Matter File

W!ZARD Studios

Matter File presents the stories of individual countries to help understand the context behind their current state. It is a journey through history to explore what led to their current geopolitical and socio-economic landscape; because each country is a story worth telling.

  1. Anush Ghavalyan on Nagorno-Karabakh

    01/23/2021

    Anush Ghavalyan on Nagorno-Karabakh

    In this episode, we look at the story of the heavily contested region of Nagorno Karabakh. Ms. Anush Ghavalyan served as the former advisor to the president of the national assembly of the Republic of Artsakh. With her help, we understand the conflict from the lens of the region that has faced the wrath of Azeri troops for decades and still managed to develop independently. We look at the history behind Azerbaijan's claim to this territory and get a glimpse into the devastation caused by this war. For now, the situation seems stable and we can only hope for peace and security for the citizens of Artsakh. https://artsakhpress.am/eng/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min
  2. Armenia's Economy and Foreign Relations

    12/31/2020

    Armenia's Economy and Foreign Relations

    In our final episode of the year, we look at the international relations and economic landscape of the Republic of Armenia. The episode distills the reasons for Armenia's ties with its geographic neighbours and looks at the influence of Russia in the region. It further explores the economic history of the country through the 20th century and looks at the transition economy after independence. Finally, the episode examines the growth of the Armenian economy over the past three decades, the constraints to this growth, and the current problems that the economy needs to address. Thank you all so much for your support and we wish you all a Happy New Year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min
  3. Armenia's Grievous Recent History

    12/09/2020

    Armenia's Grievous Recent History

    In this episode, we take a closer look at how the relationship of Armenia with its neighbours shaped its present political state. We cover the horrifying numbers behind the Armenian genocide and the continuous partitioning of the state. We further examine the development of Armenian nationalism in an era where large populations of Armenians were forced to migrate due to oppressive policies of ruling states. We finally look at the Nagorno-Karabakh question and understand how the conflict has progressed since the independence of the Republic of Armenia. The situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is still volatile with protests in Armenia, and this episode provides the context to help understand why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min
  4. Marcin Piatkowski on Poland's Economic Growth

    11/14/2020

    Marcin Piatkowski on Poland's Economic Growth

    In this episode, we explore Poland's economy with the author of the book "Europe's Growth Champion: Insights from the Economic Rise of Poland", Professor Marcin Piatkowski. We analyse Poland's economic transition post-communism in 1989 with the actions of Solidarity and Leszek Balcerowicz's Shock Therapy and trace the growth through the 21st century. We talk about the development of good institutions and how Poland managed to avoid the economic crash of 2008-09. We finally touch on the present state of the Polish economy and why it's growth is probably sustainable and what the pandemic means for the economy of Poland. The book can be found on https://global.oup.com/academic/product/europes-growth-champion-9780198789345?cc=gb&lang=en& Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min
  5. Shintaro Hara on Thailand's Deep South

    11/06/2020

    Shintaro Hara on Thailand's Deep South

    We've hit 25 episodes and this one is an incredibly interesting interview on the insurgency in the south of Thailand! Mr. Shintaro Hara is an analyst and a translator who lives in Patani and has been interacting with people and communities that are affected daily by the insurgency in Thailand. The conversation talks about the concerns of individuals who inhabit the region and the importance of self-determination. We also talk about the various groups that were created to represent the interest of the Muslim population in Patani, why the struggle became armed, and how these groups might earn money to fund their struggle. We finally touch on why Thaification has adversely harmed the region and how the region is coping economically given the current pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min
  6. Elana DeLozier and a Stakeholder Analysis of Yemen

    10/31/2020

    Elana DeLozier and a Stakeholder Analysis of Yemen

    In this episode, we speak with Ms. Elana DeLozier on the incentives and roles of various actors involved in the Yemeni Conflict. The conversation follows on from her publication of the Yemen Matrix (https://yemen-matrix.washingtoninstitute.org/) which plots the bilateral ties between 12 key actors in the current geopolitical state of Yemen. We cover not only the Houthi movement, Hadi's regime, and Saudi Arabia but also talk about the political parties of GPC and Islah as well as the importance of historically prominent figures such as Saleh in the current conflict. Elana provides a thorough and concise tour of the complexity of the Yemeni conflict and helps understand what the bottlenecks to peace talks among the various parties involved are Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m
  7. Armenia and an Early Struggle for Sovereignty

    10/27/2020

    Armenia and an Early Struggle for Sovereignty

    In the first of three episodes on Armenia, we take a look at the ancient and medieval history of the Armenian plateau. The episode covers Stone and Iron age cultures on the plateau and the early regional influences of Persia and Rome. It introduces a millennia-old conflict between Persia and Byzantium which converged on Armenian solid and how that conflict evolved to one between Turkish kingdoms, Arab influences, and European powers. It also looks at the Cilician Armenian Kingdom and the decision to align with Russia as a means to fend off Ottoman and Persian colonizers. The episode chronicles the wars fought on Armenian soil through the ages up until the first Russo-Persian war in the early 19th century and sets the stage to understand the Nagorno-Karabakh war of today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min
  8. Subhash Ghimire on Nepal's Media and Democracy

    10/22/2020

    Subhash Ghimire on Nepal's Media and Democracy

    In this episode, we speak with Mr. Subhash Ghimire, the editor in chief of the daily newspaper Republica Nepal. The conversation covers the political dissatisfaction with the current Oli government in Nepal and their response to the pandemic. It looks at the freedom of the press in Nepal and why Nepal's private news media companies play a vital role in preserving Nepali democracy over and above what the political opposition and judiciary can provide. We also touch on social development in Nepal and why limited infrastructure means the distribution of aid and relief is more ineffective than we'd like to believe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min
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Trailer

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About

Matter File presents the stories of individual countries to help understand the context behind their current state. It is a journey through history to explore what led to their current geopolitical and socio-economic landscape; because each country is a story worth telling.

Information

  • Creator
    W!ZARD Studios
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ishaan Kapoor
  • Show Website
    Matter File

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