Matter File

In this episode, we look at the story of the heavily contested region of Nagorno Karabakh. Ms. Anush Ghavalyan served as the former advisor to the president of the national assembly of the Republic of Artsakh. With her help, we understand the conflict from the lens of the region that has faced the wrath of Azeri troops for decades and still managed to develop independently. We look at the history behind Azerbaijan's claim to this territory and get a glimpse into the devastation caused by this war. For now, the situation seems stable and we can only hope for peace and security for the citizens of Artsakh. https://artsakhpress.am/eng/

In our final episode of the year, we look at the international relations and economic landscape of the Republic of Armenia. The episode distills the reasons for Armenia's ties with its geographic neighbours and looks at the influence of Russia in the region. It further explores the economic history of the country through the 20th century and looks at the transition economy after independence. Finally, the episode examines the growth of the Armenian economy over the past three decades, the constraints to this growth, and the current problems that the economy needs to address. Thank you all so much for your support and we wish you all a Happy New Year!

In this episode, we take a closer look at how the relationship of Armenia with its neighbours shaped its present political state. We cover the horrifying numbers behind the Armenian genocide and the continuous partitioning of the state. We further examine the development of Armenian nationalism in an era where large populations of Armenians were forced to migrate due to oppressive policies of ruling states. We finally look at the Nagorno-Karabakh question and understand how the conflict has progressed since the independence of the Republic of Armenia. The situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is still volatile with protests in Armenia, and this episode provides the context to help understand why.

In this episode, we explore Poland's economy with the author of the book "Europe's Growth Champion: Insights from the Economic Rise of Poland", Professor Marcin Piatkowski. We analyse Poland's economic transition post-communism in 1989 with the actions of Solidarity and Leszek Balcerowicz's Shock Therapy and trace the growth through the 21st century. We talk about the development of good institutions and how Poland managed to avoid the economic crash of 2008-09. We finally touch on the present state of the Polish economy and why it's growth is probably sustainable and what the pandemic means for the economy of Poland. The book can be found on https://global.oup.com/academic/product/europes-growth-champion-9780198789345?cc=gb&lang=en&

We've hit 25 episodes and this one is an incredibly interesting interview on the insurgency in the south of Thailand! Mr. Shintaro Hara is an analyst and a translator who lives in Patani and has been interacting with people and communities that are affected daily by the insurgency in Thailand. The conversation talks about the concerns of individuals who inhabit the region and the importance of self-determination. We also talk about the various groups that were created to represent the interest of the Muslim population in Patani, why the struggle became armed, and how these groups might earn money to fund their struggle. We finally touch on why Thaification has adversely harmed the region and how the region is coping economically given the current pandemic.

In this episode, we speak with Ms. Elana DeLozier on the incentives and roles of various actors involved in the Yemeni Conflict. The conversation follows on from her publication of the Yemen Matrix (https://yemen-matrix.washingtoninstitute.org/) which plots the bilateral ties between 12 key actors in the current geopolitical state of Yemen. We cover not only the Houthi movement, Hadi's regime, and Saudi Arabia but also talk about the political parties of GPC and Islah as well as the importance of historically prominent figures such as Saleh in the current conflict. Elana provides a thorough and concise tour of the complexity of the Yemeni conflict and helps understand what the bottlenecks to peace talks among the various parties involved are

In the first of three episodes on Armenia, we take a look at the ancient and medieval history of the Armenian plateau. The episode covers Stone and Iron age cultures on the plateau and the early regional influences of Persia and Rome. It introduces a millennia-old conflict between Persia and Byzantium which converged on Armenian solid and how that conflict evolved to one between Turkish kingdoms, Arab influences, and European powers. It also looks at the Cilician Armenian Kingdom and the decision to align with Russia as a means to fend off Ottoman and Persian colonizers. The episode chronicles the wars fought on Armenian soil through the ages up until the first Russo-Persian war in the early 19th century and sets the stage to understand the Nagorno-Karabakh war of today.

In this episode, we speak with Mr. Subhash Ghimire, the editor in chief of the daily newspaper Republica Nepal. The conversation covers the political dissatisfaction with the current Oli government in Nepal and their response to the pandemic. It looks at the freedom of the press in Nepal and why Nepal's private news media companies play a vital role in preserving Nepali democracy over and above what the political opposition and judiciary can provide. We also touch on social development in Nepal and why limited infrastructure means the distribution of aid and relief is more ineffective than we'd like to believe.

In this episode, we speak with the management consultant Mr. Zaid Basha. Zaid has authored several papers and been on projects that explore the mismanagement of Yemen's public infrastructure and look at Yemen's public policy reform. In our conversation, we talk about what caused the current famine in Yemen and what steps need to be taken to combat the terrible hunger that is being felt across the country. We also touch on the mismanagement of water resources that have contributed to the famine and the importance of subsistence agriculture in the country. The conversation is a great addition to our growing English audio repository of the current state of Yemen

In this episode, we speak with Ms Al-Deen who is a non-resident fellow at the Sana'a Centre for strategic studies on the evolution of the Houthi Movement in Yemen. We cover how the Houthi's have impacted the geopolitical state of Yemen today and what their control of Sana'a means for the state apparatus of Yemen. We cover the interaction of the Houthi's with other actors in the conflict including Iran and the Southern Transitional council and gain a better understanding of the demands and motives of the Houthi leadership today. The episode serves as one of the best available primers in English to survey and understand the contemporary Houthi movement.

In this episode, we were delighted to have with us the author of the book A Kingdom in Crisis: Thailand's Struggle for Democracy in the Twenty-First Century, Andrew Marshall. The conversation covers the public reverence and deification of the Thai monarchy and a shift in attitude with the ascension of Rama X. We cover the Lesse Majeste law and look at the interaction of the monarchy with other facets of Thai society including the judiciary and ruling elite. Finally, we speak a bit about the ongoing protests in Thailand to understand public sentiment and the importance of reforming the monarchy in Thailand.

In this incredibly topical episode, we are joined by the research director of NIICE, Nepal, Dr Pramod Jaiswal in discussing Nepal's foreign policy, primarily in regard to its large neighbours in India and China. The conversation covers the history of the disputed Kalapani and Lipulekh regions that have stirred up controversy on the Indo-Nepalese border as well as the Chinese construction in the Humla region of Nepal. We further talk about the Madheshi people, the Gorkha Regiment, Nepal's involvement in the BRI and a possible tripartite alliance between India, China and Nepal and what that would mean for the development of Nepal

In this episode, we spoke to Dr. Claudio Sopranzetti, anthropologist and author of the book Owners of the Map: Motorcycle Taxi Drivers, Mobility, and Politics in Bangkok. We cover Thailand's urbanisation and urban migratory patterns and what problems they bring. We also have a very interesting chat about the genealogy of social movements and the role of symbolism and students in the success of movements. We focus on the current Thai protests and the massive divide between conceptions of centre and periphery in Thailand and what the asymmetric development of Bangkok has meant to its political environment today.

In this episode, we talk to the editor and author of "The Paraguay Reader" and "The Transition to Democracy in Paraguay" Mr. Andrew Nickson. The conversation spans several key areas around socio-economic development in Paraguay as we discuss everything from income inequality to political inertia, corruption, and local governance in Paraguay. We also cover the hydroelectric energy potential of Paraguay for industrialisation and the agricultural economy of today. The conversation provides keen insights into structural issues in the political economy of Paraguay and examines the present drivers of change. Resultantly, the conversation serves as a nuanced primer in both the political economy of and socio-economic development in Paraguay

In this episode, we had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Baraa Shiban. Mr. Shiban is a caseworker at the NGO Reprieve, a vocal human rights activist and the first Yemeni to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Shiban was the youth representative at Yemen's National Dialogue in 2014 and has served as an advisor to the Yemeni embassy in London. The conversation examines the obstacles to the peace building process in Yemen and looks at steps that need to be taken in order for a transition out of the crisis.

In the first of several interviews to gain greater depth in the structure and organization of the Thai State, we talk to Dr. Paul Chambers. Dr. Chambers is the author of several manuscripts and articles on civil-military relationships and democracy in Thailand. In our conversation, we cover the relationship of the Thai monarchy and military, the attitudes of the State to the southern insurgency, and the organisation of the military under the premiership of Prayut Chan-o-cha.

In the final episode of Thailand, we trace its economic progress from the 1950s till today. The episode examines the phases of import substitution and export promotion that helped catalyze growth in the latter half of the 20th Century. We further explore the causes and effects of the Asian crash of 1997 in Thailand as well as the current state of the Thai economy.

This episode looks at the contemporary history of Thailand. Starting in the early 20th Century, we trace the origins of their constitutional monarchy, chronicling the constant constitutional turnover. The episode looks that Thailand's political volatility across the 20th century, assessing the role of the military, student bodies and Thai royal palace. It finally looks at the 2020 protests against their current administration as well as the Pattani movement in the south of Thailand. 

This episode looks at the historic roots of present-day Thailand. It explores the Funan dynasty and the founding of Sukhothai. It further elaborates on the Ayutthaya kingdom and the foundation of the Chakkri dynasty. The Chakkri dynasty's founding was the creation of the modern ruling house of Thailand in the late 18th century and the episode seeks to outline the pre-20th century history of Thailand.

In the last of three episodes on Paraguay, we discuss the geography and economy of this country in the heart of South America. The episode analyses how the Paraguayan economy, despite political instability, has managed to maintain growth and stability. It further looks at trends in agriculture and wildlife conservation in the country and the impact of the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant on the country.

In our second episode on Paraguay, we explore the state of the country after the Chaco War. In particular, we take a look at Stroessner's dictatorship, their alliance with the USA and Paraguay's current geopolitical leanings

In this episode, we head to the heart of South America to explore the past of a country that has an ongoing Marxist insurgency. We explore the past of Paraguay as a colony of Spain and its interaction with Jesuit missionaries. We further take a look at post-colonial Paraguay under dictatorial rule, its transition to democracy, and the formation of an initial division of parties between the Liberals and the Colorados.

The last of three episodes on Poland, this takes a quick look at Poland's geography and economy. It focusses on the transition of the Polish economy in a post-communist state and on the market conditions that underline how Poland managed to avoid a recession after the 2008 crisis. 

In this week's episode, we explore the causes of the rise of neo-populism in a post-communist Poland. The episode begins in the run-up to World War II and walks through the history of Poland as part of the Warsaw pact, highlighting the role of neo-liberal movements such as sovereignty. It finally looks at the causes for the election and re-election of Andrzej Duda.

This week we begin with the first of three episodes on Poland. This episode traces the history of the Polish state from the Bronze Age and Antiquity, through the period, leading up to the first World War. It looks closely at the relations of the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth as well as the history of religious tolerance within the state.

This episode looks at the economic and geographic profile of Yemen. It highlights the lack of water resources, explicates the debilitating effect the humanitarian crisis has had on its economy, and touches on why its integration into multilateral bodies in the Gulf region might help it on the road to stability.

In this episode, we turn our attention to the Arabian Peninsula and Yemen, the country experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The episode traces the history of religiopolitical conflict from the Jewish and Christian Yemenites to the modern-day conflict between the Houthis and the Hadi government. It walks through the Ottoman annexation of Yemen and the Yemeni civil wars of the 20th Century, ultimately unpacking the events that led to the current state of famine and war.

This episode primarily looks at the geography and economy of Nepal. It briefly explores the consequences of its geographic landscape on its biodiversity and climate, while also browsing through the statistics and reforms that have come to characterise Nepal's economy.

This week we take a look at the story of the landlocked country of Nepal. The episode explores the ancient, medieval, and contemporary history of Nepal and how that has shaped youth protests in the country and political tensions with India.

Matter File presents the stories of individual countries to help understand the context behind their current state. It is a journey through history to explore what led to their current geopolitical and socio-economic landscape; because each country is a story worth telling.