Talk Eastern Europe

Talk Eastern Europe
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Talk Eastern Europe is your weekly deep dive into the heart of Central and Eastern Europe. Hosted by Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi, and Nina Panikova, this podcast brings you expert analysis, thought-provoking commentary, and engaging interviews on the region's most pressing issues. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the rise of populism and the challenges of European integration, we explore the complexities of the region and the forces shaping its future. Join us as we delve into the latest news and trends, uncovering the stories that matter most to Central and Eastern Europe. Support the podcast. Join our patreon page: https://bit.ly/3nMGeYj

  1. 14 HR AGO

    Episode 242: The end of Pax Americana and what comes next

    In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe co-hosts Adam Reichardt and Aleksandra Karpi discuss the latest developments across the region, from Lithuania’s border closure with Belarus to new US sanctions on Russian oil giants and Hungary’s political shifts ahead of next year’s elections. They also explore a recent sabotage plot uncovered in Romania and Poland. The main interview, which was recorded recently live at the Sarajevo Security Conference, features Charles Kupchan, a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Kupchan shares his insights on the state of US foreign policy under Trump’s second term, the future of transatlantic relations and what the world can expect from America’s evolving role on the global stage. We’d like to express our appreciation to the organizers of the Sarajevo Security Conference for assisting us in making this happen. Learn more about the event here: https://sarajevosecurityconference.com/ Further reading: “NATO in times of crisis. Safeguarding the future of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance” by Wojciech Michnik, https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/09/26/nato-in-times-of-crisis-safeguarding-the-future-of-the-euro-atlantic-alliance/ Check out a recent issue of New Eastern Europe dedicated tothis topic: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/05/06/issue-3-2025-negotiating-peace/  //Additional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation". The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

    42 min

  2. 23 OCT

    Episode 241: Book Talk - Carlo Masala on If Russia Wins

    In this week’s episode of Talk Eastern Europe, hosts Alexandra and Adam unpack another intense week of regional developments, from Donald Trump’s surprising outreach to Vladimir Putin and the potential Budapest summit, to leaks of Polish military documents and rising Russian sabotage activity. They also touch on coalition talks in Czechia and the Georgian government’s deepening crackdown on opposition voices. Later, Adam sits down with Carlo Masala, a leading German political scientist and author of If Russia Wins, to discuss his new book imagining what might follow a Russian victory in Ukraine. Masala outlines why Europe must take the Russian threat seriously, how NATO could be tested in unexpected ways, and why helping Ukraine win is crucial for Europe’s own security. Check out the book here: https://atlanticbooks.co.uk/book/if-russia-wins/ Further reading: Kremlin’s drone surge in 2025 and its hybrid threat toUkraine and Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/10/16/kremlins-drone-surge-in-2025-and-its-hybrid-threat-to-ukraine-and-europe/ Bonus episode: Watch Alexandra’s full interview with Full interview with Ivona Šimunović, a youth worker from Croatia: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-episode-141718094 /////Additional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

    45 min

  3. 17 OCT

    Episode 240: Inside Moldova’s elections: What comes next?

    In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Nina, Adam andAlexandra start by discussing the latest news in the region, including the Hungarian spy scandal, train accident in Slovakia, Latvian minority policy, and some updates from the Western Balkans. Later, Adam is joined by Mihail Nesteriuc, a Moldovan analyst and journalist, and discuss the country’s recent parliamentaryelections, which took place on September 28th 2025. The result of the vote delivered a relatively strong victory for the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS). Mihail describes what the results mean for Moldova’s European path, Russian interference and disinformation efforts, the complex role of Transnistria, and how these developments might reshape the region’s geopolitics. Further reading: Read a report directly from the ground in Moldova during theelections, recently published on New Eastern Europe https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/10/10/operation-matryoshka-russias-direct-intrusion-into-moldovas-parliamentary-elections/ Watch Alexandra’s full interview with Oriana IvkovićNovokmet on Croatia’s elections and lessons for digital resilience. https://www.patreon.com/posts/oriana-ivkovic-141186086 Additional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

    51 min

  4. 10 OCT

    Episode 239: Live from Zagreb. Digital threats after Croatia's "super election year"

    This episode of Talk Eastern Europe is the final one in our mini-series on digital election interference our region. Alexandra reports in-person from Croatia to cover the country's "super election year" with an emphasis on the youth vote and young peoples' participation in politics and online. She speaks with Gong Executive Director Oriana Ivković Novokmet and youth workers Ivona Šimunović and Anja Kolimbatović on these topics and more.  Commentary by: Oriana Ivković Novokmet, executive director of GongIvona Šimunović, youthworker Anja Kolimbatović, legal & policy strategist  To watch the full-length interviews and other behind-the-scene clips, you can check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeResearch for this podcast episode was made possible with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC’s Transatlantic Media Fellowship. Find out more about the Fellowship, and the Foundation’s work, here: https://us.boell.org/en/2025/05/22/2025-cohort-transatlantic-media-fellows Finally, thank you to Ana Puljić and the European Democracy Youth Network Croatia for support in selecting the participants for this episode.

    40 min

  5. 3 OCT

    Episode 238: Czech democracy put to the test

    Adam and Alexandra are back from Sarajevo and give a littleinsight into their recent visit there for the Sarajevo Security Conference. They later run down the latest news stories, including updates on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova’s parliamentary elections, Trump’s change in Ukraine policy and Slovakia’s constitutional changes. For the main interview, Nina sat down with Eva Svatoňová todiscuss the parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic on October 3-4, 2025. Eva, a sociologist specializing in social movements, culture wars, and anti-feminism, offers an overview of the current political landscape and the key issues shaping the debate, and explores why far-right parties are gaining ground. They also consider whether the country might follow the illiberal trends seen elsewhere in the region. Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe now online:https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/09/27/issue-5-2025-on-shaky-ground/ Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

    56 min

  6. 26 SEPT

    Episode 237: Serbian students brace for a tough autumn

    Nina and Alexandra kick off this episode with a summary ofthe week's news, from the violations of NATO airspace in Estonia and Denmark to US President Donald Trump's possible 180 on Ukraine. They also discuss Russia's revival of the Intervision Song Contest as its latest cultural diplomacyeffort, as well as the extradition of Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc from Greece after several years of evading the law.  Nina then speaks with Serbian political scientist Nikola Burazer of the Center for Contemporary Politics and European Western Balkans. Nikola updates listeners on the ongoing student demonstrations in Serbia, the government's increasingly harsh response, and where he thinks the situation could be headed. While protesters' demands have evolved, Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić appears to be digging in his heels.  Support the podcast visit: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

    56 min

  7. 19 SEPT

    Episode 236: Tirana: A better city for all?

    In this episode, Adam and Nina review the week’s key developments, including the Zapad 2025 military exercises between Russia and Belarus, protests in Slovakia, a Russian drone incursion into Poland and Romania, and the latest updates from Romania and Georgia. Following the news, Nina speaks with Ray Koçi, an advisor to the Mayor of Tirana on inclusive planning and coordinator of the Tirana School Streets Programme. They discuss the city’s architectural transformation, exploring its challenges, controversies, and the efforts to create a better environment for all its citizens. Ray is currently working on the 25th International Walk21 Conference on Walking and Liveable Communities, taking place in Tirana from 6–10 October 2025. Read more about the conference here: https://walk21.com/conference/tirana-2025/ Read the latest news and analysis online at: www.neweasterneurope.eu Support the podcast at: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

    56 min

  8. 12 SEPT

    Episode 235: Behind the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

    In this episode, Alexandra and Adam start off with some discussion on the news, including concerns over the upcoming Russia/Belarus Zapad 2025 military exercises, Slovakia’s Robert Fico and his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine, and upcoming elections in Moldova. Later, Adam and Nina are joined by Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe and expert on the South Caucasus. They discuss the peace deal which was initialed at the White House between Armenia and Azerbaijan and dig deeper as to what it means, who wins, who loses, and what might come next. Check out the guest’s profile at: https://carnegieendowment.org/people/thomas-de-waal?lang=en Read Alexandra’s piece on Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/p/september-8-2025 Support our work – become a patron:  www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

    41 min
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About

Talk Eastern Europe is your weekly deep dive into the heart of Central and Eastern Europe. Hosted by Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi, and Nina Panikova, this podcast brings you expert analysis, thought-provoking commentary, and engaging interviews on the region's most pressing issues. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the rise of populism and the challenges of European integration, we explore the complexities of the region and the forces shaping its future. Join us as we delve into the latest news and trends, uncovering the stories that matter most to Central and Eastern Europe. Support the podcast. Join our patreon page: https://bit.ly/3nMGeYj

Information

  • Creator
    Talk Eastern Europe
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    262
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Talk Eastern Europe
  • Show Website
    Talk Eastern Europe

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