Business Diplomacy Today

This episode, presented by the German Maritime Centre, examines the profound interplay between climate change and maritime security within a shifting geopolitical landscape. The conversation uncovers how environmental pressures are increasingly influencing global trade, security policies, and industrial competitiveness, drawing on Dr. Kira Vinke’s extensive fieldwork and policy expertise. About the guest Dr. Kira Vinke Dr Kira Vinke is Deputy Research Director at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and Head of the Centre for Climate and Foreign Policy. With nearly a decade’s experience at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, she has also advised Germany’s International Development Agency and the Asian Development Bank. Her research includes fieldwork in South Asia, the Pacific, and the Sahel – regions especially vulnerable to climate stress. Dr Vinke serves on Germany’s Federal Academy for Security Policy advisory board and contributes to various humanitarian and climate-focused organisations. Her recent work bridges rigorous science and policy at the nexus of climate and security. Key Topics The Climate-Geopolitics Intersection The episode explores how climate change and geopolitics have become inseparable, with climate impacts eroding livelihoods and destabilising regions, particularly where governance is fragile. Dr Vinke explains how climate stress can widen societal divides, emphasising the importance of addressing these linked challenges. Climate Impacts on Global Maritime Infrastructure Attention turns to the maritime sphere, investigating how rising sea levels, extreme storms, and the melting Arctic sea ice affect trade routes, fisheries, and coastal communities. Dr Vinke notes that disruptions to essential chokepoints like the Panama and Suez Canals highlight the vulnerability of global supply chains. Will the IMO’s Climate Agenda Survive? The discussion critically addresses the IMO’s stalled emissions regulations, examining the geopolitical pushback led by the US and its implications for international cooperation. Dr Vinke warns that continued reliance on fossil fuels, especially amid American energy dominance, may jeopardise both economic stability and climate targets, while China’s surge in renewables shapes future competitiveness. Strategic Advice for Business Leaders Dr Vinke offers actionable advice to business leaders, urging them to consult regional climate projections and adopt scenario planning in order to bolster resilience amid ongoing uncertainty. She advocates staying committed to climate targets, warning that abandoning them provides only short-term relief at the cost of long-term competitiveness and societal risk. A Bold Prediction Looking ahead, Dr Vinke presents two scenarios for the next decade: one in which the world pivots towards climate neutrality, protecting vital systems despite inevitable losses, and an alternative future marked by irreversible environmental damage and societal upheaval. She maintains an optimistic outlook, believing that collective capacity and foresight can deliver positive outcomes if action is taken. Conclusion Ultimately, this episode demonstrates that business leaders cannot afford to ignore the entwined risks of climate change and geopolitics; the choices made now will define resilience, competitiveness, and global stability in years to come. Executive Briefing – what you should read now Memo Series: Global Reordering 2026 – A set of concise briefings from the DGAP addressing shifts across trade, strategic competition in science, and other sectors, capturing diverse expertise and timely insights. Disruption of Arctic Exceptionalism – A DGAP analysis of the pressures facing the Arctic, from geopolitical contestation to environmental change and resource exploration. Despite being published two years ago, its relevance endures as global stakes rise.

This episode, presented by the German Maritime Centre, explores the essential role of subsea cables as critical infrastructure underpinning global communications and business operations. Host Matthias Catón is joined by guests Camino Cavanagh and Jonas Franken, both experts in cyber security, international security, and maritime systems. What Are Subsea Cables? Subsea cables are fiber-optic systems laid across the seabed, connecting continents and islands for data transmission. They include not only the cables themselves but also landing stations, maintenance ships, repair logistics, and complex terrestrial links. The technology has advanced from telegraph cables to modern fiber optics, forming a backbone for the internet and communications. Scale and Complexity There are currently around 530 active international cable systems, with 70 more in the planning stages. Some cables connect just two points, while others are complex networks with up to 30 landing stations. Globally, over 1,600 cable landing stations exist, varying in size and complexity. Visibility and Public Awareness While most people rarely notice subsea cables, outages in places like Tonga, Southeast Asia, Norway, Ireland, and the Shetland Islands have raised awareness. Many still mistakenly believe internet connectivity is reliant on satellites, while in reality, subsea cables handle the overwhelming majority of data traffic. Redundancy and Resilience European countries enjoy high redundancy, ensuring minimal disruption from cable faults. In contrast, remote nations often rely on a single cable, making them more vulnerable to outages. Subsea cables are engineered for resilience, with backup options usually available, though incidents can still affect connectivity. Satellite vs. Subsea Cables Satellites serve a supplementary role, but subsea cables provide vastly superior bandwidth and lower latency. Even with modern satellite networks like Starlink, they cannot match the data volume or speed required for global internet infrastructure. Ownership and Financing Models Ownership is diverse: The European Union and the US are introducing more regulations, affecting industry operations. Business Implications Businesses—especially large, data-reliant firms—should consider cable resilience as part of their risk management. Industry groups such as the International Cable Protection Committee and the European Subsea Cable Association foster collaboration and dialogue. Medium and smaller businesses may face challenges in influencing infrastructure policy, but are equally reliant on connectivity. Regulatory Trends Regulation is increasing, especially across the EU (NIS2 Directive, Critical Entities Resilience Act) and the US (Federal Communications Commission rules). The challenge for policymakers and industry is to balance demanding security requirements with the need for operational flexibility and rapid response. Geopolitical Competition and Strategic Concerns Subsea cable networks are increasingly central in international competition, including concerns about reliance on equipment from certain foreign suppliers, particularly China. Security requirements may slow cable operations just when agility is needed most. Looking Ahead: Bold Predictions Conclusion Subsea cables are a crucial, yet often invisible, part of global infrastructure. Businesses and governments must increasingly account for resilience, security, and redundancy, given their importance to society and the economy. The episode emphasizes the need for awareness, collaboration, and proactive planning as the geopolitical and regulatory landscape evolves. About the guests Jonas Franken Jonas Franken is doctoral candidate at Science and Technology for Peace and Security (PEASEC) in the Department of Computer Science at the Technical University of Darmstadt. His research interests are located within the nexus of policy, technology, and international law, focusing on the resilience of...

In this episode of “Business Diplomacy Today, Daniel Jones, Professor of Management at the University of Nevada, Reno joins host Matthias Catón, to explore the complexities of negotiation in international and cross-cultural business contexts. The discussion begins by broadening the definition of negotiation, highlighting that it permeates every aspect of daily life and is not ... Read more

In this episode of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón discusses the topic of online voting with Dr. Simone Ehrenberg-Silies, a senior consultant at the Institute for Technology and Innovation at VDI/VDE-IT. The conversation begins with a definition of online voting, differentiating it from traditional and electronic voting. The discussion delves into the reluctance of ... Read more

In this episode of Business Diplomacy Today, guest Martin Drux from Marsh McLennan delves into lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of businesses preparing for future events like the permafrost virus. Host Matthias Catón discusses technology’s role in risk assessment, citing Google’s use of search data to track flu outbreaks. Drux highlights ... Read more

In this episode, host Matthias Catón join Christina Rabe, the Market Unit Lead for Accenture in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. They delve into the Pulse of Change Index developed by Accenture. Raab discusses the interconnectedness of technology, talent shortages, and demographic shifts, emphasizing the movement of talent from countries like India and the critical role ... Read more

In Episode 29 Matthias Catón is joined by Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard University. Following Sugata’s recent publication “Asia After Europe: Imagining a Continent in the Long Twentieth Century”, Matthias and him discuss the how Asia’s history has been defined by Europe and what the current century brings. Matthias ... Read more

In Episode 28 of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón is joined by Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking. Matthias and Mary Ellen examine the persistent gender gap in financial inclusion and its linkages to digital inclusion. Matthias and Mary Ellen begin their conversation by analysing why finance is not optimised ... Read more

In Episode 27 of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón is joined by Till Klein, Head of Trustworthy AI at appliedAI. Matthias and Till explore the forthcoming EU AI Act, including an investigation of its core principles and implications for businesses. Their conversation begins by looking at key points of the EU AI Act, including ... Read more

In Episode 26, host Matthias Catón is joined by Lewis Sage-Passant, Global Head of Intelligence at Novo Nordisk and founder of EncyclopediaGeopolitica. Matthias and Lewis delve into the intricacies of how multinational corporations navigate geopolitics and international relations. Matthias and Lewis investigate how the changing responsibility of security intelligence teams and how, in a corporate ... Read more

In Episode 25 host Matthias Catón is joined by Simone Menne, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany. In their discussion, Matthias and Simone address the intricacies of transatlantic relations between the US and Germany and how this relationship is shaped by geopolitics. Following themes of economics, politics and international relations, Matthias and ... Read more

In Episode 24 of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón is joined by Karel Lannoo, CEO of the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). In their discussion, Matthias and Karel dive into the complexities of implementing a digital currency and its impact on the financial landscape; in this episode, specifically on the case of the ... Read more

In Episode 23 of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón is joined by Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist and editor of its future-gazing annual, The World Ahead. Timely, with the start of the new year, Matthias and Tom delve into global trends and predictions for 2024; as well as their implications for businesses ... Read more

In Episode 22 of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón is joined by Prof. Harold James, Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University. Drawing inspiration from Harold’s recent publication Seven Crashes: The Economic Crises That Shaped Globalisation (2023), Matthias and Harold discuss seven major turning points in the history of globalisation. Their conversation ... Read more

Episode 21 of Business Diplomacy Today covers the emerging significance of middle powers. Host Matthias Catón is joined by Michael Mazarr, Senior Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation. Matthias and Michael discuss how middle powers are rising and their impact on global trade and business environment. Beginning with definitions of middle powers, Michael explains the ... Read more

In Episode 20 of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón is joined by Ashoka Mody, Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor in International Economic Policy at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University and author of “India is Broken: A People Betrayed, Independence to Today”. Matthias and Ashoka delve into how the ... Read more

In Episode 19 of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón is joined by Vera Axyonova, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie REWIRE Fellow at the University of Vienna and Principal Investigator of the project ‘Expert Knowledge in Times of Crisis – Uncovering Interaction Effects between Think Tanks, Media, and Politics’. Vera shares her expertise on the influence that ... Read more

Jan Kratzer, Chaired Professor for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management and Founder/Academic Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE) at Technische Universität Berlin, joins Matthias Catón in this episode. Jan shares his expertise on challenges for entrepreneurs in low-income countries, comparing them to high-income countries. As their discussion explores the concept of entrepreneurship in fragile states, Matthias ... Read more

In episode 17 of Business Diplomacy Today, Matthias Catón is joined by Ludivine Wouters, Managing Partner of Latitude Five, an investment and advisory firm operating in emerging markets. Ludivine shares her expertise in the metals and mining industry, specifically concerning the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRM Act). Matthias and Ludivine explore the EU’s approach ... Read more

In this episode, host Matthias Catón and Wilfried Aulbur, Senior Partner of Roland Berger, explore the navigation and development of business strategies in a volatile and ever-changing world. Through topics of geopolitical relations, climate change, and technological innovation, Matthias and Wilfried discuss the importance of agility to transform business strategy and respond to uncertainties. Drawing ... Read more