In this episode of The Global Signal, rising scholar Ali Mammadov joins co-host Joshua Charles to examine Russia’s strategic objectives along NATO’s eastern flank and the critical boundaries separating gray-zone activities from direct aggression. We explore how NATO’s military leadership shapes the Alliance’s strategic posture, including recent positioning efforts among member states. From assessing the challenges of deterring Russian aggression below the threshold of open conflict to maintaining credible military deterrence while avoiding unnecessary escalation, this conversation examines the strategic calculations shaping NATO’s eastern flank and the future of European security.

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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/testing-the-alliance-russia-nato-and-the/id1853134070?i=1000792342220
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Learn more about today's guest:

Ali Mammadov is the Managing Editor at the Center for Security Policy Studies (CSPS) and PhD student in Political Science at George Mason University - Schar School of Policy and Government. His scholarly work touches on military alliances and security order, great power competition, and Eurasia.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alimammadoov/

Learn more about our co-hosts:

Joshua Charles: CEO & Founder, Frontier Dominion
Company Website: frontierdominion.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacharles123
Purchase Joshua's book on investing in Africa: Strategies for Success in Africa: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs and Investors: Charles, Joshua: 9798270729417: Amazon.com: Books

About Benjamin Njila Fields: CEO & Founder, Maison Jila
Company Website: https://maisonjila.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-njila-fields/

Recorded on September 25th, 2026
The views expressed by the co-hosts and their guests are personal opinions and do not constitute financial, medical, or legal advice.

This episode features Jeannine Scott, a leading champion for U.S.-Africa policy, to discuss the critical transition points in the continental trade ecosystem. While examining broader trends in commercial engagement and policy frameworks and strategic engagement with the U.S. Department of State, we will use Angola’s recent economic data as a primary case study for the necessity of diversification. On July 30th, 2026, Angolan Secretary of State for Mineral Resources, Jaime Victor, announced that crude oil and natural gas exports for Q2 2026 increased by 24.59% compared to the previous quarter, and by 54.71% compared to Q2 2025, driven by higher international market prices. However, these prices may not be the most sustainable given current geopolitical complexities affecting trade routes and corresponding policies across various nation states, reinforcing the need for African nations such as Angola to diversify their economies beyond oil and natural gas exportation.

Timestamps:

@0:00 - Episode Introduction
@0:19 - Guest Introduction: Jeannine Scott
@2:20 - The Lobito Corridor as a Model for Regional Integration
@10:12 - Strategic Autonomy in Pan-African Mineral Supply Chains
@12:47 - De-risking Investment through Joint Ventures
@16:51 - Moving from Extractive Models to Value-Added Trade
@26:21 - Policy Recommendations for U.S. State Department Leadership
@34:02 - Episode Conclusion

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cWDY6S...
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
Instagram: Instagram
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@theglobalsignal

Learn more about today's guest:

Jeannine B. Scott is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center. She is also the founder and principal of America to Africa Consulting, LLC. Scott also serves as the US country manager for OMATAPALO, Inc., a subsidiary of the OMATAPALO Group, headquartered in Angola, with operations in Africa and Europe.

Learn more about our co-hosts:

Joshua Charles: CEO & Founder, Frontier Dominion
Company Website: frontierdominion.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacharles123/
Purchase Joshua's book on investing in Africa: Strategies for Success in Africa: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs and Investors

About Benjamin Njila Fields: CEO & Founder, Maison Jila
Company Website: https://maisonjila.com/
LinkedIn: Benjamin Fields, M.A. | LinkedIn

Angolan source statistic for episode description:

AllAfrica: https://allafrica.com/stories/202607310273.html

Recorded on July 17th, 2026
The views expressed by the co-hosts and their guests are personal opinions and do not constitute financial, medical, or legal advice.

Today we’re diving into a critical experiment in sovereign restructuring. In an era of global financial volatility, Zambia’s debt-for-energy model raises a defining question: can infrastructure become the foundation of long-term fiscal recovery? We analyze the structural innovation behind this deal and its potential implications for the rest of the African continent.

Timestamps:

@0:00 - Episode Introduction
@0:19 - Episode Overview
@0:52 - Guest Introduction: Luipa Mondoka
@2:22 - The Sovereign Paradigm: Shifting Debt Management
@4:32 - Regional Scalability: Blueprint for African Economies?
@9:15 - Risk-Adjusted Allocation: Benchmarking Market Access
@12:09 - Load Shedding: A Bottleneck of Economic Growth
@14:46 - Political Risk Pricing: Capital Allocation Reframing and Insulation
@17:18 - Zambia's Historical Institutional Continuity and Broader African Dictatorial Rulings
@21:00 - Industrial Constraints: Energy as a Growth Driver
@26:17 - Guest's Last Words
@28:27 - Episode Conclusion

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cWDY6S...
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
Instagram: Instagram
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@theglobalsignal

Learn more about today's guest:

Luipa Mondoka is an operator-turned-investor whose career bridges entrepreneurship, multilateral policy, and global finance. With extensive experience at the World Bank, UNCTAD, and Greylock Capital Management, Luipa brings deep, firsthand insight into the practical realities of building businesses in emerging markets.

Luipa's LinkedIn: Luipa Mondoka | LinkedIn

Learn more about our co-hosts:

Joshua Charles: CEO & Founder, Frontier Dominion
Company Website: frontierdominion.com
LinkedIn: Joshua Charles | LinkedIn
Purchase Joshua's book on investing in Africa: Strategies for Success in Africa: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs and Investors

About Benjamin Njila Fields: CEO & Founder, Maison Jila
Company Website: https://maisonjila.com/
LinkedIn: Benjamin Fields, M.A. | LinkedIn

Recorded on July 17th, 2026
The views expressed by the co-hosts and their guests are personal opinions and do not constitute financial, medical, or legal advice.