UCG Podcasts

Brazil sits at the heart of global environmental politics. As home to the Amazon rainforest, its policies have worldwide consequences. Yet behind the green rhetoric lies a complex struggle between Indigenous rights, agricultural expansion, and political power.

This episode explores how Brazil's environment is shaped by capitalism, international politics, and shifting leadership. We'll examine the fight for Indigenous land, the impact of agribusiness, and the tension between economic growth and conservation. On the global stage, Brazil navigates climate agreements, foreign investments, and pressure from blocs like BRICS. Can development and sustainability coexist?

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

This episode of the UCG International Politics podcast, "New World Order: How Europe Can Form an Independent Block", delves into efforts of the European Union's (EU) to become more self-reliant in global affairs as a result of current global political developments, whilst touching upon the opportunities and implications regarding this.

There are four experts discussing this topic from various perspectives. Apart from a moderator, there are a Journalist, an Economic Expert, a Think Tank Member, and a Security and Dispute Resolution Expert. In the discussion, the focus is on reducing the dependence of the EU/Europe on external powers, especially the United States, in defence and the economy.

The experts provide context to recent developments and elaborate on the challenges that the EU is facing right now, while providing solutions or chances that are created through these dynamics.

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast arecourse assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

Why is Germany’s support for Israel so unwavering? What does Chancellor Olaf Scholz mean when he declares Israel’s security a part of Germany’s Staaträson? And how did Germany’s unique approach to historical atonement come into being?

In this episode of UCG Podcasts, the host, Ella Sator, a journalist, takes us on a journey through post-WWII Germany to uncover the origins of its relationship with Israel. With insights from Memory Studies scholar Maite Fischer, we delve into how countries deal with and remember their past and how various moral and strategic considerations shaped Germany’s approach of atonement and public remembrance. With insights from political scientist Aika Krebs, we explore Germany’s strategy of atonement through reparations and which incentives post-war Germany had, and why Israel ‘complied.’ From the Luxembourg Agreement of 1952 to present-day foreign policy, this episode unpacks how shared history and evolving relations embedded Israel’s security into Germany’s identity and shaped bilateral ties.

Join us as we delve into history, memory, and the politics behind Germany’s unshakable commitment to Israel.

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

In this episode of the UCG International Politics podcast, “Herero and Nama: Investigating Justice for the Forgotten Genocide”, we take a closer look at the genocide of the Herero and Nama. Host and historian Neele Lange explores genocide and Germany's “Erinnerungskultur” through interviews with international lawyer Mira Lynar and memory studies expert Mia von Vacano.

Between 1904 and 1908, German soldiers in German South West Africa, now Namibia, killed over 80% of the Herero population and 50% of the Nama population. The 2021 Joint Declaration between Germany and Namibia raises new questions: How should Germany deal with its colonial past? Are the measures taken appropriate?

Together, the experts discuss Germany’s recognition of the Herero and Nama genocide, the Joint Declaration with Namibia, and its legal and political implications. Further, they also investigate how the genocide is remembered, particularly in comparison to the Holocaust. Finally, the episode explores whether the landscape of remembrance and reparation is truly changing or whether history is still being ignored.

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

China’s rise in the international sphere has been a hot topic of discussion in recent years. Given the 2024 Trump election victory, this topic is now more pertinent than ever. Are we currently watching a realignment of the world order with China as another or the next superpower? UCG Podcast Host John Ellwood discusses the topic with former British diplomat, Vito Marcich, and EU-China relations scholar Joséphine Page from the University of Cambridge, with a focus on the material capabilities of China, the soft power realignment in the Trump era, and shifting EU-China relations.

Experts Joséphine and Vito, together with their host John, explore this topic at length in this new episode of the University College Groningen podcast! John, as the host, leads us through these two experts’ varied pools of experience to deliver a discussion on China that is sure to give viewers a new perspective on a burning topic of modern international politics.

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

This episode of the UCG International Politics podcast explores how historical responsibility translates into modern politics, examining Germany’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance and the complexities of its moral obligations. We also look at why certain aspects of Germany’s past, such as its colonial history in modern Namibia, remain less addressed, raising questions about how nations confront their historical wrongdoings.

Years after the end of World War II, Germany’s past continues to shape its present, particularly in its relationship with Israel. The country’s efforts to atone for the Holocaust have defined its foreign policy, influencing diplomatic, economic, and political ties. But why does Germany consistently stand by Israel, even as it takes a more cautious approach to human rights issues elsewhere?

As global dynamics shift and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict evolves, Germany faces increasing challenges in navigating its role on the world stage. How does collective memory shape contemporary policy? And how does Germany reconcile its commitment to Israel with the realities of modern geopolitics?

We thank Ross Bugden for the music!

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

In this episode of UCG International Politics, we take a look at the 2003 Iraq War, its causes, and the far-reaching consequences that continue to shape the region and global politics. While the U.S.-led coalition swiftly toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime, the war did not end there. The occupation that followed led to years of insurgency, sectarian violence, and the eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2011. The power vacuum left behind allowed extremist groups to rise, fueling conflicts in both Iraq and Syria.

Through expert insights, we explore why Iraq was chosen for intervention, how the war unfolded, and the long-term effects on U.S. foreign policy, international interventions, and the Middle East as a whole. With perspectives from academia, journalism, and intelligence, this discussion will explore the war’s legacy and its ongoing impact on global security and diplomacy.

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

In this episode of the UCG International Politics podcast, we will take a look at carbon offsetting. And if carbon offsetting deserves one more chance. Our host, Teun, is joined by environmental justice advocate Nia and climate solutions researcher Pia. We will discuss the risks of land grabs, corporate loopholes, and green deserts, while also discussing real solutions from community-led initiatives to policy reforms.

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

In this episode of the UCG International Politics Podcast, we explore the decline of US hegemony and the strategies the US is using to try to maintain its global influence. Host Sofia Berhitu is joined by three experts—Jonathan Euving, Luzie Raysz, and Aedan Casey— to analyze key dimensions of this shift.

Jonathan discusses the erosion of US military dominance, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, as China expands its military presence and challenges US control over crucial trade routes. Luzie unpacks the shift in US trade policy from free trade to protectionism, emphasizing how trade is no longer just about economic efficiency but also about power and security. Aedan examines the unravelling of the US-EU alliance, highlighting how recent political and economic tensions have pushed the US to seek alternative partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, too.

While multiple military, economic, and diplomatic strategies are being used to counteract this decline, others reflect the persistence of American exceptionalism and the popular "America First" policy. Ultimately, the question remains: Can these efforts preserve US hegemony, or are we witnessing the emergence of a multipolar world? And perhaps more importantly: Does the US even want to remain a hegemon?

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.

In this episode, the International Politics podcast tackles a pressing question: When should and can the international community intervene in cases of genocide? Through legal, political, and historical lenses, we assess past, present, and potential future humanitarian interventions. 

Host Hadrian is joined by three guests, each experts in their field: Jule, legal specialist with experience at the ICJ and ICC, will kick off the episode with a legal deepdive, Lotte, a former UN special envoy for humanitarian affairs and peacekeeping, provides an insider’s perspective on when intervention is (im)possible. Finally, Fiachra, an academic expert on humanitarian interventions, provides a historical analysis examining past successes and failures and offers insight into what can be done in the future. 

Together, they break down key concepts, including the R2P doctrine and its political implications, the tension between state sovereignty and erga omnes obligations, and past cases of genocide and mass atrocities. Special attention is given to the role of state sanctions and international courts, including an analysis of the current case, South Africa v. Israel. 

Join us as we aim to combine multiple perspectives to answer one of the most challenging questions of our time: When should the world take action? 

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.