The Political Periscope

H.E. Nargiz Gurbanova the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Poland presents the official position of Azerbaijan on the recent event in the Karabakh region in the area of the former unrecognized republic of Nagorno Karabakh. She speaks about the situation of Armenian inhabitants of this area and the possibility of the normalization of rela...

Mihai Christopher Marian Radovici, PhD student of the Bucharest University of Economics, speaks about the Generation Freedom forum in Warsaw in which he participated. He also explains his view on the grain embargo crisis between some EU countries and Ukraine. In regards to Romania, three important topics right now are also discussed in the interview: the Three Seas Initiative, Schengen membership...

Stanislav Horbachevskyi, the CEO and founder of the Task Force Group, translation company, speaks about expanding a Ukrainian business to Poland, his experience with Polish market and Polish society and about the role of Ukrainian businessmen in the times of war and possible future reconstruction of the country. The interview was conducted in Warsaw on 20th September 2023 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowi...

Robert Lupitu, editor in chief of Calea Europeana, the main EU & Transatlantic affairs media outlet in Romania comments on the Three Seas Initiative summit that took place in Bucharest on the 6th of September 2023. He summarises the activity of the Three Seas Initiative, its enlargement perspectives and the project implementation. He also touches on the subject of involvement in the Three Seas...

The head of International Aid Division at Caritas Slovenia speaks about recent floods in the country, Polish and other international aid for Slovenia, Caritas' projects in Africa and in the homeland and about the help for Ukraine and for Ukrainian refugees. The interview was conducted on 1st September 2023 in Ljubljana by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz.  Support the show ★ Support this podcast ★

Boas Kragtwijk, Dutch runner, is running a 2500 km long ultramarathon from Amsterdam to Kyiv to raise money for three ambulances. He is accomapnied by his coach Bram Vogels and photographer and media menager Beau Tilli. Boas and Bram tell us why are they doing it and how is it to run for 2500 km. The runner can be observed and supported on www.ultra4ukraine.com The interview was conducted in Lubli...

Māris Andžāns, Ph. D. and associate professor from the Center for Geopolitical Studies Riga speaks about current political changes in Latvia - the new president, resignation of the government and of the mayor of Riga. He also outlines the Latvian position on the current international topics, such as war in Ukraine, NATO summit of the Three Seas Initiative. The interview was conducted on 15th Augus...

Szymon Grabarczuk, Senior Community Relations Specialist at Wikimedia Foundation speaks about what Wikipedia really is and how it functions, how credible of a source it is, how to get an article about yourself on Wikipedia and what is the situation of Russian language version under current regime.   The interview was conducted on 3rd August 2023 in Warsaw by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Support the s...

Čedomir Stojković, the president of the October Group, lawyer and activist speaks about Russian influence in Serbia and how to fight it. He also explains the reality of Serbian politics and the struggle of the integration of Serbia with the European Union. He presents his views on Kosovo and its independence.   The interview was conducted online on 27th July 2023 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Suppo...

Shiho Rybski, Director of Training and Exercises at The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats speaks about countering disinformation and the importance of freedom of speech. The interview was conducted in Warsaw on 30th March 2023 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Support the show ★ Support this podcast ★

Prof. Andrzej Zybertowicz, sociologist, expert on the AI, security advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, speaks about the potential risks of the Artificial Intelligence and how we should approach it with more caution, as there will be no where to run from its wide and wild spread all around the globe. The interview was conducted on 6th July 2023 in Warsaw by Piotr Mateus...

Prof. Agnieszka Legucka, analyst of the Polish Institute of International Affairs speaks about the recent mutiny in Russia led by Prigozhin and its implications for Putin's regime. The rebellion weakened Putin's position within the elite and highlighted the system's fragility. She also touches on the potential threat posed for Poland by Wagner soldiers in Belarus and the importance of the upcoming...

Christiaan Paauwe, Central and Eastern Europe reporter for the Dutch public broadcaster NOS speaks about his impressions from the flooded Kherson after the blowing up of the Kakhovka dam, Dutch public opinion's stance towards the war in Ukraine and Poland's role in the aid for Ukraine, and about the concerns of the Western audience towards some topics - such as Poland's rule of law and migration c...

Jakub Olchowski, PhD, the head of the Eastern Europe department in the Institute of the Central Europe in Lublin talks about the different attitudes towards Russian aggression of Ukraine of different countries outside Europe, assesses the future of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and analyses the political tensions inside Russian Federation.  The interview was conducted in Lublin on 17th June 2023...

In this episode of the Political Periscope General Robert Spalding speaks about current geopolitical tensions involving Russia and China, the potential of escalated conflict, and the contemporary comparison to a second Cold War. He highlights the need for data encryption and transparency to safeguard democracy in today's digital age. Additionally, he evaluates the not so obvious Chinese influence...

Nandi Mazeingo, the chairperson of the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation from Namibia speaks about the atrocities committed by German colonisers in the years 1904-1908 against Ovaherero and Nama people and about his people's struggle to get justice - and reparations. He also presents his point of view on the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The interview was conducted on 3rd June 2023 in Warsaw by...

Two gentlemen from the New York City talk about their City, why is it the best place to live but also about the current issues and concerns of the New Yorkers such as war in Ukraine and current political and economic situation. The interviews were conducted on 26th May 2023 in Central Park, New York by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz.  Support the show ★ Support this podcast ★

Žydrūnė Vitaitė, co-funder of Women Go Tech project from Lithuania speaks about growing interest of women in tech sector, development of startups in Lithuania, digitalisation in the Three Seas Initiative and risks linked to the development of the AI. The interview was conducted during the 3Seas Local Government Congress in Lublin on 16th May 2023 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Support the show ★ Sup...

Maria Tomak, Head of the Crimea Platform Department in the Mission of the President of Ukraine in Crimea speaks about the Russian repressions against Crimean Tatars under Russian occupation, the functioning and role of Crimean platform and the relations of Crimean Tatars with the Ukrainian State. The interview was conducted on 10th May 2023 online by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Support the show ★ Su...

Mykola Davydiuk PhD speaks about the actual goal of Russian missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian cities, the attitude and resilience of Ukrainian citizens, perspectives of the counter-offensive and Russian culture and mentality. The interview was conducted on 3rd May 2023 in Kyiv by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz.  Support the show ★ Support this podcast ★

Tigran Khzmalyan, founder and leader of the European Party of Armenia speaks about his country's pro-Russian and pro-Western tendencies, shifts in its current foreign policy, relations with Azerbaijan and his party's attitude towards the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. The interview was conducted on 14th April 2023 online by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Support the show ★ Support this podcast ★

Her Excellency Nargiz Gurbanova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Poland  speaks about her country's historical connection with Poland, current economic and political relations and cooperation with the EU and NATO. She also answers questions about the road towards lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, war in Ukraine and human rig...

Timo Soini, former deputy prime minister of Finland, former minister of foreign affairs, former Member of the European Parliament and for many years leader of the Finns Party summarises the elections in Finland, analyses possible coalitions and their influence on Finland's policies. The interview was conducted on 3rd April 2023 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz via phone. Support the show ★ Support this...

Alexandr Vondra – Czech MEP, former deputy prime minister, minister of foreign affairs and minister of defence and the advisor on international affairs to president Vaclav Havel was guest of the Political Periscope. He spoke about the place of Czech Republic in current changing geopolitical situation, cooperation in Central Europe and Three Seas Initiative and Visegrad Group. The interview was con...

Sergej Sumlenny, founder and director of the European Resilience Initiative Center, expert and political scientist, speaks about pro-Ukrainian shift in German foreign policy, difficult relations with Poland and German fear of technology. The interview was conducted on 20th March 2023 online by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Support the show ★ Support this podcast ★