Orion Talks: Recent Episodes
Orion Policy
Orion Policy Institute is an independent non-profit think tank based in Washington D.C. Our mission is to contribute to stability and good governance, advance human rights, and promote policy through high-quality research and analysis. Orion seeks to generate practical and sustainable solutions based on multi-disciplinary, diverse, and in-depth scientific research.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Dr. Angela Robinson for a discussion on human trafficking, one of the most widespread yet least talked about human rights violations. After sharing her considerations on the moral and economic cost of human trafficking for our societies, Dr. Robinson discusses how her research has utilized participatory methods to identify strategies for improving the services available to survivors of human trafficking and reflects on the importance of incorporating survivor input into case management and prevention work. She shares some of the most interesting findings that emerged from a cross-country data collection process and reflects on the policy implications of her findings. She concludes with some encouraging thoughts on how our collective fight against human trafficking can be advanced.
In this episode of Orion Talks, our podcast host, Suat Cubukcu, is joined by Dr. Jenny Schell and Dr. Linda Geven. With their multinational research team, including Dr. Teresa Schneider (who could not join the conversation), they have been documenting wrongful convictions and exoneration cases across Europe. Drs. Schell and Geven delve into their methodology, explaining how they conceptualize and operationalize wrongful convictions, gather data, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of the EUREX database amidst various challenges. The conversation extends to preliminary data analysis, highlighting common factors contributing to wrongful convictions. They also share compelling stories from exonerees in their database and compare their findings with similar studies in North America, noting similarities and differences. Finally, they discuss suggested reforms and practices to mitigate wrongful convictions.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu is joined by Travis Moran, a renowned expert in electric infrastructure security. Travis provides an in-depth overview of what constitutes critical infrastructure within the realm of electric energy, highlighting essential assets beyond nuclear power plants. He sheds light on the major threats facing U.S. electric infrastructure, discussing their vulnerabilities and the extent to which they are exposed. The discussion extends to the proliferation and expansion of unmanned systems, such as drones, and the additional risks they pose to the infrastructure. Travis explains the legal and policy challenges in countering unmanned aerial systems (UAS) threats. He concludes with strategic measures that policymakers should take to mitigate these risks.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Dr Rahul Verma to discuss and explain India’s latest elections. Dr Verma reflects on some of the reasons - economic anxiety, unemployment, disaffection - that may explain why the BJP (the party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi) fared worse than expected and lost a number of seats. He then explains in great detail some of the specific factors that may have contributed to the BJP's loss in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, which are the three electorally most important states in the country. Reflecting on the election results, Dr Verma also guides us through some of the reasons why Congress Party (the party led by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi) improved its result with respect to previous elections. Finally, he shares his thoughts on how the election results and the BJP's need to form a coalition government may affect - or not - the Prime Minister's capacity to push for the wanted policies.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Prof Min Ye to discuss President Xi Jinping's recent visit to France, Serbia, and Hungary - his first visit to Europe in five years. Prof Ye sheds light on the overall objective of this trip and explains how this trip situates itself within China's foreign policy objectives and China-EU relations. From there, Prof Ye guides us through the climate that has characterized China-EU relations in the past few years and shares her valuable thoughts on how Xi Jinping's visit can be expected to impact EU-China relations and intra-European relations, specifically relations between EU countries that have a more sceptical and restrained approach to China and EU countries that are much more open and willing to engage with Beijing. She also discusses the positive way in which this European trip was received in China. Finally, she concludes with her reflections on how the United States reacted to the visit.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Dr Joseph Siegle. Dr Siegle sheds light on the relations between Ethiopia and Somalia over the past few months, following a surprise MoU between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland whereby the latter would lease coastal land to Addis Ababa in exchange for recognition of statehood. After outlining the main events and the positions of Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, Dr Siegle explains the significance that this move by Ethiopia may have for the wider Horn of Africa region. He also shares considerations on the international actors' perspective - and possible concern - on those developments. Finally, he concludes with some reflections on how Ethiopian-Somali relations, and broader regional dynamics, may evolve from here.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Marta Furlan is joined by Dr Joseph Siegle. Dr Siegle sheds light on the relations between Ethiopia and Somalia over the past few months, following a surprise MoU between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland whereby the latter would lease coastal land to Addis Ababa in exchange for recognition of statehood. After outlining the main events and the positions of Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, Dr Siegle explains the significance that this move by Ethiopia may have for the wider Horn of Africa region. He also shares considerations on the international actors' perspective - and possible concern - on those developments. Finally, he concludes with some reflections on how Ethiopian-Somali relations, and broader regional dynamics, may evolve from here.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu is joined by Professor Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi. Professor Soherwordi delves into the current economic and political landscape of Pakistan, shedding light on its relations with the Taliban government in Afghanistan and the tense dynamics between the two nations. He discusses the recent surge of terrorist attacks targeting Pakistan, as well as Pakistan's cross-border strikes into Afghanistan. Additionally, he explores potential cooperation and collaboration with the Taliban government to deal with the issue of the TTP (Tehriki-Taliban in Pakistan) and explores solutions for more humanitarian approaches related to the deportation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Furthermore, Professor Soherwordi offers policy recommendations for both Pakistan and the international community to alleviate these tensions and foster stability in the region.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu is joined by Dr. Ardian Shajkovci. Dr. Shajkovci discusses the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and terrorism, exploring its harmful potential in the hands of malicious actors. The conversation touches on the prevalence and tactics of AI-enabled terrorism with specific examples such as the use of deep fakes for disinformation and terrorist propaganda methods. The discussion also examines the utility of AI in counter-terrorism efforts, including content moderation, and discusses the importance of balancing the use of technology with the rights of privacy and freedom of expression. Dr. Shajkovci concludes his arguments with policy recommendations on how to mitigate the risks associated with AI and ensure responsible use to identify and disrupt harmful extremist intentions.
In this episode of OrionTalks, host Suat Cubukcu is joined by Dr. Meike Ramon, an Assistant Professor at the University of Lausanne. Dr. Ramon's research, situated at the intersection of Cognitive Neuroscience and practical applications, takes center stage as she discusses the intriguing realm of super-recognizers and facial recognition technology. Dr. Ramon shares her research findings and insights into key questions, ranging from the intricacies of face recognition processing and the accuracy of this technology for various applications, including law enforcement, to the potential consequences of false positives and negatives. Dr. Ramon also sheds light on the ethical considerations surrounding the increasing use of facial recognition in public and private spaces, offering her insights into ensuring responsible and ethical implementation.
In this episode of OrionTalks, Karl P. Kadon, the Chief of the Criminal Division at the United States Attorneys' Offices, joins to discuss the far-reaching implications of the Israel and Hamas conflict and delves into the spillover effects of this conflict. The conversation explores the surge of hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim communities and the increasing risk of home-grown extremism in the United States stemming from the tragedy in Israel and Gaza. Mr. Kadon provides his insights into how law enforcement agencies can take steps to counter such challenges and offers recommendations for intergovernmental cooperation. He also shares his perspective on the role of community leaders and how to protect vulnerable populations.
In this Orion Talks conversation, Dr. Colin Clarke discusses the implications of the killing of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder and leader of the Wagner Group, for the group's future and its relationship with the Russian regime. He explains how the turmoil surrounding the Wagner may influence the group's operations and relations in Africa, as well as its utilization by the Russian state for clandestine activities. He concludes by sharing his insights on whether Prigozhin's death can have a significant impact on the course of the war in Ukraine.
In this episode of Orion Talks, host Suat Cubukcu engages in a thought-provoking conversation with special guest Dr. Elena Pokalova, a Professor at the College of International Security Affairs (CISA) at the National Defense University. During the discussion, Dr. Elena Pokalova explained why the Wagner Group should be considered a quasi-state force rather than a mere private military contractor. Dr. Pokalova delved into the rationale behind Putin's preference for the Wagner Group's involvement in Africa, which departs from conventional diplomatic and military channels. She discussed the implications of Wagner's presence in African countries such as Libya, CAR, Sudan, and Mali, revealing potential instabilities in both the short and long term. The conversation extends to the aftermath of the Wagner Group's failed mutiny, investigating the reactions of African leaders and governments and potential shifts in engagement dynamics. Dr. Pokalova concludes with important policy recommendations for the US and its allies to effectively manage the aftermath of Wagner's rebellion and Russia's activities in Africa.
In this episode of OrionTalks, Broderick McDonald and Guy Fiennes join host Suat Cubukcu to discuss the Wagner Group's expanding relations in the Sahel region and its potential impact on the security and stability of the region. They delve into the specific roles undertaken by the Wagner Group, examining their economic and political motivations, as well as the implications of their involvement in countering rebels and insurgency in the region. Additionally, they assess the Russian government's interest in Wagner's activities and explore potential measures the international community can take to address these concerning developments.
In this edition of OrionTalks, Dr. Chiara Redaelli, a Research Fellow at the Geneva Academy, joins host Suat Cubukcu to discuss the current armed conflict in Sudan from an international humanitarian law perspective. With two army generals fighting for power, the country is on the brink of civil war, with a death toll of 500 and over 5,000 injured civilians.
On this episode of OrionTalks, our host Suat Cubukcu speaks with Dr. Barbara Molas, a Research Fellow for the Current and Emerging Threats Programme at International Center for Counter-terrorism (ICCT), about far-right extremism. Dr. Molas shares her insights on the intersection between multiculturalism and far-right extremism, its transnational nature, the use of symbols and memes by far-right extremist groups on online platforms, and the challenges in preventing and countering far-right extremism amidst increasing disinformation campaigns, conspiracy theories, and political polarization.
In this episode of Orion Talks, Suat Cubukcu hosts Professor Kapucu from the University of Central Florida to discuss the recent devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6th. With over two decades of teaching and research experience in crisis and emergency management, Professor Kapucu shares his valuable insights on a range of topics. These include the Turkish government's response to the disaster, network governance in crisis and emergency management, and the crucial role of trust in government and public leadership when it comes to disaster response and recovery. In addition, Professor Kapucu offers his thoughts on how governments and societies can better prepare for future disasters by improving their resilience.
In this edition of OrionTalks, host Suat Cubukcu welcomes Federico Donelli, an assistant professor of International Relations at the University of Trieste and the author of the book, "Turkey in Africa: Turkey's Strategic Involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa." The conversation delves into Turkey's growing military and economic relationships with Africa, the influence of its military activism on the stability and security of the region, and how Turkey's role fits into the global security dynamics in relation to other major powers such as the US, China, and Russia.
In this episode of OrionTalks, join host Suat Cubukcu as he sits down with Dr. Daisy Muibu to delve into the escalating violence in Somalia by al-Shabaab and the efforts to counter the Salafi-Jihadist group. Dr. Muibu, an expert on terrorism and domestic security in East Africa, shares her insights on al-Shabaab's goals, the effectiveness of the Somali government and its international partners in combating the insurgency, and the potential for peace and stability in the region. The discussion also touches on the support of the United States and international organizations in aiding the Somali government in its fight against insurgent groups.
Iranian journalist Kourosh Ziabari discusses the direction of the ongoing protests and whether Iranian women can make a breakthrough against the establishment. He provides insights on domestic reactions to the protestors and analyzes the response from international communities, including the Iranian diaspora. As protests prolonged, Kourosh Ziabari explains to what extent the government can compromise or escalate violence to confront the protestors.
Travis D. Frain is one of the 2017 Westminster Bridge Attack survivors in London (UK), where five people tragically lost their lives, and more than 50 people were injured. Travis, then 19 years old, was severely wounded during the attack.
In this Orion Talks podcast, Travis talks about his campaigns to have survivors’ voices heard and strengthen their role in preventing radicalization, especially among youth and restoring community peace.
In this episode, Ambassador Jonathan M. Winer discusses the increasing tension between Libya’s two competing governments and argues the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in conflict. He evaluates the roles of external military powers and the proxies fighting in the region and emphasizes how their involvement jeopardizes the odds of Libya’s reunification. As a timely topic, he assesses Libya’s potential as an alternative energy source for Europe. Finally, Ambassador Winer provides insights on how to help the Libyan people in their efforts to bring peace to their country.
Caroline Rose analyzes the Captagon threat in the Mediterranean and Gulf region and its effect on regional security challenges. Providing insights on the nature and size of the illicit Captagon market, she examines the vital role of the Syrian government and non-state actors, including Hezbollah and ISIS. She discusses how the illicit market helps these actors sustain the ongoing war and conflict in the region. After explaining its target destinations and consumption patterns, she concludes with policy implications for the region, international community, and the United States.
In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Colin Clarke describes how Ukraine has become a center of gravity for foreign fighters and mercenaries and provides a background for those joining the legion. He explains the logistical, organizational, and operational challenges waiting for them on the battlefield and discusses whether their participation can make a difference in the overall dynamic of the war. Discussing legal and operational challenges, he provides his insights on to what extent the governments should allow volunteer fighters to join the fight. Finally, he explains Russian efforts to deploy mercenaries to join the war and discusses whether the internationalized context of the war can lead Ukraine to be a battleground for prolonged proxy warfare.
In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Richard Falk discusses the position of international law and United Nations vis a vis the Ukraine conflict and ongoing humanitarian crisis. He talks about plausible solutions to minimize human suffering and evaluates two sides’ positions for a potential ceasefire or peace deal. He concludes the conversation with his remarks on China’s relationship with Russia and United States and its vital role in the global dynamics and security in the long term.
Dr. Paul Poast elaborates on his disagreement with John Mearsheimer’s arguments on the West’s responsibility in the Ukraine crisis. He also explains potential scenarios on how the war might end and how these scenarios interplay with Putin’s endgame in the conflict. Dr. Poast continues his conversation with his insights on the future of European security structure and former Soviet Republics. He concludes the conversation with his assessment of the Biden administration’s management of the crisis.
In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Matthew Light talks about Russian president Putin’s purpose in the invasion, how to complicate his aims and the lessons to take away from the crisis. Dr. Light also provides insights into NATO’s unity and enlargement plans, security in the Baltic region, and the former Soviet Union Republic countries’ approaches to the invasion. Finally, he discusses ongoing humanitarian crises and recommends policy solutions.
In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Nadiya Kostyuk talks about Russian cyber warfare against Ukraine. She provides insights into Russia’s short and long-term strategies, the nature of Russian cyberattacks, and their effectiveness on the ground. As she discusses the United States’ counter-strategies, she answers whether Western countries have been exaggerating the Russia-oriented cyber threat and the perpetuating fears of cyberwar could play into Putin’s hands.
Nadiya Kostyuk is an Assistant Professor at the School of Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on security studies, modern warfare, cyber conflict, cyber institutions and capability, Russian and Eurasian politics.
In this Orion Talks podcast, David C. Pyrooz talks about his recent book, “On Gangs.” Dr. Pyrooz is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder and has more than 15 years of research experience in gangs. He co-authored "On Gangs" with Scott Decker and James Densley.
Dr. Pyrooz provides an overview of his recent book and discusses the prevalence and evolution of gangs in the United States. He also answers our questions on whether gangs contribute to the increasing homicide numbers, and they interact with ideological groups, especially with extremist far-right groups. Finally, he concludes with the evidence-based best practices and what the government should do to address gang problems.
Nina Kaseage (Kesag) is a Senior Lecturer at the Department for Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology at the University of Rostock (Rostok) in Germany. Dr. Kaseage recently published a book titled "Religious Fundamentalism in the Age of Pandemic." It's a collection of scholarly articles on the pandemic and its impact on religious extremism worldwide. In this conversation, Dr. Kaseage discusses the misuse of pandemics by fundamentalist and extremist groups to galvanize their base. You will listen more about their approach to government mandates for shutdowns, social distancing, vaccine, and mask requirements and her insights on potential counter-strategies and how religious communities can be helpful to realize these efforts.
Catherine Woollard, Secretary-General of @ECRE, speaks to #OrionTalks about Refugee Conundrum and Viable Solutions.
Dr. Barbara Perry spoke to #OrionTalks about the future of far-right extremism and discussed policies around the designation of domestic terrorist organizations. Dr. Perry is a Professor and the Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University in Canada.
Orion Policy Institute’s senior fellow Suat Cubukcu spoke with Jacob Zenn about the implications of the Taliban’s victory on insurgent groups and U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in Africa.
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has utilised its youth organisations to dominate the public discourse and to intimidate the political opposition through social media in Turkey, Suleyman Ozeren, a Turkish scholar from George Mason University and a fellow at the Orion Policy Institute, said. Özeren was interviewed by journalist Nervana Mahmoud in an Ahval podcast.
The Senate Human Rights Caucus held a meeting on June 15, 2021, on the state of human rights in Turkey moderated by Nadine Maenza, Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and featuring remarks by Senator Chris Coons and Senator Thom Tillis. Listen to remarks from Suleyman Ozeren, Adjunct Faculty at George Mason University.