Hawala Houses

Hawala Houses

Author: Young Professionals in International Relations September 23, 2019 Duration: 30:37
Millions of people around the world do not have access to formal banking or means of transferring money across borders. A popular substitute is the “Hawala House,” an efficient and informal alternative money exchange system. In this episode, we explore this ancient form of banking that operates “off the books.” But while Hawala Houses boast a deeply trusted and reliable network of brokers, they also provide a secure way of financing illicit activities such as terrorism. Dig Deeper Take a look at some of our favorite articles that we came across while researching this topic: * The Hawala Alternative Remittance System and its Role in Money Laundering, Department of Treasury, Patrick M. Jost & Harjit Singh Sandhu* How hawala money-transfer schemes are changing, The Economist* Following the Migrant Money Trail, Wall Street Journal, Giovanni Legorano & Joe Parkinson Photo Credit: Images of Money Flickr Account

Every Monday, a conversation unfolds that moves beyond the day’s headlines. Matters of State-Underreported Issues in World News & International Relations is driven by the curiosity of the Young Professionals in International Relations, a group of analysts and graduate students who dig into the global stories that aren't making the front page. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair with friends who are parsing complex geopolitical shifts, regional tensions, or economic developments simmering beneath mainstream coverage. The discussion is informed but accessible, grounded in their ongoing study and work. Periodically, they bring in seasoned diplomats, aid workers, or researchers for candid interviews that shed light on what this work actually looks like on the ground. This podcast offers a deeper, more nuanced take for anyone feeling that the usual news cycle is missing crucial context. It’s a weekly dose of perspective, released to accompany your Monday routine, that encourages you to look closer at the forces shaping our world. They actively invite suggestions for future deep dives, making it a collaborative space for uncovering the issues that truly matter.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Matters of State - Underreported Issues in World News & International Relations
Podcast Episodes
Michael McFaul, former Ambassador to Russia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:11
Michael McFaul, former Ambassador to Russia, joins us from Stanford for a conversation about his time serving during the Russian reset, what it’s like to be the target of a Russian disinformation campaign, and his new bo…
Tourism in North Korea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:11
North Korea is notoriously isolated, but Daniel Wertz explains that the Hermit Kingdom in fact welcomes tourism – or at least tourist dollars. In this episode, our guest helps us understand what tourism looks like in Nor…
Spotlight: Mali [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
Following the death of three US soldiers in Nigeria, there has been a re-examination of the relationship between terrorism, Western intervention, and African nations. Given that Africa is seen as a strategic priority in…
Spotlight: Belarus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:11
A brief look at Europe's last dictatorship
Understanding National Debt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:50
Managing national debt is a significant issue that every country in the world must face. While media outlets often report on national debt with forecasts of doom and gloom, it is important to understand that...
Governments in Exile [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:37
What is a government, and what are the essential elements for statehood? To what extent can sovereignty be disentangled from jurisdiction over territory? In this episode, we approach these enduring questions by focusing…
Unorthodox Illicit Financing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
The global illicit trade and financing market is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, with smugglers and financiers engaging in unorthodox illicit dealings with goods like cigarettes and medicine. Several global initia…
Why the Arctic Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:15
As the ice in the Arctic continues to melt, countries are staking claims and preparing for economic and military development in the region. This “new frontier” has promise of prosperity, yet is rife with geopolitical...