Two conflicts mark a new fault line in geopolitics. The West’s withdrawal from Afghanistan ended the two-decade ‘war on terror’. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine six months later began the first major European war since 1945 – reshaping security, driving innovation in economic statecraft and testing Russia’s cohesion. This podcast episode marks the launch of Strategic Survey 2022 with a discussion about the main themes and trends in geopolitics. Guest podcast host James Crabtree is joined by Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Editor Strategic Survey & Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia, Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy, and Emile Hokayem, Senior Fellow for Middle East Security. 

Topics discussed include:  

• Main themes and trends in geopolitics 
• Russia’s war in Ukraine 
• Middle East and North Africa 
• Saudi Arabia’s changing foreign policy 
• China’s military modernisation  

Host and speakers:   

• James Crabtree, Executive Director, IISS–Asia | Twitter: @jamescrabtree | James Crabtree (iiss.org) 
• Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Editor Strategic Survey & Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia | Twitter: @Nigelgd1 | Dr Nigel Gould-Davies (iiss.org) 
• Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens | Meia Nouwens (iiss.org) 
• Emile Hokayem, Senior Fellow for Middle East Security | Twitter: @emile_hokayem | Emile Hokayem (iiss.org) 

Find out more about Strategic Survey 2022:  

• Strategic Survey 2022: Editor's Introduction (iiss.org)  

We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. 

Date of recording: 6 December 2022 

Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS. 

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