The Red Line

The collapse of the USSR brought about a period within Russia of unbridled chaos, devolving into a free-for-all amongst citizens unsure where their next meal might be coming from. Everything that could have been stolen, was stolen, and included in that were up to 400 nuclear weapons. But where did all of these weapons end up, and how secure is the rest of Russia's apocalyptic arsenal today? Will the nuclear black market be responsible for the next major terrorist attack?  On the panel this week  - Robin M Frost - (Simon Fraser Uni) - Eric Gomez - (CATO) - Foeke Postma - (Bellingcat) - Andrew Futter - (Uni. of Leicester) 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 podcast discusses the Balochistan movement and its implications for regional power balance, including concerns from Iran, Afghanistan, and China. It explores the history of India-Pakistan relations, the progress and challenges of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Balochistan, and the geopolitical importance of the region. The podcast also touches on India's focus on Chabahar, the relationship between the Taliban and the Beluc, and China's involvement in Pakistani port security.

Decades of interweaving between Europe and the Russian gas industry came crashing down upon Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine, and now Europe has been thrown into a no-win situation. The EU can stand with Ukraine, but it will mean tying an economic anchor around the continent's neck. Is the EU unified enough to travel down the more challenging roads, or will economic expediency win the day?  Joining us this week: - Colby Connelly (Energy Intel) - Luca Anceschi (Uni of Glasgow) - Hari Seshasayee (Wilson Centre) 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

80% of the world's trade will pass through the Indian Ocean at some point on its journey, yet the importance of this crucial theatre seems lost on many observers at the moment. With Beijing, Washington and New Dehli all making moves to capitalise on this crucial waterway which one of these nations has the momentum behind them? And which nation is beginning to fall behind?  On the show this week - - Michael Kugelman (Wilson Centre) - Michael Wesley (Uni of Melbourne) - Dhruva Jaishankar (ORF) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Lukashenko released the now infamous Russian war plans map he raised alarm bells throughout Europe, signalling that Russia may be looking to conquer Ukraine first and Moldova second. The war has taken a drastic turn since that point, but the question of Moldovan security still looms over the Northern Balkans. Could reunification with Romania be a back door entry into EU membership and protection under the NATO umbrella, or will Transnistria continue to be the thorn in Chisinau's side? On the panel this week - Dennis Deletant (UCL) - Matei Rosca (Reporter.London) - James Ker-Lindsay (Uni of Kent) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Latin American ambassadors tell the same story. Whilst every meeting with the US revolves around China, every meeting with the Chinese revolves around infrastructure. Beijing is making huge economic moves into South and Central America, but what is the US doing to counter it?  On the show this week.  - Margaret Myers (American Dialogue) - Evan Ellis (US Army War College) - Paul Angelo (CFR) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

War is an increasingly complicated operation, and these days most battles are fought on excel spreadsheets as much as they are in the field. The US has just launched a barrage of sanctions against long time rival Russia, a far bigger fish than the usual target of such an economic attack. When the US sanctions Venezuela or Iran the blowback domestically is minimal, but what happens when sanctions are applied to a major economy what will the result be? Will this be the action that shakes the US's economic hegemony? Joining us this week is  - William Reinsch (CSIS) - Kate Bauer (Washington Institute) - Chris Miller (Tufts University) - John Parachini (RAND) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow the Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oman has for decades now pitched itself as the "Switzerland of the Middle East", holding a steady course of neutrality above all. Staying neutral though is a luxury afforded by good times, a luxury that can be forcefully taken away by others.  As the dynamics of the Middle East begin to change, and multipolar completion intensifies in the region can Oman maintain its current course, or will it be forced to finally decide where its future lies? On the panel this week: - Calvin Allen (Uni of Shenandoah)  - Colby Connelly (Energy Intel) - Bruce Reidel (Brookings Institute) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more information visit: - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The higher the temperature, the higher the chance of a fire. With the current myriad of crises in West Africa, we are witnessing a frightening rise in the geopolitical temperature each and every month. A wave of coups has begun sweeping across much of the region, but whilst all of these coups have individual circumstances something must be permeating the region as a whole to make this possible? On the panel this week.  - Ebenezer Obadare (CFR) - Hennie Strydom (Uni of Johannesburg) - Michael Rubin (AEI) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Washington and Beijing continuing to engage in a new competition for international influence, Europe stands in an odd place. Combined the EU is the largest GDP in the world, but from a military standpoint, the continent has become a patchwork of forces with wildly varied operability. To maintain its position as a world power should Europe double down on its continental experiment and form a united European army, or do the scars of history and millennium of violence still prevent Europe from standing defensively on its own? Joining us this week.  - Phil Breedlove (Fmr Cmd NATO EUR) - Sophia Besch (Cen. European Reform) - George Friedman (Geopolitical Futures) Follow the show on @TheRedLinePod Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit - www.theredlinepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices