Global Thread

China’s Belt and Road Initiative is a massive infrastructure project that they’re rolling out across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. By investing in nations around the globe, China is effectively expanding its sphere of influence. What could this mean for the US and its allies, and what can be done, if anything, to counter China’s approach?

To call the situation in Afghanistan “complex” is an understatement, so much so that I had to split this topic up into two episodes. In Part 1, we cover the history of Afghanistan, the Truman Doctrine, the Cold War, and the beginnings of the modern Afghan government.

Belarus is a landlocked country that sits at the apex of several larger and more powerful nations. Under the authoritarian leadership of Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusians have suffered more than their fair share of crimes against humanity. After such a complex and sordid history, though, why is Belarus so relevant to geopolitics today?

China is currently readying its military in anticipation of reclaiming what they believe to be theirs - the island of Taiwan. However, with the US and Japan allied with Taiwan in an effort to curb Chinese aggression and ambition, the implications of a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be huge.

Haiti, a nation that's unfortunately come to be known for enduring incessant hardship, is currently experiencing political unrest primarily surrounding demands for its current president to step down amidst increased government corruption, police brutality, and kidnappings. Couple that with a citizenship/deportation issue (among other things), and you've got 2021 Haiti. What was the US' role in getting Haiti to this point, and is there anything that can be done for Haiti going forward?