Episode 199: The Influence of Soft Power in Putin's War on Ukraine and Continued Aggression in NATO Regions.

The International Risk Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Leila Alieva, a distinguished expert in Russia-West relations and the political economy of energy transition. Dr. Alieva focuses on the influence of soft power, sharing her insights on the evolving dynamics of international politics, energy security, and democratisation in resource-rich states.

Dr. Leila Alieva is an Associate of Russian and East European Studies (REES) at the Oxford University School for Global and Area Studies. She also teaches a course on the Political Economy of Energy Transition at Oxford’s Department of Continued Education and is currently working with Friends of Europe. Originally from Azerbaijan, Dr. Alieva founded the Center for National and International Studies, a think tank in Baku, but was forced to leave her home country during the 2014 government crackdown on activists, journalists, and scholars.

Dr. Alieva’s extensive academic experience includes fellowships at Harvard University, UC Berkeley, and the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute. She has also held roles at the NATO Defense College in Rome, the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin, and the Institute Fur Kulturwissenschaften in Vienna. Dr. Alieva has advised major international organizations such as EBRD, BP, and NATO’s Partnership for Peace Consortium. Her research, published in prestigious outlets including Oxford University Press and the Journal of Democracy, spans Russia, the Caucasus, and energy politics, with a focus on democratization in oil-rich states.

The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast explores current affairs, international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.

Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.

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