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PODCAST

The IR thinker

The IR thinker features in-depth interviews with leading experts in international relations, foreign policy, and global affairs. The IR thinker is an independent, non-partisan and non-aligned platform. It hosts a wide range of perspectives on international relations but does not endorse any political party, government or ideological position. Since its first episode in 2023,The IR thinkerhas produced more than 100 episodes as a pro bono initiative established byMartin Zubko, an international

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All Episodes

40:52

Transformative Realism - Marc Saxer | 2025 Episode 31

The IR thinker ·

2025/12/17

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 SaxerMarc Saxer is a political analyst, strategist, and writer with two decades of

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1:00:38

India's Diplomacy - Vineet Thakur | 2025 Episode 30

The IR thinker ·

2025/12/08

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 ThakurVineet Thakur is a University Lecturer in International Relations at the Institute for History, Leiden

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45:05

Bulgaria's Energy Security - Martin Vladimirov | 2025...

The IR thinker ·

2025/12/01

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 VladimirovMartin Vladimirov is Director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Center for

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1:11:31

EU Citizenship - Dimitry Kochenov | 2025 Episode 28

The IR thinker ·

2025/11/24

This episode ofThe IR thinkerfeatures 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

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1:11:42

Contemporary Meaning of Nuclear Weapons - Stephen...

The IR thinker ·

2025/11/16

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Stephen Herzog as we explore the intricate landscape of nuclear strategy, from the fundamentals of deterrence theory to the geopolitics of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We dive deep into pressing questions about who should have access to nuclear weapons, how arms control agreements shape global security, and what emerging technologies mean for the future of nuclear governance.Dr. Stephen Herzog is a leading expert in nuclear nonproliferation and arms

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1:04:41

China's Institutional Genes - Chenggang Xu | 2025...

The IR thinker ·

2025/11/10

In this episode, Chenggang Xu discusses the ideas behind Institutional Genes and how they explain the evolution of political systems from imperial China to modern authoritarian regimes. Join us for a deep dive into the hidden structures that shape power, governance, and global politics.Chenggang XuChenggang Xu is a Senior Research Scholar, Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions (SCCEI), and Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution.His research spans institutional economics, political

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59:52

Does African IR Theory Exist? - Madalitso Zililo...

The IR thinker ·

2025/11/05

In this incisive interview, Dr Madalitso Zililo Phiri dismantles the epistemic hegemony of Eurocentric International Relations theory and maps an emergent African IR scholarship that centres Ubuntu, reimagines sovereignty through communal ontologies, and interrogates the racialised exclusions baked into global multilateralism. Spanning Pan-Africanism’s contemporary mutations, South Africa’s realist power plays, and the perils of essentialising an “African school,” Phiri advances a decolonial

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45:00

Natural Gas in Germany: Security, Supply, Transition...

The IR thinker ·

2025/10/29

In this interview, Andreas Schroeder maps Germany’s gas security from short-term contracts to new gas-fired plants and LNG infrastructure. He weighs the nuclear phase-out, EU dependence on non-Russian suppliers, and the risks ahead.Before we begin, I would like to highlight two milestones. First, this is the 100th episode of IR thinker. Second, our very first episode, published on 5 January 2023, also featured Andreas Schroeder. Andreas was the first expert who accepted my invitation and, in doing

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56:39

Mongolia's Energy Security - Telmen Altanshagai |...

The IR thinker ·

2025/10/22

In this episode, Telmen Altanshagai discusses Mongolia’s evolving energy landscape, from diversification strategies and regional connectivity to the governance challenges shaping the country’s path toward greater energy security.Telmen AltanshagaiTelmen is a Washington, D.C.-based independent policy analyst, Energy and Climate Intern at Observer Research Foundation America, Global Policy Institute Fellow, specializing in energy security and development economics across the Global South, with

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1:14:00

Australia's Security - Risks & Realities - Peter...

The IR thinker ·

2025/10/14

In this interview, strategist and defence analyst Dr. Peter Layton offers a clear-sighted assessment of how Australia is recalibrating strategy, capability, and partnerships amid intensifying regional competition. Drawing on policy and academic expertise, he probes alliance choices with the United States and Japan, AUKUS and submarine procurement, the Quad and ASEAN engagement, and the trade-offs between economic dependence on China and national security.Dr. Peter Layton is a Visiting Fellow at the

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1:06:59

Georgia's Energy Security - Murman Margvelashvili |...

The IR thinker ·

2025/10/07

Professor Murman Margvelashvili charts Georgia’s path from Soviet-era systems to a contested contemporary energy landscape, where hydropower dependence, emerging technologies, and grid vulnerabilities intersect with strategic autonomy.Murman MargvelashviliProfessor Murman Margvelashvili is a Georgian energy policy expert with more than 30 years of experience, in energy sector. His broad interests include energy security, sustainability, and geopolitics of energy transition.As Director of Energy

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1:04:52

Ireland's National Security Strategy - Kenneth...

The IR thinker ·

2025/09/30

Ireland is in the midst of a historic shift, moving from its long-standing tradition of neutrality towards a more structured national security strategy. In this interview, Dr. Kenneth McDonagh unpacks the drivers, dilemmas, and implications of Ireland’s evolving security posture at home, in Europe, and on the global stage.Kenneth McDonaghKen McDonagh is Associate Professor of International Relations at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. His research focuses on EU foreign

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57:45

Georgia's EU Accession Journey - David Bujiashvili |...

The IR thinker ·

2025/09/23

What does Georgia’s EU integration really mean for democracy, regional security, and great power competition? David Bujiashvili unpacks the past, present, and future of this pivotal process.Content00:00 – Introduction02:37 – Historical and Normative Drivers of Georgia’s EU Integration14:10 – EU Response to Georgia’s Membership Application17:01 – Democracy, Rule of Law, and Human Rights Narratives18:26 – Public Access to EU Information During Accession21:22 – Example of Russian Disinformation

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1:00:16

Brexit and EU Hegemony - Patrick Holden | 2025...

The IR thinker ·

2025/09/14

In this conversation with Professor Holden we examine how the EU exercised power during Brexit, interrogating the interplay of communication, institutional structures and rhetorical strategy. We discuss surprising findings on structural power, the negotiation styles of Barnier and De Rynck, and the reforms the EU’s external action apparatus may need to preserve influence into 2025.Dr. Patrick Holden is an Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Plymouth, where he leads

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1:00:16

Radicalisation in the Global North - Tahir Abbas |...

The IR thinker ·

2025/09/09

From the storming of the US Capitol to riots on the streets of the UK and simmering tensions across Western Europe, the spectre of radicalisation looms large.Professor Tahir Abbas explores the multifaceted nature of modern radicalisation, examining the unique drivers, dynamics, and dilemmas facing Western societies (USA, UK, Western Europe) today as they confront a threat that is constantly evolving online and offline.Professor Tahir

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57:45

China-Africa Engagement - Emmanuel Matambo | 2025...

The IR thinker ·

2025/09/02

In this conversation, Dr Emmanuel Matambo unpacks how Africa–China relations really work beyond the headlines. We dive into debates on 'debt-trap diplomacy', technology, governance, and the cultural impact of China across Africa.Emmanuel MatamboDr Matambo is the Research Director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies (CACS) at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. His primary research interest has been in Africa's growing relationship with China. His ideological orientation and

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1:11:45

Global Maritime Security - Timothy Edmunds | 2025...

The IR thinker ·

2025/08/26

Dive into the complex world of maritime piracy and security in this insightful interview with Professor Tim Edmunds, as he explores the evolution and organization of piracy at sea, modern challenges such as grey-zone tactics and the protection of critical undersea infrastructure, and the key issues shaping the global maritime order today.Chapters00:00 - Introduction02:10 - Evolution of Maritime Piracy10:11 - Organization of Pirate Groups13:27 - Structural Conditions Fuelling Piracy20:16 - Size and

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1:06:59

Universities as EU Diplomatic Actors - Marina Cino...

The IR thinker ·

2025/08/18

In this interview, Dr. Marina Cino Pagliarello explores how universities and academia shape the European Union’s foreign policy through soft power and informal diplomacy. From Ukraine to Africa, we examine the opportunities and challenges of academic diplomacy in today’s shifting geopolitical landscape.Chapters00:00 – Introduction01:43 – Universities as Informal Diplomatic Actors in EU Foreign Policy07:43 – Academic Diplomacy During the War in Ukraine13:32 – Balancing Academic Autonomy and EU

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55:25

Why Japan & the Philippines Are Closer Than Ever -...

The IR thinker ·

2025/08/06

In this interview, Dr Satoru Nagao shares expert insights on the evolving strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines. From historical legacies to defence, diplomacy, and economic cooperation, we explore how both countries navigate today’s Indo-Pacific challenges.Dr Satoru Nagao is a non-resident fellow at the Hudson Institute and a leading expert on security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. He holds a PhD from Gakushuin University.Dr Nagao has advised Japan’s Ministry of Foreign

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2:11:00

Trump's US Foreign Policy - Hussein Banai | 2025...

The IR thinker ·

2025/06/24

In this episode, we’re joined by Associate Professor Hussein Banai, a leading scholar of international relations, for an in-depth journey through the shifting landscape of American foreign policy under Donald Trump.Together, we travel across critical regions—from the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East to Europe, Russia, China, and Latin America—to scrutinise the core principles guiding U.S. actions on the global stage.We discuss the most recent and dramatic development: the 2025 Israel-Iran

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107 results

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