The 2022 FIFA World Cup has kicked off in Qatar, and billions of fans worldwide are tuning in to the world’s most popular live event. And yet as in years past, the Qatar Cup is transpiring under the shadow of controversy.   Featured Guests Laurent Dubois (Academic Director, Karsh Institute of Democracy and John L. Nau III Bicentennial Professor of the History & Principles of Democracy, University of Virginia)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at...

The world is already witnessing the effects of climate change. One inescapable and irreversible consequence is sea-level rise, which could destroy coastal cities. How will the world adapt to rising tides?   Featured Guests:   Alice C. Hill (David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment, Council on Foreign Relations)  Klaus Jacob (Geophysicist and Emeritus Research Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University)  Henk Ovink  (Special Envoy for International...

The global arms trade is big business and the United States accounts for more than 40 percent of the world’s weapons exports. Aside from the profit motivation, selling arms abroad can be an effective foreign policy tool, allowing the United States to exert influence over conflict and security worldwide without having to put boots on the ground. But are the risks worth the reward?   Featured Guests: Christa N. Almonte (U.S. Navy Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations) William D. Hartung...

How does a war end? In this special episode, Why It Matters speaks with CFR President Richard Haass on the conflict in Ukraine. We ask if and how this war can come to a close and discuss what compromises might have to be made.    This conversation took place on Monday, October 10 and was only lightly edited.   Featured Guest: Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at:...

The U.S.-Saudi relationship is fraught with complications. Saudi Arabia has the largest oil reserves in the world, giving it influence over what Americans pay at the gas pump. At the same time, the kingdom’s human rights abuses are at odds with the United States’ stated democratic values. Who holds the power in this partnership? And what compromises are being made so the countries can work together?   Featured Guests:   Lina Alhathloul (Head of Monitoring and Communications, ALQST for...

Beware, coffee lovers: climate change could disrupt your precious morning cup of joe. Coffee beans could lose half of their farmable land by 2050 as temperatures and weather patterns become more extreme and less predictable. This could lead to scarcer yields and pricier brews. But there is hope that unique varieties and novel farming techniques could change coffee’s destiny. The transition will require massive investments and many observers question whether the industry can meet the...

Hip-hop is a phenomenon that has captured hearts around the world. Its musical form ranges from party anthems to critical social commentary. But the genre plays another role: it is an influential soft-power tool for the United States. Like its predecessors jazz and rock, hip-hop is utilized by the U.S. State Department to connect with young minds, and its unique ability to inspire goodwill toward the United States offers a significant advantage over adversaries such as China and Russia. How...

For the past two thousand years, the pope has been a major player in global affairs. He is frequently called upon to act as a peace broker, a mediator, an advocate, and an influencer; and with over 1.3 billion followers around the world, the pope and his governmental arm, the Holy See, have the power to shape the future. How has the pope's power changed over time, and what is his role today?   Timothy Byrnes (Third Century Chair in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Professor of...

In this special episode, Why It Matters follows up with CFR President Richard Haass to hear his insights on the war in Ukraine.   Featured Guests:  Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/update-on-ukraine-with-richard-haass

For years, large corporations have exploited international tax laws to pay less taxes. But last year, 137 countries backed a potential solution: a 15 percent corporate tax applied regardless of a company’s location. The reform could raise global tax revenues by $150 billion a year, but as advocates garner political support, there are significant roadblocks.    Featured Guests:  Shu-Yi Oei (Professor, Boston College Law School) Richard Rubin (U.S. Tax Policy Reporter, Wall Street...

How can the world create better medicines? More powerful solar cells? New batteries? The answers could come from a revolutionary research tool known as the quantum computer. It can seem like magic—harnessing the power of quantum physics to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. But there are unmitigated risks too, as the technology continues to develop. What would a quantum-led future hold?   Featured Guests:  Shohini Ghose (Quantum Physicist and Professor, Physics and Computer...

The world is already witnessing the effects of climate change. One inescapable and irreversible consequence is sea-level rise, which could destroy coastal cities. How will the world adapt to rising tides?   Featured Guests:   Alice C. Hill (David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment, Council on Foreign Relations)  Klaus Jacob (Geophysicist and Emeritus Research Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University)  Henk Ovink  (Special Envoy for...

In this special episode, Why It Matters sits down with CFR President Richard Haass to ask the basic questions about the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s frame of mind, and his threat to world order.   Featured Guest: Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at:  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/perspective-ukraine-richard-haass  

As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, here are some resources from the Council on Foreign Relations to stay informed:    Charles A. Kupchan, “Why Putin’s War With Ukraine Is a Miscalculation,” CFR.org, February 24, 2022   “TWNW Special: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine,” The World Next Week, February 24, 2022   “Ukraine’s Struggle for Independence in Russia’s Shadow,” CFR.org, February 24, 2022   “Crisis in Ukraine,” CFR.org, February 23, 2022   Alina Polyakova and Daniel...

The world is moving toward electric vehicles and clean energy, but a green future doesn’t depend on wind turbines, solar panels, and Teslas alone. It will also require a vast supply of advanced batteries. As a result, global demand for lithium—an essential battery ingredient—is outpacing supply, with the gap expected to grow in the years to come.   Featured Guests:  Frank Fannon (Managing Director, Fannon Global Advisors) Vijay Vaitheeswaran (Global Energy & Climate Innovation...

Why It Matters is back for a fifth season, asking the important questions about the global issues, problems, and trends that will affect the future. What role does American music play in international relations? Will the global supply chain put the path to clean energy at risk? What the heck is quantum computing?   For more information on our first four seasons, be sure to visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/why-it-matters    

The Why It Matters team is pleased to introduce a new CFR series, Nine Questions for the World.    The world is changing, and its future is forming around high-stakes challenges such as climate change and shifting geopolitical power. In this limited series, Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass sits down with nine extraordinary thinkers to explore fundamental questions about the century to come.   To hear more, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google...

Last summer, China tested a hypersonic missile that traveled through orbit. The test shocked many observers and led to widespread concern about the potential for nuclear-armed missiles that can evade detection and defense systems. The technology is not as new as it might seem, but this latest test highlights an underlying threat that the world has been living with for decades.   Featured Guests:  Laura Grego (Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of...

Nuclear energy is critical for decarbonization in the fight against climate change. But high-profile accidents, substantial costs, and concerns about waste management have kneecapped its expansion. As the climate crisis intensifies, the world is rethinking how to use nuclear energy to tackle ambitious climate targets.   Featured Guests:  Leslie Dewan  (CEO, RadiantNano)  Shirley Ann Jackson (President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)   For an episode transcript and show notes,...

Experts argue that Mexico affects daily life in the United States more than any other country. For years, U.S. and Mexican officials have attempted to tackle immigration, trade, and security challenges, and their success has depended on cooperation. With so much at stake, Why It Matters investigates the complex relationship and the factors that threaten it.   Featured Guests:  Shannon K. O’Neil (Vice President, Deputy Director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller Senior Fellow...

Female soldiers are more likely to be sexually assaulted by a fellow service member than shot by an enemy combatant at war. As the reports increase, the controversial military justice system remains intact. The current policy gives commanders authority over the prosecution, often allowing perpetrators to evade accountability. The consequences are dire for survivors and the armed services at large, as the status quo undermines military readiness.    Featured Guests:  Don Christenson...

Why It Matters is pleased to present an episode from its sister podcast, The President’s Inbox. Today, U.S. national security is dependent on international nuclear agreements. How does the world regulate nuclear weapons as countries continue to advance their arsenals?   Featured Guests:  James M. Lindsey (Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, Council on Foreign Relations)   Rose Gottemoeller (Frank E. and Arthur W. Payne Distinguished Lecturer,...

The glamour and thrill of espionage, brought to life on screen by characters such as James Bond, have long captivated imaginations. But this profession is deeply misunderstood, and it is always changing. Today, spycraft hangs in the balance as new technologies emerge and societies change.    Featured Guests:  Edward Lucas (Senior Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis)  Emily Harding (Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, International Security Program, Center for Strategic and...

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the Taliban’s swift takeover of the country, has prompted a moment of national debate about the war’s cost and legacy. Many are asking what went wrong and what the conflict accomplished.  For insight, Why It Matters turned to CFR President Richard N. Haass, who has spent four decades studying and advising on Afghanistan. As head of policy planning for the State Department under U.S. President George W. Bush, and later as U.S. coordinator for the...

Hosting the Olympics is a monumental undertaking that often leaves behind rusted stadiums and financial losses. So why do nations compete to do it? This episode examines the political history of the games, and the soft power that countries hope to gain by hosting them.   Featured Guests:  Jules Boykoff (Professor of Political Science, Pacific University)  Katharine Moon (Professor of Political Science, Wellesley College)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at...