denkfabrik

denkfabrik talk with Ildar Daminov Once hailed as the ultimate “democratizing force,” the internet has undergone a dark transformation. Today, the digital landscape is increasingly dominated by state-sponsored surveillance, sophisticated censorship, and the relentless spread of propaganda. For many living under modern autocracies, the dream of an open web has been replaced by the reality of a “Digital Gulag.”How did we reach this point, and is it possible to fight back? To explore these questions, we invite Ildar Daminov, a political scientist and PhD candidate at Central European University specializing in the intersection of technology, politics, and authoritarianism. Entrance is free, feel free to share with your friends https://denkfabrik.online/denkfabrik-talk-with-ildar-daminov/

Mahdi Ghodsi – Iran on the Streets: Economic Collapse and the Fight for Change Across Iran, a powerful wave of anti-government protests is making headlines. Driven by soaring prices, a collapsing currency, lack of social freedom, and deep political frustration, people are taking to the streets in record numbers. While some see this as the beginning of the end for the current regime, the state has met the movement with internet blackouts and a violent crackdown. Do we witness a turning point for Iran, or will the state’s grip remain firm? To understand it, we invite Mahdi Ghodsi, an economist and Middle East expert. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oImbvG8hykSgLgaPwwPoo See the transcript ------------- The Human Toll and Historical Context of Suppression We have passed a few weeks of horror in Iran, terror and horror. And we have mixed feelings. It’s a… https://denkfabrik.online/mahdi-ghodsi-iran-on-the-streets-economic-collapse-and-the-fight-for-change/

denkfabrik talk with Mahdi Ghodsi Across Iran, a powerful wave of anti-government protests is making headlines. Driven by soaring prices, a collapsing currency, lack of social freedom, and deep political frustration, people are taking to the streets in record numbers. While some see this as the beginning of the end for the current regime, the state has met the movement with internet blackouts and a violent crackdown. Do we witness a turning point for Iran, or will the state’s grip remain firm? To understand it, we invite Mahdi Ghodsi, an economist and Middle East expert. In this talk, Mahdi will discuss: - The “Kitchen Table” Crisis: How inflation and a failing economy pushed people to the brink. - A New Kind of Protest: What makes this movement different from the protests of 2009 and 2022? - The Mechanics of Power: Who is behind the crackdown, and who still benefits from the current system? - The… https://denkfabrik.online/denkfabrik-talk-with-mahdi-ghodsi/

denkfabrik talk with Alexander Mitrofanenko Armed conflict is inherently destructive. Beyond the immediate human suffering, war leaves behind a toxic legacy: it devastates ecosystems, endangers human health, and threatens long-term recovery. What does international experience tell us on the lasting impact of war on environment and what can Ukraine learn from it to overcome it? To get the answers, we invite Alexander Mitrofanenko researcher at BOKU and a co-author of a landmark report by United Nations on monitoring and assessment methods of war’s environmental footprint. See the web page to register for the event https://denkfabrik.online/denkfabrik-talk-with-alexander-mitrofanenko/

denkfabrik talk with Tamara Kusimova REGISTER HERE Traditionally, many saw the rise of a stable middle class as a key to political democratization—and Russia was no exception. Yet just a decade after the onset of civil protests of 2011-2013, many of the well-educated, urban professionals were within the ranks of Putin’s authoritarian state machine. What has become of those on whom so many hopes for Russia’s future once rested? In this talk, Tamara Kusimova, PhD candidate at the Central European University and Junior Research Fellow at IGRec, examines the fate of young professionals and how did their pursuit for better life has put them in front of a dire choice: joining the state machine, leaving the country or being put in jail. At the event, Tamara will discuss: - How global frameworks of ambition and class mobility intersect with Russia’s unique political economy - What forms of work and… https://denkfabrik.online/denkfabrik-talk-with-tamara-kusimova/

Conquest or Collapse: Rethinking Trump’s Rise to Power In 2010, the Republican Party in the US stood for free markets, constitutional governance, and the transatlantic alliance. A decade later, it had changed beyond recognition following Trump’s rise to power. How did the Republican Party transform from a mainstream political force into a personalized movement centered around Donald Trump? To guide us through this transformation, we’ve invited Adam Pontius, a PhD candidate in political science at CEU and former campaign consultant. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2W73nUMSl570zudpoO8kvh?si=NQg-C2QoR0Cvl3kKmR5HYQ Listen to the episode on our website if Spotify is blocked in your region https://denkfabrik.online/conquest-or-collapse-rethinking-trumps-rise-to-power/

Listen to the podcast with Milana Bagdasarian on Armenia's transformation After years of dependence on Russia as its main security guarantor, Armenia is entering a new and uncertain chapter. The peace deal with Azerbaijan has reopened old wounds while forcing the country to rethink its alliances. For many Armenians, the idea of looking West is no longer abstract but a matter of survival and political identity. How does a nation rebuild its future while breaking away from the power that shaped its past? Milana Bagdasarian, a political analyst who conducts policy research on security, democracy and civic engagement in the South Caucasus and Eastern Europe, guides through Armenia’s internal transformation, the fundamental change in its foreign policy and the influence of NGOs. Listen on Spotify here Listen on the website here https://denkfabrik.online/milana-bagdasarian-from-moscows-grip-to-washingtons-embrace-armenias-internal-transformation-and-its-turn-to-the-west/

denkfabrik talk with Adam Pontius REGISTRATION LINK In 2010, the Republican Party in the US stood for free markets, constitutional governance, and the transatlantic alliance. A decade later, it had changed beyond recognition following Trump’s rise to power. How did the Republican Party transform from a mainstream political force into a personalized movement centered around Donald Trump? To guide us through this transformation, we’ve invited Adam Pontius, a PhD candidate in political science at CEU and former campaign consultant. At this event, Adam will discuss: - How internal party battles eroded the Republican establishment’s authority - How Trump used the void to reconstruct the political identity - What this case reveals about the collapse of democratic legitimacy in the US - Why institutional frameworks alone can’t safeguard democracy once trust breaks down The event takes place with support of… https://denkfabrik.online/denkfabrik-talk-with-adam-pontius/

denkfabrik talk with Milana Bagdasarian From Moscow’s Grip to Washington’s Embrace: Armenia’s Transformation, the Role of NGOs, and a Turn to the West REGISTER HERE After years of dependence on Russia as its main security guarantor, Armenia is entering a new and uncertain chapter. The peace deal with Azerbaijan has reopened old wounds while forcing the country to rethink its alliances. For many Armenians, the idea of looking West is no longer abstract but a matter of survival and political identity. How does a nation rebuild its future while breaking away from the power that shaped its past? In her talk, Milana Bagdasarian, a political analyst, will discuss Armenia’s internal transformation, the influence of NGOs, and its shifting foreign alignment. The event takes place with support of Dialogbuero Vienna 🕔 October 14th, 19:00 📍 Eßlinggasse 9/6, 1010 Wien, Dialogbüro, 2nd floor ✍️ Free entry upon registration above 🗣 Event language is English

🎉🥳 denkfabrik 1 год! 🥳🎉 Привет, друзья! 👋 На связи Денкфабрик Проект отмечает свой первый день рождения и приглашает отметить это на встрече сообщества 📅 24 сентября 🕔 19:00 📍 Eßlinggasse 9/6, офис Dialogbüro Что покажем и расскажем: 🔙 Краткое содержание предыдущей серии нашего пути за этот год 🚀 Планы на будущее: новые спикеры и ожидаемые лекции 🍷🥪 Бесплатные напитки, закуски и музыка (возможно, даже живая 🎶) Но самое главное — это возможность встретиться лично, познакомиться поближе и укрепить наше сообщество! Приходите сами, зовите друзей и берите с собой вкусняшки, чтобы поделиться друг с другом! Ссылка на регистрацию вот тут. Ждём вас! 💛

Branimir Jovanović – Strings Attached: How Big Powers Use Finance to Court the Western Balkans In recent years, the Western Balkans have found themselves caught at the center of a geoeconomic rivalry. The EU, China, Russia, and the United States all use their financial power to advance in the region by giving loans, grants, and buying strategic assets. What do these financial flows reveal about the economic game of influence being played there? To answer that, we’ve invited Branimir Jovanović, an economist and expert on the Western Balkans. In this talk, he’ll share what stands behind the significant finance coming into the region and how major powers can use it to pull the strings. ------------- https://open.spotify.com/episode/2sUMlZhzMdxUy8hq2deEo0?si=NQi-4ScXS4uobXZ-HPfd-g Listen to our episode directly at the website if Spotify is not… https://denkfabrik.online/branimir-jovanovic-strings-attached-how-big-powers-use-finance-to-court-the-western-balkans/

Olga Malashkina – Occupied but Empowered? How the Soviets tried to Redefine Women in Austrian Politics April 1945. Europe, covered in blood and rubble, tries to rebuild itself. Among them Austria – a divided nation, occupied by the Allies. With the country trying to reestablish a republic, women’s votes suddenly become important for political parties. So much that the Soviet Union tried to exploit the feminist agenda to gain influence. How did the Soviets try to do it and did they manage to succeed? To find out, let’s listen to Olga Malashkina, a PhD candidate in history at the University of Vienna. This talk was a part of a joint event with Dialogbüro Vienna within a series “Austria 1945–55: The Making of the Second Republic”. Link to the video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSH2IFdxfAE… https://denkfabrik.online/olga-malashkina-occupied-but-empowered-how-the-soviets-tried-to-redefine-women-in-austrian-politics/