The Missing Piece [International]

Holiday seasons are fast approaching, as the time flies by really fast. More and more younger generations in Japan and Germany are hungry for relationships, needless to say, they could no longer stand loneliness during the holiday seasons. Experts believe that online dating could alleviate more pains from those lonely souls. Will it work? How should we understand the hidden reasons behind online dating? Gina Potarca is Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Liverpool. She obtained her PhD degree at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) in 2014. Her research interests revolve around the application of digital, multilevel, and longitudinal methods for the study of assortative mating, the social implications of the digital revolution, and mental health.

In this episode, Dr. Alexander Motyl, an American historian and a political scientist joins the show to talk about how US Presidential election results could impact the future relationship between the US and Russia. Plus, how should we understand the ongoing "bromance" between China and Russia, since Chinese leader just attended BRICS summit? Can we expect a turning point from China to the US?

For decades, women in Uzbekistan have been facing more social and political challenges, especially related to gender inequality and economic uncertainty. It is rather hard for the international community to ignore the deadlock. One recent article pointed out alarming evidence that women kill for various reasons, they came to the last option to seek real freedom. In this episode, Niginakhon Saida, who is an educator, researcher, and journalist from Uzbekistan, joins the latest show to discuss her recent article, and explains how domestic violence in Uzbekistan are pushing women to commit more crimes. The better question that we should ask: What can the international community help and support?

As Chinese President Xi Jin Ping's trip Moscow started this week, more nations are paying attention to the closer ties between Russia and China. As for this trip, Xi is expected to meet with the top officials from BRICS, as well as discussing more details regarding political and economic interests. Meanwhile, US presidential election is about finalize in two weeks, which could impact the future of the international community. How should we understand the economic and political ties between China and Russia today? What is China's next move towards the war in Ukraine? Dr. Alexander Motyl is one political scientist and a well-known historian. Dr. Motyl joins the latest show to share his insights and analysis, regarding those critical matters.

It is rather complicated for us to understand what is happening today, regarding the ongoing wars and political polarizations around the world. Too often, we tend to hold the opinions that military operations and economic partnerships could lead to greater peace. In this episode, our guest shares how Bible, the well-known and ancient book, is a better solution to understand what's happening, and how we should see those matters from a moral perspective. Is that so? How is Bible relevant to what is happening today? Do we see any hope at all? A native of Canada, Dr. Bruce Gordon taught at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he was professor of modern history and deputy director of the St Andrews Reformation Studies Institute. He came to Yale in 2008. His research and teaching focus on European religious cultures of the late-medieval and early modern periods, with a particular interest in the Reformation and its reception. In 2021 he published The Oxford Handbook of Calvin and Calvinism (Oxford) and Huldrych Zwingli. God’s Armed Prophet (Yale). The biography of Zwingli explores the roots of the Reformation and the problematic relationship between religion and violence. His John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion (Princeton 2016) looks at the reception from the sixteenth century to the age of YouTube of one of the defining works of the Reformation. He is the author of Calvin (Yale, 2009), a biography of the Genevan reformer, and the Swiss Reformation (Manchester, 2002), a Choice Magazine “Outstanding Publication” (2003). His The Bible: A Global History(link is external) (Basic Books, NY) appeared in September 2024.

Since the leader of Hezbollah was killed by Isreali military strategy, the entire international community start to pay more attention to Iran, given the fact that Iran has been using harsh rhetorics towards Israel. For decades, people have been wondering the region leaderships in Iran, and how the current political chaos and economic turmoil are crumbling the internal trust. In this episode, Professor Jamsheed Choksy joins the shows to explain more. Professor Jamsheed Choksy is a Distinguished Professor, former Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, former Chair of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, and current Director of the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center at Indiana University - Bloomington.

2024 marks the significant economic milestone for China, given the fact that BRI is slowing approaching its 10th year anniversary. Come to think of it, more nations, especially among the African nations, are active in sharing more resources with the Chinese government. Meanwhile, some nations have already decided to pull out of the project, owing to political differences, Italy, is one of them. How should we understand the main reasons behind such bold move? By distancing away from China, will the economy in Italy face more challenges? Dr. Filippo Fasulo is Co-head of the Geoeconomic Centre and Senior Research Fellow of the Asia Centre at the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).

There is no surprise that AI is making dramatic changes across each aspect of our lives, especially when we talk about its presence in education. It is almost impossible for students and teachers to avoid using AI in and outside the classrooms. According to one survey, some students believe AI actually slows down their academic learnings, and discourage them to think more. Some scholars believe it is high time that we ought to reconsider the presence of AI, and how we should embrace its presence, instead of "banning" it in the classrooms. Professor Peter Slade is the Chair of the Religion Department at Ashland University. He joins the latest show to talk more, regarding AI and its impact upon modern day education.

Professor Richard Overy joins the latest show to talk about his amazing book "Why War." We are living in a rather complicated and sophisticated world, given the fact that modern day wars are no longer about "winning or losing." As a matter of fact, it is about pushing the military and ideological agenda. During the conversation, Professor Overy explains the details behind the wars, and some nations are failing today.

As we continue to pay attention to the economic and political tension between China and the US, more nations are standing at the crossroads, when it comes to choosing better partners. Nation like Hungary is playing the card wisely, however, little progress has been made. Some say that America should continue to promote the far-right agenda in order to make better friends with China and Hungary, so that all the nations could prosper economically. In this episode, Will invite special guest to share more. Meg Hansen just completed a one-year research and teaching fellowship in Budapest, Hungary where she was a Senior Fellow in the Budapest Fellowship Program and a Visiting Fellow at the Danube Institute. Previously, she served as president of a think tank in Vermont, which was an affiliate of the State Policy Network. She has been involved in New England's political, public policy, and media spheres for the past decade. Her commentaries and analyses of U.S. and global current affairs have appeared in various online and print publications including The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and American Spectator.

American revolution is one of the most fascinating and engaging stories for international audience, especially those unheard stories among the founding fathers. At the same time, few of the books were written about Jewish members who actively participated American revolution, and they almost changed the course of American history. In the episode, Will invited a special guest to join the show, regarding how patriotic Jews joined the journey and made a significant contributions to the the successes of America today. Dr. Adam Jortner is the Goodwin-Philpott Eminent Professor of Religion in the Department of History. He specializes in the history of religion in the American Revolution and the early nation, with particular emphasis on religious liberty, patriotism and piety, theology, and new religious traditions. His new book is entitled "A Promised Land: Jewish Patriots, the American Revolution, and the Birth of Religious Freedom."

There is no denying that politics are getting more complicated in Germany today, at least the youths in Germany can agree. It is rather hard to predict what will happen to Germany, as we continue to pay attention to the social and economic changes under the current administration. Unlike the US, people in Germany are not looking for dramatic changes, what gives? How should we understand the hidden reasons behind the current status? Guest speaker Peter Kuras joins the latest show to talk more.

Professor Jamsheed K. Choksym, a Distinguished Professor, the Director of the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center at Indiana University - Bloomington, joined the latest show to discuss his analysis and insights, regarding current military power of Iran. Meanwhile, how Iran is making a much greater efforts to build a wider territorial network.

Population decline in South Korea continues to pose a major economic threat to the nation of South Korea, given the fact that youths today no longer show any interests in building families. For decades, South Korean government made a greater efforts to boost the morale among the youths, in terms of enlarging the population number, so far it has been ineffective. China seems to face the similar issue which could shed lights on South Korea, is that the case? Should South Korea follow China's model?

As the election in the US continues to draw attention worldwide, more people are very much concerned about the future of this great nation, especially the relationships between the US and the allies. Besides all the allies in Europe, Ukraine is also very much interested in seeing how this election could determine the fate of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Is America making more efforts to support Ukraine? How should we understand the political collaboration between Russia and its friends? Alexander John Motyl is an American historian, political scientist, poet, writer, translator and artist-painter. He is a resident of New York City. He is professor of political science at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey and a specialist on Ukraine, Russia, and the Soviet Union.

As the election results in Venezuela causes more controversial debates, more nations came out to criticize how Maduro's government has been manipulating the political system. There is no doubt that how China is taking advantage of the opportunities to further strengthen its economic and political ties with Venezuela, despite all the harsh responds from other nations. How should we understand the current economic tie between the two nations? What is Venezuela trying to accomplish in China? Paul Webster Hare was a British diplomat for 30 years and the British ambassador to Cuba from 2001-04. He is currently a Master Lecturer in international relations at the Frederick S Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University.

Marriage is one of the most powerful and meaningful institutions for human civilization, especially how modern day marriages are generating more positive impact upon the younger generations. In the nation of Uzbekistan, for youths, marriage might not be as easy as what they desire. For some, especially among the girls, they have to get married at a young age, while learning to balance between work and family chores. In this episode, Niginakhon Saida, a scholar whose research interests focus on gender, Islam, and politics in Central Asia, joins the show to talk more.

Sadie Dingfelder is a freelance science journalist, she joins the latest show to discuss her debut book, “Do I Know you? A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory and Imagination." In her new book, Sadie shared how she discovered the complications of face-blindness and how her personal stories changed understandings towards the learnings of our brains.

Vice President Kamala Harris officially started her 2024 Presidential campaign by attacking her opponents across the spectrum in a brand-new campaign ads, while she continues to unify the party. Foreign policies are rather crucial for her to demonstrate her political confidence, and her capabilities to build friendships with international allies and friends. Dr. Aaron Mannes, a lecturer and research associate at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, joins the latest conversation to talk about how Harris could show her skills in handling foreign policies, as well as dealing with international wars.

For this special edition of "The Missing Piece," Dr. Randall Woods joins the show to talk about his new book "John Quincy Adams." In this book, Dr. Woods shares how John Quincy Adams' parents, John and Abigail dedicated their passion and drive to save the nation, and how they desired their son to be involved in political movements, eventually, John Quincy Adams became of the greatest presidents in history.