Deeper Look

We are now in our third year of living with Coronavirus, and with infection rates of the highly contagious Omicron variant surging worldwide, we are facing more challenges. In the US, President Biden has announced that more at-home COVID tests and high-quality masks will be made available for all in an effort to keep businesses and schools to open. But, will these health measures go far enough to bring Omicron under control? Epidemiologist Jay Varma shares his view.

Since the Coronavirus emerged, it has mutated into 5 concerning strains, with the most recent variant, Omicron, spreading globally at an alarming rate. And experts say it is not a matter of if but when future infectious disease outbreaks will occur. So, what lessons have we learned from the past few years, and how can countries and international organizations be better prepared for future pandemics? Epidemiologist Jay Varma returns to the show to offer insights.

Silicon Valley in Northern California has long been the global center of the biggest tech companies. A hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship, the region attracts hundreds of startup firms and is home to one of the largest concentrations of venture capital in the US. What are the secrets to its astounding success? And with growing competition from China, how can Silicon Valley maintain its number one status as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship? Margaret O'Mara shares her perspective.

Data indicates that there has been a nearly 30% increase in drug overdose deaths in the US during a 12-month period between 2020-2021. How much of this alarming increase is related to the pandemic, and could the disruptions caused by COVID-19 provide an opportunity to rethink the US's approach to drug treatment and policy. Nora Volkow joins us from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

For 2 decades, the US has been battling an unprecedented opioid epidemic. Fueled mainly by a precipitous rise in legal prescriptions for highly addictive painkillers, the number of opioid deaths in the US now has reached half a million. Experts warn that if we don't take more effective action, these potent opioids could kill millions more. Nora Volkow of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse joins us again for a deeper look at this issue.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the great disruptor of our time, upending our lives and changing the world economy. One impact we are currently experiencing is rising inflation as the costs of goods and services increase. Furthermore, global debt is at its highest in half a century, while the gap between rich and developing countries continues to widen. World Bank Chief Economist Carmen Reinhart joins us to put these issues in perspective.

On February 24 2022, the world as we know it, changed forever. Russia began an unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Angela Stent, Senior Fellow of Brookings Institute, who has been watching Russia for more than 40 years analyzes what's behind President Putin's invasion.

It has been more than a month since Russia invaded Ukraine, with no end in sight to the conflict. While the US and the West continue to support Ukraine with military aid and sanctions against Russia, these measures have not deterred Russia from moving forward with its assault. With no sign of Russian readiness to end the hostilities at the diplomatic table, what options do the US and NATO have left to end the crisis? Charles Kupchan joins us to share his insights.

As the fighting continues in Ukraine, millions of civilian refugees are fleeing Ukraine for neighboring countries and other parts of Europe. Meanwhile, the US and their NATO allies remain united in their stance against Russian aggression, but how far are they willing to go, and to what extent has the conflict weakened Russia and Putin's standing in the world? Political Scientist Ian Bremmer breaks down the current situation and looks at the risks the crisis could bring to the rest of the world.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, 30-years of European peace and stability was shattered. While most nations condemned Russia's actions, China claims to have taken a neutral stance. However, China has criticized sanctions levied against Russia and implied that they are Russia's ally. So, should the West be concerned about the growing Sino-Russian relationship, and could the partnership further destabilize the global order? Ian Bremmer returns to offer his analysis.

Renowned author and expert on international politics Francis Fukuyama, made several predictions on the outcome of the Russian-Ukraine conflict a few weeks into the invasion. Based on his own experiences in Ukraine, Fukuyama explains why he believes that Russia is "headed for outright defeat" and "sudden collapse" in Ukraine. Looking at more recent developments, we asked Fukuyama how he thinks the conflict will end.

Authoritarianism, right-wing regimes and populist movements have been sweeping the globe while liberal democracies, including some of the biggest, like the US and India, are deteriorating. With Russia's invasion, Ukrainians may not only be defending their people and homeland but also democratic values and national sovereignty, a fight relevant to the world. Francis Fukuyama returns to discuss the growing global struggle between authoritarian government and democracy.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many foreign policy experts thought Russia would dominate and the conflict would be short-lived. But with the combination of a weakened Russian military, the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and support from the West, the conflict is drawing out longer than expected. With a negotiated outcome unlikely, Richard Haass offers his views on how the West should prepare for a prolonged battle and bring an end to the crisis.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, polls released by Russia's leading independent pollster show Putin's approval ratings hit 80%. What is driving these ratings and how long will they last? And with increased sanctions and the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, how do ordinary Russian citizens view the crisis, and how are they coping with their daily lives? We asked Moscow-based journalist Andrei Kolesnikov about the current mood in Russia and whether Putin could lose his people's support.

Vladimir Putin has maintained a tight control of Russia for over 2 decades. But now, with the so-called "special operation" or the invasion of Ukraine, is the support of Russian citizens and politicians shifting, and how much longer can Putin remain in power? Moscow-based journalist Andrei Kolesnikov discusses what will stop Putin's invasion and what hopes are there for Russia and its people after the country emerges from the conflict.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused alarming security concerns across Europe, prompting some countries to increase defense spending while other previously neutral and non-aligned nations said they would consider NATO membership. So, what will it take to bring stability back to Europe, and how can the US help bring peace to the region? US-Russian affairs expert Thomas Graham shares his insights.

Global wheat prices have hit record highs, and port closures have disrupted grain exports, further consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Supply shortages are also increasing food insecurity in poorer countries, many of which are already suffering high hunger levels because of the pandemic. How much worse will the global food crisis get, and what can be done to mitigate its impact around the world? Caitlin Welsh shares her insights.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is reverberating across the world. In the Asia-Pacific, China continues to standby its "no limits" friendship with Russia, while some countries aligned with the US and the West and others have had to weigh their interests carefully and choose sides. Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd analyzes the complexities surrounding the Asian-Pacific countries' responses to the ongoing conflict and breaks down its impact on the future balance of power in the region.

The Chinese Communist Party is likely to re-elect its current leader President Xi Jinping for a historic third term at the Party Congress scheduled later this year. What changes could we see in China's diplomatic and security strategies if Xi Jinping's leadership continues, and what is his vision for China? Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd weighs in on how the US and other democratic countries should deal with China under Xi Jinping to maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Russia-Ukraine crisis has been a stark reminder to the world that nuclear weapons could be used in war. Early in the conflict, President Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert and warned the West not to underestimate the risk of a nuclear conflict over Ukraine. How much of a threat is nuclear proliferation, and how can we mitigate the risk of nuclear war? Former US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller offers her expert insights.

NATO's 30 member states, along with partner countries in the Asia-Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, will gather in Madrid, Spain, for an important summit. On the agenda will be discussions about how to deal with Russia's ongoing aggression toward Ukraine, NATO's responsibility for Europe's defense, and China's expanding influence in the Pacific. Former Deputy Secretary General of NATO Rose Gottemoeller analyzes the summit's significance and implications for future policy.

In the US, the Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, hit a 40-year record, prompting the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by 0.75%. Inflation, however, is a global economic problem and in recent weeks the costs of goods and services have been surging in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the developing world. What exactly is causing global inflation, and how can we tackle it? Economist Adam Posen offers his expert analysis and insights.

In the last months, we have been facing a severe global energy crisis, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine further straining global energy supply security and driving up prices. Many countries are now facing the need to ramp up production and buy fossil fuels, a strategy in stark contrast to promises to reduce carbon emissions. Former Assistant Secretary to the US Department of Energy Jonathan Elkind discusses how we can enhance energy and increase climate security.

On January 6, the world watched in shock as rioters stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to keep President Trump in power, threatening America's democratic system. This event was soon followed by the historic US Supreme Court decision to overturn constitutional rights to abortion after nearly 50 years. What is the future of US democracy, and can Americans overcome the deep divisions they face? Harvard University Constitutional Law Professor Laurence Tribe shares his insights.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan raised tensions in the Taiwan Strait as China held military drills and fired ballistic missiles that reached Japan's exclusive economic zone. What are the reasons behind Beijing's reactions, and what should the US's strategic position be towards Taiwan? China expert Bonnie Glaser discusses impact of these events and how the US and its Asia-Pacific allies can prepare for rising tensions over Taiwan.

In an aggressive bid to curb further inflation, the US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by 0.75 percentage point, for the third time in a row this year. While the hike centers on the US economy, it has widespread global implications prompting stock market declines and currency devaluations, particularly in Asia. JPMorgan Chase's Chief Economist and the Head of Global Economic Research, Bruce Kasman offers his analysis.

North Korea has ramped up its missile testing in 2022 and concerns are growing that North Korea may conduct a seventh nuclear test in the coming months, posing a threat to the world. What is the US strategy for denuclearizing North Korea, and how should countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Japan and South Korea, respond? Expert in Korean Peninsula and Japanese affairs, Bruce Klingner, offers his opinions.

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP27, will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, this November. With the increasing severity and frequency of weather-related disasters worldwide, COP27 is shaping up to be an important event. Global energy policy expert and veteran COP attendee David Sandalow shares his thoughts on which pressing issues will be at the forefront of the COP27 and what role the US and Japan are expected to play at the conference.

China is currently the largest emitter of carbon dioxide and is responsible for a quarter of the world's overall greenhouse gases. To tackle climate change, President Xi Jinping announced that China would aim for carbon neutrality by 2060. What is China's plan to decrease emissions, and how can the US and Japan cooperate with China to fight global warming? Climate policy expert David Sandalow shares his perspective on this critical issue.

China's President Xi Jinping has secured a historic third term as the nation's leader. At the National Congress of the Communist Party, he expressed his commitment to building China into a "great modern socialist country." What is Xi's vision for China, and how will the leadership bring back economic growth after strict COVID lockdowns? Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute, Daniel Russel shares his views.

During the last ten years of President Xi Jinping's rule, China's diplomatic style has shifted to a more aggressive approach that has intensified the deterioration of the US-China relationship. Now that President Xi has tightened his grip on power with a third term as leader, what is the future of China's foreign policy? Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute, Daniel Russel offers his insights.

Amid tensions between the US and China, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping met for an in-person summit in Bali, Indonesia for the first time since Biden became US President. In recent years issues related to the economy, trade and security concerns over Taiwan and the South China Sea have been closely watched, especially by US allies and Asia-Pacific nations. Former US National Security Council senior official specializing in Asia policy, Michael Green, offers his analysis.

China is Australia's largest trading partner. But China's political influence on Australian society and security concerns in the region are some issues that have been straining relations between the two nations in the last few years. So how will Australia's strategy toward an increasingly assertive China impact the Asia-Pacific geopolitical landscape? Michael Green, a former senior US National Security Council official specializing in Asia policy, shares his insights.

At the COP27 climate change summit this year, countries agreed to set up a fund to compensate vulnerable nations for climate-induced disasters. But, the critical issue of curbing carbon emissions remains unresolved. So, how can we further strengthen climate actions? Former UN Secretary-General and tireless global advocate for climate adaptation and resilience, Ban Ki-moon, offers this advice.

Founded in 1945, the United Nations' core aim is to maintain world peace and stability. However, with Russia's continuing aggressions against Ukraine, questions about the UN's effectiveness have been raised. One particular challenge has been that Russia's veto power in the UN Security Council has limited efforts to take more action. So, how can the UN strengthen its ability to solve global issues in a divided world? Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shares his insights.