The Focus

Are We Ready for AI to Surpass Human Intelligence by 2045?   Join The Focus Podcast with technologist Evanna Hu as we delve into how AI developments, and AI regulation will impact on our future! Show Notes: Omelas Website – https://www.omelas.io/#1 Evanna’s bio: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/evanna-hu/ Scowcroft Centre for Strategy & Security https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/s...

Join us on  The Focus  as Dr. Alice Yang dives deep into the volatile dynamics of Taiwan's political landscape, its tense relationship with China, and what the future holds for this strategic island nation. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that uncovers the real stakes and hidden narratives behind one of Asia's most critical geopolitical issues!   Show Notes: Dr. Alice Yang Bio: https://inds...

Join us on  The Focus as we delve into a gripping conversation with Dr. Andrew A. Michta, senior fellow and director of the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council. In this episode, we explore the pivotal moments in history that have shaped our world and discuss the urgent strategic decisions facing the U.S. and its allies today. Andrew’s Politico Article: The West’s biggest vulnerab...

Get ready for an explosive episode with investigative journalist Andrew J. Fowler as we uncover Julian Assange's path to freedom and his future moves. Show Notes Books by Andrew J. Fowler -  Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty, 2024 (New Edition) The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Fight for Freedom, 2020 Secret Australia – contributor, 2020...

Join us for an exclusive dive into the July 4, 2024 British election with UK political warhorse Chris Mullin! From insider perspectives to strategic analysis, unlock the secrets of UK politics in our latest podcast episode. Listen now and stay ahead of the electoral game!   Show Notes: Books by Chris Mullin –  1982 A Very British Coup 1986, Error of Judgement 2009, A View from the Foothills 2010,...

Join us for an electrifying episode as John reunites with Harvard's esteemed Professor Avi Loeb! It's been almost 11 months since their last conversation, and the world of UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) has been buzzing with groundbreaking developments. From a U.S. Congressional Inquiry shaking up the discourse to the dramatic resignation of the head of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Offi...

The upcoming U.S. presidential election between incumbent Democrat Joe Biden & presumptive Republican candidate, former president Donald Trump is likely to be a bang-up contest between two very old men. The most pressing touch-button issue they’ll be facing is the number of undocumented arrivals from Mexico and Latin America. Both candidates admit the current American migration system is broke...

In this episode, John speaks with former Executive Director of Human Right’s Watch (HRW) & Princeton’s Prof. Kenneth Roth on Netanyahu v. Hamas. In a war known for having broken the laws of war on both sides, can anyone really say either Hamas or Netanyahu holds the moral high ground? Show notes: The Roth & Sparrow piece in Foreign Policy (February 2024) can be seen here -  https://foreign...

🔥 Unraveling Yemen's Political Maze: The Shocking Truth Revealed! 💥 Brace yourselves for an eye-opening conversation that shatters every preconceived notion about Yemen! In an exclusive episode, John delves deep into the heart of Yemen's political labyrinth with none other than the European Institute of Peace's Senior Advisor, Hisham Al-Omeisy. 🌍 Prepare to have your worldview rocked as Hisham...

In this episode John speak with Associate Fellow of the German Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp. Karl-Heinz is a specialist on German foreign and strategic policy and we’ll be delving deep into what appears to be a German military resurgence in Europe. Will this strengthen the Continent, will it be destabilising? And probably most importantly can it be sustained? Links German Coun...

In this episode, John is again joined by US Army LTG Ben Hodges (Ret.) where they discuss noted historian, author and commentator, Professor Niall Ferguson’s notion that we are currently in Cold War 2.0. Show Notes -  For those of you who’d like to know more about the work of The Alphen Group (TAG), please access via the following Link:  https://thealphengroup.com/ Our interview on the darker aspe...

In this espisode, the first one for 2024, we start off hot by speaking with Scott Lucas on events in the Middle East from Gaza to Lebanon and from Yemen to Jordan and Iran, why have things gone so wrong and what lies ahead? Scott’s latest piece in The Conversation can be found -  here 927 Magazine can be found -  here Scott’s website EA Worldview can be found -  here See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

In this, our last episode for 2023, we have a treat for all you geopolitical junkies out there! We speak to Jonathan Powell, former Chief of Staff to the Blair government (1997-2007). 2024 will be a big year of elections around the world. One of which, the U.S. presidential election, due in November of next year, will prove decisive for a whole bunch of countries and may impact on our futures in a...

In this episode, one of the last for 2023, we take a lighter turn as John speaks with Prof. Kenneth Womack, Professor of English and Popular Music at Monmouth University, New Jersey, talking about his latest book – a biography on Mal Evans – the Beatles’ Mr Fixit. This is a fascinating look at the rock and roll industry in the 1960s, how it compares to that of today and the seductive, corrupting i...

In this interview with Deakin University’s Emeritus Prof Damien Kingsbury, John discusses the main themes of Damien’s latest book “The Rise and Decline of Modern Democracy”, Routledge, 2023. What is democracy? How old is the variant we are living with? How has neoliberal economics played its part in diminishing its importance around the world, leading to the rise of autocracy. Join us for this fas...

In this episode, hot on the heels of the latest war in the Middle East, John speaks to writer and journalist Thomas Fazi to discuss ‘permacrisis’. What is it? And how does it threaten our way of life? Books by Thomas Fazi: The Battle for Europe: How an Elite Hijacked a Continent – and How We Can Take It Back  (Pluto Press, 2014), Reclaiming the State: A Progressive Vision of Sovereignty for a Post...

🧠 In this thought-provoking conversation, Steven Feldstein takes us on a captivating exploration of the dark underbelly of AI, where the lines between technology and tyranny blur. He unveils the unsettling truth about how repressive regimes are weaponizing AI to surveil, control, and silence dissent. 😨🔍 Show Notes 📖 In this episode, we journey into the world of Repressive AI with none other th...

🎉 Get ready to dive deep into the thrilling world of international relations! 🌍 In this electrifying episode, we've got the brilliant and dynamic Lauren Sukin, a young scholar hailing from the prestigious London School of Economics. 🎓 Hold on tight, folks, because this Assistant Professor of International Relations is about to take us on a wild ride! Buckle up for an explosive conversation that...

Today, we have two incredible guests joining us for a deep dive into this pivotal moment in history. Dr. Rodrigo Acuña and Prof. Clinton Fernandes are here to unravel the untold stories, enduring impacts, and the resilient spirit of Chile in the five decades since the historic coup. So, buckle up as we journey through time and uncover the layers of history, right here on The Focus.   Show Notes: F...

Today we are joined once again by Dr. Sean McFate in part two of our exploration of the evolution of warfare in the 21st Century. Here we focus on Sneaky War, something Sean raised the last time he was on with us. Oh, and Sean also shares his insights regarding the alleged assassination of Wagner Boss Yevgeny Prigozhin & founder Dmitri Utkin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

In this episode John is joined by former commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe, Lt. Gen Ben Hodges (Ret’d) where they have an honest discussion on the Ukrainian Counter-Offensive, the state of Western and Russian defence manufacture and much more besides. Join us for this fascinating and deeply engaging interview, only on SAGE International’s The Focus! See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

In this episode John speaks with prominent American strategist Dr. Sean McFate on the increasing use of mercenaries on the modern battlefield. Sean and John discuss mercenaries, the Wagner Group, the fetishisation of modern military technology and nuclear deterrence. Sean says, we are going back to a very old form of war fighting that predates the modern international order. Sean also observes tha...

In this episode, we speak once again to Harvard Professor Avi Loeb. This time we talk about his recent Silver Star Expedition. What did he find off the coast of Manus Island (Papua New Guinea)? How will this affect our understanding of the interstellar medium, and if the fragments of IM1 are of ‘intelligent manufacture’, how will this change our view of ourselves in the universe? Join us on a fasc...

In this episode, we are joined by Haitian-born writer and journalist Monique Clesca to speak about the tragic situation of her home country - the Republic of Haiti. Riven by endemic corruption, gang violence, foreigners backing anti-democratic forces and hit by natural calamities, is there any hope for this country? Join us to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Focus Raw, we are pleased to have British-based YouTuber, Philospher and keen observer of Russian politics - Vlad Vexler with us. Vlad gives his views on the Prigozhin Mutiny and his analysis of the main characters in what appears to be high-order political drama in Moscow since the events of 23rd June. This is one episode you don't want to miss! Vlad's YouTube channel -  ht...