The Red Line

In this episode, we explore the intensifying arms race between the US, Russia, and China in orbital satellite surveillance technology. Delving into the advanced capabilities of these countries' satellite systems and how they are changing the landscape of modern warfare. From enhanced intelligence gathering to the potential for preemptive strikes, we discuss the implications of this technological race on the future battlefield. Will this theater become more aggressive, will more and more players enter the race, and will we see the growing collaboration between Russia and China extend to space? We ask our panel of experts. On the panel this week: - Tim Marshall (Author, Journalist) - Keith Masback (USGIF) - George Nacouzi (RAND) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 02:33 PART 2 - 23:01 PART 3 - 49:00 Conc - 68:03 Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we delve into the complex and lucrative world of the Mexican cartel drug trade and explore the economic factors that drive it. From the production and transportation of drugs to the money laundering schemes used to hide profits, we examine the various stages of the drug trade and the key players involved. We also discuss the impact of the drug trade on the Mexican economy and society, as well as the efforts being made to combat this illicit industry. Is there a way to blunt the rise of drugs like Fentanyl, or are we continuing down a path that simply empowers the cartels? We ask our panel of experts. On the panel this week: - Jorge Castañeda (Fmr Foreign Minister of Mexico) - Vanda Felbab-Brown (Brookings) - Scott Mistler-Ferguson (Crime Researcher) - Steven Dudley (InSight Crime) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 03:52 PART 2 - 37:47 PART 3 - 59:09 PART 4 - 79:41 Conc - 96:20  Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bulgaria currently stands at a crossroads, with one group pulling the country toward the West, and an alliance of corruption, crime, and capture tethering the country toward Russia. These already high tensions are now also widening further, with the Bulgarian population heading to the polls for the fifth time in 2 years, and increasingly fringe candidates skewing internal discourse. Will Bulgaria be able to finally divest itself away from Moscow, or will it continue to act as a backdoor for Russian influence into the EU and NATO? We ask our panel of experts.  On the panel this week: - Georgi Gotev (Euractive) - Daniela Žuvela (Fortescue) - Vessela Tcherneva (ECFR) Intro = 00:00 PART 1 = 04:34 PART 2 = 21:59 PART 3 = 35:58 Conc = 53:26 Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Follow the Show on @TheRedLinePod For more information, please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China appears to be sleepwalking toward a conflict over Taiwan, and in response, East Asia has begun to prepare for a war that could start as early as 2026. Whilst some like Japan are buying up unnamed vehicles to adapt to their growing demographic crises, other nations like South Korea have become leading arms exporters across the globe. Is the war in Taiwan inevitable, is Japan's rearmament strategy likely to come to fruition in time, and how is the US readying itself for the conflict that will dictate the geopolitical trajectory of East Asia for the next three decades? We ask our panel of experts On the panel this week: - Tim Heath (RAND) - Daniel Darling (Forecast International) - Mark Cancian (CSIS) Intro = 00:00 PART 1 = 05:39 PART 2 = 33:03 PART 3 = 51:36 Conc = 1:09:41 Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Follow the Show on @TheRedLinePod For more information, please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The war in Ukraine completely changed how Europe saw its own defence, and once against the continent is beginning to scramble to hastily rearm and modernise its defence industries. The question being asked by several analysts though, is whether Europe is rearming for the right war? Whilst the tanks the UK, France and Germany are fast-tracking are optimal for the battlefields of Eastern Ukraine, they are of little use for future conflicts in the jungles of Mali, the foothills of the Balkans or even the beaches of Taiwan. Is Europe once again preparing to fight the last war? On the panel this week:  - Neil Melvin (RUSI) - Alex Clarkson (Kings College) - Perun (Defense Analyst) - James Black (RAND) Intro = 00:00 PART 1 = 03:51 PART 2 - 29:59 PART 3 = 43:59 PART 4 = 1:05:06 Outro = 1:30:36 Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Follow the Show on @TheRedLinePod For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With demand for oil skyrocketing, the US are now reconsidering the usefulness of Venezuela's massive natural oil reserves. To meet the demand in the market, some in Washington are now even going as far as to propose the beginning of the normalisation of relations between Washington and Venezuela, with oil company Chevron already beginning operations inside the country as a test case. If the process goes ahead, it may signal an end to the US policy of "maximum pressure" throughout the region and the beginning of a region-wide policy shift. But how far will either side be willing to take these talks, and how will Venezuela's current allies in China and Russia react to these developments? We ask our panel of experts. On the panel this week:  - Phil Gunson (Crisis Group) - Ben Norton (Geopolitical Economy) - Chris Sabatini (Chatham House) Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Follow the Show on @TheRedLinePod For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are major faultlines appearing within the Chinese economy, particularly within many of the state government's budgets. Large debts are now all coming due, and the leadership in Beijing will be faced with several tough decisions within the next few months. Will Xi choose the plunge the country into a self-imposed, but managed downtown, or will the bubble burst on its own, throwing the country into economic chaos? We sit down with our panel of experts to find out.  On the panel this week:  - Joanna Chiu (Toronto Star) - Logan Wright (Rhodium Group) - David Dollar (Brookings Institute) Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Follow the Show on @TheRedLinePod For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Analysts discuss the unpredictable outcome of the war between Russia and Ukraine. They explore the shifting position of Russia in Syria and the potential power vacuum. The podcast examines the lessons learned from the Syrian war and their applicability to Russia's other conflicts. They also delve into the movement of Russian S-300 air defense missile systems and the dynamics between Russia, Turkey, and Israel. The podcast highlights the effectiveness of Russian strategies in Syria compared to Ukraine and analyzes rumors of Syrian fighters joining Russian forces in Ukraine. They emphasize the need for a proactive diplomatic approach in the complex dynamics of the Syrian war.

North Korea, a nation whose GDP is equivalent to that of the small island of Jamaica, has tested a record amount of missiles this year. With these increasing tests, there is a worry that they will build upon this momentum, and in the future, pose a credible threat to the United States itself. In response to this, several prominent figures have been calling for the US to preempt this event, and carry out an invasion of the DPRK, solving the issue once and for all. But how difficult would an invasion be, is the cost worth it, and will a conflict here pull the rest of the region in with it? We ask our panel of experts On the panel this week: - Bruce Bennett (RAND) - Chad O'Carroll (NKNews) - Michael Green (CSIS) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year Russia has watched their geopolitical position within the region sink from bad to worse, and now there is a brand new issue facing Moscow, with the Russian version of NATO, the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organisation), facing a crisis of confidence. After Azerbaijan called Russia's bluff in the Caucasus, the world now knows the core of the CSTO treaty is worthless. So what happens now, will the organisation disband, will an outside power like China take over the reins, or will it simply continue to evaporate slowly? We ask our panel of experts: On the panel this week: - Steven Pifer (Stanford) - Temur Umarov (Carnegie) - Raffaello Pantucci (RSIS) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices