New Caledonia in the spotlight

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

On 21st May, the Pentagon said that Russia had launched an anti-satellite weapon into space. This followed the February announcement that US intelligence believed that Moscow was developing a weapon of mass destruction or nuclear weapon to be used in space against foreign satellites. Do these threats usher in a new space race and what could that mean for the future of warfare, security, and the access and usage of space?

Last month, riots broke out in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia - a small island grouping in the Pacific Ocean. These riots were in response to a French law that would give more people the right to vote on any future independence referendums on the territory. How does New Caledonia fit into France, why is it geopolitically important, and who are the interesting actors that are said to be involved in supporting the rioters amidst their quest for independence? 

In July 2023, government troops stormed the capital Niamey in Niger, ousting the elected President and siezing power. Since then, the military regime in Niger has requested that the US troops pack up and leave their territory, leaving behind the US's largest drone base in the world in Agadez. Tune in as we explore how this will effect regional geopolitics and Washington's efforts to fight counter insurgencies and Islamic jihadist groups across the region. The Geopolitical Pickle is back and will be producing new content for you over the coming months. Stay tuned for more details on our series - The Disinformation Project - Coming soon. Episode links: What’s driving coups in West Africa? https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-ycx46-14cb271     

Israel has launched an all-out-war against Hamas in Gaza in the aftermath of the Oct 7th attack, and there are many implications of it.  In this episode our hosts talked about the current situation in the ground and the effects that it has in the Middle East and the world. How will it affect Israel's relation with its allies? What repercussions will the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have to global trade? What future there is for the Gaza Strip and its people?    Let us know what you think.   #Gaza #Israel #Geopolitics

Syria has been brought back from the cold in the Middle East, with some diplomatic relations restored and invitation back into the fold of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League. Is the surging Captagon trade behind this over decade long isolation coming to an end? Join us as we talk with Caroline Rose (@CarolineRose8), Director of the Strategic Blind Spots Portfolio at the New Lines Institute and leader of the Special Captagon Trade Project.  

Welcome back to The Geopolitical Pickle. In this episode, we venture into the heart of West Africa, where a series of military coups have sent shockwaves through the region. This summer witnessed coups in Niger and Gabon, adding to a growing list of military takeovers, particularly in former French colonies. But what's striking is the emergence of what experts are calling the new "Coup Belt." This belt not only carries a distinct anti-French sentiment but also features pro-Russian coup leaders and calls for the withdrawal of Western forces from the ground. To make sense of this complex situation, we'll explore the intertwining factors of geopolitical interests, anti-colonial sentiments, and the extreme insecurity prevalent in most of the Sahel. Join us as we analyze the underlying reasons behind these coups and discuss their far-reaching consequences. Stay tuned for a deep dive into the shifting sands of African geopolitics. The Geopolitical Pickle is back, and we're ready to unravel the intricacies of the "Belt of Coups" in West Africa.