Roundtable

Relations between Poland and Ukraine have become strained after President Zelenskyy named a military unit after controversial World War Two fighters, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).Although regarded as heroes in some parts of Ukraine, in Poland they are remembered for massacring one hundred thousand ethnic Poles in what is now Ukraine.The UPA also collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.Poland’s president Karol Nawrocki says the move by President Zelenskyy amounts to the ‘glorification’ of bandits and killers by Ukraine.Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Marek MadejAssistant International Studies Professor at University of WarsawAndrij DobrianskyPolicy Expert at Centre for US-Ukrainian RelationsMary DejevskyColumnist at The IndependentFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

El Nino weather patterns have officially begun and scientists warn it could unleash a new wave of record extreme heat across the globe.Forecasters suggest this could be one of the strongest El Nino events on record, raising concerns over the impact on food production and economies.Climate change means the world is significantly hotter since the last 'super' El Nino case in 1998 - so how is this El Nino likely to hit - and is the world prepared?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Kamal KishoreSpecial Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk ReductionJim DaleFounder and Senior Meteorological Consultant at British Weather ServicesJohn HardingDirector of the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems at the World Meteorological OrganizationMarc AlessiClimate Science Fellow at the Union of Concerned ScientistsFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

France is expanding its nuclear deterrence strategy to protect Europe against Russian aggression amid doubts over the United States' commitment to the continent.Nine European allies, including the UK, Germany and Poland have agreed to join the plan, signalling a major shift in Europe's defence strategy.With Norway the latest country to sign up, France is positioning itself as a central pillar of European security - but will this plan work or is it a 'high-risk gamble'?Joining Enda Brady to discuss:Alex WalmsleyAssociate Fellow at RUSIPhilippe MarliereProfessor in French and European Politics at University College LondonAlexander ClacksonFounder of the Global Political Research Centre in LondonFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

Finland's economy has lagged behind other EU countries in recent years weighed down by high unemployment, a housing downturn and rising public debt.Real GDP has still not fully recovered from the 2008 financial crisis with further setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine.But the first quarter of this year has seen signs of its economy improving. Could Finland now be emerging from decades of stagnation?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Teivo TeivainenChair of Finnish National Commission for UNESCOSakari LahdemakiDoctor of Economics at ETLA Economic ResearchDaniel KralLead Economist at Oxford EconomicsFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

The United States is sending an additional 5,000 troops to Poland after President Trump overruled the Pentagon and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who had announced plans to ditch the deployment.President Trump cited his strong relationship with the Polish President Karol Nawrocki who he endorsed when he ran for office last May.The move to send more troops to Poland comes as the US reduces its military presence in Germany, pulling out 5,000 troops after Chancellor Merz angered Trump over the Iran war.It highlights Poland’s growing role as a key US ally, driven by its strong defence spending, alignment with Trump policies, and increasingly strained relations between Washington and other European partners.But the country’s pro-EU and left-liberal PM, Donald Tusk, is playing the other side of the transatlantic alliance, by pushing for further defence cooperation with the EU.Can Poland have its cake and eat it?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Frank RoseFormer US Deputy Assistant Secretary of StateLiliana SmiechInternational Affairs Director at Ludovika UniversityJan Nowina-WitkowskiPolitical JournalistFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

Oil prices have been fluctuating since start of the US-Israeli war on Iran three months ago, hitting a four-year high of $126 in April. How long before prices return to normal or are they at the 'point of no return'?The partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict in the middle east has severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies.Governments are burning through emergency reserves at a 'record pace', according to the International Energy Agency. High oil prices are expected soon as supplies dwindle.As peace talks between Iran and the US stall, what impact is the oil crisis having on global economies - and will prices ever go back to normal?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Gaurav SharmaEnergy Market AnalystPatrizio DonatiCo-founder and Director of Renewable Energy Company TerrawattChris WeaferCEO of Macro AdvisoryTo access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been wooing his European counterparts to expand trade and economic ties with the West.The six-day tour comes a few months after the EU and India penned a free trade agreement, lifting tariffs on a large amount of exports. This time the green transition, technology, and energy security were at the centre of discussions.Modi’s visit began in the Netherlands, where he signed 17 pacts ranging from semi-conductor chips and critical materials to migration and renewable energy.Other stops on the tour included Sweden, Norway and Italy, where Modi met Italian PM Meloni. A viral video circulated of the pair, dubbed ‘Melodi’ as they spent time together in Rome.So, why is Prime Minister Modi forging new partnerships in Europe and how successful was the trip?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Zubair AhmedJournalistSwaran SinghProfessor of International RelationsRajnish SinghMedia Outreach Executive at the European Policy CentreTo access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

The Kentucky Republican primary was the most expensive in US political history, with around $32 million spent, much of it backed by pro-Israel lobbying organisations.Congressman Thomas Massie was defeated by Trump ally Ed Gallrein as the race evolved beyond a local political contest into a broader struggle over the direction and identity of the Republican Party.Massie had openly opposed military action against Iran, repeatedly voted against US aid to Israel, and supported the release of the Epstein files positions that reportedly put him at odds with Donald Trump.The outcome has sparked controversy and renewed debate over the extent of Israeli influence in American politics.So, is the US president transforming the Republican Party into a political movement centred on personal loyalty? And to what extent do pro-Israel lobbying groups influence American politics?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Greg SwensonCo-Founder of The Hamilton SocietyRina ShahRepublican StrategistHenry OlsenHost of Beyond the Polls podcastErol MorkocSpokesperson for Republicans OverseasTo access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

The UK has had six leaders in the past ten years and now Keir Starmer's position is looking untenable after disastrous local election results and many of his own MPs calling for him to step down with rival circling.Why has there been such a high turnover of Prime Minister's after several long-term leaders serving our more than their five-year terms.In a country once seen as a model of political stability, is it now becoming ungovernable?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:James Lyons, Former Director of Strategic Communications in the Keir Starmer ministryCindy Yu, Columnist at The Times and The Sunday TimesFreddy Gray, Deputy Editor of The SpectatorTo access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld