World Affairs Conversations

When money speaks, conscience stays silent. (Russian proverb) Peter Wild has spent a career in anti-money laundering efforts. In this conversation, he provides an introductory primer into this $2 trillion a year criminal enterprise.

Dr. Melford Wilson, Vice President of Winthrop University, discusses his forty years of traveling and working in China, all of which is covered in his new book 'Here Comes China.'

Dr. Bryan Ganaway, College of Charleston Honors College Associate Dean, continues his presentations on WW I and its impact on our lives today, one hundred years later. In this discussion, Dr. Ganaway discusses China, Japan, and how WW I signaled the beginning-of-the-end of colonialism in South Asia.

James Melville served as US Ambassador to Estonia 2015-2018 and is now Associate Dean at the Language, Culture, and World Affairs Department of The College of Charleston. In this podcast, Ambassador Melville discusses his Foreign Service career and the transition to Academia.

On June 15, hundreds of Chinese and Indian military clashed in brutal hand-to-hand combat on the disputed India/China border. Twenty India soldiers were killed. China has not announced casualties. South Asia analyst and expert, Al Thibault, explains origins of the border dispute, offers an overview on 'what we know' about this incident, and discusses possibilities on 'what happens now.'

Allan Mustard, US Ambassador to Turkmenistan (2015-2019), discusses the strategic importance of that country to US interests in Central Asia an offers insights into an "Ambassador's life" in that country

Katherine Zimmerman, Resident Fellow of the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threat Project discusses the tough decisions facing the U.S. policy establishment as the terrorist threat grows in Sub-Sahara West Africa. It is yet another terrorist related dilemma that involves ISIS, al Qaeda, Boko Haram, China, Russia, the European coalition led by France, and the Governments of the Africa countries affected.

Bill Clifford, President and CEO of the World Affairs Councils of America, discusses the current and future programs and potentials.

Dr. Cynthia Arnson, Director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC discusses Venezuela--a 60 percent economic collapse since 2013, a 90 percent poverty rate, and some four million citizens fleeing to neighboring countries--and what it means for the region, the US, and the world.

Greg Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington discusses China's island by island move into the South China Sea. Some analysts seek darkly of Beijing's long term ambitions. Should we be concerned?