Two years into Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, Pindrop examines the origins of the war, the current frontline, and the future of the conflict. To what extent is a stalemate breaking in Russia's favor and how does Washington's indecision play into it? What has two years of war done to the societies of both Russia and Ukraine? What should we expect for the future? Pindrop is joined by two excellent scholars of Ukraine and Russia, Dr. Julian Waller and Dr. Henry Hale to find out. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
As Serbia tries to balance relations with Russia and the EU, its dispute over Kosovo flares and an incumbent government wins rigged elections. How did Serbia find itself in such a state and where will it go from here? To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes the former U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael Polt. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
Most monarchs have lost power over the past century, but not Thailand's King Rama X. How is the continued power of the monarchy affecting the country's democracy and how is the new Thai government addressing a struggling agriculture sector? To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes McGill University political science professor Erik Kuhonta. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
Much has been said about Iran's Axis of Resistance. From Hamas in the Gaza Strip to Hezbollah in Lebanon to the Houthis in Yemen, these militant organizations have cast a long shadow over Middle East geopolitics and security. On this episode of PINDROP, we delve into this network of Iranian-backed militias to answer core questions about these groups. How and why did Iran create this network? To what extent do these groups have operational autonomy from the Islamic Republic? Most importantly, how will the various militant actors in this network be involved in the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza and the broader regional tension that entails? PINDROP Co-Producers Nick Castillo and Diego Austin will speak with Middle East political expert Faysal Itani of the Newlines Institute to find out. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
For 20 years Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has captained Türkiye's ship of state. But despite jailing opponents, restraining the media, and poor economic policy, President Erdoğan remains genuinely popular and just won re-election which should keep him in power through 2028. How has he held on without throwing the country into a complete autocracy? To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes two political science professors from the Turkish Sabancı University, Mert Moral and Berk Esen. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
It's only August and already more Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank in 2023 than in any other year on record. Not coincidentally, brand new Palestinian paramilitary groups like the Lion's Den are becoming ever more influential. After 75 years of conflict, is there any path to peace in the West Bank? To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence and Arab affairs official, and Amb. Feda Abdelhady Nasser, the Deputy Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Diego Austin, Francisco "A.J." Camacho, and Nicholas Castillo.
In August 2023, Dennis Jett, a former U.S. Amb. to Mozambique and a professor at Pennsylvania State University, joined PINDROP's Francisco "A.J." Camacho to discuss rampant corruption in Mozambique and the Islamist Insurgency in Cabo Delgado.
Nepal, as an old king said, is a "yam between two boulders" -- namely, China and India. Today, we might add a third boulder to the mix: the United States. As Nepal tries to navigate relationships between these three larger and often-competing states, it continues to strive towards economic development and strengthen a new and fragile democracy. To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, Michael Kugelman, and co-founder of the Nepal Institute for Policy Research, Santosh Sharma Poudel. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
While it remains far from reaching its full economic potential, the Mongolian mining industry is in the global spotlight as the West seeks to shore up its supply of strategic minerals. But how does Mongolia navigate the interests of the West with that of neighboring China and Russia? To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes former US ambassador to Mongolia, and Rector of the Forman Christian College, Dr. Jonathan Addleton. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
Only two years after Niger's first peaceful and democratic transition of power, the country was rocked by a military coup d'etat. As neighboring democracies demand the release of the democratically elected president, many fear the situation will escalate into a full-scale war. To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes former US ambassador to Niger, and Senior Fellow at the Yale University Jackson School of Global Affairs, Bisa Williams. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
Mozambique is easily one of the world's poorest countries, and uncontrolled corruption and an Islamist insurgency are making further development of the country extremely difficult. To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes former US ambassador to Mozambique Dennis Jett. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
In July 2023, Aron Ouzilevski, a freelance journalist, editor, and cybersecurity analyst currently working with the Institute of Current World Affairs, joined PINDROP's Nicholas Castillo to discuss why Russians are moving to Georgia and what the long-term impacts of their migration will be.
In July 2023, Salome Kandelaki, a Project Coordinator and Policy Analyst at the Georgian Institute of Politics, joined PINDROP's Nicholas Castillo to discuss how Russians fleeing the Invasion of Ukraine and conscription are being received in Georgia.
At least 200,000 Russians have crossed into Georgia since the Invasion of Ukraine began. How have they been received in Georgia and how is their presence affecting Georgian politics? To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes Salome Kandelaki, a policy analyst at the Georgian Institute of Politics, and Aron Ouzilevski, a journalist and researcher working at the Institute of Current World Affairs. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Nicholas Castillo, Francisco "A.J." Camacho, and Diego Austin.
PINDROP's Diego Austin reports on Israel's ongoing judicial reform protests and political crisis from Jerusalem. Joining him to discuss the country's most significant domestic problem in 28 years are Nicholas Castillo and Francisco "A.J." Camacho.
New Zealand is often upheld as a model for race relations, but is that reputation deserved? And with geopolitical tensions raising security and economic concerns, a debate is rising as to what New Zealand's position with China should be. To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes Chris Bishop, a National Party member of parliament and the Shadow Leader of the House. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
In July 2023, Will Salgado, Mayor of San Miguel and GANA party member, joined PINDROP's Francisco "A.J." Camacho to discuss the country's adoption of Bitcoin, President Bukele's crackdown on gangs, and the US State Department's decision to sanction Salgado for aiding drug trafficking and money laundering.
President Nayib Bukele is a hero to Salvadorans and a villain to international human rights groups. His administration made headlines for formally adopting Bitcoin, but a massive crackdown on gangs has garnered praise for improving the country's safety and condemnation for skirting civil rights. To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes Will Salgado, mayor of San Miguel, El Salvador. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.
In June 2023, Illinois State University political science professor Ali Riaz, considered America's top Bangladesh scholar, joined PINDROP's Francisco "A.J." Camacho to discuss the 19-year-old administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the controversial Digital Security Act, and the fuel shortages facing Bangladesh.
In 1991, Sheikh Hasina helped restore democracy to Bangladesh. But after 19 years as Prime Minister, some say Hasina might now be destroying. To discuss this and more, PINDROP World News welcomes Ali Riaz, a professor of politics and government at Illinois State University. Kai Camacho joins the PINDROP panel. ------- PINDROP World News is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nicholas Castillo, and Diego Austin.