On Friday, the Trump administration announced it reached a new deal for normalization of relations between Sudan and Israel, a follow-up to the similar Abraham Accord deals with the UAE and Bahrain. Zach Vertin explains the role the U.S. played in agreeing to remove Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, a step crucial to Sudan's vulnerable transitional government as it navigates a pivotal transition to democracy after decades of autocratic devastation.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/3oo1iW7 

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

The U.S. government's antitrust case against Google will take a long time to come to trial, says Brookings Visiting Fellow Bill Baer, but what remains to be seen is how Google will defend the actions it took securing its market dominance, and whether it will amend its practices even as the lawsuit goes forward. Baer also explores the role of Congress in addressing concerns about consumer data privacy, and what this case signals for antitrust action against other major tech firms.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/37AZJhg 

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

To mark the UN International Day of the Girl Child, Christina Kwauk examines the state of progress on girls' education and gender equity over the last 20 years, the dangers and setbacks caused by pandemic shutdowns, and what it would mean for the U.S. to have a feminist foreign policy.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2IhT6WV 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Right-wing terrorism, like the recent plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and overthrow the state government, has been the deadliest form of terrorism in the United States in recent years—and is likely to continue, says Vanda Felbab-Brown. She draws on the history of antigovernment movements in the U.S. and explains how these extremist groups have capitalized on public discontentment with the COVID recession.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/34DvvHD 

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

What does President Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis mean for the functioning of the presidency, the White House, and the 2020 election? John Hudak describes how the executive branch can continue to operate with the president in quarantine, how continuity of government is ensured if the president becomes incapacitated, and how Trump can–and should–campaign over the next few weeks.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/3ncHNze 

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

New reporting on leaked suspicious activity reports from the U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCen") has revealed significant flaws in U.S. and global anti-money laundering efforts. Matthew Collin explains why financial systems still host so much dirty money, despite a huge regulatory push over the last 20 years to stamp down on money laundering, and what reforms would help make banking systems cleaner.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/3cronSb 

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Brookings Vice President Suzanne Maloney explains how the US attempt to trigger a "snapback" of UN sanctions against Iran as part of the JCPOA agreement "exposes the utter lack of efficacy of the Trump administration's policy." She also looks ahead to how a Biden administration might seek to reestablish negotiations toward a broader agreement.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/303LGfF 

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Following the White House signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords, which normalize peaceful relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, Natan Sachs examines the driving factors behind the rapprochement. He also warns that while the peace deal is a net positive for regional relations, the Palestinians, though shunted aside, cannot be ignored. 

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2HanLEW 

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has elected Yoshihide Suga to succeed Shinzo Abe as prime minister, following a parliamentary vote on Wednesday. Brookings Senior Fellow Mireya Solís describes Suga's humble beginnings and political career, and the numerous domestic and foreign policy challenges awaiting him as he steps into office.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/3iAzfiG 

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The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Steve Pifer explains how President Lukashenko's response to COVID-19 and a blatantly stolen election in August prompted the wide-spread demonstrations in Belarus, and warns how Russia could alienate another border country by supporting Lukashenko over the Belarusian people.

Full show notes: https://brook.gs/2GziqXg 

Subscribe to Brookings podcasts on Apple or Google podcasts, or on Spotify. Send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.