Undercurrents - Season 2

Undercurrents is back for a second season!&nbsp; This week Agnes and Ben interview two leading academics from the worlds of International Relations and History. John Mearsheimer (University of Chicago) discusses his new book,  The Great Delusion, on the rise and fall of liberal foreign policy. With China's rise and Russia's resurgence the world has returned to a zero-sum balance of power political system. John explains why he's glad to see the back of an era of western interventions, and how the US should respond to the new geopolitical reality.&nbsp; Margaret MacMillan (University of Toronto) is a renowned historian of the First World War, who gave the BBC Reith Lectures in 2018. A new special issue of International Affairs, guest-edited by Margaret, looks at the state of world politics today in comparison to the aftermath of the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles. Ben and Agnes met with her to discuss why these comparisons can be useful, and how history is used and abused by politicians in the present.&nbsp; Find the book:  The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities Read the International Affairs special issue: World Politics 100 Years After the Paris Peace Conference Listen to the 2018 Reith Lectures: The Mark of Cain: War and Humanity &nbsp; Credits: Hosts: Ben Horton and Agnes Frimston Editors: Ben Horton and Agnes Frimston Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Record and produced at Chatham House, London

Episode 25: The End of Liberal Foreign Policy, and the Legacy of the Paris Peace Conference

This week Agnes and Ben meet with experts on China's economy and the history of UK relations with the gulf states.&nbsp; Yu Jie joins Ben to explain what's happening to the Chinese economy in 2019, and what's really driving the US-China trade war.&nbsp; Then Agnes discusses UK foreign policy in the Middle East with  David Wearing, drawing on his new book, Anglo Arabia.&nbsp; Read The World Today article: Marx and spenders Find the book:  Anglo Arabia: Why Gulf Wealth Matters to Britain

Episode 26: China's Economy, and UK Relations with Saudi Arabia

This week Agnes and Ben discuss how to the global financial system is experienced by developing countries, and hear about the perilous situation for investigative journalists in Ghana.&nbsp; David Lubin is head of emerging markets economics at Citi, and an associate fellow in the Global Economy &amp; Finance department at Chatham House. His latest book, Dance of the Trillions, tells the story of what makes money flow from high-income countries to lower-income countries. Ben met up with David to find out more.&nbsp; The February/March issue of The World Today features Agnes's interview with Ghanian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Hear the extended conversation, on how media can fight crime and corruption in Africa, as the second segment of this episode.&nbsp;&nbsp; Find the book:  Dance of the Trillions: Developing Countries and Global Finance Read the interview: Anas Aremayew Anas Credits: Hosts: Ben Horton and Agnes Frimston Editors: Ben Horton and Agnes Frimston Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Record and produced at Chatham House, London

Episode 27: Financing for Developing Countries, and Investigative Journalism in West Africa

This week we're celebrating International Women's Day with a special episode looking at the role of women in the early days of Chatham House. Katharina Rietzler is a historian at the University of Sussex, and co-leads a Leverhulme-funded project titled 'Women and the History of International Thought.'&nbsp; Ben met up with Katharina to find out more about how women experienced work at the institute from its founding to the end of the Second World War.&nbsp; Find out more: 'Women and the History of International Thought' project

Episode 28: The History of Women at Chatham House

Undercurrents returns this week with interviews on the ongoing trade dispute between the EU and US, and the underlying factors driving Russian foreign policy.&nbsp; Agnes discusses a new Chatham House report by Marianne Schneider-Petsinger from the US &amp; Americas Programme, assessing the future EU-US trade after the fall of TTIP.&nbsp; Then Ben explores modern Russian foreign policy and how the West should respond with Keir Giles, a Senior Consulting Fellow in the Russia &amp; Eurasia Programme. The discussion draws on Keir's new book for the Chatham House Insights series, Moscow Rules. &nbsp; Read the Chatham House Research Paper:  US–EU Trade Relations in the Trump Era: Which Way Forward? Find the book:  Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia to Confront the West

Episode 29: The Future of EU-US Trade, and Why Russia Confronts the West

Undercurrents is back this week with interviews on India-Pakistan relations and how to regulate cyberspace.&nbsp; Ben speaks to us from the International Studies Association conference in Toronto, where he discussed the recent crisis in Kashmir with Rajesh Basrur from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Then Agnes meets Emily Taylor, from the International Security Department at Chatham House, to discuss how policymakers should approach the regulation of big tech giants such as Facebook and Google.&nbsp; Jacob Parakilas from the US &amp; Americas Programme is our surprise guest host this week - thanks Jacob! Read the article: 'Modi's Foreign Policy Fundamentals: a Trajectory Unchanged' Read the Expert Comment:  Even Without Cambridge Analytica, the Trump Campaign Already Had Everyone's Data Read the journal:  Journal of Cyber Policy

Episode 30: The Crisis in Kashmir, and How to Regulate Big Tech

This week marks the anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2286, which calls for the protection of healthcare workers in areas of conflict. Three years since its adoption medical professionals are some of the most targeted civilians in warzones across the world.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this episode Ben discusses the Resolution with Rita Dayoub from the Centre on Global Health Security at Chatham House.

Episode 32: Protecting Health Workers in Conflict

Undercurrents returns with two new interviews this week; on life as a Chinese millennial, and how targeted attacks on infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza affect the lives of civilians. Karoline Kan, author of&nbsp;Under Red Skies, speaks to Agnes Frimston about being a second daughter under China’s one-child policy and what Brexit looks like from the East.&nbsp; Next Ben Horton meets Erika Weinthal, a recent contributor to International Affairs, at the International Studies Association conference in Toronto. They discuss the problem of targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza, and what the international community can do in response.&nbsp;&nbsp; Read the interview in The World Today:  Karoline Kan on being a Chinese millennial Read the article in International Affairs: Targeting infrastructure and livelihoods in the West Bank and Gaza Credits: Hosts: Ben Horton and Agnes Frimston Editors: Ben Horton and Agnes Frimston Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Record and produced at Chatham House, London

Episode 33: Chinese Millennials, and Attacks on Infrastructure in Gaza

In a bonus episode of Undercurrents, Chatham House Director Robin Niblett travels to California to discuss the linkages between technology and international affairs with Casper Klynge, Denmark's Tech Ambassador.&nbsp; This podcast is a collaboration with Techplomacy Talk. Listen to more from that series here.&nbsp; Credits: Speakers: Casper Klynge and Robin Niblett Editor: Ben Horton Recorded in Silicon Valley, Palo Alto Produced at Chatham House, London

BONUS Episode: How Technology is Changing International Affairs

To mark the 2019 European parliamentary elections the Undercurrents team speak to Elisabeth von Hammerstein, Programme Director for International Affairs at the&nbsp;Körber-Stiftung, about the political outlook in Germany.&nbsp; They discuss among other things the rise of the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland, Germany's stance on European integration and the foreign policy legacy of Chancellor Merkel. Read the Chatham House blogpost:  What to Expect From the EU Elections Credits: Speakers: Elisabeth von Hammerstein, Agnes Frimston, Ben Horton Editor: Ben Horton Recorded and produced at Chatham House, London

BONUS Episode: Germany and the European Elections

Every sixth child on earth is now affected by armed conflict.&nbsp;The nature of warfare is changing – with devastating impact on children. At the  See Me Safe Centenary Symposium, organised by Save the Children and Chatham House, experts and campaigners gathered to discuss how to protect children living through conflict.&nbsp;&nbsp; In this episode Ben and Agnes speak to three participants at the event to find out more. Kirsty McNeill, Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children, provides an overview of the scale of the challenges facing children in war.&nbsp; Abdulkarim Albrem, Youth Ambassador for the&nbsp;UNHCR's&nbsp;Global Youth Advisory Council, explains how the international community can do more to improve the lives of child refugees, drawing on his own experiences of the Syrian civil war.&nbsp; Shaheed Fatima&nbsp;QC, Barrister at Blackstone Chambers, assesses the current state of international law regarding the protection of children in conflict and suggests some improvements.&nbsp; Read the Save the Children report: Stop the War on Children: Protecting Children in 21st Century Conflict Credits: Speakers: Patricia Lewis, Kirsty McNeill, Abdulkarim Albrem, Shaheed Fatima Hosts: Ben Horton, Agnes Frimston Editor: Ben Horton Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded at Church House, Westminster Produced at Chatham House&nbsp; &nbsp;

Episode 34: Protecting Children in Conflict

This week the team explore the changed political landscape in Europe after the European Parliamentary Elections, and discover the obstacles to sustainable development in Colombia.&nbsp; Average voter turnout across the continent in the recent European elections was higher than at any time since the turn of the century. Agnes meets Tom Raines, Head of the Europe Programme at Chatham House, to discuss the implications of the vote for the UK and beyond.&nbsp; In 2016 the Colombian government agreed a peace deal with revolutionary armed group the FARC, ending a civil war that lasted more than 50 years. The aftermath of the deal has seen rapid economic development, but at a cost to the environment. Ben finds out more from Melissa MacEwen from the Energy, Environment and Resources Department at Chatham House.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House Expert Comment:  May Leaves, but Brexit Remains Read the article:  Colombia's Struggle for Sustainable Development

Episode 35: EU Elections, and Sustainable Development in Colombia

In the latest episode Ben speaks to Hussein Kesvani about the impact of the internet on British Muslim society.&nbsp; What does it mean to be Muslim in Britain today? If the media is anything to go by, it has something to do with mosques, community leaders, whether you wear a veil, and your views on religious extremists. But as all our lives become increasingly entwined with our online presence, British Islam has evolved into a multidimensional cultural identity that goes well beyond the confines of the mosque.&nbsp; Ben discusses this transition with author and journalist Hussein Kesvani, whose latest book Follow Me, Akhi reveals how a new generation of young Muslims who have grown up with the internet are using social media to determine their religious identity on their own terms.&nbsp; Find the book: Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims Credits: Speaker: Hussein Kesvani Host: Ben Horton Editor: Ben Horton Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced at Chatham House, London

Episode 36: The Online World of British Muslims

In the last full episode before Undercurrents' summer break, Ben is joined by Chatham House colleague Leah de Haan for two interviews from the annual Gender and Growth Forum.&nbsp; Ben speaks with Rosamund Ebdon, Head of Policy at Plan International, about a new report looking at girls' perceptions of leadership. They discuss how to improve the gender balance in management, the importance of role models and whether society's understanding of leadership qualities should change. Leah then explores the challenges presented by ageing populations, particularly prevalent in Europe, with leading demography expert  Sergei Scherbov. They assess whether existing policy is properly adjusted to meet the needs of older people, and what else can be done.&nbsp; Watch highlights of the 2019 Chatham House Gender and Growth Forum: Shaping the Future We Want&nbsp; Read the report: Taking the Lead: Girls and Young Women on Changing the Face of Leadership &nbsp; Credits: Speakers: Rosamund Ebdon and Sergei Scherbov Hosts: Ben Horton and Leah de Haan Producer: Ben Horton Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Record and produced at Chatham House, London

Episode 37: Women in Leadership, and Europe's Ageing Population

In the first of two summer specials, Ben interviews the former Deputy Foreign Minister of Mexico about the state of Mexican politics under President&nbsp;Andrés Manuel López Obrador. In July 2018, Andrés Manuel López Obrador - commonly referred to as AMLO - was elected president with 53 per cent of the vote on a platform pledging to rid Mexico of corruption, stifle the country’s drug war and offer support for its most vulnerable. Entering office in December, his approval rating was 83 per cent. However, eight months on and AMLO’s approval ratings are at risk with much of the international discourse focusing on how the country is responding to threats of sanctions and tariffs from its northern neighbour as well as how AMLO's campaign promises have or have not been kept. This week Ben speaks to Ambassador Andrés Rozental, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Mexico and special advisor at Chatham House, about how far AMLO has delivered on his campaign promises, and how Mexico's relations with its western hemisphere neighbours are developing.&nbsp; Read the Expert Comment:  Can AMLO Live Up To Mexico's Expectations? &nbsp; Credits: Speaker:&nbsp;Andrés Rozental Host: Ben Horton Producer: Ben Horton Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced at Chatham House, London

Summer Special: Andrés Rozental on Mexican Politics

In the second summer special episode of Undercurrents, Ben speaks to Allison Gardner about how to prevent bias in AI. Artificial intelligence is widely heralded as a key component of the 'fourth industrial revolution', a wave of technological innovation which will transform the global economy. The concepts of driver-less cars and facial recognition technology have gained many headlines, but have not been universally welcomed.&nbsp; This week Ben speaks to Allison Gardner, Lecturer in Bioinformatics at Keele University and co-founder of Women Leading in AI, to find out how policy-makers and businesses can work together to ensure AI becomes a force for good. They also discuss the challenge of algorithmic bias, and explore why the tech industry remains so dominated by men.&nbsp; Watch the Chatham House Event:  Shaping the Future We Want: Women Driving the Digital Revolution Watch the lecture: Diversity and gender bias in artificial intelligence &nbsp; Credits: Speaker: Allison Gardner Host: Ben Horton Edited and produced at Chatham House, London &nbsp;

Summer Special: Allison Gardner on Artificial Intelligence

Undercurrents is back with two new interviews! This week Ben speaks to Ory Okolloh from Luminate about the flows of dark money permeating the global economy, and how they could endanger democracy.&nbsp; Then Cleo Paskal of the Asia-Pacific programme and Energy, Environment &amp; Resources department at Chatham House joins us to discuss a new project on the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House Expert Perspective:  Drive Global Action on Money-Laundering Read The World Today article:  Western allies, divided loyalties

Episode 40: Illicit Financial Flows, and Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific

Undercurrents returns with interviews on data-driven advertising in media and politics, and why Chile had to give up the COP25 climate conference.&nbsp; Artificial Intelligence and machine learning have given advertisers the tools to target specific groups of people with personalised messaging. In a new research paper for the International Security Department at Chatham House, Sophia Ignatidou explores how this personalisation is changing the media and political landscapes for the worse.&nbsp; In October this year, the Chilean government were forced to cancel the COP25 climate conference due to mass protests on the streets of Santiago. Patrick Schröder from the Energy, Environment and Resources Department joins Ben to explain how the unrest demosntrates the importance of ensuring a 'just transition' to a sustainable future.&nbsp; Read Chatham House Expert Comments:  New Reports on Online Influence Operations Should Jolt Policymakers  Chile's Social Unrest: Why It's Time to Get Serious About a 'Just' Transition&nbsp;

Episode 41: Personalised Political Advertising, and Climate Justice in Chile

This week Ben takes a deep dive into the US-China economic competition over technology, and then discusses intelligence agencies in the Global South.&nbsp; Marianne Schneider-Petsinger from the Americas Programme and Yu Jie from the Asia-Pacific Programme explain their recent co-authored report on US-China strategic competition, and  Zakia Shiraz from the University of Leicester draws on her recent article in International Affairs to explore the culture and practice of intelligence agencies beyond the 'Five Eyes' alliance.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House Research Paper:  US-China Strategic Competition: The Quest for Global Technological Leadership Read the International Affairs article: Secrecy, spies and the global South: intelligence studies beyond the 'Five eyes' alliance

Episode 42: The US-China Tech War, and Spying in the Global South

In this final episode before Christmas the team discuss the implications of the UK General Election, before Ben meets Ukrainian opposition politician Svyatoslav Vakarchuk. As the dust begins to settle after an intense general election campaign in the UK, Ben and Agnes are joined by Tom Raines to reflect on the implications of Boris Johnson's victory for British domestic politics and the UK's policy overseas.&nbsp; Svyatoslav Vakarchuk is a Ukrainian activist and politician, who in 2019 founded a new political party, Golos. In legislative elections this year the party made a statement by winning 20 seats in the Ukrainian parliament. Ben meets Svyatoslav to discuss the challenges facing Ukraine at home and abroad.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House Expert Comments:  What Boris Johnson's Big Win Means for Brexit and Scotland  UK General Election 2019: The UK's New Foreign Policy Divide Credits: Speakers: Thomas Raines and Svyatoslav Vakarchuk Hosts: Agnes Frimston and Ben Horton&nbsp; Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Producer: Ben Horton Recorded and produced at Chatham House

Episode 43: the UK Election, and Svyatoslav Vakarchuk on the Future of Ukraine

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