Navigating a more diverse world: the geopolitical outlook in 2023
Aspen Institute España hosted last January 25th, a new Aspen Espresso session on “Navigating a more diverse world: the geopolitical outlook in 2023” with Sir Robin Niblett, Distinguished Fellow at Chatham House and former Executive Director of this British think-tank. The session was moderated by José M. de Areilza, Secretary General of Aspen Institute España.
The events of 2022, above all Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, deepened the divisions between the US and its allies, on the one hand, and Russia and China, on the other. 2023 opens with others seeking to take advantage of this division, whether in the Middle East, Asia, or Africa. It also opens with new tensions between the US and its allies, as they struggle with strong economic headwinds and a pivotal U.S. presidential election in 2024. What are the main risks ahead, and how could these be mitigated?
Aspen Ideas Espresso is a forum for discussion on current issues for emerging leaders from different sectors of society, many of whom have already participated in Aspen Institute España programs. On the occasion of the publication of books or important events, we bring together a group of people for a discussion with experts on topics such as geopolitics, new technologies, leadership, energy, and the international economy.
Sir Robin Niblett
A distinguished fellow at Chatham House after spending 15 years as its director and chief executive until 2022. He is also a distinguished fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute and senior adviser to the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC. He is also principal of Ledwell Advisory, a risk advisory company. Robin is recognized as a leading expert on the relations between Europe, the US, and Asia and their implications for risk management by governments and private institutions. Under his leadership, Chatham House tripled in size toa full-time staff of more than 200 plus 150 associate fellows, working on all aspects of international affairs from geopolitics to the energy transition, and technology competition. From 2001-06, Robin was executive vice president at CSIS, the largest foreign policy think tank in Washington D.C. During his time there, he also served as director of the CSIS Europe programme and its Initiative for a Renewed Transatlantic Partnership. Robin is co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Futures Council on Geopolitics and has served as chair and member of other WEF Councils since 2012. He is a member of the FCDO’s Expert Group and was a special adviser to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (2015-17). He was chairman of the experts group for the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales and chair of the British Academy’s steering committee for its Languages for Security Project (2013). From January 2010–May 2020, he was a non-executive director of Fidelity European Values Investment Trust. Robin is the author of numerous reports on British, European and US foreign policy and his commentary and analysis have appeared in the world’s leading journals and newspapers such as Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Financial Times, The Washington Post, The Times, and The Guardian.
José M. de Areilza
He is Secretary General of Aspen Institute España and has a dual appointment as Professor at the Law Department and at the General Management and Strategy Department of ESADE Business School. He is the holder of the Jean Monnet Chair-ESADE and a Senior Research Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute. He has been Visiting Professor at INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau, France and has worked as Advisor to the Spanish Prime Minister on European and North American affairs. José M. de Areilza received an LL.B. degree with Special Graduation Prize from Universidad Complutense de Madrid and holds a Masters degree (LL.M.) and Doctorate degree (S.J.D.) from Harvard University and an M.A. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
