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The International Risk Podcast

The International Risk Podcast

Hosted by Dominic Bowen

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Episodes

390

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 15, 2026Episode 39129 min

Episode 391: Geopolitical Risk in Europe - How Should Businesses Prepare? with Federico Saleri

The International Risk Podcast with Federico SaleriIn 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 mostAbout 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 strategySee more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com#Geopolitics #GeopoliticalRisk #Europe #Ukraine #Russia #HybridWarfare #BusinessRisk #RiskManagement #BusinessResilience #CriticalInfrastructure #CorporateSecurity #InternationalBusiness #InternationalRiskPodcastTell us what you liked!

August 10, 2026Episode 38933 min

Episode 389: Third-Party Risk - What Companies Get Wrong with Tom Garrubba

Third-Party Risk: What Companies Get Wrong | The International Risk Podcast with Tom GarrubbaAs 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 mostAbout the guestTom 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 hostDominic 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 resilienceSee more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com Tell us what you liked!

August 8, 2026Episode 38840 min

Episode 388: The Truth About How Critical Minerals Work with Lisa Sachs

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 economyWhat resource governance actually means in practice, beyond permits and environmental regulationWhy Sachs struggles to name mining communities that are genuinely better off for having miningThe 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 dealsWhy resource nationalism is rational for developing countries but self-defeating for wealthy onesHow companies keep misreading community resistance to mining projectsWhether the clean energy transition and AI will reduce global inequality or deepen itThe international risks Dr. Sachs is watching most closely today, from climate change to AI driven inequalityThis 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!

August 7, 2026Episode 38734 min

Episode 387: Law and Employment in the Age of AI: Where Does Accountability Lie?

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 decisionsWhether our legal systems and employment frameworks are prepared for accelerating AI capabilityWhat "human in the loop" really means, and the legal risks when it's missingReal-world litigation, including the Workday hiring-discrimination lawsuit and a Delaware Chancery case over an AI-influenced business decisionShadow AI: why employees bring their own AI tools to work, and what that exposes about leadershipWhere to draw the line between legitimate monitoring and excessive surveillanceWho inside an organisation should own AI-related employment risk — the board, HR, Legal, IT, or the CEOPractical steps every business leader should prioritise over the next 12 monthsAbout 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 weekTell us what you thought in the comments belowShare this episode with colleagues working in employment law, HR, risk management, and corporate governanceSee more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com#ArtificialIntelligence #EmploymentLaw #WorkplaceAI #HR #RiskManagement #CorporateGovernance #ShadowAI #EmploymentRisk #FutureOfWork #InternationalRiskPodcastTell us what you liked!

August 3, 2026Episode 39636 min

Episode 386: Is Hong Kong Still Safe for Business? | The International Risk Podcast with Megan Khoo

Is Hong Kong Still Safe for Business? | The International Risk Podcast with Megan KhooHong 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 environmentThe impact of US-China strategic competition on international companiesBusiness confidence, sanctions, and reputational riskHuman rights concerns and their implications for multinational organisationsThe future of Hong Kong as an international financial centreHow organisations can better prepare for geopolitical uncertainty in AsiaThe international risks that concern Megan Khoo mostAbout the guestMegan 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 hostDominic 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 strategySee more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com#HongKong #China #Geopolitics #BusinessRisk #GeopoliticalRisk #RiskManagement #InternationalBusiness #Asia #NationalSecurity #ChinaRelations #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRiskPodcastTell us what you liked!

July 31, 2026Episode 38522 min

Episode 385: West Africa: What Does the Climate Crisis Look Like?

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 importantIbrahim 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 weekTell us what you liked in the comments belowShare this episode with colleagues in risk, policy, and security#Geopolitics #ClimateChange #WestAfrica #FoodSecurity #Senegal #Niger #ClimateAdaptation #ClimateSecurity #Sahel #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRisk #StrategyTell us what you liked!

July 29, 2026Episode 38453 min

Episode 384: AUKUS and the New Reality of Indo-Pacific Security with Jennifer Parker

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 defenceThis 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!

July 27, 2026Episode 38335 min

Episode 383: Is Andy Burnham Ready for a World at War?

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 makingWhy personal relationships between leaders matter as much as institutions and interestsThe risk that a Le Pen led France could complicate UK-EU defence and migration cooperationWhy continuity on Ukraine is critical, and the spending trade-offs Burnham will face at homeWhat Britain needs to do to keep pulling its weight in NATOThe reality of nuclear command responsibility that awaits every incoming Prime MinisterThe international risks Lord Ricketts is watching most closely today, from war in Europe to climate changeThis 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!

July 22, 202631 min

Episode 382: Re-release – Inside the War in Ukraine: Strategy, Technology and the Future of Security with Elizabeth Bullock

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 battlefieldHow civilians survive and adapt under sustained attackWhat Russia’s tactics reveal about modern conflictHow Ukraine has developed its defence under extreme pressureWhat this war means for the future of global securityThis 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!

July 20, 202646 min

Episode 381: Abortion, Power, Democracy: Who Controls a Woman's Body?

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, originsWhy Dobbs wasn't simply "returning the issue to democracy"The medical reality of pregnancy, viability, and abortion safetyThe criminalization and policing of pregnant women, particularly Black womenWhen and how personhood and citizenship are legally definedThe Supreme Court's inconsistent treatment of bodily autonomy across race and genderThis 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!

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