Slovenia’s Ambassador Pulls Back the Curtain on a Surprise Act at the UN
03/01/25 • 75 min
As the world marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Monday, competing resolutions at the United Nations brought tensions within the international community to the forefront. This episode dives deep into the diplomatic maneuvering and dueling agendas, revealing the complexities that reshape alliances and influence decisions made at the United Nations. As our host explains, the anniversary this week was Act One in a three-act tragedy that culminated in the Oval Office on Friday, February 28.
The guest in this episode, Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia's UN ambassador who sits on the UN Security Council, offers invaluable insights into the intricacies of the negotiation process and the challenges faced by countries seeking to support Ukraine against ongoing aggression. Listeners are treated to a vivid narrative highlighting the unexpected shift in United States foreign policy and its implications for Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape. What does it mean when one of the most significant military powers distances itself from traditional allies? The final act played out in the Oval Office on Friday, when Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy was bushwhacked as both the U.S. president and vice president accused him of being disrepectful and unthankful.
There is a bonus segment with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski explaining how he was lied to over Shaheed drones by Iran, one of which was on display across from the UN.
Speakers:
J. Alex Tarquinio (host). @alextarquinio of @delegateslounge on X.
Samuel Zbogar (guest). @Samuel_Zbogar of @SLOtoUN
References:
The host wrote about Slovenia's election to the UN Security Council in Foreign Policy.
Alex also wrote about the confirmation hearing of Elise Stefanik for United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/17/un-ambassador-elise-stefanik-hearing-confirmation-trump/
We'll add photos and videos of the Iranian Shahed drone display on our social media.
As the world marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Monday, competing resolutions at the United Nations brought tensions within the international community to the forefront. This episode dives deep into the diplomatic maneuvering and dueling agendas, revealing the complexities that reshape alliances and influence decisions made at the United Nations. As our host explains, the anniversary this week was Act One in a three-act tragedy that culminated in the Oval Office on Friday, February 28.
The guest in this episode, Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia's UN ambassador who sits on the UN Security Council, offers invaluable insights into the intricacies of the negotiation process and the challenges faced by countries seeking to support Ukraine against ongoing aggression. Listeners are treated to a vivid narrative highlighting the unexpected shift in United States foreign policy and its implications for Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape. What does it mean when one of the most significant military powers distances itself from traditional allies? The final act played out in the Oval Office on Friday, when Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy was bushwhacked as both the U.S. president and vice president accused him of being disrepectful and unthankful.
There is a bonus segment with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski explaining how he was lied to over Shaheed drones by Iran, one of which was on display across from the UN.
Speakers:
J. Alex Tarquinio (host). @alextarquinio of @delegateslounge on X.
Samuel Zbogar (guest). @Samuel_Zbogar of @SLOtoUN
References:
The host wrote about Slovenia's election to the UN Security Council in Foreign Policy.
Alex also wrote about the confirmation hearing of Elise Stefanik for United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/17/un-ambassador-elise-stefanik-hearing-confirmation-trump/
We'll add photos and videos of the Iranian Shahed drone display on our social media.
Previous Episode
A French Political Scientist Responds to the Trump Shockwave
Get ready to explore the turbulent waters of transatlantic relations with our guest, French political scientist Celia Berlin. Discover how the Trump administration's controversial actions, including remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, have sent ripples across Europe, particularly in response to the tensions over Ukraine. With President Macron at the helm, rallying European leaders to counter these shifts, Celia provides a nuanced perspective on the strategic and emotional dynamics at play in European capitals as they brace for potentially profound changes in US foreign policy.
We'll navigate the shifting political currents within Europe, where figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen are recalibrating their positions in light of global developments. As we dissect the responses from the far-right, including Germany's AfD and France's Reconquête, you'll gain insight into how these parties are juggling admiration for Trump with the real-world implications of his alignment with Kremlin narratives. The episode also delves into JD Vance's incendiary address at the Munich Security Conference, sparking dialogue on free speech, political realignments, and the future of European security.
As we round out our discussion, we'll confront the broader implications of a potential second Trump administration on the transatlantic alliance, exploring how European leaders are responding to the existential question of strategic autonomy. From Macron's calls for a European army to the historical context of French skepticism towards NATO, we assess Europe's readiness to assert its significance in global affairs amid unsettling US rhetoric. Immerse yourself in this comprehensive examination of a relationship under strain and the strategies European leaders are employing to navigate these uncharted waters.
Speakers:
J. Alex Tarquinio (host). @alextarquinio of @delegateslounge on X.
https://foreignpolicy.com/author/j-alex-tarquinio/
Célia Belin, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and head
of its Paris office (guest). @celiabelin on X.
https://ecfr.eu/profile/celia-belin/
References:
The host has quoted the guest in the following Foreign Policy articles.
Macron’s China Trip Is a Fool’s Errand
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/04/06/macron-france-china-visit-pension-protests/
Putin’s War is Shaking Up the French Election
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/10/russia-war-france-elections-macron/
The Education of Pap Ndiaye
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/07/17/france-politics-culture-war-education-pap-ndiaye-education-minister/
Next Episode
The United Nations Adrift in a Sea of Change
In this episode, we explore the seismic shifts reshaping global diplomacy with Richard Gowan, the International Crisis Group's UN expert and our first-ever return guest, or "friend of the pod."
Recorded at UN headquarters while Trump and Putin conducted a phone call to discuss the war in Ukraine, our conversation captures a pivotal moment in international relations. The timing couldn't be more significant as we analyze how the Trump administration might transform the United States of America's relationship with the United Nations, not through complete withdrawal as some fear, but through strategic disengagement and funding cuts that could devastate humanitarian operations worldwide.
Gowan provides extraordinary insight into the coming UN Secretary-General race, where Latin American candidates are positioning themselves while carefully navigating the Trump administration's preferences. We explore China's calculated approach to filling potential power vacuums and examine how the U.S.-Russia rapprochement is creating an uncomfortable dynamic for traditional American allies, particularly regarding Ukraine peace negotiations.
Our conversation concludes with real-time analysis of the readout of the Trump-Putin call as it hit the host's inbox, providing listeners with expert interpretation of this crucial diplomatic engagement. Whether you're a foreign policy professional or simply concerned about global stability, this episode offers essential context for understanding how the international order is being reshaped before our eyes. Subscribe now to ensure you never miss these vital conversations at the heart of world affairs.
Speakers:
J. Alex Tarquinio (host). @alextarquinio of @delegateslounge on X.
Richard Gowan (guest). @RichardGowan1 of @crisisgroup on X.
References:
Alex wrote about Elise Stefanik's confirmation hearing to become the next United States ambassador to the United Nations in Foreign Policy.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/17/un-ambassador-elise-stefanik-hearing-confirmation-trump/
Richard wrote about Trump's impact on multilateralism in Foreign Policy.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/03/trump-united-nations-multilateralism-diplomacy/
They spoke at length about Richard's recent article on China and Afghanistan for Just Security.
https://www.justsecurity.org/107832/us-china-standoff-afghanistan-un/
Alex mentioned the "virtual cookies" that she shared during UN week. Those may be found here and here.
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The Delegates Lounge - Slovenia’s Ambassador Pulls Back the Curtain on a Surprise Act at the UN
Transcript
Welcome to the Delegates Lounge . Pull up a chair . I'm Alex Tarquinio , a journalist based at the United Nations here in New York City and your emcee for this podcast featuring some of the most influential minds in the world today . Settle in for some riveting tete-a-tete , available wherever you listen to podcasts .
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