Open to Debate

The U.S. has long balanced military strength with soft power in the Middle East through agencies like USAID. With the Trump administration reversing these policies, is this a necessary realignment—or a costly retreat? Those against these changes argue this will boost rivals like Iran and China and harm America’s image. Those hailing them argue it’s a necessary correction, favoring clear, transactional geopolitical goals over costly diplomacy. Now we debate: Was Trump Right to Be Hard on Soft Power in the Middle East? 

Arguing Yes: Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, President & Founder of Ideas Beyond Borders  

Arguing No: Jeffrey Gedmin, President & CEO of the Middle East Broadcasting Networks 

Xenia Wickett, Geopolitical strategist, moderator at Wickett Advisory, and Trustee of Transparency International UK, is the guest moderator. 

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NASA, SpaceX, and other private companies are working on plans to make Mars humanity’s next frontier. However, should settling Mars be one of America’s priorities? Those arguing “yes” say the U.S. should do it first before China does, and it would lead to new advances in science and technology. But those against doing so say there are big issues that would make colonization difficult for humanity. Now we debate: Should the U.S. Prioritize Settling Mars? 

Arguing Yes: Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica 

Arguing No: Shannon Stirone, Freelance Science Writer 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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For decades, objectivity has been cited as journalism's gold standard, promising that journalists would stick “to the facts" and deliver both sides of the story, excluding their personal views. Those in support say it builds trust and gives newsreaders the information they need to form their own opinions. Those against say it suppresses certain valuable viewpoints and that some issues don’t merit the "both sides" treatment. Now, we debate: "Is Objectivity Essential in Journalism?” 

Arguing Yes: Bret Stephens, Opinion Columnist at The New York Times   

Arguing No: Leonard Downie, Jr, Former Executive Editor of The Washington Post 

Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator.

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Today we’re bringing you an episode of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, the new podcast by one of our frequent guest moderators, Nayeema Raza. Nayeema asks the questions we’re all thinking to big thinkers in this new show. It is brimming with curiosity, open-mindedness and a willingness to learn – values we hold dear at Open to Debate. 

As fertility rates plummet, and Millenials and Gen Z increasingly cite climate change and the state of the world as reasons they’re not having children, Nayeema asks: is the future really too bleak to have babies? Her guest is journalist Cleo Abram, a YouTuber who has amassed over 5 million subscribers as she tells optimistic tech stories. Nayeema and Cleo break down quantum, the rise of robots and how technology shifts from IVF to artificial wombs will change not just if, but how, we have babies. Also on the agenda: the media’s bias – not toward left or right, but toward negativity and the opportunity for more curious, independent and fact-based journalism.

If you like this episode, you’ll enjoy Nayeema’s episode with Mark Cuban about capitalism, Neil deGrasse Tyson about physics, and two members of Gen Alpha about screen time. Follow Smart Girl Dumb Questions on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. 

The Guest: Cleo Abram, an independent tech journalist behind Huge If True

The Host: Nayeema Raza, journalist and host of “Smart Girl Dumb Questions” 

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Reporter and podcaster Derek Thompson says we’re better at recognizing problems, but our ability to solve them has not improved. How can we make sure meaningful progress occurs? In this conversation with Open to Debate guest moderator Nayeema Raza, Thompson will discuss his new book “Abundance,” rethinking yesterday’s issues to address today’s problems, and what both sides of the political aisle should learn to ensure we have a more abundant society. 

Our Guest: Derek Thompson, Staff Writer at The Atlantic; Author of the "Work in Progress" Newsletter 

Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator. 

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American women are, on average, paid 84 cents for every dollar men make, according to the Department of Labor. This wage gap has persisted despite near-record rates of women’s participation in the labor market, with wage gaps even larger for women in minority populations, and it’s estimated that pay parity will not be achieved until 2052. Should policy interventions address these disparities, or is it more important to recognize and honor women's personal decisions and find another way to look at the gap Those in favor of fixing the gap see it as a point of fairness and equity that would bring economic benefits, such as enhanced family incomes and increased productivity, and say that new policies are needed urgently to dismantle systemic barriers stopping women from earning more. Those who aren’t in favor argue wage disparities reflect individual choices regarding career paths, work-life balance, and tenure, rather than systemic discrimination. They also point out that when adjusted for factors like job type, hours worked, and career breaks, the gap significantly narrows.  

Against this backdrop, we debate the question: Should We Address the Gender Wage Gap? 

Arguing Yes: Kadie Ward, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer of the Pay Equity Commission of Ontario 

Arguing No:  Allison Schrager, Pension Economist, Bloomberg Opinion Contributor & Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute 

Nayeema Raza, Journalist at New York Magazine and Vox, is the guest moderator. 

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UNRWA and other peacekeeping forces in the Middle East play an important role in the Israel-Palestine conflict, but do they do enough? Those saying they help argue that they act as buffers between warring factions, preventing wider regional escalation. Those saying they hurt argue they fail to maintain neutrality. Now we debate: UN Efforts in the Middle East: Helping or Hurting? 

Arguing Helping: Richard Gowan, UN and Multilateral Diplomacy Director at the International Crisis Group 

Arguing Hurting: Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch  

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have taken on a contentious role in the new Trump administration, which has affected federal agencies and thousands of workers. But are DOGE’s actions legal? Those arguing they aren’t worry it is overstepping and violating the Constitution. Those supporting DOGE’s actions say it is operating under strict oversight while fulfilling its mandate. Now we debate: Is Musk’s DOGE Dodging the Law? 

Arguing Yes: Laurence Tribe, University Professor of Constitutional Law Emeritus at Harvard Law School 

Arguing No: Michael W. McConnell, Former Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; Law Professor and Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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Are you ready to change the clock on Sunday? Is springing forward or falling back still an idea worth practicing? Those ready to end Daylight Savings argue it is inconvenient and has negative health and productivity effects. Those who want to keep Daylight Savings argue the time change’s effects are temporary and helps improve our quality of life. Now we debate: Is It Time to End Daylight Savings Time? 

Arguing Yes: Joan Costa-i-Font, Health Economist at the London School of Economics  

Arguing No: Binyamin Appelbaum, Member of the New York Times Editorial Board 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

Note: We have employed the colloquial ‘Daylight Savings Time’ phrasing used by our debaters and moderator.

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President Trump recently enacted a ten percent additional tariff on Chinese imports, and China has enacted retaliatory tariffs in response. Those affirming the tariffs are necessary argue they will encourage citizens to buy more domestically produced products. Those against the tariffs argue they will also create a trade war, harming both economies and global supply chains. Now we debate: Was Trump Right to Increase Tariffs on Chinese Imports?

Arguing Yes:   

Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing 

Stephen Moore, Economist, Author, and Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation; Co-founder of Unleash Prosperity 

Arguing No:  

Jennifer Hillman, Senior Fellow for Trade and International Political Economy at the Council on Foreign Relations  

Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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