Cato Event Podcast

Religion plays a prominent role in the domestic and foreign policies of Middle Eastern states, particularly in the Persian Gulf. But the ways in which religion, specifically Islam, is used as a tool of statecraft are often misunderstood, leading to mischaracterizations and counterproductive policies.In his new book, Jon Hoffman examines how Islam is marshaled as a tool of statecraft in the Middle East. The book offers new insight into the geopolitics of religion in the Middle East and how ruling elites in the region use Islam to protect and advance what are inherently political objectives—namely, regime preservation and power projection. Understanding the political incentives behind the manipulation of religion in the region is critical to debates surrounding Islam, democracy, and authoritarianism in the Middle East. The book also raises critical questions for US policy in the Middle East, which often relies on fundamental misunderstandings of Islam and its relationship with politics in the region.Join Hoffman for a discussion on Islam and Statecraft, followed by commentary by Mustafa Akyol, Peter Mandaville, and Annelle Sheline on the politics of Islam in the Middle East. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this lively new history, Brian Doherty provides a concise, thorough account of the intellectual roots of the American libertarian movement, with helpful summaries of key figures, institutions, and events. Modern Libertarianism effortlessly combines historical insights and intellectual profiles of important figures—including Ludwig von Mises, F. A. Hayek, Ayn Rand, Murray Rothbard, Milton Friedman, and Barry Goldwater—and key institutions such as the Foundation of Economic Education and the Mont Pelerin Society.A superb introduction for the newcomer, yet rich and varied enough for those steeped in the libertarian tradition, Modern Libertarianism is a tribute to those who advocated for the cause of political liberty in America in the 20th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an era when constructive dialogue often takes a back seat to polarized debate, educators like you face unique challenges in teaching effective communication. Recognizing this, Sphere Education Initiatives presents a webinar exploring how you can use rhetoric as a powerful tool for student empowerment and authentic engagement in your educational setting. In the first segment of the webinar, featured speaker Erec Smith, PhD, will share insights on transforming traditional approaches to teaching rhetoric, emphasizing how it can empower all students’ abilities to achieve their goals, even those considered most vulnerable. The second segment will introduce a comprehensive rhetoric unit for teaching the rhetorical skills of speaking, listening, and fair‐​minded critical thinking in your classroom. Following this segment, you will have the opportunity to explore practical applications of these concepts through a Q&A with Smith and Kobi Nelson, PhD. You will leave with concrete tools for implementing rhetorical techniques and fair‐​minded critical thinking strategies that promote civil discourse in your classroom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A flood of government regulations, mandates, and subsidies has not solved the United States’ health care problems—they are the problem. They have driven the average employer-plan family premium to nearly $26,000—and then tossed families out of their health insurance when employees leave their jobs. Even as Obamacare creates an insurance shortage, it has nevertheless grown so unaffordable that enrollees earning $200,000 per year get $12,000 in subsidies. Growing federal debt threatens Medicare and Medicaid patients’ access to necessary care.Reforms circulating on Capitol Hill are not up to the challenge. Some propose more regulations, mandates, and subsidies. Yet if that approach worked, it would have already. Even reforms that are directionally correct fall far short of what is necessary to restore individual rights and make health care more universal.At this two-panel forum, leading health policy scholars will offer meaningful and potentially bipartisan reforms that would bring relief to struggling patients, workers, and taxpayers.The second panel, “Health Reforms That Meet the Need” (10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.), will feature Brian Blase, Michael Cannon, and David Hyman. Panelists will present reforms—including spending cuts—that would address the nation’s health care challenges in a meaningful way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A flood of government regulations, mandates, and subsidies has not solved the United States’ health care problems—they are the problem. They have driven the average employer-plan family premium to nearly $26,000—and then tossed families out of their health insurance when employees leave their jobs. Even as Obamacare creates an insurance shortage, it has nevertheless grown so unaffordable that enrollees earning $200,000 per year get $12,000 in subsidies. Growing federal debt threatens Medicare and Medicaid patients’ access to necessary care.Reforms circulating on Capitol Hill are not up to the challenge. Some propose more regulations, mandates, and subsidies. Yet if that approach worked, it would have already. Even reforms that are directionally correct fall far short of what is necessary to restore individual rights and make health care more universal.At this two-panel forum, leading health policy scholars will offer meaningful and potentially bipartisan reforms that would bring relief to struggling patients, workers, and taxpayers.The first panel, “Who’s Afraid of Cutting Health Spending?” (9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.), will feature Michael Cannon, Robin Hanson, and Mark Miller. Panelists will discuss the many opportunities to eliminate excessive spending—opportunities that close observers of Medicare and Medicaid know about but the public does not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erec Smith continues his series, Competencies in Civil Discourse, examining how people engage with one another and why they often shy away from discussions with those who hold opposing views. This edition explores the role of comedy as a valuable tool in civil discourse. Smith sits down with filmmaker Rob Feld, director of Jesters and Fools, a film that highlights the use of comedy during polarized times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cato Institute continues its series of insightful conversations with reporters and scholars tackling today’s most pressing issues. As part of his campaign promises, President Trump vowed to “unleash American energy.” This conversation with Evan Halper, a business reporter for the Washington Post; Travis Fisher, Cato’s director of energy and environmental policy studies; and Joshua Loucks, a Cato research associate in tax and energy policy, will examine energy policies under the new administration and the impact they will have on Americans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the catastrophic war in Gaza once again put the Israeli‐​Palestinian conflict on the global agenda. Educators across America ask:How do we help our students understand complex contemporary religious differences and conflicts?Is living in peace and harmony attainable?Scholars Mustafa Akyol and Ari Gordon will address these challenging questions with insights from their religious traditions, Islam and Judaism, respectively, explore the nuanced and intertwined relationships among world religions, and share how discovering truths of the past can offer pathways for critical dialogue toward peace and understanding.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could GLP-1s become the next frontier in harm reduction? Clinical researchers have discovered that GLP‑1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy not only aid with diabetes and weight loss but may also reduce cravings and enhance satiation for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, opioids, and possibly other addictive drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. These exciting developments mean GLP-1s may soon become a new harm-reduction tool and possibly transform the treatment of substance use disorders. Our expert panel will explore the latest findings, their transformative implications for addiction treatment, and policies to improve affordability and access for those who need them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The privacy Americans should enjoy over their financial information has been in steady decline for more than 50 years. Regulatory frameworks, such as the Bank Secrecy Act and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Consolidated Audit Trail, grant government access to Americans’ financial transactions. As financial services have become increasingly digitized, the volume of financial records to which the government has easy—and often unfettered—access has grown exponentially. And proposals for a central bank digital currency, which involve the government becoming more intimately involved in Americans’ use of money, have the potential to further erode the ability to transact without government surveillance.As policymakers are confronted with questions about evolving technologies, the question of financial privacy must not be shunted to the side. It is time to rethink financial privacy. Does financial convenience have to come at the cost of financial privacy? Does the Constitution provide the protections needed to limit government access to financial information? Can decentralization provide privacy-protecting solutions? Join us for an outstanding program featuring leading policymakers and experts discussing financial privacy at Cato’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives annual conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.