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PODCAST

The Western Bubble

Balder Hageraats & Dario Hasenstab

Every Wednesday Balder Hageraats and Dario Hasenstab examine how Western countries are increasingly lost in their own delusions on the world stage, and what can be done to bring them back to reality. We discuss issues ranging from geopolitics and human rights to development aid and current affairs, all through the lens of the Western Bubble.

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All Episodes

45:52

History’s Biggest Mistakes: Are We About to Repeat...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/03/18

History is full of moments when people misjudged the future—either by being too pessimistic or not pessimistic enough. In the 1930s, optimism blinded many to the rise of fascism. During the Cold War, existential fears clashed with hopes for progress. In the late 1980s, faith in a post-Soviet world fueled the Western Bubble, while 2010 saw coping mechanisms replace real solutions, paving the way for today’s crises.Now, as we stand at another crossroads, what lessons can we draw from the past? And

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44:03

Breaking Free: What Europe Must Do in a Post-Atlantic...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/03/11

With the transatlantic relationship in crisis, Europe faces a choice: continue clinging to a U.S. that no longer sees it as a true partner, or chart its own course. In this episode, we break down what the EU must do now—from shedding its emotional dependence on Washington to building real military autonomy and forging new alliances with nations similarly impacted by Trump’s policies.We also discuss how Europe can play a decisive role in Ukraine’s path toward a ceasefire, and why strategic

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39:24

Oval Office Fallout – The End of Transatlantic...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/03/05

As promised, we’re back this week to unpack the aftermath of the now-infamous Oval Office incident between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—with Vice President JD Vance awkwardly present in the background. This diplomatic mess goes far beyond the usual theatrics, shaking the very foundations of US Foreign Policy.In Europe (and Canada), leaders are scrambling to respond—some choosing appeasement, others facing the reality that this could be the final nail in the

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45:11

Middle East at Boiling Point: Israel, Syria, and the...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/03/04

In this episode, we return to the ever-escalating tensions in the Middle East. From the latest prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas—where each side’s reactions reveal deep-rooted asymmetries—to repeated violations of agreements, the region is once again teetering on the edge.We also turn our attention to Hezbollah and a lingering question—can you truly defeat an organisation’s ideas through military force alone? Meanwhile, Syria briefly steps back into the international spotlight, even earning

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44:19

Uncertain Alliances: Europe’s Shift and Trump’s...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/02/25

In this episode, we focus on two key developments shaking the Western order. JD Vance at MSC says Europe's gravest threat isn’t external—it’s the continent's own retreat from the core values it once shared with the U.S. ... A retreat, it turns out, from the U.S. on those very values. Meanwhile, on the international stage, Trump's unorthodox manoeuvres—from secret talks with Putin about Ukraine to his startling proposal to resettle Gaza’s population—signal a new era of unpredictable diplomacy. How do

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49:22

100 Episodes, One Western Bubble – A Retrospective #100

The Western Bubble ·

2025/02/18

As we celebrate our 100th episode, we take a reflective journey through our past discussions—from early debates on institutional decline and the evolving Western narrative to our deep dives into the turmoil in Ukraine, Israel, and beyond. We’ve dissected the insights of figures like Tucker Carlson, Fukuyama, Huntington, G. W. Bush, Jordan Peterson, and Simon Tisdall, and scrutinized issues from European political dysfunction to the shifting balance of global power. In this special milestone episode,

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40:09

The Cracks Are Showing: Power, Dysfunction, and the...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/02/11

As we approach our 100th episode, we take a step back to examine the chaos of the past two months. From the latest developments in the U.S. to the growing influence of unchecked power—whether through Elon Musk’s reckless decisions, presidential decrees, or a media landscape failing to offer real scrutiny—one thing is clear: the cracks in Western institutions are widening. We also discuss Europe’s political dysfunction, by looking at the Netherlands and Germany. But as we lay out these challenges,

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50:28

Trump's Foreign Policy #098

The Western Bubble ·

2025/02/04

Happy New Year! We’re back, and so is the geopolitical madness we’ve come to expect. With President Trump now inaugurated, he has wasted no time making bold moves. But what’s really behind his claims on Panama, Canada, and Greenland? What do these actions signal for U.S. foreign policy as a whole? And ultimately, is America now more or less likely to start a war? Tune in as we break it all down.This podcast is published with the help of RAIA NOW gUG but is an individual project between the Director

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55:53

End of Year (and the world as we know it) #097

The Western Bubble ·

2024/12/31

As 2024 draws to a close, the cracks in the global order have become impossible to ignore. From Ukraine’s waning prospects in its war against Russia and Western disengagement to the political chaos in the Middle East, the world is at a crossroads. On top of that, we discuss the unchecked power of billionaires, the growing dominance of the populist right, and the harsh realities of climate change.As we reflect on the changes and challenges of this year, we hope that the Western Bubble Podcast has

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63:11

Immigration in the Western Bubble #96

The Western Bubble ·

2024/12/30

Immigration is one of the most polarizing topics in Western politics today, consistently topping voter priorities and shaping political campaigns. But how much of what we believe about migration is actually true? In this episode, we unravel some of the most persistent myths about immigration, exposing how politicians and the media distort reality to serve their agendas.This podcast is published with the help of RAIA NOW gUG but is an individual project between the Director of RAIA Dario Hasenstab

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46:45

Martial Law in South Korea and the US Health Care...

The Western Bubble ·

2024/12/10

In today’s episode, we delve into South Korea, where President Yoon’s declaration of martial law raises critical questions about the Western Bubble. Are Western factions quietly observing what to avoid—or adopt—when consolidating control? We also examine the shocking murder of a healthcare CEO and what it reveals about the growing disconnect between economic and political elites and the public they claim to serve. Tune in to uncover the deeper implications of these events and how they resonate

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50:48

The Global Dominoes: Syria, Lebanon, and Georgia #094

The Western Bubble ·

2024/12/04

From Biden pardoning Hunter Biden to Trump’s influence on global diplomacy, this episode dives into the intricate web of U.S. domestic politics and its global ripple effects. We explore Trump’s role in Biden mediating a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, analyse the chaos in Georgia, and assess the resurging instability in Syria. How do these events connect, and what does it reveal about Western policymaking in an increasingly multipolar world?This podcast is published with the help of

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35:58

Geopolitics of the Arctic #093

The Western Bubble ·

2024/11/26

As the Arctic transforms into a region of strategic importance due to climate change, new opportunities and tensions emerge. Trade routes, resource access, and geopolitical ambitions converge in a competition that involves Russia, NATO, and other global players. In this episode, we unpack the power dynamics and the stakes shaping the future of the Arctic.This podcast is produced with the support of RAIA NOW gUG but remains an independent project by RAIA Director Dario Hasenstab and Balder Hageraats

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44:45

From Gaza to Amsterdam: The Stubborn Western Lens #092

The Western Bubble ·

2024/11/19

Over the past year, the dynamics in Gaza have shifted significantly, yet Western policy towards Israel remains largely unchanged. This episode explores the reasons behind this disconnect, analyzing the factors that keep Western governments entrenched in their existing approaches. We dive into a recent incident in Amsterdam, where tensions flared between supporters of an Israeli football club and local residents, offering a microcosm of the larger geopolitical stalemate.We also start the episode with

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47:42

Emotional Comfort post and pre Election Drama #091

The Western Bubble ·

2024/11/12

Donald Trump is President-elect of the United States of America and Dario does not want to talk about it. Why are people so afraid to seek discomfort in these times? We found out today why that is the case. Oh, and the German government imploded, so Dario's job in the political scene of Berlin has become a lot more intense...This podcast is published with the help of RAIA NOW gUG but is an individual project between the Director of RAIA Dario Hasenstab and Balder Hageraats. If you would like to get

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52:35

US (UK) Elections and the Media #090

The Western Bubble ·

2024/11/05

The US election results are coming out as we are publishing this episode. Still, we already spoke on Sunday discussing the crazy campaigning period and the foreign policy ideals of both candidates. Also, the Western Bubble is proud to announce that we are not endorsing either candidate, we believe you can make that endorsement personally. ;) We also look into the role of the media and their endorsements ... (looking at you Washington Post). Oh, the media in the UK and the new Tory leadership are

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45:25

The World without the West #089

The Western Bubble ·

2024/10/29

The 2024 BRICS Summit in Russia just ended and did we hear about it in Western Media? Mostly when Putin spoke (or didn't) about North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, but apart from that ... it was "controversial" ... nothing else? If we look outside the Western Bubble we find that this summit was a glimpse into a world without the West! This podcast is published with the help of RAIA NOW gUG but is an individual project between the Director of RAIA Dario Hasenstab and Balder Hageraats. If you would like

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47:39

The Death of Sinwar, Elon Musk and India vs. Canada

The Western Bubble ·

2024/10/22

This time we talk about the death of Sinwar in Gaza and what this means for the conflict from a Western Bubble perspective. Then we swiftly think about Elon Musk and what trauma he must have been through to say what he is saying about Trump and the US. And lastly, we discuss migration in the EU and look into why Canada and India are disliking each other lately!This podcast is published with the help of RAIA NOW gUG but is an individual project between the Director of RAIA Dario Hasenstab and Balder

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51:29

#087 US Elections, Israel & Iran

The Western Bubble ·

2024/10/15

We are back from our summer break and what a summer break that was. Joe Biden drops out of the US elections and Kamala Harris takes his place. In the meantime, Israel has been invading Lebanon while the Western Media is still waiting for Iran to throw the Middle East into a large-scale conflict. Time for us to analyse the world again, through the lens of the Western Bubble! This podcast is published with the help of RAIA NOW gUG but is an individual project between the Director of RAIA Dario

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93:46

Solutions to the Western Bubble #086

The Western Bubble ·

2024/07/24

After weeks of hyping it up we are finally delivering on our promise to deliver some broad solutions to the problems of the Western Bubble. Can you think of any others? Feel free to share them with us!This podcast is published with the help of RAIA and edited by RAIA member Julia Ohm but is an individual project between the Director of RAIA Dario Hasenstab and Balder Hageraats. This episode was supported by research from Yu Jie Law and Aston Roth. If you would like to get in touch with us write us

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138 results

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