Episode 161 – The Elephant in the Room — Lessons From Bangkok

From artificial intelligence to sovereign debt and defense finance, a wide range of risks and opportunities dominated discussions in Bangkok. In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Brad Carr, Executive for Geopolitical Risk at National Australia Bank, to reflect on the major themes emerging from the 2026 IIF Annual Membership Meeting and IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings.

They explore the growing implications of AI competition and AI-enabled cyber risks, rising bond yields and fiscal pressures in developed economies, and the expanding role of private capital in financing defense and resilience. The conversation also examines how businesses and governments can adapt to geopolitical disruption by strengthening supply chains, infrastructure, and economic resilience in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, and managed by Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.