The Munk Debates Podcast

In this engaging discussion, the hosts assess the recent Canadian election, highlighting baby boomers' influence on policies that affect younger generations. They dive into Mark Carney's leadership potential amid economic challenges like job insecurity and housing costs. The conversation shifts to the complex dynamics of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, questioning Trump's motives and the implications for Israel. With Middle Eastern geopolitics at play, they ponder whether Israel will act unilaterally on Iran's nuclear ambitions, reflecting on the broader ramifications.

Andrew Coyne, a seasoned columnist for the Globe and Mail, offers insights into Canada’s recent election results. He examines the Conservative Party's attempt to appeal to the center after sidelining the People's Party. Coyne discusses rising separatist sentiment in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and reflects on how traditional voting patterns have shifted, with younger voters leaning Conservative while Boomers support the Liberals. He also critiques the political handling of housing issues, stressing the need for genuine solutions amid generational divides.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. Rudyard and Janice open the show with the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire deal put forward by the Trump administration that would recognize Crimea as a Russian territory, deny NATO membership to Ukraine, and give Moscow control of 20 percent of Ukrainian territory in the Donbas region. This is a huge capitulation to Russia that doesn't provide any security guarantees to Ukraine. So why is Putin dragging his feet in accepting these generous terms? In the second part of the show Rudyard and Janice reflect on the Canadian election campaign which will come to a close on Monday as voters head to the polls. Because so much focus has been paid to the Canada-US relationship, so many other important issues relating to the economy, productivity, immigration and housing have been ignored. Have we overreacted to the Trump threat while failing to address the very real challenges at home? To support the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Andrew Coyne is a Globe and Mail Columnist and one of Canada’s most trusted commentators. He joins host Rudyard Griffiths to discuss how the Conservative Party's anti-Trudeau messaging undermined their ability to provide Canadians with an appealing platform in an election that doesn't include the former PM. Mark Carney, meanwhile, is acting like a grownup in charge when a crisis hits, even though his big spending promises suggest he's not the blue liberal many centre-right Canadians had hoped. Rudyard and Andrew also talk about Trump's threats to fire US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, and why the independent authority of central banks is so integral to the functioning of democracies.

A recent Canadian leaders' debate was analyzed, highlighting Pierre Pollievre's confident performance and Mark Carney's surprising calmness. The hosts questioned the effectiveness of current debate formats in engaging undecided voters and suggested a need for more dynamic dialogues. The conversation then shifted to Donald Trump's chaotic week, where his defiance of legal norms and public battles raised concerns about the stability of American governance. The discussion underscored the critical need for authentic engagement in politics, especially with younger audiences.

Andrew Coyne, a prominent Globe and Mail columnist, joins the discussion with keen insights on the Canadian election landscape. He analyzes how the Liberal Party has transformed from underdogs to frontrunners, driven largely by the chaotic U.S. trade policies. Coyne also reflects on Trump’s erratic behavior and its implications for mental health, while considering the broader effects of U.S. politics on Canadian voter sentiment. The conversation highlights the intertwined fates of the two nations amidst political uncertainty and rising anti-elite sentiment.

The podcast delves into the escalating trade war between America and China, highlighting its destabilizing effects on the global economy. It discusses the rising tariffs and the psychological motivations behind leadership decisions. The transformation of China’s manufacturing sector is explored, along with its challenges for global markets. The conversation touches on the relationship between trade, technology, and job losses in the U.S., warning against rising populism and the complexities of malinvestment in global dynamics.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. Rudyard and Janice open the show with Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcements and specifically China's response: a punishing 34% countervailing tax on all imports from the US. Is this the start of a more dangerous moment between these two adversaries? President Trump is about to find out how vulnerable the US is to China, and how easy it is to start an economic war but how hard it is to end it. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to Canada, which was conspicuously absent from Trump's Wednesday tariff announcement. What can we expect when CUSMA - our free trade agreement with the US - gets renegotiated after the election? To support the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

On this episode we are joined by Stephen Wertheim, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute at Arizona State University, to discuss the likelihood of US military strikes on Iran, America’s Greenland annexation plans, and Chinese military drills off the coast of Taiwan. 

The discussion kicks off with Trump's global auto tariff announcement and its daunting implications for Canada's car industry. The hosts advocate for pivoting to high-tech manufacturing instead of clinging to outdated sectors. In the second half, they evaluate Bibi's political maneuvering in Israel following a recent budget win, pondering whether this security will push him to intensify military actions in Gaza. Insights into the challenges of automation and strategic economic reforms round out the conversation, linking it all to Canada's future.