

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 hosts “Currents”, engaging guests from diverse sectors including government, academia, media, science, and business, to explore topical global issues and events. Meanwhile Bill hosts “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 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 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

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.

Feb 2, 2022 • 45min
Episode 7: What happened in Kazakhstan?
Demonstrations in January were controlled with the support of Russian troops at the President's invitation. What do these disturbances tell us about the state of the large country on Russia's southern border? Raff Pantucci explains.---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.

Jan 19, 2022 • 41min
Episode 6: Great Power Politics
Nora Topor Kalinskij demystifies some of the issues around the European energy crisis, green energy transition, and the role of Russia and China.---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.

Dec 22, 2021 • 40min
Episode 5: Is being 'good' enough to fix the world?
How can the world's leaders be persuaded that international cooperation is the key to their countries' success and prosperity? Simon Anholt discusses his new book The Good Country Equation with Ali and Suzanne to explore how a good reputation and image can help countries to overcome the major international challenges facing humanity today.---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.

Dec 8, 2021 • 36min
Episode 4: Belarus: the last Soviet state in Europe?
We know Belarus as the home of Europe's last dictator, 'weaponising' of migrants, suppression of dissidents, but how much do we understand of the wider context? Dr Donatas Kupciunas joins Ali and Suzanne to explore the background to Belarus/Lithuania/Poland/Russia tensions and what the future might hold.---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.


