Best IIEA Podcasts (2025)

1
If Russia Wins 1:06:54

Play Pause

8d ago1:06:54

1:06:54

The European Security Architecture finds itself at a crossroads. After decades of reduced military spending in Europe, Russia’s war against Ukraine has reminded the rest of Europe of the relevance of its own security and defence capabilities which have long been considered to be obsolete, or taken for granted by the United States. But what if Russi…

1
Young Professionals Network: The IIEA Looks to 2026 1:11:56

8d ago1:11:56

1:11:56

As 2025 draws to a close, the IIEA’s Research Team looks to 2026, and Ireland’s EU Presidency. Barry Colfer and Cian FitzGerald discuss Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. They discuss EU competitiveness, and how Ireland can contribute to Europe’s economic prosperity. Moreover, against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine,…

1
After the Snap: Germany’s New Political Reality 31:05

8d ago31:05

31:05

In his address to the IIEA, Derek Scally reflects on the German federal election of February 2025 and what it reveals about the shifting political landscape in Germany. Following the collapse of the Scholz government, the election delivered major gains for both the CDU/CSU and the far-right AfD, alongside historic losses for the former governing pa…

1
Strategic Foresight Systems: What Policymakers Can Learn from Finland 39:33

8d ago39:33

39:33

In this latest webinar in our series on Finland's Future’s Ecosystem, the panel takes an analytical approach to the ecosystem. They will give a critical assessment of the Finnish model and compare it with other international approaches, especially Ireland’s.This webinar is the final event in a series that began with an address from Finland’s Minist…

1
Shashank Joshi - 9th of December 2025 44:21

17d ago44:21

44:21

'Is Europe Ready for War?'The Russian President has recently said he is ready for war with Europe. Is Europe ready for war with Russia? In this edition of IIEA Insights, The Economist’s Defence Editor Shashank Joshi, will assess the progress democratic Europe has made in deterring attack since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, wh…

1
Palestine and Protection of Human Rights: The Role of the International Community now 1:00:18

19d ago1:00:18

1:00:18

The situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory is starker than ever with famine, genocide, and entrenchment of an illegal occupation. In their address to the IIEA, Dr Ammar Dwaik and Diana Buttu contend that the destruction of Gaza and the ongoing expansion of settlements is erasing prospects for a two-state solution and violating the most fun…

1
Key Outcomes from COP 30 29:34

25d ago29:34

29:34

The annual UN climate summit, known as the COP, recently took place in Belém, Brazil, on the edge of the Amazon rainforest. The COP30 talks took place at a time of increasingly fraught geopolitical relations – with the US absent. This resulted in a set of negotiating dynamics and multi-layered COP outcomes that were even more complex than usual.In …

1
Europe’s Next Phase of Growth: Integration, Innovation, and the Digital Economy 31:25

27d ago31:25

31:25

In his role as Minister of Economy and Finance of Greece, Kyriakos Pierrakakis has regularly called for the implementation of recommendations from the Draghi report in order for Europe to become further integrated and unlock the continent’s next phase of growth. In this fireside chat at the IIEA, Minister Pierrakakis discusses what the EU needs to …

1
Creating a European Investment Culture 45:52

28d ago45:52

45:52

The European Commission’s publication of their recommendation on “Increasing the Availability of Savings and Investment Accounts with Simplified and Advantageous Tax Treatment” on September 30th marks an important milestone on the EU Savings and Investment Union journey. As a leading European funds and asset management centre, Ireland has a key rol…

1
Thomas Wright - 26th of November 2025 31:23

1M ago31:23

31:23

'Ireland-US Relations in Crisis?'The return of Donald Trump to the US presidency in January 2025 marked a dramatic change in America’s posture towards allies and adversaries alike. For Ireland, this has manifested in the unilateral imposition of tariffs, criticism of the scale of U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing taking place in Ireland, and the fi…

1
The Future of Transport: Powering Ireland’s e-Mobility Transition 1:13:38

1M ago1:13:38

1:13:38

As Ireland advances towards its 2030 and 2050 climate goals, transforming how people and goods move will be essential. The final event in the 2025 ESB REthink Energy series explores the future of transport and the growing role of electric mobility in achieving a cleaner, smarter, and more connected system. The discussion examines the evolution of b…

1
Opportunities in Orbit: The Role of Space in Ireland's National Security and Space 1:20:06

1M ago1:20:06

1:20:06

Space assets are increasingly important for national prosperity and resilience. This panel discussion highlights the role of space in supporting communications, transport, financial transactions, and other critical services necessary for daily life. This panel, drawing on practitioners and policy experts, also discusses space and other policy frame…

1
Ireland’s EU Presidency: Perspectives from Minister Thomas Byrne 26:36

1M ago26:36

26:36

The fourth podcast in the 2025 F.E. podcast series was an interview with Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs and Minister of State for Defence, by Barry Colfer, Director of Research at the IIEA in Dublin. The podcast is part of the Future-proofing Europe Project which is kindly funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs.The theme …

1
Enlargement and Strategic Autonomy under Cyprus’ EU Presidency 1:00:44

1M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

In her speech, Minister Raouna acknowledges that enlargement has long been one of the EU’s most powerful transformative tools, and a driving force for reforms, progress, security, and prosperity. She discusses how the EU is navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. She also…

1
The UK in a Changing World 24:33

1M ago24:33

24:33

The UK is confronting a series of interlinked challenges - domestic, international, political and economic. This lecture by UK in a Changing Europe Director Anand Menon will explain what these are and how they interact.Speaker bio:Anand Menon is Director of the UK in a Changing Europe and Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s…

1
Central Banking, Policy Implementation, and Balance Sheets 17:40

2M ago17:40

17:40

Since the Global Financial Crisis, central banks have made significant changes to their monetary policy operating frameworks. Notably, the Federal Reserve and other central banks have expanded their balance sheets, altered their reserves regimes, and adopted new tools to set their policy rates. President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San F…

1
Clean Power by 2030: The UK’s Path to Energy Security and Net Zero 1:12:19

2M ago1:12:19

1:12:19

The United Kingdom has set an ambitious target to achieve a decarbonised power system by 2030 as part of its broader Net Zero commitment. Delivering on this goal is central to strengthening energy security, enhancing resilience, and ensuring affordable, clean power for households and industry. In his address to the IIEA, Chris Stark, Head of the UK…

1
Peacemaking and the Future of the United Nations 23:27

2M ago23:27

23:27

In his remarks to the IIEA, Thant Myint-U reflects upon the future of world peace and the United Nations. Through the lens of his new book Peacemaker: U Thant, the United Nations, and the Untold Story of the 1960’s, Thant Myint-U explores safeguarding global peace, preventing great power war, and reimagine the United Nations. In his book, Thant Myi…

1
Data and AI: How to Govern for Results in the Information Age 19:01

2M ago19:01

19:01

A Keynote address by Martin O'MalleyAbout the Speaker:Martin O’Malley is a former Mayor of Baltimore and a former Governor of Maryland. Most recently, he served as President Biden’s Commissioner of Social Security. He is also a Patron of the Killarney Global Economic Summit 2026.As a public servant and top executive, Martin O’Malley has pioneered a…

1
The Effectiveness of EU Military Missions and Operations 12:39

2M ago12:39

12:39

In his remarks, the Director General of the EU Military Staff (DG EUMS) will underline the need for a more strategic, coherent, and adequately resourced Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). He will stress that EU military missions and operations are effective only when guided by a shared political vision among all twenty-seven Member States a…

1
Beyond Borders: The European Green Deal and Implications for the Global South 26:23

2M ago26:23

26:23

In an online address to the Institute, Dr Joana Portugal Pereira considers the environmental and social complexities of the EU's Green Deal beyond the EU's borders. She explores how the EU's Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Strategy may have adverse consequences on third countries, such as Brazil, should the EU rely on them for land-based carbon offset…

1
Pete Shirlow and Lee Reynolds: Promoting the Union 54:22

2M ago54:22

54:22

This talk explores the future of unionism in Northern Ireland, examining both the opportunities and challenges facing those who wish to remain part of the United Kingdom. Drawing on polling data, historical context, and political strategy, Professor Pete Shirlow and Lee Reynolds highlight the shifting identities beyond the traditional unionist–nati…

1
A YPN with Tony Connelly, Europe Editor at RTE 1:07:47

2M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

A fireside chat with Tony Connelly.About the speaker:Tony Connelly is RTE’s Europe Editor, covering European affairs since 2001. He has reported extensively from Ukraine on the Russian invasion, and on the Middle East conflict. Tony was awarded an honorary doctorate for services to journalism by the University of Galway, is the recipient of two ESB…

1
Reclaiming Europe’s Promise: The Quality Jobs Agenda and the Next Social Contract 23:30

2M ago23:30

23:30

Europe stands at a turning point. In her address to the IIEA, Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the ETUC, argues that Europe’s competitiveness renewal lies not in deregulation and decline, but in combining investment and social justice. The next Social Contract needs to deliver a Quality Jobs Agenda to boost collective bargaining, drive fair trans…

1
Finland’s Futures Ecosystem 38:29

2M ago38:29

38:29

In this IIEA webinar, the panel takes a deep dive into Finland’s Futures Ecosystem — a unique network of public institutions, research bodies, civil society, and private sector actors working together to shape long-term thinking and strategic foresight. This panel provides an overview of the key components, actors, and processes that drive futures …

1
Denmark’s Green Tripartite Agreement: A New Model for Ireland's Agriculture and Climate Policy? 1:30:40

2M ago1:30:40

1:30:40

In 2024, Denmark reached a landmark Green Tripartite Agreement, introducing the world’s first agricultural climate tax as part of a comprehensive package of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, restore nature, improve biodiversity, and tackle nitrogen pollution. This pioneering policy framework is poised to transform Danish agriculture and …

1
Full Circle: from Partition to a Re-Imagined Ireland? 25:19

2M ago25:19

25:19

According to journalist and author Philip Stephens, for David Lloyd George the Partition of Ireland was a means to an end, an escape route from the Irish question in British politics, and a war against Irish Republicanism that Britain could not win. He argues that for Michael Collins the Free State was a first steppingstone to a united, independent…

1
Reimagining Democracy: Participatory Democracy and the Future of Democratic Innovation 1:12:04

2M ago1:12:04

1:12:04

Amid democratic backsliding, civic disillusionment, and growing threats to democratic values, driven by authoritarianism, polarisation, and disinformation, there is now an urgent case to promote democratic resilience and renewal. In this event an expert panel discusses alternative approaches to democracy, including direct democracy, deliberative de…

1
Peace in Times of War: Ideas for Supportive Peace Policy 27:40

2M ago27:40

27:40

The world is becoming less peaceful and concerns about the future of peace as a focus or area of policy and practice seem warranted. Based on 156 interviews conducted over 7 years, Professor Millar’s presentation describes the various challenges (structural, financial, and practical) that practitioners in particular identify as limiting their abili…

1
What Role for Regions in the EU’s Growth Model? 56:25

2M ago56:25

56:25

In her speech to the IIEA, Kata Tüttő, President of the European Commission of the Regions, addresses the European Commission’s proposal for the next EU budget (2028-2034). She argues that the proposals represent an unprecedented attempt to centralise and nationalise EU policies, weakening the role of regions and cities in the European project. Whi…

1
Barry Lunn and Juan Mejino-López - 16th of October 2025 34:44

2M ago34:44

34:44

'European defence: economics and business perspectives'Europe is rearming. The changed perception of the threat posed by Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has led to increases in defence spending in most countries and commitments by Nato members to make further substantial increases in the future. To understand the economic an…

1
Hot Wars, Hot Planet: Climate Change and Security in a Competitive World 17:17

3M ago17:17

17:17

In her address to the IIEA, Erin Sikorsky discusses the pathways through which climate change is shaping instability and conflict globally. Her remarks reflect upon how extreme weather, slow-onset hazards, and responses to climate change intersect with geopolitical competition, hybrid warfare, and other foreign and security policy trends.About the …

1
The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics 21:48

3M ago21:48

21:48

Following the end of the Cold War, the world experienced a remarkable wave of democratization. Over the next two decades, numerous authoritarian regimes transitioned to democracies, and it seemed that authoritarianism as a political model was fading. But as recent events have shown, things have clearly changed. Based on their new book Dictating the…

1
Challenging Climate Myths: Science, Media, and Public Trust 1:01:20

3M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

This webinar features a keynote address by Professor Emily Shuckburgh, Director of Cambridge Zero, followed by a fireside chat with Dr Eileen Culloty, Deputy Director, DCU Institute for Media, Democracy, and Society. Together, they will discuss the persistence of climate change myths, the role of the media in shaping public understanding, and how f…

1
The Role of Sustainable Hydropower within the Energy Transition 26:21

3M ago26:21

26:21

According to Eddie Rish, CEO of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) sustainable hydropower is the ignored giant of renewable energy. Mr Rish provides an overview as to how it plays a pivotal role in enabling the global energy transition by providing secure, reliable, low-carbon electricity and flexible storage. This webinar explores how …

1
The Geopolitics of the Middle East: A Region Under Reconfiguration 31:44

3M ago31:44

31:44

By IIEA

1
The Role of the Private Sector in Warfare 26:11

3M ago26:11

26:11

By IIEA

1
Addressing the Mental Health Implications of Digital Life 29:56

3M ago29:56

29:56

In this event Dr Ravi Iyer discusses how many people’s lives are increasingly being lived online, with significant implications for mental health. Dr Iyer discusses how many users encounter unwanted or disturbing content and experiences and how many people use digital services excessively with sometimes negative results for their well-being. Dr Iye…

1
Ilan Goldenberg and Eugene Kontorovich - 24th of September 2025 46:25

3M ago46:25

46:25

'How Might the US React to the Occupied Territories Bill Becoming Law?'Over the Summer many US politicians have been increasingly critical of Ireland’s moves to pass the Occupied Territories bill into law with many calling for Ireland to face sanction if it does so. To discuss the implications of these developments and what measures the US might ta…

1
Protecting Critical Offshore Infrastructure from Hybrid Threats 1:18:10

3M ago1:18:10

1:18:10

In recent years, increased attention is being paid to the importance of protecting offshore infrastructure from threats. Offshore energy and communications infrastructure, such as wind farms and subsea cables, are increasingly being viewed as targets by hybrid threat actors. Incidents such as the damage to the Balticconnector cable and Nordstream p…

1
A Brave New World of Tariffs: Trade Policies in a New Era 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

We have seen the turmoil and chaos that the Trump Administration’s tariffs have caused over recent weeks and months. Since President Trump’s trade announcements, countries have been rushing to make new trade agreements, find new markets for their exports, as well as prepare for possible trade wars. In her address to the IIEA, Cecilia Malmström disc…

1
Securing Ireland’s Competitiveness Through Digital Infrastructure 1:05:18

3M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Digital infrastructure and high-speed connectivity are the backbones of Ireland’s digital economy – they are fundamental for innovation, economic competitiveness, and the wellbeing of Ireland’s population. As demand for digital services continues to surge, Ireland’s infrastructure faces increasing pressure. This event brings together an expert pane…

1
Developing a Life Sciences Vision for Ireland: The EU Agenda 1:20:54

3M ago1:20:54

1:20:54

Developing a Life Sciences Vision for Ireland: The EU Agenda examines how Ireland can position its national life sciences strategy in the context of the European Commission’s 2025 Strategy for European Life Sciences and other new EU initiatives. Drawing on national and EU-level experience, panellists discuss key developments in EU life sciences pol…

1
Finland’s Futures Ecosystem in a European Context 59:53

3M ago59:53

59:53

In his address to the IIEA on Finland's Futures Ecosystem in a European context, Minister Joakim Strand draws on tools of strategic foresight to elicit Finland's vision for future-proofing Europe and increasing its presence in the EU Institutions. He highlights Finland’s EU strategic policy objectives of strengthening Europe's democracy; boosting i…

1
Human Rights: Healing Our Fractured World 1:09:07

4M ago1:09:07

1:09:07

In his keynote address to the Institute, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, addresses the disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law across the globe. Amid escalating conflict, deepening inequalities, and growing divisions, High Commissioner Türk speaks about how we need more human rights – not less. Human rights…

1
Monetary Policy and Democracy 24:51

4M ago24:51

24:51

According to Dr Leah Rose Ely Downey, the power to create money is foundational to the state. In the United States, that power has been largely delegated to private banks governed by an independent central bank. Putting monetary policy in the hands of a set of insulated, non-elected experts has fuelled the popular rejection of expertise, as well as…

1
Progress on the Road to EU Accession: A Montenegrin Perspective 56:03

4M ago56:03

56:03

As Ireland prepares for its EU Presidency in the second half of 2026, this keynote speech by Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović addresses the key topic of EU Enlargement. Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović presents Montenegro’s journey as the frontrunner in the European Union accession process, emphasising the country’s achievements, its enduring challenge…

1
The State of the European Union 2025 1:08:19

4M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her 2025 State of the Union Address, outlining the EU’s priorities for the year ahead. While the speech is a closely-guarded secret, it may cover issues such as enhancing Europe’s competitiveness, strengthening the EU’s security and defence capacity, building win-win trade partnerships, th…

1
Economic Opportunities in the Context of Constitutional Change 11:24

4M ago11:24

11:24

In her keynote address to the IIEA, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland, discusses economic opportunities for Northern Ireland in the context of constitutional change and her priorities in her current role.Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA was appointed Minister for the Economy in the Northern Ireland Executive in February…

1
Türkiye and Europe at a Strategic Crossroads: Towards a Common Future 22:28

4M ago22:28

22:28

In an era of profound geopolitical upheaval and sharpening rivalries, this session will examine the critical juncture at which Türkiye and Europe stand. In his address to the IIEA, His Excellency Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, will set out Türkiye’s vision for a reinvigorated strategic partnership with the Euro…