
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 31 | Founded | 9 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsNews | |||

What would actually happen if nuclear war broke out?Nuclear weapons expert Frank Sauer explains, step by step, how a nuclear war could begin, how world leaders would make life-or-death decisions in minutes, and what the consequences would be for huma... more
Why did the United States lose the war in Afghanistan? Why did the Taliban ultimately return to power? And what lessons should policymakers take from America's longest war?
In this episode of The Next Best, Marcel Dirsus sits down with Carter Malkas... more
How does Kim Jong Un stay in power?
In this episode of The Next Best, Marcel Dirsus speaks with journalist Anna Fifield, former Washington Post Beijing bureau chief and author of The Great Successor, about the inner workings of North Korea's dictato... more
How much do ordinary Russians really support the war in Ukraine? Can Ukraine's drone strikes change the course of the conflict? And what happens after Vladimir Putin?
In this episode of The Next Best, I sit down with Dr Jade McGlynn, one of the worl... more
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Great line up of guests and very insightful interviews!
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!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #231 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #59 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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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4. Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
5. The EI Podcast
The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus launched 9 months ago and published 31 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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Recent guests on The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus include:
1. Carter Malkasian
2. Anna Fifield
3. Jade McGlynn
4. Margaret MacMillan
5. Liana Fix
6. Yeganeh Torbati
7. Bozorgmehr Sharafedin
8. Anders Wivel
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