Épisodes

  • Inside Iran’s Crisis: Leadership Change, Regional Conflict, and Global Energy Risks

    Inside Iran’s Crisis: Leadership Change, Regional Conflict, and Global Energy Risks
    Mar 27 2026
    The war involving Iran has entered a new and uncertain phase, with Israeli and American strikes hitting the heart of the country’s political and religious power centres. At the same time, a significant shift appears to be underway within the Islamic Republic itself. Mojtaba Khamenei - long an influential but behind-the-scenes figure - has now emerged at the centre of power, raising fundamental questions about the regime’s future. Are we witnessing continuity, or a turning point in Iran’s political system? Our guest today is Farzan Sabet, a Managing Researcher of the Sanctions and Sustainable Peace Hub which is part of the Global Governance Centre here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    16 min
  • America First, Global Consequences: The New Geopolitics of Industry

    America First, Global Consequences: The New Geopolitics of Industry
    Mar 5 2026
    In this episode, we explore how the United States is rethinking its industrial strategy—from “America First” policies and supply‑chain reshoring to the global race for critical minerals. We look at whether bringing production closer to home can truly strengthen economic and national security, and how these shifts are reshaping U.S. relations with resource‑rich regions in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. We also examine how multinational firms are adapting to this new landscape and why AI infrastructure—data centers, chips, and massive energy systems—is becoming a strategic asset in its own right. Are we witnessing a profound reconfiguration of global supply chains, or the emergence of hybrid models that blend global reach with strategic domestic control? Our guest for this episode is Filipe Calvão, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    18 min
  • Power, Policing, and Borders: Rethinking ICE in an International Law Perspective

    Power, Policing, and Borders: Rethinking ICE in an International Law Perspective
    Feb 19 2026
    In the wake of the protests that erupted in Minneapolis, national and international conversations have intensified around the nature of state power, policing, and the institutions responsible for enforcing migration policies in the United States. Today, we turn our attention to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, also known as ICE, to explore the circumstances of its creation in 2003 and how its practices have evolved over the past two decades. We’ll also examine how recent allegations surrounding ICE’s treatment of migrants might be understood through the lens of international law and human rights obligations. Our guest today is Vincent Chetail, Professor of International Law and Director of the Global Migration Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    17 min
  • Inside Iran’s Unrest: Politics, Economy, and the Road Ahead

    Inside Iran’s Unrest: Politics, Economy, and the Road Ahead
    Jan 19 2026
    Today we turn our focus to Iran at a moment of intense uncertainty. Over the past year, the country has witnessed another major wave of protests—driven by deep social grievances, political frustration, and an economic situation that continues to deteriorate. The government’s response has been marked by severe repression, while regional tensions and new international sanctions have heightened pressure on the Islamic Republic. In today’s conversation, we’ll take a closer look at what’s happening inside Iran: the roots of the current uprising, the role of the political leadership, the impact of the economic crisis, and the landscape of opposition figures abroad. We’ll also explore how the regime’s crackdown fits into its broader survival strategy, and what Iran’s trajectory might look like in the months ahead. Our guest is Clément Therme, an alumnus of the Geneva Graduate Institute and a lecturer at the University of Montpellier.
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    26 min
  • The Venezuela Precedent: Power, Law, and Global Order

    The Venezuela Precedent: Power, Law, and Global Order
    Jan 14 2026
    The recent US attack on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro have sent shockwaves across the global stage. For many observers, the operation represents a clear breach of international law — raising fundamental questions about state sovereignty, the use of force, and the immunity traditionally granted to sitting heads of state. So what does this case mean for international law, for global stability, and for the future credibility of multilateral institutions? That’s what we’ll explore in today’s conversation. Our guest is Professor Nico Krisch, Professor of International Law, and Head of the International Law Department at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    19 min
  • Beyond the Vote: New Forms of Youth Political Engagement Worldwide

    Beyond the Vote: New Forms of Youth Political Engagement Worldwide
    Dec 8 2025
    Young people are often portrayed as politically disengaged, accused of turning their backs on voting and traditional politics. But is that really the full story? Recent waves of youth-led mobilisations—from climate marches to social justice movements—suggest something very different. So, how do we explain this apparent paradox? Are young people truly stepping away from politics, or are they reinventing it? In this episode, we’ll explore what youth engagement looks like today: from the role of young voters in the United States to the issues driving activism across the Global South. We’ll also ask whether new forms of participation—both online and offline—signal a global movement or remain rooted in local priorities. And now that COP 30 has wrapped up, we’ll reflect on the lessons from years of youth-led climate activism: have they managed to influence policy or shift mindsets? Our guest today is Dr. Laura Bullon-Cassis, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute's Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy.
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    15 min
  • The central economic role of the United States in question?

    The central economic role of the United States in question?
    Dec 2 2025
    For much of the modern era, the United States has stood at the heart of the global economy—anchoring the international monetary system, shaping the rules of trade, and driving global growth through its innovation and financial power. But today, this long-standing leadership is being tested on multiple fronts. In this episode, we explore the shifting foundations of U.S. economic dominance: from pressures on the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency to the rise of China and the growing assertiveness of other economic actors. We look at how geopolitical fragmentation, internal U.S. political tensions, and debates over industrial policy are reshaping America’s global position. Our guest is Cédric Tille, Professor of International Economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Head of the Bilateral Assistance and Capacity Building for Central Banks (BCC) Programme, and is a Faculty Associate at the Institute’s Centre for Finance and Development.
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    15 min
  • Peace Diplomacy in an Era of Growing Conflict

    Peace Diplomacy in an Era of Growing Conflict
    Nov 25 2025
    In this episode, we mark the first year of the Nagulendran Chair in Peace Mediation with a wide-ranging conversation on the state of peace diplomacy today. At a time when conflicts are multiplying across the globe, we ask whether this signals a failure of diplomacy or a call for its evolution. We explore how the peace diplomacy sector works—who its actors are, the roles they play, and how they differ. We also examine the mounting pressures of budget cuts and political change, and consider how these challenges are reshaping the field’s future. This conversation offers both a moment of stock-taking and a forward-looking vision for how peace diplomacy can remain resilient, relevant, and transformative in uncertain times. Our guest is Achim Wennmann, Director for Strategic Partnerships here at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Professor of Practice in the Inter-disciplinary Programme, and Nagulendran Chair in Peace Mediation.
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    21 min