New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy | Podcasts

Global Hotspots: 2025 in Review

A global adaptation to a new strategic environment will define 2026, driven by the White House’s approach to international relations. Though Washington will continue pursuing de-escalation in select conflict zones, the year ahead will be marked by persistent geopolitical frictions, intensifying hybrid competition, and acute humanitarian pressures.
Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251212/
Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Unfinished Revolution: Syria’s Past and Future, 1 Year After Assad

In this episode, host Zara Farouk speaks with Syrian author and political dissident Yassin al-Haj Saleh about the long-term consequences of authoritarianism, the failures of the international community, and the evolution of political activism in exile. Their conversation reflects on lessons from the Syrian struggle and the possibilities for justice and renewal.

Global Hotspots: U.S. Ramps Up Diplomacy on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

These past two weeks, the U.S. ramped up diplomatic efforts with Russia and Ukraine to bring an end to the conflict, while Russian shadow fleet vessels were allegedly struck by Ukrainian drones. In the Middle East, Hamas transferred the remains of a hostage to Israel, while Lebanon confirmed it would conduct deconfliction talks with Israel following pressure from the United States. In the Indo-Pacific, U.S. President Donald Trump halted planned sanctions against China’s Ministry of State Security, and China ramped up its military presence near Japan amid increased tensions over Taiwan.
Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251205/
Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Global Hotspots: Trump Meets with Saudi Crown Prince to Sign New Bilateral Deal

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, approving the sale of F-35 fighter jets and designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution to implement Trump’s 20-point peace plan in Gaza, while clashes between Israel and Hamas continued. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. removed reciprocal tariffs from several imports from the Philippines and confirmed the sale of a missile system to Taiwan. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Poland blamed Russian operatives for sabotaging its railways, while U.S. officials met with their Ukrainian counterparts in Kyiv to discuss a new peace plan.
Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251121/
Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism: Untangling the Conflation

In this episode of the Bridging the Gap podcast series, Rachel Nelson sits down with Ben Lorber, a senior research analyst at Political Research Associates and co-author of "Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism." They discuss how antisemitism has evolved in the context of Israel–Palestine and the most recent war in Gaza, the debate over defining and identifying it, and why solidarity with other marginalized groups is central to Jewish safety. Their conversation delves into Zionism and anti-Zionism, as well as ways to address the growing polarization around these political identities.

Global Hotspots: U.S.-Syria Diplomacy Progresses Amid Middle East Turbulence

This week in the Middle East, clashes between Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces hindered implementation of the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire, while U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met in Washington. In the Russia/Ukraine war, Russian forces continued their drive to capture the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk and seized three villages in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia oblast, while Canada imposed new sanctions targeting Russia’s drone and energy industries. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. and China continued their mutual easing of trade restrictions, while Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks hinting at Japan’s potential military involvement in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan drew a strong rebuke from Beijing. The U.S. government shutdown ended after 43 days.
Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251114/
Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Global Hotspots: U.S. Pushes Postwar Plan for Gaza

This week, in the Middle East the U.S. presented the U.N. Security Council with a draft resolution advancing the implementation of the “Board of Peace” as part of the Israel/Gaza ceasefire agreement, while Iran stated it would not engage in negotiations with the U.S. so long as Washington backs Israel. In the Indo-Pacific, China has started to remove tariffs and trade barriers following last week’s agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, while U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reached military cooperation agreements with China and Vietnam, while also preparing one with South Korea. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian drone attacks forced Russia to suspend some oil refining and export operations, while intense fighting continued near Pokrovsk amid a Russian push to capture the city.
Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251107/
Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What the PKK Ceasefire Means for Türkiye’s Kurds

With the PKK announcing disarmament, New Lines' own Zara Farouk speaks with, Ceylan Akca, a DEM Party Politician in Türkiye's Grand National Assembly. Together, they explore whether this moment marks a true turning point or another pause in a long, unfinished struggle and what comes next for Kurdish rights, representation, and reconciliation in Türkiye.

Global Hotspots: U.S. Reaches Deals With China, Indo-Pacific States in Asia Summits

This week, in the Indo-Pacific, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, where they agreed on new trade concessions following a weeklong series of meetings that saw the U.S. upgrading trade ties with regional allies. In the Middle East, Israel and Hamas traded ceasefire violation accusations following Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strikes on Gaza that resulted in over 100 Palestinian deaths. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Russia reported successful test launches of a nuclear-capable underwater drone and cruise missile, while Ukraine continued its campaign of drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.
Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251031/
Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Global Hotspots: U.S. and EU Sanction Russia Amid Diplomatic Setbacks

This week, the U.S. imposed sanctions against two Russian oil companies following the cancellation of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while the EU passed sanctions against Russian energy infrastructure and vessels. In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. and Australia signed a new critical minerals deal ahead of an upcoming meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, while the Chinese Communist Party approved a draft of its new five-year plan. In the Middle East, U.S. officials traveled to Israel in an attempt to bolster Gaza ceasefire efforts amid reports of clashes between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinians.
Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20251024/
Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/