Episode 40: Tom Hart

EMT_tom-hart_large-360x444Tom Hart was at the center of the biggest international development debates of the last 15 years. Now serving as the US Director of the ONE Campaign, Hart lobbied for forgiving the debt of the world’s poorest countries in the late 1990s, and in the early 2000s he helped pass the world’s largest program to combat HIV/AIDS. In this episode. Hart tells the genesis story of the Jubilee Campaign, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. And “Genesis” is apt–Tom grew up in Alaska the son of an Episcopal minister and became the Washington, D.C. lobbyist for the Episcopal church. It’s a very interesting story, accessible and interesting for wonks and non-wonks alike.

 

Episode 39: Erica Chenoweth

cropped-erica1c2Erica Chenoweth is a pioneering academic whose groundbreaking research on the strategic use of non-violence showed that movements that use non-violent tactics when fighting for the overthrow of a regime are twice as likely to succeed as movements that use violence as a tactic. Her book, Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Non-Violence, co-authored with Maria J. Stephan, provides an authoritative study of how and why non-violent movements succeed. Chenoweth discusses her book, some of the current uprisings she is studying and tells Mark how growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the crisis in the Balkans helped propel her to a career in international relations.

The Sustainable Development Goals–What You Need to Know

The Millennium Development Goals are expiring in 2015 and they will be replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals. This is a big year for international development–and humanity — as complex diplomacy is underway at the United Nations to finalize what’s called the “Post 2015 Development Agenda.”

Here with me to discuss the process of creating the Sustainable Development Goals, the substance of those goals and the key points of contention is Minh Thu Pham of the United Nations Foundation. This is a super helpful discussion for anyone who cares about international development, global do gooder and diplomacy. Have a listen!

Episode 36: George Mitchell

 

Most people know George Mitchell for overseeing successful peace talks in Northern Ireland and his celebrated tenure in the United States Senate. He’s led an incredible life. He grew up in Maine in relative poverty, and emerged as one of his generations greatest politicians and peacemakers. Mitchell discusses his life story with Mark, including how a military posting in post-war Berlin led to law school in Washington, DC, and how his mentor Edmund Muskie helped launch his political career. Sen Mitchell and Mark kick off with a conversation about his work as President Obama’s special envoy for Middle East peace. This was a great episode.

How the UN Helps Fight Terrorism

The Security Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, chaired by President Obama, dedicated to stemming the flow of foreign fighters to the Syrian battlefield. The meeting demonstrates that the United States believes the United Nations has an important role to play in the global fight against terrorism. But what, exactly, does that mean? Here to discuss the Security Council meeting and the UN’s evolving involvement on terrorism issues (including its strengths and weaknesses) is Naureen Chowdhury Fink of the Global Center on Cooperative Security. 

 

The Big UN Climate Summit

Hundreds of world leaders are descending on the United Nations for a one day meeting on climate change. This is a big deal for the United Nations, for diplomacy, and possibly for the planet. So who is showing up and what countries are snubbing the conference? What will be discussed? And how will this affect ongoing negotiations to construct an internationally binding climate change agreement? Mark speaks with Elliot Diringer of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions who helps put this historic meeting at the United Nations in the larger context of international climate change diplomacy. This is a very useful conversation for understanding the diplomatic contours of arguably the single most important issue facing humanity today.

 

Episode 33: Ruth Messinger

Ruth Messinger cut her teeth in New York City politics. She was a long serving member of the city council and one-time candidate for Mayor. She made the move from municipal politics to global affairs when she became the head of the American Jewish World Service, an international development and advocacy organization. Ruth tells Mark about growing up in New York, running for office, and making the switch to international issues. They kick off with a discussion about the work of the AJWS around the world.

Obama’s Syria Dilemma

It looks increasingly likely that the United States will expand its military operations against ISIS to Syria. Mark speak with William McCants of the Brookings Institution about the prospects and pitfalls of a US-led international military campaign against the Islamic State in Syria. They also discuss the role of another Islamist rebel group, al Nusra, in Syria’s conflict and what might befall about 40 UN Peacekeepers in the Golan who were abducted by this group. Have a listen!

South Sudan’s Looming Famine

South Sudan is quite possibly on the verge of famine. The conflict that erupted in December shows little signs of abating. The peace process is halting and in the meantime the humanitarian situation is growing precipitously worse. Mark speaks with Tariq Riebl, Oxfam’s South Sudan country director about the humanitarian situation in South Sudan and what can be done to avert a possible famine.

Episode 30: Jeffrey Sachs

Jeff Sachs is on the line this week! The famed economist and anti-poverty activist talks to Mark about his up-bringing in turbulent Detroit, why he gravitated towards economics in college, his experience helping countries transition from communism to market economies, and how he become devoted to global health and development.

They recorded the conversation at the 500 day mark until the Millennium Development Goals are due. These are set of eight international development targets agreed to in 2000 that countries around the word committed to acheive by 2015. At the top of the interview, Jeff Sachs discusses how the MDGs were a game changer for the international community. It’s a great conversation. Have a listen!