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8. The Misreading of Russia: Ideology and the Insufficiency of Alliances The debate over whether Ukraine should join the EU or NATO fundamentally misses the core issue: Russia's unwavering ideological belief that it must dominate and control Ukraine. If Russians are driven by this revanchist, neo-imperialist ideology, they will continue to seek control regardless of Ukraine's alliances, potentially through misinformation or political interference. American administrations (including Obama, Trump, and Biden) and many Western European powers have consistently misread Russia, treating it as rational or transactional, and thus failed to take its ideological goals seriously. This lack of understanding about Russia's commitment to control Ukraine means that any proposed "settlement" that does not acknowledge Ukraine as an independent state is doomed. Countries like the Baltics and Poland, which have hands-on experience dealing with Russia, correctly recognized the persistent threat but were often dismissed as overly dramatic.1855 CRIMEA Retry
Samantha Powers' UN/Israel Collusion, Anduril/Palantir Intel Risks to US Military, Right Wing Imperialist Proxy Wins Nobel Prize, Cease Fire in Gaza?, Angela Merkel Shifts Blame Onto Poland and Baltics, Poland's Imperial Ambitions, Zelensky's Wunderwaffen Scams, Ukraine's Energy Industry Crippled...Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Angela Merkel blasted by Baltics, Poland for suggesting they share blame for Russia's Ukraine invasion, and Germany's car industry in crisis..
Judy Dempsey details the political deadlock in France, noting Macron's sixth prime minister in two years and crippling resistance to necessary reforms, which weakens the Franco-German partnership. She discusses the success of pro-EU forces in Moldova but stresses the need for continued support to combat corruption. Dempsey addresses the rise of populism in the Czech Republic. She also analyzes Angela Merkel's surprising claim that Poland and the Baltics partly fueled the Ukraine invasion and examines the urgency of the European drone defense meeting in Copenhagen. 1910 UNGA ALASKA
Judy Dempsey details the political deadlock in France, noting Macron's sixth prime minister in two years and crippling resistance to necessary reforms, which weakens the Franco-German partnership. She discusses the success of pro-EU forces in Moldova but stresses the need for continued support to combat corruption. Dempsey addresses the rise of populism in the Czech Republic. She also analyzes Angela Merkel's surprising claim that Poland and the Baltics partly fueled the Ukraine invasion and examines the urgency of the European drone defense meeting in Copenhagen. 1910 ALASKA
CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT AI AND THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW.. 10-7-25 FIRST HOUR 9-915 Elizabeth Peek discusses the growing demands that massive data centers place on local resources, including electricity, water, and workforce. She anticipates a public backlash, particularly due to rising electricity costs and the reliance on renewable mandates in uncompetitive markets like California and New York. Water scarcity issues are also a significant concern, comparable to the public reaction to fracking. Peek notes that elected representatives must address how these massive buildings impact the national conversation regarding resource allocation and pricing. 915-930 Elizabeth Peek discusses the growing demands that massive data centers place on local resources, including electricity, water, and workforce. She anticipates a public backlash, particularly due to rising electricity costs and the reliance on renewable mandates in uncompetitive markets like California and New York. Water scarcity issues are also a significant concern, comparable to the public reaction to fracking. Peek notes that elected representatives must address how these massive buildings impact the national conversation regarding resource allocation and pricing. 930-945 Judy Dempsey details the political deadlock in France, noting Macron's sixth prime minister in two years and crippling resistance to necessary reforms, which weakens the Franco-German partnership. She discusses the success of pro-EU forces in Moldova but stresses the need for continued support to combat corruption. Dempsey addresses the rise of populism in the Czech Republic. She also analyzes Angela Merkel's surprising claim that Poland and the Baltics partly fueled the Ukraine invasion and examines the urgency of the European drone defense meeting in Copenhagen. 945-1000 Judy Dempsey details the political deadlock in France, noting Macron's sixth prime minister in two years and crippling resistance to necessary reforms, which weakens the Franco-German partnership. She discusses the success of pro-EU forces in Moldova but stresses the need for continued support to combat corruption. Dempsey addresses the rise of populism in the Czech Republic. She also analyzes Angela Merkel's surprising claim that Poland and the Baltics partly fueled the Ukraine invasion and examines the urgency of the European drone defense meeting in Copenhagen. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Joseph Sternberg details China's economic "pickle," resulting from the property bubble collapse and failure of its export-led model. The subsequent glut of goods risks deflation, which Beijing calls "involution," dangerously exacerbating vast debt problems. He notes that Xi Jinping resists market-led "creative destruction," prioritizing state control. Sternberg then analyzes London protests, concluding they are motivated by anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment, irrespective of the Gaza peace talks. PM Starmer calling the protests "unbritish" reflects the government's difficulty in addressing these issues legally 1015-1030 Joseph Sternberg details China's economic "pickle," resulting from the property bubble collapse and failure of its export-led model. The subsequent glut of goods risks deflation, which Beijing calls "involution," dangerously exacerbating vast debt problems. He notes that Xi Jinping resists market-led "creative destruction," prioritizing state control. Sternberg then analyzes London protests, concluding they are motivated by anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment, irrespective of the Gaza peace talks. PM Starmer calling the protests "unbritish" reflects the government's difficulty in addressing these issues legally 1030-1045 Jonathan Schanzer reports cautious optimism for the Gaza deal in Cairo, noting the main challenges include locating all hostages (alive and deceased) and Hamas's refusal to disarm. He discusses Turkey's wild card role, advocating for Hamas's survival. Iran, reeling from economic isolation and military impacts, has shown a surprising willingness to accept a ceasefire. Schanzer concludes that Saudi Arabia's MBS is primarily focused on achieving normalization with Israel to secure US security guarantees, potentially setting a precedent for other Muslim nations. 1045-1100 Jonathan Schanzer reports cautious optimism for the Gaza deal in Cairo, noting the main challenges include locating all hostages (alive and deceased) and Hamas's refusal to disarm. He discusses Turkey's wild card role, advocating for Hamas's survival. Iran, reeling from economic isolation and military impacts, has shown a surprising willingness to accept a ceasefire. Schanzer concludes that Saudi Arabia's MBS is primarily focused on achieving normalization with Israel to secure US security guarantees, potentially setting a precedent for other Muslim nations. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Gregory Copley analyzes the Gaza deal, highlighting Saudi Arabia's support, Crown Prince MBS's ambitions, and the Kingdom's opposition to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, which are supported by Turkey. Discussion moves to unexplained drone activity over Europe, the shallow diplomatic response in Copenhagen, and historical context of the Vietnam War, focusing on Australia's commitment and McNamara's strategic missteps. Finally, the UK political crisis regarding PM Starmer and King Charles's role is assessed. 1115-1130 Gregory Copley analyzes the Gaza deal, highlighting Saudi Arabia's support, Crown Prince MBS's ambitions, and the Kingdom's opposition to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, which are supported by Turkey. Discussion moves to unexplained drone activity over Europe, the shallow diplomatic response in Copenhagen, and historical context of the Vietnam War, focusing on Australia's commitment and McNamara's strategic missteps. Finally, the UK political crisis regarding PM Starmer and King Charles's role is assessed. 1130-1145 Gregory Copley analyzes the Gaza deal, highlighting Saudi Arabia's support, Crown Prince MBS's ambitions, and the Kingdom's opposition to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, which are supported by Turkey. Discussion moves to unexplained drone activity over Europe, the shallow diplomatic response in Copenhagen, and historical context of the Vietnam War, focusing on Australia's commitment and McNamara's strategic missteps. Finally, the UK political crisis regarding PM Starmer and King Charles's role is assessed. 1145-1200 Gregory Copley analyzes the Gaza deal, highlighting Saudi Arabia's support, Crown Prince MBS's ambitions, and the Kingdom's opposition to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, which are supported by Turkey. Discussion moves to unexplained drone activity over Europe, the shallow diplomatic response in Copenhagen, and historical context of the Vietnam War, focusing on Australia's commitment and McNamara's strategic missteps. Finally, the UK political crisis regarding PM Starmer and King Charles's role is assessed. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Ivana Stradner asserts that Putin is dangerously escalating hybrid warfare, using drones to challenge NATO and test Article 5. She notes Russia employs Soviet psychological tactics, like nuclear saber-rattling and "reflexive control," exploiting Western fears. The West must respond decisively with power and aid for Ukraine, not words, and actively counter Russian plots and intelligence operatives. She highlights Moscow's failed attempts to destabilize Moldova, underscoring the necessity of continued financial and technical support there. 1215-1230 Ivana Stradner asserts that Putin is dangerously escalating hybrid warfare, using drones to challenge NATO and test Article 5. She notes Russia employs Soviet psychological tactics, like nuclear saber-rattling and "reflexive control," exploiting Western fears. The West must respond decisively with power and aid for Ukraine, not words, and actively counter Russian plots and intelligence operatives. She highlights Moscow's failed attempts to destabilize Moldova, underscoring the necessity of continued financial and technical support there. 1230-1245 Colonel Jeff McCausland analyzes the Gaza deal's sticking points: returning all hostages (due to fragmented control and deceased status) and Hamas surrendering weapons (their final leverage). The discussion moves to Venezuela, where a large US naval force suggests destabilization efforts against the Maduro regime, rather than merely counter-narcotics. McCausland then discusses Russian drone provocations across Europe, noting the European collective defense meeting in Copenhagen and the significant escalatory potential of providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. 1245-100 AM Colonel Jeff McCausland analyzes the Gaza deal's sticking points: returning all hostages (due to fragmented control and deceased status) and Hamas surrendering weapons (their final leverage). The discussion moves to Venezuela, where a large US naval force suggests destabilization efforts against the Maduro regime, rather than merely counter-narcotics. McCausland then discusses Russian drone provocations across Europe, noting the European collective defense meeting in Copenhagen and the significant escalatory potential of providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.
What does bold faith look like when the cost is everything?In this powerful episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl are joined by Lanny Tucker, Monty Tuttle, and Jim Black to reflect on their recent journey through the Baltics. Around kitchen tables and in quiet conversations, they heard testimonies of courage, exile, and hope—from a Belarusian family who risked it all to follow Christ, to local leaders once caught in addiction and despair, now shepherding others with the gospel, to a woman whose life was radically transformed from generational witchcraft to radiant faith in Jesus.These stories are raw, humbling, and unforgettable. They reveal not only the weight of persecution but the beauty of perseverance, and the unstoppable power of God's Word in the darkest places. If you've ever wondered what it really means to follow Jesus when it costs everything—or if you need encouragement to keep pressing on in your own walk of faith—this episode is for you.Download the Baltics Trip Report: https://www.eem.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Baltics-Trip-Report_Podcast-.pdf Follow us on: PRAY.COMShow Notes:Follow us on: PRAY.COMConnect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media
Earlier this month we had a conversation with a friend of our show, Latvian-American journalist Juris Kaža about the current security issues in the Baltics - here we discuss all the recent drone and MIG incursions and think about the appropriate response. (I do have to apologize about the sound quality though, we had a lot of technical issues.)Please, donate to the Revanche group so that the Ukrainian army could help everyone and deal with our security issues on a permanent basis:https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-eastern-border/Juris's substack:https://juriskaa.substack.com/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is an excerpt from my podcast This Week in Geopolitics. I record new episodes every Monday so give me a follow if you would like to see more!
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: NATO jets once again scramble over the Baltics, and Poland's Prime Minister issues a blunt threat: violate our airspace, and you'll be shot down. Europe's biggest airports are still in disarray after a cyber-attack took down check-in systems, leaving travelers stranded across the continent. Hamas makes a direct appeal to President Trump, asking for a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for releasing half the hostages in Gaza. And in today's Back of the Brief — a potentially costly mistake for the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recognition of a Palestinian state could leave Britain on the hook for two trillion pounds in reparations. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief CBDistillery: Visit https://CBDistillery.com and use promo code PDB for 25% off your entire order!Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#LONDINIUM90AD: MICHAEL VLAHOS. FRIENDS OF HISTORY DEBATING SOCIETY. @MICHALIS_VLAHOS HEADLINE: From Dalmatia to Poland: Frontier Tensions, Roman Legacy, and the Danger of Miscalculation The discussion opens with Gaius (John Batchelor) in Londinium speaking to Germanicus (Michael Vlahos), who is in Dalmatia (the Dalmatian coast, modern Croatia), a frontier area of the former Roman Empire. Germanicus observes that this region, Ragusa, maintained its Roman continuity through the Middle Ages and was critical as it connected Italy and the Western Empire to Greece and the Eastern Empire. They reflect on Roman figures such as Augustus and Drusus(Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus), who fought in Germania. Drusus's son, Claudius, became a highly effective emperor who brought the empire to its maximal state, establishing Londinium. The conversation shifts to modern frontier tensions: the Russian probing of the Polish border using drones and warplanes, leading to NATO intervention and British assistance. Drawing on films like The Bedford Incident, they worry about accidental catastrophe due to miscalculation. Germanicus warns that tiny NATO states like the Baltics, driven by paranoia and insecurity, are acting "spasmodically and irresponsibly" and that the United Kingdom is acting like a "rogue state" aggressively pushing for conflict, creating a dangerous situation that could plunge Russia and the West into general war. 41 AD. CLAUDIUS BEGS
Today's Headlines: Estonia invoked NATO's Article 4 after three Russian fighter jets spent 12 minutes in its airspace, just as reports surfaced that the U.S. may cut back security aid to the Baltics. Meanwhile, the Pentagon dropped a bombshell—new restrictions requiring reporters to avoid publishing even unclassified info without authorization and Europe reeled from a cyberattack that disrupted major airports. In Arizona, Charlie Kirk's memorial drew MAGA's heavy hitters while Oklahoma lawmakers proposed mandatory “Charlie Kirk Memorial Plazas” at state universities, complete with statues.In Trump legal news—his defamation suit against the New York Times was tossed, and a Virginia U.S. attorney resigned after refusing Trump's pressure to charge Letitia James. Additionally, Trump kept the pressure on AG Pam Bondi in since-deleted posts. Public health took a turn with RFK Jr.'s CDC panel voting to split up certain childhood vaccines, prompting seven Northeast states to launch their own health alliance. The administration also sparked chaos with a sudden $100K H-1B visa fee—initially confusing enough that tech giants scrambled to get employees back before clarifications rolled in. ICE clashes also escalated these last few days with 11 New York lawmakers arrested while demanding access to detainee cells, and Chicago protests turned violent. And finally, Social Security's commissioner floated raising the retirement age—before quickly backtracking on Twitter. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: BBC: Estonia seeks Nato consultation after Russian jets violate airspace Reuters: After diplomatic blitz on Ukraine and Gaza, Trump moves to passenger seat WaPo: Pentagon demands journalists pledge to not obtain unauthorized material AP News: Cyberattack disrupts check-in systems at major European airports CNN: Charlie Kirk's memorial service Newsweek: Oklahoma Bill Calls For Charlie Kirk Statue at All State Colleges NYT: Judge Dismisses Trump's $15 Billion Lawsuit Against NBC News: Trump publicly pushes Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his political foes NBC News: Federal prosecutor tasked with investigating Trump adversary Letitia James resigns under pressure PBS: CDC panel overhauled by RFK Jr. changes childhood vaccine recommendations Reuters: Northeast US states form health alliance in response to federal vaccine limits Business Insider: White House says Trump's H-1B visa changes will only affect new applicants NYT: 11 Elected Officials Arrested While Trying to Access Cells at N.Y.C. ICE Facility NYT: Protesters and Federal Agents Clash Outside an ICE Detention Facility Near Chicago The Hill: Social Security chief walks back remark on raising retirement age Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At EUVC Summit 2025, one of the most anticipated sessions broke down a powerful data set: 100 of Europe's breakout startups. This wasn't theory—it was company-by-company insight, straight from interviews and bottom-up analysis.Yes, there were rogue slides.Yes, the crowd wanted to skip to the AI part.And yes, it delivered.~75% of these startups are based in Germany, France, and the UK.Despite growing noise around new hubs, Europe's big three remain dominant. It reflects ecosystem maturity—but also a challenge: how do we better back breakout teams in the Nordics, Baltics, Southern Europe, and CEE?For the first time in years, Fintech dropped in sector rankings.Instead, we saw a wave of AI-native sales and marketing tools—building products that help companies grow smarter, automate go-to-market, and personalize customer acquisition at scale.“This year's cohort is selling before building. AI is their leverage.”One of the most notable shifts: a significant increase in solo-founder companies.This reflects:A rise in repeat operatorsGreater early-stage toolingMore confidence in focused executionIt also implies VCs may need to shift their bias—many of these founders are no longer waiting for a co-founder to “complete” them.The moment everyone waited for: AI-native insights.49% of these 100 startups are AI-native at their core.This means:AI is not bolted on—it's the product itselfMany founders have already moved beyond horizontal LLMs to verticalized applicationsThey're monetizing via use-case depth, not just model architectureLast year's 100 had an average of 25 employees per company.This year's cohort? Just 14. That's a 40% drop.But don't mistake that for weakness—roles are more specialized, and teams are more surgical. These aren't MVPs—they're hyper-focused execution machines.“Today's teams are smaller, sharper, and trained on efficiency from Day 1.”Across hundreds of founder interviews, one theme stood out:Tool loyalty is low.Founders are switching infra, models, APIs, and tooling with no hesitation.That's not a sign of flakiness—it's a sign of rapid evolution, where AI-native teams optimize continuously.Controversially, the speaker closed with a contrarian take:“I believe European AI regulation will actually accelerate enterprise adoption.”Why?Clarity breeds confidenceCorporate buyers need frameworksKnowing what's allowed = faster go/no-go decisionsIn a twist, Europe might become the first-mover on enterprise AI—not in spite of regulation, but because of it.Final Message:“AI-native is not a trend. It's a new category of company. And Europe is building it—faster and leaner than ever before.”Let's keep watching the signals. Let's keep fueling the flywheel.
Latvia spans about 64,000 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than West Virginia in the United States. Its capital, Riga, is the largest city in the Baltic States and a hub of culture, architecture, and innovation. Latvia's geographic position has made it a crossroads of Northern and Eastern Europe for centuries. This location shaped its history, culture, and economy in profound ways. The terrain of Latvia is predominantly low-lying, with flat plains and gently rolling hills. It's a land carved by ancient glaciers, which left behind thousands of lakes, bogs, and fertile soils. The highest point in the country is Gaiziņkalns, which reaches just 312 meters. Yet even with modest elevations, Latvia boasts breathtaking scenery. Forests dominate more than half of Latvia's land area, making it one of the greenest countries in Europe. Pine, spruce, and birch trees create an enchanting landscape that feels almost untouched by time. These forests are home to wolves, lynx, and elk, adding a wild mystique to the Latvian countryside. Nature is truly at the heart of Latvian identity. Latvia has an extensive coastline, stretching more than 500 kilometers along the Baltic Sea. The sandy beaches, especially in Jurmala, attract visitors from around the world. The Gulf of Riga offers calmer waters compared to the open sea, making it ideal for sailing and fishing. This coastal life has long influenced Latvian culture and cuisine. The Daugava River is the lifeline of Latvia, flowing from Russia through Belarus before crossing the country and emptying into the Gulf of Riga. It has been called the “River of Destiny” because of its central role in trade, transport, and cultural development. Many towns and cities were founded along its banks. Even today, it remains a symbol of national pride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
*Hosted by Radu Palamariu*Susanne Waidzunas has spent over 25 years shaping one of the most intricate global supply chains on the planet at IKEA. From her early days managing suppliers in the Baltics to leading a sweeping digital and sustainability transformation, Susanne offers a rare look inside IKEA's end-to-end strategy. We explore how her team is decoupling growth from material usage, investing in automation to boost resilience, and building a culture of collaborative leadership to future-proof operations. A masterclass in supply chain leadership and transformation.Discover more details here.Follow us on:Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Wba8v7Twitter: http://bit.ly/2WeulzXLinkedin: http://bit.ly/2w9YSQXFacebook: http://bit.ly/2HtryLd
Gideon talks to former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis about Russia's recent drone incursion into Polish airspace. What message should Europe and Nato take from this? How worried are the Baltic states about a possible expansion of Vladimir Putin's war aims? And how vulnerable are they to attack? Clips: BBC, BFBSFree links to read more on this topic: What is Vladimir Putin's game plan against Nato's eastern flank?Russians lose internet access as Ukrainian drones hit close to homeBaltic states know Russian occupation is never temporaryMoscow holds Ukrainian children at hundreds of sites across RussiaEurope turns to Ukrainian tech for ‘drone wall' against RussiaPresented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jacob Shapiro sits down with Jacek Bartosiak, founder of Strategy&Future, to discuss Russia's drone incursions into Polish airspace and their broader implications. From Warsaw's perspective, deterrence has failed, pushing debate toward a “politics of punishment.” Bartosiak outlines the fracturing of NATO credibility, the rise of an Intermarium bloc from the Baltics to Turkey, and Ukraine's surprising military innovations. Together, they explore how Poland, Ukraine, and regional allies may reshape Europe's security landscape amid U.S. retreat.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Introduction(00:22) - Current Geopolitical Tensions in Poland(01:07) - Historical Context: The Intermarium Concept(02:04) - Polish Perspective on Western Media(02:58) - Russian Drone Incursion into Poland(05:41) - Poland's Strategic Debate and NATO's Role(10:40) - Ukraine's Military and Strategic Position(14:21 US-European Relations and Trump's Policies(24:55) - Future of NATO and Eastern European Alliances(27:43) - Geopolitical Tensions in Eastern Europe(28:35) - NATO's Role and Perceived Weakness(29:43) - Poland's Strategic Position and Military Capabilities(31:42) - Putin's Miscalculations and Regional Dynamics(33:48) - Historical Context and Turkey's Role(36:48) - China's Influence and Future Scenarios(48:06) - Belarus and the Future of Eastern Europe(51:39) - Concluding Thoughts on Regional Stability--Referenced in the Show:Strategy and Future - https://patronite.pl/p/strategy-and-future/ --Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapJacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com --Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today's volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
This week, as media reports suggest that the US is considering withdrawing its troops from the Baltics, we break down what presence the US really has on NATO's eastern flank. We look at the large-scale military exercises being led by other NATO allies in the Baltics – in symbolic opposition to the joint Zapad drills of Russia and Belarus – as well as the fiscal difficulties European countries now face trying to fund greater defence spending. We discuss this in the context of Russian sanctions, as Europe prepares a 19th package of measures, but many countries maintain business ties with Moscow via third-party countries.
Pulitzer Prize winning war correspondent Dexter Filkins joins Chuck Todd to explore whether the U.S. military is prepared for the realities of modern warfare. From Ukraine's innovative battlefield tactics to Israel's use of AI, militaries around the world are embracing cheap, agile technologies that challenge America's reliance on massive, legacy weapons systems. They examine how Congress's instinct to protect jobs keeps outdated systems alive, why the Pentagon is scrambling to produce affordable drones, and how America's vast defense supply chain quietly runs through China. The conversation turns to Taiwan—home to 90% of the world's advanced microchip production—and whether the U.S. and its allies are truly ready to defend it in the event of a conflict with China.The discussion also delves into the vulnerabilities of low-earth orbit satellites, the role of companies like Palantir in military tech, and whether autonomous targeting and video game–like interfaces are desensitizing the nature of war. Beyond weapons, Filkins and Todd confront America's recruiting crisis, where three-quarters of young adults aren't eligible for service, forcing the military to experiment with “pre-boot camps.” They close with reflections on fractured alliances, Trump's effect on European defense spending, Putin's ambitions to reconstitute the Soviet Union, and Filkins's own harrowing experiences covering war zones—from Taliban executions in Kabul to jihadi training camps before 9/11.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Dexter Filkins joins the Chuck ToddCast02:00 Is the U.S. military vulnerable to small tech innovation?02:30 U.S. military is studying Ukraine and Israel's innovations04:00 U.S. military relies on few, very expensive weapons05:30 Legacy weapon systems get updated, rarely replaced06:45 Congress defends status quo to protect jobs in their district08:15 America spends huge money, doesn't get bang for buck09:30 Pentagon has new program making cheap, accurate drones10:45 50,000 American defense supply chains lead back to China13:00 Defending Taiwan is a massive logistical challenge13:45 Is America ready to help Taiwan survive war with China?14:45 Taiwan produces 90% of the world's advanced microchips15:45 If Taiwan falls, the world economy would grind to a halt17:00 The Asian-Pacific alliance isn't rock solid18:30 War between the U.S. and China would be ugly19:15 Low-earth orbit satellites are vulnerable to attack20:15 Destroying the satellite network is mutually assured destruction21:30 China is watching the U.S. response to Ukraine war23:45 Would Japan jump into a war between the U.S. and China?24:45 Israel's military is using AI for targeting27:45 What is Palantir's role with military applications?29:15 Military systems aren't interconnected for cybersecurity safety30:45 Modern warfare will require a rapid decision making process32:00 Autonomous targeting required to avoid jamming33:30 Modern targeting systems are incredibly advanced35:15 How much is war desensitized by its video game nature?37:15 Recruiting problems for the U.S. military38:30 75% of prime age military recruits don't quality for service40:00 Military has set up a pre-boot camp for recruits to lose weight41:30 What size of military force do we need?43:00 The fracturing of U.S. alliances in an era of nationalism44:30 Trump scared the Europeans into increasing defense spending46:15 Putin has been clear he wants to reconstitute the Soviet Union46:45 Would Trump defend/liberate the Baltics in an article 5 scenario?47:45 If Europe gets serious about defense, Trump did a good thing49:00 How did defense/military become your beat?50:30 Surviving close calls when covering a war zone51:45 Watching a live execution at the Kabul sports stadium in the 90s52:45 Seeing the jihadi training camps in Afghanistan prior to 9/1153:45 Any desire to cover an active war zone again?
Chuck Todd digs into the looming threat of a government shutdown and the political gamesmanship behind it. He explores whether Democrats will force a showdown with Republicans, the risks and rewards of standing their ground, and how history shows the party that triggers a shutdown usually pays the price. With Trump giving Democrats little incentive to compromise and a restless base demanding a fight, Chuck explains why avoiding confrontation could hurt incumbents more than a shutdown itself. Plus, in the ToddCast Top 5, he breaks down the best Senate pickup opportunities for both Democrats and Republicans heading into the midterms.Then, Pulitzer prize winning war correspondent Dexter Filkins joins Chuck to explore whether the U.S. military is prepared for the realities of modern warfare. From Ukraine's innovative battlefield tactics to Israel's use of AI, militaries around the world are embracing cheap, agile technologies that challenge America's reliance on massive, legacy weapons systems. They examine how Congress's instinct to protect jobs keeps outdated systems alive, why the Pentagon is scrambling to produce affordable drones, and how America's vast defense supply chain quietly runs through China. The conversation turns to Taiwan—home to 90% of the world's advanced microchip production—and whether the U.S. and its allies are truly ready to defend it in the event of a conflict with China.The discussion also delves into the vulnerabilities of low-earth orbit satellites, the role of companies like Palantir in military tech, and whether autonomous targeting and video game–like interfaces are desensitizing the nature of war. Beyond weapons, Filkins and Todd confront America's recruiting crisis, where three-quarters of young adults aren't eligible for service, forcing the military to experiment with “pre-boot camps.” They close with reflections on fractured alliances, Trump's effect on European defense spending, Putin's ambitions to reconstitute the Soviet Union, and Filkins's own harrowing experiences covering war zones—from Taliban executions in Kabul to jihadi training camps before 9/11.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:15 Will the Democrats force a showdown over a government shutdown?04:30 Can Democrats trust Republicans to spend appropriated money?05:15 Trump has given Democrats no incentive to come to the table06:15 GOP forced shutdown in 2013, paid a heavy political price08:45 Usually the party that forces shutdown goes down in polls10:45 Democrats would do well to get caught fighting13:00 If Democrats roll over, a “burn the establishment” mood will follow14:45 The Democratic base is angry, not fighting puts incumbents at risk16:00 Gavin Newsom has been rewarded for fighting18:00 Trump has written off catering to the middle19:15 Shutdown is risky, but provides a message for the midterms22:00 A government shutdown is more likely than not23:15 ToddCast Top 5 - Best senate pickup opportunities for each party24:30 Top 5 senate seats for Democrats to pick up31:45 Democrats need to put more seats in play32:30 Top 5 senate seats for Republicans to pick up40:45 Dexter Filkins joins the Chuck ToddCast 42:45 Is the U.S. military vulnerable to small tech innovation? 43:15 U.S. military is studying Ukraine and Israel's innovations 44:45 U.S. military relies on few, very expensive weapons 46:15 Legacy weapon systems get updated, rarely replaced 47:30 Congress defends status quo to protect jobs in their district 49:00 America spends huge money, doesn't get bang for buck 50:15 Pentagon has new program making cheap, accurate drones 51:30 50,000 American defense supply chains lead back to China 53:45 Defending Taiwan is a massive logistical challenge 54:30 Is America ready to help Taiwan survive war with China? 55:30 Taiwan produces 90% of the world's advanced microchips 56:30 If Taiwan falls, the world economy would grind to a halt 57:45 The Asian-Pacific alliance isn't rock solid 59:15 War between the U.S. and China would be ugly 1:00:00 Low-earth orbit satellites are vulnerable to attack 1:01:00 Destroying the satellite network is mutually assured destruction 1:02:15 China is watching the U.S. response to Ukraine war 1:04:30 Would Japan jump into a war between the U.S. and China? 1:05:30 Israel's military is using AI for targeting 1:08:30 What is Palantir's role with military applications? 1:10:00 Military systems aren't interconnected for cybersecurity safety 1:11:30 Modern warfare will require a rapid decision making process 1:12:45 Autonomous targeting required to avoid jamming 1:14:15 Modern targeting systems are incredibly advanced 1:16:00 How much is war desensitized by its video game nature? 1:18:00 Recruiting problems for the U.S. military 1:19:15 75% of prime age military recruits don't qualify for service 1:20:45 Military has set up a pre-boot camp for recruits to lose weight 1:22:15 What size of military force do we need? 1:23:45 The fracturing of U.S. alliances in an era of nationalism 1:25:15 Trump scared the Europeans into increasing defense spending 1:27:00 Putin has been clear he wants to reconstitute the Soviet Union 1:27:30 Would Trump defend/liberate the Baltics in an article 5 scenario? 1:28:30 If Europe gets serious about defense, Trump did a good thing 1:29:45 How did defense/military become your beat? 1:31:15 Surviving close calls when covering a war zone 1:32:30 Watching a live execution at the Kabul sports stadium in the 90s 1:33:30 Seeing the jihadi training camps in Afghanistan prior to 9/11 1:34:30 Any desire to cover an active war zone again?1:38:00 Ask Chuck 1:38:15 Book suggestions for 2000 era politics? 1:45:00 Love for the DeMaurice Smith interview 1:46:45 Why isn't the public more up in arms over unilateral tariffs?
Europe has just gained its first unapologetically defense-first venture fund. Archangel Ventures, led by Nicholas Nelson and Daniel Carew, is not here to hedge, not here to play dual-use semantics, but to put defense front and center.Nic brings the lived experience of government, strategy, and deployments, with the policy networks to match. Daniel comes from a deep tech/DARPA-inspired investing background, obsessed with the frontier of what technology can achieve. Together, they're building a fund that rejects the hype cycle and instead anchors itself in Europe's sovereignty, resilience, and the urgent reality of our geopolitical moment.Why Estonia? Why now? Because the frontier matters. From Tallinn to Vilnius to Warsaw, the tyranny of geography makes defense personal. Partnering with Superangel, Archangel is embedding itself in the heart of the Baltics—a region that already knows what it means to digitize, mobilize, and defend.Archangel Ventures is a platform, a coalition of the willing, a bet that Europe can and must build its own defense ecosystem. As they put it, defense is not a bubble, not a passing Ukraine-driven hype cycle. It's the crucible where the next generation of European technology—and deterrence—will be forged.We're proud to have launched this journey with them on the pod. Tune in: 01:00 Origins of Archangel — Nic on why he wouldn't start with just any partner.04:00 Why they teamed up — Daniel recalls NATO roots and complementary skillsets.08:30 Why defense-first matters — Nic explains why dual-use doesn't work at seed.11:00 The timing challenge — Daniel on NATO's long horizon investing.14:00 Portfolio construction — Nic's three buckets: unmet needs, future needs, unknown unknowns.20:00 Filling the ecosystem gap — Daniel on bridging startups and primes in Europe.27:00 Why Estonia — Nic on geography and teaming with Superangel.33:00 Personal ties — Daniel on his Estonian family and NATO links.41:00 On working with primes — Nic pushes back on the “dinosaurs” narrative.53:00 Risks ahead — Nic on what happens if the war in Ukraine ends tomorrow.
The story we've been told is simple: in February 2022, Vladimir Putin woke up one morning, decided to invade a peaceful, democratic Ukraine, and launched an “unprovoked war.” That's the official narrative. But history is never that simple.From the 1990s onward, Moscow warned that NATO expansion into its backyard was a red line. Gorbachev and later Yeltsin were assured that the alliance would not creep eastward. Yet step by step—Poland, Hungary, the Baltics, talk of Georgia and Ukraine—NATO advanced. To Washington, enlargement was “stability.” To Moscow, it was encirclement.The real break came in 2014. Ukraine's elected president, Viktor Yanukovych, leaned toward Moscow on trade and energy. That was unacceptable to Washington and Brussels. When mass protests erupted in Kyiv, the U.S. wasn't a bystander. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Senator John McCain both appeared on the ground, cheering the crowds. In a leaked call, Nuland infamously dismissed Europe's hesitance—“F*** the EU”—while handpicking who should form the next government. To Moscow, this was regime change with CIA, State, and USAID fingerprints all over it.The revolution ousted Yanukovych and installed a Western-leaning government. Overnight, Ukraine shifted from Moscow's orbit to Brussels'. What followed wasn't peace. In Donbas, the Russian-speaking east rose in rebellion. Kyiv responded with force. Shelling, rockets, and artillery fire turned towns into rubble. Between 2014 and 2022, more than 14,000 people died in a grinding low-intensity war. For people in Donetsk or Luhansk, the war didn't begin in 2022—it had already been burning for eight years.This backstory matters because it reframes 2022. Putin didn't invade a neutral neighbor out of nowhere. He acted after decades of ignored warnings and eight years of bloodshed in the Donbas. Was the invasion brutal? Yes. Was it unprovoked? Hardly.Critics will call this “carrying water for Putin.” But acknowledging how the West lit the fuse doesn't absolve Moscow of blame. It explains why Russia saw the stakes as existential. When Ukraine amended its constitution to commit to NATO membership, Moscow heard one message: eventually, U.S. missiles could sit 300 miles from Moscow. For a nuclear power that lost 27 million lives in World War II, this wasn't abstract.The West believed sanctions would collapse Russia's economy and that Putin would face regime change. Instead, Moscow built its own military-industrial base, deepened ties with China, India, and the BRICS bloc, and weathered the storm. Far from isolating Russia, the war accelerated a global realignment away from dollar dominance.Meanwhile, Ukraine—brilliant engineers, fertile farmland, energy transit routes—has become a pawn. Western politicians invoke democracy while oligarchs, defense contractors, and energy interests profit. Hunter Biden's Burisma board seat was not an outlier; it was a symptom of how entangled Washington had become in Ukraine's internal affairs.This isn't a defense of Russia's invasion. It's a reminder that wars don't appear overnight. They build. They escalate. They ignite only after a fuse has been laid. In Ukraine, that fuse was NATO expansion, the 2014 coup, and the long, bloody stalemate in Donbas.The world didn't start burning in 2022. We just finally saw the explosion.
Chuck Todd delivers a searing indictment of American democracy's collapse as Trump agrees to a Putin summit in Alaska without including Ukraine's Zelenskyy, while both parties abandon constitutional principles in favor of a destructive "cold civil war" over redistricting and power. He warns that Trump's desperation for a peace deal with Putin poses enormous dangers, while Republicans openly flout the Constitution and Democrats have taken the bait to "fight fire with fire" in an immoral game that betrays the founders' vision of preventing both kingship and tyranny of the majority. He argues that constitutional guardrails only work when enforced, and that leaders are capitulating to Trump and refusing to use the tools the founders provided. Then, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and intelligence expert Tim Weiner joins Chuck for a devastating assessment of how Trump's appointment of "crackpots" to lead America's national security apparatus threatens catastrophic intelligence failures and the potential collapse of democratic institutions. Weiner warns that figures like John Ratcliffe, who has worked to absolve Russia of election interference, and Tulsi Gabbard, whom he describes as an "agent of influence" for the Kremlin, represent unprecedented political bias at intelligence agencies that could lead Trump to declare martial law and cancel elections if another attack occurs. He argues that Trump has taken a "wrecking ball to national security," systematically destroying the trust that serves as the "only currency" in intelligence work, while allied agencies now hesitate to share critical information about Russia and other threats with an administration they cannot trust.The conversation explores the broader implications of Trump's intelligence appointments, from Marco Rubio putting his "manhood in a blind trust" to serve Trump, to Ratcliffe's exposure of CIA agents recruited during Biden's tenure, making DOGE staffers prime targets for Chinese intelligence operations. Weiner details how China seeks to project its surveillance state into America while Russia continues its aggressive expansion, warning that Putin will attack the Baltics if allowed to keep Ukrainian territory. The episode also delves into the CIA's evolution since the Cold War, their departure from secret prisons, the agency's struggles with cyber capabilities compared to the NSA, and why conspiracy theories—including persistent questions about JFK assassination files—could contribute to democracy's death, even as Weiner definitively states that the CIA didn't kill Kennedy while acknowledging the agency's fear of revealing their Oswald connections.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:30 Trump agrees to summit with Putin in Alaska05:30 Western democracies on edge ahead of summit06:15 Zelenskyy should be at the summit07:30 The danger is Trump wants a peace deal too badly08:45 Redistricting war is a sign of a cold civil war09:30 Trump and Republicans are flouting the constitution11:00 The Democrats response of “fight fire with fire”13:00 If Democrats go low, then Trump wins14:00 Founders feared a king and tyranny of the majority15:30 The founders gave us tools, people in power refuse to use them17:00 Congressional Republicans have refused to perform oversight19:00 Guardrails only work if they're used and enforced20:00 Everyone is capitulating to Trump22:30 Democrats have taken the bait, will play Trump's immoral game24:15 The founding fathers would be appalled25:45 RFK Jr.'s decision will kill people, and they still won't impeach him27:15 Leaders in both parties are failing the people30:30 Fancis Collins desperate to communicate public health tragedy31:30 It will take years to undo damage RFK has done to health and science32:30 Vaccine disinfo led to shooting at the CDC35:15 Tech companies allowed Kennedy's terrible ideas to spread37:00 Kennedy has committed multiple impeachable offenses38:30 Tim Weiner joins the Chuck ToddCast! 40:00 Is the CIA still trying to figure out its role post Cold War? 44:45 The CIA out of the business of secret prisons 46:00 Is there regret at the CIA for their post 9/11 tactics 47:15 The people in currently in charge of national security are crackpots 49:15 Jon Rattcliffe has worked to absolve Russia of election interference 51:00 Political bias at intel agencies is at an unprecedented level 53:00 Fealty to Trump at intel agencies increases risk of catastrophic failure 53:45 How Trump would react if another attack happened 54:45 Trump could use an attack to declare martial law, cancel elections 56:15 Is intelligence sharing with allies at huge risk now? 58:00 The CIA relies on friendly foreign intelligence services 59:15 Allied agencies would hesitate to share intel on Russia with Gabbard 1:00:00 Trump has taken a wrecking ball to national security 1:01:00 If Putin gets to keep a piece of Ukraine, he'll attack the Baltics 1:02:45 What to make of Trump's bromance with Putin? 1:03:45 Trump isn't Putin's agent, he's Putin's ally 1:05:00 Tulsi Gabbard acts as an "agent of influence" for the Kremlin 1:06:15 Trump has ordered intel & DOJ to cook up investigation of Obama 1:07:30 Is Marco Rubio the only hope for the intel community? 1:09:00 Rubio put his manhood in a blind trust and gave Trump the key 1:10:30 Allied intel agencies can't trust anyone in Trump's cabinet 1:13:30 The CIA is not allowed to recruit foreign journalists 1:15:00 The overlap between journalism and spycraft 1:17:45 The CIA is not at all like what you see in the movies 1:20:00 Has the CIA penetrated China the same way they have Russia? 1:21:45 The CIA built a network of agents in China, but they were caught 1:24:15 Ratcliffe fired and exposed the agents recruited during Biden's tenure 1:25:15 DOGE staffers are huge targets for Chinese intel 1:27:30 Chinese intel vs Russian intel 1:28:45 China wants to project their surveillance state into the U.S. 1:30:15 Is the CIA as forward leaning in cyber as the NSA? 1:32:30 William Burns understood the CIA's mission best 1:34:15 Which CIA directors would have warned the world of Russian invasion? 1:37:00 Why does the CIA fight the release of the JFK files? 1:40:45 Conspiracy theories could contribute to the death of democracy 1:42:00 CIA afraid of their Oswald ties? 1:44:00 The CIA didn't kill Kennedy 1:45:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Tim Weiner 1:46:45 Colts have been in Indy longer than they were in Baltimore 1:48:00 Mariano Rivera tears his achilles 1:49:00 Nats win 2 out of 3 against Giants 1:51:15 Ask Chuck 1:51:30 How did the U.S. and E.U. drift apart diplomatically? 1:57:15 How was Trump's mental decline been missed by media 1:59:15 How should Democrats fight back against redistricting? 2:00:30 How do you know so much about individual districts?
There has been a massive influx of defense funding into Europe since Putin's war on Ukraine started in early 2022. A sea change is underway, with Germany loosening its debt brake and countries from Poland and the United Kingdom to the Baltics all reseting their expectations for defense this century. But after several years, it's time to take a retrospective look and ask, “What's next?”To do that, host Danny Crichton talks with Eric Slesinger today. Eric is general partner of 201 Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on advancing freedom and autonomy in Europe. He's based in Madrid, and brings a deep local perspective on the future of the Old Continent and its new tech.The two talk about the current defense tech situation in Europe, how EU countries are trying to band together around procurement, the history and future of gray zone and multi-domain combat, and where Europe competes and even out-excels America in the defense world.
Robin Page (TMI) is joined by Evaldas Balkys (The Baltic Treasury Association) to explore the rapid evolution of treasury in the Baltics. Evaldas shares insights into the rise of dedicated treasury teams, the influence of generational change, and how startups are shaping new expectations for the industry in the region. Our guest explores the current knowledge gaps in Baltic treasury and why the timing is right for a dedicated association. Evaldas shares the vision behind Baltrea, its key initiatives, and how it aims to support treasury professionals looking to connect, grow, and shape best practices across the region.
In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start by discussing the latest news including fears of interference in Moldova's upcoming elections, the upcoming inauguration Poland's new president as well as some worrisome security breaches in the Baltics.For the main interview, Adam sits down with Kyiv-based journalist Aleksander Palikot to discuss the recent political crisis surrounding Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions, NABU and SAPO. Aleksander explains the background of these agencies, the controversial law passed by parliament to strip their independence, and the wave of spontaneous protests which followed. They also discuss the wider implications for President Zelenskyy, public trust, and Ukraine's path towards EU membership.Further reading: “How Zelenskyy undermined Ukraine's path to EU membership and what happens next” https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/07/29/how-zelenskyy-undermined-ukraines-path-to-eu-membership-and-what-happens-next/ Support the podcast, get great benefits, join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope 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 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.
Chris Cappy breaks down the most dangerous potential war on the horizon: a simultaneous China–Taiwan invasion and Russian attack on the Baltics. He explains why the next 3 years are critical, how U.S. resources could be stretched thin, and how Trump's diplomacy could delay or deter escalation.
A week after President Trump's stunning U-turn, Saul and Patrick discuss a surge of renewed Western support for Ukraine. With Europe announcing its 18th sanctions package, imposing a landmark oil price cap to cripple Russian revenues and targeting the shadow fleet used to evade them. However, as Western aid floods in, a tide of protest is rising on the streets of Kyiv. President Zelensky has signed a controversial law bringing independent anti-corruption agencies under his control, sparking the largest public dissent since the full-scale invasion and drawing serious warnings from the EU about Ukraine's membership path. Plus, we look at Putin's plan to create a "digital Gulag" with a new mandatory spy app, 'Max', designed to monitor all Russians. And we speak to friend of the podcast Julius Strauss, who has just returned from a trip to the Baltics. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trevor Loudon Reports – President Trump's recent ultimatum to Putin - 50 days to negotiate or face secondary sanctions - was scrutinized. Nyquist expressed skepticism, noting that Trump's repeated extensions of deadlines signal weakness. The 50-day window, coinciding with Russia's Zapad 2025 military exercises in Belarus, raises concerns about whether Putin will exploit this period to prepare for...
Trevor Loudon Reports – President Trump's recent ultimatum to Putin - 50 days to negotiate or face secondary sanctions - was scrutinized. Nyquist expressed skepticism, noting that Trump's repeated extensions of deadlines signal weakness. The 50-day window, coinciding with Russia's Zapad 2025 military exercises in Belarus, raises concerns about whether Putin will exploit this period to prepare for...
On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Geetha Sham, MD and President of CamCom in Europe, and Sathes Singam, innovation scout and programme manager at ERGO Group. In this episode we will explore how ERGO's Venture Client model turned a promising pilot into a production with great capability, then we will investigate what it really takes to deploy AI in regulated multi-market environments, and how governance – if used right – can become a growth accelerator not a roadblock. KEY TAKEAWAYS During initial discussions with our first insurance customer, we realised the process of inspection was time consuming, human heavy, subject to human fatigue resulting in expensive, long cycles and inconsistency. This gap is now filled by our AI model which provides a machine vision eye, using a mobile device accurately capturing images of vehicles which leads to damage assessments, reducing false positives. We want to democratise image capture, hence we have built our product in such a way that it can operate on any type of forum, and mobile devices made since 2016. That makes us a leader in our own area, staying focussed without scattering in the name of trying to do everything ourselves. There has been global adoption of AI – although what it does and how it is used varies – because every industry is seeing the value add. The standard way of implementing it is simple: It has to be aligned to the businesses and should not hamper the existing business or processes that exist within the industry/group. Edge cases must be addresses in a different way and modified so they are not completely controlled by the standard feedback learning. BEST MOMENTS ‘Startup collaboration, in my experience, should become top of management agenda.' ‘It's crucial to have someone locally who knows the culture in their particular country, and knows the people that need to be addressed.' ‘It's all about involving all relevant stakeholders in clear and transparent communication.' ‘Each country has local laws, so there's not only customisation, there's also localisation that has to addressed. That's where the governance model comes in handy.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Geetha Sham is MD and President of CamCom in Europe. She is a seasoned technologist and scale-up strategist who has held senior roles at Oracle and Mindtree and is now building out CamCom's European footprint from Dusseldorf. Sathes Singam is an innovation scout and programme manager at ERGO Group. He is the lynchpin behind ERGO's deployment of CamCOm across the Baltics, Europe's first testbed of this solution. ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
Laurent had the pleasure and privilege of sitting down with Markus Rauroma, CEO of Fortum, during the Eurelectric “Power Play” conference in Brussels this June. Fortum, the Finnish energy company also active in Sweden and Poland, finds itself right on the front line when it comes to tensions with Russia—not exactly your average utility boardroom drama. The conversation kicks off with Markus's recent election as President of Eurelectric, taking over from none other than Leo “the Great” Birnbaum, CEO of E.ON.We talk about the challenges Markus has faced so far, including how Fortum managed to steer through the stormy waters of the Ukraine war, and what's ahead for the industry. Spoiler: it's not all doom and gloom—there's strategy, resilience, and some surprisingly good teamwork. Markus rolls out Eurelectric's Manifesto centred on customers, security of supply and digitisation (AI). Markus introduces his vice-presidential duo: Georgios Stassis (CEO of PPC) and Catherine MacGregor (CEO of Engie). According to him, it's a well-balanced trio—think energy world's version of the Avengers, but with spreadsheets and grid stability. He also gives kudos to Kristian Ruby, Secretary General of Eurelectric, and the Brussels team for their stellar behind-the-scenes work.The chat then shifts to the Baltics, one of the rare places in Europe where electricity demand is actually growing. Fortum's been ahead of the game there too: Markus reveals they now have over 1.3 GW of capacity lined up and ready to power new datacenters—because TikTok videos don't host themselves. Of course, we couldn't ignore the constant cyber-attacks and sabotage attempts coming from Russia. Markus shares how Fortum has learned to deal with them—let's just say they don't flinch easily anymore. And finally, a public mea culpa: Laurent repeatedly referred to Finland as part of Scandinavia. A common slip-up. For the record: Finland is next to Scandinavia, but it's not in it. The Finns are Nordic, not Scandinavian—but much like their neighbours to the west, they handled the mix-up with trademark cool. No sauna ban issued. We thank Kristian Ruby and all the Eurelectric team for organising this recording and putting together such a great summit.
PREVIEW: ATOMIC WAR NATO: Colleague Henry Sokolski answers the puzzle: Would Britain and France use nuclear weapons to retaliate after a Russian nuke attack on the NATO member Baltics? More to come. SUMMER 1940
Peter Frankopan is a Professor of Global History at Oxford, and author of The Silk Roads. His work has been both profound and enduring, with the book being translated into more than 45 languages and selling nearly 3 million copies worldwide. The updated version has just been published. In this conversation, Peter reflects on the potent forces at work both within and outside of Asia. He assesses the changing world order and discusses if the complexity of interplays which may appear uncomfortable to us, are actually less violent and dramatic when viewed through a historic lens. From China to Iran, India to the Baltics, this globe-trotting conversation discusses, hot-spots, malevolent actors, animosities, frictions and fallacies. They also shine a light on his favourite cocktail and top sporting event! The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube
National security expert and renowned geopolitical analyst Irina Tsukerman returns with sharp analysis on a week of global upheaval. From the tragic Air India incident that killed over 250 people, to rising Iran-Israel tensions, Trump's deepening legal troubles, and Russia's aggressive push in the Baltics—this episode connects urgent developments with on-ground insight from Latvia. A must-watch for those tracking global fault lines and fast-moving power shifts.About the guestIrina Tsukerman is a human rights and national security lawyer, geopolitical analyst, editor of The Washington Outsider, and president of Scarab Rising, Inc., a media and security and strategic advisory. Her writings and commentary have appeared in diverse US and international media and have been translated into over a dozen languages.Connect with Irina here:https://www.thewashingtonoutsider.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-tsukerman-4b04595/In The World According to Irina Tsukerman, we embark on a fortnightly journey into the heart of global politics. Join us as we explore the complex geopolitical landscape, delve into pressing international issues, and gain invaluable insights from Irina's expert perspective. Together, we'll empower you with the knowledge needed to navigate the intricate world of global politics. Tune in, subscribe, and embark on this enlightening journey with us.Catch up on earlier episodes in the playlist here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt7IEKOM1t1tKItNEVaStzsqSChTCGmp6Watch all our global politics content here:https://khudaniaajay.substack.com/https://rumble.com/c/kajmasterclasshttps://www.youtube.com/@kajmasterclassPolitics==========================================
Europe's potential as an investment destination appears bright but realizing that potential depends on how the continent responds to the new geopolitics and the military threat from Russia. Confluence Chief Market Strategist Patrick Fearon Hernandez joins Phil Adler to focus on a key region where Europe is vulnerable, the Baltics.
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Germany's top intelligence chief warns that Russia may soon test NATO's resolve in the Baltics—potentially by deploying so-called “little green men.” A third Chinese national is now facing charges for smuggling biological materials into the U.S., raising concerns about an emerging pattern. The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog believes North Korea is building a new uranium-enrichment site, pointing to Kim Jong-un's plans to expand his nuclear arsenal. Back of the Brief: Israel's navy strikes the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port city of Hodeida—the first seaborne assault of the conflict. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief StopBox: Get firearm security redesigned and save with BOGO the StopBox Pro AND 10% OFF @StopBoxUSA with code PDB at https://stopboxusa.com/PDB! #stopboxpod Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/PDB #trueclassicpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we talk about drone warfare, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and total war.We also discuss casualty numbers, population superiority, and lingering munitions.Recommended Book: The Burning Earth by Sunil AmrithTranscriptEight years after Russia launched a halfheartedly concealed invasion of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, under the guise of helping supposedly oppressed Russian-speakers and Russia loyalists in the area, in February of 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.This invasion followed months of military buildup along the two countries' shared borders, and was called a special military operation by Russian President Putin. It was later reported that this was intended to be a quick, one or a few day decapitation attack against Ukraine, Russia's forces rapidly closing the distance between the border and Ukraine's capitol, Kyiv, killing or imprisoning all the country's leadership, replacing it with a puppet government loyal to Putin, and that would be that.Ukraine had been reorienting toward the European Union and away from Russia's sphere of influence, and Russia wanted to put a stop to that realignment and bring the country fully back under its control, as was the case before 2014, when a series of protests turned into an uprising that caused their then-leader, a puppet of Russia, to flee the country; he, of course, fled to Russia.On paper, Ukraine was at a massive disadvantage in this renewed conflict, as Russia is a global-scale player, while Ukraine is relatively small, and back in 2014 had one of its major ports and a huge chunk of its territory stolen by Russia.Russia also has nukes, has a massive conventional military, and has a far larger economy and population. Analysts near-universally assumed Ukraine would collapse under the weight of Russia's military, perhaps holding out for weeks or months if they were really skillful and lucky, but probably days.That didn't end up being the case. Despite Russia's substantial and multifarious advantages, Ukraine managed to hold out against the initial invasion, against subsequent pushes, and then managed to launch its own counterattacks. For more than three years, it has held its ground against Russia's onslaught, against continuous land incursions, and against seemingly endless aerial attacks by jets, by bombers, and by all sorts of rockets, missiles, and drones.It's difficult, if not impossible, to determine actual casualty and fatality numbers in this conflict, as both sides are incentivized to adjust these figures, either to show how horrible the other side is, or to make it seem like they're suffering less than they are for moral purposes.But it's expected that Russia will hit a milestone of one million casualties sometime in the summer of 2025, if it hasn't actually hit that number already, and it's estimated that as many as 250,000 Russian soldiers have already been killed in Ukraine.For context, that's about five-times as many deaths as Russia suffered in all the wars it fought, post-WWII (as both the Soviet Union and Russia), combined. That's also fifteen-times as many fatalities as they suffered in their ten-year-long war in Afghanistan, and ten-times as many deaths as in their 13-year-long war in Chechnya.It's also estimated that Russia has lost something like 3,000-4,000 tanks, 9,000 armored vehicles, 13,000 artillery systems, and more than 400 air defense systems in the past year, alone; those numbers vary a bit depending on who you listen to, but those are likely the proper order of magnitude.The country is rapidly shifting to a full-scale war footing, originally having intended to make do with a few modern systems and a whole lot of antique, Soviet military hardware they had in storage to conduct this blitzkrieg attack on Ukraine, but now they're having to reorient basically every facet of society and their economy toward this conflict, turning a huge chunk of their total manufacturing base toward producing ammunition, tanks, missiles, and so on.Which, to be clear, is something they're capable of doing. Russia is currently on pace to replace this hardware, and then some, which is part of why other European governments are increasing their own military spending right now: the idea being that once Russia has finished their reorientation toward the production of modern military hardware, they'll eventually find themselves with more tanks, missiles, and drones than they can use in Ukraine, and they'll need to aim them somewhere, or else will find themselves have to pay upkeep on all this stuff as it gathers dust and slowly becomes unusable.The theory, then, is that they'll have to open up another conflict just to avoid being bogged down in too much surplus weaponry; so maybe they'll try their luck in the Baltics, or perhaps start shipping more hardware to fellow travelers, terrorists and separatists, in places like Moldova.In the meantime, though, Russian forces are continuing to accrue gains in Ukraine, but very, very slowly. This year they've captured an average of about 50 meters of Ukrainian territory per day, at a cost of around 1,140 casualties per day, of which about 975 are fatalities.That's a huge and horrific meatgrinder, but there's little pushback against the invasion in Russia at this point, as speaking out against it has been criminalized, and a lot of high-profile fines, arrests, kidnappings, and seeming assassinations of people who have said anything even a little bit negative about the war or the Russian government have apparently been effective.Ukraine is holding its own, then, but Russia still has the upper-hand, and will likely have even more weight behind it in the coming months, as its manufacturing base pivots further and further toward a total war stance.What I'd like to talk about today is a seeming renewed effort on the part of Ukraine to strike within Russian territory, taking out military assets, but also destabilizing Russian support for the war, focusing especially on one such recent, wildly successful asymmetric attack.—In addition to all the other advantages Russia has in this conflict, Ukraine's population is about one-fourth the size of Russia's, and that means even if Ukraine is, by some measures, losing one soldier to every two that Russia loses, over time Russia is still gaining firmer and firmer footing; that's a war of attrition Russia will eventually win just because their population is bigger.By some indications, the Russian government is also using this conflict as an opportunity to clear out its prisons, offering prisoners a chance at freedom if they go to the front line and survive for a period of time, many of them dying, and thus freeing up prison space and resources that would otherwise be spent on them, but also sending a disproportionate number of their poor, their disliked ethnic and religious groups, and their young radicals into the meatgrinder, forcing them to serve as cannon fodder, as most of those people will die or be grievously wounded, but those people also, as a side-benefit, will no longer be a problem for the government.Russia is also bringing in troops from its ally, North Korea, to fight on the front lines, alongside all the weapon systems and ammo it's been procuring from them and other allies, like China and Iran.So while this is obviously not great for Russia, losing that many fighters for relatively small gains, they've also figured out a way to make it not so bad, and in some ways even a positive development, according to their metrics for positive, anyway, and again, if they can keep warm bodies flooding to the front lines, they will eventually win, even if it takes a while—at their current rate of advance, it would take about 116 years to capture the rest of the country—and even if the body count is shockingly high by the time that happens.To counter this increasing advantage that Russia has been leveraging, Ukraine has been leaning more heavily on drones, as the invasion has progressed.In this context, a drone might be anything from the off-the-shelf, quadcopter models that hobbyists use to race and shoot aerial photographs, to higher-end, jet or missile or glider-like models similar to what major military forces, like the US military, use to scout and photograph enemy forces and terrain, and in some cases launch assassination attacks or bombing raids on the same.They can be low-flying quad-copters, or they can be something like lingering, unmanned missiles or jet fighters, then, and they can be completely unarmed, or they can be rigged with grenades to drop, bombs to use in a suicide attack, missiles to fire, shotguns to blast enemy fighters in the face, or nets to ensnare enemy drones.Drones of all shapes and sizes have been fundamental to the way modern militaries operate since the 1990s, when early, remotely piloted aircraft, like the Predator drone, were used for aerial reconnaissance purposes in mostly Middle Eastern war zones.Later versions were then equipped with bombs and missiles, and in some cases have even been used for the assassination of individuals, as was the case with a drone that fired a modified Hellfire missile that was reportedly use to kill an al Quaeda leader in Afghanistan in 2022, the missile deploying six large blades before hitting its intended target, shredding him instead of blowing him up, and thus avoiding civilian casualties.Mexican cartels have also been enthusiastically adopting drones in their attacks and assassinations, their so-called dronero drone-operators often rigging off-the-shelf drones with deployable bombs, allowing them to fly the drone into an enemy's home or other supposedly safe space, killing them with minimum risk to the attacker, and with sufficient fog-of-war so that if the attacker doesn't want to be known, they can maintain anonymity.Ukraine's military has been using drones from the beginning of the conflict in a similarly asymmetric manner, but they've also been improving upon the state-of-the-art by coming up with sophisticated new uses for existing drone models, while also developing their own drones and software systems, allowing them to maintain the meat-grinder Russian forces face with fewer Ukrainian casualties, while also giving them new opportunities to strike Russia within its own borders.That latter point is important, as for pretty much this entire conflict, Ukraine's allies have provided them with weapons, but with the stipulation that they cannot fire those weapons into Russia territory—the fear being that Russia might use that as justification to expand the scope of the conflict. Those stipulations have been lightening, with some allies now saying it's fine that Ukraine uses these weapons however they like, but the Ukrainians have been pushed into making more of their own weapon systems in part because they can use those systems however they choose, without limits, including being able to target infrastructure within Russian territory.One such innovation is a speedboat-based anti-aircraft missile system called the Magura V7, which reportedly shot down two Russian Su-30 warplanes, which are roughly equivalent to the US F-16, in May of 2025, which was the first-ever successful downing of fighter jets by drone boats.These boats can hang out in open water for days at a time, watching and waiting for Russian jets, and then ambushing them, seemingly out of nowhere. It's also been speculated that a recent attack on a vital supply channel for Russian forces in occupied Crimea, the Crimean Bridge, was conducted using an underwater drone, which if true could signal a new frontier of sorts in this conflict, as Ukraine has already managed to menace Russia's Black Sea fleet into near-inoperability using conventional weaponry, and the widespread deployment of more difficult to detect underwater drones could make any Russian naval presence even more difficult, if not impossible, to maintain.Ukraine has been coming up with all sorts of interesting countermeasures for Russia's anti-drone tech, including connecting their spy drones to the drone's operator using thin strands of fiber optic cable, which renders electronic warfare countermeasures all but useless, alongside efforts to make attack drones more capable if cut off from their operators, allowing the drones to continue tracking targets over time, and to follow through with an attack if their communication signals are jammed.A new approach to offensively leveraging drones, which was the biggest drone attack by Ukraine, so far, and the most impactful, was called Operation Spider's Web, and was deployed on June 1 of this year. It involved 117 drones launching coordinated attacks across Russia, successfully striking about 20 high-end Russian military aircraft, ten of which were destroyed.This is notable in part because some of the aircraft in question were strategic bombers and A-50 military spy planes, both of which are incredibly expensive and valuable; and Russia only has two of that type of spy plane. But it's also notable because some of these targets were struck far from Ukraine, one of the targeted air bases located about 2,700 miles away, which for context is nearly the width of the continental United States.The Ukrainian military was able to accomplish this synchronized attack, which took about a year and a half to plan, by concealing drone parts in wooden shipping containers that were designed to look like a type of mobile wooden cabin that are commonly carried on flatbed trucks throughout the area. Those parts were assembled into finished drones inside Russia's borders, and then on June 1, all at the same time, the roofs of these mobile containers slid open, the drones flew out, and they made for their targets simultaneously.This attack is said to have caused billions of dollars in damage, and to have hit about a third of Russia's cruise missile carriers.Earlier this week, Russia launched what's being called the biggest overnight drone bombardment of the war, so far, launching 479 drones at Ukrainian targets, alongside 20 missiles of different types. The Ukrainian military says it destroyed 277 drones and 19 missiles mid-flight, and that only 10 drones and missiles hit their targets. One person was reportedly injured by the barrage; though like all numbers in this conflict, it's impossible to know whether these figures are real or not.This is of-a-kind with other recent attacks by Russia against Ukrainian targets, in that it was aimed at several military, but also many major civilian targets—apparently with the intention of demoralizing civilians and soldiers, alike. And most of these attacks are overnight attacks, because it's more difficult to see the drones and take them out before they hit their target when it's dark outside.That said, there are some murmurs in the analyst community that Russia might not be able to escalate things too much, right now, despite the big success of Operation Spider's Web, as it's already throwing a lot at Ukraine. Both countries are seemingly going all-out in their offensives on the theory that if peace talks do ever go anywhere, as some foreign governments, including Trump's US government, would prefer, the side that seems to be doing the best and have the best prospects at that moment will have an advantage in those talks.Ukraine's attacks within Russia have mostly targeted fuel and ammo depots, drone manufacturing facilities, and similar combat-related infrastructure. There's a chance they might also aim at demoralizing the Russian public through attacks on civilian targets at some point, but they seem to be sticking with military targets for now, and that would seem to be a better strategy, considering that speaking out against the war is illegal and severely punished in Russia—so hitting Russia's capacity for maintaining the invasion would be more likely to lead to positive outcomes for Ukraine, as that could hobble Russia's capacity to invade, which in turn could reduce the populations' sense of the governments power.However those talks, if they do eventually happen in earnest, play out, there's apparently now a change in tone and tact, as Ukraine has shown that it's capable of striking Russian targets deep within Russia, and it's likely making things tricky for Russia's economy, as they'll now have to spend more time and resources checking all sorts of shipping containers and other possible points of ingress, lest they contain drone parts or other weapons.Not a huge deal, all things considered, perhaps, a little extra work and expense across the economy but one more of many papercuts Ukraine seems to be inflicting on its more powerful foe that, in aggregate, might eventually force that foe to find a way to back off.Show Noteshttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz708lpzgxrohttps://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/03/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-drones-deaths.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/world/europe/ukraine-russia-drones-weapons.htmlhttps://www.twz.com/news-features/inside-ukraines-fiber-optic-drone-warhttps://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/04/russias-black-sea-has-been-functionally-inactive-for-over-1-year/https://www.twz.com/news-features/inside-ukraines-fiber-optic-drone-warhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drone_warfarehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spider%27s_Webhttps://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/predator-drone-transformed-military-combathttps://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-russia-drone-attack-bombers-cc77e534https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-believes-russia-response-ukraine-drone-attack-not-over-yet-expects-multi-2025-06-07/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-hit-fewer-russian-planes-than-it-estimated-us-officials-say-2025-06-04/https://defensescoop.com/2025/04/03/ukraine-russian-tanks-destroyed-attack-drones-cavoli/https://www.csis.org/analysis/russias-battlefield-woes-ukrainehttps://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-5-2025https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine This is a public episode. 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Europe is seeing a rapid increase in battery energy storage, but no two markets are quite the same. Each country presents its own blend of policy ambition, grid challenges, market structures, and investor appetite. For developers and capital providers, this means a highly fragmented landscape where understanding the local context is just as critical as getting the technology or financing right.In this episode of Transmission, we take a pan-European view of battery investment looking at how the economics, regulation, and risk profile of projects vary from Belgium to the Baltics. Director of Investment Management for Battery Storage at Aquila Clean Energy EMEA - Kilian Leykam joins Ed to explore everything from four-hour assets in the Benelux to co-location in Italy, capacity markets in Greece, and merchant risk in Germany, this conversation explores what it takes to scale a diversified battery portfolio in today's evolving energy landscape.In this episode, we cover:Project development across multiple European markets: How site selection, policy maturity and market signals drive investment strategy.Four-hour storage in the Benelux: What early operational data tells us about long-duration battery economics.Germany and Italy: Why grid support and flexibility services are gaining momentum.The role of harmonisation: How EU-wide reforms may help or hinder cross-border battery investmentMarket risks and revenue models: From merchant exposure to capacity payments and co-location opportunities.About our guest:Kilian Leykam is Director of Investment Management for Battery Storage at Aquila Clean Energy, where he oversees one of Europe's most geographically diverse battery portfolios. With more than 7 GW of battery projects spanning nine European countries, Kilian brings deep experience in project development, trading, and strategic energy investment. For more information on what Aquila Clean Energy do, head to the website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.
Europe is seeing a rapid increase in battery energy storage, but no two markets are quite the same. Each country presents its own blend of policy ambition, grid challenges, market structures, and investor appetite. For developers and capital providers, this means a highly fragmented landscape where understanding the local context is just as critical as getting the technology or financing right.In this episode of Transmission, we take a pan-European view of battery investment looking at how the economics, regulation, and risk profile of projects vary from Belgium to the Baltics. Director of Investment Management for Battery Storage at Aquila Clean Energy EMEA - Kilian Leykam joins Ed to explore everything from four-hour assets in the Benelux to co-location in Italy, capacity markets in Greece, and merchant risk in Germany, this conversation explores what it takes to scale a diversified battery portfolio in today's evolving energy landscape.In this episode, we cover:Project development across multiple European markets: How site selection, policy maturity and market signals drive investment strategy.Four-hour storage in the Benelux: What early operational data tells us about long-duration battery economics.Germany and Italy: Why grid support and flexibility services are gaining momentum.The role of harmonisation: How EU-wide reforms may help or hinder cross-border battery investmentMarket risks and revenue models: From merchant exposure to capacity payments and co-location opportunities.About our guest:Kilian Leykam is Director of Investment Management for Battery Storage at Aquila Clean Energy, where he oversees one of Europe's most geographically diverse battery portfolios. With more than 7 GW of battery projects spanning nine European countries, Kilian brings deep experience in project development, trading, and strategic energy investment. For more information on what Aquila Clean Energy do, head to the website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.
Europe's defense industrial base stands at a critical inflection point. Military experts warn we have just three to five years to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities before facing potentially devastating security challenges.I talked about these trends and the European response with Kitron Group's President and CEO, Peter Nilsson and Managing Director of Kitron AS, Hans Petter Thomassen, who participated in the “Implementation Dialogue on EU Defence” with Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, held in Brussels recently.The European Commission recognizes this urgency. They've initiated an "omnibus" bill aimed at helping defense manufacturers ramp up production quickly, bringing together industry leaders from major prime contractors to innovative startups developing cutting-edge battlefield technologies. But the challenges are enormous.Most electronics components, semiconductors, and specialized materials used in European defense systems come from outside the continent. While stockpiling strategic materials for several years provides a short-term solution, the long-term challenge of rebuilding secure supply chains remains daunting. For specialized materials like munitions chemicals, new production facilities require five years just for permitting and environmental studies.Regional responses vary dramatically across Europe. Countries feeling immediate threat – the Nordics, Baltics, Poland, and Germany – are leading with bold procurement initiatives and defense budgets approaching 5% of GDP. These long-term commitments provide the certainty manufacturers need for major capacity investments.Perhaps most exciting is the rise of defense technology startups across Eastern Europe. From drone innovations to laser targeting systems, these companies bring battlefield-ready solutions developed with real-world urgency. As one Ukrainian defense official emphasized: "A system you can provide me two years from now has zero interest – I need something for tomorrow."The war in Ukraine accelerates these trends, serving as both catalyst for action and testing ground for technologies. Defense donation programs deliver immediate battlefield feedback on new systems, strengthening the innovation cycle.Want to explore how these defense industry transformations might affect your business? Join us at the upcoming IPC defense event in Brussels on June 10th, where industry leaders will be tackling these critical challenges head-on.MADE IN EUROPE is an IPC Podcast, produced by SCOOPEMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.
We're on the road again, this time reporting from Vilnius, Lithuania, in the heart of Europe's Bloodlands. Don't be fooled by the history of war and trauma, this episode is all about how the Baltics are sprinting into the future. Estonia, with just 1.3 million people, has produced 10+ tech unicorns and collects 99% of its taxes online. Lithuania, home to 50,000 people living in Ireland, is building Rail Baltica, a €6 billion high-speed line connecting Finland to Poland. We chat with economist James Oates to unpack how these small nations became some of the most advanced societies on earth, all while keeping one wary eye on Moscow. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How Europe's defence sector can align to climate goals without compromising security needs In this episode of the Sound of Economics, we look at the present and future efforts of the defence sector to integrate climate sustainability. Host Rebecca Christie is joined by Bruegel's Simone Tagliapietra and Kädi Ristkok, Executive Director of Cleantech for Baltics. Together, they explore the challenges and practical steps to decarbonise defence. What are the key policy actions needed at the European level? Relevant research: Ristkok, K. and L. Balciume (2025), 'Cleantech for Defence, Security and Resilience', White paper, Cleantech for Baltics Tagliapietra, S. (2025), ‘Defence and climate: seven points for a common agenda', Analysis, Bruegel
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia know their borders may be the next front for Russian aggression. They do not want to deploy mines and razor wire—but they must. Our correspondent visits the American city of Baltimore to investigate a national drop in violent crime (9:46). And a sweeping new biography of Mark Twain, who created a uniquely American style of fiction (17:19).Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia know their borders may be the next front for Russian aggression. They do not want to deploy mines and razor wire—but they must. Our correspondent visits the American city of Baltimore to investigate a national drop in violent crime (9:46). And a sweeping new biography of Mark Twain, who created a uniquely American style of fiction (17:19).Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
On the show this week: Poland's presidential elections reveal a country on a knife-edge, Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia and the Baltics' hybrid warfare fears. Plus a Hungarian spy ring, Icelandic intrigue, Swiss bunkers, and Syrians returning home from Europe. A security special packed with stories from the frontlines of Europe's shifting geopolitics.
In this episode, Captain Troels “TEO” Vang joins The Afterburn Podcast host, John “Rain” Waters. As one of the most experienced F-16 pilots in the Royal Danish Air Force, TEO offers an in-depth look into the life of a European Viper driver with more than two decades of combat aviation experience. From missions over Libya, Iraq, Syria, and the Baltics to leading Denmark's F-16 solo display team across Europe, TEO shares powerful insights into tactical flying, military leadership, and the future of fighter aviation. He and Rain discuss the cultural and structural contrasts between the U.S. and Danish Air Forces, and how Denmark's 37-hour workweek model may be the secret to long-term pilot retention. TEO also unpacks the evolution of the Danish demo jet—including the iconic “Dannebrog” paint scheme honoring the world's oldest national flag and the F-16's 50th anniversary. Whether he's intercepting Russian aircraft or wowing crowds at international airshows, Captain TEO exemplifies the mindset and mission of the fighter pilot brotherhood. Subscribe for more veteran stories, tactical airpower insight, and global combat aviation perspectives.
Russia's now actively trying to interfere in the Baltics again, which has made some people a bit uppity. Thankfully, they continue to be systematically corrupt and incompetent. Oh, and another letter by Igor Girkin. He's awaiting the storm.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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