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In this episode, Anastasiia, Minna, Karen-Anna and Fabian discuss the ceasefire in Oleshky and an episode of civil unrest in Kyiv that had all signs of being a Russian psychological operation.  If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  You can support Anastasiia’s fundraiser for portable batteries for Kyiv residents at https://greekchorusfoundation.org/#battery  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Ukrainian evacuees reunite with family after years trapped in Russia-occupied city”, from BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx2818elrnzo  “Civil unrest near Kyiv exposes deeper social tensions but 'outside influence' played a role, Budanov says”, from the Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/confrontation-involving-national-guard-soldiers-unfolds-near-kyiv-police-deny-hostage-reports/  “The ambulance has been sold, and the company is no longer operating: Who spread the information about the illegal detention of soldiers in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka?”, from Slidstvo.Info: https://www.slidstvo.info/news/shvydku-prodaly-kompaniia-ne-pratsiuie-khto-poshyryv-informatsiiu-pro-nezakonne-utrymannia-viyskovykh-u-petropavlivskiy-borshchahivtsi/ Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Anastasiia and Fabian are joined by Eric Ciaramella, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endownment for International Peace who’s spent more than a decade working on Ukraine inside the US government. They discuss the disruption of the Starshield service for Ukraine, Donald Trump’s diplomacy with Russia, and the possibility of a limited ceasefire in Ukraine. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  You can support Anastasiia’s fundraiser for portable batteries for Kyiv residents at https://greekchorusfoundation.org/#battery  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Analysis: Ukraine’s Starshield access is still crippled, and no one is taking the blame”, from the Kyiv Independent https://kyivindependent.com/analysis-ukraines-starshield-access-is-still-crippled-soldiers-civilians-are-paying-the-price/  “Ukraine Can Turn Imminent Peril to Its Advantage: How a True “Energy Cease-Fire”, Can Curb Putin” from Foreign Affairs ⁠https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/ukraine-can-turn-imminent-peril-its-advantage⁠  “Dissecting Trump’s Deal for Russian Diesel”, from Lawfare ⁠https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/dissecting-trump-s-deal-for-russian-diesel⁠  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Minna, Anastasiia and Fabian are joined by Marek Kohv, head of the Security and Resilience Programme at the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn, to discuss Estonia’s new active defence doctrine and why Russia cannot just take the border town Narva, despite the popularity of “Narva scenarios” in Western media and analyses. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  You can support Anastasiia’s fundraiser for portable batteries for Kyiv residents at https://greekchorusfoundation.org/#battery  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Estonia shifts troops closer to Russia in ‘active defence’ push”, from The Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/0293497e-e4b5-473e-be49-67d1fc005fae?syn-25a6b1a6=1  “Narva Is Actually Alright”, from Northern Flank Notes: https://minnalander.substack.com/p/narva-is-actually-alright  “Ukrainian Drone Operator Who Helped Demolish NATO Troops in Estonia a Year Ago Returns to Find Big Improvements”, from The Baltic Sentinel: https://balticsentinel.eu/8481547/ukrainian-drone-operator-who-helped-demolish-nato-troops-in-estonia-a-year-ago-returns-to-find-big-improvements  “Spending 5% on defence doesn’t make Nato stronger”, from The Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/deaf0379-9426-4e60-af75-25633d8dfa1f  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Karen-Anna, Anastasiia and Fabian catch up on the latest Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, pick apart Trump's recent announcements on an energy ceasefire and a diesel deal with Russia, and hear from Anastasiia about how Kyiv is (and isn't) preparing for another brutal winter. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Support a fundraiser to buy batteries ahead of winter in Ukraine here: https://greekchorusfoundation.org Mentioned in the show:  “As Russian missiles slip through Kyiv’s air defenses without warning, officials say US intelligence remains intact — for now”, from the Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/as-russian-missiles-slip-through-kyivs-air-defenses-without-warning-officials-say-us-intelligence-remains-intact-for-now/ “Trump, Ukraine, Putin, and Fuel”, from The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/10/trump-ukraine-putin-fuel/688974/ “Kushner and Witkoff Russia Oil Deal”, from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/us/politics/kushner-witkoff-russia-oil-deal.html “US hopes diesel deal can ‘soften’ Moscow on peace talks, sources say”, from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-hopes-diesel-deal-can-soften-moscow-peace-talks-sources-say-2026-10-12/ "Russia and Ukraine Pummel Each Other’s Energy Infrastructure" from Lawfare: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/russia-and-ukraine-pummel-each-other-s-energy-infrastructure Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Minna and Fabian are joined by Héloïse Fayet, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Deterrence and Proliferation program at the French Institute for International Affairs (IFRI) to discuss the impact of AI on nuclear weapons and how social media impact nuclear signalling. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Algorithms of misperception: Managing nuclear risk in an AI world”, by Héloïse Fayet. https://thebulletin.org/premium/2025-12/algorithms-of-misperception-managing-nuclear-risk-in-an-ai-world/#post-heading  “Three Tweets to Midnight: Effects of the Global Information Ecosystem on the Risk of Nuclear Conflict”, by Harold A. Trinkunas, Herbert Lin, Benjamin Loehrke. https://www.hoover.org/research/three-tweets-midnight  Glossary of abbreviations used in the show: STRATCOM: US Strategic Command (one of the Department of War’s 11 unified commands responsible, among others responsible for planning and implementing U.S. strategic nuclear deterrence missions) DoD/DoW: US Department of Defense/Department of War  C2: Command and Control ISR: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Minna and Anastasiia discuss with Jade McGlynn, Head of Ukraine and Russia Programme at the Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King’s College London, the nonstop Russian air attacks on Kyiv, Jade’s work on the occupied territories, and what and how Russia, Ukraine and Ukraine’s partners are learning from the war. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Ukraine’s Temporarily Occupied Territories (TOT): research, data, and primary sources”, from King's College London's Centre for Statecraft and National Security: https://totinsights.org/  “September 30, 2026 - Dubai to Tel Aviv flight diverted to Saudi Arabia”, from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/30/world/live-news/dubai-israel-plane-flydubai-intl  “The Techno-Religion at the Center of the A.I. Debate”, from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/podcasts/the-daily/the-techno-religion-at-the-center-of-the-ai-debate.html  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Minna sits down with Aaron Gasch Burnett, a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Statecraft to discuss what’s really in the idea that Canada could become the first-ever “associate member” of the EU, as suggested by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech on 16 September. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “It’s Not the Economy, Stupid”, from Northern Flank Notes: https://minnalander.substack.com/p/its-not-the-economy-stupid  “Mark Carney’s Audacious Bid to Make Canada an ’Associate Member’ of the EU”, from the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/canada-alliance-eu-carney-276f1778  “In Strasbourg, a muted Carney reins in EU enthusiasm and gives no answers”, from the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-in-strasbourg-a-muted-carney-reins-in-eu-enthusiasm-and-gives-no/  “State of the Union 2026”, speech by Ursula von der Leyen: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/state-union_en  “Prime Minister Carney meets with President of France Emmanuel Macron”, from Prime Minister of Canada official website: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2026/09/20/prime-minister-carney-meets-president-france-emmanuel-macron  “LNG deal a rare triple win for Germany, Canada and national unity”, from the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-lng-deal-energy-security-germany-national-unity/ “Trump is right to fear a Canada-Europe team-up. But Canada must step up”, from the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-trump-is-right-to-fear-a-canada-europe-team-up-but-canada-must-rise-to/  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Karen-Anna takes a closer look at China with Professor Øystein Tunsjø of the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. Their conversation explores China’s global ambitions, its relationship with the United States, its interests in Europe, and why Xi Jinping continues to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show:  “Europe hesitates as Russian hybrid attacks escalate,” from POLITICO: https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-hesitates-as-russian-hybrid-attacks-escalate// “The U.S.-China Stability-Instability Paradox: Limited War in East Asia,” by Henrik Stålhane Hiim and Øystein Tunsjø, from International Security: https://direct.mit.edu/isec/article/50/1/152/132726/The-U-S-China-Stability-Instability-Paradox⁠  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

Anastasiia, Minna, and Fabian discuss Russia’s latest attacks on Kyiv, the grim future of ballistic missile defense, more corruption scandals engulfing the Ukrainian government, and Europe’s role in Ukraine’s reforms.  If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.  Mentioned in the show:  “Explainer: How a corruption scandal and loyalty to Zelensky brought down Ukraine’s prosecutor general,” from Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/explainer-how-a-corruption-scandal-and-loyalty-to-zelensky-brought-down-ukraines-prosecutor-general/ “Cornered, Vladimir Putin plans to escalate his war,” from The Economist: ⁠https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/08/30/cornered-vladimir-putin-plans-to-escalate-his-war?giftId=NTI0MjNkNTctNzUwOC00MzQyLThjNmUtMzk4MDAyZTVkOTc2&utm_campaign=gifted_article⁠   Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

Anastasiia is joined by Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based analyst and reporter at the Kyiv Independent, to discuss Russia’s new drone tactics, strikes on warehouses, and how life in Kyiv has changed in the past weeks.  If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

Karen-Anna, Minna and Fabian convene to discuss Ukraine’s Independence Day, new support packages and pledges to Ukraine, and what these amount to in terms of securing a just and lasting peace. The trio also discuss the latest developments in the US war on Iran and the newly announced economic sanctions. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show: “Is America Still Capable of Enforcing the World Order?”, from The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/us-weapons-stockpile-d869e58a “Britain is 100% behind you: Prime Minister Andy Burnham visits Kyiv on Ukrainian Independence Day for first international trip”, from the UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/britain-is-100-behind-you-prime-minister-andy-burnham-visits-kyiv-on-ukrainian-independence-day-for-first-international-trip “France to speed up missile deliveries to Ukraine amid critical air defense shortage”, from The Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/france-to-speed-up-missile-deliveries-to-ukraine-amid-critical-air-defense-shortage/ “Joint Declaration of the Leaders of Ukraine and the Nordic-Baltic States (NB8)”, from the Swedish Government: https://www.regeringen.se/uttalanden/2026/08/joint-declaration-of-the-leaders-of-ukraine-and-the-nordic-baltic-states-nb8/ Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

As Fabian has just successfully defended his PhD thesis, Fabian and Minna discuss Fabian’s research topic: the currently ongoing proliferation of conventional long range strike capabilities and what it means for strategic stability that also European small states, such as the Nordics, are acquiring these weapons. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show: “Small State Conventional Long-Range Strike Arsenals and Strategic Stability in Europe”, from Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies: https://sjms.nu/articles/10.31374/sjms.498  “UK unveils prototype missiles for Ukraine with no US components”, from the Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/78d880ee-f5cd-4f58-ba8d-da8f2193d95a?syn-25a6b1a6=1  Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Minna sits down with Alex Dalziel, Senior Fellow for Arctic Security at the Montreal Institute for Global Security, to discuss Canada’s new “middle power” foreign policy orientation, Arctic security, Canada-Europe relations and how Canada’s military buildup is going. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. Mentioned in the show: “Prepare for a world of ad hoc coalitions”, from the Economist: https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2026/07/08/prepare-for-a-world-of-ad-hoc-coalitions “Greenland issues ‘strong warning’ as Trump-linked oil firm prepares to drill”, from the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/08/greenland-iwarning-trump-linked-oil-firm-prepares-drill “Inside the Ludicrous, Deadly Serious Plan to Take Over Greenland”, from the New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/06/22/inside-the-ludicrous-deadly-serious-plan-to-take-over-greenland “Trump’s Fixation on Arctic Ships Led to Billions in No-Bid Contracts”, from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/01/climate/trump-arctic-ships.html “Davos 2026: Special address by Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada”, from World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/stories/forum-institutional/davos-2026-special-address-by-mark-carney-prime-minister-of-canada/ “AI creates 16 new viruses from scratch, showing promise for drug resistance and drawing warnings about potential for misuse”, from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/06/health/ai-viruses-bacteriophages Credits: Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv. Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Anastasiia, Karen-Anna, Fabian and Minna are back from a summer break (except Fabian, who recorded two episodes with guests in July) to discuss recent developments in Ukraine: the increased number of Russian air attacks on Kyiv and the rest of Ukraine, Ukraine’s new long-range capabilities and campaign, and Zelenskyy’s government reshuffle and resulting protests. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed  Email us at [email protected] with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions.   Mentioned in the show: “Not Quite a Diamond”, from LUFTLAGE: https://luftlage.substack.com/p/not-quite-a-diamond  “The State Makes the Missile, and the Missile Makes the State”, from Missile Matters: https://shorturl.at/D5Zc1 “Why Zelensky Can’t Hold Elections Yet”, from Lawfare: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/why-zelensky-can-t-hold-elections-yet  “Taras Chmut: "If anyone thinks they can build an authoritarian system here, I've got news for them: the Ukrainian people won't let them", from Ukrainska Pravda: https://shorturl.at/i2uQc  "There were a lot of people swarming around the Defence Ministry": ex-defence minister Fedorov on the reasons behind his dismissal”, from Ukrainska Pravda: https://shorturl.at/E7WBi “Mykhailo Fedorov: "Would I return as defence minister? 100%!" Part 2 of our interview”, from Ukrainska Pravda: https://shorturl.at/7QZ5t  “The composition of Russian forces in Ukraine”, from Russianomics: https://shorturl.at/sBsSi  And on Ukraine-Poland relations, which we didn’t have time for in this episode but Anthony recently covered extensively: “Ukraine and Poland Conflict over History”, from Ukraine Without Hype: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA3I5RJ-NTc Credits:  Anastasiia Lapatina is the Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv.  Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype

In this episode, Fabian is joined by Teun Janssen, policy advisor for Volt in the European Parliament, to discuss European power and its place in the world. Does the European Union need to integrate more deeply in security and defense policy? Or does the European Union need to become the "United States of Europe" to survive in an unforgiving and increasingly competitive international environment? This episode seeks answers. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Credits: Anastasiia Lapatina is Ukraine Fellow at Lawfare. She writes a weekly newsletter about Ukraine called Yours Ukrainian. She is based in Kyiv. Karen-Anna Eggen is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is based in Oslo. Fabian Hoffman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Programme for Ukraine and Full-Spectrum Threats at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of the Missile Matters newsletter about defence, missile technology, and nuclear strategy. He is based in Oslo. Minna Ålander is an Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. She’s also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at CEPA. Minna also writes a newsletter about European security called Northern Flank Notes. She is based in Stockholm. The podcast is engineered by Anthony Bartaway, who is also the co-host of a podcast called Ukraine Without Hype: / @ukrainewithouthype