The Red Line

Turkey spent much of the 20th-century building itself back up from the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, striving to once again become the major power at the world's crossroads. Turkey's influence now extends to the battlefields of North Africa, to the slopes of the Caucasus, to the supply chains of Europe, and into the frontlines of Syria. Although there is one more front Turkey is looking to gain influence in, Central Asia. Can Ankara use its cultural connections with its Turkic neighbours across the Caspian to position itself as the balance of power between Russia and China in Central Asia? On the panel this week - Alex Kokcharov (Russia Analyst) - Matthew Bryza (Fmr US Amb) - Hugh Williamson (Human Rights Watch) - Bruce Pannier (Radio Free Liberty) Follow the Red Line on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Causing international chaos has never been cheaper or easier, with terrorist groups able to gather funding and recruits from across the world. The question is though, why can't we just cut off these groups from their funding? How are they able to use the banking systems to take donations, and the West seems unable to prevent it? We ask our expert panel how these groups are funded, and what can be done to weaken them?  On the panel this week - John Coyne (ASPI) - Mick Mulroy (Lobo Institute) - Matthew Levitt (Washington Institute) 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

Whilst the eyes of the world are fixated on Russia's border with Ukraine, Moscow is beginning to make major moves 7500km to the East on Russia's Pacific coast. The major powers have begun their pivot to Asia, and now Russia is scrambling to reassert itself into a struggle unfolding right in its own backyard. Will Russia be able to regain regional leadership, or will they take a back seat to an ascendant China?  On the panel this week  - Neil Melvin (RUSI) - Natasha Kuhrt (Kings College) - Jeffrey Edmonds (CNA) 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

Bosnia's slide back to ethnic conflict, power struggles, and fragile political ecosystem highlighted. Deteriorating relations, potential for renewed conflict explored. Complexities of Balkan geopolitics, constitutional change, and denial of the genocide discussed. Vulnerability to external influences, particularly Russia, emphasized. Debate on appeasing nationalist demands vs intervention. Future of Bosnia, need for investment, EU membership, NATO role debated. Announcements and gratitude for listeners included.

Sri Lanka has for decades experienced crisis after crisis, but throughout it all remained steadfastly neutral, always being able to play bigger players like India and China off of each other. But now with a worsening financial crisis and ethnic tensions flaring up again can Colombo afford to go it alone?  On the panel this week  - Asanga Abeyagoonasekera (APCSS) - Tharaka Balasuriya (Minister for Regional Coop) - Thamil Ananthavinayagan (Uni. of Nottingham) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod For more info please visit  - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Russia becoming increasingly brazen on NATO's Eastern flank, the Baltic nations aren't looking as safe as they once were. Could we see another unofficial invasion of the Baltic states by Russia's little green men, and if so how would NATO respond? This week we sit down with our panel and talk through NATO's Baltic defence plan, and what needs to change to be able to guarantee the safety of NATO's Eastern frontier.  On the panel this week.  - Mathieu Boulegue (Chatham House) - Thomas Graham (CFR) - David Shlapak (RAND) 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

War is becoming increasingly privatised, and the rules of the battlefield are shifting. Now we are reaching a point when companies are fighting companies, and the international justice system has no framework to deal with it. This week we take a look at just how out of control the situation has become by analysing Wagner's operations in Africa and on the sea.  On the panel this week.  - Sean Mcfate (Atlantic Council) - Catrina Doxsee (CSIS) - Andreas Krieg (Kings College) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades Algeria has been tussling for the leadership position in North Africa with its Western neighbour Morocco, the fighting has stretched from Western Sahara, to the Sahel, and even to competing economies. Now the conflict is beginning to bubble up again, will it mean victory for Algeria, or internal collapse for Africas largest nation. We ask our expert panel.  On the panel this week. - Jalel Harchaoui (Global Initiative) - Robert S. Ford (Fmr US Ambassador) - Riccardo Fabiani (Intl Crisis Group) 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

Vietnam is quickly become the new frontline in the South China Sea, with the nation standing in the direct path of an expansionist China. Will Vietnam be able to once again be the rock great empires crash upon, or will they be pulled into Beijing's gravitational orbit.  On the panel this week  Sebastian Strangio - The Diplomat Huong Le Thu - ASPI Gordon Flake - Perth USAsia 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

Space has become the newest battlefield to undergo wide-ranging militarization, with everything from Nuclear Weapons to Kamikaze Satellites being deployed into orbit. What was once just a two-horse race between the US and the USSR has now burst right open, and the dominant position in space may be up for grabs; with serious geopolitical consequences here on Earth.  On the panel this week.  - Bleddyn Bowen (University of Leicester) - Alexey Muraviev (Curtin University) - John B. Sheldon (Policy Exchange) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices