Global Inquirer: Recent Episodes
Global Inquirer
Using case studies that often go untouched in news media, we examine how global trends are impacting real lives and international politics.
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at the University of Virginia. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, the podcast network of the University of Virginia and Charlottesville.
Music: Audissey https://open.spotify.com/artist/27PasEOltfafDKVv1TPTQR
In this episode with Professor Jane Zimmerman, we examine the dismantling of America’s foreign assistance system and what it means for American diplomacy and global development. Discussing the many roles foreign aid has historically played, ranging from advancing humanitarian goals to strengthening U.S. national security, we explore what the United States has lost by scaling back its aid programs and development institutions. We also consider how this shift has reshaped global competition with China, whose development financing and infrastructure projects are increasingly shaping relationships across the Global South. Looking ahead, we discuss what the future of foreign assistance might look like and how the United States could rebuild or rethink its approach to development.— Special Guest: Jane ZimmermanExecutive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Elizabeth Reid and Ricardo Bruinton
In this episode with Dr. Lauren Bridges and Zhou Zhuoran, we examine how artificial intelligence is shaping society in both the United States and China. Looking across many different contexts, we consider how debates over AI safety, ethics, and regulation are unfolding in both countries, and what these perspectives reveal about the future of technology and society. Along the way, our guests reflect on how AI is transforming their own work and offer advice for listeners seeking to navigate a rapidly changing technological landscape.— Special Guests: Dr. Lauren Bridges and Zhou ZhuoranExecutive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Xuxin Fan and Julien Steines
In this episode with Ambassador David Young, we examine the recent gutting of the U.S. State Department. Discussing the Trump administration’s efforts to cut staffing, funding, and foreign assistance programs as part of a broader restructuring of the federal government, we explore how these changes have affected both American diplomacy and the individuals who carry it out. Alongside this policy discussion, Ambassador Young reflects on his own career in diplomacy, offering insights into the practice of international relations and the paths that lead people into public service.— Special Guest: Ambassador David Young Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Anika Shah, Abby Burritt, and Ellie Grace Robinson
In this episode with Professor Kyrill Kunakhovich, we examine the history and evolution of fascism. Discussing its origins under Mussolini, we explore why fascism has proven so difficult to define and how rigid definitions may sometimes obscure emerging threats. Looking beyond the symbols and imagery of the past, we attempt to identify the common patterns that link fascist movements across time, and examine the emotions, tendencies, and thought processes that have drawn people to them.— Special Guest: Kyrill KunakhovichExecutive Producer: Andrew Chand Co-Hosts: Jason Kim and Carolina Zanna-StoneCorrespondents: Sloane Solley, Maria Pekarsky, Sofia Gonzalez, and Sofia Fuller
In this first-ever live episode of the Global Inquirer, recorded in front of a live audience at a meeting of UVA’s International Relations Organization, we sit down with Professor Dale Copeland to rethink China’s rise. We dive into the debate over whether Beijing truly seeks hegemony, examine historical patterns shaping Chinese strategy, and consider how perception, media, and fear influence Western interpretations of Chinese power.—Special Guest: Dale Copeland Executive Producer: Andrew ChandCorrespondents: Jason Kim, Anika Shah, and Andrew Chand
In this episode with Professor Hanadi Al-Samman, we discuss Syria’s monumental regime change. Investigating the conditions of minority groups, we analyze the lead up to the Assad Regime’s collapse, the transition to the new government under Al-Sharaa, and both the promise and peril that may lie ahead.—Special Guest: Hanadi Al-Samman Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Jason Kim, Victoria Strama, Anthony Chandler, and Nathaniel Fox
In this episode with Professor Levi Vonk, we discuss the state of U.S. immigration under Donald Trump’s second administration. We analyze what is different about Trump’s repressive crackdown, but also explore what has remained the same under an immigration system that both parties have leveraged to exclude immigrants for decades.—Special Guest: Levi VonkExecutive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Abby Larkin, Anika Shah, Carolina Zanna-Stone, and Kamina Mentore
In this episode with Dr. Hikmat Nasr, we discuss the aftermath of Israel’s most recent conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. We analyze the human cost of the war, Hezbollah’s position in Lebanese society, and recent progress for the country’s internationally recognized government. We also consider the different options for integration and reconciliation in the future.—Special Guest: Dr. Hikmat NasrExecutive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Jason Kim and Tommy Williams
In this episode with Professor Camellia Webb-Gannon, we discuss the often-overlooked fight for self-determination in West Papua. We analyze the history of West Papua’s independence movement and the current state of the struggle, while also exploring possible paths forward. —Special Guest: Camellia Webb-Gannon Executive Producer: Andrew ChandCorrespondents: Hannah Vinas and Calvin Pan
In this correspondent-led episode, we discuss the international labor trafficking scandal unfolding in, perhaps surprisingly, Canada. We analyze the systems that enable the exploitation of migrant workers, the experiences of the victims, and the various responses of global actors to the revelation of this story. —Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Correspondents: Danial Butt and Tesher Baer
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating political situation in El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele—who has led the country’s transformation from the murder capital of the world to perhaps the safest country in the Americas—is implementing anti-democratic policies with seemingly broad public support. How sustainable is this, and is there a fundamental trade-off between security and democracy? The Global Inquirer discusses this and more. Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Staff Correspondents: Khyzeima Gonzalez, Kayla Kline-Polio, Maryam Ahmed, & Allison Fuentes Guest: Dr. Lean Sweeney
In this episode, we discuss the ongoing conflict and desperate humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We analyze how ethnic tensions, resource extraction, foreign intervention, and a variety of other factors have culminated in this devastating war, while also contemplating paths forward for the DRC. Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Staff Correspondents: Danial Butt & Tesher Baer Additional Researchers: Cristina Racanelli
In this episode, we explore Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro’s blatant theft of his country’s 2024 presidential election, which evidence suggests he lost resoundingly to the most organized opposition in recent Venezuelan history. We discuss how we got here, what actually happened, and what this all means for Venezuela’s future. Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Staff Correspondents: Kelsey Holzman, Hannah Vinas, & Carolina Zanna-Stone
In this episode, we interview two students with vastly differing opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. With little commentary from our staff, the podcast’s aim with this episode was simply to amplify student voices and address what is undoubtedly the most contentious ongoing conflict in geopolitics. Executive Producer: Andrew Chand Staff Correspondents: James Grayken, Indigo Samson Guests: Ella Kotok and Naima Tinsley Additional Researchers: Julio Barroso-Perez
In this episode, we discuss the history and impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Placed under Azerbaijani authority since the dissolution of the USSR, the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its historically Armenian-majority population have long been in limbo. In September 2023, the vast majority of these ethnic Armenians were forced out of the region. How did this happen? Was this a sudden ethnic conflict or a longstanding nation-building effort? Join the Global Inquirer in looking through the lens of student research, the Armenian diaspora, and a scholar of Soviet history to uncover this often-overlooked tragedy.Host: AJ LaurientiResearchers: Danial Butt, Raffi Kanayan, Cristina RacanelliConsulted Experts: Armik Mirzayan (UVA Anthropology); Jeffrey Rossman (UVA History)Executive Producer: Reece Kaplan
In this episode, we provide an introduction into the world of international cybercrime. Discover how it works, who's involved, and why it matters.Host: AJ LaurientiResearchers: Jack Cooper, Barbara UzunExecutive Producer: Reece Kaplan
In this episode, we provide an overview of what ranked choice voting is and why it is being advocated for in American politics. Who does this system stand to benefit? Will it be implemented further? Find out in our Season 12 opener!Host: AJ LaurientiResearchers: Andrew Chand, Reece Kaplan, Leslie LanConsulted Experts: J. Miles Coleman, Nick Co
In this episode, we discuss the arguments for and against one of the most intriguing rules in American government: the filibuster. Does it protect minority opinion, or does it result in the rule of the minority? Is the filibuster going anywhere? Find out in this episode, our season finale!Host: AJ LaurientiResearcher: Andrew ChandConsulted Expert: Craig Volden
In this episode, we pick up our discussion on the War in Ukraine. We focus on the impact of Finland's ascension to NATO along with the importance--and possible future impacts--of the war.Host: AJ LaurientiResearcher: Reece KaplanConsulted Expert: Kyrill Kunakhovich (UVA history professor)
In this episode, we look more closely at the War in Ukraine, focusing on the Russian public's perspective, historical factors driving the war, and the role of territory.Host: AJ LaurientiResearcher: Reece KaplanConsulted Expert: Kyrill Kunakhovich (UVA history professor)
In this episode, we explore current Chinese Foreign Policy initiatives and their ramifications for the international community.
Glenn Allen Youngkin defeated Terry McAuliffe in the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election. How did he do it? Listen here as we zoom in on Youngkin's education platform and the consequences it has moving forward.
This podcast discusses the persistence of sexual exploitation and abuse and gender-based violence through the humanitarian sector. It examines power dynamics between humanitarian workers and local populations, systems of accountability, and successful, sustainable aid models. Tune in to hear about the nuances of aid and intervention from Global Consultant on GBV, Jeanne Ward, prospective global studies student, Livie Nute, and political science Major, Yijing Shen.
In recent years Right Wing Nationalism has resurfaced within many great world powers. As the waves of these movements shift the balance of power at the domestic level, they impact trends across the globe. This podcast delves into how Right Wing Nationalism appears in Europe, the outcomes it has produced historically, and current consequences due to its recent global rise. We analyze how certain trends in these movements have shaped the American political sphere and gain a deeper insight on European stances from local students. Host: Hannah Malcolm Researchers: Luke Somers Riley Fay Rea Zulfikar Shrinidhi Kittur Special Guest: Simon in Münster, Germany Max in Ulm, Germany Editor: Jessica Ji
As climate change remains an important issue affecting the lives of every person, we take a closer look into its effects in the Amazon Rainforest and the indigenous communities that live within. This podcast delves into the recent political developments in Brazil that affect the Amazon Rainforest, deforestation, how climate change has affected the ingenous Yanomami tribe that relies on the forest, and insights from Professor Sweeney at the University of Virginia on this topic.
Host: Hannah Malcolm
Researchers: Olivia Aghdami Grace Makin Juan Said Bauer Scotland Reynolds
Special Guest: Professor Sweeney UVA Department of History
Germany’s upcoming federal election to determine the successor to Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, marks a critical juncture in German foreign policy. An increasingly important foreign policy flashpoint is Germany’s relationship with China – especially in the context of Germany’s 5G rollout. In this episode, we walk you through the impact of Merkel’s chancellorship on German-Chinese relations, the evolving role of the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei in Germany’s 5G rollout, and the challenges the next chancellor will face in dealing with China and building the country’s 5G network.
Special thanks to Sam Denney, Wiebke Siefer, and Andrew Small for appearing on this episode.
Hosts: Emma Ross Researchers: Maggie Sparling and Alma Wolf Producer: Jessica Ji
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
What happens when large groups of retail investors are able to congregate through the internet to control the direction of a stock price? In this episode, we investigate the formation and purpose of online discussion forums and the ways they have been able to impact the stock market. Specifically, we dive into the subreddit r/wallstreetbets as it is known for its lively discussions about high-risk trading. For this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with special guest Jaime Rogozinski, the founder of r/wallstreetbets. Looking at the specific case study of GameStop, we discuss how it happened and what this might mean for the people’s power in the stock market moving forward.
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: Hannah Malcom Producers: Ella Anderson and Jessica Ji
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Billions of dollars go to foreign aid every year, but what happens when aid is mishandled, misused, or misallocated? Host Emma Ross and Executive Producer Sarah Rocca sit down with guest Daniel Altman, the former USAID Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, to discuss fraud within foreign aid assistance and the systems in place to prevent it. They examine particularly fascinating case studies in Syria, Uganda, and within international donor organizations to draw conclusions on how fraud is handled in foreign aid, who is really harmed, and how it will impact the world in the COVID era.
Hosts: Emma Ross and Sarah Rocca Producer: Jessica Ji
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
(Disinformation, Russian) What is the effect of fake news on public health in the context of a pandemic? This episode explores the nature of fake news itself and its history and examines the proliferation of COVID-19 fake news in Eastern Europe. These stories are causing widespread vaccine skepticism, threatening public health in countries such as Ukraine and the Czech Republic. This episode asks who is behind this new breed of fake news? What are their goals? And what does it mean for all of us?
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: Zoë Calderazzi Producer: Ella Anderson and Jessica Ji
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Although Kyrgyzstan rarely makes the front page of the news, this Central-Asian nation has a fascinating history. From 1991, when Kyrgyzstan became independent from the Soviet Union to the present day in 2021, three of their democratically-elected presidents have been unseated by protesters and civil unrest. In this episode, we dive into Kyrgyzstan’s complex history of electoral politics, and whether the country lives up to its designation as a beacon of democracy. Special thanks to Dr. Margaret Hanson of Arizona State University for allowing us to interview her!
Host: Emma Ross Researchers: Maggie Sparling and Alma Wolf Producer: Jessica Ji and Ella Anderson
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
As COVID-19 has ravaged the world, some countries have responded better than others. New Zealand and Germany have outperformed nations like the United States and Great Britain, and many attribute this success to the leadership of women like Jacinda Ardern and Angela Merkel. In this episode, four of our researchers take on a psychological question with political implications: do women lead in a way that is inherently different from men? How do our views of women versus our views of men affect how they can lead?
Host: Emma Ross Researchers: Abigail Quinn, Lyndsay Baker, Hannah Malcom, and Renee Swager Producers: Ella Anderson
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
As students departed Charlottesville given the University's decision to send everyone home in late March, 2020, a proportion of out-of-state students would journey back to their homes in California, Oregon, and Washington. To many, the University's decision to suspend class is the novel coronavirus' first distinct intrusion into daily life. These students traveling back to the West Coast would have more than COVID and online classes to contend with, however: a wildfire season hitherto unprecedented in its length and devastation. In this episode, some of these students describe their unique remote college life amongst COVID and the 2020 West Coast forest fires.
Host: Emma Ross Researchers: John Sun, Daniela Moreno Fournier, and Mohit Srivastav Producers: Ella Anderson and Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
What’s the difference between data privacy and protection? Season 8's premiere episode takes a deep dive into exploring this question with expert interviews addressing how your data is used in the emerging personal information economy, the implications of national data sovereignty measures, and why Uber and TikTok are the subject of data privacy concerns.
Host: Emma Ross Researchers: Elisabeth Tamte and Zoe Calderazzi Producers: Jessica Ji and Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
In short, our world is occupied with the coronavirus. New stories from experts come out every day talking about the ever-growing death toll, testing availability issues, and economic downturn. However, we have not heard much about the perspectives from college students around the world who have had to leave their campuses (or as UVA students call ours, "Grounds"). In our final episode of the season, we cover how we have adapted as a podcast, and UVA students share their stories and talk about how they have adjusted to our new reality.
Host: Emma Ross Research: Sarah Rocca Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
This episode explores how Indigenous people around the world engage with their respective governments to reclaim their land and resist the legacies of oppression that have disadvantaged their communities over the generations. Tune in to third-year Global Development Studies Major Roma Chitko to hear more.
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: Roma Chitko Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
(Humanity, Democracy, long standing Hindu-Muslim amity in Kashmir)
Kashmir has been a geopolitically tense region for about a quarter of a century now. India and Pakistan have fought three wars over the region, and there continue to be regular skirmishes between soldiers of the two countries there. Moreover, the conflict has led to thousands of deaths and many alleged human rights violations. In this episode, we delve into the root cause of the conflict and go over key events that are often overlooked in media coverage of Kashmir.
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: Aditya Seth and Abigail Quinn Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
As climate change threatens ecologies and challenges policy makers worldwide, Russia finds itself in a unique place. Already, powerful and bizarre effects of climate change are impacting regions in Siberia, sparking cultural changes and threatening to destabilize ways of life. How does Putin’s administration view climate change? What stands in the way of meaningful policy? Listen in to Russian Studies majors Emma Ross and Cameron Bertron as they investigate this heated topic.
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: Cameron Bertron Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Shadowy foreign governments, a powerless Federal Reserve, and a clandestine currency market controlled only by the world's most elite international bankers. This is the story of the Eurodollar: a financial term as mysterious as the saga behind it. What began as a popular method for foreign countries and corporations to subvert US law grew into a secretive system for international banks to lend money to one another – a system as gargantuan as it is enigmatic. Tune in for the tale of how the first US dollars made its way abroad, and how the unregulated system it spawned reared its head in the 2008 financial crisis.
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: John Sun Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
"Yeh jo des tera" is Hindi for "This country of yours." One India caught between two choices; to support or reject a controversial piece of legislation. You may have heard of the Indian citizenship act, but what is it really? Does it discriminate against Muslims or provide a helpful path to citizenship for minorities? Tune into the Global Inquirer’s discussion with researchers Garrett Scocos and Ria Kharosekar to learn more.
Host: Emma Ross Researchers: Ria Kharosekar and Garrett Scocos Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
On January 3, 2020 — three days before the first reporting of a mysterious viral pneumonia appeared in the New York Times — the United States assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Host Emma Ross and Researcher Ari Ghasemian discuss the man, the myth, and the drone strike. How can we situate recent events in terms of the rhetoric and history of American of foreign policy?
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: Ari Ghasemian Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Facing discrimination, mass beatings, rape, and torture in their native country of Myanmar, the Rohingya people have fled to nearby Bangladesh, where the crisis has created the largest refugee camp in the world. In this week’s episode, we unpack the contrasting narratives of the Myanmar government and UN officials in regard to the treatment of the Rohingya. The multitude of actors, security issues, and international terminology complicates the crisis response and enables the international community to remain idle.
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: Lyndsay Baker Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
UVA's premier undergraduate research podcast, The Global Inquirer, hosts a special discussion about the significance of tax havens and the Panama Papers with Ruth Mason of UVA's School of Law and tax historian Joseph Thorndike. In 2016, the release of the Panama Papers provided an unprecedented look at the lengths some of the world’s wealthiest citizens go to avoid taxes and hoard their funds.
Stream the live episode here: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalInquireratUVA/videos/1055403948149879/
Host: Emma Ross Researchers: Anna von Spakovsky and Balthazar Merrin Producers: Andy Carluccio and Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
As most of us learned in school, the Cold War was described as an intense battle between good and evil. Now that the Soviet Union is gone, how do our policymakers socialized during this time apply Cold War lessons in dealing with Russia? In today's episode, we look at justifications for past fears, and parallels to modern day actions to find out just how much the Cold War has impacted the present day.
Host: Emma Ross Researchers: Katya Sankow and Alma Wolf Producer: Christian F. Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Protest movements are often branded as unified fronts against injustice— but what happens when we unpack that assumption? This week on the Global Inquirer, we compare the protests in Hong Kong and France’s Yellow Vest protests in order to draw important parallels. We compare the government response in these cases and explore what the reality of a protest movement entails.
Host: Emma Ross Researcher: Nicholas Mortensen Producer: Christian Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
From climate change to impeachment, the traditional news media has a lot on its plate and hasn't been able to highlight the small victories that have been unfolding over the past year. To give you a break from your regularly scheduled Doom and Gloom, we have decided to focus on some of the good things happening in the world today. To kick off your 2020, we asked several of our researchers to go out into the world found stories and find case studies that made them smile. From peace talks in Africa to a deer the size of a puppy, here's our attempt to make your day a little brighter.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researchers: Emma Ross, Katya Sankow, and Roma Chitko Producer: Andy Carluccio and Christian Jung
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
This week, executive producer Emi Lockwood investigates the recent Argentine presidential elections. The incumbent Mauricio Macri lost to Alberto Fernandez and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (no relation) who ran as vice president. With a 57 billion IMF loan looming over the country, what does Cristina’s return to power mean for the future of Argentina?
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Emi Lockwood Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
This week on the Global Inquirer, we take a look at the modern implications of mandatory military service and how the service affects these countries as a whole. We look at the reasons for why countries chose to draft their own citizens and how their cultures are later impacted. Additionally, we discuss the distinctions between mandatory services in different countries, and then dive into what this has meant for Israel specifically.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Emma Ross Special guest: Zvi Gilboa Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
President Trump, Mike Pompeo, and Rudy Giuliani love to hate the current Iranian regime. Now, it seems they’ve settled on even more dangerous alternative: the MEK. Researcher Ari Ghasemian takes us through this group’s journey from terrorist organization to the forefront of US foreign policy.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Ari Ghasemian Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Democracy has always been the solution of the western world, but is it the best option for Latin America? Researcher Sarah Rocca looks at protests in Puerto Rico and the dictatorship in Venezuela to answer this question. With information from the Concordia International Conference and global news, this episode looks at how democracy is affecting real lives, and if there is a better answer.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Sarah Rocca Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
The West cheers and hails protests in Russia with the hope that the people will one day overcome Putin. But as researchers Katya Sankow and Anna Von Spakovsky explain, promoting protests are not as pro-democratic as we’d hope. It was in fact the Bolshevik Revolution through protests that created the Soviet Union. Mass demonstrations have a deep history in Russia, so the question is what will Putin allow.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researchers: Katya Sankow and Anna Von Spakovsky Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, and gaffes might hurt me too. Researcher Nick Mortensen spoke with Professor Brad Carson about the impact of embarrassing gaffes in politics. It turns out that awkward moments don’t necessarily end political careers. Rather, blunders stick and stain a politician’s reputation when the blunder fits into a narrative about the politician.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Nick Mortensen Special Guest: Professor Brad Carson Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Gone are the days when countries bought vast quantities of foreign territory in the interest of expanding their borders...or are they? Beginning with President Trump's interest in a purchase of Greenland, we look both at the history of nations buying control over one another, as well as a glance to the future. What happens when nations are forced to buy foreign land because of the threats of sea level rise? What are the implications of one sovereign nation purchasing another? Is it possible that the acquisition of foreign nations could become the norm?
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Walter Sharon Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Imagine being imprisoned for praying. Imagine being unable to communicate with your family. For the Uighurs in Eastern China, this is a reality. Every part of their identity as Muslims is being systematically erased: their mosques, their language, their culture. On our last episode of the season, we cover the humanitarian crisis unfolding in China. Researcher Anna Von Spakovsky interviewed a Uighur-American student; our interviewee provided key insight to understanding the crisis as the situation is far from clear and transparent.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Anna Von Spakovsky Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
We’ve all heard and even experienced the impacts of social media: the distraction, the anxiety of checking likes. Today, our technical director Andy Carluccio steps up as the host to talk about social media with researcher Sarah Rocca. Social media is designed to be addicting, so how do users and governments alike tackle the addiction? Using case studies from the UK, France, and South Korea, Sarah and Andy illuminate different policy approaches that aim to influence human behavior.
Host and Producer: Andy Carluccio Researcher: Sarah Rocca
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
It’s fair to assume that hummus has become a widely popular grocery staple in the US. Its murky origins, however, have rendered it a symbol of political tensions in the Middle East. The cultural dispute over hummus ownership has indeed been absorbed into the general framework of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Researcher Gabriella Soriano interviewed Professor Darren Zook to investigate the relevance of food in the cultural and social dynamics of nationalism. Tune in for a peculiar discussion on politics, food, identity, and 23,000-pound hummus bowls.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Guest: Professor Darren Zook Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Join UVA’s premier undergraduate research podcast, the Global Inquirer for a special discussion on housing development, inequality and activism to gain a better understanding of our community. The event featured community leaders and activists as well as Andrew Kahrl, professor of History and African American studies here at UVA.
Check out the broadcast on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalInquireratUVA/videos/1045433865666988/
On today's episode, editor-in-chief Emi Lockwood interviewed John Sipher, former Clandestine Service officer at the CIA. They discussed heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the U.S. North Korea summit, and the Michael Cohen hearing for the House Oversight Committee. The interview was conducted on March 1st, so things might have changed since then. Given his extensive foreign service experience, John brought up many relevant points that aren't typically discussed in the news.
Host: Emi Lockwood Guests: John Sipher Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Iran is so often perceived as a dangerous country that is too difficult to understand. Today, we challenge that assumption, giving you a basic framework of what happened in 20th century Iran to understand the present. New researchers Ari Ghasemian and Gabierlla Soriano interviewed Professor Nader Entessar to understand the current Iran Nuclear Deal. PS: Iran has an exciting history complete with a coup d’etat by the CIA and shipments of planes full of cash.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researchers: Ari Ghasemian, Gabriella Soriano Guests: Professor Nader Entessar Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
The way we live matters now more than ever. The decision between walking or driving to the grocery store is not as much of a personal choice, it’s about how cities and suburbs are built to help its citizens. Today, researchers Emma Ross and Tyler Hinkle discuss how we can rethink transportation and city development. Emma spoke with residents of Moscow, Russia and Fukuoka, Japan to bring external perspectives to a very American topic: Cars. Tyler discussed urban planning with Professor Ellen Bassett and Professor Andrew Mondschein.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researchers: Tyler Hinkle and Emma Ross Guests: Professor Ellen Bassett and Professor Andrew Mondschein Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
What if you had to flee your home because it was swallowed by the sea? According to the Climate and Migration Coalition, In 2015, 24 million people were forced to vacate their homes in face of environmental problems like rising sea levels or catastrophic storms. Today, researchers Walter Sharon and Quincy Stiles discuss the topic of climate change refugees with Professor Willis Jenkins. Tune in for a discussion on human rights, climate change, and the way that people process such a complicated problem.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Walter Sharon and Quincy Stiles Guest: Professor Willis Jenkins Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Give me two examples of animals that are suffering because of climate change. Polar bears and helpless sea turtles, right? In our first episode of Season 5, we sit down with Dr. Reese Halter to discuss how bees and potatoes are endangered by climate change. It turns out that the effects of rising global temperatures are broader than we anticipated.
Host: Balthazar Merrin Researcher: Roma Chitko and Emi Lockwood Guest: Dr. Reese Halter https://www.drreese.com/ Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
The long-term consequences of American nuclear tests rarely receive much attention. Even the largest tests in American history are rarely seen as anything more than an episode in the greater history of the Cold War. With the atmospheric tests long halted, and the Cold War over, what have these tests left behind? In the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, the costs are grave and enduring. Sit down as Nick Mortensen and Balthazar in the last episode of the season to learn more.
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Researcher: Balthazar Merrin Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
The Nord Stream 2 Natural Gas pipeline has been a major point of contention within Europe and the NATO alliance, but why? Why is the pipeline so important? Why are the United States and Ukraine so intent on stopping it? Why is Germany so willing to receive energy resources from an adversary? What are the environmental impacts? Tune in to find out!
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Researcher: Sarah Rocca Special Guest: Rick Noack Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Join host Nick Mortensen and technical director Andy Carluccio as they review the season and discuss their favorite production moments so far!
Host: Nick Mortensen Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Greece's economic troubles were widely known but hardly understood. Most of us were content to know that a debt crisis was happening, some protests got violent, and bailout measures were eventually approved. What happened afterwards? Why did the crisis actually happen? Are there any enduring consequences of the economic crisis? Listen to first year Emma Ross and Professor Erik Jones from the John Hopkins School of Advances and International Studies to find out.
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Researcher: Emma Jones Special Guest: Erik Jones Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Numerous high-profile Chinese officials and cultural figures have disappeared, leaving with nothing more than cryptic notices and vague accusations from the Chinese government. Why have these people disappeared, and why have these cases flown under the radar?
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Researchers: Derrick Wang Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Catch the video version on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalInquireratUVA/videos/2237297219888119/
Join UVA's premier undergraduate research podcast, "The Global Inquirer," for a special panel and discussion with Dr. Katie Hasson from the Center for Genetics and Society about the political, social, and privacy ramifications of genetic and biometric data collection by private companies. Podcast host Nicholas Mortensen will join undergraduate researchers Emily Lockwood and Anna Von Spakovsky, along with Dr. Hasson, to provide an in-depth examination of this rising trend.
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Special Guest: Dr. Katie Hasson Researchers: Anna von Spakovsky and Emi Lockwood Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Our understanding of poaching of endangered species in Africa can be charitably described as "simplistic." Most of us don't even see Ivory, Rhino Horn, or other products, but did you know that the United States is one of the largest markets for these products? Did you know that most poachers are locals acting out on economic necessity? The story is a complicated intersection of local and international efforts.
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Researchers: Anna von Spakovsky and Emi Lockwood Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
"With the help of UVA Sustainability, the Global Inquirer takes a closer look at what actually goes on after you throw something in the recycling bin. Recycling is a business, but recent global trends might be threatening how lucrative it actually is. Find out how your old cans, local recycling businesses, and global trade all intersect, and how you can make sure you are recycling properly."
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Producer: Andy Carluccio Researchers: Roma Chitko and Tyler Hinkle
Be sure to check out the programs and companies discussed in this episode by clicking the links below!
UVa Resources: https://www.fm.virginia.edu/services/recycling.html https://www.fm.virginia.edu/programs/reusestore/index.html
State Resources: https://www.virginia.org/green https://www.virginiagreen.net/
Personally Ship Your Recycling: https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/
To become a certified Green Business or Organization: https://www.virginiagreen.net/ready-for-certification/
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Sanctions, Soccer, and Scandal
Sanctions are a tool of foreign policy that are both overused and hardly understood. Some praise them as a decisive punishment and a cure-all of sorts, while others dismiss them as useless after of political theater. In these sweeping generalizations, the truth of the matter is lost. When do sanctions come into play? Who determines when and where are they used? Do governments place sanctions in isolation of other institutions, or does the media or other groups have an influence? Listen as we sit down with our researchers, Katya Sankow and Walter Sharon, and find out!
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Researchers: Katya Sankow and Walter Sharon
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Piracy has risen in Venezuela, but it's different from either the swashbuckling romanticism of "old" piracy or the merchant ship heists and hostage crises in international waters off Somalia. Piracy in Venezuela is smaller and fluid. Sometimes the pirates brutally kill their victims and steal their possessions, while other times they simply target anchored yachts. Why have people resorted to piracy? Can anything be done about it?
Host: Nicholas Mortensen Researcher: Kara Kreiling Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
podcast #piracy #Venezuela
As students return from programs abroad, they bring stories and perspectives that cannot be found anywhere else. Four students have traveled across the world and experienced different cultures, but also observed similar trends. What stories bind all of these journeys together? What trends transcend thousands of miles?
Host: Nick Mortensen Researchers: Tyler Hinkle, Kara Kreiling, Derrick Wang, and Emi Lockwood Guests: UVA Study Abroad students Brinsley Eriksen, Carmen Garcia, Sarah Rupert, and Katey Summers Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
"After a season that explored trends across the world, researchers Katya Sankow, Tyler Hinkle, Kara Kreiling, and Emi Lockwood sit down to reflect on the trends discussed this season, and the overarching dynamics that tie them all together."
Host: Nick Mortensen Researchers: Katya Sankow, Tyler Hinkle, Kara Kreiling, and Emi Lockwood Producer: Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Russia will be hosting the World Cup in 2018, in the midst of heavy international criticism, corruption, and controversy. Why is Russia hosting this event? What purpose does it serve? Are there other international influences or trends at play?
Join researchers Roma Chitko and Walter Sharon, and Professor Natalie Koch as we answer these questions and many others.
Host: Nick Mortensen Researchers: Walter Sharon and Roma Chitko Guest Interview: Professor Natalie Koch Producers: Geoff Keating and Andy Carluccio
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Today we are releasing a special episode of Global Inquirer, a thank you podcast for our now former host and editor-in-chief, Niko Marcich. Niko started this podcast and built if from the ground up, a testament not only to his dedication and work ethic, but also to his amazing leadership abilities.
Our research team put together a video, released here as a podcast, to publicly voice our appreciation for Niko. As the microphone is passed on to Nicholas Mortensen, our new EIC, we hope you all in our audience will join in our thank you wishes to Niko before we dive back into our regularly scheduled content.
Check our Facebook page for the video version: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalInquireratUVA/videos/2054129831469032/
Thank you, Niko!
In Global Inquirer’s first live episode of the semester, we examine the case for and against international humanitarian intervention in Syria.
Joined by guest Mark Leon Goldberg, editor of the United Nations’ UN Dispatch blog and host of the Humanity in Action's Global Dispatches Podcast, along with researcher Dom Giovanniello, we’ll examine cases for and against humanitarian intervention in Syria’s civil war over the past seven years, and discuss what can still be done to tackle the humanitarian crisis.
Since 2011, the conflict in Syria has claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced more than half of the country's pre-war population. Over 5.4 million Syrians have fled their homes seeking refuge abroad, placing tremendous strain on neighboring countries and the EU. The civil war has also devolved into an international conflict, with Iran, Russia, Turkey, the Gulf States, and the United States all seeking to promote their interests. ISIL and other militant groups have taken advantage of the situation to pursue their extreme agendas and reek devastation on innocent civilians both in Syria and abroad.
In light of this situation, several questions arise. Could the international community have done more to stop the bloodshed? Would military intervention have improved or worsened the situation? What can still be done? And, given the high cost of the Syrian civil war, is there a moral obligation to intervene? Join us or tune in this Wednesday as we discuss these questions and the cases for and against international humanitarian intervention in Syria and other conflicts.
Since 2003, Rwanda has seen economic prosperity and stability under president Paul Kagame. His rule, which very well may endure until 2034, has also been characterized by repression of dissidents and few political opponents.
Kagame is not the only one in the continent, however. Ten of the worlds 20 longest ruling leaders are from Africa. Why and how is this the case? Are people more acceptant towards authoritarian leaders given certain growth and stability?
Host: Niko Marcich Researchers: Anna von Spakovsky Guest Interviews: UVA Politics Professor, Robert Fatton Producers: Geoff Keating and Andy Carluccio
Music: Balmorhea - The Winter, Tristeza - Golden Hill
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Following the 2035 Global Trends report published by the US Intelligence community, Global Inquirer takes a step back to look at how our previous episodes relate to the most recent report in our Midseason review.
What kind of issues will attract the most attention? What factors will transform the global economy and who will be its major players? How will governments and individuals respond to technological transformation?
Host and Producer: Andy Carluccio
Music: Story for Another Day - Peter Cincotti; Audissey
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVA's podcasting network.
Across Mexico, citizens have been disappearing. These forced disappearances have received little investigation from Mexican authorities and occur under suspicious circumstances. What can these disappearances tell us about the state of Mexican security authorities and their relationship with civilian activists and institutions?
Join us as we sit down with Jorge Verastegui and Ximena Suarez and discuss Mexico's most volatile humanitarian crisis.
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Dom Giovanniello Guest Interviews: Jorge Verastegui and Ximena Suarez Producers: Andy Carluccio and Geoff Keating
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Balmorhea - "The Winter", Audissey - "Voyages"
Our special report on the Rappahannock native tribe receiving federal recognition will take you out to southeastern Virginia, where we sat down to interview the chief and tribal council to discuss what federal recognition means to them, why it took so long, and how “history was hijacked and held hostage by the state.”
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Tyler Hinkle Guest interview: Chief Anne Richardson, Assistant Chief Mike Fortune, Chair on the Council Barbara Williams, and Councilmember Jerry Fortune Producers: Andy Carluccio and Geoff Keating
Music: Audissey and Talkdemonic
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA and affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVA’s podcasting network.
What does the Khorgos dry port mean for economic and political relations between Central Asian republics and China? How will countries like Kazakhstan navigate foreign affairs and global power dynamics in the region?
Sitting down with Dean Shawn Lyons and Dr. Richard Weitz, we answer some of these questions and look at how ex-Soviet republics have positioned themselves geopolitically and the implications of a growing Chinese economics and political influence in the region.
Host: Niko Marcich Researchers: Derrick Wang and Liam Kraft Guest Interviews: Dean Sean Lyons and Dr. Richard Weitz Producers: Geoff Keating and Andy Carluccio
Music: Emancipator
The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.
Why are female workforce participation rates so low in developing countries, and what kinds of solutions are trying to encourage women to enter the workforce and pursue entrepreneurship?
Sitting down with UVA Global Studies Professor Sree, we discuss some of the institutional and cultural constraints that perpetuate low female workforce participation, specifically in South Asia. Then, we sit down with Sehat Kahani, a Pakistani tele-medicine startup that pairs female stay-at-home physicians with patients in rural and low-income communities, to discuss how they empower female physicians and improve access to health care in Pakistan.
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Katya Sankow Guest Interviews: UVA Global Studies Professor Sreerekha Sathiamma and Sehat Kahani's Dr. Iffat Zakar Producers: Andy Carluccio and Geoff Keating
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ, UVA's podcasting Network.
Music: Emancipator - Nevergreen, At The End of Time - Pulchra, Tristeza - Golden Hill
After Iran's announcement to ban the teaching of English in primary schools, we examine the implications of cultural protectionism in Iran and around the world. What are the end goals of cultural protectionism?How does the Internet challenge the traditional nature of cultural protectionism?
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Nicholas Mortensen Guest Interview: Professor of Media Studies at UVa - Emily Blout, Professor at University of Lucerne - Dr. Mira Burri Producer: Andy Carluccio and Geoff Keating
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Balmorhea - "Masollan", Audissey, Patrick O'Hearn - "Beyond This Moment" and "So Goes The Current"
Seeking to better their lives, thousands of immigrants pass through its southern border every day. The journey is never easy. Beatings, sexual assaults, murder, and other encounters with cartels await these immigrants on their journey north. This harsh reality not only occurs on the border that the United States and Mexico share, but also on the border of Mexico and Guatemala.
In our last episode of the semester, we sit down with a Guatemalan migrant who has made this journey north and a Latin American policy expert to talk about this perilous journey, the relationship between police and organized crime and solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Mexico.
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Tyler Hinkle Guest Interview: Director for Defense Oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, Adam Isacson and a Guatemalan immigrant Producer: Andy Carluccio
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Balmorhea - "Masollan", The Album Leaf - "The Light", Clem Leek - "You're so Far Away", Patrick O'Hearn - "Beyond This Moment" and "So Goes The Current"
In a special season review, technical director Andy Carluccio takes a look back at some of the highlights from all the episodes this semester.
Host and Producer: Andy Carluccio
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Long Way From Home - Peter Cincotti, Auddisey
"This is the largest corruption scandal in the history of the world..." What started off as a money laundering investigation in Brazil quickly transformed into a large scale corruption probe. Politicians indicted, company executives thrown in jail, and billions of dollars of dirty money have been recovered. Will Operação Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash) translate into stronger political institutions, and can other countries replicate the Operations' successes?
Host: Niko Marcich, Researchers: Derrick Wang and Walter Sharon Guest interview: Professor of Politics at Carleton College, Alfred Montero
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Sergio Mendes - Mas Que Nada
Our current system of global health governance is made up of a bevy of acronymic and mysterious health organizations constituting a veritable alphabet soup of agencies. We look at the challenges faced by the Ebola crisis and how the public health community has learned from their deadly mistakes.
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Balthazar Merrin and Geoff Keating Producer: Geoff Keating
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Audissey and Petrichor
“Where can we be black if we can’t be black in Africa?” Western European standards continue to dominate education in South Africa, affecting students across races and wealth tiers. Even though Apartheid was dismantled in 1991, why do South African primary and secondary schools still appear so racially divided? How does the lasting footprint of colonialism affect schools, and how does the universal trend of denialism feed into these issues?
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Katya Sankow Guest Interviews: Professor of Education at the University of Washington Tacoma, Christopher Knaus Producer: Geoff Keating
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Audissey and Rodriguez
What if we connected the whole world to the Internet? Launched in 2013, Facebook's Free Basics platform promises to do just this. Stemming from an altruistic vision to expand access to information, Free Basics provides affordable Internet access to remote areas in developing countries. What else is behind Facebook's vision to expand Internet access, and why are some communities rejecting the platform? What are the implications of Facebook being the primary Internet service provider in a community or country?
Host: Niko Marcich Researchers: Dominick Giovanniello and Balthazar Merrin Guest speaker: Professor of Media Studies at UVa, Christopher Ali
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa and affiliated with TEEJ, UVa's podcasting network.
Music: Talkdemonic and Audissey
What if we connected the whole world to the Internet? Launched in 2013, Facebook's Free Basics platform promises to do just this. Stemming from an altruistic vision to expand access to information, Free Basics provides affordable Internet access to remote areas in developing countries. What else is behind Facebook's vision to expand Internet access, and why are some communities rejecting the platform? What are the implications of Facebook being the primary Internet service provider in a community or country?
Joined by Professor of Media Studies Christopher Ali, researchers Dom Giovanniello, Balthazar Merrin and host Niko Marcich, we dive into these topics in our live episode this Wednesday at 7pm at OpenGrounds.
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ, UVa's podcasting network.
Music: College Electric Youth
Anywheres have taken the streets. Somewheres remain complacent. What's at stake in Poland as the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) make sweeping changes to the judicial system, and how has the media in the West and East portrayed these changes? Is the media exacerbating tensions in Europe and the US, or simply conveying increasingly divergent perspectives?
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Nicholas Mortensen, Derrick Wang Guest Interviews: History Professor Kyrill Kunakhovich Producer: Geoff Keating
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Audissey, The End of the Ocean, The American Dollar
It promised to turn the desert green. Billions of dollars and almost two decades later, not only have these promises not been realized, but the continued obsession with similar projects has diverted important resources. In this episode, we look at the New Valley development project in Egypt and other White Elephant projects. Why do governments continue to pursue wasteful projects with dubious benefits? How can our generation change the development paradigm?
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Dominick Giovanniello and Balthazar Merrin Guest Interview: Professor of Development Politics at UVa, Robert Fatton
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's podcast network.
Music: Talkdemonic, The Flashbulb
As the Trump administration works through NAFTA renegotiations, we discuss the costs and benefits of a tariff placed on Canadian lumber, the goal of NAFTA renegotiations and why trade deals are becoming so hard to implement in the 21st century. Does it simply reflect increasing levels of protectionism, or is it the nature of 21st century trade deals themselves?
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Katya Sankow Guest Interviews: International Economics Professor, Kerem Cosar and Lumber Salesman, Chris Boyd Producer: Geoff Keating
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Audissey and The Flashbulb
Cheap commercial drones are carving out a unique space in warfare and challenging some of the norms in the US tactical playbook. What's the best viable solution? Can $80 drones turn conventional warfare on its head?
Host: Niko Marcich Researcher: Nicholas Mortensen Guest Interview: Dan Brown, Assistant Professor of Sciences at UVa
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, the UVa undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Audissey and Talkdemonic
A new rail line connecting Addis Ababa to Djibouti, built by China. Estimates of over 1 million Chinese workers in Africa. China has been expanding infrastructure and investment projects in Africa. What is driving this expansion, and how is it affecting life in Africa? Should we be concerned?
Host: Niko Marcich Researchers: Derrick Wang and Kay Khosbayar Guest interview: Senior Brookings Fellow, David Dollar
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, the UVa undergraduate podcasting network.
Music: Audissey and Getachew Degefu
Black and white. Charlottesville and UVa. Townies and Students. Following the August 12th white supremacist march in Charlottesville, we take a step back from our global perspective to talk about race relations in Charlottesville from both a historical and modern perspective. Furthermore, we sit down with a local Black Lives Matter activist and discuss the disconnect between UVa, its students and the community around us, and what students can do moving forward.
Hosted by Niko Marcich. Research by Katya Sankow, Tyler Hinkle and Balthazar Merrin. Produced by Geoff Keating and Niko Marcich. Special guest: Leslie M. Scott-Jones
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at the University of Virginia. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, the podcast network of the University of Virginia and Charlottesville.
In the final episode of the semester, our host Niko Marcich and researchers Saajid Hasan and Tyler Hinkle explore the Universal Basic Income debate in India. We also host a special guest interview with International Economics Professor Kerem Cosar and the Software and Information Industry's (SIIA) David LeDuc, where we discuss the economic effects of automation, and learn how this global trend is changing the socio-political climate across the world.
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at the University of Virginia. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, the podcast network of the University of Virginia and Charlottesville.
In this week's episode, Niko Marcich explores the intricacies of refugee integration within the Charlottesville community. With guest interviews from the director of the International Rescue Committee and an Iraqi refugee, we take a deeper look into what happens to refugees after they've arrived in the U.S. Joined by Kay Khosbayar and Katya Sankow, we address the resources, challenges, and personal difficulties that come with being a refugee or immigrant.
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at the University of Virginia. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, the podcast network of the University of Virginia and Charlottesville.
In this week's episode, we take an in-depth look into the geopolitical and economic ramifications of a reliance on oil. Looking into Venezuela's food shortage and the historical and modern implications of the reliance on oil, we examine how oil policy shapes geopolitics and look towards the future. Will green energy really shape the future?
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at the University of Virginia. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, the podcast network of the University of Virginia and Charlottesville.
In this weeks episode, Niko Marcich is joined by Derrick Wang and Olivier Weiss, who dive into the Scarborough Shoal as they take a look at how the lives of Philippine fishermen have been affected by Chinese geopolitical expansion in the South China Sea. Specifically, they discuss the importance of the South China Sea, difficulties in enforcing international law, and how Chinese geopolitical expansion could play out under the Trump administration.
Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at the University of Virginia. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, the podcast network of the University of Virginia and Charlottesville.