In our latest episode of The Focus, we sit down with Dr. Ori Goldberg, a leading expert on Iran’s political and religious landscape, to dive deep into the complexities of Israel-Iran relations.

Show Notes
X: @ori_goldberg

Articles by Ori
"What Israelis Don’t Want to Hear About Iran and Hezbollah" (Published in +972 Magazine on September 20, 2024)

https://www.972mag.com/iran-israel-hezbollah-ori-goldberg/

"Israel’s Attack on Hezbollah’s Communications Network Is Not the Victory It Claims" (Published in New Lines Magazine on September 20, 2024)

https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/israels-attack-on-hezbollahs-communications-network-is-not-the-victory-it-claims/

"For Israeli Protesters, Palestine Might as Well Not Exist" (Published in The Nation on September 9, 2024)

https://www.thenation.com/article/world/israel-protests-hostage-deal-palestine/

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Is there a new 'Harris Doctrine' on the horizon? Join Yale historian Dr. Michael Brenes as we unpack Kamala Harris's foreign policy vision in our latest podcast!

Show Notes:

You can contact Michael here:

X: @mbrenes1

Substack: michaelbrenes.substack.com

Books published by Michael –

• And, as mentioned in the podcast - The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy, and TO BE published by Yale University Press in January 2025.
• Rethinking U.S. Power: Domestic Histories of U.S. Foreign Relations, published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2024.
• For Might and Right: Cold War Defense Spending and the Remaking of American Democracy, published by University of Massachusetts Press in 2020.

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In our latest episode of The Focus, renowned demographer Dr. Paul Morland unpacks one of the most controversial and alarming issues of our time: global depopulation. What happens when the world's population shrinks? How does this shift impact economies, geopolitics, and future generations? Are we truly facing a "population crisis," or is there more to the story? Tune in as we dive into shocking data and explore the hidden truths behind declining birth rates, aging societies, and the consequences no one is talking about. This is an episode you can’t afford to miss!

Show Notes

Paul’s website can be seen here: https://www.paulmorland.co.uk/

You can contact Paul on X at - @MorlandDemog

If you are interested in reading his works, including his latest, published this year, No One Left, please check out a list of his recent books below:

• No One Left: Why the World Needs More Children, 2024
• Tomorrow's People: The Future of Humanity in Ten Numbers, 2022
• The Human Tide: How Population Shaped the Modern World, 2019
• Demographic Engineering: Population Strategies in Ethnic Conflict, 2018

Recent OpEds by Paul can be found here:

• https://www.paulmorland.co.uk/articles-paul-morland

And check out this from The New Statesman –

• Is there a progressive argument for pro-natalism? The New Statesman, 10/07/2024
• https://www.newstatesman.com/encounter/2024/07/paul-morland-interview-is-there-progressive-argument-for-pro-natalism

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In this gripping episode of The Focus, we delve into the aftermath of the Wagner Group’s fall from grace and the emergence of a new era in Russian paramilitary operations. Join us as Dr. Ladd Serwat unpacks the intricate power shifts, the rise of the 'Africa Corps', and the lasting impact of Prigozhin's legacy on Russia's global strategy.

Show Notes:

You can contact Dr. Ladd Serwat directly on his X account – here: @LaddSerwat

Or the ACLED X account – here: @ACLEDINFO

If you would like to track down the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) site directly and look deeper into their work – click on the following link to its website - https://acleddata.com/

Glossary of terms used in this episode –

PMC – Private Military Company otherwise known by the old term, ‘mercenaries.’

Kidal (Tuareg Berber: ⴾⴸⵍ, KDL, Kidal) is a town and commune in the desert region of northern Mali. The town lies 285 km (177 mi) northeast of Gao and is the capital of the Kidal Cercle and the Kidal Region. The commune has an area of about 9,910 km2 (3,830 sq mi) and includes the town of Kidal and 31 other settlements. (Wikipedia).

RSF – Rapid Support Forces, are a paramilitary force that sprang out of the Janjaweed militias in Sudan and are now fighting the government of Sudan for control of the country.

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Join us on "The Focus" as we dive deep into the Ukrainian Kursk Incursion with Commander of the Royal Danish Navy and YouTuber, Anders Puck Nielsen. This episode provides expert analysis on Russian military tactics and the strategic implications for the region. Captain Nielsen brings his extensive knowledge to discuss the size and scope of Russian forces, those of Ukraine as well as the unsettling potential of unconventional warfare. Tune in to gain a critical understanding of these pivotal military developments directly affecting European security.\

Show Notes -

Ander’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@anderspuck

His ‘Logic of War’ Newsletter. To see content, you’ll have to subscribe - https://anderspucknielsen.dk/en/frontpage/

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Join us on The Focus as we delve into the world of deception and skullduggery surrounding the failed Franco-Australian Submarine Deal. Investigative journalist and author Andrew J. Fowler exposes the hidden truths and political manoeuvres that jeopardised Australia's sovereignty and led us to AUKUS. Don't miss this eye-opening episode!

Show Notes:

Connect with Andrew on X - @AndrewJFowler

Buy Andrew’s book Nuked on the following link:

https://www.mup.com.au/books/nuked-paperback-softback

Inside Story piece on Nuked:

https://insidestory.org.au/fear-and-loathing-in-the-american-alliance/

The Newtown Review of Books:

https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/andrew-fowler-nuked-the-submarine-fiasco-that-sank-australias-sovereignty-reviewed-by-braham-dabscheck/

Queensland Reviewer’s Collective:

https://www.queenslandreviewerscollective.com/2024/07/02/nuked-by-andrew-fowler/

Previous interviews with Andrew J. Fowler:

Julian Assange: Path to Freedom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPV8xuWpSAk&t=1s

Mike Pezzulo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pezzullo

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Are We Ready for AI to Surpass Human Intelligence by 2045?

Join The Focus Podcast with technologist Evanna Hu as we delve into how AI developments, and AI regulation will impact on our future!

Show Notes:

Omelas Website –

https://www.omelas.io/#1

Evanna’s bio:

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/evanna-hu/

Scowcroft Centre for Strategy & Security

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/scowcroft-center-for-strategy-and-security/

Evanna’s article cited in this podcast:

https://afsa.org/sites/default/files/flipping_book/0624/34/

pages 35-37

Previous Episodes of The Focus dealing with AI:

Steven Feldstein – The Dark Side of AI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpyBcwVmExI&t=85s

Prof. Toby Walsh – Artificial Intelligence: Drone World rather than West World?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27gAoq38-Rg&t=201s

Prof. Sam Moyne – Humane War: Making a Better World?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFx0gBV_tm0&t=232s\

Peter Warren – The Future of Chatbots: A Closer Look

https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/the-future-of-chatbots-a-closer-look-with-peter-warren/

Dr. Russell Brinkworth – Drones from the Biology of Insects

https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/drones-from-the-biology-of-insects/

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Join us on The Focus as Dr. Alice Yang dives deep into the volatile dynamics of Taiwan's political landscape, its tense relationship with China, and what the future holds for this strategic island nation. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that uncovers the real stakes and hidden narratives behind one of Asia's most critical geopolitical issues!

Show Notes:

Dr. Alice Yang Bio:

https://indsr.org.tw/en/member?resid=8&uid=2&pid=90

Institute for National Defence and Security Research (INDSR):

https://indsr.org.tw/en/index

Notable Publications:

Annual Assessment Reports at INDSR: These reports cover various aspects of Taiwan's defence strategy, including military technology trends and China's military developments​ (INDSR)​.

Weaponized Interdependence: China’s Economic Statecraft and Social Penetration against Taiwan: This paper discusses how China uses economic means to influence and penetrate Taiwanese society, published in the journal Orbis​ (TAEF)​.

Building a Disaster Resilient Community in Taiwan: Co-authored with Judy H.S. Wu, this research analyses the social capital in disaster preparedness in Taiwan, published in Politics and Governance​(TAEF)​.

Enabling Human Values in Foreign Policy: This paper explores the transformation of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, emphasizing the human values driving Taiwan's foreign policy, published in the Journal of Human Values​ (TAEF)​.

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