Talk Eastern Europe

In this episode Adam, Nina and Alexandra start out by offering some of the latest news developments in Hungary, Czech Republic, Kosovo, Ukraine and Russia.Later Nina and Adam are joined by Maciej Makulski – a contributing editor with New Eastern Europe – to discuss Maciej’s recent research report titled: “Social media monitoring during the 2023 Polish Election. Immigration as a threat to national security and identity” and the consequences for upcoming elections.Download the report here: https://www.kew.org.pl/en/2024/02/08/report-social-media-monitoring-during-the-2023-polish-election-immigration-as-a-threat-to-national-security-and-identity/Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/02/07/issue-1-2-2024-elections-without-choice/Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this episode, Adam and Nina start by discussing the latest news, including developments in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Russian spies in the West.Later, Adam is joined by Jovan Gjorgovski, a journalist based in North Macedonia and an editor with the Channel 5 television station. They discuss the current political situation in the country ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections later this spring. They also take a look North Macedonia’s EU accession and the serious roadblocks which still remain. Make sure to check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe: bit.ly/4boNgfcSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

In this episode, our three co-hosts open this episode with a brief rundown of the latest news in the region, including developments related to Azerbaijan, Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia and North Macedonia.Adam and Nina are later joined by Asel Doolotkeldieva a non-resident fellow of the George Washington University and expert on Kyrgyzstan. Asel describes the current political situation in the country which has developed as a result of the last protests in October 2020 which includes a new crackdown on independent media and civil society.For more context: “Kyrgyzstan faces a new era in regional politics” https://neweasterneurope.eu/2023/04/12/kyrgyzstan-faces-a-new-era-in-regional-politics/"An illegitimate transfer of authority in Kyrgyzstan" - New Eastern Europe’s 2020 interview with Aida Alymbaeva, a Kyrgyz lecturer and opposition politician: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/12/03/an-illegitimate-transfer-of-authority-in-kyrgyzstan/>>> Please complete our listener survey: https://forms.gle/w1qr9apHWsQhJAjg8Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina start with a brief rundown of the latest news in the region, including the meeting between Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Hungary’s Victor Orban. They also cover developments in Poland, Serbia and Russia.Later, Alexandra and Nina interview Leila Bičakčić, one of the founders and current director of the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIN) in Bosnia and Herzegovina - the first investigative center established in the Balkans. They discuss recent crackdowns against media and civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the worrisome direction of Bosnian politics in the last year, and the shortcomings of Western policy in this region.Please complete our listener survey: https://forms.gle/w1qr9apHWsQhJAjg8Join us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/Talkeasterneurope

Talk Eastern Europe is back with a new episode! All three co-hosts welcome you with a short discussion on the latest news since the new year, including in Serbia, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Ukraine.Later, Adam and Alexandra are joined by Mark Temnycky a freelance journalist covering Eurasian affairs and a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. Mark discusses some context for 2024 and what are the prospects for the West’s support for Ukraine in 2024.Check out Mark’s latest commentaries:,“Congress must send aid to Ukraine now” https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4403311-congress-must-send-aid-to-ukraine-now/,As Europeans prepare for 2024 elections, Ukraine watches on https://www.euronews.com/2023/12/27/as-europeans-prepare-for-2024-elections-ukraine-watches-on, We want to hear from you!Please complete our listener survey: https://forms.gle/w1qr9apHWsQhJAjg8

In this episode listeners are introduced to the newest co-host – Nina Panikova, welcome Nina! Adam, Alexandra and Nina do a rundown of the most important developments of 2023 and what to expect in 2024.Later, Adam and Nina are joined by Arzu Geybulla, an Azerbaijani columnist and writer, with special focus on digital authoritarianism and its implications on human rights and press freedom in Azerbaijan. They discuss the ongoing crackdowns against media and civil society which are taking in Azerbaijan ahead of the recently announced snap elections next February. Read Arzu’s latest article titled “Azerbaijan’s crackdown: same old tactics, just different names” https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Azerbaijan/Azerbaijan-s-crackdown-same-old-tactics-just-different-names-228976>> We want to hear from you! Take the Talk Eastern Europe Listener Survey: https://forms.gle/SmKFfGja9ypA6jm48Support this podcast. Become a Talk Eastern Europe patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode Adam and Alexandra start with the latest news in the region, including the new government in Poland, the trucker blockade on the Polish-Ukrainian border, Putin's 'election' bid and Slovakia moves in the legal sphere.Later, Alexandra chats with Nikola Burazer, a Serbian political scientist, journalist, program director at the Center for Contemporary Politics and executive editor of European Western Balkans. They discuss the upcoming Serbian snap elections and wider political developments in the country, including the vicious campaign by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and possible openings for the opposition to incite democratic change.For more context read:"Serbia continues to walk the tightrope" By Marta Szpala, Issue 5/2023 New Eastern Europe:https://neweasterneurope.eu/2023/09/11/serbia-continues-to-walk-the-tightrope/Join us on Patreon!www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeListen to the Fulbright Poland podcast titled “Fulbright Talks” tolearn more about Fulbright Poland alumni and their fascinatingendeavors: https://fulbright.edu.pl/fulbright-talks/

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra discuss the latest news from Georgia, the Balkans, and Russia. They also discuss the controversial legacy of American diplomat Henry Kissinger, who died last week at the age of 100. Later, Alexandra speaks with Kenneth Morrison, who is a Professor of History and Research Theme Director at De Montfort University and a Research Associate at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Alexandra and Kenneth deep dive into the political history of Montenegro, the role of pro-Serbian forces in the country, and its prospects for future political stability and democratic development.Read Kenneth's latest pieces for New Eastern magazine: https://neweasterneurope.eu/post-author/kenneth-morrison/ Support us, become a member of our community and gain access to exclusive content: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra catch up on the latest news from Poland, Hungary and Serbia. Later, they are joined by Paulina Milewska, a media expert, who currently works on the issue of SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation) as a PhD researcher at the European University Institute and a Senior Advisor for European Centre for Press and Media Freedom.They discuss the challenges faced by journalist and media in the region, including local media.Read the report mentioned in the interview: “From the regional press to Orlen Press.” A report by the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights: https://hfhr.pl/en/news/from-the-regional-press-to-orlen-pressCheck out the VoiCEE podcast: https://notesfrompoland.com/category/the-voicee-podcast/Support us, become a member of our community and gain access to exclusive content: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode Adam and Alexandra review some of the latest news in Hungary, Bulgaria and Latvia.They are later joined by the guest Pavel Slunkin – a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, based in ECFR’s Warsaw office. Pavel works on Belarus-related issues: its domestic and foreign policy, relations with Russia, the European Union, and the United States.In the interview Pavel discusses the latest developments related to Belarus, Belarusians abroad and the role of the pro-democratic forces outside of the country. In the bonus questions, Pavel discusses the horrible conditions of political prisoners and next year’s parliamentary “elections” and what Lukashenka might be planning next.The bonus questions can be found here: https://bit.ly/3utZOB7 This episode is in partnership with the Intrigue Outloud podcast. Check them out!