The IR thinker

After 9/11, the word "terrorism" replaced older colonial vocabularies — but the racial logic underneath stayed intact. Dr Somdeep Sen of Roskilde University joins The IR thinker to show how concepts such as development, security, and the War on Terror continue to sort the world along racial lines, even when race itself goes unnamed. From NATO's global colour line to China's reproduction of Western hierarchies within the Global South, this conversation maps the hidden architecture of race in contemporary IR.Somdeep SenDr Sen is Associate Professor in International Development Studies at Roskilde University, whose research explores race and racism in international relations, settler colonialism, liberation movements, and postcolonial theory.PublicationsRace (Chapter 9)NATO and the global colour lineDecolonising to Reimagine International RelationsA Postcolonial Critique of EU-Middle East RelationsRace, Racism, and the Teaching of International RelationsContent00:00 - Introduction02:34 - How IR Erased Race — Deliberately and Systematically07:09 - Why "sanitised" Language Still Encodes Racial Hierarchy10:11 - Race Beyond the North–South Divide15:15 - How Racial Logic Travels Across Regions and Contexts19:02 - Terrorism, Security, and the Racialisation of Threat28:15 - Western Imagination of the Middle East Before and After 9/1134:21 - Why Race Scholarship From the Middle East Gets Overlooked40:00 - Brexit, English Nationalism, and the Return of Racial Politics45:32 - What Decolonising IR Actually Requires47:59 - China as a Non-Western Power Reproducing Racial Hierarchies51:10 - Intra-Southern Hierarchies and Who Gets to Speak for the Global South53:41 - How to Research Race When Race Goes Unspoken58:21 - Underresearched Areas and Future DirectionsFollow & Further ResourcesSubstack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ir-thinker/X: https://x.com/irthinker_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/irthinkerfb

Artificial intelligence is redrawing the boundaries of cybersecurity — accelerating attacks, complicating attribution, and compressing the time humans have to make decisions that matter. In this episode, Myriam Dunn Cavelty of ETH Zurich examines AI-driven conflict, the politics behind critical infrastructure protection, the limits of European governance, and what it means when cyber war has no clear start and no clear finish.Myriam Dunn CaveltyMyriam Dunn Cavelty is a Senior Scientist at the Centre for Security Studies at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. Her research examines the political and societal implications of digital technologies, with a particular focus on cyber security, cyber warfare, critical infrastructure protection, and technology governance. She also serves as co-editor-in-chief of Contemporary Security Policy.PublicationsThe evolution of cyberconflict studiesThe politics of cyber securityCyber security politics: Socio-technological transformations and political fragmentationCybersecurity in SwitzerlandCyber-security and threat politics: US efforts to secure the information ageRecommended article:Cyber War Will Not Take PlaceContent00:00 - Introduction01:55 - What Actually Counts as Critical Infrastructure in the Age of AI?07:58 - ENISA: Europe's Cybersecurity Watchdog — Triumphs, Failures, and Missed Opportunities13:00 - Does the World Need a Global Cybersecurity Regulator?14:43 - Hacked Nations: Geopolitical Coercion, Hybrid Warfare, and Strategic Signalling25:48 - Is Cybersecurity a Political Problem Dressed Up as a Technical One?32:31 - War Without End: Why AI-Driven Conflict Has No Clear Start, No Clear Finish38:27 - Who Did It? The Dangerous Art of Attribution in Cyber Warfare43:58 - The Speed Problem: When AI Makes Decisions Faster Than Humans Can Think48:33 - Arming the Enemy: What Happens When Open-Source AI Falls Into the Wrong Hands?52:00 - Measuring the Unmeasurable: How Do You Rank a Country's Cyber Power?58:27 - The Blind Spots of AI Cybersecurity Research TopicsFollow & Further ResourcesSubstack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ir-thinker/X: https://x.com/irthinker_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/irthinkerfb

Today, it is a real pleasure to speak with Professor Jonathan Fisher, co-editor of African Affairs — one of the leading journals in the field of African Studies. African Affairs is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the London-based Royal African Society.It was established as the Journal of the African Society in 1901, then it was published as the Journal of the Royal African Society from 1936 until it obtained its current name in 1944.The journal is broadly interdisciplinary, with a primary focus on the politics and international relations of sub-Saharan Africa, though it also draws on sociology, anthropology, economics, history, literature, and the arts where these illuminate debates on contemporary Africa.Co-EditorsGeorge M. Bob-MilliarJonathan FisherAmanda Lea RobinsonGabrielle LynchImpact Factor: 2.2 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 2.7Indexed: Scopus / Web of ScienceJonathan FisherJonathan Fisher is Professor of Global Security at the University of Birmingham where he also serves as Deputy Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer for the College of Social Sciences.His research centres on the role of ideas and legitimacy within authoritarian systems, with extensive fieldwork across eastern Africa, where his work has examined how guerrilla heritage shapes contemporary governance, conflict, and cooperation, as well as the growing phenomenon of digital authoritarianism.Content00:00 – Introduction01:41 – The Journal’s Evolving Mission and Research Identity08:00 – Balancing Intellectual Coherence with Disciplinary Diversity11:19 – The Place of Empirical and Theoretical Research in Submissions13:03 – Emerging Trends in Manuscripts and Desired Research Directions16:27 – Underexplored Regions and Research Gaps across Africa18:40 – Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed-Methods Approaches in Publication24:04 – The Most Frequent Mistakes in Article Submissions25:49 – Common Pitfalls for Early-Career Researchers27:26 – Structural and Technical Weaknesses in Academic Articles29:00 – The Impact of AI on Editorial and Peer-Review Processes31:30 – Editorial Reforms and the Journal’s Growing Academic Standing33:46 – The Role and Significance of the Editorial Board37:14 – Supporting Marginalised and Underrepresented Scholars40:37 – Contributions from Latin America, Asia, and China41:57 – Does the Journal Encourage Authors to Suggest Reviewers?42:43 – Future Vision, Priorities, and Strategic Goals of the JournalFollow & Further ResourcesSubstack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ir-thinker/X: https://x.com/irthinker_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/irthinkerfb

Today, it is a real pleasure to speak with the editorial team of Regional & Federal Studies, one of the leading journals in the field of territorial politics, regionalism, and federalism. The journal was established in 1991 as Regional Politics and Policy: An International Journal focusing on regionalism in Western Europe. In 1995, the journal changed its name to Regional and Federal Studies, expanding its focus and scope.Impact Factor: 1.4 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 1.6Indexed: Scopus / Web of ScienceFirst Decision: 40 daysAcceptance Rate: 28%Davide Vampa & Mariely Lopez-SantanaDavide Vampa, Lead Editor of the journal and Senior Lecturer in Territorial Politics at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change and Chair of the ECPR Standing Group on Federalism and Regionalism, as well as Mariely Lopez-Santana, Deputy Lead Editor and Associate Professor of Political Science at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, USA.Content00:00 - Introduction01:45 - The Journal’s Intellectual Identity06:01 - How the Journal Adapted to a Changing Field08:33 - Managing Breadth and Coherence Across Federalism, Regionalism, and Multilevel Governance10:43 - Crossing Disciplinary Boundaries: Bridging Political Science and Beyond14:02 - Theory or Empirics? Balancing Conceptual Innovation and Case-Based Research18:00 - Major Intellectual Trends in Regional and Federal Politics22:09 - Underexplored Topics25:32 - Methodological Diversity: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Approaches27:48 - Methodological Shifts: Dominant Approaches and Emerging Techniques29:53 - The Data Challenge: Obstacles in Gathering Quantitative Evidence32:44 - Why Papers Get Rejected: Common Problems in Manuscript Submissions37:25 - Early Career Scholars: Frequent Mistakes and Professional Advice44:34 - The Journal’s Position on AI48:59 - Peer Review Process: Fairness, Transparency, and Editorial Efficiency53:47 - The Role and Strategic Importance of the Editorial Board57:03 - Supporting Underrepresented Scholars and Regions01:03:33 - Should Authors Recommend Reviewers?01:03:49 - Looking Ahead: Future PrioritiesFollow & Further ResourcesSubstack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ir-thinker/X: https://x.com/irthinker_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/irthinkerfb

As American power recedes and European unity fractures, Poland finds itself at the centre of one of the most consequential geopolitical transformations of our time. Dr Piotr Pietrzak joins us to trace Poland's journey from historical insecurity to strategic confidence. Can Poland sustain great-power aspirations without overreaching? Piotr PietrzakPiotr Pietrzak is co-founder of In Statu Nascendi Think Tank, a non-partisan and independent institution bringing together scholars from a wide range of disciplines. It is devoted to rigorous inquiry into contemporary conflict and political philosophy, and to generating actionable ideas on geoeconomic, political, and socio-economic matters.A scholar, ontologist, and author, Dr Pietrzak is particularly known for bringing a rigorous pragmatic perspective to international relations theory, conflict management, and geopolitics. His work consistently bridges theoretical inquiry and real-world application, making it relevant to both academic and policy audiences.Publications:On the Idea of Humanitarian Intervention: A New Compartmentalization of IR TheoriesExploring the implications of local and regional conflictsThe Changing Conceptual Landscape of the Russian War in Ukraine (2014-Present) and Syria (2011-Present)The Russia ‒ Ukraine War and the Renaissance of IR RealismGeopolitical rivalries and strategic competition across EurasiaStrengthening international relations through transformative theory and practiceThe Sikorski–Tusk doctrine underpinning Poland's new strategic culture and its response to the Russia–Ukraine WarContent00:00 - Introduction01:20 - Reimagining International Relations: An Ontology “In Statu Nascendi”04:09 - The Giedroyc-Mieroszewski Doctrine07:17 - The Brzezinski Doctrine11:02 - The Sikorski–Tusk Doctrine18:13 - Regional Power or Strategic Frontline State? Poland’s Post-2022 Autonomy24:43 - Between Brussels and Washington: Balancing Pro-European and Pro-American Orientations29:35 - Ukraine as a Strategic Beneficiary of the War32:18 - Beyond Solidarity: The Future of Polish-Ukrainian Relations36:32 - China and the New Geometry of Polish Geopolitics40:28 - What Would G7 Membership Mean for Poland?46:04 - Democratic Values, Diaspora Networks, and Poland’s Emerging Leadership Role50:24 - From Historical Insecurity to Strategic Confidence: The Evolution of Polish Strategic Culture54:01 - Ambition versus Overstretch: Can Poland Sustain Great-Power Aspirations (American power declines, European unity weakens, and Ukraine remains unstable)01:00:10 - Poland and Russia: Is Stable Coexistence Possible?01:02:57 - The Most Underresearched Questions in Polish GeopoliticsFollow & Further ResourcesSubstack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ir-thinker/X: https://x.com/irthinker_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/irthinkerfb

This episode explores African agency in global climate governance, moving beyond narratives that portray African states solely as vulnerable recipients of climate policy. Drawing on debates in International Relations, environmental politics, and African climate futures, Dr Carl Death examines how African actors negotiate, contest, and reimagine climate governance across local, continental, and global arenas. Carl DeathCarl Death is a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on environmental politics in Africa, with a particular interest in critical and postcolonial approaches. Publications:The Green Economy in South Africa: Global Discourses and Local PoliticsFour Discourses of the Green Economy in the Global SouthGreen States in Africa: Beyond the Usual SuspectsAfricanfuturist Socio‐Climatic Imaginaries and Nnedi Okorafor’s Wild NecropoliticsClimate Fiction, Climate Theory: Decolonising Imaginations of Global FuturesUnfamiliar Families and Disturbing Climate FuturesNarrating Transitions to Low Carbon Futures: The Role of Long-Term Strategies in Fossil Fuel Producing Emerging EconomiesAfrican Climate FuturesContent00:00 – Introduction02:30 – African agency in global climate governance: realities versus stereotypes10:21 – Writing climate transition differently: fiction as method13:32 – Universal models and African political economies18:04 – Pan-Africanism and coordination in climate governance23:25 – Key actors in Africa’s climate and energy transition27:19 – Climate fiction and African agency: insights from fifteen authors32:49 – Selection and context of African climate fiction38:37 – Postcolonial, feminist, and queer perspectives on African climate futures43:47 – Ecopolitical imaginaries explained48:01 – Beyond limited case studies in African climate scholarship54:51 – Challenges in writing the book58:51 – Local politics and environmental governance01:02:25 – Civil society and grassroots climate action01:08:59 – Under-researched areas in African climate politicsFollow & Further ResourcesSubstack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ir-thinker/X: https://x.com/irthinker_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/irthinkerfb