Ten Minutes On...

Last Thursday, the United States and China reached a new trade agreement, lifting export restrictions on rare earth materials. In this episode of Ten Minutes On..., host Guy Burton takes a step back from the immediate headlines to explore the broader landscape of the rare earths market.

Rather than a narrow news recap, this episode offers a wider perspective on the geopolitical, economic, and environmental forces shaping global access to these critical materials. From China’s long-standing dominance in rare earth processing to the uneasy scramble among Western nations to diversify supply chains, the episode asks what this latest US–China agreement really means in the bigger picture—and what the future holds for rare earths in a green, tech-driven world.

Whether you're new to the topic or have followed the rare earths story for years, this is your ten-minute guide to the deeper issues behind the news.

In this episode of Ten Minutes On, we unpack Pakistan’s surprising decision to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize — on the very same day he ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Join us as we explore the contradictions and geopolitical calculations behind this bizarre moment in international diplomacy. What motivated Pakistan’s move? How does it reflect its position between India, China, Iran, and the US? And could Trump — bombastic as ever — genuinely win the world’s most prestigious peace award?

We break down:

• The India–Pakistan ceasefire and claims of US non-involvement
• Why Pakistan’s military is now cosying up to Washington
• The backlash in Pakistan after Trump’s airstrikes on Iran
• The symbolism and politics of the Nobel Peace Prize
• Why authoritarian states fear Nobel nods — and why Trump probably won’t get one

Whether you’re interested in South Asia, US foreign policy, peace diplomacy, or just want to make sense of international absurdities — this one’s for you.

After Israel launched airstrikes on Iran and Iran hit back, we've now observed nearly a week of war between the two. But why did this happen and what are the consequences for both Israel and Iran, as well as other major actors like the US, other Western actors and supposed Iranian partners like China and Russia? To answer these questions, Guy takes a deep dive into the developments that have happened over the past week and provides some broader insights and explanations to help you understand why this conflict is happening -- and why now.

In this episode of Ten Minutes On…, we explore the shifting landscape of the global economy in 2025. From renewed US-China trade talks and China’s rare earth export controls to signs of deflation in Beijing and cautious optimism from central banks in Europe, India, and the US — what do these developments tell us about where the world economy might be heading? We unpack the data, the diplomacy, and the politics behind the headlines, and ask whether this moment signals a recovery or just another turn in a decade of uncertainty. 

In this week’s episode of Ten Minutes On..., we explore the eerie déjà vu of U.S. policy towards Iran’s nuclear programme. From the Obama-era JCPOA to Trump’s dramatic withdrawal and back again to something suspiciously similar—what exactly is America trying to achieve? And does it even know?

Dr Guy Burton dissects the latest round of U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations, the inconsistencies between public posturing and private proposals, and the curious pattern of recycled diplomacy dressed up as new strategy. Along the way, we look at domestic political constraints, regional spoilers like Israel, and the broader lack of strategic clarity that continues to define American foreign policy in the Middle East.

In this episode:

• What’s actually in the current U.S.–Iran nuclear deal talks
• Why the proposed agreement looks strikingly similar to the JCPOA
• Trump’s ironic role in returning to the deal he once abandoned
• The legacy of “maximum pressure” and its unintended consequences
• The problem of trust, mixed messages, and strategic incoherence

Key themes:
U.S. foreign policy | Iran nuclear programme | JCPOA | U.S.–Iran negotiations | Trump and policy reversals | Sanctions diplomacy | Middle East strategy

Why listen:
If you’re tired of soundbites and want 10 minutes of thoughtful, historically grounded analysis on why U.S. policy with Iran keeps looping like a broken record, this episode is for you.

 In this week’s episode of Ten Minutes On, we take a closer look at the growing political unrest and economic crisis in Argentina, where President Javier Milei’s austerity measures have triggered widespread protests. With the country grappling with inflation, pension cuts, and social discontent, we ask: what’s really driving the turmoil, and how are different groups—from football ultras to pensioners—responding? We explore Milei’s rise, his libertarian economic policies, and why Argentina’s streets have once again become the stage for a political showdown. 

But Argentina isn’t alone. Across Latin America, slow economic growth, high public debt, and political fatigue are fuelling a wider sense of instability. Drawing on analysis from the IMF, World Bank, and leading regional experts, we examine whether the continent’s current trajectory could pave the way for a rightward shift in Latin American politics. With elections looming in several countries, we explore the tensions between leftist governments facing fiscal constraints and the growing appeal of populist alternatives. Is Argentina a bellwether for what lies ahead? 

Last week US President Donald Trump's visit to the Gulf region - Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. What does this mean for those countries as well as other regional states like Turkey, Israel and Iran, as well as for other, outside powers like China and Europe?

On Monday the militant Kurdish group the PKK announced that it would dissolve itself, supposedly bringing an end to its 40-year armed struggle against Turkey. What has been the reaction to that announcement and what are the prospects for a better political future for Turkey's Kurds as a result?

Last week the prospects of war between India and Pakistan rose, following the murder of 26 Indian tourists by Islamist militants in Kashmir two weeks ago. In this episode, Guy looks at what military action might look like, what outside actors like the US and China could do to restrain the two sides and the wider economic and development context in which these two states and their societies are operating - and which if those challenges might be addressed, could arguably redirect attention and tension.

Following Pope Francis's death and funeral, attention is now turning to who will succeed him at the conclave scheduled for 7 May. But as Guy points out, that's not how those in the Vatican are approaching this. He points out the importance of the general congregation that is taking right now, where interventions are being made on Francis's actions and legacy are being discussed, alongside the current and future state of the Church and the world. It is from those observations will determine that the next Pope will emerge.