Mildly Alarmed

Mildly Alarmed
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  • Updated Weekly

One Ukrainian journalist. Three European security analysts. Infinite reasons for alarm. Every week, Anastasiia Lapatina, Fabian Hoffman, Minna Ålander, and Karen-Anna Eggen analyze alarming–and occasionally hopeful–trends in European security.

  1. 1d ago

    A Bad Winter Ahead

    In this episode, Karen-Anna, Anastasiia and Fabian catch up on the latest Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, pick apart Trump's recent announcements on an energy ceasefire and a diesel deal with Russia, and hear from Anastasiia about how Kyiv is (and isn't) preparing for another brutal winter. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “As Russian missiles slip through Kyiv’s air defenses without warning, officials say US intelligence remains intact — for now”, from the Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/as-russian-missiles-slip-through-kyivs-air-defenses-without-warning-officials-say-us-intelligence-remains-intact-for-now/ “Trump, Ukraine, Putin, and Fuel”, from The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/10/trump-ukraine-putin-fuel/688974/ “Kushner and Witkoff Russia Oil Deal”, from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/us/politics/kushner-witkoff-russia-oil-deal.html “US hopes diesel deal can ‘soften’ Moscow on peace talks, sources say”, from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-hopes-diesel-deal-can-soften-moscow-peace-talks-sources-say-2026-10-12/ Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

  2. Oct 9

    Nukes and AI

    In this episode, Minna and Fabian are joined by Héloïse Fayet, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Deterrence and Proliferation program at the French Institute for International Affairs (IFRI) to discuss the impact of AI on nuclear weapons and how social media impact nuclear signalling. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Algorithms of misperception: Managing nuclear risk in an AI world”, by Héloïse Fayet. https://thebulletin.org/premium/2025-12/algorithms-of-misperception-managing-nuclear-risk-in-an-ai-world/#post-heading  “Three Tweets to Midnight: Effects of the Global Information Ecosystem on the Risk of Nuclear Conflict”, by Harold A. Trinkunas, Herbert Lin, Benjamin Loehrke. https://www.hoover.org/research/three-tweets-midnight  Glossary of abbreviations used in the show: STRATCOM: US Strategic Command (one of the Department of War’s 11 unified commands responsible, among others responsible for planning and implementing U.S. strategic nuclear deterrence missions) DoD/DoW: US Department of Defense/Department of War  C2: Command and Control ISR: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

  3. Oct 2

    Russia terrorizes Kyiv

    In this episode, Minna and Anastasiia discuss with Jade McGlynn, Head of Ukraine and Russia Programme at the Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King’s College London, the nonstop Russian air attacks on Kyiv, Jade’s work on the occupied territories, and what and how Russia, Ukraine and Ukraine’s partners are learning from the war. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Ukraine’s Temporarily Occupied Territories (TOT): research, data, and primary sources”, from King's College London's Centre for Statecraft and National Security: https://totinsights.org/  “September 30, 2026 - Dubai to Tel Aviv flight diverted to Saudi Arabia”, from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/30/world/live-news/dubai-israel-plane-flydubai-intl  “The Techno-Religion at the Center of the A.I. Debate”, from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/podcasts/the-daily/the-techno-religion-at-the-center-of-the-ai-debate.html  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

  4. Sep 25

    Can Canada join the EU?

    In this episode, Minna sits down with Aaron Gasch Burnett, a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Statecraft to discuss what’s really in the idea that Canada could become the first-ever “associate member” of the EU, as suggested by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech on 16 September. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “It’s Not the Economy, Stupid”, from Northern Flank Notes: https://minnalander.substack.com/p/its-not-the-economy-stupid  “Mark Carney’s Audacious Bid to Make Canada an ’Associate Member’ of the EU”, from the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/canada-alliance-eu-carney-276f1778  “In Strasbourg, a muted Carney reins in EU enthusiasm and gives no answers”, from the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-in-strasbourg-a-muted-carney-reins-in-eu-enthusiasm-and-gives-no/  “State of the Union 2026”, speech by Ursula von der Leyen: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/state-union_en  “Prime Minister Carney meets with President of France Emmanuel Macron”, from Prime Minister of Canada official website: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2026/09/20/prime-minister-carney-meets-president-france-emmanuel-macron  “LNG deal a rare triple win for Germany, Canada and national unity”, from the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-lng-deal-energy-security-germany-national-unity/ “Trump is right to fear a Canada-Europe team-up. But Canada must step up”, from the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-trump-is-right-to-fear-a-canada-europe-team-up-but-canada-must-rise-to/  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

  5. Sep 18

    What China Wants

    In this episode, Karen-Anna takes a closer look at China with Professor Øystein Tunsjø of the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. Their conversation explores China’s global ambitions, its relationship with the United States, its interests in Europe, and why Xi Jinping continues to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Europe hesitates as Russian hybrid attacks escalate,” from POLITICO: https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-hesitates-as-russian-hybrid-attacks-escalate// “The U.S.-China Stability-Instability Paradox: Limited War in East Asia,” by Henrik Stålhane Hiim and Øystein Tunsjø, from International Security: https://direct.mit.edu/isec/article/50/1/152/132726/The-U-S-China-Stability-Instability-Paradox⁠  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

  6. Sep 11

    More corruption scandals in Zelensky’s circle

    Anastasiia, Minna, and Fabian discuss Russia’s latest attacks on Kyiv, the grim future of ballistic missile defense, more corruption scandals engulfing the Ukrainian government, and Europe’s role in Ukraine’s reforms.  If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.  Mentioned in the show:  “Explainer: How a corruption scandal and loyalty to Zelensky brought down Ukraine’s prosecutor general,” from Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/explainer-how-a-corruption-scandal-and-loyalty-to-zelensky-brought-down-ukraines-prosecutor-general/ “Cornered, Vladimir Putin plans to escalate his war,” from The Economist: ⁠https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/08/30/cornered-vladimir-putin-plans-to-escalate-his-war?giftId=NTI0MjNkNTctNzUwOC00MzQyLThjNmUtMzk4MDAyZTVkOTc2&utm_campaign=gifted_article⁠   Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

  7. Sep 4

    Life in Kyiv: A Week-long Drone Attack

    Anastasiia is joined by Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based analyst and reporter at the Kyiv Independent, to discuss Russia’s new drone tactics, strikes on warehouses, and how life in Kyiv has changed in the past weeks.  If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

  8. Aug 28

    Ukraine’s Independence day

    Karen-Anna, Minna and Fabian convene to discuss Ukraine’s Independence Day, new support packages and pledges to Ukraine, and what these amount to in terms of securing a just and lasting peace. The trio also discuss the latest developments in the US war on Iran and the newly announced economic sanctions. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show: “Is America Still Capable of Enforcing the World Order?”, from The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/us-weapons-stockpile-d869e58a “Britain is 100% behind you: Prime Minister Andy Burnham visits Kyiv on Ukrainian Independence Day for first international trip”, from the UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/britain-is-100-behind-you-prime-minister-andy-burnham-visits-kyiv-on-ukrainian-independence-day-for-first-international-trip “France to speed up missile deliveries to Ukraine amid critical air defense shortage”, from The Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/france-to-speed-up-missile-deliveries-to-ukraine-amid-critical-air-defense-shortage/ “Joint Declaration of the Leaders of Ukraine and the Nordic-Baltic States (NB8)”, from the Swedish Government: https://www.regeringen.se/uttalanden/2026/08/joint-declaration-of-the-leaders-of-ukraine-and-the-nordic-baltic-states-nb8/ Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

One Ukrainian journalist. Three European security analysts. Infinite reasons for alarm. Every week, Anastasiia Lapatina, Fabian Hoffman, Minna Ålander, and Karen-Anna Eggen analyze alarming–and occasionally hopeful–trends in European security.

Information

  • Creator
    Mildly Alarmed
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mildly Alarmed
  • Show Website
    Mildly Alarmed

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