Intrigue Outloud

Interview with Ankit Panda: Iran Strikes, Nuclear Deterrence, and the Return of Proliferation

International Intrigue — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:11:18 -0400

In this fascinating interview with nuclear expert Ankit Panda we discuss the escalating conflict following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and its implications for global nuclear deterrence. He argues that Iran's strategy appears aimed at regionalizing the conflict across the Gulf to generate diplomatic pressure, while questioning the credibility of claims about Iran's imminent nuclear weapons capability.

We discussed:

How the succession to Ayatollah Khamenei's more hardline son could alter Iran's longstanding restraint on both missile ranges and nuclear weaponization.
The troubling lessons other nations (particularly U.S. adversaries like North Korea) may draw from Iran's fate (nuclear weapons provide the ultimate deterrent against regime change).
How both adversarial and allied proliferation dynamics are re-surging in ways unseen since the Cold War, with countries from Seoul to Stockholm reconsidering their nuclear postures.
Panda critiques last year's bombing campaign as ultimately counterproductive to nonproliferation goals, leaving 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium unaccounted for and eliminating IAEA verification continuity.
Despite the current trajectory, Panda maintains that any sustainable resolution to Iran's nuclear program will require diplomatic engagement—though achieving that will prove extraordinarily difficult given how recent events have validated North Korea's narrative about the risks of cooperation with the West.

Bio:
Ankit Panda is the Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he focuses on nuclear strategy, escalation, missiles and missile defense, space security, and US alliances. He is the author of Kim Jong Un and the Bomb: Survival and Deterrence in North Korea and Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Risks, and his forthcoming book is The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon.

His work has appeared in outlets including the New York Times, the Economist, the Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and he serves as editor-at-large at The Diplomat, where he hosts the Asia Geopolitics podcast.

What Is Biden's Foreign Policy Legacy?

International Intrigue — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:49:54 -0500

Welcome back to Intrigue Outloud! The US has officially entered its Trump 2.0 era, so we decided to have a chat to reflect on his predecessor's foreign policy legacy. We talk about Biden's approach in Ukraine, whether he was played by Bibi Netanyahu in the Israel-Hamas conflict, and how the last four years of US-China competition is setting Trump up for a tumultuous second term.

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the 5-minute daily global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intrigue's 2025 Geopolitical Predictions

International Intrigue — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 19:51:36 -0500

Happy New Year! To get settled in 2025 we thought we'd record a special episode to discuss the year ahead. John, Helen, and Jeremy trade takes on the future of Maduro's Venezuela, whether ISIS is making a comeback in post-Assad Syria, the prospects for a hot conflict between China and Taiwan, and much more. Stick around for the end to see Helen and JD go head to head in a legendary geopolitical trivia showdown.

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the 5-minute daily global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Edition: What's next for Syria?

International Intrigue — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:12:12 -0500

Summary

In this special edition on Syria one week after Assad's downfall, Helen, John and Jeremy discuss:

The recent developments in Syria following Assad's flight to Russia, the role of HTS in governing Idlib, and the implications of regional powers' involvement.
The complexities of the Syrian conflict, the potential for civil war, and the skepticism surrounding HTS's ability to govern effectively.
We also give the view from Israel and Iran as well as Turkey's strategic gains and the shifting geopolitical landscape.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🗳️ Musk-querading into January

International Intrigue — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 11:12:29 -0500

This week, John and Kristen discuss developments in Rome at a conference attracting numerous foreign ministers as the G7 meets right next door, closing Italy’s hosting year.

John dives into what Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, would mean for Washington and the country, plus what some of the 47ths cabinet picks could mean for Trump’s policy.

John mentioned the Musk and Ramaswamy’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal which you can read here: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/musk-and-ramaswamy-the-doge-plan-to-reform-government-supreme-court-guidance-end-executive-power-grab-fa51c020

Subscribe to International Intrigue here: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📥 Stay Tuned

International Intrigue — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:29:03 -0500

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but our expert co-host and chief executive, John Fowler, has lost his voice! This means today’s edition of the pod is postponed—but don’t worry, we’ll be back as soon as he’s ready to speak again.

Thanks for your patience, and stay tuned!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🗳️Welcome to Trump's America

International Intrigue — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:47:56 -0500

Welcome to Trump's America. On January 20th, former President Donald Trump will become the 47th president. In the meantime, he is President-elect. Washington, as we know it, has changed and will evolve over the next some 10 weeks. Is this a surprise? Tune in.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🗳️ Closing Pitch

International Intrigue — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 12:43:29 -0400

This week, we dive into if newspapers should endorse candidates, each campaign's closing pitches, the period after November 5th and who countries around the world are hoping the American people vote for.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

3:00-8:00 — Harris’ remarks at the Ellipse

8:00-20:00 — Campaign’s closing pitches

22:00-30:00 — Post-election period

30:00 — 40:00 — Newspaper endorsements

40:00 — 42:00 — Campaigns in one-line

42:00 — 53:00 — Cabinet pick

58:00 — 1:06:00 — Who other countries want to win

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intrigue Events: Securing Tomorrow – The Future of Cyber Threats and Global Defense

International Intrigue — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 13:47:44 -0400

Welcome back to Intrigue Events!

The space for geopolitical discussion and exploration is often relegated to dusty rooms, with jargony conversations, and one too many uses of the word 'tripolarity.' At Intrigue Media, we're here to change that. Our mission is to discover, contextualize, and analyze the consequences of global political events.

Intrigue Events transforms these insights into vibrant, engaging experiences where professionals connect, hear exclusive insights, and engage in dynamic discussions.

On October 24th we hosted an event in partnership with Samsung at their Future Center in Washington DC: “Securing Tomorrow: The Future of Cyber Threats and Global Defense.” Our incredible guests from the State Department, DARPA, and SentinelOne offered great insight into the growing role of cybersecurity in a geopolitically active world. Enjoy!

Chapters:

0:00-2:00 Opening Remarks from Intrigue's Helen Zhang

2:00-4:30 Remarks from Eric Tamarkin – Director & Senior Public Policy Counsel at Samsung

4:30-27:50 Liesyl Franz – Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the Department of State

27:50-47:45 Dr. Matt Turek – Deputy Director, Information Innovation Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

47:45-1:08:56 Brandon Wales – Vice President of Cybersecurity Strategy, SentinelOne and Former Executive Director at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the free 5-minute global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🗳️ Foreign Interference

International Intrigue — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:09:32 -0400

This week, we dive into foreign interference into the election (both from predictable and unexpected actors) and the two campaigns last pitches to voters for any of the mythical undecided constituents out there.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🗳️ Harris goes into the Fox's den

International Intrigue — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:18:35 -0400

This week, we dive into what court cases filed across numerous swing states could mean for voters perception of the election, its fairness and legitimacy of the results.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🗳️ October surprises and the betting markets

International Intrigue — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:16:42 -0400

This week, we dive into what each candidate winning in November could mean for Washington's approach to the Middle East and how hype around the election can fuel the betting markets (with a little help from Elon Musk?).

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🗳️ Debates and Strikes

International Intrigue — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 20:35:09 -0400

This week, we dive into the vice presidential debate and how escalation (yes, even further escalation) in the Middle East could impact the Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance campaigns.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🗳️ Biden's farewell, Harris' problem?

International Intrigue — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:05:34 -0400

This week, we dive into the impact that Biden's speeches and movements have on the Harris campaign and look back at the Trump administration foreign policy record.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Foreign interference and overseas votes

International Intrigue — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:22:12 -0400

This week, we dive into the impact that overseas voters could have on the election as RFK Jr. goes to bat over getting his name removed from state ballots. Plus, some on-the-ground reporting in Washington on what secretaries are doing to mitigate a potential cut to US diplomats pay.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John&Jacob: How 2024's Elections are Shifting the Global Order (July 2024)

International Intrigue — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 15:54:11 -0400

**This episode originally aired July 15th, 2024 (Video Episode Here) .We'll be back next week!

Hi Everyone! Welcome to International Intrigue's newest show: John&Jacob! Every week, Intrigue CEO and Former Australian Diplomat John Fowler and Cognitive Investments Director of Geopolitical Analysis Jacob Shapiro bring you fresh, egoless analysis of the world's most pressing stories.

2024 has been the year of global elections, and this week brought huge changes. We saw the ousting of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Tory. Party by his replacement, Keir Starmer, and the Labour Party. Marie Le Pen's far right takeover in France's parliamentary elections flopped with the most gains from the left, Iran's new president Masoud Pezeshkian may be a sign of Iran becoming more West-friendly, Japan-Philippines have signed a defense treaty that indicates growing fears of China, and it all comes together in the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington DC.

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the free 5-minute global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Chapters:

0:00 How 2024's Elections are Shifting the Global Order

1:00 Labour takes UK's Elections 5:02 France's Far Right 9:23 Iran's New President

14:18 Japan-Philippines Defense Pact

18:54 Washington NATO Summit

26:43 Will Biden Drop Out of the Race?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Debate 2.0

International Intrigue — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:36:08 -0400

John and Kristen hit record just after the first debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris wrap on their first debate (and first time meeting face-to-face!) in the 2024 election season. From the CHIPS Act to pictures of a Taliban leader’s home, there was more foreign policy intrigue than we banked on. Lucky for you, we had our notes prepared.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John&Jacob: What Zelenskyy's Government Shakeup Means for the Russo-Ukraine War

International Intrigue — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:12:12 -0400

Video Episode Here

Hi Everyone! Welcome back to International Intrigue's newest show: John&Jacob! Every week, Intrigue CEO and Former Australian Diplomat John Fowler and Cognitive Investments Director of Geopolitical Analysis Jacob Shapiro bring you fresh, egoless analysis of the world's most pressing stories.

This week we start with Ukraine's cabinet shakeup and what it means for the war, as well as Volodymyr Zelenskyy's reputation as a President whose power is now secured by martial law, rather than democratic elections.

We then review the latest victory by Germany's AfD party in their regional elections and what it says about the growing far-right presence across the EU. Next is the most recent quarrel in East Asia, where a Chinese plane has breached Japanese airspace for (depending on who you ask) the first time, and China continues to butt heads (ships) with the Philippines in the South China Sea. We wrap things up with a few notable travels by world leaders: Putin in Mongolia, Pope Francis in Indonesia, and Egypt's Sisi in Turkey, and finish with our Pardon the Interruption-inspired game "What's the Word?"

Chapters:

0:00-1:30 Intro

1:30-7:10 Ukraine's Cabinet Shakeup

7:10-16:10 AfD wins in Germany's elections

16:10-25:38 China Breaches Japan's Airspace and Clashes in SCS

32:10-37:06 What's the Word?

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the free 5-minute global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Inside the Dem's China Strategy

International Intrigue — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 11:24:32 -0400

This week, we dive into what a Democrat win in November could mean for US-China relations. Harris has signaled she will likely continue down the path that President Joe Biden carved out over the past four years when it comes to Beijing but with a VP pick that has been to China nearly 30 times since the late 80s, there's certainly intrigue on if and what could shift.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John&Jacob: How China's Spiraling Economy is Affecting its Global Strategy

International Intrigue — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 12:53:39 -0400

Video Episode Here.

This week we kick things off with the CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, being arrested by French authorities and the greater conversation of social media and communication platforms' role in cracking down on the unsavory things that happen on their servers.

We then go to our main discussion of Canada's new tariffs on EVs and other Chinese-made products, how they affect China's current standard of overproduction, and how China will address its currently deteriorating economy.

0:00-2:20 Intro

2:20-12:25 Pavel Durov (CEO of Telegram) Arrested

12:25-19:55 Canada's EV Tariffs and How China Will Respond

19:55-27:05 The Greater Issues with China's Economy

27:05-34:15 Libya Pauses Oil Production over Central Bank Disputes

34:15-38:41 New Game: Big Deal / Little Deal

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the free 5-minute global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Trumping Trade

International Intrigue — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 15:43:53 -0400

This week, we dive into what a potential Trump 2.0 administration could mean for US-China relations. Former President Donald Trump set the tone for hawkish China policies out of Washington, very much continued by sitting President Joe Biden. So, what would a Republican ticket look to accelerate if they win in November? You heard reported thoughts here first, from a diplomat who was in China for Trump 1.0 even (John).

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Harris's Big Tent Pitch

International Intrigue — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 14:12:22 -0400

This week, we took to the windy city to get the scoop on the DNC live from scene. From main stage speeches to off-the-record conversations, the Democrats created a convention that felt like a pep rally for November. With Trump still doing well in the polls, the fight is far from over.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John&Jacob: Is Kamala's Surge in the Polls Only Temporary?

International Intrigue — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 09:04:58 -0400

Video Episode Here.

Welcome back to International Intrigue's newest show: John&Jacob!

This week John comes to you from the DNC in Chicago, where Kamala Harris is seeing a massive shift in nationwide polling against Trump. We break down her current standing in the swing states and discuss the role of the media momentum in these results. We then discuss the newest Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the collapse of this week's Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks (and a questionable Netanyahu/Trump call), India PM Modi's trip to Ukraine, and Elon Musk's decision to shut down X in Brazil.

Chapters:

0:00-1:37 Intro

1:37-9:00 Breaking Down Kamala's Polling Momentum

9:00-14:58 Greek Tanker on Fire in the Red Sea After Attack

14:58-20:00 Ceasefire Negotiations and the Secret Bibi/Trump Call

20:00-25:15 Modi's Trip to Kyiv 25:15-30:25 Elon Shuts Down X in Brazil

30:25-34:38 Over/Unders!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John&Jacob: Ukraine’s Kursk Strategy & What’s Next for the Counter-Offensive?

International Intrigue — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:41:43 -0400

Video Episode Here.

This week we saw a massive shift of momentum in the Russia/Ukraine war, with Ukraine continuing their incursion into Kursk, launching drone attacks, and further tainting Putin's aura of invincibility. Listen for John and Jacob's takes on whether this forward push is sustainable and how the West is viewing it.

We also cover the resurgence of Monkeypox (Mpox) and the new declaration of a global health emergency by the WHO, the resignation of Japanese PM Kishida, and if we should be concerned about the recent hacks of both the Trump and Harris campaigns by apparent Iran-backed actors.

Our last and newest segment is Over/Under, where Jacob and John take turns posing the likelihood of future geopolitical events.

Chapters:

0:00-1:43 Intro

1:43-10:50 Ukraine's Incursion into Kursk

10:50-18:33 WHO Declares Global Health Emergency of Mpox

18:33-23:36 Japanese PM Kishida Steps Down Amid Scandal

23:36-29:00 Trump & Harris Campaigns Hacked – Election Interference?

29:00-31:22 Over/Unders!

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the free 5-minute global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Road to Chicago

International Intrigue — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:31:38 -0400

This week, we discuss Trump's return to X, the former President's over two hour conversation with tech titan Elon Musk (including a potential cabinet position) and how the Democrats are prepping for the DNC next week in Chicago.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John&Jacob: The Bigger Global Pressures That Caused the Protests in the UK & Bangladesh

International Intrigue — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 04:31:22 -0400

**Video Episode here

**For Bangladesh/UK, go to 12:30

This week we saw two similar situations of unrest: in Bangladesh, student-led protests ousted the longtime Prime Minister Sheik Hasina, forcing her out of the country while new leader Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus attempts to work with the military and protestors to establish reforms. Meanwhile, a few days of anti-immigration protests in UK following the murder of three girls by a 17-year old falsely accused of being an immigrant caused widespread destruction and eventually roused tens of thousands of counter-protestors.

We also cover the latest updates in the Russia/Ukraine War and the historic prisoner swap that freed WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, among others.

Lastly, we try our newest segment: "The Most Important Story Nobody Cares About" where we tackle a story that didn't make headlines and tell you why it matters.

Chapters:

0:00-1:43 Intro

1:43-9:30 Ukraine Ground Assault and Russia's Historic Prisoner Swap

9:30-12:30 Sheik Hasina Flees Bangladesh Amid Protests

12:30-17:44 What Bangladesh Tells Us About Global Pressures

17:44-25:15 Geopolitical Strategy on How to Handle Global Migration

25:15-31:19 The Most Important Story Nobody Cares About

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the free 5-minute global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Window to the Walz

International Intrigue — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:44:40 -0400

This week, we discuss what putting Tim Walz on the Democrat ticket could mean for Harris's chances of winning in November, the governor's views on foreign policy, and his relationship with China dating back to 1989.

Join John and Kristen for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John&Jacob: The Real Foreign Interests Behind Venezuela's 2024 Elections

International Intrigue — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 14:35:37 -0400

This week, we watched massive upheaval in Venezuela following President Maduro's claim to his reelection despite much suspicion on the results. John and Jacob unpack Maduro's Venezuela, the strategy of the US and other Western countries supporting the opposition, and how this all could be an opportunity for Brazil and its President Lula. We then switch to the Middle East, where traded attacks by Hezbollah on the Golan Heights and Israel on Beirut have massively escalated the prospects for a hot conflict, made even worse by Israel's assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Lastly, we try out our newest segment: "The Most Important Story Nobody Gives a Sh*t About" where we tackle a story that didn't make headlines and tell you why it matters.

Chapters:

0:00-1:37 Intro

1:37-15:00 Maduro's Venezuela and the Global Intrigue

15:00-26:11 The Middle East heats up (watch out for Turkey!)

26:11-31:41 The Most Important Story Nobody Gives a Sh*t About

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the free 5-minute global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Ready, Set, Veep

International Intrigue — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:51:21 -0400

This was supposed to be a slow news week as we all digested a brand new race for president but nevertheless Venezuela had elections, the Middle East a few assassinations and a number of foreign countries has US election interference on the mind.

This week, we discuss what the latest global developments mean for the two candidates, who looks most likely to chosen for Kamala Harris's VP slot and how the DNC, once seen as a snooze fest, could end up bringing embassies after all.

Join John Fowler and Kristen Talman for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intrigue Events: The Real Impact of Memes, AI, and Deepfakes on Global Politics

International Intrigue — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:53:32 -0400

**Full video here.

Welcome to Intrigue Events!

On July 24th, we hosted an event at the Australian Embassy in DC, "How Internet Culture Shapes Our World: Memes, Deep Fakes, and Virality," with some incredible guests in tech, social media, the private sector, and government.

Chapters:

0:00-0:46 Intro

0:46-1:30 Welcome

1:30-15:37 Remarks from Ambassador/Former Prime Minister Dr. Kevin Rudd

15:38-29:10 Digital Deception: Ginny Badanes, Democracy Forward ‪@Microsoft‬

29:14-41:31 Memes and Virality: Lacey Dickinson, Social Strategist at The Other 98%

41:31-56:05 : AI in Geopolitics: Helen Toner, former Open AI Board Member and Director of Strategy at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University

56:05-57:23 Closing Remarks

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John&Jacob: Where Does Kamala Harris Really Stand on Foreign Policy?

International Intrigue — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:05:23 -0400

**Full Video Episode here.

This week, we continue investigating the craziness of the 2024 US Election shakeup and grand entrance of presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, unpacking her foreign policy strategy especially during Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious visit to Washington D.C. We then examine some recent bumps in the US/Mexico/China love triangle, and end with a discussion on the implications of the passing of Vietnam General Secretary Trong.

Chapters:

0:00-1:10 Intro

1:10-9:10 President Kamala Harris?

9:10-17:10 Pro-Palestine Protests in DC and Netanyahu's Address to Congress

17:10-22:27 US/China/Mexico

22:27-27:28 Vietnamese Gen Sec Trong Dead

27:28-30:06 Wrapup

Subscribe to International Intrigue, the free 5-minute global news briefing: https://www.internationalintrigue.io/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Kamala has entered the chat

International Intrigue — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 10:39:44 -0400

Vice President Kamala Harris will be the Democratic nominee for President. And that's the sum total of what we know about how the electoin will go from here!

This week, we discuss what her lightning-fast ascent to the top of the ticket means for US foreign policy, and how leaders in capitals around the world make of a potential Harris Administration.

Join John Fowler and Kristen Talman for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

👉 Sign up for weekly editions of the Election Intrigue newsletter.

📧 Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Joe Bye-den (and the RNC)

International Intrigue — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:15:46 -0400

Can we get a weekend off? Only kidding but it has been a wild past two weekends between an assassination attempt and President Joe Biden, the presumed Democratic candidate, stepping aside. While Kristen was in Milwaukee for the RNC, Republicans united around Trump as foreign delegations tried to squeeze time in with potential 2.0 administration bigwigs. The uncertainty now lies in the Democrat camp where Vice President Kamala Harris looks to be an obvious frontrunner but isn't without her adversaries. John and Kristen discuss the implications of the US political drama and what it means.

👉 Sign up for weekly editions of the Election Intrigue newsletter.

📧 Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: The Biden Shadow (over the NATO Summit)

International Intrigue — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 22:57:34 -0400

Hi folks, John here. Both Kristen and I are in the field talking to sources and trying to get close to the people in the rooms where decisions are made. We hear you about the audio quality - it's not the best it could be, but if you can bear with us, we'll back in our home studios soon. Until then, we hope you enjoy our timely, insightful and most importantly, free(!) content.

Who noticed the NATO summit even happened? The shadow Biden's future cast over the proceedings obscured the relatively important takeaways from the two day summit. And isn't that the problem? If the president's future is more important than the work he's elected to do, it feels a little like the tail is wagging the dog. John and Kristen discuss the implications of the US political drama and what it means.

👉 Sign up for weekly editions of the Election Intrigue newsletter.

📧 Shoot us an email here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: Biden hanging on and a new government in the UK

International Intrigue — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 21:09:28 -0400

The UK has a new Prime Minister, and the US doesn't have a new president... yet! What does a Labour government mean for the 'Special Relationship'?

*To the emailers: Kristen apologises for her less than perfect audio, but we'll be back in our home studios soon!

Join John Fowler and Kristen Talman for their takes on the US election and what it means for the world.

👉 Sign up for weekly editions of the Election Intrigue newsletter.

📧 Shoot us an email here.

Key takeaways:

US Political Climate: There are ongoing debates about President Biden's health and the media's role in shaping public perception. Media outlets have shifted their narrative, facing criticism for potentially downplaying Biden's cognitive issues.
Foreign Policy Focus: The Biden administration's foreign policy decisions are still made with input from key figures like Blinken and Sullivan, even as domestic policy decisions remain somewhat opaque.
UK Election Results: The Labour Party won a significant victory in the UK election, leading to discussions on what this means for UK foreign policy, particularly in relation to the US and NATO. The Labour Party's stance on Brexit and its commitment to NATO and Ukraine were highlighted.
Labour's Foreign Policy Strategy: Labour's approach to foreign policy is described as "progressive realism," focusing on using realistic means to achieve progressive ends. This includes a strong commitment to NATO and supporting Ukraine, distancing themselves from the previous leadership under Jeremy Corbyn.
Future Implications: There is speculation on how the Labour Party, under Keir Starmer, will navigate relationships with global powers, particularly the US, depending on the outcome of the US election. Labour needs to balance domestic priorities with maintaining strong international alliances.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election Intrigue: What to make of THAT debate performance?

International Intrigue — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:15:52 -0400

What will Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin or Benjamin Netanyahu make of Biden's stumbling performance? Did we learn anything about Trump or Biden's foreign policy 2.0? Will Biden even be the candidate come November?

Join John Fowler and Kristen Talman for their reaction to the Trump-Biden debate last night.

👉 Sign up for weekly editions of the Election Intrigue newsletter.

📧 Shoot us an email here.

Key takeaways:

Biden's performance in the debate raised concerns about his fitness to lead
The Democratic Party may need to replace Biden if they want to win over undecided voters
Trump's worldview is isolationist, while Biden's is more aligned with traditional alliances
The candidates' views on foreign policy, including NATO and the Russia-Ukraine war, differ significantly
The messaging on Israel-Gaza relations is not clear for Biden
China is an area of common ground between the parties, with both candidates likely to take a tough stance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intrigue Explained: Al-Jabbering about COP28

International Intrigue — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:00:35 -0500

Hey Intriguers! We'll be back soon posting new and exciting content in this feed, but in the meantime, check out an episode of our sister podcast Intrigue Explained. On this episode, Intrigue co-founders John Fowler and Helen Zhang are joined by Dmitry Grozoubinski of ExplainTrade to discuss the COP28 Summit in Dubai.

Check out more episodes of Intrigue Explained here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don't touch that dial!

International Intrigue — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:10:17 -0500

After 100 episodes, we're taking a break from Intrigue Outloud for a few weeks to create something even better. If you love this podcast, you'll love what we're making next, so make sure you stick around this channel!

If you have feedback to help us make Intrigue audio even better, email us at john@internationalintrigue.io or ethan@internationalintrigue.io

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 November: Biden and Xi meet in San Francisco

International Intrigue — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:10:18 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the meeting between Xi and Biden: how it happened, why it happened when it happened, and what it all means.

Thanks to our sponsor, Talk Eastern Europe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 November: Tides turn in Myanmar and Spanish politicians spar

International Intrigue — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:10:16 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss a major breakthrough for rebel forces in Myanmar, and the risky political gambit that set off protests in Madrid.

Click here to sign up for our $2,000 cash giveaway!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 November: How we cover the Israel-Hamas war

International Intrigue — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:10:20 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler and managing editor Jeremy Dicker join (live from the Intrigue retreat in Austin, Texas) to discuss the challenges of covering the war in Israel and Gaza from far away, and why it feels different than other global conflict zones.

Thanks to our sponsor, What Could Go Right.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 November: Albanese meets Xi and Africa goes visa-free

International Intrigue — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:10:19 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the historic meeting between Australia's Anthony Albanese and China's Xi Jinping, and to examine the new visa-free travel program sweeping across Africa.

Click here to sign up for our $2,000 cash giveaway!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The "Day After" Dilemma: where do Palestinian politics go next?

International Intrigue — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:10:23 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Khaled Elgindy joins to discuss Palestinian politics, the legacy of Mahmoud Abbas, and who can take up the Palestinian cause on the "day after" Abbas leaves office.

Khaled is the director of the Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs at the Middle East Institute and a former adviser to the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah.

Thanks to our sponsor, Millennium Space Systems.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 October: Tensions in Bangladesh stir up and war continues in Europe

International Intrigue — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:10:16 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss protests in Bangladesh and later gives an update on the War in Ukraine.

Thanks to our sponsor, Millennium Space Systems.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 October: Can Biden constrain Bibi?

International Intrigue — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:10:33 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss Israel's ground operation in Gaza on Thursday morning, and to explain why Biden wants - but may struggle - to prevent a wider war.

Thanks to our sponsor, What Could Go Right.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 October: Pakistan's former PM is back and a suspicious Baltic attack

International Intrigue — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:10:35 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the return of former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and the potential sabotage of undersea infrastructure connecting Estonia and Finland.

Thanks to our sponsor, Drizly.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 October: The diplomatic blitz in the Middle East begins

International Intrigue — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 00:10:27 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder Helen Zhang joins to discuss the flurry of diplomatic activity across the Middle East.

Thanks to our sponsor, Ryse.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 October: Poland makes its choice and Australia rejects The Voice

International Intrigue — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:10:39 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss this past weekend's elections in Poland, Ecuador, New Zealand, and Australia.

Thanks to our sponsor, Patent Drop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 October: What's next for Israel and Gaza?

International Intrigue — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 00:10:50 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Ethan is joined by Intrigue co-founder John Fowler and Jacob Shapiro, Partner and Director of Geopolitical Analysis at Cognitive Investments, to break down the latest from the conflict in Israel and Gaza, and to consider what the fighting tells us about the state of the world order.

Thanks to our sponsor, Millennium Space Systems.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 October: An update from the Middle East

International Intrigue — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:10:12 -0400

On this episode of Intrigue Outloud, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the fallout from the attacks in Israel this weekend.

Thanks to our sponsor, Holi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel at war

International Intrigue — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 12:06:11 -0400

On this emergency podcast, Intrigue co-founder Helen Zhang joins Ethan to discuss the shocking assault on Israel by militants from Gaza.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unrecognisable: an interview with Northern Cyprus' former foreign minister

International Intrigue — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:10:15 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, a deep dive interview with Kudret Özersay, a former foreign minister, member of Parliament, chief negotiator, and presidential candidate in the unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Thanks to our sponsor, Babbel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 October: Slovakia's new persuasion and the US preps for invasion

International Intrigue — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:10:20 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss Slovakia's general election over the weekend, and why some US politicians are threatening to invade Mexico.

Thanks to our sponsor, Patent Drop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 September: Canada's assassination allegations and an update from Nagorno-Karabakh

International Intrigue — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:10:14 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the alleged assassination by India of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. Later, John gives an update on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Thanks to our sponsor, Nautilus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from UNGA: Recapping the 78th session

International Intrigue — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 05:01:29 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud live from New York City, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan to recap the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

Proudly supported by The Economist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from UNGA: Is the world ready to regulate AI?

International Intrigue — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 05:01:09 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud from NYC, Intrigue co-founder Helen Zhang joins Ethan to discuss the side events at UNGA week, and how world leaders are setting rules around tech and AI.

Proudly supported by The Economist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from UNGA: Zelensky's case to the developing world

International Intrigue — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 05:00:53 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud live from NYC, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan to discuss the first day of UNGA speeches - from US President Biden, Ukrainian President Zelensky, and Brazilian President Lula (among others).

Proudly supported by The Economist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from UNGA: Why are so many world leaders missing?

International Intrigue — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 05:07:37 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan live from New York City to recap the "Sustainable Development Goal" Summit on Monday, and to look ahead to leaders' speeches on Tuesday.

Proudly supported by The Economist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from UNGA: Why is the UN so far behind on its goals?

International Intrigue — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 05:10:17 -0400

On today's special Intrigue Outloud, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan from New York City to preview this week's UN General Assembly.

Proudly supported by The Economist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 September: The EU may welcome Ukraine and Kim goes on his train

International Intrigue — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:10:12 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss Ursula von der Leyen's State of the EU address, and the meeting between Kim Jong Un and President Putin in Russia.

Make sure to sign up for our special UN General Assembly newsletter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 September: World leaders socialising and troops may be mobilising

International Intrigue — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to break-down the big outcomes of the G20 Summit in India, and to provide an update on tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Make sure to sign up for our special UN General Assembly newsletter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 September: India plays host and Germany's economy diagnosed

International Intrigue — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:10:10 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, and what's gone so wrong with the German economy.

Make sure to sign up for our special UN General Assembly newsletter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 September: Erdogan and Putin meet and Libya's diplomatic retreat

International Intrigue — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:10:14 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the meeting in Sochi between Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan, and the diplomatic dust-up between Libya and Israel.

Thanks to our sponsor, Nice News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 September: China's real estate sector in review and Gabon has a coup

International Intrigue — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:10:09 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to examine what the crisis in China's real estate market means for its economy, and to discuss the coup in Gabon.

Make sure to sign up for our special UNGA newsletter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 August: Planes exploding and Zimbabweans voting

International Intrigue — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:10:14 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to examine the mysterious death of Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin (and what it means for Wagner's future), and to explain why Zimbabwe's election last week matters.

Thanks to our sponsor, Incogni.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 August: India space program prevails and Nvidia's sky-high sales

International Intrigue — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 00:10:10 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, host Ethan Plotkin breaks down the top stories from all four corners of the globe: a mysterious plane crash in Russia, a breakthrough for India's space program, an update on the BRICS summit, and a massive revenue report for an American chipmaker.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 August: Ecuador's elections and BRICS new direction

International Intrigue — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 00:10:12 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, host Ethan Plotkin breaks down the top stories from all four corners of the globe: elections in Ecuador, the end of the political deadlock in Thailand, Japan's controversial nuclear waste plan, and the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 August: Rapid recap of the week's top stories

International Intrigue — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:10:09 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler recaps five of the week's top stories: the coup in Niger, the meeting between the leaders of Japan and South Korea, tensions on the Black Sea, a visit by the Iranian foreign minister to Saudi Arabia, and a surprise election result in Argentina.

Thanks to our sponsor, Atlas.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 August: Two years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan

International Intrigue — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:10:14 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to reflect on two years since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 August: The US targets Chinese tech and Italy's banks cut a check

International Intrigue — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 00:10:22 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss US President Biden's new executive order restricting tech investments in China. Later, Ethan examines the Italian government's surprise tax on banks.

Thanks to our sponsor, Best Buy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 August: India holds no-confidence sesh and protests erupt in Bangladesh

International Intrigue — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:10:21 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss political shake-ups in Pakistan and India. Later, Ethan examines the protests against Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and John takes a look at some new from the week ahead.

Help us improve Intrigue Outloud by taking our survey!

Thanks to our sponsor, Masterworks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 August: Haiti may get assistance and negotiations in Lebanon face resistance

International Intrigue — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 00:10:09 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder Helen Zhang joins to discuss how Kenya could help Haiti through its security crisis. Later, Ethan discusses fighting between Palestinian factions in Lebanon, and Helen examines the Myanmar junta's mysterious partial pardon of former prime minister Aung San Suu Kyi.

Thanks to our sponsor, Flaviar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 August: Elon's internet service and Bolivia's making neighbours nervous

International Intrigue — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:10:25 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the geopolitical impact of Elon Musk's Starlink internet service. Later, Ethan examine why Bolivia is getting closer to America's adversaries, and John gives an update on the War in Ukraine.

Thanks to our sponsor, Roca.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 July: A president dethroned and foreign minister disowned

International Intrigue — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the coup against Niger's democratically-elected president. Later, Ethan examines the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, and John gives his thoughts on the mysterious ouster of China's foreign minister.

Thanks to our sponsor, CookUnity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 July: Crime in Ecuador surges and a new Cambodian leader emerges

International Intrigue — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:10:19 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue senior editor Valentina Calvi joins to discuss Ecuador's unprecedented crime wave. Later, Ethan explains why Cambodia's prime minister picked his son to succeed him, and Val examines the massive wildfires in Greece.

Thanks to our sponsor, Drizly.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 July: Embassies in flames and Taiwan war games

International Intrigue — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 00:10:17 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder Helen Zhang joins to discuss the storming of Sweden's embassy in Iraq. Later, Ethan explores a diplomatic drama between the UK, EU, and Argentina, and Helen recaps her recent visit to Taiwan.

Thanks to our sponsor, Masterworks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 July: Grain deal suspended and Iranian freedoms amended

International Intrigue — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:10:12 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss Russia's suspension of its participation in the landmark Black Sea Grain Deal. Later, John discusses US-China climate negotiations, and Ethan gives an update on the protests in Iran.

Thanks to our sponsor, 1440.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 July: Israel in transition and a setback for Thailand's opposition

International Intrigue — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:10:16 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the resumption of the Israeli government's judicial overhaul campaign. Later, John examines the latest political drama in Thailand, and Ethan explores the weird world of Guantanamo Bay.

Thanks to our sponsor, Flaviar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 July: NATO's drama and diamonds in Botswana

International Intrigue — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 22:57:55 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss this week's NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Later, Ethan and John dive into two topics that have been on their minds: Saudi Arabia's oil output and a landmark revenue sharing deal between Botswana and a leading diamond company.

Thanks to our sponsor, Todoist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two Roads Diverged: Georgia decides its destiny

International Intrigue — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:10:10 -0400

On the season finale of Intrigue Outloud deep dives, Teona Akubardia joins to discuss Georgia's quest for membership in the European Union and NATO, how a five-day war in 2008 still shapes Georgia's politics, and why Ukraine may decide Georgia's fate.

Ms. Akubardia is a Member of Georgian Parliament from the liberal Strategy Builder party, the Deputy Chairperson of Parliament’s Defense and Security Committee, and the former deputy secretary of Georgia's National Security Council.

Thanks to our sponsor, Flaviar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 June: Land disputes in the Caucasus and Zambia cuts its losses

International Intrigue — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:10:13 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue senior editor Valentina Calvi joins to discuss a decades-long land dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Zambia's landmark debt restructuring deal.

Thanks to our sponsor, Hubspot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 June: What the #%!@ just happened in Russia?

International Intrigue — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:10:16 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler and Intrigue Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Dicker break down a wild 24 hours in Russia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Small Packages: how tiny Estonia is revolutionising democracy

International Intrigue — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:10:12 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Estonia's Ambassador to the US, Kristjan Prikk, joins to discuss why the War in Ukraine hits so close to home in Estonia, how to make Europe a more secure place, and how Estonia can help Ukraine rebuild after the war.

Kristjan Prikk has served as Estonia's Ambassador to the US since 2021. Prior to his posting in Washington, Prikk served for nearly three years as the Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defense.

Thanks to our sponsor, Drizly.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 June: Mediterranean migrants and geopolitical giants

International Intrigue — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss how Europe is tackling another migration crisis, and how the world's three largest countries are managing relations.

Thanks to our sponsor, Holi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 June: Iranian stockpiles and Guatemalan trials

International Intrigue — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:10:09 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue senior editor Valentina Calvi joins to discuss a potential deal to constrain Iran's nuclear program, and what the trial of a publisher means for Guatemala.

Thanks to our sponsor, Babbel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mr. Modi Goes to Washington: is India a great power?

International Intrigue — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Richard Rossow joins to preview Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-anticipated visit to Washington, how Modi has shaped India's economy and its geopolitical posture, and where the country of 1.4 billion people is heading next.

The US’ 2023 Agenda for Building a Stronger Relationship with India by Richard.

Thanks to our sponsor, Roca News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 June: Scotland's big surprise and Nigerian oil prices rise

International Intrigue — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:10:10 -0400

On this Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss what former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's arrest over the weekend means for Scottish independence, and how the end of Nigeria's long-time fuel subsidy might be a good thing.

Thanks to our sponsor, Flaviar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 June: Morocco eyes annexation and Cuba's newest spying station

International Intrigue — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the competing claims for sovereignty in the region of Western Sahara, and reports that China is establishing a spy facility in Cuba.

Thanks to our sponsor, Todoist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arms Wide Open: bringing Maduro back into the fold

International Intrigue — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Carolina Jiménez Sandoval joins to discuss the different ways Latin American leaders are approaching Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's re-emergence, what those different approaches say about politics in the region, and where the efforts to bring democracy back to Venezuela now stand.

Carolina Jiménez Sandoval is the president of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), a former deputy research director for the Americas at Amnesty International, and a citizen of Venezuela.

The Search for Justice in Venezuela by Carolina.

Thanks to our sponsor, Drizly.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 June: Saudi Arabia's nuclear plan and Ukraine loses a critical dam

International Intrigue — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:10:17 -0400

On today’s Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue senior editor Valentina Calvi joins to discuss Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy ambitions, and to examine who might be responsible for the destruction of a dam in southern Ukraine.

Thanks to our sponsor, Roca News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 June: Cape Town conferences and Singapore Summits

International Intrigue — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:10:12 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in South Africa, and the Shangri-La Asian security conference in Singapore.

Thanks to our sponsor, Holi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Man vs. Machine: the new age of warfare is here

International Intrigue — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:10:09 -0400

On today’s Intrigue Outloud, retired General Mick Ryan joins to discuss the technology driving the Russo-Ukraine War and his new book White Sun War, which explores how the computer age could shape a hypothetical future war between China, Taiwan, and the US.

Mick Ryan is a retired Major General in the Australian Army, a non-resident fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and author of several books, including White Sun War and War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict.

Thanks to our sponsor, Babbel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 May: Security under the ocean and Poland's new law is causing commotion

International Intrigue — Wed, 31 May 2023 00:10:18 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss threats to undersea pipelines and communications cables, and why Poland's new foreign interference law is causing such a stir.

Thanks to our sponsor, The Daily Upside.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 May: German plans get delayed and Iran and Belgium make a trade

International Intrigue — Mon, 29 May 2023 00:10:14 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the German's decision to extend its military operation in Mali, and how Iran and Belgium managed to swap prisoners.

Thanks to our sponsor, One Decision Podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Episode: two former diplomats debate the news

International Intrigue — Fri, 26 May 2023 00:10:16 -0400

On today's special episode of Intrigue Outloud, we're sharing an episode from our sister podcast, Intrigue Explained, featuring Intrigue co-founder John Fowler and Dmitry Grozoubinski, a former diplomat and the founder of ExplainTrade.com.

Check out Intrigue Explained wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks to our sponsor, Flaviar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 May: The US preserves water and the Russo-Ukraine War gets broader

International Intrigue — Wed, 24 May 2023 00:10:15 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss a landmark agreement to preserve the Colorado River in the Western US, and how Russian partisans managed to launch an attack from Ukraine into Russia.

Thanks to our sponsor, Best Buy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 May: G7 focus on Chinese conduct and Lebanon's bank chief might be corrupt

International Intrigue — Mon, 22 May 2023 00:10:18 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, and why French prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for the governor of Lebanon's central bank.

Thanks to our sponsor, One Decision.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poll Position: what Turkey's election might mean for its future

International Intrigue — Fri, 19 May 2023 00:10:15 -0400

On today's episode of Intrigue Outloud, Gönül Tol joins to recap the first-round results of Turkey's election of 14 May and examine what another term for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might mean for Turkey's political system, its ailing economy, and its role in the region.

Gönül Tol is the founding director of the Turkish studies program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, and the author of Erdogan's War: A Strongman's Struggle at Home and in Syria.

Erdogan’s authoritarian bargain collapses in Turkey by Gönül.

Thanks to our sponsor, Babbel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 May: Thai voters want a new vision and Microsoft's big acquisition

International Intrigue — Wed, 17 May 2023 00:10:14 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan (in person in Washington, DC!) to discuss Thai voters' historic rebuke of their military government, and how global regulators may impede Microsoft's historic $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Thanks to our sponsor, Holi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 May: Russian ships in South African harbours and how Greece lost its marbles

International Intrigue — Mon, 15 May 2023 00:10:19 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss allegations that South Africa supplied weapons to Russia, and negotiations between the UK and Greece over ancient Athenian artefacts.

Thanks to our sponsor, Flaviar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Push it to the Limit: US lawmakers dance with economic disaster

International Intrigue — Fri, 12 May 2023 00:10:16 -0400

On today's episode of Intrigue Outloud, Mark Zandi joins to discuss the debt ceiling: why it exists, why it's become such a political lightning rod, and what might happen if US lawmakers fail to raise it in coming weeks. Mark Zandi is the Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics, a regular contributor to The Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, and CNBC, and the host of the Inside Economics podcast. Debate over raising the debt ceiling is ‘simply crazy talk’ by Mark. Thanks to our sponsor, HubSpot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 May: Canada cracks down on spying and methane emissions are flying

International Intrigue — Wed, 10 May 2023 00:10:23 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the escalating diplomatic spat between China and Canada, and why Turkmenistan can - and must - get its methane emissions under control. Thanks to our sponsor, HubSpot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 May: Surging migration and the King's coronation

International Intrigue — Mon, 08 May 2023 00:10:15 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue's Head of Operations Aine Stapleton joins to discuss how policymakers are responding to the surge of migrants at the US' southern border, and how the subjects of King Charles around the world are reacting to his coronation. Thanks to our sponsor, Highland Titles (use code 'Intrigue' at checkout for 20% off!).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Art of Peace: are global conflicts getting harder to solve?

International Intrigue — Fri, 05 May 2023 00:10:13 -0400

On this episode of Intrigue Outloud, Ambassador Rick Barton joins to discuss his career as a peace-builder in war zones across the world, why conflict might be getting more common after decades of relative peace, and what strategies diplomats use to end wars. Ambassador Barton is the founding director of the Office of Transition Initiatives at the U.S. Agency for International Development, former Deputy High Commissioner of the United Nations Refugee Agency, and former Assistant US Secretary of State. Break Haiti’s death spiral by empowering its police by Ambassador Barton. Thanks to our sponsor,

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 May: Kosovo and Serbia back to the table and are US banks still unstable?

International Intrigue — Wed, 03 May 2023 00:10:28 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue senior editor Valentina Calvi joins to discuss the latest on normalisation negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo, and what the collapse of First Republic bank means for the US financial system.

Thanks to our sponsor, Roca News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 May: Samsung's earnings chill and Mozambique gets ready to drill

International Intrigue — Mon, 01 May 2023 00:10:13 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss Samsung's eye-watering earnings report, and how Mozambique managed to stifle an insurgency and reopen a critical natural gas plant. Thanks to our sponsor, The Daily Upside.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No Vacancies: inside the West's favourite dictatorship

International Intrigue — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:10:16 -0400

On today's episode, Victoire Ingabire and Anjan Sundaram join to discuss their first-hand experience facing political repression in Rwanda, why Western governments continue to support the current government, and what happens when the government's leader, Paul Kagame, leaves office.

Victoire Ingabire is a leader in Rwanda's pro-democracy movement who was imprisoned for eight years while running for president in 2010.

Anjan Sundaram is a journalist and author of Bad News: Last Journalists in a Dictatorship, whose op-ed entitled "He's a Brutal Dictator, and One of the West's Best Friends" was featured in the New York Times.

Thanks to our sponsor, Best Buy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 April: Biden's re-election bid and rivers run dry in Madrid

International Intrigue — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to examine US President Biden's re-election bid and his foreign policy report card, and how Spain is managing its unprecedented drought. Thanks to our sponsor, Roca News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 April: China expands in the poles and Chile's new mineral controls

International Intrigue — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 00:10:13 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss why China's building a new base in Antarctica, and how Chile plans to win the spoils of its resource wealth. Thanks to our sponsor, Babbel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take Me To Your Leader: is Europe losing its wartime unity?

International Intrigue — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:10:14 -0400

On today's episode of Intrigue Outloud, Dr. Liana Fix joins to discuss Europe's response to the War in Ukraine, and whether the continent is adequately preparing to address future threats. Dr. Liana Fix is the fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, former resident fellow at the German Marshall Fund, and author of A New German Power? Germany’s Role in European Russia Policy. U.S. Leadership on Ukraine Is Increasing European Dependence by Liana. Thanks to our sponsor, Power Corridor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 April: Sudan unravels and Hamas travels (to Saudi Arabia)

International Intrigue — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:10:24 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the deteriorating situation in Sudan as two warring generals fight for control, and explain why Saudi Arabia welcomed Hamas for negotiations.

Thanks to our sponsor, Babbel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 April: Germany phases nuclear out and North Korea phases it in

International Intrigue — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:10:15 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss why Germany decided to close its last three nuclear reactors, and the North Korean nuclear program's big breakthrough. Thanks to our sponsor, Todoist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live Long and Prosper: how demographic shifts are shaping the world

International Intrigue — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 00:10:21 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud, Andrew J. Scott joins to discuss a range of challenges and opportunities as the global population growth rate starts to slow, and how countries can adapt to support citizens through retirement and old age. Andrew J. Scott is a Professor of Economics at London Business School, consulting scholar at Stanford University’s Center on Longevity, and author of the bestselling book The 100-Year Life. Why 8 billion matters: The population milestone signals a significant global shift by Professor Scott Thanks to our sponsor, Best Buy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 April: Macron tries to make amends and America spies on its friends

International Intrigue — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 00:10:19 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss French President Macron's controversial visit to China, and the ongoing leak of highly-classified US intelligence documents. Thanks to our sponsor, Todoist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Down Under the Sea: Australia competes for influence in the Pacific

International Intrigue — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:10:16 -0400

On today's episode of Intrigue Outloud, Dave Sharma joins to discuss a range of Australian foreign policy issues - how the AUKUS deal can stabilise the region, how to win friends among the Pacific Islands, and how Australia can find new partners outside its traditional sphere of influence.

Dave Sharma is a former member of Australian Parliament from the centre-right Liberal Party and served as Australia's Ambassador to Israel from 2013-2017.

For more of Dave's insights, check out his Substack newsletter.

Thanks to our sponsor, Power Corridor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 April: Italy puts ChatGPT in a corner and Russia arrests a US reporter

International Intrigue — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:10:13 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue senior editor Valentina Calvi joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss Italy’s decision to temporarily restrict ChatGPT, and the first Russian detention of an American journalist since 1986.

Thanks to our sponsor, The Daily Upside.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 April: NATO's borders double and Trump's in legal trouble

International Intrigue — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:10:09 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss how Finland finally became a member of NATO, and what Donald Trump's indictment might mean for US foreign policy.

Thanks to our sponsor, Roca News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journey to the Center of the Earth: the next geopolitical hotspot

International Intrigue — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's episode of Intrigue Outloud, Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili joins to discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape in Central Asia - Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan - and how the Russo-Ukraine War is redrawing old spheres of influence and empowering Central Asian countries to pursue their interests.

Professor Murtazashvili is the Founding Director of the Center for Governance and Markets and professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, and a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Central Asian countries now have two big worries about Russia by Professor Murtazashvili

Thanks to our sponsor, Best Buy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 March: Netanyahu's risky bet and China saddles the world with debt

International Intrigue — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 00:10:25 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the delay in Israel's judicial overhaul, and why China's quest for superpower status is a bigger lift than Chinese policymakers had hoped. Thanks to our sponsor, 1440.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 March: TikTok bans and India's opposition in a jam

International Intrigue — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:10:18 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the potential US TikTok ban, and the expulsion from Parliament of one of India's leading opposition figures. Thanks to our sponsor, Todoist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No Exceptions: El Salvador's gang crackdown, one year later

International Intrigue — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:10:22 -0400

On this episode of Intrigue Outloud, Tiziano Breda joins to discuss El Salvador's unprecedented state of exception, which has restricted civil liberties in order to fight criminal gangs since 27 March of last year.

Tiziano is a researcher at the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome, and a former Central America analyst at the International Crisis Group based in Guatemala.

Latin America Likes Bukele’s ‘War on Gangs.’ That’s a Problem by Tiziano.

Thanks to our sponsor, Todoist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 March: Taiwan's delicate balance and Colombia accuses cartels of malice

International Intrigue — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:10:15 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss a former Taiwanese president's historic visit to mainland China, and the breakdown of the ceasefire between Colombia's government and the cartels.Thanks to our sponsor, Highland Titles.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 March: Macron's major political gamble and Pakistan's latest political scandal

International Intrigue — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 00:10:20 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins for an update on France's fraught pension reform debate, and to discuss the legal troubles of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan.

Thanks to our sponsor, 1440.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A House Divided: why Israelis can't stand their government's judicial reforms

International Intrigue — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 00:10:21 -0400

On this episode of Intrigue Outloud, Haviv Rettig Gur and Gilad Kariv join Ethan Plotkin to discuss Israel's ongoing protests, how lawmakers are responding, and why time may not be on Israeli democracy's side.

Haviv Rettig Gur is the Senior Political Analyst at the Times of Israel.

Rabbi Gilad Kariv is a constitutional law expert and member of the Israeli Knesset from the Labor Party.

Anatomy of a self-sabotaging reform by Haviv.

Thanks to our sponsor, Power Corridor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 March: AUKUS submarines and an American bank careens

International Intrigue — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:10:24 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss the AUKUS submarine deal between the US, UK, and Australia, and the collapse of California-based Silicon Valley Bank.

Thanks to our sponsor, Roca News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 March: Georgians protest and Saudi Arabia and Iran reopen embassies

International Intrigue — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:10:11 -0400

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder Helen Zhang joins to discuss the protests in Georgia and the normalisation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Thanks to our sponsor, PolicyWare.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's Make a Deal: Iran and the West inch towards a crisis

International Intrigue — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 00:10:20 -0500

On this episode of Intrigue Outloud, Ellie Geranmayeh joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss how the Iran nuclear deal fell apart, and how Western governments can negotiate with the Iranian regime without undermining the protests against it.

Ellie Geranmayeh is a senior policy fellow and deputy head of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. She focuses on European policy in relation to Iran, particularly on the nuclear and regional dossiers and sanctions policy.

"We still need a nuclear deal with Iran. Protests don't change that" by Ellie (Washington Post)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 March: Macron visits Africa and South Korea and Japan strike a deal

International Intrigue — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 00:10:15 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss French President Emmanuel Macron's trip across Africa, and the major reparations agreement between South Korea and Japan.

Thanks to our sponsor, Power Corridor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 March: China's Parliament(s) meets and political prisoners get sentenced

International Intrigue — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:10:11 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss China’s “Two Sessions” parliamentary meetings, and the stories of two political prisoners in Belarus and Cambodia.

Thanks to our sponsor, Roca News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 March: Mexico's manufacturing and Central Asia in the spotlight

International Intrigue — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 00:10:15 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue Managing Editor Jeremy Dicker (JD) joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss Mexico's booming car industry and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Central Asia.

Thanks to our sponsor, Highland Titles (use discount code 'Intrigue' at checkout for 20% off!).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 March: A Brexit breakthrough and an update from Yemen

International Intrigue — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:10:25 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss the Northern Ireland deal between the EU and UK, and the latest from the Yemen Civil War.

Thanks to our sponsor, Best Buy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 February: Nigeria's elections and China's peace plan

International Intrigue — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 00:10:18 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss Nigeria's presidential elections and China's plan for peace in Ukraine.

Check out today's sponsor, Roca News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: why migration matters

International Intrigue — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:10:30 -0500

On this episode of Intrigue Outloud, Erol Yayboke joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss why a decade of migration and displacement made the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on 6 February so deadly, and how regional governments should respond to renewed migration pressure.

Erol is the director of the Project on Fragility and Mobility at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Public Policy.

Shattered Relief: A 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Turkey and Syria by Erol.

Thanks to our sponsor, 1440.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 February: Biden visits Kyiv and protestors storm Suriname's parliament

International Intrigue — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:10:25 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss US President Joe Biden's surprise visit to Kyiv, and the cost-of-living protests in Suriname.

Check out today's sponsor, 1440

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 February: Iran's president visits China and France debates retirement

International Intrigue — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 00:10:16 -0500

On today's Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins to discuss Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Beijing, and the months-long protests over pension reform in France.

If you like the show, make sure to subscribe, leave a rating and review, and tell a friend!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 February: Moldova's government crumbles and Israelis protest

International Intrigue — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:10:17 -0500

On today’s Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founders John Fowler and Helen Zhang join Ethan Plotkin to discuss a potential plot against Moldova’s government, and the judicial reforms that are bringing hundreds of thousands of Israelis into the streets.

If you like the show, make sure to subscribe, leave a rating and a review, and tell a friend!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 February: Nicaragua's prisoners and Syria's recovery

International Intrigue — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 00:10:14 -0500

On today’s Intrigue Outloud news rundown, Intrigue co-founder John Fowler joins Ethan Plotkin to discuss Nicaragua’s surprise transfer of more than 200 political prisoners to the United States, and whether the tragic earthquake in Turkey and Syria will move countries to cooperate with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

If you like the show, make sure to subscribe, leave a rating and a review, and tell a friend!

Thanks to our sponsor, Policyware.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Tale of Two Systems: Democracy and autocracy in the 21st century

International Intrigue — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:57:40 -0500

Welcome to the Intrigue Outloud podcast channel!

For this inaugural episode, Charles Dunst joins to discuss his new book Defeating the Dictators, released on 2 February. The book tells the story of how democracy saw its global image threatened by technologically-advanced and bureaucratically-efficient autocracies in the Middle East and East Asia, and provides a roadmap to policymakers looking to rebuild trust in their political systems. Dunst is a Senior Associate at the Asia Group, a Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a regular contributor to leading newspapers like the New York Times.

Make sure to subscribe to stay up to date on all the content coming to this channel. And if you have comments, concerns, or guest ideas for future episodes (or if you want to be a guest yourself!), reach out at ethan@internationalintrigue.io.

Link to purchase Defeating the Dictators: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/charles-dunst/defeating-the-dictators/9781399704434/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.