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Season 8
S8E1 | Demystifying Data: The Personal Information Economy
What’s the difference between data privacy and protection? Season 8's premiere episode takes a deep dive into exploring this question with expert interviews addressing how your data is used in the emerging personal information economy, the implications of national data sovereignty measures, and why Uber and TikTok are the subject of data privacy concerns.
S8E2 | Through Smoke and Flames
As students departed Charlottesville given the University's decision to send everyone home in late March, 2020, a proportion of out-of-state students would journey back to their homes in California, Oregon, and Washington. To many, the University's decision to suspend class is the novel coronavirus' first distinct intrusion into daily life. These students traveling back to the West Coast would have more than COVID and online classes to contend with, however: a wildfire season hitherto unprecedented in its length and devastation. In this episode, some of these students describe their unique remote college life amongst COVID and the 2020 West Coast forest fires.
S8E3 | The People's Princess: Female Leadership During COVID-19
As COVID-19 has ravaged the world, some countries have responded better than others. New Zealand and Germany have outperformed nations like the United States and Great Britain, and many attribute this success to the leadership of women like Jacinda Ardern and Angela Merkel. In this episode, four of our researchers take on a psychological question with political implications: do women lead in a way that is inherently different from men? How do our views of women versus our views of men affect how they can lead?
S8E4 | Kyrgyzstan: A Central-Asian Beacon of Democracy?
Although Kyrgyzstan rarely makes the front page of the news, this Central-Asian nation has a fascinating history. From 1991, when Kyrgyzstan became independent from the Soviet Union to the present day in 2021, three of their democratically-elected presidents have been unseated by protesters and civil unrest. In this episode, we dive into Kyrgyzstan’s complex history of electoral politics, and whether the country lives up to its designation as a beacon of democracy. Special thanks to Dr. Margaret Hanson of Arizona State University for allowing us to interview her!
S8E5 | Dezinformatsiya
(Disinformation, Russian) What is the effect of fake news on public health in the context of a pandemic? This episode explores the nature of fake news itself and its history and examines the proliferation of COVID-19 fake news in Eastern Europe. These stories are causing widespread vaccine skepticism, threatening public health in countries such as Ukraine and the Czech Republic. This episode asks who is behind this new breed of fake news? What are their goals? And what does it mean for all of us?
S8E6 | Dollars for Development
Billions of dollars go to foreign aid every year, but what happens when aid is mishandled, misused, or misallocated? Host Emma Ross and Executive Producer Sarah Rocca sit down with guest Daniel Altman, the former USAID Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, to discuss fraud within foreign aid assistance and the systems in place to prevent it. They examine particularly fascinating case studies in Syria, Uganda, and within international donor organizations to draw conclusions on how fraud is handled in foreign aid, who is really harmed, and how it will impact the world in the COVID era.
S8E7 | r/WallStreetBets
What happens when large groups of retail investors are able to congregate through the internet to control the direction of a stock price? In this episode, we investigate the formation and purpose of online discussion forums and the ways they have been able to impact the stock market. Specifically, we dive into the subreddit r/wallstreetbets as it is known for its lively discussions about high-risk trading. For this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with special guest Jamie Rogozinski, the founder of r/wallstreetbets. Looking at the specific case study of GameStop, we discuss how it happened and what this might mean for the people’s power in the stock market moving forward.
S8E8 | Germany After Angela Merkel
Germany’s upcoming federal election to determine the successor to Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, marks a critical juncture in German foreign policy. An increasingly important foreign policy flashpoint is Germany’s relationship with China – especially in the context of Germany’s 5G rollout. In this episode, we walk you through the impact of Merkel’s chancellorship on German-Chinese relations, the evolving role of the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei in Germany’s 5G rollout, and the challenges the next chancellor will face in dealing with China and building the country’s 5G network.
Season 7
S7 Bonus | All Good Things
From climate change to impeachment, the traditional news media has a lot on its plate and hasn't been able to highlight the small victories that have been unfolding over the past year. To give you a break from your regularly scheduled Doom and Gloom, we have decided to focus on some of the good things happening in the world today. To kick off your 2020, we asked several of our researchers to go out into the world found stories and find case studies that made them smile. From peace talks in Africa to a deer the size of a puppy, here's our attempt to make your day a little brighter.
S7E1 | How to Lose the Narrative
Protest movements are often branded as unified fronts against injustice— but what happens when we unpack that assumption? This week on the Global Inquirer, we compare the protests in Hong Kong and France’s Yellow Vest protests in order to draw important parallels. We compare the government response in these cases and explore what the reality of a protest movement entails.
S7E2 | Modern Echoes of the Cold War
As most of us learned in school, the Cold War was described as an intense battle between good and evil. Now that the Soviet Union is gone, how do our policymakers socialized during this time apply Cold War lessons in dealing with Russia? In today's episode, we look at justifications for past fears, and parallels to modern day actions to find out just how much the Cold War has impacted the present day.
S7E3 | How the Rich Stay Rich
UVA's premier undergraduate research podcast, The Global Inquirer, hosts a special discussion about the significance of tax havens and the Panama Papers with Ruth Mason of UVA's School of Law and tax historian Joseph Thorndike. In 2016, the release of the Panama Papers provided an unprecedented look at the lengths some of the world’s wealthiest citizens go to avoid taxes and hoard their funds.
S7E4 | The Truths of the Rohingya Crisis
Facing discrimination, mass beatings, rape, and torture in their native country of Myanmar, the Rohingya people have fled to nearby Bangladesh, where the crisis has created the largest refugee camp in the world. In this week’s episode, we unpack the contrasting narratives of the Myanmar government and UN officials in regard to the treatment of the Rohingya. The multitude of actors, security issues, and international terminology complicates the crisis response and enables the international community to remain idle.
S7E5 | Zooming to Iran
On January 3, 2020 — three days before the first reporting of a mysterious viral pneumonia appeared in the New York Times — the United States assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Host Emma Ross and Researcher Ari Ghasemian discuss the man, the myth, and the drone strike. How can we situate recent events in terms of the rhetoric and history of American of foreign policy?
S7E6 | Yeh Jo Des Tera
"Yeh jo des tera" is Hindi for "This country of yours." One India caught between two choices; to support or reject a controversial piece of legislation. You may have heard of the Indian citizenship act, but what is it really? Does it discriminate against Muslims or provide a helpful path to citizenship for minorities? Tune into the Global Inquirer’s discussion with researchers Garrett Scocos and Ria Kharosekar to learn more.
S7E7 | Leviathan: Behind the Eurodollar
Shadowy foreign governments, a powerless Federal Reserve, and a clandestine currency market controlled only by the world's most elite international bankers. This is the story of the Eurodollar: a financial term as mysterious as the saga behind it. What began as a popular method for foreign countries and corporations to subvert US law grew into a secretive system for international banks to lend money to one another – a system as gargantuan as it is enigmatic. Tune in for the tale of how the first US dollars made its way abroad, and how the unregulated system it spawned reared its head in the 2008 financial crisis.
S7E8 | A Mammoth Problem
As climate change threatens ecologies and challenges policy makers worldwide, Russia finds itself in a unique place. Already, powerful and bizarre effects of climate change are impacting regions in Siberia, sparking cultural changes and threatening to destabilize ways of life. How does Putin’s administration view climate change? What stands in the way of meaningful policy? Listen in to Russian Studies majors Emma Ross and Cameron Bertron as they investigate this heated topic.
S7E9 | Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat, Kashmiriyat
Kashmir has been a geopolitically tense region for about a quarter of a century now. India and Pakistan have fought three wars over the region, and there continue to be regular skirmishes between soldiers of the two countries there. Moreover, the conflict has led to thousands of deaths and many alleged human rights violations. In this episode, we delve into the root cause of the conflict and go over key events that are often overlooked in media coverage of Kashmir.
S7E10 | This Land is Not Your Land
This episode explores how Indigenous people around the world engage with their respective governments to reclaim their land and resist the legacies of oppression that have disadvantaged their communities over the generations. Tune in to third-year Global Development Studies major Roma Chitko to hear more.
S7E11 | We Left Grouds and Never Came Back
In short, our world is occupied with the coronavirus. New stories from experts come out every day talking about the ever-growing death toll, testing availability issues, and economic downturn. However, we have not heard much about the perspectives from college students around the world who have had to leave their campuses (or as UVA students call ours, "Grounds"). In our final episode of the season, we cover how we have adapted as a podcast, and UVA students share their stories and talk about how they have adjusted to our new reality.
Season 6
Season 5
S5E9 | Being Muslim In China - The Plight Of The Uighurs
Imagine being imprisoned for praying. Imagine being unable to communicate with your family. For the Uighurs in Eastern China, this is a reality. Every part of their identity as Muslims is being systematically erased: their mosques, their language, their culture. On our last episode of the season, we cover the humanitarian crisis unfolding in China. Researcher Anna Von Spakovsky interviewed a Uighur-American student; our interviewee provided key insight to understanding the crisis as the situation is far from clear and transparent.
S5E8 | Rewired - The Influence Of Social Media On Mental Health
We’ve all heard and even experienced the impacts of social media: the distraction, the anxiety of checking likes. Today, our technical director Andy Carluccio steps up as the host to talk about social media with researcher Sarah Rocca. Social media is designed to be addicting, so how do users and governments alike tackle the addiction? Using case studies from the UK, France, and South Korea, Sarah and Andy illuminate different policy approaches that aim to influence human behavior.
S5E7 | The Hummus Wars
It’s fair to assume that hummus has become a widely popular grocery staple in the US. Its murky origins, however, have rendered it a symbol of political tensions in the Middle East. The cultural dispute over hummus ownership has indeed been absorbed into the general framework of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Researcher Gabriella Soriano interviewed Professor Darren Zook to investigate the relevance of food in the cultural and social dynamics of nationalism. Tune in for a peculiar discussion on politics, food, identity, and 23,000-pound hummus bowls.
S5E6 | Live Episode: Houses To Homes - Equitable Solutions
Join UVA’s premier undergraduate research podcast, the Global Inquirer for a special discussion on housing development, inequality and activism to gain a better understanding of our community. The event featured community leaders and activists as well as Andrew Kahrl, professor of History and African American studies here at UVA.
S5E5 | News Digest With John Sipher
On today's episode, editor-in-chief Emi Lockwood interviewed John Sipher, former Clandestine Service officer at the CIA. They discussed heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the U.S. North Korea summit, and the Michael Cohen hearing for the House Oversight Committee. The interview was conducted on March 1st, so things might have changed since then. Given his extensive foreign service experience, John brought up many relevant points that aren't typically discussed in the news.
S5E4 | Boys go to Baghdad, Men go to Tehran
Iran is so often perceived as a dangerous country that is too difficult to understand. Today, we challenge that assumption, giving you a basic framework of what happened in 20th century Iran to understand the present. New researchers Ari Ghasemian and Gabierlla Soriano interviewed Professor Nader Entessar to understand the current Iran Nuclear Deal. PS: Iran has an exciting history complete with a coup d’etat by the CIA and shipments of planes full of cash.
S5E3 | The New Urban Is A Suburban
The way we live matters now more than ever. The decision between walking or driving to the grocery store is not as much of a personal choice, it’s about how cities and suburbs are built to help its citizens. Today, researchers Emma Ross and Tyler Hinkle discuss how we can rethink transportation and city development. Emma spoke with residents of Moscow, Russia and Fukuoka, Japan to bring external perspectives to a very American topic: Cars. Tyler discussed urban planning with Professor Ellen Bassett and Professor Andrew Mondschein.
S5E2 | Unpacking The Science, Forecasting The Ethics
What if you had to flee your home because it was swallowed by the sea? According to the Climate and Migration Coalition, In 2015, 24 million people were forced to vacate their homes in face of environmental problems like rising sea levels or catastrophic storms. Today, researchers Walter Sharon and Quincy Stiles discuss the topic of climate change refugees with Professor Willis Jenkins. Tune in for a discussion on human rights, climate change, and the way that people process such a complicated problem.
S5E1 | Bees, Potatoes, And Climate Change?
Give me two examples of animals that are suffering because of climate change. Polar bears and helpless sea turtles, right? In our first episode of Season 5, we sit down with Dr. Reese Halter to discuss how bees and potatoes are endangered by climate change. It turns out that the effects of rising global temperatures are broader than we anticipated.
S6E1 | Putting a Price on Sovereignty
Gone are the days when countries bought vast quantities of foreign territory in the interest of expanding their borders...or are they? Beginning with President Trump's interest in a purchase of Greenland, we look both at the history of nations buying control over one another, as well as a glance to the future. What happens when nations are forced to buy foreign land because of the threats of sea level rise? What are the implications of one sovereign nation purchasing another? Is it possible that the acquisition of foreign nations could become the norm?
S6E2 | Words That Kill
Sticks and stones may break my bones, and gaffes might hurt me too. Researcher Nick Mortensen spoke with Professor Brad Carson about the impact of embarrassing gaffes in politics. It turns out that awkward moments don’t necessarily end political careers. Rather, blunders stick and stain a politician’s reputation when the blunder fits into a narrative about the politician.
S6E3 | Just Say Nyet: Protests In Putin's Russia
The West cheers and hails protests in Russia with the hope that the people will one day overcome Putin. But as researchers Katya Sankow and Anna Von Spakovsky explain, promoting protests are not as pro-democratic as we’d hope. It was in fact the Bolshevik Revolution through protests that created the Soviet Union. Mass demonstrations have a deep history in Russia, so the question is what will Putin allow.
S6E4 | You Can't Do This To Us
Democracy has always been the solution of the western world, but is it the best option for Latin America? Researcher Sarah Rocca looks at protests in Puerto Rico and the dictatorship in Venezuela to answer this question. With information from the Concordia International Conference and global news, this episode looks at how democracy is affecting real lives, and if there is a better answer.
S6E5 The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend
President Trump, Mike Pompeo, and Rudy Giuliani love to hate the current Iranian regime. Now, it seems they’ve settled on even more dangerous alternative: the MEK. Researcher Ari Ghasemian takes us through this group’s journey from terrorist organization to the forefront of US foreign policy.
S6E6 | Reporting for Duty
This week on the Global Inquirer, we take a look at the modern implications of mandatory military service and how the service affects these countries as a whole. We look at the reasons for why countries chose to draft their own citizens and how their cultures are later impacted. Additionally, we discuss the distinctions between mandatory services in different countries, and then dive into what this has meant for Israel specifically.
S6E7 | There And Back Again
This week, executive producer Emi Lockwood investigates the recent Argentine presidential elections. The incumbent Mauricio Macri lost to Alberto Fernandez and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (no relation) who ran as vice president. With a 57 billion IMF loan looming over the country, what does Cristina’s return to power mean for the future of Argentina?
Season 4
S4E10 | Echoes Of Castle Bravo
The long-term consequences of American nuclear tests rarely receive much attention. Even the largest tests in American history are rarely seen as anything more than an episode in the greater history of the Cold War. With the atmospheric tests long halted, and the Cold War over, what have these tests left behind? In the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, the costs are grave and enduring. Sit down as Nick Mortensen and Balthazar in the last episode of the season to learn more.
S4E9 | This Pipeline Is Not A Political Matter
The Nord Stream 2 Natural Gas pipeline has been a major point of contention within Europe and the NATO alliance, but why? Why is the pipeline so important? Why are the United States and Ukraine so intent on stopping it? Why is Germany so willing to receive energy resources from an adversary? What are the environmental impacts? Tune in to find out!
S4E8 | Mid-Season Four Review
Join host Nick Mortensen and technical director Andy Carluccio as they review the season and discuss their favorite production moments so far!
S4E7 | Debt, Doubt, And Delusion: The Greek Debt Crisis
Greece's economic troubles were widely known but hardly understood. Most of us were content to know that a debt crisis was happening, some protests got violent, and bailout measures were eventually approved. What happened afterwards? Why did the crisis actually happen? Are there any enduring consequences of the economic crisis? Listen to first year Emma Ross and Professor Erik Jones from the John Hopkins School of Advances and International Studies to find out.
S4E6 | Selective Disappearances, Selective Attention
Numerous high-profile Chinese officials and cultural figures have disappeared, leaving with nothing more than cryptic notices and vague accusations from the Chinese government. Why have these people disappeared, and why have these cases flown under the radar?
S4E5 | Live Episode: Are We Selling Ourselves Out? - The Impact of Genetic Data Collection
Join UVA's premier undergraduate research podcast, "The Global Inquirer," for a special panel and discussion with Dr. Katie Hasson from the Center for Genetics and Society about the political, social, and privacy ramifications of genetic and biometric data collection by private companies. Podcast host Nicholas Mortensen will join undergraduate researchers Emily Lockwood and Anna Von Spakovsky, along with Dr. Hasson, to provide an in-depth examination of this rising trend.
S4E4 | Hunting For Solutions
Our understanding of poaching of endangered species in Africa can be charitably described as "simplistic." Most of us don't even see Ivory, Rhino Horn, or other products, but did you know that the United States is one of the largest markets for these products? Did you know that most poachers are locals acting out on economic necessity? The story is a complicated intersection of local and international efforts.
Not Your Middle School Recycling Presentation
"With the help of UVA Sustainability, the Global Inquirer takes a closer look at what actually goes on after you throw something in the recycling bin. Recycling is a business, but recent global trends might be threatening how lucrative it actually is. Find out how your old cans, local recycling businesses, and global trade all intersect, and how you can make sure you are recycling properly."
S4E2 | Sanctions, Soccer, And Scandal
Sanctions are a tool of foreign policy that are both overused and hardly understood. Some praise them as a decisive punishment and a cure-all of sorts, while others dismiss them as useless after of political theater. In these sweeping generalizations, the truth of the matter is lost. When do sanctions come into play? Who determines when and where are they used? Do governments place sanctions in isolation of other institutions, or does the media or other groups have an influence? Listen as we sit down with our researchers, Katya Sankow and Walter Sharon, and find out!
S4E1 | Poverty And Plunder
Piracy has risen in Venezuela, but it's different from either the swashbuckling romanticism of "old" piracy or the merchant ship heists and hostage crises in international waters off Somalia. Piracy in Venezuela is smaller and fluid. Sometimes the pirates brutally kill their victims and steal their possessions, while other times they simply target anchored yachts. Why have people resorted to piracy? Can anything be done about it?
Season 3
S3E12 | Going Abroad
As students return from programs abroad, they bring stories and perspectives that cannot be found anywhere else. Four students have traveled across the world and experienced different cultures, but also observed similar trends. What stories bind all of these journeys together? What trends transcend thousands of miles?
S3E11 | Connecting the Dots
After a season that explored trends across the world, researchers Katya Sankow, Tyler Hinkle, Kara Kreiling, and Emi Lockwood sit down to reflect on the trends discussed this season, and the overarching dynamics that tie them all together.
S3E10 | Trophy Hunting
Russia will be hosting the World Cup in 2018, in the midst of heavy international criticism, corruption, and controversy. Why is Russia hosting this event? What purpose does it serve? Are there other international influences or trends at play?
Join researchers Roma Chitko and Walter Sharon, and Professor Natalie Koch as we answer these questions and many others.
Join researchers Roma Chitko and Walter Sharon, and Professor Natalie Koch as we answer these questions and many others.
S3E9 | Niko Tribute Podcast
Today we are releasing a special episode of Global Inquirer, a thank you podcast for our now former host and editor-in-chief, Niko Marcich. Niko started this podcast and built if from the ground up, a testament not only to his dedication and work ethic, but also to his amazing leadership abilities.
Our research team put together a video, released here as a podcast, to publicly voice our appreciation for Niko. As the microphone is passed on to Nicholas Mortensen, our new EIC, we hope you all in our audience will join in our thank you wishes to Niko before we dive back into our regularly scheduled content.
Our research team put together a video, released here as a podcast, to publicly voice our appreciation for Niko. As the microphone is passed on to Nicholas Mortensen, our new EIC, we hope you all in our audience will join in our thank you wishes to Niko before we dive back into our regularly scheduled content.
S3E8 | Live Episode: When To Draw the Red Line - Justifying Humanitarian Intervention
In Global Inquirer’s first live episode of the semester, we examine the case for and against international humanitarian intervention in Syria.
Joined by guest Mark Leon Goldberg, editor of the United Nations’ UN Dispatch blog and host of the Humanity in Action's Global Dispatches Podcast, along with researcher Dom Giovanniello, we’ll examine cases for and against humanitarian intervention in Syria’s civil war over the past seven years, and discuss what can still be done to tackle the humanitarian crisis.
Joined by guest Mark Leon Goldberg, editor of the United Nations’ UN Dispatch blog and host of the Humanity in Action's Global Dispatches Podcast, along with researcher Dom Giovanniello, we’ll examine cases for and against humanitarian intervention in Syria’s civil war over the past seven years, and discuss what can still be done to tackle the humanitarian crisis.
S3E7 | Presidents Persist
Since 2003, Rwanda has seen economic prosperity and stability under president Paul Kagame. His rule, which very well may endure until 2034, has also been characterized by repression of dissidents and few political opponents.
Kagame is not the only one in the continent, however. Ten of the worlds 20 longest ruling leaders are from Africa. Why and how is this the case? Are people more acceptant towards authoritarian leaders given certain growth and stability?
Kagame is not the only one in the continent, however. Ten of the worlds 20 longest ruling leaders are from Africa. Why and how is this the case? Are people more acceptant towards authoritarian leaders given certain growth and stability?
S3E6 | Global Inquirer Midseason Review
Following the 2035 Global Trends report published by the US Intelligence community, Global Inquirer takes a step back to look at how our previous episodes relate to the most recent report in our Midseason review.
What kind of issues will attract the most attention? What factors will transform the global economy and who will be its major players? How will governments and individuals respond to technological transformation?
What kind of issues will attract the most attention? What factors will transform the global economy and who will be its major players? How will governments and individuals respond to technological transformation?
S3E5 | Disappearing Accountability - The Hidden Cost Of Mexico’s Drug War
Across Mexico, citizens have been disappearing. These forced disappearances have received little investigation from Mexican authorities and occur under suspicious circumstances. What can these disappearances tell us about the state of Mexican security authorities and their relationship with civilian activists and institutions?
Join us as we sit down with Jorge Verastegui and Ximena Suarez and discuss Mexico's most volatile humanitarian crisis.
Join us as we sit down with Jorge Verastegui and Ximena Suarez and discuss Mexico's most volatile humanitarian crisis.
S3E4 | Native Virginia: We Are Still Here
Our special report on the Rappahannock native tribe receiving federal recognition will take you out to southeastern Virginia, where we sat down to interview the chief and tribal council to discuss what federal recognition means to them, why it took so long, and how “history was hijacked and held hostage by the state.”
S3E3 | Central Asia, Center Stage
What does the Khorgos dry port mean for economic and political relations between Central Asian republics and China? How will countries like Kazakhstan navigate foreign affairs and global power dynamics in the region?
Sitting down with Dean Shawn Lyons and Dr. Richard Weitz, we answer some of these questions and look at how ex-Soviet republics have positioned themselves geopolitically and the implications of a growing Chinese economics and political influence in the region.
Sitting down with Dean Shawn Lyons and Dr. Richard Weitz, we answer some of these questions and look at how ex-Soviet republics have positioned themselves geopolitically and the implications of a growing Chinese economics and political influence in the region.
S3E2 | Tele-Empowerment
Why are female workforce participation rates so low in developing countries, and what kinds of solutions are trying to encourage women to enter the workforce and pursue entrepreneurship?
Sitting down with UVA Global Studies Professor Sree, we discuss some of the institutional and cultural constraints that perpetuate low female workforce participation, specifically in South Asia. Then, we sit down with Sehat Kahani, a Pakistani tele-medicine startup that pairs female stay-at-home physicians with patients in rural and low-income communities, to discuss how they empower female physicians and improve access to health care in Pakistan.
Sitting down with UVA Global Studies Professor Sree, we discuss some of the institutional and cultural constraints that perpetuate low female workforce participation, specifically in South Asia. Then, we sit down with Sehat Kahani, a Pakistani tele-medicine startup that pairs female stay-at-home physicians with patients in rural and low-income communities, to discuss how they empower female physicians and improve access to health care in Pakistan.
S3E1 | Culture [Offline]
After Iran's announcement to ban the teaching of English in primary schools, we examine the implications of cultural protectionism in Iran and around the world. What are the end goals of cultural protectionism?How does the Internet challenge the traditional nature of cultural protectionism?
Season 2
S2E12 | The Other Southern Border
Seeking to better their lives, thousands of immigrants pass through its southern border every day. The journey is never easy. Beatings, sexual assaults, murder, and other encounters with cartels await these immigrants on their journey north. This harsh reality not only occurs on the border that the United States and Mexico share, but also on the border of Mexico and Guatemala.
In our last episode of the semester, we sit down with a Guatemalan migrant who has made this journey north and a Latin American policy expert to talk about this perilous journey, the relationship between police and organized crime and solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Mexico.
In our last episode of the semester, we sit down with a Guatemalan migrant who has made this journey north and a Latin American policy expert to talk about this perilous journey, the relationship between police and organized crime and solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Mexico.
S2E11 | Global Inquirer Season Review
In a special season review, technical director Andy Carluccio takes a look back at some of the highlights from all the episodes this semester.
S2E10 | Clean Cars, Dirty Money
"This is the largest corruption scandal in the history of the world..." What started off as a money laundering investigation in Brazil quickly transformed into a large scale corruption probe. Politicians indicted, company executives thrown in jail, and billions of dollars of dirty money have been recovered. Will Operação Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash) translate into stronger political institutions, and can other countries replicate the Operations' successes?
S2E9 | Breaking Through The Outbreak
Our current system of global health governance is made up of a bevy of acronymic and mysterious health organizations constituting a veritable alphabet soup of agencies. We look at the challenges faced by the Ebola crisis and how the public health community has learned from their deadly mistakes.
S2E8 | Split Ends
“Where can we be black if we can’t be black in Africa?” Western European standards continue to dominate education in South Africa, affecting students across races and wealth tiers. Even though Apartheid was dismantled in 1991, why do South African primary and secondary schools still appear so racially divided? How does the lasting footprint of colonialism affect schools, and how does the universal trend of denialism feed into these issues?
S2E7 | Live Episode: Innovation Or Digital Colonization - What's Behind Facebook's Plan to Connect the Whole World
What if we connected the whole world to the Internet? Launched in 2013, Facebook's Free Basics platform promises to do just this. Stemming from an altruistic vision to expand access to information, Free Basics provides affordable Internet access to remote areas in developing countries. What else is behind Facebook's vision to expand Internet access, and why are some communities rejecting the platform? What are the implications of Facebook being the primary Internet service provider in a community or country?
S2E6 | Pole-arized
Anywheres have taken the streets. Somewheres remain complacent. What's at stake in Poland as the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) make sweeping changes to the judicial system, and how has the media in the West and East portrayed these changes? Is the media exacerbating tensions in Europe and the US, or simply conveying increasingly divergent perspectives?
S2E5 | Barren Promises
It promised to turn the desert green. Billions of dollars and almost two decades later, not only have these promises not been realized, but the continued obsession with similar projects has diverted important resources. In this episode, we look at the New Valley development project in Egypt and other White Elephant projects. Why do governments continue to pursue wasteful projects with dubious benefits? How can our generation change the development paradigm?
SE4 | NAFTA and Trade Deals; Don't Axe Them Just Yet
As the Trump administration works through NAFTA renegotiations, we discuss the costs and benefits of a tariff placed on Canadian lumber, the goal of NAFTA renegotiations and why trade deals are becoming so hard to implement in the 21st century. Does it simply reflect increasing levels of protectionism, or is it the nature of 21st century trade deals themselves?
S2E3 | Commerical Warfare
Cheap commercial drones are carving out a unique space in warfare and challenging some of the norms in the US tactical playbook. What's the best viable solution? Can $80 drones turn conventional warfare on its head?
S2E2 | Yuan-inversal Aid
A new rail line connecting Addis Ababa to Djibouti, built by China. Estimates of over 1 million Chinese workers in Africa. China has been expanding infrastructure and investment projects in Africa. What is driving this expansion, and how is it affecting life in Africa? Should we be concerned?
S2E1 | A Tale of Two Towns
Black and white. Charlottesville and UVa. Townies and Students. Following the August 12th white supremacist march in Charlottesville, we take a step back from our global perspective to talk about race relations in Charlottesville from both a historical and modern perspective. Furthermore, we sit down with a local Black Lives Matter activist and discuss the disconnect between UVa, its students and the community around us, and what students can do moving forward.
Season 1
S1E4 | Universal Basic Income; Just Automate It
In the final episode of the semester, our host Niko Marcich and researchers Saajid Hasan and Tyler Hinkle explore the Universal Basic Income debate in India. We also host a special guest interview with International Economics Professor Kerem Cosar and the Software and Information Industry's (SIIA) David LeDuc, where we discuss the economic effects of automation, and learn how this global trend is changing the socio-political climate across the world.
S1E3 | Taking Refuge in Cville
In this week's episode, Niko Marcich explores the intricacies of refugee integration within the Charlottesville community. With guest interviews from the director of the International Rescue Committee and an Iraqi refugee, we take a deeper look into what happens to refugees after they've arrived in the U.S. Joined by Kay Khosbayar and Katya Sankow, we address the resources, challenges, and personal difficulties that come with being a refugee or immigrant.
S1E2 | PetroPolitics
In this week's episode, we take an in-depth look into the geopolitical and economic ramifications of a reliance on oil. Looking into Venezuela's food shortage and the historical and modern implications of the reliance on oil, we examine how oil policy shapes geopolitics and look towards the future. Will green energy really shape the future?
S1E1 | Fishing for Power
In this weeks episode, Niko Marcich is joined by Derrick Wang and Olivier Weiss, who dive into the Scarborough Shoal as they take a look at how the lives of Philippine fishermen have been affected by Chinese geopolitical expansion in the South China Sea. Specifically, they discuss the importance of the South China Sea, difficulties in enforcing international law, and how Chinese geopolitical expansion could play out under the Trump administration.
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