In this episode, we’re joined by Associate Professor Hussein Banai, a leading scholar of international relations, for an in-depth journey through the shifting landscape of American foreign policy under Donald Trump.

Together, we travel across critical regions—from the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East to Europe, Russia, China, and Latin America—to scrutinise the core principles guiding U.S. actions on the global stage.

We discuss the most recent and dramatic development: the 2025 Israel-Iran conflict, during which the U.S. carried out major strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

👤 About the Guest

Dr Hussein Banai is an Associate Professor of International Studies at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, Indiana University, also a Research Affiliate at the Center for International Studies, MIT, and currently a visiting fellow at the Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania. In fall 2024, he was the Zahedi Family Fellow at the Program in Iranian Studies at Stanford University.

Dr Banai is widely recognised for his interdisciplinary approach, international relations and political theory, with particular focus on topics in political ideologies, conflict, diplomatic history and practice, and modern Iran.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

02:17 - From Disruption to Consolidation: Trump's Second Term Strategy

07:45 - Trump's Confident Unilateralism in Foreign Policy

10:54 - American Political Culture and the Think Tank Ecosystem

15:18 - America First Policy: Domestic Appeal and Implementation

22:16 - The Strategic Use of "America First" Despite International Concerns

24:29 - Inside the National Security Council: Roles and Functions

30:23 - Personnel Quality in US Foreign Policy Decision-Making

35:01 - Decoding US Foreign Policy Statements: Research Challenges

38:56 - North Korea Diplomacy: Prospects for a Second Trump-Kim Summit

41:38 - Middle East Triangulation: US-Israel-Iran Relations and Trump-Netanyahu Dynamics

50:11 - Steve Witkoff's Contrasting Negotiation Mandates

53:16 - Trump's Scepticism Toward Multilateral Institutions and Frameworks

57:27 - Neighbours First - Trump's Approach to Canada, Mexico, and Latin America

01:04:03 - Understanding Trump's Foreign Policy Through IR Theories

01:09:12 – EU vs. Member States: Trump’s Fragmented View of Europe

01:14:37 – Trump’s Geopolitical Take on the EU: Weakness, Irrelevance, or Rival?

01:20:28 – China Policy: Strategic Rivalry Meets Economic Interdependence

01:25:33 – Taiwan’s Role in Trump’s China Strategy

01:29:23 – Trump and Putin: Personal Chemistry and Strategic Ambiguity

01:37:20 – U.S. Sanctions on Russia: Tools of Pressure or Leverage for a Deal?

01:42:25 – Why Trump Believes Iran Must Never Go Nuclear

01:47:32 – Iran in Trump’s First Term: Maximum Pressure, Minimal Results?

01:57:58 – 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict - U.S Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure

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Welcome to today's episode where we dive deep into one of the most compelling questions in international relations: Why do some regions achieve lasting peace while others remain trapped in cycles of conflict?

Professor Arie M. Kacowicz, a leading expert on the Zone of Peace Concept, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, elaborates in detail.

Professor Kacowicz holds the distinguished Chaim Weizmann Chair in International Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he has been a valued member of faculty since 1993. He previously served as Chair of the Department of International Relations from 2005 to 2008, and more recently as President of the Israeli Association of International Studies between 2017 and 2021.

As a distinguished peace scholar, Professor Kacowicz’s scholarly interests encompass alternative pathways for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the relevance of international society, the international relations of Latin America, globalisation, and International Relations Theory more broadly.

Content: (1) The Genesis of Zone of Peace Theory: From Regional Puzzles to Global Concepts; (2) Why Study Peace Over Conflict? A Scholar’s Perspective; (3) Theoretical Foundations: Which IR Schools Shaped Zone of Peace Theory?; (4) Beyond Security Communities: Distinguishing Zones of Peace from Deutsch’s Framework; (5) Decolonizing Peace Theory: Addressing Global South Perspectives in IR; (6) South America vs West Africa: Why Some Regions Achieve Lasting Peace; (7) ASEAN’s Peaceful Paradox: Non-Interference Despite Internal Tensions; (8) From Conflict to Peace: Can the Middle East Transform Its Security Dynamics?; (9) Practical Applications: Using Zone of Peace Theory in Today’s World; and (10) Authoritarian States and Peace: Navigating Democracy vs Stability.

Official website:

https://irthinker.com/

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Tune in for an engaging discussion with Dr. Joseph Daher as we explore the future of post-Assad Syria. We’ll cover the war economy’s impact, the whereabouts of Assad’s inner circle, and the current state of Syria’s economy.

Dr. Joseph Daher is a distinguished academic and expert on the Middle East, specialising in political economy, political Islam, and contemporary regional history, with a particular focus on Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine.

He is an associate researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies.

Between November 2018 and August 2024, he was a visiting professor at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence. At the EUI, he first participated in the research project entitled “Wartime and Post-Conflict in Syria.” He was responsible for one of the four research axes of the project, focusing on political economy: “The war economy and its impact on (potential) future reconstruction efforts.”

Then he co-managed the “Syrian Trajectories: Challenges and Opportunities for Peacebuilding” project at the EUI. His extensive publications appear in academic journals, research centres, and outlets in English, French, and Arabic. Dr. Daher also founded and manages the blog Syria Freedom Forever, a platform dedicated to analysing Syrian politics and society.

Content: (1) Post-Assad Order: Continuity or Break from Syria’s War Economy?; (2) Fate of Assad’s Inner Circle: Where Are They Now?; (3) Current State of Syria’s Economy; (4) Technocrats and Expatriates in Syria’s Government: Redistribution of Resources; (5) Role of Syrian Diaspora and Leaders in Exile; (6) Religion’s Influence in Syria’s Reconstruction and Post-Assad Era; (7) Main Potential Income Sources for Syria in Reconstruction; (8) Approaches of Middle Eastern States vs. Western Economies towards Syria: Solidarity or Profit-Driven?; (9) Role of Russia and China in Syria’s Reconstruction; (10) Geopolitical Triangle: Turkey, Syria, and the Kurds; and (11) Strengthening Syria’s International Diplomacy.

Official Website:

https://irthinker.com/

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In this insightful interview with Dr. Gilbert A. Ang’ana, we explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities surrounding governance in Africa, touching on everything from institutional weaknesses to the impact of digitalisation. Ang’ana’s expertise sheds light on crucial topics such as intra-governmental collaboration, decentralisation, and the evolving role of technology in shaping the continent’s future.

Dr. Gilbert A. Ang’ana is a researcher and practitioner in leadership and governance, focusing on Africa. He is the CEO of Accent Leadership Group and the Executive Director of Accent Global Initiative, a think tank that advocates for good governance and policy innovation. He is a Policy Leader Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence.

Content: (1) Defining “Good Governance” in the African Context; (2) Reception of Good Governance Models Across African States; (3) Intra-Government Collaboration: An Overlooked Pillar of Governance; (4) Case Studies: Successes and Failures in Intra-Governmental Collaboration; (5) Institutional and Political Barriers to Effective Collaboration; (6) Roots of Institutional Weakness and the Role of the African Union; (7) Centralisation vs. Decentralisation of Power in Africa; (8) Challenges in Decentralising Key Governance Elements; (9) Intra-Governmental Collaboration as Mediator or Moderator of Governance Outcomes?; (10) Governance Education and Capacity-Building Initiatives in Africa; (11) “Responsible Negotiation” vs. Traditional Conflict Resolution Methods; (12) Role of Tribes and Minorities in Shaping Good Governance; (13) Navigating Donor Influence and Corporate Pressure: Striving for Epistemic Autonomy; (14) Digitalisation’s Role in Advancing Governance in Africa; (15) Competing Interests: International vs. Local Tech Enterprises; (16) The Power Challenge: Electricity Access as a Prerequisite for Digital Progress; and (17) Key Governance Reforms Needed for Africa’s Future.

Official website:

https://irthinker.com/

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Is nuclear power the future of Kazakhstan’s energy strategy? In this expert interview, Eldaniz Gusseinov explores public opinion, uranium production, civil society’s role, and the geopolitical stakes of potential contracts with Russia, China, France, and South Korea.

Eldaniz Gusseinov is a Non-Resident Research Fellow at the Heydar Aliyev Centre for Eurasian Studies at Ibn Khaldun University (Istanbul), and co-founder of Nightingale Intelligence International, a political forecasting consultancy. He specialises in European and international studies, with a focus on the European Union’s foreign policy and its engagement with Central Asian countries, as well as the analysis of foreign policy processes within Central Asia.

Content:

(1) Is Nuclear Power Essential for Kazakhstan?; (2) Public Opinion on Renewable versus Traditional Energy in Kazakhstan; (3) Who Makes the Decisions on Nuclear Power Plants in Kazakhstan?; (4) The History of Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Plans: Why Wasn’t a Soviet Plant Built?; (5) The Current State of Kazakhstan’s Former Nuclear Test Sites; (6) The Role of Civil Society in Nuclear Power Decision-Making; (7) Will Kazakhstan Engage a Third-Party Consultant for Its Nuclear Plans?; (8) Kazakhstan’s Uranium Production and Its Role in Nuclear Strategy; (9) Implications if Russia Wins the Nuclear Power Contract; (10) Implications if China Wins the Nuclear Power Contract; (11) Implications if France Wins the Nuclear Power Contract; (12) Implications if South Korea Wins the Nuclear Power Contract; (13) Could a Multinational Consortium Build Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Plant?; (14) Timeline for Kazakhstan’s Final Decision on the Nuclear Plant; (15) Security Concerns Related to Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Project; (16) Public Perceptions of the Nuclear Power Development Process; and (17) Overlooked Dimensions of Kazakhstan’s Energy Security.

Official Website:

https://irthinker.com/

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In this insightful interview, Steven Gruzd, a leading expert on Russia-Africa relations, explores the multifaceted dimensions of Russia’s foreign policy towards Africa, from its Soviet legacy to contemporary geopolitical strategies. Delving into topics such as security, trade, energy partnerships, and soft power, this discussion offers a comprehensive analysis of Russia’s evolving role on the African continent.

Steven Gruzd is the Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme and the Africa-Russia Project at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Gruzd has authored influential analyses on Africa–Russia summits, BRICS cooperation, and the re-emergence of Russian influence in African foreign policy arenas. In addition to his policy work, Steven is also a contributing journalist to the South African Jewish Report, where he writes on international affairs, governance, and Jewish community issues, bringing a journalistic lens to complex geopolitical developments.

Content: (1) The Soviet Legacy: Shaping Russia’s Modern Foreign Policy Towards Africa; (2) Post-Soviet Space and Africa: How Africa Views Former Soviet Republics; (3) Russia’s Security Presence in Africa: The Role of the Wagner Group; (4) Arms Deals and Military Influence: Russia’s Weapon Sales to Africa; (5) Russia vs. China: Economic Influence in Africa; (6) Why is Russia’s Trade in Africa Still Lagging Behind?; (7) Russian Energy Companies in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges; (8) Do African Countries Seek Energy Partnerships with Russia?; (9) The Russia-Africa Summit: A Diplomatic Platform for Russia’s Interests; (10) Russia-Africa Summit vs. BRICS: Diverging Approaches to Russian Interests in Africa; (11) Russia’s Soft Power in Africa: Academic and Cultural Initiatives; (12) Peacekeeping and Counterterrorism: Russia’s Role in African Stability; (13) Russian Foreign Aid to Africa: Aid or Influence?; (14) Russian Media’s Influence in Africa: Shaping Public Opinion; and (15) Under-Explored Research Areas in Russia-Africa Relations.

Official Website

https://irthinker.com/

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In this wide-ranging interview, energy analyst Dr Walter James offers an incisive assessment of Japan’s path to net-zero by 2050. From strategic coherence and institutional constraints to LNG diplomacy, hydrogen ambitions, and civil society’s role, James unpacks the dynamics shaping Japan’s energy transformation. This conversation provides valuable insights into the political economy of decarbonisation in one of the world’s most energy-dependent industrial economies.

Dr Walter James is a political scientist and energy policy consultant specialising in Japan’s decarbonisation strategy. Dr James holds a PhD in Political Science from Temple University, with research focusing on the political dynamics of financial regulatory reforms in the United States and Japan. His academic work included a research fellowship at Waseda University in Tokyo.

He is the principal at Power Japan Consulting and the author of the Power Japan Substack, where he provides detailed analyses of Japan’s energy transition.

He frequently contributes to platforms such as The Japan Times, Energy Tracker Asia, Climate Home News, and East Asia Forum.

His work critically explores the intersection of energy policy, governance, and geopolitics in East Asia.

Content: (1) Strategic Coherence: Can Japan Achieve Net-Zero by 2050?; (2) Understanding Domestic Scepticism Toward Climate Goals; (3) Institutions and Governance: The Role of the Basic Energy Plan; (4) Public vs. Private Ownership in Japan’s Energy Sector; (5) Who Owns Japan’s Major Energy Companies?; (6) The Strategic Role of LNG in Japan’s Energy Transition; (7) LNG Diplomacy and Japan’s Geopolitical Exposure; (8) Japan’s Hydrogen Society: Vision and Implementation; (9) Nuclear Power in Japan’s Future Energy Mix; (10) Barriers to Accelerating Renewable Energy Deployment; (11) Carbon Capture and Storage: Promise or Distraction?; (12) Corporate Collaboration in Decarbonisation Efforts; (13) Civil Society’s Role in Advancing Climate Action; (14) Start-Ups and Innovation in Japan’s Climate Ecosystem; (15) Households and Energy System Upgrades; and (16) Japan’s Greatest Untapped Opportunity in Decarbonisation.

Official Website:

https://irthinker.com/

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In this episode, we’ll examine how the EU uses its political, economic, and institutional resources to influence global affairs, often without resorting to direct confrontation. In particular, we’ll focus on soft balancing governance model, and its implications.

Anders Wivel is a Professor of International Relations at University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

His most fundamental research interest is how small states overcome power asymmetry and vulnerability in international relations.

Theoretically, his work begins from a critical and constructive engagement with the Realist tradition in International Relations, most importantly Neoclassical Realism.

Anders was Chief Investigator and Deputy Director of Research in the Independent Inquiry into Denmark’s military engagements in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq commissioned by the Danish Parliament (“Krigsudredningen“).

He is a chair (with Revecca Pedi) of the section “Small States in World Politics” at the European International Studies Association (EISA), and also an active member of the Global Research Network on Peaceful Change (GRENPEC).

Content: (1) Defining Soft Balancing vs Hard Balancing; (2) Soft Power vs Soft Balancing: Key Differences; (3) Relevance of Soft Balancing for EU Governance; (4) Inclusive vs Exclusive Institutional Soft Balancing; (5) Key Historical Milestones in EU Soft Balancing; (6) Lessons from Soft Balancing Failures; (7) Balancing National Sovereignty with Collective Decision-making; (8) The EU’s Institutional Structure: Too Many or Too Few?; (9) The Role of Plasticity in EU Governance Adaptation; (10) Successful and Unsuccessful Soft Balancing with Non-Members; (11) Causes of External Soft Balancing Failures; (12) Approaching Sanctions in Soft Balancing; (13) Official EU Resolutions on Soft Balancing; (14) Soft Balancing and International Relations Theories; (15) Challenges in Implementing Soft Balancing; (16) Soft Balancing in a More Centralized EU; (17) Regions Outside the EU and Soft Balancing Lessons; and (18) The Role of Non-State Actors in Soft Balancing.

Official Website:

https://irthinker.com/

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