International relations expert Abhijit Iyer-Mitra is a senior research fellow at the Nuclear Security Programme at ICPS. His research focuses on defence issues, specialising in defence economics, technology and procurement, and nuclear dynamics. In this episode, he talks about: 1) The recent attempt at a coup against Putin2) What his childhood in Delhi in the 60s and North Korea have in common3) How Napoleon wasn’t as brilliant as people often think he wasYou can follow him on twitter: https://twitter.com/Iyervval?t=gpiPyJt1h_a2bUzsQ3HCTw&s=09Timestamps:0:00 - Intro2:27 - Learning how power works5:08 - Are our political leaders friendless?8:15 - It is impossible to point out a leader in the making12:51 - Ways to hold on to political power14:37 - What exactly is the problem with JNU?17:41 - The reason behind Singapore's success21:49 - Is it difficult to compare prime ministers of then and now?26:57 - The one trait world leaders have in common30:56 - Every culture has a different word for "emperor"32:46 - Never judge a leader by their speeches37:33 - What is it about the BJP that keeps their power growing?40:53 - It is hard to define nationalism44:04 - The Congress failed to reinvent itself48:29 - Is the BJP mislabeled as "right wing"?54:59 - PM Modi will have weak successors57:35 - The cult following of Modi is small compared to the Gandhi-Nehrus1:00:28 - North Korea reminds Abhijit of his childhood in Delhi1:03:53 - India once had internment camps1:06:09 - Have communal tensions really risen under this government?1:11:55 - Saudi Arabia is the France of the intellectual world1:17:57 - The Iranians used to be the most powerful1:22:43 - Abhijit talks about the Russian coup1:35:57 - Is Russia crumbling now?1:39:02 - America is a historical hangover of the Roman empire1:42:24 - Napoleon became obsolete in his own lifetime1:50:04 - Pop history loves Napoleon more than serious history1:52:36 - Is America moving more towards the left1:58:59 - Javed Akhtar really wants Michelle Obama to be president2:00:16 - "If you want it, deny it"2:03:33 - Most dynasties crumble after 3-4 generations2:07:39 - Russia will still win the war2:12:08 - Climate has always caused wars and migrations2:19:02 - Conclusion