Best The International Institute for Strategic Studies Podcasts (2025)

1
The 60th anniversary of normalisation of Japan-South Korea diplomatic relations with Professor Sakata Yasuyo, Professor Victor Cha and Professor Jung-Hoon Lee 1:11:45

1M ago1:11:45

1:11:45

Robert Ward hosts Sakata Yasuyo, Professor of International Relations at Kanda University, Victor Cha, President of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Jung-Hoon Lee, Dean and Professor of International Relations at the Graduate School of International Studi…

1
Key takeaways from the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue with Professor Jimbo Ken 32:27

3M ago32:27

32:27

In this special edition of Japan Memo Season 5, Robert Ward reports from Singapore on the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. Joining him is Professor Jimbo Ken, Managing Director of the International House of Japan, President of the Asia Pacific Initiative, and Professor at Keio University’s Faculty of Policy Management. They deliver timely and in-dept…

1
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2025: Reflections 26:29

3M ago26:29

26:29

Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Veerle Nouwens, Morgan Michaels and Darshana Baruah to reflect on the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, which was held on 30 May–1 June 2025. Meia, Veerle, Morgan and Darshana discuss key takeaways and topics include: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his landmark speech on the US’ new ambitio…

1
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 22:53

3M ago22:53

22:53

In this Sounds Strategic episode, podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by Veerle Nouwens, Evan A. Laksmana and Nick Childs to discuss the upcoming 22nd IISS Shangri La Dialogue, which will be held in Singapore from 30 May–1 June. This year’s dialogue is held against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, an intense US tr…

1
Deepening Japan–UK relations with Professor Hosoya Yuichi, Professor Yee Kuang Heng, and Fenella McGerty 49:25

3M ago49:25

49:25

Robert Ward hosts Professor Hosoya Yuichi, Professor of International Politics at Keio University, Professor Yee Kuang Heng, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy and Director of the Security Studies Unit at the Institute for Future Initiatives at the University of Tokyo, and Fenella McGerty, the IISS Senior Fellow for defence economics…

1
Japan’s role in Indo-Pacific minilateralism 54:37

4M ago54:37

54:37

Robert Ward hosts Dr Bart Gaens, Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and Japan Chair at the International Centre for Defence and Security, Tatsumi Yuki, Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center, and Dr Alice Dell’Era, Assistant Professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. They discuss Japan’s role in Indo-Pacif…

1
From pledges to capabilities: Europe’s defence spending and Germany’s strategic shift 24:57

5M ago24:57

24:57

Europe’s defence posture is evolving rapidly — but is the pace of change sustainable? In this episode, IISS experts examine global and regional defence spending trends, the EU’s emerging industrial initiatives and the implications of Germany’s policy shift. Host Meia Nouwens is joined by Fenella McGerty, Ester Sabatino and Ben Schreer to discuss wh…

1
Japan’s challenges amid growing cooperation between Russia and China with Professor Takahara Akio, Dr Elizabeth Wishnick and Dr Catherine Jones 47:40

6M ago47:40

47:40

Robert Ward hosts Professor Takahara Akio, Emeritus Professor of The University of Tokyo, Dr Elizabeth Wishnick, Senior Research Scientist at the Centre for Naval Analyses (CNA) and Dr Catherine Jones, a Lecturer at the University of St Andrews, to explore Japan’s challenges amid growing cooperation between Russia and China.  Robert, Akio, Elizabet…

1
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: three years on 41:01

6M ago41:01

41:01

Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Dr Maria Shagina and Franz-Stefan Gady to discuss the recent developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Almost three years to the date of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a new US administration has drastically changed the course of events. President Trump has signaled a de…

1
Japan’s economic-security policy with Professor Suzuki Kazuto and Dr Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp 45:03

6M ago45:03

45:03

Robert Ward hosts Professor Suzuki Kazuto, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo, and Dr Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp, Director at Agora Strategy Group, to explore Japan’s economic security policy. Robert, Professor Suzuki and Dr Pohlkamp discuss: Recent developments in Japan’s economic security strategy The Europe…

1
IISS Manama Dialogue 2024: Reflections 25:35

8M ago25:35

25:35

In this episode of Sounds Strategic, we explore the main takeaways from the 20th IISS Manama Dialogue, held in Bahrain from 6 to 8 December 2024. IISS host Meia Nouwens is joined by experts Air Marshal (Retd) Martin ‘Sammy’ Sampson, Dr Irene Mia and Dr Hasan Alhasan to discuss to their views on the themes that emerged from the Dialogue ranging from…

1
Japan and the US under a second Trump presidency with Dr Sheila Smith and Dr Jeffrey Hornung 52:03

8M ago52:03

52:03

Robert Ward hosts Dr Sheila Smith, Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and Dr Jeffrey Hornung, the Japan Lead for the RAND National Security Research Division.   Robert, Sheila and Jeffrey discuss:   Japan’s strategic landscape under Trump 2.0, including insights for PM Ishiba from Abe’s successful appr…

1
Japan and deterrence with Bill Emmott, Murano Masashi, and Dr Baldauff Nanae 1:03:49

9M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

Robert Ward is joined by Bill Emmott, Chairman of the IISS Trustees, Murano Masashi, a senior fellow with Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair, and Dr Baldauff Nanae, Non-Resident Senior Associate Fellow at the NATO Defense College to discuss Japan and deterrence. Robert, Bill, Masashi and Nanae discuss:  · The strategic definition of deterrence, from wh…

1
IISS Prague Defence Summit 2024: Reflections 20:20

9M ago20:20

20:20

In this podcast episode, Meia Nouwens is joined by Dr Ben Schreer, Fenella McGerty, Tom Waldwyn and Ester Sabatino to discuss the status and future trajectory of European defence and look back on the main take-aways from the IISS Prague Defence Summit. Meia, Ben, Fenella, Tom and Ester analyse the trends in European and NATO defence spending and wh…

1
The security and foreign policy of the Ishiba administration with Professor Axel Berkofsky, Professor Hatakeyama Kyoko and Professor Takenaka Harukata 53:34

10M ago53:34

53:34

Robert Ward hosts Axel Berkofsky, Associate Professor at the University of Pavia, Professor Hatakeyama Kyoko, Professor of International Relations at University of Niigata Prefecture, and Professor Takenaka Harukata, Professor of Political Science at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. Robert, Axel, Kyoko and Harukata discuss: · Rev…

1
One year after 7 October: the Middle East’s regionalised war 26:24

11M ago26:24

26:24

In this episode of Sounds Strategic, podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by Emile Hokayem, Hasan Alhasan and Fabian Hinz to discuss the ongoing developments in the Middle East. One year after 7 October, the speakers share their insights on the regional developments – from the status of the war in Gaza to the broadening of Israel’s operations in the…

1
Japan and the Nordic-Baltic states with Dr Matsuda Takuya, Dr Vida Macikenaite and Dr Wrenn Yennie Lindgren 52:39

11M ago52:39

52:39

Robert Ward hosts Dr Matsuda Takuya, Adjunct Lecturer at Aoyama Gakuin University, Dr Vida Macikenaite, Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of International Relations of the International University of Japan, and Dr Wrenn Yennie Lindgren, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Centre for Asian Research at the Norwegian Institute of Internati…

1
Japan and the Pacific Islands countries with Professor Koga Kei, Shiozawa Hideyuki and Euan Graham 42:57

1y ago42:57

42:57

Robert Ward hosts Professor Koga Kei, Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Shiozawa Hideyuki, Senior Program Officer at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and Euan Graham, Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Robert, Kei, Hideyuki and Euan discuss: Japan’s strategic approach to the Pacific Island countries Ch…

1
Blast from the past: the return of long-range US missiles to Europe 16:27

1y ago16:27

16:27

In this episode of Sounds Strategic, podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by Douglas Barrie and Timothy Wright to discuss the return of long-range US missiles to Europe. Amid Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and following Russian violations of arms control measures, Washington and Berlin have announced they would begin episodic deployments of c…

1
NATO's strategic pivot: defence spending and future challenges 16:25

1y ago16:25

16:25

In this latest episode, host Meia Nouwens, IISS Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy, is joined by IISS experts Henry Boyd, Fenella McGerty and Karl Dewey to dissect the critical outcomes of the NATO Leaders Summit held in Washington DC. The discussion navigates through the latest trends in NATO defence spending, the need for great…

1
Japan’s intelligence capabilities with Professor Richard J Samuels, Professor Kotani Ken and Hosaka Sanshiro 1:05:30

1y ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Robert Ward hosts Richard J Samuels, Ford International Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kotani Ken, Professor at Nihon University in Japan, and Hosaka Sanshiro, Research Fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security and PhD student at the University of Tartu. Robert, Richard, Ken and Sanshi…

1
Japan and the EU with Professor Iwama Yoko, Professor Guibourg Delamotte and Dr Alexandra Sakaki    56:53

1y ago56:53

56:53

Robert Ward hosts Iwama Yoko, Professor at Japan's National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Guibourg Delamotte, Professor of Political Science at the Japanese Studies Department of the French Institute of Oriental Studies (Inalco), and Dr Alexandra Sakaki, Deputy Head of the Asia Division at the German Institute for International and…

1
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2024: Reflections 21:45

1y ago21:45

21:45

Host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Dr Bastian Giegerich, Veerle Nouwens, Dr Ben Schreer and Morgan Michaels to discuss the key themes and takeaways from the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue. The episode delves into the proliferation of new partnership formats amidst the strategic competition between the US and China. The discussion also features a…

1
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 27:55

1y ago27:55

27:55

Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Evan A. Laksmana, Julia Voo, Nick Childs and Viraj Solanki to discuss the upcoming IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. This year's Dialogue comes after a turbulent year in the Indo-Pacific. US-China competition is ongoing and both countries continue to promote their competing offers to the Indo-Pacific regi…

1
Japan and North Korea with Professor Chris Hughes, Dr Naoko Aoki and Joseph Dempsey 45:17

1+ y ago45:17

45:17

Robert Ward hosts Chris Hughes, Professor of International Politics and Japanese Studies at the University of Warwick, Dr Naoko Aoki , Associate Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation, and Joseph Dempsey, Research Associate for Defence and Military Analysis at the IISS. Robert, Chris, Naoko and Joseph discuss Japan and North Korea: Japan’s dip…

1
Long-range strike in the Indo-Pacific defence landscape 30:51

1+ y ago30:51

30:51

In the first Sounds Strategic episode of 2024, host Meia Nouwens is joined by Veerle Nouwens, Dr Evan A. Laksmana and Timothy Wright to discuss the Indo-Pacific security landscape. The IISS experts explore the developments in the US-China relationship, Southeast Asian military modernisation plans in response to growing Chinese assertiveness, and th…

1
Japan’s maritime security policy in the Indo-Pacific with Professor Alessio Patalano, Veerle Nouwens and Nick Childs 56:38

1+ y ago56:38

56:38

Robert Ward hosts Alessio Patalano, Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, Veerle Nouwens, the Executive Director of IISS-Asia, and Nick Childs, the IISS Senior Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security. Robert, Alessio, Veerle, and Nick discuss Japan’s maritime security policy in the I…

1
Japan and the Russia-Ukraine War with Professor Higashino Atsuko, Professor James D.J. Brown and Dr Nigel Gould-Davies 49:47

1+ y ago49:47

49:47

In the second episode of Japan Memo season 4, Robert Ward hosts Higashino Atsuko, a Professor at the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, James Brown, a Professor of political science at Temple University, Japan campus, and Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, the IISS Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia. Robert, Atsuko, Jam…

1
Japan’s relationship with ASEAN with Professor Sato Yoichiro, Aaron Connelly and Evan Laksmana 42:41

1+ y ago42:41

42:41

Robert, Professor Sato, Aaron, and Evan discuss Japan’s relationship with ASEAN. Topics discussed include: Japan’s shifting diplomatic and economic relationship with ASEAN amid the rapid growth of ASEAN countries; Japan-ASEAN security relationship in the increasingly complicated geopolitical landscape in the region; Japan’s defence policy in ASEAN …

1
Abe’s Speeches and Grand Strategy with Professor Taniguchi Tomohiko 47:17

1+ y ago47:17

47:17

In the twelfth episode of Japan Memo Season 3, Robert Ward and Yuka Koshino host Professor Taniguchi Tomohiko, a Visiting Professor at Takushoku University's Institute of World Studies and a Senior Fellow at the Alliance of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and former Special Advisor to Prime Minister Abe's Cabinet and also as a Co…

1
Japan’s relationship with the Middle East with Professor Tanaka Koichiro and Hasan Alhasan 39:32

1+ y ago39:32

39:32

In the eleventh episode of Japan Memo Season 3, Robert Ward and Togashi Mariko host Professor Tanaka Koichiro, a professor at the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University, and Dr Hasan Alhasan, Research Fellow for Middle East Policy at the IISS. Robert, Mariko, Professor Tanaka, and Hasan discuss Japan’s relationship with the Midd…

1
Japan’s policy towards Grey-Zone activities in the Indo-Pacific with Professor Kotani Tetsuo and Lynn Kuok 29:04

2y ago29:04

29:04

In the tenth episode of Japan Memo Season 3, Robert Ward and Yuka Koshino host Professor Kotani Tetsuo, a professor of global studies at Meikai University and a senior fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs; and Dr Lynn Kuok, Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Security at the IISS. Robert, Yuka, Tetsuo, and Lynn disc…

1
Japan and the Global South with Ambassador Chinoy and Ambassador Ishii 47:16

2y ago47:16

47:16

In the ninth episode of Japan Memo season 3, Robert Ward and Yuka Koshino host Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, the Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in New Delhi who served as the Indian ambassador to Japan from 2015 to 2018; and Ambassador Masafumi Ishii, a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Gakus…

1
Japan and NATO in 2023 with Ben Schreer and Tsuruoka Michito 40:33

2y ago40:33

40:33

In the eighth episode of Japan Memo Season 3, Yuka Koshino hosts Ben Schreer, Executive Director at the IISS-Europe and Head of European Security and Defence Programme, and Tsuruoka Michito, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Policy Management in Graduate school of Media and Governance at Keio University, as well as Visiting Fellow at the Austra…

1
Episode 55 - Alec Burlakoff - Strippers, Drugs, and Killing In The Name Of. 1:11:34

2y ago1:11:34

1:11:34

Welcome to "The Wolf Den," in this episode we venture into the heart of the American opioid epidemic, exposing the dark underbelly of pharmaceutical sales and the devastating impact it has had on countless lives. In this special feature, we invite you to join us for an exclusive and emotionally charged interview with Alec Burlakoff, a former top ex…

1
Japan-ROK relations with Sakata Yasuyo, Mireya Solís and Chung Min Lee 53:58

2y ago53:58

53:58

In the seventh episode of Japan Memo Season 3, Robert Ward hosts Sakata Yasuyo, Professor of International Relations at the Kanda University of International Studies; Dr Mireya Solís, Director of the Center for East Asia Policy Studies, Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies, and a Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Program at Brookings; and Dr Chun…

1
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023: Reflections 40:49

2y ago40:49

40:49

The IISS celebrated the 20th anniversary of its IISS Shangri-La Dialogue on 2-4 June and underlined the prime importance of in-person defence diplomacy in the region and beyond. In this episode of Sounds Strategic, guest host James Crabtree, Executive Director, IISS–Asia, is joined by IISS experts Dr Bastian Giegerich, Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Dr Eva…

1
Japan Chair Programme takeaways from the 2023 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 20:31

2y ago20:31

20:31

In this special edition of Japan Memo season 3, Robert Ward, Yuka Koshino and Mariko Togashi, report live on the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue from Singapore. Robert, Yuka and Mariko interview Bill Emmott, Chair of the IISS Trustees, Dr Valerie Niquet, Senior Research Fellow at the Foundation for Strategic Research and Senior Fellow (non-resident) …

1
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 40:20

2y ago40:20

40:20

At a time of ever-greater focus on the geopolitical and security dynamics of the Asia-Pacific, the importance of in-person debate among the region’s key actors is greater than ever. In the latest episode of Sounds Strategic, host Meia Nouwens is joined by James Crabtree, Dr Lynn Kuok, Aaron Connelly and Dr Ben Schreer to discuss the themes and topi…

1
Episode 54 - Barry Minkow - The Good, The Bad and the Repentant 1:24:38

2y ago1:24:38

1:24:38

This week The Pack is joined by a man who needs no introductions to anyone in the world of finance. Barry Jay Minkow, former American businessman, pastor, and 2x convicted felon, is now turned, fraud hunter. At 16, Minkow founded ZZZZ Best, an immensely successful carpet cleaning and restoration company. However, it was a front to attract investmen…

1
Japan, the G7 and multilateralism with Fukushima Akiko 33:04

2+ y ago33:04

33:04

In the fifth episode of Japan Memo season 3, Robert Ward hosts Dr Fukushima Akiko, senior fellow at the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research and non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute. Robert and Dr Fukushima delve into the history of Japan’s engagement with multilateralism and multilateral institutions, examine Japan’s role in multilateralism f…

1
Japan's approaches to nuclear non-proliferation and deterrence with Akiyama Nobumasa and William Alberque 40:37

2+ y ago40:37

40:37

In the fourth episode of Japan Memo season 3, Koshino Yuka hosts Professor Akiyama Nobumasa, Dean of the School of International and Public Policy and Professor at the Graduate School of Law at Hitotsubashi University, and William Alberque, Director of Strategy, Technology and Arms Control at the IISS. Yuka, Akiyama-sensei and William unpack the dy…

1
Australia's security in China's shadow 32:43

2+ y ago32:43

32:43

In the latest episode of Sounds Strategic, Meia Nouwens is joined by to Euan Graham and Nick Childs to discuss Australia’s relationship with China, and what role AUKUS plays in Australia’s defence and alliance policy settings. The speakers assess Australia’s policy towards China following a souring of bilateral relations and discuss what AUKUS aims…

1
Episode 53 -Serpent ZA - Loving China - Fleeing China - Attacks by Confucius Institutes - China owning Putin 1:00:47

2+ y ago1:00:47

1:00:47

This Week The Pack is joined by Winston Sterzel, (on Twitter @serpentza) also known by his YouTube pseudonym SerpentZA. We talk about his time in China, his need to flee, How China has changed, and the chilling effect they have on free speech in the US. Russia, Ukraine, and Vietnam and how China has its hand in global events. He lived in Shenzhen i…

1
Japan's New Capitalism and the defence budget increase with Bill Emmott and Fenella McGerty 37:48

2+ y ago37:48

37:48

In the third episode of Japan Memo season 3, Mariko Togashi hosts Bill Emmott, Chairman of the IISS Trustees, Chair of the Japan Society UK and an Ushioda Fellow of Tokyo College at the University of Tokyo, and Fenella McGerty, IISS Senior Fellow for Defence Economics. Mariko, Bill and Fenella analyse the balance between defence spending and other …

1
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: one year on 45:58

2+ y ago45:58

45:58

Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the world has witnessed unprecedented sanctions against Russia, and military and humanitarian support for Ukraine against a backdrop of ongoing military campaigns and loss of civilian life. In this new Sounds Strategic episode, host Meia Nouwens is joined by Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Maria Shagina and F…

1
America’s human capital edge 36:56

2+ y ago36:56

36:56

In the capstone episode of the Vying for Talent podcast miniseries, co-hosts Jude Blanchette and Ryan Hass are joined by Remco Zwetsloot, an expert on the intersection of talent, technology, and national competitiveness. They discuss the security and economic importance of talent, benchmarks for measuring progress on human capital, and the competit…

1
Japan's airpower in 2035 with Oue Sadamasa and Douglas Barrie 34:40

2+ y ago34:40

34:40

In the second episode of Japan Memo season 3, Yuka Koshino hosts former Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Lieutenant General Oue Sadamasa, currently Consulting Senior Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics in Tokyo, and Douglas Barrie, IISS Senior Fellow for Military Aerospace. Yuka, Oue-san and Doug analyse Japan’s current airpower and aerospa…

1
How Indiana competes for human capital 43:13

2+ y ago43:13

43:13

In the latest episode of “Vying for Talent,” Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb discusses how the United States can “get regional” about building competitive talent ecosystems. In discussion with co-hosts Jude Blanchette and Ryan Hass, Holcomb shares insights from his state’s education and workforce initiatives to cultivate human capital and innovation.…

1
Episode 52 -David Sokol - Mr. Fix it, The American Perspective, and finding the common ground. 44:52

2+ y ago44:52

44:52

This week The Pack is joined by an American business icon. David Sokol, David is the director and chairman of Atlas. David founded three companies in his career to date, taken three companies public, and as Chairman and CEO of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, he sold the company to Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. in 2000. David continued with Berkshir…

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