Root of Conflict

About Root of Conflict

Why are some places affected by violence and disorder while others enjoy peace and stability? From the University of Chicago Public Policy Podcasts, “Root of Conflict” analyzes violent conflict around the world, and the people, societies, and policy issues it affects. We meet with leading experts to discuss what can be done to create more peaceful societies. We're produced and hosted by Sabrina Beaver.

Publisher

UC3P

Category

news · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Nov 2019

Latest episode

4 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

12 of 68 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   4 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Militarism in Africa | Samuel Fury Childs Daly

   Host Sabrina Beaver interviews Samuel Fury Childs Daly, a scholar of African militarism, exploring how conflict and military rule shaped post-colonial Nigeria and recent West African coups.

2. 

   18 May 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Migration Flows and US Policy Tools | Katie Tobin

   Katie Tobin, former NSC and UNHCR official, explains how conflict drives migration and details US policy tools for addressing these complex flows in this interview.

3. 

   22 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Bringing Culture into Development and Security Work in Africa | Chidi Blyden

   In this episode, we speak with Chidi Blyden, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs and former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation on security and development in Africa. We discuss the importance of understanding culture in development and security work on the continent and how natural resources can complicate both conflict and development. Podcast Production Credits: Interviewing: Sabrina Beaver and Sarah MacHarg Editing: Sabrina Beaver Production: Sabrina Beaver Music from #Uppbeat : https://uppbeat.io/t/tim-schaufert/it-doesnt-have-to-end

Inside a recent episode

Militarism in Africa | Samuel Fury Childs Daly

Published 4 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Poverty, dissatisfaction with economic development. That seems to be a big one. When people are upset with how little a civilian government has achieved compared to the promises that it made when it started in power, that creates a lot of discontent. And sometimes that results in a coup. […]

Who has been a guest on Root of Conflict

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Samuel Fury Childs Daly
• Katie Tobin
• Emma Ashford
• Chris Blattman
• Ryan Kellogg

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

17 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

40

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

Contact Root of Conflict

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Root of Conflict