Global Security Briefing
118 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 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
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 ...
Bridging the Oceans #41: Cut from the Same Cloth? Ukraine and the Cross-Strait Crisis
September 23, 2022 15:48 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBOriginally published 23 September 2022. What lessons can be learned from the war in Ukraine when tackling the cross-strait crisis? In this special episode of Bridging the Oceans, Veerle speaks with Yuichi Hosoya of Keio University, Tokyo about the parallels between the war in Ukraine and the current standoff over Taiwan, and the extent to which these comparisons are valid. They examine escalation scenarios across the Taiwan Strait, in light of Russia’s pattern of behaviour before invading...
How is Japan Rethinking Its Role in International Security?
September 21, 2022 13:10 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBJapan is looking to play a larger role in global security as the country faces new external threats. It is increasing commitments to national defence and seeking to move beyond key political and constitutional constraints placed on the country’s security policies after the Second World War. Philip Shetler-Jones, a James Cook Associate Fellow in Indo-Pacific Geopolitics at the Council on Geostrategy, is our guest for this episode. He discusses with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, International Se...
Bridging the Oceans #40: Trust in Truss: What’s Next for UK Policy on China and the Indo-Pacific?
September 14, 2022 15:44 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBOriginally published 14 September 2022. Will UK foreign policy under Liz Truss be business as usual or a radical departure? While the UK’s relations with China have been strained in recent years, Raffaello Pantucci, Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI, explains how current policy towards China may experience a radical shift and, should that happen, what the repercussions would be. Similarly, the Hon. Alexander Downer, the former Australian foreign minister, joins Veerle in exploring Liz Truss...
The Rise of a Wider Red Sea Security Region
September 07, 2022 09:09 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBA new security space is emerging around the Red Sea. Encompassing the East Mediterranean and the northern Indian Ocean, the region is seeing increasing strategic competition between countries from the Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia and the Horn of Africa, as well as Europe and the US. The shifting security environment in this complex and diverse region is the topic for this episode. Dr Tobias Borck, RUSI Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies, and Dr Simon Rynn, RUS...
Bridging the Oceans #39: Anything but 'New Normal': How Taiwan Strait Tensions Impact Japan
August 31, 2022 15:42 - 33 minutes - 31 MBOriginally published 31 August 2022. Thoughts from Japan on the recent cross-strait tensions and a look at what lies ahead In this episode, Veerle speaks with Li Hao, Research Fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), about the Japanese reaction to Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan and China’s subsequent live-fire drills in the region. They discuss the direct impacts the military exercises have had on Japan and consider t...
Will China and the US Go to War Over Taiwan?
August 24, 2022 09:00 - 39 minutes - 36 MBThis episode traces the roots of growing tensions between China and the US over Taiwan, and assesses the danger of war between the two superpowers over the island’s fate. Veerle Nouwens, RUSI Senior Research Fellow in the security of the Indo-Pacific, and Bonnie Glaser, Director of the Asia Programme at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, International Security Studies at RUSI, the origins of the dispute between the US and China over Taiwan...
Bridging the Oceans #38: Cross-Strait Crisis: Taiwan’s View and the Way Forward
August 19, 2022 15:34 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBOriginally published 19 August 2022. Reflections from Taipei offer a different perspective on recent cross-Strait tensions. In this episode, Veerle speaks with activist Brian Hioe, a founder of the New Bloom Magazine – an online magazine covering activism and youth politics in Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific – about the Taiwanese reaction to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit and China’s subsequent live-fire military drills. While the latter marked an escalation in te...
Russia’s War Against Ukraine
July 13, 2022 09:40 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBThis episode considers where Russia’s war against Ukraine stands nearly five months after it began, as the conflict enters a potentially pivotal moment with Ukraine planning to mount a counteroffensive to reclaim lost territory. Edward Arnold, our Research Fellow in European Security, and Dr Neil Melvin, RUSI International Security Studies Director, explore Russia’s political aims, how Ukraine is planning to move onto the offensive in key areas with increased supplies of NATO military equi...
Bridging the Oceans #37: Japan’s National Security and the Ukraine War
June 30, 2022 15:57 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBOriginally published on 30 June 2022. As the war in Ukraine rages on, Japan debates its next security steps. Veerle is joined by Tetsuo Kotani, Professor at Meikai University and Senior Fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs. They explore the level of Japanese domestic support for sanctions policy on Russia, and the ongoing Sino-Russian military activities at sea around Japan and in Japan’s airspace. They also ask whether the ongoing situation in Ukraine is impacting Japa...
NATO’s Madrid Summit
June 29, 2022 07:32 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBThis episode considers the agenda for the NATO Madrid Summit as the organisation faces an unprecedented challenge in responding to the war against Ukraine and the wider threats that Russia, as well as China, present to the Alliance. In this episode, Dr Thierry Tardy, Director of the Research Division at the NATO Defence College, discusses with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, RUSI International Security Studies, what is on the agenda for the NATO Madrid Summit, how the Alliance is seeking to adap...
The Belarus–Russia Security Relationship
June 15, 2022 09:35 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBThis episode examines the evolving Belarus–Russia defence and security relationship at a time when Minsk has become closely intertwined with Russia’s war against Ukraine, and as Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarus’ authoritarian president, is increasingly reliant on political support from Russia to remain in power. RUSI’s Emily Ferris and Dr Akady Moshes, Programme Director for the EU Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia research programme at the Finnish Institute for International Affairs, discuss ...
The South Caucasus and Black Sea Security
June 01, 2022 09:22 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBThis episode examines how the South Caucasus states of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are being affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine. The crisis comes at a time when the region is already experiencing significant changes as a result of the second Karabakh war and growing external competition for influence from Russia, Turkey, Iran and China. It also occurs as the transatlantic community considers its future approach to Black Sea security. Natia Seskuria, Director of the Regional Insti...
Bridging the Oceans #36: What Foreign and Defence Policy Awaits Under a New Marcos Presidency?
May 25, 2022 15:30 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBOriginally published on 25 May 2022. A post-Duterte presidency offers opportunities for policy shifts. In this episode of Bridging the Oceans, Veerle is joined by Julio S Amador III, Founder and CEO of Amador Research Services. Together, they discuss the recent elections in the Philippines, which saw Marcos Jr elected as the new president of the country. Following President Duterte, whose relations with Beijing grew ever closer, what shape will Philippine foreign policy towards the US and...
Arctic Security and the UK
May 18, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBThis episode examines the evolving approach of the UK to security and defence in the Arctic, as the region undergoes significant shifts due to climate change, Russia’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy and military modernisation, and non-Arctic states – notably China – taking an increasing interest in the region’s security. Dr Duncan Depledge from the International Relations, Politics and History department of Loughborough University and Dr Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Professor of War Stud...
Episode 26: Arctic Security and the UK
May 18, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBThis episode examines the evolving approach of the UK to security and defence in the Arctic, as the region undergoes significant shifts due to climate change, Russia’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy and military modernisation, and non-Arctic states – notably China – taking an increasing interest in the region’s security. Dr Duncan Depledge from the International Relations, Politics and History department of Loughborough University and Dr Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Professor of War Stud...
Bridging the Oceans #35: Macron, France’s EU Presidency, and the Indo-Pacific
May 11, 2022 11:12 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBOriginally published 11 May 2022. France remains fully committed to its new Indo-Pacific Strategy, but implementation will be crucial. In this episode, Veerle is joined by Dr Antoine Bondaz, Director of the Korea and Taiwan Programmes at the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS). Together, they discuss domestic and foreign policy pressures on France’s new strategy, and what Indo-Pacific-related achievements have emerged from its presidency of the EU Council. They explore how Fran...
Mind the Gulf #8: Where Are We Now and What Comes Next?
May 05, 2022 12:53 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBOriginally published 5 May 2022. Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck wrap up this season of 'Mind the Gulf' podcasts with a discussion on the current state of the Iran nuclear negotiations and possible future trajectories with guests Dr Naysan Rafati (International Crisis Group) and Dr Cinzia Bianco (European Council on Foreign Relations). The discussion touches on the dynamics at play in Washington, Tehran and Europe, and on their likely implications for the future of regional securit...
NATO and Arctic Security
May 04, 2022 09:01 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBThe evolving role of NATO in the Arctic and High North is examined as the alliance looks to adapt its existing engagement and develop new responses to the fast-shifting regional security environment. Brigadier Robbie Boyd, formerly of the British Army and currently Managing Partner at Gartner, and Katarina Kertysova, Policy Fellow at the European Leadership Network and Global Fellow at the Kennan and Polar Institutes of the Wilson Centre in Washington, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director...
Bridging the Oceans #34: Ukraine’s War and the Lessons for Taiwan
April 27, 2022 11:11 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBOriginally published 27 April 2022. While the war in Ukraine ravages on, Taiwan is watching and learning. In this episode, Veerle is joined by Dr Norah Huang, Director for International Relations at the Prospect Foundation in Taipei, to explore similarities between the current war in Ukraine and potential cross-Strait scenarios. They ask what lessons Beijing and Taipei might be learning from the war in Ukraine, and discuss what this means for Taiwan’s future relations with the US and Euro...
Mind the Gulf #7: UK Relations with Iran and the Gulf States
April 21, 2022 12:50 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBOriginally published 21 April 2022. Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck look at the UK’s relationships with Iran and the Gulf monarchies, as well as London’s role in nuclear diplomacy with Iran and regional security. Their guests Dr Sanam Vakil (Chatham House) and Professor Ali Ansari (St Andrews) trace the UK’s long history in the Gulf, and highlight the challenges facing policymakers in London.
Bridging the Oceans #33: India and the Russia-Ukraine War
April 21, 2022 11:04 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBOriginally published 21 April 2022. India’s non-aligned position is under increasing pressure. Veerle is joined by Aaditya Dave, RUSI Research Analyst, to discuss India’s reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the domestic discourse and policy debate in New Delhi, and the divergent course that India has taken from its Quad partners. They also discuss UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s current visit to New Delhi as part of the ‘Indo-Pacific Tilt’, and what opportunities lie ahead for Eur...
Europe and the High North: Denmark and Estonia
April 20, 2022 10:39 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MBThis episode explores how changing security and defence dynamics in the Arctic and High North are affecting Europe, and how northern European states are seeking to upgrade their Arctic policies in response. The cases of Denmark and Estonia are considered in detail. Dr Mikkel Runge Olesen, Senior Researcher for Foreign Policy and Diplomacy at the Danish Institute for International Studies, and Tomas Jermalavicius, Head of Studies at the International Centre for Defence and Security in Eston...
Mind the Gulf #6: The View from Israel
April 07, 2022 12:47 - 1 hour - 72.2 MBOriginally published 7 April 2022. In this episode, hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Israel’s perspective on Iran, the Iranian nuclear programme, and wider regional security. Their guest, Professor Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme, explains why Israel sees Iran as the main threat to its security, and suggests that Israel’s threats to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities should be taken seriously.
Russia and China in the Arctic and High North
April 06, 2022 08:46 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBThis episode considers the implications of Russia’s increasingly aggressive foreign and defence policies for peace and security in the Arctic, and how China’s growing interest in the polar territories is further reshaping regional relations. Dr Katarzyna Zysk, Professor of International Relations and Contemporary History at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, and Dr Camilla Sørensen, Associate Professor at the Institute for Strategy and War Studies at the Royal Danish Defence Coll...
Bridging the Oceans #32: Influence and Interference in Europe and the Indo-Pacific
April 01, 2022 07:11 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBOriginally published 1 April 2022. Tactics below the threshold of war will need continued attention. In this episode, Veerle is joined by Alexander Neill, an analyst and consultant on Asia-Pacific geopolitical risk and security, foreign affairs and defence based in Singapore. They discuss current RUSI research on state-led interference as a tool of geopolitical competition below the threshold of warfare, and how this is experienced in the Indo-Pacific. They examine how the debate around...
Mind the Gulf #5: The View from the United Arab Emirates
March 24, 2022 12:44 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBOriginally published 24 March 2022. Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck look at the UAE’s perspectives on Iran and its nuclear programme, as well as regional security. They are joined by Sheikha Najla Al-Qassimi (B’Huth), who explains how the UAE balances its deep security concerns about Iran’s behaviour in the region and its extensive trading relations with the Islamic Republic. She also touches on the UAE’s views of the US, Russia and China. In addition, Darya and Tobias discuss the...
The Iran Nuclear Deal and Regional Security in the Middle East
March 23, 2022 14:52 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBThis episode examines the ongoing international negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the implications of a potential nuclear agreement for security in the Middle East and Iran’s regional policies, and the likely future Middle East role of the United States and European powers. Dr.Tobias Borck, Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies, and Darya Dolzikova, Research Fellow in Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, International Secur...
Bridging the Oceans #31: Ukraine’s Indo-Pacific Impact: The View from Tokyo
March 16, 2022 07:10 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBOriginally published 16 March 2021. The repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine go far beyond Europe. Veerle is joined by Jimbo Ken, Professor in International Relations at Keio University. While Ukraine seems geographically remote as seen from Tokyo, the impact of the war can be felt in Japan’s relations with Russia and China. The war has heightened Japan’s concerns that China may attempt something similar through a forceful takeover of Taiwan. Japan has therefore joined the West i...
Mind the Gulf #4: The View from Qatar and Oman
March 10, 2022 12:41 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBOriginally published 10 March 2022. In this episode, hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Qatar and Oman’s perspectives on Iran, its nuclear programme and regional security. Dr Andreas Krieg from King’s College London describes Qatar’s unique position in the region and explains how the country balances relations with Iran and its Arab neighbours. Turki al-Bulushi (Bloomberg) explains why neutrality is a core principle of Omani foreign policy, even in relations with its Gulf nei...
Russia’s War in Ukraine: Implications for International Security
March 09, 2022 09:41 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBThis episode explores how Russia’s war on Ukraine is affecting security far beyond central Europe. Members of RUSI’s International Security Studies team examine the ways in which international relations are being reshaped by the conflict and consider what such developments will mean in key security regions around the world. Veerle Nouwens, Senior Research Fellow and lead of the Indo-Pacific programme, Dr Tobias Borck, Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies, and Edward Arnold, Resea...
Bridging the Oceans #30: Biden’s Indo-Pacific Approach: What’s New?
March 02, 2022 07:08 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBOriginally published 2 March 2022. Veerle is joined by Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Programme at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). The Biden administration’s new strategy highlights the importance of prosperity. However, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework still lacks details, while the Ukraine conflict is testing allies and partners both in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Once again, the ties between the two regions are evident and place ...
Mind the Gulf #3: The View from Bahrain and Kuwait
February 24, 2022 12:32 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBOriginally published 24 February 2022. Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Bahrain and Kuwait’s perspectives on the Iranian nuclear question and on broader regional security matters Hasan Alhasan, Research Fellow for Middle East Policy at IISS, explains why Bahrain feels threatened by Iran and is sceptical about a regional security dialogue, and Amnah Ibraheem, Visiting Scholar at the American University of Kuwait, outlines Kuwait’s unique position bordering both Saudi Arabia a...
What Next for International Conflict Stabilisation?
February 23, 2022 09:53 - 43 minutes - 40 MBThis episode examines the future of international efforts to build stability, prevent conflict and meet security challenges in the most fragile and conflict-affected states and societies around the world following the perceived failure of Western-led stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Simon Rynn, RUSI Senior Research Fellow for African security, Ahmed Hassen, RUSI Associate Fellow, and Ada James Emanuel, an independent researcher, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, RUSI Inte...
Mind the Gulf #2: The View from Saudi Arabia
February 10, 2022 12:28 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBOriginally published 10 February 2022. Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss the Saudi Arabian strategic perspective with Mohammed Alyahya, former editor-in-chief of the Al-Arabiya English TV network. Mohammed outlines Saudi Arabia’s views on regional security, Iran and its nuclear programme, and explains why he is sceptical that a new nuclear deal can lead to improved relations between Iran and its Arab neighbours. Darya and Tobias also briefly discuss the latest developments in...
Russia and the Crisis of European Security
February 09, 2022 11:47 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBThis episode examines the crisis in relations between Russia and NATO, precipitated by Moscow’s large-scale build-up of military forces around Ukraine and its accompanying demands to remake the European security order. In this episode, Dr Sergei Utkin, Head of Strategic Assessments at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Dr Mark Galeotti, RUSI Senior Associate Fellow, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director RUSI International Secu...
Russia and the Green Transition
January 27, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBThis episode examines how Russia is seeking to develop its economy as part of the green transition. It considers both the opportunities and the challenges the country faces in taking advantage of the economic and technological shifts emerging from efforts to counter climate change, at a time of growing confrontation with the transatlantic community. Dr Igor Makarov, assistant professor at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, discusses with Dr Neil Melvin, Director RUSI International Se...
Mind the Gulf #1: The View from Iran
January 27, 2022 08:16 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBOriginally published 27 January 2022. In the first episode of 'Mind the Gulf', hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck introduce the series and speak with Professor Nasser Hadian from the University of Tehran about Iranian views on regional security and the nuclear question. The podcast starts with Darya outlining the trajectory of international diplomacy around the Iranian nuclear programme and providing a quick backgrounder on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the ongoi...
Bridging the Oceans #29: What’s All the RAUKUS About? The View from Washington
December 22, 2021 07:06 - 52 minutes - 48 MBOriginally published 22 December 2021. AUKUS helps build regional deterrence, yet more is needed beyond defence cooperation. Veerle is joined by Dr Zack Cooper, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, who offers insights on how AUKUS fits into US strategic thinking on meeting the rising challenges in the Indo-Pacific for the US and its allies. Further cooperation beyond exclusive groupings focused on defence is needed, particularly in the areas of technology, trade and govern...
UK and Russian Approaches to Climate Change and the Energy Transition
December 15, 2021 17:02 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBThis episode examines how the UK and Russia are approaching the interlinked challenges of climate change and the transition from hydrocarbon reliance to ‘green’ energy, and explores how these issues are shaping the domestic and foreign policies of the two countries, as well as their bilateral relationship. Professor Michael Bradshaw, Professor of Global Energy at the University of Warwick Business School, and Maria Pastukhova, Senior Policy Advisor in the energy and climate change think ta...
Bridging the Oceans #28: What’s All the RAUKUS About? Japan’s Ambivalence and Looming Reality Check
December 08, 2021 07:04 - 48 minutes - 44 MBOriginally published 8 December 2021. In this episode, Veerle is joined by Dr Michito Tsuruoka, Associate Professor at Keio University in Japan to explore Japan’s reaction to the announcement of AUKUS, what this means for Japan’s immediate security environment, and how it fits into the regional security architecture. Tokyo will need to think critically what role it has to play in the Indo-Pacific’s defence and security landscape: will Japan be a passive participant or will it assume a mor...
In Conversation with Fiona Hill
December 01, 2021 09:27 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIn this episode, Fiona Hill (Brookings Institution), former deputy assistant to President Donald Trump and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council, talks to Neil Melvin about US policy towards Russia, European security, and her new book on the populist challenges in the US and the UK. Fiona Hill is currently the Robert Bosch senior fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe in the Foreign Policy programme at Brookings. Before serving in k...
Bridging the Oceans #27: What’s All the RAUKUS About? Southeast Asia’s Mixed Response
November 24, 2021 07:02 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBOriginally published 24 November 2021. The defence partnership has divided opinion and frayed some partnerships. For Southeast Asia, the stakes are high, but consensus on AUKUS remains elusive. Veerle is joined by Dr Collin Koh, Research Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Dr Koh explains that Southeast Asian countries can largely be divided into three camps in their responses to AUKUS, with a particula...
The UK, Russia and Strategic Stability
November 23, 2021 10:30 - 48 minutes - 44 MBThis episode examines the re-emergence of the concept of strategic stability as a means of managing security relations between Russia and the transatlantic community and avoiding war. Following Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its military intervention in eastern Ukraine, the confrontation between Russia and NATO has become increasingly dangerous. In 2021, Presidents Putin and Biden launched a dialogue to manage rising tensions focused on promoting strategic stability in their rel...
Turkey and the Future of European Security
November 17, 2021 10:48 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBThis episode examines how Turkey, long viewed as a stalwart of NATO , has moved outside its previous focus on European security to play a wider regional role in its immediate neighbourhood and beyond, including across the Middle East and Africa. How will Turkey’s broadening security horizon affect its position in NATO, its relations with the Transatlantic community and in particular the US? And how can the UK – long a close partner of Turkey – best develop its security and defence links with...
Bridging the Oceans #26: What’s all the RAUKUS About? A Focus on France
November 10, 2021 07:00 - 38 minutes - 35.2 MBOriginally published 10 November 2021. The Australia defence partnership has divided opinion and frayed relationships. For France, trust will not easily be restored. ‘A stab in the back’ is how the French government described the AUKUS announcement, maintaining that it had been misled to believe the submarine deal with Australia would survive delays and cost overruns. But the impact of this agreement goes beyond just a botched defence industry deal. How can France and its partners in the...
The UK and Russia in the Middle East and North Africa
November 09, 2021 12:10 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBThis episode examines how the UK and Russia are approaching relations with countries of the Middle East as the region experiences major conflict and instability. While there is growing competition as the UK and Russia renew their interests, there may be areas where they could work together to help stabilise the region, notably on handling Iran's nuclear programme. After declining regional interest following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia returned to the Middle East with its 2014 ...
Italy and the Future of European Security
November 02, 2021 11:42 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBHow is the future of European security approached by Italy? We focus on Rome’s efforts to reconcile its strong commitment to transatlantic ties with its support for further European integration. Italy’s concerns about the deteriorating security environment around Europe are discussed, including Russia’s growing involvement in conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. While Italy is one of Europe’s larger security and defence actors, with a historical focus on the Mediterranean region ...
Bridging the Oceans #25: What’s All the RAUKUS About? The View from Australia
October 27, 2021 06:56 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBOriginally published 27 October 2021. The new defence partnership has divided opinion and frayed some relationships, but Australia’s logic is crystal clear. In this episode, Veerle is joined by Ashley Townshend, Director of Foreign Policy and Defence at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and Founding Convenor and Co-chair of the US-Australia Indo-Pacific Deterrence Dialogue. Against a backdrop of rising Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and a perception t...
Poland and the Future of European Security
October 20, 2021 14:00 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBAn examination of Poland’s approach to the future of European security, reflecting its perspective from the front line of NATO’s confrontation with Russia, the country’s focus on maintaining and strengthening the transatlantic relationship as the central pillar of the continent’s security, and Warsaw’s concerns about ideas of European strategic autonomy that would weaken NATO and the US security role. Poland has emerged as a key voice supporting the transatlantic link as the foundation of ...