The IR thinker

South Africa has been involved in nuclear development for more than 75 years. In 1948, the Atomic Energy Act established the Atomic Energy Board (AEB) — only two years after the United States created its own Atomic Energy Commission. South Africa's first nuclear research reactor, SAFARI-1, went critical in 1965, and the country's first large nuclear power station, Koeberg, came online in 1984.In February 2010, the South African government announced it would stop funding the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) programme. Over US$1.3 billion had been invested in the project since 1993, making its cancellation one of the most consequential decisions in South African energy history.But the technology did not disappear. A group of nuclear engineers and scientists pressed on independently, channelling the PBMR's intellectual legacy into a new design: the HTMR-100, an advanced Generation IV helium-cooled reactor. That effort eventually gave rise to Stratek Global, and it is an honour to speak with its Chairman and CEO, Dr Kelvin Kemm.Kelvin KemmDr Kelvin Kemm is a nuclear physicist and Chairman of Stratek Global, based in Pretoria, South Africa. He is the former Chairman of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and has been involved in South Africa's small modular reactor programme since its inception — a journey spanning more than two decades.Dr Kemm has briefed the US Senate and Congress in Washington DC, and is a sought-after international speaker on nuclear energy, technology, and strategic development, having addressed audiences across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States.Above all, he brings over 25 years of hands-on experience building small modular reactor technology from the ground up — making him one of the most knowledgeable voices in the field today.Content00:00 – Introduction and Overview of the Discussion02:49 – Historical Development of Nuclear Reactor Technology in South Africa17:29 – Eskom’s Operational and Financial Challenges: Assessing the Crisis23:32 – Koeberg Nuclear Power Station: Operational Performance, Modernisation, and Life Extension27:12 – Nuclear Fuel Procurement and Supply Chains for Koeberg31:43 – Radioactive Waste Management at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station36:04 – Development Status of South Africa’s HTMR-100 Small Modular Reactor39:03 – HTMR-100 Reactor Concept: Design Principles, Mobility, and Scale43:32 – Advanced Fuel Architecture of the HTMR-100 Reactor47:58 – International Cooperation in Deploying HTMR-100 Nuclear Power Plants51:09 – Nuclear Science and Engineering Education in South Africa: Training the Next Generation55:09 – The Geopolitics of Nuclear Energy57:49 – Debates and Critiques of Renewable Energy Policy in South Africa01:03:10 – Pan-African Institutional Support for Nuclear Energy Development in Africa

Today, we are hosting an episode that provides an opportunity to present a research journal together with its editor. The aim is not only to introduce the journal, but also to offer a critical assessment of suitable venues for publishing research articles. In this context, we turn our attention to the British Journal of Politics and International Relations (BJPIR).Impact Factor: 3.4 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 3.4Indexed: Scopus / Web of Science First Decision: 6 daysAcceptance Rate: 18.7%14th out of 169 journals in the field of International Relations and 36th out of 322 in Political Science(Source: https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/education-social-sciences-law/news/article/2242/bjpir-celebrates-rise-in-impact-factor-and-25th-anniversary)The journal is a leading peer-reviewed academic journal in the fields of political science and international relations. Established in 1999 and published by SAGE Publications on behalf of the Political Studies Association, it has developed a strong international reputation for high-quality scholarship.The journal has six editors, all of whom are based at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Today, we are speaking with one of them, Professor of Global Security Challenges at the University of Leeds, Jack Holland.Jack Holland also serves as Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Social Sciences. His research focuses on United States, United Kingdom, and Australian foreign and security policy. He is an expert on AUKUS, for example, he has been invited as a witness to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, and he regularly provides media commentary for British and international news organisations.Content00:00 - Introduction02:24 - The Journal’s Intellectual DNA04:05 - Political Science vs International Relations: Balance in Published Research05:24 - From Political Studies Association Flagship to Global Journal: Institutional Influence08:31 - Political Studies Association09:47 - Editorial Limits: Is There a Maximum Number of Articles per Issue?11:36 - Maintaining Coherence in a Broad-Scope Journal12:48 - Editorial Board: Selection, Roles, and Responsibilities16:25 - University of Leeds: The Journal’s Institutional Connection18:08 - Methodological Pluralism: Supporting Underrepresented Scholars21:04 - Current Intellectual Trends in Submissions22:53 - Undersubmitted Topics: Areas the Journal Wants More Of24:13 - AI, Frameworks, and Consulting: Reality Behind Publishing Claims26:15 - Common Author Mistakes in Journal Submissions31:00 - Encouraging Junior Scholars to Submit33:51 - Global South Scholars and Barriers36:13 - Editorial Lessons: Decisions Seen Differently Today38:22 - Suggesting Reviewers: Should Authors Do It?39:39 - Future Vision for the Journal

This episode features a conversation with the historian Philip Snow on the evolution of relations between Russia and China. Drawing on archival research, the discussion traces the relationship from the early border settlements at Nerchinsk and Kyakhta to contemporary geopolitical and economic cooperation, highlighting how frontier regions such as Manchuria, Mongolia, and Xinjiang have shaped interaction between the two powers.The interview examines key turning points, including the Sino-Soviet split, as well as structural constraints (geography, distance, and technology) that have historically limited escalation along the border. It also explores post-Soviet asymmetries, energy interdependence, and projects such as Power of Siberia 2.Finally, the conversation considers the implications of contemporary Sino-Russian alignment, addressing their views on multipolar order, persistent frictions in the Russian Far East, and China’s potential capacity to lead globally without Russia.Philip SnowPhilip Snow has been travelling in Russia and China since the 1960s, and has spent nearly two decades researching what is arguably the most consequential bailateral relationship of our era.Selected Publications:Snow, P. (1989). The star raft: China’s encounter with Africa. Cornell University Press.Snow, P. (2003). The Fall of Hong Kong: Britain, China, and the Japanese occupation. Yale University Press.Snow, P. (2023). China and Russia: Four Centuries of conflict and Concord. Yale University Press.Content00:00 – Introduction01:10 – Archival Research and Interpreting Russian–Chinese Narratives06:21 – Nerchinsk and Kyakhta: Origins of Long-Term Stability10:46 – Manchuria, Mongolia, and Xinjiang as Strategic Pivot Zones14:18 – Mongolia’s Role in Sino-Russian Relations14:51 – Structural Constraints on Escalation and Major War18:51 – The Role of Distance and Technology in Military Encounters19:28 – Manchuria and the Historical Foundations of Chinese Strategic Mistrust24:17 – The Sino-Soviet Split and the Limits of Ideological Alliances27:05 – Energy Interdependence and Post-Soviet Asymmetry31:20 – Power of Siberia 2: Economic Logic and Geopolitical Stakes32:12 – Why Sino-Russian Decision-Making Is Often Slow32:40 – Surface Alignment vs Structural Frictions in the Russian Far East39:54 – Sino-Russian Alignment in Opposition to the West42:45 – Do Russia and China Share a Vision of Multipolar Order?45:44 – China’s Capacity to Lead Without Russia46:45 – Critiquing Philip Snow’s Interpretation48:21 – How to Study China and Russia More Effectively

This interview with Professor Mark N. Katz explores one of the central debates in contemporary international relations: the transition from unipolarity to a more complex multipolar world. Drawing on historical cases and current geopolitical developments, the discussion examines whether multipolarity is truly the global norm, how great powers are defined, and what the post-Cold War “unipolar moment” tells us about today’s shifting balance of power.The conversation also addresses the rise of emerging actors such as BRICS, the strategic behaviour of smaller states, and the evolving role of alliances, norms, and regional rivalries—from the Middle East to the Global South. Ultimately, it offers a nuanced assessment of whether a multipolar world necessarily produces a stable and coherent international order, and highlights key research questions shaping the future of global politics.Mark N. KatzMark N. Katz is Professor Emeritus of Government and Politics at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, where he taught from 1988 until his retirement in 2024. A specialist in Russian foreign policy, great-power competition, and the international politics of the Middle East, his research has long focused on Soviet and Russian engagement with the developing world and revolutionary movements in international politics. Publications:Personal BlogAmerican Foreign Policy: Can the U.S. Get Out of a Difficult Situation?The Multipolar World Is Nothing New: Why the Return of Many Powers Does Not Mean the Birth of a New OrderThe Soviet Roots of Putin’s Foreign Policy Toward the Middle EastThe Third World in Soviet Military ThoughtThe USSR and Marxist Revolutions in the Third WorldContent00:00 – Introduction02:03 – Is Multipolarity the Historical Norm?04:08 – The Liberal Order During the Cold War04:53 – What Makes a Country a Great Power?09:36 – Understanding the Unipolar Moment12:19 – When Did Unipolarity End?15:41 – 9/11, Terrorism and the Limits of Polarity Theory21:51 – The Sino–Soviet Split and a Brief Tripolar World25:26 – BRICS and the Rise of Multipolarity27:25 – Multipolar World vs Multipolar Order30:27 – Global South Views on Multipolarity33:15 – How Small States Play Great Powers Against Each Other38:00 – If China Dominates...41:25 – Do Alliances Limit a Country’s Power Ambitions?43:45 – Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel in a Multipolar Middle East47:06 – What the Arab Spring Reveals About Multipolarity50:49 – Do International Norms Still Matter?53:12 – Key Research Questions on the Future of Multipolarity

In this interview, political scientist Marc Sanjaume‑Calvet examines the constitutional status of Catalonia, the distribution of powers within the Spanish state, and the evolving debates surrounding Catalan autonomy and identity. The discussion also explores Catalonia’s external action, from its relations with the European Union and international organisations to the constraints imposed by Spanish constitutional law, including the legacy of the 2017 referendum and Article 155.Marc Sanjaume-CalvetMarc Sanjaume-Calvet is Associate Professor of Political Science at Pompeu Fabra University. He has also served as an advisor at the Self-Government Studies Institute, a research centre linked to the Government of Catalonia. His work sits at the crossroads of federalism, self-determination, and territorial conflict, with broader interests in national and ethnic conflicts. Publications:Asymmetry as a Device for Equal Recognition and Reasonable Accommodation of Majority and Minority Nations. A Country Study on Constitutional Asymmetry in SpainThe Political Use of de facto Referendums of Independence The Case of CataloniaDefensive Federalism: Protecting Territorial Minorities from the "Tyranny of the Majority"The Exodus That Never Was? An Empirical Analysis on Territorial Conflict and Foot-VotingThe Politics of Independence Referendums: Never Mind the BallotsContent00:00 – Introduction01:50 – Constitutional Status of Catalonia05:21 – Identity and Demography in Catalonia08:15 – Distribution of Competences11:46 – The Future of Catalan Autonomy16:10 – “Unity of Foreign Action” in Spanish Constitutional Law and Its Constraints on Regional Diplomacy21:04 – Coordination and Tension between Catalonia’s External Action and Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs23:39 – Catalonia and the European Union29:40 – International Agreements and Catalonia’s Network of External Delegations33:53 – Catalonia’s Interaction with International Organisations and Multilateral Forums37:51 – The 2017 Independence Referendum and Article 15544:21 – Emerging Research Agendas in the Study of Catalonia’s Autonomy

In this episode, together with Dr Reuben Steff, we explore how New Zealand’s geographic isolation, colonial legacies, and small-state status have shaped a distinctive strategic culture; one that combines alliance cooperation with a persistent commitment to autonomy, non-nuclear norms, and multilateralism.Reuben SteffReuben Steff is a Senior Lecturer at Mendel University in Brno whose scholarship engages some of the most pressing questions in contemporary international relations and security. His research spans the implications of artificial intelligence for the global balance of power, the interaction between nuclear deterrence theory and ballistic missile defence within the security dilemma, New Zealand and United States foreign policy, and the dynamics of great-power competition between the United States and China. Publications:New Zealand’s Geopolitics and the US-China Competition‘Our region is now a strategic theatre’: New Zealand’s balancing response to ChinaThe strategic case for New Zealand to join AUKUS Pillar 2US Foreign Policy in the Age of Trump: Drivers, Strategy and TacticsEmerging Technologies and International Security: Machines, the State, and WarExamining the immanent dilemma of small states in the Asia-Pacific: The strategic triangle between New Zealand, the US and ChinaHard Balancing in the Age of American Unipolarity: The Russian Response to US Ballistic Missile Defense during the Bush Administration (2001–2008)Content00:00 – Introduction: Conceptualising New Zealand’s Strategic Posture02:03 – Geographic Isolation and the Evolution of New Zealand’s Strategic Culture13:56 – From the South Pacific to the Indo-Pacific: Regional Order and Strategic Repositioning18:06 – The Treaty of Waitangi and Its Implications for External Partnerships21:47 – Strategic Autonomy, Nuclear-Free Norms, and the AUKUS Question30:44 – Domestic Debates on Nuclear Policy and National Identity34:21 – ANZUS (1951) in Contemporary Perspective: Alliance Politics and Strategic Recalibration36:25 – Trans-Tasman Relations: Convergence, Friction, and Structural Asymmetry40:38 – Economic Interdependence with China and Security Alignment with Western Partners45:22 – Engagement with India and ASEAN: Diversification and Indo-Pacific Strategy49:23 – The European Union and New Zealand: Trade, Norms, and Strategic Convergence53:54 – Hedging in Practice: Small-State Strategy Amid Great-Power Competition56:34 – The War in Ukraine and Its Implications for New Zealand’s Foreign Policy01:01:11 – Multilateralism, Liberal Order, and China’s Parallel Institutional Architecture

In this episode, Professor Charlotte Epstein reflects on how postcolonial perspectives reshape the study of norms in international relations, challenging conventional accounts of diffusion, compliance, and legitimacy. The conversation explores colonial inheritances embedded in contemporary normative orders, while examining positionality, experience, and the epistemological stakes of critical scholarship.Charlotte EpsteinCharlotte Epstein is Professor at Tokyo College, University of Tokyo, where her work examines how language and political power have jointly constituted the modern international order.Publications:The power of words in international relations: Birth of an anti-whaling discourseWho speaks? Discourse, the subject and the study of identity in international politicsConstructivism or the eternal return of universals in International Relations. Why returning to language is vital to prolonging the owl’s flightThe postcolonial perspective: an introductionAgainst international relations norms: Postcolonial perspectivesBirth of the state: The place of the body in crafting modern politicsContent00:00 – Introduction01:42 – Colonialism and Postcolonialism: Conceptual Clarifications04:08 – Rationale for Employing Postcolonial Perspectives07:22 – Postcoloniality as Positionality Beyond Historical Periodisation12:29 – Studying Norm Diffusion and Compliance Beyond Coercion22:50 – Why Norms Reveal Colonial Inheritances More Sharply than Concepts27:53 – From Norms as Practices to Norms as Epistemological Categories32:25 – Situated Perspectives, Critical Authority, and the Risk of Relativism35:42 – The Role of Experience in Postcolonial Norm Research39:26 – Key Sources on the Concept of Experience43:02 – ‘Norming’ and ‘Re-Norming’ in a Foucauldian Perspective47:54 – The Ambivalences of Research Success50:39 – Principal Challenges in Postcolonial Approaches to Norms

In this episode, we sit down with political analyst Marc Saxer to explore his theory of Transformative Realism and why he believes we’re living through a profound systemic crisis. From the erosion of international norms to the urgent need for reimagined statecraft, Marc offers a compelling framework for understanding the forces reshaping our world and what political leadership must look like in response.Marc SaxerMarc Saxer is a political analyst, strategist, and writer with two decades of experience in international relations. He heads the Asia Pacific office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Shtiftung and convenes the Asia Strategic Foresight Group.Publications:Transformative Realism: How to overcome the system crisisGeopolitical Conflict in the Wolf World: Great Power Competition and the Illiberal Revolt against the Liberal OrderContent00:00 - Introduction01:38 - Understanding Transformative Realism04:50 - Defining Systemic Crisis07:39 - Marc’s Most Compelling Crisis Case Study15:08 - The Erosion of International Norms and Rules18:24 - Recognizing the Signs of Systemic Crisis20:18 - The Role of Agency in Transformative Realism28:18 - Reimagining Statecraft and Political Leadership33:44 - The Crisis in Modern Statecraft Education