Carnegie Council Podcasts

Embracing Empathy and Responsible Power, with Dr. Claire Yorke

Are power and empathy incompatible? Dr. Claire Yorke joins the "Values & Interests" podcast to discuss her new book, "Empathy in Politics and Leadership." Yorke showcases real-life examples of leaders who embraced empathy to build more inclusive power structures while simultaneously avoiding the politically disastrous trap of blind idealism. The episode unpacks zero-sum versus more inclusive models of power, the distinction between cognitive and emotional empathy, and why moral leadership grounded in empathy is necessary but insufficient on its own for open societies to thrive. Dr. Claire Yorke a senior lecturer at Deakin University, based in Canberra, and the author of "Empathy in Politics and Leadership" published by Yale University (2025). For more, go to: https://carnegiecouncil.co/values-interests-yorke

The Ethics of Decision-Making in National Security, with Avril D. Haines

Avril D. Haines, former director of national intelligence, visited Carnegie Council in October to deliver the Second Charles W. Kegley, Jr. Annual Lecture, titled "The Ethics of Decision-Making in National Security." Reflecting on her distinguished career in public service, Director Haines shared her thoughts on current trends and future needs for building strong and vibrant public institutions. Following the lecture, she was joined by Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal for a discussion on public service at this vital moment in international affairs. In addition to her role overseeing all U.S. intelligence agencies, Haines has served as deputy national security advisor and deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2025-2026, she is a fellow at All Souls College at the University of Oxford. To download a copy of the lecture, please go to: https://carnegiecouncil.co/kegley-lecture-avril-d-haines

Re-examining our Capacity for Just Peace

For decades, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs has rigorously explored the tension between perpetual conflict and the value of human life. While debates on war and peace are far from novel, the importance of achieving just peace is heightened today by current regional wars, frozen conflicts, and the deployment of new military technologies. In this panel discussion as part of the "Ethics Empowered: Leadership in Practice" series, distinguished experts reflected on the state of war in 2025 and the obstacles to achieving just peace. For more, please go to: https://carnegiecouncil.co/ethics-empowered-just-peace

Geopolitics in an Era of AGI

The international system of the past 80 years was constructed around the principles of sovereignty and self-determination. These pillars of geopolitics now must contend with and adapt to the accelerating adoption and use of AI, both by international actors and the public. This disruption will only increase as researchers and states race to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI). In this Values & Interests event, an expert panel interrogates significant questions regarding the impact of these technologies on actors operating within the international system.   For more, please go to: https://carnegiecouncil.co/geopolitics-agi

The Principle of Pragmatic Idealism, with Björn Holmberg

What are the political and human risks of a world increasingly defined by transactional politics and national interests? Björn Holmberg, executive director of the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, joins the "Values & Interests" podcast to discuss the power of pragmatic idealism across international relations, the need to inject morality into the practice of geopolitics without moralizing, and how we can create realistic conditions for greater global cooperation. For more, please go to: https://carnegiecouncil.co/values-interests-holmberg