In this episode of Building the Future, Romina Bandura is joined by Chris Burns, Chief Digital Development Officer for USAID and the Director of the Technology Division, to discuss USAID’s work on digital development and dive deeper into USAID’s 10-year Digital Strategy for 2024-2034.

In this episode of Building the Future, Guest Host Romina Bandura, Senior Fellow at the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development, is joined by Jamie Zimmerman, the Deputy Director of Digital Connectivity at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss opportunities and challenges related to the gender divide in digital services in low- and middle-income countries, and the role various institutions can play in accelerating efforts to bridge this gap.

In this episode of Building the Future, Guest Host Romina Bandura, Senior Fellow at the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development, is joined by Shatakratu Sahu, a research analyst and convener of the Global Technology Summit at Carnegie India, to discuss the role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in the Indian context, and what Sahu sees as the opportunities and challenges that DPI brings to the world.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Jacob Heilbrunn from The National Interest to discuss his new book, America Last: The Right's Century-Long Romance with Foreign Dictators, and talk about the implications for American politics today.

In this episode of Building the Future, guest host Noam Unger is joined by Sarah Bermeo and Kerilyn Schewel, co-directors of the Duke Program on Climate-Related Migration, draw on their research in Central America and Ethiopia to discuss the effect of climate on migration, forecast models, adaptation funding, and aid allocation.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Judge Mark Wolf, Chair of Integrity Initiatives International, to discuss his judicial career and his advocacy for the creation of the International Anti-Corruption Court.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dan Negrea and Matthew Kroenig from the Atlantic Council to discuss their new book, We Win, They Lose: Republican Foreign Policy and the New Cold War.

In this episode of Building the Future, guest host Caitlin Welsh is joined by PepsiCo's Chief Medical Officer and R&D Senior Vice President of Life Sciences, Dr. Antonio Tataranni, and PepsiCo's R&D Vice President of Life Sciences, Dr. Marianne O'Shea, to discuss the impact of PepsiCo's malnutrition intervention programs, Quaker Qrece and Quaker Bowl of Growth, and its commitment to advancing global nutritional security.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. Louise Fox and Dr. Michael Nicholson to discuss their recently published report, Are private equity investments financing the SDGs in sub-Saharan Africa? and how African countries can attract more of these investments.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by former U. S. Ambassador Luigi Einaudi, author of Learning Diplomacy: An Oral History, to discuss his book and reflect on his diplomatic career in Latin America. He shares his experiences at the State Department, the Organization of American States (OAS), and as Special Envoy, where he played a crucial role in ending the war between Ecuador and Peru in the 1990s.

In this episode of Building the Future, guest host Romina Bandura is joined by Managing Director of the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL), Priya Vora, to discuss the role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in global development and the ways in which the United States can help promote standards of interoperability, financial inclusion, public trust, and good governance both at home and abroad.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by President and CEO of TechnoServe, William Warshauer, to discuss why Warshauer sees the institutionalization of long-term metrics as critical to the future of international development and ending poverty.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by CSIS’s Director of Congressional Affairs, Elizabeth Hoffman, to discuss their takeaways from the recent Congressional staff delegation they led to Ukraine, Poland, and Moldova, and the importance of decision-makers to witness the impact of Congressionally appropriated aid to the war effort. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Brigham Young University Professors Shad Morris and Chad Carlos to discuss their recently published study, The Impact of Growth Mindset on Entrepreneurial Action Among Necessity Entrepreneurs, and its implications for future development work. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dan Negrea and Joseph Lemoine of the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center to discuss their publication, Prosperity that Lasts: The 2023 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes and its implications for researchers and policymakers alike. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Veronika Shime to delve into why critical minerals are so important to U.S. national security and what steps policymakers should consider to protect and promote the domestic mining and processing industries. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Veronika Shime to delve into why critical minerals are so important to U.S. national security and what steps policymakers should consider to protect and promote the domestic mining and processing industries. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Ilya Ponomarev, a former member of Russia’s parliament – the State Duma, to discuss his book Does Putin Have to Die? as well as his efforts to lay the foundations for a democratic future in Russia.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Aaron S. Williams, a distinguished career diplomat and former director of the Peace Corps, to discuss his book A Life Unimagined as well as the traits necessary for good leadership. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Jessica Stone of Voice of America to discuss how her experience growing up in the American South and reporting in Afghanistan and China have led her to identify "cross-cultural" dialogues as a critical component for the future of our increasingly interconnected world.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Nancy Eslick of USAID who shares insights into the ways in which water security underpins such issues as climate resilience and human rights, and the measures the U.S. government has taken to support global water security initiatives. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Tim Strong and Mark Castellino of Opportunity International who share insights into agricultural financing in the developing world.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Mary Beth Cote-Jenssen, the Sustainability Senior Manager of Global Water Stewardship at PepsiCo, who shares insights about the importance of global water security and the role played by public-private partnerships. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Bob Berg, the Chair of Trustees for the UK non-profit Plan for Peace, who shares insights into the importance of peacebuilding, the challenges to peacekeeping, and some of the current shortcomings on the international stage, particularly in the developing world.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. William C. Kirby, a Professor at the Harvard Business School and of China Studies at Harvard University, who shares insights into the rise of the Chinese university system and its importance to great power competition between the United States and China.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by C.D. Glin, the president of the PepsiCo Foundation and the Global Head of Philanthropy at PepsiCo Inc, and Ginya Truitt Nakata an expert in food security and an independent consultant. C.D. and Ginya share insights on global agriculture and food security, and how the private sector has the potential to facilitate the growth of more sustainable food systems worldwide.  

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Ambassador Francis Rooney, who shares insights from his experience as the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and discusses the Vatican’s role in diplomacy as found in his book, “The Global Vatican: An Inside Look at the Catholic Church, World Politics, and the Extraordinary Relationship between the United States and the Holy See.” 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Charles Dunst, the Deputy Director of Research & Analytics at The Asia Group, who shares insights into the global power struggle between autocracies and democracies and discusses his new book “Defeating the Dictators: How Democracy Can Prevail in the Age of the Strongman.”

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. Evelyn Farkas, the Executive Director of the McCain Institute, a nonprofit organization that focuses on democracy, human rights, and character-driven leadership. Evelyn shares insights from her government career, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia under the Obama administration, and discusses her work on the conflict in Ukraine. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. Rafael Romeu, the President and CEO of DevTech Systems, Inc. Rafael explains how his company helps confront the challenges facing public financial management and debt in the developing world, both of which define the future of global development. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dex M. Burns, the Founder, President, and CEO of First Trip, an organization focused on diversifying the field of International Relations by alleviating barriers for underrepresented college students to travel abroad for the first time and pursue global careers. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Andrew Mack, Founder and CEO of Agromovil. Andrew explains how his company helps connect small farmers with markets around the world and discusses the importance of digital technology in the agricultural sector, particularly in developing countries.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Catherine Ashton, former High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to discuss her new book, And Then What. Catherine’s book draws on her experience in the role to provide insights on international diplomacy and the strategic importance of the Western Balkans for the EU and the US. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Arturo McFields. Arturo served as the former Ambassador of Nicaragua to the Organization of American States (OAS) until his fateful decision to publicly break ranks with the government, call it a dictatorship, and denounce its human rights violations. Today, Dan and Arturo discuss that personally and nationally consequential moral decision, the situation in Nicaragua which gave rise to that decision, and how the international community should react. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Ambassador John Simon, Dr. Jendayi Frazer, and Bobby Pittman to discuss a recent publication by Stephen Hadley entitled, Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama. Each guest held senior roles in the Bush Administration working on development in Africa, and they speak with Dan about their roles and the foreign policy lessons we learned during the Bush Administration that we should remember today. 

This episode Dan Runde is interviewed by Ambassador John Simon about his new book, The American Imperative. Dan’s book explores how the US can and must use non-military, soft power tools to entrench its dominant global influence in the face of competition from China and Russia. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Larry McDonald, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Treasury and leader of the U.S. Treasury Office of Technical Assistance (OTA). In this podcast, Dan and Larry discuss Larry’s career, what OTA is and does, and OTA’s role in shaping countries' economic systems and relieving the global debt crisis. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Kathy Guis, Vice President of Investments at Kiva. In this podcast, Dan and Kathy discuss what Kiva does, how loans can improve lives, and how Kiva works with institutions to foster financial inclusion. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Shannon O'Neil, Vice President, Deputy Director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller, Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. In this podcast, Dan and Shannon discuss the reality of globalization, the impact of regional trade, and her book, The Globalization Myth: Why Regions Matter. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Atul Tandon, CEO of the non-profit Opportunity International. In this podcast, Dan and Atul discuss Atul’s career path, the purpose of Opportunity International, the theory of change, and how loans can change lives. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Peter Roskam. Peter is a former six-term U.S. Congressman from Illinois and is currently a Partner at Sidley Austin LLP. Peter held some of the most significant positions in Congress during his tenure from 2007 to 2019. In addition to serving in the House Leadership as the Chief Deputy Whip, he chaired three major subcommittees of the House Ways and Means Committee. In this podcast, Dan and Peter discuss Peter’s career, what it means to work as a congressman, the importance of Ukraine for global peace, and Republican support for Ukraine.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Katie Taylor, the Executive Director of the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF). In this podcast, Dan and Katie discuss PADF’s impact over the last 60 years, and the ongoing challenges and progress that Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have seen over the past decades.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Olivia Enos, the new Washington Director of The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK). In this podcast, they discuss the CFHK’s work, the ongoing effects of the Chinese-imposed National Security Law (introduced to Hong Kong in 2020), the U.S.-Hong Kong relationship, and how listeners can help political prisoners in Hong Kong.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Jamie Bowman, who worked as a legal consultant across Asia, Africa, and Europe for various U.S. and international agencies. In this podcast, Dan and Jamie discuss Jamie’s career and her recently published book Bike Riding in Kabul: The Global Adventures of a Foreign Aid Practitioner. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Ambassador Ramón Eduardo Martínez de la Guardia, the Ambassador of Panama in the U.S. In this podcast, they discuss how Panama is a great candidate for U.S. companies to nearshore operations, opportunities for tourism in the country, and Panama’s role in advancing the global health system.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Erin Murphy, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow in the Economics Program at CSIS. In this podcast, they discuss Murphy's career and her new book Burmese Haze, foreign policy and Myanmar, and Aung San Suu Kyi.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Harry Bader, Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI) at USAID. In this podcast, they discuss USAID’s new Supply Chain Integrity and Freedom program (SCIF).

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Ambassador John Feeley, former U.S. ambassador to Panama. In this podcast, they discuss Feeley's career in the foreign service, the importance of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega and his "mafia"-style dictatorship, the Vatican's relationship with Nicaragua's government, and short- and long-term solutions to the dictatorship.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Takehiko Nakao, former President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In this podcast, they discuss Nakao's career in Japan's Ministry of Finance, the potential reasons why the U.S. and Japan did not join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Nakao’s various memoirs- including his recently published The Rise of Asia: Perspectives and Beyond, and the relationship between democracy and human rights.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Ali Wyne, Senior Analyst with Eurasia Group's Global Macro practice. In this podcast, they discuss Ali’s newly published book, "America's Great-Power Opportunity: Revitalizing U.S. Foreign Policy to Meet the Challenges of Strategic Competition," how to learn from the Cold War, the future of the U.S.-China relationship, and U.S. comparative advantages.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Colombian Admiral Álvaro Echandía Durán, who discusses his career, his experiences with the FARC, the role of civil intelligence in a democracy, and why we should renew our commitment to counternarcotics. Throughout his career the Admiral has held various high level positions, including Chief of Naval Operations of Colombia’s National Armada, Chief of Staff of the Caribbean Naval Force, Chief of Naval Intelligence and Chief of Joint Military Intelligence and Counterintelligence of the Armed Forces, among others. Renovación del compromiso con la lucha contra las drogas: Una conversación con el Almirante Álvaro Echandía Durán En este episodio de Construyendo el futuro, Dan Runde habla con el Almirante Álvaro Echandía Durán sobre la carrera del Almirante, sus experiencias con las FARC, el uso de la inteligencia civil en una democracia y porque deberíamos reforzar nuestro compromiso en la lucha contra el narcotráfico. A lo largo de su carrera, Echandía ha desempeñado cargos como Jefe de Operaciones Navales de la Armada Nacional de Colombia, Jefe de Estado Mayor de la Fuerza Naval del Caribe, Jefe de inteligencia Naval y Jefe de Inteligencia y contrainteligencia Militar Conjunta de las Fuerzas Militares, entre otros. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by David Hoffman, a contributing editor and member of the editorial board of The Washington Post. In this podcast, they discuss Hoffman’s latest book, Give Me Liberty: The True Story of Oswaldo Payá and his Daring Quest for a Free Cuba, his motivation for writing this book, and predictions about the future of democracy in Cuba.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Cynthia Arnson, a distinguished fellow and former director of the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program. Arnson is one of the country’s foremost experts on the Spanish-speaking countries of the Western Hemisphere. In today’s podcast, Dan and Cynthia discuss her impressive career in Latin American affairs, the challenges of entering a male-dominated industry, her predictions for the future of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, and the trajectory of various Latin American countries.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Fawzia Koofi, an Afghan women's rights activist and the first woman in the Afghan Parliament to be elected Second Deputy Speaker. Fawzia reflects on the current state of human rights for women and girls under Taliban rule and the consequences of U.S. withdrawal from the country.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Harold Rosen, founder and Executive Director of the IFC’s Grassroots Business Initiative. They discuss Harold’s work at the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the Development Finance Corporation, as well as his newly published report, “18 Years of Blended Finance- Impact and Lessons Learned.” 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan hosts Andrew Sady-Kennedy, a former research intern with the CSIS Americas Program. Andrew recently earned his Master’s in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), where he specialized in international and global affairs. During his time at HKS, Andrew completed a Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE) for his client, the Bureau of Energy Resources at the US Department of State. This PAE addressed the topic of Ally-Shoring the Lithium Supply Chain in the Americas: A Strategic Model for U.S. Critical Mineral Policy. In this episode, Andrew shares his experience and discusses the importance of lithium and other critical minerals for the clean energy transition, and how cooperation between countries is essential for this transition.

In this week’s episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. Evan Ellis, a CSIS non-resident senior associate for the Americas Program and a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. Dr. Ellis focuses on Latin American countries’ relationships with China and other non-Western Hemisphere actors as well as transnational organized crime and populism in the region. Additionally, Dr. Ellis previously served as a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, where he was responsible for issues pertaining to Latin America and the Caribbean, and international narcotics and law enforcement issues. In this podcast, they will discuss Dr. Ellis’ recently published book, “China Engages Latin America: Distorting Development and Democracy.”

On this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Shelly Stoneman, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for BAE Systems, Inc., and Co-chair of the Executive Committee for the Leadership Council for Women in National Security. Earlier in her career, Shelly worked in the Executive Branch and Congress. In this podcast, Shelly delves into her career trajectory in Washington, D.C., her passion for Diversity Equity and Inclusion, and gives insights from her work promoting women's inclusion in national security.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Dr. Matthew Kroenig and Dan Negrea. Dr. Kroenig serves as the Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and the director of the Scowcroft Center’s Scowcroft Strategy Initiative. Mr. Negrea serves as the Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center. In this podcast, they discuss Dr. Kroenig and Mr. Negrea’s recent report “Do Countries Need Freedom to Achieve Prosperity?” and the aims of the Freedom and Prosperity Center.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Ambassador John Simon to discuss sustainable water infrastructure financing. Ambassador Simon is the founding partner of Total Impact Capital. Prior to founding Total Impact Capital, Ambassador Simon held a variety of posts in the U.S. government, the most recent of which include ambassador to the African Union and the Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). In addition to exploring financing approaches for water, Dan and Ambassador Simon discuss Total Impact Capital’s partner and client, Azure Source Capital (ASC). ASC is an initiative that mobilizes capital and technical expertise to upgrade and expand water services for under-served urban and peri-urban communities in El Salvador.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Vladyslav Rashkovan, Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund, IMF, who is representing Ukraine and fourteen other states on the IMF Executive Board. Prior to joining the IMF, Mr. Rashkovan served as Deputy Governor and a Member of the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), where he was responsible for the development and implementation of the strategy for the Ukrainian banking sector reforms and a turnaround transformation project within the National Bank of Ukraine. Dan and Mr. Rashkova discuss a possible future Reconstruction Plan in Ukraine and how it will be executed.

This week, CSIS research associate and friend of the pod, Sundar Ramanujam, takes over from Dan to host Mahfuz Sadique, Chief Communications Officer of bKash - a Bangladesh-based digital payments service provider that is rapidly changing how the financial sector engages with the Bangladeshi society. Sundar asks Mahfuz: is there a "secret recipe" which other developing countries can use to replicate bKash's success? Listen to the episode to find out his reply.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Bennett Freeman and Allison Gill from the Cotton Campaign, a coalition of human rights NGOs, independent trade unions, brand associations, responsible investors, and academics, united to end forced labor in cotton production. Bennett and Allison share key elements to the Cotton Campaigns' success, and the critical steps necessary to fight against forced and child labor in countries such as Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Co-Director of the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project at Princeton University, Arizona Centennial Professor of International Affairs at Arizona State, and renowned author Dr. Ethan Kapstein. Dr. Kapstein has had an esteemed career at the OECD and has published books across all vectors of global affairs, from U.S. foreign policy to democracy, the AIDs crisis, national security, and more. This episode will feature a discussion on Dr. Kapstein's latest book, Exporting Capitalism: Private Enterprise and US Foreign Policy, which explores America’s attempts to promote international development by exporting private enterprise.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Global Environment & Technology Foundation's CEO and founding member Monica Ellis to discuss today’s most pressing challenges to global water security. Monica emphasizes water as a foundational issue that intersects with other development challenges such as climate change, COVID-19, women’s empowerment, and conflict – including Afghanistan and Ukraine. The two also consider the need for heightened investment and the role of the private sector in advancing the water agenda. 

Dan is out this week. But Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Director and Senior Fellow for CSIS Africa, guest hosts to discusses the digital revolution in Africa with Togo’s Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation, Cina Lawson, and Better Than Cash Alliance’s Lead of Africa Policy and Partnerships, Nshuti Mbabazi. Cina shares the innovative digital strategies Togo employed to alleviate the poverty exacerbated by Covid-19, including how they used AI and partnered with UC Berkeley and Innovations for Poverty Action. Meanwhile, Nshuti stresses the importance of financial inclusion, public-private partnerships, and the hopeful prospects of Africa’s further digital innovation in upcoming years.

In this episode of Building the Future, Women’s World Banking President and CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian joins Dan Runde to discuss women’s economic empowerment, opportunity, and inclusion. Mary shares insights from her new book There’s Nothing Micro About a Billion Women, which talks about women's financial inclusion and the different opportunities for empowerment and economic growth. FinTech, the actions of policymakers, financial institutions, and consumers all make a difference in facilitating gender-inclusive finance.

In this episode of Building the Future, Nazak Nikakhtar, former Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis at the Department of Commerce, joins Dan Runde to discuss her journey from her family's migration from Iran to the U.S. and how she lived the American dream to become a civil and public servant. As a key national security expert, Nazak forecasts the economic tools the U.S. should employ in an era of great power competition and how the U.S. could approach an economic distancing from China and Russia.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Eddy Acevedo, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President of the Wilson Center. Eddy shares insights from his recent National Review article “America Must Prioritize Trade Policy in its Global Competition with China.” The two talk about the importance of trade in the context of national security and address the common misconceptions of trade.

On this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Dr. Douglas Johnston. President Emeritus and founder of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD). Dr. Johnston pioneered the discourse on religion, conflict, and peacebuilding, which he details in his new book Mountain Tops and Mai Tais: Scaling the Heights Toward a Higher Calling. In the wake of heightened secularism in the West, Dan and Douglas discuss today’s challenges to religion and statecraft, along with Douglas’s work reforming Pakistan’s madrasas.

China e-commerce expert and former Ambassador to Singapore Frank Lavin joins Dan Runde on this week’s episode of Building the Future. Frank shares key takeaways from his book “The Smart Business Guide to China E-Commerce" and the opportunities that China’s market presents to U.S. businesses. The future of the U.S.-China commercial relationship and China's middle-income trap will play important roles in shaping a world affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and new geopolitical relationships.

On this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde speaks with Marie Royce, former Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, about the importance of people-to-people exchanges in the context of U.S. national security. As a diplomat, businesswoman, and educator, Mrs. Royce offers her perspective on international education and the cultural economy. The two share their personal experiences in cultural exchange to emphasize the benefit of people-to-people networks.

Matthew Rojansky, CEO and President of the U.S.-Russia Foundation (USRF), joins Dan Runde on this week’s episode of Building the Future. As one of the leading experts in the United States on Russia and Ukraine, Matthew covers a wide variety of topical issues, from Russian support for Putin, to the possibility of democracy in Russia, and the roles that USRF, the U.S.-Russia Investment Fund (TUSRIF), and the Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF) have in supporting Ukraine.

Nicole Robinson joins Dan Runde on this episode of Building the Future to discuss her recent publication “Women, Peace, and Security Initiative: Advancing U.S. Interests Through Women’s Empowerment.” Nicole is a research associate at the Heritage Foundation who specializes in political, economic, and security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa. In this episode, Nicole shares her insights on how women are disproportionately affected by conflict and play a strategic role in peace-building.

In this episode of Building the Future, former Finance Minister of Ukraine Natalie Jaresko joins Dan Runde to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Natalie, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, shares how she became involved with Ukraine and explains what strategic value Ukraine has to Russia. She and Dan discuss the financial aspects of the invasion, what is next if Ukraine falls, and how listeners can help.

Dan is joined by his colleague, Marti Flacks (Director of CSIS Human Rights Initiative) and Agnieszka Rawa (Managing Director of Data Collaboratives for Local Impact at the Millennium Challenge Corporation) the outcome of the Summit for Democracy held in December 2021. The three also discuss the agenda ahead for the “Year of Action” and how digital connectivity can better serve democracy and freedom while fostering open and inclusive societies. This episode has been produced thanks to the generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde speaks with Jim Harmon. As the Chairman and CEO of Caravel Management LLC, co-chair of the Board of the World Resources Institute, and former President of the Export-Import Bank, Mr. Harmon has had a storied career across government, finance, and philanthropy. He shares his many experiences through his memoir, Up and Doing: Two Presidents, Three Mistakes, and One Great Weekend―Touchpoints to a Better World. In this episode, Mr. Harmon delves into the environmental progress of the World Resources Institute and how he was able to build up the EXIM Bank, Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund, and more. This episode was recorded on October 20, 2021.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde interviews Chris Giancarlo about his new book CryptoDad: The Fight for the Future of Money and the future of digital currencies. Mr. Giancarlo, the 13th chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), discusses America’s move towards cryptocurrency in the age of the internet and digital markets. He explains the role of the CFTC and cryptocurrency regulations, as well as China’s vision for its own digital currency.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde interviews Fiona Hill on her new book, There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century. Fiona, the former senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council, talks about her journey into policy and government and her work in the Trump Administration’s National Security Council. As an expert on European and Russian Affairs, Fiona also discusses the role of Russia in U.S. politics and on the global stage.

In this Spanish-language bonus episode of “Building the Future”, Dan Runde interviews Gabriel Sánchez Zinny, current Director of Blue Star Strategies, about his new book Sin Trabajo, which talks about the lack of formal work in Latin America and the Caribbean and recommendations for moving toward a more prosperous future job. Mr. Zinny also shares the lessons he learned during his time as Minister of Education for Buenos Aires, Argentina. En este episodio de “Construyendo el futuro”, Dan Runde entrevista a Gabriel Sánchez Zinny, actual Director en Blue Star Strategies, acerca de su nuevo libro Sin trabajo, que habla de la falta de trabajo formal en América Latina y el Caribe y recomendaciones para avanzar hacía un futuro laboral más próspero. El Señor Zinny también habla sobre lecciones aprendidas durante su tiempo trabajando en el Ministro de Educación de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde interviews Sarina Faizy, a former Provincial Council Member of Kandahar-Afghanistan. Sarina recalls her experiences working for a local Afghan government while experiencing sexism and intimidation, and talks about how she overcame such odds. She shares her vision of Afghanistan's future and how women can continue to fight for gender equality and women's rights in Afghanistan.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan speaks with Gary Edson, President of the Covid Collaborative, and longtime leader in U.S. development and global health initiatives. Gary and Dan speak on the Covid-19 response of the last year and a half, and how developed countries can help developing countries struggling with the pandemic and vaccine shortfall. They also address how the U.S. can prepare for future pandemics, early pandemic warning systems, and the role of the private sector in vaccine distribution.

Dr. Peter Berkowitz, the Tad and Dianne Taube Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins this week’s episode of Building the Future. As the former Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department from 2019 to 2021, Peter discusses the Trump Administration’s take on competition with China, recent events in Afghanistan, and the multilateral system. The pair talk about the current state of the conservative movement in international affairs and how conservatives approach foreign policy.

In part two of Dan’s interview with Dr. Carter Malkasian, the pair discuss the lessons of the Afghanistan War and what the U.S. government can do to elevate their foreign service programs. They reason that in order to better reach populations that the United States have operations in, the State Department needs to integrate specialized language programs such as Dari, Pashto, and more. This episode also covers how Afghan society changed in the last 20 year, what people may expect from the Taliban government, and the future of Afghanistan.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde speaks with Dr. Carter Malkasian, a premier scholar-practitioner on the Afghanistan War. Dr. Malkasian served as the senior advisor to General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 2015 to 2019 and spent several years in Afghanistan and Iraq. Dr. Malkasian recalls his experiences on the ground, how his experiences shaped his view of the Afghanistan war, and the current sentiment of Afghans post-Taliban takeover. This is part one of a two part series reflecting on the war in Afghanistan.

Hardin Lang, Vice President for Policy and Programs at Refugees International, joins Dan Runde in this week's episode of Building the Future. Dan and Hardin discuss the ballooning refugee crisis and the latest updates on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Their conversation spans the different countries that could take in Afghan refugees, the magnitude of the refugee crisis, and the actions that the U.S. and other countries should take to mitigate internally displaced Afghans. For those concerned about the ongoing emergency, consider contributing to NGOs on the ground such as the International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, and others that are providing humanitarian relief in Afghanistan, as well as refugee resettlement agencies such as the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service working to help Afghan refugees navigating the legal application processes.

Ambassador Richard Bernal joins Dan Runde in this episode of Building the Future. Ambassador Bernal was the Jamaican Ambassador to the United States from 1991 to 2001 and has a lauded career as a professional economist and professor. The episode dives into Ambassador Bernal’s new book, Corporate versus National Interest in U.S. Trade Policy: Chiquita and Caribbean Bananas. The pair talk about the book’s study of the Clinton Administration’s decision to engage in a trade war with the European Union over bananas that were not even produced in the U.S., and the similarities in economic decisions today. This fall, Building the Future will move back to a bi-weekly schedule, so please join us for our next episode on 9/15.

Please note: We will be taking a hiatus for the month of August and will be back on September 1 with a conversation with Dr. Richard Bernal. We look forward to seeing you again in the fall! In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda, Associate Professor at UCLA and author of The Trump Paradox: Migration, Trade, and Racial Politics in US-Mexico Integration. The conversation follows Dr. Hinojosa-Ojeda’s inspiration for The Trump Paradox and the polarization of immigration and trade in the United States. This episode touches on the current impact of immigration, the importance of remittances to immigrants, and how to reform the system around remittances. The discussion finishes with how the U.S. should position itself going forward, in respect to future immigration and the use of development banks.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. Richard Feinberg, an economics professor at the University of California, San Diego with over 40s years’ experience in inter-American relations. Dr. Feinberg recently published “Widening the Aperture: Nearshoring in Our ‘Near Abroad”, a report on Biden administration’s domestic economic agenda. The discussion centers around American interactions with our ‘near abroad’, namely central America and the Caribbean. The pair discuss the emphasis that the Biden administration should place on this region, especially considering shifting supply chains, increased presence of Chinese investments, and the differing situations of the countries in the region.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Shelby Scarbrough, founder of Practical Protocol and author of her new book Civility Rules! Creating a Purposeful Practice of Civility. The pair discuss Shelby’s career and how her experiences taught her the importance of treating people civilly in professional interactions. Shelby talks about the difference between civility and being nice, and how the idea of “civility” changes across cultural borders. The conversation touches on topics like the role of civility in the digital age, civility in how democracies work, and examples of civility in leadership.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Allan J. “Alonzo” Wind, former USAID Foreign Service Officer as they discuss his career and new book “Andean Adventures: An Unexpected Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Discovery Across Three Countries”. They begin with his early career in South America with the peace corps and NGO work. This conversation is framed in a larger discussion over the idea of national service in America. They then discuss his work with USAID, which took him around the world, from central America, to Africa, to the Middle East. Lastly, they discuss the importance of modern foreign aid, and the necessary changes needed to the system due to both its own shortcomings and challenges from other global powers.

CSIS Americas Deputy Director, Maggie Seminario, guest hosts this week's Building the Future episode on Gender Equity and Financial Inclusion. In this episode, we talk with Mia Mitchell (from the U.S. Department of State) and Sonja Kelly (from the Women's World Banking) to understand the barriers we face to enabling inclusive access to finance to women around the world while discussing the various opportunities that the U.S. government has in overcoming such hurdles. This is the second part of the two-part series on Digital ID-enabled Financial Inclusion and has been produced thanks to the generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Ambassador Javier Rupérez, former Spanish Ambassador to the United States for the second part of their conversation. They begin by discussing the diminishing role of Christian Democratic Parties within Europe. They then shift into the importance of NATO, the differing views on China and Russia within Europe, and the cooperation needed in dealing with the competitors’ rising power. They then discuss Covid-19 and their views on the increased connectivity and the economic struggles that followed in its wake. The conversation concludes with a discussion of how the Biden administration can reset U.S. engagement and leadership on the global stage.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Ambassador Javier Rupérez, former Spanish Ambassador to the United States. They begin by discussing Rupérez's experiences growing up under the Franco regime and his initial political experiences in organizations that opposed the dictator. After university, Rupérez joined the Spanish foreign service where he was exposed to the international system. Rupérez then describes his involvement in Spain's successful democratic transition. Once Spain became a democracy, he played a critical role in guiding the country's new foreign policy. Rupérez recounts his successful campaign for Spain's membership in the NATO, despite political opposition. This is the first in a series of two episodes from Dan's conversation with Ambassador Rupérez.

In this episode Dan is joined by Dr. Bill Steiger, former Chief of Staff at USAID. Previously, Dr. Steiger was successively Managing Director and Chief Program Officer at Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon and worked as a Senior Advisor at the Global Fund. He was also Special Assistant for International Affairs to the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the George W. Bush Administration. Dan and Dr. Steiger begin their conversation by discussing how Dr. Steiger began his long-term career in public service. The two then go on to discuss some of the challenges that Dr. Steiger observed during his time as Chief of Staff at USAID and the ways in which these challenges influenced the agency’s relationships within different government branches. Afterward, they speak about some of ongoing successes and “wins” that Dr. Steiger witnessed at the agency, including an entire structural change. Dr. Steiger goes on to specifically highlight a shift in culture at the agency and outlines the immense progress it has made with respect to its risk appetite statement, its acquisition and assistance strategy, and its digital strategy. Dan and Dr. Steiger then consider the lasting implications that the Covid-19 pandemic will have on global development initiatives and discuss new humanitarian assistance patterns the world might begin to see. Finally, they talk through the impacts and the potential outcomes of the upcoming World Health Organization (WHO) election in 2022. Please visit our website to view the statistics Dr. Steiger has provided.

Dan's colleague and long-time friend John Simon guest hosts this week's episode to talk about how the developing world can develop and adopt a functional, reliable, and secure digital ID. Achieving universal financial inclusion requires a reliable and inclusive identification document –– a digital one, given the modern world. John, who was the former US Ambassador to the African Union, sits down with Kate Wilson (CEO of the Digital Impact Alliance) and Paul Lekas (who is with the National Security Commission on AI) to discuss how to approach the legal, structural, and design barriers to realizing a Universal Digital ID and how the U.S. can play a constructive role. This is the first in a series of two episodes on Digital ID-enabled Financial Inclusion and has been produced thanks to the generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In this episode, Dan speaks with his colleague and director of the CSIS Reconnecting Asia Project, Jonathan E. Hillman, who is the author of a new book on the Belt and Road Initiative, The Emperor's New Road: China and the Project of the Century. This conversation comes at an interesting time as the United States is mapping out its own infrastructure investment needs. Jon and Dan have worked closely on the issue of increasing influence of the People’s Republic of China in global infrastructure development and have produced dozens of analysis for U.S. officials and lawmakers on the geopolitical stakes of China’s multi trillion dollar global infrastructure development project that spans across the world. In this podcast, Jon chronicles some of his key takeaways from writing this book and discuss among other things the true cost of BRI investments for the developing countries, the U.S. role in enabling an alternative globally, and even the best travel destinations in Central Asia.

In this episode Dan speaks with Nicolás Massot, a politician, who currently serves on the Board of Directors of Banco Ciudad, the third largest bank in Argentina. Nicolás was also the former majority leader of Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies, the youngest leader in the Chamber’s history, and is a member of Republican Proposal, one of the most prominent parties in Argentina. In addition, he had a leading role in the Argentinian presidential campaign in 2015. The two begin their conversation by talking through why Nicolás was motivated to enter politics and discuss the first position he held when he began his career. Nicolás and Dan then talk about Nicolás’s role in the 2015 presidential election and his experience running for the House of Deputies the same year. Then they discuss some of the reasons behind the successful 2015 election of former Argentinian president, Mauricio Macri and some of the political changes the country has seen in recent years. Finally, they delve into a discussion surrounding Argentinian foreign affairs and the future of a new generation of political leaders.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan speaks with Jack Hamilton who is the Hopkins P. Breazeale Professor at Louisiana State University for the Manship School of Mass Communication and a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center. Jack and Dan begin this podcast by discussing Jack’s most recent book Manipulating the Masses: Woodrow Wilson and the Birth of American Propaganda.” They talk about why Jack chose to write the book and the ways in which he conducted its necessary historical research. Jack and Dan then talk through the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson and analyze both the backgrounds and important roles played by some of the individuals in the book. Furthermore, they consider the ways in which the book is relevant to debates today about misinformation and how news will be spread and consumed in the future.

In this episode, Dan Runde sits down with Dr. Diana Negroponte who is a current Global Fellow at the Wilson Center. Dan and Dr. Negroponte begin their conversation by discussing her new book, Master Negotiator: the Role of James A. Baker, III at the End of the Cold War. They talk about why Dr. Negroponte wrote the book and in particular, how she decided to write about his legacy during the end of the Cold War. Dan and Dr. Negroponte discuss Baker’s open-mindedness, intellect, and determination, and how these personal attributes, in addition to his close friendship with President George H.W. Bush, ultimately shaped his success as Secretary of State. They move on and talk through the landmark events that occurred during the Cold War era as well as the history of the U.S. relationship with the Soviet Union. Finally, they discuss the important legacy that Baker will leave behind.

In this episode, Dan Runde is joined by Paul O’Brien. When this episode was recorded, Paul was the Vice President of OXFAM America and on secondment to OXFAM International to co-lead the Global Corona Virus Advocacy Task Force. He has since been hired as the Executive Director at Amnesty International USA. Dan and Paul start off their conversation by talking about Paul’s recent book Power Switch- How We Can Reverse Extreme Inequality. Dan and Paul go on to discuss why and how power switches occur during moments of deep disruption, and some of the implications of not addressing the global challenges the world is facing today. Finally, they discuss how power competition could shape the future of economics, technology, supply chains, and ultimately the way the Covid-19 pandemic is addressed. 

In this episode, Dan Runde is joined by Michael Jarvis, Executive Director of the Transparency and Accountability Initiative, a donor collaborative working to expand the impact and scale of transparency, accountability, and participation interventions. Dan and Michael kick-off their conversation by talking about the importance of transparency and accountability at both the national and sub-national levels in a variety of sectors. They also discuss the role that Covid-19 has played in the global transparency agenda and further, how it will be critical in the vaccine rollout and providing economic relief to those dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. This episode also features Michael and Dan discussing debt transparency and the future role the Biden Administration can play in international engagement. Finally, they discuss Michael’s upcoming objectives at the Transparency and Accountability Initiative and the importance of incorporating transparency into a variety of different agendas as the world transitions to a post-Covid-19 world and into the future.

In this episode, Dan Runde is joined by Christos Makridis, a Digital Fellow with the Initiative on the Digital Economy at MIT and a Research Assistant Professor at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Dan and Christos sit down to discuss Christos’ article, “New Research Shows Religious Liberty Drives Human Flourishing — And Why This Matters Now More Than Ever.” They explore the concept of religious liberty and its two central components, the first being the freedom to choose what to believe, and the second being the freedom to worship as one sees fit. They go on to discuss the history of religious liberty and how it can reduce the likelihood of public and political corruption, foster women’s empowerment, and bolster democratic governance. Furthermore, Dan and Christos talk through the reasons why those who are not religious should care about religious liberty, and the ways in which religion is rooted in the freedom to express one’s beliefs and worldview. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to discuss the ITU’s critical role in increasing access to global digital connectivity. Dan and Doreen first provide an overview of the history of the ITU and outline the specific mandates of the BDT and other bureaus.   They go on to discuss the ITU’s targeted work and how the BDT aims to connect the world through six main focus areas: bolstering digital infrastructure, capacity building, digital inclusion, measuring impact, forming key partnerships worldwide, and policy regulation that emboldens an enabling environment. The conversation shifts to a discussion about global modernity as well as the future of digital infrastructure, specifically how both Covid-19 and distance learning have had varying degrees of negative impacts on many schoolchildren, especially those in the developing world. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Leo Li, the Director of the Content Lab at the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA). They discuss how Taiwan’s creative industries have adapted in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the increasing importance of 5G and digital technology, and potential avenues of collaboration between Taiwan and Latin American countries who are working to build their creative sectors.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Gloria Steele, Acting Administrator for USAID, to discuss the future of global development strategies in the Indo-Pacific region. Dan and Gloria start off by discussing Gloria’s time spent in the Philippines and the specific challenges the country continues to face in its development trajectory. They focus on the future of U.S. development assistance to countries in Asia and the ways in which overall growth can be made more inclusive, specifically highlighting education as an important equalizer. Dan and Gloria go on to discuss the pressing development issues that have been transformed by Covid-19 such as supply chain resiliency, concerns with increased digital connectivity, and stark inequalities in global internet access. Furthermore, they discuss the emerging intersection between the environment and human health as well as the future of aging societies, and how both will impact the future of development in the Indo-Pacific. 

Digital authoritarianism presents overlapping and expanding challenges within autocracies and democracies. In the past year, CSIS produced a policy brief that examined this ever-evolving challenge and determined a new, strategic approach to confront authoritarian actors who seek to use digital tools to subvert human rights and democratic principles. How does this strategy - which is grounded in fundamental principles and framed around promoting resilience while building affirmative alternatives - fit with the policy priorities of the Biden administration? To answer this, we go to the co-authors of this brief, Erol Yayboke (Dan's deputy and guest host for this episode) and Sam Brannen (who leads the Risk and Foresight Group at CSIS). Together, they walk us through the salient points of the brief, key tools that authoritarians use to advance digital interests, and map out how the U.S. (under the leadership of President Biden) can take specific policy actions to combat this growing menace. Check out the policy brief and the short video: https://www.csis.org/analysis/promote-and-build-strategic-approach-digital-authoritarianism Check out the webinar recording: https://www.csis.org/events/online-event-promote-and-build-strategic-approach-combatting-digital-authoritarianism 

In this episode, Dan speaks with Ambassador Bob Zoellick, an American public official who most recently served as the 11th President of the World Bank. He is the author of a fascinating new book, America in the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. In the tradition of the 1994 Diplomacy (by Henry Kissinger), this book was written to bring a practitioner’s perspective on history and to describe the lessons Ambassador Zoellick learned while navigating Washington’s circles while in public service.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Romina Bandura, Senior Fellow on the Project on Prosperity at CSIS, to discuss the new PPD report Sustainable Infrastructure in the Amazon. Dan and Romina discuss how better governance in the Amazon can improve the security conditions, as well as opportunities for the U.S. private sector and bilateral agencies like USAID and the DFC to play a role in the sustainable development of the Amazon. They also discuss how a potential Peru and Brazil accession to the OECD could result in better governance and corruption standards that could help the Amazon Basin, in addition to how the incoming Biden administration should approach the region.  

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Nicole Aandahl, the Director of the Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Program at the CSIS, to discuss diversity and inclusion in the international affairs and foreign policy community. The podcast examines the state of diversity and inclusion in international affairs following the Cold War, identifies how the United States should leverage its uniquely diverse population for global innovation and leadership, and emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences for the U.S. diplomatic corps and in national security and foreign policy decision-making processes.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan speaks with Sergio de la Peña, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs and a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army. The pair discuss Sergio’s immigrant background and his path through the ranks of the U.S. military and government, which included assignments in Venezuela and Chile. They also tackle some of the factors currently destabilizing de la Peña’s old stomping ground, including the refugee flows from Venezuela, drug trafficking, and illegal gold mining, as well as China’s growing political and economic influence on the region.

In this episode of Building the Future, Tomás Serebrisky, Principal Economic Adviser at the Inter-American Development Bank’s Infrastructure and Energy Department, speaks with Dan about his recent book, From Structures to Services: The Path to Better Infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean. The pair cover the growing need to prioritize service provision in Latin America, and how Covid-19 has impacted this need. Tomás also provides his recommendations on how to change policymakers’ mindset towards a more service-oriented perspective, and what role his organization, the IADB, has to play in infrastructure development in the region moving forward.

In a special Spanish-language crossover episode with the CSIS podcast 35 West, Dan sits down with María Eugenia Vidal, the former Governor of the Buenos Aires Province in Argentina. They discuss how she got her start in politics, as well as key policy issues she prioritized during her time as governor, including crime reduction and poverty. They also discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation in key sectors, such as education. Cómo Reducir el Crimen y la Pobreza: Una Conversación con María Eugenia Vidal Dan conversa con Maria Eugenia Vidal, la ex gobernadora de la provincia de Buenos Aires en Argentina, sobre cómo ella se inició en la política y sobre temas en materia de política pública durante su mandato, como la reducción del delito y la pobreza. También conversan sobre cómo se ha acelerado la transformación digital en sectores como, por ejemplo, la educación, a causa de la pandemia de Covid-19.

In this episode of Building the Future, Joshua Eisenman, author of Red China’s Green Revolution and Assistant Professor at the Keogh School of Global Affairs at Notre Dame, sits down with Dan Runde to talk about the specifics of China’s development narrative, and how the country leverages this narrative to advance its strategic objectives in the rest of the world. The two also discuss where the U.S. fits in within this dynamic, and how it should frame its own role in the developing world going forward, especially in Africa.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined once again by Dr. Jonathan Ward, author of China’s Vision for the World, to discuss how China’s relationship with the rest of the world has changed in the last 18 months. This time around, the pair analyze the growing recognition of China’s ambitions in U.S. society and foreign policy, as well as China’s increasing willingness to push regional boundaries and embrace the use of force, whether on the border with India, in Hong Kong, or elsewhere. Dr. Ward explains that, in order to counter China going forward, the United States will need to create a coalition of fellow democracies and private sector actors capable of containing the country’s growing economic and industrial power.

Ambassador Nestor Forster Jr., Ambassador of Brazil to the U.S., sits down with Dan Runde to discuss the history of the U.S.-Brazil relationship and avenues for potential future collaboration. They address environmental conservation and protection, space collaboration, and the budding Brazilian creative economy. The Ambassador and Dan also discuss Covid-19 and how the pandemic has affected trade patterns in the region.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Dr. Weifeng Zhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. They discuss Dr. Zhong’s work in developing the open source Policy Change Index (PCI) project, which leverages machine learning to analyze vast quantities of propaganda and predict Chinese policy changes. The two focus on PCI-China and PCI-Crackdown, two China specific PCI applications, discuss what might be next for China in the coming twenty years, and imagine the potential impact of U.S. educated elites assuming leadership roles in China. The Policy Change Index can be found at https://policychangeindex.org

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Representative Joe Wilson (SC-2), Chairman of National Security & Foreign Affairs Task Force at the Republican Study Committee, to discuss the recent RSC National Security Strategy. The duo review the positive role America has had in the world since World War II, examine current relationships and perceptions of the U.S. abroad, and delve into concrete foreign policy measures to counter today’s most persistent threats to the liberal, rules-based international order, such as those posed by China, Russia, Iran, and other U.S. adversaries.

In this episode, Dan Runde speaks with Ambassador Bárcena, the first female Ambassador from Mexico to the United States. Their discussion touches upon President AMLO’s response to Covid-19, the future of Mexico – U.S. trade relations, and the significance of Mexico’s recently announced feminist foreign policy.

In this episode, Dan Runde speaks with Dalibor Rohac, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and author of the new book, In Defense of Globalism. During their conversation, Mr. Rohac repudiates the recent push for isolationism in the name of national sovereignty and instead makes the case for maintaining and improving the multilateral system. The duo discuss how global institutions such as the WTO, UN, and WHO act as force multipliers of a Western system of globalization that prioritizes peace, prosperity, and progress. Also discussed is the threat to the U.S. and other countries presented by China’s rising interest in multilateral institutions, especially given U.S. reluctance to lead in these institutions.

In this episode, Dan Runde speaks to Jene Thomas, Mission Director for USAID Peru, about the strength of the middle class when it comes to economic growth, the conservation of the Amazon, and the U.S. government counternarcotics strategy in Peru.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde hosts Jamie Fly (President, Radio Free Europe) to discuss Radio Free Europe’s work providing free and independent media in countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. Jamie talks about overcoming interference by governments that seek to prevent the delivery of news, as well as addressing technological barriers to reaching rural areas. Dan and Jamie also discuss covering Covid-19 in Iran, troll farm attacks on journalists, and the weaponization of “fake news.” 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan speaks with Andrew Natsios, former USAID administrator and current director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. During the conversation, Andrew talks about his past experiences confronting epidemics while at USAID, and highlights the work currently being done at the Bush School’s Pandemic and Biosecurity Policy program. Dan and Andrew explore the political and economic realities of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the duo touch on issues related to the role of the Chinese government during the outbreak and the operational capacity of the WHO. Andrew also analyzes how Covid-19 is going to bring about economic and social change to our society, including worldwide consumer behavior. Please listen to the full podcast to learn more about what the future holds for Covid-19 in the United States and the developing world.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde talks to Richard Fontaine (President/CEO for the Center for New American Security) about the need to create a new Atlantic charter for the post-coronavirus era. Richard talks about the importance of globalization in a post-pandemic world and utilizing this unique moment of global collaboration as an opportunity to envision the future for the world, the U.S., and its allies. Dan and Richard also discuss keeping democracies free from foreign influence, competing in an era of strategic competition, and the importance of continued U.S. leadership in multilateral institutions. To read more about this topic, you can find Richard's article, "We Need an Atlantic Charter for the Post-coronavirus Era," here.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde sits down with General James Cowan (CEO of the Halo Trust) to discuss the continuing devastation caused by landmines, and the work of the Halo Trust, the oldest and largest humanitarian landmine clearance organization in the world. General Cowan describes the history of landmines and the Halo Trust’s work in areas such as Colombia, Afghanistan, and the Balkans. Dan and General Cowan talk about the macroeconomic effect of landmine removal in boosting local economies in areas such as agriculture and tourism. General Cowan also discusses everything from Princess Diana’s role in landmine removal advocacy to the way landmines impact elephant migration in Angola.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Eugenio Díaz-Bonilla, head of the Latin American and Caribbean Program at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). During their conversation, the duo discuss the importance of regional development banks (RDBs)—in particular, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)—at a time when three of the four RDBs' presidencies are up for grabs in 2020. They examine Diaz-Bonilla's book, A Long and Winding Road: The Creation of the Inter-American Development Bank, written in 2011. Díaz-Bonilla first traces the history of the IADB and explains why the institution has had consistent backing from both Latin American countries and the United States. He then argues that the IADB needs to demonstrate a greater interest in various issues, including drug trafficking, money laundering, corruption, access to education, youth employment, and inequality; and expand its partnerships with other international development organizations.

The Power Africa Initiative was launched by the Obama administration in 2013 and was housed under USAID. The Initiative brings together technical and legal experts from 12 different federal government agencies and over 130 civil society and private sector partners. Today, it has closed over 126 transactions in the region, commissioned and operationalized 56 power plants, enabled the production of over 10,000 MW of power, adding nearly 15 million new connections and giving electricity to 68 million new people in the continent. In this episode, Dan sits down with Andrew Herscowitz (former Coordinator of Power Africa) and Paul Weisenfeld (Vice President of RTI International) to discuss the Power Africa initiative, the East Africa energy project, and the future of electrification in Africa. Andrew and Paul describe how leveraging tools of U.S. agencies like USAID and EXIM Bank can create successful public-private partnerships and the role of multilateral banks in Power Africa projects. They also discuss successful electrification projects in Africa from solar power in rural Senegal to wind projects in Kenya. This is the first in a series of three episodes on Energy, Innovation, and Development that has been produced thanks to the generous support from RTI International.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Ali Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Ambassador for foreign investment, to discuss the future of Pakistan and U.S.-Pakistan relations. They examine how Pakistan went from being a close U.S. ally and “one of the potential Asian tigers” in the 1950s, to being largely associated with the legacy of the war in Afghanistan. Ambassador Siddiqui discusses the efforts that Pakistan has been making in rebranding itself and explains that the story of Pakistan is one of culture, music, art, ancient civilizations, literature, business, and opportunities. He highlights that the strengthening of Pakistan’s relationship with China should serve as a wake-up call to the United States. If the U.S. takes a proactive approach, there is huge opportunity for the U.S. boost its ties with Pakistan.

In this episode, Erol Yayboke, deputy director and senior fellow of the Project on Prosperity and Development at CSIS, sits in for Dan Runde to talk with Jennifer Spies, product manager for Google’s Next Billion Users (NBU) initiative. They discuss the NBU project and the role of internet access in bringing emerging economies into a new age of technology development. They also reflect upon how the usage of technology has changed and will continue to change through innovations like machine-learning which tailors products to serve local community needs. Jennifer also describes how to create free and open internet access through partnerships with local stakeholders, governments, and the private sector.

On the 25th anniversary of the Western Newly Independent States Enterprise Fund, Dan is joined by Jaroslawa Johnson (Western NIS Enterprise Fund president and CEO), and Dennis Johnson (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Western NIS Enterprise Fund). Dan, Jaroslawa, and Dennis discuss the history and accomplishments of Western NIS Enterprise Funds, the evolution of the economies of Ukraine and Moldova, and the role of enterprise funds in Ukraine and Moldova’s development future. Jaroslawa describes how WNISEF investments shifted from a focus on agriculture to a wide variety of investments from ice cream and mortgage banks in Ukraine to breweries and banks in Moldovo.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Michael Leifman and Marco Annunziata, cohosts of M4Edge, a podcast that analyzes how technology impacts global economies. Dan and his guests discuss the ways that new technologies are going to evolve in developing countries, and how governments can support these efforts. The speakers highlight which technologies they think offer the most potential for economic growth and lifting people out of poverty. They also observe how many countries are unable to introduce new technologies because they do not have the regulatory policies in place to support technologies such as driverless cars. Lastly, they analyze concerns over how new technologies could be used with the military and security sector. Please listen to the full podcast to hear more.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Brian Chatwin, president of Right Country Lists, to discuss how financial factors can drive political campaign structures. They examine advertising methods, the weaponization of donor transparency, and how privacy laws affect international election processes. Their conversation then shifts to a discussion about whether there is genuinely too much money in politics and the importance of an open and fair election process.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Patrick Awuah, the founder and president of Ashesi University in Ghana. Dan and Patrick discuss Patrick’s recently published chapter in a book entitled Practicing Development: Upending Assumptions for Positive Change. They also discuss Africa’s youth employment challenge, how education and economic development are complementary, and the changing attitudes around the role of higher education institutions in international development. Patrick describes how Ashesi University has a unique higher education model and is an incubator for African youth entrepreneurship. Additionally, they analyze domestic resource mobilization and democracy trends in sub-Saharan Africa, and the new African free trade agreement.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Dr. Jonathan Ward, author of China’s Vision of Victory, to discuss China’s ambitions for the world and how the United States should respond. Jonathan explains that in order to continue leading a free world, the United States must focus on the source of China’s strength: its economic might. His recommendations include the United States more effectively trading with its allies, integrating its allies in Europe and in Japan, and ramping up funding for research and development.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Catherine Bertini, former executive director of the World Food Programme, as they discuss Catherine’s recent report for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs entitled, “Leading Change in UN Organizations.” The conversation is focused broadly on what it means to lead a UN organization. They discuss Catherine’s recommendations for reforms within the UN system, specifically targeted to incoming heads of UN agencies to maximize success in the first one hundred days in their roles. Additionally, they discuss Catherine’s distinguished career and her important work on improving gender parity within UN agencies.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Rick Rossow, CSIS Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, as they host two senior bureaucrats from the Indian state of Kerala, Tom Jose and Sanjeev Kaushik. They all discuss how Kerala is becoming a force to be reckoned with and how infrastructure development can take them to the next level. Additionally, they explain why transportation, water, and solid waste management are of high priority for the state; and the role of various development partners in financing Kerala's infrastructure plans.

In this episode, Dan sits down with Dean Piedmont, Senior Advisor for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) at Creative Associates, where Mr. Piedmont leads the charge in implementing DDR programs in various countries. Dan and Mr. Piedmont discuss the trends, challenges, and successes of past DDR programs, and how they can be redesigned for integration into Afghanistan. Their conversation touches on the critical role of stakeholders and builds a potential strategy for an Afghanistan program.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Pablo Maldonado. Mr. Maldonado led a comprehensive study of unique factors that are driving migration from the Northern Triangle, including vicitmization, household income, and international relations. Much of the extensive data analysis is presented in Creative Associates International's report, "Saliendo Adelante: Why migrants risk it all," which Dan and Pablo will discuss. Pablo Maldonado is Chief Operating Officer of Creative Associates International, where he directs three program divisions including Education for Development, Communities in Transition, and Economic Growth. Mr. Maldonado also directs Creative's Business Development Division.

In this episode, Dan sits down with Sean Cairncross, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). As CEO, Mr. Cairncross leads the agency and provides strategic direction and vision as MCC fulfills its mission of reducing poverty through economic growth and advancing America’s interests around the globe. Dan and Mr. Cairncross discuss the recent MCC-Cote D’Ivoire compact, the addition of regional compacts, the MCC model, and beyond. They also analyze how the MCC integrates accountability and sustainability mechanisms into their agenda and how its threshold programs lead to successful country compacts.

In this episode Dan sits down with the Swiss Ambassador to the US, Martin Dahinden. Ambassador Dahinden began his diplomatic service in 1987, has headed many European oriented institutions such as the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining, and is currently exiting his position as Swiss Ambassador to the US. In this interview, our speakers overview the career of a successful diplomat, discuss Swiss neutrality and its purpose along with the role of Switzerland on the international stage, and teach us about the specificities and benefits of Swiss apprenticeships, and the importance of maintaining Swiss-US relationships.

In this episode, Dan sits down for a second time with Whit Ayres, author of 2016 and Beyond: How Republicans Can Elect a President in the New America, to discuss the issues facing the current U.S. political climate. Whit delivers his research on the uniqueness of national security and foreign policy issues in the context of politics, and how public opinion in these areas is more easily swayed. Dan and Whit also address the role of trade, China, and isolationism in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world by tracing a link between US humanitarian aid abroad, national security, and international image. Whit also speculates on what outcomes and issues are likely to be faced by political candidates in the 2020 elections.

In this episode, Dan interviews Alex Kitain, Chief of Party for DAI’s Revenue Generation for Governance and Growth (RG3) project in Liberia, and John Yates, Global Practice Lead for Public Financial Management at DAI. Alex and John both supported our recent report, Rethinking Taxes and Development: Incorporating Political Economy Considerations in DRM Strategies. Development programs focused on increasing domestic resource mobilization require relatively small amounts of funding and can dramatically improve the amount of money collected by governments. For example, Georgia was able to increase its domestic revenue by close to $4 billion between 2005 and 2011 with USAID’s support. Listen to the full podcast to hear more about how building strong tax administrations can help build countries’ self-reliance and reduce their dependence on foreign assistance.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan hosts Father Daniel Mode, a Catholic priest who serves the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Fr. Mode describes his life as a Navy chaplain, his love of flying, and his fellowship with the Religious Freedom Institute. Fr. Mode is also the author of a recent publication entitled “The Intersection of U.S. National Security Strategy and Religious Freedom.” Listen to the full podcast to hear more about Fr. Mode’s interesting career in military and religious life.

In this episode, Dan interviews Raj Kumar, the founding president and editor-in-chief of Devex. Raj is also the author of a new book, "The Business of Changing the World". 10 percent of the world is still living in extreme poverty. At the same time, billionaires are beginning to give at the same level of governments. Dan and Raj discuss how the aid sector will be disrupted, in coming years, due to how involved billionaires are becoming in the aid process and the growth of social entrepreneurship. Listen to the full podcast to hear more about the book and recent changes in global development.  

In this podcast, Dan has the chance to speak with Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of the Center of Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Bradley spent nearly nine years in the U.S. Senate including serving as National Security Advisor to Senator Kelly Ayotte (NH) and Senator Todd Young (IN). Bradley shares advice for recent graduates looking to get started on Capitol Hill and his experience working for members of the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Armed Services Committees. Prior to his life on Capitol Hill, Bradley was an active duty officer in the U.S. Army for more than 15 years including serving as a Blackhawk pilot. Listen to the full podcast to hear about the important role that development and soft power has in U.S. national security strategies. This podcast was recorded on March 5, 2019.

In this podcast, Dan is joined by Brigit Helms who has nearly 30 years of experience pioneering innovative approaches to financial inclusion. Brigit discusses her new book, Access for All: Building Inclusive Economic Systems, and the importance of promoting inclusive economic development. Today, a wider range of players seek profit with a purpose, including millennials, institutional investors, and corporates. Brigit shares her thoughts on how inclusive economic systems can offer pathways out of poverty, primarily through access to services and jobs. Please listen to the full podcast below to hear more.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Ulrika Modéer, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy. Dan and Ulrika discuss the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role that governments around the world, international organizations, and the private sector will play in achieving the Goals. They also discuss global migration and how the international migration system will have to deal with refugees and migrants today and in the future.

In this podcast, Dan sits down with Larry Cooley, founder of MSI (now a part of Tetra Tech) and current President Emeritus and Senior Advisor. Before founding MSI, Larry worked at the World Bank, UN Development Programme, Practical Concepts, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Dan and Larry discuss the importance of including monitoring and evaluating in development programs. What can you learn from pilot programs? How much of projects should be spent on monitoring and evaluating? How can you scale up projects? Click here to listen to the full podcast.  

This week, Dan is joined by General Kip Ward to talk about civilian-military collaboration in Africa. General Ward was the inaugural commander of the U.S. Africa Command and has four decades of military experience, serving in Korea, Egypt, Somalia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Palestine, and Germany. General Ward shares his thoughts on the forced migration crisis in Africa, the security challenges in the Horn of Africa, and the rising influence of China in Africa. General Ward also shares stories about collaborating with development agencies on the ground to help communities rebuild after stability is achieved. Please listen to the full podcast to hear more.

This week, Dan is joined by Dr. Kerry Healey, President of Babson College. In this podcast, Dr. Healey discusses her path from 70th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts to first female president of Babson College. Babson is a small liberal arts school located in Wellesley, Massachusetts that is world-renowned for its entrepreneurship education. Dr. Healey’s initiatives like the Global Scholars program have helped globalize the student body at Babson; international students now comprise 28 percent of the student body, with 87 different countries represented in 2018 alone. Under Dr. Healey, Babson has spread its entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge abroad through 14 MOOCs (massive online open courses) that have reached 150,000 students in 226 countries and districts around the world.

In this podcast, Dan is joined by former Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman. Secretary Lehman served under President Ronald Reagan and took office at the age of just 38 years old. This podcast explores the influence of the U.S. Navy during the Cold War and Secretary Lehman’s new book Oceans Ventured: Winning the Cold War at Sea. One of Secretary Lehman’s greatest achievements was Ocean Venture ’81, a naval exercise that took place in 1981 that involved 120,000 service personnel, 250 ships and about 1,000 or more planes from 14 countries. Listen to the full podcast to hear the untold story of the U.S. naval efforts during the Cold War and the important role of deterrence to U.S. national security.

In this episode, Dan sits down with Lindsay Lloyd, Deputy Director of the Human Freedom Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, to talk about the health of democracy worldwide. Mr. Lloyd was involved in the Democracy Project: a joint national survey by the Bush Institute, Freedom House, and the Penn Biden center that examines American attitudes toward the state of democracy at home and the importance of promoting democracy abroad. Dan and Lindsay discuss some of the survey’s findings and extend the conversation to questions of democracy in countries such as China, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Tune in to this episode of Building the Future: Freedom, Prosperity and Foreign Policy with Dan Runde to find out why Americans value democracy – although youth increasingly value it less – and why there is reason to be optimistic about the future of democracy all around the world.

This week Dan hosts Rick Barton, former U.S. Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and author of the recently published book, Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World. Rick discusses his extensive career trajectory at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – where he founded the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) – the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations, and the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) at the State Department. His experience at these organizations and his dedication to foreign policy inspired his latest book, in which he discusses the need to match American ingenuity with local ingenuity to be a catalyzing – and not a colonizing – force in international affairs.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Alec Ross - technology policy expert and author of the bestseller The Industries of the Future. This book explores the technological and economic trends that will shape the next ten years and is targeted towards non-engineers interested in learning about cyber, AI, and big data. Alec served as Senior Advisor for Innovation for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a role created for him to maximize the potential of technology and innovation in service of America’s diplomatic agenda. In this conversation, Alec and Dan also discuss leapfrog technologies and labor market disruptions, both in the United States and in developing countries. Please listen to full podcast to hear more.

This week, Dan is joined by Romina Bandura, Senior Fellow with the Project on Prosperity and Development and the Project on U.S. Leadership in Development at CSIS. They discuss her new report on the Future of Global Stability: The World of Work in Developing Countries. By 2030, there will be more than 3 billion people under the age of 25 years old. The future of work has recently attracted much attention from a variety of institutions: a simple Google search of the term “future of work” produces more than 2 billion results. Our world of work – both in rich and poor countries – is changing fast. Technology, globalization, environmental changes, and shifting demographics are impacting workplace environments and the types of jobs that will be available in the future. Everyone can relate to these issues since people depend on work for their livelihoods. To hear more from Dan and Romina, check out our report launch event page where you can also find the two volumes of the report and 4 country case studies (Brazil, India, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria).

In this week’s podcast, Dan is joined by Todd Moss, Executive Director of the Energy for Growth Hub. On September 27, Todd launched the Energy for Growth Hub, a new global network connecting research and policymakers to build high-energy systems. Todd has spent most of his career at the Center for Global Development, where his work has focused on Africa, energy, and development finance. Todd also previously served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. To hear more from Todd about the future of Africa, listen to our podcast.  

In this installment of “Building the Future with Dan Runde,” International Labor Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder discusses how technology is defining what work, careers, and industry will look like in the future. The ILO is at the forefront of ensuring that worker rights are preserved no matter how impactful the fourth industrial revolution is to current global labor markets. But the questions remain, how will those markets change, how will they impact welfare systems, and how do the needs of developing and developed countries differ when it comes to technology? Listen to our podcast and watch our public event to hear more about forging the future of work.

On this episode, Dan is joined by C.D. Glin, President of the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF). Mr. Glin has substantial experience in Africa, beginning with the Peace Corps in Ghana and South Africa. Mr. Glin also worked for the IFC in Nigeria, for the Peace Corps under President Barack Obama, and most recently as Associate Director for Africa at the Rockefeller Foundation. USADF is the US government's African enterprise agency, providing seed capital and technical support to create African-led, demand driven solutions. Africa has long been viewed as a challenge more than an opportunity. In this episode, Dan and C.D. discuss the opportunities for the U.S. to engage further on the continent and the growing role of China. Tune in to hear more from Mr. Glin and what makes him optimistic for the future.

On this episode, Dan is joined by David Bohigian, Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the United States’ development finance institution. Mr. Bohigian has considerable experience in both the public and private sectors, working for Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund as well several key trade roles under President George W. Bush. In this episode, Dan and David discuss the changing role of OPIC and how the BUILD Act will modernize the institution. OPIC focuses on catalyzing private sector investment in some of the world’s most fragile and challenging environments. In 2017, OPIC invested $3.8 billion in new commitments, taking their global portfolio to 23.2 billion across 90 developing countries. Tune in to our podcast to hear more from Mr. Bohigian and to learn more about OPIC.  

Dan is joined by Agnes Dasewicz, Fellow at the Rockefeller Foundation and former Director of the Office of Private Capital and Microenterprise at USAID. Her career has spanned over 20 years in development finance, working at SEAF, AIG, and IFC at different points. In this episode, Dan and Agnes discuss the beginning of career working in private capital in emerging markets in Eastern Europe. During her time at USAID, Agnes helped secure over $20 billion of investment commitments from U.S. and African financiers in support of Power Africa. Agnes is now working on a project called “Opportunity America” which focuses on opportunities to create and finance sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in the poorer parts of the United States. To hear more from Agnes, watch her recent exit interview at CSIS.

Dan is joined in this podcast by Michael Rawlings, the Mayor of Dallas and a member of our Task Force on Forced Migration. Before becoming Mayor, Mr. Rawlings worked in the private sector and was the CEO of Pizza Hut. One out of four residents in Dallas was born outside the United States. During his time in office, Mayor Rawlings was also confronted by the Ebola crisis when someone was diagnosed with Ebola in Dallas, the first reported case in the United States. Dallas has become home to people from not just Latin America but Southeast Asia and Africa. To hear more from Mayor Rawlings, check out our report launch.

In this podcast, Dan Runde is joined by Benn Steil, Senior Fellow and Director of International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. In February 2018, Dr. Steil published a new book, The Marshall Plan: Dawn of the Cold War, that places foreign aid to Western Europe in the context of the Cold War and U.S. national security interests. You can find CSIS’ review of the book here. Dan and Dr. Steil also discuss his earlier work, The Battle of Bretton Woods, which focuses on the Bretton Woods conference which established the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The role of Soviet espionage in the conference is rarely discussed and prepares you for his later work focused on the Marshall Plan. A Marshall Plan announced today would be worth closer to $103 billion and an enormous amount of effort from people like General Marshall and Arthur Vandenberg was required to ensure that it passed through Congress. For more, check out the book event hosted at CSIS.

Dan Runde is honored to be joined for this podcast by Kenneth Wollack, President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI). In his 25 years as President, Ken Wollack has been a champion of democracy along with support from NDI chair, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. In this podcast, he discusses the challenges to democracy today and the lasting impact of events like the Arab Spring. Freedom House reports that there are still 49 countries that fall in the “Not Free” category. Ken shares what makes his optimistic for the future. To hear more from Ken, check out his exit interview at CSIS.

In this podcast, Dan Runde is joined by Ambassador James Michel, a Senior Advisor to the Project on Prosperity and Development at CSIS and former chair of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In January 2018, Ambassador Michel published a CSIS report, Managing Fragility and Promoting Resilience to Advance Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development. The OECD estimates that by 2035, 80 percent of extremely poor people will live in the 56 contexts identified as fragile in 2016. The United States and other development actors are going to be increasingly focused on these fragile contexts, and Ambassador Michel provides recommendations for each of their approaches. To hear more, check out the report launch.

This podcast features Daniella Ballou-Aares, a Partner for Dalberg Advisors and former Senior Advisor for Development to U.S. Secretaries of State John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. This discussion focuses on the role of blended finance in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Daniella also shares her thoughts on innovative data sources for development. To hear more from Daniella listen to the full podcast below and check out an event we hosted, Development Finance Institutions in a New Aid Architecture.

This podcast features James A. Harmon, the Chairman of the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund (EAEF). Mr. Harmon shares his unique and insightful experiences as Chairman of the EAEF, including the obstacles he had to overcome to make enterprise funds successful in Egypt. In the early 1990s, enterprise funds were innovative because they were given the unique and dual mandate to “do development” and make money. Some enterprise funds were very successful and generated returns for the American taxpayer; however, other enterprise funds were not as successful. The blended results sent mixed signals to Washington, D.C. and ultimately, enterprise funds fell off of the global development agenda. Then, prompted by the Arab Spring—and nearly two decades after the first round of enterprise funds—the Obama Administration initiated two new enterprise funds in Egypt and Tunisia. Tune in to our podcast with Mr. Harmon to learn more about enterprise funds. 

This podcast features His Excellency Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United States. Relations between the United States and Pakistan have been strained in recent months. It is important for the United States and Pakistan to continue their 70-year relationship. Pakistan currently ranks as the sixth largest country in the world, and they will shortly become the fifth. This conversation seeks to move beyond the security concerns and focus on development, economic, and other opportunities for partnership between the United States and Pakistan. To hear more from H.E. Chaudhry, watch our recent public event.

This podcast features Shannon Green, who is the Senior Director of Programs at the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC). This podcast was recorded at the closing of Ms. Green’s time at CSIS. Her concluding remarks pose an optimistic view of the progress of human rights that reflects her hope for continued efforts. She brings deep experience in international development, human rights, and violence prevention with 15 years in the US government, academia, and the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining CIVIC, Ms. Green served as the Director and Senior Fellow of the Human Rights Initiative at CSIS where she served as Managing Director of the Commission on Countering Violent Extremism. Ms. Green also previously served as Senior Director for Global Engagement on the National Security Council. Before joining the White House, Ms. Green worked for USAID for nearly a decade. In this podcast, she discusses how countries cooperate on counterterrorism issues and the steps that governments and civil society need to take to combat violent extremism and other social instabilities.

This podcast features Ambassador Casper Klynge, Denmark’s first Technology Ambassador. In this interview, Ambassador Klynge discusses his new role and the growing importance of technology and Silicon Valley in the development agenda. Ambassadors are typically found in Washington D.C., but Ambassador Klynge has been tasked with strengthening Denmark's relationship with technology giants like Facebook and Google. To hear more from Ambassador Klynge, listen to the entire podcast.

Andrew Shearer, Director of the Alliances and American Leadership Project at CSIS, join Dan for this week’s podcast to discusses the importance of international partnerships and the changing landscape of the Asia-Pacific region. How can the United States and Australia strengthen their collaboration in fragile and conflict-affected places?

In this podcast, Ambassador Jim Michel, Senior Adviser at CSIS and former U.S Ambassador to Guatemala, discusses the critical role of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the international dialogue around new approaches toward development.

Andrew Natsios, former USAID Administrator and a key member of the CSIS Forced Migration Task Force, shares his views on the evolving role of USAID and international organizations and their responses to the forced migration crisis. More people are displaced today than any other point in human history. Mr. Natsios provides powerful insights in the root causes of the global migration crisis and the steps to reduce its impact.

Antonio Rodiles, a Cuban dissident, opens up to Dan Runde in this podcast about the challenges he has faced opposing as an activist in Cuba and his hopes for political change. In addition, he discusses U.S.-Cuba relations and the ongoing challenges that have hindered the country’s progress. Tune in to hear more from our courageous guest.

In this podcast, First Lady of Afghanistan, Rula Ghani, discusses the resiliency of Afghan women and their increasing re-emergence in grade schools, universities, and professions (such as engineering and law) after years of war and oppressive Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Mrs. Ghani has her finger on the pulse of women’s empowerment in Afghanistan and shares a variety of fascinating anecdotes – which center around topics ranging from the shifting cultural attitudes of men to the changing landscape of women’s professions in conservative provinces – that have served to bolster her vision of a positive, gender-inclusive future for Afghanistan.

This week’s podcast features Lana Abu-Hijleh, who is the Palestine Country Director for Global Communities and a member of the CSIS Forced Migration Task Force. Lana shares the struggles she faced pursuing a career as an engineer growing up in Palestine and her inspiration for returning home. Palestine has made great strides in education, lowering the illiteracy rate to around 2 percent. In addition, 41 percent of college graduates in Palestine are women. Lana was named One of the Top 100 Inspiring Women in the World in 2015 by BBC.   Lana also shares her perspective on the global migration crisis. 5.2 million Palestinians are still registered as refugees today, but she remains optimistic. 52 percent of the population in the West Bank and Gaza is under the age of 25 years old. Through programs like the Global Communities Youth Local Council in the West Bank, Palestinian youth begin to understand the crucial role they play in the leading their country forward. Lana explains, “Refugee is just a status that is temporary and should end.” Tune in to hear more from our guest Lana Abu-Hijleh by listening to the full podcast.