How To Escape The Nexus Of Climate Change, Conflict And Forced Displacement | From Fragility To Stability Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters podcast

31:11

On March 28th, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar—the strongest to hit the region in a century. The epicenter was in the Sagaing region, near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, in the northwest of the country. Sagaing is also the epicenter of Myanmar’s civil war and the humanitarian crisis caused by the brutal conflict that has raged for the past four years. In other words, this earthquake created a crisis on top of a crisis. And it struck just as the main backer of global humanitarian relief—the United States—has suspended nearly all foreign aid and emergency humanitarian assistance programs. Joining me to discuss the damage caused by the earthquake and the ongoing local and international response is Bob Kitchen, a veteran humanitarian official and the Vice President for Emergencies at the International Rescue Committee. We begin by discussing the scope of the damage and the complexities of mounting a response in the midst of Myanmar's civil war, before delving into how the response to this sudden-onset natural disaster is being shaped by the absence of American leadership, which has long played a central role in global emergency relief efforts. Use this link to get a 40% discounted subscription to Global Dispatches and all we have to offer! https://www.globaldispatches.org/40PecentOff Use this link if you'd like to support us at full price https://www.globaldispatches.org/…

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A First Hand View Of What Happens When Aid Funding Dries Up 25:21

hace 3 días25:21

25:21

Effectively and efficiently responding to humanitarian crises is one of the things the United Nations and its partners in the NGO community do best. Over the years, they have gotten very good at saving lives. This system is now under unprecedented strain due to the Trump administration's decision to freeze foreign aid and dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development. These cuts are being felt across hundreds of NGOs. So, for today’s episode, I wanted to dig deep into what these funding cuts mean for one long-standing humanitarian organization: the NGO Relief International. I'm joined by Relief International's CEO, Craig Redmond, who explains the difficult choices his organization is making as it responds to massive funding cuts. He details how these cuts are impacting not only the people Relief International serves and the organization itself, but also the broader global humanitarian system—of which NGOs like Relief International are a key part.…

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Crisis at the UN Refugee Agency and International Organization for Migration | To Save Us From Hell 26:24

hace 7 días26:24

26:24

The UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration are two entities now squarely in the crosshairs of their once-strongest backer. Both agencies rely heavily on American funding—but with that funding now cut, they’re laying off staff by the thousands. In this episode of our UN-focused podast, To Save Us From Hell, Anjali Dayal and Mark Leon Goldberg discuss the impact of these cuts on the agencies themselves, as well as the broader question: What does it mean to live in a world where the two global agencies most responsible for supporting refugees and displaced people can no longer operate anywhere near full capacity? We also examine massive cuts hitting a lesser-known entity: the UN Department of Safety and Security. This is the UN’s risk management arm, which typically works behind the scenes to ensure the rest of the UN can carry out its work safely. Finally, we zoom in on Cox’s Bazar—the world’s largest refugee camp, located in Bangladesh and home to around a million Rohingya refugees who fled genocide in Myanmar. Because of these funding cuts, that camp is now on the verge of collapse. Get the full episode at a 40% discount by following this link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/124f4694…

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The View From Panama 24:12

hace 10 días24:12

24:12

Trump is serious about his intention to seize the Panama Canal. He discussed it in his inauguration address and has dispatched Marco Rubio to Panama to put a plan in motion. But what do Panamanians think about this? My interview guest is Ed Price, a political economist at New York University and a columnist for the Financial Times . We begin by discussing the general mood on the streets of Panama City before turning to a broader conversation about how political and policy elites in Panama are responding to this assault on their sovereignty. We also examine the wider geopolitical implications of Trump’s ambitions for territorial expansion, including annexing the Panama Canal, acquiring Greenland, and making Canada the “51st state.”…

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When Treaties Work: The Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes 25:57

hace 14 días25:57

25:57

Imagine a world in which companies could secretly export toxic waste and dump it in unsuspecting communities. Until the 1992 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, there were no rules governing the international movement of toxic waste. Today, this convention ensures that such waste cannot be sent to unsuspecting recipients, particularly in the Global South. What makes this treaty so interesting to me is that it was inspired by an environmental scandal in the late 1980s, when an Italian company dumped toxic waste in the Nigerian town of Koko. The discovery of the waste sparked international outrage and led to stricter global regulations, including the Basel Convention. Joining me today to explain the impact of the Basel Convention is one of the world’s foremost experts on environmental treaties, Maria Ivanova. She is the director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University and a professor of public policy. We kick off by discussing how this scandal led to a treaty on the international movement of hazardous waste, followed by a longer conversation about its lasting impact on the world today. This episode is produced in partnership with Lex International Fund, a philanthropic fund dedicated to strengthening international law to solve global challenges. It is part of a series that demonstrates the impact of treaties on state behavior, which we are calling "When Treaties Work."…

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South Sudan is on the Brink of a Full-Blown Civil War 30:35

hace 17 días30:35

30:35

South Sudan is the world’s youngest country—and it has been troubled from the start. After decades of struggle, the country broke free from Sudan in 2011, gaining independence with the support of the United States, Europe, and most Western powers. But soon after independence, the turmoil began. Political rivalries intensified, as did competition over oil resources. Meanwhile, vain political leaders prioritized their personal fortunes over the good of the country. South Sudan was soon torn apart. A brutal civil war killed some 400,000 people from 2013 to 2018, when a peace agreement was signed. But that peace agreement is now rapidly unraveling. Last week, the International Crisis Group issued a rare alert, warning that the country was on the precipice of a renewed, full-blown civil war. This is partly a consequence of the conflict north of the border in Sudan, which is spilling over into both the territory and the fraught politics of South Sudan. Joining me for an in-depth conversation about what is happening in South Sudan is Daniel Akech Thiong, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. https://www.globaldispatches.org/…

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Trump's War on Women Comes to the UN 34:36

hace 21 días34:36

34:36

The Trump administration has turned the United Nations into a battleground in its war on gender equality. At the Commission on the Status of Women this week, the U.S. sought to block references to gender equality…in a conference dedicated to that very cause! Meanwhile, at the Security Council, the U.S. refused to join a statement condemning the Taliban’s treatment of women, signaling a broader retreat from the “Women, Peace, and Security” agenda. In this episode of To Save Us From Hell , Anjali Dayal and Mark Leon Goldberg break down how Trump’s anti-DEI crusade is playing out at the UN and what it means for global diplomacy. Get a discounted subscription and unlock the full episode by following this link.…

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Introducing: "Hidden Depths" 20:25

hace 24 días20:25

20:25

Water is indispensable - and also irreplaceable. There are no substitutes for its most crucial uses. Yet rising demands, mounting environmental pressures, and unsustainable management practices increasingly strain global water systems. Many major rivers and groundwater aquifers have reached or surpassed the limits of their renewable supplies. Where countries and communities rely on the same resources, frictions over the availability of, access to, and decision-making about shared waters are growing. Around the world, water systems and water supplies increasingly figure as deliberate tools or collateral targets of war, and as contributing triggers of violent conflict. Hidden Depths is a new, six-part podcast series from CSIS – the Center for Strategic and International Studies in which David Michel, Senior Fellow for Water Security at CSIS, talks with policy specialists, academics, and practitioners to understand the drivers of rising water tensions and the tools of water diplomacy. Learn more about Hidden Depths…

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Our Global Humanitarian System is Collapsing 30:04

hace 28 días30:04

30:04

When a man-made or natural disaster strikes, aid agencies must turn to donors, hat in hand, to fundraise for the response. This includes UN agencies like the World Food Programme and UNICEF, as well as international NGOs like the International Rescue Committee and Save the Children. Over the years, the UN has established a mechanism to consolidate these appeals through the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It’s a relatively straightforward and streamlined process: agencies outline their needs, and donors pledge funds to support the response. Historically, the United States has been the largest single donor, accounting for about 40% of all emergency humanitarian relief funding. But now, that funding has been abruptly cut. The consequences of this decision have been profound, both for the people who rely on humanitarian assistance and for the professionals who have dedicated their careers to relief work. As my guest today, Thomas Byrnes, explains, the freezing of U.S. foreign aid and the dismantling of USAID have triggered a collapse of the global humanitarian system, with ripple effects we discuss in detail. Thomas Byrnes is the director of Market Impact, a humanitarian and development consultancy firm. We begin by exploring how the global humanitarian system functions, why the United States was its lynchpin, and the near- and long-term implications of the near-total upheaval of the world’s approach to humanitarian crises. Get 40% Off a Subscription using this link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/124f4694…

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Seismic Shift At The UN Following A Jaw-Dropping Vote On Ukraine | To Save Us From Hell 13:30

hace 4 weeks13:30

13:30

On Monday February 24, the General Assembly convened for a long-scheduled vote marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In a stunning shift, the United States abandoned its European allies and abruptly sided with Russia in an attempt to block any condemnation of Russia’s aggression and any affirmation of Ukrainian sovereignty. This vote sent shockwaves through the halls of the General Assembly, with a ripple effect that could shake the foundations of the entire United Nations system. In this special live recording of To Save Us From Hell , Anjali Dayal and I explain what happened at the UN this week and why this moment is so consequential for the future of the United Nations. The full conversation is available for our paying subscribers. You can get a paid subscription at https://www.globaldispatches.org/…

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When Treaties Work: The Mine Ban Treaty 37:16

hace 5 weeks37:16

37:16

The Mine Ban Treaty is one of the most successful humanitarian disarmament agreements in modern history. Also known as the Ottawa Treaty, it emerged in the 1990s in response to the devastating impact of landmines on civilians worldwide. At the time, millions of these hidden explosives were scattered across conflict zones, continuing to kill and maim long after wars had ended. A coalition of activists, survivors, and diplomats led a groundbreaking campaign to ban these weapons, culminating in a treaty that transformed global approaches to disarmament and humanitarian action. But how did this treaty come to life? What made it so effective? And what challenges does it face today? I speak with Tamar Gabelnick, Director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines – Cluster Munition Coalition, who tells the story of the treaty’s journey from grassroots activism to high-level diplomacy, explaining how the ban became a reality. We also examine the treaty’s lasting impact—how it has reduced the use of landmines, driven demining efforts, and supported victims—while also considering ongoing challenges, including some recent setbacks. This episode is produced in partnership with Lex International Fund, a philanthropic fund dedicated to strengthening international law to solve global challenges. It is part of a series that demonstrates the impact of Treaties on state behavior that we are calling "when treaties work"…

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How Ted Turner Changed the World 32:33

hace 5 weeks32:33

32:33

There are a small number of people to whom I owe my career, and one of them is Ted Turner. In 1998, he famously pledged a billion dollars to support UN causes, leading to the creation of the United Nations Foundation. The UN Foundation, in turn, was one of my key backers early in my career when I launched the first blog about the UN, UN Dispatch . There's a new six-part documentary on MAX about Ted Turner that I cannot recommend highly enough. Call Me Ted delves deep into both his personal history and business ventures, including the founding of CNN. But for me, the most intriguing part of the documentary is its exploration of Ted Turner's deep commitment to philanthropy. As I discuss in my interview with filmmaker Keith Clarke, his example stands in stark contrast to today's social media moguls. CORRECTION: "Call Me Ted" is playong on MAX, not Netflix. Definitely watch it on MAX. It's so good!…

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Trump's Anti-DEI Crusade Comes to the UN | To Save Us From Hell 28:17

hace 6 weeks28:17

28:17

The Trump administration’s fight against DEI has come for the United Nations. In this episode of To Save Us From Hell , Anjali Dayal and Mark Leon Goldberg discuss what we are seeing unfold at the UN in terms of Trump’s push against inclusion and gender equity. These moves are already disrupting the regular order of business at the UN, and we explore what this portends for the organization moving forward, including potential impacts on a wide range of UN agencies, programs, and policies—from peacekeeping to the Sustainable Development Goals. Make no mistake: Trump’s crusade against DEI is coming for the UN. We explain what that means and how this anti-DEI agenda may manifest itself at the UN. Meanwhile, Trump’s pick for UN Ambassador, Elise Stefanik, is languishing in the Senate. For now, her confirmation appears to be on ice — and she may not get confirmed at all, despite having some support from Democrats! Get a subscription for 40% off by following this link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/124f4694…

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Has Trump Destroyed Our Defense Against Pandemics? 38:18

hace 6 weeks38:18

38:18

The foreign aid freeze, destruction of USAID, and withdrawal from the World Health Organization have severely undermined America’s ability to fight infectious diseases at home and abroad. With outbreaks of the deadly Marburg and Ebola viruses underway in East Africa and a fast-mutating bird flu spreading across the world, these moves by the Trump administration have left Americans highly vulnerable. I’m joined in today’s live chat by Dr. Emily Smith, an epidemiologist at Duke University. She is a fellow Substacker who runs Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist and is the author of the book The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger about Loving our Neighbors . We kick off with something of a global tour of concerning infectious diseases before having a wide-ranging conversation about how recent moves by the Trump administration have incapacitated our system of disease surveillance and pandemic defense.…

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Is There a Trump Peace Plan for Ukraine? | The Wall Street Journal’s Yaroslav Trofimov 23:05

hace 7 weeks23:05