The World Next Week

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 

Russia holds its presidential election with the Kremlin aiming to orchestrate a sweeping endorsement of President Vladimir Putin; the U.S. Congress continues its partisan battles over the 2024 budget as concerns of shutdown and aid to allies mount; the U.S. Library of Congress flexes its soft power by awarding Elton John and Bernie Taupin with the Gershwin Prize; and the crisis in Haiti worsens.    Mentioned on the Podcast   John Bresnahan and Jake Sherman, “UNRWA Funding Emerges as Sticking Point in FY 2024 Spending Talks,” Punchbowl   Liana Fix and Maria Snegovaya, “Leadership Change in Russia,” CFR.org   From the Catbird Seat, Library of Congress   Thomas Graham, “Why Russia’s Election Matters to Putin,” CFR.org   Michael Kimmage and Maria Lipman, “Forever Putinism: The Russian Autocrat’s Answer to the Problem of Succession,” Foreign Affairs   Putin's Approval Ratings, Levada-Center   Brett Zongker, “Elton John & Bernie Taupin = 2024 Gershwin Prize,” Library of Congress Blog   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/russias-gloomy-elections-us-budget-divisions-elton-john-bernie-taupin-awarded-and-more   

Negotiators attempt to establish a six-week cease-fire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas before the start of the sacred Islamic month of Ramadan; Portugal holds a snap parliamentary election with a far-right party gaining traction; international films gain prominence at the ninety-sixth Academy Awards; and Chinese President Xi Jinping breaks with the thirty-year tradition of the premier’s press conference after the National People’s Congress.   Mentioned on the Podcast   J.A. Bayona, Society of the Snow   Ilker Çatak, The Teachers’ Lounge   Manohla Dargis, “‘The Zone of Interest’ Review: The Holocaust, Reduced to Background Noise,” New York Times   Matteo Garrone, Io Capitano   Greta Gerwig, Barbie   Johnathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest   Andrea Kannapell, Hwaida Saad, and Michael D. Shear, “‘We Need a Cease-Fire,’ Biden Says.” New York Times   Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things   Françoise Mouly, “Barry Blitt’s ‘Slappenheimer’,” New Yorker   Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer   Celine Song, Past Lives   Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall   Wim Wenders, Perfect Days   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at:  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/ramadan-cease-fire-prospects-portugals-snap-election-oscars-go-international-and-more