Best Afghan Science Podcasts (2024)

1
Penelope Muse Abernathy -- The State of Local News 37:00

23m ago37:00

37:00

Penelope Muse Abernathy is a visiting professor at Northwestern University and a former senior executive at The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. She specializes in researching local journalism and is the author of two books and five reports, including The State of Local News. She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Bill McKe…

1
How are Afghans fighting climate change? 26:29

24h ago26:29

26:29

Climate change has been tightening its grip on the people of Afghanistan, with flood after flood and drought after drought. It’s considered one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, not just because it’s warming twice as fast as the global average, but because its people’s ability to fight back has been severely hampered by decades of conf…

1
Podcast: Professor Abiodun Williams, “Kofi Annan and Global Leadership at the United Nations” 25:44

5d ago25:44

25:44

Abiodun Williams is Professor of the Practice of International Politics at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and The Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. He was Director of Strategic Planning to UN Secretaries-General Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon and is past Chair of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS). His la…

1
Dr. Shao-cheng (Michael) Sun: “Hedging China Threat: US-Taiwan Relations Since 1949“ 27:55

5d ago27:55

27:55

Dr. Shao-cheng (Michael) Sun is an Associate Professor at the Citadel. He is a veteran of the Taiwanese army, retiring as a full colonel. Dr. Sun is the author of “Hedging China Threat: US-Taiwan Relations Since 1949.“ His research interests are East Asian security and politics, U.S.-China relations, and U.S. security policy in Asia. He teaches Eas…

1
The Climate Question meets People Fixing The World 27:35

8d ago27:35

27:35

In this special programme, the Climate Question team join forces with our World Service colleagues from People Fixing The World to share some of our favourite ways of fighting the impacts of climate change. Jordan Dunbar and Myra Anubi discuss solutions big and small - from tidal power in Northern Ireland to floating solar panels in Albania. Plus, …

1
Can Science Fiction help us fight climate change? 26:28

15d ago26:28

26:28

The acclaimed US sci-fi author Kim Stanley Robinson is also a star in the world of climate activism because his work often features climate change - on Earth and beyond. Robinson has been a guest speaker at the COP climate summit, and novels such as The Ministry For The Future and The Mars Trilogy are admired by everyone from Barack Obama to former…

1
Pashtana Durrani -- Educating Afghan Girls Despite Taliban Rule 24:12

19d ago24:12

24:12

Pashtana Durrani is an Afghan feminist, activist, and educator. She founded Afghanistan’s first-ever digital school network, LEARN Afghanistan, and is still providing education for hundreds of girls in the country today despite being exiled after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Pashtana joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Natalie G…

1
What do this year's election results mean for our warming world? 23:21

28d ago23:21

23:21

Some of the world's biggest carbon emitters - including the EU, India and Indonesia - have just had elections. Will the results change their climate policies? Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar are joined by Anna Holligan, BBC correspondent in the Netherlands; Carl Nasman, BBC climate journalist based in Washington; and BBC climate reporter Esme St…

1
Can technology fight flooding in cities? 26:29

1M ago26:29

26:29

With more and more people moving to cities, informal settlements are expected to grow. When floods hit these unplanned places, it can be disastrous, as we often don’t know much about them. Crucial questions often remain difficult to answer, like how many people live there, what are the buildings made of, and could they withstand a flood? In the tow…

51
Ambassador Mark Green -- The Wilson Center, U.S. Foreign Aid, & Healthy Disagreement 24:08

1M ago24:08

24:08

Ambassador Mark Green serves as President, Director, and CEO of the Wilson Center — a nonpartisan organization that provides research, analysis, and independent scholarship on global affairs. Before leading the Wilson Center, his distinguished career in public policy included key roles at USAID, the International Republican Institute, the McCain In…

1
What can we do to reduce black carbon? 26:28

1M ago26:28

26:28

This little-known pollutant is making us sick and driving the climate crisis. It commonly comes from burning coal, diesel or wood and has a habit of getting stuck in people’s lungs as well as causing glaciers to melt. In Nepal, home to some of the world’s most beautiful glaciers, we meet journalist Tulsi Rauniyar, who tells us all about the impact …

1
David Swanson: “NATO: What You Need to Know” 26:58

2M ago26:58

26:58

David Swanson, author, activist, journalist, and radio host, is executive director of WorldBeyondWar.org and campaign coordinator for RootsAction.org. His latest book is: “NATO: What You Need to Know.” NATO, which is approaching its 75th Anniversary, is not the UN or a stand-alone nation. Swanson suggest that NATO not pursue destructive arms races,…

1
Rachel Pittman, CEO, United Nations Association of the USA 25:53

2M ago25:53

25:53

Rachel Pittman serves as Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), a grassroots movement of more than 20,000 Americans in over 200 chapters across the U.S. who are dedicated to supporting the work of the United Nations in communities, on campuses, and on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining UNA-USA, Rachel served on multi…

1
Somaya Faruqi, Afghan Refugee, Captain Girls Robotics Team 25:19

2M ago25:19

25:19

Somaya Faruqi is the former Captain of the Afghan Girls’ Robotic Team – nicknamed the ‘Afghan Dreamers’. She and her team made international headlines when they built a ventilator from used car parts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan. Faruqi was born in Herat, Afghanistan in 2002. She cultivated her love of engineering in her fath…

1
How are athletes adapting to extreme heat? 26:28

2M ago26:28

26:28

The Paris Olympics are less than a month away. The last games in Tokyo were one of the hottest on record, with more than a hundred athletes suffering heat-related illnesses. And France, the host of this year’s Olympics, is no stranger to heatwaves – the country has seen 23 since 2010. So how are top athletes training their bodies to not only perfor…

1
The Most Violent Year Since World War II 22:01

2M ago22:01

22:01

More armed conflicts took place in 2023 than in any other year since the end of World War II. That is the shocking finding in this year’s Conflict Trends Report – a yearly paper by the Peace Research Institute Oslo, using data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program and examining global conflict trends since 1946. In total, 59 armed conflicts raged …

1
Brenda Ewing Snitzer -- Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation Recipient for The Stewpot 22:46

2M ago22:46

22:46

The Stewpot is a ministry that serves those in poverty or experiencing homelessness in Dallas. The organization was founded nearly 50 years ago and provides resources for basic survival needs as well as opportunities for the people they serve to start a new life. The organization was awarded the 2024 George W. Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation fo…

1
How do you negotiate a good climate deal? 22:58

2M ago22:58

22:58

As a new play depicts the landmark global climate change agreement, the Kyoto protocol, Jordan Dunbar has a front row seat. He heads to the historic English town of Stratford-Upon-Avon to watch the opening night of the play, Kyoto, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. He hears why the writers, Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson decided to dramatize the seem…

1
Hannah Sklar -- Bush Institute Citation Recipient for Creamos 30:43

2M ago30:43

30:43

Creamos is a non-profit organization working to support the community surrounding Guatemala City’s garbage dump in achieving economic self-determination. The organization was awarded the 2024 George W. Bush Institute Citation for its impactful work in its community and for inspiring others to take action to solve today’s most pressing challenges. E…

1
Why is defending forests so deadly? 26:29

2M ago26:29

26:29

Someone dies every other day protecting the environment, according to data gathered by the campaign group, Global Witness. Even higher numbers of people are attacked or threatened. To understand why this is happening, the BBC’s East and Central Europe Correspondent, Nick Thorpe travels to the foothills of the Carpathians in Romania, to show us how …

1
Professor Thomas Just: “Combating Antisemitism in Germany and Poland: Strategies Since 1990” 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

Professor Thomas Just serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor within the Future Security Initiative at Arizona State University. Professor Just served as Assistant to the Director of African and Middle Eastern Affairs within Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is the author of “Combating Antisemitism in Germany and Poland: Strategies Since …

1
Charles Moxley: “Nuclear Weapons and International Law” 25:23

2M ago25:23

25:23

Charles Moxley is the principal of Moxley ADR, a law firm specializing in arbitration and mediation. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham Law School. His recent treatise on “Nuclear Weapons and International Law” highlights the major challenges with nuclear weapons. The UN’s Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty has kept the numbers down somewhat…

1
Thom Shanker -- The Role Journalists Play in the U.S. Military 34:39

2M ago34:39

34:39

Active duty military service members make up less than one percent of the U.S. adult population. For the other 99% of us, the actions and complexities of our nation’s Armed Forces can be hard to understand, which is why quality journalism on the military is essential. Thom Shanker’s decades-long career with The New York Times included 13 years as P…

1
Are we spending enough on renewable energy? 26:28

2M ago26:28

26:28

There’s been a lot happening in our warming world and so The Climate Question is taking a break from its usual analysis to catch you up with the latest news. From worsening turbulence and plummeting planes to new rocket launches with satellites on board that hope to unlock one of the Earth’s big mysteries: clouds... and how they might impact, and b…

1
Arthur Brooks -- The Science of Happiness 30:22

2M ago30:22

30:22

We all seek happiness, but few of us know the science behind it. Author, Harvard professor, and philosopher of happiness Arthur Brooks is changing that through his insights, teachings, and best-selling books on how we can all build happy lives. He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Anne Wicks to discuss why happiness is a directio…

1
Is lab-grown meat better for the planet? 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

Billions of dollars have been pumped into the promise of a climate-friendly way of producing meat, but is growing a steak in a lab any better for the planet than rearing a cow on a farm?Supporters of the idea say it will dramatically reduce the impact of livestock, which is responsible for about 15% of the world’s planet-warming gases, as well as r…

1
Paula Caballero: “Redefining Development: The Extraordinary Genesis of the Sustainable Development Goals” 24:26

3M ago24:26

24:26

Paula Caballero is the Regional Managing Director for Latin America at The Nature Conservancy. Previously, Paula Caballero was Senior Director of the World Bank Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice, and she was the creator of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her recent book is “Redefining Development: The Extraordinary…

1
Dr. Margaret P. Karns: Global Governance and the UN 26:41

3M ago26:41

26:41

Dr. Margaret P. (Peggy) Karns is a Senior Fellow in the Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security and Global Governance at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Dayton. She is coauthor of “International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance (4th ed., 2…

1
Dr. Winston Langley: "Abolishing War" 25:11

3M ago25:11

25:11

Dr. Winston Langley is Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science and International Relations and Senior Fellow at McCormack Graduate School for Policy & Global Studies. He has written widely on the United Nations, disarmament, human rights and women’s rights in the US. His recent book is “Abolishing War.” A major problem is that we have a…

1
Alice Albright -- 20 Years of the Millennium Challenge Corporation 34:53

3M ago34:53

34:53

2024 marks 20 years since the Millennium Challenge Corporation was signed into law by President George W. Bush. Since its inception, MCC has partnered with and invested in countries around the world that are committed to democracy and economic freedom. CEO of MCC Alice Albright joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Hannah Johnson to …

1
Norway: Peacemaker, Arms-Dealer 24:02

3M ago24:02

24:02

For decades, Norway has played a major role as a peacemaker. From the Nobel Peace Prize to the Oslo Accords, promoting peace has been a central aspect of Norwegian foreign policy. But this is only part of the story. Few outside the country are aware of the thriving, lucrative, and government-owned weapons industry in this Scandinavian nation. This …

1
Your questions answered: Climate change for kids, solar power, music for plants 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

Graihagh Jackson is joined by her regular panel to answer climate-related questions from listeners. BBC climate editor Justin Rowlatt, Prof Tamsin Edwards of King's College London, and Dr Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News, discuss telling children about climate change, solar panels, nuclear fusion and more. Plus, Graihagh fin…

1
Heather Morris -- Author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz 37:50

3M ago37:50

37:50

When Heather Morris sat down with Holocaust survivor Lale Sokolov, she didn’t know what to expect. As she listened to his story, she knew that the world needed to hear his experiences of love and hope set in the midst of one of humankind’s worst moments. Heather traveled to Dallas for the sixth Laura Bush Book Club edition of Engage at the Bush Cen…

1
What does China's green tech revolution mean for the world? 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

China is scouring the globe for the raw materials of the future. How will we be affected? Graihagh Jackson investigates.By BBC World Service

1
Peter Yeo: President of the Better World Campaign 26:44

3M ago26:44

26:44

Peter Yeo, President of the Better World Campaign and Senior Vice President at the United Nations Foundation, leads the Foundation’s strategic engagement with the U.S. Congress and Administrations to advance policy changes that support the UN’s work for global progress. Although there are many myths about the UN, recent polling shows that 52% of Am…

1
Kathleen Mogelgaard, President and CEO of the Population Institute 26:03

3M ago26:03

26:03

Kathleen Mogelgaard is President and CEO of the Population Institute, where she directs the organization’s advocacy and public education activities. Population Institute advocates for gender equality and universal access to sexual and reproductive health services to improve lives, promote human rights, save the planet, and build a better tomorrow. …

1
Anita McBride & Gahl Hodges Burt -- Behind the Scenes of White House Events 24:52

3M ago24:52

24:52

Anita McBride, who served as chief of staff to Mrs. Laura Bush during her time as first lady, and Gahl Hodges Burt, who served as social secretary for President and Mrs. Reagan, recently visited Dallas for an Engage at the Bush Center event presented by Nexpoint. They joined host Andrew Kaufmann beforehand to discuss the responsibilities of their r…

1
Thomas Jefferson & Kurt Smith -- Lessons From Our Nation's Third President 56:10

3M ago56:10

56:10

Thomas Jefferson made a lasting impact on our country as the third president of the United States and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He recently visited Texas and joined host Andrew Kaufmann, the Bush Institute’s Jason Galui, and students from Walnut Grove High School to discuss the birth of our nation, the lessons we can le…

1
Can we build better cities for mental health and the climate? 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

Today, more than half the world’s population live in cities – and as our numbers swell, so will our cities, especially those around the Pacific Rim, where it’s predicted our largest megacities of 10 million plus will be situated. And herein lies an opportunity: 60% of the buildings needed for 2050 are not yet built. Could we shape our cities into p…

1
Can we save money and save the planet? 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

Experts say we need to be 40 per cent more energy efficient to meet our climate goals. Is that doable? And might it save us money too? It's a solution that's been called the main route to net zero: energy efficiency - or using less energy to get the same or better results. But there’s an issue – it's got an image problem as many people think it’s b…

1
Steve Ballmer -- Accountability, Democracy, and USA Facts 28:41

3M ago28:41

28:41

When Steve Ballmer retired from Microsoft after a long and storied career, he realized that he didn’t know exactly how and where U.S. tax dollars got spent. And it wasn’t as easy to find as he had hoped. So he set out to solve the problem — and founded USA Facts, which consolidates available data and makes it accessible to citizens. He joined host …

1
Laura Hagg: International City County Management Association 24:50

4M ago24:50

24:50

Laura Hagg, Director for Capacity Building and Governance with the International City County Management Association (ICMA), has a career of more than 30 years of experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally in the fields of local governance, economic development, public outreach, communications,…

1
Norman Solomon: “War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine” 24:46

4M ago24:46

24:46

Norman Solomon, American journalist, media critic, author and activist, discusses his latest book, “War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine.” Mr. Solomon was actively involved in launching RootsAction and the Institute for Public Accuracy. His main contention is that the governments and media inundate the public…

1
What is caused (and not caused) by climate change? 26:28

4M ago26:28

26:28

In this episode, Graihagh Jackson explores the new field of climate attribution science with leading climatologist Dr Friederike Otto. Dr Otto's team of experts can now rapidly assess to what extent extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts or floods have - or have not - been caused by man-made climate change. Graihagh finds out how this i…

1
Bonus Ep: the climate activists who sued their government (and won) 28:53

4M ago28:53

28:53

In this extra episode, Graihagh Jackson hears from our friends on BBC podcast The Global Story about a case that could change the history of climate activism. For nearly a decade, a group of elderly women argued that Switzerland’s weak climate policies violated their human rights. Their victory – the first of its kind in the European Court of Human…

1
David French -- On polarization, purpose, and America's future 22:56

4M ago22:56

22:56

David French is a writer and columnist for The New York Times – informed by a career that began as a litigator, turned to the Army as a JAG officer and then Bronze Star awardee after volunteering to deploy to Iraq as part of the Surge, and finally to journalism. He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Chris Walsh at the 2024 Forum o…

1
Dr. Dale C. Copeland: “A World Safe for Commerce” 26:06

4M ago26:06

26:06

Dr. Dale C. Copeland is a professor of international relations with a focus on trade, war and economic interdependence. His recent book is “A World Safe for Commerce: American Foreign Policy from the Revolution to the Rise of China.” He discusses how trade dynamics have influenced America's approach to peace and conflict throughout history. By focu…

1
Women in Peace Mediation: The Israeli and Palestinian Women Working for Peace 28:52

4M ago28:52

28:52

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, two women's organizations are pushing for a return to negotiation and a permanent resolution to the conflict. “Women Wage Peace” is the largest grassroots peace movement in Israel, while its Palestinian counterpart, “Women of the Sun,” is a Palestinian women's organization based in Bethlehem. They ar…

1
Can we save the world's coral? 26:28

4M ago26:28

26:28

Corals protect humans and sustain 25% of all marine life. But reefs are under threat from climate change, and mass bleaching events mean that some scientists estimate they could disappear by 2100. In this episode, Graihagh Jackson is joined by BBC CrowdScience presenter, Caroline Steel. We go to Puerto Rico to see how self-duplicating, carnivorous …

1
Can fertilisers go green? 26:28

4M ago26:28

26:28

Ammonia has revolutionised the way we produce our food, helping us to grow much, much more... But it’s also helping to grow global greenhouse gas emissions too. Synthetic fertilisers are actually responsible for around 5% of the planet-warming gases going into the air - that’s more than deforestation. In this episode, Graihagh Jackson examines this…

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