The International Spectator's Podcasts

The International Spectator is pleased to present a new podcast episode exploring how Gulf States have emerged as influential actors in the field of international development assistance. In this episode, Altea Pericoli (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow jointly affiliated with the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and the Department of Economics at Ca’ Foscari University) discusses the key arguments of her article Understanding Gulf States’ Foreign Aid: A Conceptual Framework, published in The International Spectator.Pericoli outlines how states such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have developed distinct aid profiles shaped not only by geopolitical and strategic interests, but also by domestic political dynamics and identity-driven considerations. Combining insights from neoclassical realism and constructivism, she proposes a new framework for understanding the motivations behind Gulf foreign aid and its implications for global development politics. The article appears in Volume 60, Issue 3 (2025) of The International Spectator, the peer-reviewed journal of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), which features a focus on evolving strategies and narratives in the foreign policies of Gulf States.

The International Spectator is pleased to present a podcast episode exploring how the concept of tolerance has evolved into a cornerstone of Oman’s national identity and foreign policy. The speaker Giulia Daga, researcher in the "Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa" programme at the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) and lecturer at the John Cabot University, will illustrate the main themes of her article From Religious to Political Tolerance: Oman's Identity and Foreign Policy Discourse, published on The International Spectator.Join her in this discussion on how Oman’s Ibadi tradition, maritime cosmopolitan heritage, and strategic location have shaped a narrative of tolerance that serves the country’s legitimation and status-seeking objectives, both domestically and on the international stage. The article is taken from a recent Issue (Volume 59, Issue 4/2024) of The International Spectator, the peer-reviewed journal of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), which features a focus on evolving strategies and discourses in Gulf States' foreign policies. If you wish to keep informed about the upcoming journal's publications and events, visit our blog and follow us on X, Instagram and Bluesky.

The International Spectator is pleased to present a podcast episode exploring the Chinese use of informal trade restrictions to foster its rise as a rising power. The speaker Sara Van Hoeymissen, Senior Researcher in the Department of Economics, Management and Leadership at the Royal Military Academy, will illustrate the main themes of her recent open access article Shadowboxing: The People’s Republic of China’s Use of Informal Trade Restrictions as a Rising Power, published on The International Spectator: join her in this discussion on how the PRC is engaging in coercive influencing while safeguarding its ability to stay connected to the global economy and its main protagonists.The article is take from latest Issue (Volume 60, Issue 2/2025) of The International Spectator, the peer-reviewed journal of IAI, which has China’s Economic Statecraft and Europe’s Response as one of the issue's core themes.If you wish to keep informed about the upcoming journal's publications and events, visit our blog and follow us on X, Instagram and Bluesky.

The International Spectator is pleased to present a podcast episode exploring the evolving relationship between populist radical right (PRR) parties and the European Union (EU). This discussion is based on a webinar held on 12 May 2025, which delved into how PRR parties' stances toward the EU shift before and after attaining governmental power. While PRR parties often adopt Eurosceptic positions prior to gaining power, their approach can change significantly once in office. Threats to exit the EU are frequently replaced by calls for increased EU involvement, especially concerning economic and migration issues. This episode examines these dynamics, drawing insights from the Special Issue of The International Spectator titled Right Move? Populist Radical Right Parties and Europe.Leo Goretti and Daniela Huber, Editors of The International Spectator, open the Webinar by introducing the Special Issue alongside the Guest Editors Matilde Rosina (Lecturer at Brunel University), Marianna Griffini (Assistant Professor at Northeastern University London) and Leila Simona Talani (Professor at King’s College London). They then chairs the Panel Discussion featuring Gabriele Abbondanza (Marie Curie Fellow at the Complutense University of Madrid and Associate Fellow at IAI and the University of Sydney). Within this context, the International Spectator, the peer-reviewed journal of IAI, presents its Issue (Volume 60, Issue 1/2025) whose Special Core Right Move? Populist Radical Right Parties and Europe is edited by Matilde Rosina, Marianna Griffini and Leila Simona Talani. If you wish to keep informed about the upcoming journal's publications and events, visit our https://www.theinternationalspectator.com/ and follow us on X, Instagram and Bluesky.

Join us into a profound discussion with Dr Molly O'Neal, examining the shifting dynamics of Germany’s foreign and security policy amidst recent geopolitical upheavals. Our guest offers an insightful presentation of her work, addressing critical questions that explore the concept of 'Zeitenwende' and its implications for Germany's international stance.We begin by unpacking 'Zeitenwende' and how recent geopolitical shifts, particularly Russia’s actions in Ukraine, have challenged Germany’s traditional approach to foreign and security policy. Our conversation highlights Germany's struggle to reconcile its historical “culture of restraint” with the urgent need for a more assertive defense strategy. We explore whether these new demands are in conflict with Germany’s longstanding identity as a “civilian power.”The discussion moves to Germany's embedded identity in promoting European integration and how this shapes its responses to crises like the one in Ukraine. We examine the broader implications of Germany's actions for the EU's overall strategy and unity.Furthermore, we consider how domestic political changes within Germany are influencing its foreign policy approach, particularly with the rise of various political forces. This segment provides a nuanced understanding of the internal factors shaping Germany's external policies.Lastly, we look ahead to the future, contemplating the policy measures Germany must consider to maintain its role as a reliable partner within Europe and NATO. If you wish to discover more about these topics, find our article here: 

Re-imagining EU Foreign and Security Policy in a Complex and Contested World - II Part:  DiscussionHow did the European Union manage to reduce the adverse effect of the contextual factors on its foreign and security policy towards conflicts and crises?Find out more by listening to this episode! The podcast is based on a webinar hosted on April 2024 which aimed at presenting the International Spectator's Open-Access special issue (March 2024) "Re-imagining EU Foreign and Security Policy in a Complex and Contested World". All articles are open access.The hosts are Daniela Huber, Editor of The International Spectator, alongside Riccardo Alcaro (Research coordinator and Head of the Global Actors Programme, IAI) and Hylke Dijkstra (Professor of International Security and Cooperation at Maastricht University). Many guest have joined the discussion, such as Marianna Lovato (Postdoctoral researcher, Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance), Olga Oliker (Program Director for Europe and Central Asia, International Crisis Group), Irina Petrova (Assistant Professor in the Politics of Eurasia, University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies) and Luigi Scazzieri (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Reform).Find the Special Issue here: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rspe20/59/1?nav=tocList 

Re-imagining EU Foreign and Security Policy in a Complex and Contested World - I Part:  PresentationHow did the European Union manage to reduce the adverse effect of the contextual factors on its foreign and security policy towards conflicts and crises?Find out more by listening to this episode! The podcast is based on a webinar hosted on April 2024 which aimed at presenting the International Spectator's Open-Access special issue (March 2024) "Re-imagining EU Foreign and Security Policy in a Complex and Contested World". All articles are open access.The hosts are Daniela Huber, Editor of The International Spectator, alongside Riccardo Alcaro (Research coordinator and Head of the Global Actors Programme, IAI) and Hylke Dijkstra (Professor of International Security and Cooperation at Maastricht University). Many guest have joined the discussion, such as Marianna Lovato (Postdoctoral researcher, Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance), Olga Oliker (Program Director for Europe and Central Asia, International Crisis Group), Irina Petrova (Assistant Professor in the Politics of Eurasia, University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies) and Luigi Scazzieri (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Reform).Find the Special Issue here: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rspe20/59/1?nav=tocList 

The International Spectator is pleased to announce its podcast dedicated to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and the perceptions stemming from the countries of the ‘Global South’. It is based on the Webinar, which took place remotely on 14 December 2023 at 4.00 PM, aimed at giving selected speakers and the public a fruitful occasion to discuss about the new trends occurring in the global nuclear order, with a special focus on the more recent stance of some actors from the Global South. If you are interested in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, be sure not to miss it!Leo Goretti and Daniela Huber, Editors of The International Spectator, open the Webinar introducing the Special Issue alongside Manuel Herrera, Research Fellow at the International Affairs Institute and Guest Editor of the Issue. He then chairs the Panel Discussion among Tanvi Kulkarni (Policy Fellow, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network), Vicente Garrido Rebolledo (Director of the Security and Defense Chair "Francisco Villamartín” of the Rey Juan Carlos University) and Jasmine Auda (Co-founder and COO of Ambit Advisory). Then, the Q&A session follows.Within this context, The International Spectator, the peer-reviewed journal of IAI, presents its Issue (Volume 58, Issue 4/2023) whose Special Core “Nuclear Non-Proliferation and the Global South: Understanding Divergences and Commonalities” is edited by Manuel Herrera, Tanvi Kulkarni e Vicente Garrido.All the peer-reviewed contributions are authored by well-experienced academics and researchers committed to different study areas and programs. If you wish to keep informed about the upcoming journal's publications and events, visit our https://www.theinternationalspectator.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

The International Spectator is pleased to announce its podcast dedicated to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and the perceptions stemming from the countries of the ‘Global South’. It is based on the Webinar, which took place remotely on 14 December 2023 at 4.00 PM, aimed at giving selected speakers and the public a fruitful occasion to discuss about the new trends occurring in the global nuclear order, with a special focus on the more recent stance of some actors from the Global South. If you are interested in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, be sure not to miss it!Leo Goretti and Daniela Huber, Editors of The International Spectator, open the Webinar introducing the Special Issue alongside Manuel Herrera, Research Fellow at the International Affairs Institute and Guest Editor of the Issue. He then chairs the Panel Discussion among Tanvi Kulkarni (Policy Fellow, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network), Vicente Garrido Rebolledo (Director of the Security and Defense Chair "Francisco Villamartín” of the Rey Juan Carlos University) and Jasmine Auda (Co-founder and COO of Ambit Advisory). Then, the Q&A session follows.Within this context, The International Spectator, the peer-reviewed journal of IAI, presents its Issue (Volume 58, Issue 4/2023) whose Special Core “Nuclear Non-Proliferation and the Global South: Understanding Divergences and Commonalities” is edited by Manuel Herrera, Tanvi Kulkarni e Vicente Garrido.All the peer-reviewed contributions are authored by well-experienced academics and researchers committed to different study areas and programs. If you wish to keep informed about the upcoming journal's publications and events, visit our https://www.theinternationalspectator.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

In this podcast, Marco Giuli (Free university of Brussels, IAI) talks about what energy geopolitics means and the current role of the EU in energy geopolitics. He also reflects on clean energy materials and why we should consider them more in decarbonisation policies. Finally, the podcast touches upon the new risks deriving from the EU's interdependence with suppliers of clean energy materials both in present time and in a post-fossil fuels world. If you wish to delve more into this fascinating topic, read The International Spectator's article here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03932729.2023.2199648