Chain Reaction

How did Estonian democracy erode in the 1930s? How did liberal dissidents express their discontent under a more oppressive regime? Why is political rhetoric important, both now and then? Dr. Liisi Veski, fellow at the Skytte Institute, University of Tartu, dives into this complex, informative world of letters. Baltic Ways is brought to you by the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies ,...

US assistance has been a key factor in Ukraine's ability to not only survive Russia's invasion but turn the tide in some places. But could the US have done more, and done it sooner? Some in Ukraine and in the West have critiqued the US effort as incremental and risk-averse. Is this a fair critique, and if so, is this type of policy a feature or a bug of the US policy process? FPRI's Nikolas Gvosde...

Germany announced bold remilitarization plans after Russia's latest invasion of Ukraine. A year later, where do we stand? Minna Alander returns to The Continent to discuss progress made, and the challenges ahead. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Patriotic education in Russia: how does it work? Is this any different from in the West? And among Russia's young people, are we seeing generational differences as far as political attitudes go? Allyson Edwards joins Aaron Schwartzbaum on the Bear Market Brief. Dark Sarcasm in the Classroom Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Introducing Report in Short, a bite-sized series where we explore the latest in FPRI's research in 15 minutes or less. This week: What is Wagner Group, how does the Kremlin use it, and how has its role and regional footprint changed? Raphael Parens and Chrisopher Faulkner join Aaron Schwartzbaum to discuss their latest report. Read the full report here. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsi...

As we return to The Continent, what is the latest on Turkey's upcoming election? Who is running, what is driving Turks to vote, and what does the result mean for Ukraine and beyond? FPRI's Director of Research Jim Ryan and Black Sea Fellow Selim Koru join to discuss. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

We take a jaunt south to explore the people and politics behind Israel's Ukraine policy. What do Israel's leaders want from this war, and how do more locational considerations fit in? What does the local population with roots in the former Soviet Union make of all this? Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

How do you make sense of Russia's seemingly contradictory narrative about its invasion of Ukraine? And how is support, or at least assent, for the war generated? Jade McGlynn joins to discuss. Learn more about Jade's new book Russia's War Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

How important is the war in Ukraine for the United States? What should Washington do about it? Stephen Wertheim drops by to share some options for your consideration. Learn more about Stephen's book Tomorrow, the World Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

What motivates people who, when Russian invaded, decided to run towards the fire and assist Ukrainians? British Expeditionary Aid and Rescue, an aid organization, joins to share its experience. BEAR's Website: https://www.britishexpeditionaryaidrescue.org/ Donation Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/british-expeditionary-aid-rescue-ukraine Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.co...

On the anniversary of Russia's invasion, Maria Romanenko shares her experience fleeing Ukraine and reflects on what the war means, both personally and broadly. Link: F undraiser for building a museum in the village of Yahidne to showcase Russia’s war crimes there. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

What do the statistics and other indicators coming out of Russia these days actually mean, and which ones should we actually be paying attention to? Chris Miller and Andras Toth-Czifra stop by to discuss. Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Faced with a possible defeat in Ukraine, will Russia survive until 2084? FPRI Senior Fellow Philip Wasielewski and Maia Otarashvili, the Deputy Director of FPRI's Eurasia program discuss the future of Russia, from internal ethnic and leadership struggles to its sphere of influence in Central Asia and the Caucasus as Chinese and Turkish power rises in the region. Read Philip Wasielewski's report "W...

How is Russia's economy doing as we start 2023? And how is mobilization going - if it is even possible? Nick Trickett joins to discuss. Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

What has the war actually been like on the ground? How have communities, and the Ukrainian government reacted? Kirill, a Kyiv resident and open source conflict researcher, joins to share his experience. Support Vostok SOS: https://vostok-sos.org/en/i-wanna-help/rekvizyty-dlia-hroshovoho-perekazu/ Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

As we drop by Paris, what is president Macron's angle, diplomatically or otherwise, in the Ukraine War? And how do populists on both the right and left play in? This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on November 23, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

What do Russians actually think about the war in Ukraine? How are sanctions being felt locally? And what can we learn - or not - from polls conducted in Russia's current political climate. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

What spurred Italy's right wing populist wave? And what does it mean for EU policy? Federico Santi joins Aaron to discuss. This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on October 20, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

How did Hungary stray from the liberal democratic path? What does that mean in practice? And what explains its contrarian position on Russia within the EU? Andras Toth-Czifra and Marta Pardavi join Aaron to discuss all things Hungary. This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on October 3, 2022. Related reading: https://orban.media/ Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.subs...

In this Bear Market Brief crossover episode, FPRI Templeton Fellow Phil Wasielewski joins host Aaron Schwartzbaum to provide an update on the war and take a step back. What is the broader strategic picture and what does it mean for Putin and Russia? Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

We've looked how the war in Ukraine has impacted politics in several countries, but what about the EU as a whole? Charles Lichfield joins to discuss. This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on September 14, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

What exactly motivates Turkey's mercurial leader? On this episode, Sibel Oktay joins to discuss what's on Erdogan's mind these days and his angle on Ukraine, NATO, and more. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Join us as we cover all three Baltic States in (about) one hour. Guests Dr. Indra Ekmanis and Martynas Smitas share their views and some nuances on the current political and security juncture, as well as where the local Russian minority fits into all this. The conversation with Indra Ekmanis was recorded on June 28 and July 3, 2022, and the conversation with Martynas Smitas was recorded on July 1,...

Finland has a long border and similarly long history with Russia. How does the war in Ukraine change its defense and security picture? This week Aaron Schwartzbaum and Minna Alander discuss Finland's security calculus. This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on June 21, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Why and how did Sweden abandon centuries of neutrality, and where does it fit in the European security picture? This week Aaron Schwartzbaum speaks with Oscar Jonsson about Sweden's NATO ambitions and the country's current political crisis. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe