

On Geopolitics
Centre for Geopolitics
On Geopolitics enters a new chapter with the introduction of two new hosts: Professors William Hurst and John Nilsson-Wright. John will host “Currents”, engaging guests from diverse sectors including government, academia, media, science, and business, to explore topical global issues and events. Meanwhile Bill will host “Explorations”, which will present a series of in-depth discussions and analyses of big ideas and enduring themes - the first of these being on “War".
Our original hosts, Suzanne Raine and Professor Ali Ansari will make periodic guest reappearances in the future, maintaining what has been the mission of the podcast, to inform our understanding and analysis of contemporary geopolitical issues with lessons and perspectives from history.
Our original hosts, Suzanne Raine and Professor Ali Ansari will make periodic guest reappearances in the future, maintaining what has been the mission of the podcast, to inform our understanding and analysis of contemporary geopolitical issues with lessons and perspectives from history.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 7, 2022 • 40min
Episode 16: What next for Iran?
Ali Ansari updates us on the state of negotiations on the JCPOA, and we discuss Iran's relationship with Russia.---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Jun 22, 2022 • 39min
Episode 15: The Norway-Russia Border
Suzanne and Ali explore this short but significant border.---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is Professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Jun 9, 2022 • 44min
Episode 14: Is Russia European at all?
Ali and Suzanne discuss Russia's vast Asian territory and ask what effect it has on the identity of the largest country in the world. ---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is Professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

5 snips
May 25, 2022 • 45min
Episode 13: The Baltic States, Ukraine and Russia
Dr Donatas Kupciunas and hosts discuss Baltic States, Ukraine, and Russia history, independence struggles, and geopolitical strategies. They explore Lithuanian Grand Duchy, Soviet incorporation impact, national identity struggles, unity against Russian behavior, and 2014 Ukraine revolution. The conversation also touches on citizenship issues, weaponization of history, and strained relationship between Russia and Ukraine.

May 9, 2022 • 47min
Episode 12: Ukraine: Is China on Russia's side? Which other states might be?
Professor Bill Hurst explains the complex relationship between Russia and China as China grapples with the consequences of the invasion of Ukraine, it’s wider geopolitical and economic relationships and its aspirations for the future of the international order.---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Apr 7, 2022 • 33min
Episode 11: Waking Up to Conflict
Waking up to Conflict: War in Europe is just one of the many live conflicts in the world. Do we need a new systemic approach to conflict, post conflict and peacekeeping? With Chris Loughran from The Halo Trust. ---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Mar 16, 2022 • 31min
Episode 10: Crisis!
Crisis! How can history help decision-makers in moments of crisis? Can it do more harm than good? What is the role of the historian in providing advice? With Gill Bennett, former Chief Historian of the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Mar 2, 2022 • 33min
Episode 9: Russia invades Ukraine
Professors Rory Finnin and Brendan Simms on how we got here and what happens next.With hosts Suzanne Raine and Professor Ali Ansari.---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Feb 17, 2022 • 42min
Episode 8: What next for Iran?
Ali Ansari and Suzanne Raine consider the prospects for the nuclear negotiations and for Iran's place in the world.---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Feb 14, 2022 • 29min
Winter Olympics Special
Professor Bill Hurst on the Geopolitics of the Chinese games.---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).Ali Ansari is professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.