Episode 394: Switzerland’s 10 Million Referendum – Immigration, Democracy & Europe’s Future with Vincent Maitre

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Dr. Holly Bell, economist, former professor and academic administrator at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and author of the geopolitical novel Occupied Alaska. Holly shares the real events that inspired her book, drawing on her own work opposing a proposed $43 billion Chinese-backed gas pipeline deal in Alaska, and explains why economic dependence on foreign capital, technology and infrastructure can constrain a nation's sovereignty just as effectively as military force.We discuss:How a 2017 agreement between Alaska and a Chinese state-linked company for a $43 billion LNG project became the basis for a speculative novel about foreign occupationWhy economically unviable infrastructure deals can still attract foreign investment, and what predatory lending terms reveal about the true intent behind themHow debt-trap dynamics that have played out in Sri Lanka and Djibouti could realistically unfold within a U.S. stateThe accumulation risk of individually rational investments in energy, agriculture and finance, and how they can combine into a national security threatWhy Alaska's abundance of rare earths, oil, gas and proximity to Russia make it strategically indispensable, and strategically vulnerableThe structural disadvantage democracies face when competing against authoritarian states that plan in decades rather than election cyclesHow economic leverage translates into political influence, from campaign financing to land use regulationWhat current developments, including foreign interest in U.S. data infrastructure, reveal about where these risks are heading nextThe 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!

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Stephanie Wolters about security, governance, and stability across the Democratic Republic of Congo. Stephanie Wolters unpacks why the DRC cannot be ignored, and why the roots of the conflict stretch far beyond its own borders.The discussion examines the international intervention in DRC, including MONUSCO, and what daily life actually looks like for communities living under armed group control. It also explores Rwanda's influence in the crisis.The conversation explores: -The regionally-driven roots of the conflict and why it's about power more than resources-Rwanda's role in the crisis-The impact and limits of international intervention on the ground-What daily life is actually like for communities in areas controlled by armed groups-The challenge of managing outbreaks like Ebola in conflict-affected areasStephanie Wolters is a Senior Research Fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs and founding director of Okapi Consulting, with over 25 years of experience researching conflict and political economy across the Great Lakes region.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 belowShare this episode with colleagues in risk, policy, and security #Geopolitics #DRC #GreatLakes #MONUSCO #Congo #Rwanda #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRisk #Strategy #AfricaTell us what you liked!

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Kirtan Pandit, conservation researcher and co-founder of GeoSutra, an environmental intelligence company whose team deployed drones within 24 hours of the catastrophic Nepal flood to carry out rapid damage assessments in Nuwakot district. Kirtan shares a firsthand account of the disaster response, drawing on his work using drones to assess and deliver aid to flood affected communities, and explains why this event, and Nepal's growing exposure to glacial hazards, must be understood as a climate risk issue with global implications.We discuss:What triggered the flood, and how a glacier collapse near the Nepal-China border unleashed one of the deadliest disasters in Nepal's modern historyHow GeoSutra's team accessed the affected area and used drones to assess damage and deliver aid across a river with no remaining crossingsThe scale of destruction to critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, the Rasuwagadhi border crossing and hydropower stationsThe ongoing search for workers trapped in a hydropower tunnel and the mounting challenge of managing the deadWhy the flood is directly linked to climate change and global warming's effect on Himalayan glaciersThe limitations of Nepal's current early warning systems and what stronger, climate resilient infrastructure would requireWhy Nepal and other low emitting mountainous nations are demanding climate finance and loss and damage funding as grants rather than loansWhat this disaster reveals about the growing risk facing mountain communities across the Himalayas and beyondThe 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!

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Vincent Maitre, Swiss lawyer and political representative in Switzerland's National Council. Vincent examines Switzerland’s changing political and economic landscape and explains what the country’s controversial 10 million referendum reveals about immigration, housing, direct democracy, and political stability. Drawing on his experience as a Swiss National Councillor and lawyer in Geneva, he explores the tensions between population growth and economic competitiveness, the role of consensus politics, and why Switzerland’s approach to democracy and neutrality matters in a rapidly changing Europe.We discuss:Why Switzerland’s system of direct democracy has endured and how referendums shape political decision-makingWhat the 10 million referendum reveals about public concerns over immigration, housing, infrastructure, and quality of lifeWhy Switzerland remains dependent on foreign workers despite growing concerns about population growthHow housing shortages, regulation, and lengthy planning processes are affecting Swiss citiesWhy consensus politics and compromise have helped make Switzerland politically and economically stableHow Switzerland balances military neutrality, international sanctions, and its wider moral and diplomatic responsibilitiesWhy Europe needs greater cooperation and solidarity as global power becomes increasingly competitiveThe risks of major powers losing their ability to negotiate, communicate, and work togetherThis is a timely conversation on Swiss direct democracy, immigration, political stability, European cooperation, neutrality, and the changing nature of geopolitical 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 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 hosts The International Risk Podcast and is 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!

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Tal Kollender, former military cyber specialist, cybersecurity expert, and CEO of Remedio. Tal explores the rapidly evolving cyber risk landscape and explains why businesses must rethink cybersecurity as a strategic and geopolitical risk—not simply an IT problem. Drawing on her experience working with global enterprises and at the intersection of cybersecurity, operational resilience, and geopolitical risk, she examines how nation-state attacks, AI, zero-day vulnerabilities, configuration drift, and increasingly autonomous AI tools are changing the threat landscape.We discuss:Why geopolitical tensions and hybrid warfare are increasingly reaching into businesses, supply chains, networks, and cloud infrastructureHow nation-state attackers differ from conventional cybercriminals and why their objective can be to disrupt or control critical functionalityWhy organisations are still fighting 2026 cyber threats with a 2010 security mindsetHow AI is changing the balance between attackers and defenders, including the growing challenge of zero-day vulnerabilitiesWhy visibility and detection are not enough, and why businesses need to prioritise proactive, machine-speed remediationThe emerging risks of AI agents, shadow AI, risky MCPs, malicious skills, and uncontrolled access to business systemsWhy cyber resilience needs to account for persistent, cascading, and politically motivated attacks rather than treating incidents as isolated eventsWhat boards and executives should be asking about cyber risk, AI governance, resilience, and remediationWhy “hope is not a strategy” when organisations are facing an accelerating cyber threat landscapeThe 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 hosts The International Risk Podcast and is 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!

The International Risk Podcast with Lucy WarkIn this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is actually reshaping labour markets, not the headline version where everyone loses their job overnight, but the messier, still-unfolding reality visible in the data so far. We break down what economists mean when they say a job is "exposed" to AI, why that word gets misread as a prediction of job loss, and why the real question isn't whether AI is powerful but whether it's being used to replace workers or make them more productive. From junior employees in software engineering and customer support to freelancers on gig platforms, we look at who is actually losing ground right now, and what career strategies still hold up in a labour market being rewritten in real time.We discuss:Why "AI exposure" doesn't mean what most headlines imply, and the real difference between automation and augmentationWhy we're still in the "first innings" of understanding AI's impact on labour marketsThe five things to track separately: capability, exposure, adoption, economic impact, and people impactWhy adoption of AI tools is "a puddle, not an ocean," despite near-universal awarenessWhy AI's economic impact is still barely visible in GDP, productivity, and wage statisticsThe "canaries in the coal mine": emerging evidence that junior workers in AI-exposed fields are already losing employment"Seniorization" — why entry-level roles increasingly expect mid-level outputEarly signs of decline in freelance marketplaces, and why freelancers may be hit firstWhich career strategies, like corporate ladder-climbing and credentialism, no longer hold upWhat's replacing them: platform building, proximity, and leverageWhat AI is doing to critical thinking, and how educators are respondingHow Lucy Wark uses AI in her own research and writing process, and where she still insists on doing the work herselfAbout the guest: Lucy Wark is a former McKinsey consultant and serial entrepreneur, co-founder of career-skills company Fuzzy and sexual wellness brand Normal. She writes the Substack series How Not To Lose Your Job, which examines the evidence behind AI's impact on labour markets and recommends career strategies for building an AI-resilient career. She studied Politics, Psychology and Sociology at Cambridge and Social Science at the University of Chicago. In this conversation, Lucy draws on labour market research and her own experience coaching career strategy to break down what's actually happening in the data, and what individuals should do about it.Lucy's Substack: https://lucywark.substack.com/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 thinking about AI, careers, and the future of workSee more at www.theinternationalriskpodcast.com#AI #FutureOfWork #LabourMarket #CareerStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence #Careers #Employment #Automation #WorkplaceTrends #BusinessRisk #RiskManagement #InternationalRiskPodcastTell us what you liked!

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!

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!

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!

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!