How come

How Come is a series where we explore the issues that shape our world, from ideologies, wars, and human rights to information manipulation and the overlooked contexts behind global events. We conduct in-depth interviews with people from around the world and take a closer look at the stories we find especially important.

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Marci Shore: “I don’t believe in genetic immunity to fascism”

Pekka Toveri: “The worst day on the front line is better than the best day under Russia”

What does it take to live next to Russia — and survive? Drawing on Finland’s experience, Pekka Toveri reflects on Europe’s security failures, the illusion of Russian military strength, and why preparedness — both military and societal — is the...

Nicolas Tenzer: “I tell my Ukrainian friends: do not trust anyone”

As Western governments debate peace and security guarantees for Ukraine, French political thinker Nicolas Tenzer delivers a warning: neither the United States nor Europe can be fully trusted to protect Ukraine’s security.

Leila Bičakčić: “We haven’t reached reconciliation at the political level in Bosnia”

Bosnia and Herzegovina has long been viewed mainly through the lens of war — the fall of Yugoslavia and the consequent brutal conflicts that reshaped Europe in the early 1990s. Those events still undeniably affect the Balkans, yet many more...

Swe Win: “Myanmar never fully caught up with the outside world”

We met with Burmese journalist Swe Win in a hotel lobby in Vienna, where we were both staying as speakers at the International Press Institute event. Swe Win, in his mid-forties, has a boyish face and speaks about both personal...

“I’m inspired by Ukrainian courage”: an interview with Ben Hodges

In the aftermath of the US operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and amid ongoing discussions around a potential “peace deal” between Ukraine and Russia, we spoke with Ben Hodges — former Commanding General of US Army Europe and a...