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

Hello, Germany! In this episode we briefly discuss how German history impacts its current struggles to cope with the refugee crisis, and ask our listeners there to tell us more about what’s going on in the country these days. send us an email to let us know what we missed, what we got wrong, and... The post Hello Germany! appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Tucked away in the northeast corner of South America, Guyana is often overshadowed by its larger neighbors Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia. However, the Guyanese are a diverse and resilient people who play an integral role in the region. Colonialism’s Impact Guyana’s colonial past contributed significantly to its diverse population. The Netherlands colonized Guyana in the... The post Spotlight: Guyana appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

How can a large influx of money into a country become a “curse” to its citizens? In this episode, we discuss how the finance curse can crash economies and upend livelihoods in developing nations. Finance Curse Versus Resource Curse In an earlier episode we discussed the resource curse, a phenomenon known where discovery of a natural... The post Finance Curse appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In the spirit of Halloween, the Matters of State crew seeks to learn about some of the spookier events in international affairs. This episode presents various bits of folklore and curses from Ireland, Central Asia, Central Europe, and the United States that have purportedly made a significant impact on history. Disclaimer: the content of this... The post Halloween Special: Spooky Folklore and International Curses appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

One of the many stories that go untold in conflict zones is the fate of zoos and their animals. There are concerns for the animals’ safety as well as for humans if predatory animals escape. In this episode, we explore just a few examples of efforts to safeguard zoos during war. World War II The Ueno... The post Zoos in Conflict Zones appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Emperor Akihito of Japan is not your traditional emperor. In light of Akihito’s unconventional remarks hinting at a possible desire to abdicate, we spend this episode discussing the emperor’s place in Japanese government and culture. Dig Deeper Take a look at some of our favorite articles that we came across while researching Emperor Akihito: In Japan,... The post Japan’s Emperor Akihito appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Organized criminal groups that deal in sand are perpetrating violence and undermining governments around the world. Sand is the world’s second most consumed natural resource and a critical component of the world’s construction and manufacturing industries. Some governments have attempted to regulate excessive sand dredging, which has led to the rise of black market “sand mafias.”... The post Sand Mafias appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Uzbekistan will soon make its first transition of power since it became an independent state more than 25 years ago. In this episode, we discuss expectations for Uzbekistan’s upcoming presidential election after the recent death of President Islam Karimov, and explore the country’s domestic and foreign affairs. The Power Transition Long-time president Karimov had ruled... The post Uzbekistan at a Crossroads appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Does a nation’s economy suffer when it makes a large natural resource discovery? In this episode, we explore the economic and financial consequences associated with resource abundance with recent Elliott School graduate alumnus Josh Park. He explains the underlying factors of the “resource curse” phenomenon and how states can mitigate its harmful effects. Paradox of... The post The Resource Curse and the Paradox of Plenty appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

Cryptocurrencies from Bitcoin to Ripple were hot topics in 2017, but how much do you understand how they work? Blockchain technology is a rapidly expanding industry that underpins these cryptocurrencies. As this data architecture grows, it may spread to transform how other sectors process and store data. This conversation on the blockchain was originally published in September... The post Blockchain Technology appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

The Horn of Africa is one of the most complex, diverse, and conflict-afflicted regions in the world. While much of the region continues to be mired in violence and instability, it remains a nexus of global trading routes and is growing in geopolitical importance. The global community cannot ignore its fate. The States The Horn... The post The Horn of Africa appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

As more people in the world gain internet access, global online education will continue to increase in scope and importance. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free, easily accessible courses covering an array of topics that are helping advance education for a global audience. An Educational Revolution? When early investors in educational technology companies established... The post MOOCs, International Education, and Diplomacy appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

During periods of major disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and deadly conflicts, victims can count on one organization to come to their aid. Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is an internationally focused non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides assistance to areas in critical need of medical care.  Born out of Unrest MSF formed in... The post Spotlight: Doctors without Borders appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

On December 31, 2016, Ban Ki Moon will end his term as UN Secretary General. As the UN General Assembly begins vetting candidates to replace him in the coming months, it has a historic opportunity to elect the first female Secretary General. Position Description and Application Process The UN General Secretary is the UN’s main... The post The UN’s Next Secretary General appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

As its conflict with the FARC rebel group comes to a close, the Colombian government faces another pressing humanitarian challenge. Rampant sex trafficking victimizes thousands of vulnerable, displaced, and poor Colombians. In this episode, we interview Garrett Suarez and David Medina about their field research on Colombian sex trafficking, government failures to combat it, and... The post Colombia’s Human Trafficking Epidemic appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode we look at Gwadar port, a deep-sea port located in the Balochistan province in southwest Pakistan, along a strategic trade route in the Arabian Sea. A Chinese state-owned company, Overseas Ports Holding Company, signed a 40-year lease for the port in 2014 to advance China’s economic and trade interests in the region. Gwadar... The post Spotlight: Gwadar Port, a Chinese Foothold in Pakistan appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental organization of 13 oil-exporting nations that coordinate petroleum policies of member states. OPEC has exercised large control of the global oil market since its inception in 1960. However, it is now confronting major challenges, including changes to the global oil market and tensions between member... The post OPEC in Crisis appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

How can demographics positively or negatively impact a country’s economic growth and national security? In this episode, we discuss how an unbalanced age or gender structure can be a boon or a curse for stability. Dig Deeper Take a look at some of our favorite articles that we came across while researching population structure and... The post Population Structure and its Effects on Stability appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

[su_quote cite=”Ambassador Omar Arouna”]People need to watch Benin — the future of Africa will go through Benin.[/su_quote] This episode originally aired in May 2016. Join us on our first installment of Conversations with Ambassadors as we sit down for a chat with Omar Arouna, the then Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to the United States, Mexico, and... The post H.E. Omar Arouna, Ambassador of Benin to the United States appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.

In this episode, we examine the International Criminal Court (ICC). We briefly touch on the history of the ICC, what the court is intended to do, and a recent expansion in what kinds of cases the court considers. We also discuss some of the weaknesses and criticisms of the ICC, particularly the fact that all of... The post Thoughts on the International Criminal Court appeared first on Matters of State - International Relations Podcast.