The Democratic Security Institute (DSI) is an independent, non-partisan thinktank based in Estonia. We are a team of policy and civil society professionals who are passionate about the power of democracy to bring security, social justice and prosperity to people living in the countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
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  • Liberalism vs Post-Liberalism: Faith, Family, Flag
    Liberalism vs Post-Liberalism: Faith, Family, Flag

    In this episode I speak to Professor Paul Kelly, Professor of Political Theory at the London School of Economics, about his latest book, Against Post-Liberalism: In Defence of Political Liberalism. We explore the growing appeal of faith, family and flag and how they’ve have become increasingly influential in contemporary politics. From JD Vance and Donald Trump to… Read More

  • Georgia’s Strategic Dilemma: Navigating Regional Stability and Domestic Politics
    Georgia’s Strategic Dilemma: Navigating Regional Stability and Domestic Politics

    This episode features Medea Turashvili, a seasoned analyst and peace practitioner specializing in conflict, human rights, and democracy building in the South Caucasus. We delve into Georgia’s complex geopolitical landscape, the impacts of internal political shifts, and the country’s prospects for regional influence. We discuss: Read More

  • Central Asia: From Periphery to Power Pt. 2
    Central Asia: From Periphery to Power Pt. 2

    Explore the complex geopolitical landscape of Central Asia through insights from Dr. Filippo Costa-Brunelli, an expert in international relations and regional geopolitics. This episode covers regional transformations, great power influences, and Italy’s diplomatic engagement in the region. Read More

  • Central Asia: From Periphery to Power
    Central Asia: From Periphery to Power

    For decades, Central Asia has been overlooked in discussions of global geopolitics. But as competition between Russia, China and the West intensifies, the region has become increasingly important for energy security, trade, connectivity and regional stability. Read More

  • Energy Security: Why Resilience Matters More than Resources 

    Global energy security is undergoing significant structural change driven by geopolitical fragmentation, conflict, and technological disruption. Recent crises, primarily the US-Israeli escalation in Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz; the continued pressures caused by the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine; and, the incessant demand for resources required by the AI technological… Read More

  • Türkiye’s South Caucasus Policy: From Cautious Engagement to Strategic Assertiveness

    Yelda Karadağ Şir The South Caucasus has gradually evolved from a peripheral neighborhood into a strategic geopolitical gateway for Türkiye, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Türkiye was among the first states to recognize the independence of the three South Caucasus countries—Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia—immediately following their declarations of independence. Beyond its deeply rooted… Read More

  • Human Rights, Accountability and Justice
    Human Rights, Accountability and Justice

    Unlock the strategies behind justice and accountability in a world teetering on the edge of crisis. Read More

  • Are we looking at the United Nations the Wrong Way? 
    Are we looking at the United Nations the Wrong Way? 

    Amid war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, and growing great-power competiton, the United Nations has come under increasing criticism with many describing the institution as powerless, ineffective and irrelevant. Yet this narrative misunderstands both what the UN is capable of doing and where its successes actually lie. Read More

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