Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

In the absence of decisive US leadership, it could fall to Middle Eastern leaders to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and create sustainable pathways to peace. A stable, post-American regional order is in the interests of most Middle Eastern powers, but does anyone have the political will to take the lead?Guest: Dr Sanam Vakil - director of the Middle East and North Africa programme, Chatham House.Recommendations:Geraldine - Reading: 10 books to help you understand Israel and Palestine, recommended by experts (The Conversation)Hamish - Reading: Royal Bodies, essay by Hilary Mantel (London Review of Books)Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Exploring the uncertainties in Xi Jinping's leadership amid economic challenges in China. Discussing the evolving diplomatic landscape and power struggles. Analyzing Australia-China relations and the Orcus Agreement. Reflecting on former prime minister meetings and changing dynamics in Chinese society. Navigating China's geopolitical landscape with insights on leadership roles. Recommendations on Cold War documentaries and China's history.

A new global arms race is on, to develop and control AI. But with so much power and profit tied up in this transformative new technology, is it in anyone's interest to ask where this new age of empire might lead? AI expert Anu Bradford says if we don't put proper guardrails in place soon, the consequences could be dire. Guest: Anu Bradford - Professor at Columbia Law School and author of Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology.Recommendations:Hamish: The Age of AI Has Begun by Bill Gatesand 'Way too much news': US conservatives face a fragmented media map - Financial TimesGeraldine: Israel Must Decide Where It’s Going—and Who Should Lead It There - Ehud Barak in Foreign AffairsGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

As a resistance fighter turned statesman, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has devoted his life to the struggle for Timorese independence. On the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia summit, he opened up to Geraldine and Hamish about why he is such a staunch advocate for processing the gas from the Greater Sunrise project onshore in Timor-Leste and what his dreams are for his country.  

Sitting down with Geraldine and Hamish on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed his desire for Australia to adopt a more 'mature' approach on China, his frustration at Western 'hypocrisy' concerning Gaza, achieving 'spiritual enlightenment' through Shakespeare and why being Prime Minister is no 'bed of roses'. Recommendations:Past episodes of Global Roaming

As the war in Ukraine grinds into its third year, it's increasingly becoming a battle for hearts and minds. Angela Stent has met Putin - 16 times - and she says it's this war for global influence that Putin thinks he is winning. Recommendations:Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski speaking at the UN Security Council - listen hereBBC The Briefing Room podcast - How is technology changing warfare?Masha Gessen in the New Yorker - The Death of Alexei Navalny, Putin's Most Formidable Opponent Correction: Hamish incorrectly referred to Masha Gessen using she/her pronouns. Masha Gessen is nonbinary and trans and uses they/them pronouns. 

Big decisions are being made about the future of Australian defence, with very little public debate. Highly esteemed defence strategist Hugh White is trying to inspire this national conversation. He joins Geraldine and Hamish to discuss why he thinks AUKUS is a mistake and what he thinks Australia needs to do instead, if we really want to secure ourselves in a rapidly contested region.Recommendations:Geraldine: Navalny - documentary. Available on SBS On Demand until 20 April 2024Hamish: Essay by Hervé Lemahieu in Australian Foreign Affairs journal (AFA20 - February 2024), proposing that Australia pursue a common travel area and an integrated digital market with the Pacific.

Financial Times journalist Gideon Rachman says the world order is fundamentally shifting, and not in a good way.Recommendations: Hamish: In the Time of Madness – Richard Lloyd Parry (Book) Geraldine: Lunch with Prabowo, by Ben Bland at the Financial Times Nemesis, Series 1 Episode 3 The Morrison Years, ABC 

What might this upcoming election mean for the Indonesia - Australia relationship? Recommendations:Hamish: Sarah Snook on The Today Programme – BBC Radio 4Geraldine: A Year Of Living Dangerously – Book by Christopher Koch

Following the death of three Americans, pressure is growing on President Biden to take a stronger stance against Iran. Few, however, are asking what the mood is inside Iran, and who is pulling the strings? Iran scholar Ali Ansari argues that understanding this is imperative in determining what should come next. Recommendations: Hamish: Tom Friedman - A Titanic Geopolitical Struggle is Underway - New York Times.Geraldine: A Separation - Film available Apple TVReading Lolita in Tehran - Book by Azar Nafisi