2023 is going to be one busy year for India, given the fact that India is going to the host nation for the G20 Summit. Plus, the current Indian government is in the process of shaping its domestic economic agenda, and its own foreign policy, particularly related to both China and Russia. As the war continues in Ukraine, India is concerned the ties with China and Russia. Some believe that India is facing some major hurdles, as dealing with disputes with China.

Mohamed Zeeshan is a policy analyst and Editor-in-Chief of the Freedom Gazette, a policy advocacy site based in India. He is a regular writer on international affairs and his key areas of interest are Indian foreign policy, international political economy and economic development.

Recent visitation from the Minister of Saudi Arabia to Syria alarmed other members within the Arab League, particularly related to Syria's ongoing political and social unrest. Some major players expressed their own concerns, regarding the role of Syria, and how the current Syrian government lost their complete trust. Meanwhile, Syria's leader pushed back against all kinds of claims, and believed the seat at the table must be presented by the Arab League. How should we understand the complication? How about the nation of Tunisia? What is the relations between Tunisia and Syria today?

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen is the Fellow for the Middle East at Rice

University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. His research spans the

history, political and international political economy, and international relations of the Gulf States and their changing position within the global order.

The nation of Sudan is more divided than ever, politically speaking and economically interpretation. Owing to the recent clash between the Sudanese army and the RSF, citizens are living in Sudan with despair and desperation. One of the key questions that we should address today: How could this nation is being ruled by two separate, but equal leaders? How could we understand the current political deviation of the nation? What is the future of the nation?

Scott Morgan has been the President of Red Eagle Enterprises since its inception in November 2012. He uses his experience from serving in the U.S. Military to address various projects. Currently based in Washington,DC his firm specializes in US Policy towards Africa focusing on Security and Religious Liberty concerns South of the Sahara.

After the official visitation to China, Emmanuel Macron, the current French President was heavily criticized by the European allies. Some claimed that his meeting with the Chinese leader were pointless, while others believe Macron made his points clear, regarding the role of China, and its political ambition. Which side should we believe today? Is China driving the political polarization in Europe?

Professor Marc Lanteigne (兰马克) Teaches in Political Science, including international relations, comparative politics (China, Asia-Pacific, Oceania, Polar Regions), security studies and comparative political economy.

This week, Lula, the newly elected Brazilian President is set to visit China. Previously, China and Brazil sealed one major economic deal, which included the currency swap between the two nations. Expert believes it is time for Brazil to recover from the economic depression, and social instability. Is China the only solution? Will Lula convince Xi to joint the global economic efforts?

Dr. Marcus Vinicius De Freitas is Senior Fellow at Policy Center for the New South, focusing on International Law, International Relations and Brazil, and is currently a Visiting Professor of International Law and International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, China.

Vietnam, one of the central and strategic economic partners in Southeast Asia, is making more political waves this year. Based on the latest report, newly elected president plans to re-shape its domestic and the international policies, particularly related to the west economic deficit. Meanwhile, Vietnam's hesitant attitudes towards China, Russia, and Ukraine could impact its international status. How should we understand the next step for Vietnam? Will this nation stand strong under the new leader?

Dr. Hai Hong Nguyen holds a PhD in political science (UQ 2015). His research focuses on democratization, democratic theory, local governance and democracy, state-society relations, the impact of social media on political transformation, international relations in the Indo-Pacific region, Southeast Asia, and particularly Vietnamese politics. He has published largely on Vietnamese politics.

As the whole world continues to follow the war in Ukraine, more citizens in Russia and Ukraine packed up their belongings and decided to migrate to much safer nations. They are interested in nations in Southeast Asia, particularly Bali, Indonesia. For years, Bali is one of the most popular and charming resorts for international travelers. However, lately, as more Russians and Ukrainians escaped to Bali, they are making the locals extremely uncomfortable, and some become rivalries with the local business owners. What gives? What did Russians do, which caused social unrest among the locals? Should Bali stop international tourists?

Joe Rachman is a freelance journalist now covering Indonesia and ASEAN stories. Joe joined the show via Zoom to share his latest article.

Nations like Nigeria, Uganda are standing at the crossroads, when it comes to social issues, especially related to the domestic LGBTQ community. Just recently, Parliament in Uganda reformed a brand-new policy which targeted gay men, and restricted their rights on social activities. Some experts believe it has more to do with the American Christian movements, and the well-known leaders. Are American Christian leaders making the wrong move? How should we understand the Christian impact from the US to those African nations? Nigerian journalist Caleb Okereke joined the show to share his amazing article and insights.

Myanmar is under the ruling from military junta today, while the society is in chaos. People in Myanmar, especially the younger generations make much greater efforts to join the resistance movements, in order to fight against the current political and social unfairness. Despite the fights and opposition among the people, military junta does not care at all. Should people in Myanmar give up? How about the armed revolution? What will change the nation? Uday, one international news reporter, and the writer for Militant Wire joined the show to share more details.

Chinese President Xi Jin Ping traveled to Moscow this week to meet up with Russian leader, while the war in Ukraine continues. Both leaders sat down and exchanged views, regarding mutual economic and political benefits. Meanwhile, America has been worried about the newly established economic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which was also brokered by China. What is China trying to accomplish in the Middle East? Will China's charm outweigh the charisma of the US? Will Putin stop his military planning?

Dr.Kristian Coates Ulrichsen is the Fellow for the Middle East at Rice

University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. His research spans the

history, political and international political economy, and

international relations of the Gulf States and their changing position

within the global order. Coates Ulrichsen is the author of five

monographs and the editor of three volumes about the Gulf States,

including Insecure Gulf: The End of Certainty and the Transition to

the Post-Oil Era 2011), The United Arab Emirates: Power, Politics, and

Policymaking (2016), and, most recently, Qatar and the Gulf Crisis

(Oxford University Press, 2020).