Global in the Granite State

Episode 83: Is War with Venezuela Inevitable?

You have likely heard about the buildup of American naval forces in the region around Venezuela. You have also, probably, heard conflicting reports on why this is happening. Does the United States want only to target drug trafficking groups and use all tools of the US military to stop it? Are they instead building up forces to scare Venezuela's government, led by Nicolas Maduro, to fold and flee the country? Is this the prelude to a war designed to completely reshape the future of this once democratic country? In this month's episode you will hear a deep conversation about the history of this impending crisis and where things go from here. Speaking with Henry Ziemer, associate fellow with the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Tim Horgan outlines the various voices leading these countries down this path, explores the rhetoric and highlights the complex realities, as well as provides some predictions on outcomes, understanding there are many factors that will shape this over the next weeks, months, and perhaps years. Whether designed to simply target drug boats or something more, the clock is ticking on the potential for conflict and the public relations battle that will follow no matter what happens. Henry Ziemer is an associate fellow with the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he supports the program’s research agenda and coordinates event planning and outreach. He previously served as an intern for the Americas Program. His research interests include transnational organized crime and human rights and security in Central America. Mr. Ziemer holds a BA in global affairs and history from Yale University.

Episode 82: Protesting with Rizz - The Gen Z Protests

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the ways in which people, governments, and other entities engage with it morph right along with these generational changes. This is true for the current wave of protests sweeping the globe that got its start in countries from the Andes to the Himalayas. What ties these protests together are not only the demands for a better future, in each country's context, but also the marrying of A.I. with social media to mobilize at hyper-speed. From Nepal, to Madagascar, to Peru and beyond, people are jumping online to then organize and bring people to the streets in protest of the "nepo-babies", living standards, and a lack of a clear path to a better future. In this month's episode we speak with Dr. Janjira Sombatpoonsiri, a Research Fellow at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies, about the features of these protests, what ties them together, and what drives them to change. Looking at the issues of how social media can be used to organize or infiltrate, provide anonymity or easy tracking, and a open playground for manipulation and rage. These trends have all been supercharged over the past several years, as Artificial Intelligence has allowed protest movements and governments to amplify their own messages at the speed of thought, creating catchy graphics, videos, and re-post chains that brings the fight online. Dr. Janjira Sombatpoonsiri is a political scientist whose work sheds light on how people organize, resist, and find their voices under authoritarian pressure. Based at the Institute of Asian Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand and as a Research Fellow with the German Institute for Global and Area Studies, she studies social movements, digital repression, and nonviolent activism across Southeast Asia. The author of Humor and Nonviolent Struggle in Serbia, Dr. Sombatpoonsiri brings a unique perspective on how creativity and courage shape movements for change in today’s complex political landscape.

Episode 81: Global Exchanges Change Lives

How does studying or working abroad change the way we see ourselves—and the world? In this episode of Global in the Granite State, host Tim Horgan shares his own story of transformation through exchange, alongside insights from Mark Overmann, Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange. Together, they explore the lifelong impacts of international exchanges, from shaping careers to building cross-cultural understanding, and from strengthening local communities to advancing U.S. diplomacy. Discover how exchange programs—from study abroad to the International Visitor Leadership Program—empower individuals, enrich communities, and create global connections that ripple far beyond borders. Whether it’s learning adaptability, forging unexpected friendships, or contributing to citizen diplomacy, these experiences prove that exchange isn’t just travel—it’s life-changing. Mark Overmann joined the Alliance as Executive Director in 2022, after having served as Assistant Director and Deputy Director from 2009-2015. Mark has nearly 20 years of experience in the NGO, association, federal, and university sectors. He excels at association management, government relations, including extensive work with the U.S. Department of State and Congress, strategic communications, and organizational development. Mark also served as a Senior Manager at Accenture Federal Services supporting global health and diplomacy programs; Vice President of External Affairs at InterExchange; Director of College Communications at Georgetown University; and Program Associate for Communications at Global Ties U.S. Mark has a bachelor’s in English from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in International Communication from American University’s School of International Service. He is co-author with Sherry Mueller of Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development (Georgetown University Press, 2008, 2014). He studied abroad during college in Angers, France, and taught English in Yanji, China, along the North Korean border.

Episode 80: How to Try a Dictator - Lessons from Saddam

What does it take to hold a dictator accountable for decades of atrocities? In this episode, Tim Horgan speaks with Chris Ried, Director of Operations at Mercury SGS and former Regime War Crimes Liaison in post-Saddam Iraq. Drawing on his firsthand experience in building the case against Saddam Hussein, Chris reflects on the challenges of documenting crimes, ensuring a fair trial, and balancing peace with justice. Together, they explore what Saddam’s trial revealed about international law, the dangers of “victor’s justice,” and how history can shape the pursuit of accountability today. As new atrocities emerge across the globe, this conversation highlights the hard lessons of Iraq, the importance of truth-telling, and the enduring struggle to make justice real—even in the aftermath of brutality. Chris Reid is the Director of Operations at Mercury SGS in New Hampshire, where he leads organizational strategy, program development, and operational efficiency for the firm. With a career spanning high-stakes international justice, security, and organizational leadership, Chris brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of experience in both government service and the private sector. From 2004 to 2006, Chris served as a Regime Crimes Liaison in Iraq, where he played a critical role in supporting the Iraqi High Tribunal during its prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other senior regime figures. In this capacity, he worked closely with Iraqi judges, prosecutors, and international partners to help build a judicial process capable of addressing some of the most significant crimes against humanity of the modern era. His efforts contributed to laying the groundwork for post-conflict accountability and the rule of law in Iraq. In addition to his work abroad, Chris has held senior leadership roles that bridge global affairs and local impact, ensuring that complex operational goals are achieved with integrity and precision. His expertise spans crisis management, security operations, and organizational strategy. At Mercury SGS, Chris applies these skills to strengthen operational performance and advance the company’s mission of delivering innovative solutions to clients across sectors. He is committed to fostering resilience, building effective teams, and creating systems that drive measurable results. Chris continues to be an active voice in conversations about international justice, security, and organizational leadership, drawing on his deep experience in conflict zones and in executive management.

Episode 79: The Enduring US-UK Relationship

For over 250 years the United States and the United Kingdom has shared a special relationship. While not always positive... for example the British burning down the White House during the War of 1812 (thanks a lot)... the past 150 years has been very positive. Throughout it all the shared people-to-people connections have driven the relationship to new heights and provided a solid footing for collaboration across all sectors. With the recent signing of the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal, and the ensuing steps to implement the outline, the economic relationship is set to continue. In this month's episode, we check in with British Consul General in Boston, David Clay, to dive deeper into the current state of relations between the two countries. On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (next year), now is a great time to assess the history and the future of the transatlantic partnership, from the economic, to military, to cultural ties that bind these two countries together. No matter the challenges that face the world in the years to come, it seems that a strong relationship will remain a steadfast point in global affairs. David Clay has been a member of the Diplomatic Service since 2005, and has been appointed as the next British Consul General to New England. David was joint head of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Iraq and Arabian Peninsula Department. In this role he oversaw all aspects of the UK’s relationship with Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This included UK security cooperation with the Gulf, launching Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council in 2022, and the Qatar World Cup. He then worked on the UK’s response to the conflict in Israel/Gaza from 2023 to 2024. From 2016 to 2020, David worked as Deputy Political Counsellor and then Counsellor at the UK’s Mission to the UN in New York. He covered peace and security issues in the UN Security Council and General Assembly. This involved regularly representing the UK in the Security Council and overseeing negotiations on many resolutions on conflicts, ranging from Yemen and Mali to Sudan and Colombia. Earlier in his career, David worked for the Foreign Office in Libya before and during the revolution in 2011, and then in Egypt from 2013 to 2016. He speaks Arabic and has a Masters (Distinction) in Middle East politics. Before joining the Foreign Office, David taught English in the east of Sudan.