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Intrigue Explained

Intrigue Explained

by Dmitry Grozoubinski, Helen Zhang and John Fowler

News Commentary Politics

Season 3

Biden Taxes Building Your Dream (BYD)

The Biden Administration takes the trade war with China up a notch by significantly increasing import taxes on a range of Chinese electric vehicle, technology, and medical goods - plus, a brief update on the new Russian offensive in Ukraine. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee. Dmitry's book "Why Politicians Lie about Trade... and what you need to know about it" is now available for pre-order in both Kindle and hardcopy format: https://linktr.ee/WPLaT_book

Good Tok; Bad Tok

The TikTok "ban" has been signed into law, so we dive into how it happened, the reasoning behind it, what might happen next and the geopolitics of it all. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee. Dmitry's book "Why Politicians Lie about Trade... and what you need to know about it" is now available for pre-order in both Kindle and hardcopy format: https://x.com/DmitryOpines/status/1771177620643664128?s=20

[Bonus] Rebutting Arguments against US Aid to Ukraine

On the 20th of April, the US House of Representatives passed a bill appropriating billioins in aid for Ukraine. With world travelling co-hosts John and Helen taking some much needed rest, this bonus episode has Dmitry breaking down seven common arguments against US aid to Ukraine and offering his suggestions on how to engage with them. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee. Dmitry's book "Why Politicians Lie about Trade... and what you need to know about it" is now available for pre-order in both Kindle and hardcopy format: https://x.com/DmitryOpines/status/1771177620643664128?s=20

Iran and Israel - Pre-Attack Discussion

Recorded on the 12th of April as intelligence agencies were warning of an Iranian attack on Israel, this episode features a discussion about the likelihood of such an attack, its implications, and the policy choices involved. It also discusses the Western strategy of releasing the intelligence and how that might shape possible responses. Note: A lot of the speculation in the episode has now been overtaken by events. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee. Dmitry's book "Why Politicians Lie about Trade... and what you need to know about it" is now available for pre-order in both Kindle and hardcopy format: https://x.com/DmitryOpines/status/1771177620643664128?s=20

Making Friends and Influencing in Southeast Asia

A 2024 survey of experts across Southeast Asia found that for the first time, more would see themselves aligned with China than the US in a hypothetical confrontation between the two superpowers. What are the implications of that shift, and more broadly is soft power and public perception abroad a significant factor in foreign policy? A version of this podcast was initially uploaded without any actual audio. We sincerely apologize for the confusion, and accept with grace the roughly fifty messages we got telling us how much of an improvement an hour of silence was. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee. Dmitry's book "Why Politicians Lie about Trade... and what you need to know about it" is now available for pre-order in both Kindle and hardcopy format: https://x.com/DmitryOpines/status/1771177620643664128?s=20

Russian Terror and Macron's Flex

A double feature episode discussing the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall Music Centre in Moscow, and the French President's increasingly assertive posture on the world stage. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee. Dmitry's book "Why Politicians Lie about Trade... and what you need to know about it" is now available for pre-order in both Kindle and hardcopy format: https://x.com/DmitryOpines/status/1771177620643664128?s=20

Understanding China - Part 1 of 536: The Two Sessions

In this first episode of what could well be an endless series, resident China experts Helen and John walk us through China Politics 101 following a robust discussion of the proposed TikTok divestment bill in the US Congress. The episode draws its name from two 'sessions' taking place earlier in March: the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee.

Spying, Spies and Revelations

Is espionage running rampant, and is the new Western strategy of dragging it out into the light a winning one? We dive into the world of spies and spooks following some shocking allegations by the head of Australia's domestic counter-intelligence service ASIO and a spate of high-profile incidents around the world. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee.

WTF is going on at the WTO

Against John's better judgement, trade nerd Dmitry attempts to provide a vaguely accessible explanation of the World Trade Organization and its 13th Ministerial Conference. Also includes brief discussions of the 2nd anniversary of Russia's re-invasion of Ukraine and the US veto of another UN Security Council Resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee. *Helen is off this week.

The US and NATO - What's the Pitch to US Taxpayers?

Following the comments by Former President Trump about a failure by some European states to meet their NATO spending commitments, we dive into the question: Should US taxpayers be underwriting European defense? About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based on reporting from International Intrigue's free daily newsletter. Sign up to receive the world's news in a format you'll love and at a length you can digest over coffee.

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