Dmitry Grozoubinski, Helen Zhang and John Fowler

Intrigue Explained

News EN ↓ 33 episodes

Three former Australian diplomats (John Fowler, Helen Zhang and Dmitry Grozoubinski) shed light on major topics in international relations by offering their unique perspectives from inside the rooms where decisions are made. Based on the fantastic content in the freekly weekly newsletter International Intrigue: https://www.internationalintrigue.io?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=show&utm_campaign=intintrigue

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Author

Dmitry Grozoubinski, Helen Zhang and John Fowler

Episodes

Ex-Diplomats Debate: Should Bad Actors be on UN Bodies? 06.04.2023 48:46

This week on Intrigue Explained we mark Russia taking up the chairmanship of the UN Security Council by debating whether it, and countries like it, should even be on UN bodies in the first place. We also cover: Finland (finally) joining NATO President Macron of France visits China About the show: International, Intrigue is the show where two former diplomats (Dmitry Grozoubinski and John Fowler) a...

Ex-Diplomats Debate: Is De-Globalization Smart Strategy for the West? 10.03.2023 46:56

This week on Intrigue Explained John dons his defender of globalism Davos man coat and Dmitry straps on a MAGA hat as we debate whether de-globalization, friendshoring, American First and Strategic Autonomy are smart strategies for the West. We also cover: Spy Balloon - We miss you, floaty. Georgia - Succesful protests against the 'Foreign Agents' Bills and what they say about Russian influence. J...

Ex-Diplomats Debate: Is it in China's Interest to Arm Russia? 02.03.2023 53:22

This week John and Dmitry examine, through the hallowed mechanism of getting into an argument, the arguments China might be considering in favor of providing Russia lethal aid. We also cover: Covid-19 - Several US agencies have indicated they consider the lab leak theory to be credible; Nigeria - A new president is elected in Nigeria but with only 37% of the vote, low turnout and facing some huge...

Ex-Diplomats Debate: Is the Cold War a Good Analogy for the 21st Century? 24.02.2023 55:28

This week John and Dmitry forgo a main story to duke it out over whether the Cold War is a relevant and useful analogy for the coming era of great power competition. Should policymakers be looking to the Cold War for lessons, or should they be thinking in terms of multipolar, regional diplomacy and dispersed power centres. We also cover: Ukraine - On the one year anniversary of the invasion Dmitry...

Turkey, Syria and Post-Earthquake Geopolitics 16.02.2023 51:27

This week we do our best to catch you up on the immensely complicated Syrian Civil War, the role Turkey plays in it, and how the horrific earthquake along the Syrian-Turkish border could shakeup the regions politics. John and Dmitry also discussed: Israel - Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets against new proposed bills that neuter the Court's role in checking government actio...

Understanding Wagner 09.02.2023 53:09

International, Intrigue is the show where two former diplomats (Dmitry Grozoubinski and John Fowler) and the people they know break down the big stories in international news. This week's main story was the Wagner Group PMC, a Russian private army that's in the news both in Ukraine and in Africa. Who are they, why have they been succesful and what does their rise mean for geopolitics? John and Dmi...

Balloons, Tanks and Chips 03.02.2023 44:30

We're back for the 2023 season of Intrigue, Explained - The show where two former diplomats and the people they know break down the big stories in international news. This week we're focusing on a still largely secret agreement between the US, Japan and the Netherlands to restrict the export to China of the technology and components required to silicon chips. This is part of a growing escalation a...

Pre-Episode - China and Covid-19 27.12.2022 47:02

In this special release before the first season, we discuss the history of China's Covid-19 response, the rush of protests in late November 2022 and the options President Xi has moving forward. You can watch the episode on Youtube here . If you want brief, accessible summaries of international news delivered to your inbox fresh every weekday morning for free, then sign up to International Intrigue...