Neutrality Studies

Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a new alliance which will treat an attack against one as an attack against all. Well, that's lovely, but can we please see the actual treaty? No. We can't? Oh, that's funny, why would you keep that secret? Well.... my friends, what we are seeing here is a prime example of "Alliance Theater", where three actors — on behalf of the US overlord — are trying to posture in front of cameras while neither the military backbone nor the political resolve is ready for action. And that's not even a new thing. Let me walk you through the recent history of alliance theater and how this reveals more about the Multipolar World than about the military strength of any of the actors involved.

After 4.5 years of Proxy-War something is breaking: When the cracks in the pro-war narrative get so large that even Neocons have to admit the empire is running out of munition, an inflection point has been reached. And we have seen this before. What David Gibbs calls the "Vietnam Moment" is not far away anymore.In this talk, professor David Gibbs of the University of Arizona discusses his trip to the Baltics, arguing that anti-Russian feeling is widespread and that Russian-speaking minorities face exclusion. He and Pascal Lottaz compare Western messaging on Ukraine with Vietnam, debate the political costs of a setback, and discuss how culture-war language can be used to support military intervention.Links:David N. Gibbs: https://dgibbs.arizona.edu/Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Baltic Russophobia and Russian minorities00:08:45 Russophobia, stereotypes and racism00:14:15 Ukraine and a second Vietnam moment00:26:28 EU elites, war narratives and crisis00:32:03 Can a new anti-war coalition emerge?00:42:51 What if Russia does not break?00:49:00 Accountability, defeat and escalation00:59:41 Where to find David Gibbs

The elites that brought to you a war Russia and a Genozide in West Asia are working on their next project: the break up of Europe. And they are beginning with an indirect attack on another maritime live-line, the Straight of Gibraltar.Fethi of Jazair Hope joins me to examine the Ceuta migrant crisis, arguing that Morocco’s role should be seen through Spain’s tensions with Israel, the US, Algeria, and Western Sahara. He discusses migration, control of the Strait of Gibraltar, energy routes, Morocco’s ties with Israel, public pressure at home, and a possible power struggle before Moroccan elections.Links:Jazair Hope Website: https://jazairhope.orgJazair Hope YouTube:    / @jazairhope  Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction and the Ceuta crossing00:04:46 Ceuta, Melilla, and migration rumors00:09:20 Was the border move organized?00:11:38 Israel, the US, and pressure on Spain00:21:57 Gibraltar and the risk of a divided Europe00:28:14 Spain, Algeria, and gas routes00:36:43 Why Morocco is close to Israel00:47:35 Morocco’s risky regime gamble00:53:27 Follow Fethi and Jazair Hope

Trump is losing the last chance there was for a face-saving exit from Iran. And he doesn't even know why. U.S. journalist Patrick Henningsen returns to Neutrality Studies after reporting from Iran. He and Pascal Lottaz discuss the funeral processions he saw, public unity under pressure, Iran’s political culture, Shia Islam and Palestine, media narratives, military deterrence, sanctions, and the wider fight between the United States, Israel, Iran, Russia, and China. They also look at how the conflict may develop.Links:21st Century Wire: https://21stcenturywire.com21st Century Wire YouTube:    / @21stcenturywiretv  Patrick Henningsen Substack: https://patrickhenningsen.substack.comNeutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Iran reporting05:02 Western media narratives on Iran08:32 Iran after attacks: unity and anger14:10 Iran, Shia Islam, and the Muslim world24:40 A new revolutionary moment35:20 Iran’s deterrence and global role48:53 What comes next in the conflict01:01:01 Where to follow Patrick Henningsen

The cracks in Japan's "everything is fine" pretense policies are starting to show. The country can't import some very essential goods anymore and the trend is not looking good. On top of that, the Takaichi's LDP government chose some political fights at home that are alienating her voter base.Professor Aya Ikegame of Kyoto University discusses Japan’s oil shortages, the government’s response, and the political strength of Sanae Takaichi. They examine the debate over Japan’s imperial succession, the role of party power brokers, relations with China, military policy, and the weak state of the opposition. They also discuss social media campaigning, local elections, and the future of the LDP.Links:Aya Ikegame – Personal Websitehttps://ayaikegame.comAya Ikegame – University Profilehttps://www.ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/facu...Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:31 Japan’s oil shortage and daily impact00:04:55 Oil supplies from Iran and Russia00:07:53 Support Neutrality Studies00:08:16 Takaichi’s landslide and weak opposition00:10:52 Three controversial new laws00:16:41 Imperial succession and female emperors00:25:02 The emperor, peace, and political power00:37:04 Takaichi’s leadership and public image00:38:35 Taiwan, China, and Japan’s foreign policy00:47:39 Japan’s military and North Korea fears00:50:02 Nuclear policy and the LDP’s future00:54:10 The opposition and social media campaigning

Trump called off the largest strick on Iran since the beginning of the war that he had been hyping up himself. In a Truth Social tweet, he said that a deal was near. Well, let's review what this actually means and why he was forced to TACO once again.Support us:https://pascallottaz.substack.com https://neutralitystudies-shop.fourth... Important Sources:Aljazeera Desalination Article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3...Trump Tweet: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTr...Time Stamps00:00 TACO Sunday: The Iran Strike That Didn’t Happen05:52 Trump’s Post: Threats, Reversal, and a Claimed Deal10:37 Iran’s Leverage over Gulf Infrastructure17:50 Iran’s Conventional Second-Strike Strategy34:50 Is the Danger Over? Strategic Outlook

The wars in West Asia and Eastern Europe are merging. And if you think this is coincidence, then I have a bridge to sell to you. As vertical escalation in both theaters is proving to fail big time, Washington neocons seem to have switched tactics: Horizontal escalation to draw in more parties into a multi-theater war.Pascal and Stas discuss the newest strikes from and into Iran, the risk of the Ukraine and Middle East wars becoming linked, U.S. military and energy limits, drone attacks and Russian restraint, the fighting around Ukraine’s defensive lines, and possible post-war security arrangements. They also debate whether Ukraine’s battlefield position could weaken sharply later this year.Follow Stas here: YouTube: ‪@MrSlavikman‬ X / Twitter: https://x.com/STANISKRAPIVNIKTelegram English: https://t.me/staswasthereenglish2Telegram Russian: https://t.me/stastydaiobratnoSupport us:Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:24 Iran strike claims and wider escalation00:10:02 The U.S. two-front dilemma00:18:39 Russian restraint and Black Sea escalation00:28:10 Ukraine’s defenses and front line pressure00:39:23 Russia’s post-war security strategy

It is sinking in that despite the Ukraine's much touted "successes" with drone warfare, the battle field is about to change dramatically, as Russia consolidates the last Ukrainian strongholds. Time is running out on the war narrative and the European Elites know it.Ian Proud, former British diplomat and writer behind The Peacemonger, joins Pascal Lottaz to discuss the Ukraine war, Iran, Western media coverage, and Europe’s political and economic problems. They examine Russia’s restraint, Europe’s support for Ukraine, rising energy costs, the EU’s future, public discontent, and the need to rebuild relations between Europe and Russia.Links:Ian Proud on YouTube:    / @ianproud  The Peacemonger on Substack: https://thepeacemonger.substack.com/Ian Proud on X: https://x.com/proud_diplomatNeutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00 Ukraine, Iran, and US support05:39 Western media and the war narrative08:55 UK policy and public discontent17:01 Russia’s restraint and Europe’s limits26:49 Energy costs and Europe’s future34:50 Hungary and double standards in Europe40:14 Russia’s ties with Europe46:24 What to watch in the months ahead

While the Titanic is sinking, its captain is rearranging the chairs on the deck. No number of burning warehouses in Russia can hide anymore that something very crucial broke in Kiev. Nicolai Petro, Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island and author of The Tragedy of Ukraine, joins Pascal to discuss Russia’s war strategy, strikes on Odesa, drones, and the search for game-changing weapons. They examine Europe’s role, Ukraine’s political future, postwar radicalization, outside influence, possible insurgency, and Zelensky’s leadership changes.Links:Nicolai Petro’s Website: https://npetro.netNeutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:16 The war situation and Odesa strikes00:08:06 Wonder weapons and drone warfare00:16:22 Russia’s war aims and strategy00:28:22 Ukraine’s political radicalization00:36:36 Western influence after the war00:41:38 Could violence continue after a settlement?00:49:14 Zelensky’s leadership changes00:59:17 Putin, military planning, and political control

Former OSCE observer Benoît Paré returns to discuss his second book, Ukraine: The Great Manipulation. He explains why western mainstream media reporting on Mariupol, Bucha, Kramatorsk, Nord Stream, and the 2022 Istanbul talks left out key facts. Benoit and Pascal discuss war propaganda, calls for independent investigations, and the risks of media narratives driving further escalation.Links:[Book] What I Saw in Ukraine: 2015–2022 – Diary of an International Observerhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/295986011X[Book] Ukraine: The Great Manipulationhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/2959860144Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Benoît Paré’s new book00:00:51 Why Paré wrote a second book00:07:34 US strategy and Ukraine’s role00:15:05 The Mariupol maternity hospital00:19:32 Questions around the Mariupol theater00:32:04 The Bucha timeline and competing claims00:58:36 Kramatorsk and the Istanbul talks01:03:41 Independent investigations and war narratives01:06:17 How propaganda shapes the conflict01:12:16 Where to find Benoît Paré