Shows
The Global AgoraWho is Andrej Babiš? He wants to run the state like a business, but he won't visit Putin after the electionsWho 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 billionair...
2025-09-2928 minThe Global AgoraWhy is politicologist Cas Mudde optimistic about America (even though he's not really that optimistic)?Cas Mudde is a Dutch political scientist – or, as he prefers to call himself, a politicologist – one of the foremost scholars on the far right in Western democracies and a professor at the University of Georgia. After a few phone discussions, I finally met him in person at the GLOBSEC conference in Prague. We talked about Donald Trump's America, why he is optimistic about US democracy, though not really that optimistic, and also about what, if anything, politicians like Viktor Orbán, Robert Fico, Jarosław Kaczyński, and Andrej Babiš can actually change. Listen to our conversation. And if you e...
2025-06-2620 minThe Global AgoraHow nervous is Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán about Péter Magyar's Tisza Party?Can Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party lose next year’s election? What might he do to prevent that? How nervous is Orbán about Péter Magyar's Tisza Party, which is currently leading in the polls? And with the potential win of Andrej Babiš in the Czech elections and with recent Karol Nawrocki's victory in Poland's presidential race, could we be witnessing a more illiberal V4? I discussed all this and more with Zsuzsanna Végh, an analyst at the German Marshall Fund. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please...
2025-06-1128 minThe Global AgoraBabiš, Nerudová or Pavel? What to expect from the presidential election in Czechia?The first round of the presidential election in Czechia takes place on 13 and 14 January. There are three clear favorites for the run-off. Ex-Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, former rector of Mendel University in Brno Danuše Nerudová, and former Chair of the NATO Military Committee Petr Pavel. I talked to Seán Hanley, an Associate Professor in Comparative Central and East European Politics at the UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies. We tried to assess what to expect from the presidential election and who might win this vote. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, p...
2023-01-0921 minThe Global AgoraCan American democracy properly function when millions believe in an alternate reality?Professor Seth Cotlar is a historian at Willamette University in Oregon so as we talked about American politics, his answer contains many historical references. It only helps to better understand what's going on in the US. The midterm elections take place on November 8 and President Joe Biden said that democracy will be on the ballot. Is this a bit of a political exaggeration or is it really happening? And can American democracy properly function when millions believe in an alternate reality? Yes, we have been talking about the Republican Party and its voters. Listen to our conversation also featuring Seth...
2022-11-0531 minThe Global AgoraFacing and being Russia in a wargame: Did the players blow off the world?Imagine that you are in a wargame simulation and you play Russia. This is what happened to Alexander Bollfrass. He is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - ETH Zurich. I talked to him after he participated in such a wargame. What were its main conclusions? Did the players blow off the world with nuclear weapons? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. https://ko-fi.com/amatisak
2022-10-2918 minThe Global AgoraUkraine war: About drones and other military systems and how to use themAs Russia is conducting essentially terrorist attacks targeting Ukrainian cities with drones, I spoke to Mauro Gilli. He is a Senior Researcher in Military Technology and International Security at the Center for Security Studies of ETH-Zurich. We talked about drones and other military systems and about how both sides used them on the battlefield. Do you want to know what is the biggest surprise for my podcast guest when he looks at 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
2022-10-1926 minThe Global AgoraChina: It's another (at least) five years for Xi Jinping. What does it mean?Is Xi Jinping fully in control? ,,99,5 percent," said Kerry Brown to me when I asked him if we can be 100 percent sure that Xi gets a third term as general secretary at China's Communist Party Congress that starts on October 16th. He is a Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau China Institute at King's College, London. So what does Xi's reign mean? Could the Chinese leader be a bigger problem than Russian President Vladimir Putin? And what about Taiwan? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. htt...
2022-10-1416 minThe Global AgoraNorth Korea: What can we expect from Kim Jong-un and from his sister Kim Yo-jong?In September, I visited South Korea for the first time and I also had the opportunity to see the demilitarized zone. Just before my visit, I talked to Sung-Yoon Lee, Kim Koo-Korea Foundation Professor of Korean Studies and Assistant Professor at Tufts University. Our discussion was focused more on North Korea and the regime in Pyongyang. So what can we expect from Kim Jong-un and from his sister Kim Yo-jong? In fact, Professor Lee's new book will be exactly about this as its title is - The Sister: The extraordinary story of Kim Yo Jong, the most powerful woman...
2022-10-0727 minThe Global AgoraIs Giorgia Meloni an ideological heiress of Benito Mussolini?The far-right party the Brothers of Italy led by Giorgia Meloni just won the early election with 26 percent of votes. The alliance of the Brothers of Italy, Matteo Salvini's Lega and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia will establish the government that will be further to the right as any Italian government after the Benito Mussolini's era. Yes, the fascist era. Is Meloni an ideological heiress of Mussolini? I talked to Erik Jones, a Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on K...
2022-09-2816 minThe Global AgoraSweden: The far-right Sweden Democrats are the second-strongest party. How did it happen?The election just took place in Sweden and the result is that the country will be run by the rightist government. The Social Democrats led by PM Magdalena Andersson von over 30% of the votes but it's not enough to govern due to the fact that the far-right Sweden Democrats are the second-strongest party, gaining 20,5% of the votes in their best-ever election performance. How did it happen? What contributed to the success of the Sweden Democrats? Will they directly join the rightist government? And should we call them far-right? I talked to Nicholas Aylott, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Söder...
2022-09-1921 minThe Global AgoraWhat is NATO doing six months into Russia's war against Ukraine?,,The war in Ukraine is entering a critical phase. Winter is coming and it will be hard. Hard for the Ukrainian people and armed forces who are fighting for their freedom, and hard for those of us who support them," NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently wrote for The Financial Times. But what is NATO doing more than six months into Russia's war against Ukraine? Should the Alliance be even more active? I talked to John Deni, a Research Professor of Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM) Security Studies at the U.S. Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute. Be...
2022-09-1224 minThe Global AgoraIs PM Liz Truss up to the job? Is Boris Johnson already plotting a comeback?This podcast was recorded two days before Queen Elizabeth II. passed away, that's why it's not mentioned. The death of the Monarch might have real political consequences for the United Kingdom, but it doesn't change the fact that a new Conservative PM Liz Truss will face many challenges. Is she up to the job? Is Boris Johnson already plotting a comeback? I talked to Steven Fielding, a Professor of Political History at Nottingham University. Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. https://ko-fi.com/amatisak
2022-09-0820 minThe Global AgoraHow important was Mikhail Gorbachev? And what about his successes and failures?The former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was born on March 2, 1931 and passed away on August 30. There is very little doubt that he changed the world and contributed to the end of the Cold War, though he also faced a lot of criticism. Where is Gorbachev's place in history? How important was he? What were his successes and failures? I talked to Bradley Woodworth, an Associate Professor of History at the University of New Haven and Program Manager of the Baltic Studies Program at Yale University. Listen to our conversation. And if enjoy what I do, please support me on...
2022-09-0320 minThe Global AgoraA party girl? Is Finland's PM Sanna Marin facing double standards from critics?You gotta fight for your right to party! The famous Beastie Boys song might become a new political slogan of Finland's Social Democrat PM Sanna Marin. After the video of her partying was leaked, she faced criticism, she took a drug test and apologized. But is this episode even newsworthy? If Marin is a party girl, so what? Is she facing double standards from critics? Would they be probably silent if this would be a video of a man in politics? I talked to Emilia Palonen, a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Political and Economic Studies at the Unive...
2022-08-2722 minThe Global AgoraThe Taliban took over Afghanistan one year ago. How are they running it?The Taliban took over Kabul one year ago, on August 15th. It had a huge geopolitical significance but I have to admit there is another reason why it's so easy for me to remember it. The fact is that August 15th is my birthday. About what happened in Afghanistan in one year, I talked to Vanda Felbab-Brown. She is a Senior Fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings Institution and also the Director of the Initiative on Nonstate Armed Actors. We recorded our conversation one day after it w...
2022-08-1529 minThe Global AgoraDoes Russia have diplomacy or is it mostly trolling?To quote Margaret Thatcher: Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't. So how powerful is Russia whose leaders like to brag about it? I talked to Nicholas Cull, a Professor of Public Diplomacy and Communication at the University of Southern California. We discussed Russian narratives related to the war against Ukraine and what Moscow is trying to achieve by using them but also the concept of reputational security that is helping Ukraine. Does Russia have diplomacy or is it mostly trolling? Why does Nick think that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelens...
2022-08-1024 minThe Global AgoraWill Italy turn to Russia after the early election?The Italian government of PM SuperMario Draghi collapsed. The early election will take place on September 25th. How might the voting be affected by Russian aggression against Ukraine? How pro-Putin are Italian parties and the public? Will Italy turn to Russia after the early election? And what to expect from the far-right leader Giorgia Meloni and her party Brothers of Italy which leads in the polls and it seems that Meloni has a realistic chance to become the first Italian female Prime Minister. I talked to Davide Vampa, a Senior Lecturer in Politics at Aston University. Listen to our conve...
2022-08-0625 minThe Global AgoraArnold Schwarzenegger turns 75. Would he beat Trump? And can he predict the future?Happy Birthday to Arnold Schwarzenegger! Born on July 20, 1947, in Austrian Thal, he is 75 years young. The star of The Terminator, Predator, BTW, probably my favorite Arnolds's movie, Conan the Barbarian, Red Heat, Total Recall, Kindergarten Cop, Twins or True Lies, and the former Republican Governor of California has never been far from the spotlight. How was he able to achieve what he has achieved? Schwarzenegger had a master plan. This is what Michael Blitz explained to me. He is a co-author of the books Arnold Schwarzenegger: A Biography and Why Arnold Matters: The Rise of a Cultural Icon and a Pr...
2022-07-3035 minThe Global AgoraComplex or complicated? What is the legacy of murdered Japan's ex-PM Shinzo Abe?Complex or complicated? What is the legacy of murdered Japan's ex-PM Shinzo Abe? Was he a nationalist who globalized Japan? The killing of the longest-serving Japanese Prime Minister on July 8th shocked the country and the world. How will Mr. Abe be remembered? I talked to Joshua Walker, President, and CEO of Japan Society in New York who had a chance to interact with the late Japanese PM. Listen to our conversation. And if enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. https://ko-fi.com/amatisak
2022-07-2219 minThe Global AgoraAre Sri Lanka's protests a prelude to similar events around the world?How much should we be surprised by the scale and quickness of the demonstrations in Sri Lanka? What has led to such turmoil? I talked to Ashok Swain. He is a Professor and Head of the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at the Uppsala University. We have also discussed what's next for Sri Lanka's powerful Rajapaksas' family and if the Russian war against Ukraine contributed to the country's problems. And does Professor Swain think that Sri Lanka's protests are just a prelude to similar events around the world? This podcast was recorded on July 13th before the resignation of Sr...
2022-07-1424 minThe Global AgoraPeter the Great, Hitler, Stalin? To whom can we compare Putin?"If the current amount of support from the West to Ukraine was present in 2014 over the annexation of Crimea, we could have avoided a lot of people being killed. But I'm glad that Ukraine is receiving support, and hopefully, there will be more support and long-term support." This is what Anton Barbashin said to me during our debate. He is an editorial director of Riddle, which is a website about Russia I can only wholeheartedly recommend. We discussed if we can compare Russian President Vladimir Putin to historical figures like Peter the Great, Hitler, or Stalin. Anton pointed out tha...
2022-07-0923 min
The Global AgoraShould the West tell Russia it will support Ukraine forever?Ben Hodges is a former commanding general, United States Army Europe. He believes Ukraine can win the war Russia started on February 24th. Why does he believe this? How should the West help Ukraine? Should it send troops? "I would say right now we have the best strategic advantage over Russia we have had in the last 70 years," General Hodges told me. What does he mean by this and why does he think that the West should communicate to Russia that it will support Ukraine forever? And we also talked about the NATO summit that is taking place this...
2022-06-2822 minThe Global AgoraWill America become a religious tyranny?Do the conservative Justices at the Supreme Court impose their religious beliefs on America? The Supreme Court overturned the Roe vs Wade verdict that was the law of the land for almost 50 years. Prior to this decision, I talked to Diana Carlin. She is a Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University. We had a debate about how the Supreme Court works, past precedents, culture wars, and also if the US is approaching The Handmaid's Tale world, and if the US can become a religious tyranny. Listen to our conversation. And if enjoy what I do, please support...
2022-06-2530 minThe Global AgoraShould NATO have a fundamental debate on how to proceed with Turkey?Toni Alaranta is a Senior Research Fellow in the European Union Research Programme at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA). His areas of expertise include Turkey’s domestic and foreign policies, in particular Turkey’s relations with the EU, the US and Russia. According to him, Ankara has the maximalist and the minimalist position toward the Finnish and Swedish NATO bid. We also talked a bit about Turkish domestic politics and about how President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been poisoning relations with the allies for over a decade. And does Turkey also have some justified demands related to Finl...
2022-06-1819 minThe Global AgoraDoes Putin only need to survive until Trump will be (perhaps) back in the White House?We have started our conversation talking about Germany and about what German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is doing or not doing regarding Ukraine. But, and perhaps inevitably, we have moved our discussion to what is going on in America and what might happen. And the question is: Does Russian President Vladimir Putin only need to survive until Donald Trump will be back in the White House? At the annual GLOBSEC conference in Bratislava, I talked to Rachel Rizzo. She is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center where her research focuses on European security, NATO, and th...
2022-06-1121 minThe Global AgoraDoes Russia create some nuclear weapons exclusively for the TV?Would Russia be willing to use nuclear weapons? And what about the West, especially the US? I talked to Alexander Bollfrass, a Senior Researcher at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - ETH Zurich. Why does he think that it seems that Russia makes a whole class of nuclear weapons exclusively for television? We also discuss if the risk of a nuclear incident is higher now and if we should get rid of nuclear weapons. Listen to our conversation. And if enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you...
2022-06-0424 minThe Global AgoraDoes President Biden want to have Taiwan's cake but also eat it?As CNN pointed out, it's the third time in recent months that American President Joe Biden has said the US would protect Taiwan from a Chinese attack, only to have the White House walk back those remarks. Over a few decades, the US has intentionally maintained a position characterized as strategic ambiguity when asked whether it would come to Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack by China. But the fact is that the American President creates the debate as it seems he is clearer about US intentions in regard to Taiwan than his predecessors. Does Biden wa...
2022-05-2815 minThe Global AgoraIs the far-right ecosystem hiding in plain sight in the US?On May 14th, 18-year-old Payton Gendron killed 10 people and wounded three; 11 of the 13 shot were Black residents and the attack took place in a predominantly African American neighborhood in Buffalo. The far-right terrorist wrote a manifesto connected to the Great Replacement conspiracy theory and according to CNN just before the attack, he invited people to the chatroom at the messaging social platform Discord to discuss his act of racist violence. This chatroom included months of posts written by Gendron and the messages illustrated his white supremacist views and how he wanted to kill as many minority people as possible...
2022-05-2117 minThe Global AgoraDoes Putin talk about Ukraine in genocidal terms?Should we call Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal? And what are the consequences of using such terminology? Are we witnessing genocide in Ukraine and does Putin talk about Ukrainians in genocidal terms? About this but also about much more, I talked to Paola Gaeta. She is a Professor of International Law at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. This podcast was recorded a few weeks ago but I do believe it's still very timely. Listen to our conversation. And if enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. https://ko-fi.c...
2022-05-1225 minThe Global AgoraMaria Avdeeva from Kharkiv: Russia will never get the city under controlAs many other journalists can attest, Maria Avdeeva is doing an excellent and brave job informing the world about what is going on in Kharkiv and Ukraine. I talked to her just before the Russian invasion, shortly after, and now again. Maria is a Research Director at the European Expert Association where she focuses on international security and combating hybrid threats and disinformations. "From the beginning of this stage of the Russian war, shelling continues every day," she said to me as we talked about life in Kharkiv under the shadow of war. But she believes that Russia will ne...
2022-05-0723 minThe Global AgoraDoes Macron want to be the leader of the EU and what's his vision for the next five years?Emmanuel Macron won the French presidential election as he received 58.5 percent of the vote in the run-off round against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen who was supported by 41.5 percent of voters. It was a hard-fought victory but the French president cannot sleep on laurels as the legislative election is swiftly approaching. What's Macron's vision for the next five years? Does he want to be the leader of the EU, and does he have a recipe for how to beat illiberals? I talked to Georgina Wright, a Senior Fellow, and Director of Institut Montaigne’s Europe Program. I also asked he...
2022-04-3018 minThe Global AgoraDoes Putin think everything is fine and how delusional is he?How healthy or unhealthy is Russian President Vladimir Putin? Why is the Kremlin bragging about the nuclear arsenal? What led to Bucha and the other massacres by Russian soldiers in Ukraine? And does Putin think everything is fine and how delusional is he? About this and much more, I talked to Andrei Soldatov, a Russian investigative journalist, co-founder, and editor of Agentura.ru, a watchdog of the Russian secret services’ activities. He is also a nonresident Senior Fellow with the Center for European Policy (CEPA). Listen to our conversation.
2022-04-2321 minThe Global AgoraIs Russia's war against Ukraine also Germany's fault and what can Berlin do about it?"Germany lost its compass and is going through a soul searching." This is how Jörg Forbrig, a Senior Fellow from the German Marshall Fund and director for Central and Eastern Europe, assess Berlin's reaction to the Russian war against Ukraine. But he also emphasizes that there are things Germans got right and those should be acknowledged. So is Russia's war against Ukraine also Germany's fault and what can Berlin do about it? Will Germany provide more weapons to Ukraine? Where is ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel? And how quickly could Germany cut off the import of Russian gas? Listen to o...
2022-04-1327 minThe Global AgoraWhat if the only limit Hungary's PM Orban has after the election is his own imagination?What if the only limit Hungary's PM Viktor Orban has after the election is his own imagination? Orban's far-right populist Fidesz just clearly won the election that took place on March 3rd. The Prime Minister's party will have a constitutional majority in the next Hungarian parliament. Fidesz won 135 mandates in the parliament that has 199 seats. The united opposition lost badly, they only have 56 seats and 7 seats go to the extremist Our Homeland movement. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said that Hungary’s parliamentary elections were well-run but the electoral process was marred by the absence of...
2022-04-0517 minThe Global AgoraIs Putin on his own crusade in Ukraine and what about the peace negotiations?Does war in Ukraine make Russian President Vladimir Putin nervous? "If there is anything human in him, he should be nervous." This is how a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations Kadri Liik answered my question. We talked about why she thinks that this war looks like Putin's crusade, about the peace negotiations, and the role of Roman Abramovich, and if she is surprised by the performance of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine's armed forces. Listen to our conversation.
2022-04-0118 minThe Global AgoraUkraine war: Did Russia get anything right about the invasion?"We have to be extremely careful making preliminary judgments about what is really happening on the ground." This is what Franz-Stefan Gady said to me when I asked him if Russia gets anything militarily right when attacking Ukraine and how Ukrainian forces are doing. My guest is a Research Fellow for Cyber, Space and Future Conflict at The International Institute for Strategic Studies. What is his cautious forecast of the conflict? This podcast was recorded on March 21st. Listen to our conversation.
2022-03-2220 minThe Global AgoraBitter peace, nukes, and miracles: What are (might be) Ukraine war scenarios?Christopher Chivvis is a Senior Fellow and Director of the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment. He most recently served as the U.S. national intelligence officer for Europe. "The course of the war is notoriously difficult to predict," he said to me when I asked him about what we could expect in regards to the Russian invasion against Ukraine. But we have tried to talk a bit about possible scenarios and also about some military analogies. This podcast was recorded on March 14th. Listen to our conversation.
2022-03-1718 minThe Global AgoraWho might join in and what to expect from Ukraine's Foreign Legion?How many people are arriving? What is their motivation? And could it help Ukraine which is under Russia's attack? All of these questions are related to the establishment of the International Legion of Territorial Defense. Trying to find the answers, I talked to Kacper Kerawek. He is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Research on Extremism (C-REX) at the University of Oslo. His book Brown-Red Cocktail? Extremist Foreign Fighters in the War in Ukraine will be published soon. We also talked about how the Foreign Legion could work, about some historical parallels, but also about the somewhat inevitable t...
2022-03-0724 minThe Global AgoraMaria Avdeeva from Kharkiv: I want to tell the world about Putin's war against UkraineMaria Avdeeva is a Research Director at the European Expert Association where she focuses on international security, cooperation of Ukraine with the EU and NATO, combating hybrid threats, and emerging security challenges. For years she was fighting Russia's disinformation war against Ukraine. From February 24th is her country under military invasion ordered by Vladimir Putin and Maria stays in Kharkiv, even as the city faces heavy Russian shelling. I talked to Maria on March 3rd afternoon and originally the recording was not for a podcast, which means the sound quality is a bit lower. But Maria stays in Kharkiv bec...
2022-03-0419 minThe Global AgoraMark Galeotti: The best what can Russia hope for in Ukraine is the Afghanistan scenarioThe number of casualties is growing as Russia wages its war in Ukraine. Will President Vladimir Putin escalate even further and why does he talk about nuclear weapons? I talked to Mark Galeotti who is, as his Twitter bio says, an analyst of murky topics from Russian politics to global crime. Dr. Galeotti is the director of the consultancy firm Mayak Intelligence. He is also an Honorary Professor at UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies and a Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI. His books include We Need To Talk About Putin and most recently The Weaponisation of Everything. He...
2022-02-2820 minThe Global AgoraDid Russia's President Putin give us a road map of his intentions?Russian President Vladimir Putin is a man of dark emotions. But it's good that the West still engages with Moscow diplomatically. This is what Andrei Kolesnikov thinks. He is a Senior Fellow and the Chair of the Russian Domestic Politics and Political Institutions Program at the Carnegie Moscow Center. We talked about Putin's decision system. if he listens to somebody and what it all means for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Do you want to know when was Putin honest and if he gave us a road map of his intentions? This podcast was recorded on February 17, just before the current...
2022-02-2119 minThe Global AgoraUkrainian expert from Kharkiv: Russia won't be able to control usMaria Avdeeva lives in Kharkiv, just 40 kilometers from the Russian border. She is a Research Director at the European Expert Association where she focuses on international security, cooperation of Ukraine with the EU and NATO, combating hybrid threats, and emerging security challenges. I talked to her on February 13 when we debated extremely tense situation as the Russian troops are surrounding Ukraine. Are people in Kharkiv panicking or are they ready to fight? How does she assess the Western support for Ukraine and why does she think that even if Russia starts a large-scale invasion it won't be able to co...
2022-02-1724 minThe Global AgoraDisaster researcher: Climate change or pandemic worries me much more than the Yellowstone eruptionTo use her own words, she a disaster researcher and scientist for fiction with irrepressible curiosity about our wonderfully weird universe. This is how Mika McKinnon introduces yourself. If you listen to my podcast regularly, and I hope you do, you know that I usually cover foreign policy events and trends. But not exclusively, so this is an episode about disasters. Mika McKinnon is a perfect guest. Experienced and funny. We talked about the current Hunga Tonga eruption, about volcanoes and related risks and about how you cannot, I repeat, cannot trigger Yellowstone eruption by using nukes. But also...
2022-02-1032 minThe Global AgoraWill Finland apply for NATO membership and how would it work?According to current polls, less than 50 percent of Finns oppose the membership of their country in NATO. This is for the first time ever. Is it caused by Russian actions? I talked to Charly Salonius-Pasternak, a leading researcher in The Center on US Politics and Power at Finnish Institute of International Affairs. Does it mean that Finland will apply for NATO membership any time soon? And if it will, would it be a smooth and quick process? And what would Russia do? Listen to our conversation: Will Finland apply for NATO membership and how would it work?
2022-02-0526 minThe Global AgoraRussia crisis and European security: A view from FranceWhat does French President Emmanuel Macron mean when he says that Europeans should work on proposals to build a new security and stability order in Europe? These words are somewhat similar to those the West hears from Kremlin. But is there any connection? I talked to Georgina Wright, a Senior Fellow and Director of Institut Montaigne’s Europe Program. We talked about Paris-Moscow relations, what will France do in case of Russian invasion against Ukraine but also about what kind of role can Russian issue play in the upcoming presidential election. Listen to our conversation: Russia crisis and European se...
2022-01-2921 minThe Global AgoraWill Djokovic's case affect Australia's immigration system and politics?The world tennis number one Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia on January 16 and that means he is unable to defend his Australian Open title from the previous year. For now he also lost the chance to become the record Grand Slam holder. The Serbian tennis player is unvaccinated but he received a medical exemption to enter Australia. But in the end his visa was revoked twice and the federal court decided that he can be deported. What does it tell us about the immigration system in Australia? Were political calculations involved in Djokovic's case? This podcast was recorded o...
2022-01-1818 minThe Global AgoraHow to approach negotiations with Putin's Russia?The US-Russia bilateral meeting, NATO-Russia Council meeting and the OSCE talks. Can a flurry of diplomatic activities change something, or will Russia invade Ukraine? How much should we be concerned also about the possibility of bigger conflict between NATO and Russia? I talked to John Deni, Research Professor of Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM) Security Studies at the U.S. Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute. Before joining the U.S. Army War College, Dr. Deni worked for 8 years as a political advisor for senior U.S. military commanders in Europe. He is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow at...
2022-01-1418 minThe Global Agora1/6 anniversary: Is the GOP Trump's party? Polarization, divisions and radicalization in AmericaAre you afraid of a civil war in America? "I don't fear civil war so much, as I fear more of the riots, more of the kind of violence we saw on the Capitol." This is what Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University Diana Carlin told me. We discussed what happened on January 6th, 2021 when a mob of supporters of at that time President Donald Trump attacked the United States Capitol, why was Trump responsible for this assault and why words do matter but it seems that the facts don't. According to the Program on Extremism at Ge...
2022-01-0838 minThe Global AgoraWhat's next for China's foreign policy in 2022?Every forecast is tricky but we are trying anyway. Marc Julienne is Head of China Research within the Centre for Asian Studies of the French Institute of International relations (IFRI) and we discussed what to expect from communist regime in Beijing in 2022 especially on the international scene. What will be the main trends in the US-China and in the EU-China relations? How much is Dr. Julienne concerned about Cross-Strait relations? And what might China do if Russia decides to attack Ukraine? Listen to our conversation: What's next for China's foreign policy in 2022?
2021-12-3021 minThe Global AgoraWhat is the role of NATO battalions on the Eastern Flank? To die heroically?On December 20 Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová traveled to military base Ādaži in Latvia. I also had a chance to visit NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) multinational battalion that consists of a framework nation Canada and of Albania, Czech Republic, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. The Slovak contingent is currently made of 135 soldiers. On the occasion of President Čaputová's visit, I talked to Toms Rostoks, an Associate Professor in International Relations at University of Latvia and Senior Researcher at the Centre for Security and Strategic Research at the National Defence Academy. We discussed what led to the...
2021-12-2221 minThe Global AgoraBlack woman, star, spy, activist: What do we know about Josephine Baker?"You are entering this Panthéon because although you were born American there is no one more French than you". This is what President Emmanuel Macron said when he paid a tribute to Josephine Baker as she was inducted into France's Panthéon in Paris at the end of November. She becomes the first Black woman and just the sixth woman being immortalized there. Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1906. In 20s and 30s, she took over France and Europe with her dance and music performances. After World War II broke out, Baker began to help the Fr...
2021-12-1431 minThe Global AgoraAt the end Angela Merkel just wanted a nap. Are we living in Olaf Scholz’s world now?After 16 years it's clear that the German Chancellor can be also... a man. Christian Democrat Angela Merkel is gone and Germany and the world have some questions. What to expect from the traffic light coalition led by Olaf Scholz that consists of his SPD, Greens and liberal FDP? Will Scholz be able to manage his government and what kind of role he could play on the European and global scene? In September, just before the elections in Germany, I talked to Alexander Clarkson who is a Lecturer in German, European and International Studies at King's College London. And he...
2021-12-1128 minThe Global AgoraAfter COP26: Is humanity still on a self-destructive path?The aim of the UK COP26 Presidency was to keep alive the hope of limiting the rise in global temperature to 1.5C, and the Glasgow Climate Pact does just that. Combined with increased ambition and action from countries, 1.5C remains in sight, but it will only be achieved if every country delivers on what they have pledged. This is what the Glasgow Climate Pact from 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference that took place in November said. Before COP26, I had a chance to talk to political economist Alexander Gard-Murray, who is a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Climate Solutions Lab a...
2021-12-0124 minThe Global Agora27 dead: Will a (preventable) tragedy in the Channel change anything?On November 24th, at least 27 people, including women and children, died trying to cross the English Channel in a small boat. A Kurdish woman from northern Iraq Maryam Nuri Mohamed Amin has become the first victim of this tragedy to be named. “Her story is the same as everyone else – she was looking for a better life," said one of her relatives for the Guardian. Was this tragedy preventable? Why the UK and France blame each other what does is have to do with Brexit? I talked to Andrew Geddes, a Professor of Migration Studies and the Director of the M...
2021-11-2718 minThe Global AgoraWill elections in Libya discredit the concept of democracy?Presidential and legislative elections in Libya should take place on December 24th. While we read headlines about candidates such as Saif Gaddafi, the problems run deeper. At least according to Jalel Harchaoui who is a Senior Fellow at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime where he concentrates his work on North Africa. He emphasizes that the legal framework for the upcoming elections is weak and it may lead to various challenges, including violent clashes, that will undermine the concept of liberal democracy in Libya. We also talked about why people like Saif Gaddafi or Khalifa Haftar are running an...
2021-11-2128 minThe Global AgoraBelarus border crisis: How to help people in need and how to stop LukashenkoOn one hand this is a hybrid attack against the European Union from Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko with Russia's shadow looming over the situation. On the other hand, this is also a humanitarian crisis that shows that the EU asylum system hardly works. Thousands of migrants and refugees are stranded along the EU's borders with Belarus affecting Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Does it have a quick fix? I talked to Artur Gruszczak, Professor and Chair of National Security at the Faculty of International and Political Studies at Jagiellonian University in Krakow. And as he said some of his statements...
2021-11-1329 minThe Global AgoraCOP26: Is humanity on a self-destructive path?Is this a make or break moment? As the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference better known as COP26 just started and will take place in Glasgow till November 12th, the question is if political leaders will use the event to effectively move forward when addressing the climate emergency. "This is a chance for all these countries to show leadership, this is the point where they have to stand up and be counted. I want more out of every country," COP26 President Alok Sharma said for Sky News. And according to political economist Alexander Gard-Murray this is a problem because...
2021-11-0123 minThe Global AgoraThe meaning of James Bond. 007's past, present and future, Part 2Bond. James Bond, Part 2. Yes, this is the second part of my conversation about James Bond's past, present and future with Martin D. Brown, Associate Professor of International History at Richmond University in London who is also a bondologist. The first part was published on October 19th. Bond was called a blunt instrument by his novelist father Ian Fleming. Would this blunt instrument be helpful in any international crisis? Dr. Brown answers this question and he adds that it is somehow weird that the UK government promotes Bond. Do you wanna know why? And do you wanna know what's perhap...
2021-10-2630 minThe Global AgoraThe meaning of James Bond. 007's past, present and future, Part 1Bond. James Bond. If you listen to my podcast The Global Agora regularly, you already know that I discuss a variety of things with various experts. And it's no time to die, it's time to debate the James Bond franchise. I have to admit that I am a big fan of 007 and I am happy to welcome Martin D. Brown, Associate Professor of International History at Richmond University in London. And he is also a bondologist. This is the first part of our conversation. We have discussed Dr. Brown's favourite Bond movie, but also what might be the best...
2021-10-1934 minThe Global AgoraMurder of David Amess: Should we expect more attacks against politicians?Conservative MP Sir David Amess was murdered on October 15th. I tried to look at this case with the assistance of Shaun McDaid. He is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Criminology, Politics and Sociology at the University of Huddersfield. Dr. McDaid's research primarily relates to political violence and its prevention and post-conflict transitions. We talked more broadly about the threats and violence against politicians and also about the terrorisms and extremism in the postmodern world. Listen to our conversation.
2021-10-1717 minThe Global AgoraAre we facing a looming strategic crisis in the Taiwan Strait?,,The United States is very concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilising, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability,” US state department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. What is behind the record number of Chinese military planes entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone? China watcher, editor of the China Story blog and co-author of the column China Neican 内参 column Adam Ni identifies three reasons. How much is he worried about a possible conflict in the Taiwan Strait? What kind of dynamics does he see in the Taipei-Beiji...
2021-10-0720 minThe Global AgoraAre Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer basically in the wrong jobs?Is Brexit going badly? According to a recent YouGov poll, 53 percent of Britons think so. But does it mean that they want to rejoin the EU? I talked to Martin Farr, a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary British History at Newcastle University. We also discussed how to put the current fuel crisis in the UK into a historical perspective and what's next for the Labour Party under the leadership of Keir Starmer. And why does Dr. Farr think that Starmer and Tory PM Boris Johnson are basically in the wrong jobs? Listen to our conversation.
2021-10-0220 minThe Global AgoraGerman election: Would Angela Merkel be a good President of Europe?A new poll conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) shows that EU citizens view Germany as a trustworthy, pro-European power and Angela Merkel’s approach of searching for compromises between competing interests is a major source of Berlin’s positive image. But, of course, there is a but. Merkel is leaving politics. What is the most positive and the most negative aspect of her political legacy? Will her legacy last beyond the parliamentary election that takes place on September 26th? And could French President Emmanuel Macron be jealous of Merkel? I talked to Jana Puglierin, a Senio...
2021-09-2324 minThe Global AgoraGerman election. What is happening with CDU/CSU is cataclysmic. But does Merkel care?We're gonna have to spend years looking at this to really work out what the hell just happened with CDU/CSU. This is how Alexander Clarkson, Lecturer in German, European and International Studies at King's College London, sees the situation just before the election in Germany. Looking at the polls, it seems Social Democrats might get between 25-27 percent of votes, while Christian Democrat will only get between 20-23 percent. Dr. Clarkson explains why this is happening and what surprises him most. And does he think that outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel regrets something after decades in politics? Listen to...
2021-09-2028 minThe Global AgoraNordic world is the world of Social Democrats. But is it really?When was the last time the Labour Party in Norway didn't win the parliamentary election? In 1924. And the series of victories didn't stop on September 13. While the Labour Party won only 26,3 percent of votes, which is historically one of the weakest results, they will still have 48 seats in the parliament and everybody expects that they will establish a governing coalition with the Socialist Left and the Center Party. And that would mean that all five Nordic countries will be run by the center-left governments. But does it really matter? I talked to Nicholas Aylott, an Associate Professor of Political Sc...
2021-09-1724 minThe Global AgoraConservatives vs. progressives? Of course there is a fight in the VaticanIs Pope Francis happy with his job? And even if he is, he is also 84, which means he is not the youngest. Are there any indications that he may resign? About Francis' papacy, I talked to John Allen, the editor of Crux, and a senior Vatican analyst for CNN. He has written eleven books on the Vatican and Catholic affairs. Pope Francis is just visiting Slovakia and his trip will last more than three days while he spent only a couple of hours in Hungary. Why? Listen to our conversation.
2021-09-1324 minThe Global Agora9/11 attacks: How the world underestimated Al-Qaeda and then overreacted to itA day that changed the world. This is how 9/11, 2001 is often described. And it's true. The world looked in disbelief when planes piloted by Al-Qaeda terrorists hit The World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Almost 3 000 people died and subsequently it affected the fate of millions. Colin Clarke is a New Yorker and he admits that the 20th anniversary of Al-Qaeda attacks is very emotional for him. But Dr. Clarke is also a Senior Research Fellow at The Soufan Center and Director of Policy and Research at The Soufan Group, where his research focuses on domestic and transnational terrorism, international s...
2021-09-0823 minThe Global AgoraIs America a mini power after withdrawal from Afghanistan?What does Afghanistan withdrawal means for international politics? Is America still a superpower? And what is and could be the role of Europe in all of this? ,,There is no military power that can stand up to United States in a head to head competition. Having said that, if we measure power by your ability to get what you want, the United States is weaker because it doesn't know what it wants." This is a observation from Erik Jones, the new Director of the Robert Schuman Centre at the European University Institute. How relevant is these day his book...
2021-09-0222 minThe Global AgoraWhat can be done to help the Afghans that want to leave the country?,,I think we, no matter what, need to be doing everything practically at our power to get people out of Afghanistan that want to leave the country". This is how Melissa Siegel, Professor of Migration Studies at Maastricht University and the United Nations University-MERIT, sees the current situation in Afghanistan. We also discussed what kind of coordinated approach the European Union and its partners should take to help the Afghans and how not to talk about migration. Did the West give millions of Afghans hope and now everything is probably lost? Our interview took place before the attack outside Kabul...
2021-08-2730 minThe Global AgoraUkraine at 30: What should be Kyiv's focus?Ukraine celebrates the 30 anniversary of its independence that was established on August 24, 1991. The country's sovereignty might be limited by the annexation of Crimea and by the war Russia started in 2014. But the fact that Ukraine was able to keep its independence is not a small thing. This is according to Susan Stewart, Senior Fellow at Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) - The German Institute for International and Security Affairs. How does she compare Ukraine of 1991 to Ukraine of 2021? What does she think about The Crimean Platform, about a new Kyiv's diplomatic initiative? And what can Ukraine's government do in r...
2021-08-2424 minThe Global AgoraHow have reforms, wars and modernization changed Russian Armed Forces?Russia has recently published a new National Security Strategy. What does it mean for the Russian Armed Forces? How were they changed by recent wars, reforms and modernization programs? How bad or good is the West in reading Russia's military intentions? I talked to Johan Norberg, Senior Military Analyst from the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI). What does he think about the risk of the West-Russia war? Listen to our conversation.
2021-08-1823 minThe Global AgoraDo Iranians have any expectations for President Raisi?Will Tehran return to nuclear talks? What to expect from a new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi? How differently will US President Joe Biden deal with Iran compared to President Donald Trump but also to President Barack Obama? And how to react to Iranian provocations and attacks? I talked to Barbara Slavin, director of the Future of Iran Initiative, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a lecturer in international affairs at George Washington University. What does she call Raisi? Do you wanna know? Listen to our conversation.
2021-08-0919 minThe Global AgoraForeign troops arrive. How will jihadists in Cabo Delgado react?In July, The Foreign Affairs Council adopted a decision setting up an EU military training mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique). The aim of the mission is to train and support the Mozambican armed forces in protecting the civilian population and restoring safety and security in the Cabo Delgado province. The mandate of the mission will initially last two years. During this period, its strategic objective will be to support the capacity building of the units of the Mozambican armed forces that will be part of a future Quick Reaction Force. How much is the conflict in Cabo Delgado becoming...
2021-08-0221 minThe Global AgoraOlympics in the age of COVID-19: What does it mean for politics in Japan?Japanese athletes are winning more medals and the country is getting more COVID-19 infected people. This is a current reality of the Tokyo Olympics. What is the media image of the Games in Japan? What do people think about the situation and will it affect the politics in the country as the parliamentary elections will take place in October? Political scientist Yuki Shiraito thinks that at this moment people do not have a clear opinion about the Games. Our conversation took place on Monday afternoon Japanese time so he was also able to update me in a real time...
2021-07-2719 minThe Global AgoraHungarian journalist about Pegasus spyware: Now I know I wasn't paranoidThe Forbidden Stories consortium and Amnesty International had access to records of phone numbers selected by Israeli NSO Group clients in more than 50 countries since 2016. An unprecedented leak of more than 50,000 phone numbers shows how NSO's technology, commonly known as the Pegasus spyware, has been systematically abused for years. As The Forbidden Stories and Amnesty emphasize, potential targets include human rights defenders, academics, businesspeople, lawyers, doctors, union leaders, diplomats, politicians and several heads of states. Among them was also a Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi. His outlet Direkt36 belongs to The Pegasus Project media partners. How did he find out...
2021-07-2420 minThe Global AgoraWhat is the horrible legacy of Anders Breivik?It's the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack by Norwegian far-right extremist Anders Breivik. On July 22, 2011 he detonated a car bomb outside the prime minister's office in Oslo. The explosion killed eight people. Brevik than drove to Utøya island where he shoot 69 people who gathered at a Labour Party youth camp. His victims were mostly kids. Breivik ended up behind bars, perhaps indefinitely. But what does he mean for the violent far right scene? How has this scene evolved? And can we expect another attack, similar to Breviks's? I talked to Professor Matthew Feldman, Director of the Centre f...
2021-07-2224 minThe Global AgoraHow much does the US dominance in cyberspace provoke a challenge?The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) just came out with a report Cyber Capabilities and National Power: A Net Assessment. The countries covered in this report are the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Israel, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. The IISS has divided the 15 states into three tiers of cyber power. But taking into account the methodology of the report, only in the US merits inclusion into the first tier. But how does America behave in cyberspace? Does it prefer cooperation with allies or perhaps not that much? And what about...
2021-07-1325 minThe Global AgoraDonald Tusk returned to Polish politics. Does he know what he is doing?Evil reigns in Poland and we want to fight it. That's reason enough, you don't need any other justification. Those are the words of Donald Tusk aimed at the ruling Law and Justice Party. Polish ex- Prime Minister and former President of the European Council will give up his role as president of the European People's Party to be able to fully engage in Polish affairs and to run the opposition Civic Platform party. But how much does Tusk still understand the Polish politics? What can he bring into a political arena except a heavy criticism of the Law...
2021-07-0926 minThe Global AgoraCCP at 100: What's next for Chinese Communist Party?The Chinese Communist Party was founded in July 1921. What is the brightest and what about the darkest hour of the CPP, and why? Is the party ashamed of something? And how long will Xi Jinping rule the Party and the country? About the CCP’s past, present and future, I talked to Rory Truex. He is an Assistant Professor in Princeton's Department of Politics and School of Public and International Affairs and the author of the book Making Autocracy Work: Representation and Responsiveness in Modern China. Why does he compare China's history to a pendulum? And what does he thin...
2021-07-0224 minThe Global AgoraWhat would Catalonia's independence referendum solve?Can Spain's divisions be settled? "It's best for Catalonia and for Spain and it's in accord with the Spanish Constitution. The government will work for understanding and not for confrontation." This is what Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez said when he announced a pardon for nine Catalan leaders serving prison sentences for their roles in Catalonia's 2017 independence referendum. But what does this move mean for Catalan and Spanish politics? I talked to Alejandro Quiroga, a research professor at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Listen to our conversation.
2021-06-2723 minThe Global AgoraNATO says the global balance of power is shifting. How will the Alliance react?We, the Heads of State and Government of the 30 NATO Allies, have gathered in Brussels to reaffirm our unity, solidarity, and cohesion, and to open a new chapter in transatlantic relations, at a time when the security environment we face is increasingly complex. This is how the communiqué from the NATO summit that took place on June 14th starts. The document should direct the Alliance towards an updated Strategic Concept. NATO acknowledges that it faces multifaceted threats, systemic competition from assertive and authoritarian powers, as well as growing security challenges to its countries and its citizens from all strategic dir...
2021-06-2025 minThe Global AgoraIs Boko Haram's Abubakar Shekau dead? And what about Ayman al-Zawahiri?Speculations about his death were hugely exaggerated in the past, but it seems that the leader of Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau is really dead. What does it mean for the organization that it's known for its brutality? Will the possible collapse of Boko Haram strengthen a rival group The Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP)? And BTW, if Shekau is finally dead, what about the persistent rumors that the leader of Al-Qaeda Ayman al-Zawahiri has also died? I have tried to unwrap those issues when talking to Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a founder and chief executive officer of V...
2021-06-1521 minThe Global AgoraBiden-Putin summit: Not expecting much could be a good thingAmerican President Joe Biden will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their summit takes place in Geneva on June 16. But does this meeting make any sense? Will it make any difference? Should it make any difference? And what to expect from Biden and from Putin? My questions were answered by Tom Nichols, U.S. Naval War College professor, and an adjunct at the U.S. Air Force School of Strategic Force Studies and the Harvard Extension School. He is also a columnist for USA Today, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, and an author of the book The Death of...
2021-06-1321 minThe Global AgoraWhat would be a successful NATO summit according to former SecGen Anders Fogh Rasmussen?How big is the shadow of the former US President Donald Trump over NATO? What can the Alliance expect from Joe Biden, his successor in the White House? What are the main threats and how should the transatlantic organization deal with Russia, China or climate change? The NATO summit takes place in Brussel on June 14 and the leaders of member states will discuss the future of the Alliance and the NATO 2030 initiative. I also have had this debate. My guest is former Danish Prime Minister and, of course, former Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He led the...
2021-06-1124 minThe Global AgoraWhat can Iron Dome do and what it cannot do?How successful is the Israeli air defense system Iron Dome? How does this military technology work? What are the limitations of the Iron Dome? And how much does the system create an atmosphere of false safety and what about related political implications? I have tried to find some answers to those questions with Franz-Stefan Gady. He is a Research Fellow for cyber, space and future conflict at The International Institute for Strategic Studies. Listen to our conversation.
2021-06-0621 minThe Global AgoraThe One Where We Talk About FriendsThis is a special episode. As you know The Global Agora focuses on politics, international affairs, and security. But I have many interests and I decided to create a podcast about the worldwide phenomenon called Friends. Yes, Friends, the series. It is of course influenced by the recent Friends: The Reunion special. If you have not watched it already, my podcast may contain some mild spoilers. I am not a fanatical fan of Friends, I cannot repeat all the greatest one-liners, but the show made me laugh many, many times. And it also made me cry. A few times. A...
2021-06-0230 minThe Global AgoraShould the EU strengthen security cooperation with its eastern partners?The parliamentary elections in Moldova will take place in less than two months but compared to previous votes this time something is different. What is it? Former Foreign Minister of Moldova Nicu Popescu will explain. He is the director of the Wider Europe programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations and he will also explain why and how the European Union should strengthen the security cooperation with its eastern neighbors. Listen to our conversation.
2021-05-3024 minThe Global AgoraBelarus: What can be done about Lukashenko's regime?Does Belarusan dictator Alexander Lukashenko have any strategy or his only focus is to survive no matter what? Why was he willing to dramatically kidnap journalist Raman Pratasevich knowing that he had to expect at least some reaction from the West? And about Russia's reaction? I talked to Alena Kudzko, Director of the GLOBSEC Policy Institute in Bratislava. She is from Belarus and she explains what people in the country think about the hijacking of the Ryanair plane. Listen to our conversation.
2021-05-2619 minThe Global AgoraIs Myanmar heading towards a large scale civil war?On February 1st, the Myanmar military took over the country. It was a surprise move from the Tatmadaw led by general Min Aung Hlaing. The military suspended the civilian government and de facto leader of the country and Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was imprisoned. The initial reaction of the public was muted but soon the demonstrations began. Junta has reacted with brutality, murders and torture. According to the right groups, more than 800 people have been killed so far. What's next for Myanmar? How strong is the regime? Will the situation deteriorate even further? I talked to H...
2021-05-2323 minThe Global AgoraWho is bolder in fighting the coronacrisis? The EU or the US? And why?According to the European Commission the Next Generation EU instrument is more than a recovery plan. It is a once in a lifetime chance to emerge stronger from the pandemic, transform our economies, and create opportunities and jobs for the Europe where we want to live. But is it really? How might the Next Generation EU fund change and strengthen the EU? And is European Union doing enough in fighting the coronacrisis in comparison to the US? I talked to Miguel Otero Iglesias about those issues. He is a Senior Analyst in International Political Economy at Elcano Royal Institute...
2021-05-1827 minThe Global AgoraMore dangerous coronavirus variants may emerge. Will the vaccines be able to catch up?Hello and welcome to another episode of my podcast The Global Agora. My name is Andrej Matišák, and I work as the deputy head of foreign desk in Slovak daily Pravda. With more than 3.3 million deaths attributed to COVID-19, the coronavirus pandemic is one of the deadliest in history. While the vaccines have emerged as a safe and effective tool against the disease, we can also say that COVID-19 is still trying to penetrate our defenses. We have seen various mutations of the coronavirus, the current focus is on the variant B.1.617 that was identified in India. What do...
2021-05-1522 minThe Global AgoraWill Colonial Pipeline cyberattack be copied?Hello and welcome to another episode of my podcast The Global Agora. My name is Andrej Matišák, and I work as the deputy head of foreign desk in Slovak daily Pravda. The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack hit critical US energy infrastructure. According to BBC News, the pipeline carries 2.5 million barrels a day, means 45% of the East Coast's supply of diesel, petrol and jet fuel. How much is this the sign of the things that will come? American President Joe Biden said that the attack struck the jugular of America’s pipeline system. What do we know about DarkSide, the...
2021-05-1224 minThe Global AgoraIs Kim Jong-un totally in control? And what will Biden do about North Korea?Hello and welcome to another episode of my podcast The Global Agora. My name is Andrej Matišák, and I work as the deputy head of foreign desk in Slovak daily Pravda. The White House confirmed that it completed its policy review on North Korea and said that it will use a calibrated approach towards Kim Jong-un's regime. But what does it mean for Joe Biden's presidency? And what kind of approach will Pyongyang use? I talked to Soo Kim about those issues. She is a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. Her research interests include the Korean Peninsula, In...
2021-05-1032 minThe Global AgoraElections in the UK: Johnson is strong, Starmer was weakened and Scotland moved towards a crisisHello and welcome to another episode of my podcast The Global Agora. My name is Andrej Matišák, and I work as the deputy head of foreign desk in Slovak daily Pravda. A big election day just took place in the United Kingdom. We have seen local elections for 145 English local councils, election to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Parliament and some other election races such as mayoral election in London. What does it mean for the future of the UK? Did Scotland move towards another independence referendum? And are the Tory leader and British PM Boris Johnson an...
2021-05-0723 minThe Global AgoraWhat might be next for Afghanistan and Taliban after the withdrawal of foreign troops?Hello and welcome to another episode of my podcast The Global Agora. My name is Andrej Matišák, and I work as the deputy head of foreign desk in Slovak daily Pravda. This new episode is a bit longer than usual but I had a very interesting conversation about what might be next for Afghanistan and Taliban after the withdrawal of foreign troops. President Joe Biden's decision is criticized by many, including Afghans. It's easy to understand those concerns. So I talked to Vanda Felbab-Brown. She is a senior fellow in the Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology in th...
2021-05-0238 minThe Global AgoraMy conversation with David Frum about 100 days of Biden's PresidencyThis time, my guest is a very well known political commentator David Frum. He is a staff writer at The Atlantic and from 2001 to 2002, he was a speechwriter for Republican President George W. Bush and he is the author of ten books, most recently Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy. Check also his website davidfrum.com. It's 100 days of Joe Biden's Presidency. What went right and what wrong for the Democrat in the White House? What about the GOP? And what advice would David Frum give to President Biden? Listen to our conversation.
2021-04-3021 minThe Global AgoraGermany: Who will succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel?Hello and welcome to the third episode of my podcast The Global Agora. My name is Andrej Matišák, and I work as the deputy head of foreign desk in Slovak daily Pravda.
The election in Germany will take place on September 26 and the world will be watching who will succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel. Is the Chairman of CDU Armin Laschet a strong contender? Or will Annalena Baerbock replace Merkel and Germany will have the first Green Chancellor? And should the world be nervous about those changes? I talked to Eric Langenbacher, Teaching Professor in the Department of...
2021-04-2522 minThe Global AgoraWhen will US President Joe Biden visit Central Europe?Hello and welcome to the second episode of my podcast The Global Agora. My name is Andrej Matišák, and I work as the deputy head of foreign desk in Slovak daily Pravda.
What's next for the US-Central Europe relations with the Biden's administration? When will American President visit the region? Will Joe Biden go to Poland? Warsaw is for the US the most important security partner in the region. Or will Biden visit Slovakia? I talked to Jörg Forbrig, Senior Fellow and Director for Central and Eastern Europe at the German Marshall Fund.
2021-04-2118 minThe Global AgoraAfter the revealed attack in Czechia, how should the West react to Russia's GRU wet job unit?: My conversation with Mark GaleottiHello and welcome to the first episode of my new podcast the Global Agora. My name is Andrej Matišák, and I work as the deputy head of foreign desk in Slovak daily Pravda. My guest is Mark Galeotti. He is, as his Twitter bio says, an analyst of murky topics from Russian politics to global crime and his podcast is called in Moscow's shadows. Mark is an author of a number of books about Russia. Most recently We need to talk about Putin and A Short History of Russia.
And Russia is also again in the ne...
2021-04-1817 min