Doha Debates Podcast

Are superheroes the moral leaders of our time?

Are superheroes moral leaders—or caped propagandists?  From comic books to billion-dollar blockbusters, superheroes have fascinated us for over a century. But what do these stories really teach us? Are they our moral guides or do they reinforce Western ideals, individualism and even militarism?  This debate explores why anti-heroes like the Joker captivate us, what it means when our moral icons are billionaires or kings created by entertainment giants, and whether superhero stories shape a new moral compass or uphold the status quo.   💬 Join the conversation in the comments.  Featuring:  Nnedi Okorafor:  Award-winning novelist, Black Panther comics author  Hussein Rashid: Independent scholar of religion and pop culture  Keith Spencer: Author and social critic focused on culture, media, and tech 

Have universities become bastions of ideology instead of truth?

Over the past decade, critics argue that identity politics and censorship have stifled academic freedom, while others say these concerns are overstated. This debate explores whether initiatives for justice and inclusion of historically excluded voices actually strengthen academia’s truth-seeking mission or risk replacing critical inquiry with moral conformity—and what kind of intellectual culture universities should build for the future.  💬 Join the conversation in the comments.  Featuring:  Dorian Abbot: Professor of Geophysics at the University of Chicago  Pablo Avelluto: Former Minister of Culture of Argentina  Omer Bartov: Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University  Mohammad Fadel: Professor of Law at the University of Toronto 

After Gaza, who sets the rules of global justice?

Can the West be trusted with global justice after Gaza?    Never has global justice faced a greater moral crisis than the destruction of Gaza, with the post-World-War-II moral order facing intense scrutiny. While Western-led institutions claim to champion human rights, when it comes to Gaza, do these institutions live up to their own ideals? In this episode of the Doha Debates Podcast, global experts debate whether the West can be trusted to promote global justice, and who should decide instead what moral framework guides the future of justice in a multipolar world.     💬 Join the conversation in the comments.  Featuring:  Bruno Maçães: Author and member of the European Council on Foreign Relations   David Oldroyd-Bolt: Historian and broadcaster, specializing in Anglosphere relations  Dr. Randa Slim: Foreign policy expert and non-resident fellow with Middle East Institute  Wadah Khanfar: Palestinian journalist and former director general of Al Jazeera 

Should we embrace aging or try to engineer it away?

Should we accept aging or reverse it?  While the search for eternal youth is not new, what does it mean to value youth above all else? What do we lose in the process?    Many argue that science should extend our lives and reduce suffering. Others believe there must be limits. In this episode, experts debate whether we should handle the aging process with acceptance or with scientific intervention. 

Has disagreement become disinformation?

The battle over online disinformation is usually framed as a fight for truth. But it is also a fight over power.  As platforms tighten policies, algorithms quietly shape visibility and experts step in as arbiters of credibility, a deeper question emerges: are these systems protecting open discourse or controlling it?  In this episode of the Doha Debates Podcast, we explore the rise of digital censorship and the growing assumption that the public cannot be trusted to think critically without supervision. Can harmful falsehoods be reduced without eroding the right to freely exchange ideas? And who decides where the line between protection and control is drawn?  Experts join moderator Mohamed Hassan to debate how truth is defined, who gets to define it and what ethical responsibilities come with that authority.  💬 Join the conversation in the comments.  Featuring:  Renée DiResta: Author and associate research professor at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy   Glenn Greenwald: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, former constitutional lawyer and New York Times bestselling author  Siva Vaidhyanathan: Professor of Media Studies and director of the Center for Media and Citizenship at the University of Virginia