Iran-backed militants and fears of a widening war in the Middle East; China’s reaction to Taiwan’s national elections; how to escape from North Korea; Ukraine’s stunning digital transformation amidst war

This week on the show, Fareed speaks with London School of Economics professor of international relations Fawaz Gerges on fears of a widening war in the Middle East after U.S. & Britain strike the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen and as the strife heats up between Israel and Hezbollah (who are also Iran-backed). Next, Bonny Lin of the Center for Strategic & International Studies talks to Fareed about this weekend’s Taiwanese national election and China’s response to it. Then, how to escape from North Korea. Fareed sits down to discuss "Beyond Utopia", a film about one family's treacherous journey out of North Korea, with the director Madeleine Gavin and producer Sue Mi Terry. Finally, Ukraine’s Minister for Digital Transformation Mikhail Fedorov explains to Fareed how his government is making it so Ukrainians can pay their taxes, report war damage, cross national borders and much more - all on an app on their phone. GUESTS:Fawaz Gerges@FawazGerges; Bonny Lin; Sue Mi Terry @SueMiTerry; Madeleine Gavin; Mykhailo Fedorov. Air date: 01/14/24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices