Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues

THIS WEEK: Zohran Mamdani is soaring after his allies won congressional primaries across the United States. Graham Platner is careening towards political disaster. And too many pundits are confusing 20th-century progressivism and populism! Dr. Rob and Jack unpack Mayor Mamdani's success, Oysterman Platner's fall, and the history of political machines. Plus, they offer another literary meta...

THIS WEEK: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his intention to resign. Andy Burnham, the freshly-elected MP for Makerfield, is now Starmer's likely successor. So how did this happen? Who is Andy Burnham? what does this mean for the UK? Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with British political observer and university student Tom Hodkinson to chat the matter over.

THIS WEEK: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his intention to resign. Andy Burnham, the freshly-elected MP for Makerfield, is now Starmer's likely successor. So what does this mean for the UK? Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with British political observer and university student Tom Hodkinson to chat the matter over.

THIS WEEK: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Sher Jan Ahmadzai of the University of Nebraska-Omaha to discuss the Afghan-Pakistan War and the Taliban governance of Afghanistan. Ahmadzai serves as the Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies International Programs at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

THIS WEEK: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Sher Jan Ahmadzai of the University of Nebraska-Omaha to discuss the Afghan-Pakistan War and the Taliban governance of Afghanistan. Ahmadzai serves as the Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies International Programs at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Jack and Dr. Rob have a bone to pick with Graham Platner. This week, Jack Hinrichs joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss primary season developments. They chatted about the nihilism of Graham Platner, the success of Rick Jackson, and the prospect of a Xavier Becerra governorship. On an upbeat note, they also discussed Jack's experience serving as a Minnehaha County, South Dakota election deputy a...

Jack and Dr. Rob have a bone to pick with Graham Platner. This week, Jack Hinrichs joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss primary season developments. They chatted about the nihilism of Graham Platner, the success of Rick Jackson, and the prospect of a Xavier Becerra governorship. On an upbeat note, they also discussed Jack's experience serving as a Minnehaha County, South Dakota election deputy a...

This Week: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with fellow historian (and Georgian) Dr. Mark Fleszar to discuss how Dr. Fleszar became a researcher for movies and TV. Drs. Ferguson and Fleszar discuss Fleszar's unique career path, the job of working as a Hollywood researcher, and how political currents influence popular media.

THIS WEEK: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Welsh university student Tom Hodkinson to discuss UK politics. Hodkinson and Dr. Ferguson discussed the intricacies of Welsh politics, independence, and nationalism. They also chatted about the state and future of the Tory Party.

This week, Jack Hinrichs interviews ASU history grad and Dean’s Medalist Gio Barberio about his honors thesis. Gio studied the differences between collective and individual memory by interviewing a former member of the Italian resistance to Mussolini and comparing her memories with official memorials to the Italian resistance. In doing so, he analyzed how and why Italy chose to prioritize certain...

The Democratic National Committee has finally released its autopsy of the 2024 election, and Andrew, Jack, and Rob have some thoughts. While Andrew Ritter, Jack Hinrichs, and Dr. Rob Ferguson agree that the autopsy is a sloppy and superficial document, they disagree on how much weight should be accorded to both the document specifically and the DNC generally. Listen to their differing opinions on...

New Mexico is (to Andrew Ritter, at least), America's Tibet. Both New Mexico and Tibet are politically and economically behind the remainder of their region. Both are home to majority-minority populations. And both are mountainous regions. On this episode, Andrew Ritter and Dr. Rob Ferguson discuss how New Mexico seems impervious to the immense political change that has swept across the country. I...

New Mexico is (to Andrew Ritter, at least), America's Tibet. Both New Mexico and Tibet are politically and economically behind the remainder of their region. Both are home to majority-minority populations. And both are mountainous regions. On this episode, Andrew Ritter and Dr. Rob Ferguson discuss how New Mexico seems impervious to the immense political change that has swept across the countr...

In the midst of President Trump's trip to China, it is essential to remember that China represents more than simply an economic threat. In their pursuit of economic success, China has systematically oppressed a multitude of social groups. On this episode of the "Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues" podcast, Dr. Rob Ferguson interviewed East Turkistan government-in-exile Foreign M...

In the midst of President Trump's trip to China, it is essential to remember that China represents more than simply an economic threat. In their pursuit of economic success, China has systematically oppressed a multitude of social groups. On this episode of the "Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues" podcast, Dr. Rob Ferguson interviewed East Turkistan government-in-exile Foreign Minister Salih...

Graham Platner and Ken Paxton both look poised to defy their respective party establishments and become nominees for competitive 2026 US Senate races. How did they accomplish this feat? Listen to Dr. Rob Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs discuss anti-establishment primary fervor on this episode.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian Military was unprepared. It lacked the tools, techniques, and technologies required to successfully defend itself from Russian aggression. Four years later, the situation has changed dramatically. Ukraine is now a leader in modern military technology and strategy. How did Ukraine manage this feat? And what does a modern battlefield and solider loo...

Four days ago, advocates for Albertan separatism stated that they had obtained enough signatures to place a separatism referendum on the ballot. On this special episode of the podcast, Dr. Rob Ferguson offers a Desert Monologue about the history and potential of Albertan separatism.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser is a physician, decorated former Naval Lieutenant Commander, founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, and congressional candidate in Phoenix Arizona. He joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss how political Islamism drives terrorism and his campaign of depoliticize using the western paradigm of separation between church and state. He also discusses his biography and motivat...

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser is a physician, decorated former Naval Lieutenant Commander, founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, and congressional candidate in Phoenix Arizona. He joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss how political Islamism drives terrorism and his campaign of depoliticize using the western paradigm of separation between church and state. He also discusses his biography and motivat...

Dr. Rob Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs think that the US House of Representatives is broken. Congress has a 10% approval rating. A recent wave of gerrymandering has destroyed competitive congressional seats across the nation. And there are more members of Congress who resigned in scandal than bills passed through the house this year. Dr. Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs agree that the house is broken. But t...

This Thursday, Senior Lieutenant Mykola Melnyk joins Dr. Rob Ferguson again to discuss the technologies and strategies utilized in the Ukraine War and how they might be employed in Iran.

Senior Lieutenant Mykola Melnyk of the Ukrainian Army has spent years fighting on the battlefields of Ukraine to protect his country from invading Russian forces. On this episode of the “Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues” podcast, Senior Lieutenant Melnyk joins Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss his experiences in modern warfare. This is the first part of a two-part conversation between Dr. Ferguso...

This week, Jack and Rob don't talk about politics. They try to bring some perspective to the political rat race. To do so, they discuss their non-political interests. Instead, they chat about baseball, fishing, and the simple joys of life.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson is joined by Politics and Leadership Club member Andrew Ritter and Secretary Emma Lydick to discuss the conflict between China and Taiwan.