Need To Know

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In this, our inaugural episode of the Need to Know podcast, I am joined by Matt Rojansky, the director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute.  On a topic that is fraught with political upheaval, Matt gives us the breakdown of where we stand in US/Russia relations and where it goes from here.  It's hard to find nonpartisan information on Russia nowadays, so take a listen and subscribe!

Understanding the US/Russia Relationship - Matt Rojansky

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In one of the most popular episodes of this podcast, I sit down with Aynne Kokas, assistant professor of media studies at the University of Virginia and author of "Hollywood Made In China."  Aynne discusses her research into the subtle ways in which Chinese investment in Hollywood film making has influenced what we see at the box office.

Is China Dictating What We See At The Movies?

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In this episode we sit down with Robert Daly, who is the director of the Kissinger Institute at the Wilson Center.  He enlightens us on the protests in Hong Kong, how we got to this point and where we are going.

Understanding the Hong Kong Protests

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Michael Kugelman joins us this episode to give us some insight into the US relationship with India, recent elections in the country and what we might see coming in the future.

Taking a Look at India

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Director of the Wilson Center's Polar Initiative, Mike Sfraga sits down to chat about the Arctic.  We'll cover challenges with policy in the region, cooperation, and the things we need to know to be smart when thinking about it.

Foreign Policy On Top Of The World

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Today we talk to Dr. Cynthia Arnson, the director of the Latin America Program at the Wilson Center.  She is a well respected scholar and commentator on all things Latin America, but particularly Colombia.  In this episode we take a look at some of the challenges facing Colombia, and how it affects US policy in the region.

Remember: It's Colombia, Not Columbia

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Talking to our resident House rules expert, Don Wolfensberger, about the confusing incident in the House of Representatives on July 16th, in which a Speaker was called out, a Speaker Pro Tempore abandoned the Chair, and historic words were spoken.  Don's wealth of experience serving on the staff of the Rules Committee make him the perfect podcast guest for this subject!

Quicktake!  What Just Happened in the House?

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Nuclear non-proliferation expert and Senior Vice President of the Wilson Center, Robert Litwak discusses where Iran's nuclear program now stands, and their recent moves regarding the JCPOA and uranium enrichment.

Ground Truth on the Iran Nuclear Program

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Latin America Program Senior Advisor and fellow podcast host Benjamin Gedan joins me for a discussion on Argentina and whether or not we have hit "peak podcast" as discussed in the New York Times recently.  If you don't know about Argentina and why you should be interested, listen here and then join Ben for the Argentina Project Podcast for more in depth discussions!

Argentina... and "Peak Podcast"

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Jennifer Turner directs the Wilson Center's China Environment Forum.  And to kick off celebrations of her upcoming 20th Anniversary at the Center, she sat down with me to talk about China's environmental policy and how that may affect the United States.  We discuss China's clean energy initiatives, not so clean initiatives, Belt and Road, and recycling.

What's the environment like on a silk road?

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While DC has gone quiet for August, things are heating up in the streets of Hong Kong.  For an update, we join back up with Robert Daly of the Wilson Center's Kissinger Institute.

An Update on the Hong Kong Protests

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A few weeks ago in the episode "Foreign Policy on Top Of The World," I asked Polar Institute Director Mike Sfraga what we needed to look for out on the horizon.  He said "Greenland."  Now Greenland has emerged, and we revisit this territory of Denmark with a deeper look at its significance, both in recent news and in Arctic geopolitical strategy.

Pining for the Fjords of Greenland - Following Up on the Arctic

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Jean Lee, Director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy, walks us through where talks between President Trump and Chairman Kim stand today.  And she gives us some insight into the tactics of the North Koreans and a peek into the horizon.  To understand North Korea, there is no one better to hear from than Jean Lee.

Negotiations and Love Notes - Where Do The North Korea Nuclear Talks Stand?

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Michael Kugelman comes back to discuss the collapse of talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, giving us an overview of what the talks had centered on until now, and a view from the region on where they were heading and where they may go now.

Taliban Talks Collapse... Now What?

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48 hours after oil facilities were attacked in Saudi Arabia, Middle East Specialist David Ottaway thinks the next 48 hours are crucial for the world.  He walks us through what happened, and what we don't know yet, and how all of this could turn into a much larger power play in the Middle East.  Get what you Need to Know, right here.

Black Smoke On The Horizon - Will Attacks on Oil Facilities in Saudi Arabia Spark a Conflagration ?

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Deepfake videos have gone beyond the realm of comedic relief and interesting technological innovation.  Now things are getting serious.  Meg King, the director of the Science and Technology Innovation Program at the Wilson Center spends her time thinking about the challenges posed by this advancing technology, and gives us a heads up on what to watch out for.

It's Meg King... or Maybe It's a Deepfake

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In this Quicktake episode, Morgan Jacobs of the Kennan Institute helps us understand Ukraine vs. THE Ukraine.  Interesting etymology ahead!

Quicktake!  The Politics of a Definite Article

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Aynne Kokas is back!  You see, she was studying China's censorship of American media since before it was cool.  And this week, with situations between China and the NBA and South Park hitting the news, it's definitely cool.  Take a listen to her previous episode with us if you haven't already, and listen to our episodes with Robert Daly filling in context on the Hong Kong protests.

Is China Dictating What We See on TV?

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American University Professor and Wilson Center Scholar Michelle Egan helps us understand Brexit, whether it will happen or not.  This is a great catch up if you haven't followed the day to day back and forth of this international challenge, and great for understanding what comes next.  Also, a wonderful thank you to The Right Honourable John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, for providing years worth of colorful clips of him bringing a raucous House to order.  He has announced that he will stand down on October 31st of this year, so enjoy his witty retorts while you can!

Halloween is Coming!  Is Brexit?

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We have heard a lot of opinions of how President Trump has dealt with immigration, the border, and foreign policy.  But in explaining a new piece he has written, Duncan Wood, Director of the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute, provides us with some interesting insight into what President Trump has gotten right on the US/Mexico relationship

What Donald Trump Gets Right About Mexico

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Need To Know

The Wilson Center