Episode 363: Ayatollah's Algorithm for U.S. Elections Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Morgan discuss Iranian efforts to influence the upcoming presidential election, including Iran’s hack of the Trump campaign and its attempts to share these documents with individuals tied to the Biden campaign. The Biden Administration has moved aggressively in recent weeks to call out this and other operations in hopes of alerting Americans to foreign efforts to influence their views amidst a presidential...

Today, Martha, Jess, Les, and Jeffrey discuss this week's detonations of pagers, handheld radios, and solar panels alongside military strikes by Israel against Hezbollah that have rocked Lebanon and thrown ongoing ceasefire talks into disarray. Hezbollah has vowed retribution for these attacks and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed frustration that these attacks threaten to derail efforts to broker a cease-fire deal in Gaza. What are the implications of these attacks on wider...

Today, Morgan, Les, Martha, and Jeffrey discuss last Sunday’s marking of the third anniversary of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, also known as AUKUS. They discussed its inception and evolution over three years to accomplish its two pillars of providing Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines; and collaborative development of advanced capabilities in six technological areas such as AI and quantum computing.  After...

Today, Jess, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss U.S. President Joe Biden’s upcoming trip to Angola, fulfilling an earlier promise that would make him the first U.S. head of state to visit sub-Saharan Africa since Barack Obama in 2015. Keen to counter China's massive investments in Africa, the U.S. has been supporting a project that links the resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola's Lobito port by rail to bypass road congestion on the copper and cobalt route. What impact, or lack...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the upcoming meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Joe Biden. They are expected to discuss whether to allow the UK to sell Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine to strike military targets deep inside Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that “if Ukraine did fire Western missiles deep into Russia, it would mean that Russia was at war with NATO.” Russia also expelled six British diplomats from Moscow accusing...

Today, Les, Jess, Amy, Matt, and Jeffrey reflect on the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attacks that began the Global War on Terror and changed the course of American history. They discuss how these attacks still shape our national security and foreign policy and how, now over two decades removed from the attacks, newer generations reflect and remember this pivotal event. Does the changing landscape of how we obtain and learn world events impact how we view world events? Do average...

Today, Morgan, Jamil, Les, and Jess discuss reports that the Biden administration and the Government of Iraq have reached an understanding on plans for the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq. The leaks suggest that we would see hundreds depart by September 2025, with the remaining departing by the end of 2026. Is this withdrawal plan a sound foreign policy decision or an appeal to domestic politics? What are the regional implications of this potential withdrawal amidst the war...

Today, Les, Jess, Martha, and Jeffrey discuss the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is held every three years, this time in Beijing. All African nations, except the Kingdom of Eswatini due to its recognition of Taiwan, participated in the forum. China is the African continent’s biggest trading partner and arms supplier.  How does the United States’ and China’s messaging impact the effectiveness of relations with Africa? How can the United States improve its engagement with Africa? How...

Today, Jess, Les, Martha, and Morgan discuss the latest developments in the war in Ukraine, from Ukrainian forces going on the offensive in Russia and capturing 450+ square miles of Russian territory to the recent crash of a Western-provided F-16 jet and Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Mongolia, where he was not arrested despite his outstanding ICC arrest warrant. How does Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive impact the wider war? What are the implications of Mongolia failing to uphold its ICC...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Jeffrey discuss two pivotal elections - the French Parliamentary and the Iranian Presidential Election.  French President Emmanuel Macron, after his party was trounced in the European Parliamentary elections, called for a snap election. In which after the first round of voting on Sunday saw Marine Le Pen’s right-wing National Rally party take first place with all eyes on the run-off on Sunday, July 9th.  In Iran, elections were held in the wake of the death of...

Today, Jess, Les, Martha, and Matt discuss the recent violent protests in Kenya’s capital of Nairobi over a tax bill that would increase taxes on bread, fuel, and other necessities, which was aimed at alleviating the country’s massive debt burden. Protestors stormed the nation’s parliament building, setting parts ablaze, and clashes with police and military forces have left more than 300 injured and 22 dead. Kenyan President William Ruto has now abandoned the bill but vows to quash the...

Today, Les, Jess, Bishop, and Amy discuss Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's plea deal with the Department of Justice in which he agreed to plead guilty to one count of espionage, in exchange for a sentence of five years in prison, which - due to time served in the U.K. - means he is a free man. Assange also refused to set foot on the mainland United States, appearing instead in Saipan (an American territory).  Is this plea deal justice served? How does Assange’s case impact future...

Today, Jess, Les, Martha, and Jeffrey discuss two ongoing stories – increased border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which have raised fears in the region that the escalating tensions could turn into all-out war, as well as the Houthis ongoing attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.  Should Israel and the United States be worried about escalation with Hezbollah? How would the group rate the Biden Administration’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East? Has the U.S. effectively...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Jeffrey discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to North Korea where he met with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, the first time President Putin has been to North Korea in over 20 years. At the end of the visit, Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense agreement marking the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War. What does this agreement mean for possible technology sharing between Russia and North...

Today, Jess, Les, and Amy discuss the two-day peace summit in Switzerland dedicated to forging an end to the war in Ukraine with over 90 countries attending, including Vice President Kamala Harris on behalf of the U.S. The summit concluded with a communique reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity, among other things.  Notably absent from the summit were Russia and China. Of those who did attend, several countries including India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates...

Today, Jess, Les, and Bishop discuss the arrival of a Russian flotilla, including a nuclear-powered submarine to the port of Havana, Cuba. This Russian show of force comes weeks after President Biden authorized Ukraine’s use of U.S.-provided weapons for strikes within Russian territory.  Amidst the arrival of Russian ships, a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine made a “routine port visit” to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. What do we make of the timing of Russia’s visit to Cuba? Was the U.S. sub arriving at...

Today, Jess, Les, and Bishop discuss the outcome of the European Union’s parliamentary elections where 720 seats were up for grabs. After four days of voting, the centrist European People’s Party (EPP) was the biggest single winner with 186 seats. However, far-right parties are also set to win 150 seats many of which came from France, Italy, and Germany. What are the implications of this election for the U.S.’ trans-Atlantic policy? How does this election impact Europe's support of Ukraine?...

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the ongoing civil war in Sudan between the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) which has displaced over 8 million people. Most recently, the RSF assaulted Wad al-Nour village in the central Al-Jazira state on Wednesday, killing over 150 civilians, including women and children. This attack reinforces the assessment by the U.S. State Department in December 2023 that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing are...

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which marked the beginning of the end of Nazi-occupied Europe.  President Biden joined many heads of state, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, in France yesterday to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and democracy.  In remarks, President Biden drew parallels between the allied fight in WWII and the need to once again defend democracy in the face of tyranny.  At the 90th anniversary of...

Today, Les, Jess, and Bishop discuss the recent developments in the War in Gaza including President Biden’s recent comments stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war to stay in power. These comments come amidst a flurry of diplomatic activity by the United States to Egypt and Qatar to hammer out a ceasefire and hostage release deal.  Why has President Biden made these public statements? How do these comments impact Israel’s policy on the war in Gaza? Were...

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula including North Korea sending over hundreds of trash-filled balloons containing roughly 15 tonnes of waste to its southern neighbor.  This was in response to South Korean activist groups sending balloons to the north containing propaganda pamphlets. The South Korean government is considering its response including resuming playing K-pop on loudspeakers across the DMZ toward the north.  How does this...

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss U.S. President Joe Biden’s (limited) decision to permit Ukraine to use (some) American-supplied weapons to strike targets inside of Russia.  Under pressure from European allies, the Biden administration appears—once again—to have evolved (part of) its policy for the supply and use of US weapons, but the restrictions that remain in place will likely continue to hamstring Ukraine’s effort to retake the advantage and ultimately bring the war to a successful...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss recent developments amidst the Israel-Hamas war.  The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor has sought arrest warrants for both the leadership of Hamas as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Additionally, Ireland, Spain, and Norway have officially recognized a Palestinian state leading Israel to recall their ambassadors in protest for “rewarding terror.”  What are the impacts of Western...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss President Biden hosting Kenyan President William Ruto for a state visit - the first state visit a U.S. president has held for a president of an African nation since 2008.  Last night’s state dinner also marked the designation of Kenya as a U.S. Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).  This dinner took place during President Ruto’s three-day state visit that coincides with Kenya’s imminent deployment of forces to Haiti, as part of a U.N.-led, largely...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss this week's deadly riots in the French South Pacific territory of New Caledonia where there is upheaval over a constitutional amendment passed by lawmakers in Paris expanding suffrage in the territory and diluting indigenous voting power.  French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting the territory today and has deployed an additional 1,500 troops to quell the violence in the strategically important territory which is the 3rd largest nickel producer...