Doha Debates Podcast

Football (or soccer) is more than just a game; it's a global phenomenon. Today, as football club ownership, team talent and the fandom all evolve, have the meaning and merits of the sport also changed? What can we learn about ourselves and our world by examining the current state of the “beautiful game”?

This episode uses football as a lens to explore questions of capitalism, nationalism, power and identity.

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Featuring:
- David Goldblatt: Sociologist, sports writer, broadcaster and author
- Tony Karon: Editorial lead, AJ+
- Honey Thaljieh: Co-founder, women’s football in Palestine

Moderated by international journalist Imran Garda

In many places around the world, birth rates have dropped to historic lows. Some argue this is a good thing in a world grappling with environmental crises and waning resources. Others fear the loss of legacy and even the extinction of humanity.  

In this episode, we explore the meaning and the impact of falling birth rates. Is it a sign of liberation from outdated norms? Is it proof that individualism has gone too far? Or is it the inevitable result of modern-day challenges?  

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Featuring:  


Alaka Basu: Professor of developmental sociology, Cornell University 


Laurie DeRose: Assistant professor of sociology, The Catholic University of America 


Antonina Lewandowska: Sociologist, researcher and activist 


Stephen J. Shaw: Data scientist and demographer 

Moderated by international journalist and media executive Soraya Salam

History is full of resistance movements that were condemned in their time but later celebrated, including the French Resistance, women’s suffrage and the fight against apartheid led by Nelson Mandela. This begs the question: Which modern resistance movements will the world honor in the future, and what determines whether or not they are recognized? 

In this episode, we explore the question of what makes resistance legitimate. Is it the cause, the tactics, the outcome—or something else? And who gets to decide whether or not legitimacy is granted? 

 

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Featuring:  


Diana Buttu: Practitioner-in-residence, Georgetown University in Qatar  


Victor Gao: Vice president, Center for China and Globalization 


Saeed Khan: Associate professor of Near East & Asian studies, Wayne State University  


Amina Rasul: President, Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy 

Moderated by presenter, filmmaker and producer Nadir Nahdi.

Some critics argue that contemporary art has lost touch with the principles and traditions that define artistic greatness. Others see its break with tradition as liberating; a move toward more inclusion, experimentation and personal and political expression. 

This episode explores what makes great art in the 21st century. Is it adherence to tradition, or disruption and reinvention? Is artistic beauty understood across time and culture, or does each generation need to redefine it? And with the AI era upon us, what even constitutes art in the first place? 

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Featuring:  


Wafaa Bilal: Artist; professor, Tisch School at New York University 


Molly Crabapple: Artist, writer and journalist 


Fen de Villiers: Fine art sculptor 


Samar Younes: Quantum culture artist 

Moderated by presenter, filmmaker and producer Nadir Nahdi

This episode was recorded on December 6th, 2025. 

In recent decades, traditional religious frameworks have steadily lost influence in Western societies. At the same time, we’ve seen the emergence of social justice movements focused on uncovering and dismantling systemic forms of oppression. Some argue that these secular movements are a replacement for faith. Others say they don’t offer the same moral depth, cohesion and forgiveness provided by traditional religion. 

 

In this episode, our guests debate whether today's social justice movements effectively replace religion in the West—and whether they share similar ethical principles with the traditions they often want to move beyond. 

 

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Featuring:  


Joshua Mitchell: Professor of political theory, Georgetown University 


Khaled A. Beydoun: Professor of law, Arizona State University 


Michael Eric Dyson: Professor of African American and diaspora studies, Vanderbilt University 

Moderated by international presenter and host Mohamed Hassan