Podcast
On Geopolitics
Hosted by Centre for Geopolitics · EN
On Geopolitics enters a new chapter with the introduction of two new hosts: Professors William Hurst and John Nilsson-Wright. John hosts “Currents”, engaging guests from diverse sectors including government, academia, media, science, and business, to explore topical global issues and events. Meanwhile Bill hosts “Explorations”, which will present a series of in-depth discussions and analyses of big ideas and enduring themes - the first of these being on “War".
Our original hosts, Suzanne Raine and Professor Ali Ansari make periodic guest reappearances in the future, maintaining what has been the mission of the podcast, to inform our understanding and analysis of contemporary geopolitical issues with lessons and perspectives from history.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ambitious Allies: How Japan and the Republic of Korea are responding to the challenge of Donald Trump
3w ago00:39:05Tap to summarizeJohn Nilsson-Wright talks with Noah Sneider, the Economist’s bureau chief in Japan, on the ways in which the United States' two key Asian allies are adapting to an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment, both in confronting hostile foreign powers and a United States that appears aggressively transactional and increasingly unreliable as a dependable ally. They discuss foreign policy, domestic politics, and the personal leadership strengths and weaknesses of the country’s two leaders, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and President Lee Jae Myung, as they grapple with the challenge of implementing far-reaching policy changes while keeping their domestic publics on side.
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On Geopolitics, Explorations on War – Episode 15
4w ago00:26:47Tap to summarizeIn this concluding episode of the On Geopolitics Explorations: War series, Professor William Hurst returns to the question that he began with: what is war? He pulls this thread through a review of the many themes and ideas explored with his guests throughout the series.
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Explorations on War - Episode 14, With Ayşe Zarakol
Jun 800:36:01Tap to summarizeProfessor William Hurst is joined by Ayşe Zarakol, Professor of International Relations at the University of Cambridge. They discuss how empire models and concepts of international orders have shifted over time. They also consider how history and historical grievances can be mobilised politically, as forces that lead a state towards war or predispose a state not to go to war.
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Currents - Conflict & Neuroscience: How The Brain Shapes War And How War Shapes The Brain, with Dr Nick Wright
May 2900:40:31Tap to summarizeProfessor John Nilsson-Wright talks to Dr Nick Wright, a neuroscientist and adviser to the Pentagon Joint Staff who researches the brain, technology and security at University College London, Georgetown University, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the National Defence University in Washington, DC. They consider how fear, perception, misperception, and memory are tied to different physiological elements of the brain, and how they influence our predisposition to engage in conflict. While we may be conditioned to engage in conflict, we also have the capacity, unlike other species, to reflect on our own internal mental processes — a capacity that offers an optimistic basis for minimising the risk of conflict in the future.
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Explorations - War, Episode 13, with Tang Shiping
May 2500:40:09Tap to summarizeProfessor William Hurst is joined by Tang Shiping, Distinguished Professor of International Relations at Fudan University. They discuss the origins of war and the reasons why states fight. They also consider how war has become a defining force in shaping international order, and examine the social evolution of the rules that surround order.
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Explorations on War - Episode 12, with Ron Hassner
May 1100:41:17Tap to summarizeProfessor William Hurst is joined by Ron Hassner, the Chancellor's Professor of Political Science and Helen Diller Family Chair in Israel Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. They discuss the importance of understanding the religious terrain of a country when going to war with it, and the necessity of states engaging religious leaders, and those with religious expertise, when making decisions around war.
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Currents - Episode 4: British foreign policy in a disorderly World, with Sir Robin Niblett
May 1100:47:59Tap to summarizeProfessor John Nilsson-Wright talks with Sir Robin Niblett, former Director of the leading British think-tank Chatham House, about the key foreign policy challenges and opportunities facing the Labour Government of Sir Keir Starmer. They discuss the legacy of previous Conservative governments’ foreign policies, key bilateral relationships with the United States, China, and Britain’s European and Indo-Pacific partners, and the perennial challenge of balancing strategic priorities against the economic constraints associated with slow growth and rising national debt. At a pivotal time in domestic politics, following Labour’s poor performance in Britain’s recent local elections, they also consider the Prime Minister’s political future and the prospects for British foreign policy of a change in the Labour leadership or a future transition to a new UK government.
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Explorations on War - Episode 11, with Rohan Mukherjee
Apr 2700:40:32Tap to summarizeProfessor William Hurst is joined by Dr Rohan Mukherjee, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Deputy Director of LSE IDEAS. They consider how some states may act aggressively to prove their great power status and to seek recognition from other states. They also discuss states’ need of symbolic equality, particularly those that experience a potential gap between their capabilities and the degree of respect they receive.
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Explorations on War - Episode 10, with Peter Trubowitz
Mar 2300:40:45Tap to summarizeProfessor William Hurst is joined by Peter Trubowtiz, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Phelan US Centre at the London School of Economics. They discuss liberal versus realist approaches to war. They look at how political economy and security considerations interact, and consider how domestic politics have profound impacts upon how states behave internationally.
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Explorations on War - Episode 9, with Caroline Baxter
Mar 900:41:44Tap to summarizeProfessor William Hurst is joined by Caroline Baxter, Director of the Converging Risks Lab at the Council on Strategic Risks and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Education and Training within the United States Office of the Secretary of Defense. They discuss the necessity of focusing on critical vulnerabilities –such as those resulting from climate change, AI, or quantum technologies– as wars continue to be fought through non-traditional means.
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