Episode 40: Taking Difficult Decisions

Episode 40: Taking Difficult Decisions

Author: Centre for Geopolitics November 21, 2023 Duration: 41:22

Recent events in Israel and Gaza have highlighted how hard it is to orientate in the absence of clear facts. At these times of crisis, how do political leaders decide what to do? Ali Ansari and Suzanne Raine are joined by the Rt Hon Charles Clarke, who was British Home Secretary at the time of the 7/7 bombings in London, and talks about having to take the decision whether or not to close down the London transport system that day.


Stepping beyond the headlines and soundbites, On Geopolitics offers a deeper, more considered look at the forces shaping our world. Produced by the Centre for Geopolitics, this podcast is now guided by two distinct academic voices. Professor John Nilsson-Wright leads "Currents," a series of timely conversations that bring together experts from government, business, science, and journalism to dissect the most pressing international events as they unfold. In parallel, Professor William Hurst curates "Explorations," dedicating extended episodes to foundational ideas and historical patterns that underpin global affairs, providing crucial context for today's complexities. Together, these formats create a rich dialogue that connects immediate crises to their deeper roots. Tuning into this podcast means moving past superficial analysis to engage with nuanced perspectives on power, history, and strategy, all grounded in rigorous thought and diverse expertise. It’s for anyone who feels that understanding the world requires more than a daily news update, seeking instead a sustained inquiry into how nations interact, compete, and coexist. Each episode, whether focused on a breaking development or a perennial theme, is built to inform and challenge, making sense of a disordered global landscape through thoughtful discussion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 85

On Geopolitics
Podcast Episodes
Episode 26: The State of Europe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:29
Professor Brendan Simms gives Ali and Suzanne his impressions of the key themes from this year's Munich Security Conference and what this means for European security and Russia's war in Ukraine.About the hosts:Suzanne Ra…
Episode 25: Can we escape history? (Part 2 of 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:51
Does learning lessons from history do more harm than good?About the hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and C…
Episode 24: Can we escape history? (Part 1 of 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:35
Ali and Suzanne ask whether we are trapped by history — and how we might use it better to approach today's challenges.About the hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge Univ…
Episode 23: At the summit! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:52
Expert on international summits Professor Tristen Naylor joins Ali and Suzanne to ask what summits are for, whether they are worth it, and what makes them successful (or not).About the hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate…
Episode 22: How ‘revolutionary’ are the protests in Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
Suzanne and Ali discuss the current protests with Dr Anahita Arian from the Centre for Geopolitics.....Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years…
Episode 21: Protest in China [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:51
Professor Bill Hurst and Suzanne Raine examine the significance of the recent outbreak of protests in many cities in China, and the CCP's response.........................................The host:Suzanne Raine is an Affi…
Episode 20: Russia's War? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:12
Jade McGlynn joins Suzanne and Ali to discuss how memory and myth are used to build support for Russia's War on Ukraine, and why it isn't quite right to call it "Putin's War".......The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate…
Episode 19: China – taking stock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:00
What happened at the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and what does it mean for China's future direction? Ali and Suzanne are joined by Professor Bill Hurst, who talks us through personalities, drama, and the…
Episode 18: The single narrative [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:49
Suzanne and Ali discuss how the anti-Western case is made by leaders from Putin to Bin Laden (and everyone in between).---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge Univer…
Episode 17: What is going to happen next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:46
After an eventful summer, Suzanne and Ali discuss the role and limitations of predictions and forecasting in geopolitics.---The hosts:Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge Univ…