The Global Gambit

Since the Oct 7th, the world has been rocked by events that many have always agonised and speculated - escalation and war between Israel and Gaza, specifically Hamas. From there, we have witnessed continued intensification, with a growing fear over the possibility of a regional war.Much of this rests on the near-inevitable ground operation the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will undertake - the severer, harsher their approach, the more it might trigger a response from others, namely Hezbollah, because of a need to protect, defend, and similar motivations to their brethren. But what could that look like? What form of operations, what broader strategic objectives? And what about the relevance of external forces, such as US input, Iranian support and more?Guests, Bryan Cunningham - former CIA analyst, and Patrick Fox, USAF Veteran, broke down some of the details from their experiences on this highly sensitive, hugely complex matter. Indeed, this podcast isnt attempting to cover all aspects and historical context, merely provide some takes to better make sense of the situation.Follow for Live ShowsX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/Support the ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitPlease drop a like and share around - it REALLY supports independent shows like GG and only takes a few clicks!Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ContextSince June 24th 2016, the UK has had its entire economy, society and political environment largely defined by a singular issue - Brexit. The word itself, before diving into anything at all, is a source of contention. Yet, very little to many, including myself, has changed. Certainly not in terms of improvements. Merely a country that is suffering an identity crisis as much as it is political turmoil, economic stagnation and social polarisation. However, it doesnt necessarily need to stay that way, and are there still ways to make the most of it? Can we realise 'buccaneering Britain'? Or will be remain at risk of 'boiling the frog' - both these analogies and more are outlined by Peter Foster, Public Policy Editor at the Financial Times in this episode and his new book. Peter's Book - What Went Wrong With Brexit And What We Can Do About ItFollow for Live ShowsX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/Support the ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitPlease drop a like and share around - it REALLY supports independent shows like GG and only takes a few clicks!Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In late-July 2023, the country of Niger - a critical Western ally in Africa, and against the threats of Islamic Jihadism, experienced its 7th coup since WWII. The democratically elected President Bazoum was ousted, and there have been many claiming the role of Wagner/Russia or that this is positive for greater independence, autonomy from former colonial masters, France.But its not that clear cut, and Vanda Felbab-Brown of Brookings Institute, emphasises that while there is some support for Russia, its definitely not that high; while the hatred of ECOWAS, the regional body that could lead a military intervention to reinstate Bazoum is not as high either. Support the ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitPlease drop a like and share around - it REALLY supports independent shows like GG and only takes a few clicks!Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over 2023 there has be an intensified number of clashes and tensions occurring within an area already heightened and swamped in tension: Serbia & Kosovo. Most notably, these led to rare and unsettling clashes between Serbia communities and members of KFOR - the NATO mission stationed to help address and ideally, prevent, these very scenarios. So what happened, and why? What about these clashes made them worse and why was NATO directly involved? Why were Western capitals critical of Kosovo over these events when they're usually defensive? How does this all impact Ukraine and Russian interests? These themes were put to Ivana Stradner, research fellow at Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD). During this live talk, we also joined by Colonel (R) Jeffrey Fischer and former diplomatic defence official to Kosovo. Support the ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitPlease drop a like and share around - it REALLY independent shows like GG and only takes a few clicks!Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

France has always been more strategically independent relative to other European such as the UK. But Macron's trip to China while important for French and European interests, caused a stir after he commented about the need for Europe to be more autonomous. Some, like Poland, took it as a snub to the US and transatlantic relations, while many other EU nations tacitly agreed. But which is right? What did Macron mean and where does he stand? I put these questions to Tara Varma, visiting fellow at the Brookings Institutions, Center on the United States and Europe, and French expert. Prior to that, she was senior fellow and the head of the Paris office of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). FOLLOW Tara: https://twitter.com/tara_varma?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorSubscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its hard to overstate the importance of Turkey's election on May 14th. And as Gonul Tol, Founding Director of the Turkey Program at  @MiddleEastInstitute , makes clear, its more than just about policies. It is about the very identity of Turkey; and whether it remains on the path towards democracy or authoritarianism. In this Part 1, of a mini-series, Gonul joined  @theglobalgambit  for a preview to the election, Erdogan's resilience, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu & the main opposition, and more! Stay tuned for Part 2 on foreign policy implications.FOLLOW GONUL:Profile: https://www.mei.edu/profile/gonul-tolTwitter: https://twitter.com/gonultol⚡SUPPORT ME FURTHER- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit- Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thegloba...Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ContextUkraine continues to fight for not merely for its sovereignty and freedom, but arguably and in the eyes of some, values of many democratic, more specifically Western, values. While not everyone views the war as a case of David vs Goliath, with some believing it to be a typical proxy war, my guest this episode, Benjamin Tallis, certainly isn't one of them.Indeed, Benjamin is a firm advocate for the concept and academic theory: Neo-Idealism. He believes it to be a new approach to Grand Strategy & International Relations' emerging from the Ukraine-Russo War.To make more sense of it, l sat down with Benjamin to outline more about this exciting concept alongside his book: To Ukraine With Love. Follow Benjamin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bctallis. *NOTE: This conversation was part of a broader one on Twitter Spaces, including a Q/A which last 45 mins more. To access that, and more exclusive content, consider becoming a Patreon for only $2: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit. Support the showConsidering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions. So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you. And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences. Links Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/ Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Context The globe is experiencing even more instability, unpredictability and more - even more than ever, as we arguably enter a multipolar world, with alternative forms of currency, balance of power and so on. Could the BRICS countries really create an alternative financial system to challenge or undermine the US-led order? I put this question, and others such as the potential of cryptocurrency to Frank Giustra, co-chair of Crisis Group and founder of Fiore Group in this broad conversation. Support the showConsidering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions. So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you. And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences. Links Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/ Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

💥Global Gambit has a YOUTUBE!💥If you find value you in the podcast, check out the new GG channel. You can join an ever-growing community and find YouTube-only content. I'd love to see you there!👉 Do so here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg.Context Between Jan 28th-Feb 4th 2023, the world and especially the US were captivated by a UAP - unidentified ariel phenomenon. Turning out to be a Chinese spy or surveillance balloon, it rose many questions, including one around US-China relations in space - known as astropolitics. Conveniently, the timely and insightful report, China and Strategic Instability in Space, was just released and l spoke with its authors:  Carla Freeman: senior expert on China at USIP & former director of SAIS's FPI.Bruce MacDonald: expert on nuclear proliferation, military space and cyber, teaching at SAIS and lifetime member of CFR. Read the report here: https://www.usip.org/events/china-and-strategic-instability-space. In partnership with Johns Hopkins SAIS's Foreign Policy Institute. There were also audience questions that didn't make the final cut. You can find those available on Patreon when you sign up for as little as $2. Support the showConsidering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions. So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you. And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences. Links Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/ Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

💥Global Gambit has a YOUTUBE!💥So be sure to SUBSCRIBE for free and additional content not shared on the podcast! Subscribing really helps supports my work and seriously helps my content to be discovered by more people.👉 Do so here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg.Episode OutlineMore than ever, the UN has a lot on its plate in 2023. Top of this remains Ukraine and is what largely will define its agenda according to my guest, Richard Gowan. But we also discussed others questions including:Is the UN capable of doing more?Is it time for the Security Council to be modernised and if so how?Has Sec Gen Antonio Guterres be an effective leader?Why should we remain optimistic about the UN in 2023?There were some additional questions from the audience that didn't make the final cut. Find those available on Patreon. Guest ProfileRichard Gowan oversees Crisis Group’s advocacy work at the United Nations, liaising with diplomats and UN officials in New York. He has also worked as a consultant for the UN Department of Political Affairs, the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on International Migration and more. Support the showConsidering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions. So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you. And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences. Links Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/ Subscribe to Substack Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzinFollow The ShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/ Support The ShowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambitBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambitLeave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.