Kellogg's Global Politics

Putin's Birthday Gifts and Economic War with China In this episode, we discuss Russia’s growing losses in Ukraine, signs of dissent from Russian elites, and intrigue in global energy markets. We move on to East Asia, where North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is vying for attention with a missile launch over Japan. We also discuss Biden’s new economic war with China, particularly in light of the recent...

In this episode, we discuss the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, in particular Russia’s mobilization of an additional 300,000 troops from a partial draft. Putin has also revived his nuclear weapons threats. We explain why we should take them seriously. Britain has a new Prime Minister who has proposed a very controversial budget that combines tax cuts with increased government spending. W...

On this episode, we discuss the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war. After two months of the front lines unchanged, Ukraine has begun its first counteroffensive to recapture the city of Kherson, which would isolate Russian troops in the South. We also consider the meaning of the G-7 agreement on a price cap on Russian oil and more on Europe’s struggles to deal with its ongoing energy crisis....

In this episode, Anita interviews Joseph Asunka, the CEO of Afrobarometer, about democracy in Africa. Afrobarometer is “a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that has been conducting public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, the economy, and society since 1999.” Before joining Afrobarometer, Asunka was previously a program officer in the Global Development and Population prog...

In this episode, we interview Sir Mark Lowcock, the former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, about the possibility of the world’s second famine in the 21st century. We discuss the factors driving the current food crisis and what steps nations can take now to avoid millions of people starving by next year. Lowcock is currently a Visiti...

Episode Summary In this episode, we talk with Alexander Vindman, a colleague of Anita’s at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins (SAIS), about the Russia-Ukraine War and the potential end game. Vindman’s expertise on Russia and Ukraine military affairs has been featured in numerous media outlets, as well as his articles published in Foreign Affairs , The Atlantic , and The Washington Post...

The highest inflation rate in 40 years led to the Federal Reserve increasing interest rates by 75 basis points last week, signaling a much higher chance of a recession in the US this year. With global stock markets tanking and consumers beginning to pull back spending, we ask, was the EU decision to sanction Russian energy imports a colossal mistake? Next we look at the Summit of the Americas held...

In this episode, we talk about Biden's recent trip to Asia as the US attempts to (re)pivot back to this critical region despite the ongoing war in Europe. We start talking about the Yoon-Biden summit, which renewed and expanded security cooperation between South Korea and the US. Next, we discuss the real goal of the trip: the renewal of policies meant to contain China's growing regional...

In today’s episode, we revisit the latest developments in the Russo-Ukraine war with a focus on the growing split in US policy circles on what the end game for the conflict should look like and the seemingly blasé attitude toward the threat of nuclear war by many experts. From there we’ll pivot to a crisis that’s been impacting US families: the baby formula shortage. How does US trade policy facto...

In today’s episode, we take on one of the most pressing concerns for nations worldwide: Inflation! What has caused the historical rise in the U.S., and what policies can help address this problem. We consider how the Russia-Ukraine war impacts inflation and why governments should be franker in how policies like sanctions directly affect consumer prices. We also discuss how immigration may be key t...

We begin the episode by looking at the new phase of the war as Russia narrows its goals to focus on controlling the eastern part of Ukraine. What are the US's and NATO's next steps militarily and are energy sanctions next? We then discuss the global impact of recent elections in France, South Korea and the upcoming presidential election in Colombia. What are the key issues at the heart o...

We begin this episode by looking at a question that many people have asked: why is the price of gas so high and what can be done about it. We then discuss the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war including the recent negotiations held in Turkey and how the Russian economy is doing. We also look at why Russia is struggling to sell its oil and consider what binds India and Russia. Finally, does...

In our first-ever interview for the podcast, Anita speaks with Dr. Shahin Berenji on whether NATO expansion may have led to Russian aggression and war towards Ukraine and his research on why state leaders must be able to emphasize with the other side to resolve strategic rivalries. Dr. Berenji is the Colin Powell Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow in the Department of Political Science and the John G. T...

As the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth week, we remain inspired by the courage and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people as they fight for their families, their country, and the right to self-determination.  In this episode we take a step back from the day-to-day events to focus on the strategic decisions that are reshaping the economic and political world in profound ways over the last month. Fi...

In this episode, we cover several different aspects of the Russia-Ukraine war. First up, we at the latest in the military dimensions of the conflict, including the calls for a no-fly zone, and what support NATO member countries are providing Ukraine short of becoming participants in the war. We then discuss the impact of the financial sanctions and the price increases for oil and natural gas. We a...

Watching Russian troops invade Ukraine prompted us to record an emergency podcast episode on the recent developments of this crisis that is now a war. In addition to reflecting on these events, we discuss the tools available to Western countries to support Ukraine and punish Russia. We also go into depth about the role of sanctions in this conflict, including explaining the types of sanctions impo...

In this episode, we begin with the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, where war appears imminent. We’ll consider how the West will respond and what the Ukrainian resistance might look like. Then onto the Canadian Convoy protest and what it signals for the larger populist movement on the right both in the US and elsewhere. Finally, we’ll wrap up by visiting the national elections in...

Episode Summary In this episode, we begin with the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis and what the most viable exit strategy there is for Putin short of full-scale war. Next, we discuss European energy insecurity and the countermeasures the US is taking to help its allies. We then move on to what to make of the growing alliance between China and Russia. Finally, we discuss Latin Amer...

In this episode, we talk about European energy insecurity with Russia and the escalating crisis in Ukraine. We also look at slowing growth in China and the need to rebalance its economy. Finally, we discuss the growing attacks on Muslims in India and the dangers of illiberalism to the global order. Topics Discussed in this Episode Root causes of EU Energy Crisis - 05:00 Russia-Ukraine: Imminent Wa...

In this episode, we discuss what the Chinese-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the largest regional trade pact to date, means for the future of trade and the U.S.’s seeming withdrawal from leading on future international economic cooperation. Next, we discuss the crisis that no one is talking about — the diminishing opportunity for talks over Iran’s nuclear weapon development...

In this episode , we look back at two of the more consequential foreign policy issues facing the US today: the global pandemic and the emerging strategy to deal with a rising China. In addition, we give an update on the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the recent buzz about a nuclear energy renaissance.  Topics and Timestamps: 3:40 - Russia-Ukraine 13:00 - Nuclear and LNG 26:30 Global Coronavirus Vaccine...

Welcome to the official launch of our podcast on global affairs. In this episode, we discuss recent international news stories, beginning with the decision to increase the oil supply and its impact on inflation. We also cover Biden’s Democracy Summit and the diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics by the United States. We then turn to a more in-depth conversation on the implications...