Altamar - Navigating the High Seas of Global Politics

National security is more complex than ever before. The dangerous rivalry between the US and China continues to grow. The Middle East’s balance of power is shifting. And threats to democracy are deepening around the world. Not to mention, the heightened cybersecurity risks due to heightened dangers of hacks and data thefts from the COVID-era’s teleworking and virtual gatherings.  Where do we begin? 

In a special edition of Altamar with Johns Hopkins University’s Hopkins at Home, hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by John McLaughlin, former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the CIA and world expert on security to dissect the growing security challenges the US faces over the next decade. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic highlights the new frontier of security threats: cyberthreats in space.

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Produced by Simpler Media

After 18 months of COVID and a turbulent geopolitical map, this crucial global convening of leaders will set the stage for the environmental future of planet Earth. COP is coordinated by the UN and produced the Paris Accord five years ago. Now, many of the world’s top leaders are back to discuss what happens next.

COP 26 comes at a time of huge energy confusion. Energy prices are off the charts, and there simply is not enough clean energy to meet the world’s needs. What can we expect from this meeting?

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Michael Jenkins, President and CEO of Forest Trends and former Associate Director for the Global Security and Sustainability Program of the MacArthur Foundation. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic discusses the impact and role of youth in a time where climate policy is crucial.

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Produced by Simpler Media

First the Panama Papers in 2016, then the Paradise Papers in 2017, and now the Pandora Papers. The massive leaks expose financial maneuverings and corruption at the world’s highest levels. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists worked with more than 140 media organizations on its biggest-ever global investigation. Data reveals hidden wealth, tax avoidance, and money laundering by the world’s most rich and powerful. But not all of these practices are illegal. What constitutes the legality and ethics behind these hidden financial activities? 

The Pandora Papers highlight the blurred lines between legal and illegal financial practices. Clearly, those most empowered to end financial “grey areas” are also those most heavily invested in prolonging secret accounts for their own benefit. The dozens of politicians exposed are already experiencing political pain from voters, giving way to more populist extremes. What does that mean for democracy itself?

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Mark Pieth, founding president of the Basel Institute on Governance and a leading voice on anti-corruption practices. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic discusses technological advances to protect whistleblowers who expose these shady practices.

Everyone’s looking at Germany. Not because its general elections are typically an exciting affair, but because Chancellor Angela Merkel is stepping down after more than a decade and a half at the helm of Europe’s most powerful nation. Germany’s youth wanted a female, young, climate activist to take her place, but the leader of a likely coalition will be Social Democrat Olaf Scholz.

Beyond Germany, this election is realigning EU politics. There are questions about whether France’s Macron will step into the Merkel vacuum, but he is up for re-election and isn’t known for consensus-building strengths. Beyond Macron, however, it is hard to think of an alternative. Will the values and unity of the EU remain strong?

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Ramiro Villapadierna, former Executive Director at Instituto Cervantes and longtime Central European journalist based in Berlin. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic discusses the disappointment of young German voters who desperately wanted the Green Party in power.

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Produced by Simpler Media

Social activism and conscious consumerism are on everyone’s mind. Should businesses be taking stances on the social justice debate of the day?

Given the repeated failures of government to resolve long-festering issues such as widening inequality, injustice, and racism, corporations have now become more engaged in pushing social causes.  Is this simply good marketing? 

At a time when Millennials and Gen-Zers demand more social “woke-ness,” companies are quickly jumping on the opportunity to demonstrate their activism as a way to stand out in the market. Some of it appears legitimate – think of Patagonia, Ben and Jerry, and Nike’s recent support of Colin Kaepernick. Other corporate actions elicit a more cynical response Think of British oil giant BP renaming itself to become “Beyond Petroleum” or Phillip Morris railing against smoking. So, we delved deeper. How far should activism really go? How do we differentiate between genuine mission orientation vs. corporate propaganda to make more profits for shareholders?

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Vivek Ramaswamy, author of Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam, who argues the case that politics has no place in business. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic takes us on a journey: the founding of Immigrant Food, Washington, DC’s first cause-casual restaurant with an embedded social justice mission.

Since the early 2000s, most US and European companies have cut significant costs by moving manufacturing operations to China and Southeast Asia. Because of COVID disrupted supply chains, growing tensions and trade disputes between China and Western nations, and backlash over China’s dismal human rights records, companies are seeking diversity. As CEOs are rethinking their supply chain strategies and looking to new areas, the Caribbean and Central American regions are positioning themselves as attractive, close-to-the-US global manufacturers. Will this new practice be a fad or a long-term solution?

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Roberto Álvarez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, to explain this new concept of “nearshoring.” Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic discusses how governments must do more to prepare their young population for nearshoring.

Calls for freedom and change ring in Cuba as the country faced the most widespread, violent protests since 1959. What spurred these demonstrations and what lies in store for the island’s future?

Exhausted by food shortages, lack of opportunity, and a declining economy, protests exploded across the island as people – from novelists and singers to cooks and nurses – took to the streets to call for freedom from the authoritarian regime. The world was taken by surprise by the scope and size of the Cuban people’s defiance. Despite years of oppression and a complete lack of political freedom, Cubans don’t seem to merit more than a shrug from many Western governments. Why? The U.S.’ decades-long embargo hasn’t succeeded in isolating Cuba, but rather the U.S.  Other countries – from Canada to Brazil, Spain, and China – have invested heavily for years on the island. The embargo has become the Havana authoritarian government’s favorite political crutch. 

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by José Miguel Vivanco, Director of the Human Rights Watch’s Americas division and a clear voice in defense of human rights, to dig into the complexities of Cuba. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic discusses how social media allowed young Cubans to use the internet as a tool for protest.

America’s “longest war” has again entered the spotlight as the Biden Administration announced a complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces. Nicknamed ‘the graveyard of empires,’ Afghanistan has defeated many global powers – the British, the Soviets, and now the Americans. The U.S. leaves after having spent close to $800 billion and lost countless lives. The Taliban’s growing presence is worrisome, not least because of its grip on civilian life in the country.  Now, with the lack of military and security forces, who will fill the power vacuum?

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Edward Girardet, an expert on Afghanistan and editor of Crosslines Global Report and President of the International Centre for Humanitarian Reporting, to sort out what lies in store for the future of Afghanistan. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic discusses how the U.S. withdrawal will affect human rights, particularly the lives of Afghani women and girls.

The worldwide vaccination effort has deepened the fault lines between rich and poor countries. While more developed countries are welcoming a long-anticipated reopening, developing countries continue to live a hellish public health crisis. The global initiative, COVAX, spearheaded by the WHO, GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance), CEPI, and UNICEF, aims to provide participating countries with equal access to vaccines. But it’s not that simple. The global effort is riddled with obstacles from vaccine hesitancy, trade restrictions, lockdowns, political conflict, and lack of cooperation from richer countries. How can this international partnership succeed?

In a special edition of Altamar with Johns Hopkins University’s Hopkins at Home, hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Bill Moss, Executive Director of the International Vaccine Access Center, to delve into the international efforts of vaccine distribution amid a global pandemic. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic discusses the educational, social, and psychological adversity facing young people because of constant school closures all around the developing world.

With the end of Copa America and the Eurocup, and the Olympics starting soon, sports are on everyone’s mind this Summer. Most sports now share various commonalities: a huge influx of money from sponsors, venture capital and huge corporations, injured athletes, corruption, and political ambition. Sports have become an arena for countries, companies, investors, fans, broadcasters, and athletes to jostle in a global free-for-all to prove who’s on top. Is it all too much?

Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Nick Sprague, co-owner of sports biotech and data science leader Orreco, to sort out the intricacies of the sports industry. Altamar’s ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic discusses women in sports, in both the developing world and wealthy countries, as well as the challenges, changes, and future opportunities they face.