PRIO's Peace in a Pod

For some children, the scars of war are present from the very beginning of life.Children born of war are found in virtually every conflict worldwide. Most are born to local women and fathered by members of enemy forces. Some of these relationships are consensual – occasionally even rooted in love. Many, however, are the result of rape.Across contexts, these children carry the burden of a complex and often violent history, as well as stigma that frequently follows them into adulthood. For decades, societies have struggled to acknowledge their existence, let alone protect their rights.Today, that is slowly beginning to change.In June 2025, Ukraine took a decisive step by criminalising war crimes against children – crimes that became particularly prevalent following Russia’s invasion. Yet globally, the path to recognition and justice remains long.In this special episode of PRIO’s Peace in a Pod, Arnaud Siad speaks with Ajna Jusić, a Bosnian human rights activist and founder of the Forgotten Children of War Association. Ajna’s advocacy helped secure a landmark moment in 2023, when Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Law on the Protection of Civilian Victims of War, formally recognising children born of war as a distinct social category with equal rights.She is joined by Lejla Damon, spokesperson for the organisation, who speaks to the situation of children born of war in Bosnia and internationally.The conversation also includes Inger Skjelsbæk, Professor at the University of Oslo and Research Professor at PRIO, and leader of the EuroWARCHILD project, which examines the experiences, rights, and needs of children born of war across Europe.Ajna and Lejla were in Oslo to receive the University of Oslo Human Rights Award on behalf of the Forgotten Children of War Association – and to share their personal experiences, research, and ongoing fight for recognition, justice, and dignity.PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Photo: Getty Images/Derek Hudson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 2026 has barely begun, yet the pace of global upheaval is already staggering.In just a few weeks, the United States has seized Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, issued threats against allies, and signalled a willingness to reshape the world order.At the same time, international law and human rights are under unprecedented strain – from Ukraine to Sudan, from Gaza to Iran. Ceasefires fail to end the violence. Humanitarian organisations are expelled. Journalists and academics are silenced.As 2026 begins, a fundamental question looms: are we witnessing a temporary crisis of the international system – or its steady unravelling?In this episode, Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International and former UN Special Rapporteur, and Jørgen Jensehaugen, Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo and a leading expert on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, examine the erosion of global norms, accountability, and multilateral institutions – and ask what, if anything, can still hold the system together.PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Photo: Getty Images/Europa Press Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After nearly a decade as PRIO Director, Henrik Urdal has wrapped up his tenure. Taking over is Nina Græger, who returns to PRIO after leading the Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen.In this special episode of PRIO’s Peace in a Pod, host Arnaud Siad sits down with both leaders for a wide-ranging conversation about what it means to steer a peace research institute in a time of global turbulence.Henrik reflects on his years at the helm - the challenges, guiding values, and what makes PRIO unique. Nina shares her vision for the institute and the role of peace research in an era marked by resurging conflict, rising defense budgets, and shifting geopolitical alliances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 marked one of the most violent years since the end of the Cold War, with 61 armed conflicts recorded across 36 countries. This sobering tally comes from PRIO’s latest Conflict Trends: A Global Overview report, drawing on data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program.But behind the numbers lies a deeper human toll. From Gaza to Sudan, children are among the most vulnerable in today’s wars - facing displacement, trauma, and the collapse of education and health systems.In this episode, we speak to Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children, about what it means to protect childhood in the midst of war. And to Siri Aas Rustad, Research Director at PRIO and lead author of the report, who walks us through the data and its implications.PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Commission has unveiled a bold 800 billion euro plan to ramp up defense spending - marking what many are calling a historic shift in Europe’s security architecture. With the United States signaling a more distant role under the Trump administration, Europe is under growing pressure to stand on its own.Is this a turning point for NATO? Can Europe match the military and strategic weight of other global powers? And what might this shift mean for the values that have long underpinned the Western alliance?In this episode, host Arnaud Siad is joined by Kori Schake, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy at the American Enterprise Institute and former foreign policy adviser to President George W. Bush, and Bruno Oliveira Martins, Senior Researcher at PRIO, to unpack the changing transatlantic relationship and what lies ahead for Europe’s security future.Photo: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Negotiations around a ceasefire in Ukraine have dominated headlines ever since Donald Trump returned to the White House. From bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia to direct talks between Trump and Vladimir Putin, discussions are intensifying over what a potential ceasefire could look like.But on the ground, the fighting continues. Ukraine’s energy infrastructure remains under attack, and civilians are still caught in the crossfire.Now, a breakthrough technology developed by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and NORSAR—using seismic and acoustic detection to automatically identify events—could transform how war crimes are documented and how ceasefires are monitored.Joining this episode are Sebastian Schutte, a Research Professor who leads the project at PRIO, and Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties in Kyiv, who works tirelessly to document war crimes committed by Russian forces.PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Image: ChatGPT (DALL·E) / OpenAI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump’s call for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and displace its population marks a stark break from decades of American policy—one that could destabilize the entire Middle East.This comes at a critical moment, as the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire hangs in the balance and families await the return of hostages from Gaza. For Palestinians, the threat of another forced displacement is not only terrifying but a clear violation of international law.So what happens next? And what are the broader consequences for the region?In this episode, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese and PRIO Senior Researcher Jørgen Jensehaugen break down the stakes, the legal implications, and the realities on the ground.PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Photo: Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto via Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 8th. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have fled the country his family ruled for 50 years—a political earthquake that sends shockwaves across the globe.Miles away in Europe, thousands of Syrians in the diaspora gather spontaneously to mark this historic moment. Governments react swiftly—many freezing asylum claims, while some begin drafting plans for the return of refugees.In this two-part episode, we first hear from Alaa Same, a Syrian refugee now settled in Norway. He shares his extraordinary story of escaping Syria, finding his way to Oslo, and the moment he learned that the dictator who had ruled his country for decades was finally gone.Then, we turn to two leading experts on migration and refugees: Marta Bivand Erdal, Research Professor at PRIO, and Pål Nesse, Senior Adviser to the Norwegian Refugee Council.PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by award-winning journalist Arnaud Siad.Photo: Getty Images/Omer Messinger Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The stakes are rising in Ukraine as Russian attacks on critical infrastructure intensify, plunging the country into darkness with rolling blackouts.Meanwhile, the Biden administration makes its final push to arm Kyiv before leaving office, and President-elect Donald Trump signals a potential shift in U.S. policy, raising critical questions about the future of the conflict.In this episode of PRIO’s Peace in a Pod, host Arnaud Siad is joined by Kristian Berg Harpviken, research professor at PRIO and the future Head of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, and Dr. Sabine Fischer, a Russia expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, to discuss Ukraine’s war at this pivotal moment and what lies ahead.Picture: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House raises urgent questions about the state of American democracy.His contentious victory—despite ongoing legal battles and investigations into his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election—marks one of the most polarizing comebacks in U.S. political history.What does Trump’s presidency mean for the future of American democracy, civil resistance, and global governance?In this episode, Harvard professor Erica Chenoweth, who delivered PRIO’s Annual Peace Address, joins PRIO Research Professor Scott Gates and Research Director Marianne Dahl to unpack the implications of this historic moment.PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Photo credit: Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious honors. Each year, the Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) presents his own independent list of individuals and organizations he believes are deserving of the Prize.This list, separate from the official selection by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, highlights those who have worked tirelessly for peace and merit special recognition.In this episode, PRIO Director Henrik Urdal discusses the people and organizations who made it onto his list this year. He is joined by Berit Reiss-Andersen, Special Adviser to the Norwegian Red Cross and former member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, where she served for over a decade. Also featured is Maria Ressa, the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, honored for her courageous work alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov in defending freedom of expression.PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Photo credit: © Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Geir Anders Rybakken Ørslien  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On April 29th at the World Economic Forum, Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, delivered a striking critique of the so-called “West,” accusing his allies of a double standard in their handling of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. His remarks echoed growing criticism from the Global South, and highlighted the risk of eroding multilateral institutions and international law. But is there truly a double standard? And what new global alliances could emerge as the United Nations struggles with paralysis? In this episode, Stein Tønnesson, Research Professor Emeritus and former Director of PRIO, and Gérard Araud, former French Ambassador to the UN and the United States, explore what “the West” means today and how global governance might evolve in the future.This episode is hosted by Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More armed conflicts took place in 2023 than in any other year since the end of World War II. That is the shocking finding in this year’s Conflict Trends Report – a yearly paper by the Peace Research Institute Oslo, using data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program and examining global conflict trends since 1946. In total, 59 armed conflicts raged around the world last year. So is our world becoming more violent? What were the most violent conflicts in 2023? And are these figures a coincidence of overlapping conflicts, some extraordinarily lethal, from artillery warfare in Ukraine to the razing of Gaza? Siri Aas Rustad is a Research Director at PRIO and the author of the Conflict Trends Report. In this episode, she is joined by Richard Gowan, the United Nations Director for the International Crisis Group, and an Associate Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by award-winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, Norway has played a major role as a peacemaker. From the Nobel Peace Prize to the Oslo Accords, promoting peace has been a central aspect of Norwegian foreign policy.But this is only part of the story. Few outside the country are aware of the thriving, lucrative, and government-owned weapons industry in this Scandinavian nation.This creates a dilemma for Norway, as it walks a tightrope between economic interests and its commitments to international law.In this episode, Nic Marsh, a Senior Researcher at PRIO and a specialist in arms trade, discusses the scope and significance of Norway's weapons industry and arms trade. He is joined by General Kristin Lund, a retired senior officer of the Norwegian Army and the first woman to command a UN peacekeeping operation.The episode is hosted by award-winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, two women's organizations are pushing for a return to negotiation and a permanent resolution to the conflict.“Women Wage Peace” is the largest grassroots peace movement in Israel, while its Palestinian counterpart, “Women of the Sun,” is a Palestinian women's organization based in Bethlehem.They are part of a global movement to ensure women are not just represented, but also at the leadership table in peace negotiations.Their work is supported by research showing that involving women significantly increases the chances of achieving enduring peace agreements.In this episode, Xanthe Scharff, a gender expert, writer, and co-founder of The Fuller Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to groundbreaking reporting on women, tells us about her reporting on these two women’s organizations.She is followed by Torunn L. Tryggestad, PRIO’s Deputy Director who heads its Centre on Gender, Peace, and Security, and Professor Azza Karam, a specialist in religion and development, and the keynote speaker at this year’s UN High-Level Seminar on Gender and Inclusive Mediation Processes, held in Oslo.PRIO’s "Peace in a Pod" is hosted by award-winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Russians headed to the polls this month, the reelection of Russian President Vladimir Putin was not in doubt.On March 17th, with over 87% of the votes in his favor, Putin secured a fifth term, becoming the longest-serving leader of the Federation since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. With most opposition candidates either dead, jailed, exiled, or barred from running, the path was clear, with no credible challenger to his rule.Echoing this landslide victory, polls in Russia seem to indicate Putin enjoys real domestic support, with 86% approving of the President, according to the Levada Centre, a respected Russian pollster.So beyond these official figures, what do Russians really make of their leader? And is support for the war in Ukraine as strong as the Kremlin claims?In this episode, we talk to Aleksei Miniailo, a political activist in Moscow, who started a project with social scientists and analysts to find out how the war with Ukraine is really being perceived in Russia. Pavel Baev, a Research professor at PRIO and an expert on Russian foreign policy, also joins the conversation.PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by award-winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UNRWA is in trouble. The UN agency for Palestine Refugees is accused by Israel of being infiltrated by Hamas and having had some of its staff involved in the attacks on October 7th.Nearly 2 million people in Gaza depend on UNRWA for survival as war and displacement continue after nearly four months of war.The allegations by Israel concern a fraction of the workforce in Gaza, but are having devastating consequences for the organization, threatening its very existence.While an investigation into Israel’s claims is ongoing, the United States, Germany and Sweden – the largest individual donors to UNRWA - have all paused their funding, and the European Union is wavering over what to do. However, Norway, one of the largest donors to UNRWA, says it will continue its funding.In this episode, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Norwegian State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, and Jørgen Jensehaugen, a PRIO expert on the Arab-Israeli conflict, discuss why the organization matters more now than ever.The episode is hosted by Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From war-torn Ukraine and Sudan to the Mediterranean, 2023 marked yet another year where thousands were forced to leave their homes in pursuit of a better life.In one of the deadliest migrant boat tragedies, more than 600 people drowned on June 14 off the coast of Greece, after a fishing vessel known as the Adriana capsized and sank. A few months later, the minuscule Italian island of Lampedusa saw an influx of 10,000 individuals within days, which nearly doubled the local population. It created new urgent humanitarian needs, on an island that has already welcomed and seen thousands pass through over the years, while again fuelling a narrative by fringe political parties of an "invasion."But beyond the gripping headlines, what were some of the key migration trends that defined 2023? What realities do those embarking on the journey to Europe face? And amidst the turmoil, are European initiatives aimed at curbing migration proving effective, and at what moral and financial costs?In this episode, we hear from Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, a Senior Researcher at PRIO and an expert on migration and humanitarian issues. She is joined by Nima Elbagir, CNN's multi-award-winning Chief International Investigative Correspondent, who just returned from an assignment in the West Bank. Nima is in Oslo to deliver PRIO’s Annual Peace Address.This episode is hosted by Emmy-award winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On November 15th, Israeli forces stormed al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, in search of a Hamas base.The facility sheltered hundreds of people: wounded civilians, children, and newborns. Soon after, the World Health Organization labeled the hospital a "death zone."Healthcare facilities enjoy special protections under international law. However, from Gaza to Ukraine, and in many other places, evidence suggests that hospitals are routinely viewed as mere military targets.So, how does international law safeguard healthcare facilities, and why is it often insufficient to protect hospitals and healthcare workers?Larissa Fast, a PRIO Global Fellow and Professor of Humanitarian and Conflict Studies at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, University of Manchester, joins this episode as the Principal Investigator on the project 'Researching the Impact of Attacks on Healthcare.' She is accompanied by Tobias Köhler, a specialist in international humanitarian law with the Norwegian Red Cross, who has served in legal and protection roles for the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Norwegian Refugee Council.This episode is hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On November 15th, the world watched as a highly anticipated meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden took place amid the scenic backdrop of Woodside, California. From a controversial visit by a US House Speaker to Taiwan, to a Chinese spy balloon crossing the United States – the two countries’ relations have sunk to their lowest point in decades. And from the war in Ukraine to the conflict opposing Israel and the Palestinians, and a general election in Taiwan that could decide the fate not just of the island, but the entire region – a more assertive Beijing may be attempting to redefine the rules of the game. As the country marks the end of its presidency of the UN Security Council this November, we ask a simple question: what does China want? Ilaria Carrozza is a Senior Researcher at PRIO and an expert on Chinese foreign policy. She is joined from Beijing by Zichen Wang, a Chinese public intellectual with the Center for China and Globalization, and the founder and editor of newsletter Pekingnology.This episode is hosted by Emmy-award winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the early hours of October 7, Palestinian militants with Hamas, the Islamic group that controls the Gaza Strip, mounted a stunning and highly coordinated invasion of Israel. They rampaged through Israeli towns, killing people in their homes, attacking young rave-goers, and taking some 200 hostages. The attacks by Hamas were horrific and gruesome, some of them live-streamed on social media for maximum impact. These were soon followed by Israel declaring war on Gaza, announcing a complete siege and starting a relentless campaign of bombardments that has killed thousands of civilians, flattened entire neighbourhoods and unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe. Western leaders were quick to respond to the attacks by Hamas with France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States issuing a joint statement, expressing their "steadfast and united support to Israel” and vowing to “support the country in its efforts to defend itself.”But beyond the unified front, a number of Western countries are voicing concerns about giving Israel carte blanche in Gaza, while UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls for a ceasefire. PRIO Senior Researcher Jørgen Jensehaugen, a specialist on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council who has teams on the ground in Gaza, discuss the West’s response to the conflict, and what the situation is like for the millions of Palestinians there. PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by Emmy-award winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the early hours of October 7, a powerful earthquake shook Herat province in western Afghanistan. It was followed by multiple aftershocks and a second, strong earthquake on October 11. Entire villages across western Afghanistan have been destroyed and over a thousand people lost their lives. And out of the rubble and dust has emerged a shocking statistic: according to the United Nations, women and children make up the vast majority of the dead and injured.To understand why, a new report co-published by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the Peace Research Institute Oslo, sheds light on the plight of Afghan women.Launched on October 24, the “Women, Peace and Security Index” measures women’s inclusion, justice and security in 177 countries, covering over 99% of the world’s population. The report provides alarming figures for Afghanistan, where women are being erased from public life, and ranks the country last on its global index. In this episode of PRIO's Peace in a Pod, Torunn Tryggestad, PRIO’s Deputy Director and head of its Centre for Gender, Peace and Security, presents some of the Index's findings. She is joined by Fawzia Koofi, former deputy speaker of the Afghan Parliament, the first woman to hold that role, and one of the rare women to have sat at the negotiating table with the Taliban in 2021. She is also the author of a memoir, “The Favored Daughter.” PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by Emmy-award winning journalist Arnaud Siad.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The announcement by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on the Peace Prize is an event highly anticipated each year by millions around the world. It’s easy to see why: the names of previous Nobel Peace Prize recipients include the likes of Malala Yousafzai, President Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, and the 14th Dalai Lama. So who will be the winner this year? And what impact can it have on those who are receiving the Prize? 351 candidates were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, according to the Nobel committee – the second highest number ever. And this time, all bets are on figures such as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, or Uyghur scholar Ilham Toti, also serving a prison sentence, in China. But Henrik Urdal, Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, sees it differently. As is an annual tradition at PRIO, he has published his shortlist of who should get the Prize, with a focus on human rights defenders and activists. Although PRIO is not part of the Nobel Committee and does not officially nominate laureates – its shortlist is independent, research-based, and widely respected. Henrik joins host Arnaud Siad alongside David Beasley – the former Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, who accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the organization in 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eighteen months since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine. US officials now report that the total number of troops from both sides killed or wounded since the war began is nearing half a million. A staggering toll, most of it paid by Russian troops, which outnumber Ukrainians almost three to one. Boosted by billions of dollars of military aid and state-of-the-art weaponry from its Western allies, Ukrainians have embarked on a counteroffensive aiming at regaining control of occupied territories in the East. But hundreds of kilometres of mined terrain and fortified defence lines by the Russians have crushed hopes of a swift and decisive breakthrough. And yet, beyond the frontlines, an extraordinary summer in Russia has unfolded, with a mutiny that saw Wagner troops marching towards Moscow – and Putin promising fire and fury on those he called "traitors." So what is really happening in the trenches of Ukraine? And is Vladimir Putin’s leadership increasingly under threat? In this episode, joining host Arnaud Siad in Oslo is Pavel Baev, a Research Professor at PRIO and a frequent contributor to Eurasia Daily Monitor and The Jamestown Foundation. Joining from Moscow is Nina Kruscheva, a historian and professor of International Affairs at The New School in New York, and great granddaughter of the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year ago, in the early hours of June 25, a gunman opened fire at three locations in the centre of Oslo, including at the London Pub, a longstanding fixture of the LGBTQ+ scene in the Norwegian capital.Espen Aleksander Evjenth was there dancing with his partner and his friends, when a bullet hit his head. Despite his severe wound, he miraculously survived.Police later announced that they viewed the shooting as a terrorist attack, and Oslo Pride organisers cancelled the parade due to take place that same day.Espen's story is one of courage and resilience in the face of unfathomable terror and violence. In this episode, he sits down with host Arnaud Siad to share his story.For Norway, this was the latest in a series of attacks that have shaken a nation that traditionally sees itself as a bastion of peace and stability. From the July 22, 2011 horrific attacks in Oslo and Utøya, to more recent ones in Bærum and Kongsberg, acts of terror in Norway have led to some serious soul-searching – and a reflection on how those ultimately impact laws and society as a whole.Kristin Bergtora Sandvik is a research professor at PRIO and a legal scholar at the University of Oslo. She is part of the LAW22JULY: RIPPLES project, a joint initiative by PRIO and the University of Oslo, that looks at the role of legal responses in rebuilding and strengthening societies after extremist attacks.In this episode, she explains how Norwegian society is responding to terrorism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has extended his rule into a third decade, beating his rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in a bitter presidential race.The run-off victory caps an extraordinary campaign for Erdoğan who had hoped for a swift win. However, sky-rocketing inflation, a devastating earthquake and a united opposition left him vulnerable at the ballot box.For two decades, Erdoğan has loomed large over Turkish politics, gradually concentrating powers and cracking down on his political opponents and critics. Abroad, the election was closely followed by Turkey’s NATO allies, and in Moscow, where the Turkish president maintains close ties with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.So what does Erdoğan’s victory mean for Turks and for the country’s foreign policy?In this episode of PRIO’s Peace in a Pod, host Arnaud Siad talks to PRIO Senior Researcher Pinar Tank, a specialist of Turkish domestic and foreign policy. They are joined by Ilhan Uzgel, a professor of International Relations formerly at Ankara University, who lost his academic position after being dismissed by a presidential decree in 2017. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On April 15th, explosions and gunfire began to rock the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, with the paramilitaries and army accusing each other of attacking their respective bases.With two heavily armed groups squaring off in one of the most populated cities on the African continent, the United Nations has now issued a stark warning that the humanitarian situation on the ground is reaching a “breaking point."Katarzyna Grabska—or Kasia as she's known by her colleagues—is one of thousands of people who were evacuated aboard a rescue flight just a few days ago, scrambling for safety amid rapidly escalating violence. She is a Senior Researcher at PRIO, an anthropologist who researches issues of artistic practice in the context of war, gender, youth, issues of displacement and refugees, with a focus on Sudan.On this special episode of PRIO's Peace in a Pod, we catch up with Kasia about her witnessing of the war, and her telling of how she escaped Sudan, a place she calls home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On April 25th, Israel marks 75 years of existence, commemorating the Declaration of Independence of 1948. But this year, amid the fireworks, military parades and flag-waving, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu will be on the lookout for disruptions and more protests. Recent proposals by Netanyahu's government - the most far-right in the history of the country - to weaken the Supreme Court has sent hundreds of thousands of protestors to the streets. Meanwhile, illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank continue to spread, with the open support of members of the government, including controversial figures such as Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.So, is Israel's democracy at risk? And in this context, what future is there for Palestinians and Israeli Arabs?Hilde Henriksen Waage, professor of History at the University of Oslo, and research professor at PRIO. She has worked extensively on the role of Norway in the Oslo Accords and is a published author on the topic. Jørgen Jensehaugen is Senior Researcher at PRIO, and author of the book “Arab-Israeli Diplomacy Under Carter." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disarmament, i.e. the collection of arms and ammunitions following civil wars, is aimed at preventing conflict recurrence and paving the way for peace. However, comprehensive disarmament of non-state actors is challenging and rare. In this episode, we look at the following questions: What is the relationship between disarmament of rebel groups and peace? What is 'criminalized peace' and how can we prevent it? What are the roles of women in arms control initiatives? The episode features the first female mediator who signed a peace agreement with a rebel group (Miriam Coronel-Ferrer), an expert on arms control and violence reduction (Guy Lamb) and a PRIO Senior Researcher who works on trade and trafficking of small arms and light weapons, homicide, and armed violence (Nicholas Marsh). The episode is hosted by PRIO Senior Researcher Júlia Palik. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Research is only valid and useful so long as the people doing it are honest. However, there many incentives for researchers to lie. This discussion looks at the following questions: What is academic fraud? How prevalent is it? What can be done to prevent fraud? It features a prominent investigator of academic fraud (Nick Brown), a researcher who has studied academic publishing (Lynn Parker Nygaard) and a deputy editor of a prominent journal (Sebastian Schutte).This bonus episode is hosted by PRIO Senior Researcher Nicholas Marsh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 28 February, the IPCC, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,launched the second part of its Sixth Assessment Report. This part assesses the impacts ofclimate change, looking at ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities at global andregional levels. It also reviews vulnerabilities and the capacities and limits of the naturalworld and human societies to adapt to climate change.One of the main conclusions of the report is that climate adaptation is proceeding too slowlyand that measures are being implemented on too small a scale to address the major climatechallenges we face.In this episode, we discuss the findings of the report, and the work behind it, with PRIOResearch Professor Halvard Buhaug, who is a lead author in the Sixth Assessment Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last few months in Bosnia have been marked by moves towards secession and a flare-up ofethnic tensions emanating from Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority entity of Bosnia andHerzegovina established by the Dayton Peace Agreement which put an end to the 3 ½-year-longBosnian War. Commentators are describing the last few months as the worst political and securitycrisis since the war ended in 1995.In this episode, we discuss the current crisis and ask if what we are seeing in Bosnia is new to thecountry or part of a longer trend. We also discuss what these past few months tell us about thesuccesses and shortcomings of formal peace agreements.Political scientist and migration scholar Aida Ibričević and psychologist and peace scholar IngerSkjelsbæk join Teuta Kukleci, Communicator at PRIO, for a conversation on the topic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every year, PRIO holds its Annual Peace Address, inviting distinguished guests to reflect on how to contribute to the creation of a world in which violence is the exception and peace is the norm. In 2021 the peace address was given by Jeffrey D. Sachs with the title “Why we must avoid a new cold war and how to do it”.Sachs is a world-leading expert in economics and sustainable development, University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.Watch the video of the full address and discussion here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scrambles for natural resources and struggles for power when such resources come to light are a frequent cause of international conflict and tension around the world. In the Eastern Mediterranean, recent discovery of hydrocarbon has only exacerbated existing tensions. This is a region that includes Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, and Israel. Today we’re going to hear from PRIO Cyprus Centre researcher Zenonas Tziarras on this topic: he'll explain the key players, the recent history, and what kinds of issues he thinks are worth highlighting there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the transformative potential of visual storytelling in conflict research?In the project Societal Transformation in Conflict Contexts or (TRANSFORM), animations and comics were created in collaboration between researchers, activists, artists, writers, and many others. These pieces of art not only serve to inspire possible change, but also to illustrate and highlight stories of societal transformation around the world. That work was done in collaboration with PositiveNegatives. Today Ben Dix, PositiveNegatives Founder, and Cindy Horst, Research Professor at PRIO, talk about their work together.Related materialThe TRANSFORM project webpage on prio.org The TRANSFORM virtual exhibitionPositiveNegatives website The podcast episode with Kue Cool and Marte NilsenCo-Creating Knowledge: Creative collaborations between researchers, artists, policymakers and practitioners (PRIO Policy Brief) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, many academics found themselves in a desperate scramble. For female academics in particular, the threat of retaliation and loss of freedoms was ominous. Meanwhile, their colleagues and counterparts in other countries struggled to help them. Professor Jacqui True at Monash University managed to successfully help bring several female academics from Afghanistan to Australia.Today Jacqui and Afghan scholar Parisa talk about developments in Afghanistan and the journey to Monash University.Related materialListen to the ABC broadcast here  Read about the 16 Days of Activism here  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1980s, in what was then Northern Somalia, doctors, teachers, and other professionals lived out their ethics and ideals by restoring a hospital and responding to the needs of people in their community. Their actions were rewarded with arrests and imprisonment. This is the story of the Uffo group.In today’s podcast Mohamed Aden Hassan and Ebba Tellander discuss Uffo and how this story can inspire people around the world - especially perhaps the Somali Diaspora.Ebba also wishes to acknowledge research assistance by Nasra Dahir Moahed and Shukri Ali (whose voice we hear in this episode as well).Related materialRead the comics in English or Somali on positivenegatives.orgWatch the animated versions on youtube Read Ebba's PRIO Blog post Using a Comic to Tell the True Story of the Uffo Struggle for Justice in Somaliland about her research and the comic processListen to Peace in a Pod episode #60 on visual storytelling with Cindy Horst and Ben DixVisit the TRANSFORM project webpage to read about more projects like this one Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2020, 1.6 billion children were living in a conflict-ridden country. Approximately 452 million children – more than one in six – were living less than 50 km from where the actual fighting took place.For the last few years PRIO and Save the Children have collaborated on the Children in Conflict project which illuminates the number of children affected by violent conflict around the world. Updates have expanded to include children living in conflict zones where they are at risk for sexual violence.In this episode Gudrun Østby, Ragnhild Nordås, and Roos van der Haer talk about this research collaboration.Related materialStop the War on Children: A crisis of recruitment (Save the Children report)Children at Risk of Being Recruited for Armed Conflict, 1990–2020 (PRIO Policy Brief)1 in 8 children are at risk of being recruited by armed actors (PRIO Blog post)Children Affected by Armed Conflict, 1990–2020 (PRIO Policy Brief) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hyper-masculine leaders have grabbed headlines in the last few years: Putin, Trump, Bolsonaro, Erdogan. All of them employ the rhetoric of masculinity in public discourse and ultimately, often, policy. It’s worth asking: is this a new trend, and what does it mean for the ones living in these countries, especially women and LGBTQ individuals?Johanne Rokke Elvebakken, Gender, Peace and Security Centre Coordinator at PRIO, and Kelly Fisher, Research Assistant, have both written on this topic and share their thoughts in conversation today.Related materialKelly's PRIO Blog post, "The Differing Masculinities of Trump and Biden" (PRIO Blogs)Johanne's Centre for Gender Research piece on "Women and LGBT+ Persons in International Peace and Security Policy" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before the Taliban regained control of the country this year, before they were the target and adversary of US military force, the Taliban were the governing force in Afghanistan. And before that, they were a transnational group of religious students.To give context to modern-day Afghanistan and the political developments there, PRIO researcher Kristian Berg Harpviken provides a brief history of the Taliban on today’s episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For some immigrants, acquiring citizenship in a new country is the final goal in a long journey of various residence statuses and times of uncertainty. But getting citizenship is not always the end of the story. From alienation through documentation, to having citizenship taken away, there can be other twists and turns even then. For immigrants with for example refugee status similar difficulties can occur.Marta Bivand Erdal has researched citizenship, permits, and immigration status in Norway, and today discusses some of this research and her findings.Related materialTwo of Marta's publications on this topic:Losing the Right to Stay: Revocation of Refugee Permits in Norway in Journal of refugee Studies (Open Access), co-authored with Jan Paul Brekke and Simon Roland Birkvad‘Birthplace unknown’: on the symbolic value of the passport for identity-construction among naturalised citizens in Identities (Open Access), co-authored with Arnfinn Midtbøen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 has been awarded to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, with the committee highlighting these journalists' efforts to safeguard freedom of expression. Maria Ressa is a Filipino-American journalist who has revealed abuse of power, violence, and authoritarianism in the Philippines. Dmitry Muratov is editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, the most independent Russian newspaper.To comment on this prize, PRIO researchers Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert and Pavel Baev join the podcast with their fresh reactions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just one week left before the Nobel Peace Prize is announced, we take a look at PRIO Director Henrik Urdal's shortlist of possible candidates.Thank you to the many guests on this episode:Henrik Urdal, PRIO DirectorMaria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Research Director and Senior ResearcherCarina Strøm Smith, Research AssistantJonas Vestby, Senior ResearcherJørgen Jensehaugen, Senior ResearcherAmalie Nilsen, Research Assistant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the transformative potential of visual storytelling in conflict research?In the project Societal Transformation in Conflict Contexts or (TRANSFORM), animations and comics were created in collaboration between researchers, activists, artists, writers, and many others. These pieces of art not only serve to inspire possible change, but also to illustrate and highlight stories of societal transformation around the world. That work was done in collaboration with PositiveNegatives. Today Ben Dix, PositiveNegatives Founder, and Cindy Horst, Research Professor at PRIO, talk about their work together.Related materialThe TRANSFORM project webpage on prio.orgThe TRANSFORM virtual exhibitionPositiveNegatives websitePeace in a Pod episode 18 with Kue Cool and Marte Nilsen, "Art, Conflict, and Land Rights in Myanmar"Co-Creating Knowledge: Creative collaborations between researchers, artists, policymakers and practitioners (PRIO Policy Brief) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On September 5th, 2021, the military in Guinea pulled off a coup against president alpha conde. The coup was led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, and since then the situation has been unclear, though the military remains in power. Many in Guinea welcomed the power change, while others condemn it – and the international community largely falls in the second camp. What will happen next?Related materialListen to last year's podcast episode on Guinea and West AfricaRead Zahara's PRIO Blog post "Protests, Elections, and Ethnic Tensions in West Africa: What are the Driving Forces?" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scrambles for natural resources and struggles for power when such resources come to light are a frequent cause of international conflict and tension around the world. In the Eastern Mediterranean, recent discovery of hydrocarbon has only exacerbated existing tensions. This is a region that includes Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, and Israel.Today we’re going to hear from PRIO Cyprus Centre researcher Zenonas Tziarras on this topic: he'll explain the key players, the recent history, and what kinds of issues he thinks are worth highlighting there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today marks 20 years since 9/11. In this episode four researchers share their reflections on what the effects of this event have been on global politics, security, and war.Related materialHva vi snakker om når vi snakker om digitaliseringens politikk – Mareile Kaufmann i samtale med Jan Grue in Nytt Norsk Tidsskrift (in Norwegian)Predictive Policing and the Politics of Patterns in The British Journal of Criminology (Open Access), co-authored by Mareile Kaufmann, Simon Egbert and Matthias LeeseLisa Hajjar's article The Counterterrorism War Paradigm versus International Humanitarian Law: The Legal Contradictions and Global Consequences of the US “War on Terror" in Law & Social Inquiry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last few years, technology has played a huge role in Myanmar’s politics and life in the last few years. Research Professor Stein Tønnesson explains how Facebook and Telenor in particular went wrong – and right – in the country, and what lasting effects those companies have had. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just over seven months ago, on February 1st, 2021, the world witnessed a shockingly audacious military coup in Myanmar, in which the democratically elected National League for Democracy was deposed. Shortly after, PRIO researchers Marte Nilsen, Trude Stapnes, and Stein Tønnesson appeared in a podcast episode devoted to the coup. Today I’m talking again to these three researchers, getting their impressions and updates after seven months.Related materialRead Marte's PRIO Blog post "The politics of humanitarian aid to Myanmar"Visit Myanmar Bazaar on InstagramThank you to Sophie for reading her poemThank you also to Rap Against Junta and 882021 for permission to play the song – you can watch 882021's video for "Lee Coup" here  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The past week has been a shock for Afghanistan and the world watching. In a matter of days, the Taliban took over regional capitals one by one, entering Kabul on Sunday, August 15. How could this have happened? Was it foreseeable – and preventable? Research Professor Kristian Berg Harpviken shares some initial thoughts on today’s episode.Related materialKristian's PRIO Blog post "What happened to Afghanistan's security forces"  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.