Dive deep into the Taiwan Strait, a pivotal battleground of the clash between Western hegemony and Eastern resistance, as well as the transition from a fading unipolar world to an emerging multipolar order. Uncover the complexities of cross-strait relations between Taiwan and mainland China, contextualizing them within the broader landscape of global politics. Gain a fresh perspective on Taiwan and beyond, distinct from what is typically portrayed in mainstream media.
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A show about international affairs with a focus on East Asia and of course Taiwan. Hosted by Chris Gorin, the podcast features interviews with experts, policymakers, and more about issues affecting the region and the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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A weekly discussion of the geopolitical implications of current events in the Asia-Pacific, hosted by Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz from The Diplomat, with regular guests.
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As the United States confronts an ever-changing set of international challenges, our foreign policy leaders continue to offer the same old answers. But what are the alternatives? In None Of The Above, the Eurasia Group Institute for Global Affairs' Mark Hannah asks leading global thinkers for new answers and new ideas to guide an America increasingly adrift in the world. www.noneoftheabovepodcast.org
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Global Taiwan Insights is a podcast produced by the Global Taiwan Institute, a 501(c)3 policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. Global Taiwan Insights consist of brief, timely interviews with a wide range of journalists, activists, and policy experts. From security and defense matters to diplomatic, trade, and social issues, the podcast will explore a variety of topics related to Taiwan and its place in the world. In doing so, it will work to shed light on the unique challenges and opport ...
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Have you always thought there was something special about 80s and 90s country music that you've never been able to put your finger on? Why does this music stand out? Well, let's don our cowboy hats, adjust our oversized belt buckles, tease that hair, and see if we can get the bottom of it, by picking apart one song at a time.
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A podcast in which we interview experts regarding their perspectives on ongoing and future geopolitical situations.
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Trading Straits provides legal and business insights at the intersection of shipping, energy and trade compliance. This podcast series is hosted by Reed Smith’s market-leading team of cross-office and cross-practice lawyers. Join us to hear key developments across the industry, including on emissions, sanctions, LNG, shipbuilding and supply chain issues.
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Winning the Cross-Strait Content War with Comedy (Feat. LeLe Farley)
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18:03In Season 6, Episode 3 of Global Taiwan Insights, Ben Sando and Diarra Molock interview Lawrence Farley, better known by his stage name LeLe Farley (樂樂法利). Farley is a YouTuber with nearly half a million subscribers, and satirizes the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP, 中國共產黨) contradictory propaganda related to Taiwan and its own political system. Far…
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The 1990s were a pivotal decade for the United States and the world. This season on None Of The Above, we rewinded to the ‘90s to cover the breakup of the Soviet Union, America’s unipolar moment, and the rise of China. We explored civil war in Afghanistan, the spread of nuclear weapons, South Africa’s transition to democracy, and much more. The ‘90…
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Dissecting "Take It Like a Man" by Michelle Wright
25:15
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25:15By request, we take on a classic one-hit-wonder (in the U.S. anyway). It's Michelle Wright with 1992's "Take It Like a Man". Rarely has a song done more with a single note than this one does with the note G. But this cut is much more than a just G thing. How does this catchy number shift seamlessly between eye-rolling frustration and empowered asse…
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The Geopolitics of the Second China-Central Asia Summit
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16:06How are Central Asian states navigating great power dynamics? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the recent China-Central Asia summit.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here; if you use Windows or Android, you c…
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What Does South Korea’s New Progressive Administration Portend for Northeast Asia?
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24:17Will Lee Jae-myung succeed in implementing a pragmatic foreign policy? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the geopolitical environment that South Korea's new government inherits.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTune…
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The military and the very idea of national security changed a lot in the 1990s. Politicians promised a new period of peace and prosperity after the Cold War, but the military would not draw down from the international arena. On the contrary, the United States turned to policing the world, and the military carried out new types of missions meant to …
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Dissecting "Don't Be Stupid" by Shania Twain
15:43
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15:43In the first of a trilogy of feminine perspectives in the 90s, we tackle Shania Twain's lighthearted 1997 hit "Don't Be Stupid". Twain puts a twist on stereotypical gender roles, and not for the first time, but how does her protagonist's response to her man's stereotypical suspicion give us a perfect example of Twain's brand of 90s feminine empower…
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France as a ‘Resident Power’ in the Pacific
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23:38How does Paris think about the region? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast host Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) is joined by Paco Milhiet, a visiting fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, to discuss France's interests in the Indo-Pacific.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you ca…
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Episode 8: The Cost of Humanitarian Intervention
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43:12When the Cold War ended, many imagined a more peaceful world. Yet the 1990s were marked by humanitarian crises in Somalia, Rwanda, and former Yugoslavia. Images of mass atrocities and genocide reached wide audiences on newly available 24/7 TV news channels, as humanitarians increasingly advocated for military intervention. The United States under B…
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Ep 21: From Separatist to Fellow Traveler (w/ Roger)
1:45:16
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1:45:16What happens when someone raised at the heart of the Taiwan separatist movement walks away from it all? In this episode, we sit down with the son of a well-known longtime activist — someone who grew up steeped in the rhetoric of FAPA, WUFI, and various Taiwan separatist organizations back when a sizeable portion of the movement operated from exile.…
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Dissecting "I Cross My Heart" by George Strait
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26:28We follow one "Pure Country" hit with another: 1992's "I Cross My Heart". George Strait doffs the pyrotechnics (or something like that) and gets intimate in this one, but how do these rolling harmonic and melodic hills frame this speaker's specific message of commitent? And what about that key change??…
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Ep 20: The CPC's Taiwan Strategy - From Revolution to Pragmatism
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50:17How has the Communist Party of China’s approach to the Taiwan question evolved over time? In this episode, we trace the historical arc of the CPC’s Taiwan strategy—from its revolutionary roots to the pragmatic framework that defines cross-strait relations today. We break down key turning points from 1949 to the present to understand how and why the…
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George Strait takes us back to his acting days, with 1993's "Heartland". Strait's signature honky-tonk style sounds right at home on this Texas-sized arena stage, but how do this song's lyrics try to take us somewhere else? And what tensions might this song encapsulate between the journeys of "Dusty" and real-life George Strait?…
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The India-Pakistan Clashes of 2025: Why Things Are Different (And More Dangerous) This Time
17:57
17:57
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17:57How bad will things get between India and Pakistan? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the outbreak of violence between India and Pakistan and the scope for escalation in South Asia.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on i…
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China’s violent Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 marked a turning point in US-China relations. After two decades of slowly but steadily nurturing friendly relations, the United States would choose to develop economic ties without insisting on democratic reforms. The prevailing hope was that China’s economic growth would inevitably lead to politic…
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Dissecting "I Know Where I'm Going" by the Judds
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18:27It's vintage Judds, with their 1987 classic hit "I Know Where I'm Going". This cut is a prime example of the Judds' signature acoustic-with-attitude shtick, but how does heavy harmonic ambiguity in this one leave us less sure of our destination that Wynonna and Naomi seem to be?
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In this episode, we touch on the question that's on many people's minds: will the US intervene in the event of a war across the Taiwan Strait? We do this by breaking down "The Taiwan Fixation: American Strategy Shouldn’t Hinge on an Unwinnable War," an article by US foreign policy insiders Jennifer Kavanagh and Stephen Wertheim. Despite being staun…
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Sudan and the Limits of Western Peacebuilding (from the archive)
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26:33Sudan’s civil war recently entered its third year. It has claimed the lives of around 150,000 people and displaced around 13 million. In this archival episode, we revisit the outbreak of violence that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, led by…
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Why are nuclear weapons back at the forefront of international politics? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss Ankit's new book, The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTune…
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Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Asian Geopolitics
22:03
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22:03How sustainable is this trade war? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the Trump tariffs and the implications for Asian geopolitics.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here; if you use Windows or Android, you can …
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Chile’s Cross-Strait Relations and its Dependence on China (feat. Sascha Hannig Nuñez)
19:07
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19:07In Season 6, Episode 2 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando interviews Sascha Hannig Nuñez, an executive secretary at the Centro de Análisis para la Democracia (CAD) of Chile. As Chile’s minerals industry grows more dependent on the People's Republic of China (PRC), Chilean politicians are taking increasingly pro-Beijing lines about Taiwan. Some Chilean orga…
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Dissecting "Addicted to a Dollar" by Doug Stone
20:18
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20:18Our first encounter with Doug Stone taps into his rowdy side, with 1994's indignant, deliciously unhinged, "Addicted to a Dollar". Stone shows us what angry, working class honky-tonk sounds like in the mid-90s, but what indications do we have in this song that this first person narrator is ever actually going to muster the courage to tell anyone to…
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Episode 6: How Apartheid Ended in South Africa
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40:05In the 1990s, South Africa ended apartheid, a brutal system of racial segregation, and became a democracy. During the Cold War, the United States supported South Africa’s apartheid government because it was anti-communist. But American civil rights activists pushed Washington to reassess its support – which it did as the Cold War wound down. Nelson…
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Dissecting "Here in the Real World" by Alan Jackson
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30:28One episode after exploring Brooks & Dunn's explosive debut, we turn our ears to Alan Jackson's more toned down entrance onto the scene, 1990's "Here in the Real World". As we'd expect, Jackson writes the book here on Jones-inspired neotraditionalism, as melody, harmony, instrumentation, lyrics, and phrasing all work together on this heartbreaker. …
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Episode 5: Why the Israel-Palestine Peace Process Failed
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45:19The 1990s witnessed a turning point in one of the world’s most intractable disputes. After four decades of conflict, the 1991 Madrid Conference opened the door for peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. A flurry of negotiations and agreements followed. The Camp David Summit in 2000 was the Clinton administration’s last-ditch attempt to prod…
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Trump, Tariffs, and America’s Global Messaging
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19:51The Asia Geopolitics podcast discusses the latest developments in Washington and their implications for Asia policy. The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the Trump tariffs and the implications for U.S. foreign policy.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diploma…
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Dissecting "Brand New Man" by Brooks & Dunn
16:46
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16:46We examine the song that introduced Brooks & Dunn to an unsuspecting country music world in 1991: their debut single "Brand New Man". In some sense, Kix & Ronnie were just continuing what George Strait, Randy Travis, and the famed Class of 1989 had already brought to the fore, but what is it about this high-octane Texas honky-tonker that yet felt l…
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Duterte in The Hague: The Philippines and the Geopolitics of International Law
14:45
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14:45What does Rodrigo Duterte's arrest mean for the Philippines and international law? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest on a warrant from the International Criminal Court.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The …
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Nightmares of mushroom clouds and fears of mutually assured destruction plagued many during the Cold War. But by the early 1990s, both the United States and Russia promised a world with fewer nuclear weapons. Together, they agreed to dismantle 80% of their strategic nuclear warheads. Meanwhile, other countries such as North Korea and Pakistan saw v…
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Ep 18: Ukraine - Another Frontline (w/ Slava)
2:14:39
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2:14:39In this episode of STXY, I sit down with Slava, a member of the American Communist Party who was born and raised in Ukraine, to discuss Ukraine’s place in the ongoing struggle between Western hegemony and multipolar resistance. We examine the historical and political forces that turned Ukraine into a battleground between Russia and NATO, as well as…
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Dissecting "Amarillo by Morning" by George Strait
42:58
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42:58In this episode, we explore why George Strait's career-defining 1983 classic "Amarillo by Morning" isn't just a great song, isn't just Strait's own favorite, but is in the conversation for greatest of all time.
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Is the United States Relitigating Its Grand Strategy?
17:20
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17:20What can be gleaned from the first month of the second Trump administration about the U.S. approach to world affairs? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the evolving U.S. approach to alliances and much more.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia…
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Maritime emissions: Navigating EU and UK regulations
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26:56Reed Smith partners Tallat Hussain and Nick Austin and counsel Julie Vaughan discuss the evolving landscape of emissions trading systems (ETS) and their impact on the maritime sector. Key topics include the EU ETS, the International Maritime Organization’s carbon intensity rating scheme, and the UK government’s proposal to extend its ETS to maritim…
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Episode 3: The CIA, Afghanistan, and the Road to 9/11
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46:17This is the story of how a CIA covert action program inadvertently created the conditions for the Taliban to seize control and provide safe haven for Osama bin Laden. Following a Cold War proxy battle between the Soviet Union and the United States, al Qaeda gained strength throughout the 1990s, leading to the deadliest attack on American soil on Se…
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The February 28th Incident of 1947 is widely remembered as a tragic moment in Taiwan’s history, but the way it has been framed and exploited over the years reveals a story of political opportunism. The scarcity of accurate English-language information has further enabled well-meaning Western commentators to unknowingly distort the event. In this ep…
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What does American anxiety over DeepSeek reveal about the state of US-China competition in AI? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the rise of DeepSeek and the state of geopolitical competition over artificial intelligence technologies.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subs…
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Dissecting "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart" by Randy Travis
27:41
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27:41We tackle a listener request: Randy Travis's all-time great "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart". From melody to harmony, instrumentation to lyrics, everything works about this neotraditional classic. And we didn't even talk about Randy Travis's smooth, effortless phrasing! Only country music would lay bare the sort of righteous indignation the unfaith…
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Taiwan’s ruling DPP is using lawfare in an attempt to crush opposition, deploying politically motivated prosecutions while international media looks the other way. Despite 150,000 people taking to the streets in protest last month, there’s been near-total silence from mainstream outlets outside of Taiwan. In this episode of STXY, we take a look at …
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Episode 2: How Democracy Failed in Russia
45:24
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45:24America was on top of the world in the 1990s as its erstwhile rival, Russia, was struggling to find its footing. President Boris Yelstin's liberal reforms were soon dashed by economic crises and infighting among Russian elites. US policymakers also contributed to this tragedy, which would lead to Vladimir Putin's rise by the end of the decade. In t…
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Trump 2.0 in America: Geopolitical Ripples Across Asia and the World
30:13
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30:13The second Trump term is nothing like the first. The implications for Asia are massive. The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the early days of the second Trump administration in the United States.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics …
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Next generation of barcodes for tomorrow's supply chain
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18:46A new generation of barcodes is enabling faster, safer and more transparent transactions across industries and regions. In this episode, Nicolas Frerejean, director of marketing and digital transformation at GS1, the global standards organization behind barcodes, tells Reed Smith partner Wim Vandenberghe how the next generation of barcodes can offe…
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Dissecting "Gone Country" by Alan Jackson
32:09
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32:09We finally tackle the song that's been at the top of our list all along, Alan Jackson's 1994 hit "Gone Country". Is this classic the straightforward celebration it sounds like? Or might the on-the-nose harmony and melody hint at something more satirical in the lining of this new kinda suit? Watch this video, listen to this episode, and let's find o…
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The 1990s were a decade of transformation and optimism. Teenagers were listening to grunge rock and hip hop on their walkmans. Flannels and jean jackets became staples of ‘90s fashion. And seemingly without warning, the Cold War was over, the Soviet Union had dissolved, and the United States emerged as the sole superpower. Today’s world seems more …
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Ep 15: Breaking Ranks - A Former DPP Supporter Speaks (w/ Lin Chi-yu)
1:21:10
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1:21:10In this episode of STXY, I sit down with my friend Lin Chi-yu, who shares his journey from being a passionate supporter of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to being an ardent critic. We explore what initially drew him to the party, the experiences that led to his disillusionment, and his evolving thoughts on Taiwan's future. Lin offers c…
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Looking ahead: Key trends in the shipping industry in 2025
28:29
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28:29Reed Smith partners Nick Austin and Alex Brandt explore today’s challenges faced by the shipping industry and discuss key areas where we are likely to see the most activity in 2025, including sanctions, decarbonisation and legal developments in the courts. ----more---- Transcript: Intro: Trading Straits brings legal and business insights at the int…
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Dissecting "For My Broken Heart" by Reba McEntire
24:53
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24:53We expand our way backwards through Reba McEntire's discography, with the title track of her relentlessly gut-wrenching 1991 album, "For My Broken Heart". Natural minor tonality dominates the specifically empty sorrow of this sad country song about Day 2 of a devastating breakup. But what happens when we compare this cut to our previous selection "…
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In this episode of STXY, we dissect the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) accusations of "undemocratic behavior" against the opposition's recent amendments to three key laws. As the opposition—now the majority in the legislature—pushes forward with these revisions, the DPP's response has been anything but democratic. From mobilizing supporters t…
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What can Ukraine’s Civil Defense Teach Taiwan? (Feat. Maksym Skrypchenko)
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30:20In Season 6, Episode 1 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando interviews Maksym Skrypchenko, president of the Transatlantic Dialogue Center and an expert in Ukrainian security. In the years since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s civil defense has evolved to feature software tools, robust air raid shelters, and efficient command of volunteer fighter…
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How will the Biden administration's approach to Asia be remembered? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the Biden administration's policy legacy in Asia.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here; if you use Windows…
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Dissecting "How Was I to Know" by Reba McEntire
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21:08We revisit mid-90s Girl Power as Reba cuts her hair and changes her tone, from victim to victor, in her 1996 hit "How Was I to Know". The first-chorus rug-pull is clever enough on its own, but how is this moment pivotal not just for this song, but for McEntire's entire corpus?
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