Mildly Alarmed

One Ukrainian journalist. Three European security analysts. Infinite reasons for alarm.

Every week, Anastasiia Lapatina, Fabian Hoffman, Minna Ålander, and Karen-Anna Eggen analyze alarming–and occasionally hopeful–trends in European security.

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Yesterday · 53 min
A Bad Winter Ahead
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. 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/ 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
October 9 · 57 min
Nukes and AI
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
October 2 · 52 min
Russia terrorizes Kyiv
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
September 25 · 50 min
Can Canada join the EU?
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
September 18 · 47 min
What China Wants
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
September 11 · 42 min
More corruption scandals in Zelensky’s circle
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
September 4 · 37 min
Life in Kyiv: A Week-long Drone Attack
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
August 28 · 39 min
Ukraine’s Independence day
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
August 21 · 39 min
Small States, Long Range
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
August 14 · 53 min
Canada’s Middle Power Game
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
August 7 · 50 min
Ukraine Update: Corruption, Protests, Air War
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 alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
July 31 · 39 min
Do we need the United States of Europe?
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
July 17 · 38 min
Europe playing catchup on drone and missile capabilities
In this episode, Fabian speaks with Ettiene Marcuz, Etienne Marcuz is a senior analyst on strategic armaments and an associate fellow at the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS) on issues related to deterrence and missile defense. They cover the necessity of Europe to build up its logistics and stockpiles of drones and longer range strike capabilities. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com 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
June 26 · 42 min
Ukraine strikes back, G7 chatter and will Belarus enter the war?
In this episode, Anastasiia, Karen-Anna, Fabian and Minna are finally back together to discuss recent events, including Ukraine's strikes inside Russia, air defence in Moscow, the G7 meeting and the latest developments in Ukraine-Belarus relations. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. Mentioned in the show: “Missile Defense’s Unforgiving Logic Comes Back to Haunt Russia” from Missile Matters: https://missilematters.substack.com/p/missile-defenses-unforgiving-logic⁠ “Drone Threats Are the New Normal” from Northern Flank Notes: https://minnalander.substack.com/p/drone-threats-are-the-new-normal⁠ “How to Think About AI Before It’s Too Late” from The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/2026/06/how-to-think-about-ai-before-its-too-late/687644/⁠ “2026 May Be the Year of the Mega I.P.O.” from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/technology/ai-ipo-openai-anthropic-spacex.html⁠ “Belarus halts equipment used to guide Russian strikes, Zelensky says, after Ukraine’s ultimatum” from The Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/belarus-halts-equipment-used-to-guide-russian-strikes-zelensky-says-after-ukraines-ultimatum/⁠ “Exclusive: Ukraine believes it secured Trump’s backing to act ‘more boldly’ toward Russia” from The Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/trump-privately-urged-zelensky-to-act-more-boldly-toward-russia/⁠ 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
June 19 · 46 min
Russian nukes and spies in the Arctic, with The Barents Observer
In this episode, Anastasiia and Karen-Anna speak with Atle Staalesen, the founder of the Barents Observer, to discuss Russian interests in the Arctic, and how Moscow is leveraging its military and civillian assets in the region for war against the West. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. Mentioned in the show: “Inside an Arctic Town on the Frontline of Russian Hybrid War” from Lawfare: ⁠https://shorturl.at/9jyQp⁠ “Russia’s Espionage War in the Arctic” from The New Yorker: ⁠https://shorturl.at/YaEyL⁠ “Orthodox church from Severomorsk wanted to study Kirkenes water supply” from the Barents Observer: ⁠https://shorturl.at/ojiOi⁠ “A Deep-Diving Sub. A Deadly Fire. And Russia’s Secret Undersea Agenda.” from the New York Times: ⁠https://shorturl.at/iY0nN⁠ “Forget Greenland: This Arctic NATO Island Already Has a Russian Presence” from the Wall Street Journal: ⁠https://shorturl.at/FSN8u⁠ 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 a Senior Researcher 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
June 12 · 58 min
The many dramas of Ukraine’s EU accession
Welcome to the seventh episode of Mildly Alarmed, a new weekly podcast about European and global security hosted by Anastasiia Lapatina, Fabian Hoffman, Minna Ålander, and Karen-Anna Eggen. In this episode, Anastasiia and Minna are joined by Chris Powers, a Brussels-based correspondent for the Kyiv Independent, to discuss Ukraine’s long road towards the European Union, from the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 to the full-scale invasion. They discuss the political drama surrounding Ukraine’s bid in both Kyiv and Brussels, as well as the recent opening of negotiation clusters. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. Mentioned in the show: Ukraine’s Thorny Path to the EU—From “Integration without Membership” to “Integration through War”, from Maryna Rabinovych and Anne Pintsch: ⁠https://shorturl.at/yX8pE⁠ “A toppled Christmas tree, tear gas and projectile potatoes: Farmers vent rage at Brussels” from Politico: ⁠https://shorturl.at/Q1k3I⁠ “Northern EU enlargement in sight? Seizing momentum in uncertain times” from Minna Ålander: ⁠https://shorturl.at/GP2sT⁠ 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 a Senior Researcher 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
June 5 · 38 min
Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe
Welcome to the sixth episode of Mildly Alarmed, a new weekly podcast about European and global security hosted by Anastasiia Lapatina, Fabian Hoffman, Minna Ålander, and Karen-Anna Eggen. From “greyzone aggression” to “non-military warfare”, Russian sub-threshold attacks have many names. In this episode, Fabian, Karen-Anna and Minna discuss how Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe works and how we potentially should defend against it. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. Mentioned in the show: “Tracking the Russian hybrid warfare - cases from the Nordic-Baltic countries”, report by Patrik Oksanen, Minna Ålander and Karen-Anna Eggen (et al) for the Stockholm Free World Forum: https://shorturl.at/p0IvQ “Non-Military Warfare. A War of Our Time”, book edited by Oscar Jonsson and Ilmari Käihkö: https://shorturl.at/JA1b5 (In Norwegian) ”«Arktisk blokade»: en russisk informasjonsoperasjon mot Norge”, by Karen-Anna Eggen and Siri Strand for Internasjonal Politikk: https://shorturl.at/XDpYc “Leaked Documents Reveal Russian ‘Cognitive Strikes’ Against the West — Including Islamophobic ‘Pig Head’ Attacks in Paris”, by Martin Laine, Marta Vunš and Ilya Lozovsky for OCCRP: https://shorturl.at/FrMx9 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 a Senior Researcher 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
May 29 · 51 min
How Ukraine is winning the drone war against Russia
Welcome to the fifth episode of Mildly Alarmed, a new weekly podcast about European and global security hosted by Anastasiia Lapatina, Fabian Hoffman, Minna Ålander, and Karen-Anna Eggen. In this episode, Fabian and Anastasiia are joined by Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based security analyst and journalist, to discuss how Ukraine is winning the drone war against Russia on every level, and whether Moscow can adapt to its mounting challenges. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. Mentioned in the show: “Analysis: How Ukraine gained the upper hand in the drone war against Russia” by Jimmy Rushton for the Kyiv Independent: https://shorturl.at/sCl6X “Ukraine’s Intermediate-Range Strike Campaign and New Mechanized Attacks Herald the Start of a New Phase of the War” by the Institute for the Study of War: ⁠https://shorturl.at/aVHhj⁠ 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 a Senior Researcher 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
May 22 · 53 min
Inside Europe's debate about nukes
Welcome to the fourth episode of Mildly Alarmed, a new weekly podcast about European and global security hosted by Anastasiia Lapatina, Fabian Hoffman, Minna Ålander, and Karen-Anna Eggen. This episode is about nuclear detterence—how it works, how it doesn’t work, and what the future of nuclear detterence in Europe looks like. We explain nuclear strategies of the United States and Russia, look at the French and British nuclear forces, and discuss why some European states, like the Baltics, are skeptical of a potential French nuclear detterent for Europe. If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. Mentioned in the show: “Macron Offers a Promising Vision for Nuclear Deterrence in Europe” from French Institute of International Relations: https://shorturl.at/kjyT2 Nordic nuclear debate “Nordic Nukes: Seeking Strategic Agency in Uncertain Times” from the Center for Strategic and International Studies: https://shorturl.at/08zIJ “The Fall Crisis of 2022: why did Russia not use nuclear arms?” by Ulrich Kühn: https://shorturl.at/8zhNn “UK struggles to reassure Ukraine after easing new sanctions on Russian oil” from The Guardian: https://shorturl.at/BcxKS “Even by Trumpian standards, a $1.8bn fund for friends is bad” from The Economist: https://shorturl.at/kCYvd 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 a Senior Researcher 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
May 15 · 43 min
Has the US abdicated from global leadership?
Welcome to the third episode of Mildly Alarmed, a new weekly podcast about European and global security hosted by Anastasiia Lapatina, Fabian Hoffman, Minna Ålander, and Karen-Anna Eggen. To set up the show, we are dedicating the first three episodes to recent trends in Ukraine, Europe, and global security. Episode three dives into the changing global order—are we experiencing a rupture, or something Minna calls a CGC? What is the global impact of the US-Israel war against Iran, and how do Europeans view the conflict? If you want to support our show, go to our Buy Me A Coffee page at http://buymeacoffee.com/mildlyalarmed Email us at alarmedmildly@gmail.com with any guest feedback, suggestions, and questions. Mentioned in the show: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, from CBC: https://shorturl.at/bveMJ “At a glance: Starmer fights to stay on as prime minister”, from BBC: https://shorturl.at/WmLQP “Putin Marks Pared-Down Victory Day Parade in Moscow After Zelensky Gives ‘Permission’”, from Time: https://shorturl.at/AZkwz “Ukraine’s Energy Corruption Scandal Just Got Much Worse” from Lawfare: ⁠https://shorturl.at/ngHoX⁠ “Friedrich Merz can’t go on like this”, from The Economist: ⁠https://shorturl.at/JNEGF⁠ 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 a Senior Researcher 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 European 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

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