The Missing Piece [International]

In this episode, we’re breaking down the intricate political and economic ties between Japan and the US—a partnership that defines stability in the Indo-Pacific. But with Trump’s upcoming visit to China, the calculus is shifting. Will Washington send strong signals to its key allies, Japan and Taiwan, or will the promise of a deal with Beijing raise new anxieties? We’ll explore the high-stakes diplomacy and what it means for the future of the alliance.

Guest info: Dr. Michael Green is CEO of the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and Henry A. Kissinger Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Previously, he was Director of Asian Studies and Chair in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. During the George W. Bush administration, Green served as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council. He is the author of Line of Advantage: Japan’s Grand Strategy in the Era of Abe Shinzo, among other books.

It is rather confusing to understand the political, and the military strategies under American President Donald Trump, when it comes to the war with Iran. Over one month into the war, the international community still seeks "better answers" from Trump, while other parts of the world look for better economic and political partners. In this brand-new episode, Mr. Avraham (Avrum) Burg, who served as interim President of Israel for 20 days, from July 12 to August 1, 2000, joins the show to talk about the current political state in Israel and what we should expect from America.

Guest Info: Mr. Avraham (Avrum) Burg is a thinker, a writer and a peace activist. Avrum Burg began his political career in the movement against the Lebanon War. He continued on to a long political career where he served in a variety of public positions including in the Knesset as a member of the Labor Party, Speaker of the Knesset, and Chairman of the Jewish Agency.

President Trump launched a war of choice against Iran, declaring victory one moment while demanding NATO allies join the fight the next . But Germany said ‘this is not our war,’ and the EU insists it was ‘not consulted’ . So why did the alliance refuse to help? Because under NATO’s charter, this conflict falls outside their defensive boundaries, leaving Trump fuming that the alliance is a ‘one-way street’ . Today, we dissect the contradictions in Washington’s strategy and why traditional allies are keeping their distance."

Guest Info: Prof. 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 (US Title VI) at Indiana University - Bloomington. In 2008, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to the National Council on the Humanities and served as a member of the council until 2019.

Four years. That’s how long Russia thought this war would take—days. Instead, we are now entering the fifth year of a conflict that has become a brutal test of will. And as the missiles keep flying and the front lines barely move, two very different pictures are emerging.

On one side, you have Ukraine. A nation that, despite the cold and the constant pressure, is more unified than ever. We’re seeing it in places you can’t measure on a map—in the secret ceremonies where special forces bind themselves to centuries of warrior tradition, reminding themselves that they are not just soldiers, but a single, unbreakable 'pack' . This isn’t just about holding the line; it’s about identity. It’s about survival.

And on the other side? Russia. A country that increasingly looks strong only on the surface. Sure, the cafes in Moscow are still open, but beneath that facade, the confidence is cracking . The Kremlin is burning through unimaginable resources—over 1,280,000 troops lost, thousands of tanks destroyed—just to grind forward a few meters at a time . They are paying an insane price of 156 soldiers for every square kilometer of land they occupy .

Today, we’re going to look at the shifting momentum of this war. How Ukrainian unity is solidifying into an unbreakable wall, and why Russia—despite its size—is starting to show the cracks of a losing effort.

Guest Info: Paul Hockenos is a Berlin-based journalist. His recent book is Berlin Calling: A Story of Anarchy, Music, the Wall, and the Birth of the New Berlin.

Sitting US President Donald Trump promised to end the war with Iran soon, given the fact that his administration has caused major international concerns and military confusion. It is one thing to know how this war will cause domestic sacrifice among the voters, it is another issue to add unwanted anxieties upon the international leaders. In this brand-new conversation, Dr. Jamsheed Choksy will explain the latest from Trump and Iran.

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.

More Than four years, war in Ukraine continues to be the attention of the international community. In addition to the reactions and the political shifts in the US, leaders in Europe are also demanding the active participation of the US. According to the recent political expert, it is time for Ukraine to give up and ask for further dialogues from Russia. Will Ukraine do as it is needed? How about the voices of the European allies?

Guest info: Professor Michael C. Desch is the Packey J. Dee Professor of International Relations at the University of Notre Dame and founding Brian and Jeannelle Brady Family Director of the O'Brien Notre Dame International Security Center.

It is never America's job to choose the next leader for The Islamic Republic of Iran, according to the Trump administration. The destiny is in the hands of Iranian people, if they desire. Some believe Trump administration should leave the nation alone, let alone putting boots on the ground, while others oppose. In this special interview, we will discuss all the necessary 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 (US Title VI) at Indiana University - Bloomington. In 2008, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to the National Council on the Humanities and served as a member of the council until 2019.

Tensions are at a breaking point. President Trump is weighing a military strike on Iran, with options on the table that range from limited attacks to a full-scale campaign . But behind the scenes, his own generals are pushing back. We’re learning that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, has personally warned the White House that an attack could be far more dangerous than anticipated—pointing to depleted munitions, the risk of a prolonged conflict, and the threat to American troops . So, is the U.S. heading toward war? And will Trump listen to his top advisors or pull the trigger? Today, we break down the military standoff with Iran and the last-ditch diplomatic talks in Geneva that could decide it all.

Guest info: Professor Jamsheed 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 (US Title VI) at Indiana University - Bloomington. In 2008, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to the National Council on the Humanities and served as a member of the council until 2019.

We've heard of the United Nations, but what about the Board of Peace? Donald Trump has created a new world order—literally. His much-ballyhooed Board of Peace is officially up and running, with the goal of tackling global conflict. But rather than bringing clarity, it's leaving the world more confused than ever . Allies are divided, with some European powers refusing to join while authoritarian regimes sign up . With a billion-dollar price tag for permanent membership and Trump holding the gavel, is this a genuine peace initiative or a Trump-branded clubhouse? We break down the new power play."

Guest Info: Professor Paul Poast is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago, where his area of research and teaching is international relations.

Sierra Leone is one special nation today, given the fact that natural resources are plethora, as well as the hospitality of the people. This African nation continues to allure travelers around the world. Meanwhile, this nation has gone through so much in the past few decades, especially how social and political changes created deeper memories for many. In this special interview, Betsy Small, author of a new book called " Before Before: A Story of Discovery and Loss in Sierra Leone," joins the show to share her stories while living and working in in Sierra Leone.