Originally published 7 April 2022. 

In this episode, hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Israel’s perspective on Iran, the Iranian nuclear programme, and wider regional security.

Their guest, Professor Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme, explains why Israel sees Iran as the main threat to its security, and suggests that Israel’s threats to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities should be taken seriously.

This episode considers the implications of Russia’s increasingly aggressive foreign and defence policies for peace and security in the Arctic, and how China’s growing interest in the polar territories is further reshaping regional relations.

Dr Katarzyna Zysk, Professor of International Relations and Contemporary History at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, and Dr Camilla Sørensen, Associate Professor at the Institute for Strategy and War Studies at the Royal Danish Defence College, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, RUSI Director of International Security Studies, how the security and defence environment of the Arctic has undergone far-reaching shifts, with Russia pursuing military modernisation and a destabilising foreign and security policy towards the transatlantic community, and China’s interests in the Arctic growing rapidly.

Originally published 1 April 2022.

Tactics below the threshold of war will need continued attention.

In this episode, Veerle is joined by Alexander Neill, an analyst and consultant on Asia-Pacific geopolitical risk and security, foreign affairs and defence based in Singapore.

They discuss current RUSI research on state-led interference as a tool of geopolitical competition below the threshold of warfare, and how this is experienced in the Indo-Pacific. They examine how the debate around this topic is evolving here and in Southeast Asia; do we see the challenge of illegitimate sub-threshold competition and experience such activities in the same way? They highlight noteworthy instances that have brought the issue of interference and disinformation into the spotlight, explore what countermeasures have been put in place, and consider what the road ahead might look like.

Originally published 24 March 2022. 

Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck look at the UAE’s perspectives on Iran and its nuclear programme, as well as regional security.

They are joined by Sheikha Najla Al-Qassimi (B’Huth), who explains how the UAE balances its deep security concerns about Iran’s behaviour in the region and its extensive trading relations with the Islamic Republic. She also touches on the UAE’s views of the US, Russia and China. In addition, Darya and Tobias discuss the latest developments in the region and the nuclear talks.

This episode examines the ongoing international negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the implications of a potential nuclear agreement for security in the Middle East and Iran’s regional policies, and the likely future Middle East role of the United States and European powers.

Dr.Tobias Borck, Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies, and Darya Dolzikova, Research Fellow in Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, International Security Studies at RUSI, the efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to regulate Tehran’s nuclear programme. The relationship between Iran’s nuclear activities and its regional security engagements is examined, together with a consideration of the possible future regional engagement by the United States and European states.

Originally published 16 March 2021.

The repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine go far beyond Europe.

Veerle is joined by Jimbo Ken, Professor in International Relations at Keio University. While Ukraine seems geographically remote as seen from Tokyo, the impact of the war can be felt in Japan’s relations with Russia and China. The war has heightened Japan’s concerns that China may attempt something similar through a forceful takeover of Taiwan. Japan has therefore joined the West in placing sanctions on Russia and sending non-lethal equipment to Ukraine – an unprecedented move for Tokyo. A more forward-leaning, assertive Japan is in the making.

Originally published 10 March 2022. 

In this episode, hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Qatar and Oman’s perspectives on Iran, its nuclear programme and regional security.

Dr Andreas Krieg from King’s College London describes Qatar’s unique position in the region and explains how the country balances relations with Iran and its Arab neighbours. Turki al-Bulushi (Bloomberg) explains why neutrality is a core principle of Omani foreign policy, even in relations with its Gulf neighbours. Darya and Tobias also assess the latest developments in the region and the Iran nuclear talks.

This episode explores how Russia’s war on Ukraine is affecting security far beyond central Europe. Members of RUSI’s International Security Studies team examine the ways in which international relations are being reshaped by the conflict and consider what such developments will mean in key security regions around the world.

Veerle Nouwens, Senior Research Fellow and lead of the Indo-Pacific programme, Dr Tobias Borck, Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies, and Edward Arnold, Research Fellow for European Security Studies, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director International Security Studies, the impact of Russia’s decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, China and the Indo-Pacific.

Originally published 2 March 2022.

Veerle is joined by Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Programme at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).

The Biden administration’s new strategy highlights the importance of prosperity. However, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework still lacks details, while the Ukraine conflict is testing allies and partners both in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Once again, the ties between the two regions are evident and place the US Indo-Pacific Strategy in a renewed context.

Originally published 24 February 2022.

Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Bahrain and Kuwait’s perspectives on the Iranian nuclear question and on broader regional security matters

Hasan Alhasan, Research Fellow for Middle East Policy at IISS, explains why Bahrain feels threatened by Iran and is sceptical about a regional security dialogue, and Amnah Ibraheem, Visiting Scholar at the American University of Kuwait, outlines Kuwait’s unique position bordering both Saudi Arabia and Iran and its preference for multilateral diplomacy. Darya and Tobias also address the latest developments in the region.