meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Intelligence Squared

Is the Arctic the World’s Next War Zone? With Kenneth R. Rosen

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

News, News Commentary, Arts, Society & Culture

4.21.2K Ratings

🗓️ 30 January 2026

⏱️ 53 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Why Is Everyone Suddenly Fighting Over the Arctic? In this episode, Adam McCauley speaks to journalist and author Kenneth R. Rosen about the Arctic’s shifting geopolitical role in the new world order.  Nuclear submarines. Sabotaged pipelines. Undersea communications severed in the dark of night. The fastest-warming place on earth—where buildings crumble as permafrost melts and villages get washed away by rising seas—the Arctic stands at the crossroads of geopolitical ambition and environmental catastrophe. As climate change thaws the northern latitudes, opening once ice-bound shipping lanes and access to natural resources, the world’s military powers are rushing to stake their claims in this increasingly strategic region. We’ve entered a new cold war—and every day it grows hotter. From Russia to the United States, everyone is keen to assert their dominance on the region and come out on top.  Through his unique blend of travelogue and frontline reporting, Kenneth R. Rosen reveals how climate change, military ambition, and economic opportunity are transforming the Arctic into the epicenter of a new Cold War, where a struggle for dominance between the planet’s great powers heralds the next global conflict. Kenneth R. Rosen: Kenneth R. Rosen travels the world to write in-depth stories about the impact of major geopolitical issues and conflict on individual lives. He was a 2025 Ira A. Lipman Fellow at Columbia University and wrote for the New York Times between 2014 and 2025.  If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Our days start with water. Our whole lives revolve around it.

0:04.0

Health, education, livelihoods, they all start with water.

0:08.0

But one in ten people around the world don't have clean water.

0:12.0

People like 13-year-old Nestilene in Madagascar,

0:15.0

who collects dirty water every day before school

0:18.0

because she doesn't have any other choice. 50% of people in Madagascar don't have clean water close to home.

0:24.6

But by donating to Water Aid, you can help change that.

0:28.6

Water Aid is working with communities in Madagascar and around the world to have clean water.

0:33.6

When a community gains clean water, everything changes.

0:36.6

Children stay in school, women reclaim

0:39.0

their time and safety, health improves, livelihoods thrive. The ripple effect is immediate and

0:44.7

it lasts for generations. Just £5 a month over a year can buy five standpipe taps so children

0:51.1

like Nestilene and her whole community can have clean water for years to come.

0:55.7

Please donate £5 a month today and help WaterAid to work alongside communities to bring clean water

1:01.3

to everyone everywhere. Visit water.org to find out more.

1:05.7

Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.

1:10.2

Shopify is specially designed

1:12.0

to help you start, run and grow your business with easy customizable themes that let you build your

1:17.2

brand, marketing tools that get your products out there. Integrated shipping solutions that actually

1:21.7

save you time, from startups to scale ups, online, in person and on the go. Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you.

1:29.3

Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.

1:34.4

Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Intelligence Squared, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Intelligence Squared and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.