Episode 91: The Intriguing Case of Cuba

Episode 91: The Intriguing Case of Cuba

Cuba has long played a role in U.S. foreign relations, including as a one time part of the country following the Spanish American War in 1898. However, since the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the relationship has been rocky to say the least. As tensions between the two countries ratchet up, now is an important time to dive into this history and understand where things are headed. While the popular image of Cuba as a Communist stronghold has faded, many reforms have taken place to open up the space for private ownership and community organizing. Recently, the Cuban government announced the passage of 176 economic reforms, which they say are based on lessons learned from other communist countries like China and Vietnam. However, the United States has  continued to ratchet up the pressure on this island nation, continuing the longest running embargo/sanctions regime against any one entity. This has pushed an economy that was already in a precarious position over the edge, causing major power outages and food shortages. Under the threat of invasion by the U.S., tensions are high,  but hope for a collaborative approach remains.  In this month's episode, we dive into this long and complex history to better understand the challenges and opportunities to collaboration. We also explore where these two governments have found agreement in the past and discuss if a complete change in Cuba's government is even in the U.S.' best interests at this point. Dr. Jorge Dominguez is a former professor, with a particular interest in Cuba and Mexico. His current research focuses on comparative politics across Latin America and is the author and co-editor of several dozen books on the subject. Born in Cuba, his family left the island in 1960 for Miami and New York. He now resides in New Hampshire.

Episode 90: Understanding China's Desired Space in the World

As one of the most important geopolitical relationships in the world, the United States - China relationship has the opportunity to set the course of a number of issues that would ripple across the world. Unfortunately, it seems that misperceptions, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities abound in this vital relationship. In this month's episode, we speak with Sarwar Kashmeri, a leading international relations scholar, academic, business leader, and host of the Polaris Live program, about his recent trip to China and what insights he gathered during his travels. During his two weeks in China, a country he has not visited in over 20 years, he became confident that both sides of this relationship do not understand each other and that the only solution is exchanges, travel, and everyday interactions which can lead to a better path forward. He outlines the worldview that many in China hold and what their government seems to want from engagement with the world. This certainly is not a relationship free of critical challenges, but we can all do our part to solve them by accurately understanding what each side wants from the other. Sarwar Kashmeri is an international relations specialist, author, and commentator, noted for his expertise on U.S. global strategy and national security. He speaks frequently before business, foreign policy and military audiences. He is the founder and host of Polaris-Live. com, “United States and China in the world,” [http://www.polaris-live.com/] a live internet video program featuring 30 minute conversations on the business and geopolitical impact of China’s rapid rise to superpower status. Kashmeri is author of the Foreign Policy Association’s report “The Telegram: A China Agenda For President Biden [https://www.fpa.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Printproduction09Jul_red.pdf]“ (2021); “The Telegram II: The Business of America and China is Business [https://www.fpa.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/The%20Telegram2_F-w-links.pdf]“(2022); “China’s Grand Strategy: Weaving a New Silk Road to Global Primacy [https://tinyurl.com/y3egqesx],” (Bloomsbury), his third book, was published in July 2019. It is a centennial book of the Foreign Policy Association where Sarwar is a Senior Fellow. The book was released at a Washington D.C. launch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L20IxXy58bw] featuring Kashmeri and former U.S. Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel. He is also an Applied Research Fellow of the Peace and War Center of Norwich University, Vermont, USA  and served a four year term as a non-residential Senior Fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center for International Security of the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C. Kashmeri has hosted “China Focus [https://diffusion.libsyn.com/category/Season+2%3A+China+in+Focus],” a podcast series for the Carnegie Corporation of New York and discussed China’s Belt and Road Initiative on television with Deutsche Welle, the German news network, and in a series of interviews with Xinhua, China’s global news agency.

Episode 89: Energy Security in Uncertain Times

Access to energy has been one of the major driving forces in geopolitics since at least the industrial revolution. Without reliable access to the dominate form of energy, economies stall, people protest, and governments fall apart. The United States has become an energy superpower, leading the way in multiple forms of diversified energy resources, however, its economy remains vulnerable to supply disruptions, particularly for oil and the rare earth minerals currently necessary for renewable energy production. How does the closing of the Strait of Hormuz lead to higher gas prices? What steps can we take to insulate ourselves from these shocks? What are the new and emerging technologies that will reshape our energy infrastructure of the future? This month we speak with Dr. Stephen Bird, Director of the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire, to explore these questions and more. Dr. Bird's career has focused on all aspects of energy policy, with a particular focus on energy conflicts, polarization, and the energy transition. Join the conversation as we explore the critical spaces that energy occupies in our daily lives and how decisions made thousands of miles away can shape your daily life. Stephen Bird is the Director of Carsey School of Public Policy and a professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire. He is also a research professor (courtesy) at the Institute for Sustainable Environment at Clarkson University where he was formerly a full professor of political science. In addition, he's a faculty Research Affiliate with the Positive Energy Project at the University of Ottawa. Stephen's work examines all aspects of energy policy and regulation broadly, with a deep focus on impacting the energy transition. Engagements and research awards have included New York’s Energy Research Authority, the U.S. State Department, the European Commission, National Resources Canada, a 2016 Fulbright Research Chair, and the National Science Foundation. Corporate partnerships have included the NY Power Authority, GE, National Grid, AMD, the US Green Building Council, and IBM. His current research and engagements focus on energy conflict & polarization, drivers of energy acceptance (fracking, solar, wind), split incentives and smart housing, and energy technology governance & implementation (microgrids, green data centers). Stephen completed his PhD at Boston University and his Masters at Harvard University.

Episode 88: Global Period Poverty: Why it is Everyone's Business

Conversations about women’s health are often avoided in polite company — but ignoring challenges does not make them disappear. Period poverty is a global issue affecting communities everywhere, creating serious consequences not only for women and girls, but for society as a whole. In this month's episode, we speak with the Fihri Foundation and its founder, Ceylon Rowe, to explore this important yet often overlooked topic. Together, we unpack the data, share personal stories, and examine practical solutions to a challenge impacting more than 500 million people worldwide who lack reliable access to period products. This conversation offers meaningful insight into how individuals and communities can make a difference — whether through donations, organizing or joining a Period-Palooza, or simply helping raise awareness by sharing the discussion. Small actions can help empower women and ensure no one feels isolated by an issue that affects so many. Ceylan Rowe is the Founder and CEO of the Fihri Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing period poverty by providing sustainable menstrual products to women and girls in underserved communities around the world. Under her leadership, the foundation has reached communities in over 16 countries, supporting those affected by natural disasters, displacement, and lack of access to essential resources. Ceylan’s passion for equity and humanitarian work stems from her personal experiences as a child of Turkish immigrants and from witnessing the impact of the 1999 earthquake in Turkey. She has served as a Commissioner for the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women, advocated for menstrual equity legislation in Massachusetts, and even ran for Massachusetts State Representative in 2020. She has also been a featured speaker at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, the MetroWest Conference for Women, and the Vital Voices Global Festival, among others. In recognition of her impact, Ceylan was nominated as a 2025 Northeastern University Women Who Empower Innovator Fellow. She holds a BA in Political Science and International Affairs from Northeastern University and an MBA from Babson College. A dedicated mother of two, she continues to inspire through her commitment to ensuring that no one is held back by their period.

Episode 87: What's Behind War with Iran

47 years. That is how long the U.S. and Iran have been circling each other, probing for weaknesses, and demonizing the other (in many cases for good reason). Tensions reached a tipping point on February 28, 2026 and the United States, along with Israel, initiated a new wave of strikes which has lead to chaos across the Middle East. 11 countries have been targeted by retaliatory strikes from Iran and the death toll on all sides continues to rise. How did we get here? Why was now the time to act? Where does it all end and what decisions will shape the final outcome of this latest use of military force? In this month's episode, we speak with Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, where he focuses on Iran. We review the terse relationship between these two countries since the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and outline the litany of moments that have shaped the course of history. In addition, the conversation outlines how this war got started and what shape it has taken in the early days, providing key insights into possible outcomes. While much is left to be written in this story, the key moments have been set in motion. Listen to gain critical insights into this fast moving and ever changing conflict that will reverberate across the world for years to come. (Please note: This episode was recorded on February 27, one day before U.S. and Israeli airstrikes started. We have tried to capture the latest updates to the fighting, but understand this conflict has shifted rapidly in the first few days). Alex Vatanka is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute. He specializes in Middle Eastern regional security affairs with a particular focus on Iran. He was formerly a Senior Analyst at Jane’s Information Group in London. Alex is also a Senior Fellow in Middle East Studies at the US Air Force Special Operations School (USAFSOS) at Hurlburt Field and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at DISAS at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He has testified before the US Congress and lectured widely for both governmental and commercial audiences, including the US Departments of State and Defense, US intelligence agencies, and a list of international corporations. Born in Tehran, he holds a BA in Political Science (Sheffield University, UK), and an MA in International Relations (Essex University, UK), and is fluent in Farsi and Danish. He is the author of two books: The Battle of the Ayatollahs in Iran: The United States, Foreign Policy and Political Rivalry Since 1979 (2021) and Iran and Pakistan: Security, Diplomacy, and American Influence (2015). He has also written chapters for a number of books, including Authoritarianism Goes Global (2016); Handbook on Contemporary Pakistan (2017); Russia in the Middle East (2018), Winning the Battle, Losing the War: Addressing the Drivers Fueling Armed Non-state Actors and Extremist Groups (2020); Global, Regional and Local Dynamics in the Yemen Crisis (2020); Routledge Handbook of Counterterrorism and Irregular Warfare Operations (2021); and Understanding New Proxy Wars (2022). He is presently working on his third book, Iran’s Arab Strategy: Defending the Homeland or Exporting Khomeinism?