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PODCAST

On the Fringe

Mapping, uncovering, and shining light on the Global South and future technologies that will affect your life.

The media glosses over AI usage and geopolitics. We dive into how both go hand-in-hand, speak with up-and-coming major players, and shed light on major events in our wheelhouses: Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. We explore: international education, prediction markets, financial scams, and human development onthefringepodcast.substack.com

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All Episodes

2:51

We’ll be back tomorrow!

On the Fringe ·

2026/10/11

Hey On the Fringe Community! Gav + I are both on the move. We will be posting a bonus episode tomorrow and then will be back like normal next weekend! Listen for a teaser about it. Have a great week + all the best from both of us!Dave + Gav This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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60:35

Joe Barnes’ Epic Travelogue through the Former Soviet...

On the Fringe ·

2026/10/07

Hey all! In this episode we welcomed back Joe Barnes, a friend of the podcast and Russia hand. In February 2022, Joe set off on a trip on a trip through the former USSR and visited each one of the fifteen countries, then wrote a fascinating book about his experiences. In our hour-long chat (it’s a record) we dive into what is happening on the ground in each country, including the cultural and historical dynamics that have shaped the last three decades in each country. In the wide ranging chat, Joe

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8:31

Single? The Algorithm Knows Who is Right for You

On the Fringe ·

2026/10/04

Singapore has one of the lowest birth rates in the world. (Sorry, made a mistake 15 seconds in!) And, the local government (as it has done in the past to stop Singaporeans from doom scrolling) came up with a plan to play matchmaker + provide more financial incentives to couples to have kids. In the episode, Dave + Gav analyze the new policy, and spot an important piece of the puzzle that government is really missing. If you enjoyed it or learned something, subscribe and shoot us an email:

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5:22

The ongoing and pivotal war that everyone’s forgotten

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/30

This a quick bonus episode/update about the current war between Pakistan and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Pakistan has signed on to the Makkah Accord, along with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye to come to one another’s mutual defense. Will this agreement do anything to resolve the tit-for-tat conflict? Here’s our take. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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19:58

Why Saudi Arabia is facing a shock to its system

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/28

In this episode, we dive into what the three countries that have signed on the Makkah Agreement (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan) have to offer one another, and why on paper this looks like an effective deterrence against a group like the Houthis or the Taliban. We also dive into why access does not equal utilization. Essentially, why the Saudis are largely left fending for themselves despite having a brand new alliance that looks increasingly more like a paper Megazord.Thanks, as always, for

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6:51

Uncle Sam Saved a Few Bucks and Lost Millions

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/27

According to CSIS, Intellectual property losses cost the U.S. economy between $225—$600 billion per year. These come from losing trade secrets, illegal technology transfers, and copyright infringement to name a few.It was recently reported that critical parts to the F-35 fighter jet were shipped commercially between Australia and the U.S. and routed through Hong Kong. Then, China took possession of them.In this quick bonus episode, Dave and Gavin theorize why and how this happened, and the potential

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17:40

All about the Houthis

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/23

Recently, there’s been much talk of the events occurring around Yemen, but less talk about the group at the center of it all, Ansar Allah, generally referred to as the Houthis. In this episode, Gav and Dave talk about the origins of the group, and what makes them exceptional and dangerous….and such a potentially existential threat to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The boys talk about the Houthis' background, their motivation, and some of the remarkable feats they have managed to pull off on the

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7:46

An Intercontinental Refugee Crisis is Unfolding...

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/20

Our hearts go out to the Yemeni civilians who have been displaced after a decade of war. In this episode, we're shining a light on the growing humanitarian crisis on both sides of Gulf of Aden. To really understand what is happening in Yemen, you also have to look at the ongoing refugee crisis that is too big to no longer be ignored. The impact of the Houthis siezing more terrain and control of Yemen will spillover into an entire region that is currently on edge, and critically, doesn't have the

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4:16

Don't Waste Time, Make a Dime: Singapore will pay...

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/17

On this bonus episode, the boys talk about Singapore’s interesting solution to the problem of constant electronic stimulation...paying people to read books. The country is trialling a program where people will be fiscally rewarded for their reading efforts, another entry in a long history of money-based social engineering out of the island state.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to On the Fringe for more. All the best from both of us,Dave + Gav This is a public episode. If you'd like to

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7:14

We're Still Pissed Off About the CIA World Factbook

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/16

While working on another episode, Gavin and Dave ran into a sadly familiar problem, lamenting the absence of a once constant companion, that old fan favorite, the CIA World Factbook.Back in high school, we took the CIA World Factbook for granted diving into world flags, populations, and obscure info like how many airports does Ukraine have. Little did we know that there would come a day when it would disappear, and we were stuck with old numbers to understand a current situation.Now that it’s gone,

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17:38

No Easy Option: Saudi Arabia is Between Iraq and a...

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/13

In this episode, On the Fringe analyzes the implications of the growing geopolitical crisis in the Gulf and a potential crisis for oil markets due to Houthi forces exposing key terrain...and it miles away from the coast, in brains in Riyadh. On September 3rd, an attempt by the internationally recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia to launch an offensive against the Houthi forces that control the majority of Yemen’s populated area quickly went awry. As of publication, Houthi forces have

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21:26

NYC’s AI Moratorium: Creating Space to Think…in the...

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/09

This week, Gavin and Dave have an old friend of the pod, fellow RPCV and veteran educator, Kevin Wong, back on to talk about the recently announced AI moratorium in New York City’s public schools. The one-year moratorium which temporarily bans the use of AI in the classroom from grades K-8, and limits how it can be used from 9-12, including mandates on limiting screen time and prohibiting teachers from using AI to grade assessments, is already being talked about as a flagship policy. Kevin talks

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7:20

America wants to fix maps, except maps of Africa

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/07

Last week, the UN General Assembly voted nearly unanimously to utilize maps with the more accurate Equal Earth scale instead of the commonly used Mercator scale. The United States voted against it, and the reason why may surprise you. Listen in to this bonus episode about why the US’s explanation to vote “no” is ironic, especially as President Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America. If you’re not in the US, this change has already come into effect.What’s your take on

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23:58

A New Dawn on Old Problems: a Failed Coup in Niger,...

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/07

In what could be one of the most impactful geopolitical events of the year, an attempted coup that kicked off in the Republic of Niger on August 28th has upended a lot of long held ideas about the regional order in the Sahara.On this pod, Gavin and Dave explore how a failed putsch from disaffected junior officers in Niamey has led to Algeria’s first major foreign military deployment since 1973, and how the various military actors involved in Niger have complicated an already fraught situation as the

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32:32

Lowkey...don’t count out Gen Z (Feat. Chauncy Wadsworth)

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/06

This week, Gav and Dave get the chance to talk Chauncy Wadsworth, a 22-year old American electoral reformist and PR professional, about how he got involved in politics, how he feels about the state of American politics today and why he’s still optimistic about the political future of America. In this wide-ranging conversation, Chauncy and the guys cover the corrosive effect of money on American politics, the healing power of CSPAN, and why seemingly impossible fault-lines can still be bridged.If you

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28:59

Never Meta Anyone Who Does It Better

On the Fringe ·

2026/09/01

This week, Dave and Gavin kibbitz about the large settlement announced between Meta and 47+ US States and territories. While on paper a stunning legal victory, the actual cost to the social media titan is more symbolic than anything else, as this presents Meta with an opportunity to tweak its algorithm and start rolling out more autonomous AI agents who will be able to train off of the interactions this algorithmic tweaking will cause. The boys talk about the relative merits and de-merits of “Just

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11:02

Sending our thoughts and prayers to flood victims in...

On the Fringe ·

2026/08/30

On the morning of August 26th, along the Nepali-Chinese border, tragedy struck. Devastating flash floods wiped out entire villages, ports of entry, roads, and human lives. With a death toll currently around 800 and over 3,000 missing, the scale of destruction and devastation seems impossibly large for a country already struggling with environmental change and economic hardship. Gav and Dave talk about some of the factors involved and how this is a harbinger of what’s to come in the high mountains of

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17:45

Shift happens? Outlining the Mecca Agreement

On the Fringe ·

2026/08/27

Hello, On the Fringe Community. I thought I’d posted this last week! In this episode, Dave and Gavin analyze what the new Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (the Mecca Agreement) between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan means for the Middle East and South Asia. This tripartite security pact outlines that members will come to one another’s aid in the event of an attack. Saudi and Pakistan had already had an agreement signed in 2025; this adds Turkey to the mix. Is this a new geopolitical bloc forming

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11:49

You + random Fred’s Facebook Argument = BIG $$$ for...

On the Fringe ·

2026/08/24

Curious about where the fuel for an angry social media thread begins? It’ll likely surprise you—like it did us! Meme and engagement farms are popping up in Indonesia, providing opportunities for locals to earn thanks to YOUR clicks and arguing with someone you’ve never met in Cleveland.Dave and Gavin also tie the podcast into a reminder and practical advice at the end that everyone who uses the internet shouldn’t miss. If you enjoyed the episode, let us know! Shoot us an email, leave a comment, and

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12:22

Does the US-ROK alliance cool as Northeast Asia simmers?

On the Fringe ·

2026/08/23

In this episode, Dave and Gavin analyze and explore potential ramifications in South Korea (and in the region) due to the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises being abruptly shortened. Since his first term, President Trump has called out South Korea for not doing enough to bear the costs of U.S. military forces in Korea and supporting the United States. As Trump again signals displeasure with Seoul, and takes action by shortening the military exercises early, will the ROK in turn take a step to

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175 results

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