Passing the Torch: Leadership, Peace, and a Changing World Order
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 what makes PRIO unique. Nina shares her vision for the institute and the role of peace research in an era marked by resurging conflict, rising defense budgets, and shifting geopolitical alliances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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From Gaza to Sudan: What the Rise in Global Conflict Means for Children
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 Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children, about what it means to protect childhood in the midst of war. And to Siri Aas Rustad, Research Director at PRIO and lead author of the report, who walks us through the data and its implications.PRIO's Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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After America: Can Europe Defend Itself?
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 Western alliance?In this episode, host Arnaud Siad is joined by Kori Schake, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy at the American Enterprise Institute and former foreign policy adviser to President George W. Bush, and Bruno Oliveira Martins, Senior Researcher at PRIO, to unpack the changing transatlantic relationship and what lies ahead for Europe’s security future.Photo: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Could a Breakthrough Technology Transform the War in Ukraine?
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 Oslo (PRIO) and NORSAR—using seismic and acoustic detection to automatically identify events—could transform how war crimes are documented and how ceasefires are monitored.Joining this episode are Sebastian Schutte, a Research Professor who leads the project at PRIO, and Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties in Kyiv, who works tirelessly to document war crimes committed by Russian forces.PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Image: ChatGPT (DALL·E) / OpenAI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese on Gaza, Trump, and Genocide
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 the broader consequences for the region?In this episode, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese and PRIO Senior Researcher Jørgen Jensehaugen break down the stakes, the legal implications, and the realities on the ground.PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.Photo: Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto via Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 information.
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