Best Juncture Podcasts (2024)

1
As Slaughter of Palestinians Continues, Gaza Ceasefire Talks Could be at Critical Juncture 29:00

7d ago29:00

29:00

University of Wisconsin former Associate Director of Middle Eastern Studies Jennifer Lowenstein: As Slaughter of Palestinians Continues, Gaza Ceasefire Talks Could be at Critical Juncture People's Policy Project President Matt Bruenig: Assessing Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris’ Economic Policy Proposals WE ACT for Environmental Justice's Micae…

1
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005): A Critical Juncture in Sudan's History 32:38

4d ago32:38

32:38

In this episode, we continue our examination of Sudan's historical peace agreements with a focus on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005. This agreement aimed to end the long-standing civil conflict between northern and southern Sudan, following the shortcomings of the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement. Hosted by Heba Bawaieh and featuring Dr. Paul R…

1
50 years later, are efforts to solve the Cyprus problem at a critical juncture? 13:56

24d ago13:56

13:56

In a recent interview with Politico, President Christodoulides said “We cannot afford to wait for a new effort, a new initiative,” when talking about the Cyprus issue. At the same time, on the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Turkish President Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot leader Tatar doubled down on their hardline position in fav…

1
Greece's tourism model and the transition to a more innovative economy 9:26

2h ago9:26

9:26

While summer may be winding down, water scarcity, overcrowded streets and rising housing costs are infuriating locals across southern European countries - especially those that rely on tourism. Greece is no exception, and we are seeing reactions to overtourism not only on Greece’s top island destinations, but also in cities like Athens. Professor D…

1
Is there an effort afoot to revive the F-35 deal with Turkey? 11:42

3h ago11:42

11:42

Is there an effort afoot to revive the F-35 deal with Turkey? The issue popped up in a report in the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, and has raised questions about whether this is being seriously considered - despite the issue of the Russian S-400s remaining unresolved - or if it is wishful thinking on the part of Ankara. Michael Rubin, the director …

1
U.S. Doctor Shares His Eyewitness Account of Gaza War Horrors 29:00

3h ago29:00

29:00

Pediatrician Dr. Ahmad Javed Yousaf: U.S. Doctor Shares His Eyewitness Account of Gaza War Horrors New York Times Pulitzer prize-winning journalist James Risen: Trump’s Racism is the Primary Driver of His Voter Support The Sentencing Project's Joshua Rovner: Youth Incarceration in the U.S. Declines, but Racial Disparities Persist Bob Nixon's Under-…

1
An era of political uncertainty? A new poll sends shockwaves across Greece's political spectrum 16:34

3h ago16:34

16:34

A recent poll is turning heads in Greece as it shows not only what appears to be a total collapse of the main opposition SYRIZA, which fell into single digit numbers, but also a noticeable decline in support for the ruling New Democracy party. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaw…

1
Cyprus: Europe's frontline and the Middle East crisis 13:01

2h ago13:01

13:01

Cyprus has emerged as a key player - particularly on the humanitarian front - as the ongoing war in Gaza and the broader crisis in the Middle East unfolds. While it has received international praise for its crucial role in providing aid to Gaza, tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border saw Cyprus face threats from Hezbollah. Professor James Ker-Lind…

1
Michael Tobis: Racing Toward the Worst 1:01:58

2h ago1:01:58

1:01:58

Climate scientist Dr. Michael Tobis returns to the Plutopia podcast with an update on the current state of the Earth’s climate. The current state, it appears, is not so good. Michael discusses the worsening state of the Earth’s climate, highlighting the missed opportunities to transition away from fossil fuels over the past 30 years. He delves into…

1
Is Turkey a Trojan horse inside NATO? 12:48

4h ago12:48

12:48

Turkey is putting up roadblocks within NATO that are raising questions about whether the alliance’s largest air exercise, which Greece is preparing to host for the first time, will move forward smoothly. The heart of the issue is the Athens flight information region (FIR), whose jurisdiction Turkey does not fully recognize. This is consistent with …

1
Mitsotakis to prioritize tackling Greece's housing challenge 12:29

4h ago12:29

12:29

Making housing more affordable is going to be one of the central themes of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ keynote speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair in early September. Property prices, both to buy and rent, have come to dominate the public debate over the past couple of years, as Airbnb, the Golden Visa scheme, and other factors co…

1
A new course for NATO and European defense? 15:30

2h ago15:30

15:30

This year marked 75 years since the creation of NATO, and the latest summit in Washington, DC sent a clear message that NATO is back, returning to its Cold War roots deterring the Russians and adding new members. At the same time, however, there are increasing concerns in Europe about America’s long-term commitment to their security. This has reviv…

1
Can lessons from past wildfires help save Greece's forests? 12:58

4h ago12:58

12:58

Last week Greece - and the region of Attica where Athens is located - suffered another major wildfire that threatened the suburbs of Athens and burned an area almost twice the size of Manhattan. This wildfire came a year after Greece experienced Europe’s largest ever wildfire on record, which burned over half of the Dadia National Park. John Psarop…

1
15: Ep 015 - Why Increase Allocation to Fixed Income Now. 14:38

6h ago14:38

14:38

In this podcast, Ankit Jain and Puneet Pal, Head – Fixed Income, PGIM India Asset Management, discuss the interest rate trajectory in India, how investors should position their fixed income portfolio at this juncture and more. Tune in to the PGIM India Insights podcast series by PGIM India Asset Management. Mutual Fund investments are subject to ma…

1
Susan McCarthy: The Crowdstrike Apology 1:00:53

1h ago1:00:53

1:00:53

This time, on the Plutopia podcast, blogger and author Susan McCarthy, a noted authority on apologies, helps us perform a verbal autopsy on the worldwide CrowdStrike security meltdown. Unlike most large outages, the CrowdStrike outage impacted individual workstations, Microsoft Windows workstations. In the aftermath, CrowdStrike apologized and even…

1
The Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (2006): Buried Treasure or Failed Promise? 33:41

2h ago33:41

33:41

Did you know that Sudan has a history of conflict beyond Darfur and North-South wars? In this episode, we shine a light on the often-overlooked Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement of 2006. Join Heba Bawaieh and Dr. Paul Williams as they unravel the complexities of this forgotten conflict, exploring its root causes, the promises made, and the lasting impa…

1
The Abuja Peace Agreement (2006): Darfur's Broken Promise? 37:56

3h ago37:56

37:56

In this episode, hosts Heba Bawaieh and Dr. Paul Williams journey to the heart of the Darfur Peace Agreement of 2006, also known as the Abuja Agreement. Together, they unravel the complexities of this agreement, exploring the unintended consequences of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the fragmentation of rebel groups, the Sudanese governmen…

1
The Addis Ababa Agreement (1972): Peace Attempt in a Divided Sudan 23:22

32m ago23:22

23:22

This episode dives into the historic 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement aimed at ending the 17-year-long First Sudanese Civil War. Your hosts, Heba Bawaieh and Dr. Paul Williams, discuss the significant components and implications of this landmark agreement. They explore the key issues that led to the conflict and the drivers that brought the parties to th…

1
Part 2: Tracing the Roots - The History of Sudan and Its Peace Negotiations 17:09

33m ago17:09

17:09

Hosted by Heba Bawaieh, this episode continues our exploration of Sudan's peace negotiations. Building on our previous discussion of Sudan's early conflicts and peace agreements, this part delves into the more recent and ongoing issues, including the Darfur Conflict, the Doha Agreement, and the complex aftermath of Omar al Bashir’s regime. We also …

1
Part 1: Tracing the Roots - The History of Sudan and Its Peace Negotiations 18:57

33m ago18:57

18:57

This first episode inaugurates our series that delves into Sudan's rich historical context and its influence on contemporary peace processes. In this part, Heba Bawaieh, an expert from the Public International Law and Policy Group (PILPG), guides listeners through Sudan's extensive history, highlighting the events that culminated in the formation o…

1
Kamala Harris Can Politically Neutralize Dangerous SCOTUS Presidential Immunity Ruling 29:00

1h ago29:00

29:00

Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig: Kamala Harris Can Politically Neutralize Dangerous SCOTUS Presidential Immunity Ruling Jacobin staff writer Branko Marcetic: Can Gov. Tim Walz’s Minnesota Progressive Legislative Victories be Replicated Nationally? Extinction Rebellion NYC activist John Mark Rozendaal: In NYC, Climate Protest Citibank Orders A…

1
Nick Selby: Law Enforcement and Security 1:01:57

16h ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Nick Selby, a law enforcement and security expert, shares insights from his extensive experience in the complexities of policing and information security. He highlights the often misunderstood realities of police encounters, noting that while 1,400 people die annually following interactions with police, the use of non-deadly force—such as intimidat…

1
Israel’s Reckless Assassinations Provoke Retaliation and Risks Wider Middle East War 29:00

16d ago29:00

29:00

Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft's Trita Parsi: Israel’s High Level Assassinations Provoke Retaliation and Risks a Wider Middle East War Renowned consumer advocate Ralph Nader: Democratic Party Isolation from Working Families Examined in Ralph Nader’s New Book Amnesty International USA's Justin Mazzola: Biden Pressured to Grant Leonard P…

1
Bruce Sterling: Cyberpunk, Space, and Design 1:05:31

17d ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Plutopians Jon and Scoop converse with Bruce Sterling, renowned for his cyberpunk novels. The discussion delves into Sterling’s interests beyond cyberpunk, including industrial design, steampunk, Frida Kahlo, and space exploration. Sterling shares insights on the evolution of the Viridian Design Movement and its impact on addressing climate change,…

1
The US election and the stakes for Greece 11:22

12d ago11:22

11:22

A few weeks ago it looked like former President Donald Trump was in the driver’s seat of the presidential election. In the last 10 days, however, President Biden dropped out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris essentially locked up the nomination. William Antholis, the director and CEO of the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Publi…

1
Erdogan's u-turn on Syria's Assad 13:06

13d ago13:06

13:06

Over the past month we’ve seen reports that after more than a decade of trying to overthrow the Assad regime in Syria, Turkey’s President Erdogan is now open to resetting relations with President Bashar al-Assad. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at th…

1
Trump's Depraved Embrace of Nuclear Weapons Would Endanger the World 29:00

1M ago29:00

29:00

SUNY history professor emeritus Lawrence S. Wittner: Trump’s Depraved Embrace of Nuclear Weapons Would Endanger the World New York Times best-selling author Andra Watkins: ‘Project 2025’ Envisions an American Authoritarian Christian Nationalist Theocracy Rally organizer Alex Chatfield: Coalition Campaigns to Stop Private Jet Expansion, a Luxury Our…

1
40 hours of crisis in the Aegean 13:46

13d ago13:46

13:46

Last week, for approximately 40 hours, tensions in the Aegean hit heights we had not seen in over a year and a half as Greek and Turkish ships faced off in an area south of the Greek islands of Kassos and Karpathos. Turkish warships had deployed just outside Greece’s territorial waters in an effort to prevent an Italian research vessel from carryin…

1
Foiled terror plot highlights Ankara's enabling of Hamas 15:08

1M ago15:08

15:08

In an escalation of rhetoric that is raising the temperature in the broader region, the last few days have seen Turkey’s President Erdogan threaten to intervene in Israel on behalf of the Palestinians, noting military interventions Turkey has made in the past in other countries. These statements came about a week after reports that Israel had foile…

1
David Miles: How Vaccines Work 1:02:31

24d ago1:02:31

1:02:31

David Miles, a British immunologist, joins the Plutopia podcast to discuss vaccines and vaccine hesitancy, sharing insights from his book, How Vaccines Work. The conversation covers the history of vaccine development, from artisanal methods in the 1930s to modern techniques. Miles addresses the current skepticism towards vaccines, explaining that w…

1
Greece and Cyprus eyeing key roles at the European level 9:24

17d ago9:24

9:24

With Ursula von der Leyen securing another term as European Commission President, EU members are now vying for the top positions in the new Commission. In what Politico called a show of his growing political strength, Prime Minister Mitsotakis stressed that Greece must get an important portfolio, one that reflects the country’s economic comeback an…

1
Greeks turn their attention to the Paris Olympics 14:41

23d ago14:41

14:41

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday night will see more than 8,000 of the world’s top athletes - led by Greece - sail along the Seine River in a one of a kind spectacle. Aside from the excitement around the opening ceremony, where Greece and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will carry the Greek flag, there are also high expectat…

1
Turkey ramps up tensions in the Aegean 11:17

23d ago11:17

11:17

This week saw tensions between Greece and Turkey reach levels we have not seen since 2022 in the Aegean as Turkey sent its warships into an area south of the Greek islands of Kassos and Karpathos. The ratcheting up of tensions followed Turkish President Erdogan’s hardline statements on Cyprus this weekend and his calls for Prime Minister Mitsotakis…

1
After Biden Ends Campaign, Vice President Harris is De Facto Democratic Party Nominee 29:00

20d ago29:00

29:00

Former UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk: World Court Rules Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Land Violates International Law Pass the Torch steering committee member Aaron Regunberg: After Biden Pressured to End Campaign, Vice President Harris is De Facto Democratic Party Nominee Amistad Catholic Worker House Shelter occupant Joel Ni…

1
Armenia rocked by protests over concessions to Azerbaijan and Turkey 14:30

1M ago14:30

14:30

A few months ago, thousands of Armenians took to the streets in anti-government protests calling on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. Protesters, led by Archbishop Galstanyan, have blasted Pashinyan for what they see as endless concessions being made to Azerbaijan and Turkey with nothing to show for it in return. Amberin Zaman, Al-…

1
James Ball: How Bullshit Conquered the World 1:01:29

1M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Investigative journalist James Ball is no stranger to bullshit. In his 2017 book, Post Truth: How Bullshit Conquered the World, he explains how the political left and right tend to exist in an ecosystem of bullshit. James is also author of The Other Pandemic: How Q-Anon Contaminated the World, which explores the pervasive nature of misinformation a…

1
The rise of the Athens Riviera 11:17

1M ago11:17

11:17

The Athens Riviera - a 60 kilometer shoreline spanning from Piraeus to Sounio - is currently undergoing a major rejuvenation, attracting both local and foreign investors. This transformation includes mega-projects like the Ellinikon at the former Athens airport which is touted as the largest real estate project in Europe and promises to be a “smart…

1
The 50 year occupation of Cyprus and the US failure to call a spade a spade 13:09

1M ago13:09

13:09

50 years ago, Turkey launched its invasion of Cyprus. Since then, tens of thousands of Turkish troops have occupied over one third of the island. Unfortunately, the US still fails to use the word “occupation” to describe this ongoing violation of international law in Cyprus. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership…

1
50 years later: Turkey's invasion and occupation of Cyprus remains an open wound 12:36

1M ago12:36

12:36

On July 20th, 1974, Turkey launched its first invasion of Cyprus. 50 years later, tens of thousands of Turkish troops continue to illegally occupy the northern part of Cyprus, splitting the island in two. Alexis Papachelas, the editor in chief of Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this dark anniversary, the importance of revisiting this m…

1
Greek support for Ukraine, a new military aid deal, and Russian anger 11:41

1M ago11:41

11:41

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Greece has stood by Ukraine, a decision that angered Moscow. Athens and Kyiv are now negotiating a 10-year assistance agreement. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s Southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the deal Athen…

1
GOP Uses Assassination Attempt to Shut Down Condemnation of Trump's Authoritarian Agenda 29:00

26d ago29:00

29:00

AFL-CIO Former political director Michael Podhorzer: GOP Uses Assassination Attempt to Shut Down Condemnation of Trump's Authoritarian Agenda Hub Project Senior Director of Polling and Analytics Bryan Bennett: Poll Finds Americans Reject and Fear Trump's Right-wing Extremist Project 2025 Agenda Attorney Michael Gerrard: Activists Working to Reverse…

1
From the Baltic to the Aegean: Discovering coastal ecosystems in Europe 10:09

1M ago10:09

10:09

The Tara Ocean Foundation has come to be known worldwide as a leader when it comes to promoting the well-being of our oceans, and its ship, the Tara, is currently docked in Greece, wrapping up a scientific expedition to better understand the biodiversity and ecosystems along Europe’s coastlines. Thanos Davelis was able to tour the ship and see its …

1
North Macedonia’s compliance with Prespa in the spotlight (Replay) 15:49

2M ago15:49

15:49

Last week HALC sounded the alarm over North Macedonia’s adherence to the Prespa Agreement, launching a letter and petition to the State Department urging it to remind Skopje that international agreements are binding - not optional - and that there will be consequences. North Macedonia’s newly elected leaders have repeatedly referred to their countr…

1
A Plutopian Juncture 1:01:02

2M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

On this episode of the Plutopia Podcast, Jon and Scoop discuss current politics, the charm of vintage sci-fi movies, and the importance of reducing social media usage. They reflect on the shift in political conventions from dynamic debates to predictable events and lament the loss of genuine political discourse. The conversation also touches on the…

1
US targets Turkey's nuclear ties to Russia 9:14

1M ago9:14

9:14

The United States and Turkey are reportedly discussing the possibility of US companies building nuclear reactors in Turkey. This is seen as part of an effort to help Ankara move away from Russia, at the same time as Russia’s state-owned nuclear monopoly, Rosatom, is building a nuclear energy plant in Turkey at Akkuyu. While Washington looks like it…

1
From Alexandria to Athens: Discovering Cavafy 12:05

1M ago12:05

12:05

On a narrow street in the old Greek quarter of Alexandria, the world renowned poet and writer Constantine Cavafy created some of the masterpieces that still inspire people across the world today. As of this past May, this home in Alexandria is now open to the public. Together with the Cavafy Archive in Athens, which is home to over 2,000 digitized …

1
Is the Greek summer out of reach for young Greeks? 11:54

1M ago11:54

11:54

With Greece deep into its tourism season, issues of over-tourism and sustainability have largely dominated the headlines. A recent article in Kathimerini took a slightly different look at tourism, exploring how it impacts young Greeks. With the quintessential Greek summer increasingly out of reach for many in the country as they are priced out of c…

1
Shocking Supreme Court Ruling Granting Presidential Immunity Enables Future Autocrats 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

People for the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker: Shocking Supreme Court Ruling Granting Presidential Immunity Enables Future Autocrats Natural Resources Defense Council senior attorney and strategist David Doniger: Supreme Court Chevron Doctrine Ruling Jeopardizes Countless Federal Regulations Washington, D.C.-based policy consulta…

1
The UK elections and the Parthenon Sculptures 10:25

1M ago10:25

10:25

Last week Keir Starmer led Britain’s center-left Labour Party to a historic win over the Conservative Party. Prior to the elections, in November, Starmer had indicated that if Labour won the general election he would not prevent an agreement for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures. Ioannes Chountis, an adviser in the House of Lords and a council…

1
Orban's ties with Putin and Erdogan a cause for concern in Greece, Cyprus, EU and NATO 12:23

2M ago12:23

12:23

While Hungary’s Victor Orban - who currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU - is bidding to become the dominant hard-right force in the EU, he’s also raising eyebrows on the international level. His latest meeting with Russia’s President Putin and his decision to attend a meeting of the Organisation of Turkic States in Azerbaijan - which i…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Juncture Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide