Explore every episode of the podcast Global Insights
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recalibrating Diplomacy: The Global Role of Cities | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:38:30 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. The architecture of international engagement is shifting, and subnational diplomacy is taking center stage. As federal governments scale back traditional foreign policy and funded diplomacy, cities and states are emerging as more prominent actors on the global stage, forging direct international ties to address global issues such as climate change, migration, trade, and public health. As local leaders are increasingly shaping the frameworks of cooperation once reserved for national capitals, this trend raises important questions: How might cities and states recalibrate aid and international engagement to reflect their own priorities? What lessons can be drawn from U.S. cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta as they assert themselves on the global stage? This panel will examine what it means for New York and other cities to be more global in this changing landscape and will explore how public-private partnerships, business engagement, and city-level climate diplomacy are giving new contours to international engagement. Join us for a discussion with Pablo Fernández Marmissolle-Daguerre, Assistant Secretary-General for Partnerships at the United Cities and Local Governments; Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Senior Vice President at the United States Council for International Business and former Deputy Commissioner in the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs and current, and Dr. Raffaele Marchetti, Professor in International Relations at the Department of Political Science and the School of Government of LUISS and the Director of the Center for International and Strategic Studies. Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay | |||
| Power, Policing, and Politics: The Rise of Authoritarianism in Central America | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:50:17 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Over the past decade, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras have experienced a resurgence of authoritarian practices. Leaders have expanded executive power, undermined judicial independence, curtailed press freedom, and increased the use of mass incarceration and militarized policing—all under the banner of security and stability. These developments echo past dictatorships but take on new forms in today’s political and technological context, connecting local governance to broader global trends of democratic backsliding. What tactics are modern authoritarian regimes using, and how do they differ from past dictatorships? How can civil society and international actors push back against democratic erosion? What lessons can be learned from countries on a different trajectory, like Guatemala? And what do these trends mean for the future of democracy in the region and globally? Join us for a discussion with Noah Bullock, Executive Director of Cristosal, and Marc Edelman, Professor of Anthropology at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center where we will delve into these questions and more. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay. | |||
| A U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund: Investment, Innovation, and Global Strategy | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:36:20 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. The prospect of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund—most recently proposed by President Trump—has sparked renewed debate about America’s economic strategy at home and abroad. While sovereign wealth funds traditionally manage national surpluses for long-term strategic investment, the U.S. has never adopted one, despite the fact that the number of sovereign wealth funds globally has tripled since 2000. What is behind this global growth? What are the advantages and disadvantages to the U.S. of pursuing this strategy? Could it reorient foreign direct investment flows, enhance national economic security, or help maintain America’s competitive edge in key industries like technology? How might such a fund be financed in the absence of large budget surpluses? Join us to discuss these questions and more with Dr. Sarah Sewall, In-Q-Tel’s Executive Vice President for Policy; Courtney Fingar, Journalist, Commentator, and Consultant focused on foreign direct investment; and Edwin M. Truman, Senior Fellow at Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard’s Kennedy School. This conversation will outline the architecture, economics, and global ripple effects of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay | |||
| U S Democracy Promotion: Tool of the Past or Policy Priority? with Stephan Walt and Danielle Pletka | 22 Aug 2022 | 01:02:29 | |
Democracy promotion has long been a key component of U.S. foreign policy, but this objective has become increasingly more complex in recent years. On the one hand, democracy promotion is now a more pressing goal than ever before, as democracies around the world face a multitude of domestic and international threats. On the other hand, many have argued that the United States is no longer in a position to promote its values abroad based on the decline of its own democratic institutions. Should the U.S. make democracy promotion a foreign policy priority in the coming years? And how should it go about protecting its stake in democracy at home and abroad? Tune in for a discussion of U.S. democracy promotion during the opening event of our State of Democracy Series, when we are joined by Danielle Pletka, Senior Fellow in Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and Stephen Walt, Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School. | |||
| Tensions over Taiwan: Implications for U.S. – China Relations with Dr. Kharis Ali Templeman | 22 Aug 2022 | 01:01:40 | |
As President Biden took office and outlined his foreign policy agenda, China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force continuously breached Taiwanese airspace with military planes. Tensions across the Formosa Strait continue to rise and with the crackdown on Hong Kong and China’s bolstered economy, experts are warning Taiwan is in a vulnerable geopolitical position. Recently re-elected President Tsai Ing-wen has increased military weapon sales from the U.S. and is defiantly standing up to China’s expanding ambitions. This briefing will discuss the future of Taiwanese sovereignty and how Taiwan can navigate its complex geopolitical position. Join us for an in-depth discussion on these important issues and more on when we are joined by Dr. Kharis Ali Templeman, research fellow at the Hoover Institution and part of the Project on Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific. As an expert on Taiwan politics and East-Asian Affairs, Dr. Templeman will outline China’s strategy, domestic affairs on the island of Taiwan, and its implication to U.S.-Taiwan and Sino-American relations. | |||
| Change on the Horizon: The Impact of New Diplomatic Ties in the Middle East | 22 Aug 2022 | 01:04:45 | |
After decades of tense relations between Israel and nearly all Middle Eastern countries, 2020 saw a dramatic reversal of the status quo, with four Arab countries establishing diplomatic ties with Israel. These agreements are a clear shift in policy among Israel, the United States, and the Arab world, but leave many wondering what’s to come in the future. Will these new diplomatic ties fundamentally alter the regional power dynamic of the Middle East? And how will the United States factor into these relationships? Tune in for a discussion of these questions and more when we are joined by Ambassador Martin Indyk, Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Hussein Ibish, Senior Resident Scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, and Dr. Sanam Vakil, Deputy Director of the Middle East North Africa Programme at Chatham House. | |||
| The State of the State Department: Reforming American Diplomacy | 22 Aug 2022 | 01:02:51 | |
Under the Trump Administration, the State Department took a public hammering: funding cuts of up to a third were proposed, diversity in top positions has been practically nonexistent, more than a third of top-tier positions went vacant or were filled by acting officials, and seven percent of the Department’s staff left in one year. Yet, the issues the State Department faces have roots that predate the Trump Administration. What should be the mission and mandate of U.S. diplomacy for the coming decades? And how can reforms help the State Department achieve that vision? Tune in to listen to distinguished panelists discuss those questions. We will be joined by Ambassador Marcie Ries, Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center’s Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard Kennedy School; Elizabeth Shackelford, Former U.S. Diplomat and Non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute; and Chris Richardson, Former U.S. Diplomat. Immigration attorney, and Co-Founder of Argo Visa. | |||
| The 10th Anniversary of the Arab Spring: Examining Its Long Term Impacts | 22 Aug 2022 | 01:24:15 | |
In the final weeks of December 2010, Tunisia erupted into conflict over mounting social and economic discontent, soon giving rise to pro-democracy protests in other countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Looking back after ten years, it is clear that though the protesters may have called for the same reforms, the outcomes of the movement varied widely from country to country. Why did the Arab Spring produce such disparate results? Join us for a discussion of this question and more, as Lisa Anderson, James T. Shotwell Professor Emerita of International Relations at Columbia University, moderates a panel between Safwan Masri, Executive Vice President for Global Centers and Global Development at Columbia University; Marina Ottaway, Middle East Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center; and Shadi Hamid, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. | |||
| The US and China: Charting a New Course - Susan Thornton, Cheng Li, and Joseph Battat | 22 Aug 2022 | 01:05:20 | |
The direction of the U.S.- China relationship will be critical to not only U.S. economic and security interests but to the future world order. However, it is unlikely that the differences between the two countries on matters like the South China Sea, Taiwan, trade, intellectual property, and how China treats its minority groups will be resolved with a change in leadership in Washington. What could be different in terms of U.S. foreign policy toward China under a Biden administration? And how have U.S. policies been perceived in China? Will there be an opportunity for a fresh start for U.S.- China relations? These questions will be discussed among Susan Thornton, former Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State; Joseph Battat, Senior Lecturer of Global Economics and Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management; and Cheng Li, Director and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution’s John L. Thornton China Center. | |||
| The Future of Human Rights: A Conversation with Michelle Bachelet | 22 Aug 2022 | 00:49:55 | |
The United States was once considered one of the world leaders in promoting human rights by funding and engaging in multilateral institutions such as the UN Human Rights Council. However, according to the Center for American Progress, the Trump administration’s attention toward human rights is at a record low both at home and abroad. Furthermore, Covid-19 and government responses worldwide also pose another threat to human rights. What will the future of human rights be? Stay tuned to listen to H.E. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of Chile, to discuss this question. | |||
| Kishore Mahbubani: The Future of U.S.-China Relations - Has China Won? | 01 Aug 2022 | 01:00:35 | |
The geopolitical contest between China and the U.S. will shape the world over the next few decades. It is a simultaneously inevitable and avoidable dynamic, the result of a rising China, poor communication between the two, and little natural empathy. What are the structural forces driving this contest? What mistakes did both sides make? And what are the potential solutions? These questions were answered on September 29th, 2020 at 7 PM ET by Prof. Kishore Mahbubani, a diplomat and scholar with unrivaled access to policymakers in Beijing and Washington. He was twice Singapore’s Ambassador to the UN and also former President of the United Nations Security Council (Jan 2001 and May 2002). | |||
| Joseph S. Nye: Do Morals Matter in Foreign Policy? | 01 Aug 2022 | 00:59:33 | |
Leaders often make decisions based not solely on self-interest, but also on their morals. What is an ethical foreign policy and do morals matter in decision making? What are the consequences of non-action? And is a nation’s global standing impacted by the use of morals in decision-making? Join us Distinguished Harvard Professor and former Dean of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Dr. Joseph S. Nye Jr. discusses the role of morals in foreign policy. | |||
| Nadim Shehadi: How Did Lebanon Get Here? | 01 Aug 2022 | 01:01:02 | |
In the midst of economic collapse and ongoing demonstrations, Lebanese citizens were awaiting the verdict of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which was to issue its ruling on the 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on August 7th. However, days before this announcement, Beirut was devastated by an explosion that left thousands homeless, wounded, or dead. In response to accusations of negligence, the Lebanese cabinet soon resigned en masse, leading many to wonder how the relief process will move forward. Will the verdict of the Special Tribunal, now to be released on August 18th, introduce accountability to a country plagued by turmoil? Join us when Nadim Shehadi, Executive Director of the Lebanese American Universtiy New York Headquarters and Academic Center and Associate Fellow of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, discusses the forces that led Lebanon to such a tragic situation. | |||
| Routes of Power: Global Competition for Strategic Infrastructure | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:36:54 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Recent comments from President Trump targeting Canada, Greenland, and Panama have drawn renewed attention to a deeper global trend: the scramble for control over critical infrastructure. From the Panama Canal to Arctic shipping routes and mineral-rich territories, nations are positioning themselves to command the arteries of commerce and security. Infrastructure—whether canals, ports, or rare earth corridors—is increasingly about power, leverage, and access to the future economy than simply logistics. What does the infrastructure chessboard look like through the lens of geopolitics and how is it shifting? What are Washington’s aims and how might other countries react? As nations compete to secure these pathways and resources, the question isn’t just about who controls them, but how infrastructure control is remaking geopolitics. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Mary Bridges, an infrastructure expert and Ernest May Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School; Jonathan E. Hillman, Senior Fellow of Geoeconomics at the Council on Foreign Relations; and Dr. Evan Ellis, research professor of Latin American Studies at the U.S. Army War College. This conversation will provide key insights into the global competition for strategic infrastructure control. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay | |||
| Jack Devine – Former Spymaster CIA Legend Jack Devine on Challenges to the U.S. Intelligence Community | 01 Aug 2022 | 00:59:42 | |
Jack Devine oversaw some of the most famous CIA operations of the last few decades including the capture of Pablo Escobar and Charlie Wilson’s War in Afghanistan. He was a legend at CIA where he was both Acting Director and Associate Director of Operations. He is also a recipient of the CIA Distinguished Intelligence Medal. Join us on a conversation with a spymaster on the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community and other details of his legendary career. | |||
| The South China Sea Conflict: Issues and Prospects | 01 Aug 2022 | 01:29:01 | |
The South China Sea is a key region for international trade, fisheries, and natural resources. Thirty-percent of all global maritime trade is conducted in this region resulting in over $3 trillion in trade. Competing territorial claims in this region have increased tensions between China, ASEAN nations, and the United States. Both China and the United States have recently increased their military presence in this region, heightening tensions and increasing the likelihood of armed conflict. Join us for a panel discussion with distinguished guests Gregory Poling and Christopher Ankersen who will address the South China Sea conflict along with regional prospects. This event will be co-hosted by Network 20/20 and the New York South East Asia Network and moderated by Ann Marie Murphy. | |||
| Caught in the Crossfire: Vietnam, U.S.-China Rivalry, and the New Era of Tariffs | 13 May 2025 | 00:37:35 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. In 2025, the United States and Vietnam will celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations—just two years after upgrading their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. But even as the relationship reaches new heights, it faces a sharp test. On April 2, 2025, the U.S. imposed a sweeping 46% tariff on all Vietnamese goods, among the world’s highest, as part of his global “Liberation Day” tariff reckoning. Just days later, a 90-day pause on the tariff was announced, giving both countries a narrow window to negotiate. Still, the signal is clear: Vietnam, once seen as a key partner in U.S. efforts to diversify away from China, is now feeling the squeeze of great power competition. Having benefited enormously from the “China Plus One” strategy, Vietnam has become one of the world’s most dynamic manufacturing hubs. But this new trade barrier threatens to undercut its ambitious target of 8% GDP growth in 2025 and double-digit growth in the years ahead. Meanwhile, President Tô Lâm (the new leader of Vietnam) is pushing through bureaucratic reforms to keep Vietnam competitive and attractive to investors. How will Vietnam adapt to this shifting landscape? What’s next for U.S.-Vietnam economic ties? And what does this moment mean for American businesses, regional stability, and the global order? Join us for a conversation with Professor Edmund Malesky, a leading scholar on Vietnam’s political economy, Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Political Science and Director of the Duke Center for International Development at Duke University. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay. | |||
| Tokyo’s Tightrope: Japan’s Foreign Policy Goals Amid U.S. Strategic Recalibration | 07 May 2025 | 00:40:40 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. As the Indo-Pacific grows more contested, U.S.-Japan relations face new tests and opportunities. Tokyo, seeking greater autonomy and strategic clarity, is recalibrating its foreign policy priorities to address growing threats from China and North Korea, deepen economic partnerships, and shape a rules-based regional order. At the same time, questions remain about Washington’s long-term commitment and vision for the region. This discussion will examine the evolving nature of the U.S.-Japan alliance and Tokyo’s strategic ambitions in East Asia. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Sheila Smith, John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. An expert on Japanese politics and foreign policy, Dr. Smith is the author of Japan Rearmed: The Politics of Military Power; Intimate Rivals: Japanese Domestic Politics and a Rising China; and Japan’s New Politics and the U.S.-Japan Alliance. This conversation will provide key insights into Japan’s evolving role in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay | |||
| Musk's Starlink, Undersea Cables, and the Hidden Conflicts of Global Connectivity | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:41:50 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Global communication infrastructure is at the center of a geopolitical battle as nations and corporations strategize for security and control over undersea cables, satellite networks, and internet access. With privately owned systems like Starlink and OneWeb revolutionizing connectivity, security risks, ownership disputes, and the potential for strategic manipulation are key issues in a hyperconnected world. As digital connectivity becomes both a tool of economic power and a place of battle for global influence, how will competing ownership models and emerging security threats shape the future of communication? This discussion will provide insights into the risks, governance, and strategic significance of global communication infrastructure in an era of heightened geopolitical competition. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Joscha Abels, Research Associate and Lecturer at the University of Tübingen; Professor Nicole Starosielski, Professor of Film & Media at UC Berkeley and author of “The Undersea Network”; and Nick Reese, Faculty at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and former Director for Emerging Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay | |||
| The New Rules: The U.S. in a Shifting World Order with Richard Haass | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:47:11 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Once defined by unchallenged leadership and a focus on stable, alliance-driven relationships, U.S. foreign policy is now shifting toward unilateralism, emphasizing “America First” principles, reforming trade agreements, and reevaluating international commitments. The ascent of regional powers, the intensification of technological rivalries, and the rise of economic nationalism have all contributed to a more interconnected and complex international system, presenting both new challenges and opportunities for U.S. strategy. As Washington navigates this complex environment, what might be the result of the interplay between the Trump Administration’s approach and a world order in flux? Join us for a discussion with Dr. Richard Haass, former president of the Council on Foreign Relations and a leading thinker on U.S. foreign policy. The author of The World: A Brief Introduction, A World in Disarray, and other influential works, Dr. Haass will provide a comprehensive analysis of today’s geopolitical landscape, exploring the evolving dynamic between U.S. foreign policy and an unsteady world order. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay | |||
| U.S. Soft Power in a Changing World with Professor Joseph Nye | 19 Mar 2025 | 00:38:35 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. The Trump administration’s recent foreign policy decisions—including the pause on foreign aid, the closure of USAID, and an assertive approach to negotiations—have raised questions about the trajectory of U.S. soft power. In a world where power is increasingly diffuse and economic and political relationships are fuzzy, what will be the role of soft power in shaping international norms and achieving diplomatic goals? The cyclical nature of soft power, particularly in contrast to China’s expanding global footprint, underscores the need to contextualize these shifts within broader geopolitical trends.
Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay. | |||
| Closer to Midnight: the Return to a Nuclear Arms Race | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:53:24 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Humanity stands closer than ever to catastrophe, warn the experts behind the Doomsday Clock. The tracker of human-caused destruction ticked one second closer to midnight last month, the closest it has ever been in its nearly eight-decade history. The shift reflects growing nuclear tensions, particularly the impending expiration of the New START treaty in 2026, which threatens to eliminate the last remaining arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia. With little indication that either side is willing to extend it, the global nuclear balance grows more precarious. Meanwhile, China is rapidly increasing its warhead stockpile, while North Korea and Iran continue advancing their nuclear programs. As geopolitical tensions escalate, are we witnessing the start of a new nuclear arms race? What risks does this pose for global security, and are there any political openings to establish new arms control frameworks? Join us for a discussion on the escalating risks of nuclear proliferation and the future of arms control, featuring Alexandra Bell, President and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Ambassador Steven Pifer, affiliate of Stanford’s Center for International Security and Cooperation and non-resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Dr. Tong Zhao, Senior Fellow at the Nuclear Policy Program and Carnegie China at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and nonresident researcher at the Science and Global Security Program of Princeton University. | |||
| Türkiye’s Evolving Role in a Post-Assad Middle East | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:37:52 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. The fall of the Assad Regime marks a significant shift in the Middle East, disrupting the balance of power and creating new opportunities for regional influence. Türkiye, which supported the rebels prior to Assad’s ouster and hosts millions of Syrian refugees, now sees an opening to achieve aims ranging from security to economic. What are President Erdogan’s objectives in navigating the complexities of a post-Assad Middle East? In this episode, we unpack how Assad’s ouster has impacted Türkiye’s regional ambitions and its role in the Middle East, and explore Türkiye’s evolving foreign policy in the region and its impact domestically and with countries like the U.S. and Russia. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay | |||
| Deepfake Democracy: AI’s Role in Shaping Political Realities | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:50:23 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, its ability to both bolster and undermine democratic processes has never been more apparent. Deepfake technology, capable of creating hyper-realistic but entirely fabricated media, is emerging as a powerful tool for misinformation, threatening the integrity of elections and public trust in democratic institutions. In a world where disinformation spreads at unprecedented speed, the stakes are high. This episode will delve into the complex relationship between AI, democracy, and election security, addressing the evolving challenges posed by synthetic media and the erosion of truth in political discourse. Joining us today is Professor Joshua Tucker, Julius Silver Professor, Director of the Jordan Center for Advanced Study of Russia, co-Director of the Center for Social Media and Politics at New York University, and Yaël Eisenstat, Senior Fellow at Cybersecurity for Democracy and former head of global elections integrity at Facebook. | |||
| The Geopolitics of U.S. Higher Education | 07 Oct 2025 | 00:37:25 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. U.S. higher education is more than just a domestic institution— it is a pillar of the country’s foreign policy and global engagement. By attracting students, scholars, and researchers from around the world, American universities have helped shape generations of leaders, built lasting international networks, and boosted the U.S. economy and labor market. Yet, recent immigration and visa policies under the Trump administration have caused a 15 percent drop in international enrollment and the U.S. is projected to lose $7 billion in revenue and 60,000 jobs as a result. This shift has also exposed questions about underlying national security concerns among critics of the international approach of U.S. higher education. How should U.S. universities balance national security concerns with attracting top talent? What are the implications for U.S. influence if students take their ambitions elsewhere? What other approaches can universities take in order to retain the U.S. edge in a rapidly evolving global education landscape? Join us for a discussion with Dr. Madeline Zavodny, First Coast Systems Professor of Economics at the University of North Florida and Research Fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics, and Professor John Aubrey Douglass, Senior Research Fellow of Public Policy and Higher Education at the Center for Studies in Higher Education at UC Berkeley. This conversation will provide insights into higher education’s role at the intersection of U.S. global influence, its economy, and security. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay. | |||
| U.S.-UAE Relations: Regional Stability in a Changing Middle East | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:26:25 | |
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| What the Future Holds for U.S.-Mexico Cooperation | 08 Jan 2025 | 00:39:16 | |
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| How China Influences the World, with Adam Segal | 10 Dec 2024 | 00:39:40 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. How is China wielding its tools of influence within this shifting world order, and how might the U.S. navigate this complex dynamic—balancing competition with areas of shared interest? Join us for a timely discussion on China’s trajectory under Xi Jinping’s “New Era.” Our expert panelist Dr. Adam Segal, Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy program at the Council on Foreign Relations explores China’s cyber strategies and technological advances. | |||
| The Global Race for Critical Minerals—And the Fight Over the Ocean Floor | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:38:10 | |
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| The China – U.S. Green Energy Race and Its Security Implications | 14 Nov 2024 | 00:37:52 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Join us for a conversation with Professor Joanna Lewis, Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor of Energy and Environment and Director of the Science, Technology and International Affairs Program (STIA) at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service where she will discuss competition in green industrial policies, global climate politics, and more. | |||
| How the U.S. Elections Impact the World | 29 Oct 2024 | 00:46:06 | |
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| Far Right Rising: Lessons from Europe for 2024 U.S. Elections | 22 Oct 2024 | 00:48:15 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Hans Kundnani, Visiting Fellow at the Remarque Institute at New York University; Jeremy Shapiro, Research Director of the European Council on Foreign Relation; and Tara Varma, Visiting Fellow in the Center of the United States and Europe at Brookings Institution. | |||
| Political and Economic Crossroads: U.S.- Latin America Relations Amidst the 2024 Elections | 08 Oct 2024 | 00:40:32 | |
When President Biden took office after President Trump, many hoped for a fresh start in U.S.-Latin American relations, especially with the rise of progressive governments in Latin America—a trend known as the “pink tide.” Despite this optimism, meaningful change in the relationship between the U.S. and Latin America has been slow to materialize. With another U.S. election approaching this November, the next administration will face the challenge of reassessing and potentially redefining its approach to the region. Key questions remain: What is the current state of U.S.-Latin American relations? What pivotal moments have shaped these relations? Where are the opportunities for deeper engagement? And how might the upcoming elections impact the region? These questions highlight the complexities and high stakes of shaping future U.S.-Latin American diplomatic and economic policies. Join us for a conversation with Ambassador P. Michael McKinley, a four-time U.S. Ambassador to Peru (2007-2010), Colombia (2010-2013), Afghanistan (2014-2016), and Brazil (2017-2018). | |||
| North America’s Economic Future Amidst 2024 Elections | 25 Sep 2024 | 00:36:44 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay | |||
| Strategic Recalibration: The U.S. Role in the Middle East | 12 Sep 2024 | 00:49:57 | |
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| The US-China AI Power Race: High Stakes in High Tech | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:38:50 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. The United States has long been recognized as the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), a technology transforming trade, foreign policy, and military strategy. China, once seen as years behind, is rapidly closing the gap, most recently with the launch of DeepSeek. With competition heating up in both chip technology and AI innovation, Washington has sought to maintain its edge through export controls and a recently unveiled AI Action Plan. As the world heads into a new technological era, will the U.S. be able to sustain its AI dominance? What advantages might allow Beijing to overtake Washington? And what are the ramifications for the rest of the world, particularly if there’s a split into competing AI systems? Join us for a discussion with Janet Egan, Senior Fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, Owen J. Daniels is the Associate Director of Analysis and an Andrew W. Marshall Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET); and Sam Winter-Levy, Fellow in the Technology and International Affairs Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay. | |||
| NATO and the Impact of Upcoming Elections | 10 Sep 2024 | 00:54:21 | |
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| Talking with the Taliban: Afghanistan Post-Withdrawal | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:41:17 | |
August 30th will mark the 3-year anniversary of the final day of the controversial US withdrawal from Afghanistan, an event that marked the end of a nearly twenty-year conflict. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government in the absence of American support and the resulting takeover by the Taliban led to a massive humanitarian crisis and called into question the utility of decades of American occupation. The collapse led to a surge in refugees, a rollback of women’s rights, and a strengthened position for Islamic extremist groups. The region remains unstable, and many American concerns, whether security, economic, or humanitarian in nature, remain in flux. Can the United States negotiate with a group it has viewed as an illegitimate terrorist organization to accomplish these priorities? In what ways can this be most effective? Does engagement with the Taliban set an unwanted precedent for other non-state groups vying for international recognition? Join us for a conversation with Carter Malkasian, Chair of the Defense Analysis Department at the Naval Postgraduate School, and Masuda Sultan, an Afghan American women’s rights activist and the CEO of Symbio Investment. | |||
| The 2024 Olympics: Hidden Agendas and International Politics | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:41:40 | |
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| Digital Transformation: Washington’s Rewired Diplomacy in Africa | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:42:10 | |
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| The Evolution of ISIS and Its Challenge for U.S. Foreign Policy | 16 Jul 2024 | 00:48:43 | |
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| Iran’s Elections: Implications for Iran and the Region’s Future | 02 Jul 2024 | 00:40:11 | |
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| Australia: The New Superpower of the South? | 19 Jun 2024 | 00:33:44 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Today we're joined by Dr. Michael Green, Professor and Chief Executive Officer at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and Former Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for Asia. | |||
| ASEAN Nations and the 2024 U.S. Presidential Elections | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:44:40 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. Join us with Ambassador Ted Osius, former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam and President/CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council, and Dr. Pek Koon Heng, Assistant Professor Emerita and former director of the ASEAN Studies Initiative at American University’s School of International Service. | |||
| Elections 2024: South Africa’s Democracy and Foreign Policy Outlook | 21 May 2024 | 00:36:31 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org This is Global Insights, by Network 20/20. Today: South Africa’s Election, Democracy, and Foreign Policy Outlook. | |||
| The World Bank & IMF: Navigating Great Power Competition | 07 May 2024 | 00:45:56 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org Join us for a conversation between Dr. Daouda Sembene, Distinguished Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development and Former Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund; and Dr. Benn Steil, Senior Fellow and Director of International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. The conversation is moderated by James Upton, Network 20/20’s Board Member and former Chief Strategic Officer on the Emerging Markets Equity team at Morgan Stanley. | |||
| Nuclear Risks and Realities: Nonproliferation in a Shifting Global Order | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:37:57 | |
Visit us at Network2020.org. In June, strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran’s nuclear facilities reignited one of the most dangerous questions in global security: how do you stop a country determined to keep its nuclear options open? What followed has tested not only Iran’s willingness to abide by international limits, but also the credibility of the entire nonproliferation system. In this episode, Kelsey Davenport, Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, explains how Iran’s program reached this point, what the strikes may have changed inside Tehran, and why the erosion of global arms control frameworks makes this moment so precarious. She also explores what tools—old and new—might still contain the risk of a wider nuclear cascade. Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay. | |||
| Humanitarianism Contested: The Challenge of Aid to Gaza | 23 Apr 2024 | 00:48:44 | |
Learn more about how you can join our community at Network2020.org. | |||
| Ukraine, Wagner, and Navalny: Putin’s Perpetual Power and What It Means for Russia | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:43:02 | |
The 2024 Presidential Election in Russia, scheduled from March 15 to 17, 2024, comes amid heightened tensions following the tragic death of Alexei Navalny, Putin’s former opposition leader. Navalny’s death has underscored the serious threat to political opposition and civil liberties in Russia. With most opposition figures either in jail or in exile abroad, President Vladimir Putin, now 71 years old, has secured another term, extending his rule until at least 2030. The election further consolidates Putin’s domestic and international policies, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, but hat will the next Putin term look like, and how might it shape Russia’s domestic policies? What can the United States and the international community expect from a further emboldened Russian leader? | |||
| Struggling Democracy: Politics, Power, and Elections in Pakistan | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:44:22 | |
The recent events around Pakistan's general elections have highlighted significant challenges to the country's democracy. The legal issues and opposition faced by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party point to a worrying trend of diminishing democracy at a time of economic crisis. Amidst this tension, Pakistan's democratic institutions face a critical test. But what does this mean for the country's future? What role does the military's influence play in Pakistan's political landscape, and how does that affect the democratic process? | |||