Best Talk Eastern Europe Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 189: Ukraine continues the fight 1:00:59

13d ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Adam and Alexandra open this episode with a few updates on the news from the region, including in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Serbia. Next, Adam is joined by Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, journalist and writer and Editor-in-Chief of Ukraine World (https://ukraineworld.org/en). Volodymyr gives his insights on the current situation …

1
Manuela Moschella, "Unexpected Revolutionaries: How Central Banks Made and Unmade Economic Orthodoxy" (Cornell UP, 2024) 46:03

2h ago46:03

46:03

In Unexpected Revolutionaries: How Central Banks Made and Unmade Economic Orthodoxy (Cornell University Press, 2024), Dr. Manuela Moschella investigates the institutional transformation of central banks from the 1970s to the present. Central banks are typically regarded as conservative, politically neutral institutions that uphold conventional macr…

1
What is Going on with Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe? 40:17

38m ago40:17

40:17

After being the posterchild of democratization, today Central and Eastern Europe is often seen as the region of democratic backsliding. In this episode, Milada Vachudova and Tim Haughton talk with host Licia Cianetti about how ethno-populist and illiberal politicians have been reshaping the region’s politics, how people have gone to the streets to …

1
NEW SEASON - Coming Sep 3 2:07

2d ago2:07

2:07

STATE OF ASIA, the podcast from Asia Society Switzerland, is back with engaging conversations with leading minds on the issues that shape Asia and affect us all. The new season premieres Tuesday, September 3. New episodes follow every other Tuesday. Plus: look out for bonus episodes bringing you insights from some of the many events organized by As…

1
Anders Persson, "EU Diplomacy and the Israeli-Arab Conflict, 1967-2019" (Edinburgh UP, 2020) 1:00:18

38m ago1:00:18

1:00:18

Nearly 50 years since the European Foreign Ministers issued their first declaration on the conflict between Israel and Palestine in 1971, the European Union continues to have close political and economic ties with the region. Based exclusively on primary sources, Anders Persson's EU Diplomacy and the Israeli-Arab Conflict, 1967-2019 (Edinburgh UP, …

1
Joachim C. Häberlen, "Beauty Is in the Street: Protest and Counterculture in Post-War Europe" (Penguin, 2023) 1:19:17

8d ago1:19:17

1:19:17

In post-war Europe, protest was everywhere. On both sides of the Iron Curtain, from Paris to Prague, Milan to Wroclaw, ordinary people took to the streets, fighting for a better world. Their efforts came to a head most dramatically in 1968 and 1989, when mass movements swept Europe and rewrote its history. In the decades between, Joachim C. Haberle…

1
Lost in Ideology: A Conversation with Jason Blakely 59:43

3d ago59:43

59:43

If ideology has never before been so much in evidence as a fact and so little understood as it appears to be today then, Jason Blakely argues in his new book Lost in Ideology: Interpreting Modern Political Life (Agenda Publishing, 2023), this may not be because we are like travellers guided by old maps of the political world but because we make the…

1
Peter Allen, “The Political Class: Why It Matters Who Our Politicians Are” (Oxford UP, 2018) 41:16

1h ago41:16

41:16

Who is in charge? In The Political Class: Why It Matters Who Our Politicians Are (Oxford University Press, 2018), Peter Allen, a Reader in Comparative Politics in the Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies at the University of Bath, explores the rise of a specific type of political leader and what this means for our politics. T…

1
Jason Blakely, "Lost in Ideology: Interpreting Modern Political Life" (Agenda Publishing, 2023) 40:26

7d ago40:26

40:26

If ideology has never before been so much in evidence as a fact and so little understood as it appears to be today then, Jason Blakely argues in his new book Lost in Ideology: Interpreting Modern Political Life (Agenda Publishing, 2023), this may not be because we are like travellers guided by old maps of the political world but because we make the…

1
Julia Sonnevend, "Charm: How Magnetic Personalities Shape Global Politics" (Princeton UP, 2024) 31:48

23d ago31:48

31:48

Politics is a site of performance, and contemporary politicians often perform the role of a regular person--perhaps someone we would like to have a beer with. They win elections not because of the elevated rhetorical performances we often associate with charisma ("ask not what your country can do for you"), but because of something more ordinary an…

1
Bilge Yesil, "Talking Back to the West: How Turkey Uses Counter-Hegemony to Reshape the Global Communication Order" (U Illinois Press, 2024) 1:02:25

16d ago1:02:25

1:02:25

In the 2010s, Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) began to mobilize an international media system to project Turkey as a rising player and counter foreign criticism of its authoritarian practices. In Talking Back to the West: How Turkey Uses Counter-Hegemony to Reshape the Global Communication Order (University of Illinois Press, 20…

1
Episode 188: Hungarian politics heat up 53:42

19d ago53:42

53:42

In this episode, Adam and Nina start by sharing some good news from Armenia, where the EU Commission has announced the start of a dialogue on visa liberalisation with the country. They also cover the latest developments in Russia, Poland, and Serbia. The main interview features Zsuzsanna Végh, an analyst specialising in the European and foreign pol…

1
Anne Applebaum, "Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World" (Doubleday Books, 2024) 45:24

1M ago45:24

45:24

"Everyone assumed that in a more open, interconnected world, democracy and liberal ideas would spread to the autocratic states. Nobody imagined that autocracy and illiberalism would spread to the democratic world instead". So writes Anne Applebaum in Autocracy, Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World (Double Day Books, 2024). Applebaum's new b…

1
Episode 187: NATO Celebrates its 75th anniversary amidst war in Ukraine 58:47

25d ago58:47

58:47

In this episode Adam and Nina start with some of the recent developments including the return of Robert Fico after an assassination attempt in Slovakia which also gives added context to the recent attempted assassination of Donald Trump in the United States. They also discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and finally Trump’s pick for Vice Pres…

1
Episode 186: How the CEE region sees its place in the EU and NATO 47:39

2M ago47:39

47:39

In this episode, Adam, Alexandra and Nina discuss recent horrific attacks on Ukraine, Orbans' visit to Kyiv and Moscow, and the Washington NATO summit. They also commemorate the July 11th Srebrenica massacre remembrance day and recommend a film Qua Vadis, Aida? which dramatizes events of the Srebrenica massacre. Later, Alexandra and Nina are joined…

1
A Closer Look at Batteries 40:09

1M ago40:09

40:09

Batteries increasingly power everything around us, all thanks to major innovations and a supply chain that spans the world. And that’s where things get complicated. As battery costs sink and technology advances, nations increasingly view batteries as vital for national security, economic competitiveness, and to reach their climate goals. We spoke w…

1
Episode 185: Lithuania as an outpost for global democracy 55:36

2M ago55:36

55:36

In this episode, the three hosts finally get back together and discuss the results of the Bulgarian elections, celebrate the opening of accession talks for Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro and speak about the recent developments in Georgia, Ukraine and Russia. Later, Alexandra and Nina are joined by Žilvinas Švedkauskas, a PhD candidate at Tübingen …

1
Episode 11 - Storage Solutions z Polski 27:33

1M ago27:33

27:33

Send us a Text Message. Episode 10 saw us detail great product from Poland and Episode 11 is staying right there in the "Land of Fields". This episode we introduce a great storage system for your miniatures: Safe & Sound. The also have available a range of movement trays and also paint storage systems, designed for either the dropper bottle style p…

1
Nicolas Véron, "Europe's Banking Union at Ten: Unfinished Yet Transformative" (Bruegel, 2024) 43:21

2M ago43:21

43:21

In 2012, to stave off the collapse of their currency union, Europe’s leaders sought to end the so-called “doom loop” between the solvency of their governments and their banking systems. Two years later, a banking union was born. Created as a crisis response, like the postwar coal and steel community, this ten-year-old union is another step in Europ…

1
The Democratic Regression: The Political Causes of Authoritarian Populism 34:41

2M ago34:41

34:41

Why are so many democracies experiencing the rise of authoritarian populism? And what can we do to address this? Join Nic Cheeseman as he talks to Armin Schäfer and Michael Zürn about their new book The Democratic Regression: The Political Causes of Authoritarian Populism (Polity Press, 2023). Armin and Michael explain what authoritarian populism i…

1
Matthijs Lok, "Europe Against Revolution: Conservatism, Enlightenment, and the Making of the Past" (Cambridge UP, 2023) 56:51

2M ago56:51

56:51

Contemporary Europe seems to be divided between progressive cosmopolitans sympathetic to the European Union and the ideals of the Enlightenment, and counter-enlightened conservative nationalists extolling the virtues of homelands threatened by globalised elites and mass migration. Europe Against Revolution: Conservatism, Enlightenment, and the Maki…

1
Why India is not the next China, with Alicia García Herrero 25:33

2M ago25:33

25:33

As India’s economy continues to grow, can the world’s most populous country truly replicate China's success of the past decades? Should India even imitate China? Maybe not, says our guest on this episode, Alicia García Herrero, Hong Kong-based Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at French investment bank Natixis, and Senior Fellow at European think ta…

1
Oscar Sanchez-Sibony, "The Soviet Union and the Construction of the Global Market: Energy and the Ascent of Finance in Cold War Europe, 1964–1971" (Cambridge UP, 2023) 53:44

2M ago53:44

53:44

In The Soviet Union and the Construction of the Global Market. Energy and the Ascent of Finance in Cold War Europe, 1964–1971 (Cambridge University Press, 2023), Oscar Sanchez-Sibony reveals the origins of our current era in the dissolution of the institutions that governed the architecture of energy and finance during the Bretton Woods era. He sho…

1
Episode 184: LGBTQI+ activism and advocacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina 50:59

2M ago50:59

50:59

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina start by reviewing some of the latest developments in the region, including the start of the Hungarian presidency of the EU, new sanctions against Bosnia and Herzegovina's Respublika Srpska officials, developments in Ukraine and Moldova. Later, Alexandra and Nina are joined by Emina Bošnjak, Executive Director of…

1
Myanmar More Than Three Years into the Coup, and Prospects for the Future 36:19

2M ago36:19

36:19

Two human rights experts and members of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, Yanghee Lee and Chris Sidoti, join Asia Society Executive Vice President and Asia Society Policy Institute Senior Fellow Debra Eisenman to discuss the current state of play in Myanmar, where effective control of the country lies, and prospects and recommendations for …

1
Episode 183: How Czech activism transformed into global humanitarian relief 50:12

3M ago50:12

50:12

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start by reviewing some of the latest developments in the region, including the high-level Ukraine Recovery Conference, the results of the European parliamentary elections, and Russian-Armenian relations. Later, Adam and Nina are joined by Šimon Pánek, the Executive Director and one of the founders of the Czech o…

1
The Complexities of the EU Parliament Elections 46:05

2M ago46:05

46:05

In this episode of International Horizons, RBI Director John Torpey spoke with Francesco Ronchi and Udo Zolleis, two European Parliament officials and analysts. With the European Parliament elections taking place shortly after we spoke, they share their insights on the direction that politics in Europe may take in the coming months and years, espec…

1
Mark Gilbert, "Italy Reborn: From Fascism to Democracy" (Norton, 2024) 44:53

2M ago44:53

44:53

Italy's resurrection from 20 years of fascism, three years of war, and two years of civil war is one of the 20th century's great, under-told stories. It's a history of a decade of clashes and compromises between two mass movements - Communism and Christian Democracy - backed offstage by two superpowers. Above all, it's about the party management of…

1
Julia Wojnowska-Radzińska, "Implications of Pre-Emptive Data Surveillance for Fundamental Rights in the European Union" (Brill Nijhoff, 2023) 35:21

2M ago35:21

35:21

In Implications of Pre-Emptive Data Surveillance for Fundamental Rights in the European Union (Brill Nijhoff, 2023) Julia Wojnowska-Radzińska offers a comprehensive legal analysis of various forms of pre-emptive data surveillance adopted by the European legislator and their impact on fundamental rights. It also identifies what minimum guarantees ha…

1
Episode 10 - Awesome Terrain from Eastern Europe 32:36

2M ago32:36

32:36

Send us a Text Message. The Griffons Lair Table Talk focus heads to Poland this episode. Steve and Rocco discuss the various terrain that the great team at Micro Arts Studio creates. They have historical terrain in 28mm for Bolt Action (officially licensed) and in 15mm as well which is great for Flames of War or WWIII. They also produce a huge rang…

1
Why India is not the next China, with Alicia García Herrero 25:33

2M ago25:33

25:33

As India’s economy continues to grow, can the world’s most populous country truly replicate China's success of the past decades? Should India even imitate China? Maybe not, says our guest on this episode, Alicia García Herrero, Hong Kong-based Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at French investment bank Natixis, and Senior Fellow at European think ta…

1
Episode 182: Georgia’s European future is at stake 47:53

3M ago47:53

47:53

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Alexandra kick off this episode with a rundown of some of the recent developments in the region, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, recent local elections in Serbia, the upcoming European parliamentary elections and developments in Hungary and Poland. Later, Adam is joined by Vazha Tavberidze, a G…

1
Oxana Shevel | Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States 50:32

3M ago50:32

50:32

In February 2022, Russian missiles rained on Ukrainian cities and tanks rolled towards Kyiv to end Ukrainian independent statehood. President Zelensky declined a western evacuation offer and rallied the army and citizens to defend Ukraine. What are the roots of this war which has devastated Ukraine, upended the international legal order, and brough…

1
Episode 181: Fiction from Southeastern Europe - both unique and universal 52:41

3M ago52:41

52:41

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina start by catching up on news from the Western Balkans. They also discuss the latest developments in Georgia and Alexandra shares her impressions from a recent trip to Tbilisi. For the main interview, Alexandra talked with publisher Buzz Poole about his decades of experience working with authors from Southeastern …

1
All About Money? Elections, Campaign Spending and the Effects on Democracy 26:22

3M ago26:22

26:22

Election campaigns are becoming ever more expensive, with many parties and candidates spending large sums of money on advertising, campaign materials, and staff. But how does money affect campaign environment and electoral outcomes? Does more money mean better chances of winning? And what role do large businesses play in this? Listen to William Hor…

1
Benjamin A. Schupmann, "Democracy Despite Itself: Liberal Constitutionalism and Militant Democracy" (Oxford UP, 2024) 41:58

3M ago41:58

41:58

Seeking a second term as US president in November, Donald Trump joins a roster of politicians whose declared aim is to use legal means to bend democracy to their will and in their interests. The system withstood his first term. In Venezuela, Ecuador, Turkey, and Hungary, the systems didn’t, and they are undergoing stress tests in Israel, Slovakia, …

1
Episode 9 - Wargames Atlantic 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

Send us a Text Message. Steve and Rocco talk about all the great model kits available from our partners at Wargames Atlantic. Wargames Atlantic is a British company that produces a wide range of historical, fantasy and sci-fi models. They are prolific with their releases of high quality plastic miniatures. Get a brief preview of kits to come as wel…

1
The Social Acceptance of Inequality 32:01

3M ago32:01

32:01

On this episode of International Horizons, Francesco Duina, Charles A. Dana Professor of Sociology at Bates College and Luca Storti, Associate Professor of Economic Sociology at the University of Turin in Italy and a Research Fellow of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, discuss the rise of inequalities around the globe and the di…

1
Japan’s Delicate Balancing Act, with Yuki Tatsumi 35:37

3M ago35:37

35:37

As tensions simmer in its immediate environment, Japan is on high alert. In the midst of China's "sustained aggressiveness," Japan is revising its defense and security policies. But how does this align with its pacifist constitution, and is there still room for engagement with China? Hear from Yuki Tatsumi, Senior Fellow, Co-Director of the East As…

1
Permission To Come Home: Dr. Jenny Wang on Asian Americans and Mental Health 55:56

3M ago55:56

55:56

May 14, 2024 — Dr. Jenny Wang, nationally recognized psychologist and author on the intersections of mental health, Asian American identity, and racial trauma, discusses strategies for both Asian and non-Asian communities to prioritize mental health, reshape limiting narratives, and progress towards personal and collective freedom and autonomy. Kan…

1
Insights into the Indian Elections with Dr. Ronojoy Sen 19:31

3M ago19:31

19:31

With over 970 million eligible voters, the ongoing Indian elections mark the world's largest democratic exercise. As the six-week-long election process unfolds, Farwa Aamer, director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute, sits down with Dr. Ronojoy Sen, senior research fellow and research lead in Politics, Society, and Gove…

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