Ten Minutes On... Rare Earths, China and the Global Supply Squeeze
Last Thursday, the United States and China reached a new trade agreement, lifting export restrictions on rare earth materials. In this episode of Ten Minutes On..., host Guy Burton takes a step back from the immediate headlines to explore the broader landscape of the rare earths market.Rather than a narrow news recap, this episode offers a wider perspective on the geopolitical, economic, and environmental forces shaping global access to these critical materials. From China’s long-standing dominance in rare earth processing to the uneasy scramble among Western nations to diversify supply chains, the episode asks what this latest US–China agreement really means in the bigger picture—and what the future holds for rare earths in a green, tech-driven world.Whether you're new to the topic or have followed the rare earths story for years, this is your ten-minute guide to the deeper issues behind the news.
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Ten Minutes On... Nuclear Nominations, Nuclear Strikes and Diplomatic Farce
In this episode of Ten Minutes On, we unpack Pakistan’s surprising decision to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize — on the very same day he ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.Join us as we explore the contradictions and geopolitical calculations behind this bizarre moment in international diplomacy. What motivated Pakistan’s move? How does it reflect its position between India, China, Iran, and the US? And could Trump — bombastic as ever — genuinely win the world’s most prestigious peace award?We break down:The India–Pakistan ceasefire and claims of US non-involvementWhy Pakistan’s military is now cosying up to WashingtonThe backlash in Pakistan after Trump’s airstrikes on IranThe symbolism and politics of the Nobel Peace PrizeWhy authoritarian states fear Nobel nods — and why Trump probably won’t get oneWhether you’re interested in South Asia, US foreign policy, peace diplomacy, or just want to make sense of international absurdities — this one’s for you.
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Ten Minutes On... The Israel-Iran War
After Israel launched airstrikes on Iran and Iran hit back, we've now observed nearly a week of war between the two. But why did this happen and what are the consequences for both Israel and Iran, as well as other major actors like the US, other Western actors and supposed Iranian partners like China and Russia? To answer these questions, Guy takes a deep dive into the developments that have happened over the past week and provides some broader insights and explanations to help you understand why this conflict is happening -- and why now.
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Ten Minutes On... The Fragile State of the Global Economy
In this episode of Ten Minutes On…, we explore the shifting landscape of the global economy in 2025. From renewed US-China trade talks and China’s rare earth export controls to signs of deflation in Beijing and cautious optimism from central banks in Europe, India, and the US — what do these developments tell us about where the world economy might be heading? We unpack the data, the diplomacy, and the politics behind the headlines, and ask whether this moment signals a recovery or just another turn in a decade of uncertainty.
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Ten Minutes On... America, Iran, and the Nuclear Deja Vu
In this week’s episode of Ten Minutes On..., we explore the eerie déjà vu of U.S. policy towards Iran’s nuclear programme. From the Obama-era JCPOA to Trump’s dramatic withdrawal and back again to something suspiciously similar—what exactly is America trying to achieve? And does it even know?Dr Guy Burton dissects the latest round of U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations, the inconsistencies between public posturing and private proposals, and the curious pattern of recycled diplomacy dressed up as new strategy. Along the way, we look at domestic political constraints, regional spoilers like Israel, and the broader lack of strategic clarity that continues to define American foreign policy in the Middle East.In this episode:What’s actually in the current U.S.–Iran nuclear deal talksWhy the proposed agreement looks strikingly similar to the JCPOATrump’s ironic role in returning to the deal he once abandonedThe legacy of “maximum pressure” and its unintended consequencesThe problem of trust, mixed messages, and strategic incoherenceKey themes:U.S. foreign policy | Iran nuclear programme | JCPOA | U.S.–Iran negotiations | Trump and policy reversals | Sanctions diplomacy | Middle East strategyWhy listen: If you’re tired of soundbites and want 10 minutes of thoughtful, historically grounded analysis on why U.S. policy with Iran keeps looping like a broken record, this episode is for you.
What to know what's going on? Ten Minutes On... offers context and a concise analysis of major events and news stories from Guy Burton, a politics and international relations scholar.Guy draws on his knowledge and experience as a politics and international relations researcher, writer, educator and commentator while working in several universities around the world.
South Africa