The Global Gambit

The Global Gambit has a YouTube ! Some of these conversations won't make it as podcasts, so be sure to subscribe (its FREE!) and not miss out on more content. This is quick, similar action that REALLY supports my work and helps to open this content to new audiences who will like it as much as you do! Do so here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg . Episode Outline In Jan...

TGG has a Substack! In Dec, l started a Substack where l share reflections on interviews, produce explainers to emerging events, and write opinion pieces. Subscribe here: https://substack.com/profile/112732172-pyotr-s-kurzin?utm_source=user-menu. Episode Outline In the fall of 2022, l held a panel on the unprecedented role Open-Source-Intelligence (OSINT) has had on the Ukraine War. It is has hard...

TGG HAS A SUBSTACK! Since the last episode, Pyotr started a Substack where he shares his reflections on interviews and produces backgrounders to current or emerging events. Subscribe here: https://substack.com/profile/112732172-pyotr-s-kurzin?utm_source=user-menu. Episode Outline On Nov 28th, 2022, Pyotr met with Alex Vindman for an in-person interview at Johns Hopkins SAIS, where Vindman is a fel...

ALERT! Since the last episode, Pyotr started a Substack where he shares his reflections on interviews and provides explainers to current or emerging events. Subscribe here: https://substack.com/profile/112732172-pyotr-s-kurzin?utm_source=user-menu.  Episode Outline The last weekend of November 2022 saw protests across China, largely associated with the country's zero-covid policies. Despite r...

Episode Outline Over the autumn, the Ukraine War took a notable turn. Aside from Putin's renewed nuclear threats or Russian mobilization, the role of drones began to increase - especially on Russia's side.  These 'kamikaze' drones are being supplied exclusively by the Iran regime, whose sales they leverage to help oppress the Iranian people - as speakers, John Spencer, Patrick...

HOORAY! TGG has reached 20 episodes! Thank you to all who listen and support the show via methods like Patreon - without you this passion of mine would not be possible.  If you want to support the show you can become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit and gain additional perks too! Episode Outline For TGG's 20th episode and after 2 years, the Ethiopian Civil War has shown fe...

Episode Outline As the Ukraine War worsens, the threat of nuclear weapons has remained present throughout. Yet, Putin hasn't followed through and so the question remains around the propensity for him to use them, alongside the narratives that emerge on nuclear use more broadly. Alongside scheduled guests, TGG had surprise expert appearances enriching the conversation in the latter half. Quest...

Episode Outline On August 15th, 2021, the globe witnessed one of the most redefining geopolitical events in a place that in itself reshaped 21st-century foreign and international policy. The fall of Kabul by the Taliban's rapid advance resulted in the US-supported government collapse and the Taliban's takeover, undoing 20 years of progress and rights/freedoms of Afghans. This special pan...

Episode Outline The rapid and unexpected counteroffensive by Ukraine’s forces has redefined the shape of the war, with mass graves being found around Izyum, and Putin scrambling to mobilize 100,000s of troops which saw Russians fleeing in response. Not to mention the renewed threat of nuclear war. Lesia Vasylenko joined Pyotr to address these and questions including: As the war has evolved, how ha...

Episode Outline With the war in Ukraine set to continue, the impact on humanitarian conditions will persist, especially as the weather worsens. Within all the chaos, humanitarian organizations, charities, and NGOs have been central in trying to support refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs, in states like Poland. Of these, the ICRC has been a leading group as special guest Sebastian Stachowski, and re...

Episode Outline Ramifications from the Ukraine War are being felt globally. Not merely by intensifying the potential for conflict in other regions, but also by undermining peace and mediation efforts. This is the case with the Iran Nuclear Deal, or JCPOA, which has been at risk and remains controversial to many, including Jason Brodsky. Questions covered this time include:  Since the Ukraine War b...

Episode Outline The parallels between Taiwan & Ukraine have been and are continually being made, despite the seemingly obvious differences, largely because of their symbolism in the fight for democracy vs autocracy. And one person, who's devoted a particular amount of focus to the themes of liberalism, democracy, and governance is Francis Fukuyama. Questions he covered with Pyotr include:...

Episode Outline The Russian Wagner Group is an infamous private military contractor (PMC) operating in the Ukraine War. However, little is known of them, and so we should look to learn more by looking at their activities elsewhere, including where they first came to light: Libya. These themes were explored with Hafed, with questions such as: Why is the Wagner Group increasingly active in Ukraine a...

Episode Outline The Russian-Ukraine War has exacerbated the already fragile food insecurity affecting multiple states around the globe. These have driven such questions like: What does the Ukraine-Russia grain deal mean for global food supplies and the crisis? Should we expect this to lead to the potential for a broader ceasefire or peace deal being made?  How does the food crisis, especially in t...

Episode Outline The role of Turkey in the 2022 Ukraine War is one that has many observers and pundits guessing, with questions often including: What does Turkey seek to gain from supporting Ukraine but also engaging Russia? Why did Erdogan threaten to block Swedish/Finnish NATO ascension?  How genuine are its attempts to broker peace between the two sides?  How integral is Erdogan's personal...

Episode Outline This abhorrent event will be felt worldwide, but nowhere more than to Abe's family, to which TGG sends its condolences. Friday, July 8th, 2022 saw the inconceivable and tragic assassination of Shinzo Abe, former Japanese Prime Minister, by Tetsuya Yamagami. Abe came to be known for many things, including 'Abenomics' - his form of economic policy, but equally, the ter...

Episode Details  What does the Ukraine War mean for relationships across the European continent?  Has it been the trigger for the EU to establish its own army?  How much has the war altered opinions towards the role or presence of nuclear weaponry?  Why has the Ukrainian's use of information warfare been so much more effective than Russia's in diplomacy?  These questions are tackled in t...

Episode Details  What repercussions does Russia's invasion of Ukraine mean for the Middle East?  How did different countries in the region react? Will there be regional destabilization due to intensifying food insecurity in multiple states? Which countries, if any, will be able to help offset the growing energy crisis? These questions and more are explored, as Pyotr interviews Randa Slim , a...

Episode Outline How has morale and perception of the war changed among Ukrainians over time?  Is there a notable difference between western and eastern Ukraine and Russia's influence?  Why and how does Russia approach warfare so differently to western-orientated countries?  How does the Ukraine War compare to other theatres of war?  Host Pyotr tackles these questions and more with the help of...

Episode Details  Why did V-Day, May 9th in Moscow not result in any major strategical changes?  Is the Ukraine War actually more of or increasingly becoming a proxy conflict?  Will the US reach a limit in its willingness to support or fund the Ukrainian resistance?  Do the events over Ukraine reflect a reshaping of the international order and shift in great power politics?  Pyotr is rejoined by co...

Episode Outline  What is India's position on the Ukraine War, including on Russia particularly? Why has it remained so neutral and unwilling to take a clear stance? How does India see its relations with China, Russia, or the USA?  What is the role and relevance of Modi as a leader? Episode 5 sees these questions and more tackled as your host, Pyotr interviews Professor Daniel Markey on India...

Episode Outline  How has Russia's invasion of Ukraine reshaped geopolitics in Europe?  What does it mean for NATO?  What about the applications of Sweden & Finland?  Will Ukraine ever join the EU or NATO too?  These questions are just a sample of what is covered in the latest edition of The Global Gambit. This time, your host, Pyotr, interviews Professor Dan Hamilton - a fellow of Johns H...

Episode Outline  Has Russia's invasion of Ukraine meant an end to Iranian negotiations?  What is the impact on Iran-Russian relations?  How will Iran's interest in the Caucasus change?  Will it deepen relations between Russia, China, and Iran?  These questions and more are addressed in this episode of TGG, as your host, Pyotr interviews Barbara Salvin , Director of the Future of Iran Ini...

Episode Outline Will the events in Ukraine result in a new Cold War between the West and an intensified Russo-Sino Axis?  Could China offset the sanctions imposed upon Russia?  Will Russia become a vassal state to China?  What is the prospect of Russia using cryptocurrencies to bypass the financial constraints against it?  These questions and more are addressed in this episode of The Global Gambit...

Episode Outline  What has the humanitarian situation been like for Ukrainian people fleeing Russia's invasion?  How has the response been and how can it be improved?   How much risk is there to refugees from people trafficking and smuggling?  Has there been a response from the UN and should it be making more effort to lead or coordinate?  In this first episode, these questions and more are di...