alleged roles in exposing how Australia bugged Timor-Leste during negotiations surrounding oil and gas in the region in 2004. The trial was held in private through special powers meant for counter-terrorism. Out of almost 40 court appearances, little has been publicly reported. The Australian Government was accused of abusing its power for condemning an honest whistleblower and his lawyer to hide its own actions. This case has the potential to inflict negative relationships with Australia's international partners and affect Australia's global reputation. What was the government hiding from the public in Witness K's case? Why were Collaery and Witness K targeted? Does this represent a change in culture within the Australian government? And how can we make sure this doesn't happen again? References in the episode: ‘Killing Field' by ABC Four Corners: Documentary exposing killings and cover-ups by Australian special forces in Afghanistan. ‘Official Secrets': Book about the British secret service whistleblower who tried to stop the Iraq War. 'Oil Under Troubled Water: Australia's Intrigue': Book by Bernard Collaery FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.

Today's episode is a farewell to Genevieve Marcocci and Emma Fabreguette, two of the founding members of Global Questions. Both Gen and Emma are moving on to bigger and better things, so we wanted to give them a proper send-off by inviting them on the show and quizzing them on a range of topics -- including what it was like to start the podcast and to interview an ex-prime minister. Gen and Emma, from all our listeners and the Global Questions team, thank you ❤️❤️❤️ We will miss you greatly, but we are so excited to see where your future takes you! One last thing - don't forget to fill out our survey/give your feedback to our team!!! You can find the link here: https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/tKQZEgnW FOLLOW US: Follow Global Questions on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more content! Find more about Young Diplomats Society on our website. CREDITS: This episode is produced by the Young Diplomats Society on the lands of the Wurundjeri/Gadigal people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we operate and live.