The Spillover

How do critical international developments shape economic and financial markets worldwide? Each week, The Spillover examines the ripple effects of global events across policy, geopolitics, economics, finance, and technology. This podcast helps you better understand what’s happening, and why it matters to businesses, global markets, and the world.

  1. Is the Gulf Still the Capital of Capital? + How War Could Hurt America’s Tech Funding

    HÁ 6 H

    Is the Gulf Still the Capital of Capital? + How War Could Hurt America’s Tech Funding

    This episode explores how the Gulf region transformed into a global “capital of capital,” and the risk of the Iran conflict disrupting that role. It examines the ripple effects on global markets, U.S. tech and AI investment, and the broader balance of economic power if Gulf capital starts turning inward to focus on defense.   Hosts:   Rebecca Patterson, Senior Fellow, CFR   Sebastian Mallaby, Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, CFR   We discuss: How the Gulf transformed itself from a group of oil-dependent economies into a global “capital of capital,” attracting trillions in investment, talent, and tech partnerships.  The scale of Gulf sovereign wealth funds and why it became a critical funding source for global markets, especially U.S. tech and AI.  How a prolonged conflict could force Gulf states to redirect capital inward toward defense and reconstruction.  As Sebastian Mallaby puts it: “If the capital of capital turns inward in any significant way, the global effects could be profound.”  How the Iran war challenges the core assumption that the Gulf could remain insulated from geopolitics. The Gulf's history of boom-bust cycles and a key difference in the current bust: it's not about price, but the ability to move energy through key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.  How disruptions hit different Gulf economies in different ways, from physical damage in energy exporters to confidence shocks in hubs like Dubai.  The potential global spillover of less Gulf capital flowing into U.S. markets, private equity, and AI infrastructure and what that means for everyday outcomes—higher bond yields, slower asset growth, and ripple effects on things like mortgage rates.  The big open question: if the Gulf steps back as a global capital provider, who, if anyone, can replace it?   Mentioned on the Episode:   “How the US grows from PIF’s pioneering investments,” Newswire   “Sovereign Wealth Funds and Public Pension Funds Tracker,” Global SWF   Want to keep up with The Spillover? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes are released.   The Spillover is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the hosts and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

    43 min
  2. The Oppenheimer of AI + Mailbag Contest Winners

    7 DE ABR.

    The Oppenheimer of AI + Mailbag Contest Winners

    This episode unpacks cohost Sebastian Mallaby’s new book The Infinity Machine and answers audience questions on AI, dollar dominance, the impact of Trump’s foreign policy on midterm elections, and more.   Hosts:   Sebastian Mallaby, Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Rebecca Patterson, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   We discuss:  Demis Hassabis as a key architect of modern AI and the force behind DeepMind. AI’s upside in medicine and science, especially through AlphaFold and faster drug discovery. The tension between building powerful AI quickly and making it safe. Why the biggest AI winners may be the ones that turn models into useful products. Why the dollar still dominates, even as China and Europe look for ways to challenge it. How Trump’s foreign policy decisions on the Middle East and immigration could sway voters in the upcoming midterm elections. How drones and supply chain choke points are reshaping global conflict.   Mentioned on the Episode:    Sebastian Mallaby, The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind, and the Quest for Superintelligence, Penguin Random House   Want to keep up with The Spillover? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes are released.   The Spillover is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the hosts and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

    43 min
  3. Private Credit's Black Box + Why It's Not 2008 (But Still Risky)

    31 DE MAR.

    Private Credit's Black Box + Why It's Not 2008 (But Still Risky)

    This episode dives into how the opaque growth and structural risks in private credit, combined with global supply shocks and market stress spurred by the Iran war, are creating a uniquely fragile and unpredictable economic landscape.   Hosts:   Sebastian Mallaby, Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Rebecca Patterson, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   We discuss: The rapid rise of private credit, its lack of transparency, and why recent bankruptcies are raising red flags.  How $10 billion in redemption requests were submitted to major private credit funds in the first quarter of 2026—including major funds Apollo, Ares, and Blackstone.  Why this moment isn’t a repeat of 2008, but still presents real risks due to government debt levels and the lack of safety nets for private credit.  As Rebecca Patterson, CFR senior fellow, puts it: “No one has any idea what’s going to happen—and that’s exactly the challenge right now.”  Current structural risks in private credit, including liquidity mismatches, redemption limits (“gates”), and growing exposure to retail investors.  Why financial markets are behaving unusually, with rising bond yields and weakening traditional safe-haven assets.  How central banks are stuck between fighting inflation and supporting growth, creating a far more complex policy environment than past crises.   Mentioned on the Episode:   Sebastian Mallaby, The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind, and the Quest for Superintelligence, Penguin Random House   Want to keep up with The Spillover? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes are released.    The Spillover is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the hosts and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

    39 min
  4. U.S.-China AI Race Escalates + Chip Bans Aren’t Working + A Lesson From Nuclear Proliferation

    25 DE MAR.

    U.S.-China AI Race Escalates + Chip Bans Aren’t Working + A Lesson From Nuclear Proliferation

    This episode unpacks the evolving U.S.-China AI rivalry, the limits of technological export controls, and what’s really at stake as both countries race to shape the future of intelligence.   Submit Your Question For a Chance to Win a Copy of Sebastian Mallaby’s Book The Infinity Machine!    Host:   Sebastian Mallaby, Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Guest:   Chris McGuire, Senior Fellow for China and Emerging Technologies, CFR   We discuss: How U.S. export controls on chips are slowing China’s AI progress, but not stopping it, as loopholes, smuggling and cloud access weaken enforcement. Why China’s progress is stronger than expected, with competing models only months behind the U.S. As Chris McGuire, CFR senior fellow, puts it: “Whoever has the better AI is going to have the offense-defense advantage in the cyber realm.”  Why compute and advanced chips are the real bottleneck. Why the “AI intelligence explosion” is overstated, with real-world deployment slowed by infrastructure, regulation, and human constraints. The tension between containing China and working with it on global AI safety and governance.   Mentioned on the Episode:    Sebastian Mallaby, The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind, and the Quest for Superintelligence, Penguin Random House    Chris McGuire, “The New AI Chip Export Policy to China: Strategically Incoherent and Unenforceable,” CFR.org   Chris McGuire, “Trump’s Reversal on AI Chips is a Historic Blunder,” The Washington Post    Want to keep up with The Spillover? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes are released!   The Spillover is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the hosts and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

    58 min
  5. Iran War Spirals + Oil Shocks Keep Coming + China’s Advantage

    18 DE MAR.

    Iran War Spirals + Oil Shocks Keep Coming + China’s Advantage

    As the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran escalates, global markets are absorbing the shocks: oil prices are swinging, inflation expectations are rising, and safe-haven assumptions are being tested. China, by contrast, is looking relatively resilient, buoyed by strategic energy reserves, diversified supply chains, and policy flexibility. This episode examines how the conflict is driving inflation, complicating monetary policy, and handing China a geoeconomic edge.   Submit Your Question For a Chance to Win a Copy of Sebastian Mallaby’s Book The Infinity Machine!   Hosts:   Sebastian Mallaby, Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Rebecca Patterson, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Mentioned on the Episode:    Sebastian Mallaby, The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind, and the Quest for Superintelligence, Penguin Random House    Coco Feng, “China Issues New Safety Rules for OpenClaw. Here Are the Dos and Don’ts” South China Morning Post    Hany Abdel-Latif and Adina Popescu, “Spillovers From Large Emerging Economies: How Dominant Is China?,” International Monetary Fund (IMF)   Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi, “Farmer Sentiment Drops Sharply at the Start of 2026 as Economic Concerns Increase,” Purdue University/CME Group   Want to keep up with The Spillover? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes are released!   The Spillover is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the hosts and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

    55 min
  6. Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” Turns 250 + Free Markets Face Off Against Industrial Policy

    11 DE MAR.

    Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” Turns 250 + Free Markets Face Off Against Industrial Policy

    On the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, this episode revisits a book that laid the foundations of modern economics and then considers the tensions between free markets and industrial policy today. It highlights the ways in which specialization and global trade remain powerful drivers of prosperity, reflecting Smith’s insight that self-interest can benefit society when shaped by competition and institutions, while noting the ongoing relevance of his warnings about moral judgment, the rule of law, and resistance to cronyism.   Hosts:   Sebastian Mallaby, Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Rebecca Patterson, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)   Mentioned on the Episode:    “Adam Smith is Misinterpreted and His Influence Overstated,” Economist    Gita Gopinath, “Geopolitics and its Impact on Global Trade and the Dollar,” International Monetary Fund (IMF)    Caitlin Oprysko, “Trump’s Return Supercharges Lobbying Revenues,” Politico   Want to keep up with The Spillover? Sign up to receive an email alert when new episodes are released!   The Spillover is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the hosts and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

    49 min

Sobre

How do critical international developments shape economic and financial markets worldwide? Each week, The Spillover examines the ripple effects of global events across policy, geopolitics, economics, finance, and technology. This podcast helps you better understand what’s happening, and why it matters to businesses, global markets, and the world.

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