I4C Trouble with Daly and Wallace

This week we discuss Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Things have ratcheted up yet again and we are continuing to watch disaster unfold. Among other things, we discuss what we mean when we call for de-escalation and diplomacy, what that could look like at this stage and why it has not been seriously pursued. We also discuss how the dominant, pro-military narrative around the war is making this de-escalation less likely.

Eight days on from the invasion of Ukraine and much has changed since our last episode. We discuss our vote against the European Parliament resolution on Ukraine which has drawn considerable anger. We didn’t vote against condemning Russian aggression, we voted to condemn Russian aggression and will continue to do so. Our vote was against accelerating the provision of military equipment and weapons to Ukraine, strengthening NATO’s forward presence, further increasing defence spending, and activating European common and joint defence efforts. We discuss the question of Ukrainian defence and why channelling arms to the Ukrainians to fight this vastly unequal war will only lead to more devastation. We talk about the need for dialogue and diplomacy and the idea that calls for dialogue are rooted in naivety. Finally we discuss the possible ways out of the conflict. There's a lot to unpack here and this one dives deep

Russia launched attacks on Ukraine this morning. This is the moment we had hoped would never materialise. We discuss what we know about what has happened so far, how things have come to a head in this way and the way forward.

This week on the podcast we’re talking about the Winter Olympics and how they’re being covered in the media. Then on to the biggest foreign policy question of the day - Ukraine. Last Wednesday when we recorded the episode was supposed to be the day the war would start but that’s not what’s happening. Mick talks about challenging the general narrative about this in the parliament. There was also a plenary debate on the death penalty in Iran. Mick and Clare are against the death penalty anywhere but they point to the timing of this debate and the ongoing JCPOA talks in Vienna. Then we talk about the visit of Iván Duque, the president of Colombia to Strasbourg. From condemning the death penalty in one country, to inviting a ruler responsible for the deaths of hundreds of his own citizens to address the parliament, the EP is nothing if not inconsistent with how it deals with human rights violations abroad. Finally we touch on the recent US theft of Afghan money, frozen assets belonging to one of the world’s most impoverished countries which Biden has transferred to the family of 9/11 victims.

This week on the podcast we discuss: the latest diplomatic attempts to address the situation in Ukraine, Irish neutrality under threat, sustainable aviation, subsidies for retrofitting houses, Chinese direct investment in the EU and French neocolonialism in the Sahel.

This week discuss the European Parliament delegation to Ukraine and the latest developments there. We also chat about Clare’s participation in the Bloody Sunday commemoration march, Mick’s meeting with Irish fishing groups, the recent political turmoil that we’ve seen across the African continent, a debate on the war in Yemen and the visit of Afghan women to the European Parliament.

This week on the podcast we’re focusing on Ukraine and how the narrative of Russian aggression and encroachment into Europe doesn’t really chime with what has unfolded there. We also discuss the concept of disinformation and how it is used to silence dissenting voices, the strategic compass- the EU’s military and defence policy, and finally a new proposal on EU policing cooperation. Read the study "Rhetoric and Reality of Disinformation in the European Union" here: https://left.eu/issues/publications/rhetoric-and-reality-of-disinformation-in-the-european-union/

This week Mick and Clare are in Strasbourg for the European Parliament plenary. They’re joined by Oisin to discuss the election of the new European Parliament President, and the French Presidency of the Council of the EU. They also discuss EU High Representative Josep Borrell’s proposal to link the opening of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to the situation in Ukraine and why it’s a terrible idea, the recent report on the live transport of animals, the Irish Rail Review, and why trains are key in the green transition. Finally Clare fills us in on the new Digital Services Act. There will be two events launching the report “Rhetoric and Reality of Disinformation in the EU”: - an online event on Tuesday 25 January at 15:00 (Irish time), register here https://theleft-eu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TcKZaMmxQoyElYEnEw0hsQ - an in-person event on Saturday 25 January at 16:00 in the New Theatre in Temple Bar. Reserve a spot https://thenewtheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873630942

I4C Trouble is back to normal programming after the Christmas break. We discuss the situation in Kazakhstan, looming humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan, tensions in Ukraine and the critical raw materials needed for the “green transition”- there are no silver bullets when it comes to the climate crisis.

We will be back next week with out first I4C Trouble Podcast for 2022. Meanwhile, we recommend you listen to this short podcast of Pushback with Aaron Maté - it’s an interview with a retired US Army Colonel and is a very clear analysis of the Russia/Ukraine issue. Worth a listen