Voice of MPIRO: Recent Episodes
MPIRO
Join Tom and Marco as they deliver you 'infotaining' stories related to international relations, the M-IR, history and life.
The second half of Marco and Tom's discussion with Rebecca on how social media is contributing to the evolution of Tibetan culture. Rebecca is a social science researcher in China who has studied Tibetan culture extensively.
Ever wondered what Tibetan people put on their Tiktok? No? Yeah fair enough why would you. Well in this episode, Marco, Tom and special guest Rebecca talk about social media in Tibet and how Tibetans have seen their culture change over the past couple of generations. Rebecca is a researcher from China whose work has focussed on ethnic minorities such as the Tibetans.
Marco and Tom and also Sow Keat discuss various Taiwanese things, such as how to manage your incredibly powerful "best friend," different waves of Chinese colonisation, more aspects of sovereignty, and bubble tea. Especially bubble tea.
Marco, Tom and Professor Sow Keat Tok discuss the way sovereignty manifests in Chinese political thinking and practice, with a focus on its favourite island, Taiwan.
This week, Marco and Tom discuss elements of the Vietnam War and Cold War geopolitics from the North Vietnamese perspective. They also talk about the severe cookedness of the war and how it was very cooked.
Marco and Tom are back to talk about whether or not a plucky young M-IR student should do the thesis or the internship. They also speak candidly about university.
Marco and Tom discuss the importance of Taekwondo to South Korea's soft power, in addition to the influences of other martial arts across the world and how they have grown in popularity.
In this episode, Marco and Tom discuss working in the public sector with Aasha Sriram, who works for the South Australian Government. They also talk about renewable energy, politics, as well as life in South Australia.
Marco and Tom discuss the Netflix mini-series Squid Game, people's fixation on it, its popularity and issues in South Korean society.
(Spoiler alert for Welcome to Dongmakgol and, obviously, Squid Game).
Josh, from Episode 4, returns to the podcast with Marco and Tom to talk about the Philippines, the country of Josh's heritage. The three discuss politics, society and religion in the Philippines, as well as the Philippines' geopolitical situation as a US-aligned island country in the Asia-Pacific. They also chat about President Rodrigo Duterte and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The second instalment of Anna, Marco and Tom discussing their experiences with languages.
Marco, Tom and fellow MPIRO Committee member Anna speak about their journeys learning different languages. De nada.
Recent M-IR graduate Margherita from Italy talks with Marco and Tom about working Amnesty International after finish her degree. The three discuss working for an NGO as well as breaking into the job market in post-student life.
Marco and Tom review another historical movie! This time the victim is the 2000 film Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott. Boa!
Tom talks with American politics specialist Professor Tim Lynch about US power and influence in both Australia and in the world more broadly.
Wendy, Marco and Tom talk about their time in MPIRO's committee and subtly advertise the committee for current M-IR students. Subtly, yes.
With Marco and Tom finally reunited with the third host, the three podcast fellows speak about ways to deal with living and studying during a lockdown.
The conversation continues with Erika and Ben. The guests speak about how their home countries have faired during the current pandemic.
Marco and Tom talk with M-IR graduates Erika and Ben about the vaccine rollout in different countries and the vaccine as a source of competition.
Voice of MPIRO is delighted to present you the episode on the Pacific region, despite the fact we are living in Australia, the Pacific is considered way less as it should be. This episode will cover the major challenges and issues of this geographical area and what its future will be! Thanks Craig for your comprehensive overview of this very important area of the world
What makes a person more employable?
Learn what can make you more prepared with Tom, Wendy and Marco!
Do you really know everything about the elective subjects that you can choose next semester in our M-IR course?
Wendy, Marco and Tom will give you a comprehensive overview on the very important subjects that many students will have to face!
The subjects covered will be:
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Cooperation and Conflict in World Trade
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Contemporary China
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US Foreign Policy
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History, Memory and Violence
Do you want to know more than the mainstream discourse around the Australian politics?
Join Tom and Marco debating about Australia's politics, economics and international relations!
Do you really know everything about the core subjects that you can choose next semester in our M-IR course?
Wendy, Marco and Tom will give you a comprehensive overview on the very important subjects that many students will have to face!
The subjects covered will be:
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International Security
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International Political Economy
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International Governance and Law
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Asia and the World
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by university commitments and your daily life routine? We got you!
Marco, Tom and Wendy will give you tips on how to balance your studies with your daily life commitments! Tips and intresting stories will be shared!
Josh is a normal dude. He then decides to visit North Korea. We think he may have enjoyed it.
The episode will cover his trip to North Korea and the main political and social features of this country. Tom, Marco and Josh will also provide you the DO and DONTs when you visit this country! (Ps. don't take weird pictures of the Supreme Leader!)
Every students in this planet have to deal with issues related to university. Tom, Wendy and Marco will give you some tips to tackle the student issues by sharing some interesting stories about their student lives!
This episode with Dr. Sow Keat is focused on showing the unique features of the city of Macau, especially by explaining the reasons why this city has not experienced the same democracy protests happened in Hong Kong. We also shared intresting stories and fun facts about the life in Macau! Enjoy!
MPIRO is excited to announce that we are throwing our first Voice of MPIRO episode! Join Tom, Marco and Wendy in Season 3 as they deliver you interesting stories about the IR world!
Episode 5 of Season 2 MPIROCast is OUT
This is our Finale Episode for Season 2!
In this episode, we have three Global Rundowns by each of our hosts.
Ben Sladin discusses the upcoming US Presidential Elections, Erika Soma discusses Monarchies in Asia and Sunniya Wajahat breaks down the current Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia
Instead of our usual Subject Breakdown, this week we have included an ‘Alumni Catch-Up’ segment in which we are joined by 2019 MIR Graduates: Kate Clayton and Dylan Blake. In this segment we discuss: what they’ve been up to, their favourite MIR subjects and how you can get the most out of your MIR degree
Reading List
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Nagorno-Karabakh
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De Waal, T., 2013. Black garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War. NYU press. (https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=A8Z2zB-ceSsC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=armenia+and+azerbaijan&ots=soged4nMur&sig=F-v_0WVKrOVZ7WVI6Do0Klf7uqc&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=armenia%20and%20azerbaijan&f=false)
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Nagorno-Karabakh: Fresh shelling; rivals ‘head to US’ for talks, Aljazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/20/nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire-under-severe-strain-after-new-fighting)
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Why are Armenia and Azerbaijan fighting and what are the implications?, The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/28/why-are-armenia-and-azerbaijan-fighting-what-are-implications)
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Croissant, M.P., 1998. The Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict: Causes and Implications. Greenwood Publishing Group. (https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ZeP7OZZswtcC&oi=fnd&pg=PP7&dq=armenia+and+azerbaijan&ots=OlpUKDfkmM&sig=2TYqU3tRtwvJg2przKD6UluoLJQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=armenia%20and%20azerbaijan&f=false)
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German, T., 2012. The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia: Security Issues in the Caucasus. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 32(2), pp.216-229. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13602004.2012.694666)
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Asian Monarchy
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Ruoff, K. J., 2020. Japan’s imperial house in the postwar era, 1945-2019. Harvard University Asia Center (Harvard East Asian monographs: 432).
Special thanks to Wing Kuang for the edit and Jamie Blake (@jamie_blake) for the music.
Episode 4 of Season 2 MPIROCast is OUT🎙🎧
Join us this week as Sunniya Wajahat takes you to the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss the COVID-19 situation in this region 🌎🗺
We felt it was particularly important to cover Central Asia in this episode—as it is a region with a rich and diverse history—yet rarely receives much academic, political or cultural attention in Australia.
Instead of our usual subject breakdown, this week we have included a 'COVID-19 Study Tips' segment to help you get through your final end of semester assessments and exams 📖 📝
As always, if you have any feedback, comments or suggestions please email us or contact us through social media! 📧 📱
Reading List Central Asia:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/08/05/covid-19-pandemic-may-result-in-long-term-human-development-crisis-in-central-asia-warn-world-bank-experts
https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/09/03/covid-19-exposes-fragility-of-central-asia-pub-82660
https://theconversation.com/how-central-asias-authoritarian-regimes-have-used-coronavirus-to-their-advantage-138498
Frank, A.G., 1992. The centrality of central Asia. Studies in History, 8(1), pp.43-97.
Bohr, A., 2004. Regionalism in Central Asia: new geopolitics, old regional order. International affairs, 80(3), pp.485-502.
Gleason, G., 2003. Markets and politics in Central Asia. Routledge.
History of Central Asia:
Grousset, R., 1970. The empire of the steppes: a history of Central Asia. Rutgers University Press.
Learning/Study Reading List:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26173288/ - Dunlosky et al 2013 - [Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: Promising Directions From Cognitive and Educational Psychology. - PubMed - NCBI]
Karpicke 2016 - [How to improve learning and memory]https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2016/06/learning-memory’
Visual Summary of the Pomodoro technique - http://success.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/images/pomodory_study_technique_fullpage_0.pdf
University academic skills website: https://students.unimelb.edu.au/academic-skills/one-on-one-advice
Special thanks to Wing Kuang for the edit and Jamie Blake (@jamie_blake) for the music.
This week MPRIOCast has released a special episode!! 🎙🎧
This special episode outlines the structure of our 2020 Annual General Meeting to be held on the 7th of October🗳
Regular co-host Ben Sladin and current MPIRO President Lucy Vanderstelt-Gu give you rundown on:
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How the MPIRO election will be structured
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What the positions are that students can nominate themselves for
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Our experiences of being apart of the MPIRO committee in 2020 amidst the coronavirus pandemic
Special thanks to Jamie Blake (@jamie_blake) for the music.
Episode 3 of Season 2 MPIROCast is OUT!!
Join us this week as Erika Soma takes you to Japan to discuss the recent resignation of Japan’s Prime Minister Abe Shinzo
For this week’s subject discussion, regular co-hosts Sunniya Wajahat and Ben Sladin discuss International History — a core subject in the Master of International Relations at the University of Melbourne
As always, if you have any feedback, comments or suggestions please email us or contact us through social media!
- Additional reading list for Japanese politics :
Oros, A. (2017). Japan's Security Renaissance: New Policies and Politics for the Twenty-First Century. New York: Columbia University Press. doi:10.7312/oros17260
Rosenbluth, F., & Thies, M. (2010). Japan Transformed: Political Change and Economic Restructuring. Princeton, New Jersey; Woodstock, Oxfordshire: Princeton University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctt7t6fr
Mulgan, A. (2018). The Abe Administration and the Rise of the Prime Ministerial Executive. Routledge & CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/ssjj/jyy050
Japan’s Next Prime Minister Emerges From Behind the Curtain (The New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/14/world/asia/japan-prime-minister-yoshihide-suga-bio.html
Looking back on the Abe era (Policy Forum) https://www.policyforum.net/looking-back-on-the-abe-era/
Special thanks to Wing Kuang for editing this episode and thanks to Jamie Blake (@jamie_blake) for the music.
*The views expressed on MPIROCast are not representative of MPIRO or the University of Melbourne.
Episode 2 of Season 2 MPIROCast is OUT now🎙️🎧
Join us this week as Ben Sladin takes you through the controversial Asian Values Debate and discusses whether it remains relevant in 2020
More specifically, we are fortunate to have special guest Jake Black join us this week to offer his input on the Asian Values debate in regards to South Korea, while regular co-hosts Erika Soma and Sunniya Wajahat offer their thoughts on this debate from a Japanese and Pakistani perspective
For this week’s subject breakdown, Ben is joined by special guests Lucy Vanderstelt-Gu and Anthony Capp to discuss the internship subject offered in the MIR at the University of Melbourne🏢
As always, if you have any feedback, comments or suggestions—please email us or contact us through social media! 📧
Reading list for the Asian Values debate:
- Thompson M.R 2015, "Democracy with Asian Characteristics," The Journal of Asian Studies 74, no. 4, pp.875-87, www.jstor.org/stable/24738561.
- Shin, D and Kim, H 2016, "Liberal democracy as the end of history: Western theories versus Eastern Asian realities," Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, Sage Publishing, pp.1-21, DOI: 10.1177/2057891116673745.
- Barr M.D 2000, "Lee Kuan Yew and the “Asian Values” Debate," Asian Studies Review, Volume 24, Number 3, Blackwell Publishers, pp.300-334, ISSN 1035-7823.
Special thanks to Wing Kuang and Ben Sladin for editing this episode and thanks to Jamie Blake (@jamie_blake) for the music.
The views expressed on MPIROCast are not representative of MPIRO or the University of Melbourne.
Episode 1 of Season 2 MPIROCast is OUT 🎙️
Join us this week as Sunniya Wajahat takes you to Indian-administered Kashmir to discuss the implications of the removal of Article 370, COVID-19 and the military lockdown in Kashmir.
📈For this week’s subject discussion, Erika Soma is joined by special guests Emiranzala Kisyanto and Dimitri Arvanitakis to discuss International Political Economy.
If you have any feedback, comments or suggestions please email us or contact through social media!
Special thanks to Wing Kuang for editing this episode and thanks to Jamie Blake (@jamie_blake) for the music.
The views expressed on MPIROCast are not representative of MPIRO or the University of Melbourne.
Further Reading on the Kashmir conflict and Article 370:
- Stand with Kashmir: The Kashmir Syllabus https://www.standwithkashmir.org/the-kashmir-syllabus?fbclid=IwAR1NXIL5pFQlVUT5QdbYT4uuF8tPlvUqGvxTG2iJaMn3bDb2-EvEwIZQjHQ
- In Kashmir, military lockdown and pandemic combined are one giant deadly threat-https://theconversation.com/in-kashmir-military-lockdown-and-pandemic-combined-are-one-giant-deadly-threat-14225
- A year of turmoil and traumatic loss in Kashmir - https://www.newframe.com/a-year-of-turmoil-and-traumatic-loss-in-kashmir/
- Jammu and Kashmir: The Impact of Lockdowns on Human Rights August 2019-July 2020 Report- -http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/content/Kashmir-Human-Rights-Report_for%20NA%20Web%2024-7-2020.pdf
- Kashmir in an Era of Dying Democracy- http://www.nakedpunch.com/articles/307?fbclid=IwAR2H9kXqtonQqYer_UoZD4CDuKytCWM-J7uoxvoUdBYdajPf649RXaoqnXc
- Amnesty International Report: Kashmir - Situation Update and Analysis https://amnesty.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Amnesty-International-India-Kashmir-Situation-Update-Final.pdf
MPRIOcast is back for another season! 🎙️🌏
Season 2 of MPIROcast: Anarchy Is What Students Make Of It is out now!!
This week Episode 0 has dropped, which introduces the new Season 2 hosts and what this season will encompass. 🎧
Similar to last season, MPIROcast will see hosts Sunniya Wajahat, Erika Soma and Ben Sladin give you a Global Rundown and discuss subjects in the Masters of International Relations.
Special thanks to Wing Kuang for editing this episode and thanks to Jamie Blake (@jamie_blake) for the music.
It’s our finale episode! This week on MPIROcast: Anarchy Is What Students Make of It Dylan Blake is joined by Lisa Cheung to discuss Economics for Public Policy. Given that it’s the last Global Rundown, we have a special episode where each of our hosts discusses a topic that’s piqued their interest over the past year. Dylan discusses Mexico, Sunniya Wajahat talks Pakistan, Kate Clayton gives the low down on Outer Space and Voja Gleichgewicht explores the intersection between Techno Music and international politics. Stay tuned at the end as the hosts reflect on their time at MPIROcast and give you an update on what’s in store for 2020.
The views expressed in MPIROcast are not representative of MPIRO or the University of Melbourne.
Big thanks to Dylan Blake for editing and Jamie Blake for the music @jamie_blake
facebook.com/MPIRO.com.au
twitter.com/UnimelbIR
SECTION BREAKDOWN
Global Rundowns - 00-24:30
Economics for Public Policy - 24:30-35:15
Further Reading on Mexico
www.jstor.org/stable/1049739?seq=1/analyze
www.jstor.org/stable/23408421?se…_info_tab_contents
www.economist.com/the-americas/201…otout-in-sinaloa
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019…capitulation/
Further Reading on Pakistan
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/pa…y-tutelage/
www.worldbank.org/en/country/pakis…-OzC135xScGhlqcI
www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mei/m…0002/art00003
books.google.com.au/books?id=Q9sI_Y…origins&f=false
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080…347.2013.781586
Further Reading on Outer Space
www.aspistrategist.org.au/space-2-0-en…ar-in-space/
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080…622.2013.838820
muse.jhu.edu/article/641157
theconversation.com/who-owns-space-…y-illegal-51073
Further Reading on Techno
daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2014/07/ro…no-feature
www.vice.com/en_uk/article/yp4n…ustrial-wastelands
mixmag.net/feature/celebrating…oit-techno-icons/12
www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/arts/m…lisi-georgia.html
politicalcritique.org/cee/ukraine/20…youth-culture/
In Episode 4 of MPIROcast: Anarchy Is What Students Make Of It Kate Clayton is joined by special guest Rosie Balcomb to discuss the Masters of International Relations subject Special Topics A: Reconciling America with the World: Globalization, U.S. Sovereignty, and Multilateral Cooperation. For this week's Global Rundown Sunniya Wajahat and Voja Gleichgewicht take you to Eastern Africa, also known as the Horn of Africa. They will give you a mini update on recent advancements in Ethiopia-Eritrea talks, which have huge consequences for the region as two decades worth of no communication between neighbours comes to an end. Recorded a week before the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Voja and Sunniya discuss how important the improvement of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea is for the region.
The views expressed in MPIROcast are not representative of MPIRO or the University of Melbourne.
Big thanks to Dylan Blake for editing and Jamie Blake for the music @jamie_blake
facebook.com/MPIRO.com.au
twitter.com/UnimelbIR
Further Reading on East Africa
www.africanews.com/2019/07/18/ethi…ues-top-agenda/
www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiop…dah-idUSKCN1LW0KV
www.usip.org/publications/2019/…e-deal-what-impact
reliefweb.int/report/eritrea/can…s-stabilise-region
www.futuredirections.org.au/publication…ld-rivalry/
eastafricamonitor.com/can-east-afric…ms-in-eritrea/
www.africanews.com/2019/07/24/ethi…ed-trade-deals/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5KmyweNPWA
Episode 3 of MPIROcast Anarchy Is What Students Make Of is our special mid-semester break edition. Voja Gleichgewicht invites MIR student Nicholas Taylor to give you the low-down on International Migration. Our special guest host and MPIRO Treasurer Mitchell VanDeWerdt-Holman and Dylan Blake talk all things The Politics of Food. For this week’s global rundown, Kate Clayton and Dylan Blake will take you north of Australia to Papua and Papua New Guinea, as Dylan discusses the current tensions in West Papua and Kate explores the upcoming Bouganville Referendum, which could see the creation of a new state.
The views expressed in MPIROcast are not representative of MPIRO or the University of Melbourne.
Big thanks to Dylan Blake for editing and Jamie Blake for the music @jamie_blake
facebook.com/MPIRO.com.au
twitter.com/UnimelbIR
Further Reading on Papua
indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/if-we-a…-papua/
www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/08/…surabaya.html
documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN…f?OpenElement
www.ipwp.org/wp-content/uploads…of-Free-Choice.pdf
Bevege, A 2014, ‘A Secret Genocide: The blood politics of West Papua’, Australian Quarterly, vol. 85, no. 3, pp. 7-13, 28.
www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-09/w…be-tested/9025206
Further Reading on Bouganville
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…nation-waiting
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080…223349808572878
asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Asia-In…er-game-with-West
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstre…nal.pdf
www.reuters.com/article/papua-bou…c-7-idUSL3N26J02C
On Episode 2 of MPIROcast Anarchy Is What Students Make Of it you’ll hear from Sunniya Wajahat as she interviews MPIRO Secratory Michael Smith on doing you minor thesis in the Masters of International Relations. In this episode’s Global Rundown, the election of Alejandro Giammatei in Guatemala gets Dylan talking about migration, Central America and the U.S. border. Later, Voja takes listeners to the Middle East and tries to briefly explain everything you need to know about the upcoming Israeli elections.
The views expressed in MPIROcast are not representative of MPIRO or the University of Melbourne.
Big thanks to Dylan Blake for editing and Jamie Blake for the music @jamie_blake
facebook.com/MPIRO.com.au
twitter.com/UnimelbIR
Further Reading on Central American Migration to the US
www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-im…u-s-idUSKCN1RD2IT.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/guatemal…ration-us-1.5245330.
www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/c…-chapters/guatemala.
www.npr.org/2019/09/03/75726279…ects-to-border-wall.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019…e-were-built/.
Further Reading on the Israeli Elections
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elect…-meretz-1.7608655
www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47399539
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elect…tations-1.7832146
www.ft.com/content/3f3c7658-91…9-aea1-2b1d33ac3271
On Episode 1 of MPIROcast Anarchy Is What Students Make Of it you’ll hear from hosts Voja Gleichgewichit and Sunniya Wajahat as they give you the low down on Asia in the World, as well as Kate Clayton and special guest Connor Syddell on all things International Relations Theory. In this episodes Global Rundown, Kate Clayton will let you know what happened at this year's Pacific Islands Forum, and what that means for the Indo-Pacific region. And finally, with questions from Dylan Blake, Sunniya Wajahat breaks down the recent controversy over India’s decision to remove Kashmir’s special status.
The views expressed in MPIROcast are not representative of MPIRO or the University of Melbourne.
Big thanks to Dylan Blake for editing and Jamie Blake for the music @jamie_blake
facebook.com/MPIRO.com.au
twitter.com/UnimelbIR
Further reading on the Pacific Islands
theconversation.com/pacific-island-…e-change-121976
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…ng-and-pacific
www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-destiny-…cific-pivot/
thediplomat.com/2019/08/the-pacif…ands-forum-at-50/
Further reading on Kashmir
www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countrie…016ToApril2018.pdf
theglobepost.com/2019/08/12/kashm…AXyvCpbjXY3lIKHI
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080…AGg7Yk70Q3E3FEk
www.lawfareblog.com/how-indian-gove…7Is85muTrjCo8FI
MPIROcast: Anarchy Is What Students Make of It Season 1 has launched!
Tune in to Season 1 Episode 0 of MPIROCast where we introduce the hosts and what will be discussed in future episodes.
Big thanks to Dylan Blake for editing and Jamie Blake for the music @jamie_blake
facebook.com/MPIRO.com.au
twitter.com/UnimelbIR