The Heat Podcast

April 17, 2021

Ukraine-Russia tensions

Will the latest tensions between Russia and Ukraine plunge the region into another crisis? Mike Walter spoke with Volodymyr Yelchenko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. and American University professor Anton Fedyashin.

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July 28, 2020

China’s Mission to Mars

China has launched an ambitious mission to Mars. It’ll attempt to deploy an orbiter, lander and rover after the Tianwen-1 spacecraft enters Mars’ orbit in February. If it succeeds, China will become the first nation to achieve such a complex feat.

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The Jakarta Method: A history of U.S. intervention and mass murder
May 28, 2020

The Jakarta Method: A history of U.S. intervention and mass murder

The United States history of anti-communism – and intervention in foreign nations – has had a deadly impact from Asia to Latin America and beyond. For fresh insights, we’re joined by Vincent Bevins – an American journalist and author of The Jakarta Method: Washington’s Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program that Shaped Our World.

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Donald Trump speaks to supporters
May 25, 2020

COVID-19: Could politics and sports reignite the U.S. pandemic?

U.S. President Trump is pressuring North Carolina’s governor to let Republicans host up to 50,000 people at their August convention. But do any mass gatherings risk reigniting the deadly pandemic? And what about sports? We were joined by Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF.

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Line for food bank
May 13, 2020

COVID-19: Reality check on U.S. jobs and economy

As workers and their families struggle with loss of income and uncertainty – U.S. policy makers scramble to find a way out of a downward economic spiral. But will efforts to re-open the economy cost further loss to livelihood – and lives? We were joined by John Quelch – Dean of the Miami Herbert Business School at the University of Miami.

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Have US attacks on China gone too far?
May 6, 2020

COVID-19: Have U.S. attacks on China gone too far?

As the Trump administration faces criticism for lack of preparation and handling of the COVID-19 crisis – how far will it go in its attempts to blame China? What effect will these attacks have on global efforts to fight the pandemic? We’re joined by Martin Jacques, global affairs commentator, academic, and author of the book When China Rules the World.

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COVID-19: Migrant farmworkers are 'essential' but unprotected in U.S.
April 22, 2020

COVID-19: Migrant farmworkers ‘essential’ but unsafe in U.S.

Migrant farmworkers are deemed ‘essential’ in the U.S. to keep the economy going – and food on the table. But conditions at farms create great risk for catching and spreading coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Trump administration wants to cut their pay. Leydy Rangel of United Farm Workers Foundation joins us to discuss the lack of safety – and justice – for America’s migrant farmers.

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COVID-19: WHY U.S. NURSES FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES
April 3, 2020

COVID-19: Why U.S. nurses fear for their lives

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in the U.S., shortages of basic safety supplies, such as masks and gowns, endangers the lives of nurses and other health professionals – as they attempt to heal the sick. We speak to Zenei Cortez, a registered nurse and co-president of National Nurses United, about the life threatening burden placed on U.S. health workers.

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March 30, 2020

COVID-19: UnHoused podcaster warns homeless are at grave risk

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, many U.S. states are under a strict “shelter in place” order. But what does “shelter in place” mean to those without a home? Sharing a perspective directly from the homeless community is Theo Henderson – an activist and host of the podcast, “We the Unhoused.” Theo, himself, is also Unhoused.

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Italian nurse Elena Pagliarini passed out on her desk
March 24, 2020

COVID-19: How much can Italy endure?

Over the weekend, Italy’s death toll from COVID-19 passed 5,000. That’s the highest of any country – including China – since the global pandemic began. We spoke to Seema Gupta, an independent journalist based in Rome, about the life or death struggles faced by the government, healthcare workers, and the public during this escalating crisis.

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Poll worker in Florida on Tuesday's primary.
March 19, 2020

COVID-19: How pandemic is impacting U.S. elections

Under the shadow of a growing pandemic, three U.S. states held presidential primaries on Tuesday. But are in-person primaries are safe during the outbreak? And how have the politics of the election been transformed? Joining us to discuss the effect COVID-19 is having on U.S. elections is Steve Chaggaris, an independent journalist and political analyst based in Washington, DC.

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March 17, 2020

COVID-19: Who should we trust?

COVID-19 has affected our work, travel, social life, financial security, and ability to plan for the future. But how can we break past conflicting messages from science, media and political leaders? Joining us to talk about information, misinformation – and how to avoid panic – is risk and behavioral scientist Dr. Sweta Chakrabourty.

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Chart tracking medical symptoms
March 13, 2020

COVID-19: Is it time for you to self-quarantine?

With COVID-19 now a global pandemic, people around the world have been told to self-quarantine to reduce the spread of the virus. But how do you decide if it’s necessary for you, or your family? To help us look at questions around when – and how – to self quarantine, we’re joined by Dr. Sweta Chakraborty, a risk and behavioral scientist based in Washington, D.C..

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Hindus carrying pickaxes and iron rods hurled rocks at Muslims
March 5, 2020

Why India’s religious violence is on the rise

After months of protests over a controversial citizenship law, India is now dealing with some of its worst religious violence in decades. Are the recent policies and rhetoric of President Narendra Modi’s government – which many call “nationalistic” – fueling these attacks? With us to discuss the most recent violence in India is author and economic expert Salman Aneez Soz.

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Blood stains the ground
March 3, 2020

Can Afghanistan ever find peace with the Taliban?

On Saturday, the U.S. and Afghanistan’s Taliban signed a peace deal. Less than 72 hours later, a bombing attack at a football game in Khost province has raised doubts it can last. Is there any hope? To discuss the reality of making peace with the Taliban, we were joined by Tabish Forugh, a former official with the Afghan government, and a political analyst.

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March 2, 2020

Why the Philippines want the U.S. military to leave

The Philippines has officially ended the VFA, which allows U.S. troops in the country for joint exercises and training. How will this affect regional balance of power moving forward? With us to discuss the Philippines decision is Brian Becker, Executive Director for the ANSWER coalition based in Washington, D.C..

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February 26, 2020

How coronavirus is infecting the world economy

With the world’s economy more interdependent than ever – how are governments and business leaders handling the crisis? And will we be prepared if the virus – and its economic effects – continue to spread? We speak to Arthur Dong, professor at Georgetown University’s School of Business in Washington, D.C. and advisor to U.S. firms operating in China.

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PODCAST - Iran elections
February 25, 2020

Iran hardliners gain power as coronavirus spreads

Between voter apathy, boycotts, and fears of Coronavirus – turnout for Iran’s parliamentary elections was the lowest since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979. With us to talk about disillusionment among Iran’s voters is Ghanbar Naderi. He’s an Iranian journalist and political commentator in Tehran.

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Refugee child in van leaving Idlib
February 21, 2020

Will Syria’s Idlib offensive spark the war’s worst refugee crisis?

Syrian forces continue their advance to retake Idlib province – an opposition held area on the border of the two countries. Many fear a new refugee and security crisis will overtake Turkey and the region. Edmund Ghareeb, a professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs joins us to discuss where the latest crisis will lead.

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