World Policy On Air
World Policy On Air is a podcast from the pages and website of World Policy Journal featuring former Newsweek On Air host David Alpern and conversations with experts and journalists from around the globe.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 56: "The Changing Face of Cuba"
On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, former U.S. State Department foreign affairs officer Amanda Mattingly traces the Castro regime's progress in opening the Cuban economy to international investment and addressing human rights issues.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 55: "Open SESAME"
In a region marked by instability, the Jordan-based SESAME Project, a synchrotron-light for experimental science, stands to advance both physics research and diplomatic relations. On this week's episode of World Policy On Air, Washington-based environmental journalist Richard Blaustein explains how the construction of SESAME is bringing together scientists and researchers…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 54: "Imagining Eden"
A unified Latin American identity may seem utopian to some, but as historian Ángel Gurría-Quintana explains on today's episode of World Policy On Air, the region’s unique cultural diversity should be viewed as a source of economic strength—not weakness.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 53: Journalism in Rwanda Under Attack
Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s regime has taken steps to control the country's media and silence independent journalists. Today's episode of World Policy On Air considers both of these issues with Anjan Sundaram, author of "Bad News: Last Journalists in a Dictatorship," based on his experiences working with local journalists.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 52: "The Hangover"
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank's annual meeting last October was overshadowed by violent protests and poor economic conditions in the host country, Peru. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, Portafolio editor-in-chief Ricardo Ávila discusses his analysis of the Latin American 'hangover' from World Policy Journal’s latest…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 51: Latin American Shake Up
On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy Journal editor Christopher Shay examines the answers given by a panel of experts to our latest issue's ‘Big Question’: What are the challenges determining your country’s position within Latin America?
World Policy On Air, Ep. 50: The Death of Nimr al-Nimr
The fallout from the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia earlier this month succeeded in further isolating Iran from the Arab world. On today’s episode of World Policy On Air, World Policy fellow Jonathan Cristol discusses the escalating tensions between the two rival powers in the Middle…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 49: The Year in Putin
The highs and lows of President Vladimir Putin’s leadership illuminate the subtle dynamics of Russia’s oligarchic power structure. From the ulterior motives behind Russia's proposed U.N. resolution on racism to the Kremlin’s response to internal unrest as Western sanctions take their toll, World Policy Journal Managing Editor Yaffa Fredrick discusses…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 48: Reforming the EU or "Brexit"
Rising euroskepticism among the U.K.'s political right has led some to call for a British exit from the European Union in 2017. On today's podcast, Member of the European Parliament from the U.K. Conservative Party Geoffrey Van Orden explains that substantive changes need to be made to the EU in…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 47: China's Ambitions in the South China Sea
Rising tensions between China and the United States over territorial claims in the South China Sea made for some of the most ominous political headlines this year. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, economist James H. Nolt discusses the possible economic and diplomatic consequences of the ongoing dispute.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 46: COP21 & the Future
Last weekend, participants in the Paris Climate Conference unveiled an agreement to curb the effects of climate change through a historic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. On today's show, World Policy Journal Editor Emeritus David A. Andelman summarizes his extensive coverage of this year's conference and discusses the future implementation…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 45: The Venezuelan Elections
Earlier this week, a Venezuelan opposition coalition won a supermajority in the country's legislative elections, weakening the Socialist Party that has ruled the country for nearly 16 years. On today's episode, World Policy Journal contributor Christopher Reeve examines the economic factors that drove Venezuelans to vote against President Nicolás Maduro's…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 44: "RusNet on the Offensive"
Russian President Vladimir Putin has left no stone unturned in his quest to control digital media. On today's podcast, author Andrei Soldatov argues that despite the Kremlin’s aggressive attempts to shut down opposition voices online, the lack of hierarchy and rapid pace of change on the Internet may ultimately undermine…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 43: The Answer to the Islamic State
In the wake of the Paris attacks, French, U.S., and Russian air forces increased their bombardment of Islamic State targets in Syria and Northern Africa. On today's episode, Jonathan Power explains why a strictly military approach alone will not solve the problem of the Islamic State.
World Policy On Air, Ep. 42: Terror and the Migrant Crisis
Even before the tragic events in Paris a week ago, Sweden — widely regarded as the most progressive European country on asylum issues — was forced to backtrack on several of its commitments to aid Syrian refugees earlier this year. On today's episode, Damaso Reyes articulates the growing pressures on…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 41: The Climate Conference
An estimated 40,000 people, including delegates from 190 nations, will gather in Paris this December to try and reach an international agreement to help the planet avoid the worst effects of climate change. On today's podcast, World Policy Journal editor emeritus David A. Andelman previews this year's crucial climate conference…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 40: The Turkish Elections
The Turkish elections last weekend yielded a surprising win for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and prompted accusations of unfairness at the polls. Author, World Policy Institute fellow, and co-founder of Foreign Policy Interrupted Elmira Bayrasli joins host David Alpern on today's podcast…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 39: "China Slips Quietly Into Italy... and Europe"
In the midst of economic struggle and societal disorder, Italy finds itself vulnerable to foreign interests looking to take advantage of European markets. On today's episode of World Policy On Air, former advisor to the Italian Minister of Finance Francesco Galietti details China’s subtle entrance into Italian manufacturing and power…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 38: "Waste Not"
On this week’s episode, Amy G. McDermott expands on her contribution to World Policy Journal's latest issue and sheds light on the dark side of the global food chain. She discusses food that is lost or wasted at various points along the supply chain, which according to the Food and…
World Policy On Air, Ep. 37: Don’t Reform the Security Council
On today’s episode, World Policy Senior Fellow Jonathan Cristol explains why calls from rising powers and underrepresented regions to expand membership and transparency within the U.N. Security Council are flawed. He argues that the closed-door debates and veto powers held by the P5 better reflect the geopolitical realities of today…