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Artwork for The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus

The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus

Marcel Dirsus
Russia
Ukraine
Donald Trump
NATO
Economic Transition
China
Western Business
Putin Administration
Nuclear Weapons
Oligarchs
Corruption
Crimea
Globalization
Sanctions
CIA
United States
Saddam Hussein
American Foreign Policy
Taiwan
Targeted Killings

Hey, it’s Marcel Dirsus. I’m a political scientist and this is The Next Best, my podcast. The world is complex, dangerous and confusing. To make sense of it all, I talk to authors, historians, diplomats and spies. Together, we’re going to learn about nuclear weapons, sanctions, targeted killings and much more. Let’s go. Have a question? Email at: thenextbestpodcast@gmail.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes26Founded7 months ago
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NewsPolitics

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Artwork for The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus

Latest Episodes

Germany is spending more on defence than at any point in recent history — and some analysts believe it could soon become Europe’s dominant military power.But what happens if Germany rearms in a world where Europe can no longer fully rely on the Unite... more

What keeps Iran’s regime in power—and why has it survived repeated crises, protests, and international pressure?

In this episode of The Next Best, Marcel Dirsus sits down with Yeganeh Torbati (New York Times Iran correspondent) and Bozorgmehr Shara... more

Most countries are not superpowers. They’re not regional hegemons. They’re small states trying to survive in a world dominated by giants.In this episode, I speak with Anders Wivel, Professor of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, about... more

YouTube

The Houthis aren't Iran's puppet. That's what makes them so dangerous. They can shut down two of the world's most critical chokepoints simultaneously — and there's very little the West can do about it.In this episode of The Next Best, Marcel Dirsus s... more

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Recent Guests

Sergey Radchenko
Professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS
Johns Hopkins SAIS
Episode: #21 Sergey Radchenko: How Russia Weaponized Energy (Even Before Putin)
Julia Ebner
Researcher and author on radicalization and conspiracy theories
University of Oxford
Episode: #20 Julia Ebner: Inside the Minds of Extremists
Eyck Freymann
Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author
Stanford University
Episode: #19 Eyck Freymann: China Doesn't Need to Invade Taiwan. It Can Just Cut it Off
James Ker-Lindsay
Academic and policy analyst
Author and policy analyst
Episode: #18 James Ker-Lindsay: The Sovereign State is a Recent Invention. Russia is Rewriting the Rules
Franz-Stefan Gady
Military analyst and author
Military analyst and author (on multiple books)
Episode: #17 Franz-Stefan Gady: Is Russia Actually Winning? Frontline Reality
Rory Truex
Associate professor at Princeton; host of The Civic Forum
Princeton University
Episode: #16 Rory Truex: Xi Jinping is the Dictator the West Doesn’t Get
G. Elliott Morris
Pollster, journalist, author of Strength in Numbers
Author of Strength in Numbers
Episode: #14 G. Elliott Morris: Trump Is the Most Unpopular President Ever
Seva Gunitsky
Professor at the University of Toronto, author of Aftershocks
University of Toronto
Episode: #13 Seva Gunitsky: Putin Got His Multipolar World. Now He'll Regret It
Elizabeth N. Saunders
Professor of Political Science at Columbia University and author of 'The Insider's Game, How Elites Make War and Peace'
Columbia University
Episode: #12 Elizabeth N. Saunders: How Trump Broke 70 Years of American Foreign Policy

Host

Marcel Dirsus
Host of The Next Best, The Next Best Podcast; political scientist and author.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 11 ratings
  • Excellent and informative

    Great line up of guests and very insightful interviews!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pete 1909
    United States4 months ago
  • Great

    Marcel Dirsus brings the same sharp insight and engaging storytelling we know from his book „how tyrants fall“ and his talks. Even with just one episode so far, I am hooked. Can’t wait to hear more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    toscaschwehn
    Germany7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Excellent and informative, great line up of guests and insightful interviews.
High-quality guests with deep dives into complex geopolitics and policy.
A tight, insightful perspective from a host who clearly knows the field.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#149
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#177
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#17 Franz-Stefan Gady: Is Russia Actually Winning? Frontline Reality
Q: Is Russia winning the war against Ukraine?
Russia believes it is winning and is betting on advancing in the coming weeks, but the Ukrainians are largely holding the front and aiming to prevent encirclements, with mid-range strikes beginning to change the balance behind the front lines.
#21 Sergey Radchenko: How Russia Weaponized Energy (Even Before Putin)
Q: How did the Soviet Union become an energy superpower, and what were the key strategic moves?
Radchenko explains that oil came to the forefront during WWII with the Caucasus focus, followed by rapid postwar expansion in places like Tatarstan. Gas fields developed in Western Siberia in the 1960s became a second pillar, and the Kremlin treated energy as a weapon of influence, using oil and gas to sustain the empire and export power across Europe and the Global South.
#19 Eyck Freymann: China Doesn't Need to Invade Taiwan. It Can Just Cut it Off
Q: Hi, Eyck. Thanks so much for joining. Why do you think Xi Jinping might decide to order an invasion of Taiwan?
There are multiple plausible reasons, including calculations about seizure and hold potential, expected US intervention failure, and the perceived window of opportunity; yet the most likely trigger is the belief that he can achieve unification under favorable conditions, with other scenarios being less probable but still worth considering.
#16 Rory Truex: Xi Jinping is the Dictator the West Doesn’t Get
Q: What does the future look like if Xi leaves power?
There would likely be a succession contest, an emergency central committee maneuver, and a period of instability with potential protests and a weaker general secretary, underscoring the danger of not having a clear heir.
#16 Rory Truex: Xi Jinping is the Dictator the West Doesn’t Get
Q: How does power actually work in China?
The power is centralized through Xi's roles as General Secretary, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and President, with the party-state structure shaping decision-making and ensuring the party's dominance over government functions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus

What is The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharply focused geopolitical program that hosts authors, historians, diplomats, and analysts to unpack complex global issues. Across recent episodes, the conversations pivot around big-picture themes like multipolarity, great-power competition, regime dynamics, economic sanctions and economic warfare, and the evolving logic of alliances in a turbulent era. Notable strengths include access to high-caliber guests with deep scholarly and policy experience, a preference for nuanced, historically grounded analysis, and a knack for translating dense international affairs into actionable context for business, policy, and sponsorship audiences. The show stands out for connecting long-form expert insight to contemporary decision-making, offering l... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus:

1. Mildly Alarmed
2. Brussels Sprouts
3. Russian Roulette
4. In Moscow's Shadows
5. The Rachman Review

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The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus launched 7 months ago and published 26 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 Next Best with Marcel Dirsus?

Recent guests on The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus include:

1. Sergey Radchenko
2. Julia Ebner
3. Eyck Freymann
4. James Ker-Lindsay
5. Franz-Stefan Gady
6. Rory Truex
7. G. Elliott Morris
8. Seva Gunitsky

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