Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

He's young, he's slick, he's social media savvy and he rules with an iron first. Meet Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador who has quickly become an icon of the global right. He might style himself as the 'world's coolest dictator' and a 'philosopher king', but this leader is not like other authoritarian rulers. For a start, he's incredibly popular both at home and abroad - befriending the likes of Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. His rapid crackdown on gang-related crime has been labelled the 'Bukele miracle' and is being seen everywhere from Ecuador to America as a model to emulate. But it hasn't come without a steep cost... Journalist Vera Bergengruen is one of the only foreign journalists to have met and interviewed President Nayib Bukele. She wrote a profile of him for TIME Magazine. She speaks to Geraldine Doogue (2025 Andrew Olle lecture) and Hamish Macdonald (ABC Sydney Mornings, The Project) about what Nayib Bukele is really like. Recommendations:Geraldine: How are drones changing the landscape of modern warfare?   | BBC, The Inquiry podcast.Hamish: The 'evil drug' and court case that almost broke Alex Lloyd | Australian StoryGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

It’s not every day a foreign leader calls the Australian Prime Minister “weak” and accuses him of betraying the country’s Jewish community. But that’s exactly what Benjamin Netanyahu did this week, after the Albanese government announced its intention to recognise a Palestinian state and cancelled a visa for far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman.  Meanwhile, over in Washington, Donald Trump hosted Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, this time flanked by a chorus of European leaders including Macron, Starmer and Meloni.  In this bonus episode, Geraldine and Hamish analyse the two big foreign policy dramas that have been lighting up headlines this week. Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

In this conversation with Anna Nemtsova, a Russian-born journalist and expert on contemporary Russia, listeners are offered an eye-opening glimpse into Putin's regime. She discusses the paradox of Moscow's breathtaking beauty against a backdrop of oppression and political repression. The podcast explores how young Russians navigate identity amid national pride and European perspectives. Additionally, Anna sheds light on daily life under the government's pro-war narrative, revealing the complex sentiments of citizens who balance vibrant living with stringent control.

In a historic move, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this afternoon announced that Australia will move to recognise a state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly next month, with a condition that terror group Hamas play no role in its future governance. Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald react to the news and discuss the significance of Australia's decision to follow other Western governments in taking this step. They also question what comes next, how Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might react to the news and whether this can actually make any difference on the ground in Gaza. Want to share your thoughts with us about today's news?We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Where do the arms involved in conflicts worldwide come from and who bears responsibility for how they are used in war?The US is by far the world's largest weapons manufacturer and exporter, accounting for around 40% of global exports. Many of these arms go to Israel and transfers have been supercharged since the start of the military assault on Gaza. Australia is also a player in the global arms trade, with a particular manufacturing role in the F-35 joint strike fighter program. With the Australian government taking a strong line on the humanitarian situation, why are we simultaneously transferring component parts for military jets that are striking Gaza?Guest: Josh Paul, former Director of Congressional and Public Affairs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in the US Department of State who resigned in protest at US arms shipments to Israel Statement from the Australian Department of Defence:"Australia has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel since the Israel-Gaza conflict began and not for at least the past five years.The F-35 relies on a global supply chain – one that is centrally coordinated by Lockheed Martin and the US Government.As a part of the global F-35 supply chain, Australian industry contributes components and parts, but the Australian Government does not have a direct bilateral arrangement with the Government of Israel in relation to the F-35 program."Recommendations:Geraldine: VJ Day in Australia newsreel, British MovietoneHamish: 'The World Since October 7', Adam Shatz in the London Review of BooksGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

This week, the prospect of Palestinian statehood suddenly became tangible, with the UK, France and Canada promising to recognise Palestine at the UN general assembly in September. Whether Australia will follow suit remains to be seen.  What can history tell us about the formation of new states out of violent conflict? Guest: Sir Christopher Clark, professor of history at the University of Cambridge Recommendations:Geraldine: 'The wrong way to respond to antisemitism', Inside StoryHamish: Andrew Olle Media Lecture 2025, presented by Geraldine Doogue, ABC iViewGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

A weekly examination of world affairs with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald.

Despite living through continued death, displacement and destruction, Palestinians still dream of a better future.What does that look like for Gazans and people in the West Bank, is a two-state solution still a viable option? And who will lead them after the war?Guest: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, Gazan-American and nonresident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council.Recommendations:Geraldine: Emily: I Am Kam, SBS on DemandHamish: I ran DFAT. I hope Elbridge Colby sinks AUKUS for Australia, AFRGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Anthony Albanese has finally got a meeting with a president, but it's not the one some are so desperate to see.The Prime Minister sets off on a six-day official visit to China while there is still no date set for a face-to-face with Donald Trump.But does that actually matter, and what does President Xi want from Australia?Guest: Dr Joseph Torigian, research fellow at Stanford University Hoover History Lab, associate professor at American University. Author of The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi JinpingRecommendations:Geraldine: John Curtin remains our greatest PM, 80 years after his death, with a living legacy, The AustralianHamish: Louis Theroux: The Settlers, ABC iViewGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

It's sometimes described as a 'dance with the devil', but can populism also deliver for citizens?As some democracies stall, how are populist leaders like Giorgia Meloni and Javier Millei managing to solve decades-long problems?Is there such a thing as 'good' populism?Guest: Professor Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow at Stanford University, author of Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American ComplacencyRecommendations:Geraldine: 'The Zelenskyy Story', SBS On DemandHamish: 'When Does Populism Become a Threat to Democracy?', speech by Larry DiamondLarry: Chip War, by Chris MillerGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au