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FO Podcasts

Fair Observer

FO Podcasts is an insightful guest-based series from Fair Observer, an independent nonprofit that publishes nearly 3,000 authors from over 90 countries, including former prime ministers, retired diplomats, professors, noted authors and bright young minds from different fields.

Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh and other editors have interesting conversations with interesting guests about interesting issues. These guests include spies, diplomats, lawyers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, journalists, economists and others. Unlike The Dialectic where Atul and retired CIA officer Glenn Carle hold sway, FO Podcasts hosts guests from around the world and highlights a variety of perspectives.

Let us know if you want to be a guest on FO Podcasts or if you want to introduce us to a prospective guest. Also, let us know what you want us to cover. Join our community, and share this podcast with friends and family!

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#69
October 19 · 22 min
The Djibouti Option: How Global Navies Can Break the Houthi Blockade | Fair Observer
For almost 3 years, Houthi forces in the Middle East have targeted the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, forcing global shipping to reroute and increasing costs. What is the new proposed solution? In this episode, Journalist, Academic and Author Martin Plaut joins Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-In-Chief Atul Singh to explore the Djibouti Option: using Djibouti as the ground to counter Houthi’s attacks. The conversation explores the logistics, the diplomacy involved, the global impact, what impact it will have on the Houthi forces, policy, and more. As they uncover this option, they unveil the broader meaning of the Djibouti Option for the world. The Djibouti Option: How Global Navies Can Break the Houthi Blockade #RedSeaCrisis #BabElMandeb #Djibouti #DjiboutiOption #Houthis #Yemen #Geopolitics #CurrentEvents #Debate #Podcast #ForeignPolicy #NavalStrategy #MaritimeSecurity #GlobalNavies #Military #Defense #Trade #SupplyChain #Macroeconomics
#68
October 16 · 24 min
Is Canada Looking to Form an Alliance With Europe? | Fair Observer
Join Fair Observer’s Editor-at-Large, Ranjani Iyer Mohanty, as she discusses Canada’s role on the global stage with former Canadian Diplomat David McKinnon. Recently, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would consider making Canada an associate member of the EU. While Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, agreed to developing the relationship between the EU and Canada, both parties agreed that a framework still needs to be built. There’s genuine objectives on both sides, McKinnon says, but the relationship is not yet defined. Mohanty and McKinnon explore what a Canada–EU partnership might look like beyond the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) already in place. A deep Canada–EU partnership would be for increased economic and political security. Perhaps most importantly, it would send a message that the EU and Canada are mitigating their overreliance on the US. McKinnon states that before Canada and the EU further develop this partnership, Canada should consider their wider global interests. A relationship with the EU should be rooted in reality so that Canada may still retain its sovereignty. In addition, McKinnon says, Canada should be looking for other global relationships beyond the EU. Enjoy the conversation? Like, share, subscribe and join Fair Observer’s community! #CETA #Canada #EU #UrsulaVonDerLeyen #Diplomacy #CanadaEconomy #CanadaEU
#67
September 22 · 1 hr 1 min
Canada's Untold Role in Modern Conflicts | Fair Observer
What does it actually mean to view a conflict through the lens of settler-colonialism? Join Editor at Large at Fair Observer, Ranjani Iyer Mohanty, as she speaks with Dr. Muhannad Ayyash, Professor of Sociology at Mount Royal University, to break down the mechanics of colonial power and state violence. The conversation discusses the Israel-Palestine conflict through the lens of settler-colonialism, and takes a deep dive into how Canadians view this conflict, the Iran war and many other issues. They also look at the international implications of everything, and more. Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!
#66
August 27 · 34 min
Making Sense of Trump’s Financial Controversies | Fair Observer
President Donald Trump is no stranger to suspicious activity in relation to his money. This issue is older than his presidency. Even back in his days as a businessman and TV personality, many such allegations came his way. As we reach the halfway point of Trump’s second term, some questions arise. How does he keep getting away with this? What’s the motive? Does a darker danger lie ahead? Fair Observer editor Casey Hermann joins the director of Foreign Policy in Focus, John Feffer, to take a deep dive into the roots of these pressing questions. The conversation explores Trump’s suspicious financial gains during his presidency, the business practices of the Trump family, the consequences of Trump’s actions, global reactions and more. Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!
#65
August 18 · 35 min
Cockroach Chronicles: Making Sense of the CJP | Fair Observer
2026 has been an eventful year for India. Exam leaks, economic pressures, floods, political tensions, and more. Through the thick of it all, Gen Z folks in India have begun the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical parody of the right-wing ruling Bharatiya Janta Party. The movement is rapidly growing, gaining millions of followers within a matter of a couple of weeks. As the movement continues today, some questions begin to arise. How did this begin? What is the end goal of the movement? What can India and its government take away from this movement? Fair Observer’s Editor-at-Large Ranjani Iyer Mohanty joins her husband and Global Social-Impact Leader & Former McKinsey Principal Barun Mohanty to take a deep dive at these loaded questions. The conversation covers the exam leaks, India’s education system, Gen Z India, how the movement came to be, and more. Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!
#64
July 16 · 1 hr
Stairways to the Skies: The Secrets of Hiking | Fair Observer
The pandemic killed the world of hiking, one of the world’s most beloved outdoor activities. In the years that followed, hiking came back even stronger than ever before. Despite its being around for hundreds of years, hiking still has been ever-evolving. How has hiking survived all this time? What do we enjoy about the wilderness? How are changing landscapes affecting our hiking? What challenges do we face hiking in unfamiliar territory, and what impact does our hiking have on the generations after us? Hiker Christine Gabriel joins Fair Observer’s Editor-at-Large Ranjani Iyer Mohanty to take a deep dive into these thought-provoking matters. The conversation offers a guide to hiking on trails in areas all across the world (such as Canada, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand and Turkey), the trails near one’s own home, hiking after COVID, how to start hiking, why hiking is so beloved and more! As they discuss their journeys, they reminisce and discover the joys and impact that hiking makes on so many lives. Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss and become a part of the Fair Observer community!
#63
July 7 · 57 min
What the West Ignores About China’s Digital Nationalism | Fair Observer
Digital nationalism has been one of China’s most defining focuses in the last decade, influencing much of the globe. And yet, world discussions about China often ignore much of what’s going on behind the curtains. What is digital nationalism, and what can it tell us about modern day China and its future? Author and Modern China Studies professor of Leiden University Florian Schneider joins Eminent Geopolitical Analyst Haruko Satoh to explore these subjects. The conversation examines the role online spaces play in the shaping of national identity, recent visa policy and more. As they discover China’s evolving role in the world and how digital nationalism plays into its evolution as a global powerhouse, a question arises: if China is neither the country its critics nor its supporters describe, what does the real China look like?
#62
April 26 · 53 min
Why Narcoterrorism Still Matters | Fair Observer
Narco-terrorism sits at the intersection of organised crime and political violence — but its implications extend far beyond either domain. In this FO Podcasts episode Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh speaks to former counterterrorism operative Jeffrey James Higgins examines how illicit drug networks have evolved into sophisticated actors capable of funding insurgencies, destabilising states and undermining institutions. From the Taliban’s historic reliance on opium to the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, the relationship between narcotics and conflict has become increasingly entrenched. The discussion explores how cartels in Latin America are acquiring paramilitary capabilities, how transnational gangs like MS-13 operate across borders and how drug economies erode state authority over time. It also considers the broader policy debate: should narcotics be treated primarily as a public health issue or as a national security threat? As criminal networks grow in scale and influence, the boundary between crime and warfare is becoming harder to define.
#61
March 29 · 34 min
The Big Paradox: Why Immigration Divides America Like Nothing Else | Fair Observer
Why do Americans support strict border control—but oppose mass deportations? In this podcast, Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh speaks to Kent Jenkins on the “immigration paradox” shaping US politics today. While Donald Trump’s policies successfully reduced illegal border crossings, they also triggered widespread backlash when enforcement moved into American cities. This conversation examines the psychological and political divide at the heart of the issue: people fear immigration as an abstract problem, yet empathize deeply with individual immigrants in their communities. Through real-life cases, historical research, and political analysis, this discussion reveals why public opinion shifted so dramatically. From border security to deportation policies, and from public outrage to political strategy, this episode unpacks one of the most complex debates in modern America. 00:00 Immigration Paradox 05:30 Trump’s ICE Deployment 11:00 Open Borders 19:00 Racism and Anti-Migrant Sentiments 28:00 Democrats vs Republicans
#60
March 9 · 47 min
The Muslim Brotherhood Explained: Origins, Ideology and Global Influence | Fair Observer
What is the Muslim Brotherhood and how did it shape modern Islamist movements? In this episode of the Fair Observer podcast, Egyptian author and political activist Cynthia Farahat joins us to explore the origins, ideology and evolution of the Muslim Brotherhood. Founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt, the organization grew into one of the most influential Islamist movements in the world. We discuss the historical context of its creation, the influence of thinkers like Sayyid Qutb and Syed Abul A'la Maududi, and how the movement expanded across the Middle East and beyond. The conversation also examines the Brotherhood’s political strategies, its role during the Arab uprisings and the presidency of Mohamed Morsi, and the broader debate about political Islam. This discussion provides historical context and analysis of a movement that has influenced politics, security debates and ideological conflicts across the Middle East for nearly a century. Watch the full conversation and join the discussion. 00:00 What is the Muslim Brotherhood? 07:00 The Concept of Jihad 12:30 Dawah vs Dawla 19:00 Evolution of the Muslim Brotherhood 31:30 London vs Istanbul 40:30 Today’s Muslim Brotherhood 44:00 A Peaceful Muslim Brotherhood?
#59
January 8 · 38 min
Maduro, the War on Drugs and Trump’s Revival of the Monroe Doctrine | Fair Observer
For years, Washington framed its confrontation with Venezuela as part of the war on drugs — a narrative questioned by critics who argued that narcotics enforcement masked a deeper geopolitical objective. That debate has now reached its dramatic conclusion. The Trump administration has carried out a special operation in Caracas, capturing Nicolás Maduro and his wife and flying them to the United States to face drug-related charges. Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh sat down with Benjamin Delile, Foreign Correspondent for the French Newspaper Liberation on December 15. Together, they examined Washington’s Venezuela policy through the lenses of geopolitics, military strategy and great-power competition. Benjamin Delille explains why claims about fentanyl and drug trafficking do not align with available data, and why Venezuela’s strategic importance goes far beyond narcotics. From oil reserves and critical minerals to China’s growing influence in Latin America, the discussion reveals the deeper forces shaping US actions. They also discuss Venezuela’s political crisis, the disputed 2024 election and the rise of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado Finally, the conversation situates Venezuela within the broader Trump-era revival of the Monroe Doctrine, raising uncomfortable questions about regime change, intervention and the future of US power in the Western Hemisphere. 00:00 America’s War on Drugs 09:30 America’s Arc of Influence 13:10 Maria Corina Machado’s Popularity 21:00 Hugo Chavez & Maduro 26:20 Trump’s Maximum Pressure Campaign 33:00 Trump’s Endgame in Venezuela
#58
Dec 27, 2025 · 32 min
Myanmar Votes During a Civil War: Why This Election Could Tear the Country Apart | Fair Observer
Myanmar is heading into elections on December 28 while the country remains trapped in a brutal civil war. More than 6,000 people have been killed, over 3.5 million displaced, and nearly half the population pushed into poverty since the 2021 military coup. In this episode of FO Talks, Rohan Khattar Singh speaks with Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Executive Director of the South Asia Project at the Millennium Project, to unpack why Myanmar’s military junta is holding elections at its weakest moment. The discussion examines the collapse of state control, the rise of resistance forces, ethnic armed groups, and why the opposition has been entirely excluded from the vote. The conversation also explores China, India, ASEAN, regional spillover risks, illicit trade networks, and why this election is widely viewed as an attempt to manufacture legitimacy rather than restore democracy. Is this election a step toward stability or a move that deepens Myanmar’s fractures? This episode explains what is really at stake. 00:00 Myanmar’s First Election Since 2021 Coup 05:30 Myanmar’s Junta Buying Time? 09:00 Opposition Silenced in 2025 Election 13:15 What Does the Junta Want? 16:00 What Do the Ethnic Groups Want? 20:00 Is the Election Fair? 24:00 Global Silence on Myanmar 27:30 Peace in Myanmar
#57
Dec 21, 2025 · 57 min
The Forbidden C-word, Class in America | FO Podcasts
Why is the word class almost never spoken in American politics, despite shaping elections, identity, and power? In this episode of FO Podcasts, Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh, examines the hidden class system in the United States with former Washington Post journalist Kent Jenkins. Drawing from his journey from a blue-collar upbringing to elite Washington institutions, Jenkins explains how class operates through education, accents, culture, and unspoken social rules. The conversation explores why American politics avoids class language, how elite institutions dominate political discourse, and why working-class voters across racial lines have drifted away from the Democratic Party. The episode also unpacks Donald Trump’s appeal, elite condescension, identity politics, and the widening divide between metropolitan professionals and rural or industrial America. With comparisons to Europe and the United Kingdom, this discussion shows why class, not race alone, has become a defining fault line in US democracy. 00:00 Class in America 04:30 Atul’s Family in India 06:30 Kent’s Family in America 10:00 Class Politics in the US 15:00 What Trump Did Right 21:00 Class in Europe vs America 35:00 The Impact of Class on Community 40:00 Democrats and Zohran Mamdani 45:00 Race and Class in America 55:00 Republicans vs Democrats
#56
Nov 25, 2025 · 40 min
The Right to Play: How Women Fought and Won the Battle for Equality in Sports | FO° Podcasts
In this episode of FO° Podcasts, Fair Observer’s Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh speaks with Lauren Greenberg, Deputy General Counsel at White & Case LLP, about the transformative impact of Title IX on women’s sports in the United States. From founding Dartmouth’s first women’s softball team to filing a landmark Title IX complaint, Greenberg shares how law became her tool for creating equal opportunity. The conversation explores the evolution of women’s athletics, the life skills sports cultivate, gaps in media representation, and why true gender parity still requires cultural change. They also discuss the next frontier — pay equity, leadership roles and expanding support for underrepresented sports. A powerful discussion on rights, opportunity and the future of women in sport.
#55
Nov 9, 2025 · 28 min
Enemy of the Sun — How Palestinian Poetry Became a Weapon of Resistance | FO° Podcasts
In this episode, Founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh sits down with Dr. Edmund Ghareeb, renowned scholar, historian and author of Enemy of the Sun: Palestinian Poetry of Resistance. Together, they explore the remarkable story behind the book’s publication, its connection to the Palestinian struggle, and how poetry became a powerful voice of identity, resistance and survival. Ghareeb recounts how the book, Enemy of the Sun, featured works by iconic poets such as Mahmoud Darwish, Samih al-Qasim and Rashid Hussein — figures who turned Palestinian poetry into political testimony. The conversation traces the book’s unlikely publishing journey, its ties to calls for resistance like the Black Panther movement and its rediscovery decades later. The discussion delves into the intersection of politics, literature, and history, exploring how Palestinian poetry connects with broader human struggles, from apartheid and exile to freedom and dignity. This powerful conversation captures not just the Palestinian cause, but the universal resilience of those who fight to be heard.
#54
Nov 5, 2025 · 22 min
Why is the US Deporting Illegal Migrants to a Tiny African Nation Called Eswatini? FO° Podcast
In this episode of FO° Podcast, Producer Rohan Khattar Singh speaks with Zweli Martin Dlamini, investigative journalist from Eswatini, about a shocking new policy under the Trump Administration — the deportation of third-country migrants to Eswatini, a tiny landlocked kingdom in southern Africa. The conversation uncovers the controversial “Dollars for Deportees” deal, exploring whether Eswatini’s monarchy, led by King Mswati III — is financially benefitting from US deportations. Dlamini explains how this arrangement, which sends non-Eswatini nationals to the country, has raised serious human rights and legal concerns. Why would one of Africa’s smallest nations sign such a deal? Is the US outsourcing its migrant crisis to weaker states, and at what cost? This episode investigates power, money, and exploitation behind an agreement many call modern-day dumping by the West. Join Rohan Khattar Singh and Zweli Martin Dlamini as they unpack the ethics, economics, and silence surrounding one of America’s most disturbing foreign policy moves.
#53
Aug 27, 2025 · 43 min
Why Has Trump Deployed Thousands of National Guard Troops in Washington, D.C. | FO° Podcasts
In this episode of FO° Podcasts, Fair Observer’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh speaks to American voting rights attorney and Washington D.C’s Shadow Senator, Ankit Jain, on US President Donald Trump’s policy of deploying thousands of National Guard troops and federal agents in the nation’s capital. Jain and Singh discuss crime in Washington, D.C. and why it has been a top concern among D.C’s voters. Jai speaks about why Washington, D.C. should be a state and how the national capital suffers for being a federal district. Listen to the full podcast to learn more about what the Trump Administration is doing in the national capital.
#52
Aug 15, 2025 · 48 min
The Story of 6 Million Syrian Refugees and Why They Can Never Return Home
In this episode of FO° Podcasts, Fair Observer’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh speaks to foreign affairs analyst William McChesney about the Syrian refugee crisis. They talk about the fall of former Syrian leader Hafez al-Assad, his son Bashar al-Assad, and the current interim government under former Al Qaeda member Ahmed al-Sharaa. They also discuss the role of Turkey in Syria’s politics and why Ankara has backed Ahmed al-Sharaa. Singh and McChesney then dive into the sectarian violence and tensions in Syria which have forced millions to leave the country. Watch the full episode to know more.
#51
Mar 1, 2025 · 34 min
Iran's Axis of Resistance Is Now in Shambles. What Next?
The Iranian regime’s network of terror in the Middle East has been greatly reduced to rubble over the past year. With US President Donald Trump back in office the frenzied Ayatollah is adapting to the new reality and Tehran leaping for a nuclear bomb appears to be among the cards. In this episode we talk all that and more. Note: After this episode was recorded, Trump reinstated the Maximum Pressure campaign from his first term on the Islamic Republic. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reacted by saying that talks with the United States were “not smart, wise, or honorable.”
#50
Jan 1, 2025 · 27 min
Religious Freedom Hangs in the Balance in Syria
HTS, an Islamist group with al-Qaeda roots, is now the strongest force in Syria. The fallen Assad regime, while brutal, was formally socialist and secular, allowing a degree of religious freedom. Syria is now in danger of losing this relative freedom. Flavius Mihaies is an investigative journalist with extensive field experience in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Eastern Europe, and Africa. His journalism primarily focuses on conflict, the experiences of minorities at war, and the effects of economic sanctions. Before his journalistic career, Flavius worked with the US Congress, think tanks, international organizations, and private sector entities in development and foreign policy. HuffPost, the Atlantic Council, and Al Jazeera have featured his work. Flavius frequently travels to the Middle East, where he has firsthand experience working in a Syrian refugee camp, touring towns in the Kurdish region, and visiting local Christian communities. He has also completed a book on Syria.

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