Podcasts about Atlantic Council

pWotD Episode 3233: Mojtaba Khamenei Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 518,042 views on Monday, 9 March 2026 our article of the day is Mojtaba Khamenei.Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (born 8 September 1969) is an Iranian politician and Shia cleric who has been the third supreme leader of Iran since 8 March 2026. He is a member of the Khamenei family and the second son of the second supreme leader Ali Khamenei.Born in Mashhad, a city in northeastern Iran, into the Azeri–Persian Khamenei family, he was nine when his father emerged as a leading figure in the Iranian Revolution. He received early education in Sardasht and Mahabad, and graduated high school from Tehran, after which he studied Islamic theology under the guidance of his father and Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. He joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1987 and served in the Iran–Iraq War. In 1999, he continued his studies in Qom to become a cleric, and joined the Qom Seminary as a theological teacher afterwards. He took control of the Basij paramilitary volunteer militia in 2009.Following the assassination of his father in the 2026 Iran war, Mojtaba was elected as his successor by Iran's Assembly of Experts. He has previously been sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury in 2019 as part of their policy of sanctioning individuals linked to Ali Khamenei.In political ideology and jurisprudence, he is considered to be among the most hardline of the Iranian principlists, and has close ties to some of the "most ideologically extremist clerics" per a report from Atlantic Council. Analysts have generally seen him as more favorable to developing an Iranian nuclear weapons program than his father, supporting a reinterpretation of Ali Khamenei's fatwa against nuclear weapons.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 03:23 UTC on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Mojtaba Khamenei on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Kendra.

Over the weekend, U.S. and Israeli forces struck hundreds of sites across Iran and killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Large crowds of Iranians took to the streets, some to mourn, others to celebrate. The Islamic Republic has retaliated and launched strikes of its own across the Middle East.  Much about the joint U.S.-Israeli operation remains unclear—was it meant to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities after failed negotiations? Was it meant to force regime change? With no path to de-escalation in sight, Washington may end up in a larger conflagration than it bargained for. In this two-part episode, Executive Editor Justin Vogt spoke with two experts to help make sense of the situation.  First, Nate Swanson, the director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council and a former Iran policy adviser to the Trump and Biden administrations. He was director for Iran at the National Security Council between 2022 and 2025 and he served on the Trump administration's Iran negotiating team in the spring and summer of 2025. Vogt spoke with him on Wednesday, March 4 about the situation on the ground in Iran, Iran's strategy in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli attacks, and how Iran policy gets made in the Trump administration.  Then, Richard Haass, the president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. Toward the end of his long career in government, Haass served as the director of policy planning in the State Department during the George W. Bush administration, at a time when the United States was carrying out a war aimed at regime change in Afghanistan and planning another such war in Iraq. Vogt spoke with Haass on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 3, about the history of regime change operations and how the current war on Iran fits into it. Both Swanson and Haass make clear that this is a watershed moment for the United States, Iran, and the Middle East more broadly. You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, as the war's fifth day comes into view. Donald Trump has said "everything has been knocked out" in Iran, but has reiterated his frustration with Sir Keir Starmer over his reluctance to get involved, telling reporters "this is not Churchill we're dealing with" All to discuss with Nicholas Hopton, Former UK Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, as the war's fifth day comes into view. Donald Trump has said "everything has been knocked out" in Iran, but has reiterated his frustration with Sir Keir Starmer over his reluctance to get involved, telling reporters "this is not Churchill we're dealing with" All to discuss with Nicholas Hopton, Former UK Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

The United States is once again considering military strikes to curb Iran's nuclear activities and missile program. China has emerged as a particularly important partner of Iran, serving as the country's largest trade partner and one of its few sources of consistent diplomatic backing. For Beijing, the stakes in the relationship extend beyond energy security, but also include great power competition with the US and China's broader strategic ambitions in the Middle East. There are reports that Iran is close to finalizing a deal to purchase supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from China.  To unpack China-Iran relations and these recent dynamics, we are joined today by Jonathan Fulton. Jonathan is a nonresident senior fellow with the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council and an associate professor of political science at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. His research focuses on China-GCC relations, China's Belt and Road Initiative, and Chinese foreign policy.  This episode was recorded on February 26, 2026.   Timestamps:  [00:00] Introduction   [01:33] China's Interests in Iran and Possible Reactions  [04:55] Challenges to Diversifying Oil Imports   [09:40] Using Oil Purchases as Leverage with the US  [10:59] Frictions in the China-Iran Relationship  [12:41] Iran in China's Middle East Strategy  [16:00] Iran–China 25-year Cooperation Program   [21:56] China-Russia Coordination in Iran Strategy  [25:54] Tehran's Points of Leverage with Beijing and Moscow  [29:14] Potential Disruptors to the China-Iran Relationship 

The United States and Israel have launched strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggering a full-scale war in the Middle East. As the region descends into conflict, a fascinating debate has emerged about what this means for China: from the surge in Chinese defense stocks and weapons export opportunities, to the collapse of Beijing's landmark Saudi-Iran diplomatic agreement.  Is this a strategic disaster for China, or does the chaos actually create unexpected openings? Andrea Ghiselli, research director at The ChinaMed Project and a lecturer in international politics at the University of Exeter, joins Eric to discuss the stark differences in how this conflict is discussed in China and in the Global West.

Andrew Peek, Chair of The National Security Resilience Initiative at the Atlantic Council, discusses the latest developments in the US-Israeli led conflict in Iran.

US and Israeli operations against Iran have continued for a third day, as have Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. Speaking to Anton this morning was David Smith, Guardian's Washington Bureau Chief and also Nicholas Hopton, Former UK Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

US and Israeli operations against Iran have continued for a third day, as have Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. Speaking to Anton this morning was David Smith, Guardian's Washington Bureau Chief and also Nicholas Hopton, Former UK Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

For weeks Donald Trump threatened Iran with military strikes and on Saturday morning in Iran the bombing by US and Israeli forces began.He says Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed.In a social media video, the US president urged the Iranian people to rise up and topple the regime.Iran has responded by targeting Israel and US military bases across the region with drones and missiles, hitting targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar. Today, Nate Swanson, Iran expert at the Atlantic Council on what could come next. Featured: Nate Swanson, senior fellow and director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council

Daniele Bellasio conduce con Sergio Nava uno speciale di Amici e Nemici con analisi e aggiornamenti sul nuovo conflitto del Golfo, scatenatosi dopo la "decapitazione" della guida suprema dell'Iran Ali Khamenei. Intervengono:Gianni Riotta, giornalista, già Direttore de Il Sole 24 Ore e del TG1, in diretta da New York;Giuseppe Dentice, Osmed;Giorgia Perletta, docente di Storia e Politica dell'Iran Moderno e Sicurezza Idrica in Medio Oriente nel Master in Studi Mediorientali della Scuola di Dottorato in Economia e Relazioni Internazionali (ASERI);Alissa Pavia, analista Atlantic Council esperta di Medio Oriente e Nord Africa;Roberto Bongiorni, inviato speciale de Il Sole 24, collegato da Eilat (Israele);Alessandra Campedelli, allenatrice di pallavolo che ha allenato la nazionale di volley femminile iraniana (2021-2023);Marco d'Arrò, imprenditore italiano che vive a Dubai;Sara Mazzamauro, vive da sei anni a Dubai.

On the latest Politically Unstable, Kelly Sadler is joined by Alex Gray, the Chief Executive Officer at American Global Strategies and a nonresident fellow at the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council, Dr. Asha M. George, Associate Director for Research, J.T. O'Brien, and Associate Director for Government Relations and Policy, Robert Bradley, discuss S02E03 of NCIS: Origins, The Edge. We are joined by special guest, Patrick Cady, who directed the episode. Patrick is an Emmy-nominated cinematographer-turned-director known for his visual storytelling on acclaimed series like Bosch and Insecure. He began his career working with legendary filmmaker John Sayles on films like Passion Fish and Sunshine State, and his cinematography credits include the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Girlfight. As a director, he has helmed pivotal episodes of Rectify, Interrogation, and the series finale of Bosch. Premise: A young Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard arrives at Camp Pendleton from D.C. to evaluate whether the NIS team needs an in-house medical examiner. While the team is initially suspicious of his motives, Ducky helps them solve the case of Mimi Lam, a woman found frozen in a restaurant freezer. The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense is within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at Atlantic Council. Learn more about the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense here. Follow us on X (@Biodefensecomm), LinkedIn, and Facebook for more updates. Email us with recommendations on what to review next: biollywood@biodefensecommission.org 

Russlands Angriffskrieg und das Zittern um die Verlässlichkeit des Partners USA zwingen Europa, seine Verteidigung massiv auszubauen. Schätzungen sprechen von rund 250 Milliarden Euro zusätzlich pro Jahr für die EU. In Paris und Rom sieht man darin den Hebel für die nächste Stufe der Schulden- und Transferunion. Doch das ist nicht der einzige Weg und für Deutschland ganz sicher nicht der beste. Wie es anders gehen kann, diskutierte Daniel Stelter in Episode 284 mit Rob Murray, Senior Fellow beim Atlantic Council und Assistant Professor of Practice an der Johns Hopkins University. Das Konzept einer Defense, Security and Resilience Bank, einer globalen Verteidigungsbank, die Verteidigungsausgaben finanziert, ohne Deutschland in eine Haftungsunion zu ziehen, erhält durch die jüngsten Debatten erneut Aktualität. Zeit für ein bto REFRESH.HörerserviceStudie Defending Europe Without the US: First Estimates of What is Needed: https://is.gd/ikTDpl Studie Guns and Growth: The Economic Consequences of Defense Buildups: https://is.gd/c67ALi Konzept Global Defense Bank: https://is.gd/OUh0i9 beyond the obviousNeue Analysen, Kommentare und Einschätzungen zur Wirtschafts- und Finanzlage finden Sie unter think-bto.com.NewsletterDen monatlichen bto-Newsletter abonnieren Sie hier.RedaktionskontaktWir freuen uns über Ihre Meinungen, Anregungen und Kritik unter podcast@think-bto.com.Handelsblatt – Ein exklusives Angebot für alle „bto – beyond the obvious – featured by Handelsblatt”-Hörer*innen: Testen Sie Handelsblatt Premium 4 Wochen lang für 1 Euro und bleiben Sie zur aktuellen Wirtschafts- und Finanzlage informiert. Mehr erfahren Sie unter: https://handelsblatt.com/mehrperspektiven WerbepartnerInformationen zu den Angeboten unserer aktuellen Werbepartner finden Sie hier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Transatlantic, host Bakhti Nishanov talks to Georgiy Kent, who took an unusual detour after finishing his graduate program in May, biking over 4,000 miles across the United States to crowdsource funds for Ukraine. From the Oregon coast to Washington D.C., Kent interacted with hundreds of Americans along the way, engaging in dialogue about Russia's war on Ukraine.  ---- Georgiy Kent served as a Max Kampelman Policy Fellow at the Helsinki Commission, working on political and economic projects to hold Russia accountable for its ongoing war in Ukraine. He has worked at the Aspen Strategy Group, Harvard Kennedy School, Partnership for Public Service, and Atlantic Council. A graduate of Harvard College and Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Georgiy specializes in security, economy, and state development in Europe, Asia, and post-communist societies. Today, he is an Associate for Research and Client Strategy at Political Alpha, a political risk advisory firm in D.C., but this summer he decided to hop on a bicycle and cycle across America to raise money for Ukraine. This podcast is hosted by Bakhti Nishanov and produced by Alanna Novetsky, in conjunction with the Senate Recording Studio.

Visit us at Network2020.org. Four years after Russia's second invasion of Ukraine and its ensuing war, new attempts are being made to end the conflict. This past January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the three-way talks between representatives of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi “constructive.” These recent diplomatic efforts have put new ideas on the table, from prisoner exchanges to postwar reconstruction and possible security guarantees. However, the hardest questions remain unresolved: control of key territory, how to prevent a renewed attack, and who would manage critical infrastructure like the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. In addition, the US is putting pressure on Ukraine to meet Russian demands that Kyiv surrender the entirety of Donetsk while leaving its offered security guarantees unclear in details and commitment. What is the status of the war in Ukraine? Where do things stand politically, militarily, and economically? And what would be the next steps towards a final settlement?Join us for a discussion on the current state of the war and the peace process in Ukraine, featuring Ambassador John E. Herbst, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center & former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, and Professor Philip Zelikow, Botha-Chan Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. We begin the conversation with a bleak update on how Gazans are faring on the ground and hear anecdotes of poor hygiene and price gouging in the Strip. As the festive holy month of Ramadan begins, the lack of basic necessities becomes more stark for those who must fast all day but cannot feast at night. We then turn to the sudden announcement this week from Doctors Without Borders that it has suspended non-critical medical activities at Nasser Hospital in Gaza’s Khan Younis due to the presence of armed men at the medical facility and “a recent situation of suspicion of movement of weapons.” Alkhatib brings multiple examples of prior knowledge of the "armed men" in the hospital since Hamas's October 7, 2023, onslaught on southern Israel. He accuses the NGO of looking the other way as the terror organization took over hospital wings and turned them into prisons and torture chambers. So why did the international humanitarian group in Gaza decide to take notice now? And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Palestinians hang decorations beside the rubble of destroyed homes as they prepare for the holy month of Ramadan in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, host Brian Whitmore speaks with two veteran diplomats, former U.S. State Department official Donald Jensen, who is currently an an adjunct professor in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies; and Osmolovska, a 15-year veteran of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry who now serves as the head of GLOBSEC's Kyiv office. They are the co-authors of an important, exhaustively researched, and very timely report, "Adversary at the Table: Negotiating with Putin's Russia," which was released this week by the Atlantic Council.

Guests: Peter W. Singer, strategist at New America and the author of multiple books on technology and security, including Wired for War, Ghost Fleet, Burn-In, and LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media; And August Cole, non-resident senior fellow at the Scowcroft Center on Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council, and associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute working on AI and future warfare. With Singer, he is the co-author of Ghost Fleet and Burn In.  Both authors have teamed up again for a new monthly series on Defense One called "Fictional Intelligence," which explores the future of technology and warfare through the lens of short speculative fiction. The first story, "Mission ahead, heavens above," was published in February. 

Війна вступає в п'ятий рік, і Путін опинився в незавидному становищі. Чому угода Трампа з «нерухомістю» не спрацювалаАвтор: Пітер Дікінсон, науковий співробітник Atlantic Council, видавець журналів Business Ukraine і Lviv TodayНачитала: Наталія Чекаль

Did Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein discuss pandemic planning for profit?! In this episode, Jillian breaks down newly surfaced Epstein emails and financial records that point to an early alliance between the tech mogul and the disgraced financier. We investigate "Project Molecule," the investment architecture that evolved into the Global Health Investment Fund, and reveal how elite partnerships tied to the World Economic Forum (WEF) and JP Morgan financialized public health. In this deep dive, we cover: The Gates-Epstein Connection: How a $100B pandemic investment framework was engineered behind closed doors. Event 201: The pandemic simulation that rehearsed a coronavirus outbreak just weeks before the real thing. The Censorship Industrial Complex: How NGOs and think tanks tied to gates laundered government pressure to suppress early treatments and dissent. The Wealth Transfer: How pandemic policy was used to shift global wealth rather than protect public health. Debunking Myths: Jillian investigates the viral Adrenochrome theory. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:23 The Blueprint: Gates, Epstein & Pandemic Planning  01:26 Project Molecule: The JP Morgan Partnership  02:33 Anonymity for investors 05:00 Global Health Investment Fund 06:07 CEPI & Disease X   06:50 Gates Censorship 07:50 GAVI & Controlling the Global Vaccine Market  08:56 The Atlantic Council & DFRLab  09:30 Twitter Files & Covid  10:55 Emergency Use Loophole   12:16 "Population Control" Emails  13:35 Event 201: The Pandemic Rehearsal  16:16 The GERM Team: A Global Standing Army  16:39 BioNTech Windfall  17:55 Blocking the TRIPS Waiver  18:58 Microsoft's Lockdown Profits  24:35 Adrenochrome  28:18 The History of Blood Libel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of trade skepticism, India appears to be back in the deal-making business—signing new agreements, reviving stalled talks, and announcing ambitious frameworks with key bilateral partners. A few weeks ago, the European Union and India announced a mega-trade deal that was more than two decades in the works. And just days after this news broke, the White House announced that the United States had also reached an understanding with India on trade, an issue which had sapped relations between the two erstwhile partners over the past year.To help make sense of what's changed—and what hasn't—Milan is joined on this show this week by Mark Linscott. Mark is a nonresident senior fellow on India at the Atlantic Council and a Senior Advisor with The Asia Group. He previously served as the assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asian Affairs from 2016 to 2018. He has more than 30 years of experience working on trade and economic issues at the Commerce Department and USTR. It is my pleasure to welcome him to the show for the very first time.Milan and Mark discuss India's new external trade posture, the geopolitics and economics of the EU-India FTA, and the timing and substance of India's trade deal with the United States. Plus, the two discuss India's relative positioning vis-à-vis other Asian competitors and the possible roadblocks in the way of a larger U.S.-India accord.Episode notes:Ravi Dutta Mishra, “How India's US deal tariff advantage over Bangladesh vanished overnight,” Indian Express, February 10, 2026.Arvind Subramanian, “India may be about to become one of the world's most open economies,” The Economist, February 5, 2026.Michael Kugelman and Mark Linscott, “What to know about the US-India trade deal,” Atlantic Council “Dispatches” blog, February 2, 2026. “Can the U.S. Salvage Its Relationship with India? (with Lisa Curtis),” Grand Tamasha, February 4, 2026.Michael Kugelman and Mark Linscott, “The India–EU trade deal is worth watching, but not overhyping,” Atlantic Council “Dispatches” blog, January 27, 2026. 

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. We begin the conversation with a bleak update on how Gazans are faring on the ground and hear anecdotes of poor hygiene and price gouging in the Strip. As the festive holy month of Ramadan begins, the lack of basic necessities becomes more stark for those who must fast all day but cannot feast at night. We then turn to the sudden announcement this week from Doctors Without Borders that it has suspended non-critical medical activities at Nasser Hospital in Gaza’s Khan Younis due to the presence of armed men at the medical facility and “a recent situation of suspicion of movement of weapons.” Alkhatib brings multiple examples of prior knowledge of the "armed men" in the hospital since Hamas's October 7, 2023, onslaught on southern Israel. He accuses the NGO of looking the other way as the terror organization took over hospital wings and turned them into prisons and torture chambers. So why did the international humanitarian group in Gaza decide to take notice now? And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Palestinians hang decorations beside the rubble of destroyed homes as they prepare for the holy month of Ramadan in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La diplomacia de las afinidades ideológicas ha muerto para dar paso al pragmatismo de la "Doctrina Don-row". Bajo la presión de Washington, Latinoamérica vuelve al centro de un tablero donde los aranceles, los recursos estratégicos y la seguridad fronteriza dictan quién es aliado y quién es enemigo. En este episodio de Bajo la Lupa, analizamos el nuevo mapa geopolítico regional y las reglas de una relación marcada por la condicionalidad, donde la lealtad absoluta es la única moneda de cambio frente al poder de Estados Unidos. Participan: Ángel Arellano. Editor de Diálogo Político.Julieta Heduvan. Especialista en relaciones internacionales.Brenda Estefan. Analista del Atlantic Council.Marco Bastos. Analista político especializado en Brasil.Enlaces de interés: El mapa de los alineados: ¿cómo está la relación entre los países de Latinoamérica y los Estados Unidos?Estrategia de Seguridad Nacional de Estados Unidos 2025: ¿cómo impacta a Latinoamérica? Bajo la Lupa es un podcast de Diálogo Político. Un proyecto de la Fundación Konrad Adenauer. Conducción y realización: Franco Delle Donne | Rombo Podcasts. Visita dialogopolitico.org.

Featuring Khalid Azim, Director of the MENA Futures Lab at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, and a faculty member at the Columbia School of Professional Studies.   (Recorded 1/14/26)

“People have misunderstood that [Greenland] is somehow a President Donald Trump issue, and it's not,” says Alex Gray, who previously served as National Security Council chief of staff and deputy assistant to the president.So why does Greenland matter? And why has it become such a massive issue?In fact, Gray explained to me, multiple American presidents have tried to purchase or acquire Greenland over the last 160 years. Andrew Johnson was the first in 1867. Woodrow Wilson tried during the First World War. And Harry Truman tried right after World War II, Gray says.In my deep-dive interview with Gray, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and co-founder of American Global Strategies, he lays out Greenland's geostrategic importance to America's national security and what it would mean if Greenland became dependent on China.In 1952, the United States signed a treaty with Denmark, still in effect today, that provides America with extensive military access to Greenland. Gray's overarching concern is what will happen when Greenland is likely to become independent in five or 10 years.For many years, China has shown great interest in establishing dominance over the Arctic region and is regularly moving its submarines up to the North Pole.Gray is convinced that after independence, Greenland is likely to fall prey to the Chinese Communist Party's “well-worn playbook” to gain influence and eventually control the island. He calls it the “Solomon Islands scenario.”“They start offering Belt and Road projects. They start buying dual-use facilities. They buy ports. They're taking over airfields. Next thing you know, we're hearing conversations about potentially having [China's People's Liberation Army] naval access to ports in the Solomons. … This is a well-worn Chinese playbook,” Gray says.Beyond Greenland, we also dive into security threats related to America's northern neighbor and the implications of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's overtures in Beijing.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Ilan Goldenberg of J Street hosted a live briefing featuring two leading Iran experts who examined the current state of the protests, how President Trump's threats of intervention are being perceived inside Iran, and the policy options currently available to the United States.Nate Swanson is director of Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council. He has served as a senior advisor on Iran policy across multiple administrations, most recently as Director for Iran at the National Security Council.Negar Mortazavi is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and the editor and host of The Iran Podcast. An award-winning journalist and political commentator, she has covered Iranian affairs and U.S. policy towards Iran for 15 years.

HEADLINE 1: The United States smuggled thousands of Starlink internet terminals into Iran.HEADLINE 2: Remember the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation? A security firm based in North Carolina called UG Solutions helped secure the group's aid distribution sites. Well, UG Solutions might be coming back.HEADLINE 3: Israel successfully completed new tests with its David's Sling missile defense system.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Gaza native who serves as the founder and director of the Realign for Palestine project at the Atlantic Council.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Egypt Tests Trump's Pledge to Defend Persecuted Christians" - Mariam Wahba, Newsweek"A few words of advice on Iran and Gaza" - Cliff May, The Washington Times"Al Jazeera Centre for Studies: Academic Veneer Normalizing Terrorism" - Toby Dershowitz and Qatar expert Eitan Fischberger, FDD Insight

In addition to the media blitz over Greenland triggered by President Trump, American presidents going back a century have agreed on the strategic importance of the island due to its fundamental geography, proximity, and critical sea lines. China and Russia's Arctic ambitions require greater defensive efforts by the (now sovereign) Danes and strong resistance to coercion should Greenlanders continue on their path to independence. Our guest sheds light on the various precedents underlying these concerns and the so-called "Cyprus Model" for the US's role. What does that roadmap look like? Do we need sovereignty to achieve our goals? If and when Greenland gains independence, what economic and security agreements will need to be made? And what impact, negative or positive, does Trump's rhetoric have on the conversation?Alexander Gray is the Chief Executive Officer of American Global Strategies LLC, an international strategic advisory firm that he co-founded with former U.S. National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien. Mr. Gray most recently served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff of the White House National Security Council (NSC), where he directed the daily operations of the National Security Advisor's immediate office, as well as the budget, personnel, and security functions of the NSC, as well as positions within the State Department and the Hill. Mr. Gray concurrently serves as Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, is a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC); a Senior Nonresident Fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute (GTI); and a Senior Nonresident Fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative at The Atlantic Council.Read the transcript here.Subscribe to our Substack here.

Іноді історія перестає шепотіти та починає кричати. У цій колонці я називаю такі моменти переломними точкамиАвтор: Фредерік Кемп, президент і головний виконавчий директор Atlantic CouncilНачитала: Анна Ільницька

On today's Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Steve Grundman, a former Pentagon industrial base chief now with the Atlantic Council and the Grundman Advisory consultancy, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the Pentagon's acquisition reform efforts, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's upcoming list of contractors deemed to be performing poorly; the Trump administration's investment stakes in key suppliers; new strategic minerals stockpile; agreements with Lockheed Martin and RTX to bolster missile production; President Trump's call to drop the long-standing US requirement that nations that buy American weapons check with Washington before transferring them to a third party; and outlook for global defense and aerospace supply chains as nations scramble to bolster their domestic weapons development and production capabilities.

Information about the recent protests in Iran and the regime's brutal crackdown are only starting to come to light, having been severely limited by the internet shutdown over the past few weeks. The picture that is emerging is horrifying: Thousands and possibly tens of thousands have been killed by regime security forces. In this episode, Lawfare Public Service Fellow Ariane Tabatabai talks to Nate Swanson and Iria Puyosa of the Atlantic Council to make sense of what has been going on in Iran and the U.S. response.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Погляд Фредеріка Кемпа, президента і головного виконавчого директора Atlantic Council, на те, як Європі потрібно скоригувати власний курс аби вберегти значущість. Більше озвучених текстів – у розділі Аудіоверсії матеріалів на сайті NV за підпискою. 

Welcome to another episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, featuring the legendary Ray Wang. In this memorable conversation, Christopher and Ray dive deep into the latest developments shaping the world of technology, business, and careers. From dissecting recent tech earnings from giants like Apple, Meta, Tesla and Microsoft to sharing insights from Davos and contemplating the implications of AI for the future of work and entrepreneurship. This episode delivers high-caliber analysis and practical takeaways for anyone navigating today’s rapidly evolving landscape. You're listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let's go. Lessons from Davos and the New Economic Realities Returning from a bustling Davos, Ray Wang shares his observations on how global leaders and executives are tackling an era defined by uncertainty, rapid technology adoption and a relentless pursuit of efficiency. One of Ray's core takeaways is the prevailing theme of “margin compression,” where even the world's largest corporations are working harder than ever just to achieve modest growth. Companies are now measured by their ability to scale exponentially, as illustrated by India's ISRO launching rockets at a fraction of NASA's cost, fundamentally altering competitive dynamics across industries. Ray explains that the rise of AI turbocharges this transformation by opening up “infinite possibilities.” Companies no longer just compete on physical or financial assets, but on their ability to harness vast data resources, quickly innovate and make sharp strategic choices about what problems to solve—and, crucially, what not to do. Privacy challenges, especially for companies like Apple, arise in this new era, making it difficult to deliver world-class AI solutions while maintaining rigorous data protection standards. Both Christopher and Ray emphasize that managing growth, inflation and investment are more complex than ever, with the U.S. outpacing much of the world in GDP growth, yet operating in a global environment rife with policy and market uncertainties. AI, Tech Earnings, and the Rise of the New IPO Era The conversation pivots to the massive investment and exuberance surrounding generative AI and tech infrastructure. Ray points out that while there are fears about overbuilding capacity or creating a circular funding loop among AI companies, there is still significant real opportunity. The current phase has seen enormous capital pour into building data centers and scalable AI platforms. Landmark IPOs from OpenAI, Databricks and others are expected to reshape the tech landscape. Despite market fluctuations and some outsized reactions to earnings, the fundamentals for big tech remain robust. Companies like Apple have solidified their status as luxury brands, even as others like Tesla and Meta retool and pivot to sustain long-term relevance and unlock new revenue streams such as robotics and energy. At the structural level, venture capital itself is in flux. Many VC firms have become indistinguishable from private equity, constrained both by too much and too little available capital relative to the demands of today's tech startups. The gap between small angel, family office, or solo GP funds and the mega funds has widened so much that the “middle” has all but disappeared. It is now entirely possible for one-person companies, through the leverage of AI and autonomous agents, to achieve scale and revenues previously thought impossible. Ray predicts it is likely we will see a single founder build a billion-dollar annual revenue company within the next five years, echoing the democratization and disruption that generative AI promises. Building Legendary Companies and Careers in the Age of AI Christopher and Ray close their discussion by exploring what all these rapid changes mean for leaders and individuals. For CEOs and entrepreneurs, the formula for thriving is clear but audacious. Leaders must design their companies to be fully autonomous and authentic, constantly reinventing their business as if they were attempting to disrupt themselves. Boards need to be stacked with people who grasp the new fundamentals: margin compression, exponential scale, and infinite possibilities brought by AI. Combining domain expertise with technical agility is more critical than ever, as the fusion of seasoned judgment and lightning-fast, innovative execution is where breakthroughs occur. On a personal level, Ray stresses that knowledge and execution are becoming commodities, rapidly automated by advances in AI. To stay relevant, individuals must become “macro analysts,” adept at synthesizing big ideas and patterns, deeply immersed in experimenting with new technologies and surrounded by others who are passionate about their own crafts. The traditional playbooks for career building, education, and even family strategies are being rewritten in real-time. The U.S. faces global competition for talent and innovation, and entrepreneurial energy is no longer confined to Silicon Valley or New York. The nature of immigration, investment and even educational choices must be reconsidered for new generations. In a world where the location and structure of opportunity are shifting, only those who embrace change, foster diverse collaborations and pursue purpose will continue to define the next era of legendary achievement. As both Christopher and Ray reflect, living and leading like Rob Burgess—embracing boldness, curiosity and authenticity—remains the path to being truly legendary in this rapidly changing world. To hear more from Ray Wang and his updates on the world of Tech and AI, download and listen to this episode. Bio R “Ray” Wang (pronounced WAHNG) is the Founder, Chairman, and Principal Analyst of Silicon Valley based Constellation Research Inc. He co-hosts DisrupTV, a weekly enterprise tech and leadership webcast that averages 50,000 views per episode and authors a business strategy and technology blog that has received millions of page views per month.  Wang also serves as a non-resident Senior Fellow at The Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center. Since 2003, Ray has delivered thousands of live and virtual keynotes around the world that are inspiring and legendary. Wang has spoken at almost every major tech conference. His ground-breaking bestselling book on digital transformation, Disrupting Digital Business, was published by Harvard Business Review Press in 2015.  Ray's new book about Digital Giants and the future of business titled, Everybody Wants to Rule the World will be released July 2021 by Harper Collins Leadership. Wang is well quoted and frequently interviewed in media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Fox Business News, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Cheddar, CGTN America, Bloomberg, Tech Crunch, ZDNet, Forbes, and Fortune.  He is one of the top technology analysts in the world. Links Follow Ray Wang! Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Constellation Research | DisrupTV We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and subscribe on Apple Podcast / Spotify!

Уважніше за всіх до цього має поставитися Трамп, оскільки саме його тарифи щодо Європи та Індії стали каталізатором цієї угодиАвтор: Фредерік Кемп, президент і головний виконавчий директор Atlantic CouncilНачитала: Катерина Подольська 

Det pågår en duell mellan Sverige och USA om att få sälja stridsflygplan till Kanada. Det självklara valet borde vara USA men inte längre. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. Efter en flera år lång process bestämde Kanada 2022 att landets nya stridsflygplan skulle bli amerikanska F‑35 från tillverkaren Lockheed Martin. På förlorarsidan stod svenska Saab med sitt JAS Gripen, som gick miste om en affär värd runt 250 miljarder kronor.Sedan dess har Trump inlett ett handelskrig mot grannen i norr med höga importtullar, vilket slår hårt mot den kanadensiska ekonomin som är tätt sammanflätad med den amerikanska.– Det är tre fjärdedelar av Kanadas export som går till den amerikanska marknaden, säger Christophe Premat, föreståndare för Centrum för Kanadastudier vid Stockholms universitet. Trump har också en fientlig ton mot Kanada och har antytt att grannlandet borde ingå i USA om de vill slippa tullarna. Ett av motdragen från Kanada blev därför att göra en översyn av det tidigare beslutet att köpa amerikanska stridsflygplan. Det här har öppnat upp för Saabs JAS Gripen‑E.– Saabs nackdel har blivit en enorm fördel. Nu utvärderar länder sin försvarsmateriel baserat på hur bra respektive produkt är, och dessutom är det en fantastisk fördel att vara ett land som Sverige, som är pålitligt och aldrig skulle göra ett annat land förnär, säger Elisabeth Braw, seniorforskare vid tankesmedjan Atlantic Council där hon bland annat följer svensk vapenexport.Kill switchMen det handlar inte bara om politik. Det finns en oro i flera länder som köpt F‑35‑plan att USA i framtiden kan göra deras stridsflygsflotta i princip obrukbar. Det har till och med talats om att det finns en inprogrammerad avstängningsknapp i F‑35 som USA kan använda mot länder som trilskas. Men riktigt så illa verkar det inte vara.– The problem of having something like a kill switch that's remotely operated is that it creates a very big attack surface for a cyber attack… what if an adversary gets access to the kill switch? So I think that's a major objection to the idea that such a thing exists, säger Bill Sweetman, amerikansk analytiker med fokus på stridsflyg.Men det finns andra sätt USA kan göra F‑35 i princip obrukbara. Bill Sweetman– The critical software that allows the aircraft to identify threats and develop tactics and navigate accordingly, that critical software is only updated in a lab in Florida that is under US control.Det här beroendet har alltid funnits och oroat länder som köpt F‑35. Men det har ändå accepterats. Fast oron för Trump och vad som händer efter honom gör att allt fler röster nu hörs om att välja andra plan.Skulle Kanada riva kontraktet med Lockheed Martin och i stället välja Gripen kommer det beslutet att sända chockvågor över världen.– När man köper ett stridsflyg är det på riktigt ett strategiskt val som har återverkningar decennier efteråt. Det skulle verkligen vara ett blytungt strategiskt val och en stor kursändring som Kanada skulle göra i så fall, säger Andreas Hörnedal, forskningsledare på avdelningen för försvarsteknik vid Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut, FOI.Gripen-E vs F-35JAS Gripens fördel är att beroendet av USA minskar. Men F‑35‑förespråkarna säger att det är värt att behålla beroendet eftersom Gripen är ett sämre plan. Och nyligen fick de vatten på sin kvarn. I november publicerades en hemlig rapport som läckt till media, och den visade att F‑35 sopade mattan med Gripen när det kanadensiska flygvapnet utvärderade planen 2021.Men när experter i sin tur granskar rapporten ser den märklig ut.– Med risk för att framstå som en dålig förlorare från svensk sida, så var det ett lite mystiskt testresultat, säger Andreas Hörnedal på FOI.En sak som stack ut var att Gripen‑E fick låga poäng när det gäller förmågan att uppdateras med ny mjukvara över tid och att man inte är bunden till Saabs egenutvecklade programvara.– Gripen‑E:s största fördel är just att den är förberedd för att kunna göra uppgraderingar enkelt. F‑35 är gjord för att kunna uppgraderas också, men det man har sett hittills är att uppgraderingar i regel blir ganska dyra, säger Hörnedal.En annan märklig sak med rapporten är att den över huvud taget blev offentlig, i och med att den är topphemlig.– It was a deliberate move to sabotage any plan to acquire the Gripen. I think there's no other way to put it, säger Bill Sweetman.Saabs chanserF‑35‑förespråkarna är beredda att ta till oschyssta metoder. Men Sverige lägger sig inte heller platt.I höstas reste en stor delegation med kungen i spetsen till Kanada och besökte bland annat den kanadensiska flygplanstillverkaren Bombardiers fabrik. Och vice statsminister Ebba Busch (KD) lyfte i tv fram Gripens alla fördelar, men också alla jobb det skulle skapa i Kanada. Det här oblyga sättet att marknadsföra vapen utomlands är helt nytt, menar Elisabeth Braw vid tankesmedjan Atlantic Council:– Det har skett ett, tycker jag, väldigt märkbart skifte inom Sveriges tillvägagångssätt.Om det funkar återstår att se. Ännu pågår inga formella förhandlingar mellan Kanada och Saab, men kanadensiska myndigheter har bett Saab svara på en del frågor. Och vid sidan av F‑35 verkar det inte finnas något annat alternativ än Saabs.– I Kanada talas det idag mer om JAS Gripen än under större delen av 2010‑talet, och Gripen nämns som det mest realistiska europeiska alternativet. Det är bra nyheter för Sverige, skulle jag säga, säger professor Christophe Premat vid Centrum för Kanadastudier på Stockholms universitet.TEXT: KALLE GLASMedverkandeElisabeth Braw, seniorforskare vid tankesmedjan Atlantic CouncilBill Sweetman, analytiker med fokus på stridsflygChristophe Premat, professor och föreståndare på Centrum för Kanadastudier vid Stockholms UniversitetAndreas Hörnedal, forskningsledare på avdelningen för försvarsteknik på Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitutClaes Aronsson och Sylvia Dahlén, programledareKalle Glas, producentLjudkällor: CBC, CTV, CNBC, CNN

This episode with Dr Daniel McDowell examines how digital currencies, financial sanctions, and geopolitical competition are shaping the future of the global monetary system. We explore why the US dollar continues to dominate global finance despite political pressure and technological change, how sanctions influence state behaviour, and why network effects make rapid currency shifts unlikely. The discussion also looks at the emergence of central bank digital currencies and alternative payment systems as hedging tools rather than immediate challengers to dollar dominance, and considers how domestic policy choices, alliance dynamics, and economic coercion may affect confidence in the system over time.Dr McDowell is a leading scholar of international political economy and global finance. He is the Maxwell Advisory Board Professor of International Affairs at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center. He is the author of Bucking the Buck: US Financial Sanctions and the International Backlash Against the Dollar, and is widely known for his work on currency competition, financial sanctions, and the political foundations of monetary power.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.The International Risk Podcast is sponsored by Conducttr, a realistic crisis exercise platform. Conducttr offers crisis exercising software for corporates, consultants, humanitarian, and defence & security clients. Visit Conducttr to learn more.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our updates!Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, Associate Director for Research, J.T. O'Brien, and Associate Director for Government Relations and Policy, Robert Bradley, discuss the 2009 Dr. Who special, The Waters of Mars. Premise: Mars, 2059. At Bowie Base One, an international crew begins succumbing to “The Flood,” a sentient, water-borne infection released from a subsurface glacier. As the base falls, the Tenth Doctor confronts a “fixed point” in history and his own hubris as Time Lord Victorious.  The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense is within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at Atlantic Council. Learn more about the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense here. Follow us on X (@Biodefensecomm), LinkedIn, and Facebook for more updates. Email us with recommendations on what to review next: biollywood@biodefensecommission.org 

The transatlantic alliance is facing its most serious test in decades. President Donald Trump's aggressive push to assert control over Greenland—combined with mounting pressure tactics against U.S. allies—has accelerated a quiet but consequential shift in Europe's strategic thinking.In this episode, Ambassador Daniel Fried, Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council and a former senior U.S. diplomat deeply involved in NATO and European security policy, joins us to discuss how harsh rhetoric and failed coercion fractured long-standing assumptions about American leadership.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week's roundup of the latest news in online speech, content moderation and internet regulation, Mike is joined by Konstantinos Komaitis, Senior Resident Fellow for Global and Democratic Governance at the Digital Forensics Research Lab (DFRLab) at the Atlantic Council. Together, they discuss:Who Owns TikTok in the U.S. Now? (NY Times)TikTok is investigating why some users can't write 'Epstein' in messages (NPR)TikTok users freak out over app's ‘immigration status' collection — here's what it means (TechCrunch)TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes (Wired)Social network UpScrolled sees surge in downloads following TikTok's US takeover (TechCrunch)Europe votes to tackle deep dependence on US tech in sovereignty drive (Computerworld)Meta hides followers and following lists for users based in Iran (Iran International)Iran's internet blackout may become permanent, with access for elites only (Rest of World)The ‘Social Media Addiction' Narrative May Be More Harmful Than Social Media Itself (Techdirt)Payment processors were against CSAM until Grok started making it (The Verge) Ctrl-Alt-Speech is a weekly podcast from Techdirt and Everything in Moderation. Send us your feedback at podcast@ctrlaltspeech.com and sponsorship enquiries to sponsorship@ctrlaltspeech.com. Thanks for listening.

Two years after Hamas invaded Israel, a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States brought the conflict one step closer to resolution. That October 10th agreement created to conditions for the return of remaining Israeli hostages and the bodies of deceased captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. It also opened up channels for the delivery of humanitarian aid at levels that had not been seen since the October 7, 2023, invasion.rnrnThe 20-point peace plan is complex and fragile. Hostilities continue to break out episodically, and though aid has scaled up, many Gazans continue to face chronic food insecurity. Hamas has not disarmed, and Israel continues to remain in a wartime posture. Despite uncertainty, progress toward a lasting peace remains the stated goal of the warring parties.rnrnBoth Michael Koplow and Ahmed Alkhatib know this conflict intimately.rnrnBorn in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian parents, Ahmed Alkhatib is a writer and the head of Realign for Palestine. a project of the Atlantic Council, Realign advocates for Palestinian statehood and self-determination.rnrnMichael Koplow is Chief Policy Officer at the Israel Policy Forum. His writing frequently appears in the Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy, among many other publications.rnModerated by Cleveland Council on World Affairs' CEO Marti Flacks.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, we dive into the 12-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The technocratic council is headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister Ali Shaath. It is tasked with running daily affairs on the ground and providing services for Gazans in place of the Hamas terror group. The committee held its first meeting in Cairo on Thursday, but is currently barred by Israel from entering the Gaza Strip and its work remains in limbo as the Board of Peace begins its activities in Davos this week. We hear how the names on the technocratic council are relatively consensus figures -- among Gazan Palestinians -- and learn about Israel's objections to this committee and Trump's naming of Qatar and Turkey to the Gaza Executive Board. Alkhatib delves into the lack of popular Hamas support throughout the Strip, but points out the massive enforcement problem that the committee will face as the armed terrorist group maintains its hold. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (courtesy) / A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches across Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2026-01-21 | UPDATES #110 | Russia is burning through its gold — is this a sign that Putin's war economy is getting desperate? The easy money is running out – from hydrocarbons, minerals, from the sovereign wealth fund and from strategic reserves. Now Putin must dig deeper to fuel his war mania and lust for conquest – appropriation of businesses, default on financial commitments to the poor and marginalised, and sell off Russia's strategic assets – such as its gold reserves. The Kremlin has started to pawn the crown jewels of its economy, and that signal not only desperation, but the beginning of the end for Putin's vicious regime. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: Reuters — oil & gas budget revenue expected to drop 46% y/y in January (Jan 19, 2026). The Moscow Times — record pace NWF sales; NWF gold down to ~173 tons by Dec 1, 2025 (Jan 16, 2026). The Moscow Times — early-year budget deficit risk; MMI warning on possible exhaustion of liquid assets (Jan 21, 2026). Reuters — central bank: NWF-linked net sales of FX and gold throughout 2025 (Nov 19, 2025 background). Reuters — central bank cuts FX sales from 2026 (Dec 26, 2025 background). Bloomberg (via secondary mirrors) — value of Russia's gold holdings up sharply since 2022 (Jan 20, 2026). Reuters — gold at/near records; context on the gold rally (Jan 20, 2026). Atlantic Council — analysis on militarization and NWF depletion as a “lost buffer” forcing trade-offs (Dec 12, 2025 background). ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, we dive into the 12-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The technocratic council is headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister Ali Shaath. It is tasked with running daily affairs on the ground and providing services for Gazans in place of the Hamas terror group. The committee held its first meeting in Cairo on Thursday, but is currently barred by Israel from entering the Gaza Strip and its work remains in limbo as the Board of Peace begins its activities in Davos this week. We hear how the names on the technocratic council are relatively consensus figures -- among Gazan Palestinians -- and learn about Israel's objections to this committee and Trump's naming of Qatar and Turkey to the Gaza Executive Board. Alkhatib delves into the lack of popular Hamas support throughout the Strip, but points out the massive enforcement problem that the committee will face as the armed terrorist group maintains its hold. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (courtesy) / A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches across Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Kroenig, Vice President and Senior Director of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how President Trump has approached foreign policy since returning to the Oval Office last January.   Mentioned on the Episode:   Matthew Kroenig, “To Get to Peace in Ukraine, Trump Should Play the Nuclear Card,” Foreign Policy   Matthew Kroenig, “Trump Has a Strategy for Venezuela,” Foreign Policy   Matthew Kroenig, “Trump Should Oust Maduro,” Foreign Policy   Matthew Kroenig, “Trump Was Right to Oust Maduro,” New York Times   Matthew Kroenig, “Two Cheers for the National Security Strategy,” Foreign Policy   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President's Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/trump-foreign-policy-at-one-year-with-matthew-kroenig   Opinions expressed on The President's Inbox are solely those of the host or our guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

Venezuela, Maduro's abduction, CIA, the CIA's penetration of Maduro's inner circle, Enrique “Rick” de la Torre, Tower Strategy LLC., Bitdeer, Atlantic Council, cryptocurrency, Tether, James B. Story, why it will be difficult to get oil companies to invest in Venezuela, regime tweak vs regime change, Trump's attempt to avoid democracy building, neo-liberal vs MAGA perspective on what to do with Venezuela, Gabriel Jimenez, Petro, Tareck El Aissami, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Jimenez's time as an intern for Ros-Lehtinen, Ros-Lehtinen's CIA links, alleged "Russian" involvement in Petro, did the US/Trump initially sponsor Petro?, the dramatic change in US-Venezuela relations after 2018 after Jimenez's ouster from Petro, Reserve Right, Reserve's use in Venezuela, "Reserve Rangers," Jimenez's role in Reserve, Leverage Research, Peter Thiel, Leverage's links to Reserve, Leverage as a cult/behavior modification operation, Zizians, Rationalist movement, San Francisco, the similarities between the Reserve Rangers and the Bay area Rationalist movement, were the Reserve Rangers CIA assets?, the resurgence of the CIA, Trump's foreign policy dominated by CIA, Marco "Narco" Rubio, grid war, Venezuela as part of global grid war the US is waging, ICE/DHS shootings, 2026 midterms, why the Trump administration needs a pretext for marital law, how grid war could lead to marital law domesticallyResourcesJack Poulson's Report of Tower Strategy LLCThe Atlantic Council's Recommendations on Tether re VenezuelaGabriel Jimenez's LinkedinThe NYT's Jimenez puff pieceHow Jimenez was depicted circa 2018Jimenez's Stonks Go Moon interviewRest of World's Reserve Right puff pieceOn Reserve's ban in VenezuelaMusic by: Keith Allen Dennishttps://keithallendennis.bandcamp.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of U.S. military action in Venezuela, including the capture of the country's leader Nicolás Maduro, we're left with questions about what this moment could mean for the future of U.S. foreign policy and the global economy. On the show today, director of the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Jason Marczak joins Kimberly to explain why the Trump administration is shifting its focus back toward the Western Hemisphere, harkening back to the Monroe Doctrine. Plus, what it would take to revitalize Venezuela's economy. Here's everything we talked about today:"Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What's next for Venezuela and the region?" from the Atlantic Council"Donald Trump asserts control over Venezuela—and all the Americas" from The Economist"For Big Oil, Venezuela's reserves show long-term promise" from Marketplace  "What Is the Monroe Doctrine, and How Is Trump Reasserting It?" from Time"Dispatches from Venezuela: Red roofs and the new ogling" from MarketplaceJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

In the wake of U.S. military action in Venezuela, including the capture of the country's leader Nicolás Maduro, we're left with questions about what this moment could mean for the future of U.S. foreign policy and the global economy. On the show today, director of the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Jason Marczak joins Kimberly to explain why the Trump administration is shifting its focus back toward the Western Hemisphere, harkening back to the Monroe Doctrine. Plus, what it would take to revitalize Venezuela's economy. Here's everything we talked about today:"Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What's next for Venezuela and the region?" from the Atlantic Council"Donald Trump asserts control over Venezuela—and all the Americas" from The Economist"For Big Oil, Venezuela's reserves show long-term promise" from Marketplace  "What Is the Monroe Doctrine, and How Is Trump Reasserting It?" from Time"Dispatches from Venezuela: Red roofs and the new ogling" from MarketplaceJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has been sounding the alarm about creeping authoritarianism, warning of military forces on U.S. streets and extrajudicial killings on the high seas. Now, following a military raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, those warnings feel newly urgent. Slotkin joins us to discuss what the Maduro operation reveals about presidential power, and what Congressional oversight mechanisms are available. Furthermore, President Trump says the U.S. will now control Venezuela's massive oil reserves — over 300 billion barrels of crude oil. Later in the hour, we talk about why the U.S. might keep Venezuela's existing government in place, the real challenges of extracting Venezuela's oil resources and how Trump's use of the Monroe Doctrine is reshaping global politics. Guests: Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator representing Michigan; member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services Antonia Juhasz, investigative journalist covering energy and the environment for Rolling Stone and other outlets. She is the author of several books on the industry, including "The Tyranny of Oil." Kevin Whitaker, former U.S. ambassador to Colombia and deputy chief of mission in Venezuela. He is senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a non-partisan think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Jan. 5. President Trump's “Donroe Doctrine” represents a big turn in U.S. geopolitical strategy. We talk with Geoff Ramsey, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and an expert on Latin America, about how other countries in the region could be feeling pressure from the U.S. Plus, Venezuela's ousted leader Nicolás Maduro remained defiant during his first appearance in U.S. federal court. And why automakers are expecting a tough year ahead. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices