Podcasts about Diplomacy

In this episode, James interviews retired U. S. Navy Admiral William Fallon, former commander of U. S. Central Command (CENTCOM), about his recently published book Decisions, Discord, and Diplomacy: From Cairo to Kabul." In the interview, Fallon gives an overview of U. S. involvement in the Middle East from the 1980s to the present, including on his own involvement in actions that include the Lebanese Civil War, Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort, the 9/11 attacks on the U. S., and the subsequent U. S. wars against Iraq and Afghanistan. Fallon concludes with his own reflections on America's military campaigns in this volatile corner of the globe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even if Trump Has Given Away the Store, Diplomacy is Better Than Continuing to Fight a Lost War | The Price the U.S. Will Pay for Trump's Hubris, Hegseth's Incompetence and Netanyahu's Mendacity | In Shelving His New DNI and FISA Deal, Trump Makes Clear That Rigging the Next Election is His Top Priority backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia bsky.app/profile/ianmastersmedia.bsky.social linktr.ee/backgroundbriefing

After very intense days of build-up, when President Trump spoke openly about his anger at his one-time pal, Benjamin Netanyahu, we learned on Sunday night - the President's 80th birthday - that Iran and America had agreed to end the war.Come again? Which war?On Monday, the President, Vice-President and Iranian Foreign Minister Aragchi signed a “Memorandum of Understanding”. Electronically. Diplomacy by docu-sign. We are told that it takes care of all outstanding business and acrimony. Most importantly, Trump gloated, gas prices dropped immediately and the Strait of Hormuz was open to commercial shipping traffic. Who knew it was all so easily resolved?On today's podcast I get into the ugly underbelly of this “deal” - or what we think we know about it - with two of the top analysts in this business: Andrew Fox and Negar Mojtahedi. Their bios are below. The discussion is fantastic.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast NotesMust-read essay published on Monday, June 15, by Andrew Fox. “Anatomy of a Debacle.”Andrew Fox is a former British Army Major and frontline conflict researcher specialising in modern warfare. A former senior lecturer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he is now a senior associate fellow at several international think tanks and a regular media commentator on global conflicts.He writes the Fox on War Substack and co-hosts The Brink podcast, bringing field reporting and strategic analysis from conflicts including Gaza and Ukraine.Negar Mojtahedi is a journalist with Iran International and an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She is based in Vancouver, B.C.Follow Negar on X @NegarMojtahedi / Instagram @negarmojtahediState of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

President Donald Trump declared that the war with Iran is over following the announcement of a new peace framework. While negotiators are preparing for a formal signing ceremony, officials on both sides say critical issues — including Iran's nuclear program — remain unresolved. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Year(s) Discussed: 1924-2018 Uncover the profound leadership qualities of George H. W. Bush that still resonate today—trust, humility, and an unwavering respect for institutions. My discussion with historian Laurence Jurdem about his new biography of Bush dives deep into the life and legacy of a man often underrated in our modern political landscape, revealing how his personal diplomacy and commitment to service forged extraordinary relationships at home and abroad. Whether you're in politics, business, or community leadership, you'll find invaluable lessons here that challenge the way you think about influence and legacy. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gavin landed back in Australia just the day before recording, and he and Ken settle in for a full debrief on WDC 2026 in Athens. From the venues and the social activities to all four of Gavin's games and the top board, this one covers it all. Intro Ken sets up the episode – this one is going to be almost entirely about WDC 2026 Athens, because Gavin was there and has only just landed back in Australia (as at the time of recording) (15 secs) He notes the DBN coverage gave a strong account of the boards and Ed's player interviews, but plenty of the magic from Spyros Dovas and his organising team didn't make it to the stream (45 secs) Drinks are introduced: Ken is on one of his home-brew lagers with a kick, and Gavin is working through a leftover Sicilian Nero d'Avola that has turned a little sour – a fitting metaphor, he suggests, for how his first round went (1 min 45 secs) The tournament in aggregate Ken asks Gavin to give a broad overview – location, numbers, facilities, atmosphere (2 mins 45 secs) Around 106 players registered, though some didn't show due to last-minute issues. Approximately 5 Australian players couldn't attend because their original flights were routed through the Middle East (3 mins 30 secs) The geopolitical context: as of recording, the Middle East airspace situation was in week nine of its shutdown, forcing Australian travellers to reroute via Singapore, Hong Kong, or Malaysia. Some also baulked at the US transit option due to the documentation requirements (4 mins 30 secs) Despite the drop-outs, the turnout was excellent and genuinely representative – a heavy European component split between the UK and the rest of Europe, a strong French contingent, players from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, and Norway, a good number of Americans and a couple of Canadians (including Chris Brand), around 10 Australians, and a couple of Kiwis (Dominick Stephens and Craig Purcell). The local Greek contingent, given the Athens club had only been running for about 18 months, was especially impressive (3 mins 30 secs) Tournament format: three regular rounds followed by a fourth round of tiered top boards. Rather than a single top board, the format featured seven simultaneous top boards – the top 7 players went to the premier board, players 8–14 played the second tier, 15–21 the third, and so on down through the field. Crucially, players who volunteered to sit out for round four to help with numbers kept their ranking position (7 mins) Ken and Gavin discuss how the tiered format means the fourth round is never a dead rubber – every board is still competing for something meaningful (8 mins 15 secs) Discussion of the central clock arrangement: effectively federation-based rather than a literal single clock, with the two main venues coordinating their start times by communication (9 mins 30 secs) The venues The main venue was the upstairs function space of a beachside restaurant operation – excellent location right on the waterfront, but somewhat cramped for negotiations once all the boards were in (9 mins 45 secs) As a result, boards were redistributed to the secondary venue: the Anchor bar, about 150–200 metres down the road. Gavin played two games in each location and considered the Anchor the better play space – more open, well ventilated, and with a large covered outdoor area next to a (drained) pool (11 mins) The colour-coded sash system made it easy to identify players by country but created the amusing challenge of locating your specific Italy in a room full of Italys from different boards (13 mins) The third venue – an outdoor shaded area – was reserved for the premier top board. Unlike Milan's car park, this one had good shade and plenty of room for spectators around the giant shadow board (13 mins 30 secs) Pre-tournament social activities Gavin outlines the structure: you could do as much or as little as you liked. He landed well due to a useful 5.5-hour Singapore layover that helped reset his body clock, and flew over on the same flight as tournament director Jamal Blakkarly (16 mins) They were met at Athens airport by Spyros, his wife, and daughter, who drove them to breakfast at a beautiful harbour-side restaurant in one of the small inlet bays east of Piraeus (18 mins 15 secs) Pre-tournament island stay: Gavin spent two days on Serifos, the island Spyros recommended and which has personal significance to his family (his grandfather was christened there). Spyros provided a detailed Google Map of the best spots. With the tourist season barely starting, Gavin got excellent last-minute accommodation at a family-run hotel and had the beaches almost entirely to himself (18 mins 45 secs) The island was so off-season that locals were literally still painting their furniture and kerbs in preparation. Gavin did the recommended hikes and swims, and the hotel gifted him a dry-bag left behind by a previous guest (20 mins 30 secs) Back in Athens overnight, Gavin caught up with a multinational squad of players including Shane, Brandon, Max, Zoe, Justin Law, Bradley Grace, and Karthik. They had dinner at an Italian restaurant with the Acropolis lit up above them (22 mins 30 secs) Hydra day trip (Wednesday): players caught the fast ferry from Piraeus out to Hydra (about 1.5 hrs). The island has a refined Venetian-Greek port feel, with rustic paths and rock beaches beyond. The group visited the Museum of the 1821 Greek Revolution, full of local history and artefacts. Gavin wore one of his Diplomacy shirts and ended up being an ambassador for the hobby to an American grandmother and her debate-champion granddaughter from North Carolina – and pointed them towards David Hood and the local hobby there (24 mins 15 secs) The water temperature at the beach was about 4–5 degrees colder than Australia, which meant the Europeans loved it and Gavin did not go in (26 mins 30 secs) Acropolis and Athens tour (Thursday): guided tour of the Acropolis by what Spyros described as the best guides operating there, followed by a walk through the Plaka and past the Panathenaic Stadium (venue of the first modern Olympics in 1896), then a seafood lunch at a beautiful harbourside restaurant (30 mins) Temple of Poseidon (Thursday evening): the most popular activity – the bus was packed. About halfway there, Spyros took everyone on an unannounced detour to a beach bar where they had the place to themselves, a wonderful surprise. The Temple itself sits on a peninsula with 270-degree sea views. Spyros told the story of how the Aegean got its name from that location, and a huge group photo was taken (31 mins 15 secs) Tournament production values Gavin describes the production as setting new high-water marks for tournament organisation – high enough that the Chicago 2027 organising team would be wondering how to match it. Every player had a colour-coded sash matching their country, a branded WDC Athens notepad in their country colour, and a matching pen for every round (33 mins) The awards were 3D-printed Greek god statues for the podium finishers, complemented by a full suite of themed awards for the top players in each country and for notable gameplay (34 min) Special awards included: the Ajax Award for 8th place overall (the brilliant fighter who just missed out); the Archimedes Award for the most innovative play; the Leonidas Award for the player who fought on against insurmountable odds; and professionally screen-printed awards for best performance as each of the seven Great Powers (35 mins 45 secs) Gavin's games Round 1 – France – Board: Agkystri (View game) Gavin introduces his first game and the board composition: he played France, with Danae Stamataki (Austria-Hungary, local Greek player who topped the board on 10 supply centres and won best Austria), Sabrina Ahuja "Sabi" as England, Brian Ecton as Germany, Jean-Louis Delattre as Italy, Teo Ananiadis as Russia, and Frank Oosterom from the Netherlands as Turkey (37 mins 15 secs) The plan was a Western Triple working with England and Germany, with the goal of neutralising a strong-looking Italy early. It didn't come together as intended (37 mins 45 secs) The infamous mis-order: Gavin had two builds and intended fleet Brest plus a second build. Instead he built fleet Brest and placed the build directly in MAO, effectively waiving his second build. The DBN commentators interpreted this as a genius strategic waive; Ken's interpretation was somewhat more grounded. Gavin confirms Ken was correct (39 mins) The other players on the board didn't share DBN's generous reading of the situation. Germany immediately moved into Burgundy and kept flipping between fronts as his position allowed. Italy kept pressing France throughout. Gavin found himself squeezed down to a single unit in the English Channel (40 mins 30 secs) Final turn plan: England agreed to convoy an army across to Picardy to support Gavin back into Brest. Instead, Sabi walked into an open Paris. Gavin ended the game with zero supply centres and was eliminated (42 mins 15 secs) Gavin notes he made his disappointment known professionally, and that he subsequently had a drink with Sabi – but not that night (44 mins 15 secs) Round 2 – England – Board: Lemnos Not covered by DBN. Gavin played England; the board included Dominick Stephens (New Zealand) as Germany, Chris Brand (Canada) as Russia, Ruben Sanchez as Italy, Roberto Perego (Italy) as France, Robert Schuppe as Turkey, and Anastasia "Nastja" Styles as Austria-Hungary (46 mins) The plan was a Northern Alliance of England, Germany, and Russia. It unravelled immediately when Chris opened Moscow to Livonia and Dominick interpreted it as aggressive – resulting in a Germany-Russia war from the outset (46 mins 15 secs) Gavin adapted: knowing Germany was occupied in the east, he gave Russia some space and opened into Belgium, with Dominick and Chris both honouring his request to take Norway unopposed via fleet (46 mins 45 secs) Dominick and Gavin worked to grind down Roberto Perego's France, who ground out a hard-fought game staying alive on 2 centres. Ruben Sanchez's Italy played a deft game, flipping between alliances with Turkey and Austria (49 mins 15 secs) Dominick topped the board on 10; Ruben came in at 9; Gavin finished at 7. The game was meant to run to 1909 but drew earlier when the position stabilised. Gavin reflects he may have drawn too early, with both Dominick and Ruben suggesting he had room to push for another two centres (50 mins) Round 3 – Germany – Board: Symi (View game) Gavin played Germany. The board included Shane Armstrong (Australia) as France, Mikalis Kamaritis as Italy, Alex Maslow (USA) as Russia, Steven Hogue (USA) as Austria, Alex Lebedev (Russia) as England, and Jack Johns as Turkey (51 mins 15 secs) The strategic context: only Mikalis Kamaritis and Alex Lebedev were realistically in contention for the top board from this game. Shane and Gavin identified this early and committed to supporting the player they believed deserved to be there (52 mins 45 secs) Shane and Gavin opened with a Sealion against England, while Gavin also walked a careful line with Alex Lebedev, who initially felt more threatened by France than Germany. Austria was eliminated in 1903, and England in 1904 (53 mins 45 secs) A notable moment: Gavin slipped an army from the North Sea into an unoccupied London – a move he acknowledged was unnecessary, created friction with Alex Lebedev, and which he would not make again. He apologised on the day (56 mins 15 secs) Mikalis told Gavin and Shane to wait until 1905 – and delivered. He launched from his eastern position, took two dots off Russia and one off Turkey in a single year, then steamrolled from there. Alex Maslow was a strong and enjoyable player who nearly flipped the alliance but ultimately couldn't (56 mins 15 secs) The game agreed to a draw of 10-10-14 (Shane-Gavin-Mikalis), which the three felt would get Mikalis comfortably onto the top board. In the final adjudication Mikalis took one extra dot away from Shane, making the final scores 15-10-9 (58 mins 15 secs) Round 4 – Austria – Board: Myconos (View game) Gavin made it onto the fourth round, placed into the 6th top board. The board featured Shane Armstrong again as Turkey, Emmett Wainwright as England, Patrick Jacobson as France, Nathan Lester as Germany, Cameron Taylor as Italy, and Richard Bolton as Russia (59 mins 30 secs) The standout introduction: Nathan Lester, son of Dan Lester (who Gavin played against at Bangkok WDC). Same voice, same playing style, same persuasive meta-game arguments – but with a mullet and dressed like he's in an 80s rock video, and without the beard-stroking (1 hr 0 mins 45 secs) Gavin and Shane, having just played together in Round 3, ended up as Austria and Turkey respectively – not a natural alliance. Gavin didn't trust it but it held. Italy and France both kept fighting hard throughout (59 mins 45 secs) The game drew in 1906, with Shane and Emmett both finishing on 8, Gavin on 6 as Austria. Everyone then rushed across the road to watch the top board (1 hr 3 mins 45 secs) The top board Ken asks about Mikalis's diplomatic style. Gavin: exceptional situational awareness, communicates clearly and directly, asked and answered the "what do you want from this game?" question in a way that built immediate trust, and was good to his word on timing (1 hr 4 mins) Gavin arrived at the top board mid-1906 (his own game had just drawn). The top board was played outdoors under a well-shaded tree with plenty of room for negotiations, guarded by two or three people ensuring other players and passing members of the public couldn't crowd the board (1 hr 5 mins) The giant shadow board: a massive life-size replica board was set up nearby so all spectators could follow the game without approaching the real board. Andrew Goff read out the orders and the shadow board was updated after each adjudication – the same setup used at Milan WDC (1 hr 7 mins 45 secs) When Gavin arrived, he felt Bradley Grace had the game. The shift came late – Mikalis made a decisive move in the endgame that separated him from a closely matched France/Germany contest (1 hr 9 mins) Congratulations to Mikalis Kamaritis – well deserved, Gavin says. And to Bradley Grace: so close, but it will happen (1 hr 9 mins) The awards ceremony included Mikalis receiving both the championship belt and a traditional olive laurel wreath – a detail that was not captured in the DBN stream. Ken flags this as something future broadcasts should consider covering (1 hr 11 mins 15 secs) A Best Shane Cubis Award was also created – won by a Greek player who loudly lobbied Spyros for an award on the basis of how much he'd helped out. An AI-generated image of Shane Cubis in 1901 attire featured on the award, to the complete bafflement of the European and American contingents (1 hr 12 mins 50 secs) Game hobby and future WDCs The Chicago Windy City Weasels delivered a presentation promoting WDC 2027, enthusiastically received by the assembled players (1 hr 13 mins 15 secs) The 2028 bid: Melbourne was the only bid, and it was unanimously approved. Andrew Goff (Goffy) presented it. WDC 2028 Melbourne will be held at the MCG – the Melbourne Cricket Ground – with the conference rooms used for regular play, and the premier top board played on the MCG wicket itself. The countdown timer will run on the MCG scoreboard. Notionally scheduled for the last weekend of February 2028 – the weekend after the Formula One Grand Prix and the weekend before the first AFL round (1 hr 14 mins 30 secs) For international context: roughly equivalent to playing at Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, the Camp Nou, or Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. English players will recognise the MCG as where English cricket hopes traditionally come to die (1 hr 15 mins 15 secs) Also at the game hobby: a unanimous vote to amend and modernise the WDC charter, which dates from around 2000–2001 and doesn't reflect current online play, email communication, or the organisational structures of the Asia-Pacific and European hobbies. Four representatives (from NADF, the Asia-Pacific Diplomacy Association, and the European and UK hobbies) will draft amendments to be presented at WDC 2027 Chicago, with ratification at WDC 2028 Melbourne (1 hr 18 mins) Wrap up Gavin acknowledges the full organising effort: approximately 10 people working behind the scenes alongside Spyros and Jamal to make everything run. The Greek hobby and Athens Diplomacy Club can be enormously proud (1 hr 20 mins 30 secs) The Armistice Party: held between rounds three and four in the venue near the pool area. A DJ with a custom app allowed all attending players to nominate up to 10 songs each, with the crowd then voting in real time from four options for what came next. Gavin describes it as stunningly well thought through (1 hr 22 mins) Ken summarises: meticulously planned, wonderful venue, brilliant location, great games, fantastic people. Gavin: you got it in one. Thank you to Spyros, Jamal, and everyone they played with (1 hr 23 mins) Addendum – recorded one week later Ken and Gavin explain the addendum: a few things were either forgotten or lost in the original recording, so they've caught up a week later to cover them (1 hr 25 mins 45 secs) The Cane Toad The Cane Toad tournament will not run in 2026 – Gavin has made the decision to rest it for the year and bring it back bigger and better in 2027 (1 hr 26 mins 30 secs) Reasons: Gavin no longer lives in Brisbane where the tournament has historically been based, and several attempts to get a local game going have been completely unsuccessful. He feels it would be unfair to interstate players to travel to Queensland only to play mostly other interstate players rather than a meaningful proportion of locals (1 hr 27 mins 30 secs) He also flags cost-of-living pressures and fuel costs as factors, noting that the fuel excise which had been removed is about to be reinstated (1 hr 28 mins 45 secs) Ken and Gavin have a brief riff on whether cane toads actually hibernate, and whether the tournament might one day move to a different Queensland location (1 hr 28 mins 45 secs) Gavin shares a long-held dream of running the Cane Toad on the beach under a sun-safe setup. Council regulations require public liability insurance – but the Asia Pacific Diplomacy Association is in the process of organising exactly that for tournament directors, which may open the door in future (1 hr 29 mins 15 secs) Tournament news The Sydney Cup is on the weekend of 4–5 July. Gavin would love to go but has used up his diplomacy credits between Greece and starting a new job – it'll have to stay in the bank for now (1 hr 30 mins 45 secs) A New Zealand tournament is being discussed for the week before WDC 2028 Melbourne (late February 2028). Three New Zealand players who attended WDC 2026 in Athens have flagged interest in hosting something, on the logic that if you're travelling all the way from Europe or the US, a short hop across the Tasman to New Zealand is well worth building into the itinerary (1 hr 32 mins) Ken enthusiastically endorses the idea and encourages anyone planning for WDC 2028 Melbourne to factor in a week in New Zealand beforehand (1 hr 33 mins 30 secs) Challenge for next episode Over his birthday lunch, Gavin's son surprised him with an accurate recall of his WDC result. This leads Gavin to issue a challenge for the next episode: both Ken and Gavin will do some homework and come back with three or four online diplomacy resources that people may not know about, to raise awareness of what the community has put together over the years (1 hr 34 mins 45 secs) Around the grounds VDiplomacy gets an introduction for any listeners who aren't familiar: a sibling platform to WebDiplomacy, it hosts classic games but is particularly known for its range of variants (1 hr 36 mins 30 secs) The Dionysus Reimagined game recap – the ancient Greece variant Ken and Gavin set up in the lead-up to WDC Athens. Ken soloed, eliminating Gavin in the final year. Gavin notes that technically his last dot was taken so late that his result registers as a survive rather than an elimination (1 hr 38 mins 45 secs) Gavin played Athens and found himself defending on all fronts from early on: Sparta (who built only armies and had nowhere to go but north), the Macedonians pressing from the north, Byzantium late in the game, and Rhodes. Ken played Byzantium and credits his early token luck as a key advantage, picking up all his bid supply centres including one he expected to bounce – giving him fleet dominance in the Aegean from the start (1 hr 40 mins) The bid mechanics are recapped for any listeners unfamiliar with the variant: each player has 4 tokens to bid on non-core supply centres; outbid or bounce and you don't get the build. Ken's fortunate opening bids gave him a decisive early position (1 hr 40 mins 30 secs) A practical tip for vDiplomacy players: always open the large map after adjudication. The small map can omit orders that didn't go through, making moves look different from what was actually played. Ken noted several instances in the Dionysus game where support orders that failed simply weren't visible on the small map (1 hr 45 mins 45 secs) Ken congratulates himself on the win and notes the ratings gap between the two has now closed to around 100 points (1 hr 47 mins 30 secs) New game announced: Gavin has set up a Pirates game titled Ahoy Mateys on vDiplomacy. Gunboat, 2-day 2-hour phase length. Ken explains the extra 2 hours: it gradually shifts the adjudication time back toward Australian time zones in games where everyone readies up early (1 hr 48 mins) Pirates variant overview: a 13-player variant set in the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean, created by Gavin in collaboration with Ollie (the vDiplomacy site administrator). The 13 players are broken into three factions (1 hr 51 mins 45 secs): Europeans – Spain, England, France, and Holland, who nominally control supply centres across the map but must capture them to make them count Pirates – five pirates, four historical (Montbas, Brasiliano, de la Cueva, and Johnson) and one fictitious: El Guapo, borrowed from the movie The Three Amigos Privateers – one per European power, operating as private navies with letters patent. They can attack anyone except their sponsoring power (and vice versa). The Dunkirkers serve Spain, Henry Morgan serves England, François Le Jones serves France, and the Rocherson serves Holland Unit rules: all units are fleets, but there are two types – Clippers (move up to two spaces, standard attack strength) and Frigates (move one space, attack at 1.5x strength). A single clipper cannot defend against an attacking frigate, but a clipper supported by another clipper can. Five marked spots on the board allow transformation between unit types (1 hr 57 mins 45 secs) Special rules: a voodoo witch's hut in Cuba allows a fleet on the north coast to teleport to the south coast and vice versa. And a 14th non-playing character – a Hurricane – spins up each storm season in a random sea territory, moves randomly in the fall turn, and destroys anything in its path with an effectively unstoppable attack strength, also resetting any supply centre it passes through to neutral (1 hr 59 mins) Ken commits to reading the full rules before play begins, notes Pirates has a genuine following on vDiplomacy with games regularly in progress, and suspects he may get slaughtered (2 hr 1 min 15 secs) Gavin and Ken wrap up the show (2 hr 2 mins 15 secs) Venue: At home Drinks for the interview: Ken: One of his home brews – a lager with a bit of a kick Gavin: A Baliamo Nero d'Avola from Sicily – opened two weeks prior, which he noted had become a little sour and bitter compared to its fresh opening, much like his first round at the tournament Just a reminder you can support the show by giving it 5 stars on iTunes or Stitcher. And don't forget if you want to help pay off the audio equipment… or get the guys more drunk, you can also donate at Patreon, plus you get extra podcast episodes! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe so you get the latest Diplomacy Games episodes straight to your phone. Thanks as always to Dr Dan aka "The General" for his rockin' intro tune.

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: A Climate and Economy Face-Off at Budapest's Grand Forum Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2026-06-12-22-34-01-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A Nap magasan járt az égen, fénysugarai csillogtak a Duna vizén.En: The Sun was high in the sky, its rays shimmering on the waters of the Duna.Hu: Budapest szívében, a lenyűgöző Országház épületében, éppen egy nemzetközi konferencia zajlott.En: In the heart of Budapest, within the magnificent Országház building, a significant international conference was taking place.Hu: A hatalmas termet betöltötte a különböző nyelveken szóló beszélgetés zaja.En: The large hall was filled with the noise of conversations in various languages.Hu: Zsófia, a fiatal és odaadó szakpolitikai tanácsadó, lélekszakadva készült előadása előtt.En: Zsófia, a young and dedicated policy advisor, was preparing tirelessly before her presentation.Hu: Nemcsak kollégái, hanem a nemzetközi szemek is figyelemmel kísérték a légkört emberek, földek, és tengerek sorsáról.En: Not only her colleagues but international eyes were closely monitoring the atmosphere concerning the fate of people, lands, and seas.Hu: Balázs, az egyik legtekintélyesebb diplomata, szintén izgatottan várta az eszmecserék kezdetét.En: Balázs, one of the most esteemed diplomats, was also eagerly awaiting the start of the discussions.Hu: A világ gazdasági növekedése számára kiemelt fontosságú volt, és ő annak támogatójaként lépett fel.En: Economic growth worldwide was of paramount importance to him, and he stood as a supporter of it.Hu: Az országok közötti együttműködés, a beruházások fokozása volt az ő célja, még ha az néha ellentmondott is a környezetvédelmi szempontoknak.En: His aim was to enhance cooperation between countries and to increase investments, even if it sometimes contradicted environmental considerations.Hu: Zsófia nem tehetett mást, mint hogy mély levegőt vett.En: Zsófia could do nothing but take a deep breath.Hu: Az ő célja az volt, hogy a gyakran mellőzött környezetvédelmi politikák végre teret nyerjenek az asztalnál.En: Her goal was for often neglected environmental policies to finally gain a place at the table.Hu: Tudta, hogy Balázs és még néhány delegátus ellenállásába fog ütközni.En: She knew she would face resistance from Balázs and a few other delegates.Hu: Ezt a konferenciát arra használta fel, hogy világos üzenetet közvetítsen: a bolygónknak sürgős intézkedésekre van szüksége.En: She used this conference to convey a clear message: our planet urgently needs action.Hu: Ahogy a konferencia kezdetét vette, Zsófia határozottan lépett a szónoki emelvényhez.En: As the conference commenced, Zsófia stepped confidently to the podium.Hu: Hangja tiszta és magabiztos volt, amikor a klimatológiai adatokat kezdte ismertetni.En: Her voice was clear and confident as she began presenting climatic data.Hu: Nyers és megrendítő tényeket sorolt fel a hallgatóságnak, fényképekkel és diagramokkal illusztrálva a változásokat.En: She listed raw and poignant facts to the audience, illustrating the changes with photos and diagrams.Hu: Szavai mélyen hatottak, a teremben ülők arcán láthatóan elgondolkodtató hatást keltett.En: Her words had a profound impact, visibly making the attendees ponder.Hu: "Nagyon fontos, hogy ne csak az anyagi javakat mérlegeljük" – folytatta.En: "It is very important that we do not only weigh material gains," she continued.Hu: – "A jövő generációinak jövője a mi kezünkben van.En: "The future of upcoming generations is in our hands.Hu: Meg kell találnunk az egyensúlyt.En: We need to find a balance."Hu: "Balázs felszólalása után – amely a gazdasági növekedés fontosságát hangsúlyozta – a teremben feszült csend honolt.En: After Balázs's speech—which emphasized the importance of economic growth—a tense silence filled the room.Hu: Zsófia tudta, hogy nincs könnyű dolga.En: Zsófia knew she had a tough task ahead.Hu: Azonban, amikor Balázs odalépett hozzá a záróbeszéde után, a szikrázó nyári napsütés már máshogy csillant meg a haján.En: However, when Balázs approached her after his closing speech, the sparkling summer sunshine shone differently on his hair.Hu: "Talán lehetséges lenne egy fokozatos megközelítés, amolyan kisebb lépésekkel," mondta Balázs.En: "Perhaps a gradual approach, taking smaller steps, could be possible," said Balázs.Hu: Zsófia elgondolkodva nézett rá, hálásan bólintott.En: Zsófia looked at him thoughtfully, nodding gratefully.Hu: "Egyetértek.En: "I agree.Hu: Kis lépések, de a helyes irányba.En: Small steps, but in the right direction."Hu: "A konferencia végére Zsófia és Balázs közös nevezőre jutottak.En: By the end of the conference, Zsófia and Balázs reached a common ground.Hu: A tervek átalakultak, hogy teret adjanak a fokozatos, mégis fenntartható fejlődésnek.En: Plans transformed to allow for gradual yet sustainable development.Hu: Mindketten új szemlélettel távoztak az Országház árnyékából, megfogadva, hogy a jövőben együtt formálják a fontos döntéseket.En: Both left the shadow of the Országház with a new perspective, vowing to shape important decisions together in the future.Hu: Együtt haladnak előre, lépésről lépésre, egy zöldebb jövő felé.En: Together, they move forward, step by step, towards a greener future. Vocabulary Words:shimmering: csillogtakmagnificent: lenyűgöződedicated: odaadópolicy advisor: szakpolitikai tanácsadómonitoring: figyelemmel kísértékatmosphere: légkörfate: sorsesteemed: tekintélyesparamount: kiemeltcontradicted: ellentmondottconvey: közvetítsencommenced: kezdetét vettepodium: szónoki emelvénypoignant: megrendítőprofound: mélyponder: elgondolkodtatóweigh: mérlegeljükgenerations: generációkgratefully: hálásanperspective: szemléletcommon ground: közös nevezőgradual: fokozatossustainable: fenntarthatótransform: átalakultakshape: formáljáktirelessly: lélekszakadvaresistance: ellenállásurgently: sürgősillustrating: illusztrálvaemphasized: hangsúlyozta

Episode 4142 │ June 10, 2026 China has used pandas as a precision geopolitical weapon for 1,400 years. The same strategy that sent bears to Nixon sent Trump to Beijing. Part Four of the Panda Gambit series moves from symbol to weapon, documenting 1,400 years of Chinese panda diplomacy as a precision instrument of state power — from Empress Wu Zetian's 658 AD deployment to Japan through Nixon's National Zoo gift to the 2023 mass global recall that mapped China's alliance structure in real time. Scott Kesterson unpacks the five mythological layers of the Pixiu — the panda's imperial name — including its roles as military sovereignty marker, wealth accumulator, cosmic axis, war-stopping authority, and legitimacy seal, and explains why the panda's black and white markings physically embody the Yin-Yang of Heaven's Mandate. The episode exposes the China Wildlife Conservation Association, the opaque nonprofit receiving $32.5 million annually in unaudited panda lease revenue from 32 countries, whose council includes executives from traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical companies documented using endangered animal parts, and whose illegal branches were wildlife breeding committees — not administrative offices. Scott then traces the 125-year thread from the 1901 Boxer Protocol indemnity through the founding of Tsinghua University on returned American funds to Stephen Schwarzman's personal endowment of a reverse scholarship program at the same institution — with Schwarzman seated in the Beijing summit delegation in May 2026. The episode closes by laying the rare earth fuse for Part Five: China controls 99% of global samarium, 79% of tungsten, and has tightened export controls in a calculated sequence from 2023 to 2025 — leaving the US military unable to rebuild Tomahawk and THAAD inventories without Chinese permission after the Iran campaign burned ten years of production. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED What are the five mythological layers of the Pixiu — the panda's imperial name — and why does its presence or absence in a foreign capital signal peace or war under Chinese cosmological doctrine? What do the financial records of the China Wildlife Conservation Association actually reveal — and why are traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical executives sitting on its council? What is the 125-year thread connecting the Boxer Protocol indemnity, Tsinghua University, Stephen Schwarzman, and the May 2026 Beijing summit? How did China build a structural rare earth dependency into the US military supply chain over 30 years — and what does it cost America to rebuild after the Iran campaign? Why did an American president fly to Beijing rather than the other way around — and what did Xi say in his opening sentence? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

This week on Without A Country, Corinne Fisher opens with updates on two major pieces of New York legislation, then dives into the rise of AI-generated music after an artificial artist tops the charts, the death of another Central Park carriage horse, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's reported removal of women and Black officers from military promotion lists, the latest developments in the Karmelo Anthony–Austin Metcalf case (including Representative Jasmine Crockett's role in the public conversation around the case), the State Department's bizarre new partnership with the UFC as the Trump administration explores “fight diplomacy”, and final statements on Spencer Pratt's bid for mayor.00:00 Intro & Welcome03:30 Show Kickoff + Knicks 05:15 GASH Los Angeles Announcement07:00 CREEP Act Passes in New York07:45 Bill A-101 Fails Again12:55 Viewer Comments & Political Updates13:45 Bryant Park Knicks Watch Party Experience19:00 Trump's NYC Motorcade 19:45 Community Board 23:00 What Does a Borough President Actually Do?29:00 New Jersey Petition & Survivor Advocacy31:30 Trademark Law Follow-Up: Patagonia Explained34:45 Enemy of the State: AI Music Takes Over35:00 AI Artist IngaRose Hits the Charts40:00 Suno, Copyright, and the Future of Music46:30 Timbaland, AI, and Industry Backlash51:00 Patreon Shoutouts51:45 Cuties Corner: Splash the Search-and-Rescue Otter57:45 Animal Rights Corner58:15 Central Park Carriage Horse Dies01:07:00 Why NYC Still Has Horse-Drawn Carriages01:10:45 Pete Hegseth Removes Women & Black Officers From Promotion Lists01:20:00 DEI, Meritocracy, and Military Politics01:28:00 Colorado Governor Candidate Spotlight01:37:20 Karmelo Anthony vs. Austin Metcalf Case Explained01:44:45 Trial Evidence & Surveillance Video01:52:00 Self-Defense Claims Examined02:00:00 Race, Media Coverage & Public Reaction02:07:30 Jasmine Crockett Controversy02:12:55 UFC at the White House02:15:00 Trump, Dana White & Government Spending02:19:25 Supreme Court End-of-Term Cases02:20:45 Birthright Citizenship Case02:22:20 Trans Athletes & Women's Sports02:23:25 Independent Agencies & Federal Power02:26:00 Mail-In Ballots Case02:27:10 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Challenge02:31:00 Immigration Policy & Deportations02:35:00 Los Angeles Politics & Spencer Pratt's Mayoral Run02:41:45 Election Fraud Claims & California Politics02:45:00 Final Thoughts02:48:00 OutroSUBSCRIBE TO THE PATREON:https://patreon.com/WithoutACountry?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkFOLLOW WITHOUT A COUNTRY ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/withoutacountrypodcast/FOLLOW CORINNE ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/philanthropygalFOLLOW MIKE ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/themharrington/FOLLOW ALONG:CREEP ACT explainedhttps://www.safehorizon.org/creep-act/CALL TO ACTION (please sign this petition for my friend/survivor Tess):https://www.change.org/p/demand-action-from-mayor-wayne-zitt-on-local-crime-issueENEMY OF THE STATE: IngaRose, an AI musicianhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2026/04/17/the-no-1-song-on-us-itunes-and-several-other-countries-is-ai-generated/Cuties CornerDICTATOR ARTICLE OF THE MONTH: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/splash-search-and-rescue-otter?ref=readtangle.comCarriage Horseshttps://www.ibtimes.co.uk/carriage-horse-death-central-park-debate-1801930WACO MAILBAG/LOCAL NEWSPete Hegseth https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/03/pete-hegseth-navy-promotion-listCandidate for Gov of Colorado https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY-LdIYxQKX/ https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/maga-frontrunner-governor-refuses-many-204111697.htmlMAIN STORIES Karmelo Anthony/Austin Metcalfhttps://nypost.com/2026/06/10/us-news/jasmine-crockett-suggests-she-also-would-have-stabbed-austin-metcalf-in-stunning-defense-of-karmelo-anthony/UFC Cage Fight for Diplomacyhttps://nypost.com/2026/06/08/us-news/rubio-and-ufc-will-sign-deal-to-use-cage-fights-for-diplomacy/Supreme Court Cases Left Before Summer Vacationhttps://www.npr.org/2026/06/09/nx-s1-5847967/supreme-court-major-cases-left-2026GUUUURLNithya Raman's Campaign Sucked https://nypost.com/2026/06/04/us-news/the-problem-with-nithya-ramans-campaign-perfectly-captured-in-election-night-party-photos/Trump Says California is Rigging Elections (Spencer Pratt is a sore loser) https://time.com/article/2026/06/07/la-mayor-results-california-election-rigged-trump/&https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-accuses-california-democrats-evidence-steal-elections/story?id=133578982#WithoutACountry #CorinneFisher #Politics #SpencerPratt #Trump #Knicks #NewYorkCity #NewsPodcast #PoliticalCommentary #karmeloanthony #austinmetcalf #petehegseth #ufc #supremecourtSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The World Cup is finally here — and it's coming to North America. This week, Kelly and Tristen take a lighter-than-usual look at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicking off June 11th across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Where there's a major global event, there's geopolitics. From Iran's visa saga to sky-high ticket prices, heat waves in Kansas City, and FIFA's delicate dance with the White House, this tournament is anything but simple. Plus: a quick Iran update, World Cup predictions, and a story involving vuvuzelas and Trafalgar Square. Chapters: 0:05 – Intro & Housekeeping  3:45 – Iran Update 5:57 – World Cup Overview & Geopolitics 9:49 – Iran at the World Cup 16:39 – Ticket Prices  21:27 – Heat & Logistics  23:50 – Predictions & Wrap-Up   Diplomatic Immunity is produced by the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Views expressed reflect only those of the participants.

The Vishuddhi chakra has sixteen petals, each with different qualities and functions. On the physical side, it looks after throat, arms, face, mouth, teeth, etc., so they must all be taken care of. For instance, protecting yourself from the cold, avoiding tobacco, taking proper dental care, and so on. This is particularly important for your vibratory awareness, as the nerves which register the vibrations in the hands pass through this centre.

Larry talks to Dr. Robert Farley from the Patterson School of Diplomacy about President Trump backpedaling on the latest missile strikes on Iran and takes your calls on the NBA Finals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Iran exchanged another round of strikes overnight, resulting in Iran announcing the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, effective immediately, and threatening to hit any vessel crossing the Hormuz.However, an Iranian source told Reuters that Iran and the US are still in negotiations over a preliminary deal, which includes a mechanism for unfreezing funds. US equity futures pare Wednesday's losses ahead of SPCX IPO pricing.DXY flips across the 100.00 handle; EUR muted ahead of ECB policy announcement.Fixed income muted, US 10yr remains above 4.50% with PPI ahead. Crude futures reverse earlier gains amid positive reports of continued US-Iran negotiations.Looking ahead, highlights include US PPI (May), Jobless Claims (May/30), ECB Policy Announcement (Jun), CBRT Policy Announcement (Jun), OPEC MOMR (Jun), Comments from ECB President Lagarde, Supply from the US and Earnings from Adobe.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

Human rights are "part of our DNA," according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who is championing a new Global Alliance at a time of rising conflicts, growing inequalities and mounting climate pressures.The initiative aims to bring together governments, civil society, businesses, academics and communities to place human rights at the centre of decision-making ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2028.Speaking to UN News's Srdan Slavkovic in Geneva, the global hub for human rights diplomacy and advocacy, Mr. Türk explained how the Alliance aims to inspire action.

Michael is joined by Dr. Nadia Schadlow, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy, to discuss the architecture of U.S. global power amid fast-moving crises in the Mideast, China, and Ukraine. Dr. Schadlow provides a compelling assessment of how the administration is utilizing a disruptive, iconoclastic approach to confront years of slow, multilateral processing and force rapid diplomatic end states.

A bonus episode with a quick rant from Scott and an amazing conversation with musician, actor, and composer, Goh Nakamura. Goh scored the forthcoming documentary, Diamond Diplomacy which details the role baseball has played in bridging cultural and political divisions between Japan and the U.S. Goh talks about how working on this documentary has given him a new appreciation for baseball and its stars like Shohei Ohtani, and he talks about his creative process creating music for a baseball documentary.

On this episode of the Energy Security Cubed Podcast, Joe Calnan talks with Randolph Mank about the energy opportunities in Asia and the importance of diplomacy for extending Canadian energy supply chains. --- Guest: - Randolph Mank is President of MankGlobal Inc., former Senior Advisor and Vice President Asia for BlackBerry, and former High Commissioner or Ambassador for Canada to Malaysia, Pakistan, and Indonesia --- Reading recommendation: - "Thinking, Fast and Slow", by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.amazon.ca/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555 --- Interview recording Date: May 27, 2026 // Energy Security Cubed is part of the CGAI Podcast Network. Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on LinkedIn. Head over to our website at www.cgai.ca for more commentary. // Music credits to Drew Phillips.

Support the Institute today. https://givenow.nova.edu/the-institute-for-neuro-immune-medicine-inim-2025   In today's episode, Haylie Pomroy is joined by Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, one of the world's leading authorities on mast cell biology and neuroimmunology, to reframe multiple chemical sensitivity as a measurable, physiological immune response rooted in mast cell activation. Dr. Theoharides explains how mast cells throughout the body and brain respond to environmental chemicals, stress hormones, fragrances, mold toxins, and other triggers by releasing hundreds of chemical mediators that can affect every organ system simultaneously. He outlines the specific labs and biomarkers worth requesting, why standard diagnostic pathways frequently miss this condition, and what patients can do right now to reduce mast cell reactivity through natural compounds, environmental modifications, and targeted testing. This is a conversation that gives patients the clinical language and tools they need to stop being dismissed and start getting answers. Tune in to Hope and Help For Fatigue and Chronic Illness. Dr. Theoharis Theoharides is a Professor, Vice Chair of Clinical Immunology, and Director at the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine-Clearwater, an Adjunct Professor of Immunology at Tufts School of Medicine, where he was a Professor of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, and also the  Director of Molecular Immunopharmacology & Drug Discovery, and Clinical Pharmacologist at the Massachusetts Drug Formulary Commission (1983-2022). He received his BA, MS, MPhil, PhD, and MD degrees and the Winternitz Price in Pathology from Yale University and received a Certificate in Global Leadership from Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy  School of Government. He trained in internal medicine at New England Medical Center, which awarded him the Oliver Smith Award, "recognizing excellence, compassion, and service." Dr. Theoharides has 485 publications (46,491 citations; h-index 106), placing him in the world's top 2% of most cited authors, and he was rated the worldwide expert on mast cells by Expertscape. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society, the Rare Diseases Hall of Fame, and the World Academy of Sciences.   Website: https://www.drtheoharides.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theoharis-theoharides-ms-phd-md-faaaai-67123735 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.theoharides/   Haylie Pomroy, Founder and CEO of The Haylie Pomroy Group, is a leading health strategist specializing in metabolism, weight loss, and integrative wellness. With over 25 years of experience, she has worked with top medical institutions and high-profile clients, developing targeted programs and supplements rooted in the "Food is Medicine" philosophy. Inspired by her own autoimmune journey, she combines expertise in nutrition, biochemistry, and patient advocacy to help others reclaim their health. She is a New York Times bestselling author of The Fast Metabolism Diet.   Learn more about Haylie Pomroy's approach to wellness through her website: https://hayliepomroy.com   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayliepomroy  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayliepomroy  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hayliepomroy/videos  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayliepomroy/  X: https://x.com/hayliepomroy    Thank you for tuning in to the Hope and Help For Fatigue and Chronic Illness Podcast. Sign up today for our newsletter.

It's a massive Monday edition of What's On Your Mind as host Scott Hannon counts down to tomorrow's crucial 2026 primary election. Scott fires up the microphone to challenge the traditionally low voter turnout and provides a comprehensive breakdown of the key conservative candidates on the local ballot. State Representative Ben Koppelman drops by to discuss the growing legislative rift with Governor Armstrong over primary endorsements and unpacks a bold new structure to transform future party conventions. Scott also chats with Soybean Council leaders about navigating the trade cold shoulder from China, introduces the District 13 legislative incumbents, and sits down with outspoken Fargo School Board candidate Carissa Jeske. Plus, a deep-dive look into election integrity, a preview of North Dakota's Supreme Court race with Justice Jared Tufti, and a sharp critique of mainstream media "interrogations." Show Notes & Timestamps [00:00] – The 20% Embarrassment & The Governor's Primary Battle Scott kicks off the show with a direct plea to listeners, calling the region's typical 20% primary voter turnout "embarrassing." State Representative Ben Koppelman joins the studio to voice his disappointment with Governor Armstrong's unprecedented involvement in local legislative primaries. The duo debates whether the executive branch is stepping over the line or simply exercising free speech. [04:45] – Overhauling the Party System: Moving Conventions Post-Primary Representative Koppelman introduces a radical legislative idea for the next session: combining the traditional delegate convention system with the primary ballot. Koppelman explains how sealing primary votes and unveiling them at a late-June convention would eliminate party pettiness and incentivize a massive surge in local political engagement. [07:15] – Transparency and Dark Money in Political PACs The conversation turns to campaign finance reform. Koppelman calls out the flaws in current PAC disclosure rules that allow organizations to shield either their donors or their explicit spending trails, demanding total top-to-bottom financial transparency from all active political groups. [11:00] – Soybean Diplomacy: Out-pacing the China Target Market Jim Thompson (North Dakota Soybean Council) and Justin Sherlock (Soybean Growers Association) call in from the fields to deliver a crucial agricultural trade update. With China stalling on Pacific Northwest trade agreements, the leaders detail how they are aggressively opening doors in alternate Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam and Thailand. [14:00] – USMCA Renewal & Local Crushing Plant Victories Justin Sherlock sounds the alarm on potential tariff delays hitting the upcoming USMCA review with Canada and Mexico. On a…

Tech is delivering, diplomacy is wavering, and markets are trying to price both. Julia Hermann and Michael LoGalbo unpack the June Macro Pulse, from AI-driven earnings strength and resilient U.S. growth to geopolitical risk, higher yields, and what it means to be more selective in portfolios. 

ThePrintPod: Meeting with Shah, litti-chokha diplomacy—why BJP laid out red carpet for Nepal's ruling RSP

Taiwan Representative to Denmark Robin J.C. Cheng's career in Taiwan's Foreign Service spans several stints across the United States, Tuvalu, and now Denmark. The de-facto ambassador traces his path from law student to seasoned diplomat, and opens up about what he hopes to achieve for Taiwan in the northern European country. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

The Freedom 250 concert is falling apart, the housing secretary is now running U.S. intelligence, and Spencer Pratt might be the next mayor of Los Angeles. It's Primary Day, the World Cup is days away, SoFi Stadium workers are ready to walk out, and Jill Biden just dropped a book nobody asked for. Civil rights leader Linda Sarsour joins us to talk about democracy, diplomacy, and the road ahead.

From the Iran nuclear deal to the shifting dynamics in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, dive into the week's global issues with Fareed Zakaria. Special guests include Ben Rhodes and top experts on geopolitical tensions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott interviews Trita Parsi about the state of negotiations between the US and Iranian governments, as the ceasefire is frequently broken and the Strait remains largely closed. Parsi explains where he thinks the real sticking points lie and the two consider how Israel is complicating the process. Discussed on the show: Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States by Trita Parsi “Iran's New Grand Strategy” (Foreign Affairs) TritaParsi.substack.com Trita Parsi is the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and the author of Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy. Parsi is the recipient of the 2010 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. Follow him on Twitter @tparsi  Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Download Audio. Scott interviews Trita Parsi about the state of negotiations between the US and Iranian governments, as the ceasefire is frequently broken and the Strait remains largely closed. Parsi explains where he thinks the real sticking points lie and the two consider how Israel is complicating the process. Discussed on the show: Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States by Trita Parsi “Iran's New Grand Strategy” (Foreign Affairs) TritaParsi.substack.com Trita Parsi is the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and the author of Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy. Parsi is the recipient of the 2010 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. Follow him on Twitter @tparsi  Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

In this episode of Policy Chats, Former US Ambassador Barbara K. Bodine joins hosts Dori Pham and Ari Chung to discuss the inner workings of U.S. foreign policymaking, the value of diplomacy and local expertise, crisis management, counterterrorism, post-conflict governance, and the challenges of translating strategic goals into effective action. Through her experiences in the Middle East, she provides insight into how foreign policy decisions are made, how they unfold in practice, and why diplomacy remains a critical tool for advancing U.S. interests abroad.The conversation covers common challenges diplomats face, including uncertainty, incomplete information, cultural differences, and local resistance. Ambassador Bodine also discusses lessons learned from the USS Cole bombing and how foreign policy processes change during crises.The episode concludes reflecting on the practical realities of diplomacy and the lessons she hopes future policymakers and diplomats will carry forward.Topics CoveredHow foreign policy is formulated within the U.S. government and the key actors and influences involved in the decision-making process.The role of diplomats, embassy reporting, and regional expertiseThe importance of local political, social, and cultural knowledge when designing foreign policy.Foreign policy lessons from the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and post-conflict reconstruction in Iraq.The relationship between military operations, political planning, governance, and diplomacy.The importance of relationship-building and preventive diplomacy before crises occur.Preparing and mentoring the next generation of diplomats and foreign policy professionals.

Larry talks with Dr. Robert Farley from UK's Patterson School of Diplomacy about the nuclear talks with Iran reaching a standstill and asks his listeners if they think the US has ever had a "radical" leader. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David and Jasmine discuss the emotions of negotiating with Max Bevilacqua, founder and chief negotiating officer of Mindful Negotiating, a consulting and training firm for high-powered leaders. Max has trained Fortune 100 executives, U.S. Army Special Forces, and legal professionals, and he has taught negotiation at Harvard Law School and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He brings a highly relational and human-centered perspective to persuasion and advocacy. Max shows how influence often comes through listening, curiosity, emotional awareness, and the ability to de-escalate tension. He describes how successful negotiators are not simply skilled arguers but people who understand how emotions, identity, trust, and human connection influence outcomes.https://perkinscoie.com/insights/publication/settlement-counsel-services

Shownotes The nature of peace talks and conflict resolution has radically changed. Historically, most wars end with political settlements, usually the result of formal negotiations. The prototypical modern peace talks were hosted a major or mid-size power that wasn't a party to the conflict, negotiated by professional diplomats and technical experts, and implemented with some international oversight by the United Nations or a group of governments. Recent wars have departed from this script. Negotiations these days occur in all manner of venues. There are secret or semisecret talks by unofficial emissaries, sometimes known as “track two diplomacy.” There are official talks managed by tiny powers like Qatar and Oman, all the way to powerful but new players in the peacemaking space, like China. And official superpower diplomacy in the current era looks nothing like the old: today, the US president's personal lawyer and son in law, with no staff, try to negotiate peace agreements and simultaneously private deals for the Trump Organization. Michael Wahid Hanna has followed many of the peace talks, successful and failed, of recent decades. On this episode of Order from Ashes, he takes stock of how the peace negotiations have changed, and whether we should downgrade our expectations for what diplomacy can  Participants Michael Wahid Hanna is US program director at International Crisis Group. Thanassis Cambanis is director of Century International.  Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026 Episode: Order from Ashes 115

Sabaidee and hello! Welcome back to another episode of LEGACIES.I'm Aven, a chef, storyteller, and Advocacy Ambassador with Legacies of War – and I'm honored to be your host today.In this episode, we get to explore one of my favorite topics: the power of food to build connection, community, and even peace. I have the pleasure of speaking with Lauren Bernstein, Founder and CEO of The Culinary Diplomacy Project and one of the leading voices in using food as a tool for cross-cultural understanding.Today, Lauren and I will explore what culinary diplomacy looks like in practice—and how food can soften political divides, help us tell the truth, heal histories, and build relationships across borders.Lauren is a leading expert in culinary diplomacy, a field that uses food as a tool to build trust, foster cross-cultural understanding, and advance cooperation in times of peace and conflict. She is the founder of The Culinary Diplomacy Project, where she has led global culinary exchange programs bringing together chefs, governments, refugees, and local communities.Through her work, Lauren has partnered with the U.S. State Department, U.S. governors, the Jordanian government, UNHCR, and global hospitality and cultural institutions—creating programs where chefs cook alongside local communities and displaced people, using culturally rooted food to build connection and dignity.Trained as a lawyer and former public defender, Lauren brings a justice-oriented lens to diplomacy and food. Today, she continues to explore how food can serve not only as soft power abroad, but as a tool for healing, truth-telling, and policy change at home.Thank you dear listeners,  for tuning into LEGACIES brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors AKIN GUMP and ARTICLE22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos.https://www.culinarydiplomacyproject.org/

Today on Uncommon Sense, we're discussing what may be the most consequential political moment of Donald Trump's career. With Trump's approval ratings slipping, the Iran conflict escalating, renewed questions surrounding the Epstein files, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk continuing to reverberate through the conservative movement, many Americans are asking whether these events are isolated, or part of a much larger story.In this episode, I examine the connections I believe may exist between these developments, including my view that the Epstein files may have been used as leverage against powerful political figures and that foreign interests have exerted significant influence over American policy in the Middle East.We'll discuss:Trump's declining support among his baseThe growing controversy surrounding U.S. involvement with IranThe unanswered questions surrounding the Epstein filesThe political impact of Charlie Kirk's assassination and its aftermathWhy I believe these stories intersect in ways the mainstream media refuses to exploreMy goal is not to tell you what to think, but to encourage you to question narratives, follow incentives, and examine who benefits from the decisions being made in Washington.--https://www.bible.com/

⁠Subscribe now⁠ for the full episode. Danny and Derek welcome back to the show Trita Parsi, co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, to talk about U.S.-Iran negotiations and the status of the war. They delve into ceasefire talks, Israel's attack on Lebanon, Iranian concerns about U.S. reliability, sanctions relief, the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's regional position, the Abraham Accords, and Tom Barrack's newly expanded role in Syria and Iraq. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How has China transformed into a dominant naval power, and what strategic choices must the U.S. make to protect its interests in the Pacific? Toshi Yoshihara and James Holmes join Ron Granieri to discuss the third edition of Red Star Over the Pacific, which answers those very questions. The authors explain how Beijing synthesizes Western and Eastern strategic ideas to expand its maritime reach. Crucially, the conversation moves beyond simple threat assessments to explore how the United States should respond. Yoshihara and Holmes emphasize that the U.S. must maintain its unrivaled regional alliances, exploit competitive undersea strengths, and enforce strict strategic discipline to counter China's growing naval challenge. China's quest for control in the maritime domain is driven both by a weird combination of both confidence and insecurity. James Holmes, PhD, is the inaugural holder of the J.C. Wiley Chair of Maritime Strategy at the U.S. Naval War College and previously served on the faculty of the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs. A former U.S. Navy surface warfare officer, he also earned a PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. Toshi Yoshihara, PhD, is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. Previously, he was the inaugural John A. van Beuren Chair of Asia-Pacific Studies and a professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval War College. He holds a PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. Photo Credit: Created by Gemini

In episode 142 of Game Design Unboxed, we talk with freelance game designer Rosco Schock about his first published game, Diplomacy: The Golden Blade, released by Renegade Game Studios. The conversation focuses on the challenge of translating the “feel” of a classic, beloved strategy game into a streamlined and more approachable card game experience. We […]

President Trump is doubling down on a bet that diplomacy with Iran will produce a deal that ends hostilities there. Yesterday, he vehemently insisted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forgo further attacks on Iran's foreign legion, Hezbollah. Mr. Trump appears to be heeding the advice of U.S. advisors like special envoy Tom Barrack and putative allies like Qatar and Turkey.  They previously persuaded him to engage with another sharia-supremacist regime in Syria at the expense of actual allies there among minority communities.  The result is instructive: Ongoing, murderous jihadist attacks and the prospect for outright genocide – not peace.  Diplomacy with sharia-supremacists only produces hudnas – temporary pauses that allow them to rearm, regroup and renew their jihads under more favorable circumstances.  Give peace its only chance, Mr. President: There is no substitute for decisive victory.  This is Frank Gaffney.

(3) Finally, the pair shifts to Persian diplomacy and the "dispensation for deception." Germanicus explains how Iranuses strategic deceit to survive existential threats, specifically aiming to separate United States interests from Israel. They speculate that modern leaders may settle conflicts through informal "backdoor handshakes" or social media posts rather than traditional documents. Drawing on Byzantine history, they suggest appeasement and payoffs can be more effective than direct combat. The dialogue ends with the Spartan legend of a boy who allowed a hidden fox to disembowel him to avoid public shame.1716

We start with a controversial fund of the Trump administration up in the air. The US and Iran have contradictory words on where things stand with peace talks. We'll tell you which state is the first to sue an AI company over safety concerns on children. We have some encouraging signs on the Ebola outbreak in central Africa. Plus, a tennis icon is picking up her racket again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Diplomacy is breaking down between Tehran and Washington as a fragile ceasefire hangs on by a thread. Iran state media reports Tehran has suspended talks with the US in protest over Israel's intensifying military activity in Lebanon. To break down what this means for the ceasefire and any prospect of a long-lasting peace in the Middle East, CNN Jerusalem Bureau Chief Oren Liebermann joined Bianna Golodryga from Jerusalem.  Also on today's show: Jan Egeland, Secretary General, Norwegian Refugee Council; filmmaker Ivy Meeropol, "Ask E. Jean"; author Jesmyn Ward, "On Witness and Respair"    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode at You Can Overcome Anything! Podcast Show, Cesar R. Espino brings to you a special guest.David Kincaid is a former U.S. civil nuclear trade analyst and diplomat to Indonesia who has lived, visited, and worked in more than 50 countries. His life has included being forced out of his family and religious community in his 20s, leading to a period of homelessness, followed by rebuilding into a career in international trade. After struggling with addiction and deep personal misalignment, he chose to step away from that path to create a more aligned life. Today, David works globally as a coach, helping people navigate major life decisions and identity crossroads with clarity, honesty, and self-trust.David's message to you is:Your life isn't waiting on better circumstances. It's waiting on a decision and the courage to trust yourself enough to make it.To connect with David Kincaid go to:FB: https://www.facebook.com/david.kincaid.359/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/coachdavidkincaid/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@apilgrimspathURL: davidkincaid.usCalendly:https://calendly.com/davidkincaid/60minAnother amazing Episode of You Can Overcome Anything! Podcast Show.  If you are not subscribed yet, make sure you hit the Subscribe bottom and join us today.  To Connect with CesarRespino go to:

In this interview I talked with Dr. Xu Guoqi. Dr. Xu is professor of history and founding director of the Institute of Transnational History of China at the University of Hong Kong. He has written many books including Asian and the Great War, Chinese and Americans, Strangers on the Western Front, China and the Great War, and Olympic Dreams. We discussed his book, The Idea of China: A Contested History, and the history of the relationship between the United States and China going back to the Founding of America. Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

Monte Judah analyzes the confusing "cease-fire" actions between the U.S. and Iran, Israel's intensifying campaigns against Hezbollah and Hamas, and internal political shifts within Israel regarding the Haredim.00:00 - Broadcast Begin: Mid-East Tensions Flare 02:10 - Naval Engagements & Drone Interceptions in the Gulf 05:15 - Escalation Under the Guise of Diplomacy 07:30 - Ground and Air Campaigns in Southern Lebanon and Beirut 10:05 - Targeting Hamas Leaders and Financial Networks 12:20 - Political Fractures Inside Israel's Knesset 14:45 - Trump's Impending Iran Deal & Internal Cabinet Divides 17:10 - Prophetic Implications of Current Cease-Fire Agreements 18:25 - Lion & Lamb Ministries Announcements Stay connected with the truth of God's Word and stay informed on how current world events align with biblical prophecy. Stream all of our commercial-free video content, teachings, and weekly broadcasts directly by subscribing to Lion and Lamb TV.Main Ministry Website: Discover articles, television broadcast schedules, and foundational prophetic teachings at Lion & Lamb Ministries.Messianic Marketplace: Find solid biblical resources, books, commentary, and media bundles to enrich your study library at the Messianic Marketplace.Monte Judah Collection: Access specific, curated teachings and theological insights directly from Monte Judah via the Monte Judah Marketplace Collection.Yavoh Magazine: Read our free monthly prophetic publication in digital format or sign up for print delivery at Yavoh Magazine.The Greater Exodus: Dive deeper into the prophetic truths surrounding Israel's future and the end-of-days alignment at The Greater Exodus.Support the work of this ministry by making a secure, tax-deductible donation today at LLGive.com.

India has initiated what will become the biggest structural shift in its military aviation ecosystem since Independence, opening the door for private industry to move from being suppliers and vendors to becoming central players in the country's most ambitious combat aircraft programme. Snehesh Alex Philip, Editor - Defence and Diplomacy at ThePrint explains in #DefenceScope. ----more----To Read: https://theprint.in/defence/5th-gen-fighter-amca-tender-issued-hal-sits-out-as-private-sector-takes-centre-stage/2943139/

White House correspondent, author and host of A More Perfect Union on KBLA Talk 1580, Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey reports exclusively from Cuba all week as part of an Emergency Fact-Finding Delegation at a moment of profound historical reckoning and citizen diplomacy.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

1. Iranian Uranium Stockpile Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is the central sticking point in negotiations. The U.S. position is: Iran must surrender, transfer, or destroy its uranium entirely No compromise on retaining enriched material is acceptable This is a more aggressive stance than past U.S. policies (e.g., Obama-era agreements focused on limits, not elimination). 2. Diplomacy to Pressure Strategy Diplomatic negotiations Active military pressure Mentions: “self-defense strikes” naval deployments near the Strait of Hormuz 3. Strait of Hormuz as a Global Pressure Point The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz: ~20% of global oil supply passes through it Disruptions affect oil prices, inflation, and global markets Current situation: Partially open Highly militarized Unstable 4. Negotiation Dynamics Multiple countries involved as mediators: Oman, Qatar, Pakistan Possible compromise ideas mentioned: Transfer uranium to third countries (Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, China) Dilution under supervision 5. Global Stakeholders China → dependent on oil flow Europe → sensitive to energy prices Gulf states → reliant on exports Israel → concerned about security Russia → may benefit from energy instability 6. Economic and Market Impact Disruptions to shipping have caused: Increased insurance costs Rerouted vessels Oil market volatility Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. forces struck Iranian boats and missile launch sites in southern Iran on Monday, in what U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins has called "self-defense strikes ... to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces." Iran says it shot down three U.S. drones. Despite the violence, neither Iran nor the United States appear to be pulling back on diplomatic efforts to reach an interim deal to end the almost three-month long war. But what does that look like?For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.It was edited by James Hider, Rebekah Metzler and Tinbete Ermyas.Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

My talk with Jim and Elliot starts at 16 mins Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE : On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls About 2084 and the co written book series  In their novel 2034, decorated military officers and award-winning authors Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis imagined a war between the US and China. In their follow-up novel, 2054, they envisioned a breakdown in American politics fueled by a radical advance in AI. Now they make their boldest, most astonishing, and arguably most necessary leap—imagining the consequences of a climate war. By the year 2084, the world is divided into the equatorial countries that bear the brunt of the climate crisis—led by Nigeria, Brazil, and Indonesia—and wealthier countries like China and the US, beset by their own problems after a series of civil wars. Tensions between the two sets of countries have reached a breaking point, until finally the so-called Reparationist nations of the equator decide that only military force can bring them justice. A fascinating and disturbingly plausible extrapolation from current realities, 2084, like other classics of the genre such as Kim Stanley Robinson's The Ministry for the Future and Neal Stephenson's Termination Shock, deploys a global cast of characters, all protecting their interests as the fate of human civilization hangs in the balance. Individuals often seem small in the face of the forces that drive global change, but in the end human agency proves surprisingly decisive. Big doors can swing on small hinges. We have it within ourselves to write a different destiny, if only we can imagine it. Elliot Ackerman is the author of several novels, most recently Red Dress In Black and White. His books have been nominated for the National Book Award, the Andrew Carnegie Medal in both fiction and non-fiction, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize among others. His writing often appears in Esquire, The New Yorker, and The New York Times where he is a contributing opinion writer, and his stories have been included inThe Best American Short Stories and The Best American Travel Writing. He is both a former White House Fellow and Marine, and served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, and the Purple Heart. He divides his time between New York City and Washington, D.C. Website: www. ElliotAckerman.com; Twitter: @elliotackerman  Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Ret.) spent more than thirty years in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of four-star Admiral. He was the Supreme Allied Commander at NATO and previously commanded U.S. Southern Command, overseeing military operations in Latin America. At sea, he commanded a Navy destroyer, a destroyer squadron, and an aircraft carrier battle group in combat. He holds a Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where he recently served five years as dean.  He has published nine previous books and hundreds of articles and is a frequent national and international television commentator as well as a Bloomberg Opinion weekly columnist, and a monthly columnist for TIME Magazine. He is chairman of the Board of Counselors of McLarty Global Associates, an international consulting firm, and an operating executive of the Carlyle Group, an international private equity firm. Website: www.AdmiralStav.com ; Twitter:@stavridisJ  Listen rate and review on Apple Podcasts Listen rate and review on Spotify Pete On Instagram Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on Twitter Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page Gift a Subscription https://www.patreon.com/PeteDominick/gift Send Pete $ Directly on Venmo All things Jon Carroll  Buy Ava's Art  Subscribe to Piano Tuner Paul Paul Wesley on Substack Listen to Barry and Abigail Hummel Podcast Listen to Matty C Podcast and Substack Follow and Support Pete Coe Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing

Catastrophic Diplomacy: US Foreign Disaster Assistance in the American Century (UNC Press, 2023) offers a sweeping history of US foreign disaster assistance, highlighting its centrality to twentieth-century US foreign relations. Spanning over seventy years, from the dawn of the twentieth century to the mid-1970s, it examines how the US government, US military, and their partners in the American voluntary sector responded to major catastrophes around the world. Focusing on US responses to sudden disasters caused by earthquakes, tropical storms, and floods—crises commonly known as "natural disasters"—historian Julia F. Irwin highlights the complex and messy politics of emergency humanitarian relief. Deftly weaving together diplomatic, environmental, military, and humanitarian histories, Irwin tracks the rise of US disaster aid as a tool of foreign policy, showing how and why the US foreign policy establishment first began contributing aid to survivors of international catastrophes. While the book focuses mainly on bilateral assistance efforts, it also assesses the broader international context in which the US government and its auxiliaries operated, situating their humanitarian responses against the aid efforts of other nations, empires, and international organizations. At its most fundamental level, Catastrophic Diplomacy demonstrates the importance of international disaster assistance—and humanitarian aid more broadly—to US foreign affairs. Julia F. Irwin, PhD, Yale University, 2009, is professor of history at Louisiana State University. Her research focuses on the place of humanitarian aid in twentieth-century U.S. foreign relations. Her first book, Making the World Safe: The American Red Cross and a Nation's Humanitarian Awakening (2013), is a history of U.S. international relief efforts during the World War I era; the dissertation on which it is based won the Betty M. Unterberger Dissertation Prize from the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

As old alliances are tested and new powers emerge, diplomacy is being reshaped across a divided world. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares discusses recent tensions between the U.S. and Europe. Then, we turn to the sports world, as former professional tennis player Rafael Nadal reflects on his new documentary and opens up about his struggles with anxiety and injury. CNN Chief International Security Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh walks down a deadly road near Ukraine's frontlines, where modern warfare is rapidly changing. Then, Christiane speaks to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty about his country's role as a mediator in the conflict with Iran. After The New York Times revealed that the U.S. and Israel may have considered former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as part of a regime change strategy, we revisit Christiane's 2005 interview with the hardliner. And finally, as Americans honor the troops who gave their lives this Memorial Day, we return to Christiane's conversation with WWII veteran Jake Larson, who explained why he joined the fight against fascism more than 80 years ago. Air date: May 23, 2026 Guests: José Manuel Albares Rafael Nadal Badr Abdelatty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Yates critiques the personal diplomacy approach at the Beijing summit, noting an asymmetric information environment. He highlights the lack of a joint statement and ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan's sovereignty and defense. (3/16)1910 ID