Best Obor Podcasts (2026)

1
The Political Economy of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor: History, Stakeholders and Sustainability with Tayyab Safdar and Hasan H. Karrar 1:09:50

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5M ago1:09:50

1:09:50

Keren speaks with Tayyab Safdar and Hasan H. Karrar about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a 3,000 km Chinese infrastructure network project currently under construction in Pakistan and a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative. CPEC spans energy, highways, railways, and ports, aiming to connect China's western regions to the A…

1
All Things Durian with Beimeng Fu and Zhaoyin Feng 1:00:18

7M ago1:00:18

1:00:18

Beimeng Fu and Zhaoyin Feng join the Belt and Road Podcast to talk about durian, a tropical fruit most widely known for its strong and divisive odor. It's also a fruit in very high demand in China; the country consumes 1.5 million tons of durian per year. Beimeng and Zhaoyin talk about how Chinese consumption of the fruit is driving durian plantati…

1
Reconfiguring Racial Capitalism with Mingwei Huang 47:44

9M ago47:44

47:44

Mingwei Huang joins Juliet, Keren, and Sisi to talk about the social and racial dimensions of China's increasing engagement with Africa, with a focus on Huang's research in Johannesburg, South Africa. The discussion is inspired by Mingwei's recent book, Reconfiguring Racial Capitalism: South Africa in the Chinese Century (Duke University Press, 202…

1
Environmental Issues along the Belt and Road, Episode 1: Manufacturing the Clean Energy Transition 57:47

9M ago57:47

57:47

This is Episode 1 of our sub-series "Environmental Issues along the Belt and Road" The series considers the complexities of Chinese actors' impacts on the environment, extractive activities, and role in driving sustainability solutions from the sands of the Mekong River to lithium mines in Argentina. China produces 80% of the world's solar panels, …

1
Sino-Zambian Relations with Justin Haruyama 51:45

10M ago51:45

51:45

Justin Haruyama joins Juliet, Erik, and Sisi (welcome to our new team member/producer!) to talk about China-Zambia relations, from the history of Chinese aid in Zambia to the complex people-to-people relations that characterize this bilateral relationship. Justin Haruyama is an instructor of anthropology at The University of British Columbia whose …

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The Latercomer’s Rise and the Globalization of Chinese Development Finance with Muyang Chen 42:19

1y ago42:19

42:19

Muyang Chen joins Erik and Keren to talk all things Chinese development finance, including her recent book, The Latecomer's Rise: Policy Banks and the Globalization of China's Development Finance (2024). Muyang Chen is an Assistant Professor of International Development at Peking University's School of International Studies. Her research and teachi…

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China’s Complex Presence in Southeast Asia: Tourism, Organized Crime, Geopolitical Tensions 52:38

1+ y ago52:38

52:38

Enze Han joins Juliet and Keren to discuss all things China in Southeast Asia, from migration to tourism to pig butchering scams, and much more. Enze Han is Associate Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Hong Kong. His research interests include the international relations of East Asia, China's rela…

1
Infrastructure States and Cycling Along the China-Laos Railroad with Jess DiCarlo 48:33

1+ y ago48:33

48:33

Jess DiCarlo joins Juliet and Keren for a dynamic discussion about China's identity as an infrastructural state, the myth of the debt trap narrative, cycling as method (and Jess's experience biking along the China-Laos train route), the impact of the BRI in Laos, and much more. Dr. Jess DiCarlo is an assistant professor in Geography, Environment, a…

1
Ocean Consciousness and the Maritime Silk Road with Tabitha Grace Mallory and Andrew Chubb 58:24

1+ y ago58:24

58:24

Tabitha Grace Mallory and Andrew Chubb visit the Belt and Road Podcast to chat about China's ocean economy, maritime activities, and the role of concepts like ocean consciousness. Dr. Tabitha Grace Mallory is CEO of the consulting firm China Ocean Institute, and an affiliate faculty member of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. Ta…

1
Leland Lazarus on Triads, Taiwan, and China's Forum Diplomacy in Latin America and the Caribbean 45:34

1+ y ago45:34

45:34

Leland Lazarus joins Juliet to talk about Chinese and Taiwanese engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean, from official diplomatic activities to BRI projects to transnational organized crime. Leland Lazarus is the Associate Director of National Security at Florida International University’s Jack D. Gordon Institute of Public Policy. He is an e…

1
Environmental Justice and Coal-Fired Power Plants in Indonesia with Bowen Gu 41:10

2y ago41:10

41:10

Bowen Gu joins Juliet and Erik on the podcast to talk about environmental justice and China's coal investments in Indonesia, with a focus on Gu's recent paper: Black gold and green BRI: A grounded analysis of Chinese investment in coal-fired power plants in Indonesia (2024). Bowen Gu is a PhD student at the Institute of Environmental Science and Te…

1
LOVE in African Tunes w/ Sewa 58:34

2y ago58:34

58:34

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Celebrating BLACK JOY w/ Ada Ohh 59:59

2y ago59:59

59:59

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

1
The CROSSOVER List! 56:03

2y ago56:03

56:03

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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But First, THROWBACK! 57:55

2y ago57:55

57:55

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Rap, Jaiye & Conversation with NONSO AMADI! 58:25

2y ago58:25

58:25

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

1
MANIFESTING with Adekunle Gold! 57:37

2y ago57:37

57:37

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

1
An Anthropological Understanding of Chinese-financed Special Economic Zones in Nigeria with Omolade Adunbi 45:24

2y ago45:24

45:24

Professor Omolade Adunbi joins Juliet and Erik on the podcast to talk about China's free trade zones in Nigeria. Adunbi is the Director of the African Studies Center, Professor of Anthropology and Afroamerican and African Studies, Professor of Law, and Faculty Associate in the Program in the Environment at the University of Michigan. His research e…

1
Only AFROBEATS in Clubs! 57:54

2y ago57:54

57:54

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Introducing KING CRUFF! 59:04

2+ y ago59:04

59:04

In this episode of Afronights w/ Digimillennials! Host Ediri Obor explores great music from the African continent including music from Toronto-based artist King Cruff.By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Welcome to Season 2: New Season, NEW HOST! 56:42

2+ y ago56:42

56:42

Welcome to the second season of Afronights w/ Digimillennials! We've got an exciting new host, Ediri Obor, but the same focus on exploring and celebrating African and black culture in Waterloo Region.By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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How China is Reshaping International Technical Standards with Tim Rühlig 46:07

2+ y ago46:07

46:07

Juliet, Erik, and guest Tim Ruhlig discuss technical standards, China’s growth in technical industries and its increasing influence in leading and setting standards, and the new geopolitics of technical standardization and interdependence. Tim Ruhlig is a senior fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations, where he researches Europe-China rel…

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Funding the Pre-Project Pipeline: China's New MCDF with Shuang Liu 30:21

2+ y ago30:21

30:21

Before the shovels hit the dirt, before a developer gets construction permits, before an MOU is signed, there exists a huge process of project feasibility, planning, and pre-approval. That process is incredibly complex and costly, but a new Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF) has been established to help. Shuang Liu joins…

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China, the U.S., and Critical Minerals in the DRC with Laetitia Tran Ngoc 37:39

2+ y ago37:39

37:39

Juliet chats with Laetitia Tran Ngoc about the state of China-Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) relations, the way people in the DRC view China and the U.S., outside interest in critical minerals mining in the DRC, and the domestic situation of the DRC that acts as a destabilizing factor to it all. Her article in South China Morning Post is he…

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The Periphery Perspective: Global China from the Borderlands with Ale Rippa 41:00

2+ y ago41:00

41:00

Alessandro (Ale) Rippa joins Juliet and Erik on the podcast to talk about how he uses China's borderlands as a starting point to understand the Chinese state, global engagements like the Belt and Road Initiative, and Chinese development. They discuss Ale's experiences working in China's border regions in Xinjiang and Yunnan, how borders are zones o…

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Martina Bósèdé on her Roots, Career, and Future Projects 52:54

2+ y ago52:54

52:54

The fourteenth episode of Afronights w/ Digimillennials with host Peter Pearse-Elosia. Peter chats with acclaimed singer Martina Bósèdé.By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Timeless! 55:33

2+ y ago55:33

55:33

The thirteenth episode of the Afronights podcast, hosted by Peter Pearse-Elosia. Celebrating the best of African culture from Kitchener-Waterloo!By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Nxtgen Afrobeats! 43:16

3y ago43:16

43:16

The twelfth episode of the Afronights podcast, hosted by Peter Pearse-Elosia. Celebrating the best of African culture from Kitchener-Waterloo!By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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China's Growing Flirtations with International NGO Collaboration with May Farid and Hui Li 47:18

3y ago47:18

47:18

May Farid and Hui Li drop by the podcast to talk about INGOs, or international non-governmental organizations, and specifically how their relationship with China is shifting as China goes global. The conversation focuses on their article "International NGOs as intermediaries in China's 'going out' strategy." May Farid is a political scientist study…

1
Ghana BOUNCE! 58:15

3y ago58:15

58:15

Episode 11 of Afronights with Digimillennials with host Peter Pearse-Elosia, spinning the music of Ghana in celebration of its independence! Tune in Thursdays at 8pm for new episodes of the programme.By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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The World is Pheelz' to Take Over! 42:16

3y ago42:16

42:16

The tenth episode of the Afronights podcast, hosted by Peter Pearse-Elosia. Celebrating the best of African culture from Kitchener-Waterloo!By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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A Tribute to the SUPERMEGA! 1:01:52

3y ago1:01:52

1:01:52

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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More Tems & No Conditions 51:30

3y ago51:30

51:30

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

1
Tems, Traces, and Watch Party! 44:23

3y ago44:23

44:23

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

1
COP15 and China's Growing Environmental Leadership with Jesse Rodenbiker and Tyler Harlan 1:03:12

3y ago1:03:12

1:03:12

Juliet is joined by friends and fellow researchers Jesse Rodenbiker and Tyler Harlan to discuss their recent experiences at the COP15 of the Conference on Biological Diversity, China's growing environmental leadership, and China's domestic environmental policies and their impact on BRI initiatives and overseas engagements. Jesse starts off the conv…

1
Vibes with DJ X-eL 53:05

3y ago53:05

53:05

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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2022 goes OUT WITH A BANG! 1:05:03

3y ago1:05:03

1:05:03

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

1
Africa TO THE WORLD! 1:02:48

3y ago1:02:48

1:02:48

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Conversation with LOCAL Nigerian-born artist and producer B.O.S. 50:00

3y ago50:00

50:00

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Comparing the Railway Bureaucracies in China and India with Kyle Chan 43:10

3y ago43:10

43:10

Kyle Chan visits the Belt and Road Podcast to talk about state capacity in railway bureaucracies in China and India, his research collected while riding trains through the two countries, the incredibly mundane naming of Chinese companies, and much more. This episode discusses Kyle's research published in two articles: Inside China's state-owned ent…

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Mr. DJ, turn the MUSIC UP! 57:56

3y ago57:56

57:56

By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

1
...Is this thing ON? 46:20

3y ago46:20

46:20

The inaugural episode of the Afronights podcast, hosted by Peter Pearse-Elosia. Celebrating the best of African culture from Kitchener-Waterloo!By AfroNights w/ Digimillenials

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Exploring Chinese Soft Power with Maria Repnikova 49:14

3y ago49:14

49:14

Juliet and Erik are joined by Maria Repnikova to talk about her book, "Chinese soft power," Confucius Institutes, China's love for spectacle, and of course, how all this and more applies to the Belt and Road. What is soft power? How is China doing when it comes to soft power projection around the world? Listen to find out! Maria Repnikova is the Di…

1
Evaluating Mega Projects: The Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya with Keren Zhu 38:59

3+ y ago38:59

38:59

Keren Zhu talked with us about her research on the socioeconomic impacts of the Belt and Road, specifically with regard to Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). She provides background and analysis on the SGR, she and Eric discuss their personal experiences riding the railway, and more! Much of the conversation centers around Keren's recent work wi…

1
China's Global Climate Governance with Jeffrey Qi 44:18

3+ y ago44:18

44:18

Jeffrey Qi discusses China's growing role in high-level, high-stakes global climate governance. We discuss research Jeffrey conducted as a master's student in political science at the University of British Columbia and the resulting article he wrote with his advisor Peter Dauvergne, China's rising influence on climate governance: Forging a path for…

1
US Strategy Regarding China's Presence in the African Continent with Winslow Robertson and Owakhela Kankhwende 49:35

3+ y ago49:35

49:35

Erik is joined by Winslow Robertson and Owakhela Kankhwende to discuss their chapter of the book From Trump to Biden and Beyond: Reimagining U.S.-China Relations, entitled "U.S. Strategy Vis-À-Vis China's Presence in the African Continent: Description and Prescription". Winslow Robertson is a PhD student at IESE Business School at the University of…

1
The Politics of Infrastructure Maintenance and Decay w/ The Roadwork Asia Project's Agnieszka Joniak-Lüthi and Zarina Urmanbetova 49:46

3+ y ago49:46

49:46

Juliet and Erik are joined by Agnieszka Joniak-Lüthi and Zarina Urmanbetova of Roadwork Asia to discuss China's road infrastructure projects in Central Asia and their research at Roadwork Asia, including their article on infrastructural connections across the Toghuz-Toro district of central Kyrgystan Welcome and Unwelcome Connections: Travelling Po…

1
The Chinese Insurance Sector and the BRI with Margaret Myers 32:13

3+ y ago32:13

32:13

Margaret Myers returns to The Belt and Road Podcast to speak with Erik about the role and development of China's international insurance sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. The conversation is based on her January 2022 report from The Dialogue entitled Going Out, Guaranteed: Chinese Insurers in Latin America. Margaret Myers is the director o…

1
Ammar Malik, China AidData, and the Data and Debate over Chinese Lending 48:34

3+ y ago48:34

48:34

On this episode, Juliet and Erik speak to Dr. Ammar Malik about AidData’s Global Chinese Development Finance Dataset, Version 2.0. This dataset provides the most comprehensive data on China’s overseas development finance activities, covering projects over 18 commitment years (2000-2017). They discuss the trends and findings from the dataset, break …

1
Cotton Diplomacy in Central Asia: Dr. Irna Hofman on China in Tajikistan and Beyond 48:42

4y ago48:42

48:42

Just across the Xinjiang border, China is investing in a range of sectors. Infrastructure and road construction are booming as in many other places, but cotton investments dominate and are seen as a distinct type. Cotton is considered a strategic crop both to China and Tajikistan and is embedded in a range of elite networks and state power. Cotton …