Deep Dish on Global Affairs
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Deep Dish on Global Affairs helps you make sense of our rapidly changing world. Join host Leslie Vinjamuri, President and CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, as she speaks with thought leaders, journalists, and experts shaping foreign policy and global events. Together, they go beyond the headlines, explaining how events unfolded, why they matter, and what to watch for. Can global trade survive the shock of Trump's tariffs? What's behind the global race for AI dominance? New episodes every Thursday.
Learn more at https://globalaffairs.org/deep-dish
Learn more at https://globalaffairs.org/deep-dish
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 26, 2026 • 32min
From Oil to Food: How the Iran War Could Disrupt Global Stability
Gas prices may be the first way Americans feel the war in Iran, but Catherine Bertini, former executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme, and Michael Werz of the Council on Foreign Relations explain why the deeper impact could unfold across global food systems—where rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions could drive prices higher, worsen hunger, intensify humanitarian pressures, and destabilize vulnerable regions far beyond Iran.
Mar 19, 2026 • 28min
Trump, Iran, and the Future of American Power
Trump said he would stop wars, not start them. But as the conflict with Iran widens, that promise is under strain. Matt Duss of the Center for International Policy explores what this moment reveals about presidential war powers, the limits of military force, and what this war could mean for the next chapter of US foreign policy.
Mar 12, 2026 • 36min
War with Iran: What the World Debated in New Delhi
Just days after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, global leaders gathered in New Delhi for the Raisina Dialogue. As tensions escalated, conversations quickly shifted to urgent questions about war, energy shocks, and the future of the global order. Harsh Pant of the Observer Research Foundation and Karim Haggag of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute unpack how the world is reading the Iran conflict and where it could be headed next.
Mar 4, 2026 • 24min
Are We Headed for a Bigger War with Iran?
US and Israeli strikes on Iran have triggered retaliation across the region, with drones, missiles, grounded flights, and rising oil prices. But what's the actual goal? Is this a short, decisive campaign or the start of something bigger? And if the fighting stops, does the region return to normal or just settle into a tense pause before the next round? From Tel Aviv, former US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro breaks down what the US and Israel are trying to achieve, the risks involved, and why the outcome is far from clear.
Feb 26, 2026 • 34min
Is Japan Entering a New Political Era?
Feb 19, 2026 • 27min
The West Under Pressure: Inside Munich 2026
Ukraine, China, and Iran are shaking up the world—but at the Munich Security Conference, the West seemed to be worrying about itself. Amid simmering transatlantic tensions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio got a standing ovation, but was it real reassurance or just the same talking points, dressed up? The Observer's Giles Whittell and ECFR's Dr. Jana Puglierin break down the conference's most revealing moments and what Europe is really thinking.
Feb 12, 2026 • 29min
Can Europe Stand Without the US?
Europe is rethinking its security as the US signals it may not always be a reliable partner. Ahead of the Munich Security Conference, countries are scrambling to rearm, diversify partnerships, and protect their interests. Can Europe stand on its own, or will it stay tied to the US? Georgina Wright from the German Marshall Fund and Sophia Besch from the Carnegie Endowment break it down.
Feb 5, 2026 • 27min
Is the West Ready for an Asian Century?
Kishore Mabhubani, former Singaporean diplomat and author on Asian geopolitics, and Avinash Paliwal, SOAS researcher on South Asian politics, discuss Asia’s rising power. They debate whether the 21st century belongs to Asia, China versus India’s roles, regional cohesion amid diversity, trade realignments after U.S. disruption, and how perceptions of U.S. influence are shifting.
Jan 29, 2026 • 33min
Davos Shockwaves: Moments That Sparked Bigger Questions
The World Economic Forum doesn't always deliver clear answers—but this year, it delivered drama and tension. From President Trump's speech to Europe's pushback and a rare standing ovation, a few moments stood out. What do they tell us about America's relationships with its allies? Leslie Vinjamuri talks it through with Martin Wolf and Sir Robin Niblett, straight from Davos.
10 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 33min
How the World Is Reading US Power
Emma Ashford, a foreign policy analyst with expertise on U.S. defense, and Ryan Hass, a leading expert on U.S.-China relations, dive into the intricacies of U.S. global strategy under Trump. They discuss shifts in U.S. policy toward Taiwan and Latin America, highlighting the strategic implications of Chinese investments. Both guests analyze how the U.S. portrays its influence and the misalignment between America's resource-focused approach and China's tech ambitions. They also reflect on how allies should navigate this dynamic landscape.
