The Munk Debates Podcast

On the first episode of our new series on politics and culture, Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle and Vox senior correspondent Zack Beachamp debate Elon Musk's embrace of far-right political parties, Trump's totalitarian impulses, and the end to DEI in government agencies.   The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice start the show with the big international news of the week: A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that will suspend fighting and see the release of 33 Israeli hostages. Why now? and can it last? Rudyard and Janice then turn to the devastating LA fires and the astronomical cost of rebuilding without adequate insurance coverage. In Washington, Pete Hegseth breezed through US senate hearings to run the US Department of Defense. How does a man with no experience and a checkered past assume one of the most important and senior roles in government? Rudyard and Janice wrap up the show by anticipating what is to come on Monday when Trump takes office. Will his executive orders include a significant hike on tariffs for Canadian goods being exported into the US? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

If you're a new parent, you've probably heard the term 'gentle parenting'. It's the latest trend that has taken hold among millennials who reject the authoritative principles under which they themselves were raised. This new, softer approach discourages consequences and punishments for bad behaviour in favour of positive reinforcement and a focus on the feelings and emotions which are driving bad behaviour. Proponents of gentle parenting argue that this approach is the most effective way to raise kids: emotionally-focused parenting raises calmer, happier children with increased self-esteem, emotional regulation, more empathy, and stronger parent-child relationships. Furthermore, research shows that kids who are frequently punished don't end up being better behaved. Gentle parenting’s critics argue that this approach relies on emotion as a substitute for authority and does not prepare kids for the real world where actions have consequences. Too much emotional self-awareness in childhood has resulted in high rates of anxiety and depression in young adults who cannot put aside emotions in order to carry out basic daily tasks.  Arguing in favour of the resolution is Sarah Ockwell Smith. Sarah is a well known parenting expert and popular childcare author, who is widely recognized as being the founder of the gentle parenting movement. Arguing against the resolution is Anna Lussenburg, a professional child care and family intervention specialist. The host of this Munk Debates podcast episode is Ricki Gurwitz.   To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice start the show with the big international news of the week: A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that will suspend fighting and see the release of 33 Israeli hostages. Why now? and can it last? Rudyard and Janice then turn to the devastating LA fires and the astronomical cost of rebuilding without adequate insurance coverage. In Washington, Pete Hegseth breezed through US senate hearings to run the US Department of Defense. How does a man with no experience and a checkered past assume one of the most important and senior roles in government? Rudyard and Janice wrap up the show by anticipating what is to come on Monday when Trump takes office. Will his executive orders include a significant hike on tariffs for Canadian goods being exported into the US? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice dissect Donald Trump's comments about territorial expansion in Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada. Is this part of an America First agenda? And how should Canada respond to an incoming U.S. President that does not take well to smaller countries standing up for themselves?  In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn to the big news out of Ottawa this week: Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Prime Minister in March and proroguing Parliament until the party chooses a new leader. Who gets to vote in this contest? And why is Justin Trudeau sticking around during this process instead of stepping aside for an interim leader who is better equipped to take on the incoming Trump administration? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

On this special edition of the Munk Debates podcast, host Rudyard Griffiths and managing director Ricki Gurwitz take listeners behind the scenes of our Munk Debate on anti-Zionism and explain the reasons behind cancellation of the autumn debate with RFK Jr. They also give a sneak peak into what to expect in 2025 with a revamped podcast and some exciting plans for our in person debates.   The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths  To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch  

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice talk about what to expect in Ottawa in January: Trudeau's support in caucus has collapsed, MPs are speaking out, and Justin Trudeau could be stepping down as early as next week. Will the Liberals opt to prorogue Parliament for a leadership race? And how will a new party leader fare against Pierre Pollievre in a general election? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice reflect on the recent lone wolf terrorist attacks at a German Christmas Market and on the streets of New Orleans. Why is it so hard to protect innocent people against these assaults? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice discuss the latest political developments in Canada and look ahead to the big trends will dominate the headlines in 2025. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

“Together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear” Joe Biden proclaimed as he took his oath of office in January 2021. His supporters argue that what the President was able to accomplish in four years is nothing short of remarkable. They point to his success at passing the largest infrastructure program since the 1950’s, expanding health care, enacting gun control legislation, and expanding NATO as incredible accomplishments that have cemented his legacy as a transformative president along the likes of FDR and Lyndon Johnson. To his detractors, Joe Biden will be remembered as an ineffective leader who presided over an era of hyperinflation, global instability, and mistrust in institutions. The effects of excessive federal spending, a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, and an unprotected southern border will be felt for generations. And capping off his disastrous tenure with an unconditional pardon for his son severed the last threads of trust in government and added fuel to the growing fire of populist resentment. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Timothy Noah, staff writer at The New Republic Arguing against the resolution is Gil Troy, presidential historian and Distinguished Scholar of North American History at McGill University   You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote. The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths  To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch  

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice open the show with the surprising events out of Ottawa this week: finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigning in a blistering rebuke of the Prime Minister just hours before she was due to present the fall economic statement. What is next for the embattled Justin Trudeau? And what happens if the country is forced to wait through months of a liberal leadership race without a functioning government to face the existential challenges from the incoming Trump administration? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about Trump's joke that Canada should become America's 51st state. Should Canadians take Trump's joke as a serious threat? Is this the beginning of a sinister plan to bring Canada into the US? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Donald Trump’s plan to impose high tariffs on all goods coming into the US, including a 25% tax on items imported from Mexico and Canada, has leaders on both sides of the border on edge as they try to make sense of how these tariffs could impact their businesses and their economy. Stephen Moore is one of President Trump’s economic advisors and is rumoured to have a future role in his administration. He gives us a glimpse into what we can expect from Trump’s tariff agenda, the future of free trade in North America, and how he is advising the President to grow the economy in his second term.   The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch  

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice begin today's show reflecting on Justin Trudeau's relationship with the Trump administration. Why would he make public statements that provoke ire from our southern neighbours? And how should Trudeau respond to Trump's plan to impose tariffs on Canadians goods? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the grim financial outlook for Canada. With a ballooning debt how is the government going to be able to provide important services to Canadians? And how will government spending and employment growth coming primarily from the public sector handicap Canada's efforts to grow the economy? Some strong fiscal medicine might be what is required to remind us that we need to change course or risk a financial crisis. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia. Rebel leaders have taken over Damascus. And hundreds of thousands of refugees from the country’s long civil war are making their way back home.  And while many in Syria and around the world are rejoicing at the downfall of Assad and his brutal regime, there are growing concerns that the country could go the way of Libya, Yemen, and Iraq, where insurgent groups and sectarian strife have wreaked havoc on the civilian population and created failed states, which in the case of Syria, could threaten to further destabilize an already volatile Middle East. And beyond Syria, how does Assad’s regime collapse affect broader conflicts and regional powers like Iran, Israel, Russia, the U.S. and Turkey? To make sense of this moment, and the seismic changes taking place, we are joined by Michael Weiss. Michael is an investigative journalist who focuses on international affairs,  specifically the wars in Syria and Ukraine. His understanding of this region and its players gives him a unique insight into this rapidly evolving situation.  

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Democracies are in trouble from South Korea to France to the U.S., where voters have lost trust in political elites, especially in France where the blowback to Macron's brand of politics has made room for the ascendency of the far-right under Marine Le Pen. Rudyard and Janice then turn their focus to the U.S. where President Biden has conferred an unconditional pardon on his son Hunter Biden, with speculation that he might pardon any politician or civil servant who could face prosecution from a vengeful Trump administration. This controversial move would be unwise, Rudyard argues, setting a dangerous precedent and confirming voters' suspicions that elites are not subject to the same consequences as everyone else. In the final moments of the show Ruydyard and Janice turn to Syria, where rebels have renewed their offensive against the Assad regime and taken over key battleground areas. Could this successful push have anything to do with Iran's weakening in the region, as a result of Israel's military successes against its proxies? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced that six Indian diplomats were being expelled from Canada due to an alleged campaign to threaten and kill Sikhs on Canadian soil. India responded by sending home six high level Canadian diplomats and issuing a tensely worded statement, accusing Trudeau of initiating and escalating this diplomatic dispute. Relations between the two countries are - needless to say - at their lowest point in recent memory. Dr. Raja Mohan, our guest on this Munk Dialogue, is widely recognized as India's foremost foreign policy expert. He is an Adviser to the Council for Strategic and Defense Research in New Delhi and was the founding director of Carnegie India. He speaks to us about the state of India-Canada relations, how to repair this diplomatic spat, and the unique and interesting role India is playing on the world stage as it finds its footing among fellow great powers, most importantly the United States and China. The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a paid Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to the livestream of our upcoming in person debates, ticketing privileges, and a charitable tax receipt (for Canadian residents). This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. This week’s show take up the Trump tariffs on Canada. What are his motivations for threatening a 25% tariff on Canadian imports into the U.S.? How will American conservative politics and a G.O.P. that has shifted even further towards a MAGA “America First” agenda likely to impact trade negotiations? What could be some of the economic motivations of a second Trump presidency bent on trillions of tax cuts while U.S. debts and deficits have exploded in recent years? Are Canadian policy makers attune to these new political and economic dynamics or are we at risk of running a stale dated play book on trade and tariffs ill suited to the reality of the moment? In the program’s closing moments Janice and Rudyard take up the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. How has the region been transformed by more than a year of war? Is a ceasefire in Gaza more or less likely in the weeks and months to come? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the protests that followed in the summer of 2020, offices across North America began introducing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training programs with the objective of reducing racial bias and discrimination in the workplace. Lately, however, this multi-billion dollar industry is facing scrutiny by critics who believe these are unproven and expensive programs which are not only ineffective, but counterproductive. DEI training, they argue, often reinforces biases or introduces new stereotypes where they didn’t previously exist. Furthermore, if people from marginalized groups perceive themselves to be surrounded by others who are biased against them, they are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and antisocial behaviour, which will impede their professional success and overall happiness. Supporters of DEI programs argue that these initiatives are required to correct inequities that have long existed within organizations. This training helps people of different races, sexual orientations and diverse backgrounds to feel more comfortable in the workplace, which fosters creativity and collaboration and increases employee retention. By correcting power and privilege imbalances, DEI programs help create more equitable and productive work environments for all employees. Arguing in favor of the resolution is Rebekah Wanic. She’s a social psychologist, leadership coach and author Arguing against the resolution is Diya Khanna. She’s a Diversity Equity Inclusion strategist, consultant, and facilitator. The host of this podcast is Rudyard Griffiths Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to [email protected]. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice start the show with the biggest geopolitical news of the week: the Biden administration gave Ukraine the green light to use American long range missiles to attack deep into Russia, which was met with an unprecedented Russian response. How significant is this escalation? Why, in his final 60 days of a lame duck presidency, is Biden so willing to take such risks? Are they setting up Donald Trump and putting him in a position where he can't cut a deal between Russia and Ukraine? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn to the other big geopolitical news of the week: the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense Minister Yoav Gallant. How will this affect Israel and its standing internationally? And as a co-creator of the court, does Canada have a responsibility to abide by this warrant should Netanyahu land on Canadian soil? And finally, what damage is this doing to the validity and legitimacy of these international institutions? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice open the show reflecting on Trump's eye-popping appointments to key positions in government. What happened to the importance of competence, merit, and experience when assigning the most important roles within the federal government? Rudyard and Janice then turn to Elon Musk, who this week was taking calls with the Ukrainian president and meeting with senior Iranian officials. How can we make sense of Elon's role in the Trump administration, given that he is the largest single contractor to the US government? And finally, can other institutions outside of Washington hold the line as the Trump team takes a wrecking ball to everything in their path? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

It’s America’s greatest unsolved murder: who shot JFK? On the 60th anniversary of the Warren Commission, we debate who was really behind the assassination of the 35th President of the United States. One one side of this debate is the lone gunman theory, the U.S. government’s official statement supported by the Warren Commission's findings. Proponents of this theory argue that shooter Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, without any assistance or interference from outside actors. On the other side are the impassioned theorists who point to doctored evidence and eyewitness accounts as proof that there is more to the story. Whether it was a second gunman on the grassy knoll, the mob avenging an unsuccessful coup in Cuba, or an inside job by the CIA, too many suspicious coincidences lead to only one conclusion: Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone on that fateful day. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Gerald Posner. He’s an investigative journalist and the author of Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK. Arguing against the resolution is Dick Russell, author of On the Trail of the JFK Assassins: A Groundbreaking Look at America's Most Infamous Conspiracy. You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote. The host of this podcast episode is Ricki Gurwitz. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a paid Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

As Democrats are left wondering how their candidate could lose so badly, so decisively, to a man who is not only loathed by half the country but denounced by many of his former aides and cabinet members, there is one democratic strategist who predicted this long before Kamala was anointed as the party's nominee. Jeff Weaver was Bernie Sanders’s campaign manager in 2016 and a senior advisor to Senator Dean Phillips’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nominee just earlier this year. Jeff argues that the Harris campaign’s rallying cry - the idea Democracy itself was on the ballot this election - was a losing strategy, and they ignored the bread and butter issues that would have spoken to the electorate and helped propel Kamala Harris to victory. If Democrats don’t make serious changes to their policies and their messaging, they will face similar outcomes in the future. The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. On this week's edition of the Friday Focus podcast, Rudyard and Janice try to make sense of the events of this week as Democrats begin pointing fingers and blaming each other for their stunning defeat. How did they fail to recognize that people vote for issues like the economy and immigration, and not for democracy? This election was about the working class telling the bicoastal, white collar educated elites to take a hike. In the second half of the show, Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to the Middle East, where the Iranian government has threatened to attack Israel for a third time in twelve months, marking a serious escalation between the two countries. How will the Iranians exploit the lame duck period before Donald Trump takes over on January 20th? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

On this special edition of the Friday Focus podcast, Rudyard and Janice react to the election of Donald Trump. Voters this time around knew who Trump was and voted for him anyway. Rudyard sees this as significant a vote as Brexit: voters are fed up with the elite and showing their discontent at the ballot box. The Democratic Party needs to figure out how to reconnect with the working class, Hispanic, and Black communities, all of which they lost in droves last night. And which countries and world leaders stand to benefit and lose from last night's election outcome? Rudyard and Janice asses the upcoming fortunes and misfortunes of Ukraine, Russia, Iran, China, and Israel. And finally, in Canada: how will Trump's victory affect the political aspirations of Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau?

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice open the show with analysis of where the candidates stand as we enter the final stretch of this US election campaign. Rudyard believes Trump is positioned to squeak out a win thanks to the importance of the electoral college over the popular vote. And at a time of increased distrust of mainstream media, how and when will a winner be declared? How will a win be certified if there are challenges from the other party? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to Ukraine, where North Korean troops are aiding the Russian army's offensive. How much of an escalation is this development, and can untested North Korean troops really make a difference in this war? We are seeing the restructuring of alliances because of the Ukraine War, and a future where the threats in the Middle East and Asia are linked with the threats in Asia. In the final moments of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the Ayatollah of Iran instructing his military to prepare for a counter strike on Israel for hitting its military targets - a surprise development that much of the foreign policy community did not expect. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Israel’s retaliatory air strikes against Iran last week targeted strategic military locations, including drone and ballistic missile manufacturing sites as well as air defense batteries. And while the mission has been celebrated as a successful one by both Israeli and US military officials, some argue that Israel should seize on the current moment – specifically the inability of Iran to defend itself against a large scale attack - to destroy its nuclear facilities, neutralize the threat to Israel, and restore stability to the Middle East. Critics argue that this plan would result in a significant military retaliation by the Iranian government that will lead to a wider regional war that will draw in Israel’s allies, in particular the United States. America must use all the resources and influences at its disposal to prevent Israel from further strikes against Iran and de-escalate this crisis before it’s too late. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Mark Dubowitz. Mark is the CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a non-profit, non-partisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. Arguing against the resolution is Christopher Chivvis, senior fellow and director of the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote. The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Paid Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, streaming of our upcoming debates, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. As we enter into the final stretch of one of the most consequential presidential elections in US history, Janice and Rudyard disregard the often inaccurate polls to make their own predictions about who will win on November 5th. Regardless of the revelations about his personal character, the state of inflation, immigration, and the economy is fueling his resilience in this race. How will the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and China - currently stalled due to the upcoming election - start heating up again post November 5th? And how will the winner - Harris or Trump - affect these geopolitical conflicts and the global economy? To wrap up today's show Rudyard and Janice discuss the revelations being made by Trump's former high ranking officials John Kelley and Mark Milley about his embrace of fascism and why voters should take their warnings seriously. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

The release of the country album “Cowboy Carter” by Beyoncé this spring caused some surprising controversy. Some complained Beyoncé, who is Black, shouldn’t be dabbling in what many consider a white music genre. At least one radio station in Oklahoma initially refused to play the album’s first single, “Texas Hold’em.” Her supporters pointed out that Black Americans have a rich history in country music and cowboy culture. But the incident raised the issue of cultural appropriation: The stealing from one culture by another. Some say that “imitation is the best form of flattery” and that cultures borrowing from each other only enriches us all. Others argue that while different cultures will always be inspired by and borrow elements from each other, there are times when borrowing crosses the line into theft. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Monica Harris. She is a TEDx speaker, blogger, and author of The Illusion of Division. She is also Executive Director of the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to bridging the ideological divide in America by focusing on shared values and interests. Arguing against the resolution is Nadra Nittle. She is a reporter for The 19th News, and has also written for Vox.com, the Los Angeles News Group, and many others. Her books include “Toni Morrison’s Spiritual Vision” and “Recognizing Microaggressions.” Free Munk Members can vote on who they think won this debate on our website, www.munkdebates.com SOURCES: Beyonce The host of this Munk Debates podcast is Ricki Gurwtiz To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to [email protected]. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Producer: Daniel Kitts Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice open the show with the big news of the week: the death of Yahya Sinwar. How significant is his death to the current conflict? How will Israel's allies and adversaries take advantage of this moment to get a framework in place for Gaza's future? Can Israel convert their string of tactical victories to a strategic success? Meanwhile, with Iran suffering loss after loss and desperate to save face, it would be foolhardy to assume that because Sinwar is dead the danger is over. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to the US election. With only twenty days to go, their focus is on Donald Trump's fixation with tariffs that would likely become a key part of American fiscal policy should he win in November. Rudyard and Janice worry that his skewed understanding of tariffs will increase inflation and have devastating consequences on the American economy and particularly the working class he so famously champions. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Today's episode begins with the disagreement between Israel and the US about how Israel should retaliate against Iran. While the US is trying to scale the response back to a series of limited strikes, Israel has waited for a long time to go after Iran - their biggest strategic threat - in a serious and meaningful way. Will they ever have a better moment? What targets will they go after? And will it be a conventional military response or a more covert operation? In the second half of the show Janice marvels at the groundbreaking research of University of Toronto's Geoffrey Hinton - this year's recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics - that developed deep neural networks, without which there would be no ChatGPT. His work has and will revolutionize every part of our existence. Janice argues that Canadian universities are not getting the financial support their world class researchers so desperately need. Why isn't Canada supporting their centres of excellence? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

For those who have been following the chaos unfolding in the Middle East since October 7th, Dan Senor needs no introduction. A former political foreign policy adviser and a bestselling author, Dan’s popular podcast, Call Me Back, has kept listeners engaged week in and week out by offering unique insight, analysis, and up to date commentary on Israel’s many battle fronts, from the physical wars being waged on its borders, to the inter-Israeli struggles being fought in the Knesset and military, to the increasingly tense relationship between Israel and its western allies - specifically the United States. This Munk Dialogue covers a lot of ground: how Israel is still grappling with the aftermath of October 7th, the Biden administration's tepid support of Israel's offensive, and whether Israel should seize on the momentum of the past few weeks to strike Iran and take out the regime representing the most serious and dangerous threat to its existence. The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

The fatal stabbing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport, England set off one of the worst periods of unrest across the UK. Mobs motivated by racial and religious hatred attacked hotels housing migrants and set buildings across the country on fire. The riots exposed an underlying anger at mass migration that has divided the nation. Left wing activists argue that migrants should be welcomed with open arms. They contribute more to the public purse than native born Britons, provide a much-needed influx of labour to an aging population, and are being unfairly targeted for a breakdown in social services by local governments. Others argue that while mobs and rioting should never be tolerated, the anger driving this unrest has merit. Mass, uncontrolled, low-skill, and low-wage immigration weakens the economy, puts a strain on the UK’s social safety net, and weakens its social fabric and cultural identity. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Ash Sarkar. She’s a British journalist, a senior editor at Novara Media, and a political activist. Arguing against the resolution is Matthew Goodwin. He’s a British academic, pollster, and author of one of UK's biggest Substacks: mattgoodwin.org The host of this Munk Debates podcast episode is Rudyard Griffiths Free Members can vote on who they think won this debate on our website www.munkdebates.com. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. On today's Friday Focus we find ourselves in a shape shifting moment with major escalations taking place in the Middle East. How can Israel and Iran back down from this back and forth show of force? Meanwhile there is strong support in Israel for a forceful counter-attack on Iran. The presence of Hezbollah along Israel's northern border that had prevented Israel from striking Iran is now severely degraded. Is it time for Israel to take out Tehran's nuclear program? In the second half of the show, Rudyard and Janice discuss the US response. The Biden administration, worried about what an Israel attack in Iran will do to oil prices, is desperately searching for an option that allows Israel to respond in the least escalatory way possible. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Israelis are reeling from a massive Iranian ballistic missile attack which forced over 10 million people to take cover in bomb shelters and threatened to pull both countries into an open war. How will Israel respond to this attack? Can they restore deterrence in the region? And will they have the support of the US and other western nations? To make sense of the events of the last few days, and its impact on the collective Israeli psyche, we’re joined again on the program by Yossi Klein Halevi. Yossi is a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and the author of the New York Times bestseller, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor. The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, ticketing privileges to our live events, and a charitable tax receipt (Canadian residents). This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Today's Friday Focus begins with Benjamin Netayahu''s decision to push forward in Israel's war with Hezbollah. Why is he antagonizing Washington by changing his mind on their proposal for a ceasefire? Janice asks the same question she did when the war in Gaza first started: what is the endgame in Lebanon? What is the strategy? Rudyard wants to know why the Biden administration is urgeing Israel to de-escalate their wars but paradoxically is providing weapons to Ukraine to escalate their battle with Russia. Why is Israel not getting the same support and consideration being afforded to Ukraine? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice discuss the ongoing deliberations by western countries about whether to provide long range missiles to Ukraine to strike inside Russia, which has prompted Putin to rephrase Russia's nuclear doctrine and lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. The hosts worry that we are sleeping on an issue which has the potential to blow up in the most destructive way possible. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

On this Munk Dialogue we are talking about an academic theory that has become ubiquitous with criticism of Israel and to a larger extent, the West. Adam Kirsch is an editor at the Wall Street Journal and his new book, On Settler Colonialism: Ideology, Violence, and Justice, explains how this concept - which was once relegated to the halls of academia - has spilled out into the public sphere and is now shaping the way many young people understand history. He argues that the modern concept of settler colonialism has become a dangerous ideology which seeks to avenge past injustices rather than trying to reconcile them. And he explains why Israel has become an easy target for protesters who view the world through this particular lens. The host of this Munk Dialogue is Ricki Gurwitz Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Today's show is all about Israel's pager and walkie talkie attacks on Hezbollah members in Lebanon. Rudyard argues that you can't continuously fire rockets at civilian neighbourhoods in northern Israel without expecting a response. But Hezboallah is not Hamas: its army has a vast and sophisticated weapons arsenal that has the potential to overwhelm Israel's defense capabilities. Janice and Rudyard disagree over Iran's level of influence over Hamas and Hezbollah. Are they puppets of Tehran, or partners with similar objectives? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice discuss the long term global ramifications of using this type of advanced technology in warfare. How does international law apply? Both worry that in the age of AI, civilian infrastructure has become part of the battlefield and anybody with access to code can weaponise everything from our phones to our fridges. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Thanks to their sheer numbers, Baby Boomers have always had an outsize effect on politics and policy. When they were young and liberal, society became more liberal. As they got older and more conservative, conservatism made a comeback. So, given their power over the decades, how much blame do Boomers deserve for society’s current problems? Many younger people look at the political and economic choices Boomers have made over the course of their lives, and they see a selfish generation that has taken care of itself at the expense of everyone else. They point to many examples: Housing policy that has increased Boomer wealth but left homes out of reach for young people; governments that opened up the coffers when Boomers were in school but now cry poor, leaving today’s students riddled with debt; and a purging of the planet's resources that has accelerated the effects of climate change. But Boomers are fighting back against the attacks on their record. Many of them argue that their critics conveniently forget some of the challenges Boomers faced when they were young and life back then wasn’t nearly as rosy as millennials seem to think. Boomers fought hard for social and political changes that today’s youth take for granted. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Eric Lombardi. He's an opinion writer and contributor to The Hub and the Toronto Star. Arguing against the resolution is Sean O’Grady. He is the Associate Editor of the Independent UK, where he writes editorials and columns about politics and economics. SOURCES: MSNBC, Five-Thirty-Eight The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths Vote on who you think won this debate on our website www.munkdebates.com. To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to [email protected]. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 50+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Producer: Daniel Kitts Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice dedicate the entire Friday Focus episode to the very dangerous showdown taking place between Putin and the West. In what could be the tipping point in the war in Ukraine, western powers are contemplating giving Ukraine permission to use their long range missiles to strike deep within Russia. Rudyard and Janice worry that in Zelensky's desperation he is forgetting that nuclear powers like Russia get to play by different rules to restore credible deterrence. Is the West prepared to enter into a NATO-Russia war? And why are western leaders not taking these potentially civilization-ending decisions with the seriousness they require? And finally, how did get to this dangerous precipice of history? In an era of dual use technology, we would all benefit from less hubris and more humility. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Following the execution of six Israeli hostages in Gaza, Israeli protesters are demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree to a cease-fire deal that would guarantee the release of the remaining hostages. The deal on the table, however, would force Israel to concede to Hamas’s central demand: that the IDF withdraw from the Philadlphi Corridor which separates Gaza from Egypt. Those calling for a ceasefire argue that saving the remaining hostages should be the highest priority for Israel, which can always re-occupy the corridor in the future should it present another security risk. Others argue that Benjamin Netanyahu is right and any deal that allows Hamas to retake this essential strip – whose tunnels operate as the supply line for weapons being smuggled into Gaza – presents a major security risk that Israel cannot tolerate. Striking a deal now will allow Hamas to recapture Gaza and guarantee that this war, which has cost too many lives on both sides of the border, will soon have to be fought again. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Barak Medina, a Professor of Human Rights Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Arguing against the resolution is Gadi Taub. He’s an Israeli historian, author, political commentator, and co-host of the popular Tablet Magazine podcast, Israel Update. The host of this Munk Debates podcast episode is Rudyard Griffiths Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to [email protected]. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice start off the show talking about the significant judicial reforms underway in Mexico, and why they will affect Canada and our important trade agreements. On the second half of the show they turn to Canadian politics where the NDP, under the leadership of Jagmeet Singh, have ended their supply agreement with the Liberal government which had been keeping Justin Trudeau's party in power. Is this move setting us up for a federal election? In Ukraine a reorganization of Zelensky's cabinet has caught westerners off guard and is raising eyebrows about the timing of this shuffle. Rudyard and Janice round out the show by discussing Putin's decision to change his nuclear doctrine. Will this increase the scope of the country's nuclear deterrence, thereby increasing the risk that these dangerous weapons will be used? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Western societies have never been more divided. As the election race heats up in the US, both parties are accusing the other of being a threat to democracy. Meanwhile, years of mass migration into Europe is giving far right parties more power than they have had in decades, and mass riots in the UK have exposed a deep-seated anger that is dividing the nation. Our guest on this Munk Dialogue has a unique insight into these unfolding conflicts. Ayaan Hirsi Ali was born in Somalia where, as a young girl, she grew up in a strict Islamist society that relegated women to second class citizens. At 23, she fled to the Netherlands and claimed asylum to escape a forced marriage. Once there, she worked her way up from being a janitor to earning a Master’s degree in Political Science and serving as an elected member of the Dutch Parliament, where she campaigned to raise awareness of violence against women. She has since become a fierce champion of Western values, especially on issues relating to liberty for women and free speech. Ayaan worries that the authoritarian principles which governed the Somalia of her childhood are showing up in popular leftist movements across the US. She also blames those same leftwing movements in Europe for mass migration and what she calls “the clash of civilizations”. The host of the Munk Debates podcast is Rudyard Griffiths Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Rudyard and Janice start off the show with news out of the Middle East, specifically Israel's incursion into the West Bank to thwart planned terror attacks. How will its aggressive approach to external threats further harm its relationship with western allies? Next Rudyard and Janice discuss what Kamala Harris's foreign policy agenda will look like if she were to win November's election. Without a lot of experience abroad, they are predicting something close to Obama and Biden's doctrine: American power blended with prudence. In the back half of the show Rudyard and Janice anticipate the Liberal Party's next steps as Parliament is set to resume. Will a drop in inflation and a likely interest rate cut improve their low polling numbers? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

While the war between Russia and Ukraine drags into its third year and out of the front pages of newspapers, some surprising developments in recent months are giving experts new cause for concern. The US, which has already supplied over fifty billion dollars worth of military aid and weapons to Kiev, has signaled that it is open to sending long-range cruise missiles to enhance the capabilities of Ukraine’s newly acquired F-16 fighter jets. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s army caught Russia off guard this summer with a surprise incursion into the western Russian territory of Kursk. Putin’s response so far has been more muted than expected. Our guest on this Munk Dialogue is sounding the alarm. Dmitri Trenin, a member of Russia’s Foreign and Defense Policy Council, is warning western leaders not to confuse Putin’s silence with tolerance. On the contrary, he argues: we are on a path of direct collision between two superpowers who are unwilling to back down. Once two many Russian red lines are crossed, the use of nuclear weapons will be inevitable. The host of the Munk Debates podcast is Rudyard Griffiths Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. Janice and Rudyard start the show by reflecting on the DNC convention and Kamala Harris's ability to speak to a generation of voters via social media. While she might be light on policy she's heavy on "vibes" - will this help her in a race that is a lot tighter than people might realize? In the second half of the show Janice and Rudyard address the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas and why much of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's efforts over the past week have been a performative diplomatic relations exercise with the objective of getting through the DNC without any major strikes. Whether a deal is finally agreed upon will likely come down to the personal calculations of two men: Yahya Sinwar and Benjamin Netanyahu. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Israel is facing an existential crisis on all fronts. A devastating war in Gaza. Nonstop rocket attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon. Drone attacks from the Houthis in Yemen. And the very real possibility of a full scale war with Iran that could break out at any moment. And yet, the man who has led Israel through one of its most tumultuous periods in its 76 year existence, Benjamin Netanyahu, maintains that he alone is the person who can keep the country safe. Bibi’s supporters argue that Israel’s longest serving Prime Minister is the best leader for Israel at this moment. His political and wartime experience coupled with a diplomatic savviness gives him the tools necessary to navigate both the physical wars on Israel’s borders and the increasingly tense relationship with allies and adversaries abroad. To his detractors, Bibi’s failure in leadership created the conditions for the Hamas attack, and in his desperation to stay in office he has pandered to the extremists in his coalition, harming world opinion and undermining Israel’s security and its relationship with its most important ally, the United States. For the sake of Israel’s survival, safety, and security, they argue, Bibi must go. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Ruthie Blum. Ruthie is a columnist at Jewish News Syndicate and most recently she served as an adviser in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. Arguing against the resolution is Avraham Burg. Avraham has served in a variety of high profile public positions in Israel, including as member of the Labor Party, Speaker of the Knesset, and Chairman of the Jewish Agency. The host of this Munk Debates podcast episode is Ricki Gurwitz. Become a free member and vote on who you think won this debate at www.munkdebates.com To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. On this week's Friday Focus, Janice and Rudyard talk about resumed negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas with pressure on both sides to finally come to an agreement, or risk an all out war in the Middle East. If a deal is reached, Iran will claim victory and use it to gain support throughout the Arab world. Why is Netanyahu going against the advice of his military leaders and the will of Israelis by continuing the war in Gaza? In the second half of the show, Janice and Rudyard discuss Russia scrambling to contain the Ukrainian military incursion into their territory. Janice believes Putin's response is more muted than we would have expected in large part because he is afraid to acknowledge this embarrassing miscalculation. There are two likely scenarios moving forward: either both sides are getting ready for negotiations, or one side will push the other too far, the consequences of which could be catastrophic. To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Within hours of Joe Biden’s announcement that he was bowing out of the presidential race Kamala Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee. With the full weight of the Democratic party behind her and no opposition to speak of, VP Harris has been awarded the top ticket that proved so elusive to her four years ago. To her supporters, she is uniquely qualified to beat President Trump in November. Her prosecutorial debate skills, experience in the White House, and diverse background has excited voters and attracted moderates who were growing tired of Joe Biden. To her detractors, she is the same Kamala who flamed out early in the 2020 Democratic primaries, was a deeply unpopular Vice President, has an awkward stage presence, no real policy platform, and is too liberal to appeal to swing voters. In anointing Kamala Harris without any real contest, they argue, the DNC has hitched their wagon to an untested candidate who will all but guarantee a Donald Trump victory in November. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Cheri Jacobus, a nationally-recognized political strategist, pundit and writer whose podcast, Politics with Cheri Jacobus, covers all the news coming out of Washington. Arguing against the resolution is Elizabeth Nolan Brown, the Senior Editor of Reason Magazine. The host of this Munk Debates podcast episode is Rudyard Griffiths. Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to [email protected]. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus. As Israel waits for a response from Tehran following the assisination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Rudyard and Janice discuss the possibility of a last minute ceasefire deal and whether a Haris/Waltz win in the US would deter Iran's nuclear ambitions and bring more stability to the region. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the surprising Ukrainian incursion into Russia. Can this morale booster for a beleaguered Ukrainian army turn the tide of this war?The final topic of today's show addresses a tale of two dictators: Bangladesh's autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina Wazed has been forced out, while Venezuela's Nicholas Maduro cracks down on dissent after fraudulent elections. How was one dictator able to hold on to power, while the other was forced to flee? To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue. More information at www.munkdebates.com.

If you're a new parent, you've probably heard the term 'gentle parenting'. It's the latest trend that has taken hold among millennials who reject the authoritative principles under which they themselves were raised. This new, softer approach discourages consequences and punishments for bad behaviour in favour of positive reinforcement and a focus on the feelings and emotions which are driving bad behaviour. Proponents of gentle parenting argue that this approach is the most effective way to raise kids: emotionally-focused parenting raises calmer, happier children with increased self-esteem, emotional regulation, more empathy, and stronger parent-child relationships. Furthermore, research shows that kids who are frequently punished don't end up being better behaved. Gentle Parenting’s critics argue that this approach relies on emotion as a substitute for authority and does not prepare kids for the real world where actions have consequences. Too much emotional self-awareness in childhood has resulted in high rates of anxiety and depression in young adults who cannot put aside emotions in order to carry out basic daily tasks. Arguing in favour of the resolution is Sarah Ockwell Smith. Sarah is a well known parenting expert and popular childcare author, who is widely recognized as being the founder of the gentle parenting movement. Arguing against the resolution is Anna Lussenburg, a professional child care and family intervention specialist. The host of this Munk Debates podcast episode is Ricki Gurwitz. Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to [email protected]. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch

“We will continue to support Ukraine on its irreversible path to NATO membership”. It was this statement by NATO members at a recent summit in Washington that sent shockwaves through the foreign policy community and elicited strong reactions from both sides of this foreign policy debate. Those in favour argue that bringing Ukraine into NATO would solidify the West’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security, force Putin’s hand to end this war, and deter Russia from invading Ukraine in the future. Critics argue that admitting Ukraine to NATO would be a huge mistake. The US and its allies would be signalling a commitment to fight Russia should they invade Ukraine again which would lead to a showdown between the world’s two leading nuclear powers. And allowing Ukraine to join the alliance only at the conclusion of this war will motivate Putin continue the war indefinitely, the prospect from which Ukraine will never recover. Arguing in favour of the resolution is John Herbst, a former US ambassador to Ukraine and the Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. Arguing against the resolution is Benjamin Friedman, the policy director at Defense Priorities, a foreign policy think tank. SOURCES: Al Jazeera, New York Post The host of this Munk Debates podcast episode is Rudyard Griffiths. Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/ To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to [email protected]. To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch