Global

in·flu·ence noun 1: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. China exerts its influence to seek beneficial political and economic outcomes throughout the world. To do so, a decentralized apparatus of Chinese Communist Party officials and state-owned private enterprises employ a range of tools from opaque infrastructure investment to cultivating favorable thought leadership. Frequently, these activities have a corroding effect on the receiving countries' democratic institutions by exploiting high-level corruption and manipulating the information space. On this podlette, our host Travis Green explores these themes with: Dr. David Shullman, IRI's Senior Advisor, oversees IRI’s work addressing the influence of China and other autocracies on democratic institutions and governance in countries around the world. He recently edited IRI's report, entitled "Chinese Malign Influence and the Corrosion of Democracy" | @DaveShullman

From April 11 to May 19, the largest democratic exercise in history was held in India. Off the popularity of incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)achieved dominant results. But Modi and the BJP face a host of complex challenges arising from the country's staggering size, diversity, and changing role in the world. How can international partners like the United States bolster India as it continues to develop? And what does India's ascent mean for the future of democracy? Find out on this episode, of our podcast Global! Our host Travis Green speaks to: Dr. Milan Vaishnav - Director and Senior Fellow, South Asia Program | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace @MilanV Dr. Daniel Twining - President | International Republican Institute @DCTwining Vivek Shivaram - Program Officer | International Republican Institute @vivek_shivaram

mi·gra·tion noun 1: movement of people to a new area or country in order to find work or better living conditions. Migration is complex phenomenon driven by a wide range of economic, social, and political circumstances. It has far reaching implications for the long-term growth and political dynamics of both the countries from which migrants leave and the countries in which they arrive. Today, the world is seeing those implications play out around migration streams through Northern Africa and the Americas. On this podlette, our host Travis Green explores these themes with: Christopher Livesay, an award-winning foreign correspondent and producer based in Rome. His work on migration has been featured on the PBS NewsHour. | @cLivesay Jorge Ceballos, Program Manager in IRI's Guatemala office. | @kokiceballos

Several decades removed from the conflict, Guatemala continues to deal with the lasting impact of its thirty-year civil war. Against a backdrop of systemic corruption and violent organized crime driven by the global drug trade, Guatemalans head to the polls on June 16 to elect the President, Congress and municipal offices. But can the country find solutions in an electoral environment where a Presidential candidate was arrested over allegations of connections to the Sinaloa Cartel? Will reformers be able to succeed in this election? What can be done to address long-standing concerns over corruption and citizen security? And why should the United States care about what happens in Guatemala? To answer these questions, our host Lucas Jensen spoke to: Patricio Gajardo - Resident Program Director in Guatemala, International Republican Institute | @pfgajardo Amb. Stephen McFarland - United States Ambassador to Guatemala from 2008 - 2011 | @AmbMcFarland Adriana Beltran - Director for Citizen Security, Washington

pro·test noun: a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something. Is there a formula for mass protests that induce change? Or, is it the luck of the draw? Find out what went right in Sudan and Algeria. And, what could still go wrong. Our host, Sinclair Stafford, chats with IRI's Acting Africa Director, Elizabeth Lewis and Middle East expert (and Global host!), Chessy Gortzounian about the protests in Algeria and Sudan. In their discussion, they cover what has made these protests successful, what the people of Algeria and Sudan have learned from the failed Arab Spring protests and what the next steps are for the two African countries.

For over sixty years, the European Parliament has been dominated by centrist coalitions of national-level parties, from both the left and the right. But in response to growing anxiety about corruption, changing demographics, and slow economic growth, Europe has seen a rise in anti-systemic parties. These parties are poised to disrupt the traditional balance of power in the upcoming May Parliamentary elections, raising questions about how the EU's policies will change on issues like collective security, immigration policy, and trade. Will the world see "Brexit" repeated in other countries? How will the EU's relationship with Russia change? And why should the United States care about the results? To answer these questions, our host spoke to: Ryan Heath - Political Editor, POLITICO Europe | @PoliticoRyan Jan Zahradil - Member of European Parliament, Civic Democratic Party (CZ), Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists candidate for President of European Commission | @ZahradilJan Jan Surotchak - Sen

fa·tigue noun 1: a lessening in one's response to or enthusiasm for something, typically as a result of overexposure to it. In a democracy, it's often taken for granted that political parties balance citizens' competing values and priorities. But parties can become counterproductive to a healthy democracy when they lose touch with citizens or undercut the political independence of governing institutions. Widespread dissatisfaction with parties has shifted elections across the world and many parties are failing to adapt to these changes. What's driving these shifts on both the left and right? What can mainline parties do to adapt to the new political landscape? And are political parties even necessary for modern democracy? Our host Francesca Gortzounian speaks with IRI's Europe Program Director based in Slovakia, Thibault Muzergues, who draws on his extensive experience with political parties across Europe to answer these questions.

Five hours before the opening of polling stations on Feb. 16, Nigerians heard from the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) that elections scheduled for that day would be postponed for one week. Against a backdrop of violence and political interference, Nigerians returned to the polls on Feb. 23 and Mar. 9 to cast votes for president, National Assembly, and local offices. What do these elections mean for democracy in this strategically important country? How can youth be part of the solutions? And why is Nigeria's success important to the world? Find out on this episode, of our podcast Global. Our host speaks to: Samson Itodo - Founder & Executive Director, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA) Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh - Senior Associate for Africa, National Democratic Institute (NDI) Judd Devermont - Director of the Africa Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

e·lec·tion noun 1: a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. To put it simply, elections are one of the fundamental tenants of liberal democracy. Democracies are built on the idea that individual citizens have a say in who governs them and how. Elections are how we make that happen. Holding elections does not mean a country is democratic; however, no country can be a democracy without them. But here is the thing—elections are incredibly complex processes that require organization and high levels of technical knowledge. So what does it take to run a smooth election? And what are some of the consequences when these processes don't work well? Our host Travis Green speaks with two IRI experts who draw examples from recent elections in Moldova and El Salvador to answer these questions -Patricio Gajardo, Resident Program Director for Guatemala and Stephanie Roland, Program Manager for Moldova

Against a backdrop of poverty, brutal violence, and entrenched corruption, Salvadorans went to the polls on February 3, 2019, and elected 37-year old Nayib Bukele, who ran an unorthodox campaign positioning himself as an alternative to the two parties who have dominated the country's political landscape. The expectations for this young president are huge, and so will be the disappointment if he doesn't succeed. Now, to deliver on his promises to fight corruption and curb violence, Bukele will have to work with the establishment on whose failures he rode to victory. But did his out-of-the-box communication style already burn those bridges? How did the country get to this political crossroads? And, will he live up to the image that Salvadorans voted for? For this episode, our host speaks with: Eric Olson - Director of Seattle International Foundation's Central America- DC Platform and a consultant to the Woodrow Wilson Center's Latin America Program Glenda Umaña - Journalist with CNN en Español, who rec

cri·​sis noun: the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever In our second mini-episode, our host Travis Green chats with Venezuelan journalist, Carla Angola. In less than 20 minutes, they breakdown the nature of the Maduro regime's repression, the media environment, and the international community's response to the crisis in Venezuela. . . . Global is a monthly podcast that features one country per episode and delivers an on-the-ground look at our rapidly changing world. We've added a monthly 15-to-20 minute themed-based podcast that will cover broader topics like Chinese influence, election meddling, democratic backsliding and everything in-between.

In 2014, Russian forces took control of the Crimean peninsula causing international uproar and sanctions to be placed on Russia. But it wasn't the first time that Russia had seized neighborhood territory. Six years before the annexation of Crimea, Russia crept into Georgia, occupying 20 percent of the country to this day. Data tells us that Georgians want to lean to the West. But, how are they supposed to do that with the Kremlin on their back? In 2008, Senator John McCain spoke to a crowd following the news of Russia's invasion of Georgia and said, "Some Americans, when they read this news, may wonder where Georgia is or why we should care about the conflict between Georgians and the Russian army. It's, after all, a small, remote, and obscure place. But history is often made in remote, obscure places... Today we are all Georgians." On this episode of Global, we speak to: Damon Wilson (@DamonMacWilson) - Executive Vice President, Atlantic Council. Damon served as Senior Director for European Affairs at t

de·cen·tral·i·za·tion noun: the transfer of authority from central to local government Thanks Merriam-Webster! But, what does that REALLY mean? In this mini-episode, our host John Tomaszewski chats with democracy and governance specialist, Eguiar Lizundia. In 20 minutes, they breakdown what decentralization is, and its effects on countries around the world. . . . Global is a monthly podcast that features one country per episode and delivers an on-the-ground look at our rapidly changing world. We are now adding monthly 15-minute themed based podcasts that will cover Chinese influence, election meddling, democratic backsliding and everything in-between.

Six years after the fall of Muammar Gadhafi, Libya remains in a chaotic state. In 2011, the regime of Gadhafi responded to protests in eastern Libya with violence, leading to a revolution that brought his 42-year regime to an end. Only three years later, armed conflict broke out after the second parliamentary elections, leading to political divisions and intense conflict. Libya’s future is uncertain. What are the country’s next steps? How can Civil Society help bring Libya towards peace? And, where is Libya headed? Find out on this episode, of our podcast Global. Our hosts speak to: Dr. Frederic Wehry, Senior Fellow of the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and author of "The Burning Shores: Inside the Battle for the New Libya." Taezeez "Tooza" Alhasaeri, Digital Media Editor of the Zuwara Municipal Government. Zuwara was the first town to elect its local council after the fall of Gadhafi democratically. Christopher Livesay, an award-winning foreign correspondent ba

In early February 2018, the island republic of the Maldives descended into political chaos as former President Abdulla Yameen used a state of emergency to crack down on opposition. The region watched as Yameen suppressed dissent, imprisoned members of the Supreme Court and attacked members of the independent press. Meanwhile, both Chinese and Indian ships began to conduct exercises nearby, the first time Chinese navy vessels had entered the Indian Ocean in four years. In September 2018, Maldivians went to the polls in unprecedented levels to take their authoritarian leader out of office. Pledging more transparency in government and an obligation to human rights, opposition candidate Ibrahim Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party won by a margin of 17 percent. Maldivians have made it clear what direction they want the country to move towards. But will the country be able to secure a prosperous, stable and free future? Our hosts speak to Special Representative to President Solih and former Minister of Foreig

In 1930, a military coup ended seven decades of constitutional government in Argentina. Over the next 46 years, a revolving door of democratically elected leaders and military regimes culminated in the junta-led Dirty War, transforming a once limited executive into one of the region’s most iron-fisted institutions. Ten consecutive civilian administrations have since tried a variety of remedies to long-standing problems with inflation, debt and instability, with some success. Still, old habits die hard. What’s next for Argentina? On this episode our hosts speak to Dr. Benjamin Gedan, Senior Adviser of Latin America Programs and Director of the Argentina Project at the Wilson Center; open government and transparency expert, and General Manager of Directorio Legislativo, Agustina De Luca; and Ambassador Lino Gutierrez, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina from 2003 to 2006.

Zimbabwe experienced nearly four decades of authoritarian rule under Mugabe's leadership, which included economic degradation, political repression, and state-sponsored violence. On July 30, 2018, Zimbabweans went to the polls to participate in the most significant elections of their lifetime. For the first time since 1987, Former President Robert Mugabe's name did not appear on the presidential ballot. With the struggle for independence, land, and power running throughout Zimbabwe's history, what is next for the country? Out hosts speak to John Robertson, a native Zimbabwean and economist based in Harare who has commented extensively on the economic problems facing Zimbabwe today for a range of publications including Bloomberg and the Economist; Paul Mangwana a practicing lawyer and the Secretary of Legal Affairs for the ZANU PF party; Liz Lewis, Deputy Director of the International Republican Institute's Africa Division; and David Coltart, a human rights lawyer who has been active in Zimbabwean politics

A recent Moroccan consumer boycott is demonstrating the real economic and political consequences of citizen action. The boycott threatens the influence and stability of the current political status quo and even has the potential to influence national policy and international relations. How did Morocco get here? What has driven the impact and widespread adoption of the movement so far? Who can ultimately respond to Moroccans’ demands? And, what does the future of this North African country look like? Our hosts speak to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Fellow Dr. Sarah Yerkes; Aimane Cherragui, a Moroccan political activist and President of SimSim-Participation Citoyenne, a non-profit that aims to use information and communication technologies (ICT) to support and facilitate the participation of citizens in the governmental process; and governance expert and IRI Morocco Country Director, Imara Crooms.

The April 2018 election of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has been seen as a turning point for Ethiopia. Against a backdrop of both economic growth and civil unrest the past decade, Ethiopians at home and abroad are cautiously optimistic about the change Dr. Abiy represents. Will the country be able to sustain this momentum to improve in areas like human rights, ethnically-driven politics, and opportunities for youth? Our hosts speak to Dr. Menna Demessie, Vice President for Research & Policy Analysis, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and National Youth Coordinator at Society of Ethiopians Established in the Diaspora; former political prisoner and Secretary General of the Oromo Federalist Congress opposition party Bekele Gerba; and civic activist and survivor of torture Fekade Ancho who currently works with the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition.

Life in North Korea is a mystery to most of the world and few know what day-to-day existence entails for the average North Korean. How did North Korea become a hermit kingdom? And what does it really look like on the ground? Our hosts speak to Dr. Andrei Lankov, Director, NKNews.org and Professor at Kookmin University; Pulitzer-nominated veteran foreign correspondent Jean Lee who led the Associated Press news agency’s coverage of the Korean Peninsula as bureau chief from 2008 to 2013; and North Korean defector Sehyek Oh who currently is a researcher at the Transitional Justice Working Group.