Podcast Summary: The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim Episode Title: The Age of Assassinations?
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Hosts: Richard Engel (NBC) and Yalda Hakim (Sky News)
Podcast: The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim by Sky News

Introduction

In the latest episode of The World, hosts Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim delve into the intricate web of modern geopolitical dynamics, focusing on the implications of political assassinations, the increasing collaboration between Russia and North Korea, and the looming U.S. election's impact on global affairs. The episode, titled “The Age of Assassinations?”, navigates through these heavy topics with insightful analysis and firsthand accounts from the frontline.

North Korea’s Escalated Support for Russia in Ukraine

Timestamp [04:21] - Richard Engel:
Engel opens the discussion by highlighting a significant development in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict: North Korea's transition from supplying ammunition to actively sending troops to support Russia. He remarks, “Now, North Korea first started out supplying ammunition because they have a lot of Soviet style ammunition, and now they're actually sending manpower. It's just shocking.” This move underscores both North Korea's capacity to project military support and the diminishing strength of Russia, which now relies on foreign mercenaries to sustain its war efforts.

Timestamp [05:06] - Yalda Hakim:
Hakim probes the potential impact of North Korean troops in Ukraine, questioning whether their involvement will significantly alter the conflict's trajectory. Engel responds by assessing the role these troops are likely to play: “Well, to a degree, because it's not that sophisticated of fighting. So you just need somebody there to load artillery and fire the mortars and fire the, the, the, the cannons.” He compares the training of these soldiers to that of labor gangs, indicating that while they may not possess advanced combat skills, their presence is nonetheless a strategic support for Russia.

The Consequences of Political Assassinations: The Case of Yahya Sinwar

Timestamp [13:02] - Richard Engel:
Shifting focus to the Middle East, Engel discusses the recent assassination of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza. He reflects on the differing narratives post-assassination, noting, “Hamas wants to picture Sinwar as a heroic martyr who fought until the end,” contrasting this with the Israeli portrayal of Sinwar’s demise. This duality raises questions about the efficacy and repercussions of targeted killings in altering the power structures within militant organizations.

Timestamp [19:38] - Yalda Hakim:
Hakim explores whether assassinations effectively dismantle such groups or merely serve as temporary setbacks. She states, “Does it make a difference to decapitate these groups? You know, is this a cult of personality or is this greater sort of ideology?” Engel concurs, illustrating that while assassinations like Sinwar’s can momentarily disrupt operations, they often fail to address the underlying grievances that fuel such organizations. He draws parallels with Al Qaeda and ISIS, noting that despite the loss of key leaders, these groups persist, albeit at reduced capacities.

The Efficacy and Impact of Assassinations on Terrorist Organizations

Timestamp [21:09] - Richard Engel:
Engel delves deeper into the historical context of political assassinations, citing former President Barack Obama’s drone policy aimed at eliminating terrorist leaders with minimal ground engagement. He explains, “Instead of having big wars of occupation, boots on the ground, large footprint boots on the ground that are at risk to those soldiers and also at risk to the civilians that they interact with. Just use intelligence, target the militants and use drones and, or other means and kill them and then stop.”

Timestamp [23:59] - Yalda Hakim:
Hakim summarizes the long-term implications of such strategies, emphasizing that while individual leaders can be removed, the fundamental issues—such as territorial grievances and socio-political disenfranchisement—remain unaddressed. Engel adds, “Hamas has a local address in Gaza, and Gaza is now destroyed. So I, I don’t think just killing Yahya Sinwar is going to do away with this. You’re going to have somebody else who’s equally enraged, equally determined.”

The U.S. Election and Its Global Implications

Timestamp [10:09] - Yalda Hakim:
The conversation transitions to the critical juncture of the upcoming U.S. election. Hakim underscores the potential ramifications of the election outcome on international conflicts, particularly Ukraine. She observes, “We're two weeks away. Who comes into the White House does have consequences for the Ukrainians, for the international community, and, you know, perhaps as well for the Middle East.”

Timestamp [36:17] - Yalda Hakim:
Hakim elaborates on the Ukrainian perspective regarding the election, highlighting fears that a Trump resurgence could lead to diminished support for Ukraine. “I think he might have this election in the bag,” she predicts, reflecting the uncertainty and high stakes tied to the election's outcome.

Iran’s Threats Against Donald Trump and Security Concerns

Timestamp [27:00] - Yalda Hakim:
The hosts discuss the resurfacing of Iran's long-standing animosity towards Donald Trump, especially in light of recent assassination attempts. Hakim explains how these threats have tangible repercussions, sharing, “The Justice Department, even the Biden administration has warned Iran and said, listen, if you continue to threaten Donald Trump and those U.S. officials... we will see it as an act of war.”

Timestamp [29:11] - Yalda Hakim:
Hakim recounts a personal account of someone they know who has been directly affected by these threats, necessitating extreme security measures: “They have had to arm themselves. They have paid tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands for security and protection, reconfiguring their entire house, bulletproof doors because cameras outside of their houses...”

Timestamp [28:22] - Yalda Hakim:
She further traces the roots of these tensions back to the assassination of Iran’s top general, Qasem Soleimani, by the Trump administration in 2020. “From that point onwards, the Iranians have, you know, promised that they will avenge his death,” she notes, underscoring the persistent cycle of retaliation.

Listener Feedback and Musical Interlude

Timestamp [30:33] - Yalda Hakim and Richard Engel:
Transitioning to a lighter segment, the hosts address listener feedback and discuss the music featured in the podcast. They reveal that the music is a remix of original compositions by an Afghan orchestra composed of refugee children who fled the Taliban’s ban on music. Engel shares, “They blend a combination of Western music and Afghan music, blending the instruments together in a very interesting way.” This segment highlights the resilience and cultural preservation efforts of young Afghan musicians amidst turmoil.

Personal Reflections and Coping Mechanisms

Timestamp [33:19] - Yalda Hakim:
Hakim responds to a listener’s question about coping with the emotional toll of reporting from conflict zones. She emphasizes the importance of balance, stating, “I think that everything is relative. So when I come back from a trip and I spend some time with friends... it doesn't mean that just because we go to these places... everything else is unimportant.”

Timestamp [34:15] - Richard Engel:
Engel offers a personal perspective, reflecting on the constant movement between reporting and family life. He shares, “I've had my own history, I lost a son to a terrible disease. So family life has been, been, been challenging as well. But the train just keeps moving...” This candid admission provides listeners with a glimpse into the personal challenges faced by journalists covering global crises.

Predictions for Future Developments

Timestamp [35:44] - Richard Engel:
In the prediction segment, Engel speculates on potential geopolitical developments, particularly the possibility of Israel conducting retaliatory strikes against Iran in the upcoming week. “If Israel is going to carry out its retaliatory strike against Iran, it’s got to be this week if it's going to do it before the US Election,” he predicts.

Timestamp [36:17] - Yalda Hakim:
Hakim shares her forecast regarding the U.S. election, hinting at Trump’s potential success. “We think that perhaps there is a momentum building around Donald Trump. And I'll say it, I think he might have this election in the bag,” she anticipates, underscoring the unpredictability and significance of the election's outcome on global politics.

Conclusion

In this thought-provoking episode, Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim navigate through the complexities of modern geopolitical conflicts, the nuanced role of political assassinations, and the far-reaching impact of electoral outcomes on international stability. Their deep dives into North Korea’s military support for Russia, the contentious assassination of a Hamas leader, and the persistent threats from Iran against political figures like Donald Trump provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the underlying forces shaping our world today. The hosts balance these heavy discussions with personal anecdotes and lighter segments, offering a well-rounded and engaging listening experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Yalda Hakim [00:00]:
  “Even the Biden administration has warned Iran and said, listen, if you continue to threaten Donald Trump and those people within his National Security circle and council, we will see it as an act of war.”

• Richard Engel [02:41]:
  “We go to these dangerous places. I'm not have a death wish... I just like to look around the world.”

• Richard Engel [13:02]:
  “I get this sense from the Ukrainians that they do hope that if a Donald Trump is re elected and we see a Trump 2.0, that maybe, just maybe, he might just be able to come in, support them and resolve this conflict.”

• Richard Engel [21:09]:
  “Instead of having big wars of occupation, boots on the ground, large footprint boots on the ground that are at risk to those soldiers and also at risk to the civilians that they interact with. Just use intelligence, target the militants and use drones and, or other means and kill them and then stop.”

• Yalda Hakim [36:17]:
  “I think he might have this election in the bag.”

Closing Remarks:
Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim continue to offer unparalleled insights into global events, combining their extensive frontline experience to provide listeners with authoritative analysis and diverse perspectives. Their commitment to uncovering the truth and exploring the multifaceted nature of international relations makes The World an essential podcast for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of our times.