ISIS used to dominate international headlines, with news of attacks on Western soil, and gruesome atrocities in Syria and Iraq. Since the collapse of its so-called caliphate, ISIS has become a shadow of its former self - or has it? In this episode of NATO DEEP Dive, Dr. Sajjan Gohel is joined by Pieter Van Ostaeyen, a historian, Arabist, and expert on ISIS, to discuss the current state of the group. From Europe to the Sahel, ISIS and its supporters remain active, physically and virtually, and may well present a threat to global security once more in the near future.

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.

The past three years have seen a multitude of threats facing governments throughout the world, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine; the ever-present threat of international jihadism to the rising concerns posed by far-right groups. In this episode of NATO DEEP Dive, Dr. Sajjan Gohel is joined by Phil Gurski, a former senior strategic analyst at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). They take stock of these emerging threats and discuss how law enforcement and intelligence services can best prepare themselves to respond.

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.

From the COVID-19 Pandemic to the targeted killings of their leaders, transnational terrorist organisations have had to adapt to changing circumstances in the past three years. On this episode of NATO DEEP Dive, Associate Professor Mahmut Cengiz from George Mason University joins Dr. Sajjan Gohel to provide an expert breakdown of the current status of ISIS, al-Qaeda, and their global affiliates. 

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/ 

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.

On 16 September 2022, 22 year old Mahsa Amini died in police custody for the perceived improper wearing of her hijab. Protests have subsequently erupted across Iran against the regime's theocratic rule. At the same time, Vladimir Putin has struggled to implement his conscription drive in Russia to increase troop numbers in his war against Ukraine. Both Russia and Iran are facing anger from their respective populations and the international community. Can internal opposition aided by economic sanctions really bring about change? Dr. Sajjan Gohel is joined by renowned Portuguese columnist Diana Soller to discuss these issues and many more in episode 25 of NATO DEEP Dive.

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.

On September 11, 2012, terrorists tied to al-Qaeda attacked the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, killing the American ambassador and three others. Yet, 10 years on, some of the plotters remain at large. In episode 24 of NATO DEEP Dive Dr. Sajjan Gohel is joined by counter-terrorism practitioner Sarah Adams to unpack the consequences of the attack, as well as looking at the other important developments including the implications of the death of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan and increasing demands for Russia's to be designated as a 'Sponsor of Terror.' 

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/  

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.

From popular movies to TV series, the NYPD has long been depicted as keeping New York safe, but what is life really like inside the world's most famous police department? In episode 23 of NATO DEEP Dive Dr. Sajjan Gohel is joined by Rebecca Wiener, the Assistant Commissioner for Intelligence Analysis at the New York City Police Department to find out just that. From fighting crime and terrorism to combating online disinformation, the NYPD plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order not just in the U.S., but globally.

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/ 

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.

The U.S. counter-terrorism in Kabul, Afghanistan eliminated al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and once again exposed the close relationship the terrorist group enjoys with the Taliban and the Haqqani Network. 16 August 2022 marks one year since the Taliban seized power in Kabul. In that time, Afghanistan has experienced hardships, violence, and misogyny. Join Dr. Sajjan Gohel and Afghanistan-Pakistan (AfPak) expert Dr. Asfandyar Mir as they break down the defining moments of the Taliban's first year back in power and how the group continues to destabilise the region. 

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/  

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.

When Putin invaded Ukraine he claimed NATO expansion as the cause. Yet, 6 months later, the NATO alliance is on the cusp of growing stronger, with the addition of the historically neutral Finland and Sweden. In episode 21 of NATO DEEP Dive, Dr. Sajjan Gohel, with the help of Minna Alander, explore the reasons and implications behind this decision. 

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/ 

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.

Sri Lanka's descent into chaos has gripped the world's attention. With Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country and resigning in exile, this episode unpacks the events that led to the collapse of such a thriving and democratic nation. Join Dr. Sajjan Gohel and Asanga Abeyagoonasekera as they dissect the lessons the international community can learn from such poor political and economic management. 

Full transcripts for each episode can be found at: https://deepportal.hq.nato.int/eacademy/deep-dive-podcasts/ 

Follow DEEP Dive to stay up to date with each new upload.