Background Briefing

Background Briefing – July 11, 2023

We begin with tomorrow’s NATO summit ahead of which we have just learned that Turkey’s Erdogan has dropped his objections to Sweden entering the alliance. Joining us to discuss alternatives to joining NATO such as Ukraine modeling its future security on Israel, which is something Zelensky has suggested, is Stephen Wertheim, a senior fellow in the … Continued


Island nations have produced the least carbon dioxide emissions, but are paying the greatest price for global warming as they face inundation and obliteration. Yet many in wealthy continental countries know little about them or their plight. Scholar and environmental journalist Christina Gerhardt discusses the circumstances of islands surrounded by a rising sea, many made … Continued


Guest: Simon Johnson is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Sloan School at MIT, where he is also head of the Global Economics and Management group. Previously chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, he has worked on global economic crises and recoveries for thirty years.  He is the author of several books and … Continued