New Orleans truck terrorist attack

Terrorism and International Risks: An Assessment

The dawn of 2025 was marked by a tragic act of terrorism in New Orleans USA. A lone attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck into crowded Bourbon Street celebrations, killing fourteen people and injuring over thirty. The FBI’s investigation revealed Jabbar acted alone, inspired by the Islamic State’s (ISIS) Digital Caliphate – a stark…

US treasury department hack and international risk

US Treasury Department Hacked: China’s Cyber Espionage and Global Risks

In the early days of December 2024, as the world prepared for the holiday season, a silent storm was brewing within the digital corridors of the US Treasury Department. Unbeknownst to its officials, a sophisticated cyber intrusion was underway, orchestrated by a state-sponsored actor from China. This breach would soon be recognised as a “major…

Episode 192: Navigating Crisis: The Role of UNRWA in Supporting Palestinian Refugees with Ms. Sahar Al-Jobury

In this compelling episode of The International Risk Podcast, we are honored to welcome Ms. Sahar Al-Jobury, Chief of the UNRWA Representative Office in Cairo. With over 30 years of humanitarian experience across multiple United Nations agencies, Ms. Al-Jobury brings unparalleled insights into the critical role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine…

Institutional and Socioeconomic Risks in Syria in a Post-Assad Era

Institutional and Socioeconomic Risks in Syria in a Post-Assad Era

Author: Camila Mateos Betancourt The fall of the Assad regime represents a pivotal moment in Syria’s history, marking the end of over five decades of authoritarian rule and raising significant questions about international governance, geopolitical risks, and the broader stability of the Middle East.This transformative event comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, with…

Episode 191: Navigating Socioeconomic and Institutional Transformation in Post-Assad Syria with Zaki Mehchy

In this week’s midweek episode, we explore the institutional and socioeconomic risks and opportunities facing Syria in the aftermath of the Assad regime. Joined by Zaki Mehchy, we delve into the critical steps that both the international community and Syria’s next government must prioritize in the coming years. From resilience-building and community engagement to targeted…

Zaki Mehchy

Zaki Mehchy

Zaki Mehchy is a policy fellow at London School of Economics and Political Science Conflict and Civicness Research Group (CCRG), a researcher at the Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform (PeaceRep) and a co-founder of the Syrian Center for Policy Research. Zaki has dedicated his career to advancing development policies and addressing the complex socio-economic…

Mikatekiso Kubayi

Mikatekiso Kubayi

Mikatekiso Kubayi is a distinguished voice from South Africa and a renowned thinker on global power dynamics. Mr. Kubayi wears many hats: researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) associated with UNISA, fellow at the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and a PhD candidate at…

Episode 189: Bridging Continents: The Dynamics of Sino-African Relations

In this  episode, we are joined by the insightful  Mr. Mikatekiso Kubayi, a distinguished voice from South Africa and a renowned thinker on global power dynamics. Mr. Kubayi wears many hats: researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) associated with UNISA, fellow at the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University…