Leila Molana-Allen and Robin Brant consider how country allegiances have shifted in this uncertain era of geopolitics, covering everything from Gaza and Ukraine talks to this week’s Russia-China-Iran military exercises to a new trade partnership between Indonesia and Vietnam. Plus: the lone violin maker of Ramallah

Press freedoms in Afghanistan on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban takeover
35:46

What’s in a university ranking? How the US and UK still dominate
38:40

Beating the heat and our recommendations for books that transport you
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