Need to Know

Latest Episodes:

Where in the World Is KJU - Possibilites and Meanings with Abe Denmark May 01, 2020

Show notes

If you like what you hear, could you leave us a review? Wilson Center Asia Program Director, Abraham Denmark joined us on a webinar briefing for congressional staff recently to explain where Kim Jong Un could possibly be and why, the small matter of succession in an authoritarian monarchy, and what it means for the future. This edited version of that briefing features questions submitted to us from congressional staff.

They Were Supposed to Party Like It Was 1999... AND 1945 Apr 28, 2020

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May 9th in Russia, is like the US' Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day rolled into one. Celebrating the end of WWII is a big deal every year. This year is the 75th anniversary, so it was supposed to be even bigger. To top it off Vladimir Putin weaved a complex constitutional change and plebiscite to extend his rule in office to correspond with the great patriotic celebration. Yuval Weber explains historical memory in Russia, and now that Coronavirus changes the celebration, what happens now?

Chained to Our Neighbors - How North American Supply Chains are Holding Up Apr 23, 2020

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After an introduction from my kids, Duncan Wood and Chris Wilson from the Wilson Center Mexico Institute, and our brand new Canada Institute Director, Chris Sands, join me to discuss how our supply chain is holding up in North America, and what we are learning from the current COVID-19 crisis.

Watch Out For The Doom Scroll - COVID Disinformation in Europe and Asia Apr 17, 2020

Show notes

Two of our previous guests come together to talk to us about disinformation in general, and specific to COVID-19 in Europe and Asia. Nina Jankowicz, Disinformation Fellow with the Wilson Center's Science and Technology Innovation Program, and Rui Zhong, an Associate with the Wilson Center's Kissinger Institute take a look at what's out there and its effects on response and recovery.

Where Do You Plan To Be In 15 Years? Putin's Answer: Right Here. Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

2036 seems like a long way off. That must be why it was chosen as the end date for the next term of the Putin presidency -- if proposed constitutional changes go through -- which everyone believes they will. There is a pesky global pandemic that is slowing things down, but by all accounts, it looks like Putin will have his way. Why is Vladimir Putin such an enduring fixture of the Russian state? Could it survive without him? And what do people think of the plebiscite he has called for on these changes? Kennan Institute experts Matt Rojansky and Will Pomeranz join me to discuss.

"The Hacker and the State," or "We're Not Talking About Coronavirus" Mar 31, 2020

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Ben Buchanan, author of "The Hacker and the State" joins me to discuss his book and waiting for "the big one" in cyber. In short, we are not talking about coronavirus -- just your normal everyday other issues that could bring down the world.

The Viral Episode 2 - Going Beyond the Day To Day Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

Welcome Back to Need to Know! It has been a month since our last episode, which was on the coronavirus. And wow, the world has changed drastically. Here, we go back to the same three experts we spoke to a month ago, and try to go beyond the everyday news on the virus to what this means more broadly in society and ramifications for the economy and foreign policy. We hope that everyone is staying healthy... and distanced!

The Viral Episode - Coronavirus from the public health, regional, and economic levels Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

I'm joined by three experts today. Alex Long, who walks us through the public health perspective of understanding coronavirus, its implications for global health and security -- Rui Zhong, who explains some of the societal dynamics in China that we have seen from this outbreak -- And Shihoko Goto, who deftly explains how this is affecting the global economy and what it may mean for the future. This is a can't miss episode and the most comprehensive look you will find to understand the various angles of this global threat.

Imagine Being Ukraine Right Now Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

Disinformation Fellow Nina Jankowicz joins me to discuss what has been the impact of so many international incidents on the national psyche of Ukraine. And in a Need to Know first, we have questions submitted to our expert by congressional staff!

If you have questions you'd like answered on the podcast, email us at needtoknow@wilsoncenter.org

Juan Guaidó in the House! Feb 11, 2020

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Latin America Program Fellow Michael Penfold joins the Need to Know podcast to discuss the appearance of Juan Guaidó at the State of the Union, and what that means for the situation in Venezuela.

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