The International Risk Podcast

Hosted by Dominic Bowen

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Episodes

405

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

Welcome to The International Risk Podcast — the premier destination for high-level insights into global risk dynamics. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, an accomplished senior advisor, each episode delivers expert analysis and actionable intelligence on today’s most pressing international risks. From geopolitical tensions and economic upheavals to cybersecurity threats and environmental challenges, we bring clarity to the complex risks shaping our world. Tailored for CEOs, Board Members, senior managers, and risk professionals, our weekly episodes are essential listening for those making strategic decisions in volatile environments. With distinguished guests from diverse sectors and geographies — including renowned industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders — we provide a multidimensional perspective, equipping you with insights to stay ahead of emerging threats and capitalize on new opportunities. Our host, Dominic Bowen, is a senior business leader, and Partner at 2Secure where he is Head of Strategic Advisory and leads a team of senior management consultants and advisors. Join us for engaging, thought-provoking conversations that go beyond the headlines. Stay informed, stay ahead, and transform the way you perceive and manage international risks. The International Risk Podcast is not just a podcast; it’s is crucial listening for today's leaders.

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October 16, 2026Episode 40838 min

408: Marquita Bradshaw

What is at stake in the upcoming US Midterms? In this episode, Dominic Bowen sits down with Marquita Bradshaw , the Democratic nominee for the US Senate Elections on November 3rd. The conversation spans what challenges working people within the USA are currently facing, what change is necessary for Americans, and the dynamics within the political system today. It is clear there is a loss of faith. Marquita talks about her experiences engaging with voters, hearing their stories, and how this currently drives her priorities along her campaign trail. With rocketing fuel prices, concerned business owners, and a minimum wage that is flailing in the wake of climbing inflation, Marquita outlines how current injustices within the economy and prioritised status for certain interest groups is not serving the ordinary American. The discussion delves into how environmental justice applies to the political dynamics we are seeing today in America, and how domestic policy is crucial to fix in order to regain a stable USA internationally. Recounting her history as an environmental activist, her source of inspiration to fight for change, and the importance of community, Marquita’s focus is unapathetic and hopeful for shifting the tide in Congress. Is it possible? Share your views in the comments. 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 expert conversations on geopolitics, security, economics, conflict, resilience and global affairs. Tell us what you liked!

October 14, 2026Episode 40733 min

Episode 407: The Rise of the AfD and What It Means for Germany

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Sophie Schmalenberger about the AfD’s historic result in the Saxony-Anhalt state election and what it means for Germany’s political future. The discussion examines what is driving the party’s rise, particularly in eastern Germany, and whether Germany’s postwar “firewall” against the far right can still hold. It also explores how the AfD uses history and emotion to build support, and what a stronger AfD could mean for Germany’s role in the EU. The conversation explores: -What the AfD is, where it came from, and what it stands for -What the Saxony-Anhalt result means, and how Germany got here -How memory and emotion have shaped the AfD’s appeal -Whether the “firewall” against cooperating with the far right is still working Dr. Sophie Schmalenberger is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Her research focuses on the German New Right, particularly the communication and mobilization strategies of the AfD, and how the party uses memory politics and emotion to build support. She holds a PhD from Aarhus University, where her dissertation examined how the AfD constructs identity and memory. 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. Further reading: Dr. Sophie Schmalenberger’s open access book chapter, which looks at the far right’s strategic reinterpretation of the German past: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111588551-022/html 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 #Germany #AfD #FarRight #Europe #Democracy #Russia #Ukraine #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRisk #Strategy #Extremism Tell us what you liked!

October 12, 202634 min

Episode 406: The World Is Normalising the Taliban with Shaharzad Akbar

More than five years after the Taliban returned to power, millions of Afghan women and girls remain shut out of education, work and public life, while governments around the world are quietly normalising relations with Kabul. In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen speaks with Shaharzad Akbar, former chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and founder of Rawadari, an organisation documenting Taliban abuses and pursuing accountability from exile. Shaharzad shares her journey from a childhood of displacement and refugee life in Pakistan to Smith College and Oxford, and back to Kabul. She explains what daily life looks like for women and girls inside Afghanistan today, how they are finding creative ways to keep learning and working despite the risks, and why the world’s growing willingness to engage with the Taliban is so dangerous. In this episode: Shaharzad’s story: growing up displaced, and her parents’ commitment to education Life for Afghan women and girls today: the mental health crisis, forced early marriage and secret classrooms How women are working around Taliban restrictions, and the risks they face Why geopolitical interests are overtaking human rights, including Russia’s recognition of the Taliban Her experience as a delegate in the Doha talks and the Taliban’s PR strategy The economic and social cost of an entire generation of girls shut out of education Understanding the Taliban’s worldview and why they fear educated women Access to healthcare and justice for women, including domestic violence How the Taliban’s legal and enforcement machinery has developed into what Shaharzad calls a gender apartheid system Whether the Taliban’s impunity is emboldening other countries and extremist groups What business leaders, governments and listeners can actually do to help The international risks that concern Shaharzad most: misinformation, climate change and the erosion of solidarity 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 expert conversations on geopolitics, security, economics, conflict, resilience and global affairs. Tell us what you liked!

October 7, 2026Episode 40528 min

Episode 405: US Midterm Elections with Alex Tarascio

What happens when voters hear promises about cheaper living — but see their government focused elsewhere? Dominic Bowen puts that question to international pollster Alex Tarascio of Cygnal in episode #405 of The International Risk Podcast . Their conversation examines voter frustration, the US #midterm #elections and the gap between political headlines and the choices people make at the ballot box. They explore shifts in the Republican coalition, the politics of the cost of living and Iran, what interest in socialism tells us about younger voters, and why strong support does not always translate into turnout. Dominic also asks how leaders should judge polling evidence and why data centres have become a source of local political tension. What matters more in an election: convincing people to switch sides, or getting your supporters to turn out? Share your view in the comments. 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 expert conversations on geopolitics, security, economics, conflict, resilience and global affairs. Tell us what you liked!

October 5, 2026Episode 40432 min

Episode 404: Sweden's Stalemate: Why a Winning Bloc Still Can't Form a Government

Sweden's voters handed the centre-left opposition a win by just three seats, 176 to 173, and yet no one can form a government. The Sweden Democrats lost ground at the ballot box, but they may still hold the key to what happens next. With investors, NATO allies and Ukraine supporters watching closely, this is a stress test for one of Europe's steadiest democracies. Host Dominic Bowen is joined by Anders Sannerstedt, a political scientist at Lund University who studies the Sweden Democrats, local elections and Swedish party politics. Together they unpack why winning an election doesn't guarantee governing, and what happens if the parties can't break the deadlock. In this episode: - Why the opposition is four parties that aren't natural partners, from the Left Party to the Centre Party - How the Sweden Democrats evolved from their white supremacist roots into a right-wing populist party, and why they lost ground this time - The economy, healthcare and gang violence as the issues that shaped the vote - The urban-rural divide and why the Sweden Democrats do well in small towns and the south - What would change under a left versus a right government, particularly on climate policy - Why foreign and defence policy, including NATO and support for Ukraine, is unlikely to shift - Anders's biggest international risk concerns: Russia and climate change 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 expert conversations on geopolitics, security, economics, conflict, resilience and global affairs. Tell us what you liked!

October 2, 2026Episode 40327 min

Episode 403: Can You Trust AI, With Herbert Roitblat

Before you let ChatGPT or Claude influence your next business decision, ask yourself: are you trusting the evidence or how convincing the answer sounds? Dominic Bowen joins AI researcher Herbert Roitblat, author of Algorithms Are Not Enough, to examine what business leaders should demand from artificial intelligence, and where human judgment remains essential. Drawing on his experience as a senior management consultant, Dominic explains why telling a client “I’m not confident yet” can be more valuable than delivering a polished answer. Together, they explore how to challenge AI outputs, identify useful applications and measure whether the technology is actually improving your business. In this conversation: • Why confident AI answers still need scrutiny • What leaders should automate—and where people add value • How to distinguish AI adoption from meaningful business improvement • Why critical thinking and systems thinking matter • How to stay professionally valuable as AI changes work • The privacy and infrastructure risks behind the technology What would you never delegate to AI and why? Tell us in the comments. CHAPTERS 00:00 AI strategy and the leadership challenge 01:08 Are we overestimating AI? 02:15 Dominic challenges the token-guesser argument 03:52 What should an AI-first business automate? 05:54 Where human judgment adds value 08:18 Building a business around better information 10:43 Trust, evidence and reliable outputs 12:37 Confidence is not critical thinking 15:01 Knowledge work and defending your value 18:48 Designing useful AI workflows 20:10 What separates AI value from wasted spending? 22:45 Learning and systems thinking 24:53 Privacy, infrastructure and international risk 27:00 Closing reflections Listen to and follow The International Risk Podcast 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 expert conversations on geopolitics, security, economics, conflict, resilience and global affairs. #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #Geopolitics #AI Tell us what you liked!

September 28, 2026Episode 40229 min

Episode 402: Inside the Fight for Africa's Minerals

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Sarah Logan about the global race to secure Africa's critical minerals. The discussion examines how China, the US, and Europe are positioning themselves in this race, and whether African countries can move beyond simply hosting the competition. It also explores why refining is the real choke point in this race, and why China's head start there now gives it a durable structural advantage. The conversation explores: -What critical minerals are, where they're found, and why demand is only accelerating -Why China is so far ahead, and why refining remains the West's biggest challenge -Whether African and European manufacturing ambitions can align -Whether this rivalry actually benefits African countries Sarah Logan is a lawyer and economist with over 15 years of experience in mining and energy policy across Africa. She is a Visiting Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and author of the African Extracts Substack. TListen to and follow The International Risk Podcast 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 new episodes every week Tell us what you liked in the comments below Share this episode with colleagues in risk, policy, and security #Geopolitics #CriticalMinerals #Africa #China #UnitedStates #Europe #Mining #Cobalt #Lithium #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRisk #Strategy #EconomicSecurity Tell us what you liked!

September 25, 2026Episode 40139 min

Episode 401: The Death of Reading: A Neuroscientist's Warning

In this episode, Dominic sits down with Dr. Maryanne Wolf, a cognitive neuroscientist at UCLA who has spent her career studying what she calls "the reading brain." Maryanne explains why reading doesn't come naturally to us the way language or vision does. It's a skill the brain has to build, circuit by circuit, and one that can atrophy if we stop exercising it. The numbers are stark. Nearly a third of American adults score at the lowest level of literacy. Fourth grade reading scores are at a two decade low. Eighth graders are performing worse than they have in four decades. And it isn't just a US problem. Countries around the world are seeing similar declines. Maryanne argues that these statistics are symptoms of something deeper: a shift away from what she calls "deep reading," the slow process that builds background knowledge, inference, empathy and critical thinking. She shares her own unexpected experience of realising her brain had changed after struggling to reread a novel she once loved, and what she did to rebuild that capacity. The conversation also digs into AI tools, audiobooks and podcasts, and what neuroscience is starting to reveal about "cognitive surrender," the growing reliance on technology to do our thinking for us. Maryanne makes the case that this isn't a minor cultural shift. It's a battle for how future generations will think, reason and govern themselves. 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. Tell us what you liked! Tell us what you liked!

September 22, 2026Episode 40030 min

Episode 400: Is Domestic Politics Driving Netanyahu's War with Iran? | Tzvi Gottlieb

The International Risk Podcast with Tzvi Gottlieb In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Tzvi Gottlieb examine the intersection of war, politics and national security in Israel, asking how domestic political pressures are shaping decisions over Iran, Gaza and the wider Middle East. From Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future and Israel’s confrontation with Iran to the resilience of Israeli democratic institutions and the country’s increasingly strained relationship with the United States, the conversation explores the strategic risks facing Israel at a pivotal moment for the country and the region. We discuss: - Whether Israeli domestic politics are influencing decisions over war and national security - Israel’s confrontation with Iran and what “finishing the job” could realistically mean - Why regime change in Iran would be extraordinarily difficult to achieve - Benjamin Netanyahu’s political incentives and the approaching Israeli elections - The resilience of Israel’s democratic and political institutions - How Israeli politics have changed during Netanyahu’s long period in power - The relationship between Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump - Why changing American attitudes towards Israel could pose a major strategic risk - Whether Israel risks weakening its most important international relationship - Gaza, the West Bank and the prospects for a two-state solution - The political power of Israel’s settler movement and changing Israeli demographics - How the conflict could reshape the balance of power across the Middle East - What Israel and the wider region could look like five years from now About the guest: Tzvi Gottlieb is a political consultant and former communications director for the Israeli government. He is also a former Arab affairs correspondent for Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio) and a former lobbyist for Shatil – The New Israel Fund. He has written for Haaretz, Globes and other Israeli media outlets, and brings extensive experience across Israeli politics, government, media and public affairs. 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. See more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com Tell us what you liked!

September 20, 2026Episode 39930 min

Episode 399: The Real AI Risks with Craig Unsworth and Dominic Bowen

In Episode 399 of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic and Craig examine the real economics of artificial intelligence: how CFOs should measure AI returns, when automation becomes job displacement, why agentic workflows are changing competitive advantage, and how AI is becoming a geopolitical and governance challenge. They discuss: - How CFOs can distinguish durable AI value from hype - Why some companies are cutting headcount while others avoid new hiring - The shift from AI experimentation to operational agentic workflows - Competition and regulation across the United States, Europe and China - How professionals can future-proof their careers - Mass employment change, taxation and pressure on the middle class - Who captures the profits when machines replace human work - Shrinking business moats, talent risk and AI dependency - Defence, data centres, energy, water and international risk What concerns you most: job displacement, concentrated profits, weak governance or geopolitical competition? Share your view in the comments. Listen to and follow The International Risk Podcast 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. Craig Unsworth is a Portfolio Chief Product Officer and senior adviser who works with private-equity firms and their portfolio companies. His work focuses on product strategy, transformation, growth and agentic AI. Craig's website: https://www.craigunsworth.com/ 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 expert conversations on geopolitics, security, economics, conflict, resilience and global affairs. Podcast Chapters 00:00 AI value, jobs and risk 00:22 How CFOs should measure AI returns 01:50 AI productivity, layoffs and fewer new hires 04:14 From experiments to agentic workflows 06:14 AI geopolitics: America, Europe and China 08:39 How to future-proof your career 11:07 The AI tools and workflows leaders overlook 14:57 The cost of waiting to adopt AI 18:47 Who captures the gains from automation? 23:14 Who should govern AI? 23:34 Shrinking business moats and hidden risks 26:27 Defence, resources and data-centre risk 29:08 The leadership skills businesses need now 29:46 Closing thoughts #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #Geopolitics #AI Tell us what you liked!