UBC’s Phil Lind Initiative returns in 2026 with a theme that feels eerily in step with the moment. Titled America First, America Alone? Global Politics in an Age of Uncertainty, this year’s series examines how the resurgence of U.S. unilateralism is reshaping everything from diplomatic norms to global security.
As the United States shifts further away from its post-war role as consensus-builder, the series digs into the forces driving foreign policy under President Trump, the strain on multilateral institutions, and the space left behind for rivals like China and Russia to maneuver.
Presented by UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in partnership with the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, The Polygon Gallery, and the Outer Space Institute, the 2026 line-up pulls together journalists, artists, policy experts, and one of Twitch’s most recognisable political commentators.
Here’s who’s taking the stage this year:
Thomas L. Friedman
A three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist, Thomas L. Friedman has spent more than forty years explaining the ever-shifting intersections of global politics, technology, and the climate crisis.
When: January 22, 6:30pm
Where: Chan Centre
Tickets: Available December 18
Charity Weeden
A former NASA Associate Administrator and Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, Charity Weeden brings a space policy lens to geopolitics. Her discussion examines how activity in orbit—and the frameworks that govern it—mirror the tensions unfolding on Earth.
When: February 5, 6:30pm
Where: Chan Centre
Tickets: Available January 8
Hasan Piker
Known for his sharp analysis and humour, Hasan Piker has become a defining political voice among younger online audiences. He’ll unpack how digital media is reshaping political engagement and why commentary from creators is increasingly influencing public discourse.
When: February 12, 6:30pm
Where: Chan Centre
Tickets: Available January 8
Dread Scott
Artist and activist Dread Scott has long used his work to challenge authority and spark debate. His groundbreaking piece What Is the Proper Way to Display a U.S. Flag? became a flashpoint for conversations about patriotism and dissent. His appearance in the series explores the role of art in confronting political power.
When: February 25, 7pm
Where: The Polygon Gallery
Tickets: Available via Polygon at a later date
Rachel Maddow
With seventeen years at the helm of The Rachel Maddow Show, the Emmy-winning journalist has become one of America’s most trusted political voices. Expect a clear-eyed, historically grounded conversation on the stakes of the current political moment.
When: March 5, 6:30pm
Where: Chan Centre
Tickets: Available January 29
Carlos Lozada
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times opinion columnist Carlos Lozada closes the series with reflections on how political books shape public understanding. His work dissects the narratives that define U.S. political life and the stories Americans tell about themselves.
When: March 26, 6:30pm
Where: Chan Centre
Tickets: Available February 19
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