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Speaker(s): Professor T.V. Paul | Editor's note: The question and answer session has been removed from this podcast. Seemingly from its birth, Pakistan has been struggling to build a proper democracy and a secure state. Today it ranks 133rd out of 148 countries in global competitiveness. Its economy is as dysfunctional as its political system is corrupt; both rely heavily on international aid for their existence. Taliban forces occupy many key areas of the country and engage in random violence. It possesses over a hundred nuclear weapons that could fall into terrorists’ hands. Why, in an era when countries across the developing world are experiencing impressive economic growth and building democratic institutions, has Pakistan been such a conspicuously weak state? In The Warrior State, noted international relations and South Asia scholar T.V. Paul untangles this fascinating riddle. Paul argues that the “geostrategic curse”—akin to the “resource curse” that plagues oil-rich autocracies—is at the root of Pakistan’s unique inability to progress. Since its founding in 1947, Pakistan has been at the centre of major geopolitical struggles: the US-Soviet rivalry, the conflict with India, and most recently the post 9/11 wars. No matter how ineffective the regime is, massive foreign aid keeps pouring in from major powers, their allies and global financial institutions with a stake in the region. The reliability of such aid defuses any pressure on political elites to launch the far-reaching domestic reforms necessary to promote sustained growth, higher standards of living, and more stable democratic institutions. Paul shows that excessive war-making efforts have drained Pakistan’s limited economic resources without making the country safer or more stable. Indeed, despite the regime’s emphasis on security, the country continues to be beset by widespread violence and terrorism. In this lecture Professor Paul offers a comprehensive treatment of Pakistan’s insecurity predicament drawing from the literatures in history, sociology, religious studies, and international relations. He will also compare Pakistan with other national security states, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Taiwan and Korea and their different trajectories. His book of the same title is the first to apply the “war-making and state-making” literature to explain Pakistan’s weak state syndrome. T.V. Paul is James McGill Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at McGill University, Montreal, and a leading scholar of international security, regional security, and South Asia. He was director (founding) of the McGill/University of Montreal Centre for International Peace and Security Studies (CIPSS) during 2009-12. His 15 books include: The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary World (Oxford University Press, 2014); Status in World Politics (co-edited, Cambridge University Press, 2014); Globalization and the National Security State (co-authored, Oxford University Press, 2010); The Tradition of Non-use of Nuclear Weapons (Stanford University Press 2009); India in the World Order: Searching for Major Power Status (co-authored, Cambridge University Press 2002); The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry (Cambridge University Press, 2005); and South Asia’s Weak States: Understanding the Regional Insecurity Predicament (Stanford University Press 2010). Tue, 27 May 2014 18:30:00 GMT

The Warrior State: Pakistan in the contemporary world [Audio]

In a recent piece Christine Fair argued that the U.S. policy of appeasement to Pakistan has failed and it must instead adopt a policy of containment towards Pakistan.

In this podcast Dev Lewis sits down with Christine C. Fair, Visiting Fellow at Gateway House, to discuss how she arrived at this conclusion as well as what a policy of containment to Pakistan would look like. 

C. Christine Fair: Why the U.S. needs to contain Pakistan

We're saying goodbye to Soundcloud, but you can still find us. Please do! 

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Bye Soundcloud, and Where to Find Us

Bernard Madoff may be a fading memory from the past, but for reporter Steve Fishman, the fallen financier’s story holds lessons for today. Madoff masterminded one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history, duping thousands of investors out of tens of billions of dollars. His scam rocked Wall Street for years.  

In this episode, we trace the rise and fall of Madoff through Fishman, who spent years interviewing investors, regulators and even Madoff himself from inside federal prison. We learn how Madoff pulled off his scam, and why nobody caught on for decades. We also hear from experts who say that investors still are vulnerable to financial fraud, especially in the era of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 

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How Bernie Made Off: Are we safe from the next Ponzi scheme?

The United Nations has been going since 1945, and is the basis for most international cooperation. But in this disruptive political environment, is it still relevant? This week, Ben speaks to UN expert Thomas Weiss to find out. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the situation in Libya has disappeared from international headlines. Seven years on, a new report by Tim Eaton explores the chaotic war economy that has developed in the vacuum. He speaks to Agnes about smuggling, tribal factions and what must be done to resolve a growing crisis. Read the virtual issue: 70 years of the United Nations in International Affairs Read the Chatham House research paper:  Libya's war economy: predation, profiteering and state weakness

Episode 7: Libya's war economy, and is the United Nations still relevant?

In this bonus episode we bring you a recording of a roundtable from the 2018 Chatham House London Conference. This annual event brings together policy-makers, academics and business figures from around the world to London to discuss key global issues. Undercurrents hosted a breakfast roundtable as part of the conference, focusing on how elites can re-engage with their publics. A panel of experts from six different countries joined Ben and Agnes to share their views on questions including:  Is political participation in decline? Are traditional forms of politics outdated? What impact has the digital revolution had on the political sphere?&nbsp; How can politicians reconnect with their voters?  Listen to more highlights from the  London Conference 2018.

BONUS Episode: How Can Political Elites Reconnect With Voters?

US President Donald Trump found much of his electoral success by utilising two central ideas in American political culture - the 'American Dream' and 'America First'. Academic and commentator Sarah Churchwell's new book Behold America explores the historial roots of these ideas, and the significant consequences of their manipulation. Agnes meets with Sarah to find out more.&nbsp; The illegal trade in ivory is a significant element of the informal economies of many African states, not least Uganda. In a new article in International Affairs Kristof Titeca reveals his findings from a series of interviews conducted with Ugandan individuals involved in all stages of the ivory trade. Ben spoke to Kristof to discuss the challenges posed by policy-makers hoping to cease this lucrative trade.&nbsp;&nbsp; Read the book:  Behold America: The Entangled History of 'America First' and the 'American Dream' Read the article: 'Understanding the illegal ivory trade and traders: evidence from Uganda'

Episode 18: The American Dream vs America First, and Uganda's Illegal Ivory Trade

Soraya Chemaly is a writer and activist whose work focuses on the role of gender&nbsp;in culture, politics, religion and media. Her latest book, Rage Becomes Her, explores how women can embrace the anger generated by modern gender relations for positive change.&nbsp; Agnes and Ben met with Soraya to discuss among other things the #MeToo campaign, sexual politics and the impact of the scandal over Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination. Find the Book:  Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger Watch the Chatham House Event Video: #MeToo, A Year On &nbsp;

Episode 20: #MeToo and the Power of Women's Anger

With the Trump administration’s recent imposition of new, tougher sanctions on Iran’s energy and financial sectors, Washington and Tehran have entered a new and potentially more volatile phase in their already combustible relationship. Join us as four veteran analysts address this dynamic situation.

Iran and the U.S.: New Confrontation, Accommodation, or Muddling Through?

Podcast Target Zero Hunger - Stories from the field

Pakistan has the fourth-highest rate of water consumption in the world. The country’s agriculture sector uses the most amount of fresh water than any other sector. Rainfall has steadily declined over the past few decades and experts warn the country will approach “absolute scarcity” of water by 2025. 

In the village of Azizabad in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, farming communities are being hit hard by the lack of fresh water. The impacts of climate change are further intensifying the problem. But with support from UK Aid, the Food and Agriculture Organization has introduced a range of initiatives to build resilient farming systems in affected areas.

Host/Editor: Charlotta Lomas
Report: Anais Hotin, Greg Delaney
Photo: FAO Pakistan

Managing drought in Pakistan

In 2013 China launched its flagship economic project, the 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI). In the five years since the initiative has rapidly expanded trade and infrastructure relationships between China and 88 countries in Eurasia and Africa, covering over 60% of global GDP. Ben speaks to the Asia-Pacific Programme's Yu Jie to find out more. The rise of populism is a phenomenon affecting political systems across the West. From the 2016 electoral shocks of Brexit and Trump through to the victories of Salvini and Bolsonaro in 2018, conventional ideological divisions between left and right are being dismantled and replaced by a politics of polarization and identity-fuelled tribalism. Agnes speaks to the Europe Programme's Matthew Goodwin about his new book on 'national populism'.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House Expert Comment:  Money, Might and Mindset: China's Self-centred Global Ambition Listen to the interview: Yu Jie on China's halloumi craze&nbsp;[from 27:00] Find the book:  National Populism: the Revolt Against Liberal Democracy

Episode 22: China's Belt and Road Initiative, and the Rise of National Populism

We chat with Dr. Ishrat Husain about Pakistan's balance of payment crisis and the economic imbalances that have led the emerging market economy to seek yet another IMF bailout. Dr. Ishrat Husain is the current Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Institutional Reforms and Austerity. He has also previously served as Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and Chief Economist at the World Bank for Africa and the East Asia and Pacific Region.

Episode 2 - Dr. Ishrat Husain: Pakistan's Financial Crisis

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 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

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/immigration-and-multiculturalism.

Whether for economic reasons or to flee violence and persecution, immigration rates continue to climb globally. At the same time, opposition to immigration and intolerance of multiculturalism is also growing. Should cultural or ethnic identity ever be a factor in immigration policy? Do immigrants have an obligation to assimilate to the dominant culture? Or should we make cultural accommodations for immigrants who don’t share our values and traditions? Do the answers vary depending on how culturally diverse or homogenous the host country already is? The Philosphers lift the gate for Sarah Song from the UC Berkeley School of Law, author of "Immigration and Democracy."

476: Immigration and Multiculturalism

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

Check us out on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

In this, our inaugural episode of the Need to Know podcast, I am joined by Matt Rojansky, the director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute.  On a topic that is fraught with political upheaval, Matt gives us the breakdown of where we stand in US/Russia relations and where it goes from here.  It's hard to find nonpartisan information on Russia nowadays, so take a listen and subscribe!

Understanding the US/Russia Relationship - Matt Rojansky

The results are in from the European Parliamentary elections, reflecting the highest voter turnout in two decades. It wasn’t the populist sweep many were predicting, but the center-left and center-right coalitions lost their 40-year majority. Clearly, there will be a new alignment of power and European unity will be tested.

What are the important implications? Will the “Green Wave” force political action on environmental policy? What do the populist victories of EU Parliamentarians from France and the UK mean for future EU leadership and the Brexit process?  

Join us by phone as our Wilson Center experts discuss these and other questions.

Ground Truth Briefing | Continental Divides? The Future of the European Union Post-Election

This AshCast offers listeners an excerpt from the recent speech by His Excellency Dr. Dino Patti Djalal, Indonesia’s ambassador to the United States. He spoke at Harvard Kennedy School on Indonesia’s role in the midst of changing geopolitics in the Asia Pacific. Professor Anthony Saich served as moderator. As Ambassador, Djalal has spearheaded a number of initiatives including the advancement of the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership. This is the first partnership of its kind between the two countries and signifies a new era of strategic relationship.

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