Foreign Exchanges: the Podcast World roundup: December 16 2025
Dec 17, 2025
Delve into critical global stories, from record Arctic heat and the consequences of melting permafrost to escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Explore the troubling situation in Myanmar, where the junta uses new tactics to regain control. Witness the aftermath of recent violence in Lebanon and Gaza, and uncover the chilling findings of mass killings in Sudan. With reports on U.S. military actions in Somalia and the implications of Venezuela's maritime struggles, this discussion offers a comprehensive snapshot of current international crises.
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Arctic Warming Reaches New Records
- The 2025 NOAA Arctic report card shows record regional heat and minimal ice extent.
- Derek Davison warns that U.S. cuts may make future Arctic monitoring far less informative.
Surveillance Shapes Daily Life In Gaza
- Mohamed Mahawish describes surveillance in Gaza as totalizing and opaque, shaping daily life and fear.
- Derek Davison highlights that the system's opacity makes ordinary behavior potentially deadly for Gazans.
Junta Regains Ground With New Tactics
- Reuters found Myanmar's junta has rebuilt momentum using conscription, more drones, and human-wave tactics.
- Fighters reported China pressured resistance groups diplomatically and financially to stop fighting.