How the Tigray War Began

Jacob Shapiro sits down with journalist Jody Ray, who just returned from on-the-ground reporting in Ethiopia and Eritrea. This convo is a gateway into one of the most underreported conflicts brewing today - a potential war over Red Sea access with echoes of Cold War rivalries, ethnic fracture lines, and a region that's been through hell once already.

If you enjoyed the conversation, check out more of Jody's work below!

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Timestamps:

(01:22) - Meet Jodi in Nairobi

(01:38) - Why Ethiopia Matters

(03:20) - Ethiopia Basics

(05:44) - Cold War Backstory

(07:13) - From Empire to Derg

(10:28) - TPLF Rule and Abiy Rise

(12:37) - How Tigray War Started

(14:55) - War Aftermath and Red Sea

(16:46) - Why Tigray Didn't Take Addis

(18:48) - Eritrea Explained

(23:17) - Regional Powers and the Dam

(25:38) - Little Dubai in Addis

(27:24) - Addis Boom And Displacement

(28:47) - Capital City Versus Hinterlands

(30:32) - Nightlife And Image Management

(31:21) - Tigray Trip And War Signs

(32:28) - Life In Mekelle After War

(35:12) - Drone Strikes And Media Crackdown

(37:30) - Fighters And Civilian Resolve

(40:38) - Plea To The International Community

(42:26) - Ethiopia Fragmentation And Armed Regions

(45:22) - Horn Powder Keg And Twitter Diplomacy

(48:15) - Why Ethiopia Matters To Him

(51:58) - Travel Origins And Chinese Factory Clue

(53:59) - Closing Thoughts And Thanks

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Referenced in the Show:

Jody's Work - https://jodyray.journoportfolio.com/

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

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Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

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The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

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Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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