What happens to global trade when nations stop trusting each other? Our guest, Simon Evenett, Professor of Geopolitics and Strategy at IMD and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Trade and Investment, offers a compelling look at how trust—or the erosion of it—is transforming the global trading system. He explains that international commerce has always depended on a degree of trust, even with rules in place. Since no rulebook is ever complete, trust and reputation step in to keep the system functioning.

Evenett reflects on the shift from trade as a cooperative force to trade as a geopolitical weapon. Governments increasingly use export controls and trade restrictions to serve foreign policy and national security goals, and global institutions like the WTO are struggling to keep up. The WTO, once a cornerstone of global trade, is now weakened, especially in areas where rules on export controls are thin or unenforceable.

He also examines the fallout from recent U.S. policies, particularly the “America First” agenda, which has eroded trust in the U.S. as a reliable trading partner. On the business side, Evenett notes that companies operating across borders are placing a growing premium on reliability. In today’s unpredictable world, trust has become a competitive advantage.

While some global trade remains essential—such as in raw materials—many firms are beginning to favor regional supply chains where political stability and trust are stronger. Evenett believes that rebuilding global trust won't necessarily require new institutions but rather a government recommitment to stable, predictable trade policies. He sees promise in smaller coalitions of like-minded countries forming “oases of stability” in an otherwise fragmented trade landscape.

His closing advice to future policymakers: spend more time understanding how businesses work. Trade policy detached from commercial realities risks is doing more harm than good.

Our guest today is Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat, the groundbreaking open-source collective that has transformed investigative journalism. From uncovering the truth behind the downing of MH17 to documenting war crimes and exposing global disinformation campaigns, Bellingcat demonstrates how ordinary citizens, equipped with digital tools, can challenge the narratives of the powerful.

Eliot recounts his unconventional path into investigative journalism, his motivations for launching Bellingcat, and the organization’s mission to make evidence-based inquiry accessible to all. He reflects on the fragile state of public trust, the manipulation of truth in the digital age, and the ethical tightrope walked by journalists today.

This conversation dives into the challenges of verifying facts in a landscape shaped by AI, deepfakes, and engagement-driven algorithms—and offers a hopeful vision for how transparency, critical thinking, and a new generation of citizen investigators can safeguard the future of democratic discourse. A must-listen for anyone passionate about the power and purpose of investigative journalism in turbulent times.

Today we talk with Musa al-Gharbi, sociologist and author of the book "We Have Never Been Woke", a sharp, no-nonsense look at how modern social justice talk often serves the powerful more than the people it's meant to help.

Musa takes us inside the contradictions of elite spaces—like universities, corporate boardrooms, and media—where people often speak the language of progress and justice but still benefit from systems of inequality in quiet, everyday ways.

He shares a revealing example from the book: in many affluent, progressive households, both partners work full-time and embrace feminist values. But maintaining that lifestyle often relies on hiring others, usually women from less privileged backgrounds, including undocumented immigrants, to handle childcare, housework, and elder care. These workers are often paid low wages and have little job security, which helps make the dual-income model financially sustainable. It raises uncomfortable questions about whose labor supports the professional success and ideals of equality in these households.

We also talk about how the word woke, which began as a call within Black communities to stay alert to injustice, has been pulled into today’s culture wars. Musa explains that while the term was once embraced by progressives, it’s now often used as a political weapon. For some, woke signals awareness and moral concern; for others, it's become shorthand for elitism or overreach. He compares this shift to what happened with “political correctness” in the 1990s: both terms started with good intentions, but eventually became lightning rods in debates that often say more about power and identity than the issues themselves.

The conversation turns to DEI programs (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), which Musa says often do more for those already thriving in elite spaces than for those facing real structural barriers. Instead of leveling the playing field, these initiatives can reinforce existing hierarchies—especially when they focus more on image than impact.

He also challenges the idea that people distrust institutions just because of fake news or social media. In many cases, people feel left out or ignored—not because they’ve been misled, but because the institutions don’t actually reflect their values or serve their needs. So what would it take to rebuild trust? Musa argues it’s not about using the right buzzwords—it’s about real accountability, more equal access to power, and practical policies that improve everyday lives.