The Missing Piece [International]

It is the end of the year, and the world continues to be puzzled about the ongoing political changes in Iran, given the fact that the current administration is looking for BIG changes. Some experts believe that Iran's new approach might involve diplomatic strategies and peaceful dialogues with the west, while other hold different opinions. Should we be positive about the upcoming changes? How much should we believe Iran's new peace deal? Professor Jamsheed Choksy is a Distinguished Professor, former Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, former Chair of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, and current Director of the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center at Indiana University - Bloomington. Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcn9R6zigqqIGeqrM4kr-0A

If one thing we have learned in 2024 so far is the strong relationship between media and modern day political system. From seeing the fall of the Syrian government to the political turmoil in South Korea and Germany, media has been one of the most powerful weapons to mirror the reality these days. Are politicians using media today to push the political agenda? Or media today is promoting their own political system? In this conversation, we will get to the bottom of those questions. John J. Pitney, Jr. is the Roy P. Crocker Professor of American Politics at Claremont McKenna College. He received a Ph.D. from Yale University and a B.A. in political science from Union College. He has authored or coauthored a number of books, including Is Congress Broken? The Virtues and Defects of Partisanship and Gridlock. Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcn9R6zigqqIGeqrM4kr-0A

More than 1000 days, we are still seeing the war in Ukraine, given the fact that some nations are already experiencing the "Ukraine fatigue." There is no denying that Ukraine will run out of resources if Washington decides to halt any type of aid to Ukraine. It is crucial to understand the political battle between Ukraine and Russia today, it is even more alarming to find out about the past. In this episode, Dr. Evgeny Finkel, author of a new book called "Intent to Destroy: Russia’s Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine," joins the show to talk more in details. Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcn9R6zigqqIGeqrM4kr-0A

Everyone experiences crisis in life. To be honest, no one forgets those moments that we panicked and struggled. It is one thing that we know what we are going through, it is another element that we should rely on some sorts of help. According to Dr. Norman Wirzba, author of a new book, "Love’s Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis," opportunities and blessings can be discovered in the midst of the uncertainties.

Educators in Taxes are facing more challenges today, given the fact that Christian content are more likely to be put into elementary learning curriculum. Some are saying such move could violate the Constitutional rights, while others disagree. Dr. Thomas Lindsay, the Higher Education Policy Director for Next Generation Texas, joins the latest conversation to explain the complication behind the arguments, and how it will continue in 2025.

The recent tariff announcement from President-elect Donald Trump to Mexico, Canada and China sent shock waves to the international community. Leaders from Canada and Mexico responded immediately, while China took the time. Some experts believe that Vietnam, one of the critical nations in Southeast Asia is slowly replacing China, as the leader in the economic world stage. Is Vietnam ready to shoulder such responsibilities? How should Vietnam balance the relationship between China and the US? Dr Hai Hong Nguyen is currently a senior lecturer of politics, social change, and international relations in the College of Arts and Sciences at VinUniversity.

There is no denying that education is facing more struggles and obstacles today, especially as the presence of AI continue to thrive. It is such a heated debate how modern day education could transform lives among the youths. Self-discipline and self-management are critical to Japanese culture, while more kids are distracted by high-tech. In this episode, Ema Ryan Yamazaki, a Japanese-British documentary filmmaker, joins the show, regarding her documentary.

There is no surprise that China's BRI continues to create noises among the international community, given the fact that Chinese President Xi Jin Ping just wrapped up his recent visits to more Latin America region. During his trip, more business deals were brought to the table, as well as some meaningful economic plannings between China and some ideal partners. Nations in the Middle East are also eyeing for opportunities, especially the Taliban. Will the Taliban make better deals with China? How will China react to the political uncertainties in this nation?

Holiday seasons are fast approaching, as the time flies by really fast. More and more younger generations in Japan and Germany are hungry for relationships, needless to say, they could no longer stand loneliness during the holiday seasons. Experts believe that online dating could alleviate more pains from those lonely souls. Will it work? How should we understand the hidden reasons behind online dating? Gina Potarca is Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Liverpool. She obtained her PhD degree at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) in 2014. Her research interests revolve around the application of digital, multilevel, and longitudinal methods for the study of assortative mating, the social implications of the digital revolution, and mental health.

In this episode, Dr. Alexander Motyl, an American historian and a political scientist joins the show to talk about how US Presidential election results could impact the future relationship between the US and Russia. Plus, how should we understand the ongoing "bromance" between China and Russia, since Chinese leader just attended BRICS summit? Can we expect a turning point from China to the US?

For decades, women in Uzbekistan have been facing more social and political challenges, especially related to gender inequality and economic uncertainty. It is rather hard for the international community to ignore the deadlock. One recent article pointed out alarming evidence that women kill for various reasons, they came to the last option to seek real freedom. In this episode, Niginakhon Saida, who is an educator, researcher, and journalist from Uzbekistan, joins the latest show to discuss her recent article, and explains how domestic violence in Uzbekistan are pushing women to commit more crimes. The better question that we should ask: What can the international community help and support?

As Chinese President Xi Jin Ping's trip Moscow started this week, more nations are paying attention to the closer ties between Russia and China. As for this trip, Xi is expected to meet with the top officials from BRICS, as well as discussing more details regarding political and economic interests. Meanwhile, US presidential election is about finalize in two weeks, which could impact the future of the international community. How should we understand the economic and political ties between China and Russia today? What is China's next move towards the war in Ukraine? Dr. Alexander Motyl is one political scientist and a well-known historian. Dr. Motyl joins the latest show to share his insights and analysis, regarding those critical matters.

It is rather complicated for us to understand what is happening today, regarding the ongoing wars and political polarizations around the world. Too often, we tend to hold the opinions that military operations and economic partnerships could lead to greater peace. In this episode, our guest shares how Bible, the well-known and ancient book, is a better solution to understand what's happening, and how we should see those matters from a moral perspective. Is that so? How is Bible relevant to what is happening today? Do we see any hope at all? A native of Canada, Dr. Bruce Gordon taught at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he was professor of modern history and deputy director of the St Andrews Reformation Studies Institute. He came to Yale in 2008. His research and teaching focus on European religious cultures of the late-medieval and early modern periods, with a particular interest in the Reformation and its reception. In 2021 he published The Oxford Handbook of Calvin and Calvinism (Oxford) and Huldrych Zwingli. God’s Armed Prophet (Yale). The biography of Zwingli explores the roots of the Reformation and the problematic relationship between religion and violence. His John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion (Princeton 2016) looks at the reception from the sixteenth century to the age of YouTube of one of the defining works of the Reformation. He is the author of Calvin (Yale, 2009), a biography of the Genevan reformer, and the Swiss Reformation (Manchester, 2002), a Choice Magazine “Outstanding Publication” (2003). His The Bible: A Global History(link is external) (Basic Books, NY) appeared in September 2024.

Since the leader of Hezbollah was killed by Isreali military strategy, the entire international community start to pay more attention to Iran, given the fact that Iran has been using harsh rhetorics towards Israel. For decades, people have been wondering the region leaderships in Iran, and how the current political chaos and economic turmoil are crumbling the internal trust. In this episode, Professor Jamsheed Choksy joins the shows to explain more. Professor Jamsheed Choksy is a Distinguished Professor, former Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, former Chair of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, and current Director of the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center at Indiana University - Bloomington.

2024 marks the significant economic milestone for China, given the fact that BRI is slowing approaching its 10th year anniversary. Come to think of it, more nations, especially among the African nations, are active in sharing more resources with the Chinese government. Meanwhile, some nations have already decided to pull out of the project, owing to political differences, Italy, is one of them. How should we understand the main reasons behind such bold move? By distancing away from China, will the economy in Italy face more challenges? Dr. Filippo Fasulo is Co-head of the Geoeconomic Centre and Senior Research Fellow of the Asia Centre at the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).

There is no surprise that AI is making dramatic changes across each aspect of our lives, especially when we talk about its presence in education. It is almost impossible for students and teachers to avoid using AI in and outside the classrooms. According to one survey, some students believe AI actually slows down their academic learnings, and discourage them to think more. Some scholars believe it is high time that we ought to reconsider the presence of AI, and how we should embrace its presence, instead of "banning" it in the classrooms. Professor Peter Slade is the Chair of the Religion Department at Ashland University. He joins the latest show to talk more, regarding AI and its impact upon modern day education.

Professor Richard Overy joins the latest show to talk about his amazing book "Why War." We are living in a rather complicated and sophisticated world, given the fact that modern day wars are no longer about "winning or losing." As a matter of fact, it is about pushing the military and ideological agenda. During the conversation, Professor Overy explains the details behind the wars, and some nations are failing today.

As we continue to pay attention to the economic and political tension between China and the US, more nations are standing at the crossroads, when it comes to choosing better partners. Nation like Hungary is playing the card wisely, however, little progress has been made. Some say that America should continue to promote the far-right agenda in order to make better friends with China and Hungary, so that all the nations could prosper economically. In this episode, Will invite special guest to share more. Meg Hansen just completed a one-year research and teaching fellowship in Budapest, Hungary where she was a Senior Fellow in the Budapest Fellowship Program and a Visiting Fellow at the Danube Institute. Previously, she served as president of a think tank in Vermont, which was an affiliate of the State Policy Network. She has been involved in New England's political, public policy, and media spheres for the past decade. Her commentaries and analyses of U.S. and global current affairs have appeared in various online and print publications including The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and American Spectator.

American revolution is one of the most fascinating and engaging stories for international audience, especially those unheard stories among the founding fathers. At the same time, few of the books were written about Jewish members who actively participated American revolution, and they almost changed the course of American history. In the episode, Will invited a special guest to join the show, regarding how patriotic Jews joined the journey and made a significant contributions to the the successes of America today. Dr. Adam Jortner is the Goodwin-Philpott Eminent Professor of Religion in the Department of History. He specializes in the history of religion in the American Revolution and the early nation, with particular emphasis on religious liberty, patriotism and piety, theology, and new religious traditions. His new book is entitled "A Promised Land: Jewish Patriots, the American Revolution, and the Birth of Religious Freedom."

There is no denying that politics are getting more complicated in Germany today, at least the youths in Germany can agree. It is rather hard to predict what will happen to Germany, as we continue to pay attention to the social and economic changes under the current administration. Unlike the US, people in Germany are not looking for dramatic changes, what gives? How should we understand the hidden reasons behind the current status? Guest speaker Peter Kuras joins the latest show to talk more.