Sounds Strategic

Antônio Sampaio, Research Associate for Conflict, Security and Development, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. How to provide robust security in rapidly growing cities has been a persistent challenge for policymakers, especially as more people are expected to move into cities throughout the 21st century. In this episode, Antônio explores the case of Rio de Janeiro, a city t...

Amanda Lapo, Research Analyst for Defence and Military Analysis, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. The political and economic crisis in Venezuela has caused a humanitarian emergency, with millions leaving the country. Amanda and Kori discuss the internal and international dynamics that have enabled the Maduro regime to survive despite US sanctions, huge public protests and...

Dr Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, Research Fellow for Defence Economics and Procurement, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen as a result of the Saudi-led intervention, has brought unprecedented pressure on many European states to change their policies toward the export of military equipment. Lucie and Kori begin this episode with a discussion on why s...

Nicholas Crawford, Research Associate for Conflict, Security and Development, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. Nicholas and Kori discuss China’s lending to African states, touching on the IMF’s recently approved bailout package for the Republic of Congo and its implications. With a research focus on conflict and development, Nicholas is perfectly placed to explore China’s...

Dana Allin, IISS Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy and Transatlantic Affairs and Editor of Survival, talks with Dr Kori Schake in this episode of Sounds Strategic. With the resignation of the British Ambassador to the US Sir Kim Darroch weighing heavily on the conversation, Dana and Kori discuss the impact of the episode on the UK’s ‘special relationship’ with the US, and how this may change in...

John Raine, IISS Senior Adviser for Geopolitical Due Diligence, speaks with Dr Kori Schake in this episode of Sounds Strategic. The dynamics underpinning the international order are in a time of flux. John and Kori discuss the shifting state of geopolitics, where economic interdependence both enables and restrains states and empowers companies to become globally influential. With a long and succes...

Ahead of the European Council meeting on 20–21 June, Sarah and Kori discuss what’s to come in the next few weeks. The outcomes of the negotiations taking place will have implications for the functioning of the Franco-German dynamics that are so critical for the European Union, Sarah explains. Looking at the world from a European security perspective, Sarah examines strategic competition in the Wes...

In this episode of Sounds Strategic, Dr Kori Schake catches up with Aaron Connelly, IISS Research Fellow in Southeast Asian Political Change and Foreign Policy, at the 18th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. With expertise in the US role in East Asia and the politics and foreign policy of Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia, Aaron is best placed to discuss the current developments following the recent election...

In this special edition of Sounds Strategic, Dr Kori Schake is joined by a variety of guests at the 18th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. Following major speeches by defence ministers from across the world, Kori and her guests discuss the key takeaways and provide thoughtful analysis from their areas of expertise. From Huawei to power politics, this episode covers the pressing strategic challenges facing...

Dr Mahsa Rouhi, Research Fellow for the Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Policy Programme, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. Mahsa and Kori discuss Iran’s nuclear and foreign policy. Their dynamic discussion covers the current heightening of tensions with the US, revolutionary ideology, the strategic security decisions made since the revolution and the bottom-up approach take...

Dr Francesca Grandi, IISS Senior Fellow for Conflict, Security and Development and Editor of the Armed Conflict Survey 2019, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. In this episode, Francesca and Kori discuss the great power dynamics currently unfolding in the Central African Republic with Russia’s growing presence and influence in the Middle East and Africa. Francesca explains...

Névine Schepers, IISS Research Associate for Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. Névine and Kori discuss recent developments relating to the civil nuclear export market, highlighting how innovations in legal structures and instruments to safeguard against nuclear proliferation have advanced the cause of non-proliferation. Their lively di...

Henry Boyd, IISS Research Fellow for Defence and Military Analysis, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. In this episode, Kori and Henry explore the military dimensions of the new great power competition emerging between a declining United States, a resurgent Russia and a rising China and their implications for international security and defence. They also discuss the impact...

Emile Hokayem, IISS Senior Fellow for Middle East Security, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. Emile and Kori give a masterclass in understanding the Middle East and political violence. Emile explains the misconceptions surrounding the state of Iraq before the 2003 invasion, what non-proliferation experts miss about Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons, and the problem...

Meia Nouwens, IISS Research Fellow for Chinese Defence Policy and Military Modernisation, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. Meia and Kori discuss the economic and intellectual property antagonisms of China’s military development, and the wider economic strategy implications of its goal to become a military world leader by 2030. China seems to have ‘activated the antibodies...

Viraj Solanki, IISS Research Analyst for South Asia, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. Viraj and Kori discuss the distinct breadth and depth of research produced by the IISS South Asia Programme. Viraj explains how recent events in the Maldives and Seychelles reflect a geopolitical renaissance for small island nations in South Asia. Set within the context of China’s ambiti...

Douglas Barrie, IISS Senior Fellow for Military Aerospace, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. This new series aims to highlight the breadth and depth of analytical and intellectual talent at the IISS. In this episode, Kori and Douglas examine recent developments relating to the US withdrawal from the INF Treaty, an agreement that has represented the ‘high water mark of arms...

IISS Research Analyst for Conflict, Security and Development, Dr Eleanor Beevor joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. With a research focus on East Africa, Eleanor is well-placed to discuss a region that has experienced significant developments in the turn of the year, including the aftermath of recent elections in the DRC. Eleanor’s expertise in the coercive methods of indoct...

IISS Senior Fellow for Conflict, Security and Development Virginia Comolli joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic. Leading a team with incredible multidisciplinary strengths, Virginia presents a wide range of issues related to the state of modern conflict in Africa. From explaining the crisis in Cameroon, evaluating the spread of democratic values in the African continent, and d...

Dr Bastian Giegerich, IISS Director of Defence and Military Analysis, joins Dr Kori Schake for the first episode of Sounds Strategic. This new series aims to highlight the breadth and depth of analytical and intellectual talent at the IISS.In each episode, Kori will interview one of the Institute’s researchers about their area of expertise, and how they first got involved in the study of internati...