International Bar Association: Global Insight podcast

Reshaping American democracy 28.10.2026 14m

Recent rulings by the US Supreme Court will have significant implications for American democracy. The Court has allowed the states of Texas and California to use redrawn electoral maps designed to maximise partisan advantage, while in April 2026, its six-to-three conservative majority struck down a Louisiana map that had created a second majority-Black congressional district. The Court’s ruling in the case, known as Louisiana v Callais, will have significant implications for electoral representation.With the US midterm elections – which represent an opportunity to hold President Donald Trump to account – fast approaching, this podcast examines how the rules of American democracy are being reshaped.Speaking on the podcast are: Charles Hunt, an associate professor of political science at Boise State University; Justin Levitt, former deputy assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and a former voting rights adviser to President Joe Biden; and Rick Hasen, the Gary T Schwartz Distinguished Professor of Law at UCLA Law and Director of its Safeguarding Democracy Project.

Justice for Syria: Robert Petit, Director of the UN Mechanism Investigating Serious Crimes in Syria 09.09.2026 13m

The UN’s International Impartial and Independent Mechanism Investigating Serious Crimes in Syria (or ‘triple I M’) was set up by the UN in 2016 to help investigate and assist with prosecutions of violations of international law taking place in Syria since 2011. In the post-Assad era, prosecutions have also begun within Syria. A historic verdict delivered recently by a Damascus court handed down death sentences against eight senior officials, seven of them in absentia, and various shortcomings in fair trial standards have been highlighted by human rights groups. Under UN rules, the verdict has effectively frozen the IIIM’s ability to share criminal evidence files with domestic Syrian prosecutors. Despite this development, IIIM’s core objectives remain unchanged. Earlier in 2026, the IBA’s Director of Content James Lewis spoke to the IIIM’s Director, Robert Petit, about its mission, achievements and challenges. Pic: Angiolo / AdobeStock

Climate’s coalition of the willing 20.08.2026 16m

During his second administration, US President Donald Trump has effectively ended America's role in international climate action. He has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and set in motion the departure of the US from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, while heavily promoting fossil fuel initiatives in the name of 'unleashing American energy.'In this Global Insight podcast, our speakers consider the implications of America's retreat, as well as efforts by other countries to collaborate on climate issues, which stand in contrast to the US approach.With: Sue Biniaz, former lawyer and climate negotiator with the US State Department Alden Meyer, climate strategy think-tank E3G Alex Rafalowicz, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

China’s clean energy journey: challenges, opportunities and global impact 17.07.2026 12m

China’s latest five-year plan reaffirmed support for the country’s clean energy transition, following its pledge to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse-gas emissions in absolute terms, by seven to ten per cent from peak levels by 2035. While China remains the world’s largest annual greenhouse-gas emitter, its stated policy direction contrasts sharply with that of the US – the world’s second-largest annual emitter – where President Donald Trump has sought to expand oil and gas production and rolled back green initiatives as part of an effort to ‘unleash’ American energy. In this podcast, our speakers consider the challenges and opportunities facing China, as well as the implications for other parts of the world, particularly India and Africa.With: Yuhua Yang, partner at Thornhill Legal, London – a China-centric international practice Christoph Nedopil Wang of the Griffith Asia Institute, Brisbane – a research institute focusing on new opportunities and major challenges in Asia and the Pacific Avirup Nag, partner in the M&A and Energy & Infrastructure Team, Saraf & Partners, New Delhi Image: Molten salt tower solar thermal power station in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, China 泰豪顾/Adobe StockThis podcast contains a clip from a Southern Finance Omnimedia Corporation interview with Selwin Hart, Special Adviser and Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Action at United Nations, available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=idTZYWXJmHA

Brexit: ten years on 29.06.2026 17m

Assessing the impacts from defence and security to economy, tech, AI and rule of law.

The President and the DOJ: American justice under threat 19.06.2026 14m

The independence of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) from political interference is central to the rule of law in America.Critics argue that, during President Trump’s second term, this principle has come under pressure on several fronts, including allegations that the President has pressed the department to pursue cases against his opponents for personal or political reasons. Concerns have also been raised about conflicts of interest and the leadership of the DOJ: former Attorney General Pam Bondi was a close ally of President Trump who served on his first impeachment defence team, while current Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche previously represented Trump in several criminal cases. Bondi was removed from the role in April, reportedly amid controversy over her handling of the Epstein files and frustration within the administration over the pace of politically sensitive prosecutions. While there are concerns, court rulings and institutional pushback suggest that the wider US justice system continues to provide some counterbalance.This IBA Global Insight podcast features: Gene Rossi, former federal prosecutor; shareholder, Carlton Fields, Washington DC Richard Painter, Associate Counsel to the President and Chief White House Ethics Lawyer under President George W Bush; Professor of Corporate Law, University of Minnesota Glenn Kirschner, former DOJ prosecutor with 30 years of trial experience, Washington DC Image: US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche depart following a closed-door briefing for members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, on the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein investigation and compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, 18 March 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

US, Russia and sanctions 14.05.2026 9m

The US government’s decision to issue waivers for sanctions on Russian oil in March has proven highly controversial and at odds with the position of the EU and the UK for example, who have insisted that despite the global economic situation it is crucial to maintain pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine via sanctions. This IBA Global Insight podcast explores the issues.

Chile Eboe Osuji: a life in law 12.05.2026 14m

Renowned jurist Chile Eboe Osuji on international law.

Rule of law under pressure 30.04.2026 13m

From sustained attacks on the judiciary to a crisis in legal aid and the administration of justice, the rule of law is under significant pressure in the UK. It has therefore never been more important to protect and strengthen it, says a recent report entitled ‘Rule of law: holding the line between anarchy and tyranny’, from the House of Lords Constitution Committee. This Global Insight podcast hears from three members of the Committee about why the rule of law matters. With: Lord Strathclyde, Chair, House of Lords Constitution Committee Lady Laing, Member of Parliament 1997–2024 Lord Anderson, Barrister, former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation

Attorney General: ‘We’re not going to stop talking about the rule of law’ 18.03.2026 12m

In this Global Insight podcast, Lord Richard Hermer KC, the Attorney General for England and Wales, discusses the essential role of international law in a world of rising geopolitical tensions, the future of the ECHR and the criminal justice system, and the drive to educate young people and the wider public about the rule of law.

Trump v the BBC 05.02.2026 13m

Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over an edit of a speech he made on 6 Jan 2021 has raised legal and ethical questions, and has brought a focus on the potentially chilling effects on freedom of speech.Considering the issues in this Global Insight podcast are: Nick Pollard, former Head of Sky News; former Chairman, UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) Content Committee Gill Phillips, former Director of Legal Services, The Guardian; member, Centre for Investigative Journalism Board of Trustees Mark Stephens, media and defamation lawyer, Howard Kennedy; Co-Chair, IBA's Human Rights Institute Alan Rusbridger, former Editor, The Guardian

Presidential ethics in the Trump era 13.01.2026 14m

While US President Donald Trump and his administration’s foreign policy creates debate over international law and conduct, his unorthodox behaviour both domestically and internationally has also received criticism in terms of disregard for ethics and for presidential norms.From profiting from crypto investments while being responsible for the rules governing the sector, to seeking to use his power to punish political enemies, the scale and conspicuousness of Trump’s activities has repeatedly fallen outside the boundaries of what would normally be considered acceptable conduct in Washington.Further, some place a spotlight on the ‘presidential exemptions’ of which Trump has sought to take advantage.President Trump, his administration and family members have denied any conflicts of interest or wrongdoing in terms of ethics, including regarding the cryptocurrency sector, gifts from foreign states and perceived promotion of specific companies.Discussing the issues in this Global Insight podcast: Richard Painter, Associate Counsel to the President and chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W Bush Kedric Payne, Campaign Legal Center, Washington, DC and former Deputy Chief Counsel at the Office of Congressional Ethics Jonathan Katz, Governance Studies Fellow, Brookings; Co-Editor, 2025 Democracy Playbook

AI’s blind spot 17.12.2025 15m

As AI increasingly becomes ingrained in many aspects of everyday life, there’s a danger that important safeguards and risks are sidelined. In this Global Insight podcast, IBA Multimedia Journalist Alice Johnson speaks to leading international human rights lawyer and technology law specialist, Susie Alegre, about human rights concerns, regulations and why AI can’t solve all the problems of the criminal justice system.

The Trump administration and the international community 24.09.2025 14m

The approach to international institutions, cooperation and development from the current US administration has significant implications for areas such as soft power and global justice.The speakers discussing the issues in this Global Insight podcast, taken from an IBA webinar earlier this year, include those with senior experience in previous US administrations.With: Beth Van Schaack, Senior Fellow, Center for Human Rights and International Justice, Stanford; former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice; John Bellinger, Co-Chair, Global Law and Public Policy Group, Arnold & Porter, Washington, DC; former Legal Adviser to the US Department of State and Senior Associate Counsel to President George W Bush; and Mark Ellis, Executive Director, IBA Alberto Mora, Former Senior Fellow, Harvard Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, former General Counsel, US Navy

BRICS' golden opportunity 18.08.2025 12m

Today’s economic and political climate presents the BRICS countries with a number of challenges and opportunities – from internal cooperation, to BRICS Pay, to navigating relations with the US. Considering the issues in this Global Insight podcast are: Michael Diaz, Global Managing Partner, Diaz Reus; Mihaela Papa, Director of Research leading the BRICS Lab, MIT Centre for International Studies; and Hans-Dieter Holtzmann, Project Director for Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

'Not for the courts'? Al Haq, the arms trade, international law and judicial scope 25.07.2025 11m

After over 20 weeks of hearings, the High Court in London recently ruled that the UK government acted lawfully in continuing to supply F-35 jet parts to Israel through a global pool. While acknowledging the parts could be used in ways that breach international humanitarian law, the judges said the issue is one for the executive, ‘not for the courts’.The case, brought by Palestinian NGO Al-Haq, challenged the UK’s decision to exempt the parts when it suspended 30 arms export licences to Israel in September. Though dismissed, the case has spotlighted UK arms exports and the government's assessment of Israel’s actions in Gaza.In this Global Insight podcast, IBA Multimedia Journalist Alice Johnson speaks to Jennine Walker, senior lawyer at Global Legal Action Network and part of the team who represented Al-Haq in the case, and Sara Elizabeth Dill, an international human rights lawyer and officer of the IBA’s War Crimes Committee.Additional comment comes from David Lammy MP, UK Foreign Secretary, at a Foreign Affairs Committee meeting.

The evolving legal landscape of digital assets 10.07.2025 11m

Digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs emerged as disruptors, designed to challenge traditional financial systems and sidestep conventional regulation. But, as these technologies have developed, so too have legal frameworks. At the end of 2024, MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) entered into force in the EU, and the US House of Representatives is set to consider three crypto-related bills in summer 2025, including the GENIUS Act, which seeks to establish the first comprehensive federal framework for the issuance, regulation and oversight of payment stablecoins in the United States.In this Global Insight podcast, four experts — who spoke at the IBA’s Annual Conference in Mexico — explore the effect regulation can have on digital assets: Luis Urrutia, Deputy General Counsel, International Monetary Fund; Lee Pascoe, Special Counsel, Norton Rose Fulbright; Drew Hinkes, digital assets partner at Winston & Strawn; Jon Frost, Head of Innovation and the Digital Economy unit at the Bank for International Settlement;

Protecting democracy 10.06.2025 12m

From enormous political donations and influence on US government policy to dominance in shaping narratives on social media, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been the most prominent of a number of billionaires and companies impacting the course of democracy and the rule of law.In this podcast, Mark Stephens CBE, Co-Chair of the IBA’s Human Rights Institute, George Havenhand, Senior Legal Researcher at Spotlight on Corruption, and Courtney Radsch, Director at the Centre for Journalism and Liberty, discuss the issues and what needs to be done to safeguard against undue influence.

Rules and registers: reckoning with beneficial ownership 21.05.2025 12m

Laws around beneficial ownership – identifying the ultimate owners of corporate entities - are intended to be a tool to provide transparency and to combat corruption, terrorist financing and other human rights abuses. However, such legislation and related proposals have been criticised by some as disproportionate and sometimes contradictory to other rights. Meanwhile, legal professionals must increasingly navigate growing due diligence and reporting requirements and regulatory scrutiny in this area. In this podcast, compiled from a session at the IBA’s Annual Conference, our speakers consider the issues: Mark Stephens, Co-Chair, IBA Human Rights Institute; Babatunde Ajibade, Chair, IBA Section on Public and Professional Interest; and Greg McIntyre, former President, Law Council of Australia.

The Trump effect 14.04.2025 12m

Radical changes in US policy under the presidency of Donald Trump, from foreign aid to global trade and beyond, are having a profound impact on the rest of the world. This Global Insight podcast explores the implications for the rule of law, international relations and global security.With: Mary O’Connell, Robert and Marion Short Professor of Law, Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame, Indiana Heela Rasool-Ayub, Director, Planetary Politics initiative, New America think tank Kim Lane Scheppele, Laurance S Rockefeller Professor of Sociology and International Affairs at Princeton University, New Jersey Ken Murphy, Immediate Past Chair, IBA Bar Issues Commission; former Director General, Law Society of Ireland

International Bar Association: Global Insight podcast

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