The Red Line

By The Red Line

What's The Red Line about?

Three experts, one Story. Each fortnight we host a panel of international experts diving into the biggest geopolitical stories shaping the news both here and overseas.

Hosted by Michael Hilliard

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The Red Line episodes:

04.15.2024
119 - Indonesia's Defence Dilemma
As President Prabowo Subianto prepares to enter the presidency, the Indonesian military stands at a crucial juncture, navigating both traditional and emerging defence challenges. With Prabowo's extensive military background and his previous five years at the helm of the armed...
03.31.2024
118 - Wargaming: San Marino vs. Italy
Tensions are on the rise between San Marino and Italy, revealing a potential crisis on the Italian Peninsula that many analysts are missing. This situation, seemingly minor, hints at deep-seated unrest that could destabilize the region. We delve into the...
03.25.2024
117 - Equipping Your Insurgency: A Guide to the Small Arms Market
Delving into the shadowy realm of the small arms trade, we unravel a web of clandestine dealings and backroom deals that span the entire globe, arming insurgents, equipping terrorists, and bolstering criminal networks, thus creating some of the world's most...
03.07.2024
116 - Haiti: Cauldron of the Caribbean
As Haiti grapples with an unprecedented crisis, the spectre of state collapse under the weight of rampant gang violence has cast a long shadow over its future. The Caribbean nation, once a beacon of freedom and resistance, now finds itself...
02.22.2024
115 - The Future of Nuclear Warfare
As the world stands on the brink of a new era in nuclear warfare, attention now shifts to the United States' ambitious modernisation programs and the burgeoning arms race in nuclear weapons development. This surge in advancement raises pivotal questions...
02.09.2024
114 - Poland: Europe's Eastern Shield
Europe is banking on Poland to valiantly secure its Eastern frontier, recognising its pivotal role along the CSTO's Western border and Poland's steadfast backing of Ukraine. However, a deeper examination reveals tensions between Warsaw and Brussels over everything from legal...
01.23.2024
113 - Can India Replace China in the Global Supply Chain?
Businesses considering the great decoupling from China face the dilemma of finding a new manufacturing hub, with India emerging as a popular choice due to its large workforce, affordable labour, and investor-friendly leadership. However, a closer examination reveals complexities in...
01.09.2024
112 - Russia's Six Fleets: A Sinking Superpower
Russia's naval forces, structured around six distinct fleets, are navigating turbulent waters in the current geopolitical climate. While all six of these fleets have seen modest improvements, especially in their submarine capabilities, the conflict in Ukraine is now stretching resources...
12.26.2023
111 - The Splintering of Sudan
Sudan is entangled in a rapidly escalating civil war, marked by widespread protests, violent clashes, and an alarming surge in refugees fleeing the turmoil. Amidst this chaos, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) swift advances are now intensifying fears of a...
12.11.2023
110 - Wargaming: Argentina Reinvades the Falklands
Argentina's incoming president, Milei, was queried about reclaiming the Falkland Islands for Argentina, following the path of his predecessors by vowing to seek their reclamation. These claims, coupled with intense media scrutiny, have fueled increasing speculation about a potential second...
11.26.2023
109 - A Second Arab Spring: Imminent or Impossible?
As unrest simmers throughout the Middle East, echoes of the initial Arab Spring resonate amid similar economic triggers, fueling speculation about a potential second wave. Many are beginning to ask: Is a second Arab Spring on the horizon? Where is...
11.13.2023
108 - Extrajudicial Killings and Targeted Assassinations
The unsettling trend of Extrajudicial Killings is on the rise. A method once used mainly by the US and Russia is now being increasingly adopted by many more countries, mostly targeting defectors and opposition living abroad. With these methods ostensibly...
10.30.2023
107 - The Hollowing of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, is witnessing an unprecedented erosion of its "One Country, Two Systems" framework, as China tightens its grip on the region. The once clear demarcation of autonomy is now blurred, with pro-democracy aspirations clashing against Beijing's relentless advance. Beijing...
10.16.2023
106 - Wargaming: Moldova vs Transnistria
Moldova, flanked by the complex dynamics of Eastern Europe, currently stands at a critical juncture in its geopolitical fate, as the simmering conflict in Transnistria, exasperated by the recent upheavals in Ukraine, has crafted a unique tableau of challenges and...
10.02.2023
105 - Iran: Crises on Every Front
Iran, ensnared by its mountainous borders, now faces multifaceted threats from all directions and their strategic position is becoming increasingly perilous along every axis. Neighbours like Azerbaijan and Pakistan now pose mounting challenges to national stability, while inaction also risks...
09.18.2023
104 - El Salvador: The Price of Security
Once the murder capital of the world, El Salvador finds itself grappling with both gang violence and geopolitical shifts. Between 2013 and 2016, murder rates soared due to gang wars and systemic extortion. President Nayib Bukele, emerging from this tumult,...
09.03.2023
103 - Wargaming: India vs Pakistan
The potential conflict between India and Pakistan stands at a precipice of alarming complexity, as the two nuclear-armed neighbours navigate a tangled web of historical tensions, territorial disputes, and geopolitical ambitions, and with India's rapidly evolving military capabilities and strategic...
08.20.2023
102 - The Economic Feasibility of Nuclear Power
The economic feasibility of Nuclear Power is under an unprecedented microscope, with evolving energy solutions and changing market dynamics, the mathematical foundation that once supported the nuclear industry's robustness is now slipping. While traditional energy giants like the US, France,...
08.06.2023
101 - UUV's: Underwater Drones and Seabed Warfare
UUVs or Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, are set to make the same kind of impact that UAVs previously made on the modern battlefield. With their vast operational capacities and affordable price tags, we are not only seeing major players like the...
07.23.2023
100 - Scoring Every Prediction by The Red Line (100th Episode Special)
The Red Line has reached our 100th episode, and it has been an amazing journey putting all of these episodes together. But how accurate have our predictions been? We have been engaged in analysis and reporting for nearly 5 years...
07.09.2023
99 - Equatorial Guinea: The North Korea of Africa
Equatorial Guinea is one of the most puzzling countries in the world, with everything from coups involving Margaret Thatcher's son, to firing squads in Santa outfits operating in the country. However, far more worrying than that is the economic cliff...
06.26.2023
98 - The Geopolitics of Estonia
Estonia has one of the most impressive economic transformations anywhere on the planet, gaining independence from the USSR and completely overhauling its entire institutional base. While most of the post-Soviet states experienced slow growth and economic stagnation, Estonia instead grew...
06.11.2023
97 - The Death of Françafrique: Africa's Rebalancing Act
The ensuing dramatic demise of Françafrique and the consequential transformation of France's strategic goals in Africa have reshaped much of the geopolitics of the region. France no longer has the overt influence it once did but is instead moving to...
05.29.2023
96 - Democracy in Central Asia?
Central Asia stands at a pivotal crossroads, with the next few months likely to set the course for the region going forward. What lies at stake in Kazakhstan's delicate balancing act? Will political stability give way to democratic progress or...
05.15.2023
95 - The Death of the US Dollar?
There has been an online explosion of discourse surrounding several currency agreements signed by nations like Russia, China and India, with some even predicting the emergence of a gold-backed BRICS currency to rival the US dollar but the end of...
04.30.2023
94 - Egypt's Economic Crisis: A Perfect Storm?
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the looming economic crisis in Egypt. With inflation on the rise, foreign investment declining, and a mounting debt burden, the country's economy is facing significant challenges. We discuss the roots of...
04.16.2023
93 - Satellite Surveillance: The New Orbital Arms Race
In this episode, we explore the intensifying arms race between the US, Russia, and China in orbital satellite surveillance technology. Delving into the advanced capabilities of these countries' satellite systems and how they are changing the landscape of modern warfare....
04.03.2023
92 - Narco-Economics: Inside the Mexican Drug Trade
In this episode, we delve into the complex and lucrative world of the Mexican cartel drug trade and explore the economic factors that drive it. From the production and transportation of drugs to the money laundering schemes used to hide...
03.19.2023
91 - Bulgaria: Russia's Backdoor into Europe?
Bulgaria currently stands at a crossroads, with one group pulling the country toward the West, and an alliance of corruption, crime, and capture tethering the country toward Russia. These already high tensions are now also widening further, with the Bulgarian...
03.05.2023
90 - East Asian Rearmament
China appears to be sleepwalking toward a conflict over Taiwan, and in response, East Asia has begun to prepare for a war that could start as early as 2026. Whilst some like Japan are buying up unnamed vehicles to adapt...
02.19.2023
89 - European Rearmament (Are We Preparing for the Wrong War?)
The war in Ukraine completely changed how Europe saw its own defence, and once against the continent is beginning to scramble to hastily rearm and modernise its defence industries. The question being asked by several analysts though, is whether Europe...
02.05.2023
88 - Venezuela's Return to the West?
With demand for oil skyrocketing, the US are now reconsidering the usefulness of Venezuela's massive natural oil reserves. To meet the demand in the market, some in Washington are now even going as far as to propose the beginning of...
01.22.2023
87 - How Strong is the Chinese Economy?
There are major faultlines appearing within the Chinese economy, particularly within many of the state government's budgets. Large debts are now all coming due, and the leadership in Beijing will be faced with several tough decisions within the next few...
01.08.2023
86 - Russian Operations in Syria
Numerous analysts failed to correctly predict the outcome of a war between Russia and Ukraine, with many anticipating Russia would conquer Ukraine within a matter of weeks. Some analysts, though, the ones watching Syria closely, could see the fractures in...
12.26.2022
85 - Could the US Conquer North Korea?
North Korea, a nation whose GDP is equivalent to that of the small island of Jamaica, has tested a record amount of missiles this year. With these increasing tests, there is a worry that they will build upon this momentum,...
12.11.2022
84 - Is the CSTO Facing Collapse?
This year Russia has watched their geopolitical position within the region sink from bad to worse, and now there is a brand new issue facing Moscow, with the Russian version of NATO, the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organisation), facing a...
12.04.2022
The Winners and Losers of Energy Transition - The Green Line - Ep 5
There is no greater challenge when it comes to Climate Change than that of the energy transition. For some countries, it will mean investing billions into the modernisation of their power grids, and for other countries, it will mean abandoning...
11.27.2022
83 - Does Foreign Aid Actually Work?
Billions of dollars worth of aid have been sent over the recent decades in hopes of building up the developing world, but whether the aid is achieving its stated goals is still up for debate. So this week, we look...
11.20.2022
D.R.Congo: Dirty Metals for Clean Energy - The Green Line - Ep 4
The world is on the precipice of the new revolution in Green Technology, but where do the materials for this Green Tech come from? One of the primary materials required for everything from smartphones to electric vehicle batteries is Cobalt,...
11.13.2022
82 - Saudi Arabia: A Global Economic Powderkeg
Saudi Arabia is experiencing numerous simultaneous challenges at the moment, ranging from royal infighting, a rearming Yemen, a diverging population, and a growing threat from Iran. Tasked with guiding the Saudis through this storm is MBS, a leader whose track...
11.06.2022
Water Wars - The Green Line - Ep 3
Water is the most precious resource known to man, but some countries are currently preparing to wield it as a weapon. Through the building of hydroelectric dams, the shrinking of water supplies, or plain geography, water is set to reshape...
10.30.2022
81 - The Geopolitics of Microchips and Semiconductors
The Biden administration has just dealt a massive blow to the trajectory of the Chinese military, placing a ban on high-end microchips and semiconductors entering China. This is a virtually unprecedented move, and will almost certainly anchor down any growth...
10.23.2022
How the Chinese Military is Preparing for Climate Change - The Green Line - Ep 2
Beijing now plays a crucial part in the global supply chain, and with it, the global CO2 output. However, even though China only recently reached this level of industrialisation, climate change is hitting them at the same time as everywhere...
10.16.2022
80 - Mozambique: The Campaign Against Cabo Delgado
Mozambique has been struggling with an insurgency in its North for a number of years now, but events now appear to be moving from bad to worse. The area known as Cabo Delgado has chewed up and spat out PMCs...
10.09.2022
How the US Military is Preparing for Climate Change - The Green Line - Ep 1
Whilst debates around Climate Change still rage on US TV, the US Military has been quietly preparing for the now inevitable. Planners are now acutely aware of just how quick Climate Change is coming down upon us, and how dramatically...
10.02.2022
79 - Myanmar's Crumbling Coup
After a landslide democratic victory the military siezed power with a coup in February 2021. To prevent democracy from slipping away once again, the people of Myanmar stood up against the military junta. These protests began what would spiral into...
09.18.2022
78 - Turkey's Strategic Goals in the Middle East (The Death of Kemalism?)
Turkey is attempting to reassert itself back onto the world stage but stands at a crossroads as to which direction to extend its influence. Europe has blocked Turkey's entry into the EU for decades now, and Central Asia remains a...
09.04.2022
77 - The Cyber War in Ukraine
We are now entering the sixth month of Russia's major offensive into Ukraine, and whilst reporters are fixed on the number of tank and infantry battles occurring across the country, many are missing the heated struggles taking place in within...
08.21.2022
76 - Are Aircraft Carriers Becoming Obsolete?
The aircraft carrier has been the crown jewel of national fleets for nearly 80 years, with these steel giants being the decisive factor in many of the last centuries' pivotal battles. With their growth in importance though, came a growth...
08.07.2022
75 - Human Trafficking: An Industry Lacking Conviction
Human trafficking has become the third largest industry in the black market, but unlike guns or drugs, which see millions of convictions per year, human trafficking sees less than 0.5% of cases prosecuted. So why is an industry that is...

What's The Red Line about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Red Line episodes:

119 - Indonesia's Defence Dilemma

118 - Wargaming: San Marino vs. Italy

117 - Equipping Your Insurgency: A Guide to the Small Arms Market

116 - Haiti: Cauldron of the Caribbean

115 - The Future of Nuclear Warfare

114 - Poland: Europe's Eastern Shield

113 - Can India Replace China in the Global Supply Chain?

112 - Russia's Six Fleets: A Sinking Superpower

111 - The Splintering of Sudan

110 - Wargaming: Argentina Reinvades the Falklands

109 - A Second Arab Spring: Imminent or Impossible?

108 - Extrajudicial Killings and Targeted Assassinations

107 - The Hollowing of Hong Kong

106 - Wargaming: Moldova vs Transnistria

105 - Iran: Crises on Every Front

104 - El Salvador: The Price of Security

103 - Wargaming: India vs Pakistan

102 - The Economic Feasibility of Nuclear Power

101 - UUV's: Underwater Drones and Seabed Warfare

100 - Scoring Every Prediction by The Red Line (100th Episode Special)

99 - Equatorial Guinea: The North Korea of Africa

98 - The Geopolitics of Estonia

97 - The Death of Françafrique: Africa's Rebalancing Act

96 - Democracy in Central Asia?

95 - The Death of the US Dollar?

94 - Egypt's Economic Crisis: A Perfect Storm?

93 - Satellite Surveillance: The New Orbital Arms Race

92 - Narco-Economics: Inside the Mexican Drug Trade

91 - Bulgaria: Russia's Backdoor into Europe?

90 - East Asian Rearmament

89 - European Rearmament (Are We Preparing for the Wrong War?)

88 - Venezuela's Return to the West?

87 - How Strong is the Chinese Economy?

86 - Russian Operations in Syria

85 - Could the US Conquer North Korea?

84 - Is the CSTO Facing Collapse?

The Winners and Losers of Energy Transition - The Green Line - Ep 5

83 - Does Foreign Aid Actually Work?

D.R.Congo: Dirty Metals for Clean Energy - The Green Line - Ep 4

82 - Saudi Arabia: A Global Economic Powderkeg

Water Wars - The Green Line - Ep 3

81 - The Geopolitics of Microchips and Semiconductors

How the Chinese Military is Preparing for Climate Change - The Green Line - Ep 2

80 - Mozambique: The Campaign Against Cabo Delgado

How the US Military is Preparing for Climate Change - The Green Line - Ep 1

79 - Myanmar's Crumbling Coup

78 - Turkey's Strategic Goals in the Middle East (The Death of Kemalism?)

77 - The Cyber War in Ukraine

76 - Are Aircraft Carriers Becoming Obsolete?

75 - Human Trafficking: An Industry Lacking Conviction