What Just Happened?

Sibylline Podcasts
Sibylline Podcasts
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Each week, Marco Giannangeli hosts What Just Happened?, a short-format podcast unpacking the most important geopolitical developments of the week. Featuring conversations with Sibylline’s intelligence analysts, regional specialists, and occasional guest experts, the podcast delivers concise, high-signal analysis on the events shaping the global risk environment, helping you cut through noise, understand what matters, and anticipate what comes next.

  1. 5d ago

    Hybrid Warfare: Is Europe Edging Closer to Open Confrontation?

    The risk of a successful high-impact attack on European soil is increasing. As Russian hybrid operations escalate, how close is Europe to more open confrontation? In this episode of What Just Happened?, Sibylline’s Head of Global Analysis, Edward Johnson, is joined by Associate Analyst for Europe, Annabel Walker, and Europe Analyst, Caspar von der Schulenburg, to examine what the recent arrests near RAF Fairford reveal about the evolving threat facing the UK and Europe. They explore why the UK, Germany and Poland sit at different points on the spectrum of Russian grey-zone activity, what is driving Moscow’s increasing tolerance for risk and potential lethality, and why the distinction between hybrid warfare and more open confrontation is becoming increasingly difficult to define. They also examine the challenge of attributing grey-zone attacks, the sectors most exposed to escalating activity, and why Sibylline now assesses a realistic possibility of more open confrontation between Russia and NATO by mid-2027. If you are interested in receiving Sibylline's Resilience report, reach out to us at info@sibylline.com.  Enjoying What Just Happened? Subscribe here to never miss an episode. https://go.sibylline.com/podcast

  2. Sep 25

    Could the AI race lead to catastrophe?

    The US still leads the global AI race, but China is closing the gap. Could the competition itself make AI more dangerous? In this episode of What Just Happened?, Marco Giannangeli is joined by Sibylline’s Chief Analyst, Sam Olsen, and Lead Analyst for Technology and Geopolitics, Jake James, to explore the potential existential risks of AI, why US-China strategic competition could make meaningful safeguards harder to achieve, and whether the UK could play a role in bridging the divide. They also examine why AI may be harder to contain than nuclear weapons, the different risks posed by frontier and open-weight models, and what it could take for Washington and Beijing to cooperate on AI safety. Request the report: https://go.sibylline.com/AI-castastrophe Enjoying What Just Happened? Subscribe here to never miss an episode. https://go.sibylline.com/podcast

  3. Sep 10

    Iran-US War: What Happens Next?

    The Iran-US conflict has evolved significantly over the past seven months, creating strategic, economic and societal consequences both inside Iran and across the wider region. In this episode, Samuel McVicar speaks with Sibylline Principal Middle East and Africa Analyst Megan Sutcliffe about the current state of the conflict, how it has evolved and what could come next. Megan explores Iran's internal dynamics, the wider regional implications of the war and the potential scenarios that could shape its next phase.   Join the Sibylline Media mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup Follow Sibylline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow Sibylline on LinkedIn: Sibylline | LinkedIn Watch Sibylline on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information: www.sibylline.co.uk

    Iran-US War: What Happens Next?

  4. Sep 4

    Russia’s Africa Corps: Inside the Niger Mutiny

    An attempted mutiny in Niger has exposed growing tensions inside the country’s military regime, raising fresh questions about General Tiani’s grip on power and the loyalties of the armed forces. In this episode of What Just Happened?, Marco Giannangeli is joined by Sibylline Senior Sub-Saharan Africa Analyst Benedict Manzin and Dr Alia Brahimi, Senior Fellow with the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council and host of the Guns for Hire podcast, to examine the events surrounding the mutiny and what they reveal about Niger’s political and security landscape. Interested in hearing more from Dr Alia? Check out her podcast and Substack: Guns for Hire Podcast: Guns for Hire podcast Alia's Substack: https://highlyirregular.substack.com/   Join the Sibylline Media mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup Follow Sibylline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow Sibylline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Watch Sibylline on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information: www.sibylline.co.uk #Niger #Russia #AfricaCorps #Sahel #Geopolitics

    Russia’s Africa Corps: Inside the Niger Mutiny

  5. Aug 28

    Inside Ukraine’s Growing Political Tensions

    In this episode of What Just Happened?, host Marco Giannangeli is joined by Sibylline's Lead Europe-Eurasia Analyst Alexander Lord to examine the political tensions emerging inside Ukraine as the war continues. The discussion explores former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s call for wartime elections, the political fallout from his dismissal and the broader debate over how Ukraine should balance democratic accountability with the demands of prolonged conflict. Alexander also outlines the scale of corruption within defence procurement and why allegations involving figures close to President Volodymyr Zelensky could become increasingly difficult for his government to contain. With Ukraine approaching another critical stage of the war, the episode asks whether political pressure, corruption concerns and questions over elections could begin to affect the country’s ability to maintain unity and sustain its war effort.   Join the Sibylline Media mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review. You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn: Sibylline | LinkedIn Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website: www.sibylline.co.uk

    Inside Ukraine’s Growing Political Tensions

  6. Aug 20

    Russia's Drone War Reaches Europe

    A drone carrying explosives penetrated security at Leipzig Halle Airport in Germany and struck a Ukrainian-owned Antonov aircraft. Its detonator failed, potentially preventing civilian casualties. In this episode of What Just Happened?, host Sibylline analyst Caspar von der Schulenburg joins Samuel McVicar to examine the incident and what it could signal about the evolution of Russian grey zone tactics in Europe. The discussion explores the drone's sophistication, weaknesses in current counter-drone defences, and the broader implications for European security. If deliberate attacks against targets in NATO territory become more common, governments and businesses may need to rethink how they protect critical infrastructure and civilian sites.   Join the Sibylline Media mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review. You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website: www.sibylline.co.uk    #Russia #Ukraine #NATO #Germany #Drones #Security #Geopolitics

    Russia's Drone War Reaches Europe

  7. Aug 12

    Is Socialism Going Mainstream in US Politics?

    What does a major primary victory in Michigan tell us about the future of the US Democratic Party? In this episode of What Just Happened?, host Marco Giannangeli is joined by Sibylline North America Analyst Claire Brady and George King IV, Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad UK, to examine the rise of socialist politics within the Democratic Party. The discussion explores Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan, his platform of Medicare for All, higher taxes on wealthy Americans and removing corporate money from politics, and what his success could mean for the wider Democratic coalition.   Claire and George consider whether this represents a genuine ideological shift within the party, how socialist candidates can appeal to voters beyond the Democratic base and what the movement could mean for the future of American politics.   Remember to vote: Request Absentee Ballots for US Citizens | VoteFromAbroad.org   Join the Sibylline Media mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review.   You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website: www.sibylline.co.uk Cover Image: Conlan Houston, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    Is Socialism Going Mainstream in US Politics?

  8. Aug 7

    Why the Red Sea Could Be the Next Flashpoint

    A conflict on the Red Sea is heating up again and, like the Strait of Hormuz, could have massive implications for global supply chains. In this episode of What Just Happened?, Samuel McVicar is joined by Middle East, North Africa and Turkey Analyst Owen Williams to examine the sharp escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement. Following fresh missile and drone attacks, threats against Saudi energy infrastructure and a renewed focus on the Red Sea, the discussion explores what is driving this deterioration and what it could mean for the region. Learn more about global chokepoints by requesting a copy of our latest report: https://sibylline.co.uk/report-request-global-chokepoints-assessing-cascading-impacts-and-preparing-for-future-shocks/ Join the Sibylline Media mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review. You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn: Sibylline | LinkedIn Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website: www.sibylline.co.uk #Yemen #SaudiArabia #Houthis #RedSea #PoliticalRisk #EnergySecurity

    Why the Red Sea Could Be the Next Flashpoint
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About

Each week, Marco Giannangeli hosts What Just Happened?, a short-format podcast unpacking the most important geopolitical developments of the week. Featuring conversations with Sibylline’s intelligence analysts, regional specialists, and occasional guest experts, the podcast delivers concise, high-signal analysis on the events shaping the global risk environment, helping you cut through noise, understand what matters, and anticipate what comes next.

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