Global

Made in Slavery is a four-episode podcast written by Eleonora Mongelli, human rights expert and Vice President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights (FIDU). The podcast reveals the intricate schemes through which the People's Republic of China (PRC) leverages global market brands to exploit forced labor of Uyghurs, a Turkish-speaking Muslim minority living in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. The podcast aims to expose how the brands involved directly or indirectly, as well as the PRC, strengthen their economic power and international market presence thanks to the profits derived from the use of Uyghur forced labor, extremely low-cost production and supply chains that have been opaque until now.

Made in Slavery is a four-episode podcast written by Eleonora Mongelli, human rights expert and Vice President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights (FIDU). The podcast reveals the intricate schemes through which the People's Republic of China (PRC) leverages global market brands to exploit forced labor of Uyghurs, a Turkish-speaking Muslim minority living in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. The podcast aims to expose how the brands involved directly or indirectly, as well as the PRC, strengthen their economic power and international market presence thanks to the profits derived from the use of Uyghur forced labor, extremely low-cost production and supply chains that have been opaque until now.

Made in Slavery is a four-episode podcast written by Eleonora Mongelli, human rights expert and Vice President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights (FIDU). The podcast reveals the intricate schemes through which the People's Republic of China (PRC) leverages global market brands to exploit forced labor of Uyghurs, a Turkish-speaking Muslim minority living in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. The podcast aims to expose how the brands involved directly or indirectly, as well as the PRC, strengthen their economic power and international market presence thanks to the profits derived from the use of Uyghur forced labor, extremely low-cost production and supply chains that have been opaque until now.

Made in Slavery is a four-episode podcast written by Eleonora Mongelli, human rights expert and Vice President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights (FIDU). The podcast reveals the intricate schemes through which the People's Republic of China (PRC) leverages global market brands to exploit forced labor of Uyghurs, a Turkish-speaking Muslim minority living in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. The podcast aims to expose how the brands involved directly or indirectly, as well as the PRC, strengthen their economic power and international market presence thanks to the profits derived from the use of Uyghur forced labor, extremely low-cost production and supply chains that have been opaque until now.

In this series of Global, we’ve been speaking with “Democracy First Responders” — the politicians, activists, government officials and everyday citizens who are working to respond to the COVID-19 crisis successfully and protect their country’s democratic institutions. Today, we’re taking you to Kosovo. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Kosovar government has struggled to meet the challenges of the pandemic, mismanaging both the country’s political and medical response. Ultimately, the government dissolved and a nationwide political crisis ensued. But in the midst of these crises, young people in Kosovo has stepped up. Enter our guest for today: Donjet Bislimi. Donjet is a physician, whose work has literally put him at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. But in addition to that, Donjet is a young political leader committed to democratic governance in Kosovo. He’s the President of the Democratic Party of Kosovo’s youth wing. But before that, at the ripe old age of 23, Donjet was elected to the municipal assembly of Mitrovica in 2017. Since then, he’s been a champion for young people throughout Kosovo, helping the country’s next generation of democratic leaders. Global spoke with Donjet about his experience as a physician on the frontlines of a public health crisis, the government failure to manage the fallout of COVID-19 and his hopes for a more democratic future. This episode concludes our “Democracy First Responders” series. It’s been an honor to hear from the politicians, government officials and activists across the world who are proof of democracy’s strength in times of crisis.

Over the past few years, Ethiopia has made significant democratic progress, but with coronavirus jeopardizing democracies across the globe, that progress is at risk. Ethiopia’s elections, once scheduled for the end of August, are now indefinitely delayed and many Ethiopians fear the government is manipulating the country’s state of emergency to restrict the free speech of its citizens. Enter Mesud Gebeyehu, the Executive Director of the Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations. At the onset of the pandemic, Mesud’s consortium called for the Ethiopian government to implement prevention methods according to WHO standards and respect freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Mesud spoke with host Travis Green about his own experiences in Ethiopia and his hopes for continued democratic progress in the country.

In this series of Global, we’re meeting “Democracy First Responders”: The politicians, activists, medical workers, journalists, tech pioneers, government officials, and everyday citizens like you and me who are working to respond to the COVID-19 crisis successfully and protect their country’s democratic institutions – or even build new ones. Dusan Saponja and Dušan Čavić are two activist videographers from Serbia who are members of the YouTube duo Marka Zvaka. Dusan and Dušan created two short videos early in the crisis, before it even hit Serbia. They interviewed Serbian doctors working in Italy and China, and these videos quickly went viral, helping Serbians understand the measures needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, Serbians saw their national government ousted, due in part to its response to the outbreak. We talked to Dusan and Dušan about their work to create awareness, and how coronavirus has affected both day-to-day life and politics in Serbia.

For the last 60 years, under the Castro Regime and now under President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Cuba has conducted what Havana calls “internationalist missions” – sending thousands of Cuban doctors abroad to bolster its international image. But this aid is far from altruistic. It provides an economic lifeline for Cuba’s ruling regime and also affects the island’s already-crumbling medical system, which fails to provide Cubans to with quality health care. Doctors and nurses on these missions are also subject to horrible and restrictive conditions in the countries where they are sent. Their passports are confiscated. The regime pockets most of their income. They are not allowed to leave, and in some cases, never allowed to return home. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the regime’s use of these missions, exporting Cuba’s disastrous human rights abuses under the guise of humanitarian aid. Dr. Daily Coro has seen these missions up close. She was the Head of Cuba’s Medical Commission of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Guárico, Venezuela from 2011 until 2014. Today, she lives in Madrid, and is shedding light on what the Cuban regime would rather the world didn’t see. The coronavirus has made that effort more urgent than ever.

We’re looking at how COVID-19 is threatening global democracy, and meeting the people stepping up to protect their country’s democratic institutions. Georgia is a country that has weathered many challenges over the years, from the internal corruption that led to 2003’s Rose Revolution to the Russian invasion in 2008. In the past few months, Georgia has emerged as a success story in the global fight against COVID-19, showing a path for developing democracies to resist democratic backsliding and come through the crisis stronger than before. Today, you’ll hear a conversation between Dr. Akaki Zoidze and guest host Bakhtiyor Nishanov. Akaki has been a Deputy Prime Minister of Health and Chaired the Committee on Healthcare, Physician and Public Health Expert while serving in Georgia’s parliament. In other words, he has been smack dab at the intersection of government and public health issues for years. In this conversation, Akaki and Bakhtiyor talked about how the Georgian government identified coronavirus as a threat early on when so many others did not, why the country’s response has been so successful, and how to make the case that democracies, not autocrats, are best equipped to meet global public health challenges.

In this series of Global, we’re meeting some of these “Democracy First Responders.” We’ll travel around the world – virtually, of course – and talk to politicians, activists, medical workers, journalists, tech pioneers, government officials, and everyday citizens like you and me. These are very different people, but everyone we spoke with has one goal in common: To respond to this crisis successfully and protect their country’s democratic institutions – or even build new ones. Before the coronavirus, Lebanon was home to one of the world’s most vibrant people-powered protest movements, demanding accountable, transparent government and rejecting entrenched elites. But restrictions on gatherings are straining this movement, and ruling elites – and foreign powers – are using the crisis to challenge their gains and reestablish their own support. Can Lebanon’s protest movement – and movements like it – adapt or even thrive in this new reality? To find out, Global spoke with Makram Rabah, an activist, journalist and professor of history at the American University of Beirut. Makram has been active in writing about Lebanon’s protest movement and exposing efforts to silence it. Makram has also been calling for reforms that respond to people’s demands for change.

In this series of Global, we’re meeting some of these “Democracy First Responders.” We’ll travel around the world – virtually, of course – and talk to politicians, activists, medical workers, journalists, tech pioneers, government officials, and everyday citizens like you and me. These are very different people, but everyone we spoke with has one goal in common: To respond to this crisis successfully and protect their country’s democratic institutions – or even build new ones. Situations like the coronavirus can quickly become a catalyst for social conflict through the spread of rumors and misinformation. Unfortunately, Nepal is no stranger to this dynamic, but neither is the Accountability Lab. After the Gorkha earthquake in April 2015, the Lab immediately began gathering, validating and disseminating essential information so citizens could decide how to react AND hold the government accountable for its response. Recently, the Lab launched the Coronavirus CivActs Campaign to counter COVID-19 disinformation, give citizens access to real facts, and give leaders the data they need to make better decisions.

COVID-19 threatens not only lives and livelihoods, but also governments and democratic institutions. The International Republican Institute (IRI) is profiling our partners and other leaders who have been the “first responders” in our global fight to protect and strengthen democracy. In this new series, Democracy First Responders, we spoke with an anti-corruption activist in Nepal, a journalist in Zimbabwe, a former government official in Georgia, and others to discuss their efforts to prevent democratic backsliding in the time of COVID-19. For the first episode of this series, our host Travis Green spoke with Munyaradzi “Munya” Dodo, a Zimbabwean journalist who is keeping citizens informed on the pandemic’s developments and holding the government accountable.

Cuba continues to be a regional threat to democracy. This threat is targeted externally in its support for dictatorial governments like Venezuela and internally in its treatment of dissidents. One of the reasons Cuba has been successful is the story it tells about itself. Both domestically and internationally, the Cuban government messages that it respects political and social rights and that its people are cared for with housing, education, and healthcare. This, however, is false. As demonstrated in a recent study by the Cuban Human Rights Observatory, the Cuban government is failing exactly where it claims success. For this episode, we spoke with three guests. First, Yaxys Cires is the current political advisor to the Cuban Human Rights Observatory. A lawyer by training, Yaxys was forced to leave Cuba due to his political activism advocating for greater democratic freedoms. @observacuba Second, Luz Escobar is a Cuban journalist currently living and reporting from Havana. She primarily writes for the independent news organization 14ymedio. Recently, she has repeatedly been prevented from leaving her home by the Cuban state security. @Luz_Cuba Finally, we spoke with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean John Barsa. @JBarsaUSAID @USAIDLAC

Venezuela continues to grapple with a humanitarian crisis caused by the dictatorial corruption of Nicolas Maduro. But despite the danger to themselves and their families, every day people continue to mobilize and demand respect for human rights and a return to democracy. Over the last three years of this podcast, we've discussed the political situation in Venezuela a number of times – often focusing on the crisis at the national level situation. Today, we wanted to bring things down to the personal level. Our producers Sam Johannes and Travis Green spoke with two activists on how their journey led them to be involved in politics and what keeps them motivated through such trying times. Rafaela Requesens is a Venezuelan student activist who gained recognition as the Student Council President of the Central University of Venezuela (Universidad Central de Venezuela, UCV) in 2017-2018. She has been instrumental in raising awareness on the current state of education in Venezuela and has led the student movement in several peaceful protests. Ms. Requesens has also been a public advocate for political prisoners, given that her brother, National Assembly Deputy Juan Requesens, was arbitrarily imprisoned by the Maduro regime in 2018. To date, he remains imprisoned with no trial date set. Armando Armas is a Member of the political party Voluntad Popular, who was elected to the National Assembly in 2015. He was one of the Deputies injured in July 2017 when the National Assembly was attacked by pro-Maduro supporters.

The greatest challenge to the seemingly overwhelming power of authoritarian governments is the ordinary citizen's willingness to put themselves at risk for the sake of democracy. This year, Hong Kong's citizens have been demonstrating that willingness through protests that have been ongoing since June. As protesters seek to maintain momentum in the face of violent crackdowns, their demands are clear - Hongkongers want democracy. In this episode, we look at the stories of four student activists from Hong Kong, their journey into activism, and what keeps them motivated to pursue democracy. Our host spoke with: Edy Jeh, a member of the University of Hong Kong Students' Union Danian Wan, current council chair of the University of Hong Kong Students' Union Kelly Hung, an activist at the University of Hong Kong and an employee in the Legislative Councilor's Office Joey Siu, current acting vice president of the City University of Hong Kong Students' Union

The dominant narrative today says Europe’s democracy is in retreat. To be sure, the challenges are real – from emboldened authoritarians to hyper-polarized discourse. Generations that lived through Communism have seen democracy’s promises of liberty and prosperity deliver mixed results. But that isn’t the only story about democracy in Europe. Every day, young people are driving change in their own communities by doing the day-to-day work of democracy. In this episode, we'll hear from six young civic and political leaders from the European Democracy Youth Network on why democracy offers the solutions to the challenges facing their countries. Host Sam Johannes speaks with: Esma Gumberidze - UN Youth Delegate to the 74th General Assembly (Georgia) Konstantina Stoyanova - Member, Bulgaria for Citizens Movement (Bulgaria) Malik Sakic - Vice President, Youth Forum of Our Party (Bosnia & Herzegovina) Juela Hamati - President, European Democracy Youth Network (Albania) Aleksander Savic - National Coordinator for Communications & Fundraising, Da Se Zna! (Serbia) Luka Krzhaloski - Secretary General, European Democracy Youth Network (North Macedonia)

jour·nal·ism noun 1. the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media What is it like to provide accurate news coverage when the government is actively creating false narratives? Journalism is essential to a healthy democracy. But it's also often a key part of fighting authoritarianism. Dictatorships rely on maintaining citizens uninformed and divided from each other. In these situations, independent media struggles against censorship, limited resources, and threats to personal safety. Journalist do this to inform citizens with the hope they will hold their government accountable and push for democratic change. For this episode, our host Lucas Jensen ties together responses from five journalists about what are the challenges and the motivations for reporting from within a dictatorship.

media noun 1. the main means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and the Internet) regarded collectively. A healthy democracy relies on a free and independent media. Inclusive and informed public discourse ensures democratic institutions reflect the will of the people. But this role makes the free press a target for a number of forces corrosive to democracy. Our host Travis Green explores these themes with: Beata Balogova, Editor-in-Chief of SME, a Slovak daily and Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute | @BalogovaBeata Dina Sadek, IRI's Media Advisor in the Center for Global Impact | @DinaMSadek

cor·rup·tion noun 1: dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery. On the surface, corruption seems straightforward - individuals using their positions of power for personal gain. But is that a reductive characterization of a much more complex phenomenon? The way corruption manifests, and its possible remedies, are informed by a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts. To effectively address corruption, domestic and international actors alike need to implement system-wide solutions that account for these contexts. These issues affect places the world over and the practices that allow it to continue link countries seen both as corrupt and as clean in inextricable ways. On this episode, our host Sinclair Stafford explores these issues with: Dr. Bret Barrowman, Senior Researcher, Center for Global Impact | @bbarrowm Dr. Brian Klaas, Assistant Professor of Global Politics at University College London, columnist for the Washington Post, and host of the podcast "Power Corrupts" (https://apple.co/2Y8vYND) | @brianklaas

In February, ten days after strongman president Abelaziz Bouteflika announced his candidacy for a fifth term, Algerians took to the streets in massive peaceful protests in what has become know as the "Revolution of Smiles." While protesters successfully forced Bouteflika's resignation, over two decades of historical violence, repression and corruption leave the country's future uncertain. Will the successful of the protests translate into much needed progress in key areas like youth unemployment? And what does Algeria's political and economic stability mean for both its African and European neighbors? Find out on this episode, of our podcast Global! Our host Francesca Gortzounian (@FrancescaGortz) speaks to: Mr. Samy Boukailia - President & Founding Member | Cercle d'Action et de Reflexion autour de l'Enterprise (CARE) @EagleSamy Dr. Dalia Ghanem - Resident Scholar | Carnegie Middle East Center, Co-Director | Program on Civil-Military Relations in Arab States @DaliaZinaGhanem

in·flu·ence noun 1: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. China exerts its influence to seek beneficial political and economic outcomes throughout the world. To do so, a decentralized apparatus of Chinese Communist Party officials and state-owned private enterprises employ a range of tools from opaque infrastructure investment to cultivating favorable thought leadership. Frequently, these activities have a corroding effect on the receiving countries' democratic institutions by exploiting high-level corruption and manipulating the information space. On this podlette, our host Travis Green explores these themes with: Dr. David Shullman, IRI's Senior Advisor, oversees IRI’s work addressing the influence of China and other autocracies on democratic institutions and governance in countries around the world. He recently edited IRI's report, entitled "Chinese Malign Influence and the Corrosion of Democracy" | @DaveShullman

From April 11 to May 19, the largest democratic exercise in history was held in India. Off the popularity of incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)achieved dominant results. But Modi and the BJP face a host of complex challenges arising from the country's staggering size, diversity, and changing role in the world. How can international partners like the United States bolster India as it continues to develop? And what does India's ascent mean for the future of democracy? Find out on this episode, of our podcast Global! Our host Travis Green speaks to: Dr. Milan Vaishnav - Director and Senior Fellow, South Asia Program | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace @MilanV Dr. Daniel Twining - President | International Republican Institute @DCTwining Vivek Shivaram - Program Officer | International Republican Institute @vivek_shivaram

mi·gra·tion noun 1: movement of people to a new area or country in order to find work or better living conditions. Migration is complex phenomenon driven by a wide range of economic, social, and political circumstances. It has far reaching implications for the long-term growth and political dynamics of both the countries from which migrants leave and the countries in which they arrive. Today, the world is seeing those implications play out around migration streams through Northern Africa and the Americas. On this podlette, our host Travis Green explores these themes with: Christopher Livesay, an award-winning foreign correspondent and producer based in Rome. His work on migration has been featured on the PBS NewsHour. | @cLivesay Jorge Ceballos, Program Manager in IRI's Guatemala office. | @kokiceballos

Several decades removed from the conflict, Guatemala continues to deal with the lasting impact of its thirty-year civil war. Against a backdrop of systemic corruption and violent organized crime driven by the global drug trade, Guatemalans head to the polls on June 16 to elect the President, Congress and municipal offices. But can the country find solutions in an electoral environment where a Presidential candidate was arrested over allegations of connections to the Sinaloa Cartel? Will reformers be able to succeed in this election? What can be done to address long-standing concerns over corruption and citizen security? And why should the United States care about what happens in Guatemala? To answer these questions, our host Lucas Jensen spoke to: Patricio Gajardo - Resident Program Director in Guatemala, International Republican Institute | @pfgajardo Amb. Stephen McFarland - United States Ambassador to Guatemala from 2008 - 2011 | @AmbMcFarland Adriana Beltran - Director for Citizen Security, Washington Office on Latin America | @Adriana_WOLA

pro·test noun: a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something. Is there a formula for mass protests that induce change? Or, is it the luck of the draw? Find out what went right in Sudan and Algeria. And, what could still go wrong. Our host, Sinclair Stafford, chats with IRI's Acting Africa Director, Elizabeth Lewis and Middle East expert (and Global host!), Chessy Gortzounian about the protests in Algeria and Sudan. In their discussion, they cover what has made these protests successful, what the people of Algeria and Sudan have learned from the failed Arab Spring protests and what the next steps are for the two African countries.

For over sixty years, the European Parliament has been dominated by centrist coalitions of national-level parties, from both the left and the right. But in response to growing anxiety about corruption, changing demographics, and slow economic growth, Europe has seen a rise in anti-systemic parties. These parties are poised to disrupt the traditional balance of power in the upcoming May Parliamentary elections, raising questions about how the EU's policies will change on issues like collective security, immigration policy, and trade. Will the world see "Brexit" repeated in other countries? How will the EU's relationship with Russia change? And why should the United States care about the results? To answer these questions, our host spoke to: Ryan Heath - Political Editor, POLITICO Europe | @PoliticoRyan Jan Zahradil - Member of European Parliament, Civic Democratic Party (CZ), Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists candidate for President of European Commission | @ZahradilJan Jan Surotchak - Senior Director for Transatlantic Strategy, International Republican Institute | @jansurotchak

fa·tigue noun 1: a lessening in one's response to or enthusiasm for something, typically as a result of overexposure to it. In a democracy, it's often taken for granted that political parties balance citizens' competing values and priorities. But parties can become counterproductive to a healthy democracy when they lose touch with citizens or undercut the political independence of governing institutions. Widespread dissatisfaction with parties has shifted elections across the world and many parties are failing to adapt to these changes. What's driving these shifts on both the left and right? What can mainline parties do to adapt to the new political landscape? And are political parties even necessary for modern democracy? Our host Francesca Gortzounian speaks with IRI's Europe Program Director based in Slovakia, Thibault Muzergues, who draws on his extensive experience with political parties across Europe to answer these questions.

Five hours before the opening of polling stations on Feb. 16, Nigerians heard from the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) that elections scheduled for that day would be postponed for one week. Against a backdrop of violence and political interference, Nigerians returned to the polls on Feb. 23 and Mar. 9 to cast votes for president, National Assembly, and local offices. What do these elections mean for democracy in this strategically important country? How can youth be part of the solutions? And why is Nigeria's success important to the world? Find out on this episode, of our podcast Global. Our host speaks to: Samson Itodo - Founder & Executive Director, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA) Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh - Senior Associate for Africa, National Democratic Institute (NDI) Judd Devermont - Director of the Africa Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

e·lec·tion noun 1: a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. To put it simply, elections are one of the fundamental tenants of liberal democracy. Democracies are built on the idea that individual citizens have a say in who governs them and how. Elections are how we make that happen. Holding elections does not mean a country is democratic; however, no country can be a democracy without them. But here is the thing—elections are incredibly complex processes that require organization and high levels of technical knowledge. So what does it take to run a smooth election? And what are some of the consequences when these processes don't work well? Our host Travis Green speaks with two IRI experts who draw examples from recent elections in Moldova and El Salvador to answer these questions -Patricio Gajardo, Resident Program Director for Guatemala and Stephanie Roland, Program Manager for Moldova

Against a backdrop of poverty, brutal violence, and entrenched corruption, Salvadorans went to the polls on February 3, 2019, and elected 37-year old Nayib Bukele, who ran an unorthodox campaign positioning himself as an alternative to the two parties who have dominated the country's political landscape. The expectations for this young president are huge, and so will be the disappointment if he doesn't succeed. Now, to deliver on his promises to fight corruption and curb violence, Bukele will have to work with the establishment on whose failures he rode to victory. But did his out-of-the-box communication style already burn those bridges? How did the country get to this political crossroads? And, will he live up to the image that Salvadorans voted for? For this episode, our host speaks with: Eric Olson - Director of Seattle International Foundation's Central America- DC Platform and a consultant to the Woodrow Wilson Center's Latin America Program Glenda Umaña - Journalist with CNN en Español, who recently spent time in El Salvador during the Presidential elections in February 2019. Dr. Felix Ulloa - Vice President-elect of El Salvador, who ran with President-elect Nayib Bukele on the GANA party ticket, ending decades of two-party rule.

cri·​sis noun: the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever In our second mini-episode, our host Travis Green chats with Venezuelan journalist, Carla Angola. In less than 20 minutes, they breakdown the nature of the Maduro regime's repression, the media environment, and the international community's response to the crisis in Venezuela. . . . Global is a monthly podcast that features one country per episode and delivers an on-the-ground look at our rapidly changing world. We've added a monthly 15-to-20 minute themed-based podcast that will cover broader topics like Chinese influence, election meddling, democratic backsliding and everything in-between.

In 2014, Russian forces took control of the Crimean peninsula causing international uproar and sanctions to be placed on Russia. But it wasn't the first time that Russia had seized neighborhood territory. Six years before the annexation of Crimea, Russia crept into Georgia, occupying 20 percent of the country to this day. Data tells us that Georgians want to lean to the West. But, how are they supposed to do that with the Kremlin on their back? In 2008, Senator John McCain spoke to a crowd following the news of Russia's invasion of Georgia and said, "Some Americans, when they read this news, may wonder where Georgia is or why we should care about the conflict between Georgians and the Russian army. It's, after all, a small, remote, and obscure place. But history is often made in remote, obscure places... Today we are all Georgians." On this episode of Global, we speak to: Damon Wilson (@DamonMacWilson) - Executive Vice President, Atlantic Council. Damon served as Senior Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council during Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008. Eka Gigauri (@katgigauri) - Executive Director, Transparency International Georgia. Transparency International is one the leading government watchdogs in Georgia. Jamie Kirchick (@jkirchick) - Foreign Correspondent and Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution. He's the author of "The End of Europe: Dictators, Demagogues, and the Coming Dark Age" John DiPirro (@JohnPaulDiPirro) - IRI's Georgia Program Director based in Tbilisi

de·cen·tral·i·za·tion noun: the transfer of authority from central to local government Thanks Merriam-Webster! But, what does that REALLY mean? In this mini-episode, our host John Tomaszewski chats with democracy and governance specialist, Eguiar Lizundia. In 20 minutes, they breakdown what decentralization is, and its effects on countries around the world. . . . Global is a monthly podcast that features one country per episode and delivers an on-the-ground look at our rapidly changing world. We are now adding monthly 15-minute themed based podcasts that will cover Chinese influence, election meddling, democratic backsliding and everything in-between.

Six years after the fall of Muammar Gadhafi, Libya remains in a chaotic state. In 2011, the regime of Gadhafi responded to protests in eastern Libya with violence, leading to a revolution that brought his 42-year regime to an end. Only three years later, armed conflict broke out after the second parliamentary elections, leading to political divisions and intense conflict. Libya’s future is uncertain. What are the country’s next steps? How can Civil Society help bring Libya towards peace? And, where is Libya headed? Find out on this episode, of our podcast Global. Our hosts speak to: Dr. Frederic Wehry, Senior Fellow of the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and author of "The Burning Shores: Inside the Battle for the New Libya." Taezeez "Tooza" Alhasaeri, Digital Media Editor of the Zuwara Municipal Government. Zuwara was the first town to elect its local council after the fall of Gadhafi democratically. Christopher Livesay, an award-winning foreign correspondent based in Rome. In 2018, Livesay was the first American TV correspondent to report from Libya in a year and had to flee the country amid government threats for shedding light on migrant trafficking, torture, and abuse. His work was featured on the PBS NewsHour. Caitlin Dearing Scott, IRI’s the Middle East and North Africa Program Manager.

In early February 2018, the island republic of the Maldives descended into political chaos as former President Abdulla Yameen used a state of emergency to crack down on opposition. The region watched as Yameen suppressed dissent, imprisoned members of the Supreme Court and attacked members of the independent press. Meanwhile, both Chinese and Indian ships began to conduct exercises nearby, the first time Chinese navy vessels had entered the Indian Ocean in four years. In September 2018, Maldivians went to the polls in unprecedented levels to take their authoritarian leader out of office. Pledging more transparency in government and an obligation to human rights, opposition candidate Ibrahim Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party won by a margin of 17 percent. Maldivians have made it clear what direction they want the country to move towards. But will the country be able to secure a prosperous, stable and free future? Our hosts speak to Special Representative to President Solih and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseem (@KerafaNaseem), IRI's Resident Program Director in the Maldives John Kachtik, and the Minister of Planning and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam.

In 1930, a military coup ended seven decades of constitutional government in Argentina. Over the next 46 years, a revolving door of democratically elected leaders and military regimes culminated in the junta-led Dirty War, transforming a once limited executive into one of the region’s most iron-fisted institutions. Ten consecutive civilian administrations have since tried a variety of remedies to long-standing problems with inflation, debt and instability, with some success. Still, old habits die hard. What’s next for Argentina? On this episode our hosts speak to Dr. Benjamin Gedan, Senior Adviser of Latin America Programs and Director of the Argentina Project at the Wilson Center; open government and transparency expert, and General Manager of Directorio Legislativo, Agustina De Luca; and Ambassador Lino Gutierrez, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina from 2003 to 2006.

Zimbabwe experienced nearly four decades of authoritarian rule under Mugabe's leadership, which included economic degradation, political repression, and state-sponsored violence. On July 30, 2018, Zimbabweans went to the polls to participate in the most significant elections of their lifetime. For the first time since 1987, Former President Robert Mugabe's name did not appear on the presidential ballot. With the struggle for independence, land, and power running throughout Zimbabwe's history, what is next for the country? Out hosts speak to John Robertson, a native Zimbabwean and economist based in Harare who has commented extensively on the economic problems facing Zimbabwe today for a range of publications including Bloomberg and the Economist; Paul Mangwana a practicing lawyer and the Secretary of Legal Affairs for the ZANU PF party; Liz Lewis, Deputy Director of the International Republican Institute's Africa Division; and David Coltart, a human rights lawyer who has been active in Zimbabwean politics since the early 1980s.

A recent Moroccan consumer boycott is demonstrating the real economic and political consequences of citizen action. The boycott threatens the influence and stability of the current political status quo and even has the potential to influence national policy and international relations. How did Morocco get here? What has driven the impact and widespread adoption of the movement so far? Who can ultimately respond to Moroccans’ demands? And, what does the future of this North African country look like? Our hosts speak to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Fellow Dr. Sarah Yerkes; Aimane Cherragui, a Moroccan political activist and President of SimSim-Participation Citoyenne, a non-profit that aims to use information and communication technologies (ICT) to support and facilitate the participation of citizens in the governmental process; and governance expert and IRI Morocco Country Director, Imara Crooms.

The April 2018 election of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has been seen as a turning point for Ethiopia. Against a backdrop of both economic growth and civil unrest the past decade, Ethiopians at home and abroad are cautiously optimistic about the change Dr. Abiy represents. Will the country be able to sustain this momentum to improve in areas like human rights, ethnically-driven politics, and opportunities for youth? Our hosts speak to Dr. Menna Demessie, Vice President for Research & Policy Analysis, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and National Youth Coordinator at Society of Ethiopians Established in the Diaspora; former political prisoner and Secretary General of the Oromo Federalist Congress opposition party Bekele Gerba; and civic activist and survivor of torture Fekade Ancho who currently works with the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition.

Life in North Korea is a mystery to most of the world and few know what day-to-day existence entails for the average North Korean. How did North Korea become a hermit kingdom? And what does it really look like on the ground? Our hosts speak to Dr. Andrei Lankov, Director, NKNews.org and Professor at Kookmin University; Pulitzer-nominated veteran foreign correspondent Jean Lee who led the Associated Press news agency’s coverage of the Korean Peninsula as bureau chief from 2008 to 2013; and North Korean defector Sehyek Oh who currently is a researcher at the Transitional Justice Working Group.

The last 59 years of Cuban history have seen the Castro brothers consolidate their brand of communism, resulting in an economic and human rights tragedy. The new Cuban President will likely continue the Castro status quo. Despite the efforts of brave dissidents, democracy remains a distant dream, and Cubans struggle against a deteriorating state-run economy. How did Cuba get here? What is the future of the country? And, what is it like to live on the island? Our hosts interview Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Cuban-American elected to Congress; Cuban activist Rosa María Payá; and IRI’s in-house Cuba expert Casey Cagley.

Since 2015, Sri Lanka has been in the midst of a democratic transition that has created opportunities for political reform and reconciliation following decades of civil war. While Sri Lanka has become more stable, other countries have begun to see strategic importance of the island nation as it sits at the halfway point between China and the Middle East. In this seventeenth episode, our hosts learn how Sri Lanka's unique history shapes their foreign policy through conversations with Constantino Xavier of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Devinda Subasinghe and IRI's Resident Program Director in Sri Lanka Steve Cima.

When Ambassador Yalowitz completed his tour of duty in Belarus, he told President Lukashenko, “You can be known as the father of your country or Belarus can be known as a living museum of the former Soviet Union. The choice is yours.” Our hosts decide which direction President Lukashenko chose and explore “Europe’s last dictatorship” in the sixteenth episode of Global featuring, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus, Kenneth Yalowitz; Belarussian Member of Parliament and the first opposition party member to win a seat in the country’s parliament in two decades, Anna Konapatskaya; and IRI’s own Belarus expert, Ryte Vaiciuliene.

2018 is a banner year for Mexican citizens. On July 1, more than 3,400 positions for federal, state and local offices will be contested against a backdrop of corruption and violence. How did Mexico get to this critical juncture? This fifteenth episode of Global features renown journalist Dolia Estevez, Richard Miles of CSIS and IRI’s Mexico Resident Program Director Tony Garrastazu.

Once known as "the worst dictatorship you’ve never heard of," the Gambia peacefully removed its autocratic ruler in late 2016. A little more than a year later, what is happening in this small African country? This fourteenth episode of Global features Gambian Minister of Trade Dr. Isatou Touray, Jeffrey Smith of Vanguard Africa and IRI Program Officer Roger Mitchell.

Season Two kicks off with a deep dive into the post-2003 modern history of the Republic of Iraq, including the recent Kurdish Independence referendum and the post-ISIS political situation. For this thirteenth episode of Global, our hosts interview Iraq veteran Congressman Adam Kinzinger, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad, and IRI’s own Iraq Program Manager Brian Zupruk.

In the season finale of Global, our hosts decipher the complex country of Bosnia and Herzegovina and it’s tripartite presidency. This twelfth episode features former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO General Wesley Clark, Bosnian actress and Member of Parliament Zana Marjanović, and IRI’s Resident Program Director in Sarajevo Borislav Spasojevic.

In episode eleven of Global, our hosts go island-hopping across Indonesia, the most populous Muslim-majority country and the fourth most populous country in the world. This eleventh episode features Edward Aspinall of the Australian National Univeristy, Philips Vermonte of CSIS Indonesia and IRI’s own Rhonda Mays, Deputy Director for Asia.

In episode ten of "Global" our hosts learn about the Western Hemisphere's newest dictatorship: Venezuela. How has the most resource-rich country in South America suffered an economic collapse? Our hosts talk to Dr. Ricardo Hausmann of Harvard's JFK School of Government, Alexandra Ulmer of Reuters, and Miriam Kornblith of the National Endowment for Democracy to learn more.

Why is Tunisia the only success story of the 2011 Arab Spring? Find out on episode nine of Global, featuring conversations with Monica Marks of the University of Oxford, pan-African activist Aya Chebbi and IRI’s Director of the Middle East and North Africa Division Scott Mastic.

In episode eight of Global, our hosts head back to Africa to analyze the upcoming election in Kenya and how devolution is redefining politics in the country. This episode features former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya William Bellamy, Kenyan anti-corruption warrior John Githongo, and IRI alumnus Lauren Ploch Blanchard of the Congressional Research Service.