Munich Security Conference, Remembering Nixon’s China Trip, and More

The Munich Security Conference is the stage for crisis diplomacy amid high tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, the world marks the fiftieth anniversary of former U.S. President Richard Nixon’s historic trip to China, and the UN Environment Programme issues its annual Frontiers report.

Books Mentioned on the Podcast

Margaret MacMillian, Nixon and Mao: The Week That Changed the World (2007)

Reports and Statements Mentioned

Frontiers 2022: Noise, Blazes and Mismatches, UN Environment Programme, February 17, 2022

Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the International Relations Entering a New Era and the Global Sustainable Development, The Kremlin, February 4, 2022

2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, February 15, 2022

Iran Nuclear Talks Resume, Germany’s Ukraine Diplomacy, and More

Iran nuclear talks resume in Vienna, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Kyiv and Moscow, and some countries start to loosen COVID-19 restrictions.

Articles and Statements Mentioned on the Podcast

Thomas Bollyky et al., “Pandemic preparedness and COVID-19,” The Lancet, February 1, 2022

Claire Felter, “The World Still Hasn’t Agreed on a Pandemic Playbook,” CFR.org, February 4, 2022

Senator Ted Cruz’s letter on Iran nuclear deal [PDF], February 7, 2022

Podcasts Mentioned

Ian Johnson, “China’s Domestic Challenges,” The President’s Inbox, February 8, 2022

Beijing Olympics Begin, African Union Leaders Convene, and More

The Winter Olympics kick off in Beijing, the African Union (AU) holds its annual heads of state summit in Addis Ababa, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House.

Articles and Statements Mentioned on the Podcast

Yanzhong Huang, “China welcomed the world the last time it hosted the Olympics. Not now.” Washington Post, February 3, 2022

Ian Johnson, “The Games Nobody Wants: How the Winter Olympics Became a Headache for China,” CFR.org, February 1, 2022

“Statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the Visit of Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany,” The White House, January 27, 2022

Podcasts Mentioned

Gabrielle Sierra, “Hey, Remember the Olympics?” Why It Matters, July 15, 2020

Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Crisis, Diplomacy Intensifies Over Russia-Ukraine Conflict, and More

The humanitarian crisis deepens in Afghanistan, international diplomacy intensifies over Russian-Ukrainian tensions, and Myanmar marks one year since the military coup.

Articles Mentioned in the Podcast

“Afghanistan Food Security Update” [PDF], World Food Programme, December 8, 2021

Joshua Kurlantzick, “Myanmar Is a Failing State—and Could Be a Danger to Its Neighbors,” CFR.org, September 16, 2021

Global Supply Chain Slowdown, Russia-Ukraine Tensions Build, and More

Supply chain challenges reverberate again, high-stakes diplomacy continues with Russia over Ukraine, and Hondurans inaugurate a new president.

Articles Mentioned in the Podcast

Shannon K. O’Neil, “Why the Supply Chain Slowdown Will Persist,” Foreign Affairs, December 21, 2021

European Parliament’s Presidential Election, COVID-19 Case Rates Surge, and More

The European Parliament elects a new president, COVID-19 case rates surge across the globe, and diplomacy continues over Russian security demands in Europe.

Articles Mentioned in the Podcast

Mary Beth Sheridan, “Mexico has refused to close its borders during the covid-19 pandemic. Does that make sense?” Washington Post, January 12, 2022

Stephen Sestanovich, “The Russia-Ukraine Crisis: A Scorecard on Biden’s Response,” CFR.org, December 23, 2021

Adam Tooze, “Chartbook #68 Putin’s Challenge to Western hegemony - the 2022 edition,” January 12, 2022

U.S.-Russia Talks, Capitol Insurrection Anniversary, and More

Top officials from the United States and Russia meet in Geneva to discuss nuclear arms control and the crisis in Ukraine, Americans mark one year since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and the CES trade show wraps in Las Vegas.

Articles Mentioned on the Podcast

Stephen Sestanovich, “The Russia-Ukraine Crisis: A Scorecard on Biden’s Response,” CFR.org, December 23, 2021

The World Next Year: What to Watch in 2022

In this special year-end episode of The World Next Week, James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon are joined by Shannon K. O’Neil, CFR vice president, deputy director of studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller senior fellow for Latin America Studies. They discuss this year’s historic elections and the state of democracy in Latin America and beyond, the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world, and U.S. President Joe Biden’s first year in office.

Articles Mentioned on the Podcast

Lauren Sloss, “The Documents You Need to Travel Abroad Now,” New York Times, December 10, 2021

Christopher Troeger and Thomas J. Bollyky, “Ending the COVID-19 Pandemic Hinges on Trust,” Think Global Health, November 30, 2021

Podcasts Mentioned

Richard Haass, Nine Questions for the World, Council on Foreign Relations

Anne Appelbaum and Richard Haass, “Can Democracy Survive?,” Nine Questions for the World, December 16, 2021

Michelle McMurry-Heath and Richard Haass, “Can Biotech Be Harnessed?,” Nine Questions for the World, December 16, 2021

Fareed Zakaria and Richard Haass, “Does World Order Have a Future?,” Nine Questions for the World, December 16, 2021

U.S. Plans Beijing Olympics Diplomatic Boycott, Trump’s History Tour, and More

Biden’s Democracy Summit, Omicron Spreads, and More