The International Risk Podcast

Today on we’re diving headfirst into a threat vector that’s been hiding in plain sight: the toxic, metastasising digital subcultures, that are radicalising young men globally and fuelling a new wave of misogynistic violence. Hear the discussion about the risk of these online ideologies, the struggle of categorising, early warning signs, and how to combat this ideology! Dr.  Allysa Czerwinsky (she/...

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, we turn our focus to the South Caucasus, where Armenia stands at a critical geopolitical juncture. Our guest is Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the American University of Armenia and a leading voice on regional security and Armenian foreign policy. Dr. Ter-Matevosyan offers a compell...

Today we discuss the New Scramble for Africa ! Dominic and Ian Linden dive into the differences between the ‘new’ scramble for Africa and the ‘old’ scramble of Africa, how strong the US influence is and whether it is currently weakening - or not, the economic opportunities offered by foreign investments, and much more! Professor Ian Linden formerly taught at the School of Oriental & African St...

This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Jason Costain, one of the UK’s leading fraud strategists and the founder of Javloc, a specialist consultancy in financial crime prevention. In this deep-dive episode, they examine the accelerating threat landscape shaped by fraud, artificial intelligence, and the unintended consequences of digital innovation. From real-time pay...

Today we’ll dive into the often-overlooked realities of how women and girls experience armed conflict! Whether women are the victims, combatants, or leaders in peace-building. From the risks of gender-based violence and the underrepresentation of women in disarmament efforts to the long-term socio-economic impacts of the global arms trade, this conversation is both urgent and essential. Stay with...

This week, Dominic Bowen welcomes Dr. Shan Nair to The International Risk Podcast for an insightful discussion on navigating international business expansion amid shifting geopolitical and economic landscapes. Together, they explore how regulatory frameworks, tariffs, and evolving trade policies impact global business strategies. Dr. Nair shares his expertise on mitigating risks, seizing opportuni...

Today Dominic hosts Meadhbh Park! They discuss RedPill versus BlackPill and what the differences and common conceptions are. Moreover, they dive into reasons young men might fall into the manosphere and incel groups, and Meadhbh talks about her new book Blackpilled: Masculinity, Media and Incels which has come out recently! Meadhbh Park is a researcher and practitioner focused on the manosphere –...

This episode Dominic is back with guest Ali Fowle to discuss the recent earthquake and the ongoing resistance in Myanmar. They discuss how the earthquake has impacted the war, whether foreign aid has been helpful so far, how the military operates, how people continue living during the war, what we can learn from the resistance now that democracy is declining worldwide, military brainwashing, and m...

This week on The International Risk Podcast , Dominic Bowen is joined by Michael Sheldrick to unpack the far-reaching consequences of global aid cuts and the future of international development. Together, they explore the real-world impact of the proposed USAID reductions, including disruptions to programs like PEPFAR, and the ripple effects on health systems, livelihoods, and vulnerable communiti...

This week, Dominic Bowen welcomes Muraly Srinarayanathas to The International Risk Podcast for a compelling discussion on the balance between global integration and local adaptation in today’s business landscape. Together, they explore how understanding cultural differences can enhance business strategy, why companies sometimes overlook local environments, and the risks and opportunities of embrac...

This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen sits down with Dr. Duncan Green , a leading expert on global development and social change, to discuss the evolving landscape of foreign aid and the challenges that lie ahead. As major donor countries reassess their commitments and priorities shift toward  national interest, and military spending, the global aid system faces unprecedented...

This week on The International Risk Podcast , Dominic Bowen sits down with John Bruce, an expert in cybersecurity law and policy, to explore the evolution of state-sponsored cyber activity, and what these developments mean for businesses and governments worldwide. Cyber operations have changed significantly over the last few decades. Once highly targeted and discreet, state-sponsored cyber activit...

This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen sits down with Dr. Nicolai von Ondarza to discuss Europe’s evolving security landscape and its quest for strategic autonomy in the face of rising geopolitical tensions. As Europe confronts the growing threat from Russia and the shifting priorities of the United States under Trump, the continent finds itself at a critical crossroads, naviga...

Today we discuss the risks and opportunities of AI with Frank Breedijk . Dominic and Frank discuss the biases of AI, whether AI will pose an imminent threat to jobs or not, whether AI usage can be ethical or not, environmental consequences of AI, the rise of scams with AI usage, and much much more! Tune in now! Frank Breedijk is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Schuberg Philis . In...

This week, Dominic Bowen welcomes Kailyn Johnson to The International Risk Podcast for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of cyber threats and their impact on businesses worldwide. Together, they explore the evolving role of cyber crimes, and the risks businesses face when they neglect their software supply chain security. They also explore how cybercriminal organizations are becom...

This week on The International Risk Podcast , Dominic Bowen welcomes Paul Hockenos to discuss the outcome of the latest German elections, analyzing the distribution of seats and the implications of the AfD’s growing presence as part of the political mainstream. Beyond domestic politics, we will examine Germany’s evolving role within Europe and on the global stage. How will the election results sha...

In this episode Dominic hosts Perry Kyles as they dive into banking cartels. They discuss what a banking cartel is, what it entails, and what could be a solution. Perry offers the alternative of gold and explains what the benefits are! Dr. Perry Kyles is a seasoned expert in economic history and operations, and author of the eye-opening book Gold vs The Banking Cartel: How to Use Gold to Become Yo...

This week on The International Risk Podcast , Dominic Bowen sits down with Joshua Z. Walker to analyze the deepening crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) beyond the commonly discussed issue of resource extraction. With the resurgence of the M23 rebellion, the occupation of key territories, and growing concerns over Rwanda’s involvement, the region faces increasing instability. As M...

This episode dive into cybercrime and how it can affect all of us!  We have Jacob Sims on, who discusses how common cybercrime is in South East Asia. He explains the ties between the government of Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, and the organised crime bosses. Moreover, how the money is laundered, why the government cannot do much, and why they might not want to do much, the forced labour camps being...

!!! Please note that this episode was recorded before M23 captured Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern DRC. This week on The International Risk Podcast , Dominic Bowen sits down with Bram Verelst to examine the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the resurgence of the M23 rebellion. As the group captures key cities, including Goma, tensions are rising, with...

Dive into the impact on women, girls, and children of Bukele's mass imprisonment. We are joined by Juanita Goebertus Estrada who is the Director of the American Division at Human Rights Watch. She tells us about: The corruption in El Salvador The history of El Salvador's politicians with the gangs How human rights are currently being infringed How the Supreme Court was overruled What Jua...

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast , we explore China’s evolving role in Africa’s energy landscape with Fikayo Akeredolu , a DPhil candidate at Oxford specializing in the political economy of energy in Nigeria. We discuss: China’s growing influence in Africa’s renewable energy sector and its long-term implications. The complexities of Sino-African climate diplomacy and Africa’s role...

This week Dominic is joined by Ellen van Damme. They dive into the multifaceted complexities of gang violence in Honduras. Hear Ellen discuss her PhD research on gangs, violence and women, as well as her thoughts on how women and girls fall into gangs. They discuss the difference between narcos and gangs, as well as the dehumanisation the Western world undergoes. Listen now! Ellen Van Damme , PhD,...

This week, Dominic Bowen welcomes Mariana González to The International Risk Podcast for an engaging discussion on the fascinating world of intellectual property (IP). Together, they explore what IP is and why it matters, Mexico’s approach to IP under the USMCA framework, the implications of a new Trump administration, the role of innovation in fostering equal access, leveraging IP strategically,...

This week Dominic hosts Wolf-Christian Paes on the podcast. They discuss the ethicality of arms trade, different definitions of a 'just war' and what the consequences are on the arms trade, illegal and legal arms trade, arms embargo's, amongst others. Tune in to hear a very articulated episode with lots of information about the arms trade! Wolf-Christian Paes is a Senior Fellow of A...