Podcasts about International development

In this episode of Climate Positive, host Hilary Langer speaks with Aadith Moorthy, founder and CEO of Boomitra, a global soil carbon marketplace that pays farmers for adopting regenerative agriculture. Boomitra's AI-powered platform uses satellite data to measure and verify carbon sequestration, turning healthier soil into long-term income for farmers. Aadith shares how attending a farmer's funeral in India sparked the idea for Boomitra, how their marketplace is already increasing farm revenues, and when they expect to reach gigaton-scale carbon removal. A winner of the Earthshot Prize and a Time100 Next inductee, Aadith is helping redefine how we fight climate change—from the soil to the sky.Links:Boomitra websiteAadith Moorthy on LinkedInEarthshot Prize | BoomitraTime100 Next 2024Boomitra's South America Grassland Restoration Project Achieves Verra Registration Episode recorded February 19, 2025 Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

About the Book Over the last decade, election campaigns in India have undergone a dramatic shift. Political parties increasingly rely on political consulting firms, social media volunteers, pollsters, data-driven insights, and hashtag wars to mobilize voters. What is driving these changes in the landscape of electioneering? The Backstage of Democracy: India's Election Campaigns and the People Who Manage Them (Cambridge UP, 2024) takes readers to the hidden arena of strategizing and deliberations that takes place between politicians and a new cabal of political professionals as they organize election campaigns in India. The book argues that this change is not reducible to a story of technological innovations alone. Rather, it is indicative of a new political culture where ideas of political expertise, the distribution of power within parties, and citizens' attitudes towards political participation have undergone a profound change. Marshalling an eclectic range of data sources, the book breaks new ground on how we understand the workings of India's electoral and party politics. About the Author Amogh Dhar Sharma is Departmental Lecturer in the Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford. After receiving his PhD from the University of Oxford, he was awarded an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) postdoctoral fellowship. His research explores the interface between politics and technology, political communication and histories of science and technology.

Paul Lappage sits down with Head of International Football Development for Wolves, Joe Hunt. Joe shares insights from his recent visit to Houston Wolves, reflecting on the club's partnerships, global growth, and how changes at the top influence his remit.We dive into the uniqueness of the club's approach to youth development and the strong bond between Wolves and their partners across the world.--- Follow the show on X @wlwpod, on YouTube @WholeLottaWolves and on Facebook. E-mail us at hello@wholelottawolves.com

In this episode, IIED executive director Tom Mitchell discusses revitalising a commitment to international development and in the process, getting money to where it is needed most and can be used to best effect – to the local level.

„Die letzten fünf Jahre der KI-Entwicklung kann man als dramatisch bezeichnen. Was die schiere Beschleunigung betrifft, würde ich schon von einer Revolution auf dem Arbeitsmarkt sprechen,“ sagt Prof. Dr. Achim Kemmerling. Kein Fachartikel, keine Tagung, kein Podcast mehr ohne das Thema KI. Auch wir beschäftigen uns in dieser Folge unseres Wissenschaftspodcasts Podcast „WortMelder“ mit Künstlicher Intelligenz und fragen danach, wie sehr der Einsatz von KI Berufsfelder und unsere Arbeitswelt verändert. Mehr als jedes vierte Unternehmen erwartet in den kommenden fünf Jahren einen Stellenabbau durch KI, hat das Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung im Juni 2025 verkündet. Nur ganz wenige Unternehmen rechnen mit zusätzlichen Jobs – und das mitten in einer politischen Debatte darüber, dass die Deutschen mehr arbeiten sollten. In dieser Folge stellen wir gemeinsam mit unserem Gast Prof. Dr. Achim Kemmerling die Frage, in welchen Berufen künftig wohl gar keine Menschen mehr nötig sein werden, weil KI ihre Tätigkeiten längst erledigt – besser, schneller und effizienter. Welche Branchen und Berufsfelder besonders davon betroffen sind, durch KI ersetzt zu werden, und wie wir KI als Ausgangspunkt nutzen können für neue Tätigkeitsprofile und letztlich fragen wir als wissenschaftliche Einrichtung auch danach, wie KI das wissenschaftliche Arbeiten und Forschen verändert. Achim Kemmerling ist Vizedirektor und Inhaber der Gerhard Haniel Professur für Public Policy and International Development an der Willy Brandt School of Public Policy. Bevor er an die Brandt School kam, arbeitete Kemmerling als Professor für Politische Ökonomie am Department of Public Policy der Central European University Budapest und unterrichtete Kurse zu Methodologie, Public Policy und Entwicklung. Er promovierte in Politikwissenschaft an der Freien Universität Berlin und erwarb einen M.A. in Internationaler Politischer Ökonomie an der Universität Warwick. Kemmerling hat in akademischen Fachzeitschriften verschiedener Disziplinen v. a. zu den Themen Steuer- und Finanzpolitik, Sozial- und Arbeitsmarktpolitik und öffentliche Entwicklungshilfe veröffentlicht. Er hat als Berater für den Deutschen Bundestag, die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (früher GTZ, jetzt GIZ), die Open Society Foundation und die Europäische Investitionsbank gearbeitet. Derzeit beschäftigt er sich mit den Folgen der Digitalisierung in Ländern mit mittlerem Einkommen und schreibt an einem Buch über den menschlichen Fortschritt und die Rolle der öffentlichen Politik. Alle Podcastfolgen auch unter: https://www.uni-erfurt.de/forschung/aktuelles/wissenschaftspodcast-wortmelder

In this powerhouse episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Sharon Gai, an international keynote speaker, AI expert, former Alibaba executive, and recent keynote speaker on the stage at the Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025, for an illuminating conversation on the future of retail in the age of artificial intelligence. Joining from São Paulo, Sharon offers a global lens on how retailers must rethink customer engagement, merchandising, and data infrastructure to remain competitive. We begin by tracing Sharon's fascinating origin story—from her Canadian roots in Vancouver and her education at McGill to an unexpected recruitment by Alibaba. She takes us behind the curtain of Chinese tech culture, describing a world of intense work ethics, hyper-growth, and an ecosystem where AI doesn't just support retail—it drives it. Sharon explains how AI has evolved beyond personalization into what she calls "agentic AI"—systems that not only predict behaviour but act on a shopper's behalf. She warns that retailers who don't maintain pristine product data and detailed PDPs (Product Detail Pages) risk being invisible in LLM-powered answer engines like ChatGPT or Claude. We delve into the differences between Chinese and Western retail, highlighting trends such as the viral "blind box" concept and video commerce that thrive in digital-first cultures. Sharon also shares her learnings from a cross-cultural brand project with Huggies, emphasizing the power of creativity, unpredictability, and localized storytelling.The episode also features insight into a recent Retail Council of Canada panel Sharon led, with Canadian Tire's chatbot innovation and Showcase's trend-driven merchandising model serving as prime examples of AI-enabled transformation at home.Sharon leaves listeners with practical advice: embrace AI not just for customer-facing features but also as a powerful internal tool for cost-cutting and productivity. And beware of the trap of sameness—when everyone is using AI to write duplicate emails and social posts, true differentiation comes from creativity and strategic insight.Whether you're a retail exec, digital strategist, or tech-curious brand builder, this episode delivers a rich, global perspective on what's next for commerce—and what it takes to stay ahead.https://youtu.be/0zdLv0mz29YSharon Gai helps organizations do more with less using AI. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has worked with TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, Walmart, LVMH, Nestle, Coca Cola, Lenovo, and many others. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She has appeared on Bloomberg, Reuters, ABC, CBC, CCTV, TechCrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web. She is the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined. Sharon has an Honors Bachelor's degree in International Development from McGill and a Masters in Information Management from Columbia University. When she is not speaking, she is jamming on electric keyboards with her band, writing jokes for her stand up comedy set or sharing tips on how to get ahead in AI at sharongai.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharongaiInstagram: https://instagram.com/sharong.ai   Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Matt Petit, Mission Success Lead at Vannevar Labs and former U.S. diplomat, joins Mike Shanley to accelerating national security with new technology. The conversation focuses startups and innovation in national security to deliver faster and more efficient results.   Resources: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/   BIOGRAPHY: Matt Petit is a Mission Success Lead at Vannevar Labs and former U.S. diplomat. Prior to joining Vannevar, Matt spent nearly 17 years with the U.S. Foreign Service. During that time, he served in India, Zambia, and Armenia (covering Iran). While on assignments in in Washington, Matt managed foreign policy on Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, and global counterterrorism. From April 2022 to July 2023, Matt was the Director for the Sahel at the White House National Security Council. Matt speaks Persian, Spanish, and some Tamil, German, and French. He lives in the DC area with his wife and daughter.   LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Global Strategy Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.

  Aaron is joined by Ben Thomason. Ben recently earned his doctorate in American Cultural Studies from Bowling Green State University. His dissertation is entitled, Making Democracy Safe for Empire: A History and Political Economy of the National Endowment for Democracy, United States Agency for International Development, and Twenty-First Century Media Imperialism. In this episode, we discuss two of Ben's latest articles for CovertAction Magazine, both of which deal with the US dirty war on Syria. The first article is “The U.S.A.'s Longest ‘Democracy' Project in Syria Has Resulted in the Empowerment of Al-Qaeda.” The second article, soon to be published, is “Western Soft Power Agencies Established a Support Front for Armed Insurrection in Syria led by al-Qaeda-Linked Rebels.” Special thanks to: Dana Chavarria, production Casey Moore, graphics Michelle Boley, animated intro Mock Orange, music

In the aftermath of the Elon Musk chainsaw gutting the United States Agency for International Development, LGBTQ+ people around the world were robbed of more than a hundred programs geared to promote their health, safety and human rights. UCLA Law School's Williams Institute senior fellow and director of international programs Ari Shaw worries that the days of U.S. leadership on global queer rights are over (interviewed by David Hunt). And in NewsWrap: the Czech Republic's sterilization pre-requisite for a transgender or nonbinary person seeking to change their legal gender is condemned by the European Court of Human Rights, researchers find young bisexual women leading the way in the surging numbers of Australians over the age of 15 who openly identify as “L-G-B-plus,” World Pride 2025 climaxes with a joyous parade and a defiant International March on Washington for Freedom, Tel Aviv's LGBTQ Pride is canceled in expectation of retaliation for Israel's airstrikes against Iran, 52 U.S. Congressional Democrats demand proof of life for renditioned gay Venezuelan make-up artist Andry José Hernández Romero, U.S. Air Force veteran Gina Ortiz Jones becomes the first out LGBTQ candidate to be elected Mayor of San Antonio, and more international LGBTQ+ news reported this week by Michael Taylor Gray and Sarah Montague (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the June 16, 2025 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Mohammad Mustafa Raheal is a dedicated activist and researcher specializing in human rights and social development. He holds a Master's degree in International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action, achieved through the prestigious Chevening Scholarship and currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Humanities and Social Policy department at the University of Bath under a British Council Scholarship. His research focuses on urban-rural disparities and their impact on sustainable peace and human rights in Afghanistan. With over seven years of experience in international development and humanitarian work, Mustafa has held key leadership roles with organizations such as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) at the Swedish Embassy in Kabul, the Civil Peace Service Program of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the Migration for Development Program of the International Psychosocial Organization (IPSO). His expertise includes program development, risk assessment, multi-agency collaboration, refugee resettlement, and conducting research on equitable aid distribution and sustainable peacebuilding. Mustafa served as a Research Consultant with the University of Bath's Centre for Development Studies (CDS), focusing on fostering equitable partnerships in academic research and currently a Quantitative Researcher with University College London's Institute of Education (IOE), Department of Education and Society, contributing to critical studies on refugee integration in England. Through the RWI Fellowship, Mustafa will examine horizontal inequalities in aid distribution in Afghanistan, aiming to highlight systemic challenges. As a passionate advocate and researcher, Mustafa combines his professional and academic expertise to support marginalized communities and contribute to sustainable development.

The Trump administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development have had reverberations around the world. The agency, which operated in over 100 nations and employed thousands of people, has been virtually eliminated. In partnership with the Pulitzer Center, William Brangham reports on the impact USAID cuts are having on HIV testing and treatment in Kenya. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Trump administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development have had reverberations around the world. The agency, which operated in over 100 nations and employed thousands of people, has been virtually eliminated. In partnership with the Pulitzer Center, William Brangham reports on the impact USAID cuts are having on HIV testing and treatment in Kenya. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In honor of Everything You Didn't Know About Herbalism officially turning one year old, we are resharing the first-ever episode we released on the series! Featuring Leah Penniman and Lulu Moyo, tune in as we revisit this crucial conversation surrounding the injustices within our food systems and Leah and Lulu's collective goal towards growing lasting change. The Herbal Radio team extends our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for listening and learning with us each week from such an esteemed group of experts within their fields. Now, on with the show!  This week on Everything You Didn't Know About Herbalism, we proudly bring you an impactful and galvanizing conversation with two individuals leading the way toward a future of harmony and equity within our food systems. Leah Penniman, the Co-Founder of Soul Fire Farm, and Lulu Moyo, the Co-Director of the Braiding Seeds Fellowship, join us for a thought-provoking conversation surrounding the injustices and deep-rooted racism we continue to face within our food systems today, and their combined missions to facilitate powerful food sovereignty programs and hands-on farming opportunities to train the next generation of activist-farmers and strengthen the movement for food sovereignty and community self-determination. As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure. We are honored to have you tag along with us on this botanical ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from will be invaluable to this new series. So please, email us at podcast@mountainroseherbs.com to let us know what solutions you'd like us to uncover within the vast world of herbalism next. About Leah & Lulu:

Interview with Mona Yacoubian on Trump's Middle East Visit: 25:55 This week, Kelly and Tristen discuss President Trump's meeting with the President of South Africa, give an update on the war in Ukraine, and unpack the UK's new trade agreement with the European Union. Kelly then talks with Mona Yacoubian for a breakdown on Trump's recent trip to the Middle East, and what the visit means for American foreign policy in the region. Mona Yacoubian is the Senior Adviser and Director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She was previously the Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa center at the United States Institute of Peace. Prior to joining USIP, Mona was Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Middle East Bureau at the United States Agency for International Development from 2014 to 2017, where she had responsibility for Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Mona also previously served as the North Africa analyst in the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity. Produced by Theo Malhotra and Freddie Mallinson.  Recorded on May 22, 2025. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown

Send us a textZombie movies may score at the box office and shows about dangerous contagions including “The Last of Us” may be a hit on streaming services, but preparedness for disasters is no winner for American politicians. Every recent U.S. presidential administration has dismantled the pandemic plan put together by the previous one, notes Dr. Asha M. George, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. However, the cuts being made by the new Trump administration to the United States biodefense budget are going deeper than ever before. Global efforts to track diseases including Ebola virus and avian influenza have ended. Among the latest to fall under the axe: the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), a federal advisory body to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which had helped shape national infection prevention guidelines meant to keep hospitals safe and contain outbreaks. The loss of the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, has already begun devastating not only global health efforts, but also U.S. national security efforts, multiple experts say. And things were not in a good place to begin with, says George. “The biodefense community is in for the fight of its life to get the funding it needs,” she said in her latest report on biodefense. “It was starving before. It is going to be anorexic soon.” Listen as George explains to One World, One Health host Maggie Fox just what's at risk for the world if the United States doesn't start paying attention to biodefense. 

Send us a textJames Montague discusses his journey from cutting hair in the projects for 50 cents to building an empire through real estate development. He emphasizes the importance of starting with what you have and pivoting when necessary. Montague shares his personal transformation after suffering a stroke at 26, which led him to focus on health and time management. He highlights his mission-driven development company, f7 National Development, which includes projects like a STEM school and a retirement home. Montague's book, "Hood Minted: How Hustle and Faith Built an Empire," reflects on his experiences and lessons learned, aiming to inspire entrepreneurs.Support the showThank you for listening.... Feel free to contact us with your thoughts, questions, or more. We would love to hear from you. Please contact rinnie@webbsquared.org

One of the first major policy decisions of the second Trump administration was a significant change in spending on foreign aid. That eventually included effectively dissolving the U.S. Agency for International Development, the primary organization that distributed those funds. Deema Zein reports on how one major recipient of USAID funding is grappling with the impact. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Dr. Shea Bradley-Farrell, Ph.D. is a strategist in national security and foreign policy and president of Counterpoint Institute for Policy, Research, and Education in Washington, D.C. She is author of Last Warning to the West: Hungary's Triumph Over Communism and the Woke Agenda (Dec. 2023), endorsed by multiple high-level conservative leaders. Shea worked directly with the Trump administration (2016-2020) at the highest levels including at the White House, U.S. Department of State, and Senior Advisor Ivanka Trump, on multiple issues while serving as VP of International Affairs for Concerned Women for America. Shea also served as Professor and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for a Trump administration national security mandate; she possesses an active U.S. security clearance and executive-level certifications.  Shea works with multiple nations around the world at the highest senior levels of government to build U.S. relations and promote U.S. interests and security. Previously, she worked in international development focusing on economic development and research in the Middle East, Africa, and South America with donors including the U.S. Department of Labor, World Bank, Exxon, FedEx, and Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science.   Shea regularly publishes Op-eds in outlets such as RealClear Politics, Human Events, NewsMax, National Review, Daily Signal,  The Washington Times, The European Conservative,  Daily Caller, the Federalist and many others. She is a weekly guest on TV news and radio and presents to venues all around the world such as Wilson Center for International Scholars, Foreign Services Institute, the U.S. Dept. of State, the Heritage Foundation, CPAC Hungary and the Gulf Studies Symposium. Shea holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in International Development from Tulane University, where she was Adjunct Lecturer in the International Development Studies Program in 2015. She has served in a variety of other academic positions, including at the American University of Kuwait and George Mason University.FOLLOW Counterpoint Institute on X: @CounterpointDCFOLLOW Dr. Shea Bradley-Farrell on X: @DrShea_DCVISIT: https://www.counterpointinstitute.org/ORDER: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Warning-West-Hungarys-Communism/dp/6156476164

This episode explores Turkey's evolving foreign policy under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—from assertive moves in the Middle East to its complex ties with NATO and the EU. Is Ankara driven by neo-Ottoman ambition or pragmatic regional strategy? We also look at how domestic politics—like the protests over Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest and the recent dissolution of the Kurdisch Workers' Party (PKK) —are shaping its international posture ahead of the 2028 elections.Guests:Cengiz Günay is Director of the Austrian Institute for International Affairs –OIIP– and Lecturer at the Department of Political Sciences, the Department of Near Eastern Studies and the Department of International Development and the University of Vienna. In 2018/19 he was a visiting fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at the Paul H. Nietze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University in Washington DC. He is the author of the monographies “Die Geschichte der Türkei. Von den Anfängen der Moderne bis heute”, Wien: Böhlau, UTB, and “From Islamists to Muslim Democrats?” Saarbrücken: VDB. His regional focus lies on Turkey and the MENA region. His research interests are:• Democracy and the rise of new forms of authoritarian governance• Neoliberal Interventions und their effects on state and statehood• European Neighbourhood Policy• IslamismSabine Kroissenbrunner is Secretary General of the Bruno Kreisky Forum for international Dialogue, Vienna, since August 2024. In 2000, she joined the Austrian Foreign Ministry and served as a career diplomat in Berlin, Ankara, Belgrade and Cairo. Between 2007 and 2011 she established and headed the Task Force for Dialogue of Cultures and Religions in the Austrian Foreign Ministry. Before joining the cabinet of the Austrian Minister for Women's Affairs as her advisor on EU affairs and the Federal Chancellery in 1995, Sabine Kroissenbrunner worked as a researcher, mediator and consultant. Her research publications cover topics related to Turkey, the Middle East, Islam in Europe , religious and political networks related to migration and integration. She studied political science at the University of Vienna, the Bosphorus University in Istanbul and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.Moderation:Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP.The episode was recorded on 14 May 2025 with the support of The Austria Future Fund.

Aayusha Prasain is a dynamic leader with over a decade of experience in strategic planning, community development, and responsible tourism. As the CEO of Community Homestay Network, she has been instrumental in scaling community tourism across Nepal and building/strengthening partnerships for sustainable impact. Her expertise spans leadership development, youth engagement, research on gender, and women's economic empowerment. With a Master's in International Development from Nagoya University, Japan, her work is deeply rooted in rural and regional development. Her thesis on women-led micro-enterprises highlights her commitment to creating equitable economic opportunities. Throughout her career, Aayusha has been recognized for her contributions to research and community development. Social Media Handles: Community Homestay Network (website): https://communityhomestay.com/ Community Homestay Network (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/communityhomestaynetwork?igsh=YWdia3U5MWhieDN2 Community Homestay Network (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/13353695/admin/dashboard/ LinkedIn (Mine): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aayusha-prasain/

The argument that authoritarian governments are better at dealing with the climate emergency is gaining ground, fuelled by the idea that undemocratic states face fewer constraints and so can operate more efficiently and effectively. Some are even arguing that this isn't just a necessary evil but a legitimate policy response to pending environmental catastrophe. Yet the data suggests that on average authoritarian governments do not perform better, and on many measures actually do worse than democracies. So why does this idea persist? Join Nic Cheeseman as he talks to Nomi Claire Lazar and Jeremy Wallace about their new article on Resisting the Authoritarian Temptation. Why is democracy not delivering? Why is authoritarianism not the answer? And what new models exist that can be used to deliver a greener and more inclusive future? This podcast is part of our regular collaboration with the Journal of Democracy. Guest: Nomi Claire Lazar is a Professor of Politics in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Her work looks at crises from a range of perspectives, including emergency powers, constitutional legitimacy and climate politics. Author of the books States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies (Cambridge 2009) & Out of Joint: Power, Crisis and the Rhetoric of Time (Yale, 2019), Nomi currently co-leads the British Academy's Global Convening Programme, “The Times of a Just Transition.” She served in 2022-23 on the Rouleau Commission investigating the Federal Government's use of the Emergencies Act in the trucker convoy crisis, and in 2024 was appointed by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to Canada's Foreign Interference Commission. She is at work on a book on apocalyptic politics, and is a frequent contributor of commentary to news outlets around the world. Jeremy Wallace is the A. Doak Barnett Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He researches the political economy of China's decarbonization, including the book Phenomenal World which investigated the carbon implications of its growth model for land, finance, and real estate. Jeremy has also written on a wide range of issues relating to cities, climate change, environmental information flows, and social media. He is also an editor at Good Authority and writes the China Lab newsletter, and his latest book is Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts: Information, Ideology, and Authoritarianism in China. Presenter: Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR. The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

The argument that authoritarian governments are better at dealing with the climate emergency is gaining ground, fuelled by the idea that undemocratic states face fewer constraints and so can operate more efficiently and effectively. Some are even arguing that this isn't just a necessary evil but a legitimate policy response to pending environmental catastrophe. Yet the data suggests that on average authoritarian governments do not perform better, and on many measures actually do worse than democracies. So why does this idea persist? Join Nic Cheeseman as he talks to Nomi Claire Lazar and Jeremy Wallace about their new article on Resisting the Authoritarian Temptation. Why is democracy not delivering? Why is authoritarianism not the answer? And what new models exist that can be used to deliver a greener and more inclusive future? This podcast is part of our regular collaboration with the Journal of Democracy. Guest: Nomi Claire Lazar is a Professor of Politics in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Her work looks at crises from a range of perspectives, including emergency powers, constitutional legitimacy and climate politics. Author of the books States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies (Cambridge 2009) & Out of Joint: Power, Crisis and the Rhetoric of Time (Yale, 2019), Nomi currently co-leads the British Academy's Global Convening Programme, “The Times of a Just Transition.” She served in 2022-23 on the Rouleau Commission investigating the Federal Government's use of the Emergencies Act in the trucker convoy crisis, and in 2024 was appointed by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to Canada's Foreign Interference Commission. She is at work on a book on apocalyptic politics, and is a frequent contributor of commentary to news outlets around the world. Jeremy Wallace is the A. Doak Barnett Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He researches the political economy of China's decarbonization, including the book Phenomenal World which investigated the carbon implications of its growth model for land, finance, and real estate. Jeremy has also written on a wide range of issues relating to cities, climate change, environmental information flows, and social media. He is also an editor at Good Authority and writes the China Lab newsletter, and his latest book is Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts: Information, Ideology, and Authoritarianism in China. Presenter: Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR. The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The argument that authoritarian governments are better at dealing with the climate emergency is gaining ground, fuelled by the idea that undemocratic states face fewer constraints and so can operate more efficiently and effectively. Some are even arguing that this isn't just a necessary evil but a legitimate policy response to pending environmental catastrophe. Yet the data suggests that on average authoritarian governments do not perform better, and on many measures actually do worse than democracies. So why does this idea persist? Join Nic Cheeseman as he talks to Nomi Claire Lazar and Jeremy Wallace about their new article on Resisting the Authoritarian Temptation. Why is democracy not delivering? Why is authoritarianism not the answer? And what new models exist that can be used to deliver a greener and more inclusive future? This podcast is part of our regular collaboration with the Journal of Democracy. Guest: Nomi Claire Lazar is a Professor of Politics in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Her work looks at crises from a range of perspectives, including emergency powers, constitutional legitimacy and climate politics. Author of the books States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies (Cambridge 2009) & Out of Joint: Power, Crisis and the Rhetoric of Time (Yale, 2019), Nomi currently co-leads the British Academy's Global Convening Programme, “The Times of a Just Transition.” She served in 2022-23 on the Rouleau Commission investigating the Federal Government's use of the Emergencies Act in the trucker convoy crisis, and in 2024 was appointed by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to Canada's Foreign Interference Commission. She is at work on a book on apocalyptic politics, and is a frequent contributor of commentary to news outlets around the world. Jeremy Wallace is the A. Doak Barnett Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He researches the political economy of China's decarbonization, including the book Phenomenal World which investigated the carbon implications of its growth model for land, finance, and real estate. Jeremy has also written on a wide range of issues relating to cities, climate change, environmental information flows, and social media. He is also an editor at Good Authority and writes the China Lab newsletter, and his latest book is Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts: Information, Ideology, and Authoritarianism in China. Presenter: Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR. The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Amid the big news that the Vatican has elected an American as Pope, another trending story is Bill Gates's apparent issue with Elon Musk. The "other" billionaire expressed his disgust with Musk's role in shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development, saying that “the world's richest man” was “killing the world's poorest children.” This is hypocrisy, as Bill Gates benefits from the NGO Deep State soup that USAID is a part of. Not only is this phony philanthropist creating toxic GMO foods, providing poisonous vaccines for children in third world countries, but he's also funding geoengineering technology to dim the sun through "chemtrails." Tonight on Ground Zero (7-10 pm, pacific time on groundzeroplus.com). Call in to the live show at 503-225-0860. #groundzeroplus #ClydeLewis #BillGates #elonmusk #geoengineering #vaccines #GMOs

Michael McFaul, Obama's Ambassador to Russia, tells Michael Krasny a new cold war is shaping up in a kind of three way with China, Russia and the U.S. as main players. While the geopolitical dynamics are familiar, the stand-off between autocratic regimes and the self actualizing west is different.Grey Matter host Dr. Krasny got specific. How does Trump's tilt toward Russia explain what's going on? What about the Ukrainian mining deal? Is it the key to Ukrainian security?Ambassador McFaul spoke of liberalism and illiberalism and the effect of sanctions on Russia, including those proposed by the Trump administration. He and Dr. Krasny spoke, too, about the present state of the Russian economy, the weaponization of space, nuclear programs – including the giving up of nuclear weapons by Ukraine – and Ukraine being kept out of NATO.In a thought-provoking turn, Michael Krasny inquired into McFaul's long-time rivalry with the late Russian scholar Stephen Cohen. Though a respectful adversary, McFaul detailed how Cohen aligned himself with Putin.Ambassador McFaul provided a historical analysis of Russian attitudes toward NATO and emphasized that Putin's real problem has been democratic expansion. Dr. Krasny brought up Putin's weighted view of World War II and his charge of Ukraine having been Naziified. Ambassador McFaul highlighted the profound historic importance in Russia given to May 9th – the day this podcast episode occurred.Statements by President Trump and Vice President Vance were singled out by Ambassador McFaul as well as mistakes made by the U.S. in the cold war and present mistakes being made with the U.S. toward its allies, with McFaul emphasizing the U.S. need for its allies. Krasny quizzed McFaul on his notion of "hot peace," Trump's tunnel vision of Putin's expansionist ambitions, and President Trump's peremptory shut-down of the U.S. Agency for International Development.A range of topics were covered with Ambassador McFaul talking about the stages of revolution, the need for civil debate, Trump's takeover ambitions for Greenland and European history coming to a stop in 1945 with the advent of the cold war. Dr. Krasny brought up Mutually Assured Destruction and a podcast he did with Mideast peace negotiator Ambassador Dennis Ross who claimed an Iranian nuclear deal may be in the offing.Dr. Krasny went on to ask Ambassador McFaul about the present efficacy of Intelligence agencies and McFaul spoke of surveillance technology versus human intelligence. McFaul wound up defending the reset with Russia during the Barack Obama administration – emphasizing the ways he believed diplomacy ought to be judged. This episode concluded with Dr. Krasny asking deeply committed basketball Warriors fan Ambassador McFaul what he thought the chances were of a series victory for Golden State.A not to be missed conversation with Ambassador Michael McFaul on his sweeping geopolitical world view!

Visit us at Network2020.org. In 2025, the United States and Vietnam will celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations—just two years after upgrading their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. But even as the relationship reaches new heights, it faces a sharp test. On April 2, 2025, the U.S. imposed a sweeping 46% tariff on all Vietnamese goods, among the world's highest, as part of his global “Liberation Day” tariff reckoning. Just days later, a 90-day pause on the tariff was announced, giving both countries a narrow window to negotiate. Still, the signal is clear: Vietnam, once seen as a key partner in U.S. efforts to diversify away from China, is now feeling the squeeze of great power competition.Having benefited enormously from the “China Plus One” strategy, Vietnam has become one of the world's most dynamic manufacturing hubs. But this new trade barrier threatens to undercut its ambitious target of 8% GDP growth in 2025 and double-digit growth in the years ahead. Meanwhile, President Tô Lâm (the new leader of Vietnam) is pushing through bureaucratic reforms to keep Vietnam competitive and attractive to investors.How will Vietnam adapt to this shifting landscape? What's next for U.S.-Vietnam economic ties? And what does this moment mean for American businesses, regional stability, and the global order? Join us for a conversation with Professor Edmund Malesky, a leading scholar on Vietnam's political economy, Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Political Science and Director of the Duke Center for International Development at Duke University.Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay.

Over the past 25 years, the Gates foundation has given away more than $100bn. Much of that money has gone to healthcare and education projects outside the US – and the organisation plans to give $200bn more to various programmes in the next twenty years. But as Elon Musk and Doge feed USAID, a key partner of the foundation, “into the wood chipper,” how can Bill Gates press ahead? The FT's Africa editor, David Pilling, speaks to Gates about running an apolitical, philanthropic entity in a politically challenging time.Read more:Bill Gates is giving away $200bn. Can his plans survive in the Trump era?Bill Gates accuses Elon Musk of ‘killing' children with USAID cutsElon Musk's painful departureSubscribe to The Economics Show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen. Presented by David Pilling. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner. The FT's acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Cerna from the Accord Network and Elli Oswald from the Faith to Action Initiative to talk about what happens when faith-based nonprofits face major funding cuts.  Spoiler: it's tough.  From staff layoffs to shifting American opinions on international engagement, Michael and Elli share the hard realities—and the hope. We get real about working with the government, why accountability matters, and how churches can step up.  Plus, Michael and Elli share their perspectives on how young leaders and global communities are sparking change in powerful ways. This episode is honest, eye-opening, and full of practical wisdom for anyone in the nonprofit or ministry world. Read more from Michael Cerna/The ACCORD network: Michael Cerna | Faith, Funding, and Foreign Aid:  https://www.nae.org/michael-cerna-relief-development-faith-government-funding-usaid-todays-conversation-podcast/ Read about how one organization in Faith to Action's network is being impacted: https://wng.org/roundups/the-usaid-closure-leaves-a-vacuum-what-will-fill-it-1740694625  Bio: Michael Cerna: Michael Cerna serves as CEO of Accord Network, a coalition of over 150 Christian organizations dedicated to global relief and development. Prior to leading the Accord Network, Cerna served in strategic and partnership roles at HOPE International, Mission: Hope, and Renew Outreach. He also previously worked at McKinsey & Company and holds a master's degree in International Management from Kennesaw State University.   Elli Oswald: Elli Oswald is the Executive Director of the Faith to Action Initiative. Before this role, she served as Director of Mission and Outreach at Bethany Community Church in Seattle. Elli also served as the Children in Crisis Research and Communications Coordinator for World Vision International's Child Development and Rights Technical Team, specializing in community-based care for children deprived of parental care. She has a B.A. from Pepperdine University and an M.A. in Cross Cultural Studies and International Development from Fuller Theological Seminary. —-- The Better Samaritan podcast is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers an M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership and a Trauma Certificate. To learn more and apply, visit our website. Jamie Aten, Ph.D., and Kent Annan, M.Div., co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and are the Co-Founders of Spiritual First Aid. This episode was produced by WildfireCreative  Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher | RSS Follow us on Twitter:  @drjamieaten |  @kentannan Follow on Instagram: @wildfirecreativeco @wheaton_hdi (Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll host Evangelicals, and sometimes we won't. Learning how to “do good, better” involves listening to many perspectives with different insights and understanding. Sometimes, it will make us uncomfortable; sometimes, we'll agree, and sometimes, we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction–especially in our blind spots.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's wars are not men's wars. This is the first lesson of Cynthias Enloe's Twelve Feminist Lessons of War (U California Press, 2023): the lack of attention paid to women during war not only obscures their experiences but also prevents a full understanding of war and its effects. Wartime shapes women's lives and also the gendered politics of issues such as domestic relationships and childcare, labor and economic mobility, political rights and participation, violence, and much more. By paying attention to the lives of women during war, Enloe shows what women can teach us about war. And in Twelve Feminists Lessons of War it's not just the lessons about war themselves are feminist.  This book also tells lessons from feminist activists and how they have responded to war, whether it is being fought in their backyard or by their state's military tens of thousands of miles away. Drawn from insights gained during her long career researching and writing about women during war and the gendered politics of war, Enloe presents a dozen lessons to be learned about women's lives during war and how we can shorten or even prevent wars by paying attention to women's experiences. Cynthia Enloe is Research Professor in the Department of International Development, Community and Environment at Clark University where she also has affiliations in the Women's and Gender Studies and Political Science departments. Professor Enloe researches, writes, and teaches about the politics of gender in the US and globally. Resources mentioned during the episode: Brown University's “Costs of War” Project No Job for a Woman: The Women Who Fought to Cover WWII Sudanese Feminist Reading List Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

In partnership with Deep State billionaires such as the Rockefeller dynasty and George Soros, the U.S. Agency for International Development was weaponizing American tax dollars to subvert Christianity, the Church, family values, and nations, explains The New American magazine’s Alex Newman in this episode of Behind The Deep State. Every perversion or revolutionary movement imaginable ... The post USAID Weaponized US Money Against God, Family, Country appeared first on The New American.

Women's wars are not men's wars. This is the first lesson of Cynthias Enloe's Twelve Feminist Lessons of War (U California Press, 2023): the lack of attention paid to women during war not only obscures their experiences but also prevents a full understanding of war and its effects. Wartime shapes women's lives and also the gendered politics of issues such as domestic relationships and childcare, labor and economic mobility, political rights and participation, violence, and much more. By paying attention to the lives of women during war, Enloe shows what women can teach us about war. And in Twelve Feminists Lessons of War it's not just the lessons about war themselves are feminist.  This book also tells lessons from feminist activists and how they have responded to war, whether it is being fought in their backyard or by their state's military tens of thousands of miles away. Drawn from insights gained during her long career researching and writing about women during war and the gendered politics of war, Enloe presents a dozen lessons to be learned about women's lives during war and how we can shorten or even prevent wars by paying attention to women's experiences. Cynthia Enloe is Research Professor in the Department of International Development, Community and Environment at Clark University where she also has affiliations in the Women's and Gender Studies and Political Science departments. Professor Enloe researches, writes, and teaches about the politics of gender in the US and globally. Resources mentioned during the episode: Brown University's “Costs of War” Project No Job for a Woman: The Women Who Fought to Cover WWII Sudanese Feminist Reading List Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Women's wars are not men's wars. This is the first lesson of Cynthias Enloe's Twelve Feminist Lessons of War (U California Press, 2023): the lack of attention paid to women during war not only obscures their experiences but also prevents a full understanding of war and its effects. Wartime shapes women's lives and also the gendered politics of issues such as domestic relationships and childcare, labor and economic mobility, political rights and participation, violence, and much more. By paying attention to the lives of women during war, Enloe shows what women can teach us about war. And in Twelve Feminists Lessons of War it's not just the lessons about war themselves are feminist.  This book also tells lessons from feminist activists and how they have responded to war, whether it is being fought in their backyard or by their state's military tens of thousands of miles away. Drawn from insights gained during her long career researching and writing about women during war and the gendered politics of war, Enloe presents a dozen lessons to be learned about women's lives during war and how we can shorten or even prevent wars by paying attention to women's experiences. Cynthia Enloe is Research Professor in the Department of International Development, Community and Environment at Clark University where she also has affiliations in the Women's and Gender Studies and Political Science departments. Professor Enloe researches, writes, and teaches about the politics of gender in the US and globally. Resources mentioned during the episode: Brown University's “Costs of War” Project No Job for a Woman: The Women Who Fought to Cover WWII Sudanese Feminist Reading List Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

Today we discuss the New Scramble for Africa! Dominic and Ian Linden dive into the differences between the ‘new' scramble for Africa and the ‘old' scramble of Africa, how strong the US influence is and whether it is currently weakening - or not, the economic opportunities offered by foreign investments, and much more!Professor Ian Linden formerly taught at the School of Oriental & African Studies in London and is a visiting Professor at St Mary's University, Strawberry Hill, London. He worked for the Swedish Government in the 1980s liaising with the African National Congress in apartheid South Africa.  A past director of the Catholic Institute for International Relations where he first worked on the southern Africa desk, he was awarded an Order of St Michael and St George for his work for human rights in 2000. His research for the former- British Government Department for International Development, DfID, has been on faith and development with special emphasis on Muslim approaches to development in West Africa, and for the Commonwealth Foundation on multi-faith programmes in the Commonwealth. He has written books on conflict in Zimbabwe and Rwanda and his latest book Global Catholicism provides an historical analysis of the political impact of the Catholic Church.The International Risk Podcast is a weekly podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. In these podcasts, we speak with experts in a variety of fields to explore international relations. Our host is Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's leading risk consulting firms. Dominic is a regular public and corporate event speaker, and visiting lecturer at several universities. Having spent the last 20 years successfully establishing large and complex operations in the world's highest-risk areas and conflict zones, Dominic now joins you to speak with exciting guests around the world to discuss international risk.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our great updates!Tell us what you liked!

On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War came to an end, as North Vietnamese closed in on the South Vietnamese capital and thousands of American personnel frantically evacuated. The war left a devastating legacy: More than 3 million Vietnamese died and more than 58,000 U.S. troops were killed. The remains of more than 300,000 Vietnamese soldiers and 1,200 U.S. service members are still missing. Over the past five decades, there has been a delicate progress toward peace and reconciliation between the countries, facilitated by trade, U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Under President Donald Trump, that's all being unraveled. On today's show, South East Asia Bureau chief Rebecca Tan shares her reporting from Vietnam on the painful legacies of the war and how U.S.-Vietnam relations are suddenly faltering. This episode was produced by Elana Gordon, and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Peter Finn and Maggie Penman. Thank you to Emma Talkoff. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The embattled U.S. Agency for International Development and foreign powerbrokers such as George Soros poured enormous resources into subverting the Orthodox Church of Georgia as well as the society and its traditional values, explained Georgian lawmaker and vice chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Mariam Lashkhi.  Speaking to The New American magazine Senior Editor Alex ... The post Soros & USAID Funded Subversion of Orthodox Church & Society in Georgia appeared first on The New American.

This episode contains particularly graphic descriptions of violence and gore. Know your own limits and proceed accordingly.Today Justin sits down with Steven Schofield. Steve enlisted into the US Army and completed training as an 18 Delta Special Forces Medic in 1967. He then deployed to Okinawa and later to Vietnam, where he served with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group. Afterwards, he left the US Army to join the US Agency for International Development and spent nearly six years working in Laos, providing medical services to the local population, and supporting the Secret War effort in the region. He's here to discuss his years in Southeast Asia and his lifelong support of the Hmong population, both in Laos and now in the United States, all of which he detailed in his book.Check out the book, Secret War in Laos, here.https://www.amazon.com/Secret-War-Laos-Green-Berets/dp/1694374114Connect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.History by MailWho knew? Not me! Learn something new every month. Use code JUSTIN10 for 10% off your subscription.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

A memo sent to U.S. Agency for International Development employees Thursday announced that the now-hobbled agency will no longer try to salvage government devices for staff based domestically. The move is notable, given that USAID had previously initiated some work to transfer technical assets to the State Department. It is not uncommon for the agency to remotely wipe devices abroad, but doing so domestically — and then trashing the equipment — is unusual. Federal agencies often auction office equipment, including computers, they no longer need. In the letter, which was viewed by FedScoop, employees were told that U.S.-based direct hires, personal service contractors, and institutional support contractors must complete “various exit tasks,” including the return of government equipment. To “simplify the process and reduce burden,” the agency says it isn't requiring employees to return iPhones, iPads, and laptops. The memo stated: “The IT equipment will be remotely wiped and marked as disposed from USAID IT asset inventories on or around the employee Reduction in Force (RIF) date, and the employee can then dispose of the assets. Further details and updates regarding the remote wiping/sanitization process for the devices and what to anticipate will be communicated closer to the RIF dates.” Secretary of the Navy John Phelan on Thursday ordered the termination of hundreds of millions of dollars in IT contracts and unrelated grants as part of a broader push at the Defense Department to slash spending that the Trump administration deems wasteful. The moves — outlined in a pair of memos issued to the chief of naval operations, Marine Corps commandant, Navy assistant secretaries and general counsel — are pursuant to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's “commitment to strategically rebuild our military, restore accountability to the Department of Defense, cut wasteful spending, and implement the President's orders,” Phelan wrote. The IT contracts axed by the SECNAV include those for the Naval Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (NMRO) program. Phelan also directed the Navy's chief information officer to prepare a new acquisition strategy by July 31, along with management review of the program. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

How can artificial intelligence reshape education - and equity - in an era of declining foreign aid and mounting humanitarian challenges? In this episode of Road to GEM, host Felicity Powell (Harvard Graduate School of Education) sits down with education and international development experts Dr. Rob Jenkins (Harvard University, formerly UNICEF), Ellen (Program Specialist, UNICEF Learning Passport), and Chris Henderson (Geneva Graduate Institute) for a timely, solution-focused conversation. Together, they explore: The transformational promise—and real risks—of AI in fragile and low-resource education settings Why education remains a cornerstone of global equity, even as funding shrinks Lessons from past technology rollouts, and how AI could either widen or close the digital divide How public-private partnerships like UNICEF's Learning Passport with Microsoft are rethinking access, inclusion, and innovation The critical role of teachers—and the dangers of leaving them out of the tech revolution Whether you're passionate about education, technology, development, or all three, this conversation offers sharp insights into the urgent decisions shaping the future of learning worldwide. Join us as we ask: How can we ensure that emerging technologies uplift the most marginalized—and not leave them further behind? Felicity Powell (Host): Ed.M. Candidate specialising in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship with a focus on International Development and Education in Emergencies. Dr. Robert Jenkins: Former Global Director for Education at UNICEF and current faculty member at HGSE. Expertise and >30 years of experience in international development and humanitarian education. Dr. Chris Henderson: Researcher and practitioner with extensive experience in education in emergencies (EiE) and teacher development. Currently finalising his PhD at Columbia, bringing deep insights from the field. https://www.christopherhenderson.org/ Ellen Eun: Program Specialist with the Learning Passport team at UNICEF, playing a key role in the global expansion and implementation of the digital learning programme.

Amid the flurry of executive orders President Trump signed on his first day in office was one that called for a 90-day pause and review of all foreign assistance programs. Three months later, that has resulted in the cancellation of thousands of contracts and grants distributed through the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the gutting of the agency’s workforce.  Portland-based Mercy Corps is one of the many organizations that USAID had awarded grants to for the delivery of humanitarian assistance around the world. Mercy Corps says 40 of its 62 programs that were funded through those grants have now been terminated, from a project that would have provided clean drinking water to 12,000 villagers in Afghanistan to health centers in Nigeria that provided lifesaving food and nutrition services to tens of thousands of young children and pregnant women at risk of starvation and malnutrition. Mary Stata is the chief development officer of Mercy Corps. She joins us to share the scope and human toll of the terminated programs and the future of international humanitarian aid without U.S. government support.

Where are my readers? Or what about aspiring readers? If you are a reader, this show is for you! When I was introduced to Melanie Bell and her work with Leaders Who Fiction, I knew she had to be on Brave Women at Work.I am a non-fiction reader and often struggle with getting into a fiction book. When I heard Melanie talk about the benefits of fiction, I knew I had to give it another try. In addition, according to an article in Inc, “How Reading Fiction Can Make You a Better Leader,” “There's a growing body of research that suggests that getting lost in well-written stories actually can actually make you better leader. Fiction works as an empathy workout, these studies find, helping bosses better understand diverse viewpoints and boosting their EQ.”During my conversation with Melanie, we chatted about:Why Melanie started Leaders Who Fiction?What is the research about exercising different parts of our brain while reading fiction and leadership?What are the benefits of reading fiction on our work performance?What are some of Melanie's favorite fiction reads?How you can join Leaders Who Fiction, a free online book club!Here is more about Melanie:After completing a degree in International Development from McGill University in Montreal, Melanie's earlier career included marketing positions at Waste Management and Ecom Access, a marketing software startup.​Returning to Houston to earn her MBA from Rice University, she then became Director of Marketing for the SURGE Accelerator​/SURGE Ventures).​In 2014, she decided to pursue her own entrepreneurial vision, founding Marketing Interface to help growth-stage companies achieve their business goals by reaching their target market, converting potential customers into paying customers, maintaining these relationships, and measuring the results of their marketing initiatives using technology.​In 2019, she merged Marketing Interface with her husband Matt's consulting practice to create Strategic Piece. She is an active reader and writer, and founded Leaders Who Fiction, an online book club that helps leaders exercise a different part of their brain, learning relevant skills by reading and discussing works of fiction.​She is also an active mentor at Rice University's entrepreneurship programs.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please be share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Also, if you haven't yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com.

From cutting programs under the U.S. Agency for International Development to putting Voice of America employees on paid administrative leave, the Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been aggressively seeking to reduce government spending on international initiatives.But some such spending may be worth keeping.Cleo Paskal, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, breaks down how certain U.S. measures in the Pacific are vital to deter increasing Chinese encroachment in the region, but they may not be well-understood.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

March is the month to celebrate Women's History. In business, 40% of new companies are started by women, employing 10 million workers and generating $1.8 trillion in revenue. That's a lot of economic impact to celebrate. I'm Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world is changing. We support (small) business through programs like BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking and a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. Today we're going to talk about the value and impact of women owned businesses on our economy. To help me discuss this I'd like to welcome Mary Wong, Founder and Principal Consultant of EvaluCcraft Global. Ms. Wong is the Founder and Principal Consultant of EvaluCraft Global, LLC, a data-driven and evidence-informed consulting firm that provides public and foreign policy analysis and evaluation services. Established in Arlington in January 2020 to meet an emerging need, EvaluCraft Global, LLC helps public and private sector organizations at all levels around the world engaged in public and international affairs to analyze, assess and evaluate associated policies and programs for effectiveness, impact, output and outcomes. Our core values are competence, transparency and accountability. Prior to launching EvaluCraft Global, Ms. Wong served 11 ½ years with the U.S. Department of State, most recently as Deputy Director in the Office of Management Policy and Resources in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs and prior to that as Deputy Director in the Office of the Fulbright Scholarship Board in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Before joining U.S. federal public service, Ms. Wong worked 8 ½ years on design and administration of international exchanges and training for the Institute of International Education in Washington, DC and in Hanoi, Vietnam. Ms. Wong has a Master of Public Policy degree in Program Evaluation from the George Washington University's Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Administration, a Master of Arts degree in International Development with a focus on Social and Economic Development from the University of Kentucky's Patterson School of Diplomacy & International Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations with a concentration in Political Economy from Drake University in Iowa. Ms. Wong is passionate about foreign policy relevance to the publics. When not working, Ms. Wong enjoys traveling and learning about the world with her husband and two children; cheering on her daughters in all their curricular and extracurricular pursuits, and contributing to community-building through the Bahá'í Faith and service projects. Resources: EvaluCraft Global  Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: BizLaunch  Minority Vendor Fair Upcoming Minority Vendor Showcase at Hyatt Crystal City   General information about the Small Business Administration (SBA): https://www.sba.gov/ SBA resources locally: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance SCORE Counseling and other resources: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs/One-on-One-Counseling Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

A.M. Edition for Mar. 20. President Trump is weighing a plan to extend Chevron's license to pump oil in Venezuela while also making it harder for countries like China to get a foothold there. Plus, the U.S. Agency for International Development could soon get a major overhaul, according to a memo viewed by the Journal. And, WSJ reporter Ben Dummett explains how Trump's order to end diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the U.S. are also being felt across the Atlantic. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, March 19th, 2025Today, A federal judge found on Tuesday that efforts by Elon Musk and his team to permanently shutter the United States Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution “in multiple ways”; a German national with a United States Green Card is being held in an ICE facility; the Trump administration has gutted the US Institute of Peace; an update on the Alien Enemies Act deportation case; John Roberts has issued a rare public rebuke of Trump calling for Boasberg's impeachment; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, AG1New subscribers, go to drinkAG1.com/dailybeans to get a FREE $76 Welcome Kit, bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box when you sign up.Stories:Elon Musk's Role in Dismantling USAID Likely Violated Constitution, Judge Finds - The New York TimesTrump administration guts board of US Institute of Peace. Group says DOGE arrives | AP NewsRoberts issues rare public pushback after Trump calls for judge's impeachmentGerman national with U.S. green card detained at ICE facility, family says | NBC NewsGood Trouble:The Resistance Rangers are planning protests at parks and public lands nationwide on 3/22 noon local time for each place!Resistance Rangers (@resistancerangers) • Instagram photos and videosResistance Rangers (@resistancerangers.bsky.social) — BlueskyEmail - resistanceranger@proton.me Share your Good News or Good Trouble:https://www.dailybeanspod.com/good/From The Good NewsLow Cut ConnieBroomfield County Democrats | broomfielddems.orgLos Angeles Dinner - HRCDarrell Issa Empty Chair Town Hall Presented by IndivisibleReminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! Federal workers - feel free to email me at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen.Share your Good News or Good Trouble:https://www.dailybeanspod.com/good/ Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana GoldbergTwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, BlueSky|@dgcomedyHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

The argument for international aid is in part a moral one, but it's also been about U.S. interests. As then-senator Marco Rubio put it in 2017: "I promise you it's going to be a lot harder to recruit someone to anti-Americanism, anti-American terrorism if the United States of America was the reason why they're even alive today."Now, as secretary of state, Rubio serves under a president who is deeply skeptical of the idea of international aid. "We're giving billions and billions of dollars to countries that hate us," President Trump said in a speech last month. His administration shuttered the U.S. Agency for International Development. A federal judge said this week that move violated the constitution. What's left of the agency has been folded into the State Department.Trump has also moved to gut government-funded, editorially independent broadcasters like Voice of America, and attempted to effectively eliminate the congressionally-funded think tank the U.S. Institute of Peace.This sort of soft power has been a pillar of American foreign policy. Is the Trump administration walking away from it?We talk to former Democratic congressman and former secretary of agriculture, Dan Glickman, who sponsored the legislation that created the USIP. And NPR's Emily Feng reports on the legacy of Voice of America in China.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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The House voted early this week on H.R. 495 the Subterranean Border Defense Act and you won't be surprised who cast the lone nay, Disney's live action Snow White adaptation is slated for release next week and we've catalogued all the reasons why it's cursed, prominent leftists like Michelle Obama & Gavin Newsom are pushing podcasts, Half Asian Lawyer Bill Richmond was here discussing the details of document shredding by U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and much more!GUESTS: Nick Di Paolo | Half Asian Lawyer Bill RichmondGet your favorite LWC gear: https://crowdershop.com/DOWNLOAD THE RUMBLE APP TODAY: https://rumble.com/our-appsBite-Sized Content: https://rumble.com/c/CrowderBits SOURCES: https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/sources-march-13-2025Connect your Mug Club account to Rumble and enjoy Rumble Premium: https://support.locals.com/en/article/how-do-i-connect-my-locals-account-to-my-rumble-account-on-rumble-vhd2st/Join Rumble Premium to watch this show every day! http://louderwithcrowder.com/PremiumNEW MERCH! https://crowdershop.com/Subscribe to my podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/louder-with-crowder/FOLLOW ME: Website: https://louderwithcrowder.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/scrowder Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/louderwithcrowder Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevencrowderofficialMusic by @Pogo

The Trump administration says it will end more than 90 percent of the U.S. Agency for International Development's foreign aid contracts. NPR spoke to two immigrants sent to Guantánamo who allege mistreatment by detainment officers, and a federal judge will hear arguments over the Trump administration's firing of probationary employees.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jane Greenhalgh, Anna Yukhananov, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams, and Paige Waterhouse. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Warning: This episode contains strong language.As President Trump demolishes the government's biggest provider of foreign aid, the United States Agency for International Development, he is ending a 60-year bipartisan consensus about the best way to keep America safe from its enemies.Michael Crowley, who covers U.S. foreign policy, and Stephanie Nolen, a global health reporter for The New York Times, discuss the rise and fall of U.S.A.I.D. — and American soft power.Guests: Michael Crowley, a reporter covering the State Department and U.S. foreign policy for The New York Times; and Stephanie Nolen, a global health reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: With his aid cutoff, President Trump has halted U.S.A.I.D.'s legacy of “acting with humanity.”The agency's workers are braced for the worst.For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Safin Hamid/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

President Trump prepares an executive order to kill the Department of Education; Democrats panic over cuts to the US Agency for International Development; and NY seeks to prosecute hospitals for failing to perform transgender surgeries. Click here to join the member-exclusive portion of my show: https://bit.ly/3WDjgHE Ep.2131 - - - Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings - - - DailyWire+: Now is the time to join the fight. Watch the hit movies, documentaries, and series reshaping our culture. Go to https://dailywire.com/subscribe today. "Identity Crisis" tells the stories the mainstream media won't. Stream the full film now, only on DailyWire+: https://bit.ly/3C61qVU Get your Ben Shapiro merch here: https://bit.ly/3TAu2cw - - - Today's Sponsors: ExpressVPN - Go to https://expressvpn.com/ben and find out how you can get 4 months of ExpressVPN free! Tax Network USA - For a complimentary consultation, call today at 1 (800) 958-1000 or visit their website at https://TNUSA.com/SHAPIRO Policygenius - Head to https://policygenius.com/SHAPIRO to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. Ramp - Get $250 when you join Ramp. Go to https://ramp.com/SHAPIRO - - - Socials: Follow on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3cXUn53 Follow on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3QtuibJ Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3TTirqd Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPyBiB