Explore every episode of the podcast Talk Eastern Europe

Co-hosted by: Adam Reichardt, Nina Panikova
In this final episode of 2024, Adam and Nina discuss the key developments from
the region in 2024, what to expect in 2025, and point out their favorite episodes from the year (see below).

Later, Adam is joined by Tomasz Zając, an analyst at the European Union Programme at the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM). Tomasz discusses the upcoming Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union. He highlights the Polish priorities and what to expect to see on the EU agenda in the next six months.

Check out the PISM Podcast – “Tu Mówi PISM”

Further reading:
“Europe in the Shadow of War: Poland Takes Over EU Council Presidency” by Tomasz Zając: https://www.pism.pl/publications/europe-in-the-shadow-of-war-poland-takes-over-eu-council-presidency

“It's all about security” published in the Brief Eastern Europe newsletter: https://briefeasterneurope.beehiiv.com/p/december-23-2024

Favorite episodes of 2024:
Episode 180: In the own words. Former Belarusian political prisoners share their experiences
Episode 190: Book Talk. Goodbye Eastern Europe
Episode 193: Spies, sabotage and Russia-West relations https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/ep-194-life-in-orbans-masterplan
Ep. 194: Life in Orban’s "Masterplan"

Thank you to all of our patrons for helping us reach our goal of 60 patrons this year! Join our community here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Co-hosted by: Adam Reichardt, Nina Panikova and Alexandra Karppi

In this episode, our co-hosts start with the latest news developments from Serbia, Ukraine and Georgia. Later in the episode, Nina chats with Julia Ivanochko, Editor-in-Chief of Ukraїner po polsku, the Polish-language edition of Ukraїner. They dive into Ukraine’s experience with Russian colonialism, how it compares to Western ideas of colonialism, and the main narratives about Ukraine that still linger today. Julia also shares her thoughts on how Ukraine is pushing back against these imperial narratives and working towards true national sovereignty. For those keen to delve deeper, Julia recommends the book Imperial Knowledge: Russian Literature and Colonialism by Ewa Thompson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1620644.Imperial_Knowledge

In exclusive bonus content for our Patrons, Julia shares how contemporary Ukrainian artists are reclaiming their cultural heritage in the face of historical cultural erasure and the challenges posed by the ongoing war.  

Make sure to check out Ukraїner, a media platform offering unique stories, videos, and photography about Ukraine’s historical regions and its cultural context abroad: https://www.ukrainer.net/en/

You can also listen to their podcast Decolonisation, a series that explores why countering Russian imperial influence is essential for the future of global democracy. Listen in English via YouTube and Spotify, in Polish via YouTube and Spotify and in Czech via YouTube and Spotify.

In this episode, all three hosts discuss a turbulent week in the region, starting with the Romanian Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the presidential election, followed by developments in Ukraine and Georgia. They also celebrate Bulgaria and Romania’s entry into the EU Schengen Area.

Later, Alexandra and Nina talk with Aleksandra Wojtaszek, a Polish translator and journalist, about her book Fjaka: A Season for Croatia. They delve into topics like tourism, the recent war, and the Dalmatian concept of fjaka—a state of relaxation and acceptance. The interview offers a deeper look at Croatia beyond its beaches, weaving a vivid narrative of its history and culture.

In exclusive content for Patrons, Aleksandra speaks about Croatian language and she examines whether the breakup of Serbo-Croatian into distinct Croatian and Serbian languages mirrors the broader cultural and political desire for differentiation.

Aleksandra’s book: Fjaka: A Season for Croatia can be found here in Polish language: https://czarne.com.pl/katalog/ksiazki/fjaka and here in Slovak: https://www.absynt.sk/fjaka 

Become a patron, join us at: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina start off with updates about the massive pro-EU protests across Georgia, speak about the recent explosion in the northern part of Kosovo, and touch upon election-related developments in Romania and Bulgaria. They close with news from Croatia, where the Health Minister was arrested on corruption charges brought by the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

Later, Adam is joined by Fatos Lubonja, a writer and critic based in Albania. Fatos is a significant voice in Albanian literature and intellectual circles, known for his piercing critiques of totalitarianism and staunch advocacy for democracy and human rights. They discuss his works which were not only published in Albanian but also in English and most recently in Polish. Fatos also discusses how the 17 years he spent in Albania’s communist prisons has impacted his literature. Finally they talk about the current perspectives in Albania, including its EU integration.

His book “Second Sentence. Inside the Albanian Gulag” can be found here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/second-sentence-9781845119249/

You can watch the recent discussion at Columbia University on EU Enlargement in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine, featuring TEE’s Alexandra and Adam, here: https://www.youtube.com/live/nhb6hlt5Rdk?si=PpAEgzxQIB4TfWJk

Become a patron, join us at: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina delve into the surprising results of the first round of Romania's presidential elections and examine the latest developments in Serbia following the collapse of the Novi Sad train station. They also discuss news from Ukraine and Russia and conclude with some uplifting developments from Northern Macedonia.

Later in the episode, Adam is joined by Hleb Liapeika, a former journalist who now coordinates communication efforts for the Belarusian diaspora in Krakow, Poland. Together, they explore how the diaspora is organised in Krakow and other locations, as well as their hopes for eventually returning to Belarus.

For listeners in New York, don’t miss the chance to join Adam, Alexandra, and other excellent guests at an event on Monday, 2 December 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm. Find more details here: https://events.columbia.edu/cal/event/eventView.do?b=de&calPath=%2Fpublic%2Fcals%2FMainCal&guid=CAL-00bbdb70-930b0472-0193-0caeba8d-0000346aevents%40columbia.edu&recurrenceId&fbclid=IwY2xjawG1O95leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRp-0BkSJ_8WZP5qRv8hf_FJfqPpOaBp65OpIUqPVx2hopM50cURy-ZM_g_aem_kqV5w554ibE41SNeZVQN8w  

In this episode, Alexandra, Adam, and Nina discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, protests in Abkhazia, and the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia. They also reflect on the 35th anniversary of the Czechoslovak Velvet Revolution and other key events of 1989.

Adam and Nina are later joined by Leyla Mustafayeva, acting editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, who shares insights into Azerbaijan’s crackdown on civil society and media, including the use of the 29th UN Climate Summit to silence critics. Leyla also discusses Abzas Media’s work in exile.

In exclusive content for Patrons, Leyla talks about Azerbaijan’s relationship with Russia and her experience as an independent journalist in exile.  Listen to it and become a Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.

Leyla also highlights Anar Mammadli, a political prisoner and human rights advocate, who has been in pre-trial detention since April. His detention was extended on 19 November for another three months. You can support his campaign to end repression in Azerbaijan here: https://free-anar.site/anar-mammadli/.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUqj40e3GDQ

In this special episode which was live streamed on November 14th 2024, Adam, Alexandra and Nina start off with a roundup of the news, discussing Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan Georgia, Serbia and Albania.

Later, they are joined by our guests Zsuzsanna Végh and Pavel Havlíček. They discuss the consequences of the election of Donald Trump in the United States for Central and Eastern Europe. They also share their insights on the political situation in Hungary and Czechia.

About the guests:
- Zsuzsanna Végh is a program officer at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Her analytical focus is on Central and Eastern Europe, especially the foreign and EU policies of the Visegrád countries, the state of democracy, and the role and impact of the populist radical right in the region. 
- Pavel Havlíček is Research Fellow at the Association for International Affairs (AMO). His research focus is on Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine and Russia, and the Eastern Partnership. He also deals with questions of security, disinformation and strategic communication as well as democratisation and civil society support in the CEE and post-Soviet space.

Support the podcast – become a Talk Eastern Europe Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope and listen to our podcasts ad free!

*Disclaimer – this podcast was recorded before the results of the US election were announced*

In this episode, Alexandra is back and joins Adam with a brief discussion on the latest news in the region.  First they discuss the US elections – recorded on election day – and what might the vote mean for Central and Eastern Europe, especially Russia’s war in Ukraine.  They briefly examine European Commission’s latest report on enlargement and its assessment of the progress in the Western Balkans.

Later, Alexandra and Adam are joined by Tinatin Japaridze, an analyst with Eurasia Group. She is a specialist in geopolitics and security in Eurasia, with a particular focus on the Russia-Ukraine war. She also leads the firm's coverage of Georgia and Azerbaijan, including the countries' domestic and foreign policies, reforms, and leaderships.  They discuss the most recent parliamentary elections in Georgia, whether they were free and fair, what the opposition can do next and the reaction of the international community.

For further reading: “Georgia, Moldova and Bulgaria are counting on Europe’s support to resist Russia and safeguard democracy” – New Eastern Europe 30 October 2024: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/10/30/georgia-moldova-and-bulgaria-are-counting-on-europes-support-to-resist-russia-and-safeguard-democracy/

“Defending democracy in Georgia” – New Eastern Europe 24 September 2024: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/09/24/defending-democracy-in-georgia/

Check out Adam’s commentary in the latest Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.beehiiv.com/p/november-4-2024

Support the podcast – help us get to 60 Patrons before 2025: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

>>> Join us on November 14th for a Live Stream of Episode 200! You can watch on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUqj40e3GDQ

In this episode, Adam and Nina start with the results of the Georgia elections. They also talk about Robert Fico’s appearance on Russia TV, Bulgaria elections and the political developments in Lithuania.

Following the news, Adam and Nina interview Oktawian Milewski, is a political scientist specialising in Moldova, Romania and Central and East European studies. They discuss the results of the first round of Moldova’s presidential election and the referendum on its pro-EU path. President Maia Sandu won with the 42% of the vote and will face the 2nd place contender, pro-Russian Aleksandr Stoianoglo, in the second round of elections.

In the bonus section – Oktawian takes us deeper into the regional dynamics of Moldova, discussing the situation in Transnistria, Gagauzia and other regions in the country. The bonus content can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-198-bonus-115208927

for further reading: “Georgia, Moldova and Bulgaria are counting on Europe’s support to resist Russia and safeguard democracy” https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/10/30/georgia-moldova-and-bulgaria-are-counting-on-europes-support-to-resist-russia-and-safeguard-democracy/ “

The low-hanging fruit of European integration: Moldova’s election and the power play of energy dependency” https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/10/18/the-low-hanging-fruit-of-european-integration-moldovas-election-and-the-power-play-of-energy-dependency/

In this episode, Adam and Nina begin by discussing the results of Moldova’s simultaneous presidential election and the referendum on the country’s EU integration. They also talk about North Korea's involvement in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Quad format summit, and the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

For the main interview, Nina speaks with Lukáš Diko, the editor-in-chief at the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak in Slovakia. Lukáš provides an overview of the major political changes the Slovak government under Robert Fico has introduced over the past year, while also shedding light on the challenging working conditions for the journalists in today’s Slovakia.

Help us reach our goal of 60 patrons by the end of 2024! Join us here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Nina open up with the latest news from the region, including the recent decision by Poland’s Prime Minister to stop granting asylum to refugees and the agreement between Italy and Albania to relocate migrants there. They also discuss upcoming elections in Moldova and Georgia. 

For the main interview, Adam sits down with Tamar Jacoby, an American reporter and the Kyiv-based director of the Progressive Policy Institute’s New Ukraine Project. They discuss the current moods in Ukraine, the upcoming US election and its impact on Ukraine and how the West can help right now.

Read Tamar’s reporting on the Ukrainian drone industry: https://www.progressivepolicy.org/jacoby-for-new-york-post-ai-is-reshaping-drone-warfare-in-russia-and-ukraine-2/

Support our podcast! Join us on patreon: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope 

Adam and Nina begin by discussing the latest news: the floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the outcomes of the 2024 Warsaw Security Forum, protests in Hungary, and Lithuania’s decision to have the ICC investigate Lukashenka for crimes against humanity.

Later, Nina interviews journalist and documentary filmmaker Apolena Rychlíková about her film Limits of Europe, which follows Saša Uhlová, an undercover journalist documenting the daily lives of Central and Eastern European migrant workers in Germany, Ireland, the UK, and France. They delve into why a million of migrant workers from Central and Eastern Europe continue to move west for higher wages and how it impacts their family lives back home.

The full documentary is available in selected countries here: https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/104425-000-A/invisible/

Read more about Saša Uhlová’s undercover work in Europe in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/18/europe-west-migrants-east-undercover-jobs-workers

Help us reach 60 patrons! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Check out Adam’s commentary on the Warsaw Security Forum in this week’s Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.beehiiv.com/p/october-7-2024

Nina and Alexandra open with the latest headlines from the region, including the de-linking of Albania and North Macedonia’s EU accession paths, the opening of the “foreign agents” registry in Georgia, diplomatic efforts by Ukraine, concerning announcements from Russia, and finally the Austrian elections. 

Alexandra then speaks with journalist and educator Mate Halmos about the daily reality of living in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary after 15 years of democratic backsliding and state capture. They discuss inequality between urban and rural areas, local corruption, and what has made Orbán popular among the “everyday Hungarian.” Mate also shares what makes him hopeful about Hungary’s future and how education can be a solution to the country’s increasingly absurdist and decisive political scene.  To learn more about CEU’s Socrates Program, which Mate organizes:

• https://www.facebook.com/CEUSocrates/ 
• https://www.ceu.edu/hu/kee/socrates-program
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC4qTLccG2E 
• https://studentengagement.ceu.edu/socrates-project-profiles

Help us reach 60 patrons - join us on Patreon - www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope 

In this podcast episode, the three hosts discuss various topics: Georgia’s anti-LGBTI legislation, the ongoing human rights crackdown in Russia, the persistent tensions between Slovakia's government and opposition, and some unexpected news from Hungary and Albania.

Later in the episode, Adam and Nina welcome Mark Galeotti, a leading expert on modern Russia, its politics, intelligence services, and criminal networks. Mark shares insights into recent prisoner swaps between Russia and the West and delves into Russian spy networks operating in the West. He also introduces his latest book, co-authored with Anna Arutunyan: Downfall: Prigozhin and Putin, and the New Fight for the Future of Russia (Ebury Press 2024). Mark also hosts his own podcast and blog, In Moscow’s Shadows: https://inmoscowsshadows.buzzsprout.com/.

Other books by Mark Galeotti mentioned in this episode:

• Forged in War: A Military History of Russia from Its Beginnings to Today (Nov. 2024)
• Putin’s Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine (2022)
• A Short History of Russia: How to Understand the World’s Most Complex Nation (2022)
• We Need to Talk About Putin (2019)

In this week’s bonus content, Nina interviews Mirko Popović, Programme Director at the Belgrade-based Renewables and Environmental Regulatory Institute (RERI). Mirko discusses the reasons behind the protests in Serbia this August, which led to the detention of environmental activists and a crackdown on civil society. He emphasizes the crucial role of environmental protection in safeguarding democracy and the rule of law in the country. The bonus content can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-content-112754248
 
Help us meet our goal! We want 60 Patrons by the end of the year! Join us: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

This episode of the podcast opens with a rundown of some of the latest news, including the floods in Central Europe, the new EU commission, developments in Slovakia, and the failing Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

For the main interview, Adam is joined by Kate Tsurkan, a reporter at the Kyiv Independent who writes on culture-related topics. They discuss how Ukraine’s culture has been affected by war by looking at Ukrainian cinema, literature, music and art. Below we include a whole list of recommendations by Kate during the podcast.

Help us meet our goal! We want 60 Patrons by the end of the year! Join us: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Get deeper into culture, check out Apofenie: https://www.apofenie.com/

Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe: https://bit.ly/4daXLCI

Recommendations from the podcast
Films:
Olha Zhurba - Songs of slow burning earth: https://filmotor.com/slow-burning-earth/
Oksana Karpovych – Intercepted: https://lightdox.com/intercepted/
Mstyslav Chernov - 20 Days in Mariupol https://20daysinmariupol.com/
Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk - Pamfir https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9455468/

Books: 
Tanja Maljartschuk - Forgottenness:  https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324093220
Sofia Andrukhovych - Amadoka https://chytomo.com/en/simon-schuster-acquires-the-rights-to-translate-ukrainian-novel-amadoka/
Artem Cheh - Song of the open road: https://booklion.lviv.ua/en/pisnia-vidkrytoho-shliakhu/?srsltid=AfmBOooqvgp3y6QdsHIeLC9klXNkWU-Z7K6wOcUxPNWrzDsABgEpGRqd
Myroslav Laiuk – Bakhmut: https://artpil.com/announcements/myroslav-laiuk-bakhmut-ukrainer/ 
Oleh Sentsov - Diary of a Hunger Striker: https://www.amazon.com/Diary-Hunger-Striker-Oleg-Sentsov/dp/1646053168
Stanislav Aseyev - In Isolation. Dispatches from Occupied Donbas: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674268784

Music:
ANTYTILA – “Bakhmut Fortress” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmqLVrUXsTQ (with English subtitles)
Хейтспіч (hatespeech) – “руzzкий мир” (ruzzkiy mir): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpoeJ2X07w
Жадан і Собаки (Zhadan and the dogs) – “Метро” (metro): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIcV7O-mefs
Kalush Orchestra – “Stefania”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Z51no1TD0

Also - check out this special playlist “Hear Ukraine” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4l6p031ldkgJYPwrFsoQcj?si=3b02d87a692d43a1

Art: 
Photographer Marta Sirko https://english.nv.ua/life/ukrainian-veteran-oleksandr-bazylevych-featured-in-new-photo-series-by-marta-syrko-50450032.html

Nina, Adam, and Alexandra are all back together after the August break! They open by discussing the latest US presidential debate, illegitimate elections in Russian occupied Crimea, and new developments in the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria.

Alexandra then hosts three different guests to discuss the current situation in the North of Kosovo from a variety of angles, including the daily reality for the Serb community, the Kosovo government’s current orientation, and the future of the EU-led “normalization” talks. Thank you to political analyst Ognjen Gogić, activist Jovana Radosavljević, and political analyst Agon Maliqi for joining in the discussion. 

Recommended background listening: 

• https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/episode-152-heightened-tensions-as-kosovo-serbia-dispute-continues-263
• https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/episode-122-whats-behind-the-tensions-between-serbia-and-kosovo-138
• https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/episode-47-can-the-us-facilitate-kosovo-serbia-normalization-445 

Agon’s latest piece in S’bunker: https://sbunker.org/opinion/gracka-e-radhes-e-vuciqit/

*** Help us reach 60 patrons by the end of the year! www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope  ***

Talk Eastern Europe is back after the August break! In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start with some discussion of the news headlines from the last few weeks, including Ukraine’s Kursk operation, the prisoner swap with Russia, Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia, Georgia’s foreign agent law, Azerbaijani elections, and repressions in Serbia.

During the main interview Adam and Nina are joined by Jacob Mikanowski, the author of the book - Goodbye Eastern Europe. An intimate history of a divided land. He is a freelance writer and academic. The discussion takes listeners into Jacob’s book, his motivations behind writing it and what he learnt personally while writing it.  

Notes on the podcast:

Read Bahruz Samadov’s “In the beginning was the violence” on Azerbaijan: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2023/08/09/in-the-beginning-was-the-violence/

Check out the book: Goodbye Eastern Europe. An intimate history of a divided land https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Eastern-Europe-Intimate-History/dp/1524748501

Become a patron! www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope 

Adam and Alexandra open this episode with a few updates on the news from the region, including in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Serbia.

Next, Adam is joined by Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, journalist and writer and Editor-in-Chief of Ukraine World (https://ukraineworld.org/en). Volodymyr gives his insights on the current situation in Ukraine and what the current mood is there. They look at the situation on the front, Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure and how Ukrainians are preparing for the winter.

Check out Volodymyr’s podcast “Explaining Ukriane” and his latest episode on the military situation with Andriy Zagorodnyuk: https://ukraineworld.org/en/podcasts/ep-320

Recommended read: “Seven favourite hidden narratives of Russian propaganda” https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/07/29/seven-favourite-hidden-narratives-of-russian-propaganda/

Support Talk Eastern Europe: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Nina start by sharing some good news from Armenia, where the EU Commission has announced the start of a dialogue on visa liberalisation with the country. They also cover the latest developments in Russia, Poland, and Serbia.

The main interview features Zsuzsanna Végh, an analyst specialising in the European and foreign policies of Central European countries, with a particular focus on Hungary. Zsuzsanna provides an in-depth analysis of the political turbulence in Hungary over the past six months, its evolving relationship with the EU and attitudes towards the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For those interested in learning more, check out our special bonus content for patrons, where Zsuzsanna reflects on the 20th anniversary of Hungary's EU membership and the 25th anniversary of its NATO membership. She also shares her views on how Hungarians perceive these two organisations.

>>> The bonus content can be accessed here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-188-108858120  

In both interviews, Zsuzsanna references data from the Policy Solutions report "The World Through Hungarian Eyes - Foreign Policy Attitudes in Hungary in 2024," which you can find here: https://www.policysolutions.hu/en/news/649/world_through_hungarian_eyes_2024

Support the podcast, become a Patron!

In this episode Adam and Nina start with some of the recent developments including the return of Robert Fico after an assassination attempt in Slovakia which also gives added context to the recent attempted assassination of Donald Trump in the United States. They also discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and finally Trump’s pick for Vice President, Senator JD Vance, and how that is seen from this region.

Later, Adam is joined by Wojciech Michnik - an assistant professor of International Relations and Security Studies at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków Poland and a Contributing Editor with New Eastern Europe. They go through the results of last week’s NATO Summit, what the 75th birthday means for the Alliance, and how NATO sees a possible membership for Ukraine.

For more of the latest from the region check out New Eastern Europe online at: https://neweasterneurope.eu/

Support the podcast here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam, Alexandra and Nina discuss recent horrific attacks on Ukraine, Orbans' visit to Kyiv and Moscow, and the Washington NATO summit. They also commemorate the July 11th Srebrenica massacre remembrance day and recommend a film Qua Vadis, Aida? which dramatizes events of the Srebrenica massacre.

Later, Alexandra and Nina are joined by Dominika Hajdu, the Policy Director of the Center for Democracy & Resilience at GLOBSEC, a global think-tank based in Bratislava focused on providing a better understanding of global trends and their consequences for society, economy and security. Dominika speaks about their new report GLOBSEC Trends 2024: CEE which sheds light on how nine countries of Central and Eastern Europe view EU, NATO, Russia, or China, and to what extent they support Ukraine, and whether they are satisfied with democracy or believe in manipulative narratives. 

You can check out GLOBSEC’s activities and website: https://www.globsec.org/

You can read the GLOBSEC Trends 2024 report: https://www.globsec.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/GLOBSEC%20TRENDS%202024.pdf  

Support Talk Eastern Europe here: patreon.com/talkeasterneurope 

In this episode, the three hosts finally get back together and discuss the results of the Bulgarian elections, celebrate the opening of accession talks for Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro and speak about the recent developments in Georgia, Ukraine and Russia.  

Later, Alexandra and Nina are joined by Žilvinas Švedkauskas, a PhD candidate at Tübingen University and the author of the article A Newfound Hub of Global Democracy Promotion: Lithuania Playing to its Strengths where he discusses Lithuanian identity in promoting democratic values. In the interview, he shares the insights from the article but also sheds light on the results of recent elections in Lithuania.  

In the exclusive bonus content, which our Patrons can listen to, Žilvinas shares what is the mood in Lithuania related to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine and his insight into Russian spy scandals in Europe.

The bonus content can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-185-107529843  

Support the podcast become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Check out the latest edition of New Eastern Europe: www.neweasterneurope.eu  

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina start by reviewing some of the latest developments in the region, including the start of the Hungarian presidency of the EU, new sanctions against Bosnia and Herzegovina's Respublika Srpska officials, developments in Ukraine and Moldova.   

Later, Alexandra and Nina are joined by Emina Bošnjak, Executive Director of the Sarajevo Open Centre- a civil society organization that works on advancing LGBTI+ rights and gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Emina speaks about the history of the LGBTI+ movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans and gives insights into the current situation.  

This episode marks the occasion of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Pride which will take place on June 22nd in Sarajevo. 

Support the podcast. Visit us at: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope 

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start by reviewing some of the latest developments in the region, including the high-level Ukraine Recovery Conference, the results of the European parliamentary elections, and Russian-Armenian relations.

Later, Adam and Nina are joined by Šimon Pánek, the Executive Director and one of the founders of the Czech organization “People in Need”. They discuss Šimon's journey from an activist to the executive director of one of the biggest humanitarian and human rights organizations in Central Europe. They also speak about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and the reason why Czechia and its people are one of the key supporters of Ukraine in its fight for national survival.

Check out the People in Need website: https://www.peopleinneed.net/

Support their efforts here: https://www.peopleinneed.net/donate/once

Get the latest news from the region – sign up for the New Eastern Europe Newsletter: https://neweasterneurope.eu/newsletter/  

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Alexandra kick off this episode with a rundown of some of the recent developments in the region, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, recent local elections in Serbia, the upcoming European parliamentary elections and developments in Hungary and Poland.

Later, Adam is joined by Vazha Tavberidze, a Georgian journalist and staff writer with RFE/RL's Georgian Service. They discuss the situation in the country surrounding the recently passed “foreign agent” law and its consequences. They also take a look at what’s next politically in the context of the upcoming elections in October.

For further reading via New Eastern Europe:
“Why the “Russian law” is so dangerous for Georgia” by Grigol Julukhidze and Mariam Gubievi: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/05/05/why-the-russian-law-is-so-dangerous-for-georgia/

“Georgia has now reached a crucial moment” by Jakub Bornio: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/05/20/georgia-has-now-reached-a-crucial-moment/

“Georgians want a better future” by Mark Temnycky: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/05/15/georgians-want-a-better-future/  

Support us! Become a TEE patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope  

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina start by catching up on news from the Western Balkans. They also discuss the latest developments in Georgia and Alexandra shares her impressions from a recent trip to Tbilisi.   

For the main interview, Alexandra talked with publisher Buzz Poole about his decades of experience working with authors from Southeastern Europe and bringing their stories to Anglophone audiences. Buzz gives listeners a “behind the scenes” look at the publishing world, shares his views on unique themes and aesthetics in fiction from this region, and makes quite a few suggestions for further reading.   

You can check out the titles mentioned at https://sandorfpassage.org/  

For those wanting to learn more – check out our special bonus content for our patrons, featuring a conversation with Tim Schaffner of Schaffner Press about the upcoming release: The Bone Whisperers: Two Women Scientists and Their Work to Connect Lost Lives in Bosnia-Herzegovina by Taina Tervonen.

Listen to it here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-181-bone-105302149  

Check out New Eastern Europe online at: www.neweasterneurope.eu

This episode opens with Adam and Nina running down the latest news in the region, including the situations in Georgia and Armenia as well as the new mobilization law in Ukraine. Nina also mentions the assassination attempt of Slovakia's Robert Fico - and we have a special longer update via our patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-update-104836695

Later, Alexandra helps us mark the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, by bringing us several stories from former Belarusian political prisoners and their families. Our guests discuss their experiences while imprisoned, life after release, and what the international community can do to support current and former prisoners. 

Talk Eastern Europe stands in solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners and would like to thank the following guests for appearing in this episode:

• Volha Loika
• Tasiana Khomich
• Krystsina Charankova
• Ksenia Syramalot
• Anonymous

Check out these links for more information about Belarusian political prisoners and the International Day of Solidarity on May 21. You can support organizations that work with Belarussian political prisoners such as Bysol, Viasna, Politvyazanka, ByHelp, Strana Dlia Zhizn and many others."

Postcards for political prisoners campaign:
You can write a postcard to political prisoners in Belarus by finding a political prisoner's address on Viasna's website and sending a postcard which refrains from overly political statements. Alternatively, you can also send a digital greeting by filling out this form and sending a message via Solidarity Postcards Atelier. It is expected that the correspondence may be withheld or censured, so you can also post a picture of the postcard on your social media with the tag #FreeNameAndSurname of the prisoner you have written to.

Support our work - become a podcast patron: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope 

In this episode, Adam and Nina open with breaking news from Slovakia and discuss the recent shooting of Slovak’s Prime Minister- Robert Fico.

Later, they move to the South Caucasus and comment on protests in Armenia and Georgia. They close with an update about Ukraine and positive news from the Czech Republic.  For the main interview, Nina is joined by Dr Marat Ilyasov, a visiting Scholar at the Global Academy of George Washington University to discuss the recent developments in Chechnya including the possible scenarios of Ramzan Kadyrov’s succession.

Our Patrons can also listen to bonus content where Marat discusses what the experience with two Chechen wars could suggest for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, available here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-179-wars-104412121

Marat’s analysis is based on his academic article which is restricted, but the abstract is available here.

Support the podcast, become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope  

Don’t forget to check out the latest articles online at www.neweasterneurope.eu

In this episode, Adam, Alexandra and Nina commemorate the 20th anniversary of the EU's 'Big Bang' enlargement. They also discuss Xi Jinping's visit to Serbia and Hungary, the latest news from Russia and Ukraine, and the elections in North Macedonia and Croatia.  

Later in the episode, Alexandra and Nina are joined by Maja Gergorić, an expert on anti-gender movements in post-communist Europe. Maja shares her insights on gender equality challenges and the so-called anti-gender ideology in Croatia and elsewhere in the region.  

In our patron-only bonus content, Maja comments on the recent parliamentary elections in Croatia and discusses possible scenarios for the future government.  

Support the podcast, become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope  

Talk Eastern Europe is Shortlisted in two categories for the Publish Podcast Awards – Best News Podcast; and Best Political Podcast. Check it out: https://publisherpodcasts.com/2024/en/page/shortlist2024  

This episode opens up with Adam, Alexandra and Nina discussing the latest news developments including the US Congress’s passage of the Ukraine aid bill; political developments in Croatia; the situation in Georgia and the situation of civil society in Azerbaijan.

Later, Adam is joined by Andrew Wilson, a professor of Ukrainian Studies at UCL and a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss Andrew’s latest book titled “Political Technology. The Globalisation of Political Manipulation”. 

You can find more about the book here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/political-technology/748E44E97FF0C37F54B419E901665AC3

And learn more about political technology at Andrew's blog: https://www.politicaltechnology.blog/

Don’t forget to support the podcast by joining our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope

And drop us a line on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope

In this episode of the podcast, Alexandra and Nina share some tips on interesting films from the region and discuss the latest developments related to foreign agent laws in Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also remind listeners of the political prisoners' situation in Belarus and shed light on the challenging circumstances in Ukraine.

Later, Nina has a conversation with Ivan Ostrochovský and Pavol Pekarčík, the two directors of an awarded film Photophobia which captures lives of 12-year-old Nikita and 11-year old Viktoria who are hiding from the Russian invasion at a Kharkiv metro station. Ivan and Pavol speak about the film but also their first-hand experience being in Ukraine at the beginning of full-scale invasion. They also share their experiences of regularly delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine.  The film received an award at the Venice film festival where it was premiered and was awarded as a best documentary in the Warsaw International film festival.

We also prepared a very special patron-only bonus content as the directors kindly agreed to share the film with our Patrons. If you're our Patron, you can watch the film online herehttps://vimeo.com/897164068?share=copywith the password that you find on Patreon page.  

Films mentioned in the podcast:

• 20 days in Mariupol; (An Academy Award Winner, Best Documentary Feature Film, a film by Ukrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov)
• Who, if Not Us? The Fight for Democracy in Belarus; (Directed by Juliane Tutein, Germany)
• Queendom (Directed by Agniia Galdanova, Russia)

In this episode of the podcast, Adam, Alexandra and Nina start by discussing latest developments in the region including intensified Russian air attacks against Ukrainian cities, recent Slovak and Polish election results, protests in Hungary and draft UN resolution recalling the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica. For the main interview, Alexandra sits down with Dr. Hikmet Karcic, a Research Associate at the Institute for the Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law - University of Sarajevo. They discuss far-right narratives and forces in the Western Balkans, how those relate to the broader European and transatlantic far-right, and how these networks have spread genocide denial in the region and beyond it. 
BONUS QUESTIONS In this patron-only bonus content, Alexandra speaks further with genocide scholar Hikmet, discussing the far right's prospects in the upcoming European elections as well as the implications of Bosnia and Herzegovina officially receiving EU candidate status.

Support TEE and get access to bonus content: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode of the podcast, Adam, Nina and Alexandra start by a discussion of some of the latest developments in the region including the Georgia’s pursuit of a new version of the “foreign agent law”; a similar development in Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ukraine’s targeting of Russian oil refineries and Romanian and Bulgaria entering the Schengen Zone (at least partially).

For the main interview, Adam sits down with Wicke van den Broek a PhD candidate at Maastricht University carrying out research on EU democracy promotion in Belarus; and Aliaksei Piatrenka, a Belarusian civic activist and junior researcher at the Center for New Ideas. They discuss the latest parliamentary elections in Belarus, the ongoing repressions in the country and how those outside Belarus are still fighting for a democratic country.

Both Wicke and Aliaksei are alumni of the New Eastern Europe Think Tank School. This year’s edition will take place June 1-7 2024 in Lithuania and Poland. Learn more here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/think-tank-school/

Learn more about Belarus in the recent edition of New Eastern Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/02/07/issue-1-2-2024-elections-without-choice/

Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam, Alexandra and Nina begin by discussing last weeks' horrific terrorist attack in Moscow, Russian attacks against energy infrastructure in Ukraine and the Russian missile in Polish airspace. They continue with some potentially hopeful developments such as results of first round of Slovak presidential elections and the European Council decision to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

During the main interview, Nina talks to Dmitry Berezhkov, head of the Indigenous Information Centre of Russia. Dmitry speaks about the immediate impact of the terrorist attack in Moscow on indigenous peoples and more generally about racism, corruption and lack of environmental protection that influence livelihoods of these communities. He concludes explaining what 'decolonization' of Russia means from the indigenous rights perspective. 

In our patron-only bonus content, Dmitry gives insight on how mobilisation for Russia's war in Ukraine impacts on small indigenous communities and their survival.  The bonus content can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-173-101223748  

Check out Dmitry's co-authored piece about what decolonisation means for indigenous peoples of Russia here.  

Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start the episode by discussing worrying news for Kyrgyz civil society, Armenia's potential return to Europe, and upcoming elections in Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia.

During the main interview - to mark International Women’s Day - Nina sat down with a photographer and videographer Zula Rabikowska who explores gender identities in Central and Eastern Europe. They talked about her project Nothing but a Curtain that brings voices of women, non-binary, and transgender people from our region.  

You can read more about the project in her piece in New Eastern Europe and check out moving portraits of women she talked to and photographed during her 7325 km long journey across the region. 

All Zula’s work is on her website and you can also join her mailing list to receive updates about her work.

Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zula.ra/ 

For those listeners in London, you can join Zula's event "Rethinking Eastern Europe" which takes place on Tuesday 21 May 6.30-9pm in PhotoBook Cafe, EC2A 4DQ, London.

Her latest piece “From Poznań to Boston: Marianna Matyja shares insights into her experience contributing to a Grammy-nominated album” was just published on New Eastern Europe.  

Join us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Nina discuss the deterioration of relations between Czechia and Slovakia, the celebration of 25 years of NATO membership in Czechia, Hungary and Poland and the ongoing media crackdown in Azerbaijan. They continue to analyse the split in the Visegrád Group as Hungary's Viktor Orbán's met with Donald Trump while Poland's president and prime visited US President Joe Biden.

For the main interview, Alexandra and Nina sat down with Eugene Chausovsky, the Senior Director for Analytical Development and Training at the New Lines Institute to get his insights on the upcoming Russian presidential elections. Eugene dives into Russian domestic politics but also looks at the election from a broader geopolitical perspective.  This is the first of several collaborations that we will be conducting with analysts from the New Lines Institute.

The New Lines Institute is based in Washington, DC and focuses on the intersection of US foreign policy and global geopolitics. 

Check out the New Lines Institute websitehttps://newlinesinstitute.org/and listen to their podcast: Contours.   

>>>Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina discuss the funeral of Alexei Navalny, Putin's state-of-the-nation address and the latest attack on Odesa in Ukraine. They walk you through relatively positive developments related to recent Serbian elections and reflect on meetings between Hungarian, Slovak and Russian foreign ministers.

Later, Alexandra interviews Miruna Butnaru-Troncotă, a Bucharest-based writer and researcher specializing in EU foreign and security policy. They discuss the "accelerated" EU accession process for Ukraine and Moldova, its effects on integration prospects for the long-waiting Western Balkan countries, and how Romania does - and can further - play a constructive role in supporting Western Balkan EU membership.

In our patron-only bonus content, Alexandra speaks more with Miruna on domestic politics in Romania, predictions for and implications of the "super election" year in the country, and the unique features of the Romanian far-right.
Listen to the exclusive bonus questions here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-170-on-99920668

Read Miruna’s piece from the latest issue of New Eastern Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/02/07/what-role-can-romania-play-in-facilitating-western-balkan-integration/

Support us! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Nina start by reflecting on recent Belarusian parliamentary elections and tragic death of Alexei Navalny. They also discuss last week's farmer's protests and dynamics among the Visegrád Group countries (Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia).

Later, Alexandra interviews Andrea Mazelliu, a lecturer of law at the University of New York Tirana, to get his insights on domestic politics in Albania, which have heated up in recent months. Alexandra and Andrea also deep dive into Albanian foreign policy and its path to the EU.

Support the TEE podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

This special episode marking the second anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine features four short-form interviews with Ukrainians in the country and outside it. First, Nina and Alexandra discuss the news of the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who was murdered while imprisoned in one of Russia's northernmost prisons.
Later, Nina and Alexandra share four stories from Ukraine with the following guests. Each guest shared their personal stories, reflections from the last two years, what they have been doing to support Ukraine, and the hopes they have for Ukraine's future.

Mariya Chukhnova is a trilingual (Ukrainian, Russian, English) expert in international security and regional knowledge, specializing in Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine and Russia. With a diverse background in the rule of law, anti-corruption, and international security, she is originally from Ukraine and is now based in the US.
Maksym Kyiak is the chief scientist at the Kuras Institute of Political and Ethnic Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and a chief expert at the Ukrainian NGO ANTS – National Interests Advocacy Network. He is based in Kyiv.
Nazar Boykov is a political scientist and expert on elections based in Lviv. He is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science at West Virginia University and a founder and chief executive at the Ukrainian NGO CIFRA Group.
Oleksandr Shchur is the writer and producer of the new film Bucha, which tells the story of a refugee from Kazakhstan who saved hundreds of Ukrainians in occupied territories in the spring of 2022.

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

Follow Mariya on Linkedin to support her advocacy work and fundraising: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariya-chukhnova-903554130?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BIJPL9ERXTcmi16Ov7g4s5A%3D%3D.

Check out Mariya's other work: The Quiet of the Russian Diaspora in the US (VoxUkraine) Deliberate Destruction of Ukrainian Scientific Infrastructure by Russia: The Urgency of Its Protection and Restoration (The Critical Mass)

Learn more about Oleksandar's film Bucha: https://bucha.film/.

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/4boNgfc

Support 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/w1qr9apHWsQhJAjg8

Support 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/w1qr9apHWsQhJAjg8

Join 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/SmKFfGja9ypA6jm48

Support 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/talkeasterneurope

Listen to the Fulbright Poland podcast titled “Fulbright Talks” to
learn more about Fulbright Poland alumni and their fascinating
endeavors: 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-press

Check 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!

In this episode Adam and Alexandra are together in a Warsaw studio to discuss the latest news in the region, including the European Commission’s latest enlargement report and recommendations.

After the news rundown, they are joined in the studio with Oktawian Milewski, a political scientist specialising in Central and East European studies. He is a Poland resident correspondent for Radio France Internationale’s Romanian office and a regular guest with Talk Eastern Europe. Oktawian discusses the results of Moldova’s local elections and its impact on that country’s EU integration. He also focuses on the role of oligarchs (outside the country) and the pro-Russian influence that is trying to make a comeback.

Read the OSCE Report on the elections: “Moldova, Local Elections, 5 November 2023: Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions” https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/moldova/557406

Support us and become a member of our community: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope