The IR thinker
The IR thinker is an independent, non-partisan, and non-aligned podcast about international relations. It features conversations with leading scholars and practitioners, offering diverse perspectives without endorsing any political party, government, or ideology. The show was founded and hosted by IR scholar and lecturer Martin Zubko as a pro bono initiative in 2023. It has produced over 100 episodes and is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Epizódy
Azerbaijan's Energy Geopolitics — John M. Roberts
In this episode, John Roberts examines Azerbaijan’s evolving role in regional energy security, from its traditional position as an oil and gas exporter to emerging opportunities in electricity and renewable energy.John explores the geopolitical significance of Azerbaijan’s energy partnerships with the European Union, Türkiye, Russia, Iran, Central Asia and China, and considers whether the country
Uncertainty, Intentions and Great Power Conflict — Sebastian Rosato
How certain can great powers ever be about the intentions of their rivals, and what happens when that uncertainty becomes a permanent feature of international politics? In this episode, Professor Sebastian Rosato joins us to discuss 'intentions pessimism', the limits of information, and what uncertainty means for great-power conflict, diplomacy, and the study of international relations.Sebastian R
Who Controls Africa’s Food? Rethinking Food Security, Trade & Agriculture — David Luke
Why is Africa still importing so much of the food it consumes? What is holding back trade in food and agricultural products between African countries? In this interview, we speak with Professor David Luke, editor of How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks, an open-access book published by LSE Press.We discuss the causes of food insecurity across Africa, the role of agricultural inv
The Future of Global Governance: BRICS, AI, Middle Powers & World Order — Miles Kahler
In this episode, Professor Miles Kahler discusses the future of global governance in an era of intensifying geopolitical rivalry, shifting power balances, and growing challenges to the post-1945 international order. Drawing on his recent paper, Global Governance in the Twenty-First Century: Sustain, Reform, Transform, he examines whether existing international institutions can still adapt or wheth
Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional: Brazilian IR Journal — Haroldo Ramanzini Júnior
Published by the Brazilian Institute of International Relations since 1958, the Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional (Brazilian Journal of International Politics, also known as RBPI) has spent nearly seven decades serving as a vital bridge between Latin American scholarship and global debates on international affairs.The journal has also reached several important milestones, including its
America's Role in Post-Soviet Russia: The Untold Story — Daniel Satinsky
In 1989, an American cultural institute helped arrange Boris Yeltsin's first trip to the United States — and a single visit to a supermarket may have changed the course of Soviet history. Thus, what is the untold story of America's involvement in the transformation of the Soviet Union?Daniel Satinsky is an independent scholar, retired attorney and retired business consultant. He began his career i
Racism Without the Word — Somdeep Sen
After 9/11, the word "terrorism" replaced older colonial vocabularies — but the racial logic underneath stayed intact. Dr Somdeep Sen of Roskilde University joins The IR thinker to show how concepts such as development, security, and the War on Terror continue to sort the world along racial lines, even when race itself goes unnamed. From NATO's global colour line to China's reproduction of Western
When AI Fights, the War Never Ends — Myriam Dunn Cavelty
Artificial intelligence is redrawing the boundaries of cybersecurity — accelerating attacks, complicating attribution, and compressing the time humans have to make decisions that matter. In this episode, Myriam Dunn Cavelty of ETH Zurich examines AI-driven conflict, the politics behind critical infrastructure protection, the limits of European governance, and what it means when cyber war has
African Affairs Journal: History, Trends, and the Peer Review Process — Jonathan Fisher
Today, it is a real pleasure to speak with Professor Jonathan Fisher, co-editor of African Affairs — one of the leading journals in the field of African Studies. African Affairs is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the London-based Royal African Society.It was established as the Journal of the African Society in 1901, then it was published as the Jo
Publishing in Regional & Federal Studies Journal — Davide Vampa & Mariely Lopez-Santana
Today, it is a real pleasure to speak with the editorial team of Regional & Federal Studies, one of the leading journals in the field of territorial politics, regionalism, and federalism. The journal was established in 1991 as Regional Politics and Policy: An International Journal focusing on regionalism in Western Europe. In 1995, the journal changed its name to Regional and Federal Stud
Poland's New Strategic Culture and Geopolitical Ambitions — Piotr Pietrzak
As American power recedes and European unity fractures, Poland finds itself at the centre of one of the most consequential geopolitical transformations of our time. Dr Piotr Pietrzak joins us to trace Poland's journey from historical insecurity to strategic confidence. Can Poland sustain great-power aspirations without overreaching? Piotr Pietrzak is co-founder of In Statu Nascendi Think Tank
Africa's Agency in Global Climate Governance — Carl Death
This episode explores African agency in global climate governance, moving beyond narratives that portray African states solely as vulnerable recipients of climate policy. Drawing on debates in International Relations, environmental politics, and African climate futures, Dr Carl Death examines how African actors negotiate, contest, and reimagine climate governance across local, continental, an
Publishing in Contemporary Security Policy — Myriam Dunn Cavelty & Nicole Jenne
Today, it is a real pleasure to speak with the editorial team of Contemporary Security Policy, one of the most influential journals in the field of international security studies. Previously, known as Arms Control (1980 - 1993).Since its founding in 1980, the journal has played a central role in shaping discussions on armed conflict, intervention, strategic change, and global security governance.I
Publishing in Problems of Post-Communism: An Editor's Perspective — Dmitry Gorenburg
Problems of Post-Communism is a long-standing peer-reviewed academic journal that examines political, economic, security, and international developments in post-communist societies. First established in 1952 under the title Problems of Communism, the journal was originally published by the United States Information Agency and adopted its current name in 1992 to reflect the profound transformations
Inside Myanmar’s Fragile Geopolitical Position — Wai Yan Phyo Naing
Myanmar occupies a unique position in contemporary international affairs, where the legacies of post-independence neutralism, decades of military rule, and a fractured post-coup order converge to produce one of the most complex foreign policy environments in the Indo-Pacific.Dr Naing is a visiting scholar at the Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica, under the Taiwan Fellowship Program. At
Foucault, Stalin and the Politics of Life and Death: What Is Biopolitics? — Sergei Prozorov
In this episode, I speak with Professor Sergei Prozorov about biopolitics, one of the most provocative frameworks in contemporary political theory, and how it reshapes our understanding of power, life, and death across IR, philosophy, and Soviet studies. From Foucault to Mbembe to Stalin, this is a conversation that cuts to the heart of how modern states govern human existence.Sergei Prozorov is P
How Russia Projects Soft Power Across Three Continents — Vladimir Liparteliani
How does a country under heavy sanctions continue to win influence across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia? In this episode, Vladimir Liparteliani unpacks the full machinery of Russian soft power — from RT and Sputnik to educational diplomacy, cultural outreach, and religious projection.Vladimir Liparteliani is an associate fellow at the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Durham University.
South Africa's Nuclear Energy and the HTMR-100 Reactor — Kelvin Kemm
South Africa has been involved in nuclear development for more than 75 years. In 1948, the Atomic Energy Act established the Atomic Energy Board (AEB) — only two years after the United States created its own Atomic Energy Commission. South Africa's first nuclear research reactor, SAFARI-1, went critical in 1965, and the country's first large nuclear power station, Koeberg, came online in 1984.In F
How to Publish in Top IR Journals: Insights from a BJPIR Editor — Jack Holland
Today, we are hosting an episode that provides an opportunity to present a research journal together with its editor. The aim is not only to introduce the journal, but also to offer a critical assessment of suitable venues for publishing research articles. In this context, we turn our attention to the British Journal of Politics and International Relations (BJPIR).Impact Factor: 3.4 / 5-Year Impac
China and Russia: Four Centuries of Conflict and Concord — Philip Snow
This episode features a conversation with the historian Philip Snow on the evolution of relations between Russia and China. Drawing on archival research, the discussion traces the relationship from the early border settlements at Nerchinsk and Kyakhta to contemporary geopolitical and economic cooperation, highlighting how frontier regions such as Manchuria, Mongolia, and Xinjiang have shaped inter
From Unipolarity to Multipolarity: The Changing World Order — Mark N. Katz
This interview with Professor Mark N. Katz explores one of the central debates in contemporary international relations: the transition from unipolarity to a more complex multipolar world. Drawing on historical cases and current geopolitical developments, the discussion examines whether multipolarity is truly the global norm, how great powers are defined, and what the post-Cold War “unipolar moment
Catalonia's Quest for Self-Government Explained — Marc Sanjaume-Calvet
In this interview, political scientist Marc Sanjaume‑Calvet examines the constitutional status of Catalonia, the distribution of powers within the Spanish state, and the evolving debates surrounding Catalan autonomy and identity. The discussion also explores Catalonia’s external action, from its relations with the European Union and international organisations to the constraints imposed by Spanish
The New Constructivism in International Relations — David McCourt
In this episode, Professor McCourt unpacks the foundations of New Constructivism: where it came from, what it demands of researchers, and where it's heading. From the theory/method distinction to the practice and relational turns, from C. Wright Mills to Multiple Correspondence Analysis, this is a wide-ranging conversation about how social science can move beyond positivist inheritances without lo
New Zealand's Geopolitics and Strategic Identity — Reuben Steff
In this episode, together with Dr Reuben Steff, we explore how New Zealand’s geographic isolation, colonial legacies, and small-state status have shaped a distinctive strategic culture; one that combines alliance cooperation with a persistent commitment to autonomy, non-nuclear norms, and multilateralism.Reuben Steff is a Senior Lecturer at Mendel University in Brno whose scholarship engages
Decolonising Norms in International Relations — Charlotte Epstein
In this episode, Professor Charlotte Epstein reflects on how postcolonial perspectives reshape the study of norms in international relations, challenging conventional accounts of diffusion, compliance, and legitimacy. The conversation explores colonial inheritances embedded in contemporary normative orders, while examining positionality, experience, and the epistemological stakes of critical schol
A New Realism for a World in Crisis — Marc Saxer
In this episode, we sit down with political analyst Marc Saxer to explore his theory of Transformative Realism and why he believes we’re living through a profound systemic crisis. From the erosion of international norms to the urgent need for reimagined statecraft, Marc offers a compelling framework for understanding the forces reshaping our world and what political leadership must look like in re
The History and Making of Indian Diplomacy — Vineet Thakur
In this episode, Vineet Thakur unpacks the historical and intellectual foundations of Indian diplomacy. We discuss classical strategic traditions, civilisational and colonial legacies, caste and elite networks in diplomatic culture, non-alignment and strategic autonomy, neighbourhood diplomacy, and India’s contemporary practice of multi-alignment amid shifting great-power rivalries.Vineet Thakur i
Bulgaria's Energy Security Explained — Martin Vladimirov
In this episode, Martin Vladimirov unpacks Bulgaria’s evolving energy landscape in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine. We discuss shifts in the country’s energy mix, offshore wind prospects in the Black Sea, the strategic role of gas pipelines and interconnectors, and the future of key assets such as the Chiren gas storage facility, the Maritsa Iztok lignite complex, and potential new nuclear rea
What EU Citizenship Really Means — Dimitry Kochenov
This episode of The IR thinker features a wide-ranging conversation with Professor Dimitry Kochenov on what it really means to “belong” in a world where citizenship is conditional, unequal, and sometimes absent altogether. We unpack the paradox of citizenship as both a legal fiction and a lived necessity, probing whether institutions truly “grant” citizenship, what it means to live as st
How Nuclear Weapons Shape Today's World — Stephen Herzog
This episode of The IR thinker offers a clear and structured tour of contemporary nuclear strategy with Dr Stephen Herzog, moving from the basic categories of nuclear weapons to the political struggles surrounding their control. We unpack the logic of existential and extended deterrence, alliance commitments and escalation management, and examine how arms control agreements and the Non-P
Inside China's Institutional DNA — Chenggang Xu
This episode of The IR thinker features Professor Chenggang Xu on the conceptual and empirical foundations of his book Institutional Genes: Origins of China’s Institutions and Totalitarianism. The conversation unpacks what he means by “institutions” and “institutional genes”, how this framework helps to open the black box of political change, and why certain systems prove remarkably
African IR Theory: Does It Exist? — Madalitso Zililo Phiri
This episode of The IR thinker features an incisive conversation with Dr Madalitso Zililo Phiri on what it means to think International Relations from Africa rather than merely about Africa. We interrogate whether an African IR theory exists, how concepts such as Ubuntu, communalism and non-statist authority can reframe sovereignty and power, and what this implies for applying African id
Germany's Natural Gas Security After Russia — Andreas Schroeder
This special 100th episode of IR thinker revisits Germany’s gas security with Andreas Schroeder, the very first expert to appear on the channel in January 2023. We trace how Germany has reshaped its gas architecture since the war in Ukraine, from the shift towards short-term pipeline contracts and the rapid expansion of LNG import capacity to changes in storage policy
How Mongolia Navigates Energy Dependence — Telmen Altanshagai
This episode of The IR thinker explores Mongolia’s evolving energy landscape with policy analyst Telmen Altanshagai, focusing on how a landlocked state navigates dependence, diversification and development. The conversation maps Mongolia’s current energy mix and security challenges, from coal reliance, heating and grid issues in Ulaanbaatar to infrastructure gaps in rural areas, before t
Australia's Security Strategy Examined — Peter Layton
This episode of The IR thinker offers a sharp, policy-focused tour of how Australia is recalibrating its security posture in an era of intensifying regional competition, with strategist and defence analyst Dr Peter Layton. The conversation examines the evolving logic of alliances with the United States and Japan, the growing reliance on multilateral formats, and the strategic stakes of A
Georgia's Energy Geopolitics Explained — Murman Margvelashvili
This episode of The IR thinker traces Georgia’s journey from Soviet-era infrastructure to today’s contested energy landscape with Professor Murman Margvelashvili. The conversation examines how Georgia’s energy mix has evolved up to 2025, the geopolitical risks attached to different sources, and the ownership and control of key hydropower assets. We explore prospects for hydrogen, the rem
Ireland's Evolving National Security Strategy — Kenneth McDonagh
This episode of The IR thinker explores Ireland’s historic shift from a long-standing tradition of military neutrality towards a more structured national security strategy, with Dr Kenneth McDonagh. We discuss why a neutral state is now formalising its approach to security, the key domestic and external drivers behind this move, and whether neutrality will remain central or gradually ero
Georgia's Road to the EU — David Bujiashvili
This episode of The IR thinker asks what Georgia’s EU integration really means for democracy, regional security and great power competition, in conversation with David Bujiashvili. The discussion traces the historical and normative drivers behind Georgia’s European choice, the EU’s response to Tbilisi’s membership application, and how narratives around democracy, the rule of law and huma
Brexit, EU Power and the Question of Hegemony — Patrick Holden
This episode of The IR thinker explores how the European Union exercised power throughout the Brexit process, in conversation with Dr Patrick Holden. Working from a neo-Gramscian perspective, the discussion examines how communication, institutional design and rhetorical strategy combined to generate structural power in the EU–UK negotiations. We unpack surprising findings about how EU in
Radicalisation in the West: Causes and Patterns — Tahir Abbas
This episode of The IR thinker examines how radicalisation is evolving across Western democracies, in conversation with Professor Tahir Abbas. Moving from the storming of the US Capitol and far-right online mobilisation in the United States, through post-Brexit identity politics and the Prevent strategy in the United Kingdom, to intergenerational tensions and social unrest in Western Eur
China's Engagement with Africa Unpacked — Emmanuel Matambo
This episode of The IR thinker looks beyond the clichés about “debt-trap diplomacy” to examine how Africa–China relations actually function in practice, in conversation with Dr Emmanuel Matambo. The discussion contrasts Western narratives with the pragmatism of African elites, explores China’s media portrayal of Africa, and examines persistent trade imbalances, industrialisation prospect
Global Maritime Security Explained — Timothy Edmunds
This episode of The IR thinker explores the changing landscape of maritime piracy and security with Professor Tim Edmunds, tracing how piracy has evolved from traditional coastal raiding to more organised, networked forms of criminality at sea. The conversation examines the structure and scale of pirate groups, the onshore political and economic conditions that sustain them, and the mixe
Universities as EU Diplomatic Actors — Marina Cino Pagliarello
This episode of The IR thinker examines how universities and academics operate as informal diplomatic actors in the European Union’s foreign policy, in conversation with Dr Marina Cino Pagliarello. The discussion explores the growing role of “academic diplomacy” in contexts such as the war in Ukraine and EU–Africa relations, highlighting how higher education partnerships, mobility scheme
The Japan-Philippines Partnership: Why It Matters — Satoru Nagao
This episode of The IR thinker explores the deepening strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines with Dr Satoru Nagao, tracing the evolution from post-war reparations to a mature security and economic relationship in today’s Indo-Pacific. The conversation examines how Tokyo’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision is understood in Manila, why the Philippines is not part of the Qu
Trump's Foreign Policy Decoded — Hussein Banai
This episode of The IR thinker offers an in-depth tour of American foreign policy under Donald Trump’s second term with Associate Professor Hussein Banai, tracing the shift from disruption to a more confident, unilateral consolidation of “America First” abroad. Moving across key regions – from the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East to Europe, Russia, China and Latin America – the conve
Why Some Regions Achieve Lasting Peace — Arie M. Kacowicz
This episode of The IR thinker asks why some regions become durable zones of peace while others remain mired in recurrent conflict, in conversation with Professor Arie M. Kacowicz. Drawing on his work on the Zone of Peace concept, the discussion traces its theoretical origins, engages with and moves beyond notions such as security communities, and asks how perspectives from the Global So
Rebuilding Syria: Economy, Power and Geopolitics — Joseph Daher
This episode of The IR thinker looks ahead to the political and economic future of Syria in a post-Assad scenario, in conversation with Dr Joseph Daher. The discussion explores whether a new order would genuinely break with Syria’s entrenched war economy or merely reconfigure existing networks of power and patronage, and what might happen to Assad’s inner circle. It examines the current
What Good Governance Means for Africa — Gilbert A. Ang'ana
This episode of The IR thinker explores the evolving landscape of governance in Africa with Dr Gilbert A. Ang’ana, focusing on how institutional weaknesses, intra-governmental collaboration and decentralisation shape political and developmental outcomes across the continent. The conversation examines how “good governance” is defined and received in different African contexts, the often-n
Kazakhstan's Nuclear Power Debate — Eldaniz Gusseinov
This episode of The IR thinker asks whether nuclear power is set to become a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s energy strategy, in conversation with political analyst Eldaniz Gusseinov. The discussion examines the country’s position as a major uranium producer, domestic debates over renewables versus traditional energy sources, and how decisions on nuclear power are actually made within Kazakh
Russia in Africa: What It Really Brings — Steven Gruzd
Critical Update: In Memory of Steven GruzdSteven 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 brightes
Japan's Path to Decarbonisation — Walter James
This episode of The IR thinker examines Japan’s path to its 2050 net-zero target with Dr Walter James, focusing on how one of the world’s most energy-dependent economies is trying to reconcile climate ambition with structural constraints. The conversation explores the strategic coherence of Japan’s decarbonisation plans, domestic scepticism towards climate goals, and the role of institut
The EU's Soft Balancing Model: Origins and Future — Anders Wivel
This episode of The IR thinker explores how the European Union exerts influence in world politics without relying on traditional hard power, in conversation with Professor Anders Wivel. Drawing on his work on soft balancing, the discussion examines how the EU uses institutions, diplomacy and economic tools to shape outcomes while avoiding open confrontation, and how this differs from bot
International Norms and Autonomous Weapons — Ingvild Bode
This episode of The IR thinker examines how autonomous weapon systems are challenging and reshaping global norms, in conversation with Professor Ingvild Bode. Drawing on the AutoNorms project, the discussion explores how AI-driven military technologies blur established legal and ethical boundaries, how norms can emerge “from below” through everyday military and technological practic
How IR Research Methods Have Evolved — Christopher Lamont
This episode of The IR thinker explores how research methods in politics and international relations are evolving in the digital age, in conversation with Professor Christopher Lamont. Drawing on the second edition of his widely used textbook Research Methods in Politics and International Relations, the discussion examines the rise of interdisciplinarity, the increasing sophisticati
The Global Race for Critical Minerals — Vlado Vivoda
This episode of The IR thinker explores how critical minerals are reshaping global power relations, in conversation with Dr Vlado Vivoda. The discussion examines the role of lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements and other critical minerals in the energy transition, national security and supply chain resilience, with particular attention to the strategic rivalry between the United States a
Is Global Hegemony an Illusion? — Christopher Mott
This episode of The IR thinker asks whether global hegemony is truly fading or simply changing shape, in conversation with Dr Christopher Mott. The discussion traces the historical roots of hegemony, examines debates about a “post-hegemonic” age, and considers China’s ambitions alongside the gradual transformation of United States power. It explores the implications of emerging multipola
Virtue Eudaimonism: Ancient Wisdom for International Relations — Mark LeBar
This episode of The IR thinker explores how eudaimonism, rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, can illuminate contemporary ethical and political dilemmas, in conversation with Professor Mark LeBar. The discussion considers how eudaimonism reframes what is good for human beings today, its relationship to rule based moral theories, and the distinction between rules and norms in guiding pract
Japan's Political Future and Global Role — Bill Emmott
This episode of The IR thinker explores Japan’s current political uncertainty and its implications for international relations with Bill Emmott, former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist and long-standing analyst of Japanese politics and economics. The conversation examines the Liberal Democratic Party’s enduring dominance and the incomplete nature of societal consensus behind it
The Role of Business Negotiation in IR — William Baber
This episode of The IR thinker examines how corporations exercise economic power in foreign policy and trade negotiations with Professor Will Baber, focusing on the ways firms shape state preferences, exploit power asymmetries and act as de facto diplomatic actors. The conversation explores the role of state-owned enterprises, corporate engagement with international regulatory frameworks
Germany's Global Strategy Explained — Tomasz Morozowski
This episode of The IR thinker examines how Germany is rethinking its foreign policy towards emerging powers, in conversation with Dr Tomasz Morozowski of the Institute for Western Affairs in Poznań. The discussion explores new analytical frameworks and methodologies, including the use and limits of neoclassical realism, and asks how Germany identifies and categorises states such as Braz
Who Governs Outer Space? Law and Power — Adam Bower
This episode of The IR thinker explores how outer space is becoming a key arena of international politics and law, in conversation with Dr Adam Bower. We discuss the difficulties of even defining where “outer space” begins, the limits and possibilities of existing treaties, and the growing challenge of regulating increasingly powerful private actors alongside states. The interview examin
Russian and Ukrainian Nationalism Unpacked — Fabian Baumann
This episode of The IR thinker explores the intertwined histories of Russian and Ukrainian nationalism through Dr Fabian Baumann’s book Dynasty Divided: A Family History of Russian and Ukrainian Nationalism, which traces how members of the Shul’gin/Shul’hyn family adopted divergent national identities. The conversation uses this family lens to examine generational divides, the role
Energy Governance and the Global South — Narendra Taneja
This episode of The IR thinker explores how energy functions as an instrument of geopolitical power with Narendra Taneja, examining the limitations of major organisations such as the IEA, OPEC and IRENA, and the growing divide between the Global North and Global South on energy and climate. The conversation considers energy poverty, competing visions for renewable energy, and what an eff
The EU's Afghanistan Policy: What Went Wrong — Oz Hassan
This episode of The IR thinker examines the European Union’s role in Afghanistan with Dr Oz Hassan, focusing on the adoption and limitations of the Bonn Model, the tension between ambitious democratisation goals and basic security needs, and the EU’s assumptions about Afghanistan as a post conflict state. The conversation also considers corruption and aid management, engagement with Afgh
North Korea's Security Strategy Explained — Yangmo Ku
This episode of The IR thinker explores the evolving dynamics of inter-Korean relations with Professor Yangmo Ku, focusing on North Korea’s designation of South Korea as its “primary foe”, the implications of Pyongyang’s nuclear and conventional build-up, and Seoul’s strategic options in response. The discussion situates the Korean Peninsula within a wider regional context, examining Nor
India-Japan Relations and the Indo-Pacific — Srabani Roy Choundhury
This episode of The IR thinker examines the evolving partnership between India and Japan in the Indo-Pacific with Dr Srabani Roy Choudhury, focusing on how India’s SAGAR vision and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept complement one another in strategic and normative terms. The discussion explores defence cooperation, Taiwan’s growing salience, Japan’s changing defence posture, the
Australia-China Relations After the Downturn — Philipp Ivanov
This episode of The IR thinker explores the shifting contours of Australia–China relations with Philipp Ivanov, examining how Canberra navigates security concerns, economic interdependence and alliance commitments in an increasingly competitive Indo-Pacific. The conversation considers the impact of AUKUS and the Quad, China’s reaction to these partnerships, the role of the Belt and Road
Meritocracy Meets Democracy: East Meets West — Elena Ziliotti
This episode of The IR thinker explores political meritocracy and meritocratic democracy with Assistant Professor Elena Ziliotti, examining how ideas drawn from Confucian and Western political theories can inform debates on leadership selection, voter competence and democratic equality. The conversation considers the claimed epistemic advantages of meritocratic arrangements, their vulner
Kurdish Geopolitics Explained — Marianna Charountaki
This episode of The IR thinker examines the evolving politics of the Kurds with Dr Marianna Charountaki, from the impact of the 2003 US invasion on the Kurdistan Regional Government and the fallout of the 2017 independence referendum to relations with Türkiye, Baghdad and external powers such as Russia. The conversation explores global perceptions of the Kurds, their role in counter-terr
Romania's Role in Black Sea Energy Security — Roxana Caliminte
This episode of The IR thinker examines Romania’s energy security and its strategic role in the Black Sea region with Roxana Caliminte, focusing on how offshore resources, regional tensions and EU climate goals intersect. The discussion explores Romania’s Black Sea energy strategy, relations with neighbours such as Bulgaria and Turkey, investment and infrastructure challenges, and the tr
Arms Control in the Modern Era — Andrew Reddie
This episode of The IR thinker traces the evolution of arms control from its Cold War origins to today’s challenges of governing rapidly advancing weapons technologies, in conversation with Dr Andrew Reddie. The discussion examines what makes arms control treaties work in practice, how non state actors and rising powers shape regimes, the implications of cases such as New START and the I
The EU Constitution: Unity, Division and Reform — Paul Craig
This episode of The IR thinker revisits the making and unmaking of the 2004 EU Constitutional Treaty with Professor Paul Craig, tracing the work of the Convention on the Future of Europe, the politics of drafting and ratification, and the reasons why the project ultimately failed. The discussion also addresses whether the European Union needs a constitution at all, what form such a docum
European Diplomacy in a Changing World — Iver B. Neumann
This episode of The IR thinker explores the evolving practice of European diplomacy with Professor Iver B. Neumann, focusing on how the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as internal EU divisions, reshape diplomatic resources, priorities and strategies. The conversation examines the role and competences of the European External Action Service, debates over strengthening EU diplomacy, the
The UK's Cybersecurity Strategy and Approach — Gareth Mott
This episode of The IR thinker examines the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and its implications for the United Kingdom’s national security with Dr Gareth Mott. The conversation explores borders and sovereignty in cyberspace, key threats facing the UK, the role of public and private actors in defence, international cooperation, and the tension between effective security and the prote
Why Has East Asia Avoided Major War? — Timo Kivimäki
This episode of The IR thinker explores Professor Timo Kivimäki’s notion of a “Long Peace” in East Asia, examining its historical roots, the role of non-interference, developmentalism and economic interdependence, and the distinct diplomatic practices that underpin regional stability. The conversation also addresses key criticisms, current security threats, and what Western policy-makers
Diversity, Freedom and Political Theory — Chandran Kukathas
This episode of The IR thinker explores Professor Chandran Kukathas’s Theory of Diversity and Freedom and its implications for state sovereignty, multiculturalism and democratic governance. The conversation examines how his liberal–pluralist approach reframes debates on citizenship, tolerance, migration and state intervention, offering an alternative vision of how diverse societies might
Terrorist Recruitment in Central Asia Explained — Noah Tucker
This episode of The IR thinker examines why some individuals in Central Asia become vulnerable to terrorist recruitment, as Noah Tucker unpacks the role of grievance, identity, social networks and opportunity structures in shaping susceptibility. The conversation explores recruiters’ tactics and communication channels, what happens after recruitment, and how effective awareness campaigns
EU Foreign Policy and IR Theory — Knud Erik Jørgensen
This episode of The IR thinker examines the European Union’s foreign policy through the lens of international relations theory with Professor Knud Erik Jørgensen, exploring the theoretical bases of EU multilateralism, the effects of reduced globalisation and how crises in multilateralism can be understood and managed conceptually. The conversation discusses the role of the European Exter
Rethinking Terrorism Studies — Lee Jarvis
This episode of The IR thinker explores Critical Terrorism Studies with Professor Lee Jarvis, examining how the field interrogates power relations, knowledge production and ethical responsibility in research on political violence. The conversation contrasts CTS with more traditional approaches, looks at media representations, state practices and technological change, and highlights how C
US Energy Security and the Green Transition — Paul Saunders
This episode of The IR thinker examines the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels and its contested path towards a green energy transition with Paul Saunders, focusing on the role of subsidies, regulatory frameworks and partisan politics in shaping policy choices. The discussion explores trends in renewable energy investment, the modernisation of the electricity grid, energy storage,
