The World Unpacked

Oct 24 2024 229 ep. 28 mins 2.5k
The World Unpacked Podcast artwork

The World Unpacked is a biweekly foreign policy podcast hosted by Sophia Besch that breaks down the hottest global issues of today with experts, journalists, and policymakers who can explain what is happening, why it matters, and where we go from here. Tune in to get smart on foreign policy.

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Will America’s Next President Bring Real Change in Foreign Policy?

Oct 24 2024 49 mins  
Sophia Besch sits down with Chris Chivvis and Stephen Wertheim to discuss why meaningful change in U.S. foreign policy is so difficult to achieve—and what it would take for the next American president to make such a change happen.

Can Tunisia’s Democracy Survive Saied’s Second Term?

Oct 10 2024 32 mins  
Sarah Yerkes, a senior fellow in Carnegie's Middle East Program, joins Sophia to discuss the recent re-election of President Kais Saied and what it means for Tunisia's democracy.

The Geopolitics of Climate Engineering: A Climate Lifeline or Pandora’s Box?

Sep 26 2024 32 mins  
Cynthia Scharf, a senior fellow at the International Center for Future Generations, joins Sophia to discuss the geopolitics of solar geoengineering, or solar radiation modification.

Inside the U.S.-China Rivalry: Great Power Competition in the Middle East and North Africa

Sep 12 2024 46 mins  
The Middle East and North Africa region is witnessing a fierce competition among the world’s current “great powers”—the U.S., Russia, and China. Director of the Carnegie Middle East Program Amr Hamzawy joins Sophia to discuss the current state and future of great power competition in the region.

Macron’s Election Gamble: What’s Next for France and Europe?

Jul 11 2024 33 mins  
Did Macron's political gamble pay off or backfire? Tara Varma from the Brookings Institution joins Sophia to discuss the outcome of France's recent snap elections and how they might shape the future of Europe.

Ukraine at the NATO Summit

Jun 27 2024 39 mins  
Eric Ciaramella joins Sophia to discuss the upcoming 75th anniversary NATO summit—and what it might mean for Ukraine. They explore how NATO allies are thinking about their support to Ukraine, what Kiev hopes for from its partners, and what deliverables the summit can provide.

Winners and Losers: The 2024 European Parliamentary Elections

Jun 13 2024 29 mins  
Rosa Balfour joins Sophia to discuss the recent 2024 European Parliamentary elections—the outcomes, what they mean for future EU policy, and why the US should care.

The Politics of Biden's Latest Tariffs

May 30 2024 32 mins  
Jon Bateman joins Sophia to explore what President Biden's latest tariffs on China mean for the US, the climate, and allies.

China: Rising Tensions in the South China Sea

May 16 2024 37 mins  
Isaac Kardon joins Sophia to dive into the rising tensions in the South China Sea and the geopolitics of China's maritime disputes.

Ukraine Aid: Will It Be Enough?

May 02 2024 26 mins  
Dara Massicot sits down with Sophia to unpack the war effort in Ukraine.