Youtube Episode - https://youtu.be/fXVZCUR_RowCurious Worldview Newsletter - https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribeTim Butcher Episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QIQLYuwbA2cFLCzJc8TGl?si=nKU21dGrRX-Z-otWklpxgwKing Leopold's Ghost Book - https://www.amazon.com.au/King-Leopolds-Ghost-Adam-Hochshild/dp/0618001905From 1885, for 13 years, one man, King Leopold II, owned, as his personal property, one of the largest pieces of geography on earth. The Congo is four times larger than France, it’s bigger than India, it’s bigger than Texas, Alaska, California & Montana combined - the equator runs right through it’s middle and makes it the second largest rainforest on the globe - it’s impossibly rich in resources, and desperately poor in economics. In those 13 years of private ownership, Leopold oversaw potentially one of the most brutal regimes of extraction the world has ever known. The population was estimated to have halved in those 13 years, more than 10 million deaths. It was an exploit in mass slavery, mass death, bodily mutilation and mass extraction. Ivory and wild rubber were in high demand, and so under the guise of media manipulation and PR mastery, Leopold convinced the world that these goods were in fact being traded with, rather than extracted from, the Congo. The horror, however, could only be concealed for so long. A fella by the name of Ed Morell who worked for a shipping company in Liverpool noticed the bounty of ivory and rubber arriving from the Congo, with only men and arms making the journey back. His suspicion grew, he found accounts from missionaries and others who had been, and mounted a campaign to undermine the constant wall of propaganda Leopold had financed.In 1908, the Belgium state purchased the Congo off Leopold… where the country remained a colony of Belgium until 1960. And for a myriad of reasons, for which we address in the podcast, the Congo today is still on the back foot. Kinshasa, the capital city already has a bigger population than Paris, and is projected to be as much as 40,000,000 by 2050. The Congo today is among the most resource rich nations on earth, but among the least developed. It still attracts the same predation for extraction as it ever has, although all together less forceful and less violentThe man I speak with on the podcast today wrote the definitive history of this period. His name is Adam Hochschild, he’s an author, journalist and historian and wrote in 1998, 'King Leopold's Ghost'. 00:00 Congo's Dark History & Adam Hochschild03:03 Leopold's Brutal Regime09:02 Modern Parallels of Exploitation12:11 The Unique Case of King Leopold14:58 The Mechanics of Control & Media Manipulation20:45 Campaigning Against Atrocities: The Legacy of Morrell34:22 Colonialism and Forced Labor: The Belgian Congo36:16 The Rubber Boom and Its Consequences38:09 Criticism Of The Book & Congolese Resistance42:57 Nationalism and Colonialism: Morel's Perspective44:48 The Impact of Colonialism on Modern Nations47:17 Geography and Development: The Congo's Challenges49:51 Natural Resources and Corruption52:27 The Future of the Congo: A Grim Outlook57:22 Serendipity(There was an technical difficulty right at the end of the conversation, which is why it cuts off) Consider leaving a review on whichever platform you're listening on!🍻☕: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ryanhoggFollow me on Instagram – @ryanfhoggFollow me on Twitter - https://x.com/ryannfhogg

In this engaging discussion, Swedish journalist Axel Humlesjö reveals the staggering reality of money laundering in Europe, identifying it as the most pressing societal issue today. He digs into his work on the Swedbank scandal and the dark connections between organized crime and political corruption. Axel also sheds light on the psychological manipulation techniques, like honey traps, employed by Russian spies. He emphasizes the critical role of collaborative journalism and the evolving landscape of media in combating these shadowy financial operations.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/4MWFzPXQPY8Curious Worldview Newsletter - https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribeTaiwan is the greatest geopolitical question of the 21st century says Kerry Brown,  sinologist, and former Diplomat to the British Embassy in Beijing. He is, I am thrilled to say the guest on todays podcast. A sinologist is a scholar and expert of China, its language, history, politics, and culture - and the theme today is top to bottom the myriad questions looming over one of the largest political issues for China… Taiwan. Kerry published a book last year called The Taiwan Story: How a Small Island Will Dictate the Global Future. It is marvelous, and my hope was to do as much justice to the various questions which Kerry approaches Taiwan with as possible in a brief podcast.The big questions being, the economy, given Taiwan’s semi conductor supremacy with its home grown TSMC, the perplexing idea that Xi would view Taiwanese reunification as the most significant achievement to his legacy, how a more fractured, less unified global order creates lots of wiggle room, Taiwan’s history, and that despite having 95% Han ethnicity, what is it about Taiwan which makes them a distinctly different culture to China, Kerrys feeling for the inevitability of an attempt at reunification and lots more between those cracks. 00:00 - Kerry Brown01:20 - Big Opportunity For China04:13 - Brief Taiwan History07:33 - TSMC24:09 - What China Thinks Of Taiwan37:42 - Taiwanese Identity & Culture50:14 - It’s All Xi52:35 - Opinions Of Taiwan58:30 - Kerry’s Life Work1:06:00 - Kevin Rudd & Australia1:16:30 - Indonesia & Serendipity🍻☕: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ryanhoggFollow me on Instagram – @ryanfhogg

Robert Kaplan, a veteran geopolitical analyst and author of acclaimed works like 'The Revenge of Geography', dives deep into the decline of the international rules-based order. He discusses the growing influence of geography in shaping politics and conflicts, emphasizing the critical role of regional military alliances. Kaplan critiques leadership styles, contrasting utopian ideals with a tragic view of governance. He also explores the transformative impact of technology, particularly drones, on modern warfare and geopolitical dynamics, while reflecting on Australia’s strategic position in a volatile world.

Marcel Dirsus, a German political scientist and former beer brewer in the Congo, dives into the intriguing world of tyranny and authoritarianism. He shares insights from his interviews with dissidents and dictators, revealing their common traits and fears. Topics include how geography impacts the rise of authoritarian regimes, the lasting effects of colonial legacies in Africa, and the challenges they face. Marcel also discusses the potential for nonviolent resistance, exemplified by the fall of the GDR, and examines the complexities of global diplomacy in an era of rising autocracies.

Gregory Zuckerman, a Wall Street Journal GOAT and renowned author, dives into the enigmatic world of Jim Simons and Renaissance Technologies. He reveals the secretive nature of hedge funds and their innovative data analysis techniques. Zuckerman discusses the complexities of success in finance versus academia, the challenges of market uncertainty highlighted by Nassim Taleb, and the vital role of effective communication in journalism. He also reflects on the serendipitous moments that shape careers and the declining state of quality journalism.

Bradley Hope, an investigative journalist and co-author of "Blood & Oil," shares insights into the fascinating yet complex world of Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). He discusses MBS’s rise to power and the controversial Ritz crackdown. The conversation dives into sportswashing, examining how Saudi Arabia uses sports for image enhancement, and explores ambitious projects like NEOM. Hope also sheds light on the evolving US-Saudi relationship and the significant influence of sovereign wealth funds, making this a deep investigation into modern Saudi politics and culture.

Christopher Marquis, a Professor at the Judge Business School in Cambridge and author of "Profiteers," delves into the hidden costs of corporate practices. He discusses how industries like agriculture and fast fashion externalize their negative impacts, often at the expense of society and the environment. Marquis introduces concepts like the externality iceberg and critiques the gap between consumer awareness and ethical choices, particularly in the chocolate industry. He also highlights the dangers of greenwashing and the environmental costs tied to modern technology.

In this compelling discussion, Zhala Bayramova, a fearless human rights lawyer and daughter of political prisoner Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, shares her harrowing journey. She delves into the chilling climate of oppression in Azerbaijan and the struggles activists face amid increasing government control. Zhala highlights the unique challenges for women and youth, including their fight for educational opportunities abroad. Her heartfelt narrative emphasizes the emotional toll of her family's advocacy for her father's release while exposing Azerbaijan's threatening role in European stability.

James Robinson, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and co-author of "Why Nations Fail," dives deep into the nuances of economic development. He discusses the crucial distinction between extractive and inclusive institutions, shedding light on how they shape a nation's prosperity. Robinson also critiques historical governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo compared to Botswana, highlighting the importance of understanding African contexts. The conversation touches on corruption's role in the drug trade and unwraps Africa's vast, untapped economic potential, offering a fresh perspective on meritocracy and growth.