Spicy World

Spicy World
  • 4.3 (4)
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  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Interviews, analysis, and hypotheticals on trending International Relations topics from three grad school friends. In essence, making our group Whatsapp debates public and providing a platform for the next generation of policy professionals.

  1. 031 - Kyrgyz Presidential Elections with Bermet Talant

    01/17/2021

    031 - Kyrgyz Presidential Elections with Bermet Talant

    In our first episode of Season 2, we speak with Bermet Talant (Journalist, Reuters Institute Fellow, @ser_ou_parecer) about the recent presidential elections and referendum vote in Kyrgyzstan. We take a deep dive into the background of Sadyr Japarov, who won the contest in a landslide vote, and discuss his connections to former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, sources of financial support, and public appeal among rural populations and labor migrants. We talk about the events leading up to the vote, the new constitution, and the significance of a presidential system. We consider Kyrgyzstan's relations with Russia and China, the country's tourism sector, and how Bishkek can play a role in diplomatic efforts. Finally, we comment on the global trend toward populism and potential changes to reporting and rural-urban dialogue in light of this development, both in Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere.

    52 min
  2. 030 - A Year in Review

    12/30/2020

    030 - A Year in Review

    In our last episode of 2020, we look back at some of our favorite clips from the year. We review Georgian words with Thomas Wier and historical swindling, gathering, and organizing with Maximilian Hess, Bernie Moore, and Shingi Mavima. We revisit some of this year's protest movements in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Belarus with Shingi Mavima, Hildegard Titus, and Sasha St John Murphy. We conclude with geopolitical developments in Eurasia, including global Russia with Olga Khvostunova, North Macedonia's NATO membership with Jennifer Ginsburg, and conflicts in the Caucasus with Ian Kelly and Karena Avedissian.

    58 min
  3. 029 - Great Power Politics With Hans Gutbrod

    12/09/2020

    029 - Great Power Politics With Hans Gutbrod

    This week our guest is Hans Gutbrod (@HansGutbrod). Hans has a Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics, and is a lecturer at Ilia State University in Tbilisi, Georgia. Our conversation is predicated on a piece Hans wrote which was recently published in Foreign Policy. We discuss a grand bargain to solve several conflicts at once for the greater peace across the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean. We also talk about the role of Russia, Turkey and the West in any possible negotiations.

    52 min
  4. 028 - The U.S. Presidency and Foreign Policy

    11/16/2020

    028 - The U.S. Presidency and Foreign Policy

    This week we reflect on the role of the US president in domestic and foreign policy. We question the power of the office and evaluate the currency of a presidential visit abroad. We discuss the goals of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Tbilisi and consider how President-Elect Joe Biden's policies toward the Caucasus, Russia, and Sub-Saharan Africa may differ from predecessors.

    47 min
  5. 027 - The Nagorno Karabakh Conflict and Diplomacy in the Caucasus with Ian Kelly

    10/28/2020

    027 - The Nagorno Karabakh Conflict and Diplomacy in the Caucasus with Ian Kelly

    This week we speak with Ian Kelly (Former US Ambassador to OSCE, Georgia; Professor at Northwestern University @ikelly731) about the origins of the ongoing conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, including the history of diplomacy between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past few decades. We discuss recent diplomatic efforts by the US, Russia, and France, as well as the interests of Moscow and Ankara in the conflict. We also ask about the variation in support for the independence of disputed territories in the Caucasus.

    54 min
  6. 026 - The UN General Assembly Goes Virtual

    09/29/2020

    026 - The UN General Assembly Goes Virtual

    In a normal year diplomats and policy wonks converge on NYC in late September for the UN General Assembly. On this episode of Spicy World we discuss the implications of the first ever work from home UNGA. We look back at some of our favorite historic UNGA moments. We highlight some notable speeches and themes from this year. And we speculate on the preferred video chat platform used by heads of state.

    38 min
  7. 025 - Zimbabwe: Past and Present with Shingi Mavima

    09/17/2020

    025 - Zimbabwe: Past and Present with Shingi Mavima

    This week we interview Shingi Mavima (PhD in African American and African studies from MSU, Assistant Professor at University of Toledo, author of the novel Pashena, @TenziMavima). The episode starts in 1100 AD with the stone structures in Mapungubwe and the Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe. We transition to the 20th century march for independence, highlighting the founder of the Zimbabwe African National Union Ndabaningi Sithole. We then discuss the modern day, including land reform and the Zimbabwe Lives Matter movement

    1h 19m
  8. 024 - Sasha St John Murphy on The Belarusian Protest Movement

    09/11/2020

    024 - Sasha St John Murphy on The Belarusian Protest Movement

    This week we speak with Sasha St John Murphy (Visiting Research Fellow at Minsk Dialogue @SashaStJMurphy) about the ongoing protests in Minsk and throughout Belarus. We discuss how the demonstrations began, the role of women in the movement, and how it embodies Belarusian culture and society. We talk about the role of industries in protest and speculate over Lukashenka's funds and future.

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
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About

Interviews, analysis, and hypotheticals on trending International Relations topics from three grad school friends. In essence, making our group Whatsapp debates public and providing a platform for the next generation of policy professionals.

Information

  • Creator
    Spicy World
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Spicy World
  • Show Website
    Spicy World