The IR thinker

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 can successfully transform itself into a diversified regional energy hub. John M. Roberts is a leading European energy security specialist and researcher, with particular expertise in the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Caspian energy corridors. He is a nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and a Senior Partner at Methinks Ltd, a consultancy specialising in the relationship between energy, economic development and politics. John has extensive experience analysing the intersection of energy, economic development and geopolitics. He has advised and testified on Turkish, Russian,…

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 Rosato is Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, where he is also a fellow of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, and the Nanovic Institute for European Studies. Selected Publications Europe United: Power Politics and the Making of the European Community Intentions in Great Power Politics: Uncertainty and the Roots of Conflict How States Think: The Rationality of Foreign Policy (with John J. Mearsheimer) Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:10 Is 'intentions pessimism' a structural or epistemological argument—or are the two inseparable?…

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 investment, and the barriers that make it difficult for African countries to trade food with one another. Professor Luke explains why non-tariff barriers matter, where intra-African food trade falls short, and what the AfCFTA could mean for African agriculture. The conversation also covers Africa’s approach to the WTO, the future of the Malabo Declaration, countries making progress in agricultural transformation, and China’s role in African agriculture. The interview concludes with a discussion of where research on African agriculture should go next. David Luke is Professor in Practice and Strategic Director at the…

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 whether new forms of cooperation will be required. Professor Miles Kahler is Research Professor-in-Residence and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the School of International Service, American University. He is also a Non-resident Scholar in the Global Order and Institutions Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His research focuses on international institutions, global governance, international political economy, regionalism, and the evolution of the international order. He has written extensively on global governance, international cooperation, and the political economy of globalisation, and is…

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 transition to open access, the adoption of English as a publication language, and its integration into the SciELO digital publishing platform. These developments have significantly expanded its international reach and influence. Editor-in-Chief: Haroldo Ramanzini Júnior Impact Factor: 2025 (1.0) / 5-Year Impact Factor: 1.20 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 90 days Acceptance Rate: 20% Haroldo Ramanzini Júnior is a Brazilian political scientist specialising in Brazilian foreign policy, regionalism, and Latin American international relations, and serves as Associate Professor at the Institute of…

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 in the Soviet Union, then Russia, as part of a US-Russia telecom joint venture in 1991 and then continued with business and consulting projects in Russia up to 2014. Selected Publication Creating the Post-Soviet Russian Market Economy: Through American Eyes Over those years he traveled extensively across the country from Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Central Russia Golden Ring cities, the Urals and Siberia. Subsequently, he has been researching and writing about the interaction between Americans and Russians in this unique historical period. After publishing his most recent book, Creating the Post Soviet Russian…

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 hierarchies within the Global South, this conversation maps the hidden architecture of race in contemporary IR. Dr Sen is Associate Professor in International Development Studies at Roskilde University, whose research explores race and racism in international relations, settler colonialism, liberation movements, and postcolonial theory. Selected Publications Race (Chapter 9) NATO and the global colour line Decolonising to Reimagine International Relations A Postcolonial Critique of EU-Middle East Relations Race, Racism, and the Teaching of International Relations Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:34 - How IR Erased…

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 no clear start and no clear finish. Myriam Dunn Cavelty is a Senior Scientist at the Centre for Security Studies at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. Her research examines the political and societal implications of digital technologies, with a particular focus on cyber security, cyber warfare, critical infrastructure protection, and technology governance. She also serves as co-editor-in-chief of Contemporary Security Policy. Selected Publications The evolution of cyberconflict studies The politics of cyber security Cyber security politics: Socio-technological transformations and political fragmentation…

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 Journal of the Royal African Society from 1936 until it obtained its current name in 1944. The journal is broadly interdisciplinary, with a primary focus on the politics and international relations of sub-Saharan Africa, though it also draws on sociology, anthropology, economics, history, literature, and the arts where these illuminate debates on contemporary Africa. Co-Editors George M. Bob-Milliar Jonathan Fisher Amanda Lea Robinson Gabrielle Lynch Impact Factor: 2.2 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 2.7 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science Jonathan Fisher is Professor of Global Security at the University of Birmingham where he…

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 Studies, expanding its focus and scope. Impact Factor: 1.4 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 1.6 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 40 days Acceptance Rate: 28% Davide Vampa, Lead Editor of the journal and Senior Lecturer in Territorial Politics at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change and Chair of the ECPR Standing Group on Federalism and Regionalism, as well as Mariely Lopez-Santana, Deputy Lead Editor and Associate Professor of Political Science at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, USA. Chapters 00:00…

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, a non-partisan and independent institution bringing together scholars from a wide range of disciplines. It is devoted to rigorous inquiry into contemporary conflict and political philosophy, and to generating actionable ideas on geoeconomic, political, and socio-economic matters. A scholar, ontologist, and author, Dr Pietrzak is particularly known for bringing a rigorous pragmatic perspective to international relations theory, conflict management, and geopolitics. His work consistently bridges theoretical inquiry and real-world application, making it relevant to both academic and policy audiences. Selected Publications…

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, and global arenas. Carl Death is a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on environmental politics in Africa, with a particular interest in critical and postcolonial approaches. Selected Publications The Green Economy in South Africa: Global Discourses and Local Politics Four Discourses of the Green Economy in the Global South Green States in Africa: Beyond the Usual Suspects Africanfuturist Socio‐Climatic Imaginaries and Nnedi Okorafor’s Wild Necropolitics Climate Fiction, Climate Theory: Decolonising Imaginations of Global Futures Unfamiliar Families and…

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. Impact Factor: 5.0 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 4.6 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 5 days Acceptance Rate: 11% Major fields of concern include: - War and armed conflict - Peacekeeping - Conflict resolution - Arms control and disarmament - Defense policy - Strategic culture - International institutions The journal is currently led by three co-editors: - Myriam Dunn Cavelty - Nicole Jenne - Yf Rejkers Two of them are with us today: Professor Myriam Dunn Cavelty is a leading scholar of cyber security, risk politics, and the governance of emerging technologies, based at ETH Zürich. Associate Professor…

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 following the end of the Cold War. Impact Factor: 2.0 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 2.2 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 112 days Acceptance Rate: 28% The current editor-in-chief is Dmitry P. Gorenburg, a political scientist and senior researcher at CNA, who oversees the journal’s editorial direction and its engagement with contemporary debates on the politics and international relations of post-communist countries. Dr. Gorenburg is also a Harvard Davis Center associate and previously served as executive director of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies (now the Association for…

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 the moment, he is focusing on modern Myanmar’s domestic politics, democratisation, and international relations, with particular attention to Myanmar–Russia and Myanmar–China relations and their implications for regional security, political development, and social change. In this role, he conducts independent and collaborative research drawing on archival materials, historical documents, and qualitative sources. His current project, “Insights from Taiwan’s Democratisation: Implications for Upcoming Reform Processes in Myanmar,” examines how Taiwan’s experience of democratisation can inform prospective political…

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 Professor of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. His research interests include contemporary political theory, continental philosophy, biopolitics, democracy and totalitarianism. Sergei’s work is positioned at the intersection of political philosophy, IR theory, and Soviet and post-Soviet studies, with sustained engagement with the thought of Michel Foucault, Giorgio Agamben, and Roberto Esposito. During 2010–2015, Prozorov held the Academy of Finland Research Fellowship with the project Biopolitics of Stalinism. During 2015–2019, he served as Principal…

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. As a scholar of international relations, he focuses on soft power and international power competition in the post-Soviet space. Selected Publications Soft Power Competition Between Russia and the West: Contesting Georgian National Identity, 1991–2024 The Art of Subtle Influence: Russian Soft Power and Georgia’s Conservative Turn Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:37 Conceptualising Russian Soft Power: Beyond Nye’s Classical Framework 05:58 Russian Scholarly Perspectives on Soft Power 07:10 Soft Power, Strategic Communication, and Influence Operations in Russian Foreign Policy 08:42 Strategic Ambiguity: The…

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 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…

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 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…

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 interaction between the two powers. 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 has been…

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” tells us about today’s shifting balance of power. 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 is Professor Emeritus of Government and Politics at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government,…

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 constitutional law, including the legacy of the 2017 referendum and Article 155. 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. Selected Publications Asymmetry as a Device for Equal Recognition and Reasonable Accommodation of Majority and Minority Nations. A Country Study on Constitutional…

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 losing analytical rigor. We also explore New Constructivism's blind spots, its uneven development across the US and Europe. 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,…

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 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. Selected 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…

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 scholarship. 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. Selected 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:…

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 response. 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. Selected 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 Chapters 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…

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 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.…

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 reactors. 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…

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 stateless, and whether “real” EU citizenship exists beyond the rhetoric. The discussion traces how EU citizenship can simultaneously empower individuals, through mobility, rights, and protection, while also hollowing out democratic accountability in member states. We examine “market citizenship” and the monetisation of legal status, asking whether citizenship-by-investment schemes that effectively sell access to the EU should be abolished, and close with a critical look at multiple citizenship: is it an emerging path towards global justice or simply an additional layer of privilege for the already mobile? Professor Dimitry…

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-Proliferation Treaty sustain, yet also entrench, a great power nuclear monopoly. The conversation tackles aspirant nuclear states, debates over “how many is enough”, and the tension between confidence and overconfidence in crisis signalling, before turning to how emerging technologies are reshaping verification, command-and-control, and the broader governance of nuclear weapons. 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…

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 resilient over time. We explore the notion of “stemness”, the contrasts between imperial China and European monarchies, and how specific “genes” in the Russian system shaped Bolshevism. Professor Xu then traces Mao’s fusion of Marxism with the legacy of Qin Shi Huang, the institutional differences between Soviet and Chinese communism, and whether contemporary China should be understood as totalitarian or authoritarian. The discussion closes by examining tyrannical incentive structures, the risks of Soviet-style stagnation, and how the institutional genes framework can be extended beyond domestic politics to foreign policy and…

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 ideas beyond the continent. The discussion probes Africa’s marginalisation in multilateral decision-making, the contemporary mutations of Pan-Africanism, and South Africa’s foreign policy through a realist lens. We also explore how liberal and mainstream constructivist IR traditions have historically excluded African experiences, what a decolonial constructivism might look like in practice, and whether scholars should pursue a distinct “African school” or treat Africa as a generative site for pluralising the discipline as a whole. Dr Madalitso Zililo Phiri is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the South Africa–United Kingdom Bilateral…

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 and declining domestic gas consumption. The discussion examines plans for new gas-fired power plants, the security implications of the nuclear phase-out, and Germany’s emerging role as a gas hub and exporter in competition with neighbours such as Poland. We also explore the country’s growing dependence on US and Norwegian supplies, the debate over Russian LNG, and the prospects of sourcing gas from Africa, Qatar and Canada, before assessing the key risks that will define Germany’s natural gas security in the years ahead. Andreas Schroeder is Head of Energy Analytics (Quantitative) at Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS), where he…

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 turning to governance structures and policy coordination. We examine the strategic implications of projects such as the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline and India’s investment in Mongolia’s first oil refinery, alongside China’s expanding role and the prospects for regional connectivity through concepts like the East Asian Power Grid. The episode also considers energy poverty and inequality, the impact of climate change, constraints posed by national debt, and what policy priorities a Mongolian prime minister should pursue to strengthen energy security and harness the global energy transition for long-term, broad-based…

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 AUKUS and submarine procurement for Australia’s long-term force structure. We also explore the potential and limits of the Quad and security cooperation with ASEAN, the dilemmas created by deep economic ties with China alongside mounting security concerns, and the vulnerabilities and trade-offs highlighted in the 2024 National Defence Strategy. The episode closes by assessing defence spending priorities, the challenge of diversifying supply chains, and under-researched aspects of Australia’s middle-power role in a more contested Indo-Pacific. Dr Peter Layton is a Visiting Fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith…

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 remaining headroom for renewables, and the political, technical and feasibility debates around nuclear power. The discussion also unpacks how conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia affect the grid, how Tbilisi balances Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Russia, the EU, China and the United States to preserve strategic autonomy, and whether additional transit pipelines from the Caspian to Europe are really needed. Finally, we look at untapped domestic potential, the reinvestment of transit revenues, resilience to blackouts and supply shocks, and the governance gaps and under-researched areas that will shape Georgia’s next energy chapter.…

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 erode. The conversation examines Ireland’s defence capabilities and investment choices, the protection of critical infrastructure, coordination between the Defence Forces, Gardaí and intelligence services, Ireland’s deeper integration into EU security structures, its relationship with the United States, cybersecurity posture, UN peacekeeping role, and how developments in Northern Ireland and the lingering threat of terrorism shape the new strategic debate. 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…

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 human rights are communicated – or distorted – at home, including via Russian disinformation. We look at early reform challenges, the current stage of the accession process and why it has stalled, as well as the practical impact of the Association Agreement, the DCFTA and visa liberalisation. The episode also examines the future of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the lessons Georgia has drawn from Central European accessions, the effects of the war in Ukraine, and how shifting roles of Russia and China in the South Caucasus feed back into EU–Georgia relations and the Union’s own enlargement strategy. David Bujiashvili is a…

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 institutions shaped the options available to London, how norms and “EU values” functioned as tools of influence, and who better understood the vulnerabilities of European integration. Particular attention is given to the negotiation and communication styles of Michel Barnier and Stefaan De Rynck, what their rhetoric reveals about EU hegemony, and what reforms to the EU’s external action machinery may be needed if Brussels is to preserve its leverage and credibility beyond 2025. Dr Patrick Holden is Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Plymouth, where he leads the online Master’s programme in…

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 Europe, the discussion unpacks how online ecosystems, crises of capitalism, migration debates and gendered vulnerabilities interact to produce diverse pathways into extremism. The episode explores the blurred boundaries between extremism and terrorism, the rise of the incel subculture, transnational networks behind riots and protests, and the “Gaza effect” on British Muslim politics. 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…

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 prospects and value addition on the continent. We consider whether African negotiation styles offer advantages, how technology transfer and the energy crisis shape Beijing’s role in Africa, and whether it matters if digital and energy infrastructure is sourced from Western or Chinese firms. 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. Dr Emmanuel Matambo is Research Director at…

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 mixed record of international anti-piracy measures. It then turns to wider challenges for the global maritime order, including “grey-zone” tactics at sea, strategic competition around chokepoints and artificial islands, debates over updating UNCLOS, and growing vulnerabilities linked to critical undersea infrastructure, highlighting some of the most pressing and under-researched questions in contemporary maritime security. 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,…

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 schemes and research collaborations can project EU norms on human rights, sustainability and rule of law, while also advancing strategic interests. We look at the tensions between academic autonomy and foreign policy objectives, the specific challenges of engagement in authoritarian or contested environments, and the ways programmes such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions might be reformed to respond more effectively to geopolitical pressures, reduce elitism and address underexplored dimensions of inclusivity and hierarchy in EU academic outreach. Dr Marina Cino Pagliarello is a strategic adviser and…

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 Quad, and whether Japan is doing enough on defence cooperation in the face of shared challenges such as North Korean missiles and Chinese assertiveness. We unpack the significance of the Reciprocal Access Agreement, Japan’s economic role and “new capitalism” in the Philippine context, the security implications of Japanese radar grants, and the dynamics of Japan–US–Philippines trilateral ties, before turning to what is often overlooked in this relationship and where future research on Japan–Philippines cooperation should be heading. Dr Satoru Nagao is a non-resident fellow at the Hudson Institute and a leading expert on…

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 conversation unpacks how presidential style, US political culture, and the think-tank ecosystem shape decision-making inside institutions such as the National Security Council. The episode culminates in an extended discussion of the 2025 Israel–Iran conflict, including the recent US strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and what they reveal about Trump’s approach to coercion, alliance management and strategic risk in a more fragmented international order. 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…

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 South can help to decolonise peace theory. Comparing cases such as South America, West Africa, ASEAN and the Middle East, the episode explores the conditions under which regional orders transition from conflict to stable peace, how norms of non-interference and regional solidarity operate in practice, and what the framework can offer to contemporary policy debates, including the tension between democracy, authoritarian stability and the preservation of peace. 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…

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 state of Syria’s economy, the role of technocrats, expatriates and the wider diaspora in any reconstruction process, and how religion may shape post-conflict politics and social life. The episode also considers potential income sources for reconstruction, contrasts the likely approaches of Middle Eastern and Western states, and assesses the roles of Russia, China and regional dynamics involving Turkey and the Kurds in reshaping Syria’s diplomacy and external relations. Dr Joseph Daher is a scholar of the contemporary Middle East specialising in political economy, political Islam and modern regional history, with a particular…

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-neglected importance of coordination within and between state institutions, and the role of the African Union in addressing structural constraints. It also considers responsible negotiation as an alternative to traditional conflict resolution, the influence of tribes, minorities, donors and corporations on policy choices, and how digitalisation, tech competition and basic infrastructure – especially electricity access – will condition the success of future governance reforms. Dr Gilbert A. Ang’ana is a leadership and governance researcher and practitioner specialising in African contexts. He is CEO of Accent Leadership Group…

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 Kazakhstan’s political system. It explores the legacy of Soviet-era nuclear plans and former test sites, the role of civil society and external consultants in shaping public consent, and the broader geopolitical stakes as Russia, China, France and South Korea compete for the anticipated reactor contract. The episode also considers security concerns, the possibility of a multinational consortium, and the often-overlooked dimensions of Kazakhstan’s energy security in a shifting regional and global context. Eldaniz Gusseinov is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Heydar Aliyev Centre for Eurasian Studies at Ibn Khaldun University and…

Critical Update: In Memory of Steven Gruzd 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…