Intercross The Podcast

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we speak with Erica Gaston, an international lawyer and project manager at the Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin, to discuss the legal aspects and humanitarian consequences of the use of self-defense in armed conflict. International humanitarian law addresses the rules for soldiers, armies and States, when they conduct offensive attacks, but it does not directly address the rules governing self-defense. So what are the limits on the use of force when individuals and units are defending themselves in combat situations?

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with Patrick Youssef, ‎the ICRC Deputy Regional Director in Africa. With media attention focused on the famine in Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen and Nigeria, Patrick helps us dive deeper into one of the areas of crisis, the Lake Chad region. What's driving the chronic fragility in Lake Chad? How do you rebuild the eroding sense of solidarity in communities? How is ICRC operating in the area? And with such dire headlines dominating, how does one remain hopeful? Hosted by Niki Clark and Sara Owens.

In November 2014, the International Committee of the Red Cross’ delegation in Washington DC and the American Red Cross teamed up with the world’s largest oral history initiative, StoryCorps, to collect conversations between people whose lives have been touched by the Red Cross. Here is the ICRC's Regional Delegation in Washington's outgoing head of delegation Francois Stamm speaking with Brigadier General (US Army, ret.) Rich Gross.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we discuss the future of US detention in armed conflict. In May 2016, the ICRC’s Washington delegation, Harvard Law School’s PILAC, and the Naval War College’s Stockton Center held their inaugural joint IHL workshop on the same topic. About 30 experts convened for two days to discuss, debate and explore the issue. An outcomes report was just recently released. Join Tracey Begley and Deputy Legal Advisor Andrea Harrison in a conversation about the main issues that were discussed, which are most hotly contested, where gaps exist in IHL and what other law we can turn to in times of gaps, the main take-aways from the workshop and why ICRC brings together these groups. Hosted by Tracey Begley.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with ICRC's Head of Communications in Syria, Pawel Krzsiek. Pawel has been on the frontlines in Syria both leading up to the conflict and again since 2015. What is the latest situation on the ground? The recent ICRC report on Urban Warfare, I Saw My City Die, found that nearly half of all civilian war deaths worldwide occurred in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, the main focus countries of the report. In light of this, how are the needs and response different in urban contexts? How do civilians determine whether to stay or flee? And how do we work in areas of limited access? Pawel shares some of his harrowing firsthand perspectives of working in cities under siege. Hosted by Niki Clark and Sara Owens.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, ICRC in Washington's Legal Advisor discusses the classifications of conflict. How are conflicts classified? What is the impact of classification? Are they binding according to the Geneva Conventions? What's ICRC's role in classification? A great primer conversation. Hosted by Tracey Begley.

With this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we're excited to host the third iteration in our new cultural series where we explore the intersection of conflict and culture. In this episode we sit down with Hirad Abtahi. Since 2004, he has headed the Legal and Enforcement Unit of the Presidency of the International Criminal Court and has some twenty years of experience in international criminal justice. In addition, Hirad is a HUGE Star Wars fan. He recently published an article in the Huffington Post called "This is not the Jedi Way: Exploring International Humanitarian Law through Star Wars." In this first part of a two part conversation, ICRC resident Star Wars experts Austin Shangraw and Erika Moyer speak with Hirad about what we can learn about the rules of war, and how they could possibly apply in a galaxy far, far away. Hosted by Austin Shangraw and Erika Moyer. * As noted in the article, the views mentioned in these discussions are those of the author’s alone, in his personal capacity.

With this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we're excited to host the third iteration in our new cultural series where we explore the intersection of conflict and culture. In this episode we sit down with Hirad Abtahi. Since 2004, he has headed the Legal and Enforcement Unit of the Presidency of the International Criminal Court and has some twenty years of experience in international criminal justice. In addition, Hirad is a HUGE Star Wars fan. He recently published an article in the Huffington Post called "This is not the Jedi Way: Exploring International Humanitarian Law through Star Wars." In the second part of a two part conversation, Hirad discusses the role that culture plays in our perception on war, and how the basic tenets of the rules of war can be find in not just film, but also comic books and television. Hosted by Austin Shangraw and Erika Moyer. * As noted in the article, the views mentioned in these discussions are those of the author’s alone, in his personal capacity.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we talk with the outgoing Head of Delegation for the ICRC in Libya, Katja Lorenz. Katja discusses the continually changing context for operating in Libya, the humanitarian needs on the ground and how the daily lives of Libyans have been impacted since fighting began. Hosted by Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with ICRC's Regional Director for Africa Patricia Danzi. She talks about the challenges of working in a context that many perceive more as a country than a continent, the critical issues not being covered, how to make space for Africa in a crowded humanitarian landscape and the stories of hope and innovation that keep her inspired. Hosted by Niki Clark and Tracey Begley.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, Sara Owens and Guest Host Trevor Keck sit down with ICRC in Washington's Policy Advisor Marcia Wong and Hugo Slim, Head of Policy. They discuss how humanitarian diplomacy helps catalyze ICRC's policy work, how the organization is using evidence, experience and expertise in moving the needle on policy and the recent urban warfare report that details what happens when cities fall apart because of conflict. Hosted by Sara Owens.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, Sara Owens is joined by two delegates who have paved the way for the ICRC to adopt sport and inclusion as a priority for the physically disabled communities in conflict-affected countries. Alberto Cairo, one of the ICRC’s most revered delegates, has been in Kabul, Afghanistan with the ICRC’s orthopedic and physical rehabilitation program for 27 years. He was recently joined in Kabul by Jess Markt, an avid wheelchair basketball player and coach, where together, they built the ICRC’s first and largest wheelchair basketball program. The work that Jess and Alberto have done has proven that sport is not only a crucial element in the physical rehabilitation of those who have been victim to landmines, disease, and other tragedies, but is also a pivotal aspect in their mental and emotional healing. This has additionally nurtured a culture of teamwork, leadership, inclusion, and self-confidence. Jess and Alberto have not only established an incredibly successful program, but

With this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we're excited to host the second iteration in our new cultural series where we  explore the intersection of conflict and culture.  In this episode we sit down with Photographer Daniel Sonnentag, Penny Eifrig and her 17 year old daughter Saede. They are the minds behind They Have Names, a social media and photography campaign that began after the Eifregs met Sonnentag in a refugee camp in Berlin where they all volunteer. An exhibit of the same name is currently running at Gallery Al-Quds in Washington, D.C. until May 31st. In the debate around migration and flight, people usually talk about the abstract term "refugees." In this conversation we talk about the individual stories of some of the people our guests have met in Berlin, how volunteering and working with refugees have changed previously held perceptions and prejudices and why photography can help us see 'others' as 'us.'

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with Lynn Levine, Director of Communications for the American Red Cross in Boston. With the launch of the ICRC Collaborative Platform happening on what would had been Red Cross founder Henry Dunant's 189th birthday, we took the opportunity to have a conversation about what it means to be a Red Crosser, Lynn's path to the Red Cross, the Boston chapter's role in reconnecting families around the world and some of the stories that as a communicator with one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world she holds most dear.  Hosted by Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with Christoph Harnisch, head of delegation in Bogota, Colombia. With more than 30 years working for the ICRC, Harnisch brings a rich and storied perspective of complex and protracted conflicts. We discuss how reaching a peace deal is really just the first step for the country, the ICRC's role in negotiations, the challenges Colombians still face, and the single most important experience that has impacted him as a humanitarian. Hosted by Niki Clark and Sara Owens.

With this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we're excited to launch a new cultural series where we will explore the intersection of conflict and culture. You can find a new addition to the series on the fourth Tuesday of every month. In "From Athens to Aleppo: Shakespeare and the Rules of War" host Sara Owens and ICRC Legal Advisor Andrea Harrison sit down with Stephen Ryan, a lawyer who sits on the board of the Shakespeare Theatre Company and Major General (Ret) Dale Meyerrose, the first President-appointed, Senate confirmed chief information officer and information sharing executive for the U.S. Intelligence Community. Both served as panelists for the Shakespeare Theatre's recent discussion exploring in-depth examinations into the roles of lawyers and legal issues in Shakespeare plays and classical theatre pieces. Listen in to their interesting discussion!

After 25 years with the ICRC, South Sudan Head of Delegation Jürg Eglin has experienced pretty much everything. But the famine facing the world's newest country is one of the worst in history, even to a career humanitarian. Eglin, along with ICRC in Washington's Trevor Keck sits down with Intercross the Podcast to discuss the situation on the ground, ICRC's operational response and the humanitarian consequences of decades of conflict to the most vulnerable populations. Hosted by Niki Clark and Sara Owens.

In this episode, Intercross the Podcast speaks with Dr. Ahmed Al-Dawoody, the ICRC Legal Adviser on Islamic Law and Jurisprudence. What are the connections between Islamic law and international humanitarian law?  Who is protected under both areas of law?  And who is excluded? Join us for a discussion on the interpretation of Islamic law, its historical roots, and its similarities and differences with IHL. Hosted by Tracey Begley.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, Sara Owens sits down with three students from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Mary Macleod, Elena Sakelaris, and Constantine Gavrillos, to reflect on their experience preparing for and competing at the Clara Barton Competition, what they took away from the competition, and advise for future participants. The Clara Barton IHL Competition (CBC) provides law students, international students, and military academy and institution students a unique opportunity to experience the laws of war as they are applied in practice, while offering these emerging leaders the chance to network with top authorities in this field.

Dale Stephens and Pete Hays discuss the intricacies of military operations and outer space. There are over a thousands satellites orbiting the earth that are used in our everyday lives. This podcast explores their military use and vulnerabilities, and the laws that govern outer space operations. Hosted by Tracey Begley.