Podcasts about Central Asia

In plain sight, in a modern city, a colleague offers to drive you home after work. How would you respond? One woman in Kazakhstan accepted the lift only to find herself kidnapped or ‘stolen' as a bride. She got away, rescued by the police, but for many Kazakh women kidnap leads to marriage. Human Rights lawyer Khalida Azhigulova reckons that thousands of women are forced into marriage each year in Kazakhstan, including many who are abducted. Some women even find that a wedding has already been arranged by the time a kidnapper gets her home. Now, after 20 years of campaigning by Khalida and other activists, legislators have passed a law making forced marriage a crime.Monica Whitlock and Roza Kudabayeva travel to Kazakhstan to meet women who've been kidnapped, and hearing about the intense pressures that make them feel obliged to marry their abductors. Women like Gulbala who endured 20 years of marriage with her kidnapper and is now making a new life for herself. And Klara who is crystal clear that it's time for a change. All her children will marry in the proper way, she says, because no one should be forced into marriage.Bride stealing is a problem not only in Kazakhstan, but in many other parts of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It's often defended as ‘tradition' rooted in the Kazakh's nomadic past. Nonsense, says Khalida. ‘Kazakh girls in the nomadic community were raised as warriors. They were taught to ride a horse, how to gallop, how to use arms and how to fight. She would not let anyone kidnap her'.Produced by Monica Whitlock and Rose Kudabayeva. Studio Mix by James Beard. Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison Editor: Penny Murphy

Day 1,390.Today, after another weekend of intense diplomatic activity, we take you to Berlin, where President Zelensky is meeting the American delegation – joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz – as Europe seeks to reassert itself in the peace process. We also examine the surge in military activity over the weekend, which saw multiple cities plunged into blackout, before turning to Germany's rapidly evolving position, where comparisons are increasingly being drawn between today and the events that sparked the Second World War.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Zelensky gives up Nato ambitions in peace deal concession (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/14/zelensky-gives-up-nato-ambitions-in-peace-deal-concession/ MI6 chief warns Putin: We won't abandon Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12/15/mi6-chief-warns-putin-we-wont-abandon-ukraine/ FBI boss met with Ukraine's top peace negotiators (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/12/12/fbi-boss-ukraine-top-peace-negotiators/ Lithuania in state of emergency over smuggler balloons linked to Russia (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/09/lithuania-in-state-of-emergency-over-smuggler-balloons-link/ German tank-shaped Christmas calendar ‘glorifying war' (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/10/german-tank-shaped-christmas-calendar-glorifying-war/ New Ukrainian Polling:https://kiis.com.ua/ Chess-FIDE reinstates Russian and Belarusian teams in official contests (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/sports/chess-fide-reinstates-russian-belarusian-teams-official-contests-2025-12-15/ ‘Disrupting Russian Air Defence Production: Reclaiming the Sky' (RUSI):https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/research-papers/disrupting-russian-air-defence-production-reclaiming-skyComprehensive approach to security: Federal Council launches consultation on Switzerland's security policy strategy (Swiss Government)https://www.news.admin.ch/en/newnsb/BLkWfUbUsXtBFoSj-krgUUN Press Page:https://press.un.org/enLISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Marcus Fernandez, VOM's Regional Leader for Central Asia, joins VOM Radio for the first time. He'll share about the fast-growing church in Iran, the North Caucasus—an area never before discussed on VOM Radio—and how persecution is escalating in Pakistan. Twenty years ago, Marcus witnessed the growth of the church in China, despite a season of intense persecution. He says he sees the same phenomenon today in Iran, where faithful believers are bold in sharing the gospel and distributing God's Word—and where there is intense persecution. He'll share how Iranian Christians are seen as allies to Israel and, when arrested, often charged with espionage, a crime that carries the death penalty. The North Caucasus is a predominantly Muslim region of Russia. Marcus will share what it is like to be a Christian there. Listen for the story of Marcus meeting a believer in the region and sharing about the work of The Voice of the Martyrs to help persecuted Christians who sacrifice and suffer in order to follow Christ. "Is there any other option besides that?" the brother asked. "There is no Christian in Dagestan that didn't have to pay a price." Marcus will share how a Christian leader says he's never seen the level of brutality against Christians in Pakistan that he's seeing now. Marcus will also share how we can pray for persecuted brothers and sisters in Pakistan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. The number of believers needing a Bible in Iran and many other nations is increasing. If you'd like to be part of advancing toward the goal of a Bible for every believer, visit www.vomradio.net/donate. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria and Bangladesh, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

Day 1,387.Today, as Russia attempts to convince the world – or at least Donald Trump – that they are inexorably taking territory, President Zelensky has visited the north-east city of Kupiansk, which has been recently liberated in a rapid recapture of ground. The head of NATO warns that the West faces the prospect of war with Russia on a scale not seen since the days of “our grandparents and great-grandparents” and we examine the latest diplomatic manoeuvres ahead of tomorrow's meeting in Paris, where the question of territorial concessions will be front and centre. And later, Francis catches up with Ada Wordsworth of KHARPP to hear how your donations to her charity in Kharkiv, made in David Knowles's memory, are helping vulnerable people this Christmas.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Ada Wordsworth (co-founder of the KHARPP charity)SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:KHARPP Charity Website:https://kharpp.com/KHARPP Fundraiser for David Knowles:https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles Nato chief: Prepare for war with Russiahttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/11/nato-chief-prepare-for-war-with-russia/ Disrupting Russian Air Defence Production: Reclaiming the Sky https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/research-papers/disrupting-russian-air-defence-production-reclaiming-skyThe decorated marine tipped to be Labour's next leader https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/12/12/al-carns-labour-next-leader-marine-armed-forces-minister/ Listen to Dom interview Al Carns on Battle Lines: https://linktr.ee/BattleLinesHead of US army cut out of Ukraine talks by paranoid Hegsethhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/12/12/pentagon-golden-boy-hegseth-dan-driscoll/LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,386.Today, as Ukraine fires hundreds of drones into Russia – forcing the closure of all major Moscow airports – we report on how the maritime war is intensifying, with Kyiv striking shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea and oil rigs in the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions are rising, with President Donald Trump saying he exchanged “pretty strong words” with his European counterparts, just as reports emerge of a White House plan to bring Russia's economy in from the cold. Then we return to controversial developments in the chess world with The Telegraph's chess correspondent Malcolm Pein.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Malcolm Pein (Chess Correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Dom and Francis's Chess Game with Malcolm in Odesa:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCptvJ2tuIA With clips in our Ukraine Culture War Documentary:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HqbQLYGMM&pp=ygUPb2Rlc2EgdGVsZWdyYXBo Starmer, Macron and Merz warn Trump over ‘Euro-Atlantic' alliance (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/10/starmer-macron-and-merz-warn-trump-euro-atlantic-alliance/ Ukrainian drone boats blow up Russian oil tankers (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/29/ukrainian-drone-boats-blow-up-russian-oil-tankers/ U.S. Blueprint to Rewire Economies of Russia, Ukraine Sets Off Clash With Europe (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-blueprint-to-rewire-economies-of-russia-ukraine-sets-off-clash-with-europe-72484515 US House passes bill to bolster Europe's defence, in apparent rebuke to Trump's foreign policy strategy (The Guardian):https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/11/us-house-passes-bill-to-bolster-europes-defence-in-apparent-rebuke-to-trumps-foreign-policy-strategy ‘Make Europe Great Again' and more from a longer version of the National Security Strategy (The Telegraph):https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/12/make-europe-great-again-and-more-longer-version-national-security-strategy/410038/?oref=d1-homepage-top-story LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, it was with great pleasure that I was able to arrange this podcast with Dan Bilak to discuss: - the state of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, - the prospect for a successful conclusion to the war, - Ukraine's efforts to bring about a cessation of the violence, - he difficult interactions with US President Donald Trump, and - most importantly Dan's own involvement in Ukraine and ultimately his involvement in this most dramatic European war. Dan is currently a partner at Kinstellar, a law firm that acts as counsel to leading investors across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Southeast Europe (SEE) and Central Asia. Before that Dan served as Chief Investment Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine (2016 – 2019) and headed UkraineInvest, the Ukrainian government's foreign investment promotion agency, where he supported companies in navigating the Ukrainian investment environment. As Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ukrainian State Railways (UkrZaliznytsia), and twice as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Daniel oversaw governance reforms and developed anti-corruption strategies in the public sector. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Dan has served in the Territorial Defence Forces of Ukraine, a branch of Ukraine's military. He has been awarded recognition by the Minister of Defence of Ukraine “For Support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine”. Though I have not been in touch with Dan for a number of years, in fact we were colleagues at the McGill Law School in the early 1980's. As is evident Dan has been personally involved in this still raging war in Ukraine. So let's welcome Dan to the virtual studio for this podcast.

China's major airlines have extended free refund and rescheduling policies for Japan-bound tickets as weekly Sino-Japanese flight volumes sink to their lowest level in a month and Chinese travelers redirect their winter holiday plans toward emerging hubs in Russia, Central Asia and domestic ice-and-snow destinations.中国主要航空公司已延长日本航线机票的免费退改政策，因中日每周航班量跌至一个月来最低水平，中国旅客正将冬季度假计划转向俄罗斯、中亚新兴枢纽及国内冰雪旅游目的地。On Friday, major domestic airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, extended their previous Dec 31 deadline for refunds and rebooking to March 28 next year, the end of the winter-spring travel season.周五，包括中国国际航空、中国东方航空和中国南方航空在内的国内主要航空公司，将原定于12月31日的退票和改签截止日期延长至明年3月28日，即寒假春假出行高峰期的结束之日。The extensions follow China's travel advisories issued in mid-November discouraging trips to Japan after erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding China's Taiwan. Chinese airlines have since recalibrated capacity, with reductions concentrated in leisure-heavy routes.此次延长禁令源于中国11月中旬发布的旅行建议，该建议因日本首相高市早苗就中国台湾问题发表不当言论而劝阻赴日旅行。此后中国航空公司已调整运力配置，削减主要集中在休闲旅游为主的航线。Data from Flight Master, a travel services platform, show that round-trip Sino-Japanese flights fell to 1,167 during the week of Nov 24-30, the lowest weekly volume in a month, with the recovery rate sliding to 78.1 percent, a new low. As of Dec 1, the projected cancellation rate for Sino-Japanese flights scheduled in December rose to 26.4 percent, continuing an upward trend.旅行服务平台Flight Master数据显示，11月24日至30日当周中日往返航班量降至1167架次，创下一个月来最低周度水平，复航率滑落至78.1%，再创新低。截至12月1日，12月中日航班的预计取消率升至26.4%，持续呈上升趋势。Industry insiders said that the impact is likely to extend beyond the Spring Festival period, with aircraft redeployed to Southeast Asia and domestic routes.业内人士表示，该影响可能持续到春节假期之后，部分航班将被调往东南亚及国内航线。As travelers look beyond Japan for winter sports and seasonal scenery, travel demand is rising across a widening set of destinations. One of the most significant shifts is toward Russia following Moscow's decision to grant Chinese citizens visa-free entry for up to 30 days through Sept 14 next year.随着游客将目光投向日本以外的冬季运动和季节性景观，越来越多的目的地正迎来旅游需求增长。其中最显著的变化之一是俄罗斯旅游热潮，因为莫斯科宣布自即日起至明年9月14日，中国公民赴俄可享受最长30天的免签待遇。UTour, a Beijing-based travel agency, said inquiries doubled immediately after the policy took effect, driven largely by Spring Festival travel plans.北京优途天下国际旅行社表示，新规生效后咨询量立即翻倍，主要受春节出行计划推动。Huang Zhaoyang, the company's Russia product manager, said Murmansk, known for its aurora and ice-snow resources, is attracting attention under the new policy. Russia's overall appeal is expected to strengthen and help woo a wider range of Chinese travelers, he added.该公司俄罗斯产品经理黄朝阳（音译）表示，以极光和冰雪资源闻名的摩尔曼斯克在新政策下正吸引更多关注。他补充道，俄罗斯整体吸引力有望增强，有助于吸引更广泛的中国游客群体。Outbound travel is also pivoting notably toward Central Asia and Northern Europe, with Kazakhstan rapidly emerging as a winter sports hub. Tongcheng Travel data show that flight bookings from major Chinese cities to Kazakhstan between early December and the New Year holiday climbed more than 50 percent year-on-year, while hotel reservations climbed more than 80 percent, with Almaty and Astana ranking as top choices.出境游目的地也明显转向中亚和北欧地区，哈萨克斯坦正迅速崛起为冬季运动中心。同城旅游数据显示，12月初至新年假期期间，中国主要城市飞往哈萨克斯坦的机票预订量同比增长超50%，酒店预订量增幅更达80%以上，其中阿拉木图和阿斯塔纳成为最热门目的地。Analysts at Tongcheng's tourism research institute said the "Japan substitution effect" has accelerated since late November, with outbound ski demand that once concentrated on Japan increasingly shifting toward Kazakhstan and Nordic destinations. They added that domestic ski areas are also becoming popular alternatives to Japan's ski destinations.同程旅游研究院分析师指出，自11月下旬以来，“日本替代效应”持续加速，原先集中在日本的出境滑雪需求正逐步转向哈萨克斯坦及北欧目的地。他们补充道，国内滑雪场也正成为日本滑雪目的地的热门替代选择。European destinations are witnessing a similar upswing. Hotel bookings in Germany and Spain have increased by more than 300 percent year-on-year, while Denmark and Switzerland have posted gains exceeding 200 percent.欧洲旅游目的地也呈现出类似的增长态势。德国和西班牙的酒店预订量同比增幅超过300%，而丹麦和瑞士的增幅则超过200%。Domestically, local governments are racing to capture winter travelers through substantial incentives. Jilin province rolled out 100 million yuan ($14.1 million) in ice-snow vouchers and offered free ski passes to university students, while the Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions have introduced similar discounts.国内方面，地方政府正通过大幅优惠政策争相吸引冬季度假游客。吉林省推出价值1亿元（约合1410万美元）的冰雪消费券，并为大学生提供免费滑雪通行证；内蒙古和新疆维吾尔自治区也推出了类似的折扣政策。Qunar, a Beijing-based online travel agency, said hotel bookings in Xinjiang's Bortala region rose more than 80 percent year-on-year from November to late January of 2026, while reservations in the northeastern cities of Dandong, Liaoning province, Liaoyuan, Jilin province and Yichun, Heilongjiang province, each grew around 30 percent.北京在线旅游平台途牛旅游网表示，2026年11月至次年1月底期间，新疆博尔塔拉地区的酒店预订量同比增长逾80%，而东北地区辽宁省丹东市、吉林省辽源市及黑龙江省伊春市的酒店预订量均增长约30%。Demand for trips to glaciers and snow mountains has also surged, with ticket bookings for sites such as Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan province and Xiling Snow Mountain in Sichuan province doubling year-on-year.前往冰川雪山的旅游需求也大幅增长，云南梅里雪山、四川西岭雪山等景点的门票预订量同比翻了一番。According to a white paper on China's ski industry, China currently has 748 operational ski resorts, including 66 indoor centers. Total ski visits reached 26.05 million last winter, up 12.9 percent.根据中国滑雪产业白皮书显示，目前中国共有748家运营中的滑雪场，其中包括66家室内滑雪中心。去年冬季滑雪人次达到2605万，同比增长12.9%。The white paper also noted that China's total ski visits last season surpassed Switzerland's 23.1 million, reflecting the growing scale of China's winter sports market. Average ski days per participant in China rose from 1.80 to 1.92, indicating increasing skier engagement and loyalty.该白皮书还指出，中国上赛季滑雪人次总量已超越瑞士的2310万人次，彰显中国冬季运动市场规模的持续扩大。中国滑雪者人均滑雪天数从1.80天提升至1.92天，表明滑雪参与度与忠诚度正逐步增强。recalibratev./ˌriːˈkæl.ə.breɪt/重新校准

Day 1,385.Today, as Commander Syrskyi claims Ukraine has regained several kilometres of the frontline around Pokrovsk, we examine the format of the European counter-proposal to the US-Russia peace plan, as President Trump sets a new deadline of Christmas for President Zelensky to agree. We also take deep dives into Belgium's stance on frozen Russian state assets and the state of hybrid warfare across Europe, before hearing from the UK Minister of the Armed Forces on the evolving European position and the growing dangers ahead.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Al Carns MPSIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Trump: Zelensky has until Christmas to accept peace deal (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/09/trump-zelensky-must-accept-peace-deal-ukraine-losing/ Mapped: Russia and Ukraine's deadly shadow war of assassinations (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/05/mapped-russia-ukraine-deadly-shadow-war-assassination/ Russia's hybrid warfare puts Europe to the test (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/2084e87d-d491-4852-8449-f90b73d4788b Zelensky 'ready' to hold elections during war, if partners ensure security (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ready-to-hold-elections-during-war-if-partners-ensure-security/Leaked documents expose global Russian soft-power influence network (New Voice of Ukraine):https://english.nv.ua/russian-war/how-russia-built-a-worldwide-spy-ecosystem-using-youth-diplomacy-and-soft-power-50564951.html LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Corso, President, Atlanta Sports Council · Atlanta is one of the premier host cities of the 2026 tournament, with one of the strongest and most diverse match allocations. · FIFA’s designation of Atlanta for a semifinal and multiple high-profile group-stage matches underscores confidence in the city’s stadium, infrastructure, and fan culture. · Atlanta’s slate features footballing powers and emerging nations from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central Asia—reinforcing Atlanta as a global crossroads and the epicenter of soccer in the U.S.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 1,384.Today, as President Zelensky appears to reject Donald Trump's proposal for Ukraine to cede territory to Moscow, we examine the new European plan set to be presented to the US later. We also report on how Ukrainian troops are still holding out in the frontline city of Pokrovsk, before turning to developments inside Russia: Putin's new law requiring 100,000 military reservists to undergo two months of training, growing protests over tax rises, and the outcomes of his visit to India, where he signed a series of deals with Prime Minister Modi.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Trump's Ukraine peace deal on brink of collapse (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/08/ukraine-russia-war-latest-starmer-zelensky-trump-putin/ Zelensky meets Pope ahead of peace talks with Meloni (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/09/zelensky-appeals-for-european-support-for-new-peace-deal/ Ukrainians raise flag to show BBC the fight goes on in city claimed by Russia (BBC):https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6x3vv7y60o Trump thrashes European leaders in wide-ranging interview: ‘I think they're weak' (POLITICO):https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/09/trump-dasha-burns-interview-europe-immigration-ukraine-00682016?utm_content=topic/politics&utm_source=flipboard Zelensky reveals candidates for Yermak's replacement as Presidential Office head (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-reveals-candidates-for-new-head-of-ukraines-presidents-office/ Trumpian Corruption Is Worse Than Ukrainian Corruption (Anne Applebaum in The Atlantic):https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2025/12/ukraine-fighting-corruption-trump/685162/ Exclusive: US extracted top spy from inside Russia in 2017 (The Telegraph):https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/09/politics/russia-us-spy-extracted LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades Western policymakers have struggled to understand the mindset of the Russian people and their leaders. This episode of The Transatlantic brings together two Russia experts who provide unique perspectives into the challenges American leaders often face when negotiating with Russian officials. Join James Collins, former Ambassador to Russia, and Wayne Merry, the officer in Embassy Moscow who authored a 1993 dissent cable predicting the adversarial turn of post-Soviet Russia, for a wide-ranging conversation about their combined decades inside Russia, a look inside the Vladimir Putin's world, and their thoughts on what will determine the future of Russia. -- Read E. Wayne Merry's Dissent Cable here: https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/document/32704-document-1-wayne-merry-dissent-channel-cable-american-embassy-moscow -- Ambassador James F. Collins is an expert on the former Soviet Union, its successor states, and the Middle East. Ambassador Collins was the U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation from 1997 to 2001. Prior to joining the Carnegie Endowment, he served as senior adviser at the public law and policy practice group Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP. Before his appointment as Ambassador to Russia, he served as Ambassador-at-Large and Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for the newly independent states in the mid-1990s and as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Moscow from 1990 to 1993. In addition to three diplomatic postings in Moscow, he held positions at the U.S. embassy in Amman, Jordan, and the consulate general in Izmir, Turkey. He is the recipient of the Secretary of State's Award for Distinguished Service; the Department of State's Distinguished Honor Award; the Secretary of State's Award for Career Achievement; the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service; and the NASA Medal for Distinguished Service. Before joining the State Department, Ambassador Collins taught Russian and European history, American government, and economics at the U.S. Naval Academy. -- E. Wayne Merry is Senior Fellow for Europe and Eurasia at the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC. He is widely published and a frequent speaker on topics relating to Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the Balkans, European security and trans-Atlantic relations. In twenty-six years in the United States Foreign Service, he worked as a diplomat and political analyst specializing in Soviet and post-Soviet political issues, including six years at the American Embassy in Moscow, where he was in charge of political analysis on the breakup of the Soviet Union and the early years of post-Soviet Russia. He also served at the embassies in Tunis, East Berlin, and Athens and at the US Mission to the United Nations in New York. In Washington he served in the Treasury, State, and Defense Departments. In the Pentagon he served as the Regional Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia during the mid-nineties. He also served at the Headquarters of the US Marine Corps and on Capitol Hill with the staff of the US Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He was later a program director at the Atlantic Council of the United States

Day 1,383.Today, after a weekend marked by continued talks in Florida between the Ukrainian and American delegations and President Donald Trump's comments blaming Zelensky for stalling negotiations, the Ukrainian president meets British PM Keir Starmer, French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz in London today. The talks, which finished as we were recording this episode, opened with Germany's ‘scepticism' of US peace proposals and France's assurance that ‘Europe had a lot of cards in its hands.' Meanwhile, Russia targets a dam near Kharkiv which supplies water to Ukraine's second biggest city. Finally, we discuss the US's National Security Strategy and the current state of Ukraine's air defence. ContributorsAdélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Michael Bohnert (RAND). @mbohnert on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Zelenskiy Says No Accord Yet on Ukraine's East in US Talks, Bloomberg Newshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-08/zelenskiy-says-no-accord-so-far-on-eastern-ukraine-in-us-talksTrump: Zelensky hasn't even read my peace plan, The Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/08/ukraine-russia-war-latest-starmer-zelensky-trump-putin/Kremlin: Trump's new defence strategy ‘consistent' with Russian vision, The Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/07/donald-trump-defence-strategy-russia-dmitry-peskov-kremlin/France shielding €18bn Russian asset pot from EU ‘reparations loan' push, Financial timeshttps://www.ft.com/content/fe304bb8-d928-4b9b-8162-2000301be937LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have captured the attention of global investors in 2026. In this episode, Anatoliy Shal, Khamza Sharifzoda, and Nicolaie Alexandru dive into the factors fueling investor interest across Central Asia this year. The conversation also explores the outlook for 2026, examining whether these driving forces will sustain the region's momentum. Our speakers also discuss key economic and political risks that may impact Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the year ahead. This podcast was recorded on December 08, 2025. This communication is provided for information purposes only.  Institutional clients can view the related reports at https://www.jpmm.com/research/content/GPS-5136574-0 https://www.jpmm.com/research/content/GPS-5140889-0 https://www.jpmm.com/research/content/GPS-5124410-0 for more information; please visit www.jpmm.com/research/disclosures for important disclosures. © 2025 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. This material or any portion hereof may not be reprinted, sold or redistributed without the written consent of J.P. Morgan. It is strictly prohibited to use or share without prior written consent from J.P. Morgan any research material received from J.P. Morgan or an authorized third-party (“J.P. Morgan Data”) in any third-party artificial intelligence (“AI”) systems or models when such J.P. Morgan Data is accessible by a third-party. It is permissible to use J.P. Morgan Data for internal business purposes only in an AI system or model that protects the confidentiality of J.P. Morgan Data so as to prevent any and all access to or use of such J.P. Morgan Data by any third-party.    

Widely recognized as one of the most influential and beloved figures in the field of peacebuilding, John Paul Lederach embodies both the rigor of the scholar and sensitivity of the poet. A pioneer of the concept of conflict transformation (as distinct from resolution), his work has redefined peacebuilding as a moral and relational art rooted in empathy, moral imagination, and the human capacity for connection across divides. Join TNS Host Serena Bian for this intergenerational conversation exploring John Paul's enormous body of work in building the fields of conflict transformation and collective trauma healing--as well as his love for poetry and haiku. John Paul Lederach Dr. John Paul Lederach is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in the fields of peacebuilding and conflict transformation. He is widely known for the development of culturally based approaches to conflict transformation; the design and implementation of integrative, strategic approaches to peacebuilding; and for carving a robust integration of the arts and social change. Over the course of his career, Lederach has garnered extensive experience working with non-governmental organizations, community-based initiatives impacted by cycles of violence, and national peace process design. He has worked extensively as a practitioner in conciliation processes in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast and Central Asia. He is the author or editor of 30 books and manuals (translated into a dozen languages), and numerous academic articles and monographs on peace education, conflict transformation, international peacebuilding, and conciliation training. He currently serves as Senior Fellow for Humanity United and Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding at the Joan B. Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Host Serena Bian Serena is pursuing a life that remains attentive to the tenderness of a snail's soft body and reverent to the miracle of its spiraled shell. She is a Chinese-American peacebuilder, storyteller, and community weaver devoted to the belief that intergenerational connection is vital for the future of our peace and justice movements. She recently completed six years as a Special Advisor in Design & Innovation to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, bringing a spiritual and systemic understanding to the public health crisis of loneliness and isolation. She is a Zen chaplain-in-training and serves on the boards of CoGenerate and Commonweal. #commonweal #commonwealnewschool #peacebuilding #conflict #transformation #virtuouscycle #haiku Find out more about The New School at Commonweal on our website: tns.commonweal.org. And like/follow our Soundcloud channel for more great podcasts.

Day 1,379.Today, after Tuesday's inconsequential meeting in Moscow, Ukrainian negotiators are updating European counterparts on Kyiv's response before flying to meet Steve Witkoff in Miami. We consider why U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has lambasted European NATO allies for prioritising their own defence industries over American suppliers – comments made just as another billion dollars was added to the PURL fund – and we ask whether, if Pokrovsk has indeed fallen, Russia will now shift its efforts toward Zaporizhzhia oblast. And later, we return to the GRU's murder of British woman Dawn Sturgess by nerve agent in 2018, as the final report into her death is released.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBGon on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Trump: I don't know what the Kremlin is doing (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/12/03/trump-i-dont-know-what-the-kremlin-is-doing/ Britain can't let the man Putin hates most die in prison (Sir Tom Stoppard in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/19/britain-cant-let-the-man-putin-hates-most-die-in-prison/ The West's Last Chance (Alexander Stubb, Finland's President, in Foreign Affairs):https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/wests-last-chance Top US official berates Europe over cutting American industry out of defense buildup (POLITICO):https://www.politico.eu/article/christopher-landau-top-us-official-berates-europe-nato-cut-industry-defense-buildup/ LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're diving into the economics of borders, the lines we pretend are ancient but were mostly scratched into the earth by soldiers, surveyors and empire-builders with rulers. From Ukraine's shifting frontlines to Dublin's Herzog Park, to Northern Ireland's uneasy edges, we trace how geography becomes politics. Then we go back to the original culprit: William Petty, Cromwell's cartographer, the man who mapped Ireland in 13 months and turned land into an asset class. His Down Survey redrew Ireland and created the blueprint for colonialism, capitalism and the straight-line borders that still ignite conflict from Central Asia to the Middle East. We follow the rulers, the rebellions, the dispossession and the economics behind every “line in the sand.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 5 intense weeks of travel across Turkey, Central Asia, and Prague, I finally made it back to the Expat Money Studios in Panama to bring you a full debrief on the journey. From scouting new destinations to dealing with airline chaos at a level I've never seen before (and that's saying a lot), this trip had a bit of everything. In this episode, I'm joined by my colleague Marc Clair as we break down the countries I visited, the people I met, the challenges I faced along the way, and why, despite the insanity, travel remains one of the most powerful and important tools for building real freedom. Enjoy! IN TODAY'S EPISODE Listen in to hear why Turkey has become our seasonal base for European and Central Asian travelFind out why Kyrgyzstan shocked me with its mix of friendliness, modern infrastructure, and stunning mountain landscapeHear me detail the “Qatar Airways fiasco,” from last-minute ticketing issues to overnight airport chaos and how it nearly derailed the tripGet the story behind my keynote at the Free Cities Conference in Prague, delivered despite arriving exhausted and sick STAY IN TOUCH! Stay informed about the latest news affecting the expat world and receive a steady stream of my thoughts and opinions on geopolitics by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive the EMS Pulse® newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times; sign up now and receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.” WEALTH, FREEDOM & PASSPORTS CONFERENCE, MARCH 6-7, 2026 Join us in Panama City from March 6-7, 2026, for our second annual in-person event, the Wealth, Freedom and Passports Conference! Get your tickets now, as space is very limited.  RELATED EPISODES 369: Canada's Identity Crisis And Why Families Are Looking South – Shaun Newman 368: Cayman: Inside The Caribbean's Premier Offshore Hub – Jeremy Varlow 365: The Bukele Effect: Inside El Salvador's Radical TransformationMentioned in this episode:No Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you're planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn't optional. It's protection. It's access. It's power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and...

In this episode, Dominic Bokor-Ingram, Senior Portfolio Manager at Fiera Capital, joins Tellimer CEO, Duncan Wales, to dive deep into the forces shaping emerging markets today. Dominic and Duncan examine Saudi Arabia's rapid evolution into an IPO powerhouse and why saturation may now be weighing on valuations. Dominic shares insights on Central Asia's double-edged impact from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where capital inflows are supporting growth but also fuelling inflation, along with the potential upside if risk premiums begin to ease. The conversation also highlights Egypt's pivotal Ras El Hekma deal and the role of Gulf-driven investment as catalysts for greater stability and market depth. From privatisation hurdles to Vietnam's reform trajectory, Dominic explains why leadership and institutional modernisation not political labels, are the ultimate drivers of equity market success. The Emerging Markets Podcast by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tellimer⁠⁠ – Emerging Markets, Connected. Check out the full Tellimer offering ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.The Emerging Markets Podcast dives into a range of topics in the emerging and frontier market world including investment themes, debt restructuring, elections, and geopolitical tensions.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is provided for information purposes and represents the personal opinions of the speakers. It is not an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities, nor should it be regarded as investment advice. Tellimer Technologies Limited does not offer or provide advice and no mention of a particular security in this podcast constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, portfolio of securities, or enter any transaction or investment strategy. Nor is any such mention an indication that any investment is suitable for any specific person.For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tellimer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Further reading: Study: Giant Therizinosaurs Used Their Meter-Long, Sickle-Like Claws for Display Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. I am delighted to report that Therizinosaurus lived in what is now Mongolia in Central Asia, in the Gobi Desert. 70 million years ago, the land wasn't a desert at all but a forest with multiple rivers and streams flowing through it. Lots of other dinosaurs and birds lived in the area, including a tyrannosaurid called Tarbosaurus that was probably the only predator big enough to kill Therizinosaurus. When the first Therizinosaurus fossils were discovered in the 1950s, they were initially thought to belong to a type of giant turtle. Later it was reclassified as a sauropod relation, not a turtle. These days, we know for sure it's not a turtle and we're pretty sure it's not anything like a sauropod. The Therizinosaurus fossils found so far are incomplete. All we have are some ribs, one hind foot, and mostly complete arms and hands. We don't have any parts of the skull or any vertebrae, so paleontologists still have a lot of questions about what Therizinosaurus looked like and how it lived, although we have more complete specimens of some of its close relations to help scientists make good guesses. Luckily we have its hands, because its claws are enormous. Therizinosaurus had claws bigger than any other dinosaur known. Therizinosaurus was a big dinosaur overall, with an estimated length of 33 feet, or 10 meters, although until a more complete specimen is discovered we can't know for sure how big it really was. It may have stood up to 16 feet tall, or 5 meters, and walked on its hind legs. It's classified as a theropod these days, a group that includes famous dinosaurs like T. rex and Spinosaurus, but it wasn't closely related to those big fast meat-eaters. Most paleontologists think Therizinosaurus ate plants, but again, we don't know for sure since we don't have any of its teeth to examine. Its closest relatives were herbivorous but its immediate ancestors were carnivorous. If Therizinosaurus was a plant-eater, why did it have such enormous claws? Its claws were seriously terrifying! Its arms were big and strong in general, measuring about 8 feet long, or 2.5 meters, including long, slender fingers, and the claws measured over three feet long! That's more than a meter long. If the claws were covered with a keratin sheath, which is probable, they would have been even longer when Therizinosaurus was alive. They were relatively thin and straight with a curve at the end. There are many reasons why an animal develops big claws. Predators need claws to help grab prey or tear meat into pieces, or an animal may need big claws to help it dig or climb trees. Claws are also great for defense. Some animals use claws to grab tree branches and bend them closer to the animal's mouth, which is something that giant ground sloths probably did, at least sometimes. The new study published in February 2023 examined the claws of Therizinosaurus and lots of other dinosaurs to learn how strong they were. The claws were 3D scanned, and then the scans were used in various models that measured the stress placed on each claw in various different activities. The study discovered that the claws of different dinosaurs were strong in different ways depending on what they were used for, which wasn't a surprise. What was a surprise was that Therizinosaurus's claws were weak no matter which model the scientists used. In other words, Therizinosaurus probably didn't use its claws to fight other dinosaurs unless it just had to, because they would break too easily. It wouldn't have dug with its claws or even used them to hook branches down closer to its mouth. As far as we can tell, its claws were basically useless. But obviously, Therizinosaurus used its claws for something or it wouldn't have evolved to have such gigantic claws.

Max speaks with Michael Kimmage about his immediate reactions to the new 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, and the rapid-fire diplomacy taking place in response to its release. This conversation was recorded on November 24, 2025.

I Corinthians 4:9-16 St. John 1:35-51 In this homily for the Feast of St. Andrew, Fr. Anthony contrasts the world's definition of success with the apostolic witness of sacrifice, humility, and courageous love. Drawing on St. Paul's admonition to the Corinthians, he calls Christians to recover the reverence due to bishops and spiritual fathers, to reject the corrosive logic of social media, and to return to the ascetical path that forms us for theosis. St. Andrew and St. Paul's lives reveals that true honor is found not in comfort or acclaim but in following Christ wherever He leads — even into suffering and martyrdom.  Enjoy the show! ---- St. Andrew Day, 2025 The Orthodox Church takes apostolic succession very seriously; the preservation of "the faith passed on to the apostles" is maintained by the physicality of the ordination of bishops by bishops, all of who can trace the history of the ordination of the bishops who ordained them back to one or more of the apostles themselves.  You probably already new that.  But there is another part of that respect for the apostles that you may not know of: the ranking of autocephalist (i.e. independent) national Churches.  The Canons (especially those of the Council of Trullo) give prominence to the five ancient patriarchates of Rome (Sts. Peter and Paul), Constantinople (St. Andrew), Alexandria (St. Mark), Antioch (St. Paul), and Jerusalem (St. James).   St. Andrew travelled into dangerous barbarian lands to spread the Gospel, to include the Middle East, and, most notably, then North to the lands around the Black Sea; Ankara and Edessa to the south of the Black Sea in what is now Turkey, to the East of the Black Sea into the Caucuses, and up to the North of the Black Sea to the Scythian lands into what is now Ukraine.  That was his first journey.  After this, he returned to Jerusalem and then went on his second journey to Antioch, back up into the Caucasus, out to the land of the dog-headed people in Central Asia, down through what is now Afghanistan to the Arabian Sea, and then back up through Persia and finally into Greece, where he was martyred. He sacrificed so much for the Gospel and brought so many souls to salvation through the Christ he himself knew, both before and after His glorious Resurrection.  His virtue and sacrificial service allow God's grace to flow into the world and he serves as the patron of several countries, cities, and all Christians who bear variations of His name such as Andrew, Andrei, and Andrea. As Orthodox Christians, we should know his story, ask for his intercession, and imitate his witness.  And everyone, whether Christian or not, should respect his virtue.  But does it?  Does it even respect virtue?  Do we? As Saint Paul points out in today's Epistle, many of us do not.  And don't think the problem was just in Corinth; St. John Chrysostom's homilies on this epistle show that the people there were at least as guilty.  And that was in the center of Eastern Orthodoxy, during the time of alleged symphonia between the Church and State.  Should there be any doubt that we, too, allow the world to define the sorts of worldly things we should prioritize? After all … What is it that the world respects in a man?  What is it that the world respects in a woman?  Think for a second what it is that impresses you the most about the people you admire – perhaps even makes you jealous, wishing that you had managed to obtain the same things. I cannot read your minds, but if you are like most Americans, the list would certainly include: A long, healthy life, without chronic pain or major physical injury A life free of indictment, arrest, or imprisonment The respect, admiration, and popularity of their peers Money, a big house, a vacation house, and the ability to retire comfortably (and early) These are some of the things that many of you are either pleased to enjoy, regret not having obtained, or, if you are young, are currently striving for. The Apostles Andrew and Paul, gave up the possibility for all these things to follow Christ.  Not because they wanted to; not because God made them; they gave up the life of worldly comfort and respect because – in a culture and time as messed up as theirs was – this is the only Way to live a life of grace and to grow in love and perfection. A long, healthy life, without chronic pain or major physical injury? Nope – gave it up. A life free of indictment, arrest, or imprisonment? Nope – gave it up. The respect, admiration, and popularity of their peers? No again. Money, a big house, a vacation house, and the ability to retire comfortably (and early) I don't think so (unless a prison in Rome and martyrdom count!). Because St. Paul is writing as an Apostle, instructing a parish that he was called to lead, it is tempting to put his sacrifices into the category of "things that clergy do".  And clergy certainly should follow their example.  While my example is not so bright, you may know that I gave up a life of wealth, admiration, and the possibility of a comfortable retirement so that I could serve as a priest.  God has blessed that and protected me from harm, but the opportunity costs are real, nonetheless.   And while I am a pale shadow of him (and he of Christ), I, like the Apostle Paul, did these things not because I wanted to (I liked my life then!) and not because God made me, but because in a culture and time as messed up as ours is, such a life of simplicity and complete service to others is the only Way I can live a life of grace and to grow in love and towards perfection in Christ. I have made some sacrifices, but I know other clergymen who – in our time – have given up more.  Their entire lives given over to sacrificial servce to Christ.  Who have become experts in both academic theology and the real theology of constant prayer.  Who have and continue to lead their dioceses and Churches through such difficult times.  And yet, who, like St. Paul, are not only reviled by the world, but even by Orthodox Christians.  Yes, to paraphrase St. Paul, we are so smart and educated that we can criticize and heap piles of coal on their heads because we know so much more than they do – because they, like St. Paul, are fools.  We can trash-talk them on social media and applaud others who lead the charge against them because they are so weak and we are so strong. How long does it take for a Patriarch's priestly ministry to make him respectable in our sight?  For us to respect him, or at least to forebear him? It must be more than 55 years, based on the things I have heard and read us saying about Patriarch Kyrril who has been leading his Church and people through an incredibly difficult time, as he believes the West works to undermine his people's faith and traditional Christianity everywhere. It must also be more than 55 years, based on the things I have heard and read us saying about Patriarch Bartholomew, as he works amidst the persecution of the government in the place he lives to bring Christians and Christians who have long been divided into and towards the unity for which we pray daily and which our God desires us to work towards. It must be more than 42 years, based on the things I have heard and read us saying about our own Patriach John, who has seen his people and Church crucified and persecuted and who seeks to encourage the local authorities to protect the weak and the Church and people he serves (while leading the people he serves in the West to avoid the excesses of liberty).   I hope you feel the shame, if not your own personal shame for having participated in slandering and judging our bishops and patriarchs, then feel shame for seeing the world and those Orthodox Christians who are living by its rules attacking them and questioning their virtue. This is the same shame that St. Paul was trying to elicit in Corinth.  Do you feel the shame?  If not, then the world, probably through social media, has deadened your noetic senses.  It is time for repentance.   And like St. Paul, I have to tell you that – while few of you may be called to priestly or monastic service – all of us are called to reject those things that the world has led us to value, because all of these things are like barrier between us and the eternal joy and perfection we were called to enjoy. Listen to me, my brothers and sisters, as I repeat the words of St. Paul we so desperately need to hear:   "For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  Therefore I urge you, imitate me."   We do not have St. Paul as our father, but we have one of his successors, Patriarch John, and those whom he has assigned to us, such as Metropolitan Saba, Bishop John, and even this, your unworthy servant.  Let's stop giving attention to those who attack Orthodox clerics and thereby sow division within the Church and undermine its witness to others. Let's give up our attachment to this world and its ways.  Let's give up everything worldly we love, follow Christ, and gain the things that are really worth our love, admiration, and sacrifice.

In this podcast we welcome back Dr Kate Leeming who embarked on a 5-month, 9000km bicycle expedition following the Syr Darya River from its source in Kyrgyzstan to the Aral Sea and from there along the Amu Darya to discover its true source into the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan. This amazing feat was conducted by a small team where the use of a bike meant that Kate could make connections with people that are not easily done when in a car. Kate talks about her experiences out in the field, the impacts climate change is having on the region as well as how people are working to try and mitigate these challenges.

Leaving the US after weeks on the road, we zoom out from New York and Washington and asks a question we almost never ask in Europe: what if the real future of geopolitics isn't in Brussels, Beijing or DC, but in Central Asia? To get there, we bring in historian Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads, to map the region we lazily call “the Stans”; Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, plus Afghanistan, Iran and their neighbours. Together we unpack why this vast strip of land, once the beating heart of the Silk Roads, is suddenly back at the centre of the global game: home to huge reserves of oil, gas, uranium, rare earths and critical minerals, a young and growing population, and wedged between Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Iran. We hear how Central Asian states are learning to play everyone off against everyone and why the new Great Game isn't a neat East vs West story at all. If the world is getting more dangerous, more digital and more fragmented, what does it mean that Ireland is the EU's weak link on defence, with tiny cyber budgets, under-protected seabed cables and a very cosy version of neutrality? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Japan's tourism sector is bracing for a deepening chill this winter in the wake of erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.日本首相高市早苗的失言事件后，日本旅游业正为今年冬季持续降温的局面做准备。As its travel market cools, rival destinations across Asia are moving swiftly to cater to Chinese travelers who had previously planned to visit Japan.随着日本旅游市场遇冷，亚洲各地的竞争对手正迅速行动，以吸引那些原本计划赴日旅游的中国游客。"Since last week, inquiries for Malaysia, Singapore and winter favorites such as Phu Quoc in Vietnam and Bali in Indonesia have increased by 20 to 30 percent week-on-week," said Li Mengran, marketing manager of Beijing-based travel agency Utour.北京优途旅行社市场经理李梦然表示：“上周以来，马来西亚、新加坡以及越南富国岛、印度尼西亚巴厘岛等冬季度假胜地的咨询量较前一周增长了20%至30%。”"These destinations benefit from visa-free policies, diverse tourism resources, abundant flights and flexible tour products suited for families and smaller groups."这些目的地因免签政策、丰富的旅游资源、充足的航班以及适合家庭和小团体游客的灵活旅游产品而备受青睐。Thailand moved quickly to capitalize on the shifting sentiment.泰国借势把握市场情绪变化带来的机遇。On Wednesday, the Beijing office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand emphasized that Thailand "always welcomes visitors from around the world, especially Chinese friends", announcing Chinese-specific New Year promotions and safety standards.周三，泰国旅游局北京办事处强调，泰国“始终欢迎世界各地的游客，特别是中国朋友”，并宣布推出针对中国游客的新春促销活动及安全标准。Beyond Southeast Asia, Russia is also seeking to attract Chinese tourists.除东南亚地区外，俄罗斯也在积极吸引中国游客。Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Nov 18 that visa-free travel for Chinese citizens would be introduced "in the very near future", according to Russian media reports.据俄罗斯媒体报道，俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京11月18日表示，俄方将在“不久的将来”对中国公民实施免签政策。Data from Qunar, a Beijing-based online travel agency, show that the ranking of top outbound destinations has shifted significantly.北京在线旅游平台去哪儿网的数据显示，热门出境旅游目的地的排名已发生显著变化。On Nov 15 and 16, South Korea overtook Japan as the most-booked outbound market, with Seoul becoming the most searched international destination by Nov 17. The surge has been helped by South Korea's visa-free trial program for Chinese tour groups of three or more, effective from Sept 29 through June 30 next year.11月15日至16日，韩国超越日本成为预订量最高的出境旅游市场，首尔更在11月17日跃居最受搜索的国际目的地。此轮增长得益于韩国自9月29日起实施的免签试点政策——针对三人及以上中国旅行团的免签政策将持续至明年6月30日。"From now through the end of 2025, off-peak outbound demand will remain strong," said Yang Han, a researcher at Qunar. "Japan's change has pushed travelers toward more diversified destinations, South Korea now leads, followed by China's Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions nearby, and costeffective Southeast Asian nations such as Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia."去哪儿网研究员杨涵表示：“从现在到2025年底，淡季出境游需求将持续强劲。日本市场的变化促使游客转向更多元化的目的地，韩国目前位居首位，其次是邻近的中国香港、澳门特别行政区，以及泰国、越南、马来西亚等性价比高的东南亚国家。”Domestic destinations are absorbing some redirected traffic as well. Flight bookings to southern provinces from Nov 19 to Dec 31 had exceeded 4.72 million as of Nov 18, up about 13 percent year-on-year, according to data from aviation service app Umetrip.国内目的地也吸纳了部分转移的客流。据航空服务应用程序航旅纵横数据显示，截至11月18日，11月19日至12月31日期间飞往南方省份的航班预订量已突破472万次，同比增长约13%。The ongoing downturn in Chinese outbound travel to Japan accelerated after multiple Chinese ministries issued travel alerts, reminding Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near term. Major Chinese airlines have subsequently announced free refunds or rescheduling for Japan routes booked before Dec 31. According to a report by China Central Television on Thursday, more than 540,000 flight tickets to Japan have been canceled since Nov 15.中国赴日出境游持续低迷，在多个中国政府部门发布旅行提示、提醒公民近期避免赴日后，这一趋势进一步加速。中国主要航空公司随后宣布，对12月31日前预订的日本航线提供免费退票或改签服务。据中央电视台周四报道，自11月15日以来，已有超过54万张赴日机票被取消。Wu Liyun, professor of the China Academy of Culture and Tourism at Beijing International Studies University, said travelers now increasingly prioritize safety, emotional comfort and geopolitical stability.北京外国语大学中国文化旅游研究院教授吴丽云指出，如今旅客越来越重视安全保障、情感舒适度和地缘政治稳定性。"People want to feel relaxed and happy when traveling. Government attitudes and how locals treat foreign visitors directly shape emotional experience," she said. When safety or political stability weakens, she added, travelers naturally turn elsewhere. "Southeast Asia, Central Asia and many regional destinations offer strong alternatives. Safety and certainty have become crucial, long-term considerations."吴丽云表示：“人们旅行时渴望放松身心、享受快乐。政府态度和当地居民对待外国游客的方式，直接影响着游客的情感体验。”她补充道，当安全或政治稳定性下降时，游客自然会另寻他处。“东南亚、中亚及众多地区性目的地提供了强有力的替代选择。安全与确定性已成为至关重要的长期考量因素”。China is Japan's largest and highest-spending inbound visitor source. In 2024, Chinese mainland tourists accounted for 21.3 percent of all foreign tourist expenditure, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Combined visitors from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong made up 30 percent of Japan's total inbound arrivals between January and September this year.中国是日本最大的入境游客来源地，且消费水平最高。日本国家旅游局数据显示，2024年中国大陆游客支出占日本外国游客总支出的21.3%。今年1月至9月，中国大陆与香港游客合计占日本入境游客总量的30%。The impact is already being felt in Japan's northernmost prefecture. Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki said at a news conference on Friday that cancellations have appeared across local hotels and flight tickets. "As the winter travel season approaches, the concerns continue to grow."这种影响已在日本最北端的县有所显现。日本北海道知事鈴木直道周五在记者会上表示，当地酒店和机票出现大量取消预订的情况，“随着冬季旅游旺季临近，担忧情绪持续加剧”。Sapporo Stream Hotel in Hokkaido, which normally receives around 3,000 Chinese guests each month, has recorded 70 cancellations since the travel alert. Tour operators in Nagoya and Tokyo report similar losses. One Nagoya-based charter operator said all December bookings from Chinese groups had been canceled. A Tokyo river cruise company that usually serves up to 2,000 Chinese tourists annually saw about 240 people cancel in recent days.位于北海道的札幌溪流酒店每月通常接待约3000名中国游客，自发布旅行警示以来已收到70份取消预订通知。名古屋和东京的旅行社也报告了类似损失。一家名古屋包机运营商表示，12月所有中国团队预订均已取消。一家东京游船公司通常每年接待约2000名中国游客，近日已有约240人取消行程。Japan's Nomura Research Institute estimated that the decline in Chinese tourists could reduce Japan's GDP by 0.36 percent.日本野村综合研究所估计，中国游客的减少可能使日本国内生产总值下降0.36%。Tourism is Japan's second-largest source of foreign exchange, after vehicle exports, Wu of the China Academy of Culture and Tourism added.吴丽云补充道，旅游业是日本第二大外汇来源，仅次于汽车出口。"If Chinese travelers significantly reduce or halt travel to Japan, that consumption disappears," she said. "This will have a huge impact on Japan's foreign-exchange revenue, GDP growth and employment across accommodation, dining, retail and entertainment."吴丽云表示：“如果中国游客大幅减少或停止赴日旅行，这些消费就会消失。这将对日本的外汇收入、GDP增长以及住宿、餐饮、零售和娱乐行业的就业产生巨大影响。”outbound travel出境游visa-free trial program免签试点政策

Dr Eric Rudenshiold joins Neil Melvin to examine regional change, great-power competition and Washington's renewed engagement within the Caspian region. The Caspian region is being reshaped by new political and economic dynamics as Central Asia and the South Caucasus deepen regional cooperation and navigate the competing ambitions of Russia, China and a newly engaged US. President Trump's first presidential-level C5+1 summit marks a notable shift in Washington's approach to a region long viewed as peripheral. In this episode of Global Security Briefing, Neil Melvin is joined by Dr Eric Rudenshiold, Research Director at the Caspian Policy Center and former NSC Director for Central Asia, to assess how regional actors are adapting to changing power balances and what Washington's renewed focus could mean for future stability and connectivity. The discussion explores: Emerging geopolitical and economic trends across the Caspian Russia's and China's evolving roles and competing integration projects Growing regional cooperation and expanding Caspian links The impact of US re-engagement and whether it signals a lasting shift

Welcome to Central Asia's leading light - a country high on its own grandeur. Tajikistan is where the world's most spectacular mountain scenery meets warm hospitality and endless pots of green tea. Despite being scarred by civil war and overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, this Persian-speaking nation offers some of the planet's most dramatic landscapes, from the legendary Pamir Highway to crystalline alpine lakes that mirror Ming-vase blue skies.Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Tajikistan for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membershipThanks for all your support!TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fires in drought-stricken Iran are threatening ancient forests that are home to endangered species. Also, Ireland considers making a program permanent that would provide a stable income for artists. And, we bring you updates on the outcome of the UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil. Plus, a look at the origins of apples in Central Asia.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Meta Ghambaryan is Web3 Global Marketing Advisor at Asterium, she helps build Central Asia's regulated crypto backbone.#crypto #MetaGhambaryan #asiacryptoAll Episodes can be found at www.thecryptopodcast.org Join my PodFather Podcasting SKOOL Grouphttps://www.skool.com/podfather/about All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants athttps://roycoughlan.com/ Brain Fitness SKOOL Group https://www.skool.com/brainfitness/about  Who is Meta GhambaryanMetakse Ghambaryan or simply "Meta"— the former Executive Director at Web3 Armenia -where she helped to grew a thriving Web3 ecosystem to over 20 companies and 40 experts. Now active as Web3 Global Marketing Advisor at Asterium, she helps build Central Asia's regulated crypto backbone.What we Discussed: 00:24 Who is Meta Ghambaryan01:05 Living in Uzbekistan02:50 Her home country Armenia03:54 The Meaning of Asterium 04:25 Her previous work with Web3 Armenia06:40 Different Cultures09:15 Regulating Crypto Companies10:00 Why Uzbekistan legislation is positive for Crypto13:05 Financial Freedom15:45 Is the KYC information shared19:35 Simplifying Crypto20:30 Backed up by Government Bonds22:45 Buildingthe Eco System25:52 The security to protect users29:20 Do they support Meme Coins & NFT's31:20 Protecting the users with Education34:07 No Gambling allowed35:43 The Process for a New User37:40 Educating users about a Cold Wallet38:24 Whats included in the Learning Courses3How to Contact Meta Ghambaryanhttps://asterium.uz/enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/metakse-ghambaryan/https://x.com/mandarina_meta All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants at ⁠https://roycoughlan.com/⁠  

fWotD Episode 3125: Chagatai Khan Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Monday, 24 November 2025, is Chagatai Khan.Chagatai Khan (Mongolian: ᠴᠠᠭᠠᠲᠠᠶ; c. 1184 – 1242) was a son of Genghis Khan and a prominent figure in the early Mongol Empire. The second son of Genghis's wife Börte, Chagatai was renowned for his masterful knowledge of Mongol custom and law, which he scrupulously obeyed, and his harsh temperament. Because Genghis felt that he was too inflexible in character, most notably never accepting the legitimacy of his elder brother Jochi, he excluded Chagatai from succession to the Mongol throne. He was nevertheless a key figure in ensuring the stability of the empire after Genghis's death and during the reign of his younger brother Ögedei Khan.Chagatai held military commands alongside his brothers during the Mongol conquest of the Jin dynasty in 1211 and the invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire in 1219. During the latter, he was appointed to a key role in organising logistics in addition to battlefield responsibilities, but was censured after feuding with Jochi during the Siege of Gurganj. After the campaign, Chagatai was granted large tracts of conquered land in Central Asia, which he ruled until his death. He quarrelled with civil officials such as Mahmud Yalavach over matters of jurisdiction and advised Ögedei on questions of rulership. Chagatai died shortly after Ögedei in 1242; his descendants would rule his territories as the eponymous Chagatai Khanate.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:02 UTC on Monday, 24 November 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Chagatai Khan 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 Bluesky at @wikioftheday.com.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Russell.

UBtheNews.com and UBAnnotated.com founder and researcher Halbert Katzen joins us to talk about his adventure to Central Asia and what he hopes to find among the relics and ruins of this ancient land (as it relates to Urantia Book history. Plus, listener question: How did you find the book and what do you want more of in this podcast (and less of!). Time for a metaphysical group hug as we built this podcast to even greater heights!

Day 1,366.Today, we reveal new details of the proposed American-Russian peace plan – one that would not only drastically shrink the Ukrainian army and force Kyiv to surrender vast areas of critical territory, but ban it from ever joining NATO, and even see Moscow invited back into the G7 with its frozen assets returned. After breaking down the implications and surveying the mood in the Donbas, we bring the latest reports of resistance from the occupied territories – places which would legally become Russian if the deal were signed.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Russia welcomed back to G7 under Trump peace plan (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/20/russia-to-be-welcomed-back-to-g7-under-proposed-peace-plan/ Zelensky agrees to negotiate on Trump's peace plan (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/20/france-brands-us-russia-peace-deal-a-capitulation/ Telegraph's Ukraine Live Blog:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/21/ukraine-russia-war-trump-putin-peace-deal-nato-live/ How ‘Spoofing' Is Diverting Russian Missiles Into Empty Fields (Forbes): https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/11/20/how-spoofing-is-diverting-russian-missiles-into-empty-fields/ LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode opens up with all three co-hosts, Adam, Nina and Alexandra, taking a look at a few headlines coming out of the region. They discuss the sabotage operation in Poland, the ongoing war in Ukraine in midst of an emerging corruption scandal, and the fall out of the EU's new ban on multi-entry visas for Russian citizens.For the main interview, Alexandra speaks with regional expert Nurbek Bekmurzaev about Kyrgyzstan's unprecedented snap parliamentary elections taking place on November 30th. Nurbeck explains how the legacy of the 2020 unrest, whichbrought President Sadyr Japarov to power, continues to shape Kyrgyzstan's political transformation. The conversation explores the new electoral rules, the changing nature of political competition, candidate filtering, and the likelihood of any protests or instability around the vote. In our bonus section for Patrons only, Alexandra and Nurbek take a look at the recent C5+1 summit in Washington, exploring how the US under Donald Trump is reshaping its approach to Central Asia.Listen to the bonus episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-245-144000977Help us reach 75 Patrons by the end of 2025! Sign up for great benefits here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Check out the report by the Balkan Free Media Initiative - Tackling TikTokracy: A blueprint for fighting algorithmic manipulation in Europe. https://www.balkanfreemedia.org/tackling-tiktokcracy-in-the-balkans Read this week's Brief Eastern Europe: https://www.briefeasterneurope.eu

Day 1,365.Today, we examine the proposal that has left Kyiv and Europe reeling: a US peace plan that could force Ukraine to lease part of its territory to Russia, cap the size of its armed forces, and accept a series of concessions that would amount to a major victory for Vladimir Putin. We then hear from a leading pollster about domestic attitudes in Russia towards the war – and what potential tipping points could shift public opinion. Finally, we reflect on the significance of the anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, and what it means for justice and accountability in today's conflict – or lack thereof.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Dr Oleksandr Shulga.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Ukraine told to accept cash-for-land deal with Putin (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/19/us-russia-secret-28-point-peace-plan-gaza-model/ Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg ‘quits' after plan for US peace leaked (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/11/20/ukraine-envoy-keith-kellogg-quits-after-plan-for-us-peace/ France brands US-Russia peace deal a ‘capitulation' (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/20/france-brands-us-russia-peace-deal-a-capitulation/ White House Scrambles to Quell Rumors of Russia-Friendly Donbas Proposal (Kyiv Post):https://www.kyivpost.com/post/64561 BBC Today Programme featuring former US Ambassador to Kyiv:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002mbxg LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max and Maria spoke with Nikolay Petrov and Mikhail Troitskiy, two leading experts on the contemporary Russian elite, to discuss the current status of this ruling group inside Russia today, and why it finds itself increasingly under pressure from state security organs. This conversation was recorded on November 13, 2025. "Отцы и дѣти: Генеалогическое исследование российской власти" (Proekt.media, November 2025) "Transition without a successor: The transformation of Putin's regime," by Vladimir Pastukhov and Nikolay Petrov (NEST, September 2025) "Managing multiple audiences: dual-track signals and the silencing of Russia's globalized elites before the invasion of Ukraine," by Mikhail Troitskiy (Post-Soviet Affairs, June 2025)

This week, we're digging into The B1M's recent video "The World's Tallest Megadam Will Block Central Asia". Together, we discuss how Tajikistan is finally finishing a Soviet-era mega build.This episode is sponsored by Trimble. Learn more about Trimble's design and detailing solutions here

There's a certain kind of freedom that comes with slowing down: giving yourself time to stay, to notice, and to let a place leave its mark on you.Over the years, Weronika Szalas's mindset has shifted more and more toward slow travel — working in the winters and touring in the summers. This year, she spent nearly five months on the road with her partner, bikepacking through Central Asia.In this episode of Detours, Weronika all about her adventures on the road, from Google Translate disasters to long days on remote tracks, quiet dinners with strangers, and finally making it to Kyrgyzstan, a place she'd dreamed of for years.We get into:How slow travel changed the way she experiences new placesThe emptiness of the Mongolian steppe and navigating without a shared languageThe surreal reality of riding through Western China and dealing with constant surveillanceHighlights from bikepacking in Kyrgyzstan including Karakol, Peak Lenin, Juku Pass, and the Pamir Highway/Bartang ValleyHow her definition of freedom has evolved, and what it feels like to settle back into regular life after months outsideLISTENER SHOUTOUT: As a little bonus content this week we have a voice note from Kara Woolgar who finished the Arizona Trail 800 as her FIRST EVER bikepacking race! Congrats Kara and thanks so much for sharing your story!Follow Weronika on Instagram: @weronika.szalas Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebbFollow Detours on Instagram: @detourscyclingFollow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cyclingUse code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from AlbionIf you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

Day 1,364.Today, as Ukraine confirms the latest use of US ATACMS missiles inside Russia and Britain tracks a Russian spy ship in UK waters, we examine growing pressure on President Zelensky to dismiss a senior official over the widening nuclear-energy corruption scandal – with Andriy Yermak increasingly in the spotlight. We also report on allegations that a former British civil servant committed war crimes in Ukraine, and discuss why Spain is attempting to return to Donald Trump's good graces with a new €1 billion purchase of U.S. weapons for Ukraine. Later, we speak with the Foreign Minister of Czechia, who says he expects imminent movement on efforts to unlock frozen Russian state assets. ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.With thanks to Jan Lipavský, Foreign Minister of Czechia.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:British ex-civil servant accused of Ukraine war crimes (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/19/british-ex-civil-servant-graham-phillips-ukraine-war-crimes/ Russian spy ship fires lasers to blind RAF pilots (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/19/russian-spy-blinds-military-pilots-spy-ship-lasers/ Scoop: U.S. secretly drafting new plan to end Ukraine war (Axios):https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/ukraine-peace-plan-trump-russia-witkoff LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,363.Today, after a 17-year-old girl was killed and 9 others injured in an overnight Russian missile attack in Kharkiv Oblast, we return to the dire situation in Pokrovsk, before asking why Vladimir Putin is targeting his own war cheerleaders in his latest clampdown. Then we look at the First World War medical condition being reported on the frontlines in Ukraine, and hear from an American serving in the Ukrainian army.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Verity Bowman (Journalist). @VerityBowman on X.Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and former Tank Commander). @hamishdbg on x.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Gas gangrene returns to Ukraine in echoes of First World War trench warfare (Verity in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/gas-gangrene-ukraine-war-russia-trenches-europe/ ‘Coffin on wheels' saves wounded Ukrainian soldier from no-man's land (Verity in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/17/robot-coffin-on-wheels-saves-ukrainian-soldier-trapped/ Russia suspected of blowing up Polish railway line (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/17/russia-suspected-of-blowing-up-polish-railway-line-ukraine/ Putin goes after his own war cheerleaders (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/16/putin-goes-after-his-own-war-cheerleaders/ Putin is eating his own supporters. This is how dictators fall (Hamish in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/17/putin-z-bloggers-suppression-supporters-russia-war-ukraine/ Key government representatives advise Zelensky to release Yermak (Ukrainian Pravda):https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2025/11/18/8007753/ EU eyes €90 Billion Ukraine grant (Bloomberg):https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-17/eu-pitches-90-billion-ukraine-grant-if-russian-asset-loan-fails Construction Accelerates at Planned Russian Navy Base (Bellingcat):https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2024/07/30/construction-accelerates-at-planned-russian-navy-base-in-disputed-abkhazia/LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Akmaljon Musaev, Founder & CEO of Hyper App - Enterprise Cloud, in conversation with Gary Fowler, as they explore how a new generation of cloud innovators from Central Asia are boldly competing with global giants like AWS. Discover how Hyper App is building regionally optimized, enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure — faster, more accessible, and built for the modern global market.

Day 1,362.Today, as Poland reports sabotage on vital rail links connecting it to Ukraine and Romania evacuates civilians after Russian strikes across the Danube, we unpack President Zelensky's latest diplomatic push – including a new energy deal with Greece and a landmark agreement with France for 100 fighter jets. Later, we speak with Vladimir Kara-Murza, the prominent opposition figure arrested in 2022 for denouncing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and given a 25-year sentence in a Siberian penal colony. He discusses life inside prison and how Putin's regime suppresses dissent.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X.With thanks to Vladimir Kara-Murza,SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Vladimir Kara-Murza: what stopped me going mad in Putin's gulag (The Telegraph):https://tinyurl.com/2sxzyhmnNorth Korean troops deployed to clear land mines for Russia (The Telegraph):https://tinyurl.com/25fw4kdsRussia seizes land after Kyiv diverts troops (The Telegraph):https://tinyurl.com/ydtnrd7uExclusive: Russia plans to make up to 120,000 glide bombs this year, Ukrainian intelligence says (Reuters):https://tinyurl.com/mtymsp8cHow Britain replaced the US as Russia's villain of choice (The Guardian):https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/nov/16/how-britain-became-russia-villain-us-ukraine Viewings of ‘Facing War' at Bertha DocHouse in London:https://dochouse.org/event/facing-war/LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Bryan Grim from the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation about his influential research on global religious freedom. Grim recounts how his personal experiences living in the Muslim world, particularly during 9/11, led him to develop the groundbreaking framework that measures religious restrictions through two distinct lenses: government actions and social hostilities. He argues that this nuanced understanding is crucial for the workplace, asserting that accommodating and respecting employees' diverse faiths fosters a more productive and engaged environment, drawing a parallel between inclusive national policies and successful corporate cultures. The conversation explores the practical challenges of accommodating various religious practices, the importance of universal religious freedom for all faiths to ensure it for any, and the critical role of data in providing perspective, informing policy, and navigating the complexities of religious persecution beyond mere anecdotes. Dr. Bryan J. Grim is a globally recognized expert on the socio-economic impact of religious freedom. He is the Founding President of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF) and serves as the Global Chair of Dare to Overcome, an initiative that fosters mutual respect and engagement among diverse faith-and-belief groups in workplaces worldwide. With a Ph.D. in quantitative sociology from Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Grim has authored numerous academic articles and books. His pioneering work at the Pew Research Center led to the development of global indexes measuring Government Restrictions on Religion (GRI) and Social Hostilities Involving Religion (SHI), which are now key tools for monitoring religious freedom worldwide. Dr. Grim's research has shown that religion contributes approximately $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy, surpassing the combined revenues of top tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google. His approach to religious freedom emphasizes building inclusive environments for people of all faiths and those without religious affiliation. He has lived and worked extensively across China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the former USSR, where he helped establish the first Western-style business school in the Soviet Union. His global influence included advisory roles with the World Economic Forum, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Notre Dame University Law School's Religious Liberty Initiative, Brandeis University's Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, and affiliations with Boston University and Baylor University. Dr. Grim is also known for organizing the Global Business & Intercultural Peace Awards, held in cities like Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Tokyo, New Delhi, and Washington, D.C., with support from global leaders and organizations including the United Nations Global Compact and American Airlines. He and his wife, Julia Beth, are co-authors of Grims' New Fairy Tales of Love Overcoming Evil (https://grimsfairytales.com/), parents of four and grandparents of 18.

In this episode guest Harriet Gruen shares what it takes to go from novice cycle tourer to an ultra cycling record-breaker. In 2022 she set off from London to ride 10,000 km to Central Asia.  She'd barely ridden much at all and so she named the trip The Unlikely Adventure.Along the way she fell in love with cycling and by the time she returned back to London 5 months later, she turned her mind to  ultra-distance racing.  She's since lined up at events such as Dales Divide, Trans Pyrenees and Badlands, more recently she has et the fastest known female time on the Three Peaks by Bike Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon while cycling the 700 km between them.Follow Harriet via her instagram - @anunlikelyadventure and also her personal blog - An Unlikely AdventureCheck out Zorali for all your outdoor adventure needs! Support the showBuy me a coffee! I'm an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

Day 1,359.Today, as one of Russia's largest oil terminals burns following an overnight strike, we report on yet another aerial blitz on Kyiv and assess the latest wave of European support for Ukraine. We also examine German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's call for President Zelensky to stem the flow of young Ukrainian men fleeing to Germany. Later, we bring you an exclusive interview with the Deputy Head of Zelensky's Presidential Office, who shares Kyiv's latest response to the corruption scandal engulfing the administration – and warns that Ukrainian society this summer was at “boiling point.”ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Ihor Brusylov, Deputy Head of Zelensky's Presidential Office.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Francis's Book Review: ‘How Gorbachev fooled the West into thinking he was a liberal visionary' (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/c726678d9006e83dWatch: Ukraine helicopter shoots down Russian drone using American minigun (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/13/ukraine-helicopter-minigun-shoots-down-russian-drone/ Germany slams door on Ukrainian men fleeing war (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/13/germany-slams-door-ukrainian-men-fleeing-war-russia-merz/ US sanctions Ukrainian firms accused of helping supply parts for Iran's Shahed drones used by Russia (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/iran-buys-shahed-components-from-within-ukraine-us-treasury/?mc_cid=c6b36a0bef&mc_eid=08d0680a95 LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan examines President Trump's defense of his plan to double the number of Chinese students in America, Beijing's latest moves to weaponize rare earth minerals, the deepening conflicts in Gaza and Guinea, and how Sweden's cultural war on assimilation mirrors the decline of the West. He closes with promising new medical breakthroughs on Alzheimer's, cancer, heart rhythm, and anxiety. Trump Defends 600,000 Chinese Student Visas: President Trump told Fox News that Chinese students keep American colleges solvent, calling the plan "a business decision." Critics, including Laura Ingraham, warned that Chinese nationals pose espionage and bioweapon risks, while Trump insisted, "MAGA was my idea — I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else." Bryan argues the move exposes Trump's blind spot: treating adversaries as business partners instead of ideological foes. China's Rare Earth Slowdown: Xi Jinping is quietly delaying rare earth export licenses for U.S. buyers, especially those tied to military contracts, while expanding Chinese control of mines in Brazil and Central Asia. Bryan warns that "Beijing seeks domination, not cooperation — we can never trust China on anything." Gaza, Guinea, and the Global Chessboard: Trump's Pentagon is exploring a new base near Gaza to support a 10,000-member Arab stabilization force, while King Abdullah of Jordan says no Arab nation wants to "touch that mission." In Africa, China now controls the world's largest iron-ore mine in Guinea, giving it leverage to flood global steel markets and crush Western industry. Sweden's Self-Destruction: Leftist mayors in Sweden argue that native Swedes must integrate with Arab migrants, not the other way around. Bryan calls it "civilizational suicide" and a warning for America's future: "When a culture stops believing in itself, it dies." Good News in Medicine: Scientists report that NAD⁺ supplements may reverse Alzheimer's symptoms, a high-fiber diet improves melanoma survival, coffee may reduce A-Fib risk, and choline — found in salmon and eggs — helps ease anxiety. Bryan calls it "proof that science, faith, and common sense can still work together."   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Trump Chinese student visas Fox News, Laura Ingraham MAGA debate, China rare earth exports Xi Jinping, Gaza stabilization force Jordan Abdullah, Guinea Simandou iron mine Rio Tinto, Sweden migrant assimilation debate, NAD Alzheimer's research, coffee A-Fib study, choline anxiety nutrient

In this powerhouse Veterans Day episode, Ghost dives deep into the latest global shakeups, starting with Trump's bold warning to Nigeria over Christian persecution and the ripple effects across Africa. He breaks down the U.S. push into Central Asia's mineral markets, exposing the neocon agendas and globalist resistance to Trump's resource diplomacy. From Steve Bannon and Eric Prince's takes on manufacturing and Middle Eastern geopolitics to Israel's growing instability and internal dissent, Ghost connects the dots on how global power structures are crumbling. He also unpacks breaking news of a Turkish military plane crash, Saudi Arabia's diplomatic maneuvering ahead of Trump's meeting with MBS, and Viktor Orbán's efforts to mediate a Trump–Putin peace summit. Thought-provoking, fiery, and meticulously sourced, this episode maps the frontlines of the multipolar world forming right before our eyes.

Day 1,356Today, after weekend strikes on energy facilities in both countries left blackouts in Russia and Ukraine, we report how Moscow now seems to be deliberately targeting Ukrainian nuclear plants well away from the front line, how Britain is sending military personnel to defend Belgian skies, and later we have an interview with Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, in which he describes Ukraine's adaptation of battlefield tactics.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. @Jack_Watling on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Dr Jack Watling's New RUSI Report - 'Emergent Approaches to Combined Arms Manoeuvre in Ukraine':https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/insights-papers/emergent-approaches-combined-arms-manoeuvre-ukrainePokrovsk: Where Putin Shattered His Teethhttps://cepa.org/article/pokrovsk-where-putin-shattered-his-teeth/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=emailLISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max and Maria had a livestreamed conversation in the CSIS Brack Studio with Dara Massicot and Kateryna Bondar to discuss Russian and Ukrainian battlefield adaptations and technological innovations. This conversation took place on November 5, 2025. A video recording is available at CSIS.org. "How Russia Recovered: What the Kremlin Is Learning From the War in Ukraine" by Dara Massicot (Foreign Affairs, October 2025) "How and Why Ukraine's Military Is Going Digital" by Kateryna Bondar (CSIS.org, October 2025) "Russia's War in Ukraine: The Next Chapter" by Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya (CSIS.org, September 2025)  

Day 1,346.Today, as Ukrainian forces hang on in Pokrovsk, we discuss more reports coming out of the city of Russian troops fighting in civilian clothes – a clear war crime. Plus, we hear about Ukraine's latest long range strikes inside Russia and look at a worrying message from the International Atomic Energy Agency that accuses Moscow of targeting three of Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Later, we hear how a Ukrainian opera lost for 250 years premiered earlier this month in Chernivtsi, accompanied by the sound of air alerts.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjzon X.With thanks to Nataliya Lukyanova and James ButterwickSIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Russian soldiers disguised in civilian clothes infiltrating front-line city (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/13/russian-soldiers-disguised-civilian-clothing-infiltrating/Poland, Hungary and Slovakia defy Brussels as Ukraine trade deal takes effect (POLITICO)https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-hungary-and-slovakia-defy-brussels-as-ukraine-trade-deal-takes-effect/Trump-Vladimir Putin Budapest summit axed following Moscow memo (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/d6655fb1-31af-4da8-85f7-085a8fc00969Hungary's foot-dragging on Russian oil crashes into realityhttps://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-foot-dragging-russian-oil-crashes-reality-croatia-sanction/ LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Hayes is a former U.S. Navy SEAL officer who served 20 years in Special Operations. A graduate of one of the toughest SEAL training classes—one of only 19 out of 120 to complete—he deployed throughout South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, including in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Hayes commanded SEAL Team TWO and led a 2,000-person Special Operations Task Force in southeastern Afghanistan. He also served as Deputy Commander for all Special Operations in Anbar Province, Iraq, and was selected as a White House Fellow (’08–’09). At the National Security Council, he served as Director for Defense Policy and Strategy, where he helped draft a proposed START Treaty and led the White House response to the Maersk Alabama hijacking. His decorations include the Bronze Star for Valor in Iraq, a Bronze Star for Afghanistan, and the Defense Superior Service Medal. After retiring from the Navy, Hayes transitioned to senior leadership roles in technology and investment, and authored Never Enough: A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning, donating all profits to support Gold Star families. He lives with his wife, Anita, and their daughter, Maeson, and most enjoys spending time and laughing with them when not mentoring others or speaking about leadership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.