CSIS Podcasts

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Joseph Asunka, PhD, CEO of Afrobarometer, the leading source of public attitude data in Africa. Together, they discuss Afrobarometer's rise, its meticulous survey research methods, and case studies showcasing the policy impact of its data in Ghana, Malawi, and Botswana. They also discuss the difficulties of conducting surveys in conflict-afflicted or fragile contexts and how Afrobarometer has contributed to the growth of survey research organizations across Africa. Joseph Asunka also highlights how big data could be a changemaker in conducting research in Africa.

In this episode we are joined by Vilas Dhar, President and Trustee of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a 21st century $1.5 billion philanthropy advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. We discuss his background (1:26), the foundation and its approach to AI philanthropy (4:11), building public sector capacity in AI (13:00), the definition of AI governance (20:07), ongoing multilateral governance efforts (23:01), how liberal and authoritarian norms affect AI (28:35), and what the future of AI might look like (30:30).

How can Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) be better utilized to accomplish U.S. strategic objectives? Recently, the Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative released their latest brief: Countering China and Russia: The Hidden Advantages of Women, Peace, and Security. To discuss the findings of the report, Dr. Kathleen McInnis was joined by Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, Director, RAND Women, Peace, and Security Initiative, and Monica S. Herrera, Acting Director for International Humanitarian Policy and Senior Gender Advisor, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, U.S. Department of Defense.

One pillar of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 development plan is NEOM, a land development, tourism, and model city project that is projected to cost at least a half a trillion dollars. Last week, NEOM’s CEO left suddenly. Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about NEOM, its challenges, and Saudi Arabia’s economic future. 

In this episode of Pekingology which aired on Dec. 10, 2020, Jude Blanchette talks to Jörg Wuttke, the president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, to discuss the expanding power and influence of state-owned enterprises in China's economy.

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Mohammad Ali Shabani, editor of Amwaj.media, a London-based news site focusing on Iran, Iraq, and the Arabian Peninsula countries. Together, they discuss Iran’s regional strategy and the choices Iran has after a year of rising regional tensions. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Martin Pimentel and Will Todman to discuss what the new U.S. administration will mean for Iran, its conflict with Israel, and its relations with the United States. Transcript, "Mohammad Ali Shabani: Iran After October 7," CSIS, November 12, 2024.

This week Mike hosts Jude for a final goodbye episode to get Jude's synopsis of the China watching fields ability to understand China, what they have rightly predicted, what has been missed, Beijing's politics, and many other topics discussed in previous episodes.

On this week's episode of the Trade Guys, we give our first reactions to the reelection of Donald Trump and speculate about what trade and economic policy will look like in the next administration. 

Just over a week ago, Israel conducted multiple waves of airstrikes against military sites in Iran. These strikes were in response to Iran launching a barrage of ballistic missiles against Israel a few weeks prior, which marked the second direct Iranian missile attack on Israel this year. Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the unprecedented back-and-forth between Israel and Iran, and its implications on regional geopolitics.

On this week's episode of the Trade Guys, we talk about the BRICS Summit and efforts to move away from dollar dominance, the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers' Meeting, and a new study from the Peterson Institute's Robert Lawrence that assesses recent U.S. efforts to re-shore manufacturing jobs.