Peace Matters - A Podcast on Contemporary Geopolitics and International Relations

InternationaI Institute for Peace in Vienna
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‘Peace Matters’ is a podcast on contemporary geopolitics and international relations. Focusing on current developments around the world, it brings you in-depth analysis from leading experts in Europe and beyond. Hosted by Vienna-based International Institute for Peace, it discusses the most pressing global challenges with decision-makers, academics, diplomats, civil society activists and other stakeholders. Tune in to discussions on issues and threats that concern us all! Since this is a truly global but also Austrian podcast, some episodes are released in English, others in German.

  1. 19. Juli

    Albania's Flamingo Revolution – When Luxury Resorts Challenge Democracy. Gresa Hasa

    In this episode of Peace Matters, we explore the unfolding environmental crisis in Albania’s Zvërnec and Sazan Island, where the "Flamingo Protests" have emerged as a symbol of the country’s deepening struggle between rapid economic expansion and democratic accountability. We examine how a localized environmental movement has evolved into a systemic critique of executive power, exposing the friction between state-led "strategic investments" and the preservation of Albania’s last remaining wild frontiers. As Albania accelerates its bid for European Union membership, we analyze the delicate balance between accession benchmarks and the transactional nature of modern diplomacy, questioning whether the path to Brussels is being paved over protected landscapes at the expense of independent oversight. Can a candidate country’s environmental and democratic integrity survive the pressure of high-stakes foreign investment, or is the "European dream" becoming a tool for silencing domestic dissent? Guest: Gresa Hasa is an expert on Albania and the Western Balkans, with a particular focus on the rule of law, state capture, democratic backsliding, and electoral politics. She is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Law and the Center for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, Austria, as well as a 2026 BiEPAG Fellow. Her research focuses on the 2016 judicial reform in Albania and broader processes of Europeanization. She holds degrees in Southeast European Studies, with a specialization in law and politics, from the University of Graz and the Central European University, as well as a degree in Political Science from the University of Tirana. In addition to her academic research, she regularly contributes political and cultural commentary to regional and international media outlets. Accompanied by: Gjergj Loka, Project Coordinator at the IIP.This episode was recorded on 6 July 2026.

    Albania's Flamingo Revolution – When Luxury Resorts Challenge Democracy. Gresa Hasa

  2. 9. Juli

    First Chapter – Ukraine and the EU. Stepan Rusyn and Anastasiia Hraur

    In this episode of Peace Matters, we discuss the historic opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in 2026 and the dramatic shift in the European Union’s approach to enlargement. For years, the expansion of the Union was stalled by hesitation and "enlargement fatigue," but the geopolitical realities of 2026 have forced a breakthrough. Now, the EU faces the unprecedented challenge of integrating a nation still at war, raising fundamental questions about security guarantees, legal borders, and the very definition of European sovereignty. How can Ukraine realistically reform its judiciary and strengthen the rule of law under the constraints of martial law? We also examine the "veto problem" and how political shifts in Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are reshaping the path to membership. Finally, we explore the future of millions of Ukrainian refugees and whether Kyiv is prepared to accept a "phased" membership in exchange for a faster seat at the table. Guests: Anastasiia Hraur is a Ukrainian professional specializing in international relations, political science, project management, and international education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Andrássy University Budapest. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at Andrássy University Budapest and the University for Continuing Education Krems. Her professional experience includes work in government institutions, international organizations, research centres, and the private sector. She has worked with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, Eurac Research, the United Nations Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, and Hoffmann-La Roche. In 2026, she completed an internship at the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna. Since 2025, Anastasiia has worked as a Credential Officer at ENIC NARIC Austria within OeAD, where she assesses foreign higher education qualifications and analyses international education systems. Stepan Rusyn is the Coordinator of the German-Ukrainian Partnership Program at the Transatlantic Dialogue Center. In this role, he manages projects that promote German-Ukrainian cooperation, organizes visits by German politicians, analysts, journalists, youth activists, and business leaders to Ukraine, and coordinates advocacy events in Germany. He also contributes to the Center’s research activities on German foreign and internal policy, transatlantic relations, and European security. Before joining the Center, he worked at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions under the Office of the President of Ukraine, and the Office of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine. He also completed an internship at the NATO Representation to Ukraine. His analyses have been published by leading German think tanks, including Zentrum Liberale Moderne, Deutsche Atlantische Gesellschaft, German Council on Foreign Relations, and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. He has provided commentary for German-language media outlets such as Die Zeit, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Table.Briefings, Behörden Spiegel, RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, and Europäische Sicherheit & Technik. He is currently based in Germany, where he is pursuing his doctorate at European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), focusing on Germany’s foreign policy towards Central and Eastern Europe. He holds a BA and an MA in International Relations, with a specialization in Strategic and Security Studies, from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Moderation: Gjergj Loka, Project Coordinator at the IIP. This episode was recorded on 26 June 2026.

    First Chapter – Ukraine and the EU. Stepan Rusyn and Anastasiia Hraur

  3. 30. Juni

    Opening Chapters – The Western Balkans and the EU

    In this episode of Peace Matters, we explore the Western Balkans' renewed bid for European Union membership following the Tivat Summit in June 2026 and examine how shifting geopolitical realities are reshaping the region's European future. For more than two decades, the Western Balkans have remained in Europe's "waiting room." Yet the Tivat Summit has injected new momentum into the enlargement process, with fresh economic incentives and a Franco-German push for institutional reform raising hopes that the region's path to Brussels may finally be accelerating. But do the EU's proposed integration measures represent a genuine pathway to full membership? How is the EU's multi-billion-euro Growth Plan affecting citizens on the ground, and where does each Western Balkan country currently stand in its accession process? Is this finally the Western Balkans' moment to join the European peace project? Guest: Adnan Ćerimagić is a senior analyst for the Western Balkans at the European Stability Initiative (ESI), a Berlin-based think-tank, where he researches European Union policy towards the region. Before joining ESI in August 2013, Adnan has worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo and Brussels. He also did a traineeship in the Secretariat of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and worked for the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC) in Graz. He studied law at the University of Graz and EU international relations and diplomacy at the College of Europe in Bruges. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the International Institute for Peace in Vienna (IIP), the International Advisory Board of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCBP), and a board member of the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KCSF). Adnan is based in Berlin. Accompanied by: Gjergj Loka, Project Coordinator at the IIP. The episode was recorded on 29 June 2026.

    Opening Chapters – The Western Balkans and the EU

  4. 22. Mai

    Armenia at a Crossroads: Elections, Russia, and the EU. Christoph Bilban and Hannes Meissner

    In this episode of Peace Matters, we discuss Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections and the country’s changing geopolitical orientation at a time of regional uncertainty.For decades, Armenia was considered one of Russia’s closest allies in the post-Soviet space, relying heavily on Moscow for economic cooperation and security guarantees. But the aftermath of the Nagorno-Karabakh war of 2020, growing disappointment with Russia, and increased engagement with the European Union have started to reshape Yerevan’s foreign policy priorities.How democratic is Armenia’s political system today, and what is at stake in the upcoming elections? Is Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan likely to stay in power, and how are the elections influenced by the unresolved conflict with Azerbaijan? We also examine the growing role of the EU in Armenia, Russia’s reaction to Armenia’s gradual westward shift, and whether the country can realistically balance relations between Moscow and Brussels.Guests:Christoph Bilban has been researcher in the Institute for Peace Support and Conflict Management at the Austrian National Defence Academy since 2016. Since June 2024 he is co-chair of the Regional Stability in the South Caucasus Study Group of the Partnership for Peace Consortium. His research covers Russian foreign policy and conflicts in the area of the former Soviet Union, with a focus on the conflict in Ukraine and the conflicts in the South Caucasus. He is an officer in the Austrian Armed Forces’ active reserve.Hannes Meissner is a Managing Partner at LM-PRISK consultancy firm. His expertise relates to the post-Soviet space – a region that he has travelled extensively due to both business projects and scientific field research. Hannes regularly gives talks on political risk, most recently at the Chinese Economic Summit in Hong Kong, the Astana International Financial Centre, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael and the University of Cambridge. Hannes holds a PhD in political science from the University of Hamburg. He is also a member of the research group Eastern Europe at the University of Vienna.Moderation:Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIPThe episode was recorded on 18 May 2026.

    Armenia at a Crossroads: Elections, Russia, and the EU. Christoph Bilban and Hannes Meissner

  5. 20. Apr.

    Trump’s World: Strategy, Chaos, or Both? From Iran to NATO and Beyond. Edward Knudsen

    Has the U.S. actually achieved anything in its confrontation with Iran—or is Washington doubling down after failed negotiations and rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz? In this episode, we take a hard look at Donald Trump’s foreign policy—not only as apparent chaos, but as a pattern shaped by rapidly shifting priorities. We unpack the growing rift between the U.S. and Europe, including unprecedented tensions within NATO and the possibility of an American withdrawal from the alliance. Is Ukraine slipping off the agenda? What is the status of Gaza and the so-called “Board of Peace”? And why has Trump gone quiet on China—despite calling it America’s main strategic rival? Beyond geopolitics, we also examine the role of personal interests in shaping foreign policy decisions, the decline—or transformation—of traditional diplomacy, and the state of Trump’s domestic support amid rising protests and falling approval ratings. Guest: Edward Knudsen is a Doctoral Researcher in International Relations at the University of Oxford and an Affiliate Policy Fellow at the Jacques Delors Centre in Berlin. His research focuses on the political economy of transatlantic relations and the economic history of the US and Europe in the 20th century. Previously, he worked for the US and the Americas Programme at Chatham House in London on projects which explored the future of transatlantic economic and security relations. He holds a MSc in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a BA with majors in economics and history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Accompanied by: Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP. The episode was recorded on 15 April 2026.

    Trump’s World: Strategy, Chaos, or Both? From Iran to NATO and Beyond. Edward Knudsen

  6. 24. März

    Sixteen Years Later: Is Hungary Ready for Change? Andrea Pető

    In this episode of Peace Matters, we take a closer look at Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections and what they could mean for the country and Europe. After 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán faces a serious challenge from former ally Péter Magyar. But is the challenge that serious after all? We explore the possible election outcomes, the dominance of the right in Hungarian politics, and the weakness of the left. The episode also examines Fidesz’s family and gender policies and how they shape voter behavior, particularly among women. Finally, we discuss why this election is so consequential for Europe as Hungary heads to the polls. Guest: Andrea Pető is a Professor at the Department of Gender Studies at Central European University, Vienna, Austria, a Research Affiliate of the CEU Democracy Institute, Budapest, and a Doctor of Science at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Pető is an internationally sought-after public speaker, and her works on gender, illiberalism and politics have been translated into 25 languages. She has held guest professorships at universities in Argentina, Canada, Germany, Israel, Serbia, and Sweden. She received numerous awards for her contributions to public life, including the 2018 All European Academies (ALLEA) Madame de Staël Prize for Cultural Values and the 2022 University of Oslo Human Rights Award. She is a Doctor Honoris Causa of Södertörn University, Stockholm, Sweden. Recent publications include The Women of the Arrow Cross Party: Invisible Hungarian Perpetrators in the Second World War, Palgrave, Macmillan, 2020, and Forgotten Massacre: Budapest 1944, DeGruyter, 2021. The highly contested category of gender is always central to her work as a researcher and teacher, as well as to her engagement as a feminist public intellectual. Accompanied by: Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP. The episode was recorded on 23 March 2026.

    Sixteen Years Later: Is Hungary Ready for Change? Andrea Pető

  7. 27. Feb.

    Trusting Democracy in 2026. Tamara Kamatovic

    This episode of Peace Matters explores the underlying causes of today’s crisis of political trust. Drawing on recent events, the discussion centers on the meaning of trust in democracy at a time when confidence in institutions is declining globally. The episode examines whether democracy can persist without widespread trust or if increasing skepticism toward political leaders may actually drive necessary change. The origins and scope of political disillusionment in 2026 are analyzed, alongside comparisons to previous periods of democratic strain. The episode also addresses the pressing question of whether democracies can adapt as digital transformation and artificial intelligence disrupt established norms, all while maintaining freedom and accountability. Is democracy unraveling, or is this simply another phase in its ongoing evolution? Guest: Tamara Kamatović is a Lecturer at the Yehuda Elkana Center for Teaching, Learning, and Higher Education Research, where she designs and teaches courses and facilitates workshops for doctoral students and faculty at CEU and partner institutions. Her work focuses on democratic and inclusive teaching, research-enriched teaching, technology-enhanced learning, and the history of education. She received her PhD from the University of Chicago, where she researched at the intersection of literature, history, and philosophy. Her current research investigates the relationship between democratic backsliding, technological solutionism, and teaching practice. She is the coeditor of a series on Democratic Universities and Academic Freedom. Accompanied by: Gjergj Loka, Project Assistant at the IIP The episode was recorded on 27 February 2026.

    Trusting Democracy in 2026. Tamara Kamatovic

  8. 29. Jan.

    Democratizing Security in Europe. Teresa Coratella and Tomasz Kowalik

    In this episode of Peace Matters, we examine the growing challenges facing European security. As defence budgets rise, U.S. priorities shift, and crises stretch from Ukraine to the Arctic and beyond, security decisions are increasingly made under pressure—and often at a distance from public debate. Drawing on perspectives from Europe’s Eastern Flank as well as EU governance and democratic accountability, the discussion explores whether Europe is emerging as an independent security actor, how defence trade-offs are communicated to citizens, and where democratic legitimacy fits into rapid crisis decision-making. From NATO burden-sharing and sanctions to threat perceptions, internal divisions, and public trust, the episode asks a central question: how can Europe defend itself while remaining democratically accountable in an age of uncertainty? Guests: Teresa Coratella is Deputy Head and a Policy Fellow of the Rome office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, a pan-European think tank. She works on Italian foreign policy, European populists and Eurosceptics parties, disinformation and hybrid threats. Half Italian and half Polish, she also follows closely Polish foreign politics as well as the Visegrad group. She is a College of Europe and IVLP Alumna as well as mentor of Women in International Security Italy. Brigadier General Tomasz K. Kowalik is the Deputy Chief of Staff Support at NATO’s Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin, Poland. A career officer in the Polish Armed Forces since 1993, he has held senior roles across Poland’s Ministry of National Defence, the Polish General Staff, and NATO Headquarters in Brussels, where he served as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. He previously directed Poland’s Department of Military Foreign Affairs, overseeing bilateral defence relations and defence attachés worldwide. A graduate of West Point, with a PhD in pedagogy, Brig. Gen. Kowalik is also a published author on NATO security and defence transformation. Moderation: Gjergj Loka, Project Assistant at the IIP The episode was recorded on 28 January 2026.

    Democratizing Security in Europe. Teresa Coratella and Tomasz Kowalik
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‘Peace Matters’ is a podcast on contemporary geopolitics and international relations. Focusing on current developments around the world, it brings you in-depth analysis from leading experts in Europe and beyond. Hosted by Vienna-based International Institute for Peace, it discusses the most pressing global challenges with decision-makers, academics, diplomats, civil society activists and other stakeholders. Tune in to discussions on issues and threats that concern us all! Since this is a truly global but also Austrian podcast, some episodes are released in English, others in German.

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