The Second Cold War Observatory

The Second Cold War Observatory

episodes

Welcome to The Second Cold War Observatory, where we explore the histories and grounded realities of geopolitical rivalry from the Cold War to the present. We host conversations with academics, policymakers, and activists about how competition affects places, people, and politics around the world to foster more nuanced and open debate on contemporary rivalry. We cover diverse themes from the environment to digital connectivity and finance. Our guests present in-depth research from the institutions and places that become flashpoints of great power rivalry.

This podcast is produced by Jessica DiCarlo and Seth Schindler through The Second Cold War Observatory, a collective of scholars committed to advancing historically and contextually situated understandings of contemporary great power rivalry.

Why Can’t the US Compete with China in Infrastructure?

November 7, 2024

Why Can’t the US Compete with China in Infrastructure?

Lee Jones and Shahar Hameiri

In this episode, Dr. Shahar Hameiri and Dr. Lee Jones discuss the political economy and financing behind global infrastructure development, with a foc…

India Rising: Navigating the Second Cold War in South Asia from Nepal to the Maldives

October 23, 2024

India Rising: Navigating the Second Cold War in South Asia from Nepal to the Maldives

Dinesh Paudel and Aaron Magunna

What is the role of India in the Second Cold War (SCW) in South Asia? How do local histories, internal politics, and subnational dynamics shape relati…

Industrial Policy and Energy Transition amidst Geoeconomic Restructuring: Perspectives from Eastern Europe

June 28, 2024

Industrial Policy and Energy Transition amidst Geoeconomic Restructuring

David Karas et al.

This episode features scholars who research East European countries situated on geopolitical border zones and characterized by long-term external econ…

US-Soviet Scientific Cooperation & Implications for Environmental Politics Today with Dr. Vladimir Jankovic

March 2, 2024

US-Soviet Scientific Cooperation & Implications for Environmental Politics Today with Dr. Vladimir Jankovic

Vladimir Jankovic

In this episode, we look to history to consider areas of potential areas for US-China environmental politics and cooperation today. Dr. Vladimir Janko…

Africa and the Second Cold War: Infrastructure, Corridors, and Critical Minerals with Dr. Tim Zajontz

October 2, 2023

Africa and the Second Cold War: Infrastructure, Corridors, and Critical Minerals

Tim Zajontz

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tim Zajontz to discuss growing geopolitical and geoeconomic competition across infrastructure, economic corridor…

Extractivist Projects and Environmental Justice Struggles on the Polar Silk Road with Dr. Ksenija Hanaček

June 27, 2023

Extractivist Projects and Environmental Justice Struggles on the Polar Silk Road

Ksenija Hanaček

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Ksenija Hanaček about her research on the Polar Silk Road and extractivism and environmental conflicts in the Arctic…

Technological Competition in Argentina: Nuclear Energy and Smart Cities, with Dr. Maximiliano Vila Seoane

May 21, 2023

Technological Competition in Argentina: Nuclear Energy and Smart Cities

Maximiliano Vila Seoane

This episode centers on competition in two technology sectors in Argentina: nuclear energy and smart cities. While they may seem like disparate sector…

The Micro-Geopolitics of Kenya's Digital Renaissance with Andrea Pollio

April 20, 2023

The Micro-Geopolitics of Kenya's Digital Renaissance

Andrea Pollio

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Andrea Polio about his research on Chinese technology companies in Nairobi, Kenya, and how African cities have emerg…

Debt & Development Finance in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape with Nick Jepson

March 7, 2023

Debt & Development Finance in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape

Nick Jepson

In this episode, Seth and Jess are joined by fellow Second Cold War Observatory research associate and professor Nick Jepson. The conversation explore…

The Geopolitics of Renewable Energy and Resource Extraction in Argentina with Marcelo Saguier

February 2, 2023

The Geopolitics of Renewable Energy and Resource Extraction in Argentina

Marcelo Saguier

A conversation with Marcelo Saguier (Director of the Area of International Studies, National University of San Martín) on the relationship between dom…

State Platform Capitalism with Steve Rolf

January 11, 2023

State Platform Capitalism

Steve Rolf

In this episode with Dr. Steve Rolf, we explore the deepening connections between states and platforms in the two heartlands of the digital economy, C…