Deep Dish on Global Affairs

Protests are spreading across Iran, and reports suggest violent crackdowns and a rising death toll. So what's driving this moment, and how does it differ from protests Iran has seen before? Journalist Azadeh Moaveni and Chatham House expert Sanam Vakil break down what's fueling the unrest, how power really works inside Iran, and what might come next.

Fro m U S  pressure over Greenland to  high-stakes   peace  talks on Ukraine, long-standing assumptions about Europe's security are being tested.   The Economist 's defense editor Shashank Joshi explains how Europe is recalibrating its approach to defense, what this  pivotal  moment means, and why there may be no return to the old normal.

The past year has made one thing clear: this version of Trump on the world stage is different. From  the  Caribbean  to Europe to America's own institutions, fa milia r rules  don't  feel so fixed anymore.  The Guardian's  Jonathan Freedland looks back at the moments that defined Trump's year so far and why the next one could be even more dramatic.

Human Rights Day lands as conflict is rising and accountability is fading. Big-power tensions are shaking old norms, and new technologies are changing the rules. So, are human rights in retreat—or is this just a familiar cycle? Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, helps us make sense of it.

Defense is evolving fast—AI, drones, cyber threats, and autonomous weapons. The U.S. has led for decades, but China is closing in. Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Kath Hicks breaks down how the Pentagon is adapting, where it's falling behind, and what's at stake.

Sudan is now the world's largest humanitarian crisis — bigger than Gaza and Ukraine combined — yet it  remains  one of the  least  covered and least funded.  Martin Griffiths, former UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Humanitarian Affairs, explains why  a ceasefire has  remained  out of reach  and  whether global pressure can still make a difference.

President Trump's second-term national security strategy is coming, and it could reshape U.S. foreign policy from China to Europe to the Middle East. Nadia Schadlow, former Deputy National Security Advisor and architect of Trump's original Strategy, breaks down what's changed, what's stayed the same, and what it all means for allies and rivals under Trump 2.0.

East Asia's biggest powers are getting older — and smaller. China, Japan, and South Korea are seeing shrinking workforces and aging populations, with fewer young people to fill their armies or their factories. Andrew Oros , author of Asia's Aging Security , and public opinion expert Craig Kafura discuss how population decline is changing East Asia and whether technology could help fill the gap.  

The Arctic's heating up—literally and politically.  Melting ice is turning   a once - rem ote region into a stage for global power.  Experts  Kenneth Rosen and Anna Wieslander unpack how Russia, China, NATO, and the US are all  rac ing for influence, and why what happens up there could shape the rest of the world.

Tensions between Canada and the US are back in the headlines after new tariffs followed a controversial Ottawa ad. Experts Roland Paris and Robert Howse break down how Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, is navigating this turbulent moment and what it means for Canada's economy, identity, and role on the world stage.

After months of diplomatic outreach, President Trump has abruptly shifted course on Venezuela — from covert CIA operations and expanded military activity in the Caribbean, to publicly backing Venezuela's opposition leader. Is this a crackdown on drugs and migration, or part of a broader strategy reshaping U S policy in South America ? Economist Francisco Rodríguez explains the political, economic,...

China's next move could reshape the global balance of power. As tensions spike over trade, tech, and alliances, the world is watching  closely . Georgetown professor   Evan Medeiros  explains  what's   coming next and why it matters.

Russian drones are crossing European skies, testing NATO while US focus shifts elsewhere. Charles Kupchan and Constanze Stelzenmüller unpack Russia's strategy, the risks for Ukraine, and what it means for the future of the transatlantic alliance.  

Nearly t wo years after the Hamas attacks, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are pushing a 20-point plan to end the Gaza war. Experts Steven Cook and Sanam Vakil say the terms essentially demand Hamas' surrender—so is peace possible , and what does this mean for the future of regional stability and alliances? They join Deep Dish to debate the deal and what it reveals about shifting Amer...

As the United Nations turns 80, it faces a legitimacy crisis fueled by budget cuts, global crises, and a United States President that is antagonistic toward the institution. This week's UNGA highlights the stakes: What is the future US role on the global stage? Can the UN still deliver in a fractured world? Will a woman be the next UN Secretary General? Longtime UN insiders Corinne Momal-Vanian an...

President Trump's state visit comes at a precarious time for Britain : weak growth, political turbulence, and pressure to reset its ties with the EU. With Prime Minister Keir Starmer forging a strategic bond with Trump, what's next for the US-UK relationship? New York Times London Bureau Chief Mark Landler explains w hat lies ahead.

From slowing growth , tariffs and widening inequality, the rules of the global economy are being rewritten and affecting us all. Baroness Dambisa Moyo shares her insights on the forces driving this new reality and what it means for countries, leaders, and citizens alike.

Syria's war may have faded from the headlines, but for millions of refugees, the crisis is far from over. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, explains why global aid is failing and what the world must do now to fix it. From Gaza to Syria, he shares how to reset a broken system and rebuild hope as the UN turns 80. 

Almost every conversation about China is framed as an all-out competition—but expert Jessica Chen Weiss argues that reflexive rivalry is making America weaker, not stronger. She breaks down why resilience matters more than dominance, how strategic integration protects US interests, and why "beating" China shouldn't be the ultimate goal.

As Ukraine call s for security and support, world leaders juggle high-stake s negotiations and competing interests. Alexander Cooley and Alex Dukalskis , authors of Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics ,   unpack how authoritarian strategies are influencing the talks and argue that negotiating peace i sn't j ust about stopp ing the fighting— i t's about who walks aw...

India's rise is undeniable—but so are the roadblocks. With President Trump threatening to double tariffs over Russian oil imports and China on its doorstep, can the world's largest democracy maintain its strategic autonomy? Foreig n Policy's Ravi Agrawal and University of Chicago's Raghuram Rajan explore. Reading List:   Facts about Indians in the U.S., Pew Research Center, May 1, 2025  

A fresh round of reciprocal tariffs from President Trump has rattled market s and prompted concer n over the future of trade. As uncertainty grows for businesses, consumers, and governments alike, two leading experts, Brent Neiman of the University of Chicago and David Henig of the European Centre for International Political Economy, join Deep Dish to unpack the i mplications for the global econom...

Starvation is spreading in Gaza—not because of a lack of aid, but because humanitarian access is being blocked. Former UN World Food Programme Executive Director and Council Distinguished Fellow Ertharin Cousin joins Deep Dish to analyze how the crisis is fueling a broader diplomatic reckoning, with more nations moving toward recognition of a Palestinian state.     Related: Americans Grow More Div...

The U S and China are locked in a high-stakes race to dominate AI and the chips that power it. As the Trump administration lifts export controls and sets tech priorities, Beijing is doubling down on its AI ambitions while hosting top EU leaders . Nikita Lalwani , former White House director for technology and national security , breaks down what this means for global power .   Reading List: A Play...

With President Trump's increasing tariff threats and growing talks of dedollari z ation , how much power does the BRICS bloc really hold? Lord Jim O'Neill , who originally coined the term BRICS, joins Deep Dish to unpack its rise and global relevance amid deepening geopolitical rivalries .