German election and international risk

German Election Results: The Future of Defence Spending and The International Risks

Germany’s recent federal election has ushered in a period of political upheaval, with significant implications for defense spending, fiscal policy, the risk environment, and international relations. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, secured a plurality with 28.5 percent of the vote, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a historic second…

Episode 204: Russia-NATO Relations, Disinformation, Cybersecurity and International Co-ordination with Dr. Marion Messmer

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow in the International Security Programme at Chatham House. Dr. Messmer discusses the deterioration of Russia’s relationship with the West, the importance of protecting NATO member’s critical infrastructure, arms control, nuclear risk reduction, and the significance of continued international cooperation.  Before joining…

Dr Marion Messmer

Dr Marion Messmer

Dr. Messmer discusses the deterioration of Russia’s relationship with the West, the importance of protecting NATO member’s critical infrastructure, arms control, nuclear risk reduction and the significance of continued international co-operation.  Before joining Chatham House, Marion was the Co-Director of BASIC, where she led on the organisation’s nuclear risk reduction and disarmament work. She is…

Dr Leila Alieva

Dr Leila Alieva

Dr. Leila Alieva is an Associate of Russian and East European Studies (REES) at the Oxford University School for Global and Area Studies. She also teaches a course on the Political Economy of Energy Transition at Oxford’s Department of Continued Education and is currently working with Friends of Europe. Originally from Azerbaijan, Dr. Alieva founded…

the international risk podcast russian oil bloodshed

The Influence of Soft Power in Putin’s War on Ukraine and Continued Aggression in NATO Regions.

We are all aware of the international risks associated with autocratic regimes and their implementation of hard power tactics to exert control. History is riddled with examples and unfortunately, we just have to turn on the news to witness it in present times; look at the Assad regime in Syria, Kim Jong Un’s totalitarian methods…

Evolution of Warfare: An Analysis of Ukraine’s Use of Drones and Increasing Presence in North Africa. 

Evolution of Warfare: An Analysis of Ukraine’s Use of Drones and Increasing Presence in North Africa. 

As Ukraine enters its third year of active conflict against Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022, and the world prepares for the impact of a second Trump presidency, a shift in the battlefield is unfolding and the international risks remain at the forefront of everyones’ minds. Despite being outmatched in size and military resources, the latest news reports…

Episode 198: Evolving Warfare in Ukraine and the Global Risks of Russian Aggression in the Baltic and Africa

In this episode, we are joined by the acclaimed Doug Livermore, a man with extensive experience in active combat and within US intelligence services. Mr Livermore engages in an in-depth discussion regarding the evolution of the Ukraine war, the impact of increased drone warfare and the risks and solutions surrounding Russian aggression in the Baltic…

Episode 197: Unpacking the ICJ’s Ruling: South Africa v. Israel and the Quest for Justice

In this compelling episode of The International Risk Podcast, we are joined by Professor S. Michael Lynk, renowned legal scholar and former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory. Together, we dive deep into the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) landmark ruling in the South Africa v. Israel case, which declared…

Episode 195: Season 5 Premiere: Your Questions, Our Answers

Happy New Year from all of us at The International Risk Podcast! We’re excited to kick off 2025 with the launch of Season 5, and what better way to start than by answering your questions? Join Elisa, Rima, and Dominic as they dive into listener-submitted topics, tackling some of the most pressing international risks shaping our world. From…

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…