The Conversation Weekly

Join Laura Hood, a Politics editor at The Conversation, and Ana E. Juncos, a European politics professor at the University of Bristol, as they dissect Europe's defense shortcomings. They discuss how Europe's reliance on the U.S. has led to a lack of independent military capabilities and the implications of NATO's new spending commitments. The conversation sheds light on France's defense strategy, the growing support for a common European army, and the pressing need for EU nations to collaborate amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Robert F Kennedy Jr caused controversy in April by promising to find a cause for autism by September. Claims by the new US secretary for health and human services that autism is a “preventable disease” with an environmental cause,  contradict a body of research that suggests autism is caused by a combination of genetic and external factors.The US government announced that to support its new research effort into autism it would build a “data platform” involving data on claims, medical records and consumer wearables.  In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to Amy Gaeta, a  research associate at University of Cambridge in the UK who studies disability surveillance. Gaeta talks us through some of the strategies people are using to avoid potential surveillance, from self-diagnosis, to withholding information or being careful with the language they use to describe themselves. This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.

Daniel Bar-Tal, an Emeritus professor at Tel Aviv University and expert on self-censorship, joins Beth Daly, Executive Editor of The Conversation. They dive into the psychology behind why individuals choose silence over expression, particularly under societal and political pressures. Bar-Tal shares insights on the implications of self-censorship in academic settings and its parallels in authoritarian regimes. The discussion reveals how fears of repercussions can stifle authentic discourse, impacting both academia and broader societal norms.

In this discussion, Hollie Booth, a conservation scientist at the University of Oxford, shares insights into shark and ray populations in Indonesia, the world's largest shark-fishing nation. She explores a unique pay-to-release initiative, aimed at incentivizing fishermen to free accidentally caught sharks. While this method shows promise for some species, it also reveals unexpected outcomes, like increased mortality for hammerhead sharks. Booth emphasizes the need for tailored conservation strategies and highlights the complexities behind effective wildlife protection.

Mend Mariwany, a producer for The Conversation Weekly, teams up with Martin Hearson, a research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies specializing in global tax negotiations. They delve into the groundbreaking agreement requiring multinational companies to pay at least 15% in corporate tax. The conversation highlights the challenges of implementing this tax framework and the historical context of global tax governance. They discuss the implications for lower-income countries and the growing influence of the UN in reshaping international tax decision-making.

Mend Mariwany, a producer with a deep insight into global tax systems, teams up with Tarcisio Diniz Magalhaes, a tax law professor at the University of Antwerp, to discuss the pressing need for global tax reform. They explore how multinational corporations exploit loopholes, leading to staggering losses for nations, especially in the developing world. The duo examines the implications of the OECD's proposed global minimum tax, the challenges of tax inequality, and the intricate dynamics shaping tax policies in a rapidly digitizing economy.

Sean Campbell, an independent investigative journalist focused on social justice, joins Topher McDougall, a professor specializing in conflict economics. They discuss the staggering reality that over two-thirds of weapons found at Mexican crime scenes are sourced from the U.S. Their research reveals an estimated 135,000 guns trafficked in 2022 alone. The duo unpacks the challenges faced by American law enforcement in curbing this flow and highlights how lax gun laws in the U.S. escalate cartel violence and impact migration from Mexico.

For much of the 21st century, one theory has dominated research efforts to cure Alzheimer's disease: the amyloid hypothesis. Beta-amyloid is a protein that builds up in clumps, or plaques, in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and is linked to their cognitive decline.But in recent years, despite the emergence of a couple of new drugs targeting these plaques, some scientists have begun to doubt the amyloid hypothesis. Donald Weaver, a professor of chemistry at the University of Toronto in Canada, is one of them. Weaver no longer believes there will be one magic bullet found to cure Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, he advocates for a magic shotgun approach that is likely to involve multiple ways of treating the problem, including starting much earlier in a person’s life. He tells us about shifts in the understanding of Alzheimer's during his career of more than 30 years, and the theories now emerging about what might cause the disease and how to treat it. This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Gemma Ware is the host and executive producer. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.

Bright Simons is a prominent political and economic commentator from Ghana, while Adejewan Shoinka serves as Regional Editor for West Africa at The Conversation. They delve into the repercussions of USAID cuts, particularly highlighting how Nigeria and other African nations are affected. The discussion critiques the reliance on foreign aid and explores alternative strategies for health management and economic stability. Simons and Shoinka emphasize the importance of local accountability and proactive health measures in overcoming these challenges.

Salma Mousa, an assistant professor of political science at UCLA, explores the 'Mo Salah effect'—how the famed Egyptian footballer reduces prejudice. She discusses how Salah's celebrity status fosters positive perceptions of Muslims in the UK. His influence has led to a notable 16% decrease in hate crimes in Merseyside and reduced anti-Muslim sentiments among fans. Mousa highlights the role of sports in promoting social cohesion and challenges surrounding ethnic integration, showing how notable figures can reshape societal attitudes.