Geopolitics & World
International affairs, defense, and regional topics
378 episodes · Page 7 of 16
#3128: The Real Job of a Policy Wonk
What does a policy wonk actually do? It's not just a put-down — it's a real, high-impact job.
#3125: When Democracy Requires Door-Knocking
Why Irish politicians knock on doors while Israeli MKs don't — and what Canada, Japan, and Taiwan do instead.
#3124: Immigrant Strategies: Enclave vs. Full Immersion
Do enclave builders or full immersionists report higher satisfaction? The data reveals a surprising tradeoff.
#3122: When Trust Collapses: Chile, Lebanon, South Korea
Three countries, three outcomes when citizens lost faith in their entire political class.
#3117: Inside the Military's Secret Airline
The U.S. military runs a passenger airline bigger than Delta's international operation. Here's how.
#3116: How the U.S. Army Prepositions Tanks for War
Inside the $30 billion global network of warehouses keeping tanks, Bradleys, and ammo ready to fight in 96 hours.
#3111: The Broken Contract: Trust, Taxes, and Truth in Israel
73% of Israelis rate government performance as poor. The contract between citizens and state has fractured.
#3109: The Shekel's Split Personality
The shekel is simultaneously strong and weak — here's why the real story isn't the dollar rate.
#3102: Fighting at -40°C and +55°C
What happens to soldiers and equipment when the environment is the real enemy.
#3093: Israel’s Undeclared Nuclear Triad: Warheads, Missiles, Subs
How Israel built a nuclear arsenal of ~90 warheads, Jericho missiles, and a submarine fleet — all without ever admitting it.
#3089: How Climate Consensus Actually Formed
The surprising journey from skepticism to scientific certainty — and what the data says about summer 2026.
#3085: Why Jerusalem Feels Unsteered While Its Mayor Keeps Winning
Jerusalem's secular voters are leaving in droves. Why does the mayor keep winning?
#3082: How to Not Get Burned Buying a Used Car in Israel
Annual roadworthiness tests don't guarantee safety. Here's how to avoid the used car trap in Israel.
#3068: The Feral Cat Strategy: Iran Deal Theater Explained
Israel's public opposition to the Iran deal isn't a failure—it's leverage. Here's how the contradiction works.
#3035: The Speeding Ticket That Explains the West Bank
Who writes your ticket in the West Bank depends on who you are, not just where you are.
#3034: The Market That Changed Jerusalem
How a 140-year-old produce market became Jerusalem’s nightlife hub — and a mirror of the city’s transformation.
#3032: The Karankawa Beyond the Cannibalism Myth
Who were the Karankawa? New genetic evidence and archaeology reveal a sophisticated maritime culture.
#3025: The EU's Foreign Policy Paradox: A Conductor Without an Orchestra
The EU has a foreign minister who can't command anyone. How does foreign policy actually get made in Brussels?
#3022: Who Actually Are Jerusalem's Haredim?
The Haredi community in Jerusalem isn't one bloc—it's a coalition of factions with opposing views on Zionism, military service, and work.
#3021: The Bus Routes Nobody Owns
East Jerusalem's Palestinian residents live under Israeli law but use Jordanian hospitals, unlicensed buses, and PA schools. How did this happen?
#3018: Designing a Trip to East Asia for Real Understanding
How to design an itinerary from Tel Aviv to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan that produces genuine cultural understanding.
#3014: How a Palestinian Books a Flight to Istanbul
The step-by-step reality of travel from the West Bank and Gaza — permits, crossings, and documents most travelers never think about.
#3013: East Jerusalem's In-Between Status: Residency Without Citizenship
Permanent residency in Israel isn't a path to citizenship. For East Jerusalemites, it's a trap that can be revoked.
#3012: Where the Holy of Holies Really Was
The closest point to the Holy of Holies isn't the main Western Wall plaza—it's a quiet 15-meter section in the Muslim Quarter.