Martin Zubko

Dear colleagues,
I'm looking for quality resources (books, articles, institutes, or special websites) on Northeast Asian geopolitics, energy security, and institutionalism. Any tips? [comment or send me a message]

So much to learn from Huss Banai about the US foreign policy, a long episode, but the chapters help.

It's difficult to create accurate rankings for a particular year since many publications and research outcomes might take two or more years to complete. We teach students not to generalise, yet we're generalising ourselves.

It's fascinating how many universities claim to be in the top 10 or best 100 in the world, but they don't specify in which discipline. I think this is unfair to prospective students because it creates an illusion.

YouTube video by IR thinker The Zones of Peace Concept - Arie M. Kacowicz | 2025 Episode 11

The Zones of Peace Concept – Arie M. Kacowicz | 2025 Ep. 11

Why do some regions achieve lasting peace while others remain trapped in cycles of conflict? Professor Arie M. Kacowicz, a leading expert on the Zone of Peace concept, elaborates in detail.

youtu.be/tViSPxS7IuE

YouTube video by IR thinker Rebuilding Syria - Joseph Daher | 2025 Episode 10

Rebuilding Syria - Joseph Daher | 2025 Episode 10

Tune in for an engaging discussion with Dr. Joseph Daher as we explore the future of post-Assad Syria. We’ll cover the war economy’s impact, the whereabouts of Assad’s inner circle, and the current state of Syria’s economy.

youtu.be/s-pvI2JWV8M

YouTube video by IR thinker Good Governance in Africa - Gilbert A. Ang'ana | 2025 Episode 9

Good Governance in Africa - Gilbert A. Ang'ana | 2025 Episode 9

Dr. Gilbert A. Ang’ana explores the multifaceted challenges and opportunities surrounding governance in Africa, touching on everything from institutional weaknesses to the impact of digitalisation.

youtu.be/OxJsCH3Usps

YouTube video by IR thinker Kazakhstan's First Nuclear Plant - Eldaniz Gusseinov | 2025 Episode 8

Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Plant – Eldaniz Gusseinov | 2025 Ep. 8

In this expert interview, Eldaniz Gusseinov explores public opinion, uranium production, civil society’s role, and the geopolitical stakes of potential contracts with Russia, China, France, and South Korea.

youtu.be/55Z_HRTxkVs

YouTube video by IR thinker Russia Africa Relations - Steven Gruzd | 2025 Episode 7

Russia Africa Relations - Steven Gruzd | 2025 Episode 7

From Wagner Group and weapon deals to energy ventures and BRICS diplomacy, Steven Gruzd breaks down the symbols, strategies, and limits of Russia’s Africa playbook.

#RussiaAfrica #BRICS

youtu.be/i3HKs7OuyJE

YouTube video by IR thinker Japan's Decarbonisation Strategy - Walter James | 2025 Episode 6

Japan's Decarbonisation Strategy - Walter James | 2025 Episode 6

Can Japan really hit net-zero by 2050?

Dr. Walter James dissects Japan’s decarbonisation strategy — from LNG diplomacy & hydrogen ambitions to nuclear restarts & renewables gridlock.

#JapanEnergy #NetZero2050

youtu.be/sSBsT0p4ViA

YouTube video by IR thinker EU's Soft Balancing Governance - Anders Wivel | 2025 Episode 5

EU's Soft Balancing Governance - Anders Wivel | 2025 Episode 5

Prof. Anders Wivel @anderswivel.bsky.social explores the EU’s soft balancing model — showing how diplomacy, institutions, & adaptability allow influence without confrontation.

youtu.be/LYf74kOLjJg

YouTube video by IR thinker Norms and Autonomous Weapons Systems - Ingvild Bode | 2025 Episode 4

Norms and Autonomous Weapons Systems - Ingvild Bode | 2025 Episode 4

How do autonomous weapons challenge global norms?

Prof. Ingvild Bode @profbode.bsky.social unpacks insights from the AutoNorms project, how AI & military tech reshape ethics & diplomacy.

#AutonomousWeapons
youtu.be/SUlwrQ-ZnCs

YouTube video by IR thinker Research Methods & Shifts - Christopher Lamont | 2025 Episode 3

Research Methods & Shifts - Christopher Lamont | 2025 Episode 3

How are research methods in IR evolving in the digital age?

Prof. Christopher Lamont breaks down AI, interdisciplinarity, mixed methods & digital ethics.

#ResearchMethods

youtu.be/7wnXKsauBk4

YouTube video by IR thinker Global Quest for Critical Minerals - Vlado Vivoda | 2025 Episode 2

Global Quest for Critical Minerals - Vlado Vivoda | 2025 Episode 2

Dr Vlado Vivoda unpacks the geopolitics of lithium, cobalt, rare earths & more. From US-China competition to ESG risks, supply chains, conflict, and the Global South.

#CriticalMinerals

youtu.be/A_K3S_giLXI

YouTube video by IR thinker Illusion of Hegemony - Christopher Mott | 2025 Episode 1

Illusion of Hegemony - Christopher Mott | 2025 Episode 1

Is global hegemony fading—or just changing shape?

Dr. Christopher Mott explores the future of world order: US decline, China's rise, and the new power roles of middle states.

#InternationalRelations #Hegemony

youtu.be/EOeCzKF_KPQ

YouTube video by IR thinker Virtue Eudaimonism: Ancient Wisdom for International Relations - Mark LeBar | 2024 Episode 37

Virtue Eudaimonism: Ancient Wisdom for International Relations - Mark LeBar | 2024 Episode 37

Philosopher Mark LeBar explores how eudaimonism—the pursuit of flourishing—can illuminate today's toughest ethical and political challenges.

#Ethics #VirtueEthics
youtu.be/yuPbrzm4PG0

YouTube video by IR thinker Japan's Political Uncertainty & International Relations - Bill Emmott | 2024 Episode 36

Japan's Political Uncertainty & International Relations - Bill Emmott | 2024 Episode 36

Bill Emmott @billemmott.bsky.social explains Japan's political uncertainty & global role—from the LDP's dominance to Article 9, nuclear policy, & the Indo-Pacific.

#JapanPolitics

youtu.be/CbRMNutEjVU

YouTube video by IR thinker Business Negotiations in International Relations - William W. Baber | 2024 Episode 35

Business Negotiations in International Relations - William W. Baber | 2024 Episode 35

Can corporations act as diplomats?
Prof. Will Baber (Kyoto University) breaks down how companies shape foreign policy, trade deals & global rules.

#CorporatePower #TradeNegotiations

youtu.be/nprRvdH2qtc

YouTube video by IR thinker Germany & Emerging Powers - Tomasz Morozowski | 2024 Episode 34

Germany & Emerging Powers - Tomasz Morozowski | 2024 Episode 34

Is Germany ready for a multipolar world?
Dr Tomasz Morozowski decodes Berlin’s evolving foreign policy toward emerging powers 🌍

#GermanyForeignPolicy

youtu.be/WnDvelJ2f7k

YouTube video by IR thinker Space Governance: Law and Power - Adam Bower | 2024 Episode 33

Space Governance: Law and Power - Adam Bower | 2024 Episode 33

Who governs the final frontier?
Dr Adam Bower explains the geopolitics of space governance:
🌍 Defining ‘outer space’
📜 Treaty gaps & private actors
🛰 NATO satellites & multipolar power plays

#SpaceGovernance

youtu.be/j2iGrhbCMYE

YouTube video by IR thinker Russian and Ukrainian Nationalism - Fabian Baumann | 2024 Episode 32

Russian and Ukrainian Nationalism - Fabian Baumann | 2024 Episode 32

In this episode, Dr. Fabian Baumann @fabianbaumann.bsky.social unpacks Dynasty Divided, tracing how one family split across Russian and Ukrainian nationalism.

#Nationalism #Ukraine #Russia

youtu.be/fj3cgLiTMcA

YouTube video by IR thinker Energy Governance & Global South - Narendra Taneja | 2024 Episode 31

Energy Governance & Global South - Narendra Taneja | 2024 Episode 31

In this powerful episode, Narendra Taneja critiques IEA, OPEC & IRENA—and calls for a new framework to tackle energy poverty, climate justice & geopolitics.

#EnergyPolitics #GlobalSouth

youtu.be/mcwxu8oA32s

YouTube video by IR thinker European Union Failures in Afghanistan - Oz Hassan | 2024 Episode 30

European Union Failures in Afghanistan - Oz Hassan | 2024 Episode 30

Dr Oz Hassan dissects the EU’s mission in post-9/11 Afghanistan—from the failures of the 'Bonn Agreement' to the pitfalls of democratisation without security.

#Afghanistan #EuropeanUnion #SecurityStudies

youtu.be/71CnhO5POBw

YouTube video by IR thinker North Korea Security & Geopolitics - Yangmo Ku | 2024 Episode 29

North Korea Security & Geopolitics - Yangmo Ku | 2024 Episode 29

Prof. Yangmo Ku unpacks inter-Korean tensions, arms build-ups, and global power dynamics. We explore Russia-DPRK ties, ASEAN, NATO’s Indo-Pacific role, and the China factor.

#KoreanPeninsula #NorthKorea

youtu.be/v-sCYr92jhg

YouTube video by IR thinker India - Japan Relations - Srabani Roy Choundhury | 2024 Episode 28

India - Japan Relations - Srabani Roy Choundhury | 2024 Episode 28

From SAGAR to supply chains, Dr. Srabani Roy Choudhury unpacks the evolving strategic, defence, and economic ties shaping India-Japan relations.

#IndoPacific #IndiaJapan #FOIP #SAGAR

youtu.be/8gtqnhSj6Rc

YouTube video by IR thinker Australia - China Relations - Philipp Ivanov | 2024 Episode 27

Australia - China Relations - Philipp Ivanov | 2024 Episode 27

China expert Philipp Ivanov @philippivanov.bsky.social breaks down Australia’s strategic recalibration—from AUKUS and the QUAD to trade, energy, and education ties.

#Australia #China #IndoPacific

youtu.be/qZtjLWEcg1c

YouTube video by IR thinker Meritocratic Democracy: Confucian and Western Political Theory - Elena Ziliotti | 2024 Episode 26

Meritocratic Democracy: Confucian and Western Political Theory - Elena Ziliotti | 2024 Episode 26

Dr Elena Ziliotti explores Confucian and Western perspectives on public leadership and the challenges of political meritocracy.

#Meritocracy #PoliticalTheory #Confucianism

youtu.be/sMT2b1weBKE

YouTube video by IR thinker Kurdish Relations with the World - Marianna Charountaki | 2024 Episode 25

Kurdish Relations with the World - Marianna Charountaki | 2024 Episode 25

Dr Marianna Charountaki explores the KRG after the U.S. invasion, Türkiye’s evolving policy, the 2017 referendum, and Kurdish aspirations across Iraq and Syria.

#KurdishPolitics #KRG #MiddleEast #PKK

youtu.be/rH_LXA90M8A

YouTube video by IR thinker Romania & Black Sea Energy Security - Roxana Caliminte | 2024 Episode 24

Romania & Black Sea Energy Security - Roxana Caliminte | 2024 Episode 24

Energy expert Roxana Caliminte explores Romania’s strategic energy role, regional partnerships, and the tension between economic gain and environmental protection.

#EnergySecurity #BlackSea

youtu.be/0Nz6ZDXzY0g

YouTube video by IR thinker Arms Control - Andrew Reddie | 2024 Episode 23

Arms Control - Andrew Reddie | 2024 Episode 23

What’s the future of arms control in an age of AI and emerging tech?

Dr Andrew Reddie @areddie.bsky.social unpacks the evolution of arms control, global treaty challenges, and new-tech demands.

#ArmsControl #NuclearPolicy

youtu.be/27jhNYoxvjc