Orion Talks

This episode of Orion Talks, hosted by Marta Furlan, features Dr. Mauro Lubrano examining the rise of anti-technology extremism. He begins by distinguishing it from anti-technology activism, emphasizing that conflating the two risks discrediting legitimate concerns and may even contribute to further radicalization.The discussion situates recent attacks on tech leaders and infrastructure within a broader and expected escalation of anti-technology violence. These acts are driven by the belief that technology poses an existential threat to humanity and the environment. Drawing on his book Stop the Machines, Lubrano traces the evolution of anti-technology thought from material concerns (e.g., job loss) to philosophical critiques, and ultimately to today’s extremist view of technology as a “mega-machine.” The episode concludes by reflecting on the fact that anti-technology extremism is most visible in Europe and North America but has global dimensions. Lubrano argues that effectively countering this trend requires engaging seriously with non-violent activists and addressing their concerns, while clearly isolating and condemning extremist violence. Ignoring or dismissing public fears about technology, he warns, may ultimately fuel the very dynamics that lead to radicalization.

In this episode of Orion Talks, hosted by Suat Cubukcu, we are joined by Dr. Kerry Chavez to explore how drones are reshaping modern warfare and homeland security. As commercial drone technology becomes more accessible, the barriers to air power are rapidly eroding, enabling non-state actors and even lone individuals to challenge traditional military dominance. Dr. Chavez examines this shift through the lens of “precise mass,” where relatively low-cost systems can generate strategic effects at scale. The conversation also explores the broader implications of drone proliferation for global security, technological innovation, and the future character of conflict.

In this episode, host Marta Furlan talks with Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez reflecting on the new world order that is taking shape under President Donald Trump. Manfredi Sánchez talks about an end of the liberal order and a return to “areas of influence”. He goes on to note that the recent direct US intervention in Venezuela is a clear sign of a new approach with which Latin American and European countries need to deal with. Europe, in particular, is invited to take a more proactive approach. He then discusses how energy and trade have been used, or instrumentalized, in Trump’s order of things.

In this Orion Talks episode, hosted by Suat Cubukcu, Dr. Imdat Oner joins the conversation to unpack Venezuela’s sudden political turning point following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to the United States. Dr. Oner examines the immediate fallout in Caracas, the rise of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, and the competing forces, domestic and international, now shaping the transition. From Washington’s strategic aims and regional reactions to risks of internal conflict, the future of Venezuelan oil, and the response of Maduro’s allies in Moscow, Beijing, and Ankara, the discussion lays out three possible paths ahead—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and what a truly stable Venezuela would require in the long run.

In this episode, host Marta Furlan talks with Fola Aina about the current security situation in Nigeria and the threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. The episode starts with Dr. Aina giving a comprehensive and detailed overview of the current status of the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in Nigeria. He then moves on to talk about the recent targeting of farmers' communities and the strategic reasons behind those. He also gives important information about the funding strategy of the Islamist insurgency, reflecting on how the two groups finance their activities. To conclude the conversation, Dr. Aina reflects on the most important initiatives that have been taken to counter Boko Haram and ISWAP and gives his thoughts on how those measures should be strengthened and made more effective.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Héctor Camilo Morales Muñoz about the current situation in Colombia. The conversation starts with an overview of the current political and security climate in Colombia, with some reflections on where the country stands half a year before the elections in May 2026. Morales Muñoz then proceeds to reflect on the relations between Colombia and its South American neighbors, focusing on issues of climate diplomacy and environmental peacebuilding. From there, the conversation expands to discussing the relations between Colombia and the US, which have seemed particularly tense during the latest UNGA in New York.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Mehmet Metehan Ciftci about the socio-political harms linked to the mining of critical minerals. The conversation starts with Mete explaining the paradox of green minerals being extracted in the Global South, where their harmful impacts are felt, and end technologies being enjoyed in the Global North. He then reflects on conflicts surrounding lithium mining and expands on what makes lithium conflicts different from others. From there, he zooms in on the South America region and the role of Indigenous communities: while not everyone among them is against mining, many Indigenous people have been involved in conflicts and looked for innovative ways of responding to the mining. He concludes by sharing his thoughts on how the tension between the goals of the energy transition and responsible mining can be balanced.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan speaks with Dr. Joshua Walker about the current conflict and peace dynamics in the Eastern DRC. Following M23’s capture of Goma and Bukavu in late January 2025, Dr. Walker starts by describing the state of the current peace processes. Highlighting the role and leverage of Qatar and the US, Dr. Walker compares their efforts with the shortcomings of past mediation efforts. He then explains how domestic politics in the DRC and regional dynamics have been influencing the M23 conflict, and their role in the current peace processes. From there, he offers his thoughts on the role that the Eastern DRC's richness in natural resources has been playing in the conflict, questioning the dominant narrative whereby the conflict is exclusively driven by natural resources.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Dr Nicholas Barnes on criminalized governance inside some of Rio de Janeiro's favelas. After sharing the process that led him to focus his research on political violence and non-state governance as observed in some of Rio's neighborhoods, Dr Barnes explains how the gangs that control favelas develop relationships with the communities living there. He explains the combination of coercion and benefits that the gangs use to obtain obedience and cultivate support, as well as the changes that these strategies undergo over time and space. He completes the discussion by noting some of the ways in which community members themselves use different tools and strategies to influence gangs' behavior. Dr Barnes then explains the concept of criminalized governance as opposed to the more widely used criminal governance. He also reflects on how criminalized governance relates to other forms of non-state governance, such as rebel governance. To conclude, Dr Barnes builds on his research and direct experience in Rio and shares his thoughts on how authorities should and could navigate the challenges posed by the presence and activities of those gangs in some of Rio's neighborhoods.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Prof. David Des Roches on the recent developments in Yemen as the US revisits its approach to the country under President Trump. Prof. Des Roches starts by discussing the US approach to Yemen and the Houthis, over the past years - from the first to the second Trump Presidency, passing through Biden's time in office. As he does so, he illuminates the differences in approach as well as respective strengths and weaknesses. He then helps us to make sense of the US' recent re-designation of the Houthis as FTO and operations against Houthi targets. He emphasizes the possible effectiveness of this approach and how it connects with President Trump's strategy towards Iran. To conclude, he reflects on how regional countries position themselves vis-a-vis these developments and offers his thoughts on the implications that the new US administration's approach may have for the Red Sea/Gulf region.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Mr Abdulghani Al-Iryani on the recent developments in Yemen as the US revisits its approach to the country under President Trump. To start, Mr. Al-Iryani offers an overview of the current state of affairs in Yemen, focusing on the conflict between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government and the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which prior to October 7th seemed to have made some significant progress in their bilateral talks. From there, My Al-Iryani proceeds to discuss the US re-designation of the Houthis as FTO and the recent US military attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen, reflecting on the significance and the consequences of those moves. He then presents the reactions that the Houthis and people in Yemen have had to the US strikes, as well as the position taken by regional countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Mr. Giorgio Cafiero on the approach of the Gulf monarchies towards the new government in Syria led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and we will discuss how Gulf countries may end up shaping future events in Syria. After reviewing the posture that the GCC countries maintained towards Syria during the years of the civil war, Mr Cafiero proceeds to discuss how GCC countries reacted to the collapse of the Assad regime and what they have been saying in their public statements. From there, he goes into more detail, discussing how Syrian-Saudi, Syrian-Emirati, and Syrian-Qatari relations may be expected to move forward under the new Syrian government. In conclusion, Mr Cafiero offers his thoughts on the role of the GCC countries in shaping future events in Syria and the role of GCC countries in influencing the posture of the Trump Administration towards the new Syrian government.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Mr. Marcos Sebares Jimenez-Blanco on the battle of narratives around Syria. With the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Russia and Iran have lost an important ally in the Middle East that was key to their capacity to advance their military, strategic, and geopolitical goals in the region. Mr Sebares explains how Moscow and Teheran have been using their information systems to try to shape, or re-shape, the narrative surrounding developments in Syria. While doing so, he points to the methods and strategies used, as well as to differences and similarities in the two countries' approaches. Importantly, Mr Sebares also discusses how the current efforts of Russia and Iran to manipulate information compare to the approach that they followed in the past, throughout the years of the Syrian civil war. He also discusses what the West could do to counter foreign (Russian-Iranian) information manipulation over Syria. To conclude the episode, Mr Sebares shares his thoughts on the new HTS-led government sharing information or misinformation on certain crucial issues, such as the treatment of Syria’s religious minorities.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Professor Dawisson Belém Lopes on Brazil's foreign policy outlook, including its relations within the Latin American region and its relations with the US. The episode starts with Prof Lopes giving a detailed overview of Brazil's foreign policy outlook under the current Presidency of Mr Lula da Silva. To better understand Lula's current foreign policy attitude, Lopes takes a historical approach, looking also into Lula's past two terms as President (2003-2011). From there, Prof Lopes discusses in great detail Brazil's relations with its Latin American neighbors, emphasizing the changes that Brazil's regional posture has been undergoing over the years and underlying the specific changes that have taken place from Bolsonaro's presidency to Lula's presidency. Finally, the episode concludes with an interesting discussion on Brazil-US relations, from both a historical and contemporary perspective. To conclude, Prof Lopes shares in considerations on what a renewed Trump president may mean for relations between the two main powers of the Americas.

In this Orion Talks conversation hosted by Suat Cubukcu, Dr. Colin Clarke explores the potential implications of Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House. He analyzes how a second Trump presidency could reshape U.S. foreign policy priorities, alter the trajectory of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and test NATO’s cohesion and deterrence strategies. Additionally, Dr. Clarke examines Trump’s promises to broker peace in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Hamas, while addressing broader regional tensions involving Iran and its proxies. The discussion concludes with an evaluation of how Trump’s approach may redefine U.S. strategic competition with China and its overall impact on global stability.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan is joined by Kawa Hassan to discuss the Israel-Lebanon war and its implications for the region. The conversation starts with a reflection on the implications of the death of Hassan Nasrallah and other top Hezbollah leaders may have on Hezbollah as an organization. It then moves to a discussion on the implications that the most recent confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah may have on Iran's regional strategy, with a particular focus on its Axis of Resistance and its preference for acting through proxy armed groups. From there, Kawa proceeds to explain how this new war between Israel and Hezbollah/Iran may affect the still ongoing war in Gaza, arguing that global attention is being diverted away from Gaza towards Lebanon. Finally, the conversation moves on to whether a region-wide war may be getting closer. Here, Kawa argues that - depending on the definition that one may adopt - a regional war is already occurring.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu sits down with Dr. Zachary Zwald, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Houston, to explore the critical intersection of advanced technology and international security. Dr. Zwald, an expert in AI, decision-making, and security, shares insights from his current research. The conversation begins with a discussion of how public perception of AI changes when the technology is applied to military decision-making, especially in critical areas such as nuclear command and control. Dr. Zwald delves into the unique challenges of assigning accountability when AI makes errors on the battlefield—whether the blame should fall on humans or the systems themselves. He also examines key differences in public trust between AI and human decision-makers in military contexts, particularly in light of the technological competition between the U.S. and China. The episode concludes with Dr. Zwald's perspective on the need for regulating and controlling AI in military decision-making and the potential limits to its integration.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan is joined by Brig. Robbie Boyd for a discussion on NATO. Building on his decades-long experience with the Organization, Brig. Boyd explains the continued relevance and significance of NATO in the contemporary global landscape. He then discusses some of the most relevant changes that he has been witnessing taking place within NATO over the years, with a special focus on how evolving threats have been impacting the Organization's posture and approach. From there, Brig. Boyd analyzes the position of NATO in different regions, discussing Eastern Europe, Africa, the High North and China. To conclude the episode, he shares his thoughts and considerations on NATO's nuclear strategy - what it is set to look like, its significance, and its implications.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Dr. Angela Robinson for a discussion on human trafficking, one of the most widespread yet least talked about human rights violations. After sharing her considerations on the moral and economic cost of human trafficking for our societies, Dr. Robinson discusses how her research has utilized participatory methods to identify strategies for improving the services available to survivors of human trafficking and reflects on the importance of incorporating survivor input into case management and prevention work. She shares some of the most interesting findings that emerged from a cross-country data collection process and reflects on the policy implications of her findings. She concludes with some encouraging thoughts on how our collective fight against human trafficking can be advanced.

In this episode of Orion Talks, our podcast host, Suat Cubukcu, is joined by Dr. Jenny Schell and Dr. Linda Geven. With their multinational research team, including Dr. Teresa Schneider (who could not join the conversation), they have been documenting wrongful convictions and exoneration cases across Europe. Drs. Schell and Geven delve into their methodology, explaining how they conceptualize and operationalize wrongful convictions, gather data, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of the EUREX database amidst various challenges. The conversation extends to preliminary data analysis, highlighting common factors contributing to wrongful convictions. They also share compelling stories from exonerees in their database and compare their findings with similar studies in North America, noting similarities and differences. Finally, they discuss suggested reforms and practices to mitigate wrongful convictions.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu is joined by Travis Moran, a renowned expert in electric infrastructure security. Travis provides an in-depth overview of what constitutes critical infrastructure within the realm of electric energy, highlighting essential assets beyond nuclear power plants. He sheds light on the major threats facing U.S. electric infrastructure, discussing their vulnerabilities and the extent to which they are exposed. The discussion extends to the proliferation and expansion of unmanned systems, such as drones, and the additional risks they pose to the infrastructure. Travis explains the legal and policy challenges in countering unmanned aerial systems (UAS) threats. He concludes with strategic measures that policymakers should take to mitigate these risks.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Dr Rahul Verma to discuss and explain India’s latest elections. Dr Verma reflects on some of the reasons - economic anxiety, unemployment, disaffection - that may explain why the BJP (the party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi) fared worse than expected and lost a number of seats. He then explains in great detail some of the specific factors that may have contributed to the BJP's loss in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, which are the three electorally most important states in the country. Reflecting on the election results, Dr Verma also guides us through some of the reasons why Congress Party (the party led by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi) improved its result with respect to previous elections. Finally, he shares his thoughts on how the election results and the BJP's need to form a coalition government may affect - or not - the Prime Minister's capacity to push for the wanted policies.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Prof Min Ye to discuss President Xi Jinping's recent visit to France, Serbia, and Hungary - his first visit to Europe in five years. Prof Ye sheds light on the overall objective of this trip and explains how this trip situates itself within China's foreign policy objectives and China-EU relations. From there, Prof Ye guides us through the climate that has characterized China-EU relations in the past few years and shares her valuable thoughts on how Xi Jinping's visit can be expected to impact EU-China relations and intra-European relations, specifically relations between EU countries that have a more sceptical and restrained approach to China and EU countries that are much more open and willing to engage with Beijing. She also discusses the positive way in which this European trip was received in China. Finally, she concludes with her reflections on how the United States reacted to the visit.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Dr Joseph Siegle. Dr Siegle sheds light on the relations between Ethiopia and Somalia over the past few months, following a surprise MoU between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland whereby the latter would lease coastal land to Addis Ababa in exchange for recognition of statehood. After outlining the main events and the positions of Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, Dr Siegle explains the significance that this move by Ethiopia may have for the wider Horn of Africa region. He also shares considerations on the international actors' perspective - and possible concern - on those developments. Finally, he concludes with some reflections on how Ethiopian-Somali relations, and broader regional dynamics, may evolve from here.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu is joined by Professor Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi. Professor Soherwordi delves into the current economic and political landscape of Pakistan, shedding light on its relations with the Taliban government in Afghanistan and the tense dynamics between the two nations. He discusses the recent surge of terrorist attacks targeting Pakistan, as well as Pakistan's cross-border strikes into Afghanistan. Additionally, he explores potential cooperation and collaboration with the Taliban government to deal with the issue of the TTP (Tehriki-Taliban in Pakistan) and explores solutions for more humanitarian approaches related to the deportation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Furthermore, Professor Soherwordi offers policy recommendations for both Pakistan and the international community to alleviate these tensions and foster stability in the region.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu is joined by Dr. Ardian Shajkovci. Dr. Shajkovci discusses the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and terrorism, exploring its harmful potential in the hands of malicious actors. The conversation touches on the prevalence and tactics of AI-enabled terrorism with specific examples such as the use of deep fakes for disinformation and terrorist propaganda methods. The discussion also examines the utility of AI in counter-terrorism efforts, including content moderation, and discusses the importance of balancing the use of technology with the rights of privacy and freedom of expression. Dr. Shajkovci concludes his arguments with policy recommendations on how to mitigate the risks associated with AI and ensure responsible use to identify and disrupt harmful extremist intentions.

In this episode of OrionTalks, host Suat Cubukcu is joined by Dr. Meike Ramon, an Assistant Professor at the University of Lausanne. Dr. Ramon's research, situated at the intersection of Cognitive Neuroscience and practical applications, takes center stage as she discusses the intriguing realm of super-recognizers and facial recognition technology. Dr. Ramon shares her research findings and insights into key questions, ranging from the intricacies of face recognition processing and the accuracy of this technology for various applications, including law enforcement, to the potential consequences of false positives and negatives. Dr. Ramon also sheds light on the ethical considerations surrounding the increasing use of facial recognition in public and private spaces, offering her insights into ensuring responsible and ethical implementation.

In this episode of OrionTalks, Karl P. Kadon, the Chief of the Criminal Division at the United States Attorneys' Offices, joins to discuss the far-reaching implications of the Israel and Hamas conflict and delves into the spillover effects of this conflict. The conversation explores the surge of hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim communities and the increasing risk of home-grown extremism in the United States stemming from the tragedy in Israel and Gaza. Mr. Kadon provides his insights into how law enforcement agencies can take steps to counter such challenges and offers recommendations for intergovernmental cooperation. He also shares his perspective on the role of community leaders and how to protect vulnerable populations.

In this Orion Talks conversation, Dr. Colin Clarke discusses the implications of the killing of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder and leader of the Wagner Group, for the group's future and its relationship with the Russian regime. He explains how the turmoil surrounding the Wagner may influence the group's operations and relations in Africa, as well as its utilization by the Russian state for clandestine activities. He concludes by sharing his insights on whether Prigozhin's death can have a significant impact on the course of the war in Ukraine.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Suat Cubukcu engages in a thought-provoking conversation with special guest Dr. Elena Pokalova, a Professor at the College of International Security Affairs (CISA) at the National Defense University. During the discussion, Dr. Elena Pokalova explained why the Wagner Group should be considered a quasi-state force rather than a mere private military contractor. Dr. Pokalova delved into the rationale behind Putin's preference for the Wagner Group's involvement in Africa, which departs from conventional diplomatic and military channels. She discussed the implications of Wagner's presence in African countries such as Libya, CAR, Sudan, and Mali, revealing potential instabilities in both the short and long term. The conversation extends to the aftermath of the Wagner Group's failed mutiny, investigating the reactions of African leaders and governments and potential shifts in engagement dynamics. Dr. Pokalova concludes with important policy recommendations for the US and its allies to effectively manage the aftermath of Wagner's rebellion and Russia's activities in Africa.

In this episode of OrionTalks, Broderick McDonald and Guy Fiennes join host Suat Cubukcu to discuss the Wagner Group's expanding relations in the Sahel region and its potential impact on the security and stability of the region. They delve into the specific roles undertaken by the Wagner Group, examining their economic and political motivations, as well as the implications of their involvement in countering rebels and insurgency in the region. Additionally, they assess the Russian government's interest in Wagner's activities and explore potential measures the international community can take to address these concerning developments.

In this edition of OrionTalks, Dr. Chiara Redaelli, a Research Fellow at the Geneva Academy, joins host Suat Cubukcu to discuss the current armed conflict in Sudan from an international humanitarian law perspective. With two army generals fighting for power, the country is on the brink of civil war, with a death toll of 500 and over 5,000 injured civilians.

On this episode of OrionTalks, our host Suat Cubukcu speaks with Dr. Barbara Molas, a Research Fellow for the Current and Emerging Threats Programme at International Center for Counter-terrorism (ICCT), about far-right extremism. Dr. Molas shares her insights on the intersection between multiculturalism and far-right extremism, its transnational nature, the use of symbols and memes by far-right extremist groups on online platforms, and the challenges in preventing and countering far-right extremism amidst increasing disinformation campaigns, conspiracy theories, and political polarization.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu hosts Professor Kapucu from the University of Central Florida to discuss the recent devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6th. With over two decades of teaching and research experience in crisis and emergency management, Professor Kapucu shares his valuable insights on a range of topics. These include the Turkish government's response to the disaster, network governance in crisis and emergency management, and the crucial role of trust in government and public leadership when it comes to disaster response and recovery. In addition, Professor Kapucu offers his thoughts on how governments and societies can better prepare for future disasters by improving their resilience.

In this edition of OrionTalks, host Suat Cubukcu welcomes Federico Donelli, an assistant professor of International Relations at the University of Trieste and the author of the book, "Turkey in Africa: Turkey's Strategic Involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa." The conversation delves into Turkey's growing military and economic relationships with Africa, the influence of its military activism on the stability and security of the region, and how Turkey's role fits into the global security dynamics in relation to other major powers such as the US, China, and Russia.

In this episode of OrionTalks, join host Suat Cubukcu as he sits down with Dr. Daisy Muibu to delve into the escalating violence in Somalia by al-Shabaab and the efforts to counter the Salafi-Jihadist group. Dr. Muibu, an expert on terrorism and domestic security in East Africa, shares her insights on al-Shabaab's goals, the effectiveness of the Somali government and its international partners in combating the insurgency, and the potential for peace and stability in the region. The discussion also touches on the support of the United States and international organizations in aiding the Somali government in its fight against insurgent groups.

Iranian journalist Kourosh Ziabari discusses the direction of the ongoing protests and whether Iranian women can make a breakthrough against the establishment. He provides insights on domestic reactions to the protestors and analyzes the response from international communities, including the Iranian diaspora. As protests prolonged, Kourosh Ziabari explains to what extent the government can compromise or escalate violence to confront the protestors.

Travis D. Frain is one of the 2017 Westminster Bridge Attack survivors in London (UK), where five people tragically lost their lives, and more than 50 people were injured. Travis, then 19 years old, was severely wounded during the attack.In this Orion Talks podcast, Travis talks about his campaigns to have survivors’ voices heard and strengthen their role in preventing radicalization, especially among youth and restoring community peace.

In this episode, Ambassador Jonathan M. Winer discusses the increasing tension between Libya’s two competing governments and argues the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in conflict. He evaluates the roles of external military powers and the proxies fighting in the region and emphasizes how their involvement jeopardizes the odds of Libya’s reunification. As a timely topic, he assesses Libya’s potential as an alternative energy source for Europe. Finally, Ambassador Winer provides insights on how to help the Libyan people in their efforts to bring peace to their country.

Caroline Rose analyzes the Captagon threat in the Mediterranean and Gulf region and its effect on regional security challenges. Providing insights on the nature and size of the illicit Captagon market, she examines the vital role of the Syrian government and non-state actors, including Hezbollah and ISIS. She discusses how the illicit market helps these actors sustain the ongoing war and conflict in the region. After explaining its target destinations and consumption patterns, she concludes with policy implications for the region, international community, and the United States.

In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Colin Clarke describes how Ukraine has become a center of gravity for foreign fighters and mercenaries and provides a background for those joining the legion. He explains the logistical, organizational, and operational challenges waiting for them on the battlefield and discusses whether their participation can make a difference in the overall dynamic of the war. Discussing legal and operational challenges, he provides his insights on to what extent the governments should allow volunteer fighters to join the fight. Finally, he explains Russian efforts to deploy mercenaries to join the war and discusses whether the internationalized context of the war can lead Ukraine to be a battleground for prolonged proxy warfare.

In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Richard Falk discusses the position of international law and United Nations vis a vis the Ukraine conflict and ongoing humanitarian crisis. He talks about plausible solutions to minimize human suffering and evaluates two sides’ positions for a potential ceasefire or peace deal. He concludes the conversation with his remarks on China’s relationship with Russia and United States and its vital role in the global dynamics and security in the long term.

Dr. Paul Poast elaborates on his disagreement with John Mearsheimer’s arguments on the West’s responsibility in the Ukraine crisis. He also explains potential scenarios on how the war might end and how these scenarios interplay with Putin’s endgame in the conflict. Dr. Poast continues his conversation with his insights on the future of European security structure and former Soviet Republics. He concludes the conversation with his assessment of the Biden administration’s management of the crisis.

In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Matthew Light talks about Russian president Putin’s purpose in the invasion, how to complicate his aims and the lessons to take away from the crisis. Dr. Light also provides insights into NATO’s unity and enlargement plans, security in the Baltic region, and the former Soviet Union Republic countries’ approaches to the invasion. Finally, he discusses ongoing humanitarian crises and recommends policy solutions.

In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Nadiya Kostyuk talks about Russian cyber warfare against Ukraine. She provides insights into Russia’s short and long-term strategies, the nature of Russian cyberattacks, and their effectiveness on the ground. As she discusses the United States’ counter-strategies, she answers whether Western countries have been exaggerating the Russia-oriented cyber threat and the perpetuating fears of cyberwar could play into Putin’s hands. Nadiya Kostyuk is an Assistant Professor at the School of Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on security studies, modern warfare, cyber conflict, cyber institutions and capability, Russian and Eurasian politics.

In this Orion Talks podcast, David C. Pyrooz talks about his recent book, “On Gangs.” Dr. Pyrooz is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder and has more than 15 years of research experience in gangs. He co-authored "On Gangs" with Scott Decker and James Densley.Dr. Pyrooz provides an overview of his recent book and discusses the prevalence and evolution of gangs in the United States. He also answers our questions on whether gangs contribute to the increasing homicide numbers, and they interact with ideological groups, especially with extremist far-right groups. Finally, he concludes with the evidence-based best practices and what the government should do to address gang problems.

Nina Kaseage (Kesag) is a Senior Lecturer at the Department for Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology at the University of Rostock (Rostok) in Germany. Dr. Kaseage recently published a book titled "Religious Fundamentalism in the Age of Pandemic." It's a collection of scholarly articles on the pandemic and its impact on religious extremism worldwide. In this conversation, Dr. Kaseage discusses the misuse of pandemics by fundamentalist and extremist groups to galvanize their base. You will listen more about their approach to government mandates for shutdowns, social distancing, vaccine, and mask requirements and her insights on potential counter-strategies and how religious communities can be helpful to realize these efforts.

Catherine Woollard, Secretary-General of @ECRE, speaks to #OrionTalks about Refugee Conundrum and Viable Solutions.

Dr. Barbara Perry spoke to #OrionTalks about the future of far-right extremism and discussed policies around the designation of domestic terrorist organizations. Dr. Perry is a Professor and the Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University in Canada.

Orion Policy Institute’s senior fellow Suat Cubukcu spoke with Jacob Zenn about the implications of the Taliban’s victory on insurgent groups and U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in Africa.