Prior to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, talks between Vladimir Putin and Western leaders largely centered around NATO’s eastward expansion: The Russian leader demanded that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization deny membership to Ukraine and Georgia and roll back troop deployment in countries that joined after 1997. These demands were ultimately rejected, and Russia’s response was a military assault on Ukraine that has shattered longstanding peace in Europe and weakened the post-soviet liberal international order. Some experts argue that the US-led NATO expansion in the late 1990s and early 2000s must bear some of the blame for the current crisis. Welcoming the likes of Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic, all once part of the Soviet sphere of influence, was an unnecessary provocation towards Russia when it was still reeling from a humiliating defeat. The Russians viewed this expansion near their border as an existential threat, made worse by Ukraine’s decision to pivot westward towards the EU in 2014. The west, especially the US, must be held partially responsible for the current disaster. Other foreign policy experts argue that NATO expansion is a deflection of the real cause behind this conflict: the machinations of a paranoid madman with imperialist ambitions who is using war to deflect from domestic political and economic unrest. Putin, these experts warn, is using the threat from NATO to distract from the real reason he started a bloody war with Ukraine: a ruthless desire to strengthen his power at home and re-establish waning influence in the region. All blame for the current crisis must rest on Putin’s shoulders, and his alone. Arguing for the motion is Barry Posen, the Ford International Professor of Political Science at MIT and the director of the school’s Security Studies Program Arguing against the motion is Stephen Rademacher, former Assistant US Secretary of State for International Security and Non-proliferation in the George W. Bush administration QUOTES: BARRY POSEN “If you treat a great power, even a middle power, with profound disrespect for its interest and its views, you're giving hawks on their side a major argument for why they need to mobilize against you. And that's basically what happened.” STEPHEN RADEMACHER “What changed in Ukraine was a consequence of Russian policy, Russian bullying, and Russian mishandling of the relationship with their closest neighbor. That is not America's doing, that is not NATO's doing, that is Russia's doing.” Sources:  BBC, CNN, NBC News, Sky News The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths - @rudyardg.   Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.   To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Reza Dahya

This program provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving 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. This week’s Munk Members podcast explores the issues and ideas raised in Janice Stein’s important article this week in Foreign Policy magazine. To access the article in full click here. Rudyard and Janice discuss different approaches to deterrence in the current war, how they are likely to encourage divergent risks and outcomes and the importance of considering psychological factors when trying to predict and ideally change Putin’s behavior. The episode also digs into the risks and reasons to be cautious about transferring NATO fighter jets to Ukraine and setting up “no-fly” zones. To access the full length episode consider becoming a Munk Member. Membership is free. Simply log on to www.munkdebates.com/membership to register. Under your membership profile page you will find a link to listen to the full length editions of Munk Members Podcast. If you like what the Munk Debates is all about consider becoming a Supporting Member. For as little as $9.99 monthly you receive unlimited access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, monthly newsletter, ticketing privileges at our live and online events and a charitable tax receipt (for Canadian residents). To explore you Munk Membership options visit www.munkdebates.com/membership. 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.

He’s been heir to the throne for 70 years, waiting to take over as King of Great Britain from the country’s longest serving monarch, his mother, Queen Elizabeth. But as the Queen’s advanced age and fragile health becomes ever more apparent, many in the UK are wondering whether Charles is the right man to take over the throne from his long-beloved and admired mother. The Prince’s critics point to a sense of entitlement and dour personality unbecoming of a monarch. He lectures about the environment while flying in a private jet, is thin-skinned to criticism, and is forever tainted by his alleged treatment of Diana and the very ugly details that led to the breakdown of their marriage. And most importantly, his critics argue, a constitutional monarchy requires that the sovereign not interfere in politics, a role that Queen Elizabeth has embraced and perfected over her long reign. Charles, by contrast, has used his position to express his views and influence both popular and ministerial opinion. The Prince’s allies insist that he is the right man for the job – he will bring a more modern, European, and tolerant sensibility to a country that must adapt to a new world. His lifelong commitment to protecting the environment and raising awareness about climate change – long before it was deemed fashionable - shows a strength of character sorely lacking in today’s leaders.  And finally, as the longest serving heir to the British throne, he has long exhibited a keen sense of duty and commitment to the monarchy which has endeared him to his subjects and guarantees an easy transition when the time inevitably comes. Arguing for the  motion is Clive Irving, former editor of The Sunday Times and author of The Last Queen: Elizabeth II's Seventy Year Battle to Save the House of Windsor Arguing against the motion is Angela Levin, royal commentator and biographer, and author of Harry: Conversations with the Prince  QUOTES: CLIVE IRVING “Charles has lived in a highly privileged cocoon. William and Kate, on the other hand, fit and understand the real world in a way that Charles has never done” ANGELA LEVIN “We are living in a tumultuous world … we need security and straightforwardness. We need someone we can really trust. And I think that Prince Charles fits that role perfectly.” Sources:  GMA, CNN, 7News, The Royal Family Channel, Sky News The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths - @rudyardg.   Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.   To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Reza Dahya

This program provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving 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. This week’s Munk Members podcast focuses on the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Janice and Rudyard discuss how the conflict has escalated over the last ten days and why Western countries have moved so quickly to introduce some of the harshest economic sanctions ever levied against a nation state. Keeping on the economic theme, the second half of the program explores the long-term effects these sanctions could have on globalization, the future of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency and what China may do economically to lessen its dependence on a Western led global financial order.  To access the full length episode consider becoming a Munk Member. Membership is free. Simply log on to www.munkdebates.com/membership to register. Under your membership profile page you will find a link to listen to the full length editions of Munk Members Podcast. If you like what the Munk Debates is all about consider becoming a Supporting Member. For as little as $9.99 monthly you receive unlimited access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, monthly newsletter, ticketing privileges at our live and online events and a charitable tax receipt (for Canadian residents). To explore you Munk Membership options visit www.munkdebates.com/membership. 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.

This program provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving 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. This is a special edition of the Munk Member’s podcast focusing on the extraordinary series of developments in Eastern Europe that have culminated with Russian troops invading Ukraine triggering the largest ground war in Europe since WWII. In this episode Janice and Rudyard are joined by U.S. security expert Joshua Rovner, Associate Professor at the School of International Service of the American University in Washington, D.C.. Joshua walks Janice and Rudyard through the different risks that could escalate the conflict in the coming days from cyber to conventional forces to nuclear. To access the full length episode consider becoming a Munk Member. Membership is free. Simply log on to www.munkdebates.com/membership to register. Under your membership profile page you will find a link to listen to the full length editions of Munk Members Podcast. If you like what the Munk Debates is all about consider becoming a Supporting Member. For as little as $9.99 monthly you receive unlimited access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, monthly newsletter, ticketing privileges at our live and online events and a charitable tax receipt (for Canadian residents). To explore you Munk Membership options visit www.munkdebates.com/membership. 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.

Gad Saad joins us for an in-depth discussion on how lazy thinking and intellectual tribalism is killing common sense and rational debate. QUOTES: GAD SAAD "When you have a collectivist society, you have cohesive norms, and you have rituals of purity that are easier to implement" The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths - @rudyardg.   Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.   To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Rudyard Griffiths Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Reza Dahya

This is a sample of the Munk Members-Only Podcast. The program provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving 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. This episode of the Munk Member’s podcast features a one-on-one interview between Janice Gross Stein and the former U.S. Supreme Allied Commander for Europe and NATO, James Stavridis. Janice and James discuss the latest developments in the war, the respective strategies of the Russian and Ukrainian militaries, the posture of NATO forces in Europe and the threat of cyber attacks by Russia on the United States. Their conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in Toronto, Canada on Thursday, February 24. James Stavridis participated in discussion remotely via video link. To access the full length episode consider becoming a Munk Member. Membership is free. Simply log on to www.munkdebates.com/membership to register. Under your membership profile page you will find a link to listen to the full length editions of Munk Members Podcast. If you like what the Munk Debates is all about consider becoming a Supporting Member. For as little as $9.99 monthly you receive unlimited access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, monthly newsletter, ticketing privileges at our live and online events and a charitable tax receipt (for Canadian residents). To explore you Munk Membership options visit www.munkdebates.com/membership. 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.

It’s been almost two years since COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic, and yet every few months a new variant emerges, sweeping through entire populations and thwarting any plans for a return to pre-covid normal life. While many governments are still using lockdowns, mask mandates, online school and business closures in order to blunt the surges and prevent a health care collapse, some countries like England and Denmark are pivoting away from these measures, aiming to treat COVID as we do other common infectious pathogens: no restrictions, no mandates, no closures. Governments and health experts supporting this approach argue that safe and effective vaccines and treatments will protect the majority of infected people from severe illness and death. Online learning is detrimental to the mental health of children, exacerbates inequality, and keeps parents out of the workforce. Governments finances are at the breaking point having had to repeatedly bailing out businesses. And finally, humans are social creatures. We cannot continue to prioritize the health of a vulnerable few over the mental and physical wellbeing of entire populations. Many in healthcare and public health do not agree. Yes, COVID is not as dangerous a threat as was originally, but record case counts lead to widespread staff shortages and hospital overcapacity. Letting a virus run rampant is an irresponsible health care approach that will lead to more disease, deaths, and highly transmissible variants. Previous measures like masking and closures have curbed the rapid spread of COVID, and when and if necessary, governments should not hesitate to introduce them again.  Arguing for the  motion is Jay Bhattacharya, epidemiologist and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University Arguing against the motion is Jeremy Faust, public health researcher and core faculty in the Emergency Division of Health Policy and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, instructor at Harvard Medical School QUOTES: JAY BHATTACHARYA “We have put in place lockdowns and other measures to try to control the spread of the virus with really no endpoint in sight, permanently altering the way we live in pursuit of a futile goal.” JEREMY FAUST “We should be willing and able to respond with mitigation and protective measures, exactly when we need them…If we don't do that, we deprive ourselves of the life that we want and also the safety that we all deserve.” “We need to be sensible. Do things when there are surges, protect everyone, including the elderly, when we're at higher risk, and then yes, when case numbers decrease, we can relax.” Sources:  ABC News, Good Morning America, Sky News, Global News The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths - @rudyardg.   Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.   To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Reza Dahya

This program provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving 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. This is a special edition of the Munk Member’s podcast focusing on the extraordinary series of developments in Eastern Europe that have culminated with Russian troops entering sovereign Ukrainian territory to occupy much of the East of the country. Janice and Rudyard discuss what could happen next in this high stakes crisis. Is this a stalemate in the making with Russia now in possession of two Ukrainian provinces and Europe willing and able to accept this outcome? Or, will Putin push for a full scale invasion? And, finally, what are the geopolitical, long-term ramifications of the last 72 hours for China? For the future of collective security in Europe? For the entire liberal international order? To access the full length episode consider becoming a Munk Member. Membership is free. Simply log on to www.munkdebates.com/membership to register. Under your membership profile page you will find a link to listen to the full length editions of Munk Members Podcast. If you like what the Munk Debates is all about consider becoming a Supporting Member. For as little as $9.99 monthly you receive unlimited access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, monthly newsletter, ticketing privileges at our live and online events and a charitable tax receipt (for Canadian residents). To explore you Munk Membership options visit www.munkdebates.com/membership. 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.

This is a sample of the Munk Members-Only Podcast. The program provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving 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. This week’s Munk Members podcast focuses on two big stories in the news. First, Canada declares its very Canadian equivalent of martial law to try and bring the so-called “truckers” protests to an end in the nation’s capital. Is the Emergencies Act an appropriate response to the protests? What does its invocation say about our institutions, politics and the state of Canadian democracy? Second, how should we interpret Putin and Biden’s “war of words” over whether Russia is in fact going to invade Ukraine? What in fact are competing strategies playing out behind the screaming headlines? To access the full length episode consider becoming a Munk Member. Membership is free. Simply log on to www.munkdebates.com/membership to register. Under your membership profile page you will find a link to listen to the full length editions of Munk Members Podcast. If you like what the Munk Debates is all about consider becoming a Supporting Member. For as little as $9.99 monthly you receive unlimited access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, monthly newsletter, ticketing privileges at our live and online events and a charitable tax receipt (for Canadian residents). To explore you Munk Membership options visit www.munkdebates.com/membership. 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.