W.H.O. readies a pandemic treaty for the future, but Trump’s America wants an out

It’s been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything—from the way we work to the way we think about global health. But what if another pandemic strikes tomorrow? Will the world be any more prepared? The World Health Organization thinks it can be—thanks to a new agreement being finalized right now: the Pandemic Treaty. In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta dives into the heart of the WHO’s most ambitious post-COVID effort. What is this treaty? How will it change the way we respond to global health threats? Why are developing nations fighting for vaccine equity and tech transfer—and why is the U.S., the world’s richest and most powerful country, sitting this one out? With new outbreaks like Lassa Fever, Marburg virus, and others already popping up in 2025, this story isn’t just about preparedness. It’s about power, politics, and the price of inaction.