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The IR thinker

Martin Zubko
China
Russia
European Union
Energy Security
United States
North Korea
Nuclear Weapons
Cybersecurity
International Relations
Donald Trump
Africa
Renewable Energy
NATO
Democracy
Ukraine
Iran
India
European Diplomacy
Ransomware
Geopolitics

The IR thinker features in-depth interviews with leading experts in international relations. The IR thinker is an independent, non-partisan and non-aligned platform. It hosts a wide range of perspectives on international relations but does not endorse any political party, government or ideological position. Since its first episode in 2023, The IR thinker has produced more than 100 episodes as a pr... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes121Founded3 years ago
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Society & CultureScienceSocial SciencesDocumentary

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Latest Episodes

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 Af... more

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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 ... more

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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... more

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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 environ... more

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Recent Guests

Carl Death
Senior lecturer in international political economy; author of African Climate Futures
University of Manchester
Episode: African Agency in Climate Governance - Carl Death | Ep. 14 (2026)
Myriam Dunn Cavelty
Leading scholar in cybersecurity, risk politics and governance of emerging technologies
ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Episode: Contemporary Security Policy - Myriam Dunn Cavelty & Nicole Jenne | Ep. 13 (2026)
Nicole Jenne
Associate professor; expert on security in Latin America and civil-military relations
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile; visiting scholar at Harvard
Episode: Contemporary Security Policy - Myriam Dunn Cavelty & Nicole Jenne | Ep. 13 (2026)
Dmitry Gorenburg
Editor-in-chief of Problems of Post-Communism; political scientist and senior researcher at CNA; Harvard Davis Center associate
Problems of Post-Communism; CNA; Harvard Davis Center
Episode: Problems of Post-Communism - Dmitry Gorenburg | Ep. 12 (2026)
Wai-Yang Fio-Naing
Visiting scholar; focus on modern Myanmar politics and international relations
Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica
Episode: Myanmar - Geopolitics & Security - Wai Yan Phyo Naing | Ep. 11 (2026)
Vladimir Liparteliani
Scholar of international relations; associate fellow at Durham University
Durham University
Episode: Russian Soft Power in Africa, Asia & the Middle East - Vladimir Liparteliani | Ep. 9 (2026)
Dr. Kelvin Kemm
Nuclear physicist, chairman of Stratek Global (Pretoria) and former SA Nuclear Energy Corporation chairman
Stratek Global; South African Nuclear Energy Corporation
Episode: South Africa's Nuclear Energy - Kelvin Kemm Final | Ep. 8 (2026)
Philip Snow
Author of China and Russia, Four Centuries of Conflict and Concord
Yale University Press (author)
Episode: Understanding China-Russia Relations - Philip Snow | Ep. 6 (2026)
Mark Katz
Professor Emeritus of Government and Politics at George Mason University
George Mason University
Episode: The Changing World Order - Mark N. Katz | Ep. 5 (2026)

Host

Martin Zubko
Host and primary organizer of the program; IR scholar and lecturer

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Talking Points

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African Agency in Climate Governance - Carl Death | Ep. 14 (2026)
Q: Why turn to fiction rather than solely rely on academic texts for understanding Africa's climate politics?
Fiction can reveal imaginaries, ethical tensions, and alternative futures that policy documents often overlook, while still informing real-world policy through its critique of dominant narratives.
African Agency in Climate Governance - Carl Death | Ep. 14 (2026)
Q: What is the role of climate fiction in understanding and shaping energy transition policy?
Climate fiction offers a critical lens that exposes depoliticized assumptions in policy and highlights social, gender, and justice dimensions of climate futures, informing more holistic policy discussions.
African Agency in Climate Governance - Carl Death | Ep. 14 (2026)
Q: Who are the leaders from Africa in climate change and energy transition according to your research?
Leaders come from South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, and other countries that have actively negotiated climate positions and energy strategies, though leadership is uneven and varies by issue and period.
African Agency in Climate Governance - Carl Death | Ep. 14 (2026)
Q: How should we conceptualize African agency within international climate politics to avoid stereotypes?
Agency arises from diverse actors at multiple scales, including communities, NGOs, and national policies, and should be understood as a negotiation of power within a structurally unequal system rather than as mere resilience by victims.
Problems of Post-Communism - Dmitry Gorenburg | Ep. 12 (2026)
Q: What role does AI play in the submission and review process?
AI can be useful for tasks like data analysis and generating formatted citations, but there must be clear statements about AI use, and caution is advised against using AI to write text. The aim is to harness AI responsibly while maintaining integrity and transparency.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The IR thinker

What is The IR thinker about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show features long-form conversations with leading experts in international relations, security, and global affairs, exploring cutting-edge ideas, regional dynamics, and the practical implications of policy and theory. Episodes often center on theoretical frameworks (constructivism, norms, systemic crises), energy security, geopolitics, and diplomacy, with guests ranging from university professors to policy analysts and practitioners. The format tends to blend rigorous scholarly discussion with contemporary case studies, making it valuable for researchers, policymakers, and professionals who want to understand complex IR topics through multiple lenses. A notable strength is the willingness to engage with unconventional or emerging persp... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The IR thinker?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The IR thinker:

1. Foreign Policy Live
2. Independent Thinking
3. The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer
4. FT News Briefing
5. Ukraine: The Latest

How many episodes of The IR thinker are there?

The IR thinker launched 3 years ago and published 121 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The IR thinker?

Recent guests on The IR thinker include:

1. Carl Death
2. Myriam Dunn Cavelty
3. Nicole Jenne
4. Dmitry Gorenburg
5. Wai-Yang Fio-Naing
6. Vladimir Liparteliani
7. Dr. Kelvin Kemm
8. Philip Snow

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