Phil Lind Initiative: Thomas L. Friedman

A three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist and bestselling author, Thomas L. Friedman has spent over four decades translating the complexities of global politics, technology, and the environmental crisis into sharp, accessible insight. Described by Foreign Policy as someone who “doesn’t just report on events; he helps shape them,” Friedman has become a definitive interpreter of our shifting geopolitical landscape. His many books, including The World is Flat and Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations, have transformed the way millions of readers understand globalization and our rapidly changing world.

Friedman was featured in Showtime‘s climate change documentary series Years of Living Dangerously, which was executive produced by James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger. His recent commentary as a foreign affairs columnist pulls no punches in calling out Trump’s “hot mess” of a China trade deal and controversies in US involvement in Gaza and Ukraine. Friedman has reported from Beirut, Jerusalem, Washington and beyond, bringing a deeper understanding of global affairs. His thought-provoking ideas challenge us to reckon with an uncertain future, calling for clarity and courage amid accelerating crises.

Moderated by Peter Klein, Professor at UBC’s School of Journalism, Writing, and Media and founder of the UBC Global Reporting Centre.

Presented by UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in partnership with the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

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