
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 8, 2024 • 15min
Report in Short: A "Frozen Conflict" Boils Over
The podcast discusses the recent attack on Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijani forces, the background and outcome of the conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Armenia, the role of national identity in the conflict, potential solutions, and the potential for a real war between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Jan 25, 2024 • 38min
Out of the Shadows and Into the Sun: The (Re)-Emergence of Central Asia
Explore the increased interest of various powers in Central Asia, including Turkey, the Arab world, and the European Union. Learn about the historical US-Central Asia relationship and the decline of democracy in Kyrgyzstan. Discover the converging interests of Russia and China in Central Asia and the development of the Middle Corridor trade route.

Jan 9, 2024 • 14min
Report In Short: Russian Military Drones
Since 2009, Russia has invested significant effort into developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, for military purposes. However, after a year of war in Ukraine, the Russian military has lost the biggest part of its tactical reconnaissance and targeting UAVs. Pavel Luzin joins Aaron Schwartzbaum to discuss his latest report "Russian Military Drones: The Past, Present, and Future of the UAV Industry." Download the report here. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Dec 8, 2023 • 22min
Why Do Autocrats Make Mistakes?
Almost two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Bear Market Brief investigates how we got here in the first place. What does theory say about Vladimir Putin’s decision making? Seva Gunitsky joins to discuss.Join the Bear Market Brief on Substack! Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 29, 2023 • 39min
Wagner Group: Where Are They Now?
It’s been just over five months since the Wagner Group’s insurrection against the Russian government, and three months since the group’s leader was killed in a place crash, almost certainly orchestrated by the Kremlin. But the Wagner Group has not faded away. Colin Clarke, *Christopher Faulkner, and Raphael Parens join to discuss what the Wagner Group is up to now, who is leading it, and how the Kremlin will use it going forward.*The views expressed here are the guest's own and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the US Naval War College, the Navy, or the DOD. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 10, 2023 • 28min
KZ Right Now: Kazakhstan's Politics in a Changing Global Order
The Continent takes a (slight) detour to learn how trends over in Eurasia compare with what we're seeing in Europe. The complicated neighbor is the same; what about the domestic and geopolitical landscape? Temur Umarov offers insights on the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Kazakhstan's domestic and foreign policy. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 2, 2023 • 27min
Watching Russia
Where does Russian public sentiment on politics and war stand these days? And on a more basic level, how is it measured? Bear Market Brief talked with Isabelle DeSisto of Russia Watcher to learn more!Join the Bear Market Brief on Substack! Learn more about Russia Watcher here Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Oct 12, 2023 • 40min
Economic War: Ukraine and the Conflict Between Russia and the West
On this week's special episode of the Bear Market Brief, Aaron Schwartzbaum sits down with FPRI Fellow Maximilian Hess to talk about his new book "Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict Between Russia and the West" (Hurst, 2023). This episode was recorded live on September 28, 2023. For more on the international economic order and the conflicts shaping it, check out Max's newsletter, Conflict & Credit. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Oct 5, 2023 • 32min
Reflections on a Life in Special Operations, Intelligence, and Strategy: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Vickers
In a career spanning from the height of the Cold War to the fight against Al Qaida, Michael Vickers worked at every level of the US national security community. From his time as an Army Green Beret trained to parachute behind Soviet lines in Europe with a “backpack” nuclear weapon, to his final assignment as the senior official responsible for all Department of Defense intelligence activities, few people have accumulated as much experience. Join host Bob Hamilton as he talks with Dr. Vickers about his career and the lessons he draws for today’s national security practitioners.By All Means: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy by Michael G. Vickers Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 30, 2023 • 28min
Kyiv Dispatch: How are Ukraine's Politics and Society Changing as the War Continues?
Politically and socially, how are Ukrainians contending with a difficult, long war? Fabrice Deprez joins from Kyiv to give us an update on this week's Bear Market Brief. Check out Fabrice's newsletter, Eastern RadarSubscribe to the Bear Market Brief Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe