Global Questions

Welcome to the second episode of  Diplomacy in Motion , a series produced in collaboration between Women in International Security Australia (WIIS-A) and the Young Diplomats Society. This series is about the moments when work in international affairs leaves the page and enters practice. While the field is underpinned by deep policy analysis, research, and bureaucratic process, there are points whe...

YDS x WIIS-A: Diplomacy in Motion - Shannon Zimmerman

Dr. Shirah Z Mansaray is the Managing Partner of Themis Crown Advocates and a solicitor-advocate with over 20 years of experience in legal advisory, governance, and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of Amnesty International UK and is the Founder and CEO of I Am Somebody’s Child Soldier, an NGO supporting war-affected children in Uganda. With a PhD in Sustainabl...

Joining us today is international criminal lawyer Dr. Emma Collins, Special Counsel at Nyman Gibson Miralis in Sydney. She holds multiple degrees from the University of Sydney and the University of Oxford, including a PhD in International Criminal Law. As well as a range of experience in UK and Australian criminal law, she has worked in the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Co...

Dario holds a Master’s in International Relations from the Hertie School in Berlin and is one of the co-founders of the youth-led international relations think tank  RAIA , where he has been actively involved for the past seven years and has served as Managing Director for the last four. RAIA is a youth-focused global think tank dedicated to making international affairs more accessible by simplify...

Culture, conflict and global chess? Headlines about the Islamic Republic of Iran are frequent, but true understanding often remains limited. Oz and Thien take a sharp 30-minute dive into some of the most poignant points to consider when evaluating Iran, offering a concise but insightful look at the state and its complexities.

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome someone whose career began right here at the Young Diplomats Society, and has since transformed that spark into a really dynamic path. Rhiannon Van Vliet is currently a Policy Advisor at University College London’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy. There, she works at the intersection of cutting-edge research and real-world policymak...

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 presti...

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 Cre...

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 thr...

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 vot...

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,...

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...

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, U...

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. 🇺🇸 As a professor of American politics at the University of...

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...

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 Nat...

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 m...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 o...

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 coul...