Doha Debates Podcast

For the greater part of a century, conversations and narratives about global justice and free speech have been dominated by the West. From seminal works of history to newspapers of record to media networks to politics to public discourse, Western voices have often been louder than the rest. And while the West has long claimed to act in the name of democracy, equality and freedom, some wonder whether it always lives up to its own ideals. Can the world rely on Western media, politics and public rhetoric to promote global justice, or is it simply furthering its own interests? At the tenth Bradford Literature Festival, speakers Fatima Bhutto, Steve Clemons and Konstantin Kisin came together alongside an onstage audience of students and recent graduates for a lively town hall exploring how this narrative control plays out on the world stage. This Doha Debates town hall was moderated by journalist Remona Aly and produced in partnership with Bradford Literature Festival. It was filmed at University of Bradford in Bradford, England on July 6, 2024.

At Doha Debates, we believe that debate can help solve some of the world's most challenging problems. But are there limits to what free speech and debate can accomplish?  Social media has allowed more people to connect and share their perspectives than ever before. That has led to an immense amount of learning and progress—but it's also led to an uptick in hate speech and misinformation, online and IRL. Today, anyone can have a platform—but should they? Is everything up for debate, or should some things be out of bounds? Jacob Mchangama, founder and executive director of The Future of Free Speech think tank, argues that free speech and open debate are the only ways to build and secure open and tolerant societies. He thinks we should all be able to speak our minds, and says that engaging with people and perspectives we disagree with can help sharpen our own opinions or help us learn something new. Author and journalist David Stubbs says that unlimited free speech tends to favor extreme voices and that certain ideas, like climate denial, don’t deserve a platform and are “just plain wrong.” Listen to Doha Debates Podcast as these experts discuss the limits of debate and the future of free speech.

Climate anxieties—and global temperatures—are on the rise. According to the United Nations, if the planet warms by 1.5 degrees Celsius, we’ll be facing irreversible climate damage. To stop that increase, we need to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Reaching such an ambitious goal means changing a lot of our behaviors, including cutting back on our use of fossil fuels. But should everyone, and every nation, be held to the same standard? Is it realistic to ask countries in the global south to shoulder equal responsibility for cutting carbon emissions? Dr. Rahul Tongia, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) in New Delhi and non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, concedes that while we must be more innovative and aggressive when it comes to the development of green technology, it’s unrealistic to cut out fossil fuels entirely. He adds that we need to decouple the idea of “access” from “clean,” and make sure there is electrical wiring in every home across the globe before we focus on going green.  Zaki Mamdoo, South African environmental activist and coordinator of the StopEACOP (Stop East African Crude Oil Pipeline) campaign, says that it is entirely unnecessary to harm the environment in order to increase energy access. He says fossil fuels are actually anti-development, in that they not only pollute the air, land, water and livestock, but they destroy local economies, desecrate cultural sites and ruin labor systems and communities. He argues that all nations must refrain from new fossil-fuel use, leapfrog towards more renewable energy resources like wind and solar and embrace a just transition to a low-carbon economy.  Listen to these experts discuss and dissect the best pathways to a greener world on this episode of Doha Debates Podcast. This special episode is inspired by Necessary Tomorrows, a podcast from Doha Debates and presented by Al Jazeera that combines fiction and fact to imagine better futures. To dig deeper into the core issues of environmentalism and the ethics of energy use and development, check out the episode “The Last Impala.” Listeners are thrust into a world in the near future where a climate refugee is on trial for murder—not for killing a human, but for killing an ecosystem. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Karen Given. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

Dozens of countries have implemented race-based policies, which factor race into hiring decisions or school admissions, in an effort to address historical traumas. Critics say that affirmative action and similar policies are counterproductive. Is it time to consider color-blind policies instead? Thandiwe Ntshinga, South African author and researcher, says it’s important to have policies that address the inequalities historically marginalized groups face in today’s world. She argues that the backlash to these policies is a result of white supremacy and a fear of losing power. Magatte Wade, Senegalese entrepreneur and prosperity activist, says that race-based policies tend to backfire and, in fact, produce more negative than positive outcomes. She argues that it’s more important to focus on the future rather than the past by prioritizing merit and economic prosperity. Listen to Doha Debates Podcast as they debate how parts of Africa are addressing race-based policies and the best way to combat racism.  Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

What does a shift in the balance of power mean for the world? For much of the last 100 years, Western countries have dominated the global order. But now, with many nations vying for power, new regional partnerships and middle powers are on the rise. Economically, strategic alliances like BRICS are bolstering the influence of non-Western countries. And in a world that’s more digitally connected than ever, the global rise of pop culture heavyweights like Bollywood, dizi and K-pop means there’s more soft power in the hands of countries outside the historical superpowers. At the same time, conflict is on the rise globally. Last year, the UN said there were more ongoing conflicts than at any point since World War II. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to think about who should lead.  Students, recent graduates and expert speakers—Jon B. Alterman, Sawsan Chebli and Wadah Khanfar—come together for this Doha Debates town hall event that breaks down today’s most urgent issues, examines the impact of shifting global powers and answers the question: Who should lead in a multipolar world? This town hall was moderated by journalist Femi Oke and produced in partnership with Doha Forum.

The business of space is booming: Humans are leaving Earth’s atmosphere to mine for precious minerals that could bring trillions of dollars in profit. But with only a handful of laws currently regulating the final frontier, will space mining deepen existing global inequalities or could it save humanity?  Alice Gorman, space archaeologist, says space is for all humanity, but right now space mining isn’t focused on sustainability or moral responsibility. She argues that greater government oversight is necessary before we commercialize space. Jose Acain, co-founder of asteroid mining company AstroForge, says space mining is necessary to sustain Earth’s supply issues. He argues that government regulation is needed in regards to space ownership, but worries that too much regulation will stifle potential advancements. Listen to Doha Debates Podcast as these experts discuss the best way to explore space, mitigate mining risks and build a better future.  This special episode is inspired by Necessary Tomorrows, a podcast from Doha Debates and presented by Al Jazeera that combines fiction and fact to imagine better futures. To dig deeper into the core issues and ethics of space exploration and cultivation, check out episode three of Necessary Tomorrows, “A Feast for Cobalt.” Listeners are thrust into the near future, where an asteroid is discovered with enough minerals for Earth to run entirely on green energy. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

It can write emails, essays and even songs. It has created award-winning pieces of art, and it can take simple text prompts and generate eerily life-like videos. That’s right—we’re talking about artificial intelligence. Generative AI programs such as ChatGPT, Sora and Midjourney are getting smarter and more powerful by the day—just this week, Nvidia, one of the world's leading AI companies, announced a powerful new chip that could supercharge AI's already rapid growth. This technology is already worrying artists of all kinds about the future of art. Is AI coming for artists’ jobs and livelihood, or is it a helpful tool pushing art to a new horizon? Jason Allen used generative AI to create his work “Théâtre d'Opéra Spatial,” which won the Colorado State Fair’s annual fine art competition in 2022, making news headlines. He says artists should be excited and more open to working with AI as a new artistic medium that can help break down barriers and democratize art for everyone. On the other side, Molly Crabapple, award-winning artist and writer, says artists—and everyone—should be concerned about generative AI, arguing that these programs are not only stealing from, but “sucking the lifeblood,” from living artists. Additionally, she contends that the limited creativity of AI art programs will ultimately impoverish human culture. Listen to Doha Debates Podcast as our guests debate the controversy surrounding AI art, the economics of artificial intelligence and the future of art around the world. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

Globally, 650 million people meet the threshold for obesity. With those numbers on the rise, we ask: Is obesity a matter of individual choice, or is it rooted in larger systemic problems? Greg Doucette, a bodybuilder and health coach, says that obesity is a choice, and argues that everyone can lose weight if they follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen. While he concedes that genetic and environmental factors should not be ignored, he maintains that it can be discouraging and ultimately disempowering to say that managing our weight is beyond our own personal control. Professor Monika Arora, a public health scientist, argues that obesity is a systemic issue. She cites many outside factors—economic, environmental and even political—that have given rise to obesity rates across the globe. As a result, she argues that addressing obesity—and related health problems like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes—requires policy solutions like sugar taxes as well as community health campaigns to bring about healthy societal change. Listen to Doha Debates Podcast as they debate individual versus government responsibility, the dangers of junk food and what a healthier world could look like. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Karen Given. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

This week, we’re airing one of our favorite past episodes. This debate is spirited, informative and centered on a question that remains intensely relevant: Is it time to ban gasoline-powered vehicles?  Climate activist and author Aakash Ranison says that while electric vehicles may not be a silver-bullet solution to climate change, they are an important and urgent step in the right direction. On the other side, journalist Jonathan Miltimore argues that there are actually lots of drawbacks and hidden costs to producing electric cars. Gas-powered vehicles, he says, are simply too important—to our individual lives and to the health of our economies—to ban outright, arguing that we should instead focus our time and efforts on other ways of combating climate change. Listen to Doha Debates Podcast as they debate the efficiency, affordability and viability of eliminating gas-powered vehicles, and what the future of climate change might hold. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Karen Given. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

Let's face it. Artificial intelligence is everywhere around us—on our phones, in our homes, in our cars and in our schools. But that doesn't mean that we all have equal access to the best and most helpful learning technologies. As AI continues to develop and get smarter, how can we ensure universal access to these educational technologies so that all students can benefit?  Nadeem Nathoo, co-founder of The Knowledge Society, argues that the private sector would be the most effective at getting cutting-edge AI technologies into the hands of students, saying that a direct-to-user approach is the most realistic and reliable. Isabelle Hau, executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, says it’s imperative for educators to be involved in the development and dissemination of artificial intelligence in schools. She argues that while AI in classrooms can be a great equalizer, without proper oversight, there's a risk that AI could deepen inequalities between students. Louka Parry, CEO and founder of The Learning Future, says we must look at education and learning more holistically. While he agrees that AI presents a lot of opportunity for learners across the world, he reminds us that an important part of learning is cultivating curiosity in a social setting and that AI tools could potentially isolate students and deepen intellectual divides. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as these three education experts debate the best ways to incorporate and leverage AI in the classroom. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates. This episode is hosted by Rawaa Augé and was filmed live at the WISE Summit in Doha, Qatar, in November 2023. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

Do you live to work, or work to live? The World Happiness Report says that factors such as social support, economic security and work-life balance all contribute to life satisfaction and overall fulfillment. But checking all those boxes is easier said than done. Can we work hard toward our professional goals without sacrificing other parts of our lives? Jennifer Moss, a speaker and strategist on work-life balance whose latest book tackles employee burnout,  says it’s paramount for our happiness and health that we don’t overwork ourselves. She says that instead, we should focus on striking a balance in our lives. While she agrees that deriving fulfillment from work can be rewarding, she argues that hustle culture can be a slippery slope to burnout. Chris Guillebeau, author, entrepreneur and host of the podcast Side Hustle School, says that work-life balance is a conspiracy made up by corporations to monopolize our time and energy. Instead, he argues that to achieve happiness in the long term, people should work hard to pursue projects they really care about, even if it’s sometimes at the expense of other parts of our lives. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as these two experts debate the merits of hustle culture and explore the best ways to find happiness in and outside the workplace. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Karen Given. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

Since its inception in 1945, the United Nations has committed to preventing world wars. However, recent and devastating conflicts, like the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere, have brought the UN's shortcomings on this front into high relief. Is the United Nations capable of preventing war and keeping the peace, or is the institution too antiquated to resolve modern conflicts? Anjali K. Dayal, political scientist at Fordham University, argues that the UN is in need of a major structural overhaul. She says that the UN is operating exactly as it was designed to, with the UN’s systematic flaws helping nations like the United States and Russia retain their power and protect their interests. Natalie Samarasinghe, global advocacy director of the Open Society Foundation, concedes that while the UN isn’t perfect, the organization remains a vital and irreplaceable lifeline for people in conflict zones around the world. Moreover, she says that the UN cannot and should not be all things to all people—instead, we must focus on and invest in the parts of the UN that do work. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as these experts debate the best paths toward peace, the future of the UN, the rising role of youth on the global stage and how we should hold the UN to account. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

This week on the Doha Debates Podcast, we’re thrilled to share an episode from one of our other podcasts, The Negotiators.  William Ury is one of the most famous negotiation experts in the world. He co-wrote the classic book Getting to Yes and co-founded Harvard’s program on negotiation. In this episode, Ury shares negotiation advice and stories from famous peace talks in conversation with host Jenn Williams. The Negotiators brings you stories from people resolving some of the world’s most dramatic conflicts. It is a partnership between Doha Debates and Foreign Policy. Season 3 is out now, so if you enjoyed this episode, check out the full show and follow wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/TheNegotiators

What does a shift in the balance of power mean for the world? For much of the last 100 years, Western countries have dominated the global order. But now, with many nations vying for power, new regional partnerships and middle powers are on the rise. Economically, strategic alliances like BRICS are bolstering the influence of non-Western countries. And in a world that’s more digitally connected than ever, the global rise of pop culture heavyweights like Bollywood, dizi and K-pop means there’s more soft power in the hands of countries outside the historical superpowers. At the same time, conflict is on the rise globally. Earlier this year, the UN said there are more ongoing conflicts than at any point since World War II. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to think about who should lead. Join us, along with students, recent graduates and expert speakers—Jon B. Alterman, Sawsan Chebli and Wadah Khanfar—for a town hall event that breaks down today’s most urgent issues, examines the impact of shifting global powers and answers the question: Who should lead in a multipolar world? This Doha Debates town hall was moderated by journalist Femi Oke and produced in partnership with Doha Forum. It was filmed at Qatar National Library in Doha, Qatar on December 9, 2023.

How much influence can a 19th century European art movement really have on the modern Arab world? Orientalism, an aesthetic movement depicting the East by Western artists, was for some the only exposure to Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. Some, like Palestinian American scholar Edward Said, said that Orientalism pervades Western art, pop culture and journalism even today, revealing the same stereotypes of Arab cultures that were popularized some 200 years ago. Others argue that its influence—and even those stereotypes—requires a more nuanced interpretation. From the roots of Orientalism to the role of museums in displaying Orientalist art, join students, recent graduates and speakers—curator Kholood Al-Fahad, author Fatima Bhutto and journalist Inaya Folarin Iman—as they deconstruct Orientalist narratives, the value of inclusion and the lasting impact of art.  This Doha Debates town hall was moderated by Dena Takruri, senior presenter and producer with AJ+, and produced in partnership with VCUArts Qatar and Lusail Museum.

Generative AI has changed the way that some students approach their schoolwork. What does it mean for the state of education when students can ask ChatGPT to write an essay or solve a math problem? Artificial intelligence is causing parents to worry, and governments are struggling to keep up with this rapidly advancing technology. Are there beneficial uses of AI in classrooms, or will it do more harm than good? Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, says AI should be used as a support tool for teachers and students, saying that it can help students learn how to ask the right questions and provide personalized attention to supplement their traditional education. Khan Academy’s own AI tool, Khanmigo, was developed as a tutor that teaches problem solving instead of giving students the answers. On the other hand, Jacob Ward, author and science journalist, says that there are broader issues of economics at play. He argues that AI is often used for efficiency and cost cutting, making classrooms more bureaucratic and students less interested and equipped to learn. He also says it’s not yet clear if AI will help level the playing field in underdeveloped countries and communities or if unequal technological progress will create more imbalance. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as they debate the future of AI in education and what it means for progress. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments. Want to dive deeper into this topic? Join Doha Debates at the WISE Summit on November 28. Learn more: https://www.wise-qatar.org/

Facial recognition software. CCTV cameras. License plate readers. Wiretapping. These are all ways that governments employ mass surveillance. Supporters of surveillance technology say these tools are necessary to keep everyone safe. But opponents raise concerns over privacy and human rights abuses. Where do we draw the line? How do we balance individual privacy and collective safety?  Cindy Cohn, executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, says our privacy rights are being violated. She cites mass surveillance as yet another example of government overreach and says that it disproportionately targets vulnerable populations, especially people of color. Jamil Jaffer, executive director of the National Security Institute, says that the great majority of people have nothing to worry about, as just a relative few individuals end up on government watch lists. He argues that government surveillance is crucial to our safety and that, at least in the United States, it is much more targeted than people may realize. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as these two experts debate liberty, safety, consent and the limits of the law and anonymity in a world with mass surveillance.  Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

If you could prevent your future child from having a life-threatening disease, would you do it? What if you could prevent addictions or the development of bad habits before they were even born? What if you could genetically engineer your child to be taller, or if you could select their eye color or even their sex? How much of this would you be OK with—and which of these things give you “the ick”?  Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London, says genetic engineering is a slippery slope that raises a lot of moral and ethical questions. She argues that just because we can do these things, doesn't mean that we necessarily should. She says that gene editing could deepen class and cultural divides, especially if only the wealthy few can access and afford the technology. Sarah Chan, chancellor's fellow in ethics at University of Edinburgh, agrees that while there is some risk with genetic engineering, there are also risks if we don’t pursue it. She argues that gene editing has the power to create a more just and healthy society. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as they debate the promises and pitfalls of genetic engineering—is this technology our future, or should it remain science fiction? Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

Has the US peaked? For much of the 20th century, the United States of America led the world economically, militarily and even culturally. But is its influence and power now in decline, and what would that mean for the rest of the world? Lavina Lee, senior lecturer at Macquarie University in Australia, says that the US still has an important and powerful global role, despite the recent growth of other superpowers like China. Richard Heydarian, senior lecturer at University of the Philippines, says we’re already on a path to a post-American world, and that the US relies on its relationships with other countries as much as they rely on the US. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as our guests debate the role of the US in a changing, multipolar world. Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Jenn Williams. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments. Listen to The Negotiators, another podcast by Doha Debates, hosted by Jenn Williams: https://link.chtbl.com/TheNegotiators

Ken ventured out into the “real world” from Barbieland and returned with a new definition of masculinity. Andrew Tate’s influence on teen boys has amplified conversations about the “manosphere.” People around the world are eager for new rules for being a man—why? Men are struggling. That’s what Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, contends, pointing to the widespread mental health crisis men and boys are facing in developed countries, as suicide rates rise. Meanwhile, higher education enrollment for men is lower than ever, and historically male-dominated jobs like manufacturing and farming are disappearing. Reeves says we must acknowledge these problems in order to solve them, but maintains that helping men does not and should not come at the expense of women. Dr. Barbara Risman, editor in chief of "Gender & Society," says that we're not grappling with a crisis of masculinity, but rather a socio-economic crisis that's hurting working-class women and men—especially men of color. To fix this, she says we must create more economic support for these men, be it in jobs or education, and update our ideas of traditional gender roles. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as our guests debate what the future of masculinity should look like and how to help men and boys without getting trapped in the manosphere.  Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.