On February 1st, 2021, the Burmese military overthrew the democratically elected government in Myanmar. Long-time political dissident Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested along with the leadership of the ruling National League for Democracy. What were the causes of this coup? How should democracy advocates respond? What does this mean for democratisation and security in the region? Doug Becker speaks with Seinenu M. Thein-Lemelson, Kosal Path, and Jonathan Lijeblad.
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On August 13, 2020, the UAE and Israel signed a peace agreement normalising relations. Then on September 11, Bahrain joined the agreement. These are called the Abraham Accords and has led to a drive for normalisation of relations with other countries including Sudan and Morocco. What do these “Abraham Accords” mean for security in the region and for the future of the Palestinian people? What are the solutions to the Israel-Palestine conflict? What are the alternatives to a two state solution? Should the focus for Palestinians be on their civil rights? Doug Becker speaks with Laurie A. Brand, Mira Sucharov and Hamoud Salhi.
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In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the development of vaccines offer hope for global health action. But the task of distributing the vaccine has multiple human rights concerns, including issues of vaccine nationalism and equitable distribution to marginalised communities. What human rights issues are raised with the process of distributing the vaccine? How much do wealth and privilege determine who gets vaccinated? Doug Becker speaks with Heather Wipfli and Joanne Lin.
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One of the first actions Joe Biden took on the first day of his presidency was to return the United States to the Paris Climate Accords. This follows Donald Trump taking the US out of the agreement while in office. What does this move mean for the agreement itself? What actions should the US take to have the greatest immediate impact to address the climate crisis? What next steps should nations take to strengthen global action to address climate change? Doug Becker speaks with Pamela Chasek, Shannon Gibson and Larry Schweiger.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges in prisons and for prisoner rights all over the world, Prison crowding and sub-standard living conditions have created ideal breeding grounds for the virus. How has the pandemic threatened the human rights of the incarcerated all over the world? Doug Becker speaks with Steve Swerdlow and John Raphling.
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The events of the past week in the United States were pressured by a President who has shown little regard for democratic norms and principles since his election in 2016. Has an authoritarian slide taken place under Donald Trump? How will this impact the Presidency in the long-term? Doug Becker speaks with Andrew Rudalevige and George C. Edwards III about Trump’s authoritarian legacy.
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On January 6, a mob emboldened by US President Donald Trump seized control of the US Capitol Building in Washington D.C. in an attempt to block the transition of the Presidency to Joe Biden. These events resembled a coup. How much did this coup attempt resemble others internationally? Is this the beginning of an era of undemocratic actions against peaceful transitions following elections? Doug Becker speaks with Anne Meng and Naunihal Singh.
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How much of the discourse on nuclear proliferation and other arms control is dominated by western notions, and in particular, a civilisation clash? What would a decolonisation of the discourse on arms control mean for the future of nuclear non-proliferation? Doug Becker speaks with Ritu Mathur.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has reached a new high in infections across the US, across Europe and around the world. But good news is on the horizon with the development of several vaccines. But how quickly will the vaccines be distributed? What principles will guide their distribution? And how will the pandemic change public health discourses in the US and around the world? Doug Becker speaks with Mark Peterson and Heather Wipfly.
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In November last year, a near three decade old ceasefire in the disputed region of Western Sahara was broken and war resumed. This territory has been a tinderbox of conflict since Spain decolonised in 1975. What are the roots of this conflict? Why has conflict reignited? What are the potential pathways to a resolution? Doug Becker speaks with R. Joey Huddleston, Randi Irwin, Stephen Zunes and Jacob Mundy.
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