The clear victory of Donald Trump, which had been predicted to be a tight race, caught many in the EU by surprise. The first to congratulate him was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, while on the same day, the German government collapsed. Why, despite his harsh and aggressive rhetoric, was Donald Trump still successful? In times of increasing polarization not only in the US but also in European countries, is the EU prepared for another Trump presidency? What does this mean for the state...

In this episode, we explore the intricate geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus, focusing on Georgia and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan plays a crucial role as a key energy supplier and transit route, connecting Europe and Asia, and its relationship with Georgia is vital for both economic cooperation and security. The discussion highlights how Georgia’s pursuit of Western integration is perceived as a choice between Western alignment and Russian influence – an issue central to the...

How do the concepts we use to discuss the climate crisis shape our thinking? In this episode, we explore different approaches to framing climate change in policy debates, such as viewing it as a national security issue or a tool for achieving peace. We also examine the EU's record in reducing its CO2 emissions and the upcoming UN climate conference, COP 29. Additionally, we discuss the inequalities in the environmental footprint of different nations: often, those who have contributed most to...

What is PeaceTech? How can we use AI, virtual reality, open data, and other digital technologies in peacebuilding and mediation work? What can PeaceTech learn from CivicTech? Where is the EU’s place in the geopolitical competition in technological innovation and how can it capitalize on its strengths? We discuss these and other questions with Bernardo Venturi and Nathan Coyle. This episode is produced in partnership with the Agency for Peacebuilding (Bologna) and the Austrian Center for Peace...

The horrific terror attack of Hamas on October 7th and the subsequent war of Israel against Gaza put the decades old conflict between Israel and Palestine back on the international stage. There is no doubt that the horrendous attack of Hamas against civilians (including the abduction of more than 250 Israelis) is a war crime and a crime against humanity. However, many – including the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - now claim that the way how Israel is waging the war against Gaza might...

In this episode, we discuss the EU’s global foreign policy. How has the EU been faring in its attempt to remain (or become?) a global power amid the declining liberal world order? Can the EU diminish its dependency on China’s market and rare materials? How should it position itself towards the United States after the presidential elections in November? Is it capable of avoiding being dragged into the US-China rivalry? How can it become a credible partner in the eyes of the so-called Global...

The unprovoked and illegal war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine ended the assumption that a conventional war within Europe is a relict of the past. With the European Security Architecture in crisis, if even still existing, the EU member states understood the importance of their neighboring countries in South Eastern Europe and in Eastern Europe for their own security. With the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, the nearly two decades long period of...

In the upcoming European Union parliamentary elections, a shift towards the conservative and right-wing forces is expected. Why are right-wing populist parties so successful these days and what implications does this have for the foreign policy and enlargement-agenda of the European Union? What is Hungary`s role within the European Union and what relevance does Victor Orbán`s anti-western, anti-woke and anti-liberal democracy narratives have for the work of the EU? In times of increasing...

Die EU-Wahlen klopfen an der Tür. Und stehen in dieser Episode von Peace Matters im Mittelpunkt. In einer Zeit, in der Europa mit einem direkten Krieg in seiner Nachbarschaft und zahlreichen anderen Krisen konfrontiert ist, wird die Bedeutung einer feministischen Außenpolitik diskutiert. Lena Schilling, bekannt als Klimaaktivistin und die jüngste Spitzenkandidatin für die Grünen, reflektiert über die Vereinbarkeit von Aktivismus und politischem Engagement und teilt ihre Vision für die Zukunft...

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine entered its 3rd year and an end still seems to be far away. While the destruction of infrastructure is ongoing, millions of people were forced to flee, the population is traumatized and, on the battlefield, there seems to be a stalemate. Yet, the EU - countries are still voicing their support for Ukraine. However, in the US the narrative is slowly shifting towards the necessity of entering negotiations in light of US elections later this year. On...

Der zweite Jahrestag der sogenannten „Zeitenwende“, die Rückkehr eines konventionellen Krieges auf europäischen Boden und die damit verbundenen humanitären Folgen, Millionen Flüchtlinge, eine traumatisierte Bevölkerung stellen die Außenpolitik europäischer Staaten und die humanitäre Hilfe im Allgemeinen vor große Herausforderungen. Dazu kommen Kriege im Jemen, im Sudan, in Äthiopien, in Syrien, der Krieg gegen die Hamas in Gaza aber auch die Folgen der Klimakrise, Migration sowie...

The episode was recorded on 29 January 2024. In this episode, we discuss the changing international order and areas where these changes appear the most consequential. We talk about the potential role of the UN in a multipolar international system and why it remains an important global actor despite the ongoing stalemate in the Security Council. We also look at international human rights and humanitarian law from a legal perspective, delving into the political interpretations that human...

The episode was recorded on 28 November 2023 in cooperation with Ponto. Georgia has long been one of the most eager EU-aspirant countries in the European Neighborhood. It has, however, faced a significant setback as a result of an authoritarian turn under its current government – led by the Georgian Dream party. Putting forward twelve conditions related to democracy and the rule of law for the country, the EU only granted Georgia a membership “perspective” in 2022, even while Moldova and...

The episode was recorded on 28 November 2023 in cooperation with Ponto. A new power balance is emerging in the South Caucasus – especially visible after the Second Karabakh War – whereby Turkey and Russia are simultaneously competing and cooperating in the region. Turkey is Azerbaijan’s staunchest ally and has assisted it militarily in its war effort. Russia, on the other hand, spearheads the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), in which Armenia is a member. However, Moscow has...

The episode was recorded on 28 November 2023 in cooperation with Ponto Azerbaijan took full control over the Nagorno-Karabakh region this September, choosing to restore its territorial integrity by force and thus ignoring the previous years of negotiations with Armenia. As a result, hardly any ethnic Armenians remain in the region, with the vast majority having fled to Armenia for fear of ethnic cleansing after months of total blockade by Azerbaijan. Armenia fears military incursion by...

Aufgezeichnet am 9. November 2023 Der 12. Dezember ist der internationale Tag der Neutralität. Die Direktorin des IIP, Stephanie Fenkart, hat am 9. November 2023 mit Prof. Heinz Gärnter und mit Ass. Prof. Pascal Lottaz über die Österreichische und Schweizer Neutralität gesprochen. Was bedeutete Neutralität damals und heute. Ist sie angesichts der neuen geopolitischen Entwicklungen noch von Bedeutung? Wie hat sie sich entwickelt und welche Relevanz kommt ihr in einer zunehmend multipolaren...

The episode was recorded on 20 October 2023 in cooperation with Ponto. The state-sanctioned falsification of the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus triggered mass protests across the country, resulting in an unprecedented crackdown by the police and the security apparatus on members of the opposition, protestors, civil society, and independent media. Since then, Belarus has remained largely isolated from the outside world, which was further exacerbated by the current regime’s support...

Aufgezeichnet am 27. September 2023 in Kooperation mit Ponto In dieser Episode sprechen wir über „Space Race“, also die Domäne des Weltraums für die irdische Kriegsführung und militärische Machtprojektion sowie die sicherheitspolitischen Implikationen und Antworten auf die neuen Risiken in Österreich und der EU. Gäste: Margit Mischkulnig ist seit 2017 Abteilungsleiterin für Weltraumangelegenheiten im Bundessministerium für Klimaschutz, Energie, Umwelt, Mobilität, Innovation und...

Recorded on 3 October 2023 in cooperation with Ponto. In recent years, we are more and more witnessing the mainstreaming of radical ideas and nationalism in western liberal democracies. The Covid-Pandemic, climate change and the fight for equal rights – be it for LGBTIQ, Women or other marginalized groups – are only some examples which lead to high polarization, often (mis)used by different political groups. However, extreme ideas have increasingly moved from marginalization to the...

Recorded on June 26, 2023 in cooperation with Ponto. Although the attempted mutiny in Russia on June 24th was short-lived, it may have lasting consequences for Russia’s political regime, its war in Ukraine, and Europe’s overall security situation. The rebellion also put Belarus back in the spotlight, as Aliaksandar Lukashenka helped negotiate the deal heading off the crisis between Vladimir Putin and his challenger – Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russia’s private military company Wagner Group....

Aufgezeichnet am 26. Mai 2023 in Kooperation mit Ponto Dieses Mal beschäftigen wir uns mit feministischer Friedensforschung, der Rolle von Frauen in der Konflikttransformation und im Konfliktmanagement, der Diskussion rund um eine feministische Außenpolitik sowie der praktischen Relevanz kritischer Friedensforschung. Angesichts zunehmender Militarisierung in Europa und in der ganzen Welt gilt es auch die Friedensförderung nicht außer Acht zu lassen. Welche Rolle/n kommen Frauen in diesen...

Recorded on 15 May 2023 in cooperation with Ponto In this episode, we delve into the initial outcomes of Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections and examine their significance for both Turkey's internal affairs and its relations with other countries. We closely analyze the election campaigns, the state of media freedom, the intricate obstacles faced by the incoming government, such as the aftermath of the devastating February earthquake. Additionally, we briefly explore Turkey's...

Aufgezeichnet am 11 April 2023 in Kooperation mit Ponto Kosovo und Serbien haben seit langem ein schwieriges Verhältnis zueinander. Im Dezember 2022 kam es zu Straßensperren und Blockaden im Norden des Kosovos durch Teile der serbischen Minderheit. Unter Vermittlung der EU kam es nun im März in Nordmazedonien zu einem Abkommen. Serbien anerkennt die Dokumente der Republik Kosovo (Personalausweise, Autokennzeichen, Zertifikate usw.), und Belgrad stellt sich auch dem Beitritt Kosovos zu...

Aufgezeichnet am 3 März 2023 in Kooperation mit Ponto In dieser Episode sprechen wir darüber, welche Bedeutung und Wirkung der Atomwaffensperrvertrag sowie der Atomwaffenverbotsvertrag heute haben, sowie inwiefern der Ukraine-Krieg in diesem Zusammenhang neue Fragen aufwirft und die internationale Gemeinschaft vor neue Herausforderungen stellt. Gäste: Rebecca Jovin ist seit 2019 im Büro der Vereinten Nationen für Abrüstungsfragen (UNODA) tätig, zunächst als Sonderberaterin der Hohen...