The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 described an “increasingly fractured” world, with state-based conflict, climate disruption, political polarization and technological risks all intensifying at the same time. Geopolitical and international risk dashboards from 2Secure, BlackRock, KPMG and others show the same picture: conflicts are reshaping trade, energy and supply chains; national security concerns…
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 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…
Coordinated and Produced by Elisa Garbil This week Dominic has Joseph Daher back on the podcast. They discuss how the Assad Regime has fallen. Moreover they dive into what Turkey is hoping to get out of the fall of the Assad Regime, how Iran’s Axis of Resistance might be crumbling slowly, what Israel is hoping to…
Written by Elisa Garbil – 16.12.2024 The Syrian civil war, now entering its 13th year, remains one of the most complex and devastating conflicts in modern history. With multiple actors involved and shifting alliances, Syria’s war has not only torn the country apart but also drawn in neighboring states, including Israel. Recent developments, including Israel’s…
Nic Cheeseman (@fromagehomme) is Professor of Democracy at the University of Birmingham, and the Director of the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR). He was formerly the Director of the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford. Dr Cheeseman mainly works on democracy, elections and development, including a range of topics such as election rigging, political campaigning, corruption,…
Rosa Freedman is the inaugural Professor of Law, Conflict and Global Development at the University of Reading. She received her LLB, LLM and PhD from the University of London, and is a non-practising barrister and member of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn. Freedman’s research focuses on the UN and human rights. She has published…
At the International Risk Podcast, we aim to highlight key risks and global issues from all over the world, particularly those that fall through the cracks of mainstream media; and today’s podcast is no different. Since 2010, earthquake, Haiti has been the site of an ongoing crisis. At various points, key moments have broken through…
It has been nearly six months since Israel began its campaign to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, following the horrific terrorist attack on October 7th. Today, Ben Lawson, intern at the International Risk Podcast is joined by Dominic Bowen, the host of the podcast to discuss some of the new developments in the conflict, as well…
In an era marked by unprecedented challenges, a significant number of organisations have come to the realization that their preparedness for crises is insufficient. These crises and emerging risks could potentially destabilize them and, in extreme cases, force them out of business. This article delves into the crucial role of the board in ensuring readiness for…
