Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates. 

The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

On this week’s edition of the Friday Focus podcast, Janice and Rudyard start the show with a discussion of this week’s developments in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Why are we seeing a sudden flare-up of violence, including rocket attacks, jet strikes and a controversial protest and raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem? Friday Focus wraps up with a discussion of China’s growing efforts to advance its currency as a substitute for the U.S. dollar in global trade. What exactly is happening here, and what could it mean for the future of USD as a global reserve currency in the decade ahead?

To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast, consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

More information at www.munkdebates.com.