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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
NATO
Africa
Renewable Energy
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes124Founded3 years ago
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Social SciencesDocumentaryScienceSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

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... more

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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... more

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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 st... more

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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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Recent Guests

Davide Vampa
Lead editor of Regional and Federal Studies, senior lecturer in territorial politics at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Episode: What Makes Strong Research in Regional & Federal Studies? — Davide Vampa & Mariely Lopez-Santana
Mariely Lopez-Santana
Deputy lead editor and associate professor of political science at George Mason University
George Mason University
Episode: What Makes Strong Research in Regional & Federal Studies? — Davide Vampa & Mariely Lopez-Santana
Piotr Pietrzak
Co-founder of In Statu Nascendi Think Tank; independent political analyst and lecturer at Vistula University (Poland)
In Statu Nascendi Think Tank
Episode: Poland's New Strategic Culture and Geopolitical Ambitions — Piotr Pietrzak
Carl Death
Senior lecturer in international political economy; author of African Climate Futures
University of Manchester
Episode: Africa's Agency in Global Climate Governance — Carl Death
Myriam Dunn Cavelty
Leading scholar in cybersecurity, risk politics and governance of emerging technologies
ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Episode: Publishing in Contemporary Security Policy — Myriam Dunn Cavelty & Nicole Jenne
Nicole Jenne
Associate professor; expert on security in Latin America and civil-military relations
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile; visiting scholar at Harvard
Episode: Publishing in Contemporary Security Policy — Myriam Dunn Cavelty & Nicole Jenne
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: Publishing in Problems of Post-Communism: An Editor's Perspective — Dmitry Gorenburg
Wai-Yang Fio-Naing
Visiting scholar; focus on modern Myanmar politics and international relations
Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica
Episode: Inside Myanmar’s Fragile Geopolitical Position — Wai Yan Phyo Naing
Vladimir Liparteliani
Scholar of international relations; associate fellow at Durham University
Durham University
Episode: How Russia Projects Soft Power Across Three Continents — Vladimir Liparteliani

Host

Martin Zubko
Host of The IR Thinker

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Talking Points

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Poland's New Strategic Culture and Geopolitical Ambitions — Piotr Pietrzak
Q: What are the main Polish doctrines and their relevance today?
Pietrzak outlines the Giedroyc-Mirozhevsky, Berzezinski, and Sikorski-Task doctrines as foundational but argues for updating and adapting them to current realities, particularly in relation to Russia, Ukraine, and regional stability.
Poland's New Strategic Culture and Geopolitical Ambitions — Piotr Pietrzak
Q: How should we understand Poland's strategy culture in relations to world politics nowadays?
The guest argues for a holistic, open-minded approach that aggregates multiple IR theories, critiques past doctrines, and emphasizes active regional leadership, alliance-building, and a strong but independent strategic posture.
Africa's Agency in Global Climate Governance — Carl Death
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.
Africa's Agency in Global Climate Governance — Carl Death
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.
Africa's Agency in Global Climate Governance — Carl Death
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.

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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 offers long-form conversations with leading international relations scholars, policy experts, and regional specialists, often centered on global power dynamics, security, and governance. Episodes frequently explore how ideas, institutions, and historical context shape contemporary world politics, with a notable emphasis on multipolarity, regional autonomy, and the role of emerging topics like climate policy, cyber security, and media influence in international affairs. A standout aspect is the host's willingness to surface diverse perspectives from academia, policy, and regional studies, often challenging conventional narratives and examining how norms, power, and strategy interact on the world stage. This mix makes the program a s... 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 124 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. Davide Vampa
2. Mariely Lopez-Santana
3. Piotr Pietrzak
4. Carl Death
5. Myriam Dunn Cavelty
6. Nicole Jenne
7. Dmitry Gorenburg
8. Wai-Yang Fio-Naing

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