The International Risk Podcast

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Vincent Maitre, Swiss lawyer and political representative in Switzerland's National Council. Vincent examines Switzerland’s changing political and economic landscape and explains what the country’s controversial 10 million referendum reveals about immigration, housing, direct democracy, and political stability. Drawing on his experience as a Swiss National Councillor and lawyer in Geneva, he explores the tensions between population growth and economic competitiveness, the role of consensus politics, and why Switzerland’s approach to democracy and neutrality matters in a rapidly changing Europe. We discuss: Why Switzerland’s system of direct democracy has endured and how referendums shape political decision-making What the 10 million referendum reveals about public concerns over immigration, housing, infrastructure, and quality of life Why Switzerland remains dependent on foreign workers despite growing concerns about population growth How housing shortages, regulation, and lengthy planning processes are affecting Swiss cities Why consensus politics and compromise have helped make Switzerland politically and economically stable How Switzerland balances military neutrality, international sanctions, and its wider moral and diplomatic responsibilities Why Europe needs greater cooperation and solidarity as global power becomes increasingly competitive The risks of major powers losing their ability to negotiate, communicate, and work together This is a timely conversation on Swiss direct democracy, immigration, political stability, European cooperation, neutrality, and the changing nature of geopolitical risk. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen hosts The International Risk Podcast and is Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage. Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Tal Kollender , former military cyber specialist, cybersecurity expert, and CEO of Remedio. Tal explores the rapidly evolving cyber risk landscape and explains why businesses must rethink cybersecurity as a strategic and geopolitical risk—not simply an IT problem. Drawing on her experience working with global enterprises and at the intersection of cybersecurity, operational resilience, and geopolitical risk, she examines how nation-state attacks, AI, zero-day vulnerabilities, configuration drift, and increasingly autonomous AI tools are changing the threat landscape. We discuss: Why geopolitical tensions and hybrid warfare are increasingly reaching into businesses, supply chains, networks, and cloud infrastructure How nation-state attackers differ from conventional cybercriminals and why their objective can be to disrupt or control critical functionality Why organisations are still fighting 2026 cyber threats with a 2010 security mindset How AI is changing the balance between attackers and defenders, including the growing challenge of zero-day vulnerabilities Why visibility and detection are not enough, and why businesses need to prioritise proactive, machine-speed remediation The emerging risks of AI agents, shadow AI, risky MCPs, malicious skills, and uncontrolled access to business systems Why cyber resilience needs to account for persistent, cascading, and politically motivated attacks rather than treating incidents as isolated events What boards and executives should be asking about cyber risk, AI governance, resilience, and remediation Why “hope is not a strategy” when organisations are facing an accelerating cyber threat landscape The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen hosts The International Risk Podcast and is Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage. Tell us what you liked!

The International Risk Podcast with Lucy Wark In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is actually reshaping labour markets, not the headline version where everyone loses their job overnight, but the messier, still-unfolding reality visible in the data so far. We break down what economists mean when they say a job is "exposed" to AI, why that word gets misread as a prediction of job loss, and why the real question isn't whether AI is powerful but whether it's being used to replace workers or make them more productive. From junior employees in software engineering and customer support to freelancers on gig platforms, we look at who is actually losing ground right now, and what career strategies still hold up in a labour market being rewritten in real time. We discuss: Why "AI exposure" doesn't mean what most headlines imply, and the real difference between automation and augmentation Why we're still in the "first innings" of understanding AI's impact on labour markets The five things to track separately: capability, exposure, adoption, economic impact, and people impact Why adoption of AI tools is "a puddle, not an ocean," despite near-universal awareness Why AI's economic impact is still barely visible in GDP, productivity, and wage statistics The "canaries in the coal mine": emerging evidence that junior workers in AI-exposed fields are already losing employment "Seniorization" — why entry-level roles increasingly expect mid-level output Early signs of decline in freelance marketplaces, and why freelancers may be hit first Which career strategies, like corporate ladder-climbing and credentialism, no longer hold up What's replacing them: platform building, proximity, and leverage What AI is doing to critical thinking, and how educators are responding How Lucy Wark uses AI in her own research and writing process, and where she still insists on doing the work herself About the guest: Lucy Wark is a former McKinsey consultant and serial entrepreneur, co-founder of career-skills company Fuzzy and sexual wellness brand Normal. She writes the Substack series How Not To Lose Your Job, which examines the evidence behind AI's impact on labour markets and recommends career strategies for building an AI-resilient career. She studied Politics, Psychology and Sociology at Cambridge and Social Science at the University of Chicago. In this conversation, Lucy draws on labour market research and her own experience coaching career strategy to break down what's actually happening in the data, and what individuals should do about it. Lucy's Substack: https://lucywark.substack.com/ About the host: Dominic Bowen is Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives on crisis management, geopolitical risk, operational resilience, and strategy, drawing on decades of experience across government, humanitarian operations, and corporate leadership. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 💬 Tell us what you thought in the comments below 📩 Share this episode with colleagues thinking about AI, careers, and the future of work See more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com #AI #FutureOfWork #LabourMarket #CareerStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence #Careers #Employment #Automation #WorkplaceTrends #BusinessRisk #RiskManagement #InternationalRiskPodcast Tell us what you liked!

The International Risk Podcast with Federico Saleri In this episode, we explore how Europe’s rapidly changing security environment is reshaping the risks facing businesses, why geopolitical disruption can no longer be treated as a temporary shock, and how companies can build resilience against an increasingly unpredictable threat landscape. From Russia’s war in Ukraine and hybrid warfare to sabotage, critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and supply-chain disruption, geopolitical risk is increasingly something boards and executive teams must actively prepare for and govern. We discuss: - How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has transformed the risk environment for European businesses - Why geopolitical shocks are becoming persistent operating conditions rather than exceptional events - Russia’s hybrid and grey-zone activity across Europe - Sabotage, critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and the growing threat to European companies - Which sectors are most exposed, including energy, logistics, telecommunications, transport and defence - Why businesses can be affected even when they are not directly targeted - What companies can learn from the preparedness of Finland and the Baltic states - Who should own geopolitical risk within an organisation - How boards and executives can use scenario planning and exercises to prepare for high-impact events - How businesses can build greater resilience in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment - The international risks that concern Federico Saleri most About the guest: Federico Saleri is Associate Director in the European Geopolitical and Country Risk team at Control Risks, where he advises organisations on geopolitical and security risks across Europe. His work includes helping multinational companies understand emerging threats, assess geopolitical scenarios and strengthen their preparedness for disruption. In this conversation, Federico draws on his work with businesses across Europe to examine how organisations are responding to hybrid threats, geopolitical volatility and the growing demands of corporate resilience. About the host: Dominic Bowen is Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives on crisis management, geopolitical risk, operational resilience, and strategy, drawing on decades of experience across government, humanitarian operations, and corporate leadership. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 💬 Tell us what you thought in the comments below 📩 Share this episode with colleagues working in international business, geopolitics, security, risk management, and corporate strategy See more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com #Geopolitics #GeopoliticalRisk #Europe #Ukraine #Russia #HybridWarfare #BusinessRisk #RiskManagement #BusinessResilience #CriticalInfrastructure #CorporateSecurity #InternationalBusiness #InternationalRiskPodcast Tell us what you liked!

Third-Party Risk: What Companies Get Wrong | The International Risk Podcast with Tom Garrubba As organisations increasingly rely on outsourcing, cloud providers, and complex global supply chains, third-party risk has become one of the biggest challenges facing business leaders. But where do organisations most often go wrong—and how can they build more resilient supplier relationships? In this episode, we explore how organisations can strengthen third-party risk assurance through better supplier due diligence, governance, and ongoing oversight. We break down: - Why third-party risk has evolved far beyond procurement and contract management - How to assess suppliers before outsourcing critical technology and business services - Managing concentration risk and overreliance on strategic suppliers - The importance of supplier due diligence, on-site assessments, and continuous assurance - Building realistic risk-adjusted business cases that balance cost savings with resilience - Deciding what should—and should not—be outsourced - Practical lessons from DORA, NIS2, and modern third-party risk management - The international risks that concern Tom Garrubba most About the guest Tom Garrubba is Co-Founder and Chief Commercial & Partnership Officer at FusionAIrre, an AI-powered assurance software company helping organisations modernise third-party risk management. With nearly 20 years of experience advising Fortune 100 organisations across financial services, healthcare, and technology, Tom has designed and led large-scale third-party risk, cybersecurity, and supplier assurance programmes. He is also a global speaker, published author, university lecturer, and trainer for the internationally recognised Certified Third Party Risk Professional (CTPRP) and Certified Third Party Risk Assessor (CTPRA) certification programmes. About the host Dominic Bowen is Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives on crisis management, geopolitical risk, operational resilience, and strategy, drawing on decades of experience across government, humanitarian operations, and corporate leadership. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 💬 Tell us what you thought in the comments below 📩 Share this episode with colleagues working in risk, cybersecurity, governance, and resilience See more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Lisa Sachs, Director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment at Columbia University's Climate School, to unpack why critical minerals have become one of the defining forces in global geopolitics, economics and security, and why the countries richest in them so often stay poor. Sachs draws on two decades advising governments, investors and international institutions on resource governance to explain why minerals like lithium, cobalt and copper are not a new story but a long overlooked one, now thrust into the headlines by the clean energy transition and the race for AI. She examines why so few mining communities are genuinely better off for having mining nearby, why the "resource curse" is really a failure to treat natural resource governance as inseparable from geopolitics and international finance, and why the murky politics behind deals like the Kazakhstan tungsten project linked to the Trump family raise uncomfortable questions about conflict of interest at the highest levels. The conversation also covers what she calls "legalized corruption" in how resource deals get structured, why resource nationalism can be reasonable for developing countries but self-defeating for wealthy ones racing to secure their own supply chains, and why she believes AI and the energy transition represent a genuine opportunity to correct decades of unequal value capture if governments and companies are willing to learn from past mistakes. Key topics discussed: Why critical minerals are not the "new oil" but have always been central to the global economy What resource governance actually means in practice, beyond permits and environmental regulation Why Sachs struggles to name mining communities that are genuinely better off for having mining The conflict of interest questions raised by the Trump family's Kazakhstan tungsten investment "Legalized corruption" and the use of tax structuring and diplomatic pressure in resource deals Why resource nationalism is rational for developing countries but self-defeating for wealthy ones How companies keep misreading community resistance to mining projects Whether the clean energy transition and AI will reduce global inequality or deepen it The international risks Dr. Sachs is watching most closely today, from climate change to AI driven inequality This episode is relevant to anyone interested in critical minerals, resource governance, geopolitics, supply chain security, sustainable investment or international risk. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies and supporting Europe's business leaders. Tell us what you liked!

In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming power, accountability, and trust inside organisations. From algorithmic hiring and performance management to the legal risks of "shadow AI" and workplace surveillance, we discuss what businesses need to understand as AI increasingly shapes employment decisions. We discuss: How far AI has already moved into hiring, performance management, and employment decisions Whether our legal systems and employment frameworks are prepared for accelerating AI capability What "human in the loop" really means, and the legal risks when it's missing Real-world litigation, including the Workday hiring-discrimination lawsuit and a Delaware Chancery case over an AI-influenced business decision Shadow AI: why employees bring their own AI tools to work, and what that exposes about leadership Where to draw the line between legitimate monitoring and excessive surveillance Who inside an organisation should own AI-related employment risk — the board, HR, Legal, IT, or the CEO Practical steps every business leader should prioritise over the next 12 months About the guest: Andrew Adams is Practice Leader of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at DarrowEverett LLP, where he also serves on the firm's Business Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution and Regulatory & Compliance practice groups. He advises clients ranging from small businesses to multinational corporations on employment litigation, regulatory compliance, workplace investigations, and government enforcement, and regularly provides training on employment law and compliance issues. About the host: Dominic Bowen is Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives on crisis management, geopolitical risk, operational resilience, and strategy, drawing on decades of experience across government, humanitarian operations, and corporate leadership. Subscribe for new episodes every week Tell us what you thought in the comments below Share this episode with colleagues working in employment law, HR, risk management, and corporate governance See more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com #ArtificialIntelligence #EmploymentLaw #WorkplaceAI #HR #RiskManagement #CorporateGovernance #ShadowAI #EmploymentRisk #FutureOfWork #InternationalRiskPodcast Tell us what you liked!

Is Hong Kong Still Safe for Business? | The International Risk Podcast with Megan Khoo Hong Kong has long been regarded as one of the world's safest and most attractive places to do business. But following the introduction of the National Security Law, growing geopolitical tensions between China and the West, and increasing scrutiny from international governments, many organisations are reassessing the risks of operating in the territory. In this episode, we explore how Hong Kong's changing political and legal landscape is reshaping the business environment, what international companies should understand before investing or expanding in the region, and how geopolitical risk is becoming a board-level issue. We discuss: Is Hong Kong still a safe place for international business? How the National Security Law has changed Hong Kong's legal and political environment The impact of US-China strategic competition on international companies Business confidence, sanctions, and reputational risk Human rights concerns and their implications for multinational organisations The future of Hong Kong as an international financial centre How organisations can better prepare for geopolitical uncertainty in Asia The international risks that concern Megan Khoo most About the guest Megan Khoo is Policy Director at Hong Kong Watch, where she leads the organisation's policy and advocacy work on Hong Kong, China, human rights, and international affairs. Before joining Hong Kong Watch, she worked in communications and policy roles across the UK and United States, including at the US Department of Defense and the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Megan holds an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford and degrees in International Studies and Modern Languages (Mandarin Chinese and Spanish) from Georgia Southern University. About the host Dominic Bowen is Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives on crisis management, geopolitical risk, operational resilience, and strategy, drawing on decades of experience across government, humanitarian operations, and corporate leadership. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 💬 Tell us what you thought in the comments below 📩 Share this episode with colleagues working in international business, geopolitics, risk management, and corporate strategy See more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com #HongKong #China #Geopolitics #BusinessRisk #GeopoliticalRisk #RiskManagement #InternationalBusiness #Asia #NationalSecurity #ChinaRelations #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRiskPodcast Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Ibrahim Aboubacar Hama about climate change and its impact on food security, livelihoods, and stability across West Africa. Ibrahim shares what climate change looks like on the ground, and why national strategies often don't match lived reality. The discussion examines whether government frameworks like Senegal's agenda can keep pace with a food security crisis that's projected to nearly double during the lean season, and why bridging the gap between science and affected communities is still one of the region's biggest challenges. We also explore the lingering fingerprints of colonial-era resource extraction and what the rest of the world consistently gets wrong about the crisis unfolding in West Africa. The conversation explores: -What climate change actually looks like for communities on the ground -Why strategy on paper often fails to reach the people who need it most -The lingering economic and institutional legacy of colonial-era extraction -Why bridging the gap between science and society is important Ibrahim Aboubacar Hama is an Environmentalist and Communication Specialist with extensive experience designing and managing climate change adaptation projects across West Africa, with expertise spanning social mobilization, gender equity, stakeholder engagement, and conservation education. The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers to explore the forces transforming our world — from geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and one of Europe’s leading experts on international risk and crisis management. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across Europe on how to prepare for uncertainty, navigate crises, and build strategic resilience in an increasingly volatile world. Subscribe for new episodes every week Tell us what you liked in the comments below Share this episode with colleagues in risk, policy, and security #Geopolitics #ClimateChange #WestAfrica #FoodSecurity #Senegal #Niger #ClimateAdaptation #ClimateSecurity #Sahel #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRisk #Strategy Tell us what you liked!

Jennifer Parker examines the rapidly changing security environment across the Indo-Pacific and explains why maritime competition, strategic deterrence, and AUKUS matter far beyond defence circles. Drawing on her experience as a former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer and defence strategist, she explores the growing risks posed by China's military expansion, the future of Australia's submarine capability, and why governments and businesses alike must rethink their assumptions about global security. We discuss: - Why the Indo-Pacific has become the world's most strategically contested region - What AUKUS is designed to achieve and the risks and opportunities it presents - How China's expanding military capabilities are reshaping regional security - Why businesses should understand their supply chain and maritime dependencies - What a Taiwan crisis could mean for Australia, global trade, and international stability - Whether Australia is becoming too dependent on the United States for its defence This is a timely conversation on deterrence, maritime security, and the new reality of strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage. Subscribe for all our updates! Tell us what you liked! Share your thoughts in the comments below. Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Lord Peter Ricketts, the UK's first National Security Advisor, former Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, and former British Ambassador to France, to unpack what Andy Burnham's rise to Downing Street means for Britain's place in the world. Ricketts examines why Burnham, arriving as the UK's seventh Prime Minister in ten years with almost no track record on foreign policy, inherits a fragile but consequential legacy from Keir Starmer, from steadfast support for Ukraine to a more assertive European security posture. He explains why personal relationships between world leaders are not a soft add-on but a genuine strategic asset, why Burnham will have to build trust with Trump, Macron, and Merz essentially from scratch, and why a hard right shift in France under Marine Le Pen could complicate cooperation on defence and migration. The conversation also covers the Strategic Defence Review's warnings on warfighting readiness, the sobering "letters of last resort" every new Prime Minister must write for Britain's nuclear submarines, and why Britain's credibility in NATO depends on defence spending it may struggle to sustain. Key topics discussed: Why Burnham's political style raises real questions about his readiness for crisis decision making Why personal relationships between leaders matter as much as institutions and interests The risk that a Le Pen led France could complicate UK-EU defence and migration cooperation Why continuity on Ukraine is critical, and the spending trade-offs Burnham will face at home What Britain needs to do to keep pulling its weight in NATO The reality of nuclear command responsibility that awaits every incoming Prime Minister The international risks Lord Ricketts is watching most closely today, from war in Europe to climate change This episode is relevant to anyone interested in international relations, defence policy, European security, diplomacy, or international risk. If you are interested in Lord Rickett's book: Peace Makers: Shaping the modern world: the men and women of the Foreign Office in WWII . The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Tell us what you liked!

This re-released and condensed episode with Elizabeth Bullock examines the lived reality of modern conflict in Ukraine, drawing on her three years providing frontline humanitarian aid. From evacuating civilians under fire to navigating the evolving threats of drones, hypersonic missiles, and weaponised infrastructure, Elizabeth provides an unflinching look at how war shapes both society and strategy and what it reveals about the future of global security. We discuss: How technology from drones to hypersonic missiles is redefining the battlefield How civilians survive and adapt under sustained attack What Russia’s tactics reveal about modern conflict How Ukraine has developed its defence under extreme pressure What this war means for the future of global security This is an unfiltered look at contemporary warfare and the lessons it holds for the world ahead. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Professor Michele Goodwin, a leading bioethicist and constitutional law scholar at Georgetown Law, to unpack the history, law, and power structures shaping reproductive rights in America. Goodwin challenges the assumption that abortion criminalization has always been the norm, tracing its roots to the U.S. Civil War and the political battle over slavery. She explains why the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade wasn't simply a return to democratic decision-making, why abortion is medically far safer than pregnancy itself, and why today's map of abortion bans mirrors the map of the former Confederacy. The conversation also covers the criminalization of pregnancy and motherhood, the disproportionate targeting of Black women by law enforcement, the shifting legal question of fetal personhood, and the Supreme Court's inconsistent treatment of bodily autonomy depending on race and gender. Key topics discussed: Why abortion criminalization has political, not purely moral or medical, origins Why Dobbs wasn't simply "returning the issue to democracy" The medical reality of pregnancy, viability, and abortion safety The criminalization and policing of pregnant women, particularly Black women When and how personhood and citizenship are legally defined The Supreme Court's inconsistent treatment of bodily autonomy across race and gender This episode is relevant to anyone interested in law, human rights, public health, race, democracy, or international risk. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Peter Bendor-Samuel, founder and executive chairman of Everest Group and one of the world's leading experts on IT services and enterprise transformation, to unpack the forces reshaping global outsourcing, offshoring and near-shoring. Bendor-Samuel challenges the assumption that AI is set to end labor arbitrage, arguing that companies willing to change how they operate are already seeing major productivity gains without moving work back onshore. He explains why India's dominance in tech services delivery isn't going anywhere, why the falling cost of cyberattacks is forcing security budgets up rather than down, and what enterprises are actually getting from building their own Global Capability Centres instead of relying on third-party providers. The conversation also covers data sovereignty, tightening immigration rules, and whether multi-vendor strategies genuinely reduce concentration risk under regulations like DORA. Key topics discussed: Why AI is delivering major productivity gains in software development, and why "labor arbitrage is alive and well" The limits of on-shoring and the enduring case for offshore talent What enterprises actually gain from building their own Global Capability Centres in India How falling attack costs and expanding cyber risk are driving up security spend Data sovereignty, security clearances and immigration's impact on delivery location Concentration risk, DORA, and whether multi-vendor strategies really reduce exposure This episode is relevant to anyone interested in technology, global business, cyber risk, regulation or international risk. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Tell us what you liked!

As India cements its position as one of the world's leading technology and outsourcing hubs, international organisations face an increasingly complex cyber, legal, and regulatory environment. In this episode of The International Risk Podcast , Dominic Bowen speaks with N.S. Nappinai , Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and one of the country's leading experts on cyber law, data protection, and digital governance. The conversation explores how businesses can navigate India's rapidly evolving cyber and data protection landscape while balancing innovation, compliance, and operational resilience. From outsourcing technology services and cross-border data transfers to AI-enabled cyber threats and emerging regulation, this episode examines the risks and opportunities facing organisations operating in one of the world's fastest-growing digital economies. Nappinai explains how India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) compares with the EU's GDPR, why legal compliance alone is not enough to manage cyber risk, and what multinational organisations should consider when building resilient governance frameworks in India. The discussion explores: How India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) compares with the EU's GDPR The legal, cyber, and operational risks organisations should consider when outsourcing technology services to India Cross-border data transfers, regulatory uncertainty, and compliance challenges for multinational organisations The growing threat posed by AI-enabled cybercrime, fraud, deepfakes, and business email compromise Why vendor due diligence, contractual protections, cybersecurity audits, and implementation are critical for managing digital risk What the future holds for India's cyber governance, AI regulation, and digital risk landscape N.S. Nappinai is a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, Founder of CyberSaathi, and one of India's leading experts on cyber law, cybersecurity, digital rights, intellectual property, and data protection. She advises governments, businesses, and institutions on emerging technology law and has played a prominent role in shaping conversations around cyber governance and digital policy. Our host, Dominic Bowen, is Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives on crisis, geopolitical risk, and strategy, drawing on decades of experience in conflict zones and corporate leadership. #CyberSecurity #India #DataProtection #DPDPA #GDPR #Outsourcing #CyberRisk #RiskManagement #InternationalRiskPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #Compliance #CyberLaw Tell us what you liked! Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Dr Duncan Depledge about climate change and its growing impact on the world's militaries. This conversation looks at the geopolitics of the Arctic, the role of energy and logistics in warfare, and the growing competition across the High North, exploring how environmental change has become a central concern in defence planning. Duncan explains why it is a problem for militaries today rather than in the future, and why armed forces now treat a warming world as a practical operational challenge instead of a distant environmental one. The discussion examines whether militaries can decarbonise without compromising readiness and combat effectiveness, and why energy is both a necessity and a vulnerability in war. We also explore NATO's growing engagement with climate security, the rising competition for the critical minerals that green technologies depend on, and why the Arctic, the Baltic, and Northern Europe are now closely connected. The conversation explores: Whether the Arctic is the new central theatre of military strategy How energy transitions create both resilience and vulnerability The role of critical minerals and resource competition in future conflict Why climate change is a present-day defence issue, not a future one Dr Duncan Depledge is Senior Lecturer in Geopolitics and Security at Loughborough University, specialising in climate security, defence policy, and Arctic geopolitics. He has advised the Ministry of Defence, NATO, and the European Commission, and previously served as Special Adviser to the House of Commons Defence Committee for its inquiry into UK defence policy in the Arctic. The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers to explore the forces transforming our world — from geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and one of Europe’s leading experts on international risk and crisis management. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across Europe on how to prepare for uncertainty, navigate crises, and build strategic resilience in an increasingly volatile world. #Geopolitics #ClimateChange #Arctic #NATO #Defence #Military #HighNorth #Baltic #CriticalMinerals #EnergySecurity #China #ClimateSecurity #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRisk #Strategy Tell us what you liked!

This could be the most controversial World Cup in history. In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Professor Simon Chadwick, one of the world's leading experts on the geopolitical economy of sport, to unpack the politics behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Chadwick challenges the term "sportswashing," arguing it has been selectively applied by the global north while similar issues in co-hosts Mexico and Canada go largely unexamined. He explains why recent tournaments reveal the limits of soft power in sport, why hard power increasingly defines how host nations operate, and what the US, Mexico, and Canada are actually getting out of hosting. The conversation also covers dynamic ticket pricing, fan fears around ICE enforcement and border control, and whether FIFA's claim to political neutrality was ever true, particularly in light of the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to President Trump. Simon Chadwick is Professor of Sport and Geopolitical Economy at Skema Business School in Paris, and Director of its Global Executive MBA in Sport. His work examines the intersection of power, politics, money, and state interests in elite sport, and he has spent over 25 years researching and writing on football and the World Cup. He is the editor of The Geopolitical Economy of Sport: Power, Politics, Money, and the State , the first book to define and explore how sport, geopolitics, and economics interact at a global level. Chadwick has worked extensively across the sport industry with clubs, governing bodies, commercial partners, and governments, including FIFA, UEFA, Barcelona Football Club, Adidas, and the organisers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Tell us what you liked!

For more than six decades, USAID sat at the centre of the global humanitarian and development system. A little over a year ago, USAID became one of the first targets of the Trump administration’s DOGE campaign. Today, the hum and development sector is grappling with profound uncertainty at precisely the moment humanitarian needs are growing, especially with the rise in intrastate conflicts. What has the loss of USAID meant in practice? How are communities responding? And what does the future of international development look like in a world of shrinking aid budgets but rising humanitarian need? And joining me to discuss this is Nicholas Enrich. He served as the former top global health official at USAID’s before becoming the acting assistant administrator for Global Health at USAID shortly before Trump’s second presidential inauguration. On March 2 2025 he was placed on administrative leave for exposing the Trump’s administration illegitimate and destructive dismantling of USAID which ended up going viral and his memo has been cited in a Supreme Court case on the legality of USAID’s dissolution. While the public release of his memos were ultimately not enough to save USAID, Enrich was one of the first government officials to publicly blow the whistle on DOGE’s reckless operations and inform other federal agencies of what was to come. Published in April Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower’s Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID . The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. This episode was produced by Anna Kummelstedt Tell us what you liked!

This episode hosts David Daley to examine the accelerating role of gerrymandering in shaping American democracy and what it reveals about the pressures facing modern electoral systems. The conversation explores his argument that democratic strain is driven not only by electoral cycles or individual political choices, but by the deliberate drawing of electoral maps that enables political actors to select their voters, weaken accountability, and reshape the incentives that underpin democratic competition. Daley argues that while gerrymandering has long been part of American politics, its contemporary form is defined by greater precision, scale, and the degree to which it is now enabled by advanced data systems and a permissive legal environment. The episode examines how technological change has transformed redistricting into a highly sophisticated analytical process. Drawing on census data, historical voting patterns, and commercially available behavioural datasets, political operatives are now able to model electoral outcomes at the level of individual households. Advanced mapping software allows thousands of district configurations to be tested and refined before any boundaries are finalised, turning what was once a broadly geographic exercise into a data-driven process of political optimisation. This technological shift has strengthened the ability of parties to entrench advantage in an era of deep political polarisation. A central focus of the conversation is the evolving legal framework governing redistricting in the United States. Daley highlights the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision in Rucho v. Common Cause , which removed federal courts from adjudicating partisan gerrymandering claims and effectively eliminated a key national constraint on extreme map-drawing. He also points to the longer-term weakening of Voting Rights Act enforcement following Shelby County v. Holder (2013), which dismantled the federal pre-clearance system. Taken together, these rulings have shifted oversight away from federal institutions and into a fragmented landscape of state courts, constitutions, and political processes, producing uneven constraints across the country and enabling more aggressive partisan behaviour in many jurisdictions. David Daley is a journalist, political commentator, and bestselling author of Ratf**ked , a landmark study of partisan gerrymandering in the United States first published in 2010. His work examines how changes in redistricting strategy, electoral law, and political technology have reshaped American democracy over the past two decades. Daley has written extensively on the impact of map-drawing on representation, highlighting how advances in data analytics and shifts in judicial oversight have transformed gerrymandering from a relatively blunt political practice into a precise instrument of partisan advantage. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage. Subscribe for all our updates! Tell us what you liked! Tell us what you liked!

This episode hosts David Higgins to explore the complex and often misunderstood boundary between military operations, humanitarian action, and political stabilisation in modern conflict environments. Drawing on two decades of experience across the British Army, the United Nations, and geopolitical advisory work, we look at how different institutions operating in the same space can interpret the same conflict in fundamentally different ways, and how those differences shape outcomes on the ground. The discussion focuses on David’s central argument that civil-military coordination frameworks still assume a level of clarity between “military space” and “civilian space” that increasingly no longer exists. While these distinctions were difficult but workable in conflicts such as Afghanistan and Somalia, today’s environments are far more fragmented, with blurred front lines, overlapping actors, and the increasing weaponisation of civilian domains including information, finance, and infrastructure. As a result, coordination mechanisms risk becoming procedurally active but operationally ineffective. David Higgins is Head of Humanitarian Access and Civil-Military Coordination in Somalia for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He has spent twenty years working across the civil-military boundary as a British Army infantry officer, humanitarian and stabilisation adviser, and geopolitical analyst, including deployments to Helmand Province and roles across Afghanistan, Iraq, and East Africa. He previously served as Head of Geopolitical Analysis at M&C Saatchi World Services and as a reservist Lieutenant Colonel with the British Army’s 77th Brigade, and holds a research master’s focused on hybrid threats and UK national security. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage. Subscribe for all our updates! Tell us what you liked! Tell us what you liked!