The Security Affair

War as Survival? Russian Strategy, Negotiation, and Power Politics

Russia’s strategic framing of the war in Ukraine has shaped both its diplomatic signalling and information environment in ways that matter for international security, negotiation behaviour, and great-power competition. In this episode of The Security Affair, Alexander Anderson, Director of Policy at the Centre for International Security and Economic Strategy (CISES), is joined by Dr Chris Monday, Associate Professor of Economics at Dongseo University and co-host of Russia Decoded. They examine how Russian leaders and state media describe the war as an existential “war of survival”, how coercive diplomacy and negotiation signalling interact with battlefield dynamics, and what this reveals about Moscow’s conception of power politics and strategic hierarchy. The discussion explores: • Existential war framing and strategic messaging • Coercive diplomacy and negotiation tactics • State media narratives and public stability • Western division and external narrative targeting • Russia–China strategic partnership and asymmetric constraints Listeners will gain analytical insights into Russian strategic communication, negotiation behaviour, and the intersection of messaging with international power structures. Subscribe and follow for in-depth analysis on defence, geopolitics, and international security from The Security Affair.

Is Europe Militarily Ready for a Major War?

Europe is rebuilding its military readiness after the war in Ukraine — but how prepared are NATO and EU states for a prolonged high-intensity conflict? In this episode of The Security Affair, we examine Europe’s defence capability gaps, from ammunition stockpiles and logistics capacity to procurement bottlenecks, industrial expansion, and cross-border military mobility. We also explore whether new innovation initiatives, joint purchasing programmes, and defence-industry investment are translating into deployable military strength — or whether structural weaknesses remain beneath rising defence budgets. Our guest is Mabel Runyon, MA War Studies postgraduate at KCL. Topics covered include: * NATO readiness and ammunition shortages * European defence production and procurement reform * EU defence funding and joint purchasing * Military mobility and infrastructure constraints * The future of European strategic autonomy

How Has Economic Power Become Central to US Strategy?

Welcome back to The Security Affair, the flagship podcast from the Centre for International Security and Economic Strategy (CISES), where we examine the ideas, events, and decisions shaping global security and diplomacy. Hosted by Alexander Anderson, Director of Policy at CISES, this episode asks: how has economic power become central to U.S. strategy? Alexander is joined by Liam Walsh, whose work focuses on U.S. foreign policy and the role of economic strategy in national security. Together, they explore how Washington increasingly treats economic strategy as national security, drawing on the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy and the growing emphasis on supply chains, industrial policy, and control over strategic economic networks. The conversation examines how economic coercion, financial power, and emerging technologies are reshaping American statecraft in an era where direct military confrontation is constrained by nuclear deterrence. They discuss whether the U.S. is redefining — rather than abandoning — the post-war rules-based order; how initiatives such as Pax Silica reflect a shift toward network-based competition; and what this means for American strategy toward China, allies, and middle powers. The episode also considers the role of military power alongside economic tools, including recent U.S. actions in cases such as Venezuela, and the risks of growing fragmentation in the global economy. Liam reflects on the limits of national security strategies as guiding documents, the dangers policymakers may be underestimating, and what listeners should take away when thinking about economic power in contemporary U.S. grand strategy. Next Friday, we’ll turn to how gender shapes nuclear governance and what it means for global security and nuclear strategy.

The Russia-China Axis: Myths, Reality and Future

Welcome back to The Security Affair, the flagship podcast from the Centre for International Security and Economic Strategy (CISES), where we examine the ideas, events, and decisions shaping global security and diplomacy. Hosted by Alexander Anderson, Director of Policy at CISES, this episode turns to one of the most consequential relationships in contemporary geopolitics: the Russia–China partnership. Alexander is joined by Zorawar Gill, Policy Analyst at CISES, whose research spans China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. Together, they explore whether this partnership represents strategic alignment, pragmatic cooperation, or an unequal relationship shaped by necessity. The conversation looks at how Moscow and Beijing have deepened ties across energy, military exercises, and diplomatic coordination; how regional conflicts from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific influence their calculus; and whether growing asymmetries could generate friction over time. They also examine the partnership’s impact on smaller states, India’s security planning, and the future of global governance. Zorawar reflects on the myths and realities surrounding the “Russia–China axis,” discusses what we often overlook, and offers guidance for understanding the limits and possibilities of this evolving relationship. Next Friday, we’ll turn to how gender shapes nuclear governance and what it means for global security and nuclear strategy.

How is Information Reshaping Global Power?

Welcome back to The Security Affair, the flagship podcast from the Centre for International Security and Economic Strategy (CISES), where we explore the ideas, events, and decisions shaping global security and diplomacy. Hosted by Alexander Anderson, Director of Policy at CISES, this episode examines how information has become a central arena of international competition. Alexander is joined by Bandish Oza, Policy Analyst at CISES, whose research focuses on South Asia and the use of narratives in democracy and security as tools of influence. Together, they discuss how states craft and contest narratives, why influence operations unfold long before crises begin, and how digital platforms, algorithms, and private companies shape the information environment. The conversation also explores the blurred line between strategic communication and coercive influence, the challenges democracies face in defending themselves without overreach, and the ways smaller states and non-state actors have gained new leverage in the information age. Bandish reflects on key examples from around the world, explains why information matters much more in peacetime than in conflict, and offers insights on how democracies can fight disinformation without overreach and censorship. Next Friday, we’ll turn to the evolving Russia–China partnership and what it means for global security and great-power politics.