Departures Podcast with Sean McFate

By Editor | Published: May 29, 2020

The United States spends trillions on its military, but are we really achieving stronger national security? Not really, says Sean McFate, the author of The New Rules of War, an incisive exploration of what it takes to win today’s wars. In his conversation with host Robert Amsterdam, McFate argues that the US has become obsessed with […]

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With World’s Attention on Pandemic, India Tightens Grip on Jammu and Kashmir

By Merve Şebnem Oruç | Published: May 26, 2020

Last week, New Delhi announced another controversial law which prescribes the procedure for issuance of a domicile certificate, which is a mandatory requirement for seeking jobs in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK). The new residency rules of ‘Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure), 2020’ allows those who have lived in IOJK for 15 […]

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – June 1, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: June 1, 2020

Today in Russia: Constitutional amendment set for July 1; Claims of Russian involvement in US protests “dirty manipulation”; SpaceX historic launch could cost Russia, Musk taunts Russia; Vedomosti new owner will not remove controversial editor; Trump plans expanded G7 meeting including Russia in September; The Ruble is “saturated with oil”; OPEC and Russia in talks of continuing cuts as oil prices fall again; Russia and Turkey risk a “new Syria” in Libya; Russian stimulus falling short; A ranking of Russian allies

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – May 29, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: May 29, 2020

Today in Russia: Moscow death count doubled amid scrutiny; Satellite and social media images seem to confirm Russian airpower sent to Libya; Vedomosti sale complete; 20 more arrested protesting arrest of journalist; Russia trying to keep up in vaccine race; “Freak heat wave” in Siberia; Ship travels through Arctic without icebreaker assistance Russian jets scrambled over Black Sea; Can Russia spark a domestic tourism boom with borders shut?; Drop in outflow of tourists to help Ruble

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – May 28, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: May 28, 2020

Today in Russia: Journalists arrested for protesting the arrest of a journalist who protested the jailing of a whistleblower; Russia finds new way to lower cases – stop counting asymptomatic; US Military: Russia sent 14 MiG 29s and Su-24s to Libya; Russia could face 7.5 percent drop in GDP; Moscow Mayor says restrictions to stay in place until vaccine; Libya to fall under “spheres of influence?”; Roscosmos chief believes SpaceX and Musk are up to no good on Mars; New Nordstream 2 sanctions from US possible, Russia says no affect on plans

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – May 27, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: May 27, 2020

Today in Russia: Moscow self-isolation regime extended to June 14; COVID-19 information chief: “It’s All Bullsh*t”; Sen. Rubio zeroed in on Russian disinformation; Russia cutting or ramping up oil production?; Illegal European cheese seized; Russian fighters make “unsafe” maneuvers on US spy plane over Mediterranean after accusations fly in Libya; US can’t “win” arms race against Russia and China; Unemployment up 2.5 times since before pandemic; Kadyrov declares himself “absolutely healthy”

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Departures Podcast with Jeffrey Smith

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: May 26, 2020

There are a lot of pundits out there declaring democracy promotion to be dead on arrival in the Trump era. But there’s still an important community of activists fighting for the cause against the odds and even winning. “Democracy matters and democratic leadership matters, even in the face of a fast-moving crisis like the coronavirus,” […]

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