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Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and retired Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant Dennis Fritz, a former Pentagon insider, as they explore the extremely important insights in Fritz’s new book, Deadly Betrayal, which uncovers the ugly truths behind the Iraq War in 2003. Drawing from dramatic evidence, Fritz explains how a group of high-level Pentagon officials (a “cabal” in Fritz’s description) in the Bush Jr. Administration manipulated intelligence, pressured other nations, and swayed Congress and public to support a disastrous war. 

Together, they delve into the astounding evidence that Fritz uncovered during his work at the Pentagon while examining the documentary record of the war.  Fritz discovered three reasons for the utterly misguided Iraq War: to restore American “credibility” in the Middle East, to go to war on Israel’s behalf, and to deliver “democracy” at gunpoint. The results were a massive failure on all counts. 

The lessons of the Iraq War remain crucial for our own time, as various lobbies continue to try to manipulate the US into still more unnecessary and reckless wars.

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

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Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and political scientist Aaron Good as they discuss Good’s book, American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Good delves into the breakdown of U.S. democracy, focusing on the continuity of American foreign policy, the erosion of the rule of law, and the concentration of wealth and power among the corporate elite

Together, they uncover the hidden forces shaping American governance, including the creation of a national security state after World War II and the rise of a covert empire. The podcast explores how the U.S. deep state, driven by corporate and security interests, has influenced major events like foreign interventions and political assassinations, and examines the future prospects for restoring democracy in America.

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

Footnotes:

• American Exceptionalism
• New World Order
• Liberal Democracy
• John Locke
• Neoconservatism
• NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
• Putin Interview with French newspaper Le Figaro
• Peace of Westphalia
• Thirty Years’ War
• Hegemony
• Cold War
• Sovereignty
• Napoleonic Wars
• The Economic Consequences of the Peace
• Treaty of Versailles
• Carl Schmitt
• UN Charter
• Deep State
• Council on Foreign Relations
• Covert Operation

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Join Professors Jeffrey Sachs, Christina Gerhardt and UN Senior Advisor on Small Island Developing States, Simona Marinescu as they discuss human induced global warming, the implications of rising sea levels, and Gerhardt’s book, Sea Change: An Atlas of Islands in a Rising Ocean. This discussion shifts our focus to the frontlines of climate change—low-lying islands and despite contributing the least to global warming, these islands bear the brunt of its impacts. 

Together, they explore the local stories of various islands and coastlines through immersive storytelling, scientific insight, and research from each of their own personal experiences. Join us to learn about the impacts of climate change, tourism, military bases and more on these island economies and their indigenous inhabitants. While the implications for these communities are dire, leave hopeful that there are solutions and approaches being used to protect the cultural heritage and identity of these islands.

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

Footnotes:

• SIDS
• US and China Climate Standoff
• US Climate Negotiations
• Sea Levels Rising 
• Colonialism in SIDS 
• Climatologists 
• Nature based Solutions
• Low Lying Islands 
• Migration with Dignity Policy 
• IPPC
• James Hansen 
• Ice sheets melting 
• Manhattan Fate to Sea Level Rising 
• Internal Displacement on SIDS
• Pact for the Future
• Marshall Plan for SIDS

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Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Dr. Alfred de Zayas as they discuss de Zayas’s book, Building a Just World Order which delves into the possibility of a democratic and equitable international order, essential for sustainable development and the welfare of future generations

Together, they explore the work of Dr. Alfred de Zayas, the first Independent Expert on a Democratic and Equitable International Order appointed by the UN. They discuss his 14 reports outlining 25 principles for a just global system, including reforms to the UN, human rights protections, and economic justice. Dr. Zayas addresses issues like UN Security Council reforms, the impact of World Bank and IMF policies, and critiques unilateral sanctions. He also advocates for the right to reliable information and accountability on indigenous rights, ecocide, and torture. Tune in for insights on these vital recommendations and the call for ethical politics and human rights

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

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Please join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and China expert, Jean Dong as they discuss Dong’s fascinating book, Chinese Statecraft in a Changing World: Demystifying Enduring Traditions and Dynamic Constraints. Ms. Dong offers a rich and subtle historical perspective on China’s statecraft, diplomacy, and national objectives.  Her historically based analysis offers us great insights into the new geopolitics of our age. 

 Together, Prof. Sachs and Ms. Dong explore the history and practice of Chinese statecraft, revealing its continuities and changes over long periods of history.  They explore how geographical factors have shaped China's world outlook and approaches to international relations. Join this exciting conversation to gain a deeper understanding of the international politics of our world today. 

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

Footnotes:

• Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies
• Song Dynasty 
• Chinese Geography 
• Chinese Statecraft
• Joseph Needham
• China’s Security and Border
• Mao Zedong 
• Ming Dynasty 
• Oil Industry in China 
• Zhou Dynasty 
• Chinese Communist Party
• Communism
• China’s Black Cat, White Cat Diplomacy
• China and US relations 
• Opium Wars 

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Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Monika Wiesak as they discuss one of America's most iconic leaders in, America's Last President: What the World Lost When It Lost John F. Kennedy. Listen in as they delve into the thrilling saga of a young, audacious visionary who dared to challenge the status quo and redefine the course of history.

Together, they uncover the untold story of courage and sacrifice of JFK’s legacy—one where he embarked on a daring mission to reshape the world order, advocating for decentralized power, global peace, and the rights of every citizen. JFK’s relentless pursuit of justice led him into epic battles against entrenched interests, culminating in a showdown that changed the course of nations. From his crusade for civil rights to his groundbreaking efforts in arms control, JFK’s unwavering commitment to a brighter future for all inspires us to confront deep questions about what it all means for our world today.

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

Footnotes:

• John F. Kennedy 
• Poland’s Fall of Communism
• JFK Civil Rights Speech
• George W Bush Weapons of Mass Destruction 
• JFK’s Peace Speech
• Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
• Civil Rights Act
• “Peace is a Process, a Way of Solving Problems”
• Bob Dylan - Murder Most Foul
• Character Assassination of JFK
• Ted Sorensen
• Khrushchev’s Knot
• Khrushchev and Kennedy Letters
• Anti-Colonialist
• War Mongers
• CIA
• Vietnam and JFK

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Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs in his conversation with authors James and Tom Risen on their important, new book The Last Honest Man, a gripping biography of Idaho Senator, Frank Church.  The Risens describe the remarkable events of 1975, when Senator Church almost single-handedly took on the CIA and FBI, to hold them accountable for serious crimes that they had committed, including the CIA’s assassination plots and the CIA’s and FBI’s illegal surveillance of American citizens. 

This is an inspiring story of how one idealistic Senator battled the powerful and secretive US security state and temporarily brought it under public scrutiny.  Alas, it is also a profound warning for our own time - as the 1975 Church Committee was the last time in half a century that the CIA has been thoroughly investigated. Tune in for a fascinating discussion of pivotal events 50 years ago and their profound relevance for today. 

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

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Join Professors Jeffrey Sachs and Bryan Van Norden as they discuss Prof. Van Norden’s book, Taking Back Philosophy: A Multicultural Manifesto. As a leading expert in Chinese philosophy, Prof. Van Norden promotes an inclusive, multicultural approach to philosophical inquiry, and urges educational institutions to uphold cosmopolitan ideals.

Together, they delve into Prof. Van Norden’s powerful critique of American higher education's neglect of philosophical traditions from non-Western cultures, including China, India, and Africa. Prof. Van Norden challenges the long-standing Eurocentric bias of philosophy departments, and advocates a multicultural approach to philosophical inquiry.

Join this Book Club episode to explore a dialogue of Western and Asian philosophy, illustrating the enriching potential of diversity in philosophy. Discover the call for inclusive philosophical inquiry, enjoy a wonderful introduction to Confucian and Buddhist philosophy, and listen in on a conversation that challenges traditional Western notions of wisdom and philosophy.

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Join Professors Jeffrey Sachs and an expert on religious conflict, Richard E. Rubenstein as they discuss Rubenstein’s book, Aristotle's Children: How Christians, Muslims, and Jews Rediscovered Ancient Wisdom and Illuminated the Middle Ages. Rubenstein skillfully guides us through the vivid controversies of the Middle Ages, making the philosophical debates of yesteryear both lively and accessible

Together, they discuss the riveting events that unfolded - sparking riots, initiating heresy trials, and causing seismic shifts within the Catholic Church.Throughout their discussion, you’ll uncover the origins of the age-old tension between reason and religion, a divide that continues to shape contemporary discourse. Listen in to gain insights into the foundational ideas that underpin modern thought, as we traverse the historical landscape where the clash of ancient wisdom and medieval upheaval set the stage for intellectual revolutions yet to come.

The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.

 Footnotes:

• Philosophy
• Aristotle
• When Jesus Became God
• Dark Ages
• Alexander the Great
• The Rise of Christianity
• Ancient Greek Philosophy
• Theologians
• Paganism
• The Golden Age
• Toledo School of Translators
• Aristotelianism
• Plato
• The Double Truth
• Peter Abelard
• Saint Augustine 
• St. Thomas Aquinas
• Albertus Magnus
• Big Bang

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Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and political and media analyst Norman Solomon as they discuss Solomon’s important new book, War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine. 

Listen in as Solomon and Sachs explore the intricate interplay between the mainstream media and powerful political forces that promote America’s disastrous “wars of choice” – including the US-led wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and currently the US-Russia proxy war in Ukraine and the US backing of Israel’s war in Gaza.   

Solomon’s book explores how American foreign policy has become one of perpetual war, and how the media systematically hide the tragic human and political consequences of these wars, thereby enabling the US Government to perpetuate these conflicts.

Footnotes:

• Ukraine War
• 2023 Israel-Hamas War
• Vietnam War
• MLK - madness of militarism
• Pseudo-democracy
• Propaganda
• Orwellian
• Political Geology of 1984
• Rules-based Order 
• NATO
• Military-industrial Complex
• Ethnic Cleansing
• NATO Bombing of Yugoslavia
• Genocide
• Rashida Tlaib
• South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel at the ICJ
• Common Dreams
• War in Yemen
• Pentagon Papers
• War Profiteering
• Information Warfare - Censorship

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