Search Party https://newpress.com/ en Search Party with Sam Ellis is an independent video journalism project that will investigate and decode the most important and complicated news around geopolitics and global sports. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/42113374-ce70-11f1-ab1d-a3692b99ec06/image/3276f4a71c4cb475af1662f3f7546115.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Search Party https://newpress.com/ episodic Sam Ellis Search Party with Sam Ellis is an independent video journalism project that will investigate and decode the most important and complicated news around geopolitics and global sports. Search Party with Sam Ellis is an independent video journalism project that will investigate and decode the most important and complicated news around geopolitics and global sports.

]]> Newpress partnerships@newpress.com What Trump really wants from Cuba This video explains why Donald Trump and his allies are signaling that Cuba could be their next major foreign policy target. We trace the 67-year conflict between the United States and Cuba — from Fidel Castro and the Cold War to sanctions, blackouts, and today’s economic collapse. Drawing on footage filmed across Havana, the video includes interviews with ordinary Cubans living through fuel shortages, power outages, and political uncertainty. Some blame the Cuban regime, others blame the U.S. embargo, and many simply want change after years of decline. We also examine how Cuba survived for decades through support from the Soviet Union, Venezuela, Russia, and China — and why those lifelines are now weakening. Through on-the-ground reporting and historical context, this explainer unpacks what Trump may be trying to do in Cuba — and what could happen next. Wed, 11 Nov 2026 13:00:00 -0000 full Sam Ellis This video explains why Donald Trump and his allies are signaling that Cuba could be their next major foreign policy target. We trace the 67-year conflict between the United States and Cuba — from Fidel Castro and the Cold War to sanctions, blackouts, and today’s economic collapse. Drawing on footage filmed across Havana, the video includes interviews with ordinary Cubans living through fuel shortages, power outages, and political uncertainty. Some blame the Cuban regime, others blame the U.S. embargo, and many simply want change after years of decline. We also examine how Cuba survived for decades through support from the Soviet Union, Venezuela, Russia, and China — and why those lifelines are now weakening. Through on-the-ground reporting and historical context, this explainer unpacks what Trump may be trying to do in Cuba — and what could happen next. This video explains why Donald Trump and his allies are signaling that Cuba could be their next major foreign policy target. We trace the 67-year conflict between the United States and Cuba — from Fidel Castro and the Cold War to sanctions, blackouts, and today’s economic collapse. Drawing on footage filmed across Havana, the video includes interviews with ordinary Cubans living through fuel shortages, power outages, and political uncertainty. Some blame the Cuban regime, others blame the U.S. embargo, and many simply want change after years of decline. We also examine how Cuba survived for decades through support from the Soviet Union, Venezuela, Russia, and China — and why those lifelines are now weakening. Through on-the-ground reporting and historical context, this explainer unpacks what Trump may be trying to do in Cuba — and what could happen next.

]]> 828 The most powerful man in sports, explained Gianni Infantino is an extremely controversial figure. He’s the leader of FIFA, the organization that runs world football and constantly finds itself to be the target of accusations of corruption and scandal. Infantino has increasingly become the face of those stories.  But this video will make the case that Infantino delivered what he promised to when he became leader 10 years ago. At the time, FIFA was trapped in a sweeping corruption scandal. Its finances were in ruin. Infantino emerged promising to reform and expand FIFA. He accomplished both. He expanded the World Cup and introduced a Club World Cup. FIFA is making more money than ever before. He’s directed historic amounts of it towards the women’s game and the football associations of smaller countries. The appearance of Curacao and Cape Verde in this year’s World Cup is a testament to that.  But, Infantino did not do these things painlessly. He’s cozied up to authoritarians in Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the US. He oversaw serious human rights abuses in Qatar during the ‘22 World Cup. And he increasingly attracts bad press when he appears on TV.  Infantino has put FIFA and football in a better place than it was 10 years ago. The question is, was it worth the cost?  Tue, 10 Nov 2026 13:00:00 -0000 full Sam Ellis Gianni Infantino is an extremely controversial figure. He’s the leader of FIFA, the organization that runs world football and constantly finds itself to be the target of accusations of corruption and scandal. Infantino has increasingly become the face of those stories.  But this video will make the case that Infantino delivered what he promised to when he became leader 10 years ago. At the time, FIFA was trapped in a sweeping corruption scandal. Its finances were in ruin. Infantino emerged promising to reform and expand FIFA. He accomplished both. He expanded the World Cup and introduced a Club World Cup. FIFA is making more money than ever before. He’s directed historic amounts of it towards the women’s game and the football associations of smaller countries. The appearance of Curacao and Cape Verde in this year’s World Cup is a testament to that.  But, Infantino did not do these things painlessly. He’s cozied up to authoritarians in Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the US. He oversaw serious human rights abuses in Qatar during the ‘22 World Cup. And he increasingly attracts bad press when he appears on TV.  Infantino has put FIFA and football in a better place than it was 10 years ago. The question is, was it worth the cost?  Gianni Infantino is an extremely controversial figure. He’s the leader of FIFA, the organization that runs world football and constantly finds itself to be the target of accusations of corruption and scandal. Infantino has increasingly become the face of those stories. 

But this video will make the case that Infantino delivered what he promised to when he became leader 10 years ago. At the time, FIFA was trapped in a sweeping corruption scandal. Its finances were in ruin. Infantino emerged promising to reform and expand FIFA.

He accomplished both. He expanded the World Cup and introduced a Club World Cup. FIFA is making more money than ever before. He’s directed historic amounts of it towards the women’s game and the football associations of smaller countries. The appearance of Curacao and Cape Verde in this year’s World Cup is a testament to that. 

But, Infantino did not do these things painlessly. He’s cozied up to authoritarians in Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the US. He oversaw serious human rights abuses in Qatar during the ‘22 World Cup. And he increasingly attracts bad press when he appears on TV. 

Infantino has put FIFA and football in a better place than it was 10 years ago. The question is, was it worth the cost? 

]]> 898 Why the US can’t fight Iran forever Patriot missiles have become one of the most sought-after weapons in the world—but the US may be burning through them faster than it can replace them. As wars stretch from Ukraine to the Middle East, a growing shortage could force the US to choose who gets protected—and who doesn’t. Mon, 09 Nov 2026 13:00:00 -0000 full Sam Ellis Patriot missiles have become one of the most sought-after weapons in the world—but the US may be burning through them faster than it can replace them. As wars stretch from Ukraine to the Middle East, a growing shortage could force the US to choose who gets protected—and who doesn’t. Patriot missiles have become one of the most sought-after weapons in the world—but the US may be burning through them faster than it can replace them. As wars stretch from Ukraine to the Middle East, a growing shortage could force the US to choose who gets protected—and who doesn’t.

]]> 781 Why China is building stadiums for free Why does China keep building stadiums around the world? From Cold War Asia to modern-day Africa and island states, this video uncovers how stadiums became one of China’s most effective diplomatic tools. You’ll see how these projects helped win recognition, shape alliances, and project influence without troops or treaties. We break down which stadiums were gifts, which came with loans, and why some countries said yes — while others switched sides. This isn’t just about sports — it’s geopolitics, poured in concrete. Sun, 08 Nov 2026 13:00:00 -0000 full Sam Ellis Why does China keep building stadiums around the world? From Cold War Asia to modern-day Africa and island states, this video uncovers how stadiums became one of China’s most effective diplomatic tools. You’ll see how these projects helped win recognition, shape alliances, and project influence without troops or treaties. We break down which stadiums were gifts, which came with loans, and why some countries said yes — while others switched sides. This isn’t just about sports — it’s geopolitics, poured in concrete.

Why does China keep building stadiums around the world? From Cold War Asia to modern-day Africa and island states, this video uncovers how stadiums became one of China’s most effective diplomatic tools. You’ll see how these projects helped win recognition, shape alliances, and project influence without troops or treaties. We break down which stadiums were gifts, which came with loans, and why some countries said yes — while others switched sides. This isn’t just about sports — it’s geopolitics, poured in concrete.

]]> 751 How the Trumps sparked a revolt in Albania This video explains how Jared Kushner’s post–White House business empire has become entangled with foreign governments that once dealt with him as a U.S. official. It uses Albania as the clearest case study, where Kushner-linked companies have pursued major resort projects on Sazan Island and at Zvërnec with extraordinary help from the government of Edi Rama. Those projects sit at the intersection of disputed land ownership, protected environments, strategic-investor laws, and longstanding concerns about corruption in Albania. The video argues that these deals create a serious conflict: foreign governments can potentially help or hurt Kushner’s private interests while he remains deeply connected to U.S. foreign policy and the Trump administration. And in Albania, that relationship is now producing a backlash, as protesters use the Kushner projects to challenge a much broader system of political favoritism and corruption. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:00:00 -0000 full Sam Ellis This video explains how Jared Kushner’s post–White House business empire has become entangled with foreign governments that once dealt with him as a U.S. official. It uses Albania as the clearest case study, where Kushner-linked companies have pursued major resort projects on Sazan Island and at Zvërnec with extraordinary help from the government of Edi Rama. Those projects sit at the intersection of disputed land ownership, protected environments, strategic-investor laws, and longstanding concerns about corruption in Albania. The video argues that these deals create a serious conflict: foreign governments can potentially help or hurt Kushner’s private interests while he remains deeply connected to U.S. foreign policy and the Trump administration. And in Albania, that relationship is now producing a backlash, as protesters use the Kushner projects to challenge a much broader system of political favoritism and corruption. This video explains how Jared Kushner’s post–White House business empire has become entangled with foreign governments that once dealt with him as a U.S. official. It uses Albania as the clearest case study, where Kushner-linked companies have pursued major resort projects on Sazan Island and at Zvërnec with extraordinary help from the government of Edi Rama. Those projects sit at the intersection of disputed land ownership, protected environments, strategic-investor laws, and longstanding concerns about corruption in Albania. The video argues that these deals create a serious conflict: foreign governments can potentially help or hurt Kushner’s private interests while he remains deeply connected to U.S. foreign policy and the Trump administration. And in Albania, that relationship is now producing a backlash, as protesters use the Kushner projects to challenge a much broader system of political favoritism and corruption.

]]> 992 The country behind Africa’s endless wars Sudan’s civil war has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises — and evidence increasingly points to the United Arab Emirates as a crucial backer of the RSF. In this episode, I follow an investigation that used TikTok videos, satellite imagery, cell phone data, and interviews with former fighters to trace a secret supply network through Libya. The trail leads to weapons, vehicles, mercenaries, and ultimately powerful figures in Abu Dhabi. I also look at how the UAE built enough influence through business, investment, and football to make Western governments reluctant to confront it. This is the story of how soft power can protect hard power — even in the middle of a devastating war. Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:00:00 -0000 full Sam Ellis Sudan’s civil war has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises — and evidence increasingly points to the United Arab Emirates as a crucial backer of the RSF. In this episode, I follow an investigation that used TikTok videos, satellite imagery, cell phone data, and interviews with former fighters to trace a secret supply network through Libya. The trail leads to weapons, vehicles, mercenaries, and ultimately powerful figures in Abu Dhabi. I also look at how the UAE built enough influence through business, investment, and football to make Western governments reluctant to confront it. This is the story of how soft power can protect hard power — even in the middle of a devastating war. Sudan’s civil war has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises — and evidence increasingly points to the United Arab Emirates as a crucial backer of the RSF. In this episode, I follow an investigation that used TikTok videos, satellite imagery, cell phone data, and interviews with former fighters to trace a secret supply network through Libya. The trail leads to weapons, vehicles, mercenaries, and ultimately powerful figures in Abu Dhabi. I also look at how the UAE built enough influence through business, investment, and football to make Western governments reluctant to confront it. This is the story of how soft power can protect hard power — even in the middle of a devastating war.

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