Altamar - Navigating the High Seas of Global Politics
Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen
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Altamar is dedicated to curating an informative discussion on how global issues impact all of us. The show avoids the typical Washingtonian US bias and talks about accelerating changes from a global perspective by featuring diverse guests on a range of foreign policy topics. We aim to rise above the polarization that detracts from the public’s understanding of crucial global issues. Hosted by political analyst Peter Schechter and columnist Muni Jensen.
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Apr 9, 2021
The Future of Travel: Winners & Losers [S4, E5]
In 2020, the world came to a shrieking halt. Empty airports, deserted roads, and grounded airplanes were the story of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. Now, as COVID vaccines become more available, we echo the commonly asked question by children: Are we there yet? Countries are making moves toward reopening, and European airlines are beginning to see large upticks in summer ticket sales. Should the travel industry begin to cheer, or is it a little too soon to call this a ‘win’?
Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Céline Fornaro, Head of the European Industrials team at UBS Securities, to understand the changing nature of travel. Altamar’s new segment, ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic, takes a deeper look into ‘responsible travel’ and the new social trend of ‘travel shaming’ among younger generations.
Mar 26, 2021
Russia: Weak and Strong [S4, E4]
Russia seems to garner one success after the next: its bold space travel program, successful vaccine creation, and global distribution efforts, and a powerful military. Despite a weakened economy overly dependent on oil and gas, growing internal dissent, and no real foreign policy strategy, Russia remains a force to be reckoned with. Winston Churchill warned us that “Russia is never as weak or as strong as she looks.” So what’s really happening?
Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Jill Dougherty, the former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief and a Russia expert at the Woodrow Wilson Center, to better understand Russia’s true power. Altamar’s new segment, ‘Téa’s Take’ by Téa Ivanovic, discusses the growing youth dissent and its importance for Russia’s future.
Mar 12, 2021
The Future of Cannabis? [S4, E3]
Is the grass always greener on the other side? The cannabis industry is now expected to become a $300bn industry in the next 10 years. Nations are beginning to initiate a global conversation about the “regularization” of marijuana. Does it mean decriminalization, legalization, or something else? Altamar hosts Peter Schechter and Muni Jensen are joined by Benjamin-Alexandre Jeanroy, CEO of Augur Associates, a former consultant for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and co-founder of Echo Citoyen, to discuss the worldwide economic effects of the cannabis industry. Altamar is also joined by Téa Ivanovic for Téa’s Take as she provides insight into the criminal justice system and big pharma in relation to cannabis legalization and decriminalization.
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Feb 26, 2021
The World According to Madeleine Albright [S4, E2]
Our world has turned upside down as we navigate a pandemic, civil unrests, economic hardship, climate destruction, fragile governance…it all spells chaos. Madeleine Albright, the first female US Secretary of State and founder of the influential Albright Stonebridge Group, joins Altamar in a conversation about the world’s problems – and opportunities. We take her on a global tour – from America’s political and social instability to China’s rising power and everything in between. And we also ask the self-described ‘optimist who worries’ whether there’s anything she’s optimistic about right now. Former Secretary of State Albright is also a former UN ambassador, Georgetown professor, and seven-time New York Times best-selling author who has witnessed – and shaped -- the transformation of modern international relations from the front row.
Feb 12, 2021
America, a Return to the Throne? [S4, E1]
The US abdicated its place on the global throne after the Trump administration replaced the international order with transactional, bilateral relationships, largely leaving the US on the outside looking in. President Biden campaigned on a return to a multilateral foreign policy and rejoined many global initiatives on his first day in the Oval Office. Ivo Daalder, President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and co-author of the gripping “The Empty Throne: America’s Abdication of Global Leadership,” joins Altamar to talk about America’s future and its place in the global arena. Daalder was formerly the U.S. ambassador to NATO, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and director for European affairs at the NSC under President Bill Clinton.
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Jan 29, 2021
¿Coup in America? [S3, E29]
The storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6 was a national disgrace that upended America’s predictably peaceful transitions of power. It also unleashed widespread debate over classification as a coup – or if the attack was a riot, uprising, and insurrection. Semantics and academic distinctions aside, the hard part is just beginning, as the United States seeks to serve out justice and heal. Moisés Naím, the internationally-syndicated columnist, best-selling author, and distinguished fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins Altamar to explain how U.S. democracy could recover – and the ongoing risks at home and abroad. Naím is the host and producer of “Efecto Naím,” an Emmy-winning international affairs program, and was also the editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine for fourteen years. Previously, Naím served as Venezuela’s Minister of Trade and Industry in the early 1990s, director of Venezuela’s Central Bank, and executive director of the World Bank.
https://altamar.us/coup-in-america
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Jan 15, 2021
Terror Spreads in Africa [S3, E28]
Two years after the fall of the Islamic State’s caliphate in Syria and Iraq, jihadist militants are making huge inroads in Africa. As the continent battles the coronavirus and poverty, Islamist attacks are spreading across the Sahel and beyond – with far-reaching consequences for the rest of the world. Mary Harper, the BBC’s Africa Editor and expert on violent radical Islam in Africa, joins Altamar to explain the impacts of Africa’s surging terrorist activity. Since the early 1990s, Harper has reported on the continent from conflict zones such as Somalia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, South Sudan, Algeria, and the two Congos. She has written for The Economist, Granta, The Guardian, The Times, and The Washington Post and is the author of the book “Everything You Have Told Me is True” about the East African jihadist group Al-Shabaab.
http://altamar.us/terror-spreads-in-africa
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Jan 1, 2021
The Global Case for Optimism [S3, E27]
Good news has been in short supply these days. From the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic to racial violence and polarization, it seems like the world is taking a global gut-punch. But despite the massive challenges ahead, is humanity overall still on the up-and-up? Charles Kenny, Director of Technology and Development and Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, joins Altamar to explain why the doom-mongers are wrong. His current work focuses on gender and development, the role of technology in development, governance, and anti-corruption. He is the author of numerous books on improving the world. His latest, “The Plague Cycle,” explores humankind’s struggles with infectious disease.
https://altamar.us/the-global-case-for-optimism/
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Dec 18, 2020
2021: The Rebound Year? [S3, E26]
2020 can’t end quickly enough. After months of political polarization, economic impoverishment, and calamity for so many, coronavirus vaccines are rolling out, and the world is pondering a new reality. Change begets change – but what kind? DJ Peterson, president and founder of the research and consulting firm Longview Global Advisors, joins Altamar to help forecast world politics, global markets, and technology for next year and beyond. Previously, Peterson built and led the Corporate Advisory Services practice at Eurasia Group and was a political scientist at the RAND Corporation. He frequently writes for top-level business audiences and appears in publications such as Bloomberg Businessweek, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and CNN.
https://altamar.us/2021-the-rebound-year/
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Dec 4, 2020
Disarray & Hope in Latin America [S3, E25]
The official forecast for Latin America is glum. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a regional recession, dragged down social indicators, and killed hundreds of thousands of citizens. The United Nations predicts 9.1% negative growth in 2020 and 231 million Latin Americans in poverty – a 15-year backslide. Widespread discontent has led to mass protests and political unrest. Democratic erosions, from populism to authoritarianism, are on the rise in countries like Brazil, Peru, El Salvador, and Mexico – as regimes in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua clamp down. Can Latin America rebound amid so many challenges? Ricardo Ernst, the Baratta Chair in Global Business and co-director of the Global Logistics Research program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, makes the case for optimism. He argues that a shift in how the region approaches issues like productivity, public policy, and politics will bring a brighter future. Ernst is also the managing director of Georgetown’s Global Business Initiative and the Latin American Board, as well as executive director of the Latin America Leadership Program.
https://altamar.us/disarray-hope-in-latin-america/
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Nov 20, 2020
The World Awaits Joe Biden [S3, E24]
President-elect Joe Biden intends to ditch Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine the day he steps into office on January 20. But vows to embrace multilateralism, respect diplomatic channels and restore U.S. leadership on the world stage face a host of challenges. The new Biden Administration will square off with a familiar adversary in Moscow, a more assertive China, a nuclear-armed North Korea, and a multitude of hotspots around the globe. The alienation of long-time allies and the proliferation of power vacuums make it harder to tackle climate change, international trade, and the ongoing pandemic. All this while his new administration will have its domestic hands full amid historic polarization, discord over racial injustice, and skyrocketing COVID cases. Will Biden recapture the U.S.’ traditional seat at the head of the global table? Ed Luce joins Altamar to explain that it won’t be so easy for the next administration to step back into the western driver’s seat simply.…
Nov 6, 2020
Bougainville: The World’s Next Country? [S3, E23]
When you think of modern-day secessions, the struggles of Catalonia, Scotland, Kashmir, and Kurdistan typically come to mind. But Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s autonomous region of Bougainville is farther along than most to achieving independence. Following a bloody civil war that ended two decades earlier, 98% of some 250,000 Bougainvilleans voted for independence in December 2019 in a historic but non-binding referendum. Bougainville’s recently-elected president, a former rebel commander, will now lead independence negotiations. But the small island territory, sitting on a wealth of copper and gold, can’t escape larger geopolitical battles -- world powers like China, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand are interested and involving themselves in Bougainville’s independence movement. Shane McLeod, a Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute’s Australia-PNG Network, joined Altamar to shine light on Bougainville’s efforts to join the club of sovereign states. He is an expert…
Oct 23, 2020
America’s Election and the Question of Polls [S3, E22]
The 2020 showdown between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is nearing its grand finale during one of the most challenging times in history. The outcome could send the United States on vastly different paths as a geopolitical player, an economic engine, and the custodian of global security. The stakes are higher than ever, and the world is watching the polls ahead of November 3rd. The numbers point to a Biden presidential victory and Democrats winning the Senate and House of Representatives. But can polls be trusted? After 2016, when public opinion research wrongly predicted a Hillary Clinton presidency, people are more skeptical than ever of forecasts. Today’s chaos makes it harder than ever to predict results amidst a raging pandemic, unprecedented levels of early voting, mail-in ballots, flaws in the postal system, incendiary social media atmospherics, and foreign disinformation campaigns. Expert pollster Rob Autry joins Altamar to explain the state of the race and polling industry. Autr…
Oct 9, 2020
Arab Realignment [S3, E21]
For the first time in decades, two Gulf nations (the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain) have formally established relations with Israel – diplomatic, economic, technological, and beyond. Further isolating Iran, additional Arab nations could soon follow suit. The agreements also point to a major shift in the Middle East: the rise of modern Gulf states as regional leaders and powerbrokers in the Arab world. To help explain the impact of the Abraham Accords and “the Gulf Moment,” we are joined by prominent Emirati academic and political commentator Abdulkhaleq Abdulla. He is a longtime professor of Political Science at United Arab Emirates University, was a Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics, and served as Chairman of the Arab Council for Social Science. Abdulla was also director of the Gulf Research Unit, Sharjah for 10 years. His research focuses on political changes in the Gulf and the Arab World. Abdulla is the author of several books, and his latest, titled “The…
Sep 25, 2020
Europe’s Surprising Global Reset [S3, E20]
For a while, it seemed that the European Union lost some of its international luster. The world’s largest economy has been busily bogged down by internal divisions and domestic woes: financial crunches, Brexit, the ongoing migrant crisis, and nationalist populism. But now, something new is in the air. Europe is taking decisive action and making serious inroads into global politics. EU leaders are signing deals with China, taking on Russia, and recently passed a €750 billion recovery package to combat the internal effects of coronavirus. To make sense of the continent’s seeming resurgence, we are joined by Dr. Daniela Schwarzer, director of the German Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Schwarzer was the senior director of research for the German Marshall Fund in the U.S., for which she also headed its Europe program in Berlin. Schwarzer has also led the research group on European integration at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs and worked as an opi…
Sep 11, 2020
Gunshots in the Himalayas [S3, E19]
In the barren reaches of the Himalayas, Chinese and Indian patrols keep coming to blows. In June, a deadly clash left 20 Indian soldiers, and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers were killed in their worst cross-border violence in decades. Now, in a marked escalation of tensions, the two nuclear-armed states are accusing each other of firing warning shots at the frontier. Both sides have rushed in tens of thousands of reinforcements, backed by artillery, tanks, and fighter jets. And as New Delhi and Beijing butt heads 14,000 feet above sea level, China is building up its presence in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other contentious points along the Indian Ocean. Indian citizens are protesting and boycotting Chinese-made goods. Dhruva Jaishankar, Director of the U.S. Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation, joins Altamar Podcast and explains what the fallout means for the region and the rest of the world. He is also a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute in Australia and previousl…
Aug 28, 2020
Beirut Burning [S3, E18]
The deadly blast that rocked Beirut on August 4 left at least 200 Lebanese dead, thousands injured, and hundreds of thousands homeless. Even before that, Lebanon’s economy was in freefall, and tensions were high over chronic corruption and mismanagement. Now, amid devastating physical and political aftershocks, Lebanon is careening toward an unpredictable future. In response to mass protests, the Prime Minister and entire government cabinet have resigned, throwing the country into even greater chaos. Paul Salem, one of the world’s leading experts on the Middle East, joined Altamar to discuss if Lebanon can recover – and can it tackle its underlying flaws and limitations? Salem is the President of the Middle East Institute (MEI), a think tank that evaluates political change, transition, and conflict within regional and international relations of the Middle East. Salem was the former founding director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, as well the Lebanese Center for Pol…
Aug 14, 2020
Populist Opposites: Brazil and Mexico [S3, E17]
With Brazil’s enormous economy and Mexico’s proximity to the U.S., both are contenders to become economic titans on the world stage. But the nations are burdened by endemic poverty, violence, corruption, and an overzealous central state. And their populist leaders – Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and Mexico’s traditional leftist President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico – have both downplayed the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic amid skyrocketing infection rates. These two regional economic locomotives could come screeching to a halt – leaving their citizens and the region in disarray. Michael Reid, senior editor at The Economist and author of the magazine’s Bello column on Latin American affairs, joined Altamar to discuss Mexico and Brazil’s challenges and post-pandemic futures. Born in England and based in Madrid, Reid has lived in Latin America for years, covering the region for outlets like The Guardian and BBC.
https://altamar.us/populist-…
Jul 31, 2020
Vaccine Wars [S3, E16]
The international hunt for a COVID-19 vaccine is the most consequential medical challenge of the 21st century. The race is marked by both intense collaboration among scientists and fierce competition between governments – particularly between China and the US. As coronavirus cases mount and economies limp through lockdowns, nations are not just competing for a life-saving vaccine – they’re jockeying for political glory and a leg up on the rest of the world. And even after a vaccine is developed, count on clashes over adequate and ethical distributions. Professor Lawrence Gostin joins Altamar to discuss the geopolitics of the global vaccine race – and how countries can mitigate winner-take-all risks. Gostin is the Director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University and Director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. He is also a Professor of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University…
Jul 17, 2020
Space Is Back [S3, E15]
The New Frontier is new again: after years of stagnation, emerging players have reignited the space race in the 21st century. Dramatic technological advances and lucrative business models have changed the conversation, and private companies are making up for lost time. Countries like Japan, China, India and the Emirates are jumping in, too, expanding the borders of geopolitics to new heights. George Whitesides, CEO of the spaceflight company Virgin Galactic, joined Altamar to discuss the future of space travel. The interview came on the heels of a major announcement – Virgin Galactic and NASA are opening a private astronaut program with public accessibility. Previously, Whitesides served as NASA’s Chief of Staff after working on Obama’s transition team for the agency. He’s also served as the Executive Director of the National Space Society and is an advisor for companies and organizations such as the FAA Space Transportation Division, COMSTAC, the Space Generation Foundation, a…
Jul 3, 2020
Defund the Police? [S3, E14]
The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has sparked a worldwide reckoning over violent policing practices. “Black Lives Matter” has become a global rallying cry against racism and police brutality alike. By certain metrics, U.S. policing is a success – major cities enjoy low crime rates. But it’s impossible to ignore calls for justice as governments arm police forces with military-grade equipment and super-sized budgets. Protests have given a megaphone to demands for dramatic institutional changes to policing. Is there a better way to keep the world’s cities and populations safe? Dr. Clifford Stott joins Altamar to explain the global principles for smarter policing – and why U.S. policing is an outlier from the rest of the world. He is the Director of the Policing Academy at Keele University in the UK and specializes in crowd behavior, riots, hooliganism, and public order policing. He has advised the EU, the European Commission, various police departments, and the Englis…
Jun 19, 2020
Will China Win the Cold War? [S3, E13]
China has made a dramatic turnaround since COVID-19 battered the world’s second largest economy. Beijing is flexing its geopolitical muscles abroad while implementing business reforms to woo foreign companies. But while China intends to position itself as the pandemic’s ‘victor’, Beijing faces global scrutiny and a tense trade war with Washington. Will international resentment towards China mean that supply chains and manufacturing begin to steer away from the Asian powerhouse? Or will economic reforms convince foreign investors to stay? James McGregor joins Altamar to discuss the intersection of Beijing’s business reforms with its political agenda. McGregor has lived in China for three decades and is the chairman of APCO Worldwide, Greater China. He is the former chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and is now an advisor to AmCham on U.S-China business trade politics and policy. Previously, McGregor served as The Wall Street Journal’s bureau chief in Taiwa…
Jun 5, 2020
The World Health Wars [S3, E12]
As the coronavirus pandemic ravages health and economic structures, the World Health Organization (WHO) is under fire. Amid international spats, politicians have scapegoated the UN agency – and more credibly criticized it for underestimating the dangers of COVID-19. The Trump Administration has now announced that the US is quitting the WHO, accusing the 194-member organization of becoming a puppet of China. Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, joins Altamar to urge a restructuring of WHO to allow monies from private foundations and to counter China’s influence by bringing in a country like Taiwan, a public health leader. He explains the strengths and limitations of the WHO – and the dangers of defunding the global health watchdog. Dr. Adalja is an expert on emerging infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, and biosecurity. Dr. Adalja is also an Associate Editor of the journal Health Security, co-editor of the volume Glo…
May 22, 2020
The World According to Haass [S3, E11]
After months of quarantines, some countries are beginning to shift out of confinement. But the world we knew is already a thing of the past. The health pandemic has laid bare global disparities and the vacuum of international leadership while accelerating nationalist and authoritarian trends. The ripple effects of COVID-19 are likely to amplify further throughout global trade, politics, and economics. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Altamar to discuss the features of a post-coronavirus world. His new book, The World: A Brief Introduction, provides a window into foreign relations of the present and future. Haass is a veteran diplomat, and global policy expert. During his career, he served as the key US player in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, South Asia. One of America’s truly global voices, Haass is the author or editor of fourteen books on US foreign policy.
https://altamar.us/the-world-according-to-haass/
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May 8, 2020
The End of Oil? [S3, E10]
The COVID-19 crisis has put the oil industry on life support. International appetite for oil is in freefall as ships, cars, planes and people hit pause around the world. Historic production cuts to control crashing prices proved too slow to turn the tide. Governments that depend on oil exports to pay for education, health, and food are staring into the abyss. Besides economic pain, depleted revenues could spell humanitarian impacts, security concerns and political unrest. Meanwhile, the new reality has major ramifications for consumers, the environment and global relations – with winners and losers on all sides. Energy expert Francisco Monaldi joins Altamar to break down the new global reality for oil. Monaldi is Rice University’s fellow in Latin American energy policy at the Center for Energy Studies and a lecturer in energy economics. He has taught at Harvard, Stanford and Tufts as well as many universities worldwide, in addition to consulting for multilateral institutions, gover…
Apr 24, 2020
Tension and Turmoil in Iran [S3, E9]
Over four decades, Iran’s hardline regime has faced enormous challenges. The nation is struck by one of the world’s most severe outbreaks of COVID-19. Iranians are heaving under the weight of U.S. economic sanctions since the Trump Administration abandoned the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. Earlier this year, a U.S. airstrike killed Iran’s influential military commander, Qasem Soleimaini. But Iran’s religious autocracy has proven remarkably durable, continuing to attack Western interests, pursue regional ambitions, and accelerate its nuclear program. Jarrett Blanc, senior fellow in Geoeconomics and Strategy at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins Altamar to explain Iran’s resilience. Blanc served as the State Department’s lead for Iran nuclear implementation under President Obama, including the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Blanc was also the Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
https://altamar.us/tension-and-turmoil-…
Apr 10, 2020
The Poverty Pandemic [S3, E8]
COVID-19 is poised to explode in developing countries and emerging markets – which have far fewer resources to combat the pandemic. Social distancing is practically impossible, health systems are ill equipped, malnutrition and poverty are often rampant, and vulnerable economies will falter. Political instability, xenophobia and social unrest present additional risks as the coronavirus spreads. Robert Guest, Foreign Editor of The Economist, joins Altamar from London to explain the challenges of Coronavirus to poorer countries – and the role that wealthier nations, international institutions and corporations must play to help the developing world regain their economic footing. Previously, Robert covered the African continent for the magazine for seven years. A former correspondent in Washington, Johannesburg and Tokyo, he is an accomplished author, opinion leader and frequent TV political analyst.
https://altamar.us/the-poverty-pandemic/
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Mar 27, 2020
5G: Progress or Peril? [S3, E7]
Fifth Generation (5G) technology's speed and reliability promise to revolutionize the world’s economy and communications. But, perhaps also upend its politics. Low-cost data and boosted mobility will connect people on a mass scale. Industries, schools, militaries and hospitals will have newfound access to artificial intelligence, robotics, streamlined supply chains, and automation. Looming large over 5G are also its pitfalls: security risks, privacy concerns, alleged health threats, and a hefty price tag. Tom Wheeler, former head of the Federal Communications Commission, joins Altamar to break down the technology’s opportunities and challenges to the global balance of power. Wheeler has been involved with telecommunications networks and policies in the public and private sector for over four decades, including the adoption of Net Neutrality, privacy protections for consumers, and increased cybersecurity.
https://altamar.us/5g-progress-or-peril/
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Mar 13, 2020
Climate Emergency & Global Insecurity [S3, E6]
Heat waves, storms, droughts, and mass wildfires have dominated global headlines. But beyond loss of life and material damage, climate change is creating resource scarcities, displacing populations, and creating new international tensions. How can countries around the world tackle the national security risks of climate change? John Conger, Director of the Center for Climate and Security, explains how climate change weighs on global issues and security. Conger is an expert on the military implications of climate change and a Senior US Advisor to the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS). Previously, he worked in the US Department of Defense on energy, installations and environmental policy, served for 12 years on legislative staffs in Congress, and was as an aerospace engineer and defense analyst supporting the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
https://altamar.us/climate-emergency-and-global-insecurity/
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Feb 28, 2020
Israel’s Endless Election [S3, E5]
Israelis head to the ballot box –again– on March 2 in hopes that Prime Minister Netanyahu or challenger Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party can form a new coalition government. The backdrop is rife with drama: “Bibi” faces a criminal corruption investigation but was thrown an electoral bone in the form of Donald Trump’s lopsided Middle East Peace Plan. Meanwhile, the Syrian exodus to Turkey and the death of Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani have upended the region. Top Israeli reporter Gil Tamary joins Altamar to break down the political landscape through an independent lens. Gil is the Washington bureau chief for Israel’s Reshet News. He has worked for Israel’s Broadcasting Authority, Israel Public Radio and as anchor and chief editor of “Good Morning Israel”.
https://altamar.us/israel-endless-election/
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Feb 14, 2020
Coronavirus: Contagion and Chaos [S3, E4]
Since the coronavirus entered the global vocabulary, its international reach has been staggering. Tens of thousands are sick, hundreds have died, and dozens of countries report infected patients – prompting quarantines, travel restrictions and curfews worldwide. Supply chains and tourism are taking a hit, and China’s central bank has pumped $242.74 billion into the financial system to prop up weakening growth. Nurith Aizenman, National Public Radio’s correspondent for Global Health and Development, dives into the geopolitical implications of coronavirus and what can be done to prevent global pandemics. Aizenman is also a former writer at The Washington Post and Editor for The New Republic.
https://altamar.us/coronavirus-contagion-and-chaos/
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Jan 31, 2020
Putin: Leader for Life? [S3, E3]
Vladimir Putin has been in charge at the Kremlin, one way or another, for the last 20 years. As speculation grew over who would take over after his presidential term ends in 2024, Putin surprised Russians and the world by introducing a constitutional proposal that could lay the groundwork for staying in power for life. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev resigned and was promptly replaced. How has Putin managed to hold onto power amid a faltering economy and growing pro-democracy opposition – and what is his next move? Andrew Weiss joins Altamar to help explain Putin’s legacy and future. Weiss leads the Russia practice at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Previously, he was director of the RAND Corporation’s Center for Russia and Eurasia and served as director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs on the National Security Council staff. He is a prolific writer and commentator on Russian politics.
https://altamar.us/putin-leader-for-life/
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Jan 17, 2020
Britain: Shaking off the Brexit Blues? [S3, E2]
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the Conservative Party’s sweeping victory last month with a campaign to officially leave the European Union (EU) by January 31, 2020. The Brexit story has been told and re-told countless times in political terms – but now comes the economic and social reality. In practical terms, Brexit’s ripples are just starting. Free trade agreements with the EU and U.S., the future of London as a financial center, the impact for companies and people, and the real, day to day changes in the country’s business climate, are all still up in the air. Caroline Atkinson, former Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics to President Barack Obama and former Head of Global Policy for Google, joins Altamar to explain the complex economic, financial, and business ramifications of Brexit. Atkinson has also held senior roles at the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the Bank of England, and worked as a journalist for The W…
Jan 3, 2020
Dirty Gold [S3, E1]
Climbing rates for gold have sparked a growing wave of illegal mining, leaving illicit activity and abuses in its wake. From the Amazon to Sub-Saharan Africa, drug trafficking and organized crime connected to gold prospecting is on the rise. Gold-producing regions too often suffer from weak governing bodies and scant oversight, which means lax protections for workers, environmental degradation, and local corruption. Mark Pieth joins Altamar to help shed light on the gold industry's intricate labyrinth of miners, bankers, traffickers, and enablers – and how to clean it up. Pieth is the head of Basel University’s Institute on Governance, Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology at Basel, and author of Gold Laundering: The Dirty Secrets of the Gold Trade and How to Clean Up.
https://altamar.us/dirty-gold/
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Dec 20, 2019
A Look Ahead: Where’s 2020 Going? [S2, E26]
2019 has been a whirlwind of upheaval around the world: the rocky U.S.-China trade relationship, tiny Guyana’s oil bonanza, protests in Hong Kong, the return of Peronism to Argentina, growing cyberwarfare and worldwide attacks on press freedom. It begs the question – what does 2020 have in store? We identified the top five trends we believe will shape the international political stage in 2020: citizen unrest, the decline of the West, the climate emergency, end of privacy as we know it, and the new face of trade. Joining us to debate this list, prolific author and journalist David Rothkopf peers into the crystal ball and discuss the global issues to track in the coming year. Rothkopf served as U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade during the Clinton Administration and is also a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
https://altamar.us/a-look-ahead-where-is-2020-going/
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Dec 6, 2019
South Africa’s Slump [S2, E25]
Twenty-five years after apartheid officially ended in South Africa, the country is in the news for all the wrong reasons: one of the highest unemployment rates in the world at 58%, junk status government bonds, slowing GDP growth, and violent crime. Can President Cyril Ramaphosa of the African National Congress turn things around as his administration approaches its first-year anniversary in office? Ann Bernstein, who heads the Centre for Development and Enterprise, South Africa’s leading policy center for social and economic development, joins Altamar to explain how the nation can tackle the myriad of challenges. Bernstein was a member of the Transition Team and later the Board of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and is the author of “The Case for Business in Developing Economies.”
https://altamar.us/south-africa-slump/
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Nov 22, 2019
Guyana’s Sudden Riches [S2, E24]
In 2015, Exxon Mobil discovered in Guyana one of the largest oil and gas reserves in decades. It is slated to begin production in early 2020. While this bonanza promises countless opportunities for the tiny South American country, it remains to be seen whether Guyana has the infrastructure in place to manage the massive influx of new petroleum revenue. Will it follow the successful examples of Norway or Botswana and avoid the so-called “Resource Curse” – or fall victim to its own good fortune? David Goldwyn, world-renowned energy guru and Chairman of the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center’s Energy Advisory Board, explains how Guyana can establish guardrails to combat corruption and transform revenue streams into newfound prosperity for its citizens.
https://altamar.us/guyana-sudden-riches/
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Nov 8, 2019
Unsteady Argentina [S2, E23]
On December 10, Argentina will inaugurate Alberto Fernandez as President amid a medley of economic woes: recession, inflation, poverty, foreign debt and currency devaluation. But how the longtime previously-behind-the-scenes political operative for the Peronist party plans to tackle the crisis remains a mystery. Fernandez was vague and elusive about his proposals on the campaign trail. Ben Gedan, director of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Argentina Project and former South America director on the National Security Council at the White House, explains what we can expect from the incoming administration. Despite Fernandez’s decisive victory over center-right incumbent Mauricio Macri, there are more questions than answers about the direction he will take the South American giant.
https://altamar.us/unsteady-argentina/
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Oct 25, 2019
What’s the Deal with Ukraine? [S2, E22]
Ukraine is popping up everywhere these days, from President Trump’s impeachment process to Russia’s hidden-in-plain-sight occupation of the former Soviet state’s Crimean region. Why does it seem like one of Europe’s poorest countries is punching above its weight in global headlines? Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer joins Altamar to help look past the daily news cycles and break down the country’s geopolitics. Pifer, an expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC and fellow at Stanford University’s Institute for International Studies, explains why Ukrainian President Zelensky must avoid America’s domestic clashes and push through his reformist agenda.
https://altamar.us/whats-the-deal-with-ukraine/
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Oct 11, 2019
The Turkey Paradox: Understanding Erdogan [S2, E21]
Understanding President Erdogan’s military offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria requires a breakdown of Turkey’s politics, internal strife and shifting identity. Ece Temelkuran, renowned Turkish journalist and author of How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship, joined Altamar just before the momentous developments. Temelkuran shows how “Erdogan treated an illness in Turkey with another illness,” the origins of his Middle East policies, and why the strongman ruler still needs a popularity boost.
https://altamar.us/the-turkey-paradox-understanding-erdogan/
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Sep 27, 2019
Slowdown in India [S2, E20]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP Hindu nationalist party won a landslide reelection in May 2019 – but political and economic unrest are shortening the honeymoon. After years of sharp economic upturn and high growth, India has been underperforming since late 2018. Nisha Biswal, President of the U.S. India Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, joins Altamar to explain the sluggish Indian economy and how Modi’s government can tackle structural economic issues to achieve growth.
https://altamar.us/slowdown-in-india/
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Sep 13, 2019
The Future of Cybersecurity [S2, E19]
Cyber crises are everywhere you turn now – from Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections to company-wide data breaches. But as technology and bad actors keep shifting, governments around the world are struggling to keep up. Dr. Mark Kuhr, former advisor to the National Security Agency and co-founder of Synack, an industry-leading security platform, explains the challenges for cybersecurity – and why the solution doesn’t have to be Big Brother.
More at https://altamar.us/the-future-of-cybersecurity/
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Aug 30, 2019
Battle for the Arctic [S2, E18]
President Donald Trump’s attempt to buy Greenland from Denmark was met with amusement and derision. But as climate change opens new frontiers, the Arctic region is becoming the world’s hottest real estate. The icy tundra is now a geopolitical playing field where global powers are, with varying success, trying to stake a claim. Former Vice Commandant Peter Neffenger spent four years leading Arctic strategy at the U.S. Coast Guard. He warns that the United States and Europe have fallen far behind Russia and China in the race to control vast untapped natural resources, rare mineral deposits, and new trade routes. While the glaciers melt, there’s no thaw in sight for the Arctic power struggle.
https://altamar.us/battle-for-the-arctic/
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Aug 16, 2019
Venezuela’s Other Crisis [S2, E17]
The politics of Venezuela are intoxicating. Mass corruption, Russian troops, international sanctions, and tweetstorms from Senator Marco Rubio, John Bolton and so many others make for vivid headlines. But amidst the scandal and intrigue, the plight of Venezuelans forced to flee Nicolas Maduro’s regime has failed to attract the same attention. David Smolansky, chair of the working group on the Venezuelan migration and refugee crisis at the Organization of American States, joins Altamar to discuss the overlooked aspects of Latin America’s largest refugee crisis in history.
https://altamar.us/venezuela-other-crisis/
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Aug 2, 2019
Hong Kong’s Crisis Goes Global [S2, E16]
The 7.4 million citizens of Hong Kong are living their most serious political event since the 1997 handover to mainland China. The spark of a protest over an extradition bill has morphed into a broader search for democratic rule in Hong Kong – with major geopolitical implications for China and the United States. Scott Kennedy, Freeman Chair in China Studies and Director for the Project on Chinese Business and Political Economy at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), discusses what’s next for the “Special Administrative Region.”
https://altamar.us/hong-kong-crisis-goes-global/
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Jul 19, 2019
Germany: Life After Merkel [S2, E15]
Angela Merkel will step down as German Chancellor by 2021 – if not sooner amid growing health concerns. With no clear successor, her firm control over Germany’s economy, commitment to centrist democracy, and stabilizing influence in Europe’s foreign policy are all at risk. Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson, International Correspondent for NPR in Berlin, joins Altamar to discuss the vacuum of leadership amid a perfect storm of German and European politics. As politicians at home compete to fill the void, the continent faces Eurosceptic populist leaders, Trump’s trade threats, and challenges from Russia and China. Who can fill her shoes?
More at https://altamar.us/germany-life-after-merkel/
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Jul 5, 2019
Putin’s Long Game [S2, E14]
Russia is a major world power under the nationalistic and personality-driven leadership of Vladimir Putin. The former KGB agent hasn’t hesitated to form alliances with the world’s least desirable regimes to expand the nation’s influence and reach. How far will Putin go to see Russia the top of the international food chain? Angela Stent, Director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies at Georgetown University and author of Putin's World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest, joins Altamar to unpack Putin’s geopolitical calculus – and what it means for the United States.
More at https://altamar.us/putins-long-game/
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Jun 21, 2019
Is Brazil’s Bolsonaro Sinking? [S2, E13]
Six months into office, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro faces diminishing political capital, a tense relationship with Congress, tumbling markets, and an increasingly radicalized group of supporters – not to mention scorn from the international community. What do Bolsonaro’s woes mean for a nation in desperate need of reform? Patricia Campos Mello, award-winning journalist and senior columnist at Folha de São Paulo, analyzes how Bolsonaro can address the challenges facing Brazil amidst dismal approval ratings and corruption investigations.
More at https://altamar.us/is-brazils-bolsonaro-sinking/
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Jun 7, 2019
Japan: A Return to Relevance [S2, E12]
Japan’s story is a geopolitical roller coaster. Entering the 21st century, the land of the rising sun found itself in deep political and economic malaise, and China was positioned to displace it. But the country has embarked on a major comeback, thanks in large part to Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s “Abenomics.” Matthew Goodman, senior vice president and senior adviser for Asian economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Altamar to discuss Japan’s return to relevance, President Trump’s state visit under the new Emperor Naruhito, and what we can expect from Japan in the coming years.
More at https://altamar.us/japan-a-return-to-relevance/
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May 24, 2019
Is Voting Passé: More Elections, Less Democracy? [S2, E11]
Nearly half of the world’s voters cast ballots in April and May of 2019, from Spain and South Africa to India and Indonesia. But in a world that is putting strongmen in office and where governments are weaponizing social media – are elections still the best thermometer of democracy’s health around the globe? Ian Bremmer, political scientist and president of Eurasia Group and G-ZERO Media, discusses how the democratic system can be strengthened amidst political polarization and voter disenchantment.
More at https://altamar.us/is-voting-passe-more-elections-less-democracy/
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May 10, 2019
Iceland: Financial Bust to Fairytale Success [S2, E10]
Iceland is heralded around the world as a success story of social policy experiments and for its remarkable recovery from the global financial crisis – all with just over 300,000 inhabitants. Thóra Arnórsdóttir, former Icelandic presidential candidate and managing editor of Kveikur, the island nation’s only investigative journalism television program at the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, joins Altamar to help us move beyond the headlines and fairy tales, into the lessons and challenges of this unique country.
More at https://altamar.us/iceland-financial-bust-to-fairytale-success/
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Apr 26, 2019
The Global War on Journalism [S2, E9]
The free press is at war with challenges not seen in a generation. Strongmen leaders around the world have declared the media enemy number one while “fake news” sows discord and confusion online. The press as an institution is struggling to fulfill its primary role: acting as the fourth estate to hold the powerful accountable. Altamar is joined by Sheila Coronel, an award-winning journalist and Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor at Columbia University’s School of Journalism, to discuss the global war on journalism.
More at https://altamar.us/?p=660&preview=true
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Apr 12, 2019
Africa Awakens [S2, E8]
Africa has achieved one of the fastest and most sustained growth rates in the past years, with economic forecasts surpassing other developing and emerging regions. A new scramble to open bilateral relations with African nations saw more than 320 embassies open across the continent between 2010 and 2016. John McDermott, Africa Correspondent for The Economist and Zemedeneh Negatu, Global Chairman of the Fairfax Africa Fund, engage in a lively debate on how Africa can balance growth and inequality and the role of the United States and China in the continent’s development.
More at https://altamar.us/africa-awakens/
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Mar 29, 2019
A Nuclear Middle Finger [S2, E7]
President Trump has pulled America out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, ending decades of nuclear cooperation between the U.S. and Russia. Jeffrey Lewis, Director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, explains how this nuclear middle finger to the world benefits Moscow, risks a Cold War-style arms race, and has grave repercussions far beyond the two superpowers.
More at https://altamar.us/nuclear-middle-finger/
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Mar 15, 2019
U.S.-China Trade: Is This the Real Deal? [S2, E6]
After a tariff war and months of recriminations, Chinese and U.S.
officials are finalizing a trade deal. But uncertainty lingers. Bob Davis,
Senior Editor for the Wall Street Journal, explains whether Donald
Trump and Xi Jinping have reached a real agreement – or just a
temporary truce.
More at https://altamar.us/us-china-trade-is-this-the-real-deal/
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Mar 1, 2019
AMLO’s Mexico at 100 Days [S2, E5]
Mexico’s AMLO is wildly popular, but there are strains everywhere. His bromance with President Trump and his fragile relationship with the business community could sour quickly. Will AMLO’s personality-driven politics undermine his support? Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Roberta Jacobson explains why the country could be in for a bumpy ride.
More at https://altamar.us/amlos-mexico-100-days/
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Feb 15, 2019
Empty Throne: Does the World Miss U.S. Global Leadership? [S2, E4]
Can a new form of Pax Americana ever emerge post-Trump? Ivo Daalder, President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and co-author of The Empty Throne: America's Abdication of Global Leadership, discusses the void left behind as the United States turns inwards and rebuffs multilateralism – and why an internationalist United States could ultimately re-emerge from this nationalist moment.
More at https://altamar.us/empty-throne-does-the-world-miss-us-global-leadership/
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Feb 1, 2019
Israel’s Elections: Bye-Bye Bibi? [S2, E3]
The first signs of fracture are beginning to show in Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu’s once unassailable political coalition. Charismatic rivals from the left and the right are striking out on their own, emboldened by a potential indictment of the Israeli Prime Minister. But Gil Tamary, Washington bureau chief for Israel’s independent Reshet News, explains why “Bibi” might very well come out victorious on Election Day April 9.
More at https://altamar.us/israels-elections-bye-bye-bibi/
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Jan 18, 2019
Ugly Brexit: What’s Next? [S2, E2]
The clock is ticking on Brexiting Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. Prime Minister Theresa May’s EU deal was defeated in Parliament and time is running out on a formal exit plan to avoid catastrophe. Lord Mark Malloch Brown, former UK government minister and Chairman of Best for Britain, an organization pushing for a new Brexit vote, explains what happens next and why a new referendum could just be Britain’s saving grace.
More at https://altamar.us/ugly-brexit-whats-next/
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Jan 4, 2019
Reconcilable Differences: Italy and the EU [S2, E1]
The EU says Italy is "sleepwalking into instability.” For the populist Lega and Five Star parties, a fight with Brussels is just what the doctor ordered. Italy isn’t going to Brexit anytime soon, but Italy’s support for the European project is under strain.
More at https://altamar.us/reconcilable-differences-italy-eu/
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Dec 21, 2018
2019: The Year of Drifting Dangerously [S1, E32]
From “Person of the Year” to the “Didn’t See This Coming” award, Peter and Muni hand out Altamar’s 2018 accolades. Turning towards 2019, Council of Foreign Relations president shares pointed views on why a Chinese takeover is far-fetched, multilateralism isn’t dead yet, and the threat of global “drift” is on the rise.
More at https://altamar.us/2019-year-drifting-dangerously/
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Dec 7, 2018
Canada: Cool and Confident? [S1, E31]
Canada has emerged as in independent voice and flagbearer of international liberalism. But concessions in the new US-Mexico-Canada agreement have sparked a backlash back home. The jury’s still out on the benefits of marijuana legalization. Will Canadians tire of Trudeau’s “yoga democracy”?
More at https://altamar.us/canada-cool-confident/
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Nov 23, 2018
Argentina’s Looming Doomsday [S1, E30]
Mauricio Macri was the darling of international investors after twelve years of radical Peronism. Now Argentina’s economy and center-right President are reeling. Economist Brad Setser of the Council on Foreign Relations predicts a massive and painful recession next year, a potential default after Argentina’s presidential elections, and a risk of global impact. But does economic meltdown have to spell political chaos too?
More at https://altamar.us/argentinas-looming-doomsday/
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Nov 7, 2018
Bolsonaro’s Brazil: Will the Bite Match the Bark? [S1, E29]
After Jair Bolsonaro’s big win in Brazil, Altamar confronts the question everyone is asking: what’s next? Some of his most notorious campaign proposals may be stymied by Brazil’s powerful congress, but radical rhetoric combined with political gridlock can prove just as damaging.
Oct 24, 2018
Ethiopia: The World's Good News Story [S1, E28]
As bad news springs up from every corner of the world, Ethiopia under PM Abiy Ahmed is sprinting in the opposite direction. What’s going on? And can it last? Featuring special guest Tsedale Lemma, founder and editor-in-chief of the Addis Standard.
Oct 18, 2018
In Memoriam: Jamal Khashoggi in His Own Voice [S1, E27]
Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and constructive critic of crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, was brutally murdered on October 2 in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul. This egregious attack on a thoughtful voice of reason has devastated us at Altamar, as we were lucky enough to have Jamal on as a guest in February to discuss the new crown prince and Saudi Arabia's future under him. We're re-releasing our interview with Jamal as tribute to a man who so deeply cared for his country, and who wanted nothing more than to see it go down the right path.
Oct 2, 2018
Habemus Papam...Habemus Problema? [S1, E26]
As scandal roils the Church, what does this all mean for the future of Pope Francis? And for the future of Catholicism? Vaticanologist Jimmy Burns joins this week to discuss.
Sep 11, 2018
The Migrant Backlash [S1, E25]
As migration flows grow around the world, is a negative impact on politics an inevitability? Or have we just convinced ourselves that it is? Andrew Selee and María Peña join this week to discuss.
Aug 22, 2018
The Geopolitics of Climate Change [S1, E24]
With the world in upheaval, how are we to respond to the most global challenge of them all? Featuring special guests Amy Harder and Giulio Boccaletti.
Jul 16, 2018
Who's Afraid of AMLO? [S1, E23]
Mexico’s soon-to-be president has been called a Marxist, a pragmatist, a Mexican Trump, and a Mexican Chávez. So who really is Andrés Manuel López Obrador? And what kind of president will he be? Mark Feierstein and Carlos Bravo Regidor join this week to discuss.
Jun 26, 2018
When "The Pond" Becomes an Ocean [S1, E22]
Trump isn’t only buddying up to our enemies—he’s also alienating our friends, and in the process making the Atlantic wider by the day. Edward Luce and Nathalie Tocci join this week to discuss the extent of the damage and what we can expect for the future of the transatlantic relationship.
Jun 8, 2018
Politics on the Pitch [S1, E21]
Nothing brings the world together like World Cup season…right? Ahead of Russia 2018, this week's episode brings a deep dive into soccer, politics, and the politics of soccer, with special guests Roger Cohen of The New York Times, and Nick Sprague of Braskem and love.futbol.
May 22, 2018
What’s Behind Belt and Road? [S1, E20]
China’s Belt and Road Initiative now spans nearly every continent, and countries are eagerly lining up for a share of the trillions of dollars Beijing is doling out. But is there more to this infrastructure plan than meets the eye? Featuring NYU Shanghai professors Rodrigo Zeidan and Ivan Rasmussen.
May 8, 2018
India's Bulletproof Man? [S1, E19]
Narendra Modi came into office on big promises, and four years later, he’s got more failures than successes under his belt. But the big question is: do Indian voters even care? Sadanand Dhume joins this week to discuss what’s gone right in Modi’s first term, what’s gone wrong, where he stands today, and where he might stand during elections next year.
Apr 20, 2018
Viktor Orbán and the Strongman's Cookbook [S1, E18]
With Viktor Orbán stronger than ever, Hungary’s leader offers a clearly replicable recipe for building an autocracy out of a democracy. Cas Mudde, an expert on populism and the mechanics of the far right, joins this week to discuss.
Apr 5, 2018
Russian Meddling: Old Playbook, New Toolkit [S1, E17]
The face of warfare is changing, and Moscow is embracing it full-throttle. With the digital age giving Putin's Russia a wealth of new ways to pursue longstanding objectives, how is the West to respond? At the same time, are we overestimating the Kremlin's sophistication? The Carnegie Endowment's Andrew Weiss joins this week to discuss.
Mar 22, 2018
Protectionist US: Trendsetter or Odd Man Out? [S1, E16]
As Trump announces new tariffs, could this shift toward protectionism spark a wave of inward-looking trade policy around the world? Or could we see precisely the opposite happen? Peter and Muni talk to Andrés Velasco, Chile’s former finance minister, to get a sense of the danger, and to discuss strategies for making free trade politically popular.
Mar 8, 2018
The Scramble for Syria [S1, E15]
Syria's civil war has long ceased to be civil. The last two months have been a gut-wrenching reminder of how internationalized this conflict has become. As regional and world powers become more deeply entrenched, is there any way out of this tinderbox? Peter and Muni discuss with Joyce Karam, the Washington correspondent for Al-Hayat and The National, who's been following this war since its inception.
Feb 21, 2018
Brazilian Shock Therapy [S1, E14]
A massive anti-corruption investigation has taken down some of Brazil’s most powerful people, including former president Lula, who’s still polling first in this October’s general election. What will become of his candidacy? What has allowed Brazil’s judiciary to become so effective? And is this all as positive as it seems from the outside? Political risk analyst Andrea Murta and legal scholar Diego Werneck Arguelhes join this week for a deep dive into the scandal that has captivated the world.
Feb 7, 2018
Saudi Arabia's Enigmatic Crown Prince [S1, E13]
Mohammed bin Salman has flung Saudi Arabia onto a new path. Some say he’s just what the country needs to kick its sclerotic economy into gear. Others say he’s a despot further polarizing an already unstable region. Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and Princeton University professor of Near Eastern studies Bernard Haykel join this week to dissect the competing narratives.
Jan 19, 2018
Europe's Rough Year Ahead [S1, E12]
Political turmoil is not unique to the US, it appears. Across the Atlantic, Europe is in flux. By and large, the center is eroding, fringe parties are strengthening, and Macron's ambitions to make the EU sexy again seem to fall on deaf ears. Peter and Muni talk to Mark Leonard, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, to see whether this is a momentary hiccup or an inflection point for the continent.
Dec 26, 2017
2018: Latin America's Electoral Roller Coaster [S1, E11]
As we cap off a crazy 2017, Latin America is gearing up for an even crazier 2018. Of the five (potentially six) presidential elections to be held in the region next year, those in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico promise to be particularly contentious. Peter and Muni take a closer look at these three Latin American powerhouses and the key issues and candidates to watch in their upcoming races. They're joined by Venezuelan author and political scientist Moisés Naím to discuss broader trends in the region – s
Nov 27, 2017
Mission Impossible in the Sahel? [S1, E10]
What happened in last month's ambush that killed four Green Berets in Niger? And why are we in the region in the first place? Peter and Muni discuss events on the ground and US strategy (and its shortcomings) with ABC News senior foreign correspondent Ian Pannell and Washington Post Global Opinions editor Karen Attiah.
Nov 13, 2017
Iran and Congress: The Mideast Mess Gets Messier Still [S1, E9]
Noting that the US doesn't have enough on its plate, Trump has decided to decertify the Iran nuclear deal, though it's up to Congress to decide what that means. With no shortage of bad behavior from Tehran in its own neighborhood, sabotaging the deal risks giving this "new Cold War" a nuclear component. Peter and Muni look at possible scenarios and outcomes with Jake Sullivan, former Deputy Assistant to President Obama and one of the architects of the Iran deal.
Oct 25, 2017
China and the New World Order [S1, E8]
China has been steadily increasing its global footprint, and since January, the US has been rapidly scaling back its own. With that in mind, China's 19th Communist Party Congress had one overarching theme: China isn't emerging - it has emerged, and it's ready to be a leader. But what does that mean for the rest of us?
Peter and Muni are joined by Bill Bishop, a China expert and founder of the Sinocism newsletter, to discuss Xi Jinping's consolidation of power, and what we can expect from him and his China
Oct 10, 2017
Is Spain Coming Apart? [S1, E7]
Peter and Muni are joined by professor and expert on Catalan secessionism Andrew Dowling to discuss causes, reactions, and prognoses for Catalonia's independence drive. They look at similar movements around the world and external factors (and actors) abetting this new rise of separatist sentiment.
Sep 27, 2017
Dotard v. Rocket Man [S1, E6]
North Korea's rapid nuclear advances and a war of words between Trump and Kim Jong Un have added terrifying new dimensions to an old conflict. Arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis of Foreign Policy, and The New Yorker's Evan Osnos, one of the last American journalists to visit Pyongyang, join in to discuss the danger and possible off-ramps to the crisis.
Sep 18, 2017
Is the Populist Wave Here to Stay? [S1, E5]
With more and more populist and authoritarian leaders popping up throughout the world, Peter and Muni look at underlying causes and give their prognoses for the liberal international order. Professor Soli Ozel joins in to look at long-term trends.
Sep 1, 2017
Trump and Mexico: Burning Bridges, Building Walls [S1, E4]
A favorite punching bag of Trump's during the campaign, Mexico is at its wit's end. Peter and Muni look at all that we have to lose from making this loyal friend a foe. They're joined by Sen. Gabriela Cuevas, head of the Mexican Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, to weigh in on the danger.
Aug 22, 2017
Is Russia Winning? [S1, E3]
Everyone is obsessing over President Donald Trump’s possible collusion with Russia during the 2016 election. Strategically speaking, how's that working out for Vladimir Putin? Our guest on this week’s episode, Prof. Mark Galeotti of Prague’s Centre for European Security, argues that Putin is actually not faring that well after all.
Jul 21, 2017
Centrisme Révolutionnaire: Does Macron Have the Answer to Populism? [S1, E2]
Editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast Jon Avlon and Université d'Orléans historian and author Jean Garrigues discuss the political phenom Emmanuel Macron, and debate whether he truly has an answer to the wave of populism currently dominating many democracies.
Jul 21, 2017
A Way Forward after Trump's Cuba Backtrack? [S1, E1]
James Williams of Engage Cuba speaks with Peter and Muni about President Donald Trump's recent reversal of the Cuba opening, and what it means for future relations with Havana.
Jul 20, 2017
A Welcome to Altamar
In an increasingly turbulent moment of uncertainty and unpredictability in global politics, there is something missing from the public policy debate: sanity.
“We live in a world that is being tossed and turned. The only thing that seems certain is uncertainty,” says Altamar co-host Peter Schechter. “This podcast is all about navigating the rough seas of today’s global politics and finding our way back to shore – rejecting the partisan polarization, getting past the populism, and debating pragmatic solutions.”
Altamar, a Spanish term for “high seas,” is a half-hour foreign policy podcast show that will regularly feature special guests across a range of foreign policy topics and regions, from Latin America to Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond.
Schechter co-hosts Altamar with Muni Jensen, a former Colombian diplomat, television political analyst, and a highly regarded international columnist.
“At Altamar, we’re responding to the fatigue we’re all feeling over fake…