Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

Rudyard and Janice open the show reflecting on Trump's eye-popping appointments to key positions in government. What happened to the importance of competence, merit, and experience when assigning the most important roles within the federal government?  Rudyard and Janice then turn to Elon Musk, who this week was taking calls with the Ukrainian president and meeting with senior Iranian officials. How can we make sense of Elon's role in the Trump administration, given that he is the largest single contractor to the US government? And finally, can other institutions outside of Washington hold the line as the Trump team takes a wrecking ball to everything in their path?

To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.
The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.
Rudyard and Janice open the show reflecting on Trump's eye-popping appointments to key positions in government. What happened to the importance of competence, merit, and experience when assigning the most important roles within the federal government?  Rudyard and Janice then turn to Elon Musk, who this week was taking calls with the Ukrainian president and meeting with senior Iranian officials. How can we make sense of Elon's role in the Trump administration, given that he is the largest single contractor to the US government? And finally, can other institutions outside of Washington hold the line as the Trump team takes a wrecking ball to everything in their path?
To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a <a href="https://munkdebates.com/donate">donor</a> to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.
More information at <a href="https://open.acast.com/shows/6008b82f0c8488532b25d16c/episodes/www.munkdebates.com">www.munkdebates.com</a>.

Friday Focus: Trump takes a wrecking ball to America's governing institutions

It’s America’s greatest unsolved murder. Who shot JFK? On the 60th anniversary of the Warren Commission, we debate who was really behind the assassination of the 35th President of the United States. One one side of this debate is the lone gunman theory, the U.S. government’s official statement supported by the Warren Commission's findings. Proponents of this theory argue that shooter Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, without any assistance or interference from outside actors. On the other side are the impassioned theorists who point to doctored evidence and eyewitness accounts as proof that there is more to the story. Whether it was a second gunman on the "grassy knoll," the mob avenging an unsuccessful coup in Cuba, or an inside job by the CIA, too many suspicious coincidences lead to only one conclusion: Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone on that fateful day.

Arguing in favour of the resolution is Gerald Posner. He’s an investigative journalist and the author of Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK.

Arguing against the resolution is Dick Russell, author of On the Trail of the JFK Assassins: A Groundbreaking Look at America's Most Infamous Conspiracy.

You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote.

The host of this podcast episode is Ricki Gurwitz.

To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a paid Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz

Editor: Kieran Lynch

It’s America’s greatest unsolved murder. Who shot JFK? On the 60th anniversary of the Warren Commission, we debate who was really behind the assassination of the 35th President of the United States. One one side of this debate is the lone gunman theory, the U.S. government’s official statement supported by the Warren Commission's findings. Proponents of this theory argue that shooter Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, without any assistance or interference from outside actors. On the other side are the impassioned theorists who point to doctored evidence and eyewitness accounts as proof that there is more to the story. Whether it was a second gunman on the "grassy knoll," the mob avenging an unsuccessful coup in Cuba, or an inside job by the CIA, too many suspicious coincidences lead to only one conclusion: Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone on that fateful day.
Arguing in favour of the resolution is Gerald Posner. He’s an investigative journalist and the author of Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK.
Arguing against the resolution is Dick Russell, author of On the Trail of the JFK Assassins: A Groundbreaking Look at America's Most Infamous Conspiracy.
You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote.
The host of this podcast episode is Ricki Gurwitz.
To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a paid Munk Member at <a href="https://munkdebates.com/membership">https://munkdebates.com/membership</a>
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.
Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz
Editor: Kieran Lynch

Be it Resolved, Be it Resolved, Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of JFK

As Democrats are left wondering how their candidate could lose so badly, so decisively, to a man who is not only loathed by half the country but denounced by many of his former aides and cabinet members, there is one democratic strategist who predicted this long before Kamala was anointed as the party's nominee.

Jeff Weaver was Bernie Sanders’s campaign manager in 2016 and a senior advisor to Senator Dean Phillips’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nominee just earlier this year. Jeff argues that the Harris campaign’s rallying cry - the idea Democracy itself was on the ballot this election - was a losing strategy, and they ignored the bread and butter issues that would have spoken to the electorate and helped propel Kamala Harris to victory. If Democrats don’t make serious changes to their policies and their messaging, they will face similar outcomes in the future.






The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths

To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue https://munkdebates.com/

Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz

Editor: Kieran Lynch

As Democrats are left wondering how their candidate could lose so badly, so decisively, to a man who is not only loathed by half the country but denounced by many of his former aides and cabinet members, there is one democratic strategist who predicted this long before Kamala was anointed as the party's nominee.
Jeff Weaver was Bernie Sanders’s campaign manager in 2016 and a senior advisor to Senator Dean Phillips’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nominee just earlier this year. Jeff argues that the Harris campaign’s rallying cry - the idea Democracy itself was on the ballot this election - was a losing strategy, and they ignored the bread and butter issues that would have spoken to the electorate and helped propel Kamala Harris to victory. If Democrats don’t make serious changes to their policies and their messaging, they will face similar outcomes in the future.
 
The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths
To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at <a href="https://munkdebates.com/membership">https://munkdebates.com/membership</a>
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue <a href="https://munkdebates.com/">https://munkdebates.com/</a>
Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz
Editor: Kieran Lynch

Munk Dialogue with Jeff Weaver: a sober wake-up call for the Democrats

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

On this week's edition of the Friday Focus podcast, Rudyard and Janice try to make sense of the events of this week as Democrats begin pointing fingers and blaming each other for their stunning defeat. How did they fail to recognize that people vote for issues like the economy and immigration, and not for democracy? This election was about the working class telling the bicoastal, white collar educated elites to take a hike. In the second half of the show, Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to the Middle East, where the Iranian government has threatened to attack Israel for a third time in twelve months, marking a serious escalation between the two countries. How will the Iranians exploit the lame duck period before Donald Trump takes over on January 20th?

To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.
The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.
On this week's edition of the Friday Focus podcast, Rudyard and Janice try to make sense of the events of this week as Democrats begin pointing fingers and blaming each other for their stunning defeat. How did they fail to recognize that people vote for issues like the economy and immigration, and not for democracy? This election was about the working class telling the bicoastal, white collar educated elites to take a hike. In the second half of the show, Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to the Middle East, where the Iranian government has threatened to attack Israel for a third time in twelve months, marking a serious escalation between the two countries. How will the Iranians exploit the lame duck period before Donald Trump takes over on January 20th?
To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a <a href="https://munkdebates.com/donate">donor</a> to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.
More information at <a href="https://open.acast.com/shows/6008b82f0c8488532b25d16c/episodes/www.munkdebates.com">www.munkdebates.com</a>.

Friday Focus: Democrats point fingers and Iran threats another strike on Israel

Marker 01

On this special edition of the Friday Focus podcast, Rudyard and Janice react to the election of Donald Trump. Voters this time around knew who Trump was and voted for him anyway. Rudyard sees this as significant a vote as Brexit: voters are fed up with the elite and showing their discontent at the ballot box. The Democratic Party needs to figure out how to reconnect with the working class, Hispanic, and Black communities, all of which they lost in droves last night.

And which countries and world leaders stand to benefit and lose from last night's election outcome? Rudyard and Janice asses the upcoming fortunes and misfortunes of Ukraine, Russia, Iran, China, and Israel. And finally, in Canada: how will Trump's victory affect the political aspirations of Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau?

On this special edition of the Friday Focus podcast, Rudyard and Janice react to the election of Donald Trump. Voters this time around knew who Trump was and voted for him anyway. Rudyard sees this as significant a vote as Brexit: voters are fed up with the elite and showing their discontent at the ballot box. The Democratic Party needs to figure out how to reconnect with the working class, Hispanic, and Black communities, all of which they lost in droves last night.
And which countries and world leaders stand to benefit and lose from last night's election outcome? Rudyard and Janice asses the upcoming fortunes and misfortunes of Ukraine, Russia, Iran, China, and Israel. And finally, in Canada: how will Trump's victory affect the political aspirations of Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau?

Friday Focus: special US election episode

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

Rudyard and Janice open the show with analysis of where the candidates stand as we enter the final stretch of this US election campaign. Rudyard believes Trump is positioned to squeak out a win thanks to the importance of the electoral college over the popular vote. And at a time of increased distrust of mainstream media, how and when will a winner be declared? How will a win be certified if there are challenges from the other party? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to Ukraine, where North Korean troops are aiding the Russian army's offensive. How much of an escalation is this development, and can untested North Korean troops really make a difference in this war? We are seeing the restructuring of alliances because of the Ukraine War, and a future where the threats in the Middle East and Asia are linked with the threats in Asia. In the final moments of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the Ayatollah of Iran instructing his military to prepare for a counter strike on Israel for hitting its military targets - a surprise development that much of the foreign policy community did not expect.

To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.
The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.
Rudyard and Janice open the show with analysis of where the candidates stand as we enter the final stretch of this US election campaign. Rudyard believes Trump is positioned to squeak out a win thanks to the importance of the electoral college over the popular vote. And at a time of increased distrust of mainstream media, how and when will a winner be declared? How will a win be certified if there are challenges from the other party? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to Ukraine, where North Korean troops are aiding the Russian army's offensive. How much of an escalation is this development, and can untested North Korean troops really make a difference in this war? We are seeing the restructuring of alliances because of the Ukraine War, and a future where the threats in the Middle East and Asia are linked with the threats in Asia. In the final moments of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the Ayatollah of Iran instructing his military to prepare for a counter strike on Israel for hitting its military targets - a surprise development that much of the foreign policy community did not expect.
To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a <a href="https://munkdebates.com/donate">donor</a> to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.
More information at <a href="https://open.acast.com/shows/6008b82f0c8488532b25d16c/episodes/www.munkdebates.com">www.munkdebates.com</a>.

Friday Focus: the US election enters the final stretch and North Korean troops join the war in Ukraine

Israel’s retaliatory air strikes against Iran last week targeted strategic military locations, including drone and ballistic missile manufacturing sites as well as air defense batteries. And while the mission has been celebrated as a successful one by both Israeli and US military officials, some argue that Israel should seize on the current moment – specifically the inability of Iran to defend itself against a large scale attack - to destroy its nuclear facilities, neutralize the threat to Israel, and restore stability to the Middle East. Critics argue that this plan would result in a significant military retaliation by the Iranian government that will lead to a wider regional war that will draw in Israel’s allies, in particular the United States. America must use all the resources and influences at its disposal to prevent Israel from further strikes against Iran and de-escalate this crisis before it’s too late.

Arguing in favour of the resolution is Mark Dubowitz. Mark is the CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a non-profit, non-partisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security.

Arguing against the resolution is Christopher Chivvis, senior fellow and director of the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.



You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote.

The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths. 

To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership

Paid Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, streaming of our upcoming debates, and ticketing privileges at our live events.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/

Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz

Editor: Kieran Lynch

Israel’s retaliatory air strikes against Iran last week targeted strategic military locations, including drone and ballistic missile manufacturing sites as well as air defense batteries. And while the mission has been celebrated as a successful one by both Israeli and US military officials, some argue that Israel should seize on the current moment – specifically the inability of Iran to defend itself against a large scale attack - to destroy its nuclear facilities, neutralize the threat to Israel, and restore stability to the Middle East. Critics argue that this plan would result in a significant military retaliation by the Iranian government that will lead to a wider regional war that will draw in Israel’s allies, in particular the United States. America must use all the resources and influences at its disposal to prevent Israel from further strikes against Iran and de-escalate this crisis before it’s too late.
Arguing in favour of the resolution is Mark Dubowitz. Mark is the CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a non-profit, non-partisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security.
Arguing against the resolution is Christopher Chivvis, senior fellow and director of the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
 
You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote.
The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths. 
To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at <a href="https://munkdebates.com/membership">https://munkdebates.com/membership</a>
Paid Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, streaming of our upcoming debates, and ticketing privileges at our live events.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - <a href="https://munkdebates.com/">https://munkdebates.com/</a>
Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz
Editor: Kieran Lynch

Be it Resolved, don’t stop now. The U.S. should join Israel and take out Iran’s nuclear program

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

As we enter into the final stretch of one of the most consequential presidential elections in US history, Janice and Rudyard disregard the often inaccurate polls to make their own predictions about who will win on November 5th. Regardless of the revelations about his personal character, the state of inflation, immigration, and the economy is fueling his resilience in this race. How will the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and China - currently stalled due to the upcoming election - start heating up again post November 5th? And how will the winner - Harris or Trump - affect these geopolitical conflicts and the global economy? To wrap up today's show Rudyard and Janice discuss the revelations being made by Trump's former high ranking officials John Kelley and Mark Milley about his embrace of fascism and why voters should take their warnings seriously.

To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.
The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.
As we enter into the final stretch of one of the most consequential presidential elections in US history, Janice and Rudyard disregard the often inaccurate polls to make their own predictions about who will win on November 5th. Regardless of the revelations about his personal character, the state of inflation, immigration, and the economy is fueling his resilience in this race. How will the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and China - currently stalled due to the upcoming election - start heating up again post November 5th? And how will the winner - Harris or Trump - affect these geopolitical conflicts and the global economy? To wrap up today's show Rudyard and Janice discuss the revelations being made by Trump's former high ranking officials John Kelley and Mark Milley about his embrace of fascism and why voters should take their warnings seriously.
To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a <a href="https://munkdebates.com/donate">donor</a> to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.
More information at <a href="https://open.acast.com/shows/6008b82f0c8488532b25d16c/episodes/www.munkdebates.com">www.munkdebates.com</a>.

Friday Focus: A consequential election and serious warnings about Donald Trump

The release of the country album “Cowboy Carter” by Beyoncé this spring caused some surprising controversy. 

Some complained Beyoncé, who is Black, shouldn’t be dabbling in what many consider a white music genre. At least one radio station in Oklahoma initially refused to play the album’s first single, “Texas Hold’em.”

Her supporters pointed out that Black Americans have a rich history in country music and cowboy culture. But the incident raised the issue of cultural appropriation: The stealing from one culture by another. 

Some say that “imitation is the best form of flattery” and that cultures borrowing from each other only enriches us all. Others argue that while different cultures will always be inspired by and borrow elements from each other, there are times when borrowing crosses the line into theft. 

Arguing in favour of the resolution is Monica Harris. She is a TEDx speaker, blogger, and author of The Illusion of Division. She is also Executive Director of the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to bridging the ideological divide in America by focusing on shared values and interests.

Arguing against the resolution is Nadra Nittle. She is a reporter for The 19th News, and  has also written for Vox.com, the Los Angeles News Group, and many others. Her books include “Toni Morrison’s Spiritual Vision” and “Recognizing Microaggressions.”  

Free Munk Members can vote on who they think won this debate on our website, www.munkdebates.com



SOURCES: Beyonce

The host of this Munk Debates podcast is Ricki Gurwtiz

To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.  

To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/

Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz

Producer: Daniel Kitts

Editor: Kieran Lynch

The release of the country album “Cowboy Carter” by Beyoncé this spring caused some surprising controversy. 
Some complained Beyoncé, who is Black, shouldn’t be dabbling in what many consider a white music genre. At least one radio station in Oklahoma initially refused to play the album’s first single, “Texas Hold’em.”
Her supporters pointed out that Black Americans have a rich history in country music and cowboy culture. But the incident raised the issue of cultural appropriation: The stealing from one culture by another. 
Some say that “imitation is the best form of flattery” and that cultures borrowing from each other only enriches us all. Others argue that while different cultures will always be inspired by and borrow elements from each other, there are times when borrowing crosses the line into theft. 
Arguing in favour of the resolution is Monica Harris. She is a TEDx speaker, blogger, and author of The Illusion of Division. She is also Executive Director of the Foundation Against Intolerance &amp; Racism, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to bridging the ideological divide in America by focusing on shared values and interests.
Arguing against the resolution is Nadra Nittle. She is a reporter for The 19th News, and  has also written for Vox.com, the Los Angeles News Group, and many others. Her books include “Toni Morrison’s Spiritual Vision” and “Recognizing Microaggressions.”  
Free Munk Members can vote on who they think won this debate on our website, www.munkdebates.com
 
SOURCES: Beyonce
The host of this Munk Debates podcast is Ricki Gurwtiz
To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.  
To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at <a href="https://munkdebates.com/membership">https://munkdebates.com/membership</a>
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - <a href="https://munkdebates.com/">https://munkdebates.com/</a>
Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz
Producer: Daniel Kitts
Editor: Kieran Lynch

Be it Resolved, cultural appropriation is part of the American experience.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

Rudyard and Janice open the show with the big news of the week: the death of Yahya Sinwar. How significant is his death to the current conflict? How will Israel's allies and adversaries take advantage of this moment to get a framework in place for Gaza's future? Can Israel convert their string of tactical victories to a strategic success? Meanwhile, with Iran suffering loss after loss and desperate to save face, it would be foolhardy to assume that because Sinwar is dead the danger is over. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to the US election. With only twenty days to go, their focus is on Donald Trump's fixation with tariffs that would likely become a key part of American fiscal policy should he win in November. Rudyard and Janice worry that his skewed understanding of tariffs will increase inflation and have devastating consequences on the American economy and particularly the working class he so famously champions.

To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.
The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.
Rudyard and Janice open the show with the big news of the week: the death of Yahya Sinwar. How significant is his death to the current conflict? How will Israel's allies and adversaries take advantage of this moment to get a framework in place for Gaza's future? Can Israel convert their string of tactical victories to a strategic success? Meanwhile, with Iran suffering loss after loss and desperate to save face, it would be foolhardy to assume that because Sinwar is dead the danger is over. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to the US election. With only twenty days to go, their focus is on Donald Trump's fixation with tariffs that would likely become a key part of American fiscal policy should he win in November. Rudyard and Janice worry that his skewed understanding of tariffs will increase inflation and have devastating consequences on the American economy and particularly the working class he so famously champions.
To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a <a href="https://munkdebates.com/donate">donor</a> to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.
More information at <a href="https://open.acast.com/shows/6008b82f0c8488532b25d16c/episodes/www.munkdebates.com">www.munkdebates.com</a>.

Friday Focus: the death of Yahya Sinwar and Trump's worrying economic plans

The Munk Debates podcast is an extension of the main stage events - in subject, speaker selection, tone and format. It will introduce the iconic brand - and its engaging debates about significant issues of our time. Audiences will hear strong and passionate arguments from both sides of an issue so they will have enough information to make up their own minds about where they stand.

The Munk Debates podcast is an extension of the main stage events - in subject, speaker selection, tone and format. It will introduce the iconic brand - and its engaging debates about significant issues of our time. Audiences will hear strong and passionate arguments from both sides of an issue so they will have enough information to make up their own minds about where they stand.

The Munk Debates Podcast

The Munk Debates Podcast is dedicated to convening civil and substantive debates and dialogues on the big issues of the day. Each debate features two compelling thinkers debating a topic driving the public conversation. Each dialogue features world-renowned thinkers offering unique insight into the issues affecting us most. The podcast is an extension of the charitable Munk Debates' commitment to pushing back against the political polarization and restoring the art of public debate in our time. For more information about the Munk Debates visit www.munkdebates.com/podcast

The Munk Debates Podcast is dedicated to convening civil and substantive debates and dialogues on the big issues of the day. Each debate features two compelling thinkers debating a topic driving the public conversation. Each dialogue features world-renowned thinkers offering unique insight into the issues affecting us most. The podcast is an extension of the charitable Munk Debates' commitment to pushing back against the political polarization and restoring the art of public debate in our time. For more information about the Munk Debates visit www.munkdebates.com/podcast

Munk Debates Podcast

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