🇮🇱🇵🇸 The conflict between Israel and Gaza won’t end with a ceasefire alone, not until the deeper root causes are addressed.
In this episode, we speak with Middle East expert Gerhard Pulfer to go beyond the headlines and look into the political, ideological, and geopolitical forces fuelling the war.
From Israeli domestic politics to Hamas’s shifting strategy, and from U.S. diplomacy to regional power plays, we ask: what’s really keeping this conflict going, and what would it take to bring it to an end?
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(00:00) - Introduction
(03:12) - Sources of Tension
(29:30) - Regional and Global Geopolitics
(49:59) - Between two States and one reality
The rules-based international order is under unprecedented stress. From escalating hostilities in the Middle East to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the global balance of power is shifting. But are we simply heading toward intensified great power competition, or toward something else entirely?
We’re joined by Ionela Maria Ciolan, Research Officer in Foreign Policy, Security and Defence at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, to unpack the rise of transactional geopolitics, the decline of multilateralism, and the blurred lines between competition and cooperation.
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Can Democracy survive the 21st Century
(00:00) - Introduction
(03:48) - Great power competition today
(20:41) - The Axis of Upheaval
(36:30) - The Fractured West – Strategic Drift and the Future of NATO
As journalism faces mounting challenges, from political pressure and economic constraints to the rise of social media and public distrust, we explore its future and its role in global affairs. Joining us are John Holland , a veteran journalist who reported for CBS News and CNBC, and Andreas Grassl, a prominent digital creator reporting on international politics. Together, we reflect on the evolution of journalism and what it will take to safeguard truth in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Explore John Holland’s work in public speaking and media consulting and make sure to follow Andreas Grassl on your favourite social media platform.
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-Can democracy survive the 21st Century?
-Grassl & Matei (Politics and IR in German)
(00:00) - Introduction
(04:15) - A brief history of contemporary journalism
(16:05) - The rise of digital media & its dangers
(50:38) - The future of quality journalism
In an age of rising autocrats and weakened institutions, democracy faces its toughest test yet. In this episode, we speak with Luis V. Villaherrera, founder of TRACODA, an organisation dedicated to transparency, democracy, and the rule of law to explore what happens when institutions bend and leaders break the rules.
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-The future of information warfare
-The great global democratic fatigue (spanish)
(00:00) - Introduction
(04:05) - Democratic erosion: from El Salvador to Turkey
(22:15) - Digital Dictatorships: Technology as a double-edged sword
🇵🇰 With 240 million inhabitants, 1 million troops and nuclear weapons, Pakistan is a geopolitical heavyweight. Yet, its fate is rarely a prominent topic in international media. But beneath the surface lies a nation shaping the future of South Asia - and beyond.
In this episode, we talk with Calvin Nixon, to unpack Pakistan’s foreign policy, its role in South Asia, and the key dynamics shaping its future.
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(00:00) - Introduction
(01:26) - Historical context & Pakistan’s domestic politics
(17:01) - Pakistan’s role in the great power competition: West vs East
(26:52) - Road ahead & conclusions
In this episode, we dive into the events, challenges, and evolving geopolitical trends that will define 2025. From forecasting winners and losers to spotlighting key countries, elections, and conflicts to watch for.
Don’t miss out—join the conversation on Instagram stories to share your predictions and cast your votes!
Recommendations:
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:33) - Winner, Loser & Disruptor of the year
(35:53) - Elections, Countries & Conflicts to watch for
What lies ahead for the Middle East? Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel are set to play decisive roles in shaping the region’s destiny. In this episode, we explore the shifting power dynamics among these key players.
Joining us is Alissa Pavia, Associate Director at the Atlantic Council, to explore Israel’s recent campaigns, the Saudi-Iranian rivalry, and the broader implications of Syria’s evolving landscape for the future of the Middle East.
We recommend:
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:14) - Israel and the ongoing hostilities
(08:51) - Saudi Arabia - Iran rivalry
(16:44) - The fall of Assad in Syria
🇺🇸 With the U.S. presidential election just a few days away, the world is on edge. In this episode, we explore the stark contrasts between Donald Trump's and Kamala Harris's foreign policy visions and their potential impacts on global events.
Joining us is Dr. Andrew Gawthorpe, Lecturer at Leiden University and host of "America Explained", who will help us unpack how each candidate’s approach could shape America's role in the world.
(00:00) - Introduction
(03:16) - Road to the Elections
(17:50) - Harris' & Trump's foreign policy visions
(33:37) - The US role in today’s global conflicts
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⚡️🌍 Which energy sources will power the the lives and economies of the future? Can renewables replace fossil fuels across the world? Join us in our latest episode to explore these questions as we unpack the evolving landscape of global energy & the power struggles it ignites.
(00:00) - Introduction
(08:47) - How to decarbonise our energy systems?
(14:03) - Geopolitical Dimension
(29:02) - Conclusions
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Can climate change lead to more armed conflicts in the coming years? In this episode, we explore past, current, and potential conflicts where climate change has played a major role. Join us as we delve into the ways climate change influences geopolitical tensions and what this means for the future of global security.
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction
(03:57) - The melting of the Arctic
(10:43) - Water-related conflicts
(21:15) - Loss of arable land
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In this episode, we delve into the pivotal elections and political shifts that are shaping global dynamics in 2024. Join us as we explore significant developments in Mexico, India, the EU, and beyond.
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🇨🇳🇹🇼 China has recently increased its military drills to test its ability to "seize power" in Taiwan.
These actions come shortly after Lai Ching-Te was sworn in as Taiwan's new president. Chinese officials stated that the drills were a direct response to Lai's inauguration, as they perceive him as a dangerous separatist.
In this episode we talk with Marie Mortas to discuss the future of Beijing-Taipei relations. Could a war break out? How could this change the world?
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🇮🇳 India is hosting the world's largest election, with over 968 million registered voters set to decide the nation's future. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP seek a third consecutive term, we talk with Sheetal Joshi to discuss India's political landscape, Modi's leadership, and the country's strategic progress on the global stage.
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🇹🇷 🇬🇷 Amidst the waves of the Eastern Mediterranean, tensions surge between NATO allies, Greece and Türkiye. In this episode, we talk with Joanna Nestorides about their struggle to control these waters.
Why are the two countries at odds with each other? Why do they fail to resolve their tensions? What are the future prospects of the Greek-Turkish relationship?
Latin America has seen major upheavals recently, from the emergence of figures like Milei in Argentina to turmoil in Ecuador, from democratic challenges in Guatemala to the erosion of checks and balances in El Salvador.
In this episode, we discuss these key events and trends with Michael Shifter, former president of the Inter-American Dialogue, providing valuable insights into the region's political landscape.
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🇪🇺 At first glance, Brussels may not seem as significant as cities such as Paris, Berlin, or London. However, it stands as arguably the most influential capital in Europe.
What is it like to live in Brussels? Who are its most powerful actors? And what is the future of the city? Discover the answers to these questions and more in our latest episode.
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In the first episode of Season 3, we welcome Valeria de la Fuente as our new host to analyse the seismic shifts that will unfold globally in this unprecedented “election year“.
More than 3.5 billion people are set to vote in 2024! We discuss how super powers try to use these events to shape international politics in their favour. Furthermore, we look at generative AI and explore the risks as well as the opportunities of new technologies.
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At the beginning of the year, we asked for our listeners’ help to predict the potential winners, losers, and disruptors for the upcoming year. Now, as 2023 draws to a close, we go back to those predictions, assessing their accuracy and using them as a lens to analyse the unfolding dynamics of international politics throughout the year.
Moreover, we also offer a glimpse into the future with a couple of predictions for what may transpire in 2024.
Thank you, Warriors, for your unwavering support throughout 2023. With this episode, we bring Season 2 of WD English to a close. We are looking forward for some exciting prospects that lie ahead in the next season!
Since the Second World War, global powers have been fighting over the so-called “information space“, aiming to establish their realities as common facts. Due to the rise of social media, this battle has reached another level with potential consequences beyond our imagination.
In this episode, we engage in a discussion about “Information Operations” with Carl Miller, an award-winning book author as well as the co-founder & Research Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media, the UK‘s first think tank dedicated to this field.
Carl's book and socials
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