Episode 254: Current Updates on the Russia-Ukraine War with Stefan Wolff

Coordinated and Produced by Elisa Garbil Dominic Bowen hosts Stefan Wolff back on the podcast to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war. They dive into the current state of the war, how Trump’s ultimatum affects diplomatic tensions and whether this will actually change anything. Moreover they discuss Russia’s hybrid warfare and the challenges these bring to peace talks….

Ukraine, War, Russian Invasion

A War at Crossroads: The Russia–Ukraine Conflict

Written by Elisa Garbil – 04.08.2025 Diplomacy Without Traction As the Russia–Ukraine war enters its fourth summer, the balance between diplomacy and devastation has become increasingly precarious. While representatives from both sides have returned to negotiation tables in Istanbul and Doha, the intensifying violence across Ukrainian cities and the internal strains within Ukraine’s own institutions suggest that…

Stefan Wolff

Stefan Wolff

Stefan Wolff is Professor of International Security in Political Science and International Studies, at the University of Birmingham. A political scientist by background, he specialises in the management of contemporary security challenges, especially in the prevention and settlement of ethnic conflicts, in post-conflict state-building in deeply divided and war-torn societies, and in contemporary geopolitics and great-power…

Episode 232: Pagan Extremism with Ross Downing

Coordinated and Produced by Elisa Garbil Today we are discussing Pagan Extremism, and especially Norse Paganism. Dominic and Ross Downing dive into how Norse paganism is being hijacked by white separatists and radical influencers, how the pagan extremism evolves, and how communities fight back to reclaim meaning and identity from the clutches of hate. Ross Downing is…

Stonehenge, UK

Reclaiming Paganism: Navigating the Crossroads of Faith, Identity, and Extremism

Written by Elisa Garbil – 19.05.2025 In recent years, the revival of Norse and Germanic pagan traditions, often termed Heathenry or Ásatrú, has sparked global fascination. With roots in pre-Christian spirituality, this resurgence is more than a historical curiosity; it’s an evolving movement rich with myth, ritual, and cultural heritage. Yet, this revival faces a…

Ross Downing

Ross Downing

Ross Downing is an affiliate researcher of UK non-profit organisation Inform, and a registered subject matter expert with the EU knowledge hub on prevention of radicalisation. Ross specialises in extremist ideologies. He is co-editor of the book Germanic & Slavic Paganisms: security threats and resiliency with Kaarina Aitamurto, published January 2025 on Bloomsbury Academic Press.

Episode 218: The Future of European Defense: Building Autonomy in a Dense Geopolitical Landscape with Dr. Nicolai von Ondarza

This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen sits down with Dr. Nicolai von Ondarza to discuss Europe’s evolving security landscape and its quest for strategic autonomy in the face of rising geopolitical tensions. As Europe confronts the growing threat from Russia and the shifting priorities of the United States under Trump, the continent…

Ukraine innovation defence international risk

Ukraine’s Innovators Mitigating The International Risks from Russia’s Illegal Invasion

The Ukrainians are acutely aware that the odds are stacked against them. And they also understand that Russia’s invasion and the international risks represent an existential threat to their nation, their people, and the rest of Europe. This helps to explain the remarkable resilience displayed by Ukraine’s army and Ukrainian society as a whole. Faced…

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…