Insights and analysis from leaders tackling the world’s most complex challenges
Recent interviews
George Papandreou on Renewing Democracy
George Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011), joins the ILC’s Yale Leads podcast to discuss leading his country through an economic crisis, building bridges in the Eastern Mediterranean, and reimagining democracy for the 21st century.
George Logothetis: “Know thyself —the two most important words ever written.”
Businessman and philanthropist George Logothetis joins the ILC’s Yale Leads podcast for an open and wide-ranging conversation — on trusting one’s gut, living with gratitude, cultivating original thought, and the importance of historical perspective.
Kholood Khair on Sudan's Crisis
Peace Fellow Kholood Khair joins the ILC’s Yale Leads podcast to discuss Sudan’s war, the international failures to stop it, and the urgent need to elevate civilian voices in the push for justice, democracy, and lasting peace.
Rabbi Elhanan Miller on Building Bridges Between Jewish and Muslim Communities
Peace Fellow Elhanan Miller joins Jackson School Senior Fellow Rob Malley to discuss the power of religious and cultural dialogue in building bridges between Jewish and Muslim communities, and how Elhanan’s Arabic-language media project aims to foster empathy across deep political divides.
Mengistu Assefa Dadi on Africa’s Leadership Crisis
In this episode of ILC’s Yale Leads podcast, Peace Fellow Mengistu Assefa Dadi explores the roots of conflict in the Horn of Africa, the decline of regional leadership, and the critical role of grassroots peacebuilding and local resilience in driving long-term stability.
Jaser Abu Mousa on Finding Hope after Gaza
Peace Fellow Jaser Abu Mousa talks about defining moments of his life and work in Gaza, how he honors the memory of his wife and sons, and how he finds hope in continuing to work towards peace in the Middle East.
Iuliia Mendel on Ukraine
In this episode of the “Yale Leads” podcast, Iuliia Mendel, former press secretary to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discusses her personal and professional journey, takes us inside the stressful job of crafting a message for a new Ukrainian administration while handling crisis communications, untangles the disinformation threat and how to tackle it, and stresses what the stakes are in Ukraine – and the role of young Ukrainians in rebuilding the country.
General Petraeus on Great Power Competition
In February 2024, the ILC invited Gen. David Petraeus to discuss Israel/Palestine and the war in Gaza, Iran and escalation in the Middle East, democracy and elections in 2024, Russia and Ukraine, and China and Taiwan.
Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
In January 2024, the ILC sat down with author and 2016 Yale World Fellow Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, who discussed her new book about Iceland’s concept of “InnSæi” and shared her insights on flourishing, leading, and innovating in an age of distraction and planetary crisis.
Goodluck Jonathan
In a November 29, 2023 interview, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan opened up about the promises and pitfalls of his country’s sustainable development journey — and about his own political path. He passionately made the case for democracy in Africa, drawing on insights both from his time in power and his post-presidency work mediating election-related conflicts in West Africa.
Kah Walla
In November 2023, the ILC sat down with Kah Walla, a Cameroonian politician, entrepreneur and social activist who ran for president in 2011. In her interview, Walla discusses her perspectives on strategies for social change in Africa.
Evan Mawarire
In an October 24, 2023 interview, Zimbabwean democratic activist and Yale World Fellow Evan Mawarire opened up on courage, leadership— and whether the internet can be a force for positive change.
Hyppolite Ntigurirwa
In October 2023, the ILC spoke with 2020 World Fellow Hyppolite Ntigurirwa, an artist, activist, and founder of Be the Peace, an organization focusing on the use of art to halt the intergenerational transmission of hate and to promote the power of cross-generational healing.
Timothy Musa Kabba
In a September 27, 2023 interview, H.E. Timothy Musa Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Sierra Leone, shared his remarkable journey from child soldier to his country’s top diplomat, just as Sierra Leone takes up a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He reflected on his personal story as well as UN reform, regional coups, the war in Ukraine, and climate security.
Iván Duque
In a September 13, 2023 interview, former Colombian President Iván Duque shared what handling Covid-19 taught him about the fight against climate change; populism, polarization and the “radical center”; Latin America’s role in the new multipolar world order; balancing peace and justice in his country; and whether we need to update our approach to drug trafficking.
Marvin Rees
In a September 20, 2023 interview, Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees talked about his journey from journalism to the ballot, how questions of identity shape his approach to politics, how to fix our broken political systems – and how he battles “eco-pessimism.”