Neutrality Studies

Current Member of the European Parliament, Michael von der Schulenburg, joins Pascal to discuss Europe’s diplomatic impasse over Ukraine and Russia. Drawing on his United Nations experience, he argues that European leaders have trapped themselves in unrealistic war aims while Washington pursues withdrawal. They examine NATO, Ukrainian state fragility, divisions within Europe, and the risks of escalation. The conversation also explores Georgian neutrality and alternative channels for dialogue, including experienced independent figures who could reopen communication and help create practical opportunities for de-escalation and peace.Michael's Links:Website: https://michael-von-der-schulenburg.comYouTube:    / @michaelvonderschulenburgmep  Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Europe’s missing peace talks01:54 Trump’s approach and Europe’s war aims12:32 Inside the European Parliament18:13 US withdrawal and Europe’s negotiating dilemma25:30 Ukraine, NATO and the danger of state collapse29:21 Escalation risks and routes out of the impasse45:55 Georgia and the neutrality debate49:10 Opening alternative channels for peace

The CIA is running the show in Ukraine. Not that we didn't know that but the fact that mainstream is now admitting this and is simultaniously prepareing the general public for more war is a very bad sign. We might be entering the next phase in the West's long-war against Russia. Steven Starr joins Pascal to examine intelligence operations, drone attacks and the danger of escalation between Russia and NATO. Starr presents his interpretation of Western reporting, military preparations and nuclear deterrence, questioning who controls American policy. They discuss Europe’s strategic choices, tensions over Kaliningrad, preparations for wider conflict and the risks surrounding Iran. The conversation also contrasts military spending with infrastructure investment in China and explores industrial decline, political accountability and the growth of America’s national security state today.Steven's Links:Nuclear Famine — website and publications: https://nuclearfamine.org/about-steve...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 The CIA, Russia and presidential control04:35 Drone attacks and Europe’s involvement09:30 Kaliningrad and the danger of escalation13:50 The Pentagon’s Fortress preparations18:09 Military spending versus infrastructure21:23 Ukraine, ceasefires and Western strategy28:41 Iran and the risks of a wider war42:04 America’s national security state

Note to enraged viewers: It is impossible to cover Serbia, the Balkans, or Yugoslavia without making people mad. I will ask more colleagues to come online over the next weeks to explain the situation from their vantage points. Please understand this as one of the perspectives on what is going on.Višeslav Simić joins Pascal to discuss Serbia’s political upheaval and the student movement challenging its established parties. Simić argues that anger over corruption united voters while leaving major disagreements over sovereignty and foreign policy unresolved. They examine grassroots organizing, allegations of outside influence, Kosovo, relations with Russia, and competing attitudes toward NATO and the European Union. Lottaz questions Simić’s interpretation of the movement’s leadership, while their exchange explores political representation, military neutrality and the uncertain prospects for lasting change.Višeslav's Links:Biographical interview with RTS (Serbian): https://www.rts.rs/lat/radio/radio-be...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Serbia’s political upheaval05:46 Rejecting the established parties13:24 Grassroots protest and outside influence17:47 Student leadership and sovereignty28:27 The Hague and competing political interpretations36:04 Beyond left and right43:06 The movement’s mandate and internal tensions50:09 Kosovo, neutrality and Serbia’s future

The collapse of the West is first and foremost due to the failure of its economic system. Unfeathered capitalism is leading to liberalism's predictable self-canibalization.Graziano Ceddia and Jacopo Bergamo join Pascal to explore the connections between capitalism, ecological destruction and Europe’s growing social unrest. Drawing on Marxian analysis, they discuss protests, inequality, imperialism and the limits of green investment. The conversation considers China’s development, competing forms of ownership and the resilience of capitalism. Ceddia and Bergamo argue for economic democracy and public provision of essential services, while Lottaz presses them on practical alternatives, monetary reform and the possibilities for social and ecological change.Graziano and Jacopo's Links:Homepage: www.iscrises.orgTheir work in Monthly Review: https://monthlyreview.org/article-aut...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Europe’s protests and social unrest07:56 Graziano on the roots of discontent12:29 CRISES: connecting society and ecology16:09 Capitalism, imperialism and the climate27:05 China and competing economic models31:23 Can green investment fix capitalism?41:35 Economic democracy and essential services52:17 Money, debt and changing social relations

In contrast to the EU, Australia does maintain some degrees of freedom and pragmatism when it comes to Foreign Relations.Professor Alexis Esposto joins Pascal to discuss Australia’s choices in an emerging multipolar world. They examine the country’s reliance on the United States, its economic relationship with China and the opportunities offered by Asia’s growing markets. Esposto questions whether American protection can provide lasting security, while discussing AUKUS, maritime vulnerabilities and financial dependence. The conversation explores pragmatic diplomacy, neutrality, migration, alternative payment systems and the challenge of protecting Australian prosperity without becoming trapped in a conflict between major powers.Alexis's Links:LinkedIn:   / alexis-esposto-4442141a  From a Unipolar to a Multipolar World: What’s in it for Australia? https://doi.org/10.1142/S263053132450...Multipolarity and Australia — article: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2025/...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Australia in an emerging multipolar world04:51 America as Australia’s insurance policy09:57 Neutrality, alliances and elite anxieties13:09 The economic centre of gravity shifts to Asia20:15 Elite networks and Australia’s national interest25:04 AUKUS, submarines and strategic dependence29:43 Maritime vulnerability, diplomacy and migration36:17 A US–China clash, BRICS and a financial Plan B

Here is the latest trick of the US Empire of war: Sell a hyper expensive submarine to a willing victim, cash-in immediately, hold off on delivery indefinitely, but get port access rights away. Sweet, sweet deals... for the empire of lies, paid for by Australian tax dollars, and maybe soon Australian blood if the weaponization of the continent for the geopolitical games of Washington continues.Former Australian Army major, Cameron Leckie, joins Pascal to discuss his disillusionment with Western foreign policy and Australia’s dependence on the United States. They examine media narratives, military ethics, war powers and the gap between proclaimed values and government actions. Leckie argues that American imperial commitments increasingly exceed available resources, raising questions about AUKUS and regional security. The conversation explores Australia’s relationship with China and its Asian neighbours, and the prospects for a more independent, peaceful foreign policy ahead.Cameron's Links:X: https://x.com/leckie_cameronSubstack: https://substack.com/@cameronleckieNeutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Cameron Leckie: from army officer to critic06:29 Media narratives and declining public trust15:53 Australia’s identity and the rise of Asia23:49 Think tanks and the China threat narrative26:42 Military ethics, illegal orders and war powers38:15 Gaza and Australia’s foreign policy contradictions42:34 Imperial decline, US bases and AUKUS51:09 A different security future for the Pacific

Update from West Asia: Laith Marouf joins Pascal to discuss the very important changes in the western debates over Israel and Palestine and the risk of wider war in West Asia. Marouf offers his interpretation of Israeli elections, pressure on Iran and the roles of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. They examine Yemen’s shifting frontlines, regional alliances and the limits of American power. Lottaz questions the strategic logic behind escalation, while Marouf argues that existing power structures face mounting instability. Their discussion closes with Free Palestine TV’s reporting work.Laith's Links:Free Palestine TV: https://freepalestine.video/Free Palestine TV — all social platforms: https://linktr.ee/freepalestinetvNeutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Changing debates over Israel and Palestine10:42 Christian Zionism and political identity16:05 Israeli elections and coalition politics20:48 The West Bank and the risk of war with Iran30:16 Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and regional alliances42:56 Yemen: Taiz, Aden and shifting frontlines48:01 Yemen’s borders and wider regional consequences52:25 Marouf’s argument about imperial decline

The European Union has become a complete bureaucratic and authoritarian monster, and it is impossible to fix. It must and will die. But what comes next? The continent will still be there.Professor Ulrike Guérot joins Pascal to discuss her new (German) book "Endlich Europa!" and a possible Europe beyond the European Union. She proposes a European republic combining equal citizenship, autonomous regions and limited shared institutions. Their conversation explores republicanism, democracy, infrastructure, sovereignty and the tensions within the single market and euro. Lottaz challenges her proposal with an ASEAN-style alternative, while Guérot argues that existing economic integration demands a different political framework. Together they consider Europe’s place in an emerging multipolar world.Ulrike's Links:Endlich Europa! — book and multilingual resources: https://endlich-europa.euNeutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Ulrike Guérot: imagining Europe after the EU04:12 What a republic means12:47 The single market and Europe’s political deficit17:51 Regions, identities and equal citizenship24:30 Who makes the rules in a European republic33:30 Subsidiarity, infrastructure and the rural divide39:43 An ASEAN-style alternative for Europe48:37 The euro, sovereignty and Europe’s future

They are lying to you about the Russia's supposed "Hybrid War". The question is why are they lying? To transform the entire EU into the next mega Ukraine? To back save their own power? To create mass-hysteria? Or all of the above?Thomas Fazi joins Pascal to debunk claims of Russian hybrid warfare in Europe. Drawing on his recent investigation, Fazi questions the evidence behind prominent sabotage allegations, drone scares and media coverage. They discuss the Leipzig airport case, political incentives, defence industry interests and the distinction between propaganda and collective fear. The conversation also explores censorship, civil liberties and historical parallels, while warning that escalating threat narratives could contribute to a real confrontation between NATO and Russia, with dangerous consequences.Thomas's Links:Substack: https://www.thomasfazi.com/The Russian hybrid war narrative — full article: https://www.thomasfazi.com/p/the-russ...Responsible Statecraft — shorter article: https://responsiblestatecraft.org/hyb...X:   / battleforeurope  Die Brüsseler Tyrannei — German book: https://westendverlag.de/Die-Bruessel...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Examining the Russian hybrid war narrative06:18 From allegations to specific incidents11:18 Drone scares and the evidence20:51 Leipzig airport and demands for proof31:28 Media incentives and threat inflation37:26 Cognitive warfare and collective fear45:07 Rearmament and defence industry interests50:21 Civil liberties and the risk of escalation

Russia as an "enemy of civilization" is one of Europe's oldest and most successful fabricated war-narratives ever. From the aristocracy of old to the modern Epstein class, the big bad enemy in the east has been essential to some quarters of the Atlantic elites.Dr. Manuel Ramos joins Pascal to trace the historical construction of Russophobia, focusing on the forged Testament of Peter the Great. Ramos argues that its image of permanent Russian expansion survived exposure and shaped European political language, imperial rivalry and contemporary threat perceptions. They discuss Napoleon, Britain’s Great Game, racial stereotypes, Russian responses, cultural admiration and Europe’s economic troubles. The conversation asks how inherited enemy images obstruct diplomacy and whether Europe can rebuild a more balanced relationship with Russia.Manuel's Links:Substack: https://manueljoaoramos.substack.comRussophobia Forged — Part 1: https://manueljoaoramos.substack.com/...Russophobia Forged — Part 2: https://manueljoaoramos.substack.com/...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 The historical construction of Russophobia03:09 The forged Testament of Peter the Great09:51 The myth of permanent Russian expansion17:56 Imperial rivalry and Britain’s Great Game27:02 Russia’s European identity and the common European home33:24 Enemy stereotypes and Russian responses45:10 Russophobia, social crisis and Europe’s economy52:31 Can Europe rebuild its relationship with Russia?