James Rogers

Evika Selina, Latvia’s prime minister, on European security, Ukraine and Nordic-Baltic coordination. Elizabeth Braw, Atlantic Council analyst and author, on shifting globalisation and defence economics. James Rogers, international journalism professor, on the fate of foreign bureaus and media’s role. They discuss Washington Post cuts, Europe’s tech and trade choices, and the risks around arms control.

James Rogers, associate professor of international journalism and author of The Return of Russia, offers expert analysis on Russian politics and history. He traces post‑Soviet humiliation, 1990s economic collapse and Western shock therapy. He explains turning points like 2008 Georgia, Syria intervention and why Crimea and Ukraine matter to Moscow. He assesses whether Russia sees itself as a renewed superpower.

This discussion features Daniela Pellet, Managing Editor at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, James Rogers, Associate Professor at City, University of London, and Dr. Nicholas Wright, a neuroscientist and Pentagon adviser. They debate the feasibility of returning Syrians home amidst political fallout in Germany. Pellet highlights the emotional pull of home versus safety concerns, while Rogers emphasizes the complexities of post-war Syria and migration politics. Dr. Wright adds insights on the psychological impacts of warfare, likening the brain's decision-making systems to an orchestra.