The International Risk Podcast

In this compelling episode of The International Risk Podcast, we are joined by Professor S. Michael Lynk, renowned legal scholar and former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory. Together, we dive deep into the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) landmark ruling in the South Africa v. Israel case, which declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and highlighted violations of international law, including apartheid.Professor Lynk unpacks the legal, humanitarian, and geopolitical implications of this decision, its impact on Palestinian rights, and its broader significance for global accountability mechanisms. We also explore the role of the Global South, the challenges of enforcing international rulings, and the evolving power of international law in addressing state conduct and systemic inequality.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our great updates!Tell us what you liked!

This week's mid-week episode is between Dominic and Dr Abdulhaleem. They discuss the intricacies and difficulties of the electoral system in Iraq, including the significant corruption and voter apathy that has been ever present in its post-2003 electoral system, the numerous reforms that have been introduced and an assessment of the international risks posed by the continued shortcomings of electoral systems in the Middle East. Tune in to hear all about Iraq and how its own electoral experience could impact a new Syrian government!Dr. Abdulhaleem Mohammed is a distinguished election and legal specialist with extensive experience in advancing democratic governance and electoral integrity. Currently serving with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Iraq, he provides technical and legal advice to the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on electoral systems, legal frameworks, and the development of inclusive and transparent elections.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our great updates!Tell us what you liked!

Happy New Year from all of us at The International Risk Podcast! We’re excited to kick off 2025 with the launch of Season 5, and what better way to start than by answering your questions?Join Elisa, Rima, and Dominic as they dive into listener-submitted topics, tackling some of the most pressing international risks shaping our world. From geopolitical tensions to organizational resilience, we explore the challenges ahead and offer insights into navigating an increasingly complex global landscape.Thank you for your continued support and thoughtful questions—Season 5 promises to be our best yet!The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our great updates!Tell us what you liked!

This week on The International Risk Podcast we discuss Chemical and Biological Warfare with Doctor Brett Edwards. We discuss the history of chemical and biological warfare, explaining that it has been around for longer than we thought! Then we move onto the current risks, the ongoing wars, and, discuss whether there are any risks for us. Tune in now to find out. Dr. Brett Edwards is currently a Senior Lecturer in Security and Public Policy at the University of Bath. He holds a wide range of interest from technology to governance and security. At the moment he is involved in a number of projects examining the security implications of cutting-edge biotechnology, the governance of biological and chemical weapons as well as humanitarian intervention. He has also published on international responses to chemical weapon use in Syria. Generally speaking, Dr Edwards adopts a qualitative and constructivist approach to his research. He is particularly interested in the processes through which norms, values and authority are reproduced and contested, especially in the definition of 'technical' problems. His research focuses on both the history and contemporary threat posed by chemical and biological weapons. Moreover, his work focuses primarily on the education in the areas of non-proliferation, preparedness, and response- as well as a range of policy related issues. Dr Edwards also runs the Poisons and Pestilence Podcast (available on all major players) - which deals with everything chemical and biological weapons, primarily from a historical perspective.Brett has held a number of teaching positions, including work on an ESRC funded project examining technology assessment in the context of the global prohibition regime directed at biological and chemical weapons. He also completed a Welcome funded research fellowship at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology in 2013. He has an interdisciplinary academic background in the natural and social sciences. His PhD involved a comparative case study of national approaches to addressing security challenges raised by 'synthetic biology'. Finally, Brett also holds a MA in biotechnological law and ethics.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn for all our great updates.Tell us what you liked!

Merry Christmas from The International Risk Podcast Team!Today we discuss the increase of violence and the reasons behind it, in Papua New Guinea. A few questions you'll get answered: What is Papua New Guinea's history with sorcery? Why has there been an increase in violence? And, what are the opportunities for businesses? Tune in to hear them answered!Andrew Molen is the editor of Wantok Niuspepa, which is Papua New Guinea's only Tok Pisin newspaper. He is a longtime journalist and photographer in Papua New Guinea and has extensive experience covering major news and events around Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn for all our great updates.Tell us what you liked!

In this compelling episode of The International Risk Podcast, we are honored to welcome Ms. Sahar Al-Jobury, Chief of the UNRWA Representative Office in Cairo. With over 30 years of humanitarian experience across multiple United Nations agencies, Ms. Al-Jobury brings unparalleled insights into the critical role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).Together, we explore the agency's history, its evolving mission, and its indispensable contributions amidst the complexities of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Ms. Al-Jobury sheds light on UNRWA’s immediate responses to the escalation of violence post-October 7th, the operational challenges it faces, and its ongoing efforts to address the urgent needs of displaced communities.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.Tell us what you liked!

In this week's midweek episode, we explore the institutional and socioeconomic risks and opportunities facing Syria in the aftermath of the Assad regime. Joined by Zaki Mehchy, we delve into the critical steps that both the international community and Syria's next government must prioritize in the coming years. From resilience-building and community engagement to targeted investments in non-rent-seeking industries, we discuss how Syria can lay the foundation for sustainable recovery and inclusive growth.Zaki Mehchy is a policy fellow at London School of Economics and Political Science Conflict and Civicness Research Group (CCRG), a researcher at the Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform (PeaceRep) and a co-founder of the Syrian Center for Policy Research. Zaki has dedicated his career to advancing development policies and addressing the complex socio-economic challenges facing Syria. His extensive research spans topics such as the socio-economic impacts of the Syrian crisis, poverty and multidimensional deprivation, labor dynamics, local governance, and community empowerment. Zaki holds an MSc. in International Economics from the University of Essex, UK, bringing a robust academic foundation to his impactful work.The International Risk Podcast is a weekly podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. In these podcasts, we speak with experts in a variety of fields to explore international relations. Our host is Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe’s leading risk consulting firms. Dominic is a regular public and corporate event speaker, and visiting lecturer at several universities. Having spent the last 20 years successfully establishing large and complex operations in the world’s highest-risk areas and conflict zones, Dominic now joins you to speak with exciting guests around the world to discuss international risk.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn for all our great updates.Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Joseph Daher and Dominic discuss the collapse of the Assad Regime and the risks and opportunities for Syria in a post-Assad world.Joseph Daher, is a Swiss-Syrian academic and activist. He currently teaches at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland), and at the University of Ghent (Belgium) and has been an affiliated professor at the European University Institute(EUI). He has worked with the EUI on the conflict in Syria and the aftermath of the war. Herewith Joseph has published multiple papers, which aimed to produce quality, strategic and accurate reports and analysis of wartime perspectives, challenges, trends and policy options in anticipation of post-conflict stabilisation in Syria.Moreover, Joseph is an expert on Syria, Lebanon, and the Middle East, and has worked for various UN Agencies, NGO’s and research centers in consulting and expert mandates to conduct programs, trainings, and research for them. He is the author of three books: Hezbollah: The Political Economy of Lebanon’s Party of God, Syria After the Uprising: The Political Economy of State Resilience and Palestine and Marxism . Finally, he is the founder of the blog Syria Freedom Forever. He is also co-founder of the Alliance of Middle Eastern and North African Socialists.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn for all our great updates.Tell us what you liked!

In this  episode, we are joined by the insightful  Mr. Mikatekiso Kubayi, a distinguished voice from South Africa and a renowned thinker on global power dynamics. Mr. Kubayi wears many hats: researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) associated with UNISA, fellow at the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and a PhD candidate at UJ. His expertise spans the intricate web of power in the international system and the ever-evolving global political economy of finance.Together, we traverse the intricate world of Sino-African relations—exploring its history, its influence on infrastructure and investment, sovereignty, the BRICS, and more! The International Risk Podcast is a weekly podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. In these podcasts, we speak with experts in a variety of fields to explore international relations. Our host is Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's leading risk consulting firms. Dominic is a regular public and corporate event speaker, and visiting lecturer at several universities. Having spent the last 20 years successfully establishing large and complex operations in the world's highest-risk areas and conflict zones, Dominic now joins you to speak with exciting guests around the world to discuss international risk.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn for all our great updates.Tell us what you liked!

Tune in to hear Stefan Wolff discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. Dominic and Stefan also discuss the Moldovan Elections, Mark Rutte becoming General-Secretary of NATO, and the influence of the US Elections on the war in Ukraine and find out what the thought outcome will be with Trump being re-elected for office. Stefan Wolff is Professor of International Security and Head of Department of the Political Science and International Studies, at the University of Birmingham. A political scientist by background, he specialises in the management of contemporary security challenges, especially in the prevention and settlement of ethnic conflicts, in post-conflict state-building in deeply divided and war-torn societies, and in contemporary geopolitics and great-power rivalry. Wolff has extensive expertise in the post-Soviet space and has also worked on a wide range of other conflicts elsewhere, including in the Middle East and North Africa, in Central Asia, and in sub-Saharan Africa. With almost three decades of experience in UK higher education, Wolff has a publication record that includes almost 100 journal articles and book chapters, as well as 20 books. He is the founding editor of Ethnopolitics, co-founder of Navigating the Vortex, and a regular international affairs contributor to The Conversation. Bridging the divide between academia and policymaking, Wolff regularly advises governments and international organisations and has been involved in various phases of conflict settlement processes, including in the disputed territories in Iraq, in Transnistria and Gagauzia (Moldova), in Ukraine, Syria, and Yemen. Wolff holds degrees from the University of Leipzig (Erstes Staatsexamen), the University of Cambridge (M.Phil.), and the LSE (Ph.D.).The International Risk Podcast is a weekly podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. In these podcasts, we speak with experts in a variety of fields to explore international relations. Our host is Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's leading risk consulting firms. Dominic is a regular public and corporate event speaker, and visiting lecturer at several universities. Having spent the last 20 years successfully establishing large and complex operations in the world's highest-risk areas and conflict zones, Dominic now joins you to speak with exciting guests around the world to discuss international risk.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn for all our great updates.Tell us what you liked!