Matters Of State - Under-reported Issues In World News & International Relations

Sporting events such as the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup never fail to capture the world’s attention, no matter what other international events are going on. Governments have noticed sports as a global attention-getter and for decades have been using sports as a means to achieve higher global standing or other foreign policy objectives.... The post Sports Diplomacy appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we focus on Mongolia, one of the least densely populated countries in the world at 2 people per square kilometer. We outline the history of the country, its domestic politics, where it sits in relation to the rest of the world, and what that means for its future. Dig Deeper Take a... The post Spotlight: Mongolia appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we speak with Mark Hofberg from the International Fund for Animal Welfare to talk about human-wildlife conflict. We discuss the inherent challenges that both humans and wildlife face while trying to simply exist in an increasingly hungry and crowded world. Dig Deeper Take a look at some of our favorite articles that... The post Human-Wildlife Conflict appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we discuss the origins, successes, and challenges of the East African Community, a political and economic bloc comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Dig Deeper Take a look at some of our favorite articles that we came across while researching this topic: EAC Webpage Headwinds toward East African regional... The post The East African Community appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we explore the history of compromised infrastructure, which countries are engaged in this kind of behavior, and what sort of advantages they seek to gain. The post Compromised Infrastructure appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Over the past ten years, the world has seen a strong resurgence of piracy, particularly around the Horn of Africa. While international coalitions have largely succeeded in reducing the presence of piracy in that region, the activity has most recently emerged in other locations like Latin America and pockets of Asia. In this episode, we... The post Piracy appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

As we become more and more dependent on the internet, basic notions such a person’s country of residence are shifting. Estonia is the first country in the world to introduce an eResidency program, which allows people living anywhere in the world the ability to enjoy the same opportunities and services as people who physically live... The post Estonia’s E-Residency appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we discuss the impact of video games on international security and international relations. Video games have had a significant impact on critical topics in global affairs, such as anti-terrorism, cultural relations, and military training. Check out our conversation! The post The International Relations of Video Games appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis represents the interests of the European Union in Washington, DC. Ambassador Lambrinidis has held previous positions as the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the Greek Foreign Minister, and Vice-President of the European Parliament. In our discussion, Ambassador Lambrinidis provides insights into the EU’s relationship with the US, the positive contributions of... The post A Conversation with EU Ambassador to the US Stavros Lambrinidis appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we speak with author, Elisabeth Asbrink, who discussed her new book, Made in Sweden. Born and raised in Sweden to English and Hungarian parents, Elisabeth is an internationally renowned journalist, author, and playwright whose work has been translated into 19 languages. In her latest book, Elisabeth examines some of the unknown or... The post Made in Sweden: A Conversation with Elisabeth Asbrink appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we speak with Ambassador Prudence Bushnell about her experience as a leading woman diplomat in the US foreign service. Amb. Bushnell provides an overview of the historical challenges for women in US diplomatic circles and offers an optimistic outlook for the future of women in US diplomacy. She also discusses her experience... The post A Conversation with Ambassador Prudence Bushnell appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Each year, tens of millions of people migrate all over the world in search of safety, economic prosperity, or a better quality of life. Although split by national boundaries, many families still rely upon migrants for support, resulting in a global flow of money and remittances. In this episode, we will discuss foreign remittances and... The post Foreign Remittances appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Millions of people around the world do not have access to formal banking or means of transferring money across borders. A popular substitute is the “Hawala House,” an efficient and informal alternative money exchange system. In this episode, we explore this ancient form of banking that operates “off the books.” But while Hawala Houses boast... The post Hawala Houses appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we take a close look at the country of North Macedonia. Once a part of the former Yugoslavia, North Macedonia changed its name in February 2019 after years of tensions with its neighbor Greece. It has faced a number of diplomatic conflicts with its neighbors–including Greece and Kosovo–while also dealing with internal... The post Spotlight: North Macedonia appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we speak with former George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs graduate students, Mehmil Zia and Rubi Corral Hinojos, about their capstone project focusing on cyber trafficking in Mexico. In particular, they dissect how human traffickers leverage the internet to facilitate human trafficking in Mexico and across the border to the... The post Cyber Trafficking appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

International relations are being conducted via digital communication more than ever. However, one aspect of international diplomacy has remained constant for thousands of years: the ceremony and tradition of sharing food and eating together. In this episode, we will explore the role of food in international relations, or as we will call it, culinary diplomacy.... The post Culinary Diplomacy appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In the sixth, and last, episode of our series on genocide, Again and Again, we discuss the aftermath of genocide. Throughout modern history, nations have taken vastly different approaches when attempting to “move on” from genocides. Some have established reconciliation policies that try to bring justice to the victims, while others have sought to ignore... The post The Aftermath of Genocide: Reconciliation and Ignorance appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In the fifth (and penultimate) episode of our series on genocide, Again and Again, we speak with Dr. Matthew Levinger, Research Professor of International Affairs and Director of the National Security Studies Program at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, about genocide prevention. Dr. Levinger provides a framework for analyzing conflicts and... The post Preventing Genocide appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In the fourth episode of our series on genocide, Again and Again, we speak with Theogene Rudasingwa, former Chief of Staff to Rwanda President Paul Kagame (2000-2004) and former Ambassador to the United States (1996-1999). Rudasingwa, now living in exile in the United States, speaks about how propaganda was used to intensify divisions within Rwanda... The post Propagandizing Genocide appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In the third episode of our series on genocide, Again and Again, we talk about forecasting with Lawrence Woocher, research director at the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Woocher discusses the center’s Early Warning Project, which aims to contribute to the prevention of genocide by using... The post Forecasting and Preventing Genocide appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.