The continent of Europe has been home to every conceivable type of government over thousands of years, with democracy being the dominant force since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Yet, with the elections of far-right politicians across the continent in recent years, the landscape has changed. In this episode of Big World, SIS professor and Transatlantic Policy Center co-director Garret Martin joins us to evaluate what this shift toward right-wing nationalism might mean for the future of European democracy. Professor Martin defines far-right nationalism (2:27) and explains its difference from the mainstream conservatism that functions within democratic norms (4:48). He discusses how Brexit has changed politics and the internal dynamics of political parties in the United Kingdom (6:17). He also talks about the results of Sweden’s most recent general election and the new right-wing majority bloc (8:00). What effect does American support for right-wing leaders like Polish president Andrzej Duda and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán have on European politics (11:25)? How has the war in Ukraine further complicated relationships and intercontinental politics among European countries (21:36)? Martin answers these questions and discusses what we can expect from Italy’s new government, led by far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (24:55). The episode concludes as Martin examines both the extent to which this surge of right-wing parties threatens European democracy (29:13) and also current measures the European Union is taking to put pressure on countries that act undemocratically (31:04). During our “Take Five” segment, Martin shares five ways in which Europeans—whether officially, as in the European Union, or unofficially at the individual citizen level—can act to safeguard democracy (15:48).

Europe Veers Toward Nationalism

The United States has been the leader in digital technology and innovation for decades. However, in recent years, the race between countries to control this space has become closer than ever. In this episode of Big World, SIS professor Daniel Gerstein joins us to explore the global technology war and the power that comes from being its winner at every stage. Gerstein discusses his new book “Tech Wars: Transforming US Technology Development” (1:25) and how the US rose to the top of the global technology and innovation race (2:31). He explains how US innovation has benefitted the rest of the world (5:28) and the US government's role in technological innovation (10:04). How are innovations like airplanes, medical equipment, smartphones, and the internet regulated (13:04)? What are the dangers of unregulated social media sites (22:02)? Gerstein answers these questions and discusses the importance of collaboration and evaluation to tackle data privacy and free speech concerns online (25:16). The episode concludes as Gerstein shares his thoughts on whether China and the US can ever have a symbiotic technology relationship (26:32). During our “Take Five” segment, Gerstein forecasts five innovation trends as the US continues to compete in the global technology war (17:14).

Can the US Win the Technology War?

December 1 is World AIDS Day, and January 2023 marks 20 years of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provides for groundbreaking AIDS treatment, prevention, and research. In this episode of Big World, SIS dean Shannon Hader, an expert in infectious diseases and epidemiology and a global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, joins us to explore how the AIDS response informed policies during the outbreak of COVID-19 and how politics impacts the public perception of public health crises. Dean Hader discusses how PEPFAR’s monumental achievements have influenced public health policy (3:22) and how PEPFAR continues to garner bipartisan, bicameral support from Congress, even throughout a time of intense political division (5:43). She explains how blame and shame are not sustainable or effective responses to an infectious disease (11:30). She also talks about the dangers of putting the goals of disease prevention and treatment in opposition to one another (13:23). How did the HIV community respond to the emergence of the COVID-19 virus (17:07)? While with UNAIDS, how did Hader help advise public health officials on how to protect human rights amid a crisis (18:51)? Hader answers these questions and discusses the importance of data in making sound decisions and targeting resources (21:01). The episode concludes as Hader shares how her impressive career in public health prepared her to lead a top-10 international relations school (27:17) and what she hopes to accomplish while at SIS (31:20). During our “Take Five” segment, Hader shares the five steps she would recommend to governments around the world to create and sustain positive forward momentum on AIDS research, prevention, and treatment (22:29).

AIDS, COVID, and the Politics of Public Health

When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, its republics were established as countries with internationally recognized borders. But borders are only as stable as the people within them will allow them to be. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has seemingly opened the floodgates for revisiting old conflicts and tensions, sparking border clashes among other former Soviet republics in the region known as Eurasia. In this episode of Big World, SIS professor Keith Darden, an expert on Eurasian politics, joins us to explain the (literal) lay of the land, why tensions are so high, and why each of these border conflicts is unique. Professor Darden discusses how the post-Soviet borders were settled (2:00) and explains the rationale for Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea (4:14). He talks about why Russia invaded Ukraine and how the different, recently annexed regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson can be viewed as “historically Russian” (11:32). How has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impacted the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region (13:37)? Why have Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan disputed their shared, semi-undemarcated border since it was established (22:15)? Darden answers these questions and discusses the impact of demographics and geography on these current border clashes. The episode concludes as Darden shares his thoughts about Putin’s future role in the region and the future of borders and border clashes in Eurasia more broadly (28:30). During our “Take Five” segment, Darden shares policies and procedures he would enact to create and settle international borders more effectively (17:30). Keith Darden discusses how the post-soviet borders were settled (2:00) and explains the rationale for Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea (4:14). He talks about why Russia invaded Ukraine and how different regions that have been recently annexed can be viewed as historically Russian (11:32). How has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impacted the border conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan (13:37)? Why have Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan disputed their shared border since it was established (22:15)? Keith answers these questions and discusses the impact of demographics and geography on these current border clashes. The episode concludes as Keith shares his thoughts on Putin’s role in the future of the region, and what the future of border clashes in Eurasia may look like (28:30). During our “Take Five” segment, Keith shares five policies or procedures he would enact to create and settle international borders more effectively (17:30).

Border Battles in Eurasia

Taking hostages and prisoners is not a new occurrence; people have been taken hostage by those seeking to gain a political upper hand for thousands of years. What is new today is that more US hostages currently are being held by foreign governments than by terrorist or militant groups. Some of the most recent, high-profile political prisoner cases are those of WNBA star and US citizen Brittney Griner and US citizen Paul Whelan. They have both been detained in Russian prisons, and with these wrongful detention cases featured so prominently in the news, many questions have arisen about prisoner swaps and how the process works. In this episode of Big World, our guest is Professor Danielle Gilbert, a Rosenwald fellow at Dartmouth College, Bridging the Gap fellow, and hostage diplomacy expert. Dani Gilbert discusses how the US determines wrongful detentions (2:20) and explains the difference between a hostage and a political prisoner (4:45). She talks about why Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan are being held in Russia and how they may be used as leverage by Russia in a negotiation process (6:05). She also explains how the US decides whom to offer in a prisoner swap and the reasons why some political prisoners get left behind in these deals (8:09). How have past US-Russia and US-Soviet prisoner swaps shaped relations, and do current tensions make a swap more difficult (13:30)? How does outside involvement and media coverage help or hinder prisoner swaps (22:47)? Dani answers these questions and discusses the impact of political prisoner swaps on both the families of the prisoners and the governments that are involved. The episode concludes as Dani shares her thoughts on the likelihood of an agreement between the US and Russia in which Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan are released together (28:13). During our “Take Five” segment, Dani shares the five policies she would enact to protect political prisoners around the world and help expedite the repatriation process (18:46).

How are Political Prisoner Swaps Negotiated?

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health case. The ruling overturned nearly 50 years of judicial precedent set by Roe v Wade in 1973 and sent the question of abortion regulations and laws back to individual US states. The impact of this decision and the precedent it sets will have far reaching effects on the current and future state of reproductive rights and abortion policy in the United States. In this episode of Big World our guest is American University professor Tracy Weitz, a sociologist and abortion care, policy, and politics expert. Professor Weitz discusses the trigger laws prohibiting abortion to different extents that went into effect in some states (2:43) immediately upon the Dobbs ruling. She explains how state legislatures, upcoming ballot initiatives, gubernatorial elections, and state Supreme Court challenges could play a role in determining the future of abortion access in several states (3:26). She talks about whether abortion policies might change from election cycle to election cycle in purple states (6:48) and why she believes that abortion will remain a divisive issue at a national level—even if state laws remain relatively settled (9:21). How are the Hyde and Helms Amendments connected to reproductive rights policy, and how do they impact women both in the US and around the world (11:47)? What are some of the consequences of restrictive abortion laws, and can policies be made to safeguard women from those unintended consequences (17:27)? Professor Weitz answers these questions and discusses both the real-life impacts that abortion restrictions have on women with other medical conditions (19:20) and the threat to bodily autonomy caused by limiting reproductive rights (26:56). The episode concludes as Professor Weitz shares her observations on the likelihood of either a national right to terminate pregnancy or a national ban on abortion rights being codified by Congress or the Constitution and what challenges would have to be overcome for either of those to occur (27:09). During our “Take Five” segment, Professor Weitz shares the five policies she would enact to protect reproductive rights in the United States (15:28).

Life After Roe

In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, anti-government militias
like the Oath Keepers thrust themselves to the forefront of public
consciousness. The ongoing January 6th committee hearings have increased the
pressure on these groups to defend their actions leading up to and during that
day. But the word “militia” is a very old word that appears in the founding
document of the United States. It wasn't always associated with people attacking
democracy but rather safeguarding it. In this episode of Big World, SIS
professor Carole Gallaher joins us to discuss American militias. Professor
Gallaher explains what constitutes an American militia (1:21) and how that’s
vastly different from the militias referred to in the Second Amendment of the US
Constitution (2:47). She breaks down the overlap among today’s American militia
groups, white nationalism, and white supremacy (3:51); the relationship militias
like the Oath Keepers have to far-right groups like the Proud Boys (6:51);
whether or not American militia groups are always violent (9:22); and who, in
the US, is most likely to join such groups (11:08). Why are the violent and
tragic events of Ruby Ridge in 1992 and the Waco siege in 1993 associated with
the American militia movement of the 1990s? (16:03). Does the political party of
the sitting US president have any impact on militia membership and activity
(17:21)? Professor Gallaher answers these questions and discusses why the
presidency of Barack Obama spurred a rise in militia movement activity (19:52).
She then reveals how US public attitudes about militias have changed since the
’90s (22:306) and her experiences interviewing Kentucky militia members for her
research (27:19). The episode concludes with Professor Gallaher explaining the
relationship between militia groups’ support of former president Donald Trump
and their own anti-government views. (28:39). During our “Take Five” segment,
Professor Gallaher suggests five things that should be done to tackle the threat
that American militias pose to democracy (12:28).

How America’s Militias Threaten Democracy

While the modern Turkish Republic was founded in the 1920s as a secular
republic, the last two decades have seen this nation move from a democratic
regime toward an authoritarian one. In this episode of Big World, SIS professor
Doga Eralp joins us to discuss the political career and the politics of a man
who’s been Turkey’s leader for most of that time period, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Professor Eralp breaks down Erdogan’s rise to power, including how his
controversial—and criminal—recitation of a poem played a role in that rise
(2:48), and describes the beginnings of the leader’s dominant AK Party (5:42).
He then showcases how Erdogan has steered Turkey toward religious nationalism
(8:21) and what motivated him to do so (15:33). To explain Turkey’s current
stance on the war in Ukraine, Professor Eralp describes Erdogan’s unique
relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin (18:27). He then describes
why and how Turkey came to be the world’s largest host of refugees and the role
Erdogan has played in that situation (24:33). The episode concludes with
Professor Eralp weighing in on whether Erdogan’s power is waning and how much
longer he may stay in power (28:19). During our “Take Five” segment, Professor
Eralp shares five policies he would enact to improve Turkey's standing in the
world (12:58).

Erdogan's Hold on Turkey

Food insecurity is a serious problem that affects many, with people going hungry
in all regions of the world. According to the US Department of Agriculture,
approximately 1.2 billion people globally lack consistent access to enough
calories. In this episode of Big World, SIS alumna Valerie Guarnieri, assistant
executive director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), joins us to discuss
world hunger as well as her career combating food insecurity. Guarnieri first
explains how the global experiences in her childhood and adolescence influenced
what she wanted to do with her career (2:03) and why she chose to come to SIS
(2:52). She also describes the roles she held in the US government as well as
how combating hunger became a part of her work (4:16). Guarnieri then shares the
WFP initiatives of which she’s most proud (6:33). Digging into the complex
causes of hunger, she explains how hunger challenges are intertwined with other
global issues, such as climate change and refugee crises (9:39). Guarnieri
explains how the war in Ukraine has impacted WFP’s overall strategy (13:06) and
how the programme is working to counteract the impacts of the war (15:42). She
also breaks down the specific challenges that WFP has faced in the wake of the
COVID-19 pandemic (18:59). Lastly, Guarnieri shares her advice for SIS students
who want to dedicate their careers to combating hunger (21:58) and states why
she believes it’s possible to end world hunger, as well as why we haven’t yet
done so (23:55). During our “Take Five” segment, Guarnieri shares five things
that she would want governments to do to end world hunger (11:04).

Can We End World Hunger?

While the immediate image that the phrase “rebel groups” brings to mind may be
men dressed in fatigues and carrying Kalashnikov rifles, the activities of rebel
groups extend beyond paramilitary engagements and into the provision of public
goods and social services. In this episode of Big World, SIS professor Megan
Stewart joins us to discuss rebel governance. Professor Stewart defines rebel
governance (1:29) and breaks down the different ways that rebel groups approach
governance (2:03). She shares a few projects that rebel groups have undertaken
(3:42), explains whether these governance projects are mostly meant to serve PR
purposes (4:41), and gives an example of when a rebel group bit off more than
they could chew while attempting governance (6:47). Based on research she
conducted for her book, Governing for Revolution: Social Transformation in Civil
War, Professor Stewart shares what rebel groups have learned from the Chinese
Communist Party (8:32) and explains the risks that rebels face when they take on
expensive governance projects (14:44). She reveals the impacts of rebel
governance on civilians (16:22) and how the international system relates to
civil wars, as well as the conflicts in which these rebel groups are involved
(17:51). Finally, Professor Stewart shares how she conducted research for her
book (19:01) and some of the unexpected findings from her research (21:36).
During our “Take Five” segment, Professor Stewart shares the five most unique
rebel governance projects she has heard of (12:39).

How Do Rebel Groups Govern?

Big World shines a spotlight on complex ideas and issues that matter. Each
episode features an expert from the School of International Service at American
University in Washington, DC, breaking down a big, important topic into small
bite sizes.