Episode 18: Interview with Liam O’Shea on the Politics of Security Sector Reform

In this conversation, Dr Liam O’Shea examines one of the most overlooked challenges in security sector reform: the collusion between security forces, organised crime, and political elites. Drawing on research from Colombia, Georgia, and South Africa, the discussion explores why these dynamics persist, what has enabled reform in some contexts, and what this means for international support. The conversation highlights the need to move beyond technical fixes and confront the political realities at the heart of reform.