Putin's African antics, the death of Skype, and a Eurovision c-bomb
Mar 13, 2025
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Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst focused on Francophone Africa, dives into Russia's stealthy maneuvers across the continent, unraveling the intricacies of the Wagner Group's involvement. She discusses Moscow's motivations and strategic goals amid the Ukraine conflict. The conversation also takes a humorous detour into the Eurovision controversy over a provocative song title, melding art and social commentary. Plus, they reflect on the nostalgic end of Skype, exploring European tech's struggle against American giants.
Russia's strategic involvement in Africa, particularly through the Wagner Group, aims to expand its geopolitical influence and resource access.
The decline of Skype showcases the challenges faced by European tech companies in adapting to evolving consumer preferences and competition.
Ongoing debates in Europe about regulatory approaches to technology highlight the tension between fostering innovation and protecting consumer rights.
Deep dives
The Impact of Russia in Africa
Russia has been strategically increasing its influence in Africa, particularly through military operations and partnerships. The Wagner Group, a private military contractor, operates in various war-torn regions like Sudan and the Central African Republic, offering military support in exchange for access to valuable resources. This relationship not only provides stability for African governments but also allows Russia to expand its economic reach by exploiting mineral concessions and influencing local politics. Such actions have been framed as a means to counter Western dominance, especially against former colonial powers like France, thereby reshaping geopolitical dynamics in the region.
The Decline of Skype
Skype, once a dominant player in the internet communication space, is being shut down by Microsoft, marking the end of an era for a service that revolutionized long-distance communication. Initially popular for its ability to facilitate free voice and video calls, its user base has dwindled significantly, dropping from 300 million to about 23 million users by 2020 as newer platforms like Zoom and WhatsApp gained market share. Despite its innovative beginnings in Europe and its historical significance in tech communications, Skype's failure to adapt led to its decline, exemplifying the challenges faced by tech companies in staying relevant amidst evolving user preferences. This shutdown not only reflects changing consumer habits but also highlights the broader issues within the European tech landscape, struggling to compete with American giants.
Concerns over European Tech Sovereignty
The podcast discusses the challenges faced by the European tech industry in competing with American counterparts, raising concerns of tech sovereignty. Despite having a rich, educated workforce and numerous startups, Europe's tech value remains significantly lower than that of the US, primarily due to factors such as fragmented legal systems, limited venture capital, and high regulatory burdens. These obstacles hinder the growth of tech companies, preventing them from achieving the scale and influence seen in the US. The conversation around fostering European tech industries has grown, emphasizing the need for investment and innovation to ensure Europe maintains control over its technological future.
Cultural Dynamics in European Technology
While European tech companies face numerous challenges, there is an ongoing discussion about the impact of regulation on innovation. Recent EU laws, including the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, aim to foster fair competition and mitigate misinformation, thereby highlighting Europe's regulatory approach to technology. These regulations are seen as both an opportunity and a constraint, generating debate about their effectiveness and implications for tech innovation. The conversation underscores the ongoing tension between regulation and the need for a thriving tech industry that can compete globally while protecting consumer rights.
Russia's Geopolitical Strategy in Africa
Russia's engagement in Africa is not solely focused on military presence but also includes a broader geopolitical strategy aimed at undermining Western influence. By capitalizing on anti-Western sentiment and presenting military support as a solution to local insecurity, Russia effectively fills a void left by withdrawing Western forces. Its operations serve to enhance Russia's image as a reliable partner in the region, disrupting longstanding alliances that countries have historically had with the West. This strategy highlights the intricate balancing act in global politics, where nations seek to expand their influence while navigating the complexities of regional conflicts.
Thousands of kilometres from the devastating war it's been waging in Ukraine, Russia has involved itself in a swathe of other conflicts that attract much less attention: in Africa. Why? This week we speak to Beverly Ochieng, a self-described Wagner Group stalker, about what Russia is playing at. We're also talking about a foul-mouthed (?) Eurovision controversy, and why none of the world's big bad tech giants come from Europe.
Beverly is a senior analyst for francophone Africa at Control Risks and a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. You can follow her here on Bluesky and here on Mastodon. Check out our full conversation with Beverly on our YouTube channel.
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This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.
This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Codenames and The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index.
Other resources for this week's episode
European Alternatives - euro-companies making all kinds of digital products: https://european-alternatives.eu/
Jitsi, the great Zoom alternative created by a swing-dancing Erasmus student: https://jitsi.org/
'The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World' by Anu Bradford: https://academic.oup.com/book/36491
Fact-check: Does the EU really buy 80% of its weapons from overseas? (No, no it doesn't.) Bluesky thread by The Economist's Stanley Pignal, March 9, 2025: https://bsky.app/profile/spignal.bsky.social/post/3ljxd4r4cos25
Miriana Conte - Kant (‘Singing’); National Final Performance, Eurovision Song Contest 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNK1tt6L5k
00:33 Smellovision and feminist babies
03:32 Bad Week: Skype
25:19 Good Week: Language prudes
37:39 Interview: Beverly Ochieng on Russia's African antics
53:40 The Inspiration Station: Codenames and The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index
56:44 Happy Ending: Easier breathing for Londoners
Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
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