Podcasts about World politics

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

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

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

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.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Chancellor Rachel Reeves rejecting claims that she lied about the UK's finances ahead of the budget announcement, as well as a long-lost painting with an incredible story that has sold at auction in Versailles.

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.

Tonight, he'll discuss the deadly flooding in Asia, the latest negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, and the upcoming draw for next year's World Cup.

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

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a shooting just blocks away from the White House which has left two National Guard troops in a critical condition

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about officials actively working towards the second phase of the Gaza Ceasefire deal, as well as Pope Leo who is due to visit the Middle East on his first trip out of Italy since taking over.

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

Two National Guard soldiers remain in a critical condition after being shot in Washington DC. Correspondent Toni Waterman spoke to Corin Dann.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about a rise in Russian activity in UK waters, as well as poultry potentially being off the menu for some households in the UK this Christmas.

Polling has closed in Tonga's national general election which is being conducted amid a massive fuel shortage in the capital. There are 71 candidates vying for a seat in parliament including eight women. More than 64,000 voters are on the electoral roll but the kingdom has struggled with low voter turnout since democratic reforms in 2010. RNZ Pacific senior reporter Teuila Fuatai is in Nuku'alofa and spoke to Lisa Owen.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where he is joined first by Otago University senior history lecturer Chip Van Dyk. He's been looking into the behaviour of US President Donald Trump, and its resemblance to that of a traditional monarch.

Jesse catches up with Brad Foster about the news across the Tasman. Today he'll chat about The Liberal Party's decision to abandon net zero by 2050 climate target; where Australia is at with the play sand recall and the latest in sport.

The former prime minister of Bangladesh has been sentenced to death after a tribunal found her guilty of crimes against humanity. Journalist Devina Gupta spoke to Corin Dann.

Our correspondent tonight is Rob Hugh-Jones, who is talking about the debate in Germany over its military buildup, the former prime minister of Bangladesh going on trial, and the complicated marking of 50 years since the death of the former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. 

US President Donald Trump has axed tariffs on some foods, in the face of rising grocery prices. Zespri's chief executive, Jason Te Brake spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

US President Donald Trump has scrapped tariffs on hundreds of foods - including beef, coffee and tropical fruit, as he faces pressure over the rising cost of groceries in the States. Trade Minister Todd McClay spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the longest ever US government shut down coming to an end after 43 days, after the House of Representatives narrowly approved a bill that will provide the necessary funding to re-open government.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owwen about Donald Trump wading into a controversial court case surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Israel opening up another border crossing into Gaza for aid deliveries.

Expelled Te Pati Maori MP Takuta Ferris says he's had no response from the party's national council over his calls for an urgent meeting; The fallout from the release of more than 20,000 new documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein continues; The number of Australians visiting here surged over the past year to the second highest number on record. Bookings in tourism hotspots like Queenstown, Christchurch and Rotorua are picking up ahead of a busy summer; A British pub in Greater Manchester has solved what it's called the crime of the century, a quiz team consistently winning through cheating; A Coromandel couple is at their wit's end about how to get a good night's sleep, because of rowdy penguin lodgers who are treating the place like their own.

About the Lecture: "Our democracy is getting self-destroyed, for it abused the rights of freedom and of equality; for it taught the citizens to regard insolence as a right, illegality as freedom, impertinence as equality, and anarchy as happiness." Isocrates, Athenian orator (436-338 BC) Democracy first emerged in ancient Athens in 507 BC following a long turbulent period of aristocracy and tyranny, when a nexus of intertwined geopolitical, sociopolitical, economic, and cultural developments led to the morphogenesis of this new political constitution. Athenian Democracy formulated the political ideology and fundamental principles that were later canonized by modern democracies, formalized defensive mechanisms against undue concentration of power and employed innovative integrative mechanisms to propagate its ideology and educate the citizens. Pathogenic traits-catalysts, however, such as the extreme polarization between mass and elite, demagogy, populism, failure of justice, apathy, and poor education caused extensive political ankylosis. Internal corrosion and changing historical conditions caused the decline and fall of Democracy three centuries later.Isocrates' aphorism, therefore, rings alarmingly all too pragmatic and relevant today, 250 years since the resurgence of Democracy in the modern era. Are we running a similar cycle, repeating old mistakes, standing at the same juncture, heading towards the same dead end? To navigate forward, find solutions, and shape our future, we need first to study our past. About the Speaker: With over 35 years of experience in archaeology, teaching, and administration, Prof. Christofilis Maggidis is a faculty member at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C., President of the Mycenaean Foundation, and Field Director of Excavations at Mycenae and Lamia. Throughout his career, Prof. Maggidis has combined academic leadership with a commitment to innovative teaching and interdisciplinary research. He earned the BA at the University of Athens, the Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania, and completed postdoctoral research at Brown University. Prof. Maggidis taught at Campus College and the University of Indianapolis, Athens, Greece, and held the distinguished Christopher Roberts Chair in Archaeology at Dickinson College for two decades, where he created and chaired the Department of Archaeology, designed the archaeology academic curriculum, and directed study abroad programs. In 2022 Prof. Maggidis joined the Institute of World Politics in Washington D.C. where he teaches at graduate level and directs "Hermes," the Institute's study abroad program in Greece. His research focuses on Minoan and Mycenaean archaeology, Classical Greek art and architecture, and archaeological methodology. With 40 years of field experience, Prof. Maggidis has led excavations at prominent sites in Greece, including Mycenae, Glas, and the Spercheios Valley, making significant discoveries and directing acclaimed field schools that trained over 450 students from 44 universities worldwide. Maggidis has secured substantial external and institutional funding for his research and fieldwork ($2.8million), and his findings have been widely disseminated in scholarly publications and international media. His scholarly publications comprise 26 articles, numerous field reports, one book submitted for publication and three forthcoming books. Furthermore, Prof. Maggidis has presented 45 international conference papers and delivered 42 invited lectures at prestigious universities and institutes worldwide.

Nick Perry, a former Assistant Police Commissioner says the recent misconduct findings will have cops across the country feeling disappointed and let down ; Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has been placed on leave from his role as Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency; A woman who accused the disgraced former police Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming of sexual offending remains before the court on charges of harassing another police officer and his wife; A bronze bell weighing one-tonne has been stolen from Auckland's Japanese Garden, in Henderson; Emails released on Thursday morning show the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, mentioned US President Donald Trump by name multiple times in private correspondence over the last 15 years.

Europe correspondent Christian Smith joins Emile Donovan for the latest on the BBC, a German court ruling against Open AI/Chat GPT for misusing music lyrics, Milanese prosecutors investigating 'sniper tourists' from the siege of Sarajevo, and what the English are saying about All Black's visit to London this weekend. 

Let's find out what's happening in Australia now Brad Foster is with us now to tell us what everyone is talking about across the Tasman. Today's topics - How a Neo-Nazi rally in Sydney on Saturday got permission to be held and why tobacco sales are soaring on the Australian black market.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resigning over a Donald Trump documentary edit.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about more information emerging on the atrocities unfolding in Sudan, as well as the fragile ceasfire largely holding in Gaza, bringing more signs of a return to normality.

The US Senate has taken the first steps towards ending the longest-ever government shutdown. Politico's Josh Gerstein spoke to Corin Dann.

BBC World Service reporter Rob Hugh-Jones drops by to take a look at events making international headlines.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Lizzie Marvelly and Ben Thomas. First up, free cervical cancer screening for everyone is the next plank laid in Labour's plan to get elected in 2026. Public health advocates and professionals say they are excited, including the director of the National Centre for Women's Health, Bev Lawton. Then, how did New York's incoming Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, manage to defeat the old political guard? History lecturer Chip Van Dyk explains.

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Anne Bradley, vice president of academic affairs at The Fund for American Studies and professor of economics at The Institute of World Politics, about Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's book Abundance, which she reviewed for Religion & Liberty Online. What is the concept of “abundance,” and who comprises the book's audience? […]

34-year-old Zohran Mamdani has made history as the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of New York. Correspondent Jagruti Dave spoke to Corin Dann from Washington.

This week in our weekly half hour injection of politics, Wallace is joined by Holly Bennett, director of a government relations firm, and former advisor to Minister Paul Goldsmith. Morning Report host Corin Dann also joins, alongside by former Green MP Sue Kedgely. Firstly, New York has a new Mayor: Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani won by a landslide.

New Yorkers are casting their final votes for a new mayor. Washington correspondent Simon Marks spoke to Corin Dann.

New Yorkers are heading to the polls this week to elect a new mayor. Correspondent Mitch McCann spoke to Corin Dann from New York.

Tonight he's looking at the United Nations' latest report on global emissions of greenhouse gases, the escalating conflict in Sudan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to the White House.

Today we're talking about the growing controversy surrounding America's relationship with Israel, and the disturbing pattern of censorship that follows anyone who dares to even question it. Why are discussions about foreign influence and government transparency being shut down? Why are prominent voices silenced the moment they speak against powerful interests? We're asking the uncomfortable questions no one in the mainstream media wants to touch, from the suppression of speech to the "alliances" shaping U.S. policy, and praising those few, like Candace Owens, who refuse to back down in the pursuit of real justice and truth.This episode isn't about taking sides, it's about demanding honesty, accountability, and the freedom to ask hard questions without fear.

The leaders of the world's two biggest economies have met on the sidelines of the APEC summit. A meeting with China's President Xi Jinping was the pinnacle of US President Donald Trump's trip around Asia. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives spoke to Corin Dann.

The Few. The Proud.  The Marines.  Today, we are discussing this legendary fighting force as we celebrate the United States Marines' 250th birthday. For 250 years, the Marines have shown up to protect our freedom, and helped establish the Untied States as the world's superpower. To discuss the evolution of this branch of our military, we are honored to welcome back Dr. James Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics; Senior Fellow in National Security Affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council; Former special assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have this morning had their first meeting at the White House, signing a deal on critical minerals and rare earths. With mroe is Washington correspondent Nick Harper who joined Ingrid Hipkiss.

RB Ham is a Canadian political commentator, activist and former candidate for office under the People's party. He was part of the freedom movement/Trucker protest 4 years ago. He is currently the host of the "Beyond the Pale" podcast. 02:00 - His run for the people's party in Canada, inspired by lockdowns and censorship, the Chronology of the Canadian trucker's protest, obstacles of a smaller party 22:22 - The domination of the two-party system, Carney's path to the presidency 48:18 - politicians are NOT our heroes, How Trump became "Teflon Don," are restrictions a test phase for limits for authoritarianism? Plus, how far are we going to take foreign intervention? If we already know it's up/down, then why are we fighting harder on left/right? 59:26 - Back to the "Freedom protest," the disagreement with mandates, and the consequences of free speech, the problem is up/down, billionaires and the rest of us, understanding acute narcissistic disorder 1:19:01 - Orwell, HG Wells, and the books that saw a lot of this coming, Shogun being great read AND series/movie, the interesting journey of Jesse Ventura 1:30:40 - The powerful tool of forgiveness, and speaking up for people who cannot help themselves, also, politicians are not heroes and vote for your agenda, not the party agenda 1:50:11 - Does Trump's ego "Trump" the right thing? Plus, a story about Jimmy Dore (NOTE: There is a possibility the story did not involve him - to the best of my memory, people around us identified him as "Jimmy", conspiracies, and the right to reject or accept them based on historical behavior 2:03:12 - Why we "love" Peter Hotez

Online harm experts say Charlie Kirk shooting video is just the tip of the iceberg, with young people regularly seeing far more graphic and gruesome deaths. Rachel Helyer Donaldson reports.

#JonGaunt #Live #Starmer #Trump #UKPolitics #LabourParty #ChineseSpying

Robert Bruce Adolph - a former Infantry Staff Sergeant - is a retired US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel and UN Chief Security Advisor, as well as once a university lecturer on American History, US Government and World Politics. He is the author of the well-reviewed book “Surviving the United Nations: A true story of violence, corruption, betrayal, and redemption.” Robert holds graduate degrees in both International Affairs and National Security Studies and Strategy. His commentaries, articles and book reviews have appeared in over fifty newspapers, magazines, professional journals and academic publications for over four decades. He has additionally lived and worked in seventeen different countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Today he is an international speaker, commentator, and security consultant. Discover more at www.robertbruceadolph.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.