Global Security Briefing
117 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago - ★★★★ - 8 ratingsGlobal Security Briefing provides regular insights from leading international experts to help you make sense of the far-reaching changes affecting international security around the globe. Hosted by analysts from RUSI's International Security Studies team, the podcast looks at how the UK can best shape its foreign and security policies in an increasingly dynamic international environment.
The Global Security Briefing channel is also host to a back-catalogue of episodes from the concluded RUSI podcasts 'Bridging the Oceans' and 'Mind the Gulf'.
Running from 2020 to 2023, 'Bridging the Oceans' aimed to create a platform to discuss the key defence and security questions of the world’s most dynamic region: the Indo-Pacific. Hosted by Veerle Nouwens, it explored what the Indo-Pacific is, where its limits lie, and what the fast-evolving defence and security issues are in this dynamic part of the world.
Running from January to May 2022, the 'Mind the Gulf' Podcast Series explored how the Iranian nuclear programme – and international diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon – interacts with regional security dynamics and the wider Middle East.
The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by RUSI employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of RUSI.
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Episodes
Is the Middle East Facing a Regional War?
April 17, 2024 10:07 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MBFollowing Iran’s attack on Israel, we consider the future of conflict in the Middle East and the possibility of an all-out regional war. The recent strike on Israel by Iran and its allies has reignited fears of a wider regional war and speculation over what form it could take. In this episode, host Neil Melvin is joined by Dr H A Hellyer, RUSI Senior Associate Fellow, and Dr Louise Kettle, RUSI Associate Fellow and Assistant Professor of International Relations at the University of Notting...
The Rising Influence of Counter-West Associations
April 03, 2024 13:06 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBThis episode discusses the emergence of ‘counter-West’ groupings and how they fit within – and are seeking to shape – the wider global order. In 2023 we ran a series of episodes focusing on the Russia–China relationship, the growing linkages to Iran and Venezuela and to North Korea's emergence as an international actor, as well as efforts to forge the BRICS association into a larger non-Western organisation. While Western countries continue to stand behind the idea of a comprehensive, ru...
Putin Forever? Analysing the Russian Elections
March 20, 2024 09:53 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBWith Vladimir Putin claiming yet another victory in Russia’s recent national elections, we examine his tenure and what the future has in store. While Putin’s election victory was always a certainty, such political exercises involving mass engagement efforts are complex and potentially risky operations for authoritarian leaders. At the age of 71, and with a hold on power now lasting until at least 2030, how is Putin trying to justify his continued leadership? And how can a successor emerg...
Transatlantic Cooperation on Policy Towards China and the Indo-Pacific
March 06, 2024 10:09 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBWith the rise of China and the centrality of the Indo-Pacific to economic and geopolitical affairs, we look at the challenges faced by governments in Europe and North America. A history of solidarity and common approaches to dealing with threats affecting allies across the Atlantic might lead to the assumption that a transatlantic strategy and its supporting institutions would naturally emerge with regards to China. Shared commitments to universal human rights and adherence to a rules-base...
Episode 70: Russia’s Long War Against Ukraine
February 21, 2024 15:51 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBAs we mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we consider the implications of what has turned into a protracted conflict. Russia has seized back the initiative in the war, due at least partly to ampler supplies of ammunition and drones. While Ukraine continues to achieve important tactical victories against the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the land and air campaign is increasingly characterised by Russian pressure and territorial gains. There are also growing ...
Russia’s Long War Against Ukraine
February 21, 2024 15:51 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBAs we mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we consider the implications of what has turned into a protracted conflict. Russia has seized back the initiative in the war, due at least partly to ampler supplies of ammunition and drones. While Ukraine continues to achieve important tactical victories against the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the land and air campaign is increasingly characterised by Russian pressure and territorial gains. There are also growing ...
The Middle East Crisis: Approaching the Endgame?
February 07, 2024 09:09 - 52 minutes - 48.6 MBThe Global Security Briefing takes a forward look at how this conflict is shaping the region. Before the 7th of October, when Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel triggered the war in Gaza, the Middle East appeared to have largely fallen off the list of priorities for Western policymakers. After decades of intense – and often unsuccessful and politically unpopular – involvement in the Middle East, Western governments were glad to pay less attention to the region.But the Middle East is now...
Security Cooperation in the Americas
January 24, 2024 12:50 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBAs the US electoral cycle ramps up, we consider how they may shape the security landscape of the Americas in years to come. Despite Washington’s historical engagement in security cooperation with countries like Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Chile, US-Latin American relations are not trouble-free.. Positive views of the US have declined, partly due to the emergence of new localplayers who seek alliances with Russia, China and Iran. Could President Biden revitalize relations with its souther...
2023 Security Review: New Year Special Part 2
January 10, 2024 11:22 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBAs we welcome the new year, the International Security team at RUSI reviews the biggest geo-political events of the past 12 months and discusses what we can expect from 2024 in this two-part holiday special. What was foreseen, and what came unexpectedly in global security developments during the past year? And how have security events altered the trajectory of various regions? Host Neil Melvin is joined by Carlos Solar, Simon Rynn, and Philip Shetler-Jones to discuss how the past 12 months...
2023 Security Review: GSB Holiday Special Part 1
December 27, 2023 06:00 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBAs the year draws to a close, the International Security team at RUSI reviews the biggest geo-political events of the year in this two-part holiday special. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the crisis in Gaza, 2023 has seen some major global events. But how did 2023 pan out when compared to what was expected at the beginning of the year? What was foreseen and what has been unexpected? And, more importantly, how have security events altered the trajectory of the affected regions? Host Nei...
Where is the War in Ukraine Heading in 2024?
December 13, 2023 10:22 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBAs the war enters its second winter and third year, are we now facing the prospect of battles lasting until at least 2025? The prospect of an immediate decisive military breakthrough for Ukraine has disappeared. Kyiv’s offensive – launched in the summer – has largely subsided, with Ukraine’s troops exhausted from over six months of intense fighting. At the same time, Ukraine’s key international support pillars are under pressure. Depleted Western armouries will have far less to provide to ...
India as an Indo-Pacific Power and Strategic Partner
November 30, 2023 09:41 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBAs India is quickly developing as a major power, Global Security Briefing considers its prospects as a partner for the UK in the context of the Indo-Pacific ‘Tilt’ The world has many emerging powers, but India is probably the one with the greatest potential to shift the balance in the Indo-Pacific and, perhaps, the world over coming generations. Following independence, India forged a ‘non-aligned’ path through the Cold War. For most of its history, its main security threat came from neighb...
Achieving a More Dynamic and Effective UK–China Strategy
November 15, 2023 11:19 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBWith David Cameron's return to government, this episode of the Global Security Briefing analyses the UK's approach to China over the past decade. The UK’s 2023 Integrated Review Refresh declares China a ‘an epoch-defining systemic challenge’. This is a far cry from the tone of the earlier UK policy from 2015, when the then-Cameron government referred to the bilateral relationship with Beijing as entering a ‘golden era’. This apparent discrepancy has prompted calls for greater coherence i...
Could the Israel–Hamas Conflict Spark a Regional War?
November 01, 2023 15:06 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBHamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October has opened a new chapter in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We examine how the war is set to reshape the Middle East for years to come. In a highly complex attack that included a missile barrage and an invasion of southern Israel, Hamas killed 1,400 people and took over 200 people hostage – mostly Israelis, but also a significant number of foreign nationals. Israel has responded with overwhelming military force in the Gaza Strip, vowing to destroy ...
Where do the UK’s Interests in European Security Now Lie?
October 18, 2023 11:57 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBThis episode explores the future of UK–EU relations in the light of current challenges. In the spring of 2021, the Integrated Review signalled the UK's future approach to European security post-Brexit, with an ambitious agenda for 'Global Britain'. Over two years on, there is a palpable sense that the UK may have turned a corner in its relations with the EU, with the ‘Windsor Framework’ agreement in early 2023 ending the most bitter Brexit dispute. Perhaps for the first time since the 2016...
Is Russia’s War in Ukraine Heading for a Stalemate?
October 04, 2023 12:42 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBOver a year and a half after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and with both sides incurring significant losses, is the conflict coming to a standstill? In February 2022, Moscow aimed to seize Ukraine quickly. But 20 months later, the war grinds on inconclusively, with untold human suffering. Both sides are looking to restock, rearm and mobilise new troops. Ukraine is now coming up against serious constraints on what more can be provided from Western stocks, and there is growing political une...
Is South Korean Foreign Policy Going Global?
September 20, 2023 11:49 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBAs we explore the evolving nature of South Korean foreign and security policies, we ask whether the country is emerging as a more significant international actor. South Korea’s foreign and security policies have traditionally been defined by regional interests and, above all, the unresolved conflict with North Korea. However, in recent years, South Korea has expanded its foreign policy horizons. In 2022, it adopted its own Indo-Pacific Strategy. Seoul has also backed sanctions against Russ...
The Counter-West Finale: What Have We Learned?
September 06, 2023 08:15 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBIn the final part of our examination of challenges to the Western liberal order, we take a look at the likely future shape of global security. Previously on GSB, we asked Professor Stephen Walt whether an alternative international order, challenging the existing one, is emerging. We then had discussions with country experts sharing their analysis of the main challenges to the West across various parts of the world, and whether these regions will play significant roles in shaping the fu...
The Counter-West Challenge in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East
August 23, 2023 12:00 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBIn this episode , we turn to three key regions shaping the discussion around whether a counter-West order is emerging. So far in our summer series, we’ve explored whether an alternative international order is challenging the global governance system established after the Second World War, and what the implications are for global security. Africa, Latin America and the Middle East hold unique viewpoints, and while each region has distinct historical, economic and political dynamics, they co...
Russia, China and Iran's Challenge to the Existing International Order
August 09, 2023 10:24 - 54 minutes - 50 MBIn the second episode of our four-part summer series, we explore the role that Russia, China and Iran play in countering the Western-led international order. Russia, China and Iran have become increasingly confrontational in both rhetoric and actions, advocating for alternative frameworks and principles that reflect and advance their own geopolitical interests. They argue that we are witnessing a shift towards a multipolar world where power is more evenly distributed, and that this is th...
Will a Counter-West Axis Replace the Existing International Order?
July 26, 2023 11:33 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBThe first in a four-part summer series, this episode addresses the apparent weakening of the liberal international order established after the Second World War and the rise of a counter-West axis. Since 1945, the liberal international order has been anchored by Western powers – centrally the US – promoting the principles of democracy, human rights, free trade and multilateralism. This order has played a central role in shaping global governance structures, including institutions like the U...
The US and the Future of European Security
July 12, 2023 09:52 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBAs NATO leaders and experts gather for the Vilnius Summit, we consider the rapid changes to Europe’s security environment. Russia’s war against Ukraine has undoubtedly transformed European security forever, but these developments are taking place in the context of wider regional shifts. While NATO and the EU are being strengthened, the continent is also seeing growing sub-regional security and defence cooperation, minilateralism and efforts at strategic autonomy. Host Neil Melvin is joined...
How Can Ukraine’s Security be Guaranteed?
June 28, 2023 09:50 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MBWith the Vilnius NATO summit fast approaching, we consider what arrangements need to be made to secure Ukraine’s sovereignty. The current focus of the international community is on sustaining and developing Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities to defend its territory and repel the Russian aggression. But ahead of the July NATO summit in Vilnius, attention is also turning to the task of ensuring Ukraine’s longer-term security, with pressure growing to grant Ukraine new security guarantees or ...
Where are the Limits of Russia and China’s ‘No Limits’ Partnership?
June 14, 2023 08:53 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBRussia’s war in Ukraine has brought into focus the enduring links between Moscow and Beijing. How will this tandem shape the future of global competition? Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin on the eve of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022, where they released a joint statement proclaiming their ‘no limits’ partnership. Three weeks later, Russia invaded Ukraine. Beijing has subsequently walked a careful and rather ambiguous line over the conflict,...
Is Nationalism the Biggest Winner in Turkey’s Elections?
May 31, 2023 10:45 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBAs Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emerges as the winner of Turkey’s presidential elections, we examine what this means for the country, the region and the world. Erdoğan’s victory hardly came as a surprise. He had almost won in the first round, gaining 49.51% of the vote compared to 44.8% for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the 74-year-old retired civil servant leading the Republican People’s Party in alliance with other opposition movements. But ahead of the vote, there had been a real sense that Erdoğan faced...
Saudi Arabia: A Changing Kingdom?
May 17, 2023 14:26 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBAs the contours of a new Saudi Arabia emerge under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, we analyse domestic and foreign policy reforms in a changing Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is arguably the most powerful Arab country, and one of the key regional powers in the Middle East today. But Saudi Arabia’s importance goes far beyond the region. Its territory includes the two holiest sites in Islam – Mecca and Medina – giving the Kingdom a special global status. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is the world’s most i...
Whither the UK-Africa Relationship?
May 03, 2023 07:51 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBAs geopolitical competition intensifies, we look at the future trajectory of the UK–Africa relationship. For over two decades, international conversations about Africa were dominated by Western aid and preoccupations with the Global War on Terrorism. But recently, with great and middle powers visibly competing for influence across Africa, a new layer of complexity has been added to relations. For countries such as the UK and France, knowing how and when to engage can be a challenge: both c...
Finland, the UK and Northern European Security
April 19, 2023 13:48 - 42 minutes - 39 MBIn early April, Finland became the newest member of NATO, significantly changing the Alliance’s northern flank, as well as deeply impacting Nordic and Baltic security in the face of the war in Ukraine. The war has rapidly altered Finnish security policy. Almost immediately after the invasion, public support for NATO membership leaped from a steady 25% in favour to around 75%. On 18 May 2022, Finland and Sweden simultaneously submitted their official letters of application, and NATO heads o...
Bridging the Oceans Series Finale with Veerle Nouwens
April 06, 2023 16:26 - 4 minutes - 4.04 MBOriginally published 6 April 2023. After over two years, the Bridging the Oceans podcast is coming to an end. Bridging the Oceans, hosted by Veerle Nouwens, was the first podcast dedicated specifically to the defence and security of the Indo-Pacific. It explored what the Indo-Pacific is, where its limits lay, and what the fast-evolving defence and security issues were in this dynamic part of the world. Together with a diverse range of experts, the podcast analysed today’s top geopolitical...
Can AUKUS Deter China?
April 05, 2023 13:09 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBLaunched against the backdrop of a deteriorating security environment in the Indo-Pacific, will AUKUS prove an effective counterbalance to Chinese dominance in the region? AUKUS, the tripartite deal between the US, the UK and Australia, caused considerable surprise and French consternation when it was announced in 2021. It involves acquiring a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia, forecast to cost up to $368 billion between now and the mid-2050s, as well as aiming to boost...
The Changing Geopolitics of Energy in the MENA Region
March 22, 2023 14:46 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBThis episode focuses on how global energy trends have shaped the geopolitics of the MENA for much of the past century, and how they will continue to do so. For over two decades, the region seemed to be losing a lot of its energy importance for the West. Both the US and European countries have sought to reduce their involvement in MENA geopolitics, declaring instead their intention to focus on the Indo-Pacific. This all changed with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent ...
Bridging the Oceans #47: The Future of US–China Relations
March 15, 2023 16:22 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBOriginally published 15 March 2023. The recent annual meetings of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress (NPC) - the ‘Two Sessions’ - have already confirmed the national budget, high-level personnel appointments, and noted China's foreign and security outlook. Newly appointed Foreign Minister Qin Gang used tough language when discussing the US, while President Xi accused the West – led by the US – of seeking China's containment. Amid grow...
Has the UK Found a New Post-Brexit Foreign and Security Policy?
March 08, 2023 13:35 - 46 minutes - 43 MBFollowing the announcement of the ‘Windsor Framework’ between the UK and Brussels over Northern Ireland’s trading arrangements - ending the most bitter Brexit dispute - there is a palpable sense that the UK may have turned a corner in its relations with the EU. With the UK taking a leading role in support of Ukraine and in more broadly countering Russia , the country also seems to have to have reasserted itself as one of Europe’s leading powers. At home, the weakening of the Scottish Natio...
A Year of Russia’s War in Ukraine
February 22, 2023 10:14 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBAs we approach the one-year mark of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Global Security Briefing looks at the effects of the war, the potential risks for escalation, and what to expect in the future. A year after Russia’s full-scale invasion began, the Ukrainian armed forces and population, with strong backing from a coalition of allies, have managed to blunt the attack. Russia has, however, begun to reorganise and learn from its mistakes. Host Neil Melvin sits down with Hanna Shelest, Director ...
Bridging the Oceans #46: India’s Year of Presidencies
February 15, 2023 16:19 - 27 minutes - 25 MBOriginally published 15 February 2022. The current year is set to be a significant one for India, as it takes on both the G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) presidencies – two landmark moments for the Modi government ahead of the highly anticipated general elections next year. Host Veerle Nouwens sits down with Garima Mohan, Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, to discuss just what the Indian government hopes to achieve through these two significan...
Episode 43: A New War Over Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus?
February 08, 2023 11:53 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBWith growing uncertainty about the regional power balance in Nagorno-Karabakh, we analyse the concerns that another conflict could erupt. For nearly 30 years, the confrontation over landlocked Nagorno-Karabakh persisted through numerous rounds of negotiations and a massive regional arms build-up between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In 2020, Azerbaijan launched an offensive using its modernised armed forces, overwhelming the Armenian defences and reclaiming the occupied territories as well as ke...
A New War Over Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus?
February 08, 2023 11:53 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBWith growing uncertainty about the regional power balance in Nagorno-Karabakh, we analyse the concerns that another conflict could erupt. For nearly 30 years, the confrontation over landlocked Nagorno-Karabakh persisted through numerous rounds of negotiations and a massive regional arms build-up between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In 2020, Azerbaijan launched an offensive using its modernised armed forces, overwhelming the Armenian defences and reclaiming the occupied territories as well as ke...
The New Geopolitics of the Antarctic
January 25, 2023 12:33 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MBAfter decades of peace, the Antarctic is emerging as a zone for future geopolitical competition. While recent years have seen a growing international focus on the Arctic, the Earth’s southernmost region – governed by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty – has appeared divorced from wider polar tensions. However, in the last decade, China has expanded its presence and, along with Russia, has emerged as a disruptor of the existing system of Antarctic governance. This episode of Global Security Briefi...
Seasonal Special: Trends in International Security 2022-2023 Part 2
January 11, 2023 12:05 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBTo welcome in the new year, the International Security Studies team at RUSI reviews the biggest stories from 2022 and what to look out for in 2023. In the second instalment of the two-part seasonal special, host Neil Melvin is joined by Tobias Borck, Carlos Solar and Simon Rynn to discuss key developments in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. What are the key threats to look out for in these regions? How are these regions engaging in the international security community and what ki...
Seasonal Special: Trends in International Security 2022–2023 Part 1
December 28, 2022 07:00 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBAs the year comes to a close, the International Security Studies team at RUSI reviews the biggest stories from 2022 and what to look out for in 2023. 2022 has been a watershed year in the security sphere, from the war in Ukraine to major developments in the Indo-Pacific. This two-part seasonal special brings together the regional experts from RUSI’s International Security team. Host Neil Melvin is joined by Emily Ferris, Veerle Nouwens and Ed Arnold to discuss what to look out for in 2023....
Bridging the Oceans #45: China’s Quest for Control at Home and Abroad
December 21, 2022 16:15 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBOriginally published 21 December 2022. Tough times lie ahead for Beijing, with a turbulent external environment now matched with domestic unrest. To round out 2022, Veerle and Dr Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Associate Professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, UT Austin, reflect on a turbulent year for China policy. From a downward spiral in Sino-US relations and tensions over Taiwan, to the war in Ukraine and Beijing’s relationship with Moscow, this has been a tumultuous year. The sear...
What Sort of Security Actor is Sweden Becoming?
December 14, 2022 14:57 - 40 minutes - 37 MBAs NATO prepares to welcome Sweden as a member, we examine what Stockholm’s security agenda could look like in the years ahead. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden quickly announced its intention to seek NATO membership. This move marked a significant departure from the country’s previous military non-alignment. With a new right wing-led government in place, and the country awaiting Turkey and Hungary’s ratification of its NATO membership, Sweden has made clear that national int...
Ukraine’s Winter War
November 30, 2022 13:59 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBAs the conflict enters the harshest months of the year, wen discuss what the winter could mean for both sides. The Russian invasion of Ukraine sent shockwaves around the world and has dominated the headlines ever since. Russia has focused heavily on seizing territory, and even formally annexed some regions in September. Moscow’s narratives of success have, however, been severely undercut by Ukrainian battlefield victories, the most recent of which, in Kherson, is seen by many as a turning ...
The Midterms and the Future of US Foreign Policy
November 16, 2022 10:34 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBAs the final electoral results trickle in, we discusses what the midterm elections can tell us about the future of US domestic and foreign policies. Neil Melvin sits down with Max Bergmann, Director of the Europe Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. With an anticipated strong Republican win heralding the prospect of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the ballots were seen as a clear signpost as to the direction of travel of US polit...
Bridging the Oceans #44: Between A ROK and a Hard Place?
November 09, 2022 16:12 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBOriginally published 9 November 2022. Six months in, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol still treads a careful balance on some policy matters. Veerle speaks with Ms Saeme Kim, Korea Foundation Visiting Fellow in RUSI’s Indo-Pacific Programme from 2021–2022. Saeme explores the policy continuities and changes in the Republic of Korea (ROK) from former President Moon Jae-in to current President Yoon Suk-yeol, outlining the country’s soon-to-be-launched Indo-Pacific Strategy and some bold n...
Iran Confronts Domestic and Regional Change
November 02, 2022 11:53 - 37 minutes - 34 MBAs the world watches, protests continue to rage across Iran. With protests continuing across the country, Dr Neil Melvin is joined by Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Senior Research Fellow, RUSI International Security Studies, to consider Iran’s future as it faces a changing regional and global security. They assess whether the protests can be a catalyst for domestic reform, and how these internal developments are shaping Iran’s foreign policy. What are the implications of Tehran’s growing rela...
Bridging the Oceans #43: China’s 20th Party Congress: Foreign and Domestic Implications
October 26, 2022 16:07 - 1 hour - 57 MBOriginally published 26 October 2022. Does the recent Congress indicate triumph or challenges ahead for China? Veerle Nouwens speaks with two guests on China’s 20th Party Congress, in which Xi Jinping attained an unprecedented third term in office and brought in a set of personnel changes in Party governance. Raffaello Pantucci, RUSI Senior Associate Fellow, explores how Xi’s speech and the Party Congress’s work report indicate an emphasis on internal stability and continuity in domestic...
Is Central Asia Experiencing a Strategic Shift?
October 19, 2022 15:09 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBMore than thirty years since independence, we look at how the nations of Central Asia are navigating shifting regional power dynamics and an evolving international security environment. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the nations of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan – quickly transformed into authoritarian orders, while external investment in natural resources became the basis for the post-Soviet economies. Today, the region...
How is Latin America Navigating the Changing Global Order?
October 05, 2022 09:56 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBWe discuss the future trajectory of the region in the context of the war in Ukraine, the coronavirus pandemic, and new leadership across the continent. The global geopolitical architecture is shifting rapidly in the face of major events such as the war in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic. Latin America is having to contend with these changes, as well as regional challenges of transnational organised crime, cybersecurity and public health threats. As the region welcomes several new le...
Bridging the Oceans #42: The Rising Tide of Competition in the Indian Ocean Region
September 28, 2022 16:03 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBOriginally published 28 September 2022. As strategic and economic interest in the region grows, how can states around the Indian Ocean and their partners mitigate the risk of conflict? Jeffrey Payne of the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies in Washington joins Veerle and Aaditya to discuss growing competition in the Indian Ocean region. Why has interest in the region among nuclear maritime states – including India, China and the US – grown steadily over recent years? They ...