Also: Spain's increasingly bold stance against both the US and Israel, Senegal's stricter anti-gay laws and what it signals about a wider shift across Africa. And how the war in Iran is quietly filling Russia's coffers.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis — without the noise. You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I break down the full story: how the Chinese Civil War created two rival governments, why the US recognised Beijing in the 1970s while continuing to support Taiwan unofficially, and what the “Six Assurances” mean today.

I explain why Taiwan is so important:

• Economically
• Geopolitically
• Reputationally

If during the Cold War the US prioritised Europe, today the strategic focus is the Indo-Pacific - and Taiwan is central to that shift.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis — without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plus:

• Russia blocks WhatsApp and pushes a state-backed messaging app
• China removes tariffs on imports from 53 African countries
• Ireland rolls out a basic income for artists
• South Korea’s intelligence agency signals Kim Jong Un’s daughter may be his successor
• Puerto Rico passes a controversial fetal recognition law
• A new poll shows strong support for political change in Venezuela

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international stories, explained clearly and without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

You might know me from TikTok and Substack as Leo Explains or LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We then look at Indonesia’s preparations to deploy up to 8,000 troops to Gaza as part of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan. What is the International Stabilisation Force meant to do, who’s willing to participate, and what happens if Hamas or Israel refuses to comply?

We also cover:

• Marco Rubio’s politically charged visit to Hungary and Slovakia ahead of Viktor Orbán’s toughest election in years
• A Reuters investigation revealing Ethiopia’s alleged role in the Sudan War & the UAE alleged role.
• Kenyan citizens being recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, and how African countries are being pulled into the war.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. New episodes break down geopolitics, conflicts, power struggles, global affairs and world news in a simple way without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

You might know me from my political education content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains or LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Also:

• We also cover the World Economic Forum’s investigation into its CEO, Børge Brende, over past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Lebanon accuses Israel of spraying glyphosate over southern villages. We explain what’s known about the environmental risks and why claims about cancer are contested.
• The UN’s financial crisis, with warnings it could run out of money within months. Reuters reports the US accounts for 95% of unpaid regular budget dues - around $2.19bn.
• The US is preparing to fund MAGA-aligned think tanks in Europe.
• Saudi Arabia announces major new investments in Syria.

Global Politics with Leo brings you clear, evidence-based analysis of the international stories that actually matter — without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

You might know me from my work on social media and Substack as Leo Explains / LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(1) Spain is pushing a major package of new digital laws - and while the proposed ban on social media for children under 16 grabbed most of the headlines, it’s only a part of a much bigger shift. In this episode, I break down the four key proposals, why some of them matter far more than the ban itself, and why what happens in Spain is likely to shape digital policy in other countries.

I go through each proposal one by one, looking at the arguments from the Spanish government and supporters of these laws, as well as the main criticisms - including those from Telegram founder Pavel Durov. This isn’t about defending tech CEOs, but about understanding the trade-offs between regulation, free speech, platform power, and government control.

(2) I also cover a new Amnesty International report on North Korea based on interviews with people who escaped the country.

(3) Finally, I look at the Trump administration’s $200 million humanitarian pledge to Sudan, why that number needs context, and what it tells us about the sharp reduction in US humanitarian aid overall.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international news stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. Short, focused episodes covering geopolitics, conflicts, power struggles, and global affairs - without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains / LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We also look at:

• Costa Rica’s new right-wing president, Laura Fernández.
• A US–Iran military incident in the Arabian Sea
• Russia rebuilding military infrastructure near Finland
• Eenewed missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy system
• Investigations into Elon Musk’s companies in the UK and France
• A major new WHO study showing that up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international news stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. New episodes focus on geopolitics, conflicts, power shifts, and global affairs - without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com.

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains or LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Also:

• Sweden plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for the most serious crimes, as criminal networks increasingly recruit minors.
• France is set to ban public officials from using U.S. videoconferencing platforms.
• More than 200 people have been killed in a coltan mine collapse in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, in territory controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia.
• In Cuba, oil supplies are running critically low after Mexico cancelled shipments under U.S. pressure, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis.
• A Wall Street Journal investigation reveals a $500 million investment by a UAE royal into a Trump-linked crypto business shortly before inauguration, followed months later by U.S. approval of advanced AI chip exports to the UAE.
• Switzerland, meanwhile, plans to raise sales taxes to fund higher defence spending, signalling a shift even among traditionally neutral states.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the international stories that matter, with clear explanations and evidence-based context. New episodes cover geopolitics, power struggles, and global affairs - without the noise.

Get in touch: leoexplains10@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Also in this episode: Israel prepares to open talks with the Trump administration on a new 10-year security agreement as it looks to reduce its dependence on US military aid. Reports suggest Washington may link security guarantees for Ukraine to a peace deal involving the Donbas region, a territory central to Vladimir Putin’s war narrative — as Ukraine faces a severe winter energy crisis. And Spain’s economy shows unexpected strength, with unemployment at an 18-year low, driven by labour market reforms and a sharply more open approach to immigration, including plans to legalise hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international news stories with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. Episodes break down geopolitics, conflicts, power struggles and global affairs — without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

.

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains / LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Also: we look at the reports suggesting Iran’s protest death toll could be far higher than previously reported, the US decision to cut funding to foreign organisations working on abortion, diversity, or transgender issues, South Korea’s move to enact what it calls the world’s first fully comprehensive AI laws, Germany’s arrest of a suspected Hamas member, the U.S. hosting the first-ever Western Hemisphere Chiefs of Defense Conference, Venezuela receiving its first payments from U.S.-controlled oil sales, and China’s falling birth rate.

Global Politics with Leo brings you international news stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. Listen for concise but in-depth breakdowns of geopolitics and global affairs - without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains or LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I also answer your questions from Instagram - including why Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum went viral, what it tells us about leadership in today’s geopolitical climate, and how it contrasts with Trump’s approach.

We then look at Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, concerns about how it would coexist with the United Nations, and what US strategy in the Western Hemisphere means for countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, and China’s position in Latin America.

Global Politics with Leo brings you clear, evidence-based explanations of the global stories that matter — without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

.

Find me on social media and Substack as Leo Explains / LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I break down how the idea first emerged in 2018 through billionaire Ronald Lauder, why Trump viewed Greenland like a real-estate deal, and how this fits into a broader revival of the Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny - including his admiration for expansionist presidents like James Polk.

I also explain why Greenland has returned with far more urgency in Trump’s second term, what this means for NATO and Europe, and how Trump’s ambition to become a historic figure could be shaping US foreign policy far beyond the Arctic.

Also: I cover Australia’s new gun-law and hate-speech reforms, China’s record-low birth rate, Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” — including Belarus’s role — and the latest fighting in eastern DR Congo.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international news stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. Expect concise but in-depth breakdowns of geopolitics, power struggles, and global affairs - without the noise.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

.

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains or LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode walks through three realistic scenarios for Greenland, from a face-saving U.S. deal, to outright American control, to a possible path toward independence through a Compact of Free Association.

We also cover Trump’s controversial “Board of Peace,” widely seen as a U.S.-led alternative to the United Nations. Around 60 countries have been invited to join - some have accepted, others have rejected it outright. We look at who’s in and who’s out.

Finally, updates from Venezuela and Iran: the first U.S.-controlled sales of Venezuelan oil, where the money is going, and how dollars are now flowing back into the Venezuelan economy. Plus Iran’s ongoing internet blackout and the mounting human cost of the protests.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international news stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. Listen for in-depth but concise breakdowns of geopolitics, conflicts, power struggles, and global affairs - without the noise. New daily episodes cover the stories that actually matter and explain what they mean.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains or LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We also look at what this strategy means for NATO, Europe, and America’s role in the world - and why U.S. foreign policy is moving away from global dominance toward a far more transactional, interest-driven approach.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international news stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. Listen for in-depth but concise breakdowns of geopolitics, conflicts, power struggles, and global affairs - without the noise. New daily episodes cover news stories that actually matter and explain what they mean.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com.

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains or LeoExplains10.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international news stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. Listen for in-depth but concise breakdowns of geopolitics, conflicts, power struggles, and global affairs - without the noise. New daily episodes cover news stories that actually matter and explain what they mean.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com.

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains or LeoExplains10

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global Politics with Leo brings you the most important international news stories, with clear explanations and evidence-based analysis. Listen for in-depth but concise breakdowns of geopolitics, conflicts, power struggles, and global affairs - without the noise. New episodes cover the stories that actually matter and explain what they mean.

You can email me at leoexplains10@gmail.com

You might know me from my educational content on social media and Substack as Leo Explains.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start with Iran - why are the death toll estimates range from around 2,000 to 20,000? We also look at what U.S. sanctions or tariffs could mean and who Iran really trades with.

Then: South Korea, where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a former president. Uganda, where the government has announced an internet blackout ahead of elections.

Finally, what to watch this week in Gaza and Greenland.

A fact-based update on the news stories shaping the world right now.

You might know me from my social media and Substack content as Leo Explains.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Then I get into the latest from Venezuela, where opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado is set to meet with President Trump. I’ll explain why her meeting matters, what’s happening with Venezuela’s oil industry, and why major investors are calling the country “uninvestable.”

Finally, I give a quick update on Iran, where protesters are being killed, the internet has been shut down for over 100 hours.

You might know me from my social media content and Substack as Leo Explains.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are Iranians protesting now? What does the structure of Iran’s regime really look like? And how could the current unrest reshape global politics?

This is a story of power, ideology, resilience, authoritarianism - and a nation at a critical crossroads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We also touch on worsening US-Somalia relations, humanitarian updates from Gaza/Palestine, oil deals and political prisoners in Venezuela, Italy’s potential electoral overhaul, and the unexpected return of Greenland to the geopolitical conversation.

You might know me from my educational political content on world news and international politics across social media platforms and Substack (LeoExplains / Leo Explains).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does the U.S. want it so badly? Is it really about trade routes, rare minerals, and military positioning - or is there a bigger strategy at play? In this episode, I explore the history of U.S.–Greenland relations, unpack the 1916 promises to Denmark, and examine how Trump’s approach to NATO, Russia, and the Monroe Doctrine may all be connected.

Could Greenland be the key to a post-NATO future for the United States? Let’s separate fact from speculation - and look at the data.

And yes, I talk about Canada here too.

You might know me from social media and Substack as Leo Explains.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is reached, while the U.S. would oversee ceasefire monitoring using drones, satellites, and sensors. We break down what this actually means, how it’s different from the failed Budapest Memorandum, and why “legally binding guarantees” could change the entire post-war security order in Europe. But despite all this movement, the core problems remain: territory, NATO, and Putin’s domestic red lines. I explain why Russia is so fixated on Donetsk and Luhansk, why giving them up is politically almost impossible for Putin, and where there might (or might not) be room for compromise.

Then, we move to the Central African Republic, where President Touadéra has just secured a third term after term limits were scrapped. We look at how Russia became the key power broker in the country, why CAR is strategically and economically important (diamonds, gold, uranium), and what this says about Moscow’s broader strategy in Africa.

Finally, we cover rising tensions between China and Japan.

You might know Leo for his politics and news content on social media platforms as Leo Explains.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You might know Leo from social media platforms as Leo Explains where he covers world news and global politics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s Venezuela episode, I break down the biggest news story in global politics: the US operation that captured Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro (and his wife) and launched strikes tied to that mission. We’ll walk through what happened, why the Trump administration says it did it, and what comes next.

This episode is explained with context and evidence-led analysis - from the disputed 2024 Venezuelan election and international recognition, to the US claims about drugs, migration, and legitimacy. I also cover the role of Marco Rubio in shaping the US policy, Trump’s comments about Venezuelan oil, and the key legal question: international law vs the US domestic law.

In this episode:

• What happened: Maduro’s capture and the strikes linked to the operation.
• The Trump administration’s three stated reasons: drugs, migration, legitimacy.
• The contested 2024 election, fraud allegations, and who recognized Maduro.
• “Cartel of the Suns” claims.
• Trump’s comments on Venezuelan oil and US investment.
• The legality debate: UN Charter Article 2(4), self-defence arguments, and enforcement reality.
• What happens next: the opposition, the vice president, the military, and transition risks.
• Global implications for Russia, Iran, the EU, and Latin America.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I break down the latest news and political developments in Myanmar and Guinea, where overwhelming election “victories” raise serious questions about authoritarian control. We also look at Iran’s economic crisis, mass protests, collapsing currency and growing instability. You’ll also get a clear and factual news analysis around Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, and competing narratives.

Then we move into political analysis and predictions for 2026, from Ukraine and Russia to the Middle East, Yemen, Sudan, Somaliland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Finally, we get to the rise of Gen Z–led protest movements across the world.

If you want reliable, factual political news, global politics explained clearly and real-world analysis without the noise, this show is for you.

Leo is also known as Leo Explains on social media platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Then we turn to one of the most devastating but underreported political crises in global news: Yemen. For years, the conflict has been incredibly complex, involving multiple sides, regional rivalries, external powers, and shifting alliances. I break down the politics of Yemen in a clear, accessible way - who’s fighting whom, why it matters, and why Yemen keeps disappearing from international headlines despite being one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

From Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s deepening tensions, to the Houthis, the Southern Transitional Council, and what the latest developments mean for the region.

If you care about global news, international politics, and understanding the world without panic, this show is for you. Thanks for listening - and see you in 2026.

Leo is also known for his social media handle Leo Explains.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start in Saudi Arabia, where the government is cracking down on free speech as living costs rise and the long-standing “social contract” between the monarchy and the people begins to shift. Then we move to Russia and Ukraine, where President Zelensky’s meeting with U.S. President Trump highlights ongoing negotiations, unresolved territorial issues, and why these questions are at the heart of the conflict.

We then head to Asia, where China is conducting its largest military drills in over a year around Taiwan, raising regional security concerns and drawing reactions from both Japan and the United States. We also look at Japan’s deepening demographic crisis as birth rates continue to fall. Finally, we wrap up in Denmark, where the national postal service is ending traditional letter deliveries for the first time since the 1600s - a symbolic and slightly nostalgic moment in modern European life.

If you care about global news, international politics, and understanding the world beyond headlines, this episode covers everything you need to know. Follow the show, leave a 5-star review, and stay informed with clear, factual global politics analysis.

Leo is also known as Leo Explains on social media platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Also: Algeria declares France’s colonization a crime, Japan boosts its defense budget to record highs amid Taiwan tensions, and Russia announces plans to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2036.

Stay informed with sharp insights on international politics, geopolitical tensions, and the forces shaping our world. Don’t forget to follow and leave a 5-star review if you enjoy the show!

Leo is also known as Leo Explains on various social media platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This isn’t a random decision - it has huge implications for Africa, the Middle East, Gaza, and global powers, including the U.S, China and Russia.

In this episode:

• What Somaliland is and how it came to exist.
• Why no country recognised it for more than 30 years.
• Why Israel did it now - and how it connects to Gaza, Palestinians, Trump, US strategy, and the Red Sea.
• What this means for security, the Houthis, and great-power competition.

And I’ll also share some tools to help you “connect the dots” in geopolitics more easily in the future.

A big move, big consequences - let’s unpack it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s global news and politics update: Donald Trump appointed a new US special envoy to Greenland. Why does Trump want Greenland? I break down the political, strategic, and economic reasons behind Trump's push for Greenland. Also: we discuss Nigeria’s release of kidnapped schoolchildren, new ceasefire efforts between Thailand and Cambodia, the India–New Zealand trade deal, the UK’s new animal welfare standards, and Russia’s latest crackdown on WhatsApp. Clear context and the key global stories you need - in one episode. Always factual & well-researched.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We then move to the Middle East, where Israel has approved 19 new West Bank settlements. Plus, we look at alcohol trends: UK drinking has fallen to its lowest level since 1990. Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, access to alcohol is quietly expanding — at the same time the kingdom records its highest execution numbers ever.

If you want clear, global news and politics explained simply, this episode is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Short, global, and straight to the point - everything you need to know, in one episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.