Neutrality Studies

Vitaly Mironov, one of Russia's greatest humanists, discusses the profound shock he and his colleagues who always wanted better relations with the West are going through. We talk about the Pskov Forum, Russian-Western relations, Russophobia, the immanent danger of war, and why many Russians see the conflict as larger than Ukraine. He shares views on Russian history, memory of WWII, ties with Ukraine, and the need for people-to-people dialogue, culture, and peace forums to rebuild understanding.Links: Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction to Vitaly Mironov00:00:52 Why the Pskov Forum was created00:03:18 Russia’s view of Europe in 202600:05:35 Is the West dealing with Putin or Russia?00:14:37 Putin, the West, and a changed Russia00:21:14 Russian public opinion and the war00:26:20 Why the West misunderstands Russia00:32:00 The Great Patriotic War and Russian memory00:36:06 Feeling Russian history, not just knowing it00:40:35 The meaning of the Russia-Estonia border00:44:18 Rebuilding ties with Ukrainians and the West00:53:11 Can Russia and the West still avoid war?00:55:07 Optimism, peace work, and future forums

Dr. Rolando Dromundo, political analyst, journalist, and author, discusses the politics behind the FIFA World Cup, FIFA’s power, double standards on sanctions, host-country pressure, public spending, sportswashing, and national identity. The talk also covers Russia, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the role of states, and whether a changing world order could force reform in global sports.Links:[BOOK] State-Building in the Middle of a Geopolitical Struggle: The Cases of Ukraine, Moldova, and Pridnestrovia: https://www.amazon.com/State-Building...Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:51 Politics behind the World Cup00:04:31 FIFA, host countries, and public money00:11:49 Russia, Israel, and double standards00:16:54 FIFA as a private power structure00:26:53 Can FIFA be reformed?00:33:07 Could countries leave FIFA?00:39:44 Football, identity, and nations00:47:00 Multipolarity and future World Cups00:51:18 Final thoughts on FIFA power

David T. Pyne, former U.S. Army officer and Deputy Director for the Task Force on National and Homeland Security, discusses the Iran ceasefire, Trump’s memorandum with Tehran, the Strait of Hormuz crisis, JD Vance’s role, and the future of U.S. bases in the Gulf. He also analyzes Ukraine, Russia’s possible northern offensive, NATO risks, and the continued power of neocons in Washington.Links: David Pyne Substack The Real War: https://dpyne.substack.com/X: https://x.com/AmericaFirstConNeutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:27 Iran ceasefire and MOU00:06:29 Is Trump serious about peace?00:14:20 Will Iran enforce the deal?00:17:25 Future of US bases in the Gulf00:20:19 JD Vance and MAGA after Iran00:28:30 Strait of Hormuz control00:32:34 Russia, drones, and escalation00:38:38 Trump, Anchorage, and Ukraine peace00:43:02 NATO risks and neocon power

Gerald Celente, American trend forecaster and publisher of the Trends Journal, discusses market manipulation, the Iran war, U.S. decline, deindustrialization, Gen Z anger, the AI bubble, dollar weakness, and the risk of wider war. He argues that America needs peace, antitrust laws, trades, culture, and a new renaissance to avoid deeper crisis.Links: Trends Journal: https://trendsjournal.comOccupy Peace: https://occupypeace.comNeutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction and market reaction00:00:55 Market manipulation and U.S. decline00:06:13 Deindustrialization and war economy00:12:55 Gen Z anger and social breakdown00:17:41 AI bubble, bailouts, and dollar crisis00:21:20 Iran war and U.S. military limits00:26:53 What can be done now00:34:08 America needs a renaissance00:37:10 Ukraine, Russia, and World War III fears00:42:51 Why peace lacks power and funding

The zionists are losing BIG TIME. And one of the battles going completely wrong is unfolding in idilic little Switzerland. Today I'm talking to Ali Abunimah, founder of The Electronic Intifada, and Amira Berzi to discuss Ali’s 2025 arrest and deportation from Switzerland. Luckily, recent court rulings found the actions unlawful, which is very important for the wider concerns for free speech and public accountability. Mainstream media's silence about the case speaks for itself but goes seamlessly together with pressure around Pro-Palestine demonstrations across the West.Suppor Ali Abunimah here:The Electronic Intifada: https://electronicintifada.netNeutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comOur Merch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:50 Ali’s arrest in Zurich00:03:47 Legal wins and pending cases00:08:06 Accountability in Switzerland00:11:35 FedPol, Zurich, and immunity00:15:51 Free speech and public rights00:19:12 Israel, elites, and repression00:26:03 Swiss media and public silence00:31:45 Lessons from fighting back

We are witnessing the biggest change in West Asia since the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Professor Leila Hudson, anthropologist and historian at the University of Arizona, discusses the region, water routes, the Strait of Hormuz, US decline, Israel’s role, Iran’s survival strategy, and the future of Gulf states. She also examines Syria after Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa’s leadership, regional neutrality, and her book on Syrian women displaced by war.Links: Lines of Flight, Assemblages of Home: Syrian Women Displaced: https://press.syr.edu/supressbooks/86...Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:53 Middle East or West Asia?00:03:14 How to Study the Region00:07:21 Water, Chokepoints, and Hormuz00:10:54 US Policy and Strategic Failure00:17:01 Empire, Suez, and Regional Change00:19:30 Gulf States and Multipolar Order00:27:34 Israel, the US, and Iran00:34:39 Iran’s Resistance Strategy00:40:18 Syria, Assad, and Iran Compared00:49:03 Ahmad al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future01:06:00 Lines of Flight, Assemblages of Home

Mohammad AlTurk, a recent Gaza university graduate and freelance translator, joins to tell us all about life in Gaza after almost 3 years of Genocide against his friends and family. He describes his bombed university, lost friends, daily survival, the return to a fake ceasefire, and why he believes Zionism and outside support are the roots of the violence. He also speaks about rebuilding Gaza, media pressure, and why he thinks the world is starting to change.Links:Mohamad Al Turk:X: https://x.com/MohAlTurkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohalturkga...Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction and Gaza background00:01:25 University bombed and studies continued online00:04:48 Life in Gaza, loss, and daily survival00:13:08 Death toll, ceasefire, and changing politics00:19:28 What the ceasefire really means00:22:54 Destruction of homes and Israeli behavior00:25:00 Gaza’s future and who is to blame00:28:47 Iran, resistance, and Sunni-Shia divide00:31:14 Two-state solution, Israel, and history00:35:52 Colonialism, Palestine, and world order00:40:31 Rebuilding Gaza and breaking propaganda00:45:01 Boycotts, pressure, and media power00:47:01 More Gaza stories and Zionism vs Judaism00:54:48 Final hopes and how to follow Mohamad

George Beebe, director of grand strategy at the Quincy Institute and former CIA Russia analyst, explains how intelligence should inform policy, why covert action can distort analysis, and how partisan bias has grown inside U.S. institutions. He also talks about Russia, Ukraine, the risk of escalation, and why a more neutral, multipolar world may need new rules.Links:Quincy Institute: https://quincyinst.orgGeorge Beebe Twitter/X: https://x.com/GeorgeBeebe13Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Intelligence and the CIA’s role00:06:42 Foreign intel, oversight, and Curveball00:17:59 CIA after 9/11 and policy bias00:24:26 DNI, transparency, and partisanship00:31:59 RussiaGate and intel reform00:35:56 Russia, Ukraine, and escalation risks00:41:58 Why neutrality is hard in Ukraine00:44:59 A multipolar world and new realism

Just when you think the USA can't dig a deeper grave for itself, the people in Washington surprise you with yet a bigger shovel. The Iran War is going from a war of choice, to a contingency, to a crisis, to a full-blown national economic emergency and there is NOTHING the US military can do to make things better. Oh boy oh boy. Larry C. Johnson joins me today for an update on Iran, the oil crisis, and how Gulf states may be pressuring Washington to step back. He also breaks down Israel, Russia, Ukraine, and the rise of a new China-led payment system, with Pepe Escobar’s Transition Protocol and Sonar21 in the mix.Links:Larry C. Johnson: https://sonar21.comLarry C. Johnson Substack: https://larrycjohnson.substack.comTransition Protocol:    / @transition_protocol  Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Intro and Transition Protocol00:01:21 Iran’s nuclear threat and the oil crisis00:13:53 Strait of Hormuz, shipping, and insurance00:15:53 Pressure on Israel and the ceasefire00:19:16 Gulf states, Pakistan, and U.S. pullback00:30:40 Israel’s support base is shrinking00:33:01 Russia, Ukraine, and NATO escalation00:47:00 China, SWIFT, and the new financial order

The Ukraine Proxy-War is not a Proxy-War anymore. The continuous drone strikes into Russia are changing everything. Ordinary Russian citizens are demanding a more forceful reply and the pressure on V. Putin is growing to escalate the war into NATO territory after they escalated it into Russia.LINKS:YouTube:    / @mrslavikman  X / Twitter: https://x.com/STANISKRAPIVNIKTelegram English: https://t.me/staswasthereenglish2Telegram Russian: https://t.me/stastydaiobratnoSupport us:Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.com Shop: https://neutralitystudies-shop.fourth... Timestamps:00:00 Russia’s mood after attacks on Moscow02:00 Drone warfare and the danger of escalation06:50 Frontline updates: Donbass, Sumy, Zaporozhye09:01 Civilian targets and Russia’s response17:00 Is Ukraine trying to provoke NATO-Russia war?24:01 Europe’s loss of realism about war30:57 Targeting leaders and collapsing international norms33:54 Israel, Iran, and US hegemony40:40 The Gulf states, oil prices, and Trump’s calculation