The Burn Bag Podcast

Burn Bag Media
  • 4.9 (43)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED DAILY
The Burn Bag Podcast

We’re here to redefine how scholars and policymakers approach national security and foreign policy. Join us, as we make sense of a world in crisis.

  1. Biosecurity: Bird Flu, Bioweapons, Artificial Intelligence, and Other Bio-Risks with Dr. Jaime Yassif from the Nuclear Threat Initiative

    2D AGO

    Biosecurity: Bird Flu, Bioweapons, Artificial Intelligence, and Other Bio-Risks with Dr. Jaime Yassif from the Nuclear Threat Initiative

    In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with Dr. Jaime Yassif, Vice President of Global Biological Policy and Programs at NTI | bio, to explore the evolving landscape of biosecurity and pandemic preparedness. They discuss key lessons from COVID-19, the ongoing Bird Flu, the growing threats posed by zoonotic spillover, bioweapons, and AI-driven bio-risks, as well as the urgent need for stronger governance frameworks. Dr. Yassif shares insights from her recent engagements at the Paris AI Act...

    51 min
  2. The Trump-Zelensky Fallout: Fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer Reacts to the White House Debacle

    MAR 4

    The Trump-Zelensky Fallout: Fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer Reacts to the White House Debacle

    NOTE: This episode was recorded several hours before the announcement that President Trump was pausing all U.S. military aid to Ukraine. In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with Ambassador Steven Pifer, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and a leading expert on U.S.-Russia relations, to dissect the fallout from President Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Washington and its impact on U.S.-Ukraine relations. They explore the broader geopolitical ramifications of Zelenskyy’s contentious meeting ...

    59 min
  3. The World According to A'ndre: Trump’s Friday Night Massacre, the Art of the Mineral Deal, and Podcasters Take Over the FBI

    FEB 28

    The World According to A'ndre: Trump’s Friday Night Massacre, the Art of the Mineral Deal, and Podcasters Take Over the FBI

    This week, A’ndre examines former President Trump’s decision to fire General CQ Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, exploring the implications for U.S. military leadership, civil-military relations, and his potential replacement, LTG Dan Caine. He then turns to the U.S.-Ukraine critical minerals agreement, analyzing its potential to reshape the war effort while deepening U.S. strategic investment in the region. Lastly, he discusses the latest developments within the FBI under new ...

    30 min
  4. What in the World? South Korea: Martial Law, Impeachments, and a President Behind Bars feat. Alex Eid and Choong Hong

    FEB 24

    What in the World? South Korea: Martial Law, Impeachments, and a President Behind Bars feat. Alex Eid and Choong Hong

    In this week’s edition of What in the World?, A’ndre discusses the recent political turmoil in South Korea with his colleagues Alex Eid and Choong Hong, both experts on Korean affairs. Alex and Choong break down President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law in December, his subsequent impeachment, arrest, and ongoing criminal case. They also provide historical context on South Korea’s tumultuous political landscape, tracing the country’s transition to democracy since the Ko...

    1h 5m
  5. The World According to A'ndre: Putin trumps Zelensky, DOGE Cuts Go Nuclear, the Tariff Sheriff, and Who Wants to Poison Lula?

    FEB 21

    The World According to A'ndre: Putin trumps Zelensky, DOGE Cuts Go Nuclear, the Tariff Sheriff, and Who Wants to Poison Lula?

    The Burn Bag is launching a new weekly series: "The World According to A'ndre." Every Friday, A'ndre will break down some of the biggest foreign policy stories he's been tracking, offering his insights and making them accessible to you, our audience. This week, A'ndre unpacks the latest developments in U.S.-Russia negotiations and the rising tensions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—highlighting why they mark a significant shift from U.S. policy since...

    33 min
  6. Dr. Anthony Fauci on Pandemics, Public Health, and a Lifetime in Public Service

    FEB 17

    Dr. Anthony Fauci on Pandemics, Public Health, and a Lifetime in Public Service

    In this episode, Dr. Anthony Fauci joins A'ndre for an in-depth conversation about his decades-long career in public health and his experiences leading the U.S. response to some of the world’s most pressing infectious disease challenges. Dr. Fauci reflects on his early work during the HIV/AIDS crisis, the evolution of treatments that saved millions of lives, and his role in launching PEPFAR, one of the most significant global health initiatives in history. He discusses his leadership at...

    1 hr
  7. U.S.-India Under Trump: Previewing the Relationship as Modi Heads to Washington with Dr. Tanvi Madan, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution

    FEB 10

    U.S.-India Under Trump: Previewing the Relationship as Modi Heads to Washington with Dr. Tanvi Madan, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution

    In this episode, A’ndre chat with his old boss Dr. Tanvi Madan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, to examine the evolving landscape of India’s foreign policy and its relationship with the United States under a second Trump administration. Dr. Madan unpacks how India balances strategic autonomy with deepening alignments, particularly within the Indo-Pacific and the Quad. She reflects on the historical trajectory of U.S.-India ties, from India’s independence to the Modi era, highlig...

    59 min
  8. Is Russia Fascist? Putinism, the Russian Far-Right, and the Global Illiberal Trend with Professor Marlene Laruelle

    FEB 4

    Is Russia Fascist? Putinism, the Russian Far-Right, and the Global Illiberal Trend with Professor Marlene Laruelle

    In this episode, A’ndre welcomes Professor Marlene Laruelle, a leading expert on Russian politics and nationalism, for a deep dive into the evolution of far-right politics in Russia. The discussion begins with a foundational exploration of fascism—how it is defined, how it differs from broader far-right politics, and whether Russia’s current trajectory aligns with historical fascist movements. Professor Laruelle traces the development of Russian far-right ideology from the Soviet collapse to ...

    49 min
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4.9
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

We’re here to redefine how scholars and policymakers approach national security and foreign policy. Join us, as we make sense of a world in crisis.

Information

  • Creator
    Burn Bag Media
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    326
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Burn Bag Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Burn Bag Podcast

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