The Missing Piece [International]

"Imagine a machine that doesn’t just calculate, but creates. That doesn’t just respond, but reasons. We’re asking the uncomfortable question: What happens when AI stops acting like a tool and starts emulating you? From mimicking conversation to showing emotional nuance, AI is blurring the line between human and machine. But here’s the real challenge—it’s not just copying us; it’s outthinking us. Outpacing our logic, our creativity, even our biases. So what’s left for humanity? Will we be partners, puppets, or relics? Join us as we explore a future where our own intelligence is no longer unique—just the starting line.

Guest Info: Dr. John MacCormick is a computer science author, educator, and researcher. He grew up in New Zealand, studied mathematics and computer science in England, and now lives in Pennsylvania, USA. His latest book is called "Thinking AI: How Artificial Intelligence Emulates Human Understanding."

In Nepal, the Himalayas aren’t the only barrier. Across this nation of 30 million, spotty or non-existent internet access cuts millions off from the global economy. Imagine trying to earn a living wage when you can’t apply for remote work, check market prices for your crops, or access online banking. Students fall behind. Small businesses lose customers. Young people leave. While the world goes digital, entire villages stay silent—and poverty deepens. Today, we ask: In a country where connectivity could lift wages and transform lives, why is the web still out of reach? How should the world understand the crisis at this moment? In this brand-new episode, we will address all the details.

Today — China and Brazil: a trade partnership now topping $150 billion, fueled by soy, oil, and green tech. But while Beijing deepens its foothold in Latin America’s largest economy, where is Washington? Some analysts say the US is quietly stepping back — distracted by rivalries elsewhere and losing influence in its own ‘backyard.’ From Brazil’s Belt and Road flirtation to the shrinking appeal of dollar-denominated deals, we’re asking: Is the US ceding ground in Latin America on purpose? Later, we’ll talk to an economist in São Paulo about why Chinese infrastructure loans are outpacing US investment — and what that means for regional politics. In this special episode, we will talk about all the details.

Guest Info: 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.

Based on the latest report that American President Donald Trump's visit to China was rather unfruitful, in terms of "asking" China to help with the war between the US and Iran. Iran continues to see the political threat from the US, despite the fact that both sides agreed to re-open the talk again. It is one thing that China helps with the global economy, it is another major concern that Trump can't trust Iran. In this episode, we will dive into the details.

Guest Info: Professor Jamsheed K. Choksy is a Distinguished Professor, former Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, former Chair of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, and current Director of the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center at Indiana University - Bloomington.

For this brand-new episode, we’re talking about the billionaires pulling the strings—and why so many oligarchs are suddenly stepping back from political parties. From Moscow to Washington, these ultra-wealthy power brokers used to bankroll campaigns and call in favors. Now? They’re going independent, staying silent, or pivoting to tech and media instead. What changed?

We’ll break down the new risks—public backlash, sanctions, and the rise of populism that doesn’t want their money. Plus, we’ll look at the deeper trend: political divisions aren’t just between left and right anymore. Around the world—from Brazil to Hungary to India—the old party loyalties are crumbling. Fragmentation, extremism, and anti-establishment movements are reshaping democracy. So, are oligarchs fleeing because parties can no longer protect them? Or are they building new forms of influence outside politics?

Guest Info: Dr. Christopher A. Hartwell is Professor of International Business Policy, ZHAW School of Management and Law, and Professor of International Management, Kozminski University.

For decades, we’ve heard it said: “American democracy needs moral people.” But what if today’s most visible form of Christianity is doing the opposite? Welcome back. In this episode, we’re looking at how the MAGA movement has distorted religious faith — turning a gospel of humility, justice, and care for the stranger into a flag-waving culture war weapon. The result? A Christianity that increasingly fuses with partisan power, economic grievance, and loyalty to a single leader.

Scholars warn this isn’t just bad religion — it’s a threat to democratic norms. When faith abandons institutional checks, embraces conspiracy narratives, and sanctifies political victory over civic process, democracy weakens from within. We’ll explore how “Christian nationalism” reshapes worship into political spectacle, why pluralism suffers, and what it means when pastors start using pulpits as campaign stages.

Guest Info: Dr. Matthew Boedy has written for many publications and authored three books. He's appeared on CNN and MSNBC and in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other media outlets. He has been a leader in faculty organizing since 2020 as president of the Georgia conference of the American Association of University Professors. He is the author of the book called "The Seven Mountains Mandate-Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy."

This episode, we’re cutting through the noise on the latest from Ukraine. Over the past 48 hours, reports have confirmed intensified drone and missile strikes along the eastern front, with both sides digging in as winter approaches. Meanwhile, NATO held an emergency session—reaffirming artillery and air defense pledges, though stopping short of new troop commitments. The alliance is visibly uneasy about supply lines as political gridlock brews in Washington. Speaking of which: the US is now floating long-term solutions beyond stopgap aid. Think multi-year security guarantees, a NATO membership roadmap, and using frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine’s grid. But can these plans survive election-year politics? From the battlefields to the briefing rooms, we’ll break down what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what a “permanent peace” might actually cost.

Guest Info: Dr. Sergiy Korsunsky is a Senior Adviser at the Nihon Cyber Defense Co., Ltd. He served as Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan in 2020-2025. Prior to that he served as Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine in 2017-2020. He holds a diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Ambassador Korsunsky’s previous positions include: Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey (2008-2016), Director-General of the Economic Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006-2008); Minister-Counselor and Acting Ambassador at the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA (2000-2005).

As we continue to pay closer attention to what is happening around the world today, especially regarding the complication of the geopolitics, it is time that we ask the question: Is there anything that we can learn from those historical leaders? How much do we know about the relationship between Churchill and De Gaulle? How did both past leaders shape the economic and the political world? In this episode, we will find out more.

Guest Info: Dr. Richard Vinen specializes in twentieth century history. His current research is on Modern Britain He published Thatcher’s Britain (Simon and Schuster, 2009) and is currently working on a study of military service in post-war Britain. Previously he has worked mainly on twentieth century France and produced a number of publications on Vichy, the fourth republic and the Algerian War.

In this episode, we challenge decades of US policy toward Iran, arguing for a strategic pivot from maximum pressure to managed deterrence. We explore how Washington can secure the Strait of Hormuz—not through carrier strike groups alone, but by leveraging economic statecraft and regional diplomacy. With Iran’s nuclear threshold shrinking and global oil chokepoints under threat, the future of maritime order hangs in the balance. Tune in to understand why a new Hormuz doctrine is essential—and how US recalibration could either stabilize or shatter the emerging multipolar world.

Guest Info: Dr. Jamsheed Choksy is a professor of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington. Professor Jamsheed Choksy’s research broadly covers the development of societies, especially sectarian communities, in Central Asia, the Near East and South Asia studied through interdisciplinary approaches involving history, religious studies, international affairs, politics, anthropology, archaeology, language.

Since President Trump expressed his interests in "taking over" Cuba, the Cuban government has been very anxious. It is one thing to listen to the political rhetorics from Trump, it is even more concerning to see how Trump will make it happen. Geopolitical games are no longer the same, instead, it is making more chaos these days. In this brand-new talk, Professor Weyland joins the show to share more details.

Guest Info: Professor Kurt Weyland's research interests focus on democratization and authoritarian rule, on social policy and policy diffusion, and on populism in Latin America and Europe. He has drawn on a range of theoretical and methodological approaches, including insights from cognitive psychology, and has done extensive field research in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela. After receiving a Staatsexamen from Johannes-Gutenberg Universitat Mainz in 1984, a M.A. from UT in 1986, and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1991, he taught for ten years at Vanderbilt University and joined UT in 2001. He has received research support from the SSRC and NEH and was a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC, in 1999/2000 and at the Kellogg Institute, University of Notre Dame, in 2004/05. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Associate Editor of the Latin American Research Review.