New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy | Podcasts

This week, the United States and Israel launched air- and naval-based attacks against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with strikes against neighboring Gulf states and by closing the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, talks between Russia and Ukraine have been postponed as the war detracted from diplomatic efforts in Abu Dhabi. In the Indo-Pacific, China held its annual National People’s Congress, approving the country’s new Five-Year Plan, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signed deals with India and Australia. In the Americas, the U.S. eased some pressure on Cuba, allowing Venezuelan oil to be sold to Cuba’s private sector, while U.S. officials have threatened Venezuelan interim leader Delcy Rodriguez with indictment.   Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, tensions between Iran and the U.S. continued to rise despite ongoing negotiations, with Iran threatening repercussions if the U.S. were to attack and Israel threatening Lebanon with strikes against civilian infrastructure if Hezbollah acted in defense of Iran. In the Indo-Pacific, China restricted rare earth exports to Japan, and U.S. aerospace manufacturers warned of dwindling rare earth supplies, despite last year’s trade truce. The U.S. imposed a global 10% tariff following last week’s decision by the Supreme Court that invalidated IEEPA tariffs, and the Cuban Coast Guard killed four passengers of a U.S.-flagged speedboat that entered Cuban waters. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism in upcoming trilateral negotiations with Russia and the U.S., while the U.S. held talks with Ukraine on post-conflict reconstruction. 

This week, the U.S. continued its buildup of naval and air forces near Iran for a potential military operation, while Iranian officials reported progress in diplomatic talks. In the United States, the Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, dealing a major blow to the administration’s trade policy. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, the latest round of peace negotiations ended with inconclusive results, while world leaders gathered in Germany for the Munich Security Conference. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. unveiled plans to deploy more missile systems to the Philippines, while China prepared to receive German Chancellor Friederich Merz. As the U.S. pressure campaign against Cuba continued, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Cuban government representatives. Meanwhile, U.S. forces intercepted another Venezuelan-linked tanker in the Indian Ocean.  Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  

In this episode of Crime Beat Conversations, Rafaella Lipschitz sat down with Stefano Ritondale again, to discuss the dynamics of the Sinaloa cartel civil war and emerging alliances between Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa cartel, and CJNG, Sinaloa’s historic rival. Stefano breaks down how the Sinaloa civil war has reframed how we should understand Mexican cartel alliances. We examine some of the ways CJNG is providing support to Los Chapitos in their fights against the Mayitos, what this alliance means for other Mexican cartels, and how policymakers should go about understanding this complex landscape. Stay tuned for more from Crime Beat Conversations.    Find Stefano’s piece on cartel militarization for New Lines Institute here:  https://newlinesinstitute.org/people/stefano-ritondale/    Learn more about Artorias: https://www.artorias.com/    For more from Stefano, follow on X (https://x.com/All_Source_News) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefano-ritondale-1046b5345/)    A New Lines Institute Mafiacracies Project production: https://newlinesinstitute.org/initiative/mafiacracies-project/   For more from Rafaella, follow on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/rlipschitz) and X (https://x.com/rlipschitz01)   Explore similar analysis and forecasting from New Lines institute: https://newlinesinstitute.org/   Follow our socials for news on upcoming events, analysis, infographics, and more! https://linktr.ee/NewLinesInstitute

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, after which Trump insisted that negotiations with Iran would continue, while Israel is reportedly preparing for a ground offensive in Gaza against Hamas. In the Indo Pacific, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering constitutional reform following her party’s victory in parliament, while the U.S. is preparing a new arms sale to Taiwan.  In the Americas, Cuba has warned airline companies that they would no longer be able to refuel on the island amid the country’s energy crisis following an oil embargo by the United States.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted a U.S. invitation to participate in peace talks in Miami next week, while the European Union is preparing a list of concessions it will demand from Russia.  Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, the U.S. and Iran held talks in Oman over Iran’s nuclear program amid rising tensions following U.S. forces shooting down an Iranian reconnaissance drone in the Arabian Sea. In the U.S., the federal government reopened after a partial shutdown following commitments by the Trump administration to reduce the number of federal law enforcement officers in Minnesota. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. hailed a trade agreement with India following New Delhi’s reported commitment to halt Russian oil purchases, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted foreign leaders for a new trading block for critical minerals. Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. held trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi while Russia resumed strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following a one-week stop in those bombings.      Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump continued to weigh options for possible intervention in Iran and ordered military assets to be deployed in the region. In the U.S., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer continued to negotiate a deal that would avert a U.S. government shutdown in exchange for restrictions on immigration enforcement, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified in Congress on the future of governance for Venezuela. In the Indo-Pacific, the Chinese government removed the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and authorized key tech companies to order Nvidia chips. Meanwhile, Russian and Ukrainian officials held talks in Abu Dhabi about ending their conflict, while Russian President Vladimir Putin stated a willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow.    Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, world leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, an event dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland, which he later walked back following discussions with NATO. In the Middle East, Trump inaugurated his “Board of Peace” and ordered the Department of Defense to draw up plans for a possible intervention in Iran. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, top U.S. officials held separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin as Russia continued its strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Congress approved a revised defense budget that earmarks $1 billion for Taiwan’s defense, while the United Kingdom approved the controversial construction of China’s new embassy to the U.K. Register your interest to gain access to the 2026 Geopolitical Forecast Report and information on the latest forecasting and risk management platform developed by New Lines. Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, the White House ramped up pressure on Iran as the regime’s protest crackdown led to thousands of protestors dead according to varying accounts. Denmark and Greenland sent their top diplomats to negotiate with the U.S. over Greenland’s status, while European countries have sent small troop contingents to the island ahead of planned joint military exercises to assess how to ensure the country’s security. In the Indo-Pacific, U.S. President Donald Trump formally approved the sale of Nvidia chips to China despite remaining reservations on both sides, while Japan is preparing for possible snap elections. In Ukraine, Russia has continued to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, while its efforts to obtain security guarantees from the U.S. have stalled. Register your interest to gain access to the 2026 Geopolitical Forecast Report and information on the latest forecasting and risk management platform developed by New Lines. Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, the United States conducted a major military operation against Venezuela resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, with implications throughout the Americas and globally. In the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to intervene militarily in Iran as the country faces large-scale anti-government protests, while Saudi Arabia conducted strikes against UAE-backed forces in Yemen. In the Indo-Pacific, China banned all dual-use exports to Japanese military companies, while Chinese President Xi Jinping met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, signaling increased cooperation. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, the U.S. backed a security guarantees proposal for a Ukraine ceasefire, and Trump approved a bipartisan congressional sanctions package against Russia’s energy sector. Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of the New Lines Contours Podcast, host Eugene Chausovsky sits down with Farid Shafiyev, the chairman of the Center of Analysis and International Relations and former ambassador for Azerbaijan to Canada and Czechia. Together, they discuss the developments over the last year in diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the economic interests foreign powers have in the region, and how the South Caucasus will develop in the future.

In this episode of the New Lines Contours Podcast, host Eugene Chausovsky sits down with Richard Giragosian, the founding director of the Regional Studies Center and a guest lecturer for the NATO Defense College in Rome. Together, they discuss the developments over the last year in diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the influence foreign powers have in the region, and how the South Caucasus will develop in the future.

In the last Global Hotspots episode of 2025, Milos and Andrew sit down with New Lines student fellows Ashley Nunes and Sebastian Dittgen. Together, they discuss analytical hotspots New Lines analysts tracked in 2025, including Venezuela, the DRC, and the wave of Gen Z protests around the globe. Read the 2026 Forecast - https://newlinesinstitute.org/analytical-products/2026-annual-forecast/ Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A global adaptation to a new state of the world driven by the White House’s approach to international relations will headline 2026. Efforts to de-escalate the war in Ukraine will persist and gain some traction. In the Middle East, the fragile ceasefire in Gaza will hold as tensions among Israel, Syria, and Iran continue to mount. A U.S.-China trade truce will keep the Indo-Pacific relatively stable economically, as the rival powers continue to vie for influence with diplomatic and security repercussions that extend well beyond the region. Global trade flows are expected to stabilize, supported by improving logistics conditions and more resilient supply-chain networks. At the same time, renewable energy will expand through new installations and a rising share in power generation, reinforced by efficiency gains from AI-driven technologies. Deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the possibility of armed conflict in Venezuela, and youth-driven protest movements will pose destabilization risks to various degrees around the world. Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A global adaptation to a new strategic environment will define 2026, driven by the White House’s approach to international relations. Though Washington will continue pursuing de-escalation in select conflict zones, the year ahead will be marked by persistent geopolitical frictions, intensifying hybrid competition, and acute humanitarian pressures. Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251212/ Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, host Zara Farouk speaks with Syrian author and political dissident Yassin al-Haj Saleh about the long-term consequences of authoritarianism, the failures of the international community, and the evolution of political activism in exile. Their conversation reflects on lessons from the Syrian struggle and the possibilities for justice and renewal.

These past two weeks, the U.S. ramped up diplomatic efforts with Russia and Ukraine to bring an end to the conflict, while Russian shadow fleet vessels were allegedly struck by Ukrainian drones. In the Middle East, Hamas transferred the remains of a hostage to Israel, while Lebanon confirmed it would conduct deconfliction talks with Israel following pressure from the United States. In the Indo-Pacific, U.S. President Donald Trump halted planned sanctions against China’s Ministry of State Security, and China ramped up its military presence near Japan amid increased tensions over Taiwan. Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251205/ Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, approving the sale of F-35 fighter jets and designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution to implement Trump’s 20-point peace plan in Gaza, while clashes between Israel and Hamas continued. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. removed reciprocal tariffs from several imports from the Philippines and confirmed the sale of a missile system to Taiwan. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Poland blamed Russian operatives for sabotaging its railways, while U.S. officials met with their Ukrainian counterparts in Kyiv to discuss a new peace plan. Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251121/ Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of the Bridging the Gap podcast series, Rachel Nelson sits down with Ben Lorber, a senior research analyst at Political Research Associates and co-author of "Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism." They discuss how antisemitism has evolved in the context of Israel–Palestine and the most recent war in Gaza, the debate over defining and identifying it, and why solidarity with other marginalized groups is central to Jewish safety. Their conversation delves into Zionism and anti-Zionism, as well as ways to address the growing polarization around these political identities.

This week in the Middle East, clashes between Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces hindered implementation of the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire, while U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met in Washington. In the Russia/Ukraine war, Russian forces continued their drive to capture the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk and seized three villages in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia oblast, while Canada imposed new sanctions targeting Russia’s drone and energy industries. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. and China continued their mutual easing of trade restrictions, while Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks hinting at Japan’s potential military involvement in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan drew a strong rebuke from Beijing. The U.S. government shutdown ended after 43 days. Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251114/ Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/