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The IR thinker

Martin Zubko
Cybersecurity
China
Ransomware
European Diplomacy
Russia
United Kingdom
European Union
National Cyber Security Strategy
Cyber Espionage
India
U.S. Energy Security
Royal United Services Institute
Foreign Policy
Ukraine
Energy Transition
Critical Terrorism Studies
Terrorism
Central Asia
Chinese Theories Of International Relations
Us-China Energy Dynamics

The IR thinker features in-depth interviews with leading experts in international relations, foreign policy, and global affairs. 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 pro... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes115Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSociety & CultureDocumentarySocial Sciences

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Latest Episodes

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 f... more

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 art... more

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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 Kyakht... more

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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 developme... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Marc Sanjaume-Calvet
Associate professor of political science at Pompeu Fabra University; advisor at the Self-Government Studies Institute
Pompeu Fabra University; Self-Government Studies Institute
Episode: Catalonia's Pursuit of Self-government - Marc Sanjaume-Calvet | Ep. 4 (2026)
David McCourt
Professor, Department of Sociology, UC Davis; author of The New Constructivism in International Relations Theory
University of California, Davis
Episode: The New Constructivism - David McCourt | Ep. 3 (2026)
Reuben Steff
Senior lecturer researching geopolitics and New Zealand's security posture
Mendel University in Berno, Czech Republic
Episode: New Zealand's Geopolitics - Reuben Steff | Ep. 2 (2026)
Charlotte Epstein
Professor based at the Tokyo College, University of Tokyo, exploring how language and political power constitute the modern international order.
Tokyo College, University of Tokyo
Episode: Decolonising Norms in IR - Charlotte Epstein | Ep. 1 (2026)
Marc Saxer
Political analyst, strategist, and writer with two decades of experience in international relations.
Friedrich-Ebert-Shtiftung
Episode: Transformative Realism - Marc Saxer | 2025 Episode 31
Dr. Vineet Thakur
University lecturer in international relations at Leiden University, author of influential works on India's diplomacy.
Leiden University
Episode: India's Diplomacy - Vineet Thakur | 2025 Episode 30
Martin Vladimirov
Director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Center for the Study of Democracy
Center for the Study of Democracy
Episode: Bulgaria's Energy Security - Martin Vladimirov | 2025 Episode 29

Host

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

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Changing World Order - Mark N. Katz | Ep. 5 (2026)
Q: Are norms and values genuinely influential in state behavior, or are they convenient justifications for pursuing national interests?
Norms are often invoked when convenient, but major powers primarily act in ways that advance their strategic and economic objectives; norms shape some policy choices when they align with interests, yet states will prioritize national gains when conflicts arise.
The Changing World Order - Mark N. Katz | Ep. 5 (2026)
Q: Can you give an example of how a smaller state or middle power can influence great power dynamics?
The United Arab Emirates illustrates how a smaller state can leverage relations with multiple great powers to gain strategic advantages, balancing ties with Russia and the United States while pursuing its own interests; similarly, Turkey has harnessed regional leverage to navigate great-power competition.
The Changing World Order - Mark N. Katz | Ep. 5 (2026)
Q: What role does the Global South actually play in shaping current international order, and is it truly unified in its aims?
The Global South is not a monolith; its members pursue diverse agendas, sometimes aligning with major powers for benefits, and other times resisting perceived coercion, using selective diplomacy to maximize national interests rather than shaping a universal norm-based order.
The Changing World Order - Mark N. Katz | Ep. 5 (2026)
Q: How should smaller states navigate a world with more great powers and fewer reliable blocs?
Smaller states can hedge by diversifying partnerships, leveraging trade and security ties with multiple powers, and pursuing independent development strategies that reduce overreliance on any single dominant power while seeking regional leadership where possible.
The Changing World Order - Mark N. Katz | Ep. 5 (2026)
Q: From your research, when did the unipolar moment really end, and what indicators signal its decline?
The end of the unipolar moment is gradual and contested; it is marked less by a single event and more by a series of strategic misalignments, growing power competiveness among peers, and failures of Western interventions to sustain dominance, such as in Iraq and Afghanistan, which opened space for other powers to reassert influence.

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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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1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. Odd Lots
3. Hacks On Tap

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The IR thinker launched 2 years ago and published 115 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. Philip Snow
2. Mark Katz
3. Marc Sanjaume-Calvet
4. David McCourt
5. Reuben Steff
6. Charlotte Epstein
7. Marc Saxer
8. Dr. Vineet Thakur

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