PRIO's Peace in a Pod

About PRIO's Peace in a Pod

How can we explain peace and conflict in the world? What do security and insecurity do to a region and its people? How do different kinds of violence affect people, and how do societies tackle crises – and the threat of crisis? The Peace Research Institute Oslo brings you expert opinions on the headlines, personal stories from the field, and cutting-edge research in this monthly podcast, hosted by Emmy-award winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Peace Research Institute Oslo

Category

education · science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Aug 2020

Latest episode

16 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

112 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Feb 2026

   Children Born of War: The Long Road to Recognition

   For some children, the scars of war are present from the very beginning of life. Children born of war are found in virtually every conflict worldwide. Most are born to local women and fathered by members of enemy forces. Some of these relationships are consensual – occasionally even rooted in love. Many, however, are the result of rape. Across contexts, these children carry the burden of a complex and often violent history, as well as stigma that frequently follows them into adulthood. For decades, societies have struggled to acknowledge their existence, let alone protect their rights. Today, that is slowly beginning to change. In June 2025, Ukraine took a decisive step by criminalising war crimes against children – crimes that became particularly prevalent following Russia’s invasion. Yet globally, the path to recognition and justice remains long. In this special episode of PRIO’s Peace in a Pod, Arnaud Siad speaks with Ajna Jusić, a Bosnian human rights activist and founder of the Forgotten Children of War Association. Ajna’s advocacy helped secure a landmark moment in 2023, when Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Law on the Protection of Civilian Victims of War, formally recognising children born of war as a distinct social category with equal rights. She is joined by Lejla Damon, spokesperson for the organisation, who speaks to the situation of children born of war in Bosnia and internationally. The conversation also includes Inger Skjelsbæk, Professor at the University of Oslo and Research Professor at PRIO, and leader of the EuroWARCHILD project, which examines the experiences, rights, and needs of children born of war across Europe. Ajna and Lejla were in Oslo to receive the University of Oslo Human Rights Award on behalf of the Forgotten Children of War Association – and to share their personal experiences, research, and ongoing fight for recognition, justice, and dignity. PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad. Photo: Getty Images/Derek Hudson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   21 Jan 2026

   Is the International Order Unravelling?

   January 2026 has barely begun, yet the pace of global upheaval is already staggering. In just a few weeks, the United States has seized Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, issued threats against allies, and signalled a willingness to reshape the world order. At the same time, international law and human rights are under unprecedented strain – from Ukraine to Sudan, from Gaza to Iran. Ceasefires fail to end the violence. Humanitarian organisations are expelled. Journalists and academics are silenced. As 2026 begins, a fundamental question looms: are we witnessing a temporary crisis of the international system – or its steady unravelling? In this episode, Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International and former UN Special Rapporteur, and Jørgen Jensehaugen, Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo and a leading expert on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, examine the erosion of global norms, accountability, and multilateral institutions – and ask what, if anything, can still hold the system together. PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad. Photo: Getty Images/Europa Press Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   1 Jul 2025

   Passing the Torch: Leadership, Peace, and a Changing World Order

   Host Arnaud Siad interviews Henrik Urdal and Nina Græger about leading a peace research institute, discussing past challenges and future visions amid global conflict and shifting alliances.

Who has been a guest on PRIO's Peace in a Pod

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Henrik Urdal
• Nina Græger
• Inger Ashing
• Siri Aas Rustad

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

18 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

81

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

90

Contact PRIO's Peace in a Pod

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.