Global Security Briefing
The Royal United Services Institute
Global Security Briefing provides regular insights from leading international experts to help you make sense of the far-reaching changes affecting international security around the globe. Hosted by analysts from RUSI's International Security Studies team, the podcast looks at how the UK can best shape its foreign and security policies in an increasingly dynamic international environment.
The Global Security Briefing channel is also host to a back-catalogue of episodes from the concluded RUSI podcasts 'Bridging the Oceans' and 'Mind the Gulf'.
Running from 2020 to 2023, 'Bridging the Oceans' aimed to create a platform to discuss the key defence and security questions of the world's most dynamic region: the Indo-Pacific. Hosted by Veerle Nouwens, it explored what the Indo-Pacific is, where its limits lie, and what the fast-evolving defence and security issues are in this dynamic part of the world.
Running from January to May 2022, the 'Mind the Gulf' Podcast Series explored how the Iranian nuclear programme – and international diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon – interacts with regional security dynamics and the wider Middle East.
The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by RUSI employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of RUSI.
The Global Security Briefing channel is also host to a back-catalogue of episodes from the concluded RUSI podcasts 'Bridging the Oceans' and 'Mind the Gulf'.
Running from 2020 to 2023, 'Bridging the Oceans' aimed to create a platform to discuss the key defence and security questions of the world's most dynamic region: the Indo-Pacific. Hosted by Veerle Nouwens, it explored what the Indo-Pacific is, where its limits lie, and what the fast-evolving defence and security issues are in this dynamic part of the world.
Running from January to May 2022, the 'Mind the Gulf' Podcast Series explored how the Iranian nuclear programme – and international diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon – interacts with regional security dynamics and the wider Middle East.
The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by RUSI employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of RUSI.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 19, 2022 • 35min
Bridging the Oceans #38: Cross-Strait Crisis: Taiwan's View and the Way Forward
Originally published 19 August 2022. Reflections from Taipei offer a different perspective on recent cross-Strait tensions. In this episode, Veerle speaks with activist Brian Hioe, a founder of the New Bloom Magazine – an online magazine covering activism and youth politics in Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific – about the Taiwanese reaction to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit and China's subsequent live-fire military drills. While the latter marked an escalation in tensions and tactics, Taiwanese officials and their public have declined to be alarmed. Meanwhile, Chinese economic sanctions have also not inflicted serious harm. Rather than intimidating Taipei, Beijing's behaviour may have inadvertent and self-defeating repercussions in upcoming Taiwanese local elections and the political scene. Tune in to find out what lies ahead in Taiwanese domestic politics, military reforms, and the island's foreign relationships.
Jul 13, 2022 • 40min
Russia's War Against Ukraine
This episode considers where Russia's war against Ukraine stands nearly five months after it began, as the conflict enters a potentially pivotal moment with Ukraine planning to mount a counteroffensive to reclaim lost territory. Edward Arnold, our Research Fellow in European Security, and Dr Neil Melvin, RUSI International Security Studies Director, explore Russia's political aims, how Ukraine is planning to move onto the offensive in key areas with increased supplies of NATO military equipment, and whether the war risks becoming a far more protracted conflict.
Jun 30, 2022 • 26min
Bridging the Oceans #37: Japan's National Security and the Ukraine War
Originally published on 30 June 2022. As the war in Ukraine rages on, Japan debates its next security steps. Veerle is joined by Tetsuo Kotani, Professor at Meikai University and Senior Fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs. They explore the level of Japanese domestic support for sanctions policy on Russia, and the ongoing Sino-Russian military activities at sea around Japan and in Japan's airspace. They also ask whether the ongoing situation in Ukraine is impacting Japan's view of its national security and defence strategy, and what Japan's expected outcomes are from the NATO summit in Madrid.
Jun 29, 2022 • 44min
NATO's Madrid Summit
This episode considers the agenda for the NATO Madrid Summit as the organisation faces an unprecedented challenge in responding to the war against Ukraine and the wider threats that Russia, as well as China, present to the Alliance. In this episode, Dr Thierry Tardy, Director of the Research Division at the NATO Defence College, discusses with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, RUSI International Security Studies, what is on the agenda for the NATO Madrid Summit, how the Alliance is seeking to adapt, what will be in the Alliance's new Strategic Concept, and how NATO is likely to develop in the future as regional and global geopolitical competition intensifies.
Jun 15, 2022 • 45min
The Belarus–Russia Security Relationship
This episode examines the evolving Belarus–Russia defence and security relationship at a time when Minsk has become closely intertwined with Russia's war against Ukraine, and as Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarus' authoritarian president, is increasingly reliant on political support from Russia to remain in power. RUSI's Emily Ferris and Dr Akady Moshes, Programme Director for the EU Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia research programme at the Finnish Institute for International Affairs, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, RUSI's Director for International Security Studies, the evolving security relationship between Belarus and Russia and the extent to which Belarus has lost its autonomy and has become politically and militarily integrated with Russia
Jun 1, 2022 • 51min
The South Caucasus and Black Sea Security
This episode examines how the South Caucasus states of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are being affected by Russia's war against Ukraine. The crisis comes at a time when the region is already experiencing significant changes as a result of the second Karabakh war and growing external competition for influence from Russia, Turkey, Iran and China. It also occurs as the transatlantic community considers its future approach to Black Sea security. Natia Seskuria, Director of the Regional Institute of Security Studies in Tbilisi and RUSI Associate Fellow, and Richard Giragosian, Director of the Regional Studies Centre in Yerevan, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, RUSI International Security Studies, the implications for the wider Black Sea security space, and trace developments in the region's protracted conflicts.
May 25, 2022 • 38min
Bridging the Oceans #36: What Foreign and Defence Policy Awaits Under a New Marcos Presidency?
Originally published on 25 May 2022. A post-Duterte presidency offers opportunities for policy shifts. In this episode of Bridging the Oceans, Veerle is joined by Julio S Amador III, Founder and CEO of Amador Research Services. Together, they discuss the recent elections in the Philippines, which saw Marcos Jr elected as the new president of the country. Following President Duterte, whose relations with Beijing grew ever closer, what shape will Philippine foreign policy towards the US and China take? And what national defence and security policies are likely to emerge under a new Marcos administration? Finally, to what extent does the ongoing war in Ukraine impact Manila's foreign and domestic policies?
May 18, 2022 • 50min
Arctic Security and the UK
This episode examines the evolving approach of the UK to security and defence in the Arctic, as the region undergoes significant shifts due to climate change, Russia's increasingly aggressive foreign policy and military modernisation, and non-Arctic states – notably China – taking an increasing interest in the region's security. Dr Duncan Depledge from the International Relations, Politics and History department of Loughborough University and Dr Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Professor of War Studies at Loughborough, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, International Security Studies at RUSI, how the UK has sought to upgrade its policies towards the Arctic as a 'near Arctic state', and how it has begun to rebuild its security and defence engagement with Arctic partner countries as a result of Russia's growing strength in the region.
May 11, 2022 • 46min
Bridging the Oceans #35: Macron, France's EU Presidency, and the Indo-Pacific
Originally published 11 May 2022. France remains fully committed to its new Indo-Pacific Strategy, but implementation will be crucial. In this episode, Veerle is joined by Dr Antoine Bondaz, Director of the Korea and Taiwan Programmes at the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS). Together, they discuss domestic and foreign policy pressures on France's new strategy, and what Indo-Pacific-related achievements have emerged from its presidency of the EU Council. They explore how France's relationships in the Indo-Pacific are evolving – with China, Taiwan, India, Japan and Australia – and what Europe must do to make its engagement in the region a success, despite pressures closer to home.
May 5, 2022 • 55min
Mind the Gulf #8: Where Are We Now and What Comes Next?
Originally published 5 May 2022. Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck wrap up this season of 'Mind the Gulf' podcasts with a discussion on the current state of the Iran nuclear negotiations and possible future trajectories with guests Dr Naysan Rafati (International Crisis Group) and Dr Cinzia Bianco (European Council on Foreign Relations). The discussion touches on the dynamics at play in Washington, Tehran and Europe, and on their likely implications for the future of regional security in the Gulf.
