Graduate Institute What Matters Today

In this episode, we unpack the recent 12-day confrontation between Iran and Israel and ask: Will the ceasefire last? We explore who’s gaining from the current unrest—and who’s paying the price. We also look at what could follow if the Islamic Republic were to fall: What political or social alternatives might emerge? What would that mean for the region, for global powers, and for the future of U.S.-Iran diplomacy? Our guest today is Clément Therme, an alumnus, and former visiting lecturer here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

In today’s episode, we explore the layered and often turbulent history of Kashmir. From the final days of British colonial rule to the first war between India and Pakistan, the roots of the conflict run deep. We'll trace how early decisions and territorial disputes shaped the region’s divided identity and laid the groundwork for decades of tension. As we move through the Cold War era and beyond, we’ll examine how global politics, rising militancy, and evolving strategies from New Delhi have influenced the trajectory of Kashmir. With recent events like the violence in Pahalgam and the Modi government’s response, we ask: how did we get here, and what lies ahead for this deeply contested region? Our guest today is Gopalan Balachandran, Co-Director, Albert Hirschman Centre On Democracy and Honorary Professor of International History and Politics here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

In this episode, we turn our focus to the United States, where President Donald Trump has ignited a wave of executive actions targeting gender rights. From policies cloaked in the language of “protecting women” to legislation that could restrict voter access for trans and gender-diverse individuals, these developments raise urgent questions about democracy, identity, and power. To help us unpack the historical roots and global implications of these policies, we're joined by Claire Somerville, Executive Director of the Gender Centre here at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Together, we’ll explore how gender is being politicised, what’s at stake for marginalised communities, and how similar debates are unfolding beyond U.S. borders.

In this episode, we will explore the significance of academic freedom, the challenges it faces globally, and the ways in which researchers and academics can defend and promote this essential liberty. We'll also discuss the broader implications of restricting academic freedom on society and our understanding of various phenomena. Our guest today is Julie Billaud, an Associate Professor of anthropology and sociology here at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Julie is an anthropologist with a background in socio-legal studies. She is also the co-founder and one of the editors of Allegra Lab and is the co-convener of LAWNET (the Network for the Anthropology of Law, Rights and Governance) and a member of the Working Group on Human Rights and Academic Freedom of the European Association of Social Anthropology.

In this episode, we explore the multifaceted challenges and strategies of one of the most influential nations on the global stage: China. We'll examine the evolving relationship between China and the United States, highlighting key moments and decisions that have impacted their interactions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial to grasping the broader implications for global politics and economics. Our guest for this episode is Jan Francis Kiely, Senior Lecturer, International History and Politics here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.Jan is a historian of modern China particularly interested in aspects of religion, social morality, law, justice, conflict and its resolutions in the twentieth century. He comes to the Institute from the Chinese University of Hong Kong where he was Professor and Director of the Center for China Studies.

In this episode, we'll explore the key moves made by Trump in regions such as the Middle East, Ukraine, Europe, and Latin America. We'll examine how these actions reflect his broader "America First" doctrine, highlighting common themes and strategies that underpin his decisions across these diverse regions. We'll also take a historical perspective, comparing Trump's foreign policy actions to those of previous U.S. presidents. We'll also look at global reactions to Trump's policies and their impact on international relations. Our guest for this episode is Cyrus Schayegh, Professor and Chair of the International History and Politics Department here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

In this episode, we dive into the intricate world of tariffs, focusing on the measures implemented by Donald Trump. We'll explore the rationale behind these tariff increases, comparing them to historical precedents in U.S. history. Our discussion will cover the direct and indirect impacts on the U.S. economy, including effects on growth, employment, and consumer prices. We'll also examine China's retaliatory actions and their potential consequences for trade relations and the Chinese economy. Additionally, we'll consider the broader economic repercussions for other affected countries, such as Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, and discuss how these tariff measures might influence global trade and the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Our guest for this episode is Johannes Boehm, Professor of International Economics here at the Geneva Graduate Institute and also a research fellow of CEPR (London) and CEP, LSE. He conducts research and teaches on topics related to international trade, industrial development, growth, firms, as well as on macroeconomics and environmental economics.

In this episode, Gian Luca Burci discusses the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) under President Donald Trump, examining the reasons cited in the executive order and its broader ramifications. The conversation covers the legal, financial, and political complexities of this decision, including its impact on global health initiatives, particularly in Africa. The guest also explores potential repercussions of the withdrawal on U.S. influence within the WHO, the challenges faced by international health governance in Geneva, and the possible role of China in filling the void left by the U.S. retreat. The episode concludes with a reflection on the resilience of American democracy amid these changes.

In this episode, we examine a report entitled An Israeli/Palestinian Federation: An Alternative Approach to Peace This report challenges the viability of the two-state solution for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and proposes a federal approach as a new path forward. You can find a link to the report in the episode description. In this episode we'll discuss the resistance to this idea and uncover the primary barriers to its acceptance among both Israelis and Palestinians. Our conversation will also address how this federation could tackle the contentious issues of Israeli settlements and the right of return for Palestinian refugees, aiming for solutions that are acceptable to both sides. Furthermore, we'll explore the crucial role of the international community in facilitating this transition. Our guests for this episode are the authors of this report, Riccardo Bocco and Nigel Roberts. Riccardo Bocco is emeritus professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the Geneva Graduate Institute. His main geographical area of fieldwork for the last 35 years has been the Near East with a particular focus on Jordan, Israel/Palestine and Lebanon. He has successively worked on issues of development policies and State-building; on humanitarian aid and refugees; and monitoring the impact of international aid on civilian populations. Nigel Roberts spent 14 years working on the Olso peace process for the World Bank, the last five as World Bank Country Director in Jerusalem. He was the co-director of the 2011 World Development Report on Conflict, Security and Development, and from 2015-18 was the Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board for the UN Peace Building Fund. From April to December 2020, he was a senior adviser to the US Congress-mandated Afghanistan Peace Process Study Group. He is a senior research associate at the Overseas Development Institute, London. One of the key reasons Riccardo and Nigel collaborated is their complementary expertise. Nigel, a political economist, and Riccardo, a political sociologist, brought together unique perspectives that were essential for achieving their final product. You can download the report here: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/sites/internet/files/2024-12/Report_Palestine-Israel_161224_Final.pdf *Please note that this episode was recorded remotely over mobile phones, so you may notice some variations in audio quality. We appreciate your understanding and hope you enjoy the discussion.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of gender and politics in the context of Donald Trump's re-election. Our guest, Dr. Nicole Bourbonnais, Associate Professor of International History and Politics and Co-Director of the Gender Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute, offers her insights on how gender dynamics influenced the election outcomes. We discuss the significance of Susie Wiles' appointment as the first woman White House Chief of Staff and the broader implications of Trump's women cabinet picks. Additionally, we examine the impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade on the gender voting gap and its effects on the election results. Dr. Bourbonnais also shares her perspectives on the potential international repercussions of Trump's election for gender dynamics and what we can expect from gender equality advocates during his second term. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that sheds light on the critical role of gender in contemporary politics.