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
Oct 5, 2022 • 44min
Stuck in the Magyar: Why is Hungary the "Bad Boy" of Europe?
How did Hungary stray from the liberal democratic path? What does that mean in practice? And what explains its contrarian position on Russia within the EU? Andras Toth-Czifra and Marta Pardavi join Aaron to discuss all things Hungary.This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on October 3, 2022. Related reading: https://orban.media/ Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 28, 2022 • 46min
Russia's War in Ukraine: The Strategic Picture
In this Bear Market Brief crossover episode, FPRI Templeton Fellow Phil Wasielewski joins host Aaron Schwartzbaum to provide an update on the war and take a step back. What is the broader strategic picture and what does it mean for Putin and Russia? Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 15, 2022 • 45min
Bloc Party: The EU and the War in Ukraine
We've looked how the war in Ukraine has impacted politics in several countries, but what about the EU as a whole? Charles Lichfield joins to discuss.This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on September 14, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 19, 2022 • 38min
What does Erdogan Erdo-want?
What exactly motivates Turkey's mercurial leader? On this episode, Sibel Oktay joins to discuss what's on Erdogan's mind these days and his angle on Ukraine, NATO, and more. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 6, 2022 • 1h
Baltic Power Hour
Join us as we cover all three Baltic States in (about) one hour. Guests Dr. Indra Ekmanis and Martynas Smitas share their views and some nuances on the current political and security juncture, as well as where the local Russian minority fits into all this.The conversation with Indra Ekmanis was recorded on June 28 and July 3, 2022, and the conversation with Martynas Smitas was recorded on July 1, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 23, 2022 • 38min
No More Niinistö Nice Guy: Has Finland's Security Calculus Changed?
Finland has a long border and similarly long history with Russia. How does the war in Ukraine change its defense and security picture? This week Aaron Schwartzbaum and Minna Alander discuss Finland's security calculus.This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on June 21, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 9, 2022 • 39min
Swedening the Deal: Stockholm Turns to NATO
Why and how did Sweden abandon centuries of neutrality, and where does it fit in the European security picture? This week Aaron Schwartzbaum speaks with Oscar Jonsson about Sweden's NATO ambitions and the country's current political crisis. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 3, 2022 • 37min
Sweden's Troubles with Turkey
After abandoning a policy of neutrality, Sweden was expected to rapidly join NATO in time for the June 28 summit in Madrid. Instead, Turkey, a NATO member since 1952, has blocked Sweden's accession, demanding a series of concessions ranging from support for Turkish counter terror operations to extraditing Swedish citizens of Kurdish origin. To discuss this issue, Aaron is joined by Dr. Paul Levin, the Director of Stockholm University Institute for Turkish Studies. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
May 26, 2022 • 50min
The Sejm Difference? Poland and the New, Old Europe
How has the war in Ukraine changed Poland's politics, security, and even society? And what about Warsaw's relationship with Brussels?This week Aaron Schwartzbaum speaks with Anna Wojcik and Wojciech Przybylski about Poland's past, present, and future in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on May 25, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
May 13, 2022 • 50min
The State of Play in Ukraine
The Russian invasion in Ukraine has bogged down, forcing President Vladimir Putin to wrestle with a series of questions about how to continue the invasion. The United States and its European Allies have pledged open-ended military support for Ukraine, allowing President Zelensky to replace equipment, and retain critical capabilities to defend the country. To discuss the latest developments in the war, Rob Lee, FPRI Senior Fellow, and Michael Kofman, Research Program Director in the Russia Studies Program at CNA, join moderator Aaron Stein. This discussion was recorded live on Zoom on May 12, 2022. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
