As one of the most important geopolitical relationships in the world, the United States - China relationship has the opportunity to set the course of a number of issues that would ripple across the world. Unfortunately, it seems that misperceptions, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities abound in this vital relationship. In this month's episode, we speak with Sarwar Kashmeri, a leading international relations scholar, academic, business leader, and host of the Polaris Live program, about his recent trip to China and what insights he gathered during his travels.

During his two weeks in China, a country he has not visited in over 20 years, he became confident that both sides of this relationship do not understand each other and that the only solution is exchanges, travel, and everyday interactions which can lead to a better path forward. He outlines the worldview that many in China hold and what their government seems to want from engagement with the world. This certainly is not a relationship free of critical challenges, but we can all do our part to solve them by accurately understanding what each side wants from the other.

Sarwar Kashmeri is an international relations specialist, author, and commentator, noted for his expertise on U.S. global strategy and national security.

He speaks frequently before business, foreign policy and military audiences. He is the founder and host of Polaris-Live. com, “United States and China in the world,” a live internet video program featuring 30 minute conversations on the business and geopolitical impact of China’s rapid rise to superpower status.

Kashmeri is author of the Foreign Policy Association’s report “The Telegram: A China Agenda For President Biden“ (2021); “The Telegram II: The Business of America and China is Business“(2022); “China’s Grand Strategy: Weaving a New Silk Road to Global Primacy,” (Bloomsbury), his third book, was published in July 2019. It is a centennial book of the Foreign Policy Association where Sarwar is a Senior Fellow. The book was released at a Washington D.C. launch featuring Kashmeri and former U.S. Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel.

He is also an Applied Research Fellow of the Peace and War Center of Norwich University, Vermont, USA and served a four year term as a non-residential Senior Fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center for International Security of the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C.

Kashmeri has hosted “China Focus,” a podcast series for the Carnegie Corporation of New York and discussed China’s Belt and Road Initiative on television with Deutsche Welle, the German news network, and in a series of interviews with Xinhua, China’s global news agency.

Cuba has long played a role in U.S. foreign relations, including as a one time part of the country following the Spanish American War in 1898. However, since the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the relationship has been rocky to say the least. As tensions between the two countries ratchet up, now is an important time to dive into this history and understand where things are headed. While the popular image of Cuba as a Communist stronghold has faded, many reforms have taken place to open up the space for private ownership and community organizing. Recently, the Cuban government announced the passage of 176 economic reforms, which they say are based on lessons learned from other communist countries like China and Vietnam.

However, the United States has continued to ratchet up the pressure on this island nation, continuing the longest running embargo/sanctions regime against any one entity. This has pushed an economy that was already in a precarious position over the edge, causing major power outages and food shortages. Under the threat of invasion by the U.S., tensions are high, but hope for a collaborative approach remains.

In this month's episode, we dive into this long and complex history to better understand the challenges and opportunities to collaboration. We also explore where these two governments have found agreement in the past and discuss if a complete change in Cuba's government is even in the U.S.' best interests at this point.


Dr. Jorge Dominguez is a former professor, with a particular interest in Cuba and Mexico. His current research focuses on comparative politics across Latin America and is the author and co-editor of several dozen books on the subject. Born in Cuba, his family left the island in 1960 for Miami and New York. He now resides in New Hampshire.

Access to energy has been one of the major driving forces in geopolitics since at least the industrial revolution. Without reliable access to the dominate form of energy, economies stall, people protest, and governments fall apart. The United States has become an energy superpower, leading the way in multiple forms of diversified energy resources, however, its economy remains vulnerable to supply disruptions, particularly for oil and the rare earth minerals currently necessary for renewable energy production. How does the closing of the Strait of Hormuz lead to higher gas prices? What steps can we take to insulate ourselves from these shocks? What are the new and emerging technologies that will reshape our energy infrastructure of the future?

This month we speak with Dr. Stephen Bird, Director of the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire, to explore these questions and more. Dr. Bird's career has focused on all aspects of energy policy, with a particular focus on energy conflicts, polarization, and the energy transition. Join the conversation as we explore the critical spaces that energy occupies in our daily lives and how decisions made thousands of miles away can shape your daily life.

Stephen Bird is the Director of Carsey School of Public Policy and a professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire. He is also a research professor (courtesy) at the Institute for Sustainable Environment at Clarkson University where he was formerly a full professor of political science. In addition, he's a faculty Research Affiliate with the Positive Energy Project at the University of Ottawa.

Stephen's work examines all aspects of energy policy and regulation broadly, with a deep focus on impacting the energy transition. Engagements and research awards have included New York’s Energy Research Authority, the U.S. State Department, the European Commission, National Resources Canada, a 2016 Fulbright Research Chair, and the National Science Foundation. Corporate partnerships have included the NY Power Authority, GE, National Grid, AMD, the US Green Building Council, and IBM.

His current research and engagements focus on energy conflict & polarization, drivers of energy acceptance (fracking, solar, wind), split incentives and smart housing, and energy technology governance & implementation (microgrids, green data centers).

Stephen completed his PhD at Boston University and his Masters at Harvard University.