Best The Institute For Middle East Understanding Podcasts (2025)

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Can External Pressure Bring Peace to the DRC? 45:20

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3h ago45:20

45:20

Interview with Liam Karr — 28:50 This week, Kelly and Tristan cover the recent rounds of summit diplomacy between Presidents Trump and Putin and subsequent meetings with European leaders, the recent moves in Somaliland's quest for recognition, and the new settlements in the West Bank approved by Israel's finance minister. Kelly is then joined by Li…

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Inside the Golden Dome: Can the U.S. Stop Missiles in Space? 49:22

3d ago49:22

49:22

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s At the Boundarypodcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer sits down with Dr. Namrata Goswami, professor of space security at Johns Hopkins University, to unpack one of the most ambitious U.S. defense projects in decades: the Golden Dome missile defense system. Announced by the Trump administr…

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What Went Wrong in Afghanistan? Understanding the Taliban to Shape U.S. Policy 48:51

10d ago48:51

48:51

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s “At the Boundary” podcast, Arman Mahmoudian, PhD, interviews Marvin G. Weinbaum, PhD, who is senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Drawing on his recent article, “Our Knowledge …

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Dr. Sophal Ear on the Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire 41:13

14d ago41:13

41:13

Interview with Dr. Sophal Ear: 25:30 This week, Kelly and Tristan examine the backsliding of democracy in El Salvador and analyze the regional implications for President Bukele's political crackdown. They then explore Trump's escalating tariff war with India, which threatens to undermine the partnership between the world's two largest democracies. …

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Israeli Settlers Kill Palestinian American in the West Bank: His Father Speaks 24:02

16d ago24:02

24:02

Sayfollah, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American from Florida, came to Palestine to visit his family, not knowing it would be his last trip home. On July 11, 2025, he was brutally beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the town of Sinjil, near Ramallah. This attack came amid a sharp escalation of settler violence across the West Bank. In this episode,…

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Did Syria Prepare Russia for Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine? 48:48

17d ago48:48

48:48

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Tad Schnaufer, PhD, speaks with John Pennell, PhD, a Senior Diplomacy Fellow with Narrative-Strategies, Senior Strategic Advisor with Pax Strategies LLC, Senior Practitioner with the Irregular Warfare Center, and author of Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Sy…

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Syria After Assad: What Led Here and What Lies Ahead 45:30

24d ago45:30

45:30

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Joining us again is Charles Lister, a senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute (MEI), where his research focuses on Syria, terrorism, and insurgency across the Levant. In this episode of At the Boundary, Lister breaks down both the history and the sequence of even…

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A Conversation with Mahmoud Khalil: Student Activism in the US and the Palestinian Struggle for Freedom 32:04

30d ago32:04

32:04

Following their moral compass, student activists at Columbia demanded an end to the genocide in Gaza and called for a ceasefire. The response? Intimidation, suspensions, wrongful arrests, and, in Mahmoud’s case, being illegally detained by ICE and threats of deportation.How and why did the current student movement begin? What were the consequences …

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Preparing for Tomorrow’s Wars: Resilience, Resistance in the 21st Century 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Rob Burrell, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, about GNSI’s new research initiative on the Future of Warfare. Dr. Burrell also introduces his upcom…

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CFR's Ebenezer Obadare: Nigeria's Turning Point? 34:27

1M ago34:27

34:27

This week, Kelly talks with Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Ebenezer Obadare about Nigeria's growing security and economic challenges under President Bola Tinubu. Ebenezer discusses how the country is facing escalating violence from Boko Haram, growing political instability, and widespread economic hardship. Obadare also highlights Niger…

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Can BRICS Gold Reserves Challenge the US Dollar? 24:54

1M ago24:54

24:54

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, William Parker, a Business Librarian at the University of South Florida (USF) sat down with GNSI’s Strategy and Research Manager Dr. Tad Schnaufer to the newest GNSI Decision Brief, "Assessing BRICS Gold Holdings." They discussed how BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, In…

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Israel’s Attack on Iran: How it Impacted Palestinians 24:13

1M ago24:13

24:13

This episode uncovers a harsh and overlooked reality: Israel’s unequal protection and systemic discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel, which was particularly evident during Israel and Iran’s 12-day war, provoked by an Israeli attack on Iran. For nearly two weeks, most Israelis benefited from widespread access to shelters and rapid em…

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Colombia's Political Instability with Crisis Group's Elizabeth Dickinson 27:28

1M ago27:28

27:28

This week, Kelly talks with International Crisis Group Analyst Elizabeth Dickinson about the surge in cartel-driven violence in Colombia and how USAID cuts have impacted the country. Elizabeth discusses how criminal groups have filled the vacuum left by FARC's demobilization in 2016, leading to the highest coca cultivation levels in Colombia's hist…

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What's Next for Afghanistan: U.S. Interests or Compromise with the Taliban? 44:38

2M ago44:38

44:38

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What’s the U.S. endgame in Afghanistan now—and what role does the Taliban really play? In this episode of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jonathan Schroden, a non-resident fellow at the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI), to explore how U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanista…

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Political Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? 47:19

2M ago47:19

47:19

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? In this episode of At the Boundary, we explore how America’s deepening divides are shaking the very foundations of democracy. Dr. Josh Scacco—USF’s first-ever Carnegie Fellow and founding director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy—joins u…

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Kelly and Tristen on The UN Turning 80, NATO's Trump Strategy, and US Strikes on Iran 29:30

2M ago29:30

29:30

This week, Kelly and Tristan look back on the United Nations as it marks its 80th anniversary, reflecting on its evolution from the failed League of Nations and assessing its future challenges, including Security Council reform. They also analyze the recent NATO summit, exploring how European allies have managed the alliance's relationship with Pre…

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Voices from Gaza: Journalist Yara Eid on War, Media, and Memory 32:53

2M ago32:53

32:53

In today’s episode, we speak with Yara Eid, a young Palestinian journalist and human rights advocate from Gaza, currently based in London. Yara has worked with international organizations, including Amnesty International, and uses her platform to shed light on life under Israeli occupation and apartheid in Gaza. Yara is known for her viral intervie…

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The History of American Intelligence — Jeff Rogg on The Spy and the State 41:16

2M ago41:16

41:16

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Senior Director Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jeff Rogg, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute, about his new book The Spy in the State: The History of American Intelligence. Drawing on both history and current events, they explore t…

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FDR and the Invention of National Security with Andrew Preston 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

Kelly talks with Andrew Preston about his new book, Total Defense: The New Deal and the Invention of National Security. Preston explores how FDR revolutionized national security policy by connecting domestic New Deal programs to global defense strategies. Andrew Preston is a Professor of American History based at Clare College, Cambridge, where he …

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SPECIAL EPISODE Iran's Breaking Point: Missiles, Miscalculation and Reckoning 28:17

2M ago28:17

28:17

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this urgent special episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Research Fellow Dr. Arman Mahmoudian offers in-depth, real-time analysis of the rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which has now drawn in the United States. Following a U.S. and Israeli joint strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, …

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Could the U.S. Bring Back the Draft? 42:44

2M ago42:44

42:44

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! It’s been over 50 years since the U.S. transitioned to an all-volunteer military force. But with rising threats from China, the demands of modern warfare, and persistent recruiting shortfalls, is it time to ask the unthinkable: Could the draft return? In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI’s Dr. Guid…

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The Pope's Spies: Yvonnick Denoël on the Vatican's Clandestine Operations 37:33

2M ago37:33

37:33

Kelly talks with Yvonnick Denoël about his new book, Vatican Spies: From the Second World War to Pope Francis, exploring the Vatican's little-known intelligence operations. Yvonnick is a French historian, publisher and intelligence specialist who has written on the CIA, Mossad, and espionage in the twentieth century. His new book uncovers a little-…

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How Israel Uses Starvation as a Weapon in Gaza 28:54

2M ago28:54

28:54

In this episode, we investigate Israel’s deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. Through firsthand testimonies and expert insight, we trace how food became tools of siege—cut off from over two million Palestinians. As hunger spreads and desperation grows, we examine how this crisis is manufactured, and who bears responsibility. Tha…

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Can Deep Sea Mining Meet the World’s Critical Mineral Demand? 32:54

2M ago32:54

32:54

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Found over 4,000 meters below the ocean’s surface, polymetallic nodules may hold the key to powering the future. In this episode, Dr. Mark Luther, Director of the Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Lab at USF and President Elect of the International Marine Mineral Society, joins us to explore how deep sea…

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Will Popular Elections Undermine Mexico's Court System? Plus updates on South Korea, Poland, and the Sahel 48:36

3M ago48:36

48:36

Interview with David Mora on Mexico's Judicial Elections: 27:20 This week, Kelly and Tristen unpack key elections in Poland and South Korea, and examine the growing reach of an Al-Qaeda affiliate in West Africa. Kelly then sits down with David Mora to explore Mexico’s recent judicial elections and their implications for Mexican democracy and U.S.-M…

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Cybersecurity Without Borders: USA and France 25:36

3M ago25:36

25:36

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Dr. Nicolas Sabouret of the University of Paris-Saclay joins GNSI’s Dr. Tad Schnaufer to preview the upcoming Transatlantic Forum on Cybersecurity. Together, they explore how France and the U.S. approach cybersecurity—from technical expertise in cryptography and netw…

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Amitav Acharya: Why The International Order Will Survive Western Decline 49:29

3M ago49:29

49:29

Kelly talks with Amitav Acharya about his new book The Once and Future World Order and the deep roots of global civilization beyond the West. They explore why the recent decline of American dominance doesn’t mean collapse, but a chance to build a more just, inclusive global system. Amitav Acharya is the UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and …

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From Deep Sea to Deep Policy: What's Fueling the Modern Energy Race? 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Dr. Andrew Whiskeyman sits down with Milo McBride of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to explore one of the most consequential issues in global security today: the race for critical minerals and the future of energy transition. From solar and battery in…

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Mona Yacoubian on Trump's Middle East Visit 40:11

3M ago40:11

40:11

Interview with Mona Yacoubian on Trump's Middle East Visit: 25:55 This week, Kelly and Tristen discuss President Trump’s meeting with the President of South Africa, give an update on the war in Ukraine, and unpack the UK’s new trade agreement with the European Union. Kelly then talks with Mona Yacoubian for a breakdown on Trump's recent trip to the…

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The Coalition You’ve Never Heard Of—But Can’t Afford to Ignore 36:50

3M ago36:50

36:50

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this Memorial Day edition of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso sits down with Colonel Allan Peterson, the Danish senior national representative to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the new chairman of its 35-nation military coalition. Based in Tampa, Florida, this enduring coalition was born out of…

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Moisés Naím on Authoritarianism 25:28

3M ago25:28

25:28

Next up this Summer, Kelly talks with bestselling author Moisés Naím about the rise of authoritarianism around the world. Moisés Naím is an internationally syndicated columnist and best-selling author of several books, including most recently "The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century," published in 2023. In …

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Battlefield Medical Lessons from Ukraine: Adapting to Future Conflict 39:44

3M ago39:44

39:44

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Description: In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso sits down with Dr. Tracey Pérez Koehlmoos—Director of the Center for Health Services Research and Doctoral Programs in Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics at the Uniformed Services University—to explore how lessons from the Ukraine war…

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77 years later: Survival Stories from the 1948 Nakba 21:37

3M ago21:37

21:37

In this episode, we commemorate Al Nakba for the 77th year. We trace the story of one Palestinian family displaced from the al-Baqa‘a neighborhood in West Jerusalem during the 1948 Nakba. From Victoria’s memories of fleeing her rose-filled home to her grandson Majdi’s search for what was lost, we explore how memory, loss, and resilience are passed …

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Sameer Lalwani on India-Pakistan tensions 37:28

4M ago37:28

37:28

Interview with Sameer Lalwani on India-Pakistan: 21:30 This week, Kelly and Tristen digest the recent elections in Australia and President Putin's WWII victory day parade, and remember the life and legacy of legendary IR scholar Joseph Nye. Kelly then talks with to Sameer Lalwani for an update on recent tensions between India and Pakistan. Sameer L…

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The 5 Signs a Nation Is Headed Toward Collapse 37:27

4M ago37:27

37:27

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode, GNSI's Glenn Beckmann hosts a conversation with Dr. Chris Mason—retired U.S. Army War College professor—about a major new research project on internal conflict, now based at the University of South Florida. Dr. Mason shares insights from over 150 case studies and outlines five key fact…

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Patricia Owens: A History of International Thought without Men 39:18

4M ago39:18

39:18

In the first episode of our summer series, Kelly talks with Oxford University Professor Patricia Owens about her new book "Erased: A History of International Thought Without Men." Kelly and Patricia discuss how women and minority voices were erased from the early cannon of interntional relations, what that means for the practice of IR, and how the …

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World Press Freedom Day: Palestinian Voices Under Fire 18:24

4M ago18:24

18:24

In Palestine, journalism is not just a profession, t’s an act of survival, resistance, and memory. This episode, released for World Press Freedom Day, explores the brutal reality Palestinian journalists face under Israeli occupation: targeted killings, censorship, and the erasure of their stories. Through the haunting last words of journalist Husam…

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From Battlefield to Battery: The Critical Mineral Supply Crisis 39:05

4M ago39:05

39:05

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, guest host GNSI publications coordinator Heather Ward speaks with Dr. Vlado Vivoda of the University of Queensland to explore the strategic role of critical minerals in modern technology, clean energy, and national security. Dr. Vivoda explains why minerals like lith…

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Remus Ștefureac on Romania’s Election Rerun 41:23

4M ago41:23

41:23

Interview with Remus Ștefureac on the upcoming Romanian election - 20:05 Read more about Tristen Naylor, Kelly's new co-host, on our website: https://isd.georgetown.edu/profile/tristen-naylor/ Kelly and Tristen delve into Pope Francis's legacy, analyze the results of the Canadian election, and examine how India is navigating trade tensions between …

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Justice for Mahmoud Khalil: A Conversation with Dr. Noor Abdalla, wife of Mr. Khalil 23:49

4M ago23:49

23:49

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Noor Abdalla, a Syrian-American dentist and the wife of Mr. Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian student activist and legal U.S. resident who has been illegally detained by ICE since March 8, 2025, for speaking out about Palestinian rights. Mr. Khalil was abducted by ICE while coming home from a Ramadan iftar wi…

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Iran’s Axis of Resistance: Can It Shift the Balance of Power? 36:25

4M ago36:25

36:25

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso sits down with Dr. Armand Mahmoudian to introduce a major new research initiative from the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI) at the University of South Florida: Axis of Resistance. The conversation explores Iran’s growing influence across…

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The Hidden Risks of a Ukraine Ceasefire 47:33

4M ago47:33

47:33

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What’s next in the Russia-Ukraine war, and how should the U.S. respond? In this episode of At the Boundary, we listen in on a critical conversation between Dr. Arman Mahmudian, GNSI Research Fellow, and David Kramer, Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute. Together, they examine the current…

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Is Yemen Losing the War Against the Houthis? 34:01

4M ago34:01

34:01

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, guest Nadwa Al-Dawsari, a Yemen expert of the Middle East Institute, joins GNSI’s own Dr. Armand Mahmoudian to unpack the rise of the Houthis and their growing impact on regional and global security. The conversation explores the Houthis' ideological roots, inspired …

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Mélanie Gouby on the Conflict in the DRC 34:52

4M ago34:52

34:52

Interview with Mélanie Gouby on conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - 19:40 Read more about Tristen Naylor, Kelly's new co-host, on our website: https://isd.georgetown.edu/profile/tristen-naylor/ Kelly and Tristen break down the Trump administration’s new tariffs, the revival of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, and Ecuador’s recent presidentia…

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The Future of Fintech | Fintech Files Season 4 Finale 20:54

4M ago20:54

20:54

We’re wrapping up Season 4 of Fintech Files with a special episode reflecting on the past season, while also looking ahead to the future of fintech. Hosts Bianca, Nora and Annika dive into the trends they have seen shape the industry, from AI-driven transformation and the rise of digital banking to the growing focus on sustainability and financial …

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The Rafah Paramedic Massacre: How Israel Executed Gaza’s Humanitarian Workers 20:46

5M ago20:46

20:46

On March 23, a convoy of Palestinian paramedics rushed to the site of an Israeli airstrike in Rafah. They were on a mission to save lives—but they never returned. In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Rafah paramedic massacre, where Israeli forces ambushed, executed, and buried 15 emergency responders in a mass grave alongside thei…

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Are U.S. Sanctions Helping the Enemy? 37:43

5M ago37:43

37:43

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! How effective are economic sanctions in shaping global behavior—and what happens when they backfire? In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, host Jim Cardoso is joined by Dr. Zachary Selden, a leading expert on U.S. foreign policy and economic sanctions from the University of Florida. Together,…

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Jeremi Suri on History & the Policymaker 30:32

5M ago30:32

30:32

For our sixth episode of "History and our Current World," Jeremi Suri joins Kelly to discuss how policymakers can effectively use historical analogies without falling into the trap of oversimplification. They discuss how examining multiple historical cases rather than relying on a single analogy like Munich or Vietnam can result in better policy ou…

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Why NATO Can’t Afford to Ignore Africa: The Key to Global Security Amid Rising Threats 54:28

5M ago54:28

54:28

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What role should NATO play in today’s security landscape—and how do regions like Africa factor into long-term strategy? In this episode of the "At the Boundary" podcast, host Jim Cardoso is joined by retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Kirk Smith to explore evolving priorities in national securit…

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Alper Coşkun on Türkiye’s Crisis of Democracy 36:12

5M ago36:12

36:12

Interview with Alper Coşkun on Türkiye's political crisis - 21:10 This week is our third episode with Kelly's new co-host, Tristen Naylor, a non-resident fellow at ISD. Read more about Tristen on our website: https://isd.georgetown.edu/profile/tristen-naylor/ Kelly and Tristen give updates on renewed fighting in Gaza and how domestic Israeli politi…