Deep Dish on Global Affairs

China announced families can now have three children as opposed to two — a reaction to new data showing shocking population growth slowdowns and mirroring global declines. Demographics expert Nicholas Eberstadt joins Deep Dish  to explain why population size, capabilities, and characteristics matter more for competition between great powers than economic or military power. 

US Secretary of State Blinken reaffirmed the United States' commitment to protecting American interests in the Arctic last week—but what does that mean, exactly? Arctic experts Eugene Rumer and Rebecca Pincus join  Deep Dish  to unpack the debate over the Arctic's potential as a geopolitical flashpoint and possibilities for a very cold new Cold War.

A fter a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, former United States Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations Martin Indyk joins Deep Dish  to explain the pattern driving the latest violence, and implications for the peace process, regional stability, and President Biden's desire to pivot away from the Middle East.  

Turkish President Erdoğan initially pursued "zero problems with neighbors" as a foreign policy strategy, but now relies on the country's military might to achieve political goals. Brookings' Kemal Kirişci and journalist Ayla Jean Yackley join  Deep Dish  to explain what Turkey's approach means for neighbors, allies, and foes.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called the United States' decision to leave Afghanistan by September 11 a "moment of both opportunity and risk" this week. The University of Texas at Austin's Aaron O'Connell and the International Crisis Group's Andrew Watkins join guest host Elizabeth Shackelford on  Deep Dish to examine whether the United States can withdraw without undermining regional stability.  

Vice President Kamala Harris urged world leaders at the United Nations this week to begin preparing for the next pandemic, even as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise in some parts of the world. Abbott's Gavin Cloherty and the Cary Institute's Barbara Han join Deep Dish to explain their strategies for tracking infections and why collaboration is the key to preventing future outbreaks. 

Twenty-three years after the Good Friday Accords, sectarian violence in Northern Ireland is once again making headlines. The European University Institute's Brigid Laffan and  POLITICO Europe's  Shawn Pogatchnik join  Deep Dish  to explain why the trade fallout from Brexit could destroy the fragile peace.

After failing to hold elections in February, Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo passed legislation this week to extend his power for at least two more years, prompting global concern. Somali academic Abdi Aynte and former US diplomat Elizabeth Shackelford join  Deep Dish  to unpack the players in Somalia's politics and what role the international community should — or shouldn't— have in...

Brazil's daily COVID-19 deaths passed 4,000 for first time this week, while President Jair Bolsonaro focused on firing his defense minister; reshuffling congress to ward off impeachment; and replacing the top commanders of the army, navy, and air force. Oliver Stuenkel and Sarah Maslin join  Deep Dish to examine whether the pandemic could cost Bolsonaro the 2022 presidential election—or if he will...

For six days, a ship as tall as the Empire State Building, the Ever Given, was lodged in the Suez Canal – launching memes and delaying 10 percent of global trade. Flexport's Phil Levy and the  Financial Times'  Claire Jones join  Deep Dish  to discuss if crises like this and COVID-19 show it's time to rethink global supply chains. 

For decades, the United States has ensured peace for Taiwan through strategic ambiguity, but last week's combative US-China meeting could be a signal to rethink that approach. Rand Corporation's Michael Mazarr and the Council's Commander Michele Lowe join  Deep Dish  to explore the options in a constructive debate on the benefits—and costs—of a shift in policy.

The changing security environment and decaying trust in the U S  nuclear guarantee could lead to nuclear proliferation among allies, a new report from  a task force of  defense and security experts argues.  Task force cochairs and report a uthors  Kevin Rudd, Malcolm Rifkind,  Chuck Hagel , and Ivo Daalder   join   Deep Dish  to  discuss  possible  solutions   and why  this is so urgent.

New data shows women have borne the brunt of pandemic job losses, potentially undercutting decades of progress toward gender equality. To recognize Women's History Month, The Council on Foreign Relations' Jamille Bigio joins  Deep Dish  to explain why women's economic participation is not simply a matter of fairness—it's a global prosperity and security imperative.   

President Biden halted US support for the conflict in Yemen, but "resolving the world's worst humanitarian crisis will require a larger paradigm shift in foreign policy," former World Food Programme head Ertharin Cousin writes for  Foreign Policy . She joins Deep Dish to explain why hunger must be treated as an essential element of military and foreign policy, not just as a humanitarian issue.

Tens of thousands of farmers have been protesting agriculture reform in India since last November, drawing global attention and celebrity support. Sumit Ganguly and Surupa Gupta join Deep Dish to explain the economic and social impact of the movement and what it might mean for Prime Minister Modi's hold on political power.

Last week's military coup in Myanmar has undone nearly a decade of progress toward democratic reform:  Nobel laureate  Aung San Suu Kyi has been jailed, the public is protesting martial law across the country, and the military's strategy to contain the situation is escalating. Christina Fink a nd Debra Eisenman join  Deep Dish  to explain  Myanmar's complicated politics and why the country's trans...

Black History Month and recent US domestic political events highlight our historical struggles over freedom and race – how they have shaped our world and why they continue to influence our lives today. Historian Tyler Stovall joins Deep Dish  to explain why our understanding of freedom has been fundamentally grounded in race and how understanding our past can give us the tools to move forward.  

  Last weekend, more than 40,000 Russians in 100 cities marched to protest opposition leader Alexei Navalny's arrest and signal a new era in Russian politics. The New Yorker's Joshua Yaffa joins Deep Dish to explain why Russians both resent and rely on the state, and what that means for Russia – and President Putin's – future.

Russia's massive  cyber attack  on SolarWinds put some 250 US government agencies, security firms, and companies in jeopardy and exposed the sophisticated nature of today's targeted hacks. Cyber risk expert Jody Westby joins  Deep Dish to examine how the United States — and the world — can deter future attacks and prevent cyber escalation.

You may have missed it, but at the end of 2020, the European Union and China solidified an investment deal that will open EU access to China's markets while raising China's global profile. Former US trade negotiator Wendy Cutler and the Rhodium Group's Noah Barkin join Deep Dish to look at the geopolitical consequences of the deal and how President-elect Biden can work toward better relationships...

Last week's attack at the US Capitol could have long-term effects for the stability of the United States and the state of democracy around the world. In this bonus episode of Deep Dish , journalists Susan Glasser, James Harding, and Stefan Kornelius join Council President Ivo Daalder to discuss what happened on the Council's weekly news rundown World Review. Watch the full episode here or check ou...

Even as more people globally are vaccinated for COVID-19, a record-breaking number died from the pandemic this week in the United States. Physician and Partners in Health founder Paul Farmer joins  Deep Dish  to explain the lessons the 2014 Ebola outbreak taught him and what the world can learn from past infectious disease outbreaks to combat the current crisis.  

Iran's president signaled he would rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) if President-Elect Biden signs on after taking office. The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft's Trita Parsi and the Atlantic Council's Barbara Slavin join  Deep Dish  to explain why Biden must focus on improving relations between the two countries, not just renewing the agreement. Check out new Deep D...

The United States broke records for the number of COVID-19 deaths this week – more than Pearl Harbor – and the total number of cases now hovers around 1.4 million. As vaccine rollout starts around the world, the Financial Times' Hannah Kuchler and Johns Hopkins' Crystal Watson join Deep Dish to explain the science and politics behind the next phase of the pandemic.

Ethiopia  rests  on  brink of a civil war after  long-term tensions between the government and   former power brokers ,   the  Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF ) , exploded in November .  Michelle  Gavin  joins  Deep Dish   to explain why   Ethiopia's fate will affect the stability of  the region and African influence on global affairs.