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© 2019 War On The Rocks
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The geopolitical briefing that helps you make sense of the world as crises happen, for War on the Rocks members only.
178 Episodes
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Latin America expert Ryan Berg of CSIS joins the Warcast to discuss Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's recent trip to Panama and to unpack and understand the latest developments surrounding the Panama Canal. The canal has surged into the public consciousness after the Trump administration has repeatedly vowed to "take [it] back."
Last week, South Korea’s constitutional court unanimously decided to remove the country’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, from office, paving the way for a snap presidential election on June 3. Jenny Town, senior fellow and director of the Korea program at the Stimson Center and 38 North, joined the WarCast to discuss the political crisis in South Korea and its implications for regional security.
On April 7, President Donald Trump said that the United States and Iran will engage in direct talks, while Iranian officials insisted that the talks will be indirect. Regardless, there appears to be momentum toward some type of negotiation. Alex Vatanka joins the WarCast to help explain these events.
On March 30th, at a press conference in Tokyo, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Defense Department has started phase one of a planned upgrade of U.S. Forces Japan to a joint force headquarters. Just days after, China launched provocative, large-scale military exercises around Taiwan. Jeffrey Hornung, the Japan Lead for RAND's National Security Research Division, joins the WarCast to talk through Hegseth's recent visit and its implications for regional security.
A new transitional government was appointed in Damascus, reflecting the ongoing power of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leadership but also bringing technocrats into the government and representing a wider range of society. Aaron Zelin joins the WarCast to explain what the development means for stability in Syria.
European defense expert Sophia Besch, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins the Warcast to discuss the seismic shift in German defense and infrastructure spending and its implications for the future of Germany and Europe.
Last week, the defense ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland jointly recommended withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty, an international agreement prohibiting the production and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines. Monika Sus joins the WarCast to discuss the development and its implications for European security.
Senior U.S. officials accidentally included a journalist on a Signal group thread about plans to attack the Houthis in Yemen. The incident raises many questions. Thomas Rid joins the WarCast to consider the cyber security angle.
The Sudanese Armed Forces have recently made strides to retake Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Michelle Gavin analyzes this development to determine if it truly marks a turning point in the war, or if it's just another chapter in a brutal conflict nearing its two-year mark.
Last week Mark Carney was officially sworn in as Canada’s prime minister, replacing Justin Trudeau, who had held the position for almost a decade. Carney is off to a quick start amid a deepening diplomatic crisis with the US, having already met with several European leaders and announced new Arctic defense investments. Stephanie Carvin, an associate professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, joins the WarCast to talk through Carney's policies and the future of Canadian defense and diplomacy.
Yesterday, President Donald Trump had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ceasefire negotiations for the war in Ukraine and the prospects of improved U.S.-Russian relations. Max Bergmann joins the WarCast to discuss the call and the state of ongoing talks.
Today, Israel resumed significant strikes in Gaza, marking the end of the ceasefire that began in January. Michael Koplow joins the WarCast to provide an update on today’s events and what it might mean going forward.
In the last few days, the United States significantly increased strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. Gregory Johnsen joins the WarCast to explain what the United States is trying to achieve and to what extent the Houthis are vulnerable.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials agreed on a 30-day ceasefire — therefore throwing the ball into Russia’s court. Sergey Radchenko joins the WarCast to discuss Russia’s response and goals.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pressuring Mexico to crack down on illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking by threatening tariffs unless it takes stronger action. Cecilia Farfán-Méndez joins Warcast to discuss the U.S. designation of cartels as terrorist organizations, high-stakes diplomacy, and shifting U.S.-Mexico relations.
On Monday, the new Syrian government announced a groundbreaking peace deal with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who previously held significant territory and resources in Northeast Syria. The agreement could not have come at a better time, as last week violent clashes between security forces and supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad killed hundreds of civilians. Hassan Hassan, the founder and editor-in-chief of New Lines Magazine, joins the WarCast to tell us what this peace deal means for Syria's future.
Phase 1 of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire has expired, and multiple proposals are in the mix. Nathan Brown from George Washington University joins the WarCast to shed some light on what’s happening in Gaza and what might come next.
Last week, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk laid out plans to expand and modernize Poland's military in a speech to the Polish parliament. Monika Sus, professor at the Polish Academy of Science and fellow at the Hertie School and the Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute, joins the WarCast to discuss what this means for Poland's defense policy.
Garret Martin, professor at the School of International Service at American University, joins the Warcast to debrief yesterday's Brussels summit, which encompassed a variety of security issues, from a common European defense plan to assistance for Ukraine.
Note for listeners: This episode was recorded on March 6.
Last week, an International Atomic Energy Agency report indicated that Iran has increased its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium by 50% since last October. Kelsey Davenport from the Arms Control Association joins the WarCast to discuss the development and its implications.
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