Deep Dish on Global Affairs

The pandemic cracked the foundation of the global system—and things haven't exactly settled. With wars, rising tensions, and global rivalries heating up, former Biden officials Colin Kahl and Tom Wright join Deep Dish to unpack how US strategy is shifting—and where it's headed next.

After US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, a fragile ceasefire with Israel is holding—for now. But is this a turning point or just a pause before more conflict? Experts Vali Nasr and Suzanne Maloney join Leslie Vinjamuri on Deep Dish to break down what's really at stake for Iran's nuclear ambitions, Israel's strategy, and the future of the region.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is in his third five-year term as the nation's president, putting him on track to stay in power for life at a time of severe economic challenges and rising tensions with the US. Nonresident s enior f ellow Paul Heer joins Deep Dish to argue the importance of engagement with China as a necessary component of US foreign policy. If we do not pursue it, he says, we are missin...

Dive into the world of lasting change with  Deep Dish ! Join host Brian Hanson and author Sascha Haselmayer in a captivating exploration of 'The Slow Lane.' We'll uncover the secrets behind why instant solutions often miss the mark, and how embracing patience and strategic thinking can pave the way for sustainable transformation to address global challenges. Reading List   The Slow Lane: Why Quick...

From Hamas to Russia to Iran, hostage-taking is on the rise once again and hostage diplomacy has entered that arsenal of foreign policy tools by countries around the world. This week, Northwestern University's Dani Gilbert guides us through what is new , what has worked and failed in the past, and wh y countries need new ways to respond to hostag e-taking today .     Reading List:   Why the Gaza h...

Deep Dish explores how America's hyper partisan politics are impacting foreign policy actions. Author Jordan Tama shares revelations from his new book, while the Council's Dina Smeltz unveils fresh survey data to expose how partisanship plays out in US foreign policy.   Reading List:   Bipartisanship and US Foreign Policy: Cooperation in a Polarized Age , Jordan Tama, Oxford University Press, Sept...

T he Asia-Pacific region is witnessing a seismic shift in power dynamics as nations like Japan, Australia, and the U S forge a game-changing partnership to counter China's influence. T he big question: could this lead to a new NATO for the Pacific ? And what would that mean? Experts Michael Green and Karl Friedhoff dissect the motives, strategies, and potential outcome s.   Reading List:   Never S...

On Sunday, Poland's opposition parties won a victory in the country's general election signaling a radical change for the country. After emerging as a major EU success story, Poland's politics shifted dramatically almost a decade ago, putting it on a nationalist path dominated by a far-right coalition. But now the country appears headed back in a pro-EU direction. Expert Monika Sus and host Lizzy...

Deep Dish  delves into the heart of the Gaza Strip. Expert Michael Merryman-Lotze and host Brian Hanson discuss its complex history, its people, the role of the region in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and its place in the Israel-Hamas war that has shaken the world. Related Content: 5 things you need to know about what's happening in Israel and Gaza , Michael Merryman-Lotze, American Friends Se...

How is energy insecurity shaping the world's power dynamics? From the urgency of collaboration to the delicate balance between environmental sustainability and national interests, guests Jason Bordoff and Meghan O'Sullivan offer a fresh perspective on the complexities of green energy underl ying our modern global landscape . Reading List   The Age of Energy Insecurity: How the Fight for Resources...

Deep Dish demystifies the world of BRICS + and delves into the intriguing expansion that is making waves in international diplomacy. Discover its origins and the significance behind its new est members . Atlantic Council's Colleen Cottle joins host Lizzy Shackelford to explore the motivations , the dynamics at play, and its potential impact on the world stage.   Reading List BRICS has invited 6 co...

Can smart cities truly deliver on their promises of innovation and sustainability? On Deep Dish , autho r and winner of the Pattis Family Foundation Global Cities Book Award, John Lorinc joins host Brian Hanson to navigate the intersection of urban planning technology and ethical concerns in his book   Dream States: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias .   Related Content:  ...

The expulsion of Muslim schoolgirls for refusing to remove their abayas serves as a stark reminder of France's ongoing struggle to balance its historical commitment to laïcité with its growing religious and cultural diversity. The Council's Ariel Schwartz joins host Brian Hanson to explore laïcité's historical roots, modern challenges, and global implications in contemporary society .

Deep Dish delves into how the unchecked power of social platforms in the Metaverse , woven into the fabric of modern communication, is fueling conflicts , disinformation, terror, and hate. E xperts Kristina Wilfore and Leah Kimathi confront the chilling reality of Big Tech's role in fueling extremism in Kenya , where profit often trumps content policing , and share what Kenyans are doing about it...

With 110,000 drug overdose deaths last year, including 70 percent from synthetic opioids, we examine how international factors have played a crucial role in the US drug epidemic . Vanda Felbab - Brown of Brookings Institution and Regina LaBelle of Georgetown University offer insights on the government's response, effective policy solutions, and the path to recovery.     Reading List:   Why America...

Niger's recent coup has reignited debates about democracy, stability, and Western influence. Join Kamissa Camara of the US Institute of Peace and Deep Dish hosts Lizzy Shackelford and Brian Hanson as they explore N iger's coup, its place in the Sahel's instability , and the urgent need to rethink policies in this complex region .   Reading List:   Countering Coups: How to Reverse Military Rule Acr...

Deep Dish revisits the haunting morning of August 7, 1998, when al-Qaeda struck US embassies in Kenya that claimed over 200 lives and left thousands wounded. Ambassador Prudence Bushnell, who was present during the attacks, and former f oreign s ervice officer Mietek Boduszyński , who served in Libya when US facilities in Benghazi were attacked, reflect on how the US government should balance dipl...

Deep Dish explores the recently released 'Oppenheimer' film and journeys back to the Cold War era when nuclear weapons were etched into popular consciousness. Rachel Bronson and Avery Restrepo of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists explore how nuclear weapons have seemingly faded from public awareness . They draw parallels to today and suggest ways that Gen Z can shape a safer and more responsib...

As birth rates decline and life expectancies increase , some regions are now experiencing a net decrease in population , leaving us to question whether that's good or bad for the world .   Stephanie Feldstein of the Center for Biological Diversity and John Ibbitson, author of the Empty Planet   u nravel the layers of this population paradox and its implications on society, the global economy, and...

As stakes rise and tensions mount between the United States and China, the future of Taiwan hangs in the balance. With a pivotal presidential election on the horizon, what are the implications for Taiwanese policy, its alignment with the US, and the risk of war with China? Sam Houston State University's Dennis Weng and  New Bloom Magazine 's Brian Hioe join  Deep Dish to offer a glimpse into the u...

As tensions escalate between Taiwan and China, should Washington back Taiwan through increased militarily deterrence or prioritize reassurance and diplomacy with China? Quincy Institute's Michael Swaine and the Council on Foreign Relations' David Sacks debate the growing policymaker consensus for US military support to deter a Chinese attack, while considering dissenting views that prioritize poli...

What is the secret to Costa Rica's exceptional success as a politically stable and environmentally sustainable nation?  While other countries in Central America struggle with political upheaval, violence, corruption, and extreme poverty, Costa Rica has become a global example of success with robust institutions, visionary policies, and a thriving eco-tourism industry. The Atlantic Council's María...

While the world closely followed the fate of five privileged men who went missing aboard a Titanic-bound submersible, a fishing boat crowded with migrants traveling from Libya sank in Greek waters. This upped the number of migrants who have died trying to reach Europe by sea this year to nearly 2,000. Award-winning journalist Sally Hayden joins  Deep Dish  to shed light on the underreported crisis...

Haiti marks the two-year anniversary of President Jovenel Moïse's assassination. On  Deep Dish , we unravel the intricate dynamics that make Haiti's path to stability so challenging. Haitian journalist Monique Clesca and the International Crisis Group's Renata Segura offer their perspectives on the complexities of the situation and explore pathways on Haiti's struggle for a brighter future.

With Uganda's recent passage of an extreme anti-LGBTQ law,  Deep Dish explores the external influences, particularly US evangelical groups, that have intensified discrimination in Uganda and beyond. Ugandan journalist Lydia Namubiru unravels the historical context and societal factors behind this pressing issue. And Minority Africa's Caleb Okereke sheds light on the experiences and challenges face...