Global in the Granite State
65 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsThe Global in the Granite State Podcast is an engaging and informative show that aims to provide the audience with a deeper understanding of important international issues. By featuring experts in the field and individuals with lived experiences, the podcast offers a well-rounded perspective on various global topics.
By focusing on breaking down complex issues in an easily understandable way, the Global in the Granite State is particularly valuable for those who are interested in global affairs but may not have formal training or work in foreign policy think tanks. By presenting information in a balanced manner, considering the historical context, policy implications, and future outlook of each topic, the podcast helps listeners grasp the multifaceted nature of global issues.
Although the series is centered in New Hampshire, it seeks to provide insights that people from anywhere can benefit from. This approach ensures that listeners from different backgrounds and geographic locations can gain a broader understanding of the world and the forces that shape it.
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Episodes
Episode 64: What Russia Wants out of the Middle East
April 12, 2024 00:00 - 31 minutes - 34.6 MBWhile much attention is paid to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it is important to note that Russia continues to try and exert influence across the world. This is particularly true across the Middle East, where Russia has tried to center itself as the reliable partner for autocratic leaders throughout the region. Russia has a long history of engagement with Middle Eastern Leaders, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it saw its influence wane, down to just a couple...
Episode 63: The Crisis and Hope of Haiti
March 14, 2024 00:00 - 39 minutes - 36 MBHaiti is a country that has suffered through a long, hard history. From disasters, both natural and man-made, the people of Haiti continue to strive to create a bright future for themselves. However, today that goal seems further away than ever and many people would be hard pressed to see the light at the end of the tunnel. How did a land that was once the Pearl in the Crown of the French Empire ends up in such chaos? In this episode we explore the rich and challenging history of th...
Episode 62: Who in the World are the Houthis
February 06, 2024 00:00 - 36 minutes - 34.8 MBYou may have heard the name before, when they burst onto the international scene in the wake of the Arab Spring, challenged the central government and eventually a Saudi led international response. However, with the civil war winding down in Yemen, the Houthis name recognition seemed on the decline. The war in Gaza has brought this group back to the forefront of the world's mind, as they began firing rockets and drones at cargo ships in the Red Sea, stating that they would stop only...
Episode 61: The Weaponization of Migration
January 05, 2024 00:00 - 37 minutes - 33.8 MBOver the past couple of years the idea of weaponizing migration has come to the forefront, particularly as the current case of Russia enabling migrants to access the Russia Finnish border and Belarus using travel agents to bring migrants to their border with Poland in 2021. However, this "hybrid warfare tactic", as several targeted states have termed it is not something new, it is instead a well worn path used by state and nonstate actors for centuries. To get a better understanding...
Episode 60: Government Disfunction Hampers Global Leadership
November 02, 2023 00:00 - 28 minutes - 28.3 MBThe United States of America's government faces a funding deadline of November 17th of this year to pass a full budget or a continuing resolution, or shut down non-essential operations. In what has seemingly become a yearly tradition, the two Parties cannot come together on a number of issues and have missed their self imposed deadline to fund the government once already. On top of this, the House of Representatives spent three critical weeks trying to find a new Speaker of the Hous...
Episode 59: The Ongoing Crisis in Derna, Libya
October 18, 2023 00:00 - 31 minutes - 30.6 MBLast month the city of Derna, Libya was destroyed by an intense hurricane that hit the city and surrounding mountains. Two dams, built in the 1970s and not maintained since 2002, burst overnight, sending a 23-foot high wall of water rushing through the city. Over 25% of the city's infrastructure got destroyed and thousands of people were swept out into the ocean or crushed under crumbling buildings. For about a week the international community focused on this tragedy, but then atten...
Episode 58: Coup Part Two - Gabon's Turn
September 15, 2023 00:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBAnother month, another African coup led by the Presidential Guard, this time in Gabon. This month we talk with Jean Hakuzimana, a journalist and immigration advocate, who provides insights into why this coup occurred, the challenges that face Gabon, and what this means for the wider region. On August 30th, hours after the election results gave a large win to President Bongo for a third term, the Presidential Guard came on national TV and announced the cancellation of the election re...
Episode 57: Coup are You? Niger's Fate
August 16, 2023 00:00 - 37 minutes - 32.6 MBIn this episode, we delve into the recent coup in Niger, analyzing its implications and underscoring its significance on the global stage. On July 26th, the Presidential Guard took a daring step by placing President Mohamed Bazoum under house arrest, sealing the borders, imposing airspace restrictions, and boldly proclaiming the seizure of power. The world was caught off guard by this unforeseen upheaval, prompting a wave of sanctions and international condemnations. To provide dee...
Episode 56: Moving A.I. Forward in a Responsible Way
July 03, 2023 13:33 - 30 minutes - 29.7 MBIn this month’s episode we explore the challenges surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the need for global cooperation to minimize potential negative outcomes. By speaking with Ben Porter of Prometheus Endeavor, a technology think-tank, the conversation provides a balanced viewpoint of the challenges and opportunities surrounding the development of AI, from the robot overlords of the Matrix to the lifesaving programs identifying cancer cells, there are a lot of potential pro...
Episode 55: What Global Poverty Reduction is Missing
June 09, 2023 21:05 - 34 minutes - 32.7 MBWith over 719 million people across the world living below the international poverty line and the current data indicating the world will miss its target of eliminating poverty by 2030, we dive into the issues facing these efforts, what international organizations are missing, and why it is so important to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #1 as soon as possible. It is not by chance that the first SDG is the elimination of poverty in all its forms. Through a wide array o...
Episode 54: Israel at 75 - A Look at the Challenges and Opportunities
May 01, 2023 00:00 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MBThings have never been easy for the modern state of Israel over the past 75 years, including today where the government faces a wide variety of external and internal pressures. Over the past four years the government has struggled to build a lasting coalition, having five elections in that timeframe and watching countrywide protests erupt over their judicial reform bill in recent months. In addition, the country inhabits an inherently hostile space, as several of their neighbors see...
Episode 53: Creating a Just Energy Transition
April 10, 2023 00:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBSeemingly forever, the world has debated what to do about climate change. The arguments on both sides are well worn and movement towards incorporating more green technology into the energy system continues to gain momentum. However, as this transition begins, one issue to consider, which has not seen robust public discussion is the idea of bringing justice to the energy system. It is not a secret that energy production, resource extraction, and the most negative effects of pollution...
Episode 52: Fighting Hate is Your Job, Too
March 13, 2023 00:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MB"Never again" has turned into "Again and Again", or "Never Happened". In the wake of the holocaust, the world committed to never forgetting the atrocities and never letting something like this happen again. 75 years later, the world continues to see new genocides begin and concerted efforts to deny that these atrocities ever even happened. As hate rises around the world, the conditions necessary for mass atrocities has ripened, allowing for more than ten current and ongoing genocide...
Episode 51: Going Global, Changing Lives
February 11, 2023 00:00 - 30 minutes - 24.8 MBNot only do global experiences open your eyes to the world around you, they also help you better understand who you are and they let you explore who you want to be. Whether it is through study abroad, the Peace Corps, agri- or volun-tourism, or any extended trip abroad, you gain so much from engaging with the world, changing your life and the lives of those you interact with. Today we talk with Lisa McAdam Donegan and David Crisci, co-founders of Global Education Partners, about the...
Episode 50: This Sticky Issue of Immigration
January 16, 2023 00:00 - 43 minutes - 35 MBIf you want to start a heated debate, pretty much anywhere in the Western world today, just bring up the topic of immigration. While there are plenty of policy issues that drive partisanship today, few are as sticky as the immigration issue. From the arguments of protecting the border and rule of law, to the need to protect immigrant rights and the dynamism that comes with welcoming legal immigrant, there are plenty of ideas, issues, and challenges to work on and argue about. In tod...
Episode 49: The Protests that Changed Chinese Policy
December 12, 2022 00:00 - 28 minutes - 22.3 MBOver the past two years the Chinese Communist Party has worked to keep the COIVD pandemic at bay through a series of policies requiring strict quarantines, sometimes of millions of people at the same time, that reduced the opportunity for community spread. Over the past couple of weeks, the Chinese public has come out into the streets to demand the end of the Dynamic Zero COVID polices, as they has suffered too much in this time. From being locked in their homes, sometimes with litt...
Episode 48: Sports and Human Rights: Who is Responsible?
November 23, 2022 00:00 - 40 minutes - 57.9 MBThe Global in the Granite State brings you a extra special, bonus episode, through a collaboration with the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice. In this episode, Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett and Tim Horgan join forces for a dynamic conversation about the complex and often problematic ways in which the world of sports intersects and interacts with human rights issues. They cover everything from sportswashing (ancient and modern!) – including the two biggest sporting events of ...
Episode 48: Finding Another Global Connection in New Hampshire
November 17, 2022 00:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBThroughout our work, the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire tries to identify unique and amazing connections to the world from right here in the granite state. From nonprofits doing work across the globe, to stories of international connections fostered by our global exchange programs, it never ceases to amaze the many ways that granite staters are impacting the world. In this month's episode, we speak with Maria Horne, co-founder and CEO of BLI Global, a nonprofit with a unique...
Episode 47: What the What Between Azerbaijan and Armenia
October 13, 2022 00:00 - 26 minutes - 23.7 MBAs with many other wars and conflicts that grew out of the collapse of the Soviet Union, there is a much deeper history to what is going on between Azerbaijan and Armenia. You have to understand the historical context to understand why these two countries cannot get together and come to a lasting agreement over their border and what to do with Nagorno Karabakh. With a breaking of the ceasefire last month, and at least 300 dead, this region continues to see instability that has the p...
Episode 46: The Future of Work is Collaborative
September 13, 2022 00:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MBThe nature of work has consistently changed and morphed, through technological innovation and societal upheavals. Currently, the world sees both factors pushing new ways for people to work, as well as what employees value in their work lives. We speak with Kevin Cassidy, Director and Representative to the Bretton Woods and Multilateral Organizations at the International Labour Organization, about the work that the ILO does to bring together governments, businesses, and workers to en...
Episode 45: Understanding the Fall of Sri Lanka
August 04, 2022 00:00 - 45 minutes - 40.1 MBOver the past few month, Sri Lanka has undergone massive protests that have led to the dissolution of the Cabinet, the resignation of the Prime Minister, and the fleeing of the President. Protests were fueled by rising inflation, inaccessible basic goods, corruption, and a feeling that the government was more interested in serving itself than the people. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Neil DeVotta, Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University, about ...
Episode 44: Russia, Ukraine, & Lithuania, a View from Abroad
July 07, 2022 00:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MBThe war in Ukraine continues to rage, despite international efforts to end it. Russia has redefined their end goals, while Ukrainians continue to fight for their homes. NATO and its allies have continued to support the war effort, while punishing Russia through one of the largest sanctions regimes the world has seen. However, other countries continue to provide support to Russia, refusing to condemn this invasion. Here in the U.S., we continually hear about this war through an Ameri...
Episode 43: Turkey - Strategic Partner or Strategic Headache
June 02, 2022 20:10 - 37 minutes - 33.3 MBOver the years, the United States has worked with many different international partners. Some of these partnerships have grown out of a shared sense of values and understanding of the world. Other partnerships have been merely for a narrow set of strategic goals, while ignoring the challenges these partners have posed. Turkey, particularly in the past ten or so years, has challenged the US's ability to balance these competing forces, as Erdogan has worked tirelessly to make as many ...
Episode 42: Direct from NH to Rwanda
May 06, 2022 21:08 - 28 minutes - 26.8 MBYou never know when your next global connection will happen. While host and executive director, Tim Horgan, took his daughter to a play group, he met the leader of a twice yearly service trip to Rwanda right here in New Hampshire. After talking about the program and how it is a true grassroots effort, Tim wanted to tell the story of how the people of New Hampshire forge inspiring connections to the world in various ways. This month's episode focuses on NINH's efforts to bring a litt...
Episode 41: Russia and China: A Relationship with No Limits
April 08, 2022 00:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBOn February 4th Russia and China announced a renewed relationship that "has no limits". Three weeks later Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, violating the territorial sovereignty of an independent nation. In this month's episode we explore the relationship between these two countries and what the invasion signals for the future. Sarwar Kasmeri, host of the Polaris Live Podcast, joins us to provide his perspective on the issues and opportunities that he sees as the world grapples ...
Episode 40: Women V. Authoritarians
March 02, 2022 00:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBIn a recent article for Foreign Affairs, Erica Chenoweth and Zoe Marks argue that Authoritarians repress women's rights for more than just chauvinism, but because they actually "fear" the power women hold in creating lasting democratic change through pro-democracy movements. In this episode, we discuss why women help to make these movements so successful and what this means for the prospects of democracy around the world. In a time when authoritarianism is on the rise and women's ri...
Episode 39: Olympic Boycotts Explored
February 01, 2022 00:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBIn this month's episode, we take a look at the ongoing diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympic Games held in Beijing. As a part of the wider geopolitical competition between the US and China, this effort to highlight human rights abuses in China has been met with mixed success. We talk with former Olympian and NH resident, Julia Ford, former US Olympic Committee member, Dick Swett, and China expert, Vikram Mansharimani, we explore the positives and negatives of this effort. There are...
Episode 38: Why the Uyghurs Matter
January 07, 2022 00:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBThe World Affairs Council of New Hampshire sat down with Vikram Mansharamani to gain his insights into why the Uyghurs matter. This discussion dives into the history of the Uyghur lands, why China views them as a problem, and the geopolitical standoff that is occurring around these people. With competing narratives around what is actually happening (re-education vs. forced labor), it can be difficult to find the truth. Take a listen to this episode to find out more about this global...
Episode 37: Escape from Afghanistan
November 29, 2021 00:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBOver the past several years the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire has hosted a number of exchange participants from Afghanistan to talk with them about ways to improve their countries. From government officials to nonprofit leaders, these people have left a lasting impact on the people of New Hampshire. In this episode, WACNH executive director, Tim Horgan, speaks with an alumni of a 2019 exchange that brought together visitors from across the Middle East. The visitor recounts ...
Episode 36: Drivers of the Perilous Northern Migration
October 08, 2021 00:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBIt seems that everyday a story about the crisis at the border bubbles to the surface, either eliciting sympathy or stoking fears. However, what drives people to make the journey north for an opportunity to enter the United States, where there are so many perils along the way. Dehydration, starvation, exposure, rape, kidnapping, and even murder occurs as people traverse various terrains, lead by unscrupulous criminals. In this episode, we explore the push and pull factors that lead p...
Episode 35: Breaking Down the Ethiopian Civil War
September 02, 2021 00:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBThere is a long and complex history that helps to explain the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia today. It is a diverse country with many different ethnic groups, all of whom have competing interests. Those in power call for unity, while those without it call for respect of cultures and diffuse power structures. An understanding of the country's history is vital to an understanding of the current conflict between the Federal government and the Tigray region. It is a story of power struggl...
Episode 34: Rethinking the China - U.S. Relationship
August 02, 2021 00:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MBFor the past several decades, foreign policy experts have been sounding the alarm bells about a rising China who would one day pose a threat to the United States of America as a global leader. Those bells seemingly ring louder each and every day. Whether it is a trade war, war of words, or something worse, the relationship between the two countries are at an all time low. This episode explores a new report from the Foreign Policy Association that looks to reimagine the relationship ...
Episode 33: The Dark Side of Residential Education
July 06, 2021 00:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBThe recent discovery of over 1,000 unmarked graves at the sites of three former residential schools for First Nations people, has brought these institutions back into the spotlight. However, many people were never taught about the history of these programs to wipe out native cultures. In this month's episode we talk with Dr. Ronald Niezen of McGill University about the ongoing history of the treatment of First Nation peoples. Dr. Niezen is the author of a 2017 book, "Truth and Ind...
Episode 32: Iran's Battle for Political Succession
June 09, 2021 00:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBIran is a key player in the Middle East and occupies an outsized amount of U.S. attention when it comes to foreign affairs. From proxy wars in Yemen, Syria, and other places, to the ongoing nuclear negotiations, understanding Iran is key to understanding U.S. policy in the region. With an upcoming election in just a few days, it is important to examine what this latest election can tell us about the future of Iran. In this episode we talk with Negar Mortazavi and Trita Parsi to find...
Episode 31: Understanding Support for Authoritarianism
May 03, 2021 00:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBIt is hard to believe, but there is a world leader who laments that previous dictators did not kill more of their countrymen. He also has pretty clear ties to violent militias, including one militia who killed a city councilwoman in Rio. However hard it may be to believe, this is the case with Brazil and their President, Jair Bolsonaro. In this episode we speak with Harvard University Professor, Bruno Carvalho, about the rise of President Bolsonaro and how people can support such a m...
Episode 30: The Changing Climate and You
April 09, 2021 00:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBWhere does the global fight against climate change stand? What can you do about it? Why is it important on both a local and international scale? Speaking with Julie Cerqueira of the US Climate Alliance and Rob Werner, State Director of the League of Conservation Voters, we dive into these questions and more to help you better understand what is needed to avoid a potential disaster.
Episode 29: A View From Inside Myanmar
March 05, 2021 01:12 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBOn February 1, 2021, the military instigated a coup of the democratically elected government. In short order, this relatively new democracy went from aspirational to regressive. Protests started immediately and have only grown over the past month. In this episode, we speak with an American who has lived in Myanmar since 2016. She has a close connection to New Hampshire, having served as an AmeriCorps member several years back. We speak with her about her experiences living in the cou...
Episode 28: Global in the Granite State #28 - The Foreign Policy Legacy of Trump
February 05, 2021 21:44 - 29 minutes - 26.1 MBLike much of the rest of his Presidency, the Trump Administration's Foreign Policy legacy draws quite different reactions based on who you speak with. In this episode, we focus solely on breaking down the successes, failures, and missed opportunities of the past four years. Speaking with Gil Barndollar, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Statesmanship, we dive into these issues and his overall assessment. From relations with China, to coming to the brink of war wit...
Episode 27: Global in the Granite State #27 - Forgotten Global Conflicts
January 07, 2021 21:52 - 35 minutes - 30.4 MBOver the past several years, attention has waxed and waned on a number of global conflicts that are more important to global affairs than their coverage seems to give them. In this month's episode, we talk with Alejandro Velasco, Associate Professor at NYU, about the current crisis in Venezuela. We also speak with Elise Guilano about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As you will hear, just because coverage of these issues have disappeared, doesn't mean they are any less important or ...
Global in the Granite State #26 - Cold International Conflicts
November 03, 2020 17:41 - 33 minutes - 31.6 MBIn this month's episode, we look at two cold international conflicts that seem to be headed in different directions. First, we talk with Dr. Ezzedine Fishere, senior lecturer at Dartmouth College, about the history of the Arab Israeli conflict and what the warming ties between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors really means. We then talk with the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston about the rising tensions between Taiwan and China, as well as the...
Global in the Granite State #25 - Central Asia and Disinformation
October 20, 2020 20:23 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBDuring this mid-month episode, WACNH Executive Director, Tim Horgan, and UNH Associate Professor, Melinda Negron-Gonzales, talk about the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, as well as disinformation campaigns by Russia and China. For those looking for the video mentioned in this podcast, here is the link: https://youtu.be/Q5BZ09iNdvo This comes with the disclaimer that it is produced and distributed by the Chinese Communist Party.
The Importance of Global Understanding During a Pandemic and Beyond
October 02, 2020 21:11 - 33 minutes - 32.1 MB"You can't escape it and if you are not able to escape it, you ought to understand it; you ought to participate in it; you ought to try and shape it." This quote comes from Craig Snyder, outgoing President of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, when asked about why people should learn about international issues. This episode looks at the importance of global understanding to the larger society and how it works to make the world a better place. We also talk with Adjunct Profes...
Global in the Granite State #23 - Straight from the Headlines
September 16, 2020 19:30 - 30 minutes - 29.2 MBJoin World Affairs Council of New Hampshire Executive Director, Tim Horgan, and Dr. Melinda Negron-Gonzales, Associate Professor at UNH Manchester, as they discuss top international stories including the poisoning of Alexsy Navalny, the Afghan- Taliban Peace Process, and the challenges of the Eastern Mediterranean gas exploration.
Global in the Granite State #22 - TikTok and Fulbright
September 02, 2020 20:39 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBHave you found yourself asking a lot of questions about TikTok, since it has broken into the mainstream with the Administration working to ban the video sharing service over national security concerns? We speak with Xiaomeng Lu, Senior Analyst of Geo-Technology at the Eurasia Foundation, about the geo-political nature of this issue and whether or not TikTok is a national security threat. We also take the time to speak with the Fulbright Association about why this program is so valua...
Global in the Granite State #21 - The Africa Episode
August 04, 2020 21:24 - 35 minutes - 33.1 MBDuring this episode we cover a wide range of topics on issues facing the African continent. Through our discussions with Susan Stigant, Director of Africa Programs at the US Institute of Peace, you will learn about the current state of Sudan, one year after they overthrew the dictator, Omar al-Bashir. Also, in conversations with Rain for the Sahel and Sahara, we cover the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, and the work of this organization to build resiliency through education and tra...
Global in the Granite State #20 - The Equality Episode
July 23, 2020 19:56 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBProtests, both at home and abroad, have created a bi-polar news cycle for the past couple of weeks. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd by a Minnesota Police Officer, many countries held protests in support of racial justice. This was on top of many different protests around the world, striving for justice in our time. We speak with Bill Wanlund and Dawn Brancati about Global Protest movements, how effective they are, and what impact COVID-19 has had on stifling momentum towa...
Global in the Granite State #19 - The International Episode
June 01, 2020 02:52 - 37 minutes - 32.7 MBIn this episode we explore the importance of international understanding through the two main programs the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire runs. First, we speak with Bill Clifford, President and CEO of the World Affairs Councils of America, about the power of this network to effect change across the country. Second, we speak with Anne Grimes, Director of the Office of International Visitors at the US Department of State, about the amazing International Visitor Leadership Prog...
Global in the Granite State #18 - The Economy Episode
April 30, 2020 23:41 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBAs the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage economies worldwide, we take the time to speak with Dr. Bruce Elmslie of UNH about the global economy during this time. Also, we speak with Dr. Sarwar Kashmeri about China's Belt and Road Initiative, as well as how China's relations with the world will be affected by the current crisis. Join us for these interesting discussions and hear more about how this crisis is shaping our world today and into the future.
Global in the Granite State #17 - The Democracy Episode
April 01, 2020 13:52 - 36 minutes - 30.1 MBThis month, the Global in the Granite State Podcast spoke with Ambassador Adrian Basora and Javier Corrales, Professor at Amherst College, about why democracy is important. We look at this question through the lens of rising authoritarianism around the world and the challenges that this presents to the world, the US, and New Hampshire. Venezuela is taken as a case study on how democracy can fail and the impact that can have globally and regionally. Join us as we discuss this importa...
Global in the Granite State #16 - The Coronavirus
March 06, 2020 21:51 - 23 minutes - 24.6 MBIn this episode, we speak with Dr. Jonathan Quick of the Duke Global Health Institute about the coronavirus epidemic. We look at what you need to know about the global and local responses, as well as how to keep yourself well. This episode takes a balanced approach to the topic and will help you to wade through the various theories, conspiracies, and half-truths that are circulating.