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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 experience in international relations. He heads the Asia Pacific office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Shtiftung and convenes the Asia Strategic Foresight Group. 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 Content 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 Norms and Rules 18:24 - Recognizing the Signs of Systemic Crisis 20:18 - The Role of Agency in Transformative Realism 28:18 - Reimagining Statecraft and Political Leadership 33:44 - The Crisis in Modern Statecraft Education Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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. His research is situated in postcolonial international relations, with a particular focus on the politics of knowledge, disciplinary hierarchies, and the global intellectual history of International Relations, especially in the Indian context. Publications: V.S. Srinivasa Sastri: A Liberal Life India’s First Diplomat: V.S. Srinivasa Sastri and the Making of Liberal Internationalism Postscripts on Independence: Foreign Policy Discourses in India and South Africa Content 00:00 – Introduction and Framing of India’s Diplomatic Trajectories 02:03 – Mandala Theory and Kautilya’s Arthashastra as Lenses for Contemporary Regional Policy 05:10 – Intellectual and Historical Inspirations Behind India’s Diplomatic Traditions 06:32 – Civilisational State Narratives Versus Colonial Administrative Foundations of Indian Diplomacy 10:53 – Social Stratification and the Influence of Caste Networks on Diplomatic Recruitment and Culture 22:12 – Nehruvian Idealism and Non-Alignment as Strategy: Autonomy, Hedging, and Principled Neutrality 27:55 – Overlooked and Marginalised Practices in India’s Cold War Diplomatic History 30:30 – The Strategic Logic and Practical Outcomes of the “Neighbourhood First” Diplomatic Doctrine 35:18 – Structural Constraints and Policy Stalemate in India–Pakistan Diplomatic Engagement 37:34 – China’s Strategic Shadow and Its Effects on India’s Diplomatic Posture Towards Pakistan 39:08 – India’s Diplomatic Approach to Tibet in Historical and Contemporary Perspective 43:29 – Multi-Alignment as Strategy: Balancing Great Powers in India’s Contemporary Foreign Policy 47:45 – The Absence of a Permanent United Nations Security Council Seat and Its Diplomatic Consequences 51:15 – India–Africa Relations and the Underdeveloped Economic Dimension of South–South Diplomacy 54:21 – Hindu Nationalism and Its Influence on the Ideational Foundations of Indian Diplomacy 58:24 – Neglected Themes and Under-Researched Domains in the Study of Indian Foreign Policy *** at 10:29, there is a missing word ‘overstated’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 worked as an energy and economic analyst for CEE Market Watch, covering Iran and Central Asia. Publications: Managing Assets Under OFAC Sanctions Energy and Climate Security in Europe: From Crisis Response to Structural Transformation The Kremlin Playbook in Mexico: Asymmetric Influence The Imperative to Weaken the Kremlin’s War Economy: What the West Can Do Closing the backdoor: The new TurkStream is here. Can the West stop it? Content 00:00 – Introduction 01:38 – Bulgaria’s Evolving Energy Mix after the War in Ukraine 09:07 – Exploring Bulgaria’s Offshore Wind Potential 12:45 – Strategic Energy Pipelines Crossing Bulgaria 17:16 – Bulgaria’s Relationship with Gazprom and Gas Contracts 24:14 – The Greece–Bulgaria Gas Interconnector (IGB) 27:05 – Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal and Regional Gas Connectivity 28:53 – The Role of Chiren Underground Gas Storage 34:31 – The Future of the Maritsa Iztok Lignite Power Complex 40:50 – Assessing the Feasibility of Two New Nuclear Reactors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Dimitry KochenovProfessor Dimitry Kochenov is a leading scholar of global citizenship and constitutionalism, with a particular focus on the rule of law, EU federalism, and external relations law. He heads the Rule of Law research group at the Democracy Institute of Central European University in Budapest and teaches Global Citizenship at CEU’s Department of Legal Studies in Vienna. Through his work on statelessness, EU citizenship, and the political economy of “citizenship for sale”, he has become a key voice in contemporary debates on how legal status shapes human dignity, mobility, and the evolving architecture of international order. Publications: EU enlargement and the failure of conditionality: pre-accession conditionality in the fields of democracy and the rule of law Citizenship Citizenship and residence sales: rethinking the boundaries of belonging Ukraine and the EU enlargement: what is the law and which is the way forward? Content 00:00 - Introduction 02:02 - The Paradox: Can Institutions Grant Citizenship? 06:23 - Living Stateless: Can Humans Exist Without Citizenship? 16:56 - Does “Real” EU Citizenship Actually Exist? 36:06 - Democracy’s Double Edge: How EU Citizenship Both Empowers and Undermines 50:26 - Market Citizenship: When Human Worth Becomes Economic Value 56:39 - Citizenship for Sale: Should the EU abolish those schemes? 01:08:06 - One Citizenship or Many? The Multiple Citizenship Debate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Stephen HerzogDr 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 leading specialist in nuclear non-proliferation and arms control, he combines academic expertise with policy experience gained as a technical nuclear arms control official at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he worked directly on the implementation and verification of nuclear agreements. His work bridges theory and practice to illuminate how deterrence, treaty regimes and technological change interact in shaping global nuclear security. Publications: Atomic Backfires: When Nuclear Policies Fail Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation: The Technological Arms Race for (In)visibility ‘What about China?’ and the threat to US–Russian nuclear arms control Atomic responsiveness: How public opinion shapes elite beliefs and preferences on nuclear weapon use Winning Hearts and Minds? How the United States Reassured During the Russo-Ukrainian War The Trilateral Dilemma: Great Power Competition, Global Nuclear Order, and Russia’s War on Ukraine Content 00:00 – Introduction 01:57 – Types and Categories of Nuclear Weapons 08:40 – Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Historical and Contemporary Contexts 10:32 – Understanding the Concept of Existential Deterrence 16:39 – Extended Deterrence and the Logic of Alliance Security 25:54 – The NPT and the Persistence of Great Power Monopoly 31:53 – Treaty Reform or Status Quo? The Politics of Nuclear Governance 33:12 – Aspirant States and the Quest for Nuclear Capability 34:47 – Escalation Control: Between Arms Agreements and Overconfidence 43:15 – The Dilemma of Quantity: Many vs. Few Nuclear Weapons 50:38 – Authority and Legitimacy: Who Decides Nuclear Access? 55:58 – Technological Challenges to Nuclear Security and Control Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 other domains of global governance. Chenggang XuProfessor Chenggang Xu is a Senior Research Scholar at the Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions (SCCEI) and a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution. A leading scholar of institutional economics, political economy and the Chinese political–economic system, he is widely known for developing the concept of regionally decentralised authoritarianism and, more recently, for his work on institutional genes and the historical roots of Chinese totalitarianism. His research is extensively cited in both academic and policy circles, and he has been awarded the China Economics Prize and the Sun Yefang Economics Prize in recognition of his contribution to the study of institutions, development and authoritarian governance. Publications: The fundamental institutions of China’s reforms and development Incentives, information, and organizational form Industrial clustering, income and inequality in rural China Clustering, growth and inequality in China Content 00:00 - Introduction 01:45 - Why this book? The story behind ‘Institutional Genes’ 06:34 - Defining ‘institution’ in the institutional genes framework 10:45 - Opening the black box: How institutional genes explain political change 16:29 - The concept of ‘stemness’ explained 20:01 - Imperial China vs European monarchies: Why China was more autocratic 28:28 - The three Russian genes that created Bolshevism 33:43 - Mao’s fusion: Marx plus Qin Shi Huang 38:58 - Soviet vs Chinese communism: Key institutional differences 42:23 - Totalitarian or authoritarian? Defining modern China 48:35 - Tyrannical incentive-compatibility: How totalitarian systems motivate 53:01 - Will China face Soviet-style economic stagnation? 58:52 - Applying institutional genes to foreign policy 01:03:16 - Beyond domestic politics: Where else can we apply this framework? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Madalitso Zililo PhiriDr Madalitso Zililo Phiri is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the South Africa–United Kingdom Bilateral Research Chair in Political Theory at the University of the Witwatersrand. A former Visiting Fellow at the Centre of African Studies and Research Associate at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, and a Carnegie Corporation Fellow via the SSRC’s Next Generation of Social Science in Africa programme, his research spans the political economy of racialised welfare in South Africa and Brazil, the sociology of race, and Black political thought. He has taught African Studies, Sociology, Politics and Research Methods at Cambridge, Wits, Pretoria and Rhodes universities, bringing a decolonial and critical theoretical lens to the study of power, knowledge and global order. Publications: The Colour of Inequality in South Africa and Brazil: making sense of social policy as reparations Monuments and Memory in Africa: reflections on coloniality and decoloniality Against Imperial Social Policy: Recasting Mkandawire’s Transformative Ideas for Africa’s Liberation History of Racial Capitalism in Africa: Violence, Ideology, and Practice Content 00:00 – Introduction 02:05 – Does African IR Theory Exist? Epistemologies Beyond the West 06:27 – Ubuntu, Communalism, and Reimagining Sovereignty 10:45 – Applying African Concepts to Non-African Issues 15:01 – Authority Beyond the State: African Approaches to Power 19:48 – Africa’s Exclusion from Multilateral Decision-Making 25:13 – Pan-Africanism in 2025: Dead or Evolving? 29:26 – South Africa’s Power Politics Through a Realist Lens 34:24 – Liberal IR Theory’s Historical Exclusion of Africa 37:46 – Constructivism: Opening or Limiting Space for African Voices? 41:22 – Postcolonialism and Decolonizing IR Theory 47:22 – Which IR Theory Dominates African Scholarship Today? 50:14 – The Risks of Essentializing “African IR Theory” 52:57 – Continental Focus vs. State-Centric Analysis in African IR 56:54 – Distinct African School or Contribution to Global Pluralism? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 SchroederAndreas Schroeder is Head of Energy Analytics (Quantitative) at Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS), where he leads an international team analysing global energy market dynamics. His work combines quantitative modelling with market intelligence to assess gas flows, contract structures and price formation across Europe and beyond, and he regularly contributes to analytical reports and media commentary on European gas security and energy transition challenges. Content 00:00 – Introduction 03:13 – Current Natural Gas Flows to Germany and Contract Structures 05:08 – The Logic Behind Short-Term Pipeline Contracts 07:27 – LNG Imports and the Expansion of German Infrastructure 09:47 – Gas Storage Developments Since the War in Ukraine 14:03 – Declining Gas Consumption in Germany: Causes and Implications 16:58 – New Gas-Fired Power Plants in Germany 19:32 – The Impact of the Nuclear Phase-Out on Energy Security 22:20 – Innovative Gas Procurement Strategies for the German Market 24:42 – Germany’s Role as a Gas Exporter 26:43 – Export Infrastructure and Capacity 28:23 – Competition Between Germany and Poland in Gas Trade 30:43 – Dependence on US and Norwegian Gas After the Russian Cut-Off 33:26 – Can the EU Operate Without Russian LNG? 35:24 – The Potential of African Gas for Germany 36:53 – Qatar’s Role in Germany’s Gas Supply 39:53 – Canada as an Emerging Gas Partner for Germany 41:52 – Future Challenges for Germany’s Natural Gas Security Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 development. Telmen AltanshagaiTelmen Altanshagai is a Washington, D.C.–based independent policy analyst and Energy and Climate Intern at Observer Research Foundation America, as well as a Fellow at the Global Policy Institute. Her work focuses on energy security and development economics across the Global South, with particular expertise on Mongolia, where she analyses how shifting global energy systems affect economic stability and long-term development trajectories. Publications: Mongolia’s Gas Pipeline Diversification Comes With Risk Mongolia seeks new markets in Eurasia Mongolia’s Precarious Energy Security Content 00:00 – Introduction 01:31 – Overview of Mongolia’s Energy Mix and Security Landscape 04:13 – Pathways for Energy Diversification 07:08 – Can China Serve as a Source of Energy Diversification? 08:44 – Heating Infrastructure and Urban Electricity Challenges in Ulaanbaatar 11:05 – Persistent Dependence on Coal 14:02 – Energy Access and Infrastructure in Rural Mongolia 16:03 – Structure and Dynamics of Energy Governance 18:59 – Potential Benefits of the Power of Siberia 2 Pipeline for Mongolia 22:46 – Domestic Expertise and Policy Debate on Power of Siberia 2 24:32 – Assessing the Need for an Oil Pipeline from Russia 25:32 – India’s Investment in Mongolia’s First Oil Refinery 27:31 – Mongolia’s Broader Energy Investment Strategy 31:32 – Domestic Investment Climate and Incentives for the Energy Sector 34:30 – China’s Expanding Energy Investments in Mongolia 35:59 – The East Asian Power Grid Concept and Regional Connectivity 37:59 – Energy Poverty and Socioeconomic Inequality 41:22 – Climate Change Impacts on Mongolia’s Energy Security 43:48 – Building Human Capital for Energy Security 46:18 – National Debt and Its Implications for Energy Policy 49:12 – Comparing Africa and Mongolia: Mining Wealth and Public Benefit 51:47 – Policy Priorities: What Should a Mongolian Prime Minister Do to Strengthen Energy Security? 54:54 – Future Directions and Research Opportunities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Peter LaytonDr Peter Layton is a Visiting Fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University, an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), and a Fellow of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group. A former RAAF officer with extensive experience in aviation and defence planning, he received the US Secretary of Defense’s Exceptional Public Service Medal for his work on force structure at the Pentagon and has held a research fellowship at the European University Institute. His research focuses on grand strategy, national security policy with a particular emphasis on middle powers, defence force structure concepts and the implications of emerging technologies, bringing together practitioner insight and academic analysis on Australia’s strategic choices. Publications: Non-Western Airpower: Diverse, Dissimilar and Disruptive Warfare in the robotics age: Studies in technology and security: innovation, impact, and governance Grand Strategy The Idea of Grand Strategy Content 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Alliances with the US and Japan: Security Gains or Strategic Constraints? 04:16 – Multilateralism in Australia’s Security Strategy 07:02 – AUKUS and the Future of Australian Defence 15:50 – Submarine Procurement: Strategic Rationale and Implications 23:02 – The Quad and Australia’s Security Role 29:54 – Making the Quad More Effective and Productive 33:03 – Security Cooperation with ASEAN: Opportunities and Limits 41:52 – Managing the Dual Relationship with China: Economics vs Security 50:26 – Assessing the 2024 National Defence Strategy and Middle-Power Vulnerabilities 55:51 – Military Spending: Balancing Capability and Sustainability 01:01:06 – Diversifying Australia’s Defence Supply Chains 01:07:52 – Under-Researched Dimensions of Australia’s Security Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Murman MargvelashviliProfessor Murman Margvelashvili is a leading Georgian energy policy expert with more than thirty years of experience in the sector, specialising in energy security, sustainability and the geopolitics of the energy transition. He is Director of Energy Studies at World Experience for Georgia, Associate Professor at Ilia State University, and Director of the Energy and Sustainability Institute, and has been closely involved in drafting the National Energy Policy, the National Energy and Climate Plan and the conceptual foundations of Georgia’s National Hydrogen Strategy. Publications: The Role of Black Sea Security in Shaping the Green Energy Corridor Energy Ties in Occupied Abkhazia as a Potential Threat to Georgia’s Western Aspirations Systemic Approach to Energy Security Content 00:00 – Introduction 01:58 – From Soviet system to 2025: evolution of Georgia’s energy mix 05:03 – Dependency and geopolitical risk across Georgia’s energy sources 09:17 – Ownership and control of Georgian hydropower 10:53 – Hydrogen in Georgia: prospects and pathways 15:16 – Have renewables peaked? Headroom for additional capacity 17:18 – Nuclear power in Georgia: options, debates, feasibility 19:52 – Abkhazia and South Ossetia: implications for Georgia’s power grid 22:48 – Balancing Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Russia, the EU and China: safeguarding strategic autonomy 32:53 – Expanding Caspian gas to Europe: do new Georgian transit pipelines need to be built? 34:51 – Armenia’s role in Georgia’s energy geopolitics 36:50 – United States interests in Georgia’s energy sector 38:51 – Türkiye–Azerbaijan energy cooperation: impacts on Georgia 43:03 – Untapped and hidden energy potential in Georgia 45:40 – Reinvesting transit revenues into energy modernisation 50:20 – Supply shocks and blackouts: resilience and response 53:21 – Assessing the effectiveness of Georgia’s energy strategy 56:35 – Governance gaps and failures: lessons for reform 01:02:14 – Under-researched energy topics in Georgia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 McDonaghKenneth 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 Common Security and Defence Policy, and the intersections of gender and international security, bringing a nuanced understanding of how small European states such as Ireland navigate evolving security architectures at both regional and global levels. Publications: Ireland’s Foreign Relations in 2023 Translating the Women, Peace and Security Agenda into EU Common Security and Defence Policy: Reflections from EU Peacebuilding The Next European Century? ‘Talking the Talk or Walking the Walk’: Understanding the EU ’s Security Identity Risk, Global Governance and Security Content 00:00 – Introduction 01:53 – Reinterpreting Ireland’s Policy of Military Neutrality 05:43 – Why Develop a National Security Strategy in a Neutral Country? 08:14 – Key Drivers Behind Ireland’s Security Strategy 10:23 – Will Military Neutrality Remain Central? 11:58 – Is This a Step Towards NATO Membership? 14:07 – Understanding the Capacity of Ireland’s Defence Forces 19:00 – Is There Willingness to Invest in the Army? 21:12 – Private Initiatives for Defence Development 23:34 – Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Cables, Energy, Ports, Airports 26:18 – Coordination of Defence, Gardaí, and Intelligence Without a Strategy 28:11 – Ireland’s Integration into EU Security Structures 31:37 – Could EU Forces Be Deployed on Irish Soil? 33:38 – Is Ireland Viewed as a Strategic Territory by the EU? 36:10 – US–Ireland Relations on Security 39:25 – Expanding Security Cooperation with the US 41:29 – Ireland’s Cybersecurity Posture 45:17 – Presenting the Cyber Sector as a Deterrent 48:02 – Ireland’s Role in UN Peacekeeping and Security 54:05 – Northern Ireland and the New Security Strategy 59:01 – Terrorism in Northern Ireland and Its Security Impact 01:02:17 – Under-researched Areas in Ireland’s National Security Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 BujiashviliDavid Bujiashvili is a distinguished expert on European affairs with more than 25 years of experience in EU integration and assistance coordination. He holds a PhD in Economics and a Master’s in International Economic Relations, combining academic depth with extensive diplomatic and policy practice. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, he served as Director of the EU Assistance Coordination and Sectoral Integration Department, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of the EU–Georgia Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). His work focused on aligning Georgian legislation with the EU acquis, ensuring inter-institutional coordination through sectoral working groups, and drafting key EU-related strategies and action plans. Dr Bujiashvili has chaired Association Committees and Sub-Committees in negotiations with the European Commission, coordinated Georgia’s EU Accession Questionnaire (2021–2022), and organised strategic communication and public outreach campaigns on EU integration. He has also worked extensively with civil society and the business community on sectoral reforms, while serving as focal point for major EU assistance tools such as Twinning, TAIEX, SIGMA, INTERREG, and anti-fraud mechanisms in cooperation with OLAF. Publications: EU-Georgia Association Agreement and Visa Liberalization Under Question Content 00:00 – Introduction 02:37 – Historical and Normative Drivers of Georgia’s EU Integration 14:10 – EU Response to Georgia’s Membership Application 17:01 – Democracy, Rule of Law, and Human Rights Narratives 18:26 – Public Access to EU Information During Accession 21:22 – Example of Russian Disinformation Campaigns 23:31 – Early Challenges of Reform and Implementation 26:19 – Current Stage of Georgia–EU Accession 29:37 – Why Has the Accession Process Stalled? 32:32 – Georgian Representation in the EU Today 34:56 – The Future of Abkhazia and South Ossetia 37:03 – Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) 39:34 – EU Visa Liberalisation and Georgia 43:17 – Learning from Central European EU Accession Experiences 45:26 – Forms and Practice of Regional Cooperation 48:03 – Impact of the War in Ukraine 50:37 – Russia’s Changing Role in the South Caucasus 52:32 – China’s Influence on EU–Georgia Relations 54:02 – Lessons for the EU from Georgia’s Accession Experience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Patrick HoldenDr Patrick Holden is Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Plymouth, where he leads the online Master’s programme in International Relations: Security and Development. His research focuses on the European Union’s external relations, international political economy and development policy, and he is widely published on Europe’s role in the international system. Combining theoretical depth with engagement in contemporary policy debates, he offers a nuanced perspective on how the EU projects power, manages relations with non-members and navigates a changing global order. Publications: In Search of Structural Power Irreconcilable Tensions? The EU’s Development Policy in an Era of Global Illiberalism What kind of hegemony? The European Union in its region Strongholds of Liberalism? The Reaction of Regional Integration Institutions to the Pandemic Trade Crisis Content 00:00 – Introduction 01:54 – Why link the EU with hegemony? A Neo-Gramscian view 04:56 – EU power during Brexit: communication and political actions 07:28 – Structural power: how EU institutions shaped Brexit 11:43 – Surprising findings on EU structural power 13:42 – EU values vs. interests: norms as a tool of influence 16:10 – UK rejection of EU principles and vulnerabilities of integration 20:04 – Who understood vulnerabilities better: the EU or the UK? 21:25 – Researching vulnerabilities as a scholar 23:18 – Barnier, De Rynck, and rhetorical strategies in Brexit talks 26:56 – Power balance in EU–UK negotiations 28:47 – Barnier and De Rynck: communication styles and strategy 31:39 – Lessons from Barnier and De Rynck’s negotiation styles 33:05 – Why rhetoric matters: qualitative insights on EU hegemony 34:49 – Have scholars studied Brexit enough? 37:30 – Brexit’s impact on EU relations with non-members 43:18 – Should the EU’s External Action Service gain more power? 45:15 – Brexit as a test of EU hegemonic resilience 49:31 – EU hegemony in the shadow of US hegemony 56:20 – What EU hegemony needs in 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Tahir AbbasProfessor 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 spans criminology, sociology, politics, Islamic studies and critical terrorism studies, with a particular focus on radicalisation, extremism and political violence in Western contexts. He has authored and edited around twenty books, delivered lectures in over one hundred cities worldwide, and led the EU H2020 DRIVE project, which investigated how social exclusion, disenchantment and marginalisation shape polarising ideas, values and beliefs in north-western Europe. Publications: Capitalism, State Power, and the Production of Extremism Global counter-terrorism: A decolonial approach Voices of Gen Z Protecting the people: populism and masculine security in India and Hungary Islamophobia and Radicalisation: A Vicious Cycle Muslim Britain: communities under pressure Content 00:00 – Introduction 02:07 – Online platforms, far-right mobilisation, and the January 6 attack (USA) 05:30 – Online communication patterns preceding offline violence (USA) 08:33 – Framing extremist groups as terrorist organisations: unintended consequences (USA) 10:46 – Drawing the line between extremism and terrorism (USA) 14:32 – The rise of the incel subculture and gendered vulnerabilities (USA) 19:13 – Summary of US radicalisation 22:32 – Post-Brexit identity politics and the Prevent strategy (UK) 31:11 – Transnational networks and the 2023 riots (UK) 34:57 – The Gaza effect, British Muslim identity, and electoral mobilisation (UK) 39:31 – Summary of UK radicalisation 42:51 – Intergenerational differences within migrant and minority communities (Western Europe) 48:44 – Youth, information exposure, and latent radicalisation risks (Western Europe) 51:33 – Crises of capitalism, migration debates, and social unrest (Western Europe) 54:02 – Summary of Western European radicalisation 56:06 – Researching Radicalisation: Challenges and Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.