Ten Minutes On...

This week Guy looks at the differences that exist between the US and Europe - not just between the leaderships on Ukraine, but beyond them to other issues like NATO and tariffs as well as in terms of public sentiment. Guy looks at some of the recent polling that has come out in both the US and Europe. He notes that there is a growing gulf grows between American and European publics and asks what this means for future transatlantic relations.

This week, Guy explores the pros and cons of tariffs, exploring the conflicting motivations behind US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose them last week. He also examines the options available to smaller, more vulnerable developing countries, which range from pursuing independent strategies to taking collective action—potentially including negotiating a deal with the United States. But what kind of deal is really on the table? Is it one that benefits both sides, or does it aim to win at the expense of others?

Last week Myanmar experienced a 7.7 magniture earthquake which has so far killed 2000 people. This is a natural disaster which is taking place in a country wracked by war. In this week's episode Guy looks at the state of the conflict in Myanmar and the relative positions of the military junta and various opposition groups, as well as the role and actions of outside actors like China and ASEAN. Guy also examines Myanmar's current economic and development situation and what prospects there are for a political settlement or for local actors to pursue development solutions independently.

Last week, several central banks chose to hold interest rates steady, reflecting broader uncertainty about both domestic and global economic conditions. While central bankers have signaled their intention to cut rates later this year, Guy notes that inflation remains a concern. In the longer term, the key challenge remains fostering faster and more productive economic growth.

Last week Armenia and Azerbaijan looked close to signing a peace agreement and which would put an end to a conflict that has persisted for 40 years. But while a resolution to conflict is welcome, what is the cost? To answer this, Guy uncovers the territorial and ethnic disputes at its heart and questions whether their elimination - in this case the displacement of people by threat of force - is a welcome development.

March 11 marks the fifth anniversary that the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 coronavirus a global pandemic. Guy takes a look at what happened in the months and years that followed that announcement and whether or not this led to any lasting changes in society, global politics of the global political economy.

This week Guy reflects on the fallout from the Americans' abandonment of Ukraine and European leaders' realisation they need to step up in terms of their own defence. Guy explores the difficulty of Europeans becoming fully independent of the US as well as whether this crisis can overcome internal differences and help consolidate Europe into a more concrete political entity.

 One month into Donald Trump’s second term, his foreign policy approach is becoming clear—driven by raw power and unilateralism. From tariff threats to criticism of Europe and Ukraine, and even suggestions of force to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump’s America is reshaping the global order.

What does this mean for other states? How can they respond?

In this episode, Guy Burton, drawing on his expertise as a university lecturer in international relations, breaks down the key schools of thought in the field—realism, liberalism, and constructivism—and explores how they apply to Trump’s strategy and the reactions of other global actors. 

On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with private sector entrepreneurs in an effort to boost confidence and chart a way forward in the wake of U.S. tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. Among those present was Alibaba founder Jack Ma, who has largely remained out of the public eye since Chinese authorities blocked his company’s merger in 2020.

But this meeting is about more than just business—it highlights deeper economic challenges facing China, including the risk of falling into the "middle-income trap." Listen to explore what this means for China’s economic trajectory, its leadership, and the world at large.

This week, several major players failed to submit their latest mitigation and adaptation plans by the UN's COP30 deadline, scheduled for November in Brazil. This development comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s second decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement and the appointment of a COP president who has placed a strong emphasis on climate finance. To make matters even more urgent, 2024 has been confirmed as the first year where the average global temperature was 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

In this episode, Guy looks at why time has run out on climate change as a "future" event. He explores why current structures are incapable of delivering the reductions we need and examines the alternatives being proposed in the face of accelerating climate realities.