The Geopolitical Pickle

Gaza - Israel Regional Impact and Forecast

Israel has launched an all-out-war against Hamas in Gaza in the aftermath of the Oct 7th attack, and there are many implications of it. 
In this episode our hosts talked about the current situation in the ground and the effects that it has in the Middle East and the world. How will it affect Israel's relation with its allies? What repercussions will the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to global trade? What future there is for the Gaza Strip and its people? 
 
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Is Captagon behind Syrian rapprochement

Syria has been brought back from the cold in the Middle East, with some diplomatic relations restored and invitation back into the fold of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League. Is the surging Captagon trade behind this over decade long isolation coming to an end?
Join us as we talk with Caroline Rose (@CarolineRose8), Director of the Strategic Blind Spots Portfolio at the New Lines Institute and leader of the Special Captagon Trade Project.
 

What’s driving coups in West Africa?

Welcome back to The Geopolitical Pickle. In this episode, we venture into the heart of West Africa, where a series of military coups have sent shockwaves through the region.
This summer witnessed coups in Niger and Gabon, adding to a growing list of military takeovers, particularly in former French colonies. But what's striking is the emergence of what experts are calling the new "Coup Belt." This belt not only carries a distinct anti-French sentiment but also features pro-Russian coup leaders and calls for the withdrawal of Western forces from the ground.
To make sense of this complex situation, we'll explore the intertwining factors of geopolitical interests, anti-colonial sentiments, and the extreme insecurity prevalent in most of the Sahel. Join us as we analyze the underlying reasons behind these coups and discuss their far-reaching consequences.
Stay tuned for a deep dive into the shifting sands of African geopolitics. The Geopolitical Pickle is back, and we're ready to unravel the intricacies of the "Belt of Coups" in West Africa.

Unrecognized States - What are they?

What are the conditions for statehood? What determines whether a state will be internationally recognized? Is international recognition needed? What does it depend on?
Join us on this debate as we explore the world of Unrecognized States and discuss their similarities and differences of entities such as The Holy See, Somaliland, Kosovo and Bougainville. 
 
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The Japanese Ambassador on security in Japan and East Asia

How is the security situation in East Asia evolving? How does Japan see its geopolitical position as part of this given the emerging threats of Russia and China? Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to the Czech Republic, discusses the challenges and opportunities that Japan sees in its region and beyond. 
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Ukraine - May Update and Perspectives to the Future

Before winter we released an episode analyzing the situation in the war in Ukraine and its geopolitical aspects. 
Now, in late spring 2023, we update again the current situation and assess the potential outcomes of the conflic. This time we are joined by Ridvan Bari Urcosta, expert in the Black Sea region, Russia, Ukraine and Middle East and analyst for Geopolitical Futures and Strategy & Future.
 
The interview with Ridvan Bari Urcosta was recorded on 17th May.
 
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Geoeconomics and Europe’s energy security

In this episode we are joined by Geopolitical Futures Chief Operating Officer and lecturer on international relations at the Romanian National University of Political Studies and Public Administration Antonia Colibasanu.
 
Starting with an introduction to Geoeconomics, find out what the terms mean, how Europe is vulnerable, and the interplay between economics and geopolitics that shape all international relations.

Iraq: 20 Years on

On March 20th 2003 the USA and the UK, alongside other allied countries invaded Iraq in order to remove Saddam Hussein and put an end to his program producing Weapons of Mass Destruction. Saddam was overthrown, but the weapons were never found. 
 
20 years since the first troops landed in Iraq, the invasion and subsequent insurgency and political turmoil reshaped the entire Middle East and the foreign policy of the US. Recent developments in the beginning of 2023 however, may point at stabilization of relations between regional competitors. 
 

South Africa’s Woes and SADC

South Africa is undergoing a disastrous energy shortage crippling the economy and stirring unrest. Join us as we talk with ex-ANC spokesperson Isaac Mashaba about what is behind the current national disaster.
With elections due in 2024, what are the future prospects for the party of Nelson Mandela and how could the impacts be felt across the SADC region.

AUKUS & Nuclear Proliferation

How could AUKUS and nuclear submarines jeopradise the future of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)? 
Listen to expert Sébastien Philippe (@seb6philippe) as he weighs in on this potential threat to the 1968 treaty and the serious implications for our future.