For the greater part of a century, conversations and narratives about global justice and free speech have been dominated by the West. From seminal works of history to newspapers of record to media networks to politics to public discourse, Western voices have often been louder than the rest. And while the West has long claimed to act in the name of democracy, equality and freedom, some wonder whether it always lives up to its own ideals. Can the world rely on Western media, politics and...

At Doha Debates, we believe that debate can help solve some of the world's most challenging problems. But are there limits to what free speech and debate can accomplish?  Social media has allowed more people to connect and share their perspectives than ever before. That has led to an immense amount of learning and progress—but it's also led to an uptick in hate speech and misinformation, online and IRL. Today, anyone can have a platform—but should they? Is everything up for debate, or should...

Climate anxieties—and global temperatures—are on the rise. According to the United Nations, if the planet warms by 1.5 degrees Celsius, we’ll be facing irreversible climate damage. To stop that increase, we need to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Reaching such an ambitious goal means changing a lot of our behaviors, including cutting back on our use of fossil fuels. But should everyone, and every nation, be held to the same standard? Is it realistic to ask countries in the global south to...

Dozens of countries have implemented race-based policies, which factor race into hiring decisions or school admissions, in an effort to address historical traumas. Critics say that affirmative action and similar policies are counterproductive. Is it time to consider color-blind policies instead? Thandiwe Ntshinga, South African author and researcher, says it’s important to have policies that address the inequalities historically marginalized groups face in today’s world. She argues that the...

What does a shift in the balance of power mean for the world? For much of the last 100 years, Western countries have dominated the global order. But now, with many nations vying for power, new regional partnerships and middle powers are on the rise. Economically, strategic alliances like BRICS are bolstering the influence of non-Western countries. And in a world that’s more digitally connected than ever, the global rise of pop culture heavyweights like Bollywood, dizi and K-pop means there’s...

The business of space is booming: Humans are leaving Earth’s atmosphere to mine for precious minerals that could bring trillions of dollars in profit. But with only a handful of laws currently regulating the final frontier, will space mining deepen existing global inequalities or could it save humanity?  Alice Gorman, space archaeologist, says space is for all humanity, but right now space mining isn’t focused on sustainability or moral responsibility. She argues that greater government...

It can write emails, essays and even songs. It has created award-winning pieces of art, and it can take simple text prompts and generate eerily life-like videos. That’s right—we’re talking about artificial intelligence. Generative AI programs such as ChatGPT, Sora and Midjourney are getting smarter and more powerful by the day—just this week, Nvidia, one of the world's leading AI companies, announced a powerful new chip that could supercharge AI's already rapid growth. This technology is...

Globally, 650 million people meet the threshold for obesity. With those numbers on the rise, we ask: Is obesity a matter of individual choice, or is it rooted in larger systemic problems? Greg Doucette, a bodybuilder and health coach, says that obesity is a choice, and argues that everyone can lose weight if they follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen. While he concedes that genetic and environmental factors should not be ignored, he maintains that it can be discouraging and ultimately...

This week, we’re airing one of our favorite past episodes. This debate is spirited, informative and centered on a question that remains intensely relevant: Is it time to ban gasoline-powered vehicles?  Climate activist and author Aakash Ranison says that while electric vehicles may not be a silver-bullet solution to climate change, they are an important and urgent step in the right direction. On the other side, journalist Jonathan Miltimore argues that there are actually lots of drawbacks...

Let's face it. Artificial intelligence is everywhere around us—on our phones, in our homes, in our cars and in our schools. But that doesn't mean that we all have equal access to the best and most helpful learning technologies. As AI continues to develop and get smarter, how can we ensure universal access to these educational technologies so that all students can benefit?  Nadeem Nathoo, co-founder of The Knowledge Society, argues that the private sector would be the most effective at getting...

Do you live to work, or work to live? The World Happiness Report says that factors such as social support, economic security and work-life balance all contribute to life satisfaction and overall fulfillment. But checking all those boxes is easier said than done. Can we work hard toward our professional goals without sacrificing other parts of our lives? Jennifer Moss, a speaker and strategist on work-life balance whose latest book tackles employee burnout,  says it’s paramount for our...

Since its inception in 1945, the United Nations has committed to preventing world wars. However, recent and devastating conflicts, like the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere, have brought the UN's shortcomings on this front into high relief. Is the United Nations capable of preventing war and keeping the peace, or is the institution too antiquated to resolve modern conflicts? Anjali K. Dayal, political scientist at Fordham University, argues that the UN is in need of a major structural...

This week on the Doha Debates Podcast, we’re thrilled to share an episode from one of our other podcasts, The Negotiators.  William Ury is one of the most famous negotiation experts in the world. He co-wrote the classic book Getting to Yes and co-founded Harvard’s program on negotiation. In this episode, Ury shares negotiation advice and stories from famous peace talks in conversation with host Jenn Williams. The Negotiators brings you stories from people resolving some of the world’s most...

What does a shift in the balance of power mean for the world? For much of the last 100 years, Western countries have dominated the global order. But now, with many nations vying for power, new regional partnerships and middle powers are on the rise. Economically, strategic alliances like BRICS are bolstering the influence of non-Western countries. And in a world that’s more digitally connected than ever, the global rise of pop culture heavyweights like Bollywood, dizi and K-pop means there’s...

How much influence can a 19th century European art movement really have on the modern Arab world? Orientalism, an aesthetic movement depicting the East by Western artists, was for some the only exposure to Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. Some, like Palestinian American scholar Edward Said, said that Orientalism pervades Western art, pop culture and journalism even today, revealing the same stereotypes of Arab cultures that were popularized some 200 years ago. Others argue that its...

Generative AI has changed the way that some students approach their schoolwork. What does it mean for the state of education when students can ask ChatGPT to write an essay or solve a math problem? Artificial intelligence is causing parents to worry, and governments are struggling to keep up with this rapidly advancing technology. Are there beneficial uses of AI in classrooms, or will it do more harm than good? Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, says AI should be used as a support tool for...

Facial recognition software. CCTV cameras. License plate readers. Wiretapping. These are all ways that governments employ mass surveillance. Supporters of surveillance technology say these tools are necessary to keep everyone safe. But opponents raise concerns over privacy and human rights abuses. Where do we draw the line? How do we balance individual privacy and collective safety?  Cindy Cohn, executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, says our privacy rights are being...

If you could prevent your future child from having a life-threatening disease, would you do it? What if you could prevent addictions or the development of bad habits before they were even born? What if you could genetically engineer your child to be taller, or if you could select their eye color or even their sex? How much of this would you be OK with—and which of these things give you “the ick”?  Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London, says genetic...

Has the US peaked? For much of the 20th century, the United States of America led the world economically, militarily and even culturally. But is its influence and power now in decline, and what would that mean for the rest of the world? Lavina Lee, senior lecturer at Macquarie University in Australia, says that the US still has an important and powerful global role, despite the recent growth of other superpowers like China. Richard Heydarian, senior lecturer at University of the Philippines,...

Ken ventured out into the “real world” from Barbieland and returned with a new definition of masculinity. Andrew Tate’s influence on teen boys has amplified conversations about the “manosphere.” People around the world are eager for new rules for being a man—why? Men are struggling. That’s what Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, contends, pointing to the widespread mental health crisis men and boys are facing in developed countries, as suicide rates rise....

It can write emails, essays and even songs. It has created award-winning pieces of art, and it’s one reason that Hollywood is on strike. That’s right—today’s podcast episode is about artificial intelligence. Generative AI programs such as ChatGPT, DALL-E and Midjourney are worrying artists of all kinds about the future of art. Is AI coming for artists’ jobs and livelihood, or is it a helpful tool pushing art to a new horizon? Jason Allen used generative AI to create his work “Théâtre...

This week, enjoy a special episode from our friends at Foreign Policy Magazine from their podcast FP Live. Has China peaked? After decades of record economic growth, China’s economy is showing signs of a slowdown. In the world’s second-largest economy, recent numbers show a reduced rate of growth. Michael Beckley, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and popularizer of the term “peak China,” argues that China’s rise is not as inevitable as it once was. Keyu Jin, a tenured...

Do you think it’s OK to sacrifice a mouse’s life to cure a disease? What if it were a monkey? A cow? Or a dog? For a long time, research on animals has been a crucial component of scientific and medical innovation. Testing on animals has led to the development of the world's first vaccine. And drugs used to combat cancer, malaria and HIV/AIDS and many other illnesses would not have been possible without animal research. But today, with all of our technological advancements, is animal testing...

Is it time to cancel the debts of low-income countries in the global south? It’s estimated that three out of five low-income countries are struggling to pay their debts. In Africa, 21 countries are either bankrupt or in financial distress, and are on the hook to repay more than $70 billion in 2023 alone. Freeing up this money could help these countries get back on their feet and invest more at home—but it’s not without its drawbacks. Heidi Chow, executive director of the UK-based nonprofit...