Graduate Institute What Matters Today

More than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the prospect of peace remains elusive. Several rounds of negotiations have taken place — yet none have brought the two sides closer to ending the war. Why have diplomatic efforts failed so far? What obstacles continue to block progress? And how do global and regional powers — from the European Union to the United States — shape the possibilities for peace? In this episode, we explore the diplomatic dynamics of the Russia–Ukraine conflict and consider what a realistic path toward peace might look like in the years ahead. Our guest is Dr. Vassily Klimentov, Senior researcher at the University of Zurich and Visiting professor here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

In this episode we dive into a major development in international trade: the Trump administration’s decision to impose 39% tariffs on Swiss goods. What could this mean for Switzerland’s economy and its long-standing relationship with the United States? Is it time to rethink trade alliances — and what role can the WTO still play in managing tensions like these? Join us as we unpack the implications with expert insights and explore what’s at stake for Switzerland and global trade. Our guest is Cédric Dupont, Professor of international relations and political science here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

In this episode, we unpack the recent 12-day confrontation between Iran and Israel and ask: Will the ceasefire last? We explore who’s gaining from the current unrest—and who’s paying the price. We also look at what could follow if the Islamic Republic were to fall: What political or social alternatives might emerge? What would that mean for the region, for global powers, and for the future of U.S.-Iran diplomacy? Our guest today is Clément Therme, an alumnus, and former visiting lecturer here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

In this episode, we turn our focus to the United States, where President Donald Trump has ignited a wave of executive actions targeting gender rights. From policies cloaked in the language of “protecting women” to legislation that could restrict voter access for trans and gender-diverse individuals, these developments raise urgent questions about democracy, identity, and power. To help us unpack the historical roots and global implications of these policies, we're joined by Claire Somerville, Executive Director of the Gender Centre here at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Together, we’ll explore how gender is being politicised, what’s at stake for marginalised communities, and how similar debates are unfolding beyond U.S. borders.

In this episode, we explore the multifaceted challenges and strategies of one of the most influential nations on the global stage: China. We'll examine the evolving relationship between China and the United States, highlighting key moments and decisions that have impacted their interactions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial to grasping the broader implications for global politics and economics. Our guest for this episode is Jan Francis Kiely, Senior Lecturer, International History and Politics here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.Jan is a historian of modern China particularly interested in aspects of religion, social morality, law, justice, conflict and its resolutions in the twentieth century. He comes to the Institute from the Chinese University of Hong Kong where he was Professor and Director of the Center for China Studies.

In this episode, we dive into the intricate world of tariffs, focusing on the measures implemented by Donald Trump. We'll explore the rationale behind these tariff increases, comparing them to historical precedents in U.S. history. Our discussion will cover the direct and indirect impacts on the U.S. economy, including effects on growth, employment, and consumer prices. We'll also examine China's retaliatory actions and their potential consequences for trade relations and the Chinese economy. Additionally, we'll consider the broader economic repercussions for other affected countries, such as Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, and discuss how these tariff measures might influence global trade and the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Our guest for this episode is Johannes Boehm, Professor of International Economics here at the Geneva Graduate Institute and also a research fellow of CEPR (London) and CEP, LSE. He conducts research and teaches on topics related to international trade, industrial development, growth, firms, as well as on macroeconomics and environmental economics.

In this episode, we examine a report entitled An Israeli/Palestinian Federation: An Alternative Approach to Peace This report challenges the viability of the two-state solution for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and proposes a federal approach as a new path forward. You can find a link to the report in the episode description. In this episode we'll discuss the resistance to this idea and uncover the primary barriers to its acceptance among both Israelis and Palestinians. Our conversation will also address how this federation could tackle the contentious issues of Israeli settlements and the right of return for Palestinian refugees, aiming for solutions that are acceptable to both sides. Furthermore, we'll explore the crucial role of the international community in facilitating this transition. Our guests for this episode are the authors of this report, Riccardo Bocco and Nigel Roberts. Riccardo Bocco is emeritus professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the Geneva Graduate Institute. His main geographical area of fieldwork for the last 35 years has been the Near East with a particular focus on Jordan, Israel/Palestine and Lebanon. He has successively worked on issues of development policies and State-building; on humanitarian aid and refugees; and monitoring the impact of international aid on civilian populations. Nigel Roberts spent 14 years working on the Olso peace process for the World Bank, the last five as World Bank Country Director in Jerusalem. He was the co-director of the 2011 World Development Report on Conflict, Security and Development, and from 2015-18 was the Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board for the UN Peace Building Fund. From April to December 2020, he was a senior adviser to the US Congress-mandated Afghanistan Peace Process Study Group. He is a senior research associate at the Overseas Development Institute, London. One of the key reasons Riccardo and Nigel collaborated is their complementary expertise. Nigel, a political economist, and Riccardo, a political sociologist, brought together unique perspectives that were essential for achieving their final product. You can download the report here: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/sites/internet/files/2024-12/Report_Palestine-Israel_161224_Final.pdf *Please note that this episode was recorded remotely over mobile phones, so you may notice some variations in audio quality. We appreciate your understanding and hope you enjoy the discussion.