Political Bark

By Sophie MatlaryNews Politics

Political Bark episodes

September 13, 2021 Afghanistan 2.0 with Joseph Salomonsen (University of Agder)
Are you looking for a full picture of Afghanistan in 2021? Are you looking to get an understanding of the local population, their views on the Talibans & their relation to them? Do you know who the stakeholders in the region are? What about the national interest of Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan in the conflict? Afghan women and the Taliban, or how they will be treated onwards? What about the US’s quick pull out, and the damage done to its reputation as a key security & peacekeeper internationally? Hear this, and more, in Afghanistan 2.0 🇦🇫, 20 years after 9/11.
1 hr
August 15, 2021 Q&A and interview with Sandra Gathmann (Al Jazeera EN)
Welcome to a new episode of Political Bark !
In this episode of Political Bark I speak with writer and presenter Sandra Gathmann (Al Jazeera) about her life, career and perspectives on journalism in 2021. This conversation is a relaxed, informal and friendly chat that I hope you enjoyed listening to it as much as I did recording it!
Photo credit: AJ EN
1 hr 2 min
August 04, 2021 Lebanon 2021: A result of mismanagement and corrupt leaders for decades
Join me in this week's episode of Political Bark straight from the square outside the Norwegian Parliament where I speak with my good friend Lea, from Beirut.
We are gathered today on the 04 of August 2021 to commemorate the tragic event that happened a year ago in Beirut, where 200+ lost their lives and 6500+ were injured. Lebanon is in a deep crisis; political, economic, social. And the future is dark. With mismanagement and corruption being the norm for decades, the future of the country is simply put, depressing.
The only solution now is a strong French plan for the country and for the corrupt elite, as well as potential UN involvement. International reactions against the corrupt elite in power are much needed from abroad, so spread the word!
Following is a brief but en-lighting peak into Lea's story, enjoy!
13 min
July 24, 2021 1991-2021: From a unipolar world order, to a multipolar one?
Welcome to a new episode of Political Bark
In this episode I interview Halvard Wideroe, a political scientists and engineer. We discuss the 'small' topic of the world moving from a 'unipolar setting' to a 'multipolar world order'. We have all seen the cold relationship between China, Russia and the US/West. We are actually in the middle of somewhat of a propaganda war between the two poles. What we are seeing is in my opinion a shift from a world order, to another one. This means that power dynamics, alliances, and the economy is shifting, replacing a model which we have followed since the end of the cold war and up until today. What we have seen from 1945 to 1991 might be a resemblance of what is to come, according to some scholars, and in this episode of Political Bark we attempt to predict how, and why. Tune in!
Links to relevant scholars speaking on the subject:
-The future of the liberal world order by John Ikenberry and John Mearsheimer
-Caspian Report: Decline of Russia's Putin
-The retreat of Western Liberalism: Peter Zeihan
-Life after the end of the world: Peter Zeihan
45 min
June 07, 2021 Russia in 2021: With Researcher Jakub Godzmirski (NUPI)
Are you curious about local events in Russia in 2021? Check out this recent episode that Political Bark has done with an expert in the field: Jakub Godzmirski.

I ask Jakub about Russia's place in the world: In terms of the high north (Arctic), the USA, Norway, as a force to be reckoned with, and as a main producer of crude oil and gas. What happens when we switch to more renewable energy forms and our dependency (EU) on Russia lessens? Which role will Russia play in the world the next decade? An important one according to Godzmirski. However, as Political Bark points out, driving a zero sum game with neighbors and distant allies (or enemies) is not the smartest way to behave internationally.
Last but not least, who is Navalny? Why is Navalny important? Why is he a disruptor?
PS: TECHNICAL ISSUE - Sorry for bad sound quality.
Tune in !
51 min
May 22, 2021 The Palestine-Israel war: 10 Steps Washington Can Take After the De-escalation of the War on Gaza
In this week's episode of Political Bark, I speak with Ambassador Hesham Youssef (United States Institute of Peace).
Right now, Israeli led attacks have started again at holy sites in Palestine, only hours after a much sought after peace agreement between Palestine and Israel was negotiated. The continuous cycle of violence that erupts every few months, and years, needs to end: The US needs to orchestrate the road that will led to the end, and to the creation of a two state solution.
This episode bases itself on a recent publication by Ambassador Youssef (found here https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/05/10-steps-washington-can-take-after-de-escalation-war-gaza) and is an informal, and important discussion, including a Q&A from Political Bark's listeners on the ongoing war.

Read more about Ambassador Youssef here: https://www.usip.org/people/ambassador-hesham-youssef
Tune in!

39 min
May 04, 2021 Identity in 2021: How can we be grounded in our identites? A conversation with writer Nancy Herz
In this episode of Political Bark, I have the pleasure of having writer and activist Nancy Herz with me as a guest, speaking on the topic of 'Identity in 2021'. Growing up in Norway, with Lebanese parents, Nancy is the product of a multicultural, multi-religious and multi-linguistic background: What effect has that had on her, from a youngster until today?
I have always been curious about how we can help young people create strong foundations and strong identities, even in very multicultural and bipolar societies, such as the way in which Norway can be at times. The future holds for more multicultural and international populations, not less; it is therefore our responsibility, us being 'a mixed bunch' to make way and to create equitable and strong foundations, that can thrive in multi-polarity, multi-ethnic and multicultural settings. Nancy Herz is an expert at this. Tune in! (Picture by Leikny Havik Skjærseth)
35 min
April 12, 2021 Meet Cafecitos Ricos - helping Latina women thrive and succeed + 5 tips when starting YOUR podcast
In this informal chat I speak with Cafecitos Ricos - the new podcast that is going to help thousands of LatinX (and others) in moving forward when it comes to understanding investment, finance, and how to make money - and grow your income. Cafecitos Ricos is a new podcast created by Stef & Betty, two hard working, ambitious and kind women, that want to give back to their communities - by helping women climb the money ladder, and especially so the Latina women in the US and abroad. Check them out on instagram: CafecitosRicos.
In this episode I also give my listeners 5 steps when starting their own podcast; which are 5 steps I wish I knew when I started Political Bark. Tune in!
50 min
March 15, 2021 🇳🇴 🇸🇾 being a Syrian refugee in Norway - the «jantelov»
Hello and welcome to a new episode of Political Bark! In this week’s episode I speak with Johnny Abu Issa (Studio Johnny Salon). We talk about the jantelov, discrimination, motivation & hard work. Johnny Is one of thousands of refugees in Norway. This is only one of many succes stories that we discuss. Johnny shares his 3 tips when «making It in Norway». Tune in 👏🏽
23 min
March 08, 2021 Gender equality on paper: International Women's Day in one of the most egalitarian country's (Norway) with guest Anna Kirah (US)
Welcome to a new episode of Political Bark. In this special episode for the International Women's day, I speak with Design Anthropologist and psychologist, Anna Kirah (US). We have an open, informal and honest conversation on what it is like to be a foreigner in Norway, seeing the country from a "insider - outsider perspective"; we speak about gender equality in Norway, discrimination, sexism, and what it is like being a woman in the workplace in 2021. In order to talk about these issues, I firstly learn a lot about Anna Kirah's fascinating experiences from all of the world, from the time she was a little girl, where she learned to master the skills of "observing human behavior" and all the way towards her move back to Norway later in life.
Anna's life journey and her experiences have very much shaped her into becoming an anthropologist, psychologist and master of human behavior; and especially focused on how technology and human needs come together in the 21st century. Anna Kirah worked at Boeing as a Senior Researcher and later at Microsoft as a Chief Design Anthropologist (a job title created for her), where she did revolutionary work by using "people centered approaches" in her analysis, understanding tech from a human needs perspective. Make sure to listen to her ted Talks and other talks on Youtube and to check out her published books! Happy Women's day 2021!
44 min

About Political Bark

From the publisher's feed

Launched in 2020, Political Bark is a podcast about politics and events in society streamed weekly. It tackles political issues from a variety of perspectives, especially highlighting a international and global approach to local events.