Global Inquirer

Sanctions, Soccer, and Scandal

Sanctions are a tool of foreign policy that are both overused and hardly understood. Some praise them as a decisive punishment and a cure-all of sorts, while others dismiss them as useless after of political theater. In these sweeping generalizations, the truth of the matter is lost. When do sanctions come into play? Who determines when and where are they used? Do governments place sanctions in isolation of other institutions, or does the media or other groups have an influence? Listen as we sit down with our researchers, Katya Sankow and Walter Sharon, and find out!

Host: Nicholas Mortensen 

Researchers: Katya Sankow and Walter Sharon

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Piracy has risen in Venezuela, but it's different from either the swashbuckling romanticism of "old" piracy or the merchant ship heists and hostage crises in international waters off Somalia. Piracy in Venezuela is smaller and fluid. Sometimes the pirates brutally kill their victims and steal their possessions, while other times they simply target anchored yachts. Why have people resorted to piracy? Can anything be done about it?

Host: Nicholas Mortensen 

Researcher: Kara Kreiling

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

#podcast #piracy #Venezuela

As students return from programs abroad, they bring stories and perspectives that cannot be found anywhere else. Four students have traveled across the world and experienced different cultures, but also observed similar trends. What stories bind all of these journeys together? What trends transcend thousands of miles?

Host: Nick Mortensen

Researchers: Tyler Hinkle, Kara Kreiling, Derrick Wang, and Emi Lockwood

Guests: UVA Study Abroad students Brinsley Eriksen, Carmen Garcia, Sarah Rupert, and Katey Summers

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

"After a season that explored trends across the world, researchers Katya Sankow, Tyler Hinkle, Kara Kreiling, and Emi Lockwood sit down to reflect on the trends discussed this season, and the overarching dynamics that tie them all together."

Host: Nick Mortensen

Researchers: Katya Sankow, Tyler Hinkle, Kara Kreiling, and Emi Lockwood

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Russia will be hosting the World Cup in 2018, in the midst of heavy international criticism, corruption, and controversy. Why is Russia hosting this event? What purpose does it serve? Are there other international influences or trends at play?

Join researchers Roma Chitko and Walter Sharon, and Professor Natalie Koch as we answer these questions and many others.

Host: Nick Mortensen

Researchers: Walter Sharon and Roma Chitko

Guest Interview: Professor Natalie Koch

Producers: Geoff Keating and Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Today we are releasing a special episode of Global Inquirer, a thank you podcast for our now former host and editor-in-chief, Niko Marcich. Niko started this podcast and built if from the ground up, a testament not only to his dedication and work ethic, but also to his amazing leadership abilities.

Our research team put together a video, released here as a podcast, to publicly voice our appreciation for Niko. As the microphone is passed on to Nicholas Mortensen, our new EIC, we hope you all in our audience will join in our thank you wishes to Niko before we dive back into our regularly scheduled content.

Check our Facebook page for the video version:

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalInquireratUVA/videos/2054129831469032/

Thank you, Niko!

In Global Inquirer’s first live episode of the semester, we examine the case for and against international humanitarian intervention in Syria.

Joined by guest Mark Leon Goldberg, editor of the United Nations’ UN Dispatch blog and host of the Humanity in Action's Global Dispatches Podcast, along with researcher Dom Giovanniello, we’ll examine cases for and against humanitarian intervention in Syria’s civil war over the past seven years, and discuss what can still be done to tackle the humanitarian crisis.

Since 2011, the conflict in Syria has claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced more than half of the country's pre-war population. Over 5.4 million Syrians have fled their homes seeking refuge abroad, placing tremendous strain on neighboring countries and the EU. The civil war has also devolved into an international conflict, with Iran, Russia, Turkey, the Gulf States, and the United States all seeking to promote their interests. ISIL and other militant groups have taken advantage of the situation to pursue their extreme agendas and reek devastation on innocent civilians both in Syria and abroad.

In light of this situation, several questions arise. Could the international community have done more to stop the bloodshed? Would military intervention have improved or worsened the situation? What can still be done? And, given the high cost of the Syrian civil war, is there a moral obligation to intervene? Join us or tune in this Wednesday as we discuss these questions and the cases for and against international humanitarian intervention in Syria and other conflicts.

Since 2003, Rwanda has seen economic prosperity and stability under president Paul Kagame. His rule, which very well may endure until 2034, has also been characterized by repression of dissidents and few political opponents.

Kagame is not the only one in the continent, however. Ten of the worlds 20 longest ruling leaders are from Africa. Why and how is this the case? Are people more acceptant towards authoritarian leaders given certain growth and stability?

Host: Niko Marcich

Researchers: Anna von Spakovsky

Guest Interviews: UVA Politics Professor, Robert Fatton

Producers: Geoff Keating and Andy Carluccio

Music: Balmorhea - The Winter, Tristeza - Golden Hill

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Following the 2035 Global Trends report published by the US Intelligence community, Global Inquirer takes a step back to look at how our previous episodes relate to the most recent report in our Midseason review.

What kind of issues will attract the most attention? What factors will transform the global economy and who will be its major players? How will governments and individuals respond to technological transformation?

Host and Producer: Andy Carluccio

Music: Story for Another Day - Peter Cincotti; Audissey

Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVA's podcasting network.

Across Mexico, citizens have been disappearing. These forced disappearances have received little investigation from Mexican authorities and occur under suspicious circumstances. What can these disappearances tell us about the state of Mexican security authorities and their relationship with civilian activists and institutions?

Join us as we sit down with Jorge Verastegui and Ximena Suarez and discuss Mexico's most volatile humanitarian crisis.

Host: Niko Marcich

Researcher: Dom Giovanniello

Guest Interviews: Jorge Verastegui and Ximena Suarez

Producers: Andy Carluccio and Geoff Keating

Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVa. We are also affiliated with TEEJ.fm, UVa's undergraduate podcasting network.

Music: Balmorhea - "The Winter", Audissey - "Voyages"