Porkins Policy Radio episode 102 South Asian Scandals and Trumps Foreign Policy

On this solo episode I discuss two major geopolitical situations and their possible impact in the region and on the US. I begin by breaking down the political crisis that is unfolding in Afghanistan with Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum and the allegations that he ordered the beating and rape of a political rival. I explain the back story of these allegations and how they have presented a serious political challenge for Afghan President Ghani these past several months. I also discuss Dostum’s attempts to return to Afghanistan from Turkey, and his new political alliance with the power provincial governor, Mohammad Atta Noor. Later I offer up my own analysis as to how Trump may or may not handle this particular geopolitical situation, while also focusing on the ongoing campaign of violence being perpetrated by the Taliban.

In the second hour I focus on Afghanistan’s next door neighbor Pakistan and the political crisis that it is facing. I explain how the Panama Papers are very close to ousting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. I also look at how this is similar in someways to the continuous scandals involving Trump and his immediate family. I attempt to analysis how both these geopolitical situations will be a serious test of the Trump administration and why we should pay more attention to foreign affairs.