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Deep Dish on Global Affairs

Deep Dish on Global Affairs

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs 401 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

Deep Dish on Global Affairs helps you make sense of our rapidly changing world. Host Leslie Vinjamuri, President and CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, speaks with thought leaders, journalists, and experts shaping foreign policy and global events. They go beyond the headlines to explain how events unfolded, why they matter, and what to watch for. Topics include global trade, AI dominance, and more. New episodes every Thursday.

Episodes

What's at Stake in Israel's First Election Since October 7?
What's at Stake in Israel's First Election Since October 7? Oct 8, 2026 22:53 Three years after the October 7 attacks, RAND's Shira Efron says Israel is "still in the trauma phase." With the country now heading into its first national election since the attacks, what could the outcome mean for Gaza and the West Bank? Efron explains what's at stake, why Israel is facing growing pressure at home and abroad, and whether a new government could put the country on a different pat
Could Brazil's Election Push It Closer to the US?
Could Brazil's Election Push It Closer to the US? Oct 1, 2026 26:14 As Brazil heads into an essentially tied presidential election, award-winning journalist Patrícia Campos Mello explains what's driving voters, how President Lula and Senator Bolsonaro offer very different visions for the country's place in the world, and what the outcome could mean for its relationships with the United States and China. Plus, why even a Trump-aligned government may find it difficu
Trump and Xi Face a New Question: What to Do About AI
Trump and Xi Face a New Question: What to Do About AI Sep 24, 2026 21:03 As Trump and Xi meet in Washington, Apple in China author Patrick McGee explains why he's "a little more hopeful" about what could come out of the summit, where the United States and China could find common ground on AI, and what could still get in the way. Plus, how Apple's bet on China helped build the manufacturing powerhouse the US is now competing against.
'The Old World Is Dying.' What Comes Next?
'The Old World Is Dying.' What Comes Next? Sep 17, 2026 22:24 What happens when countries can no longer take the old international order for granted? Ishaan Tharoor of the Council on Foreign Relations and The New Yorker joins Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss how US allies and middle powers are adapting, what Canada's changing relationship with the US could signal, and whether there's any going back to the way things were.
Can the US and China Avoid the Mistakes of 1914?
Can the US and China Avoid the Mistakes of 1914? Sep 10, 2026 19:39 The US and China have plenty of reasons to avoid a war, but international relations historian Odd Arne Westad says the years before World War I show how quickly tensions between great powers can escalate. Westad joins Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss what could trigger a wider conflict, why economic ties may not be enough to prevent it, and what today's leaders can learn from the mistakes of the past.
Humanitarian Needs Are Growing. Can the World Keep Up?
Humanitarian Needs Are Growing. Can the World Keep Up? Aug 20, 2026 21:03 More than 300 million people need emergency humanitarian support as some of the world's biggest donors scale back their aid. Mercy Corps CEO Tjada McKenna joins Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss who steps in when governments pull back, whether new donors, private capital, or advancing technology can help fill the gap, and why ending conflicts may be just as important as funding the response. With the ol
The War in Afghanistan Is Over. Or Is It?
The War in Afghanistan Is Over. Or Is It? Aug 13, 2026 21:25 Nearly five years after the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, former US Ambassador Ryan Crocker joins Leslie Vinjamuri to reflect on America's longest war and what its ending revealed about American power. Crocker argues that the withdrawal emboldened America's adversaries and sent a dangerous message about its willingness to stay the course. "We went into Afghanistan for the right reasons,
When The Global Economy Becomes a 'Weapon'
When The Global Economy Becomes a 'Weapon' Aug 6, 2026 23:39 Five months after the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran began, Council on Foreign Relations' Edward Fishman joins Leslie Vinjamuri to explain how strategic "chokepoints" — from the Strait of Hormuz to the US dollar — have become powerful tools of geopolitical competition. They discuss what makes a true chokepoint, why tariffs aren't always effective, and how the United States ca
Can Britain Grow Again?
Can Britain Grow Again? Jul 30, 2026 25:34 Britain's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, takes office amid sluggish growth, political uncertainty, and intensifying global competition. Financial Times columnist and King's College Cambridge Provost Gillian Tett joins Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss what's holding Britain back and what it will take to restore growth, compete in AI, attract global talent, strengthen ties with Europe, and navigate an
What Winning the AI Race Really Means
What Winning the AI Race Really Means Jul 23, 2026 28:04 Artificial intelligence is reshaping cybersecurity, military strategy, and the competition between the United States and China. Former Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger joins Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss what it will take for the US to lead in AI and why staying ahead means more than building the most advanced models.
What a Road Trip Across America Reveals About the Country Today
What a Road Trip Across America Reveals About the Country Today Jul 16, 2026 27:24 As America marks its 250th anniversary, The Economist's John Prideaux retraces Alexis de Tocqueville's famous journey across the United States to see what has changed over the past two centuries. Starting from the East Coast then across and down the entire country, he joins Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss what those conversations reveal about the state of American democracy today.
NATO's Most Complicated Member: Turkey
NATO's Most Complicated Member: Turkey Jul 9, 2026 24:05 Turkey is playing an increasingly important role inside NATO, but its relationships with Russia, Europe, and the United States are more complicated than ever. Brookings Institution's Aslı Aydıntaşbaş joins Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss President Trump's relationship with President Erdoğan, Turkey's balancing act between Russia and the West, and what Ankara's growing influence means for NATO, transat

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