Why It Matters

Beware, coffee lovers: climate change could disrupt your precious morning cup of joe. Coffee beans could lose half of their farmable land by 2050 as temperatures and weather patterns become more extreme and less predictable. This could lead to scarcer yields and pricier brews. But there is hope that unique varieties and novel farming techniques could change coffee's destiny. The transition will require massive investments and many observers question whether the industry can meet the challenge.   Featured Guests: Aaron P. Davis (Senior Research Leader of Crops and Global Change, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)   Amanda Grossi (Senior Africa Regional Manager, International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Earth Institute, Columbia University)   Jonathan Morris (Research Professor in History, University of Hertfordshire)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/trouble-brewing-coffee

Hip-hop is a phenomenon that has captured hearts around the world. Its musical form ranges from party anthems to critical social commentary. But the genre plays another role: it is an influential soft-power tool for the United States. Like its predecessors jazz and rock, hip-hop is utilized by the U.S. State Department to connect with young minds, and its unique ability to inspire goodwill toward the United States offers a significant advantage over adversaries such as China and Russia. How did hip-hop become a go-to diplomatic instrument?   Toni Blackman (Alumni Outreach Director, Next Level)  Mark Katz (John P. Barker Distinguished Professor of Music and Director of Graduate Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at:  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/hip-hop-diplomacy

For the past two thousand years, the pope has been a major player in global affairs. He is frequently called upon to act as a peace broker, a mediator, an advocate, and an influencer; and with over 1.3 billion followers around the world, the pope and his governmental arm, the Holy See, have the power to shape the future. How has the pope's power changed over time, and what is his role today?   Timothy Byrnes (Third Century Chair in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Professor of Political Science, Colgate University)   Francis Campbell (Vice Chancellor, University of Notre Dame Australia)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/power-of-the-pope

In this special episode, Why It Matters follows up with CFR President Richard Haass to hear his insights on the war in Ukraine.   Featured Guests:  Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/update-on-ukraine-with-richard-haass

For years, large corporations have exploited international tax laws to pay less taxes. But last year, 137 countries backed a potential solution: a 15 percent corporate tax applied regardless of a company's location. The reform could raise global tax revenues by $150 billion a year, but as advocates garner political support, there are significant roadblocks.    Featured Guests:  Shu-Yi Oei (Professor, Boston College Law School) Richard Rubin (U.S. Tax Policy Reporter, Wall Street Journal)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/what-in-the-world-is-a-global-minimum-tax

How can the world create better medicines? More powerful solar cells? New batteries? The answers could come from a revolutionary research tool known as the quantum computer. It can seem like magic—harnessing the power of quantum physics to tackle the world's most pressing challenges. But there are unmitigated risks too, as the technology continues to develop. What would a quantum-led future hold?   Featured Guests:  Shohini Ghose (Quantum Physicist and Professor, Physics and Computer Science, Wilfrid Laurier University)  Marissa Guistina (Quantum Electronics Engineer and Research Scientist, Google)  Kate Weber (Public Policy Lead, Quantum Computing, Google)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/quantum-leap

The world is already witnessing the effects of climate change. One inescapable and irreversible consequence is sea-level rise, which could destroy coastal cities. How will the world adapt to rising tides?   Featured Guests:   Alice C. Hill (David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment, Council on Foreign Relations)  Klaus Jacob (Geophysicist and Emeritus Research Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University)  Henk Ovink  (Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, Netherlands)  Gernot Wagner (Climate Economist and Visiting Associate Professor, Columbia University)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/climate-adaptation-rising-tides-in-coastal-cities

In this special episode, Why It Matters sits down with CFR President Richard Haass to ask the basic questions about the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin's frame of mind, and his threat to world order.   Featured Guest: Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at:  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/perspective-ukraine-richard-haass  

As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, here are some resources from the Council on Foreign Relations to stay informed:    Charles A. Kupchan, “Why Putin's War With Ukraine Is a Miscalculation,” CFR.org, February 24, 2022   “TWNW Special: Russia's Invasion of Ukraine,” The World Next Week, February 24, 2022   “Ukraine's Struggle for Independence in Russia's Shadow,” CFR.org, February 24, 2022   “Crisis in Ukraine,” CFR.org, February 23, 2022   Alina Polyakova and Daniel Fried, “Putin's Long Game in Ukraine,” Foreign Affairs,  February 23, 2022   Thomas Graham, “Has Russia Just Started a Wider War With Ukraine?,” CFR.org, February 22, 2022   Max Boot, “Why the U.S. Ramped Up Its Information War With Russia,” CFR.org, February 10, 2022   Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow, “How Do the Militaries of Russia and Ukraine Stack Up?,” CFR.org, February 4, 2022   Jonathan Masters, “Why NATO Has Become a Flash Point With Russia in Ukraine,” CFR.org, January 20, 2022   Jonathan Masters, “Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia,” CFR.org, December 2, 2021  

The world is moving toward electric vehicles and clean energy, but a green future doesn't depend on wind turbines, solar panels, and Teslas alone. It will also require a vast supply of advanced batteries. As a result, global demand for lithium—an essential battery ingredient—is outpacing supply, with the gap expected to grow in the years to come.   Featured Guests:  Frank Fannon (Managing Director, Fannon Global Advisors) Vijay Vaitheeswaran (Global Energy & Climate Innovation Editor, The Economist)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/batteries-not-included

Why It Matters is back for a fifth season, asking the important questions about the global issues, problems, and trends that will affect the future. What role does American music play in international relations? Will the global supply chain put the path to clean energy at risk? What the heck is quantum computing?   For more information on our first four seasons, be sure to visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/why-it-matters    

The Why It Matters team is pleased to introduce a new CFR series, Nine Questions for the World.    The world is changing, and its future is forming around high-stakes challenges such as climate change and shifting geopolitical power. In this limited series, Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass sits down with nine extraordinary thinkers to explore fundamental questions about the century to come.   To hear more, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or where ever you get your audio.   For episodes and more information, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcast-series/nine-questions-world.

Last summer, China tested a hypersonic missile that traveled through orbit. The test shocked many observers and led to widespread concern about the potential for nuclear-armed missiles that can evade detection and defense systems. The technology is not as new as it might seem, but this latest test highlights an underlying threat that the world has been living with for decades.   Featured Guests:  Laura Grego (Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)  Adam Mount (Senior Fellow and Director, Federation of American Scientists)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/hyperventilating-over-hypersonics

Nuclear energy is critical for decarbonization in the fight against climate change. But high-profile accidents, substantial costs, and concerns about waste management have kneecapped its expansion. As the climate crisis intensifies, the world is rethinking how to use nuclear energy to tackle ambitious climate targets.   Featured Guests:  Leslie Dewan  (CEO, RadiantNano)  Shirley Ann Jackson (President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at:  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/the-climate-for-nuclear-energy

Experts argue that Mexico affects daily life in the United States more than any other country. For years, U.S. and Mexican officials have attempted to tackle immigration, trade, and security challenges, and their success has depended on cooperation. With so much at stake, Why It Matters investigates the complex relationship and the factors that threaten it.   Featured Guests:  Shannon K. O'Neil (Vice President, Deputy Director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies, Council on Foreign Relations)  Mariana Campero (Senior Associate, Non-resident, Americas Program, Center for Strategic & International Studies)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/mexico

Female service members are more likely to be sexually assaulted by a fellow service member than shot by an enemy combatant at war. As the reports increase, the controversial military justice system remains intact. The current policy gives commanders authority over the prosecution, often allowing perpetrators to evade accountability. The consequences are dire for survivors and the armed services at large, as the status quo undermines military readiness.    Featured Guests:  Don Christenson (Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Ret., President, Protect Our Defenders)  Meghann Myers (Pentagon Bureau Chief, Military Times)  Heather Sexton (Captain, Missouri Army National Guard, Ret.)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/sexual-assault-in-the-us-military

Why It Matters is pleased to present an episode from its sister podcast, The President's Inbox. Today, U.S. national security is dependent on international nuclear agreements. How does the world regulate nuclear weapons as countries continue to advance their arsenals?   Featured Guests:  James M. Lindsey (Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, Council on Foreign Relations)   Rose Gottemoeller (Frank E. and Arthur W. Payne Distinguished Lecturer, Stanford University Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Center for International Security and Cooperation)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/podcast-takeover-nuclear-security-presidents-inbox

The glamour and thrill of espionage, brought to life on screen by characters such as James Bond, have long captivated imaginations. But this profession is deeply misunderstood, and it is always changing. Today, spycraft hangs in the balance as new technologies emerge and societies change.    Featured Guests:  Edward Lucas (Senior Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis)  Emily Harding (Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/spying-101

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the Taliban's swift takeover of the country, has prompted a moment of national debate about the war's cost and legacy. Many are asking what went wrong and what the conflict accomplished.  For insight, Why It Matters turned to CFR President Richard N. Haass, who has spent four decades studying and advising on Afghanistan. As head of policy planning for the State Department under U.S. President George W. Bush, and later as U.S. coordinator for the future of Afghanistan, Haass was in the room when many of the earliest and most important decisions about the war were shaped. In this episode, he offers his critique of how the war unfolded and raises potential lessons the United States should consider as it turns its eyes to future challenges.   Featured Guest:  Richard N. Haass (CFR President) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/perspective-afghanistan-richard-n-haass

Hosting the Olympics is a monumental undertaking that often leaves behind rusted stadiums and financial losses. So why do nations compete to do it? This episode examines the political history of the games, and the soft power that countries hope to gain by hosting them.   Featured Guests:  Jules Boykoff (Professor of Political Science, Pacific University)  Katharine Moon (Professor of Political Science, Wellesley College)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/hey-remember-olympics

The United States' alliance with Japan is the centerpiece of U.S. security in Asia, but new demographic challenges from within Japan raise concerns about the future of the region.   Featured Guests:  Zach Cooper, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute (AEI)  Motoko Rich, Tokyo Bureau Chief, New York Times  Sheila A. Smith, John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia Pacific Studies   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/japans-population-problem

Fresh water is more than just a resource, it is the source of all life. But in many arid regions of the world, water supplies are under pressure from climate change, and outdated rules and infrastructure are making the problem worse. What does the world need to know about water consumption, and how can societies build better systems for a dryer future?   Featured Guests:  Mark Giordano (Professor of Geography and Cinco Hermanos Chair in Environment and International Affairs, Georgetown University)  Sandra Postel (Founder and Director, Global Water Policy Project)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/water-scarcity

Silicon chips are in almost all electronics, and access to them can make or break a country's economic future. Their production relies on complex supply chains, and during the pandemic, the world learned just how fragile these supply chains are. Many countries, including the United States and China, are investing billions of dollars to develop the capacity to produce chips domestically, and some analysts see chip-related conflict on the horizon.   Featured Guests:  Don Clark (Freelance Contributor, New York Times) Rebecca Heilweil (Reporter, Vox) Ajit Manocha (President and CEO, SEMI) David Sacks (Research Fellow)   For a transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/when-microchips-are-down

Will the world have enough water to survive in the era of climate change? Could a shortage of silicon chips eventually lead to war? Do human spies matter in the era of cyber espionage? Why It Matters is back for its fourth season, unpacking new problems and speaking with a host of new guests.   For more about Why It Matters, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/why-it-matters

Industrial overfishing and other man-made factors have pushed one-third of the world’s fish stocks to be threatened with extinction, and many other species are not far behind. The problem represents a serious risk to ocean biodiversity, and to large human populations that rely on fish for day-to-day survival. What can be done?   Featured Guests:  Manuel Barange (Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division, Food and Agriculture Organization)  Michele Kuruc (Vice President, Ocean Policy, World Wildlife Fund)  Stewart M. Patrick (James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/gone-fishing

Successful vaccine rollouts in the United States and other wealthy nations have made many people hopeful that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight. But the majority of the world’s population does not yet have access to these vaccines. Without a strong global effort to immunize everyone, new variants could tighten the pandemic’s grip on rich and poor countries alike.   Featured Guests:  Anthony S. Fauci (Director, U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)  Richard N. Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)  Tidjane Thiam (Special Envoy for COVID-19 Response, African Union)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/global-shot-arm-dr-fauci

The dollar is the world’s primary reserve currency, accounting for $6.7 trillion in foreign reserves. This has given the United States what some have called “an exorbitant privilege,” allowing it to borrow easily and to levy painful sanctions. But could it lose this status? Featured Guests: Roger Ferguson (President and Chief Executive Officer, TIAA) Sebastian Mallaby (Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/dollar-privilege

For years, security experts have warned that white nationalist and white supremacist extremism represent the most significant domestic terrorism threat to the United States. Now, in the wake of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the country seems to be gaining clarity about the seriousness of the situation for the first time. How did we get here, and what can be done? Featured Guests: Bruce Hoffman (Shelby Cullom and Kathryn W. Davis Senior Fellow for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security) Cynthia Miller-Idriss (Professor, School of Public Affairs and School of Education, American University) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/most-persistent-and-lethal-threat

There is no country quite like Russia. Despite having a relatively small economy, it has been able to maintain global influence through a range of unconventional tactics. How has Vladimir Putin played his country’s weak hand so effectively? And what is his goal? Featured Guests: Jill Dougherty (Global Fellow, Kennan Institute, Wilson Center) Stephen Sestanovich (George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Council on Foreign Relations) Angela Stent (Director, Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies, Georgetown University) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/russia

What does it take to make a Hollywood blockbuster? Movie stars? A great script? How about approval from the Chinese government? In this episode, two guests explore the surprising role of Chinese censorship and oversight in the production of U.S. films and ask what’s at stake as their presence increases. Featured Guests: Aynne Kokas (Associate Professor of Media Studies, University of Virginia) James Tager (Deputy Director, Free Expression Research and Policy, PEN America) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/chinas-starring-role-hollywood

The U.S. president can launch a first-strike nuclear attack at any time, and there’s no law mandating they seek advice first. Some experts think that’s too much power to put in one person’s hands. Episode Page and Show Notes Featured Guests: Richard K. Betts (Adjunct Senior Fellow for National Security Studies)Alexandra Bell (Senior Policy Director, Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation)Abigail Stowe-Thurston (Program Coordinator, Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation)

Projections show that by 2050, Africa’s population will double. By 2100, one in three people on Earth will be African. This means that, by the end of the century, sub-Saharan Africa—which already has an extraordinarily young population—will be home to almost half of the young people in the world. In this episode, two experts examine whether Africa’s youth boom will be a blessing or a curse.  Featured Guests: Michelle Gavin (Senior Fellow for Africa Studies, Council on Foreign Relations) John Githongo (Inuka Kenya Trust, CEO and publisher of The Elephant)

The Brazilian Amazon is burning, threatening the world’s largest repository of biodiversity. If the fires are not controlled soon, they could release a “climate bomb” of stored carbon that would accelerate climate change.  Featured Guests: Monica de Bolle (Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics) Stewart M. Patrick (James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program, Council on Foreign Relations) Thomas Lovejoy (President, Amazon Biodiversity Center) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/climate-bomb-amazon

Fifty-five percent of the global population lacks access to safe sanitation, a deadly global health disparity that rarely finds its way into the spotlight. In this episode, we examine the scope of the problem, and the cultural challenges that have made it surprisingly difficult to fix. Featured Guests: Tom Slaymaker (Senior Statistics and Monitoring Specialist, WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)) Sangita Vyas (Associate Director, Research Institute for Compassionate Economics) Brooke Yamakoshi (WASH Specialist, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/lets-talk-about-toilets

The United States trails far behind most advanced democracies when it comes to voter turnout, with just 55 percent of eligible voters participating in the 2016 election. What are other countries doing right, and what is the United States doing wrong?  Featured Guests: David Becker (Executive Director, Center for Election Innovation & Research) Kristen Clarke (President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law) Rosalind Dixon (Professor of Law, University of New South Wales) For more information on this episode, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/make-america-vote-again

What happens when the world runs out of fish? Does TikTok actually present a national security risk? Will Africa's population boom change the world as we know it? In season three, Why It Matters explores a new series of challenges that are gathering on the horizon. For more information on our first two seasons, be sure to visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/why-it-matters

As climate change accelerates, some scientists are researching ways to alter our climate to slow down warming. But the method, called solar geoengineering, comes with some serious risks. Featured Guests: David Keith (Harvard University) Shuchi Talati (Union of Concerned Scientists) Gernot Wagner (New York University) For more information on this episode, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/dimming-sky

Works of art and cultural heritage sites are common casualties in war. In many cases, the sale of plundered treasures has helped finance ongoing conflict. In this episode, two experts examine the history of conflict-driven looting. Along the way, they trace the opaque, unregulated international art market that allows irreplaceable treasures to travel from strife-torn regions to the catalogues of prestigious auction houses. Featured Guests: Amr Al Azm (Professor of History and Anthropology, Shawnee State University) Tess Davis (Executive Director, Antiquities Coalition) For more information on this episode, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/treasures-looted-war

For decades international students enjoyed bipartisan support in the U.S., with strong consensus that they fueled American innovation, job creation and competitiveness. But in recent years the pipeline of international students has come under threat, and other nations are seizing the opportunity to take in the world’s brightest students. Featured Guests: Esther D. Brimmer (Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA) Edward Alden (Senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations; the Ross distinguished visiting professor at Western Washington University)

As the effects of climate change move from scientific predictions to daily headlines, some investors have begun sounding the alarm about impending dangers to financial markets. In this episode, experts break down the intersection of climate change and the economy, and examine whether the persuasive power of the dollar can be leveraged in the fight for climate action. Featured Guests: Kate Mackenzie (Green Columnist, Bloomberg) Michael Greenstone (Professor of Economics, University of Chicago) For more information on this episode, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/pricing-our-climate

Hosting the Olympics is a monumental undertaking that often leaves behind rusted stadiums and financial losses. So why do nations compete to do it? This episode examines the political history of the games, and the soft power that countries hope to gain by hosting them. Featured Guests: Jules Boykoff (Professor of Political Science, Pacific University) Katharine Moon (Professor of Political Science, Wellesley College) For more information on this episode, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/hey-remember-olympics

Whether you think we are making history or repeating it, it’s safe to say we are living in a historic time. In this episode, Why It Matters asks three historians to weigh in on how to use the past to examine the present and make better choices for the future. Featured Guests: Richard N. Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations) Margaret MacMillan (Professor of History, University of Toronto) Annette Gordon-Reed (Charles Warren Professor of American Legal History, Harvard Law School) For more information on this episode, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/living-history 

The killing of George Floyd, the anti-racist protest movement that followed, and the administration’s response have shaken America, and reverberations can be felt across the globe. It is unclear what type of reform will follow the U.S. protests, but it is undeniable that the world is watching what happens closely. Featured Guests: Chika Oduah (Independent Multimedia Journalist) Keith Richburg (Director, Journalism and Media Studies Center at the University of Hong Kong) For more information on this episode, visit us at cfr.org/podcasts/world-watching-us