Talk Eastern Europe

It has been two years since Nikol Pashinyan has come to power after the Velvet Revolution in Armenia. In this episode Adam catches up with Richard Giragosian to discuss how much has changed in the country and how much has not. They also discuss relations with Russia with Russia under Pashinyan, which seem to be heading towards a deeper crisis. Adam and Richard also explore how Armenia has managed the COVID-19 situation and try to understand what role, if any, other players like the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union have played in assisting Armenia in the crisis. Lastly, they look at the shifts in regional relations including with Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran as well as how the crisis has impacted the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.Become a Patron – we need only 3 more to reach our goal: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Resources:Valentina Gevorgyan: “Armenia’s different legacy” New Eastern Europe. 6 March 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/06/armenias-different-legacy/Follow New Eastern Europe’s ongoing coverage of the Coronavirus crisis in the Eastern Partnership: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-the-eastern-partnership-states/ Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope An appeal to help New Eastern Europe – Purchase our latest issue! https://neweasterneurope.eu/an-appeal-to-help-new-eastern-europe-purchase-our-latest-issue/Music in the podcast "The Road Home" by Alexander Nakarada licensed under Creative Commons 4.0 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4769-the-road-home. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Developments in relations between Romanian and Moldova have raised a lot eyebrows lately. After Moldova’s pro-European government has fallen to be replaced by a Kremlin-friendly one; along with an already pro-Russia president the question remains as to what role Romania plays in all this. In this episode, Maciek catches up with analyst Oktawian Milewski to discuss the historical ties between the two countries and current developments. They look at recent political developments; growing Russian influence in Moldova and what consequences the coronavirus crisis will have for the economies and relations.Become a Talk Eastern Europe Patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeResources & Links:Episode 19: Strange Bedfellows in Moldova: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-ep-19-finalMoldova: A Russian credit or a Russian roulette? https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/05/05/moldova-a-russian-credit-or-a-russian-roulette/An appeal to help New Eastern Europe – Purchase our latest issue! https://neweasterneurope.eu/an-appeal-to-help-new-eastern-europe-purchase-our-latest-issue/Online Debate - May 13th 2020 - Debate: What are Polish / German views on the East? https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/05/08/debate-what-are-polish-german-views-on-the-east/Music featured in the Podcast Licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:Imagefilm 017 by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/314-imagefilm-017

On April 20th 2020, New Eastern Europe convened an online live discussion which examined the latest issue of New Eastern Europe and brought some of its authors together to highlight the key issues surrounding the war in Donbas in Eastern Ukraine, which are even further exacerbated by the outbreak of COVID19. We are publishing the audio of the discussion here.The discussion featured:Adam Reichardt, New Eastern Europe/Talk Eastern EuropeRebecca Harms, a former MEP with the Alliance ’90/The GreensHanna Shelest, Editor-in-Chief of Ukraine AnalyticaTim Bohse, Deutsch-Russischer AustauschIgor Mitchnik, Drukarnia – Civil Society Center SlovianskGet your copy of this issue here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/product/issue-3-2020/Music featured in the podcast: Funk Interlude by Dysfunction_AL (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/destinazione_altrove/53756 Ft: Fourstones - Scomber ( Bonus Track )

This episode takes a look at the current state of the Eastern Partnership and discusses a new report that outlines possible scenarios for future developments in the region. Adam and Maciek start with a recap of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership programme. Adam then interview Quincy Cloet, Managing Editor of Visegrad Insight and a researcher with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. They dissect the latest report by Visegrad Insight titled: Eastern European Futures. Four scenarios for the Eastern Partnership 2030. The newest issue of New Eastern Europe is out! Get your copy here and support our publication: https://neweasterneurope.eu/product/issue-3-2020/Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEuropeResources:Check out our special coverage: Coronavirus in the Eastern Partnership states: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-the-eastern-partnership-states/Visegrad Insight: Eastern European Futures. Four scenarios for the Eastern Partnership 2030. https://visegradinsight.eu/eap2030/eastern-europe-four-scenarios/“From Association to Integration. A Chance to Advance a Novel Agenda for the Eastern Partnership. By: Adam Reichardt. Visegrad Insight 1 April 2020. https://visegradinsight.eu/from-association-to-integration-eastern-partnership/“Borders might be closed, but our policies need to be open” New Eastern Europe 1 April 2020 https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/04/01/borders-might-be-closed-but-our-policies-need-to-be-open/“The Eastern Partnership should now focus on greater integration”. A conversation with Petras Auštrevičius, member of the European Parliament from Lithuania. New Eastern Europe 16 March 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/the-eastern-partnership-should-now-focus-on-greater-integration/Please support the podcast. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Music featured in the PodcastLicensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:Intro/outro: “Indie Rock” by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327 “Boston Landing” by Blue Dot Sessions: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Skittle/Boston_Landing

This episode takes an in-depth look at the political developments in Russia and analyzes the changes that were made in order for Vladimir Putin to stay on as president of the Russian Federation for at least another two terms. The episode features an interview with Agnieszka Legucka, an expert on Russia from the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Maciek and Agnieszka discuss Russia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, how it helped Putin quickly manoeuvre in order to stay in power, and what might be next for the Russian president and his inner circle. They also touch on the economic situation in the country with oil prices at an all-time low and how this, coupled with an oncoming recession as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, will affect Russia in the coming months.Read New Eastern Europe’s appeal to include Eastern Partnership countries in any EU recovery plan: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/04/01/borders-might-be-closed-but-our-policies-need-to-be-open/Follow our coverage of the coronavirus in our region here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-the-eastern-partnership-states/Resources“Kremlin Kids: The Second Generation of the Russian Elite” By: Ageniszka Legucka and Bartosz Bieliszczuk. Polish Institute of International Affairs: https://www.pism.pl/publications/Kremlin_Kids_The_Second_Generation_of_the_Russian_Elite“Putin’s ideas for 2024” By: Agnieszka Legucak. New Eastern Europe 31 January 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/01/31/putins-ideas-for-2024/Join us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope Music featured in the PodcastLicensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:Intro/outro: “Indie Rock” by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327The Show Must Be Go by Kevin MacLeod: https://filmmusic.io/song/4509-the-show-must-be-goLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Please support our efforts. Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Adam and Maciek open the episode with a discussion on how the coronavirus situation is developing in the Eastern Partnership countries. They also highlight one small bit of good news in recent days, despite all the bad news that has been dominating the headlines.The episode then focuses on the main topic of the podcast which is the recent shuffling of the cabinet of ministers in Ukraine, which includes a new prime minister and foreign minister. Adam interviews Hennadiy Maksak, head of the Foreign Policy council “Prism”, for his insight on the political changes. They discuss the reasoning behind it, how will it affect relations with the West and what are the latest developments regarding the war in Donbas.Keep the discussion going! Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEuropeSupport the podcast – Become a TEE Patron! www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeTake out a digital subscription to New Eastern Europe for just 5 euros per month! Start your subscription here: www.neweasterneurope/subscribe Resources:- NEE’s ongoing coverage of the Coronavirus in the Eastern Partnership states: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-the-eastern-partnership-states/ - Anton Naychuk: “What’s next for Ukraine’s oligarchs?” New Eastern Europe Issue 1-2/2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/01/28/whats-next-for-ukraines-oligarchs/- Mattia Nelle: “A turn to the past: Ukraine’s troubling government reshuffle” European Council on Foreign Relations https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_a_turn_to_the_past_ukraines_troubling_government_reshuffle- The Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism” http://prismua.org/en/Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:Intro/outro: “Indie Rock” by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327“Chill Wave” by Kevin MacLeod. https://filmmusic.io/song/3498-chill-wave License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 32 of the Talk Eastern Europe podcast takes a snapshot of how some countries in Eastern Europe are trying to slow the effects of climate change in the region. After the European Commission announced its ambitious initiative of an EU New Green Deal, many questions remain, including to what extent members of Europe’s eastern neighbourhood will be involved in the project and how a just transition from a carbon-based fuel economy could look like.To get a better sense of the challenges in the region and what activities are being undertaken at a grassroots level, Adam interviews Svitlana Romanko - managing director of 350.org for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. + Become a PATRON of the podcast. Join us here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope+ Let’s keep the conversation going – find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneuropeResources:About 350.org: https://350.org/about/ “The European Green Deal” https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/european-green-deal-communication_en.pdf“Ukraine’s own Green Deal aims to slash energy imports”. By: Sam Morgan. Euractiv 27 January 2020. https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/ukraines-own-green-deal-aims-to-slash-energy-imports/ Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:Intro/outro: “Indie Rock” by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327“Chill Wave” by Kevin MacLeod. https://filmmusic.io/song/3498-chill-wave License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Maciek and Adam are back in the latest episode of Talk Eastern Europe! This episode is dedicated to the upcoming POSTWEST Transcultural Festival which will take place in Berlin 27-31 of May. During the festival, 12 theatres from the region of Central and Eastern Europe will get together to showcase productions that interpret this idea of what is East, and what is West. In the podcast, Adam sits down with Alina Aleshchenko and Wiebke Jahns from Berlin to discuss the background of the festival, its aims and what we might expect from the participating theatre groups. SUPPORT the podcast – we only need 1 more patron to meet our goal: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeLearn more about the POSTWEST Transcultural Festival (May 27-31 2020):https://www.volksbuehne.berlin/en/programm/8735/festival-postwestDon’t forget to check out New Eastern Europe’s latest commentaries and analysis: www.neweasterneurope.eu Join our Facebook group! www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneuropeMusic featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327Morning Rhythm by Rafael Krux https://filmmusic.io/song/5338-morning-rhythm- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Globalization was supposed to connect people, but instead ended up connecting only the powerful. Local news is rapidly disappearing and leaving crucial stories unreported, communities unrepresented and disconnected, a side-effect of digitalization and the ownership concentration in media markets. But local and hyperlocal media play an important role in sustaining robust and resilient regimes of public service. In an age of technological changes and political pressure, niche publications and a renaissance of zines lead the quest for new, sustainable models in publishing. In this special episode, produced by Talk Eastern Europe, Eurozine editor-in-chief Réka Kinga Papp talks media models old and new with Rachael Jolley, editor of Index on Censorship and philosopher Miriam Rasch of the Amsterdam Institute of Network Cultures.Learn more about Eurozine: https://www.eurozine.com/ Index on Censorship: https://www.indexoncensorship.org/Institute of Network Cultures: https://networkcultures.org/Music featured in the podcast:Funk Interlude by Dysfunction_AL (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/destinazione_altrove/53756Spy Glass by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4410-spy-glass; License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Tackling disinformation means thinking about how our media spheres are structured. Recent developments suggest a readiness for regulation, reversing the libertarian ethos of the first two decades of the internet. But does regulation not mean a different set of traps? Are states to be trusted solely with the democratic functioning of our public spheres?In this special podcast episode we hand the reigns over to our partners at Eurozine – a network of European cultural journals of which New Eastern Europe is a member. During the discussion Eurozine editor Simon Garnett sits down with Claire Potter, author of the book Political Junkies: From Talk Radio to Twitter, How Alternative Media Hooked Us on Politics and Broke Our Democracy and editor of Public Seminar, and Daniel Leisegang, editor of the German journal Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik. They discuss the role of media in the current digital age, how mainstream media has changed as well as the dangers and advantages of alternative media.Eurozine is a network of European cultural journals, linking up more than 90 partner journals and associated magazines and institutions from nearly all European countries. Eurozine is also an online magazine which publishes outstanding articles from its partner journals with additional translations into one of the major European languages.Learn more about Eurozine: https://www.eurozine.com/ Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik - https://www.blaetter.de/ Public Seminar - https://publicseminar.org/ Music featured in the podcast licensed under an Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 International License.Funk Interlude by Dysfunction_AL (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/destinazione_altrove/53756 Algorithms by Chad Crouch: https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Chad_Crouch/Arps/Algorithms