New Threats to Journalism
A conversation with Andy Alexander, award-winning journalist and news industry leader, about threats and challenges to journalists around the globe – and here at home.
May 21, 2025•28 min
World Affairs Conversations
Distinguished speakers from government, academic organizations, and the business community present timely lectures on international events affecting our lives. For more information: www.waccharleston.org
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Episodes
Dispatch from the Middle East
A conversation about a region in turmoil as the Administration upends traditional international relations and the functioning of our diplomatic corps.
Apr 25, 2025•36 min
US Diplomacy in the 21st Century
The president of the American Foreign Service Association on the challenges facing our diplomats in a time of unprecedented change and the rewards of a diplomatic career
Mar 21, 2025•23 min
US - China Economic Competition
A conversation with Liza Tobin on the strategic economic competition and rivalry between the U.S. and China as we transition to a new administration.
Dec 16, 2024•32 min
Putin's World
A leading expert on Russia shares a unique insight into Vladimir Putin's perspective on Russian history, its place in the world, and how he thinks about other great powers.
Oct 28, 2024•31 min
The Next President's Foreign Policy Inbox
The next President faces extraordinary international challenges, including regional conflict, great power jockeying, and decisions about America's place in the world. Council members with distinguished foreign service careers provide a unique perspective.
Sep 29, 2024•34 min
Bruce Hoffman on Terrorism
One of the world's leading experts on terrorism and insurgency provides an insightful update on this global threat.
Apr 06, 2024•21 min
Global Population: Myths & Misconceptions
One of the world's foremost experts in demographic trends explores the changing nature, shape, size and movement of global populations, one of the vital questions of our time.
Mar 09, 2024•32 min
Crisis in the Red Sea
Recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea—launched by the Houthis in Yemen—are wreaking havoc on global trade. Drawing on his distinguished career with the State Dept., Al Thibault speaks about history, geography and geopolitical risk factors in a part of the world that has suddenly grabbed international attention.
Feb 16, 2024•35 min
Threats to the democratic world order
Michael Miklaucic, the editor of the National Defense University journal PRISM, shares thoughts on current national and international security threats and what to do about them.
Dec 15, 2023•35 min
Why Africa Matters
Christopher Day, professor of political science at the College of Charleston, a former relief worker with Doctors Without Border, and veteran observer of African politics, economy, and society offers his thoughts on this distinct and compelling region.
Sep 24, 2023•51 min
The Future of Intelligence
Rolf Mowatt-Larssen challenges us with his fasten your seatbelts presentation on the complex issue of intelligence in which he discusses spies, nukes, emerging science and technology, climate change and fake news.
May 17, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities
Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne served as U.S. Ambassador to Argentina and as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs under three Secretaries of State, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Deputy Ambassador in Afghanistan. Ambassador Wayne is presently Distinguished Diplomat in Residence at American University in Washington, DC, and holds senior positions at the Wilson Center, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the Atlanti...
Feb 28, 2023•57 min•Season 4Ep. 2
China
Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope discusses what he considers China's two Achilles Heel issues--water and food.
Jan 09, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Turmoil in Iran
A young woman arrested for taking off her hijab (mandatory head covering for woman) dies in police custody. The backlash, especially women, has rattled religious leaders. In addition, Iran is supplying drones to Moscow for the war in Ukraine. Iran's nuclear program is moving ahead. U.S. and western sanctions have crippled the economy. Is Iran's regime in trouble. Charleston World affairs Council Program Chairman Al Thibault discusses challenges facing the No. 1 troublemaker in the Middle East....
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Alarm in Washington as China's Pacific Island Outreach Accelerates
U. S. Institute of Peace analysts Brian Harding and Camilla Pohle-Anderson discuss Washington's concern over China's aggressive outreach into the Pacific Island region.
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Pakistan/Sri Lanka Update
World Affairs Council of Charleston member and retired senior diplomat Al Thibault discusses the always volatile and ever-changing situation in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Oct 05, 2022•32 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Russia/Ukraine: Update and Status
Retired senior US diplomat and World Affairs Council of Charleston member Jon Gundersen who has extensive experience working in Russia and Ukraine explains, updates, and offers 'indicators' to follow regarding the Russia/Ukraine war.
Sep 16, 2022•25 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Seeking Commonality in Rural Development Programs in Colombia and Mozambique
Brian Norris, Professor of Political Science at Lincoln University of Missouri, discusses his recent Fulbright Future Scholars Grant wherein over three years he will study rural development programs in Colombia and Mozambique. Dr. Norris will also discuss his recent visit to Colombia where he monitored the presidential election and reviewed the current economic situation in light of some two million Venezuelan refugees now in Colombia.
Aug 17, 2022•31 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Ukraine/Russia Crisis-History, Current Status, and What Happens Now
Retired senior US diplomats, Ambassador William Courtney (Moscow, Kazakhstan, and Georgia), and Jon Gundersen (Moscow, Ukraine, and Estonia) discuss the current Ukraine/Russia crisis--how it came about, where we stand now, and possible outcomes.
Apr 20, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 2
North Korea: History, Status, Update
Christian Curriden, Rand Corp Defense Analyst discusses how North Korea has moved from Pariah State to a major challenge. Are there any viable options other than crossed fingers and hopes for the best?
Dec 10, 2021•56 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Immigration: Complex, confusing, complicated, controversial!
Immigration professional Gil Jacobs discusses current immigration issues--Afghanistan and Haitian refugees--in the light of US policy, politics, and the inscription on the base of the Statue of Liberty. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore."
Oct 14, 2021•37 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Transitions: Lessons Learned; Lessons Applied
Ambassador Christopher Goldthwait discusses 'lessons learned' during his Government career and how he is now 'applying' those lessons as an entrepreneur in the international private sector.
May 29, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Bitcoin for Beginners
World Affairs Council of Charleston member George Pope offers a primer on cyber currencies--Bitcoin for Beginners. Pope provides a basic overview on What are Bitcoins? Why is everyone so excited? Why should I care?
May 12, 2021•21 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Rare Earth 101: A Primer
World Affairs Council of Charleston President George Pope discusses the emerging and frightening international issue of rare earth elements which are essential to virtually all electronic systems and devices, the emerging renewable energy sector, and most importantly, the US National Security industrial sector. And, as it turns out, the rare earth market is controlled by a country which is not a particular friend of the US.
Apr 17, 2021•33 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Strategies for International Development
Strategies for International Development (SID) Executive Director Charles Patterson and Program Director Judith Russo discuss SID's innovative 'farmer to farmer' approach to economic development in Guatemala.
Feb 25, 2021•24 min•Season 3Ep. 13
India Farmers Revolt
World Affairs Council of Charleston resident South Asia expert Al Thibault discusses the farmer revolt in India. Initial protests by rice and wheat growers from northern India have now spread across the country while the federal government refuses to repeal recently passed ‘agricultural reform’ laws which impact nearly 15% of India's $2.9 trillion economy and about half its workforce.
Feb 13, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 12
The Global Residential Real Estate Market and the Pandemic
Ruthie Ravenel of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty discusses the impact of the global Covid-19 Pandemic on local, national, and international residential real estate markets, and what 'indicators' real estate professionals will be following as we, emerge from the pandemic.
Jan 28, 2021•20 min•Season 3Ep. 11
The Pandemic: Coping with the Present: Preparing for the Future
J. Huggins, Executive VP and Regional President of United Bank, discusses how his 'regional' financial institution is coping with, and preparing for the end of, the Covid-19 Pandemic--a fascinating insight into how, in all likelihood, financial institutions around the world are dealing with the same issue.
Jan 10, 2021•22 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Bolivia: Socialist Government, Chinese Cash; What Next?
Dr. Brian Norris of Denison University discusses the impact of Bolivia's socialist Government and massive Chinese 'Belt and Road' investments on Bolivian relations with other Latin American countries, and with the the United States. Should we be worried?
Dec 24, 2020•36 min•Season 3Ep. 9
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