In February 2010, the South African government announced it would stop funding the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) programme. Over US$1.3 billion had been invested in the project since 1993, making its cancellation one of the most consequential decisions in South African energy history.

But the technology did not disappear.

A group of nuclear engineers and scientists pressed on independently, channelling the PBMR's intellectual legacy into a new design: the HTMR-100, an advanced Generation IV helium-cooled reactor. That effort eventually gave rise to Stratek Global, and it is an honour to speak with its Chairman and CEO, Dr Kelvin Kemm.

Kelvin Kemm

Dr Kelvin Kemm is a nuclear physicist and Chairman of Stratek Global, based in Pretoria, South Africa. He is the former Chairman of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and has been involved in South Africa's small modular reactor programme since its inception — a journey spanning more than two decades.

Dr Kemm has briefed the US Senate and Congress in Washington DC, and is a sought-after international speaker on nuclear energy, technology, and strategic development, having addressed audiences across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States.

Above all, he brings over 25 years of hands-on experience building small modular reactor technology from the ground up — making him one of the most knowledgeable voices in the field today.

Content

00:00 – Introduction and Overview of the Discussion

02:49 – Historical Development of Nuclear Reactor Technology in South Africa

17:29 – Eskom’s Operational and Financial Challenges: Assessing the Crisis

23:32 – Koeberg Nuclear Power Station: Operational Performance, Modernisation, and Life Extension

27:12 – Nuclear Fuel Procurement and Supply Chains for Koeberg

31:43 – Radioactive Waste Management at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station

36:04 – Development Status of South Africa’s HTMR-100 Small Modular Reactor

39:03 – HTMR-100 Reactor Concept: Design Principles, Mobility, and Scale

43:32 – Advanced Fuel Architecture of the HTMR-100 Reactor

47:58 – International Cooperation in Deploying HTMR-100 Nuclear Power Plants

51:09 – Nuclear Science and Engineering Education in South Africa: Training the Next Generation

55:09 – The Geopolitics of Nuclear Energy

57:49 – Debates and Critiques of Renewable Energy Policy in South Africa

01:03:10 – Pan-African Institutional Support for Nuclear Energy Development in Africa

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Impact Factor: 3.4 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 3.4

Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science

First Decision: 6 days

Acceptance Rate: 18.7%

14th out of 169 journals in the field of International Relations and 36th out of 322 in Political Science

(Source: https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/education-social-sciences-law/news/article/2242/bjpir-celebrates-rise-in-impact-factor-and-25th-anniversary)

The journal is a leading peer-reviewed academic journal in the fields of political science and international relations. Established in 1999 and published by SAGE Publications on behalf of the Political Studies Association, it has developed a strong international reputation for high-quality scholarship.

The journal has six editors, all of whom are based at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Today, we are speaking with one of them, Professor of Global Security Challenges at the University of Leeds, Jack Holland.

Jack Holland also serves as Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Social Sciences. His research focuses on United States, United Kingdom, and Australian foreign and security policy. He is an expert on AUKUS, for example, he has been invited as a witness to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, and he regularly provides media commentary for British and international news organisations.

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:24 - The Journal’s Intellectual DNA

04:05 - Political Science vs International Relations: Balance in Published Research

05:24 - From Political Studies Association Flagship to Global Journal: Institutional Influence

08:31 - Political Studies Association

09:47 - Editorial Limits: Is There a Maximum Number of Articles per Issue?

11:36 - Maintaining Coherence in a Broad-Scope Journal

12:48 - Editorial Board: Selection, Roles, and Responsibilities

16:25 - University of Leeds: The Journal’s Institutional Connection

18:08 - Methodological Pluralism: Supporting Underrepresented Scholars

21:04 - Current Intellectual Trends in Submissions

22:53 - Undersubmitted Topics: Areas the Journal Wants More Of

24:13 - AI, Frameworks, and Consulting: Reality Behind Publishing Claims

26:15 - Common Author Mistakes in Journal Submissions

31:00 - Encouraging Junior Scholars to Submit

33:51 - Global South Scholars and Barriers

36:13 - Editorial Lessons: Decisions Seen Differently Today

38:22 - Suggesting Reviewers: Should Authors Do It?

39:39 - Future Vision for the Journal

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The interview examines key turning points, including the Sino-Soviet split, as well as structural constraints (geography, distance, and technology) that have historically limited escalation along the border. It also explores post-Soviet asymmetries, energy interdependence, and projects such as Power of Siberia 2.

Finally, the conversation considers the implications of contemporary Sino-Russian alignment, addressing their views on multipolar order, persistent frictions in the Russian Far East, and China’s potential capacity to lead globally without Russia.

Philip Snow

Philip Snow has been travelling in Russia and China since the 1960s, and has spent nearly two decades researching what is arguably the most consequential bailateral relationship of our era.

Selected Publications:

Snow, P. (1989). The star raft: China’s encounter with Africa. Cornell University Press.

Snow, P. (2003). The Fall of Hong Kong: Britain, China, and the Japanese occupation. Yale University Press.

Snow, P. (2023). China and Russia: Four Centuries of conflict and Concord. Yale University Press.

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:10 – Archival Research and Interpreting Russian–Chinese Narratives

06:21 – Nerchinsk and Kyakhta: Origins of Long-Term Stability

10:46 – Manchuria, Mongolia, and Xinjiang as Strategic Pivot Zones

14:18 – Mongolia’s Role in Sino-Russian Relations

14:51 – Structural Constraints on Escalation and Major War

18:51 – The Role of Distance and Technology in Military Encounters

19:28 – Manchuria and the Historical Foundations of Chinese Strategic Mistrust

24:17 – The Sino-Soviet Split and the Limits of Ideological Alliances

27:05 – Energy Interdependence and Post-Soviet Asymmetry

31:20 – Power of Siberia 2: Economic Logic and Geopolitical Stakes

32:12 – Why Sino-Russian Decision-Making Is Often Slow

32:40 – Surface Alignment vs Structural Frictions in the Russian Far East

39:54 – Sino-Russian Alignment in Opposition to the West

42:45 – Do Russia and China Share a Vision of Multipolar Order?

45:44 – China’s Capacity to Lead Without Russia

46:45 – Critiquing Philip Snow’s Interpretation

48:21 – How to Study China and Russia More Effectively

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conversation also addresses the rise of emerging actors such as BRICS, the strategic behaviour of smaller states, and the evolving role of alliances, norms, and regional rivalries—from the Middle East to the Global South. Ultimately, it offers a nuanced assessment of whether a multipolar world necessarily produces a stable and coherent international order, and highlights key research questions shaping the future of global politics.

Mark N. Katz

Mark N. Katz is Professor Emeritus of Government and Politics at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, where he taught from 1988 until his retirement in 2024. A specialist in Russian foreign policy, great-power competition, and the international politics of the Middle East, his research has long focused on Soviet and Russian engagement with the developing world and revolutionary movements in international politics. 

Publications:

Personal Blog

American Foreign Policy: Can the U.S. Get Out of a Difficult Situation?

The Multipolar World Is Nothing New: Why the Return of Many Powers Does Not Mean the Birth of a New Order

The Soviet Roots of Putin’s Foreign Policy Toward the Middle East

The Third World in Soviet Military Thought

The USSR and Marxist Revolutions in the Third World

Content

00:00 – Introduction

02:03 – Is Multipolarity the Historical Norm?

04:08 – The Liberal Order During the Cold War

04:53 – What Makes a Country a Great Power?

09:36 – Understanding the Unipolar Moment

12:19 – When Did Unipolarity End?

15:41 – 9/11, Terrorism and the Limits of Polarity Theory

21:51 – The Sino–Soviet Split and a Brief Tripolar World

25:26 – BRICS and the Rise of Multipolarity

27:25 – Multipolar World vs Multipolar Order

30:27 – Global South Views on Multipolarity

33:15 – How Small States Play Great Powers Against Each Other

38:00 – If China Dominates...

41:25 – Do Alliances Limit a Country’s Power Ambitions?

43:45 – Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel in a Multipolar Middle East

47:06 – What the Arab Spring Reveals About Multipolarity

50:49 – Do International Norms Still Matter?

53:12 – Key Research Questions on the Future of Multipolarity

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marc Sanjaume-Calvet

Marc Sanjaume-Calvet is Associate Professor of Political Science at Pompeu Fabra University. He has also served as an advisor at the Self-Government Studies Institute, a research centre linked to the Government of Catalonia. His work sits at the crossroads of federalism, self-determination, and territorial conflict, with broader interests in national and ethnic conflicts. 

Publications:

Asymmetry as a Device for Equal Recognition and Reasonable Accommodation of Majority and Minority Nations. A Country Study on Constitutional Asymmetry in Spain

The Political Use of de facto Referendums of Independence The Case of Catalonia

Defensive Federalism: Protecting Territorial Minorities from the "Tyranny of the Majority"

The Exodus That Never Was? An Empirical Analysis on Territorial Conflict and Foot-Voting

The Politics of Independence Referendums: Never Mind the Ballots

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:50 – Constitutional Status of Catalonia

05:21 – Identity and Demography in Catalonia

08:15 – Distribution of Competences

11:46 – The Future of Catalan Autonomy

16:10 – “Unity of Foreign Action” in Spanish Constitutional Law and Its Constraints on Regional Diplomacy

21:04 – Coordination and Tension between Catalonia’s External Action and Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

23:39 – Catalonia and the European Union

29:40 – International Agreements and Catalonia’s Network of External Delegations

33:53 – Catalonia’s Interaction with International Organisations and Multilateral Forums

37:51 – The 2017 Independence Referendum and Article 155

44:21 – Emerging Research Agendas in the Study of Catalonia’s Autonomy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David McCourt

David McCourt is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Davis, where he teaches sociological and international theory. His research sits at the intersection of political sociology and international relations, with a focus on the social foundations of state action in world politics. Empirically, his work centres on the foreign policies of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Theoretically, he usually draws on constructivist, practice-based, and relational approaches to examine how states define and enact their roles on the international stage.

Publications:

Constructivism’s Contemporary Crisis and the Challenge of Reflexivity

Practice Theory and Relationalism as the New Constructivism

Domestic Contestation Over Foreign Policy, Role-based and Otherwise: Three Cautionary Cases

The New Constructivism in International Relations Theory

The End of Engagement: America’s China and Russia Experts and U.S. Strategy Since 1989

The Dragon Defined: How Washington, Canberra, and London Reimagined China

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:37 - Core Principles of New Constructivism

19:24 - Is the Theory/Method Distinction Itself a Positivist Inheritance?

24:00 - Methodology vs. Methods: The Root of Constructivist Misreadings

33:33 - Constructivism as Classic Social Analysis: The C. Wright Mills Connection

37:25 - Broadening the Methodological Repertoire Without Fetishising Technique

41:27 - What Must Stay Constant as Constructivism Evolves?

46:14 - Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) as a Constructivist Tool

52:15 - The Practice Turn and Relational Turn in New Constructivism

57:23 - Diverging Trajectories: New Constructivism in the US and Europe

01:00:43 - New Constructivism, Global South Scholarship, and Postcolonialism

01:05:11 - The Weakest Link: Where New Constructivism Falls Short

01:07:54 - The Limits of New Constructivism: Where It Should Not Be Applied

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reuben Steff

Reuben Steff is a Senior Lecturer at Mendel University in Brno whose scholarship engages some of the most pressing questions in contemporary international relations and security. His research spans the implications of artificial intelligence for the global balance of power, the interaction between nuclear deterrence theory and ballistic missile defence within the security dilemma, New Zealand and United States foreign policy, and the dynamics of great-power competition between the United States and China. 

Publications:

New Zealand’s Geopolitics and the US-China Competition

‘Our region is now a strategic theatre’: New Zealand’s balancing response to China

The strategic case for New Zealand to join AUKUS Pillar 2

US Foreign Policy in the Age of Trump: Drivers, Strategy and Tactics

Emerging Technologies and International Security: Machines, the State, and War

Examining the immanent dilemma of small states in the Asia-Pacific: The strategic triangle between New Zealand, the US and China

Hard Balancing in the Age of American Unipolarity: The Russian Response to US Ballistic Missile Defense during the Bush Administration (2001–2008)

Content

00:00 – Introduction: Conceptualising New Zealand’s Strategic Posture

02:03 – Geographic Isolation and the Evolution of New Zealand’s Strategic Culture

13:56 – From the South Pacific to the Indo-Pacific: Regional Order and Strategic Repositioning

18:06 – The Treaty of Waitangi and Its Implications for External Partnerships

21:47 – Strategic Autonomy, Nuclear-Free Norms, and the AUKUS Question

30:44 – Domestic Debates on Nuclear Policy and National Identity

34:21 – ANZUS (1951) in Contemporary Perspective: Alliance Politics and Strategic Recalibration

36:25 – Trans-Tasman Relations: Convergence, Friction, and Structural Asymmetry

40:38 – Economic Interdependence with China and Security Alignment with Western Partners

45:22 – Engagement with India and ASEAN: Diversification and Indo-Pacific Strategy

49:23 – The European Union and New Zealand: Trade, Norms, and Strategic Convergence

53:54 – Hedging in Practice: Small-State Strategy Amid Great-Power Competition

56:34 – The War in Ukraine and Its Implications for New Zealand’s Foreign Policy

01:01:11 – Multilateralism, Liberal Order, and China’s Parallel Institutional Architecture

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Epstein

Charlotte Epstein is Professor at Tokyo College, University of Tokyo, where her work examines how language and political power have jointly constituted the modern international order.

Publications:

The power of words in international relations: Birth of an anti-whaling discourse

Who speaks? Discourse, the subject and the study of identity in international politics

Constructivism or the eternal return of universals in International Relations. Why returning to language is vital to prolonging the owl’s flight

The postcolonial perspective: an introduction

Against international relations norms: Postcolonial perspectives

Birth of the state: The place of the body in crafting modern politics

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:42 – Colonialism and Postcolonialism: Conceptual Clarifications

04:08 – Rationale for Employing Postcolonial Perspectives

07:22 – Postcoloniality as Positionality Beyond Historical Periodisation

12:29 – Studying Norm Diffusion and Compliance Beyond Coercion

22:50 – Why Norms Reveal Colonial Inheritances More Sharply than Concepts

27:53 – From Norms as Practices to Norms as Epistemological Categories

32:25 – Situated Perspectives, Critical Authority, and the Risk of Relativism

35:42 – The Role of Experience in Postcolonial Norm Research

39:26 – Key Sources on the Concept of Experience

43:02 – ‘Norming’ and ‘Re-Norming’ in a Foucauldian Perspective

47:54 – The Ambivalences of Research Success

50:39 – Principal Challenges in Postcolonial Approaches to Norms

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marc Saxer

Marc Saxer is a political analyst, strategist, and writer with two decades of experience in international relations. He heads the Asia Pacific office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Shtiftung and convenes the Asia Strategic Foresight Group.

Publications:

Transformative Realism: How to overcome the system crisis

Geopolitical Conflict in the Wolf World: Great Power Competition and the Illiberal Revolt against the Liberal Order

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:38 - Understanding Transformative Realism

04:50 - Defining Systemic Crisis

07:39 - Marc’s Most Compelling Crisis Case Study

15:08 - The Erosion of International Norms and Rules

18:24 - Recognizing the Signs of Systemic Crisis

20:18 - The Role of Agency in Transformative Realism

28:18 - Reimagining Statecraft and Political Leadership

33:44 - The Crisis in Modern Statecraft Education

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vineet Thakur

Vineet Thakur is a University Lecturer in International Relations at the Institute for History, Leiden University. He received his doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in 2014 and has held academic positions and fellowships across India, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. His professional experience includes teaching appointments at Ambedkar University Delhi, the University of Johannesburg, and the School of Oriental and African Studies, following which he joined Leiden University in 2017. He has been a fellow at the University of Cambridge, the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study, and Rhodes University.

His research is situated in postcolonial international relations, with a particular focus on the politics of knowledge, disciplinary hierarchies, and the global intellectual history of International Relations, especially in the Indian context.

Publications:

V.S. Srinivasa Sastri: A Liberal Life

India’s First Diplomat: V.S. Srinivasa Sastri and the Making of Liberal Internationalism

Postscripts on Independence: Foreign Policy Discourses in India and South Africa

Content

00:00 – Introduction and Framing of India’s Diplomatic Trajectories

02:03 – Mandala Theory and Kautilya’s Arthashastra as Lenses for Contemporary Regional Policy

05:10 – Intellectual and Historical Inspirations Behind India’s Diplomatic Traditions

06:32 – Civilisational State Narratives Versus Colonial Administrative Foundations of Indian Diplomacy

10:53 – Social Stratification and the Influence of Caste Networks on Diplomatic Recruitment and Culture

22:12 – Nehruvian Idealism and Non-Alignment as Strategy: Autonomy, Hedging, and Principled Neutrality

27:55 – Overlooked and Marginalised Practices in India’s Cold War Diplomatic History

30:30 – The Strategic Logic and Practical Outcomes of the “Neighbourhood First” Diplomatic Doctrine

35:18 – Structural Constraints and Policy Stalemate in India–Pakistan Diplomatic Engagement

37:34 – China’s Strategic Shadow and Its Effects on India’s Diplomatic Posture Towards Pakistan

39:08 – India’s Diplomatic Approach to Tibet in Historical and Contemporary Perspective

43:29 – Multi-Alignment as Strategy: Balancing Great Powers in India’s Contemporary Foreign Policy

47:45 – The Absence of a Permanent United Nations Security Council Seat and Its Diplomatic Consequences

51:15 – India–Africa Relations and the Underdeveloped Economic Dimension of South–South Diplomacy

54:21 – Hindu Nationalism and Its Influence on the Ideational Foundations of Indian Diplomacy

58:24 – Neglected Themes and Under-Researched Domains in the Study of Indian Foreign Policy

*** at 10:29, there is a missing word ‘overstated’

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Vladimirov

Martin Vladimirov is Director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), where his work focuses on European and Balkan energy security, energy transition pathways, and the geopolitical dimensions of Russian and Chinese economic influence. He has extensive experience as an energy analyst for The Oil and Gas Year, contributing in-depth reports on Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia, and has consulted for international oil companies across the GCC and MENA regions. Martin is also an affiliated expert with the European Geopolitical Forum in Brussels and previously worked as an energy and economic analyst for CEE Market Watch, covering Iran and Central Asia.

Publications:

Managing Assets Under OFAC Sanctions

Energy and Climate Security in Europe: From Crisis Response to Structural Transformation

The Kremlin Playbook in Mexico: Asymmetric Influence

The Imperative to Weaken the Kremlin’s War Economy: What the West Can Do

Closing the backdoor: The new TurkStream is here. Can the West stop it?

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:38 – Bulgaria’s Evolving Energy Mix after the War in Ukraine

09:07 – Exploring Bulgaria’s Offshore Wind Potential

12:45 – Strategic Energy Pipelines Crossing Bulgaria

17:16 – Bulgaria’s Relationship with Gazprom and Gas Contracts

24:14 – The Greece–Bulgaria Gas Interconnector (IGB)

27:05 – Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal and Regional Gas Connectivity

28:53 – The Role of Chiren Underground Gas Storage

34:31 – The Future of the Maritsa Iztok Lignite Power Complex

40:50 – Assessing the Feasibility of Two New Nuclear Reactors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dimitry Kochenov

Professor Dimitry Kochenov is a leading scholar of global citizenship and constitutionalism, with a particular focus on the rule of law, EU federalism, and external relations law. He heads the Rule of Law research group at the Democracy Institute of Central European University in Budapest and teaches Global Citizenship at CEU’s Department of Legal Studies in Vienna. Through his work on statelessness, EU citizenship, and the political economy of “citizenship for sale”, he has become a key voice in contemporary debates on how legal status shapes human dignity, mobility, and the evolving architecture of international order.

Publications:

EU enlargement and the failure of conditionality: pre-accession conditionality in the fields of democracy and the rule of law

Citizenship

Citizenship and residence sales: rethinking the boundaries of belonging

Ukraine and the EU enlargement: what is the law and which is the way forward?

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:02 - The Paradox: Can Institutions Grant Citizenship?

06:23 - Living Stateless: Can Humans Exist Without Citizenship?

16:56 - Does “Real” EU Citizenship Actually Exist?

36:06 - Democracy’s Double Edge: How EU Citizenship Both Empowers and Undermines

50:26 - Market Citizenship: When Human Worth Becomes Economic Value

56:39 - Citizenship for Sale: Should the EU abolish those schemes?

01:08:06 - One Citizenship or Many? The Multiple Citizenship Debate

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Herzog

Dr Stephen Herzog is Professor of the Practice at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and an Associate of the Project on Managing the Atom at Harvard Kennedy School. A leading specialist in nuclear non-proliferation and arms control, he combines academic expertise with policy experience gained as a technical nuclear arms control official at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he worked directly on the implementation and verification of nuclear agreements. His work bridges theory and practice to illuminate how deterrence, treaty regimes and technological change interact in shaping global nuclear security.

Publications:

Atomic Backfires: When Nuclear Policies Fail

Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation: The Technological Arms Race for (In)visibility

‘What about China?’ and the threat to US–Russian nuclear arms control

Atomic responsiveness: How public opinion shapes elite beliefs and preferences on nuclear weapon use

Winning Hearts and Minds? How the United States Reassured During the Russo-Ukrainian War

The Trilateral Dilemma: Great Power Competition, Global Nuclear Order, and Russia’s War on Ukraine

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:57 – Types and Categories of Nuclear Weapons

08:40 – Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Historical and Contemporary Contexts

10:32 – Understanding the Concept of Existential Deterrence

16:39 – Extended Deterrence and the Logic of Alliance Security

25:54 – The NPT and the Persistence of Great Power Monopoly

31:53 – Treaty Reform or Status Quo? The Politics of Nuclear Governance

33:12 – Aspirant States and the Quest for Nuclear Capability

34:47 – Escalation Control: Between Arms Agreements and Overconfidence

43:15 – The Dilemma of Quantity: Many vs. Few Nuclear Weapons

50:38 – Authority and Legitimacy: Who Decides Nuclear Access?

55:58 – Technological Challenges to Nuclear Security and Control

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chenggang Xu

Professor Chenggang Xu is a Senior Research Scholar at the Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions (SCCEI) and a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution. A leading scholar of institutional economics, political economy and the Chinese political–economic system, he is widely known for developing the concept of regionally decentralised authoritarianism and, more recently, for his work on institutional genes and the historical roots of Chinese totalitarianism. His research is extensively cited in both academic and policy circles, and he has been awarded the China Economics Prize and the Sun Yefang Economics Prize in recognition of his contribution to the study of institutions, development and authoritarian governance.

Publications:

The fundamental institutions of China’s reforms and development

Incentives, information, and organizational form

Industrial clustering, income and inequality in rural China

Clustering, growth and inequality in China

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:45 - Why this book? The story behind ‘Institutional Genes’

06:34 - Defining ‘institution’ in the institutional genes framework

10:45 - Opening the black box: How institutional genes explain political change

16:29 - The concept of ‘stemness’ explained

20:01 - Imperial China vs European monarchies: Why China was more autocratic

28:28 - The three Russian genes that created Bolshevism

33:43 - Mao’s fusion: Marx plus Qin Shi Huang

38:58 - Soviet vs Chinese communism: Key institutional differences

42:23 - Totalitarian or authoritarian? Defining modern China

48:35 - Tyrannical incentive-compatibility: How totalitarian systems motivate

53:01 - Will China face Soviet-style economic stagnation?

58:52 - Applying institutional genes to foreign policy

01:03:16 - Beyond domestic politics: Where else can we apply this framework?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Madalitso Zililo Phiri

Dr Madalitso Zililo Phiri is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the South Africa–United Kingdom Bilateral Research Chair in Political Theory at the University of the Witwatersrand. A former Visiting Fellow at the Centre of African Studies and Research Associate at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, and a Carnegie Corporation Fellow via the SSRC’s Next Generation of Social Science in Africa programme, his research spans the political economy of racialised welfare in South Africa and Brazil, the sociology of race, and Black political thought. He has taught African Studies, Sociology, Politics and Research Methods at Cambridge, Wits, Pretoria and Rhodes universities, bringing a decolonial and critical theoretical lens to the study of power, knowledge and global order.

Publications:

The Colour of Inequality in South Africa and Brazil: making sense of social policy as reparations

Monuments and Memory in Africa: reflections on coloniality and decoloniality

Against Imperial Social Policy: Recasting Mkandawire’s Transformative Ideas for Africa’s Liberation

History of Racial Capitalism in Africa: Violence, Ideology, and Practice

Content

00:00 – Introduction

02:05 – Does African IR Theory Exist? Epistemologies Beyond the West

06:27 – Ubuntu, Communalism, and Reimagining Sovereignty

10:45 – Applying African Concepts to Non-African Issues

15:01 – Authority Beyond the State: African Approaches to Power

19:48 – Africa’s Exclusion from Multilateral Decision-Making

25:13 – Pan-Africanism in 2025: Dead or Evolving?

29:26 – South Africa’s Power Politics Through a Realist Lens

34:24 – Liberal IR Theory’s Historical Exclusion of Africa

37:46 – Constructivism: Opening or Limiting Space for African Voices?

41:22 – Postcolonialism and Decolonizing IR Theory

47:22 – Which IR Theory Dominates African Scholarship Today?

50:14 – The Risks of Essentializing “African IR Theory”

52:57 – Continental Focus vs. State-Centric Analysis in African IR

56:54 – Distinct African School or Contribution to Global Pluralism?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andreas Schroeder

Andreas Schroeder is Head of Energy Analytics (Quantitative) at Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS), where he leads an international team analysing global energy market dynamics. His work combines quantitative modelling with market intelligence to assess gas flows, contract structures and price formation across Europe and beyond, and he regularly contributes to analytical reports and media commentary on European gas security and energy transition challenges.

Content

00:00 – Introduction

03:13 – Current Natural Gas Flows to Germany and Contract Structures

05:08 – The Logic Behind Short-Term Pipeline Contracts

07:27 – LNG Imports and the Expansion of German Infrastructure

09:47 – Gas Storage Developments Since the War in Ukraine

14:03 – Declining Gas Consumption in Germany: Causes and Implications

16:58 – New Gas-Fired Power Plants in Germany

19:32 – The Impact of the Nuclear Phase-Out on Energy Security

22:20 – Innovative Gas Procurement Strategies for the German Market

24:42 – Germany’s Role as a Gas Exporter

26:43 – Export Infrastructure and Capacity

28:23 – Competition Between Germany and Poland in Gas Trade

30:43 – Dependence on US and Norwegian Gas After the Russian Cut-Off

33:26 – Can the EU Operate Without Russian LNG?

35:24 – The Potential of African Gas for Germany

36:53 – Qatar’s Role in Germany’s Gas Supply

39:53 – Canada as an Emerging Gas Partner for Germany

41:52 – Future Challenges for Germany’s Natural Gas Security

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Telmen Altanshagai

Telmen Altanshagai is a Washington, D.C.–based independent policy analyst and Energy and Climate Intern at Observer Research Foundation America, as well as a Fellow at the Global Policy Institute. Her work focuses on energy security and development economics across the Global South, with particular expertise on Mongolia, where she analyses how shifting global energy systems affect economic stability and long-term development trajectories.

Publications:

Mongolia’s Gas Pipeline Diversification Comes With Risk

Mongolia seeks new markets in Eurasia

Mongolia’s Precarious Energy Security

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:31 – Overview of Mongolia’s Energy Mix and Security Landscape

04:13 – Pathways for Energy Diversification

07:08 – Can China Serve as a Source of Energy Diversification?

08:44 – Heating Infrastructure and Urban Electricity Challenges in Ulaanbaatar

11:05 – Persistent Dependence on Coal

14:02 – Energy Access and Infrastructure in Rural Mongolia

16:03 – Structure and Dynamics of Energy Governance

18:59 – Potential Benefits of the Power of Siberia 2 Pipeline for Mongolia

22:46 – Domestic Expertise and Policy Debate on Power of Siberia 2

24:32 – Assessing the Need for an Oil Pipeline from Russia

25:32 – India’s Investment in Mongolia’s First Oil Refinery

27:31 – Mongolia’s Broader Energy Investment Strategy

31:32 – Domestic Investment Climate and Incentives for the Energy Sector

34:30 – China’s Expanding Energy Investments in Mongolia

35:59 – The East Asian Power Grid Concept and Regional Connectivity

37:59 – Energy Poverty and Socioeconomic Inequality

41:22 – Climate Change Impacts on Mongolia’s Energy Security

43:48 – Building Human Capital for Energy Security

46:18 – National Debt and Its Implications for Energy Policy

49:12 – Comparing Africa and Mongolia: Mining Wealth and Public Benefit

51:47 – Policy Priorities: What Should a Mongolian Prime Minister Do to Strengthen Energy Security?

54:54 – Future Directions and Research Opportunities

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Layton

Dr Peter Layton is a Visiting Fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University, an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), and a Fellow of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group. A former RAAF officer with extensive experience in aviation and defence planning, he received the US Secretary of Defense’s Exceptional Public Service Medal for his work on force structure at the Pentagon and has held a research fellowship at the European University Institute. His research focuses on grand strategy, national security policy with a particular emphasis on middle powers, defence force structure concepts and the implications of emerging technologies, bringing together practitioner insight and academic analysis on Australia’s strategic choices.

Publications:

Non-Western Airpower: Diverse, Dissimilar and Disruptive

Warfare in the robotics age: Studies in technology and security: innovation, impact, and governance

Grand Strategy

The Idea of Grand Strategy

Content

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Alliances with the US and Japan: Security Gains or Strategic Constraints?

04:16 – Multilateralism in Australia’s Security Strategy

07:02 – AUKUS and the Future of Australian Defence

15:50 – Submarine Procurement: Strategic Rationale and Implications

23:02 – The Quad and Australia’s Security Role

29:54 – Making the Quad More Effective and Productive

33:03 – Security Cooperation with ASEAN: Opportunities and Limits

41:52 – Managing the Dual Relationship with China: Economics vs Security

50:26 – Assessing the 2024 National Defence Strategy and Middle-Power Vulnerabilities

55:51 – Military Spending: Balancing Capability and Sustainability

01:01:06 – Diversifying Australia’s Defence Supply Chains

01:07:52 – Under-Researched Dimensions of Australia’s Security

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murman Margvelashvili

Professor Murman Margvelashvili is a leading Georgian energy policy expert with more than thirty years of experience in the sector, specialising in energy security, sustainability and the geopolitics of the energy transition. He is Director of Energy Studies at World Experience for Georgia, Associate Professor at Ilia State University, and Director of the Energy and Sustainability Institute, and has been closely involved in drafting the National Energy Policy, the National Energy and Climate Plan and the conceptual foundations of Georgia’s National Hydrogen Strategy.

Publications:

The Role of Black Sea Security in Shaping the Green Energy Corridor

Energy Ties in Occupied Abkhazia as a Potential Threat to Georgia’s Western Aspirations

Systemic Approach to Energy Security

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:58 – From Soviet system to 2025: evolution of Georgia’s energy mix

05:03 – Dependency and geopolitical risk across Georgia’s energy sources

09:17 – Ownership and control of Georgian hydropower

10:53 – Hydrogen in Georgia: prospects and pathways

15:16 – Have renewables peaked? Headroom for additional capacity

17:18 – Nuclear power in Georgia: options, debates, feasibility

19:52 – Abkhazia and South Ossetia: implications for Georgia’s power grid

22:48 – Balancing Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Russia, the EU and China: safeguarding strategic autonomy

32:53 – Expanding Caspian gas to Europe: do new Georgian transit pipelines need to be built?

34:51 – Armenia’s role in Georgia’s energy geopolitics

36:50 – United States interests in Georgia’s energy sector

38:51 – Türkiye–Azerbaijan energy cooperation: impacts on Georgia

43:03 – Untapped and hidden energy potential in Georgia

45:40 – Reinvesting transit revenues into energy modernisation

50:20 – Supply shocks and blackouts: resilience and response

53:21 – Assessing the effectiveness of Georgia’s energy strategy

56:35 – Governance gaps and failures: lessons for reform

01:02:14 – Under-researched energy topics in Georgia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kenneth McDonagh

Kenneth McDonagh is Associate Professor of International Relations at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. His research focuses on EU foreign policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy, and the intersections of gender and international security, bringing a nuanced understanding of how small European states such as Ireland navigate evolving security architectures at both regional and global levels.

Publications:

Ireland’s Foreign Relations in 2023

Translating the Women, Peace and Security Agenda into EU Common Security and Defence Policy: Reflections from EU Peacebuilding

The Next European Century?

‘Talking the Talk or Walking the Walk’: Understanding the EU ’s Security Identity

Risk, Global Governance and Security

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:53 – Reinterpreting Ireland’s Policy of Military Neutrality

05:43 – Why Develop a National Security Strategy in a Neutral Country?

08:14 – Key Drivers Behind Ireland’s Security Strategy

10:23 – Will Military Neutrality Remain Central?

11:58 – Is This a Step Towards NATO Membership?

14:07 – Understanding the Capacity of Ireland’s Defence Forces

19:00 – Is There Willingness to Invest in the Army?

21:12 – Private Initiatives for Defence Development

23:34 – Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Cables, Energy, Ports, Airports

26:18 – Coordination of Defence, Gardaí, and Intelligence Without a Strategy

28:11 – Ireland’s Integration into EU Security Structures

31:37 – Could EU Forces Be Deployed on Irish Soil?

33:38 – Is Ireland Viewed as a Strategic Territory by the EU?

36:10 – US–Ireland Relations on Security

39:25 – Expanding Security Cooperation with the US

41:29 – Ireland’s Cybersecurity Posture

45:17 – Presenting the Cyber Sector as a Deterrent

48:02 – Ireland’s Role in UN Peacekeeping and Security

54:05 – Northern Ireland and the New Security Strategy

59:01 – Terrorism in Northern Ireland and Its Security Impact

01:02:17 – Under-researched Areas in Ireland’s National Security

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Bujiashvili

David Bujiashvili is a distinguished expert on European affairs with more than 25 years of experience in EU integration and assistance coordination. He holds a PhD in Economics and a Master’s in International Economic Relations, combining academic depth with extensive diplomatic and policy practice.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, he served as Director of the EU Assistance Coordination and Sectoral Integration Department, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of the EU–Georgia Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). His work focused on aligning Georgian legislation with the EU acquis, ensuring inter-institutional coordination through sectoral working groups, and drafting key EU-related strategies and action plans.

Dr Bujiashvili has chaired Association Committees and Sub-Committees in negotiations with the European Commission, coordinated Georgia’s EU Accession Questionnaire (2021–2022), and organised strategic communication and public outreach campaigns on EU integration. He has also worked extensively with civil society and the business community on sectoral reforms, while serving as focal point for major EU assistance tools such as Twinning, TAIEX, SIGMA, INTERREG, and anti-fraud mechanisms in cooperation with OLAF.

Publications:

EU-Georgia Association Agreement and Visa Liberalization Under Question

Content

00:00 – Introduction

02:37 – Historical and Normative Drivers of Georgia’s EU Integration

14:10 – EU Response to Georgia’s Membership Application

17:01 – Democracy, Rule of Law, and Human Rights Narratives

18:26 – Public Access to EU Information During Accession

21:22 – Example of Russian Disinformation Campaigns

23:31 – Early Challenges of Reform and Implementation

26:19 – Current Stage of Georgia–EU Accession

29:37 – Why Has the Accession Process Stalled?

32:32 – Georgian Representation in the EU Today

34:56 – The Future of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

37:03 – Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)

39:34 – EU Visa Liberalisation and Georgia

43:17 – Learning from Central European EU Accession Experiences

45:26 – Forms and Practice of Regional Cooperation

48:03 – Impact of the War in Ukraine

50:37 – Russia’s Changing Role in the South Caucasus

52:32 – China’s Influence on EU–Georgia Relations

54:02 – Lessons for the EU from Georgia’s Accession Experience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Holden

Dr Patrick Holden is Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Plymouth, where he leads the online Master’s programme in International Relations: Security and Development. His research focuses on the European Union’s external relations, international political economy and development policy, and he is widely published on Europe’s role in the international system. Combining theoretical depth with engagement in contemporary policy debates, he offers a nuanced perspective on how the EU projects power, manages relations with non-members and navigates a changing global order.

Publications:

In Search of Structural Power

Irreconcilable Tensions? The EU’s Development Policy in an Era of Global Illiberalism

What kind of hegemony? The European Union in its region

Strongholds of Liberalism? The Reaction of Regional Integration Institutions to the Pandemic Trade Crisis

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:54 – Why link the EU with hegemony? A Neo-Gramscian view

04:56 – EU power during Brexit: communication and political actions

07:28 – Structural power: how EU institutions shaped Brexit

11:43 – Surprising findings on EU structural power

13:42 – EU values vs. interests: norms as a tool of influence

16:10 – UK rejection of EU principles and vulnerabilities of integration

20:04 – Who understood vulnerabilities better: the EU or the UK?

21:25 – Researching vulnerabilities as a scholar

23:18 – Barnier, De Rynck, and rhetorical strategies in Brexit talks

26:56 – Power balance in EU–UK negotiations

28:47 – Barnier and De Rynck: communication styles and strategy

31:39 – Lessons from Barnier and De Rynck’s negotiation styles

33:05 – Why rhetoric matters: qualitative insights on EU hegemony

34:49 – Have scholars studied Brexit enough?

37:30 – Brexit’s impact on EU relations with non-members

43:18 – Should the EU’s External Action Service gain more power?

45:15 – Brexit as a test of EU hegemonic resilience

49:31 – EU hegemony in the shadow of US hegemony

56:20 – What EU hegemony needs in 2025

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tahir Abbas

Professor Tahir Abbas is Professor of Criminology and Global Justice at Aston University in Birmingham, and formerly Professor of Radicalisation Studies at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University. His interdisciplinary work spans criminology, sociology, politics, Islamic studies and critical terrorism studies, with a particular focus on radicalisation, extremism and political violence in Western contexts. He has authored and edited around twenty books, delivered lectures in over one hundred cities worldwide, and led the EU H2020 DRIVE project, which investigated how social exclusion, disenchantment and marginalisation shape polarising ideas, values and beliefs in north-western Europe.

Publications:

Capitalism, State Power, and the Production of Extremism

Global counter-terrorism: A decolonial approach

Voices of Gen Z

Protecting the people: populism and masculine security in India and Hungary

Islamophobia and Radicalisation: A Vicious Cycle

Muslim Britain: communities under pressure

Content

00:00 – Introduction

02:07 – Online platforms, far-right mobilisation, and the January 6 attack (USA)

05:30 – Online communication patterns preceding offline violence (USA)

08:33 – Framing extremist groups as terrorist organisations: unintended consequences (USA)

10:46 – Drawing the line between extremism and terrorism (USA)

14:32 – The rise of the incel subculture and gendered vulnerabilities (USA)

19:13 – Summary of US radicalisation

22:32 – Post-Brexit identity politics and the Prevent strategy (UK)

31:11 – Transnational networks and the 2023 riots (UK)

34:57 – The Gaza effect, British Muslim identity, and electoral mobilisation (UK)

39:31 – Summary of UK radicalisation

42:51 – Intergenerational differences within migrant and minority communities (Western Europe)

48:44 – Youth, information exposure, and latent radicalisation risks (Western Europe)

51:33 – Crises of capitalism, migration debates, and social unrest (Western Europe)

54:02 – Summary of Western European radicalisation

56:06 – Researching Radicalisation: Challenges and Reflections

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conversation also addresses non-interference versus conditional aid and their implications for governance in fragile states, China’s influence in and around the African Union, the quality of Chinese diplomatic engagement, and the impact of Confucius Institutes, cultural outreach and labour practices.

Emmanuel Matambo

Dr Emmanuel Matambo is Research Director at the Centre for Africa–China Studies (CACS) at the University of Johannesburg, specialising in Africa’s evolving relationship with China. Working within a broadly constructivist framework with a particular focus on people-to-people relations, he investigates how ideas, identities and everyday interactions shape what are often portrayed as purely strategic or material partnerships. He holds a PhD in political science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he later served as a postdoctoral fellow, and has been a fellow of the Wilson Center’s Africa Program and the Atlantic Council’s Millennium Leadership Program. From 2026 he will be an Iso Lomso Fellow at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), conducting research on Zambia’s shifting perceptions of China at both state and subnational levels.

Publications:

South Africa-China Relations: A Constructivist Perspective

Constructing China’s identity in Zambian politics: a tale of expediency and resignation

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:55 – Pragmatism vs. “Debt-Trap Diplomacy”: How African Elites and Western Narratives Differ

07:29 – Africa’s Image in Chinese Media

10:17 – Trade Imbalances, Industrialisation, and Value Addition in Africa–China Relations

15:06 – Negotiating with China: Is African Directness an Advantage?

18:51 – Technology Transfer, the Energy Crisis, and China’s Role in Africa

24:54 – Western vs. Chinese Technology: Does the Source Matter for Africa?

29:07 – Non-Interference vs. Conditional Aid: Implications for Governance in Fragile States

34:20 – China’s Geopolitical Influence on the African Union

36:37 – The Calibre of Chinese Diplomats and Officials in Africa

39:14 – Confucius Institutes and Their Impact in Africa

43:05 – Is There a South African Equivalent of the Confucius Institute in China?

46:16 – Chinese Cultural and Media Outreach: Shaping African Youth Perceptions

49:07 – Labour Rights and Chinese Companies in Africa: Current Trends and Improvements

51:05 – The African Diaspora, China Research, and New Avenues of Cooperation

53:55 – Research Priorities of the Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timothy Edmunds

Professor Timothy Edmunds is Professor of International Security and Head of the School of Sociology, Politics, and International Studies at the University of Bristol. A leading specialist in security policy, capacity building and security sector reform with a particular focus on the maritime domain, he is co-director of the SafeSeas Network and has played an advisory role in UK policy processes, including work on the 2022 UK National Strategy for Maritime Security. His research on maritime security has been supported by the UK Economic and Social Research Council, the British Academy and the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, and he previously served as founding Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of International Security for Cambridge University Press and BISA.

Publications:

Understanding maritime security

Securing the Seas: A Comprehensive Assessment of Global Maritime Security

Pragmatic ordering: Informality, experimentation, and the maritime security agenda

Innovation and New Strategic Choices

Blue crime: Conceptualising transnational organised crime at sea

Beyond seablindness: a new agenda for maritime security studies

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:10 - Evolution of Maritime Piracy

10:11 - Organization of Pirate Groups

13:27 - Structural Conditions Fuelling Piracy

20:16 - Size and Scale of Piracy Groups

24:08 - Effectiveness of Anti-Piracy Measures

31:04 - Defining Assertiveness in Maritime Spaces

36:33 - Grey-Zone Tactics at Sea

43:50 - Innovating UNCLOS for Maritime Order

53:05 - Maritime Chokepoints: Ownership and Control

59:25 - Artificial Islands and Maritime Security

01:01:43 - Threats to Undersea Infrastructure

01:07:02 - Most Challenging Areas in Maritime Security Research

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina Cino Pagliarello

Dr Marina Cino Pagliarello is a strategic adviser and consultant specialising in academic diplomacy, university positioning and international partnerships. She is currently a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at the European University Institute and a Senior Research Associate at LSE Consulting, working at the intersection of EU politics, public policy and transnational higher education. Drawing on extensive experience in European university alliances and high-level institutional engagement, she helps universities and public bodies design and implement international strategies that make effective use of education and research as tools of soft power in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Publications:

Integration theories and European education policy: Bringing the role of ideas back in

Ideas and European education policy, 1973-2020: Constructing the Europe of knowledge?

Unpacking ambiguity in ideational change: The polysemy of the ‘Europe of Knowledge’

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:43 – Universities as Informal Diplomatic Actors in EU Foreign Policy

07:43 – Academic Diplomacy During the War in Ukraine

13:32 – Balancing Academic Autonomy and EU Foreign Policy Goals

19:37 – Challenges in Authoritarian or Contested Environments

25:00 – EU–Africa University Cooperation Frameworks

28:31 – Promoting EU Norms: Human Rights, Sustainability, and More

33:04 – EU Funding Mechanisms: Erasmus+, Horizon, MSCA

40:50 – Reforming and Strengthening EU Academic Programmes

44:54 – Institutional Hierarchies in Academic Diplomacy

48:15 – Geopolitical Pressures on Academic Engagement

53:36 – Inclusivity vs. Elitism in EU Academic Deployment

01:00:12 – Gaps and Underresearched Areas in Academic Diplomacy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Satoru Nagao

Dr Satoru Nagao is a non-resident fellow at the Hudson Institute and a leading expert on Indo-Pacific security. He holds a PhD from Gakushuin University and has advised Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence, as well as holding research positions at prominent strategic institutes in Japan, the United States, India and Sri Lanka. His work focuses on defence cooperation, maritime security and emerging strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, with particular attention to how regional actors such as Japan and the Philippines respond to shifting great-power competition.

Publications:

Strategies for the Indo-Pacific: Perceptions of the U.S. and Like-Minded Countries

America Is on the Road to Win in the Competition with China. What Should the Quad Do?

What Should India Do Now to Fight China’s Provocations?

India, Japan, and the Dragon’s Fire: Making the Quad Work

Japan’s Bold Steps to Emerge as Main Security Provider in Indo-Pacific Region amid China’s Expansionism

Three legacies left by former PM Abe: What comes next?

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:59 – From War to Partnership: The Legacy of Reparations

05:30 – Japan’s Indo-Pacific Vision: What It Means for Manila

17:41 – Why Isn’t the Philippines in the QUAD?

20:21 – Defence Ties: Is Japan Doing Enough?

25:59 – North Korea’s Missiles: A Shared Security Challenge

30:56 – What the Reciprocal Access Agreement Really Means

36:00 – Japan’s Economic Power in the Philippines

38:32 – New Capitalism vs. Inclusive Growth

42:18 – Radar Grants and Regional Security

45:26 – Trilateral Ties: Japan, US & the Philippines under Trump

48:45 – What Everyone Overlooks in Japan–Philippines Cooperation

51:58 – Underresearched: Future Directions for Scholars

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hussein Banai

Dr Hussein Banai is Associate Professor of International Studies at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, Indiana University, a Research Affiliate at the Center for International Studies at MIT, and currently a visiting fellow at the Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania. In autumn 2024 he was the Zahedi Family Fellow at the Program in Iranian Studies at Stanford University. His work bridges international relations and political theory, with a particular focus on political ideologies, conflict, diplomatic history and practice, and the politics of modern Iran.

Publications:

Hidden Liberalism: Burdened Visions of Progress in Modern Iran

Republics of Myth

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:17 - From Disruption to Consolidation: Trump’s Second Term Strategy

07:45 - Trump’s Confident Unilateralism in Foreign Policy

10:54 - American Political Culture and the Think Tank Ecosystem

15:18 - America First Policy: Domestic Appeal and Implementation

22:16 - The Strategic Use of “America First” Despite International Concerns

24:29 - Inside the National Security Council: Roles and Functions

30:23 - Personnel Quality in US Foreign Policy Decision-Making

35:01 - Decoding US Foreign Policy Statements: Research Challenges

38:56 - North Korea Diplomacy: Prospects for a Second Trump-Kim Summit

41:38 - Middle East Triangulation: US-Israel-Iran Relations and Trump-Netanyahu Dynamics

50:11 - Steve Witkoff’s Contrasting Negotiation Mandates

53:16 - Trump’s Scepticism Toward Multilateral Institutions and Frameworks

57:27 - Neighbours First - Trump’s Approach to Canada, Mexico, and Latin America

01:04:03 - Understanding Trump’s Foreign Policy Through IR Theories

01:09:12 – EU vs. Member States: Trump’s Fragmented View of Europe

01:14:37 – Trump’s Geopolitical Take on the EU: Weakness, Irrelevance, or Rival?

01:20:28 – China Policy: Strategic Rivalry Meets Economic Interdependence

01:25:33 – Taiwan’s Role in Trump’s China Strategy

01:29:23 – Trump and Putin: Personal Chemistry and Strategic Ambiguity

01:37:20 – U.S. Sanctions on Russia: Tools of Pressure or Leverage for a Deal?

01:42:25 – Why Trump Believes Iran Must Never Go Nuclear

01:47:32 – Iran in Trump’s First Term: Maximum Pressure, Minimal Results?

01:57:58 – 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict - U.S Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arie M. Kacowicz

Professor Arie M. Kacowicz holds the Chaim Weizmann Chair in International Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he has taught since 1993. A leading peace scholar, he has served as Chair of the Department of International Relations and as President of the Israeli Association of International Studies. His research spans alternative pathways for resolving the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the role of international society, the international relations of Latin America, globalisation and International Relations theory. His current programme focuses on the normative dimensions of international relations, peace research and regional orders, with particular attention to how zones of peace emerge, endure and may be replicated in other parts of the world.

Publications:

Peaceful Territorial Change

Explaining Zones of Peace: Democracies as Satisfied Powers?

Zones of Peace in the Third World: South America and West Africa in Comparative Perspective

The Impact of Norms in International Society: The Latin American Experience, 1881 - 2001

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:28 - The Genesis of Zone of Peace Theory: From Regional Puzzles to Global Concepts

06:21 - Why Study Peace Over Conflict? A Scholar’s Perspective

07:58 - Theoretical Foundations: Which IR Schools Shaped Zone of Peace Theory?

12:25 - Beyond Security Communities: Distinguishing Zones of Peace from Deutsch’s Framework

19:28 - Decolonizing Peace Theory: Addressing Global South Perspectives in IR

23:36 - South America vs West Africa: Why Some Regions Achieve Lasting Peace

29:01 - ASEAN’s Peaceful Paradox: Non-Interference Despite Internal Tensions

35:48 - From Conflict to Peace: Can the Middle East Transform Its Security Dynamics?

48:01 - Practical Applications: Using Zone of Peace Theory in Today’s World

58:49 - Authoritarian States and Peace: Navigating Democracy vs Stability

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joseph Daher

Dr Joseph Daher is a scholar of the contemporary Middle East specialising in political economy, political Islam and modern regional history, with a particular focus on Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine. He is an associate researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies and, between 2018 and 2024, was a visiting professor at the European University Institute in Florence, where he contributed to and co-led major research projects on the Syrian war economy and post-conflict trajectories. He has published widely in English, French and Arabic in academic journals and research outlets, and is the founder of the blog Syria Freedom Forever, a platform dedicated to critical analysis of Syrian politics and society.

Publications:

Hezbollah: The political economy of Lebanon’s Party of God

Syria after the uprisings: The political economy of state resilience

The deep roots of the depreciation of the Syrian pound

Syria’s manufacturing sector: The model of economic recovery in question

State institutions and regime networks as service providers in Syria

Water scarcity, mismanagement and pollution in Syria

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:50 - Post-Assad Order: Continuity or Break from Syria’s War Economy?

07:34 - Fate of Assad’s Inner Circle: Where Are They Now?

12:02 - Current State of Syria’s Economy

21:47 - Technocrats and Expatriates in Syria’s Government: Redistribution of Resources

28:17 - Role of Syrian Diaspora and Leaders in Exile

31:38 - Religion’s Influence in Syria’s Reconstruction and Post-Assad Era

36:52 - Main Potential Income Sources for Syria in Reconstruction

43:34 - Approaches of Middle Eastern States vs. Western Economies towards Syria: Solidarity or Profit-Driven?

47:00 - Role of Russia and China in Syria’s Reconstruction

52:48 - Geopolitical Triangle: Turkey, Syria, and the Kurds

58:04 - Strengthening Syria’s International Diplomacy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gilbert A. Ang’ana

Dr Gilbert A. Ang’ana is a leadership and governance researcher and practitioner specialising in African contexts. He is CEO of Accent Leadership Group and Executive Director of the Accent Global Initiative, a think tank promoting good governance and policy innovation, and currently a Policy Leader Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence. In addition, he serves as Chair of Learning Facilitation for Rotary International District 9212 and is an adjunct lecturer in Strategic Leadership and Management at ACT University in Kigali, Rwanda, combining academic insight with practical experience in capacity-building and institutional development.

Publications:

Re-thinking good governance in Africa : the strategic role of intra-government collaboration and responsible negotiation

From external focus to internal reflection : enhancing intra-government collaborative governance in Africa

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:56 – Defining “Good Governance” in the African Context

05:44 – Reception of Good Governance Models Across African States

07:53 – Intra-Government Collaboration: An Overlooked Pillar of Governance

11:13 – Case Studies: Successes and Failures in Intra-Governmental Collaboration

12:56 – Institutional and Political Barriers to Effective Collaboration

16:42 – Roots of Institutional Weakness and the Role of the African Union

20:24 – Centralisation vs. Decentralisation of Power in Africa

22:27 – Challenges in Decentralising Key Governance Elements

25:58 – Intra-Governmental Collaboration as Mediator or Moderator of Governance Outcomes?

30:21 – Governance Education and Capacity-Building Initiatives in Africa

34:45 – “Responsible Negotiation” vs. Traditional Conflict Resolution Methods

39:44 – Role of Tribes and Minorities in Shaping Good Governance

43:31 – Navigating Donor Influence and Corporate Pressure: Striving for Epistemic Autonomy

47:26 – Digitalisation’s Role in Advancing Governance in Africa

51:26 – Competing Interests: International vs. Local Tech Enterprises

55:28 – The Power Challenge: Electricity Access as a Prerequisite for Digital Progress

58:50 – Key Governance Reforms Needed for Africa’s Future

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eldaniz Gusseinov

Eldaniz Gusseinov is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Heydar Aliyev Centre for Eurasian Studies at Ibn Khaldun University and co-founder of Nightingale Intelligence International. His work focuses on EU–Central Asia relations, foreign policy analysis and Eurasian geopolitics, with particular attention to how external powers engage with the region’s energy and infrastructure choices.

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:38 – Is Nuclear Power Essential for Kazakhstan?

04:06 – Public Opinion on Renewable versus Traditional Energy in Kazakhstan

07:38 – Who Makes the Decisions on Nuclear Power Plants in Kazakhstan?

12:01 – The History of Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Plans: Why Wasn’t a Soviet Plant Built?

17:28 – The Current State of Kazakhstan’s Former Nuclear Test Sites

19:20 – The Role of Civil Society in Nuclear Power Decision-Making

23:52 – Will Kazakhstan Engage a Third-Party Consultant for Its Nuclear Plans?

25:01 – Kazakhstan’s Uranium Production and Its Role in Nuclear Strategy

31:43 – Implications if Russia Wins the Nuclear Power Contract

41:49 – Implications if China Wins the Nuclear Power Contract

43:36 – Implications if France Wins the Nuclear Power Contract

44:51 – Implications if South Korea Wins the Nuclear Power Contract

46:37 – Could a Multinational Consortium Build Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Plant?

48:07 – Timeline for Kazakhstan’s Final Decision on the Nuclear Plant

49:03 – Security Concerns Related to Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Project

55:39 – Public Perceptions of the Nuclear Power Development Process

58:22 – Overlooked Dimensions of Kazakhstan’s Energy Security

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steven Gruzd was abducted and murdered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in what authorities described as an 'express kidnapping'. He disappeared on 27 March 2026 and was found dead two days later by the police. Steven was a great supporter of this channel and often promoted new potential experts to be interviewed. More importantly, he was one of the brightest foreign policy experts, frequently connecting people and project ideas. Steven will always be with us through an episode we recorded together. Rest in peace.

The Original Episode Description

This episode of The IR thinker examines why Russia is deepening its engagement with Africa and what it can realistically offer, in conversation with Steven Gruzd. The discussion traces how Soviet-era ties shape contemporary relations, unpacks Russia’s security footprint through actors such as the Wagner Group, and assesses the significance of arms sales, stalled energy projects and limited trade compared with China and other partners. We also explore the diplomatic symbolism and substance of the Russia–Africa summits, the interaction with BRICS diplomacy, Moscow’s use of soft power, media and foreign aid, and the under-researched dimensions of Russia’s evolving role across the continent.

Steven Gruzd

Steven Gruzd is Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme and the Africa–Russia Project at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). He has written widely on Russia–Africa summits, BRICS cooperation and the resurgence of Russian influence in African foreign policy, and brings long-standing expertise on governance and diplomacy in the region. In addition to his policy work, he contributes to the South African Jewish Report, where he writes on international affairs, governance and Jewish community issues, combining analytical depth with a clear, journalistic eye on complex geopolitical developments.

Publications:

The Russian invasion of Ukraine still sends ripples into Africa

Why African leaders have a blind spot for Russia

Russian and African Media: Exercising Soft Power

Russia in Africa: Who is courting whom?

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:47 – The Soviet Legacy: Shaping Russia’s Modern Foreign Policy Towards Africa

05:40 – Post-Soviet Space and Africa: How Africa Views Former Soviet Republics

08:44 – Russia’s Security Presence in Africa: The Role of the Wagner Group

14:13 – Arms Deals and Military Influence: Russia’s Weapon Sales to Africa

16:23 – Russia vs. China: Economic Influence in Africa

19:40 – Why is Russia’s Trade in Africa Still Lagging Behind?

23:23 – Russian Energy Companies in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges

26:18 – Do African Countries Seek Energy Partnerships with Russia?

28:56 – The Russia-Africa Summit: A Diplomatic Platform for Russia’s Interests

35:26 – Russia-Africa Summit vs. BRICS: Diverging Approaches to Russian Interests in Africa

40:59 – Russia’s Soft Power in Africa: Academic and Cultural Initiatives

44:48 – Peacekeeping and Counterterrorism: Russia’s Role in African Stability

49:30 – Russian Foreign Aid to Africa: Aid or Influence?

55:19 – Russian Media’s Influence in Africa: Shaping Public Opinion

59:23 – Under-Explored Research Areas in Russia-Africa Relations

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walter James

Dr Walter James is a political scientist and energy policy consultant specialising in Japan’s decarbonisation strategy and the geopolitics of East Asian energy. He holds a PhD from Temple University and has been a research fellow at Waseda University. He leads Power Japan Consulting and writes the Power Japan Substack, and his analyses have appeared in outlets such as The Japan Times, Energy Tracker Asia and East Asia Forum. His work bridges academic research and policy practice, offering nuanced insights into how Japanese institutions, firms and policymakers navigate the intertwined challenges of climate commitments, energy security and regional geopolitics.

Publications:

Liquefied natural gas on a razor’s edge: Japan’s energy security in a tumultuous world

Content

00:00 - Introduction

03:14 - Strategic Coherence: Can Japan Achieve Net-Zero by 2050?

11:06 - Understanding Domestic Scepticism Toward Climate Goals

15:28 - Institutions and Governance: The Role of the Basic Energy Plan

21:03 - Public vs. Private Ownership in Japan’s Energy Sector

25:28 - Who Owns Japan’s Major Energy Companies?

27:43 - The Strategic Role of LNG in Japan’s Energy Transition

31:52 - LNG Diplomacy and Japan’s Geopolitical Exposure

35:53 - Japan’s Hydrogen Society: Vision and Implementation

41:17 - Nuclear Power in Japan’s Future Energy Mix

45:46 - Barriers to Accelerating Renewable Energy Deployment

50:16 - Carbon Capture and Storage: Promise or Distraction?

53:36 - Corporate Collaboration in Decarbonisation Efforts

56:03 - Civil Society’s Role in Advancing Climate Action

01:00:01 - Start-Ups and Innovation in Japan’s Climate Ecosystem

01:01:31 - Households and Energy System Upgrades

01:02:31 - Japan’s Greatest Untapped Opportunity in Decarbonisation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anders Wivel

Professor Anders Wivel is Professor of International Relations at the University of Copenhagen. His core research interest is how small states manage power asymmetry and vulnerability in international politics, engaging critically and constructively with the realist – particularly neoclassical realist – tradition. He has served as Chief Investigator and Deputy Director of Research for the Danish Parliament’s independent inquiry into Denmark’s military engagements in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, co-chairs the “Small States in World Politics” section of the European International Studies Association, and is an active member of the Global Research Network on Peaceful Change.

Publications:

Small States in the European Union: What Do We Know and What Would We Like to Know?

The Security Challenge of Small EU Member States: Interests, Identity and the Development of the EU as a Security Actor

Small States and the War in Ukraine

The EU’s Soft Balancing Governance Model: Origins, Characteristics and Prospects for the Future

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:21 - Defining Soft Balancing vs Hard Balancing

03:16 - Soft Power vs Soft Balancing: Key Differences

05:12 - Relevance of Soft Balancing for EU Governance

07:08 - Inclusive vs Exclusive Institutional Soft Balancing

13:11 - Key Historical Milestones in EU Soft Balancing

18:06 - Lessons from Soft Balancing Failures

21:12 - Balancing National Sovereignty with Collective Decision-making

24:26 - The EU’s Institutional Structure: Too Many or Too Few?

28:01 - The Role of Plasticity in EU Governance Adaptation

34:53 - Successful and Unsuccessful Soft Balancing with Non-Members

38:00 - Causes of External Soft Balancing Failures

41:20 - Approaching Sanctions in Soft Balancing

43:09 - Official EU Resolutions on Soft Balancing

44:25 - Soft Balancing and International Relations Theories

48:53 - Challenges in Implementing Soft Balancing

52:40 - Soft Balancing in a More Centralized EU

53:52 - Regions Outside the EU and Soft Balancing Lessons

56:17 - The Role of Non-State Actors in Soft Balancing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ingvild Bode

Ingvild Bode is Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for War Studies at the University of Southern Denmark. Her research focuses on processes of policy and normative change in global security, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence in the military domain, the use of force, AI governance, United Nations peacekeeping and the dynamics of the UN Security Council.

Publications:

Emergent normativity: Communities of Practice, technology, and Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems

Machine guardians: The Terminator, ai narratives and US Regulatory discourse on lethal autonomous weapons systems

Autonomous weapons systems and changing norms in international relations

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:01 - The Motivation Behind the AutoNorms Project

04:18 - Bridging the Research Gap on Technology in International Relations

06:27 - Key Findings and Outcomes of AutoNorms

08:16 - Autonomous Weapons and the Evolution of International Norms

11:50 - Theoretical Foundations: War Theory in the Research

14:06 - Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Norm Development in Global Security

17:13 - Understanding Social Norms Through AutoNorms

18:25 - Investigating Practices That Shape AWS Norms

19:50 - Challenging Rationalist and Institutionalist Approaches to Security

25:08 - The Grand Theory Behind AutoNorms

27:21 - Data Collection Strategies in the Research

32:23 - Managing Confidentiality and Restricted Information

35:54 - Why China, Japan, Russia, and the U.S.? Case Selection Criteria

38:42 - Divergent National Perspectives on AWS and Security

44:08 - Engagement with Formal Diplomatic and Legal Processes

46:58 - Normative Fragmentation: A Challenge to the Rules-Based Order?

50:10 - Resistance to Emerging Norms and Key Actors

53:25 - The Role of Deterrence in AWS Governance

55:46 - Does the EU Have a Unified AWS Research Programme?

58:26 - Unexpected Findings in the Research Process

01:00:24 - Underexplored Areas in AWS Norm Research

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Lamont

Professor Christopher Lamont is Dean of the E-Track International Relations programme and Vice Dean of the Graduate School of International Relations at Tokyo International University in Japan. A specialist in research methodology and international relations, he has extensive experience teaching methods at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and his work engages both positivist and critical approaches to the study of global politics.

Publications:

Contested Governance: Understanding Justice Interventions in Post-Qadhafi Libya

International Criminal Justice and the Politics of Compliance

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:53 - Key Differences Between the First and Second Edition

03:13 - The Role of Interdisciplinarity in Research

06:06 - Interdisciplinarity: A Researcher’s Motivation or a Structural Pressure?

09:30 - Current Trends and Applications of Mixed Research Methods

12:26 - Dr Lamont’s Preferred Mixed Research Methods

14:57 - Causality and Complexity in Positivist Research Approaches

18:30 - Real-Time Data Analytics: Balancing Empirical Depth and Immediacy in Political Research

22:10 - Challenges of Accessibility: The Future of Electronic Sources in Research

25:40 - Constructivist and Postcolonial Critiques of Traditional Empirical Methodologies

29:00 - Bridging Local Case Studies and Global Generalisations: Methodological Innovations in IR

32:20 - The Potential of Multi-Level Network Analysis in Understanding Power Structures

35:40 - Methodological Challenges in Studying Informal Diplomatic Practices

39:10 - Research Methods That Need More Focus in the Second Edition

42:40 - The Role of AI in Research Methodology and Analysis

46:50 - Which Research Methods Require Further Exploration for Better Understanding?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vlado Vivoda

Dr Vlado Vivoda is a scholar based at the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, Australia. His research focuses on the geopolitics of critical minerals, sustainable energy policy and the strategic implications of global energy transitions for states and industries. He is Editor in Chief of Resources Policy, a leading journal on the economics and policy of energy and mineral extraction, production and use, and has published widely on how shifting resource dependencies are transforming contemporary international relations.

Some links mentioned in the video:

What is a critical mineral?

Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025

EU Partnerships on Raw Materials

The Jadar Project (Serbia)

Publications:

Uncharted depths: Navigating the energy security potential of deep-sea mining

A critical minerals perspective on the emergence of geopolitical trade blocs

Friend-shoring and critical minerals: Exploring the role of the Minerals Security Partnership

Content

00:00 – Introduction

02:36 – Strategic Rivalries: Critical Minerals and the US-China Competition

12:19 – National Security Implications of Critical Minerals

16:56 – The Weaponisation of Critical Minerals

24:13 – Competition or Cooperation? State Dynamics in the Critical Minerals Race

28:36 – The Minerals Security Partnership: Objectives and Impact

33:16 – Can the Quest for Critical Minerals Spark Conflict?

38:38 – Neocolonialism in Mineral Extraction Practices

42:57 – Chinese vs Western Mining Strategies: A Comparative Perspective

45:55 – Non-State Actors and NGOs in the Critical Minerals Sector

51:39 – The Disinformation Campaign Against Rio Tinto in Serbia

57:23 – Three Underexplored Areas in Critical Minerals Research

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Mott

Dr Christopher Mott is a Washington Fellow at the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy and an international relations scholar specialising in geopolitics, strategy and the intersection of defensive realism and questions of sovereignty. His research engages with how great and middle powers adapt to changing distributions of power, how fears and threat perceptions shape United States foreign policy, and how realist theory can illuminate contemporary debates about hierarchy, hegemony and the future of the international system.

Publications:

The Rise of a Multipolar West Asia: Why the Middle East Resists Hegemony

Turkey: A Middle Power Pioneer

Middle Powers in the Multipolar World

The Formless Empire: A Short History of Diplomacy and Warfare in Central Asia

Polycentrism and the Eurasian Balance of Power

The ‘Liberal International Order’ Is Neither Universal nor Exceptional (co-authored with Arta Moeini)

Designing the Ideal International Relations Education

Christopher’s Blog:

The Trickster’s Guide to Geopolitics

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:58 – Defining Hegemony: Historical Roots and Growth

07:57 – The Post-Hegemonic Age: Myth or Reality?

12:53 – China’s Hegemonic Ambitions: Emerging Strategies

18:01 – Hegemony in Decline: Systemic or Cyclical Shifts?

23:39 – US Hegemony: Erosion or Evolution Ahead?

24:44 – Global Multipolarity: Adapting to New Power Centres

40:41 – Middle Powers: Bridging Gaps in Global Governance

48:33 – Misplaced Fears: Unpacking US Foreign Policy

55:21 – Non-State Actors: Shaping the Future of Power

58:20 – Realism and Dr. Mott: A Research Perspective

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark LeBar

Mark LeBar is Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University and editor of the journal Social Theory and Practice. His research spans ethical theory, social and political philosophy and ancient philosophy, with a particular focus on virtue ethics and eudaimonism. He is the author of The Value of Living Well, which integrates ancient Greek ideas of flourishing with contemporary moral theory, and editor or co editor of volumes including Equality and Public Policy and Justice, which examine distributive questions and the virtue of justice from interdisciplinary perspectives.

Publications:

Justice

Eudaimonism

The Value of Living Well

Aristotelian constructivism

Kant on welfare

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:35 - How Eudaimonism Redefines What Is Good for Us in Modern Ethics

06:29 - Eudaimonism Today: Has It Evolved into a Modern Equivalent?

10:44 - Practical Rationality vs Rule-Based Ethics: Insights from Eudaimonism

17:52 - Rules vs Norms: Understanding Their Ethical Distinction

22:21 - Virtue Ethics vs Moral Relativism: Using Ancient Ideas to Argue Universality

28:12 - Eudaimonism and Modern Moral Theories: A Cohesive View of Facts and Reasons

33:54 - Balancing Individual Flourishing with Social Responsibility Through Eudaimonism

41:00 - Moral Autonomy and Social Obligations: Finding Harmony Through Virtue

45:30 - Eudaimonism and Emerging Technologies: Addressing AI’s Ethical Challenges

51:08 - Bridging Polarisation: Virtue Eudaimonism in Political and Ethical Conflicts

56:00 - Global Environmental Issues: Eudaimonism and Collective Responsibility

58:06 - Cultural Diversity and Globalisation: Evolving Eudaimonism for Modern Challenges

01:00:50 - Philosophy Meets International Relations: Interdisciplinary Opportunities

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bill Emmott

Bill Emmott is an independent writer, consultant and commentator on international affairs, best known for his 13-year tenure as Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, where he helped shape the magazine’s voice on global politics, economics and business. A prolific author and widely respected Japan specialist, he has written extensively on the country’s political economy, including The Sun Also Sets: Why Japan Will Not Be Number One and Japan’s Far More Female Future, which examines gender, work and Japan’s long-term prospects. He is Ushioda Fellow at Tokyo College, University of Tokyo, chairs the Japan Society in the UK (until December 2024) and the trustees of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and in 2016 received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, from the Japanese government for his contribution to UK–Japan relations.

Content

00:00 - Introduction

03:52 - International Impact of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Dominance

08:25 - LDP: A Conservative Party in Liberal Clothing?

11:06 - Energy Security Amid Domestic Political Uncertainty

15:43 - Public Opinion on Reopening Nuclear Plants

19:03 - Can Japan Lead the Energy Transition Despite Lagging in Renewables?

22:05 - Article 9 and Its Role in Japan’s Contemporary Security Strategy

29:41 - Prospects for Modifying Article 9

32:18 - The State of the US-Japan Alliance in 2024

35:42 - Opportunities for Japan-South Korea Relations Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions

39:07 - Prime Minister’s Vision of an Asian ‘NATO’

41:57 - Japan’s Role in Taiwan Strait Tensions

45:07 - China’s Economic Leverage Over Japan

47:06 - Japan’s Response to the Belt and Road Initiative

50:04 - Achievements and Challenges in Japanese Economic Diplomacy

55:45 - The Role of Japan Society in the UK in International Relations

Note: At 5:09 min, the following sentence was said by Bill Emmott during the interview: ‘That a full consensus has not really successfully built up and become shared across the whole of society.’

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William W. Baber

William W. Baber is Professor at the Graduate School of Management at Kyoto University in Japan, where he teaches negotiation, cross-cultural management and management communication. He has combined academic work with practical experience in economic development for the State of Maryland, language services in the Washington, DC area, and supporting business start-ups in Japan, and has taught business students in Japan, Europe and Canada. His interdisciplinary background informs a distinctive approach to understanding how corporate and governmental actors interact and bargain in an increasingly complex global economy.

Publications:

Space Business: Emerging Theory and Practice

Confirming the Impact of Training on Negotiators and Organizations

Identifying Macro Phases Across the Negotiation Lifecycle

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:29 - Corporate Economic Leverage in Foreign Policy

05:10 - Identifying and Originating Corporate Negotiation Power

08:59 - Corporate Influence on Trade Policies and State Sovereignty

13:37 - Trends and Quality in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)

15:06 - Power Asymmetries in Strategic Negotiations

20:20 - Corporate Actors as De Facto Diplomats

25:07 - State-Owned Enterprises in Negotiations

28:06 - Overseas Impact of State-Owned Enterprises

30:55 - Corporations and International Regulatory Frameworks

34:23 - Economic Imperialism in Negotiations

36:56 - Company-Government Conflicts in Negotiations

39:59 - Unveiling Corporate Influence in Forums like the WTO

44:33 - Tips for Research Methodologies

45:38 - Learning from Negative Case Studies in Negotiations

51:02 - Future Directions for Interdisciplinary Research in Negotiations

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomasz Morozowski

Dr Tomasz Morozowski holds a PhD in Political Science from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and, since 2015, has been a researcher at the Institute for Western Affairs, where he leads the “Germany – Europe – World” research team. His work focuses on German foreign policy and Germany’s evolving role in global politics, with particular emphasis on relations between Germany, China and the European Union, as well as broader engagement with emerging powers. He also researches globalisation, digitalisation and innovation in the European and German economies, and the implications of artificial intelligence for international relations, bringing these strands together in a nuanced analysis of how German policy adapts to structural change in world politics.

Publications:

German Foreign Policy Towards Emerging Powers: Co-shaping Globalization

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:54 – New Frameworks and Methodologies for Understanding Germany’s Policy Towards Emerging Powers

07:42 – The EU’s Supranational Influence on Germany’s Foreign Policy Research

10:06 – Neoclassical Realism in Tomasz’s Research on Germany’s Foreign Policy

15:40 – Limitations of Neoclassical Realism in Analysing Germany’s Foreign Policy

17:35 – From Continuity to Adaptation: The Evolution of Germany’s Foreign Policy

23:11 – How Germany Identifies and Classifies Emerging Powers in Foreign Policy

29:09 – Case Studies of Emerging Powers: Brazil, India, and South Africa

35:07 – Case Studies of Emerging Powers: The Indo-Pacific Region

42:01 – Case Studies of Emerging Powers: The African Continent

46:23 – Which Country Surprised You Most During the Research?

49:04 – Quality of German Documents and the Role of the German Language in Research

51:31 – Germany’s Long-Term Foreign Policy Goals Regarding Emerging Powers

54:34 – Navigating Different Regimes: Distinctive Elements of Germany’s Foreign Policy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Bower

Dr Adam Bower is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of St Andrews. He was the founding co director of the Centre for Global Law and Governance, sits on the steering committee of the Institute for Legal and Constitutional Research, and is a member of the St Andrews Centre for Exoplanet Science. A Fellow of the Outer Space Institute and part of the management team of the Scottish Council on Global Affairs, his research focuses on the development of international norms and their capacity to constrain armed violence, including in emerging domains such as outer space.

Publications:

Contesting the heavens: US antipreneurship and the regulation of space weapons

Global constitutionalism and outer space governance

Orbital uncertainty and the governance of outer space activities

Norms without the great powers: International law and changing social standards in world politics

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:51 - Defining ‘Outer Space’: Is There a Global Consensus?

11:53 - International Treaties and the Geopolitics of Space Governance

23:00 - Regulating Private Actors in Space Exploration

28:37 - NATO Satellites: Coverage Under Collective Agreements

37:08 - Multilateral Forums in Space Governance

43:30 - Multipolar World Order and Its Vision for Space Governance

49:44 - US Antipreneurship vs. Russia and China: Contrasting Approaches

55:50 - Future Outlook: Voluntary Norms in Space Governance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fabian Baumann

Dr Fabian Baumann is a historian of Eastern Europe specialising in the history of nationalism and empire in Russia, Ukraine and East Central Europe. His award winning book Dynasty Divided received the 2024 W. Bruce Lincoln Book Prize for its innovative argument that nineteenth century intellectuals often chose political positions before embracing specific national identities, challenging conventional assumptions about the ethnic roots of nationalism.

Publications:

Hiking boots and peasant shirts: National science, self-fashioning, and the Ukrainophile tradition of scholarly travel

Nationality as Choice of Path: Iakov Shul´gin, Dmitrii Pikhno, and the Russian-Ukrainian Crossroads

Content

00:00 - Introduction to the Interview

02:33 - Motivation for Researching Nationalism in Ukraine and Russia

05:47 - Distinguishing Personal Convictions from Ideological Shifts under State Pressure or Exile

09:08 - Historical Perspectives on Nationalism: Did People Understand it as We Do Today?

11:24 - Sensitivity in Analysing Family Identities within Specific Geopolitical Contexts

15:02 - A Family Perspective on Nationalism: A Unique Lens on Ukraine and Russia

14:42 - Generational Divides in Nationalism within the Shul’gin/Shul’hyn Family

21:09 - Family-Driven versus State-Driven Nationalism

25:05 - Private Organisations and Societies of Ukrainian Nationalists

27:41 - Intellectual Sources of Nationalist Thought

31:16 - Role and Contribution of Women in the Nationalist Movement

35:25 - Regional Identity vs. Imperial Loyalty: Lessons from the Shul’gin/Shul’hyn Family for Contemporary Ukraine

39:22 - The Concept of “Nation as a Category of Practice”

43:39 - Understanding “National Indifference”

47:20 - Shifts in Personal Assumptions About Nationalism During Research

50:30 - Reception of the Book in Ukraine and Russia Amidst the Ongoing Conflict

53:08 - Key Challenges in Researching Nationalism

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Narendra Taneja

Narendra Taneja is a global thought leader on energy policy, security, geopolitics and governance. He is Chairman of the Independent Energy Policy Institute in New Delhi, a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, President of the World Energy Policy Summit, and sits on several international advisory boards. A frequent commentator in Indian and international media and a former national spokesperson of India’s governing party on energy issues, he has long experience at the intersection of business, policy and diplomacy, and is the author of several books on energy and India’s development.

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:34 - Assessing the Failures of IEA, OPEC, and IRENA

11:05 - Energy as a Geopolitical Weapon

17:14 - Energy Poverty: Insights from the Global South

22:07 - Renewable Energy Perspectives: The Global South’s Vision

31:56 - Foundations for a New Energy Governance Framework

46:23 - Enforcing Global Energy Decisions: Mechanisms and Challenges

53:10 - Integrating New Energy Governance within the UN Framework

59:56 - Building Expertise: Essential Skills for Enhanced Energy Governance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oz Hassan

Oz Hassan is Reader in National Security in the Politics and International Studies Department at the University of Warwick. His research centres on transatlantic relations with the Greater Middle East, and he is the author of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs study Afghanistan: Lessons learnt from 20 years of supporting democracy, development and security, the EU’s only official lessons learned report on Afghanistan, which sets out thirty two recommendations to guide future parliamentary resolutions and European Commission policy.

Publications:

The rise and fall of American’s freedom agenda in Afghanistan: counter-terrorism, nation-building and democracy

Political security: from the 1990s to the Arab Spring

Undermining the transatlantic democracy agenda? The Arab Spring and Saudi Arabia’s counteracting democracy strategy

Trump, Islamophobia and US–Middle East relations

The evolution of the European Union’s failed approach to Afghanistan

Why the European Union failed in Afghanistan: Transatlantic relations and the return of the Taliban

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:06 - EU’s Misjudgement of Afghanistan’s Political and Social Complexities Through the ‘Bonn Model’

05:07 - Why the ‘Bonn Model’ Was Selected

08:26 - EU’s Focus on Democratisation Over Security in Afghanistan

12:01 - Afghanistan as a Post-Conflict Territory: A Flawed Assumption

14:47 - Unity Among EU Member States in Afghan Policy

19:00 - EU’s Strategic Interests in Afghanistan

23:19 - EU’s Historical Experience with Imposing Governance in Afghanistan

29:32 - EU’s Approach to Establishing Political Order in Afghanistan

36:52 - Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund vs Corruption Challenges

42:55 - EU’s Engagement with Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries

46:59 - Narcotics and Drug Trade in Afghanistan

50:10 - Complexities of Cross-Border Emigration from Afghanistan

52:35 - Reactions from Russia, China, and the Caucasus

57:56 - Key Lessons for the EU from Afghanistan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yangmo Ku

Yangmo Ku is Chair of the History and Political Science Department and Associate Professor of Political Science at Norwich University in the United States, where he also serves as Associate Director of the Peace and War Center and Editor of the Journal of Peace and War Studies. His research focuses on North and South Korean politics, East Asian security, United States foreign policy and the politics of memory and reconciliation in East Asia and Europe, and he is co-author of Politics in North and South Korea: Political Development, Economy, and Foreign Relations.

Publications:

Analyzing Security Conditions Surrounding the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, 2019-2024

A Treasured Sword of Justice? Explaining the Key Reasons behind North Korea’s Nuclear Development and US Policy Implications

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:16 - Impact of North Korea Severing Land Connections with South Korea

10:01 - North Korea’s Shift to Viewing South Korea as its “Primary Foe”

14:15 - Interest in North Korea Amongst South Korean Youth

16:59 - Role of the DMZ, Provocations, and the UN Command

22:32 - South Korea’s Response to North Korea’s Arms Build-up

26:17 - Impact of South Korea Acquiring Nuclear Weapons

29:57 - Cooperation Between North Korea and Russia

36:16 - South Korea’s Strategy for North Korea’s Nuclear Threat

39:33 - Implications of North Korean Nuclear Weapons for China

42:18 - ASEAN’s Position on the Korean Peninsula

44:32 - North and South Korean Perspectives on NATO’s Role in the Indo-Pacific

49:02 - Japan-South Korea Security Cooperation in Response to North Korea

52:10 - Key Influences on North Korean Leadership

56:35 - Can Putin or Xi Mitigate North Korea’s Aggressive Narratives and Policies?

01:00:12 - Russia-China-North Korea Triangle: Future Security Outlook

At 36:07, there is a two-second audio omission due to some unknown Internet issues. Professor Ku talks about the second option for South Korea, developing its own nuclear weapons.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Srabani Roy Choundhury

Dr Srabani Roy Choudhury is Professor of Japanese Studies at the Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Her research focuses on Japan’s foreign and security policy, Indo–Japanese relations and the politics of the Indo-Pacific, and in 2024 she received the Commendation for Promotion of Japanese Studies from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Publications:

The Indo-Pacific Theatre: Strategic Visions and Frameworks

Japan and its Partners in the Indo-Pacific: Engagements and Alignment

India-Japan Partnership: Abe the Game Changer

India, Japan and Beyond: Human Security, Environment, Development, Innovation and Resilience

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:27 - Complementary Visions: India’s SAGAR and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)

09:39 - Reception of India’s SAGAR Initiative in Japan

12:11 - SAGAR: A Fixed Strategy or an Evolving Concept?

13:21 - Impact of Japan’s Increased Defence Spending on India-Japan Relations in the Indo-Pacific

19:04 - Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services Agreement (RPSS) Between India and Japan

21:54 - The Role of Taiwan in Shaping India-Japan Relations

27:27 - Comparing the Postures of Abe, Kishida, and Ishiba Towards India

36:41 - Ishiba’s Controversial Statement on an ‘Asian NATO’

39:36 - The Role of the USA in India-Japan Relations

44:17 - Japan’s Recognition of Arunachal Pradesh and Its Strategic Implications Against China

48:39 - India’s Limited Engagement in Minilateral Initiatives with Like-Minded Nations

51:54 - Strengthening India-Japan Collaboration in Securing Critical Minerals and Supply Chains Through SCRI

54:29 - Energy Cooperation Between India and Japan

57:28 - The Future of India-Japan Relations

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philipp Ivanov

Philipp Ivanov is a public policy leader and China specialist with extensive executive experience across government, universities and think tanks in Australia, the United States, China, Asia and Russia. He is the founder of the Geopolitical Risks and Strategy Practice (GRASP) and a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

Publications:

Australian CEOs face a wave of geopolitical risks

Together and Apart: The Conundrum of the China-Russia Partnership

A Second Chance: How Team Australia can Succeed in Asia

Disruptive Asia: 5-volume essay series on the impact of Asia’s rise on Australia

Russia has also become a lot more important to China

What Lies in Wait for Xi and Putin in the Year of the Dragon?

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:38 - Current Diplomatic Landscape: Australia and China

05:14 - Domestic Consensus: Australia’s Internal Views on China

09:54 - Shifting Alliances: The Impact of Quad and AUKUS on Australia’s Strategy

14:28 - China’s Perspective: Reactions to Australia’s Security Partnerships

17:42 - The Belt and Road Initiative: Implications for China-Australia Relations

23:26 - Australia’s Strategic Response to the Belt and Road Initiative

29:02 - The U.S. Factor: American Influence on Australia-China Relations

35:12 - Trade Dynamics: Australia’s Economic Dependence on China

43:30 - Education and Espionage: Chinese Influence in Australian Academia

50:39 - Multilateral vs. Bilateral: Australia-China Engagement in the Indo-Pacific

56:16 - Energy Ties: The Australia-China Energy Relationship

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elena Ziliotti

Elena Ziliotti is a tenured Assistant Professor of Ethics and Political Philosophy at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Her research focuses on political meritocracy, Confucian and liberal democratic thought, and the normative assessment of institutional designs that aim to promote good governance and public spirited leadership.

Publications:

Meritocratic Democracy: A Cross-Cultural Political Theory

Breaking the Mold: Normative Hybridity as the Key to Contemporary “Non-Western” Political Theorizing

An epistemic case for confucian democracy

Questions for Hierarchical Confucianism

Political meritocracy and the troubles of Western democracies

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:51 - Meritocratic Democracy vs. Traditional Governance

05:51 - East vs. West: Understanding Meritocracy

07:17 - Epistemic Superiority of Democratic Rule

10:04 - Defining Public-Spirited Political Leaders

14:09 - Addressing Voter Manipulation Concerns

19:12 - Weaknesses of Political Meritocracy: A Confucian View

25:15 - Political Parties in a Cross-Cultural Context

27:53 - Democratic Institutions vs. Meritocratic Governance

31:55 - The Role of Partisan Juries in Candidate Selection

39:00 - Balancing Meritocracy and Democratic Equality

40:44 - Singapore and China

45:17 - Benefits of Confucian Insights for Western Democracy

49:35 - Bridging Western and Confucian Political Theories

52:26 - Influence of Eastern and Western Thought on Elena’s Research

55:26 - Goals for Meritocratic Democracy in Diverse Contexts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marianna Charountaki

Dr Marianna Charountaki is Senior Lecturer in International Politics at the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom. Her research focuses on international relations theory, foreign policy analysis and Middle East area studies, with particular attention to Kurdish politics and the foreign policies of regional and external powers in the region.

Publications:

The Kurds and US Foreign Policy: International Relations in the Middle East since 1945

Kurdish policies in Syria under the Arab Uprisings: a revisiting of IR in the new Middle Eastern order

The GCC in Kurdish Politics

From resistance to military institutionalisation: the case of the peshmerga versus the Islamic State

Iran and Turkey: International and Regional Engagement in the Middle East

State and non-state interactions in International Relations: an alternative theoretical outlook

Non-state actors and change in foreign policy: the case of a self-determination referendum in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Mapping Non-State Actors in International Relations

Content

00:00 – Introduction

02:19 – Impact of the 2003 U.S. Invasion on the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG)

06:02 – Global Perceptions of the Kurds

08:29 – Türkiye’s Response to the PKK

12:25 – Current Relations Between Türkiye and the KRG

18:15 – Effects of the 2017 Kurdish Independence Referendum

25:49 – The Kurds’ Role in Fighting Terrorism and Western Relations

38:32 – KRG-Baghdad Relations on Oil Exports to Türkiye

46:51 – Russia’s Relations with the Kurds

54:38 – Human Rights and Crackdowns on Kurdish Political Parties

01:00:04 – The Kurds’ Role in the Syrian Conflict

01:08:51 – Future Political Goals

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roxana Caliminte

Roxana Caliminte served as Deputy Secretary General of Gas Infrastructure Europe from 2017 to 2024, having previously worked for Romania’s gas transmission operator Transgaz on relations with EU institutions and government bodies. She has also been an adviser on international relations and economic affairs in the Romanian Parliament, is a visiting lecturer at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, and has been recognised by Consultancy Intelligence Publishing as one of the Top 30 Female Energy Market Analysts globally.

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:52 - Romania’s Black Sea Energy Strategy: Current Vision and Goals

04:25 - Strengthening Romania’s Energy Security

06:50 - Impact of the Ukraine Conflict on Romania’s Energy Security

08:14 - Balancing Energy Opportunities and Russian Interests in the Black Sea

10:09 - Diplomatic Relations with Bulgaria and Turkey in the Context of Energy

11:19 - Joint Energy Initiatives with Bulgaria and Turkey

12:08 - Romania’s Role in the EU’s Energy Security and Diversification

15:09 - Attracting Foreign Investment: Regulatory and Policy Challenges

16:43 - Economic Gains vs Sustainability in Exploiting Black Sea Energy

18:40 - Public Opinion on Black Sea Energy Projects and the Energy Transition

20:57 - Consequences of Failing to Capitalise on Black Sea Energy Resources

22:21 - Key Theoretical Factors for Potential Failure in Romania’s Energy Projects

23:44 - Technological Innovations Required for Deepwater Extraction in the Black Sea

25:23 - Infrastructure Upgrades Needed for Monetising Black Sea Energy Resources

27:42 - International Interest in Developing Black Sea Energy Projects

28:41 - Skilled Labour Requirements for Romania’s Energy Sector

30:06 - Balancing Environmental Protection and Energy Exploitation

33:13 - Impact of Energy Projects on Romania’s Fisheries and Tourism Sectors

35:06 - Meeting EU Energy and Climate Goals Through Black Sea Resources

38:13 - Government and Opposition Perspectives on Romania’s Energy Transition

40:37 - Potential Research Areas in Romania’s Energy Strategy and Policy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Reddie

Dr Andrew Reddie is Associate Research Professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and Founder of the Berkeley Risk and Security Lab. His research sits at the intersection of technology, politics and security, focusing on how innovations in nuclear weapons, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are reshaping international order and the governance of strategic weapons.

Publications:

Economic Statecraft in the 21st Century: Implications for the Future of the Global Trade Regime

Evidence of the unthinkable: Experimental wargaming at the nuclear threshold

Arms Control Workshop: Summary

19 Sanctions in an Era of Strategic Competition Get access Arrow

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:16 - Evolution of Arms Control: From the Cold War to Technological Governance

05:32 - Weapons Under Current Arms Control Regimes

07:30 - Key Factors in Successful Treaty Implementation and Contemporary Challenges

11:09 - The Impact of Non-State Actors and Non-Superpowers on Arms Control

14:46 - Global Oversight and Supervision of Arms Control Regimes

17:23 - Verification Processes in Arms Control

19:52 - Identifying Loopholes in the Verification Processes

24:01 - The Implications of New START and INF Treaties on Modern Arms Control

27:44 - Contemporary Fears of a Renewed Arms Race

32:14 - The Unique Case of the USA as the Only User of Nuclear Weapons

33:05 - Enriched Uranium Weapons: A Closer Look

34:50 - China’s Approach to Arms Control

37:21 - Sino-Russian Consultations on Arms Control

38:38 - India and Pakistan: Approaches to Arms Control

39:13 - Iran and Israel: Divergent Approaches to Arms Control

41:07 - The United Kingdom and France’s Role in Arms Control

42:51 - Potential New Nuclear Weapon States: Candidates and Risks

47:39 - Innovative Approaches and Ideas for Strengthening Arms Control

50:03 - Incentives for States to Abandon Nuclear Weapons

51:15 - Governance of Nuclear Weapons: Current Frameworks and Future Directions

53:54 - Emerging Weapon Technologies and the Need for New Arms Control Regimes

56:31 - Prospective Areas for Future Research in Arms Control

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Craig

Paul Craig is a British legal scholar specialising in administrative and European Union law. He served as Professor of English Law at the University of Oxford from 1998 to 2019, is now Emeritus Professor, and was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1998.

Publications:

EU Membership: Formal and Substantive Dimensions

The Evolution of EU Law (3rd edn)

EU Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (8th edn)

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:32 - The Role of the Convention on the Future of Europe

13:46 - The Emergence of the 2004 Constitutional Treaty

27:34 - Reaching Consensus on the EU Constitution

30:41 - Influence of External Actors on the Convention

33:28 - Reasons Behind the Failure of the EU Constitutional Treaty

51:09 - Was the EU Constitution Intended to Supersede National Constitutions?

57:56 - Does the EU Need a Constitution?

01:04:22 - Areas for Further Research on the EU Constitutional Question

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iver B. Neumann

Professor Iver B. Neumann is a Norwegian political scientist and social anthropologist and Director of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Oslo. A former Montague Burton Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics, he has also held senior positions at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and teaches International Relations at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. His research focuses on how polities relate to one another across time and space, drawing on continental social theory and empirical work on Russian and Norwegian foreign policy and, increasingly, archaeology.

Publications:

Diplomaten som helt: Fridtjof Nansen

Returning Practice to the Linguistic Turn: The Case of Diplomacy

At Home with the Diplomats: Inside a European Foreign Ministry

Diplomatic tenses: A social evolutionary perspective on diplomacy

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:36 - Impact of the Israeli-Gaza Conflict and the War in Ukraine on European Diplomatic Resources

09:31 - Assessment of European Diplomatic Evolution

12:38 - Internal Divisions within European Diplomacy

18:04 - Competences of the European External Action Service (EEAS)

20:01 - Debate on Strengthening the EEAS

24:46 - Public Opinion and Its Influence on European Diplomacy

28:50 - Role of Media in Shaping Diplomatic Discourse

33:44 - European Diplomacy and Its Engagement with the Middle East

35:09 - EU Diplomacy and the Recognition of a Palestinian State

37:23 - Critiques of EU Diplomacy from Non-European Nations

39:32 - Diplomacy as Practice vs. Diplomacy as Foreign Policy

42:40 - Diplomacy and Theoretical Frameworks

50:28 - Influence of Realist, Liberal, and Constructivist Paradigms on Diplomacy

53:06 - Is Diplomacy a Eurocentric Notion? Myth or Reality?

57:08 - Prominent Schools of Diplomacy

58:36 - Distinctive Features of Norwegian Diplomacy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gareth Mott

Dr Gareth Mott is a Research Fellow in the Cyber team at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI). His research focuses on the governance of cyberspace, the changing cyber risk environment and the strategic development of cybersecurity at both national and organisational levels, with particular interest in the challenges and opportunities posed by peer to peer technologies.

Publications:

Constructing the Cyberterrorist: Critical Reflections on the UK Case

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:52 - Exploring the Concept of Borders in Cyberspace

06:40 - Sovereignty and the Fragmentation of the Internet

13:06 - Cyber Threats Facing the United Kingdom

24:31 - Protecting the UK from Cyber Attacks: State and Private Sector Roles

26:56 - Key Institutions Managing UK Cybersecurity

30:33 - Overview of the UK Cyber Security Strategy

33:49 - Applying Traditional Deterrence Theory in Cyberspace

39:33 - The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Cybersecurity

40:34 - UK’s Capabilities in Detecting and Responding to Emerging Cyber Threats

44:35 - International Cooperation in Cyberspace Security

46:04 - The Existence and Role of Cyber Law Enforcement

47:47 - Cybersecurity Education in the UK: Quality and Focus

50:54 - Balancing Cybersecurity with Citizens’ Privacy

53:42 - Identifying Research Gaps in Cybersecurity

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timo Kivimäki

Professor Timo Kivimäki is a leading scholar of International Relations, currently Professor at the University of Bath and Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Sejong Institute in Seoul. He has previously held professorships at the Universities of Helsinki, Lapland and Copenhagen, and directed both the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies and the Institute of Development Studies in Helsinki, contributing extensively to peace research and the study of East Asian international relations.

Publications:

Protecting the Global Civilian from Violence

The Failure to Protect: The Path to and Consequences of Humanitarian Interventionism

The Long Peace of ASEAN

Power, contribution and dependence in NATO burden sharing

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:15 - Inspiration for Studying Peace in the East Asia Region

03:42 - Challenges Faced in Researching East Asia

05:19 - Defining the Long Peace of East Asia

07:06 - Differentiating the Long Peace from Other Peace Periods in the Region

08:22 - The Principle of Non-Interference

11:15 - Origins of the Non-Interference Concept in East Asia

12:57 - Criticism: Non-Interference and the Perpetuation of Authoritarian Violence

17:44 - The Concept of Developmentalism

19:07 - China and ASEAN’s Role in East Asian Peace

21:25 - Face-Saving Strategies in Diplomacy

25:27 - Economic Interdependence in East Asia

27:42 - Exploring Other Forms of Interdependence

28:57 - Weaknesses in the Long Peace of East Asia Theory

31:36 - Balancing Non-Interference with Humanitarian Intervention in East Asia

34:22 - Diverse Regimes and the Notion of Democratisation in East Asia

39:36 - Lessons the West Can Learn from East Asian Peacekeeping

43:36 - Multipolarity vs. the Current West-Led International Order

46:51 - Explaining Current Security Threats in East Asia

52:33 - Potential Research Gaps in East Asian Peace Studies

54:43 - Diversity of Researchers in Peace Studies

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chandran Kukathas

Professor Chandran Kukathas is Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Political Science at Singapore Management University and a leading political theorist of liberalism, multiculturalism and freedom. Formerly Head of the Department of Government at the London School of Economics, he has also held chairs and teaching positions at the University of Utah, the University of New South Wales, Oxford University and the Australian National University. He is widely known for his work on Hayek’s political philosophy and for his recent book A Theory of Diversity and Freedom, which develops a distinctive account of liberal pluralism and the minimal state.

Publications:

Hayek and Modern Liberalism

Rawls ‘A Theory of Justice’ and Its Critics

Liberalism and Multiculturalism: The Politics of Indifference

Responsibility for Past Injustice: How to Shift the Burden

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:10 - Inspiration Behind Professor Chandran Kukathas’ Theory of Diversity and Freedom

04:49 - Key Characteristics of the Theory of Diversity and Freedom

09:58 - The Theory’s Position within International Relations Theories

12:12 - Perspectives on State Sovereignty

16:16 - Concept of the Minimum State

19:55 - The Theory’s Relationship with Democratic Governance: Challenge or Complement?

27:22 - Implications for Multiculturalism

33:52 - Examination of Universal Values

37:30 - Freedom of Association vs. Citizenship

44:45 - Perspectives on Migration

52:45 - Understanding Tolerance within the Theory

58:07 - Role of State Interventions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Tucker

Noah Tucker is a senior research consultant with the Oxus Society and a programme associate for the Central Asia Program at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. His research focuses on extremist and ethnic violence, religion and identity in Central Asia, informed by extensive fieldwork in Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia. He previously held the Handa Studentship at the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews and co founded a non profit education project in Tashkent, where he served as director from 2002 to 2005.

Publications:

Foreign Fighters, Returnees and a Resurgent Taliban

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:57 - Primary Factors Contributing to Susceptibility to Terrorist Recruitment in Central Asia

09:08 - Size of Recruitment Groups

12:50 - Motivational Factors in Terrorist Recruitment

24:03 - Socioeconomic Status as a Vulnerability Factor?

29:54 - Communication Channels Utilised by Recruiters

39:55 - Post-Recruitment Processes

49:37 - Effectiveness of Awareness Counter-Terrorism Campaigns

55:57 - Local Campaigns Against Terrorist Recruitment

01:01:04 - Adaptation of Recruiters and Counter-Terrorist Measures

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Knud Erik Jørgensen

Knud Erik Jørgensen is Professor Emeritus of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at Aarhus University. His research focuses on European foreign policy and international relations theory, including the evolution of the European External Action Service and EU diplomacy in a changing global environment. He has written widely on IR theoretical traditions and on how policy paradigms inform the formulation of foreign policy.

Publications:

War and Peace in European Studies: a Zeitenwende?

Realist theories in search of realists: The failure in Europe to advance realist theory

International Relations Theory: A New Introduction

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:58 - Theoretical Foundations of EU Foreign Policy

07:00 - EU Multilateralism in the Context of IR Theory

12:27 - Impact of Reduced Globalisation on EU Multilateralism

16:14 - Addressing Multilateralism Crises in the EU through IR Theory

21:07 - The Role of the European External Action Service: Value-Based vs Interest-Based Approaches

38:58 - Strategic Autonomy of the EU and its Theoretical Underpinnings

46:23 - Contemporary Debates on EU Strategic Autonomy

50:27 - EU Approaches to International Negotiations

57:15 - Navigating and Resisting Ideological Narratives in EU Research

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lee Jarvis

Lee Jarvis is Professor of International Politics at Loughborough University, England. His research focuses on how security challenges such as terrorism, radicalisation, cyber threats and pandemics are constructed and communicated, with particular attention to counter terrorism politics, critical security studies and social memories of terrorism. He has published widely on these themes and serves as co editor of the journal Critical Studies on Terrorism.

Publications:

Three waves of critical terrorism studies: agenda-setting, elaboration, problematisation

The Proscription or Listing of Terrorist Organisations: Understanding, Assessment, and International Comparisons

Toward a Vernacular Security Studies: Origins, Interlocutors, Contributions, and Challenges

Critical terrorism studies and the far-right: beyond problems and solutions?

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:08 - Overview of Critical Terrorism Studies (CTS) and Its Main Objectives

04:18 - Defining ‘Critical’ in Critical Terrorism Studies

06:50 - Conceptualising Terrorism in CTS

10:05 - Comparison: Traditional Terrorism Studies vs. Critical Terrorism Studies

11:38 - Examining the Role of Power in CTS

14:10 - Emphasis on Reflexivity in CTS

16:57 - Notable Shortcomings and Criticisms of CTS

19:20 - Expanding CTS Beyond Western Scholarship

21:29 - Focus on Non-State Actors in CTS

27:09 - Media Representation of Terrorism in CTS

32:26 - Ethical Considerations in CTS Research

35:00 - State Practices and Their Impact in CTS

39:53 - Balancing Human Rights and National Security in CTS

43:41 - The Influence of Technological Developments on CTS

48:21 - Embracing an Interdisciplinary Approach in CTS

51:48 - Addressing Biases in Traditional Terrorism Studies Through CTS

54:02 - CTS Analytical Framework for Studying Radicalisation

57:48 - Utilising Prediction Analysis in CTS

01:01:00 - Debunking Myths Associated with CTS

01:03:23 - Potential Research Areas Using CTS Perspectives

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Saunders

Paul Saunders is President of the Center for the National Interest and a member of its board of directors, as well as Senior Advisor at the Energy Innovation Reform Project, where he previously served as President. His expertise spans United States foreign and security policy, energy security and climate change, and relations with Russia, Japan and South Korea; he served as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs in the George W. Bush administration, with responsibility for transnational issues including energy and climate, and has long experience in congressional and think tank policy advising.

Publications:

Russia’s Global Energy Role: War, Sanctions, and the Energy Transition

Meet the CRANKs: How China, Russia, Iran and North Korea Align Against America

Restoring America’s Nuclear Energy Leadership and Exports

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:15 - Dependence on Fossil Fuels in the USA and Green Energy Transition Plans

07:52 - Energy Transition as a Topic in the US Presidential Election Campaign

10:38 - The Role of Subsidies for Fossil Fuel Industries in Energy Transition

13:26 - Trends in Subsidies for Fossil Fuel Industries

18:00 - Implications of Fossil Fuel Energy for Other Parts of the World

21:42 - Investments in Renewable Energy in the USA

26:50 - The Influence of State and Federal Governments on Energy Policies

30:39 - US Energy Regulations and Market Reliance

37:07 - US Energy Storage Facilities

43:40 - Modernisation of the US Electricity Grid for Integrating Fossil Fuels and Renewables

48:29 - The Role of Nuclear Energy in Balancing Fossil Fuels and Renewables

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jagannath Panda

Dr Jagannath Panda is a Senior Fellow at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies and Head of the Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Sweden, as well as a professor at the University of Warsaw. A leading specialist on Indo-Pacific affairs, his research focuses on India’s relations with major Indo-Pacific powers, EU–India relations and European connectivity and maritime initiatives in the region. He also holds research affiliations in Japan and Australia and serves as Series Editor for Routledge Studies on Think Asia and as a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Asian Public Policy.

Publications:

Quad Plus and Indo-Pacific

India-Japan-ASEAN Triangularity

India-China Relations

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:08 - Historical Border Disputes of Galwan Valley

06:04 - Galwan Valley Negotiations

08:52 - Challenges in Concluding Galwan Valley Negotiations

11:43 - The Quad Alliance, China and India

15:16 - China’s Naval Expansion in the Indian Ocean: Strategic Implications for India

18:16 - India’s Naval Modernisation

21:46 - India’s Alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative

23:45 - Energy Security Challenges between India and China

25:49 - Diaspora Politics in India-China Relations

27:55 - Impact of Pakistan-China Relations on India

30:30 - Limitations of Western Scholars’ Understanding of India-China Relations

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quill Robinson

Quill Robinson is a senior programme manager and associate fellow with the Energy Security and Climate Change Programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, and a senior adviser with ConservAmerica. He previously served as vice president of government affairs at the American Conservation Coalition. Quill holds a BA in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Washington and an MA in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Publications:

The True Cost of Chinese Solar Panels

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:47 - Chinese Energy Exports and Shifting Energy Geography

06:41 - US Energy Security and Its Link to China

09:32 - US Tariffs on Solar vs Investment in Solar Industry

11:24 - Competitiveness of the US Solar Industry

14:36 - US Support for Domestic Solar Panel Production

16:59 - Environmental Concerns about Imported Solar Panels

19:35 - Positive Implications of Sino-US Solar Panel Tariff Clash

24:15 - Lifespan Data of Solar Panels

25:59 - Chinese Battery Exports and Domestic Market

26:51 - US Progress in Energy Storage Installation

28:25 - China’s Position in US Energy Transition

30:17 - Impact of a 50% Tariff Increase on US Solar Panels

34:35 - Differences in Energy Transition Markets: US vs Europe

40:56 - Chinese Technological Advancements

45:21 - Role of International Institutions in Great Power Competition

47:42 - Potential for a Global Authority Regulating Energy Transition

49:10 - US Energy Diplomacy

53:48 - EU Energy Dependence on US LNG

59:10 - Recommended Research Areas

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ferran Pérez Mena

Dr Ferran Pérez Mena is Assistant Professor in International Relations of East Asia in the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University in the United Kingdom. His research focuses on transnational connections between Chinese and Western non state actors, the formation of non Western transnational elite networks, and the relationship between Chinese IR scholars, the Chinese state and the development of Chinese ideas about world politics and international order.

Publications:

Contender States and Modern Chinese International Thought: From the Republican era until the ‘Chinese School of International Relations’

Farewell to revolution: the ‘Chinese School of IR’ and the depoliticisation of IR theory in post-Mao China

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:41 - Major Contemporary Schools of Thought in Chinese International Relations

04:47 - Importance of Shanghai and Tsinghua Universities

05:45 - Acceptance of the Shanghai School of IR in China

07:43 - Theoretical Foundation of the Shanghai School of IR

11:10 - Key Actors in the Shanghai School of IR

12:14 - Key Figures and Contributions of the Shanghai School

14:49 - Overview of the Tsinghua School of IR

16:22 - Influence of Yan Xuetong

16:50 - Other IR Schools in China

18:03 - Integration of Traditional Chinese Philosophy in IR Theories

20:04 - Concept of Moral Realism

21:53 - Application of Chinese Moral Realism Internationally

23:38 - China’s Definition of Morality

25:22 - Chinese Exceptionalism

28:42 - Critique and Overlaps between Chinese and Western IR Theories

34:10 - Role of Economic Statecraft in IR

35:36 - Background of Economic Statecraft in China

37:39 - Tsinghua School of IR and Soft Power

39:21 - China’s Most Interesting Soft Power Instruments

41:41 - Security in Chinese IR Schools

44:14 - Publishing Security Issues in China

45:38 - Civilizational Identity

49:34 - Influence of Concepts and Theories on Chinese Foreign Policy

53:30 - Ferran’s Book on Chinese IR Schools

58:57 - Accessing Chinese Sources for the Book

01:00:23 - Future of Chinese IR Schools

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorenz Gonschor

Dr Lorenz Gonschor is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Affairs in the School of Law and Social Sciences at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. His research covers historical and contemporary governance and politics in Oceania, with a particular interest in the evolution of Pacific regionalism since the nineteenth century. He is also actively engaged in debates on decolonisation in territories such as French Polynesia, Rapa Nui and Norfolk Island.

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:57 - Australia’s Role in Security Dynamics

04:37 - Geography of the Pacific Islands

07:49 - Perception of Australia as a Western Power

08:54 - Strategic Interests of Major Powers (Australia, USA, China)

12:34 - The Complex Position of the European Union (France)

16:53 - Influence of Emerging Powers (India, Middle East, Azerbaijan, Indonesia)

21:56 - The Pacific Islands Forum: Overview and Functions

25:20 - Historical Challenges Faced by the Pacific Islands Forum

29:21 - Russian Involvement in the Pacific Region

36:05 - Challenges in Economic Diplomacy

39:52 - Dependency on Foreign Aid in the Pacific Islands

42:28 - Climate Change Debate: Rising Sea Levels and Extreme Weather

46:06 - Climate Change Activism in the Pacific Islands

47:40 - Energy Security Concerns

49:51 - Fiji’s Leadership Role in the Pacific

54:03 - Fiji’s Challenges in International Relations

59:23 - Local Interest in Studying Political Science

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Schröder

Dr Patrick Schröder is a Senior Research Fellow in the Environment and Society Centre at Chatham House in London. His work focuses on the global transition to an inclusive circular economy, with particular emphasis on international policy coordination, investment needs, the role of trade and the contribution of circular practices to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Publications:

The Relevance of Circular Economy Practices to the Sustainable Development Goals

Promoting a just transition to an inclusive circular economy

No, Recycling Won’t Solve Our Plastic Problem

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:03 - Defining Circular Economy

07:38 - Main Goals of Circular Economy

10:48 - Circular Economy in International Economic Frameworks

16:33 - Global Authority and International Standards for Circular Economy

23:20 - Incorporating Circular Economy into Bilateral Agreements

29:11 - International Consensus on Circular Economy

35:50 - Multinational Corporations and Circular Economy Incentives

41:36 - Case Studies: Failures in Circular Economy Implementation

43:58 - Impact of Circular Economy on Economic Growth

48:50 - Geopolitical Implications of Circular Economy

52:46 - Western Circular Economy Initiatives in Developing Countries

56:04 - Ethical Issues in Circular Economy

59:14 - Circular Economy and Energy Transition

01:04:39 - Recommended Research Areas in Circular Economy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giuliano Bifolchi

Giuliano Bifolchi is an intelligence and geopolitics specialist with more than a decade of experience in strategic consulting, due diligence and open-source intelligence. He is Professor of Web Intelligence and Open Source Intelligence at the European Forensic Institute and serves as Senior Intelligence Analyst at SpecialEurasia.

Publications:

Analysis of The Voice of Khurasan First Issue in the Tajik Language

Storia del Caucaso del Nord tra presenza russa, Islam e terrorismo

Conflitto in Ucraina: rischio geopolitico, propaganda jihadista e minaccia per l’Europa

Giuliano Bifolchi, GEOPOLITICA DEL CAUCASO RUSSO

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:38 - Differentiating Khurasan from the Islamic State Wilayat Khurasan (IS-Khurasan)

04:49 - Origins and Establishment of IS-Khurasan

06:45 - Significance of Incorporating Territory Names in Islamic State Titles

09:41 - Identifying Strategic Goals of IS-Khurasan

12:21 - Relationship Dynamics between the Taliban and IS-Khurasan

17:35 - Perceptions of IS-Khurasan within the Pashtun Community

20:34 - Potential Allies of IS-Khurasan

23:36 - Recruitment Strategies and Appeal to Followers

28:17 - Objectives of IS-Khurasan in Tajikistan

34:58 - Moscow’s Influence: Migration Patterns and Islamic Finance

40:03 - Primary Sources of Finance for IS-Khurasan

42:26 - IS-Khurasan’s Activities in the Cyber Domain

44:40 - Contrasting Innovative and Traditional Counterterrorism Approaches

48:16 - Roles of the EU, USA, Russia, and China in the Region

52:21 - Impact of Global Events on IS-Khurasan’s Strength

57:03 - Recommendations for Further Research Areas

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brett Edwards

Dr Brett Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in Security and Public Policy at the University of Bath. His research sits at the intersection of security, non-proliferation and responsible innovation, with a particular focus on chemical and biological weapons disarmament and non-proliferation.

Brett’s YouTube channel

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:43 - Inventory of Global Chemical and Biological Weapons Capabilities

06:41 - Evolution of Chemical and Biological Weapons Through History

11:59 - Verification of Chemical and Biological Weapons Disarmament

13:51 - Integration of Chemical and Biological Weapons into National Military Strategies

16:31 - Preparedness Against Chemical and Biological Weapons Attacks

19:31 - Ethical Considerations in the Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons

24:25 - International Collaboration in Controlling Chemical and Biological Weapons

30:11 - Challenges in Prohibiting Chemical versus Biological Weapons

35:57 - Techniques for Detection of Chemical and Biological Weapons

42:04 - Post-Deployment Detection and Impact Assessment of Chemical and Biological Weapons

44:34 - International Sanctions as a Response to Chemical and Biological Weapons Violations

48:58 - The Role of Chemical and Biological Weapons in the Ukrainian Conflict

56:23 - Anticipating Future Challenges in Chemical and Biological Weapons Proliferation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christian Kaunert

Christian Kaunert is Professor of International Security at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University and Professor of Policing and Security at the University of South Wales, where he directs the International Centre for Policing and Security and serves as a Jean Monnet Chair. His work focuses on European security, counterterrorism and justice and home affairs cooperation.

The Sharing Economy for Tackling Cybercrime

Securitization Outside the West: West African Security Reconceptualised

Europol and EU Counterterrorism: International Security Actorness in the External Dimension

The European Union as a Global Counter-Terrorism Actor

Far-right foreign fighters and Ukraine: A blind spot for the European Union?

Counter-terrorism cooperation and the European Neighbourhood Policy

Preventing radicalisation and enhancing disengagement in the European Union

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:35 - The EU Definition of Terrorism and Its Implications

09:25 - General vs Specific Definitions of Terrorism: A Comparative Analysis

11:41 - Dissemination of Terrorism Definitions to National Member States’ Legal Codes

13:31 - Fundamental Legal Instruments in EU Counterterrorism Framework

28:27 - Tracking Financial Flows in Counterterrorism Operations

35:15 - Comparison between the Council of Europe and the European Council in Counterterrorism Efforts

40:43 - International Cooperation in Counterterrorism and the Role of the EU

48:05 - EU Initiatives towards Non-Western Countries and Reciprocal Engagement

52:29 - Human Rights Considerations within EU Counterterrorism Strategies

57:34 - EU Institutions Involved in Counterterrorism Efforts

01:00:19 - Gaps and Missing Elements in the EU’s Counterterrorism Legal Framework

01:04:53 - Addressing Radicalisation through Online Content Regulation

01:08:01 - Suggestions for Further Research in EU Counterterrorism Policies and Strategies

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ariel Admoni

Ariel Admoni is a PhD candidate at Bar-Ilan University in Israel whose research focuses on Qatari politics and Qatar’s role in international relations. He has published on these themes in journals such as Contemporary Review of the Middle East, Middle East Policy and the Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.

Publications:

Same reasons, different outcomes: Qatar’s policy on Israel up to 1996

Peace Is Relative: Qatar and Agreements with Israel

Political antisemitism: Qatar’s attitude towards Jews and Israel

Order from Above: The Evolvement of Elections in Qatar

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:43 - Qatari Regime Overview

03:35 - Qatar’s Mediation in the Middle East

07:58 - Sources of Qatari Negotiating Power

12:06 - Emir Family vs. Diplomatic Corps

13:48 - Qatar’s Foreign Aid Initiatives

16:37 - Evaluating Qatari Foreign Aid

18:40 - Influence of Qatari Energy Exports

22:40 - Energy Deals and Soft Power

25:20 - Long-Term Relevance of Qatar’s Energy Impact

27:09 - Qatar’s Renewable Energy Impact

28:35 - Real Estate Investment in Soft Power

33:09 - Culture and Education in Qatar’s Strategy

36:37 - Qatar’s Soft Power: Domestic and International

38:15 - Success of Qatar’s Educational City Project

40:49 - Impact of Hosting the World Football Championship

47:08 - Al Jazeera TV and Qatar’s Soft Power

51:59 - Analysing Al Jazeera’s Role

55:36 - Qatar’s Influence in International Institutions

01:01:16 - Qatar’s Mediation Between Israel and Hamas

01:06:50 - Under-Researched Areas of Qatari Soft Power

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Ambrosio

Dr Ambrosio is Professor of Political Science in the Criminal Justice and Political Science Department at North Dakota State University in the United States. His research focuses on international relations, Russian foreign policy and the stability of authoritarian regimes, with particular attention to how Russia constructs and uses regional organisations and alliances such as the CSTO in its broader geopolitical strategy.

Publications:

Authoritarian Backlash: Russian Resistance to Democratization in the Former Soviet Union

Challenging America’s Global Preeminence: Russia’s Quest for Multipolarity

Between Threat, Alliance, and Multivectorism: Kazakh-Russian Relations in the Wake of the Russo-Ukrainian War

Catching the ‘Shanghai Spirit’: How the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Promotes Authoritarian Norms in Central Asia

Content

00:00 - Introduction to CSTO

03:18 - CSTO’s Strategic Goals and Objectives in 2024

06:02 - CSTO and NATO: A Comparative Analysis

08:23 - Internal Dynamics: Relations Among CSTO Member States

15:19 - CSTO’s Role in Supporting Russia’s Energy and Economic Policies

16:53 - CSTO’s Function in Safeguarding Russia’s Economic Interests

18:14 - Aligning CSTO Activities with Russia’s National Security Agenda

21:21 - International Backing for CSTO: The Role of China, Iran, and North Korea

22:36 - Future Trajectory of CSTO: Expansion or Dissolution Prospects

24:47 - Operational Capacity of CSTO: Forces and Military Capabilities

26:22 - Evaluating the Current Agenda of CSTO

31:00 - Future Outlook: Revising CSTO’s Strategic Agenda for Sustainability

34:13 - Assessing Russia’s Diplomatic Strategies within CSTO

35:52 - BRICS and CSTO: Potential for Adoption of Treaty Framework

38:30 - Western Perspectives on Russia’s Geopolitical Alliances and Blocs

42:27 - Highlighting CSTO’s Key Achievements and Positive Contributions

44:22 - Impact of CSTO on Russia’s Security Doctrine and Policy

46:34 - Analysing the Reasons Behind Countries’ Withdrawal from CSTO

48:37 - Operational Challenges: Understanding CSTO’s Unique Functioning

51:47 - CSTO’s Role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Dynamics

54:10 - Key Lessons from CSTO for Russia and Member States

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ido Raz

Ido Gadi Raz is a researcher specialising in the Afghanistan–Pakistan region, with a focus on terrorism, geopolitics and international relations. He is a fast-track PhD candidate in International Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and previously worked as a financial intelligence analyst in the Israeli government sector. Holding a BA in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic from Bar-Ilan University, he contributes to scholarly debate through journal articles and analytical pieces and is a regular commentator on Afghan–Pakistani affairs in the Israeli media.

Publications:

Pakistan-Israel Relations: A Chance of Normalization?

Against all Expectations: Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations after the American Withdrawal

The United States Withdrawal from Afghanistan after Two Decades of a Global War on Terrorism

Far But Present: Israel’s Three Major Threats Coming From Afghanistan – Analysis

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:21 - Afghan Displacement: Scale and Impact

08:07 - Security Concerns for Returning Afghans

12:09 - Border Dynamics and International Response

16:49 - Revisiting Pakistan’s Afghan Visa Policy

18:23 - Pakistan’s Response: Strategy and Tactics

22:13 - Taliban’s Crisis Management

24:05 - Pakistan’s Political Crisis and Afghan Exodus

29:34 - Terrorist Groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan

34:56 - Pakistan-Afghanistan Economic Ties

40:18 - Afghan-Pak Border: Colonial Legacy

42:22 - Diplomacy in the Refugee Crisis

44:06 - Need for Mediation in Pakistan-Afghanistan

46:23 - Cultural Aspects of the Crisis

48:14 - Pashtuns’ Role in the Situation

49:41 - Long-Term Policies for Crisis Resolution

51:49 - Conflict Risks: Pakistan vs Afghanistan

54:25 - Nuclear Factors in the Crisis

56:41 - Research Challenges in Pakistan-Afghanistan

58:11 - Afghan-Pakistani Scholar Collaboration

59:14 - Suggested Research Areas

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Scholten

Dr Daniel Scholten is Visiting Assistant Professor at the Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. A specialist in the geopolitics of the energy transition and the governance of sustainability, he has previously served as strategic adviser on energy and sustainability at the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, taught at Delft University of Technology, and contributed to the IRENA Global Commission on the Geopolitics of Energy Transformation.

Publications:

Handbook on the Geopolitics of the Energy Transition

The new oil? The geopolitics and international governance of hydrogen

Renewable energy and geopolitics: A review

The geopolitics of renewables: New board, new game

The Geopolitics of Renewables

Content

00:00 - Introduction

01:43 - Significance of Geopolitics in Energy Transition

02:45 - Key Geopolitical Expectations in the Energy Transition

09:24 - Identifying the Most Critical Research Area

12:38 - Geopolitical Ramifications for Fossil Fuel Exporting Nations during Energy Transition

18:13 - Prospects for Global Renewable Energy Corporations

20:54 - Geopolitical Dynamics in the Arctic Region

26:39 - Securing Critical Rare Materials for Energy Transition

30:46 - International Organizations and Governance in Energy Transition

37:18 - Role of Energy Diplomacy

43:48 - Geopolitical Cooperation in Energy Transition

48:56 - Security Implications of Energy Transition

54:20 - Research Trends and Methodologies in Geopolitics of Energy Transition

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Ned Lebow

Professor Richard Ned Lebow is Emeritus Professor of International Political Theory in the War Studies Department at King’s College London, Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College at the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of the British Academy. His work spans international relations, the causes of war, decision making, conflict management and both ancient and modern political theory, with a particular focus on the politics and ethics of identity.

Publications:

National Identities and International Relations

A Cultural Theory of International Relations

The Politics and Ethics of Identity

Constructing Cause in International Relations

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:23 - Unravelling Identity and Identification in International Relations

15:37 - The Nexus of Identification and State Behaviour

19:56 - The Significance of Understanding Identity

21:40 - Methodologies for Investigating Identity and Identification Concepts

22:54 - Perspectives on Identity in Non-Western Scholarship

26:31 - Memory, Identity, and Self-Perception

34:30 - States’ Collective Memory and Identity

36:24 - Corporate Identity in International Context

39:46 - Political Order: Interplay with Identity and Identification

48:03 - Ned Lebow’s Constructivist Insights and Critiques

52:42 - The UN and Constructivism’s Role in Conflict Resolution

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Monday

Chris Monday is Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations at Dongseo University in Busan, South Korea. His research focuses on Russia, North Korea and other post-communist societies, informed in part by eight years living in Russia and service in the Peace Corps in Kenya. He has published in journals such as Asian Survey, Russian History, the Journal of Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society, Russian Review, Communist and Post-Communist Studies and Korean Slavic Review.

Publications:

After Putin, a Putina?

What’s Hiding in Putin’s Family History?

Privatization to putinization: The genesis of Russia’s hobbled oligarchy

Family Rule as the Highest Stage of Communism

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:23 - Russian Power Structure Demystified

11:14 - Conceptualizing Power in the Russian Context

13:07 - Balancing Power: Moscow vs. the Regions

19:54 - Russian Regions’ Influence and Potential Separation

21:47 - Putin’s Family’s Role in Governance

27:25 - Putin’s Contemplation of Czarist Parallels

30:01 - Organized Crime Families and Their Grip on Power

34:09 - Power Dynamics in the Energy Sector

37:36 - Energy Titans vs. Government: Who Wields More Influence?

41:40 - Power and Notoriety: A Complex Relationship

45:11 - Foreign Policy Decision-Makers in Russia

48:44 - The Power of the Russian People: Influence and Politics

52:41 - Unravelling Russian Power: Research Methodologies

55:48 - U.S. Support for Ukraine: Geopolitical Impacts

1:00:01 - The Ukrainian War’s Ripple Effects on Russian Power

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.