The EI Podcast

In this engaging conversation, historian Stephen Kotkin, renowned for his work on Stalin, discusses the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and its historical roots. He argues that Ukraine's destruction could be seen as a Russian victory strategy. Kotkin emphasizes the limits of sanctions and the importance of targeting Putin's elite to destabilize his regime. He also proposes a Nordic-Baltic alliance to enhance military cooperation in Europe and cautions about the risks of major powers navigating their rivalries without escalating violence.

Why do people the world over enjoy listening to songs sung in French? Critic Muriel Zagha illuminates the living tradition of French chanson.  Image: Juliette Gréco, the French actress and singer. Credit: Heritage Image Partnership Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

Explore the centuries-old dilemma surrounding attention and presence. The impact of smartphones on our focus raises questions about awareness and social consequences. Findings suggest no significant harm from screen time on children's brains. Mindfulness techniques linked to Stoicism are examined, highlighting their potential for anxiety relief. Montaigne's critiques and insights into imagination illuminate our quest for meaning. Ultimately, attention isn't lost; it's just aimed at trivial distractions, with a simple remedy found in the beauty of the world around us.

Historian David Cowan explains how radical reform can reshape the state. Read by Leighton Pugh. Image: A political caricature, 'Political Dreams, Visions of Peace, Perspective Horrors', by James Gillray of Pitt the Younger. Credit: INTERFOTO / Alamy Stock Photo

David Omand, ex-head of GCHQ, the British government's world-renowned cyber agency, explores how intelligence officers exploit the latest technological advances. Image: Digital espionage is on the rise. Credit: Stu Gray / Alamy Stock Photo 

EI's Alastair Benn and Paul Lay are joined by Jonathan Esty, of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, to discuss Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, published 70 years ago, a gripping novel that captures the passing of the baton from the old colonial powers to the new masters in South-East Asia. Image: French paratroops at the beginning of the First Indochina War. Credit: Keystone Press

Samuel Rubinstein, a historian specializing in ideological narratives, delves into the manipulation of Charlemagne's legacy by Nazi historiographers. He discusses how they transformed Charlemagne from a revered king into a controversial symbol to enhance Hitler's image. The conversation highlights the distortion and rebranding of historical figures in Nazi propaganda and the ongoing debates about Charlemagne's legacy in post-war Europe. Rubinstein also reflects on how these interpretations continue to influence contemporary historical perspectives.

Discover the roots of political distrust as experts discuss the critical importance of sound judgment in leadership. Dive into the complexities of political decision-making, distinguishing true leadership from mere expertise. The conversation highlights the need for leaders who embrace responsibility and navigate uncertainty with moral character. A renewed appreciation for the nobility of political life calls for conviction over codification, emphasizing the essential qualities that define effective leadership in today's world.

Journalist Duncan Weldon reveals how liberal capitalist economies adapt to total war. Read by Leighton Pugh. Image: Second World War-era British propaganda. Credit: Venimages / Alamy Stock Photo 

Join Andrew Lambert, Lawton Professor of Naval History at King's College London and a distinguished naval historian, as he delves into Britain's strategic maneuvering from the end of the Napoleonic Wars to World War I. Lambert discusses how Britain leveraged naval power and diplomacy to maintain stability in Europe. He highlights key figures like Pitt and Wellington, examines the rise of Germany as a rising power, and addresses Britain's strategic missteps that ultimately contributed to its unpreparedness for World War I.