Undersea cables form the backbone of global communication, with over 95% of global internet traffic relying on hundreds of fibre-optic cables criss-crossing the globe. But recent incidents such as disruption to cables in the Baltic Sea have highlighted concerns over their security and raised the possibility of ‘grey zone warfare’. We examine who owns and runs this vast global network, what happens when things go wrong, and what the future holds for underseas cables. Are they powerful enough to sustain future communications, and what role could quantum technology play in their future? To discuss all this are Lane Burdette, research analyst, TeleGeography, Jovan Kurbali, director of the Diplo Foundation and head of Geneva Internet Platform, Erin L Murphy, senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington DC and Kristine Berzina, managing director at the German Marshall Fund, Washington DC.Presenter: Gary O'Donoghue
Producer: Dan Hardoon and Vicky Carter
Researcher: Katie Morgan
Production co-ordinator: Liam Morrey
Technical producer: James Bradshaw
Editor: Tara McDermott
(Photo: Employees of Orange Marine work on the installation of the very high speed submarine cable SEA-ME-WE 5, linking Singapore to France, 1 March, 2016. Credit: Boris Horvat/AFP)
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22:58
Do we need the International Criminal Court?
The International Criminal Court was founded to prosecute the world’s worst crimes—genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It has secured historic convictions, but its effectiveness is under scrutiny.US opposition has been a long-standing challenge. Donald Trump previously rejected the ICC’s legitimacy, and now, early in his second presidential term, he has imposed sanctions on its top prosecutor. The move echoes past tensions but raises new concerns about the court’s ability to function under external pressure.The ICC also relies on member states to arrest and transfer suspects. A recent case in Italy has highlighted the court’s enforcement difficulties, as Italian authorities deported a Libyan suspect instead of extraditing him to The Hague. Such incidents fuel questions about the ICC’s global authority.Despite its high-profile cases, the court has only secured 11 convictions in 23 years. Its slow trials and high costs have drawn criticism, leading some to question whether reform—or even an alternative—is needed. But with 125 member states still backing its mission, is the ICC an institution the world can afford to lose?Contributors:
Dr Viviane Dittrich, Deputy Director of the International Nuremberg Principles Academy in Germany
Gerry Simpson, Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics in the UK
Rachel Kerr, Professor of War and Society at King's College London in the UK
Mark Kirsten, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, CanadaPresented by Charmaine Cozier
Produced by Louise Clarke and Bara’atu Ibrahim
Editor Tara McDermott
Technical Producer Toby James
Production co-ordinator Liam MorreyImage credit: Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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23:00
Are we ready for the new male contraceptives?
Women have been using the female contraceptive pill for over 60 years, and many other options have followed. Yet, after decades of research, there is still no male version of a birth control pill. Male options for contraception are limited to the condom, vasectomy or withdrawal. However, clinical trials are underway around the world testing new innovations in male contraception. New options may be less than a decade away but, when they arrive, will people want to take them? In this edition of the Inquiry Sandra Kanthal asks: Are we ready for the new male contraceptives?
Contributors:
Allan Pacey, Professor of Andrology, University of Manchester
Dr Diana Blithe, Chief of the Contraceptive Development Programme, National Institutes of Health
Dhananjay Vaidyanathan Rohini, Founder and Partner, Alstonia Impact
Logan Nickels, Chief Research Office, Male Contraceptive InitiativePresenter/Producer: Sandra Kanthal
Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey
Technical Producer: James Beard
Editor: Tara McDermott
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23:03
How can Panama satisfy President Trump?
The Panama Canal, a crucial artery for global trade, is at the centre of growing tensions between the United States and China. Donald Trump has claimed that Chinese companies exert undue influence over the waterway, accusing Panama of overcharging US businesses. But does the US still have a legitimate stake in the canal?With Trump demanding action, Panama faces a difficult choice. Could a renegotiation of tolls or a review of Chinese port contracts ease US concerns?Contributors:
Will Freeman, Fellow for Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
Andrew Thomas, Academic and Author of The Canal of Panama and Globalisation
Dr Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House
David Young, President of the Committee for Economic Development Presented by Gary O’Donoghue
Produced by Louise Clarke
Researched by Katie Morgan
Technical producer Matthew Dempsey
Production Coordinator Liam Morrey
Editor Tara McDermottImage credit: Getty Images via MARTIN BERNETTI
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22:59
Where are we in the battle against inflation?
In the decade that followed the Great Financial Crisis, inflation rates remained low and steady, and in some cases even threatened to turn negative, as economies around the world struggled to recover.This era came to an abrupt end in recent years following the double economic shocks of the Covid pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many central banks and senior policymakers were caught on the back foot as inflation rates soared to levels not seen for nearly half a century in some countries.Although rates have since come down from those highs, they are still proving tricky to completely get under control, causing concern among some observers. We explore what inflation is, where it comes from, what has been happening in recent years and what the outlook might be. Our panel includes
Stephen D. King, author and senior economic adviser at HSBC, Vicky Pryce, chief economic adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, Marieke Blom, chief economist and global head of research at ING and Manoj Pradham, author and chief economist at Talking Heads Macroeconomics.Presenter: Tanya Beckett
Producer: Ben Cooper
Researcher: Katie Morgan
Sound engineer: Richard Hannaford
New Zealand