Fortress Europe

Fortress Europe

This summer saw far-right mobs unleash devastating violence towards migrants and asylum seekers in Britain. It’s a far cry from the outpouring of sympathy shown during the European refugee crisis a decade ago. The new seven-part documentary podcast Fortress Europe shows how years of increasingly brutal and dehumanizing anti-migrant policies have fanned the flames of extremism but still failed to prevent record high asylum applications. We travel across the continent hearing from people making treacherous journeys, those trying to stop them, and those standing up for their rights

Episodes

October 21, 2024 34 mins
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompts Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since World War Two. We travel back to the Polish border to witness a very different kind of approach to fleeing refugees, cross into Ukraine to speak to the recently displaced, before ending in Ireland to speak to those recently settled. A nation famous for migration is now battling dark forces rejecting it. Which side will win? Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Mark as Played
To stop boats crossing the Mediterranean, the EU pays Libyan gangs to abduct migrants at sea and trap them in horrific detention centres. In response, activists are exposing these pushbacks by chartering surveillance aircraft and manning emergency helplines. Meanwhile in Rome some migrants receive help from divine intervention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
October 7, 2024 42 mins
Cyprus did not feature much in the 2015-16 refugee crisis, but subsequent years of closed borders across Europe has made the only EU member to border the Middle East a viable option for asylum seekers. But as war escalates across the region, Cyprus has started halting migration by pushing back boats and exploiting a legacy of the island's own painful unresolved conflict.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
Mark as Played
October 1, 2024 35 mins
In the early nineties, hundreds of thousands of Bosnians fleeing war sought asylum in Europe. In 2024, tens of thousands of refugees from across the world are stranded in Bosnia. Every night they attempt a border crossing (known as ‘the game’) only to return with horrific injuries inflicted by Croatian authorities financed and supported by the EU. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
September 24, 2024 34 mins
In 2015 Hungary’s authoritarian leader Viktor Orban proudly unveiled a razor wire fence along the country’s southern border with Serbia. But far from stop migration to Europe, it disperses the flows through neighboring countries. Meanwhile in the frontier villages it has spawned a thriving smuggling market, with shootouts between gangs and police corruption.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
September 17, 2024 42 mins
The Belarusian dictator wages hybrid warfare on Europe’s eastern border, using migrants as his weapon. The EU responds forcefully by punishing the victims with barbed wire and pushbacks. But resistance to these hardline measures is building in Polish villages along the frontline, and activists race to rescue people stranded in Europe’s largest forest before it’s too late. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
Mark as Played
September 8, 2024 40 mins
Why are migrants disappearing from the Greek islands and ending up at sea? How has the country that once won international plaudits for their humanitarian welcome, become a place of fear and suspicion? On the island of Samos, we try to unravel a sinister mystery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
September 3, 2024 1 min
This summer saw far-right mobs unleash devastating violence towards migrants and asylum seekers in Britain. It’s a far cry from the outpouring of sympathy shown during the European refugee crisis a decade ago. The new seven-part documentary podcast Fortress Europe shows how years of increasingly brutal and dehumanizing anti-migrant policies have fanned the flames of extremism but still failed to prevent record high asylum applica...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.