International Affairs

Former Ambassador George Kent spent 33 years in the foreign service, serving twice in diplomatic roles in Ukraine, and most recently as the ambassador to Estonia. He notably gave testimony in the 2019 House impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. Host Ben Kieffer spoke with the diplomat while he visited Des Moines this week, speaking to the Greater Des Moines Committee on Foreign Relations. They spoke on several topics, including his cross-country bicycle ride, his termination from the federal government and what he calls the "decimation" of the United States' professional foreign service being carried out by President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Farmers are hoping for relief as President Donald Trump visits Asia to resolve a trade war over tariffs and what's at stake for next week's local elections.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bret Stephens is known for his willingness to challenge both the left and the right.

Photojournalist Mariam Abu Dagga hoped to change hearts and minds through her coverage of the war in Gaza. In August, she was among five journalists killed in an Israeli strike.

Iowa political scientists examine local and global politics, including Sen. Joni Ernst's town hall comments coming under fire and the latest 2026 election contenders.

Retired American diplomat Ryan Crocker was referred by President George W. Bush as "America's Lawrence of Arabia."

Over 100 people crammed into a Franklin County courtroom for a town hall hosted by Sen. Chuck Grassley last week to voice their concerns about cuts to the federal government.

Political experts dissect the latest news, including an Iowa bill to acquire parts of Minnesota, Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearings and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Residents of the University of Iowa International Writing Program share first-hand accounts of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Long-time Des Moines resident Dr. Ahmad Yasser Al-Shash recalled the warning signs of authoritarianism as Hafez al-Assad rose to power shortly before Al-Shash immigrated to the U.S.