Radio
Worldfocus Radio Shows
While no full-scale agreement was reached in Copenhagen, a non-binding political accord emerged from the conference, which China and India just endorsed last week. We look deeper at the immediate consequences of climate change on small islands. Ronald Jumeau and May Boeve join Martin Savidge to discuss how to stop global warming.
The Arab world has over 350 million people and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf. Most of its countries also share a set of demographic issues, including a youth population explosion and gender inequality. Martin Savidge hosts Magda Abu-Fadil and Bernard Haykel to discuss Arab demography.
A small island archipelago in the South Atlantic recently made it back into the headlines. Known as the Falkland Islands and in Spanish as Las Malvinas, we look at why this little-known place brought two nations to war in 1982 — a conflict that threatens to reignite. Martin Savidge hosts Juanita Brock of the Falkland Islands News Network and Professor Maria Victoria Murillo.
Rwanda has come a long way since a horrific genocide 16 years ago resulted in the death of around 800,000 Tutsis, as well as “moderate” Hutus who opposed the genocidaires. The Rwandan leader is often seen as a model for the developing world. Martin Savidge hosts Stephen Kinzer and Noel Twagiramungu to discuss the issues.
Myanmar is on President Obama’s list of countries deserving of direct diplomatic engagement. Many observers are hopeful that the Southeast Asian nation of 48 million people will respond to U.S. overtures and will hold a free and fair election in fall 2010. Joshua of Burma VJ and Suzanne DiMaggio join Martin Savidge to discuss political change in Burma.
Almost 7 years after the start of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, the international community still struggles to help the 2 million refugees and almost 3 million internally displaced persons who have not been able to return home. Martin Savidge hosts Aidan Goldsmith and Sawsan Al-Sayyab of the International Rescue Committee.
February 4, 2010
India’s Constitution, which banned caste discrimination, turned 60 last week. But caste has existed for over 3 millennia, and many people view caste – in addition to curry and the Taj Mahal – as one of India’s defining features. We discuss the culture of caste, the reservation system and comparisons to the U.S. Joining Martin Savidge are Vivek Kumar and Corey Washington.
January 27, 2010
Martin Savidge hosts Barbara Demick of the LA Times and Leon Sigal of the Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project. They discuss North Korea’s recent currency devaluation, how the state is closing underground markets, the grim economic reality for the North Korean people and the prospects of U.S. economic engagement with this rogue and isolated nation.
Martin Savidge hosts Marselha Gonçalves Margerin of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights and Michele Wucker of the World Policy Institute to discuss these unequal neighbors. From racism and hate crimes to migration and increased trading, they examine the relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the role of the U.S.
Our weekly Worldfocus Radio show analyzes three different ongoing conflicts in Yemen: Houthis in the north, al-Qaeda militants and southern separatists. Martin Savidge hosts Christopher Boucek of the Carnegie Endowment and Sudarsan Raghavan of the Washington Post.
December 17, 2009
Martin Savidge hosts William Fierman and Nikolay Petrov to discuss the Central Asian “stans” (Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). We examine emerging language policies, cultural identity and geopolitical relationships with Russia, China and the United States.
December 9, 2009
Will China accept lower growth and higher energy costs that could result from the Copenhagen summit? While no one in China denies climate change, debate focuses on the speed and selection of renewable energy alternatives. Martin Savidge hosts Julian Wong and Rashid Kang to discuss how China is developing its alternative energy.
Chile’s economic “miracle” has lifted many Chileans from poverty and become a fiscal model for Latin America. Martin Savidge hosts Peter Winn and Victoria Hurtado to discuss the underside of Chile’s prosperity, focusing on the middle class, growing inequality and the younger generation.
East and West Jerusalem are divided along ethnic and religious lines — in addition to the separation fence that Israel built to secure the city. Martin Savidge hosts Mustafa Barghouti of the Palestinian National Initiative and Gershon Baskin of the Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information.
Worldfocus Radio takes a comparative look at the progress of LGBT politics and the gay rights movement in different countries and explores the U.S. and Canada as safe havens for gay asylum seekers. Martin Savidge hosts David Rayside and Rachel Tiven on Worldfocus Radio.
Martin Savidge hosts Filipino peace negotiator and Catholic priest Eliseo Mercado and security analyst Zachary Abuza when Worldfocus Radio explores the forgotten terrorist front in the Philippines. LISTEN NOW.
The Ethiopian government is trying to strengthen local and regional businesses and attract foreign direct investment. Martin Savidge hosts Ethiopian businessman Ermyas Amelga and economics professor Phillip LeBel to discuss how easy it is to do business in Ethiopia and who’s investing. LISTEN NOW.
Martin Savidge hosts Gareth Jenkins and Mustafa Akyol to discuss whether Turkey is leaning West or moving East. They discuss the country’s growing Islamicization, strained relations with Israel and the limbo of European Union admission.
In our weekly radio show, Martin Savidge explores the causes behind Guatemala’s chronic malnutrition and escalating narco war. He hosts a panel of guests to discuss the remnants of war and genocide and land rights. Anita Isaacs, Stephen C. “Carlisle” Johnson and Samuel Lowenberg join the conversation.
Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show explores failed states — countries without stability, a functioning government or rule of law. Pauline Baker, Christopher Boucek and Georgette Gagnon join the conversation. Listen now.
July 14, 2009
Political upheaval continues in Honduras, after liberal leader Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a military coup in late June. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show explores the coup and how Latin America’s media have become a political battleground. Sandra Cuffe, Daniel Duquenal and Silvio Waisbord join the conversation.
Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show explores the recent violence involving China’s ethnic minority Uighur population. The show also looks at Uighur aspirations of secession, Han Chinese immigration and Chinese nationalism. Enze Han, Andrew James Nathan and Alim Seytoff join the conversation. Listen now.
Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show explores rising tensions in South Sudan, the site of a two-decade civil war between the Muslim north and mostly Christian south. As post-war violence mounts and threatens the region’s fragile peace, South Sudan may become more deadly than Darfur. Jen Marlowe, Eric Reeves and Sunday Taabu join the conversation.
Across the globe, between 12 and 15 million people live in various stages of statelessness, which means they lack citizenship in any country. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show explored the common themes that surface among stateless people — economic discrimination, social exclusion, identity and the feeling of invisibility. Bill Berkeley and Dawn Calabia joined the conversation. Listen now.
Angry with government restrictions on exports and desperate amid drought and the economic crisis, some farmers in Argentina are running for office in the country’s upcoming congressional election. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show explored the firestorm over agricultural policy. Cristian Harris, Marcelo Regunaga and Marie Trigona joined the conversation. Listen now.
More than a decade after the war in Bosnia came to an end, tensions are high and officials warn that the country’s peace deal is on the brink of collapse. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show explored the roots of conflict and Bosnia’s fragile peace. Nenad Pejic, Sarah Meharg and Srecko Latal joined the conversation. Listen now.
Lebanon will head to the polls on June 7 in an election that could alter the political fabric of the country, with Hezbollah and its allies poised to make significant gains. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show explored the issues and implications of Lebanon’s election. Melani Cammett, Ben Gilbert and Ghassan Schbley joined the conversation. Listen now.