The Geopolitical Pickle

TGP is back! After Disinformation Project we are back with our normal format and today we discuss BRICS. What started as an acronym used by economists in the West to name the upcoming economic powers in the early 2000s has transformed into a series of summits where economy and geopolitics go hand in hand. Is it the beginning of a cohesive counterbalance to the US-led economic system? How have they developed and which countries are involved? Are these countries as close as some want to see?   Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle Disinformation Project: https://youtu.be/9TdDalo_XI0?si=pMOlJsPxu-CuW7rv All links: https://linktr.ee/thegeopoliticalpickle   #BRICS #Geopolitics #Podcast

In this fourth episode we spoke with Dr. Susan Conrad from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung about the Russian influence in Africa in the last decade. From Central African Republic, to the disinformation campaigns in the Sahel, we explore the actions of Russia and its affiliated actors (Wagner Group) directed at gaining presence in Africa at the expense of the West's eroding presence and with the help of disinformation.   The Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Masters in Geopolitics at Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack for more Geopolitical content: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle . . . Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: [email protected]

In this fourth episode we talked with Will Brown, a former journalist and current Senior Policy Fellow of the European Council of Foreign Relations, about the evolution of the socio-political landscape of the Sahel and East Africa. Starting with a background of the situation of both regions, we will explore the grievances against French position in the Sahel and how have disinformation campaigns shaped the perception of the public and military spheres to be positive towards Russia.   The Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Masters in Geopolitics at Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack for more Geopolitical content: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substac... ... Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: [email protected]

This is the third episode looking at Disinformation in Africa. Today we talk with Nicolas Henin, a journalist who has extensively covered the Iraq War and the Syrian Civil War. He has now moved his focus onto Disinformation activities in Africa as part of the group (Mis)Translating Deceit. With this background he gives us a great understanding of the current situation on the ground in Africa and how disinformation has been used by some actors to undermine democracy. . . . . The Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Masters in Geopolitics at Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel.   Join our free newsletter on Substack for more Geopolitical content: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substack.com/ ... Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: [email protected]

In this second episode we interviewed Salem Solomon, Senior Editor at Voice of America (VOA) in its Africa Division. Salem will give us an overview of the media landscape in Africa. She explained us that Africa is a massive continent with different realities, and with a complicated record regarding press freedom. The introduction of social media has also impacted the landscape on the continent, making information more accessible to the population while introducing disinformation at a large scale. Join us for this amazing interview! . . . .   Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Master in Geopolitics of Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substac... Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: [email protected]

In this first episode we interviewed Mark Duerksen, from Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Mark has been part of the project "Mapping the Surge of Disinformation in Africa" from ACSS, where they analyzed the disinformation landscape of Africa, mapping where did disinformation campaigns take place and who run them. Link to the project: https://africacenter.org/spotlight/mapping-a-surge-of-disinformation-in-africa/ Join us for an insightful talk about how do disinformation campaigns work in Africa, where do they take place, and how to address them. . . . Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Master in Geopolitics of Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substack.com/ Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: [email protected]

30 months on, the battle continues as Ukraine resists Russia's invasion. Today we are joined by Ridvan Bari Urcosta to discuss the current situation in Ukraine and how it is likely to evolve. What is the reason behind Ukraine's Kursk counter-operation and how are Ukrainian frontlines in the Donbas holding up? What could be the implications of USA allowing Ukraine to use  long-range missiles like ATACMS in Russia? Is there a diplomatic way out of the conflict? Sign up for the upcoming Seminar "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa. Countering Authoritarian Narratives in Geopolitical Hotspots Across Africa" on 27/9 in Prague, Czech Republic.  Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1Vh0FqWhn We will also be livestreaming the seminar on our YouTube channel from 8:50 AM. https://youtube.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle8165?si=tEpd1mwLQ3P9n3nk Sign up for our upcoming bi-weekly newsletter in the following link:  https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substack.com/subscribe  

Recent elections in Venezuela have brought back memories of 2018 when many countries recognised opposition leader Juan Guaidó, and an opposing bloc recognised incumbent Nicolás Maduro. This time following disputed elections, supporters of the opposition and leader Edmundo González claim they won the election in a landslide and can prove it with a tally of the votes.  Find out how the situation has developed, and the regional and global implications, as well as an introduction to the use of sanctions on Venezuela and evaluation of their effectiveness. Stay tuned for the next episode for a sign up to our upcoming newsletter and as always we love when you reach out on social media. 

Two of the BRICS member democracies had elections over May and June this year. The two countries are regional and global powerhouses. South Africa for the first time since the end of apartheid did not have an ANC majority, while for India, the predictions of a Modi supermajority also failed to come to pass.  What impact will these two elections have on their region, BRICS, and the global geopolitical picture? To help understand, Senior Director at the New Lines Institute Kamran Bokhari (@KamranBokhari) joins us to talk through the situation in India at the outlook for the future.  

Japan has recently shown an interest in joining AUKUS pillar two, the trilateral military-technological agreement between Australia, UK and USA. Although they are allies, Australia and UK seem hesitant, while the US, Japan's closest ally has been very supportive of the move. Is Japan joining AUKUS a real possibility, what can Tokyo bring to the table, and how would it affect regional security?   #AUKUS #Japan #PacificSecurity #Geopolitics #SouthChinaSea