Episode 46: Robin Wright

Robin_Wright.217792Robin Wright is one of her generation’s greatest foreign affairs journalists. The award wining journalist and analyst has reported from around the world and collected some incredible experiences along the way. In this episode of Global Dispatches, Wright shares some of the most poignant moments from early in her career, including one near death experience and many larger than life moments, including an improbable encounter with Mohammad Ali. She recounts these stories, reflects on what sparked her curiosity about the world, and discusses how she broke into international affairs journalism.  This is a fun episode. 

 

The Geopolitical Implications of an Iran Nuclear Deal

iran nuclearThe USA and Iran may remake the geopolitics of the Middle East with a successful outcome of a nuclear deal. Failure to reach a nuclear agreement between the USA and Iran will come with its own set of profound consequences. I speak with Alireza Nader of the Rand Corporation about the regional and global implications of both failure and success in reaching a nuclear deal with Iran. We discuss the potential shifting of alliances in the Middle East, how a detente between the USA and Iran may affect the conflict in Syria, and how Saudi Arabia may respond to a diplomatic breakthrough. Have a listen.

Episode 41: Kori Schake

Kori SchakeKori Schake is a Republican foreign policy advisor who served in various positions in the George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush Administrations before joining the McCain-Palin campaign in 2008. Now ensconced in academia, she is working on a book about American foreign policy in the 19th Century. She discusses being mentored by Condoleezza Rice, her regrets about the Iraq War, and why she became a Republican. It’s an interesting conversation with a thoughtful critic of my general worldview. Enjoy!

Episode 40: Tom Hart

EMT_tom-hart_large-360x444Tom Hart was at the center of the biggest international development debates of the last 15 years. Now serving as the US Director of the ONE Campaign, Hart lobbied for forgiving the debt of the world’s poorest countries in the late 1990s, and in the early 2000s he helped pass the world’s largest program to combat HIV/AIDS. In this episode. Hart tells the genesis story of the Jubilee Campaign, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. And “Genesis” is apt–Tom grew up in Alaska the son of an Episcopal minister and became the Washington, D.C. lobbyist for the Episcopal church. It’s a very interesting story, accessible and interesting for wonks and non-wonks alike.

 

The Foreign Policy Implications of the U.S. Midterm Elections

Screen Shot 2014-11-05 at 11.27.50 AMThe foreign policy implications of the U.S. midterms could be profound. How might Republican control of the U.S. Senate affect the sensitive nuclear negotiations with Iran? How would it impact President Obama’s Foreign Affairs budget requests. And what do the election results say about foreign policy debates within the Republican party? Here with me to discuss these questions and more is Boston Globe columnist Michael Cohen of The Century Foundation. Enjoy (or not, depending on your political preference!)

 

Episode 37: Anneke Van Woudenberg

Anneke_VanWoudenberg_printAnneke Van Woudenberg first came to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997 on a drunken dare. The rest is history. In this episode, the famed human rights investigator discusses her life and career working for human rights in Africa. Woudenberg was born in Holland, raised in Canada, and schooled in the United Kingdom before she set foot in the country that would define her career. The name Anneke Van Woudenberg may not ring a bell to you –though it should–but Congolese warlords know and fear her. This is a fantastic episode with one of my personal heroes.

 

Episode 36: George Mitchell

 

Most people know George Mitchell for overseeing successful peace talks in Northern Ireland and his celebrated tenure in the United States Senate. He’s led an incredible life. He grew up in Maine in relative poverty, and emerged as one of his generations greatest politicians and peacemakers. Mitchell discusses his life story with Mark, including how a military posting in post-war Berlin led to law school in Washington, DC, and how his mentor Edmund Muskie helped launch his political career. Sen Mitchell and Mark kick off with a conversation about his work as President Obama’s special envoy for Middle East peace. This was a great episode.

In an historic first, a president faces charges at the International Criminal Court

For the first time in the history of the world, a sitting head of state is attending his trial for crimes against humanity. The head of state is Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta. The venue is the International Criminal Court. The stakes are high, but the case against him is troubled. Mark speaks with Mark Kersten of the LSE and SOAS, and author of the blog Justice in Conflict about the case against Kenyatta. They discuss its significance the ICC, and why it’s exceedingly difficult to build a case against a serving head of state.

 

Somaly Mam, in her own words

Somaly Mam is on the line today. She is the Cambodian anti-sex trafficking activist who came to prominence a few years ago as celebrities in the west rallied around her and her organization. That all came crashing down this year when Newsweek published a cover story calling into question the credibility of her amazing personal story, which includes escaping from the sex trade herself. She was ousted from the organization that bears her name and was tarnished by some of her closest allies. Then, in September, Marie Claire published an article calling into question some of the claims of that Newsweek takedown, suggesting that key details were incorrect.

So what is the real story? I don’t know. The point of this interview was not to engage in a back and forth with Somaly about whether or not she fabricated claims about past. Rather, I was interested in learning what she is up to now, and how this controversy has affected her personally and her work rescuing girls from the sex trade. To be honest, I’m not sure I succeeded. It was a tough interview. I’ll let you decide. Please feel free to direct your criticisms and critiques (or, if you like it, your approbation) of this interview to me personally, via @MarkLGoldberg

Obama’s Syria Dilemma

It looks increasingly likely that the United States will expand its military operations against ISIS to Syria. Mark speak with William McCants of the Brookings Institution about the prospects and pitfalls of a US-led international military campaign against the Islamic State in Syria. They also discuss the role of another Islamist rebel group, al Nusra, in Syria’s conflict and what might befall about 40 UN Peacekeepers in the Golan who were abducted by this group. Have a listen!