The Serbian Elections – The International Risks and Why They Matter for Democracy

This week’s podcast had Dr Alexander Mesarovich discuss the Serbian elections, which took place towards the end of 2023. As discussed in the podcast, Aleksandar Vučić’s victory was not met with celebration, instead protests filled the streets of Belgrade, and other cities in Serbia, accusing Vučić’s party of fraud and calls for the elections to…

Episode 146: The International Risks of the 2023 Serbian Election with Dr Alexander Mesarovich

Parliamentary elections were held in Serbia on 17 December 2023 to elect members of the National Assembly. While they were initially scheduled to be held by 30 April 2026, Aleksandar Vučić, the president of Serbia, called a snap election in November 2023, after previously announcing that snap elections could be either held in 2023 or…

The International Risks of China’s Belt and Road Initiative – Philanthropy or a Hidden Pathway to Crime?

In this week’s podcast, Nathan Paul Southern showed us a far more ominous side to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and its links to organised crime worldwide. Criminal involvement is a little-studied aspect of the BRI, both in policy and research. This is problematic: neglecting to recognise that growth and trade generate huge international risks…

Episode 145: The International Risks of Transnational Organised Crime in South East Asia with Nathan Paul Southern

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the criminal underpinnings of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as uncovering some of the lesser known transnational crimial activities taking place across South East Asia. We are thrilled to be joined by Nathan Paul Southern, an investigative journalist, a PhD Candidate at the University…

Episode 143: A Reflection on the International Risks and Opportunities of the ESG discussions at COP28 with Valentina Lira

We are thrilled to be joined today by Valentin’s Lira. Valentina is an Industrial Engineer from the University of Chile, with a postgraduate degree in Environmental Economics from the University of California Berkeley. She worked as a Development Engineer at CMPC Holding and as Director of the Development and Conservation Program of Fundación Chile, achieving the…

Episode 141: The International Risks of the Fukishima Waste Water Release with Zion Lights

Today we are joined by Zion Lights, a passionate science advocate and writer who wants to change the world for the better. She is the author of the book The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting, the nature poetry book Only a Moment, and was a former spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion. She was the UK director…

Episode 140: The International risks associated with Russia’s Agression in Ukraine

Today, our podcasted is hosted by Ben Lawson, Intern at the International Risk Podcast, as we talk to Dominic Bowen. Every week we hear about the work Dominic does in the world of international risk, and in every episode Dominic shares some of his knowledge about international risk, to contextualise the questions he asks his…

Episode 139: The International Risks and Opportunities of the BRICS Expansion with Professor Bruce Jones

Today we are thrilled to be joined by Professor Bruce Jones, a senior fellow with the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. His research expertise and policy experience are in international security, with his current research focusing on US strategy, international order, and great…

Episode 135: The Risks of International Travel with Torbjørn Pedersen

In today’s episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Torbjørn “Thor” Pedersen, from Once Upon A Saga! Thor is a Danish traveler and adventurer who has recently dominated headlines for becoming the first person to travel to every country in the world… without an airplane! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for all our great updates. Produced…

Navigating the International Risks Posed by Mercenary Groups

In the complex landscape of global business and geopolitics, the ability to effectively manage international risks is paramount. As discussed on this week’s episode of The International Risk Podcast, one emerging challenge that demands our attention is the growing risk posed by the activities of mercenary groups around the world. As accounts of harrowing human…