Need to Know

Michelle Egan comes back to the Wilson Center studio to break down the results of the election in the UK, and what that means for the US going forward.

Robert Daly joins us again to discuss the elections that took place in Hong Kong and the reality that they carry on the ground.  Plus, how US actions on the situation could affect trade negotiations with China.

Latin America has experienced a wave of protests this spring. Remember, it's spring in the southern hemisphere. Latin American Program Associate Anders Beal walks us through the unfolding situations in the region.

Syria presents a tapestry of challenges to policymakers. Wilson Scholar Amy Austin Holmes joins us in part two of a two part conversation about Syria, Turkey, Russia, the Kurds, and the United States. So if you haven't already listened to part one, you may want to hit that one first.

Syria presents a tapestry of challenges to policymakers. Wilson Scholar Amy Austin Holmes joins us in part one of a two part conversation about Syria, Turkey, Russia, the Kurds, and the United States.

Forget buying Greenland, the largest island in the world.  China wants to lease Tulagi.  Never heard of it?  Well, after this episode you will.  Abraham Denmark walks us through diplomatic moves being made by Pacific Island nations and why the US relationship with these countries is strategically important.

We have heard a lot of opinions of how President Trump has dealt with immigration, the border, and foreign policy. But in explaining a new piece he has written, Duncan Wood, Director of the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute, provides us with some interesting insight into what President Trump has gotten right on the US/Mexico relationship.

China and Russia.  So many differences, but yet so much in common.  Stacy Closson joins us to sort through the venn diagram of issues that are in the China/Russia relationship.  And what that means for the US and the world in the future.

American University Professor and Wilson Center Scholar Michelle Egan helps us understand Brexit, whether it will happen or not.  This is a great catch up if you haven't followed the day to day back and forth of this international challenge, and great for understanding what comes next.  Also, a wonderful thank you to The Right Honourable John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, for provid...

Aynne Kokas is back!  You see, she was studying China's censorship of American media since before it was cool.  And this week, with situations between China and the NBA and South Park hitting the news, it's definitely cool.  Take a listen to her previous episode with us if you haven't already, and listen to our episodes with Robert Daly filling in context on the Hong Kong protests.

In this Quicktake episode, Morgan Jacobs of the Kennan Institute and host of "Kennan Xplainer" on Youtube, helps us understand Ukraine vs. THE Ukraine.  Interesting etymology ahead!

Deepfake videos have gone beyond the realm of comedic relief and interesting technological innovation.  Now things are getting serious.  Meg King, the director of the Science and Technology Innovation Program at the Wilson Center spends her time thinking about the challenges posed by this advancing technology, and gives us a heads up on what to watch out for.

48 hours after oil facilities were attacked in Saudi Arabia, Middle East Specialist David Ottaway thinks the next 48 hours are crucial for the world.  He walks us through what happened, and what we don't know yet, and how all of this could turn into a much larger power play in the Middle East.  Get what you Need to Know, right here.

Michael Kugelman comes back to discuss the collapse of talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, giving us an overview of what the talks had centered on until now, and a view from the region on where they were heading and where they may go now.

Seven thousand square miles of the Amazon rain forest are on fire. Anna Prusa of the Brazil Institute at the Wilson Center, helps dissect the policy implications of this event, and helps analyze the Brazilian politics that are entangled in the issue.

Jean Lee, Director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy, walks us through where talks between President Trump and Chairman Kim stand today.  And she gives us some insight into the tactics of the North Koreans and a peek into the horizon.  To understand North Korea, there is no one better to hear from than Jean Lee.

A few weeks ago in the episode "Foreign Policy on Top Of The World," I asked Polar Institute Director Mike Sfraga what we needed to look for out on the horizon.  He said "Greenland."  Now Greenland has emerged, and we revisit this territory of Denmark with a deeper look at its significance, both in recent news and in Arctic geopolitical strategy.  

While DC has gone quiet for August, things are heating up in the streets of Hong Kong. For an update, we join back up with Robert Daly of the Wilson Center's Kissinger Institute.

Jennifer Turner directs the Wilson Center's China Environment Forum.  And to kick off celebrations of her upcoming 20th Anniversary at the Center, she sat down with me to talk about China's environmental policy and how that may affect the United States.  We discuss China's clean energy initiatives, not so clean initiatives, Belt and Road, and recycling.