In a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, alliances are changing fast. The US, Russia, and China are using their influence to rally support from previously neutral countries. Increasingly, nations -- especially developing nations -- are forced to pick a side. Is non-alignment possible in an increasingly polarized world? Who are the fence sitters, and how long can they hedge their bets?

The Altamar hosts are joined by Matias Spektor, founder and professor at the School of International Relations at Fundacao Getulio Vargas. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines the history of the Non-Aligned Movement.

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Several years into Brexit, the country has not found its footing politically, economically, and in its very soul. The UK is working to rebuild relationships with Europe while dealing with renewed calls for independence from Scotland and Northern Ireland. The economy has fared better than expected, even though inflation has resulted in a deep cost-of-living crisis. Rising economic inequality and anti-immigration sentiments add to the uncertainty.

The Altamar hosts are joined by Jon Sopel, former award-winning BBC journalist and television personality. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines unfavorable youth views on the monarchy and economy. 

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Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine eroded the concept of neutrality as an effective policy in a polarized world. That’s especially true for countries in close geographic proximity to Russia. Recently, Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, ending 100 years of neutrality. With 830 miles of border between Russia and Finland, NATO’s newest addition changes the strategic balance in Europe. These major geopolitical shifts are likely to outlast the actual Russian invasion of Ukraine. What does that mean for the global world order?

The Altamar hosts are joined by Mika Sinuhe Wallinheimo, Finnish Member of Parliament since 2011. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines the increasingly conservative youth vote in Finland and Sweden.

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These days, Mexico is one contradiction after another. For example, President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador – or AMLO, as he is called – declared a rhetorical war on the private sector, yet the economy is holding on pretty well – at least for now. On the tourism front, it’s one of the world’s booming tourist destinations, despite travel advisories warning of drugs and crime at popular destinations. And on trade, the government is on a protectionist streak, yet the North American Free Trade Agreement was renegotiated. What’s really going on in Mexico?

The Altamar hosts are joined by Jorge Guajardo, former Mexican diplomat and global savant. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines issues at the border between the US and Mexico.

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COVID-19 turned many workplaces and schools into virtual or hybrid environments. Artificial intelligence has become part of daily life with new products such as Chat GPT. The UK just had a hugely successful 4-day workweek trial. With all of these new developments, what is the future of work? But not every industry or every country will transform in the same way. We discuss what skills are needed, where and how we work, who will be the winners and losers, and, of course, how much of the world will actually change at all. Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Dany Bahar, an associate professor at Brown University and nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines inequalities in the service industry.

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Nigeria’s presidential vote constituted one of the most closely watched and significant elections of the year. One of the world’s top oil producers, Nigeria has suffered political and economic upheaval since its independence from the UK in 1960. In lead up to this election, young people were galvanized, and many hoped for change. But then, the election was defined by a small margin, low turnout, and rampant corruption. There were widespread accounts of voter irregularities, sporadic violence at polling stations, disorderly delays, and other logistical issues. Why doesn’t the enthusiasm for change actually bring change to Nigeria? 

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Ayisha Osori, a Nigerian lawyer, international development consultant, and politician. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines the rise of Nigeria’s galvanized youth. 

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Country rankings – whether it’s about the economy, democracy, or environmental standards – are important for a country’s reputation. The Economist produces its annual Economic Rankings, which look at several economic factors to assess economic stability. Since COVID, the process of “measuring” countries has been turned upside down. The 2022 Economist Economic Ranking is a good example of the confusion. In the ranking, Turkey, on the verge of dictatorship and with sky-high inflation, ranks well above the US. Colombia was higher than Denmark. And Greece was the #1 economically successful country in the world. What determines these rankings at a time of deep economic uncertainties? 

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Callum Williams, senior economics writer at The Economist. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines Greece’s rise in several other rankings. 

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OSINT is the gathering and analysis of publicly available data from unlimited and all-encompassing sources. This new tool is shaping the frontlines of war, terror, and other geopolitical threats.

Open Source Intelligence is a tool, and like any tool, its purpose and morality depend on how it’s used. Analysts use open sources to find illegal activity and identify threats. Bad actors use it to plan and target networks through hacking and cyberterrorism. Ukraine has used geo-location from Russian soldiers sending pictures back home to figure out the location of Russian troops.  Companies benefit from it in employee screening, research, and analytics. OSINT is changing the nature of geopolitical threats – and the defense against them. How will this powerful tool be used next?  

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Arthur Bradley, Senior OSINT Analyst at Tech Against Terrorism. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines how open sources have changed the way we all consume news. 

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Biodiversity is crucial for our planet’s food security, climate resilience, supply chains, and our economy. Half of global GDP relies on nature. Governments are scrambling to create policies on conservation – is it too little too late? 

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the variety of species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity. It has growing economic value as most industries rely on healthy ecosystems. Companies are paying closer attention to biodiversity and environmental, social, and governance initiatives have become mainstream. After decades of inaction, international agreements and regulations are slowly becoming building blocks to a more sustainable world. Will this slow building of a protective wall suffice?

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Collin O’Mara, CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines strategies to unlock financing for conservation and nature-based solutions. 

News around the world centered on the violent protests in Brazil by those who rejected election results and sought to overthrow the government following the presidential transition (sound familiar?). The riots were – at best – a collapse of military preparedness or – at worst – included the help and connivance of the military and business elites. How stable is Brazil? Will another shoe drop? 

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Ricardo Sennes, a political analyst and Brazil expert. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines how the Brazilian insurrection is yet more proof of the failure to regulate social media.  

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2022 put energy in the headlines nearly every day. The list of interlocking energy issues is huge: Europe’s spiraling prices and gas shortages, the war in Ukraine and the cutoff of Russia’s oil and gas from world markets, canceling Nordstream 2, the rift between the US and the Saudis, COP 27 and the green energy transition to renewables are only a few of the issues that will spill over into this new year. – to name just a few. 

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by David Goldwyn, a globally recognized thought leader, educator, and policy innovator in energy security. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic examines two challenges for the global green energy transition. 

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