The Red Line

Equatorial Guinea is one of the most puzzling countries in the world, with everything from coups involving Margaret Thatcher's son, to firing squads in Santa outfits operating in the country. However, far more worrying than that is the economic cliff the country seems to be barreling toward, with the industry, worth 90% of their income, announcing their departure from the country in 2026. Will Equatorial Guinea be able to steer the country away from the cliff? Will the Instagram star VP successfully transition into his father's role? And why is this country the strangest one we have ever covered? We ask our panel of experts. On the panel this week: - Perri Grace (Geopolitical Analyst) - Max Lawson (Oxfam) - Florent Geel (Fmr FIDH Dir. Africa) - Emilia Columbo (CSIS) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 02:07 PART 2 - 15:29 PART 3 - 25:15 PART 4 - 33:46 Outro - 55:30 Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information, please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Estonia has one of the most impressive economic transformations anywhere on the planet, gaining independence from the USSR and completely overhauling its entire institutional base. While most of the post-Soviet states experienced slow growth and economic stagnation, Estonia instead grew rapidly and became the 'Startup Capital of Europe'. However, while Estonia celebrated its economic successes, cultural issues began bubbling just under the surface, setting the stage for a series of tough decisions to be made by Tallinn today. Will Estonia be able to maintain this level of growth? Will the language laws backfire? And will Sweden and Finland's entry into NATO completely change the defence dynamic within the Baltic states? We ask our panel of experts. - Elisabeth Braw (AEI) - Marko Mihkelson (Chair of Estonian FA Comm) - Steven Pifer (Stanford) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 04:21 PART 2 - 19:32 PART 3 - 36:06 Outro - 1:00:09 Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information, please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ensuing dramatic demise of Françafrique and the consequential transformation of France's strategic goals in Africa have reshaped much of the geopolitics of the region. France no longer has the overt influence it once did but is instead moving to build influence with old partners through the EU and new partners through large investments into the Commonwealth nations. To France's detriment, though, other players like Russia, China, the UK, and the US have begun to move themselves into these power vacuums left by the French exit, and France may soon lose its primary position within West Africa. Who will end up holding influence over the region's natural resources? Will this impact the private sector as well? And where does the future lie for France's strategic interests? We ask our panel of experts: - Catherine Gegout (Uni of Nottingham) - Colby Connelly (Energy Intel) - Alex Vines (Chatham House) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 05:49 PART 2 - 25:39 PART 3 - 44:02 Outro - 1:02:28   Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information, please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the uncertain future of democracy in Central Asia as Kazakhstan tries to balance political stability with progress, Kyrgyzstan faces challenges of strongman rule, Uzbekistan extends its ruler's reign, Tajikistan sees power transfer to the ruler's children, and Turkmenistan grapples with a freedom index lower than North Korea. Panelists discuss the implications and potential democratic crisis in the region.

There has been an online explosion of discourse surrounding several currency agreements signed by nations like Russia, China and India, with some even predicting the emergence of a gold-backed BRICS currency to rival the US dollar but the end of the year. Is this actually possible though, and how likely are these five countries who have wildly different levels of interest, savings and inflation, to work together in the long term, or is this just Russia and China making political noise whilst still clinging to the stability of the US Dollar? Are we experiencing the beginning of "The Death of the US Dollar?", or a masterclass on why it has maintained its primary position for so many decades now? We ask our panel of experts: On the panel this week: - Vicky Pryce (CEB) - Maximilian Hess (FPRI) - Anders Åslund (Swedish Economist) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 03:59 PART 2 - 29:26 PART 3 - 53:53 Outro - 1:07:36 Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information, please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the looming economic crisis in Egypt. With inflation on the rise, foreign investment declining, and a mounting debt burden, the country's economy is facing significant challenges. We discuss the roots of the crisis, its impact on Egypt's people, and the potential for social unrest. We'll also look at the role of the government and the military in responding to this crisis and ask what the future holds for Egypt's economy. Is this the first domino of the next Arab Spring? We ask our panel of experts: On the panel this week: - Mirette F. Mabrouk (MEI) - Rich Outzen (Atlantic Council) - David Butter (Chatham House) - Ben Fishman (Washington Inst) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 02:56 PART 2 - 20:26 PART 3 - 37:39 PART 4 - 52:28 Conc - 68:29 Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore the intensifying arms race between the US, Russia, and China in orbital satellite surveillance technology. Delving into the advanced capabilities of these countries' satellite systems and how they are changing the landscape of modern warfare. From enhanced intelligence gathering to the potential for preemptive strikes, we discuss the implications of this technological race on the future battlefield. Will this theater become more aggressive, will more and more players enter the race, and will we see the growing collaboration between Russia and China extend to space? We ask our panel of experts. On the panel this week: - Tim Marshall (Author, Journalist) - Keith Masback (USGIF) - George Nacouzi (RAND) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 02:33 PART 2 - 23:01 PART 3 - 49:00 Conc - 68:03 Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we delve into the complex and lucrative world of the Mexican cartel drug trade and explore the economic factors that drive it. From the production and transportation of drugs to the money laundering schemes used to hide profits, we examine the various stages of the drug trade and the key players involved. We also discuss the impact of the drug trade on the Mexican economy and society, as well as the efforts being made to combat this illicit industry. Is there a way to blunt the rise of drugs like Fentanyl, or are we continuing down a path that simply empowers the cartels? We ask our panel of experts. On the panel this week: - Jorge Castañeda (Fmr Foreign Minister of Mexico) - Vanda Felbab-Brown (Brookings) - Scott Mistler-Ferguson (Crime Researcher) - Steven Dudley (InSight Crime) Intro - 00:00 PART 1 - 03:52 PART 2 - 37:47 PART 3 - 59:09 PART 4 - 79:41 Conc - 96:20  Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bulgaria currently stands at a crossroads, with one group pulling the country toward the West, and an alliance of corruption, crime, and capture tethering the country toward Russia. These already high tensions are now also widening further, with the Bulgarian population heading to the polls for the fifth time in 2 years, and increasingly fringe candidates skewing internal discourse. Will Bulgaria be able to finally divest itself away from Moscow, or will it continue to act as a backdoor for Russian influence into the EU and NATO? We ask our panel of experts.  On the panel this week: - Georgi Gotev (Euractive) - Daniela Žuvela (Fortescue) - Vessela Tcherneva (ECFR) Intro = 00:00 PART 1 = 04:34 PART 2 = 21:59 PART 3 = 35:58 Conc = 53:26 Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Follow the Show on @TheRedLinePod For more information, please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China appears to be sleepwalking toward a conflict over Taiwan, and in response, East Asia has begun to prepare for a war that could start as early as 2026. Whilst some like Japan are buying up unnamed vehicles to adapt to their growing demographic crises, other nations like South Korea have become leading arms exporters across the globe. Is the war in Taiwan inevitable, is Japan's rearmament strategy likely to come to fruition in time, and how is the US readying itself for the conflict that will dictate the geopolitical trajectory of East Asia for the next three decades? We ask our panel of experts On the panel this week: - Tim Heath (RAND) - Daniel Darling (Forecast International) - Mark Cancian (CSIS) Intro = 00:00 PART 1 = 05:39 PART 2 = 33:03 PART 3 = 51:36 Conc = 1:09:41 Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus Follow the Show on @TheRedLinePod For more information, please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices