Where to begin? This was a book I bought with the idea of it being out of my comfort zone, that it might be too radical for me. And as much as I do not agree personally with everything Laurie Penny writes, it has become my absolute favourite non-fiction book. I could talk about it…
This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen welcomes Paul Hockenos to discuss the outcome of the latest German elections, analyzing the distribution of seats and the implications of the AfD’s growing presence as part of the political mainstream. Beyond domestic politics, we will examine Germany’s evolving role within Europe and on the global…
Germany held its elections in late February, resulting in a victory for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its leader, Friedrich Merz, who is set to become the next chancellor. The CDU/CSU alliance secured 28.5% of the vote, reclaiming leadership. However, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made significant gains, securing 20.8%, more than doubling…
In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, we explore China’s evolving role in Africa’s energy landscape with Fikayo Akeredolu, a DPhil candidate at Oxford specializing in the political economy of energy in Nigeria. We discuss: Join us as we analyze the opportunities and challenges shaping Africa’s energy future and the strategic role China plays in this…
Last week with Joshua Meltzer, we discussed the intricate dynamics of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in our podcast, exploring the relevance for the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and the importance of a unified, aligned trade approach toward China. While the USMCA fosters a shared framework for trade, each country faces distinct internal and external…
This midweek, Dominic Bowen welcomes Juan Carlos Machorro to The International Risk Podcast to dive into the complexities of the USMCA. Together, they discuss the origins of the agreement, the critical elements of the 2026 Joint Review, the implications of Mexico’s judicial reforms, Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, and the urgent need to strengthen Mexico-Canada trade…
Juan Carlos is the leader of Santamarina y Steta’s transactional and financial practice area, with 30 years of experience advising various national and international organizations on the development and implementation of investment and financing projects in Mexico. His areas of expertise include Mergers and Acquisitions, Project Finance and Infrastructure. His talent, practical and business acumen, and…
This weekend, Dominic Bowen welcomes Dr. Joshua Meltzer to The International Risk Podcast for an in-depth exploration of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and its evolving role in North American trade. Together, they discuss the significance of the USMCA in maintaining economic competitiveness, the implications of Trump’s tariff threats, and the opportunities and challenges posed…
In an era of rapid political change, the North American region faces significant international risk, demanding strong leadership and sound governance. Mexico has elected Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president (explore Mexico’s internal risks in Episode 178), Donald Trump has returned to power in the United States (learn more about the U.S. election results…
Dr. Meltzer is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. He works on international economic relations with a focus on the intersection of digital technology and international trade and investment. He also leads the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) initiative which focuses on how USMCA can strengthen international economic cooperation in North America. Meltzer has testified before…