The Varemeng Podcast

Latin America's Podcast: COVID-19 in Latin America (in Spanish) The purpose of this episode is to shed light on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, which is affecting Latin America harder than anywhere else in the world. More than 170 million cases, and over one million deaths, clearly demonstrate the humanitarian impact of the pandemic on the region. The region has increasingly experienced worsening sociopolitical conditions and decreasing economic prospects. We will address the situation in four key countries (Brazil, Peru, and Colombia), deriving social, economic, and broader geopolitical considerations about both the short- and long-term implications of the virus on the region's stability. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 24 2021 | 06 June - 13 June Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover the key geopolitical event of the past week. The 2021 #G7 summit took place in #Cornwall, hosted by the #UnitedKingdom. The #West is realigning, and the #UnitedStates have returned to the use of international #diplomacy under the #Biden administration. This episode will address the key issues dealt with the high-profile summit, such as #China, #coronavirus, #climate, and #trade. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 22 2021 | 24 May - 31 May Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover the key geopolitical event of the past week. #Mali faced a new military coup, after the one that took place in August 2020. The military ousted from power the civilian transitional government, due to disagreements over its political inclusion in it. Yet, the coup comes against the backdrop of a wider political crisis both at a domestic and regional level, amid worsening security and governance conditions. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 21 2021 | 17 May - 23 May Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover the key geopolitical event of the past week. #Belarus is again under international attention. On May 23, authorities diverted a #Ryanair flight headed towards #Lithuania from #Athens, detaining the opposition figure #Protsaevich, co-founder of the social media movement #NEXTA. The case triggered Western anger, and EU sanctions, which further risk getting Belarus closer to #Russia, as a sign of a new crisis to come. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 20 2021 | 10 May - 16 May Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover the key geopolitical event of the past week. The Palestinian crisis has worsened, and it risks turning into a full-blown conflict which may further undermine regional stability. Rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas have prompted a military reaction by the Israeli armed forces, which have launched airstrikes on Gaza, killing hundreds of civilians. The international community has called for restraint, but the worst communal tensions in decades do not seem to stop. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 19 2021 | 03 May - 09 May Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Deadly protests escalate in Colombia. 2. Colonial Pipeline cyberattack hits US East Coast oil supply. 3. Violent clashes unfold in Jerusalem, amidst growing instability. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 18 2021 | 26 April - 02 May Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. COVID-19 crisis deepens in India. 2. Deadly border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 3. Somali lawmakers cancel presidential term extension. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 17 2021 | 19 April - 25 April Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Diplomatic row erupts after US President Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide. 2. ASEAN emergency summit over ongoing Myanmar crisis. 3. Chadian President Deby's death sparks concerns for both domestic and regional security. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Latin America's Podcast: Defining Latin America The purpose of this episode is to shed light on the nature of Latin America, by providing critical information to our listeners in order to help them navigating better such complex and diverse region of the world. Latin America is a contested concept, both regionally and culturally. Therefore, in this talk we will address the key characteristics defining Latin America, both in popular culture and actual realities. It is indeed important to make sense of underlining definitions to actually grasp this region's geopolitical relevance for the world. Together with our co-host Paolo Manzo we aim to make sense of the most pressing issues defining such complex region, from both domestic and international perspectives. Paolo will share his experience and expertise from the region, being based in Brazil and working as a foreign correspondent and geopolitical analyst as well. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 16 2021 | 12 April - 18 April Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. US-Russia diplomatic crisis unfolds. 2. US announces withdrawal from Afghanistan. 3. Israel brokers strategic defence procurement deal with Greece. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 15 2021 | 05 April - 11 April Host: David Kennedy This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Geopolitical crisis looms large in eastern Ukraine. 2. Riots erupt in Northern Ireland, amid critical post-Brexit scenario. 3. EU-Turkey diplomatic spat. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 14 2021 | 29 March - 04 April This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Political crisis looms in Brazil, amid Lula's comeback and Bolsonaro's declining popularity. 2. Arab League and China sign strategic data security agreement. 3. Attempted coup in Niger, amid worsening security crisis. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 13 2021 | 22 March - 28 March This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Palma attacks highlight deteriorating Mozambique security crisis. 2. Iran-China 25-year agreement displays growing Chinese involvement in Eurasian geopolitics. 3. Israeli elections result in domestic political deadlock. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 12 2021 | 15 March - 21 March This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. US intelligence report on 2020 foreign election interference triggers row between the US and China. 2. British government issues new defence Integrated Review. 3. Diplomatic spat between Philippines and China, over contested South China Sea's reef. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

In this episode, our new guest Victor, from Brazil, will address the oceans as a new space for human societies. Preserving biodiversity and sustainability will be a critical challenge for our future existence on Earth. Oceans do not make any exception. We will address such issue from a fresh standpoint, while also delving into some critical questions for the global future of our ecosystems. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 11 2021 | 08 March - 14 March This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. New interim government approved in Libya. 2. Chinese government alters Hong Kong's electoral and political system. 3. Sino-Russian Memorandum of Understanding over Moon exploration. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 10 2021 | 01 March - 07 March This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Former French President Sarkozy sentenced over corruption charges. 2. EU member Italy blocks export of 250,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to Australia. 3. US Senate passes upcoming $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

In this episode, our first guest Nina de Ayala Parker will discuss and share her perspective on Brexit, and more specifically on the new EU Settlement Scheme. In addition, she will provide context about her experience in British politics, as a young activist for human rights and gender issues. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 9 2021 | 22 February - 28 February This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. US carries out airstrikes on pro-Iran militants in eastern Syria. 2. Armenian political crisis worsens, as PM Pashinyan denounces alleged military coup. 3. Ghana is first world country to receive COVAX Facility COVID-19 vaccines. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 8 2021 | 15 February - 21 February This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Facebook blocks news sharing in Australia, in response to new controversial media law. 2. Georgian PM resigns, triggering domestic political crisis. 3. US formally rejoins Paris climate agreement. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 7 2021 | 08 February - 14 February This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Former US President Trump acquitted by US Senate with 53-47 vote. 2. WHO-China joint investigation delivers first results of investigation on the origins of COVID-19 in Wuhan. 3. UAE's Amal space probe reaches Martian orbit, in space race breakthrough. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 6 2021 | 01 February - 07 February This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Former ECB President Draghi called to form new government in Italy, amidst persistent COVID-19 and debt crisis. 2. Myanmar military coup raises concerns over democracy in Southeast Asia. 3. Palau announces withdrawal from Pacific Islands Forum, over leadership row. Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

Week 5 2021 | 25 January - 31 January This episode will cover three key selected geopolitical events. 1. Iran rejects further actors to attend nuclear deal negotiations. 2. Russia renews New START arms control treaty. 3. UK announces application to join Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter | @varemeng #Informationmatters

In this episode zero, we will introduce our listeners to Varemeng. We aim to deliver fresh updates and perspectives on geopolitics and cybersecurity, in a fast-changing world. Stay tuned for more episodes and contents, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and so on | @varemeng #informationmatters