60 acast.com Women Leaders https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders en Women Leaders Rose Gottemoeller,International Women Day,NATO,Global geopolitics,elections,Iran,Israel,Gaza,Georgia,Russia,middle-east,Ukraine Women Leaders - European Leadership Network A conversation with Ilana Bet-El The podcast that discusses global current affairs with women leaders!


Ilana Bet-El chats with wonderfully qualified women experts from around the world in informal but in-depth conversations that explain, analyse and highlight events of the day.


Women Leaders brings incredibly well-informed perspectives to world events: not the news, but what the news means! From geopolitics to security, defence and wars, and from economics to journalism, media and disinformation, we bring context and insight to the rapid changes in the world.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The podcast that discusses global current affairs with women leaders!


Ilana Bet-El chats with wonderfully qualified women experts from around the world in informal but in-depth conversations that explain, analyse and highlight events of the day.


Women Leaders brings incredibly well-informed perspectives to world events: not the news, but what the news means! From geopolitics to security, defence and wars, and from economics to journalism, media and disinformation, we bring context and insight to the rapid changes in the world.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Florence Ferrando florence.ferrando@gmx.fr 65e89f987fe4880016f998df women-leaders episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1709743586345-8b2d0b738b63d0f5f9b78a09a6df1c15.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders Women Leaders The final battle in the Middle East? with Lina Khatib The final battle in the Middle East? with Lina Khatib Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:30:00 GMT 52:07 69d80147cdaa3e377c210375 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/the-final-battle-in-the-middle-east-with-lina-khatib 69d80147cdaa3e377c210375 65e89f987fe4880016f998df the-final-battle-in-the-middle-east-with-lina-khatib full 3 7 The regional war that started on 28 February 2026 with US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran has engulfed Lebanon, Israel and the Gulf states. Meting out destruction, death and disillusion on all sides, 40 days of conflict stopped with US President Trump threatening to wipe out Iranian civilisation — to the horror of many around the world — and a fragile ceasefire agreed on April 7th, with negotiations to follow.


Conventional wisdom has it that everyone lost, though the Iranian regime remains in place — so it has, in its way, won. But maybe not. The Iranian proxies — sometimes known as the Shia Crescent or else the Axis of Resistance — have been crucial to Iran’s ambition as a regional power and to the justification of the post-1979 revolutionary state. But the Crescent has been severely crippled, and possibly broken, leaving the regime in dire need to fight for its survival — both internally, as with the protests that broke out in January and were brutally repressed, and externally, with the current war.


In a magnificent survey of Iran, its proxies and the states afflicted, Prof Lina Khatib of both the Harvard Belfer Center and Chatham House explains the logic of the proxies to those in power in Iran and the deep need of the Iranian regime to fight — for its survival. These are historic shifts: violent, destructive and painful. But they may be necessary to create a new, more peaceful Middle East.


A sharp, insightful and very fascinating conversation.


This episode was recorded on 9 April 2026


Chapters

  • Implications of the US-Iran ceasefire
  • Debunking Iran’s “dark” ideology and its enemies
  • The degradation of Iran’s proxy model (Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraqi militia, Houthis)
  • The evolution of Iran’s influence on its neighbours (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Israel)
  • The end of the status quo in the Middle East


Mentions


Follow


Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The regional war that started on 28 February 2026 with US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran has engulfed Lebanon, Israel and the Gulf states. Meting out destruction, death and disillusion on all sides, 40 days of conflict stopped with US President Trump threatening to wipe out Iranian civilisation — to the horror of many around the world — and a fragile ceasefire agreed on April 7th, with negotiations to follow.


Conventional wisdom has it that everyone lost, though the Iranian regime remains in place — so it has, in its way, won. But maybe not. The Iranian proxies — sometimes known as the Shia Crescent or else the Axis of Resistance — have been crucial to Iran’s ambition as a regional power and to the justification of the post-1979 revolutionary state. But the Crescent has been severely crippled, and possibly broken, leaving the regime in dire need to fight for its survival — both internally, as with the protests that broke out in January and were brutally repressed, and externally, with the current war.


In a magnificent survey of Iran, its proxies and the states afflicted, Prof Lina Khatib of both the Harvard Belfer Center and Chatham House explains the logic of the proxies to those in power in Iran and the deep need of the Iranian regime to fight — for its survival. These are historic shifts: violent, destructive and painful. But they may be necessary to create a new, more peaceful Middle East.


A sharp, insightful and very fascinating conversation.


This episode was recorded on 9 April 2026


Chapters

  • Implications of the US-Iran ceasefire
  • Debunking Iran’s “dark” ideology and its enemies
  • The degradation of Iran’s proxy model (Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraqi militia, Houthis)
  • The evolution of Iran’s influence on its neighbours (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Israel)
  • The end of the status quo in the Middle East


Mentions


Follow


Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Iranians at war with Liora Hendelman-Baavur & Maneli Mirkhan]]> Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT 41:41 69bc72b31861d127d578dd6e false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/iranians-at-war-with-liora-hendelman-baavur-maneli-mirkhan 69bc72b31861d127d578dd6e 65e89f987fe4880016f998df iranians-at-war-with-liora-hendelman-baavur-maneli-mirkhan full 3 6 In week three of the war started by US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, the main outcome appears to be destruction: of buildings and gas fields and military hardware; of the world energy market; of US credibility. The conflict has spread to Lebanon courtesy of Hezbollah, and Israel is being hit by missiles from there and Iran. The Gulf states, living under attack too, are seeing their economic model of a luxury bubble financed by high spenders dwindle away. The Straits of Hormuz, the crucial waterway through which energy, fertilisers and much else travels, is now closed. And while still shooting its ballistic missiles and many drones, Iran is being pummelled daily while seeing its ranks of leadership picked off faster than appointments are possible.

So what do the Iranian people make of the war? What are their horizons, and options? In absolute fact it is difficult to tell as the Ayatollahs keep the internet closed and for many contact to the outside world is difficult. But information is getting out, and as ever it is far more nuanced and complex than the simple narratives of for or against the regime that have been supplied so far.

Iran historian Dr Liora Hendelman-Baavur of Tel Aviv University and Maneli Mirkhan, strategist and Iran expert bring fascinating insights into the thinking and possibilities of the Iranian people, as well as many other analyses of how this war came about, and why it is difficult to predict how it ends.

This episode was recorded on 19 March 2026


Chapters

  • An expected war between Israel and Iran?
  • Public sentiment and reactions in Iran and Israel
  • Regional Dynamics: Iran and the Gulf States
  • What comes next with the war?


Mentions


Follow


Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In week three of the war started by US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, the main outcome appears to be destruction: of buildings and gas fields and military hardware; of the world energy market; of US credibility. The conflict has spread to Lebanon courtesy of Hezbollah, and Israel is being hit by missiles from there and Iran. The Gulf states, living under attack too, are seeing their economic model of a luxury bubble financed by high spenders dwindle away. The Straits of Hormuz, the crucial waterway through which energy, fertilisers and much else travels, is now closed. And while still shooting its ballistic missiles and many drones, Iran is being pummelled daily while seeing its ranks of leadership picked off faster than appointments are possible.

So what do the Iranian people make of the war? What are their horizons, and options? In absolute fact it is difficult to tell as the Ayatollahs keep the internet closed and for many contact to the outside world is difficult. But information is getting out, and as ever it is far more nuanced and complex than the simple narratives of for or against the regime that have been supplied so far.

Iran historian Dr Liora Hendelman-Baavur of Tel Aviv University and Maneli Mirkhan, strategist and Iran expert bring fascinating insights into the thinking and possibilities of the Iranian people, as well as many other analyses of how this war came about, and why it is difficult to predict how it ends.

This episode was recorded on 19 March 2026


Chapters

  • An expected war between Israel and Iran?
  • Public sentiment and reactions in Iran and Israel
  • Regional Dynamics: Iran and the Gulf States
  • What comes next with the war?


Mentions


Follow


Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Destruction and disorder with Dina Esfandiary Destruction and disorder with Dina Esfandiary Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:05:00 GMT 28:55 69a9ed2fc2eb2fc3abf1d897 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/destruction-and-disorder-with-dina-esfandiary 69a9ed2fc2eb2fc3abf1d897 65e89f987fe4880016f998df destruction-and-disorder-with-dina-esfandiary full 3 5 The Islamic revolution that swept Iran in 1979 changed not only that state but also the region, and the world. The current war in and Iran can still be understood as a direct outcome of that event.

The humiliation of the US in 1979 made it implacably opposed to Iran. The alignment of most of the Gulf states with the US and their increasing ties with Israel also created a complex balance. On the other hand, Iran's spread of influence through its "Shia Crescent" in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, with offshoots in Yemen and Gaza, made it a formidable and threatening presence.

It is upon this background that the US-Israeli strikes commenced on February 28, engulfing the whole region in destruction and disorder.


Dina Esfandiary, Middle East lead at Bloomberg Economics, is an excellent guide to this complex reality. With clarity and depths of knowledge, this is the conversation we all need now.


This episode was recorded on 5 March 2026


Chapters

  • Iran's response and regional implications
  • Historical context of Gulf-Iran rivalry
  • Iran's military capabilities and regional concerns
  • What motived the US to strike Iran?
  • The plight of the Iranian people


Mentions


Follow


Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Islamic revolution that swept Iran in 1979 changed not only that state but also the region, and the world. The current war in and Iran can still be understood as a direct outcome of that event.

The humiliation of the US in 1979 made it implacably opposed to Iran. The alignment of most of the Gulf states with the US and their increasing ties with Israel also created a complex balance. On the other hand, Iran's spread of influence through its "Shia Crescent" in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, with offshoots in Yemen and Gaza, made it a formidable and threatening presence.

It is upon this background that the US-Israeli strikes commenced on February 28, engulfing the whole region in destruction and disorder.


Dina Esfandiary, Middle East lead at Bloomberg Economics, is an excellent guide to this complex reality. With clarity and depths of knowledge, this is the conversation we all need now.


This episode was recorded on 5 March 2026


Chapters

  • Iran's response and regional implications
  • Historical context of Gulf-Iran rivalry
  • Iran's military capabilities and regional concerns
  • What motived the US to strike Iran?
  • The plight of the Iranian people


Mentions


Follow


Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Gisèle Pelicot and opposing objectification with Katrin Bennhold & Elisa Braun]]> Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:30:00 GMT 48:06 6997837c4c238f5dca75e3ee false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/gisele-pelicot-and-opposing-objectification-with-katrin-benn 6997837c4c238f5dca75e3ee 65e89f987fe4880016f998df gisele-pelicot-and-opposing-objectification-with-katrin-benn full 3 4 Gisèle Pelicot’s memoir has just been published, and the Jeffrey Epstein files continue to become public. While the admirable Ms Pelicot has become a modern heroine, the two stories have forced a strong focus upon a core common reality: women remain the ultimate objects, to be subjugated by men.


Ms Pelicot, the survivor of multiple rapes while rendered unconscious by her husband, recovered her own agency by refusing to remain anonymous, and by demanding that shame shift to the other side, to the perpetrators, to the men who raped her. The survivors of the Epstein abuse have not been so lucky: attention has been largely upon the powerful and famous men involved in this long running story of rape and abuse of minors, of young underage women.


Many women, and men, feel deep outrage about both these appalling events, but it isn’t always easy to talk about them. However, Katrin Bennhold of the New York Times and Elisa Braun of Euractiv, both senior investigative reporters and experienced journalists, explain so much about how these stories are reported, and express measures of disgust that enhance our own deep-felt emotions in the face of these criminal misogynistic abuses.

A fascinating, flowing and necessary discussion.


This episode was recorded on 19 February 2026


Chapters

  • Contrasting stories: Pelicot vs. Epstein
  • Civil courage and accountability
  • When Justice is denied
  • Investigative journalism: trust and trauma
  • Conspiracy theories and institutional trust


Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Gisèle Pelicot’s memoir has just been published, and the Jeffrey Epstein files continue to become public. While the admirable Ms Pelicot has become a modern heroine, the two stories have forced a strong focus upon a core common reality: women remain the ultimate objects, to be subjugated by men.


Ms Pelicot, the survivor of multiple rapes while rendered unconscious by her husband, recovered her own agency by refusing to remain anonymous, and by demanding that shame shift to the other side, to the perpetrators, to the men who raped her. The survivors of the Epstein abuse have not been so lucky: attention has been largely upon the powerful and famous men involved in this long running story of rape and abuse of minors, of young underage women.


Many women, and men, feel deep outrage about both these appalling events, but it isn’t always easy to talk about them. However, Katrin Bennhold of the New York Times and Elisa Braun of Euractiv, both senior investigative reporters and experienced journalists, explain so much about how these stories are reported, and express measures of disgust that enhance our own deep-felt emotions in the face of these criminal misogynistic abuses.

A fascinating, flowing and necessary discussion.


This episode was recorded on 19 February 2026


Chapters

  • Contrasting stories: Pelicot vs. Epstein
  • Civil courage and accountability
  • When Justice is denied
  • Investigative journalism: trust and trauma
  • Conspiracy theories and institutional trust


Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Iran at a crossroads with Roxane Farmanfarmaian Iran at a crossroads with Roxane Farmanfarmaian Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:30:00 GMT 36:52 6984f697a4984336136f4f9b false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/iran-at-a-crossroads-with-roxane-farmanfarmaian 6984f697a4984336136f4f9b 65e89f987fe4880016f998df iran-at-a-crossroads-with-roxane-farmanfarmaian full 3 3 Iran is at a boiling point. In January mass protests broke out across the country and many thousands of people were wounded and killed — by their own government. US President Trump appeared to egg the protesters on, though no tangible aid or succour materialised. On the other hand the US has now moved an aircraft carrier and a number of destroyers close to Iran in a military threat which remains unclear in its aims.

The immediate reason for the demonstrations was money: the Iranian economy is dire, and sliding still further into the abyss. But the context is broader and more complex: an autocratic and dictatorial regime that cares only for itself and its survival; and a regime unwilling to engage with the world efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions, and the resulting heavy sanctions burden.

To untangle these and many other threads, and to gain a sense of the broader Iranian position — and the evolving regional interests — Ilana Bet-El welcomes back Iran specialist Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Senior Associate Fellow at ELN, for a deep and fascinating examination of Iran at a crossroads.

This episode was recorded on 5 February 2026

Chapters

  • Understanding the Iranian protests
  • The role of the Revolutionary Guards
  • Economic factors and aspirations of the Iranian people
  • How the Iranian regime functions

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Iran is at a boiling point. In January mass protests broke out across the country and many thousands of people were wounded and killed — by their own government. US President Trump appeared to egg the protesters on, though no tangible aid or succour materialised. On the other hand the US has now moved an aircraft carrier and a number of destroyers close to Iran in a military threat which remains unclear in its aims.

The immediate reason for the demonstrations was money: the Iranian economy is dire, and sliding still further into the abyss. But the context is broader and more complex: an autocratic and dictatorial regime that cares only for itself and its survival; and a regime unwilling to engage with the world efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions, and the resulting heavy sanctions burden.

To untangle these and many other threads, and to gain a sense of the broader Iranian position — and the evolving regional interests — Ilana Bet-El welcomes back Iran specialist Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Senior Associate Fellow at ELN, for a deep and fascinating examination of Iran at a crossroads.

This episode was recorded on 5 February 2026

Chapters

  • Understanding the Iranian protests
  • The role of the Revolutionary Guards
  • Economic factors and aspirations of the Iranian people
  • How the Iranian regime functions

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[When dignity dies with Almut Möller & Signe Biering ]]> Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:30:00 GMT 45:42 69729b15d284f5cd09191f41 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/when-dignity-dies-with-almut-moller-signe-biering 69729b15d284f5cd09191f41 65e89f987fe4880016f998df when-dignity-dies-with-almut-moller-signe-biering full 3 2 The world is at a point of extreme discomfort, even pain. The first year of the second Trump administration was brutal, undermining the structures of democracy within the US and actively seeking to destroy the post WWII global order everywhere else. In the global south the cuts to US aid are clearly biting but also allowing a strong presence of.China and Russia. In Iran and Ukraine people feel abandoned by the US, as do the Kurds in Syria. And in Europe, historically the US’ strongest ally, there is a sense of betrayal: of trust, of shared values, of allied promises.

Donald Trump poses a problem in himself: he is publicly rude about his allies — as people, as states — and he ignores protocol. He demands adulation, even when it is not due. He makes respect difficult, not least when he threatens to invade an allied state or demands territories as a matter of pure ownership. He denies dignity, not an easy prospect in international affairs and diplomacy.

Almut Möller is Director for European and Global Affairs at EPC and Signe Biering is a former senior Danish diplomat And an expert on moderation and facilitation. Their combined experience and wonderful insights allow for a deep and fascinating reflection on how Europe is placed and feeling in this time of extraordinary change, and what it needs to seek going forward — as people, as states, as Europeans, as allies.

This episode was recorded on 22 January 2026

Chapters

  • Cultural perspectives in Europe
  • Why dignity in diplomacy is important
  • Navigating modern diplomacy
  • The changing landscape of European alliances

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The world is at a point of extreme discomfort, even pain. The first year of the second Trump administration was brutal, undermining the structures of democracy within the US and actively seeking to destroy the post WWII global order everywhere else. In the global south the cuts to US aid are clearly biting but also allowing a strong presence of.China and Russia. In Iran and Ukraine people feel abandoned by the US, as do the Kurds in Syria. And in Europe, historically the US’ strongest ally, there is a sense of betrayal: of trust, of shared values, of allied promises.

Donald Trump poses a problem in himself: he is publicly rude about his allies — as people, as states — and he ignores protocol. He demands adulation, even when it is not due. He makes respect difficult, not least when he threatens to invade an allied state or demands territories as a matter of pure ownership. He denies dignity, not an easy prospect in international affairs and diplomacy.

Almut Möller is Director for European and Global Affairs at EPC and Signe Biering is a former senior Danish diplomat And an expert on moderation and facilitation. Their combined experience and wonderful insights allow for a deep and fascinating reflection on how Europe is placed and feeling in this time of extraordinary change, and what it needs to seek going forward — as people, as states, as Europeans, as allies.

This episode was recorded on 22 January 2026

Chapters

  • Cultural perspectives in Europe
  • Why dignity in diplomacy is important
  • Navigating modern diplomacy
  • The changing landscape of European alliances

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A cracking start to the year with Rachel Ellehuus A cracking start to the year with Rachel Ellehuus Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:16:14 GMT 39:21 6960c75e8a20edf9ab8f3440 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/a-cracking-start-to-the-year-with-rachel-ellehuus 6960c75e8a20edf9ab8f3440 65e89f987fe4880016f998df a-cracking-start-to-the-year-with-rachel-ellehuus full 3 1 2026 undoubtedly started with a spectacular show by the US in Venezuela; the question is -- what is it a show of?? Force, for sure. Planes, drones and soldiers all invaded Venezuela in a meticulously planned operation that focused on abducting President Maduro and his wife to the US, to stand drug charges. But beyond force, this was also a show of deep disregard for the world order and for international law. Moreover, in the passing days it has become clear it is a show of disregard for the people of Venezuela: if there existed a flimsy excuse for removing the leader of another country by force it was that Maduro was clearly not the legally elected president of Venezuela as the last election was completely corrupted and that the opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez won by a wide margin. But the Trump Administration has made clear they have no interest in helping him, or indeed 2025 Nobel Prize winner María Machado, in taking office.

Ultimately, it is a show of force for greed: for the energy resources of Venezuela.

This attack seems to reflect a brutal world of might is right such as existed in the pre-Westphalian era. An emperor wants a resource or a land or obedience, and uses force to get it. Will this now be the case in other states in Latin America, or in Greenland? Will the world order survive this attack? Will NATO? To understand this better, Rachel Ellehuus, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) joins Ilana Bet-El in a sober, deep and fascinating discussion on these and many other issues.

This episode was recorded on 8 January 2026

Chapters

  • Inside NATO: what does a defence adviser actually do?
  • Venezuela: what US intervention signals (and what it breaks)
  • The US and the world: Middle East, Africa, Ukraine, Russia
  • Negotiating with states: diplomacy vs deal-making
  • Are concerns over Greenland justified?

Mentions

Follow

Credits


Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> 2026 undoubtedly started with a spectacular show by the US in Venezuela; the question is -- what is it a show of?? Force, for sure. Planes, drones and soldiers all invaded Venezuela in a meticulously planned operation that focused on abducting President Maduro and his wife to the US, to stand drug charges. But beyond force, this was also a show of deep disregard for the world order and for international law. Moreover, in the passing days it has become clear it is a show of disregard for the people of Venezuela: if there existed a flimsy excuse for removing the leader of another country by force it was that Maduro was clearly not the legally elected president of Venezuela as the last election was completely corrupted and that the opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez won by a wide margin. But the Trump Administration has made clear they have no interest in helping him, or indeed 2025 Nobel Prize winner María Machado, in taking office.

Ultimately, it is a show of force for greed: for the energy resources of Venezuela.

This attack seems to reflect a brutal world of might is right such as existed in the pre-Westphalian era. An emperor wants a resource or a land or obedience, and uses force to get it. Will this now be the case in other states in Latin America, or in Greenland? Will the world order survive this attack? Will NATO? To understand this better, Rachel Ellehuus, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) joins Ilana Bet-El in a sober, deep and fascinating discussion on these and many other issues.

This episode was recorded on 8 January 2026

Chapters

  • Inside NATO: what does a defence adviser actually do?
  • Venezuela: what US intervention signals (and what it breaks)
  • The US and the world: Middle East, Africa, Ukraine, Russia
  • Negotiating with states: diplomacy vs deal-making
  • Are concerns over Greenland justified?

Mentions

Follow

Credits


Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Africa all around with Amaka Auku Africa all around with Amaka Auku Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:05:00 GMT 46:30 693b58bad527840ddbe61f0e false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/africa-all-around-with-amaka-auku 693b58bad527840ddbe61f0e 65e89f987fe4880016f998df africa-all-around-with-amaka-auku full 2 23 Tittle: Africa all around

There is a renowned inclination to view and discuss Africa largely in terms of failure and disaster. The horrendous civil war in Sudan, the coups in the Sahel, the never ending wars in the DRC, are excellent examples. More broadly, in the West the continent tends to be seen as a long project of democratisation, whilst to Russia and China it is largely a huge pit of natural resources and a useful instrument of anti west disorder.

But Africa is a vast continent of 54 states, with a population of over 1.5 billion people. The differences between the north and the south are vast as are those between the east and the west — and it has vast potentials for production and investment. To understand both the issues and the potentials there can be no better guide than Amaka Anku, Head of the Africa Practice at the Eurasia Group. In a sharp, passionate and humorous discussion with Ilana Bet-El she takes us through a whistle stop tour of the continent past, present and potential futures. Bottom line: African states post colonialism are young, but they need to move on towards a positive narrative of their states.

This episode was recorded on 11 December 2025

Chapters

  • What are the key investors in Africa?
  • Why Africa struggle for effective governance?
  • Colonial legal and democracy industrialisation
  • Population growth and economic challenges
  • Zoom on the Sahel region and the return of coups
  • Why Russia and China are back in African countries?

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Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Tittle: Africa all around

There is a renowned inclination to view and discuss Africa largely in terms of failure and disaster. The horrendous civil war in Sudan, the coups in the Sahel, the never ending wars in the DRC, are excellent examples. More broadly, in the West the continent tends to be seen as a long project of democratisation, whilst to Russia and China it is largely a huge pit of natural resources and a useful instrument of anti west disorder.

But Africa is a vast continent of 54 states, with a population of over 1.5 billion people. The differences between the north and the south are vast as are those between the east and the west — and it has vast potentials for production and investment. To understand both the issues and the potentials there can be no better guide than Amaka Anku, Head of the Africa Practice at the Eurasia Group. In a sharp, passionate and humorous discussion with Ilana Bet-El she takes us through a whistle stop tour of the continent past, present and potential futures. Bottom line: African states post colonialism are young, but they need to move on towards a positive narrative of their states.

This episode was recorded on 11 December 2025

Chapters

  • What are the key investors in Africa?
  • Why Africa struggle for effective governance?
  • Colonial legal and democracy industrialisation
  • Population growth and economic challenges
  • Zoom on the Sahel region and the return of coups
  • Why Russia and China are back in African countries?

Mentions

Follow

Credits


Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Bad plans come unstuck with Hanna Shelest & Iryna Krasnoshtan]]> Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:30:00 GMT 53:25 6928e31df8803779b9510579 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/bad-plans-come-unstuck-with-hanna-shelest-iryna-krasnoshtan 6928e31df8803779b9510579 65e89f987fe4880016f998df bad-plans-come-unstuck-with-hanna-shelest-iryna-krasnoshtan full 2 22 According to Wikipedia, 28 is “approximately the number of grams in an ounce, and used as such in commercial trade.” This may explain why there were 28 points in the US plan to end Russia’s war on Ukraine: it was drafted by people interested in commerce and trade, and the US stands to gain some US$ 300 billion from this deal. However, the US financial gain is the only original element in the plan, the rest being a list of Russian demands denying Ukraine sovereignty by taking land from it, defining its military, its constitution and its elections, and forcing cultural and religious issues upon it.

That this draft was cooked up by US forces friendly to Russia is common knowledge, but that does not make the event, let alone the plan, less of an abomination: Ukraine was treated as no more than item, while the EU was not consulted — despite being listed as liable to underwrite much of the programme. 

At base, this is a plan to reward aggression and the taking of land by force while imposing penalties upon those who object.

To understand what exactly is wrong with the proposals, and where Ukraine goes from here, Ilana Bet-El is joined by two true women leaders: Dr Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council "Ukrainian Prism (https://prismua.org/en/)", and Iryna Krasnoshtan, Programme Director at the International Center for Ukrainian Victory (https://ukrainianvictory.org/). With the facts at their fingertips and the passion of fighters, this conversation explains what is at stake for the world as well as Ukraine.


This episode was recorded on 27 November 2025

Chapters

  • Dissecting the 28 point “peace proposal”
  • The international dynamics of the war in Ukraine
  • Why Ukrainians and Europeans are left out of the conversation?
  • What would a Ukrainian peace plan look like?

Mentions

Ukraine Analytica Ukraine Institute

28 point plan

Washington roiled by leaked transcript of Witkoff-Ushakov call

Agathe Demarais article on the US-Russia Plan , De Wever Overstates Belgium's Risks

Follow

Iryna Krasnoshtan LinkedIn Hanna Shelest LinkedIn

Ilana Bet-El Women Leaders Instagram & YouTube

ELN

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> According to Wikipedia, 28 is “approximately the number of grams in an ounce, and used as such in commercial trade.” This may explain why there were 28 points in the US plan to end Russia’s war on Ukraine: it was drafted by people interested in commerce and trade, and the US stands to gain some US$ 300 billion from this deal. However, the US financial gain is the only original element in the plan, the rest being a list of Russian demands denying Ukraine sovereignty by taking land from it, defining its military, its constitution and its elections, and forcing cultural and religious issues upon it.

That this draft was cooked up by US forces friendly to Russia is common knowledge, but that does not make the event, let alone the plan, less of an abomination: Ukraine was treated as no more than item, while the EU was not consulted — despite being listed as liable to underwrite much of the programme. 

At base, this is a plan to reward aggression and the taking of land by force while imposing penalties upon those who object.

To understand what exactly is wrong with the proposals, and where Ukraine goes from here, Ilana Bet-El is joined by two true women leaders: Dr Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council "Ukrainian Prism (https://prismua.org/en/)", and Iryna Krasnoshtan, Programme Director at the International Center for Ukrainian Victory (https://ukrainianvictory.org/). With the facts at their fingertips and the passion of fighters, this conversation explains what is at stake for the world as well as Ukraine.


This episode was recorded on 27 November 2025

Chapters

  • Dissecting the 28 point “peace proposal”
  • The international dynamics of the war in Ukraine
  • Why Ukrainians and Europeans are left out of the conversation?
  • What would a Ukrainian peace plan look like?

Mentions

Ukraine Analytica Ukraine Institute

28 point plan

Washington roiled by leaked transcript of Witkoff-Ushakov call

Agathe Demarais article on the US-Russia Plan , De Wever Overstates Belgium's Risks

Follow

Iryna Krasnoshtan LinkedIn Hanna Shelest LinkedIn

Ilana Bet-El Women Leaders Instagram & YouTube

ELN

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ukraine inside and out with Kristina Zeleniuk and Kim Barker Ukraine inside and out with Kristina Zeleniuk and Kim Barker Fri, 14 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT 43:40 691655237a0043834a07e880 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/ukraine-inside-and-out-with-kristina-zeleniuk-and-kim-barker 691655237a0043834a07e880 65e89f987fe4880016f998df ukraine-inside-and-out-with-kristina-zeleniuk-and-kim-barker full 2 21 A long war is unimaginable to people in the developed world. Since WWII, most states in Europe have not experienced conflict in their lands, barring the Balkans in the 1990s, and the US has never really lived through such a reality, apart from the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941 and the attacks of 9/11. And while some parts of Africa are mired in conflict as indeed is the Middle East, it is the success of the postwar order that war is largely not an ongoing backdrop to life across the globe.

And then there is Ukraine: invaded in 2014 by Russia, that illegally annexed the Crimea then sent its “little green men” into the Donbas, where there has been fighting ever since. Then came the full scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Incredibly, Ukraine repelled most of the Russian invaders, but a deadly front line was established alongside ongoing vicious Russian attacks on cities and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.

How do you understand these events as a journalist inside Ukraine, trying to report the truth while not exposing your state at war? How do you cover these events as an international journalist, seeking the real story without endangering people? And what happens to truth and journalism in a long war in which civil society is a strong player and corruption rears its head?

To answer these and many other questions Ilana Bet-El is joined by Kristina Zeleniuk of website TSN and Kim Barker of the New York Times. A fluid, fascinating and funny conversation with passionate journalists.

This episode was recorded on 13 November 2025

Chapters

  • The call for journalism: passion and purpose
  • Navigating journalism in a war zone
  • The current state in Ukraine
  • The impact of corruption scandal on Western support
  • The critical role of Ukrainian civil society

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A long war is unimaginable to people in the developed world. Since WWII, most states in Europe have not experienced conflict in their lands, barring the Balkans in the 1990s, and the US has never really lived through such a reality, apart from the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941 and the attacks of 9/11. And while some parts of Africa are mired in conflict as indeed is the Middle East, it is the success of the postwar order that war is largely not an ongoing backdrop to life across the globe.

And then there is Ukraine: invaded in 2014 by Russia, that illegally annexed the Crimea then sent its “little green men” into the Donbas, where there has been fighting ever since. Then came the full scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Incredibly, Ukraine repelled most of the Russian invaders, but a deadly front line was established alongside ongoing vicious Russian attacks on cities and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.

How do you understand these events as a journalist inside Ukraine, trying to report the truth while not exposing your state at war? How do you cover these events as an international journalist, seeking the real story without endangering people? And what happens to truth and journalism in a long war in which civil society is a strong player and corruption rears its head?

To answer these and many other questions Ilana Bet-El is joined by Kristina Zeleniuk of website TSN and Kim Barker of the New York Times. A fluid, fascinating and funny conversation with passionate journalists.

This episode was recorded on 13 November 2025

Chapters

  • The call for journalism: passion and purpose
  • Navigating journalism in a war zone
  • The current state in Ukraine
  • The impact of corruption scandal on Western support
  • The critical role of Ukrainian civil society

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Talking about a revolution with Janice Stein Talking about a revolution with Janice Stein Fri, 31 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT 39:57 6903d28c076a402ee2947db6 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/talking-about-a-revolution-with-janice-stein 6903d28c076a402ee2947db6 65e89f987fe4880016f998df talking-about-a-revolution-with-janice-stein full 2 20 There are many aspects to our current events: trade wars, international realignments weakening democracies, strengthening autocracies, social discontent, wars kinetic and hybrid, a faltering international system and much more. Each element may be explained individually but taken together they add up to no less than a revolution: a change so fundamental that even after the wheels stop spinning there will be no return to the previous ways.

Professor Janice Stein, founder of the Munk School of Global Affairs and one of the most fascinating experts ever on wars and global affairs joins Ilana Bet-El in a deep, fast moving and incredibly informative conversation on our age of revolution. From the US to China and Europe, and from the past to the future -- this episode explains how and why the world is in such turmoil.

Chapters

  • What are the challenges in global trade and economy?
  • Canada’s economic strategy
  • The crisis of developed democracies
  • The real European Union's struggles
  • The role of experts and public trust

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> There are many aspects to our current events: trade wars, international realignments weakening democracies, strengthening autocracies, social discontent, wars kinetic and hybrid, a faltering international system and much more. Each element may be explained individually but taken together they add up to no less than a revolution: a change so fundamental that even after the wheels stop spinning there will be no return to the previous ways.

Professor Janice Stein, founder of the Munk School of Global Affairs and one of the most fascinating experts ever on wars and global affairs joins Ilana Bet-El in a deep, fast moving and incredibly informative conversation on our age of revolution. From the US to China and Europe, and from the past to the future -- this episode explains how and why the world is in such turmoil.

Chapters

  • What are the challenges in global trade and economy?
  • Canada’s economic strategy
  • The crisis of developed democracies
  • The real European Union's struggles
  • The role of experts and public trust

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Mired in the Middle East with Tahani Mustafa & Miriam Rosman]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT 43:08 68f15885ca0e7f754575a130 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/mired-in-the-middle-east-ceasefire-gaza-israel 68f15885ca0e7f754575a130 65e89f987fe4880016f998df mired-in-the-middle-east-ceasefire-gaza-israel full 2 19 As most international mediators know, Israel-Palestine is a conflict to avoid. Intellectually, it should be solvable, but in reality it is intractable.

In this episode we bring together a Palestinian and an Israeli — Dr Tahani Mustafa of the ECFR and Dr Miriam Rosman of the Dvorah Forum — hoping to move beyond intractable, due to the Gaza ceasefire. It has heralded much hope for a better future, alongside deep confusion as to what such a future can and should hold. However, the discussion ended up reflecting the absence of trust, empathy, or understanding on both sides.

This is an important and passionate episode that highlights the significant challenges in even establishing a common starting point for dialogue, let alone negotiation. From history to reality and from humanity to sympathy, there is a long way to go in creating the conditions for negotiation between Israelis and Palestinians.

This episode was recorded on 16 October 2025


Chapters

  • Diverging perspectives on the ceasefire
  • Is any path forward?
  • Building trust over traumas

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> As most international mediators know, Israel-Palestine is a conflict to avoid. Intellectually, it should be solvable, but in reality it is intractable.

In this episode we bring together a Palestinian and an Israeli — Dr Tahani Mustafa of the ECFR and Dr Miriam Rosman of the Dvorah Forum — hoping to move beyond intractable, due to the Gaza ceasefire. It has heralded much hope for a better future, alongside deep confusion as to what such a future can and should hold. However, the discussion ended up reflecting the absence of trust, empathy, or understanding on both sides.

This is an important and passionate episode that highlights the significant challenges in even establishing a common starting point for dialogue, let alone negotiation. From history to reality and from humanity to sympathy, there is a long way to go in creating the conditions for negotiation between Israelis and Palestinians.

This episode was recorded on 16 October 2025


Chapters

  • Diverging perspectives on the ceasefire
  • Is any path forward?
  • Building trust over traumas

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> China watching with Lauren Gloudeman China watching with Lauren Gloudeman Fri, 03 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT 43:39 68debb295f95c3d419f6a53b false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/china-watching-with-lauren-gloudeman 68debb295f95c3d419f6a53b 65e89f987fe4880016f998df china-watching-with-lauren-gloudeman full 2 18 Donald Trump is everywhere: at the UN General Assembly, at special press conferences, at meetings of his military leadership and in the White House - condemning Europe and climate change one day, announcing a Gaza deal the next, doubling down on tariffs the third, doing nothing about Russia throughout. In the meantime the US seems to be ever more in turmoil, with the Federal government shut down, a sliding economy, intense political and social division.

China is seemingly enjoying the show, lapping up the Global South and assembling world leaders for international meetings and a vast military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. Backing Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, it is clearly happy to pick up world leadership as the new US seemingly sheds most vestiges of it. Yet all the while it is also negotiating a trade deal with the US, flooding the global market with over production and watching its own economy in turmoil.

So what is China really doing? Can it survive the tariffs? Can it pick up where the US leaves off or is it just part of the turmoil? Lauren Gloudeman, Director, China at Eurasia Group joins Ilana Bet-El to talk through the current China challenge in all its aspects. A deep and interesting conversation with someone who knows people, language and culture!

This episode was recorded 30 September 2025

Mentions

Eurasia website

Lauren’s previous episode “Trade Wars”

Trump at the UNGA - China commitments at the UN Climate conference

Other episodes “China, the world, and power” “China All Around”

Chapters

Understanding China's role in global affairs

Trump's objectives with China

How China's economic is doing?

China's relationship with Russia

Is it a new Cold War between China and the West?

Follow

Lauren Gloudeman LinkedIn

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

Watch this episode on our YouTube channel

European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Donald Trump is everywhere: at the UN General Assembly, at special press conferences, at meetings of his military leadership and in the White House - condemning Europe and climate change one day, announcing a Gaza deal the next, doubling down on tariffs the third, doing nothing about Russia throughout. In the meantime the US seems to be ever more in turmoil, with the Federal government shut down, a sliding economy, intense political and social division.

China is seemingly enjoying the show, lapping up the Global South and assembling world leaders for international meetings and a vast military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. Backing Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, it is clearly happy to pick up world leadership as the new US seemingly sheds most vestiges of it. Yet all the while it is also negotiating a trade deal with the US, flooding the global market with over production and watching its own economy in turmoil.

So what is China really doing? Can it survive the tariffs? Can it pick up where the US leaves off or is it just part of the turmoil? Lauren Gloudeman, Director, China at Eurasia Group joins Ilana Bet-El to talk through the current China challenge in all its aspects. A deep and interesting conversation with someone who knows people, language and culture!

This episode was recorded 30 September 2025

Mentions

Eurasia website

Lauren’s previous episode “Trade Wars”

Trump at the UNGA - China commitments at the UN Climate conference

Other episodes “China, the world, and power” “China All Around”

Chapters

Understanding China's role in global affairs

Trump's objectives with China

How China's economic is doing?

China's relationship with Russia

Is it a new Cold War between China and the West?

Follow

Lauren Gloudeman LinkedIn

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

Watch this episode on our YouTube channel

European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The driving force of development with Susan Brown The driving force of development with Susan Brown Fri, 19 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT 44:51 68cc639e9c7ab07d624c22df false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/the-driving-force-of-development-with-susan-brown 68cc639e9c7ab07d624c22df 65e89f987fe4880016f998df the-driving-force-of-development-with-susan-brown full 2 17 International development has come to an end, according to some economists. Be it the sudden closure of USAID earlier this year, the shift of EU and NATO states to defence spending, or the populist inspired interest in isolationism, the inclination to fund others is diminishing.


However, development is not just about foreign aid: it is also about allocating the means to improve the one that benefits all. Whether the national eradication of disease or international drives towards better governance and prosperity, the core idea is not charity. So, what actually is development? There can be no better person to explain and explore the wide and complex world of development and its core international function than Susan Brown, United Nations Assistant Secretary General at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and head of its advocacy efforts. A woman with incredible experience in the international world, she brings in-depth knowledge, common sense and a lot of wit to the core needs of the world.

This episode was recorded 17 September 2025

Mentions

Chapters

  • Current challenges facing the UN
  • Understanding development and differentiating it from humanitarian aid
  • UNDP's budget and funding sources
  • The future of UNDP and global development
  • Engaging corporates in development

Follow

Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> International development has come to an end, according to some economists. Be it the sudden closure of USAID earlier this year, the shift of EU and NATO states to defence spending, or the populist inspired interest in isolationism, the inclination to fund others is diminishing.


However, development is not just about foreign aid: it is also about allocating the means to improve the one that benefits all. Whether the national eradication of disease or international drives towards better governance and prosperity, the core idea is not charity. So, what actually is development? There can be no better person to explain and explore the wide and complex world of development and its core international function than Susan Brown, United Nations Assistant Secretary General at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and head of its advocacy efforts. A woman with incredible experience in the international world, she brings in-depth knowledge, common sense and a lot of wit to the core needs of the world.

This episode was recorded 17 September 2025

Mentions

Chapters

  • Current challenges facing the UN
  • Understanding development and differentiating it from humanitarian aid
  • UNDP's budget and funding sources
  • The future of UNDP and global development
  • Engaging corporates in development

Follow

Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Trump 2 and US reality with Jodi Rudoren Trump 2 and US reality with Jodi Rudoren Fri, 05 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT 46:52 68ba0dea45004e42c98b99b4 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/trump-2-and-us-reality 68ba0dea45004e42c98b99b4 65e89f987fe4880016f998df trump-2-and-us-reality full 2 16 The summer is over but it has hardly been a period of repose and relaxation: the world has continued in its turmoil, not least at the behest of the US. In moves that have often baffled traditional US allies, the current Trump administration has made brash moves claiming to be about Making America Great Again (MAGA) but which ultimately seemed to signify US retreat from global leadership. From attacks on science and education within the US to courting Vladimir Putin while alienating the EU, Canada and other western allies, it seems as if the current US administration is intent upon making real China and Russia’s wish for a multipolar world without a second, or indeed any thought.

How do these changes manifest within the US? Is the external perspective even registering? Does it matter? And why does the Democratic Party seemingly find it so difficult to muster a response? To broach these questions and so much more Ilana Bet-El is joined by Jodi Rudoren, Editorial Director of Newsletters at the New York Times — and to be clear, there are 100 newsletters that reach over 17 million people! — in a lively and probing discussion into life, politics and ideas in the US in the second Trump administration.

This episode was recorded on 4 September 2025

Mentions

Chapters

  • The current state of US Politics and news
  • The erosion of trust in political systems
  • The Democratic Party's struggles and future directions
  • Everyday life amidst political turmoil
  • Perceptions of global enemies
  • The Israel-Gaza situation
  • Global leadership dynamics

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The summer is over but it has hardly been a period of repose and relaxation: the world has continued in its turmoil, not least at the behest of the US. In moves that have often baffled traditional US allies, the current Trump administration has made brash moves claiming to be about Making America Great Again (MAGA) but which ultimately seemed to signify US retreat from global leadership. From attacks on science and education within the US to courting Vladimir Putin while alienating the EU, Canada and other western allies, it seems as if the current US administration is intent upon making real China and Russia’s wish for a multipolar world without a second, or indeed any thought.

How do these changes manifest within the US? Is the external perspective even registering? Does it matter? And why does the Democratic Party seemingly find it so difficult to muster a response? To broach these questions and so much more Ilana Bet-El is joined by Jodi Rudoren, Editorial Director of Newsletters at the New York Times — and to be clear, there are 100 newsletters that reach over 17 million people! — in a lively and probing discussion into life, politics and ideas in the US in the second Trump administration.

This episode was recorded on 4 September 2025

Mentions

Chapters

  • The current state of US Politics and news
  • The erosion of trust in political systems
  • The Democratic Party's struggles and future directions
  • Everyday life amidst political turmoil
  • Perceptions of global enemies
  • The Israel-Gaza situation
  • Global leadership dynamics

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The South Caucasus Conundrum with Tinatin Japaridze The South Caucasus Conundrum with Tinatin Japaridze Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT 40:38 687036dcfe0897380ea9a0ed false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/the-caucuses-conundrum-with-tinatin-japaridze 687036dcfe0897380ea9a0ed 65e89f987fe4880016f998df the-caucuses-conundrum-with-tinatin-japaridze full 2 15 While the eyes of many have been on the US, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, Israel, Gaza, the wider Middle East and much more, the southern Caucasus, that collection of states composed of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, have been roiling between order and disorder - and attracting the attention of many power players. In Georgia, the Russia-backed government is cracking down on opposition leaders, while Armenia is in political disarray following Azerbaijan’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023.

Traditionally the playground of Russia - either as the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union - all three states are currently in flux, attracting the attention of Turkey, the US and the EU. Russia, on the other hand, immersed in its insane war on Ukraine, has lost its grip. Apparently insignificant states and regions have a nasty habit of suddenly coming to the fore, dominating the agenda and changing geopolitical focus. The southern Caucuses may be ripe for such a twist, not least as the war in Ukraine drags on, dragging Russia ever further away from prosperity and regional domination.

To understand these fascinating dynamics, Ilana Bet-El is joined by the excellent Tinatin Japaridze, Eurasia analyst at the Eurasia Group. With fascinating insights into each state and the region as a whole, she helps clarify why Russia is on a losing pitch in the South Caucasus, the West is on the up, democracy does not always deliver, and peace is necessary - if elusive.

This episode was recorded 10 July 2025 and we will be back in September after a short summer break!

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> While the eyes of many have been on the US, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, Israel, Gaza, the wider Middle East and much more, the southern Caucasus, that collection of states composed of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, have been roiling between order and disorder - and attracting the attention of many power players. In Georgia, the Russia-backed government is cracking down on opposition leaders, while Armenia is in political disarray following Azerbaijan’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023.

Traditionally the playground of Russia - either as the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union - all three states are currently in flux, attracting the attention of Turkey, the US and the EU. Russia, on the other hand, immersed in its insane war on Ukraine, has lost its grip. Apparently insignificant states and regions have a nasty habit of suddenly coming to the fore, dominating the agenda and changing geopolitical focus. The southern Caucuses may be ripe for such a twist, not least as the war in Ukraine drags on, dragging Russia ever further away from prosperity and regional domination.

To understand these fascinating dynamics, Ilana Bet-El is joined by the excellent Tinatin Japaridze, Eurasia analyst at the Eurasia Group. With fascinating insights into each state and the region as a whole, she helps clarify why Russia is on a losing pitch in the South Caucasus, the West is on the up, democracy does not always deliver, and peace is necessary - if elusive.

This episode was recorded 10 July 2025 and we will be back in September after a short summer break!

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[A NATO Summit for “Daddy” with Kerry Buck & Muriel Domenach]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:50:10 GMT 43:09 685deac347311de1b628d336 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/a-nato-summit-for-daddy-with-kerry-buck-muriel-domenach 685deac347311de1b628d336 65e89f987fe4880016f998df a-nato-summit-for-daddy-with-kerry-buck-muriel-domenach full 2 14 The NATO summit in The Hague (24-25 June) will be recalled for a number of reasons: the allies, barring Spain, committed to raising their spending on defence to 5% of GDP by 2035, a sum deemed inconceivable before; there were no significant disagreements, not least because all allies went out of their way to ensure that US President Trump was not upset, by anything; and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, formerly Premier of the Netherlands for a decade who objected to any form of extraneous collective spending, on defence and much more, managed to overshadow all Trump pacifiers by referring to him as Daddy.

One of the signs that the past five years have been dense and intense is that there has been a NATO summit every year since 202. But then again, in a world of increasing tensions and wars, latterly in Iran and endlessly in Ukraine, Gaza and the wider Middle East; in a world of Putin, Xi and of course Trump, summits are necessary just to keep allies on board, or at least afloat. But they also showcase the harsh reality of a world of Strong Men who think of themselves as Big Men, making history.

This is a marked change to the previous decades, definitely since the end of the Cold War, and to understand its meaning, as well as the spectacle of the NATO summit, Ilana Bet-El is joined by two Big Women Leaders who were ambassadors to NATO: Kerry Buck of Canada and Muriel Domenach of France. Reflecting on the alliance, the summit, security, defence, common values and much more, this strong discussion takes us on a Transatlantic tour in a time of major change.

This episode was recorded on 26 June 2025

Chapters

What was the outcomes of NATO Summit?

Trump evolution over the NATO Summits

How Europeans deal with Trump behaviour?

What is the future of NATO?

Mentions

NATO Summit page

Hague Summit Declaration

Rutte on Trump

John Bolton on Trump

Follow

Kerry Buck LinkedIn, X/Twitter

Muriel Domenach LinkedIn, Globsec

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

ELN Twitter LinkedIn website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The NATO summit in The Hague (24-25 June) will be recalled for a number of reasons: the allies, barring Spain, committed to raising their spending on defence to 5% of GDP by 2035, a sum deemed inconceivable before; there were no significant disagreements, not least because all allies went out of their way to ensure that US President Trump was not upset, by anything; and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, formerly Premier of the Netherlands for a decade who objected to any form of extraneous collective spending, on defence and much more, managed to overshadow all Trump pacifiers by referring to him as Daddy.

One of the signs that the past five years have been dense and intense is that there has been a NATO summit every year since 202. But then again, in a world of increasing tensions and wars, latterly in Iran and endlessly in Ukraine, Gaza and the wider Middle East; in a world of Putin, Xi and of course Trump, summits are necessary just to keep allies on board, or at least afloat. But they also showcase the harsh reality of a world of Strong Men who think of themselves as Big Men, making history.

This is a marked change to the previous decades, definitely since the end of the Cold War, and to understand its meaning, as well as the spectacle of the NATO summit, Ilana Bet-El is joined by two Big Women Leaders who were ambassadors to NATO: Kerry Buck of Canada and Muriel Domenach of France. Reflecting on the alliance, the summit, security, defence, common values and much more, this strong discussion takes us on a Transatlantic tour in a time of major change.

This episode was recorded on 26 June 2025

Chapters

What was the outcomes of NATO Summit?

Trump evolution over the NATO Summits

How Europeans deal with Trump behaviour?

What is the future of NATO?

Mentions

NATO Summit page

Hague Summit Declaration

Rutte on Trump

John Bolton on Trump

Follow

Kerry Buck LinkedIn, X/Twitter

Muriel Domenach LinkedIn, Globsec

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

ELN Twitter LinkedIn website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The hidden crisis behind global fertility rates with Birgit Van Hout (UNFPA) The hidden crisis behind global fertility rates with Birgit Van Hout (UNFPA) Thu, 12 Jun 2025 23:59:02 GMT 38:42 684b673832b0e5d331b479a4 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/the-hidden-crisis-behind-global-fertility-rates-with-with-bi 684b673832b0e5d331b479a4 65e89f987fe4880016f998df the-hidden-crisis-behind-global-fertility-rates-with-with-bi The Fertility Fallacy report full 2 13 In a world of kinetic wars and increasing expenditure on defence and security - coupled with the culture wars so exacerbated by the extremes of left and right - we often forget, or probably ignore, the wider context of bombs and ideologies: people. And in many parts of the world humans are diminishing in numbers, rapidly - apart from most parts of Africa, no continent any longer attains the 2.1 replacement rate of fertility.

The United Nations Population Fund just released an important report on this reality. The Fertility Fallacy presents fascinating insights on the roles of income, expectation and the inadequacy of policies seeking to either boost fertility or blame one of the genders (usually women). At base, it suggests people are not irrational: if they feel insecure, and the choice is in their hands, they will have less babies.

The core problem is, of course, the future: who will work to pay for the aging populations? Who will inhabit the earth? How can we deal with these issues and changes better? Birgit van Hout is very well placed to provide a comprehensive picture: as Director of the UNFPA Representation Office to the European Union she not only deals with these issues daily, but also sits in the continent with the lowest overall fertility rate.

An important and lively discussion on the underpinning realities of our lives and societies, in the most basic and crucial sense.

This episode was recorded on 12 June 2025

Chapters

Can women really have it all?

Why are women having fewer children than they want?

The real crisis behind the demographic decline

How COVID, war and media affect younger generations

The backlash against women’s rights and roles

What is comprehensive sexuality education — and why it matters?

What solutions are there to the fertility crisis?

Mentions

New York Times article on the report

EU Work-life balance directive

EU youth check

Giles Merritt Timebomb

Follow

Birgit Van Hout LinkedIn X/Twitter

@women_leaders_podcast

European Leadership Network Twitter, LinkedIn, website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In a world of kinetic wars and increasing expenditure on defence and security - coupled with the culture wars so exacerbated by the extremes of left and right - we often forget, or probably ignore, the wider context of bombs and ideologies: people. And in many parts of the world humans are diminishing in numbers, rapidly - apart from most parts of Africa, no continent any longer attains the 2.1 replacement rate of fertility.

The United Nations Population Fund just released an important report on this reality. The Fertility Fallacy presents fascinating insights on the roles of income, expectation and the inadequacy of policies seeking to either boost fertility or blame one of the genders (usually women). At base, it suggests people are not irrational: if they feel insecure, and the choice is in their hands, they will have less babies.

The core problem is, of course, the future: who will work to pay for the aging populations? Who will inhabit the earth? How can we deal with these issues and changes better? Birgit van Hout is very well placed to provide a comprehensive picture: as Director of the UNFPA Representation Office to the European Union she not only deals with these issues daily, but also sits in the continent with the lowest overall fertility rate.

An important and lively discussion on the underpinning realities of our lives and societies, in the most basic and crucial sense.

This episode was recorded on 12 June 2025

Chapters

Can women really have it all?

Why are women having fewer children than they want?

The real crisis behind the demographic decline

How COVID, war and media affect younger generations

The backlash against women’s rights and roles

What is comprehensive sexuality education — and why it matters?

What solutions are there to the fertility crisis?

Mentions

New York Times article on the report

EU Work-life balance directive

EU youth check

Giles Merritt Timebomb

Follow

Birgit Van Hout LinkedIn X/Twitter

@women_leaders_podcast

European Leadership Network Twitter, LinkedIn, website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> War is not a spectator sport with Nataliya Gumenyuk War is not a spectator sport with Nataliya Gumenyuk Fri, 30 May 2025 03:55:00 GMT 44:02 6838ee6db2e4c2434bc87451 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/war-is-not-a-spectator-sport-with-nataliya-gumenyuk 6838ee6db2e4c2434bc87451 65e89f987fe4880016f998df war-is-not-a-spectator-sport-with-nataliya-gumenyuk full 2 12 The vast majority of humanity experiences war as a spectator — which is excellent. The distance from the reality of noise and danger and hurt and debris allows for passionate opinions on right and wrong, disgust and despair. But for those living and experiencing the harsh reality, whether as a combatant at the front or an endangered civilian behind the lines, war is ghastly. Being shelled and bombed is not the same as watching it on a screen, however horrifying we may find it; and shelling and bombing civilians is never right; ever.

Ukraine is now in its fourth year of war, and while Trump promised to end it in anything from a day to a hundred days, his overtures and partially to Russia has produced only ever more intensive attacks against civilians in Ukraine, with the largest waves yet of drones and ballistic missiles aimed at cities, including Kyiv, over successive nights. Nataliya Gumenyuk is well versed in the duality of spectator and participant of war: a foreign correspondent for many Ukrainian and international outlets before the full scale invasion, she visited war zones and conflict areas repeatedly. But as of February 2022 she shifted to explaining the war to both external and Ukrainian audiences through the Public Interest Journalism Lab, as well as documenting human rights breaches and war crimes for the Reckoning Project.

In a deep and passionate discussion with Ilana Bet-El, Nataliya brings a sense of the reality of being attacked while also explaining the importance of documenting the crimes of war as well as the necessity of EU membership to Ukraine, in order to anchor it in the west officially. And she also presents a vision for the end of the war, unfortunately without a date.

This episode was recorded on 28 May 2025

Chapters

  • Living with the war in Ukraine
  • Could international justice be applied to Russia crimes?
  • What Trump and Putin achieved?
  • Why Ukraine’s accession to EU is critical?

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA - License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT


Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The vast majority of humanity experiences war as a spectator — which is excellent. The distance from the reality of noise and danger and hurt and debris allows for passionate opinions on right and wrong, disgust and despair. But for those living and experiencing the harsh reality, whether as a combatant at the front or an endangered civilian behind the lines, war is ghastly. Being shelled and bombed is not the same as watching it on a screen, however horrifying we may find it; and shelling and bombing civilians is never right; ever.

Ukraine is now in its fourth year of war, and while Trump promised to end it in anything from a day to a hundred days, his overtures and partially to Russia has produced only ever more intensive attacks against civilians in Ukraine, with the largest waves yet of drones and ballistic missiles aimed at cities, including Kyiv, over successive nights. Nataliya Gumenyuk is well versed in the duality of spectator and participant of war: a foreign correspondent for many Ukrainian and international outlets before the full scale invasion, she visited war zones and conflict areas repeatedly. But as of February 2022 she shifted to explaining the war to both external and Ukrainian audiences through the Public Interest Journalism Lab, as well as documenting human rights breaches and war crimes for the Reckoning Project.

In a deep and passionate discussion with Ilana Bet-El, Nataliya brings a sense of the reality of being attacked while also explaining the importance of documenting the crimes of war as well as the necessity of EU membership to Ukraine, in order to anchor it in the west officially. And she also presents a vision for the end of the war, unfortunately without a date.

This episode was recorded on 28 May 2025

Chapters

  • Living with the war in Ukraine
  • Could international justice be applied to Russia crimes?
  • What Trump and Putin achieved?
  • Why Ukraine’s accession to EU is critical?

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA - License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT


Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> China, the world, and power with Dr Ivana Karásková China, the world, and power with Dr Ivana Karásková Fri, 16 May 2025 05:44:43 GMT 42:33 6826d0cb50cf1b42f4f126b0 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/china-the-world-and-power-with-dr-ivana-karaskova 6826d0cb50cf1b42f4f126b0 65e89f987fe4880016f998df china-the-world-and-power-with-dr-ivana-karaskova full 2 11 During his gold plated visit to Saudi Arabia this week, Donald Trump made a speech in which he noted that the US would no longer be “giving you lectures on how to live” advising the people and states of the region to establish “your own destinies in your own way.” No more nation building and interventions, no more aid and business conditioned upon democracy and human rights, and no more post WW2 values based international order. Money, deals and hard power is the new United States policy in the world. The local regimes lapped this up, and autocrats and dictators around the world no doubt clapped their hands in glee, but many in the west were far from amused, alongside another very significant player: China. Indeed, while the week had started relatively well for China, with a 90 day halt on the massive tariffs Trump had imposed on it, the news that the US was adopting its playbook for global influence — money without ideology or human rights — was bad news: China had long sold itself to the global south as the power that spoke only money, without conditions. 

China seeks to be a respected superpower, one that shapes and dominates the global order as an open rival to the US. Of that there is no doubt. However, little is really known about how it thinks about this ambition and what is its real relationship with states and continents around the world. A true woman leader on this issue as well as many aspects of China’s global policies is Dr Ivana Karásková of the Association for International Affairs. In a great conversation she not only gives a whirlwind tour of China in the world, she also explains how she came to found a Central European network of experts on China, as well as a network of women experts on China!


Chapters

China and US tarrif war

China and Russia relations

Chinese perception of the US

What are China ambitions on the world?

Mentions

AMO

CHOICE

WiCH

Follow

Ivana Karásková AMO website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

ELN Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> During his gold plated visit to Saudi Arabia this week, Donald Trump made a speech in which he noted that the US would no longer be “giving you lectures on how to live” advising the people and states of the region to establish “your own destinies in your own way.” No more nation building and interventions, no more aid and business conditioned upon democracy and human rights, and no more post WW2 values based international order. Money, deals and hard power is the new United States policy in the world. The local regimes lapped this up, and autocrats and dictators around the world no doubt clapped their hands in glee, but many in the west were far from amused, alongside another very significant player: China. Indeed, while the week had started relatively well for China, with a 90 day halt on the massive tariffs Trump had imposed on it, the news that the US was adopting its playbook for global influence — money without ideology or human rights — was bad news: China had long sold itself to the global south as the power that spoke only money, without conditions. 

China seeks to be a respected superpower, one that shapes and dominates the global order as an open rival to the US. Of that there is no doubt. However, little is really known about how it thinks about this ambition and what is its real relationship with states and continents around the world. A true woman leader on this issue as well as many aspects of China’s global policies is Dr Ivana Karásková of the Association for International Affairs. In a great conversation she not only gives a whirlwind tour of China in the world, she also explains how she came to found a Central European network of experts on China, as well as a network of women experts on China!


Chapters

China and US tarrif war

China and Russia relations

Chinese perception of the US

What are China ambitions on the world?

Mentions

AMO

CHOICE

WiCH

Follow

Ivana Karásková AMO website, X/Twitter, LinkedIn

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

ELN Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Living in historic times with Marci Shore Living in historic times with Marci Shore Fri, 02 May 2025 06:27:04 GMT 47:50 6813e0096ac0e5213bff44ce false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/living-historical-times-with-marci-shore 6813e0096ac0e5213bff44ce 65e89f987fe4880016f998df living-historical-times-with-marci-shore full 2 10 The turmoil and changes of the past five years — from the coronavirus pandemic to the second Trump administration — make clear one basic fact: the post Cold War era is over. It could be that happened already in 2008, in the financial crisis, or it could be in 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine and took the Crimean peninsula from it. It could be any consequential date that marked a change, a clear change, from before and after. But whichever date or event is chosen, it is clear a change of times, of eras has happened — and that the cascade of events we are living through is an historic time.


To explore the meaning of this term, as well as the reality of living through it, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Professor Marci Shore of Yale University — who is definitely someone who can help examine and explain these core issues. A cultural historian of Eastern Europe who also found and finds herself drawn to the current conflict in Ukraine and works to aid the Ukrainians. An American using her understanding of Europe to analyse events in the US. A writer and deep thinker who helps us all understand this period of time in another dimension.


A strong sharp conversation about the past, the present, history and reality.


This episode was recorded on 30 April 2025



Chapters

  • What defines an historic time?
  • The difference between historical events
  • What does a real revolution feel like?
  • Is Ukraine living in historic time?
  • Reading the current US situation as an historian


Mentions


Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The turmoil and changes of the past five years — from the coronavirus pandemic to the second Trump administration — make clear one basic fact: the post Cold War era is over. It could be that happened already in 2008, in the financial crisis, or it could be in 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine and took the Crimean peninsula from it. It could be any consequential date that marked a change, a clear change, from before and after. But whichever date or event is chosen, it is clear a change of times, of eras has happened — and that the cascade of events we are living through is an historic time.


To explore the meaning of this term, as well as the reality of living through it, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Professor Marci Shore of Yale University — who is definitely someone who can help examine and explain these core issues. A cultural historian of Eastern Europe who also found and finds herself drawn to the current conflict in Ukraine and works to aid the Ukrainians. An American using her understanding of Europe to analyse events in the US. A writer and deep thinker who helps us all understand this period of time in another dimension.


A strong sharp conversation about the past, the present, history and reality.


This episode was recorded on 30 April 2025



Chapters

  • What defines an historic time?
  • The difference between historical events
  • What does a real revolution feel like?
  • Is Ukraine living in historic time?
  • Reading the current US situation as an historian


Mentions


Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Politics meets the people with Viviane Teitelbaum Politics meets the people with Viviane Teitelbaum Fri, 18 Apr 2025 03:55:00 GMT 51:29 680154b01aabee4d38cc8218 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/with-viviane-teitelbaum 680154b01aabee4d38cc8218 65e89f987fe4880016f998df with-viviane-teitelbaum Live record at Full Circle full 2 9 What happens when a politician faces an audience of people, of citizens? This episode of Women Leaders brings you that reality, in full.


Full Circle, a Brussels based organization connecting ideas with the power to act, organised a great Ideas to Action Day in which over 80 people came together to discuss the state of the world and how to find ways to making it better. Issues were raised, problems discussed, and true angst revealed — often about the digital space, social media, isolation, alienation and the failures of both politicians and national institutions. So far so good for an opportunity to sound off, but then came the surprise: a real live politician came to answer all the questions raised, in front of the audience, and we hosted the exchange for this episode of Women Leaders.


Viviane Teitelbaum, Member of the Belgian Senate, is the politician in question, and she gave a remarkably candid account of political life in democracies in the modern age. And let us be clear: she is a Belgian but her audience, as well as her answers, were true to all modern working politicians. From violence in life reflected in cyberspace to identity politics, from the complexity of reality to the complexity of explaining it, and from citizens assemblies to ways of voting, this is a conversation that really challenges a politician while also revealing modern political life as it really happens.

This episode was recorded on 5 April 2025

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What happens when a politician faces an audience of people, of citizens? This episode of Women Leaders brings you that reality, in full.


Full Circle, a Brussels based organization connecting ideas with the power to act, organised a great Ideas to Action Day in which over 80 people came together to discuss the state of the world and how to find ways to making it better. Issues were raised, problems discussed, and true angst revealed — often about the digital space, social media, isolation, alienation and the failures of both politicians and national institutions. So far so good for an opportunity to sound off, but then came the surprise: a real live politician came to answer all the questions raised, in front of the audience, and we hosted the exchange for this episode of Women Leaders.


Viviane Teitelbaum, Member of the Belgian Senate, is the politician in question, and she gave a remarkably candid account of political life in democracies in the modern age. And let us be clear: she is a Belgian but her audience, as well as her answers, were true to all modern working politicians. From violence in life reflected in cyberspace to identity politics, from the complexity of reality to the complexity of explaining it, and from citizens assemblies to ways of voting, this is a conversation that really challenges a politician while also revealing modern political life as it really happens.

This episode was recorded on 5 April 2025

Mentions

Follow

Credits

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Trade wars with Lauren Gloudeman & Rebecca Christie ]]> Fri, 04 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT 38:25 67ef09d6d4b40d7b3064147c false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/trade-wars-with-lauren-gloudeman-rebecca-christie 67ef09d6d4b40d7b3064147c 65e89f987fe4880016f998df trade-wars-with-lauren-gloudeman-rebecca-christie full 2 8 2 April 2025 will go down in history, of that there is no doubt. US President Trump and his team insist this is because it was, as they termed it, “Liberation Day” from the global intertwined trade system, in which the US imposed shockingly high tariffs on all its trading partners, excluding Russia and Belarus. Nearly every other state appear to be appalled by this move — because it will harm each of them and their people and they find it incredible that the US, the leader of the free world and the global trading system for the past eight decades, appears to be the one destroying it.

The immediate effects of the tariff decision have quickly become obvious: global markets plunged, but especially those in the US; all states and regions are contemplating reactions, and retaliations. And above all, the credibility of the US has taken a big hit. Indeed, if there is a title to the Trump playbook it seems to be "How to Disrupt the World While Undermining Yourself, Potentially Strengthening Your Opponents and Alienating Your Allies."

To discuss the tariffs, the playbook, the effects and the state of the global economy, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow at Bruegel and Lauren Gloudeman, Director of the China programme at Eurasia Group. In a searching conversation, they clarify much about the tariff shock, the options open to the EU and China, the effects in the US, and potentials for the future.

Recorded on 3 April 2025

Chapters

A new global trade world launched by Trump?

How US tarrifs impact China, EU and global markets?

Are Trump’ tariffs a strategy or a gamble?

China’s and Europe’s responses to Trump

What next for global trade?

Mentions

Eurasia & Bruegel

The Sound of Economics - last episode

“Tariffs and trade wars”

“Did tariffs contribute to the Great Depression?"NPR , 1930s tariff war Trump calculations

Follow

Lauren Gloudeman Eurasia group page

Rebecca Christie  X/Twitter, Bluesky

Instagram

ELN

Credits

Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> 2 April 2025 will go down in history, of that there is no doubt. US President Trump and his team insist this is because it was, as they termed it, “Liberation Day” from the global intertwined trade system, in which the US imposed shockingly high tariffs on all its trading partners, excluding Russia and Belarus. Nearly every other state appear to be appalled by this move — because it will harm each of them and their people and they find it incredible that the US, the leader of the free world and the global trading system for the past eight decades, appears to be the one destroying it.

The immediate effects of the tariff decision have quickly become obvious: global markets plunged, but especially those in the US; all states and regions are contemplating reactions, and retaliations. And above all, the credibility of the US has taken a big hit. Indeed, if there is a title to the Trump playbook it seems to be "How to Disrupt the World While Undermining Yourself, Potentially Strengthening Your Opponents and Alienating Your Allies."

To discuss the tariffs, the playbook, the effects and the state of the global economy, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow at Bruegel and Lauren Gloudeman, Director of the China programme at Eurasia Group. In a searching conversation, they clarify much about the tariff shock, the options open to the EU and China, the effects in the US, and potentials for the future.

Recorded on 3 April 2025

Chapters

A new global trade world launched by Trump?

How US tarrifs impact China, EU and global markets?

Are Trump’ tariffs a strategy or a gamble?

China’s and Europe’s responses to Trump

What next for global trade?

Mentions

Eurasia & Bruegel

The Sound of Economics - last episode

“Tariffs and trade wars”

“Did tariffs contribute to the Great Depression?"NPR , 1930s tariff war Trump calculations

Follow

Lauren Gloudeman Eurasia group page

Rebecca Christie  X/Twitter, Bluesky

Instagram

ELN

Credits

Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The battle for freedom of the press with Kate Adie The battle for freedom of the press with Kate Adie Fri, 21 Mar 2025 05:47:37 GMT 43:19 67dcfd79fa98b54cfaa06e55 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/the-battle-for-freedom-of-the-press-kate-adie 67dcfd79fa98b54cfaa06e55 65e89f987fe4880016f998df the-battle-for-freedom-of-the-press-kate-adie full 2 7 Democracy and freedom, die in ignorance. There is wilful ignorance, as in not wanting to know; there is collateral ignorance, as in watching silly videos and media feeds rather than seeking information; and there is imposed ignorance, when sources of information are cut off and denied. The Trump administration is blatantly indulging in the latter, both internally and externally. Within the US, the administration is hand picking the media outlets it will deal with, while also dismantling the Department of Education. Outside the US, it has chosen to defund and potentially close both Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America — two amazing organisations that have brought facts and news across the globe, notably those in non-democratic regimes.

It seems that for the Trump administration journalism is a threat. In a world where the boundaries between media, politics and business continue to erode, the likes of Trump, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos have become central figures in shaping public discourse. Moreover, the rise of entertainment news, change of habits, explosive volumes of news pose significant challenges for journalism today.

To explore these issues, Ilana Bet-El is joined by veteran BBC journalist Kate Adie. In a conversation rich with anecdotes from her storied career, she reflects on the evolution of media, the structural crises of today’s news industry and the fundamental role of journalism in society. Amid the explosion of information and the struggle to filter truth from noise, she argues that people basically seek real news and information, not propaganda. Because in the end, the truth still matters.

This episode was recorded on 20 March 2025 and is part of the third edition of the Podcasthon, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness on various charities worldwide, thanks to (great!) podcasters. For this episode, we put the spotlight on the Committee to Protect Journalists: an independent, nonprofit organisation that promotes press freedom worldwide and defends the right of journalists to report the news safely.

Chapters

What is journalism in an age of billionaires and power struggles?

The decline of traditional media and the rise of digital chaos

The battle between real news and entertainment-driven coverage

The structural crisis of the media industry

Why people still want real journalism—and why it matters

Mentions

Committee to Protect Journalists Instagram X/Twitter Youtube

www.podcasthon.org

Kate Adie reporting on Tiananmen Square

Follow

Kate's BBC website

Instagram

ELN Twitter LinkedIn website

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Democracy and freedom, die in ignorance. There is wilful ignorance, as in not wanting to know; there is collateral ignorance, as in watching silly videos and media feeds rather than seeking information; and there is imposed ignorance, when sources of information are cut off and denied. The Trump administration is blatantly indulging in the latter, both internally and externally. Within the US, the administration is hand picking the media outlets it will deal with, while also dismantling the Department of Education. Outside the US, it has chosen to defund and potentially close both Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America — two amazing organisations that have brought facts and news across the globe, notably those in non-democratic regimes.

It seems that for the Trump administration journalism is a threat. In a world where the boundaries between media, politics and business continue to erode, the likes of Trump, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos have become central figures in shaping public discourse. Moreover, the rise of entertainment news, change of habits, explosive volumes of news pose significant challenges for journalism today.

To explore these issues, Ilana Bet-El is joined by veteran BBC journalist Kate Adie. In a conversation rich with anecdotes from her storied career, she reflects on the evolution of media, the structural crises of today’s news industry and the fundamental role of journalism in society. Amid the explosion of information and the struggle to filter truth from noise, she argues that people basically seek real news and information, not propaganda. Because in the end, the truth still matters.

This episode was recorded on 20 March 2025 and is part of the third edition of the Podcasthon, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness on various charities worldwide, thanks to (great!) podcasters. For this episode, we put the spotlight on the Committee to Protect Journalists: an independent, nonprofit organisation that promotes press freedom worldwide and defends the right of journalists to report the news safely.

Chapters

What is journalism in an age of billionaires and power struggles?

The decline of traditional media and the rise of digital chaos

The battle between real news and entertainment-driven coverage

The structural crisis of the media industry

Why people still want real journalism—and why it matters

Mentions

Committee to Protect Journalists Instagram X/Twitter Youtube

www.podcasthon.org

Kate Adie reporting on Tiananmen Square

Follow

Kate's BBC website

Instagram

ELN Twitter LinkedIn website

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Divide, Destroy and Dictate with Trudy Rubin Divide, Destroy and Dictate with Trudy Rubin Fri, 07 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT 50:07 67ca27e78c2cf351b177c711 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/trump-russia-zelensky- 67ca27e78c2cf351b177c711 65e89f987fe4880016f998df trump-russia-zelensky- full 2 6 The car crash of the Zelensky-Trump-Vance meeting in the White House on 28 February is still reverberating around the world. The specific realities have already been analysed, dramatised, satirised, and AI re-engineered with alternative outcomes. But the true implications are being assimilated more slowly, enhanced by the bizarre claims regarding Ukraine, Europe, Russia and the world made by President Trump in his address to Congress on 4 March. The bottom line appears to be, remarkably, that the US under this administration has abandoned not only Ukraine, but also the free democratic world, the multilateral system put in place by US leadership after the Second World War, and above all its allies. Moreover, it appears to be actively backing Russia under President Putin.

If this were a pitch for a Netflix series it would probably be rejected as too farfetched. But reality has long since left farfetched behind, lining up with the alternative world of billionaires, tech bros, oligarchs, and a failed real-estate magnate cum second time US President, who apparently aspires to be king. Moreover, he seems to hold sway as such on the Republican Party, whose members of Congress have recently proposed resolutions such as adding Trump’s likeness to Mount Rushmore to reflect his “towering legacy”.

For a guided tour of this new bizarre world of the US and its role in the world Ilana Bet-El is joined by the storied US journalist Trudy Rubin, Worldview columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. In a fierce and sometimes funny discussion she demolishes whatever is left of the veneer of US political respectability to expose a group of thuggish bullies and cowards who now seem to be running the US — and the world. At least for now.

This episode was recorded on 6 March 2025.

Chapters

  • What happened at the Zelensky-Trump-Vance meeting?
  • Is the U.S. backing Russia and abandoning allies?
  • Is Trump replacing diplomacy with personal deals?
  • Where are the Democrats? How are Americans reacting to all this?
  • Is Europe on the verge of a big change?

Mentions

Trudy Rubin “Trump seems a 'Putin peace' for Ukraine"

Philip Roth The Plot Against America

Financial Times editorial "The US Congress is missing in action"

New York Times “People Are Going Silent”

Follow

Trudy Rubin X/Twitter, Philadelphia Inquirer

@women_leaders_podcast

ELN Twitter LinkedIn website

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The car crash of the Zelensky-Trump-Vance meeting in the White House on 28 February is still reverberating around the world. The specific realities have already been analysed, dramatised, satirised, and AI re-engineered with alternative outcomes. But the true implications are being assimilated more slowly, enhanced by the bizarre claims regarding Ukraine, Europe, Russia and the world made by President Trump in his address to Congress on 4 March. The bottom line appears to be, remarkably, that the US under this administration has abandoned not only Ukraine, but also the free democratic world, the multilateral system put in place by US leadership after the Second World War, and above all its allies. Moreover, it appears to be actively backing Russia under President Putin.

If this were a pitch for a Netflix series it would probably be rejected as too farfetched. But reality has long since left farfetched behind, lining up with the alternative world of billionaires, tech bros, oligarchs, and a failed real-estate magnate cum second time US President, who apparently aspires to be king. Moreover, he seems to hold sway as such on the Republican Party, whose members of Congress have recently proposed resolutions such as adding Trump’s likeness to Mount Rushmore to reflect his “towering legacy”.

For a guided tour of this new bizarre world of the US and its role in the world Ilana Bet-El is joined by the storied US journalist Trudy Rubin, Worldview columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. In a fierce and sometimes funny discussion she demolishes whatever is left of the veneer of US political respectability to expose a group of thuggish bullies and cowards who now seem to be running the US — and the world. At least for now.

This episode was recorded on 6 March 2025.

Chapters

  • What happened at the Zelensky-Trump-Vance meeting?
  • Is the U.S. backing Russia and abandoning allies?
  • Is Trump replacing diplomacy with personal deals?
  • Where are the Democrats? How are Americans reacting to all this?
  • Is Europe on the verge of a big change?

Mentions

Trudy Rubin “Trump seems a 'Putin peace' for Ukraine"

Philip Roth The Plot Against America

Financial Times editorial "The US Congress is missing in action"

New York Times “People Are Going Silent”

Follow

Trudy Rubin X/Twitter, Philadelphia Inquirer

@women_leaders_podcast

ELN Twitter LinkedIn website

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Decision-makers and dilemmas with Baiba Braže Decision-makers and dilemmas with Baiba Braže Fri, 28 Feb 2025 04:50:00 GMT 30:02 67c0d9fc925dc5702ad6c908 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/decision-makers-and-dilemmas-with-baiba-brae 67c0d9fc925dc5702ad6c908 65e89f987fe4880016f998df decision-makers-and-dilemmas-with-baiba-brae Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia full 1 5 Politicians tend to aspire to a status quo: a clarity of positions and possibilities that deliver a semblance of stability. In a period of change, not to mention when things go wrong, there is a yearning for a status quo ante — a return to such clarity and stability, regardless of whether it is actually possible. It is significant that in the current world of radical change no leader or decision-maker is talking about the status quo ante: all the cards are up in the air.

To get a feel for the decision-maker’s dilemmas within this new reality, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Foreign Minister of Latvia, Baiba Braže. In a special short and sharp episode demanded by events, they focus upon the situation in Ukraine and the need to support it, the significance of upping European defence, the reality of life under Russian and Soviet occupation.


This episode was recorded on 27 February 2025.

Chapters

  • Is NATO still a solid pillar for European security?
  • What are the discussions in the decision-making rooms?
  • The horrific realities of Soviet and Russian occupations

Mentions

Putin’s Ukraine: The End of War and the Price of Russian Occupation

UN “Human rights 3 years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine”

UN “Ukraine: Torture by Russian authorities amounts to crimes against humanity”

Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Russia is using torture as a coordinated state policy against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war”

Our previous episode with Olena Tregub & Inna Pidluska

Follow our guest:

Baiba Braže X/Twitter

Follow us

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

Our partner European Leadership Network Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat 

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Politicians tend to aspire to a status quo: a clarity of positions and possibilities that deliver a semblance of stability. In a period of change, not to mention when things go wrong, there is a yearning for a status quo ante — a return to such clarity and stability, regardless of whether it is actually possible. It is significant that in the current world of radical change no leader or decision-maker is talking about the status quo ante: all the cards are up in the air.

To get a feel for the decision-maker’s dilemmas within this new reality, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Foreign Minister of Latvia, Baiba Braže. In a special short and sharp episode demanded by events, they focus upon the situation in Ukraine and the need to support it, the significance of upping European defence, the reality of life under Russian and Soviet occupation.


This episode was recorded on 27 February 2025.

Chapters

  • Is NATO still a solid pillar for European security?
  • What are the discussions in the decision-making rooms?
  • The horrific realities of Soviet and Russian occupations

Mentions

Putin’s Ukraine: The End of War and the Price of Russian Occupation

UN “Human rights 3 years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine”

UN “Ukraine: Torture by Russian authorities amounts to crimes against humanity”

Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Russia is using torture as a coordinated state policy against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war”

Our previous episode with Olena Tregub & Inna Pidluska

Follow our guest:

Baiba Braže X/Twitter

Follow us

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

Our partner European Leadership Network Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat 

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[The end of a world with Olena Tregub & Inna Pidluska]]> Thu, 20 Feb 2025 23:47:15 GMT 45:00 67b7bf047fd241a4ed9cd2c5 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/the-end-of-a-world-with-olena-tregub-inna-pidluska 67b7bf047fd241a4ed9cd2c5 65e89f987fe4880016f998df the-end-of-a-world-with-olena-tregub-inna-pidluska full 2 4 Historians will spend eternity trying to explain why Donald Trump and his administration turned against Ukraine and Europe but one fact is clear: on 12 February 2025 the post Cold War era ended, and the post WWII international system came to a grinding halt. President Trump spoke at length to President Putin and they agreed to start negotiations immediately without Ukraine or the EU. Subsequent events were no less surprising: an anti-European tirade by US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, a US demand of Ukraine to sign away most of its rare earth resources, a first US-Russia meeting in Riyadh and President Trump accusing Ukraine of starting the Russian war of aggression against it, and calling President Zelensky a dictator. Europe, and many other parts of the world, is still reeling from these developments but it is undoubtedly Ukraine that is in the eye of the storm: from trying to deny it a say over its own destiny to attempting to impose elections upon it, and from cutting defence assistance to undermining funding to its civil society, the Ukrainian reality has changed rapidly, and for the worse. To understand this reality better Ilana Bet-El is joined by two leaders of civil society in Ukraine: Olena Tregub Secretary General of NAKO - the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission in Ukraine, and Inna Pidluska Deputy Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation. In a brave no-holds-bar discussion they reflect on the sense of betrayal by the US and the opposing sense of Ukrainian dignity, and the deep-felt sense that might is not right.

This episode was recorded on 20 February 2025.

Chapters

How is Ukraine reacting to Trump administration’s shift?

What does Ukraine expect from Europe now?

Is Ukraine’s civil society at risk?

What kind of deal would be acceptable for Ukraine?

Mentions

James Joll, Unspoken assumptions

Ukraine civil society

BBC, Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia

Fact-checking Trump claims about war in Ukraine

Follow our guests

Olena Tregub  LinkedIn, X/Twitter

Inna Pidluska LinkedIn

Follow us

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

Our partner European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn website

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Historians will spend eternity trying to explain why Donald Trump and his administration turned against Ukraine and Europe but one fact is clear: on 12 February 2025 the post Cold War era ended, and the post WWII international system came to a grinding halt. President Trump spoke at length to President Putin and they agreed to start negotiations immediately without Ukraine or the EU. Subsequent events were no less surprising: an anti-European tirade by US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, a US demand of Ukraine to sign away most of its rare earth resources, a first US-Russia meeting in Riyadh and President Trump accusing Ukraine of starting the Russian war of aggression against it, and calling President Zelensky a dictator. Europe, and many other parts of the world, is still reeling from these developments but it is undoubtedly Ukraine that is in the eye of the storm: from trying to deny it a say over its own destiny to attempting to impose elections upon it, and from cutting defence assistance to undermining funding to its civil society, the Ukrainian reality has changed rapidly, and for the worse. To understand this reality better Ilana Bet-El is joined by two leaders of civil society in Ukraine: Olena Tregub Secretary General of NAKO - the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission in Ukraine, and Inna Pidluska Deputy Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation. In a brave no-holds-bar discussion they reflect on the sense of betrayal by the US and the opposing sense of Ukrainian dignity, and the deep-felt sense that might is not right.

This episode was recorded on 20 February 2025.

Chapters

How is Ukraine reacting to Trump administration’s shift?

What does Ukraine expect from Europe now?

Is Ukraine’s civil society at risk?

What kind of deal would be acceptable for Ukraine?

Mentions

James Joll, Unspoken assumptions

Ukraine civil society

BBC, Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia

Fact-checking Trump claims about war in Ukraine

Follow our guests

Olena Tregub  LinkedIn, X/Twitter

Inna Pidluska LinkedIn

Follow us

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

Our partner European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn website

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Tariffs and trade wars with Sylvia Chen & Sara Nordin]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2025 04:50:00 GMT 48:24 67a4f4233ef0b176eaa4f8d2 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/tariffs-and-trade-wars-with-sylvia-chen-sara-nordin 67a4f4233ef0b176eaa4f8d2 65e89f987fe4880016f998df tariffs-and-trade-wars-with-sylvia-chen-sara-nordin full 2 3 Trade is the backbone of the global economy, but its workings are a mystery to many. What is a tariff? What is a trade war? Why is trade so complicated? The chaos wrought by Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico – despite a thirty-day reprieve negotiated for the latter two - makes these and many other questions imperative to answer.

Ilana Bet-El is joined by Sylvia Chen, International Trade Policy and Compliance Consultant, and Sara Nordin, Partner in the Global Trade Practice of international law firm White & Case, to gain some understanding of how international trade works. Together, they outline the basics of trade law, how tariffs connect to policy measures, and how they influence modern trade and global supply chains. This episode is a necessary exploration of the actual trade underpinning any potential trade war on the horizon.

This episode was recorded on 5 February 2025.


Chapters

  • What does a trade lawyer do?
  • Why are trade rules and laws necessary?
  • What is a tariff?
  • Why did Trump put tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China?

Mentions

Follow our guest

Follow us

Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Trade is the backbone of the global economy, but its workings are a mystery to many. What is a tariff? What is a trade war? Why is trade so complicated? The chaos wrought by Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico – despite a thirty-day reprieve negotiated for the latter two - makes these and many other questions imperative to answer.

Ilana Bet-El is joined by Sylvia Chen, International Trade Policy and Compliance Consultant, and Sara Nordin, Partner in the Global Trade Practice of international law firm White & Case, to gain some understanding of how international trade works. Together, they outline the basics of trade law, how tariffs connect to policy measures, and how they influence modern trade and global supply chains. This episode is a necessary exploration of the actual trade underpinning any potential trade war on the horizon.

This episode was recorded on 5 February 2025.


Chapters

  • What does a trade lawyer do?
  • Why are trade rules and laws necessary?
  • What is a tariff?
  • Why did Trump put tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China?

Mentions

Follow our guest

Follow us

Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Rhetoric and reality from the US with Kathleen McInnis Rhetoric and reality from the US with Kathleen McInnis Fri, 24 Jan 2025 04:30:00 GMT 46:34 6792c90c850b1ddbd32c4ff6 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/us-trump-administration-kathleen-mcinnis 6792c90c850b1ddbd32c4ff6 65e89f987fe4880016f998df us-trump-administration-kathleen-mcinnis full 2 2 There can be no doubt the world changed on 20th of January 2025. As a matter of fact, a new US President was inaugurated — a second time for President Trump — whose return to power has spooked global friends and enemies alike since his election last November. The flurry of Executive Orders issued from day one says much about the determination of this US Administration to not only dismantle the work and legacy of the Biden Administration but potentially also many elements of the postwar multilateral order.

Indeed, amongst the first measures taken by President Trump upon his return to the White House was the withdrawal of the US from both the Paris Climate Agreement, and the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, beyond the acts the bluster, the rhetoric on tariffs and bold promises to end both wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the vast majority of actions and orders have concerned domestic matters, focused upon issues such as immigration and equality. This begs the question: is the Trump Administration more concerned with bombastic rhetoric than bombastic action when it comes to global and geostrategic affairs?

Dr Kathleen McInnis is definitely someone who can speak to this and many other related issues. Director and senior fellow of the Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and a former official at the US Department of Defence (DOD), she joins Ilana Bet-El in a wide-ranging conversation. From women and "dudes" in defence and foreign affairs to modern strategic challenges, and the future of NATO and EU-US relations, this is a strong and surprising discussion concerning rhetoric, reality and continuity in America's foreign policy under President Trump 2.0.

This episode was recorded on 23 January 2025.

Mentions

Follow our guest:

You can also follow us

Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> There can be no doubt the world changed on 20th of January 2025. As a matter of fact, a new US President was inaugurated — a second time for President Trump — whose return to power has spooked global friends and enemies alike since his election last November. The flurry of Executive Orders issued from day one says much about the determination of this US Administration to not only dismantle the work and legacy of the Biden Administration but potentially also many elements of the postwar multilateral order.

Indeed, amongst the first measures taken by President Trump upon his return to the White House was the withdrawal of the US from both the Paris Climate Agreement, and the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, beyond the acts the bluster, the rhetoric on tariffs and bold promises to end both wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the vast majority of actions and orders have concerned domestic matters, focused upon issues such as immigration and equality. This begs the question: is the Trump Administration more concerned with bombastic rhetoric than bombastic action when it comes to global and geostrategic affairs?

Dr Kathleen McInnis is definitely someone who can speak to this and many other related issues. Director and senior fellow of the Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and a former official at the US Department of Defence (DOD), she joins Ilana Bet-El in a wide-ranging conversation. From women and "dudes" in defence and foreign affairs to modern strategic challenges, and the future of NATO and EU-US relations, this is a strong and surprising discussion concerning rhetoric, reality and continuity in America's foreign policy under President Trump 2.0.

This episode was recorded on 23 January 2025.

Mentions

Follow our guest:

You can also follow us

Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> 2025: A year of turmoil? 2025: A year of turmoil? Fri, 10 Jan 2025 04:59:00 GMT 46:28 67802839793854daaece0225 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/2025-a-year-of-turmoil 67802839793854daaece0225 65e89f987fe4880016f998df 2025-a-year-of-turmoil with Jessica Cox full 2 1 As Women Leaders entered its fifth year (!!), it is apt to reflect on our turbulent world and the challenges that lie ahead. From wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan to the shifting power dynamics of global politics, there is a need to unpack the complexities of our current situation -- and look into the coming months with a strong dose of realism. Joined by Jessica Cox, Director of Defence Plans and Policy at the U.S. Mission to NATO, Ilana unpacks these and other pressing global issues. Together, they delve into the NATO and US perceptions and expectations in the coming months for Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific region, China, the Middle East ... and much more! A sharp, insightful conversation on our interconnected world at a time when many forces are trying to disconnect it.

This episode was recorded on 8 January 2025.

Chapters

  • NATO versus multilateral institutions
  • Ukraine: NATO and US expected achievements for Ukraine
  • Is NATO at war with Russia?
  • Collaboration between Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea against the international order
  • NATO and its relations with China, and the Indo-Pacific region
  • China’s unique stance on the international order
  • Middle Eastern events as a NATO concern
  • A bad year for Russia, Iran and China

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]]> As Women Leaders entered its fifth year (!!), it is apt to reflect on our turbulent world and the challenges that lie ahead. From wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan to the shifting power dynamics of global politics, there is a need to unpack the complexities of our current situation -- and look into the coming months with a strong dose of realism. Joined by Jessica Cox, Director of Defence Plans and Policy at the U.S. Mission to NATO, Ilana unpacks these and other pressing global issues. Together, they delve into the NATO and US perceptions and expectations in the coming months for Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific region, China, the Middle East ... and much more! A sharp, insightful conversation on our interconnected world at a time when many forces are trying to disconnect it.

This episode was recorded on 8 January 2025.

Chapters

  • NATO versus multilateral institutions
  • Ukraine: NATO and US expected achievements for Ukraine
  • Is NATO at war with Russia?
  • Collaboration between Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea against the international order
  • NATO and its relations with China, and the Indo-Pacific region
  • China’s unique stance on the international order
  • Middle Eastern events as a NATO concern
  • A bad year for Russia, Iran and China

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]]> Syria unbound Syria unbound Fri, 13 Dec 2024 05:00:35 GMT 39:52 675b246f619022857c8bcea2 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/syria-unbound 675b246f619022857c8bcea2 65e89f987fe4880016f998df syria-unbound with Hind Kabawat full 1 18 “How did you go bankrupt?"  “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.”  Novelist Earnest Hemingway put these words in the mouth of one of his characters in his 1926 breakthrough novel, The Sun Also Rises, and it seems they are as true to dictators as they are to a fictional gambler and drunk. 

Last weekend, President Bashar al Assad of Syria, the cruel and brutal head of a corrupt dynasty that had ruled Syria for over half a century, fled with his family to Moscow — just two weeks after a rebel group started upon an offensive from north to south. 

In retrospect, it became clear that the regime had been creaking gradually for some time, before it collapsed suddenly, leaving Iran and Russia, his two external supporters, bereft and the people of Syria free - or at least free from the regime. The freedom to decide their future is yet to be tested or understood.

Hind Kabawat, a former member of the High Negotiations Committee at the Syrian peace talks in Geneva and a prominent leader of Syrian civil society, is one of the best-placed people to reflect on the past and especially the future of Syria. A native of Damascus who attended school with Bashar al Assad but has been standing in staunch opposition to him ever since she passionately believes in multi-faith collaboration as well as the importance of women. 

While applauding the fall of Assad, Professor Kabawat knows the future is yet to be decided - but that equality of different peoples of all faiths, genders, and political tribes must be at its centre.

This episode was recorded on 12 December 2024

Mentions and further resources

IIIM – International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism

Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS)

Timeline of Arab Spring in Syria

Follow our guest

Hind Kabawat X/Twitter, LinkedIn and webpage (George Mason University)

Tastakel, the non-profit Syrian women-led organisation working on building a democratic society on the basis of respect, justice & the rule of law.

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European Leadership Network Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and website

Ilana Bet-El

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Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

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]]> “How did you go bankrupt?"  “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.”  Novelist Earnest Hemingway put these words in the mouth of one of his characters in his 1926 breakthrough novel, The Sun Also Rises, and it seems they are as true to dictators as they are to a fictional gambler and drunk. 

Last weekend, President Bashar al Assad of Syria, the cruel and brutal head of a corrupt dynasty that had ruled Syria for over half a century, fled with his family to Moscow — just two weeks after a rebel group started upon an offensive from north to south. 

In retrospect, it became clear that the regime had been creaking gradually for some time, before it collapsed suddenly, leaving Iran and Russia, his two external supporters, bereft and the people of Syria free - or at least free from the regime. The freedom to decide their future is yet to be tested or understood.

Hind Kabawat, a former member of the High Negotiations Committee at the Syrian peace talks in Geneva and a prominent leader of Syrian civil society, is one of the best-placed people to reflect on the past and especially the future of Syria. A native of Damascus who attended school with Bashar al Assad but has been standing in staunch opposition to him ever since she passionately believes in multi-faith collaboration as well as the importance of women. 

While applauding the fall of Assad, Professor Kabawat knows the future is yet to be decided - but that equality of different peoples of all faiths, genders, and political tribes must be at its centre.

This episode was recorded on 12 December 2024

Mentions and further resources

IIIM – International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism

Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS)

Timeline of Arab Spring in Syria

Follow our guest

Hind Kabawat X/Twitter, LinkedIn and webpage (George Mason University)

Tastakel, the non-profit Syrian women-led organisation working on building a democratic society on the basis of respect, justice & the rule of law.

Follow us

Instagram @women_leaders_podcast

European Leadership Network Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat

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]]> Germany all around Germany all around Fri, 29 Nov 2024 05:00:37 GMT 43:43 6749075cc31341623824d24d false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/germany-all-around 6749075cc31341623824d24d 65e89f987fe4880016f998df germany-all-around with Tanit Koch full 1 17 The political landscape in Germany seems anything but stable. From unresolved disputes and coalitions failing to the publication of Angela Merkel’s memoirs - a timely reminder of a past ideal era - the nation faced mounting challenges. Economic struggles, extremism on the edge and upcoming early elections: a worrying mix for one key European player.

Tanit Koch Schneider, journalist, co-host of the Focus Briefing and former editor-in-chief of the popular BILD, joins Ilana Bet-El to explain how and why the cherished German model went wrong, from the national situation following the elections three years ago, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, weaknesses to the multiple challenges and issues - and more!

This episode was recorded on 28 November 2024

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]]> The political landscape in Germany seems anything but stable. From unresolved disputes and coalitions failing to the publication of Angela Merkel’s memoirs - a timely reminder of a past ideal era - the nation faced mounting challenges. Economic struggles, extremism on the edge and upcoming early elections: a worrying mix for one key European player.

Tanit Koch Schneider, journalist, co-host of the Focus Briefing and former editor-in-chief of the popular BILD, joins Ilana Bet-El to explain how and why the cherished German model went wrong, from the national situation following the elections three years ago, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, weaknesses to the multiple challenges and issues - and more!

This episode was recorded on 28 November 2024

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]]> Unpacking the U.S. elections Unpacking the U.S. elections Fri, 15 Nov 2024 07:24:53 GMT 45:28 6736936e84d1e023f7d0875d false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/unpacking-the-us-elections 6736936e84d1e023f7d0875d 65e89f987fe4880016f998df unpacking-the-us-elections with Elena Schneider full 1 16 The 2024 US elections were unique. From the last minute candidacy of Kamala Harris through the assassination attempt of Donald Trump to the sheer amount of money involved -- over US$ 15 billion -- events moved at an amazing speed, resulting in an unexpected definitive win for Trump and the Republican Party.

Understanding what truly happened and capturing the real atmosphere across the U.S. may still be challenging, but necessary. To do this, Ilana Bet-El welcomes Elena Schneider, National Political Reporter at Politico U.S. Elena shares insights drawn from her extensive experience covering this and previous U.S. elections, touching on the current political landscape, media fragmentation, and how perceptions of power and strength remain deeply embedded in the electorate.

This episode was recorded on 14 November 2024

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Watch now our episode on Youtube

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]]> The 2024 US elections were unique. From the last minute candidacy of Kamala Harris through the assassination attempt of Donald Trump to the sheer amount of money involved -- over US$ 15 billion -- events moved at an amazing speed, resulting in an unexpected definitive win for Trump and the Republican Party.

Understanding what truly happened and capturing the real atmosphere across the U.S. may still be challenging, but necessary. To do this, Ilana Bet-El welcomes Elena Schneider, National Political Reporter at Politico U.S. Elena shares insights drawn from her extensive experience covering this and previous U.S. elections, touching on the current political landscape, media fragmentation, and how perceptions of power and strength remain deeply embedded in the electorate.

This episode was recorded on 14 November 2024

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]]> Undermining the people Undermining the people Fri, 01 Nov 2024 04:45:00 GMT 47:40 67241e7332ba02308fd7fddc false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/undermining-the-people 67241e7332ba02308fd7fddc 65e89f987fe4880016f998df undermining-the-people full 1 15 Election results should never be a foregone conclusion, and democratic upsets are a healthy feature of the system. Nonetheless, when the incumbent pro-Russian governing party in Georgia declared itself the winner of national elections on 26 October, with some 54% of the vote, there was a massive outcry: polls had predicted a win for the opposition. This is a huge setback for the cause of democracy in the state — and the region, given that just a week earlier, a referendum on European integration in Moldova had ended with a tiny margin of victory for the pro-EU camp when a near landslide had been predicted.


The tentacles of autocracy are clearly reaching far and wide, tightening their grip upon the states surrounding Ukraine and bordering Europe — threatening both. To delve into these issues, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Salome Samadashvili, opposition Member of Parliament in Georgia, and Tinatin Japaridze, member of the Younger Generation Leaders Network (YGLN) and Eurasia Analyst at the Eurasia Group. This is a hard-hitting discussion on Georgia, the region, autocracy and democracy, covered with clarity, intellect and empathy.

This episode was recorded on 31 October 2024


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]]> Election results should never be a foregone conclusion, and democratic upsets are a healthy feature of the system. Nonetheless, when the incumbent pro-Russian governing party in Georgia declared itself the winner of national elections on 26 October, with some 54% of the vote, there was a massive outcry: polls had predicted a win for the opposition. This is a huge setback for the cause of democracy in the state — and the region, given that just a week earlier, a referendum on European integration in Moldova had ended with a tiny margin of victory for the pro-EU camp when a near landslide had been predicted.


The tentacles of autocracy are clearly reaching far and wide, tightening their grip upon the states surrounding Ukraine and bordering Europe — threatening both. To delve into these issues, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Salome Samadashvili, opposition Member of Parliament in Georgia, and Tinatin Japaridze, member of the Younger Generation Leaders Network (YGLN) and Eurasia Analyst at the Eurasia Group. This is a hard-hitting discussion on Georgia, the region, autocracy and democracy, covered with clarity, intellect and empathy.

This episode was recorded on 31 October 2024


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]]> Iran All Around Iran All Around Fri, 18 Oct 2024 06:20:28 GMT 41:20 6711f7d2fb3e57696150702f false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/iran-all-around 6711f7d2fb3e57696150702f 65e89f987fe4880016f998df iran-all-around with Roxane Farmanfarmaian full 1 14 The speed of events in the disaster zone that is currently the Middle East is unrelenting. Just as attention was focused on Lebanon and refocused on Gaza, Israel announced the death of Yahiya Sinwar, head of Hamas and architect of the attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. Across the West, and possibly beyond, this development was viewed with relief - if only because it may allow for a hostage deal to finally occur. But in Iran, the death called for the mourning of a Martyr. This is not by chance: Iran is a major protagonist in the region.

From two missile attacks on Israel, to supporting Hizbollah, Hamas and the Houthis — Iran is perceived to be a malign presence across the Middle East, especially from the Western perspective. This is undoubtedly underpinned by its broken relations with the US, which dates back to the 1979-81 hostage crisis, coupled with its current closer relationship with China while also supplying armaments to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine.

These are difficult positions for the Western mind, but they stem from the Iranian interest and perspective. To better understand both interest and perspective, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian of Cambridge University in a strong and enlightening discussion that touches on the history of Iran and its international position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, through the Iran-Iraq war of the 1990s, all the way to understanding its regional and global interests today.


This episode was recorded on 14 October 2024

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]]> The speed of events in the disaster zone that is currently the Middle East is unrelenting. Just as attention was focused on Lebanon and refocused on Gaza, Israel announced the death of Yahiya Sinwar, head of Hamas and architect of the attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. Across the West, and possibly beyond, this development was viewed with relief - if only because it may allow for a hostage deal to finally occur. But in Iran, the death called for the mourning of a Martyr. This is not by chance: Iran is a major protagonist in the region.

From two missile attacks on Israel, to supporting Hizbollah, Hamas and the Houthis — Iran is perceived to be a malign presence across the Middle East, especially from the Western perspective. This is undoubtedly underpinned by its broken relations with the US, which dates back to the 1979-81 hostage crisis, coupled with its current closer relationship with China while also supplying armaments to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine.

These are difficult positions for the Western mind, but they stem from the Iranian interest and perspective. To better understand both interest and perspective, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian of Cambridge University in a strong and enlightening discussion that touches on the history of Iran and its international position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, through the Iran-Iraq war of the 1990s, all the way to understanding its regional and global interests today.


This episode was recorded on 14 October 2024

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]]> As Missiles Fly As Missiles Fly Fri, 04 Oct 2024 04:00:54 GMT 44:52 66fee0dca7d676ab06d7c185 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/as-missiles-fly 66fee0dca7d676ab06d7c185 65e89f987fe4880016f998df as-missiles-fly full 1 13 The constant escalation in the Middle East shows no signs of abating. October 7 marks a year since Hamas viciously invaded southern Israel, while October 8 is a year since Hezbollah started firing rockets into the north of Israel in support of Hamas. A year of unspeakable violence in Israel, Gaza and now Lebanon, rounded off by Iran firing some 200 ballistic missiles into Israel this week. A year of deaths and destruction for Palestinians, Israelis and Lebanese people.

In this unique episode Women Leaders is building a bridge: Fania Oz-Salzberger, Professor of history at Haifa University and renowned public intellectual, and Roula from Beirut — her name for security purposes — join Ilana Bet-El In a fascinating, passionate and hard hitting episode. From explanations about Lebanese and Israeli politics to calls for women in decision making, and from the depths of despair to a future day in a new Middle East, this is the discussion necessary to understand the problems and the people of the region.


This episode was recorded on 2 October 2024


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We asked after the recording our guests’ recommendations, just below:

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]]> The constant escalation in the Middle East shows no signs of abating. October 7 marks a year since Hamas viciously invaded southern Israel, while October 8 is a year since Hezbollah started firing rockets into the north of Israel in support of Hamas. A year of unspeakable violence in Israel, Gaza and now Lebanon, rounded off by Iran firing some 200 ballistic missiles into Israel this week. A year of deaths and destruction for Palestinians, Israelis and Lebanese people.

In this unique episode Women Leaders is building a bridge: Fania Oz-Salzberger, Professor of history at Haifa University and renowned public intellectual, and Roula from Beirut — her name for security purposes — join Ilana Bet-El In a fascinating, passionate and hard hitting episode. From explanations about Lebanese and Israeli politics to calls for women in decision making, and from the depths of despair to a future day in a new Middle East, this is the discussion necessary to understand the problems and the people of the region.


This episode was recorded on 2 October 2024


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]]> Grinding Horror Grinding Horror Thu, 19 Sep 2024 23:14:24 GMT 32:35 66ecae07e72fd4be29c5a116 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/grinding-horror 66ecae07e72fd4be29c5a116 65e89f987fe4880016f998df grinding-horror with Lisa Yasko full 1 12 Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine is in its third year, with no end in sight. The Russian offensive in the East of Ukraine grinds on, consuming a mass of men and materiel on both sides while its conquest proceeds in tiny paces. The only surprise of the past few months was the Ukrainian incursion into Russia, taking a small square of the Kursk region. It is no minor achievement, not least given that Russia has not been invaded since WWII, and that the Kursk region is where the biggest tank battle — and one of the biggest battles ever — took place in the summer of 1943 between the then Soviet Union and Germany. But ultimately, the war grinds on, with Russia intensifying its drone attacks as well as ground assaults, ably supplied by Iranian drones and materiel, shored up by offerings from North Korea, and aided in a circuitous way by purchases of raw materials and weapons made through third countries, so circumventing western sanctions.

Ukraine is fighting back, using its own drones and weaponry in Russia and trying to fend off the invading Russian forces with the aid of Western weapons in Ukraine. But it is not enough. Between the fighting and the massive Russian drone and missile strikes at its energy grid now happening nearly daily, reality is difficult. And worse. To get a deep insight into this reality and what is both happening and should be happening to change the situation, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Lisa Yasko, Member of the Ukrainian Rada (parliament) and Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. In a frank and revealing conversation, Lisa reflects on the war from its start, the daily reality in Ukraine, and the shortcomings of the international community.

This episode was recorded on 18 September 2024

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]]> Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine is in its third year, with no end in sight. The Russian offensive in the East of Ukraine grinds on, consuming a mass of men and materiel on both sides while its conquest proceeds in tiny paces. The only surprise of the past few months was the Ukrainian incursion into Russia, taking a small square of the Kursk region. It is no minor achievement, not least given that Russia has not been invaded since WWII, and that the Kursk region is where the biggest tank battle — and one of the biggest battles ever — took place in the summer of 1943 between the then Soviet Union and Germany. But ultimately, the war grinds on, with Russia intensifying its drone attacks as well as ground assaults, ably supplied by Iranian drones and materiel, shored up by offerings from North Korea, and aided in a circuitous way by purchases of raw materials and weapons made through third countries, so circumventing western sanctions.

Ukraine is fighting back, using its own drones and weaponry in Russia and trying to fend off the invading Russian forces with the aid of Western weapons in Ukraine. But it is not enough. Between the fighting and the massive Russian drone and missile strikes at its energy grid now happening nearly daily, reality is difficult. And worse. To get a deep insight into this reality and what is both happening and should be happening to change the situation, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Lisa Yasko, Member of the Ukrainian Rada (parliament) and Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. In a frank and revealing conversation, Lisa reflects on the war from its start, the daily reality in Ukraine, and the shortcomings of the international community.

This episode was recorded on 18 September 2024

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]]> Events Unabated Events Unabated Thu, 05 Sep 2024 23:21:53 GMT 48:31 66da3d14cd9424e3429b57e1 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/women-leaders-an-unabated-summer 66da3d14cd9424e3429b57e1 65e89f987fe4880016f998df women-leaders-an-unabated-summer with Jodi Rudoren full 1 11 Summer used to be a period of quiet. The sun shone — or not — and holidays were taken, events slowed to a nearly non-existent pace, and newsrooms had to deal with what was known as the “silly season”. No longer. Whether because events really have become more dramatic or whether because we know about them immediately due to the constant digital connections, this past summer was an example of constant and rapid events: From the assassination attempt on Donald Trump to the sudden rise of Kamala Harris, both now presidential candidates in the US; and from the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza/Israel to the hardening of the China-Russia partnership in the face of the west — the world carried on spinning unabated, and at speed.

To get a closer insight into events in the US and the Middle East, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Jodi Rudoren, Editor in Chief of the Forward and former New York Times Bureau Chief in Jerusalem. In a strong and flowing conversation they move through the rapidly changing realities of US politics and the changing gender roles within them; the prospects of both presidential candidates policies on wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the appalling lack of women in the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians — and elsewhere too.

This episode was recorded 5 September 2024


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]]> Summer used to be a period of quiet. The sun shone — or not — and holidays were taken, events slowed to a nearly non-existent pace, and newsrooms had to deal with what was known as the “silly season”. No longer. Whether because events really have become more dramatic or whether because we know about them immediately due to the constant digital connections, this past summer was an example of constant and rapid events: From the assassination attempt on Donald Trump to the sudden rise of Kamala Harris, both now presidential candidates in the US; and from the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza/Israel to the hardening of the China-Russia partnership in the face of the west — the world carried on spinning unabated, and at speed.

To get a closer insight into events in the US and the Middle East, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Jodi Rudoren, Editor in Chief of the Forward and former New York Times Bureau Chief in Jerusalem. In a strong and flowing conversation they move through the rapidly changing realities of US politics and the changing gender roles within them; the prospects of both presidential candidates policies on wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the appalling lack of women in the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians — and elsewhere too.

This episode was recorded 5 September 2024


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]]> Women Leaders on their summer break Women Leaders on their summer break Tue, 13 Aug 2024 06:21:51 GMT 0:41 66bafb80fc694fcd7a88b4a0 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/women-leaders-on-their-summer-break 66bafb80fc694fcd7a88b4a0 65e89f987fe4880016f998df women-leaders-on-their-summer-break trailer We know some of you have been wondering where we've been. Rest assured, Women Leaders will be back very soon.

Get ready for more extraordinary conversations with inspiring women experts this September. Stay tuned!

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

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]]> We know some of you have been wondering where we've been. Rest assured, Women Leaders will be back very soon.

Get ready for more extraordinary conversations with inspiring women experts this September. Stay tuned!

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

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]]> Elections, Wars and Summits Elections, Wars and Summits Fri, 12 Jul 2024 10:55:34 GMT 49:00 66910ba77356c01be8eb853f false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/elections-wars-and-summits 66910ba77356c01be8eb853f 65e89f987fe4880016f998df elections-wars-and-summits with Jane Kinninmont and Florence Ferrando full 1 10 July 2024 may end up being remembered for various reasons, such as wars in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza or the launch of the Arianne 6 rocket by the European Space Agency or the floods in Western Europe and the extreme heat in the eastern Mediterranean, all caused by climate change. At this point however, these are the backdrop to another set of events: elections and summits. In this year of elections around the globe it is perhaps unsurprising that two polls happened suddenly: in both the UK and France the heads of government called unexpected elections. In the UK this resulted in a massive won for the Labour Party, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. In contrast in France the outcome was stalemate: no-one won outright. While many in France and outside it are trying to define what this means, NATO members are meeting in Washington to mark the 75th anniversary of the alliance. To navigate these elections and summits, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Jane Kinninmont, Director of Policy and Impact at The European Leadership Network, and Florence Ferrando, producer of this podcast and Senior Consultant in Cyber and Strategic Intelligence at Forward Global.

This episode was recorded on July 11 2024.

Mentions

Jane’s inspiration: Gareth Southgate

Florence’s inspiration: Swann Périsssé show on French elections - Youtube

First past the post elections vs Two round system

UK election results /France election results

NATO Washington summit declaration

Jane's SWP paper on NATO and its southern neighbourhood

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Jane Kinninmont: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

Florence Ferrando: Linkedin

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Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production:Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll (ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT)

Supported by the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

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]]> July 2024 may end up being remembered for various reasons, such as wars in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza or the launch of the Arianne 6 rocket by the European Space Agency or the floods in Western Europe and the extreme heat in the eastern Mediterranean, all caused by climate change. At this point however, these are the backdrop to another set of events: elections and summits. In this year of elections around the globe it is perhaps unsurprising that two polls happened suddenly: in both the UK and France the heads of government called unexpected elections. In the UK this resulted in a massive won for the Labour Party, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. In contrast in France the outcome was stalemate: no-one won outright. While many in France and outside it are trying to define what this means, NATO members are meeting in Washington to mark the 75th anniversary of the alliance. To navigate these elections and summits, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Jane Kinninmont, Director of Policy and Impact at The European Leadership Network, and Florence Ferrando, producer of this podcast and Senior Consultant in Cyber and Strategic Intelligence at Forward Global.

This episode was recorded on July 11 2024.

Mentions

Jane’s inspiration: Gareth Southgate

Florence’s inspiration: Swann Périsssé show on French elections - Youtube

First past the post elections vs Two round system

UK election results /France election results

NATO Washington summit declaration

Jane's SWP paper on NATO and its southern neighbourhood

Follow our guests

Jane Kinninmont: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

Florence Ferrando: Linkedin

You can also follow

Our Instagram

Our partner European Leadership Network Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook & website

Ilana Bet-El

Credits

Production:Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll (ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT)

Supported by the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[It's the economy, stupid - and sanctions]]> Fri, 28 Jun 2024 07:52:42 GMT 37:41 667e6bca482fca9c1b3c4f19 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/its-the-economy-stupid-and-sanctions 667e6bca482fca9c1b3c4f19 65e89f987fe4880016f998df its-the-economy-stupid-and-sanctions With Agathe Demarais full 1 9 The focus on the defence aspects of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine often draws attention from the economic war taking place in parallel. Every few weeks the US or the EU drop another packet of sanctions on Russia, in attempts to hinder its capacity to pursue the war — and in absolute lockstep a wave of analyses, data and disinformation will appear, largely rubbishing the sanctions and their effects. In this way the EU this week dropped its 14th round of sanctions, and Russia put out another series of messages about the EU harming itself more than Russia. It is a vicious cycle that largely obfuscates not only the success of sanctions but also the broader economic picture of the war — and beyond.

To wade through the data, and make sense of them, Ilana Bet-El welcomes back Agathe Demarais, Senior Policy Fellow for Geoeconomics at the ECFR and the woman who literally wrote the book on sanctions! Moving along economic measures and countermeasures, they tease out in the clearest terms the broader economic context of the war against and Ukraine, as well as the realities of the global economic situation and its future, from demography to corporate interests.

As they say in Cabaret: That clinking, clanking sound / Can make the world go ‘round!


Recorded on June 18 2024.

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Production: Florence Ferrando. Music: Let Good Times Roll

Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

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Watch now our episode on Youtube

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]]> The focus on the defence aspects of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine often draws attention from the economic war taking place in parallel. Every few weeks the US or the EU drop another packet of sanctions on Russia, in attempts to hinder its capacity to pursue the war — and in absolute lockstep a wave of analyses, data and disinformation will appear, largely rubbishing the sanctions and their effects. In this way the EU this week dropped its 14th round of sanctions, and Russia put out another series of messages about the EU harming itself more than Russia. It is a vicious cycle that largely obfuscates not only the success of sanctions but also the broader economic picture of the war — and beyond.

To wade through the data, and make sense of them, Ilana Bet-El welcomes back Agathe Demarais, Senior Policy Fellow for Geoeconomics at the ECFR and the woman who literally wrote the book on sanctions! Moving along economic measures and countermeasures, they tease out in the clearest terms the broader economic context of the war against and Ukraine, as well as the realities of the global economic situation and its future, from demography to corporate interests.

As they say in Cabaret: That clinking, clanking sound / Can make the world go ‘round!


Recorded on June 18 2024.

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Production: Florence Ferrando. Music: Let Good Times Roll

Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

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Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Normalised Nationalism in Europe Normalised Nationalism in Europe Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:29:37 GMT 46:04 666be3523e011000123354f2 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/normalised-nationalism-in-europe 666be3523e011000123354f2 65e89f987fe4880016f998df normalised-nationalism-in-europe With Catherine Fieschi full 1 8 Between June 6th and 9th, 27 member states held elections for the European Union’s parliament. With over 300 million eligible voters, the European Union’s electorate is second only to India in terms of size. However, of these hundreds of millions of potential voters, only 51% voted, an unsurprising figure as democratic participation declines across the West.

Equally unsurprising were the results of the vote, which, as always, resulted in the two major centrist blocs, the European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), maintaining their majority—with some support from the Green and Liberal groups.

However, worryingly for some, far-right and nationalist parties also performed well, with the two major groupings (ECR, ID) gaining 134 seats out of a total of 720, representing nearly 20% of all MEPs. This outcome was predicted in the pre-election polls and hasn’t shocked many pundits, but the reality of an increased normalisation of nationalist politics in the European Parliament may be sobering for some.

For 20 years now, nationalist and far/extreme right parties have slowly but surely gained electoral and political legitimacy. In recent years, such parties have won elections in the Netherlands, Italy, and Slovakia, and they sit in government in Finland, Sweden, and a few other countries as well. In all member states, nationalist parties sit in parliament, and their rhetoric has entered mainstream political discourses.

In France, this outcome has had especially profound repercussions, as President Macron has now called for snap elections in response to the major losses experienced by his Renaissance party to Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella’s National Rally party.

How did Europe — and indeed many other countries in the democratic world — come to this? Are mainstream politicians getting it wrong, or are they just of poor quality? Is there a better way forward? To answer these and many other such questions, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Catherine Fieschi, an expert on populism and European politics, in a lively and deeply probing conversation.


Recorded on June 13 2024.

Mentions

  • Catherine’s inspiration: “Homage to Catalonia” George Orwell
  • Catherine’s book “Populocracy"
  • Global social media users (April 2024): 5.07 billion, equating to 62.6% of global population. Meta had by far the most users (Facebook 3 billion, WhatsApp and Instagram 2 billion each) with Youtube, owned by Google, next at 2.5 billion.

Follow

Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando.
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll
  • Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Between June 6th and 9th, 27 member states held elections for the European Union’s parliament. With over 300 million eligible voters, the European Union’s electorate is second only to India in terms of size. However, of these hundreds of millions of potential voters, only 51% voted, an unsurprising figure as democratic participation declines across the West.

Equally unsurprising were the results of the vote, which, as always, resulted in the two major centrist blocs, the European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), maintaining their majority—with some support from the Green and Liberal groups.

However, worryingly for some, far-right and nationalist parties also performed well, with the two major groupings (ECR, ID) gaining 134 seats out of a total of 720, representing nearly 20% of all MEPs. This outcome was predicted in the pre-election polls and hasn’t shocked many pundits, but the reality of an increased normalisation of nationalist politics in the European Parliament may be sobering for some.

For 20 years now, nationalist and far/extreme right parties have slowly but surely gained electoral and political legitimacy. In recent years, such parties have won elections in the Netherlands, Italy, and Slovakia, and they sit in government in Finland, Sweden, and a few other countries as well. In all member states, nationalist parties sit in parliament, and their rhetoric has entered mainstream political discourses.

In France, this outcome has had especially profound repercussions, as President Macron has now called for snap elections in response to the major losses experienced by his Renaissance party to Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella’s National Rally party.

How did Europe — and indeed many other countries in the democratic world — come to this? Are mainstream politicians getting it wrong, or are they just of poor quality? Is there a better way forward? To answer these and many other such questions, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Catherine Fieschi, an expert on populism and European politics, in a lively and deeply probing conversation.


Recorded on June 13 2024.

Mentions

  • Catherine’s inspiration: “Homage to Catalonia” George Orwell
  • Catherine’s book “Populocracy"
  • Global social media users (April 2024): 5.07 billion, equating to 62.6% of global population. Meta had by far the most users (Facebook 3 billion, WhatsApp and Instagram 2 billion each) with Youtube, owned by Google, next at 2.5 billion.

Follow

Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando.
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll
  • Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Defenders of Ukraine Defenders of Ukraine Fri, 31 May 2024 07:01:14 GMT 44:18 665975baa7d10c0012e7089a false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/defenders-of-ukraine 665975baa7d10c0012e7089a 65e89f987fe4880016f998df defenders-of-ukraine full 1 7 The third year of war often suggests two harsh realities: that the war is, by definition, long and that it is not yet over. Think 1917 in World War I or 1942 in World War II. Ukraine is in year three of defending itself against the full-scale Russian invasion that started in February 2022. It fended off the Russian forces at the start, but since then the war has been quite static with each side achieving small victories at huge expense.


For Russia, this is a war of choice; for Ukraine it is a war of survival. And while soldiers are fighting on the front line, the rest of society is passionately fighting in every other way for a free, democratic and independent Ukraine — as host Ilana Bet-El found on a visit to Kyiv in May 2024. Every conversation is about the war, and the fight to join the democratic world. To get a sense of this spirit she is joined in this episode by Inna Pidluska, Deputy Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation in Ukraine, and Anna Kovalenko, former member of the Ukrainian Parliament and a prominent civic activist.


To find out what Ukraine means to Ukrainians, what the West means to them, and what Russia means to them — hint: they are fed up of sharing their history with Russia — listen to this lively and passionate conversation to hear the full discussion.


This episode was recorded on May 26 2024.


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]]> The third year of war often suggests two harsh realities: that the war is, by definition, long and that it is not yet over. Think 1917 in World War I or 1942 in World War II. Ukraine is in year three of defending itself against the full-scale Russian invasion that started in February 2022. It fended off the Russian forces at the start, but since then the war has been quite static with each side achieving small victories at huge expense.


For Russia, this is a war of choice; for Ukraine it is a war of survival. And while soldiers are fighting on the front line, the rest of society is passionately fighting in every other way for a free, democratic and independent Ukraine — as host Ilana Bet-El found on a visit to Kyiv in May 2024. Every conversation is about the war, and the fight to join the democratic world. To get a sense of this spirit she is joined in this episode by Inna Pidluska, Deputy Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation in Ukraine, and Anna Kovalenko, former member of the Ukrainian Parliament and a prominent civic activist.


To find out what Ukraine means to Ukrainians, what the West means to them, and what Russia means to them — hint: they are fed up of sharing their history with Russia — listen to this lively and passionate conversation to hear the full discussion.


This episode was recorded on May 26 2024.


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]]> Electing the European Parliament Electing the European Parliament Fri, 17 May 2024 05:44:19 GMT 44:40 66468cd4e6c7300013333570 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/electing-the-european-parliament 66468cd4e6c7300013333570 65e89f987fe4880016f998df electing-the-european-parliament with Anna Davreux full 1 6 In a year of big elections, in which approximately half the global population is going to the polls at one time or another, the EU elections stand out: upwards of 300 million eligible voters out of a population of nearly 450 million people across 27 states. A transnational bonanza of democracy that will take place between 6-9 June. 720 seats are up for grabs in the European Parliament, and once the results and balance of power in that institution are decided, the composition of the European Commission and the leadership of the European Council will be negotiated, or wrangled over. Confused?


Anna Davreux, a ten-year veteran of the European Parliament and now Senior Vice President and Partner at Fleishman-Hillard Brussels, guides Ilana across the realities and complexities of the Parliament and all EU institutions. In a fun and fascinating discussion, the basics of the European Union, and democracy, are exposed, explained, and extolled. The European Parliament, as the EU in general, may seem opaque and difficult to understand, but it does work — for everyone!

Recorded on 15 May 2024


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  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll
  • Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In a year of big elections, in which approximately half the global population is going to the polls at one time or another, the EU elections stand out: upwards of 300 million eligible voters out of a population of nearly 450 million people across 27 states. A transnational bonanza of democracy that will take place between 6-9 June. 720 seats are up for grabs in the European Parliament, and once the results and balance of power in that institution are decided, the composition of the European Commission and the leadership of the European Council will be negotiated, or wrangled over. Confused?


Anna Davreux, a ten-year veteran of the European Parliament and now Senior Vice President and Partner at Fleishman-Hillard Brussels, guides Ilana across the realities and complexities of the Parliament and all EU institutions. In a fun and fascinating discussion, the basics of the European Union, and democracy, are exposed, explained, and extolled. The European Parliament, as the EU in general, may seem opaque and difficult to understand, but it does work — for everyone!

Recorded on 15 May 2024


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  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll
  • Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Georgia on the edge Georgia on the edge Fri, 03 May 2024 03:00:25 GMT 34:23 6633ff9c19f78300127b4b5d false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/georgia-on-the-edge 6633ff9c19f78300127b4b5d 65e89f987fe4880016f998df georgia-on-the-edge With Salome Samadashvili full 1 5 In our world of disruption, Georgia has suddenly emerged as another centre of protest and imbalance: on Wednesday, 1 May, the Georgian parliament voted for controversial new legislation that would brand Western-funded NGOs as foreign agents. In response, the streets of Georgia, notably the capital Tbilisi, erupted into protest: not only is the legislation deemed objectionable, it is also a clear threat to Georgia’s EU aspirations.


In December last year the European Union announced Georgia, a pearl of the Caucasus, would become a candidate for membership. But in response to this new legislation, the EU this week called on Georgia to stay the course and stop the legislative process. The government is perceived to be pro-Russian, and it is unclear whether it will pay heed, but the many protesters appear adamant about maintaining their dream of EU membership — in line with every poll conducted in the state over decades, reflecting the fact that a vast majority of the population seeks to be firmly embedded in the EU and the West.


To understand these rapidly unfolding events, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Salome Samadashvili, a prominent opposition member of the Georgian parliament and former ambassador of Georgia to the EU. Is this a repetition of events in Ukraine in 2014, when citizens objected to attempts by their Russian-controlled President to hamper relations with the EU — attempts that led to the Maidan Revolution, the ouster of the President and the annexation of Crimea by Russia — or is this a blind political ploy of a weak government? In this volatile region, all developments are crucial.


Recorded on 2 May 2024

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Follow our guest:

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Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In our world of disruption, Georgia has suddenly emerged as another centre of protest and imbalance: on Wednesday, 1 May, the Georgian parliament voted for controversial new legislation that would brand Western-funded NGOs as foreign agents. In response, the streets of Georgia, notably the capital Tbilisi, erupted into protest: not only is the legislation deemed objectionable, it is also a clear threat to Georgia’s EU aspirations.


In December last year the European Union announced Georgia, a pearl of the Caucasus, would become a candidate for membership. But in response to this new legislation, the EU this week called on Georgia to stay the course and stop the legislative process. The government is perceived to be pro-Russian, and it is unclear whether it will pay heed, but the many protesters appear adamant about maintaining their dream of EU membership — in line with every poll conducted in the state over decades, reflecting the fact that a vast majority of the population seeks to be firmly embedded in the EU and the West.


To understand these rapidly unfolding events, Ilana Bet-El is joined by Salome Samadashvili, a prominent opposition member of the Georgian parliament and former ambassador of Georgia to the EU. Is this a repetition of events in Ukraine in 2014, when citizens objected to attempts by their Russian-controlled President to hamper relations with the EU — attempts that led to the Maidan Revolution, the ouster of the President and the annexation of Crimea by Russia — or is this a blind political ploy of a weak government? In this volatile region, all developments are crucial.


Recorded on 2 May 2024

Mentions

Follow our guest:

Credits

Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Middle East – Endless escalation The Middle East – Endless escalation Fri, 19 Apr 2024 04:00:21 GMT 52:57 6621a73071143f0012bc698d false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/middle-east-endless-escalation 6621a73071143f0012bc698d 65e89f987fe4880016f998df middle-east-endless-escalation full 1 4 The 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel changed the Middle East – and the world. The sheer brutality of the attack and the overwhelming response of Israel threw many assumptions about the Israel-Palestine conflict into disarray. As well as relations between Israel and the Arab and Muslim worlds, relations within the Arab and Muslim worlds, and relations between Israel and the US, Europe, and many other parts of the world. At the same time, these geopolitical events have been mirrored by marked rises in antisemitism and Islamophobia.


Six months into the war, escalation has become the keyword, with each instance of destruction, killing, and outrage assumed to be the worst – from murder, rape and hostage-taking to mass destruction, killing and significant aid shortages – right up until the next example of human suffering comes along. A new height of escalation was reached on the night of Saturday, 13 April, when Iran directly attacked Israel with a swarm of drones, ballistic missiles and surface-to-surface missiles: a new reality in both warfare and global politics was born.*


The Intertwined elements of the war, the region, the world, the personal, the political and the consequences are difficult to discuss. However, Ilana Bet-El is joined by two amazing women who do just that: Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief of the Forward and former New York Times Bureau Chief in Israel, and Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian of Cambridge University and the Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education, Senior Associate Fellow at the ELN, and an expert on Iran and the Middle East. In a free and fascinating exchange, they highlight their own experiences of 7 October, their reactions to the war in Gaza, the implications for the media, geopolitics and the region, and their sense of why everyone cares so much about this conflict above all others. Take a deep breath and dive into their knowledge, wit, insights, and powerful exchanges.


*Despite recording on 18 April before the release of the episode on 19 April, there was yet a further escalation with an apparent Israeli counterattack on Iran.


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Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll

Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel changed the Middle East – and the world. The sheer brutality of the attack and the overwhelming response of Israel threw many assumptions about the Israel-Palestine conflict into disarray. As well as relations between Israel and the Arab and Muslim worlds, relations within the Arab and Muslim worlds, and relations between Israel and the US, Europe, and many other parts of the world. At the same time, these geopolitical events have been mirrored by marked rises in antisemitism and Islamophobia.


Six months into the war, escalation has become the keyword, with each instance of destruction, killing, and outrage assumed to be the worst – from murder, rape and hostage-taking to mass destruction, killing and significant aid shortages – right up until the next example of human suffering comes along. A new height of escalation was reached on the night of Saturday, 13 April, when Iran directly attacked Israel with a swarm of drones, ballistic missiles and surface-to-surface missiles: a new reality in both warfare and global politics was born.*


The Intertwined elements of the war, the region, the world, the personal, the political and the consequences are difficult to discuss. However, Ilana Bet-El is joined by two amazing women who do just that: Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief of the Forward and former New York Times Bureau Chief in Israel, and Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian of Cambridge University and the Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education, Senior Associate Fellow at the ELN, and an expert on Iran and the Middle East. In a free and fascinating exchange, they highlight their own experiences of 7 October, their reactions to the war in Gaza, the implications for the media, geopolitics and the region, and their sense of why everyone cares so much about this conflict above all others. Take a deep breath and dive into their knowledge, wit, insights, and powerful exchanges.


*Despite recording on 18 April before the release of the episode on 19 April, there was yet a further escalation with an apparent Israeli counterattack on Iran.


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Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll

Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Winds of change in Turkey? Decrypting the recent local elections Winds of change in Turkey? Decrypting the recent local elections Thu, 04 Apr 2024 22:06:48 GMT 28:50 660f24786ed3b200178cc678 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/turkey-elections2024 660f24786ed3b200178cc678 65e89f987fe4880016f998df turkey-elections2024 with Zeynep Atikkan full 1 3 The results of Turley’s recent local elections (31st March 2024) came as a great surprise. Pre-election polling suggested the AKP party of President Erdogan was on course to win, but instead, the main opposition CHP party swept up an impressive number of cities and towns, notably the ten major cities of the country, which collectively represent over 74% of Turkey’s GDP. This is a massive shift in the country’s political landscape, signalling a potential call for deep change. Put another way: has Turkey reached a critical juncture after two decades under the Erdogan regime?


Zeynep Atikkan, senior Turkish journalist, joins Ilana Bet-El in a discussion of this and many other questions about the Turkish electoral and political landscape. From economic concerns, the Kurdish issue, and generational shifts, to civil society engagement, women’s roles, protests, media influence, and evolving political dynamics – the underpinning realities of Turkish politics are revealed and discussed; not least the weakened position of President Erdogan and his AKP party.


Recorded on 4 April 2024

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]]> The results of Turley’s recent local elections (31st March 2024) came as a great surprise. Pre-election polling suggested the AKP party of President Erdogan was on course to win, but instead, the main opposition CHP party swept up an impressive number of cities and towns, notably the ten major cities of the country, which collectively represent over 74% of Turkey’s GDP. This is a massive shift in the country’s political landscape, signalling a potential call for deep change. Put another way: has Turkey reached a critical juncture after two decades under the Erdogan regime?


Zeynep Atikkan, senior Turkish journalist, joins Ilana Bet-El in a discussion of this and many other questions about the Turkish electoral and political landscape. From economic concerns, the Kurdish issue, and generational shifts, to civil society engagement, women’s roles, protests, media influence, and evolving political dynamics – the underpinning realities of Turkish politics are revealed and discussed; not least the weakened position of President Erdogan and his AKP party.


Recorded on 4 April 2024

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]]> Democracy in Peril? Navigating India and democracies Democracy in Peril? Navigating India and democracies Fri, 22 Mar 2024 05:00:22 GMT 39:48 65fbd047115b020016ce879b false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/democracy-in-peril 65fbd047115b020016ce879b 65e89f987fe4880016f998df democracy-in-peril with Dr. Radha Kumar full 1 2 2024 has already been defined as the year of elections: from Russia through the EU to the US, autocracies, dictatorships and democracies, billions of people are going to the polls. And one of the biggest upcoming elections is due in India: with 968 million registered voters, 15 million elections officials and 1.2 million polling booths, it will be the largest exercise in logistics and democracy the world has ever seen.

But there are problems — in India, and many other democracies. Dr. Radha Kumar, renowned Indian policy analyst, public intellectual and writer specialised in ethnic conflicts and peace processes, who recently convened the Delhi Democracy Convention, joins Ilana Bet-El in an exploration of India’s democratic crossroads. From inter-ethnic tensions to political power plays and media freedom, the flowing conversation explains much about the sub-continent, and the state of democracies far beyond.


Recorded on 18 March 2024

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Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

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]]> 2024 has already been defined as the year of elections: from Russia through the EU to the US, autocracies, dictatorships and democracies, billions of people are going to the polls. And one of the biggest upcoming elections is due in India: with 968 million registered voters, 15 million elections officials and 1.2 million polling booths, it will be the largest exercise in logistics and democracy the world has ever seen.

But there are problems — in India, and many other democracies. Dr. Radha Kumar, renowned Indian policy analyst, public intellectual and writer specialised in ethnic conflicts and peace processes, who recently convened the Delhi Democracy Convention, joins Ilana Bet-El in an exploration of India’s democratic crossroads. From inter-ethnic tensions to political power plays and media freedom, the flowing conversation explains much about the sub-continent, and the state of democracies far beyond.


Recorded on 18 March 2024

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Production: Florence Ferrando

Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Back and big: Geopolitics with Rose Gottemoeller Back and big: Geopolitics with Rose Gottemoeller Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:00:43 GMT 38:20 65e8dc5585840a00179bae68 false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/back-and-big-geopolitics-with-rose-gotemoeller 65e8dc5585840a00179bae68 65e89f987fe4880016f998df back-and-big-geopolitics-with-rose-gotemoeller A special for IWD full 1 1 Women Leaders is back! The podcast that showcases women experts returns, in our new home at the European Leadership Network (ELN).


To mark the move, and International Women’s Day (IWD), we welcome back Rose Gottemoeller, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO, to discuss the state of the world. From Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to the disruption in the Middle East, from Russian autocracy to US politics, this episode is the definitive grand sweep of global geopolitics. The (dire) state of democracy, competitiveness in defence industries, and economic challenges — these and many other issues come to light in discussion with host and Senior Associate Fellow at the European Leadership Network, Ilana Bet-El. And as a bonus for IWD, find out who are Women of Mass Destruction — and what may be too pink!


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Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT)
  • Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Women Leaders is back! The podcast that showcases women experts returns, in our new home at the European Leadership Network (ELN).


To mark the move, and International Women’s Day (IWD), we welcome back Rose Gottemoeller, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO, to discuss the state of the world. From Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to the disruption in the Middle East, from Russian autocracy to US politics, this episode is the definitive grand sweep of global geopolitics. The (dire) state of democracy, competitiveness in defence industries, and economic challenges — these and many other issues come to light in discussion with host and Senior Associate Fellow at the European Leadership Network, Ilana Bet-El. And as a bonus for IWD, find out who are Women of Mass Destruction — and what may be too pink!


Reference materials


You can also follow us


Credits

  • Production: Florence Ferrando
  • Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT)
  • Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations

Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A glimpse of Women Leaders A glimpse of Women Leaders Wed, 06 Mar 2024 20:54:06 GMT 0:53 65e8cebb85840a0017997d7a false https://shows.acast.com/women-leaders/episodes/we-are-back-for-a-idw-2024 65e8cebb85840a0017997d7a 65e89f987fe4880016f998df we-are-back-for-a-idw-2024 Conversations with trailer Introducing the Women Leaders podcast! This short trailer gives you a taste of what’s to come— unformal conversations hosted by Ilana Bet-El with extradordinay women. Tune in avery other Friday with them, ready to decode world mysteries and hottest topics of the day!


Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Introducing the Women Leaders podcast! This short trailer gives you a taste of what’s to come— unformal conversations hosted by Ilana Bet-El with extradordinay women. Tune in avery other Friday with them, ready to decode world mysteries and hottest topics of the day!


Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️

Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast

Watch now our episode on Youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>