Syria

Syria’s Unfinished Transition: Risks and Realities in the Post-Assad Era

Written by Elisa Garbil – 29.09.2025 When Bashar al-Assad fell in late 2024, many Syrians dared to imagine a future beyond authoritarianism and endless war. The dictator’s sudden departure sent a wave of relief across the country, and for a fleeting moment, optimism seemed to outweigh fatigue. Yet the early glow of freedom quickly dimmed. By mid-2025,…

Regional Shifts and Risks in the Middle East: On the Future of Governance and Integration

Regional Shifts and Risks in the Middle East: On the Future of Governance and Integration

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen speaks with Shayan Talabany, Senior Analyst and Advisor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, about the profound shifts underway in the Middle East. From U.S. retrenchment and recalibrated alliances to the pressures of youth unemployment, nationalism, and the war in Gaza, Talabany…

Rivers in Peril: The Collapse of the Indus Water Treaty and the Future of South Asia’s Water Security

Rivers in Peril: The Collapse of the Indus Water Treaty and the Future of South Asia’s Water Security

“‘The cancellation or what you call the abeyance of the Indus Water treaty is not anything which is practical but it is very political; it is politically dividing these two countries and creating huge mistrust. Just in May, these two countries were on the verge of nuclear war so anything can happen”. Ashok Swain, Episode…

Military, Russia, War, Invasion

Escalation Risks in Eastern Europe and the Shadow of World War III

Written by Elisa Garbil – 18.09.2025 The geopolitical temperature in Eastern Europe has been rising sharply. In recent weeks, Poland has found itself at the forefront of a dangerous escalation between NATO and Russia. Russian drones have repeatedly intruded into Polish airspace, testing both Poland’s defensive capabilities and NATO’s collective resolve. Warsaw has responded decisively, scrambling jets,…

Serbia, Serbian Flag, Military

Serbia’s Protests and the Risks of a Standoff

Written by Elisa Garbil – 15.09.2025 In the late summer of 2025, Serbia finds itself at a pivotal juncture. Tens of thousands of demonstrators continue to flood Belgrade’s streets, joined increasingly by smaller towns across the country. At the heart of the mobilisation lies a deep frustration with entrenched corruption, economic insecurity, and the tightening grip of…

Antimicrobial Resistance: The Silent Global Security Threat and the Risks of Inaction

Antimicrobial Resistance: The Silent Global Security Threat and the Risks of Inaction

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen is joined by Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan to explore antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the most urgent yet under-recognised global risks. Often described as a silent crisis, AMR already claims more than 1.3 million lives each year. Its impact stretches far beyond hospitals and laboratories….

Tariffs, Populism, and the Future of Global Economic Strategy

Tariffs, Populism, and the Future of Global Economic Strategy

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen is joined by Professor Kimberley Clausing to examine the politics, economics, and international risks associated with tariffs. She holds the Eric M. Zolt Chair in Tax Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law. Professor Clausing is also a nonresident senior fellow at the…

international risk ceo briefing geopolitics

What CEOs Need to Know Now: The New Cost of Global Business

The last 30 years, and the playbook of cheap capital, predictable global rules, and low-friction trade is over. Trade is now power politics more than ever before, geopolitics is being re-priced, and the dollar’s risk-free status is at risk. This article will help make sense of all the noise. Bloomberg’s weekend cover story captures the…

NATO at a Strategic Crossroads: Unity, Pressure, and the Future of Collective Defence

NATO at a Strategic Crossroads: Unity, Pressure, and the Future of Collective Defence

In a recent episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen was joined by Professor Jamie Shea, one of NATO’s most experienced insiders and former Deputy Assistant Secretary General, to examine the Alliance at a moment of profound transformation. With nearly four decades of service at NATO, Dr. Shea offered a candid and deeply…