Around the World with Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo break down a last-minute ceasefire between the United States and Iran, exploring what drove the sudden de-escalation and what to watch as negotiations unfold. They then turn to the recent launch of the Artemis II mission and the broader revival of the global space race, before wrapping up with a preview of Hungary’s upcoming elections and what they could signal for European politics.

Image: NHQ202604010263. Artemis II Launch, via NASA

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo deliver updates on the growing uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, discussing whether a ceasefire is within reach and how the crisis is shaping perceptions in Washington, Tehran, and across Europe. They also recap Myanmar’s recent election and its contentious results, as Tatmadaw chief Min Aung Hlaing seeks presidency. The episode wraps with Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s referendum on judicial reform was rejected by voters — raising questions about her popularity and what it could mean for Italy’s next general elections.

Image Source: © European Union, 1998 – 2026, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo explore the recent disruptions in global energy markets following the Strait of Hormuz closure, examining its impact on oil prices and the steps countries have taken to mitigate the effects. They also continue the conversation on the Middle East conflict, delving into the debate over potential U.S. troop deployments to Iran despite opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. They wrap up the episode with a quick look at Canadian PM Mark Carney’s trips to India, Australia, and Japan, and what they signal about Canada’s efforts to reduce dependence on the United States.

Image: Andrew Ly / Shutterstock

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo zero in on the escalating conflict in the Middle East, unpacking the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran’s retaliation against military bases and critical infrastructures in the Gulf. They explore Israel’s push for regime change, the impact on U.S. domestic politics, and how Europe and the Gulf Arab states are being drawn into the widening war.

Image: Avash Media, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo recap a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down President Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose global tariffs, exploring its implications for current trade deals and future negotiations. They then pivot to Trump’s State of the Union address, highlighting his claims of economic revival and conflict resolution abroad.

Image: Mathieu Landretti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, Amlan Mohanty, Technology and Society Fellow at Carnegie India, joins hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo to discuss India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit, which will take place in New Delhi and feature global leaders and CEOs from companies like Nvidia, OpenAI, and Microsoft. They explore the Summit’s implications for global AI governance, India’s role as the first Global South host, and tensions around access, inclusion, and U.S.-China competition. Dhruva and Rachel then pivot to Japan, where they recap Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's major victory for the Liberal Democratic Party during the recent snap election.

Image: Ministry of Culture (GODL-India), GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo break down a major shift in U.S.-India relations after U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade deal earlier this week. They explore what’s driving the breakthrough, what remains unclear, and whether this deal will put the bilateral relationship back on steadier ground. The episode then turns to rising tensions with Iran, as the United States increases its military presence in the Gulf even as informal nuclear talks take shape, heightening questions about escalation, diplomacy, and what to watch for next.

Image: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo examine Trump’s Board of Peace, a multilateral initiative originally aimed at overseeing the Gaza ceasefire — and the questions around its membership, funding, and Trump’s ongoing role. They also assess the Department of War’s newly released National Defense Strategy and its priorities for U.S. security, as well as China’s recent detainment of top PLA officers. 

Image: World leaders during Session: Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 22 January. ⁠CC BY-NC-SA 4.0⁠. Courtesy of the World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell, via ⁠Flickr⁠.

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo are joined by Garima Mohan, Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, to discuss the growing momentum in EU-India relations ahead of an upcoming summit and potential trade agreement. Dhruva and Rachel also dig into the latest developments between Trump and Greenland, as well as the sudden resurrection of the U.K.–Mauritius Chagos Islands deal.

In this week’s episode of Around the World, Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo dive into the resurgence of protests in Iran and what it means for the country’s economic and political future. They also unpack German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India and the growing tensions between the Trump administration and the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Image: Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons