Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs: Recent Episodes
Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs
Today we explore Kim Yo Jung, Kim Jong Un’s sister, and her official role in North Korea. She first made her international debut in 2018 and has continued to dominate North Korean politics alongside her brother, with many scholars considering her to be a potential successor to Kim Jong Un. We are joined today by Dr. Sung-Yoon Lee to discuss why he considers her the most dangerous woman in the world.
Sung-Yoon Lee is an Assistant Professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and Faculty Associate at the Program on U.S.–Japan Relations, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University.
The Sister: Kim Yung
Hosts: Lauren Zou and Seth Choi
Editor: Leo Kamer
Music: Zee Yuen
Realism has been the dominant theory of international relations since its conception, and within the realist school, the balance of power theory is a core tenet and posits that in order to survive as independent entities in an anarchic system, states are compelled to increase their power and balance against a potential hegemon. This theory was modified by Stephen Walt in 1985, who emphasized the role played by threat perception, rather than power itself to explain why states do not always balance against rising powers. In this episode, Professor Walt discusses the key tenets of his balance of threat, including how its implications are distinct from balance of power theory. We also discuss the application of the theory to the war in Ukraine, from the events and key decisions leading up to the conflict to how a lasting peace can eventually be negotiated.
Realism and Balance of Threat with Dr. Stephen Walt
Episode Credits:
Host: Julia An
Editor: Leo Kamer
Music: Zee Yuen
The 2023 Guatemalan elections were closely watched this past summer, especially following the anti-democratic efforts that led to Bernardo Arévalo’s Semilla party being suspended after unexpectedly emerging as one of the two victors of the first round of elections in late June. Arévalo eventually beat out former first lady Sandra Torres in the August 20 run-off election. Manuel Meléndez-Sánchez, a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at Harvard University and a USIP-Minerva Peace and Security Scholar at the United States Institute of Peace, joins us today to discuss the Semilla Party’s platform and its success and the questions that loom about the future of democracy in the country.
2023 Guatemalan Elections: Democratic Spring or Winter?
Episode Credits:
Hosts: Nicole Rivas and Leo Kamer
Editor: Leo Kamer
Music: Zee Yuen
As some countries, including India, China, the UAE, and Turkey, have started to move away from the U.S. Dollar as the standard for international trade, the government is faced with many questions regarding the importance of Dollar Dominance. In this episode, Saleha Mohsin, senior Washington correspondent for Bloomberg News, joins us to overview the historical … Continue reading U.S. Dollar Dominance
In this episode, we discuss Argentina’s worsening economic crisis and ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Argentina is facing historic annual rates of inflation that have reached over 100% this past June. How did Argentina’s situation become this dire? How is Economic Minister Sergio Massa, who is set to be the ruling Peronist … Continue reading Argentina’s IMF Crisis
The Wagner Group, a private military company, was fighting in Ukraine on behalf of the Russian government until late June, when the group’s commander Yevgeny Prigozhin launched a mutiny and began marching toward Moscow. Before the Wagner Group reached the city, Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko negotiated a deal between Prigozhin and the Russian government. In … Continue reading The Wagner Group Mutiny
Israel, once touted as a thriving democracy in the Middle East, now finds itself in a very unstable political climate. After a 5th election in 4 years which restored the country’s longest running prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israelis are in the streets again protesting against a controversial bill introduced in the Israeli parliament. The bill, commonly known as the “reform”, promises to weaken the powers of the Israeli Supreme Court, which critics have said possesses broad and unspecified powers. In this episode, we discuss Israel’s political climate and the attempt at reforming its Supreme Court with Dr. Guy Laron, senior lecturer at the international relations department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Israel’s Judicial Branch Reform
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Ben Elhadad and Leo Kamer
Music: Zee Yuen
Russia and India have enjoyed a long history of friendly and mutually beneficial relations. The rise of China, U.S.-China tensions, the war in Ukraine, and the Russian-Chinese partnership, have had profound effects on Russian-Indian relations. Dr. Constantino Xavier, fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress and a nonresident fellow at the India Project at the Brookings Institution, joins us today to discuss India’s foreign policy and its relationship with Russia.
India’s Strategic Shift?
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Nicole Rivas and Alexis Holewinski
Music: Zee Yuen
Of the thirteen countries that currently maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, seven of those are in Latin America. This episode explores how Honduras’ recent diplomatic split with Taiwan in favor of China affects Taiwan’s diplomatic strategy in the region. To discuss Taiwan’s relations with Latin America, joining us today is Margaret Myers, the director of the Asia & Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue.
Taiwan Loses Its Friends
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Nicole Rivas
Music: Zee Yuen
Last year, North Korea conducted a record number of ballistic missile test and appears to soon conduct another nuclear test. These developments have aggravated South Korea’s concern about U.S. extended deterrence commitments. Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,joins us today to discuss the North Korea challenge in 2023 and strengthening U.S. extended deterrence.
Extended Deterrence
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Chris H. Park and Julia An
Music: Zee Yuen
Recently, French president Emmanuel Macron used his emergency powers to pass a law that raises the retirement age, and the age at which French people can access their state funded pension. This recent – very unpopular – change alongside a whole host of other issues, has led to massive, and intense protests across France, a vote of no confidence in the government that only failed by a minute margin, and a general strike. Tara Varma, a visiting fellow in the Center of the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution, joins us to discuss the ongoing protests in France.
France Takes to the Streets
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Leo Kamer
Music: Zee Yuen
On Thursday, March 16, the Biden administration threatened that it would ban TikTok unless it was sold due to data security and content manipulation concerns regarding American users. While some applauded the potential move as safeguarding U.S. national security, others have questioned the legality and necessity of a ban. In this episode, Caitlyn Chin, technology regulation researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins us to discuss the potential TikTok ban and its implications for the U.S.-China relations.
TikTok Ban
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Zack Stone and Nicole Rivas
Music: Zee Yuen
Many countries have expressed concern over a number of subsidies passed by the Biden Administration mainly targeting green energy. In this episode we explore why some European countries view American subsidies as a provocation, why they are pursuing competing subsidies, and how this may affect the relationship between the United States and its European allies. To discuss the US-Europe trade dispute, Edward Alden, the Ross Distinguished Visiting Professor at Western Washington University and the Bernard L. Schwartz Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins us today.
A US-EU Trade War?
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Leo Kamer and Max Readinger
Music: Zee Yuen
Climate change has rendered some parts of the world uninhabitable, prompting millions of people to be displaced. This is especially the case for already vulnerable populations in regions that bear most of the burden of rising temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions. The legal categorization of “climate migrants” or “climate refugees” is a hotly contested issue that will have serious implications for those displaced by climate catastrophes. To discuss issues related to climate-driven migration, joining us today is Dr. Ilil Benjamin, senior lecturer in the Sociology department at Johns Hopkins University.
Climate Migrants
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Nicole Rivas and Julia An
Music: Zee Yuen
POFA is starting a new series called “Scoring and Thriving” where we talk about foreign policy internship opportunities in and around our nation’s capital. In this episode, we are joined by Jeremy Gonzalez, who previously managed the internship program at the House Foreign Affairs Committee and was Chris’s former internship supervisor. We discuss the difference between committee and personal office internships, steps to finding internships on Capitol Hill, and ways to become a competitive candidate.
Hill-ternship: Scoring and Thriving
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Chris H. Park
Music: Zee Yuen
Despite having been projected to be the fastest growing economy in the world, Ghana has been fighting one of its worst economic crises and with women playing a large role in its informal economy, some experts argue that improving gender inequality can lead the way for economic and social recovery for the Sub-Saharan country. In this episode, we discuss Ghana’s economy and the role of women with Dr. Hellen Seshie-Nasser, professor in the Department of Economics at Johns Hopkins University.
Gender Gap in Ghana’s Economy
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Lauren Zou and Nicole Rivas
Music: Zee Yuen
The pope sends diplomats to 117 countries and hosts around 88 embassies in or near Vatican City. In this episode, we explore how Vatican diplomacy works and why diplomacy matters to the Holy See, the entity with jurisdiction over the Catholic Church and Vatican City. We also discuss the pope’s unique role as a mediator on the international stage. From Rome, Philip Pullella, Senior Correspondent on the Vatican for Reuters, joins us to discuss Vatican diplomacy.
Vatican Diplomacy
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Leo Kamer and Nicole Rivas
Music: Zee Yuen
The death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, marked the end of her 70 year rule as Queen of the United Kingdom and Other Commonwealth realms. A figure of stability during an era of enormous change, the Queen reigned during the dissolution of the British empire and the advent of globalization. In this episode, we discuss Queen Elizabeth’s legacy as queen with Dr. Philip Murphy, Professor of British and Commonwealth History at the University of London and Director of History & Policy at the Institute of Historical Research.
The Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Julia An
Music: Zee Yuen
On February 6, two approximately 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck southern Türkiye and Syria. At the time of recording, the death toll in both countries is over 35,000. In this episode, we focus on how the earthquake has affected Türkiye specifically, with a look at the country’s disaster response, as well as how the event may alter Turkish domestic politics. Joining us to discuss the earthquake and Türkiye is Dr. Henri J. Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Erdogan and the Earthquakes
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Leo Kamer
Music: Zee Yuen
An alleged Chinese spy balloon entered U.S. airspace on January 28 and flew over the continental United States until being shot down off of the South Carolina coast on February 4. Since then, the U.S. government has detected and shot down more high-altitude objects over Northern Alaska, Yukon, and Lake Huron. In this episode, Blake Herzinger, non-resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins us to discuss the Chinese spy balloon and the Biden administration’s responses.
Chinese Spy Balloon
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Chris H. Park and Julia An
Music: Zee Yuen
The Biden administration has defined China as the “pacing challenge” that poses the “most comprehensive and serious challenge to U.S. national security.” Sino-American tensions, in particular, have escalated due to disagreements over the future of Taiwan and the potential of Chinese invasion of the island. What should the United States be doing to prepare for a war over Taiwan? Would preparing for war be the same as preventing war? Is the United States making sufficient investments in the Indo-Pacific to match the strategic urgency? Elbridge Colby, co-founder and principal of The Marathon Initiative and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, joins us to discuss the American defense priorities in the new year and whether the war in Ukraine is a distraction for the United States.
Is Ukraine a Distraction?
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Chris H. Park and Alexis Holewinski
Music: Zee Yuen
In this episode, we discuss the likelihood of nuclear weapons use given Russia’s military doctrine and the current state of the war, how Ukraine and its allies ought to respond to Putin’s threats, and the potential risks of pushing for a diplomatic end to war too soon. Joining us on the podcast is Dr. Raphael Cohen, director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE, and a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation.
Russia’s Nuclear Threat
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Julia An and Leo Kamer
Music: Zee Yuen
In 2022 we recorded 62 fantastic episodes discussing topics from Ukraine, to cybersecurity, to U.S.-China relations. In this episode, we’ll be having a roundtable discussion on our most important foreign affairs moments of 2022. As a disclaimer, the format of the roundtable makes it difficult for POFA hosts to fully explain their opinions and respond to every matter.
POFA Roundtable: 2022 Year in Review
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Julia An, Nicole Rivas, Leo Kamer, and Lauren Zou
Music: Zee Yuen
British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned October 20 after only six weeks in office after her policies caused an economic crisis. Rishi Sunak, who succeeded Truss in October, has been tasked with stabilizing the economy and the conservative party’s standing. Nick Witney, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, joins us on the podcast to discuss the premiership of Liz Truss.
In Liz We Couldn’t Truss
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Seth Choi, Julia An
Music: Zee Yuen
On December 7th, 2022, within 24 hours, Pedro Castillo was ousted from office and jailed after attempting to unconstitutionally dissolve Peru’s Congress. His successor, Dina Boluarte, is Peru’s fifth President in two years. Dr. Christopher Sabatini, senior fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, joins us today to discuss the future of democracy in Peru.
Peru’s Democratic Crisis
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Hosts: Lauren Zou, Alexis Holewinski
Music: Zee Yuen
Social media platforms, including Twitter, have made increasing efforts to moderate content. Elon Musk, the multi-billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a vocal public critic of Twitter’s content moderation efforts. This complaint was a driving force behind his decision to acquire the social media company this year. Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has immense consequences all around the world. How do governments regulate social media content moderation efforts while balancing international human rights and free speech norms? Joining us today to discuss the global chaos following Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition is Professor David Kaye, clinical professor of law at the University of California, Irvine, and the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Global Chaos of Elon Musk’s Twitter
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Nicole Rivas
Music: Zee Yuen
On November 19th Malaysia held its parliamentary elections, resulting in a narrow victory for now-Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In this episode, we discuss the issues most important in the election, the composition of the new governing coalition, and Anwar Ibrahim’s plans for Malaysia. Joining me to share his expertise on this transfer of power is Sebastian Strangio, Southeast Asia editor for The Diplomat.
The 2022 Malaysian Elections
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Leo Kamer
Music Zee Yuen
Two months ago, the prime minister of Haiti Ariel Henry requested the help of a foreign force to stabilize the country. In this episode, we discuss the crisis in Haiti and possible solutions. Can a foreign force help set Haiti back on its feet? Joining me to share his expertise on these issues is Diego Da Rin, Latin America and Caribbean consultant for the International Crisis Group.
Haiti in Crisis
Episode Credit:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Leo Kamer
Music: Zee Yuen
Join us for a discussion on a new book, Beijing’s Global Media Offensive: China’s Uneven Campaign to Influence Asia and the World, written by Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations. He joins us to discuss how China has strived to become a global media and information powerhouse and whether this quest has been successful.
Book Talk: Beijing’s Global Media Offensive
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Chris H. Park
Music: Zee Yuen
Thousands of people are joining protests across China focused on challenging the “zero-Covid” policy. The ongoing demonstrations display rare solidarity between class, region, and even ethnicity. Will Jiang Zemin’s death further galvanize protesters? What are the exit options for the party state? Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, associate professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas Austin, joins us to discuss the protests in China.
Zero-Covid Protests in the Chinese Surveillance State
Episode Credits:
Editor: Leo Kamer
Host: Chris H. Park
Music: Zee Yuen
The Biden administration released its National Defense Strategy in late October that laid out how the Department of Defense will implement the President’s National Security Strategy. The concept of “integrated deterrence” is at the core of the 2022 National Defense Strategy. What is integrated deterrence? Can it work to address increasingly complex security challenges faced … Continue reading Can Integrated Deterrence Work?
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, died at Balmoral Castle on Sept. 8, 2022, at age 96, after ruling for seventy years. Following her death, thousands worldwide paid tribute in an elaborate ten-day mourning sequence called Operation London Bridge. King Charles III now inherits a pandemic-torn nation fraught with inflation. What comes next for Britain? … Continue reading Understanding Queen Elizabeth II’s Reign and What Comes Next
In 2015, The United States, China, France, Russia, Britain, and the EU signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and agreed to lift sanctions on Iran. In exchange, Iran agreed to halt its nuclear program. Under the JCPOA, Iran was prohibited from enriching uranium with a concentration of over 3.67% of uranium 235, which … Continue reading Explaining Israel’s Protest to Iran Nuclear Negotiations
Beginning mid-June and ending late August year, the monsoonal rainfall poured ceaselessly over Pakistan, submerging one-third of the country, particularly the southern provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. It was the wettest August has been since 1961 with almost 15 inches of rain a day, displacing over 33 million people, killing around 1,700 individuals, and wrecking … Continue reading Deadly Floods in Pakistan
The death of a 22-year-old Iranian woman sparked widespread youth and women-led protests in Iran. In this episode, we will discuss how protests have evolved and how governments around the world have responded. Vali Nasr, Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS, joins us today to discuss the demonstrations in … Continue reading Young Iranians Go to the Streets
The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party was held from October 16 to October 22, 2022. Xi Jinping officially secured his third term in office and cemented his power over the communist party state. Neil Thomas, senior analyst at the Eurasia Group, joins us today to discuss the party of General Secretary Xi. … Continue reading The Party of General Secretary Xi
Semiconductors, the “brain” of modern electronics, are essential to industrial, commercial, and military systems in an increasingly digitized global economy. Last month, the Biden administration announced sweeping new restrictions on semiconductor technology exports to China. Dr. James Lewis, Senior Vice President and Director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International … Continue reading Blocking Chips to China
President Biden announced the “U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa” on August 8, 2022. In this episode, we examine the goals of this strategy and how it differs from how previous administrations have approached U.S. relations with Africa. What tangible actions will ensure the success of the administration’s strategy? What does the realization of this vision … Continue reading Biden’s Africa Strategy
South Korea is an emerging player in the global arms market at a time when the demand for military equipment is rising around the world. South Korean defense exports are expected to reach $10 billion in 2022, nearly tripling the figure from 2020. Will “k-defense” emerge as a major item in an already long list … Continue reading The Rise of the k-Defense Industry
In September of this year, Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled that the country’s prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, can remain in office despite the end of his eight-year term. In this episode, we discuss Thailand’s move toward authoritarianism, the role of the monarchy and other institutions in the country’s political network, and the recent protest movements which … Continue reading Political Turmoil in Thailand
On October 2, Brazil held its general elections, leading to a run-off between candidates Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro scheduled for October 30. Brian Winter, the editor-in-chief of the publication Americas Quarterly, joins me today to discuss the two candidates, their individual approaches to their campaign, and how the election results reflect … Continue reading Brazil’s Vote: 2022 Elections
In August, Kenya held elections to determine who’d succeed long-time president Uhuru Kenyatta. William Ruto ultimately entered office on September 13th, as the country’s 5th president since its independence, amidst a national controversy over the election results. Saskia Brechenmacher joins me on the podcast to discuss the 2022 Kenyan general election, its implications for Kenya, … Continue reading 2022 Kenyan Elections
In this foreign policy toolbox episode, we discuss soft power, its modern use, and its relevance in contemporary politics and conflict. Joining us today is Professor Joseph Nye, who coined the term “soft power.” FP Toolbox: Soft Power Episode Credits: Editor: Lidie Ataoguz Hosts: Jina Lim, Julia An
In this episode, we examine the United States’ relationship with Taiwan, the future of its strategic ambiguity policy, and the increasingly aggressive Chinese posture toward Taiwan. Joining us on the podcast is Dr. Zack Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Defending Taiwan Episode Credits: Editor: Leo Kamer Hosts: Julia An, Chris H. Park
Summer 2022 was one of the hottest summers on record, and intense heat waves have become a regular facet of the worsening global climate crisis. Alice Hill joins me on this episode to discuss a world overheating, its devastating impact on our health, infrastructure, and agriculture, and how we can best prepare for record-breaking temperatures. … Continue reading An Overheating World
The work of the government has transformed to accord with an increasingly digitized world. How has the change in technology transformed espionage? On today’s episode, we explore modern espionage, its evolution since the Cold War, and its role in current foreign relations. We consider the future of espionage and international security as technology continues to … Continue reading Modern Espionage
On August 12, 2022, novelist Salman Rushdie was almost fatally stabbed nearly thirty years after the Iranian Supreme leader issued a fatwa placing a several million dollar bounty on the novelist’s life. This attack has shined a spotlight onto the state of free speech worldwide. How have states cracked down on free speech? And in … Continue reading The Future of Censorship and Free Speech
August 15 marks one year since the Taliban took over Kabul after the U.S. withdrawal. Afghanistan has since undergone dramatic changes. Outside monitors have raised human rights concerns, as the Taliban implemented changes to women’s rights, education systems, and activism. We explore the current political structure and economic state of the country under the Taliban’s … Continue reading Afghanistan: One Year Later
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the United States and its allies jumped to support Ukraine and cut off Russia from the international stage. The Russian invasion and subsequent military aid to Ukraine has placed one nuclear power in proxy war with another, a dangerous prospect. In today’s episode, we discuss the state of NATO-Russia … Continue reading Preventing a U.S.-Russia War
Beginning in the late 20th century, American companies and companies from developed countries moved their manufacturing operations to developing countries, most notably China. On today’s podcast, we discuss the abandonment of this offshoring policy in favor of a “friendshoring” policy, wherein companies have begun to move production operations out of China and into countries with … Continue reading Friendshoring and Economic Security
In this episode, we discuss the fall and legacy of Boris Johnson, as well as the key candidates in the current race to become prime minister. We discuss the central domestic and foreign policy issues of each candidate’s campaign and explore how each candidate will affect the U.K.’s relationship with the E.U. and the U.S. … Continue reading U.K. Elections and the Fall of Boris Johnson
In today’s episode, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States Karin Olofsdotter discusses Sweden’s decision to apply for NATO membership and depart from its historical policy of nonalignment. Sweden’s NATO Accession Episode Credits: Editor: Lidie Ataoguz Hosts: Julia An, Nicole Rivas Music: Zee Yuen
In today’s podcast, we discuss Italy’s policies and development under Mario Draghi as well as just how and why the current government coalition imploded. We will then examine the possible motivations behind President Mattarella’s decision to hold elections in just two months and what Italy’s economy and foreign policy could look like under a potential … Continue reading Mario Draghi and the Future of Italy
In January 2022, Kazakhstan faced the biggest protests the country has ever seen, resulting in mass casualties and spurring efforts for democratic reform. In this episode, we discuss the past civic conflicts in Kazakhstan and why the protests in 2022 became violent. How did President Tokayev and his government respond to these protests? How likely … Continue reading Democracy in Kazakhstan
People around the world have seen the effects of climate change – such as droughts, rising ocean levels, and changing weather patterns – that have exacerbated ongoing food and health crises. These are all alarming reminders that the existential deadlines for international climate goals are fast-approaching. A global energy crisis prompted by Russia’s invasion of … Continue reading Climate Policy Debates
In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in clear violation of the UN charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Since the invasion, there have been real-time reports of war crimes being committed by the Russian military in Ukraine, including the targeting and killing of civilians. … Continue reading Russia in the International Criminal Court
With Article II treaties decreasing drastically over the past administrations, there has been a trend of presidents using executive agreements to handle international affairs. This increasingly liberal use of executive agreements along with unilateral withdrawal and re-entering of recent treaties has been the causes for conflict. Can presidents withdraw from treaties without Congressional consent? Are … Continue reading Foreign Policy Toolbox: International Agreements
Today we will be discussing the ongoing violence and civil conflict in Colombia, a country that has been marked by growing tensions between guerilla groups and the national government. Since the 2016 peace plan to ease such tensions and punish the extremist groups, there has been a rise in street protests, violence, and internally displaced … Continue reading Civil Conflict in Colombia
With the increase in the 2023 defense budget predicted to be in the 100 billions, there has been much controversy over the announcement. In this episode, we will discuss the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act and Biden’s and the Senate’s controversial increases in defense budget. We will explore the various responses from both political parties … Continue reading Biden’s 2023 Defense Budget
After months of harsh and relentless Covid-19 lockdowns, China’s major cities have begun opening up again. In this episode, we will examine the current state of China’s zero covid policy. We will discuss the lockdowns in Shanghai and Beijing and explore the effects of the zero covid policy on China’s economy and political stability. Finally, … Continue reading China’s Zero Covid Policy
As Russia’s war on Ukraine worsens, the issue of rising food prices and accessibility has come to the forefront. In this episode, we will examine the key causes of the current global food shortage and its effects on countries such as Africa, Egypt, and Sri Lanka. We will discuss the effects that increases in food … Continue reading Global Food Crisis
The Summit of the Americas brings together leaders from North, South, and Central America and the Caribbean every three years to discuss challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation. The summit this year will take place in Los Angeles from June 6 to 10, making it the first time the U.S. will host since the inaugural … Continue reading Summit of the Americas 2022
Recent years have seen the long-standing model of cooperation within Europe repeatedly challenged in response to factors, including the Syrian refugee crisis, Brexit, and, most recently, the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, populist parties have gained momentum everywhere in Europe from Hungary and Poland to Italy and France. So, what exactly is populism? What … Continue reading Populism in Europe
Extreme inflation, fuel shortages, protests on such a scale that they removed a prime minister from office. These events and more have developed into a significant threat to Sri Lanka’s political and economic stability. In this episode, we will explore the causes of this crisis, like economic mismanagement; the story behind the Rajapaksa political dynasty, … Continue reading Crisis in Sri Lanka
In recent years, growing tensions between the US and China have spurred increasing interest and action to “decouple” US and China’s economic and technological ecosystems. This is evident in the increased use of technology restrictions, from export controls to sanctions and visa bans. And while there appears to be bipartisan support for technological decoupling in … Continue reading US-China Technological Decoupling
The Australian election is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, and is expected to be a tight race between the current Liberal-National coalition and the opposition Labor party. This election occurs in the 70th year of the US-Australia alliance and in a moment in which headlines are inundated by the war in Ukraine, news of China’s … Continue reading Foreign Policy in the Australian Elections
Today on the podcast we will be covering the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States on a new Iran nuclear deal. What did the original Iran deal entail, why did the Trump Admninstration withdrew the United States from the agreement, and what would a new nuclear deal with Iran look like after all … Continue reading Will There Be a New Iran Nuclear Deal?
Today on the podcast we will be discussing the long history of the Arab-Conflict as well as recent normalization agreemnts between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors. What has traditionally driven the complicated relationship, what role has the United States played in attempting to resolve the conflict, and how can the region built on … Continue reading The Arab-Israeli Detente with Ambassador Martin Indyk
French President Emmanuel Macron has faced numerous foreign and domestic challenges since assuming office in 2017. Today, he is addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine, and the concern over rising cost of living among other issues. In this highly turbulent time in French politics, several candidates challenged Macron both from the political left … Continue reading Macron vs. LePen
Congress has played different roles in the formation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy since the nation’s founding. The powers of Congress and the President are laid out in the Constitution, but the precise limits of their powers have been contested. What powers does Congress have over foreign policy? How does this relate to the … Continue reading Congress and Foreign Policy
As conversation abounds regarding the increasing power of large technology companies, or “Big Tech,” Europe may be the first to take action. In late March, the governing bodies of the European Union came to an agreement on the Digital Markets Act, which, from what we can tell, would force large tech companies to undergo changes … Continue reading Big Tech vs. The EU
For many, the name Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not mean much until the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Yet, his face and voice have become well known to many via social media and powerful international addresses. In this episode, we take a step back and look at his political journey from TV character to … Continue reading Zelensky’s Ukraine
In Xi Jinping’s 10 years of power, he has turned away from former chairman Hu Jintao’s China’s peaceful rise policy towards a more aggressive foreign policy approach as demonstrated by China’s previous responses towards the EU and more recent actions towards Taiwan. With the ongoing Ukraine Crisis and China’s seeming alignment towards Russia, it calls … Continue reading Xi Jinping’s Faltering Foreign Policy
Today on the podcast we will discuss Western sanctions on the Russian Federation, following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. We will go over the new sanctions, how Russia has attempted to evade them, and what else could the United States and its allies do to squeeze the Russian economy. To help answer these questions, we … Continue reading Will Sanctions on Russia Work?
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss the current Ukrainian refugee crisis that resulted in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict . We will dive into role of the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, or UNHCR in the Ukrainian crisis. What are some of the key methods that are currently being implemented for Ukrainian refugees, particularly across … Continue reading The Ukrainian Refugee Crisis and UNHCR Intervention
Since its founding in 1949, the importance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has waxed and waned as different member states pursued their own foriegn policy and security priorities. In recent years, the future of NATO was very much under threat as former President Trump criticized the organization and, according to former officials, even came … Continue reading A NATO Renewal after Ukraine
Three weeks ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, starting a cataclysmic war in Europe not seen since 1945. The war has already devastated a countless number of lives, led to a swift and international response against Russia, and prompted a rethink of European security and the international order. To cover this tragedy which … Continue reading The State of War in Ukraine
As the 2022 electoral supercycle in Latin America continues, with key elections in Brazil and Colombia happening soon, much is at stake for democracy in the region. Despite the robust electoral systems throughout most of the region, only a handful of countries qualify as full democracies. What accounts for some of these flaws? What should … Continue reading Challenges for Democracy in Latin America
South Koreans will cast their ballots for president on March 9. What do the elections mean for the country, its domestic challenges, and foreign policy outlook? This is the country’s second Covid-era election following the legislative election in April 2020. South Korea is considered as one of the success stories of third wave democratization in … Continue reading South Korea Goes to the Polls
In today’s episode, we’ll have an important discussion on Bruce Jones’ new book, Rule the Waves: How Control of the World’s Oceans Shapes the Fate of the Superpowers. What are the current tensions that exist in naval trade and how has this become a part of the major powers’ agenda? How have oceans impacted transnational … Continue reading To Rule the Waves: Superpowers and Control of the Seas
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing is officially underway, with nearly 3,000 athletes competing in 109 events from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20. There has been no shortage of controversy in the Games. Several countries have declared a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics, citing China’s alleged genocide against the Uyghur Muslim population in Xinjiang … Continue reading The 2022 Beijing Games Boycott, Explained
Myanmar has faced political upheaval since the coup d’état of Feb. 1, 2021. Faced with political, economic, and humanitarian crises, Myanmar remains a subject of international condemnation and assistance. What did the Myanmar Government Look Like Before the Coup? After being colonized by Britain in the 19th century, Burma became independent after the Japanese invasions … Continue reading One Year into Myanmar’s Military Coup
On January 30, Portugal’s Socialist Party won 41.7% of the vote and 117 seats in the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic. The victory of the social-democratic Socialist Party is unique in that it is only the second time in Portugal’s history that a single party is able to govern alone without a coalition. The centrist-right … Continue reading Portugal’s Socialist Party Wins a Majority in Parliament
Are Russia and China allies? Will their alignment last? Are we living in a new Cold War? On today’s episode, we discuss these questions with Sergey Radchenko, a cold war and Russia-China expert. Hey POFA fans just a quick disclaimer before we get started. This episode was recorded on February 18th, a week before Russia’s … Continue reading The Russia-China Alignment
Over the past few weeks, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his office were exposed for breaking COVID-19 protocols. What was exposed? From May 2020 to April 2021, 14 social gatherings were held in and around 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s main office and residence. Pictures and email invitations to the parties were leaked … Continue reading Boris Johnson’s Latest Controversy
After the fall of the Soviet Union, it seemed that there was no end in sight for liberal democracy: the end of history was here, and global democracy was a dream that had come true. In 2022, we know that this is far from the reality of the state of democracy around the world. Over … Continue reading The Fight for Global Democracy
By Liz Peron Europeans don’t need to look further than their energy bills to feel the effects of the massive energy crisis gripping the continent. According to the Bank of America, Europeans can expect their household energy bills to rise by a striking 50% this winter. Many experts attribute these price increases to poor planning … Continue reading “A Perfect Storm”: A Massive Energy Crisis Rocks Europe
By Julia Mendes Queiroz The climate crisis has created numerous environmental emergencies in all corners of the globe. Perhaps none are more urgent than the situation unfolding in the islands of the South Pacific, where three territories have disappeared under rising tides in just one year. As temperatures climb higher and shores grow thinner, the … Continue reading Disappearing Islands: What is Happening in the South Pacific
By Nick Meeker The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015, is an arms control agreement between the U.N. Security Council’s Permanent Five (the U.S., China, Russia, France, and the U.K.), Germany, and Iran regarding Iran’s ability to acquire nuclear weapons. Under the agreement, Iran took steps to limit its nuclear capabilities like … Continue reading The Prospect of a New Iran Nuclear Deal
By Jina Lim On March 9th, South Koreans will vote for their next president. There are four major candidates that are vying to succeed the term-limited President Moon Jae-in. These four major candidates hail from the parties that occupy at least one seat in the National Assembly. The presidential campaign, however, is likely to come … Continue reading South Korea’s 2022 Presidential Candidates
By Lucas Holloway Once long-standing adversaries, Israel and the United Arab Emirates have come to establish a growing partnership in recent years, brought about by the historic signing of the Abraham Accords in August 2020. Here’s everything you need to know about this diplomatic normalization and its potential reverberations across the Middle Eastern world. Did … Continue reading The Growth of Israel-UAE Relations
Over the past few weeks, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his office were exposed for breaking COVID-19 protocols. What was exposed? From May 2020 to April 2021, 14 social gatherings were held in and around 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s main office and residence. Pictures and email invitations to the parties were leaked … Continue reading Boris Johnson’s Latest Controversy
We explore the state of energy security in Europe today, Ukraine, and Russia’s important roles in the energy market. How have gas supply policies affected the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine, how likely is a Russian shut-off of Ukrainian energy, and what does the future of energy security in Europe look like? To answer … Continue reading Will Russia Shut off Europe’s Gas?
With the end of the Cold War, a 45-year-long rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, many predicted that long-term peace would ensue, with liberal democracy as the final form of government for all nations. Yet, just 30 years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, American hegemony has been displaced by long-term … Continue reading Cold War Lessons for Great-Power Competition
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is one of the longest-serving leaders in the world, having retained power since 1985. Following his government’s dissolution of the opposition party in 2017 and exile of its leaders, Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party won the 2018 elections unchallenged, raising major questions about the future of democracy in Cambodia. In … Continue reading Hun Sen’s Cambodia
By Julia Queiroz Playa de El Zonte, El Salvador: a town of 3,000 inhabitants boasting incredible surf, great food, and the pioneering adoption of bitcoin as a main form of payment. Beach vendors, aiming to increase their sales to tourists who frequented El Zonte, decided to start accepting bitcoin as a form of payment. President … Continue reading El Salvador’s Bitcoin Experiment: What Now?
China’s long history of censorship and strict control over its citizens has garnered domestic and international attention. The most recent case of the disappearance of the female tennis player Peng Shuai stoked outrage amongst many, including the International Olympic Committee and the Association of Tennis Professionals. Although Peng is suspected to be under watch but … Continue reading Peng Shuai and Censorship in China
Anusha Rao A wave of migrants coming from a region of Central America, known as the Northern Triangle, has showcased how the culmination of poverty, violence, and instability in the area is forcing residents away. The Northern Triangle, comprising three countries- El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, have suffered from these chronic issues and despite attempts … Continue reading Crisis In the Northern Triangle
An opportunistic former KGB official, Vladimir Putin continues to stir up conflict in Europe and present himself as a force to be reckoned with. Using Russian arms, Putin has successfully amassed power and has orchestrated successful military operations in Chechnya, Georgia, Moldova, and Syria. Popular uprisings in Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan over the past two … Continue reading How to Deter Russia with Fmr Amb. to NATO Ivo Daalder
Kazakhstan is Central Asia’s largest country: this former Soviet republic has worked to chart its own course in a restive region, navigating the geopolitical tensions of its over thirty year existence. Much of that period occurred under longtime leader Nursultan Nazarbayev. That was, until the dawn of 2022. Mass protests in Kazakhstan began peacefully, with … Continue reading An Uprising in Kazakhstan
In May 2020, the Chinese Communist Party announced a sweeping new National Security Law for Hong Kong. The law, enacted in July, ambigulously outlaws separatism, subversion, and terrorism. When the law was enacted, experts debated over how forcefully Beijing and Hong Kong authorities would enforce the law, and how that enforcement would affect the civil … Continue reading The Future of Hong Kong
Due to the electoral irregularities seen during the 2018 Venezuelan presidential election, Nicolas Maduro has faced a crisis of legitimacy, especially as the United States, the European Union, and the Organization of American States refuse to recognize him as Venezuela’s rightful president. Who is Nicolas Maduro, what does he stand for, and what does the … Continue reading Maduro’s Venezuela
Today on the podcast, we talk about Chile and the results and implications of its December 19th presidential election. With the election of its first millennial leader and the drafting of a new constitution, Chile is experiencing one of its most politically consequential moments of its modern history. What does it all mean and what … Continue reading A Generational Shift in Chile
The POFA hosts take a look back at 2021: What happened, why was it important, and what is to come in 2022? POFA Roundtable: 2021 Year in Review
In this episode of POFA, we discuss the conflict in Ukraine with Angela Stent. Angela Stent is Senior Adviser to the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies and Professor Emerita of Government at Georgetown University. An expert on US-Russia relations, she is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. She served … Continue reading Preventing Conflict in Ukraine
In this episode of POFA, we discuss the development and popularization of the Internet and cyberspace with Dr. Adam Segal. The development and popularization of the Internet and cyberspace fundamentally changed the world. With information readily available at the click of a button, it was championed by many that the Internet would lead to the … Continue reading Cyberspace in International Relations
In this episode of POFA, we discuss the a groundbreaking malaria vaccine and its potential effects on the developing world with Nobel Laureate Dr. Peter Agre. Africa has long been plagued by malaria — each year, the disease kills nearly 300,000 African children under 5 years old. But on October 6, the W.H.O. approved the … Continue reading The Promise of the Malaria Vaccine
No moment has changed the modern Middle East more fundamentally than the year 1979. Within months, three major events sparked a deep rivalry that plagues the world to this day. In Iran, a popular revolt took down the Shah, but a theocratic government seized the vacuum and took his place. In Saudi Arabia, a group … Continue reading Up To Speed: Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Islamic Unraveling
Established in 1949 as a military alliance to protect against Soviet encroachment into Western Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has worked towards “uniting efforts for collective defense and the preservation of peace and security”, a goal that has remained unchanged over the years. However, in the face of shifting interests and newly emerging threats … Continue reading The Future of NATO
Rodrigo Durterte has brought the world’s attention to the Philippines with his brash, populist rhetoric and tough-on-crime policies. In this episode we look at the president’s rise to power, his major foreign, and domestic policies, and to what extent he will step back from Filipino politics. Joining us to answer these questions is Joshua Kurlantzick. … Continue reading A Post-Duterte Philippines
In late July, China conducted a test of a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile that entered low earth orbit, circled the globe, and struck a predetermined target in China. The test allegedly stunned U.S. military and intelligence officials for its complexity, with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley calling the test a near “sputnik … Continue reading China’s Evolving Nuclear Arsenal
Since August, of last year there have been more coups in sub-Saharan Africa than at any time for the past two decades – Mali in August 2020, Chad in April 2020, Mali again in May 2021, Guinea in September, and Sudan just last month. In this episode we discuss the recent trends of turmoil and … Continue reading A Fraught Moment for African Democracy
On Thursday Oct. 7, Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled that Poland’s national laws take supremacy over European Union (EU) laws, This marks the end of a cumulative battle between thePoland’s right-wing government and the EU. Since assuming his position in December 2017, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki implemented several changes to the Polish judiciary designed to … Continue reading Polexit? Implications of Poland’s Landmark Supreme Court ruling
Just a few years after the Panama and the Paradise Papers of 2016 and 2017, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published the Pandora Papers beginning Oct. 3, 2021. It is, by the volume of information uncovered, the biggest investigative piece by ICIJ yet, exposing many offshore accounts and shell companies of influential people … Continue reading Explaining the Pandora Papers
Playa de El Zonte, El Salvador: a town of 3,000 inhabitants boasting incredible surf, great food, and the pioneering adoption of bitcoin as a main form of payment. Beach vendors, aiming to increase their sales to tourists who frequented El Zonte, decided to start accepting bitcoin as a form of payment. President Nayib Bukele cited … Continue reading El Salvador’s Bitcoin Experiment- What now?
For the second time in a little over three years, Austrian Chancellor and People’s Party (ÖVP) leader Sebastian Kurz finds himself out of the nation’s highest office, forced to step down on Oct. 9 amid allegations of corruption against his chancellorship. Here’s everything you need to know about this scandal and the events that led … Continue reading Austria’s Leadership Shakeup:
On Oct. 1, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared plans to lift some of its COVID-19 restrictions for the first time since March 2020. What was Australia’s COVID-19 strategy? During the pandemic, Australian leaders pursued a “covid zero” strategy. Australians and foreigners were not able to enter Australia, state borders were closed during outbreaks, and … Continue reading Explaining Upcoming Changes to Australia’s COVID-19 Policies
On Aug. 30, the final U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan, ending a two-decade long conflict. As American forces left, Taliban fighters swarmed into major Afghan cities and provinces, quickly occupying the country and installing a new Taliban government in Kabul. As the Taliban attempt to integrate themselves into the international community after the takeover, Afghanistan’s … Continue reading The Taliban’s Future in the International Community
Specifically, we are going to have a conversation about whether the United States can still produce and whether it even needs great leaders to tackle the challenges of the evolving international system. Joining us to help answer some of these questions is Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace … Continue reading The Future of Global Leadership
On October 31st, Japan held a general election to determine the make-up of its lower house of parliament. It was also an opportunity for the ruling party’s new leader Fumio Kishida to gauge his popularity and determine the size of his government’s mandate. What do the results of this election mean for Japanese domestic policy, … Continue reading Fumio Kishida and Japan’s Changing Politics
In the past several years, addressing climate change has become an increasing priority on the global stage. However, multiple scientists and politicians have raised the alarm that current global and national initiatives are not enough to curb the adverse effects of anthropogenic climate change. With competing interests on eliminating fossil fuels on national and international … Continue reading COP26: Global Climate Negotiations
Ever since Germany’s current Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that she would not be running for a record fifth term as Chancellor, there have been major question marks as to who will be the one to succeed her. On this episode of Hopkins POFA, we discuss the domestic and foreign policy legacy of Angela Merkel, delve … Continue reading Succeeding Angela Merkel
For the past four decades, the United States has had robust unofficial relations with Taiwan, an island nation of about 23 million people. A strong multi-party democracy and an economic powerhouse, Taiwan has been a critically important entity in Northeast Asia. The status of the island and its future also have been key points of … Continue reading Charting U.S. Strategy in Taiwan with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth
Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was allowed to leave Canada in late September, after spending more than 1,000 days under house arrest in Vancouver on an American extradition request. China subsequently set free Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor who have been detained since 2018. While the three-year old saga now appears to be over, important questions … Continue reading Hostage Diplomacy
You have seen the videos of rockets exploding in the night sky like fireworks: they have gone viral and are played on news channels, along with talks of the Iron Dome. But what is this Iron Dome and why is it important? What exactly is it? The Iron Dome is Israel’s missile defense system, which … Continue reading Explaining the Iron Dome
On Aug. 29, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Palestinian Authority (P.A.) President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. This meeting marked the first time in seven years that major Israeli and P.A. officials have met in person. Why did they meet? The purpose of the meeting was not discuss Israeli-Palestinian relations, but instead was meant … Continue reading Explaining the Gantz-Abbas Meeting
“We’re the ninth-safest city in the world. How do you think I did it? How did I reach that title as mayor among the world’s safest cities? Kill them all [criminals].” President Rodrigo Duterte, May 15, 2021. In a surprising move, Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte announced on October 2, 2021 that he would not be … Continue reading The End of an Era: Looking Back on Rodrigo Duterte’s Presidency, His Legacy, and What Kind of Vaccum He leaves Behind
Southeast Asia has become an increasingly important region of global trade in recent years. This trend is due in part to increasing political-economic tension between surrounding states and trade partners (for example the United States and China), but also due to the continual economic growth of the region over the past 20 years. In accordance … Continue reading Southeast Asian International Trade: CPTPP
Over the past twenty years, Southeast Asia a diverse region of 10 nations, has become increasingly important to global economic development, U.S. interests, and great power geopolitics. In this special episode of the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, we discuss with Congressman Ami Bera the growing importance of Southeast Asia in the world and in … Continue reading Strengthening U.S. Policy in Southeast Asia with Congressman Ami Bera
President Xi Jinping has implemented a range of regulatory overhauls and cultural crackdown in China to re-centralise the Party-state’s society-wide control. These began late last year, but over the last month have significantly ramped up. Many centered around the idea of “common prosperity.” Characterized by a rapid rollback of economic liberalization and crackdown on individual … Continue reading Reshaping China: Xi’s recent Ideological Crackdown
POFA’s Election Watch is a new series that aims to bring you the latest news on up-coming foreign elections and the issues at the forefront of them, as well as helping decipher the latest polling information and predictions. France: Can flailing Macron keep his hold on power? At the core of the 2022 Presidential Election … Continue reading Election Watch 2022: Five Elections to Observe Next Year
The annual 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) returned to New York City this year from Tuesday, Sept. 21 to Sunday, Sept. 27 after a virtual 2020 UNGA summit. Here are five major takeaways from the session. Compare & Contrast: Approaches to the COVID-19 Pandemic COVID-19 was unsurprisingly at the center of … Continue reading 5 Major Takeaways from the UNGA 2021 Speeches
This past week, Canada and the U.S. saw through a high-profile prisoner swap with China that allowed Huawei CFO and heir apparent Meng Wanzhou to fly back home at the same time two Canadian citizens were independently released from Chinese custody. Here is everything you need to know about what went down in this concurrent … Continue reading The Canada-China Prisoner Swap explained
With the large-scale production of COVID-19 vaccines, countries around the world have been vying to get their share. However, not all countries could spend the money necessary to secure vaccines, leaving a large gap of vaccination rates between wealthy and poor countries. COVAX was created in April 2020 to bring equity to this process, but … Continue reading The Current State of COVAX
The Election System in Germany The Bundestag, or the Federal Parliament of Germany, held elections on Sept. 26, 2021. German citizens cast two votes. They each voted for a direct representative, with the majority winning the seat. Additionally, each citizen voted for a political party, with the number of votes per party proportional to the … Continue reading Recap on the 2021 German Elections
Once dismissed as a desolate wasteland, the northernmost region of Earth known as the Arctic has garnered increased attention over the past century. Within three decades, the effects of global warming have shrunken the mass of the Arctic Ocean’s summer ice by half. The melting of the Arctic undeniably presents environmental catastrophe for the international … Continue reading Politics of the Arctic, Explained
In October 2020, Chinese tech billionaire and founder of Alibaba, Jack Ma, delivered a speech criticizing the Chinese government’s approach to digital financial regulation in the days before the 35 billion dollar initial public offering of Alibaba’s financial affiliate, Ant Group. Blocked by Chinese regulators shortly after Ma’s speech, Ant’s IPO never happened, and Ma … Continue reading China’s Crackdown on Big Tech
In the last decade, economic sanctions have increasingly become a foreign policy tool of choice in the United States, with the United States designating nearly 1000 entities per year during Trump’s presidency. So, how does the U.S. decide which individuals are sanctioned and how sanctions are enforced? In this episode, we will discuss these questions … Continue reading FP Toolbox: Sanctions
On September 15, U.S. President Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced AUKUS, a new trilateral security pact. The agreement focuses on military capability, and the United States and the United Kingdom notably will be helping Australia acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines. What compelled Australia to seek this agreement? What … Continue reading AUKUS and the Future of the Indo-Pacific
During the past few months, Nigeria has been in the news for the national Twitter ban that the country’s President Buhari instituted over the summer. What used to be a platform that gave international reach to Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests during the summer of 2020 is now banned for use in the country; President Buhari instituted … Continue reading Political Turmoil in Nigeria
The Covid-19 Pandemic has fundamentally altered the way of life of people, businesses, and whole countries. That has been well documented. What we will focus on this episode is whether and how Covid changed the US-built and Rules-based international system. How did the pandemic affect the global economic and financial system? How did it affect … Continue reading The End Of The Old International Order
Why has the UK struggled to find its place in a 21st-century? How have decades of decolonization and the fading of its great power status impacted the nation as a whole? How has it shaped the UK’s relationships with Europe and the world? What have recent events revealed about the UK’s political system? And, perhaps … Continue reading Up To Speed: The (Dis)United Kingdom
September 11, 2001 permanently reshaped counterterrorism policy in the U.S. and abroad, with more than 260 US government organizations created or reorganized to focus on terrorism-related issues in the last 20 years. n this episode, we’ll examine the history of counterterorrism in the U.S, including what practices and threats look like today, 20 years after … Continue reading FP Toolbox: Counterrorism
Afghanistan. Afghanistan. Afghanistan. That seems to be the only thing in the news nowadays. And, for good reason. Today we will explore the history of the US involvement in Afghanistan, what exactly went wrong, whether the withdrawal could have been handled better, and what this all means for America’s foreign policy in the long term. … Continue reading The Fallout of the Afghanistan Exit
Today on the podcast we will discuss America’s supply chains and how the Covid-19 Pandemic fundamentally altered the way we think about globalization. Why do we keep hearing the terms near-shoring and on shoring? What’s the deal with microchips and rare earth metals? And how should policy makers think about securing America’s supply chains? To … Continue reading Securing America’s Supply Chains
Today on the podcast we will discuss the ongoing political, economic, and humanitarian crises stemming from the Northern Triangle. That term refers to Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Why are tens of thousands of migrants fleeing those countries? How did the Obama and Trump Administration respond to this migration? And, what is the Biden Administration … Continue reading The Crisis of the Northern Triangle
Singapore is one of the most important economic players in Asia. Yet, as tensions between the United States and China continue to increase, it has found it self in a precarious situation. How to sustainably straddle the middle ground between these two superpowers while continuing to increase its economic power without alienating anyone? To answer … Continue reading Singapore & the U.S. – China Rivalry
Since North Korea’s first nuclear test in 2006, the United States’ overarching strategy toward North Korea has been one of pressure through isolation. By imposing strict sanctions and avoiding sustained diplomatic dialogue with North Korea, US policymakers have sought to pressure the country to unilaterally denuclearize. Dr. Van Jackson argues that this strategy has failed, … Continue reading Engaging North Korea
On July 7, 2021, Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in a night time raid against his home in the country’s capital, Port-Au-Prince. Nearly a month after the assassination, critical questions surrounding the killing, from who masterminded the plot and for what purpose, remain unanswered. The assassination has catalyzed preexisting political, economic, and societal crises … Continue reading Haiti After the Assassination
Tunisia has a history of beating the odds. It was the only country to come out of the Arab Spring as a democracy, and despite a difficult political environment in the country, civil society groups were able to come together to keep the government stable and democracy in place. However, the future of Tunisia’s democracy … Continue reading Tunisia on the Brink
At the time of this episode’s release, former Chief Justice of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, will have been inaugurated as Iran’s new president. His election in June was highly controversial; it saw record low voter turnout, with less than half of all registered voters showing up at the polls. Many have claimed that this was a … Continue reading Iran’s Changing Leadership
Lebanon is in crisis. In a recent report, the World Bank has said that Lebanon’s economic crisis may be one of the three worst economic crises since the mid 1800s, and estimates that more than half of Lebanon’s population is living in poverty. The reality on the ground in Lebanon for many of the country’s … Continue reading Lebanon in Crisis
With China on its way to developing a digitized central bank currency and the ease with which new cryptocurrencies are created today, we may now be entering a new era of national digital currencies. But is the United States prepared for this new era? In this episode, we will discuss the motivations as well as … Continue reading The Digital Currency Revolution
On June 29, former South African President Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail for contempt of court while under investigation for corruption. Since his arrest, protests have erupted in South Africa with widespread violence. In this episode, we look at the politics of the post-apartheid republic including the prominence of Mandela’s former party … Continue reading President Zuma and Corruption in South Africa
Sets of rules, norms, and standards that make up international law provide a broad framework for actions of countries around the world. It also has a profound effect on our daily lives, governing, for example, how we travel or how we send or receive money from abroad. On this podcast, we discuss how international law … Continue reading International Law and Global Governance
Since the games’ inception, the international olympic committee has argued that the olympics are apolitical, and promote a world message of peace. Yet, the truth of the matter is that the Olympics are political. Whether it is the politics of corruption as olympic officials take expensive gifts in return for their vote in granting host-city … Continue reading The Politics of the Olympics
Since 2018, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador– commonly referred to as AMLO– has been in power as the president of Mexico. However, 2018 was not the beginning of his political career; in fact, he has been a figure in Mexican politics for the past three decades. From Governor of his home province of Tabasco, to Head of … Continue reading AMLO’s Mexico
The alliance between the United States and South Korea is nearing its 70th anniversary. The success of the alliance is demonstrated both by its longevity and the ability to preserve peace in one of the most geopolitically fragile parts of the world. In the third decade of the 21st century, the alliance continues to confront … Continue reading Rejuvenating U.S.-South Korea Relations
Peru had one of its most consequential elections in its almost two century year old history. While the results are not yet official due to the tight margin of the race, Pedro Castillo is all but guaranteed to be Peru’s next President. What does his election mean for Peru, will he be able to deliver … Continue reading Peru’s Uncertain Future
For over 70 years, the United States and Pakistan have navigated a challenging yet productive security relationship. While it has not always been smooth sailing, Pakistan has been and remains a critical strategic partner in a turbulent region for the United States. What is the nature of the US-Pakistan relation, how can this strategic partnership … Continue reading The Complicated US-Pakistan Relationship
The expansion of humanity into the far reaches of space has long been a dream portrayed in science fiction and assessed by academics. The resources that can be mined from asteroids and other planets, the guaranteed survival of humanity if an existential catastrophe were to strike Earth all seem like compelling arguments. But what if … Continue reading The Perils of Space Expansionism
Over the last decade or so in Europe, populism has been on the rise in many countries, from Greece to France to the Netherlands. Italy is no exception to this trend; populism has manifested in both left- and right-wing groups, and these parties have been able to garner enough support to, for extended periods of … Continue reading Italy’s Fight with Populism
The Ukraine crisis is a power struggle between Ukraine and Russia. As one of the founding states of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had historically been an important part of the Russian sphere of influence. However, Ukraine is now on a course towards closer ties with Europe, rather than Russia. Ukraine desires to open its markets … Continue reading Ukraine’s Frozen Conflict
During the first decade of the 21st century, the U.S. defense department prioritized counterterrorism and counterinsurgency measures the Middle East and across the globe. A major shift in strategy began slowly but surely in 2012, driven partly by China’s more aggressive behavior and new military capabilities, including cyber and electronic weapons and precision missiles developed … Continue reading Rebuilding America’s Military Edge with Michele Flournoy
Ethiopia, a landlocked country with dozens of unique ethnic groups, is nestled in the complex topography of the Horn of Africa and the East African Rift. Tigray, a small region of Ethiopia, borders Eritrea and is home to most of Ethiopia’s estimated 7 million ethnic Tigrayans. In November 2020, Tigray’s regional government launched a full-scale … Continue reading Ethiopia’s Tigray Conflict
Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia for over 20 years and in these two decades, Putin has seen Russia through its rise as a great power and its economic stagnation. He is explicitly rejected principles of liberalism and multilateralism, annexing foreign lands, jailing political opponents, and undermining Western democracies, so who really is Vladimir Putin? In … Continue reading Putin’s Russia
Saudi Arabia is one of the United States’ oldest and most reliable allies in a region known for its instability. From the 1973 oil embargo, to 9/11, to the Civil War in Yemen, the relationship between our two countries has survived several critical challenges. But, in the wake of the Jamal Kashoggi killing in 2018, … Continue reading The Future of US-Saudi Relations
The name Castro has defined Cuba for over sixty years when Fidel Castro and his brother, Raul, successfully led a communist revolution on the island. Since then, the island nation has been one of the United States major challenges in Latin America, allying with the Soviet Union during the Cold War and influencing politics in … Continue reading Cuba After The Castros
In our second edition of our Up to Speed narrative series, we tell the story of Japan’s economic miracle. What fueled Japan’s unprecedented economic boom, what led to its stagnation beginning in the 1990s, and what lessons can we learn from the story of Japan for the international economic challenges of today? UTS: Japan’s Economic Miracle … Continue reading UTS: Japan’s Economic Miracle
This Friday will mark President Joe Biden’s 100th day as the 46th President of the United States. This means 100 days of Biden Foreign Policy. What has he done thus far? Has he kept his campaign promises? What are some areas his administration could improve on? And, is there a semblance of a Biden Foreign … Continue reading 100 Days of Biden Foreign Policy
Today, Thursday April 22nd, is Earth Day, a global holiday celebrating environmental protection. In light of this holiday, on today’s episode we will be discussing how the global transition toward a less carbon intensive energy system is affecting global geopolitics as we know it. Over the past century, energy geopolitics have centered on struggles to … Continue reading Geopolitics of the Energy Transition
China today is undergoing tremendous domestic changes while it is adopting a bolder foreign policy giving rise to Sino-American competition. At the center of it all is Xi Jinping– the general secretary of the Chinese Community Party, the president of China, and the paramount leader for nearly 10 years. What changes to China have Xi … Continue reading Xi Jinping’s China
Israel’s parliamentary election this March– its fourth in two years– has provided no conclusion to the political deadlock the country continues to face. As of now, neither coalition has been able to achieve a majority in Israel’s parliament, continuing the electoral gridlock which may result in a fifth election this summer. This constant cycle of … Continue reading Electoral Gridlock in Israel
In today’s podcast, we discuss the South China Sea with Greg Poling of CSIS. At the end of March, more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels were spotted anchored off of Whitsun Reef, a contested land feature in the South China Sea. These were no normal fishing vessels however, they were part of China’s maritime militia, … Continue reading Trouble in the South China Sea
Since our last podcast on the global search for a COVID-19 vaccine, featuring Dr. Chris Beyrer, multiple vaccine candidates representing countries and private corporations around the world have begun worldwide distribution in an effort to finally end the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this distribution has been heavily criticized for its unevenness, as higher-income countries have secured … Continue reading Vaccine Nationalism
The US Department of Defense. One of, if not the largest bureaucracy in the world with a budget larger than the next ten countries combined. Where does its budget come? Why does it receive so much federal money? And, how should the US reform its military spending to meet the challenges of the 21st Century?To … Continue reading FP Toolbox: The U.S. Defense Budget
In 2011, Syrian protests against the Assad regime escalated into a long and complex conflict between the Syrian government backed by Russia and Iran and rebel groups backed by the United States, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic efforts have been unsuccessful as the Syrian regime has been accused multiple times of using chemical weapons in … Continue reading The U.S. Failure in Syria
Today we will be discussing Germany after Merkel. Who is Angela Merkel? How did she change Germany during her 15 years in office? How will Germany be different under the next Chancellor? Joining us today to answer these questions is Dr. Constanze Stelzenmuller. A Post-Merkel Germany Constanze Stelzenmüller is an expert on German, European, and … Continue reading A Post-Merkel Germany
Today we will be discussing artificial intelligence. what is AI? Why it has increasingly been seen as a national security threat, and what are its effects on US-China competition? How does this “new oil” of the century affect us? Joining us today to parse through these complicated questions is Henry Farrell. AI and National Security … Continue reading AI and National Security
The ongoing U.S. military presence in Afghanistan has become a sore point in American international and domestic affairs. At home, it was a major political promise for Donald Trump to pull the U.S. out of what have been called its “forever wars” in the Middle East. Four years, several peace talks, and large troop removals … Continue reading The Forever War in Afghanistan
Iran is a major force in world affairs. Since Ayatollah Khomeini and the clerical class established a theocratic regime in 1979, the Islamic Republic has behaved in opposition to US incursions in its backyard and plays a central role in conversations on regional stability and global security. With the Ayatollah’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and … Continue reading Iran and Biden: A New Chapter
What is the story of Hong Kong? In our first episode for our new NARRATIVE series, Up to Speed, POFA tells the story of Hong Kong’s rise, its earth-shaking protests, and its future under the newly imposed National Security Law. Up to Speed: The Story of Hong Kong If you liked this narrative style, or … Continue reading Up to Speed: The Story of Hong Kong
On his first day in office, President Joe Biden revoked the Keystone Pipeline’s permit, all but shutting down construction. But, why did the Biden Administration decide to do this? What has made the Keystone Pipeline so controversial in the United States? And what does that mean for the future of US-Canada relations? Joining us today … Continue reading The Geopolitics of the Keystone Pipeline
Millions of people worldwide are affected by the human trafficking crisis, which has only been exacerbated by the COVD-19 pandemic. In this episode, we will cover what human trafficking or modern slavery is, and what makes people vulnerable. We will also discuss the international security risks posed by human trafficking, including how it can be … Continue reading The Human Trafficking Crisis
In the early hours of February 1st, 2021, Myanmar’s military staged a coup d’etat against its democratically elected government. Myanmar’s defacto civilian leader, Aung san suu kyi was arrested, alongside Myanmar’s president and dozens of other civilian officials. By the afternoon, the military had announced the imposition of a one-year state of emergency, in which … Continue reading Myanmar’s Uncertain Future
Does the new EU-China investment agreement signal a closer relationship between the two powers? The EU and China reached an important investment agreement – just as the US is seeking to strengthen its own relationships with its European allies. Why have the EU and China reached this deal, what does it contain, and how will … Continue reading Trade and Strategy: The EU-China Investment Deal
Is the Brexit saga coming to an end? On the last day of 2020, the United Kingdom and the European Union signed an important agreement that will define much of the post-Brexit relationship between the two powers. What does this Trade and Cooperation Agreement contain, and how will it impact the economies and politics between … Continue reading Post-Brexit Europe: What Now? with Professor Matthias Matthijs
In this episode of the foreign policy toolbox, we discuss the importance of nuclear arms control, its history and its future. FP Toolbox: Nuclear Arms Control with Ms. Rebecca Hersman Rebecca Hersman is director of the Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) and senior adviser with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and … Continue reading FP Toolbox: Nuclear Arms Control with Ms. Rebecca Hersman
In this special episode of the podcast, we discuss the future of U.S.-Russia relations under the Biden Administration with former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War generated meteoric expectations for US-Russia relations. Just thirty years later, not only have these expectations not … Continue reading Russia: From Cold War to Hot Peace with Amb. Michael McFaul
Today on the podcast, we discuss Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish foreign policy, and Turkey’s increasing impact on the Middle East and the world. Who is President Erdogan? What are his domestic and foreign policy goals and motivations? What has President Erdoğan’s policies been towards neighboring Middle Eastern countries, specifically Syria, Iraq, Iran, and … Continue reading Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Policy with Dr. Henri Barkey
Today, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden was inaugurated into office as the 46th President of the United States. Throughout his campaign, Biden promised to conduct a drastically different foreign policy than his predecessor. We look at what this change could look like in Latin America on issues such as global action for climate change, … Continue reading Biden and Latin America with Brian Winter
Welcome back to the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, the entirely student-run podcast out of Johns Hopkins University. In this episode, we dive into the topic of Hindu nationalism — how has it affected Indian politics, society, and foreign policy? To help us answer these questions, today on the podcast we are joined by Dr. … Continue reading The Rise of Hindu Nationalism with Dr. Milan Vaishnav
Welcome back to the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, the entirely student-run podcast out of Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. – Russia relationship is at a near thirty year low. From the Russian annexation of Crimea, to covert poisonings authorized by the Kremlin abroad, interference in democratic elections, and most recently, a massive cyber espionage … Continue reading Recalculating Russia with Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman
Welcome back to the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, the entirely student-run podcast out of Johns Hopkins University. Today on the podcast, we will be discussing U.S. foreign policy toward Taiwan, and the future of U.S.-Taiwan relations under President Joe Biden. What are the drivers of the relationship between the United States and Taiwan? How … Continue reading Future of U.S.-Taiwan Relations with Bonnie Glaser
For some, the Central Intelligence Agency remains shrouded in secrecy. Others recall the CIA’s Cold War-era attempts at regime changes and the ensuing national repercussions of these actions. Today, we will discuss the basics of what the CIA is in order to understand what its true goals and missions are. What has the CIA done … Continue reading FP Toolbox: Central Intelligence Agency with Chris Whipple
Years since the roar of the first steam engine, we have become increasingly dependent on non-renewable sources of energy that spurred growth but also created the current climate crisis.. Our generation stands at a crossroads. Faced with the monumental task of saving our planet, international cooperation on the issue of climate change is a necessity … Continue reading Global Climate Action with Governor Peter Shumlin
NATO has been a critical pillar of US foreign policy since its inception in 1949. Since the end of the Cold War however, NATO’s purpose has been reimagined, its challenges expanded, and its unity weakened. What will the future of US-NATO relations look like under the incoming Biden administration, and what role will the alliance … Continue reading Future of US-NATO Relations with Dr. James Goldgeier
The emergence of social media in recent years has profoundly improved communication and information-sharing around the world. However, social media has also become a powerful tool in conflicts and warfare. Today, the same platforms used to organize protests are used by terrorist groups and belligerent nations to spur attacks and sway elections. In this episode, … Continue reading Weaponization of Social Media with Dr. Peter Singer
For several months now, tens of thousands of Thais have taken to the streets of Thailand to demand constitutional and monarchical reforms. The movement gained steam in September and October, galvanized by student groups organizing pro-democracy protests over social media. What sparked these protests, what are the specifics of their demands, what may be the … Continue reading Thailand on the Brink with Joshua Kurlantzick
The United Kingdom is fraying. After decades of neoliberal economic policy, devolution, the end of empire, and recent events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, the people of Scotland have questioned their place in the United Kingdom. Support for a second independence referendum is at a record high, and those who favor independence now … Continue reading The Push for Scottish Independence with Sir John Curtice
Welcome to our second episode in our Foreign Policy Toolbox Series — where we unravel the mysteries of the most important institutions, concepts, and policies that decision makers actually use to implement foreign policy. In today’s episode, we are discussing the United Nations Peacekeepers. What do UN peacekeepers actually do, where are they deployed today, … Continue reading FP Toolbox: UN Peacekeepers with Dr. Paul D. Williams
On this episode, we discuss China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the signature foreign policy project of Chinese President Xi Jinping. What are the objectives of the BRI, is debt-trap diplomacy a real threat, and what are the global implications of the initiative? To help us answer these questions, today on the podcast we are joined … Continue reading China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Dr. Daniel Markey
In this episode, POFA hosts share their personal opinions on the election series as a whole! As a reminder, our personal opinions are not representative of Johns Hopkins University. To listen to this episode, find the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs on iTunes or Spotify, or click the link below! 2020 Elections: POFA Roundtable Follow … Continue reading 2020 Elections: POFA Roundtable
Today we’ll be talking about the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria. In October 2020, protests erupted in Nigeria against the country’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad, mirroring the American Black Lives Matter movements. Though these protests are a new event, civil unrest and issue of government-sanctioned violence have existed in Nigeria since its colonization. To explain the #EndSARS … Continue reading Nigerian SARS Protests with Ambassador John Campbell
In our final episode of our 2020 election series, we discuss public opinion polling on issues of foreign policy. On what issues of foreign policy do Democrats and Republicans agree with each other? What does the American public view as most threatening to America’s national security? How have opinions of trade and alliances changed over … Continue reading 2020 Elections: Foreign Policy Polling with Dina Smeltz
In this episode, we discuss what foreign policy may look like under a Biden Administration, should he win the November 2020 presidential election. What worldview guides Joe Biden’s decision making in foreign policy? What foreign policy priorities might a Biden Administration choose to tackle first? How would a Biden Administration’s foreign policy differ from the … Continue reading 2020 Elections: Biden Foreign Policy with Dr. James Lindsay
In this episode, we are discussing technology and its role in election interference, from 2016 to this new election cycle. Since the 2016 elections, Americans have been warned by their intelligence agencies that international actors, primarily Russia, have engaged in both cyberattacks and influence operations to attempt to sway the presidential elections. The Trump Administration … Continue reading 2020 Elections: Technology and Election Interference with Jon Bateman
You’re listening to the second episode of our 2020 presidential election series. In this series, POFA will cover the progressives’ as well as the Biden and Trump administrations’ approach to foreign policy. We will also examine the role of technology in election interference and the importance of polling Americans on foreign policy issues. To listen … Continue reading 2020 Elections: Trump Foreign Policy with Dr. James Carafano
Welcome to the first episode of our 2020 presidential election series. To prepare for the upcoming election, POFA will discuss the recent emergence of a progressive approach to foreign policy as well as what foreign policy would look like under either a Biden administration or a second Trump term. Then, we will be examine the … Continue reading 2020 Elections: Progressive Foreign Policy with Ganesh Sitaraman
Today we will discuss the recent events in Mali and what a democratic future looks like for the Malian people. We will talk about the coup this summer, how it compares to the 2012 coup, and the recent transitional deal announced by the military government. Furthermore, we will explore the role of international actors and … Continue reading The Coup in Mali with Ambassador Michelle Gavin
Welcome to the first episode in our brand new series, the Foreign Policy Toolbox! In the FP Toolbox, POFA will be unraveling the mysteries of the most important institutions, concepts, and policies that decision makers actually use to implement foreign policy. What is the National Security Council? How do sanctions work? What is the process for … Continue reading FP Toolbox: The National Security Council with Dr. William Inboden
Since it was first discovered in Wuhan in late 2019, COVID-19 has risen to become a raging pandemic, with over 27 million confirmed cases around the world. Scientists, government leaders, and experts agree that a key strategy to ending the pandemic must be the development of a vaccine, which has prompted laboratories, academic institutions, and … Continue reading Race for the COVID-19 Vaccine with Dr. Chris Beyrer
On August 28, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest continuously serving Prime Minister of Japan, announced that he would resign the prime ministership. In order to further explain Prime Minister Abe’s domestic and foreign policy legacy, we are joined today on the podcast by Dr. Sheila Smith. To listen to this episode, find the … Continue reading Shinzo Abe’s Legacy with Dr. Sheila Smith
For over ten years, Venezuela has been engulfed in a political and economic crisis which has impoverished millions in the oil-rich country and brought authoritarianism to one of Latin America’s oldest democracies. Caught in a global geopolitical competition amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and with upcoming elections in December of this year, the stakes for Venezuela’s … Continue reading The Future of Venezuela with Moises Rendon
Since the turn of the century, China’s economic, political, and military strength has risen meteorically– from international institutions and trade relationships to telecommunications networks and public perceptions, China is increasingly garnering influence and in some cases, control. This rise to dominance has prompted a dramatic rethink of US foreign policy strategy, and ignited … Continue reading Future of US-China Competition with Richard Fontaine
In this episode of the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, we discuss Anne Applebaum’s new book, Twilight of Democracy. What is democracy, what is authoritarianism, why are some intellectuals drawn to authoritarianism, and how can we protect democracy? To help us answer these questions, today on the podcast we are joined by Anne … Continue reading Twilight of Democracy with Anne Applebaum
Over the last couple of weeks thousands of people have taken to the streets in Belarus to protest the recent reelection of President Lukishenko. Lukisheko’s government stated that he won with over 80% of the vote, leading many to believe that this election was rigged and the results were fradulant. Today we explore the … Continue reading Belarus on the Brink with Dr. Dalibor Rohac
In this episode, we discuss the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the “Quad”, an Indo-Pacific security grouping of the United States, Australia, Japan, and India. What is the purpose of the Quad? What has the Quad already done? How has China responded to the Quad? To help us answer these questions, today on the podcast … Continue reading The Quad with Jeff Smith
From Africa to Asia and Latin America, the US and China are increasingly competing for global influence. With each promoting different visions for global development. In this episode, we discuss the role of US foreign aid in the context of rising Great Power Competition. What does USAID look like on the ground? How does … Continue reading USAID & Great Power Competition with Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick
This week, tragedy struck Lebanon. Over two thousands tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse in Beirut’s port exploded with earth shattering force — ripping apart the center of Beirut – destroying hospitals, businesses, and the homes of an estimated 300,000 people. Hundreds lost their lives. The scale of destruction and toll on the … Continue reading Tragedy Strikes Lebanon with Dr. Steven Cook
24 million. That is the number of men, women, and children in need of humanitarian assistance in Yemen. Since the civil conflict started, Yemen has quickly become one of the most unforgiving places to be a child in the world. 10.2 million children don’t have basic healthcare. 7.8 million children don’t have access to … Continue reading Crisis in Yemen with Dr. Sherin Varkey
Antarctica, with its freezing temperatures, wind blown surfaces, and shockingly low amount of precipitation is the earth’s most inhospitable continent — surrounded on all sides by the southern ocean, it took until 1911 for explorers to reach the southern pole. Yet, the continent is not beyond the reach of politics. In this special episode of … Continue reading Geopolitics of Antarctica with Dr. Klaus Dodds
The polar regions have become a vector of geopolitical competition stemming from the effects of Climate Change. In this podcast, we discuss the geopolitical competition over the Arctic. Who are the major players, why does the region matter, and what, if anything, should the United States do in the region? To help us answer these … Continue reading Arctic Security with Luke Coffey
The ethnically diverse region of Kashmir has been hotly contested even before India and Pakistan won their independence in 1947. In August 2019, India revoked the significant autonomy of Indian-administered Kashmir and implemented a communications ban. Today, we will discuss the history of conflict in Kashmir, including relevant state and non-state actors, previous attempts at … Continue reading Crisis in Kashmir with Farhana Qazi
In May 2020, the Chinese Communist Party announced a sweeping new National Security Law over Hong Kong. The law, enacted in late June, ambiguously outlaws separatism, subversion, and terrorism, allowing China to limit the autonomy of Hong Kong’s institutions and crackdown on freedoms enjoyed by those in Hong Kong in an unprecedented manner. Those in … Continue reading Hong Kong in Crisis with Dr. Ho-Fung Hung
The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001, launching the first phase of its global war on terrorism. Now, 20 years later, the US is still there. In February 2020, an agreement was concluded between the US and Taliban, paving the way for significant withdrawal of US troops, and laying the groundwork for intra-Afghan negotiations. However, … Continue reading U.S.-Taliban Peace Deal with Dr. Michael Rubin
Since the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, the United States has witnessed the awakening of a national conversation on racial justice and equity, especially within our institutions. The January 2020 Government Accountability Office report on diversity in the Department of State found troubling patterns. For example, racial or ethnic minorities in State’s … Continue reading Diversity and Diplomacy with Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley
COVID-19 has spread across the globe, but Brazil has been hit particularly hard. Brazil currently has second highest number of COVID-19 cases deaths in the world. In this episode, we investigate why, including discussing the administration of Jair Bolsonaro and the economic consequences of Brazil’s failure to address COVID-19 in the region. Filipe Campante … Continue reading Brazil, Bolsonaro, and COVID-19 with Dr. Filipe Campante
Since the outbreak of COVD-19 from Wuhan in early 2020, Taiwan has succeeded in fighting the virus. Throughout Taiwan, there have been only 446 confirmed cases and 7 deaths to date. Today, we will be discussing what strategies Taiwan has implemented to prevent the outbreak and reopen, and whether these strategies can be extrapolated to … Continue reading Taiwan’s COVID-19 Response with Vice President Chen Chien-jen
On June 15th, a deadly brawl between Chinese and Indian troops along the India-China border in the Himalayas resulted in casualties for the first time in four decades. In this episode we will discuss the history of this long-standing border dispute as well as other points of tensions between China and India. Joining us today … Continue reading India – China Border Dispute with Dr. Joshua White
In this episode, we discuss Kim Jong Un, the authoritarian supreme leader of North Korea — a country known for its nuclear weapons program and isolation from the world. What do we know about Kim? What is going on with the recent escalation of tensions between North Korea and South Korea? What does the future … Continue reading Becoming Kim Jong Un with Dr. Jung H. Pak
In order to address the economic perils of COVID-19 in Europe, Germany and France have introduced an economic recovery package to the European Union of over 500 billion euros. What does this plan entail? Why is it so significant? And how will this plan affect the European Union as an institution? To help us answer … Continue reading EU Economic Stimulus with Dr. Erik Jones
On today’s episode of the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs we discuss the implications of COVID-19 on Mexico and its economy. What has the government done to address the COVID-19-related economic crisis? How might economic crisis in Mexico affect the US economy? To help us answers these questions, today on the podcast as a guest … Continue reading Mexico’s Economic Spiral with Dr. Ryan Berg
Russian Cyber Operations with Dr. Scott Jasper On this episode of the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, we discuss Russian cyber operations. What strategies does Russia undertake when conducting cyber operations? What case studies of Russian cyber operations do we know about, we what were there outcomes? What is the outlook of Russian cyber operations … Continue reading Russian Cyber Operations with Dr. Scott Jasper
COVID-19 and Refugees with Manish Agrawal In this episode of the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, we discuss COVID-19’s effect on refugees. Refugees and displaced persons, are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Many live in densely populated camps with minimal sanitation. The Kutupalong refugee settlement in Bangladesh – the world’s largest refugee camp – saw its … Continue reading COVID-19 and Refugees with Manish Agrawal
Populism with Dr. Yascha Mounk In this episode, we tackle the topic of Populism with one of the world’s leading experts on the subject. What is populism, what leads to populism sentiment, what does social media and COVID-19 have to do with populism? To help us answer these questions, we are joined by Dr. Yascha … Continue reading Populism with Dr. Yascha Mounk
Mask Diplomacy with Brian Wong The initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China and its subsequent global spread led to a significant marring of China’s image as a global leader in January 2020. By late February however, the COVID-19 outbreak within China had been seemingly contained. Since then, China has engaged in a concerted campaign of … Continue reading Mask Diplomacy with Brian Wong
Today on the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, we discuss the Trump Peace Plan released in January 2020 intended to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What is in the proposal? How does it differ from past peace proposals? Where does the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stem from? To help us answer these questions, we have Professor Steven David … Continue reading Trump Peace Plan with Dr. Steven David
Today on POFA we discuss the protests that spread across Latin America in late 2019. What caused the protests in Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia? What changes were made in these governments stemming from these protests? Will protests continue? To help us answer these questions, today on the podcast we have guest Ana Quintana. Ana Rosa … Continue reading Latin American Protests with Ana Quintana
Today on POFA we discuss Cyber conflict! What is a cyber attack? How can nations use cyber attacks against other nations? Can real harm come from cyber attacks? To help us answer these questions, today on the podcast we have Dr. James Carafano. James Jay Carafano is a leading expert in national security and foreign … Continue reading Cyber Conflict with Dr. James Carafano
Today on POFA we discuss issues of human rights in contemporary China — looking specifically at the repression of Uighurs in Xinjiang. How has the repression of Uighurs continued since 2017? How has the global community responded to the crisis? How has the CCP responded to global condemnation of its policies? To help us answer … Continue reading Uighurs and Human Rights with Olivia Enos
Today on POFA we discuss the the politics and perceptions of Humanitarian Aid. How have the values of Humanitarianism changed over time? How is geopolitics involved in the distribution of Humanitarian Aid? To help us answer these questions, today on the podcast we have Dr. Ilil Benjamin who teaches at Johns Hopkins University! Follow us … Continue reading Politics of Humanitarian Aid with Dr. Ilil Benjamin
Today on POFA we discuss the global politics of 5G Wireless. What is Huawei? What is the U.S. entity list? Is Huawei 5G technology really a threat to U.S. national security? To help us answer these questions, on today’s podcast with have Dr. Jame Lewis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Follow us … Continue reading 5G Wireless with Dr. James Lewis
Today on POFA we discuss the ongoing protests taking place in Hong Kong! What are the protests all about? What are the protestors demanding? What does the future of Hong Kong look like? To help us answer these questions, on today’s podcast with have Hopkins Professor Ho-Fung Hung, who recently returned from a trip to … Continue reading Hong Kong Protests with Dr. Ho-Fung Hung
Today we will be discussing BREXIT, Britain’s planned exit from the European Union. What exactly is BREXIT? Where is the process at now, what exactly is a BREXIT “deal”? And what are the ramifications of BREXIT on Europe and the world? To help us answer these questions, today on the podcast we are joined by … Continue reading BREXIT with Dr. Hindmarch-Watson
Today we will be discussing the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies: The United States and China. Why is this trade war happening? What is the role of the WTO in this conflict? To help us answer these questions today on the podcast we have Dr. Giovanna Maria Dora Dore. Dr. Dore … Continue reading U.S. – China Trade War With Dr. Giovanna Dore
Today on the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, we discuss the concept of Grand Strategy in foreign policy. What is Grand Strategy? How is Grand Strategy implemented and created, and is there a Grand Strategy for the Trump Administration’s foreign policy? To answer these questions, today on the podcast we have two distinguished guests, Professors … Continue reading American Grand Strategy with Hal Brands and Francis Gavin
Welcome to Season two episode three! Today we discuss one of the largest issues in contemporary international affairs, cyberwar. What is cyberwar? what cyberweapons have been used in the past? What are some of the biggest points of discussion when it comes to cyberweapons and war? Is the next war going to be digital. Listen … Continue reading Cyberwar – Casual Conversations
Welcome to Season two episode two! Today we discuss the history and future of global climate politics and governance. What is climate change? What really is the Paris Climate Agreement? Is the world going to explode in a climate catastrophe? Listen to find out! Our guest professor for this podcast is Professor Bentley Allan of … Continue reading Future of Global Climate Politics With Dr. Bentley Allan
Welcome to Season two episode one! Today we discuss emerging market crises, specifically the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and the Turkish Lira crisis of 2018! Our guest professor for this podcast is Professor Soma Dasgupta of the Johns Hopkins Department of Economics, we are thankful for her help in helping us understand this topic! … Continue reading Emerging Market Crises with Dr. Soma Dasgupta
Welcome back to the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, Season Two! We are super excited to bring you guys three fantastic podcasts that we have recorded over the course of this semester. They are some of the best conversations we have ever had and address the most pressing issues in the international sphere today. Episode … Continue reading Welcome to Season Two
Welcome back to the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs! Today we chat about U.S. Foreign Policy under President Donald Trump. Will the liberal international order survive? Will the U.S. slip into isolationism? Is Trump “winning” on North Korea? Listen to find out more! We are joined by special guest, Professor Sebastian Schmidt of Johns Hopkins … Continue reading Discussing Trump Foreign Policy with Dr. Sebastian Schmidt
Welcome to the first episode of Casual Conversations, a new show on the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs! Today we chat about Space Weaponization and its effects on the international political system. Should the U.S. pursue space hegemony? Should Bernie Sanders make a televised event while wearing a tinfoil hat? Find out on this snazzy … Continue reading Space Weaponization – Casual Conversations
Discussing the Mexican Elections with Dr. Christy Thornton: Welcome to the third episode of the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs! Today we discuss the upcoming Mexican elections of July 2018 and what their potential effects on the world will be. We are joined by special guest Christy Thornton, assistant professor of Latin American Studies and … Continue reading Discussing the Mexican Elections with Dr. Christy Thornton
IR Theory & Aliens! Welcome to the first official podcast by the Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs! Today we talk about the three fundamental theories of international relations and how we can apply these theories to an alien invasion. The idea for this podcast stemmed from the book International Politics and Zombies by Daniel Drezner, go read … Continue reading IR Theory & Aliens
Hopkins Podcast On Foreign Affairs – Pilot Episodes The Johns Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs is a monthly podcast discussing the most pressing issues in international relations. Three Johns Hopkins students in the International Studies program will discuss contemporary issues, interview professors and create a fun and lively atmosphere while doing it! This Podcast will … Continue reading Hopkins Podcast On Foreign Affairs – Pilot Episode
South Koreans will cast their ballots for president on March 9. This is the country’s second Covid-era election following the legislative election in April 2020. South Korea is considered as one of the success stories of third wave democratization in the late 20th Century. South Korean democracy, however, has experienced polarization, regressive populism, and other … Continue reading South Korea Goes to the Polls