The Global Gambit

2023 was a big year for multinational, multi-forum events, ranging from the G20 to BRICS to the annual UN General Assembly. But of these, the concept and symbolism of BRICS is often the one that captures the minds of people, especially those who tend to have anti-Western sentiments and desire for a multipolar order. But why this fascination, arguably infatuation for the BRICS? Is it purely about i...

Since the Oct 7th, the world has been rocked by events that many have always agonised and speculated - escalation and war between Israel and Gaza, specifically Hamas. From there, we have witnessed continued intensification, with a growing fear over the possibility of a regional war. Much of this rests on the near-inevitable ground operation the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will undertake - the sev...

Context Since June 24th 2016, the UK has had its entire economy, society and political environment largely defined by a singular issue - Brexit. The word itself, before diving into anything at all, is a source of contention. Yet, very little to many, including myself, has changed. Certainly not in terms of improvements. Merely a country that is suffering an identity crisis as much as it is politic...

In late-July 2023, the country of Niger - a critical Western ally in Africa, and against the threats of Islamic Jihadism, experienced its 7th coup since WWII. The democratically elected President Bazoum was ousted, and there have been many claiming the role of Wagner/Russia or that this is positive for greater independence, autonomy from former colonial masters, France. But its not that clear cut,...

Over 2023 there has be an intensified number of clashes and tensions occurring within an area already heightened and swamped in tension: Serbia & Kosovo. Most notably, these led to rare and unsettling clashes between Serbia communities and members of KFOR - the NATO mission stationed to help address and ideally, prevent, these very scenarios. So what happened, and why? What about these clashes...

France has always been more strategically independent relative to other European such as the UK. But Macron's trip to China while important for French and European interests, caused a stir after he commented about the need for Europe to be more autonomous. Some, like Poland, took it as a snub to the US and transatlantic relations, while many other EU nations tacitly agreed. But which is right? Wha...

Its hard to overstate the importance of Turkey's election on May 14th. And as Gonul Tol, Founding Director of the Turkey Program at  @MiddleEastInstitute  , makes clear, its more than just about policies. It is about the very identity of Turkey; and whether it remains on the path towards democracy or authoritarianism. In this Part 1, of a mini-series, Gonul joined  @theglobalgambit&...

Context Ukraine continues to fight for not merely for its sovereignty and freedom, but arguably and in the eyes of some, values of many democratic, more specifically Western, values. While not everyone views the war as a case of David vs Goliath, with some believing it to be a typical proxy war, my guest this episode, Benjamin Tallis , certainly isn't one of them. Indeed, Benjamin is a firm a...

Context  The globe is experiencing even more instability, unpredictability and more - even more than ever, as we arguably enter a multipolar world, with alternative forms of currency, balance of power and so on.  Could the BRICS countries really create an alternative financial system to challenge or undermine the US-led order?  I put this question, and others such as the potential of cryptocurrenc...

💥 Global Gambit has a YOUTUBE! 💥 If you find value you in the podcast, check out the new GG channel. You can join an ever-growing community and find YouTube-only content. I'd love to see you there! 👉 Do so here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg . Context Between Jan 28th-Feb 4th 2023, the world and especially the US were captivated by a UAP - unidentified ariel phen...

💥 Global Gambit has a YOUTUBE! 💥 So be sure to SUBSCRIBE for free and additional content not shared on the podcast! Subscribing really helps supports my work and seriously helps my content to be discovered by more people. 👉 Do so here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg . Episode Outline More than ever, the UN has a lot on its plate in 2023. Top of this remains Ukraine and...

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...