Join us on The Focus as Dr. Alice Yang dives deep into the volatile dynamics of Taiwan's political landscape, its tense relationship with China, and what the future holds for this strategic island nation. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that uncovers the real stakes and hidden narratives behind one of Asia's most critical geopolitical issues!

Show Notes:

Dr. Alice Yang Bio:

https://indsr.org.tw/en/member?resid=8&uid=2&pid=90

Institute for National Defence and Security Research (INDSR):

https://indsr.org.tw/en/index

Notable Publications:

Annual Assessment Reports at INDSR: These reports cover various aspects of Taiwan's defence strategy, including military technology trends and China's military developments​ (INDSR)​.

Weaponized Interdependence: China’s Economic Statecraft and Social Penetration against Taiwan: This paper discusses how China uses economic means to influence and penetrate Taiwanese society, published in the journal Orbis​ (TAEF)​.

Building a Disaster Resilient Community in Taiwan: Co-authored with Judy H.S. Wu, this research analyses the social capital in disaster preparedness in Taiwan, published in Politics and Governance​(TAEF)​.

Enabling Human Values in Foreign Policy: This paper explores the transformation of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, emphasizing the human values driving Taiwan's foreign policy, published in the Journal of Human Values​ (TAEF)​.

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Join us on The Focus as we delve into a gripping conversation with Dr. Andrew A. Michta, senior fellow and director of the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council. In this episode, we explore the pivotal moments in history that have shaped our world and discuss the urgent strategic decisions facing the U.S. and its allies today.

Andrew’s Politico Article:

The West’s biggest vulnerability is internal

Andrew’s Bio and Related Sites:

Dr. Andrew A. Michta Bio

Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

The Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

X:

@andrewmichta

@AtlanticCouncil

@ACScowcroft

Extra:

My Florentine ancestor who wrote De Militia was Leonardo Bruni also known as Leonardo Aretino. He was a major Renaissance Humanist and Historian and Chancellor of Florence 1410-11 & 1427-44.

SACEUR - acronym for Supreme Allied Commander Europe

SHAPE - acronym for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

(U.S.) EUCOM - acronym for United States European Command

Top 5 U.S. Defence Contractors as at 2024 in order of revenue:

1. Lockheed Martin
2. RTX Corporation
3. Northrop Grumman
4. Boeing
5. General Dynamics

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Get ready for an explosive episode with investigative journalist Andrew J. Fowler as we uncover Julian Assange's path to freedom and his future moves.

Show Notes

Books by Andrew J. Fowler -

Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty, 2024

(New Edition) The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Fight for Freedom, 2020

Secret Australia – contributor, 2020

Shooting the Messenger: Criminalising Journalism, 2018

The War on Journalism: Media Moguls, Whistleblowers and the Price of Freedom, 2015

The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and the inside story on WikiLeaks, 2011

Twitter:

@AndrewJFowler

Wikimedia Commons:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Fowler_(journalist)

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Join us for an exclusive dive into the July 4, 2024 British election with UK political warhorse Chris Mullin! From insider perspectives to strategic analysis, unlock the secrets of UK politics in our latest podcast episode. Listen now and stay ahead of the electoral game!

Show Notes:

Books by Chris Mullin –

1982 A Very British Coup

1986, Error of Judgement

2009, A View from the Foothills

2010, Decline & Fall

2011, A Walk-On Part

2016, Hinterland

2019, The Friends of Harry Perkins

2023, Didn’t You Used to be Chris Mullin?

Social Media –

Website: https://www.chrismullinexmp.com/

X: @chrismullinexmp

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Join us for an electrifying episode as John reunites with Harvard's esteemed Professor Avi Loeb! It's been almost 11 months since their last conversation, and the world of UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) has been buzzing with groundbreaking developments. From a U.S. Congressional Inquiry shaking up the discourse to the dramatic resignation of the head of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, the landscape has never been more intriguing. Plus, delve into the fascinating details of Avi's Silver Star Expedition, where fragments of the mysterious IM1 meteor have undergone rigorous testing. Tune in as we unravel these astonishing updates and much more. Don't miss it!

Show Notes:

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/embracing-nicolaus-copernicus-in-toru%C5%84-6ad3072da35d

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/lessons-from-the-2024-munich-security-conference-78995ef580a9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw9l0mK466I

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The upcoming U.S. presidential election between incumbent Democrat Joe Biden & presumptive Republican candidate, former president Donald Trump is likely to be a bang-up contest between two very old men. The most pressing touch-button issue they’ll be facing is the number of undocumented arrivals from Mexico and Latin America. Both candidates admit the current American migration system is broken. But who will have the best fix? Also, as John discussed with guest Assoc. Prof. Julia G. Young, hasn’t America - indeed every settler society - gone through these sorts of issues before?

For more information about the American Immigration issue see:

https://www.pewresearch.org/

&

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/

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In this episode, John speaks with former Executive Director of Human Right’s Watch (HRW) & Princeton’s Prof. Kenneth Roth on Netanyahu v. Hamas. In a war known for having broken the laws of war on both sides, can anyone really say either Hamas or Netanyahu holds the moral high ground?

Show notes:

The Roth & Sparrow piece in Foreign Policy (February 2024) can be seen here - https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/09/israel-gaza-health-care-hospitals-genocide-icj/

The Forensic Architecture website can be seen here - https://forensic-architecture.org/

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🔥 Unraveling Yemen's Political Maze: The Shocking Truth Revealed!

💥 Brace yourselves for an eye-opening conversation that shatters every preconceived notion about Yemen! In an exclusive episode, John delves deep into the heart of Yemen's political labyrinth with none other than the European Institute of Peace's Senior Advisor, Hisham Al-Omeisy.

🌍 Prepare to have your worldview rocked as Hisham and John dissect the enigmatic layers of Yemen's intricate politics. Forget everything you thought you knew about this tumultuous nation because the truth is far more baffling than you could ever imagine!

💣 But that's not all! Dive into the murky waters of Yemen's maritime chaos as Hisham and John uncover the startling motivations behind the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. Spoiler alert: It's not what the mainstream media wants you to believe!

🔍 Don't miss out on this riveting discussion that challenges the very fabric of conventional wisdom. Buckle up as we embark on a journey through Yemen's untold stories – the revelations will leave you speechless! Click now to uncover the shocking truth that's been hiding in plain sight!

Show Notes:

Hisham Al-Omeisy’s bio - https://www.eip.org/team-organisation/hisham-al-omeisy/

Hisham’s story as a prisoner of the Houthis - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/prominent-yemeni-activist-detained-houthis-sanaa

Hisham’s take on the West v. Houthis - https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/west-vs-houthis-experts-warn-middle-east-a-powder-keg-call-for-political-solution-to-red-sea-standoff/3112691#

Hisham speaks with CNN’s Christine Amanpour - https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2024/02/06/amanpour-yemen-houthis-hisham-al-omeisy.cnn

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