Carnegie Council Video Podcast

"I still believe that we're heading toward a renewable resource-based economy. I think that it's inevitable," declares Steven Cohen. How will we get there? A combination of market forces as renewables become cheaper, better technology, and the sharing economy.

What happens when Sweden, one of the most welcoming countries on Earth for migrants, simply runs out of beds? What are the unpleasant (and politically incorrect) truths about the difficulties of assimilation in Europe? How can we have honest policy discussions about this? Author James Traub has been spending time in Sweden, France, and Germany and has given these sensitive issues much thought. Don't miss his unflinching analysis.

"Oceans dominate the world," says Admiral Stavridis. After all, 70 percent of the globe is covered by water. In this masterly overview of the seven seas, he touches on the maritime battles that changed history; current geopolitics from the South China Sea to the Mediterranean; and the fact that environmentally, the oceans are "the largest crime scene in the world."

Sometimes well-meaning liberals can fall into the trap of political correctness, or what the Swedes call "the opinion corridor," according to author and journalist James Traub. Stating unpleasant or painful truths--about the challenges of assimilating immigrants in Sweden, for example--is essential for honest policy discussions, declares Traub. "If anything, I would say refusing to talk about those hard things leaves the field open to the populist demagogue like Donald Trump."

This seminar, sponsored by the Carnegie UK Trust as part of a study tour on the future of public libraries, explores privacy and the role that libraries can play in this arena. Keynote speaker Bruce Schneier paints a bleak picture of the erosion of privacy, since we are all constantly creating a data trail. Yet he declares that none of this is irreversible. It's a question of changing our laws, policies, and norms, and libraries can help.

In this timely event, Floyd Abrams, a noted lawyer and award-winning legal scholar specializing in First Amendment issues, examines the degree to which American law protects free speech more often, more intensely, and more controversially than is the case anywhere else in the world, including democratic nations such as Canada and England.

Gilles Kepel, a professor at Sciences Po in Paris, is an internationally recognized authority on the Arab world and one of the leading experts on French Muslims. He finds himself in the spotlight once again. According to the Daily Beast, he has become French President Emmanuel Macron's "man on terrorism."

In this clip, Kepel answers a question that is on everyone's mind: How can France respond structurally to young Muslims who feel alienated from society? In a sincere answer, Kepel references his own background and points to two key areas that President Macron will be working on as he begins his five-year term.

With the horrific attacks in Manchester, England still fresh in our minds, it is clear that Kepel's words must be turned into action if we want to prevent future attacks on Western Europe and North America.

What explains the global resurgence of populism and the rise of political actors on the right? And what are the effects on longstanding alliances, international institutions, and accepted norms? Don't miss this lively conversation with Leon Botstein, president of Bard College, and international affairs expert Walter Russell Mead.

How is today's Internet driving political fragmentation, polarization, and even extremism—and what can be done about it? Legal scholar Cass Sunstein shares the results of his research.

"Limiting civilian casualties is always morally and ethically the right thing to do," declares Joseph Felter, speaking from both his research and personal military experience. "But in some situations, it is also part of winning."