The Global Agora

What is the techno-oligarchy? What roles and agendas do billionaires like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and others have? How much do the interests of the techno-oligarchy intersect with those of geopolitical actors such as Russia and China? And where does President Donald Trump fit into all of this? I discuss this with Anton Shekhovtsov, Director of the Centre for Democratic Integrity and Visiting Senior Fellow at the Department of International Relations of Central European University (CEU). Can the techno-oligarchy cause the end of humanity? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

On August 15th last year, US President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Do we live in a different world, or does Kyiv still feel the heat from the Anchorage summit? In this episode of The Global Agora, I discuss all Ukraine-related topics – from the drone campaign and changes in leadership to the situation on the battlefield – with Volodymyr Dubovyk, an Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations at Odesa I. Mechnikov National University and a Senior Fellow with the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). What is currently – according to him – the biggest source of concern and doom in Ukraine? LIsten to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

The midterm elections are less than three months away, and part of the American political discourse is about alleged communists taking over the country. But in fact, it seems that diseases are taking over the United States. Is the US becoming a country of measles and diarrhea under President Donald Trump? David McCuan, a Political Science Professor at Sonoma State University, is one of The Global Agora's regular guests. We discuss the state of play before the midterms, what the vote can bring for Democrats and Republicans, and how labeling opponents as communists can help the GOP. And yes, we also talk about measles and diarrhea, and, inevitably, about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Is Vladimir Putin's grip on power weakened amid Ukrainian strikes? Can we expect a big mobilization in Russia? Will the upcoming Duma elections be totally faked? And while it's unlikely to happen, who could get rid of Putin? In this episode of The Global Agora, I speak with Anton Barbashin, an editorial director at Riddle and a political analyst who was just recently added to Russia's wanted list. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Hariz Halilovich was born in Srebrenica. He is an award-winning social anthropologist, author, and a Professor of Global Studies at RMIT University in Melbourne. His research has focused on place-based identities, politically motivated violence including genocide, forced migration, memory studies, and human rights. I asked him whether there is anything happening anywhere in the world right now that, in his opinion, meets the criteria for genocide. And of course, we inevitably talked about Gaza, Ukraine, and Srebrenica. But even considering all the horrors people are capable of causing, Hariz doesn't think we should call them monsters. Why? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Donald Bowser helped set up the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and works as an international security and law enforcement advisor. “You want to fight Russia? Then what you need to do is fight corruption in Ukraine. Russia's greatest fear is to have a well-governed country next to it,” he told me. We also discussed the bombing in Monte Carlo targeting oligarch Vadym Iermolaiev, the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and the appointment of a highly controversial figure, Oleksandr Poklad, who is now the acting chief of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). And how did he answer my question about whether President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is clean when it comes to corruption? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

The NATO summit was held on July 7-8 in Ankara. The declaration from the meeting in Türkiye has six paragraphs, and in this episode of The Global Agora, I dissect them with Roger Hilton. He is a Canadian global affairs and defence analyst from GLOBSEC living in Central Europe. So, what went right and what went wrong for NATO at the Ankara summit, and will the meeting, first of all, be remembered for Donald Trump's mood swings? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

The United States has celebrated its 250th anniversary. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the Declaration of Independence. Are American ideals just a political myth? Can the US truly be called an imperialist country? What would the world look like without the US? And what kind of president is Republican Donald Trump? Kurk Dorsey, a professor of history at the University of New Hampshire, answered these questions for The Global Agora. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

This is a special episode of The Global Agora. I was lucky enough to speak with Oana Lungescu, the longest-serving NATO Spokesperson and a Distinguished Fellow at RUSI, and Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of United States Army Europe. The interviews were recorded separately, but I decided to combine them because, I believe, they provide a very interesting and comprehensive preview of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, which will be held on June 7-8. Listen to conversations – the first part features Oana, followed by Ben. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

If 2025 had continued, Ukraine would have lost and Europe would have been at risk of a Russian attack. That is the view of military analyst Gustav Gressel. „We were actually in a very shitty phase,“ he claims. In this episode of The Global Agora, we discuss the situation on the battlefield, Ukraine's long-range strikes – or long-range sanctions as Kyiv calls them – and developments in the Crimea, which is becoming increasingly isolated from Russia. We also look at the Donbas, where the news is not all good and talk about US President Donald Trump's current approach to Ukraine. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

There are still a lot of ifs, but if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18, he is highly likely to succeed the current Labour Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. Yet ten years after Brexit, is Britain even governable? Could the anti-migrant violence and riots – stirred up by figures like Elon Musk, as recently witnessed in Belfast – become the new normal in the UK? And could Nigel Farage actually become prime minister? I explore these questions and more with Steven Fielding, Professor Emeritus of Political History at the University of Nottingham. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

US President Donald Trump will turn 80 on June 14. If he completes his second term, he will leave the White House in January 2029 at the age of 82, making him the oldest American president in history. Is Trump too old for the office? What does he want for his birthday? And to what extent is he trying to link his birthday and public persona with national symbols, and even with the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States? I discussed these questions and more with Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha, Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Professor of Political Science at the University of Canterbury Anne-Marie Brady is a specialist on the Chinese Communist Party. We met in Prague at the GLOBSEC Forum 2026 and in this episode of The Global Agora we discuss the life and political endeavors of Chinese Communist leader Xi Jinping. Does he prefer Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump? Could he stop the Russian war against Ukraine if he wanted to? And is Xi Jinping's domestic political power unlimited? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

After many years of correspondence and phone calls, I finally met Cas Mudde in person last year at the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague. Our meeting resulted in the 235th episode of The Global Agora podcast. This year, we crossed paths again. The result? Another round of conversation. This time about the sanewashing of US President Donald Trump, the threat of the far right, the normalization of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, but also about the cancelation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Cas Mudde is, of course, a professor at the University of Georgia and one of the world's foremost experts on populism and far-right politics. Listen to our conversation.  And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree allowing Russia’s Victory Day military parade to proceed, it was clear that there would be a strong reaction from the Kremlin. “We knew there would be a response in terms of metal, as we always call it. A lot of metal flying through our skies and, of course, falling down on our heads. But it was really to the point and something very innovative. No one was expecting that,” Ukrainian analyst Victoria Vdovychenko told me. She is the joint program leader of the Future for Ukraine Project at the Center for Geopolitics at the University of Cambridge, and holds a PhD in Foreign Policy and World History. Does she think that Zelenskyy and Putin will meet at the negotiation table? And should Europe talk to the Russian dictator? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Bart Schuurman is a Professor of Terrorism and Political Violence at Leiden University. In this episode of The Global Agora, we discuss his latest research article, Russia’s low-level agents: characteristics, roles and organisational structure of covert operatives in Europe, 2022–2025. So, who are these low-level agents, how is Russia using them against Europe, and how can this security threat be addressed? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

A new Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar will take office on May 9. What will be its primary focus during the first 100 days? Unfreezing EU funds and “de-Orbanization”? And what lies ahead for Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz after the crushing defeat delivered by Magyar’s Tisza party in the elections held on April 12? In this episode of The Global Agora, I speak with Zsuzsanna Végh, an analyst and program officer with the German Marshall Fund’s European Resilience Program in Berlin. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Many Europeans worry that U.S. President Donald Trump may be unwilling to help them in the event of Russian aggression. Does Taiwan have similar concerns regarding Trump’s commitment in the face of China? And why does it seem that Beijing has ultimately turned to coercion instead of trying to win Taiwanese hearts and minds? In this episode of The Global Agora, I speak with Jyun-yi Lee, Associate Research Fellow at the Institute for National Defense in Taipei. We met at the annual CEEasia Forum in Bratislava, organized by the Central European Institute of Asian Studies and the Slovak Foreign Policy Association, where I moderated a panel titled: Friends in need, friends indeed: Where is Europe–Taiwan cooperation headed? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Seva Gunitsky is an associate professor of political science at the University of Toronto. In this episode of The Global Agora, I speak with him about his two articles – The Personalist Global Order and The Incel Global Order. We discuss how closely the personalist world order is connected to the rise of the manosphere and the incel phenomenon, what links Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping, and whether their approach to leadership could lead to more conflicts. We also touch on a provocative question: do they aspire to live to 150? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

As the Middle East's tensions escalated, Cyprus found itself unexpectedly in the line of fire. In this episode of The Global Agora, I speak with Professor James Ker-Lindsay, an expert on Cyprus and European security, about the drone attack on British bases, the island's shifting foreign policy, its relationship with Russia, its role in the European Union, and what small nations like Cyprus and Slovakia should learn from today's turbulent world order. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Orsolya Ráczová is an analyst on Eurasia Group’s Europe team, covering Central and Eastern Europe. She is definitely the right person to speak with about the upcoming elections in Hungary, which will be held on April 12. Will Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party, Fidesz, lose power after 16 years? Would he accept defeat if he loses? And would Orbán’s challenger, Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, concede if his attempt to oust the current Hungarian government is unsuccessful? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Robert Hamilton is the President of the Delphi Global Research Center. He served for 30 years in the US Army, retiring as a Colonel, and during his career, he was deployed to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Germany, Belarus, Georgia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He is the author of the book China-Russia Relations: The Dance of the Dragon and the Bear and holds a PhD in International Relations as well as an MA in Russian Studies from the University of Virginia. With his experience in the Middle East and his expertise on Russia, Dr. Hamilton is an ideal guest to discuss two ongoing wars – in Ukraine and in Iran. Is this already a global conflict? And why does Bob say that the US has painted itself into a corner in Iran? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

What does the Iran war mean for Ukraine? And what are the Russians doing in Hungary? Julia Kazdobina is the head of the Ukrainian Foundation for Security Studies, so we talked about the ripple effects of the US-Israeli war against Iran on Ukraine's ability to defend itself, about the unique drone expertise Kyiv is bringing to the Gulf states and the US, about Russian political technologists who have arrived in Hungary ahead of the elections – and about why she thinks Europe needs to figure out what it actually wants before it sits down at any negotiating table with Vladimir Putin. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Who is running Iran? And what can the Iran–Iraq War tell us about the current conflict? These were just two of the questions I asked Mateo Mohammad Farzaneh, a full professor and chair of the History Department at Northeastern Illinois University. We discussed his journey from Iran to the United States, what led him to study history, his perspective on the war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, and why the regime in Tehran may be far more resilient than the West tends to assume. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Michal Onderčo is a Full Professor of International Relations in the Department of Public Administration and Sociology at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and his most recent book is titled Europe's Nuclear Umbrella. The current global instability, ongoing wars, and the collapse of key arms control treaties provide a perfect – albeit grim – setup for our debate. We discussed who holds Europe's nuclear umbrella and what Europe can do about it, French nuclear plans, Russian nuclear threats, and we also fact-checked nuclear claims made by US President Donald Trump. And if you listen to my podcast The Global Agora regularly, you know that I’m not shy about asking apocalyptic questions. So – could the Iran war go nuclear? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Is Operation Epic Fury a punitive campaign – or a regime change war? Why is it even called Epic Fury? Could Iran become Donald Trump’s Iraq or Afghanistan? And what advice would national security expert Jonathan Schroden give the President to avoid such a scenario? My guest is the Chief Research Officer within the Office of the President at the CNA Corporation, with over 20 years of experience in policy, strategy, and operations research and analysis. Jonathan's forthcoming book is titled US Counterterrorism Operations in Afghanistan: Jackpots, Dry Holes, and Collateral Damage. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

In this episode of The Global Agora, I speak with Monika Sus, a professor at the Institute of Political Studies at Polish Academy of Sciences and expert on European security and EU foreign policy. Together, we explore whether Europe is already at war with Russia, and why the distinction between “war” and “hybrid warfare” may no longer hold. We discuss Poland’s view of Russia as an existential threat, divisions within the European Union, the uncertain future of NATO, and whether Europe must begin seriously preparing for a security architecture that can function without the United States. And ultimately, we confront the most unsettling question of all: in today’s climate of strategic uncertainty, can Europe still rely on its closest ally? So, would American President Donald Trump fight for Gdansk? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

In this episode of The Global Agora, I speak once again with retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan. We have been having these conversations for over three years now. This time, we discuss Ukraine’s evolving strategy of cumulative attrition – targeting not only Russian troops, and Ukraine wants to destroy 50,000 Russians per month, but also oil revenues and political pressure points. We examine whether Kyiv has the means to sustain this approach, the mistakes made by all sides during four years of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and why – despite drones and AI transforming the battlefield – 90 percent of warfare remains an old story of leadership, training, mass, logistics, and political will. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

When I spoke with Minna Ålander in March last year, I asked her how far she thought American President Donald Trump could go in his hostility toward the European Union, on a scale from zero to ten, where ten represented the worst-case scenario. She said it would be around 8.5. Less than a year later, I asked her the same question again. “It’s probably 11,” she replied. Minna Ålander is an analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS), a non-resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), and an associate fellow at Chatham House. We discuss whether it is time to bury the post–Cold War world order, and what that would mean for smaller countries such as Slovakia or Finland. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

The new UK Ambassador to Slovakia, Bilal Zahid, has Pakistani roots, has lived in Northern Ireland, and studied in Scotland. He explains why he chose a diplomatic career and why he focuses on the Central and Eastern European region. Most recently, he served as Minister-Counsellor at the UK Embassy in Kyiv, where he was also responsible for the embassy’s security and safety. How does he assess the situation in Ukraine, and what does he hope to achieve in Slovakia? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Does US President Donald Trump have an endgame in Venezuela? Which Latin American leader should be most concerned about the Donroe Doctrine, and what could it mean in concrete terms for US foreign and security policy? And should Greenland and Canada really be worried as well? “I think Trump is trying to establish a sphere of influence in which the United States can do what it wants in the Western Hemisphere,” says Renata Keller, a history professor at the University of Nevada. She is an expert on modern Latin America, the Cold War, and the War on Drugs, and she recently published a book, The Fate of the Americas: The Cuban Missile Crisis and the Hemispheric Cold War. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Tom Nichols considers Donald Trump's obsession with Greenland very dangerous. "I think that's his most dangerous fixation because if this turns violent or confrontational, it could blow up NATO. I think Putin and others will say it's time to start taking advantage," Tom told me when we spoke about the first year of Trump’s second presidency. He is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a contributor to The Atlantic Daily newsletter. He is also a Professor Emeritus of national security affairs at the US Naval War College. His books include The Death of Expertise and Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from Within on Modern Democracy. Tom thinks that Trump is an even bigger threat than we thought, but he is also optimistic. Why? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

What was the most complicated aspect of preparing for the American intervention in Venezuela? What does the selection process for such a special operation look like? Will American President Donald Trump repeat it elsewhere – for example, in Greenland? And if so, should Europeans start practicing his kidnapping? Military analyst Patrick Bury answered these questions and more. He served as an air assault infantry Captain in Afghanistan, an experience he detailed in his book Callsign Hades. He is currently a Senior Associate Professor in Security at the University of Bath, specialising in warfare and counterterrorism. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

What do the Venezuela operation and the January 6 attack on the Capitol, which happened five years ago, tell us about President Donald Trump? "The anniversary of January 6th and the insurrection and uprising that occurred that goes on when Congress comes back into session with the background of what just happened in Venezuela, I think completely captures the reckless endangerment of others by this president and how he acts," said David McCuan, a Political Science Professor at Sonoma State University. Does he think that the Venezuela raid will define Trump’s foreign policy legacy – and America’s and its allies’ place in the world? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Elections in Hungary are not expected until April, but who is leading in the polls? Péter Magyar’s Tisza party or Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz? To better understand the situation, I spoke with Daniel Hegedüs, Regional Director for Central Europe at the German Marshall Fund. He writes and speaks extensively on populism and democratic backsliding in Central and Eastern Europe, and we discuss what Orbán may be willing to do to remain in power. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Global Risks to the EU is a large-scale survey designed to quantify expert perceptions of conflict-related threats to European Union security. To explore what to watch for and what threatens the EU, I spoke with Erik Jones, Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute. We discuss the likelihood of various scenarios, identify what are the high, moderate and remote risks for the European Union, examine how these risks are connected to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but also what the EU faces internally. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

This episode of my podcast, The Global Agora, features an exclusive interview with former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. After leaving Brussels in October last year, he became Norway's Finance Minister, and he also wrote a book, On My Watch, reflecting on his 10 years at NATO. It was the perfect opportunity for another round of conversation, especially since I had the chance to interview him in the past. We discussed a range of topics, including Ukraine, whether Vladimir Putin's calculus can be changed, the impact of US President Donald Trump's policies on Europe, and I also asked him if NATO, under his watch, ever came dangerously close to war with Russia. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

"Although the National Security Strategy says very little about Russia, what it does say is really, really significant because it does not treat Russia as an adversary. But we’re talking about an attempt to break the European Union, to absolutely shatter this institution.” This is what Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin, told me when commenting on the new National Security Strategy of the Trump administration. Scott is also Professor Emeritus of International Politics at the University of Birmingham and editor-in-chief of EA WorldView. Does he think that Europe is, at this moment, squeezed between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Elon Musk, and Xi Jinping – and if so, how should it respond? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

"Fighting corruption has strategic importance for Ukraine’s national security. I believe this because when it comes to corruption in areas critical to national defense and security, we very often see that this corruption is not random, that people are not just there to steal some money. They do it because it serves Russian interests," explains Olena Tregub, Secretary-General of NAKO – The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission. We discussed the current high-profile corruption cases in Ukraine linked to the energy and defense sectors, but I also asked Olena what she would say to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Is he too close to people who are too close to corruption? Listen to our conversation.  And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Alex Finley, a former officer in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations and author of the Victor Caro intelligence novels, unpacks a story that sounds like one of her satirical books – but may be anything but fictional. She reacts to allegations that a recent US peace plan for Ukraine was, at least in part, drafted in Moscow before being translated into English and circulated in Washington. “It very much looks like a Russian influence operation,” Alex told me. Do you want to hear what she thinks about the unusual influence of figures such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, her view of Donald Trump’s behavior toward Vladimir Putin, and what she believes the Kremlin ultimately wants from its relationship with Washington? Listen to our conversation.  And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Does the European Parliament have a new majority? Is the EPP normalizing the far-right? And why does EPP chair Manfred Weber vote with the Patriots when he and the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, are essentially portrayed as political anti-Christs in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary? Eric Maurice, a Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre, explains what is happening in the European Parliament and in European politics. Listen to our conversation.  And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

How has the nature of threats changed over the past decades? With a 36-year career in Canada’s foreign service and security community, Jennifer Irish can tell. We met at the Stratcom Under Pressure conference in Bratislava, organized by the Hoaxy a podvody (Hoaxes and Scams) project. Ms. Irish is the Founding Director of the Information Integrity Lab at the University of Ottawa, and we discuss foreign interference in elections, whether Russia is the most malign actor in the global information sphere, what US President Donald Trump means for Canada, and whether a disinformation campaign could lead to a kinetic war. Listen to our conversation.  And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account that, because of other countries' testing programs, he has instructed the Department of War to begin testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis – a process he says will start immediately. What does this mean? How risky is it? Will Trump really resume nuclear testing? And if he does, who will be the biggest winner? I try to find answers to these questions with Stephen Herzog, Professor of the Practice at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California, and an Associate of the Harvard University Project on Managing the Atom. And we also discuss Kathryn Bigelow’s new movie, A House of Dynamite, about a missile attack against the United States. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

If authoritarians seek to dictate the global agenda while liberal democracies at least partly resist, could this lead to conflicts or even wars? This was one of my questions for Alexander Cooley, Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, Columbia University, and Alexander Dukalskis, Associate Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin. Their new book, Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics, examines how authoritarian powers have grown more confident and assertive in challenging liberal norms. In our conversation – with Professor Cooley speaking first – we discuss what triggered this authoritarian resurgence, why today’s autocrats are no longer ashamed of their systems, and what role the West itself played in enabling this global shift. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Some people welcome the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, yet criticize the same procedure when applied to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What does Hugo Slim – Director of the Las Casas Institute for Social Justice and Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University, who studies ethics, war, and humanitarian aid in international relations – think about this? We discussed both Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza. The interview was conducted as part of the Ambrela Development Forum, organized in Bratislava by the Platform for Development Organizations – Ambrela. So, do the ICC warrants for Putin and Netanyahu still matter? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

When President Emmanuel Macron dissolved parliament in June 2024, he gambled that new elections might restore his control or expose the far right as unfit to govern. Instead, France has been stuck in a political stalemate – no clear majority, a restless opposition, and a public growing weary of the political chaos. To help us make sense of it all, I’m joined by Georgina Wright, Special Adviser to the President and Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund. We discuss why being Prime Minister might be the hardest job in France today, what this crisis means for Macron’s presidency and his legacy, whether Marine Le Pen's presidency is more or less inevitable, and how the instability in Paris could reshape Europe’s political landscape – from investor confidence to support for Ukraine. So, can anyone govern France, or will the political instability continue? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Does American President Donald Trump really see the Russian war against Ukraine at least partly differently compared to, for example, six months ago, when he was still regularly berating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy? This was my question for a military analyst, Franz-Stefan Gady. His response? "I think the major mistake that we are making in Europe is constantly trying to assess what Trump is thinking about this or that. What we need to do is to get a clear understanding of what Ukraine really means for us," Franz said to me. Does he think that the US will provide Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine? How does he see the situation on the battlefield? And why does he say that Trump wants to hand over the war to the Europeans? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Who is Andrej Babiš? Who is the real Babiš? The best kind of handle we can get on this is what he said early on about how he wants to run the country like a firm. Clearly, he wants centralized power. He doesn’t like checks and balances. That’s how Seán Hanley, Associate Professor in Comparative Central and East European Politics at University College London, put it in our conversation. The elections in Czechia will be held on October 3rd and 4th, and Babiš’s ANO will probably get over 30 percent of the votes. Will the populist billionaire of Slovak origin become Prime Minister again? And will he, by cooperating with smaller radical parties, steer Czechia onto a path similar to Slovakia’s? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Is it accurate to describe the upcoming elections in Moldova, scheduled for September 28, as a duel between the pro-EU and pro-Russian camps? Has Russia been at least partly successful in influencing a significant number of Moldovan voters? And what might happen if pro-Russian forces win? I discuss these questions, and more, with Denis Cenusa, an Associate Expert at the Center for Geopolitics and Security Studies in Vilnius.  Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Are Russia, China, and Donald Trump's America global disruptors, and what can the EU do about it? And how to live in a world full of anxiety where drones fly over our heads, we feel economic pressure, and the wars are nearby. Join me as I speak with Paweł Świeboda, Senior Visiting Fellow and Co-Director of the Brussels Economic Security Forum at the European Policy Centre. He was Deputy Head and Head of Research of the European Political Strategy Centre at the European Commission. He is a member of the European Commission’s Expert Group on the Economic and Societal Impact of Research and Innovation. Our interview took place at the Europe Future Forum in Warsaw. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak