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The IR thinker

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes119Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySocial SciencesScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The IR thinker

Latest Episodes

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

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

YouTube

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 stud... more

YouTube

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, cultu... more

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Recent Guests

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)
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)

Host

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

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#244
Germany/Science/Social Sciences
Apple Podcasts
#19
Finland/Science/Social Sciences
Apple Podcasts
#20
Norway/Science/Social Sciences
Apple Podcasts
#45
New Zealand/Science/Social Sciences
Apple Podcasts
#126
Finland/Science
Apple Podcasts
#133
Norway/Science
Apple Podcasts
#138
Ukraine/Science/Social Sciences
Apple Podcasts
#168
India/Science/Social Sciences
Apple Podcasts
#188
Japan/Science/Social Sciences
Apple Podcasts
#250
New Zealand/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Myanmar - Geopolitics & Security - Wai Yan Phyo Naing | Ep. 11 (2026)
Q: How has Myanmar's post-independence neutralism shaped its foreign policy today?
Myanmar maintains a hedging strategy, balancing China, India, Russia, and regional actors, while trying to preserve sovereignty and meet domestic demands under international pressure.
South Africa's Nuclear Energy - Kelvin Kemm Final | Ep. 8 (2026)
Q: Is Africa likely to become a regional hub for nuclear energy and fuel?
Yes, there is strong regional momentum. Africa has the leadership and technical capacity to interlink multiple reactors across countries, share monitoring tech, and develop a regional fuel cycle or storage solutions, reducing dependency on external powers.
South Africa's Nuclear Energy - Kelvin Kemm Final | Ep. 8 (2026)
Q: What is the HTMR-100, and where does it stand in terms of development and deployment?
HTMR-100 evolved from PBMR and is designed as a gas-cooled, walk-away-safe modular reactor. It is entering a phase where a first-of-a-kind unit could be built, with global interest from financiers and potential customers, leveraging existing SA engineering strengths.
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.

Audience Metrics

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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?

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1. Independent Thinking
2. Foreign Policy Live
3. The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer
4. The Intelligence from The Economist
5. FT News Briefing

How many episodes of The IR thinker are there?

The IR thinker launched 2 years ago and published 119 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. Wai-Yang Fio-Naing
2. Vladimir Liparteliani
3. Dr. Kelvin Kemm
4. Philip Snow
5. Mark Katz
6. Marc Sanjaume-Calvet
7. David McCourt
8. Reuben Steff

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