Podcasts about World politics

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about President Trump preparing to reopen the airspace over Venezuela for commercial travel, after it was closed for almost a month as a result of the US Military operation to capture Nicholas Maduro.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Prime Minister Keir Starmer's trip to China, the European Union formally adding Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to its terrorist list, and two volunteer firefighters from the Isle of Man have pulling off an impressive feat of athleticism.

Over the last few months there has been consistently heated debate around the tactics, and indeed presence of, immigration agents in the United States. That debate has reached fever pitch after the death of nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. This isn't the first fatal incident involving ICE agents, Alex Pretti is the second US citizen killed in Minneapolis this month. So what is going on? And why does it seem that wherever you look there is a different narrative surrounding what took place and who is to blame? Washington DC correspondent Simon Marks joins Jesse.

It's an anniversary day for many in the North Island, but today also marks Australia Day so to find out what's happening in OZ to mark it, we're joined by our man on the ground Brad Foster. Brad shares this year's Australian of the Year, update on the recent spate of shark attacks and some sport!

Correspondent Rebekah Holt spoke to Lauren Crimp from Tasmania.

The government is working on stopping busloads of people stripping rockpools of sea life in north Auckland; Pharmac is seeking clinical advice on whether the weight loss medication Wegovy should receive government funding. Donald Trump is doubling down on his efforts to acquire Greenland, threatening to slap tariffs on European allies standing in his way. The Black Caps have won the final ODI against India to take the series 2-1. The Government is considering lowering its housing intensification targets in Auckland after pushback from critics.

In this episode of DISINFORMATION WARS, host Ilan Berman speaks with Dr. James Robbins, Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council and Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics, about their experiences dealing with international broadcasting during the Trump 47 Transition - and where America's public diplomacy enterprise is today. BIO:Dr. James S. Robbins is a national security columnist for USA Today and Senior Fellow in National Security Affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council. He is a former special assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and in 2007 was awarded the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award.Dr. Robbins is also the former award-winning Senior Editorial Writer for Foreign Affairs at The Washington Times. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and other publications. He appears regularly on national and international television and radio.Dr. Robbins holds a Ph.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and has taught at the National Defense University and Marine Corps University, among other schools.

and imaginative alternatives to the bleak offerings of capitalism, green or not.Thea Riofrancos is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Providence College, a Strategic Co-Director of the Climate and Community Institute, and a fellow at the Transnational Institute. Her research focuses on resource extraction, renewable energy, climate change, the global lithium sector, green technologies, social movements, and the Latin American left. She is the author of Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (W.W. Norton, 2025) and Resource Radicals: From Petro-Nationalism to Post-Extractivism in Ecuador (Duke University Press, 2020), and the coauthor of A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal (Verso Books, 2019). Her publications have appeared in scholarly journals such as Global Environmental Politics, World Politics, and Perspectives on Politics, as well as in media outlets including The New York Times, Financial Times, Foreign Policy, n+1, Dissent, and more. 

A former All Blacks captain says New Zealand Rugby was left with no option but to sack Scott Robertson; With an internet blackout in place in Iran, only scant details about what is happening on the ground are emerging via the Elon Musk-owned internet satellite Starlink; The Government is investing $3.7 million to market New Zealand's regions internationally, encouraging visitors to travel beyond traditional hotspots during autumn and winter. However, critics warn infrastructure and environmental issues should be addressed before attracting more tourists; The new chief executive of Federated Farmers says he wants to create an "unfair" advantage for kiwi farmers at home and on the world stage; A new report from a global cybersecurity company says online scammers are using our "number 8 wire" mentality against us.

Liucy Thompson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from London with an update on what's been making news overnight in Europe.

With an internet blackout in place in Iran, only scant details about what is happening on the ground are emerging via the Elon Musk-owned internet satellite Starlink. Geopolitical analyst Dr Geoffrey Miller spoke to Lauren Crimp.

Latest from Australia with correspondent Rebekah Holt.

The Government hopes a law change will give the electricity authority more teeth to maintain a fair and competitive market; Business confidence has risen to its highest level since March 2014 according to the latest survey by the Institute of Economic Research; New Zealand has the world's highest melanoma death rate, but University of Auckland scientists hope a $1 million grant will help bring a new treatment to patient trials in just over five years; President Trump argues his country needs the mineral rich Island to protect against security concerns; This time of year sees a surge of people filing for divorce or breaking up with their partners.

Greenland and Denmark's Prime Ministers have held a joint news conference in response to President Donald Trump's renewed desire to annex the territory.

In the last few hours, three former heads of the US central bank have put out a statement condemning a criminal investigation into the current chair Jerome Powell. US correspondent Zach Montellaro spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from Washington DC.

Kiwi-based Iranians are watching with worry as Iranian military forces continue their violent crackdown on anti-government protesters. Forough Amin who has been in New Zealand for 11 years, says she hasn't heard from her family in Iran since the phones and internet were switched off there. She spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lauren Crimp from London.

While parts of the country experienced scorching temperatures yesterday, other areas were hit with heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Napier almost broke a near 50-year record, reaching 36 degrees; New details in the Manage My Health data breach show more than 80,000 of the 125,000 patients affected by the hack are based in Northland; Kiwi-based Iranians are watching with worry as Iranian military forces continue their violent crackdown on anti-government protesters. Forough Amin who has been in New Zealand for 11 years, says she hasn't heard from her family in Iran since the phones and internet were switched off there; The owner of a new supermarket in Christchurch says sales in the first three days were more than double what they expected. Ethan Vickery and his father Shane opened Kai Co to give shoppers an alternative to the Woolworths and Foodstuffs supermarket duopoly; Scrabble boards were put to serious use as New Zealand hosted its first national women's Scrabble championship in Auckland. Twenty competitors battled for the title, with Joanne Craig finishing third after losing her final match to the eventual champion.

South Marlborough is in a restricted fire season, meaning permits are required, and Canterbury has cancelled fire permits for the weekend. Heat alerts have been issued for Whakatane, Napier, Hastings, Motueka, Blenheim and Kaikoura; Summer has been found to carry the most risk for new workers getting into construction; The enormous legacy of Sir Tim Shadbolt includes those praising his role in turning Invercargill's fortune around and his comic genius. Shadbolt died yesterday at the age of 78 in Invercargill; Just how hot is it going to get this weekend across New Zealand? A Hamilton Mum and her 8 year old daughter have found unexpected social media fame while taking a special road trip this summer.

Temperatures set to clock above 30 degrees this week. The high temperatures are a by-product of a heatwave in Australia seeing some states hit 45 degrees; More than a week after the company behind the app, Manage My Health, disclosed a data breach, patients are still struggling to find out if they've been affected; A routine biodiversity check in North Taranaki has led to the possible discovery of a brand-new species of spider; Extra firefighting crews have been put on standby to help the Hawkes Bay region as it swelters under an extreme fire risk this weekend.

Lithium, a crucial input in the batteries powering electric vehicles, has the potential to save the world from climate change. But even green solutions come at a cost. Mining lithium is environmentally destructive. We therefore confront a dilemma: Is it possible to save the world by harming it in the process? Having spent over a decade researching mining and oil sectors in Latin America, Thea Riofrancos is a leading voice on resource extraction. In this episode, we discuss her 2025 book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism, in which she draws on groundbreaking fieldwork on the global race for lithium. Taking readers from the breathtaking salt flats of Chile's Atacama Desert to Nevada's glorious Silver Peak Range to the rolling hills of the Barroso Region of Portugal, the book reveals the social and environmental costs of “critical minerals.” She takes stock of new policy paradigms in the Global South, where governments seek to leverage mineral assets to jumpstart green development. Zooming out from lithium, we also discuss the evolving geopolitics and geoeconomics of energy transition, critical minerals, and green technology supply chains. — Thea Riofrancos is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Providence College, a Strategic Co-Director of the Climate and Community Institute, and a fellow at the Transnational Institute. Her research focuses on resource extraction, climate change, the energy transition, the global lithium sector, green technologies, social movements, and the Latin American left. She explored these themes in her book, Resource Radicals: From Petro-Nationalism to Post-Extractivism in Ecuador (Duke University Press, 2020), peer-reviewed articles in Cultural Studies, World Politics, and Global Environmental Politics, and her coauthored book, A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal (Verso Books, 2019). Her essays have appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Financial Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, The Guardian, and more. Thea's latest book, which we discuss on this episode, is Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (W.W. Norton 2025). Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (W.W. Norton 2025) The Security–Sustainability Nexus: Lithium Onshoring in the Global North in Global Environmental Politics 2022 Resource Radicals: From Petro-Nationalism to Post-Extractivism in Ecuador (Duke University Press, 2020) A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal (Verso Books, 2019) 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

Lithium, a crucial input in the batteries powering electric vehicles, has the potential to save the world from climate change. But even green solutions come at a cost. Mining lithium is environmentally destructive. We therefore confront a dilemma: Is it possible to save the world by harming it in the process? Having spent over a decade researching mining and oil sectors in Latin America, Thea Riofrancos is a leading voice on resource extraction. In this episode, we discuss her 2025 book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism, in which she draws on groundbreaking fieldwork on the global race for lithium. Taking readers from the breathtaking salt flats of Chile's Atacama Desert to Nevada's glorious Silver Peak Range to the rolling hills of the Barroso Region of Portugal, the book reveals the social and environmental costs of “critical minerals.” She takes stock of new policy paradigms in the Global South, where governments seek to leverage mineral assets to jumpstart green development. Zooming out from lithium, we also discuss the evolving geopolitics and geoeconomics of energy transition, critical minerals, and green technology supply chains. — Thea Riofrancos is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Providence College, a Strategic Co-Director of the Climate and Community Institute, and a fellow at the Transnational Institute. Her research focuses on resource extraction, climate change, the energy transition, the global lithium sector, green technologies, social movements, and the Latin American left. She explored these themes in her book, Resource Radicals: From Petro-Nationalism to Post-Extractivism in Ecuador (Duke University Press, 2020), peer-reviewed articles in Cultural Studies, World Politics, and Global Environmental Politics, and her coauthored book, A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal (Verso Books, 2019). Her essays have appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Financial Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, The Guardian, and more. Thea's latest book, which we discuss on this episode, is Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (W.W. Norton 2025). Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (W.W. Norton 2025) The Security–Sustainability Nexus: Lithium Onshoring in the Global North in Global Environmental Politics 2022 Resource Radicals: From Petro-Nationalism to Post-Extractivism in Ecuador (Duke University Press, 2020) A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal (Verso Books, 2019) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/latin-american-studies

In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Jonathan Sumption discuss the fragility of democratic institutions, the strain on the rule of law, and how electoral systems — particularly First-past-the-post — shape political incentives, polarisation, and ultimately public trust. They unpack why so many citizens feel increasingly disconnected from their leaders, and what this means for the future of liberal democracies.Find out more about how constitutional norms erode not with dramatic collapse, but through incremental shifts in political behaviour, rhetoric, and executive overreach — and why institutional resilience depends as much on culture and restraint as on legal frameworks.The conversation also addresses the rise of populism, the backlash against globalization, protectionism, and the geopolitical consequences of Russia's refusal to accept the post–Cold War settlement. They consider the economic and social drivers behind public anger, and the tensions between identity, sovereignty, and prosperity.Finally, they explore whether existing political systems can adapt, what realistic reforms might look like, and how leaders — and voters — can help rebuild legitimacy, accountability, and trust.Lord Jonathan Sumption, OBE, is one of the most distinguished legal and intellectual figures in Britain. A former Justice of the UK Supreme Court, he joined the bench in 2012 after an exceptional career at the Bar, becoming one of only a handful of barristers since the 19th century to be appointed directly to the highest court. Before entering the law, he studied history at Magdalen College, Oxford, later serving as a Fellow in History and publishing his first major work on medieval pilgrimage. Over the following decades, he built a great practice in commercial, public, EU, and constitutional law, taking Silk in 1986 and serving in various judicial and advisory roles, including as a Judicial Appointments Commissioner.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.The International Risk Podcast is sponsored by Conducttr, a realistic crisis exercise platform. Conducttr offers crisis exercising software for corporates, consultants, humanitarian, and defence & security clients. Visit Conducttr to learn more.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on Tell us what you liked!

The head of the private company, Manage My Health, Vino Ramayah, has confirmed his own details were among those leaked in a huge data breach, along with those of his friends and family; Tensions remain high in Venezuela after the United States captured President Nicolás Maduro, with shots heard near the presidential palace yesterday; The group behind the Manage My Health hack calls itself Kazu. It has demanded US$60,000 after hundreds of thousands of medical files were stolen from one of the country's largest patient portals; A British World War expert will tell a Wellington conference that New Zealand soldiers outperformed Australians in both world wars. The event will explore quirky, controversial, and overlooked stories from New Zealand's military history.

Nicolas Maduro and Cilla Flores have pleaded not guilty on charges of narcoterrorism. US correspondent Zach Montellaro spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Historian Dr Matthew O'Meagher explains how Venezuela has changed from being a regional economic powerhouse. He spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister and UN leader, Helen Clark says the actions of the United States in Venezuela breach international law. Clark spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

US correspondent Nick Harper spoke to Melissa Chan-Green with the latest on the United States actions in Venezuela.

Katherine Halkett, a Venezuelan woman living in New Zealand spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss new GDP numbers that show the economy grew at 4.3 percent in the third quarter of 2025, exceeding expectations. Also, President Donald Trump announced plans yesterday to build a new class of battleship as part of what he calls “The Golden Fleet.” And Hunter Biden reemerged yesterday, criticizing his father's administration in a five-and-a-half hour long podcast where he revealed he is $15M in debt and claims there is “no generational wealth” in the Biden family. Then, James S.Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC, joins the guys to discuss U.S. policy toward Venezuela, the naming of a new special envoy to Greenland, and the State Department's decision to reassign 30 ambassadors in order to align foreign policy with the President's directions. And they discuss CBS Editor in Chief Bari Weiss and her decision to pull a 60 Minutes report on the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants to a prison in El Salvador, saying it lacked context. Despite her last minute action, the story aired in Canada and is now available online. Also, today is Festivus, and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has released his annual list of grievances concerning government waste in 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Maria Slade, Fran O'Sullivan and Sue Bradford. They touch briefly on the Bondi shooting, before diving into the newly-announced mega Ministry: the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport. Then, they look at some bold calls from ACT leader David Seymour in his end-of-year NZ Herald interview, and finally, they unpack a move from the Reserve Bank to reduce the amount of capital that banks must hold against their loans.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the death of legendary Hollywood director Rob Reiner, as well as the hunt continuing for a suspect on the deadly Brown University shooting.

As vigils for victims are held and more information about the alleged gunmen of the Bondi Beach attacks is revealed, Sydney residents are still reeling from the event. Brad Foster joins Jesse to offer a local perspective.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Alan McElroy and Jennie Moreton. First up, Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams says council staff are copping serious threats from members of the public over increases in water rates. Then, a bowling club at Auckland's Point Chevalier has had it's existence threatened by a lack of clarity about who owns the land.  

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown talks to Lisa Owen about the reaction in Israel to the fatal terror attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach.

A terror attack at Sydney's Bondi beach has killed 16 people, including a 10-year-old girl. It's the worst mass shooting in Australia in three decades - and brought renewed focus on Australia's gun laws. Let's get the latest from our correspondent in Sydney, Nick Grimm who joins us live.

The process to get into the United States could be changing. Visitors from New Zealand, and other countries like Australia and Europe, have to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation or ESTA ...currently that asks for your contact details and emergency contacts. But soon it could also ask for your social media accounts.

Start a new sport, learn an instrument or read a book was the advice given by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today as millions of teens lost access to their social media accounts. The world-first nationwide ban bars anyone under the age of 16 from accessing ten major apps including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about school's in the UK reintroducing Covid measures to combat this season's flu outbreak, as well as the owner of a controversial nude gladiator statue preparing for a legal fight.

This week, Australia bans kids under 16 from social media platforms. Should the US do the same? The CDC votes to change the recommendations for the hepatitis B infant vaccination schedule. Notre Dame is snubbed from the playoffs and rejects a bowl game. Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss these headlines. Then, Mike sits down with Rebeccah Heinrichs of The Hudson Institute for a conversation about the shifting historical narratives of the far right, why young men are drawn to authoritarian ideas, and the importance of maintaining global alliances to prevent world wars.     GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN:  -Join the conversation at our Substack.  -Find us on YouTube.  -Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice.  ABOUT THE GUESTS: Rebeccach Heinrichs is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative. She specializes in US national defense policy with a focus on strategic deterrence. Heinrichs currently serves as a commissioner on the bipartisan Strategic Posture Commission, which was created in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. She also serves on the US Strategic Command Advisory Group and the National Independent Panel on Military Service and Readiness. She is an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics, where she teaches nuclear deterrence theory and is also a contributing editor of Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy. ABOUT THE BULLETIN:  The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.    The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more.    “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today  Producer: Clarissa Moll  Associate Producer: Alexa Burke  Editing and Mix: TJ Hester Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps  Executive Producer: Erik Petrik  Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about media giant Paramount throwing its hat in the ring to buy Warner Brothers, sparking a bidding war with Netflix, as well as the Defence Secretary facing more pressure around US strikes on alleged drug boats.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about calls in Australia for an overhaul of parliamentary entitlement rules as a senior government Minister faces controversy amid daily revelations detailing how she and her family have enjoyed some of the perks of office.

World News Wrap for 8 December 2025.

We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Following the end of the Cold War, the world experienced a remarkable wave of democratization. Over the next two decades, numerous authoritarian regimes transitioned to democracies, and it seemed that authoritarianism as a political model was fading. But as recent events have shown, things have clearly changed.In Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics (Oxford UP, 2025), authors Dr. Alexander Cooley and Dr. Alexander Dukalskis reveal how today's authoritarian states are actively countering liberal ideas and advocacy surrounding human rights and democracy across various global governance domains. The transformed global context has unlocked for authoritarian states the possibility to contend with Western liberal soft power in new, traditionally "non-political" ways, including by plugging or even reversing the very channels of influence that originally spread liberalism. Dr. Cooley and Dr. Dukalskis ultimately advance a theory of authoritarian snapback, the process in which non-democratic states limit the transnational resonance of liberal ideas at home and advance anti-liberal norms and ideas into the global public sphere.Drawing from a range of evidence, including field work interviews and comparative case studies that demonstrate the changing nature of consumer boycotts, a database of authoritarian government administrative actions against foreign journalists, a database of global content-sharing agreement involving Chinese and Russian state media, and a database of transnational higher education partnerships involving authoritarian and democratic countries, this book doesn't just reveal the limits of the liberal influence taken for granted across the world. It offers a novel theory of how authoritarian governments figured out how to exploit and repurpose the same actors, tools, and norms that once exclusively promoted and sustained US-backed liberalism. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. 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

Following the end of the Cold War, the world experienced a remarkable wave of democratization. Over the next two decades, numerous authoritarian regimes transitioned to democracies, and it seemed that authoritarianism as a political model was fading. But as recent events have shown, things have clearly changed.In Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics (Oxford UP, 2025), authors Dr. Alexander Cooley and Dr. Alexander Dukalskis reveal how today's authoritarian states are actively countering liberal ideas and advocacy surrounding human rights and democracy across various global governance domains. The transformed global context has unlocked for authoritarian states the possibility to contend with Western liberal soft power in new, traditionally "non-political" ways, including by plugging or even reversing the very channels of influence that originally spread liberalism. Dr. Cooley and Dr. Dukalskis ultimately advance a theory of authoritarian snapback, the process in which non-democratic states limit the transnational resonance of liberal ideas at home and advance anti-liberal norms and ideas into the global public sphere.Drawing from a range of evidence, including field work interviews and comparative case studies that demonstrate the changing nature of consumer boycotts, a database of authoritarian government administrative actions against foreign journalists, a database of global content-sharing agreement involving Chinese and Russian state media, and a database of transnational higher education partnerships involving authoritarian and democratic countries, this book doesn't just reveal the limits of the liberal influence taken for granted across the world. It offers a novel theory of how authoritarian governments figured out how to exploit and repurpose the same actors, tools, and norms that once exclusively promoted and sustained US-backed liberalism. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

Following the end of the Cold War, the world experienced a remarkable wave of democratization. Over the next two decades, numerous authoritarian regimes transitioned to democracies, and it seemed that authoritarianism as a political model was fading. But as recent events have shown, things have clearly changed.In Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics (Oxford UP, 2025), authors Dr. Alexander Cooley and Dr. Alexander Dukalskis reveal how today's authoritarian states are actively countering liberal ideas and advocacy surrounding human rights and democracy across various global governance domains. The transformed global context has unlocked for authoritarian states the possibility to contend with Western liberal soft power in new, traditionally "non-political" ways, including by plugging or even reversing the very channels of influence that originally spread liberalism. Dr. Cooley and Dr. Dukalskis ultimately advance a theory of authoritarian snapback, the process in which non-democratic states limit the transnational resonance of liberal ideas at home and advance anti-liberal norms and ideas into the global public sphere.Drawing from a range of evidence, including field work interviews and comparative case studies that demonstrate the changing nature of consumer boycotts, a database of authoritarian government administrative actions against foreign journalists, a database of global content-sharing agreement involving Chinese and Russian state media, and a database of transnational higher education partnerships involving authoritarian and democratic countries, this book doesn't just reveal the limits of the liberal influence taken for granted across the world. It offers a novel theory of how authoritarian governments figured out how to exploit and repurpose the same actors, tools, and norms that once exclusively promoted and sustained US-backed liberalism. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the Albanese Government rolling out its new "National Artificial Intelligence Plan" in a bid to encourage innovation and investment in the digital sector while also implementing safeguards for threats posed by the rapidly advancing technology.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu asking for a presidential pardon in the numerous corruption cases against him, as well as Syria witnessing its most deadly attack by a foreign nation since its former President was ousted last year.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff has resigned following an anti corruption raid on his home.