SSI Live 101 – What’s the Real State of the Russia-China Relationship? – The debate over the nature of the Russia-China relationship remains unsettled. One side believes the two are strategic partners, while the other believes their ties are merely an “axis of convenience”. Understanding the nature of their relationship is of vital importance to U.S. national security, so how can we gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Russian-Chinese relations? Dr. Bob Hamilton, SSI Research Professor of Eurasian Studies, recently published an essay on this topic with the Foreign Policy Research Institute – in this podcast, he joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni to discuss the relationship between Moscow and Beijing. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 100 – Panama’s Evolving Relationship with China – Panama is a relatively small country but one of pivotal strategic importance in our hemisphere, especially given the role of the Panama canal and the related financial services industry. Dr. Evan Ellis had the opportunity to travel there recently to engage Panamanian officials and academics, to get a sense of what’s ahead as the country faces national elections next year, to gauge the country’s evolving relationship with China, and to assess the implications for the United States. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 099 – AI in Today’s (and Tomorrow’s) Military – What are the implications of the U.S. military incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into what it does during peacetime, in conflict, and everything in between?  How does trust figure into the use of AI, both up and down the chain of command?  To employ AI successfully, will we need all troops to be AI experts, and if so, what are the implications for DoD?  SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni invited his colleague Dr. Tony Pfaff to discuss the recently published monograph Trusting AI: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into the Army’s Professional Expert Knowledge. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 098 – One Year On: Russia’s War on Ukraine – With the Russian war in Ukraine having just reached its one-year mark, how can we assess outlook for Ukraine?  Is there reason for Kyiv – or Moscow – to be optimistic, given the current trajectory?  And what can we make of potential Chinese involvement?  In this third (of three) SSI Live podcast marking one year of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Dr. Bob Hamilton, Dr. Craig Nation, and Dr. Steve Blank once again joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni for a discussion on the state of the war and the likely direction of things.  Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 097 – One Year On: Russia’s War on Ukraine and the Role of the EU – With the Russian war in Ukraine having just reached its one-year mark, how can we assess the role of the European Union (EU)?  Have its diplomatic, political, economic, and military responses to the war met expectations?  What remains to be done and what impediments stand in the way?  What can be expected of Europe in the event China becomes more clearly involved in providing weapons to Russia?  Dr. Sven Biscop of the Brussels-based Egmont Institute joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni for a discussion of the EU’s role in responding to Russia’s war.  Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 096 – One Year On: Russia’s War on Ukraine and the Role of Latin America – With the Russian war in Ukraine having just reached its one-year mark, it’s clear that economic sanctions against Russia as well as the provision of military equipment and other materiel have formed the centerpieces of the Western response to Russia’s unprovoked, illegal invasion.  Yet the global south, including Latin America, remains conspicuously unwilling to join in either effort.  Could Latin America play a role here also?  If not, what explains their unwillingness to join the West?  SSI’s Dr. Evan Ellis sat down with host John Deni to discuss the role Latin America has played – or not – and what prospects exist for the future.  Listen here or subscribe below.

SSI Live 095 – Putin Mobilizes as Ukraine Advances – Ukraine’s recent battlefield successes, Putin’s partial mobilization, Moscow’s annexation announcement, and the Kremlin’s nuclear saber rattling all add up to a shifting outlook for Russia’s war of aggression.  What do these events tell us about Russia’s strategy and the trajectory of the conflict?  Do they signal instability within Russia?  SSI’s own Dr. Bob Hamilton, former SSI research professor Dr. Steve Blank, and former USAWC professor Dr. Craig Nation again joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni to discuss these and related issues in the unfolding conflict.  Listen here, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 094 – Gorbachev’s Passing and Legacy – Earlier this week, the last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, passed. To discuss his leadership of the Soviet Union’s last years and his legacy today, SSI’s own Dr. Bob Hamilton, former SSI research professor Dr. Steve Blank, and former USAWC professor Dr. Craig Nation sat down with SSI Live host John Deni.  How did Gorbachev differ from his predecessors? What was his enduring impact on Russia?  What is his legacy beyond Russia’s borders?  And how does Gorbachev’s legacy relate to Putin’s war in Ukraine today?  Listen here, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 093 – The Grand Strategy of Gertrude Bell and Implications for US Policy Today – British strategist and diplomat Gertrude Bell shaped the modern Middle East and played a leading role in crafting London’s policies at a time of shifting great power dynamics. In this podcast, Dr. Heather Gregg discusses her monograph on Bell’s life and legacy and the implications for managing strategic competition today. What lessons can be drawn from Bell’s story and how can the United States leverage those lessons today? Listen here, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 092 – China, Europe, and the Pandemic Recession: Chinese Investment in European Infrastructure – This is the fifth podcast in a short series to launch a recently published multi-author study on China, Europe, and the Pandemic Recession: Beijing’s Investments and Transatlantic Security. In this podcast, Dr. John R. Deni discusses Chinese investment in militarily relevant infrastructure in Europe. Which European countries are of greatest concern? Where and how is China investing in infrastructure? What kinds of infrastructure are most relevant and most at risk? Are there any mitigating factors? Listen here, or subscribe below.