New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy | Podcasts — Podcast

Global Hotspots: Q3 Forecast - Bolivia, Sahel, Sudan, Morocco, DRC 07.07.2026 29min

In this second episode reviewing our recently published 2026 Q3 Forecast report, our team focuses on Bolivia, Sudan, and the DRC among some of the countries not covered in part 1, providing an outlook on the domestic and international situation related to these countries going into the third quarter.

Global Hotspots: Q3 Forecast - Americas, Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Russia/Ukraine 06.07.2026 46min

In this episode, our team highlights our recently published 2026 Q3 Forecast report on geopolitical hotspots around the world and their implications on global connectivity themes like trade, technology, energy, and climate. In part 1 of this podcast, we focus on the US/Americas, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, and the Russia/Ukraine war, discussing the most important events from the past three months, and looking ahead at what the next quarter may bring.

Global Hotspots: Iran Ceasefire Update and Ukraine's Ultimatum to Belarus 26.06.2026 27min

This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded Belarus remove military equipment from their shared border, while Ukrainian forces continued attacking energy and transport infrastructure near Moscow and in Crimea. In the Indo-Pacific, China sanctioned two critical minerals companies in the U.S., while U.S. AI company Anthropic accused Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba of copying its software. In the Middle East, Israel continued airstrikes against Lebanon despite ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, with Israeli officials reiterating that they would not withdraw from the country.

Global Hotspots: Unpacking the U.S./Iran Ceasefire Deal 18.06.2026 23min

This week, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding paving the way for a ceasefire and two months of negotiations aimed at settling their conflict. Meanwhile, Israel stated it would continue to occupy territory in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. In the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan’s opposition leader met with members of the U.S. Congress in Washington, while the U.K. and Japan agreed to boost defense and economic cooperation. In Ukraine transatlantic relations, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of the U.S. military presence in Europe, while Ukrainian drones continued to strike oil in Russia, including one close to Moscow. In the U.S., lawmakers continued to debate the renewal of the Foreign Surveillance Authorization Act (FISA), which the White House has now linked to its ambitions for voter identification reform.

Contours: Gender Policy Podcast, Women and Power 15.06.2026 30min

Riley Sullivan sits down with Linda Robinson, Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss the dynamics of democracy, gender equality, and women's leadership, as well as her new book, Women in Power: Fighting for Democracy in an Age of Authoritarianism.

Global Hotspots: Strait of Hormuz Closed; Ethiopian Elections Impact 12.06.2026 22min

This week, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after it and the U.S. traded strikes. Elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel continued its bombing campaign against Lebanon. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. sanctioned Chinese entities for their role in supporting Iran, while Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang for the first time in seven years. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine continued its long-range strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Nordic and Baltic leaders in Estonia following accidental Ukrainian drone incursions into the region. In the Americas, Congress passed a $70 billion measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security after months of stalling, while Cuba’s private sector is set to receive 250,000 barrels of oil from the U.S., pending approval from the Trump administration.

Global Hotspots: Trump Confirms Netanyahu Quarrel; Ukraine Hits St. Petersburg 05.06.2026 28min

This week, the U.S. and Iran exchanged strikes amid continued diplomacy, while Israel continued its ground operations in Lebanon despite a conditional ceasefire agreement between them. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. set out new guidance designed to close loopholes that allowed China to receive advanced AI chips, while U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pushed for increased allied defense spending at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. In transatlantic relations and the Russia/Ukraine war, Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil terminal near St. Petersburg during its hosting of an annual international economic forum as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the EU voted to start accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova. In the United States, President Donald Trump canceled the establishment of a $1.8 billion fund to compensate, among others, Jan., while the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative called for the imposition of at least 10% tariffs on more than 60 trading partners.

Global Hotspots: U.S.-Cuba Tensions Simmer as Tech Takes Center Stage in Indo-Pacific 29.05.2026 33min

This week, the United States and Iran traded airstrikes as peace negotiations continued, while Israel intensified strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon despite the recent ceasefire extension. In the Indo-Pacific, Nvidia pledged an annual $150 billion investment in Taiwan while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India in an attempt to shore up ties within the Quad framework. In transatlantic relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov advised the U.S. to pull its citizens and diplomatic staff out of Kyiv amid the threat of intensified Russian strikes, while European NATO countries bolstered defenses in the Baltics. In the Americas, China delivered 15,000 tons of rice to Cuba as part of a humanitarian relief package, and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly planning military action in the event of a possible regime collapse by the end of the summer.

How Do We Measure Illicit Economies? | Crime Beat Conversations featuring Henry Ziemer 28.05.2026 25min

How do we measure the size of illicit economies, and what can seizure data actually tell us about the effectiveness of enforcement policies? In this episode of Crime Beat Conversations, Rafaella Lispschitz speaks with Henry Ziemer, Fellow with the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), about the challenges of measuring illicit markets and evaluating interdiction efforts. The conversation examines: - The methodologies used to estimate the size of illicit economies- What seizure data can (and cannot) reveal about market activity- The limitations of using interdiction figures as a measure of policy success- What more effective metrics could look like for policymakers and researchers Watch the full conversation for a closer look at how evidence, data, and methodology shape our understanding of illicit markets and policy responses. Read Henry’s piece on illicit economy data here: https://www.caballeros.blog/p/the-missing-data-on-illicit-economies Find Henry’s blog, Caballeros, here: https://www.caballeros.blog/ For more from Henry, follow on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-suckow-ziemer-6a5007158/) and X (https://x.com/HenryZiemer) A New Lines Institute Mafiacracies Project production: https://newlinesinstitute.org/initiative/mafiacracies-project/ For more from Rafaella, follow on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/rlipschitz) and X (https://x.com/rlipschitz01) Explore similar analysis and forecasting from New Lines institute: https://newlinesinstitute.org/ Follow our socials for news on upcoming events, analysis, infographics, and more! https://linktr.ee/NewLinesInstitute

Global Hotspots: Putin Meets Xi in Beijing and a new Ebola Strain in DRC 22.05.2026 28min

This week, Iran stated it was reviewing the latest peace proposal from the United States after the U.S. delayed planned strikes, while Pakistan deployed 8,000 troops to Saudi Arabia in the event of renewed hostilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, while U.S. President Donald Trump stated willingness to discuss renewed arms sales to Taiwan, prompting China to delay a meeting with U.S. defense officials. In transatlantic relations, the Trump administration stated it would reduce the number of forces it would commit to a conflict in Europe, while Russian drones repeatedly crossed into Latvian airspace. The U.S. charged former Cuban President Raul Castro with conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens in 1996, as Washington continues to exert pressure on the island to reform its governance structure.

Global Hotspots: Trump Meets Xi in Beijing 15.05.2026 20min

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump traveled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a long-anticipated summit in which the leaders discussed trade relations, the Iran war, and Taiwan. In the Middle East, Trump rejected a peace proposal by Iran, while representatives from Lebanon and Israel met in Washington, D.C., for a new round of discussions on Hezbollah’s disarmament. In the Russia/Ukraine war, both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin made separate statements indicating they believe the war was soon coming to an end despite Russia launching a new wave drone strikes across Ukraine. In the Americas, Cuba announced it had run out of diesel and fuel oil stockpiles, while the U.S. Senate appointed Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve Chair.

Global Hotspots: U.S. Peace Proposal for Iran, and Troop Withdrawal from Germany 08.05.2026 29min

This week, Iran considered a one-page peace proposal sent by the United States that would end hostilities, while Israel issued new evacuation orders for southern Lebanon and bombed Beirut despite an ongoing ceasefire. In the Indo-Pacific, China gave conflicting advice to its banks on how to respond to U.S. sanctions, citing a violation of international law, while the EU took steps to reduce its technological dependency on Chinese hardware imports. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Russia conducted airstrikes despite a Ukrainian ceasefire proposal, while mobile internet access in Moscow and St. Petersburg was shut off due to security concerns surrounding upcoming Victory Day parades and U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany.

Global Hotspots Outlook: U.S. Sanctions China over Iran 01.05.2026 26min

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian peace proposal and ordered an extension of the blockade on Iranian ports, while Israel resumed military operations in Lebanon. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. sanctioned a Chinese importer of Iranian oil, threatening more sanctions against China’s banking sector, while Beijing blocked Meta’s acquisition of a Chinese AI company. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a Victory Day ceasefire on May 9, while in transatlantic relations, Trump stated he was considering withdrawing U.S. troops from Germany amid ongoing diplomatic disagreements.

Global Hotspots: Outlook on the U.S.-Iran Ceasefire and Japanese Force Posturing 24.04.2026 51min

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump extended the ongoing ceasefire with Iran, while Iran rejected negotiations with U.S. Vice President JD Vance as the U.S. continued its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. In the Indo-Pacific, Japan removed export bans on lethal weapons, marking a shift in its pacifist policy, while Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te canceled a trip to Eswatini, accusing China of pressuring nearby countries to restrict their airspace. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, the European Union approved a $106 billion loan to Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed calls for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Global Hotspots Outlook: U.S. Blockades Iran Amid Renewed Diplomacy 17.04.2026 27min

This week, the United States imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing two-week ceasefire observed by the U.S., , with talks to extend it and resume diplomatic negotiations in Pakistan currently underway. In the Indo-Pacific, the in the South China Sea, while China eased some trade restrictions against Taiwan following last week’s negotiations with In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed multiple defense agreements with European countries, and the EU sought to move forward with dispensing a multibillion-dollar loan that had until now been held up by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who lost in last week’s parliamentary elections The U.S. has ramped up its planning for possible military action against Cuba amid continued talks over the country’s leadership. Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Global Hotspots Outlook: US and Iran Reach Tenuous Ceasefire 10.04.2026 31min

This week, the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire following President Donald Trump’s threats of targeting Iran's power plants and other infrastructure, while Israel escalated its bombing campaign against Lebanon. In the Indo-Pacific, South Korea met with representatives from Gulf countries to discuss securing energy supplies, and Taiwan’s opposition leader visited China, stalling Taipei’s efforts to pass a special defense budget. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, both sides agreed to an Orthodox Easter ceasefire, while Trump met with NATO’s secretary general amid a strain between Washington and the transatlantic alliance. In the U.S., immigration enforcement operations continued despite a recent funding bill restricting funds from reaching border and immigration operations. Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Contours: Gender Policy Podcast, Women and War in Ukraine 10.04.2026 21min

Student Fellow Riley Sullivan is joined by Dr. Kseniya Sotnikova, Ax:son Johnson Fellow with the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), to discuss women's roles in the war in Ukraine. Learn more about Dr. Sotnikova: https://cepa.org/author/kseniya-sotnikova/ Learn more about New Lines' work on CRSV: https://newlinesinstitute.org/project/crsv/ Learn more about New Lines' work on Ukraine: https://newlinesinstitute.org/category/intl-law-peace/

Crime Beat Conversations: China-Cartel Nexus, Featuring Adam Rousselle 09.04.2026 15min

In this episode of Crime Beat Conversations, Rafaella Lipschitz talks to Adam Rousselle, illicit finance expert and founder of Between the Lines, to discuss Chinese money-laundering networks and their role as the financial backbone of Latin America’s drug cartels. They explore how China’s internal capital flight pressures have produced a shadow financial architecture that connects Chinese elites to fentanyl networks in the America’s, and how traditional counter-narcotics enforcement misses the mark in combatting these illicit financial systems. Stay tuned for more from Crime Beat Conversations. Read Adam’s latest piece for the New Lines Institute here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/global-security-mil-priorities/china-cartel-nexus-the-liquidity-architecture-transforming-the-global-drug-economy/ Find Between the Lines here: https://www.btl-research.com/ For more from Adam, follow on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-rousselle-918659188/) and X (https://x.com/rousselle_adam) A New Lines Institute Mafiacracies Project production: https://newlinesinstitute.org/initiative/mafiacracies-project/ For more from Rafaella, follow on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/rlipschitz) and X (https://x.com/rlipschitz01) Explore similar analysis and forecasting from New Lines institute: https://newlinesinstitute.org/ Follow our socials for news on upcoming events, analysis, infographics, and more! https://linktr.ee/NewLinesInstitute

Global Hotspots: 2026 Q2 Forecast (Part 2) 03.04.2026 27min

In this episode, we continue to highlight our recently published 2026 Q2 forecast report on geopolitical hotspots around the world and their implications on global connectivity themes like trade, technology, energy, and climate. We discuss the internal destabilization happening in Iran, and review some of the main events that happened in Venezuela, the US, Afghanistan/Pakistan, and in conflicts in Africa. Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Global Hotspots: 2026 Q2 Forecast (Part 1) 02.04.2026 37min

This podcast highlights our recently published 2026 Q2 Forecast report on geopolitical hotspots around the world and their implications on global connectivity themes like trade, technology, energy, and climate. In part 1 of this podcast, we discuss our outlook for global hotspots like the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while in part 2 we cover the US/Americas and hotspots elsewhere throughout the world.