In this episode listeners are introduced to the newest co-host – Nina Panikova, welcome Nina! Adam, Alexandra and Nina do a rundown of the most important developments of 2023 and what to expect in 2024. Later, Adam and Nina are joined by Arzu Geybulla, an Azerbaijani columnist and writer, with special focus on digital authoritarianism and its implications on human rights and press freedom in Azerbaijan. They discuss the ongoing crackdowns against media and civil society which are taking in Azerbaijan ahead of the recently announced snap elections next February. Read Arzu’s latest article titled “Azerbaijan’s crackdown: same old tactics, just different names” https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Azerbaijan/Azerbaijan-s-crackdown-same-old-tactics-just-different-names-228976 >> We want to hear from you! Take the Talk Eastern Europe Listener Survey: https://forms.gle/SmKFfGja9ypA6jm48 Support this podcast. Become a Talk Eastern Europe patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope