Best FPRI Eurasia Program Podcasts (2025)

1
The Feminists Defending Ukraine 26:47

25d ago26:47

26:47

Ukrainians have resisted Russia’s aggression for years. Since the full-scale invasion of their country in 2022, Ukrainian women in particular have taken on important roles on the frontlines, in civil society, and at home. Gražina Bielousova’s research examines how Ukrainian leftist feminists advocate for their causes at home and abroad, facing dist…

1
Trump 2.0 and the Baltic States 48:54

2M ago48:54

48:54

The Baltic Ways podcast welcomes back professors Margarita Šešelgytė (Vilnius University), Daunis Auers (University of Latvia), and Andres Kasekamp (University of Toronto) for a roundtable discussion on the first two months of Donald Trump’s second term and the US administration’s impact on the Baltic countries and broader Europe. This episode was …

1
Rumble in the Oval: Strategy or Spectacle? 34:28

2M ago34:28

34:28

The two weeks after Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s Oval Office clash have precipitated drastic shifts in transatlantic relations and the potential trajectory of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Now a possible ceasefire is on the horizon. This week on the Bear Market Brief podcast, host Aaron Schwartzbaum and Maximilian Hess make sense of the Oval Of…

1
Historical Justice in the Baltic States 29:56

2M ago29:56

29:56

Since restoring their independence, the Baltic states have focused on pursuing historical justice related to Soviet crimes, which included widespread repressions and mass deportations. Under the influence of international actors, the Baltic states have also engaged in political processes associated with Holocaust justice. Political scientist Dovilė…

1
Destigmatizing the Roma: The Most Forgotten Community in Lithuania 29:27

4M ago29:27

29:27

Baltic Ways presents a bonus episode from our partners at the EUROPAST Podcast. The EUROPAST Podcast explores Europe's most pressing challenges of public history, investigating the complex and contested spaces of public memory, memory activism and best practices for engaging the public in a dialogue about the past. In this episode of the EUROPAST P…

1
With So Much Drama in the NSC: Trump, Russia, and the Strategic Context 35:25

4M ago35:25

35:25

Where does the US stand in the world as Trump (re)assumes office? How is his approach towards Ukraine shaping up? Stephen Wertheim, Senior Fellow in the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins Aaron Schwartzbaum to explore the broader context and drivers of how policy towards Russia will, and will not, b…

1
Baltic Leadership in the European Commission 20:24

5M ago20:24

20:24

Ben Gardner-Gill sits down with Lithuanian political scientist Andžej Pukšto to talk about the results of the 2024 European elections, with a focus on two Baltic members of the European Commission: Kaja Kallas of Estonia and Andrius Kubilius of Lithuania. Both former prime ministers, Kallas and Kubilius have unique challenges ahead of them as Russi…

1
The Precipice 33:44

6M ago33:44

33:44

Between a Russian offensive and the reelection of Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine hangs in the balance. Janis Kluge joins host Aaron Schwartzbaum to explore how we got here and what might happen next. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.c…

1
What a Harris or Trump Presidency Could Mean for the Baltic States 44:20

7M ago44:20

44:20

The US election is approaching quickly with implications for America's allies in the world. Professors Margarita Šešelgyte (Vilnius University), Daunis Auers (University of Latvia), and Andres Kasekamp (University of Toronto) join a roundtable discussion on the impact that a Kamala Harris or Donald Trump presidency could have on the security and fu…

1
Introducing the Hosts of Baltic Ways 11:15

7M ago11:15

11:15

Baltic Ways kicks off a new slate of episodes with an introduction to hosts Dr. Indra Ekmanis and Ben Gardner-Gill, and previews of upcoming topics. Baltic Ways is a podcast brought to you by the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies, produced in partnership with the Baltic Initiative at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. The views …

1
Kyiv Dispatch Redux 38:06

7M ago38:06

38:06

Kyiv-based journalist Fabrice Deprez returns to the brief for another update on the mood in Ukraine, including a report on his recent trip to the front line city of Pokrovsk. For more reporting from Ukraine, be sure to check out Fabrice’s Eastern Radar newsletter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or…

1
LGBTQ+ Rights in the Baltic Region 31:04

9M ago31:04

31:04

Aro Velmet is an associate professor of history at the University of Southern California, where he is a historian of modern Europe, colonialism, science, technology, and medicine with an overarching interest in gender studies. For Baltic Ways, he shares insights into the progression of LGBTQ+ rights in Estonia and the broader region and the path th…

1
Yug Gotta Be Kidding Me: Russia and the Global South 24:48

11M ago24:48

24:48

Why has the Global South, historically on the receiving end of colonialism and imperialism, maintained what might be called a neutral stance towards Russia's war against Ukraine? Ivan Grek, Director of the Russia Program at George Washington University’s Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, joins Aaron Schwartzbaum to discuss. This…

1
Dead, But Not Forgotten: Commemoration in Medieval Livonia 27:49

11M ago27:49

27:49

What did commemoration of the dead look like in Medieval Livonia and how did memoria shape group identities in the region? Dr. Gustavs Strenga shares insights into his research and parallels with modern-day memory wars. Baltic Ways is a podcast brought to you by the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies, produced in partnership with the…

1
The F-Word: Is Russia Fascist? 34:13

12M ago34:13

34:13

Russia has taken an increasingly authoritarian turn over the last decade, but is its political system fascist? Marlene Laruelle and Julian Waller join to discuss the blurry lines between politics, ideology, and terminology. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bear…

1
The Baltic States Mark Two Decades of NATO Membership 34:06

1y ago34:06

34:06

This year, NATO marks its 75th anniversary, while the Baltic countries celebrate 20 years as members of the alliance. Dr. Lukas Milevski speaks about the history of that inclusion, and shares his thoughts about the future. Milevski is a tenured assistant professor at Leiden University, where he teaches strategic studies in the BA International Stud…

1
No Nukes is Good Nukes 24:24

1y ago24:24

24:24

The Bear Market Brief goes nuclear! Andrey Baklitskiy dropped by to discuss all Russia's strategic red lines, what the introduction of hypersonic weapons means for global security, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com…

1
Women's Work: History of Women in Academia at the University of Tartu 32:58

1y ago32:58

32:58

Dr. Janet Laidla shares her work on charting the roles and contributions of women at the University of Tartu from the early days of the Estonian Republic, and what it means today. Baltic Ways is a podcast brought to you by the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies, produced in partnership with the Baltic Initiative at the Foreign Policy…

1
Russia's Election: It Ain't Vova 'till it's Vova 32:49

1y ago32:49

32:49

If we know how Russia's presidential election is going to turn out... why even bother holding the election? Join Aaron Schwartzbaum, András Tóth-Czifra, and Olga Khvostunova for an exploration of electoral autocracy and the political moment. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep…

1
Has Russia Won the Sanctions War? 30:58

1y ago30:58

30:58

Despite Western economic policy, Russia has been able to continue its war against Ukraine, and even seen economic growth. Join as we kick off our season with Nick Trickett and Iikka Korhonen investigating what's driving Russia's economy these days, and whether sanctions are "working." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with…

1
Why Do Autocrats Make Mistakes? 21:53

1+ y ago21:53

21:53

Almost two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Bear Market Brief investigates how we got here in the first place. What does theory say about Vladimir Putin’s decision making? Seva Gunitsky joins to discuss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief…

1
Watching Russia 27:13

1+ y ago27:13

27:13

Where does Russian public sentiment on politics and war stand these days? And on a more basic level, how is it measured? Bear Market Brief talked with Isabelle DeSisto of Russia Watcher to learn more! Learn more about Russia Watcher here Explore more from the Bear Market Brief Podcast here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this…

1
Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict Between Russia and the West 40:02

1+ y ago40:02

40:02

On this week's special episode of the Bear Market Brief, Aaron Schwartzbaum sits down with FPRI Fellow Maximilian Hess to talk about his new book "Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict Between Russia and the West" (Hurst, 2023). This episode was recorded live on September 28, 2023. For more on the international economic order and the confli…

1
Kyiv Dispatch 27:44

1+ y ago27:44

27:44

Politically and socially, how are Ukrainians contending with a difficult, long war? Fabrice Deprez joins from Kyiv to give us an update. Check out Fabrice's newsletter, Eastern Radar Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarket…

1
Dark Heritage: Exploring Memory Building in Estonia 25:59

1+ y ago25:59

25:59

How do we remember tragedies? How do populations construct memories and memory institutions around these events? How can contemporary researchers begin to make sense of these complex landscapes? Dr. Margaret Comer of University College London joins us to discuss heritage studies, dark heritage, and her fieldwork in Russia and Estonia. This is a pub…

1
Latvian-Lithuanian Connections from Morta to Modernity 21:03

2y ago21:03

21:03

How have Latvian and Lithuanian histories intertwined over the last millennium? Who was Queen Morta, a Latvian princess by birth who became the wife of Lithuania's first and only king, Mindaugas? How close did we come to a Latvian-Lithuanian state in the early 20th century? How do Latvians and Lithuanians see their shared commonalities today? James…

1
How Do Wars End? 34:45

2y ago34:45

34:45

Have you heard calls for Ukraine and Russia to "just negotiate"? What does theory say about how (and why) wars come to an end? Christine Cheng joins to discuss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com…

1
Fight or Flight 30:28

2y ago30:28

30:28

If you're a Russian against the war in Ukraine, what options do you have? And how has resistance evolved as the war has continued? Colleen Wood joins the Bear Market Brief. Related Reading: Is Russia’s anti-war movement changing people’s minds? by Colleen Wood This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get…

1
The School of Democracy in Interwar Estonia 29:51

2y ago29:51

29:51

How did Estonian democracy erode in the 1930s? How did liberal dissidents express their discontent under a more oppressive regime? Why is political rhetoric important, both now and then? Dr. Liisi Veski, fellow at the Skytte Institute, University of Tartu, dives into this complex, informative world of letters. Baltic Ways is brought to you by the A…

1
Dark Sarcasm in the Classroom 31:44

2y ago31:44

31:44

Patriotic education in Russia: how does it work? Is this any different from in the West? And among Russia's young people, are we seeing generational differences as far as political attitudes go? Allyson Edwards joins Aaron Schwartzbaum on the Bear Market Brief. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge…

1
The Struggle Israel 23:12

2y ago23:12

23:12

We take a jaunt south to explore the people and politics behind Israel's Ukraine policy. What do Israel's leaders want from this war, and how do more locational considerations fit in? What does the local population with roots in the former Soviet Union make of all this? Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter This is a public episode. If you …

1
Don't Mention the War 32:11

2y ago32:11

32:11

How do you make sense of Russia's seemingly contradictory narrative about its invasion of Ukraine? And how is support, or at least assent, for the war generated? Jade McGlynn joins to discuss. Learn more about Jade's new book Russia's War Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with …

1
Torn in the USA 38:24

2y ago38:24

38:24

How important is the war in Ukraine for the United States? What should Washington do about it? Stephen Wertheim drops by to share some options for your consideration. Learn more about Stephen's book Tomorrow, the World Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or…

1
The Baltic States as NATO Heavyweights 30:07

2y ago30:07

30:07

How have the Baltic States adopted new leadership roles in NATO? Why have they been so forward leaning, even in an alliance with many friends of Ukraine? Why are other countries listening to the Baltic States now? Will this leadership continue? Tomass Pildegovičs, PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge, dives into the dynamics of small state …

1
Unparalleled Uncertainty? Soviet Collapse and Modern Reverberations 28:38

2y ago28:38

28:38

How did the dissolution of the Soviet Union really unfold? How has the agency of the Baltic states been undervalued in studying this period, and how have those misperceptions persisted in the intervening decades. Dr. Una Bergmane unpacks the complex geopolitical history and draws carefully considered comparisons between the past and present. More i…

1
The Helpers 34:16

2y ago34:16

34:16

What motivates people who, when Russia invaded, decided to run towards the fire and assist Ukrainians? British Expeditionary Aid and Rescue, an aid organization, joins to share its experience. BEAR's Website: https://www.britishexpeditionaryaidrescue.org/ Donation Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/british-expeditionary-aid-rescue-ukraine This is a p…

1
Reflecting on a Year of War 53:50

2y ago53:50

53:50

On the anniversary of Russia's invasion, Maria Romanenko shares her experience fleeing Ukraine and reflects on what the war means, both personally and broadly. Link: Fundraiser for building a museum in the village of Yahidne to showcase Russia’s war crimes there. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or …

1
China’s Ambitions and the Baltic Response: An interview with Dr. Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova 28:03

2y ago28:03

28:03

Do Russia and China really have a "friendship without limits?" How are the Baltic states positioning themselves in the shifting sands of global security? What sort of role could they have as multilateral coalitions seek to address China as both a strategic competitor and critical trade partner? Dr. Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, head of the Chin…

1
Stop, Hey, What Stat's Sound? 27:29

2+ y ago27:29

27:29

What do the statistics and other indicators coming out of Russia these days actually mean, and which ones should we actually be paying attention to? Chris Miller and Andras Toth-Czifra stop by to discuss. Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access t…

1
The Future of European Energy: An interview with Dr. Agnia Grigas 26:44

2+ y ago26:44

26:44

How has Russia's invasion of Ukraine affected Europe's energy mix? How are European states balancing the move towards a green future with their present needs? How are the Baltic states positioning themselves in these European debates? Dr. Agnia Grigas, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, gives us the historical context and future factors that wi…

1
From Medieval Livonia to Multiplanetary History: An interview with Dr. Marek Tamm 24:54

2+ y ago24:54

24:54

How has cultural memory shaped Estonia as a nation? What does it mean to gamify medieval Livonia? And should historians rethink their concept of historical time? Dr. Marek Tamm, professor of cultural history and head of the Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Studies at Tallinn University, speaks about redefining the notion of time and what it me…

1
Mobilize This 27:47

2+ y ago27:47

27:47

How is Russia's economy doing as we start 2023? And how is mobilization going - if it is even possible? Nick Trickett joins to discuss. Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com…

1
What's Happening With Russian Speakers in Latvia?: An interview with Dr. Mārtiņš Kaprāns 27:12

2+ y ago27:12

27:12

How have things changed politically and socially for Russian speakers in Latvia since the war in Ukraine — and over the last few decades? Dr. Martiņš Kaprāns, senior researcher at University of Latvia's Institute of Philosophy and Sociology and recent recipient of the AABS Saltups Fellowship, shares his perspectives on current events and changes in…

1
War in Ukraine: A Firsthand Account 52:12

2+ y ago52:12

52:12

What has the war actually been like on the ground? How have communities, and the Ukrainian government reacted? Kirill, a Kyiv resident and open source conflict researcher, joins to share his experience. Support Vostok SOS: https://vostok-sos.org/en/i-wanna-help/rekvizyty-dlia-hroshovoho-perekazu/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discu…

1
Public Opinion in Russia: What Do We Know, What Can We Know? 34:05

2+ y ago34:05

34:05

What do Russians actually think about the war in Ukraine? How are sanctions being felt locally? And what can we learn - or not - from polls conducted in Russia's current political climate. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com…

1
Latvian Units in World War II: An interview with Dr. Harry Merritt 30:06

2+ y ago30:06

30:06

What happens when families and nations fight on both sides of a great power war? Dr. Harry Merritt is a visiting assistant professor in the department of history at Brown University. He shares his research on national and familial feelings among Latvian soldiers in World War II, who were conscripted into the Latvian Legion and Latvian Rifle Corp as…

1
Russia's War in Ukraine: The Strategic Picture 46:29

2+ y ago46:29

46:29

FPRI's Phil Wasielewski joins to provide an update on the war and take a step back. What is the broader strategic picture and what does it mean for Putin and Russia? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com…

1
The View from Ukraine: An interview with Dr. Volodymyr Dubovyk 25:27

3y ago25:27

25:27

Dr. Volodymyr Dubovyk is a professor of international relations at Odessa I. Mechnikov National University and an expert in U.S.-Ukraine relations, Black Sea regional security, and Ukrainian foreign policy. He speaks about the view from Ukraine, how his work has shifted during the war, and takeaways for Ukraine from the Baltic states. This intervie…

1
The Energy Trilemma: An interview with Dr. Andrei Belyi 36:10

3y ago36:10

36:10

As Russia's war in Ukraine continues, Europe faces an energy trilemma: Combining competitiveness, security and climate targets. Dr. Andrei Belyi joins the podcast as an expert consultant on European and Russian energy policy. Baltic Ways is a podcast brought to you by the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies, produced in partnership wi…

1
Ukrainian Refugees in Latvia: An interview with Agnese Lāce 24:28

3y ago24:28

24:28

Since the war in Ukraine began, more than 20,000 Ukrainian refugees have made their way to Latvia. Agnese Lāce is an expert in migration and integration policy in Latvia. She shares insights about the grassroots efforts on the ground, the political response, and what the support for Ukrainians might mean for refugees and asylum seekers from other c…

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FPRI Eurasia Program Podcasts

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