Iran’s regime carefully vets candidates for new presidential elections after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash; Israeli leadership reacts to the International Criminal Court (ICC) request for warrants to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant; South Africa prepares for a general election that could contest the ruling African National Congress’ long-standing majority; and Taiwan inaugurates Lai Ching-te as the new president, aggravating China.   Mentioned on the Podcast   Elbridge Colby, “America Must Face Reality and Prioritize China Over Europe,” Financial Times   Virtual Media Briefing: Iran After Raisi and New ICC Charges, Council on Foreign Relations   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/irans-succession-woes-icc-angers-israel-south-africas-election-and-more 

Ukraine rushes to push back against a new Russian offensive in its northeast Kharkiv region; U.S. President Joe Biden invites Kenyan President William Ruto for a state visit, the first U.S. state visit for an African leader since 2008; London’s High Court decides on whether to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to stand trial; and tens of thousands protest in Tbilisi, Georgia, after its parliament passes the controversial “foreign agents” bill.   Mentioned on the Podcast   Rachel Chason, “U.S. Threats Led to Rupture of Vital Military Ties, Nigerien Leader Says,” Washington Post   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ukraine-tries-halt-russian-advance-biden-woos-kenya-fate-assange-and-more 

Israel’s newest military operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah stirs concerns of catastrophe for Palestinians in Gaza, and prompts the United States to condition its offensive military aid for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war broke out; Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meet in Ankara, Turkey, to continue their diplomatic efforts; the seventy-seventh Cannes Film Festival showcases new films ranging from niche to blockbuster; and Russian President Vladimir Putin orders tactical nuclear weapon drills as a signal to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).   Mentioned on the Podcast   Ali Abbasi, The Apprentice    “Anyone Who’s on the Ground in Gaza is in ‘Danger,’ WFP Chief McCain Says,” NBC News   Jacques Audilard, Emilia Perez   Christina Bouri and Diana Roy, “Few Options for Gazans as Israel Enters Rafah,” CFR.org   Francis Ford Coppola, Megalopolis    David Cronenberg, The Shrouds    “Emmanuel Macron In His Own Words,” Economist   Yorgos Lanthimos, Kinds of Kindness    George Miller, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga     War in Gaza Update: The Rafah Incursion and Negotiations Over Hostage Release and Ceasefire, Council on Foreign Relations   “Why Lithuania is Considering Sending Soldiers to Ukraine,” Financial Times For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/israels-rafah-plans-greece-and-turkey-boost-diplomacy-cannes-festival-unveils-new-films  

In this special episode to mark World Press Freedom Day, Jeffrey Gedmin, cofounder and editor-in-chief of American Purpose and former president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, joins Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins to discuss the global state of press freedom. They cover the challenges that a growing number of journalists face in exile or imprisonment, the U.S. role in upholding freedom of the press, and more.    Mentioned on the Podcast   “Exile Journalists Map—Fleeing to Europe and North America,” Reporters Without Borders   “Media Freedom,” Freedom House   2023 World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders   Journalists:    Parnaz Azima   Jamal Khashoggi   Alsu Kurmasheva   Monica Lovinescu   Georgi Markov   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/world-press-freedom-day-2024-mounting-threats-renewed-purpose 

Topics covered include Blinken's tense visit to China amidst military support for Russia, concerns over workers' rights on International Workers' Day, and the US resuming Ukraine aid. Discussions range from human rights reports to global military spending.

Podcast discusses aftermath of Iran's attack on Israel, EU support for Ukraine, India's massive elections, and coral reef bleaching. Topics include Middle East conflict, Russian attacks, Modi's BJP party, and environmental impact of warming waters.

Regina Garcia discusses Congress's agenda, Sudan's civil war, and Ecuador's breach of international law by raiding the Mexican embassy. Topics include FISA reauthorization, Ukraine aid package, Sudanese displacement crisis, and Ecuadorian Vice President's arrest at the Mexican embassy.

Rwanda reflects on 30th genocide anniversary, U.S.-Japan-Philippines summit, ABBA's Eurovision win celebrated. Istanbul mayor's election a rebuke to Erdogan. Explore Rwanda's past, global community role, ABBA's Eurovision triumph, and political shifts in Turkey.

Tensions rise between US and Israel over Gaza ceasefire; Putin contemplates response to ISIS-K attack in Moscow; Cuban government cracks down on protests over food shortages; Bolsonaro found staying at Hungarian embassy; intricate alliances among global strongmen revealed

Senegal holds its postponed presidential election amid fears of democratic backsliding; Slovakia chooses a new president in voting that could bolster Prime Minister Robert Fico’s illiberal tilt; Pakistan and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan exchange blows after a string of terrorist attacks on Pakistani territory; nuclear energy gets a boost at a first-ever summit in Brussels, Belgium; and the European Union provides Egypt with $8 billion worth of aid.    For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/senegal-and-slovakia-elections-pakistan-and-afghan-taliban-clash-nuclear-energy-gains