iplomatic Courier’s staff are “gone sledding” for the rest of 2023 to recharge and reconnect with friends and family. It’s been an exciting and productive 2023 for the team here at Diplomatic Courier, and we hope the same has been true for you! But by this time of year, everybody needs a little break to recharge after a long year, to process all that’s happened, and to prepare ourselves for the year ahead.
For those of you who observe the upcoming holiday season, we wish you the happiest of holidays. And for all of you, we wish you a new year full of joy.
Until we return to regular publishing, here are some reads that you may have missed from the past several months. We hope you enjoy!
Geopolitics
We all thought that 2022 was an intense year in geopolitical competition and conflict. That may have been true, but 2023 showed us how much more intense things could get. It’s tough to keep current on all the developments, but we’re here to help.
American Views on the Ukraine War in 6 Charts
In the U.S., public opinion is turning against continued support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. Shifting sentiment has a partisan component, with Democrats more likely to support continued U.S. engagement and Republicans less so, writes Gallup’s Mohamed Younis.
The Global Consequences of the Israel-Hamas War
The return of war to the Middle East will most immediately have consequences for the region. But consequences will also be felt globally, with perhaps the biggest loser being Ukraine, and those consequences will worsen if the conflict drags on, writes Mark Leonard.
India-China Rivalry’s Impact on World Affairs and the Global South
For the Global South, the growing India–China rivalry compounds the prevailing U.S.-China competition. There is evidence that India will grow closer to the West and a rules-based international order even as China creates distance from that order, writes Kaush Arha.
Protectionism Started the Geopolitical Fire
Many economists criticized the Trump administration's protectionist policies, but praise those of President Biden. Yet both contributed to growing skepticism about international trade and cooperation which, in turn, contributes to today's heightened tensions, writes Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg.
Sustainability
COP28 was a disappointment for many observers, but there’s more to the sustainability story. The challenges are immense, but we continue to learn a great deal about how to overcome those challenges.
Supporting Teachers, Equipping Youth for a Sustainable Future
For community sustainable development policy to be successful, young people need to be active partners in policy design. Studies show the classroom is key to empowering youth to become effective stakeholders for sustainable development, write Drs. Carol O’Donnel, Brian Mandell, and Gillian Hinde.
A Real-World Approach to Education in Times of Climate Change
Higher education institutions (HEIs) have struggled to bring education for sustainable development into their curricula. Better cooperation between state governments, HEIs, private enterprise, and NGOs can help, write UN University’s Shyama Ramani and Alejandro Alvarez-Vanegas.
Bridging the Climate-Development Gap
Low-income countries are suffering a liquidity crunch that undermines their economic development while also deepening the global climate crisis. New ways to deliver debt relief are needed to allow these economies to grow again, and better tackle the climate crisis, write Dani Rodrik and Ishac Diwan.
4G Agriculture in Pursuit of Resilient Food Systems
Today, agricultural tech is also climate tech. Fourth generation agricultural practices utilizes digital innovation along the entire agrifood vertical, in turn making it possible to supply nutritious food in a manner consistent with stewardship of our planet, write Bernhard Kowatsch and Jaleh Daie.
Technological Innovation, Regulation
Generative AI made a major splash in 2023, and the world responded in a variety of ways. Beyond the hype, we are more aware than ever of both the very real dangers but the equally real opportunities posed by technological innovation.
How Meaningful AI Will Enable Human Flourishing
In an era dominated by algorithms that often compromise both personalization and privacy, the advent of meaningful AI promises better. Meaningful AI surpasses current AI with contextual understanding and real-time adaptation—and holds promise for the future of human flourishing, writes Nikos Acuña.
Shared Dream, Shared Responsibility
Technological innovation has long been touted as the way humanity will bring in better tomorrows, but a short-termist culture of greed undercut this promise. We've blamed this culture on so-called "tech bros," but we all share the blame and must be part of the solution, writes Astral's Daria Loi.
Facing the End of Privacy
Our concept of privacy is rapidly eroding in the modern age, but mostly we still believe our physical person remains sacrosanct. In her latest—thrilling and superbly reported—new book, Kashmir Hill explores the extent to which facial recognition means that’s not true, writes Joshua Huminski.
Human Success in the Age of AI
AI is changing the world, but the future belongs neither to AI nor to humans alone. Rather, humanity will co-evolve with technology, and we will all need to figure out what this hybridized future means for us personally and professionally, writes Jamie Metzl.
Institutions Under Fire
Our governance institutions today are suffering a dual crisis—efficacy and trust. Yet we need strong, effective, and trustworthy institutions to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Rule-Making in a Divided World
Today's world features deepening global divisions and escalating superpower rivalry. These shifts change how global governance institutions function, with the G7 scrambling to become more inclusive and multilateral, writes former Spanish foreign minister Ana Palacio.
Leverage AI to Turn SDG Ambitions into Realities
Essential targets contained within each of the 17 SDGs are reversing from initial positive trajectories. While AI poses various governance problems, it also has the potential to help us get back on track for the SDGs, writes Community of Democracies Secretary General Thomas Garrett.
The Geopolitics of EU Enlargement
As the EU continues to consider further expansion in Ukraine and the Balkans, more fundamental questions about the fundamental character of the EU are arising. These questions weigh the EU’s liberal values against geopolitical imperatives and a desire for strategic autonomy, writes Mark Leonard.
Confronting Autocracy Through Democratic Rejuvenation
The rise of autocratic leaders in recent years has experts questioning whether democracy in on an irrevocable decline. In his latest book, Charles Dunst argues that defeating dictatorship and preserving democracy starts at home, but fails to lay out a blueprint for doing so writes Joshua Huminski.
Miscellany
Not everything pressing fits into a neat little bucket, so we’re including a slightly larger (six articles!) miscellaneous section to highlight some reads we find to be particularly interesting, but which don’t fit comfortably in one of the other categories for this reading list.
Europe in the Age of Industrial Policy
The EU faces structural impediments to adopting industrial policy to counter economic headwinds, unlike the U.S. or China. To prosper, the EU needs a centralized, long-term, EU-wide investment program funded through the issuance of EU sovereign debt, writes Nobel laureate Michael Spence.
Reinvent Job Pathways to Solve the Inequality Gap
The world is suffering two different labor market crises, with abundant talent in parts of the world but no pathways to jobs while in the Global North labor markets are extremely tight. Reinventing job pathways to help bring talent where it is needed can be a game changer, writes Elyas Felfoul.
Building More Resilient Supply Chains Amid Global Uncertainty
Our global supply chains have not yet recovered from pandemic disruptions and continued global uncertainty isn't helping the recovery. However, the pandemic also taught us about how empowering innovation can make economies and supply chains more resilient, writes Avantika Singha.
The Future of Funding to Support Mental Health and Wellbeing
As efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health and wellbeing bear fruit, funding is on the rise. Yet to meet real needs, funding must overcome systemic inequities in the philanthropy space which persist within and between countries, writes RIST’s Shweta Rawat.
Rapidly Evolve Healthcare to Meet the Moment
Globally, health systems were in crisis even before the pandemic—now they are more vulnerable than ever. For more resilient health systems, we should see self-care as healthcare, incentivize preventative care, and address determinants of health beyond the body, writes Bayer's Daniella Foster.
The Stunning Resilience of Emerging Markets
The global economy is beset by an extraordinary confluence of economic and geopolitical calamities, from war to widespread defaults and other economic challenges. Yet emerging markets have proven surprisingly resilient in the face of these pressures, writes Harvard's Kenneth Rogoff.
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Diplomatic Courier is “Gone Sledding!” Here’s Your Holiday Reading List
Photo by Michael Niessl on Unsplash
December 21, 2023
Diplomatic Courier's staff has "gone sledding!" We're taking some time away to recharge and enjoy the holiday season, but we're leaving you with this curated reading list of some of our best reads from the last half of 2023. Happy holidays! -The Editors
D
iplomatic Courier’s staff are “gone sledding” for the rest of 2023 to recharge and reconnect with friends and family. It’s been an exciting and productive 2023 for the team here at Diplomatic Courier, and we hope the same has been true for you! But by this time of year, everybody needs a little break to recharge after a long year, to process all that’s happened, and to prepare ourselves for the year ahead.
For those of you who observe the upcoming holiday season, we wish you the happiest of holidays. And for all of you, we wish you a new year full of joy.
Until we return to regular publishing, here are some reads that you may have missed from the past several months. We hope you enjoy!
Geopolitics
We all thought that 2022 was an intense year in geopolitical competition and conflict. That may have been true, but 2023 showed us how much more intense things could get. It’s tough to keep current on all the developments, but we’re here to help.
American Views on the Ukraine War in 6 Charts
In the U.S., public opinion is turning against continued support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. Shifting sentiment has a partisan component, with Democrats more likely to support continued U.S. engagement and Republicans less so, writes Gallup’s Mohamed Younis.
The Global Consequences of the Israel-Hamas War
The return of war to the Middle East will most immediately have consequences for the region. But consequences will also be felt globally, with perhaps the biggest loser being Ukraine, and those consequences will worsen if the conflict drags on, writes Mark Leonard.
India-China Rivalry’s Impact on World Affairs and the Global South
For the Global South, the growing India–China rivalry compounds the prevailing U.S.-China competition. There is evidence that India will grow closer to the West and a rules-based international order even as China creates distance from that order, writes Kaush Arha.
Protectionism Started the Geopolitical Fire
Many economists criticized the Trump administration's protectionist policies, but praise those of President Biden. Yet both contributed to growing skepticism about international trade and cooperation which, in turn, contributes to today's heightened tensions, writes Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg.
Sustainability
COP28 was a disappointment for many observers, but there’s more to the sustainability story. The challenges are immense, but we continue to learn a great deal about how to overcome those challenges.
Supporting Teachers, Equipping Youth for a Sustainable Future
For community sustainable development policy to be successful, young people need to be active partners in policy design. Studies show the classroom is key to empowering youth to become effective stakeholders for sustainable development, write Drs. Carol O’Donnel, Brian Mandell, and Gillian Hinde.
A Real-World Approach to Education in Times of Climate Change
Higher education institutions (HEIs) have struggled to bring education for sustainable development into their curricula. Better cooperation between state governments, HEIs, private enterprise, and NGOs can help, write UN University’s Shyama Ramani and Alejandro Alvarez-Vanegas.
Bridging the Climate-Development Gap
Low-income countries are suffering a liquidity crunch that undermines their economic development while also deepening the global climate crisis. New ways to deliver debt relief are needed to allow these economies to grow again, and better tackle the climate crisis, write Dani Rodrik and Ishac Diwan.
4G Agriculture in Pursuit of Resilient Food Systems
Today, agricultural tech is also climate tech. Fourth generation agricultural practices utilizes digital innovation along the entire agrifood vertical, in turn making it possible to supply nutritious food in a manner consistent with stewardship of our planet, write Bernhard Kowatsch and Jaleh Daie.
Technological Innovation, Regulation
Generative AI made a major splash in 2023, and the world responded in a variety of ways. Beyond the hype, we are more aware than ever of both the very real dangers but the equally real opportunities posed by technological innovation.
How Meaningful AI Will Enable Human Flourishing
In an era dominated by algorithms that often compromise both personalization and privacy, the advent of meaningful AI promises better. Meaningful AI surpasses current AI with contextual understanding and real-time adaptation—and holds promise for the future of human flourishing, writes Nikos Acuña.
Shared Dream, Shared Responsibility
Technological innovation has long been touted as the way humanity will bring in better tomorrows, but a short-termist culture of greed undercut this promise. We've blamed this culture on so-called "tech bros," but we all share the blame and must be part of the solution, writes Astral's Daria Loi.
Facing the End of Privacy
Our concept of privacy is rapidly eroding in the modern age, but mostly we still believe our physical person remains sacrosanct. In her latest—thrilling and superbly reported—new book, Kashmir Hill explores the extent to which facial recognition means that’s not true, writes Joshua Huminski.
Human Success in the Age of AI
AI is changing the world, but the future belongs neither to AI nor to humans alone. Rather, humanity will co-evolve with technology, and we will all need to figure out what this hybridized future means for us personally and professionally, writes Jamie Metzl.
Institutions Under Fire
Our governance institutions today are suffering a dual crisis—efficacy and trust. Yet we need strong, effective, and trustworthy institutions to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Rule-Making in a Divided World
Today's world features deepening global divisions and escalating superpower rivalry. These shifts change how global governance institutions function, with the G7 scrambling to become more inclusive and multilateral, writes former Spanish foreign minister Ana Palacio.
Leverage AI to Turn SDG Ambitions into Realities
Essential targets contained within each of the 17 SDGs are reversing from initial positive trajectories. While AI poses various governance problems, it also has the potential to help us get back on track for the SDGs, writes Community of Democracies Secretary General Thomas Garrett.
The Geopolitics of EU Enlargement
As the EU continues to consider further expansion in Ukraine and the Balkans, more fundamental questions about the fundamental character of the EU are arising. These questions weigh the EU’s liberal values against geopolitical imperatives and a desire for strategic autonomy, writes Mark Leonard.
Confronting Autocracy Through Democratic Rejuvenation
The rise of autocratic leaders in recent years has experts questioning whether democracy in on an irrevocable decline. In his latest book, Charles Dunst argues that defeating dictatorship and preserving democracy starts at home, but fails to lay out a blueprint for doing so writes Joshua Huminski.
Miscellany
Not everything pressing fits into a neat little bucket, so we’re including a slightly larger (six articles!) miscellaneous section to highlight some reads we find to be particularly interesting, but which don’t fit comfortably in one of the other categories for this reading list.
Europe in the Age of Industrial Policy
The EU faces structural impediments to adopting industrial policy to counter economic headwinds, unlike the U.S. or China. To prosper, the EU needs a centralized, long-term, EU-wide investment program funded through the issuance of EU sovereign debt, writes Nobel laureate Michael Spence.
Reinvent Job Pathways to Solve the Inequality Gap
The world is suffering two different labor market crises, with abundant talent in parts of the world but no pathways to jobs while in the Global North labor markets are extremely tight. Reinventing job pathways to help bring talent where it is needed can be a game changer, writes Elyas Felfoul.
Building More Resilient Supply Chains Amid Global Uncertainty
Our global supply chains have not yet recovered from pandemic disruptions and continued global uncertainty isn't helping the recovery. However, the pandemic also taught us about how empowering innovation can make economies and supply chains more resilient, writes Avantika Singha.
The Future of Funding to Support Mental Health and Wellbeing
As efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health and wellbeing bear fruit, funding is on the rise. Yet to meet real needs, funding must overcome systemic inequities in the philanthropy space which persist within and between countries, writes RIST’s Shweta Rawat.
Rapidly Evolve Healthcare to Meet the Moment
Globally, health systems were in crisis even before the pandemic—now they are more vulnerable than ever. For more resilient health systems, we should see self-care as healthcare, incentivize preventative care, and address determinants of health beyond the body, writes Bayer's Daniella Foster.
The Stunning Resilience of Emerging Markets
The global economy is beset by an extraordinary confluence of economic and geopolitical calamities, from war to widespread defaults and other economic challenges. Yet emerging markets have proven surprisingly resilient in the face of these pressures, writes Harvard's Kenneth Rogoff.
