Episode 35, The War In Ukraine

On this special edition of The Orientalist Express podcast, we discuss the devastating invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s military forces. Nicholas and Matthew are joined by returning guest host Toms Ratfelders, who previously worked in the Latvian government, and Steve Hatting, who recently returned from living in Ukraine for the past seven years. The team shares their thoughts on this monumental shift in European security and what it could mean for the future of international relations. Steve also shares his personal experiences in Ukraine and his optimism for the continued survival of Ukraine as an independent nation.

LINKS

Alight (local org) Rapid Response Team in Poland

Ukraine Refugee Assistance

Support for Kyiv Jewish Community

Euromaidan Press Links for Support

Ukrainian Army Support (with Crypto donation)

Ukrainian Army Support

Ukraine President Zelenskyy Plays Piano

Episode 34, Brianne Wolf On Connecting Nebraska With The World

On this episode, Nicholas is joined by guest star Brianne Wolf. Brianne is a US Global Leadership Coalition Next Gen Leader and was recently appointed to the USGLC Nebraska Advisory Committee. Brianne works as the Director of Global Learning for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She recently graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Master’s in Natural Resource Sciences as well. They discuss her small-town upbringing and her work connecting UNL students with the world. They also go through the ways in which America’s global engagement benefits the people of Nebraska.

LINKS

USGLC In Nebraska

Agribusiness

Land O Lakes Venture 37

Blog Post: UN Sustainable Development Goals

US SDG Academy

Book: The Beauty of what Remains

Book: I Contain Multitudes

University of Nebraska UN SDG Panel

University of Nebraska Global Learning Hub

Episode 33, A Foreign Policy For Iowa With Admiral Franken

On this episode, Nicholas is joined by retired Navy Admiral Michael Franken. Admiral Franken served for years in the U.S. Navy and has held numerous senior posts including the Deputy Director of Military Operations for U.S. Africa Command. More recently, he is currently running for one of Iowa’s U.S. Senate seats in 2022. We discuss his time in AFRICOM and the role of American engagement with Africa and the world. Then, we go through the ways in which American foreign policy benefits the people of Iowa and Admiral Franken’s plans if he is elected to the U.S. Senate.

Links

Michael Franken Bio

Frankenforiowa.com

AFRICOM

Blog Post: How U.S. Development & Diplomacy Helps Africa & America

Blog Post: The Future Is Africa

Blog Post: How Global Leadership Helps Us All

PEPFAR

Power Africa

Tricare

Episode 32, Changing International Development with Emanate International

On this episode, Nicholas talks with Sasha Nicolle who is the founder and CEO of a new nonprofit known as Emanate International. Emanate International is a brand-new organization that is focused on providing resources to help nonprofit, NGO, and social enterprise leaders to think critically about how they do their international work. In particular, Emanate hosts a variety of videos and content centered on ensuring equitable development without disrupting local economies or displacing aid recipients. Sasha discusses how she views international development today and the steps that Emanate is undertaking to change this landscape to do global good better.

Links

Emanate International

MINN Summit

Circular Flow

Emanate Patreon

Episode 31, How US Global Engagement Benefits Minnesota

This episode features another special guest from the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. USGLC’s Midwest Outreach Director Nezar Jamal joins Nicholas to continue the discussion on the importance of American global engagement and how it benefits the average American. In particular, they highlight the ways in which Minnesota enjoys significant public sector and non-profit growth through investments in America’s international affairs budget. American diplomacy and international development ensure our economic prosperity, national security, and improved public health.

Links

USGLC in MN

Minnesota International NGO Network (MINN)

Global Minnesota

USGLC Event with Rep Tom Emmer

Star Tribune Op Ed

Sanneh Foundation

Land O Lakes Venture 37

How U.S. Development Benefits Africa

Marshall Plan

USGLC Heartland Summit

Episode 30, The Importance of US Engagement In Afghanistan

On this episode, we are joined by special guest star Nazila Jamshidi. Nazila is a gender equality and human rights specialist involved in Afghanistan’s development and democracy processes during the past decade. Nazila worked with various international organizations, like the U.N., USAID, and IFRC, to integrate gender perspectives and human rights approaches in creating and implementing development and humanitarian programs and policies. Nazila moved to the United States from Afghanistan in 2016, where she pursued her undergraduate education at Georgetown University, and she currently an M.A. candidate at Columbia University. Nazila is also a member of the U.S. Global Leadership’s 2021 Next-Gen Global Leaders Network. She joins host Nicholas Hayen in discussing the role of American engagement in Afghanistan and what this should look like as the last remaining US troops depart the country.

Links

Article About Nazila Jamshidi

IFRC (Red Cross)

Feminist Majority Foundation

USGLC Next Gen Global Leaders Program

Episode 29, The Importance of US Global Leadership

On a special episode of The Orientalist Express podcast, Nick interviews Alex Grant from the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Alex is director of the USGLC’s Heartland Initiative which seeks to highlight the benefits of U.S. foreign policy and the federal international affairs budget while showing how those programs benefit the average American. We discuss the importance of U.S. foreign affairs spending, where that money goes, and how it ultimately serves as an investment that provides benefits to Americans here at home. Then, Nick and Alex discuss the broader importance of U.S. global leadership and why it is important for the United States to continue to stay engaged with the rest of the world.

Links

USGLC Website

MINN Website

Foreign Affairs Budget

PEPFAR

Feed the Future

Power Africa

US Trade & Development Agency

Foreign Assistance Tracking Website

USGLC COVID Needs Assessment

USGLC Next Gen Global Leaders Program

Devex: USGLC FY22 Needs Assessment

2021 USGLC Report on Reports

USGLC COVID-19 Hub

USGLC Fact Sheet on Central America

Minnesota Resources

Episode 28, What A Biden Foreign Policy Could Mean For You

In our first episode after the contentious 2020 US Presidential election, Nicholas & Stephen take a close look into what to expect out of a foreign policy by the new incoming president Joe Biden. Though President Trump has been defeated and will leave office in January, the isolationist feelings that helped power his candidacy remain within American domestic politics. Will a Biden foreign policy be a return to the Obama years, or a departure to something new? Then, the team discusses how this new foreign policy could impact the average American.

Links

The Iran Nuclear Deal (Article)

What A Biden Foreign Policy Could Mean For You (Article)

The Blob

Episode 27, What's Law Got To Do With It

As the protests over the death of George Floyd have morphed into a larger conversation about policing in America, the Trump administration has responded by sending federal officers into cities throughout the country. One of the most disturbing parts of this has been unknown officers abducting people off the street and throwing them into unmarked vans. On this episode, Stephen and Nick have brought back guest contributor Grant Miller who is a defense attorney practicing in Utah. We talk about the legality of these actions and the overall trend of degradation of our freedoms in the Bill of Rights.

Links

ACLU Lawsuit: https://aclu-or.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/index_newspapers_-_tro_against_feds.pdf

Three Felonies A Day: https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704471504574438900830760842

The Bill of Rights: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/bill-of-rights/

Giglio/Brady Information: https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/brady-giglio-and-you-how-the-duty-to-disclose-exculpatory-information-impacts-police-disciplinary-files/

The Tyranny of Good Intentions (Book): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/155833/the-tyranny-of-good-intentions-by-paul-craig-roberts-and-lawrence-m-stratton/

BONUS DISCUSSION:

Episode 26, Pandemics, Orcs, & Toilet Paper

On this episode, Nicholas, Stephen, and Matthew talk about the major changes facing the world during the global Coronavirus pandemic crisis. Specifically, they look at the ways in which this will radically change the modern economy and workforce. Then, the question of China looms large these days. Is China winning the soft-power battle by projecting confidence and competency in the face of the pandemic while the rest of the world suffers? Finally, the team debates one of Stephen’s long-held theories about the true victims of the Battle for Middle-Earth.

Links

Globalization

Qassem Soleimani

Disappearances in China

Hong Kong Protests Continue

What You Need To Know About The Coronavirus

The Global Response To COVID-19

Bonus Track

During our economic discussion, the team had a detailed debate about the merits of Universal Basic Income (UBI). Here is a bonus track that didn’t make it into the main episode which features that discussion.

Episode 25, Part 4, My Idiot Wife (The Verdict)

On the final episode of the “My Idiot Wife” mini-series, Nicholas, Stephen, and Hannah summarize the verdict of the impeachment trial against the president and what this means for the future of presidential accountability. Then, the team discusses how the verdict could impact the upcoming 2020 elections. Hannah makes a surprise announcement and we give a huge shout-out to Choke Cherry Designs for the new Orientalist Express logo.

Links

Trump Claims His Re-Election Is In The National Interest

Norm Breaking & The Presidency

Choke Cherry Design

Episode 25, Part 3, My Idiot Wife (The Senate Trial)

This episode continues our special impeachment series with a focus on the upcoming Senate trial. Nicholas, Hannah, and Stephen talk about what this trial might look like and why it matters. The team also speculates on the what a surrealist foreign policy might look like. Hannah joins the team as a representative of the average American who does not closely follow these topics. Throughout, Hannah keeps the conversation grounded with questions designed to simply explain the impeachment process and the current charges. In the final episode, the team will discuss the outcome of the Senate trial and what happens next.

Links

The Liberal World Order

Realism

Infographic: A Quick Guide To Impeachment

The Articles of Impeachment

Lev Parnas

National Security Democrats Push For Impeachment

The Nixon Pardon

Possible State Charges Against Trump

Article on Pardoning During Civil Conflicts

Episode 25 Part 2, My Idiot Wife (Impeachment Charges Explained)

This episode continues the discussion of the impeachment against president Trump. In part two, Stephen, Nicholas, and Hannah go into detail about the exact charges against the president, the evidence behind these charges, and the ways in which these charges may become formal articles of impeachment. Hannah joins the team as a representative of the average American who does not closely follow these topics. Throughout, Hannah keeps the conversation grounded with questions designed to simply explain the impeachment process and the current charges. In future episodes, the team will discuss the final articles of impeachment and how this could play out in the Senate.

Disclaimer: The title of this series was made at the direct request of Hannah. The Orientalist Express does not consider her or anyone else an idiot.

Links

Ukrainian Maidan Protests

Viktor Yanukovych

Trump - Zelensky Call Memo (Not A Transcript)

Senate Report on Russian Election Interference

US Intelligence Claims 2016 Meddling By Ukraine Is Russian Propaganda

Emoluments Clause

Who Testified in Impeachment Inquiry?

Gordon Sondland Confirms Quid Pro Quo

The Gatekeepers (Book on White House Chiefs of Staff)

Podcast Episode 13, Better Call Cohen

Episode 25 Part 1, My Idiot Wife (The Impeachment Series)

On this special edition of The Orientalist Express, the team discusses the American impeachment process and how this has historically happened. Stephen and Nicholas are joined by Nicholas’ wife Hannah. Hannah joins the team as a representative of the average American who does not closely follow these topics. Throughout, Hannah keeps the conversation grounded with questions designed to simply explain the impeachment process. In the next couple episodes, the team will discuss the specific claims in the impeachment inquiry against president Trump and how this whole process plays out.

Disclaimer: The title of this series was made at the direct request of Hannah. The Orientalist Express does not consider her or anyone else an idiot.

Links:

Three Branches of Government

Impeachment Infographic

Censure

High Crimes & Misdemeanors

Chief Justice John Roberts

Episode 24, Liberal Hegemony Wow!

After two dozens episodes, Stephen and Nicholas take a look back on the goals of this podcast to try to better explain the knowledge gap between average citizens and foreign policy professionals. Is it a problem of education, messaging, or do pay-walled articles prevent most people from accessing expert opinions? How can fact-based policy exist in an age when comfortable lies and enthralling conspiracy theories are better received than the truth?

Links

Catholicism Wow!

Anti-Intellectualism

What “The West Wing” Gets Wrong About Politics

Foreign Affairs Magazine

Foreign Policy Magazine

Philippines’ President Throws People Out Of Helicopters

Trump Says To Take Syrian Oil

NaNoWriMo

Pictures Of Cats That Look Like Putin

The Hell Of Good Intentions (Book)

Dunning - Kruger Effect

Episode 23, Westeros, IR Theory, & The Iran Nuclear Crisis

On this episode, Nicholas, Stephen, and Toms discuss the possible resolutions of the Iran Nuclear Crisis. Will the United States and Iran ultimately end up in a shooting war? Can a new deal be salvaged? Or will the world end up holding its breath until 2021?  Then, the team gets nerdy to discuss how International Relations theories can be explained and analyzed using the popular TV series Game of Thrones.

Links

The OE Blog Post: What are the Alternatives to an Iran Nuclear Deal?

The OE Blog Post: Panel Discussion: What would a War against Iran Look Like?

Secondary Sanctions on Iran

The OE Blog Post: The China-America Trade War Explained

The OE Blog Post: How Oman Can Save the Iran Nuclear Deal

Iranian IRGC

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif Sanctioned

Gulf of Tonkin

Political Tribes Book

Mutually Hurting Stalemates

Political Order & Political Decay Book

Episode 22, One European Army, With One Purpose

On this episode, Nicholas, Stephen, and Toms discuss the problems and pitfalls surrounding European collective security. Since the end of the Second World War, the standard power dynamic in Europe has been that of the victorious Soviet (and later Russian) forces versus the various nations of Western Europe (with strong backing from the United States). With the world heading towards a multi-polar system of several powerful nations dominating world affairs, European nations have increasingly talked about the need for a more limited security partnership, one that would be exclusive only to Europeans and would not rely on the United States as heavily. What are the challenges of providing for collective European security? Do we risk another devastating European war if we get this wrong? Then, the team discusses their thoughts and predictions just before the final episode of the epic series Game of Thrones. Beware of spoilers!

Links

PESCO

Military Industrial Complex

Financial Times article about PESCO

Angela Merkel discusses U.S., Russia, and China as adversaries.

Nord Stream Pipeline

China Belt and Road Initiative

Episode 21, Map Shaming The Golan Heights

This episode takes a deep dive into America’s recognition of the area known as the Golan Heights as part of Israeli territory. Stephen and Nicholas debate the importance of this measure and discuss the impacts (if any) that this will have on the average listener. Is this the sign of more change to come, or merely a recognition of the decades-long reality of this region of the world?

Links

Golan Heights Blog Post

Jerusalem Status Blog Post

1967 Arab-Israeli War

2019 Israeli Elections

Netanyahu Promises West Bank Annexation

West Bank Settlements Map

Nord Stream Pipeline

Episode 20, Another Brick In The Wall

On this episode, Nicholas and Stephen tackle the immigration debate. In particular, we break down the main solutions being pursued by various nations to the problems of immigration including the benefits and risks of each. These include walls, temporary asylum, permanent citizenship, deportation, and refugee camps. Then, the team pivots to a quick summary of the crisis in Venezuela and asks the question, “Does America’s current actions qualify as an interventionist coup?”

Links

Stephen Howard

Second Generation Radicals

Hannah Ardent

Long-Term Immigration Benefits

Current Refugee Numbers

Refugee Camps in Chad

American Refugee Committee

Venezuela’s Political Crisis

Russian Intervention in Venezuela

For Fun: Pink Floyd “The Wall”

Episode 19, Parenting Tips For International Intervention

On this episode, Nicholas, Stephen, Valida, and Matthew debate the criteria and preconditions needed to justify international intervention. In other words, when would the United States be justified to conduct a military intervention in a dictatorship or humanitarian crisis? Is there ever a justification, or should policymakers look only towards furthering American interests? Matthew and Nicholas also provide a few parenting tips that can be applied to international disputes.

Links

League of Arab States

The Future of War: A History

General Eric Shinseki

Obama Red Line Speech

Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons

Copenhagen Theory