The McKay Interview

A radio conversation about Switzerland's relationship and role at the U.N. especially now that it is a Non-permanent Member of the Security Council. In this episode we discuss: -If there is the remotest chance that the Security Council can reform itself. -We touch on the extent to which the Swiss population takes an interest in the U.N. and whether or not that is important. -We talk about Swis...

Selma explains, among other things, the changes in shopping retail since the end of Covid lockdown a couple of years ago. In this episode we discuss: -What she thinks will be the next big thing around the corner for the retail shopping business -To what extent do women dress in order to be attractive to men -What men do when they go into her Etam shops to buy twice a year!

Jared Bibler, an American, arrived in Iceland a few years before the financial meltdown which started in 2008. He worked in the financial services sector and then, when it was all over, the investigator. He tells me his compelling personal story during that extraordinary period. Some of the topics we cover: -What sort of odd things he noticed in the practices of bank in which he was working -How h...

A radio conversation from a prominent, Conservative MP who has been very close to the centre of British politics in the Tory Party for over ten years. In this episode we discuss: -His opinion on whether or not the Conservative Party has run out of steam after 13 years in power -The strength of opposition to or difficulties for the Conservative Party -How politicians can regain the lost trust of th...

In this episode, Professor Matt Goodwin explains what the data show about current changing political and social attitudes in the U.K. Some of the topics we cover: -Britain, as viewed from abroad, does not seem to be doing so well these days. Why? -The immigration debate in Britain seems poisonous. Is the UK still a welcoming place? -How did the National Health Service come to be elevated to someth...

In this episode, Kirsten Neuschaefer's account of her experiences before and during her remarkable, round-the-world voyage. We cover some of the following topics: -Why Kirsten was motivated to make such a huge sea voyage alone. -How she prepared for her journey. How she navigated? -Why men seem to dominate the Golden Globe Race? -Whether she had time for spiritual reflection during 235 days al...

Jean-Pierre Roth, a former President of the Swiss National Bank, explains the history and the current situation of this iconic, Swiss military institution in Vatican City. We discuss many aspects of the Pontifical Swiss Guard including: -Why they are there, since when have they been guarding the Pope -What do they actually do and how many constitute the Swiss Guard -Why the barracks need renovatio...

We discuss the key, cybersecurity threats and what the future is likely to look like. Some of the points we cover: -What are the key, cybersecurity threats to businesses, organisations and individuals? -What does "resilience" mean? -What is your assessment of the role of organised crime as a threat to cybersecurity? -Should we fear Artificial Intelligence?

In this episode, we talk about the current state of the biosphere and Bru Pearce's Envisionation Biosphere Restoration Plan. Some of the questions we try to answer: -What can be done to repair the damage to the biosphere? -Does man have the capacity to be up to this dauting task? -What future is there for our grandchildren?

In this episode we have a conversation with the Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces about a variety of topical, relevant and sensitive subjects. We cover the following: -What does Swiss "neutrality" mean? -Has the conflict in Ukraine changed the way that the Swiss Armed Forces strategize about warfare? -What is the role of women in the Swiss Armed Forces? -What part do the Swiss Armed Forces...

Kinza Win is an experienced, independent advisor on Philanthropy, with many years working at a high level in the wealth management and financial services industry. In this episode we discuss: -The giving and receiving side of the equation -The size of the growing Philanthropy sector, the pitfalls, the difference between aid and philanthropy -Whether sponsorship, as in the case of sports tournament...

In this episode we discuss climate change and climate science. Some of the questions we cover: -What does the current climate science tell us? -Can't we "unmake" climate change, if man is responsible for making it in the first place? -Why campaigns about climate change have taken on the mantle of religion in the minds and actions of some? -The importance of clouds. If humankind won't adapt to clim...

In this episode we discuss Ambassador Filipenko's current assessment of the war in Ukraine, just two days before the first anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion. Some of the topics we cover: -What the Ambassador has been doing in and around the UN Geneva in the eleven months since we last met. -Why so many African countries abstain on  important vote relevant to Ukraine resolutions at the...

In this episode our guest provides an assessment of the current state of the Swiss economy and how Switzerland's peculiarities contribute to its consistent success. Some of the topics we cover: -Switzerland's success defies the laws of economics just as the flight of the bumble bee defies the laws of physics. -The great contribution that migrants have made to Switzerland's success. -Though Switzer...

In this episode we discuss the views and opinions of an Iranian woman - now a naturalised Swiss - who was at university in Iran at the time of the fall of the Shah in 1979 and has lived in  both countries for many years. Some of the topics we cover: -How in your opinion has Iran arrived at where it is today in its long and flourishing history? -What is it in the governing regime's particular...

Professor Vicky Pryce gives a brilliant overview of the global economy, including the impact of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine on energy prices, ageing populations in many parts of the world, climate change, inflation, China and India.

Among other things, we discuss the recent mid-term elections in the USA and their implications for the Presidential Election in 2024, the hypothetical prospect of secession of some states from the Union, should Trump or a Trump-like figure win for the Republicans, the ongoing saga of the former President, himself, and the political and social stresses and strains inside the USA today. We cover som...

In this episode we look at the importance of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) in today's global energy mix. We discuss what LNG actually is, what it is used for, how clean it is, the impact on supply caused by current tensions with Russia, and future energy needs, not only in the West but also in the Far East and elsewhere.

A discussion about men's health particularly, in this month of Movember, with a focus on prostate cancer and the advances in its diagnosis and treatment in recent years. In this episode we talk about: -Dr Rochat answers my questions about the genetic and hereditary aspects of prostate cancer -The effectiveness of the PSA and other diagnostic tests -The effects of the disease within the family, in...

General Hodges gives his professional opinion on the prosecution of the war in Ukraine to date and future direction. In this episode we discuss: -I ask him about men (and women) and the machines of military conflict. -General Hodges explains some of the different kinds of weapon systems.   -We also talk about the morale of Russian soldiers as winter approaches -The threat of tactical nuclear...

In this episode I interview Ambassador Mme. Marie-Thérèse Pictet-Althann. We talk about the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and what she does in and around the UN and International Organizations in Geneva.  In this episode we disucss: -Its long history -How it is led -How it is funded -How it can be a sovereign state without territory?

Personal reflections on the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II with four, Commonwealth friends from Canada, India, Jamaica and the U.K. Some of the questions asked are: -What did the Queen mean to you?   -Why Canada has not become a republic? -How is the British monarchy viewed by present-day Jamaicans? -India's attitude to the British monarchy and the Commonwealth.

The man who blew the whistle on the United Nations' negligence in the face of the genocide in Darfur. In this episode we discuss: -Why do some men and women at the top of organizations created to do good sometimes choose to look the other way when wrong is being committed? -Has the time of consensus-building in terms of human suffering and humanitarian affairs passed? -Why should ordinary people c...

Professor Flueckiger and I discuss Swiss tertiary education, research, innovation and Horizon Europe, Switzerland being excluded from this important EU organisation, at least for the time being. In this episode we discuss: -How confident he feels about a successful outcome to getting Switzerland readmitted to Horizon Europe.

The UK's big and current issues at the UN Geneva plus insights into the current status of the UK/EU relationship. In this episode we discuss: -Is multilateralism now dead? -How much of a distraction are the current upheavals at 10 Downing Street? -Has the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia caused the first paradigm shift in international relations since the peace of 1945?