Hopkins Podcast On Foreign Affairs

On June 29, former South African President Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail for contempt of court while under investigation for corruption. Since his arrest, protests have erupted in South Africa with widespread violence. In this episode, we look at the politics of the post-apartheid republic including the prominence of Mandela’s former party … Continue reading President Zuma and Corruption in South Africa

Sets of rules, norms, and standards that make up international law provide a broad framework for actions of countries around the world. It also has a profound effect on our daily lives, governing, for example, how we travel or how we send or receive money from abroad. On this podcast, we discuss how international law … Continue reading International Law and Global Governance

Since the games’ inception, the international olympic committee has argued that the olympics are apolitical, and promote a world message of peace. Yet, the truth of the matter is that the Olympics are political. Whether it is the politics of corruption as olympic officials take expensive gifts in return for their vote in granting host-city … Continue reading The Politics of the Olympics

Since 2018, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador– commonly referred to as AMLO– has been in power as the president of Mexico. However, 2018 was not the beginning of his political career; in fact, he has been a figure in Mexican politics for the past three decades. From Governor of his home province of Tabasco, to Head of … Continue reading AMLO’s Mexico

The alliance between the United States and South Korea is nearing its 70th anniversary. The success of the alliance is demonstrated both by its longevity and the ability to preserve peace in one of the most geopolitically fragile parts of the world. In the third decade of the 21st century, the alliance continues to confront … Continue reading Rejuvenating U.S.-South Korea Relations

Peru had one of its most consequential elections in its almost two century year old history. While the results are not yet official due to the tight margin of the race, Pedro Castillo is all but guaranteed to be Peru’s next President. What does his election mean for Peru, will he be able to deliver … Continue reading Peru’s Uncertain Future

For over 70 years, the United States and Pakistan have navigated a challenging yet productive security relationship. While it has not always been smooth sailing, Pakistan has been and remains a critical strategic partner in a turbulent region for the United States. What is the nature of the US-Pakistan relation, how can this strategic partnership … Continue reading The Complicated US-Pakistan Relationship

The expansion of humanity into the far reaches of space has long been a dream portrayed in science fiction and assessed by academics. The resources that can be mined from asteroids and other planets, the guaranteed survival of humanity if an existential catastrophe were to strike Earth all seem like compelling arguments.  But what if … Continue reading The Perils of Space Expansionism

Over the last decade or so in Europe, populism has been on the rise in many countries, from Greece to France to the Netherlands. Italy is no exception to this trend; populism has manifested in both left- and right-wing groups, and these parties have been able to garner enough support to, for extended periods of … Continue reading Italy’s Fight with Populism

The Ukraine crisis is a power struggle between Ukraine and Russia. As one of the founding states of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had historically been an important part of the Russian sphere of influence. However, Ukraine is now on a course towards closer ties with Europe, rather than Russia. Ukraine desires to open its markets … Continue reading Ukraine’s Frozen Conflict

During the first decade of the 21st century, the U.S. defense department prioritized counterterrorism and counterinsurgency measures the Middle East and across the globe. A major shift in strategy began slowly but surely in 2012, driven partly by China’s more aggressive behavior and new military capabilities, including cyber and electronic weapons and precision missiles developed … Continue reading Rebuilding America’s Military Edge with Michele Flournoy

Ethiopia, a landlocked country with dozens of unique ethnic groups, is nestled in the complex topography of the Horn of Africa and the East African Rift. Tigray, a small region of Ethiopia, borders Eritrea and is home to most of Ethiopia’s estimated 7 million ethnic Tigrayans. In November 2020, Tigray’s regional government launched a full-scale … Continue reading Ethiopia’s Tigray Conflict

Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia for over 20 years and in these two decades, Putin has seen Russia through its rise as a great power and its economic stagnation. He is explicitly rejected principles of liberalism and multilateralism, annexing foreign lands, jailing political opponents, and undermining Western democracies, so who really is Vladimir Putin? In … Continue reading Putin’s Russia

Saudi Arabia is one of the United States’ oldest and most reliable allies in a region known for its instability. From the 1973 oil embargo, to 9/11, to the Civil War in Yemen, the relationship between our two countries has survived several critical challenges. But, in the wake of the Jamal Kashoggi killing in 2018, … Continue reading The Future of US-Saudi Relations

The name Castro has defined Cuba for over sixty years when Fidel Castro and his brother, Raul, successfully led a communist revolution on the island. Since then, the island nation has been one of the United States major challenges in Latin America, allying with the Soviet Union during the Cold War and influencing politics in … Continue reading Cuba After The Castros

In our second edition of our Up to Speed narrative series, we tell the story of Japan’s economic miracle. What fueled Japan’s unprecedented economic boom, what led to its stagnation beginning in the 1990s, and what lessons can we learn from the story of Japan for the international economic challenges of today?  UTS: Japan’s Economic Miracle … Continue reading UTS: Japan’s Economic Miracle

This Friday will mark President Joe Biden’s 100th day as the 46th President of the United States. This means 100 days of Biden Foreign Policy. What has he done thus far? Has he kept his campaign promises? What are some areas his administration could improve on? And, is there a semblance of a Biden Foreign … Continue reading 100 Days of Biden Foreign Policy

Today, Thursday April 22nd, is Earth Day, a global holiday celebrating environmental protection. In light of this holiday, on today’s episode we will be discussing how the global transition toward a less carbon intensive energy system is affecting global geopolitics as we know it. Over the past century, energy geopolitics have centered on struggles to … Continue reading Geopolitics of the Energy Transition

China today is undergoing tremendous domestic changes while it is adopting a bolder foreign policy giving rise to Sino-American competition. At the center of it all is Xi Jinping– the general secretary of the Chinese Community Party, the president of China, and the paramount leader for nearly 10 years. What changes to China have Xi … Continue reading Xi Jinping’s China

Israel’s parliamentary election this March– its fourth in two years– has provided no conclusion to the political deadlock the country continues to face. As of now, neither coalition has been able to achieve a majority in Israel’s parliament, continuing the electoral gridlock which may result   in a fifth election this summer. This constant cycle of … Continue reading Electoral Gridlock in Israel