The Global Gambit

Episode Outline

The Russian Wagner Group is an infamous private military contractor (PMC) operating in the Ukraine War. However, little is known of them, and so we should look to learn more by looking at their activities elsewhere, including where they first came to light: Libya. These themes were explored with Hafed, with questions such as:

• Why is the Wagner Group increasingly active in Ukraine and what could their objectives be? 
• Should we expect the Wagner Group to take a leading role in trying to improve Russian fortunes on the eastern front? 
• Is there an overlap or similarity in its behavior between Libya and Ukraine?
• How instrumental have they been in controlling or influencing the direction of food supplies? 

This time, Pyotr is joined by Hafed Al Ghwell, the latest senior fellow of Johns Hopkins SAIS's Foreign Policy Institute (FPI) to tackle these questions and more. Hafed is also a Senior Advisor at Maxwell Stamp, an international economic consultancy firm, where he specializes in the Middle East and North Africa political economy issues. He is also a Senior Advisor with Oxford Analytica, the global risk consultancy. 

As usual, the first 40 mins see an interview-styled discussion, followed by a 15 mins Q/A with audience members who were listening live to the conversation, this time recorded on Twitter Spaces. If you want to join next time, be sure to follow Pyotr at @pkurzin to when future events are taking place!

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• Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en
• TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
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• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

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Episode Outline

The Russian-Ukraine War has exacerbated the already fragile food insecurity affecting multiple states around the globe. These have driven such questions like:

• What does the Ukraine-Russia grain deal mean for global food supplies and the crisis?
• Should we expect this to lead to the potential for a broader ceasefire or peace deal being made? 
• How does the food crisis, especially in the Middle East, be directly or indirectly affected by the war?
• How has the deal and the war more widely, influenced the perception/relevancy of the UN?
• How does climate risk influence food insecurities? What about the role of women specifically?

In this episode, Pyotr attempts to put aside his wonderment as he puts the questions above and more to Sir Mark Lowcock, the former UN UnderSecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator & Head of OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).  With more than 30 years of humanitarian and development experience, Sir Mark was also Permanent Secretary for the Department for International Development (DFID)leading the UK's humanitarian response to conflicts in Iraq, Libya, and Syria alongside natural disasters.

Sir Mark's book: Relief Chief: A Manifesto for Saving Lives in Dire Times is available for purchase now!

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Links

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• TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/

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Episode Outline

The role of Turkey in the 2022 Ukraine War is one that has many observers and pundits guessing, with questions often including:

• What does Turkey seek to gain from supporting Ukraine but also engaging Russia?
• Why did Erdogan threaten to block Swedish/Finnish NATO ascension? 
• How genuine are its attempts to broker peace between the two sides? 
• How integral is Erdogan's personal ambition to Turkey's current behavior? 
• How might Turkey exploit Russia's waning influence in overlapping areas/regions and exert its power?

Enjoy the conversation? Consider becoming a patron on Patreon. Don't want to miss out on participating - follow Pyotr to know of the next event!

These questions are raised by Pyotr, as he is joined by Turkish expert, expatriate, and friend, Emre Uslu - a journalist, academic, and activist. Indeed, Emre's expansive knowledge and vocal criticism of Turkish internal affairs, Kurdish autonomy, and its foreign policy have resulted in Emre being designated in the blue category of the "most wanted terrorist list" published by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Turkey since 28 October 2015. 

This episode is special too as it is the inaugural recorded on Twitter Spaces, involving new and diverse contributors. That said, the format remains the same, with a 45 min discussion between Pyotr & Emre, before there a few audiences questions to challenge Emre, this time concerning a post-Erdogan Turkey, the removal of its NATO membership, and how Turkey's ambitions in MENA may change depending on the direction of the Ukraine War.

Considering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)

This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions.

So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you.

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Links

• Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en
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• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

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Episode Outline

This abhorrent event will be felt worldwide, but nowhere more than to Abe's family, to which TGG sends its condolences.

Friday, July 8th, 2022 saw the inconceivable and tragic assassination of Shinzo Abe, former Japanese Prime Minister, by Tetsuya Yamagami. Abe came to be known for many things, including 'Abenomics' - his form of economic policy, but equally, the term, 'Indo-Pacific' which has become a cornerstone of US foreign policy. Eleanor outlines these themes and more with questions including:

• Who shot former Prime Minister Abe & what were their motivations?
• How much do other global events involving firearms have any role in Abe's assassination?
• What is Abe like as an individual and what were his most notable achievements?
• How will South Korean-Japanese relations change without Abe's input?
• What does the loss of Abe mean for Russia-Japan peace talks over the Kuril Islands?

These questions and more are tackled as Pyotr interviews Eleanor Shiori Hughes, an MA candidate at Georgetown University and an expert on East Asia. Notably, however, is that in March 2022, Eleanor co-wrote an article on Abe's legacy surrounding Taiwan for the Hudson Institute, which involved interviewing the man himself, giving her some of the most recent exposure to Abe of anyone.   

Considering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)

This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions.

So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you.

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Links

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• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin
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• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit
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Leave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me?

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Episode Details 

• What does the Ukraine War mean for relationships across the European continent? 
• Has it been the trigger for the EU to establish its own army? 
• How much has the war altered opinions towards the role or presence of nuclear weaponry? 
• Why has the Ukrainian's use of information warfare been so much more effective than Russia's in diplomacy? 

These questions are tackled in this installment of TGG, as Pyotr interviews Professor Jeffery Pryce, senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute (FPI), at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Alongside, FPI, Professor Pryce is also counsel and vice-chair of the international dispute resolution practice at Steptoe & Johnson LLP and adjunct Professor of International Law at Georgetown University. He has also held roles in the Supreme Court and US Department of Defence. 

The first 45-50 mins consist of Pyotr and Professor Pryce exchanging thoughts on multiple issues surrounding European, international and nuclear security. This is followed by 30 mins of live audience Q/A covering issues including the unique positioning of India in nuclear security, where Putin could be after the war ends,  and how well the transatlantic alliances will hold as the war continues. 

Considering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)

This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions.

So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you.

And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences.

Links

• Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en
• TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/

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Leave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me?

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Episode Details 

• What repercussions does Russia's invasion of Ukraine mean for the Middle East? 
• How did different countries in the region react?
• Will there be regional destabilization due to intensifying food insecurity in multiple states?
• Which countries, if any, will be able to help offset the growing energy crisis?

These questions and more are explored, as Pyotr interviews Randa Slim, a Lebanese-American expert on the Middle East. Director of the Track II Dialogues initiative at MEI, Randa specializes on Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. She has also been a senior program advisor at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, guest scholar at the US Institute for Peace (USIP), and appeared in multiple outlets including NYT, Al Jazeera or Reuters. 

Episode 8 has two halves, with the first 45 mins consisting of a conversation between Pyotr & Randa, followed by 20 mins of audience Q/A on areas broadening to the Track II Dialogue & restoration of West-Gulf relations.  This episode is unique since it was recorded in the Ukraine Sitrep Room - a live-streaming audio space, that had been running 24/7 since the Ukraine War began on February 24th, surpassing 1 million unique listeners on April 20th, 2022. 

Considering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)

This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions.

So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you.

And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences.

Links

• Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en
• TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit
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Leave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me?

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Episode Outline

• How has morale and perception of the war changed among Ukrainians over time? 
• Is there a notable difference between western and eastern Ukraine and Russia's influence? 
• Why and how does Russia approach warfare so differently to western-orientated countries? 
• How does the Ukraine War compare to other theatres of war? 

Host Pyotr tackles these questions and more with the help of field/wartime correspondent and veteran, Chuck Holton, on the ground from Romania, and who has been traversing Ukraine - even before the Feb 24th invasion, to see the impacts of the war first-hand. Chuck served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, including being deployed to Panama for Operation Just Cause. He is a published author of A More Elite Soldier and also been a cameraman for LtCol Oliver North. 

This episode is split into two segments. The first 35 mins sees Pyotr interview Chuck followed by 25 minutes of audience Q/A. The discussion was recorded in the Ukraine Sitrep Room - a live-streaming audio space, that has been running 24/7 since the Ukraine War began and surpassing 1 million unique listeners on April 20th, 2022.

Links:

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Pyotr's Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en  
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
• The Sitrep Room: https://www.clubhouse.com/room/xeLZAGwY

Considering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)

This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions.

So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you.

And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences.

Links

• Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en
• TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit
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Leave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me?

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Episode Details 

• Why did V-Day, May 9th in Moscow not result in any major strategical changes? 
• Is the Ukraine War actually more of or increasingly becoming a proxy conflict?
•  Will the US reach a limit in its willingness to support or fund the Ukrainian resistance? 
• Do the events over Ukraine reflect a reshaping of the international order and shift in great power politics? 

Pyotr is rejoined by cohost, Tao Tan, as they engage Gideon Rose to tackle these questions and more in episode 6 of TGG. Gideon Rose, former editor and managing editor of Foreign Affairs (FA), between 2010-21 and 2000-10 respectively, has written several articles for FA and authored the book, How Wars End. He is also the Mary and David Boies distinguished fellow in U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.

This episode is split into two segments. The first 60 mins sees Pyotr & Tao rotate interviewing Gideon on various topics, followed by 25 minutes of audience Q/A. The discussion was recorded in the Ukraine Sitrep Room - a live-streaming audio space, that has been running 24/7 since the Ukraine War began on February 24th and surpassing 1 million unique listeners on April 20th, 2022.  

Considering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)

This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions.

So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you.

And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences.

Links

• Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en
• TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit
• Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambit

Leave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me?

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Episode Outline 

• What is India's position on the Ukraine War, including on Russia particularly?
• Why has it remained so neutral and unwilling to take a clear stance?
• How does India see its relations with China, Russia, or the USA? 
• What is the role and relevance of Modi as a leader?

Episode 5 sees these questions and more tackled as your host, Pyotr interviews Professor Daniel Markey on India and covers the details of the new report, Enhancing Strategic Stability in Southern Asia. Professor Markey is a senior advisor on South Asia at the United States Institute of Peace and a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Foreign Policy Institute. He also has two decades of academic, think tank, and government experience focused on international relations and U.S. policy in Asia.

The episode is split into two segments with the first 45 mins seeing Pyotr & Professor Markey discuss the questions above, including India's diplomatic posturing in the UN. The second 35 mins involve a live audience Q/A in the Sitrep Room on Clubhouse. Topics include India's cybersecurity interests and the disconnect between the Indian people and the government over its response to the Ukraine War.

USIP Project Group: https://www.usip.org/programs/senior-study-group-strategic-stability-southern-asia

Considering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)

This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions.

So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you.

And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences.

Links

• Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en
• TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit
• Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambit

Leave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me?

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Episode Outline 

• How has Russia's invasion of Ukraine reshaped geopolitics in Europe? 
• What does it mean for NATO? 
• What about the applications of Sweden & Finland? 
• Will Ukraine ever join the EU or NATO too? 

These questions are just a sample of what is covered in the latest edition of The Global Gambit. This time, your host, Pyotr, interviews Professor Dan Hamilton - a fellow of Johns Hopkins SAIS, Director of the Global Europe Program of the Wilson Centre,  US deputy assistant secretary of State for European Affairs, and even having time to consultant for RAND or Microsoft. Professor Hamilton also founded the Centre for Transatlantic Relations. 

You can listen to this podcast in two segments. The first 45 mins involve Pyotr and Professor Hamilton covering the questions above followed by a 30 min session of audience Q/A  splitting the podcast into two segments. It was recorded in the Ukraine Sitrep Room on Clubhouse - a live streaming audio space that has been running 24/7 since the Ukraine War began on Feb 24th and has had tangible impacts on the ground. 

Considering Chipping in to Global Gambit (GG)

This isn't possible without you - the listener. My goal is to bring entertaining yet enlightening content to you, make complex, technical issues more relatable to you, and enable you to engage on topics you care about and for better people from all origins or professions.

So, if any of those resonate with you, consider chipping to the GG, as allows me to improve its quality and elevate the experience for you.

And if you're unable able to do that - no worries. Please leave a review, or share GG. This small action has BIG impact in helping it grow and broaden its visibility to more audiences.

Links

• Pyotr' Twitter: https://twitter.com/pkurzin?lang=en
• TGG Twitter: https://twitter.com/theglobalgambit
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Ftheglobalgambit
• Substack: https://pyotrskurzin.substack.com/

Read as well as listen as l overthink for you: https://substack.com/@pyotrskurzin

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKurzin
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-TPqKMViddKZeo4K2P2jg/

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theglobalgambit
• Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theglobalgambit

Leave a quick rating—it's free, easy, and honestly, the least you can do after I've blessed your ears with such wisdom. Where would you be without me?

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