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PODCAST

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod

Peace Research Institute Oslo

How can we explain peace and conflict in the world? What do security and insecurity do to a region and its people? How do different kinds of violence affect people, and how do societies tackle crises – and the threat of crisis? The Peace Research Institute Oslo brings you expert opinions on the headlines, personal stories from the field, and cutting-edge research in this monthly podcast, hosted by Emmy-award winning journalist Arnaud Siad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

science social sciences

All Episodes

27:47

Passing the Torch: Leadership, Peace, and a Changing...

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2025/07/01

After nearly a decade as PRIO Director, Henrik Urdal has wrapped up his tenure. Taking over is Nina Græger, who returns to PRIO after leading the Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen.In this special episode of PRIO’s Peace in a Pod, host Arnaud Siad sits down with both leaders for a wide-ranging conversation about what it means to steer a peace research institute in a time of global turbulence.Henrik reflects on his years at the helm - the challenges, guiding values, and

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33:02

From Gaza to Sudan: What the Rise in Global Conflict...

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2025/06/12

2024 marked one of the most violent years since the end of the Cold War, with 61 armed conflicts recorded across 36 countries. This sobering tally comes from PRIO’s latest Conflict Trends: A Global Overview report, drawing on data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program.But behind the numbers lies a deeper human toll. From Gaza to Sudan, children are among the most vulnerable in today’s wars - facing displacement, trauma, and the collapse of education and health systems.In this episode, we speak to

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33:35

After America: Can Europe Defend Itself?

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2025/05/06

The European Commission has unveiled a bold 800 billion euro plan to ramp up defense spending - marking what many are calling a historic shift in Europe’s security architecture. With the United States signaling a more distant role under the Trump administration, Europe is under growing pressure to stand on its own.Is this a turning point for NATO? Can Europe match the military and strategic weight of other global powers? And what might this shift mean for the values that have long underpinned the

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37:14

Could a Breakthrough Technology Transform the War in...

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2025/03/26

Negotiations around a ceasefire in Ukraine have dominated headlines ever since Donald Trump returned to the White House. From bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia to direct talks between Trump and Vladimir Putin, discussions are intensifying over what a potential ceasefire could look like.But on the ground, the fighting continues. Ukraine’s energy infrastructure remains under attack, and civilians are still caught in the crossfire.Now, a breakthrough technology developed by the Peace Research Institute

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46:49

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese on Gaza,...

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2025/02/18

President Donald Trump’s call for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and displace its population marks a stark break from decades of American policy—one that could destabilize the entire Middle East.This comes at a critical moment, as the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire hangs in the balance and families await the return of hostages from Gaza. For Palestinians, the threat of another forced displacement is not only terrifying but a clear violation of international law.So what happens next? And what are

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47:41

What’s Next for Syrian Refugees After Assad’s Fall?

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2025/01/30

December 8th. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have fled the country his family ruled for 50 years—a political earthquake that sends shockwaves across the globe.Miles away in Europe, thousands of Syrians in the diaspora gather spontaneously to mark this historic moment. Governments react swiftly—many freezing asylum claims, while some begin drafting plans for the return of refugees.In this two-part episode, we first hear from Alaa Same, a Syrian refugee now settled in Norway. He

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24:23

From Biden to Trump: Ukraine’s War at a Turning Point

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/12/17

The stakes are rising in Ukraine as Russian attacks on critical infrastructure intensify, plunging the country into darkness with rolling blackouts.Meanwhile, the Biden administration makes its final push to arm Kyiv before leaving office, and President-elect Donald Trump signals a potential shift in U.S. policy, raising critical questions about the future of the conflict.In this episode of PRIO’s Peace in a Pod, host Arnaud Siad is joined by Kristian Berg Harpviken, research professor at PRIO and

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34:12

Will Trump 2.0 Break US Democracy?

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/11/19

Donald Trump’s return to the White House raises urgent questions about the state of American democracy.His contentious victory—despite ongoing legal battles and investigations into his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election—marks one of the most polarizing comebacks in U.S. political history.What does Trump’s presidency mean for the future of American democracy, civil resistance, and global governance?In this episode, Harvard professor Erica Chenoweth, who delivered PRIO’s Annual Peace

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41:46

Who Should Win the Nobel Peace Prize 2024?

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/10/07

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious honors. Each year, the Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) presents his own independent list of individuals and organizations he believes are deserving of the Prize.This list, separate from the official selection by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, highlights those who have worked tirelessly for peace and merit special recognition.In this episode, PRIO Director Henrik Urdal discusses the people and organizations who made it

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28:45

The West vs. 'The Rest'

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/08/29

On April 29th at the World Economic Forum, Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, delivered a striking critique of the so-called “West,” accusing his allies of a double standard in their handling of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.His remarks echoed growing criticism from the Global South, and highlighted the risk of eroding multilateral institutions and international law.But is there truly a double standard? And what new global alliances could emerge as the United Nations struggles with

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22:01

The Most Violent Year Since World War II

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/07/02

More armed conflicts took place in 2023 than in any other year since the end of World War II. That is the shocking finding in this year’s Conflict Trends Report – a yearly paper by the Peace Research Institute Oslo, using data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program and examining global conflict trends since 1946.In total, 59 armed conflicts raged around the world last year.So is our world becoming more violent? What were the most violent conflicts in 2023? And are these figures a coincidence of

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24:02

Norway: Peacemaker, Arms-Dealer

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/05/28

For decades, Norway has played a major role as a peacemaker. From the Nobel Peace Prize to the Oslo Accords, promoting peace has been a central aspect of Norwegian foreign policy.But this is only part of the story. Few outside the country are aware of the thriving, lucrative, and government-owned weapons industry in this Scandinavian nation.This creates a dilemma for Norway, as it walks a tightrope between economic interests and its commitments to international law.In this episode, Nic Marsh, a

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28:52

Women in Peace Mediation: The Israeli and Palestinian...

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/04/23

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, two women's organizations are pushing for a return to negotiation and a permanent resolution to the conflict.“Women Wage Peace” is the largest grassroots peace movement in Israel, while its Palestinian counterpart, “Women of the Sun,” is a Palestinian women's organization based in Bethlehem.They are part of a global movement to ensure women are not just represented, but also at the leadership table in peace negotiations.Their work is supported by

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25:07

How Russians (Really) Feel about Putin and Ukraine

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/03/26

As Russians headed to the polls this month, the reelection of Russian President Vladimir Putin was not in doubt.On March 17th, with over 87% of the votes in his favor, Putin secured a fifth term, becoming the longest-serving leader of the Federation since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. With most opposition candidates either dead, jailed, exiled, or barred from running, the path was clear, with no credible challenger to his rule.Echoing this landslide victory, polls in Russia seem to indicate Putin

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31:45

UNRWA in Crisis: A Conversation with Chief Lazzarini...

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/02/20

UNRWA is in trouble. The UN agency for Palestine Refugees is accused by Israel of being infiltrated by Hamas and having had some of its staff involved in the attacks on October 7th.Nearly 2 million people in Gaza depend on UNRWA for survival as war and displacement continue after nearly four months of war.The allegations by Israel concern a fraction of the workforce in Gaza, but are having devastating consequences for the organization, threatening its very existence.While an investigation into

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41:08

Migration Trends in 2023: Stories From the Field with...

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2024/01/30

From war-torn Ukraine and Sudan to the Mediterranean, 2023 marked yet another year where thousands were forced to leave their homes in pursuit of a better life.In one of the deadliest migrant boat tragedies, more than 600 people drowned on June 14 off the coast of Greece, after a fishing vessel known as the Adriana capsized and sank. A few months later, the minuscule Italian island of Lampedusa saw an influx of 10,000 individuals within days, which nearly doubled the local population. It created new

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32:13

The Targeting of Hospitals in Gaza and Beyond

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2023/12/12

On November 15th, Israeli forces stormed al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, in search of a Hamas base.The facility sheltered hundreds of people: wounded civilians, children, and newborns. Soon after, the World Health Organization labeled the hospital a "death zone."Healthcare facilities enjoy special protections under international law. However, from Gaza to Ukraine, and in many other places, evidence suggests that hospitals are routinely viewed as mere military

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35:55

What Does China Want?

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2023/11/28

On November 15th, the world watched as a highly anticipated meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden took place amid the scenic backdrop of Woodside, California.From a controversial visit by a US House Speaker to Taiwan, to a Chinese spy balloon crossing the United States – the two countries’ relations have sunk to their lowest point in decades.And from the war in Ukraine to the conflict opposing Israel and the Palestinians, and a general election in Taiwan that could

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24:34

Special Episode: The West's Response to the War in Gaza

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2023/10/26

In the early hours of October 7, Palestinian militants with Hamas, the Islamic group that controls the Gaza Strip, mounted a stunning and highly coordinated invasion of Israel.They rampaged through Israeli towns, killing people in their homes, attacking young rave-goers, and taking some 200 hostages.The attacks by Hamas were horrific and gruesome, some of them live-streamed on social media for maximum impact.These were soon followed by Israel declaring war on Gaza, announcing a complete siege and

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28:31

Afghanistan's Earthquakes: The Plight of Afghan Women

PRIO"s Peace in a Pod ·

2023/10/24

In the early hours of October 7, a powerful earthquake shook Herat province in western Afghanistan. It was followed by multiple aftershocks and a second, strong earthquake on October 11.Entire villages across western Afghanistan have been destroyed and over a thousand people lost their lives. And out of the rubble and dust has emerged a shocking statistic: according to the United Nations, women and children make up the vast majority of the dead and injured.To understand why, a new report

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110 results

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