Saru Jayaraman and Raj Patel have studied the food system and what it means to have an equitable and sustainable system. What are the problems in the system and what are the solutions? Maria Armoudian discusses the food system with them.
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The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. What exactly does this mean? What is the relationship between countries and the WHO, and how does it promote cooperation on a global issue like the COVID-19 pandemic? Doug Becker speaks with Heather Wipfli.
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Scientists are still trying to understand the mysteries of our slumber. Why do we sleep? What is its purpose? And what actually happens during sleep? Maria Armoudian explores the science behind sleep with Marcos G. Frank and Graham H. Diering.
What is public diplomacy and how effective can it be? While it has a long history, the study of public diplomacy is only becoming more salient in an age of globalisation and increasing digital communication posing both new challenges and opportunities for governments. Doug Becker speaks with Daniel Aguirre Azócar and Nicholas Cull about public diplomacy, its foundations, and effectiveness.
Global conflicts have become increasingly more complex, and often, external nations choose to intervene. However, interventions can often be indirect in the form of proxy actors. Why do states choose to use third parties to intervene in other nation’s civil wars and political conflicts? Doug Becker discusses the phenomenon of proxy warfare with Andrew Mumford.
The United States new peace plan for Israel and Palestine departs significantly from past plans. From altered borders, to decreasing the size of land for Palestine, to a lack of commitment to Palestinian sovereignty this is a new approach to peace. The proposal was immediately endorsed by Israel but rejected by Palestine. Doug Becker speaks with Brent Sasley and Fayez Hammad about the plan, how it departs from previous proposals, and whether it will serve as a foundation for future proposals.
Global alarm is increasing around the growing spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. How did it begin? How dangerous is it? What needs to be done now to protect public health? Maria Armoudian speaks with Paul R. Hunter.
In December an unexpected volcanic eruption on White Island in New Zealand killed twenty-one people, while in the Philippines, the eruption of Taal Volcano caused thousands of people to flee the area. With Climate Change, will volcanic eruptions become more frequent moving forward? Maria Armoudian discusses the science and chemistry of volcanoes with Jihong Cole-Dai, Charles B. Connor, and Ivan Savov.
The intensity and breadth of the wildfires in Australia have drawn attention to the effects of climate change and the need for greater commitment to counter the global environmental crisis. What are the scientific and political links between the fires and climate change? Doug Becker speaks with Wenju Cai and LeRoy Westerling.
Following the US drone strike that killed an Iranian general in Iraq and Iran shooting down a Ukrainian passenger airliner, international concerns over security and legality have arisen, while in Iran, protests against the government’s response to the attack on the airliner have intensified. What are the international and local responses to the tensions between the US and Iran? How did we reach this point of crisis? How do these attacks threaten peace and stability in the Middle East? Doug Becker speaks with Nader Hashemi, Asli Ü. Bâli, and Nayereh Tohidi.
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