Tallberg Foundation Podcast

Earth, often referred to as "Water" due to its 70% ocean coverage, is profoundly impacted by climate issues. These include rising temperatures, sea levels, declining biodiversity, and acidification caused by greenhouse gas accumulation. Marine biologist Asha de Vos, renowned for her research on blue whales, founded Oceanswell in Sri Lanka, the country's first marine conservation research and education organization. In recognition of her remarkable contributions, Asha received the Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize in 2021. Recently, she discussed her work in Sri Lanka on New Thinking for a New World with host Alan Stoga.

In a recent surprising turn of events, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of paramilitary group Wagner Group, shifted his focus from Ukraine to challenging the Russian army and possibly Vladimir Putin himself. Wagner's forces briefly seized Russian territory and made a rapid advance towards Moscow before reaching a sudden halt and accepting a negotiated deal. The consequences of this insurrection remain uncertain, but it could have implications for the war in Ukraine, Russia's alliances, and most notably, Putin's future. Yevgenia Albats, a prominent journalist in exile from Russia, believes that Prigozhin's days may be numbered. Could this be the beginning of the end for the Russian dictator? “When you strike at a king, you must kill him” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

OpenAI's ChatGPT has sparked a new era in human-machine interaction. From medicine to creative works, AI's abilities seem boundless. However, concerns about AI's power and the need for regulation are growing. Can AI be effectively regulated? Who decides what's good or bad? Join Rebecca Finlay, CEO of the Partnership on AI, and host Alan Stoga as they explore these pressing questions in a New Thinking for a New World podcast.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has significant implications for the future. Georgia, another former Soviet country, shares similar challenges. Will Georgia become another conflict zone or secure its future as a Western democracy? Nino Evgenidze, the executive director of the Economic Policy Research Center in Tbilisi, discusses this with host Alan Stoga on New Thinking for a New World.

Join us as we revisit our conversation with Johan Rockström, renowned earth scientist and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. A year ago, he shed light on the gravity of our situation, stating that "for the first time in human history, we face a planetary emergency." Astonishingly, this remains an urgent reality even today. Recently, an article titled "Safe and just Earth system boundaries" was published in Nature on May 31, providing further insights. For the first time, scientists have meticulously evaluated and quantified not only the boundaries within which humanity can safely operate, but also those that ensure fairness and justice for all. In an era where scientists often present their findings in a measured and objective manner, Rockström's assertion that "Human pressures on earth have reached dangerously high levels" carries immense weight and demands our attention. Tune in to our podcast episode and listen to the thought-provoking perspectives of Johan Rockström, as we delv

In recent months, the Middle East has witnessed significant developments that could reshape the global order, rivaling the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine. These include China's efforts to reconcile Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Arab League's celebration of Syria's President Assad's return, Saudi Arabia's applications to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICs, countries like Morocco, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey distancing themselves from political Islam, and the strengthening web of diplomatic, economic, and financial ties among China, Saudi Arabia, other Arab countries, Iran, and Russia. These changes indicate the emergence of a new Middle Eastern political order, where the influence of the United States and Europe is anticipated to diminish. Gilles Kepel, a renowned Middle East expert and Al-Monitor columnist, recently discussed these transformative changes on the New Thinking for a New World podcast.

India had the world's largest economy until the 17th century but suffered almost 500 years of decline afterward. However, India is currently the world's most populous nation with one of the largest economies, growing faster this year than any other major country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought stability to India, making the country economically and geopolitically resurgent. Critics worry that Modi's democracy is too autocratic and inward-looking, rooted in Hindu nationalism. India's future is uncertain as centrifugal forces of religion, inequality, and nationalism could overwhelm the current growth. Will India continue to evolve and become a global power? Milan Vaishnav is a senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington and an accomplished India watcher. He shared some answers in this episode of the New Thinking for a New World podcast.

In this podcast episode of "New Thinking for a New World", the tragic situation in Sudan is discussed where conflict, military rule, displacement, and a crushed economy have ensued since the revolution that ousted Omar al-Bashir. The current power struggle between two generals is causing immense harm and there is a risk of broader conflict in the Horn of Africa. The podcast features Samah Salman, a Sudanese businesswoman and civil society leader who is working towards peace in her country while in Washington D.C.

2023 has become a year of recession, inflation, social and labor unrest, war, the ravages of climate etc. One casualty of that mess is the rule of law; justice seems to take a beating when times are bad. Why is that? The demand for justice is not only a basic human right, but also a human need. Is it possible to deliver effective justice at the individual level, to actually make justice systems work for people? Sam Muller, believes the answer is an emphatic, “Yes”. He founded and today leads the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) they are in the business of building “people-centered justice” that works for everyone. This episode was originally published on January 19, 2023

This episode explores the implications of the recent diplomatic breakthrough between Saudi Arabia and Iran, brokered by China’s top diplomat Wang Yi. How will this affect the Middle East’s geopolitics, security, and relations with the US and Israel? Yasmine Farouk, a scholar of Saudi Arabian and Gulf affairs at Carnegie, offers her insights on this new thinking for a new world.

French President Emmanuel Macron faces a complicated situation at home and abroad. He’s trying to assert European sovereignty against the US, but he’s also angering his allies and his own people. Is he losing his way or playing a long game? Pierre Lellouche, a former French politician and diplomat, shares his views on Macron’s strategic and political mistakes and their consequences for France on this week's New Thinking for a New World

Migration is a long and ongoing story of human history. People move for fear or opportunity, and others resist them. This still happens today: more people flee war, climate and poverty, and more barriers are built. Don’t we have human rights and laws to protect them? Yet the long lines are still there; few make it to the safety they seek. Why? Listen to this week’s New Thinking for a New World podcast with anthropologist Amelia Frank-Vitale

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has settled into a grueling, vicious war of attrition with no end in sight. However, there is a growing consensus in NATO capitals that a long war not only favors Russia but has the potential for nasty, unintended consequences. What does not seem to exist is a strategy to do something about it. Lots of rhetoric: “Ukraine will win” and “we will do what it takes” as well as tactics galore. But define an endgame or a strategy to get there? Missing in action. Anna Wieslander, a Swedish defense and security expert, has had the temerity to point out that the West has no strategy. Listen as host Alan Stoga discusses with her what it might take to end this war, one way or the other.

In this podcast, explore the potential of Africa and the obstacles it faces, including too much debt and a history of mismanagement. With 24 out of 54 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing severe debt problems, growth and development may be impeded. Is debt cancellation still the answer, or is it time for a new approach? Join the discussion with Bright Simons, a Ghanaian researcher and policy activist, to find out.

Israel seems to be on the verge of exploding. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s pursuit of radical judicial reform has been met with massive and growing street demonstrations. Meanwhile, violence between Israelis and Palestinians is soaring, raising the possibility of another intifada and adding to the sense of looming disaster. Neri Zilber is a journalist and analyst who focus on Israel's - and more generally Middle Eastern - politics and culture. He is deeply knowledgeable, widely published and moves regularly between Tel Aviv and Washington. Listen as he joins host Alan Stoga for a conversation on a situation that seems destined to go from bad to worse.

After the Pinochet years, Chile evolved into one of the most successful countries in the Americas in terms of the health of its democracy. All of that came to a screeching halt in 2019 when protests escalated into widespread violence. Chile was suddenly at a revolutionary moment. However, instead of a civil war, the Chileans launched an inclusive political process to write a new constitution. Fast forward to September of this year, the new constitution was overwhelmingly rejected in a national referendum. What happened and what happens next? What lessons can others learn from Chile's efforts to reimagine its democracy? Isabel Aninat, Dean of the Law School of the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, in Chile has been a keen observer of the constitution-writing process and of Chilean politics. She is fundamentally optimistic that Chilean democracy is headed in a good direction. This episode was originally published on October 27, 2022

At times of rapid societal change, the academy can be a radical platform for experimentation and new thinking or a bastion of conservatism—or a combination of both. How does a modern university navigate the space between its classrooms and labs and the rest of society? How do university leaders prepare students not just to cope with a world that is visibly changing before their eyes, but to lead in a world which is changing at an exponential pace? The University of Pavia is one of the oldest universities in the world. Francesco Svelto, a distinguished electrical engineer, is now the university's rector. He has the remarkable opportunity and challenges to build a university of the future on a centuries-old foundation. He recently shared his vision for Pavia and, more broadly, education at a time of transformation.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed how global politics works. What about Mongolia? It is geographically sandwiched between China and Russia, making it almost impossible to avoid their embrace, especially if they can’t be played off against each other. What to do? Dr. Undraa Agvaanluvsan, a former member of Mongolia’s Parliament, holds a doctorate in physics. She recently explained her country’s challenges in coping with a changing global order.

What could possibly go wrong with underlying technology that can research, write, draw, code, compose music, and possibly even think at least as well as many, if not most, human beings? Mark Abdollahian and Juan Enriquez help us understand not only what's technically called generative artificial intelligence, but to think together about the impact on jobs, on creativity, and innovation, on how we live or could live in the not-so-distant future. Juan is an entrepreneur and an expert on the impact of life sciences and brain research on society. Mark is a businessman and academic who works at the intersection of strategy, operations, and analytics.

2023 looks likely to be a year of recession, inflation, social and labor unrest, war, the ravages of climate etc. One casualty of that mess is likely to be the rule of law; justice seems to take a beating when times are bad. Why is that? The demand for justice is not only a basic human right, but also a human need. Is it possible to deliver effective justice at the individual level, to actually make justice systems work for people? Sam Muller, believes the answer is an emphatic, “Yes”. He founded and today leads the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) they are in the business of building “people-centered justice” that works for everyone.