The International Risk Podcast
Welcome to The International Risk Podcast — the premier destination for high-level insights into global risk dynamics. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, an accomplished senior advisor, each episode delivers expert analysis and actionable intelligence on today’s most pressing international risks. From geopolitical tensions and economic upheavals to cybersecurity threats and environmental challenges, we bring clarity to the complex risks shaping our world.
Tailored for CEOs, Board Members, senior managers, and risk professionals, our weekly episodes are essential listening for those making strategic decisions in volatile environments. With distinguished guests from diverse sectors and geographies — including renowned industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders — we provide a multidimensional perspective, equipping you with insights to stay ahead of emerging threats and capitalize on new opportunities.
Our host, Dominic Bowen, is a senior business leader, and Partner at 2Secure where he is Head of Strategic Advisory and leads a team of senior management consultants and advisors.
Join us for engaging, thought-provoking conversations that go beyond the headlines. Stay informed, stay ahead, and transform the way you perceive and manage international risks. The International Risk Podcast is not just a podcast; it’s is crucial listening for today's leaders.
Episodes
283 episodes
Episode 282: Live from Ukraine with Dominic Bowen: The Frontlines of Resilience and the Future of Leadership
Today, our host Dominic Bowen joins live from Ukraine on The International Risk Podcast for a special episode examining resilience, leadership, and hybrid warfare in the heart of Europe’s most critical conflict. In conversation ...
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Season 5
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Episode 282
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42:55
Episode 281: Protests and Public Dissident in Serbia with Vjosa Musliu
In this episode, Dominic Bowen hosts Vjosa Musliu to analyse the growing wave of protests and dissent across Serbia. Together, they examine the EU’s influence, the controversial lithium extraction agreement, and the role of media ...
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Season 5
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Episode 281
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27:09
Episode 280: Paralysis by Consensus: The Collapse of the Plastic Treaty Talks with Christina Dixon and Alexandra Harrington
I am Dominic Bowen, and I am the host of the International Risk Podcast.At 7am on the 15th of August, after ten days of marathon sessions and a final overtime session that stretched more than 24 hours, the Chair of the UN Intergovernment...
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Season 5
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Episode 280
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31:03
Episode 279: The Role of Organised Crime Groups in The Amazon with César Muñoz Acebes
In this episode, Dominic Bowen is joined by César Muñoz Acebes to examine the deepening crisis in the Amazon. They unpack the role of organized crime in environmental destruction, the links to drug trafficking and illegal economie...
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Season 5
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Episode 279
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26:27
Episode 278: Post-Quantum Cryptography and Global Infrastructure Risk with Dr. Michele Mosca
Today, Dominic Bowen hosts Dr. Michele Mosca on The International Risk Podcast to explore the global urgency surrounding post-quantum cryptogr...
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Season 5
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Episode 278
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31:12
Episode 277: Skyrocketing gold prices: 2025 geopolitical risks and trends
In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Dr. Moshe Lander discuss the recent spike in gold prices in $ per ounce, which is unprecedented. Find out more about what push...
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Season 5
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Episode 277
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38:56
Episode 276: China's Push to Build the World's Largest Hydropower Dam System in Tibet with Brian Eyler and Palmo Tenzin
On 19 July 2025, China began construction on a 60,000-megawatt hydropower project at Medog, with three times the output of Three Gorges and roughly the UK’s entire annual power production. This is a 1.2-trillion-yuan investment (USD 170 B) that...
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Episode 276
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32:59
Episode 275: Hybrid Warfare: The New Normal with Cormac Smith
Dive into the ongoing war with Cormac Smith today. Dominic and Cormac discuss Mariupol, whether the war can be considered genocide, the disinformation war, the reality of Russian aggression, war crimes, hybrid warfare, the need...
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Season 5
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Episode 275
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38:53
Episode 274: Afghanistan: what future for the country? with Dr. Arian Sharifi
In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Dr. Arian Sharifi discuss the events leading to the fall of Kabul in August 2021 and the rise of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan.
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Season 5
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Episode 274
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48:31
Episode 273: America’s AI Strategy: Balancing Innovation, Governance, and Strategic Advantage in the Global Technology Race with Professor Adam Chalmers
Today Dominic Bowen hosts Professor Adam Chalmers on The International Risk Podcast to explore the global race for leadership in artificial in...
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Season 5
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Episode 273
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31:40
Episode 272: The Indus at Risk: Floods, Fragility and the Future of Water Security in Pakistan with Dr. Erum Sattar
Pakistan is once again underwater.In the country’s north—specifically the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—torrential monsoon rains dropped 150 millimeters in under an hour. That’s six inches of rain, fast enough to overwhelm any drainage ...
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Episode 272
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29:32
Episode 271: Authoritarian Alliances: Strategic Cooperation in a Fragmented Global Order with Doug Livermore
Today Dominic Bowen hosts Doug Livermore on the podcast to discuss the rise of authoritarian alliances. They dive into the growing cooperation between China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and their proxies, the economic and military depende...
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Season 5
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Episode 271
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46:15
Episode 270: Syria in Turmoil: Unraveling the Present, Forecasting the Future with Broderick McDonald
Today Dominic Bowen hosts Broderick McDonald on the podcast to discuss the future of Syria. They dive into the different external actors and their interests, the challenges that the new government of Syria is facing, the fine line...
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Season 5
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Episode 270
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27:11
Episode 269: Middle East in Transition: Non-State Actors, Trump’s Policy Shift, and Regional Stability with Shayan Talabany
In this episode Dominic Bowen speaks with Shayan Talabany, Senior Analyst and Advisor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, ...
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Season 5
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Episode 269
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32:06
Episode 268: Implications of the Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Ashok Swain
When we think about flashpoints between India and Pakistan, most people picture borders, bombs, or Kashmir. But the most strategic weapon in South Asia today may not be nuclear—it’s water.The Indus Water Treaty has been called one of the...
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Season 5
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Episode 268
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27:36
Episode 267: Drones Over Poland, Drills on the Border: How Moscow Tests NATO’s Resolve with Antoine Renaux
With the Zapad Military exercises occurring again near the Polish border, Dominic Bowen has Antoine Renaux on the podcast. They analyse the challenges of NATO, Russia's probing operations, NATO's response, and more importantly, NATO's pr...
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Season 5
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Episode 267
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28:25
Episode 266: The Current Serbian Protests with Saša Dobrijević
The student-led protests in Serbia have been going on for months. Today we have Saša Dobrijević on the podcast to discuss:The government response to the protestsThe current situation in BelgradeWhat the Driv...
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Season 5
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Episode 266
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30:21
Episode 265: Antimicrobial Resistance as a Geopolitical Flashpoint with Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan
In this episode Dominic Bowen and Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan explore antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a geopolitical flashpoint. Find out more about how drug resistan...
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Season 5
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Episode 265
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28:55
Episode 264: Tariffs at the Crossroads of Populism and Power with Dr. Kimberly Clausing
In this episode Dominic Bowen and Professor Kimberly Clausing examine the return of tariffs to the centre of U.S. economic strategy and the risks this shift creates for...
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Season 5
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Episode 264
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38:55
Episode 263: NATO in a Shifting World and the Next Chapter of Collective Defence with Dr. Jamie Shea
In this episode Dominic Bowen and Dr. Jamie Shea unpack NATO at a moment of historic change. Find out more about how fear has re-emerged as a ...
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Season 5
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Episode 263
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36:34
Episode 262: Global Implications of the Alaskan Summit with David Dunn
Today Dominic Bowen hosts David Dunn back on the podcast. They discuss the recent Alaskan Summit and its global implications. Find out more about the symbolic wins for Putin, and which ones they are exactly. The American unprepare...
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Season 5
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Episode 262
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33:07
Episode 261: The Houthis as The New 'Axis of Resistance' with Nadwa Al-Dawsari
Dive into the intricacies of the Houthis with Nadwa Al-Dawsari! Nadwa and Dominic discuss the background of the Houthis, where they come from, what their ideology is, what influence they have, economical and geopolitical implications bot...
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Season 5
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Episode 261
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30:08
Episode 260: BRICS and the Economic Role of Emerging Global Powers with Yaroslav Lissovolik
In this episode Dominic Bowen and Yaroslav Lissovolik dive into the challenges and opportunities of BRICS! Find out more about the economic Asymmetries and power dynamics, consensus and decision-making, future strategies, BRICS' role in ...
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Season 5
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Episode 260
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39:57
Episode 259: China’s Foreign Policy in the Wake of the Trump Administration with Dr. Audrye Wong
In this episode Dominic Bowen and Dr. Audrye Wong dive into how Beijing is recalibrating power and influence in a turbulent world. Find out more about China’s two-pron...
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Season 5
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Episode 259
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32:51
Episode 258: Regional Implications of Iranian Nuclear Power with Kenneth Katzman
Dive into the intricacies of Iranian Nuclear Power with Kenneth Katzman. Find out more about whether Iran has nuclear bombs, what Russia's role is and whether Russia even plays a role, what Iran's strategic motivations could be, the implication...
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Season 5
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Episode 258
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31:16