
Chain Reaction
Chain Reaction is the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s flagship network of podcast series examining the political, security, economic, and social trends shaping Europe and Eurasia. Throughout the year we are talking with experts about developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine, the new European security order, the past, present, and future of the Baltic States, Russia’s political economy, and great power competition in the region. Join us each month for: Bear Market Brief, Baltic Ways, and Report in Short. fpriinsights.substack.com
Latest episodes

Feb 18, 2022 • 52min
The Risk of War: Russia's Options for War in Ukraine
In today's Chain Reaction, Aaron speaks with Rob Lee, a FPRI Senior Fellow, and Michael Kofman, the Russia Studies Director at CNA, about the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border and the risk of "spillage" beyond the border.Related reading: "Putin's Wager in Russia's Standoff with the West" - War on the Rocks "Moscow's Compellence Strategy" - Foreign Policy Research Institute Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Feb 15, 2022 • 25min
Do I Stay Or Do I Go?
Excessive heat. Heavier rains. Natural disasters are growing in number and severity. Devastation from climate change is already a reality across much of the world and is prompting those in the regions most vulnerable to warming temperatures to ask themselves the question: do I stay or do I go? In this episode, Clint talks with Dr. Jola Ajibade, Assistant Professor of Geography at Portland State University about how different global communities are migrating or adapting to climate change. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Feb 11, 2022 • 36min
The Risk of War in Ukraine: Moscow's Military Posture
The Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine is complete, raising the risk of an imminent invasion. To discuss the latest, Aaron speaks with Rob Lee, a FPRI senior fellow, about Moscow's force posture and potential military scenarios. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Feb 9, 2022 • 16min
Russian Perceptions of Military AI and Automation
On this episode of Chain Reaction, Aaron spoke with Anna Nadibaidze about her new report "Russian Perceptions of Military AI, Automation, and Autonomy." The conversation touched on Russian views of Artificial Intelligence, autonomy, and the ethical use of these types of weapons. The report is available for download on www.fpri.org Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Feb 1, 2022 • 17min
Climate Change Who Has it Worst?
What does a warming planet mean for our national security? In this special segment, Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Distinguished Research Fellow Clint Watts talks to three experts on the impacts of climate change to US national security in a special Chain Reaction podcast series.In late January, President Biden signed an executive order placing the climate crisis at the center of U.S. foreign policy and national security. Climate change is an unavoidable problem for everyone, but not every country will suffer the same ecological, social, political and military effects as our planet warms. Which places around the world will suffer the most traumatic consequences from extreme weather, rising seas and hotter temperatures? FPRI Distinguished Research Fellow Clint Watts talks with John Conger, senior advisor to the Council on Strategic Risk and Senior U.S. Advisor to the International Military Council on Climate and Security to help answer these questions and provide an overview of the global threat of climate change and its implications on national security. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Jan 12, 2022 • 26min
Tensions over Ukraine: Russia's Rationale for War
On this episode of Chain Reaction, Aaron speaks with Michael Kofman, who serves as Research Program Director in the Russia Studies Program at the Center for Naval Analyses, about the latest developments in Ukraine. The discussion centered on Russia's potential use of force and why the Kremlin may conclude that the actual costs of an invasion are lower than is commonly assumed. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 19, 2021 • 21min
Russia's Anti-Satellite Weapon: Understanding Russia's ASAT Test
On this episode, Aaron speaks with Dr. Laura Grego, Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow at the Laboratory for Nuclear Security and Policy at MIT, about Russia's November 15 test of a ground-based anti-satellite weapon, the challenges of space debris, and potential options to limit such tests in the future. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 3, 2021 • 26min
Getting Force Design Right: Looking Ahead to the 2022 NDS
On this week's show, Aaron speak with Becca Wasser, a fellow in the defense program and co-lead of the Gaming Lab at the Center for a New American Security, about her recent article for War on the Rocks about the next National Defense Strategy, integrated deterrence, and the issues Washington should be considering as it plans for strategic competition with peer competitors. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Oct 5, 2021 • 26min
AUKUS: A Deep-Dive on U.S.-Australia Ties
On this episode, Aaron speaks with Susannah Patton, a Research Fellow in the Foreign Policy and Defence Program at the United States Studies Centre, about the recent submarine agreement. For listeners, check out Susannah's latest report, Correcting the Course: How the Biden Administration can Compete for Influence in the Indo-Pacific. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 23, 2021 • 39min
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Navalny?
This week we’d like to introduce a special episode recorded in collaboration with FPRI’s BMB Russia, a news brief that brings together the latest on Russia’s economy, politics, business, and political risk environment. In this special series hosted by FPRI Fellow and BMB Russia founder, Aaron Schwartzbaum, we’ll explore politics, economics, and their intersection in Russia, Ukraine, and the post-Soviet space and beyond. This week, Jan Matti Dollbaum, Morvan Lallouet, Ben Noble, authors of the book "Navalny: Putin's Nemesis, Russia's Future?" and Eilish Hart, editor of BMB Ukraine, join to discuss all things Alexei Navalny. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe