The Inquiry

Valérie Niquet, a French strategic affairs specialist; James DJ Brown, a scholar of Russian politics; John Nilsson-Wright, an expert on Japanese foreign policy; and Tessa Morris-Suzuki, a modern Japan historian, examine the Kuril Islands dispute. They explore Ainu heritage, wartime annexation, deported residents, failed negotiations and Putin’s provocative visit. Could humanitarian links offer a path forward, or is a sovereignty deal out of reach?

Esther Brimmer, a Council on Foreign Relations fellow focused on global governance; Amy Verdun, a political scientist specializing in European integration; and Imran Bayoumi, a geopolitics and security analyst, explore the rise of middle powers. They discuss Canada’s pivot toward Europe, shifting ties across the Gulf and Indo-Pacific, and whether flexible coalitions can challenge US-China dominance.

Ritu Bharadwaj, a climate finance expert in London; Santosh Nepal, a Himalayan water researcher; Dinesh Paudel, a sustainable development professor; and Neera Shrestha Pradhan, a mountain disaster specialist, examine Nepal’s recovery after catastrophic floods. They explore shattered hydropower, trade and tourism, intensifying glacier-related hazards, early-warning systems, safer resettlement, and the international finance gap threatening reconstruction.

Lorenzo Pregliasco, a polling analyst and University of Bologna professor; Nathalie Tocci, a European foreign-policy scholar; and Rosario Forlenza, a historian of Italian democracy, explore Italy’s surprising political durability. They trace the fall of old parties, the rise of Berlusconi and Giorgia Meloni, Meloni’s strategic opposition years, coalition constraints, migration, ties with Europe, and whether voters will sustain this new stability.

Marc Lanteigne, an Arctic geopolitics scholar; Nan Hao, an economic security researcher; Katarzyna Zysk, an international security professor; and Karen van Loon, a European defence analyst, examine China’s Polar Silk Road. They discuss the Northern Sea Route, Russia’s role, Arctic law, climate change, and growing Asian interest. Could this seasonal passage reshape trade between China and Europe?

Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, a Senegalese AI governance researcher; Teki Akuetteh, a Ghanaian digital rights lawyer; Juanita Clark, a South African infrastructure specialist; and Mark Kaigwa, a Kenyan data and AI entrepreneur, explore Africa’s digital ambitions. They discuss mobile money’s global impact, the digital divide, foreign-owned data infrastructure, privacy, fragmented policies, and the long road toward homegrown technology and digital sovereignty.

Naveeda Khan, Johns Hopkins anthropologist, studies river life and environmental politics. Erin O’Donnell, a water-law scholar, explores legal rights for rivers. Conservationist Pier-Olivier Boudreault shares the Magpie River campaign, while river scientist Nick Mount examines global threats. Together, they debate whether personhood can protect waterways, the risks of river liability, and why laws often falter without enforcement and community action.

Rahul Verma, Centre for Policy Research fellow who studies protest history; Sadanand Dhume, CFR senior fellow on South Asia and political economy; Ruchi Gupta, Future of India Foundation director focused on youth and education. They discuss the rise of the Cockroach Janta Party protests, the broken education-to-jobs promise, government responses and employment shortfalls. They compare mobilisation tactics and the movement’s impact on political agendas.

Ahmed Jazouli, Moroccan policy expert on governance and democracy; Intissar Fakir, Morocco-born analyst of youth movements and reform; Merouan Mekouar, professor of MENA political structures; Dr Mohammed Masbah, analyst of Morocco's economy and regional gaps. They discuss youth protests, high unemployment and regional inequality. They debate the monarchy’s role, elite networks and whether higher turnout and elite renewal could change public trust.

David Prerau, historian and author of Seize the Daylight, traces DST’s quirky origins and policy battles. Jennifer Evans, sleep and circadian biology professor, outlines how clock shifts affect sleep, safety and morning light. They discuss wartime adoption, geography and time zones, and whether changing clocks still makes sense for health and society.