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The IR thinker

Martin Zubko

The IR thinker is an independent, non-partisan and non-aligned podcast exploring international relations through conversations with leading scholars and practitioners. It offers diverse perspectives without endorsing any political party, government or ideology. Founded and hosted by IR scholar and lecturer Martin Zubko as a pro bono initiative in 2023, it has surpassed 100 episodes and is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

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S4 · E24
August 18 · 57 min
Uncertainty, Intentions and Great Power Conflict — Sebastian Rosato
How certain can great powers ever be about the intentions of their rivals, and what happens when that uncertainty becomes a permanent feature of international politics? In this episode, Professor Sebastian Rosato joins us to discuss 'intentions pessimism', the limits of information, and what uncertainty means for great-power conflict, diplomacy, and the study of international relations. Sebastian Rosato is Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, where he is also a fellow of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, and the Nanovic Institute for European Studies. Selected Publications Europe United: Power Politics and the Making of the European Community Intentions in Great Power Politics: Uncertainty and the Roots of Conflict How States Think: The Rationality of Foreign Policy (with John J. Mearsheimer) Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:10 Is 'intentions pessimism' a structural or epistemological argument—or are the two inseparable? 04:38 Endemic uncertainty in international relations 06:33 The role of first- and secondhand information 12:48 Waltzian neorealism vs. 'intentions pessimism' 15:27 Has 'intentions pessimism' changed Professor Rosato's stance on IR? 18:11 Is 'intentions pessimism' applicable to great powers only? 20:44 Truism and falsifiability questions 22:20 Which IR theory draws the most criticism of 'intentions pessimism'? 24:50 Liberal institutionalism and constructivism vs. 'intentions pessimism' 28:05 How 'intentions pessimism' works across different regime types 31:41 Case study selection and theory grounding 37:42 Material vs. ideational explanations 40:07 Is 'intentions pessimism' about states or leaders? 42:50 Signals intelligence, satellite surveillance, and AI: do new technologies change the information problem? 46:17 The role of diplomacy and statecraft 47:54 Uncertainty in foreign policy analysis 53:46 How do we make progress in IR theory? Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E23
August 11 · 36 min
Who Controls Africa’s Food? Rethinking Food Security, Trade & Agriculture — David Luke
Why is Africa still importing so much of the food it consumes? What is holding back trade in food and agricultural products between African countries? In this interview, we speak with Professor David Luke, editor of How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks, an open-access book published by LSE Press. We discuss the causes of food insecurity across Africa, the role of agricultural investment, and the barriers that make it difficult for African countries to trade food with one another. Professor Luke explains why non-tariff barriers matter, where intra-African food trade falls short, and what the AfCFTA could mean for African agriculture. The conversation also covers Africa’s approach to the WTO, the future of the Malabo Declaration, countries making progress in agricultural transformation, and China’s role in African agriculture. The interview concludes with a discussion of where research on African agriculture should go next. David Luke is Professor in Practice and Strategic Director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, LSE and Extraordinary Professor at North-West University, South Africa, specialising in African trade policy, trade negotiations, and development. Selected Publications How Africa Trades How Africa Eats Implementing the AfCFTA: A sluggish start Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:39 Rethinking Africa’s Hunger Narrative 06:51 The Root Causes of Food Insecurity in Africa 12:28 How the Research Was Conducted 15:13 Why Non-Tariff Barriers Matter for African Food Trade 17:43 The Missing Link in Intra-African Food Trade 20:12 Agricultural Investment: Africa’s Internal and External Drivers 24:49 Africa’s WTO Strategy: Practical Outcomes Over Ideology 29:11 Does the Malabo Declaration Need an Upgrade? 31:11 Countries Driving Africa’s Agricultural Transformation 32:23 China’s Role in African Agriculture 34:36 Future Research Priorities in African Agriculture Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E22
August 4 · 1 hr 9 min
The Future of Global Governance: BRICS, AI, Middle Powers & World Order — Miles Kahler
In this episode, Professor Miles Kahler discusses the future of global governance in an era of intensifying geopolitical rivalry, shifting power balances, and growing challenges to the post-1945 international order. Drawing on his recent paper, Global Governance in the Twenty-First Century: Sustain, Reform, Transform, he examines whether existing international institutions can still adapt or whether new forms of cooperation will be required. Professor Miles Kahler is Research Professor-in-Residence and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the School of International Service, American University. He is also a Non-resident Scholar in the Global Order and Institutions Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His research focuses on international institutions, global governance, international political economy, regionalism, and the evolution of the international order. He has written extensively on global governance, international cooperation, and the political economy of globalisation, and is widely recognised as one of the leading scholars in the study of international institutions. Selected Publications Global governance in the twenty-first century: Sustain, reform, transform From Complex Interdependence to Complex Governance Global governance in the twenty-first century: End of the Bretton Woods moment? The Bretton Woods Moment: Hierarchies, Networks, and Markets in the Long Twentieth Century Global governance: Three futures Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:58 When Are Institutional Reforms No Longer Enough? 05:16 Can Middle Powers Shape a New Global Order? 10:21 Consensus-Based Multilateralism vs. Plurilateral Cooperation 16:15 Why Is BRICS Less Coherent Than Expected in Global Governance? 22:20 Why Do Countries Join BRICS? Choice or Necessity? 29:19 How Technology and Supply Chains Are Redefining Spheres of Influence 34:30 The Future of Values and Interests in Global Governance 41:41 Does the Liberal International Order Need an Upgrade? 46:11 Strengthening Regional Governance: Rules, Norms, and Institutions 52:38 AI and the Future of Global Governance 59:59 Has International Relations Neglected Domestic Politics? 01:05:41 Underexplored Research Agendas in Global Governance A clarifying note at 13:18: "COP 30 reached agreement on several issues, such as a work program on climate finance, but it was not able to reach consensus on a roadmap transitioning from fossil fuels. That issue that led to the Santa Marta Conference, a coalition of the willing that aimed to phase out fossil fuels." Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E21
July 21 · 47 min
Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional: Brazilian IR Journal — Haroldo Ramanzini Júnior
Published by the Brazilian Institute of International Relations since 1958, the Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional (Brazilian Journal of International Politics, also known as RBPI) has spent nearly seven decades serving as a vital bridge between Latin American scholarship and global debates on international affairs. The journal has also reached several important milestones, including its transition to open access, the adoption of English as a publication language, and its integration into the SciELO digital publishing platform. These developments have significantly expanded its international reach and influence. Editor-in-Chief: Haroldo Ramanzini Júnior Impact Factor: 2025 (1.0) / 5-Year Impact Factor: 1.20 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 90 days Acceptance Rate: 20% Haroldo Ramanzini Júnior is a Brazilian political scientist specialising in Brazilian foreign policy, regionalism, and Latin American international relations, and serves as Associate Professor at the Institute of International Relations at the University of Brasília. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:16 The Intellectual Identity of RBPI 04:46 What Makes RBPI Unique Among Latin American IR Journals? 10:31 Maintaining Thematic and Conceptual Coherence 12:49 Brazil's Foreign Policy, Latin America, and Global Perspectives 15:03 Emerging Intellectual Trends in Submissions 17:00 Which Research Topics Are Growing Most Rapidly? 19:08 Methodological Diversity in RBPI 21:35 The Most Common Mistakes in Submitted Manuscripts 24:33 Ensuring a High-Quality Editorial Process 27:29 Artificial Intelligence in Editorial Work and Peer Review 30:26 Editorial Innovations and Future Publishing Practices 35:49 Who Can Join the Editorial Board? 36:49 Should Authors Suggest Potential Reviewers? 39:25 Publishing in English and Internationalising the Journal 42:48 The Future Direction of RBPI 45:52 What Editorial Leadership Has Meant for Dr Ramanzini Junior's Career Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E20
July 7 · 1 hr 21 min
America's Role in Post-Soviet Russia: The Untold Story — Daniel Satinsky
In 1989, an American cultural institute helped arrange Boris Yeltsin's first trip to the United States — and a single visit to a supermarket may have changed the course of Soviet history. Thus, what is the untold story of America's involvement in the transformation of the Soviet Union? Daniel Satinsky is an independent scholar, retired attorney and retired business consultant. He began his career in the Soviet Union, then Russia, as part of a US-Russia telecom joint venture in 1991 and then continued with business and consulting projects in Russia up to 2014. Selected Publication Creating the Post-Soviet Russian Market Economy: Through American Eyes Over those years he traveled extensively across the country from Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Central Russia Golden Ring cities, the Urals and Siberia. Subsequently, he has been researching and writing about the interaction between Americans and Russians in this unique historical period. After publishing his most recent book, Creating the Post Soviet Russian Market Economy: Through American Eyes, he has developed an oral history of interviews with foreigners active in Russia during the late 1980s through the early 2000s, available online as The Satinsky Archive, now including 55 in-depth interviews. He was Chairman of the Board of the US Russia Chamber of Commerce of New England from 2000 – 2014 and currently is a Local Affiliate of the Davis Center at Harvard. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:28 The Esalen Institute and Boris Yeltsin's Visit to the United States 21:02 SovAm Teleport: Establishing a Soviet–American Internet Connection 29:50 SP Dialog: American Technology and the Transformation of Soviet Banking 39:32 Project Harmony: Community Exchanges and American Police Officers in the Soviet Union 49:30 Russian Privatisation and the Role of American Companies 01:06:11 American Companies in Russia: Independent Ventures or Western Partnerships? 01:08:17 Investment Opportunities in the Post-Soviet Space 01:10:56 Radio Maximum, Cosmopolitan, and Western Cultural Influence in Russia 01:16:23 Sources, Evidence, and the Limits of Satinsky's Research Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E19
July 1 · 1 hr 1 min
Racism Without the Word — Somdeep Sen
After 9/11, the word "terrorism" replaced older colonial vocabularies — but the racial logic underneath stayed intact. Dr Somdeep Sen of Roskilde University joins The IR thinker to show how concepts such as development, security, and the War on Terror continue to sort the world along racial lines, even when race itself goes unnamed. From NATO's global colour line to China's reproduction of Western hierarchies within the Global South, this conversation maps the hidden architecture of race in contemporary IR. Dr Sen is Associate Professor in International Development Studies at Roskilde University, whose research explores race and racism in international relations, settler colonialism, liberation movements, and postcolonial theory. Selected Publications Race (Chapter 9) NATO and the global colour line Decolonising to Reimagine International Relations A Postcolonial Critique of EU-Middle East Relations Race, Racism, and the Teaching of International Relations Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:34 - How IR Erased Race — Deliberately and Systematically 07:09 - Why "sanitised" Language Still Encodes Racial Hierarchy 10:11 - Race Beyond the North–South Divide 15:15 - How Racial Logic Travels Across Regions and Contexts 19:02 - Terrorism, Security, and the Racialisation of Threat 28:15 - Western Imagination of the Middle East Before and After 9/11 34:21 - Why Race Scholarship From the Middle East Gets Overlooked 40:00 - Brexit, English Nationalism, and the Return of Racial Politics 45:32 - What Decolonising IR Actually Requires 47:59 - China as a Non-Western Power Reproducing Racial Hierarchies 51:10 - Intra-Southern Hierarchies and Who Gets to Speak for the Global South 53:41 - How to Research Race When Race Goes Unspoken 58:21 - Underresearched Areas and Future Directions Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E18
June 23 · 1 hr 3 min
When AI Fights, the War Never Ends — Myriam Dunn Cavelty
Artificial intelligence is redrawing the boundaries of cybersecurity — accelerating attacks, complicating attribution, and compressing the time humans have to make decisions that matter. In this episode, Myriam Dunn Cavelty of ETH Zurich examines AI-driven conflict, the politics behind critical infrastructure protection, the limits of European governance, and what it means when cyber war has no clear start and no clear finish. Myriam Dunn Cavelty is a Senior Scientist at the Centre for Security Studies at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. Her research examines the political and societal implications of digital technologies, with a particular focus on cyber security, cyber warfare, critical infrastructure protection, and technology governance. She also serves as co-editor-in-chief of Contemporary Security Policy. Selected Publications The evolution of cyberconflict studies The politics of cyber security Cyber security politics: Socio-technological transformations and political fragmentation Cybersecurity in Switzerland Cyber-security and threat politics: US efforts to secure the information age Recommended article: Cyber War Will Not Take Place Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:55 - What Actually Counts as Critical Infrastructure in the Age of AI? 07:58 - ENISA: Europe's Cybersecurity Watchdog — Triumphs, Failures, and Missed Opportunities 13:00 - Does the World Need a Global Cybersecurity Regulator? 14:43 - Hacked Nations: Geopolitical Coercion, Hybrid Warfare, and Strategic Signalling 25:48 - Is Cybersecurity a Political Problem Dressed Up as a Technical One? 32:31 - War Without End: Why AI-Driven Conflict Has No Clear Start, No Clear Finish 38:27 - Who Did It? The Dangerous Art of Attribution in Cyber Warfare 43:58 - The Speed Problem: When AI Makes Decisions Faster Than Humans Can Think 48:33 - Arming the Enemy: What Happens When Open-Source AI Falls Into the Wrong Hands? 52:00 - Measuring the Unmeasurable: How Do You Rank a Country's Cyber Power? 58:27 - The Blind Spots of AI Cybersecurity Research Topics Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E17
June 16 · 45 min
African Affairs Journal: History, Trends, and the Peer Review Process — Jonathan Fisher
Today, it is a real pleasure to speak with Professor Jonathan Fisher, co-editor of African Affairs — one of the leading journals in the field of African Studies. African Affairs is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the London-based Royal African Society. It was established as the Journal of the African Society in 1901, then it was published as the Journal of the Royal African Society from 1936 until it obtained its current name in 1944. The journal is broadly interdisciplinary, with a primary focus on the politics and international relations of sub-Saharan Africa, though it also draws on sociology, anthropology, economics, history, literature, and the arts where these illuminate debates on contemporary Africa. Co-Editors George M. Bob-Milliar Jonathan Fisher Amanda Lea Robinson Gabrielle Lynch Impact Factor: 2.2 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 2.7 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science Jonathan Fisher is Professor of Global Security at the University of Birmingham where he also serves as Deputy Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer for the College of Social Sciences. His research centres on the role of ideas and legitimacy within authoritarian systems, with extensive fieldwork across eastern Africa, where his work has examined how guerrilla heritage shapes contemporary governance, conflict, and cooperation, as well as the growing phenomenon of digital authoritarianism. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:41 The Journal’s Evolving Mission and Research Identity 08:00 Balancing Intellectual Coherence with Disciplinary Diversity 11:19 The Place of Empirical and Theoretical Research in Submissions 13:03 Emerging Trends in Manuscripts and Desired Research Directions 16:27 Underexplored Regions and Research Gaps across Africa 18:40 Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed-Methods Approaches in Publication 24:04 The Most Frequent Mistakes in Article Submissions 25:49 Common Pitfalls for Early-Career Researchers 27:26 Structural and Technical Weaknesses in Academic Articles 29:00 The Impact of AI on Editorial and Peer-Review Processes 31:30 Editorial Reforms and the Journal’s Growing Academic Standing 33:46 The Role and Significance of the Editorial Board 37:14 Supporting Marginalised and Underrepresented Scholars 40:37 Contributions from Latin America, Asia, and China 41:57 Does the Journal Encourage Authors to Suggest Reviewers? 42:43 Future Vision, Priorities, and Strategic Goals of the Journal Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E16
June 9 · 1 hr 8 min
Publishing in Regional & Federal Studies Journal — Davide Vampa & Mariely Lopez-Santana
Today, it is a real pleasure to speak with the editorial team of Regional & Federal Studies, one of the leading journals in the field of territorial politics, regionalism, and federalism. The journal was established in 1991 as Regional Politics and Policy: An International Journal focusing on regionalism in Western Europe. In 1995, the journal changed its name to Regional and Federal Studies, expanding its focus and scope. Impact Factor: 1.4 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 1.6 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 40 days Acceptance Rate: 28% Davide Vampa, Lead Editor of the journal and Senior Lecturer in Territorial Politics at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change and Chair of the ECPR Standing Group on Federalism and Regionalism, as well as Mariely Lopez-Santana, Deputy Lead Editor and Associate Professor of Political Science at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, USA. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:45 The Journal’s Intellectual Identity 06:01 How the Journal Adapted to a Changing Field 08:33 Managing Breadth and Coherence Across Federalism, Regionalism, and Multilevel Governance 10:43 Crossing Disciplinary Boundaries: Bridging Political Science and Beyond 14:02 Theory or Empirics? Balancing Conceptual Innovation and Case-Based Research 18:00 Major Intellectual Trends in Regional and Federal Politics 22:09 Underexplored Topics 25:32 Methodological Diversity: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Approaches 27:48 Methodological Shifts: Dominant Approaches and Emerging Techniques 29:53 The Data Challenge: Obstacles in Gathering Quantitative Evidence 32:44 Why Papers Get Rejected: Common Problems in Manuscript Submissions 37:25 Early Career Scholars: Frequent Mistakes and Professional Advice 44:34 The Journal’s Position on AI 48:59 Peer Review Process: Fairness, Transparency, and Editorial Efficiency 53:47 The Role and Strategic Importance of the Editorial Board 57:03 Supporting Underrepresented Scholars and Regions 01:03:33 Should Authors Recommend Reviewers? 01:03:49 Looking Ahead: Future Priorities Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E15
June 1 · 1 hr 6 min
Poland's New Strategic Culture and Geopolitical Ambitions — Piotr Pietrzak
As American power recedes and European unity fractures, Poland finds itself at the centre of one of the most consequential geopolitical transformations of our time. Dr Piotr Pietrzak joins us to trace Poland's journey from historical insecurity to strategic confidence. Can Poland sustain great-power aspirations without overreaching? Piotr Pietrzak is co-founder of In Statu Nascendi Think Tank, a non-partisan and independent institution bringing together scholars from a wide range of disciplines. It is devoted to rigorous inquiry into contemporary conflict and political philosophy, and to generating actionable ideas on geoeconomic, political, and socio-economic matters. A scholar, ontologist, and author, Dr Pietrzak is particularly known for bringing a rigorous pragmatic perspective to international relations theory, conflict management, and geopolitics. His work consistently bridges theoretical inquiry and real-world application, making it relevant to both academic and policy audiences. Selected Publications On the Idea of Humanitarian Intervention: A New Compartmentalization of IR Theories Exploring the implications of local and regional conflicts The Changing Conceptual Landscape of the Russian War in Ukraine (2014-Present) and Syria (2011-Present) The Russia ‒ Ukraine War and the Renaissance of IR Realism Geopolitical rivalries and strategic competition across Eurasia Strengthening international relations through transformative theory and practice The Sikorski–Tusk doctrine underpinning Poland's new strategic culture and its response to the Russia–Ukraine War Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:20 - Reimagining International Relations: An Ontology “In Statu Nascendi” 04:09 - The Giedroyc-Mieroszewski Doctrine 07:17 - The Brzezinski Doctrine 11:02 - The Sikorski–Tusk Doctrine 18:13 - Regional Power or Strategic Frontline State? Poland’s Post-2022 Autonomy 24:43 - Between Brussels and Washington: Balancing Pro-European and Pro-American Orientations 29:35 - Ukraine as a Strategic Beneficiary of the War 32:18 - Beyond Solidarity: The Future of Polish-Ukrainian Relations 36:32 - China and the New Geometry of Polish Geopolitics 40:28 - What Would G7 Membership Mean for Poland? 46:04 - Democratic Values, Diaspora Networks, and Poland’s Emerging Leadership Role 50:24 - From Historical Insecurity to Strategic Confidence: The Evolution of Polish Strategic Culture 54:01 - Ambition versus Overstretch: Can Poland Sustain Great-Power Aspirations (American power declines, European unity weakens, and Ukraine remains unstable) 01:00:10 - Poland and Russia: Is Stable Coexistence Possible? 01:02:57 - The Most Underresearched Questions in Polish Geopolitics Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E14
May 25 · 1 hr 11 min
Africa's Agency in Global Climate Governance — Carl Death
This episode explores African agency in global climate governance, moving beyond narratives that portray African states solely as vulnerable recipients of climate policy. Drawing on debates in International Relations, environmental politics, and African climate futures, Dr Carl Death examines how African actors negotiate, contest, and reimagine climate governance across local, continental, and global arenas. Carl Death is a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on environmental politics in Africa, with a particular interest in critical and postcolonial approaches. Selected Publications The Green Economy in South Africa: Global Discourses and Local Politics Four Discourses of the Green Economy in the Global South Green States in Africa: Beyond the Usual Suspects Africanfuturist Socio‐Climatic Imaginaries and Nnedi Okorafor’s Wild Necropolitics Climate Fiction, Climate Theory: Decolonising Imaginations of Global Futures Unfamiliar Families and Disturbing Climate Futures Narrating Transitions to Low Carbon Futures: The Role of Long-Term Strategies in Fossil Fuel Producing Emerging Economies African Climate Futures Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:30 African agency in global climate governance: realities versus stereotypes 10:21 Writing climate transition differently: fiction as method 13:32 Universal models and African political economies 18:04 Pan-Africanism and coordination in climate governance 23:25 Key actors in Africa’s climate and energy transition 27:19 Climate fiction and African agency: insights from fifteen authors 32:49 Selection and context of African climate fiction 38:37 Postcolonial, feminist, and queer perspectives on African climate futures 43:47 Ecopolitical imaginaries explained 48:01 Beyond limited case studies in African climate scholarship 54:51 Challenges in writing the book 58:51 Local politics and environmental governance 01:02:25 Civil society and grassroots climate action 01:08:59 Under-researched areas in African climate politics Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E13
May 19 · 1 hr 6 min
Publishing in Contemporary Security Policy — Myriam Dunn Cavelty & Nicole Jenne
Today, it is a real pleasure to speak with the editorial team of Contemporary Security Policy, one of the most influential journals in the field of international security studies. Previously, known as Arms Control (1980 - 1993). Since its founding in 1980, the journal has played a central role in shaping discussions on armed conflict, intervention, strategic change, and global security governance. Impact Factor: 5.0 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 4.6 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 5 days Acceptance Rate: 11% Major fields of concern include: - War and armed conflict - Peacekeeping - Conflict resolution - Arms control and disarmament - Defense policy - Strategic culture - International institutions The journal is currently led by three co-editors: - Myriam Dunn Cavelty - Nicole Jenne - Yf Rejkers Two of them are with us today: Professor Myriam Dunn Cavelty is a leading scholar of cyber security, risk politics, and the governance of emerging technologies, based at ETH Zürich. Associate Professor Nicole Jenne is an expert on Latin American security, civil–military relations, and regional responses to transnational threats at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, also a visiting scholar at David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:52 The Journal’s Mission: Change and Continuity 04:24 The Intellectual DNA of CSP 06:22 Managing Breadth: Coherence Across Security Studies 09:49 Evaluating Innovative and Experimental Submissions 11:56 What Counts as ‘Policy’ in Contemporary Security Policy? 14:23 Borderline Cases: When Policy Relevance Is Unclear 19:54 Methodological Pluralism and Editorial Tensions 22:46 Qualitative or Quantitative? CSP’s Methodological Orientation 25:02 Major Intellectual Trends in Recent Submissions 26:41 Desired Growth Areas: Topics the Journal Wants More Of 28:20 Attracting Strong Manuscripts: Editorial Strategies and Outreach 33:03 The Role of AI in Academic Submissions 42:49 The Most Common Mistakes in Manuscript Submission 44:10 Fairness, Bias, and Delay: The Realities of Peer Review 47:49 Should Authors Recommend Potential Reviewers? 49:41 Supporting Junior Scholars and Academics Facing Structural Disadvantage 53:24 The Bernard Brodie Prize 56:54 Publication Strategy: Controlling Volume and Maintaining Quality 58:47 What an Editorial Board Actually Does 01:02:11 Editorial Priorities and a Final Message to Scholars Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E12
May 12 · 1 hr 3 min
Publishing in Problems of Post-Communism: An Editor's Perspective — Dmitry Gorenburg
Problems of Post-Communism is a long-standing peer-reviewed academic journal that examines political, economic, security, and international developments in post-communist societies. First established in 1952 under the title Problems of Communism, the journal was originally published by the United States Information Agency and adopted its current name in 1992 to reflect the profound transformations following the end of the Cold War. Impact Factor: 2.0 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 2.2 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 112 days Acceptance Rate: 28% The current editor-in-chief is Dmitry P. Gorenburg, a political scientist and senior researcher at CNA, who oversees the journal’s editorial direction and its engagement with contemporary debates on the politics and international relations of post-communist countries. Dr. Gorenburg is also a Harvard Davis Center associate and previously served as executive director of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies (now the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies, or ASEEES). His scholarship focuses on Russian military reform, Russian foreign policy, and security dynamics in the former Soviet Union, as well as questions of ethnic politics and identity in Russia. BLOG: Russian Military Reform Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:53 Evolution of the Journal’s Mission After the Collapse of Communism 05:20 The Intellectual “DNA” of Problems of Post-Communism 06:43 Maintaining Intellectual Coherence Across a Broad Research Scope 09:19 The Role of International Relations in the Journal’s Scope: Thematic vs Territorial Focus 10:26 Disciplinary Balance: Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Area Studies 11:07 Major Intellectual Trends in Post-Communist Studies Over the Past Decade 14:22 Democratic Backsliding, Illiberalism, and the Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine on Research Agendas 18:21 Russian Scholars in Exile and Scholars Working Inside Russia 21:05 Underexplored Topics in Post-Communist Studies 22:22 Annual Publication Volume and the Pressure to Publish More 26:31 Preferred Research Methods and Methodological Approaches 29:30 The Most Common Mistakes in Manuscript Submissions 40:51 Ensuring Fairness and Efficiency in the Peer Review Process 43:32 Editorial Innovations that Improved Journal Quality and Consistency 44:45 The Role and Selection of the Editorial Board 46:19 Publishing Challenges for Scholars from Central Asia and the Post-Soviet Region 52:30 Growing Global Interest in Post-Communist Studies 53:13 Should Authors Suggest Potential Reviewers? 55:14 What Makes a Successful Article in Problems of Post-Communism 59:25 The Future Vision for the Journal Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E11
May 5 · 1 hr 4 min
Inside Myanmar’s Fragile Geopolitical Position — Wai Yan Phyo Naing
Myanmar occupies a unique position in contemporary international affairs, where the legacies of post-independence neutralism, decades of military rule, and a fractured post-coup order converge to produce one of the most complex foreign policy environments in the Indo-Pacific. Dr Naing is a visiting scholar at the Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica, under the Taiwan Fellowship Program. At the moment, he is focusing on modern Myanmar’s domestic politics, democratisation, and international relations, with particular attention to Myanmar–Russia and Myanmar–China relations and their implications for regional security, political development, and social change. In this role, he conducts independent and collaborative research drawing on archival materials, historical documents, and qualitative sources. His current project, “Insights from Taiwan’s Democratisation: Implications for Upcoming Reform Processes in Myanmar,” examines how Taiwan’s experience of democratisation can inform prospective political reforms in Myanmar. Selected Publications Northern Myanmar Poses a Challenge to China’s Critical Minerals Strategy The Dilemma of Sino-Myanmar Relations: The Case of Myitsone Hydropower Dam Project Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:19 Neutralism, Military Isolation, and the Origins of Myanmar’s Strategic Hedging 09:16 Structural Drivers of the Contemporary Myanmar Political Crisis 16:53 The Influence of China and India on Myanmar’s Foreign Policy Orientation 26:00 The National Unity Government and the Fragmentation of Political Authority 33:12 Border Governance, Insurgency, and Security Dynamics in Myanmar’s Frontier Regions 48:43 Russia’s Role in Myanmar’s Strategic and Military Relations 01:00:35 ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and the Limits of the Non-Interference Principle Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E10
April 28 · 1 hr 7 min
Foucault, Stalin and the Politics of Life and Death: What Is Biopolitics? — Sergei Prozorov
In this episode, I speak with Professor Sergei Prozorov about biopolitics, one of the most provocative frameworks in contemporary political theory, and how it reshapes our understanding of power, life, and death across IR, philosophy, and Soviet studies. From Foucault to Mbembe to Stalin, this is a conversation that cuts to the heart of how modern states govern human existence. Sergei Prozorov is Professor of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. His research interests include contemporary political theory, continental philosophy, biopolitics, democracy and totalitarianism. Sergei’s work is positioned at the intersection of political philosophy, IR theory, and Soviet and post-Soviet studies, with sustained engagement with the thought of Michel Foucault, Giorgio Agamben, and Roberto Esposito. During 2010–2015, Prozorov held the Academy of Finland Research Fellowship with the project Biopolitics of Stalinism. During 2015–2019, he served as Principal Investigator of the Academy of Finland project Biopolitics and Democracy in Global Governance. Prozorov's work has accumulated over 2,800 citations on Google Scholar Google Scholar, reflecting his standing as one of the leading theorists of biopolitics in the international field. Peer assessments situate him among the most philosophically sophisticated scholars working at the intersection of IR and continental theory. His work represents one of the most ambitious re-articulations of the ontological and ethical foundations of universalism in contemporary political theory. Prozorov's latest book is Poses of the World, the third volume in his Void Universalism trilogy. Selected Publications Foucault, Freedom and Sovereignty Agamben and Politics: A Critical Introduction The Biopolitics of Stalinism: Ideology and Life in Soviet Socialism Foucault and Agamben on Augustine, Paradise and the Politics of Human Nature When did biopolitics begin? Actuality and potentiality in historical events Biopolitics After Truth: Knowledge, Power and Democratic Life Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:55 Conceptualising Biopolitics 09:05 Actors and Agents in Biopolitics 12:39 Biopolitics and Mainstream Approaches in Political Science and IR 18:20 Biopolitics and Sovereignty: Engaging with Agamben 26:16 Biopolitics and Necropolitics: Mbembe’s Intervention 31:05 Studying Biopolitics Empirically: Approaches and Challenges 33:06 Researching Biopolitics: Professor Prozorov’s Preferred Methods 38:58 Common Pitfalls in Biopolitics Research: Advice for Early-Career Scholars 41:53 Biopolitics Beyond the West 45:21 The Motivation and Goals Behind Biopolitics of Stalinism (book) 50:30 Soviet Ideology Through the Lens of Biopolitics 01:00:59 Biopolitical Investment or Propaganda in the Soviet Project? 01:03:39 Professor Prozorov’s Upcoming Research and Future Directions Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E9
April 21 · 1 hr
How Russia Projects Soft Power Across Three Continents — Vladimir Liparteliani
How does a country under heavy sanctions continue to win influence across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia? In this episode, Vladimir Liparteliani unpacks the full machinery of Russian soft power — from RT and Sputnik to educational diplomacy, cultural outreach, and religious projection. Vladimir Liparteliani is an associate fellow at the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Durham University. As a scholar of international relations, he focuses on soft power and international power competition in the post-Soviet space. Selected Publications Soft Power Competition Between Russia and the West: Contesting Georgian National Identity, 1991–2024 The Art of Subtle Influence: Russian Soft Power and Georgia’s Conservative Turn Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:37 Conceptualising Russian Soft Power: Beyond Nye’s Classical Framework 05:58 Russian Scholarly Perspectives on Soft Power 07:10 Soft Power, Strategic Communication, and Influence Operations in Russian Foreign Policy 08:42 Strategic Ambiguity: The ‘Blurriness’ of Russian Soft Power 09:23 Great Power Identity and the Logic of Russian Soft Power 11:53 Soviet Legacies and Their Influence on Contemporary Russian Soft Power 14:21 International Broadcasting as Soft Power: RT and Sputnik 18:22 Narratives and Messaging in RT and Sputnik Content 20:52 Global Accessibility and Restrictions on RT and Sputnik 23:02 Educational Diplomacy in Russian Foreign Policy 26:22 Education as a Soft Power Instrument 28:41 The Experience of International Students in Russia 30:22 Cultural Diplomacy and the Projection of Russian Culture 34:13 Global Reception and Participation in Russian Cultural Initiatives 36:54 The Russian Orthodox Church and Religious Soft Power 41:15 Narrative Effectiveness and Audience Reception in Russian Soft Power 43:52 The Interaction of Soft and Hard Power in Russian Strategy 46:49 Soft Power within Russia’s Military and Security Agenda 49:09 Adapting Russian Soft Power to New Political Realities 51:50 The Impact of Sanctions on Russian Soft Power Adaptation 54:31 Opportunities and Constraints for Russian Soft Power in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia 57:27 — Research Motivation: Studying Russian Soft Power Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E8
April 14 · 1 hr 8 min
South Africa's Nuclear Energy and the HTMR-100 Reactor — Kelvin Kemm
South Africa has been involved in nuclear development for more than 75 years. In 1948, the Atomic Energy Act established the Atomic Energy Board (AEB) — only two years after the United States created its own Atomic Energy Commission. South Africa's first nuclear research reactor, SAFARI-1, went critical in 1965, and the country's first large nuclear power station, Koeberg, came online in 1984. In February 2010, the South African government announced it would stop funding the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) programme. Over US$1.3 billion had been invested in the project since 1993, making its cancellation one of the most consequential decisions in South African energy history. But the technology did not disappear. A group of nuclear engineers and scientists pressed on independently, channelling the PBMR's intellectual legacy into a new design: the HTMR-100, an advanced Generation IV helium-cooled reactor. That effort eventually gave rise to Stratek Global, and it is an honour to speak with its Chairman and CEO, Dr Kelvin Kemm. Dr Kelvin Kemm is a nuclear physicist and Chairman of Stratek Global, based in Pretoria, South Africa. He is the former Chairman of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and has been involved in South Africa's small modular reactor programme since its inception — a journey spanning more than two decades. Dr Kemm has briefed the US Senate and Congress in Washington DC, and is a sought-after international speaker on nuclear energy, technology, and strategic development, having addressed audiences across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States. Above all, he brings over 25 years of hands-on experience building small modular reactor technology from the ground up — making him one of the most knowledgeable voices in the field today. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Discussion 02:49 Historical Development of Nuclear Reactor Technology in South Africa 17:29 Eskom’s Operational and Financial Challenges: Assessing the Crisis 23:32 Koeberg Nuclear Power Station: Operational Performance, Modernisation, and Life Extension 27:12 Nuclear Fuel Procurement and Supply Chains for Koeberg 31:43 Radioactive Waste Management at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station 36:04 Development Status of South Africa’s HTMR-100 Small Modular Reactor 39:03 HTMR-100 Reactor Concept: Design Principles, Mobility, and Scale 43:32 Advanced Fuel Architecture of the HTMR-100 Reactor 47:58 International Cooperation in Deploying HTMR-100 Nuclear Power Plants 51:09 Nuclear Science and Engineering Education in South Africa: Training the Next Generation 55:09 The Geopolitics of Nuclear Energy 57:49 Debates and Critiques of Renewable Energy Policy in South Africa 01:03:10 Pan-African Institutional Support for Nuclear Energy Development in Africa Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E7
April 7 · 42 min
How to Publish in Top IR Journals: Insights from a BJPIR Editor — Jack Holland
Today, we are hosting an episode that provides an opportunity to present a research journal together with its editor. The aim is not only to introduce the journal, but also to offer a critical assessment of suitable venues for publishing research articles. In this context, we turn our attention to the British Journal of Politics and International Relations (BJPIR). Impact Factor: 3.4 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 3.4 Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 6 days Acceptance Rate: 18.7% 14th out of 169 journals in the field of International Relations and 36th out of 322 in Political Science (Source: https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/education-social-sciences-law/news/article/2242/bjpir-celebrates-rise-in-impact-factor-and-25th-anniversary) The journal is a leading peer-reviewed academic journal in the fields of political science and international relations. Established in 1999 and published by SAGE Publications on behalf of the Political Studies Association, it has developed a strong international reputation for high-quality scholarship. The journal has six editors, all of whom are based at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Today, we are speaking with one of them, Professor of Global Security Challenges at the University of Leeds, Jack Holland. Jack Holland also serves as Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Social Sciences. His research focuses on United States, United Kingdom, and Australian foreign and security policy. He is an expert on AUKUS, for example, he has been invited as a witness to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, and he regularly provides media commentary for British and international news organisations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:24 The Journal’s Intellectual DNA 04:05 Political Science vs International Relations: Balance in Published Research 05:24 From Political Studies Association Flagship to Global Journal: Institutional Influence 08:31 Political Studies Association 09:47 Editorial Limits: Is There a Maximum Number of Articles per Issue? 11:36 Maintaining Coherence in a Broad-Scope Journal 12:48 Editorial Board: Selection, Roles, and Responsibilities 16:25 University of Leeds: The Journal’s Institutional Connection 18:08 Methodological Pluralism: Supporting Underrepresented Scholars 21:04 Current Intellectual Trends in Submissions 22:53 Undersubmitted Topics: Areas the Journal Wants More Of 24:13 AI, Frameworks, and Consulting: Reality Behind Publishing Claims 26:15 Common Author Mistakes in Journal Submissions 31:00 Encouraging Junior Scholars to Submit 33:51 Global South Scholars and Barriers 36:13 Editorial Lessons: Decisions Seen Differently Today 38:22 Suggesting Reviewers: Should Authors Do It? 39:39 Future Vision for the Journal Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E6
March 30 · 49 min
China and Russia: Four Centuries of Conflict and Concord — Philip Snow
This episode features a conversation with the historian Philip Snow on the evolution of relations between Russia and China. Drawing on archival research, the discussion traces the relationship from the early border settlements at Nerchinsk and Kyakhta to contemporary geopolitical and economic cooperation, highlighting how frontier regions such as Manchuria, Mongolia, and Xinjiang have shaped interaction between the two powers. The interview examines key turning points, including the Sino-Soviet split, as well as structural constraints (geography, distance, and technology) that have historically limited escalation along the border. It also explores post-Soviet asymmetries, energy interdependence, and projects such as Power of Siberia 2. Finally, the conversation considers the implications of contemporary Sino-Russian alignment, addressing their views on multipolar order, persistent frictions in the Russian Far East, and China’s potential capacity to lead globally without Russia. Philip Snow has been travelling in Russia and China since the 1960s, and has spent nearly two decades researching what is arguably the most consequential bailateral relationship of our era. Selected Publications Snow, P. (1989). The star raft: China’s encounter with Africa. Cornell University Press. Snow, P. (2003). The Fall of Hong Kong: Britain, China, and the Japanese occupation. Yale University Press. Snow, P. (2023). China and Russia: Four Centuries of conflict and Concord. Yale University Press. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Archival Research and Interpreting Russian–Chinese Narratives 06:21 Nerchinsk and Kyakhta: Origins of Long-Term Stability 10:46 Manchuria, Mongolia, and Xinjiang as Strategic Pivot Zones 14:18 Mongolia’s Role in Sino-Russian Relations 14:51 Structural Constraints on Escalation and Major War 18:51 The Role of Distance and Technology in Military Encounters 19:28 Manchuria and the Historical Foundations of Chinese Strategic Mistrust 24:17 The Sino-Soviet Split and the Limits of Ideological Alliances 27:05 Energy Interdependence and Post-Soviet Asymmetry 31:20 Power of Siberia 2: Economic Logic and Geopolitical Stakes 32:12 Why Sino-Russian Decision-Making Is Often Slow 32:40 Surface Alignment vs Structural Frictions in the Russian Far East 39:54 Sino-Russian Alignment in Opposition to the West 42:45 Do Russia and China Share a Vision of Multipolar Order? 45:44 China’s Capacity to Lead Without Russia 46:45 Critiquing Philip Snow’s Interpretation 48:21 How to Study China and Russia More Effectively Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E5
March 24 · 58 min
From Unipolarity to Multipolarity: The Changing World Order — Mark N. Katz
This interview with Professor Mark N. Katz explores one of the central debates in contemporary international relations: the transition from unipolarity to a more complex multipolar world. Drawing on historical cases and current geopolitical developments, the discussion examines whether multipolarity is truly the global norm, how great powers are defined, and what the post-Cold War “unipolar moment” tells us about today’s shifting balance of power. The conversation also addresses the rise of emerging actors such as BRICS, the strategic behaviour of smaller states, and the evolving role of alliances, norms, and regional rivalries—from the Middle East to the Global South. Ultimately, it offers a nuanced assessment of whether a multipolar world necessarily produces a stable and coherent international order, and highlights key research questions shaping the future of global politics. Mark N. Katz is Professor Emeritus of Government and Politics at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, where he taught from 1988 until his retirement in 2024. A specialist in Russian foreign policy, great-power competition, and the international politics of the Middle East, his research has long focused on Soviet and Russian engagement with the developing world and revolutionary movements in international politics. Selected Publications Personal Blog American Foreign Policy: Can the U.S. Get Out of a Difficult Situation? The Multipolar World Is Nothing New: Why the Return of Many Powers Does Not Mean the Birth of a New Order The Soviet Roots of Putin’s Foreign Policy Toward the Middle East The Third World in Soviet Military Thought The USSR and Marxist Revolutions in the Third World Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:03 Is Multipolarity the Historical Norm? 04:08 The Liberal Order During the Cold War 04:53 What Makes a Country a Great Power? 09:36 Understanding the Unipolar Moment 12:19 When Did Unipolarity End? 15:41 9/11, Terrorism and the Limits of Polarity Theory 21:51 The Sino–Soviet Split and a Brief Tripolar World 25:26 BRICS and the Rise of Multipolarity 27:25 Multipolar World vs Multipolar Order 30:27 Global South Views on Multipolarity 33:15 How Small States Play Great Powers Against Each Other 38:00 If China Dominates... 41:25 Do Alliances Limit a Country’s Power Ambitions? 43:45 Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel in a Multipolar Middle East 47:06 What the Arab Spring Reveals About Multipolarity 50:49 Do International Norms Still Matter? 53:12 Key Research Questions on the Future of Multipolarity Follow & Further Resources Substack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theirthinker/ X: https://x.com/theirthinker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theirthinker/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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