Unfiltered updates and sharp geopolitical analysis on the globe's biggest games. Hosted by Pyotr Kurzin, a British-Russian analyst with experience at the World Bank, International Crisis Group, and Johns Hopkins SAIS, this podcast cuts through the noise to explain what’s really happening.
New episodes every week.
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In this quick-take l examine the renewed threats by Trump to undertake US military manoeuvres in the Strait of Hormuz with Project Freedom, its implications for global stability, and the broader strategic shifts in US foreign policy amidst great power competition.
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13 Apr 2026
What Hungary's Election Means for Ukraine, NATO and Europe's Future
Orbán is out after 16 years in power — and not by a narrow margin, but in a way that could hand the opposition a two-thirds majority. This isn’t just a domestic political shift. It has immediate implications for the European Union, for NATO cohesion, and for the war in Ukraine. Under Orbán, Hungary acted as a consistent obstacle inside the EU — blocking aid to Kyiv, delaying sanctions, and maintaining close ties with Moscow. His defeat could remove that friction, making it easier for Europe to act collectively at a critical moment.
But this is also a deeper test of political systems. Orbán’s Hungary became the most prominent example of so-called “illiberal democracy” in Europe. His loss raises a key question: can systems like this be reversed through elections? Because while the result is decisive, the system he built doesn’t disappear overnight. What happens next — and whether Hungary can actually pivot — will matter just as much as the election itself.
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10 Apr 2026
What's Really Happening Between the UK, Russia and NATO
Russia is pushing new limits as it increases surveillance and convert activities around the UK, contributing to the deepening rifts between Trump and NATO. It follows reports that Russian submarines were operating over critical British undersea cables and pipelines. While no damage was done, the incident highlights a deeper reality: this is not a one-off provocation, but part of a broader pattern of Russian hybrid warfare aimed at mapping and exploiting Western vulnerabilities.
The episode explores what this reveals about Britain’s limited ability to protect its infrastructure, the growing gap between rhetoric and capability, and how this fits into a wider geopolitical shift as Europe recalibrates amid uncertainty over US leadership and rising global tensions.
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16 Mar 2026
China isn't Panicking About the Iran War In the Way You Think
China has publicly condemned the strikes on Iran. But behind the rhetoric, Beijing’s response appears far more strategic than many assume.
When the United States and Israel targeted elements of Iran’s leadership, some analysts quickly framed the crisis as a setback for China — one of Tehran’s key economic partners. Yet China’s interests in the Middle East are far more pragmatic and less ideological than that narrative suggests.
For Beijing, the priority is not defending Iran at all costs. It is managing its long-term rivalry with the United States, safeguarding vital energy routes, and preventing instability that could disrupt global markets.
In this episode, we examine China’s real calculations as the crisis unfolds: the limits of Beijing’s influence in the region, why it remains cautious about deeper involvement, and whether renewed conflict in the Middle East could ultimately serve China’s strategic interests by drawing American attention and resources away from Asia.
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14 Mar 2026
Trump's Iran Was Has a Major Strategic Dilemma
Summary
An in-depth analysis of the geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, focusing on Iran, the US, and Israel's strategies amidst ongoing conflicts. The discussion explores military, political, and economic factors shaping the current escalation and Iran's long-term strategy.
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13 Sept 2025
Why is Putin Targeting Poland Now?
Summary
In this conversation, Pyotr Kurzin discusses the evolving dynamics of the Ukraine war, emphasizing the strategic shifts in military actions and the economic repercussions for Russia. He highlights Ukraine's targeted strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure and the implications for public perception and military logistics. The conversation also delves into the broader geopolitical context and the potential future scenarios as the war continues to unfold.
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27 Aug 2025
Can Russia Stop Ukraine's Oil Attacks?
Summary
In this conversation, Pyotr Kurzin discusses the evolving dynamics of the Ukraine war, emphasizing the strategic shifts in military actions and the economic repercussions for Russia. He highlights Ukraine's targeted strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure and the implications for public perception and military logistics. The conversation also delves into the broader geopolitical context and the potential future scenarios as the war continues to unfold.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
13 Aug 2025
Can Russia Stop Ukraine's Sabotages?
Summary
In this conversation, Pyotr Kurzin discusses the recent hacking of a Russian submarine by Ukraine, highlighting the strategic implications of this breach for Russia's military capabilities and deterrence theory. He also examines the consequences of Trump's expired ceasefire deadline and explores potential scenarios for the future of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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3 Aug 2025
Is Putin Powerless Against Trumps New Nuclear Move?
Summary
The conversation delves into the escalating nuclear tensions between the US and Russia, particularly focusing on the roles of Trump and Putin amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It highlights how social media interactions, particularly by figures like Medvedev, have influenced international policy and the precarious nature of nuclear deterrence. The discussion emphasizes the risks of miscalculation and the potential breakdown of established norms surrounding nuclear weapons.
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27 Jul 2025
Has Russia Used Up All Its Soviet Weaponry?
Summary
In this conversation, Pyotr Kurzin discusses the current state of Russia's military operations in Ukraine, highlighting the depletion of its military resources and the increasing dependence on external support from countries like North Korea and China. He emphasizes the structural decline of Russia's military capabilities and the implications of this for the future of the conflict and global geopolitics.
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13 Jul 2025
Is Putin's Power Base Finally Breaking?
Summary
In this episode, Pyotr Kurzin discusses the internal and external challenges facing Putin's regime. He highlights the recent firing and suspicious death of a Russian minister, the shifting dynamics with Trump and the U.S., and the escalating military threats posed by Russia's drone production. The conversation delves into the implications of these events for Putin's grip on power and the potential for internal collapse within the regime.
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9 Jul 2025
Can Ukraine Hold Out Against Putin?
In this episode, Frank Giustra joins to discuss the complexities of modern warfare, the shifting dynamics of global power, and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both sides of geopolitical issues and critiques the role of the UN in maintaining global peace. The discussion highlights the challenges posed by rising powers like China and the implications of U.S. military strategies in the region.
Frank Giustra is CEO of Fiore Group, co-chair of the International Crisis Group and founder of Lionsgate and Goldcorp.
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