Decoding Geopolitics Podcast

➡️ Join the community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics➡️ Sign up to my free geopolitics newsletter: https://stationzero.substack.com/Thank you Conducttr for sponsoring the podcast. Take a look at Conducttr's services and its crisis exercise software at: https://www.conducttr.comThis is a conversation with Anschel Pfeffer, a veteran journalist and the correspondent for the Economist based in Israel. And in this conversation, we talk about two things. About Israel’s changing foreign policy - why is it growing increasingly expansionist, how has it fundamentally changed since the October 7th, whether Israel will attack Iran, why the Israeli military is starting to be dangerously overstretched or why the Trump-Netenyahu bromance is already over.But before we get to that, we dive quite deep into what’s increasingly shaping Israel’s foreign policy - its domestic political crisis, growing societal polarization and what Anschel calls an "existential crisis". 

In this discussion, Justin Bronk, a military aviation expert and Senior Research Fellow at RUSI, engages in a fascinating exploration of air power's future. He examines the competition between the U.S. and China over 6th generation fighter jets, revealing how these advancements could redefine warfare. Bronk highlights the integration of drones with manned aircraft, and addresses the challenges NATO faces in air defense. He also touches upon the importance of Europe developing its own next-gen capabilities to keep pace in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

In this dialogue, Professor Sarah C.M. Paine, an expert in grand strategy and the dynamics of power, sheds light on how superpowers often self-sabotage. She discusses the misconceptions and strategic blunders made by Russia, China, and the U.S., emphasizing the challenges democracies face in coherent policy-making. The conversation also explores the shifting geopolitical landscape, the historical context of warfare decisions, and China's evolving grand strategy, questioning the feasibility of coexistence with U.S. norms. A thought-provoking analysis for anyone intrigued by global dynamics.

Mark Galeotti, a distinguished Russia expert, delves into the complexities of U.S.-Russian negotiations and the implications of Putin's strategy. He discusses the unrealistic demands stemming from Russia's imperialist mindset and the potential backfire of their tactics in Europe. Galeotti predicts that 2026 will be a challenging year for Russia, citing heavy losses in the ongoing war and internal struggles within the Kremlin. The conversation highlights the nuanced interplay of cultural perceptions and economic pressures shaping these critical geopolitical dynamics.

Ed Arnold, a Research Fellow at RUSI and expert on European security, dives into Europe's evolving defense landscape. He explores why Europe's reliance on U.S. military support is waning and what it means for its security architecture. Discussing the complexities of NATO's collective defense and the pressing need for reforms, Arnold emphasizes the operational challenges Europe faces in standing alone, especially regarding threats from Russia. He outlines what a credible self-reliant European defense would entail and the political will required for significant change.

➡️ Join the community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics➡️ Sign up to my free geopolitics newsletter: https://stationzero.substack.com/Thank you Conducttr for sponsoring the podcast. Take a look at Conducttr's services and its crisis exercise software at: https://www.conducttr.comThis is a conversation with Keir Giles, one of the leading experts on Russia and European security, and a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House. Keir has spent decades studying Russia, its military strategy, and how Europe has responded - or failed to respond - to the growing threat from the East.In this episode, I wanted to explore three main questions: First, how grave and imminent the Russian threat to Europe actually is. Second, whether Europe is truly prepared for war if it comes to that. And third, what happens if the U.S. pulls back from European defense and Europe has to fend for itself.

Kateryna Bondar, a Ukrainian expert on military technology and former advisor to the Ministry of Defense, discusses the rapid evolution of warfare in Ukraine. She reveals how unmanned vehicles and AI-enabled drones are changing the battlefield dynamics. Grassroots innovations have led to advanced drone capabilities, with civilian engineers playing a crucial role. The conversation explores the ethical implications of replacing human soldiers with robots and the importance of digital security in countering misinformation during this technological transformation of war.

➡️ Join the community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics➡️ Sign up to my free geopolitics newsletter: https://stationzero.substack.com/Thank you Conducttr for sponsoring the podcast. Take a look at Conducttr's services and its crisis exercise software at: https://www.conducttr.comThis is a conversation with Franz-Stefan Gady, a military analyst and European security expert from the Institute for International Strategic Studies. We’ve had a lot to cover. From the developments on the battlefield in Ukraine and the reasons for the Ukrainian problems in Kursk to the impact of U.S. military aid cuts and how much of the U.S. aid could be replaced by Europe and what it would take. And although since Monday, March 10th when we recorded this episode, the ban on the U.S. aid has been lifted, it’s still pretty interesting. Both because it explains how dependent Ukraine and Europe is on the U.S. equipment and because the American aid can be always taken away just as fast as it was now given back. But mostly we talked about Europe’s security. About why Europe needs to decide how much it’s actually willing to risk for Ukraine, what’s the real problem with the potential European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine or why Europe is now at the beginning of a seismic shift - and why it’s never going to be the same again. 

➡️ Join the community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopoliticsCheck out The Counteroffensive: https://www.counteroffensive.news/➡️ Sign up to my free geopolitics newsletter: https://stationzero.substack.com/Thank you Conducttr for sponsoring the podcast. Take a look at Conducttr's services and its crisis exercise software at: https://www.conducttr.comThis is a conversation with Tim Mak, a Ukraine-based journalist and a founder of The Counteroffensive - a new type of a media organisation trying to bring authentic reporting from the war and from Ukraine in general.  I spoke to Tim to learn about how everything that’s been going on is being perceived in Ukraine - how is the Ukrainian government trying to work with the United States after they cut off its aid - what are their options and whether they have a strategy for what to do. And about the changes of the public opinion on peace deals and war negotiations or about the reality of the critical minerals deal negotiations and what is all that really about - and much more. 

This is a teaser of a Patreon-exclusive geopolitical analysis—normally available only to my Patreon members.➡️ Join the community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics➡️ Sign up to my free geopolitics newsletter: https://stationzero.substack.com/