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Chain Reaction

FPRI
Russia
Ukraine
NATO
China
United States
European Union
Germany
Iran
European Security
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Sanctions
Estonia
Middle Corridor
Women's Activism
War In Ukraine
Central Asia
Alternative For Germany
Georgia
Civil Society
Eurasia Program

Chain Reaction is the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s flagship network of podcast series examining the political, security, economic, and social trends shaping our world. Throughout the year we are talking with experts about developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine, the new European security order, defense and geopolitical issues in the Baltic States, as well as current and future national secu... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes198Founded7 years ago
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NewsScienceSocial Sciences

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Latest Episodes

What prepares a leader for the high-pressure environment of the US government?

In this episode of Shifting Ground, co-hosts Nick Gvosdev and Larry Rubin sit down with The Hon. John Tien, Distinguished Professor of Practice at Georgia Tech’s Sam Nunn... more

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In this episode of Shifting Ground, Nick Gvosdev and Larry Rubin are joined by Phil Wasielewski, a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. A veteran of the CIA’s Directorate of Operations and the US Marine Corps, Phil brings a lifetim... more

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In this episode of Shifting Ground, Nick Gvosdev and Larry Rubin are joined by Mohammed Soliman, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute and author of West Asia: A New American Grand Strategy in the Middle East. Soliman challenges our traditional ... more

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Welcome back to The Ties That Bind, a project of the Foreign Policy Research Institute examining the past, present, and future of NATO and the transatlantic relationship.

This season we examine how Western European NATO members like Germany are shif... more

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Recent Guests

John Tien
Distinguished professor of practice at Georgia Tech Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
Georgia Tech / Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
Episode: The Architecture of Leadership
Phil Wasielewski
Director of the Center of the Study of Intelligence and Non-Traditional Warfare at FPRI
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Episode: Intelligence, Strategy, and the Reality of Modern Conflict
Mohammed Soliman
Senior fellow at the Middle East Institute focusing on technology, geopolitics, and business in the Middle East
Middle East Institute
Episode: American Grand Strategy in West Asia
Roderich Kiesewetter
Member of the German Bundestag, former Colonel, Group Coordinator of his Caucus
German Bundestag
Episode: Understanding Germany's Defense Strategy
Dmitri Alperovitch
Chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, co-founder of CrowdStrike, author of World on the Brink
Silverado Policy Accelerator; CrowdStrike
Episode: Cyber is War
James Swartout
VP of Strategy at Ursa Major
Ursa Major
Episode: The Strategy for Affordable Missiles: A Conversation with Ursa Major
Rachel Ziemba
Geo-economic and country risk expert
Ziemba Insights; Horizon Engage; Center for New American Security; Gulf International Forum
Episode: The Weaponized Economy
Sandy Winnefeld
Admiral, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
U.S. Navy / Georgia Tech
Episode: Geopolitical Cycles and the Fragility of the Global Operating System
Admiral Rob Bauer
Retired Dutch admiral, former Chair of the NATO Military Committee
Royal Netherlands Navy; NATO
Episode: A Blueprint for Deterrence with Adm. Rob Bauer and Eleonora Russell

Hosts

Larry Rubin
Co-host and associate professor involved in policy analysis and international affairs
Aaron Stein
Host with leadership roles at FPRI; focuses on defense and security topics
Natalia Kapitnik
Communications Director at FPRI; recurring contributor

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 82 ratings
  • Informative and extremely relevant

    Chain Reaction is a fantastic podcast. I would suggest it to anyone interested in geopolitics and/or war, and even if you’re not. The issues that are discussed are very timely. The guests are all experts in their field and opinions are as apolitical as possible in this day and age. Check it out if you haven’t already!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jacsta1234
    Australia2 years ago
  • Great

    Podcast Addict
    5
    DaniDani
    4 years ago
  • Great

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dani
    4 years ago
  • Just Okay

    B-Tier. Not S or A tier, but still worth occasionally including in your podcast rotation.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    CEH_95
    Canada4 years ago
  • Excellent source of information

    Very in-depth Podcast on Ukraine conflict.

    They also cover other topics, but I just discovered them because of Rob Lee.

    Thanks for your work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dkkdjykdkdbyjis
    Germany4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Strong, in-depth discussions especially on cyber and defense topics
Host quality varies; some episodes benefit from tighter questioning
Insightful and timely geopolitical analysis with expert guests
Guests are credible and deeply informed, sometimes challenging to follow for newcomers

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Architecture of Leadership
Q: What role does the individual play in shaping policy when presidents come and go?
The guest emphasizes that policy and strategy are heavily influenced by the individuals in leadership and the trusted networks around them; presidents themselves set a direction, but real influence comes from the teams they empower and the interagency relationships they cultivate.
American Grand Strategy in West Asia
Q: What was the lightbulb moment for your thesis about Indo-Abrahamic and Indo-Islamic alignments?
The idea developed incrementally with key inflection points, notably realizing early on that an Indo-Abrahamic alignment could be a silent, strategic backbone, which later became central as real-world actors began cooperating in new, issue-based coalitions.
Intelligence, Strategy, and the Reality of Modern Conflict
Q: What do policymakers need to be asking today that they aren't paying enough attention to?
Policymakers should demand a holistic view of potential conflicts, preparing for a full spectrum of warfare (conventional, irregular, and political) and recognizing that deterrence, resilience, and long-term commitments are needed for sustained peace; the interviewee emphasizes the need to maintain both hard and soft power capabilities and avoid the short-war fallacy.
Understanding Germany's Defense Strategy
Q: How will Germany pay for these defense ambitions and how will public opinion respond to the reforms?
Funding is planned to increase substantially over the next several years, paired with a lessons-learned process and public outreach to explain the necessity, aiming to secure broader societal buy-in and political support.
Understanding Germany's Defense Strategy
Q: What does the German defense strategy actually say and what does it mean for Germany's future defense posture?
The strategy embeds Germany's security approach in a formal framework, prioritizes defending the country and NATO territory, and seeks closer burden sharing with partners, while also urging refurbished armed forces and a robust armaments industry.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Chain Reaction

What is Chain Reaction about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Chain Reaction curates a steady stream of expert-led conversations on geopolitics, security strategy, and technology-enabled power dynamics. Episodes frequently center on great-power competition, NATO and European security, defense policy, and the evolving role of technology—from cyber operations to unmanned systems—in shaping deterrence and alliance dynamics. Notable strengths include access to high-profile military and policy figures, a clear emphasis on real-world implications for defense and international relations, and a tendency to connect academic insights with policy and industry implications. The show often features long-form interviews that break down complex topics for professionals and decision-makers, making it valuable for rea... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Chain Reaction?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Chain Reaction:

1. War on the Rocks
2. Arms Control Wonk
3. Modern War Institute
4. Net Assessment
5. School of War

How many episodes of Chain Reaction are there?

Chain Reaction launched 7 years ago and published 198 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Chain Reaction?

Recent guests on Chain Reaction include:

1. John Tien
2. Phil Wasielewski
3. Mohammed Soliman
4. Roderich Kiesewetter
5. Dmitri Alperovitch
6. James Swartout
7. Rachel Ziemba
8. Sandy Winnefeld

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