The Eastern Front

Battleground Shifts: Ukraine’s Next Moves & Russia’s Endgame (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Fred Kagan, senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, to discuss the state of the war in Ukraine. How worried should we be about Russian advances on the battlefield? How likely is Putin to consider negotiations and what factors are at play in getting him to agree to a ceasefire?

In their news segment, Dalibor and Iulia discuss the mood on the ground in Ukraine and Romanian elections. From his visit to Ukraine, Dalibor assesses how the country is thinking about safe negotiations. How should Romania respond to Russian interference in the election?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Iulia's piece with the Middle East Institute here, and find Dalibor's recommended article here.

Trump and the Transatlantic Relationship (with Dan Hamilton)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Dan Hamilton, a senior fellow at John Hopkins University's SAIS Foreign Policy Institute and a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution to discuss the future of the Transatlantic relationship under a Trump presidency. How will the US Senate constrain or support Trump's foreign policy? Is Europe prepared for the changes that a Trump administration will bring?

In their news segment, Dalibor and Iulia discuss Trump's cabinet picks and the upcoming Romanian election? How will Trump's cabinet picks shape the future of US foreign policy? Will Romania elect a far-right president in their upcoming elections?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Listen to Iulia's recommended podcast episode here.

The Eastern Front and the Great War: Drawing Historical Parallels (with Nick Lloyd)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Nick Lloyd, a historian and professor of modern warfare at King's College London to discuss historical parallels to our current moment. What parallels can be drawn from Russia's experience in World War I to now? How can the lessons of implementation of new technologies in WWI be compared to the roll out of drones and surveillance technology currently in the war in Ukraine?

In their news segment, Dalibor and Iulia discuss the implications of the Georgian election results and analyze what a Trump victory means for the Eastern Front. How much did election fraud contribute to the Georgian Dream's victory? How should European leaders respond to a future Trump presidency?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Find Nick Lloyd's new book The Eastern Front: A History of the First World War here.

Combating Russian Influence in the Black Sea and Beyond (with Stefan Meister)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Stefan Meister, head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia at the German Council on Foreign Relations. What opportunities should the West be seizing to displace Russian influence in the Black Sea region, South Caucuses and beyond? What should the EU be prioritizing for its Black Sea strategy?

Dalibor and Iulia discuss the outcomes of the Georgian and Bulgarian elections, as well as the North Korean troops stationed in Russia in their news segment. What does the election outcomes in Georgia and Bulgaria signal about the state of Western influence in the region? As Russia increases cooperation with North Korea and other partners, what can the West do to counter it?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Iulia’s recommend article here. Read the joint statement of EU ministers on the elections in Georgia here.

Election Season: An Eastern European Outlook (with Oleksandr Kraiev)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Oleksandr Kraiev, the director of the North America program at Ukrainian Prism to discuss the Ukrainian view on US elections. Will a Harris presidency bring more of the same in terms of US strategy towards Ukraine? How are Ukrainians framing the outcomes of the US elections?

Dalibor and Iulia discuss the BRICS summit in Russia and elections in Georgia and Moldova in their news segment. How is Russian influence impacting the democratic futures or Georgia and Moldova in their recent elections? Why has the West failed to deter allied countries from joining in on the BRICS conference?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Dalibor’s recommend article here.

Securing Ukraine's Skies: Challenges of Defense and Deterrence (with Lesia Orobets)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Lesia Orobets, Founder of the "Safe Sky for Ukraine" Initiative and former member of the Ukrainian Parliament to discuss her initiative. How are Russian bombardments impacting Ukraine? What support does Ukraine need to make it through the winter?

Dalibor and Iulia discuss the security outlook for Eastern Europe in their news segment. Has the Kursk offensive failed to achieve its objective? Why are some European nations dragging their feet on revamping their defense industrial bases?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Iulia’s recommend article here. Register for Dalibor's upcoming event here.

Can the West Revamp Its Deterrence? (with Edward Lucas)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Edward Lucas, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis and longtime journalist covering Eastern and Central Europe to discuss greyzone warfare with Russia. Why do democracies struggle to respond to greyzone aggression? How can we improve our deterrence against Russian cyber attacks?

Dalibor and Iulia cover what you need to know about Western deterrence one year out from the October 7th attacks on Israel and Slovakia's turn toward Russia in their news segment. How can the West stand by allies to deter threats from increasingly aligned aggressors? What does Slovakia's Robert Fico's comments on Ukraine mean for its future in NATO and the EU?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Iulia's recommend pieces, Giorgia Meloni's speech and Joschka Fischer's article.

The Path Forward for Ukraine (with Luke Coffey)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Luke Coffey, senior fellow at the Hudson Institutes to discuss strategy in regards to the war in Ukraine. Was the Kursk offensive a risk worth taking and how has it benefitted the Ukrainians strategically? What did Zelenskyy's visit to the US yield in terms of results for Ukraine?

Dalibor and Iulia cover what you need to know about Zelenskyy’s meeting with Donald Trump and pro-Russia politics in Austria and Hungary in their news segment. How has Trump politicized support for Ukraine? What does the success of Austria's far-right party, FPO, mean for Central European politics?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Dalibor's piece on Trump's NATO strategy here.

Soft Power and the War in Ukraine (with Joseph Nye)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 14:15:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Joseph Nye, professor emeritus at Harvard's Kennedy School and pioneer of the theory of soft power to discuss the role of soft power in the context of the war in Ukraine. How should we determine who is winning and who is losing between Russia and Ukraine? Is Russia overperforming in terms of soft power?

Dalibor and Iulia cover what you need to know about Zelenskyy's US visit and recent elections in Europe in their news section. What aspects of the Ukrainian peace plan are the most essential for its success? What do election results in Germany and Austria mean for support for Ukraine?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Find Iulia’s recommended article by Ben Taub here.

Bridging the Divide: Ukraine's War and Its Global Stakes (with Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, member of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, and chair of the Committee of Ukraine's integration into the European Union. Can the war against Ukraine be viewed as the beginning of a wider conflict? Where does the disconnect between Ukraine and the US on the stakes of the conflict lie and how can it be bridged?

Dalibor and Iulia break down Chinese military support for Russia and Biden's meeting with Starmer in their news section. How should the West respond against China's support of Russia's war efforts? Is it too little to late on expanding Ukraine's ability to strike within Russia?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Find Dalibor’s recommended article by Tom Fairless and Bertrand Benoit here. Read Dalibor's article on Germany here.

Strategic Support: Ukraine’s Aid Journey and Russian Interference Insights (with Michael Sawkiw)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 11:30:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Michael Sawkiw, the director of the Ukrainian National Information Service to discuss his work advocating for Ukraine on the Hill. What are the challenges in translating money from the supplemental aid package into tangible support for Ukraine on the ground? What does the path for future aid to Ukraine look like in the US?

Dalibor and Iulia break down Russian election interference and incursions into Romanian airspace in their news of the day segment. Are Russian influence operations in the 2024 election more sophisticated this time around? How should NATO think about responding to Russian drones entering Romanian airspace?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Find Iulia’s recommended article by Philip Zelikow here.

How the UK Leads on Supporting Ukraine (with Amb. Matt Field)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:00:00 -0500

Back from summer break, Dalibor and Iulia relaunch The Eastern Front with exciting new changes. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia welcome Ambassador Matt Field, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic to provide his insights on European support for Ukraine. How has Britain succeeded in keeping aid for Ukraine a bipartisan priority? How is the UK leading in Europe in a post-Brexit context?

Dalibor and Iulia break down German elections and Georgian politics in their news of the day segment. What does the success of far right and far left parties in the German states of Thüringen and Saxony mean for the country and the region more broadly? How is Russian influence impacting Georgians as the foreign agent law takes effect?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Find Dalibor's recommended article by Stephen Biddle here.

Looking Ahead: US Elections and Ukrainian Peace

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0500

New changes are coming to the Eastern Front podcast, and we will be relaunching a new and improved version of the podcast at the beginning of September. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Dalibor and Iulia say goodbye to our dear host Giselle Donnelly and detail the changes that are to come for the podcast. Additionally, the hosts delve into the implications that the election may have on foreign policy. What are Kamala Harris's stances on issues important to the Eastern flank? What can we expect from a peace deal for Ukraine negotiated by a potential future Trump administration? What could the future of the NATO alliance look like under the leadership of the current candidates?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

After NATO 75: The Ukrainian Reaction (with Kira Rudik)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Though Ukraine's 'irreversible path' towards NATO membership was announced at the NATO 75 conference, a lack of more concrete actions left supporters of Ukraine feeling disappointed. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Kira Rudik, a Ukrainian member of parliament and leader of the Holos party to discuss the Ukrainian reaction to the NATO summit. What message was Russia sending with its bombing of the children's hospital? Is NATO going far enough in its support for Ukraine? How can Ukraine's security be guaranteed in the face of potential peace negotiations?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read the host’s newly released NATO report here.

Bulgarian Security: Emphasizing NATO's Eastern Flank (with Todor Tagarev)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:30:00 -0500

Bulgaria is an important member of NATO's eastern flank, with a multinational battle group stationed there and a role in securing the Black Sea. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Todor Tagarev, the former minister of defense of Bulgaria to discuss his insights ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. Is NATO focused enough on its Eastern flank? What role does Bulgaria play in NATO's security? What positive developments can we expect from the NATO at 75 conference?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read the host's newly released NATO report here.

NATO Beyond 75: The Task That Remains

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Facing coordinated aggression from Russia, China, and Iran, NATO must update its strategy to counter the threats facing the alliance and its allies. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia detail the plan for NATO's strategy moving forward that they outlined in their new report NATO Beyond 75: The Task That Remains Before US. How does NATO benefit US national interests? What would good strategic policy in NATO look like? Why should the US care about European security in the face of threats coming from China and Iran?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read the report here.

A New Security Framework for the Eastern Front

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Ahead of the NATO summit, Ukraine's potential future membership in NATO and its implications for regional security is being hotly debated. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia report their insights from Dalibor's recent travels to Chisinau, Moldova and Odessa, Ukraine. How are demographic declines impacting these cities? What are the roadblocks to NATO and EU membership in countries like Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine? What alternatives exist for security guarantees to defend against Russian aggression in the region?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read more about the wine-making cultures of Georgia and Moldova as discussed in the episode here and here.

The Future of Georgian Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities (with Shota Gvineria)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Since the ruling Georgian Dream party passed a controversial 'foreign agents' law in the face of mass public protests, fears about Russian influence and the future of Georgian democracy have been heightened. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Shota Gvineria, a lecturer at the Baltic Defence College and senior fellow at the Economic Policy Research Center, to discuss the current situation in Georgia. What are the prospects for a pro-Western democratic shift to occur in Georgia's upcoming election? What role should the US and the EU play in defending Georgian democracy? What can be done to contain Russian influences in Georgia and prevent the country from becoming the next Belarus?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Navigating the Black Sea Arena: Turkey's Geostrategic Puzzle (with Ozgur Ünlühisarcikli)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Turkey has attempted to balance its relationship with Russia and its commitments to NATO. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Ozgur Ünlühisarcikli, regional director of the German Marshall Fund in Turkey, to give his insights on Turkish politics and strategy. How has Turkey approached its relationship with Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine? What is Turkey's view on further NATO expansions, particularly to Ukraine or Georgia? What does Turkish strategy in the Black Sea look like?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

The Art of the Possible: Discussing Strategy for Ukrainian Victory (with Phillips O'Brien)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Disclaimer: This episode was recorded before the Biden administration announced it would allow Ukraine to carry out limited strikes inside of Russia using US-made weapons.

In many ways, Ukraine is fighting with one hand tied behind its back as its access to weapons systems has been limited. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Phillips O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews to discuss the state of the war in Ukraine and its possible path to victory. What weapons systems could Ukraine benefit from that the US has not yet provided? What obstacles stand in the way of Ukrainian victory? How are Ukrainians viewing the issue of conscription?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Find Phillips' podcast Ukraine Russia War Talk here.

Populism's Popularity in Eastern Europe (with Maria Snegovaya)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 28 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

There's been a concerning rise in populism in Central and Eastern European countries, as has been the case in Hungary and Slovakia under the respective presidencies of Victor Orbán and Robert Fico. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Maria Snegovaya, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to discuss her new book, When Left Moves Right: The Decline of the Left and the Rise of the Populist Right in Postcommunist Europe. Why are Eastern and Central European countries seeing a resurgence of populism? How concerning is democratic backsliding and is the phenomenon limited to Europe? How is Putin using Soviet narratives to advance his agenda in Russia?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Purchase a copy of Maria's book here.

NATO at 75: Estonia's Perspective (with Amb. Kristjan Prikk)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 21 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

As Europe has been slow to respond to the Russian threat, the Baltic states have been ringing the alarm bells. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Kristjan Prikk, Estonian Ambassador to the United States, to discuss the Baltic perspective ahead of the July NATO summit. What issues are Estonians hoping to see on the summit's agenda? What has been Estonia's experience as a frontline NATO state? How has the security environment in the Baltic and Nordic states changed since Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Fico Assassination Attempt: What It Means for Slovakia and the EU

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 16 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On May 15th, Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico was shot five times in an attempted assassination and, as of this recording, remains in critical condition. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia draw on Dalibor's local expertise to unpack the breaking news and its developments. What is Fico's political background and why is he such a polarizing figure? What implications does the assassination attempt have for the state of liberal democracy and political polarization in Slovakia? What impact will this have on the upcoming European Union elections?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Dalibor’s analysis of Robert Fico's attempted assassination here.

Frontline Dispatch: Mapping Russia's Tactics (with George Barros)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 08 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

As Ukraine awaits US aid, it is struggling to hold back a Russian offensive that has claimed control over several settlements in Eastern Ukraine. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome George Barros, Russia Team and Geospatial Intelligence Team lead at the Institute for the Study of War, to discuss the current state of the battlefield in Ukraine. Which regions are Russian troops planning on targeting in the coming months? What weapons and policies could make a difference on the battlefield for Ukraine? What does China stand to gain from Russian advances in Ukraine?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

In the Wake of Terror: Moscow's Regional Relations (with Paul Goble)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 02 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

A recent terror attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall by ISIS-K has tested Russia’s regional relations and tolerance for torture at home. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Paul Goble, distinguished senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation. What effect, if any, has the March attacks had on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategic calculus? How is Russia’s promotion of “traditional values” perceived in former Soviet Republics, particularly in Central Asia? What is the significance behind the Russian Orthodox church’s political alignment with the Putin regime?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

The Eastern Front Live Show with Giga Bokeria

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On April 25th, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia hosted a special live show of The Eastern Front with Giga Bokeria, chairman of European Georgia, the pro-European, pro-Western opposition in Georgia. Together, they discuss the history of Russian incursions into Georgia and the greater security risks Russia poses to Europe. Bokeria makes the case for Georgian and Ukrainian membership into NATO and emphasizes the importance of Ukrainian victory in ensuring peace on the continent. The live show concludes with a Q&A segment with the audience.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front’s biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here. View European Georgia's documentary, "Forgotten Victims–Before Bucha Was Abkhazia," here.

Ukraine Unpacked: Inside the $60.8 Billion Aid Bill

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0500

On Wednesday night, after months of languishing in the House, President Joe Biden signed into law an aid package authorizing $60.8 billion to Ukraine. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia break down the bill and consider its implications for the future trajectory of the war. What is the significance of the bill making it past far-right opposition in the House? Does the aid package go far enough to ensure Ukrainian victory? Could using frozen Russian assets help fund the war effort?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Dalibor's piece for the New York Post here.

NATO and Nukes (with Artur Kacprzyk)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0500

With continued uncertainty over the trajectory of the war and aid to Ukraine, European nations have begun to consider the need for a more aggressive deterrence posture. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Artur Kacprzyk, analyst in the International Security Programme at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, to discuss how NATO can capitalize on its nuclear deterrent. What does the current state of NATO's nuclear deterrence look like and how effective has it been? How are different Eastern European countries thinking about nuclear deterrence? What changes should be made to nuclear policy at the NATO summit this summer?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read Dalibor's piece It’s Time to Give Poland Nuclear Weapons here.

Facing the Russian Threat (with Minna Ålander)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0500

The Baltic states are taking the Russian threat seriously and sounding the alarm for the rest of Europe. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Minna Ålander, research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, to discuss NATO and European security. To what extent has German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acted on the promises made in his 2022 "Zeitenwende" speech? What lessons can the US learn from Baltic states vis-à-vis Russia? What does the Russian threat mean for the future of European security?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

NATO Needs to Step Up (With Andrew Michta)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0500

As NATO celebrates 75 years of defense, Russian threats continue to gnaw at the strength of the alliance. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Andrew Michta, director and senior fellow of the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Strategy Initiative, to discuss where NATO goes from here. Who should be the next NATO secretary general? What more can NATO members do to effectively counter Russian misinformation? At this stage in the war, are NATO members more or less likely to continue supporting Ukraine?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

France, Germany, and Poland: Europe's New Defenders?

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 15:00:00 -0500

With no American security guarantees, European leaders are beginning to look for alternative defense partners. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia roleplay as Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, and Donald Tusk to discuss both the perils and promises of European security as they each see it. Is it a foregone conclusion that the US will withdraw from Europe? How can France and Germany navigate their disagreements over sending troops to Ukraine? Is Europe taking the Russian threat seriously enough?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Reporting From the Danger Zones (with Nicola Careem)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:30:00 -0500

With authoritarianism on the rise worldwide, the work of journalists has never been more important for holding rogue regimes accountable. But for that reason, it has also become increasingly dangerous. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Nicola Careem, vice president and editor-in-chief of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, to discuss how journalism has changed in this era of great powers. How do journalists navigate the harsh realities of warzone reporting, whether through physical threats to their lives or media censorship? What are some of the particular risks inherent in reporting from the "gray zone"? What processes can organizations put in place to protect their frontline journalists?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Keeping an Eye on Iran with (Andres Ilves)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:00:00 -0500

Iran has asserted itself on the global stage through proxies in the Middle East and by supporting Russia in its war in Ukraine. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle and Iulia welcome Andres Ilves, director of the Near East Region at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. How is Iran positioning itself in regards to Armenia and Azerbaijan? To what extent is Iran exerting influence on Russia? What regions of the world are most threatening to Iran, and how is it responding to those threats?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Disarming Disinformation (with Andrea Michalcová)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:00:00 -0500

For years, Russia has employed disinformation campaigns to influence political outcomes in Western democracies. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Andrea Michalcová, director of the Center for an Informed Society. What impact has Russian disinformation campaigns had in Slovakia and the Czech Republic so far? How have these campaigns both helped and hurt Ukraine throughout the war? What can Western nations do to effectively combat Russian disinformation?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Two Years Out From the War in Ukraine

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:15:00 -0500

A lot has happened since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine just over two years ago. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia reflect on events from the past two years and consider what the future of the conflict might look like. Would a second Trump administration inevitably push the war in Russia's favor? And would a Biden re-election necessarily mean more aid for Ukraine? How have the Europeans compared in their support for Ukraine?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Reflections on the Munich Security Conference (with Jack Janes)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0500

Just shy of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, and in the midst of breaking news over Alexei Navalny's assassination, the focus was all on Ukraine during last week's Munich Security Conference. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Jack Janes, resident senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, to reflect on his experience at the conference. What did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy say about US delays in approving an aid package? How did news of Navalny's assassination influence the security forum agenda? And how might his death be telling of the possibilities for Russia's future?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Is Europe Arming Itself Fast Enough? (with Jolanta Szymanska and Daniel Szeligowsk)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:00:00 -0500

In light of Donald Trump's recent statements encouraging Russia to attack NATO allies that have not met their spending minimums, there are growing concerns about Europe's readiness to defend itself. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Jolanta Szymanska and Daniel Szeligowski of the Polish Institute of International Affairs to discuss their new book, The European Union in the Face of Russia's Aggression Against Ukraine. Has the EU been acting with a proper sense of urgency to Russia's threats? Has Germany delivered on their Zeitenwende promises? Should the EU forego unanimity in the interests of each country's national security?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Read The European Union in the Face of Russia's Aggression Against Ukraine here.

The Human Costs of Russia's War (with Karolina Hird)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:00:00 -0500

Ukrainians living in Russian occupied territories are facing a myriad of threats, from torture and deportation to the Russification of their communities. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Karolina Hird, the Russia deputy team lead and Evans Hanson fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, to discuss her recent report, "The Kremlin's Occupation Playbook: Coerced Russification and Ethnic Cleansing in Occupied Ukraine." What tactics has Russia used in its attempts to erase Ukrainian identity? Does the Ukrainian government have a plan in place to reintegrate the Russian-occupied territories?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. "The Kremlin's Occupation Playbook: Coerced Russification and Ethnic Cleansing in Occupied Ukraine" by Karolina Hird. "The Torture Camp on Paradise Street" by Stanislav Aseyev.

Moldova: Russia's Next Target? (with Adrian Băluțel)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0500

Continued support for Ukraine is not just important for Ukrainians; many Eastern European countries are increasingly worried about their own security. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Adrian Băluțel, the chief of staff to the president of the Republic of Moldova, to discuss Moldovan security and the security of the Eastern European region at large. To what extent does additional funding for Ukraine also support the wider region against Russian aggression? How has Moldova, specifically, fared against Russian information operations?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Let's Not Forget About Black Sea Security (with Stephen Flanagan)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0500

Despite reaching somewhat of a standstill in the war, Ukraine has made considerable advances in the Black Sea. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Stephen Flanagan, adjunct senior fellow at RAND Corporation, to discuss the future of Black Sea strategy and its implications for Ukraine, the EU, and the US. What further military advances can we expect? What role does Turkey play in the region's security? To what extent might the US' Black Sea strategy be affected by the upcoming presidential election?

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Defining Ukraine's National Identity (with Maria Popova and Oxana Shevel)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:30:00 -0500

As Putin attempts to erase Ukrainian identity, keeping Ukraine's unique history and culture alive has become ever more important. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Maria Popova and Oxana Shevel, associate professors of political science at McGill University and Tufts University, respectively, to discuss their new book, Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States. How has Ukraine resisted Russian influence and pursued democracy? What impact has the war had on Ukrainian self-identity? And how has academia tackled issues around Eastern European identity?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Purchase Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States here.

America's Will to Lead (with Anders Fogh Rasmussen)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0500

There is a growing consensus among segments of the political elite that America's declining global leadership has paved the way for conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former NATO chief from 2009-2014, to discuss his recent efforts across Washington to advocate for sustained aid to Ukraine and US dominance in the international arena. Must there be a tradeoff between supporting Ukraine and supporting Israel or Taiwan? How important is transatlantic unity to defeating Vladimir Putin? Which European countries are most concerned, and most optimistic, about America's willpower to lead?

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New Hampshire Primary: The Beginning of Trump 2.0? (with David Frum)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0500

With Ron DeSantis suspending his presidential campaign just ahead of the New Hampshire primary, the Republican field is setting out to be a one-man show: Donald Trump. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with David Frum, senior editor at The Atlantic, to discuss the evolution of the Republican party since Trump's first term and what we can expect from a potential second Trump administration. Might Europe have to begin providing for its own defense with American security no longer a guarantee? What about aid to Ukraine? In what ways—if at all—might a second Biden administration be different in the event of a re-election? And is there any possibility that neither Trump nor Biden will be an option?

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The Ticking Time Clock on Ukraine Aid (with Jan Havránek)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0500

US support for Ukraine continues to remain uncertain as Congress struggles to reach an agreement on an aid package. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Jan Havránek, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic, to discuss the future of American and European support for Ukraine. Is there a growing sense of "Ukraine fatigue" in Europe? Will other Eastern European states follow Hungary's path and turn their backs on Ukraine? To what extent has the war in Ukraine—and the possibility of a wider regional conflict—factored into Europe countries' defense budgets?

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Looking Back and Looking Forward

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Despite battlefield gains in 2022, the last year has brought significant hurdles to Ukraine's fight against Russia. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia reflect on the past year's events and consider what might be in store for the Black Sea region—and the world more broadly—in 2024. They discuss Western will and commitment to Ukraine, the future of Zelenskyy, Russia's war plans, and Biden's re-election prospects.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. "Wake Up, West! Putin Can Gain Upper Hand in Ukraine in '24 if We Do Nothing," by Iulia Joja.

The Hurdles to Ukraine's EU Integration (with Rikard Jozwiak)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 17:00:00 -0500

Despite the European Council's recent decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, the country's EU membership is not exactly a foregone conclusion. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Rikard Jozwiak, Europe reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), to discuss the potential obstacles to Ukraine's EU accession process and funding. To what extent does supplemental funding for Ukraine in the US affect EU decision-making over aid? What role might upcoming European and US elections play on Ukraine's EU accession? What about NATO membership?

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What Is Going on with EU Accession Talks and Ukraine Funding? (with Ian Bond)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0500

This week, European leaders agreed to begin EU membership talks with Ukraine, nearly two years after it was accepted as a candidate state. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Ian Bond, deputy director of the Centre for European Reform, to discuss possible outcomes of accession talks. How might Hungary, who was the only EU member to block a recent aid package for Ukraine worth $55 billion, complicate matters? What role does the UK play in the future of European defense? Could the return of a Trump administration upend European security?

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Who Can Guarantee Armenia’s Security? Pt. II (with Amb. Richard Kauzlarich)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 12:30:00 -0500

In the second installment of The Eastern Front's two-part series on Armenia's security, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Ambassador Richard Kauzlarich, distinguished visiting professor at George Mason University, to discuss Azerbaijan's perspective on the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. What has accounted for Azerbaijan's aggressive posture towards its neighbors? What other ambitions is Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev harboring that the West may not fully understand? Why has China taken a back seat in the region?

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Who Can Guarantee Armenia's Security? Pt. I (with Dr. Shushanik Minasyan-Ostermann)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0500

Nearly three months after Azerbaijan's seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh, serious concerns remain over the plight of tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians in the region. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Dr. Shushanik Minasyan-Ostermann, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Bonn, to discuss the refugee crisis. Can Armenia trust Western nations to provide for its security? And if not, is Russia a viable alternative? How are Turkey and Iran's interests abetted by this conflict?

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The Future of European Security, with Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges (Ret.)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0500

Only half the battle is over once Ukraine wins the war. If Russian President Vladimir Putin is to be prevented from finding yet another victim of his aggression, there must be credible deterrence to maintain a proper balance of power in Europe. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome back retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, NATO senior mentor for Logistics, to discuss strategies that can help Ukraine win this war now and deter Russia moving forward. Will joining NATO help maintain peace in the region? To what extent might the return of Donald Trump to the White House compromise existing partnerships with European allies?

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Bring Back Alsu Kurmasheva (with Jeffrey Gedmin and Pavel Butorin)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In May 2023, Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), traveled to Russia to visit her ailing mother. While awaiting her flight back to the US in June, she was detained by Russian authorities and subsequently charged for failing to register as a “foreign agent.” If convicted, she faces up to five years in a Russian prison. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Jeffrey Gedmin, acting president of RFE/RL, and Pavel Butorin, Kurmasheva’s husband and director of Current Time TV at RFE/RL. Gedmin and Butorin provide an update on Kurmasheva’s situation, discuss their ongoing collaboration with the US State Department to bring her home, and shed light on the growing threats that journalists face in Russia and other authoritarian nations.

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Is Ukraine Falling Apart? (with Oleksiy Goncharenko)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0500

On November 8, the European Commission adopted the 2023 enlargement package, which recommended opening negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova to officially join the EU. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Oleksiy Goncharenko, Ukrainian parliament member, to discuss EU accession and Ukraine’s domestic politics. Do recent comments from Republican presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, accurately reflect the state of Ukrainian democracy? What might disagreements between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s military leadership suggest about the war’s future? To what extent would EU accession change the trajectory of the war—and would it change for better or worse?

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The House that Putin Built (with Leon Aron)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0500

When one makes a seemingly dramatic choice, they are faced with the option to either walk back the consequences that choice has engendered or be consumed by that choice. This is the predicament Russian President Vladimir Putin has found himself in, argues AEI's Dr. Leon Aron in his new book, Riding the Tiger: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the Uses of War. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Dr. Aron to discuss his new book and the "house" that Putin has built in Russia. What have been Putin's most important milestones in building this house? To what extent is Putin's house built on previous iterations of Russia, or even Soviet, imperialism? What have been the primary "uses of war" driving Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Purchase Riding the Tiger: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the Uses of War here.

The War from the UK (with Francis Dearnley)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, The Telegraph's journalists created a podcast, Ukraine: The Latest, to provide daily analysis on the conflict from a variety of angles. Since then, it has become one of the leading sources for coverage on the war. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Francis Dearnley, assistant comment editor at The Telegraph and a voice on Ukraine: The Latest, to learn about the United Kingdom's perspective on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the evolution of the podcast over the last year and a half. What have been some of the most shocking revelations since covering the war? Why has the UK been "bolder and braver" than other European countries in its support for Ukraine? Is there any strain of isolationism in the UK? Dearnley also shares his theory on the "mental block" that has prevented people from actively engaging with horrific content from the war.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Find episodes of Ukraine: The Latest here.

A Record-Breaking Polish Election (with Łukasz Fyderek)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0500

This past weekend saw Donald Tusk—former Polish prime minister and the head of the largest opposition group, Civic Coalition—declare victory for his party following the 2023 Polish parliamentary elections on October 15th. The elections marked Poland's highest voter turnout in the history of its democracy. On this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Łukasz Fyderek, assistant professor at the Institute of the Middle East and Far East at Jagiellonian University, to break down the Polish elections and discuss its regional implications. What was the biggest surprise to come out of the elections? Are the results a rejection of the governing Law and Justice party's "German-bashing"? To what extent will Poland's foreign policy change with the formation of a new government, particularly with regard to Polish-Ukrainian relations?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Is Ukraine Interested in Fighting Corruption? (with Tamar Jacoby)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0500

There has been a longstanding trope in the United States that Ukraine is a hopelessly corrupt country, which has abetted the growing movement in favor of withdrawing aid. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome back Tamar Jacoby, director of the New Ukraine Project at the Progressive Policy Institute, to challenge misconceptions about Ukraine's corruption problem and discuss why a Democratic, Western-oriented market economy in Ukraine is just as vital to US interests as removing Russian troops. How has the war changed the Ukrainian people's sentiments about their country's corruption? What have been some of the institutional changes the Ukrainian government has undertaken to combat corruption? Is it necessary for US aid to be conditional on corruption reform?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

German Strategic Culture Since the Zeitenwende (with Heiko Biehl)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Since WWII, the relationship between American and German strategic culture has been deeply intertwined. However, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was an external shock that fundamentally altered aspects of Germany's strategic culture, while leaving others untouched. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Heiko Biehl, head of the research department at the Center for Military History and Social Sciences at the Bundeswehr in Potsdam, to discuss the shift in Germany's strategic culture over the last year and a half. To what extent has Germany's relationship with the US and NATO—at the expense of its relationship with France—become more relevant since the war? Is German strategic culture at risk of changing again with the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House? What are German attitudes towards the use of hard power? Is the country willing to engage militarily with Russia?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

The Massacre in Israel and the Cracks in US Foreign Policy

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0500

The international community is still reeling after Hamas launched a surprise air, sea, and land assault on Israel this past weekend that led to mass civilian casualties—the worst Israel has seen in its existence. In a pivot from The Eastern Front's usual content, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia discuss the massacre, the problem with the current discourse around the conflict, and its implications for US foreign policy. Is there a double standard applied to Israel that inhibits large swaths of the political left from condemning violence against the state? Has the current discussion around possibly shifting US attention to Israel from Ukraine reflect a larger inability for the US to respond to simultaneous crises? The co-hosts also reflect on the recent Slovakian and upcoming Polish parliamentary elections, and their implications for Ukraine.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.

Poland's Economic Takeoff (with Dr. Marek Dietl)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In the 1990s, Poland and Ukraine's real GDP per capita were roughly on par with one another. Over the span of 20 years, Poland has become almost three times as wealthy and is now a hub for Europe's capital market. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Dr. Marek Dietl, CEO of the GPW Warsaw Stock Exchange and economic advisor to Polish president Andrzej Duda, to discuss the rapid evolvement of Poland's economy. What was the catalyst behind Poland's economic takeoff? Might it now be threatened by the Russia-Ukraine war and decreased EU funding? To what extent has Poland managed to successfully decouple itself from the Russian economy? Given the amount of money Poland is putting towards military expansion, are there any talks about building a trans-Atlantic defense industry?

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The Insider's Perspective (with Minister Andrei Kozyrev)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Much of the criticism against Russia's invasion of Ukraine has come from Western political analysts, US and EU government officials, and the Ukrainians at the center of the conflict. Yet, seldom is the public at liberty to hear from Russian insiders who can best speak to President Vladimir Putin's strategic thinking. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia sit down with Andrei Kozyrev, Russia's first foreign minister from 1990-1996, to get his perspective on the war itself and the popular commentary surrounding it. Is Putin a pragmatic or irrational actor? Is the West's fear of Russian escalation misguided? How can the US best ensure that Russia doesn't resort to nuclear aggression? Is the growing Russia-China dynamic a long-term strategic alliance or just a temporary marriage of convenience? Kozyrev also shares anecdotes from his time as foreign minister that may serve as lessons for US policy towards Russia today.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Purchase The Firebird: The Elusive Fate of Russian Democracy by Andrei Kozyrev here.

Starlink in the Age of Cyber Warfare (with Jason Blessing)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has relied on Starlink—the internet technology company created by Elon Musk—to keep its communication networks alive and defend itself against Russian attacks. Yet, as the dominant power in the satellite internet space, Musk is in a unique position to decide the extent of Starlink's role in the war. Out of an alleged fear of escalating tensions with Russia, Musk has since taken measures to limit the use of Starlink in Ukraine for offensive operations, effectively making the war effort much more challenging for the Ukrainian military. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Jason Blessing, a Jeane Kirkpatrick Research Fellow at AEI focusing on cybersecurity, to discuss the role of cyberspace in both the Russia-Ukraine war and warfare at large. To what extent does Ukraine's reliance on Starlink reflect a new digital age of warfare? How can the US work with other Big Tech companies to reduce Musk's monopoly on satellite internet technology? In what other ways have private sector actors demonstrated their support for Ukraine?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here.

Ukraine on Capitol Hill (with Scott Cullinane)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0500

There is a growing sense on some corners of Capitol Hill that the US has been unilaterally supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. And with the Biden administration having failed to explain to the American public why Ukraine matters to the US, many members of Congress are urging the US to roll back its aid packages. On this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Scott Cullinane, senior government relations advisor at Razom for Ukraine, an organization devoted to building US-Ukrainian relations, about the current consensus around Ukraine within Congress, how transatlantic nations have supported Ukraine, and the work Razom does to educate Americans about why Ukraine's victory is within US interests.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here. Support Razom for Ukraine here; sign up for the Fall 2023 Ukraine Action Summit here; and visit the American Coalition for Ukraine's website here.

Who Are The Tatars? (with Rim Gilfanov)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0500

The recent appointment of Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar, as Ukraine's new defense minister has brought to the fore the role of Tatars in Ukraine's fight against Russia. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Rim Gilfanov, director of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Tatar Bakhshir service, to shed light on Tatars: Where do they come from and what is the history of their relationship to Russia? To what extent can we think of Tatars as a coherent group with a shared identity? What has been the specific experience of Crimean Tatars under Moscow's rule as one of the largest non-Russian ethnic communities? Gilfanov also shares the work RFE/RL's Tatar Bakhshir service is doing to combat the spread of disinformation by the Russian regime.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here. RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service.

Prigozhin's Out. Now What?

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0500

On the evening of August 23rd, news broke of Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's death after Russian aviation officials listed him as a member on a flight that suspiciously crashed north of Moscow. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia convene to discuss what Prigozhin's death could mean for the Wagner group's legitimacy, the stability of Putin's regime, and the fate of the Russia-Ukraine War. Are the Russians able to achieve anything in Ukraine without Wagner? Does Prigozhin's death signal the end of political infighting within the Kremlin? The co-hosts also continue to discuss the problems with the Biden administration's stance on Ukraine, particularly its failure to link Ukraine's victory to US national interests and how that could affect support for Ukraine in the upcoming presidential elections.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here. "Ukraine's Forces and Firepower Are Misallocated, US Officials Say," New York Times.

Perception vs. Reality: How is the Ukrainian Counteroffensive Really Going? (with Mason Clark)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Since Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in early June, policymakers and analysts have criticized the Ukrainian military for underperforming. This past week, the Washington Post published an assessment by the US intelligence community that claimed Ukraine's counteroffensive wouldn't fulfill its principal objectives, despite "tens of billions of dollars" of Western equipment. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle and Iulia speak with Mason Clark, senior analyst and Russia team lead at the Institute for the Study of War, to get his overall take on the counteroffensive—from both the Ukrainian and Russian angle—and response to claims about Ukraine's performance. Did Ukraine set out to replicate its sweeping 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive? Was its military actually given the forces and equipment to meet Western expectations? To what extent has the war impacted Russia's military industrial base? What can we expect from both sides heading into the fall?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here. "US Intelligence Says Ukraine Will Fail to Meet Offensive's Key Goal," Washington Post.

How Open-Source Intelligence is Shaping the Russia-Ukraine War (with Brady Africk)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Brady Africk was nearly a year into his role as a media relations associate at AEI when Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine took place. Feeling struck by the wrongness of the war, as he puts it on the podcast, he decided to harness his interest in the intersection between foreign policy and tech by publishing satellite imagery that tracked Russia's activities. Over a year later, Africk's maps are now a monumental asset to the war, having been featured in major news outlets and used by both fellow experts and personnel on the frontlines. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Africk joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to discuss what satellite imagery has taught him about the battlefield, US support for Ukraine, and where Ukraine might be headed. Africk also shares how open-source intelligence has changed people's understanding of the war—for better and for worse.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here. "Ukraine Maps Show the Price of Allies' Hesitation" by Brady Africk.

Round Up: Where Are We Now and Where Do We Go From Here?

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia offer their take on events from the last several weeks and predict what lays ahead for Ukraine. They discuss Russia's escalating attacks on Ukraine's grain industry and what it suggests about President Vladimir Putin's new offensive strategy, China's growing stake in the conflict, how upcoming elections in Poland and Slovakia might impact the EU's support for Ukraine, and whether this war is ultimately about preserving the status quo in Europe or creating a new balance of power.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here.

Let's Talk Black Sea Security, Pt. II (with Adm. James Foggo)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In the second of The Eastern Front's two-part series on Black Sea security, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Admiral James Foggo (ret.), dean for the Center for Maritime Strategy, about strategies for enhancing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. Are we currently experiencing a Russian blockade of the Black Sea? How should the US respond to Russian actions in order to deter future altercations, particularly against commercial ships? What should a NATO presence in the Black Sea look like? And what can NATO member states who are feeling the brunt of Russian attacks, such as Bulgaria and Romania, do to transition from small drone warfare to a fully-fledged maritime security deterrence posture?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here.

Let's Talk Black Sea Security, Pt. I (with Thea Dunlevie)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0500

Russia is facing global criticism for its recent attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube river and the decision to pull out of a July 2022 UN-brokered deal that enabled Ukrainian grain to be exported through the Black Sea. Immediately following the pullout, Russian authorities warned that any vessel traveling to Ukraine would be considered an enemy combatant. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Thea Dunlevie, senior analyst at the Center for Maritime Strategy, to discuss why we must continue paying attention to Black Sea security. Should we expect to see more Russian attacks on Ukrainian and ally maritime infrastructure? Does NATO have a deterrence strategy? What might be the global implications of failing to properly secure the Black Sea?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here. "Anticipating the Next Black Sea Shipping Crisis" by Thea Dunlevie.

From Silicon Valley to Kyiv: How a Former Tech Executive Joined Ukraine's War Effort (with Andrey Liscovich)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In February 2022, Andrey Liscovich, a Ukrainian native, was living a peaceful life in San Francisco, working on a new startup after graduating with his PhD from Harvard University and spending three years as the CEO of Uber Works. The war in Ukraine would change all of that. After witnessing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's resistance in the wake of Russia's invasion, Liscovich felt compelled to help his country. Drawing on his expertise, he co-founded the Ukraine Defense Fund, a supply chain network that sources key items—including food, clothing, and protective equipment—for Ukrainian volunteers fighting in the war. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are fortunate enough to speak with Liscovich about the genesis of his project, how it has supported the war effort in Ukraine, and the work that's still left to be done in order for Ukraine to come out victorious.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here. Donate to the Ukraine Defense Fund here.

Belarus in the Post-Mutiny Fiasco: Collateral Damage or Victor? (with Alexander Lukashuk)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Of all the possible outcomes of Prigozhin's mutiny, most experts probably didn't expect to see Belarus figure itself so prominently in the narrative. Indeed, as Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko agreed to allow both Progizhin and Wagner forces into the country, questions arose about the fate of the Belarusian-Russian connection. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Alexander Lukashuk, Reagan fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy and former director of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Belarus service, to flesh out the Belarusian angle of this conflict. What risks, if any, did welcoming Wagner into Belarus carry for Lukashenko? Is Belarus attempting to now distance itself from the Kremlin? Will Putin still follow through on his plan to move Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here.

What's Up With Europe's Defense Industry? (with Radek Sikorski)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In his recent piece for Foreign Affairs, Radek Sikorski, Polish Member of the European Parliament, argued that Europe was "all bark and no bite." Despite its many attempts to get serious about its security, the EU nation states lack a unified defense policy, all act in defense of their own national interests, and would eventually lose its status as a superpower. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia invite Sikorski to share more of his thoughts on the EU's defense industry. Can the EU develop a common foreign and defense policy without any national leadership? And if the Balkan wars, Georgia in 2008, Ukraine in 2014, and the 2022 full-scale invasion weren't enough for the EU to hold a common threat perception around Russia, what would it take for it to act as a unified front? Sikorski also shares his predictions for Ukraine at this year's NATO Summit in Vilnius and the looming Russia-China war.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here; "Europe's Real Test Is Yet to Come" by Radek Sikorski.

The EU-Moldova-Russia Triangle (with Siegfried Muresan)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moldova has attempted to forge closer ties with its Western neighbors. Geographically located between the EU and Ukraine, however, Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn't given up on projecting power in the former Soviet republic. To discuss Moldova's shifting relationship with the EU and Russia, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Siegfriend Muresan, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Romania and vice chairman of the European People's Party. What are the biggest threats to Moldovan national security emanating from Russia? What have Moldovan officials done to protect Russian-speaking citizens most susceptible to the Kremlin's disinformation campaigns? To what extent is Moldova's integration into the EU stifled by its unresolved "frozen conflict" with Transnistria? Muresan also offers a primer on Romanian politics and an update on the country's accession into the Schengen Area.

Show Notes: Sign up for the Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Rethinking Baltic Security (with Minna Alander)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Since Finland joined NATO in April, many defense analysts have begun referring to the Baltic Sea as "NATO Lake." What might be the long-term effects of NATO's gradual encirclement of this strategic region? Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Minna Alander, research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, to discuss the security landscape of the Nordic region since Finland's NATO membership and its implications for the Baltic and Arctic regions. Alander also reviews Germany's national security strategy, particularly the success and shortcomings of its defense policy over a year into German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's "Zeitenwende" address.

Show Notes: Sign up for the Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

We Can't Forget About Georgia (with Teona Akubardia)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

The people of Georgia are all too familiar with Russian occupation. In 2008, Russia invaded Georgia in a brutal provocation that left tens of thousands displaced and persecuted. By the end of the five-day conflict, Russia gained control of two breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder to Georgians of what could potentially happen to them (yet again) if Putin is successful. To learn more about Georgia's perspective on the war, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Teona Akubardia, member of the Georgian parliament and deputy chair of its defense and security committee. For Akubardia, Georgia's sovereignty is contingent upon Ukraine's victory, and Prigozhin's recent mutiny has given the Georgian people hope that Putin's regime is nearing its end. Akubardia also offers her take on Georgia's evolving relationship with NATO since 2008, a "Black Sea consciousness" that has emerged in the West since the Russia-Ukraine war, and predictions for the 2024 Georgian parliamentary election.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

The 36 Hour Rebellion: What the Hell Just Happened in Russia?

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

On Friday morning, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, released a 30-minute video challenging Russian President Vladimir Putin's motives for invading Ukraine and accusing the Russian Ministry of Defense of ordering airstrikes on Wagner fighters. Less than 24 hours later, Wagner forces had taken Rostov-on-Don and were pushing north toward Moscow in an armed rebellion. What seemed like the beginning of the end for the Kremlin was short-lived; by Saturday evening, Prigozhin announced that his forces were turning around. Early Sunday morning, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia gathered to discuss the 36-hour mutiny, including its impact on the balance of power in Russia and the opportunities it may provide for Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Rethinking War and Power: What We're Getting Wrong about Ukraine's Counteroffensive (with Phillips O'Brien)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

With the Ukrainian counteroffensive nearly two weeks in, many optimistic observers have been quick to call it a failure. To discuss this mass misunderstanding—and misunderstandings around modern warfare writ-large—Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Phillips O'Brien, American historian and professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. To what extent did Ukraine's unprecedented success during the February 2022 battle of Kharkiv warp public perception about how wars are fought? How much of a constraint is a lack of airpower for Ukrainian forces? Given the available resources, what should we reasonably expect from Ukraine this summer? O'Brien concludes by suggesting that any true understanding of the Russia-Ukraine war requires a fundamental reassessment of what makes a great power.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here. Subscribe to Phillips O'Brien's substack here.

What About Crimea? (with Elina Beketova)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

It's been nine years since Russian forces invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. With the likelihood of Russia losing its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine looking ever more promising, is the end of Crimea's occupation finally near? On this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Elina Beketova, a democracy fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), about the fate of the occupied territories. Does the Ukrainian government have a plan for reintegrating Crimea's occupied population back into Ukraine? How has the ethnic composition of the Peninsula changed since 2014? The co-hosts and Beketova also discuss the human rights violations against Crimean Tatars and the brainwashing of Ukrainian children who have been abducted by Russian forces.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here; Elina Beketova's articles on CEPA's website.

The Eastern Front Live Show with AEI's Summer Honors Program

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

On June 7th, Giselle and Dalibor hosted a special live show of The Eastern Front for the American Enterprise Institute's Summer Honors Program. They share the genesis of the podcast and the broader cultural and political approach to their analyses, discuss their predictions for what a post-war Ukraine might look like, and argue the advantages of a strong US partnership with Ukraine. The live show concludes with a Q&A segment with audience members.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Playing Catch Up: GLOBSEC Forum, European Political Community Summit, and Turkish Elections

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

On this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia wrap up some of the most important events from the eastern flank and look ahead at the next few weeks as the Ukrainian counteroffensive begins to pick up steam. Dalibor fills his co-hosts in on his experience at this year's GLOBSEC Forum, including what it reveals about the Western consensus around a clear path towards Ukraine's NATO membership. The co-hosts also discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech at the second Summit of the European Political Community, as well as what Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's re-election might mean for Black Sea policy and Turkey's dependence on Russia (hint: more of the same).

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here; "Spinal Tap - All Stonehenge scenes."

What's on the Agenda for the 2023 NATO Vilnius Summit? (with Vice Minister Mantas Adomėnas)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

From July 11-12, Lithuania is scheduled to host the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius. According to Lithuanian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mantas Adomėnas, the summit's success will be predicated on three principal dimensions: (1) Ukraine's NATO prospects, (2) defense of the eastern flank, and (3) defense spending. On this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia explore these principals with Adomėnas and discuss what a NATO arrangement might look like for Ukraine. Does the EU see the war as an excuse for Ukraine's expedited integration into NATO? Will the EU forget about its commitments to defense spending and the military after the war is over? How can the West prepare for the "new reality" of an increasingly unpredictable world? And as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's signals that Ukraine is preparing for its counteroffensive, could a demonstrable show of success before July impact the summit?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Bakhmut: The "New Berlin"? (with Kateryna Stepanenko)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 30 May 2023 06:00:00 -0500

On May 21, Russian forces declared victory in Bakhmut after nearly a year of battle, marking their first seizure over a major city since Severodonetsk and Lysychansk in the summer of 2022. While Russian propagandists have likened the victory in Bakhmut to the Fall of Berlin, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) argue that Bakhmut actually lost its (limited) strategic significance back in September. On this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with one of ISW's Russia analysts, Kateryna Stepanenko, to discuss her new piece contextualizing the battle for Bakhmut since its start in the spring of 2022 and what it might suggest about Russia's ability to mount successful offensive operations. Is the Russian army able to adapt to the realities of the battlefield? Do they value "information victories" over military victories? Stepanenko and the co-hosts also discuss the right-wing pro-Kremlin milbloggers' sudden shift from staunch ultra-nationalism to deep skepticism over a potential Russian mobilization.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here; "The Kremlin's Pyrrhic Victory in Bakhmut: A Retrospective on the Battle for Bakhmut" by Kateryna Stepanenko.

Putin vs. Prigozhin: A Race for the Russian Military (with Frederick W. Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 24 May 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Yevgeny Prigozhin is a unique figure among Russian President Vladimir Putin's tight circle of power players. He has no official position within the Kremlin, but controls a network of influential state-backed media outlets and serves as the de-facto head of the Wagner mercenaries. As Putin begins to lose his credibility with the Russian people, is Prigozhin proving to be a formidable threat? On this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with returning guest, Frederick W. Kagan, AEI senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project, to discuss how Prigozhin's attempts to independently control the Russian military has badly distorted Putin's war effort. What might this struggle for power say about the sustainability of the Russian regime? Might it encourage other players to challenge Putin's leadership? Kagan and the co-hosts also raise questions about Ukraine's long-awaited counteroffensive, including how the UK's supply of long range missiles factor into the Russian military's strategy and what the Biden administration still fails to understand about Ukraine's path to victory.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

The View from Germany, Pt. 2 (with Amb. Christoph Heusgen)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 08 May 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Over a year into German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's famous Zeitenwende speech calling Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "historic turning point" in Germany's defense policy and pledging €100 billion in increased military spending, many in Washington have criticized Scholz for not following up on its implementation. In this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Amb. Christoph Heusgen, chairman of the Munich Security Conference, to discuss all things Zeitenwende; both its successes—such as German independence from Russian energy—and the work that is being done to "change the DNA" of many Soviet Union-era Germans who feel indebted to former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev for Germany's unification. Heusgen also shares his thoughts on German-Polish and German-French relations, NATO membership for Ukraine, division amongst the original Visegrád countries, and what future global competition is shaping out to look like.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

The View from Germany, Pt. I (with Franziska Brantner)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 03 May 2023 06:00:00 -0500

On March 25, 2022, roughly a month into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Franziska Brantner, German parliamentary state secretary for economic affairs and climate action, made a case for European sovereignty in a piece for the European Council on Foreign Affairs. In particular, Brantner called for EU investment in military capabilities, cyber security, energy independence, and economic reinforcement. On the first episode of a two-part series analyzing Germany's evolving role in the EU since the Russian invasion, The Eastern Front co-hosts Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia got a chance to speak with Brantner about her assessment of the EU's—and in particular, Germany's—progress just over one year later. Brantner also shares her thoughts on transatlantic cooperation at a time of war, the state of US-Germany relations, the role of the Visegrád in the EU, as well as the important difference between European strategic sovereignty and autonomy.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here; "The True Value of European Sovereignty" by Franziska Brantner

To Crimea or Not To Crimea: That is the Question, with Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges (Ret.)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Now that spring has sprung, Ukraine's long-awaited counteroffensive is predicted to be just around the corner. With Russian resources gradually depleting, additional US resources potentially on the line, and China watching with beading eyes, there is increased pressure for the Ukrainians to mount a successful attack. On this week's episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle and Iulia bring back retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, senior advisor for Human Rights First, to forecast what we can expect from the next counteroffensive. The bottom line? Whatever this counteroffensive looks like, it will ultimately need to lead to the isolation and liberation of Crimea. Gen. Hodges breaks down what a liberated Crimea might mean for Ukraine, as well as the obstacles in the way of reaching that goal.

So, What About NATO?

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0500

On April 20th, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made a surprise visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—his first since the start of the Russian invasion—and reaffirmed Ukraine’s rightful place in NATO. Indeed, as the NATO summit in July nears, Ukraine’s potential membership is firmly on the table. On this week’s episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia consider questions related to NATO integration: What can the West continue to offer Ukraine in the lead up to the summit? How should we be thinking about NATO membership for Ukraine in this unprecedented framework of an ongoing war? Do we still consider NATO deterrence credible? And is it perhaps time to reform the NATO membership process?

Belarus and Russia: An Unhappy Marriage (with Franak Viačorka)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In 2020, Belarus experienced the largest anti-government demonstrations in its history following the fraudulent re-election of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. While ultimately stymied by regime authorities, the protests were the closest Belarus has come to a democratic revolution. In 2023, just a year into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Belarusians believe a Ukrainian victory might pave the way for Belarus to finally have its moment. On this week’s episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Franak Viačorka, chief political advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarusian political activist and main opposition candidate to Lukashenko during the 2020 elections. Viačorka offers his take on the de facto Russian annexation of Belarus, the “unhappy marriage” between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenko, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Belarus, and what it will take for the Belarusian regime to ultimately collapse.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here.

Old Pentagon Documents and a New Ukrainian Counteroffensive (with Sam Skove)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 03:30:00 -0500

On the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit to China to dissuade Xi Jinping from supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a series of leaked classified Pentagon documents with sensitive details about the war—including the alleged critical state of Ukraine’s army—made the rounds on social media. To what extent have the documents compromised Ukraine’s position in the war? Might the leaks inadvertently elevate US and European support for Ukrainians as they prepare for an upcoming counteroffensive? How would a successful counteroffensive even look? On this week’s episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Sam Skove, Defense One staff reporter with extensive experience covering the war from Kyiv, to debate these questions and more.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here; “Some Ukrainian Troops Are Still Using Soviet Methods, Despite US Training” by Sam Skove.

The Future of the Visegrád Group (with Wojciech Przybylski)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, nationalism had been on the rise in Poland. However, the war has slowly led to a shift in the country’s politics, with Poland taking in millions of Ukrainian refugees and supplying weapons to Ukrainians on the frontlines. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with Wojciech Przybylski, editor-in-chief of Visegrad Insight and president of the Res Publica Foundation, to discuss key questions concerning the future of Poland and the other Visegrád states—the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia: How has the war affected central European cooperation? How does each Visegrád state perceive the growing Chinese threat? What does the future of these states' relationship with Germany look like?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here.

Finland's Defensive Strategy Against Russia, with Adm. Juhani Kaskeala (Ret.)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 17:00:00 -0500

As Finland finalizes its NATO bid, Adm. Juhani Kaskeala (ret.), former chief of defense of the Finnish Defense Forces, joins The Eastern Front to discuss how Finland defends itself against Russian aggression. Adm. Kaskeala explains that Russia primarily threatens Finland’s undersea communication cables and sea trade lanes, requiring the Baltic state to prioritize maritime security and create credible coastline and air defenses. Drawing from Adm. Kaskeala’s experience, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia ask important questions about the future of Finland: How much of does Russia’s Baltic fleet threaten Finland? Would more aid to Ukraine compromise Finland’s security? And does the Finnish industrial supply base meet demands for national security? Tune in to this week’s episode for a primer on the Finnish military, which has prioritized a strong defense since regaining independence from Russia in 1917.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here.

Is Defending Ukraine an American National Interest?

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 16:30:00 -0500

As the Russian invasion now surpasses its one-year mark, a growing number of Republicans say the United States is providing too much support to Ukraine. Just last week, Florida Gov.—and presidential hopeful—Ron DeSantis argued that getting involved in a “territorial dispute” between Russia and Ukraine is not in US national interests and that policymakers should instead focus on “vital” issues at home, including US competition with China. This raises the questions: What are US interests in Ukraine, and why do they matter? Does supporting Ukraine put America in a weaker position to confront China? Is helping Ukraine and pursuing other U.S. interests necessarily an either-or situation? Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia tackle these debates and more in this week’s episode of The Eastern Front.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here; "Ron DeSantis Is Flat Out Wrong on Ukraine and the Role US Should Play" by Dalibor Rohac.

From the Peace Dividend to War in Europe (with Brig. Gen. Carsten Rasmussen)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 15:45:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Danish Brig. Gen. Carsten Rasmussen (ret.) to discuss Denmark and other European countries’ evolution from enjoying the post–Cold War “peace dividend” to scrambling to fortify their militaries after Russia’s invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022. Brig. Gen. Rasmussen explains how Russia fooled the world (and itself) into believing it could win the war against Ukraine in a short timeframe and shares insights on the Russian military’s strategic, operational, and tactical shortcomings throughout the war. He also provides an overview of European military aid to Ukraine, busting the myth that European countries aren’t “doing their fair share.” Finally, he describes how Denmark has experienced the German Zeitenwende.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Preserving, Celebrating, and Promoting Ukrainian Culture (with Yuliia Fediv)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 11:30:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Yuliia Fediv, executive director of the Ukrainian Culture Fund and CEO of Hromadske, an independent Ukrainian media organization. Fediv explains that culture includes perceptions about Ukraine, its values, and its people, and she outlines Ukraine’s cultural resurgence since gaining independence from the Soviet Union and after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Fediv proposes that Ukraine has “two battlefields”: the war with Russia and the war with the old Ukrainian system that the new generation of Ukrainians are reforming. Fediv also lists Ukraine’s latest cultural exports, including film, fashion, books, and music.

Show notes: The Ukrainian Culture Fund and Hromadske TV website and YouTube channel.

Ukrainian Shows & Films

Servant of the People (starring Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
I Love You Baby
Iron Butterflies
The Last Step

Ukrainian Fashion

Ukrainian Fashion Week

Ukrainian Authors

Oksana Zabuzhko
Serhiy Zhadan
Irena Karpa

Ukrainian Music

The Hardkiss
MamaRika

Ukrainian Language

Ukrainian Institute of America offers Ukrainian language courses

One Year Later: Continuing to Support Ukraine in Its Fight for Freedom

AEI Podcasts — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0500

In celebration of The Eastern Front’s one-year anniversary, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia convened at a DC Eastern European staple, Supra, to assess what lays ahead for the Russia-Ukraine War. The co-hosts discuss whether US support is enough to set up Ukraine for victory, the fear of Russian escalation, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s leadership, and Ukraine’s integration into NATO, among other issues that continue to plague the war as it enters the end of its first year.

Show notes: Click here to watch the full video episode filmed at Supra in Washington DC.

Special Edition: Eastern Front & American Purpose Event Recording of “Russia’s War on Ukraine at Year One”

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

This special edition episode features audio from Russia’s War on Ukraine at Year One, a virtual event co-hosted by The Eastern Front and American Purpose on February 21. Gen. Philip Breedlove (ret.), Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges (ret.), and Adm. Jamie Foggo (ret.) combine their experience from the Air Force, Army, and Navy in a single discussion for the first time.

Show notes: “February 21: Russia’s War on Ukraine at Year One ft. Gen. (ret.) Philip Breedlove, Gen. (ret.) Ben Hodges, and Adm. (ret.) Jamie Foggo”.

One Year of War (with Frederick W. Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 16:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by podcast regular, Frederick W. Kagan, senior fellow and director of AEI's Critical Threats Project, to reflect on the war one year following Russia's invasion. Kagan recounts Russia's significant losses, re-examines misconceptions about Ukrainian counter offensives, and considers when we will likely witness the next Ukrainian counter offensive. Kagan also discusses China and Iran's support for Russia, specifically how the two may support Russia's depleting defense supply chain. Finally, they all discuss "Putinism," religious extremism, racism, and the effort to dismantle NATO that has come to define the new era of Russian ultra-nationalism.

Navigating Russia's Information Environment (with Mark Krutov)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Mark Krutov, a correspondent for Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty's Russian Service. Based on his two decades of experience reporting on Russia, Krutov discusses the media environment in Russia, Russian conscription and mobilization, the Kremlin's narrative about the war in Ukraine being a proxy war against the West, the process of reporting during wartime, and the role of Russian nationalism in the Kremlin's messaging through state media, cultural institutions, and government entities.

Germany & European Neoidealism (with Dr. Benjamin Tallis)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:30:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Dr. Benjamin Tallis, Senior Research Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss all things germane to Germany's "zeitenwende" and the concept of European "neoidealism" (a term coined by Tallis). Tallis outlines where zeitenwende stands today, a year after its announcement. Tallis notes that Germany has "moved at the speed of shame" by making impressive strides in changing its energy policy towards Russia, yet Germany still has a long way to go in mobilizing defense resources to aid Ukraine. Tallis also discusses Germany's view towards Central and Eastern European states, like Poland, which are leading support efforts for Ukraine - although historically have not been considered the "core" of Europe" - and the different threat perceptions of Russia within Europe informed by countries' historical experiences. He finishes by explaining "neoidealism," a term based on the legacy of European political leaders of the 1990s who understood and took seriously their region's historical experiences and advocated for values-based foreign policy, accordingly, and he considers how neoidealism is faring against countries advocating for "pragmatic" foreign policy.

Show notes: To Ukraine With Love: Essays on Russia's War and Europe's Future by Benjamin Tallis and "Don’t worry, Czech democracy will be fine" by Dalibor Rohac. Sign up for The Eastern Front's newsletter here and connect with us on Twitter here.

The Optimism & Pessimism toward Zeitenwende (with Bill Kristol)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 17:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Bill Kristol, Editor-at-Large of The Bulwark. Given his recent trip to Germany, Kristol discusses the progress of "Zeitenwende" since German Chancellor Olaf Scholz first announced it in early 2022. Kristol unpacks political opposition - within Germany, across Europe, and in the US - to perceived German hesitance to properly supporting Ukraine. Kristol outlines potential impacts of German "foot-dragging" when it comes to supporting Ukraine yet maintains some hope that Germany's perspective is evolving. Kristol also talks through US Congressional and the Republican Party's divided viewpoints on the war in Ukraine and considers their implications for future Western aid packages.

Show notes: "Whatever Happened to the ‘Zeitenwende’?" by Bill Kristol. Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here.

100th Episode: Strategic Thinking about Europe (with Dr. Hal Brands)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0500

The Eastern Front celebrates its 100th episode with special guest Dr. Hal Brands who is a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. Brands joins Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor to discuss changes to strategic thinking and grand strategy making in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Brands reviews World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and Russia's 2022 invasion to make the case that we are living in the "age of Ukraine". Brands explains the implications for security in Europe and Asia and considers how the US should strategize accordingly.

Show notes: "In Every Modern War, Ukraine Has Been the Big Prize" by Hal Brands; "Big Lesson of the Ukraine War: There’s Only One Superpower" by Hal Brands; The Twilight Struggle by Hal Brands; sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here.

Reconstructing Ukraine, 1992-2023 (with Natalie Jaresko)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Natalie Jaresko, former Finance Minister of Ukraine and current Chair of the Aspen Institute Kyiv, to discuss the financial reconstruction of Ukraine from 1992, throughout the 2022 war, and in the future. Jaresko updates the West's outdated image of Ukraine by recalling Ukraine's significant progress in instituting economic and government reforms. She recalls the events leading to Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity in 2014, highlighting unity in desiring democratic values and principles, which set in motion a series of consequential reforms. Jaresko dispels the myth that current aid to Ukraine encompasses a lot money, and she makes the case that giving more aid now is a valuable investment. She considers Ukraine's financial future, including transparency and anti-corruption efforts, potential European Union membership and the impact of brain drain and emigration.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here.

A Look Inside Meduza (with Galina Timchenko)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 15:45:00 -0500

Giselle and Dalibor are joined by Galina Timchenko, CEO of Meduza, an independent Russian and English language media outlet censored by the Russian government. Timchenko shares Meduza's mission, which is centered around circumventing the Kremlin's information warfare by presenting factual information to millions of readers both within Russia and around the world. She also offers insights into Russian public opinion of the war and Vladimir Putin, the success of the Russian anti-war movement, Western rumors about Russia, and divisions within the Kremlin. Finally, Timchenko describes life for Russians who are against the war and are unable to leave Russia, and the work Meduza is doing to connect them to an international community beyond Russia's borders.

Show notes: Meduza (English)

Update #10: The War in Ukraine (with Frederick W. Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:45:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined again by Frederick W. Kagan, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of the Critical Threats Project, to discuss the latest developments on the Russia-Ukraine War. Kagan provides an overview of winter warfare on the battlefield, including the status of the Russian military's Bakhmut campaign, potential Russian military plans within the Luhansk region, Russia's withdrawal from Kherson, and the chance of a Russian offensive campaign launched from Belarus. Kagan illustrates how the Russians are running out of trained manpower, ammunition, and equipment, as well as discusses the complicated role of the Wagner Group within Russia's military operations. Finally, Kagan and the co-hosts discuss whether Western resolve will strengthen or wither in 2023 and how the West should respond to Russia before Putin pursues even "crazier" escalatory options.

The Story of "Shchedryk" (with Lydia Tomkiw)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 16:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined again by Lydia Tomkiw, a senior reporter at the Financial Times, for a special holiday episode. Lydia shares the origins behind "Shchedryk," the 1916 Ukrainian New Year's song which has since been adapted into the well-known English Christmas song, "Carol of the Bells." Tomkiw explains the (often unknown) context of murder, political tumult, and oppression in Ukraine at the time of the song's composition, and she and the co-hosts make parallels between the experience of Ukrainians then and today amidst their country's war with Russia.

Show notes: "As war rages at home, Ukrainian choir heads to Carnegie Hall to celebrate 100 years of ‘Carol of the Bells’" by Lydia Tomkiw and Emily Johnson; "Toll of the Bells" by Lydia Tomkiw; Celebrating 100 Years of Carol of the Bells. Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here.

Emmanuel Macron Goes to Washington (with Laure Mandeville)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:30:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Laure Mandeville, senior reporter for the French media outlet Le Figaro and cofounder of Conversations Tocqueville. On the eve of US President Joe Biden’s state dinner honoring French President Emmanuel Macron, Mandeville talks about France’s political, economic, and military role in Europe and growing challenges across Europe. In particular, she discusses the current state of the transatlantic alliance, including European suspicion over America’s ability to profit from the Russia-Ukraine war, the historical and political context of French-Russian-Ukrainian relations, and Russia’s future plans for Ukraine.

Show notes: Quand l’Ukraine se lève by Constantin Sigov and Laure Mandeville. Sign up for The Eastern Front's newsletter here.

Narrative Wars (with Jamie Fly)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Jamie Fly, president and chief executive officer of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) to discuss how the media organization has adapted to a changing information landscape since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Although the Kremlin forced RFE/RL to close its Russia bureau, Fly shares how Russian demand for RFE/RL content has actually doubled during the war. Fly also discusses how Russia’s censorship has encouraged other undemocratic states, such as Hungary, to restrict their own media environments. He ultimately stresses the importance of providing free access to information, especially as authoritarian states increasingly engage in disinformation campaigns to legitimize their own power and weaken dissent.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here, and connect with us on Twitter here.

Considering the Future of European Security, Politics and Economics

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 15:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia sit down to discuss another round of current events related to the Russia-Ukraine war, including an uptick in Russian strikes against Ukrainian civilians; how new “superstar capabilities,” such as drones, could change the war’s trajectory; the importance of EU aid in preventing Ukraine from transitioning into a wartime economy; and whether Turkey could be trusted to mediate peace in the Black Sea region.

Show notes: "Europe in an Age of Division" (event); "Governing the EU in an Age of Division" by Dalibor Rohac. Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here.

What happened in Kherson? (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:45:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined again by Frederick W. Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI, to discuss implications of Ukraine's successful reclamation of Kherson from Russian occupation. Fred outlines how victory was achieved and that the Ukrainian military's objective was to retake Kherson without destroying it. Fred also theorizes about what politics within elite Russian military circles might have compelled Russia to withdraw from Kherson. He notes tension between the dire state of Russian military forces and the ongoing pressure from Russia's extreme pro-war factions. Lastly, all discuss Russia's counteroffensive in the Donetsk region, Russia's current holdings in Ukraine and the likelihood of the Russian military's collapse in the near-future.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's newsletter here and connect with us on Twitter here.

Zelenskyy: From Comedian to Statesman & Leader (with Iuliia Mendel)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 16:45:00 -0500

Giselle and Dalibor are joined by Iuliia Mendel, Ukrainian journalist and author and former Spokesperson to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine. Being from Kherson herself, she relays Ukrainians' celebration that Kherson was restored by Ukrainian forces. And, having worked with him closely, Iuliia describes President Zelenskyy's personal qualities that are largely unknown or often overlooked by most observers, and she shares anecdotes highlighting his transition from comedian to statesman to leader of Ukraine during wartime. She discusses Ukraine's aspiration for further European integration and the importance of Western aid during the war. She also considers the costs of inaction if Russia is allowed to expand and how future European elections, most importantly the elections in Ukraine, could impact the war.

Show notes: "The Fight of Our Lives: My Time with Zelenskyy, Ukraine's Battle for Democracy, and What It Means for the World" by Iuliia Mendel. Sign up for The Eastern Front's newsletter here.

The Zaporizhzhia Power Plant and Beyond (with Henry Sokolski)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 17:15:00 -0500

Giselle and Iulia are joined by Henry Sokolski, Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, a Washington-based nonprofit organization focused on strategic weapons proliferation issues, to explain why Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia power plant and Russian attacks on it should be - and then remain - headline news. Henry outlines the dangers of compromised nuclear power plants and the serious implications of vulnerabilities. He explains how the Russians' attacks on the power plant, specifically, are raising concerns over a Fukushima-like nuclear disaster occurring in Ukraine, and he considers the Russians' goals through these attacks. He discuss the billions of dollars in costs to build nuclear power plants and the politics surrounding them, especially in considering how to reconstruct more resilient Ukrainian power plants. Lastly, Henry shares practical advice for the United States government and Ukraine in pursuing energy security and resilience.

Show notes: "Present Danger: Nuclear Plants in War" by Henry D. Sokolski.

Special Edition: Iran on the Eastern Front (with Roya Hakakian)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 16:30:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Roya Hakakian to discuss the following: Should we consider Iran to be a part of the eastern front? Roya says yes. She analyzes the Iranian people's recent uprising through both historical and modern lenses, considering how these protests are unique and how the United States can better support their struggle for civil liberties. She then connects the current struggle in Iran to the war in Ukraine, arguing that the Iranian people took inspiration from Ukraine's incredible pushback against Russia.

Show notes: "Ukrainians and Iranians Have the Same Enemy. They Should Have the Same Ally" by Roya Hakakian. Sign up for The Eastern Front's newsletter here and enter to win Eastern Front swag here!

Special Edition with Foreign Minister of Slovakia Rastislav Káčer

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 16:45:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by distinguished guest and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Rastislav Káčer. Minister Káčer joins The Eastern Front to discuss Slovakia's mixed perceptions on the war, Central Europe's engagement with Ukraine, and European unity in rebuking Russia's invasion. He discusses how, although Slovakia is geo-strategically vulnerable to Russia, a poll showed that nearly 20% of Slovaks surveyed supported Russia over Ukraine, highlighting division within Slovakia especially along demographic lines. He also shares praise for Germany and the West's stalwart support for Ukraine and shares his relatively optimistic outlook on the future, despite uncertainty in Europe about future political conditions and the war's trajectory.

Justice for Ukraine? (with Dan Baer)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Dan Baer, senior vice president for policy research and director of the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to discuss justice for Ukraine given Russian war crimes and how the West should divide its attention and resources between Europe and Asia. Dan explains that Russia's war crimes demonstrate its weakness, particularly its inability to pursue its political and military goals without committing crimes against civilians. All begin to consider what justice might look like after the war: Who will host the trials? Who will be tried? He also expands upon his experience as former U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to discuss US-Russian diplomacy and the need to engage in both Europe and Asia simultaneously.

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's newsletter here and enter to win Eastern Front swag here!

Can Ukraine unite a Divided Europe? (with MEP Radek Sikorski)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Radek Sikorski MEP, a former resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who now represents Poland in the European Parliament. Sikorski discusses how historical tensions between Poland and Germany, as well as modern political tensions between the European Union and Poland, are complicating support for Ukraine. Specifically, he argues that political factions in Poland affect Polish foreign policy towards Germany and that a European framework is needed to guide German military support for Ukraine. He also discusses Europe's take on the upcoming American midterm elections, particularly how a political shakeup could jeopardize American support for Ukraine.

Follow the Money (with Dr. Anders Åslund)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 16:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Dr. Anders Åslund, a leading specialist on economic policy in Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe. Dr. Åslund discusses sanctions that are both succeeding and failing against Russia and offers his take on the differences between Anglo-American and European Union sanction regimes. Furthermore, he provides suggestions for actions Western countries can take against Russia, including implementing a no-fly-zone over Ukraine and sending the U.S. Navy to defend Ukrainian shipping in the Black Sea. Dr. Åslund also analyzes how the unique histories and interests of various European governments, particularly Germany, have shaped their response to the Russia-Ukraine war.

What is China learning from Russia's Ukraine Invasion? (with Zack Cooper)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:45:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Zack Cooper, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to discuss how Russia's invasion of Ukraine might impact China's strategy towards Taiwan. Zack outlines three lessons China should be learning from Russia's invasion of Ukraine: 1) Invasions are tough and an amphibious landing would be tougher, 2) You don't get the most accurate access to information under a dictatorship, and 3) Western countries are more willing than expected to unite on sanctions. Yet, Zack argues that China is unlikely to learn these lessons due to the government's highly monitored information system. Zack also delves into the Russian-Chinese relationship, the Chinese nuclear doctrine, among other topics.

Show notes:

-Sign up for The Eastern Front's biweekly newsletter here

-Enter The Eastern Front's giveaway here

How Romania supports NATO's Eastern Flank (with Maj. Gen. Iulian Berdilă)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 16:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Maj. Gen. Iulian Berdilă, Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Staff, to chat all things concerning NATO's Eastern Flank. MG Berdilă explains how nearly two decades of US-Romanian defense cooperation has evolved to meet present needs and discusses Romania's key role as a hub of NATO activity on the Eastern Flank, including hosting a three-star command center among other joint operational efforts. MG Berdilă also briefs the cohosts on the role of Romania's land domain throughout Russia's invasion, its strategic planning and modernization efforts, joint operations conducted through NATO, and the significance of the Black Sea region to both Russia and NATO countries.

Special Edition with Senator Rob Portman

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by special guest Senator Rob Portman, who recently returned from Ukraine, to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Congressional support for Ukraine. Senator Portman is Ranking Member on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Joint Economic Committee.

Analyzing the War: Nuclear Armageddon, the Kerch Bridge, & Putin

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 23:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor gathered together for an internal discussion of recent events from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On the heels of President Biden’s “Armageddon” comment in response to Russian President Putin’s threats of nuclear warfare, Iulia suggested Biden had inadvertently “changed the conversation” from Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive to its potential annihilation. Dalibor opined that the comment had fostered “really unhelpful narratives” about how Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is effectively dragging the US into a “nuclear apocalypse.” The co-hosts also discussed implications of the Kerch Bridge's bombing, and whether recent rumors of military and political infighting in Moscow might be indicative of Russia’s inevitable collapse.

Show notes: “We Must Stop Russia’s Land Bridge to Crimea—and Destroy the Kerch Strait Bridge Now” by Iulia Joja and "Update #8: The War in Ukraine (with Fred Kagan)"

Update #8: The War in Ukraine (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 11:45:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are once again joined by a good friend of The Eastern Front, Fred Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute. Fred provides in-depth analysis on Russia's nuclear threat; the fracturing of Putin's political factions; the status of the Ukrainian counter-offensive and Russia's reaction; what explains the Russian military's continuous mistakes and lack of resources; and where the war might go from here.

The New Phase of Ukraine's Refugee Crisis (with Tamar Jacoby)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Tamar Jacoby, President of Opportunity America who is currently living in Krakow, Poland to document the Ukrainian refugee crisis in Poland. Tamar discusses her book “Displaced: Ukrainian Refugee Experience” which chronicles the stories of 45 Ukrainian refugees living in Poland. From her firsthand interviews and experiences, she offers insights into the flow of Ukrainian refugees in and out of Poland; how Poland's educational system is managing the influx of Ukrainian students; and the role of civil society and NGOs in supporting and resettling refugees. Shining a light on individuals affected by the war, she shares powerful stories from several Ukrainian refugees she has interviewed and developed relationships with who have encountered innumerable challenges, faced great suffering, yet demonstrated inspiring resilience since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Show notes:

"Displaced: The Ukrainian Refugee Experience" by Tamar Jacoby

"Poland’s Schools Welcome Ukraine’s Children" by Tamar Jacoby

Moldova's Nearing Energy Crisis (with Dr. Francis Fukuyama)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 17:45:00 -0500

Following his recent trip to Moldova, Giselle Donnelly and Iulia Joja sat down with Dr. Francis Fukuyama, Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute, to discuss the implications Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may have for greater Europe. According to Dr. Fukuyama, since Moldova is 100% dependent on Russia for energy and gas—and Transnistria is 100% dependent on Moldova for its own energy—a potential decision by Russia to cut off gas supplies to Moldova would put two countries on the precipice of an energy crisis. Accordingly, Dr. Fukuyama argued that Europe must rethink its energy policy and help secure gas flows from other parts of the continent to reduce overall dependence on Russian energy supplies. On the topic of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent threat to use nuclear weapons on Ukraine, Fukuyama believes it is unlikely. Although Putin has been an “unpredictable risk taker” in the past, resorting to nuclear warfare would be self-destructive; not only would it have international consequences, but it would run the risk of “scaring” Russian citizens and isolating Putin from his own population. For the sake of his own survival, Fukuyama said, nuclear weapons should be out of the question.

My Meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (with Kori Schake)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Fresh off her trip from Ukraine to meet President Zelenskyy, AEI's very own Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies Kori Schake sat down with Giselle and Iulia to share details of her conversation with the president, as well as the current state of affairs in Ukraine. The people of Ukraine, Schake said, have resorted back to life as it was pre-Russian invasion, whether that means heading off to work in the morning or spending an afternoon at a nearby coffee shop. Schake and the co-hosts also discuss their thoughts on the Biden administration's response to the invasion and what they expect (and hope) to see happen in the coming months.

Ukraine, the Frontline of Freedom (with Uriel Epshtein)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 18:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Uriel Epshtein, Executive Director of The Renew Democracy Initiative to discuss how Ukraine is an important, international test case for democracy prevailing over authoritarianism. He believes that Ukraine can win the war against Russia, although there are several political factors which impact this capability, like some Congressional members' fear of entangling America in an expensive, long-term war or many countries' fear of escalating conflict with nuclear Russia. Closer to home, Uriel discusses how the American political landscape impacts international democracy promotion efforts and how the condition of American democracy is connected to the condition of democracy worldwide. He provides powerful counterarguments to those who fear the costs of supporting Ukraine now, noting how fragile, short-term peace will only increase costs over time if Russia aggresses again.

Show notes: "'Where is The Russian Navy?' - The War in Ukraine with General Ben Hodges - Episode 2"

Are We Any Closer to Solving Europe's "Russia Problem"? (with Ian Brzezinski)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 16:00:00 -0500

About a week into Ukraine's counteroffensive, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia spoke with military expert and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy Ian Brzezinski about what we should expect moving forward. While Brzezinski said whether or not Ukraine's recent success will be a turning point is "yet to be seen," it has displayed the Russian Armed Forces' lack of discipline, training, and commitment to the fight. Nevertheless, Brzezinski suggests the "fundamentals" of the war are still in Russia's favor. Not only is Ukraine's economy retracting by a much larger margin than is Russia's, but Zelenskyy is also selective in the way he directs Ukraine's military action. Putin, rather, has abided by a "terror to the max" strategy, wreaking as much havoc necessary to break the Ukrainian people. The co-hosts and Brzezinski ponder several courses of action the West can now take.

Victory in Sight? (with Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0500

As the Ukrainian army begins to enjoy success on several fronts, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia speak with retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges to consider what this moment might mean. Hodges—who once assumed Russia had enough operational experience to win the war—now believes Russia's logistical system has been exhausted, calling rumors of Putin's attempts to buy ammunition from North Korea a "sign of desperation." Whether it happens within the next few months or later next year, he ultimately argues that Russia's defeat—not just in Ukraine, but also over Crimea—is inevitable.

The Toll of Russia's War on Moldova and Transnistria (with Paula Erizanu)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia sit down with Moldovan journalist Paula Erizanu to discuss the risks of Russia's presence in Moldova and Transnistria. Erizanu highlights the terror attacks that have moved from Transnistria into Moldova, disruptions to Moldova's political and economic activity, and the efforts needed by the Moldovan government—as well as by Ukraine—to solidify the security of the country. The co-hosts also consider whether there might exist an opportunity for Moldova to reunite with Romania.

The Kherson Counteroffensive & Ukrainian Grand Strategy (with Mykola Bielieskov)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 09:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia learn from Mykola Bielieskov, Senior Analyst for Ukrainian NGO "Come Back Alive" which provides support for Ukraine's military, about the strategy of Ukraine's long-anticipated counteroffensive; Ukrainian civilian support for the military campaign; Western resolve in supporting Ukraine; Russian military capabilities (or lack thereof) in countering the Ukrainian military's advances; and what specific aid Ukraine needs to win the war.

Show notes: Come Back Alive

Reflections after Ukrainian Independence Day

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:30:00 -0500

In the wake of Ukrainian Independence Day, Giselle and Iulia reflect on the past six months of the war and what developments could come in the winter and spring from the Russian and Ukrainian militaries, especially given high-level indications that the fall will be a turning point in the war. In celebration of Ukraine's Independence Day this week, they discuss how the incredible will of the Ukrainians during wartime is a beacon for all freedom-loving people and how the West should internalize lessons about patriotism from the Ukrainian people. Giselle and Iulia also consider how the war might evolve and continue to change transform European security architecture in 2022 and beyond.

Show notes: Sign up for "The Eastern Front" biweekly newsletter https://www.aei.org/the-eastern-front-podcast/

The Samizdat Mechanism vs. Russian Propaganda (with Yevgeny Simkin)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Giselle and Iulia are joined by Yevgeny Simkin, co-founder of "Samizdat Online", an organization which aims to gather all voices of the world that suffer under autocratic repression and reunite those voices with their audiences. Yevgeny explains how his organization reaches Russians, inundated with propaganda from the Kremlin, by collecting stories and news articles - which otherwise would be blocked in Russia for political reasons, like the website Meduza - translating them in to Russian where applicable, and by using unique technological tricks to share this banned content through easy-to-share SOS-Link™ links. Yevgeny explains how his team sidesteps Russia's draconian content censorship to share the hidden truth with Russians blinded by years of government propaganda.

Show notes: Samizdat Online; "Why Ukraine Is Dangerous to Putin" by Yevgeny Simkin; "A new media project is working to sneak blocked media into Russia and wants to become a hub for press freedom in totalitarian regimes" in Business Insider

Zeitenwende and the German Zeitgeist (with Dr. Ulrike Franke)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 16:30:00 -0500

Dr. Ulrike Franke, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, joins The Eastern Front to unpack Germany's support of Ukraine, its more controversial foreign policies, and Germany's potential for greater European leadership. She explains how German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's significant February speech on Germany's zeitenwende (roughly translated "turning of the times") was not a proclamation that Germany would change but rather a statement that times are changing. She elaborates on the significance of Germany pledging to meet the 2% NATO spending threshold, raising its defense spending to $100 billion dollars, its support of Ukraine to-date and the probability of these actions increasing potential for greater German leadership in Europe.

Seeing Holodomor in Russia's War against Ukraine (with Benjamin Wittes)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:45:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Benjamin Wittes from AEI's next-door-neighbor, The Brookings Institution, where he is a Senior Fellow for Governance Studies and Editor-in-Chief of Lawfare. Ben Wittes also orchestrates pro-Ukrainian demonstrations around Washington D.C. in symbolic locations to raise awareness about Russia's war against Ukraine. He joins Eastern Front to recall his latest demonstration: screening, through a projector, the film "Mr. Jones" on the walls of the Russian Embassy in D.C.'s press office. "Mr. Jones" fictionalizes the true story of a journalist who exposed Stalin's forced famine on Ukraine, "Holodomor," in the 1930s which killed millions of people in Ukraine. Further, Ben Wittes compares the 1930s Holodomor to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and discusses the importance of exposing Russian brutality through activism.

Show notes: "Film about courageous Welsh journalist to be screened onto Russian Embassy"; "Mr. Jones" livestream with Agniezska Holland (director of "Mr. Jones")

Entering the War's New Phase

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor anticipate the new phase of the war in Ukraine. Giselle provides a breakdown of the Ukrainian military's long-anticipated counter offensive in the Kherson Oblast - the "next phase" of the war - where she believes the pendulum will swing in favor of the Ukrainians. Iulia offers updates on a wave of war-related treason accusations around the world, from Ukraine to the United States to Bulgaria. Dalibor shares about Ireland's unexpected involvement with the war and discusses the feasibility of Germany weaning off Russian energy supplies, its credible commitment to that pledge, and the role of "shock therapy" in the German economy.

Show notes: "Germany Must Kick Its Russian Gas Habit Now. It Will Hurt, but Going Cold Turkey Is the Only Option" by Dalibor Rohac for The Telegraph; "Over 1,000 Companies Have Curtailed Operations in Russia—But Some Remain" by the Yale School of Management.

Making the Modern Ukrainian Identity (with Catarina Buchatskiy)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 16:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined on today's episode by The Eastern Front's youngest guest to date: Catarina "Cat" Buchatskiy, co-founder of The Shadows Project and a Foreign & Defense Policy intern at AEI. As a young Ukrainian and international relations student at Stanford University, Catarina speaks about her struggle with discovering and defining her Ukrainian identity and about the importance of Ukrainian culture and identity in its national security. She also weighs in on the continuing Ukrainian struggle against Russian imperialism, how Russia continues to weaponize history and culture, and what the war in Ukraine means for the future and development of Ukrainian culture.

Update #7 on the War in Ukraine (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 16:15:00 -0500

The Eastern Front welcomes back special guest and friend, Fred Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, for another update on the war in Ukraine and discussion, specifically, on the military balance in Ukraine. Fred explains how the Russian military's short-lived "operational pause" reveals many of its weaknesses. Yet he underscores that we should not expect the war to end until Vladimir Putin has conquered Ukraine; Putin is replaced by a Russian president with different ideology; or the West sufficiently supports Ukraine to where it can end the war on its terms. Fred also dives into details about both the equipment and composition of Russian forces and the state of current Russian capabilities; the role of Western weapons in Ukrainian defenses; and he thinks through what the anticipated Ukrainian counter offensive might look like.

Show notes: https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ukraine-conflict-updates

Perspective from the Hungarian Opposition (with MEP Katalin Cseh)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 17:15:00 -0500

Hungarian Member of European Parliament Katalin "Katka" Cseh, who serves on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Human Rights, and Delegation for relations with the United States, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia on today's episode. Ms. Cseh unpacks how Hungary is Russia's "Trojan Horse" within the EU and NATO; Hungary's troubled relationship with the EU; European energy supplies, the role of sanctions on Russia and Hungary's aversion to them; and the Hungarian peoples' perspective on and reaction to the war in Ukraine.

Georgia, torn between Russia & Ukraine (with Amb. Batu Katelia)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by the honorable Batu Katelia, former Georgian Ambassador to the United State and Deputy Secretary of Georgia’s National Security Council and current member of the board at the Atlantic Council of Georgia and a Next Generation Leader Fellow at the McCain Institute for International Leadership. Amb. Katelia shines the light on Georgia's "collaborationist" government, noting that "Georgia is weakest link on frontline against Russia”. He elucidates the divide between Georgian political elites within the Georgian Dream party which seek to appease Putin and Georgia's majority pro-Western population and shares about the Georgian people's great support for Ukraine, and he speaks to the challenges Georgia faces in pursuing its own Western integration and managing relations with Russia.

Conversation with NATO Assistant Secretary General David Cattler

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 15:30:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by special guest David Cattler, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security. ASG Cattler briefs The Eastern Front on the recent, "transformative" NATO Summit in Madrid; NATO force operability and mobility; NATO support of Ukraine; NATO's intelligence and information battles against Russian propaganda throughout the war in Ukraine; and he discusses the addition of Finland and Sweden to the alliance.

I survived the Kremlin's Assassination Attempts (with Oleksiy Goncharenko MP)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Giselle and Dalibor interview Oleksiy Goncharenko, a Ukrainian Member of Parliament who has survived three assassination attempts by the Kremlin. He retells his story in which he experienced, firsthand, the barbarism and insanity of the Kremlin's political agenda. He also weighs in on the current state of corruption in the Ukrainian government; discusses the trajectory of the war in Ukraine; and underscores the significance of Ukrainian ascension into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Union.

A Summit Like No Other

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Iulia, Giselle, and Dalibor discuss the international implications of the EU and G7 summits and what to expect at the 2022 NATO summit in Madrid. Iulia examines how the decisions made during the recent EU summit will affect Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Furthermore, Iulia sheds light on how countries consider membership in the European Union. Then, Giselle and Iulia take a look at how the G7 countries consider increased investments in infrastructure and resources to challenge the Belt and Road Initiative. Dalibor describes why G7 leaders should consider further investment in Ukraine. Finally, Dalibor provides a run down on what to expect during the 2022 NATO Summit. Additionally, he discusses why NATO countries should consider a greater partnership and support for Ukrainians.

Special Edition: Views of Ukraine, from Ukraine (with Amb. Dan Baer)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 13:30:00 -0500

In this special edition of The Eastern Front recorded from Ukraine, Giselle interviews Iulia and Dalibor who are on the ground in Ukraine alongside Ambassador Daniel Baer, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. This special recording includes a small audience and is hosted in a roundtable format by Jeff Gedmin, co-founder and editor-in-chief of American Purpose magazine, and moderated by The Eastern Front's very own Giselle Donnelly. Special thanks to American Purpose for convening this discussion.

Part 1 of this episode involves Dalibor, Iulia, and Amb. Baer sharing their eyewitness accounts of Ukraine in wartime and their visits to Bucha, Irpin, and Kyiv. In Part 2, Giselle fields questions from the audience to Dalibor, Iulia, and Amb. Baer on a range of topics, from Ukrainian agriculture to culture to military to politics.

Show notes: "Appeasing Putin isn’t the answer" by Dalibor Rohac; "Letter from Kyiv" by Jeffrey Gedmin.

Live from Kyiv, Ukraine (with Jeff Gedmin)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0500

Dalibor and Iulia report live from Kyiv, Ukraine alongside Jeff Gedmin, co-founder and editor-in-chief of American Purpose magazine. Dalibor, Iulia, and Jeff share their astonishing eyewitness accounts from Kyiv, Bucha, and Irpin of how Ukrainian society is coping with, recovering from, and preparing for future war; Ukrainians' resolve to win the war against Russia; the brutal destruction of Ukrainian cities by Russian forces; and incredible stories of the poise, strength, and even humor of the Ukrainian people.

Show notes: "Letter from Kyiv" by Jeffrey Gedmin.

How Putin's War unifies Europe (with Amb. Rastislav Káčer)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 16:45:00 -0500

From the Eastern Front, Iulia and Dalibor join Giselle for a conversation with Slovak Ambassador to the Czech Republic Rastislav Káčer. The ambassador outlines how Putin is already losing the war in Ukraine. All discuss the questions: When will Putin lose the war? And what will the costs be? The ambassador also sheds light on Central European support for Ukraine, comparing and contrasting the Czech Republic and Slovakia's aid of Ukraine. Given some countries' support for Russia, like Hungary, the ambassador shares research explaining why Central European countries are trending poorly when it comes to susceptibility to Russian propaganda and influence. Nonetheless, the ambassador notes how Putin's war in Ukraine has revamped Ukraine's want for "European-ness" and how the war has unexpectedly, positively fostered European unity.

Why the West should embrace Moldova (with Oana Serafim)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:30:00 -0500

Giselle and Dalibor are joined by Iulia and guest Oana Serafim, former Director of Moldovan Service for Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, live from Bucharest, Romania. Oana brings her personal connection to Moldova and nearly thirty years of expertise in Eastern European media to The Eastern Front Podcast. While Moldova is not a part of the European Union nor NATO, and historically has partly remained within the Russian sphere of influence, Moldova applied for European Union Membership in March 2022 (after Russia's invasion of Ukraine). Moldovan struggles with a frozen conflict in Transnistria, heavy Russian propaganda, and political forces debating between the East and West should remind the West that "history is never [in the] past," as Oana notes, and Eastern European politics must be understood with nuance. Oana unpacks how the perceived East/West divide is growing, how this impacts developing countries like Moldova, and how countries within Russia's backyard like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia must be embraced by the West.

Views of Ukraine from the Czech Republic (with Sen. Pavel Fischer)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:30:00 -0500

Iulia and Dalibor are joined by Pavel Fischer, Senator and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of the Czech Republic. They exchange thoughts on the Czech Republic's exemplary support for Ukraine, the sustainability of that aid, and the levels of urgency felt by the Czech Republic and other European allies to deliver relief to Ukraine. Sen. Fischer sheds light on the pernicious influence of Russia in the Czech Republic and how that affects some arenas of Czech politics and motivates "face-saving" government efforts. All look forward to the upcoming Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July and consider the implications for EU-wide energy policy, sanctions, and other approaches to countering Russian aggression.

Severodonetsk, Haphazard Allies, and the Russian War Machine

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 17:15:00 -0500

Iulia joins The Eastern Front from Romania! In this episode, Iulia, Giselle, and Dalibor analyze and banter about a range of factors in Russia's war against Ukraine such as military strategy, drawing historical analogies, values, sanctions, allied resilience, and more. Iulia offers a situation report from Romania, sharing what she has witnessed about its support for Ukraine and how Romania is experiencing fallout effects from the war. Giselle sheds light on Severodonetsk, a region that has gained unexpected strategic significance in the war, and the losses the Russian military is undertaking to control it. Dalibor offers some credit to the German government for plans to increase defense spending, and all discuss the greater meaning behind former German Chancellor Merkel's recent comments on Ukraine. Lastly, Dalibor gives a run down on how allied sanctions may not be as effective as intended but are still constraining the Russian economy.

Notes: "Europe’s Oil Embargo Is Not Enough" by Sergei Guriev

How Finland & Sweden Navigate NATO & the Grayzone (with Elisabeth Braw)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 17:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Elisabeth Braw, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and expert on "grayzone" warfare (warfare below the kinetic threshhold), to discuss Finland and Sweden's pivot towards NATO application and how Finland and Sweden combat neighboring Russian "grayzone aggression". Other topics include where Finland and Sweden would fit into a perceived "East" versus "West" divide in NATO; how NATO compares to other European institutions and cooperative frameworks (both existing and those imagined by French President Macron); and the importance of societal resilience in combatting grayzone aggression.

Show notes: "The Defender's Dilemma: Identifying and Deterring Gray-Zone Aggression" by Elisabeth Braw; "The Ghost of Olof Palme: How Support for the Kurds Is Complicating Sweden’s NATO Accession" by Elisabeth Braw; "Sweden, NATO, Turkey, and Unexpected Parliamentary Turbulence" by Elisabeth Braw

Perspectives from UN Ambassador Sven Jürgenson

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0500

As the UN continues to sound the alarm about the global consequences of the war in Ukraine, Estonia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Sven Jürgenson, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia for the Eastern Front's 50th episode.

Ambassador Jürgenson discusses the UN's founding purpose and how that translates to its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He also responds to warnings about famine and migration due to Russia's blockade of Odesa and predicts what Ukraine and Europe will look like in the coming months.

Along with the 50th episode of the Eastern Front, we are launching a monthly newsletter, a Twitter account, and a new webpage. Follow us on Twitter @TheEasternFron1 and sign up for our newsletter here.

The Role of Culture in Wartime (with Vlad Davidzon)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Vlad Davidzon, a nonresident fellow in The Atlantic Council Eurasia Center and European culture correspondent for Tablet Magazine. Vlad shares his personal experience among journalists in Kyiv just days before the Russian invasion began, and he shares stories of reporting from and evacuating relatives from Ukraine during wartime. As a European cultural commentator and having been actively engaged in the Ukrainian film and literary scene, he also offers Ukrainian and Russian cultural context behind the war and key cities attacked by the Russian military, such as Odessa.

References: From Odessa With Love: Political and Literary Essays from Post-Soviet Ukraine by Vlad Davidzon; "Leaving Kyiv" by Vlad Davidzon; "Martial law declared in Odessa as rockets rain down" by Vlad Davidzon; "Cannes at War" by Vlad Davidzon; "Crucial Crimea: Why the illegally occupied territory must be returned to Ukraine" by Iulia Joja.

Orthodoxy and Geopolitics in Eastern Europe (with Prof. Adrian Papahagi)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Dr. Adrian Papahagi, a professor at Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj in Romania. Given the Orthodox faith's relevance in Eastern European culture, Dr. Papahagi joins the podcast to illuminate how regional Orthodox churches and clergy across Eastern Europe, especially in Romania, have been processing and reacting to Russia's war in Ukraine. He shares how the Romanian Orthodox Church has clearly, unanimously rebuked Russia's aggression in Ukraine, although some thinner strains of more "conservative" orthodox may embrace Vladimir Putin's self-declaration as a defender of Christianity and traditional values. However, he notes that the Russian Orthodox Church is not in communion with other orthodox churches and has lost all credibility given its political association with the Kremlin. All additionally discuss Romanian historical memory of Russia and Ukraine, if there is a chance for a populist rise in Romania, and the role of Western European countries in Eastern Europe.

Making Sense of the Donbas

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 31 May 2022 08:15:00 -0500

In this episode, Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor unpack recent, quickly-evolving developments in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine. War continues to ravage eastern Ukraine, where the Russian military is using its playbook from Mariupol to level Ukrainian cities into surrender. Following a spurt of pessimism from Ukraine-watchers last week, they discuss the potential strengths of and weakest links in Ukrainian defense. Giselle explains how the Russian military is paying a very high price for a strategic location of questionable significance. The Russian military continues to face challenges of organization, execution, and resources while Ukrainian defenses maintain some relative advantages. Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor observe that the Russian government is still pursuing victory and pressuring Ukraine to negotiate a ceasefire, but there is some hope seen in the strength of ongoing Ukrainian defenses.

Evaluating Divided European & American Support for Ukraine

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 26 May 2022 16:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor debate controversial approaches to resolving Russia's war in Ukraine. They discuss countries' reservations towards supporting Ukraine more robustly, like American far-right legislators opposing commitment to long-term aid. Across the Atlantic, the hosts call out Western European countries like France and Germany which are not willing to bear the necessary costs of countering Russian aggression and are dragging their feet in a manner tantamount to Russian appeasement. Further controversy was stirred by Henry Kissinger's remarks at the 2022 Davos Forum that Ukraine should trade land for peace with Russia - a realpolitik "psychological barrier" suggesting that Russia is a global superpower - which Giselle and Iulia rebut. Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor discuss why NATO, the European Union, and allies should overcome these constraining viewpoints for greater success in arenas like the Black Sea and beyond.

Russian Cyber Aggression in Ukraine and the West (with Jason Blessing)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 25 May 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Why haven't we seen more cyber warfare in Ukraine? Did we overestimate the Russians? Should we expect Russian cyber aggression agains the West in the coming months? Jason Blessing, a Jeanne Kirkpatrick Visiting Fellow at AEI, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to help answer these questions.

Jason discusses both Russia's, the US', and NATO's cyber warfare capabilities. He also explains Ukraine's response to Russian cyber aggression in the past. With our hosts, Jason digs into Article 5 and how NATO and the US should respond to a large-scale Russian cyber attack.

References: "NATO 2030: Towards A New Strategic Concept and Beyond," The Russian cyber threat is here to stay and NATO needs to understand it by Jason Blessing

A Update on the Fighting in Ukraine (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 20 May 2022 16:00:00 -0500

As the war in Ukraine comes to an inflection point, Fred Kagan, Director of AEI's Critical Threats Project and recurring guest, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia for a military update.

Fred explains why the Russians are focusing their operations in Donetsk and what might come next in eastern Ukraine. He also unravels what is actually going on in Azovstal and Mariupol after reported Ukrainian military evacuations. In a wide ranging conversation, Fred and our hosts also discuss the US aid package, solutions to the food crisis, and reported deportations.

Iulia's dog also weighs in.

Find daily updates from the Critical Threats Project here.

Players in Black Sea Security: Turkey and Bulgaria

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 16 May 2022 17:00:00 -0500

The importance of security in the Black Sea has been highlighted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Dimitar Bechev, lecturer at Oxford University and Visiting Fellow at Carnegie Europe, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to speak specifically about Turkey and Bulgaria.

First, Dimitar explains Turkey's relationship with Russia, NATO, and the US in order to illustrate the many factors behind Erdogan's foreign policy. Last, Dimitar dives into Bulgarian foreign policy, which has traditionally been Russophilic and anti-risk, but has taken a greater stand against Russia.

References: Turkey Under Erdogan by Dimitar Bechev; Turkey, between a rock and a hard place on Russia by Dimitar Bechev

The Transnational Kleptocracy Threat (with Paul Massaro)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 11 May 2022 15:30:00 -0500

Paul Massaro, Senior Policy Advisor to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission), joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to talk kleptocracy and why it is a transnational threat.

Paul argues that kleptocracy is the #1 threat the West faces, as it prevents democracies from developing. Conversely, it is also the reason that Russia's military is performing less effectively than was expected. Paul also explains what we are doing to fight Russian dirty money coming into the US and what more we can do to fight corruption in Ukraine to help it rebuild after the war.

The Day after Victory Day: a Debrief of Putin's Speech

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 10 May 2022 17:30:00 -0500

Yesterday, Russia celebrated its 77th annual Victory Day military parade in the Red Square. Amongst the speculations about the content Putin's speech were the possibility of a formal declaration of war on Ukraine, reiterations of Russia's denazification rhetoric, and a declaration of victory in Eastern Ukraine, all of which were notably lacking. Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia get together today, on May 10, to discuss Putin's speech, the parade itself, and the Western response.

#Nuremberg2022: What a War Crimes Trial Would Look like Today (with Linda Kinstler)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 05 May 2022 06:00:00 -0500

What would a war crimes trial of Russian officials look like in 2022? Linda Kinstler, contributing writer for The Economist’s 1843 Magazine, joins the podcast for a rich discussion.

Linda compares the many similarities and patterns between today's war crimes in Ukraine and the beginning steps of evidence collection with war crimes and war crimes trails following World War II and the Holocaust. She synthesizes the Russian experience of WWII with propaganda and its use of the word "Nazi" in justifying its invasion of Ukraine.

Linda also answers our hosts' questions how war crimes are tried, what would have to happen to hold a trial with meaningful results, and why holding a trial itself would be impactful.

References: Come to this Court and Cry, by Linda Kinstler; Soviet Judgement at Nuremberg, by Francine Hirsh

Why Moldovan Security Matters to the West

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 03 May 2022 17:30:00 -0500

Last week, explosions were reported in Transnistria, raising concerns for Moldovan and Black Sea security.

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia discuss Moldova and its geo-strategic role in Eastern Europe. Iulia gives a brief history of Moldova and its ties since the Soviet Union, in order to help us understand why Putin might want to invade. Our hosts dive into an assessment of what will happen if there is an invasion, if the US can and would help, and what it means that Moldova isn't a part of NATO.

References: Is Putin about to Invade Moldova? by Dalibor Rohac; Russia ‘is already paving the way for a takeover of Moldova’ by Larissa Brown; Vulnerable Moldova by Iulia Joja and Nicu Popescu

Updates on the Russian Fighting in Ukraine (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Fred Kagan, Director of AEI's Critical Threats Project back to the podcast for updates on the fighting in Ukraine.

Fred provides his analysis on Russia's struggling military and poor decision making. He and our hosts hone in specifically on the Black Sea land bridge where fighting continues and reports of guerrilla warfare are cropping up, and they assess the likelihood of an invasion of Moldova.

Fred also shares his suspicions of ethnic cleansing being carried out by the Russian military in Ukraine and how the US can stop these human atrocities.

CTP provides daily updates and maps of the Russia-Ukraine war. Find more here.

Europe and Russian Oil (with Cristian Silviu Busoi)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Yesterday, Russia announced that it will halt natural gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria, renewing questions of European decoupling from Russian gas.

Cristian Silviu Busoi, a Romanian member of the European Parliament and President of Industry for the Research and Energy Committee, joins Giselle and Dalibor to discuss Europe's dependence on Russian oil.

Cristian assesses the intersection of Europe's goal to reduce its total consumption of gas with the conflict in Ukraine, how the US can help Europe reduce Russian oil dependence, and Romania's role in NATO and as a leader in the Black Sea.

Will Finland join NATO? (with Antti Seppo)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 17:30:00 -0500

As the Finnish parliament currently considers if Finland will join NATO, Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Finnish security consultant, Antti Seppo, to discuss Finnish strategic culture and Finland's stated interest to become a NATO member state. Seppo explains that fear of Russia does not motivate Finland's interest in joining NATO; rather, Finland wants to "be on the right side of the Iron Curtain." Seppo explains that Finland, although militarily unaligned, is politically oriented towards the West, and touches on Sweden's interest in joining NATO, as well. Seppo discusses Finland's exceptional conventional military capabilities and unpacks the term "Finlandization" and the true meaning of Finnish "neutrality." Given its influence in Europe, the group also offers takes on Germany's role in the war in Ukraine and analyzes Germany's problematic relationship with Russia.

What to Expect from the NATO Spring Meetings (with Dominik Jankowski)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:00:00 -0500

NATO prepares for its spring meetings, during which it will contemplate Finland and Sweden's possible accession, but most pressing, its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Dominik Jankowski a member of Poland's permanent delegation to NATO, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to discuss what we can expect to see from these meetings. He addresses Giselle's question as to whether or not it is possible to get Ukraine NATO membership in a timely fashion, and he analyses the dynamics among member countries that hinder and forward that effort.

Reconstruction of Ukraine (with Ivan Mikloš, Former Finance Minister of Slovakia)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:30:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor welcome Ivan Mikloš, former Finance Minister of Slovakia, to the podcast to answer the question: what happens to Ukraine after the war ends? Ivan Mikloš offers thoughts on Ukrainian post-war reconstruction based on his expertise serving in the Slovak government and advising the Ukrainian government. He traces Ukraine's reconstruction period after the 2014 Euromaidan - which broadly developed the Ukrainian economy and rooted out much corruption - through Volodymyr Zelenskyy's election. He joins the hosts in considering what the role of the West, international organizations like the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Russia could be in reconstructing Ukraine.

The Sinking of the Moskva and the Butcher of Syria: Military Updates (with Mason Clark)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0500

Mason Clark, Lead Russia Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia again for a military update.

He assesses the sinking of the Russian flagship, Moskva. Mason explains its significance for naval warfare in the Black Sea and what it means for the Russia-Ukraine war as a whole. He also describes what's happening on the many fronts in Ukraine now that the Russian military has withdrawn from northeastern Ukraine.

Mason and our hosts also dig into the background of the "Butcher of Syria," General Dvornikov, whom Putin has appointed ground commander in Ukraine.

References: What's Wrong with the Russian Army? by Giselle Donnelly

You can find AEI's CTP and ISW's daily Ukraine updates here.

Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the Russia-Ukraine War (with Ivana Stradner)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:45:00 -0500

Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic was re-elected in last week's Serbian general election. Ivana Stradner, AEI Jeanne Kirkpatrick Visiting Research Fellow, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to discuss the results.

Ivana explains Vucic's politics, draws parallels between Hungary and Serbia, and details Chinese and Russian influence in Serbia. She and our hosts discuss why what happens of Serbia should be important to America, and how the war in Ukraine has affected the Balkans.

References: It’s also important to win the information war with Putin’s Russia by Ivana Stradner; The threat to the West is inside the House by Ivana Stradner and Dalibor Rohac; Putin’s winning streak in European politics by Ivana Stradner and Dalibor Rohac

Atrocities in Bucha, the Russian Orthodox Church, and Western Response

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia wrap up the week, analyzing the events and rhetoric of the past days. They discuss to what degree the atrocities in Bucha were ordered by the Russian military, and to what degree they reflect a poorly organized military withdrawal. Our hosts compare Russian brutality with other genocides and discuss Russian filtration and de-Nazification rhetoric.

Giselle gives an update on munitions in Ukraine and German hesitation to act in Europe. Iulia explains the role the Russian Orthodox Church is playing in the rebuilding of Russian imperialism. Lastly, Dalibor shares the news of Slovakian munitions assistance to Ukraine and the broader European response to Russian brutality in Bucha.

References: Russian Nuclear Orthodoxy by Dima Adamsky

What's Next After Russia's Withdrawal from Northern Ukraine (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Fred Kagan, Director of AEI's Critical Threats Project, back on the podcast for a military update as Russia withdraws from Northern Ukraine and news of atrocities grip the world.

Fred analyzes the military strategy of the Russian withdrawal and shows how it was done in very poor order. He also helps us understand what's happening in the east and the south of Ukraine, and in Moldova. Finally, Fred estimates how big of a threat Russia remains to Ukraine and Kyiv, and what Russia's next steps might be.

Results of the Hungarian elections (with Charles Gati)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 17:15:00 -0500

After a landslide victory on Sunday for Orbán's party, Fidesz, Professor and Eastern Europe scholar, Charles Gati, joins the podcast to discuss the election results in Hungary.

Despite Russian atrocities in Ukraine, Orbán's strategy of staying out of the war proved successful. Charles analyzes pro-Russianism in Hungary, enduring pain from losing territory after World War I, and if a Russian-Hungarian alliance is actually on the table.

The Ukrainian identity (with Lydia Tomkiw)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500

Journalist Lydia Tomkiw joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia in this episode to discuss Ukrainian history, identity, and culture.

Raised in a Sacremento community formed by the Ukrainian American diaspora, Lydia grew up speaking Ukrainian and attending Ukrainian Saturday school. She explains the many facets of Ukrainian identity and how history and modern events have and do shape it.

References: "Letter from the diaspora: Why Ukraine will endure" by Lydia Tomkiw; Gates of Europe: on Ukraine's Modern History by Serhii Plokhy; Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine by Anne Applebaum

How to help Ukraine:

The Hungarian parliamentary elections: what to expect (with Zoltán Kész)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 14:00:00 -0500

Former Hungarian parliamentarian, Zoltán Kész, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to to give background on the April 3rd election and explain what to expect.

He gives his analysis on the chances of Fidesz winning the election. Zoltán also recounts his own experiences with propaganda, smear campaigns, and pressure from Fidesz during his parliamentary campaigns.

This episode was recorded on February 22, days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Stay tuned until the end of the episode for an update from Zoltán on how the war is affecting the election.

Central and Eastern European integration, unity, and resilience (with PM Mikuláš Dzurinda)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 13:15:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Mikuláš Dzurinda, former Prime Minister of Slovakia and President of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, to discuss Central European and Eastern European countries' integration into regional and international economic, security, and political organizations. Former Prime Minister Dzurinda traces the history of his home country, Slovakia, from being the "black hole of Europe" to a committed, productive member of the EU and NATO.

All discuss existing divisions among Western European and other European countries, yet PM Dzurinda notes how the war in Ukraine, among other European crises in recent years, have demonstrated that countries like Slovakia, Slovenia, Czechia, and Poland are determined, willing partners standing in solidarity with Europe at large.

Biden's speech in Poland

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Two days after President Biden's speech in Poland, during which he said that Putin "cannot remain in power," Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia analyze the consequences of his gaffe.

Our hosts talk about who will bear the burden of Biden's apparent mistake and how it is disconnected from Ukraine's future. They also discuss this weekend's NATO and European Council summits showed lack of a united strategy by the West. Finally, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia look ahead to what might come next this week.

The advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense's message to the West (with Yuriy Sak)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 14:15:00 -0500

Today, the 30th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Yuriy Sak, advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia from Western Ukraine to share his message with the West.

Yuriy explains what Ukraine needs from the West in terms of weapons and support. He and Giselle visit the possibility of Ukrainian counter attacks on the Russians. Finally, Yuriy shows how this war is also the West's war, and how Ukraine is fighting for democratic civilizations worldwide.

Freedom and rock 'n' roll on the eastern front (with Andras Simonyi)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 16:00:00 -0500

Former Hungarian Ambassador to the United States, Andras Simonyi, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to talk about the paradox that is Viktor Orban.

He discusses the Hungarian and Russian relationship weeks away from the Hungarian presidential election. Ambassador Simonyi explains how Russian propaganda has infiltrated Eastern European media and why it isn't too early to start thinking about how to help Ukraine rebuild. Finally, he tells our hosts how rock 'n' roll represented freedom in Hungary during the Cold War.

References: Rocking Toward a Free World by Andras Simonyi

The end of Putinism? (with Aviezer Tucker)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 14:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Dr. Aviezer Tucker, Center Associate at Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies.

Dr. Tucker discusses the themes of his piece in the UnPopulist, “Along with Ukraine, Putin is Destroying Putinism.” He draws a parallel between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia, arguing that similarly to how the 1968 invasion lead to the end of communism as an ideology, the invasion of Ukraine will lead to the end of “Putinism,” what he describes as a “witches’ brew of authoritarianism, religious fundamentalism, nationalism, reactionary social values, illiberalism, anti-internationalism and anti-Americanism.”

References: Along with Ukraine, Putin is Destroying Putinism, UnPopulist.

Zelensky's pleas to the West

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 15:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia discuss Zelensky's speeches to the West, in particular his addresses to the US Congress, UK Parliament, and German Bundestag.

They examine the implications of Zelensky's speeches on the ground, and beyond into the Eastern Front and the larger West.

References: Public Expresses Mixed Views of U.S. Response to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Pew Research Center.

Updates on fighting in Ukraine; US military aid to Ukraine (with Mason Clark)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Mason Clark, Lead Russia Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, to discuss updates and new developments on Ukraine’s ongoing defense against Russia in the last week.

Mason discussed how Ukrainian forces have been in an overall good position in holding back Russian forces around Kyiv and northeastern Ukraine, as well as in retaining the ability to launch localized counter attacks.

They also provide an assessment of Biden’s new announcement of $800 million in new security assistance to Ukraine, how likely it is to make a difference, and what else is needed to help.

Highlights and Lowlights of Ukraine's Defense

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 16:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor break down the highlights and lowlights of Ukraine's ongoing defense and analyze allies' strategies to offer Ukraine defensive support. They call out the fallacy of partner countries "Westsplaining" how Ukraine ought to defend itself, and they discuss how Ukraine's allies should instead align their defensive actions according to Ukraine's needs.

References: "Putin’s biggest lie: Blaming NATO for his war" written by Hal Brands, Senior Fellow at AEI, and published by Bloomberg Opinion on March 13, 2022.

The View of Ukraine from Georgia (with Ani Chkhikvadze)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 03:30:00 -0500

Iulia and Dalibor speak with Ani Chkhikvadze, a reporter at Voice of America, to unpack how we can understand the Russian government's presently unfolding invasion of Ukraine by recalling modern Georgian history. Both Ukraine and Georgia have been invaded by Russia over the past few decades and neither Ukraine nor Georgia are current members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), despite Ukraine and Georgia expressing interest in closer military, economic, and political affiliation with such organizations than with Russia. Ani outlines both how political deliberations among members of NATO have offered a cloudy view of Ukraine and Georgia's chances for ascension and how the Russian government has seized upon this uncertainty to launch its invasions.

Assessing the Russian military's options in Ukraine (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 10:30:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia again welcome Fred Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project (CTP), who offers another update on the state of Russian forces in Ukraine.

The good news, for Ukraine, is that the Russian military has committed the sin of underpreparing and that it has forgotten major lessons from previous military campaigns. Fred discusses various options the stalled Russian military may consider to achieve Vladimir Putin's objectives, offering analysis of fighting in key territories like eastern and southern Ukraine. Fred also unpacks the timeline, how Russian military attempts to control Ukraine's most targeted cities could require at least two weeks of further preparations, given Ukrainian opposition.

Receive regular updates on Ukraine from Fred and his colleagues at CTP here.

A moral disaster: war crimes in Ukraine (with Maria Tomak)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:00:00 -0500

Maria Tomak, Head of National Office of the Crimea Platform, created under President Zelensky's administration, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia from Lviv to discuss Putin's possible war crimes in Ukraine.

Maria updates our hosts on what she's hearing from Crimea and other captured territories in Ukraine. She compares Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea with the situation in Ukraine today, draws parallels between Russia's actions in Syria and during the Chechen Wars, and provides our hosts with the argument for why Putin should be held accountable.

You can find more information from Maria and the National Office of the Crimea Platform here.

Find Iulia's latest work on air defenses, coauthored by a past Eastern Front guest, General Breedlove, here.

Putin's psychology, explained by a Polish expert (with Marek Mankiszak)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 15:45:00 -0500

Poland has emerged as a leader in its support for Ukraine and in its study of Russia's and Putin's psychology. Marek Mankiszak, head of the Russian Department at the Centre for Eastern Studies, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to assess Putin's motives for invading Ukraine.

Marek explains that Putin is trying to change the political order in Europe, because in his mind, the current is order was unjustly forced on Russia in its weakest hour. He argues that Putin will not stop trying to take Ukraine, in spite of any sanctions. Finally, Marek gives evidence for the way in which Russia is quickly turning into a totalitarian state.

Putin's disappointed expectations of easy victory (with Fred Kagan)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 17:45:00 -0500

Fred Kagan joins Giselle and Dalibor again today to give us another update on the state of Russian forces in Ukraine.

He tells us about the status of forces in each offensive throughout Ukraine and of the Ukrainian forces fighting to hold them off. He and Giselle discuss the kinds of weapons both sides are using, and though Ukrainians have been successful so far, he and Dalibor warn of an angry and unpredictable Putin, spelling out more brutal tactics to come.

Get regular updates on Ukraine from Fred and his colleagues at CTP here.

Are sanctions enough? (with Chris Miller)

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 18:15:00 -0500

The day after Biden's first State of the Union address, during which he lauded the sanctions imposed on Russia, Chris Miller, a Jean Kirkpatrick Visiting Fellow at AEI, joins Giselle, Dalibor and Iulia to talk sanctions.

Chris assesses how effective the US' and EU's sanctions on Russia are, how long it will take to see their effects, and how they will affect the global economy. He also notes a change in American public opinion as he finds that Americans are more and more likely to support damaging sanctions on Russia, like energy sanctions, even though they might negatively affect the American economy. Chris and our hosts also reflect on how sanctions and Russia's war on Ukraine will play out in India, China, and the Middle East.

References: The risks of delay loom large (The Dispatch) by Giselle Donnelly; Special briefing: The Middle East and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine (The Middle East Institute) by Iulia Joja et al.; The new Russian sanctions playbook (Foreign Affairs) by Chris Miller; Paul Salem on Arab countries and Ukraine

Bombings, evacuations, and solidarity: inside Ukraine (with Joel Wasserman)

AEI Podcasts — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0500

What is it like to be in Ukraine today? What is the mood of the Ukrainian people? Joel Wasserman, a former AEI intern joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia from Lviv to describe the human experience of Russia's war with Ukraine.

He recounts personal experiences of shortages and closures, air raid sirens, and harrowing evacuations. But above all, Joel describes the tremendous solidarity of the Ukrainian people and their readiness to fight for their country, as they adjust to a "new normal."

References: Joel Wasserman’s Personal Story from Ukraine (The Washington Diplomat)

Updates on the fighting in Ukraine (with Mason Clark)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 15:30:00 -0500

The Russian military faltered over the weekend but fighting in Ukraine picked up again on Monday. Mason Clark, Lead Russia Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia again with updates from the weekend.

Mason takes a look at why the fighting paused over the weekend, what's happening in Kharkiv, and the state of Kyiv. Our hosts also discuss Belarus' threat of entering the war, Russian disinformation, and how Europe continues to respond to the conflict.

References: Ukraine Conflict Update 10, Institute for the Study of War; Ukraine and the No-Fly Zone Temptation, American Purpose

Analyzing Russia's military advances (with Fred Kagan and Mason Clark)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 13:30:00 -0500

How did Russia's invasion of Ukraine unfold? What's next for Ukraine? Fred Kagan, Director of AEI's Critical Threats Project and Mason Clark, Lead Russia Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War join Giselle, Dalibor and Iulia to dissect these questions.

Mason describes the geography of Russia's military offensive and the state of Ukraine's military resistance. Fred gives his analysis of Biden's intelligence sharing strategy and Putin's goals from the start of his escalation. Our hosts connect Mason and Fred's to what they've learned in past episodes and share their thoughts on the world's response to war in Ukraine.

References: Sanctions Are Not Enough (The Dispatch), Giselle Donnelly; Putin vs. the West: The Russia-Ukraine crisis and the future of the post–Cold War order (AEI Event), Fred Kagan and Leon Aron

Russia invades Ukraine, on the ground in Odessa with Hanna Shelest

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -0500

As Russia attacks Ukraine, Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council, joins our hosts from Odessa to discuss the events of the night.

She gives her account of the beginning of Russia's invasion, starting with waking up at 5am to the sounds of explosions. She points out the misinformation already spreading, and shares her observations of Ukrainians' sentiments. Hanna concludes with how the West can help militarily and on an individual level.

The beginning of the invasion and what's next

AEI Podcasts — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0500

After an intense escalation on the Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia react to the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They each give their thoughts on the events of the last several days, and the reactions we've seen so far from America and Europe.

Iulia describes what happened this weekend and what she's hearing from the Eastern Front. Dalibor gives his perspectives on the bold European sanctions and gradual American sanctions. Giselle argues that taking Kyiv is a huge gamble for Putin but talks about what Russia's strategy on the ground could look like.

The view from Ukraine's frontline (with Askold Krushelnycky)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0500

From the frontline on the border between Ukraine and Russia, journalist Askold Krushelnycky calls in to talk to Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia about what conditions are like 25 miles from the Russian border.

Askold describes his journey to Kharkiv, the atmosphere in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and the attitudes of people he's spoken to. Askold was also on the frontlines at the beginning of Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea, which he compares to today.

References: Ukrainian-American leaders discuss highlights of last 30 years, future goals (Kyiv Post); An Orange Revolution

Putin's information games (with Peter Pomerantsev)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Peter Pomerantsev, Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins University, joins Giselle, Dalibor and Iulia to talk about how the West can rise up to the challenge of Putin's information warfare.

Peter discusses how Putin thrives on uncertainty, ambiguity, and confusion. With our hosts, he shows what the West has learned from Russia's 2008 and 2014 invasion, and how we've already entered into a perception battle with Russia. He also talks about the psychology and culture of countries on the Eastern Front and how they play into today's crisis.

References: Nothing is True and Everything is Possible; This is Not Propaganda, Peter Pomerantsev

Modern Russian aggression with former Estonian president, Toomas Ilves

AEI Podcasts — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

The fourth president of the Republic of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia to trace the history of post-Soviet Russian aggression from 2008 to today.

President Ilves describes what's different between Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea and now, what the Eastern Front needs from the West, and how Ukraine is currently serving as Russia's bargaining chip with NATO.

References: Why the West’s Diplomacy With Russia Keeps Failing (The Atlantic)

How a Russian invasion of Ukraine will unfold (with General Breedlove)

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 20:15:00 -0500

General Breedlove, former Commander of US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO joins Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia, as tensions flare to a new high along the Russian/Ukrainian border,

He lays out what a Russian military campaign against Ukraine would look like, including Russia's artillery capabilities, and its potential use of nuclear weapons.

The Putin problem (with Timothy Garton Ash)

AEI Podcasts — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Do we have a Putin problem, or a Russia problem? Why can't everyone see that Putin wants a return to the Russia's Soviet-era sphere of influence? And why is the West not more united in responding to Putin's aggression?

Timothy Garton Ash, Professor of European Studies in the University of Oxford, Professorial Fellow at St Antony’s College, Oxford, and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins our hosts to help answer these questions. He digs into the psychology behind Putin's actions, Europe's ability (or lack thereof) to be a global power, and what the West's next steps should be in dealing with the Russia/Ukraine crisis.

References: Putin knows exactly what he wants in Eastern Europe (The Guardian)

Germany: Russia’s friend or foe? (with Ulrike Franke)

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined in this episode by Ulrike Franke, a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

As the new German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, embarks on his first visit to the US, Ulrike gives her insight into how we should understand Germany’s relationship to its allies and to Russia. She dissects Germany’s handling of the current Russia/Ukraine crisis, the generational change in German government, and how Germany relates to Russia post-WWII.

References: Germany isn’t turning its back on NATO. It only looks that way (The Washington Post); A Millennial Considers the New German Problem After 30 Years of Peace (War on the Rocks)

What does war on the Eastern Front look like in 2022?

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Dalibor and Iulia turn to fellow co-host, Giselle Donnelly, Senior Fellow at AEI, for her assessment of Ukraine’s military readiness as Russia amasses troops at its border.

Giselle lays out what the nightmare scenario in Ukraine would look like. She also analyzes vulnerabilities in the Russian military, how Ukraine could be better prepared for a Russian invasion, and what the US and NATO could be doing to help Ukraine reach a state of better military preparedness.

References: Putin’s Likely Course of Action in Ukraine: Updated Course of Action Assessment (Critical Threats Project)

The Black Sea: Russophobia and reliance

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Giselle and Dalibor consult their fellow co-host, Iulia Joja, a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, on her analysis of security in the Black Sea.

Iulia contextualizes historical and modern factors at play in the Black Sea, which have caused both reliance on the US and Russophobic sentiments and reliance on Russia and refusal of NATO help. Iulia explains why an independent Romania and Bulgaria are geostrategically important to the Russia and Ukraine crisis.

Reference: The Idiot. Recognition Guide. (Newsweek Romania)

Central European disunity in the face of Russia

AEI Podcasts — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

In The Eastern Front’s inaugural episode, Giselle and Iulia interview fellow co-host, Dalibor Rohac, a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Dalibor dives into the question of why, as Vladimir Putin threatens to invade Ukraine, Central Europe is not more unified in its relationship with Russia. As Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, visits Vladimir Putin, Dalibor considers how straying away from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in a counter culture way mobilizes Orbán’s base. Dalibor puts democratic backsliding and disunity into the context of today’s Russia/Ukraine crisis.

Reference: Poll: Slovaks Blame NATO and the US for tension on Ukrainian border (The Slovak Spectator)

Welcome to the Eastern Front!

AEI Podcasts — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the Eastern Front!

Ensuring the balance of power in Europe has, since the inception of our republic, been a core security interest for the US. Today, and for the entire post-Cold War period, the challenges to the European peace have emerged along the line running roughly from the Baltic to the Black Sea. This is what we call the Eastern Front. Our goal in this podcast is to better inform the American people about what’s going on there.

Join us, Giselle Donnelly, Iulia Joja, and Dalibor Rohac every week on in our discussions on what’s next for “The Eastern Front.”