Jill Dougherty sits down with Kennan Institute Director Michael Kimmage to discuss the latest developments from Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Trump administration’s evolving approach to US-Russian relations, Europe’s security transformation, and other trends in international affairs from the second Trump term. Listen to the end for an announcement about the future of Kennan Institute podcasts.

Season 1: The Future of Internet in MENA

Host Alex Farley sits down with Joe F. Khalil and Mohamed Zayani to discuss their latest book, “The Digital Double Bind: Change and Stasis in the Middle East.” In the book, the authors discuss the development of the telecommunications industry in the Middle East and its impact on the development of the internet in the region. The conversation explores infrastructure development, early chatrooms experiences, and the evolving world of political speech on the internet in the Arab World.

On this episode:

1:54 – Inspiration for the book

7:02 – Defining the digital double bind

12:50 – Development of ICT in MENA

22:40 – Connections between states and markets

31:04 – Building a history of the Arab Internet

37:45 – Looking at the startup ecosystem today

References:

The Digital Double Bind: Change and Stasis in the Middle East (https://academic.oup.com/book/55303)

By Mohamed Zayani and Joe F. Khalil, Oxford University Press, 2024

NOTE: This interview was recorded before the 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, March 28. Please see the statement from our guest, Lucas Myers, which follows the episode description below.

In this episode of Need to Know, Lucas Myers, Senior Associate for Southeast Asia for the Wilson Center's Indo-Pacific Program discusses Myanmar’s proposed elections, the junta’s dwindling control, and China's role in the crisis. Along with host John Milewski, they analyze whether or not a vote under military rule would be credible.

Statement from Lucas Myers:

Midday local time on Friday, March 28th, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand. The epicenter was near Mandalay, the second largest city in the country, and damage extended throughout the country’s central regions. Thailand was also heavily impacted, including Bangkok.

Given the ongoing civil war, human cost could be catastrophic for the people of Myanmar. Casualty numbers are difficult to verify considering the wartime circumstances but could be well into the thousands.

The humanitarian situation in Myanmar was already dire, and the earthquake only adds to a number of crises across the country. These include a widespread risk of famine in parts of the country and a collapsing economy.

Rapid response international aid will be needed, but the Myanmar military junta is likely to attempt to interfere for its own ends. The international community will need to coordinate closely with the resistance actors who now control almost 50% of Myanmar’s territory.

In this episode of Plaza Central, host Benjamin Gedan, director of the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program, is joined by Wilson Center fellow Molly O'Toole to discuss the migration crisis in the Western Hemisphere. From asylum seekers navigating treacherous routes to shifting enforcement strategies under the new US administration, their conversation examines the drivers of migration and what lies ahead for regional cooperation.

Within 72 hours of returning to the White House, President Donald Trump issued a landmark Executive Order aimed at reshaping US cryptocurrency policy and positioning America as a global leader in digital assets, blockchain innovation, and financial technology. Listen to a selection from a recent Digital Assets Forum briefing analyzing the order's impact, in which we explore what is changing and how this directive could influence US fiscal and monetary policy moving forward. For more, check out the entire briefing on our website to learn about the blockchain basics that underpin this technology and hear questions digging into the order's impact.

H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), joins co-hosts Oge and Witney on Beyond a Single Story. Over the course of the conversation, Wamkele shares his goals for the AfCFTA, the process of implementing the free trade area, and where they are seeing immediate successes. Finally, Wamkele, Oge, and Witney discuss the future of the US-Africa trade relationship and the opportunities for mutual benefit presented by initiatives like the AfCFTA and AGOA.

Beth and Chris take in the view from British Columbia, and a look at how Canada's economy and resources have it poised to thrive in the 21st Century. And that there is further opportunities to grow with the world and with the United States.

Focused on understanding how African products impact US consumers and how African markets create opportunities for US businesses, Oge and Witney sit down with Gavin van der Burgh and Stephanie Agee. Gavin and Stephanie are international trade leaders working to expand opportunities for US businesses and consumers, but in two very different roles. As Chief Commercial Officer of the US-Africa Trade Desk, Gavin connects US retailers, supply chain leaders, and financial experts to African producers, expanding African market access to US consumers. Stephanie is Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for International Trade at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, where she supports Virginia businesses grow their international sales. Recently, Stephanie led a trade mission to West Africa spotlighting the role of US subnational engagement with African businesses and markets.

NOTE: This episode of Need to Know was recorded March 12, 2025... 2 days before Mark Carney was sworn in as prime minister. 

In this episode of Need to Know, Xavier Delgado, Senior Program Associate for the Wilson Center's Canada Program, joins us to discuss the future of Canadian politics following the Liberal Party’s election of Mark Carney as its new leader. Along with host John Milewski, they explore Carney’s background, the potential for an early election, and how Canadian sentiment toward the US is shifting.

In this episode of Need to Know, Robin Quinville, Director of the Wilson Center’s Global Europe Program, joins host John Milewski to break down Germany’s recent elections, the rise of the far right, economic challenges, and the evolving US-EU relationship.