Dr. Rik Peels is a Professor in Philosophy and Theology of Radicalisation at the Faculty of Humanities at the Free University of Amsterdam. Rik specialises in the ethics and epistemology of belief, in particular extreme belief, and replication in the humanities. He has developed a theory of responsible belief, studied ignorance, criticised scientism and developed…
Coordinated and Produced by Elisa Garbil Today Dominic hosts Rik Peels on the podcast to discuss religious extremism. They dive into the background of radicalisation; the differences between extremism, fundamentalism, and conspiracy theories; what the global patterns are; what role belief systems play in radicalisation; why radicalisation has such an impact on crises; and more! Dr. Rik…
Written by Elisa Garbil – 10.07.2025 Religious extremism is often portrayed in stark and simplistic terms, dangerous, irrational, and rooted in blind faith. But research from philosophers, psychologists, and international organisations paints a more nuanced picture. It reveals that extremism isn’t solely about belief systems; it’s about identity, psychological vulnerabilities, and the socio-political environments in…
In recent years, the rapid ascent of Starlink has redefined the balance of power in low Earth orbit (LEO) and brought with it some international risk. Backed by SpaceX and supported by the U.S. Government, Starlink now operates the majority of active satellites in space, with more than 6,500 already deployed and thousands more planned….
Dr Olivia Mason is a Lecturer in Political Geography at Newcastle University. Her research explores mobility politics and resource colonialism, with a focus on Jordan and the South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region. She is particularly interested in how colonial legacies continue to shape environmental governance, nature, and cultural heritage. Olivia is committed to environmental and social justice and has worked extensively with…
Written by Elisa Garbil – 12.06.2025 From Nauru to Nigeria, the scars of imperialism are written into the land, the waters, and the air. Understanding these histories is critical in order to address the environmental crises of today properly. The great empires of the colonial era didn’t just redraw the political map, they permanently altered…
Coordinated and Produced by Elisa Garbil Today Dominic Bowen hosts Dr. Olivia Mason. They dive into the intricacies of post-colonial states, environmental collapse and how the colonial era has influenced this collapse, post-colonial neglect, the re-shaping of colonial control in a post-colonial era through for example international conservation efforts, green colonialism as a form of resource…
Author: Camila Mateos Betancourt Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, and the nuclear sector is no exception. While AI brings promising tools to improve safety, efficiency, and predictive capabilities, it also introduces significant vulnerabilities, particularly in the nuclear supply chain. From the risk of counterfeit components to new opportunities for cyberattacks, malicious actors…
Coordinated and produced by: Camila Mateos Betancourt This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen is joined by Dr. Sarah Case Lackner to explore the emerging risks and evolving opportunities at the intersection of artificial intelligence and nuclear security. With increasing attention to the resilience of global infrastructure, Dr. Case Lackner unpacks how AI is…
Dr. Case Lackner joined the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) as a Senior Fellow in September 2023. She was previously a Senior Nuclear Security Officer in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s Division of Nuclear Security, where she served as the Scientific Secretary for the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee and the Director General’s…
