Deep Dish on Global Affairs

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 Shackelford shed light on the country's shifting politics and changing role in the global landscape.

Michael Merryman-Lotze, an expert on the Gaza Strip and Israeli-Palestinian conflict, joins Brian Hanson to discuss the complex history of Gaza, its role in the conflict, and its place in the Israel-Hamas war. They explore the challenges faced by the Gaza population, the rise and isolation of Hamas, the impact of the blockade and restrictions, and the need for a comprehensive approach to prevent future violence.

Energy expert Jason Bordoff and geopolitics specialist Meghan O'Sullivan discuss the complexities of energy insecurity in the context of climate change and geopolitics. They explore the challenges of the global energy transition, the risks of energy insecurity on clean energy efforts, the importance of diversifying critical minerals and supply chains, and the need for a broader approach to tackling climate change through cooperation and partnerships.

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 newest 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 countries to join. What does this mean for the US and its allies?, Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, Sep 08, 2023 

Can smart cities truly deliver on their promises of innovation and sustainability? On Deep Dish, author 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:  Dream States: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopia, John Lorinc, Coach House Books, August 23, 2022  Meet the Pattis Family Foundation Global Cities Book Award winner and finalists and submit books for the 2024 award!  2023 Pritzker Forum on Global Cities: Harnessing AI: Tools for Urban Leaders, Event, November 13-15, 2023  Your Data Were ‘Anonymized’? These Scientists Can Still Identify You, Gina Kolata, New York Times, July 23, 2019    This episode is brought to you by UL Solutions. 

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