Podcasts about World politics

Here we find ourselves approaching the fifth spring of the Russo-Ukrainian War of 2022.As the rest of the world's geopolitical landscape changes dramatically, Russia's “friend group” shrinks, and Ukraine's friends grow weary and distracted, where is the war moving and where could we expect Russia to adjust for another year of conflict?Returning to Midrats again to discuss this and related issues is Dr. Dmitry Gorenburg, a Senior Research Scientist in the Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs division of CNA, where he has worked since 2000.Dr. Gorenburg is an associate at the Harvard University Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies and previously served as Executive Director of the American Association of the Advancement of Slavic Studies (AAASS). His research interests include security issues in the former Soviet Union, Russian military reform, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. Dr. Gorenburg is author of Nationalism for the Masses: Minority Ethnic Mobilization in the Russian Federation (Cambridge University Press, 2003), and has been published in journals such as World Politics and Post-Soviet Affairs. He currently serves as editor of Problems of Post-Communism and was also editor of Russian Politics and Law from 2009 to 2016. Dr. Gorenburg received a B.A. in international relations from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University.SummaryIn this episode, we explore the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, marking its fifth spring, and analyze Russia's current military strategy, technological dependencies, economic adjustments, and geopolitical efforts. Our expert guest, Dr. Dmitry Gorenberg, a senior research scientist at CNA, provides insights into Russia's military tactics, technological challenges, and international alliances, painting a comprehensive picture of a pivotal moment in the conflict.Key Topics:The significance of the fifth spring of the Russia-Ukraine war and its implicationsThe role and impact of Starlink and Russian anti-satellite capabilitiesRussian military tactics: steady grinding, troop mobilization, and drone warfareThe Russian psyche regarding prolonged conflict and public sentimentThe influence of repression and government control on information disseminationEconomic resilience: sanctions, oil prices, and support from BRICS nationsRussia's strategic partnerships: Venezuela, Iran, China, and othersThe role of sabotaging NATO and Western countries to weaken collective defenseInformation warfare: Russian propaganda, disinformation, and influence operationsTechnological dependencies: reliance on US-based satellite systems and Chinese componentsRussian military leadership: promotions, strategic updates, and future outlooksThe geopolitics of energy, with focus on shadow fleets and the Straits of HormuzTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and overview of Russia's fifth spring in the Ukraine conflict02:09 - The impact of cutting off Starlink and communication disruptions on the front lines04:20 - Russian troop mobilization strategies and tactics05:39 - External foreign fighters: North Koreans, North Africans, and recruitment trends08:33 - Russian public perception and cultural narrative about the war's longevity09:29 - The influence of repression, propaganda, and societal attitudes in Russia12:46 - Government control of communications, internet censorship, and surveillance16:15 - Russia's dependence on US satellite systems and Chinese technology17:36 - Russia's technological gap: Satellites, GPS, and domestically developed systems19:10 - Economic impacts: sanctions, oil prices, and Russia's financial resilience 21:25 - Russia's efforts with BRICS and global network of allies to bypass sanctions23:24 - The role of Venezuela, Iran, and other countries in Russia's geopolitical web27:06 - Russia's sabotage operations against NATO and Western nations30:13 - Political influence campaigns, disinformation, and influence operations32:09 - Reflection on Cold War-era propaganda and current information strategies33:38 - The use of media, social platforms, and online influence in shaping narratives37:40 - Historical perspective on propaganda, public manipulation, and media control39:51 - Modern military technology, including missile attacks and Ukraine's defense42:11 - The evolving missile landscape, targeting energy infrastructure and battlefield logistics44:46 - Russia's advanced satellite capabilities: intercepting and maneuvering satellites46:47 - External support for Russia: North Korean, Iranian weapons, and China's role48:00 - Chinese technology and components aiding Russia's military industry50:17 - Russia's long-term concerns about China's rising dominance52:24 - Russia's diplomatic and military support networks in Latin America and beyond54:00 - Shadow tanker ships, oil sanctions, and economic strategies related to energy55:47 - The geopolitical implications of oil sales, shadow fleets, and global markets57:06 - Russia's support to Iran: targeting capabilities and strategic assistance58:21 - Ukraine's recent military developments and regional connections60:59 - Ukraine's defense industrial capacity and regional alliances62:24 - Russia's outreach and support to Middle Eastern countries; strategic intentions64:39 - Future outlook: military promotions, strategic planning, and the war's trajectoryResources & Links:CNA Russia StudiesStarlink by SpaceXRT (Russia Today)RAND Report on Russian SatellitesUS Sanctions and Oil Market DataRussia's Shadow Fleet

Author Roham Alvandi breaks down the history of Anglo-American involvement in Iran through three critical events, the 1953 coup, the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and the 2015 Nuclear Agreement.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about reports that a strike which killed dozens of Iranian school children may have been the result of a targeting mistake by the US military, meanwhile, figures have come to light about the financial cost of the war to the US.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about one of Australia's most respected bureaucrats and security officials has quit the Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism. Former Australian spy boss Dennis Richardson says he has nothing useful to contribute to the investigation into whether more could have been done to prevent the Bondi Terror Attack.

Return of Tyranny explains why counterrevolutions both emerge and succeed, marshalling original data on counterrevolutions worldwide since 1900. It also offers a fresh perspective and new evidence on the reversal of Egypt's 2011 revolution, one of the most prominent recent episodes of counterrevolution. The book forwards a movement-centric argument that emphasizes the strategies revolutionary leaders embrace, both during their opposition campaigns and after they seize power. Movements that wage violent resistance and espouse radical ideologies establish regimes that are very difficult to overthrow. By contrast, democratic revolutions like Egypt's are much more vulnerable – though the book also identifies a path by which they too can avoid counterrevolution. By preserving their elite coalitions and broad popular support, these movements can return to mass mobilization to thwart counterrevolutionary threats. In an era of resurgent authoritarianism worldwide, Return of Tyranny sheds light on one particularly violent form of reactionary politics. Meet our speakers Killian Clarke is an Assistant Professor in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, affiliated with the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. His research focuses on revolution, protest, democratization, and authoritarianism with a regional focus on the Middle East. He is the author of Return of Tyranny: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed (Cambridge University Press, 2025), as well as peer-reviewed articles in the American Political Science Review, Annual Review of Political Science, British Journal of Political Science, and World Politics. Hazem Kandil is the Cambridge University Professor of Historical and Political Sociology, Fellow of St Catharine's College and Head of Department. He studies power relations and social interactions, focusing on war, regime change, intellectuals and ideology in America, Europe, and the Middle East. He holds a PhD in Sociology from UCLA, and MA degrees in Political Theory and International Relations. His publications include Power Triangle: Military, Security, and Politics in Regime Change (Oxford University Press 2016), Inside the Brotherhood (Polity 2014), and Soldiers, Spies, and Statesmen (Verso 2012). Kandil received the Philip Leverhulme Prize (2014) and a ProFutura Scientia Fellowship (2016). After finishing a book project on US military campaigns from 1960 to the present, he started a new one on encounters with Critical Theory. Meet our chair Katerina Dalacoura is Associate Professor in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Director of the LSE Middle East Centre. She held a Major Research Fellowship by the Leverhulme Trust between 2021 and 2024. The project findings will shortly be published as a book monograph by Cambridge University Press, under the title Islamic International Thought in Turkey: History, Civilisation and Nation.

The US President says the war on Iran is "pretty much" complete but America hasn't "won enough, as the conflict in the Middle East enters its eleventh day. The US military says it has struck more than 5,000 targets and damaged or destroyed at least 50 Iranian ships since the start of Operation Epic Fury. Close to 1300 people in Iran and 500 in Lebanon have been killed according to human rights groups and local authorities. US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the country finding itself drawn increasingly into the conflict in the Middle East, with the Albanese Government offering sanctuary to visiting Iranian soccer players, while also pledging to send military assets to assist in the defence of Gulf nations from attacks by Iran.

As the US remains embroiled in war with Iran, President Trump has voiced disapproval of the new hardline Supreme Leader.

Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen by Iran's Assembly of Experts to succeed his father who was killed at the beginning of the latest conflict. It comes as the conflict in the middle east enters its tenth day. Dubai correspondent Fiona Nicole Mee spoke to Lisa Owen.

Iran's Assembly of Experts named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new Supreme leader. He replaces his father who was killed by American and Israeli airstrikes 9 days ago. Last Monday we spoke to Iranian New Zealand Barrister Samira Taghavi after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a move she hoped could start to bring about regime change in Iran. She joins us again to share her thoughts on the new leader, what could happen next, and why we should care.

We find out what's hitting the headlines in Australia with our man on the ground there, Brad Foster. This week we're discussing: The Federal Government considering a request for military assistance from the Gulf States that have been attacked. Concerns for the safety of the Iranian women's soccer team that has been playing in the Women's Asia Cup and are due to return home. And in brief: the F1, flooding in the NT, and a wrap of weekend footy. There is something for everyone!

Europe rethinks its nuclear options, prompting Russian warnings, and Iceland confirms referendum on resuming EU membership talks. 

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton looks at Australia's decision to back the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and urging of Australians stuck in the Mideast not to cancel their flights home.

Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.

Winston Peters responds to the latest actions in the Middle East; Weekly Political Panel with Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds; Housing minister, Chris Bishop; A tourism boom in the Mackenzie District; Kiwi comedian scores role as writer on new UK version of Saturday Night Live.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Phil Wegmann discuss the politics of the Iran War, including remarks at this morning's press briefing by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and JCS Chair Dan Caine. Next, James S. Robbins, Academic Dean of the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC joins the guys to discuss the global implications of the Iran War and possible outcomes. Then finally, they discuss tomorrow's primaries in Texas and last Friday's decision by the Pentagon to declare the AI company Anthropic a “supply chain risk” to national security. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK's response to the Iran strikes, as Defence Secretary John Healey spoke for the first time since the air strikes began.

Thousands of flights have been disrupted as military strikes continue in the Middle East. Flights in and out of airports in Tel Aviv, Dubai, Doha and other international hubs in the region have been suspended or severely restricted with much of the air space there closed. It follows the US-Israel attack on Iran. Executive Director of the NZ Board of Airline Reprsentatives, Cath O'Brien spoke to Lisa Owen.

Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.

The conflict in Iran has widened further. Israel has attacked Lebanon in response to a Hezbollah rocket attack . New Iranian strikes have been reported on a major gas plants in Qatar and in Saudi Arabia.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer initially refused US forces to use UK bases - a move which President Trump called 'disappointing'. Starmer reversed his decision on Sunday, saying the bases can be used for defensive strikes. BBC political correspondent Rob Watson spoke to Corin Dann.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins, Extensive coverage from the conflict in the Middle East; The Auckland school embracing AI; A lifeline for lions at a Northland wildlife enclosure.

Iranian New Zealand Barrister Samira Taghavi joins Jesse to discuss what the conflict in Iran means to her and what changes she hopes it brings.

For analysis of the US- Israel strikes and to discuss New Zealand's response, Jesse is joined again by retired Major-General John Howard. Major General John Howard is a former New Zealand Chief of Defence Intelligence and also a former Deputy Director at the US Defence Intelligence Agency in Washington DC

This week US and Iranian delegations failed to make a breakthrough that could avert potential US strikes amid a massive military build-up. The threat of those strikes saw New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peter's reiterate official advice for New Zealanders to leave Iran. Pressure is mounting on Iran externally and internally. This week anti-government protests spread to at least 13 universities. Susie speaks to Ross Harrison, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC and author of "Decoding Iran's Foreign Policy" on whether we are edging closer to a peaceful outcome through diplomacy or to a US attack on Iran.

Americas' correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about officials confirming that an American citizen was killed in yesterday's clash between Cuba's coastguard and a US-registered speedboat.

China geht viral, wieder einmal: Nachdem 2025 die Labubus den Westen und das Internet erobert haben, ist jetzt ein neuer Trend entstanden, der auf folgende Formel gebracht werden kann: „You met me at a very chinese time in my life“.Westliche User, Influencer und Twitch-Streamer zeigen sich dabei, wie sie heißes Wasser trinken, chinesische Gerichte essen, Kaffeeketten aus China besuchen oder gleich in die Volksrepublik reisen, um von den pünktlichen Hochgeschwindigkeitszügen, der modernen Architektur, der E-Mobilität und der weit entwickelten Robotik zu schwärmen.Während der Westen schwächelt und das Antlitz des freundlichen US-Hegemons sehr grimmig ist, wird die chinesische Lebensart immer beliebter. Es ist deshalb wichtig, sich das Konzept von „Soft Power“ zu vergegenwärtigen, dem der Politikberater Joseph S. Nye 2004 ein eigenes Buch widmete. Was, wenn die Eroberung weniger durch Panzer als durch Plüschtiere und Popkultur vor sich geht?Mehr dazu von Ole Nymoen und Wolfgang M. Schmitt in der neue Folge von „Wohlstand für Alle“!Werbung: Ihr könnt das „Surplus“-Magazin jetzt vier Wochen lang für nur einen Euro testen und bekommt die KI-Ausgabe direkt nach Hause. https://www.surplusmagazin.de/wfa/Unsere Zusatzinhalte könnt ihr bei Apple Podcasts, Steady und Patreon hören. Vielen Dank!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/wohlstand-f%C3%BCr-alle/id1476402723Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/oleundwolfgangSteady: https://steadyhq.com/de/oleundwolfgang/aboutLiteratur:Joseph S. Nye: Soft Power. The Means to Success in World Politics. Public Affairs.Die BBC über den Trend: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6eljqvyp1oWired-Artikel: https://www.wired.com/story/made-in-china-chinese-time-of-my-life/Veranstaltungen:Ole ist am 3. März in Magdeburg:https://www.magdeburg.de/B%C3%BCrger-Stadt/System/Veranstaltungskalender/-Warum-ich-niemals-f%C3%BCr-mein-Land-k%C3%A4mpfen-w%C3%BCrde-.php?ModID=11&FID=115.23034.1Wolfgang ist am 3. März in Erlangen: https://www.instagram.com/fsvphilfak/p/DVIlizsjVV_/Wolfgang ist am 10. März in Idar-Oberstein: https://penberlin.de/heimat_rp-mitwirkende/Wolfgang ist am 11. März in Duisburg: https://www.duisburger-akzente.de/de/programm_detail.php?eid=fbd0a0901377c932744f3afd87e07399&tid=7dcce52ec3b61931fd478d4b4b648565

The global rise of authoritarianism today is a puzzle: democracies were supposed to be immune to such impulses, but the current political landscape of countries as diverse as India, Hungary, and the United States show that they're not.Why are we seeing a resurgence of authoritarianism? And why did it take so many experts by surprise?In this episode, Mark Blyth looks for answers to these questions with Alexander Cooley and Alex Dukalskis, authors of the new book Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics. In the book, they explore how authoritarian countries today project their ideologies around the world, and why their strategies may look eerily familiar to anyone who has studied the spread of western liberalism in the 1990s and 2000s.Guests on the episode:Alexander Cooley is a professor of political science at Barnard College.Alex Dukalskis is an associate professor in the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin.Learn more about and purchase Dictating the Agenda The Authoritarian Resurgence in World PoliticsTranscript coming soon to our website

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about fears of an all-out war between the US and Iran, and the military buildup in the region, as well as an American ambassador's comments about Israel which caused outrage.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about former PM Boris Johnson wanting to see British troops on the ground in Ukraine sooner rather than later, as well as the US confirming it won't back out of its tariff deal with the UK, amidst uncertainty from British businesses.

The war between Russia and Ukraine is grinding towards its fourth anniversary. 

President Donald Trump has been left fuming over the U.S Supreme Court ruling that he didn't have the power to introduce his controversial global tariffs.

On this week's episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John were joined by Hilary Matfess of the University of Denver to discuss G.I. Jane, the 1997 military drama directed by Ridley Scott and starring Demi Moore and Viggo Mortenson. The discussion for this film revolves around the evolving role of women in the military, post-Cold War anxieties about American military readiness, the gender politics of the film, and what the movie might signify today, in the present.Matfess is the author of a new book, "Putting Women in their Place: Gender Power and World Politics," which is available wherever books are sold.For our next episode we are heading into 1998 with U.S. Marshals, the somewhat forgotten sequel to The Fugitive, starring Wesley Snipes and Tommy Lee Jones. And don't forget our Patreon, where we cover the films of the Cold War and do a regular politics show. You can find that at patreon.com/unclearpod.Our producer is Connor Lynch and our artwork is by Rachel Eck.

Reports indicate President Donald Trump has deployed enough air and naval forces to the region to launch an attack in the coming days.

Japan's Sanae Takaichi has been reelected as Japan's leader with her ruling party consolidating power.

Middle East correspondent Perry Wilton spoke to Lisa Owen about strikes in Gaza threatening the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. It comes ahead of the first meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called 'Board of Peace' - set to take place on Thursday.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about health officials in the UK dealing with a growing measles outbreak in north-east London, as well as new analysis into the gender pay gap in the UK.

On today's show, host Esty Dinur is in conversation with Killian Clarke about his new book, Return of Tyranny: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed. He researches moments of democratic liberation brought about by mass struggle and why some succeed and others fail. Though he did not write about the US, he's seen his research become surprising and tragically poignant in the second Trump presidency. Clarke says that democratic backsliding like we're seeing in the US, has happened in other democracies around the world. But elected leaders who systematically dismantle institutions of democracy and then install an authoritarian regime is far more common in young democracies than in places like the US. It's shocking how quickly Trump and his team are succeeding. There are resonances between tyrants everywhere in how they cement their rule and gain popularity. They also discuss comparisons between Trump and Hitler's rise to power, political polarization in the US, Clarke's research on Egypt, and the vulnerability of other unarmed revolutions. Clarke says that there are downsides to the prevalence of technology in today's social movements and says that grassroots organizing is needed to sustain a movement. He recommends Zeynep Tufekci's book, Twitter and Tear Gas and says it's possible to pressure the Democratic Party to stand for something, like was done during the Civil Rights Movement.  Killian Clarke is an Assistant Professor in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, affiliated with the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. His research examines revolution, protest, democratization, and authoritarianism with a regional focus on the Middle East. He is the author of Return of Tyranny: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed (Cambridge University Press, 2025), as well as peer-reviewed articles in the American Political Science Review, Annual Review of Political Science, British Journal of Political Science, and World Politics. Featured image of the cover of Return of Tyranny: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed, available from Cambridge University Press. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post How to Make Tyrants and Cement Power appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the FAA ordering the airspace above El Paso, Texas to be shut for ten days, only to be reopened shortly after, as well as the House of Representatives voting to overturn Donald Trump's tariffs against Canada.

Australian correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about political turmoil continuing in Australia with the country's opposition leader Sussan Ley facing a leadership challenge after less than a year in the job.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the removal of hundreds of federal agents from Minnesota.

In Australia the upcoming visit by Israel's President Isaac Herzog is causing division and widespread comdemnation due to allegatoins he incited genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about political conservatives in Australia continuing to endure upheaval, with the opposition there undergoing leadership instability and polls showing the coalition parties haemorraging support to hard-right party One Nation.

In January 2025, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment published the Crown's mineral strategy with a goal of doubling our mineral exports to three billion dollars by 2035. On Friday, we learnt that to achieve that goal MBIE is looking to develop a "non-binding critical minerals framework" and has been having discussions with the US on the supply of critical minerals. To explain what this all means, Jesse talks to Sefton Darby, is a former National Minerals manager at MBIE, and now consults on geo-politics and political risk.

What prophesied end times configuration of nations marks the return of Jesus Christ? Find out with Tim Moore and Nathan Jones on Christ in Prophecy Radio!

It is 85 seconds to midnight (according to the Doomsday Clock); evaluating the risk of catastrophe; the latest Board of Peace developments; another speech pointing to the end of the international system as we know it; what it means for Europe to take more responsibility for its own defense; and Marcus recalls World War IIThe opinions expressed on this podcast are solely our own and do not reflect the policies or positions of William & Mary.Please subscribe to Cheap Talk on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast player of choice to be notified when new episodes are posted.Further Listening/Reading:Cheap Talk Podcast. 2024. “Exercise in Optimism” (Jan. 27), via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the web.Gabriel A. Almond and Stephen J. Genco. 1977. “Clouds, Clocks, and the Study of Politics.” World Politics 29(4): 489–522.See all Cheap Talk episodes

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.

About the Lecture: This lecture will discuss the dangers that advanced AI would pose to the United States, the world, and humanity if developed and deployed without proper safeguards. These dangers would include its impact on our economy, geopolitical relations, and our national security. About the Speaker: Brendan Steinhauser is a Partner with Steinhauser Strategies, a public affairs firm based in Austin, Texas. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Government from The University of Texas in 2004 and earned his M.A. in Statecraft and International Affairs from The Institute of World Politics in 2013. Brendan served as an adjunct professor of Political Science and Global Studies at St. Edward's University in Austin, where he taught courses on Global Issues and State & Local Government. He has been published in the peer-reviewed academic journal, The Journal of South Texas. ‍Brendan has led campaigns for candidates and causes in more than 40 states, including for Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Michael McCaul, and Congressman Dan Crenshaw. TIME magazine named Brendan as one of "40 Under 40" rising stars in American politics. Campaigns & Elections magazine awarded him a "Rising Star" award in 2012. Former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey called working with Brendan one of the highlights of his career. Over the years, Brendan has worked as a Director of Federal and State Campaigns, Communications Director, and Chief Strategy Officer of various nonprofit organizations. He is a frequent media commentator and has appeared on Fox News, Comedy Central, MSNBC, CNN, the BBC, NewsNation, and Newsmax. He has also been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and many more newspapers, magazines, books, and journals. Some of his clients have included the Republican Party of Texas, Texas Right to Life, State Senator Angela Paxton, and the War Veterans Fund. Brendan serves as a First Lieutenant and Company Commander in the Texas State Guard, the premier state defense and emergency response force in the U.S. He graduated from Officer Candidate School and received his commission in 2021, at the age of 39. He earned a certificate in Counterintelligence Awareness from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. Mark Beall is a leading expert at the intersection of AI policy and national security. After serving as the inaugural Pentagon AI Policy Director at the Department of Defense's Joint AI Center, he became the Senior Advisor at the AI Policy Network, an organization that builds bipartisan support for legislation that will help the United States prepare for the future capabilities of AI systems. Beall also co-founded Gladstone AI, an entity that advocates for the responsible development of AI and guardrails to protect the country against national security threats from AI. He has publicly spoken on these issues numerous times through speeches, interviews, and more, and is a voice critical in the mission to prioritize security in the development of AI. Beall holds a BA in Physics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MA in Statecraft and National Security from the Institute of World Politics. **Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academics/graduate-degree-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=3

This month we were delighted to have a conversation with Vivian Price, a visiting researcher at the University of Helsinki. Presently she is working with Janette Kotivirta, Doctoral researcher in World Politics at University of Helsinki, on a video dialogue project on just transitions. Vivian comes to Helsinki from California State University Dominguez Hills, where she is a Professor in Interdisciplinary, Environmental and Women's Studies. Vivian shares insight with us about her blue-collar work history and long-term experience working to strengthen labour and environmental standards. Prior to earning her doctorate as a non-traditional student, Vivian worked in restaurants, offices, and as a union member in factories, refineries, and construction sites, which served to develop and deepen her understanding of working-class struggles. She has also been an apprenticeship instructor and officer in the International Brother (& Sister) -hood of Electrical Workers, and once a professor, became an officer in the California Faculty Association. Vivian looks at climate justice through the lens of the worker, with the hope of connecting unions, scientists, communities, and environmentalists. This is a fresh perspective and allows us to explore new spaces in the discussion on the impacts of extractivism. Vivian wishes to share a message of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the US resisting ICE. We support this message and also stand in solidarity.If you would like to learn more about Vivian's work, please check out the links below. Vivian's University Profile https://www.csudh.edu/labor-studies/faculty/vivian-price Feature-length documentariesHammering It Out (2000, 56 min) Distributor, Women Make Movies Description here Transnational Tradeswomen (2006, 56 min) Distributor, Women Make Movies Description hereHarvest of Loneliness (2010, 56 min) Distributor, Film Media Group. Description hereShorts on Just TransitionTalking Union Talking Climate (2023, 15 mins) Three oil workers (a Nigerian, a Norwegian and a Californian) have a conversation about what it's like to be a unionist, how their companies view unions, how their companies distribute profits, and their views on climate change and the future of the oil industry. Based on research with the WAGE team at the University of Oslo and OsloMet.Voices from the green transition (2025, 14 mins) How are workers and communities experiencing the transition away from coal in South Africa and the extraction of lithium in Chile? This short film highlighting the ideas of marginalized groups is based on research from the Just Transition: action, concepts, debates and strategies research project at the University of Leeds.Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7GOu9hUsF4