Orion Talks

In this Orion Talks conversation, Dr. Colin Clarke discusses the implications of the killing of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder and leader of the Wagner Group, for the group's future and its relationship with the Russian regime. He explains how the turmoil surrounding the Wagner may influence the group's operations and relations in Africa, as well as its utilization by the Russian state for clandestine activities. He concludes by sharing his insights on whether Prigozhin's death can have a significant impact on the course of the war in Ukraine.

In this episode of OrionTalks, Broderick McDonald and Guy Fiennes join host Suat Cubukcu to discuss the Wagner Group's expanding relations in the Sahel region and its potential impact on the security and stability of the region. They delve into the specific roles undertaken by the Wagner Group, examining their economic and political motivations, as well as the implications of their involvement in countering rebels and insurgency in the region. Additionally, they assess the Russian government's interest in Wagner's activities and explore potential measures the international community can take to address these concerning developments.

On this episode of OrionTalks, our host Suat Cubukcu speaks with Dr. Barbara Molas, a Research Fellow for the Current and Emerging Threats Programme at International Center for Counter-terrorism (ICCT), about far-right extremism. Dr. Molas shares her insights on the intersection between multiculturalism and far-right extremism, its transnational nature, the use of symbols and memes by far-right extremist groups on online platforms, and the challenges in preventing and countering far-right extremism amidst increasing disinformation campaigns, conspiracy theories, and political polarization.

In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu hosts Professor Kapucu from the University of Central Florida to discuss the recent devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6th. With over two decades of teaching and research experience in crisis and emergency management, Professor Kapucu shares his valuable insights on a range of topics. These include the Turkish government's response to the disaster, network governance in crisis and emergency management, and the crucial role of trust in government and public leadership when it comes to disaster response and recovery. In addition, Professor Kapucu offers his thoughts on how governments and societies can better prepare for future disasters by improving their resilience.

In this edition of OrionTalks, host Suat Cubukcu welcomes Federico Donelli, an assistant professor of International Relations at the University of Trieste and the author of the book, "Turkey in Africa: Turkey's Strategic Involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa." The conversation delves into Turkey's growing military and economic relationships with Africa, the influence of its military activism on the stability and security of the region, and how Turkey's role fits into the global security dynamics in relation to other major powers such as the US, China, and Russia.

In this episode of OrionTalks, join host Suat Cubukcu as he sits down with Dr. Daisy Muibu to delve into the escalating violence in Somalia by al-Shabaab and the efforts to counter the Salafi-Jihadist group. Dr. Muibu, an expert on terrorism and domestic security in East Africa, shares her insights on al-Shabaab's goals, the effectiveness of the Somali government and its international partners in combating the insurgency, and the potential for peace and stability in the region. The discussion also touches on the support of the United States and international organizations in aiding the Somali government in its fight against insurgent groups.

Iranian journalist Kourosh Ziabari discusses the direction of the ongoing protests and whether Iranian women can make a breakthrough against the establishment. He provides insights on domestic reactions to the protestors and analyzes the response from international communities, including the Iranian diaspora. As protests prolonged, Kourosh Ziabari explains to what extent the government can compromise or escalate violence to confront the protestors.

Travis D. Frain is one of the 2017 Westminster Bridge Attack survivors in London (UK), where five people tragically lost their lives, and more than 50 people were injured. Travis, then 19 years old, was severely wounded during the attack.

In this Orion Talks podcast, Travis talks about his campaigns to have survivors’ voices heard and strengthen their role in preventing radicalization, especially among youth and restoring community peace.