Is the 1960s rulebook for the stars still fit for purpose in 2026? Our latest piece in the Astropolitics series takes a closer look at the five UN space treaties through the disconnect between original intent and modern geopolitical and commercial realities. www.astro-politics.org/articles/space
Cuba is facing a deepening crisis. Blackouts, food shortages, & economic collapse are intensifying.
The Transponder speaks with Peter Kornbluh about U.S. policy toward Cuba, the role of sanctions & energy pressure & the risks of escalation. Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/3EDA...
Indo-Pacific Nexus
Caught between Washington and Beijing, southeast Asian states aren't choosing sides, they're hedging.
But how long can that last?
Read the latest article on Brunei and Vietnam's balancing act and what it means for ASEAN's future.
www.indo-pacificnexus.org/articles/asean
Bulgaria held their 8th election in five years. Check out the Deep Dive for more information on the election and its consequences:transatlanticperiscope.org/deep-dives/deepdive-bulg...
Now streaming | The Open Veins of Potosí
For centuries, silver from Cerro Rico fueled empires—while indigenous miners paid the price. Today, vast lithium reserves raise the same question: Will Potosí power the green transition while being left behind? www.youtube.com/watch?v=czNM...
Foundations of International Space Law
The five UN space treaties have governed outer space for 60+ years, but today’s reality looks very different. From NASA’s Artemis program to rising global & commercial actors, key gaps are emerging. Explore where the frameworks still hold and where they don’t.
After years of tough negotiations the EU & Australia have signed a landmark free trade agreement. But what's in the deal & what does it say about the future of international trade? Check out the new brief from Maša Ocvirk & Marshall Reid www.indo-pacificnexus.org/articles/trade
After a closely-watched campaign, we are launching a Transatlantic Periscope Deep Dive on the Hungarian parliamentary election. Check out the Deep Dive for more information on the election results and its consequences: transatlanticperiscope.org/deep-dives/d...
As Artemis II launches today, the Moon isn’t the real prize.
A recent piece by our 2025 BFF Fellow Howard Chang argues it’s a means—with actors like China eyeing helium-3 and future resource extraction, not just prestige.
www.astro-politics.org/articles/moo...
The U.S. and Iran are now one month into open conflict. In Ep. 10 of The Transponder, Samuel George speaks with former National Security Advisor John Bolton, examining the rationale behind a hardline approach, risks of escalation, and what may come next. Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/6WoK...
The 2026 Hungarian elections are fast approaching, and Viktor Orbán is facing his toughest challenge yet. Can Péter Magyar & Tisza bring Fidesz's dominance to an end? Make your voice heard by weighing in on our newest RANGE question:
Fresh off a landslide win, Japan’s PM Takaichi navigates Trump, but with Iran war pressures & China tensions rising, tough choices for the U.S.-Japan alliance remain. Read Marshall Reid’s latest brief. www.indo-pacificnexus.org/articles/tak...
From the mining tunnels beneath the Australian outback to the farthest reaches of the galaxy, planetary scientist Trevor Barry offers a wealth of insights and expertise on celestial exploration & the value of looking up at the stars. Watch this inspiring story www.astro-politics.org/expert-inter...
image describing trade relations between, Canada, US, EU and UK with Japan
As transatlantic actors rethink Indo-Pacific engagement, Japan is a key partner.
Our latest Transatlantic Barometer dives into trade with Japan—covering data, agreements, and cooperation across 30 countries + the EU. Check out the full results here:
www.transatlanticbarometer.org/topic/trade-...
The Transponder #9 🎧
How strong is the U.S. economy really?
Growth is holding & unemployment is low but inflation & global fragmentation are tightening the policy space. Samuel George speaks with Jason Furman on the tradeoffs ahead. Listen now 👇https://open.spotify.com/episode/63o8sB8K8TJpnYWh97eB2u
Final Week! The RANGE College Forecasting Tournament is almost over! This is your last chance to submit your forecast & see how your predictions stack up against students from other universities & colleges. Don’t miss out! Submit your forecastswww.rangeforecasting.org/2026-college-tournament
Kicking off our 2026 transatlantic election coverage with a #TransatlanticPeriscope Deep Dive on the Slovenian parliamentary election. Check out the Deep Dive for more information on the election results and its consequences: transatlanticperiscope.org/deep-dives
Weekend listening 🎧 Hélène Landemore makes a strong case for citizen participation as the core of democratic resilience, from ancient Athens to modern assemblies & even AI. A thought-provoking look at how democracy works best when power is shared, not concentrated. open.spotify.com/episode/3K4Y...
For the first time in decades, both Germany & Japan are reevaluating legislative restrictions on their militaries. Is major change on the horizon? For discussion of this & much more, check out our new brief from @cflynnmartino.bsky.social and Marshall Reid : www.indo-pacificnexus.org/articles/agg...
Moon today, Mars tomorrow: NASA’s Artemis II and China’s lunar plans are shaping the next era of human spaceflight. The race beyond Earth orbit is accelerating. www.astro-politics.org
Europe’s digital regulatory power meets India’s scale and innovation — together they could shape a more resilient, values-driven digital order. Read this interesting take by Murali Nair from @bertelsmannst.bsky.social : www.indo-pacificnexus.org/articles/dig...
Final question in Range 2026: Will China reach a deal with Iran to allow safe passage for its ships through the Strait of Hormuz by March 31, 2026? Your forecast counts. www.rangeforecasting.org/2026-college...
2026 is a super election year across Germany, but for the FDP it is also a race for survival. Read the latest B|Brief from @cflynnmartino.bsky.social to learn more about the FDP’s shift from political kingmaker to just trying to stay in the game: www.bfna.org/politics-soc...
Astropolitics wrapped its winter screenings under the stars—literally—at the Eugenides Foundation Planetarium during the Kino Athens International Independent Film Festival.
Grateful for the inspiring discussion on space, cooperation & conflict.
More screenings this spring—stay tuned.
The Transponder #8: The State of Aid
14 months ago, the Trump administration dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, reshaping the landscape of global humanitarian aid.
So where does the global aid system stand today? 🎧https://open.spotify.com/episode/2F6HsaWs8auusIVmIfA4yv
Time for cake! 🎂 We’ve surpassed 2,000 forecasters on our RANGE platform! The sky’s the limit 😀 Thank you to everyone who has joined us on this journey!
Yesterday, we hosted the first 2026 Transatlantic Lunch & Learn for young professionals. Thanks to Robert Gerber & Samuel George for a great discussion on #criticalminerals &U.S. #foreignpolicy. Always valuable to hear young voices weigh in on pressing policy questions.
Episode 5 of Indo-Pacific In Focus: How did the Indo-Pacific’s multilateral institutions emerge—and how are they evolving?
🎙️ With Andrew Yeo, Thibault Fournol & Prashanth Parameswaran.
🎧 Listen here: www.indo-pacificnexus.org/indo-pacific...
As the EU moves to diversify supply chains and secure critical raw materials, Indonesia is becoming a key partner. But Jakarta’s long-standing ties with Russia complicate the picture. What drives Indonesia’s foreign policy…and how should the EU respond?
www.indo-pacificnexus.org/articles/fri...
Our new short documentary The Stars Over Broken Hill explores how Broken Hill’s mining legacy connects to today’s space economy—from Indigenous perspectives tied to the land to rocks from the region traveling on rocket missions and a miner’s path to NASA. 👀https://www.bfnadocs.org/
