Sounds Strategic

In this episode of Sounds Strategic, we explore the main takeaways from the 20th IISS Manama Dialogue, held in Bahrain from 6 to 8 December 2024. IISS host Meia Nouwens is joined by experts Air Marshal (Retd) Martin ‘Sammy’  Sampson, Dr Irene Mia and Dr Hasan Alhasan to discuss to their views on the themes that emerged from the Dialogue ranging from conflict resolution to post-conflict reconstruction.   The IISS Manama Dialogue came at a momentous time for the Middle East, with ongoing conflicts and instability in the region. By the end of the Dialogue, the Assad regime had collapsed. Themes include global security, the eroding rules-based order, and the implications of expanding strategic partnerships. The episode also touched on Iran’s regional influence, the complexities of post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza, and the growing role of non-state actors in conflict zones.  Tune in for an in-depth look at the geopolitical challenges and solutions shaping the Middle East. We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.            Date of Recording: 11 December 2024     The podcast is recorded and produced by the IISS.  We recommend the following background reading for this episode:     IISS Manama Dialogue 2024 IISS Manama Dialogue 2024: Introduction and Expert Commentary Chapter 1 | Geopolitics: Fragmentation, competition and the persistence of conflict Armed Conflict Survey 2024: Editor's Introduction Iran’s strategic limbo Tracking Gulf defence production: armoured vehicles lead the way Human and development costs of the Middle East’s protracted conflicts Bridging, not hedging: Arab Gulf States’ ambitions in a polarised world  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast episode, Meia Nouwens is joined by Dr Ben Schreer, Fenella McGerty, Tom Waldwyn and Ester Sabatino to discuss the status and future trajectory of European defence and look back on the main take-aways from the IISS Prague Defence Summit. Meia, Ben, Fenella, Tom and Ester analyse the trends in European and NATO defence spending and what’s next given the Trump election victory in the recent US presidential election. They also focus on the trends in military procurement, and challenges to building readiness. In addition, they discuss the challenges Europe faces in securing rare materials and critical raw minerals that are vital to defence production, and discuss what’s being done already, and what’s on the horizon for European security of supply. We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.        Date of Recording: 12 November 2024   The podcast is recorded and produced by the IISS.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sounds Strategic, podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by Emile Hokayem, Hasan Alhasan and Fabian Hinz to discuss the ongoing developments in the Middle East.One year after 7 October, the speakers share their insights on the regional developments – from the status of the war in Gaza to the broadening of Israel’s operations in the region. The IISS experts discuss the strategic calculations behind Israel’s operations in Gaza and Lebanon, the evolving role of Iran and its regional allies, and the Gulf states' efforts to maintain stability amid rising tensions. As the United States and the wider West navigate a complex regional landscape, we consider the shifting balance of power and the potential diplomatic, military and humanitarian repercussions.  Join us for our in-depth analysis of the current conflict and its implications for regional and global security. We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.     Date of Recording: 2 October 2024 The podcast is recorded and produced by The International Institute for Strategic Studies. For more information, please visit https://www.iiss.org/    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sounds Strategic, podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by Douglas Barrie and Timothy Wright to discuss the return of long-range US missiles to Europe. Amid Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and following Russian violations of arms control measures, Washington and Berlin have announced they would begin episodic deployments of conventionally-armed surface-to-surface missiles. IISS experts Douglas Barrie and Timothy Wright specialise in military aerospace and missile technology and discuss the context of this announcement. They explore how both NATO allies and Russia have responded, and what the impact of these deployments is on European stability in the short and longer term.   Meia also explores the Missile Dialogue Initiative, which since its establishment in 2019, aims to strengthen international discussion and to promote a high-level exchange of views on missile technologies and related international security dynamics.  We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.        Date of Recording: 7 August 2024  The podcast is recorded and produced by the IISS. For further reading, read our latest blog: The return of long-range US missiles to Europe (iiss.org) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this latest episode, host Meia Nouwens, IISS Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy, is joined by IISS experts Henry Boyd, Fenella McGerty and Karl Dewey to dissect the critical outcomes of the NATO Leaders Summit held in Washington DC.  The discussion navigates through the latest trends in NATO defence spending, the need for greater budget transparency, and the pressing challenges the alliance faces. The episode highlights the importance of efficient defence spending, enhanced integration, and robust collaboration among NATO allies. Additionally, it covers the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the potential repercussions of the upcoming US elections on NATO’s cohesion and strategic insights into the alliance's future.  We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.      Date of Recording: 29 July 2024   The podcast is recorded and produced by the IISS.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Dr Bastian Giegerich, Veerle Nouwens, Dr Ben Schreer and Morgan Michaels to discuss the key themes and takeaways from the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue.  The episode delves into the proliferation of new partnership formats amidst the strategic competition between the US and China. The discussion also features analyses of the keynote speeches by President Marcos of the Philippines and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, exploring their perspectives on sovereignty and international norms. The speakers also discuss the concept of ASEAN centrality and regional frameworks, European engagement in the Indo-Pacific and the Myanmar conflict.  We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.    Date of Recording: 5 June 2024 The podcast is recorded and produced by the IISS.  We recommend the following background reading for this episode:      IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 | Transcripts and recordings: https://www.iiss.org/events/shangri-la-dialogue/shangri-la-dialogue-2024/  IISS Shangri-La Dialogue | Special Session 1 Deterrence and Reassurance in the Asia-Pacific: https://www.iiss.org/events/shangri-la-dialogue/shangri-la-dialogue-2024/special-sessions/special-session-1/  APRSA 2024 | Chapter 2: Middling and Muddling Through? Managing Asia-Pacific Crises: https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/asia-pacific-regional-security-assessment-2024/chapter-2/  IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 | Special Session 3: Myanmar: Opportunities for Diplomacy Amid Different Visions for Peace:  https://www.iiss.org/events/shangri-la-dialogue/shangri-la-dialogue-2024/special-sessions/special-session-3/  IISS Myanmar Conflict Map: https://myanmar.iiss.org/ APRSA 2024 | Chapter 4: Disparate Diplomacy: Managing the Post-coup Myanmar Conflict: https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/asia-pacific-regional-security-assessment-2024/chapter-4/ Myanmar policy at a crossroads: https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2024/05/myanmar-policy-at-a-crossroads/  IISS Prague Defence Summit: https://www.iiss.org/events/prague-defence-summit/prague-defence-summit-2024/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Evan A. Laksmana, Julia Voo, Nick Childs and Viraj Solanki to discuss the upcoming IISS Shangri-La Dialogue.This year's Dialogue comes after a turbulent year in the Indo-Pacific. US-China competition is ongoing and both countries continue to promote their competing offers to the Indo-Pacific region. Small and medium powers in the region remain committed to forging independent paths, while some have signed onto new security minilaterals. This year's keynote speech by the president of the Philippines is likely to touch on some of these issues. Beyond the maritime and air domains, countries are also facing increasing threats in cyberspace, with resilience being a key area in need of improvement across many societies.We recommend the following background reading for this episode:    IISS website: https://www.iiss.org/IISS Shangri-La Dialogie: https://www.iiss.org/events/shangri-la-dialogue/shangri-la-dialogue-2024/The Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2024: https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/Online Analysis by Julia Voo: https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2024/05/contested-connectivity-cyber-threats-in-the-asia-pacific/Online Analysis by Viraj Solanki: https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2024/04/indias-increased-defence-and-security-engagement-with-southeast-asia/Online Analysis by Evan A.Laksmana; https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2024/05/the-underwhelming-defence-ties-between-indonesia-and-china/ We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.   Date of Recording: 22 May 2024   The podcast is recorded and produced by the IISS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first Sounds Strategic episode of 2024, host Meia Nouwens is joined by Veerle Nouwens, Dr Evan A. Laksmana and Timothy Wright to discuss the Indo-Pacific security landscape. The IISS experts explore the developments in the US-China relationship, Southeast Asian military modernisation plans in response to growing Chinese assertiveness, and the impact of recent elections in the region. Meia, Veerle, Evan and Tim also discuss the development of long-range strike capabilities in the Indo-Pacific  and the drivers in the region. We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.   Date of Recording: 25 March 2024   We recommend the following background reading for this episode:    The Indo-Pacific Defence and Strategy programme: https://www.iiss.org/research/indo-pacific-defence-and-strategy/IISS research report: Long-range Strike Capabilities in the Asia-Pacific: Implications for Regional Stability, https://www.iiss.org/research-paper/2024/01/long-range-strike-capabilities-in-the--asia-pacific-implications-for-regional-stability/The Missile Dialogue Initiative: https://www.iiss.org/research/defence-and-military-analysis/missile-dialogue-initiative/For more information, please visit https://www.iiss.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The IISS celebrated the 20th anniversary of its IISS Shangri-La Dialogue on 2-4 June and underlined the prime importance of in-person defence diplomacy in the region and beyond.   In this episode of Sounds Strategic, guest host James Crabtree, Executive Director, IISS–Asia, is joined by IISS experts Dr Bastian Giegerich, Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Dr Evan A. Laksmana and Veerle Nouwens to share their reflections and key takeaways. Guest host and speakers:  James Crabtree, Executive Director, IISS–Asia | Twitter: @jamescrabtree Dr Bastian Giegerich, Director of Defence and Military Analysis  Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia | Twitter: @Nigelgd1Dr Evan A. Laksmana, Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia Military Modernisation, IISS-Asia | Twitter: @EvanLaksmanaVeerle Nouwens, Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Indo-Pacific Defence and Strategy | Twitter: @VeerleNouwensFurther reading:   IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023: IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 - Asia's premier defence summit  We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.       Date of recording: 6 June 2023   Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At a time of ever-greater focus on the geopolitical and security dynamics of the Asia-Pacific, the importance of in-person debate among the region’s key actors is greater than ever. In the latest episode of Sounds Strategic, host Meia Nouwens is joined by James Crabtree, Dr Lynn Kuok, Aaron Connelly and Dr Ben Schreer to discuss the themes and topics at the upcoming IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, which will take place in Singapore on 2–4 June 2023. Asia’s premier security summit is a unique platform for debate, enabling government ministers and senior officials, as well as business leaders and security experts, to come together to share fresh perspectives on Asia’s developing security challenges. Our IISS experts in Singapore and Berlin address some of the key topics, including: US-China relations,major flashpoints such as Taiwan, the South China Sea and Myanmar,and the role of ASEAN, Europe and Australia. Host and speakers:   Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens  James Crabtree, Executive Director, IISS–Asia | Twitter: @jamescrabtree Dr Ben Schreer, Executive Director, IISS–Europe and Head, European Security and Defence Programme | Twitter: @BenSchreer Dr Lynn Kuok, Editor, Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment; Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow | Twitter: @LynnKuok Aaron Connelly, Senior Fellow for Southeast Asian Politics and Foreign Policy | Twitter: @ConnellyAL   Further reading:  IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 - Asia's premier defence summit The Adelphi Series: Australia’s Security in China’s Shadow  We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.      Date of recording: 24 March 2023      Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Sounds Strategic, Meia Nouwens is joined by to Euan Graham and Nick Childs to discuss Australia’s relationship with China, and what role AUKUS plays in Australia’s defence and alliance policy settings.   The speakers assess Australia’s policy towards China following a souring of bilateral relations and discuss what AUKUS aims to achieve in the shot and medium terms. They also touch on potential lessons for other countries of how to respond to economic and diplomatic coercive policies.  Host and speakers:  Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens  Dr Euan Graham, Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Indo-Pacific Defence and Strategy | Twitter: @graham_euan Nick Childs, Senior Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security | Twitter: @ChildsNJ   Further reading:  The Adelphi Series: Australia’s Security in China’s Shadow | Published on 21 March 2023   We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.    Date of recording: 24 March 2023     Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the world has witnessed unprecedented sanctions against Russia, and military and humanitarian support for Ukraine against a backdrop of ongoing military campaigns and loss of civilian life. In this new Sounds Strategic episode, host Meia Nouwens is joined by Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Maria Shagina and Franz Stefan-Gady to discuss geopolitical, economic and military takeaways from the past twelve months.Looking ahead, our experts will also share what to watch out for in 2023, and give their views on whether and end to the war this year is likely, from their respective angles of analysis. Host and speakers:   Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy;  Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Editor Strategic Survey & Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia;  Franz Stefan-Gady, Senior Fellow for Cyber Power and Future Conflict; Maria Shagina, Senior Fellow, Diamond-Brown Economic Sanctions, Standards and Strategy;   We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Date of recording: 14 February  Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two conflicts mark a new fault line in geopolitics. The West’s withdrawal from Afghanistan ended the two-decade ‘war on terror’. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine six months later began the first major European war since 1945 – reshaping security, driving innovation in economic statecraft and testing Russia’s cohesion. This podcast episode marks the launch of Strategic Survey 2022 with a discussion about the main themes and trends in geopolitics. Guest podcast host James Crabtree is joined by Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Editor Strategic Survey & Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia, Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy, and Emile Hokayem, Senior Fellow for Middle East Security. Topics discussed include:  Main themes and trends in geopolitics Russia’s war in Ukraine Middle East and North Africa Saudi Arabia’s changing foreign policy China’s military modernisation  Host and speakers:   James Crabtree, Executive Director, IISS–Asia | Twitter: @jamescrabtree | James Crabtree (iiss.org) Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Editor Strategic Survey & Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia | Twitter: @Nigelgd1 | Dr Nigel Gould-Davies (iiss.org) Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens | Meia Nouwens (iiss.org) Emile Hokayem, Senior Fellow for Middle East Security | Twitter: @emile_hokayem | Emile Hokayem (iiss.org) Find out more about Strategic Survey 2022:  Strategic Survey 2022: Editor's Introduction (iiss.org)  We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Date of recording: 6 December 2022  Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Geopolitical competition is an increasingly common feature of armed conflicts around the world. From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to competing regional influences in Yemen, regional contests in Mozambique and climate-change mitigation efforts across continents. This podcast episode marks the launch of The Armed Conflict Survey 2022 with a discussion about the global conflict landscape and the conflict trends and developments that have left a mark on this year’s report. Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by some of the team behind the annual flagship publication – Dr Irene Mia, Dr Benjamin Petrini, Juan Pablo Bickel and Erica Pepe.  Meia, Irene, Benjamin, Juan and Erica discuss some of the key topics explored in The Armed Conflict Survey 2022, including:  Recent developments in the global conflict landscape, including the global significance of the Russia–Ukraine war The nexus between climate change and conflict The re-emergence of protracted conflictThe political and military weaponisation of natural resources  The internationalisation of conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa The synthetic opioid issue that is causing troubles for policymakers in the Americas The IISS Armed Conflict Global Relevance Indicator Host and speakers:  Meia Nouwens, IISS Senior Fellow for China | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens | Meia Nouwens (iiss.org)  Dr Irene Mia, Editor, Armed Conflict Survey; Senior Fellow for Latin America, and Conflict, Security and Development | Twitter: @_IreneMia | Dr Irene Mia (iiss.org) Dr Benjamin Petrini, Research Fellow for Conflict, Security and Development | Twitter: @BenjaminPetrini | Dr Benjamin Petrini (iiss.org) Juan Pablo Medina Bickel, Research Analyst for Conflict, Security and Development, and Latin America | Twitter: @JP_Bickel | Juan Pablo Bickel (iiss.org) Erica Pepe, Senior Coordinator for Research; Research Analyst for Conflict, Security and Development | Twitter: @ericapepe7 | Erica Pepe (iiss.org)  We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Date of recording: 20 October 2022  Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sounds Strategic podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS expert Nigel Inkster, Senior Adviser for Cyber Security and China, to discuss the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which took place mid-October in Beijing. The event was widely anticipated to cement Xi Jinping's third term in power. Meia and Nigel discuss their reflections, including the following topics: Xi Jinping's leadership and the impact on the domestic political trajectory of the party  The social contract between the party and the Chinese population The vitality of the Chinese economy and the possible leveraging of the military  CCP and China on the world stage The impact on potential flashpoints such as Taiwan in the short term Speakers: Meia Nouwens, IISS Senior Fellow for Chinese Defence Policy and Military Modernisation | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens | Meia Nouwens (iiss.org) Nigel Inkster, Senior Adviser for Cyber Security and China | Nigel Inkster (iiss.org)   We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice.  Date of Recording: 2 November 2022  Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. For more information visit The International Institute for Strategic Studies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taiwan has been at the forefront of geopolitical concern in Asia and beyond, following Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei and the string of military exercises conducted by China in early August. Podcast guest host James Crabtree is joined by IISS experts Meia Nouwens, Franz-Stefan Gady and Henry Boyd to discuss the recent developments.   Topics the speakers address in this episode: Taiwan’s political leadership People’s Liberation Army’s military exercises around Taiwan Development of capability design and cognitive advantage  Potential lessons from Ukraine Impact of disinformation and public perception Emerging technological capabilities   Guest host: James Crabtree, Executive Director, IISS–Asia | Twitter: @jamescrabtree | James Crabtree (iiss.org) Meia Nouwens, IISS Senior Fellow for Chinese Defence Policy and Military Modernisation | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens | Meia Nouwens (iiss.org)  Franz-Stefan Gady, Senior Fellow for Cyber Power and Future Conflict | Twitter: @HoansSolo | Franz-Stefan Gady (iiss.org)  Henry Boyd, Research Fellow for Defence and Military Analysis | Henry Boyd (iiss.org)   We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on the podcast platform of your choice. Date of Recording: 28 September 2022 Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the world has witnessed unprecedented sanctions against Russia, and military and humanitarian support for Ukraine against a backdrop of ongoing military campaigns and loss of civilian life. In this episode of Sounds Strategic, host Meia Nouwens is joined by four IISS experts to discuss the past six months, and what’s next in terms of military operations, political strategies and economic sanctions. Meia Nouwens and IISS experts Dr Maria Shagina, Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Franz-Stefan Gady and Henry Boyd discuss:   The state of Russian and Ukrainian armed forces The impact of sanctions on the civilian and military sectors in Russia Eastern Europe and the role of Turkey Military aid the next six months  Host and speakers:Meia Nouwens, IISS Senior Fellow for Chinese Defence Policy and Military Modernisation | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens | Meia Nouwens (iiss.org)  Dr Maria Shagina, Diamond-Brown Research Fellow for Economic Sanctions, Standards and Strategy | Twitter: @maria_shagina | Maria Shagina (iiss.org) Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Editor, Strategic Survey; Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia | Twitter: @Nigelgd1 | Dr Nigel Gould-Davies (iiss.org) Franz-Stefan Gady, Senior Fellow for Cyber, Space and Future Conflict | Twitter: @HoansSolo | Franz-Stefan Gady (iiss.org) Henry Boyd, Research Fellow for Defence and Military Analysis | Henry Boyd (iiss.org)  We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.  Date of recording: 23 August 2022  Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NATO held its Madrid summit on 28-30 June 2022 against the backdrop of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the signing of an accession protocol for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance. Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts to discuss the adoption of the new Strategic Concept, its ambitions and challenges.   Meia Nouwens and IISS experts Dr Bastian Giegerich, William Alberque, Dr Simona Soare and Fenella McGerty discuss:   NATO's conventional force and tasks NATO’s nuclear posture and arms control NATO’s defence spending ambitions NATO’s innovation efforts  Host and speakers: Meia Nouwens, IISS Senior Fellow for Chinese Defence Policy and Military Modernisation | Twitter: @MeiaNouwens | Meia Nouwens (iiss.org) Dr Bastian Giegerich, Director of Defence and Military Analysis | Dr Bastian Giegerich (iiss.org) William Alberque, Director of Strategy, Technology, and Arms Control | Twitter: @walberque | William Alberque (iiss.org) Fenella McGerty, Senior Fellow for Defence Economics | Twitter: @FMcGerty | Fenella McGerty (iiss.org) Dr Simona Soare, Research Fellow for Defence and Military Analysis | Twitter: @Simona_Soare | Simona Soare (iiss.org)   We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.  Date of recording: 12 July 2022  Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The IISS Shangri-La Dialogue was back with a bang earlier this month and underlined the prime importance of in-person defence diplomacy. In the second part of our reflections, guest host James Crabtree is joined by IISS colleagues Dr Lynn Kuok, Dr Euan Graham and Aaron Connelly to discuss Asia’s premium defence summit and what stood out for them.   Topics include:  First plenary speech by Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense, US US-China relations and Taiwan Australia, Pacific Islands and AUKUS European contribution to the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue with France and the Netherlands Southeast Asia and the armed conflict in Myanmar Guest host:  James Crabtree | @jamescrabtree | James Crabtree (iiss.org)    Speakers:   Dr Lynn Kuok, Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Security Editor, Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment | @LynnKuok | Lynn Kuok (iiss.org) Dr Euan Graham, Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Security | @graham_euan | Dr Euan Graham (iiss.org) Aaron Connelly, Senior Fellow for Southeast Asian Politics and Foreign Policy | @ConnellyAL | Aaron Connelly (iiss.org)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The IISS Shangri-La Dialogue was back with a bang earlier this month and underlined the prime importance of in-person defence diplomacy. For the first time a crisis in Europe loomed large over Asia’s premier security summit, which took place in Singapore on 10-12 June 2022.   Guest host James Crabtree is joined by IISS colleagues William Alberque, Nigel Gould-Davies, Meia Nouwens and Yuka Koshino to share their expert opinions.    Topics include: US-China relations and great-power competition Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the impact on Asia Keynote Address by Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his administration’s response to the war in Ukraine Arms control and non-proliferation Taiwan   Guest host: James Crabtree | @jamescrabtree | James Crabtree (iiss.org)  Speakers:    William Alberque, Director of Strategy, Technology, and Arms Control | @walberqueNigel Gould-Davies, Editor, Strategic Survey; Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia | @Nigelgd1 Meia Nouwens, IISS Senior Fellow for Chinese Defence Policy and Military Modernisation | @MeiaNouwens Yuka Koshino, Research Fellow for Security and Technology Policy | @YukaKoshino  We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.  Date of recording: 22 June 2022  Shangri-La Dialogue 2022 transcripts and recorded sessions are available here: IISS Shangri-La Dialogue - Asia's premier defence summit  Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.