Global Inquirer

The Dismantling of U.S. Foreign Aid: American Retreat and Chinese Expansion

In this episode with Professor Jane Zimmerman, we examine the dismantling of America’s foreign assistance system and what it means for American diplomacy and global development. Discussing the many roles foreign aid has historically played, ranging from advancing humanitarian goals to strengthening U.S. national security, we explore what the United States has lost by scaling back its aid programs and development institutions. We also consider how this shift has reshaped global competition with China, whose development financing and infrastructure projects are increasingly shaping relationships across the Global South. Looking ahead, we discuss what the future of foreign assistance might look like and how the United States could rebuild or rethink its approach to development. — Special Guest: Jane Zimmerman Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Elizabeth Reid and Ricardo Bruinton

AI and Society: Perspectives from the United States and China

In this episode with Dr. Lauren Bridges and Zhou Zhuoran, we examine how artificial intelligence is shaping society in both the United States and China. Looking across many different contexts, we consider how debates over AI safety, ethics, and regulation are unfolding in both countries, and what these perspectives reveal about the future of technology and society. Along the way, our guests reflect on how AI is transforming their own work and offer advice for listeners seeking to navigate a rapidly changing technological landscape. — Special Guests: Dr. Lauren Bridges and Zhou Zhuoran Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Xuxin Fan and Julien Steines

The Gutting of the State Department: Lessons from an Ambassador

In this episode with Ambassador David Young, we examine the recent gutting of the U.S. State Department. Discussing the Trump administration’s efforts to cut staffing, funding, and foreign assistance programs as part of a broader restructuring of the federal government, we explore how these changes have affected both American diplomacy and the individuals who carry it out. Alongside this policy discussion, Ambassador Young reflects on his own career in diplomacy, offering insights into the practice of international relations and the paths that lead people into public service. — Special Guest: Ambassador David Young Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Anika Shah, Abby Burritt, and Ellie Grace Robinson

Modern Fascism: Beyond History and Symbols

In this episode with Professor Kyrill Kunakhovich, we examine the history and evolution of fascism. Discussing its origins under Mussolini, we explore why fascism has proven so difficult to define and how rigid definitions may sometimes obscure emerging threats. Looking beyond the symbols and imagery of the past, we attempt to identify the common patterns that link fascist movements across time, and examine the emotions, tendencies, and thought processes that have drawn people to them. — Special Guest: Kyrill Kunakhovich Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Co-Hosts: Jason Kim and Carolina Zanna-Stone Correspondents: Sloane Solley, Maria Pekarsky, Sofia Gonzalez, and Sofia Fuller

GI LIVE: Rethinking China’s Rise

In this first-ever live episode of the Global Inquirer, recorded in front of a live audience at a meeting of UVA’s International Relations Organization, we sit down with Professor Dale Copeland to rethink China’s rise. We dive into the debate over whether Beijing truly seeks hegemony, examine historical patterns shaping Chinese strategy, and consider how perception, media, and fear influence Western interpretations of Chinese power. — Special Guest: Dale Copeland Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Jason Kim, Anika Shah, and Andrew Chand