The International Risk Podcast

Episode 223: The Recent Earthquake and Military Brainwashing in Myanmar with Ali Fowle

Season 5 Episode 223

This episode Dominic is back with guest Ali Fowle to discuss the recent earthquake and the ongoing resistance in Myanmar. They discuss how the earthquake has impacted the war, whether foreign aid has been helpful so far, how the military operates, how people continue living during the war, what we can learn from the resistance now that democracy is declining worldwide, military brainwashing, and much more!

Ali Fowle is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist focused on international news and current affairs. She specialises in long form investigative journalism for broadcast, often working in remote and hostile environments. Ali focuses mostly on conflict, human rights and civil disobedience in the Asia Pacific region where she was based between 2008-2021 and has worked extensively on stories about extractive industries, illicit trade and trafficking, surveillance, justice and press freedom. Ali’s work has won multiple global media prizes. In 2022 she was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Journalism for her coverage of the Myanmar coup. The same year she won several other awards including a Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism and a Sigma Award for an investigation into surveillance, interrogation and torture in Myanmar. Her documentary “Myanmar: State of Fear” was added to the Shadid curriculum for ethical journalism as an example of “complex and outstanding ethical-decision making”. In 2018 she was part of the BBC team which received a Peabody Award for coverage of the Plight of the Rohingya. Finally, Ali has worked as a correspondent, self-shooting PD and a video journalist producing work for the world’s leading international media organisations including the BBC, Al Jazeera, CNA, CNN, SBS and NBC.

Ali has been on the podcast previously, listen to Episode 202 to hear the preview to this episode!


The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.

Dominic's 25 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. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.

The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.

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