Why It Matters

Over the past few years, a new threat has emerged as a leading cause of death in the United States: fentanyl. Yet even as the drug wreaks havoc on Americans lives, preventing its flow into the United States is complicated, partially because of the supply’s overseas origins, which is often China. What is China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis?   Featured Guests: Tom Bollyky (​​Senior Fellow for Global Health, Economics, and Development, and Director of the Global Health Program) Zongyuan Zoe Liu (Maurice R. Greenberg Fellow for China Studies)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/americas-fentanyl-epidemic-china-connection

The podcast discusses the urgent need for rebuilding Ukraine after the conflict with Russia. It explores the challenges and opportunities involved in reconstruction efforts, including funding, economic recovery, and international support. The podcast also considers the potential use of frozen Russian assets and the concerns and consequences of confiscating them. It emphasizes the importance of supporting Ukraine's economy, fighting corruption, and Ukraine's desire for partnership with Europe.

David Marlett, Managing Director of the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center, Appalachian State University, discusses the impact of climate change on home insurance. Topics include rising premiums, companies reducing coverage, and the potential for some areas to become uninsurable. The podcast also explores the interconnectedness of different regions, government disaster aid, and potential solutions to address these risks.

Female representation in politics is important for various reasons, but there is still a lack of female leaders. The podcast explores the benefits of gender equality in politics, such as changing public debate and policy-making, as well as the negative consequences like limited legal rights and high levels of violence. The Women's Power Index is discussed as a tool to measure gender inequality, and the podcast also explores the lack of representation in diplomacy, the impact of the digital world on women's inclusion, and the need for greater attention to gender parity in legislatures.

A small island one hundred miles off the coast of China could be the flashpoint that determines the future of great-power competition. Experts increasingly warn that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be globally catastrophic, regardless of its success or if the United States intervenes. How concerned should Americans be?   James Lin (Assistant Professor at the University of Washington ) David Sacks (Fellow for Asia Studies, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/taiwan-china-and-threat-war 

The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought lawmakers and industry leaders to the same conclusion: regulation is necessary to ensure the technology changes the world for the better. The similarities could end there, as governments and industry clash on what those laws should do, and different governments take increasingly divergent approaches. What are the stakes of the debate over AI regulation?   Featured Guests: Janet Haven (Executive Director, Data & Society) Sebastian Mallaby (Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ai-meets-world-part-two  

After decades of seeming like another sci-fi catchphrase, artificial intelligence (AI) is having its moment. Some experts predict that AI will usher in an era of boundless productivity and techno-utopia; others see a new realm of great-power competition and the end of humanity. Nearly all agree that AI will change the world. But will it be for the better?   Featured Guests: Janet Haven (Executive Director, Data & Society) Sebastian Mallaby (Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ai-meets-world-part-one 

Feeding the world's eight billion people has never been easy. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine shocked the market for fertilizer, that task has gotten even harder. The fertilizer crisis threatens to exacerbate food insecurity worldwide, especially in low-income countries already reeling from record-high inflation and rapidly depreciating currencies. What is fertilizer’s role in the food supply chain?   Featured Guests:  Laura Cross (Director, Market Intelligence, International Fertilizer Association) Michelle Gavin (Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/down-and-dirty-global-fertilizer-dilemma 

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the possibility of nuclear war felt like a problem of days past. Now, as great-power competition heats up, the potential for nuclear conflict seems higher than at any point in decades. How did the nuclear taboo fade, and what does nuclear proliferation mean for the United States?   Featured Guests: J. Andrés Gannon (Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow, CFR) Rupal N. Mehta (Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/new-nuclear-age 

All current U.S. military personnel have one thing in common: they volunteered. But falling recruitment has raised questions of national security, military readiness, and the health of U.S. society. Can the all-volunteer force handle a changing international security landscape?   Featured Guests: Max Boot (Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow for National Security Studies, CFR) Amy Bushatz (Director and Executive Editor, Military.com) Colonel Timothy J. MacDonald (U.S. Army Fellow, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/army-some-recruiting-trouble-all-volunteer-force