A Nation Must Think Before it Acts
Chain Reaction
A nation must think before it acts.
Chain Reaction
A podcast from the Foreign Policy Research Institute examining America’s role on the world stage. Every two weeks we’ll talk to experts about policy relevant news from around the world and why it matters for U.S. foreign policy.
Please note this podcast was known as the Middle East Brief prior to 2021.
Ukraine: Where Are We Now, and What’s At Stake?
As US assistance to Ukraine resumes after a long delay, Russian forces are making gains in northeastern Ukraine, and may be poised to expand their offensive push this summer. Will the resumption of US aid allow Ukraine to blunt...
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Dead, but Not Forgotten: Commemoration in Medieval Livonia
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. Transcript available here. Baltic...
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Report in Short: Kyrgyzstan Sinks Into Authoritarianism
In the early 1990s, Kyrgyzstan was often referred to as an “island of democracy” in Central Asia. Three distinguishing features of Kyrgyzstan include an active political opposition, a vibrant civil society, and independent media outlets. The current government is...
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The F-Word: Is Russia Fascist?
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. Explore more from the Bear Market Brief Podcast...
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The Death Of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
The death of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi this past weekend has prompted questions about the future of the Islamic Republic, the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in Iranian domestic politics, and succession race for Supreme Leader...
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Russia Launches New Offensive in Ukraine
Russia launched a new offensive near Kharkiv, amidst continuing questions about Ukraine’s ability to mobilize enough manpower to blunt Russian advantages. FPRI President Aaron Stein sat down with Senior Fellow Rob Lee to discuss the latest from the Russo-Ukrainian...
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Georgian Dream or Russian Nightmare?
For weeks tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets of Tbilisi and other cities to protest their government’s attempt to pass a so called “foreign agents” law, which they claim is intended to neutralize civil society...
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The Baltic States Mark Two Decades of NATO Membership
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...
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No Nukes is Good Nukes: Russia’s Strategic Red Lines
The Bear Market Brief goes nuclear! Andrey Baklitskiy dropped by to discuss all of Russia’s strategic red lines, what the introduction of hypersonic weapons means for global security, and more. Explore more from the Bear Market Brief Podcast here...
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Report in Short: Russian Women in the Face of War Against Ukraine
Russia’s war against Ukraine has revealed stories about the heroic resistance efforts of Ukrainian women: from a grandmother launching a pickle jar against a drone to volunteers with territorial defense units. However, comparable stories have been entirely lacking on...
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