The Global Dialogue - A PGAN Podcast

The Global Dialogue

0.0 (0)
Politics

The Global Dialogue is one of the fastest-growing English-language foreign-affairs podcasts with over 3.5 million views and 40K+ subscribers in just two months across 15 episodes. Produced by PGAN, a global network of internationally educated scholars and professionals spanning 70+ countries. New episodes regularly — subscribe and join the conversation.

3d ago

The Next India–Pakistan War Will Be Worse | Elizabeth Threlkeld | Stimson Center

In this episode of The Global Dialogue by the Pakistan Global Alumni Network, we speak with Elizabeth Threlkeld, Senior Fellow and Director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center and a former U.S. Foreign Service officer who served in Islamabad and Peshawar. Drawing on her Foreign Affairs essay, Elizabeth explains why the May 2025 conflict crossed thresholds that had never been crossed before: strikes across mainland Pakistan, BrahMos missiles, Nur Khan airbase and Rawalpindi. She explains why neither side seems to have learned a "Cuban Missile Crisis" lesson, and why Washington's public role in the ceasefire could make it harder for the U.S. to mediate next time. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:48 Lessons from serving in Islamabad & Peshawar 03:09 What Washington misunderstands about Pakistan 05:55 Trump–Pakistan rapport: can it outlast personalities? 10:35 Can the US stay close to India AND Pakistan in a crisis?14:10 The Mecca Accord & Pakistan's role in Iran–US talks 17:30 Why the next India–Pakistan war could escalate 22:54 Indus Waters Treaty: could water trigger the next war? 27:15 Can South Asia be stable while Kashmir is unresolved? 29:45 Has Pakistan's closeness to Trump shifted the balance with India? 32:14 Does the Mecca pact add deterrence in South Asia? 34:40 Pakistan's balancing act between Washington and Beijing 38:15 Could Pakistan bridge the US and China again? (Kissinger 1971) 40:40 Who holds real leverage over the Taliban? 45:20 What the Afghanistan War Commission should say about Pakistan 48:55 Are Pakistan's think tanks engaging the world? 52:05 Youth, reconciliation & what gives her hope 54:50 How the diaspora can strengthen Pakistan's global ties 57:37 Two moves for Washington and Islamabad The Global Dialogue is a podcast by the Pakistan Global Alumni Network (PGAN), featuring long-form conversations with global experts on the forces reshaping the international order. To stay in touch, follow The Global Dialogue :https://www.facebook.com/theglobaldialogueofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/theglobaldialogue/https://linkedin.com/company/the-global-dialogue/https://x.com/theglobaldialoghttps://www.tiktok.com/@theglobaldialogue_
5d ago

Can Pakistan End the Saudi-Houthi War? | Paul McGarr, King's College London

Is a new security bloc taking shape around Riyadh, Ankara and Islamabad, and can Pakistan keep the Gulf from sliding into a wider war? Intelligence historian Dr Paul McGarr of King's College London returns to The Global Dialogue to unpack the Mecca Pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the renewed Saudi–Houthi war, and why the Red Sea's Bab el-Mandeb could become the next Strait of Hormuz. He explains how much control Iran really has over the Houthis, what Field Marshal Asim Munir's shuttle diplomacy has achieved, why Washington is wary of a second front in Yemen, and how the US midterms could shape Trump's Gulf policy. We also cover intelligence sharing inside the new pact, how drones and AI are reshaping asymmetric warfare, the information war from Operation Sindoor to today, and whether India's strategic autonomy has left New Delhi on the sidelines while Pakistan becomes the Gulf's preferred partner in South Asia. About the guest:Dr Paul McGarr is a Lecturer in Intelligence Studies at King's College London, where he has taught since 2023. He studies security and intelligence outside the Anglosphere, clandestine diplomacy and covert propaganda. His 2024 book "Spying in South Asia" examines Britain, the United States and India's secret Cold War. CHAPTERS0:00 Preview2:23 Grading Pakistan's US–Iran mediation5:14 The Mecca Pact: did anyone see it coming?7:24 What's driving the Saudi–Houthi war10:00 How much control does Iran have over the Houthis?12:33 Red Sea risk: how exposed is Pakistan?15:54 Munir's October 26 Tehran meeting19:16 What the US wants from Pakistan24:16 Will the US midterms change Gulf policy?26:53 A new security bloc: Riyadh, Ankara, Islamabad31:43 How China views the pact34:36 Intelligence sharing between rival partners38:37 Drones, AI and asymmetric warfare41:10 The information war and fake claims44:19 Has strategic autonomy sidelined India?47:38 IMEC, Chabahar and India's West Asia strategy50:35 Did New Delhi overestimate its value to Washington?54:23 US–Pakistan and US–India ties after Trump57:19 Deal or wider war: signposts for the next 6 months1:02:06 Closing The Global Dialogue is a podcast by the Pakistan Global Alumni Network (PGAN), featuring long-form conversations with global experts on the forces reshaping the international order.
Oct 28

Trump After the US Midterms: What It Means for Pakistan | James M. Lindsay, CFR

In this episode of The Global Dialogue, Dr. James M. Lindsay, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explains how big the Democrats' blue wave could be, why Trump is losing his hold on the average Republican voter, and why a president who is challenged "doesn't back down. He doubles down." Dr. Lindsay covers what Washington's options are in the Iran war after Operation Epic Fury, whether the election calendar is now setting the war's timetable, and why even a Democratic Congress will struggle to rein in what he calls America's "imperial presidency." He also discusses Trump's summits with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, the Taiwan arms package and the Russian diesel deal, and how Pakistan became one of Washington's most important diplomatic partners - and where Islamabad fits if fighting in the Gulf escalates again. Plus: the Makkah Pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, whether influencers like Hasan Piker and Nick Fuentes actually move votes, and whether Trump's approach to the world will outlast him. The President's Inbox - Dr. Lindsay's weekly CFR podcast on US foreign policy, which he mentions at 24:03 while discussing the Iran war:https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/the-presidents-inbox Chapters0:00 Intro1:55 Blue wave or blue ripple? The House math3:38 Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed and the fight for the Senate5:04 The most expensive election in US history5:58 Is Trump losing his grip on Republicans?8:43 Could Trump run again in 2028?12:33 Will the results be accepted? ICE and the Insurrection Act14:50 How exposed is this election to foreign meddling?19:15 Impeachment and a cornered president23:20 Operation Epic Fury: who is winning the Iran war?27:08 Is the election calendar setting the war's timetable?30:28 Why Congress can't rein in the president38:05 Xi, Putin, Taiwan arms and the Russian diesel deal43:00 Pakistan: Washington's new partner after the midterms46:34 The Mecca Pact and America's place in the region49:32 Do influencers like Hasan Piker and Nick Fuentes move votes?56:36 Is the online fringe shaping US foreign policy?1:02:48 Is Trump's foreign policy here to stay? The Global Dialogue is a podcast by the Pakistan Global Alumni Network (PGAN), featuring long-form conversations with global experts on the forces reshaping the international order. To stay in touch, follow The Global Dialogue :https://www.facebook.com/theglobaldialogueofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/theglobaldialogue/https://linkedin.com/company/the-global-dialogue/https://x.com/theglobaldialoghttps://www.tiktok.com/@theglobaldialogue_
Oct 27

Why China Is ‘Mightily Relieved’ to Have Gwadar | Dr. Benjamin Barton | The Global Dialogue

Is Gwadar becoming the safe harbour of the Indian Ocean? With shipping avoiding the Suez Canal and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, Dr Benjamin Barton explains why the Middle East's loss could be Pakistan's opportunity, and what 13 years of China's Belt and Road Initiative really mean for the countries that host it. Dr Benjamin Barton is a specialist in Chinese foreign policy and the Belt and Road Initiative. He heads the School of Politics, History and International Relations at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. His research tracks China's port investments across South Asia, the Indian Ocean and Africa, and asks whether they give Beijing political leverage. CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:38 Welcome: the Belt and Road at 13 years, "BRI 2.0"05:24 Why host-state agency is overlooked10:20 Who gained leverage? CPEC, Sri Lanka and Hambantota15:30 Gwadar's strategic value and the Strait of Hormuz20:06 Regional rivals: India, Chabahar and Jebel Ali22:10 Lessons from Djibouti for CPEC30:32 Pakistan between the US, China and the Gulf37:25 Rare earths, minerals and the geopolitics of CPEC44:56 Is Pakistan a middle power?53:12 A new regional architecture? Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan57:05 Pakistan and maritime governance in the Indian Ocean1:06:50 Closing thoughts The Global Dialogue is a podcast by the Pakistan Global Alumni Network (PGAN), featuring long-form conversations with global experts on the forces reshaping the international order. To stay in touch, follow The Global Dialogue :https://www.facebook.com/theglobaldialogueofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/theglobaldialogue/https://linkedin.com/company/the-global-dialogue/https://x.com/theglobaldialoghttps://www.tiktok.com/@theglobaldialogue_ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions or editorial stance of the Pakistan Global Alumni Network (PGAN), its affiliates or its representatives. This discussion is intended to encourage informed dialogue and critical debate on international affairs and public policy.
Oct 27

Does India Have a Case on Kashmir? | Neophytos Loizides

Kashmir’s UN resolutions are almost 80 years old, and India says they are out of date. Does international law agree? In this episode of The Global Dialogue, Prof. Neophytos Loizides, Professor of International Conflict Analysis at the University of Warwick and author of Designing Peace and Mediating Power Sharing, draws lessons from Cyprus, one of the world’s longest frozen conflicts, for India, Pakistan and Kashmir. His answer on the resolutions is blunt: “There is no expiration.” Chapters0:00 Intro1:34 What is the Cyprus dispute really about?5:54 Does knowing your rival make peace harder?7:34 Why back a vote in one place and resist it in another?10:41 Do UN resolutions on Kashmir expire?13:26 Could arbitration give Kashmiris a seat at the table?15:01 Is this how federalism is meant to work?17:44 India, the Indus Waters ruling and arbitration21:22 What could India and Pakistan solve first?23:42 What deal would ordinary Indians and Pakistanis accept?28:33 Does international law still matter in 2026?31:38 Who could mediate between India and Pakistan?35:33 Have multilateral organizations lost their role?39:55 Can the diaspora help build peace?44:53 Pakistan’s rise as a mediator47:10 If you were the mediator, how would you solve Kashmir? The Global Dialogue is a podcast by the Pakistan Global Alumni Network (PGAN), featuring long-form conversations with global experts on the forces reshaping the international order. To stay in touch, follow The Global Dialogue :https://www.facebook.com/theglobaldialogueofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/theglobaldialogue/https://linkedin.com/company/the-global-dialogue/https://x.com/theglobaldialoghttps://www.tiktok.com/@theglobaldialogue_
Oct 27

Why Trump Is Choosing Pakistan Over India | Daniel Markey

Two years ago, hardly anyone in Washington saw this coming. An American president now praises Pakistan's leadership from the UN podium, and Islamabad is hosting talks between Washington and Tehran. Meanwhile, India, long seen as America's chosen partner in South Asia, has fallen out of favor with this White House. In this episode of The Global Dialogue, Dr. Daniel Markey, Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center and author of No Exit from Pakistan, explains why the relationship has turned around. He argues that Pakistan has "correctly diagnosed the way to President Trump's heart." He also warns that a partnership built on personal ties, crypto and critical minerals may not outlast this administration. Dr. Markey covers why he sees today's US policy as "an attitude, not a strategy," how Washington's foreign policy establishment still sees Pakistan, and why India's ties with Russia are treated differently from Pakistan's ties with China. He also discusses the Mecca Pact, the future of NATO and multilateralism, how the Iran war could shape the midterms, and whether nuclear deterrence really works. He ends with direct advice for Islamabad on how to stay relevant in Washington after Trump. Dr. Markey previously held the South Asia portfolio on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff and led a Council on Foreign Relations Task Force on Pakistan and Afghanistan. Stimson Visiting Fellowship (for Pakistani and Indian professionals):https://www.stimson.org/project/south-asia-fellowships/visiting-fellowship/ Chapters0:00 Intro1:43 From No Exit (2013) to today: a relationship turned upside down7:25 Crypto, critical minerals and counterterrorism: a sustainable base?12:04 How Washington's policy community sees Pakistan's diplomacy15:53 Does Washington ever count Pakistan's war-on-terror losses?18:36 Has the perception of Pakistan changed?21:26 Building lasting trust beyond the Trump administration25:39 India–Russia vs. Pakistan–China: why the double standard?31:51 The Mecca Pact and a shifting Middle East37:35 Will multilateralism return after Trump?42:20 Is America isolating itself from its allies?46:42 The future of NATO50:42 How the Iran war will shape the US midterms53:39 Does nuclear deterrence actually work?58:20 Advice for Pakistan: fixing the perception problem1:02:03 The Stimson Visiting Fellowship The Global Dialogue is a podcast by the Pakistan Global Alumni Network (PGAN), featuring long-form conversations with global experts on the forces reshaping the international order. To stay in touch, follow The Global Dialogue :https://www.facebook.com/theglobaldialogueofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/theglobaldialogue/https://linkedin.com/company/the-global-dialogue/https://x.com/theglobaldialoghttps://www.tiktok.com/@theglobaldialogue_
Oct 27

AI Bots, Rage Bait and Election Lies: A Disinformation Expert Explains | Renée DiResta

Why did Stanford's top disinformation lab get shut down, and who really controls what you see online? Renée DiResta, Georgetown professor and author of Invisible Rulers, joins The Global Dialogue. Renée DiResta was a lead researcher at the Stanford Internet Observatory. She tracked election rumors in 2020, worked on the Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russian interference, and studied ISIS propaganda for the U.S. State Department. Later she was subpoenaed by Congress and sued over that research. 00:00 Intro & Preview01:40 Should Governments Regulate Social Media?03:28 Why Was the Stanford Internet Observatory Shut Down?07:34 Renée DiResta's Unconventional Career Path10:54 Did Russia Really Influence U.S. Elections?14:29 Should Governments Crack Down on Fake Accounts?18:20 Does AI Propaganda Still Need Real People?22:16 AI Influencers & Rage Bait for Profit24:35 Why Does Rage Drive So Much Engagement?27:21 Invisible Rulers: Who Really Gained Power Online?30:33 How to Spot a Coordinated Campaign34:08 Proving You're Human Online38:23 Community Notes vs. Fact-Checkers42:52 Why AI Chatbots Get Breaking News Wrong45:27 Can Content Moderation Ever Be Solved?49:29 Government vs. Big Tech: Who Should Decide?53:07 Beyond America: China, Russia & Singapore57:51 Polarization & the Future of American Politics01:01:15 Advice for the Next Generation Get the book, Invisible Rulers: https://invisiblerulers.comRead Renée's Substack, Agents of Influence: https://agentsofinfluence.substack.com/
Sep 21

Russia, China & the Future of Authoritarianism — Daniel Treisman on Power, War & Democracy

What does the rise of authoritarianism really mean for the future of democracy? In this episode of Global Dialogue, we sit down with political scientist Daniel Treisman for a wide-ranging conversation about Russia, China, authoritarian power, war, democracy, and the changing global order. Treisman challenges the idea that dictators are inherently better at understanding and maintaining power. Drawing on his research into political transitions, he explains how authoritarian regimes can be undermined by their own mistakes—from misjudging opposition and mishandling elections to losing wars and creating discontent within the security establishment. 00:00 Intro01:20 Is authoritarianism winning, or is it mismanagement mistaken for strength?06:52 Putin's rise: personal choice or structural forces?12:12 Did NATO expansion provoke Russia's invasion?20:08 Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi pact: a "NATO" for the region?24:42 From spin dictator to open repression: Putin's shift27:56 Does AI strengthen or weaken spin dictatorships?33:12 Which authoritarian blunders should opposition exploit?39:49 How reliable are corruption perception indexes?44:35 Kashmir and Ukraine: does sovereignty rest on law or force?49:32 The best case for democracy in 2026 To stay in touch, follow The Global Dialogue : / theglobaldialogueofficial / theglobaldialogue / the-global-dialogue

The Global Dialogue is one of the fastest-growing English-language foreign-affairs podcasts with over 3.5 million views and 40K+ subscribers in just two months across 15 episodes. Produced by PGAN, a global network of internationally educated scholars and professionals spanning 70+ countries. New episodes regularly — subscribe and join the conversation.

Creator

The Global Dialogue
Years Active

2026
Episodes

29
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 The Global Dialogue
Show Website

The Global Dialogue - A PGAN Podcast