Deep Dish on Global Affairs

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.

While the world closely followed the fate of five privileged men who went missing aboard a Titanic-bound submersible, a fishing boat crowded with migrants traveling from Libya sank in Greek waters. This upped the number of migrants who have died trying to reach Europe by sea this year to nearly 2,000. Award-winning journalist Sally Hayden joins Deep Dish to shed light on the underreported crisis of migrant treatment, the heartbreaking stories of those traveling on the world’s deadliest migration route, and the inadequate news coverage and resources dedicated to this humanitarian issue. Reading List: My Fourth Time, We Drowned: Seeking Refuge on the World's Deadliest Migration Route, Sally Hayden, Melville House, March 29, 2022 Ignoring the Humanity of Migrants Won’t Fix Migration Problems, Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, June 30, 2023

Haiti marks the two-year anniversary of President Jovenel Moïse's assassination. On Deep Dish, we unravel the intricate dynamics that make Haiti's path to stability so challenging. Haitian journalist Monique Clesca and the International Crisis Group’s Renata Segura offer their perspectives on the complexities of the situation and explore pathways on Haiti's struggle for a brighter future.

With Uganda's recent passage of an extreme anti-LGBTQ law, Deep Dish explores the external influences, particularly US evangelical groups, that have intensified discrimination in Uganda and beyond. Ugandan journalist Lydia Namubiru unravels the historical context and societal factors behind this pressing issue. And Minority Africa’s Caleb Okereke sheds light on the experiences and challenges faced by LGBTQ communities in Uganda and elsewhere on the continent. Reading List:   The Unholy Relationship Between Uganda's Anti-LGBTQ+ Law and US Evangelicalism, Emma Sanderson, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, June 8, 2023 How US Evangelicals Helped Homophobia Flourish in Africa, Caleb Okereke, Foreign Policy, March 19, 2023 Exclusive: US Christian Right pours more than $50m into Africa, Lydia Namubiru, Open Democracy, October 29, 2020 

Why is the relationship between the West and the Global South failing and what can be done? Stimson Center’s Aude Darnal challenges the dominant focus on great power competition and highlights why this approach fails to foster meaningful, mutually beneficial relations. Discover why redefining this lens is essential for the United States, the Global South, and the world.

What role do international partners like the United States play in shaping Sudan’s transitional path forward? Deep Dish explores the need for a new approach to conflict resolution that prioritizes civilian interests, joined by Jacqueline Burns, former advisor to the US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, and Peter Biar Ajak of the Belfer Center. They question traditional methods and uncover alternative strategies for constructive international engagement to secure a peaceful future for Sudan. Reading List: The Violence in Sudan Is Partly Our Fault, Jacqueline Burns, New York Times, April 23, 2023