New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy | Podcasts

Implications of an Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal

In this episode, Emil Avdaliani writes that the possible deal could have economic and political consequences far beyond the long-time enemies, with reverberations from the South Caucasus to Turkey, Russia, and Iran. As Azerbaijan and Armenia move closer to a peace agreement, there are several internal and external factors that could scuttle a rapprochement, especially in Armenia.

Fox in the Henhole CR FinalFox in the Henhouse: INTERPOL’s Counternarcotics Engagement with Syria

INTERPOL has reintegrated Syria into its information system and invited it to a summit on regional drug interdiction efforts. In this episode, Caroline Rose writes that giving the Syrian government – the chief player in the region’s captagon trade – access to information will allow it to carry out politically motivated arrest warrants and adapt to new counternarcotic efforts could undermine interdiction plans in the region.

Putin’s House of Cards

In this episode, Jeff Hawn details the implications of Western leaders failure to understand Russia. Its failures helped facilitate the rise of Vladimir Putin, who became everything the U.S. and the West feared from a post-Soviet Russia. To avoid repeating that mistake as Russia moves into a post-Putin area, American leadership must look beyond personalities and understand the regime’s mechanics.

As Ukrainian Refugees Arrive, the EU’s Public Health Crisis Grows

In this episode, Diana Rayes proposes that the countries providing assistance to these – and other – refugees should learn from past crises and scale up their national health systems in order to accommodate the mental health and social integration issues these newcomers face. Nearly 12 million Ukrainians are either displaced within their own country or seeking refuge abroad after the Russian invasion. EU countries are not equipped to handle the mental health conditions of so many people affected by violence and sudden displacement.

The Deteriorating Security Situation in Northeast Syria

In this episode, New Lines analyst Calvin Wilder gives an overview of the situation on the front lines and shows ways Washington can de-escalate tensions and promote peace in the region.Turkey is threatening a third offensive into territory in northeast Syria controlled by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). While pressure from both the U.S. and Russia may have put those plans on hold, smaller-scale violence continues to kill both soldiers and civilians and threaten the area’s stability.

Jordan Is Far From Normalization With Syria

In this episode, Jesse Marks and Caroline Rose explain the ongoing security situation and describe how Washington can help Jordan constructively engage with the regime over illicit narcotics streams, border clashes, and other security concerns – short of normalization.Recent overtures between the Jordanian and Syrian governments have prompted concerns from the United States that Amman is seeking to normalize relations with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but the security situation in southern Syria is still far too unstable for Jordan to consider resuming its ties with its northern neighbor.

The Threat of Social Strife to the Putin Regime

In this episode, Jeremy Morris details the threats the regime could face from worker militancy, passive resistance to the state, and negative politicization of the war.Much has been made of political unrest in Russia over the past few years, but the Putin regime’s invasion of Ukraine has increased the possibility of economic instability as the poor and middle class increasingly feel the effects of Putin’s foreign policy adventure.

What the Summit of the Americas Could Mean for Regional Relationships

In this episode, Claudia Gago Ostos discusses the Summit of the Americas, held on June 6, 2022 in Los Angeles. Organizing the summit was fraught with difficulties: Some Caribbean and Central and South American countries threatened to boycott the event if non-democratic countries are excluded from the guest list, and the U.S. has not made the summit’s agenda clear. Ostos details the implications of this event on U.S-Latin America relations.

Gulf Influence in the Maghreb

In this episode, Sabina Henneberg and Karim Mezran show the history of Gulf states’ involvement in the region and why the Biden administration should pay attention to this volatile area. The Maghreb is strategically crucial for commerce, energy, and U.S. national security, but Washington’s allies in the Persian Gulf are increasingly taking advantage of instability in the region to further their own aims.

Regional Implications of a Turkey-UAE Reconciliation

In this episode, Hamdullah Baycar lays out the incentives – and obstacles – for improved relations between Ankara and Abu Dhabi.The UAE and Turkey have begun to normalize relations after a decade of cold war, a move that could hasten normalization between Turkey and Israel and further isolate Iran.