Network 20/20 - A Foreign Policy Community

09/08/2026

🌍 Could Eight Small States Become Europe’s New Security Center?

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2014631/episodes/19771271-the-new-north-the-eight-states-shaping-a-new-european-security.mp3?download=true

The next center of may not be one of its largest powers. The Nordic-Baltic Eight represent less than 5% of Europe’s population, yet their support for , defense investments, and proximity to Russia have placed them at the center of the continent’s changing security order.

Dr. Hiski Haukkala Finnish Institute of International Affairs - FIIA, Dr. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard of Peterson Institute for International Economics, and Dr. Kristi Raik of International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS examine whether the NB8 can turn wartime urgency and economic strength into lasting influence.

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09/05/2026

"No deal is much better than a bad deal for Ukraine." — Dr. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard (8/25/2026)

🎧 Explore more conversations on global affairs from Network 20/20. Watch the full discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pPrvMJTdzM

↩️ In this highlight from our Virtual Salon Series, Dr. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard of Peterson Institute for International Economics explains why no deal is better than a bad deal for . He points out that the confrontation between and already includes conflict and hybrid war — evident from recent sabotage activities inside NATO, including events at Leipzig Airport. He argues that as long as the war in continues and Ukraine is able and willing to fight, the probability of a direct Russian military attack on NATO is zero. But once the war ends and must decide whether to send his battle-hardened army home or shift it elsewhere, the danger becomes real.

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09/05/2026

"These two pillars — the transatlantic relationship and international law — they are both eroding." — Dr. Kristi Raik (8/25/2026)

🎧 Explore more conversations on global affairs from Network 20/20. Watch the full discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pPrvMJTdzM

↩️ In this highlight from our Virtual Salon Series, Dr. Kristi Raik of International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS examines how the two pillars of — the alliance and the rules-based international order — used to be mutually supportive when the played a leadership role. But this is no longer the case. She discusses how there are cracks in both the transatlantic relationship and in the functioning of the entire system. No major powers are interested in maintaining the post- order — we see action not only by but even by the United States. These two pillars are eroding while also moving further apart, putting states in an awkward position as small countries in a vulnerable geopolitical position who would really like to keep both.

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09/04/2026

"The ties that bind can be severed, but I don't think anyone's security will improve as a consequence." — Dr. Hiski Haukkala (8/25/2026)

🎧 Explore more conversations on global affairs from Network 20/20. Watch the full discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pPrvMJTdzM

↩️ In this highlight from our Virtual Salon Series, Dr. Hiski Haukkala of Finnish Institute of International Affairs - FIIA examines the state of the alliance. He notes that while the situation has been managed fairly well without a dramatic rupture at Ankara, and members are still working together successfully, the real question is mutual understanding. He argues that US and security are deeply interdependent — is possible, and the ties that bind can be severed, but no one's security would improve as a consequence. He reminds us that this is a joint endeavor, and we are in it together whether we like it or not.

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09/04/2026

"They're going to choose to keep issuing butter rather than buy more guns." — Dr. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard (8/25/2026)

🎧 Explore more conversations on global affairs from Network 20/20. Watch the full discussion here: https://youtu.be/0pPrvMJTdzM?is=TsJZj8wMvH2E01tS

↩️ In this highlight from our Virtual Salon Series, Dr. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard of Peterson Institute for International Economics examines some of the tensions shaping Europe today and why won't meet 's ambitious targets. He cites Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez's remark that "our main concern in is not the army coming charging down the Pyrenees" — a correct assessment, but one that reflects very different choices from . He discusses how this divergence has the potential to reshape the , especially as the debate over accession intensifies. Not everyone in the EU or among European NATO members will make the same choices as the — they face a direct trade-off and will get nowhere near 5%.

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09/03/2026

“The Baltic states, together with Poland, were always rather skeptical of this view.” — Dr. Kristi Raik (8/25/2026)

🎧 Explore more conversations on global affairs from Network 20/20. Watch the full discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pPrvMJTdzM

↩️ In this highlight from our Virtual Salon Series, Dr. Kristi Raik of the International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS examines why Western policy toward was never fully united during the post- period.

She explains how Western Europe pursued engagement, dialogue, economic cooperation, and interdependence in the hope of integrating Russia into the broader European space. The and remained skeptical. Their own experiences showed that Russia was still attempting to preserve its sphere of influence in the post-Soviet region—even during the 1990s.

Russia did not withdraw its troops from the Baltic states until 1994, following Western pressure. Although the Baltic perspective remained outside Europe’s dominant approach at the time, its warnings proved prescient.

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09/03/2026

“How can you plan for the unthinkable? I don’t think you can.” — Dr. Hiski Haukkala (8/25/2026)

🎧 Explore more conversations on global affairs from Network 20/20. Watch the full discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pPrvMJTdzM&t=162s

↩️ In this highlight from our Virtual Salon Series, Dr. Hiski Haukkala of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs - FIIA – discusses how renewed U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland has forced the Nordic-Baltic region to confront a previously unthinkable security scenario involving its closest ally.

He reminds the United States that it has no better friends and allies than the countries of the North—particularly the . These nations are strong partners in , investing heavily in their defense capabilities while contributing critical expertise in , comprehensive security, and the ability to understand and withstand threats and pressure.

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08/31/2026

How are the Nordic-Baltic Eight reshaping European security?🌎

The full recording of The New North: The Eight States Shaping a New European Security is now available on YouTube.

Featuring Dr. Hiski Haukkala Finnish Institute of International Affairs - FIIA, Jacob Funk Kirkegaard Peterson Institute for International Economics, and Kristi Raik International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS, the discussion explores the region’s growing role in European security, from defense integration and NATO spending to EU priorities and continued support for Ukraine.

▶️ Watch the full discussion: https://youtu.be/0pPrvMJTdzM

A major shift is underway in the defense posture of Northern Europe...

08/27/2026

🇦🇪 How Will the UAE-Saudi Rift Reshape Geopolitics in the Middle East?

🎧 Listen to the full discussion: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2014631/episodes/19704875

Dr. Neil Quilliam of Chatham House examines how the UAE has emerged as an influential middle power, using its economic strength, strategic relationships, and ability to navigate competing interests to pursue its foreign policy goals.

From its departure from OPEC and growing competition with Saudi Arabia to its relationships with Israel, the United States, and China, the UAE has built influence by maintaining ties across geopolitical divides. As regional rivalries and great-power competition intensify, however, that balancing strategy is becoming increasingly complex.

In this episode of the Podcast, Dr. Quilliam examines how the UAE has built influence beyond its size, the relationships shaping Abu Dhabi’s regional and global ambitions, and whether its middle-power strategy can continue to deliver in a changing geopolitical landscape.

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