The Russian COVID-19 Vaccine(?), Hong Kong's Crackdown Goes International, Trump's TikTok Ban

The Russian COVID-19 Vaccine(?), Hong Kong's Crackdown Goes International, Trump's TikTok Ban

Author: Steve Palley, Pete Newsom August 7, 2020 Duration: 37:07
Steve and Pete elucidate on Russia's much-much-faster-than-expected COVID-19 vaccine, Hong Kong's issuing of arrest warrants for 6 pro-democracy activists who live in Western countries, and President Trump's threat to ban the popular social networking app TikTok from the U.S. for its putative connections to the Chinese Communist Party.

Navigating the daily deluge of headlines can leave anyone feeling adrift. The Elucidators: Decoding Global News is a weekly conversation designed to provide a compass. Hosts Steve Palley and Pete Newsom don't just recount the events; they unpack the historical context, the political forces at play, and the often-overlooked connections between seemingly disparate stories. Each episode takes a notable global affair and patiently breaks it down, moving beyond the sensational soundbite to explore the 'why' and the 'what next'. You'll hear them analyze the mechanics of government decisions, debate the efficacy of political rhetoric, and offer grounded commentary that prioritizes understanding over alarm. This podcast operates on the belief that being an informed citizen requires more than just consumption-it requires digestion. By tuning in, you're not simply getting a news update; you're getting a framework for thinking critically about power, policy, and the narratives that shape our world. The goal is to leave each discussion with a clearer, more nuanced picture of the forces shaping our collective future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 48

The Elucidators: Decoding Global News
Podcast Episodes
Everyone (Doesn't) Love Erdogan! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:13
This week's all about the strongmen: more specifically, Turkey's President Erdogan and Russia's President Putin, who are up to some nastiness in their respective parts of the world.
The Abraham Accord Between Israel and UAE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:43
Israel and the United Arab Emirates just made a deal to establish formal diplomatic ties for the first time. Does this finally mean peace in the Middle East, or is it more of a prelude to conflict?
The Beirut Blast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:21
Beirut, once known as "the Paris of the Middle East," is reeling from a gigantic explosion caused by improperly stored industrial chemicals. Can the people of Beirut rebuild once again?
China And Ethiopia Do The Dam Thing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
Two very big dams in two very big countries have two very big problems. Darn these dam difficulties!
Will The European Union Throw Away Its Shot? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:57
The European Union just passed a gigantic bailout deal to save some of its less fiscally solid members from pandemic-related economic disaster. Will it work?
Not-So-Little Fires Everywhere in Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:07
Over the past month or so, some of Iran's most sensitive military sites have blown up and/or burned down. What's the deal, Mr. Rouhani...?
Black Lives Matter Everywhere [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:26
Black Lives Matter.Due to social media technology, the filmed police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis traveled around the world in minutes. Now, what started out as a homegrown American movement a few years ago has…
Is NATO Still Great-O? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:57
@RealDonaldTrump threatened to pull out 1/3 of the American troops stationed in Germany…without telling Congress…or Ze Germans. Nice guy!What does this mean for the future of NATO—the world’s oldest multinational militar…