Our topic is the relationship between the EU and Mongolia. This episode discusses: how does Mongolia contribute to the international system? How important is Mongolia for the EU? How are relations with Russia and China (Mongolia's only neighbours)? 

Our guests: Prof. Tjalling Halbertsma, Director International of the Centre for East Asian Studies Groningen and Globalisation Studies Groningen (GSG). Prof.Halbertsma spent many years working in China and Mongolia, most recently as the first Dutch diplomat in Mongolia (based in Ulaanbaatar) for the Dutch Embassy in Beijing.

Ms. Alessandra Tamponi, completed a M.A. Program for International Relations and East Asian Studies at the University of Groningen, where her research mainly focuses on Northeast Asia. Ms Tamponi completed a placement at The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS), a think tank based in Brussels. During the placement Ms Tamponi conducted research on contemporary Mongolia, resulting in three blog contributions. https://www.rug.nl/research/east-asian-studies/news/blogs-on-politics-in-mongolia-by-rug-student 

For decades the Western world has been hearing about the “rise of China” and the implications this would have for the way the world is organised. With the introduction of the One Belt, One Road programme, the world witnessed a truly global Chinese policy for the very first time. To what extent can we say that this One Belt, One Road programme also actually is a reflection of this “rise of China” that we have been hearing about for so long? And to what extent does the One Belt, One Road programme pose a threat to Western institutions?

Dr. Jue Wang (Leiden University), a scholar of international political economy, with focuses on China’s political economy , its external economic relationship and its role in regional and global economic governance. 

Dr. Frank Gaenssmantel (University of Groningen), research interests include European and Chinese foreign policies, China-EU relations, and foreign policy analysis.

Gas, coal and electricity prices have in recent weeks risen to their highest levels in decades. The European Union, like many other regions in the world, is currently facing a sharp spike in energy prices. This is a serious concern for citizens, businesses, the European Commission and governments all over the EU. What are the impacts of COVID-19? What is behind increasing natural gas prices? What can we expect? How far are energy-exporting and importing countries are responsible?

Our guests: Dr. Marek Neuman, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at the University of Groningen & Dr. Nienke de Deugd, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at the University of Groningen. 

Our guests: Prof.Lars Rensmann, Chair of the Department of European Languages and Cultures and Director of the Research Centre for the Study of Democratic Cultures and Politics at the University of Groningen and Dr. Stefan Cetkovic Postdoctoral Researcher at the Chair for Environmental and Climate Policy at the Bavarian School of Public Policy

Topic Description: Countries all over the world are witnessing a wave of populism and nationalism in elected governments. Although Populism has different characteristics by region, Populist parties often have an associated hostility towards action on climate change. Is Populism a challenge to Global Climate politics and European Policy? Where do the European Union's populist parties stand? 

Our guests: Prof Jaap de Wilde, chair of International Relations and Security Studies Group at the University of Groningen and Prof Jan van der Harst, chair of History and Theory of European Integration at the University of Groningen.

Topic Description: Support for Eurosceptic political parties continues to rise across Europe. Although in many European countries support for the EU has gone up, Eurosceptic parties are increasingly successful. More than 1 in 3 Europeans now vote for a Eurosceptic party. Today about 30% of Europeans vote for populists and 15% vote for far-right parties. What is Euroscepticism? Is Euroscepticism a security issue?

Welcome to our podcast!

In this episode I am going to explain what the main ideology behind Russia's foreign policy is. NATO expansion will discussed as the main example that shows how Russia perceives the world.

Email: [email protected]

Literature:

-Carol Cohn, “Sex and Death in the Rational World of Defense Intellectuals,” Signs 12, no. 4, Within and Without: Women, Gender, and Theory (Summer, 1987): 687-718 (article about masculine language in the world of defence intellectuals).

-Emmanuel Karagiannis, “The 2008 Russian-Georgian war via the lens of Offensive Realism” Security, 2013 Vol. 22, No. 1, 74-93, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09662839.2012.698265. 

-John J. Mearsheimer, “The False Promise of International Institutions,” International Security 19, no. 3 (Winter 1994/95): 5-49

John J. Mearsheimer, "Why the Ukraine Crisis is the West's Fault: The Liberal Dilusions That Provoked Putin," Foreign Affairs Vol. 93, no. 5 (September / October 2014): 77-84, 85-89.

-National Security Strategy of the year 2000: https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/official_documents/-/asset_publisher/CptICkB6BZ29/content/id/589768. 

Всем привет! Hello and welcome to this brand-new podcast series called "A Russian World: Perspectives on Global Affairs"! In this introduction I am going to explain who I am and what this podcast is about. I hope you'll enjoy.

Email: [email protected]