WAC Houston

The war in Iran has dominated every headline. But in Gaza, there is no ceasefire. The suffering didn't pause; it just stopped being covered. In this episode, Maryanne Maldonado sits down with Dr. Alice Rothchild, physician, author, filmmaker, and one of the most unflinching voices on the Gaza crisis. A former Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School with nearly 40 years of practice as an OB-GYN, Dr. Rothchild has spent decades traveling to Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel, documenting what mainstream media doesn't show. She serves on the board of the Gaza Mental Health Foundation, is a member of the Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council, and has written multiple books on the human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Broken Promises, Broken Dreams, and On the Brink, translated into multiple languages. She's also a Jewish American who has dedicated her life to telling the Palestinian story. That combination, medical credibility, firsthand access, and moral courage, makes her one of the most important voices you can hear right now. While the world's attention shifts, Dr. Rothchild reminds us: Gaza is still there. And the people inside it still need the world to pay attention. Why Dr. Rothchild matters on this subject: Nearly 40 years as an OB-GYN, former Harvard Medical School faculty Has traveled to Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel repeatedly since the late 1990s Author of multiple books on Palestinian health and human rights Producer of the award-winning documentary Voices Across the Divide Board member, Gaza Mental Health Foundation Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council member Co-founder of Americans Jews for a Just Peace — Boston One of the few American Jewish voices with direct on-the-ground Gaza experience. Hosted by Maryanne Maldonado | The Greater Loop — A podcast of the World Affairs Council of Houston Subscribe for global affairs content that connects the world to your world.

The peace talks in Islamabad lasted just 21 hours. Hours later, the U.S. Navy began a full blockade of Iranian ports. And yet, a former Iranian Ambassador says this wasn't a collapse. It was progress. So what's really going on? Maryanne Maldonado sits down with Dr. Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian ambassador and one of the most closely watched voices on Iran-West relations, to decode the nuclear deadlock, the broken diplomacy, and whether there's any realistic path to a deal before the next escalation. From the JCPOA's collapse to zero-enrichment demands, from the Strait of Hormuz to China and Russia's quiet role, this is the conversation that goes beyond the headlines. Hosted by Maryanne Maldonado | The Greater Loop, A podcast of the World Affairs Council of Houston
Subscribe for global affairs content that con nects the world to your world. Topics covered: Why the Islamabad talks failed, and why Mousavian calls it progress Iran's nuclear red lines and the NPT rights dispute The U.S. naval blockade and what it signals to Tehran A proposed regional enrichment consortium as an alternative Who inside Iran is pushing for peace — and who isn't The Supreme Leader's ceasefire gamble Whether a second round of negotiations is still possible Check out our upcoming event with Amb. Sayed Mousavian on May 05! https://wachouston.org/event/iranian-ambassador/

The fall of Assad. The capture of Maduro. A ceasefire in Iran. On the surface, it looks like Russia is losing ground, but is it? Dr. Angela Stent, one of the world's leading experts on U.S.-Russia relations and author of Putin's World, says the picture is far more complicated than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Maryanne Maldonado sits down with Dr. Stent to unpack what's really happening inside Russia, whether Putin's grip on power is as strong as it appears, and what a Trump-era reset of U.S.-Russia relations actually means for Ukraine, Europe, and the global order we've taken for granted. From sanctions and oil revenues to NATO fractures and China's quiet role — this is the conversation that puts it all in context. Hosted by Maryanne Maldonado | The Global Lens — A podcast of the World Affairs Council of Houston Subscribe for global affairs content that connects the world to your world. Topics covered: Is Russia really losing influence — or just recalibrating? Putin's grip on power and rising domestic pressure The Trump-Putin relationship and what it means for Ukraine Why a negotiated peace remains out of reach Sanctions, oil revenues, and Russia's economic cracks Europe's fear that Russia's ambitions go beyond Ukraine China's role as Russia's most critical lifeline The shift toward a post-Western global order

Check Wafik Beydoun IN PERSON at our upcoming event on April 29th 2026.
https://wachouston.org/event/1080-global-oil-in-chaos-with-otc/
 
The Strait of Hormuz carries over 20% of the world's oil — and right now, it's at the center of a global energy crisis. Gas is hovering around $4 a gallon, emergency reserves are being tapped, and analysts warn that even if the conflict ends tomorrow, recovery could take months. To make sense of it all, Maryanne Maldonado sits down with Wafik Beydoun, an energy executive with four decades of experience across the global oil and gas industry.
He breaks down what's really happening inside major energy operators, why Asia is most exposed, whether renewables can actually step in, and how long everyday consumers should expect to feel the pain — at the pump and beyond. This is the episode for anyone trying to understand why a war on the other side of the world is showing up in your grocery bill.
Topics covered:
Strait of Hormuz shutdown & global oil supply
How energy companies respond to supply shocks
Emergency reserves — bridge or real solution?
Japan, South Korea, India & China's exposure
Renewables: catalyst or overnight fix?
Where the global energy industry is heading
 
Subscribe for more videos about global affairs and international politics!

India is rewriting the rules of global power, and nobody does it quite like New Delhi.
In this episode of The Global Lens, host Maryanne Maldonado sits down with Ambassador Rahul Chhabra, a 40-year veteran of Indian diplomacy, to break down how India is simultaneously managing its relationships with the United States, Russia, and China without fully committing to any of them.
From buying Russian oil while courting Washington, to resetting ties with China while keeping troops at the border, India is executing one of the most complex foreign policy balancing acts in modern history.
Ambassador Chhabra calls it "strategic autonomy", and he explains exactly what that means, why it works, and how long India can keep it up.  In this episode: Why India refuses to pick a side, and why that's actually strategic
How Trump's pressure on Modi over Russian oil is playing out India's tactical stabilization with China (and why it's not a real reset) The role of soft power in India's rise as a global force What India's rise actually means for Houston, Africa, and Southeast Asia Why India is now a rule-shaper, not a rule-taker
Whether you follow geopolitics closely or you're just trying to understand what's happening in the world right now, this conversation will give you the full picture. Want to see Ambassador Chhabra in person? He'll be speaking live in Houston on April 9, 2026, at Asia Society Texas.
Don't miss it
 
https://wachouston.org/event/1077-indias-global-leadership/ Subscribe so you never miss an episode.
#India #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy #IndiaChina #IndiaUS #BRICS #Modi #GlobalAffairs #Diplomacy #TheGlobalLens #WACHouston

Check out the upcoming live event that will cover these and many more topics on the 2026 World Health Day.
https://wachouston.org/event/2026-world-health-day/
Billions of people around the world lack access to basic healthcare — and most of us never hear about it.
In this episode, we speak with Walter Ulrich, CEO of Medical Bridges, a Houston-based nonprofit redistributing surplus medical supplies to under-resourced communities across 61 countries.
From war-torn Ukraine to crisis-stricken Haiti, Walter shares what the global health emergency actually looks like on the ground — and how small, agile organizations are making an outsized difference where large institutions fall short.
In this conversation, you'll learn: How conflict and war are systematically destroying healthcare infrastructure worldwide The critical supply shortages facing hospitals in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East Why nimble nonprofits often deliver aid faster and more effectively than governments
The story of a woman who survived a life-threatening pregnancy after a natural disaster — thanks to donated supplies from Houston What frontline workers in Ukraine and Gaza are facing right now How you can get involved — through volunteering, advocacy, or donation
Subscribe for more conversations on global affairs, humanitarian issues, and international security.
 
#GlobalHealth #MedicalBridges #HumanitarianAid #Healthcare #Ukraine #Haiti #NGO #Houston #WorldHealthDay #ForeignPolicy #GlobalAffairs

In a polarized era, history can become a subject of political contention. Many see America as perfect; many others argue that the national experiment is fundamentally flawed. The truth, Meacham shows, likely lies between these extremes. America has had shining hours, and also dark ones. In American Struggle, Pulitzer Prize-Winner Jon Meacham illuminates the nation’s complicated past. This rich and diverse collection covers a wide spectrum of history, from 1619 to the twenty-first century, with primary-source documents that take us back to critical moments in which Americans fought over the meaning and the direction of the national experiment. From the founders to Lincoln to Obama, from Andrew Jackson to Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan, from Seneca Falls to the March on Washington, this chorus—sometimes discordant and always fascinating—tells the story of the country and of its people. As clashes over liberty and slavery, inclusion and exclusion, play out, these voices, brilliantly framed by Meacham’s singular commentary, remind us that contentious citizenship and fair-minded observations are essential to bringing about the more perfect union envisioned in the Preamble to the Constitution, which Frederick Douglass called a “glorious liberty document.” Conflict is nothing new in our democracy; rather, as Meacham and these texts show, tensions are inherent, stubborn, and perennial. And American Struggle teaches us anew that to know what has come before, to watch as long-running disputes rise and fall, is to be armed against despair. Featured Speaker: Jon Meacham Jon Meacham is a Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer. The author of the New York Times bestsellers Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, Franklin and Winston, Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush, and The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, he is a distinguished visiting professor at Vanderbilt University, a contributing writer for The New York Times Book Review, and a fellow of the Society of American Historians. Meacham lives in Nashville and in Sewanee with his wife and children.

The Arctic is melting — and the world's powers are racing to control what's left.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Kenneth R. Rosen, national security correspondent and author of Polar War, to explore how climate change is triggering a dangerous new era of geopolitical competition at the top of the world. From Russia's push to dominate Arctic shipping lanes, to China's quiet near-Arctic ambitions, to NATO's expanded northern flank with Finland and Sweden now in the alliance — the battle for the melting north has already begun. And the United States may be woefully underprepared. In this conversation, you'll learn: Why the Arctic has become the world's most strategically contested region How melting ice is opening new trade routes worth trillions of dollars The surprising China-Russia partnership reshaping energy geopolitics What Navy SEALs and Coast Guard patrols are already doing in the Arctic Why Indigenous communities are caught in the crossfire What the U.S. must do to catch up — before it's too late Whether you work in energy, defense, diplomacy, or just want to understand where the next global crisis is brewing, this episode is essential listening.
 
See Kenneth Rosen live in Houston on April 1, 2026:
https://wachouston.org/event/1074-polar-war-the-battle-for-the-melting-north/

In The Architect of Espionage, Samuel M. Katz masterfully chronicles the life of Meir Dagan, a visionary covert warfare veteran who revolutionized the art of intelligence and espionage. Born in the shadows of the Holocaust, his life personified the modern history of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Dagan’s journey embodies decisive action, innovative thought, and bold leadership under fire. His tenure as the head of the Mossad marked a transformative era in Israel’s history, reshaping the agency into a formidable global force.
Dagan’s story is one of daring strategy and relentless ingenuity. He spent thirty-two years in uniform, and under his eight-year leadership, Mossad orchestrated a series of high-stakes missions, including targeted assassinations, clandestine attempts to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power, and the covert expansion of Israel’s strategic collaborations with members of the global intelligence fraternity, notably with the CIA. These operations not only bolstered Israel’s security but also altered the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. Drawing on unprecedented access to Dagan’s closest confidants, comrades in arms, and contemporaries in the international intelligence community, Katz brings to life the portrait of a spymaster whose influence extended far beyond Israel’s borders, shaping intelligence relationships across the Middle East and worldwide.
Katz’s expertise in Middle Eastern conflicts and counterterrorism shines through in this meticulously researched narrative that delves into the intricate details of Dagan’s strategies. The Architect of Espionage is more than a biography—it is the history of the Jewish state told through the life of one of its most incredible warriors, spy chiefs, and, ultimately, statesmen. The Architect of Espionage is an immersive journey into the shadowy world of intelligence, where decisions carry life-or-death stakes and outcomes are steeped in secrecy.
For anyone captivated by espionage thrillers or historical biographies, this is an essential and timely read, providing an insightful glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential spymasters of our era.
Featured Speaker: Samuel M. Katz
Samuel M. Katz is a New York Times bestselling author who has written over twenty books on the Arab Israeli conflict, military and law enforcement special operations, espionage, and counterterrorism.
He has written hundreds of articles for magazines and journals around the world, as well as documentaries for television. He is also the former editor-in-chief of Special Operations Report, a trade publication for the world’s commando and counterterrorist community.
Katz lectures police agencies and military commands on the history of terrorism, and he is a frequent guest on television and radio networks.

What is really happening inside modern Russia—and what does it mean for the future of global security? In this episode, veteran journalist and former CNN Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty joins the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston to unpack the power dynamics shaping Vladimir Putin’s Russia and its growing impact on the world stage. Drawing on decades of experience covering the Kremlin, Dougherty explores how Russia has shifted from the relative openness of the post–Cold War era to a system increasingly defined by centralized power and strategic control. The conversation traces Putin’s early ambitions—from his student years in Leningrad to his career in the KGB—and how those formative experiences continue to shape his leadership style today. The discussion also examines Russia’s evolving geopolitical strategy, including its relationships with China, Iran, and North Korea, and how these partnerships are reshaping global alliances. From nuclear signaling to hybrid warfare tactics such as cyber operations, sabotage, and election interference, Russia’s actions continue to test the resilience of NATO and Western democracies. Dougherty also analyzes Putin’s current strategic posture amid ongoing tensions involving Ukraine and Europe, highlighting why some experts see his approach as increasingly cautious—and what that may signal about the future of the conflict. For policymakers, students of international relations, and anyone trying to understand today’s rapidly shifting global landscape, this episode offers essential insight into one of the most consequential geopolitical stories of our time. Watch to gain a deeper understanding of Russia’s strategy, the fragile balance of power in Europe, and the risks that could shape international security in the years ahead.
Jill Dougherty served as CNN’s Moscow Bureau Chief for almost a decade. She reported on the presidencies of Boris Yeltin and Vladimir Putin, as well as the political career of Mikhail Gorbachev, the first – and last – Soviet president. She covered a number of seminal events in modern Russia, including the collapse of the Soviet Union; the coup against Gorbachev; Ukraine’s Orange Revolution and Maidan Revolution of Dignity; Georgia’s Rose Revolution; Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Dougherty served as CNN White House correspondent for six years, covering the presidencies of George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. As Foreign Affairs Correspondent she reported from the U.S. State Department. She served as U.S. Affairs Editor, reporting from Washington, DC. Based in Hong Kong, she was Managing Editor CNN International, Asia-Pacific, in charge of sevenbureaus across the region.
She currently is a CNN on-air contributor, commenting on Russia-related issues; Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies; Distinguished Fellow at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; and Fellow at the Kennan Institute. She has pursued research on Russia and the media as a fellow at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government; at the Woodrow Wilson Center; and at the International Centre for Defense and Security in Tallinn, Estonia.
Dougherty received her B.A. degree in Slavic Languages and Literature from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her M.A. from Georgetown University, where she researched Russia’s soft power diplomacy.