What Just Happened?

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Each week, Marco Giannangeli and Samuel McVicar host What Just Happened?, a short-format podcast unpacking the most important geopolitical developments of the week. Featuring conversations with Sibylline’s intelligence analysts, regional specialists, and occasional guest experts, the podcast delivers concise, high-signal analysis on the events shaping the global risk environment, helping you cut through noise, understand what matters, and anticipate what comes next.

Episodes

5 hours ago

The Global Chokepoint Challenge

5 hours ago

42 min

What did the Strait of Hormuz crisis reveal about the future of global security? More than many realise.

In this special episode of What Just Happened?, Marco Giannangeli is joined by Professor Alessio Patalano of King's College London, former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe OBE and Sibylline Geoeconomic Advisor Stewart Paterson to examine the strategic lessons emerging from one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.

The discussion explores why governments and businesses remain vulnerable despite decades of warning, how new technologies are changing the balance between navies and non-state actors and why economic resilience, military planning and international law are becoming increasingly intertwined. The panel also considers what the Strait of Hormuz teaches us about the future of global trade and the next generation of geopolitical risk.

Request our latest Global Chokepoints report here: Report Request: Global Chokepoints - Assessing Cascading Impacts and Preparing for Future Shocks - S…

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You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk

For more information, visit our website:
www.sibylline.co.uk

#Geopolitics #MaritimeSecurity #Hormuz #GlobalTrade #NationalSecurity #SupplyChains #PoliticalRisk

Jul 29, 2026

The Future of the US-Europe Alliance

Jul 29, 2026

24 min

The transatlantic alliance has shaped global security for generations. But are the United States and Europe beginning to drift apart?

In this episode of What Just Happened?, Marco Giannangeli is joined by Sibylline's Lead Europe-Eurasia Analyst Alexander Lord and Lead Americas Analyst Lewis Galvin to examine the future of one of the world's most important strategic partnerships.

The discussion explores why economic and military decoupling is becoming a serious policy debate, how Washington's growing focus on China is reshaping its priorities and why Europe is being pushed to take greater responsibility for its own defence. The episode also examines what these shifts could mean for NATO, regional security and the future of Western cooperation.

Join the Sibylline Media mailing list:
https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup

If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review.

You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk

For more information, visit our website:
www.sibylline.co.uk

#Geopolitics #NATO #Security #PoliticalRisk

Jul 24, 2026

Ukraine's Leadership Shake-Up

Jul 24, 2026

22 min

Why would a president replace one of his most popular ministers in the middle of a war?

In this episode of What Just Happened?, Samuel McVicar is joined by Sibylline's Eurasia Intelligence Analyst Karan Vassil to examine President Zelensky's controversial dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and what it reveals about Ukraine's political and military landscape.

The discussion explores the reforms that made Fedorov one of the country's most prominent wartime figures, why his removal has triggered rare public protests and what the appointment of a new defence minister could mean for military operations, civil military relations and Ukraine's broader reform agenda.

Join the Sibylline Media mailing list:
https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup

If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review.

You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk

For more information, visit our website:
www.sibylline.co.uk

#Zelensky #Geopolitics #RussiaUkraineWar

Jul 17, 2026

Iraq: Can Baghdad disarm Iran-backed militias?

Jul 17, 2026

23 min

Following Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington and talks with President Donald Trump, Marco Giannangeli is joined by Sibylline analyst Omar Khadr and Middle East expert Kyle Orton to examine whether Baghdad can bring Iran-backed militias under state control - and what that would mean for US-Iraq relations and Tehran’s influence.

Join the Sibylline Podcast mailing list:
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If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review.
You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk

For more information, visit our website:
www.sibylline.co.uk

Jul 9, 2026

Ukraine: Can Putin avoid another mobilisation?

Jul 9, 2026

26 min

Ukraine's manpower shortage is well known. Russia's challenge is different: not finding more soldiers, but deciding how far Vladimir Putin is willing to go to recruit them. Marco Giannangeli is joined by Sibylline Lead Europe Analyst Alexander Lord and eminent Russia expert Professor Mark Galeotti to discuss the mobilisation dilemma that could determine the course of the war into 2027.

Read Mark Galeotti's newest book Forged in War - a military history of Russia from its beginnings to today.

Join the Sibylline Podcast mailing list:
https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup

If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review.

You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk

For more information, visit our website:
www.sibylline.co.uk

Jul 3, 2026

Why the West Needs Turkey Again

Jul 3, 2026

23 min

In this episode of What Just Happened?, Marco Giannangeli is joined by Sibylline analysts Owen Williams and Lewis Galvin to examine why Washington is reconsidering Turkey’s return to the F-35 programme ahead of NATO’s summit in Ankara.

They discuss Turkey’s cooling relationship with Russia, its enduring value to NATO, the limits of any rapprochement, and why concerns over democratic backsliding are being outweighed by harder strategic calculations.

Join the Sibylline Podcast mailing list:
https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup

If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review.

You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk

For more information, visit our website:
www.sibylline.co.uk

Jun 25, 2026

What China Learned from the Conflict in Iran

Jun 25, 2026

21 min

In this episode of What Just Happened?, Marco Giannangeli is joined by Dr John Hemmings, Senior Adviser to the Pacific Forum and Jonah Kaplan, Principal Asia Pacific Analyst at Sibylline, to examine what recent conflicts may be teaching China's military planners.

Drawing lessons from the US, Israeli and Iranian conflicts, the discussion explores how Beijing is assessing American military capabilities, the growing role of artificial intelligence in warfare and the implications for future flashpoints such as Taiwan. The conversation concludes with an assessment of how these lessons could influence future Chinese strategy and the risks facing regional stability.

Follow our guest, Dr John Hemmings:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hemmings-38a342265/
X/Twitter: @johnhemmings2

https://pacforum.org/

Join the Sibylline Podcast mailing list:
https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup

If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review.

You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk

For more information, visit our website:
www.sibylline.co.uk

#China #Taiwan #IndoPacific #ArtificialIntelligence #Geopolitics #NationalSecurity

Jun 18, 2026

The Iran-US Peace Deal

Jun 18, 2026

29 min

In this episode, Samuel McVicar is joined by Lead North America Analyst Lewis Galvin and Principal Middle East & Africa Analyst Megan Sutcliffe to unpack the recent Iran-US peace agreement and what it could mean for regional stability.

They examine the reported scope of the agreement, including the 60-day ceasefire extension, nuclear negotiations, sanctions relief discussions and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. The conversation explores whether the deal represents a genuine diplomatic breakthrough or simply a temporary pause in hostilities.