Episode Description:

In this episode, we cover three fascinating stories from around the world. First, we delve into the mysterious death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, in a private jet crash in Russia. Speculations arise that this crash was a deliberate act of revenge by Russian authorities due to Prigozhin's mutiny against Putin. We explore the implications of this incident, including the consolidation of power by Putin and the varying reactions within Russia.

Next, we shift our focus to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim majority country, where a growing movement towards a more inclusive and tolerant Islam is taking place. We highlight the efforts of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim civil society organization in Indonesia, in advocating for a moderate and inclusive Islam that aligns with the country's state ideology of Pancasila. We discuss NU's call for the abandonment of the caliphate and the acceptance of non-Muslims as fellow citizens, challenging the perception of rising extremism in Indonesia.

Lastly, we introduce Linen, a Quechua artist from Peru who is pioneering a unique genre of music called Q-pop. Linen blends Korean-style beats and ballads with Andean instruments and sounds, creating a fusion that represents his indigenous culture and serves as a platform for blending traditional and modern elements. We explore the global popularity of Linen's music, his millions of listens on platforms like TikTok, and how his music is seen as a form of protest and a way to express his unique perspective as a young Peruvian man making K-pop in Quechua.

History would suggest that the crash of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s plane was an assassination. Our correspondent considers what the supposed death of the Wagner Group’s leader means for Ukraine—and what it says about Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Indonesia has fostered a more moderate version of Islam that it would now like to export (9:58). And meeting an indigenous pioneer of Peruvian pop (16:21).

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