Best World View The Foreign Affairs Podcast Podcasts (2025)

1
Who will run the world if the US doesn’t want to anymore? 32:50

2d ago32:50

32:50

As president Trump’s isolationist leanings become US foreign policy, is the era of the American hegemony over? Did the US lead us somewhere worthwhile? And if the US recedes, who steps up? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
Can a Series of Global AI Summits Actually Shape the Rules that will Govern the World’s most Powerful Technology? 27:25

4d ago27:25

27:25

In 2023, the United Kingdom hosted the world’s first major international summit on the risks of advanced artificial intelligence. That Bletchley Park gathering kicked off a series of high-profile summits — in Seoul in 2024, in Paris earlier this year, and with India set to host the next in 2026. But here’s the big question: are these summits actual…

1
Explainer 480: Myanmar and the perks of posing as a democracy 7:02

5d ago7:02

7:02

Myanmar’s military, which has held power since 2021, has announced a general election for later this year. Has Myanmar suddenly become a democracy? Or is something else afoot? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
The Climate, Peace & Security Nexus | Future of Africa Episode 2 1:00:27

6d ago1:00:27

1:00:27

What does it mean to make peace with nature — and why could that be the key to lasting peace between people? Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos shares the extraordinary indigenous mandate that shaped his leadership, while Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim explains how climate shocks in Africa are driving conflict and migration. Khouloud Ben Mansour…

1
Is a liberal Israel recoverable and might that be the key to peace? 29:59

9d ago29:59

29:59

Israel was once regarded as an essentially left-wing project. Now, the country has grown more conservative, defensive and, some would argue, extreme. Is a liberal Israel recoverable? And might that lead to peace? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
What We Can Expect from the Putin-Trump Alaska Summit 18:36

11d ago18:36

18:36

The past week has seen a frenzy of diplomatic activity on Ukraine, culminating in Donald Trump’s extraordinary announcement that he will host Vladimir Putin in Alaska for talks on the war. Setting aside the propriety of Putin visiting the United States (he launched this war of aggression and is wanted by the ICC for the systematic abduction of Ukra…

1
Explainer 479: Who are the Balochistan Liberation Army and why have they suddenly attracted US attention? 7:08

12d ago7:08

7:08

The Balochistan Liberation Army has been reclassified by the US as a “foreign terrorist organization”. But why the sudden interest in a Pakistani bête noire? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
Africa's Role on the Global Stage | Introducing: The "Future of Africa" Podcast Series 1:01:38

13d ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Africa is the world’s youngest continent — and its future is everyone’s future. By 2030, 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population will be under the age of 30. By century’s end, one in three people on the planet will be African. What happens in Africa will shape the course of the 21st century. That’s why Global Dispatches is proud to launch a bold new…

1
Is popularity in politics a thing of the past? 37:39

16d ago37:39

37:39

Political leaders around the world face waning popularity and seem to be unable to change their fates. Is this the result of less effective leaders or more impatient electorates? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
Famine in Gaza — A Political and Humanitarian Tipping Point? 24:20

18d ago24:20

24:20

“The worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.” That was the conclusion of a July 29 report by the leading global authority on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The report found that more than one in three people in Gaza (39 percent) are now going days at a time without eating. M…

1
Explainer 478: Why does Trump care about Bolsonaro? 6:46

19d ago6:46

6:46

Jair Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest after breaking pre-trial rules this week as he faces charges for attempting to stage a coup. But why is Trump throwing his support behind Brazil’s former president? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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The Stark Demise of the Era of NGOs 24:09

21d ago24:09

24:09

In 1997, Jessica Matthews' landmark Foreign Affairs essay “Power Shift” captured the growing influence of NGOs and other non-state actors in shaping global affairs. But nearly three decades later, that tide has turned. A provocative new piece in Foreign Affairs argues that the age of NGOs is over—and states are reasserting dominance. Joining me to …

1
The catastrophe in Gaza and the prospects of a Palestinian state 39:51

23d ago39:51

39:51

International pressure mounts on Israel to end its war in Gaza, which has been dubbed a “catastrophe of epic proportions” by the UN. Plus: we examine the prospect of a Palestinian state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Explainer 478: Why is Islamic State targeting the DRC? 6:46

26d ago6:46

6:46

This week, militants attached to Islamic State attacked a church in Komanda, killing at least 43 people. Why is the jihadist group keen to establish itself in the Democratic Republic of the Congo? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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A New Study Shows that Sanctions Kill As Many People As War 18:43

28d ago18:43

18:43

A groundbreaking new study published in the British medical journal The Lancet Global Health finds that unilateral economic sanctions—most of which are imposed by the United States—lead to approximately 564,000 excess deaths worldwide each year. Up to half of these deaths are children. While sanctions are often touted as an alternative to military …

1
Cameroon’s forgotten crisis: Is reconciliation in the Anglo-Franco schism possible? 39:02

1M ago39:02

39:02

Cameroon’s 92 year-old president Paul Biya seeks re-election to extend his 43-year tenure. We investigate the long and often violent conflict in his country. Is Anglo-Franco reconciliation possible? And is anyone paying attention? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
Comfort Ero on How Foreign Aid Cuts May Spark Conflicts Worldwide | Live from the Aspen Security Forum 19:27

1M ago19:27

19:27

I caught up with Comfort Ero at the Aspen Security Forum last week. She is the President of the International Crisis Group, and in that role, she brings a truly global perspective on the drivers of conflict worldwide. Earlier in the forum, she participated in a panel on international aid—timely, given the massive scaling back of foreign assistance …

1
Explainer 477: What is behind the violence in Syria? 6:19

1M ago6:19

6:19

Andrew Mueller examines the fatal clashes between Druze and Bedouin Syrians. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
Explainer 476: Lesotho’s one-man fight for South African land 8:03

1M ago8:03

8:03

A Lesotho MP is facing charges after accusing the country’s monarch of signing over land to its neighbour, South Africa. Andrew Mueller explains the history and prospects of this decidedly niche territorial dispute. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
Can Europe Stay Unified on Ukraine? With Thordis Gylfadottir, Iceland's Former Foreign Minister | Live From the Aspen Security Forum 19:01

1M ago19:01

19:01

My guest today, Thordis Gylfadottir, served as Iceland's foreign minister until 2024. We spoke last week at the Aspen Security Forum, where she delivered a forceful case for the necessity of continued military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. However, that view—once broadly shared across Europe and the Atlantic—is no longer as ubiquitous as it o…

1
The future of warfare 34:25

1M ago34:25

34:25

From drones to radios, the war in Ukraine has rapidly accelerated technical development. In this fast-evolving landscape, what does the future of warfare hold and will humans have a role on the battlefield? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
What We Learned From Mike Waltz's Confirmation Hearing for UN Ambassador | To Save Us From Hell 20:49

1M ago20:49

20:49

Trump’s pick for UN Ambassador, Mike Waltz, faced questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week. You may recall he previously served as National Security Advisor before being sidelined by Trump after “Signalgate.” But Waltz was never officially fired — he was banished to the United Nations instead. For over two hours, he fielded q…

1
The Global Backlash Against Gender Equality 28:19

1M ago28:19

28:19

A furious backlash against gender equality, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights is sweeping the globe. In a new report for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, my guest today, Saskia Brechenmacher, shows that this backlash is not just a temporary reaction to recent progressive reforms but a key front in a larger cultural and political reali…

1
Dynastic democracies 34:08

1M ago34:08

34:08

Recent Filipino elections were, arguably, a political episode of family feud. We examine the creation and durability of political dynasties. Plus: a banned would-be Thai leader explains how to run against a prime minister. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Nigeria's Herder-Farmer Violence is Escalating 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

The farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria is a long-running and deadly struggle over land and resources, primarily between nomadic herders—mostly from the Fulani ethnic group—and settled farming communities. Driven by factors such as desertification, population growth, and shrinking grazing land, herders increasingly move south in search of pasture, le…

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Explainer 475: Why has Russia recognised the Taliban? 6:44

2M ago6:44

6:44

Russia has become the first country to recognise the Taliban as Afghanistan’s government. Andrew Mueller explains why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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To Save Us From Hell: Searching for Compromiso in Seville | Is Rafael Grossi Suddenly Radioactive? 19:28

2M ago19:28

19:28

The major Financing for Development Conference wrapped up in Seville last week with the so-called Compromiso de Sevilla, which commits countries to accelerating efforts to fund the Sustainable Development Goals and support economic and social development in lower-income countries. In our first segment, we are joined by Michael Sheldrick, co-founder…

1
How to topple a tyrant 35:32

2M ago35:32

35:32

As last year’s rapid descent of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad attests, when a dictator falls, they fall fast. But what are the conditions under which that fall occurs? And how can they be sparked? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
How Trump’s Aid Cuts Are Costing Lives in Sudan—The Largest Crisis on Earth 23:44

2M ago23:44

23:44

As of July 1, what remains of USAID’s programming is being folded into the State Department. The independent agency, created 64 years ago to advance American values and support global humanitarian causes, is no more. With USAID’s demise comes a staggering human cost. The Lancet today published a study finding that more than 14 million people — a th…

1
Explainer 474: Tuvalu’s climate-change escape to Australia 6:32

2M ago6:32

6:32

Andrew Mueller explains the relocation ballot being offered to Tuvaluans by Australia and what’s in it for the host nation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
What the NATO Summit Tells Us About The Future of European Security 18:56

2M ago18:56

18:56

The leaders of NATO met in The Hague on June 25th for a rather truncated meeting with a limited agenda. Unlike recent NATO summits, this one did not focus much on the war in Ukraine, countering China, or other broad international security concerns. Rather, this meeting was dedicated to securing a commitment by most NATO members to double their defe…

1
Has the ‘12-Day War’ settled anything? 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

Despite Trump’s assertions, the state of play between Israel and Iran remains unclear. We’re joined by Arash Azizi, Tara Kangarlou and Tom Nichols to consider the possible consequences of the past 12 days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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How the Israel-Iran-US War Forever Changed the Middle East 30:48

2M ago30:48

30:48

Will the ceasefire between Israel and Iran actually hold? How might Iran respond to the unprecedented American attacks on its nuclear program? And more broadly, how have events over the last two weeks changed the entire security dynamic of the Middle East? I’m privileged to bring you a conversation with one of the foremost experts on these question…

1
Explainer 473: Cambodia, Thailand and phone-call warfare 6:37

2M ago6:37

6:37

Andrew Mueller explains the leaked phone call scandalising Thailand in its ongoing border dispute with Cambodia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
How the US Bombing of Iran May Split the Republican Party 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran lays bare a major rift within Republican foreign policy. Until recently, the more isolationist “America First” wing seemed ascendant, sidelining the hawks. But that dynamic decisively shifted on Saturday when Trump ordered American strikes on several targets in Iran My guest today is Andrew Prokop of Vox, who re…

1
The view of Europe from Globsec Forum 2025 41:55

2M ago41:55

41:55

Reporting from the Globsec Forum in Prague, we hear from guests including the host country’s foreign minister and Georgia’s president to discern how their countries are adapting to today’s security, military and political threats. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Why The UN Oceans Summit Matters 21:53

2M ago21:53

21:53

From June 9th to 13th, some 15,000 participants—including more than 60 Heads of State and Government—convened in Nice, on France's Mediterranean coast, for a major UN-sponsored conference on oceans. So what happened at the UN Oceans Summit, and why does it matter? Joining me to answer these questions and more is Bruna Campos of the Center for Inter…

1
Explainer 472: The furious funeral row over Zambia’s former president 8:31

2M ago8:31

8:31

Andrew Mueller explains how the rivalry between the late and former president, Edgar Lungu, and the current president, Hakainde Hichilema, is going well beyond the grave. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
‘The Foreign Desk’ in Odesa: the international ripple effects of war in Ukraine 40:10

2M ago40:10

40:10

Reporting from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, Andrew Mueller talks to leaders – domestic and international – about why Ukraine’s struggle for survival matters around the globe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
"They Have Decapitated the Iranian Military" - Will The Iran-Israel War Drag in the US? 21:58

2M ago21:58

21:58

After years of threats, the Israeli government launched a major attack overnight, targeting both Iran’s nuclear program and several senior Iranian military and political leaders. At the time of writing, Iran had yet to respond in a major way, though the expectation is that the regime will hit back—and much harder than it did last year after a previ…

1
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Head of UN Peacekeeping, on Why It Still Matters—And What Happens If Funding Disappears 30:57

2M ago30:57

30:57

There are nearly 70,000 UN peacekeeping personnel serving in 11 missions around the world. My guest today, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, is in charge of them all. He has served as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations for the last eight years, giving him deep visibility into the unique role that UN Peacekeeping plays in maintaining…

1
Explainer 471: Who gets to be an Italian citizen? 7:53

2M ago7:53

7:53

(Some) Italians headed to the polls this week to decide who gets to be one of them. Andrew Mueller explains what’s at the heart of this debate and why apathy might have won the day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
A Personal Note from Mark 7:04

3M ago7:04

7:04

Global Dispatches is entering a new era—and I need your help to keep it going. For years, I’ve been able to produce this show thanks to institutional support, especially from the UN Foundation, which has backed my work for two decades. But due to recent funding cuts, that support is ending, and I now need to raise $140,000 to keep the show going at…

1
The Gaza Aid Debacle 19:51

3M ago19:51

19:51

After an 80-day total blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a new scheme to distribute food to desperate Gazans began operations this week. The “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” is an Israeli-American creation, designed by consultants, backed by American security contractors, and headed by an evangelical Christian supporter of Donald Trump who has l…

1
Odesa, the Black Sea, the front line and Ukraine’s future 38:09

3M ago38:09

38:09

Andrew Mueller reports from the Black Sea Security Forum, asking why Odesa matters beyond Ukraine’s borders and how Ukrainians have managed to keep fighting more than three years into Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
A Fight Over Horses(!) Tells Us A Whole Lot About The Sad State of Trump's Diplomacy at the UN | To Save Us From Hell 14:09

3M ago14:09

14:09

The General Assembly selected five new members of the Security Council and one new President of the General Assembly this week in not-so-hotly contested elections. These new Security Council members will take their seats in January, and former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will assume the PGA gavel at UNGA in September. So what can we e…

1
Explainer 470: The on-again, off-again US-Iran nuclear talks 8:16

3M ago8:16

8:16

Andrew Mueller unpacks the latest round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, asks why Trump is now eager after rejecting the previous deal and why Iran has fewer cards to play than in the Obama years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
When Treaties Work: The Pandemic Agreement 30:47

3M ago30:47

30:47

On May 20th, after years of negotiation, World Health Organization member states adopted the Pandemic Agreement — the first international treaty focused on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Developed in response to the shortcomings revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement emphasizes equitable access to vaccines, diagnosti…

1
Are journalists safe? 36:18

3M ago36:18

36:18

At least 124 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024, about two-thirds of whom were Palestinian. Why is reporting becoming more dangerous and what can we do to protect journalists? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
Pope Leo Makes His Foreign Policy Debut 27:19

3M ago27:19

27:19

The Pope is not just a religious leader—he's also a Head of State. The Holy See maintains formal diplomatic relations with most countries on Earth and holds the status of a permanent observer at the United Nations. In recent years, the Pope has leveraged his dual role as the leader of the Catholic Church and a head of state to pursue a purposeful f…

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