2024 has been an extraordinary year in terms of global affairs. And as we try to wind down, events internationally have been ramping up.Global Roaming's inaugural year has been packed, and we thank our audience for being so engaged. This episode we highlight some of those moments and look back at what an incredible year it's been around the world.GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

A short bonus episode where Geraldine and Hamish discuss the shock fall of Damascus, and the rest of Syria, to opposition group Hayat Tahir al-Sham. The hardline Sunni Islamic group has its roots in Al Qaeda but has refined its image to be more moderate. With Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and family getting asylum in Russia, Syrians around the world are celebrating. But what happens next?RECOMMENDATIONS:Hamish: New Yorker: How Syria became the Middle East's drug dealerGeraldine:  Firas Maksad with the Middle East InstituteGET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

When Hamish visited Finland he met up with Finland's Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz - although unfortunately not in a sauna.But they do discuss the importance of saunas in keeping Finnish society egalitarian. And of course its focus on public education. Finland takes a holistic approach that gives teachers freedom and flexibility to teach multiple subjects together - a lesson might include maths, geography and art. Schools also focus on creativity, play and practical skills but don't test until the final years. And now the curriculum includes lessons on decoding fake news and assessing online sources for reliability.RECOMMENDATIONS:When Anders Adlercreutz’s cello performance of a patriotic Ukrainian song was widely shared it attracted backlash from Russian officials.GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Why is Germany in a bit of a funk? How did the superstar of Europe go so far off the rails - even the German trains aren't running on time.Germany is governed by a three party centre-left coalition that's in disarray, a snap election has been called for February, and polls show the main ruling SPD party is set to suffer a big loss. Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is the second most popular party.Tobias Cremer is a German member of the European Parliament and he’s with the SPD party. But he was only elected a few months back so still has several years in parliament, at least. Tobias also has an interesting background researching the relationship between religion, secularisation and the rise of right-wing identity politics throughout western societies.RECOMMENDATIONS:Geraldine:  The Granddaughter By Bernhard SchlinkHamish:  The Quiet German feature in The New Yorker GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Last week New Zealand parliament went viral when MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke performed a haka and tore up a controversial bill. And this week tens of thousands of New Zealanders marched in protest, opposing the bill. At the heart of the debate is the Treaty of Waitangi and a bill that seeks to reinterpret it, with some fearing it will dilute Maori rights. Guest: Taiha Molyneux, Māori News Editor Radio New Zealand RECOMMENDATIONS: Hamish - Rear Vision episode on the Treaty of Waitangi and the podcast The Last Voyage of the Rainbow WarriorGeraldine - Fateful mix: Great powers, strongman leaders and manifest destinies, essay by Michael Wesley in Australian Foreign AffairsGET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Much has been going on around the world this year so climate and environment have taken a back seat. Now with the US electing a president who calls climate change a hoax, how will conversations and actions change globally? Perhaps there are opportunities for Australia as China increases its dominance. Martijn Wilder joins us to discuss - and it's not all bad. Martijn founded Pollination, a climate change advisory and investment firm that's working to speed up the transition to net zero. But he's worked in climate law and policy for many years, advising governments and organisations. RECOMMENDATIONS:Geraldine: Documentary film Martha on Netflix Hamish:  The Jury: Death on the Staircase  directed by Tosca Looby on SBS on DemandGET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Donald Trump has a mandate to do what he promised after winning easily. But how far will he actually go and how fast? And will he try to unite the country a little, as hinted at in his victory speech? Jonathan Swan, who’s been covering Trump for close to a decade, warns that Trump's been emboldened to take more risk, and little stands in his way this time. Swan is a reporter for The New York Times covering national politics and the US government but known for his Emmy-award winning interview with Trump when he was president.RECOMMENDATIONS:Hamish:  The Great Global Rebalancing with Dr Samir Puri  - episode of War Studies podcastGeraldine: Noble Fragments: The maverick who broke up the world’s greatest book, by Michael VisontayGET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Deborah Berry, a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent for USA Today, shares insights from the frontlines of Georgia, revealing the sentiments behind early voting and rising political tensions. Political scientist Rachel Bitecofer discusses her 'negative partisanship' strategy for Democrats, emphasizing the importance of opposition over policy. They tackle the fears of election workers amid threats and the complexities of voter apathy. The conversation sheds light on the unpredictable nature of U.S. elections and the polarized political landscape, particularly around key issues like reproductive rights.

Our friends at If You're Listening have a new series about the US presidential election that we want to tell you about. Donald Trump still refuses to accept the result of the 2020 election. Now he’s on the ballot again, and in his campaign against Kamala Harris he’s calling on his supporters to make the race ‘too big to rig’. In America's Last Election, Matt Bevan leaves his basement and heads to the US, examining the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election and what it means for the vote this November. Find the latest episodes by searching for If You're Listening in the ABC listen app. 

Sir Niall Ferguson, a renowned economic historian at Stanford, discusses the pressing threats facing American democracy beyond Donald Trump. He highlights the stark implications of the upcoming US election, questioning the narratives surrounding voter sentiment and polarization. Ferguson draws alarming parallels between American despair and post-Soviet mortality rates. He also emphasizes the need for geopolitical détente, particularly in relation to Taiwan, warning of the complexities in current global tensions.