Are you interested in doing a Master's degree in International Relations at Leiden? Are you starting your degree here in September? Well, join Karin, Tom, and Simon as we discuss our current experiences studying at Leiden! We cover a variety of topics including student life, academics, extracurricular opportunities and housing, as well as relating some of our own stories. 

If you want to hear more from students about studying at Leiden, check out our other podcasts on this topics:
https://soundcloud.com/issa_podcast/studying-international-relations-at-leiden-issa-podcast-16
https://soundcloud.com/issa_podcast/what-you-need-to-know-about-studying-ir-in-fall-2020-issa-podcast-4

Studying International Relations at Leiden in 2021... ISSA Podcast #33

We are proud to present "International Insights," the new and rebranded podcast of ISSA - the International Studies Student Organisation of the MA International Relations at Leiden University. In this podcast we are going to bring you exciting content about International Relations via Soundcloud and Spotify!
Follow us now to stay updated with our work!

Trailer: International Insights

In our first episode since the podcast’s hiatus, Chiara and Tom discuss organised crime in the EU with Italian journalist Riccardo Pennisi of the Aspen Institute. The episode was written by Elena and Marlene, edited by Chiara, marketed by Sarah, and with music brought to you by Papa Romeo.

Organized Crime in the EU: a Conversation with Riccardo Pennisi

This special episode of our podcast broadcasts a recent round table discussion held at Leiden University on April 24, 2023. Our guests provided interesting insights into the situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021. The panel included:

- Bert Koenders who served as Dutch Minister for Development and Cooperation from 2007-2010 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2014 to 2017. From 2011 to 2013, he headed the UN mission in Ivory Coast as a UN Undersecretary General and in 2013 he was appointed the Head of the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali by General Secretary Ban Ki-moon. Currently, Mr Koenders is a Peace, Justice, and Security professor at Leiden Uni.

- Anne-Floor Dekker who is a civil society coordinator working on inclusive peace and security issues for the Dutch gender platform “WO=MEN.” In her work, she focuses, among others, on the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was a vocal civil society actor in the evacuation process of Women Human Rights Defenders after the fall of Kabul.

- Husna Jalal who is a women’s rights activist and the founder of the Young Afghan Women’s Movement in Afghanistan. ​​Husna has worked tremendously for civil and political rights, especially for the promotion of the political rights of Afghan women. After the fall of Kabul in August 2021, Ms Jalal was forced into exile.

- Matthew Hoye who is an Associate Professor at Leiden University working, among other things, on issues of legitimacy, remittances and sanctions. In 2021, he was one of the driving forces behind an international conference on Afghanistan at Leiden University.

- Richard Ghiasy who is a Senior Fellow at Leiden University’s Asia Center. His work mostly focuses on geopolitical, regional, and security affairs, including work on Afghanistan. He made a name for himself by holding presentations for International Organisations and at the world’s most prestigious universities.

Afghanistan After the Taliban Takeover: A Panel Discussion (Special Episode)

Description: In this episode of International Insights, Sarah and Marlene talk to Dr Alp Yenen, a Leiden University lecturer and Middle-Eastern subject matter expert, about one of the most important presidential elections of the year! Dr. Yenen provides a glimpse into how Erdogan’s politics have impacted the nation, as well as its global relations over the last decades, foreshadowing the trajectory of Turkey’s role in the global political landscape.
This podcast was scripted and narrated by Sarah and Marlene; edited by Chiara and Tom.

Turkey in 2023: The Path Forward

In today’s episode, Elena and Marlene will have a chat with Jerome Sauvage, former UNDP Deputy Country Director in India, Interim Country Director in Pakistan, Resident Coordinator in the DPRK and served in postings in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He will guide us through his professional trajectory and the joys and challenges of living such an adventurous life, with a special focus and what it means to live and work in some of the world’s most politically belligerent countries.
This podcast was narrated by Elena and Marlene; it was scripted by Sarah and Elena and edited by Chiara.

Working for the UN: Diplomacy and Adventure with Jerome Sauvage

In this episode of International Insights, Jeremias, Sarah and Marlene give a small update on current presidential candidates who are up for the 2024 US elections. And of course, the EU elections that are coming up are discussed with a small detour to what has been happening on the state level in Slovakia and Poland. 
This podcast was scripted by Elena, Jeremias, Sarah and Marlene, narrated by Jeremias, Sarah and Marlene, and edited by Chiara and Marlene. 

Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/politics/presidential-candidates-2024.html ; https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/07/trump-2024-campaign-courtroom ;https://www.reuters.com/world/us/who-is-vivek-ramaswamy-republican-presidential-hopeful-2023-08-23/ ; https://apnews.com/article/who-is-ron-desantis-eda0e666c92e071645c6f43add3fbf59https://www.teenvogue.com/story/2024-democratic-presidential-candidates-who-is-running ; https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-general/2024/national/
https://www.euractiv.de/section/europa-kompakt/news/slowakische-wahlen-ungarn-feiert-eu-schaltet-auf-alarmmodus/
https://www.euractiv.de/section/europa-kompakt/news/wahl-in-polen-pro-eu-buendnis-liegt-vor-regierender-pis
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/2023-state-union-address-president-ursula-von-der-leyen-how-will-eu-answer-call-history 
https://www.politico.eu/article/hard-right-forces-eye-top-eu-jobs-as-poland-heads-to-the-polls
https://www.europeangeneration.eu/single-post/a-preview-of-the-2024-european-elections-what-we-know-so-far 
 https://www.ft.com/content/ef22522b-95fe-4834-bb02-162a279a7214 ; https://elections.europa.eu/en/ ; https://eccoclimate.org/european-elections-2024-political-scenarios/ 
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/22/politics/trump-gop-debate-fault-lines/index.html&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1699527960034824&usg=AOvVaw3LIiACIN8Im5pPCfJEVdj_
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XrtbjoaNSCN10qlpOnmkR?si=7a0e0616bfd44013 
https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-2024-president-campaign-republican-trump-0ec44fc2a5b8683f34883e0ea72b2ab2#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Former,gain%20traction%20in%20the%20polls.

The Election Year 2024 - Interesting Times Ahead

In this episode of International Insights, our hosts Chiara and Marlene engage in a conversation with Professor Karen Smith, a lecturer at Leiden University and former advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). The interview explores the subject of R2P and dives into some relevant case studies. This episode was scripted by Sarah, narrated by Chiara and Marlene, and edited by Chiara and Marlene.

Unpacking Responsibility to Protect (R2P) with Professor Karen Smith

In this episode, we interview Afghan women’s rights and peace advocate Husna Jalal. Husna came to the Netherlands in exile 2 years ago after the 15th of August 2021 when the US withdrew from Afghanistan. She has engaged with the government and universities concerning women’s rights and international change. In this interview, we discuss what MAIR students can do to support her cause and Husna’s upcoming events.

Before this, the podcast team sat down and had a quick-fire chat about everything from the House of Commons to the Super Bowl! So tune in for a very varied and insightful podcast.

Hosts: Jane Holland, Luke O'Connell and Tamara Titz
Editor: Jane Holland
Research: Luke O'Connell and Tamara Titz

Husna Jalal on women's rights in Afghanistan

In this episode of International Insights, Luke and Stan sit down with Dr Isaac Scarborough to discuss the recent terror attack in Russia, how it related to the war in Ukraine and using Dr Scarborough's historical expertise to gain an understanding of the war so far. Before this, our chronically online podcast team do an internet deep-dive on stories and conspiracy theories that have recently taken our interest!

Hosts: Luke O'Connell, Stan de Feyter and Jane Holland.
Producer: Jane Holland

A special thank you to Dr Scarborough for taking the time to chat with us.

Where do we go from here? The Russian Invasion of Ukraine with Dr Isaac Scarborough

In this episode, Tamara sits down with Professor Sarah Wolff. Her research concentrates on EU-UK foreign and security cooperation, EU migration and asylum policies, EU-Middle East and North Africa, as well as EU’s policies on gender and religion abroad. Tune in to listen to her two cents on the most pressing issues in the upcoming EU elections, and don't forget to vote! 

Find out more here: https://elections.europa.eu/en/how-to-vote/

Host: Tamara Titz
Producers: Jane Holland & Stan De Feyter

A special thank you to Professor Wolff for taking the time to chat with us.

Professor Sarah Wolff on Migration and EU Elections

After a brief break, the ISSA Podcast is back! Simon is joined today by Kevin and Alistair in this fiery episode where we look at what's going on with Chinese-Australian relations and the impacts of these trends. Oh, and we also talk about the American elections, Napoleon, and big Aldi bags filled with money.

Side note: Thank you for listening! Given the Dutch restrictions on Covid, we're transitioning to recording virtually and still getting used to the tech.

Can Australian-Chinese relations IMPROVE?... ISSA Podcast #7

To usher in the new year, Felix, Alistair and Simon come together and attempt to predict the year to come! We'll casually see what we think will happen with key IR events and regions, like Brexit, the Biden presidency, and conflict internationally - as well as make a few more 'crazier' predictions.

As always, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know what your predictions for 2021 are!

Our PREDICTIONS for International Relations in 2021 are... ISSA Podcast #15

Hey all! In this week's episode, Daniela, Bianca, and Simon discuss what it's like to be a student in international relations at Leiden Universiteit. 
This is a great guide for anyone thinking about coming to Leiden, or who's coming in the near future!

Timestamps:
1:04- Introductions and our Backgrounds
7:55- Program: Different Tracks
9:20- Program: EUS Focus
13:45- Program: Workload
20:14- Program: your first semester
20:53- Program: Thesis and Methods
30:35- Program: IWP
31:49- Program: Core Course
38:40- Student Life: the city
46:32- Student Life: Housing
53:13- Extracurriculars: Internships
1:02:35- Extracurriculars: Study Associations
1:09:13- ISSA Board Positions

For more information on Leiden, check out the podcast we recorded last summer (https://soundcloud.com/issa_podcast/what-you-need-to-know-about-studying-ir-in-fall-2020-issa-podcast-4), where we discuss about a bunch of different topics as well!

Studying International Relations at Leiden... ISSA Podcast #16

International Insights is a podcast brought to you by students of the MA International Relations masters programme at Leiden University. The podcast is published by the International Studies Student Association (ISSA). We're committed to providing quality, student-created content covering topics within the scope of our studies; world politics, foreign affairs, global history, and diplomacy.

Follow us on Instagram: @leiden_ISSA

International Insights

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