The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens

Energy Crises & Global Power Shifts: The Struggle for Stability in Israel, Iran, and Beyond | Helen Thompson

Nov 27, 2024

Helen Thompson, a Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge, dives deep into the intricate relationship between energy resources and global geopolitics. She discusses how the recent conflicts in the Middle East, especially the tensions between Israel and Iran, reshape energy dynamics and influence international relations. The conversation highlights the implications of a multipolar world on resource conflicts and the delicate balance of power. Thompson also shares insights on how global awareness and preparedness are essential for navigating future crises amid rising geopolitical uncertainties.

01:11:32

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Helen Thompson

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Quick takeaways

Energy's role in global geopolitics has gained attention due to recent conflicts, yet public awareness appears to be waning amidst current stability.

The intricacies of the Israeli-Iranian conflict highlight the global economic stakes tied to oil supply security and military restraint in the region.

Non-Western nations, particularly through BRICS and OPEC+, are redefining geopolitical dynamics, challenging Western dominance amid evolving alliances and economic interests.

Deep dives

Understanding Energy's Role in Geopolitics

The discussion emphasizes the increasing recognition of energy's significance in global geopolitics, particularly in the context of recent conflicts. A noticeable shift in public interest towards energy issues followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, indicating a deeper awareness of how energy dynamics shape political landscapes. However, this heightened awareness appears to be fading as current events do not trigger expected energy shocks, leading to complacency among the public. The complexity of Middle Eastern conflicts underlines the necessity of energy understanding to decode geopolitical tensions and their implications on a global scale.

Intro

3min

Energy and Geopolitical Dynamics

11min

Shifting Sands: Israel's Political Landscape and Conscription

19min

Implications of a Trump Presidency on Israel-Iran Relations

3min

Geopolitics of Oil and Military Tensions

22min

Navigating Middle Eastern Geopolitics

6min

Navigating Global Challenges

7min

(Conversation recorded on November 11th, 2024, prior to a ceasefire declared between Israel and Lebanon on November 27th, 2024)

If you’ve followed TGS for some time, you’ve heard Nate speak about The 5 Horsemen – the biggest risks for humans and civilization in the coming decade. Today’s episode delves into one of the most rapidly escalating: geopolitics.

Today, Nate is joined by Political Economy Professor Helen Thompson to explore the evolving understanding of energy's role in international relations, particularly in the context of recent conflicts in the Middle East. They discuss the challenge of anticipating the volatile changes in energy supplies, the complexities of navigating information in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, and the role of global powers like BRICS and OPEC.

How will resource conflicts continue to shape the long-standing tensions in the Middle East? What would a transition from a unipolar world to a multipolar world mean for the global geopolitical landscape and its energy implications? Given how connected these issues are to the delicate balance of our world, how can we increase awareness and preparation for future crises?

About Helen Thompson:

Helen Thompson has been Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge since 1994. Her current research concentrates on the political economy of energy and the long history of the democratic, economic, and geopolitical disruptions of the twenty-first century. She is a regular panelist on Talking Politics and a columnist for the New Statesman. She is a co-presenter of UnHerd's podcast, These Times, and recently published Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century.

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