30 Years After Dayton: Bosnia & Herzegovina Today. Ferenc Nemeth & Dennis Miskic

In this episode of Peace Matters, we explore Austria’s neutrality—its legal foundations, historical origins, and evolving role in today’s geopolitical landscape. What does neutrality entail, and how is it perceived by Austrian society and political elites? We discuss public support for neutrality and examine whether Austria’s stance is compatible with its EU membership—not just legally, but politically. As the EU faces challenges to integration and foreign policy unity, we ask whether Austria’s neutrality is an asset or an obstacle and how other EU countries view Austria’s position.Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on Austria’s neutrality and its future in Europe.Guests: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.Christoph Schwarz, MSSc., is a Senior Research Fellow at the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy. His work explores key questions of Austrian and European foreign and security policy, with a particular emphasis on the evolving role of neutrality in the 21st century. His current focus lies in analysing how Austria’s neutral status is being affected by European integration and shifting dynamics in international affairs.Moderation:Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIPThe episode was recorded on 17 December 2025 with the support of the Future Fund of the Republic of Austria.

In this episode of Peace Matters, we examine Bosnia and Herzegovina thirty years after the Dayton Agreement - a moment marked by uncertainty and international attention. The recent elections in Republika Srpska have reopened debates about public sentiment in the entity, the resilience of ethno-political divisions, and whether new leadership signals real change or continued dominance by entrenched elites.We explore how Bosnia’s institutions have evolved since Dayton and whether the country remains locked in a cycle of political deadlock sustained by patronage, constitutional rigidity, and competing nationalisms. At the same time, we look outward: how the United States, the European Union, Russia, and neighboring states such as Serbia, Croatia, and Hungary are shaping the country’s trajectory through sanctions, diplomacy, and strategic alliances - raising the question of what Bosnia’s future might look like if international supervision were strengthened, reformed, or removed altogether.Guests:Ferenc Németh is a Western Balkans expert and a PhD Candidate at the Corvinus University of Budapest. Most recently, Ferenc was a Visiting International Graduate Student at the Centre for European and Eurasian Studies at the University of Toronto (2025) and conducted research at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (2024-2025). He was a Denton Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (2024) and participated in the Transatlantic Security Initiative of the International Republican Institute (2025). Ferenc was a Research Fellow at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (2019-2024) and worked at EULEX Kosovo (2019). Dennis Miskić is a freelance journalist based in Vienna. He studied Political Science in Melbourne, Leiden, and Vienna and focuses on Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. He works for German-speaking media and covers Politics, Migration, European Integration and Human Rights issues. He also works as a Project Assistant at the IIP. Moderation: Gjergj Loka, Project Assistant at the IIPThe episode was recorded on 28 November 2025 in collaboration with Political Capital (supported by Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans).

Nearly fifty years after the island of Cyprus was split between its Greek and Turkish communities, the conflict remains one of the most enduring in Europe. Once a British colony and now home to one of the UN’s longest-running peacekeeping missions, Cyprus stands as a symbol of both the possibilities and the limits of international diplomacy.In this episode of Peace Matters, we speak with Professor Ahmet Sözen, a leading scholar from the Eastern Mediterranean University in Famagusta, about how the island became divided, why efforts to reunify it have repeatedly failed, and what prospects—if any—exist for change.We explore the evolving roles of Türkiye, the EU, and the UN, shifting demographics, the militarization of the island, and how ordinary Cypriots perceive the division today. From climate change to regional power politics, we ask: what would it take for peace to finally return to Cyprus?Guest:Ahmet Sözen is a professor of Political Science with conflict resolution and peace-building as his main areas of expertise. He was recently a Guest Professor in the Unit of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. His experience over the last three decades includes participating in peace-negotiations from the first-track in Cyprus as a member of the official Turkish Cypriot negotiation team in the UN-led peace negotiations and active involvement in second-track peace initiatives. He is a policy expert of DIPLOMEDS (Council of Mediterranean Diplomacy). Some of his recent publications:"The Cyprus–Türkiye maritime boundary" Constantinos Yiallourides and Ahmet Sözen (2025) Swisspeace Policy Brief "Renewing hope for Cyprus peace: a novel approach to reconcile the negotiation positions of the Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot side"Ahmet Sözen & Devrim ŞahinAccompanied by:Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP. The episode was recorded on 14 October 2025.

This episode takes a deep dive into Ethiopia and the wider Horn of Africa. We unpack the controversies surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the cycles of civil war in the country, and how these conflicts shape national identity, sovereignty, and political culture. The conversation also explores regional spillovers, humanitarian challenges, and the role of international and regional actors - from the African Union to global powers - in responding to one of the world’s most turbulent regions.Guest:Moges Zewdu Teshome is a doctoral candidate in Interdisciplinary International Studies at Vienna School of International Studies/ University of Vienna. Moreover, he is the host of a podcast known as የሀሳብ ገበታ-a Buffet of Ideas. Previously, he served as a Lecturer in Law at Haramaya University. He holds LLM in International Criminal Justice and Human Rights from University of Dundee, and Master of Advanced International Studies from Vienna School of International Studies.Accompanied by:Gjergj Loka, Project Assistant at the IIPThe episode was recorded on 26 September 2025.

Israel/Iran – Wie der Nahostkonflikt die internationale Politik herausfordertIn dieser Folge des Podcasts Peace Matters werden die aktuellen Entwicklungen angesichts des 12-Tage dauernden Krieges zwischen Israel und dem Iran im Juni 2025 beleuchtet.Wie lassen sich die komplexen Dynamiken im Nahen Osten und deren globale Auswirkungen – von regionalen Machtverschiebungen zwischen Iran, Israel und den USA bis hin zu Fragen des Völkerrechts, der Menschenrechte und des Multilateralismus einordnen? Was sind aktuelle Entwicklungen, historische Zusammenhänge und wie waren die internationalen Reaktionen?  Was bedeutet diese Eskalation für Frieden im Nahen Osten auch angesichts des Krieges in Gaza und seinen katastrophalen humanitären Folgen? Wie steht es um die Sicherheit Israels und was ist vom iranischen Atomprogramm in Zukunft zu erwarten? Diese und andere Themen werden von Heinz Gärtner und Adham Hamed diskutiert? Dabei stehen nicht nur sicherheitspolitische Aspekte im Fokus, sondern auch die Rolle Europas, die Glaubwürdigkeit internationaler Normen und die Herausforderungen globaler Diplomatie. Moderiert wird die Diskussion von Stephanie Fenkart.Gäste:Prof. Heinz Gärtner unterrichtet am Institut für Politikwissenschaft an der Universität Wien. Desweitern erhielt er mehrere Fulbright-Professuren und hatte den österreichischen Lehrstuhl an der Stanford Universität inne. An der Johns Hopkins Universität in Washington DC war er Fellow der Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation. Derzeit leitet er den Beirat des International Institute for Peace (IIP) und sitzt dem Strategie- und Sicherheitspolitischen Beirat des Österreichischen Bundesheeres vor. Davor war er wissenschaftlicher Direktor des Österreichisches Instituts für Internationale Politik. Prof. Dr. Gärtner publiziert zu zahlreichen Themen wie internationale Sicherheit, transatlantische Beziehungen, Rüstungskontrolle und mittlerer Osten. Er erhielt den Bruno-Kreisky-Preis für das politische Buch. Er ist Träger des Militär-Verdienstzeichens des österreichischen Bundesheeres. Adham Hamed ist Leiter der Forschung am ACP und Lektor an der Universität Wien am Institut für Politikwissenschaft. Er ist Diplomat, Friedens- und Konfliktforscher und war zuvor im Auswärtigen Amt in Berlin tätig, wo er als Referent für den Schutz von Journalist*innen, Medienmacher*innen und Verteidiger*innen der Meinungsfreiheit in Krisen und Konflikten arbeitete.Moderation: Stephanie Fenkart, Direktorin des IIP.Diese Folge wurde am 10. Juli 2025 aufgezeichnet.Partner: Zukunftsfonds der Republik Österreich, Cluster Konflikt-, Friendens- und Demokratieforschung - Bundesministerium Bildung.

Schutzschirm und Schattenseiten – Europas nukleares Dilemma beleuchtet die Rückkehr der Atomwaffen in die sicherheitspolitische Debatte Europas. Angesichts der katastrophalen humanitären Folgen eines Atomwaffeneinsatzes, wachsender Proliferationsgefahren, russischer Drohungen und eines möglichen Rückzugs der USA steht Europa vor einer politischen und moralischen Zerreißprobe: Braucht Europa mehr nukleare Eigenverantwortung – oder weniger Atomwaffen weltweit?Mit dem Militärexperten Gustav Gressel und dem Abrüstungsdiplomaten Alexander Kmentt sprechen wir über Abschreckung und Abrüstung, über Sicherheit und Verantwortung. Der Podcast will keine einfachen Antworten liefern, sondern Raum schaffen für eine offene, kritische und ausgewogene Diskussion – strategisch, ethisch und gesellschaftlich. Denn gerade in Zeiten wachsender Spannungen ist es wichtiger denn je, die komplexen Zusammenhänge hinter der nuklearen Debatte zu verstehen und differenziert zu reflektieren.Gäste:Alexander Kmentt ist Direktor der Abteilung für Abrüstung, Rüstungskontrolle und Nichtverbreitung im österreichischen Außenministerium. Er gilt als einer der zentralen Architekten des Atomwaffenverbotsvertrags (TPNW) und war federführend bei der Wiener Konferenz 2014 über die humanitären Folgen von Atomwaffen. Kmentt war u. a. österreichischer Botschafter bei der Politisch-Sicherheitskomitees der EU, leitete mehrfach die österreichische Delegation bei internationalen Abrüstungsgremien und war Präsident der ersten Staatenkonferenz zum TPNW im Juni 2022. Er wurde mehrfach international für sein Engagement in der Abrüstung ausgezeichnet, darunter als „Arms Control Person of the Year 2014“. Kmentt hat in Wien und Cambridge Völkerrecht und internationale Beziehungen studiert.Gustav Gressel ist Militärexperte mit Schwerpunkt Osteuropa, Sicherheitspolitik und Militärstrategie. Er absolvierte dieOffiziersausbildung an der Theresianischen Militärakademie und war anschließend im österreichischen Verteidigungsministerium in den Bereichen Strategie und internationale Sicherheit tätig. Gressel promovierte in Strategischen Studien und arbeitet seit 2014 beim European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin. Seit 2025 forscht er an der Landesverteidigungsakademie in Wien. Er ist regelmäßig als Experte in Medien wie Die Welt, ZDF oder NDR präsent und betreibt seit 2022 den Podcast Ostausschuss zum Ukrainekrieg und osteuropäischen Themen.Moderation:Stephanie Fenkart, Direktorin des IIP.Diese Folge wurde am 12. Juni 2025 aufgezeichnet.

This episode explores Turkey’s evolving foreign policy under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—from assertive moves in the Middle East to its complex ties with NATO and the EU. Is Ankara driven by neo-Ottoman ambition or pragmatic regional strategy? We also look at how domestic politics—like the protests over Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest and the recent dissolution of the Kurdisch Workers' Party (PKK) —are shaping its international posture ahead of the 2028 elections.Guests:Cengiz Günay is Director of the Austrian Institute for International Affairs –OIIP– and Lecturer at the Department of Political Sciences, the Department of Near Eastern Studies and the Department of International Development and the University of Vienna. In 2018/19 he was a visiting fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at the Paul H. Nietze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University in Washington DC. He is the author of the monographies “Die Geschichte der Türkei. Von den Anfängen der Moderne bis heute”, Wien: Böhlau, UTB, and “From Islamists to Muslim Democrats?” Saarbrücken: VDB. His regional focus lies on Turkey and the MENA region. His research interests are:• Democracy and the rise of new forms of authoritarian governance• Neoliberal Interventions und their effects on state and statehood• European Neighbourhood Policy• IslamismSabine Kroissenbrunner is Secretary General of the Bruno Kreisky Forum for international Dialogue, Vienna, since August 2024. In 2000, she joined the Austrian Foreign Ministry and served as a career diplomat in Berlin, Ankara, Belgrade and Cairo. Between 2007 and 2011 she established and headed the Task Force for Dialogue of Cultures and Religions in the Austrian Foreign Ministry. Before joining the cabinet of the Austrian Minister for Women’s Affairs as her advisor on EU affairs and the Federal Chancellery in 1995, Sabine Kroissenbrunner worked as a researcher, mediator and consultant. Her research publications cover topics related to Turkey, the Middle East, Islam in Europe , religious and political networks related to migration and integration. She studied political science at the University of Vienna, the Bosphorus University in Istanbul and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.Moderation:Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP.The episode was recorded on 14 May 2025 with the support of The Austria Future Fund.

What is BRICS, really — a loose coalition of emerging economies, or a growing challenge to Western-led global governance? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the origins, goals, and internal dynamics of BRICS, the group that brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa — and now a new wave of members. Why do such diverse countries come together under one banner? What does BRICS actually do, and how effective is it in turning ambition into action? We explore China's and Russia’s strategic interests, the Global South’s discontent with the current international system, and whether BRICS could offer a real alternative to institutions like the UN, G7, IMF, or World Bank. We also discuss recent developments — from the war in Ukraine to U.S. trade policy — and ask: Is BRICS moving toward a shared ideology? Can economic cooperation within the bloc grow? And how realistic is the idea of a BRICS currency — or the broader push toward de-dollarizing global trade? To unpack all this and more, we’re joined by Ingrid D’Hooghe and Ksenia Radchenkova, offering insights on geopolitics, economics, and the shifting architecture of international power.Guests:Dr. Ingrid d’Hooghe is Senior Research Associate at the China Centre of the Clingendael Institute and Senior Research Fellow at the LeidenAsiaCentre, The Netherlands. Her areas of expertise include China’s strategic thinking and policy making in areas such as international relations and diplomacy, global governance, and science and technology.D’Hooghe holds a Master’s degree in Sinology from Leiden University, The Netherlands, and a PhD in political science from Antwerp University, Belgium. She started her career as a policy officer at the Dutch Embassy in Beijing in the period 1989 – 1991 and has since worked as a China researcher and lecturer at various universities and think tanks, and as an advisor to Dutch government organizations, the European Commission, and European research institutions. She also presents at top universities and think tanks around the globe, and at institutions such as the European External Action Service and NATO. She publishes in academic and popular journals and appears regularly in the media. Recent publications address European universities' S&T collaboration with China, and China’s maritime activities in disputed areas in the South China Sea.Ksenia Radchenkova, BA. spec. M.Sc. Ph.D is a Post-Doctoral Researcher and Coordinator for Eastern European, Eurasian and Asian research and cooperation projects at the Section Global Governance at the Institute for the Foundations of Law of the University of Graz. She was awarded her Bachelor's and Specialist's degrees in Sinology and Chinese Economy from the Far Eastern State University in Vladivostok, Russia. She subsequently obtained her Master of Science degree in Technology Economy Management from Xiamen University, People's Republic of China. Following several years of professional experience in the field of international trade as an operations manager, Radchenkova returned to academic pursuits in Austria, where she successfully defended her PhD in Law and Politics, entitled "The Concept of Sovereignty in Political and Legal Discourse in Russia and China", at the University of Graz, Austria. Radchenkova's current position entails the integration of her business experience with her academic background, with the objective of enhancing the international connections of the University of Graz. She is also committed to the promotion of excellence in research within the domain of international relations and politics. Moderation:Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP.The episode was recorded on 17 April 2025 with the support of The Austria Future Fund and the Conflict Peace Democracy Cluster of the Federal Ministry of the Republic of Austria - Education, Science and Research.

In dieser Episode werfen wir einen Blick auf die geopolitischenEntwicklungen rund um China, sowohl aus westlicher als auch aus chinesischer Perspektive. Wie nimmt China seine Rolle in einer sich verändernden Weltordnung wahr? Wir beleuchten, wie China nicht nur militärische „Hardpower“ einsetzt,sondern auch mit „Softpower“ – durch wirtschaftliche Initiativen wie die „Belt and Road Initiative“ (1B1R) – globalen Einfluss gewinnt. Welche Auswirkungen hat dies auf Afrika und andere Regionen, die die Lücken westlicher Hilfe wie USAID füllen? Und wie sieht China selbst seine geopolitischen Ziele?Ein wichtiger Teil der Diskussion ist auch, wie sich die Beziehungen zwischen Europa und China entwickeln. Was bedeutet die Entfremdung zwischen den USA und dem Westen für das Verhältnis Europas und China? Welche wirtschaftlichen, politischen und gesellschaftlichen Prioritäten haben die Menschen in China, und wie sehen sie die EU und die USA? Dabei gehen wir auch auf die unterschiedlichen Perspektiven zu Menschenrechten, sozialer Gerechtigkeit und wirtschaftlicher Entwicklung ein.Abschließend betrachten wir die Frage, wie Europa mit China umgehen sollte – pragmatisch und strategisch, um einelangfristige Partnerschaft zu fördern und dabei die eigene Autonomie zu wahren. Ziel ist es, ein differenziertes Bild von China zu zeichnen, das über die Mainstream-Narrative hinausgeht und auch die Perspektive der Menschen in Chinaeinbezieht.Gäste:Thomas Eder ist Post-Doc Researcher am Österreichischen Institut für Internationale Politik (ÖIIP). Zu seinen Forschungsschwerpunkten gehören: Chinas Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik, China und Völkerrecht, sowie europäische und US-amerikanische China-Politik. Er hat zu diesen Themengebieten zwei Bücher, und zahlreiche Artikel und Analysen verfasst und kommentiert regelmäßig in nationalen und internationalen Medien. Vor seiner Zeit am oiip, hat er bei internationalen Think Tanks, an den Universitäten Wien und Hongkong, und im österreichischen Außenministeriumgearbeitet. Er hat an der Universität Wien, der Peking Universität und der Universität Hongkong studiert, war Gastforscher an der Academia Sinica und der NYU, und hat in China mehrfach Feldforschung betrieben.Lukas Weber beschäftigt sich seit 20 Jahren mit China. Als studierter Sinologe setzte er sich auch in einem Philosophie- sowie einem MBA-Studium schwerpunktmäßig mit China auseinander. Sein Fokus liegt auf den kulturellen Unterschieden zwischen abendländischer und chinesischer Weltanschauung, deren Ausprägung in der heutigen Gesellschaft und die damit verbundenen politischen Implikationen. Neben seiner Arbeit für die Austrian Chinese Business Association verbrachte Lukas Weber mehrere Jahre in China, in denen er das Land quer durch alle Gesellschaftsschichten vom Wanderarbeiter bis zum Vorstand von Huawei kennenlernte, und in all seinen Facetten, von tibetischen Schafzüchtern bis zum Golfclub von Shenzhen zu durchdringen trachtete.Moderation:Stephanie Fenkart, Direktorin des IIPDiese Folge wurde am 25. März mit der Unterstützung des Zukunftsfonds Österreich aufgezeichnet.

In this episode, we delve into the powerful movements that are reshaping Serbia's political landscape. "Voices of Dissent" explores the domestic protests that are challenging the status quo, giving a voice to those who are fighting for democratic reforms, environmental justice, and civil rights in the face of a difficult political climate. We also examine the broader regional and European context, looking at how Serbia's protests intersect with global trends in civic engagement and the evolving role of civil society. With expert insights and firsthand accounts, this podcast seeks to understand the complexities of activism, dissent, and the future of Serbia in a rapidly changing world.Guests:Ivan Vejvoda is a Permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) and a former advisor to Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.Before joining the IWM as a Permanent Fellow in 2017, Ivan Vejvoda was Senior Vice President for Programs at the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States. From 2003 until 2010, he served as Executive Director of GMF’s Balkan Trust for Democracy. Vejvoda came to GMF in 2003 after distinguished service in the Serbian government as a senior advisor on foreign policy and European integration to Prime Ministers Zoran Djindjic and Zoran Zivkovic. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the Belgrade-based Fund for an Open Society from 1998 to 2002. During the mid-1990s, Vejvoda held various academic posts in the United States and the U.K. Vejvoda was a key figure in the democratic opposition movement in Yugoslavia during the 1990s, and has published widely on the subjects of democratic transition, totalitarianism, and post-war reconstruction in the Balkans.Lura Pollozhani is a Researcher at the University of Graz. Her research focuses on social movements and the EU enlargement. Her other research interests include radicalization, citizenship practices in divided societies, and democratization. She completed her PhD in Law and Politics at the University of Graz, while she was awarded an MSc in European Studies: Ideas and Identities at the LSE.Lura has previously worked as an Advisor to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia on cooperation with international organizations. She went on to work for the UNHCR as an external engagement officer. She has also worked as a Researcher at the University of Prishtina, as a University Assistant at the CSEES in Graz, as well as a Project Manager for ECMI Kosovo. Lura is one of the co-founders of the Stella Network - a mentoring network for women and girls.Moderation: Stephanie Fenkart, Director of the IIP.The episode was recorded on 26 February 2025.