On 21st May, the Pentagon said that Russia had launched an anti-satellite weapon into space. This followed the February announcement that US intelligence believed that Moscow was developing a weapon of mass destruction or nuclear weapon to be used in space against foreign satellites.

Do these threats usher in a new space race and what could that mean for the future of warfare, security, and the access and usage of space?

Last month, riots broke out in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia - a small island grouping in the Pacific Ocean. These riots were in response to a French law that would give more people the right to vote on any future independence referendums on the territory.

How does New Caledonia fit into France, why is it geopolitically important, and who are the interesting actors that are said to be involved in supporting the rioters amidst their quest for independence? 

In July 2023, government troops stormed the capital Niamey in Niger, ousting the elected President and siezing power. Since then, the military regime in Niger has requested that the US troops pack up and leave their territory, leaving behind the US's largest drone base in the world in Agadez. Tune in as we explore how this will effect regional geopolitics and Washington's efforts to fight counter insurgencies and Islamic jihadist groups across the region.

The Geopolitical Pickle is back and will be producing new content for you over the coming months. Stay tuned for more details on our series - The Disinformation Project - Coming soon.

Episode links: What’s driving coups in West Africa? https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-ycx46-14cb271 

Israel has launched an all-out-war against Hamas in Gaza in the aftermath of the Oct 7th attack, and there are many implications of it. 

In this episode our hosts talked about the current situation in the ground and the effects that it has in the Middle East and the world. How will it affect Israel's relation with its allies? What repercussions will the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to global trade? What future there is for the Gaza Strip and its people? 

Let us know what you think.  

#Gaza #Israel #Geopolitics

Syria has been brought back from the cold in the Middle East, with some diplomatic relations restored and invitation back into the fold of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League. Is the surging Captagon trade behind this over decade long isolation coming to an end?

Join us as we talk with Caroline Rose (@CarolineRose8), Director of the Strategic Blind Spots Portfolio at the New Lines Institute and leader of the Special Captagon Trade Project.

Welcome back to The Geopolitical Pickle. In this episode, we venture into the heart of West Africa, where a series of military coups have sent shockwaves through the region.

This summer witnessed coups in Niger and Gabon, adding to a growing list of military takeovers, particularly in former French colonies. But what's striking is the emergence of what experts are calling the new "Coup Belt." This belt not only carries a distinct anti-French sentiment but also features pro-Russian coup leaders and calls for the withdrawal of Western forces from the ground.

To make sense of this complex situation, we'll explore the intertwining factors of geopolitical interests, anti-colonial sentiments, and the extreme insecurity prevalent in most of the Sahel. Join us as we analyze the underlying reasons behind these coups and discuss their far-reaching consequences.

Stay tuned for a deep dive into the shifting sands of African geopolitics. The Geopolitical Pickle is back, and we're ready to unravel the intricacies of the "Belt of Coups" in West Africa.

What are the conditions for statehood? What determines whether a state will be internationally recognized? Is international recognition needed? What does it depend on?

Join us on this debate as we explore the world of Unrecognized States and discuss their similarities and differences of entities such as The Holy See, Somaliland, Kosovo and Bougainville. 

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How is the security situation in East Asia evolving? How does Japan see its geopolitical position as part of this given the emerging threats of Russia and China? Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to the Czech Republic, discusses the challenges and opportunities that Japan sees in its region and beyond. 

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Before winter we released an episode analyzing the situation in the war in Ukraine and its geopolitical aspects. 

Now, in late spring 2023, we update again the current situation and assess the potential outcomes of the conflic. This time we are joined by Ridvan Bari Urcosta, expert in the Black Sea region, Russia, Ukraine and Middle East and analyst for Geopolitical Futures and Strategy & Future.

The interview with Ridvan Bari Urcosta was recorded on 17th May.

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In this episode we are joined by Geopolitical Futures Chief Operating Officer and lecturer on international relations at the Romanian National University of Political Studies and Public Administration Antonia Colibasanu.

Starting with an introduction to Geoeconomics, find out what the terms mean, how Europe is vulnerable, and the interplay between economics and geopolitics that shape all international relations.