The World Next Week

Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) member states convene virtually as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reshape the world calendar, virus concerns drive a rift between the United States and China, and U.S.-Iran tensions escalate again.

The World Health Organization declares the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, countries brace for a severe economic downturn, and the Afghan peace process confronts major obstacles.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempts to form a governing coalition, U.S. lawmakers seek billions of dollars in emergency coronavirus funding, and the world remembers Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 six years after its mysterious disappearance.

COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, Israel holds its third national election in the past year, and U.S. Democratic presidential candidates compete on Super Tuesday.

The United States and the Taliban move closer to an agreement, U.S. President Donald J. Trump makes a state visit to India, and Iran holds parliamentary elections.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidates debate in Nevada ahead of the state’s caucus, the annual Munich Security Conference takes place, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travels to Angola, Ethiopia, and Senegal.

The race for the Democratic presidential nomination ramps up after flawed Iowa caucuses, the African Union convenes in Addis Ababa, and international films feature prominently at this year’s Academy Awards.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump plans to deliver the annual State of the Union address, Israel considers sweeping annexations in the West Bank, and Brexit finally happens.

A new migrant caravan tests U.S.-Mexico ties, the pneumonia-like virus that started in Wuhan, China, causes alarms and quarantines, and the seventy-fifth anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp is commemorated.

The impeachment of U.S. President Donald J. Trump transitions from the House to the Senate, China attempts to suppress a pneumonia-like outbreak ahead of Lunar New Year, and the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is held in Davos, Switzerland.

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalate after the killing of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, Washington and Beijing finalize their “Phase One” trade deal, and Taiwan holds a pivotal presidential election.

Hosts James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon are joined by Paul B. Stares to forecast the coming year’s international challenges and developments.

U.S.-Taliban peace talks continue amid the release of “The Afghanistan Papers,” the trade feud between the United States and China goes on as the House of Representatives faces an important vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, and climate activists take stock of the recent COP25 climate conference in Madrid.

The United Kingdom holds a pivotal general election, peace talks on the conflict in eastern Ukraine continue, and the World Trade Organization grinds to a halt.

In this first-ever live taping of The World Next Week, Jim and Bob sit down with NPR’s Deborah Amos to discuss what’s made headlines over the last decade. Bob shares his thoughts on the state of democracy around the world, Deb describes the progress made in the Middle East in recent years, and Jim discusses the ever-changing relationship between the United States and China. This event was produced in collaboration with CFR’s Outreach team. (This is a rebroadcast.)