Episode 316: The Rise of Parallel Financial Systems: Digital Currencies, Sanctions Evasion, and Geoeconomic Influence with Dr Dan McDowell

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This episode with Dr Daniel McDowell examines how digital currencies, financial sanctions, and geopolitical competition are shaping the future of the global monetary system. We explore why the US dollar continues to dominate global finance despite political pressure and technological change, how sanctions influence state behaviour, and why network effects make rapid currency shifts unlikely. The discussion also…

After Maduro: Power, Illicit Economies, and the Unravelling of Venezuela’s Political Order

After Maduro: Power, Illicit Economies, and the Unravelling of Venezuela’s Political Order

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The capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by the United States forces on the 3rd of January 2026 marks one of the most dramatic geopolitical events in the Western Hemisphere in decades. However, as stressed by both our host, Dominic Bowen, and our guest, Dr. Brian Fonseca in this episode of the International Risk Podcast,…

Dr. Brian Fonseca

Dr. Brian Fonseca

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Dr. Brian Fonseca is a leading voice on national security, foreign policy, and cybersecurity. He currently serves as Director of the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, where…

Episode 316: After Maduro: Power, Illicit Economies and the New Rules of Intervention

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In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Brian Fonseca discuss the capture of Nicolás Maduro and why this dramatic moment does not automatically mark the start of a democratic transition in Venezuela. Find out more about who truly holds power inside the country today, from the military leadership and intelligence services to competing political factions within…

Episode 315: The Afterlife of Far-Right Extremism with Scott Ernest

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Coordinated and Produced by Elisa Garbil In this episode, we hear from Scott Ernest about his journey into far-right extremism, exploring the factors that drew him in, including fear, wedge issues, and the influence of social media and conspiracy theories. He also reflects on how the far-right ecosystem has evolved and the unique challenges faced by…

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Right-Wing Extremism: A Multidimensional Threat Assessment

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Written by Elisa Garbil – 26.01.2025 Right-wing extremism is a persistent and evolving threat that manifests across multiple social, institutional, and digital contexts. Unlike general criminal activity, right-wing extremism is ideologically driven, rooted in exclusionary nationalism, racial or ethnic supremacy, anti-immigration sentiment, and conspiratorial frameworks. Its influence extends beyond isolated acts of violence, affecting institutional integrity, societal…

Scott Ernest

Scott Ernest

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Scott Ernest is a former white nationalist recruiter and activist, most notable for being a moderator on the white nationalist forum Stormfront, as well as a recruiter for the now-defunct organisation Pioneer Little Europe Kalispell. He was also a member of the Oath Keepers, Asatru Folk Assembly, and several other groups. He exited the white…

Afghanistan After the Exit: Security Myths, Gender Apartheid, and the Costs of Walking Away

Afghanistan After the Exit: Security Myths, Gender Apartheid, and the Costs of Walking Away

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When Afghanistan made international headlines again in August 2021, the country was often pictured as an ending: the end of a twenty-year intervention, the end of Western responsibility, the end of a failed state-building experiment. Is it really? As Dominic Bowen argues in The International Risk Podcast, Afghanistan is not a closed chapter, and still…

Emily Winterbotham

Emily Winterbotham

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Emily Winterbotham is the Director of Terrorism and Conflict Studies at RUSI, where she leads work across London, Brussels, and Nairobi on terrorism, counterterrorism, peacebuilding, and fragile states, with a particular focus on Asia, especially Afghanistan and Pakistan. For over 15 years, she has combined desk research and field postings in international policy environments, including…

Episode 314: Afghanistan Today: Security Myths, Gender Apartheid, and Global Risk

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In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Emily Winterbotham discuss how Afghanistan has evolved since the Taliban’s return to power, challenging simplified narratives around security, terrorism, and international disengagement. Drawing on extensive field experience and long-term research, they examine why Afghanistan remains a critical test case for counterterrorism, regional geopolitics, and global risk management. Find out…