35 West

Separatism has been a recurring but minority political current in the Canadian province of Alberta. It tends to surge during periods of high federal–provincial tension, especially when federal policies are seen as constraining Alberta’s energy sector, such as carbon pricing, environmental regulations, or pipeline approvals. Recent political developments in Canada and certain phenomena that parts of Canada share with the United States, have breathed some new life into this movement.

In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Randy Boissonnault, a former Member of Canada’s Parliament representing Edmonton Centre, Alberta’s capital. Together they delve into the history of Alberta Separatism and the recent factors that have seen the movement capture national attention both in Canada and the United States.

In December 1989, the U.S. military intervened in Panama to depose dictator Manuel Noriega. Known as Operation Just Cause, the U.S. invasion of Panama has resurfaced in public discourse as observers draw parallels between it and the large build-up of U.S. forces  off the coast of Venezuela.

In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Ambassador Luigi Einaudi, U.S. Ambassador to the OAS from 1989 to 1993 and later former Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States. Together they unpack both the similarities and distinctions between Panama and Venezuela . They also assess the challenges inherent in any democratic transition and lessons learned from Panama's history.

The episode was recorded on December 22, 2025, two weeks before Operation Absolute Resolve to capture Venezuelan Disctator Nicolas Maduro, yet it still contains valuable insights into what may happen next in Venezuela.

Last week, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado embarked on a daring journey from Venezuela to Norway to accept her Nobel Peace Price. Traveling in disguise, evading military checkpoints, and enduring rough seas, she arrived late in Oslo but nevertheless appeared on the balcony of the Grand Hotel around 2:30 am to address an assembled crowd.

In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Alexandra Winkler, Senior Associate with the CSIS Americas Program. Together, they discuss Alex's experience in Norway from the Nobel ceremony to the appearance of María Corina Machado, and what her journey meant for Venezuelans around the world. They also discuss the future of the opposition, and what comes next in the fight for democracy within Venezuela.

On October 19, Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira won the presidency in Bolivia, bringing an end to the rule of the Movimiento al Socialismo, or MAS party which had long dominated the country's politics. While the MAS defeat captured headlines, President-elect Pereira faces a difficult path ahead, facing major economic as well as security challenges.

In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Eduardo Gamarra, Professor of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University. Together, they discuss Pereira's path to the presidency, the economic state of Bolivia, and the evolution of the country's challenges with organized crime and narcotrafficking. They also analyze the future of Bolivia-U.S. relations which have shown signs of warming under the new government.

The United States has dramatically escalated its use of force against drug trafficking organizations in the Western Hemisphere, many of whom have also been designated as terrorist entities by the Trump administration. At a basic level, this signals a shift in U.S. national security priorities, but it also opens a host of political, legal, and practical questions about the role of military force in the fight against organized crime.

In this episode, Rubi Bledsoe sits down with Aileen Teague, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Together they discuss her recent book, Policing on Drugs: The United States, Mexico, and the Origins of the Modern Drug War, 1969-2000. They also delve into recent U.S. interventions against drug trafficking organizations and where U.S. security policy might evolve from here.

Use Discount Code: AUFLY30 for 30 percent off on the book.