Did Mao kill 30-60 million Chinese people? What exactly happened in the "Great Famine"? How successful or disastrous was the Great Leap Forward?This video answers the crucial questions such as how long did the famine last, why did it happen, how many people died etc.Mao's true accomplishments are remarkable, especially considering how bad China was…

My interview with Yawen Xu of China’s CGTN on the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), of which India is also a full member.We discuss SCO’s history and how its priorities in the formative years were terrorism and separatism.And about SCO’s major accomplishments over the last two decades, especially regarding Central Asia.I talk about …

Since 1989, over 3,000 people have been exonerated from prison sentences in the United States after evidence proved they were innocent. But how hard is it for those who are wrongfully convicted to rebuild their lives? Americas Now Podcast host Elaine Reyes talks to correspondent Dan Williams who followed several cases and produced a special report …

Imagine a choir where some singers cannot see and others cannot hear. That’s the concept of a unique project in Venezuela, which shows how – when pre-conceptions are put aside — music can be made. Americas Now Podcast host Elaine Reyes talks to Stephen Gibbs who deployed in the city of Barquisimeto to meet and interview these talented musicians and…

Navajo Nation people are being forced out. The same is happening in Central America, where the rainy season has become shorter and unpredictable. Farmers, most of whom are indigenous, can’t produce like they used to a decade ago, so they migrate north. Americas Now Podcast host Elaine Reyes talks to award winning correspondent Alasdair Baverstock w…

Every morning…dozens of kids in western Venezuela leave their homes before 5-am — to embark on an adventurous journey to school. And it’s not just any school… it’s on the other side of the border, in Colombia. Americas Now Podcast host Elaine Reyes talks to correspondent Michelle Begue who followed students and visited schools for several days to p…

Endless and needless wars, coups and color revolutions, violation of international laws, hypocritical application of rules and morality, fake democracy and fake prosperity at home… the US is in big trouble. And so is Europe. My article originally published here: https://sputniknews.in/20240122/how-america-is-destroying-itself-and-the-world-order-62…

1. Increase wages 2. Reduce cost of living 3. Stop the endless wars 4. Encourage good values

U.S. overplayed its hand, weaponized the dollar, lost the war in Ukraine, and is getting mired in another disastrous Middle East war. The Global South has had enough

Americans are wealthy, healthy, happy and smart. And they just want to spread their happiness to the rest of the world.

Look at INCOME-per-capita. That’s only $38,000 a year. Also, GDP is based on spending and doesn’t reflect real wealth. Now look at China, where people have saved up $18 trillion in bank accounts. Who’s wealthier?

Some in the US are now starting to realize that decoupling from China is not so easy after all. The dream of offshoring or near-shoring has been downgraded to de-risking. Why? Manufacturing is more than just cheap labor and assembly. Let’s explore all the myths and demystify manufacturing in this podcast. Manufacturing underpins economic growth, so…

Correspondent Dan Collyns has been reporting how Peruvians have managed to master the art of combining highland Andean products like local potatoes with seafood from the Pacific Ocean.By CGTN America

The US-Mexico border has long been an area of treacherous terrain. And with the number of migrants trying to illegally cross into the US increasing, the number of migrant deaths has risen as well. Since 2020, migrants have been choosing more dangerous routes to the US to avoid apprehension. Hundreds perish from heat exposure and dehydration in the …

Illegal mining is a big problem in South America. Thousands of small-time miners are digging up and destroying parts of the Amazon in different countries. The police and the army seem to be a step behind as the miners keep operating. Correspondent-Producer Armando Guerra shares his experience, with host Elaine Reyes, covering illegal gold mines in …

The US economy is in shambles. Exploding debt, inequality, stagnant wages, dying small towns all over America, homelessness, drug addiction… the problems go on. And then there is dedollarization movement, which threatens the dollar’s relevance. The only way to stop this a huge war or wars, which would cripple Russia and China, and devastate Europe.…

Vallenato is likely Colombia’s most popular musical genre and part of the country’s identity. Played with an accordion, it’s a combination of African, Indigenous and European sounds. Traditionally, the genre has been dominated by male musicians but lately it’s female performers who are making themselves heard. Correspondent Michelle Begue discusses…

Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer and the cultivation of coca plants, the main ingredient of the drug, is increasing. Elaine Reyes talks to correspondent Toby Muse, who recently reported on the Gulf Clan, the leading drug cartel in Colombia. Muse, who is based in the South American country, deployed to the epicenter of cocaine produc…

Pirates and robbing ships at sea may seem like a thing from the past. But in Mexico, a country that has been attacked by pirates for centuries, the practice continues. Elaine Reyes talks to correspondent Alasdair Baverstock who has reported on modern-day pirates targeting oil platforms and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico.…

Most people associate chocolate with the chocolatiers of Europe. But the main ingredient for chocolate, cacao, comes from Latin America and Africa. Director-Producer Armando Guerra joins anchor Elaine Reyes to recount his journey to Ecuador to interview farmers and producers of cacao.By CGTN America

Peter Zeihan is so wrong about everything that this is my longest podcast — 40 minutes long! He’s wrong about deglobalization, the coming collapse of China, reshoring or friend-shoring of manufacturing, the future of US dollar, and definitely his rewriting of the American Empire’s past.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA, 2022 was one of the hottest years on record. Some scientists believe Florida is among the most vulnerable states when it comes to climate change. How are higher temperatures impacting our oceans and their marine life? Elaine Reyes talks with Americas Now Correspondent John Z…

On this week's Americas Now podcast, Anchor Elaine Reyes talks to Correspondent John Zarrella about the inland risk of climate change on parks and lakes in the U.S. They discuss the life-altering changes being seen at Yellowstone National Park and Utah's Great Salt Lake,both of which may not be recognizable in the not-too-distant future.The drought…

There has been a “pandemic of peace” in the news lately, starting with the historic peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran. More surprisingly, it was brokered by China! Then there has been an exponential increase in trade deals that embrace dedollarization — not only Russia and China but also India, ASEAN, Brazil, and African countries. What do a…

Crime is a significant problem in Venezuela. Politicians and experts have yet to find a solution. So when a company became the victim of gang violence, the owner took matters into his own hands. He offered jobs to gang members and created a Rugby league for prisoners to train, play and learn about values such as teamwork and respect. Elaine Reyes t…

Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending life to avoid pain and suffering. Colombia is the only country in Latin America, and one of only several worldwide, to allow it in non-terminal cases.By CGTN America

To paraphrase Shakespeare, we are living through the best of times and worst of times. We have the potential to create an incredible world, thanks to great advancements in science, technology, trade, global connectivity etc. But we are also on the verge of WW3, thanks to the current war against Russia and the potential war against China. This is te…

The geo-economic center of the earth is moving eastward, thanks to Asia, which is now the #1 continent in terms of GDP. China’s miraculous growth in the last four decades has made it the world’s #1 in manufacturing, trade, wealthy middle class population, Fortune 500 firms, patents, scientific publications etc. Countries around the world are lookin…

The USA has enjoyed the “exorbitant privilege” of dollar for many decades. As the currency of choice for global trade and foreign exchange reserves, the USD bestowed Americans with wealth and power. Let’s discuss what those powers are, how the US elites abuse them, and how the world is now revolting against this unfair monopoly. A multipolar world …

While Indian politicians protect the dairy industry from foreign competition, they have allowed the US to take over India’s e-commerce, 5G, mobile payments, social media etc.

Most people have their favorite talking point regarding China’s success — cheap labor, communist dictatorship, stealing IP, protectionism etc. While the stereotypes have some truth, the true reasons underpinning China’s success are more holistic and sophisticated. Here are 50 reasons, in no particular order of importance. Other developing countries…

Bretton Woods I led to gold-backed dollar that reigned as the global trade/reserve currency till 1971. Then it collapsed. The US dollar was revived with Petrodollar — we can call it Bretton Woods II. Now, the primacy of dollar is under threat again, thanks to exploding debt and rise of a multipolar world. The US needs Bretton Woods III to cancel al…

While the conflicts with Russia and China create some decoupling, the overall trend is globalization and some selective “re-globalization.”

The next 20 years are the most crucial for India. With a booming workforce and a young population, India can grow rapidly and become a developed nation. However, the challenges are numerous! India needs meticulous planning and flawless execution.

India-China relations have been terribly strained over the last two years. Anti-China sentiments are high in China. However, in an emerging multipolar world, India needs a pragmatic and strategic foreign policy.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://worldaffairs.blog/2022/09/04/ukraine-war-russia-survives-eu-dies-china-gains-and-usa-wins-big/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://worldaffairs.blog/2022/08/11/how-china-succeeded-45-reasons/

China's GDP-per-capita is one-sixth that of the US. And technically China is still a developing nation, although it's supposed to cross the threshold by the end of 2022. However, this metric is very misleading and hides China's power and wealth. Here's why.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://worldaffairs.blog/2022/08/25/why-chinas-gdp-per-capita-is-misleading/

India is at inflection point. The next 20 years will be the most decisive two decades. If India gets its act together, it can get out of the middle-income trap and reach the escape velocity. However, there needs to be fundamental changes in politics, economics and culture. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://worldaffairs.blog/2022…

On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Gerry Hadden tells host Elaine Reyes about his deployment to the Pantanal which is so large it extends to other countries like Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay.By CGTN America

On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Alasdair Baverstock talks with host Elaine Reyes about the importance of these native languages hidden in the heart of one of Latin America’s largest cities.By CGTN America

On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Alasdair Baverstock explains to host Elaine Reyes how the community of expats around Mexico's famous Lake Chapala dealt with the pandemic lockdowns.By CGTN America

On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Joel Richards shares with host Elaine Reyes the conversations he had with these photojournalists who live in countries ranging from Peru and Argentina to Costa Rica.By CGTN America

On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Joel Richards tells host Elaine Reyes two amazing stories he recently covered related to horses in Argentina.By CGTN America

On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Harris Withbeck shares with host Elaine Reyes the discoveries he made while covering the 100-year-old inhabitants of this area over the course of several years.By CGTN America

The U’wa indigenous people guard the largest expanse of glaciers in Colombia. Their mission is to protect the original source of water.By CGTN America

A Colombian family of four packed their bags and placed them in their 1981 Volkswagen Westfalia to take a life-changing trip along the Pan-American Highway.By CGTN America

Correspondents traveling from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego deconstruct the stories that impacted them the most. Presented by Elaine Reyes, the Americas Now Podcast takes you to memorable places and introduces you to extraordinary people around the map. This is a podcast for in-depth reporting enthusiasts with a taste for Latin American affairs and hu…

Correspondents traveling from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego deconstruct the stories that impacted them the most. Presented by Elaine Reyes, the Americas Now Podcast takes you to memorable places and introduces you to extraordinary people around the map. This is a podcast for in-depth reporting enthusiasts with a taste for Latin American affairs and hu…