Talk Eastern Europe (Talk Eastern Europe)

This episode of the podcast gives a rundown of the current changes taking place in Moldova. After a political agreement between the Socialists and the pro-West ACUM broke an electoral status quo, the country has seemed to gain new momentum. However, are the new authorities going to be able to meet the high expectations the society and international partners have for them? To help answer this question, Maciek and Adam interview Gina Lentine, an expert from Freedom House who is a close observe of the region and of Moldova in particular.

Please support the podcast – click here to be a TEE Patron
https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Resources
Gina Lentine: “Moldova’s crisis offers chance to reform a captured state” Balkan Insight
https://balkaninsight.com/2019/07/11/moldovas-crisis-offers-chance-to-reform-a-captured-state/

Piotr Oleksy: “Political fiction: Moldova without geopolitics” New Eastern Europe
https://balkaninsight.com/2019/07/11/moldovas-crisis-offers-chance-to-reform-a-captured-state/

Previous Episode on Moldova Episode 7: Moldova after elections
http://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/03/08/talk-eastern-europe-episode-7-moldova-after-elections/

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Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0:
Intro (and outro): Indie Rock by Scott Holmes –http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327

Funky Bits by Jeris (c) copyright 2015 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/48708 Ft: Martijn de Boer (NiGiD) (NiGiD)

Talk Eastern Europe celebrates its 20th episode! In this episode Adam and Maciek take a look back at the last 19 episodes and then discuss how Ukraine has unexpectedly found itself in the center of the scandal with US President Donald Trump and how all of a sudden everyone is an expert on Ukraine. Later Adam interviews Andrew Wilson, a professor of Ukrainian studies at UCL in the United Kingdom and an expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations.
In the interview Adam and Andrew first dissect recent developments in Belarus and its opening to the West. They later take on the current situation in Ukraine as Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just passed his 100 days as president. What’s ahead for these key countries of the region? Get Andrew Wilson’s take by listening to the latest Talk Eastern Europe.

Support the Talk Eastern Europe – Become a Patron! Help us reach our goal of 13 until the end of this year – click here to be a supporter: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Resources:
Taras Kuzio: Latest Trump-Ukraine scandal reveals there is plenty of blame to go around, New Eastern Europe: http://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/09/26/latest-trump-ukraine-scandal-reveals-there-is-plenty-of-blame-to-go-around/

Volodymyr Dubovyk: Ukraine still needs US, European support and the ongoing scandal must not undermine it, New Eastern Europe: http://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/09/29/ukraine-still-needs-us-european-support-and-the-ongoing-scandal-must-not-undermine-it/

Andrew Wilson: Zelensky unchained: What Ukraine’s new political order means for its future, European Council on Foreign Relations: https://www.ecfr.eu/publications/summary/zelensky_unchained_what_ukraines_new_political_order_means_for_its_future

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes –http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
Mission Ready by Ketsa - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Raising_Frequecy/Mission_Ready

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe takes a closer look at the current state of Russia-China relations. It features an interview with Marcin Kaczmarski from the University of Glasgow. Adam and Marcin examine how Russia-China relations have developed in the context of geopolitical changes and the wake of the 2014 annexation of Crimea and aggression in Donbas. They discuss such pertinent questions as: What are the aims of this co-operation? Where are the tensions? How do these relations fit in the current US-China trade conflict? And what might be next.

Marcin Kaczmarski is a lecturer in security studies at the University of Glasgow and author of the book Russia-China Relations in the Post-Crisis International Order. Follow him on Twitter: @M_Kaczmarski

Support the podcast. Become a patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Join us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Resources:
Marcin Kaczmarski: The Moscow-Beijing Relationship: Increasingly Asymmetrical and Resilient - Australian Institute of International Affairs.
Marcin Kaczmarski: The future of Russia-China relations – Atlantic Community.org
“Russia is unprepared for the next world order” An interview with Bobo Lo. New Eastern Europe

Music featured in the podcast licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes –http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
Pacing by Chad Crouch - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chad_Crouch/Drifter/Pacing_1820

This episode launches a special series on security, Georgia and the Black Sea region. The series is sponsored by the Polish Embassy in Tbilisi Georgia – the NATO contact point embassy for 2019/2020. In this first episode of the series, Adam catches up with Dominik Jankowski – a Brussels-based expert on security who gives an overview from the NATO perspective. Adam and Dominik discuss the Black Sea, Georgia’s co-operation with NATO, NATO response to the situation in Ukraine as well as relations with Russia.

Support the podcast – Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Resources:
New Eastern Europe Issue 5 2019: The Black Sea Region: A Geopolitical Trojan Horse? http://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/08/26/the-black-sea-region-a-geopolitical-trojan-horse/
Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/areichardt
Maciek on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MakulskiMaciej
Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes –http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
Siesta by Jahzzar https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Travellers_Guide/Siesta

This episode features an interview with Francis Fukuyama, a professor at Stanford University and author of the recent book Identity: the demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment.
Maciek and Adam open with a small birthday celebration and later discuss the background to the interview. In the interview, Maciek and Prof. Fukuyama discuss the history of identity politics, how it fits in today’s context and also look at the role it plays in Russia. The interview can also be read in the new latest issue of New Eastern Europe.

Please support our podcast – Become a Patron! https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe here: http://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/11/13/new-old-faces-a-true-makeover-or-cosmetic-change/

Resources:
“Identity politics is nothing new”, A conversation with Francis Fukuyama. New Eastern Europe issue 6/2019: http://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/11/13/identity-politics-is-nothing-new/

“The new identity politics. Rightwing populism and the demand for dignity”. Eurozine 18 April 2019. https://www.eurozine.com/new-identity-politics/

Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment By: Francis Fukuyama https://amzn.to/350ikPC

This episode is a part of a special series on Georgia and Black Sea Security funded by the Polish Embassy in Tbilisi.
In this episode Adam interviews Egor Kuroptev, head of the Free Russia Foundation’s Tbilisi office. They discuss issues on Georgian-Russian relations, the ongoing borderization of the so-called South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) territory and the current threat to Georgian security as a result of the frozen conflicts.

Resources:
Episode 17 – Zelenskyy wins big in Ukraine; Georgia protests against Russian influence
https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/07/29/talk-eastern-europe-episode-17-zelenskyy-wins-big-in-ukraine-georgia-protests-against-russian-influence/
The dimensions of Georgia’s frozen conflicts by Nino Kukhianidze. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/08/26/the-dimensions-of-georgias-frozen-conflicts/
Georgia’s separatist regions at a standstill by Agnieszka Tomczyk. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2018/04/26/georgias-separatist-regions-standstill/

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes –http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
Sometimes by Frequency Decree - https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Frequency_Decree/Dubbed/Sometimes_1733

This episode is supported by funding from the Polish Embassy in Tbilisi in the framework of the NATO Contact Point Embassy

How does the situation of extremism look in Georgia and the South Caucasus? How can these countries deal with returning members of ISIS and the challenge of their re-integration? For this and much more, check out the latest episode of Talk Eastern Europe.
In this episode, our co-hosts Adam and Maciek explore the current outlook for Georgia in the realm of security in the wider region of the South Caucasus which also touches the Middle East. They also discuss Georgia’s view of NATO ahead of the high-level NATO meeting in London in December 2019. The episode finishes with Maciek’s interview with Giorgi Goguadze, director at the Georgian Center for Strategy and Development in Tbilisi with a discussion on these issues as well as the situation with violent extremism in the country and region.
While you are here – why not help us reach our goal of getting 7 new supporters by January 2020?! Click here to become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Resources
Georgia’s long and uncertain road to NATO membership by Giorgi Goguadze, New Eastern Europe issue 5/2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/08/26/georgias-long-and-uncertain-road-to-nato-membership/
Georgia debates NATO membership excluding defence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, OC Media, https://oc-media.org/georgia-debates-nato-membership-excluding-defence-of-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia/
US base in Georgia – A scarecrow in Russia’s backyard? By Beka Chedia, New Eastern Europe, 4 November 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/11/04/us-base-in-georgia-a-scarecrow-in-russias-backyard/
Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
Around the Cliffs by Lobo Loco is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 License: https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Lobo_Loco/My_Yearnings/Arround_the_Cliffs_ID_1202

This episode is supported by funding from the Polish Embassy in Tbilisi in the framework of the NATO Contact Point Embassy (We thank them for their support!)

Welcome to Episode 26 of Talk Eastern Europe! This episode features an interview with Marta Ardashelia of Sova.News – a Russian language portal based in Georgia.

Adam and Maciek introduce the episode with a brief roundup of some of the most important developments in the region, including a look at the Normandy Summit in France and recent developments in Belarusian-Russian integration.

Maciek then interviews Marta (17.35) and they discuss the challenge of Russian disinformation in Georgia, the rise of anti-western narratives in Russian-language media and how to combat it with a project like Sova.News.

Resources
- Five things to know in order to not freak out over the upcoming Putin-Lukashenka meeting by Yahor Azarkevich (New Eastern Europe): https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/12/06/five-things-to-know-in-order-to-not-freak-out-over-the-upcoming-putin-lukashenka-meeting/
- Is Zelenskyy’s peace with Russia worth the price of Ukraine’s capitulation? By Taras Kuzio (New Eastern Europe): https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/12/04/is-zelenskyys-peace-with-russia-worth-the-price-of-ukraines-capitulation/
- Sova.News – a Russian-language portal based in Georgia: https://sova.news/
Marta Ardashelia on Twitter: @Ardashelia (https://twitter.com/ardashelia)

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes:
http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
hot lite core by panu: http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/panumoon/59084

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam interviews Emil Avdaliani, a Tbilisi-based expert and author with New Eastern Europe, on the role of geopolitics in the Black Sea region.
They discuss Turkey-Russia relations, Chinese-American competition, the security risk of Iran’s proximity and Georgia’s place as an inter-connector for geopolitics. Follow Emil on Twitter: @emilavdaliani.

Become a Patron! We need only 7 more patrons to reach our goal of 20 by January. Support us here: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

Resources
“A sea of insecurity” by Emil Avdalian. New Eastern Europe 5/2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/08/26/a-sea-of-insecurity/
“China takes it all in the Black Sea region” by Michael Lambert. New Eastern Europe 19 February 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/02/19/china-takes-it-all-in-the-black-sea-region/
“Anaklia’s deep sea port – a new strategic pivot in Eurasia” by Beka Kiria. New Eastern Europe 12 June 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/06/12/anaklias-deep-sea-port-a-new-strategic-pivot-in-eurasia/
“Managed chaos: Russia’s deal with Turkey on northern Syria” by Gustav Gressel. European Council on Foreign Relations 3 November 2019. https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_managed_chaos_russias_deal_with_turkey_on_northern_syria

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
Speaker Joy by Blue Dot Sessions - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/RadioPink/Speaker_Joy
Kirkus Interlude by Blue Dot Sessions - https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Architect/Kirkus_Interlude

In the final episode of our special series on Black Sea security, Adam and Maciek discuss the most recent NATO meeting of heads of states in London. Adam then interviews Victor Kipiani, chair of the Geocase think tank in Tbilisi (15.45), where they discuss implications for Georgia, the region and wider geopolitics.

Follow Victor Kipiani on Twitter: @victor_kipiani https://twitter.com/victor_kipiani

Thank you to all of our listeners for making 2019 a successful year for Talk Eastern Europe. We look forward to new ideas and episodes for next year.

Thank you for the Polish embassy in Georgia and NATO for the support of this special series.
We wish you all peaceful holiday break and Happy New Year!

Resources:
The NATO “London Declaration”, issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in London 3-4 December 2019 https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_171584.htm?selectedLocale=en
NATO at 70 – cheating death, one threat at a time? By Wojciech Michnik. New Eastern Europe. 24 April 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/04/24/nato-at-70-cheating-death-one-threat-at-a-time/
Georgia’s long and uncertain road to NATO membership. By: Giorgi Goguadze. New Eastern Europe no. 5/2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/08/26/georgias-long-and-uncertain-road-to-nato-membership/

*** Please SUPPORT the podcast – become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
- Chillin' With Jeris by copperhead. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/copperhead/35987


This episode is supported by funding from the Polish Embassy in Tbilisi in the framework of the NATO Contact Point Embassy (We thank them for their support!)

In this special two-part series, we have decided to open up and give a special look into the co-hosts of Talk Eastern Europe. In this first part, Adam interviews Maciek. They discuss his background, hobbies, interests as well as predictions for the upcoming year for our region.

Follow Maciek on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MakulskiMaciej

We hope you enjoy the discussion. Stay tuned for part II, where Maciek interviews Adam.
We wish all of our listeners a Happy New Year!

Please support us! We need only SEVEN more patrons to reach our goal of 20! You can become a patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Carry Your Own Weight (Instrumental) by Forget the Whale https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Forget_the_Whale/What_I_Tell_Myself_Vol_2/Forget_the_Whale_-_Carry_Your_Own_Weight_Instrumental
Maximum Respect for YOU (ID 589) by Lobo Loco https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Lobo_Loco/LITTLE_CAESAR/Maximum_Respect_for_YOU_ID_589

In the second part of this special two-part series, Maciek interviews Adam, the co-host of Talk Eastern Europe and editor in chief of New Eastern Europe. Listeners get a chance to learn more about Adam’s background, his hobbies, interests, the history of New Eastern Europe, as well as some hints on the region for the upcoming year.
Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/areichardt
We hope you enjoy the discussion. Don’t forget to check out Part I where Adam interviews Maciek.
We wish all of our listeners a Happy New Year! And look forward to engaging with you online. Visit our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope
Please support us! We need only SIX more patrons to reach our goal of 20! You can become a patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Funk Interlude by Dysfunction_AL (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/destinazione_altrove/53756 Ft: Fourstones - Scomber ( Bonus Track)
“Sum of My Fears” by Dazie Mae: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dazie_Mae/Last_Jazz_in_Paris/03-1518107-Dazie_Mae-Sum_of_My_Fears

In the first episode of 2020, Adam and Maciek explore the current situation in Belarus. As the country is under more pressure from the Kremlin to implement greater integration with Russia, it tries to open up to the West. What’s more, presidential elections will be held later this year, putting into question the future of Belarus, its independence and what’s next for President Lukashenka.

The podcast features an interview with Hanna Liubakova – a Belarusian journalist and 2019 World Press Institute Fellow. Hanna gives her insight on the current situation and what we can expect for Belarus in 2020.

--> Want to support the podcast? Become a patron – www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Thanks to all of our supporters and don’t forget to check out our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Hanna Liubakova on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HannaLiubakova

Resources
The renaissance of Russia-Belarus relations. By: Monika Bickauskaite. New Eastern Europe 5 December 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/12/05/the-renaissance-of-russia-belarus-relations/
Integration on Hold for Russia and Belarus. By: John Lough and Katia Gold. Chatham House 14 January 2020: https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/integration-hold-russia-and-belarus

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
Up Folk by Ketsa https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Above_and_Below/Up_Folk_1789

In this episode Adam and Maciek catch up with Shaun Walker – a journalist, writer and Guardian correspondent for Central and Eastern Europe. Shaun spent over a decade in Russia as a journalist and foreign correspondent. He is also the author of the book The Long Hangover: Putin's New Russia and the Ghosts of the Past published by Oxford University Press. Shaun talks about his experience in Russia, his time in Eastern Ukraine in 2014 as well as some reflections on current developments.
We would like to thank all of our patrons for supporting the podcast! If you’d like to pitch in to help us develop – click here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Join the debate – we are on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope
Don’t forget to check out the newest issue of New Eastern Europe here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/01/28/issue-1-2-2020-bound-to-explode/

Follow Shaun Walker on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaunwalker7

Resources:
The Long Hangover: Putin's New Russia and the Ghosts of the Past: https://www.amazon.com/Long-Hangover-Putins-Russia-Ghosts/dp/0190058846/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+long+hangover&qid=1580492597&sr=8-1

Putin’s ideas for 2024. By Agnieszka Legucka. New Eastern Europe 31 January 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/01/31/putins-ideas-for-2024/

Tackling disinformation means thinking about how our media spheres are structured. Recent developments suggest a readiness for regulation, reversing the libertarian ethos of the first two decades of the internet. But does regulation not mean a different set of traps? Are states to be trusted solely with the democratic functioning of our public spheres?

In this special podcast episode we hand the reigns over to our partners at Eurozine – a network of European cultural journals of which New Eastern Europe is a member. During the discussion Eurozine editor Simon Garnett sits down with Claire Potter, author of the book Political Junkies: From Talk Radio to Twitter, How Alternative Media Hooked Us on Politics and Broke Our Democracy and editor of Public Seminar, and Daniel Leisegang, editor of the German journal Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik. They discuss the role of media in the current digital age, how mainstream media has changed as well as the dangers and advantages of alternative media.

Eurozine is a network of European cultural journals, linking up more than 90 partner journals and associated magazines and institutions from nearly all European countries. Eurozine is also an online magazine which publishes outstanding articles from its partner journals with additional translations into one of the major European languages.

Learn more about Eurozine: https://www.eurozine.com/

Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik - https://www.blaetter.de/

Public Seminar - https://publicseminar.org/

Music featured in the podcast licensed under an Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 International License.
Funk Interlude by Dysfunction_AL (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/destinazione_altrove/53756
Algorithms by Chad Crouch: https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Chad_Crouch/Arps/Algorithms

Globalization was supposed to connect people, but instead ended up connecting only the powerful. Local news is rapidly disappearing and leaving crucial stories unreported, communities unrepresented and disconnected, a side-effect of digitalization and the ownership concentration in media markets. But local and hyperlocal media play an important role in sustaining robust and resilient regimes of public service. In an age of technological changes and political pressure, niche publications and a renaissance of zines lead the quest for new, sustainable models in publishing.
In this special episode, produced by Talk Eastern Europe, Eurozine editor-in-chief Réka Kinga Papp talks media models old and new with Rachael Jolley, editor of Index on Censorship and philosopher Miriam Rasch of the Amsterdam Institute of Network Cultures.

Learn more about Eurozine: https://www.eurozine.com/
Index on Censorship: https://www.indexoncensorship.org/
Institute of Network Cultures: https://networkcultures.org/

Music featured in the podcast:
Funk Interlude by Dysfunction_AL (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/destinazione_altrove/53756
Spy Glass by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4410-spy-glass; License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Maciek and Adam are back in the latest episode of Talk Eastern Europe! This episode is dedicated to the upcoming POSTWEST Transcultural Festival which will take place in Berlin 27-31 of May. During the festival, 12 theatres from the region of Central and Eastern Europe will get together to showcase productions that interpret this idea of what is East, and what is West. In the podcast, Adam sits down with Alina Aleshchenko and Wiebke Jahns from Berlin to discuss the background of the festival, its aims and what we might expect from the participating theatre groups.

SUPPORT the podcast – we only need 1 more patron to meet our goal: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Learn more about the POSTWEST Transcultural Festival (May 27-31 2020):
https://www.volksbuehne.berlin/en/programm/8735/festival-postwest

Don’t forget to check out New Eastern Europe’s latest commentaries and analysis: www.neweasterneurope.eu

Join our Facebook group! www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope


Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro: Indie Rock by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
Morning Rhythm by Rafael Krux https://filmmusic.io/song/5338-morning-rhythm- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 32 of the Talk Eastern Europe podcast takes a snapshot of how some countries in Eastern Europe are trying to slow the effects of climate change in the region. After the European Commission announced its ambitious initiative of an EU New Green Deal, many questions remain, including to what extent members of Europe’s eastern neighbourhood will be involved in the project and how a just transition from a carbon-based fuel economy could look like.

To get a better sense of the challenges in the region and what activities are being undertaken at a grassroots level, Adam interviews Svitlana Romanko - managing director of 350.org for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.

+ Become a PATRON of the podcast. Join us here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
+ Let’s keep the conversation going – find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope

Resources:

About 350.org: https://350.org/about/

“The European Green Deal” https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/european-green-deal-communication_en.pdf

“Ukraine’s own Green Deal aims to slash energy imports”. By: Sam Morgan. Euractiv 27 January 2020. https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/ukraines-own-green-deal-aims-to-slash-energy-imports/

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:

Intro/outro: “Indie Rock” by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327

“Chill Wave” by Kevin MacLeod. https://filmmusic.io/song/3498-chill-wave License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Adam and Maciek open the episode with a discussion on how the coronavirus situation is developing in the Eastern Partnership countries. They also highlight one small bit of good news in recent days, despite all the bad news that has been dominating the headlines.

The episode then focuses on the main topic of the podcast which is the recent shuffling of the cabinet of ministers in Ukraine, which includes a new prime minister and foreign minister. Adam interviews Hennadiy Maksak, head of the Foreign Policy council “Prism”, for his insight on the political changes. They discuss the reasoning behind it, how will it affect relations with the West and what are the latest developments regarding the war in Donbas.

Keep the discussion going! Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Support the podcast – Become a TEE Patron! www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Take out a digital subscription to New Eastern Europe for just 5 euros per month! Start your subscription here: www.neweasterneurope/subscribe

Resources:
- NEE’s ongoing coverage of the Coronavirus in the Eastern Partnership states: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-the-eastern-partnership-states/

- Anton Naychuk: “What’s next for Ukraine’s oligarchs?” New Eastern Europe Issue 1-2/2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/01/28/whats-next-for-ukraines-oligarchs/

- Mattia Nelle: “A turn to the past: Ukraine’s troubling government reshuffle” European Council on Foreign Relations https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_a_turn_to_the_past_ukraines_troubling_government_reshuffle

- The Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism” http://prismua.org/en/

Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:

Intro/outro: “Indie Rock” by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327

“Chill Wave” by Kevin MacLeod. https://filmmusic.io/song/3498-chill-wave License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This episode takes an in-depth look at the political developments in Russia and analyzes the changes that were made in order for Vladimir Putin to stay on as president of the Russian Federation for at least another two terms.

The episode features an interview with Agnieszka Legucka, an expert on Russia from the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Maciek and Agnieszka discuss Russia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, how it helped Putin quickly manoeuvre in order to stay in power, and what might be next for the Russian president and his inner circle. They also touch on the economic situation in the country with oil prices at an all-time low and how this, coupled with an oncoming recession as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, will affect Russia in the coming months.

Read New Eastern Europe’s appeal to include Eastern Partnership countries in any EU recovery plan: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/04/01/borders-might-be-closed-but-our-policies-need-to-be-open/

Follow our coverage of the coronavirus in our region here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-the-eastern-partnership-states/

Resources
“Kremlin Kids: The Second Generation of the Russian Elite” By: Ageniszka Legucka and Bartosz Bieliszczuk. Polish Institute of International Affairs: https://www.pism.pl/publications/Kremlin_Kids_The_Second_Generation_of_the_Russian_Elite
“Putin’s ideas for 2024” By: Agnieszka Legucak. New Eastern Europe 31 January 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/01/31/putins-ideas-for-2024/

Join us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Music featured in the Podcast
Licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro/outro: “Indie Rock” by Scott Holmes: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
The Show Must Be Go by Kevin MacLeod: https://filmmusic.io/song/4509-the-show-must-be-go
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Please support our efforts. Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

This episode takes a look at the current state of the Eastern Partnership and discusses a new report that outlines possible scenarios for future developments in the region. Adam and Maciek start with a recap of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership programme. Adam then interview Quincy Cloet, Managing Editor of Visegrad Insight and a researcher with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. They dissect the latest report by Visegrad Insight titled: Eastern European Futures. Four scenarios for the Eastern Partnership 2030.

The newest issue of New Eastern Europe is out! Get your copy here and support our publication: https://neweasterneurope.eu/product/issue-3-2020/

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Resources:
Check out our special coverage: Coronavirus in the Eastern Partnership states: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-the-eastern-partnership-states/

Visegrad Insight: Eastern European Futures. Four scenarios for the Eastern Partnership 2030. https://visegradinsight.eu/eap2030/eastern-europe-four-scenarios/

“From Association to Integration. A Chance to Advance a Novel Agenda for the Eastern Partnership. By: Adam Reichardt. Visegrad Insight 1 April 2020. https://visegradinsight.eu/from-association-to-integration-eastern-partnership/

“Borders might be closed, but our policies need to be open” New Eastern Europe 1 April 2020 https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/04/01/borders-might-be-closed-but-our-policies-need-to-be-open/

“The Eastern Partnership should now focus on greater integration”. A conversation with Petras Auštrevičius, member of the European Parliament from Lithuania. New Eastern Europe 16 March 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/the-eastern-partnership-should-now-focus-on-greater-integration/

Please support the podcast. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Music featured in the Podcast
Licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Intro/outro: “Indie Rock” by Scott Holmes:
http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/Road_Trip_Indie_Rock/Indie_Rock_1327
“Boston Landing” by Blue Dot Sessions: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Skittle/Boston_Landing

On April 20th 2020, New Eastern Europe convened an online live discussion which examined the latest issue of New Eastern Europe and brought some of its authors together to highlight the key issues surrounding the war in Donbas in Eastern Ukraine, which are even further exacerbated by the outbreak of COVID19. We are publishing the audio of the discussion here.

The discussion featured:
Adam Reichardt, New Eastern Europe/Talk Eastern Europe
Rebecca Harms, a former MEP with the Alliance ’90/The Greens
Hanna Shelest, Editor-in-Chief of Ukraine Analytica
Tim Bohse, Deutsch-Russischer Austausch
Igor Mitchnik, Drukarnia – Civil Society Center Sloviansk

Get your copy of this issue here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/product/issue-3-2020/

Music featured in the podcast: Funk Interlude by Dysfunction_AL (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/destinazione_altrove/53756 Ft: Fourstones - Scomber ( Bonus Track )

Developments in relations between Romanian and Moldova have raised a lot eyebrows lately. After Moldova’s pro-European government has fallen to be replaced by a Kremlin-friendly one; along with an already pro-Russia president the question remains as to what role Romania plays in all this.

In this episode, Maciek catches up with analyst Oktawian Milewski to discuss the historical ties between the two countries and current developments. They look at recent political developments; growing Russian influence in Moldova and what consequences the coronavirus crisis will have for the economies and relations.

Become a Talk Eastern Europe Patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Resources & Links:
Episode 19: Strange Bedfellows in Moldova: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-ep-19-final

Moldova: A Russian credit or a Russian roulette? https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/05/05/moldova-a-russian-credit-or-a-russian-roulette/

An appeal to help New Eastern Europe – Purchase our latest issue! https://neweasterneurope.eu/an-appeal-to-help-new-eastern-europe-purchase-our-latest-issue/

Online Debate - May 13th 2020 - Debate: What are Polish / German views on the East? https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/05/08/debate-what-are-polish-german-views-on-the-east/

Music featured in the Podcast Licensed under the Creative Commons license 3.0/4.0:
Imagefilm 017 by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/314-imagefilm-017

It has been two years since Nikol Pashinyan has come to power after the Velvet Revolution in Armenia. In this episode Adam catches up with Richard Giragosian to discuss how much has changed in the country and how much has not. They also discuss relations with Russia with Russia under Pashinyan, which seem to be heading towards a deeper crisis. Adam and Richard also explore how Armenia has managed the COVID-19 situation and try to understand what role, if any, other players like the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union have played in assisting Armenia in the crisis. Lastly, they look at the shifts in regional relations including with Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran as well as how the crisis has impacted the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Become a Patron – we need only 3 more to reach our goal: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Resources:
Valentina Gevorgyan: “Armenia’s different legacy” New Eastern Europe. 6 March 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/06/armenias-different-legacy/

Follow New Eastern Europe’s ongoing coverage of the Coronavirus crisis in the Eastern Partnership: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-the-eastern-partnership-states/

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

An appeal to help New Eastern Europe – Purchase our latest issue! https://neweasterneurope.eu/an-appeal-to-help-new-eastern-europe-purchase-our-latest-issue/

Music in the podcast "The Road Home" by Alexander Nakarada licensed under Creative Commons 4.0 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4769-the-road-home.
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This debate took place live online an May 13 2020. The debate examines how Poland and Germany view the region of Eastern Europe. Both countries have a strong tradition in the region – either through Germany’s Ostpolitik or Poland’s Polityka Wschodnia.

In this debate we address such questions as - What roles do history and geography play in Germany’s Ostpolitik and Poland’s Polityka Wschodnia? What are the commonalities to approaches of both countries? What are the differences? How does each country view the European Union’s position in the region? How do both states support the Eastern Partnership? What about relations with Russia and how did they change after the annexation of Crimea? What are recommendations for strengthening cooperation in this region?

The debate features:
Poland: Agnieszka Bryc - Assistant Professor at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Germany: Wilfried Jilge - Associate Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Moderated by Adam Reichardt, editor of New Eastern Europe

The debate is co-organised by the Jan Nowak Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe and the Deutsch-Russischer Austausch e.V. (DRA) and sponsored by the Heinrich Boell Foundation’s Warsaw Office as well as the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation within the framework of the project titled “Ost/Wschód: German-Polish Debates on the East”.

For the last several years China has viewed the region of Central and Eastern Europe as an opportunity to gain a foothold in the European Union and influence states between the East and the West. One country not often considered as one in China’s focus is Lithuania. In this episode Maciak interviews Konstantinas Andrijauskas, an Associate Professor of Asian Studies and International Politics at Vilnius University. They look at how China has focused on increasing its influence in the region and specifically its growing interest in Lithuania - economically and politically. They also discuss how the COVID-19 crisis now plays a role in relations with China in Europe and the West.

Enjoy the podcast? Become a Patron. Support Talk Eastern Europe here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Join the podcast Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope

Resources
Konstantinas Andrijauskas: The Dragon and the Knight: China’s Growing Presence in Lithuania. Eastern Europe Studies Centre. http://www.eesc.lt/uploads/news/id1137/v07_Dragon-and-Knight_leidinys_A4.pdf
Episode 21: Russia-China relations in the spotlight https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/episode21

Music featured in the podcast under Creative Commons license 4.0
“Taste of China” by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/292-taste-of-china
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Information coming out of Chechnya is hard to come by. It is controlled by the tight grip of the Republic’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov. This episode attempts to get insight into what the response to COVID-19 looks like in the Russian Republic of Chechnya. Adam interviews Lana Estemirova, a freelance journalist covering Chechnya. They talk about issues related to the heavy-handed response to the virus. They discuss media clampdowns, protests by medical professionals and the ongoing human rights situation there.

We need only THREE MORE PATRONS to reach our goal of 25 by the end of June. Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Join the Talk Eastern Europe Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Resources
"Chechen leader threatens journalist Elena Milashina over COVID-19 reporting". Committee to Protect Journalists. 18 April 2020: https://cpj.org/2020/04/chechen-leader-threatens-journalist-elena-milashin/

"Concern for Russian Journalist after Covid-19 Article about Chechnya." Netherlands Helsinki Committee. 29 April 2020: https://www.nhc.nl/concern-for-russian-journalist-after-covid-19-article-about-chechnya/

Music Featured in the Podcast:
Now We Feast by Alexander Nakarada. Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4768-now-we-feast License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This debate was live streamed on Facebook and YouTube and republished here as a podcast. This is the second debate organized in the framework of the project titled “Ost/Wschód: German-Polish Debates on the East”.

Belarus plays a unique role in both countries’ policies towards the region and as a member of the Eastern Partnership is also a key state in EU foreign policy. Yet, the country’s extremely close ties with Russia make Belarus a unique case, decisively not interested in European integration and for many years considered “the last dictatorship of Europe”. However, recent developments have demonstrated a possible opening towards Europe as the regime is resisting integration with Russia, while the country’s response to COVID-19 was like no other country in Europe which may play a role in this year’s presidential election.

Speakers:
– Anna Maria Dyner, Analyst on Belarus, Polish Institute of International Affairs
– Ingo Petz, German journalist, expert on Belarus

The debate was moderated by Adam Balcer, Program Director with the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe (publisher of New Eastern Europe).

The debate is co-organised by the Jan Nowak Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe and the Deutsch-Russischer Austausch e.V. (DRA) and sponsored by the Heinrich Boell Foundation’s Warsaw Office as well as the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation.

Our experience with the coronavirus demonstrates that pandemics know no borders. Nearly every country has been affected. The economic crisis that continues to take a toll on societies shows that more than ever solidarity and global solutions are needed for global problems. Will the COVID-19 pandemic force humanity to rethink the international system and global order? Can future crises be averted by better global coordination and a more robust system?

In this episode we invite you to take part in an intellectual exercise where we try to imagine what the global order may look like post-COVID-19. The episode features an interview with Andreas Umland, a senior expert at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future in Kyiv. The interview is based on the article titled “The coronavirus crisis as a critical juncture for Ukraine and the world” which was published online via New Eastern Europe and co-authored with Pavlo Klimkin – the former Ukrainian foreign minister.

Resources:
“The coronavirus crisis as a critical juncture for Ukraine and the world”. By Andreas Umland and Pavlo Klimkin. New Eastern Europe 4 May 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/05/04/the-coronavirus-crisis-as-a-critical-juncture-for-ukraine-and-the-world/

“Grey zone politics: Why Ukraine needs creative international cooperation”. By Andreas Umland and Pavlo Klimkin. European Council on Foreign Relations. 16th April 2020. https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_grey_zone_politics_why_ukraine_needs_creative_international_coop

“Ukrainian Institute for the Future”: https://uifuture.org/

Support Talk Eastern Europe: Become a podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

What do you think? Join the discussion on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

Check out our recent online debate on Polish and German policy towards Belarus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMUZ7SeP5b4


Music featured in the podcast licensed under the Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License: “Hallon” by Christian Bjoerklund: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Christian_Bjoerklund/Skapmat/christian_bjoerklund_-_skpmat_ep_-_01_-_hallon

In this special episode, Talk Eastern Europe revisits the transcultural festival POSTWEST – which was scheduled to take place at the end of May 2020. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival – which sought to bring together artists from 10 countries of Central and Eastern Europe – was forced to deal with the new reality. The festival found a new way to take place online in a virtual setting and will now take place June 24-26 2020.

During this first of two special podcast episodes dedicated to POSTWEST, Adam interviews Vlad Troitsky and Andriy Palatnyi of the DAKH Center for Contemporary Art based in Kyiv. They discuss the history of the center, how it dealt with the lockdown situation and what its involvement in POSTWEST will look like in the virtual setting.

The DAKH Center is the producers of not only theatre, but artists and music groups as well, including the very popular Ukrainian group “DakhaBrakha”.

Resources and Announcements
- Talk Eastern Europe is pleased to announce that it is now a member of the EuroPod Network! Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

- POSTWEST \\ guess where - Transcultural festival: 24.–26.06.20 https://www.volksbuehne.berlin/en/programm/8735/festival-postwest

- DAKH Center of Contemporary Art http://dakh.com.ua/en/
- Dakhabrakha musical group: https://www.dakhabrakha.com.ua
- Dakh Daughters: https://dakhdaughters.com
- Nova Opera (with English subtitles): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AWFrzRNEBQ
- Dog Cage (2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhAu2_2gQW4

- June 21, 24, 25, 26: Stay tuned for live events with Talk Eastern Europe during the POSTWEST Festival: streams will be available on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeCLxAo-obBi8DReVJAmwZQ)

SUPPORT US! Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

This is the second part of the special series dedicated to the POSTWEST transcultural festival. In this episode, Adam catches up with Maija Pavlova a producer with the Gertrudes Ielas Teatris (the Gertrude Street Theatre) based in Riga. They discuss the challenges of the pandemic for performance artists and how non-profit cultural institutions managed in the situation. They also discussed the theatre’s involvement in the POSTWEST festival and the performance they will do in a virtual format.

The Gertrude Street Theatre will perform a piece called “Tanya’s Birthday” which is meant to take place in 1989. It explores the marks left by these historical events and analyzes the interconnections between them from artists’ perspectives as witnesses of their time. The performance is set in and takes place like a virtual birthday party. The spectators assume the roles of friends and family.

Resources and Links
- POSTWEST \\ guess where - Transcultural festival: 24.–26.06.20 https://www.volksbuehne.berlin/en/programm/8735/festival-postwest

- Gertrudes ielas teatris http://git.lv/?lang=en

June 21 2020 at 19.00 CET - Join us for a live discussion ahead of the festival. We will be streaming on Facebook and YouTube.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/videos/560595088179413/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS4vmhkqev4

- Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

- Music featured in the podcast licensed under Creative Commons
“Ballad of the Blackbirds” and “Barefoot” By Chad Croucher
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chad_Crouch/Field_Report_Vol_I_Oaks_Bottom_Instrumental/Ballad_Of_The_Blackbirds_Instrumental
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chad_Crouch/Drifter/Barefoot

Welcome to a special live edition of the Talk Eastern Europe podcast as we prepare for the launch of transcultural festival POSTWEST. This live chat was devoted to the opening of the festival and its Prologue. Adam & Maciek were joined by curators Alina Aleshchenko and Wiebke Jahns as well as a surprise guest! They discussed how COVID-19 changed the festival format, what the festival will look like now and how you, as the audience, can participate.
This podcast episode was streamed live on June 21st 2020.
Join us for a series of live events during the POSTWEST Transcultural Festival starting on June 24 2020 at 11:00 PM Central European Time.

Resources and links:
- The programme for the POSTWEST Festival: http://postwest.volksbuehne.berlin/en/programme/

- Join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope

Music featured in the podcast
Radio Moscow: Funk in A by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/texasradiofish/31355 Ft: ElRon XChile, Lawrence Lessig, Prokur, Acclivity, Eee Zee Mister Que

--> Support the podcast, become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Originally live streamed on 23 June 2020

This is the third debate in the framework of the project titled “Ost/Wschód: German-Polish Debates on the East”. This time, we focus on Ukraine and on the armed conflict in the Eastern part of the country.

How are Poland’s and Germany’s relations with Ukraine and how did the annexation of Crimea and the beginning of the war in Donbas change them? What is the situation in Donbas today, six years after the beginning of the conflict? How are the outcomes of the negotiations in Minsk and in the Normandy format assessed in Germany and Poland? What are the political visions in Poland and Germany for bringing peace to Eastern Ukraine and what role does the European Union play in it?

The debate features:
– Germany: Susan Stewart (Head of the Research Division on Eastern Europe and Eurasia, German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin)

– Poland: Tomasz Lachowski (Assistant Professor of International Law at the University of Łódź and editor in chief of Obserwator Międzynarodowy)

The debate is moderated by Tim Bohse (DRA e. V. in Berlin)

The debate is co-organised by the Jan Nowak Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe, New Eastern Europe and the Deutsch-Russischer Austausch e.V. (DRA) and sponsored by the Heinrich Boell Foundation’s Warsaw Office as well as the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation.

In this episode Maciek catches up with Andrey Makarychev, a visiting professor at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu in Estonia, to discuss scenarios related to future relations with Russia. Andrey Makarychev is the author of a recent working paper titled “Russia, the EU and Eastern Partnership: Four Scenarios” which looks at how factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, low oil prices and the constitutional changes in Russia may impact its relations with Europe and the Eastern Partnership region. Maciek and Andrey discuss the scenarios from various perspectives and look at the likelihood of each of them.

At the end of the episode Adam and Maciek discuss the interview and of course make a few announcements. Stay tuned for some surprises!

If you like Talk Eastern Europe – please support us with a monthly pledge. Each supporter gets certain benefits depending on how much one donates.

Become a patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Resources
- “Russia, the EU and Eastern Partnership: Four Scenarios”, by Andrey Makarychev. Download here: https://bit.ly/2Blf20a

- Episode 34: Pandemic, power and Putin forever – TEE in conversation with Agnieszka Legucka. https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-34
- “Gone with the virus. How the pandemic makes Russian strategy evanescent” by Andrey Makarychev, New Eastern Europe Issue 4 (June-August) 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/01/gone-with-the-virus-how-the-pandemic-makes-russian-strategy-evanescent/

Additional music licensed under Creative Commons noncommercial (3.0)
Diskman Blues by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD) (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/NiGiD/61394 Ft: Javolenus

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

We are taking the podcast to the next level. Listen to the special announcement from the co-hosts of Talk Eastern Europe!

Thank you to all of our patrons for their support!

Want to support us? Visit: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Maciek reconnects with political scientist Oktawian Milewski to continue the discussion on Romanian relations in the region. This time, they take a deeper look at the rocky evolution of relations between Ukraine and Romania – two countries which play a critical role in both Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Black Sea region. Maciek and Oktawian discuss Romania’s strategy towards Ukraine, people-to-people contacts between the two societies and the two countries’ economic ties.

The discussion also fits into the broader debate on both countries’ role in the region – especially considering proximity to Moldova and its breakaway region of Transdniestria, as well as to Russia and the war in eastern Ukraine.

Resources:
Episode 36: “Complicated neighbours. Romania-Moldova relations in the spotlight” https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-36
“Foreign interference in the Zakarpattia region of Ukraine: The 2019 elections and beyond” by: Harry Nedelcu, Dmytro Panchuk, Myroslava Lendel New Eastern Europe 6 May 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/05/06/foreign-interference-in-the-zakarpattia-region-of-ukraine-the-2019-elections-and-beyond/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network

Music featured in this episode:
resonance by airtone (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/airtone/61321

Support the podcast – Become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Originally live streamed on July 16 2020 - In the newest edition of New Eastern Europe we conduct a special debate on what impact COVID-19 may have on the shifting geopolitics in the region of Eastern Europe. We asked a group of experts for their input and analysis on how relations between Europe, the Eastern Partnership and Russia could develop as a result of the pandemic and what might come next. Will this virus and the crisis fundamentally change relations and geopolitics – and if so in what way?

This discussion features four authors from that special section.

Speakers include:
– Richard Giragosian is the founding director of the Regional Studies Center (RSC), an independent think tank in Yerevan, Armenia.
– Alena Kudzko is the director of the GLOBSEC policy institute.
– Andrey Makarychev is a visiting professor at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu in Estonia.
– Karina Shyrokykh is a researcher at Stockholm University and Swedish Institute of International Affairs.
– The discussion is moderated by Adam Reichardt, Editor in Chief of New Eastern Europe

Learn more about New Eastern Europe - www.neweasterneurope.eu

The situation in Belarus is heating up ahead of the August 9th presidential elections. The most popular opposition candidates - who want to challenge the 26-year authoritarian rule of Alyaksandr Lukashenka - have been arrested and detained. Meanwhile the society remains mobilised after the state’s poor coronavirus response and brutal crackdowns on independent journalists and bloggers.

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Maciek catch up Hanna Liubakova, a Belarusian journalist based in Minsk, to get her perspective on the current challenges and what the situation looks like from the ground.

Resources
“Presidential election in Belarus: Who is participating in the race?” By Maxim Rust, Yahor Azarkevich. New Eastern Europe 15 July 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/15/presidential-election-in-belarus-who-is-participating-in-the-race/

“Belarusian spring? Politicisation of the wider society” By Olga Dryndova. New Eastern Europe. 8 July 2020 https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/08/belarusian-spring-politicisation-of-the-wider-society/

“Why Belarusians do not love Lukashenko anymore”. By Hanna Liubakova Outriders 14 July 2020 https://outride.rs/en/why-belarusians-do-not-love-lukashenko-anymore/

Music featured in the podcast:
Floating Cities by Kevin MacLeod/ Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3765-floating-cities
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

SUPPORT US! Become a Patreon patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

SUPPORT US! Become a Patreon patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

There has been a lot of talk in the last few months about pending progress in Serbia-Kosovo relations and the normalization process between the two countries. Donald Trump’s appointment of Richard Grenell as Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations on the surface appears to be a move heading in the right direction. Yet, since being in this new role, Grenell (and others close to the Administration) has signaled a possible shift in US foreign policy in the region, hoping for a quick foreign policy win. With a change of government in Kosovo and a more assertive Serbia in the talks, can the US really facilitate this process?

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam catches up with Sidita Kushi – an American scholar and author with New Eastern Europe. They discuss the role of Richard Grenell, how US policy is evolving to the detriment of Kosovo and what, if anything, the European Union can do in this process.

Resources
- “The dangers of enflaming false revisionist history in the Balkans” by Sidita Kushi. New Eastern Europe 27 May 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/05/27/the-dangers-of-enflaming-false-revisionist-history-in-the-balkans/

- “Richard Grenell: Dictating the pulse of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue” by Visar Xhambazi. New Eastern Europe 15 April 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/04/15/richard-grenell-dictating-the-pulse-of-the-kosovo-serbia-dialogue/

- What ‘Twiplomacy’ reveals about the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue by Leon Hartwell. New Eastern Europe July 9 2020 https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/09/what-twiplomacy-reveals-about-the-serbia-kosovo-dialogue/

Music featured in the podcast:
Too Cool by Kevin MacLeod. Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4534-too-cool
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

In mid-July fierce clashes between Azerbaijani forces and Armenian forces broke out. Both sides reported casualties and injuries as a result of the exchange of fire. As each side blamed the other for the escalation of violence – one thing is certain, the conflict between the two countries is still very hot and the situation is volatile.

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Maciek sits down with Mateusz Kubiak – an analyst with Mateusz Kubiak an analyst with Esperis Consulting and author of the blog “Kaukaz”. Kubiak gives an overview of the situation and context for the clashes.

Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Resources
- Film: Parts of a Circle: History of the Karabakh Conflict: https://vimeo.com/407942633

- “Several reasons why Baku should not be interested in provocation along the border with Armenia.” By Rusif Huseynov, Murad Muradov, Polad Muradli and Ayaz Rzayev. New Eastern Europe 15 July 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/15/several-reasons-why-baku-should-not-be-interested-in-provocation-along-the-border-with-armenia/

-“What is happening on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border?” By Stepan Grigoryan. New Eastern Europe 16 July 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/16/what-is-happening-on-the-armenia-azerbaijan-border/

Music featured in the podcast:
Eternity by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4802-eternity
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Interest in learning more about hybrid war in Georgia? Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/08/issue-4-2020-the-kremlins-hybrid-war-the-case-of-georgia/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

War and conflict in Eastern Europe is often discussed and analysed in the context of big politics and national interests. However, what is often forgotten are the everyday victims of the conflict – those who live in the conflict zone or are refugees affected by war.

In this episode Maciek and Adam sit down with Helena Krajewska from the Polish Humanitarian Action (Polska Akcja Humanitarna). Helena gives an overview of the activities her organisation is doing in providing humanitarian assistance to eastern Ukraine. She describes the challenges and successes that have taken place there since 2014 and how they are now addressing locals’ needs in the midst of war and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polish Humanitarian Action conducts its work in eastern Ukraine (and around the world) in part thanks to support from individual donations.

Learn how you can support the organisation’s mission and activities. Click here: https://www.pah.org.pl/en/donate/

Music featured in the podcast:
Flight Pack 1 - 4/6 (Segeln) by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/179-flight-pack-1---4-6-segeln-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

One of the least covered political stories in Central and Eastern Europe has been the mass protests against the government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in Bulgaria. The latest string of corruption scandals facing Borissov and his government, which have been in power for over 10 years, seems to have become the last straw. Crowds flooded the streets to protest the scandals – at one point reaching 100,000 protesters in Sofia – demanding an immediate resignation of the government and snap elections.

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Maciek discuss the situation in the country with Radosveta Vassileva a Bulgarian legal scholar and author with New Eastern Europe. They talk about the current context, the strength of the protests, what the European Commission is (not really) doing, Russian influence in the country, COVID-19 in Bulgaria, and what might come next.
At the end of the episode, Adam and Maciek reflect on the podcast and its developments on the occasion of the 50th episode. And of course, the shout out to all of the patrons!

Talk Eastern Europe is member of the EuroPod Network: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

PLEASE SUPPORT US! Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Resources
- “Bulgaria: Will Borissov’s government survive this summer?” New Eastern Europe . 13 July 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/13/bulgaria-will-borissovs-government-survive-this-summer/

- Rule of Law, Human Rights and Democracy in Bulgaria and Beyond – A personal blog of Dr. Radosveta Vassileva: https://radosvetavassileva.blog/

- “Russia’s Political Influence in Bulgaria” by Andrey Grashkin. Foreign Policy Research Institute: https://www.fpri.org/article/2020/01/russias-political-influence-in-bulgaria/

Music featured in the podcast:
Mining by Moonlight by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4055-mining-by-moonlight License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Following the falsified August 9th presidential election in Belarus, which declared incumbent Alyaksandr Lukashenka winner with 80% of the vote, Belarusians have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers. Nearly three weeks later, the protests continue and are joined by striking workers from state-owned enterprises. The regime, however, has fought back with an initial brutal crackdown and continuous arrests of activists, protesters and journalists.

In this episode, Adam catches up with Yahor Azarkevich to get some reactions on the current mood from the ground in Belarus. They discuss the state of the protests, their organization, the Russian factor as well as what possible scenarios may come next.

Support the podcast – become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Previous episodes on Belarus
- Episode 29: Belarus under the Kremlin’s pressure: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-29
- Episode 46: Belarus on the edge: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-46

Follow New Eastern Europe’s ongoing coverage of the situation in Belarus here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/tag/belarus-2020-presidential-election/

Who to follow on Twitter:
- Hanna Liubakova: https://twitter.com/HannaLiubakova
- NEXTA media: https://twitter.com/nexta_tv
- Franak Viačorka https://twitter.com/franakviacorka

Music featured in the episode
Mury (walls) - Polish protest song in Belarusian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdNnxQSmqAI

Talk Eastern Europe is member of the EuroPod Network: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Please support the podcast – become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Episode 52 features a discussion on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline - a very controversial project in Europe. The pipeline, which aims to become a second gas pipeline to deliver Russian gas directly to Germany, was set to be completed by the end of 2019. Yet, delays have pushed back the pipeline’s final construction and looming questions about the legality and political purposes behind the project still linger.

In this episode, Adam and Maciek interview Wojciech Jakóbik, a Polish energy analyst and editor-in-chief of the Biznes Alert portal to discuss Nord Stream 2, seeking to answer such questions as: What is the current status of the project? What are the economic and political aspects of the pipeline? What are the perspectives on the project, include: German, Central and Eastern Europe, and American? And what might come next?

** Note: this was recorded before the poisoning of Alexey Navalny, which may or may not have an effect on Germany’s decision to finalize the pipeline.

Resources
- “How to lose friends and alienate people or Germany on Nord Stream 2” By Wojciech Jakóbik. New Eastern Europe 4 April 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/04/04/how-to-lose-friends-and-alienate-people-or-germany-on-nord-stream-2/

- “Gone with the virus. How the pandemic makes Russian strategy evanescent” By Andrey Makarychev. New Eastern Europe, Issue 3-4/2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/07/gone-with-the-virus-how-the-pandemic-makes-russian-strategy-evanescent/

Music featured in the podcast: Galaxy 1 Short Version by Frank Schröter. https://filmmusic.io/song/6540-galaxy-1-short-version. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the Europod network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Originally live streamed on 08 September 2020

This is the fourth and final online debate in the framework of the project titled “Ost/Wschód: German-Polish Debates on the East”. This time, we are discussing the topic of the growing convergences and divergences of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the post-Soviet Space.

The debate features:
- Germany: Helena Legarda from the Mercator Institute for China Studies.
- Poland: Marcin Kaczmarski, University of Glasgow
Moderator: Adam Balcer, Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe

The panelists address such issues as: How do Poland and Germany see China’s presence in the region? Where do Russia and China cooperate in the post-Soviet space and where do they compete? What are the geopolitical and economic consequences of this relations?

The debate is co-organised by the Jan Nowak Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe and the Deutsch-Russischer Austausch e.V. (DRA) and sponsored by the Heinrich Boell Foundation’s Warsaw Office as well as the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation.

Additional music featured in the podcast:
commonGround by airtone (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/airtone/58703

Support this podcast. Become a patron (even just $2 a month will help us!)
www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

On October 31st, Georgians will go to the polls in the next parliamentary elections. These elections will be a huge test to the current ruling party, the Georgian Dream, following new election reforms and the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout in the background. How will other factors such as Russian influence, attempts by the opposition to unite, or the an announced (however unlikely) return by former president Mikheil Saakashvili play into the election campaign?

In this episode, Adam catches us with Mackenzie Baldinger, a contributing editor with New Eastern Europe, based in Tbilisi to discuss the current situation and what we might expect this fall.

Resources:

“Hardly a Georgian dream. Confronting COVID-19 in the midst of an election year” by Mackenzie Baldinger. New Eastern Europe issue 5/2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/07/hardly-a-georgian-dream-confronting-covid-19-in-the-midst-of-an-election-year/

“Western pressure intensifies towards the Georgian Dream. Is Georgian democracy backsliding?” by Soso Dzamukashvili. New Eastern Europe 10 September 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/10/western-pressure-intensifies-towards-the-georgian-dream-is-georgian-democracy-backsliding/

“Post-pandemic Georgia: stepping out of a political crisis?” by Soso Dzamukashvili. New Eastern Europe 9 June 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/06/09/post-pandemic-georgia-stepping-out-of-political-crisis/

Talk Eastern Europe Episode 17: Zelenskyy wins big in Ukraine; Georgia protests against Russian influence: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/episode-17-zelenskyy-wins-big-in-ukraine

Additional music in the podcast
Autumn Rain by MusicLFiles https://filmmusic.io/song/6551-autumn-rain
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the Europod network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Since 2014, the number of Ukrainians coming to Poland, temporarily or permanently, has grown exponentially. Some estimates believe that there are between one to two million Ukrainian migrants currently in Poland. This episode of Talk Eastern Europe looks at why Ukrainians are coming to Poland, how their migration has affected Polish-Ukrainian relations, and discusses some successes and challenges they face in integrating into society.

The podcast features an interview with Sasha Iwaniuk, a Ukrainian political scientist, writer, journalist and activist with the “Nasz Wybor” (Our Choice) Foundation in Warsaw aimed at helping Ukrainian migrants and creating a dialogue for Poles Ukrainians.

Resources & Links
- “Picking strawberries in a pandemic” By Magdalena Chodownik and Omar Marques. New Eastern Europe, Issue 5/2020 (Sept-Oct). https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/07/picking-strawberries-in-a-pandemic/
- “Ukrainians in the Polish-German Borderland.” By: Alexandra Wishart. New Eastern Europe, 22 May 22 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/05/22/ukrainians-in-the-polish-german-borderland/
- “Ukrainians seek a Polish dream in Wrocław.” By: Olga Chrebor. New Eastern Europe, Issue 1/2018: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2018/01/02/ukrainians-seek-polish-dream-wroclaw/

Additional music featured in the podcast. “Call Me” by DreamHeaven Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6573-call-me- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is researched and produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe – a Polish-based NGO. Additional funding to produce this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

On September 27th, clashes broke out between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces in the conflict region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The intensity of the clashes quickly escalated becoming the largest escalation since the cease-fire in 1994 (larger than the so-called 4-days War in 2016). Both sides quickly announced partial or full mobilisation and introduced martial law on their territories.

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Maciek catch up with Arkadiusz Legieć, an analyst on the Caucasus and Central Asia at the Polish Institute of International Affairs. They discuss the current situation and how the conflict is both an element of internal politics of Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as a key component of their foreign and security policies. They also discuss the role of third parties, such as Turkey, Russia and Iran and what their aims are in the conflict as well as the broader geopolitical consequences.

Resources:
- “Renewed war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Broader implications,” By: Richard Giragosian. New Eastern Europe, 30 September 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/30/renewed-war-over-nagorno-karabakh-broader-implications/
- “Azerbaijan and Armenia edge towards full-scale war. Consequences and risks,” By: Vasif Huseynov. New Eastern Europe, 30 September 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/30/azerbaijan-and-armenia-edge-towards-full-scale-war-consequences-and-risks/
- “Is a new war in Karabakh inevitable?” By: Benyamin Poghosyan. New Eastern Europe August 21, 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/08/21/is-a-new-war-in-karabakh-inevitable/

Music featured in the podast: “Mountain Walk by Alexander Nakarada”; Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6382-mountain-walk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe discusses the delicate relationship between two regional powers with ambitions for their neighbourhoods: Russia and Turkey. The two countries, which faced a serious crisis in 2015 after a Russian jet was shot down in Turkish airspace. Since then, both countries have found a common understanding even if their interests are not always aligned. How long can this relationship last?

In this episode, Maciek catches up with Dimitar Bechev a research fellow at the Center of Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies with the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council. He is also the author of a recent book titled “Rival Power. Russia’s influence in Southeast Europe”. Maciek and Dimitar pick apart the current state of relations between Russia and Turkey and discuss some challenges to the medium and long term, including the impact of coronavirus on this relationship.

Resources:
“Turkey and Russia: No Birds of the Same Feather”, Dimitar Bechev, Suat Kınıklıoğlu. SWP Report, May 2020: https://www.swp-berlin.org/10.18449/2020C24/
“Turkey’s Plans to Become a Regional Energy Giant Just Got a Boost”, By: Dimitar Bechev. Foreign Policy. 28 August 2020. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/08/28/turkeys-plans-to-become-a-regional-energy-giant-just-got-a-boost/

Music featured in the podcast: End Titles Extended Version (Romeos Erbe) by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3158-end-titles-extended-version-romeos-erbe-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod
Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe. Published by the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this episode, which is the third part in our special mini-series on Romanian foreign policy in the region, Maciek asks Oktawian Milewski to provide a deeper look at Romanian-Russian relations. They cover such topics as: historical factors in current relations; Romania’s role as a regional player; the Eastern Partnership and Romania; and what is the outlook for the two countries.

Catch-up on our previous episodes related to Romania’s foreign policy:
- Episode 36: Complicated neighbours. Romania-Moldova relations in the spotlight: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-36

- Episode 45: Romania-Ukraine: Evolution of relations: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-45


Music featured in this podcast: “Mysterious” by Agnese Valmaggia https://filmmusic.io/song/6786-mysterious / License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

***
Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe. Published by the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

** Support this podcast. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this special episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam sits down with Peter Pomerantsev, expert on disinformation and author of the recent book: “This is not Propaganda. Adventures in the war against Reality”. They discuss the recent report looking at roots of polarization in Ukraine, his current assessment of disinformation campaigns (especially ahead of the US elections) and some reflections on the situation in Belarus.

Resources
- From “Memory Wars” to a Common Future: Overcoming Polarisation in Ukraine https://www.lse.ac.uk/iga/assets/documents/From-Memory-Wars.pdf

- This is Not Propaganda: Adventures in the War Against Reality (2019). https://www.amazon.com/This-Not-Propaganda-Adventures-Against/dp/0571338631

(In Polish) "To nie jest propaganda" https://wydawnictwo.krytykapolityczna.pl/to-nie-jest-propaganda-885

- Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia (2015) https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-True-Everything-Possible-Surreal/dp/1610396006

Additional music featured in the podcast: Time Travel by Frank Schröter. Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6784-time-travel- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

***
Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe. Published by the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

This special online discussion which took place on October 27 2020 is dedicated to looking at the situation in Belarus and how the countries of the Weimar Triangle can and should respond. We will gather insight on the current situation in Belarus and discuss how France, Germany and Poland are responding and how can they better coordinate together for a better joint and European policy.

The panel features:
Olga Dryndova (Expert, BelarusAnalysen)
Romain Le Quiniou (EuroCreative, France)
Mattia Nelles (Zentrum Liberale Moderne, Germany)
Lidia Gibadło (Polish Institute of International Affairs, Poland)
Moderated by: Adam Reichardt, New Eastern Europe

This discussion is supported by funding from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Music featured in the podcast licensed under an Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 International License.
resonance by airtone (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/airtone/61321

Support the podcast! Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Talk Eastern Europe heads back to the Baltic states, taking a look at Lithuania, which just finished their parliamentary elections. In the episode Maciek and Adam catch up with Monika Bičkauskaitė from the Warsaw office of the German Marshall Fund. They discuss with her the outcomes of the election, reasoning behind the change in direction, and possible implications on Lithuanian foreign policy, including Lithuanian-Polish relations and policy towards Eastern Europe.

Resources:
- “Conservatives seal victory in Lithuania’s run-off elections”. New Eastern Europe 27 October 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/10/27/conservatives-seal-victory-in-lithuanias-run-off-elections/

- “Lithuania’s general election – key takeaways”. By: Justinas Šuliokas. New Eastern Europe 20 Octoboer 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/10/20/lithuanias-general-election-key-takeaways/

- “Lithuania’s campaign to help Belarus’s protesters offers more than just words” By: Olga Irisova. New Eastern Europe 3 September 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/03/lithuanias-campaign-to-help-belaruss-protesters-offers-more-than-just-words/

Additional music featured in the podcast: “Adventure by Alexander Nakarada” https://filmmusic.io/song/6092-adventure. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe. Published by the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

>>> Support the podcast, become a patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

On November 15, Maia Sandu won the second round of the presidential elections with 57.75% of the vote and she became the first female president in the history of Moldova. In the second round she defeated the incumbent president, Igor Dodon, who in the last year seemed to have all the cards in hand to maintain his rule for the years to come. In this episode we catch up with Gina Lentine, a Senior Program Officer Freedom House, to get her reflections. We discuss what happened during the electoral campaign, what the prospects are for Moldova and what is the future of Dodon himself.

Resources

Moldovans elected an anti-corruption president, avoiding a “colour revolution”, by Denis Cenusa. New Eastern Europe, 18 November 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/11/18/moldovans-elected-an-anti-corruption-president-avoiding-a-colour-revolution/

In Church we trust. The case of the Moldovan Orthodox Church, Anastasia Pociumban. New Eastern Europe issue 5/2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/07/in-church-we-trust-the-case-of-the-moldovan-orthodox-church/

Talk Eastern Europe Episode 36: Complicated neighbours. Romania-Moldova relations in the spotlight - https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-36 (8 May 2020)

Talk Eastern Europe Episode 19: Strange Bedfellows in Moldova: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-ep-19-final (17 September 2019)

Additional music in the podcast:

Epic Trap Dubstep Intro by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/502-epic-trap-dubstep-intro
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

*** Check out our new podcast documentary: The Story of Belarus, the nation, its history and a new hope: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-story-of-belarus

----

Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe. Published by the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

This discussion was originally live streamed on December 3rd 2020. During this discussion, we caught up with some of the authors from the latest issue of New Eastern Europe and asked them for their take on European values in these difficult times.

The discussion includes:

Maxim Rust, PhD, New Eastern Europe

Kinga Anna Gajda, PhD, Institute of European Studies, Jagiellonian University (Krakow)

Volodymyr Yermolenko, PhD, chief editor of UkraineWorld

Réka Kinga Papp, editor-in-chief Eurozine

The discussion will be moderated by Adam Reichardt, editor-in-chief of New Eastern Europe

This event is organised in co-operation with the Institute of European Studies at the Jagiellonian University, UkraineWorld and Eurozine.

Learn more about the latest issue of New Eastern Europe at: https://bit.ly/32P2ngb

Additional music: Funky Party In The Marina Club by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6214-funky-party-in-the-marina-club
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


***
The project is co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework "Public Diplomacy 2020 - new dimension".

>>> Support the podcast, become a patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

On November 17 2020, Bulgaria officially vetoed the European Union’s accession talks with North Macedonia. Officially, the dispute is over unresolved historical and language issues. Despite some progress in its Euro-Atlantic aspirations – which includes joining NATO in June 2020 – there are now many questions as to what next for the small former-Yugoslav country.
In this episode, Adam meets up with Bojan Stojkovski – a journalist based in Skopje, North Macedonia. They discuss the background of the Bulgarian veto and its effect on Macedonian politics and attitudes to EU integration.

Resources:
“A case of the tail wagging the dog? Bulgaria, the EU and North Macedonia” By: Tomasz Kamusella New Eastern Europe 10 December 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/12/10/a-case-of-the-tail-wagging-the-dog-bulgaria-the-eu-and-north-macedonia/
“What lurks behind Bulgaria’s “veto” on North Macedonia’s accession talks?” By: Radosveta Vassileva. New Eastern Europe 30 November 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/11/30/what-lurks-behind-bulgarias-veto-on-north-macedonias-accession-talks-%ef%bb%bf/

Additional music: Morning Rhythm by Rafael Krux. Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5338-morning-rhythm- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Last weekend, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny returned to Russia after recovering from being poisoned. He was immediately arrested upon arrival, sparking tens of thousands of Russians to take to the streets, with hundreds being arrested and detained.
Talk Eastern Europe is back in 2021 with an all new episode! In this episode co-hosts Adam and Maciek interview Katerina Fomina – a Russian journalist based in Moscow. They discuss the protests, how young people see the situation in the their country, and the many underlying social and economic factors which also drove Russians to protests.

Resources:
- Navalny film: “Putin's palace. History of world's largest bribe” with English subtitles: https://youtu.be/ipAnwilMncI

- “Navalny’s poisoning disrupts Russian “smart voting” process” by: Anastasiia Starchenko. New Eastern Europe September 7 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/07/navalnys-poisoning-disrupts-russian-smart-voting-process/

- “Navalny’s investigative breakthrough fails to sway Russian public opinion” by: Kennedy Lee. New Eastern Europe 18 January 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/01/18/navalnys-investigative-breakthrough-fails-to-sway-russian-public-opinion/

- “Navalny and the Solzhenitsyn dilemma” by: Cyrille Bret. New Eastern Europe 20 January 20201: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/01/20/navalny-and-the-solzhenitsyn-dilemma/

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Check out istories media – investigative portal in Russian: https://istories.media/
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Don’t forget to check out our special audio documentary called “The Story of Belarus”. Find more info here: www.neweasterneurope.eu/Belarus
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Join us on Facebook and share your feedback: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

On October 27th, 2020, Ukraine’s Constitutional Court made a controversial decision undoing one of the most important reforms put into place since 2014. This decision reverse certain procedures aimed at reducing corruption among judges and created greater politicization of the judiciary.

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam interviews Iryna Shyba, the Executive Director of the DEJURE Foundation, an NGO-judicial watch dog in based in Kyiv. Iryna outlines the importance of the decision, the political implications, and what might come next.

Resources:
- “Who are judges of the Constitutional Court and why they do not protect the Constitution?” A report by the DeJuRe Foundation: https://en.dejure.foundation/library/who-become-judges-of-the-constitutional-court

“The Constitutional Court can be a threat: How Zelenskyy can save the anti-corruption policy of Ukraine” By: Anton Naychuk. New Eastern Europe 11 January 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/01/11/the-constitutional-court-can-be-a-threat-how-zelenskyy-can-save-the-anti-corruption-policy-of-ukraine/

“Ukraine between law and justice” By: Valentyna Korbachenko. New Eastern Europe 26 November 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/11/26/ukraine-between-law-and-justice/

>>> Help New Eastern Europe – buy our latest issue debating the current state of democracy in the region here: https://bit.ly/3oMbKpd

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In December 2020, Maia Sandu became the new president of Moldova. Her main focus so far has been a strong foreign policy, meeting with neighbours and western partners. Domestically, the political situation gives the impression of looming chaos. Her main aim is to force new parliamentary elections, while her opponents plan to stop her at any cost.

In this episode, Adam and Maciek catch up with Oktawian Milewski, a political scientist specialising in Central and Eastern Europe. They discuss an early assessment of President Sandu’s foreign policy successes as well as the ongoing turbulent political situation in the country.

Resources
“Challenging the status quo in Moldova. What now after Maia Sandu’s victory?” By: Oktawian Milewski. 1 December 2020. New Eastern Europe https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/12/01/challenging-the-status-quo-in-moldova-what-now-after-maia-sandus-victory/

“Integrity and identity – the dilemmas of Maia Sandu” By: Piotr Oleksy. 9 February 2021 New Eastern Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/02/09/integrity-and-identity-the-dilemmas-of-maia-sandu/

“2020’s electoral lessons: Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine” By: Denis Cenusa. New Eastern Europe issue 1-2/2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/02/03/2020s-electoral-lessons-moldova-georgia-and-ukraine/

>>> Help New Eastern Europe – buy our latest issue debating the current state of democracy in the region here: https://bit.ly/3oMbKpd

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe features a discussion with Reinhard Krumm, the founder and director of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung’s Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe, he was previously a journalist who spent a lot of time in Russia and the post-Soviet space; and was the Moscow correspondent for Der Spiegel.

In the episode Adam and Reinhard discuss dilemmas in German-Russian relations, the EU’s approach to Russia, following the visit of Josep Borell to Moscow, and how Germany’s Ostpolitik look’s like from today’s perspective.

*** Check out a special 5-episode mini-series looking at issues in Eastern Europe from a German and Polish perspective:
- You can listen to the English version here: https://www.spreaker.com/show/polish-german-perspectives-on-the-east
- Or in Polish here: https://nowa-europa-wschodnia.simplecast.com/episodes

Resources
Read a special report titled: „Ost/Wschód: Germany, Poland and Eastern Europe. Current state of affairs, scenarios and recommendations” - http://www.kew.org.pl/ostwschod-final-report/

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

>>> Help New Eastern Europe – buy our latest issue debating the current state of democracy in the region here: https://bit.ly/3oMbKpd

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe returns to the Southern Caucasus with a look at the political situation in Georgia. Immediately following the parliamentary elections last October, the united opposition failed to recognize the outcomes of the elections as free and fair and refused to take their seats in the parliament. Since then, social frustration with the political situation has grown and exploded after the brutal arrest of Nika Melia – the leader of the largest opposition party, the United National Movement. The current situation, which is exacerbated by the pandemic, leaves a lot of questions ahead for Georgia, including its Euro-Atlantic path. To help understand the situation there, Adam sits down with Anastasia Mgaloblishvili an analyst and recent election observer in Georgia for her take on the situation.

>> Resources
“When institutions fail, boycott and street protests remain the only instrument” By Anastasia Mgaloblishvili. New Eastern Europe issue 1-2/2021, https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/02/03/when-institutions-fail-boycott-and-street-protests-remain-the-only-instrument/

“Make Georgia great again”, By Archil Sikharulidze . New Eastern Europe 04 January 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/01/04/make-georgia-great-again/

“Georgian democracy on life support” By Shota Kincha. New Eatsern Europe 02 March 2021 https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/03/02/georgian-democracy-on-life-support/

“Crisis spiral in Georgia and Moldova – commonalty, distinctions and ways out” By Denis Cenusa. New Eastern Europe 08 March 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/03/08/crisis-spiral-in-georgia-and-moldova-commonalty-distinctions-and-ways-out/

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

Missed our exclusive patron zoom meeting on Hungary? You can watch it here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tee-patron-zoom-47909846

>>> Help New Eastern Europe – buy our latest issue debating the current state of democracy in the region here: https://bit.ly/3oMbKpd

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe we return back to Belarus and the society which continues to face severe repressions by the regime. In this episode, Maciek has a conversation with Alexandr Chavoski from the Belarusian Culture Solidarity Foundation, an NGO based in Estonia. They discuss a unique strategy by this NGO to raise awareness in Europe about the situation in Belarus, the current situation in the country and the terror faced by journalists who try to report the truth.

Resources
The Story of Belarus – listen to a special 10-episode audio documentary: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-story-of-belarus

Learn more about the Belarusian Culture Solidarity Foundation and how to support their efforts: https://byculture.org/

Belarusian Culture Solidarity Foundation YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMSy0y7xMIdqJTtki8Ux_kQ

“What’s ahead for Belarus” An online discussion with Victor Martinovich available for TEE Patrons here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/45077562

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

>> Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this special episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Maciek sit down with Linas Linkevičius, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. During the discussion, Linkevičius reflects on his time as foreign minister, Europe’s relations with Russia, the role of the Baltic states in the region, and what might be next for Belarus.

This interview will also be available in the upcoming issue of New Eastern Europe which will have a special focus on the Baltic states - available early April.

Learn more at: www.neweasterneurope.eu

Talk Eastern Europe featured in "The 50 best podcasts" by The New European. This is a huge honour, and we cannot thank our listeners and supporters enough!
Read more here: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/50-greatest-podcasts-7807108

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

>> Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe takes a look at the role of history and memory of the Holocaust and the Second World War which still haunts so many in this region and beyond. The context for the episode is the book titled Memory Monster written by Israeli author Yishai Sarid, which was recently published in Polish. During the intervier Maciek sits down with Sarid and they discuss the difficulties of dealing with memory in societies and the challenges facing Israelis and Poles today.

Read Maciek’s review of Yishai Sarid’s book here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/04/11/living-with-the-beast/

Find the English version of the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Monster-Yishai-Sarid/dp/1632062712

Published in Polish by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe here: http://www.kew.org.pl/produkt/potwor-pamieci/


>>> Check out “Tales from the Baltics” - the newest issue of New Eastern Europe. Get your copy here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/04/11/tales-from-the-baltics/

Talk Eastern Europe featured in "The 50 best podcasts" by The New European. This is a huge honour, and we cannot thank our listeners and supporters enough!
Read more here: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/50-greatest-podcasts-7807108

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe heads back to the Southern Caucasus following the serious clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia last year. The fighting came to an end with a Russian-negotiated peace agreement, providing Azerbaijan with some territorial gains and putting Russian peacekeeping troops on the ground in the region. In Armenia the agreement was seen as a humiliating defeat for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who was forced to accept the agreement and was heavily criticized in the country.

This episode takes a look at the political developments that have taken place since the agreement was signed. Adam sits down with Armenian journalist Ani Avetisyan to get some insight on the current situation there as the country braces for pre-term elections on June 20th.

Resources and context:
“This conflict was always on the edge of Europe”, An interview with Thomas de Waal. New Eastern Europe issue 3/2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/04/11/this-conflict-was-always-on-the-edge-of-europe/

“Pashinyan announces changes to electoral system before elections” by Ani Avetisyan, OC Media 25 March 2021: https://oc-media.org/pashinyan-announces-changes-to-electoral-system-before-elections/

“Turkey, Russia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict” By: Natalia Konarzewska. New Eastern Europe 1-2/2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/02/03/turkey-russia-and-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/

Talk Eastern Europe Episode 55: Episode 55: Nagorno-Karabkh on fire (again) https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-55

>>> Check out “Tales from the Baltics” - the newest issue of New Eastern Europe. Get your copy here: https://bit.ly/3fZWpkd

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this episode we welcome back Agnieszka Legucka, a Polish analyst and expert on Russia. During Maciek’s interview with Agnieszka, the podcast discusses the security situation in the region, the Kremlin’s motives for massing troops around Ukraine and some of the internal factors which may also be driving the Kremlin’s decision-making.

Further reading:
“Russia’s military build-up on the border with Ukraine: intimidation, imminent escalation or both?” By: - Alisa Muzergues. New Eastern Europe 21 April 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/04/21/russias-military-build-up-on-the-border-with-ukraine-intimidation-imminent-escalation-or-both/

“What’s behind Moscow’s possible escalation in Donbas” by Piotr Andrusieczko. New Eastern Europe 11 April 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/04/11/whats-behind-moscows-possible-escalation-in-donbas/

“Russia’s police state showed its real face in latest protest crackdown” By: Giovanni Pigni. New Eastern Europe issue 3/2021. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/04/11/russias-police-state-showed-its-real-face-in-latest-protest-crackdown/

>>> Check out “Tales from the Baltics” - the newest issue of New Eastern Europe. Get your copy here: https://bit.ly/3fZWpkd

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this episode, we invite Romain Lequiniou from the French think tank “Euro Créative” and Lidia Gibadło from the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) to discuss the approaches of two of the most important players in Western Europe - Germany and France - towards the region of Eastern Europe. We discuss relations with Russia, Belarus, the Nagorno-Karabkh conflict, and possible upcoming political changes in both countries and what effect they may have on our region.

Resources and previous episodes:
“Ukraine in France” An interview with Christine Kohut, member of Portail de l’Ukraine. Interviewer: Clémence Lavialle. New Eastern Europe 12 May 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/05/12/ukraine-in-france/

“France-Russia, a love-hate history” By: Cyrille Bret. New Eastern Europe Issue 1-2 (Jan-March) 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/01/28/france-russia-a-love-hate-history/

Talk Eastern Europe Episode 65: Relations with Russia. To engage or not engage?: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/ep-65

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this special episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Maciek sits down with Dmytro Khutkyy an expert on digital democracy and open governance. They discuss how different countries approach digital democracy, what are some advantages and also pitfalls of digitizing our public sector. The main context for the conversation was the release of a recent online study called the “Digital Democracy Database”. This project is designed to identify and analyse cases of digital democracy aspiring to consolidate global democracy by discovering and sharing good practices of open participatory governance worldwide. It is intended as a source of data for scholars, policy analysts, civic activists, politicians, and other interested parties.

Learn more about the Digital Democracy Database: https://europeandigital.org/digital-democracy-database

Lear more about our guest, Dmytro Khutkyy: https://www.khutkyy.com/

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

This episode brings us back to Estonia with an interview with Kristina Kallas, a political scientist and the leader of Eesti 200 liberal political party. Ahead of the autumn local elections, political divisions are sharp in this northern Baltic state. However Kallas hopes her vision for a renewed political agenda can help change this trend. She also discusses the important situation with the Russian minority in the country and how it has evolved over the past 30 years.

Read Kallas’s latest essay from the April-May issue of New Eastern Europe. “Russians in Estonia. We are not ‘them’, we are ‘us’”: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/04/11/russians-in-estonia-we-are-not-them-we-are-us/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this special episode produced ahead of the NATO Summit, Adam and Maciek take a look at the context of the event scheduled for June 14th 2021 – the first Summit with the participation of Joe Biden as US President. Later, Adam sits down with Alice Stollmeyer, the Founder and Executive Director of Defend Democracy - an independent, nonpartisan, transatlantic initiative aimed at defending democracy from internal, external and technological threats. They discuss issues on the Transatlantic agenda as well as the current and future challenges that face the Alliance.

Please check out and support Alice’s organization: www.defenddemocracy.eu

Other articles to check out:
“We need to talk about Russia, again,” by: Wojciech Michnik. New Eastern Europe 19 May 2021. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/05/19/we-need-to-talk-about-russia-again/

“Closing the window of opportunity for Russia?” By: Silvie Leštinská. New Eastern Europe 7 June 2021. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/06/07/closing-the-window-of-opportunity-for-russia/

Production of this podcast episode is part of a wider project called “All Quiet on the Eastern Flank?” which is conducted by New Eastern Europe and supported by a grant from NATO Public Diplomacy. Learn more at: www.neweasterneurope.eu

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope
In this special podcast episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Maciek and Adam are joined by Roman Washchuk, the former Canadian ambassador to Ukraine (2014-2019). They discuss the challenges Ukraine faces, look at the recent NATO summit and analyze Western support for Ukraine’s reforms. The conversation ends with a short reflection on the situation in Belarus.

Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe on Ukraine now available at www.neweasterneurope.eu

Read also:
“Ukrainian NATO membership: Realistic or a diplomatic tool?” by: Maryna Parfenchuk, New Eastern Europe, June 25 2021, https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/06/25/ukrainian-nato-membership-realistic-or-a-diplomatic-tool/

>> In case you missed our online event titled: “All Quiet on the Eastern Flank? Reflections after the June 2021 NATO Summit” you can watch it online here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/06/17/all-quiet-on-the-eastern-flank-reflections-after-the-june-2021-nato-summit/

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this special episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Maciek have a conversation with Maria Kobielska, a memory scholar and assistant professor at the Department of Anthropology of Literature and Cultural Research at the Jagiellonian Univeristy in Kraków Poland. She is also the co-founder of the Research Center for Memory Cultures at the University.

This episode is being produced within the framework of the project titled “Contested Histories Onsite”, a project which aims to place Europeans in discussions and debates on multiple historical perspectives and to activate citizens in public involvement of memory-constructions. As part of the EU’s Europe for Citizens programme, the project’s aspiration is rooted in a shared conviction that raising critical questions about the past is fundamental for citizens to develop a critical attitude towards the narratives that are competing with each other in contemporary politics.

For more information on the project visit:
-Contested Histories Onsite: https://contestedhistories.org/onsite/
-Memory Studies Association: https://www.memorystudiesassociation.org/contested-histories-onsite/
-EuroClio: https://www.euroclio.eu/project/contested-histories/

Visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum Online: https://www.1944.pl/en/article/the-warsaw-rising-museum,4516.html

>>> Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

>>> Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/talkeasterneurope

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

We are back after a short summer break and just released a new episode. In this episode we come back to Georgia and discuss the situation there after the collapse of the EU-negotiated deal earlier this year and ahead of local elections in the fall. For the discussion, Adam sits down with Soso Dzamukashvili, a policy analyst and researcher focusing on political developments in Central and Eastern Europe.

Resources:
“What is really behind Ivanishvili’s decision to quit politics” Soso Dzamukashvili, New Eastern Europe issue 3/2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/04/11/what-is-really-behind-ivanishvilis-decision-to-quit-politics/

Georgia’s argument over ‘Michel’ is finished, at least for now, Archil Sikharulidze, New Eastern Europe 16 August 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/08/16/georgias-argument-over-michel-is-finished-at-least-for-now/

“Crisis spiral in Georgia and Moldova – commonalty, distinctions and ways out” Denis Cenusa, 8 March 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/03/08/crisis-spiral-in-georgia-and-moldova-commonalty-distinctions-and-ways-out/

Talk Eastern Europe 66: “Political turbulence shakes Georgia” https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-66

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Maciek get back to Ukraine and discuss recent developments in Ukraine’s foreign policy, including Nord Stream 2, the Crimea Platform and President Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States. The episode features Adam’s interview with Ukrainian expert Anna Korbut to further analyze these developments and what might come next for the country.

Resources:
“The Crimea Platform as a new approach to a seven-year-old problem: By: Adam Reichardt, New Eastern Europe, 24 August 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/08/24/the-crimea-platform-as-a-new-approach-to-a-seven-year-old-problem/

“The Crimean Platform: possible light in the hybrid tunnel”. By: Christine Karelska and Pavlo Vugelman, New Eastern Europe, 24 August 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/08/23/the-crimean-platform-possible-light-in-the-hybrid-tunnel/

“Mr Zelenskyy goes to Washington” by: Vladyslav Faraponov. New Eastern Europe, 1 September 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/09/01/mr-zelenskyy-goes-to-washington/

TEE Episode 52: Nord Stream 2 and pipeline politics: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-52

Nord Stream 2. Strictly business or wider threat? By: Mykola Voytiv, New Eastern Europe, Issue 4 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/06/23/nord-stream-2-strictly-business-or-wider-threat/

>>>>> Check out the newest issue of the magazine on Belarus here: https://bit.ly/3kd5OGN

And listen to our special audio documentary on Belarus: https://bit.ly/2HQRVO4

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Talk Eastern Europe returns to Central Europe and discusses recent political developments in Hungary. Following Viktor Orbán’s debut on American prime time with his interview with Tucker Carlson, Adam catches up with Ferenc Laczo, a political and intellectual historian at Maastricht University, and an editor with the CEU’s Review of Democracy. They explore Orbán’s attempts to build himself as a leader of right-wing politics, the current situation in the country, and what might we expect ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.

Resources
Legacy of Division: East and West after 1989 https://www.eurozine.com/about-eurozine/print-series/

RevDem podcasts https://democracyinstitute.ceu.edu/revdem-podcasts

Check out our exclusive Zoom discussion (for patrons only) with Szabolsc Panyi on Hungarian media: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tee-patron-zoom-47909846

Women protests in Belarus, online discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I4--qNTdi4

Political system in Belarus, online discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPcCmV7eqzU&t

>>>>> Check out the newest issue of the magazine on Belarus here: https://bit.ly/3kd5OGN

*** Support this podcast! Become a Patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe attempts to add context to the situation that is taking place on the border with Belarus and Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Since June this year, the regime in Minsk has deliberately stimulated a migration crisis on the eastern border of the EU as a response to tough policies towards the Lukashenka regime. To give greater context to this issue, it is important to look through the lens of biopolitics – which is the intersection of biology and politics. During this podcast, Maciek meets with Andrey Makarychev, visiting professor at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies in Tartu Estonia and co-author of the book “Critical Biopolitics of the Post-Soviet: From Populations to Nations”.

Resources:
Critical Biopolitics of the Post-Soviet, By Andrey Makarychev and Alexandra Yatsyk: https://www.amazon.com/Critical-Biopolitics-Post-Soviet-Populations-Nations-ebook/dp/B081XGNLF9

“River and fog instead of fence and radars: guarding Lithuania’s easternmost border”, by Gytis Pankūnas and Justinas Stacevičius. New Eastern Europe, 30 August 2021. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/08/30/river-an-fog-instead-of-fence-and-radars-guarding-lithuanias-easternmost-border/

Gone with the virus. How the pandemic makes Russian strategy evanescent, by Andrey Makarychev. New Eastern Europe issue 4/2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/07/gone-with-the-virus-how-the-pandemic-makes-russian-strategy-evanescent/

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope

Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

>>> Support the podcast, become a patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope
Earlier this month was a the EU-Western Balkan Summit in Brdo Slovenia. While there has been a lot of talk of seeking a breakthrough in opening the EU membership door for Western Balkans, not much came to fruition as a result of the high level meeting. Nevertheless, it is important to understand current issues regarding Western Balkans, their relations with the European Union and what might come next.
In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Maciek catches up with Marta Szpala an analyst at the Warsaw-based Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), to get her insight on the current developments in the region of Western Balkans.
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Full text of the Brdo declaration of the EU-Western Balkans summit: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/52280/brdo-declaration-6-october-2021-en.pdf
TEE Episode 61: Bulgaria blocks North Macedonia’s EU aspirations https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-61
The Berlin Process and why the EU remains a political dwarf in the Balkans by Ivan Pepic: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/08/12/the-berlin-process-and-why-the-eu-remains-a-political-dwarf-in-the-balkans/
Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

>>> Support the podcast, become a patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

Estonia has recently undergone two political cycles. First, with the election of Alar Karis as president of the republic, and next with the Centre Party winning the local elections. At the same time, the greatest beneficiary of coalition talks at the local level is the ruling party – the Reform Party. Eesti 200 made a strong debut in local elections while national-conservative EKRE improve the result from the last municipal election.

In this episode, Maciek discusses these elections with Stefano Braghiroli, an associate professor of European Studies at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, University of Tartu. They look at the results and what they might say about the current state of Estonian politics and society.

For the official electoral results: https://kov2021.valimised.ee/en/election-result/index.html

“What to watch in Estonia’s upcoming local elections” By: Samuel Kramer. New Eastern Europe, 15 October 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/10/15/what-to-watch-in-estonias-upcoming-local-elections/

Talk Eastern Europe episode 74: Can Eesti 200 bridge political divides in Estonia? https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-74
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Check out our brand new podcast series: “Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy – 100 Years of Stanislaw Lem” find it here: www.neweasterneurope.eu/Lem100
Or on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3o5BIHd
Apple podcasts: https://apple.co/3d6ToM8
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Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

>>> Support our podcast, become a patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

On December 15th, the European Union will host the Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels – the first in-person summit since 2019. The Summit aims to focus on five priority areas – economy, governance, the environment, digital and society.

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Maciek sits down with three experts from the Eastern Partnership’s Civil Society Forum to discuss their expectations for the Summit and how civil society plays a key role in the development of the Eastern Partnership. They also discuss their latest position paper which addresses the EU’s post-2020 priorities for the initiative.

Guests: Vera Rihackova Pachta, Interim Director of the EaP CSF; Sofia Strive, ForumCiv (Sweden) Co-Chair of the EaP CSF; and Tatiana Poshevalova, Centre for Social Innovations (Belarus) and member of the EaP CSF Steering Committee.

Resources
Check out the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: https://eap-csf.eu/
No recovery without democracy: Rule of law and democratic accountability at the heart of recovery, resilience and reform. Read the paper here: https://eap-csf.eu/project/position-paper-on-the-jswd-on-recovery-resilience-and-reform/
More on the Eastern Partnership Summit: https://euneighbourseast.eu/eapsummit/
>>> Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe here: https://bit.ly/3xL6x78

****
Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

The final episode of 2021 once again takes us to Estonia. This time the context is a discussion on the removal of the Soviet-era “Bronze Soldier” statue in Tallinn which took place in April 2007. As a result of the government’s decision, violent protests broke out in Estonia – unprecedented for the small Baltic state.

The incident exemplifies the complexity of memory in this region but also illustrates how memory is used to manipulate and incite violence. To revisit this discussion and take stock on the current state of inter-ethnic relations in Estonia, Adam and Maciek sit down with Karsten Brüggemann Professor of Estonian and General History at Tallinn University.

This episode is being produced within the framework of the project titled “Contested Histories Onsite”, a project which aims to place Europeans in discussions and debates on multiple historical perspectives and to activate citizens in public involvement of memory-constructions. As part of the EU’s Europe for Citizens programme, the project’s aspiration is rooted in a shared conviction that raising critical questions about the past is fundamental for citizens to develop a critical attitude towards the narratives that are competing with each other in contemporary politics.

For more information on the project visit:
-Contested Histories Onsite: https://contestedhistories.org/onsite/
-Memory Studies Association: https://www.memorystudiesassociation.org/contested-histories-onsite/
-EuroClio: https://www.euroclio.eu/project/contested-histories/
- Listen to our previous episode on the Warsaw Uprising Museum: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-77
****
Check out our special podcast series on Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy / 100 Years of Stanislaw Lem. Available here: https://apple.co/3d6ToM8

In the first episode of 2022, Talk Eastern Europe takes a comprehensive look at the situation on the border of Belarus and Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Last year, the regime in Minsk headed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka, tried to artificially create a migration and border crisis for EU states as revenge for sanctions policies in the wake of the falsified 2020 elections and subsequent crackdowns. In this special episode, Maciek collects insights from two Polish experts (Filip Rudnik, Dominik Wilczewski) who followed the crisis closely. The discussions provide a special focus on the internal situations in Belarus and Lithuania.

Support this podcast – become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu

Resources:
Check out New Eastern Europe’s issue about Belarus (5/2021): https://neweasterneurope.eu/product/issue-5-2021-belarusians-one-year-in-protest/

“Dispatch from the border: Witnessing Lithuania’s migrant pushbacks” by: Jurga Bakaitė. New Eastern Europe, 09 November 2021: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/11/09/dispatch-from-the-border-witnessing-lithuanias-migrant-pushbacks/

Don’t forget to give us 5 * Rating! Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

>>>Support this podcast – become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu

In this episode, we deal with the subject of Russian politics of memory. We discuss the basic threads of the Russian narrative about collective memory and discuss how and for what purposes they are instrumentalized by the current rulers in the Kremlin. It also turns out that understanding the Russian authorities' approach to history provides explanations for the motives behind Russia's current actions at the international arena, including a possible escalation of the Russian-provoked 2014 war with Ukraine. We also look at how independent researchers and non-governmental organizations are trying to build a message based on facts or family stories that does not agree with the official line of the Kremlin.

Our guide on this important and complex topic is Maria Domańska, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Eastern Studies in Warsaw, and co-author of a report on Russia's politics of memory. The report is available for download here:
https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-report/2021-11-22/forward-past

Read also: “The forbidden theme of repression: History in the service of authoritarian politics”, by Maria Domańska, New Eastern Europe, 30 November 2021 https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/11/30/the-forbidden-theme-of-repression-history-in-the-service-of-authoritarian-politics/

*** Please support this podcast – become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe explores the role that the Arctic region plays in the European Union’s foreign and security policy. As a result of the warming climate and the expanding geopolitical ambitions of Russia and other global actors, the Arctic is becoming more important to relations in the Northern Hemisphere. What are the EU’s objectives and how can the EU achieve its aims vis-a-vis its policy in the North.

To help us understand these issues, we sit down with Urmas Paet, a member of the European Parliament from Estonia who is also vice chair of the EP’s Committee on Foreign Affairs. Paet was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia from 2005 to 2014.

In the discussion we are also joined by Ronek Jäär, an intern working with New Eastern Europe and a student at Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University Of Tartu. We are grateful for his research and input into the episode.

Resources and background

“Joint Communication on a stronger EU engagement for a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Arctic” published by the European Union: https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/105481/joint-communication-stronger-eu-engagement-peaceful-sustainable-and-prosperous-arctic_en

European Parliament resolution of 7 October 2021 on the Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2021-0413_EN.html

“A cold relation: Russia, China and science in the Arctic” An interview with researchers Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen and Mariia Kobzeva. New Eastern Europe 25 March 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/03/25/a-cold-relation-russia-china-and-science-in-the-arctic/

*** Please support this podcast – become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In this episode Adam and Maciek start with a discussion on developments in Russia-China relations. Later, they are joined by Mikayel Hovhannisyan, Program Director, Eurasia Partnership Foundation in Armenia, and a member of the EaP Civil Society Forum's Steering Committee. Mikayel shares his insights on the outcomes of the Eastern Partnership Summit held in December 2021. We also have a look at the challenges and opportunities lying ahead for the Eastern Partnership in the upcoming years.

This episode is a collaboration between Talk Eastern Europe and the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. Make sure to check the previous episode we did with the support of the Forum. If you like to learn more about the Eastern Partnership and the activities of civil society organizations from the region visit the website of the Forum.

Resources and background

Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: https://eap-csf.eu/

Listen to Episode 84: Ahead of the Eastern Partnership Summit: https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episode/episode-84-ahead-of-the-eastern-partnership-summit-840

Joint Declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/53527/20211215-eap-joint-declaration-en.pdf

EaP CSF Statement on the 6th Eastern Partnership Summit
https://eap-csf.eu/project/eap-csf-statement-on-the-6th-eastern-partnership-summit/

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE: https://talkeasterneurope.eu

*** Please support this podcast – become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

This episode features Maciek’s conversation with Andrzej Sadecki, Senior Fellow at Centre For Eastern Studies in Warsaw. They discuss the issue of remembrance of the Treaty of Trianon signed in 1921 which is a source of historical trauma for Hungarians. Andrzej explains why the Hungarian perception of the aftermath of World War I and Trianon are different than in other countries of the region. In 2021, on the centenary of the signing of the Treaty, a new monument commemorating Trianon was erected in Budapest which has sparked a further public discussion of current reinterpretations of Hungary's difficult past and the place of Trianon in Hungarian political memory.

Resources and background
Andrzej Sadecki, The long shadow of the Treaty of Trianon. Hungary's struggles with the past
https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/point-view/2020-06-01/long-shadow-treaty-trianon

Previous episodes on political memory in CEE:

Russian memory politics
https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episode/episode-87-russian-memory-politics-491

Estonia grapples with its Soviet past
https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episode/episode-85-estonia-grapples-with-its-soviet-past-236

Inside memory sites - The Warsaw Rising Museum
https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episode/episode-77-inside-memory-sites-the-warsaw-rising-museum-699

The haunting power of memory
https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episode/episode-69-the-haunting-power-of-memory-917

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE: https://talkeasterneurope.eu

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Groups/TalkEasternEurope
Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Check it out here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod

*** Please support this podcast – become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam sits down with Yvonne Howell, Professor of Russian and Global Studies at the University of Richmond and translator of the book “Moments of Happiness” published by Academic Studies Press. They discuss the background behind the book, the process of translating, what was learned in her experience, and how it relates to today’s darker times.

Get your copy of the book at: https://www.academicstudiespress.com/cherry-orchard-books/moments-of-happiness

Read Adam’s review at: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/11/30/happiness-in-small-doses/

Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe --> find out what is inside: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/16/issue-1-2-2022-tug-of-war-addressing-the-challenge-of-instability-in-the-region/

Recommended reading. Our interview with with Ekaterina Tkeshelashvili, Georgia’s former minister of foreign affairs. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/15/revisiting-the-2008-russo-georgian-war-can-offer-lessons-for-today/

*** Please support this podcast – become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

This episode, recorded February 28th, is a summary of what has been happening in Ukraine since February 24th, the beginning of Russia's cruel military invasion of this country. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainians who are heroically defending their country's independence and freedom. We discuss not only the events in Ukraine itself, but also what is happening on the eastern border of Poland, which has already received several hundred thousand war refugees. The co-hosts discuss their reflections on these developments and Adam shares some of his experience at the Polish-Ukrainian border, where thousands of Ukrainians are arriving in their escape from the war.

This episode is also a historic episode for Talk Eastern Europe, because for the first time Adam and Maciek are joined by the third co-host – Agnieszka Widłaszewska.

Resources:
Ukraine under attack. How to help? A list of organizations and charities who are in Ukraine or organizing assistance for Ukraine. Please consider supporting their efforts: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/24/ukraine-under-attack-how-to-help/
Russia’s Blitzkrieg has become Blitzfail. Conclusions from the first days of the war: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/28/russias-blitzkrieg-has-become-blitzfail-conclusions-from-the-first-days-of-the-war/
Photo-report from the Polish border, where it is all hands on deck: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/28/photo-report-from-the-polish-border-where-it-is-all-hands-on-deck/

>>>> Sign our petition for unwavering global support for Ukraine: https://www.change.org/SupportUkraine

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In this episode, Maciek connects with Maksym Kyiak who is staying near Kyiv. Maksym shares information about the life of Ukrainians at the time when their country has been attacked by Russia. Later, Maksym assesses the changing policy of Germany and the West toward Russia, and at the end, we have the pleasure to listen to a patriotic Ukrainian song performed by Maksym.
Ukraine under attack. How to help? List of organizations and charities who are in Ukraine or organizing assistance for Ukraine.

Please consider supporting their efforts: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/24/ukraine-under-attack-how-to-help/

Petition for unwavering global support for Ukraine: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/27/petition-for-unwavering-global-support-for-ukraine/

Listen to our special Spotify playlist “Hear Ukraine” https://spoti.fi/35zgwTn

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In this episode, Adam sits down with Stefano Braghiroli from the University of Tartu in Estonia. They discuss the Russian war in Ukraine and how it is seen from the Baltic states, and especially Estonia.

Please support organizations helping Ukraine: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/24/ukraine-under-attack-how-to-help/

Sign our petition for unwavering global support for Ukraine: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/27/petition-for-unwavering-global-support-for-ukraine/

Listen to our special Spotify playlist “Hear Ukraine” https://spoti.fi/35zgwTn

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In our continuing coverage of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Adam sits down with Olha Konsevych, a Ukrainian journalist and editor in chief of the 24tv.ua web portal. They discuss the current situation around the country, the humanitarian crisis and green corridors, Belarus’s role and nuclear security. In the end Olha shares her message to Russians – who need to stand up and end this war, stating “As long as Russians sit silent, the war will not end.”

The conversation was recorded on March 12th 2022 – the 17th day of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Ukraine under attack. How to help? List of organizations and charities who are in Ukraine or organizing assistance for Ukraine. Please consider supporting their efforts: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/24/ukraine-under-attack-how-to-help/

Petition for unwavering global support for Ukraine: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/27/petition-for-unwavering-global-support-for-ukraine/

Listen to our special Spotify playlist “Hear Ukraine” https://spoti.fi/35zgwTn

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In this episode, which is recorded on March 18th 2022, Talk Eastern Europe co-hosts Agnieszka and Adam catch up with Vladyslav Faraponov, an analyst and journalist at the Kyiv-based Internews-Ukraine and UkraineWorld. They discuss the most recent developments with Russia’s war against Ukraine as well as look at some of the international developments from the Ukrainian perspective.

Make a donation in solidarity with Ukraine by supporting free press in Central and Eastern Europe!

Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-free-press-in-eastern-europe

Petition for unwavering global support for Ukraine: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/02/27/petition-for-unwavering-global-support-for-ukraine/

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In this episode Aga and Maciek discuss with Oktawian Miliewski Moldova’s and Romania’s reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They talk about the growing number of refugees in both countries and the potential consequences of the influx of people for the two countries. Oktawian also shares his insights why a potential of a Russia-controlled breakaway region of Transnistria may not occur an easy asset to use in war.

Guest: Oktawian Milewski is an expert on the politics of Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Black Sea Region and the correspondent of Romania’s branch of Radio France Internationale. Based in Warsaw, Poland. Follow him on Twitter @milewskioctav

Make a donation in solidarity with Ukraine by supporting free press in Central and Eastern Europe! Donate here: https://gofund.me/291fcb13

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

Adam, Maciek and Aga are finally back together! Before getting to this week’s interview, they discuss last week’s international summits and President Joe Biden’s visit to Poland, all against the backdrop of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine.

Aga and Maciek then sit down with Dr Clara Portela – a Political Science lecturer at the Law School of the University of Valencia and an expert on multilateral sanctions, arms control and EU foreign policy. Focusing on the topic of sanctions imposed against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, they discuss common misunderstandings linked to the use of sanctions as a foreign policy tool, different types of sanctions and how they tend to affect both their targets and their senders, as well as the current dynamic within the EU and how well both the Union and Russia are prepared for the consequences of the current and potential future sanctions.

If you’d like to follow Dr Portela and her work you can find her on Twitter @DrClaraPortela. You can also follow her faculty @DretUV and you can find her publications on https://lizzysuccess.academia.edu/ClaraPORTELA

Make sure to check out our website: www.talkeasterneurope.eu
Please make a donation in solidarity with Ukraine by supporting free press in Central and Eastern Europe! Donate here: https://gofund.me/291fcb13

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In this episode, we try to comprehend what’s behind Georgia’s government’s cold stance toward Kyiv in the face of a Russia-provoked war in Ukraine and what consequences it might bring for Georgia’s foreign policy. Maciek discusses this topic with Givi Gigitashvili, a Researcher at the Atlantic Council Forensic Research Lab.

Make sure to check out our website: www.talkeasterneurope.eu

Please donate in solidarity with Ukraine by supporting a free press in Central and Eastern Europe! Donate here: https://gofund.me/291fcb13

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

This episode features a discussion with Andrzej Sadecki, a senior fellow at the Centre for Eastern Studies in Warsaw. Together with Andrzej, we summarize the parliamentary election in Hungary which took place on April 3rd and coincided with a nationwide referendum. Andrzej provides his assessment of why the ruling party of Fidesz won the election big time and gained the supermajority in the Hungarian Parliament although pre-election polls and experts’ predictions suggested such a scenario was unlikely. Andrzej and Maciek also discuss possible prospects for the country under the fifth in a row term of Victor Orban as the prime of the country.

See also: "Miscalibrated ambitions, or the shock of repetition" by: Ferenc Laczó. New Eastern Europe, 5 April 2022: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/04/05/miscalibrated-ambitions-or-the-shock-of-repetition/

Please donate in solidarity with Ukraine by supporting a free press in Central and Eastern Europe! Donate here: https://gofund.me/291fcb13

Make sure to check out our website: www.talkeasterneurope.eu

In our continuing coverage of the Russian invasion against Ukraine, Adam Reichardt goes to Lviv and interviews Iryna Matviyishyn – a Ukrainian journalist. During the conversation they discuss Iryna’s recent trip to Kyiv and what she saw there as well as misconceptions of the West on Ukraine and what stage of the war is next

Make a donation in solidarity with Ukraine by supporting free press in Central and Eastern Europe! Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-free-press-in-eastern-europe

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.eu ***

In the opening part of this episode, Adam reveals what readers may find in the current issue of New Eastern Europe which provides voices from and about Ukraine struggling with unprovoked Russia’s military aggression that has already lasted for two months.

In the main of this episode, Maciek sits down with Aviezer Tucker, a philosopher specializing in Epistemology and Philosophy of Science, a political theorist, and an Associate at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University. They discuss Tucker’s recent book on illiberalism and how to respond to it.

Make sure to listen to the end of the episode to learn what new benefit for Patrons of the podcast awaits!

Resources:
- New Eastern Europe Issue 3/2022: The Pain of War
https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/04/25/issue-3-2022-the-pain-of-war/

- Check out Adam’s photo-story from his recent trip to Lviv:
https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/04/24/lviv-a-city-of-resistance-photo-story/

- Aviezer Tucker, Along with Ukraine, Putin is Destroying Putinism
https://theunpopulist.substack.com/p/along-with-ukraine-putin-is-destroying?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cta&s=r

Make sure to check out our website: www.talkeasterneurope.eu

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope***

Episode 99 of the podcast explores how the research and local community from Bolzano in northern Italy managed to successfully reframe the post-fascist historical site located in this South Tyrolean, multi-ethnic city. The story gives an opportunity to reflect on how collective memory can be dealt with. It also allows us to ponder to what extent the experience of totalitarianism in Central and Eastern Europe shares similarities with Western European cases.

Our guest is Hannes Obermair, a Senior researcher from Eurac Research, an independent and interdisciplinary research center, based in Bolzano in SouthTyrol.

This podcast is a joint effort of Talk Eastern Europe, the Memory Studies Association and EuroClio: the European Association of History Educators within the framework of the project titled “Contested Histories Onsite”, a project which aims to place Europeans in discussions and debates on multiple historical perspectives and to activate citizens in public involvement of memory-constructions. As part of the EU’s Europe for Citizens programme, the project’s aspiration is rooted in a shared conviction that raising critical questions about the past is fundamental for citizens to develop a critical attitude towards the narratives that are competing with each other in contemporary politics.

For more information on the project visit:
-Contested Histories Onsite: https://contestedhistories.org/onsite/
-Memory Studies Association: https://www.memorystudiesassociation.org/contested-histories-onsite/
-EuroClio: https://www.euroclio.eu/project/contested-histories/

Sources:
Mussolini bas-relief, Bolzano, Italy. Case Study #84, Contested Histories
https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy_-Mussolini-Bas-Relief-in-Bolzano.pdf

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Why Are So Many Fascist Monuments Still Standing in Italy?
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/why-are-so-many-fascist-monuments-still-standing-in-italy

Hannes Obermair, Monuments and the City – an almost inextricable entanglement
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324834568_Monuments_and_the_City_-_an_almost_inextricable_entanglement

Andrea Carlà, Johanna Mitterhofer, Transforming a Controversial Heritage: The Case of the Fascist Victory Monument in South Tyrol
https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=708645

- Previous episodes under the Contested Histories Onsite project:
Episode 77: Inside memory sites - The Warsaw Rising Museum
https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episode/episode-77-inside-memory-sites-the-warsaw-rising-museum-699
- Episode 85: Estonia grapples with its Soviet past
https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episode/episode-85-estonia-grapples-with-its-soviet-past-236

Make sure to check out our website: www.talkeasterneurope.eu

*** Please support us to keep bringing you in-depth coverage. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope ***

In our special 100th episode, which was live streamed on May 17th 2022, Talk Eastern Europe takes a trip down memory lane and discusses the origins of the podcast and its development. Aga takes on the role of interviewer with her guests, Adam and Maciek, and asks the longtime co-hosts to share some behind-the-scenes fun facts and memorable moments related to their work on the podcast.

Visit us online and share your moments as well at www.talkeasterneurope.eu

Other Talk Eastern Europe Series to check out:
- The Story of Belarus: the nation, its history, and a new hope: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-story-of-belarus

- Exploring Polish Science Fiction and Fantasy: https://www.spreaker.com/show/polish-science-fiction-and-fantasy

- Security in the Black Sea Region: https://www.spreaker.com/show/security-in-the-black-sea-region

You can also watch this episode as it was live streamed via YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcRA41KMcPk

It has been now over 80 days since the Russian unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. In this special episode dedicated to the war in Ukraine, Adam sits down with Vira Konstantynova, a Ukrainian political scientist, expert in international relations and commentator in Ukrainian media. They discuss life in war time Kyiv, the developing situation in the south of the country, the ongoing negotiation process as well as the importance of Ukraine’s victory in Eurovision.

If you enjoy listening to our podcasts, please consider supporting us by becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.

Make sure to check out New Eastern Europe’s latest issue titled: “The Pain of War” now available online at: https://bit.ly/3EITrLl

Want to listen to more podcasts about Eastern Europe? Visit: www.talkeasterneurope.eu