PINDROP World News

In July 2023, Will Salgado, Mayor of San Miguel and GANA party member, joined PINDROP's Francisco "A.J." Camacho to discuss the country's adoption of Bitcoin, President Bukele's crackdown on gangs, and the US State Department's decision to sanction Salgado for aiding drug trafficking and money laundering.

President Nayib Bukele is a hero to Salvadorans and a villain to international human rights groups. His administration made headlines for formally adopting Bitcoin, but a massive crackdown on gangs has garnered praise for improving the country's safety and condemnation for skirting civil rights. To discuss this and more,  PINDROP World News  welcomes Will Salgado, mayor of San Miguel, El Salva...

In June 2023, Illinois State University political science professor Ali Riaz, considered America's top Bangladesh scholar, joined PINDROP's Francisco "A.J." Camacho to discuss the 19-year-old administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the controversial Digital Security Act, and the fuel shortages facing Bangladesh.

In 1991, Sheikh Hasina helped restore democracy to Bangladesh. But after 19 years as Prime Minister, some say Hasina might now be destroying. To discuss this and more,  PINDROP World News  welcomes Ali Riaz, a professor of politics and government at Illinois State University. Kai Camacho joins the PINDROP panel. ------- PINDROP World News  is produced by Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Nichola...

In the series finale of PINDROP, National Science Foundation Official Paul Sheppard discusses the end of the world -- Antarctica -- and why it is crucial for science despite the extremities faced by the researchers living there. Plus the season concludes with Ian Kearns, Kate McKown, Wajeeha Amir, Francisco "A.J." Camacho, Taylor McKinnie, and Jacob Schwartz on a PINDROP roundtable to re...

Sri Lanka's economy is slowly recovering from a crisis as the country navigates competition between China and the United States and debates implementing the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act. To discuss this and more,  PINDROP  welcomes Sri Lanka's State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya. Redzuan Raffe and Francisco "A.J." Camacho join the  PINDROP  student panel. ---...

Dutch economic growth has slowed to a crawl in recent years, and as people are beginning to wonder if growth can ever return, the government is raising concerns over Chinese economic interference and suffering significant political losses. To discuss this and more,  PINDROP  welcomes Dutch Socialist Party Senator Bastiaan van Apeldoorn. Ian Kearns, Taylor McKinnie, and Jacob Schwartz join the  PIN...

As Chinese President Xi Jinping enters his third term -- the first to do so since Mao Zedong --- China is sending mixed signals on where it stands on climate policy, suddenly repealed its Zero-COVID Policy after rare nationwide protests, and is further pushing Hong Kong's integration with the mainland. To discuss this and more,  PINDROP  welcomes political science professors Burce Dickson of G...

The Georgian public's desire to join the EU is being thwarted by a pro-Russian government that is eroding judiciary independence and possibly poisoning an imprisoned former president. To discuss this and more,  PINDROP  welcomes former US Amb. to Georgia Ian Kelly. Nicholas Castillo and Lizzie Brimmidge join the  PINDROP  student panel. ------- PINDROP  is a news department production of WRGW...

Venezuela remains under an oppressive dictatorship as economic turmoil continues to ravage the nation and the opposition movement fragments. To discuss this and more,  PINDROP  welcomes the deputy director of the CSIS Americas Program, Christopher Hernandez-Roy. Francisco Camacho and Taylor McKinnie join the  PINDROP  student panel. ------- PINDROP  is a news department production of WRGW District...

The cherry blossoms are in peak bloom in Washington, DC! To discuss the history of the cherry blossom festival and the US-Japanese relations they symbolize,  PINDROP  welcomes a Counsellor of Education at the Embassy of Japan, Kaneshiro Taichi. Maia Kiniylactos, Patrick Ko, and Carl Mackensen join the  PINDROP  student panel. ------- PINDROP  is a news department production of WRGW District Radio....

Moldova's pro-Western government collapsed for a week in early February, facing a severe cost-of-living crisis and increased concerns over Russian aggression. Is Moldova the next target of Russian President Vladimir Putin? To discuss this and more, PINDROP welcomes a professor of international affairs at George Washington University, Dr. Robert Orttung. Ian Kearns, Taylor McKinnie, and Francisco "...

The European Union (EU) isn't a country . . . right? As the EU brokers deals with the UK on the final status of Northern Ireland, imposes sanctions on Russia, and internally discusses how its politics should work, it certainly appears country-like. To discuss this very country-like country that isn't a country, PINDROP welcomes Queen's University Belfast Professor David Phinnemore and political sc...

Nigeria is undergoing the largest election in African history. To discuss this and more, PINDROP welcomes American University Professor and author of the book Contemporary Nigerian Politics Carl LeVan. Carl Mackensen, Wajeeha Amir, and Jacob Schwartz join the PINDROP student panel. ------- PINDROP is a news department production of WRGW District Radio. You can listen live at gwradio.com/listen-liv...

Iran faces diminishing but persistent nationwide protests, an ongoing conflict with Kurdish separatists, and challenges in renewing a nuclear deal with the United States. To discuss this and more, PINDROP welcomes former Pentagon official and American Enterprise Institute fellow Michael Rubin. Audrey Tillman and Carl Mackensen join the PINDROP student panel. ------- PINDROP is a news department pr...

Burkina Faso underwent two military coups last year and continues its struggle against jihadist insurgents. Can these security problems be overcome? To discuss this and more, PINDROP welcomes the Director of the Institute for African Studies at George Washington University Jennifer Cooke, Burkina native and Student Association President at the George Washington University Christian Zidouemba, and...

Mauritius looks to gain a big political win in negotiations with the UK over the Chagos Archipelago, their historically robust democracy faces an uncertain future, and China looks to up investment in and trade with the Indian Ocean island nation. What does the future hold for Africa's poster child of a prosperous state? To discuss this and more PINDROP welcomes the former U.S. ambassador to Maurit...