Talk Eastern Europe

In this episode, Alexandra and Nina discuss recent developments across Central and Eastern Europe, including the latest charges in North Macedonia following the tragic nightclub fire in Kočani, ongoing protests in Serbia, and a vote of no confidence in the Czech Republic.The main interview features Daryna Pidhorna, Senior Lawyer at the Regional Centre for Human Rights. Daryna explores how Russia's aggression is targeting Ukrainian culture, impacting museums, festivals and outlines what can be done to safeguard Ukraine's cultural heritage during wartime. She also shares what life is currently like in Kyiv and reflects on the atmosphere in the city as Russia steps up its aerial attacks.In the bonus content for our patrons, Daryna stays on to delve into the repatriation of cultural property. She explains how Ukraine is working to recover looted heritage and highlights lessons that can be drawn from other countries' experiences in reclaiming stolen cultural assets.To listen to the bonus content visit: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-227-131877614 Read Adam's takeaways from the Globsec Conference featured in Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/p/june-16-2025Additional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

In this special episode, Nina, Alexandra and Adam host a special episode recorded live with the Patrons of Talk Eastern Europe. They start with a discussion on recent news developments, including Ukraine's Operation Spider Web, Bulgaria joining the Eurozone, and the latest on repressions in Georgia. During the main episode, Adam is put in the hot-seat with Alexandra and Nina asking about the recent elections in Poland. They discuss the overall results of both rounds as well as key context heading into the elections. They also discuss how the new president-elect, Karol Nawrocki may act in relations with Europe, but also on  the situation with Ukraine.During our bonus section, the co-hosts address patrons questions and discuss in-depth the political repercussions of the election result and what could come next for Poland.The bonus content can be found here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-226-131296617Thank you to all of our patrons who joined us during the recording and all of those who support Talk Eastern Europe. If you want to support the podcast and gain access to additional benefits and bonus content, join us here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeWe also were short-listed for “Best Deep Dive Podcast” at the recent Publisher Podcast awards, and Alexandra attended the awards on behalf of Talk Eastern Europe. We didn't win, but we were honored to be even considered among such prestigious colleagues. Pictures are available on our Patron Facebook Page.

In this special edition of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra reports in-person from Romania for a deep dive into the recent presidential elections. She speaks with experts Laura Stefan, Diana Filimon, and Vlad Barleanu about what happened in these dramatic elections, the allegations of digital interference from Russia, how the public responded, and what it all means for Romanian democracy. Commentary by:Laura Stefan, Founder and the Rule of Law and Anticorruption Coordinator for ExpertForumDiana Filimon, Founder and President of Forum Apulum, Founder of Gen, știriVlad Barleanu, former journalist and current PR specialist To watch the full-length interviews and other behind-the-scene clips, you can check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeResearch for this podcast episode was made possible with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC's Transatlantic Media Fellowship. Find out more about the Fellowship, and the Foundation's work, here: https://us.boell.org/en/2025/05/22/2025-cohort-transatlantic-media-fellows Finally, thank you to Patrícia Raposo, Young European Ambassador for the EU Neighbours East and Policy Trainee at the Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs, for her assistance in the research process. 

In this episode Adam and Alexandra catch up on the latest news, with a discussion on the upcoming presidential election in Poland, current developments in Hungary and what is the status of the peace process in Russia's war against Ukraine.During the deep dive, Adam sits down with journalist Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska to discuss issues in Central Asia in particular the situation surrounding the Caspian Sea.  They look at the geopolitical significance of the sea region and the environment situation which is deteriorating as a result of oil extraction. This episode is the third part in our mini-series on Central Asia. Check out previous episodes to catch up on the issues facing this unreported region. Check out Agnieszka's podcast Turan Tales: https://turantales.substack.com/podcastRead Adam's recent commentaries:On Poland and what's at stake in the election: https://danperry.substack.com/p/poland-on-the-brinkOn why peace in Ukraine is slipping further away: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/p/may-26-2025Like the podcast? Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Nina and Alexandra celebrate some positive news from the Romanian and Polish elections over the weekend before updating listeners on US-brokered negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. They also discuss revelations of forgery in a shady business dealing involving Trump's son-in-law in Serbia and new efforts by the ruling party to undermine the opposition in Georgia. Alexandra then interviews Dilmurad Yusupov, an independent researcher and disability rights activist from Uzbekistan. They talk about what disability inclusion means, the state of disability rights in Uzbekistan compared to the rest of the region, and the challenges that civic groups like Dilmurad's face in promoting disability rights in the country.You can check out his organization, Sharoit Plus here: https://sharoitplus.uz/ And, Russian and Uzbek speakers can listen to Dilmurad's podcast, Inclusive Talk, here: Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ds4DsaVESpotify: https://lnkd.in/d9mFtwUhYandex Music: https://lnkd.in/e8GV5XEqYouTube: https://lnkd.in/ewCXPiAzSupport Talk Eastern Europe: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Alexandra and Adam start with updates from Ukraine and efforts to bring about a ceasefire. Meanwhile, a Polish investigation has found that a fire last year which burned down a huge shopping center in Warsaw was ordered by Russian intelligence while the country gets ready to vote in the presidential election on May 18th. Finally, Alexandra discusses the results of the recent Albania parliamentary election.Later in the episode, Nina speaks with Assem Zhapisheva, a journalist and activist from Kazakhstan. Assem co-founded the Oyan, Qazaqstan – Wake Up, Kazakhstan movement for political reform and launched independent media projects like masa.media. She discusses her role in the film Streets Loud with Echoes and shares insights into Kazakhstan's recent political turbulence, shedding light on civil society and activism under an authoritarian regime, as well as the country's complex love–hate relationship with Russia.>>> In the bonus content for our patrons, Assem stays on to talk about her recent arrest related to the campaign Satire is not a crime and shares her perspective on the alarming decline of freedom of speech in Kazakhstan today. See more on the film “Streets Loud with Echoes”:https://www.oneworld.cz/films/56256-streets-loud-with-echoes

Nina and Alexandra open this episode with a discussion of the first round of the much-awaited presidential election in Romania, in which the far-right candidate George Simion blew away the competition. They then talk about Russia's commemoration of Victory in Europe Day taking place on May 9th, including the various guests from our region who plan to attend. Finally, Alexandra provides updates on the student protests in Serbia and Nina closes with some positive news for press freedom in Estonia.For the main interview, Alexandra sits down with Adnan Ćerimagić, Senior Analyst for the Western Balkans at the European Stability Initiative (ESI), to discuss the latest secessionist crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Adnan provides a detailed update of what has transpired in the country since February, when Bosnian Serb politician Milorad Dodik was convicted in the first-instance of defying the orders of Bosnia and Herzegovina's High Representative. He then shares potential future scenarios and explains why this could become a very dangerous situation for the country and for the rest of Europe.  "Negotiating Peace? Trump, Putin and the future of Ukraine" - Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe now online: http://bit.ly/4d8ncXbVisit us online at: www.talkeasterneurope.eu

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra open with a discussion of the latest news, including Ukraine and the status of the Trump negotiations; the deteriorating situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; developments in Kosovo; and the preparations for presidential elections in Romania. Later, Adam is joined by David Criekemans, an Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Antwerp (Belgium). They discuss the changing geopolitics, how the Trump administration is changing Transatlantic relations, and how Europe should react.Read Adam's latest commentary in this week's Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/p/april-28-2025Support the podcast – join our patron community: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Adam, Alexandra, and Nina return after a short break to discuss the latest developments in the region. Topics include the situation in Ukraine, the introduction of a controversial "Russian-style" law targeting NGOs in Slovakia, the formation of a new government and prime minister in Serbia, and recent developments surrounding the presidential elections in Romania. In the main interview, Alexandra and Nina speak with Olga Skrypnyk, Chairwoman of the Crimean Human Rights Group, and Viktoria Nesterenko, a human rights defender from the Human Rights Centre ZMINA in Ukraine. They delve into the current situation in Crimea, highlighting how various groups are persecuted and how some individuals have become political prisoners. The conversation concludes with reflections on the implications of the new US administration's approach to the war in Ukraine and a discussion on what elements are crucial to include in any future peace negotiations.Support this podcast - join our patreon community - patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeRead the latest articles online at New Eastern EuropeSign up for the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterAdditional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

Adam, Nina, and Alexandra are finally back together to discuss some news from the region. They cover the latest military draft in Russia, ongoing strikes in Ukraine, Hungary's decision to pull out of the International Criminal Court, and Adam gives his perspective on developments on the Polish-Belarusian border. For the deep dive, Alexandra speaks with Ognen Vangelov, Assistant Professor at University American College-Skopje in North Macedonia and a research fellow at Queen's University's Centre for the Study of Democracy and Diversity. They talk about the Macedonian government's response to a tragic nightclub fire on March 16th, which killed 59 young people, and long-standing concerns with corruption in the country. Ognen also takes stock of the government's overall performance in its first year in office, diving deep into the country's political scene. Check out the exclusive Patreon bonus content - North Macedonia's geopolitical realignment in a region on tenterhooksSupport the podcast - become a patron!https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

To start of the episode, Adam and Alexandra talk about the prospect of foreign troop deployment in Ukraine, a historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, a further crackdown against opposition in Georgia, and the fleeing of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik to Moscow. Alexandra is then joined by policy analyst Alejandro Esteso Pérez, who specializes in the Western Balkans, EU enlargement, corruption, and authoritarianism. Alejandro shares findings from his latest research on how illiberal leaders in the region have instrumentalized and "illiberalized" the EU enlargement policy for their own, anti-democratic gains. You can check out his research on the subject here: https://www.europeum.org/en/articles-and-publications/policy-paper-illiberalising-eu-enlargement-to-the-western-balkans/In our bonus episode, Alexandra and Alejandro discuss the elections in Kosovo, which took place in February 2025, including what they could mean for domestic politics and the future of "normalization" talks with Serbia given the new geopolitical landscape in Europe and the US. Check out the bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-217-test-125838495

Nina and Alexandra open the episode by discussing the ongoing negotiations in Riyadh between the US, Russia and Ukraine and providing an overdue update on the deteriorating situation for civil society and media in Georgia. They then talk about a potential final agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the assault of a journalist in Serbia.For the main interview, Nina and Alexandra spoke with Leanid Marozau, the Head of the Legal Department and the Advisor on Legal Affairs to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces in exile. Together they discuss the latest political updates in Belarus and also the ongoing work of the democratic opposition outside the country. You can check out #bysol or Viasna if you'd like to support fundraising efforts for Belarusians - including political prisoners.Bonus content: What do Belarusian youth think?This week's bonus content for the TEE patrons features a short conversation with Leanid Marozau from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's office. Leanid talks with Nina and Alexandra about youth both in Belarus and in the Belarusian diaspora. Listen to the bonus discussion here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-216-125301901Support the podcast – become a TEE Patron!www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start by discussing the latest news from the region – including the fallout from the tragic fire which killed 59 people in North Macedonia as well as the massive protests which took place in Belgrade over the weekend. They also look at developments in Hungary as the opposition leader appears to be gaining momentum, while the government outlaws Budapest Pride. Later, Adam is joined by Konstantin von Eggert, an independent journalist and political analyst and weekly columnist on Russian affairs for Deutsche Welle. Adam and Konstantin discuss the Trump/Putin phone call which was set to take place this week, the overall process and what are Putin's aims in these so-called negotiations. Konstantin also shares his view on Europe's reactions and the current European understanding of the threat.Go even deeper – check out the latest commentaries on the New Eastern Europe website:“A Zeitenwende comes from Washington: how long-term trends shaped a new politics” by: Valerii Pekar: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/03/14/a-zeitenwende-comes-from-washington-how-long-term-trends-shaped-a-new-politics/“As a major military power, Ukraine has options” by: Kerel Dysler: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/03/18/as-a-major-military-power-ukraine-has-options/“Europe in the age of uncertainty”, by: Tony van der Togt, https://neweasterneurope.eu/2024/11/22/europe-in-the-age-of-uncertainty/Support the podcast – become a TEE Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeAdditional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

In this episode, Adam and Nina kick off with the latest headlines, including Ukraine's ceasefire deal in exchange for renewed US military and intelligence aid, plus a NATO military chiefs' meeting in Paris. They also break down what's happening in Romania, the online clash between Poland's Foreign Minister and Elon Musk, and wrap up with updates from Azerbaijan. Later, Alexandra and Nina chat with Zuzana Pavlíčková, a human rights lawyer and Fulbright Scholar under the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at the American University Washington College of Law. Zuzana dives into the crucial role civil society has played in the region—and why governments see it as a threat today. They take a step back to unpack what civil society actually is before getting into foreign agent laws and why they're so controversial. In the bonus content, Zuzana takes a closer look at foreign agent laws in Bulgaria, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia, and Russia—exploring what they have in common and where they differ. Listen to our bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-214-124276657

Nina and Alexandra open this episode with a discussion on the latest news, including the fallout from last week's oval office meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They also briefly touch on the political situation in Romania, Serbia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the conviction of Milorad Dodik which is being challenged by Republika Srbska. Later, Adam is joined by Isaac Stanley-Becker, an investigative reporter who has reported from across Europe and the United States. He earned his PhD in history from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He is the author of the book “Europe without Borders: A History”. Isaac discusses the history of the Schengen agreement, its impact on Europe and how Europeanattitudes towards borders have changed, including in the sphere of defence.In the bonus content Isaac and Adam discuss the disarray in Transatlantic relations under the new Trump administration and what it will take to repair them. Listen to our bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123769540 Learn more about the book here: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691261768/europe-without-borders

This special episode marks the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The three co-hosts are joined by a group of Talk Eastern Europe patrons and Iryna Krasnoshtan, an analyst and foreign policy expert from the International Center for Ukrainian Victory. Together, they reflect on how three years of war have reshaped life in Ukraine, discussing the tensions between the US and Ukraine, the support from European allies, and the impact of the USAID funding freeze on Ukrainian civil society and humanitarian groups. Iryna also shares ways listeners can continue supporting Ukraine and highlights what the country needs most from its European allies at this critical time.If you want to keep supporting Ukraine, here are some ways you can help: links or this? https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/02/24/ukraine-under-attack-how-to-help/ In our bonus content for patrons, the discussion continues as those who joined the call ask their own questions about Ukraine's future. Do you want to listen in? Become a patron and tune in here: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, the three co-hosts discuss key takeaways from the Munich Security Conference and a historic meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They also touch on the anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death, Serbia's Statehood Day, developments in Georgia, and promising news from North Macedonia.Later, Nina speaks with Konstanty Kuzma and Moritz Pfeifer, the founders and editors of the East European Film Bulletin. They discuss the historical evolution of cinema in Eastern Europe, the current state of the region's film industry, and where listeners can watch films from Eastern Europe today.In the bonus content, Konstanty and Moritz shed light on major changes in the film industry following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Listen to the bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-211-122769663Check out the East European Film Bulletin: https://eefb.org/Films and Festivals mentioned in the interview:Significant films from the region:Man with a Movie Camera – Dziga VertovDaisies – Věra ChytilováDirectors to revisit:Harutyun Khachatryan, Kira Muratova, Wojciech WiszniewskiFilms to watch for in 2025:Waves – Jiří Mádl (CZ, SK)Flow – Gints Zilbalodis (LV, BE, FR)Kontinental '25 – Radu Jude (RO, HU, DE)Człowiek do Wszystkiego – Anna and Wilhelm Sasnal (PL)Jupiter – Andrey Zvyagintsev (RU, FR, ES)Silent Friend – Ildikó Enyedi (HU, FR, DE, HK)Spetsialna Operatsiia – Oleksiy Radinsky (UA, LT)Film festivals in the region:Golden Apricot International Film Festival – Yerevan, ArmeniaKarlovy Vary International Film Festival – Karlovy Vary, Czech RepublicSarajevo Film Festival – Bosnia and HerzegovinaTallinn Black Nights Film Festival – Estonia25fps Zagreb – Croatia (focusing on experimental films and arts)Specialized film festivals focusing on Eastern European cinema:GoEast Film Festival –Wiesbaden, GermanyBEAST International Film Festival – Porto, PortugalEastern Neighbours Film Festival – The Hague, NetherlandsÀ l'Est Film Festival – Rouen, FranceCinEast Film Festival – LuxembourgSouth East European Film Festival – Los Angeles, USA

At the start of this episode, Adam, Nina, and Alexandra discuss developments in the Georgian opposition, the shifting US stance on Ukraine, cultural anecdotes from Russia, the resignation of the Romanian president and the Baltics' energy decoupling. For the main interview, Alexandra is joined by James Kerr-Lindsay, a leading author and expert in international relations, conflict and security to discuss the case of Kosovo, which declared its independence on February 17th 2008. They talk about what happened in the lead up to Kosovo's declaration of independence and what makes Kosovo a unique case under international law. You can watch more of James's content on his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEszqJb1FjYisBevHBIof3gGet access to additional content - become a TEE patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start out by taking a look at the latest developments in the region, including the protests in Serbia, the impact of USAID funding cuts in the region, including in Ukraine, as well as a new energy deal between the European Commission and Moldova. Later, Adam is joined by Nurlan Aliyev, an expert on security issues, a lecturer in the University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw and author of the recently released book: Reassessing Russia's Security Policy published by Routledge. More on the book: https://bit.ly/42NbG06 Watch the conversation with Nurlan Aliyev on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KTJzbfhxkzA Don't forget to check out our Exclusive TEE Bonus Content on the protests in Serbia: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-121401661 Additional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

In this episode, the three co-hosts Adam Reichardt, Nina Panikova and Alexandra Karppi start with some discussion about the ongoing protests in Serbia and Slovakia. They also discuss the results of last weekend's president “election” in Belarus. Later, Adam and Alexandra are joined by Oktawian Milewski - a political scientist specialising in Central and East European studies and author of the recently published article “Countering FIMI. A review of seven countries under the Beacon Project” available on New Eastern Europe's web site. They discuss the role of foreign interference and malign influence (FIMI) in Europe, especially from Russia and put it in the context of the recently annulled presidential election in Romania. Read more: “Countering FIMI. A review of seven countries under the Beacon Project” Oktawian Milewski, New Eastern Europe 15 January 2025: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/01/15/countering-fimi-a-review-of-seven-countries-under-the-beacon-project/ Become a patron and join our community of supporters! www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Happy New Year from Talk Eastern Europe! In their first episode back from the winter break, Adam, Nina and Alexandra bring listeners up to speed on Donald Trump's inauguration in the United States, presidential elections in Belarus and Croatia, and the ongoing protests in Georgia and Serbia. For the main interview, Alexandra and freelance journalist Mark Temnycky recap the war in Ukraine in 2024 and discuss what to expect in 2025. Mark shares insights on Ukraine's heroic gains, cracks in Russia's offensive and what we know (and don't know) about the future of western support to Ukraine.   Want to stay up to date on the latest from the region – sign up for the Brief Eastern Europe newsletter: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/ Support the podcast, get access to additional content: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Co-hosted by: Adam Reichardt, Nina PanikovaIn this final episode of 2024, Adam and Nina discuss the key developments fromthe 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-23-2024Favorite episodes of 2024:Episode 180: In the own words. Former Belarusian political prisoners share their experiencesEpisode 190: Book Talk. Goodbye Eastern EuropeEpisode 193: Spies, sabotage and Russia-West relations 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 KarppiIn 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_KnowledgeIn 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=PpAEgzxQIB4TfWJkBecome 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=FUqj40e3GDQIn 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-4-2024Support 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-115208927for 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-workersHelp 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-programhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC4qTLccG2E https://studentengagement.ceu.edu/socrates-project-profilesHelp 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/talkeasterneuropeGet deeper into culture, check out Apofenie: https://www.apofenie.com/Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe: https://bit.ly/4daXLCIRecommendations from the podcastFilms: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/9781324093220Sofia 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-Z7K6wOcUxPNWrzDsABgEpGRqdMyroslav 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/1646053168Stanislav Aseyev - In Isolation. Dispatches from Occupied Donbas: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674268784Music: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=3UpoeJ2X07wЖадан і Собаки (Zhadan and the dogs) – “Метро” (metro): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIcV7O-mefsKalush Orchestra – “Stefania”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Z51no1TD0Also - check out this special playlist “Hear Ukraine” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4l6p031ldkgJYPwrFsoQcj?si=3b02d87a692d43a1Art: 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-263https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/episode-122-whats-behind-the-tensions-between-serbia-and-kosovo-138https://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/1524748501Become 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-320Recommended 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_2024Support 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/talkeasterneuropeCheck 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/onceGet 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-104836695Later, 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 LoikaTasiana KhomichKrystsina CharankovaKsenia SyramalotAnonymousCheck 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-104412121Marat'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/748E44E97FF0C37F54B419E901665AC3And 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/TalkEasternEuropeAnd drop us a line on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TalkEasternEurope