America Abroad

America Abroad

An hour-long audio journey deep inside an international news story.

Haitham Dagher and his girlfriend Satu in their apartment in Oulu

One Iraqi’s struggle to get refugee status in Finland might hinge on his religion

An Iraqi refugee tries to stay in Finland, but faces unexpected obstacles.

One Iraqi’s struggle to get refugee status in Finland might hinge on his religion
iraq town hall

After ISIS, will Iraq’s elections be the next step to stability?

After ISIS, will Iraq’s elections be the next step to stability?
putin rt

Putin’s media strategy? 'A free jazz orchestra.'

Putin’s media strategy? 'A free jazz orchestra.'
RT van

Russia's RT is contesting the very meaning of 'truth'

Russia's RT is contesting the very meaning of 'truth'
rykov insta

The man who taught the Kremlin how to win the internet

The man who taught the Kremlin how to win the internet
Yiwu warehouse

When the US bows out of nation-building, China steps in

Unlike Western nations, China doesn't demand democratic reform or human rights standards when engaging with states with weak or failing governments. Syria is a case in point.

When the US bows out of nation-building, China steps in
shawarma

Pro-opposition Syrians in Turkey grapple with losing the war

For many of the Syrians in Turkey who fought in, or rooted for the opposition, the bloodshed is ending in death and destruction with no freedom.

Pro-opposition Syrians in Turkey grapple with losing the war
turkey astronomy

In Turkey, scientific progress isn't perfect

Turkey is making advances in its scientific infrastructure — like its brand new astronomical observatory. But the new science curriculum for high schoolers leaves out the theory of evolution.

In Turkey, scientific progress isn't perfect
aleppo

Foreign policy and fragile states: A town hall discussion

"There is a history of unexpected threats emerging from unexpected places, as we learned from Afghanistan. It is in both our national security interest and in line with our values to help fragile states."

Foreign policy and fragile states: A town hall discussion
sesame

How Jordan's particle accelerator is bringing together Middle East enemies

“Of course we have echoes of what’s happening in the region, but when you put scientists together, they tend to talk about science.”

How Jordan's particle accelerator is bringing together Middle East enemies
beijing mossack fonseca

In autocratic China, leakers beware

"China's ultimate goal is to use democracy to undermine democracy," says one expert on Chinese dissent.

In autocratic China, leakers beware
nawaz sharif

What's good for democracy can be bad for stability

The Panama Papers revealed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's offshore accounts. Mass protests demanded his ouster... and then the military took matters into their own hands.

What's good for democracy can be bad for stability
tikkakoski radar2

In Finland, a leak, a fire, and a massive expansion of government surveillance

When one Finnish journalist smashed her laptop with a hammer, causing it to catch fire, she didn't know that it would lead to one of the biggest debates about security and press freedom in Finnish history.

In Finland, a leak, a fire, and a massive expansion of government surveillance
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the first congress of the country's ruling Workers' Party in 36 years, in Pyongyang, North Korea on May 9, 2016.

Where things stand with North Korea

Frank Aum, a senior expert on North Korea at the United States Institute of Peace, assesses the current state of affairs between the US and North Korea.

Where things stand with North Korea
cervezeria insurgente

How a NAFTA repeal would affect Mexican business depends on who you ask

If the US leaves NAFTA, “we might have to go straight to Canada for our supplies,” says a Tijuana brewer.

How a NAFTA repeal would affect Mexican business depends on who you ask