Explore how Cold War ideologies continue to influence South Korean politics amidst President Yoon Suk Yeol's crisis. Delve into the controversy over Speaker Mike Johnson's transgender bathroom ban in the U.S. House. Plus, the Biden administration's legal battle over the 9/11 mastermind's plea deal and the lasting impact of Jean-Marie Le Pen on European populism. Join us for a deep dive into these pivotal political stories shaping global discourse.

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/08/communist-spies-and-assassination-attempts-how-the-cold-war-still-shapes-south-korean-politics-ntwnfb

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/speaker-mike-johnson-maintains-house-transgender-bathroom-ban-rcna186669

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/07/politics/biden-administration-plea-deal-accused-9-11-mastermind/index.html

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/07/jean-marie-le-pen-the-enfant-terrible-of-french-politics-who-normalised-populism

Outline:

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:00:43) Communist spies and assassination attempts: how the cold war still shapes South Korean politics

(00:04:16) Speaker Mike Johnson maintains House transgender bathroom ban

(00:07:55) Biden administration asks court to block plea deal for alleged mastermind of 9/11 attacks

(00:12:19) Jean-Marie Le Pen, the enfant terrible of French politics who normalised populism