This week: China and Iran.
The two countries have close ties and, yet, while China initially condemned the US-Israeli war on Iran, the Chinese government has stayed mostly quiet even as the bombing continues.
Meanwhile the Iranian government is doubling down on this friendship. As of this taping, Iran has opened up the Strait of Hormuz to Chinese ships. ... Show More
Apr 2026
Climbing the Great Firewall: Freedom, Censorship, and China’s Internet
In this episode, we take you inside the Chinese internet. China is currently home to the world's most sophisticated, far-reaching internet censorship regime. Chinese censors are trained to comb the web for off-limits words and phrases. Offending posts often disappear into thin ai ... Show More
44m 41s
Apr 2026
Trump’s War, Xi’s Opportunity: Ambassador Nicholas Burns on Iran’s Hot War
As this episode is published - on April 21, 2026 - it’s far from clear which direction the war between the US and Iran is headed. Even so, America’s reputation around the world is in decline, to say the least. Trump is unrestrained. He’s invaded Venezuela. Started a war like no o ... Show More
38m 11s
