In this episode, School of International Service (SIS) professor Yerevan Saeed joins Big World to talk about Kurdish history, geopolitics, culture, and more.

Saeed, the director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace and Barzani Scholar-in-Residence in the Department of Politics, Governance, and Economics (PGE), begins the conversation by talking about the history of the Ottoman Empire and the struggles of the Kurdish people to gain statehood (1:41). He then discusses the importance of statehood recognition and what gaining that would mean for the Kurds (6:27).

How do a stateless people conduct diplomacy with surrounding nations and the United States? (11:39). Saeed considers this question and emphasizes the severity and longevity of the Kurdish struggle in the Middle East (18:28). Despite facing centuries of marginalization, Saeed explains how the Kurds have kept their culture and traditions alive and have remained resilient throughout time (22:53). To conclude our episode, Saeed talks about SIS’s Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace and how folks can follow their work online and on social media (25:25).  

Why the Kurds Still Don't Have a Country

In this episode, School of International Service (SIS) professor William Akoto joins Big World to discuss the intersections of artificial intelligence and international affairs.

Akoto, a member of the SIS Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security and the director of research at the Center for Security, Innovation, and New Technology, begins our conversation by explaining what is currently known about how governments are using AI and emerging technology (1:58). Akoto then examines the potential usefulness and dangers of AI’s rapid global proliferation (4:41).

How can governments make sure AI is kept in the right hands and out of the wrong hands? (9:54). What role is AI playing in interstate cyber conflict, and how it will impact future challenges in cybersecurity? (13:35). Akoto answers these questions and considers the potential impacts of integrating AI models into government systems when they have proven to be imperfect (15:36). To conclude this episode, Akoto provides us with a few insights about the conversations he is currently having with his students about emerging tech (19:57).

How Are Governments Using AI?

In this episode, School of International Service (SIS) professor Jesse Ribot joins Big World to discuss his current research on migration, vulnerability, and the “hungry season” in West Africa.  

Ribot, a member of the SIS Department of Environment, Development, and Health [https://www.american.edu/sis/departments/environment-development-health/], begins our conversation by discussing how a ship that sunk off the coast of Italy and killed hundreds of migrants on board was the precursory climate event that spurred his latest research in West Africa (2:02). Ribot then shares what he learned when he traveled to Tambacounda, Senegal, to interview several families of migrants who died on the ship about their reasons for leaving home (5:59).

What is the hungry season, and what role does it play in migration out of Senegal? (13:20) Jesse addresses these questions and shares how misconceptions about the roots of hunger can be addressed (24:16) and how he hopes his research is applied in the future (25:44).

The Economics of Hunger

In this episode, School of International Service (SIS) professors Tazreena Sajjad and Maria De Jesus join Big World to discuss the history of US immigration policy and unpack how recent shifts are impacting our local DC community and beyond.   

Sajjad, a professor in the Department of Peace, Human Rights & Cultural Relations, begins our conversation by explaining common misconceptions surrounding the US immigration system and the evolution of immigration policy (2:03) before explaining the pathways that currently exist for immigrants to enter the US (7:37).

Sajjad and De Jesus, a professor in the Department of Environment, Development & Health, also break down the ripple effects of recent shifts in US immigration policy both domestically and internationally (11:45).

How are recent policies impacting immigration advocates and immigrant communities? (25:00) What are the key skills required for the next generation of folks working on migration issues? (31:05) De Jesus and Sajjad answer these questions and provide a preview of the new Global Migration Certificate launching at SIS in fall 2025 (31:44).

US Immigration Realities and Futures

In this episode, School of International Service (SIS) professor Michael Stanaitis joins Big World to discuss trade wars and tariffs during President Donald Trump’s second term.

Stanaitis, a member of the SIS Department of Global Inquiry and professor for SIS online graduate programs, begins our conversation by defining tariffs and explaining how the United States has historically used them (2:01). Stanaitis also explains the difference between Trump’s tariff use in his first term versus his second term thus far (7:43).

What are the president’s goals with recent tariff threats against Canada, Mexico, China, and Colombia (11:47)? What do Trump’s tariffs mean for American consumers (17:03)? Stanaitis answers these questions and explains what he believes the legacy of Trump tariffs will be by providing an illustration from Thomas and Friends (22:55).  

You can find more analysis from Professor Stanaitis in these recent pieces on our website: “Understanding Trump Tariffs 2.0” [https://bit.ly/41cX6fM] and “Analyzing Trump Tariffs 2.0.” [https://bit.ly/4kd50hZ]

Tariffs and Trade Wars

In this new episode, School of International Service professor and anthropologist Scott Freeman joins Big World to discuss development, displacement, and international aid in Haiti.

Freeman, a professor in the Department of Environment, Development, and Health, begins our conversation by explaining the background of the 2011 Caracol Industrial Park development project that displaced more than 400 Haitian families (2:20). Freeman also explains how the displaced families reacted (6:02) and discusses what their eventual agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank entailed (8:47).

What compensation or settlements were offered in the agreement (10:15)? Why did it take so long to reach an agreement (13:20)? Freeman answers these questions and discusses the lasting impact of a flawed process on families that are still awaiting compensation (18:51). Freeman concludes our conversation by discussing the lessons learned from this situation, and how similar ones can be prevented in the future (21:43).

A Development Dilemma in Haiti

In this new episode, School of International Service professor Johanna Mendelson Forman and University of Milan professor Andrea Borghini [https://sites.unimi.it/borghini/] join Big World to discuss the power of the dining table.

Mendelson Forman, who teaches and researches culinary diplomacy and social gastronomy, and Borghini, an expert in food philosophy, begin our conversation by discussing the symbolism of the dining table and its role in trust building (1:58). Mendelson Forman and Borghini also examine how issues like social justice and identity intersect at the dining table (9:45).

How does the dining table function as a proxy for different types of behavior (19:42)? In a world of conflict, what does it mean to gather around the dining table (26:29)? Forman and Borghini answer these questions and evaluate the dynamics of power and peace at play around the dining table (26:51).

The Power of the Dining Table

In this new episode, School of International Service professor Ken Conca joins Big World to discuss climate resiliency in the face of natural disasters.

Conca, a professor in the Department of Environment, Development, and Health, begins our conversation by explaining why he wrote his new book, After the Floods: The Search for Resilience in Ellicott City [https://global.oup.com/academic/product/after-the-floods-9780197788066?cc=us&lang=en&#] (2:19). Conca also discusses the issues that communities face following natural disasters (6:28) and analyzes why prevention and recovery efforts tend to become politicized (7:50).

Do climate havens still exist (10:40)? How do we approach living in such a climate-impacted world (13:07)? Conca answers these questions and discusses the importance of prioritizing the community’s needs when finding solutions for climate change impacts (15:58). Conca concludes our conversation by discussing how communities can learn from previous natural disasters to better prepare for the future (17:08).

Lessons in Climate Resilience

In this new episode, School of International Service Distinguished Diplomat in Residence and former US Ambassador to Mexico Earl Anthony Wayne [https://www.american.edu/sis/faculty/eawayne.cfm] joins Big World to discuss Mexico’s recent election and US-Mexico relations.

Wayne, a professor in the Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security [https://www.american.edu/sis/departments/foreign-policy-global-security/index.cfm], begins our conversation by explaining why Mexico is important to the United States (1:55). Wayne also provides background on Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president (2:37), and discusses what her presidency may mean for Mexico (4:08).

What is at stake for Mexico’s democracy under Sheinbaum’s administration (7:12)? What legacy is President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, “AMLO,” leaving as he exits office (11:08)? Wayne answers these questions and discusses the impact of a controversial judicial overhaul bill [https://apnews.com/article/mexico-judicial-overhaul-senate-vote-9f2eb58bf52e13759d8d28d52c24d2de] supported by AMLO’s party that was passed in September (12:51). Wayne concludes our conversation by discussing the implications of the upcoming US Presidential election on US-Mexico relations (15:47).

What's Ahead for Mexico's Democracy?

Sara Jones, the director of the SIS Office of Career Development [https://www.american.edu/sis/career/] joins Big World to discuss the topic at the forefront of many international affairs students’ minds: how to get a job. Jones oversees career development support for SIS undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni, including events, advising, and employer relations.

Jones begins our conversation by sharing the best kinds of internships for international affairs students (1:35). She also explains how international experiences and foreign language skills can help prepare students for the job search (4:21).

How has the job search process changed in recent years (8:42)? What are some common mistakes that students make on application materials (14:02)? Jones answers these questions and ends our discussion by offering practical advice for students who don’t know where to start their job search (19:22).

In the “Take 5” segment (12:01) of this episode, Jones answers this question: What are the top five job sites for students to utilize in their job searches?

How to Get a Job in International Affairs

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.