South Africa has one of the most underrated nuclear energy stories. Dr. Kelvin Kemm — physicist with 25+ years of hands-on SMR experience — explains why it matters.
#NuclearEnergy #SMR #SouthAfrica #AfricanEnergy #EnergyTransition
youtu.be/9DohvlwaGjY
Professor Jack Holland @profjackholland.bsky.social discusses the British Journal of Politics and International Relations (BJPIR) @bjpir.bsky.social — its DNA, review process, and future direction.
#bjpir
youtu.be/DYfwbJ67AzM
A heartfelt thank you to historian Philip Snow for lending his expertise on Sino-Russian relations. Together, we traced the arc of history to uncover the principles shaping this complex partnership — and to put many long-standing questions to rest.
youtu.be/J0Yojb20Jec
Critical Update: In Memory of Steven Gruzd
Steven Gruzd was abducted and murdered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in what authorities described as an 'express kidnapping'. Steven will always be with us through an episode we recorded together. Rest in peace.
@theirthinker.bsky.social has reached over 1,500 followers on LinkedIn, many thanks to those who follow this project there.
For iPhone users: The IR thinker needs reviews on the Apple Podcasts platform. Would you be so kind as to provide one? Thank you!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
This interview with Professor Mark N. Katz @marknkatz.bsky.social explores one of the central debates in contemporary international relations: the transition from unipolarity to a more complex multipolar world.
#multipolarworld #worldorder #unipolarworld
youtu.be/VwlAuTle3z0
In this interview, political scientist Marc Sanjaume‑Calvet examines the constitutional status of Catalonia, the distribution of powers within the Spanish state, and the evolving debates surrounding Catalan autonomy and identity.
#catalonia #spanishpolitics
youtu.be/DF_SaHQZG_k
In this episode, Professor David M. McCourt unpacks the foundations of New Constructivism: where it came from, what it demands of researchers, and where it's heading. #constructivism #newconstructivism #irtheory
youtu.be/oozY4W8JoSA
Thank you to @reubensteff.bsky.social Reuben Steff for a fascinating conversation on New Zealand's geopolitical positioning. Highly recommend for anyone thinking about small states navigating a shifting international order.
youtu.be/7woS06fgGqI
In this episode, Professor Charlotte Epstein reflects on how postcolonial perspectives reshape the study of norms in international relations, challenging conventional accounts of diffusion, compliance, and legitimacy. #norms #postcolonialism
youtu.be/0tqSNgrH_n4
📢 Starting in 2026, guests can choose between traditional video interviews or audio-only conversations 👍
In 2026, The IR thinker is dedicating 7 episodes to invite research journal editors to speak about research, methodology, and how journals have evolved.
Please write your recommendations for which journals I should invite.
In this episode, we sit down with political analyst Marc Saxer to explore his theory of Transformative Realism and why he believes we’re living through a profound systemic crisis.
youtu.be/BXcDYTxmoQs?...
In this episode, Vineet Thakur unpacks the historical and intellectual foundations of Indian diplomacy. We discuss classical strategic traditions, civilisational and colonial legacies, caste and elite networks in diplomatic culture, non-alignment, etc.
youtu.be/GfA8t4chTvQ
In this episode, Martin Vladimirov unpacks Bulgaria’s evolving energy landscape in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine.
youtu.be/ONo-PVbRAJY?...
In this conversation, Professor Dimitry Kochenov unpacks the paradoxes at the heart of modern citizenship, from the lived reality of statelessness to the contested nature of “real” EU citizenship. #EUcitizenship #EUlaw
youtu.be/HJDFk-U1ZJQ
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Stephen Herzog as we explore the intricate landscape of nuclear strategy, from the fundamentals of deterrence theory to the geopolitics of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
#NuclearStrategy #ArmsControl #GlobalSecurity
youtu.be/g_dvcAN4d0Q
In this episode, Professor Chenggang Xu discusses the ideas behind Institutional Genes and how they explain the evolution of political systems from imperial China to modern authoritarian regimes. #chinapolitics #chinahistory
youtu.be/5wk2168WEUs
In this incisive interview, Dr Madalitso Zililo Phiri dismantles the epistemic hegemony of Eurocentric International Relations theory and maps an emergent African IR scholarship.
#AfricanIR #IRtheory
youtu.be/SUi1oBH2hVE
In this interview, Andreas Schroeder maps Germany’s gas security from short-term contracts to new gas-fired plants and LNG infrastructure. He weighs the nuclear phase-out, EU dependence on non-Russian suppliers, and the risks ahead.
100th episode
Thank you for your support!
youtu.be/4IQTNW8s-Ds
In this episode, Telmen Altanshagai discusses Mongolia’s evolving energy landscape, from diversification strategies and regional connectivity to the governance challenges shaping the country’s path toward greater energy security.
#mongoliaenergysecurity #mongoliaenergy
youtu.be/ZdYRgmUAmE0
In this interview, strategist and defence analyst Dr. Peter Layton offers a clear-sighted assessment of how Australia is recalibrating strategy, capability, and partnerships amid intensifying regional competition.
#Australianationalsecurity
youtu.be/114kJOFslKw
Professor Murman Margvelashvili charts Georgia’s path from Soviet-era systems to a contested contemporary energy landscape, where hydropower dependence, emerging technologies, and grid vulnerabilities intersect with strategic autonomy.
#georgiaenergysecurity #energysecurity
youtu.be/Saj2L3-DpwE
In this interview, Dr. Kenneth McDonagh unpacks the drivers, dilemmas, and implications of Ireland’s evolving national security posture at home, in Europe, and on the global stage.
#IrelandSecurity #IrishNeutrality #NationalSecurityStrategy
youtu.be/HIyOpj0QinQ
What does Georgia’s EU integration really mean for democracy, regional security, and great power competition?
David Bujiashvili unpacks the past, present, and future of this pivotal process.
#GeorgiaEU #EUintegration #Georgia
youtu.be/Xv4gPbJoZV4
In this conversation with Professor Patrick Holden, we examine how the EU exercised power during Brexit, interrogating the interplay of communication, institutional structures and rhetorical strategy.
youtu.be/v7n3eUtwnO0
Professor Tahir Abbas explores the multifaceted nature of modern radicalisation, examining the unique drivers, dynamics, and dilemmas facing Western societies (USA, UK, Western Europe) today as they confront a threat that is constantly evolving online and offline.
youtu.be/FI_2Fv3fGu4
In this conversation, Dr Emmanuel Matambo unpacks how Africa–China relations really work beyond the headlines. We dive into debates on ‘debt-trap diplomacy’, technology, governance, and the cultural impact of China across Africa.
youtu.be/FLecugmsU08
Dive into the complex world of maritime piracy and security in this insightful interview with Professor Timothy Edmunds, exploring the evolution, organization, and modern challenges of piracy at sea, grey-zone tactics and the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.
youtu.be/1Yqj9SMKAKA
