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. Experts 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. Reading List: The Council for Responsible Social Media, Website Why dangerous content thrives on Facebook and TikTok in Kenya, Neha Wadekar, Washington Post, July 31, 2022

Vanda Felbab-Brown and Regina LaBelle discuss the US drug epidemic caused by synthetic opioids. They explore the global impact of the overdose crisis, the dangers of fentanyl, the challenges in reducing drug supply from Mexico, and the progress in addressing the fentanyl problem.

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 Niger'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 Across the Sahel, Kamissa Camara and Susan Stigant, U.S. Institute of Peace, Thursday, August 3, 2023   Less is More: A New Strategy for US Security Assistance to Africa, Lizzy Shackelford, Ethan Kessler, and Emma Sanderson, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, August 21, 2023 

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 foreign service officer Mietek Boduszyński, who served in Libya when US facilities in Benghazi were attacked, reflect on how the US government should balance diplomacy and danger, whether the right lessons were learned, and what challenge face US diplomats in today's risky world.    Reading List:  Terrorism, Betrayal, and Resilience: My Story of the 1998 U.S. Embassy Bombings, Prudence Bushnell, Potomac Books, October 1, 2018  Public Diplomacy and the American Fortress Embassy, Mietek Boduszyński, Pacific Council on International Policy, February 13, 2019   Diplomacy Doesn’t Work in a Zero-risk World, Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, November 4, 2021 

Exploring the film Oppenheimer and its implications on nuclear weapons, the podcast discusses public engagement, the historical freeze campaign in the 80s, the impact of social media on nuclear awareness, and finding hope in the fight against nuclear weapons.

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 unravel the layers of this population paradox and its implications on society, the global economy, and the environment. Reading List:  Population Decline Will Change the World for the Better, Stephanie Feldstein, Scientific American, May 4, 2023  Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline, Darrell Bricker & John Ibbitson, Crown, February 5, 2019  The Climate Baby Dilemma, Documentary, 2022 

Dennis Weng and Brian Hioe join Deep Dish to discuss the future of Taiwanese policy, its alignment with the US, and the risk of war with China. The speakers delve into the differing perspectives within Taiwan on the level of risk for conflict, the ongoing discussion in the US regarding military signals to China, the political dynamics in Taiwan, and the multifaceted issues surrounding Taiwan's upcoming election.

Tensions between Taiwan and China are debated. Should the US prioritize military deterrence or political solutions? The importance of maintaining deterrence and Taiwan's resistance capabilities is discussed. The need for political and diplomatic assurance is emphasized. The US should keep an open door policy with China and determine limits on arms sales to avoid provocation. Alternative policy approaches and the importance of US-Taiwan-China relations are explored.

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 Fernanda Bozmoski joins Deep Dish to discuss the reasons for Costa Rica’s achievements, explore lessons for other countries, and unpack the challenges that lie ahead for this remarkable nation.