Peace Matters - A Podcast on Contemporary Geopolitics and International Relations InternationaI Institute for Peace in Vienna

In the upcoming European Union parliamentary elections, a shift towards the conservative and right-wing forces is expected. Why are right-wing populist parties so successful these days and what implications does this have for the foreign policy and enlargement-agenda of the European Union? What is Hungary`s role within the European Union and what relevance does Victor Orbán`s anti-western, anti-woke and anti-liberal democracy narratives have for the work of the EU? In times of increasing multipolarity and the understanding that geopolitics are back on the agenda, how can the EU step up its efforts in dealing with multiple crises? How are right-wing parties cooperating on various issues within the EU parliament and what implications does this have for the EU as a peace maker? Are we heading towards an Orbanization of the European Union and what specific role plays Victor Orban in its immediate neighborhood, especially in the Western Balkan countries?
These and other questions are addressed in the 18th episode of the podcast PEACE MATTERS with PÉTER KREKÓ and PAUL SCHMIDT.

Guests:

Péter Krekó is a social psychologist and a disinformation expert with a focus on the psychological drivers of belief in disinformation and the impact of political-institutional contexts. He holds a PhD from the Eötvös Loránd University of Sciences, where his dissertation topic was the social psychology of conspiracy theories. He is a Research Affiliate at the CEU Democracy Institute, a senior fellow at the Washington-based CEPA think tank, and a PopBack Fellow at the University of Cambridge. Additionally, he is a fellow of Rijeka University for Advanced Studies. He has also worked as a guest researcher at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna and as a non-resident Associate Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University SAIS Bologna Institute of Policy Research. In addition, he has served as a Fulbright Visiting Professor at Indiana University and is the owner and director of the Political Capital Institute. Krekó is also the head of the EC-funded hub against disinformation (HDMO-Lakmusz)

Paul Schmidt has been Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Politics since 2009. Previously, he has worked at the Oesterreichische National Bank, both in Vienna and at their Representative Office in Brussels. His current work mainly focuses on the analysis and discussion of topical issues regarding European integration.

Moderation:

Stephanie Fenkart, Director of the IIP


The episode was recorded on 8 May 2024.

Die EU-Wahlen klopfen an der Tür. Und stehen in dieser Episode von Peace Matters im Mittelpunkt. In einer Zeit, in der Europa mit einem direkten Krieg in seiner Nachbarschaft und zahlreichen anderen Krisen konfrontiert ist, wird die Bedeutung einer feministischen Außenpolitik diskutiert. Lena Schilling, bekannt als Klimaaktivistin und die jüngste Spitzenkandidatin für die Grünen, reflektiert über die Vereinbarkeit von Aktivismus und politischem Engagement und teilt ihre Vision für die Zukunft Europas. Evelyn Regner, Abgeordnete im Europäischen Parlament für die SPÖ, diskutiert konkrete Maßnahmen, um das Wissen über die EU bei jungen Menschen zu verbessern. Die Rolle des Europäischen Parlaments bei der Annäherung der EU an die Bürger wird kritisch hinterfragt, ebenso wie die Bedrohung durch den Aufstieg des Rechtsextremismus. Die Rolle Österreichs in der EU und die Fortschritte sowie Herausforderungen in Bezug auf Geschlechtergleichstellung werden ebenfalls beleuchtet. Inmitten all dieser Themen steht die zentrale Frage: Kann Europa weiterhin als Friedensprojekt bestehen? Diese und andere Fragen diskutiert Dennis Miskic, Project Assistant am IIP gemeinsam mit Evelyn Regner und Lena Schiling.


Gäste:
Evelyn Regner - Seit 2009 Abgeordnete zum Europäischen Parlament und seit Jänner 2022 auch Vizepräsidentin des Hauses. Darüber hinaus stellvertretende Delegationsleiterin der SPÖ im EU-Parlament.

Lena Schilling - österreichische Klimaaktivistin, die mit der Fridays for Future-Bewegung in die Öffentlichkeit getreten ist. Bei den EU-Wahlen 2024 tritt sie als Spitzenkandidatin für Grünen an.

Moderation:
Dennis Miskić - Project Assistant, IIP

Diese Folge wurde aufgezeichnet am 30.04.2024.

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine entered its 3rd year and an end still seems to be far away. While the destruction of infrastructure is ongoing, millions of people were forced to flee, the population is traumatized and, on the battlefield, there seems to be a stalemate. Yet, the EU - countries are still voicing their support for Ukraine. However, in the US the narrative is slowly shifting towards the necessity of entering negotiations in light of US elections later this year. On the other hand, the sanctions regime is still upheld and, at least in the short-term, the expected results have not materialized. How could an end to the war look like? Who could be negotiating considering Russia still didn`t abandon its maximalist demands. What role has the so-called global South and how is the economic relationship between Russia and China developing? What does the destruction and the loss of population mean in the long-term for Ukrainian economy and what role does the EU-perspective man in this context? With the global shift of attention towards the war of Israel against Hamas in Gaza, is peace still possible in Ukraine?

Guests:
Gerhard Mangott is Professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Science at the University of Innsbruck since October 2015. Specialization on International Relations and Security in the Post-Soviet region. He is scientific Adviser on Post-Soviet Affairs at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (OIIP) in Vienna February 2009-2015 October and from1991–June 2008 served as Permanent and Senior Research Fellow on Eastern Europe and the former USSR at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (OIIP) in Vienna. He is also a Lecturer at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna since 1995 and a Lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna since 2004.

Richard Grieveson is Deputy Director at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) and a member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG). He coordinates wiiw’s analysis and forecasting of Central, East and Southeast Europe. In addition, he works on European policy analysis, European integration, EU enlargement, economic history, and political economy. He holds degrees from the universities of Cambridge, Vienna and Birkbeck. Previously he worked as a Director in the Emerging Europe Sovereigns team at Fitch Ratings and Regional Manager in the Europe team at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Moderation:
Stephanie Fenkart, IIP Director.


The episode was recorded on 27 March 2024.

Der zweite Jahrestag der sogenannten „Zeitenwende“, die Rückkehr eines konventionellen Krieges auf europäischen Boden und die damit verbundenen humanitären Folgen, Millionen Flüchtlinge, eine traumatisierte Bevölkerung stellen die Außenpolitik europäischer Staaten und die humanitäre Hilfe im Allgemeinen vor große Herausforderungen. Dazu kommen Kriege im Jemen, im Sudan, in Äthiopien, in Syrien, der Krieg gegen die Hamas in Gaza aber auch die Folgen der Klimakrise, Migration sowie Cyberkriminalität und Gesundheit. Während sich die humanitäre Hilfe schon seit längerem mit der Wechselwirkung von Entwicklung, humanitärer Hilfe und Frieden beschäftigt, hat sich der Diskurs in der europäischen, aber auch österreichischen Außenpolitik zunehmend auf das Militärische verschoben. Insbesondere das neutrale Österreich, das als EU-Mitgliedsland der Gemeinsamen Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik verpflichtet ist, versucht seine außenpolitische Rolle zu revitalisieren und sich auch mit nicht-militärischen Mitteln an der Stärkung Europas Sicherheit zu beteiligen. Die Humanitäre Hilfe ist ein Teilbereich in welchem Österreich aktiv sein kann, die Vermittlerrolle in Konflikten wäre ein weiterer. Wie hat sich die österreichische Außenpolitik in den letzten zwei Jahren verändert? Was bedeuten die zunehmenden Krisen für die Bedeutung der humanitären Hilfe und welche Rollen kommen Frauen in der Außenpolitik, aber auch in der Projektgestaltung im humanitären oder entwicklungspolitischen Bereich zu?
Diese und andere Fragen diskutiert die Direktorin des IIP, Stephanie Fenkart mit Lukas Wank, Geschäftsführer der AG Globale Verantwortung und Penny Bayr, Bereichssprecherin für globale Entwicklung und Außenpolitik der SPÖ.

Gäste:
Penny Bayr, Abgeordnete zum Österreichischen Nationalrat und Bereichssprecherin für globale Entwicklung und Außenpolitik der SPÖ. Sie ist unter anderem. auch Mitglied des Bundesvorstandes der SPÖ Frauen, stv. Vorsitzende der Wiener SPÖ Frauen und Vorsitzende der AWEPA Sektion Österreich (European Parliamentarians with Africa).


Lukas Wank ist Geschäftsführer der AG Globale Verantwortung, des Dachverbands von österreichischen Nichtregierungsorganisationen, die in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, entwicklungspolitischen Inlandsarbeit und Bildung, Humanitären Hilfe sowie international in der sozialen, wirtschaftlichen und ökologischen Entwicklung tätig sind.

Moderation:
Stephanie Fenkart, Direktorin vom IIP


Diese Folge wurde am 24.2.2024 aufgezeichnet.

The episode was recorded on 29 January 2024.

In this episode, we discuss the changing international order and areas where these changes appear the most consequential. We talk about the potential role of the UN in a multipolar international system and why it remains an important global actor despite the ongoing stalemate in the Security Council. We also look at international human rights and humanitarian law from a legal perspective, delving into the political interpretations that human rights are subject to in different national contexts. The discussion highlights China in particular, as both its global ambitions and its reluctance to act in certain conflicts have a significant bearing on the wider world. We also turn to the war in Gaza, discussing the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice on the genocide case against Israel, and we also consider the implications of the changing global order for the EU. Providing a wide survey of ongoing geopolitical developments, this episode seeks to underscore the consequences of an evolving international system.


Guests:

Angela Kane assumed the position of Vice President of the IIP in 2016. She holds a number of other functions: Visiting Professor and Member of the Strategic Committee at the Paris School of International Affairs (SciencesPo), Visiting Professor at the Tsinghua University Schwarzman Scholars in Beijing, and Chair of the United Nations University Council. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. Kane has served in many positions during her career at the United Nations. Until mid-2015, she served as the United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. Between May 2008 and 2012, she was Under-Secretary-General for Management. She served twice in the Department for Political Affairs, as Assistant Secretary-General and previously as Director. She supported several special political missions in Iraq, Nepal and the Middle East, and established the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. Her field experience includes Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), a special assignment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and multi-year postings in Indonesia and Thailand.

Ralph Janik teaches international law at Sigmund Freud Private University Vienna, the University of Vienna, Andrassy University Budapest, and Universität der Bundeswehr München. His research focuses on armed conflicts, human rights, and the interplay of international law and international relations. He studied law and political science at the University of Vienna and the Universidad Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), followed by an LL.M. in European and International Law at the University of Amsterdam.

Moderation:

Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP

The episode was recorded on 28 November 2023 in cooperation with Ponto.

Georgia has long been one of the most eager EU-aspirant countries in the European Neighborhood. It has, however, faced a significant setback as a result of an authoritarian turn under its current government – led by the Georgian Dream party. Putting forward twelve conditions related to democracy and the rule of law for the country, the EU only granted Georgia a membership “perspective” in 2022, even while Moldova and Ukraine received official candidate status. The European Commission (and subsequently the European Council) did eventually grant Georgia candidate status in 2023. However, progress on deoligarchization, political depolarization, media freedom, and rule of law matters remains
to be seen – and may depend on whether the Georgian government is as committed to EU integration as the country’s population. We start our discussion with an assessment of Georgia’s EU’s integration process and then move on to other topics relevant to Georgia’s geopolitical orientation, including Russia’s role in its economy and security, the protracted conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Tbilisi’s relations with Beijing, as along with the country’s economic and transit potential (as well as bottlenecks), given its location at a geographical (and political) crossroads between Asia and Europe.

Guests:
Stefan Meister is Head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). From 2019 until 2021, he worked as director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s South Caucasus Office.
From 2017 to 2019, Meister was head of the Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia at DGAP. Before that, he was a senior policy fellow in the Wider Europe Team at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in Berlin and London. In the 2015/16 term, Meister was a visiting fellow at the Transatlantic Academy in Washington, DC, where he wrote on Russian disinformation and propaganda. He has served as an election observer for the OSCE in post-Soviet countries several times and worked on conflict transformation and institution building in post-Soviet countries. Stefan Meister is co-author of Geopolitics and Security: A New Strategy for the South Caucasus (KAS/DGAP/GIP, 2018), The Russia File (Brookings,
2018), Eastern Voices (Center for Transatlantic Relations/DGAP, 2017), and The Eastern Question (Brookings, 2016). 

Tinatin Akhvlediani is a Research Fellow in the EU Foreign Policy Unit at the Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS), specializing in the EU’s enlargement, neighborhood, and trade policies. Her regional expertise is focused on the EU’s Eastern neighborhood and Ukraine. She has published extensively in these areas, actively engages in high-level policy debates, and frequently offers insights through major media outlets, including BBC, Euronews, and Bloomberg. In 2023, she was recognized among the most prominent and promising women in the EU and in 2020, she earned a place on Forbes Georgia’s “30 Under 30” list. Tinatin Akhvlediani teaches European Economic Integration at the International School of Economics at Tbilisi State University (ISET). Additionally, she maintains affiliations with several major think tanks in Georgia and frequently provides expert commentary on major Georgian TV channels. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Warsaw.

Moderation:
Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP.