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Al Jazeera Media Network

Doha Debates

A Education podcast

#185 in Education · 🇦🇪
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About the show

Doha Debates brings you thought-provoking debates on today’s biggest issues with global thought leaders and students.

Newest episodes

Did humanity learn the right lessons from WWII?

48 min

In this episode of @dohadebates host Mohamed Hassan is joined by Patrick Porter, Daqing Yang, Carol Gluck and Tariq Ali to discuss competing narratives of WWII and the lessons we’ve learned from it. As the generations who lived through the war fade away, how will today’s politics affect how we remember it? The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #WWII #Hiroshima #AtomicBomb #War

Who holds the power today? Governments or corporations?

48 min

Who holds the power today? Governments or corporations? In this episode of Doha Debates, host Soraya Salam is joined by Antara Haldar, Sophie Scott-Brown, Mark Littlewood and Henry Wang to unpack the power relationship between states and corporations – and the profound impact it has on all of us.  Several major companies have bigger balance sheets than the GDPs of entire nations. So who’s in charge? Do states still call the shots, or has real power shifted to boardrooms?  The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #Power #Governments #Corporations #AI #Humanity

Who controls money?

48 min

Who controls money? In this episode of Doha Debates, Pavlina Tcherneva, Jason Hickel and Saifedean Ammous join Mohamed Hassan to ask who benefits from today’s money system. Is money a public tool for meeting human needs, or a system that concentrates power? The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #Money #Economy #Inflation #Taxation

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All episodes

Did humanity learn the right lessons from WWII?

48 min

In this episode of @dohadebates host Mohamed Hassan is joined by Patrick Porter, Daqing Yang, Carol Gluck and Tariq Ali to discuss competing narratives of WWII and the lessons we’ve learned from it. As the generations who lived through the war fade away, how will today’s politics affect how we remember it? The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #WWII #Hiroshima #AtomicBomb #War

Who holds the power today? Governments or corporations?

48 min

Who holds the power today? Governments or corporations? In this episode of Doha Debates, host Soraya Salam is joined by Antara Haldar, Sophie Scott-Brown, Mark Littlewood and Henry Wang to unpack the power relationship between states and corporations – and the profound impact it has on all of us.  Several major companies have bigger balance sheets than the GDPs of entire nations. So who’s in charge? Do states still call the shots, or has real power shifted to boardrooms?  The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #Power #Governments #Corporations #AI #Humanity

Who controls money?

48 min

Who controls money? In this episode of Doha Debates, Pavlina Tcherneva, Jason Hickel and Saifedean Ammous join Mohamed Hassan to ask who benefits from today’s money system. Is money a public tool for meeting human needs, or a system that concentrates power? The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #Money #Economy #Inflation #Taxation

How does language affect how we think?

48 min

Does language shape the way we think? In this episode of @DohaDebates, host Nadir Nahdi is joined by Lera Boroditsky, Safwan Masri, David Shariatmadar and Helen Pluckrose to discuss how language affects the way we perceive things. Can language itself radically shift worldviews and values? The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #Language #Culture

What Role Should Work Play in our Lives?

49 min

What role should work play in our lives? In this episode of @DohaDebates, host Mohamed Hassan is joined by Federico Campagna, Hoda Alkhzaimi, Yanis Varoufakis, and Robert Wolcott to debate what meaning we can expect from work in our lives.  As technology transforms entire industries around the world, how will our relationships with work change, and who might get left behind? The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #Work #AI

Should We Trust the News?

49 min

Should we trust the news?  In this episode of Doha Debates, host Mohamad Hassan is joined by Dima Khatib, Marc Owen Jones, Peter Oborne and Richard Sambrook to unpack the state of modern journalism as technology transforms how news is produced and consumed.  Is today’s news built to serve the truth? And if not, what would it take to build an information culture that puts truth first?  The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #Journalism #NewsCulture #Trust #AI

Does international law still matter?

49 min

In this episode of @DohaDebates, host Dareen Abughaida is joined by Victor Gao, Curtis Yarvin, Charli Carpenter and Balakrishnan Rajagopal to debate the relevance of international law as conflicts around the world continue to test its limits.  The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #DohaDebtaesSeason2 #Internationallaw #Law 

Will China or the West define the 21st century?

49 min

In this episode of DohaDebates, host Soraya Salam is joined by Renata Avila, Henry Wang, Isabel Hilton and Arnaud Bertrand to debate the competing visions of China and the West for the new global order. As global power shifts and old assumptions are challenged, how different are these two visions, and does the future belong to just one? The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  #DohaDebates #AlJazeera #DohaDebtaesSeason2 #China #West #GlobalOrder  

How does football influence who we are?

48 min

How does football influence who we are? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Imran Garda is joined by Tony Karon, David Goldblatt and Honey Thaljieh to explore how football shapes identity, belonging and community. From nationalism to religion, the discussion examines how the world’s most popular sport can both unite and divide us. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is having children a choice or responsibility?

46 min

Is having children a choice or responsibility? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Soraya Salam is joined by Stephen Shaw, Laurie DeRose, Alaka Basu, and Antonina Lewandowska to explore falling birth rates, changing ideas around family and parenthood, and what our reproductive choices may mean for society. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Resistance: Who gets to decide?

48 min

Who decides if resistance is legitimate? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Nadir Nahdi is joined by Diana Buttu, Victor Gao, Amina Rasul and Saeed Khan to explore what makes resistance legitimate in a historical and religious context and when it is criminalised or justified. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is contemporary art relevant today?

48 min

Is contemporary art relevant today? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Nadir Nahdi is joined by Wafaa Bilal, Samar Younes, Fen de Villiers and Molly Crabapple to discuss whether contemporary art remains relevant in today’s world, as well as the role of artists in addressing social issues.  The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is social justice a new religion?

48 min

Has social justice become the new religion of the West? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Mohamed Hassan is joined by Michael Eric Dyson, Khaled Beydoun and Joshua Mitchell to explore a growing question shaping modern societies: as traditional religious frameworks lose influence in parts of the West, what is taking their place? The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Do conspiracy theories hold value?

48 min

Is there any value in conspiracy theories?  In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Dareen Abughaida is joined by Andrea Kitta, Heather Berlin, Alex Berenson and Nuurrianti Jalli to explore how conspiracy theories form, why people are drawn to them and whether they serve any real purpose, while examining the fine line between skepticism and conspiracy thinking.  The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Are we heading into a world divided by AI tribes?

1 hr 40 min

Are we heading into a world divided by AI tribes? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Mohamed Hassan is joined by Evgeny Morozov, James Brusseau, Elina Noor and Robert Wright to explore how AI is reshaping our politics, culture and collective thinking. From corporate dependence and embedded ideological biases to the dangerous race between superpowers for AI dominance, the debate questions who really controls AI and what that means for the rest of the world. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is it time we rethink taxes?

2 hr 1 min

Is it time to rethink taxes? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Malika Bilal is joined by Martin Krause, Pedro Solimano, Gustavo Flores-Macias and Sanjit Dhami to explore whether taxes serve their purpose in building fairer societies. From funding public services to rising inequality and corporate tax avoidance, the debate questions if taxation truly redistributes wealth or if it is time to rethink how the system works. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Free will: can we really shape our destiny?

48 min

Is there a hidden force dictating our behaviour?  In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Malika Bilal is joined by Shadi Hamid, Heather Berlin, Peter Ulric Tse, and Gregg D. Caruso to discuss whether we truly have free will or if our choices are shaped by forces beyond our control. The discussion explores this topic through science, history, and religion. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is our timeline of human history accurate?

49 min

Do we really know our past? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Imran Garda is joined by Edwin Barnhart, Sarah Parcak, Flint Dibble and Eduardo Goes Neves to discuss whether our understanding of the past is truly complete or if there are hidden chapters waiting to be uncovered.  The discussion explores archaeological findings, historical incidents, and if alternative theories of lost civilisations are true. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

What if humanity meets the unknown?

47 min

What if we’re not alone in this universe? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Soraya Salam is joined by Nick Pope, David Grinspoon, Matthias Determann and Shaykh Hamza Karamali to discuss whether extraterrestrial life exists and what that could mean for humanity through history, religion and past incidents. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is humanity hardwired for war?

48 min

Is humanity destined for war? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, recorded in 2025, host Soraya Salam is joined by Ian Morris, Charli Carpenter, Noha Aboueldahab and R. Brian Ferguson to discuss whether war is truly inevitable. We examine the roles of history, human behaviour and the forces that drive conflict. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is architecture a portrait of society?

48 min

What does our architecture say about us? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Soraya Salam, is joined by Kamil Khan Mumtaz, Bidisha Sinha, Marwa Al-Sabouni and Lucien Steil to discuss how architecture reflects our reality and how different schools of thought shape the way we understand and respond to it. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Are civilisations destined to fail?

48 min

What is the fate of civilisations? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Soraya Salam explores whether the collapse of civilisations is inevitable or whether they ultimately reinvent themselves. Joined by Payal Arora, Jonathan A.C. Brown, Joseph Tainter and Faisal Devji, the discussion explores the fate of civilisations through political narratives, economy and technology.  The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Can governance be privatised?

48 min

Can cities exist without governments? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Mohamed Hassan explores the idea of self-governed free cities and how they challenge the authority of nation-states.  Joined by Titus Gebel, Evgeny Morozov and Gokce Gunel, the discussion explores what this means for law, rights and how people live together.  The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Have superheroes become our moral leaders?

48 min

Superheroes are often seen as symbols of justice, but could their stories be shaping our sense of morality in ways we don't even realise?   In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Malika Bilal questions the cultural power of superheroes, from their commercial dominance to the way they influence our perceptions of morality, justice and heroism. Joined by New York Times bestselling author Nnedi Okorafor, religion and pop culture scholar Hussein Rashid, and social critic and journalist Keith Spencer, the discussion explores what makes a superhero “super” and whether fictional heroes are filling a growing moral gap in society. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Universities: Truth or ideology?

48 min

Have universities begun to favor ideology over truth? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Malika Bilal questions whether universities still uphold free inquiry, as mounting pressure, surveillance, and self-censorship reshape academic spaces following October 7. Joined by Mohammad Fadel, Pablo Avelluto, Omer Bartov and Dorian Abbot, the discussion explores academic freedom, student activism, and the future of open debate in higher education worldwide. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Have global justice institutions failed?

48 min

Can the world agree on a shared system of morality and justice? In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Mohamed Hassan examines whether international institutions have lived up to their founding ideals, and what their failure to stop the genocide in Gaza says about the West’s moral leadership today.  Joined by Bruno Macaes, David Oldroyd-Bolt, Wadah Khanfar and Randa Slim, the discussion explores power, justice and the future of the global order. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

What if we could cheat death?

47 min

What if we could cheat death? Researchers are pushing the boundaries of what it means to grow older. In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Nadir Nahdi asks: Is ageing a natural stage of life to be honoured or a biological flaw that humanity should overcome? Joined by guests Thalia Arawi, Natasha Vita-More, Michael Hauskeller and Dr Alaa Murabit. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube  

Who decides what’s true in the digital age?

48 min

Who decides what’s true in the digital age? From COVID-19 vaccines to election meddling, that battle is increasingly being fought online. In this episode of @DohaDebates podcast, host Mohamed Hassan unpacks disinformation, free speech and the limits of open debate with guests Renee DiResta, Siva Vaidhyanathan and Glenn Greenwald. The views expressed in this episode are the guests’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Visit the @DohaDebates YouTube channel for the extended version. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube  

Doha Debates Trailer

1 min

Doha Debates brings you thought-provoking debates on today’s biggest issues with global thought leaders and students. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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