Sudan’s brutal civil war is a catastrophe that has destroyed lives and threatens to tear the nation in two. Last week it got much worse.

While the conflict is complex, one fact is clear: the United Arab Emirates has played a major role in fueling and prolonging the violence. By backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia now ruling through fear and massacre, the UAE has helped entrench one of the most violent regimes on earth.

But this isn’t a story with heroes. The opposing faction, though slightly less horrific and marginally more capable of governing, has also committed serious abuses. Robert and Ruairi unpack how both sides’ brutality, combined with cynical foreign interference, has created a tragedy that shows no sign of ending.

If you care about global politics, accountability, and how money and power shape the world’s forgotten wars — this episode is for you.

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We use the recent cease-fire between Afghanistan and Pakistan as an opportunity to explore how Afghanistan has changed in the four years since the U.S. withdrawal. They discuss the Taliban’s evolving role as a governing force, shifting regional power dynamics, and the complex relationship between Kabul and Islamabad.

The conversation also highlights a surprising development — tourism in Afghanistan has been quietly but steadily increasing, nearly doubling each year since the withdrawal, reflecting both changing perceptions and the country’s efforts to re-engage with the outside world.

Drawing inspiration from the International Crisis Group’s detailed coverage of South Asia, Robert and Ruairí provide context, insight, and a critical look at Afghanistan’s uncertain but fascinating path forward.

For further reading, visit the International Crisis Group’s Afghanistan page:
👉 https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific/south-asia/afghanistan

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In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi unpack the newly proposed 20-point ceasefire plan for Israel and Gaza — and why they doubt it will hold. Recorded just before news broke that the ceasefire had already been breached, the discussion dives into how U.S. politics, regional alliances, and outside influence from Qatar and Saudi Arabia have shaped this fragile peace.

The hosts explore how Trump’s financial ties and political support from Gulf states may have influenced the process — and how the recent attack on Qatar appears to have been the final straw, forcing a shaky ceasefire that’s at least managed to reduce a massive amount of death to a smaller, tragic amount.

We also reference a fascinating episode of Chapo Trap House, featuring Ryan Grim and Jeremy Scahill — journalists from one of Rob’s favorite independent outlets, Drop Site News.
🎧 Listen to the Chapo Trap House episode here: soundcloud.com/chapo-trap-house/977-the-next-day-feat-ryan-grim-and-jeremy-scahill

Even though Rob isn’t as keen on Chapo Trap House these days, Ruairi still loves them, and their insights add an extra layer to this week’s breakdown of global power, diplomacy, and the uneasy realities of the Israel–Gaza conflict.

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