In this episode, we sat down with Mariana Gamez and Aimée Wolff to explore the nuanced climate leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh. While celebrated internationally for initiatives like co-founding the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and implementing the Energy Efficiency Conservation Master Plan (EECMP), her leadership…

In this episode, we sat down with Ángel Rodríguez Moreno to discuss the political turmoil in Somaliland as President Muse Bihi faces mounting opposition to a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia. The deal, which promises Ethiopia access to a 20-kilometer shoreline in exchange for recognition, has sparked protests, political…

In this episode, we sat down with Chiara Ausenda to analyze Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s environmental policy, particularly his ambitious deforestation agenda. Despite significant progress, including a 50% reduction in Amazon deforestation, political obstacles such as state corruption, underfunded agencies, and a resistant Congre…

In this episode, we sat down with Nicola Minnaja to unpack Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s new foreign policy initiative, the Mattei Plan. Designed to reshape Italy’s engagement with Africa, this ambitious strategy aims to strengthen energy ties, combat irregular migration, and establish Italy as a pivotal player in the Mediterranean. We ex…

In this episode, we sat down with Africa Romero Rodriguez and Sofia Damasio Figueiredo to explore the bold climate leadership of Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, whose implementation of green economy policies is setting a global example. With initiatives like the Blue Economy Strategy and the Roof to Reefs resilience plan, Mottley is transform…

In this episode, we sat down with Lucinda Schüler and Matilde Romagnoli to explore the passionate activism of Nemonte Nenquimo, a Waorani leader from the Ecuadorian Amazon, who has risen to global prominence in her fight to protect both the rainforest and the rights of indigenous communities. Nenquimo’s landmark legal victory against the Ecuadorian…

In this episode, we sat down with Clara Chikuse and Maja Prokopiuk to explore Hage Geingob’s ambitious pursuit of transforming Namibia into a global leader in green hydrogen production. Geingob’s vision centered around harnessing Namibia’s natural resources to fuel sustainable economic growth and energy self-sufficiency. We delve into the Namibia G…

In this episode, we sat down with Maria de la Paz Gonzalez and Sophia Rathleff to delve into the groundbreaking work of Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi, Bhutan's Secretary of the National Environment Commission, as he spearheads efforts to keep Bhutan carbon-neutral and globally recognized for its environmental strategies. We explore Wangdi's rapid rise in c…

In this episode, we sat down with Roxane de Bergevin to explore the intensifying conflict between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame as the M23 rebels advance in Eastern DRC. Tshisekedi accuses Kagame of supporting the M23, leading to destabilization and resource exploitation in the region. We discuss the recent attack…

We sat down with Cova Moreno to talk about the transformation of RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo from a notorious warlord to a recognized diplomatic figure. As Sudan faces escalating tensions between Hemedti and SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, we discuss how Hemedti's regional diplomacy, international engagements, and strategic maneuv…

We sat down with Réka Baranyai to discuss the political and historical context of the Nagorno Karabakh region, focusing on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's recent military takeover. We talked about thehistory of the region, the dynamics of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, and the international implications of Aliyev's actions. The discussion al…

We sat down with Chiara Leorato to talk about the upcoming Indian elections taking place from 19 April 2024 to 1 June 2024. We talked about Modi’s strategy both domestically and internationally, the role of the INDIA Alliance (opposition coalition against the Bharatiya Janata Party) in Modi’s strategies, and how the structure of the voting system p…

We sat down with Michele Testoni, professor of International Relations at IE University and a member of both the Asociación Española de Ciencia Política y de la Administración (AECPA) and the Transatlantic Studies Association (TSA) to talk about Rishi Sunak and his role in US-UK intelligence sharing. We talked about Sunak’s creation of the safety i…

As Lula positions Brazil as a willing and active participant in international efforts, he aims to demonstrate the country's commitment to environmental protection and its pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. In this episode of our 2023 Climate Leaders 101, we discuss Brazilian President Lula with IE students, Lana and Maxima. We not only d…

Teresa Ribera is a relevant climate leader because she is in the spotlight in the Europeanfight against climate change as the minister for the Ecological Transition of Spainsince 2018. In this episode of our 2023 Climate Leaders 101, we discuss climate leader Teresa Ribera with IE student Ajinkya. We look at her environmental interest due to her ba…

MBS’s commitment to renewable energy has been seen by some as a way to secure long-term economic stability and reduce the Saudi reliance on oil revenue. In this episode of our 2023 Climate Leaders 101, we discuss climate leader Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (MBS) with IE students, Alisa and Sofia. We begin by the basics, looking at the role of the ro…

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has swiftly risen to prominence as a formidable political force, captivating the nation's attention with her advocacy for combating climate change and rectifying social injustice. Both her policies and ideology have shaped her identity as a climate leader.. In this episode of our 2023 Climate Leaders 101, we d…

H.E. Dr William Samoei Ruto is Kenya’s 5th President, whose commitment toclimate change advocacy permeates the political sphere, developing initiativesthat use climate policy as a development tool. In this episode of our 2023 Climate Leaders 101, we discuss climate leader William Ruto with IE students, Ruby and Chiara. We look at his “outsider” pol…

The end of a cease-fire between the Islamist militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Pakistani government has led to a series of security challenges for General Asim Munir. Tune into this episode with RAIA writer Ksenia Kumanina where we discuss Pakistani politics, focusing on the growth of the TTP under the leadership of Noor Wali …

The agreement was a decades-long attempt to solve the dispute over the EEZs , and therefore drilling rights, of each country. It has become the official agreement delineating each country’s jurisdiction in the Mediterranean Sea. Tune into this episode with RAIA writer and editor Arielle Combrick to discuss the maritime border dispute between Israel…

Both Kyrgyzstan's President Japarov and Tajikistan’s President Rahmon had agreed to a border ceasefire during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting. After what seemed to be a de-escalation, the hostilities continued on the 17th of September. Tune into this episode with RAIA writer Roxane De Bergevin, to discuss the tensions along the border…

Trudeau seeks to be a primary exporter of hydrogen as a rising competitor in clean energy markets, while Scholz wants to ensure Germany’s energy security and transition to cleaner energy sources for the long-term. Tune into this episode, with RAIA writer and Chief editor Francia Morales, to discuss the new German-Canadian Hydrogen Alliance along wi…

Annalena Baerbock’s childhood was one marked by a collaborative household and by attending the Green Party protests with her family. This has influenced her two central political stances: she emphasizes the importance of having a radical attitude when it comes to climate action, and the importance of togetherness whilst doing so. In this episode of…

Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister at the age of 41. His categorization as a “young” leader has helped his profile: a Modernist leader planning to build a resilient green economy. Listen to our Climate Leaders 101 Podcast and learn about Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed with our RAIA summer program intern and IE student, Martina Volman. Throughou…

The moment fifteen year-old Greta Thunberg decided not to return to class after her summer break to protest in front of the Swedish parliament in 2018, she was not only breaking the law, she was also breaking the silence that had settled around the topic of global warming. Tune into our second Climate Leaders 101 Podcast to discuss climate activist…

MBZ is aware of the UAE’s dependence on the crude oil sector, yet is concerned about the UAE’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change. Tune into our first Climate Leaders 101 Podcast to discuss UAE’s President Mohamed Bin Zayed and his climate agenda with Quynh Dinh, a RAIA summer program intern. We will be analyzing MBZ’s motives, the impa…

Tsai Ing-wen’s ability to integrate Taiwan with its regional economy will affect global security and economy. Tune into this episode alongside RAIA writer Jack Gasdia, to discuss Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and her economic foreign policy, the NSP. We open up the floor to analyze Tsai’s motivations, the NSP’s success and under performance, as w…

Poland has shifted from a controversial partner within the EU to a reliable partner and bridge between the bloc and the rest of Eastern Europe. Tune into this episode, with RAIA writer Laura Revenga Rodríguez, to discuss Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morwiecki's domestic and foreign policies as well as Poland's support for Ukraine amidst power shif…

MBS is changing his original attitude towards Yemen and stepping back by agreeing to a ceasefire. Tune into this episode, with RAIA writer Linda-Loreen Steiner, to discuss Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman's interests in terms of regional dominance and national security, his country’s involvement in Yemen, as well as MBS’s relations with UAE’s…

President Vučić refuses to follow suit in European Union sanctions against Russia. Tune into this episode, with RAIA writer Michael Duffy, to discuss Serbian positioning both popular and political regarding Putin, Serbian dependence on Russian gas, and the intricacies of Serbia’s path to potential EU membership. In this episode we attempt to answer…

Since March 2020 the foreign reserves of Sri Lanka have been decreasing. Tune into this episode, with RAIA writer and editor, Ross Hardy, to discuss Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis. In this episode, we analyze the domestic reputation of President Gotabaya, the nuances of putting family first, and the evolving nature of the crisis with China, In…