Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Around the World with Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo examine growing concerns around #AI safety, from recent cybersecurity breaches to the risks of recursive self-improvement and debates over regulating frontier AI models. They also cover the newly signed U.S.-Denmark-Greenland defense agreement and the #EU’s proposal to make #Canada its first “associate member” as the transatlantic landscape continues to shift. Finally, they turn to the recent #BRICS summit in New Delhi and #Trump and #Xi’s meeting in Washington this week, with #AIsafety, #trade, #Taiwan, and #Iran among the issues in focus. 

Image: Daniel Torok, via The White House

In this week’s episode of Around the World, Jeremy Shapiro, Director of Research at the European Council on Foreign Relations, joins hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo to explain the rise of Germany’s far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), following its victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, and its growing impact on the country’s political “firewall.” They then break down the Pentagon’s “NATO 3.0” review of U.S. troops in Europe, what it means for the transatlantic alliance, and the prospects for negotiations in Ukraine. The hosts also discuss the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan, the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi, and the increasingly tangled dispute between Argentina, the United Kingdom, and Israel over the Falkland Islands, oil drilling, and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Image: RONNY HARTMANN / Contributor, via ⁠Getty Images

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo discuss the escalating trade conflict between the United States and Canada, highlighting the failed negotiations, retaliatory tariffs, and what the dispute could mean for the Trump administration ahead of the November midterm elections. They also cover shifting security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific as the U.S.-South Korea alliance faces new uncertainty, with the United States cutting short a joint military exercise and Trump’s renewed interest in meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. They end by recapping the Mecca Agreement, a new defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, and whether its NATO-style language will translate into meaningful security cooperation.

Image: The White House, Public Domain, via WhiteHouse.gov

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo assess the political implications of the recent migration crisis in Ceuta, Spain as it tested the EU’s new pact on migration and asylum and renewed the broader immigration debate in Europe. They also break down Southern Pacific geopolitics, highlighting dependent economies, the growing impacts from climate change, and competition between the United States and its allies with China, before ending on India’s quiet but gradual engagement in the region.

Image: Mstyslav Chernov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo outline the latest developments in U.S. trade policy as President Trump’s renewed tariffs revive legal uncertainty over their implementation while also serving as leverage in ongoing trade negotiations. They also discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East, recent political shifts in the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine, and Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Australia, before wrapping up with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and some of the tournament’s broader takeaways beyond the pitch.

Image: The White House, Public Domain, via WhiteHouse.gov

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo unpack the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the Trump administration and Iran, examining what it signals for U.S.-Iran negotiations, regional dynamics, and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. They also discuss the political upheaval in the United Kingdom following PM Keir Starmer’s resignation, exploring the economic, political, and structural forces behind Britain’s latest leadership crisis. Finally, drawing on their participation in last week’s India-U.S. Forum in New Delhi, they reflect on the state of the U.S.-India partnership and its areas of growing cooperation as well as the challenges that continue to shape the bilateral relationship.

Image: Vincent Wei, via Pexels

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo discuss ongoing developments in the Middle East conflict, focusing on recent military escalations, ceasefire efforts, and the broader economic and political implications of the conflict for the United States, Europe, and the Global South. They also examine the growing geopolitical significance of artificial intelligence, highlighting how frontier AI systems are reshaping national security and economic competitiveness, while raising questions about international cooperation and the challenge of governing rapidly advancing technologies.

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In this week’s episode of Around the World, Veda Vaidyanathan, Fellow in Foreign Policy and Security Studies at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, joins hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo to break down the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda — highlighting its implications for health governance and evolving India-Africa ties, as well as the recent cancellation of the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit. The hosts also recap U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trips to Europe and India, assessing the outcomes of the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting and key developments in U.S.-India relations.

Image: © European Union, 2026, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo unpack the high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, outlining what each side is hoping to secure amid rising tensions over tariffs, critical minerals, Taiwan, and the conflict in Iran. The episode then turns to Europe’s mounting security dilemmas, from the future of NATO to the growing push for a more self-sufficient European defense strategy.

Image: The White House, Public Domain, via WhiteHouse.gov

In this week’s episode of Around the World, Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, President and CEO of the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), joins hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo to discuss Africa’s shifting economic landscape, from declining global aid and greater domestic resource mobilization to expanding opportunities with non-traditional partners. They also recap recent developments in Ukraine, including the European Union’s latest aid package and what it signals for the trajectory of the war with Russia.

Image: Divaris Shirichena, via Unsplash

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo break down a last-minute ceasefire between the United States and Iran, exploring what drove the sudden de-escalation and what to watch as negotiations unfold. They then turn to the recent launch of the Artemis II mission and the broader revival of the global space race, before wrapping up with a preview of Hungary’s upcoming elections and what they could signal for European politics.

Image: NHQ202604010263. Artemis II Launch, via NASA

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo deliver updates on the growing uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, discussing whether a ceasefire is within reach and how the crisis is shaping perceptions in Washington, Tehran, and across Europe. They also recap Myanmar’s recent election and its contentious results, as Tatmadaw chief Min Aung Hlaing seeks presidency. The episode wraps with Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s referendum on judicial reform was rejected by voters — raising questions about her popularity and what it could mean for Italy’s next general elections.

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In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo explore the recent disruptions in global energy markets following the Strait of Hormuz closure, examining its impact on oil prices and the steps countries have taken to mitigate the effects. They also continue the conversation on the Middle East conflict, delving into the debate over potential U.S. troop deployments to Iran despite opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. They wrap up the episode with a quick look at Canadian PM Mark Carney’s trips to India, Australia, and Japan, and what they signal about Canada’s efforts to reduce dependence on the United States.

Image: Andrew Ly / Shutterstock

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo zero in on the escalating conflict in the Middle East, unpacking the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran’s retaliation against military bases and critical infrastructures in the Gulf. They explore Israel’s push for regime change, the impact on U.S. domestic politics, and how Europe and the Gulf Arab states are being drawn into the widening war.

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In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo recap a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down President Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose global tariffs, exploring its implications for current trade deals and future negotiations. They then pivot to Trump’s State of the Union address, highlighting his claims of economic revival and conflict resolution abroad.

Image: Mathieu Landretti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, Amlan Mohanty, Technology and Society Fellow at Carnegie India, joins hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo to discuss India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit, which will take place in New Delhi and feature global leaders and CEOs from companies like Nvidia, OpenAI, and Microsoft. They explore the Summit’s implications for global AI governance, India’s role as the first Global South host, and tensions around access, inclusion, and U.S.-China competition. Dhruva and Rachel then pivot to Japan, where they recap Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's major victory for the Liberal Democratic Party during the recent snap election.

Image: Ministry of Culture (GODL-India), GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo break down a major shift in U.S.-India relations after U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade deal earlier this week. They explore what’s driving the breakthrough, what remains unclear, and whether this deal will put the bilateral relationship back on steadier ground. The episode then turns to rising tensions with Iran, as the United States increases its military presence in the Gulf even as informal nuclear talks take shape, heightening questions about escalation, diplomacy, and what to watch for next.

Image: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo examine Trump’s Board of Peace, a multilateral initiative originally aimed at overseeing the Gaza ceasefire — and the questions around its membership, funding, and Trump’s ongoing role. They also assess the Department of War’s newly released National Defense Strategy and its priorities for U.S. security, as well as China’s recent detainment of top PLA officers. 

Image: World leaders during Session: Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 22 January. ⁠CC BY-NC-SA 4.0⁠. Courtesy of the World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell, via ⁠Flickr⁠.

In this week’s episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo are joined by Garima Mohan, Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, to discuss the growing momentum in EU-India relations ahead of an upcoming summit and potential trade agreement. Dhruva and Rachel also dig into the latest developments between Trump and Greenland, as well as the sudden resurrection of the U.K.–Mauritius Chagos Islands deal.

In this week’s episode of Around the World, Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo dive into the resurgence of protests in Iran and what it means for the country’s economic and political future. They also unpack German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India and the growing tensions between the Trump administration and the U.S. Federal Reserve.

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To kick off Season 2 of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo recap what went down in Venezuela and the U.S. military’s capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. They also discuss the revived tensions between the United States and Greenland, and touch on Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. 

Image: SWinxy, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In this week's episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo break down the newly released U.S. National Security Strategy, highlighting its differences from past strategies in terms of structure and priorities. They also touch on renewed tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, exploring the historical roots of the border dispute, domestic political drivers in both countries, and ASEAN’s role.

In this week's episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo discuss the latest status of the Ukraine negotiations, which have been revised from a 28-point plan to a 19-point plan. They also touch on Putin’s visit to India and its impact on the future of India-Russia relations, as well as Trump’s influence in the recent Honduras elections. 

In this week's episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo speak with Neil Thomas, Chinese Politics Fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis, who breaks down China's domestic politics and Xi Jinping's consolidation of power. Later on, Dhruva and Rachel discuss Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's recent visit to the White House and the global impact of Russian oil sanctions.

In this week's episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo recap the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and its implications for both domestic and international politics. They also cover Pakistan's passing of its 27th constitutional amendment — effectively boosting Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir’s power — as well as Syria’s future with its new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and his most recent visit to Washington.

In this week's episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo unpack Sudan’s escalating civil war and its geopolitical implications for nations such as Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somaliland. They also recap the Netherlands’ latest elections and the potential return to nuclear testing following Trump’s recent announcement.

In this week's episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo cover Trump's Asia tour, the complexities surrounding frozen Russian assets in Europe, and the escalating situation in Venezuela amidst recent U.S. involvement.

In this week's episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo delve into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent visit to D.C. and Putin-Trump talks. They also cover the recent election of Japan's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and U.S.-Australia relations with focuses on rare earth agreements and the AUKUS pact.

In the premiere episode of Around the World, hosts Dhruva Jaishankar and Rachel Rizzo discuss Trump's recent trip to the Middle East and the recent ceasefire agreement, U.S.-China trade tensions, and political instability in France.

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