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
May 2, 2019 • 18min
Haftar's March on Tripoli
What is happening in Libya? Who are the key actors, which countries back which militias, and how has the Trump administration handled the recent surge in violence in Libya's capital city? On this week's Middle East Brief, Aaron speaks with Libya watcher and FPRI contributor Yousuf Eltagouri about the latest in the civil war. Read More: Haftar’s Final Play: Operation Flood of Dignity and the Fight for Tripoli : http://bit.ly/2GalcywTrump’s Embrace of Haftar Will Reignite Libya’s Proxy War: http://bit.ly/2GEWNT8 Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 22, 2019 • 29min
The Future of Northeastern Syria
What is the future of northeastern Syria? After two days of talks in Erbil, Michael Stephens, a Research Fellow for Middle East studies at the Royal United Services Institute in London, sits down with Aaron to talk about Syria’s northeast, the future of the Kurdish movement, the role of Turkey, and great power politics. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 8, 2019 • 18min
Local Elections in Turkey: What Happened and What Comes Next
Turkish voters went to the polls on 31 March, casting votes for local elected leaders. The outcome in Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey's two largest cities, have rocked Turkish politics, and galvanized the political opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). To discuss the election, Aaron speaks with Selim Koru, an analyst at TEPAV, a Turkish think tank in Ankara.Related Links: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/02/opinion/turkey-erdogan-election-defeat.htmlhttps://www.fpri.org/article/2018/11/the-resiliency-of-turkey-russia-relations/ Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 21, 2019 • 21min
Turkey and the S-400: High Stakes Diplomacy
The United States and Turkey remain at odds over Ankara's purchase of a Russian S-400 air and missile defense system. The time to resolve American and Turkish concerns about this issue is running out, and the stakes for diplomatic failure will have repercussions for the bilateral relationship, the Russian role in the region, and could impact NATO. In this week's episode, Aaron discusses the S-400 issue, potential American sanctions, and the potential denial of the F-35 to the Turkish Air Force.Related links: 1. The Russian Missile That Could End The U.S.-Turkish Alliance: http://bit.ly/2UJxVhK2. Turkey risks US ire over Russia air defence deal: https://on.ft.com/2Y9MT2y3. 'Not serious': Turkey dismisses US pressure on Patriot missile deal as deadline looms: http://bit.ly/2Fr0SK64. U.S. may soon pause preparations for delivering F-35s to Turkey: https://reut.rs/2UPIhN8 Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 11, 2019 • 30min
Iraq After the Territorial Defeat of the Islamic State
With all eyes on Baghuz and the final battle against Islamic State in Syria, the Middle East Brief podcast spoke with Robert Fox Fellow Rasha al Aqeedi to hear the latest from Iraq, which declared victory over ISIS in December 2017. The conversation touched on the nascent ISIS insurgency, the state of reconstruction in Mosul, and the many enduring challenges the Iraqi government now faces. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
