School of War en 8d8eb6a0-1732-11f1-99ec-994b993968df In School of War, CBS News National Security Analyst and Free Press columnist Aaron MacLean sits down with secretaries of state, top military historians, war planners, and key political decision-makers to help understand the lessons of war. Tune in as School of War takes you to the front lines. Aaron MacLean is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He has worked as a foreign policy advisor and legislative director to Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and spent seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Visit our Substack for episode transcripts Follow along on Instagram https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/e7539186-26e3-11ec-8093-d77d6bdef305/image/b1fa56a68d8727cd9fba08793d37de34.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress School of War episodic Learn what war teaches The Free Press In School of War, CBS News National Security Analyst and Free Press columnist Aaron MacLean sits down with secretaries of state, top military historians, war planners, and key political decision-makers to help understand the lessons of war. Tune in as School of War takes you to the front lines. Aaron MacLean is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He has worked as a foreign policy advisor and legislative director to Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and spent seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Visit our Substack for episode transcripts Follow along on Instagram In School of War, CBS News National Security Analyst and Free Press columnist Aaron MacLean sits down with secretaries of state, top military historians, war planners, and key political decision-makers to help understand the lessons of war.


Tune in as School of War takes you to the front lines.


Aaron MacLean is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He has worked as a foreign policy advisor and legislative director to Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and spent seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps.


Visit our Substack for episode transcripts

Follow along on Instagram

]]> The Free Press jana@thefp.com How the British Army Learned to Win, with Huw Davies Huw Davies, an associate dean and professor of British military history at King’s College London and author of several books, including The Wandering Army, joins School of War to discuss what the 18th-century British Army can teach us about modern warfare. How does battlefield failure drive military innovation? How did institutions of the past respond to change? And in an era of drones, autonomy, and AI, have we learned from the past, or are we destined to repeat it? Times: 02:40 18th century military enlightenment 06:30 War of the Austrian Succession 12:43 The British officer class 18:39 Tension between ancients and moderns 20:20 Discovering Sir Henry Clinton’s notebook 20:48 False caricature of the British Army 27:02 Challenges of North American warfare 29:32 Battle of the Monongahela 35:09 Importance of light infantry 38:17 Rifle evolution 39:00 Why armies resist change 43:40 Lessons for today 46:42 Human behavior in war 47:10 Learning curve of war technologies 49:11 Is Ukrainian drone warfare a turning point? Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more at The Free Press. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000 How the British Army Learned to Win, with Huw Davies full The Free Press Huw Davies, an associate dean and professor of British military history at King’s College London and author of several books, including The Wandering Army, joins School of War to discuss what the 18th-century British Army can teach us about modern warfare. How does battlefield failure drive military innovation? How did institutions of the past respond to change? And in an era of drones, autonomy, and AI, have we learned from the past, or are we destined to repeat it? Huw Davies, an associate dean and professor of British military history at King’s College London and author of several books, including The Wandering Army, joins School of War to discuss what the 18th-century British Army can teach us about modern warfare. How does battlefield failure drive military innovation? How did institutions of the past respond to change? And in an era of drones, autonomy, and AI, have we learned from the past, or are we destined to repeat it? Times: 02:40 18th century military enlightenment 06:30 War of the Austrian Succession 12:43 The British officer class 18:39 Tension between ancients and moderns 20:20 Discovering Sir Henry Clinton’s notebook 20:48 False caricature of the British Army 27:02 Challenges of North American warfare 29:32 Battle of the Monongahela 35:09 Importance of light infantry 38:17 Rifle evolution 39:00 Why armies resist change 43:40 Lessons for today 46:42 Human behavior in war 47:10 Learning curve of war technologies 49:11 Is Ukrainian drone warfare a turning point? Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more at The Free Press. Huw Davies, an associate dean and professor of British military history at King’s College London and author of several books, including The Wandering Army, joins School of War to discuss what the 18th-century British Army can teach us about modern warfare. How does battlefield failure drive military innovation? How did institutions of the past respond to change? And in an era of drones, autonomy, and AI, have we learned from the past, or are we destined to repeat it?

Times:

02:40 18th century military enlightenment

06:30 War of the Austrian Succession

12:43 The British officer class

18:39 Tension between ancients and moderns

20:20 Discovering Sir Henry Clinton’s notebook

20:48 False caricature of the British Army

27:02 Challenges of North American warfare

29:32 Battle of the Monongahela

35:09 Importance of light infantry

38:17 Rifle evolution

39:00 Why armies resist change

43:40 Lessons for today

46:42 Human behavior in war

47:10 Learning curve of war technologies

49:11 Is Ukrainian drone warfare a turning point?

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast

Find more at The Free Press.


]]> 3159 Has America Fought Well in the Iran War? With Mick Ryan Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies at the Lowy Institute, adjunct fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and author of the Futura Doctrina Substack joins the show to dissect the current state of the war in Iran. Is this conflict entering a postmortem phase, or are we still in the middle of it? How has America performed so far? How does this war connect to the Pacific theater? Are we adapting for a broader global conflict, and are our adversaries adapting as well? Times: 002:20 Iran war impact on Australia 05:06 American performance in this war 06:22 Israeli partnership over NATO 08:21 Strait of Hormuz closure 13:07 Is the US prepared for a long-term war? 15:50 Importance of AI 18:17 Israeli performance 18:55 Iran frustrating US objectives 19:26 Lessons for Taiwan 20:31 Does political decapitation work? 22:41 How is the Axis learning from this conflict 25:44 China’s interest in the Middle East 29:04 Grim predictions of the road ahead 30:40 Iranian hardliners 31:16 Importance of getting the strait open 34:29 Pilot rescue mission Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more at The Free Press. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000 Has America Fought Well in the Iran War? With Mick Ryan full The Free Press Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies at the Lowy Institute, adjunct fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and author of the ⁠Futura Doctrina⁠ Substack joins the show to dissect the current state of the war in Iran. Is this conflict entering a postmortem phase, or are we still in the middle of it? How has America performed so far? How does this war connect to the Pacific theater? Are we adapting for a broader global conflict, and are our adversaries adapting as well? Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies at the Lowy Institute, adjunct fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and author of the Futura Doctrina Substack joins the show to dissect the current state of the war in Iran. Is this conflict entering a postmortem phase, or are we still in the middle of it? How has America performed so far? How does this war connect to the Pacific theater? Are we adapting for a broader global conflict, and are our adversaries adapting as well? Times: 002:20 Iran war impact on Australia 05:06 American performance in this war 06:22 Israeli partnership over NATO 08:21 Strait of Hormuz closure 13:07 Is the US prepared for a long-term war? 15:50 Importance of AI 18:17 Israeli performance 18:55 Iran frustrating US objectives 19:26 Lessons for Taiwan 20:31 Does political decapitation work? 22:41 How is the Axis learning from this conflict 25:44 China’s interest in the Middle East 29:04 Grim predictions of the road ahead 30:40 Iranian hardliners 31:16 Importance of getting the strait open 34:29 Pilot rescue mission Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more at The Free Press. Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies at the Lowy Institute, adjunct fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and author of the Futura Doctrina Substack joins the show to dissect the current state of the war in Iran. Is this conflict entering a postmortem phase, or are we still in the middle of it? How has America performed so far? How does this war connect to the Pacific theater? Are we adapting for a broader global conflict, and are our adversaries adapting as well?


Times:

002:20 Iran war impact on Australia

05:06 American performance in this war

06:22 Israeli partnership over NATO

08:21 Strait of Hormuz closure

13:07 Is the US prepared for a long-term war?

15:50 Importance of AI

18:17 Israeli performance

18:55 Iran frustrating US objectives

19:26 Lessons for Taiwan

20:31 Does political decapitation work?

22:41 How is the Axis learning from this conflict

25:44 China’s interest in the Middle East

29:04 Grim predictions of the road ahead

30:40 Iranian hardliners

31:16 Importance of getting the strait open

34:29 Pilot rescue mission

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast

Find more at The Free Press.


]]> 2235 The Future of Warfighting Technology Is Now with Aviv Shapira Aviv Shapira, the co-founder and CEO of XTEND, joins the show to discuss his journey from competitive drone racing to building groundbreaking defense technology. How are drone swarms changing warfare? What are the ethical implications of AI weaponry? What happens if this technology falls into the wrong hands? And what comes next? 01:58 Aviv’s background04:46 Replay technologies08:28 VR Messi08:58 Xtend description09:55 Drone racing12:56 Headset importance14:13 Ender’s Game17:02 AI drones21:34 Tunnel warfare27:11 Diversity of drone needs30:41 Drone swarms34:16 Human machine teaming37:10 Rule of three41:52 Ethical questions44:11 Future of munitions45:26 Xtend business model49:23 Future of this technology52:22 Tech in enemy hands Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more at The Free Press. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000 The Future of Warfighting Technology Is Now with Aviv Shapira full The Free Press Aviv Shapira, the co-founder and CEO of XTEND, joins the show to discuss his journey from competitive drone racing to building groundbreaking defense technology. How are drone swarms changing warfare? What are the ethical implications of AI weaponry? What happens if this technology falls into the wrong hands? And what comes next? Aviv Shapira, the co-founder and CEO of XTEND, joins the show to discuss his journey from competitive drone racing to building groundbreaking defense technology. How are drone swarms changing warfare? What are the ethical implications of AI weaponry? What happens if this technology falls into the wrong hands? And what comes next? 01:58 Aviv’s background04:46 Replay technologies08:28 VR Messi08:58 Xtend description09:55 Drone racing12:56 Headset importance14:13 Ender’s Game17:02 AI drones21:34 Tunnel warfare27:11 Diversity of drone needs30:41 Drone swarms34:16 Human machine teaming37:10 Rule of three41:52 Ethical questions44:11 Future of munitions45:26 Xtend business model49:23 Future of this technology52:22 Tech in enemy hands Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more at The Free Press. Aviv Shapira, the co-founder and CEO of XTEND, joins the show to discuss his journey from competitive drone racing to building groundbreaking defense technology. How are drone swarms changing warfare? What are the ethical implications of AI weaponry? What happens if this technology falls into the wrong hands? And what comes next?

01:58 Aviv’s background04:46 Replay technologies08:28 VR Messi08:58 Xtend description09:55 Drone racing12:56 Headset importance14:13 Ender’s Game17:02 AI drones21:34 Tunnel warfare27:11 Diversity of drone needs30:41 Drone swarms34:16 Human machine teaming37:10 Rule of three41:52 Ethical questions44:11 Future of munitions45:26 Xtend business model49:23 Future of this technology52:22 Tech in enemy hands

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast

Find more at The Free Press.


]]> 3258 How Trump’s Blockade of Iran Actually Works with Sal Mercogliano Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins the show once again to discuss the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz imposed by United States Central Command. How might this blockade unfold? Is it a tactic to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, or a step that risks igniting a new wave of conflict? We do not know how this game will end, but one thing is certain: The entire world is watching this critical waterway.  03:13 How is the blockade functioning 08:52 Trump’s messaging 10:54 Blockade is negotiating tactic 11:40 Carrier strike groups 12:12 The U.S. Navy’s run through the strait 12:39 Iranian mines 15:09 The Islamabad process 17:50 American convoying 20:01 Iranian shadow fleet 21:25 Potential blockade tactics 23:20 Boarding vessels 26:54 Merchant marine involvement 28:34 The China factor  33:08  Economic game of chicken 38:26 A return to violence Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast, or at The Free Press Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000 How Trump’s Blockade of Iran Actually Works with Sal Mercogliano full The Free Press Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins the show once again to discuss the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz imposed by United States Central Command. How might this blockade unfold? Is it a tactic to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, or a step that risks igniting a new wave of conflict? We do not know how this game will end, but one thing is certain: The entire world is watching this critical waterway. Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins the show once again to discuss the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz imposed by United States Central Command. How might this blockade unfold? Is it a tactic to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, or a step that risks igniting a new wave of conflict? We do not know how this game will end, but one thing is certain: The entire world is watching this critical waterway.  03:13 How is the blockade functioning 08:52 Trump’s messaging 10:54 Blockade is negotiating tactic 11:40 Carrier strike groups 12:12 The U.S. Navy’s run through the strait 12:39 Iranian mines 15:09 The Islamabad process 17:50 American convoying 20:01 Iranian shadow fleet 21:25 Potential blockade tactics 23:20 Boarding vessels 26:54 Merchant marine involvement 28:34 The China factor  33:08  Economic game of chicken 38:26 A return to violence Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast, or at The Free Press Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins the show once again to discuss the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz imposed by United States Central Command. How might this blockade unfold? Is it a tactic to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, or a step that risks igniting a new wave of conflict? We do not know how this game will end, but one thing is certain: The entire world is watching this critical waterway. 

03:13 How is the blockade functioning

08:52 Trump’s messaging

10:54 Blockade is negotiating tactic

11:40 Carrier strike groups

12:12 The U.S. Navy’s run through the strait

12:39 Iranian mines

15:09 The Islamabad process

17:50 American convoying

20:01 Iranian shadow fleet

21:25 Potential blockade tactics

23:20 Boarding vessels

26:54 Merchant marine involvement

28:34 The China factor 

33:08  Economic game of chicken

38:26 A return to violence


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast, or at The Free Press

]]> 2620 The Strategic View From the Baltic Sea with General Michael Claesson General Michael Claesson is Sweden’s Chief of Defence Staff and Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. How did Russia’s annexation of Crimea change Sweden’s global strategy? Is Russia weaker than it appears? How strong is the American alliance with Europe? With the tectonic plates of war shifting beneath our feet, the stakes are high and the future of NATO hangs in the balance. Times: 02:46 Swedish view of the world 04:19 Crimea annexation 08:50 Geopolitical logic of joining NATO 10:10 Military background 13:48 The war in Ukraine 17:53 Lessons from the American Civil War 19:40 Drone combat 25:09 Command versus autonomy 27:09 European defense against Russia 33:14 Contested Kaliningrad 36:00 Russia’s vulnerabilities 37:19 Russia’s greyzone warfare 41:11 Europe’s role in global security 44:26 American and European alliance 45:00 The case for NATO Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast and now also on The Free Press. Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000 The Strategic View From the Baltic Sea with General Michael Claesson full The Free Press General Michael Claesson is Sweden’s Chief of Defence Staff and Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. How did Russia’s annexation of Crimea change Sweden’s global strategy? Is Russia weaker than it appears? How strong is the American alliance with Europe? With the tectonic plates of war shifting beneath our feet, the stakes are high and the future of NATO hangs in the balance. General Michael Claesson is Sweden’s Chief of Defence Staff and Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. How did Russia’s annexation of Crimea change Sweden’s global strategy? Is Russia weaker than it appears? How strong is the American alliance with Europe? With the tectonic plates of war shifting beneath our feet, the stakes are high and the future of NATO hangs in the balance. Times: 02:46 Swedish view of the world 04:19 Crimea annexation 08:50 Geopolitical logic of joining NATO 10:10 Military background 13:48 The war in Ukraine 17:53 Lessons from the American Civil War 19:40 Drone combat 25:09 Command versus autonomy 27:09 European defense against Russia 33:14 Contested Kaliningrad 36:00 Russia’s vulnerabilities 37:19 Russia’s greyzone warfare 41:11 Europe’s role in global security 44:26 American and European alliance 45:00 The case for NATO Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast and now also on The Free Press. General Michael Claesson is Sweden’s Chief of Defence Staff and Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. How did Russia’s annexation of Crimea change Sweden’s global strategy? Is Russia weaker than it appears? How strong is the American alliance with Europe? With the tectonic plates of war shifting beneath our feet, the stakes are high and the future of NATO hangs in the balance.


Times:

02:46 Swedish view of the world

04:19 Crimea annexation

08:50 Geopolitical logic of joining NATO

10:10 Military background

13:48 The war in Ukraine

17:53 Lessons from the American Civil War

19:40 Drone combat

25:09 Command versus autonomy

27:09 European defense against Russia

33:14 Contested Kaliningrad

36:00 Russia’s vulnerabilities

37:19 Russia’s greyzone warfare

41:11 Europe’s role in global security

44:26 American and European alliance

45:00 The case for NATO

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast and now also on The Free Press.


]]> 2876 Danger Lurks In J.D. Vance’s Negotiations with Iran Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of FDD, joins Aaron to discuss the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. What are the fears surrounding the  talks? Where are the two sides close on the proposed ceasefire, and where are they miles apart? What should we look for to indicate how the talks are going? Looming over everything is the question of whether the negotiating table can, at times, be more dangerous than the battlefield. Times: 02:03 Nature of the ceasefire 04:22 Do we have the upper hand? 08:04 Trump vs. Iranian trap 09:31 Iran’s fragile position 11:49 Broader American strategy 14:59 Negotiation demands 18:57 Lebanon factor 22:48 Who is Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf? 27:45 J.D. Vance’s analogy 30:44 Strait of Hormuz 33:03 Recession fears 36:29 Hormuz circumvention 38:05 Battle for Hormuz 39:00 Global chokepoint lessons Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:34:00 -0000 Danger Lurks In J.D. Vance’s Negotiations with Iran full The Free Press Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of FDD, joins Aaron to discuss the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. What are the fears surrounding the  talks? Where are the two sides close on the proposed ceasefire, and where are they miles apart? What should we look for to indicate how the talks are going? Looming over everything is the question of whether the negotiating table can, at times, be more dangerous than the battlefield. Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of FDD, joins Aaron to discuss the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. What are the fears surrounding the  talks? Where are the two sides close on the proposed ceasefire, and where are they miles apart? What should we look for to indicate how the talks are going? Looming over everything is the question of whether the negotiating table can, at times, be more dangerous than the battlefield. Times: 02:03 Nature of the ceasefire 04:22 Do we have the upper hand? 08:04 Trump vs. Iranian trap 09:31 Iran’s fragile position 11:49 Broader American strategy 14:59 Negotiation demands 18:57 Lebanon factor 22:48 Who is Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf? 27:45 J.D. Vance’s analogy 30:44 Strait of Hormuz 33:03 Recession fears 36:29 Hormuz circumvention 38:05 Battle for Hormuz 39:00 Global chokepoint lessons Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of FDD, joins Aaron to discuss the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. What are the fears surrounding the  talks? Where are the two sides close on the proposed ceasefire, and where are they miles apart? What should we look for to indicate how the talks are going? Looming over everything is the question of whether the negotiating table can, at times, be more dangerous than the battlefield.

Times:

02:03 Nature of the ceasefire

04:22 Do we have the upper hand?

08:04 Trump vs. Iranian trap

09:31 Iran’s fragile position

11:49 Broader American strategy

14:59 Negotiation demands

18:57 Lebanon factor

22:48 Who is Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf?

27:45 J.D. Vance’s analogy

30:44 Strait of Hormuz

33:03 Recession fears

36:29 Hormuz circumvention

38:05 Battle for Hormuz

39:00 Global chokepoint lessons

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast

Find more content on our School of War Substack


]]> 2521 Is the Strait of Hormuz Closed Forever? with Sal Mercogliano Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the  What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins us to discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the complexities of navigating the Strait under normal and elevated circumstances. The conversation delves into the geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the impact on global shipping, and the broader implications for international trade and security. What are the challenges posed by the current conflict, the role of insurance in maritime operations, and the potential long-term effects on global trade? ▪️ Times 02:45 A regular day 07:51 Shipping lanes 11:48 In the Persian Gulf 19:13 What is actually happening? 27:00 Opening the Strait  32:30 Strategic costs  38:05 Keeping things moving 44:58 Breakdown of the Freedom of the Seas 48:32 Ghost fleets 53:13 Other chokepoints Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000 Is the Strait of Hormuz Closed Forever? with Sal Mercogliano full The Free Press Sal Mercogliano, associate professor of history at Campbell University and host of the  ⁠What’s Going on with Shipping⁠ YouTube channel, to discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the complexities of navigating the Strait under normal and elevated circumstances. The conversation delves into the geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the impact on global shipping, and the broader implications for international trade and security. What are the challenges posed by the current conflict, the role of insurance in maritime operations, and the potential long-term effects on global trade? Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the  What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins us to discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the complexities of navigating the Strait under normal and elevated circumstances. The conversation delves into the geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the impact on global shipping, and the broader implications for international trade and security. What are the challenges posed by the current conflict, the role of insurance in maritime operations, and the potential long-term effects on global trade? ▪️ Times 02:45 A regular day 07:51 Shipping lanes 11:48 In the Persian Gulf 19:13 What is actually happening? 27:00 Opening the Strait  32:30 Strategic costs  38:05 Keeping things moving 44:58 Breakdown of the Freedom of the Seas 48:32 Ghost fleets 53:13 Other chokepoints Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the  What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins us to discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the complexities of navigating the Strait under normal and elevated circumstances. The conversation delves into the geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the impact on global shipping, and the broader implications for international trade and security. What are the challenges posed by the current conflict, the role of insurance in maritime operations, and the potential long-term effects on global trade?

▪️

Times

02:45 A regular day

07:51 Shipping lanes

11:48 In the Persian Gulf

19:13 What is actually happening?

27:00 Opening the Strait 

32:30 Strategic costs 

38:05 Keeping things moving

44:58 Breakdown of the Freedom of the Seas

48:32 Ghost fleets

53:13 Other chokepoints


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 3451 America’s Incredible Rescue of its Downed Airmen in Iran and Trump’s Strategic Options Ahead with Rich Goldberg & Garrett Exner Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, join the show to breakdown the dramatic events of the weekend and take a look at the road ahead in the Iran War. We discuss the American F-15E shot down in Iran, and the subsequent rescue of its crew by special operations forces near Isfahan. The conversation delves into the details of the rescue operation, President Trump's demands regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential actions the United States might take if Iran does not comply.  ▪️ Times 03:00 Rescue 12:47 Potential nuclear raid sites 15:28 President’s deal terms 26:50 Targets and regime change 35:32 Ground options 38:28 Information gaps and what comes next Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:57:00 -0000 America’s Incredible Rescue of its Downed Airmen in Iran and Trump’s Strategic Options Ahead with Rich Goldberg & Garrett Exner full The Free Press Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, joins the show to breakdown the dramatic events of the weekend and take a look at the road ahead in the Iran War. We discuss the American F-15E shot down in Iran, and the subsequent rescue of its crew by special operations forces near Isfahan. The conversation delves into the details of the rescue operation, President Trump's demands regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential actions the United States might take if Iran does not comply.  Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, join the show to breakdown the dramatic events of the weekend and take a look at the road ahead in the Iran War. We discuss the American F-15E shot down in Iran, and the subsequent rescue of its crew by special operations forces near Isfahan. The conversation delves into the details of the rescue operation, President Trump's demands regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential actions the United States might take if Iran does not comply.  ▪️ Times 03:00 Rescue 12:47 Potential nuclear raid sites 15:28 President’s deal terms 26:50 Targets and regime change 35:32 Ground options 38:28 Information gaps and what comes next Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, join the show to breakdown the dramatic events of the weekend and take a look at the road ahead in the Iran War. We discuss the American F-15E shot down in Iran, and the subsequent rescue of its crew by special operations forces near Isfahan. The conversation delves into the details of the rescue operation, President Trump's demands regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential actions the United States might take if Iran does not comply. 

▪️

Times

03:00 Rescue

12:47 Potential nuclear raid sites

15:28 President’s deal terms

26:50 Targets and regime change

35:32 Ground options

38:28 Information gaps and what comes next


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 2620 Trump Says We’re ‘Winning’ in Iran. It’s More Complicated. The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Iran’s nuclear program survives. And while the regime has been weakened, it remains intact. So what has President Trump accomplished—and what comes next in the war? Today on School of War, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of sitting in the interviewer’s chair, as I usually do – I’m the one being interviewed. I joined Rafaela Siewert of The Free Press to talk through my current thinking on the war in Iran. ▪️ Times 02:03 Trump’s speech   05:22 Escalation       10:10 Goals  12:25 Risk and scale 15:15 Kinds of surprise 17:37 Misreading the Iranians  22:10 15 Points 25:49 Opening the Strait of Hormuz  29:24 Branding  32:44 Oil  37:15 Kharg Island 41:35 Regime alteration   44:20 Time and resources 48:49 Balance 50:11 Trump, MAGA, and the Right Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 03 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000 Trump Says We’re ‘Winning’ in Iran. It’s More Complicated. full The Free Press The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Iran’s nuclear program survives. And while the regime has been weakened, it remains intact. So what has President Trump accomplished—and what comes next in the war? The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Iran’s nuclear program survives. And while the regime has been weakened, it remains intact. So what has President Trump accomplished—and what comes next in the war? Today on School of War, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of sitting in the interviewer’s chair, as I usually do – I’m the one being interviewed. I joined Rafaela Siewert of The Free Press to talk through my current thinking on the war in Iran. ▪️ Times 02:03 Trump’s speech   05:22 Escalation       10:10 Goals  12:25 Risk and scale 15:15 Kinds of surprise 17:37 Misreading the Iranians  22:10 15 Points 25:49 Opening the Strait of Hormuz  29:24 Branding  32:44 Oil  37:15 Kharg Island 41:35 Regime alteration   44:20 Time and resources 48:49 Balance 50:11 Trump, MAGA, and the Right Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Iran’s nuclear program survives. And while the regime has been weakened, it remains intact. So what has President Trump accomplished—and what comes next in the war? Today on School of War, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of sitting in the interviewer’s chair, as I usually do – I’m the one being interviewed. I joined Rafaela Siewert of The Free Press to talk through my current thinking on the war in Iran.

▪️

Times

02:03 Trump’s speech  

05:22 Escalation      

10:10 Goals 

12:25 Risk and scale

15:15 Kinds of surprise

17:37 Misreading the Iranians 

22:10 15 Points

25:49 Opening the Strait of Hormuz 

29:24 Branding 

32:44 Oil 

37:15 Kharg Island

41:35 Regime alteration  

44:20 Time and resources

48:49 Balance

50:11 Trump, MAGA, and the Right


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]]> 3215 Even as America Fights Iran, It’s Not Ready for China—with Eyck Freymann Eyck Freymann, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author of Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China, joins the show to explain the complexities of deterrence against China, the strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and the implications of the wars in Ukraine and Iran for Taiwan. We break down China’s plausible gray-zone tactics like quarantine and coercive mobilization, and how these tools, if unchecked, could lead to a total economic or military break. Where are the vulnerabilities in the U.S. defense industrial base, in naval and trade logistics, and in missile magazine depth? ▪️ Times 01:45 No path out   04:13 Maintaining balance      10:18 Kasserine lessons 16:51 China’s possible moves in the gray-zone 22:53 More stockpiling  27:33 Invasion 34:21 Decapitation and bombardment  39:20 An economic and political problem  46:42 The Summit Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0000 Even as America Fights Iran, It’s Not Ready for China—with Eyck Freymann full The Free Press Eyck Freymann, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author of ⁠Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China⁠, joins the show to explain the complexities of deterrence against China, the strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and the implications of the wars in Ukraine and Iran for Taiwan. We break down China’s plausible gray-zone tactics like quarantine and coercive mobilization, and how these tools, if unchecked, could lead to a total economic or military break. Where are the vulnerabilities in the U.S. defense industrial base, in naval and trade logistics, and in missile magazine depth? Eyck Freymann, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author of Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China, joins the show to explain the complexities of deterrence against China, the strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and the implications of the wars in Ukraine and Iran for Taiwan. We break down China’s plausible gray-zone tactics like quarantine and coercive mobilization, and how these tools, if unchecked, could lead to a total economic or military break. Where are the vulnerabilities in the U.S. defense industrial base, in naval and trade logistics, and in missile magazine depth? ▪️ Times 01:45 No path out   04:13 Maintaining balance      10:18 Kasserine lessons 16:51 China’s possible moves in the gray-zone 22:53 More stockpiling  27:33 Invasion 34:21 Decapitation and bombardment  39:20 An economic and political problem  46:42 The Summit Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Eyck Freymann, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author of Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China, joins the show to explain the complexities of deterrence against China, the strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and the implications of the wars in Ukraine and Iran for Taiwan. We break down China’s plausible gray-zone tactics like quarantine and coercive mobilization, and how these tools, if unchecked, could lead to a total economic or military break. Where are the vulnerabilities in the U.S. defense industrial base, in naval and trade logistics, and in missile magazine depth?

▪️

Times

01:45 No path out  

04:13 Maintaining balance     

10:18 Kasserine lessons

16:51 China’s possible moves in the gray-zone

22:53 More stockpiling 

27:33 Invasion

34:21 Decapitation and bombardment 

39:20 An economic and political problem 

46:42 The Summit


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]]> 3054 How Can America Defeat Iran? With John Spencer John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast, joins the show to break down how the U.S. and Israel are executing a 'neurological' campaign—using precision, targeted strikes on the Iranian Regime and its center of gravity. A strategy that’s as old as Clausewitz but more relevant than ever. How are the U.S. and Israel balancing the psychological impact of their precision strikes in tandem with the more traditional threat of brute force? What might this approach reveal about today’s conflicts, and how might it influence the next global showdown?  ▪️ Times 03:25 Targeting as strategy   10:40 Neurological strike      20:16 An evolution in military affairs 26:30 Adaptation  30:48 Center of gravity 39:37 The missile program Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000 How Can America Defeat Iran? With John Spencer full The Free Press John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast, joins the show to break down how the U.S. and Israel are executing a 'neurological' campaign—using precision, targeted strikes on the Iranian Regime and its center of gravity. A strategy that’s as old as Clausewitz but more relevant than ever. How are the U.S. and Israel balancing the psychological impact of their precision strikes in tandem with the more traditional threat of brute force? What might this approach reveal about today’s conflicts, and how might it influence the next global showdown?  John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast, joins the show to break down how the U.S. and Israel are executing a 'neurological' campaign—using precision, targeted strikes on the Iranian Regime and its center of gravity. A strategy that’s as old as Clausewitz but more relevant than ever. How are the U.S. and Israel balancing the psychological impact of their precision strikes in tandem with the more traditional threat of brute force? What might this approach reveal about today’s conflicts, and how might it influence the next global showdown?  ▪️ Times 03:25 Targeting as strategy   10:40 Neurological strike      20:16 An evolution in military affairs 26:30 Adaptation  30:48 Center of gravity 39:37 The missile program Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast, joins the show to break down how the U.S. and Israel are executing a 'neurological' campaign—using precision, targeted strikes on the Iranian Regime and its center of gravity. A strategy that’s as old as Clausewitz but more relevant than ever. How are the U.S. and Israel balancing the psychological impact of their precision strikes in tandem with the more traditional threat of brute force? What might this approach reveal about today’s conflicts, and how might it influence the next global showdown? 

▪️

Times

03:25 Targeting as strategy  

10:40 Neurological strike     

20:16 An evolution in military affairs

26:30 Adaptation 

30:48 Center of gravity

39:37 The missile program


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]]> 2628 Are We About to Send the Marines Into Iran? With Rich Goldberg and Garrett Exner Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, break down what’s really happening behind the headlines — from covert strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites to the fragile possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. How are the U.S., Israel, and Iran navigating the negotiations, and are there any operational knock-on effects? What are the realities and complexities of potential ground invasions, targeted raids, and covert operations that could shape the next phase of conflict? What are the risks of seizing Kharg Island or launching strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities?  How does the Iranian regime’s use of civilian infrastructure complicate precise strikes, and how do intelligence gaps and political signals influence U.S. decisions? What is the strategic significance of Kharg Island, what are the challenges of amphibious operations along Iran’s long coastline, and what are the odds of a ground campaign in the coming weeks?  ▪️ Times 02:42 Negotiations  09:17 U.S. options      15:35 Ground forces 18:53 M.E.U 25:35 Kharg Island 37:53 Silence on the nuclear program 45:13 JSOC 53:02 Acting with speed Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:43:00 -0000 Are We About to Send the Marines Into Iran? With Rich Goldberg and Garrett Exner full The Free Press Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, Executive Director of the Public Interest Fellowship, break down what’s really happening behind the headlines — from covert strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites to the fragile possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, break down what’s really happening behind the headlines — from covert strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites to the fragile possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. How are the U.S., Israel, and Iran navigating the negotiations, and are there any operational knock-on effects? What are the realities and complexities of potential ground invasions, targeted raids, and covert operations that could shape the next phase of conflict? What are the risks of seizing Kharg Island or launching strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities?  How does the Iranian regime’s use of civilian infrastructure complicate precise strikes, and how do intelligence gaps and political signals influence U.S. decisions? What is the strategic significance of Kharg Island, what are the challenges of amphibious operations along Iran’s long coastline, and what are the odds of a ground campaign in the coming weeks?  ▪️ Times 02:42 Negotiations  09:17 U.S. options      15:35 Ground forces 18:53 M.E.U 25:35 Kharg Island 37:53 Silence on the nuclear program 45:13 JSOC 53:02 Acting with speed Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, break down what’s really happening behind the headlines — from covert strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites to the fragile possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. How are the U.S., Israel, and Iran navigating the negotiations, and are there any operational knock-on effects? What are the realities and complexities of potential ground invasions, targeted raids, and covert operations that could shape the next phase of conflict? What are the risks of seizing Kharg Island or launching strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities?  How does the Iranian regime’s use of civilian infrastructure complicate precise strikes, and how do intelligence gaps and political signals influence U.S. decisions? What is the strategic significance of Kharg Island, what are the challenges of amphibious operations along Iran’s long coastline, and what are the odds of a ground campaign in the coming weeks? 

▪️

Times

02:42 Negotiations 

09:17 U.S. options     

15:35 Ground forces

18:53 M.E.U

25:35 Kharg Island

37:53 Silence on the nuclear program

45:13 JSOC

53:02 Acting with speed


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Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 3458 Did Trump Miscalculate on Iran? with Niall Ferguson Sir Niall Ferguson, Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and columnist at The Free Press, reveals how geography and choke points have always been pivotal in global conflicts and just like the Dardanelles during WWI, today’s hotspots like the Straits of Hormuz and Taiwan remind us that some strategic challenges never change. What exactly are chokepoints and why do they matter? How do the lessons of Gallipoli and Ukraine apply to the war with Iran? How is the current situation different from the Tanker War and WWI? Can naval and air power alone open the Strait of Hormuz and keep it open? Is there a timeline for success? And what does this all mean for U.S. magazine depth, the economy, and China? ▪️ Times 02:49 Gallipoli 11:08 Unintended consequences      18:10 Ukraine 26:22 A failure of perception 31:36 The right call by Trump?  37:34 Regime alteration 47:05 Timeframes 53:33 China Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 20 Mar 2026 21:31:00 -0000 Did Trump Miscalculate on Iran? with Niall Ferguson full The Free Press Sir Niall Ferguson, Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and columnist at The Free Press, reveals how geography and choke points have always been pivotal in global conflicts and just like the Dardanelles during WWI, today’s hotspots like the Straits of Hormuz and Taiwan remind us that some strategic challenges never change. What exactly are chokepoints and why do they matter? How do the lessons of Gallipoli and Ukraine apply to the war with Iran? How is the current situation different from the Tanker War and WWI? Can naval and air power alone open the Strait of Hormuz and keep it open? Is there a timeline for success? And what does this all mean for U.S. magazine depth, the economy, and China? Sir Niall Ferguson, Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and columnist at The Free Press, reveals how geography and choke points have always been pivotal in global conflicts and just like the Dardanelles during WWI, today’s hotspots like the Straits of Hormuz and Taiwan remind us that some strategic challenges never change. What exactly are chokepoints and why do they matter? How do the lessons of Gallipoli and Ukraine apply to the war with Iran? How is the current situation different from the Tanker War and WWI? Can naval and air power alone open the Strait of Hormuz and keep it open? Is there a timeline for success? And what does this all mean for U.S. magazine depth, the economy, and China? ▪️ Times 02:49 Gallipoli 11:08 Unintended consequences      18:10 Ukraine 26:22 A failure of perception 31:36 The right call by Trump?  37:34 Regime alteration 47:05 Timeframes 53:33 China Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Sir Niall Ferguson, Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and columnist at The Free Press, reveals how geography and choke points have always been pivotal in global conflicts and just like the Dardanelles during WWI, today’s hotspots like the Straits of Hormuz and Taiwan remind us that some strategic challenges never change. What exactly are chokepoints and why do they matter? How do the lessons of Gallipoli and Ukraine apply to the war with Iran? How is the current situation different from the Tanker War and WWI? Can naval and air power alone open the Strait of Hormuz and keep it open? Is there a timeline for success? And what does this all mean for U.S. magazine depth, the economy, and China?

▪️

Times

02:49 Gallipoli

11:08 Unintended consequences     

18:10 Ukraine

26:22 A failure of perception

31:36 The right call by Trump? 

37:34 Regime alteration

47:05 Timeframes

53:33 China

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]]> 3495 Can Trump Beat China by Winning In Iran? with Zineb Riboua Zineb Riboua, research fellow with Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace andSecurity in the Middle East, joins the show to talk about the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, focusing on China's interests and involvement. How dependent is China on the region's energy resources? How does China project power in the Middle East and in Africa? Is China benefiting or suffering from the current war? What are the geopolitical and strategic considerations for both Beijing and D.C.? Times02:19 Going badly for China06:24 Specific military goals07:47 China & the Middle East12:44 Iranian Oil15:34 Layers18:12 Trump and Xi22:54 Conditions in the Strait of Hormuz26:46 Best case/worst case scenarios29:42 Russia and Africa33:36 Strategic revenge Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:30:00 -0000 full The Free Press Zineb Riboua, research fellow with Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace andSecurity in the Middle East, joins the show to talk about the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, focusing on China's interests and involvement. How dependent is China on the region's energy resources? How does China project power in the Middle East and in Africa? Is China benefiting or suffering from the current war? What are the geopolitical and strategic considerations for both Beijing and D.C.? Times02:19 Going badly for China06:24 Specific military goals07:47 China & the Middle East12:44 Iranian Oil15:34 Layers18:12 Trump and Xi22:54 Conditions in the Strait of Hormuz26:46 Best case/worst case scenarios29:42 Russia and Africa33:36 Strategic revenge Zineb Riboua, research fellow with Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace and
Security in the Middle East, joins the show to talk about the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, focusing on China's interests and involvement. How dependent is China on the region's energy resources? How does China project power in the Middle East and in Africa? Is China benefiting or suffering from the current war? What are the geopolitical and strategic considerations for both Beijing and D.C.?


Times
02:19 Going badly for China
06:24 Specific military goals
07:47 China & the Middle East
12:44 Iranian Oil
15:34 Layers
18:12 Trump and Xi
22:54 Conditions in the Strait of Hormuz
26:46 Best case/worst case scenarios
29:42 Russia and Africa
33:36 Strategic revenge

]]> 2201 yes Did the Islamic Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh Ray Takeyh, senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty, joins the show to talk about the origins, evolution, and possible future of the Islamic Republic of Iran. What forces produced the 1979 revolution, and how did it reshape Iran’s political and religious order? What are the psychological and sociological impacts of this revolution? How have the regime’s leaders interpreted and sustained the revolutionary project, and what have the major challenges been? As Iran enters a new and uncertain phase under Mojtaba Khamenei, can the Islamic Republic endure, or is there a potential for future revolution in Iran? ▪️ Times 02:07 Living through the Islamic Revolution 04:12 A diverse Iran      05:50 How did the revolution succeed?  14:06 Khomeini & Khamenei 20:46 Too cautious  22:35 Dynastic succession   34:00 Iran vs. Venezuela 38:35 Regime resiliency  44:30 Beginning of the end   50:14 Threshold states Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000 Did the Islamic Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh full The Free Press ay Takeyh, senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of ⁠The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty⁠, joins the show to talk about the origins, evolution, and possible future of the Islamic Republic of Iran. What forces produced the 1979 revolution, and how did it reshape Iran’s political and religious order? What are the psychological and sociological impacts of this revolution? How have the regime’s leaders interpreted and sustained the revolutionary project, and what have the major challenges been? As Iran enters a new and uncertain phase under Mojtaba Khamenei, can the Islamic Republic endure, or is there a potential for future revolution in Iran? Ray Takeyh, senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty, joins the show to talk about the origins, evolution, and possible future of the Islamic Republic of Iran. What forces produced the 1979 revolution, and how did it reshape Iran’s political and religious order? What are the psychological and sociological impacts of this revolution? How have the regime’s leaders interpreted and sustained the revolutionary project, and what have the major challenges been? As Iran enters a new and uncertain phase under Mojtaba Khamenei, can the Islamic Republic endure, or is there a potential for future revolution in Iran? ▪️ Times 02:07 Living through the Islamic Revolution 04:12 A diverse Iran      05:50 How did the revolution succeed?  14:06 Khomeini & Khamenei 20:46 Too cautious  22:35 Dynastic succession   34:00 Iran vs. Venezuela 38:35 Regime resiliency  44:30 Beginning of the end   50:14 Threshold states Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Ray Takeyh, senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty, joins the show to talk about the origins, evolution, and possible future of the Islamic Republic of Iran. What forces produced the 1979 revolution, and how did it reshape Iran’s political and religious order? What are the psychological and sociological impacts of this revolution? How have the regime’s leaders interpreted and sustained the revolutionary project, and what have the major challenges been? As Iran enters a new and uncertain phase under Mojtaba Khamenei, can the Islamic Republic endure, or is there a potential for future revolution in Iran?

▪️

Times

02:07 Living through the Islamic Revolution

04:12 A diverse Iran     

05:50 How did the revolution succeed? 

14:06 Khomeini & Khamenei

20:46 Too cautious 

22:35 Dynastic succession  

34:00 Iran vs. Venezuela

38:35 Regime resiliency 

44:30 Beginning of the end  

50:14 Threshold states

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


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]]> 3352 How the War in Iran Actually Works with Mark Montgomery Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to provide in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict. Mark gives his thoughts on naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, including their strategic implications for the progress of the war. He also discusses drone warfare, missile defense, and the broader geopolitical context. Mark also explains how Ukraine and Russia are playing growing parts in the war. ▪️ Times 02:30 A constant menace 07:34 Radar and THAAD      11:06 Hormuz 20:26 Real deterrence  31:36 Russian targeting  38:38 Conservation of resources   46:03 Life at sea Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000 Mark Montgomery on How the War in Iran Actually Works full The Free Press Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to provide in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict. Mark gives his thoughts on naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, including their strategic implications for the progress of the war. He also discusses drone warfare, missile defense, and the broader geopolitical context. Mark also explains how Ukraine and Russia are playing growing parts in the war. Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to provide in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict. Mark gives his thoughts on naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, including their strategic implications for the progress of the war. He also discusses drone warfare, missile defense, and the broader geopolitical context. Mark also explains how Ukraine and Russia are playing growing parts in the war. ▪️ Times 02:30 A constant menace 07:34 Radar and THAAD      11:06 Hormuz 20:26 Real deterrence  31:36 Russian targeting  38:38 Conservation of resources   46:03 Life at sea Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to provide in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict. Mark gives his thoughts on naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, including their strategic implications for the progress of the war. He also discusses drone warfare, missile defense, and the broader geopolitical context. Mark also explains how Ukraine and Russia are playing growing parts in the war.

▪️

Times

02:30 A constant menace

07:34 Radar and THAAD     

11:06 Hormuz

20:26 Real deterrence 

31:36 Russian targeting 

38:38 Conservation of resources  

46:03 Life at sea


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]]> 2976 General Frank McKenzie on the War in Iran General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie Jr,  USMC (ret.), commanded US Central Command from 2019-2022. Gen. McKenzie led a distinguished 42 year career in the US Marine Corps, commanding at multiple levels and serving on the Joint Staff. In this in-depth conversation, General McKenzie shares his insights on the recent U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, strategic mistakes by Iran, and the prospects for regime change. He gives a full breakdown of Iran's military capabilities, regional dynamics, and possible future scenarios. ▪️ Times 03:45 Iranian response  07:40 Ballistic missiles      19:06 Defeating drones 22:20 Soleimani 30:31 Iranian miscalculation  32:48 War was never inevitable   36:18 Outcomes Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 06 Mar 2026 04:30:00 -0000 General Frank McKenzie on the War in Iran full The Free Press General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie Jr,  USMC (ret.), commanded US Central Command from 2019-2022. Gen. McKenzie led a distinguished 42 year career in the US Marine Corps, commanding at multiple levels and serving on the Joint Staff. In this in-depth conversation, General McKenzie shares his insights on the recent U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, strategic mistakes by Iran, and the prospects for regime change. He gives a full breakdown of Iran's military capabilities, regional dynamics, and possible future scenarios. General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie Jr,  USMC (ret.), commanded US Central Command from 2019-2022. Gen. McKenzie led a distinguished 42 year career in the US Marine Corps, commanding at multiple levels and serving on the Joint Staff. In this in-depth conversation, General McKenzie shares his insights on the recent U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, strategic mistakes by Iran, and the prospects for regime change. He gives a full breakdown of Iran's military capabilities, regional dynamics, and possible future scenarios. ▪️ Times 03:45 Iranian response  07:40 Ballistic missiles      19:06 Defeating drones 22:20 Soleimani 30:31 Iranian miscalculation  32:48 War was never inevitable   36:18 Outcomes Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie Jr,  USMC (ret.), commanded US Central Command from 2019-2022. Gen. McKenzie led a distinguished 42 year career in the US Marine Corps, commanding at multiple levels and serving on the Joint Staff. In this in-depth conversation, General McKenzie shares his insights on the recent U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, strategic mistakes by Iran, and the prospects for regime change. He gives a full breakdown of Iran's military capabilities, regional dynamics, and possible future scenarios.

▪️

Times

03:45 Iranian response 

07:40 Ballistic missiles     

19:06 Defeating drones

22:20 Soleimani

30:31 Iranian miscalculation 

32:48 War was never inevitable  

36:18 Outcomes

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]]> 2438 Ep 281: Fred Kagan on the Iran War, Drone Defense, and the Future of the Middle East Fred Kagan, senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the war, what Ukraine can do to help the Gulf with drone defense, and the future of the Islamic Republic. ▪️ 01:51 Updates 03:29 Iranian strikes  09:15 Munitions crisis     14:28 Innovation 18:45 Isolated and weak 25:12 Arming the opposition 30:55 A dangerous game  36:22 10/7  40:21 Turkey Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:39:00 -0000 Ep 282: Fred Kagan on the Iran War, Drone Defense, and the Future of the Middle East full The Free Press Fred Kagan, senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the war, what Ukraine can do to help the Gulf with drone defense, and the future of the Islamic Republic. Fred Kagan, senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the war, what Ukraine can do to help the Gulf with drone defense, and the future of the Islamic Republic. ▪️ 01:51 Updates 03:29 Iranian strikes  09:15 Munitions crisis     14:28 Innovation 18:45 Isolated and weak 25:12 Arming the opposition 30:55 A dangerous game  36:22 10/7  40:21 Turkey Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fred Kagan, senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the war, what Ukraine can do to help the Gulf with drone defense, and the future of the Islamic Republic.

▪️

01:51 Updates

03:29 Iranian strikes 

09:15 Munitions crisis    

14:28 Innovation

18:45 Isolated and weak

25:12 Arming the opposition

30:55 A dangerous game 

36:22 10/7 

40:21 Turkey


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]]> 2728 Ep 280: Mike Doran on the Iran War Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to bring us the latest breakdown on the war and how long this may go on. ▪️ Times 01:52 Where are things going? 05:45 Rational strikes  09:56 A weakened positioned    16:33 Lasting change 20:13 What comes next? 26:40 Regional war 30:28 Integration  38:30 The Decider  47:32 Futures  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:33:00 -0000 Ep 280: Mike Doran on the Iran War full The Free Press Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to bring us the latest breakdown on the war and how long this may go on. Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to bring us the latest breakdown on the war and how long this may go on. ▪️ Times 01:52 Where are things going? 05:45 Rational strikes  09:56 A weakened positioned    16:33 Lasting change 20:13 What comes next? 26:40 Regional war 30:28 Integration  38:30 The Decider  47:32 Futures  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to bring us the latest breakdown on the war and how long this may go on.

▪️

Times

01:52 Where are things going?

05:45 Rational strikes 

09:56 A weakened positioned   

16:33 Lasting change

20:13 What comes next?

26:40 Regional war

30:28 Integration 

38:30 The Decider 

47:32 Futures 

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]]> 3026 Ep 279: Mark Dubowitz on U.S.-Israel War with Iran Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the rapidly developing full-scale conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran. ▪️ Times 01:19 Iranian leaders targeted  04:48 10/7 roots  07:39 Ambitious war aims   12:41 Scope 15:59 Regime change 20:11 Iranian response 23:42 Playing with fire 28:13 Partnership Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Sat, 28 Feb 2026 16:00:00 -0000 Ep 279: Mark Dubowitz on U.S.-Israel War with Iran full The Free Press Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the rapidly developing full-scale conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the rapidly developing full-scale conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran. ▪️ Times 01:19 Iranian leaders targeted  04:48 10/7 roots  07:39 Ambitious war aims   12:41 Scope 15:59 Regime change 20:11 Iranian response 23:42 Playing with fire 28:13 Partnership Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the rapidly developing full-scale conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran.

▪️

Times

01:19 Iranian leaders targeted 

04:48 10/7 roots 

07:39 Ambitious war aims  

12:41 Scope

15:59 Regime change

20:11 Iranian response

23:42 Playing with fire

28:13 Partnership


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]]> 1924 Ep 278: Yossi Cohen on The Mossad Yossi Cohen, served as the director of the Mossad from 2016 until 2021 and is the author of The Sword of Freedom: Israel, Mossad, and the Secret War. As director, he personally orchestrated some of the Mossad’s most daring operations, such as the seizure of the Iranian nuclear archives—the exposure of which was among the main factors behind the United States’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal—and clandestine activity all over the world. ▪️ Times 01:27 Joining the Mossad 16:02 Serving behind the lines  26:31 Recruitment   32:45 HUMINT 39:50 Deciding to strike 44:36 Iran  49:51 Moral conflicts Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 278: Yossi Cohen on The Mossad full The Free Press Yossi Cohen, served as the director of the Mossad from 2016 until 2021 and is the author of ⁠The Sword of Freedom: Israel, Mossad, and the Secret War⁠. As director, he personally orchestrated some of the Mossad’s most daring operations, such as the seizure of the Iranian nuclear archives—the exposure of which was among the main factors behind the United States’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal—and clandestine activity all over the world. Yossi Cohen, served as the director of the Mossad from 2016 until 2021 and is the author of The Sword of Freedom: Israel, Mossad, and the Secret War. As director, he personally orchestrated some of the Mossad’s most daring operations, such as the seizure of the Iranian nuclear archives—the exposure of which was among the main factors behind the United States’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal—and clandestine activity all over the world. ▪️ Times 01:27 Joining the Mossad 16:02 Serving behind the lines  26:31 Recruitment   32:45 HUMINT 39:50 Deciding to strike 44:36 Iran  49:51 Moral conflicts Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Yossi Cohen, served as the director of the Mossad from 2016 until 2021 and is the author of The Sword of Freedom: Israel, Mossad, and the Secret War. As director, he personally orchestrated some of the Mossad’s most daring operations, such as the seizure of the Iranian nuclear archives—the exposure of which was among the main factors behind the United States’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal—and clandestine activity all over the world.

▪️

Times

01:27 Joining the Mossad

16:02 Serving behind the lines 

26:31 Recruitment  

32:45 HUMINT

39:50 Deciding to strike

44:36 Iran 

49:51 Moral conflicts


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]]> 3062 Ep 277: Behnam Ben Taleblu—Will There Be a War with Iran? Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about the build-up of American military power in the Middle East and what it might mean for Iran and the Iranian regime. ▪️ Times 02:04 U.S. build-up 05:46 Timing  11:08 “Decisive and different”   24:41 Iranian retaliation 30:03 Targets 35:25 Ideology of the Supreme Leader  41:36 A Trump JCPOA 45:46 Regime change by air Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:30:00 -0000 Ep 277: Behnam Ben Taleblu—Will There Be a War with Iran? full The Free Press Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about the build-up of American military power in the Middle East and what it might mean for Iran and the Iranian regime. Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about the build-up of American military power in the Middle East and what it might mean for Iran and the Iranian regime. ▪️ Times 02:04 U.S. build-up 05:46 Timing  11:08 “Decisive and different”   24:41 Iranian retaliation 30:03 Targets 35:25 Ideology of the Supreme Leader  41:36 A Trump JCPOA 45:46 Regime change by air Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about the build-up of American military power in the Middle East and what it might mean for Iran and the Iranian regime.

▪️

Times

02:04 U.S. build-up

05:46 Timing 

11:08 “Decisive and different”  

24:41 Iranian retaliation

30:03 Targets

35:25 Ideology of the Supreme Leader 

41:36 A Trump JCPOA

45:46 Regime change by air


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]]> 2989 Ep 276: Charlie Laderman on Regime Change in Iran Charlie Laderman, associate professor at the University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, joins the show to discuss parallels between Reagan’s policy towards Cold War Poland and the crisis in Iran today. ▪️ Times 02:45 Comparing Iran and Poland 05:56 Reagan’s plan  10:15 Reheating the Cold War   12:26 ’81 coup 15:53 Sanctions and pressure 20:19 Constant agitation   27:38 End of the Cold War 34:45 The violence of the Iranian regime  37:55 Structural differences    44:32 Exiled opposition Read the article discussed in the episode - Freedom for Iran: Learning From U.S. Support for Polish Anti-Communists in the 1980s Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 276: Charlie Laderman on Regime Change in Iran full The Free Press Charlie Laderman, associate professor at the University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, joins the show to discuss parallels between Reagan’s policy towards Cold War Poland and the crisis in Iran today. Charlie Laderman, associate professor at the University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, joins the show to discuss parallels between Reagan’s policy towards Cold War Poland and the crisis in Iran today. ▪️ Times 02:45 Comparing Iran and Poland 05:56 Reagan’s plan  10:15 Reheating the Cold War   12:26 ’81 coup 15:53 Sanctions and pressure 20:19 Constant agitation   27:38 End of the Cold War 34:45 The violence of the Iranian regime  37:55 Structural differences    44:32 Exiled opposition Read the article discussed in the episode - Freedom for Iran: Learning From U.S. Support for Polish Anti-Communists in the 1980s Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Charlie Laderman, associate professor at the University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, joins the show to discuss parallels between Reagan’s policy towards Cold War Poland and the crisis in Iran today.

▪️

Times

02:45 Comparing Iran and Poland

05:56 Reagan’s plan 

10:15 Reheating the Cold War  

12:26 ’81 coup

15:53 Sanctions and pressure

20:19 Constant agitation  

27:38 End of the Cold War

34:45 The violence of the Iranian regime 

37:55 Structural differences   

44:32 Exiled opposition


Read the article discussed in the episode - Freedom for Iran: Learning From U.S. Support for Polish Anti-Communists in the 1980s

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 2957 Ep 275: Michael Baumgartner on Marco Rubio’s Speech and the Future of Europe Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Washington State’s 5th Congressional District joins the show to give his key takeaways from the Munich Security Conference. ▪️ Times 01:34 Getting to Munich 05:22 European attitude   14:20 AOC and recalibration   17:50 Germany returns 23:59 Rubio’s speech 30:23 Ukraine   39:22 Iran and a “good” deal Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 275: Michael Baumgartner on Marco Rubio’s Speech and the Future of Europe full The Free Press Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Washington State’s 5th Congressional District joins the show to give his key takeaways from the Munich Security Conference. Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Washington State’s 5th Congressional District joins the show to give his key takeaways from the Munich Security Conference. ▪️ Times 01:34 Getting to Munich 05:22 European attitude   14:20 AOC and recalibration   17:50 Germany returns 23:59 Rubio’s speech 30:23 Ukraine   39:22 Iran and a “good” deal Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Washington State’s 5th Congressional District joins the show to give his key takeaways from the Munich Security Conference.

▪️

Times

01:34 Getting to Munich

05:22 European attitude  

14:20 AOC and recalibration  

17:50 Germany returns

23:59 Rubio’s speech

30:23 Ukraine  

39:22 Iran and a “good” deal


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast

]]> 2632 Ep 274: Lawrence Freedman on Strategists and Ukraine Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of On Strategists and Strategy: Collected Essays, 2014-2024, joins the show to talk about a lifetime among strategists, and to give an update on the war in Ukraine. ▪️ Times 02:34 Essay writing 07:49 Michael Howard  18:42 Colin Gray 23:06 Timeless aspects of strategy 26:00 The goal of SDI 36:40 Tactics   41:20 Differences between tactics and strategy 45:01 Ultimate objectives  50:08 Sensible uses of nuclear weapons   52:24 Thatcher 53:59 Harsh winter in Ukraine Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 274: Lawrence Freedman on Strategists and Ukraine full The Free Press Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of ⁠On Strategists and Strategy: Collected Essays, 2014-2024⁠, joins the show to talk about a lifetime among strategists, and to give an update on the war in Ukraine. Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of On Strategists and Strategy: Collected Essays, 2014-2024, joins the show to talk about a lifetime among strategists, and to give an update on the war in Ukraine. ▪️ Times 02:34 Essay writing 07:49 Michael Howard  18:42 Colin Gray 23:06 Timeless aspects of strategy 26:00 The goal of SDI 36:40 Tactics   41:20 Differences between tactics and strategy 45:01 Ultimate objectives  50:08 Sensible uses of nuclear weapons   52:24 Thatcher 53:59 Harsh winter in Ukraine Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of On Strategists and Strategy: Collected Essays, 2014-2024, joins the show to talk about a lifetime among strategists, and to give an update on the war in Ukraine.

▪️

Times

02:34 Essay writing

07:49 Michael Howard 

18:42 Colin Gray

23:06 Timeless aspects of strategy

26:00 The goal of SDI

36:40 Tactics  

41:20 Differences between tactics and strategy

45:01 Ultimate objectives 

50:08 Sensible uses of nuclear weapons  

52:24 Thatcher

53:59 Harsh winter in Ukraine


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 3262 Ep 273: Matthew Kroenig on China’s Nuclear Test Matthew Kroenig, Professor in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, joins the show to talk about the new nuclear age the world is entering. ▪️ Times 03:27 Secret Chinese testing 07:35 Seismic monitoring and de-coupling 11:40 U.S. testing plan  15:30 Why might we need more nuclear weapons? 18:01 New START 21:23 How many nukes are needed? 27:04 If deterrence fails  30:20 Limits, if any Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:07:00 -0000 Ep 273: Matthew Kroenig on China’s Nuclear Test full The Free Press Matthew Kroenig, Professor in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, joins the show to talk about the new nuclear age the world is entering. Matthew Kroenig, Professor in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, joins the show to talk about the new nuclear age the world is entering. ▪️ Times 03:27 Secret Chinese testing 07:35 Seismic monitoring and de-coupling 11:40 U.S. testing plan  15:30 Why might we need more nuclear weapons? 18:01 New START 21:23 How many nukes are needed? 27:04 If deterrence fails  30:20 Limits, if any Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Matthew Kroenig, Professor in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, joins the show to talk about the new nuclear age the world is entering.

▪️

Times

03:27 Secret Chinese testing

07:35 Seismic monitoring and de-coupling

11:40 U.S. testing plan 

15:30 Why might we need more nuclear weapons?

18:01 New START

21:23 How many nukes are needed?

27:04 If deterrence fails 

30:20 Limits, if any


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


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]]> 1910 Ep 272: Beatrice Heuser on Why Leaders Make Bad Decisions Beatrice Heuser, Distinguished Professor at the Brussels School of Governance in the Free University of Brussels and author of Flawed Strategy: Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Decisions, joins the show to discuss decision-making and strategic thinking. ▪️ Times 02:58 Economists and strategy 07:59 Acting rationally vs logically 15:00 Mirror imaging  20:01 How should we study strategy? 27:17 Denial 32:18 Strategic intelligence failures 36:15 Hidden causes 38:57 Everyone does it Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 272: Beatrice Heuser on Why Leaders Make Bad Decisions full The Free Press Beatrice Heuser, Distinguished Professor at the Brussels School of Governance in the Free University of Brussels and author of ⁠Flawed Strategy: Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Decisions⁠, joins the show to discuss decision-making and strategic thinking. Beatrice Heuser, Distinguished Professor at the Brussels School of Governance in the Free University of Brussels and author of Flawed Strategy: Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Decisions, joins the show to discuss decision-making and strategic thinking. ▪️ Times 02:58 Economists and strategy 07:59 Acting rationally vs logically 15:00 Mirror imaging  20:01 How should we study strategy? 27:17 Denial 32:18 Strategic intelligence failures 36:15 Hidden causes 38:57 Everyone does it Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Beatrice Heuser, Distinguished Professor at the Brussels School of Governance in the Free University of Brussels and author of Flawed Strategy: Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Decisions, joins the show to discuss decision-making and strategic thinking.

▪️

Times

02:58 Economists and strategy

07:59 Acting rationally vs logically

15:00 Mirror imaging 

20:01 How should we study strategy?

27:17 Denial

32:18 Strategic intelligence failures

36:15 Hidden causes

38:57 Everyone does it


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]]> 2333 Ep 271: Geoff Ball on the Future of America’s Infantry Geoff Ball, U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, staff director for the Naval Academy’s Leadership Education and Development Division and Executive Editor of The Connecting File, joins the show to discuss the radical changes and surprising continuities in how America’s grunts will fight. ▪️ Times 02:25 The Connecting File 06:22 How is the infantry doing? 14:10 Companies of the future 23:22 Information and trust  29:57 Innovative spirit 33:30 Light Armored Recon  39:05 Drone battalions 42:24 Learning the right lessons from Ukraine Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 271: Geoff Ball on the Future of America’s Infantry full The Free Press Geoff Ball, U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, staff director for the Naval Academy’s Leadership Education and Development Division and Executive Editor of ⁠The Connecting File⁠, joins the show to discuss the radical changes and surprising continuities in how America’s grunts will fight. Geoff Ball, U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, staff director for the Naval Academy’s Leadership Education and Development Division and Executive Editor of The Connecting File, joins the show to discuss the radical changes and surprising continuities in how America’s grunts will fight. ▪️ Times 02:25 The Connecting File 06:22 How is the infantry doing? 14:10 Companies of the future 23:22 Information and trust  29:57 Innovative spirit 33:30 Light Armored Recon  39:05 Drone battalions 42:24 Learning the right lessons from Ukraine Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Geoff Ball, U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, staff director for the Naval Academy’s Leadership Education and Development Division and Executive Editor of The Connecting File, joins the show to discuss the radical changes and surprising continuities in how America’s grunts will fight.

▪️

Times

02:25 The Connecting File

06:22 How is the infantry doing?

14:10 Companies of the future

23:22 Information and trust 

29:57 Innovative spirit

33:30 Light Armored Recon 

39:05 Drone battalions

42:24 Learning the right lessons from Ukraine


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


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]]> 2576 Ep 270: David Shedd on China’s Spies David Shedd, former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and author of The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets, joins the show to discuss Chinese spy craft. ▪️ Times 02:05 Early days 06:49 CIA 09:28 Sandinistas and revolutionaries  15:14 IC preparation  18:35 A great awakening 26:11 Industrial espionage  30:50 National Intelligence Estimate 34:11 The MSS 44:19 The culture of the 18th Bureau  50:17 Battlefield consequences  55:20 Counterarguments Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 270: David Shedd on China’s Spies full The Free Press David Shedd, former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and author of ⁠The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets⁠, joins the show to discuss Chinese spy craft. David Shedd, former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and author of The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets, joins the show to discuss Chinese spy craft. ▪️ Times 02:05 Early days 06:49 CIA 09:28 Sandinistas and revolutionaries  15:14 IC preparation  18:35 A great awakening 26:11 Industrial espionage  30:50 National Intelligence Estimate 34:11 The MSS 44:19 The culture of the 18th Bureau  50:17 Battlefield consequences  55:20 Counterarguments Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack David Shedd, former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and author of The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets, joins the show to discuss Chinese spy craft.

▪️

Times

02:05 Early days

06:49 CIA

09:28 Sandinistas and revolutionaries 

15:14 IC preparation 

18:35 A great awakening

26:11 Industrial espionage 

30:50 National Intelligence Estimate

34:11 The MSS

44:19 The culture of the 18th Bureau 

50:17 Battlefield consequences 

55:20 Counterarguments


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]]> 3793 Ep 269: Walter Russell Mead on Donald and Davos and Greenland, Oh My! Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to discuss foreign policy in the Age of Trump. ▪️ Times 03:15 An extraordinary week 05:06 The Transatlantic relationship 09:02 Turning to China  16:10 Greenland 27:03 Post-presidency Trump 32:25 Harder now 43:08 Zelenskyy Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:46:00 -0000 Ep 269: Walter Russell Mead on Donald and Davos and Greenland, Oh My! full The Free Press Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to discuss foreign policy in the Age of Trump. Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to discuss foreign policy in the Age of Trump. ▪️ Times 03:15 An extraordinary week 05:06 The Transatlantic relationship 09:02 Turning to China  16:10 Greenland 27:03 Post-presidency Trump 32:25 Harder now 43:08 Zelenskyy Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to discuss foreign policy in the Age of Trump.

▪️

Times

03:15 An extraordinary week

05:06 The Transatlantic relationship

09:02 Turning to China 

16:10 Greenland

27:03 Post-presidency Trump

32:25 Harder now

43:08 Zelenskyy


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]]> 3067 Ep 268: Seth Jones on America’s Defense Industrial Crisis Seth Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair at CSIS, joins the show to talk about how America has resurrected its defense industrial base in the past and why it should be doing so now. ▪️ Times 02:55 The British in the 1930s 05:58 Roosevelt’s decision 09:48 Re-orientation  13:59 The B-29 16:00 Victory in Iraq  27:54 Skunkworks 31:30 Xi comes into power 35:07 Disadvantages 39:07 What needs to be done?  44:28 Fighting for 5% 47:43 Culture shift Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 268: Seth Jones on America’s Defense Industrial Crisis full The Free Press Seth Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair at CSIS, joins the show to talk about how America has resurrected its defense industrial base in the past and why it should be doing so now. Seth Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair at CSIS, joins the show to talk about how America has resurrected its defense industrial base in the past and why it should be doing so now. ▪️ Times 02:55 The British in the 1930s 05:58 Roosevelt’s decision 09:48 Re-orientation  13:59 The B-29 16:00 Victory in Iraq  27:54 Skunkworks 31:30 Xi comes into power 35:07 Disadvantages 39:07 What needs to be done?  44:28 Fighting for 5% 47:43 Culture shift Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Seth Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair at CSIS, joins the show to talk about how America has resurrected its defense industrial base in the past and why it should be doing so now.

▪️

Times

02:55 The British in the 1930s

05:58 Roosevelt’s decision

09:48 Re-orientation 

13:59 The B-29

16:00 Victory in Iraq 

27:54 Skunkworks

31:30 Xi comes into power

35:07 Disadvantages

39:07 What needs to be done? 

44:28 Fighting for 5%

47:43 Culture shift

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]]> 2925 Ep 267: Michael Lurie on Israel’s New Laser Weapon Michael Lurie, CEO and President of Rafael USA, joins the show to explain how High Energy Lasers and Iron Beam will change missile & air defense, not to mention warfare itself, forever. ▪️ Times 02:34 The evolution of missile defense 05:09 Iron Dome & Iron Beam 08:04 How do lasers work? 15:16 Limitations 20:07 Integrating systems  25:28 Future applications  30:09 Lessons from field testing 40:15 American interest Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 267: Michael Lurie on Israel’s New Laser Weapon full The Free Press Michael Lurie, CEO and President of Rafael USA, joins the show to explain how High Energy Lasers and Iron Beam will change missile & air defense, not to mention warfare itself, forever. Michael Lurie, CEO and President of Rafael USA, joins the show to explain how High Energy Lasers and Iron Beam will change missile & air defense, not to mention warfare itself, forever. ▪️ Times 02:34 The evolution of missile defense 05:09 Iron Dome & Iron Beam 08:04 How do lasers work? 15:16 Limitations 20:07 Integrating systems  25:28 Future applications  30:09 Lessons from field testing 40:15 American interest Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Michael Lurie, CEO and President of Rafael USA, joins the show to explain how High Energy Lasers and Iron Beam will change missile & air defense, not to mention warfare itself, forever.

▪️

Times

02:34 The evolution of missile defense

05:09 Iron Dome & Iron Beam

08:04 How do lasers work?

15:16 Limitations

20:07 Integrating systems 

25:28 Future applications 

30:09 Lessons from field testing

40:15 American interest


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]]> 2680 Ep 266: Blake Seitz & Mike Watson—Were the Founders Isolationists? Blake Seitz, Content Strategist at Palantir Technologies, and Mike Watson, Executive Director at The Alexander Hamilton Society, join the show to discuss America’s relationship with the world at the time of the Founding Fathers. ▪️ Times 02:45 18th Century geopolitical landscape 06:25 Yorktown 11:17 Diplomacy of the Founders  16:23 Bold rhetoric  19:37 Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists 25:45 Washington’s legacy  32:42 The roots of isolationism  36:38 Parallels and changes 44:16 What does it mean to be an American?  47:20 A grounding in history Read more - 1776: The Beginnings of American Exceptionalism Abroad Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 266: Blake Seitz & Mike Watson—Were the Founders Isolationists? full The Free Press Blake Seitz, Content Strategist at Palantir Technologies, and Mike Watson, Executive Director at The Alexander Hamilton Society, join the show to discuss America’s relationship with the world at the time of the Founding Fathers. Blake Seitz, Content Strategist at Palantir Technologies, and Mike Watson, Executive Director at The Alexander Hamilton Society, join the show to discuss America’s relationship with the world at the time of the Founding Fathers. ▪️ Times 02:45 18th Century geopolitical landscape 06:25 Yorktown 11:17 Diplomacy of the Founders  16:23 Bold rhetoric  19:37 Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists 25:45 Washington’s legacy  32:42 The roots of isolationism  36:38 Parallels and changes 44:16 What does it mean to be an American?  47:20 A grounding in history Read more - 1776: The Beginnings of American Exceptionalism Abroad Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Blake Seitz, Content Strategist at Palantir Technologies, and Mike Watson, Executive Director at The Alexander Hamilton Society, join the show to discuss America’s relationship with the world at the time of the Founding Fathers.

▪️

Times

02:45 18th Century geopolitical landscape

06:25 Yorktown

11:17 Diplomacy of the Founders 

16:23 Bold rhetoric 

19:37 Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

25:45 Washington’s legacy 

32:42 The roots of isolationism 

36:38 Parallels and changes

44:16 What does it mean to be an American? 

47:20 A grounding in history

Read more - 1776: The Beginnings of American Exceptionalism Abroad


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]]> 2885 Ep 265: Mark Dubowitz on Is Iran Next? Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on widespread Iranian protests, the chances of American or Israeli intervention, and what intervention might achieve. ▪️ Times 02:15 Will we strike? 05:34 New Iran talks? 07:03 Nuclear concessions?  10:35 Intervention possibilities 15:10 The Shah’s son and the Islamic regime 24:28 How do these protests compare to the past? 34:29 Public perceptions Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:14:00 -0000 Ep 265: Mark Dubowitz on Is Iran Next? full The Free Press Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on widespread Iranian protests, the chances of American or Israeli intervention, and what intervention might achieve. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on widespread Iranian protests, the chances of American or Israeli intervention, and what intervention might achieve. ▪️ Times 02:15 Will we strike? 05:34 New Iran talks? 07:03 Nuclear concessions?  10:35 Intervention possibilities 15:10 The Shah’s son and the Islamic regime 24:28 How do these protests compare to the past? 34:29 Public perceptions Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on widespread Iranian protests, the chances of American or Israeli intervention, and what intervention might achieve.

▪️

Times

02:15 Will we strike?

05:34 New Iran talks?

07:03 Nuclear concessions? 

10:35 Intervention possibilities

15:10 The Shah’s son and the Islamic regime

24:28 How do these protests compare to the past?

34:29 Public perceptions


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]]> 2119 Ep 264: Mark Montgomery on Seizing Venezuela’s Shadow Fleet Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to discuss Venezuela’s shadow fleet, the cyber component of the Maduro raid, and the future of the U.S. Navy. ▪️ Times 03:04 Shadow Fleets 06:06 Ship Hunting  10:07 Coast Guard  12:35 Leverage and Sanctions 18:37 Planning the Maduro Raid 24:57 How We Use Cyber 28:45 Types of Risk    31:50 State of the Navy 36:56 Return of the Battleship? Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:49:00 -0000 Ep 264: Mark Montgomery on Seizing Venezuela’s Shadow Fleet full The Free Press Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to discuss Venezuela’s shadow fleet, the cyber component of the Maduro raid, and the future of the U.S. Navy. Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to discuss Venezuela’s shadow fleet, the cyber component of the Maduro raid, and the future of the U.S. Navy. ▪️ Times 03:04 Shadow Fleets 06:06 Ship Hunting  10:07 Coast Guard  12:35 Leverage and Sanctions 18:37 Planning the Maduro Raid 24:57 How We Use Cyber 28:45 Types of Risk    31:50 State of the Navy 36:56 Return of the Battleship? Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to discuss Venezuela’s shadow fleet, the cyber component of the Maduro raid, and the future of the U.S. Navy.

▪️

Times

03:04 Shadow Fleets

06:06 Ship Hunting 

10:07 Coast Guard 

12:35 Leverage and Sanctions

18:37 Planning the Maduro Raid

24:57 How We Use Cyber

28:45 Types of Risk   

31:50 State of the Navy

36:56 Return of the Battleship?


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]]> 2389 Ep 263: Elliott Abrams on the Venezuela Raid and Risks Ahead Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss Venezuela and what might happen next. ▪️ Times 02:04 Snatch and Grab 05:50 Intelligence Operations 12:04 Oil 16:50 Holding the Country Together  24:16 Risks & Mistakes 30:48 Blockade 33:54 Hard To Leave    39:11 Not Iraq 41:48 Cuba 42:21 The Iranian Regime Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 05 Jan 2026 21:50:00 -0000 Ep 263: Elliott Abrams on the Venezuela Raid and Risks Ahead full The Free Press Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss Venezuela and what might happen next. Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss Venezuela and what might happen next. ▪️ Times 02:04 Snatch and Grab 05:50 Intelligence Operations 12:04 Oil 16:50 Holding the Country Together  24:16 Risks & Mistakes 30:48 Blockade 33:54 Hard To Leave    39:11 Not Iraq 41:48 Cuba 42:21 The Iranian Regime Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss Venezuela and what might happen next.

▪️

Times

02:04 Snatch and Grab

05:50 Intelligence Operations

12:04 Oil

16:50 Holding the Country Together 

24:16 Risks & Mistakes

30:48 Blockade

33:54 Hard To Leave   

39:11 Not Iraq

41:48 Cuba

42:21 The Iranian Regime


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]]> 2751 Ep 262: Mark Jones Jr. on Special Air Operations and American Military Dominance Mark Jones Jr., chief pilot of experimental flight test with the Honda Aircraft Company and recently retired U.S. Air Force test pilot and special operations commander, joins the show to talk about the nature of special air operations and the extraordinary air raid that kicked off Desert Storm. ▪️ Times 02:45 9/11  05:58 Test Pilot  11:52 Special Air Operations 17:54 Two Vastly Different Experiences  21:24 Kabul 24:18 Desert Storm 32:30 Harder to See, Not Invisible    34:46 Battle Damage 39:55 September 1990 42:21 Party In 10 45:05 Navigation Technology Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 262: Mark Jones Jr. on Special Air Operations and American Military Dominance full The Free Press Mark Jones Jr., chief pilot of experimental flight test with the Honda Aircraft Company and recently retired U.S. Air Force test pilot and special operations commander, joins the show to talk about the nature of special air operations and the extraordinary air raid that kicked off Desert Storm. Mark Jones Jr., chief pilot of experimental flight test with the Honda Aircraft Company and recently retired U.S. Air Force test pilot and special operations commander, joins the show to talk about the nature of special air operations and the extraordinary air raid that kicked off Desert Storm. ▪️ Times 02:45 9/11  05:58 Test Pilot  11:52 Special Air Operations 17:54 Two Vastly Different Experiences  21:24 Kabul 24:18 Desert Storm 32:30 Harder to See, Not Invisible    34:46 Battle Damage 39:55 September 1990 42:21 Party In 10 45:05 Navigation Technology Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mark Jones Jr., chief pilot of experimental flight test with the Honda Aircraft Company and recently retired U.S. Air Force test pilot and special operations commander, joins the show to talk about the nature of special air operations and the extraordinary air raid that kicked off Desert Storm.

▪️

Times

02:45 9/11 

05:58 Test Pilot 

11:52 Special Air Operations

17:54 Two Vastly Different Experiences 

21:24 Kabul

24:18 Desert Storm

32:30 Harder to See, Not Invisible   

34:46 Battle Damage

39:55 September 1990

42:21 Party In 10

45:05 Navigation Technology


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]]> 2811 Ep 261: Behnam Ben Taleblu on the (Next!) Iran-Israel War Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about how Iran has worked to reconstitute its missile program since the summer, and what the U.S. and Israel might do to stop it. ▪️ Times 01:43 Vessel Seizure  05:45 Making a Ballistic Missile  13:06 What Modern War Looks Like 17:19 Iran’s Missile Program 21:42 Evolving Assessment 26:24 Relevance for U.S. Defense Planning 30:00 Disconnected Victories   35:04 Lessons from the 10/07 War 39:31 Bad Choices for Iran Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 30 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 261: Behnam Ben Taleblu on the (Next!) Iran-Israel War full The Free Press Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about how Iran has worked to reconstitute its missile program since the summer, and what the U.S. and Israel might do to stop it. Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about how Iran has worked to reconstitute its missile program since the summer, and what the U.S. and Israel might do to stop it. ▪️ Times 01:43 Vessel Seizure  05:45 Making a Ballistic Missile  13:06 What Modern War Looks Like 17:19 Iran’s Missile Program 21:42 Evolving Assessment 26:24 Relevance for U.S. Defense Planning 30:00 Disconnected Victories   35:04 Lessons from the 10/07 War 39:31 Bad Choices for Iran Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about how Iran has worked to reconstitute its missile program since the summer, and what the U.S. and Israel might do to stop it.

▪️

Times

01:43 Vessel Seizure 

05:45 Making a Ballistic Missile 

13:06 What Modern War Looks Like

17:19 Iran’s Missile Program

21:42 Evolving Assessment

26:24 Relevance for U.S. Defense Planning

30:00 Disconnected Victories  

35:04 Lessons from the 10/07 War

39:31 Bad Choices for Iran


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]]> 2534 Ep 260: Kevin Passmore on the Maginot Line and the Battle of France Kevin Passmore, professor of History at Cardiff University and author of The Maginot Line: A New History, joins the show to talk about the most elaborate fortification system of the 20th century and why it failed. ▪️ Times 02:03 Attacking the Maginot Line 05:53 Fortifications and Warfare 11:48 Flexibility vs Depth 15:38 A Total Commitment to War 19:49 French Defensive Concepts 22:42 Living in the Line 27:31 Decision in Belgium  36:22 Breaking the Enemy’s Will  39:36 Ukrainian Fortifications Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 260: Kevin Passmore on the Maginot Line and the Battle of France full The Free Press Kevin Passmore, professor of History at Cardiff University and author of ⁠The Maginot Line: A New History⁠, joins the show to talk about the most elaborate fortification system of the 20th century and why it failed. Kevin Passmore, professor of History at Cardiff University and author of The Maginot Line: A New History, joins the show to talk about the most elaborate fortification system of the 20th century and why it failed. ▪️ Times 02:03 Attacking the Maginot Line 05:53 Fortifications and Warfare 11:48 Flexibility vs Depth 15:38 A Total Commitment to War 19:49 French Defensive Concepts 22:42 Living in the Line 27:31 Decision in Belgium  36:22 Breaking the Enemy’s Will  39:36 Ukrainian Fortifications Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Kevin Passmore, professor of History at Cardiff University and author of The Maginot Line: A New History, joins the show to talk about the most elaborate fortification system of the 20th century and why it failed.

▪️

Times

02:03 Attacking the Maginot Line

05:53 Fortifications and Warfare

11:48 Flexibility vs Depth

15:38 A Total Commitment to War

19:49 French Defensive Concepts

22:42 Living in the Line

27:31 Decision in Belgium 

36:22 Breaking the Enemy’s Will 

39:36 Ukrainian Fortifications


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 2390 Ep 259: Christian Brose on Rethinking How We Fight Christian Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Anduril Industries and author of The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare, joins the show to talk about American industry and the future of war. ▪️ Times 02:26 Erosion of Military Advantage 11:11 The Nature of the Problem 16:42 Consensus and Urgency 21:01 Learning the Right Lessons in Ukraine 25:32 Scaling Up for the Offense 31:23 Leveraging AI for Defense 38:07 Will Liberal Arts and Humanities Win? 41:56 Arsenal-1 47:31 Silicon Valley and Defense 52:24 Collaborative Combat Aircraft Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 259: Christian Brose on Rethinking How We Fight full The Free Press Christian Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Anduril Industries and author of ⁠The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare⁠, joins the show to talk about American industry and the future of war. Christian Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Anduril Industries and author of The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare, joins the show to talk about American industry and the future of war. ▪️ Times 02:26 Erosion of Military Advantage 11:11 The Nature of the Problem 16:42 Consensus and Urgency 21:01 Learning the Right Lessons in Ukraine 25:32 Scaling Up for the Offense 31:23 Leveraging AI for Defense 38:07 Will Liberal Arts and Humanities Win? 41:56 Arsenal-1 47:31 Silicon Valley and Defense 52:24 Collaborative Combat Aircraft Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Christian Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Anduril Industries and author of The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare, joins the show to talk about American industry and the future of war.

▪️

Times

02:26 Erosion of Military Advantage

11:11 The Nature of the Problem

16:42 Consensus and Urgency

21:01 Learning the Right Lessons in Ukraine

25:32 Scaling Up for the Offense

31:23 Leveraging AI for Defense

38:07 Will Liberal Arts and Humanities Win?

41:56 Arsenal-1

47:31 Silicon Valley and Defense

52:24 Collaborative Combat Aircraft


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]]> 3171 Ep 258: Eric Cline on the Collapse of Civilizations Eric Cline, professor of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies and of Anthropology at The George Washington University and author of 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed, joins the show to break down the collapse of the Bronze Age civilization and why it matters today. ▪️ Times 02:57 Writing History for All 04:51 The Three Age System 10:32 Tin: The Oil of the Ancient World 11:37 Archeology in the Future 13:22 Bronze Age Society 21:02 The Beginning and End of History 26:07 The Sea Peoples 32:36 The Collapse  35:00 The Mystery of the Exodus 40:53 Resilience and Regeneration Post-Collapse Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 258: Eric Cline on the Collapse of Civilizations full The Free Press Eric Cline, Professor of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies and of Anthropology at The George Washington University and author of ⁠1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed⁠, joins the show to break down the collapse of the Bronze Age civilization and why it matters today. Eric Cline, professor of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies and of Anthropology at The George Washington University and author of 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed, joins the show to break down the collapse of the Bronze Age civilization and why it matters today. ▪️ Times 02:57 Writing History for All 04:51 The Three Age System 10:32 Tin: The Oil of the Ancient World 11:37 Archeology in the Future 13:22 Bronze Age Society 21:02 The Beginning and End of History 26:07 The Sea Peoples 32:36 The Collapse  35:00 The Mystery of the Exodus 40:53 Resilience and Regeneration Post-Collapse Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Eric Cline, professor of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies and of Anthropology at The George Washington University and author of 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed, joins the show to break down the collapse of the Bronze Age civilization and why it matters today.

▪️

Times

02:57 Writing History for All

04:51 The Three Age System

10:32 Tin: The Oil of the Ancient World

11:37 Archeology in the Future

13:22 Bronze Age Society

21:02 The Beginning and End of History

26:07 The Sea Peoples

32:36 The Collapse 

35:00 The Mystery of the Exodus

40:53 Resilience and Regeneration Post-Collapse


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]]> 3098 Ep 257: Elliott Abrams on the Venezuela Crisis Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss events in the Caribbean. ▪️ Times 01:56 Venezuela Through Multiple Administrations  06:05 Maduro 11:53 Trump to Biden 17:56 U.S. Military Capabilities  24:05 Political Justifications  30:11 The Venezuelan Opposition 35:56 Machado in Hiding 41:27 Worst Case Scenarios Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 257: Elliott Abrams on the Venezuela Crisis full The Free Press Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss events in the Caribbean. Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss events in the Caribbean. ▪️ Times 01:56 Venezuela Through Multiple Administrations  06:05 Maduro 11:53 Trump to Biden 17:56 U.S. Military Capabilities  24:05 Political Justifications  30:11 The Venezuelan Opposition 35:56 Machado in Hiding 41:27 Worst Case Scenarios Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela and Iran from 2019 to 2021, joins the show to discuss events in the Caribbean.

▪️

Times

01:56 Venezuela Through Multiple Administrations 

06:05 Maduro

11:53 Trump to Biden

17:56 U.S. Military Capabilities 

24:05 Political Justifications 

30:11 The Venezuelan Opposition

35:56 Machado in Hiding

41:27 Worst Case Scenarios


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


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]]> 2331 Ep 256: Nadia Schadlow on Strategic Depth Nadia Schadlow, former Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy and senior fellow at Hudson Institute, joins the show to breakdown what strategic depth is and why the concept remains relevant. ▪️ Times 02:37 Unhinged, Frenetic Times 03:36 What is Strategic Depth? 07:50 A Lack of Space 12:50 Territory and War 14:55 How to Increase Time 23:18 Allies and Forward Defense 30:29 How Do You Get Freedom of Choice? 36:57 Keeping and Maintaining Strategic Depth Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 256: Nadia Schadlow on the Importance of Strategic Depth full The Free Press Nadia Schadlow, former Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy and senior fellow at Hudson Institute, joins the show to breakdown what strategic depth is and why it remains relevant today. Nadia Schadlow, former Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy and senior fellow at Hudson Institute, joins the show to breakdown what strategic depth is and why the concept remains relevant. ▪️ Times 02:37 Unhinged, Frenetic Times 03:36 What is Strategic Depth? 07:50 A Lack of Space 12:50 Territory and War 14:55 How to Increase Time 23:18 Allies and Forward Defense 30:29 How Do You Get Freedom of Choice? 36:57 Keeping and Maintaining Strategic Depth Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Nadia Schadlow, former Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy and senior fellow at Hudson Institute, joins the show to breakdown what strategic depth is and why the concept remains relevant.

▪️

Times

02:37 Unhinged, Frenetic Times

03:36 What is Strategic Depth?

07:50 A Lack of Space

12:50 Territory and War

14:55 How to Increase Time

23:18 Allies and Forward Defense

30:29 How Do You Get Freedom of Choice?

36:57 Keeping and Maintaining Strategic Depth


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]]> 2297 Ep 255: Roya Hakakian on the Islamic Revolution Roya Hakakian, author of Assassins of the Turquoise Palace and Journey from the Land of No, joins the show to discuss the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini, and how these events have shaped the world. ▪️ Times 02:56 Life Before the Revolution 11:02 Antisemitism in Revolutionary Iran 21:56 Khomeini’s Rise to Power 22:32 The Global Left and the Soviet Union 29:49 A Catastrophe of the 20th Century 37:21 The State of the Iranian Regime 42:19 The Revolution is Alive and Well 52:01 The Future of Iran and Its Leadership Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:06:00 -0000 Ep 255: Roya Hakakian on the Islamic Revolution full The Free Press Roya Hakakian, author of Assassins of the Turquoise Palace and A Beginner's Guide to America: For the Immigrant and the Curious, joins the show to discuss the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini, and how these events have shaped the world. Roya Hakakian, author of Assassins of the Turquoise Palace and Journey from the Land of No, joins the show to discuss the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini, and how these events have shaped the world. ▪️ Times 02:56 Life Before the Revolution 11:02 Antisemitism in Revolutionary Iran 21:56 Khomeini’s Rise to Power 22:32 The Global Left and the Soviet Union 29:49 A Catastrophe of the 20th Century 37:21 The State of the Iranian Regime 42:19 The Revolution is Alive and Well 52:01 The Future of Iran and Its Leadership Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Roya Hakakian, author of Assassins of the Turquoise Palace and Journey from the Land of No, joins the show to discuss the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini, and how these events have shaped the world.

▪️

Times

02:56 Life Before the Revolution

11:02 Antisemitism in Revolutionary Iran

21:56 Khomeini’s Rise to Power

22:32 The Global Left and the Soviet Union

29:49 A Catastrophe of the 20th Century

37:21 The State of the Iranian Regime

42:19 The Revolution is Alive and Well

52:01 The Future of Iran and Its Leadership


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]]> 3174 Ep 254: Frank Gavin on History and Statecraft Frank Gavin, Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University SAIS and author of Thinking Historically: A Guide to Statecraft and Strategy, joins the show to discuss the promise and perils of using history to guide today’s statecraft. ▪️ Times 02:20 Political Science vs. History 05:37 The Importance of Historical Thinking 08:13 Historical Interpretation 11:22 Counterfactuals  14:26 The Misuse of History in Policy Making 17:19 Thinking in Time 22:27 Errors When Thinking Historically 31:57 Putin’s View of History 40:01 Philosophical Understanding 47:05 Does History Have a Direction? 53:34 A Checklist for Historical Thinking Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 254: Frank Gavin on History and Statecraft full The Free Press Frank Gavin, Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University SAIS and author of ⁠Thinking Historically: A Guide to Statecraft and Strategy⁠, joins the show to discuss the promise and perils of using history to guide today’s statecraft. Frank Gavin, Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University SAIS and author of Thinking Historically: A Guide to Statecraft and Strategy, joins the show to discuss the promise and perils of using history to guide today’s statecraft. ▪️ Times 02:20 Political Science vs. History 05:37 The Importance of Historical Thinking 08:13 Historical Interpretation 11:22 Counterfactuals  14:26 The Misuse of History in Policy Making 17:19 Thinking in Time 22:27 Errors When Thinking Historically 31:57 Putin’s View of History 40:01 Philosophical Understanding 47:05 Does History Have a Direction? 53:34 A Checklist for Historical Thinking Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Frank Gavin, Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University SAIS and author of Thinking Historically: A Guide to Statecraft and Strategy, joins the show to discuss the promise and perils of using history to guide today’s statecraft.

▪️

Times

02:20 Political Science vs. History

05:37 The Importance of Historical Thinking

08:13 Historical Interpretation

11:22 Counterfactuals 

14:26 The Misuse of History in Policy Making

17:19 Thinking in Time

22:27 Errors When Thinking Historically

31:57 Putin’s View of History

40:01 Philosophical Understanding

47:05 Does History Have a Direction?

53:34 A Checklist for Historical Thinking


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]]> 3255 Ep 253: Michael Pack on the Battle of Fallujah Michael Pack, President and CEO of Palladium Pictures LLC and director of The Last 600 Meters: The Battles of Najaf and Fallujah, joins the show to discuss his remarkable documentary of the Iraq war and the Marines and battles that it portrays. ▪️ Times 01:59 The Journey of Creating 'The Last 600 Meters' 06:24 Censored 10:55 Combat and Valor  21:06 Political Decisions and Military Strategy  26:02 The Human Experience of War  36:29 The Hell House 40:24 Beyond the Battlefield 45:42 Full Metal Jacket 50:45 The Withdrawal from Afghanistan: A New Perspective Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 253: Michael Pack on the Battle of Fallujah full The Free Press Michael Pack, President and CEO of Palladium Pictures LLC and director of ⁠The Last 600 Meters: The Battles of Najaf and Fallujah⁠, joins the show to discuss his remarkable documentary of the Iraq war and the Marines and battles that it portrays. Michael Pack, President and CEO of Palladium Pictures LLC and director of The Last 600 Meters: The Battles of Najaf and Fallujah, joins the show to discuss his remarkable documentary of the Iraq war and the Marines and battles that it portrays. ▪️ Times 01:59 The Journey of Creating 'The Last 600 Meters' 06:24 Censored 10:55 Combat and Valor  21:06 Political Decisions and Military Strategy  26:02 The Human Experience of War  36:29 The Hell House 40:24 Beyond the Battlefield 45:42 Full Metal Jacket 50:45 The Withdrawal from Afghanistan: A New Perspective Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Michael Pack, President and CEO of Palladium Pictures LLC and director of The Last 600 Meters: The Battles of Najaf and Fallujah, joins the show to discuss his remarkable documentary of the Iraq war and the Marines and battles that it portrays.

▪️

Times

01:59 The Journey of Creating 'The Last 600 Meters'

06:24 Censored

10:55 Combat and Valor 

21:06 Political Decisions and Military Strategy 

26:02 The Human Experience of War 

36:29 The Hell House

40:24 Beyond the Battlefield

45:42 Full Metal Jacket

50:45 The Withdrawal from Afghanistan: A New Perspective


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]]> 3345 Ep 252: Andrew Lambert on the British Empire’s Strategic Challenges and America’s Today Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College London and No More Napoleons: How Britain Managed Europe from Waterloo to World War One,  joins the show to discuss how the British Empire maintained the balance in Europe between the fall of Napoleon to the summer of 1914. ▪️ Times 02:59 Studying the Problem of War 06:20 British Perspectives of the European Coast 11:33 The French Likelihood of Invading Britain  21:40 The Scheldt River Estuary  30:33 Marlborough, Wellington, and Eisenhower  36:48 The 19th Century and the Rise of Steampower 47:35 Divided attention and British Mistakes of 1914 54:40 The Failure of British Strategic Off-Shore Balancing Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 252: Andrew Lambert on the British Empire’s Strategic Challenges and America’s Today full The Free Press Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College London and ⁠No More Napoleons: How Britain Managed Europe from Waterloo to World War One⁠,  joins the show to discuss how the British Empire maintained the balance in Europe between the fall of Napoleon to the summer of 1914. Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College London and No More Napoleons: How Britain Managed Europe from Waterloo to World War One,  joins the show to discuss how the British Empire maintained the balance in Europe between the fall of Napoleon to the summer of 1914. ▪️ Times 02:59 Studying the Problem of War 06:20 British Perspectives of the European Coast 11:33 The French Likelihood of Invading Britain  21:40 The Scheldt River Estuary  30:33 Marlborough, Wellington, and Eisenhower  36:48 The 19th Century and the Rise of Steampower 47:35 Divided attention and British Mistakes of 1914 54:40 The Failure of British Strategic Off-Shore Balancing Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College London and No More Napoleons: How Britain Managed Europe from Waterloo to World War One,  joins the show to discuss how the British Empire maintained the balance in Europe between the fall of Napoleon to the summer of 1914.

▪️

Times

02:59 Studying the Problem of War

06:20 British Perspectives of the European Coast

11:33 The French Likelihood of Invading Britain 

21:40 The Scheldt River Estuary 

30:33 Marlborough, Wellington, and Eisenhower 

36:48 The 19th Century and the Rise of Steampower

47:35 Divided attention and British Mistakes of 1914

54:40 The Failure of British Strategic Off-Shore Balancing


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]]> 3721 Ep 251: John Lee on Ukraine, Peace, and What China Wants John Lee, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute,  joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, and what it all means facing China in the Pacific. ▪️ Times 01:56 Strategic Implications of the War 03:24 The 28-Point Peace Plan 09:49 Challenges of Negotiating Peace 15:19 The Russia-China Connection 19:48 Nuclear Deterrence and Arms Control 29:30 Linking Ukraine and Taiwan 35:18 Ukraine War as a Chinese Proxy Conflict Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 25 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -0000 Ep 251: John Lee on Ukraine, Peace, and What China Wants full The Free Press John Lee, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute,  joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, and what it all means facing China in the Pacific. John Lee, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute,  joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, and what it all means facing China in the Pacific. ▪️ Times 01:56 Strategic Implications of the War 03:24 The 28-Point Peace Plan 09:49 Challenges of Negotiating Peace 15:19 The Russia-China Connection 19:48 Nuclear Deterrence and Arms Control 29:30 Linking Ukraine and Taiwan 35:18 Ukraine War as a Chinese Proxy Conflict Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack John Lee, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute,  joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, and what it all means facing China in the Pacific.

▪️

Times

01:56 Strategic Implications of the War

03:24 The 28-Point Peace Plan

09:49 Challenges of Negotiating Peace

15:19 The Russia-China Connection

19:48 Nuclear Deterrence and Arms Control

29:30 Linking Ukraine and Taiwan

35:18 Ukraine War as a Chinese Proxy Conflict


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]]> 2859 Ep 250: Jeremy Armstrong on Ancient Rome’s Myths and Warfare Jeremy Armstrong, Professor of Classics & Ancient History at the University of Auckland and author of Children of Mars: The Origins of Rome's Empire,  joins the show to discuss the early history of Rome, the role of family and clan in the structure of its military, the transition from monarchy to republic, and the nature of warfare during this formative period.  ▪️ Times 02:28 The Problems of Early History 06:05 Warfare in Early Rome: A Complex Picture 11:52 The Importance of Myths in Roman Identity 15:01 Aeneas and Romulus: Founding Figures of Rome 18:00 The Significance of Aeneas in Roman Culture 20:48 The Function of Rome 33:09 The Role of Land and Mobility in Early Rome 36:07 Understanding the Monarchy and Military Structure 42:32 Transition from Monarchy to Republic 53:26 The Impact of the Sack of Rome 1:01:27 Shifting Towards Imperial Ambitions Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 250: Jeremy Armstrong on Ancient Rome’s Myths and Warfare full The Free Press Jeremy Armstrong, Professor of Classics & Ancient History at the University of Auckland and author of ⁠Children of Mars: The Origins of Rome's Empire⁠,  joins the show to discuss the early history of Rome, the role of family and clan in the structure of its military, the transition from monarchy to republic, and the nature of warfare during this formative period.  Jeremy Armstrong, Professor of Classics & Ancient History at the University of Auckland and author of Children of Mars: The Origins of Rome's Empire,  joins the show to discuss the early history of Rome, the role of family and clan in the structure of its military, the transition from monarchy to republic, and the nature of warfare during this formative period.  ▪️ Times 02:28 The Problems of Early History 06:05 Warfare in Early Rome: A Complex Picture 11:52 The Importance of Myths in Roman Identity 15:01 Aeneas and Romulus: Founding Figures of Rome 18:00 The Significance of Aeneas in Roman Culture 20:48 The Function of Rome 33:09 The Role of Land and Mobility in Early Rome 36:07 Understanding the Monarchy and Military Structure 42:32 Transition from Monarchy to Republic 53:26 The Impact of the Sack of Rome 1:01:27 Shifting Towards Imperial Ambitions Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Jeremy Armstrong, Professor of Classics & Ancient History at the University of Auckland and author of Children of Mars: The Origins of Rome's Empire,  joins the show to discuss the early history of Rome, the role of family and clan in the structure of its military, the transition from monarchy to republic, and the nature of warfare during this formative period. 

▪️

Times

02:28 The Problems of Early History

06:05 Warfare in Early Rome: A Complex Picture

11:52 The Importance of Myths in Roman Identity

15:01 Aeneas and Romulus: Founding Figures of Rome

18:00 The Significance of Aeneas in Roman Culture

20:48 The Function of Rome

33:09 The Role of Land and Mobility in Early Rome

36:07 Understanding the Monarchy and Military Structure

42:32 Transition from Monarchy to Republic

53:26 The Impact of the Sack of Rome

1:01:27 Shifting Towards Imperial Ambitions


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Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 3942 Ep 249: Mick Ryan on the Ukrainian Way of War Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss the current state of the Ukraine war. We cover tactical innovations, the challenges of operations and strategy, the structure of the Ukrainian military, the political landscape under Zelensky, and the industrial capabilities of both Ukraine and Russia.  ▪️ Times 00:00 State of Play 02:28 Tactical Innovations and Challenges in Ukraine 05:38 The Role of Drones 08:36 Russian Tactical Innovations and the Rubikon Units 11:45 Historical Parallels: Lessons from World War I 14:37 The Thousand Bites Approach: Russian Strategy Explained 17:46 Ukrainian Brigade Composition and Organizational Changes 23:19 Understanding the Ukrainian Military Structure 29:47 Challenges in Casualty Ratios and Manpower 37:37 Long-Range Strike Capabilities and Adaptation 40:29 Strategic Thinking in the Ukrainian Military 46:18 Industrial Base and Support Dynamics Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 249: Mick Ryan on the Ukrainian Way of War full The Free Press Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss the current state of the Ukraine war. We cover tactical innovations, the challenges of operations and strategy, the structure of the Ukrainian military, the political landscape under Zelensky, and the industrial capabilities of both Ukraine and Russia.  Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss the current state of the Ukraine war. We cover tactical innovations, the challenges of operations and strategy, the structure of the Ukrainian military, the political landscape under Zelensky, and the industrial capabilities of both Ukraine and Russia.  ▪️ Times 00:00 State of Play 02:28 Tactical Innovations and Challenges in Ukraine 05:38 The Role of Drones 08:36 Russian Tactical Innovations and the Rubikon Units 11:45 Historical Parallels: Lessons from World War I 14:37 The Thousand Bites Approach: Russian Strategy Explained 17:46 Ukrainian Brigade Composition and Organizational Changes 23:19 Understanding the Ukrainian Military Structure 29:47 Challenges in Casualty Ratios and Manpower 37:37 Long-Range Strike Capabilities and Adaptation 40:29 Strategic Thinking in the Ukrainian Military 46:18 Industrial Base and Support Dynamics Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss the current state of the Ukraine war. We cover tactical innovations, the challenges of operations and strategy, the structure of the Ukrainian military, the political landscape under Zelensky, and the industrial capabilities of both Ukraine and Russia. 

▪️

Times

00:00 State of Play

02:28 Tactical Innovations and Challenges in Ukraine

05:38 The Role of Drones

08:36 Russian Tactical Innovations and the Rubikon Units

11:45 Historical Parallels: Lessons from World War I

14:37 The Thousand Bites Approach: Russian Strategy Explained

17:46 Ukrainian Brigade Composition and Organizational Changes

23:19 Understanding the Ukrainian Military Structure

29:47 Challenges in Casualty Ratios and Manpower

37:37 Long-Range Strike Capabilities and Adaptation

40:29 Strategic Thinking in the Ukrainian Military

46:18 Industrial Base and Support Dynamics


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Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 3012 Ep 248: Marc Milner on D-Day and the US-UK Battle for Hegemony Marc Milner, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of New Brunswick and author of Second Front: Anglo-American Rivalry and the Hidden Story of the Normandy Campaign, joins the show to discuss the turbulent passing of the torch of Western hegemony during WWII.  ▪️ Times 02:50 1917 10:52 American Battle Monuments Commission 14:31 FDR and the British Empire 21:36 American views on the Nazis 30:40 FDR at the Tehran Conference 35:42 Plans Before the Invasion of France 40:48 The British Empire and National Strategy  50:25 Churchill and the Russians in 1944 56:00 A Sophisticated Understanding of Imperial Politics 01:00:18 Revisionist Views of WWII 01:06:00 Communist and Fascist Extremism Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 248: Marc Milner on the Allies During WWII full The Free Press Marc Milner, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of New Brunswick and author of ⁠Second Front: Anglo-American Rivalry and the Hidden Story of the Normandy Campaign⁠, joins the show to discuss the turbulent passing of the torch of Western hegemony during WWII.  Marc Milner, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of New Brunswick and author of Second Front: Anglo-American Rivalry and the Hidden Story of the Normandy Campaign, joins the show to discuss the turbulent passing of the torch of Western hegemony during WWII.  ▪️ Times 02:50 1917 10:52 American Battle Monuments Commission 14:31 FDR and the British Empire 21:36 American views on the Nazis 30:40 FDR at the Tehran Conference 35:42 Plans Before the Invasion of France 40:48 The British Empire and National Strategy  50:25 Churchill and the Russians in 1944 56:00 A Sophisticated Understanding of Imperial Politics 01:00:18 Revisionist Views of WWII 01:06:00 Communist and Fascist Extremism Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Marc Milner, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of New Brunswick and author of Second Front: Anglo-American Rivalry and the Hidden Story of the Normandy Campaign, joins the show to discuss the turbulent passing of the torch of Western hegemony during WWII. 

▪️

Times

02:50 1917

10:52 American Battle Monuments Commission

14:31 FDR and the British Empire

21:36 American views on the Nazis

30:40 FDR at the Tehran Conference

35:42 Plans Before the Invasion of France

40:48 The British Empire and National Strategy 

50:25 Churchill and the Russians in 1944

56:00 A Sophisticated Understanding of Imperial Politics

01:00:18 Revisionist Views of WWII

01:06:00 Communist and Fascist Extremism


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Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 3766 Ep 247: Nicholas Wright on the Brain Science of War Nicholas Wright, neuroscientist and author of Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain, joins the show to explore the implications of neuroscience for warmaking.  ▪️ Times 01:20 Neurology 02:57 Intelligence Defined 07:06 Mapping the Brain 17:05 How Modeling Happens 27:15 Outthinking and Outlearning the Enemy 30:25 Prioritization and Survival 35:15 Fear and the Fall of France in 1940 44:48 Enhancing Military Training 49:47 AI and Its Impact on Human Cognition Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 247: Nicholas Wright on the Brain Science of War full The Free Press Nicholas Wright, neuroscientist and author of ⁠Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain⁠, joins the show to explore the implications of neuroscience for warmaking.  Nicholas Wright, neuroscientist and author of Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain, joins the show to explore the implications of neuroscience for warmaking.  ▪️ Times 01:20 Neurology 02:57 Intelligence Defined 07:06 Mapping the Brain 17:05 How Modeling Happens 27:15 Outthinking and Outlearning the Enemy 30:25 Prioritization and Survival 35:15 Fear and the Fall of France in 1940 44:48 Enhancing Military Training 49:47 AI and Its Impact on Human Cognition Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Nicholas Wright, neuroscientist and author of Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain, joins the show to explore the implications of neuroscience for warmaking. 

▪️

Times

01:20 Neurology

02:57 Intelligence Defined

07:06 Mapping the Brain

17:05 How Modeling Happens

27:15 Outthinking and Outlearning the Enemy

30:25 Prioritization and Survival

35:15 Fear and the Fall of France in 1940

44:48 Enhancing Military Training

49:47 AI and Its Impact on Human Cognition


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]]> 3162 Ep 246: Veterans Day Special — Remembering Angus MacLean Host Aaron MacLean pays tribute to his father, World War Two and Vietnam Veteran Angus MacLean. This memorial originally ran in the publication Engelsberg Ideas.  ▪️ Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 246: Veterans Day Special — Remembering Angus MacLean full The Free Press Host Aaron MacLean pays tribute to his father, World War Two and Vietnam Veteran Angus MacLean. This memorial originally ran in the publication Engelsberg Ideas.  Host Aaron MacLean pays tribute to his father, World War Two and Vietnam Veteran Angus MacLean. This memorial originally ran in the publication Engelsberg Ideas.  ▪️ Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack Host Aaron MacLean pays tribute to his father, World War Two and Vietnam Veteran Angus MacLean. This memorial originally ran in the publication Engelsberg Ideas. 

▪️

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find more content on our School of War Substack

]]> 829 Ep 245: Edward Luce on Zbigniew Brzezinski’s Twentieth Century Edward Luce, U.S. national editor and columnist at the Financial Times and author of Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet,joins the show to discuss one of the most interesting characters of the Cold War, Jimmy Carter’s national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. ▪️ Times 00:00 The Life and Legacy of Zbigniew Brzezinski 02:55 Carter's Foreign Policy and Brzezinski's Influence 05:56 Contrasting Worldviews: Brzezinski vs. Kissinger 08:52 The Formative Years: War and Identity 11:35 The Cold War Landscape and Brzezinski's Rise 14:34 Order vs. Justice: Diverging Philosophies 17:55 Brzezinski's Strategic Vision for the Cold War 20:57 The Vietnam War and Its Impact on Brzezinski 23:47 Brzezinski's Approach to Foreign Policy 28:35 The Rise of Jimmy Carter and the Trilateral Commission 32:12 Carter's Foreign Policy Challenges: The Middle East and Iran 37:15 Human Rights and the Shift from Nixon to Carter 45:27 Reagan's Continuity and Change: A New Era in Foreign Policy 51:19 The Iranian Revolution and Brzezinski's Legacy Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 245: Edward Luce on Zbigniew Brzezinski’s Twentieth Century full The Free Press Edward Luce, U.S. national editor and columnist at the Financial Times and author of ⁠Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet⁠,joins the show to discuss one of the most interesting characters of the Cold War, Jimmy Carter’s national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. Edward Luce, U.S. national editor and columnist at the Financial Times and author of Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet,joins the show to discuss one of the most interesting characters of the Cold War, Jimmy Carter’s national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. ▪️ Times 00:00 The Life and Legacy of Zbigniew Brzezinski 02:55 Carter's Foreign Policy and Brzezinski's Influence 05:56 Contrasting Worldviews: Brzezinski vs. Kissinger 08:52 The Formative Years: War and Identity 11:35 The Cold War Landscape and Brzezinski's Rise 14:34 Order vs. Justice: Diverging Philosophies 17:55 Brzezinski's Strategic Vision for the Cold War 20:57 The Vietnam War and Its Impact on Brzezinski 23:47 Brzezinski's Approach to Foreign Policy 28:35 The Rise of Jimmy Carter and the Trilateral Commission 32:12 Carter's Foreign Policy Challenges: The Middle East and Iran 37:15 Human Rights and the Shift from Nixon to Carter 45:27 Reagan's Continuity and Change: A New Era in Foreign Policy 51:19 The Iranian Revolution and Brzezinski's Legacy Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Edward Luce, U.S. national editor and columnist at the Financial Times and author of Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet,joins the show to discuss one of the most interesting characters of the Cold War, Jimmy Carter’s national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski.

▪️

Times

00:00 The Life and Legacy of Zbigniew Brzezinski

02:55 Carter's Foreign Policy and Brzezinski's Influence

05:56 Contrasting Worldviews: Brzezinski vs. Kissinger

08:52 The Formative Years: War and Identity

11:35 The Cold War Landscape and Brzezinski's Rise

14:34 Order vs. Justice: Diverging Philosophies

17:55 Brzezinski's Strategic Vision for the Cold War

20:57 The Vietnam War and Its Impact on Brzezinski

23:47 Brzezinski's Approach to Foreign Policy

28:35 The Rise of Jimmy Carter and the Trilateral Commission

32:12 Carter's Foreign Policy Challenges: The Middle East and Iran

37:15 Human Rights and the Shift from Nixon to Carter

45:27 Reagan's Continuity and Change: A New Era in Foreign Policy

51:19 The Iranian Revolution and Brzezinski's Legacy


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3145 Ep 244: Oren Cass on a Strategy of Reciprocity Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass and author of the article A Grand Strategy of Reciprocity for Foreign Affairs, joins the show to discuss how the United States should think about the current strategic moment. ▪️ Times 00:01 Introduction to Free Markets and Trade 00:43 Discussion on China and Global Strategy 02:15 Historical Context of American Grand Strategy 04:40 Assumptions about China 07:40 Strategic Competition and Spheres of Influence 10:00 Economic Decoupling and Its Challenges 13:30 Relationships with Other Countries 16:00 Concept of Reciprocity in Alliances 20:00 US-Mexico-Canada Relations and Global Implications 25:00 The Role of the Trump Administration 30:00 Future of Global Alliances 35:00 Economic and Security Strategies 40:00 Conclusion and Final Thought Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 244: Oren Cass on a Strategy of Reciprocity full The Free Press Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass and author of the article ⁠A Grand Strategy of Reciprocity⁠ for Foreign Affairs, joins the show to discuss how the United States should think about the current strategic moment. Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass and author of the article A Grand Strategy of Reciprocity for Foreign Affairs, joins the show to discuss how the United States should think about the current strategic moment. ▪️ Times 00:01 Introduction to Free Markets and Trade 00:43 Discussion on China and Global Strategy 02:15 Historical Context of American Grand Strategy 04:40 Assumptions about China 07:40 Strategic Competition and Spheres of Influence 10:00 Economic Decoupling and Its Challenges 13:30 Relationships with Other Countries 16:00 Concept of Reciprocity in Alliances 20:00 US-Mexico-Canada Relations and Global Implications 25:00 The Role of the Trump Administration 30:00 Future of Global Alliances 35:00 Economic and Security Strategies 40:00 Conclusion and Final Thought Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass and author of the article A Grand Strategy of Reciprocity for Foreign Affairs, joins the show to discuss how the United States should think about the current strategic moment.

▪️

Times

00:01 Introduction to Free Markets and Trade

00:43 Discussion on China and Global Strategy

02:15 Historical Context of American Grand Strategy

04:40 Assumptions about China

07:40 Strategic Competition and Spheres of Influence

10:00 Economic Decoupling and Its Challenges

13:30 Relationships with Other Countries

16:00 Concept of Reciprocity in Alliances

20:00 US-Mexico-Canada Relations and Global Implications

25:00 The Role of the Trump Administration

30:00 Future of Global Alliances

35:00 Economic and Security Strategies

40:00 Conclusion and Final Thought

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3461 Ep 243: Alexander Mikaberidze on Russia’s Failed Battle with Turkey… in 1809 Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History at LSU Shreveport and contributor to An Unavoidable Evil: Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon (From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815),  joins the show to discuss the siege of Brăila and the lessons of the Russo-Ottoman War of 1806-1812. ▪️ Times 00:00 The Shifting Balance of Power in the Black Sea 02:00 Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon 04:09 Decisive Battles vs. Positional Warfare 08:30 The Evolution of Strategy: 18th to 19th Century 14:16 The Debate on Siege Tactics in the Russian Military 21:27 Kutuzov's Strategic Evolution 25:26 Geopolitical Context: Russia and the Ottoman Empire's Rivalry 31:31 The Siege of Brăila: A Military Catastrophe 38:39 The Cost of War: Casualties and Consequences 50:40 Lessons in Military Culture: Accountability and Adaptation Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 243: Alexander Mikaberidze on Russia’s Failed Battle with Turkey… in 1809 full The Free Press Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History at LSU Shreveport and contributor to ⁠An Unavoidable Evil: Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon (From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815)⁠,  joins the show to discuss the siege of Brăila and the lessons of the Russo-Ottoman War of 1806-1812. Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History at LSU Shreveport and contributor to An Unavoidable Evil: Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon (From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815),  joins the show to discuss the siege of Brăila and the lessons of the Russo-Ottoman War of 1806-1812. ▪️ Times 00:00 The Shifting Balance of Power in the Black Sea 02:00 Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon 04:09 Decisive Battles vs. Positional Warfare 08:30 The Evolution of Strategy: 18th to 19th Century 14:16 The Debate on Siege Tactics in the Russian Military 21:27 Kutuzov's Strategic Evolution 25:26 Geopolitical Context: Russia and the Ottoman Empire's Rivalry 31:31 The Siege of Brăila: A Military Catastrophe 38:39 The Cost of War: Casualties and Consequences 50:40 Lessons in Military Culture: Accountability and Adaptation Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History at LSU Shreveport and contributor to An Unavoidable Evil: Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon (From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815),  joins the show to discuss the siege of Brăila and the lessons of the Russo-Ottoman War of 1806-1812.

▪️

Times

00:00 The Shifting Balance of Power in the Black Sea

02:00 Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon

04:09 Decisive Battles vs. Positional Warfare

08:30 The Evolution of Strategy: 18th to 19th Century

14:16 The Debate on Siege Tactics in the Russian Military

21:27 Kutuzov's Strategic Evolution

25:26 Geopolitical Context: Russia and the Ottoman Empire's Rivalry

31:31 The Siege of Brăila: A Military Catastrophe

38:39 The Cost of War: Casualties and Consequences

50:40 Lessons in Military Culture: Accountability and Adaptation


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3136 Ep 243: Joshua S. Treviño—Is Trump After Regime Change in Venezuela? Joshua S. Treviño, Chief Transformation Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute, joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s military strikes on seaborne cartel traffic and its strategy in the Western Hemisphere. ▪️ Times 00:00 Understanding U.S. Military Strategy in Venezuela 02:26 The State-Cartel Synthesis: A New Paradigm 05:30 The Role of the U.S. Military in Drug Interdiction 08:39 Legal Framework and Controversies Surrounding Military Actions 11:46 The Broader Implications of Regime Change  14:26 Divisions on the Right: Perspectives on Foreign Policy 21:50 The Strategic Implications of Military Action Against Maduro 30:19 Assessing the Venezuelan Opposition's Readiness 33:53 Colombia's Evolving Relationship with the U.S. 37:00 The Complex Dynamics of U.S.-Mexico Relations 41:55 The Threat of Cartels and Their Impact on U.S. Society Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 243: Joshua S. Treviño—Is Trump After Regime Change in Venezuela? full The Free Press Joshua S. Treviño, Chief Transformation Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute, joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s military strikes on seaborne cartel traffic and its strategy in the Western Hemisphere. Joshua S. Treviño, Chief Transformation Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute, joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s military strikes on seaborne cartel traffic and its strategy in the Western Hemisphere. ▪️ Times 00:00 Understanding U.S. Military Strategy in Venezuela 02:26 The State-Cartel Synthesis: A New Paradigm 05:30 The Role of the U.S. Military in Drug Interdiction 08:39 Legal Framework and Controversies Surrounding Military Actions 11:46 The Broader Implications of Regime Change  14:26 Divisions on the Right: Perspectives on Foreign Policy 21:50 The Strategic Implications of Military Action Against Maduro 30:19 Assessing the Venezuelan Opposition's Readiness 33:53 Colombia's Evolving Relationship with the U.S. 37:00 The Complex Dynamics of U.S.-Mexico Relations 41:55 The Threat of Cartels and Their Impact on U.S. Society Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Joshua S. Treviño, Chief Transformation Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute, joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s military strikes on seaborne cartel traffic and its strategy in the Western Hemisphere.

▪️

Times

00:00 Understanding U.S. Military Strategy in Venezuela

02:26 The State-Cartel Synthesis: A New Paradigm

05:30 The Role of the U.S. Military in Drug Interdiction

08:39 Legal Framework and Controversies Surrounding Military Actions

11:46 The Broader Implications of Regime Change 

14:26 Divisions on the Right: Perspectives on Foreign Policy

21:50 The Strategic Implications of Military Action Against Maduro

30:19 Assessing the Venezuelan Opposition's Readiness

33:53 Colombia's Evolving Relationship with the U.S.

37:00 The Complex Dynamics of U.S.-Mexico Relations

41:55 The Threat of Cartels and Their Impact on U.S. Society


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2490 Ep 242: Michael Sobolik on On Donald Trump’s Trade War with China Michael Sobolik, senior fellow at Hudson Institute and author of Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance, joins the show to discuss the current state of relations between the U.S. and China as Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are scheduled to meet in South Korea next week. ▪️ Times 00:00 The Broader Competition: US-China Relations 02:51 Trump's Trade Strategy: A Historical Perspective 09:35 China's Strategic Objectives: Beyond Economics 14:16 Xi Jinping's Goals: The Summit Agenda 18:20 Export Controls: A New Era of Trade Tensions 22:36 The Stakes of No Deal: Economic and Strategic Implications 26:35 Decoupling from China: Challenges and Opportunities 33:05 Defining a Good Deal: Beyond Trade 37:22 TikTok: The Information Warfare Front Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 242: Michael Sobolik on On Donald Trump’s Trade War with China full The Free Press Michael Sobolik, senior fellow at Hudson Institute and author of ⁠Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance⁠, joins the show to discuss the current state of relations between the U.S. and China as Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are scheduled to meet in South Korea next week. Michael Sobolik, senior fellow at Hudson Institute and author of Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance, joins the show to discuss the current state of relations between the U.S. and China as Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are scheduled to meet in South Korea next week. ▪️ Times 00:00 The Broader Competition: US-China Relations 02:51 Trump's Trade Strategy: A Historical Perspective 09:35 China's Strategic Objectives: Beyond Economics 14:16 Xi Jinping's Goals: The Summit Agenda 18:20 Export Controls: A New Era of Trade Tensions 22:36 The Stakes of No Deal: Economic and Strategic Implications 26:35 Decoupling from China: Challenges and Opportunities 33:05 Defining a Good Deal: Beyond Trade 37:22 TikTok: The Information Warfare Front Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Michael Sobolik, senior fellow at Hudson Institute and author of Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance, joins the show to discuss the current state of relations between the U.S. and China as Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are scheduled to meet in South Korea next week.

▪️

Times

00:00 The Broader Competition: US-China Relations

02:51 Trump's Trade Strategy: A Historical Perspective

09:35 China's Strategic Objectives: Beyond Economics

14:16 Xi Jinping's Goals: The Summit Agenda

18:20 Export Controls: A New Era of Trade Tensions

22:36 The Stakes of No Deal: Economic and Strategic Implications

26:35 Decoupling from China: Challenges and Opportunities

33:05 Defining a Good Deal: Beyond Trade

37:22 TikTok: The Information Warfare Front


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]]> 2872 Ep 241: Julian Jackson on Nazi-Occupied France and Pétain Julian Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Modern French History at Queen Mary University of London and author of France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain, joins the show to discuss the rise and fall of “the Lion of Verdun”; Philippe Pétain. ▪️ Times    01:06 Introduction    01:53 How Pétain became the “Hero of France” in WW1    11:32  France sues for peace with Germany in 1940    18:52 The legality of the armistice    27:49 Churchill’s take on the armistice             33:48 What Was Vichy France?    41:43 Vichy’s treatment of the Jews        53:05 Distancing France from extermination             58:13 Why does Pétain stay a servant to the Nazis    01:07:38 Vichy and Pétain on trial today             Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 21 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 241: Julian Jackson on Nazi-Occupied France and Pétain full The Free Press Julian Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Modern French History at Queen Mary University of London and author of ⁠France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain⁠, joins the show to discuss the rise and fall of “the Lion of Verdun”; Philippe Pétain. Julian Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Modern French History at Queen Mary University of London and author of France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain, joins the show to discuss the rise and fall of “the Lion of Verdun”; Philippe Pétain. ▪️ Times    01:06 Introduction    01:53 How Pétain became the “Hero of France” in WW1    11:32  France sues for peace with Germany in 1940    18:52 The legality of the armistice    27:49 Churchill’s take on the armistice             33:48 What Was Vichy France?    41:43 Vichy’s treatment of the Jews        53:05 Distancing France from extermination             58:13 Why does Pétain stay a servant to the Nazis    01:07:38 Vichy and Pétain on trial today             Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Julian Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Modern French History at Queen Mary University of London and author of France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain, joins the show to discuss the rise and fall of “the Lion of Verdun”; Philippe Pétain.

▪️

Times

   01:06 Introduction

   01:53 How Pétain became the “Hero of France” in WW1

   11:32  France sues for peace with Germany in 1940

   18:52 The legality of the armistice

   27:49 Churchill’s take on the armistice         

   33:48 What Was Vichy France?

   41:43 Vichy’s treatment of the Jews    

   53:05 Distancing France from extermination         

   58:13 Why does Pétain stay a servant to the Nazis

   01:07:38 Vichy and Pétain on trial today

           

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]]> 4114 Ep 240: Lance R. Blyth on Mountain Warfare Lance R. Blyth, command historian at the North American Aerospace Defense Command and author of Ski, Climb, Fight: The 10th Mountain Division and the Rise of Mountain Warfare, joins the show to discuss the history and tactics of fighting at altitude.        ▪️ Times     •      01:31 Introduction     •      01:41 Marine     •      04:55 L.A. riots              •      07:22 From horses to skis     •      10:13 Antecedents              •      13:56 Advantage                 •      15:40 The Germans         •      17:55 The Winter War               •      22:51 French surrender     •      25:58 Specialized divisions     •      31:37 Volunteers      •      33:49 Training     •      36:50 Delay and Italy               •      42:16 No doctrine      •      45:29 The Gothic Line     •      52:00 Success     •      55:35 Afghanistan Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 17 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 240: Lance R. Blyth on Mountain Warfare full The Free Press Lance R. Blyth, command historian at the North American Aerospace Defense Command and author of ⁠Ski, Climb, Fight: The 10th Mountain Division and the Rise of Mountain Warfare⁠, joins the show to discuss the history and tactics of fighting at altitude.     Lance R. Blyth, command historian at the North American Aerospace Defense Command and author of Ski, Climb, Fight: The 10th Mountain Division and the Rise of Mountain Warfare, joins the show to discuss the history and tactics of fighting at altitude.        ▪️ Times     •      01:31 Introduction     •      01:41 Marine     •      04:55 L.A. riots              •      07:22 From horses to skis     •      10:13 Antecedents              •      13:56 Advantage                 •      15:40 The Germans         •      17:55 The Winter War               •      22:51 French surrender     •      25:58 Specialized divisions     •      31:37 Volunteers      •      33:49 Training     •      36:50 Delay and Italy               •      42:16 No doctrine      •      45:29 The Gothic Line     •      52:00 Success     •      55:35 Afghanistan Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Lance R. Blyth, command historian at the North American Aerospace Defense Command and author of Ski, Climb, Fight: The 10th Mountain Division and the Rise of Mountain Warfare, joins the show to discuss the history and tactics of fighting at altitude.       

▪️

Times

    •      01:31 Introduction

    •      01:41 Marine

    •      04:55 L.A. riots         

    •      07:22 From horses to skis

    •      10:13 Antecedents         

    •      13:56 Advantage            

    •      15:40 The Germans    

    •      17:55 The Winter War          

    •      22:51 French surrender

    •      25:58 Specialized divisions

    •      31:37 Volunteers 

    •      33:49 Training

    •      36:50 Delay and Italy          

    •      42:16 No doctrine 

    •      45:29 The Gothic Line

    •      52:00 Success

    •      55:35 Afghanistan


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3415 Ep 239: Charles C. Mann on How the System Works Charles C. Mann, author of “How the System Works” in The New Atlantis, joins the show to discuss the complexity and vulnerability of the hidden processes that sustain human life on our planet.       ▪️ Times     •      01:49 Introduction     •      02:31 Interconnected      •      05:43 Medical care              •      09:20 Feeding humanity     •      11:56 Three advances             •      20:42 Water                •      26:34 Energy          •      36:05 Keeping pace                •      38:35 Hurdles      •      41:12 Solutions                •      45:26 Public health          •      56:38 Concerns             Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 239: Charles C. Mann on How the System Works full The Free Press Charles C. Mann, author of ⁠“How the System Works”⁠ in The New Atlantis, joins the show to discuss the complexity and vulnerability of the hidden processes that sustain human life on our planet.       Charles C. Mann, author of “How the System Works” in The New Atlantis, joins the show to discuss the complexity and vulnerability of the hidden processes that sustain human life on our planet.       ▪️ Times     •      01:49 Introduction     •      02:31 Interconnected      •      05:43 Medical care              •      09:20 Feeding humanity     •      11:56 Three advances             •      20:42 Water                •      26:34 Energy          •      36:05 Keeping pace                •      38:35 Hurdles      •      41:12 Solutions                •      45:26 Public health          •      56:38 Concerns             Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Charles C. Mann, author of “How the System Works” in The New Atlantis, joins the show to discuss the complexity and vulnerability of the hidden processes that sustain human life on our planet.      

▪️

Times

    •      01:49 Introduction

    •      02:31 Interconnected 

    •      05:43 Medical care         

    •      09:20 Feeding humanity

    •      11:56 Three advances        

    •      20:42 Water           

    •      26:34 Energy     

    •      36:05 Keeping pace           

    •      38:35 Hurdles 

    •      41:12 Solutions           

    •      45:26 Public health     

    •      56:38 Concerns

           

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3494 Ep 238: James Titterton on Medieval Deception James Titterton, historian and author of Deception in Medieval Warfare: Trickery and Cunning in the Central Middle Ages, joins the show to discuss strategies and stratagems in the age of castles and knights.       ▪️ Times     •      01:29 Introduction     •      02:18 High Middle Ages     •      09:03 Oathbreakers              •      12:01 Sources     •      16:21 Doctrine             •      22:07 Bribery                •      31:23 Spies and feints         •      39:26 Plausibility                •      42:19 Professionals  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 238: James Titterton on Medieval Deception full The Free Press James Titterton, historian and author of Deception in Medieval Warfare: Trickery and Cunning in the Central Middle Ages, joins the show to discuss strategies and stratagems in the age of castles and knights.   James Titterton, historian and author of Deception in Medieval Warfare: Trickery and Cunning in the Central Middle Ages, joins the show to discuss strategies and stratagems in the age of castles and knights.       ▪️ Times     •      01:29 Introduction     •      02:18 High Middle Ages     •      09:03 Oathbreakers              •      12:01 Sources     •      16:21 Doctrine             •      22:07 Bribery                •      31:23 Spies and feints         •      39:26 Plausibility                •      42:19 Professionals  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack James Titterton, historian and author of Deception in Medieval Warfare: Trickery and Cunning in the Central Middle Ages, joins the show to discuss strategies and stratagems in the age of castles and knights.      

▪️

Times

    •      01:29 Introduction

    •      02:18 High Middle Ages

    •      09:03 Oathbreakers         

    •      12:01 Sources

    •      16:21 Doctrine        

    •      22:07 Bribery           

    •      31:23 Spies and feints    

    •      39:26 Plausibility           

    •      42:19 Professionals 


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2636 Ep 237: Toshi Yoshihara on China’s Subversive Strategies Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and author of Mao's Army Goes to Sea: The Island Campaigns and the Founding of China's Navy, joins the show to discuss how the PLA took Beijing in 1949 by subversion, and how they may yet seize Taiwan.       ▪️ Times     •      01:53 Introduction     •      03:24 Peaceful liberation     •      07:19 Planning and preparation              •      10:36 Isolation     •      17:30 A tradition of manipulation             •      23:51 True believers                •      28:23 Helpless         •      34:55 Political warfare               •      41:53 Surprise     •      47:32 Holy Grail     •      50:51 Fault lines     •      57:44 What to read? Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 237: Toshi Yoshihara on China’s Subversive Strategies full The Free Press Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and author of ⁠Mao's Army Goes to Sea: The Island Campaigns and the Founding of China's Navy⁠, joins the show to discuss how the PLA took Beijing in 1949 by subversion, and how they may yet seize Taiwan.    Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and author of Mao's Army Goes to Sea: The Island Campaigns and the Founding of China's Navy, joins the show to discuss how the PLA took Beijing in 1949 by subversion, and how they may yet seize Taiwan.       ▪️ Times     •      01:53 Introduction     •      03:24 Peaceful liberation     •      07:19 Planning and preparation              •      10:36 Isolation     •      17:30 A tradition of manipulation             •      23:51 True believers                •      28:23 Helpless         •      34:55 Political warfare               •      41:53 Surprise     •      47:32 Holy Grail     •      50:51 Fault lines     •      57:44 What to read? Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and author of Mao's Army Goes to Sea: The Island Campaigns and the Founding of China's Navy, joins the show to discuss how the PLA took Beijing in 1949 by subversion, and how they may yet seize Taiwan.      

▪️

Times

    •      01:53 Introduction

    •      03:24 Peaceful liberation

    •      07:19 Planning and preparation         

    •      10:36 Isolation

    •      17:30 A tradition of manipulation        

    •      23:51 True believers           

    •      28:23 Helpless    

    •      34:55 Political warfare          

    •      41:53 Surprise

    •      47:32 Holy Grail

    •      50:51 Fault lines

    •      57:44 What to read?


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3479 Ep 236: Joshua Rovner on Grand Strategy Joshua Rovner, Associate Professor in the School of International Service at American University and author of Strategy and Grand Strategy, joins the show to discuss the tension between pursuing military victory and securing a nation.       ▪️ Times     •      01:28 Introduction     •      01:35 MIT      •      05:03 Grand strategy              •      10:45 Peloponnesian War      •      18:05 Spartan strategy             •      22:34 Pericles                •      27:18 A terrible irony         •      32:43 Disastrous victory               •      41:35 British power     •      46:13 Atomic strategy Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 236: Joshua Rovner on Grand Strategy full The Free Press Joshua Rovner, Associate Professor in the School of International Service at American University and author of ⁠Strategy and Grand Strategy⁠, joins the show to discuss the tension between pursuing military victory and securing a nation.     Joshua Rovner, Associate Professor in the School of International Service at American University and author of Strategy and Grand Strategy, joins the show to discuss the tension between pursuing military victory and securing a nation.       ▪️ Times     •      01:28 Introduction     •      01:35 MIT      •      05:03 Grand strategy              •      10:45 Peloponnesian War      •      18:05 Spartan strategy             •      22:34 Pericles                •      27:18 A terrible irony         •      32:43 Disastrous victory               •      41:35 British power     •      46:13 Atomic strategy Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Joshua Rovner, Associate Professor in the School of International Service at American University and author of Strategy and Grand Strategy, joins the show to discuss the tension between pursuing military victory and securing a nation.      

▪️

Times

    •      01:28 Introduction

    •      01:35 MIT 

    •      05:03 Grand strategy         

    •      10:45 Peloponnesian War 

    •      18:05 Spartan strategy        

    •      22:34 Pericles           

    •      27:18 A terrible irony    

    •      32:43 Disastrous victory          

    •      41:35 British power

    •      46:13 Atomic strategy


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3060 Ep 235: Tyler Grey on Serving in Delta Force and the Warrior’s Journey Tyler Grey, Delta Force veteran and author of Forged in Chaos: A Warrior's Origin Story, joins the show to discuss his experiences as a member of the U.S. Army’s most elite combat unit, his journey as a warrior, and the continuing struggle to understand post-traumatic stress. ▪️ Times     •      01:30 Introduction     •      01:48 Bakersfield, CA      •      06:51 Predators and prey              •      10:48 Not a choice      •      17:11 Rangers             •      23:15 Elite infantry               •      28:37 9/11           •      33:43 Pakistan border              •      41:20 Sniper team     •      44:22 Luck and health           •      47:05 Master of the basics             •      51:36 Fallujah     •      54:29 Sadr City     •      01:06:16 Chaos of combat          •      01:10:01 Lost          •      01:14:26 “LTSD” Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 235: Tyler Grey on Serving in Delta Force and the Warrior’s Journey full The Free Press Tyler Grey, Delta Force veteran and author of Forged in Chaos: A Warrior's Origin Story, joins the show to discuss his experiences as a member of the U.S. Army’s most elite combat unit, his journey as a warrior, and the continuing struggle to understand post-traumatic stress. Tyler Grey, Delta Force veteran and author of Forged in Chaos: A Warrior's Origin Story, joins the show to discuss his experiences as a member of the U.S. Army’s most elite combat unit, his journey as a warrior, and the continuing struggle to understand post-traumatic stress. ▪️ Times     •      01:30 Introduction     •      01:48 Bakersfield, CA      •      06:51 Predators and prey              •      10:48 Not a choice      •      17:11 Rangers             •      23:15 Elite infantry               •      28:37 9/11           •      33:43 Pakistan border              •      41:20 Sniper team     •      44:22 Luck and health           •      47:05 Master of the basics             •      51:36 Fallujah     •      54:29 Sadr City     •      01:06:16 Chaos of combat          •      01:10:01 Lost          •      01:14:26 “LTSD” Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tyler Grey, Delta Force veteran and author of Forged in Chaos: A Warrior's Origin Story, joins the show to discuss his experiences as a member of the U.S. Army’s most elite combat unit, his journey as a warrior, and the continuing struggle to understand post-traumatic stress.

▪️

Times

    •      01:30 Introduction

    •      01:48 Bakersfield, CA 

    •      06:51 Predators and prey         

    •      10:48 Not a choice 

    •      17:11 Rangers        

    •      23:15 Elite infantry          

    •      28:37 9/11      

    •      33:43 Pakistan border         

    •      41:20 Sniper team

    •      44:22 Luck and health      

    •      47:05 Master of the basics        

    •      51:36 Fallujah

    •      54:29 Sadr City

    •      01:06:16 Chaos of combat     

    •      01:10:01 Lost     

    •      01:14:26 “LTSD”


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 4695 Ep 234: A. Wess Mitchell on Diplomacy A. Wess Mitchell, former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, historian, and author of Great Power Diplomacy: The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger, joins the show to discuss just what diplomacy is. ▪️ Times     •      01:37 Introduction     •      02:08 Bad reutation      •      04:37 Misconceptions              •      09:35 A part of grand strategy      •      13:11 Not trickery              •      18:05 Attila the Hun               •      24:17 Appeasement           •      35:00 Other options              •      39:33 The State Department      •      44:22 Molding diplomats           •      47:31 Ukraine             •      52:47 Major risks Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 234: A. Wess Mitchell on Diplomacy full The Free Press A. Wess Mitchell, former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, historian, and author of ⁠Great Power Diplomacy: The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger⁠, joins the show to discuss just what diplomacy is. A. Wess Mitchell, former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, historian, and author of Great Power Diplomacy: The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger, joins the show to discuss just what diplomacy is. ▪️ Times     •      01:37 Introduction     •      02:08 Bad reutation      •      04:37 Misconceptions              •      09:35 A part of grand strategy      •      13:11 Not trickery              •      18:05 Attila the Hun               •      24:17 Appeasement           •      35:00 Other options              •      39:33 The State Department      •      44:22 Molding diplomats           •      47:31 Ukraine             •      52:47 Major risks Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack A. Wess Mitchell, former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, historian, and author of Great Power Diplomacy: The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger, joins the show to discuss just what diplomacy is.

▪️

Times

    •      01:37 Introduction

    •      02:08 Bad reutation 

    •      04:37 Misconceptions         

    •      09:35 A part of grand strategy 

    •      13:11 Not trickery         

    •      18:05 Attila the Hun          

    •      24:17 Appeasement      

    •      35:00 Other options         

    •      39:33 The State Department 

    •      44:22 Molding diplomats      

    •      47:31 Ukraine        

    •      52:47 Major risks

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3462 Ep 233: Mick Ryan on the Ukraine War’s Urgent Lessons Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss his latest piece, Translating Ukraine Lessons for the Pacific Theatre. ▪️ Times     •      01:40 Introduction     •      02:18 Translation      •      04:03 Ground forces             •      08:40 Australian defense      •      11:25 Threats from the North              •      13:25 Chinese influence               •      16:46 The mask slips           •      19:51 What we don’t know              •      24:36 The Pacific     •      32:18 Information ops            •      37:31 Corrosive influences             •      40:15 Mass Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 233: Mick Ryan on the Ukraine War’s Urgent Lessons full The Free Press Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss his latest piece, Translating Ukraine Lessons for the Pacific Theatre. Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss his latest piece, Translating Ukraine Lessons for the Pacific Theatre. ▪️ Times     •      01:40 Introduction     •      02:18 Translation      •      04:03 Ground forces             •      08:40 Australian defense      •      11:25 Threats from the North              •      13:25 Chinese influence               •      16:46 The mask slips           •      19:51 What we don’t know              •      24:36 The Pacific     •      32:18 Information ops            •      37:31 Corrosive influences             •      40:15 Mass Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss his latest piece, Translating Ukraine Lessons for the Pacific Theatre.

▪️

Times

    •      01:40 Introduction

    •      02:18 Translation 

    •      04:03 Ground forces        

    •      08:40 Australian defense 

    •      11:25 Threats from the North         

    •      13:25 Chinese influence          

    •      16:46 The mask slips      

    •      19:51 What we don’t know         

    •      24:36 The Pacific

    •      32:18 Information ops       

    •      37:31 Corrosive influences        

    •      40:15 Mass


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]]> 2531 Ep 232: Ran Baratz on the Gaza War and Israel’s ‘Postmodern’ Military Ran Baratz, military historian and former senior Israeli official, and author of What's Wrong with the Postmodern Military?, joins the show to discuss operations in Gaza and problems with how the IDF officer corps thinks about war. ▪️ Times     •      01:37 Introduction     •      02:27 Gaza     •      06:23 Diplomatic obstacles             •      12:27 Worse than you think     •      15:28 Paradigm shift              •      30:23 Real wars              •      38:49 Art of the general            •      43:51 War as policy             •      50:00 Netanyahu Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 232: Ran Baratz on the Gaza War and Israel’s ‘Postmodern’ Military full The Free Press Ran Baratz, military historian and former senior Israeli official, and author of ⁠What's Wrong with the Postmodern Military?⁠, joins the show to discuss operations in Gaza and problems with how the IDF officer corps thinks about war. Ran Baratz, military historian and former senior Israeli official, and author of What's Wrong with the Postmodern Military?, joins the show to discuss operations in Gaza and problems with how the IDF officer corps thinks about war. ▪️ Times     •      01:37 Introduction     •      02:27 Gaza     •      06:23 Diplomatic obstacles             •      12:27 Worse than you think     •      15:28 Paradigm shift              •      30:23 Real wars              •      38:49 Art of the general            •      43:51 War as policy             •      50:00 Netanyahu Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Ran Baratz, military historian and former senior Israeli official, and author of What's Wrong with the Postmodern Military?, joins the show to discuss operations in Gaza and problems with how the IDF officer corps thinks about war.

▪️

Times

    •      01:37 Introduction

    •      02:27 Gaza

    •      06:23 Diplomatic obstacles        

    •      12:27 Worse than you think

    •      15:28 Paradigm shift         

    •      30:23 Real wars         

    •      38:49 Art of the general       

    •      43:51 War as policy        

    •      50:00 Netanyahu

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3187 Ep 231: Peter Rough on Russian Drone Incursions into NATO Peter Rough, senior fellow and director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss the recent Russian drone incursions in Poland and Romania and what they mean. ▪️ Times     •      01:08 Introduction     •      01:35 What actually happened?     •      05:30 Destructive decoys             •      07:27 European moods     •      11:23 Rightwing response              •      16:32 Strategic autonomy              •      23:52 Zapad           •      30:00 On/off switch             •      33:31 Where do we stand?    Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:45:00 -0000 Ep 231: Peter Rough on Russian Drone Incursions into NATO full The Free Press Peter Rough, senior fellow and director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss the recent Russian drone incursions in Poland and Romania and what they mean. Peter Rough, senior fellow and director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss the recent Russian drone incursions in Poland and Romania and what they mean. ▪️ Times     •      01:08 Introduction     •      01:35 What actually happened?     •      05:30 Destructive decoys             •      07:27 European moods     •      11:23 Rightwing response              •      16:32 Strategic autonomy              •      23:52 Zapad           •      30:00 On/off switch             •      33:31 Where do we stand?    Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Peter Rough, senior fellow and director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss the recent Russian drone incursions in Poland and Romania and what they mean.

▪️

Times

    •      01:08 Introduction

    •      01:35 What actually happened?

    •      05:30 Destructive decoys        

    •      07:27 European moods

    •      11:23 Rightwing response         

    •      16:32 Strategic autonomy         

    •      23:52 Zapad      

    •      30:00 On/off switch        

    •      33:31 Where do we stand?   


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2164 Ep 230: Prit Buttar on the Great Soviet Offensive of 1944 Prit Buttar, historian and author of Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive, joins the show to discuss the immense Russian campaign that broke the German Army on the Eastern Front.     ▪️ Times     •      01:48 Introduction     •      02:50 A war unto itself     •      08:02 Flanders             •      15:20 Maskirovka     •      24:35 Soviet intelligence              •      28:27 Bolshevism             •      30:22 Lebensraum          •      31:40 Bagration             •      36:14 Cracking the line            •      39:00 Warsaw Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 230: Prit Buttar on the Great Soviet Offensive of 1944 full The Free Press Prit Buttar, historian and author of Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive, joins the show to discuss the immense Russian campaign that broke the German Army on the Eastern Front. Prit Buttar, historian and author of Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive, joins the show to discuss the immense Russian campaign that broke the German Army on the Eastern Front.     ▪️ Times     •      01:48 Introduction     •      02:50 A war unto itself     •      08:02 Flanders             •      15:20 Maskirovka     •      24:35 Soviet intelligence              •      28:27 Bolshevism             •      30:22 Lebensraum          •      31:40 Bagration             •      36:14 Cracking the line            •      39:00 Warsaw Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Prit Buttar, historian and author of Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive, joins the show to discuss the immense Russian campaign that broke the German Army on the Eastern Front.    

▪️

Times

    •      01:48 Introduction

    •      02:50 A war unto itself

    •      08:02 Flanders        

    •      15:20 Maskirovka

    •      24:35 Soviet intelligence         

    •      28:27 Bolshevism        

    •      30:22 Lebensraum     

    •      31:40 Bagration        

    •      36:14 Cracking the line       

    •      39:00 Warsaw


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2765 Ep 229: Nadège Rolland on China’s Borderlands Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and principal investigator for the Mapping China's Borderlands: Dashboard, joins the show to discuss the shifting visions China has of its frontiers.  ▪️ Times     •      01:35 Introduction     •      02:34 What is “China?”     •      10:26 Sovereignty             •      19:30 Double translation     •      25:25 Capillaries             •      34:37 Imperial messaging            •      42:36 Prioritization        We also discuss Nadège’s 2020 report - China's Vision for a New World Order. Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:21:00 -0000 Ep 229: Nadège Rolland on China’s Borderlands full The Free Press Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and principal investigator for the ⁠Mapping China's Borderlands: Dashboard⁠, joins the show to discuss the shifting visions China has of its frontiers.  Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and principal investigator for the Mapping China's Borderlands: Dashboard, joins the show to discuss the shifting visions China has of its frontiers.  ▪️ Times     •      01:35 Introduction     •      02:34 What is “China?”     •      10:26 Sovereignty             •      19:30 Double translation     •      25:25 Capillaries             •      34:37 Imperial messaging            •      42:36 Prioritization        We also discuss Nadège’s 2020 report - China's Vision for a New World Order. Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and principal investigator for the Mapping China's Borderlands: Dashboard, joins the show to discuss the shifting visions China has of its frontiers. 

▪️

Times

    •      01:35 Introduction

    •      02:34 What is “China?”

    •      10:26 Sovereignty        

    •      19:30 Double translation

    •      25:25 Capillaries        

    •      34:37 Imperial messaging       

    •      42:36 Prioritization       


We also discuss Nadège’s 2020 report - China's Vision for a New World Order.

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2900 Ep 228: Brad Bowman and Ryan Brobst on “Axis” Military Cooperation Brad Bowman and Ryan Brobst, senior and deputy directors of the Center on Military and Political Power at FDD, join the show to discuss the military relationships between America’s major antagonists. ▪️ Times     •      01:47 Introduction     •      02:40 Axis cooperation     •      08:02 Interoperability            •      11:19 Fighting all three     •      14:49 Potential            •      20:57 The arsenal            •      26:56 Progress     •      28:30 Budgeting      •      36:10 Will and capability             •      39:03 Harpoon Coastal Defense System           •      41:31 Per unit cost over speed     •      44:25 Buy-side issue     •      47:49 Production lessons Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Sun, 07 Sep 2025 12:45:00 -0000 Ep 228: Brad Bowman and Ryan Brobst on “Axis” Military Cooperation full The Free Press Brad Bowman and Ryan Brobst, senior and deputy directors of the Center on Military and Political Power at FDD, join the show to discuss the military relationships between America’s major antagonists. Brad Bowman and Ryan Brobst, senior and deputy directors of the Center on Military and Political Power at FDD, join the show to discuss the military relationships between America’s major antagonists. ▪️ Times     •      01:47 Introduction     •      02:40 Axis cooperation     •      08:02 Interoperability            •      11:19 Fighting all three     •      14:49 Potential            •      20:57 The arsenal            •      26:56 Progress     •      28:30 Budgeting      •      36:10 Will and capability             •      39:03 Harpoon Coastal Defense System           •      41:31 Per unit cost over speed     •      44:25 Buy-side issue     •      47:49 Production lessons Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Brad Bowman and Ryan Brobst, senior and deputy directors of the Center on Military and Political Power at FDD, join the show to discuss the military relationships between America’s major antagonists.

▪️

Times

    •      01:47 Introduction

    •      02:40 Axis cooperation

    •      08:02 Interoperability       

    •      11:19 Fighting all three

    •      14:49 Potential       

    •      20:57 The arsenal       

    •      26:56 Progress

    •      28:30 Budgeting 

    •      36:10 Will and capability        

    •      39:03 Harpoon Coastal Defense System      

    •      41:31 Per unit cost over speed

    •      44:25 Buy-side issue

    •      47:49 Production lessons


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2984 Ep 227: Yaakov Katz on What Went Wrong on 10/7 Yaakov Katz, senior fellow at The Jewish People Policy Institute and author of While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East, joins the show to discuss Israel’s intelligence and military failures on the night of 6-7 October, 2023. ▪️ Times     •      01:35 Introduction     •      02:47 Foundational facts     •      09:45 Communication failure           •      17:39 Minority reports     •      25:40 Left alone            •      30:15 Accountability           •      39:37 Cultural costs     •      47:30 A deal Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 227: Yaakov Katz on What Went Wrong on 10/7 full The Free Press Yaakov Katz, senior fellow The Jewish People Policy Institute and author of ⁠While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East⁠,  joins the show to discuss Israel’s intelligence and military failures on the night of 6-7 October, 2023. Yaakov Katz, senior fellow at The Jewish People Policy Institute and author of While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East, joins the show to discuss Israel’s intelligence and military failures on the night of 6-7 October, 2023. ▪️ Times     •      01:35 Introduction     •      02:47 Foundational facts     •      09:45 Communication failure           •      17:39 Minority reports     •      25:40 Left alone            •      30:15 Accountability           •      39:37 Cultural costs     •      47:30 A deal Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Yaakov Katz, senior fellow at The Jewish People Policy Institute and author of While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East, joins the show to discuss Israel’s intelligence and military failures on the night of 6-7 October, 2023.

▪️

Times

    •      01:35 Introduction

    •      02:47 Foundational facts

    •      09:45 Communication failure      

    •      17:39 Minority reports

    •      25:40 Left alone       

    •      30:15 Accountability      

    •      39:37 Cultural costs

    •      47:30 A deal


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3117 Ep 226: Geoffrey Wawro on the Vietnam War Geoffrey Wawro, founding director of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas and author of The Vietnam War: A Military History,  joins the show to discuss the causes of U.S. failure in Vietnam. ▪️ Times     •      01:21 Introduction     •      01:50 Schools of thought     •      07:45 Orthodoxy           •      13:24 A war of choice     •      17:49 Ambivalence            •      20:15 Korean nightmare           •      23:53 Lessons     •      28:38 Policy makers     •      32:34 Obvious flaws        •      37:10 Ground war     •      42:21 South Vietnam      •      51:30 Certain defeat     •      56:21 Local politics Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 29 Aug 2025 09:28:00 -0000 Ep 226: Geoffrey Wawro on the Vietnam War full The Free Press Geoffrey Wawro, founding director of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas and author of ⁠The Vietnam War: A Military History⁠,  joins the show to discuss the causes of U.S. failure in Vietnam. Geoffrey Wawro, founding director of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas and author of The Vietnam War: A Military History,  joins the show to discuss the causes of U.S. failure in Vietnam. ▪️ Times     •      01:21 Introduction     •      01:50 Schools of thought     •      07:45 Orthodoxy           •      13:24 A war of choice     •      17:49 Ambivalence            •      20:15 Korean nightmare           •      23:53 Lessons     •      28:38 Policy makers     •      32:34 Obvious flaws        •      37:10 Ground war     •      42:21 South Vietnam      •      51:30 Certain defeat     •      56:21 Local politics Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Geoffrey Wawro, founding director of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas and author of The Vietnam War: A Military History,  joins the show to discuss the causes of U.S. failure in Vietnam.

▪️

Times

    •      01:21 Introduction

    •      01:50 Schools of thought

    •      07:45 Orthodoxy      

    •      13:24 A war of choice

    •      17:49 Ambivalence       

    •      20:15 Korean nightmare      

    •      23:53 Lessons

    •      28:38 Policy makers

    •      32:34 Obvious flaws   

    •      37:10 Ground war

    •      42:21 South Vietnam 

    •      51:30 Certain defeat

    •      56:21 Local politics


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3567 Ep 225: Geoff Ball on the Evacuation of Kabul Major Geoff Ball, USMC, co-founder of the Connecting File, commanded Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines during the evacuation at Kabul International Airport in 2021, including the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate on 26 August. He shares the story of his company and their extraordinary service in Afghanistan. ▪️ Times     •      01:51 Introduction     •      02:03 The Marines     •      08:20 Quantico          •      13:07 29 Palms     •      16:32 On the job training           •      21:54 Ghost Company           •      26:44 The call     •      32:10 Isolation     •      38:30 Abbey Gate        •      46:16 Unity of effort      •      48:53 Who got through      •      51:40 The Taliban     •      52:54 26 August     •      56:52 Take command      •      59:47 No good choices     •      01:06:42 The Fallen Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:43:00 -0000 Ep 225: Geoff Ball on the Evacuation of Kabul full The Free Press Major Geoff Ball, USMC, co-founder of the Connecting File, commanded Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines during the evacuation at Kabul International Airport in 2021, including the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate on 26 August. He shares the story of his company and their extraordinary service in Afghanistan. Major Geoff Ball, USMC, co-founder of the Connecting File, commanded Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines during the evacuation at Kabul International Airport in 2021, including the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate on 26 August. He shares the story of his company and their extraordinary service in Afghanistan. ▪️ Times     •      01:51 Introduction     •      02:03 The Marines     •      08:20 Quantico          •      13:07 29 Palms     •      16:32 On the job training           •      21:54 Ghost Company           •      26:44 The call     •      32:10 Isolation     •      38:30 Abbey Gate        •      46:16 Unity of effort      •      48:53 Who got through      •      51:40 The Taliban     •      52:54 26 August     •      56:52 Take command      •      59:47 No good choices     •      01:06:42 The Fallen Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Major Geoff Ball, USMC, co-founder of the Connecting File, commanded Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines during the evacuation at Kabul International Airport in 2021, including the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate on 26 August. He shares the story of his company and their extraordinary service in Afghanistan.

▪️

Times

    •      01:51 Introduction

    •      02:03 The Marines

    •      08:20 Quantico     

    •      13:07 29 Palms

    •      16:32 On the job training      

    •      21:54 Ghost Company      

    •      26:44 The call

    •      32:10 Isolation

    •      38:30 Abbey Gate   

    •      46:16 Unity of effort 

    •      48:53 Who got through 

    •      51:40 The Taliban

    •      52:54 26 August

    •      56:52 Take command 

    •      59:47 No good choices

    •      01:06:42 The Fallen


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]]> 4443 Ep 224: Barry Strauss on Ancient Rome’s Wars with Israel Barry Strauss, Corliss Page Dean Fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire, joins the show to discuss the long, fractious, often violent relationship between Ancient Rome and her Jewish subjects.  ▪️ Times     •      01:11 Introduction     •      01:37 Rome and Parthia     •      07:50 Judea         •      12:07 Roman control      •      17:58 Jewish warfighting            •      20:20 Herod          •      26:03 The Great Revolt     •      31:06 Enter Parthia     •      33:23 The Temple        •      35:01 70 years      •      40:24 Driven out      •      42:02 Parallels with today     •      44:33 Donald Kagan Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 22 Aug 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 224: Barry Strauss on Ancient Rome’s Wars with Israel full The Free Press Barry Strauss, Corliss Page Dean Fellow at the ⁠Hoover Institution⁠ and author of ⁠Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire⁠, joins the show to discuss the long, fractious, often violent relationship between Ancient Rome and her Jewish subjects.  Barry Strauss, Corliss Page Dean Fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire, joins the show to discuss the long, fractious, often violent relationship between Ancient Rome and her Jewish subjects.  ▪️ Times     •      01:11 Introduction     •      01:37 Rome and Parthia     •      07:50 Judea         •      12:07 Roman control      •      17:58 Jewish warfighting            •      20:20 Herod          •      26:03 The Great Revolt     •      31:06 Enter Parthia     •      33:23 The Temple        •      35:01 70 years      •      40:24 Driven out      •      42:02 Parallels with today     •      44:33 Donald Kagan Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Barry Strauss, Corliss Page Dean Fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire, joins the show to discuss the long, fractious, often violent relationship between Ancient Rome and her Jewish subjects. 

▪️

Times

    •      01:11 Introduction

    •      01:37 Rome and Parthia

    •      07:50 Judea    

    •      12:07 Roman control 

    •      17:58 Jewish warfighting       

    •      20:20 Herod     

    •      26:03 The Great Revolt

    •      31:06 Enter Parthia

    •      33:23 The Temple   

    •      35:01 70 years 

    •      40:24 Driven out 

    •      42:02 Parallels with today

    •      44:33 Donald Kagan


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]]> 2818 Ep 223: Mick Ryan on Ukraine Negotiations and Fighting Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina Substack, joins the show to break down the latest on Ukraine, from the battlefield to the White House.  ▪️ Times    •       01:05 Introduction     •      02:06 The front     •      06:23 Fortress belt        •      08:38 ROI      •      10:55 Shifting feelings            •      14:41 A realistic settlement          •      20:53 After Alaska     •      23:15 Boots on the ground     •      25:45 Unpredictability          •      28:49 A different vibe      •      31:31 Stop the killing Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:10:00 -0000 Ep 223: Mick Ryan on Ukraine Negotiations and Fighting full The Free Press Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina Substack, joins the show to break down the latest on Ukraine, from the battlefield to the White House. Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina Substack, joins the show to break down the latest on Ukraine, from the battlefield to the White House.  ▪️ Times    •       01:05 Introduction     •      02:06 The front     •      06:23 Fortress belt        •      08:38 ROI      •      10:55 Shifting feelings            •      14:41 A realistic settlement          •      20:53 After Alaska     •      23:15 Boots on the ground     •      25:45 Unpredictability          •      28:49 A different vibe      •      31:31 Stop the killing Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina Substack, joins the show to break down the latest on Ukraine, from the battlefield to the White House. 

▪️

Times

   •       01:05 Introduction

    •      02:06 The front

    •      06:23 Fortress belt   

    •      08:38 ROI 

    •      10:55 Shifting feelings       

    •      14:41 A realistic settlement     

    •      20:53 After Alaska

    •      23:15 Boots on the ground

    •      25:45 Unpredictability     

    •      28:49 A different vibe 

    •      31:31 Stop the killing


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 1988 Ep 222: Peter Mansoor on MacArthur’s Return to the Philippines Colonel Peter Mansoor, U.S. Army (retired), General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History at The Ohio State University and authors of Redemption: MacArthur and the Campaign for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the largest campaign of the Pacific War, the liberation of the Philippines.  ▪️ Times     •      01:08 Introduction     •      01:30 Why West Point?     •      06:11 Petraeus        •      09:55 A huge scale      •      11:25 War Plan Orange            •      16:25 Inevitable          •      20:07 The guerrilla war     •      26:53 Mindanao & Luzon     •      31:33 Leyte Gulf         •      37:52 A do or die campaign      •      40:04 Manila      •      44:34 Command responsibility  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:41:00 -0000 Ep 222: Peter Mansoor on MacArthur’s Return to the Philippines full The Free Press Colonel Peter Mansoor, U.S. Army (retired), General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History at The Ohio State University and authors of Redemption: MacArthur and the Campaign for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the largest campaign of the Pacific War, the liberation of the Philippines. Colonel Peter Mansoor, U.S. Army (retired), General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History at The Ohio State University and authors of Redemption: MacArthur and the Campaign for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the largest campaign of the Pacific War, the liberation of the Philippines.  ▪️ Times     •      01:08 Introduction     •      01:30 Why West Point?     •      06:11 Petraeus        •      09:55 A huge scale      •      11:25 War Plan Orange            •      16:25 Inevitable          •      20:07 The guerrilla war     •      26:53 Mindanao & Luzon     •      31:33 Leyte Gulf         •      37:52 A do or die campaign      •      40:04 Manila      •      44:34 Command responsibility  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Colonel Peter Mansoor, U.S. Army (retired), General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History at The Ohio State University and authors of Redemption: MacArthur and the Campaign for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the largest campaign of the Pacific War, the liberation of the Philippines. 

▪️

Times

    •      01:08 Introduction

    •      01:30 Why West Point?

    •      06:11 Petraeus   

    •      09:55 A huge scale 

    •      11:25 War Plan Orange       

    •      16:25 Inevitable     

    •      20:07 The guerrilla war

    •      26:53 Mindanao & Luzon

    •      31:33 Leyte Gulf    

    •      37:52 A do or die campaign 

    •      40:04 Manila 

    •      44:34 Command responsibility 


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3041 Ep 221: Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders on China’s PLA Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders, both of the  U.S. National Defense University and authors of China's Quest for Military Supremacy, join the show to discuss the origins, organization, and strategic outlook of China’s military.  ▪️ Times     •      01:22 Introduction     •      01:57 Origins     •      06:58 Crisis control        •      08:48 PLA structure      •      13:05 1960            •      20:17 Horizontal escalation         •      24:34 By land or sea     •      28:23 American resolve     •      30:54 Xi         •      36:41 A lack of experience      •      44:10 Military diplomacy     •      48:17 Reading list     •      50:43 Be unpredictable Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 12 Aug 2025 09:12:00 -0000 Ep 221: Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders on China’s PLA full The Free Press Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders, both of the  U.S. National Defense University and authors of ⁠China's Quest for Military Supremacy⁠, join the show to discuss the origins, organization, and strategic outlook of China’s military.  Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders, both of the  U.S. National Defense University and authors of China's Quest for Military Supremacy, join the show to discuss the origins, organization, and strategic outlook of China’s military.  ▪️ Times     •      01:22 Introduction     •      01:57 Origins     •      06:58 Crisis control        •      08:48 PLA structure      •      13:05 1960            •      20:17 Horizontal escalation         •      24:34 By land or sea     •      28:23 American resolve     •      30:54 Xi         •      36:41 A lack of experience      •      44:10 Military diplomacy     •      48:17 Reading list     •      50:43 Be unpredictable Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders, both of the  U.S. National Defense University and authors of China's Quest for Military Supremacy, join the show to discuss the origins, organization, and strategic outlook of China’s military. 

▪️

Times

    •      01:22 Introduction

    •      01:57 Origins

    •      06:58 Crisis control   

    •      08:48 PLA structure 

    •      13:05 1960       

    •      20:17 Horizontal escalation    

    •      24:34 By land or sea

    •      28:23 American resolve

    •      30:54 Xi    

    •      36:41 A lack of experience 

    •      44:10 Military diplomacy

    •      48:17 Reading list

    •      50:43 Be unpredictable


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3278 Ep 220: Marc LiVecche on Hiroshima and Morality Marc LiVecche, McDonald Distinguished Scholar of Ethics, War, and Public Life at Providence and author of The Good Kill: Just War and Moral Injury, joins the show to discuss Just War Theory and whether the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki fit in that framework.  ▪️ Times     •      01:23 Introduction     •      01:30 Misspent youth     •      07:51 Moral injury        •      13:27 Conflicting views     •      19:15 Richard Frank            •      28:53 Right not moral          •      39:12 Not the same     •      40:36 Gifts from heaven Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 220: Marc LiVecche on Hiroshima and Morality full The Free Press Marc LiVecche, McDonald Distinguished Scholar of Ethics, War, and Public Life at Providence and author of ⁠The Good Kill: Just War and Moral Injury⁠, joins the show to discuss Just War Theory and whether the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki fit in that framework.  Marc LiVecche, McDonald Distinguished Scholar of Ethics, War, and Public Life at Providence and author of The Good Kill: Just War and Moral Injury, joins the show to discuss Just War Theory and whether the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki fit in that framework.  ▪️ Times     •      01:23 Introduction     •      01:30 Misspent youth     •      07:51 Moral injury        •      13:27 Conflicting views     •      19:15 Richard Frank            •      28:53 Right not moral          •      39:12 Not the same     •      40:36 Gifts from heaven Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Marc LiVecche, McDonald Distinguished Scholar of Ethics, War, and Public Life at Providence and author of The Good Kill: Just War and Moral Injury, joins the show to discuss Just War Theory and whether the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki fit in that framework. 

▪️

Times

    •      01:23 Introduction

    •      01:30 Misspent youth

    •      07:51 Moral injury   

    •      13:27 Conflicting views

    •      19:15 Richard Frank       

    •      28:53 Right not moral     

    •      39:12 Not the same

    •      40:36 Gifts from heaven


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]]> 2538 Ep 219: Stephen Platt on Mao's China and the Original Marine Raider Stephen Platt, professor of Chinese history at UMass Amherst and author of The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II, joins the show to discuss the incredible life of Evans Carlson. ▪️ Times     •      01:48 Introduction     •      02:50 American quirk     •      08:14 China      •      10:18 Soviet policy      •      14:01 Nicaragua            •      16:29 Edgar Snow          •      21:11 FDR     •      24:42 8th Route Army      •      31:52 Embargo        •      38:30 Raiders     •      42:40 Makin Island     •      46:30 Force multiplier         •      52:44 1946 Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 01 Aug 2025 09:32:00 -0000 Ep 219: Stephen Platt on Mao's China and the Original Marine Raider full The Free Press Stephen Platt, professor of Chinese history at UMass Amherst and author of ⁠The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II⁠, joins the show to discuss the incredible life of Evans Carlson. Stephen Platt, professor of Chinese history at UMass Amherst and author of The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II, joins the show to discuss the incredible life of Evans Carlson. ▪️ Times     •      01:48 Introduction     •      02:50 American quirk     •      08:14 China      •      10:18 Soviet policy      •      14:01 Nicaragua            •      16:29 Edgar Snow          •      21:11 FDR     •      24:42 8th Route Army      •      31:52 Embargo        •      38:30 Raiders     •      42:40 Makin Island     •      46:30 Force multiplier         •      52:44 1946 Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Stephen Platt, professor of Chinese history at UMass Amherst and author of The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II, joins the show to discuss the incredible life of Evans Carlson.

▪️

Times

    •      01:48 Introduction

    •      02:50 American quirk

    •      08:14 China 

    •      10:18 Soviet policy 

    •      14:01 Nicaragua       

    •      16:29 Edgar Snow     

    •      21:11 FDR

    •      24:42 8th Route Army 

    •      31:52 Embargo   

    •      38:30 Raiders

    •      42:40 Makin Island

    •      46:30 Force multiplier    

    •      52:44 1946

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3383 Ep 218: Lawerence Freedman on Endless Wars Lawerence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of ‘The Age of Forever Wars’  in Foreign Affairs Magazine, joins the show to discuss why protracted warfare seems to be a mark of the era.   ▪️ Times     •      01:32 Introduction     •      02:01 Aligning strategy      •      04:37 Mass      •      07:14 Iraq and Afghanistan      •      11:14 Al Qaeda            •      14:25 Survive          •      17:50 Results matter     •      22:04 Trade-offs      •      27:23 Avoiding mistakes        •      32:13 Why does Putin continue?     •      38:29 Concessions Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 218: Lawerence Freedman on Endless Wars full The Free Press Lawerence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of ‘The Age of Forever Wars’, joins the show to discuss why protracted warfare seems to be a mark of the era. Lawerence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of ‘The Age of Forever Wars’  in Foreign Affairs Magazine, joins the show to discuss why protracted warfare seems to be a mark of the era.   ▪️ Times     •      01:32 Introduction     •      02:01 Aligning strategy      •      04:37 Mass      •      07:14 Iraq and Afghanistan      •      11:14 Al Qaeda            •      14:25 Survive          •      17:50 Results matter     •      22:04 Trade-offs      •      27:23 Avoiding mistakes        •      32:13 Why does Putin continue?     •      38:29 Concessions Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Lawerence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of ‘The Age of Forever Wars’  in Foreign Affairs Magazine, joins the show to discuss why protracted warfare seems to be a mark of the era.  

▪️

Times

    •      01:32 Introduction

    •      02:01 Aligning strategy 

    •      04:37 Mass 

    •      07:14 Iraq and Afghanistan 

    •      11:14 Al Qaeda       

    •      14:25 Survive     

    •      17:50 Results matter

    •      22:04 Trade-offs 

    •      27:23 Avoiding mistakes   

    •      32:13 Why does Putin continue?

    •      38:29 Concessions


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]]> 2483 Ep 217: Steven Rabalais on Ike’s Mentor Steven Rabalais, litigator and author of General Fox Conner: Pershing's Chief of Operations and Eisenhower's Mentor,  joins the show to discuss the extraordinary influence of now-forgotten General Fox Connor on the outcome of WWI and Eisenhower’s career.   ▪️ Times     •      01:51 Introduction     •      03:10 Growing up with history      •      05:47 A southern story      •      07:44 West Point struggles      •      12:07 A reader            •      14:50 Coastal artillery          •      20:46 Rocks and airplanes     •      23:51 Mechanism of victory     •      27:54 WWI logistics        •      32:47 Summer 1918     •      46:03 Eisenhower     •      51:24 Panama        •      01:01:58 Foreshadowing Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:34:00 -0000 Ep 217: Steven Rabalais on Ike’s Mentor full The Free Press Steven Rabalais, litigator and author of General Fox Conner: Pershing's Chief of Operations and Eisenhower's Mentor, joins the show to discuss the extraordinary influence of now-forgotten General Fox Connor on the outcome of WWI and Eisenhower’s career. Steven Rabalais, litigator and author of General Fox Conner: Pershing's Chief of Operations and Eisenhower's Mentor,  joins the show to discuss the extraordinary influence of now-forgotten General Fox Connor on the outcome of WWI and Eisenhower’s career.   ▪️ Times     •      01:51 Introduction     •      03:10 Growing up with history      •      05:47 A southern story      •      07:44 West Point struggles      •      12:07 A reader            •      14:50 Coastal artillery          •      20:46 Rocks and airplanes     •      23:51 Mechanism of victory     •      27:54 WWI logistics        •      32:47 Summer 1918     •      46:03 Eisenhower     •      51:24 Panama        •      01:01:58 Foreshadowing Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Steven Rabalais, litigator and author of General Fox Conner: Pershing's Chief of Operations and Eisenhower's Mentor,  joins the show to discuss the extraordinary influence of now-forgotten General Fox Connor on the outcome of WWI and Eisenhower’s career.  

▪️

Times

    •      01:51 Introduction

    •      03:10 Growing up with history 

    •      05:47 A southern story 

    •      07:44 West Point struggles 

    •      12:07 A reader       

    •      14:50 Coastal artillery     

    •      20:46 Rocks and airplanes

    •      23:51 Mechanism of victory

    •      27:54 WWI logistics   

    •      32:47 Summer 1918

    •      46:03 Eisenhower

    •      51:24 Panama   

    •      01:01:58 Foreshadowing


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]]> 3980 Ep 216: Will Somerindyke on Making Munitions in America Will Somerindyke, Chairman of Regulus Global and CEO of UNION, joins the show to discuss rebuilding the U.S. defense industrial base. ▪️ Times     •      01:36 Introduction     •      02:35 A navy family      •      05:51 Regulus      •      08:05 American made      •      10:45 155            •      14:44 Integration          •      16:53 Supply chains     •      23:20 Demand     •      28:27 Flexibility        •      31:40 Forging vs casting     •      33:45 UNION     •      37:27 Customers        •      40:07 Mindset Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:36:00 -0000 Ep 216: Will Somerindyke on Making Munitions in America full The Free Press Will Somerindyke, Chairman of Regulus Global and CEO of UNION, joins the show to discuss rebuilding the U.S. defense industrial base. Will Somerindyke, Chairman of Regulus Global and CEO of UNION, joins the show to discuss rebuilding the U.S. defense industrial base. ▪️ Times     •      01:36 Introduction     •      02:35 A navy family      •      05:51 Regulus      •      08:05 American made      •      10:45 155            •      14:44 Integration          •      16:53 Supply chains     •      23:20 Demand     •      28:27 Flexibility        •      31:40 Forging vs casting     •      33:45 UNION     •      37:27 Customers        •      40:07 Mindset Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Will Somerindyke, Chairman of Regulus Global and CEO of UNION, joins the show to discuss rebuilding the U.S. defense industrial base.

▪️

Times

    •      01:36 Introduction

    •      02:35 A navy family 

    •      05:51 Regulus 

    •      08:05 American made 

    •      10:45 155       

    •      14:44 Integration     

    •      16:53 Supply chains

    •      23:20 Demand

    •      28:27 Flexibility   

    •      31:40 Forging vs casting

    •      33:45 UNION

    •      37:27 Customers   

    •      40:07 Mindset


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]]> 2500 Ep 215: Ryan McDermott on Invading Iraq in 2003 Ryan McDermott, Army veteran of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and author of Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet,  joins the show to talk about his combat experiences. ▪️ Times      •      01:13 Introduction     •      01:55 Seeking purpose      •      04:11 West Point       •      06:48 9/11      •      08:41 3rd Infantry Division            •      10:12 Platoon tactics         •      14:51 “Crossing tonight”     •      18:08 Preparing for combat     •      23:40 Tired       •      29:37 Baghdad     •      35:51 Thunder Runs Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 215: Ryan McDermott on Invading Iraq in 2003 full The Free Press Ryan McDermott, Army veteran of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and author of Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet, joins the show to talk about his combat experiences. Ryan McDermott, Army veteran of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and author of Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet,  joins the show to talk about his combat experiences. ▪️ Times      •      01:13 Introduction     •      01:55 Seeking purpose      •      04:11 West Point       •      06:48 9/11      •      08:41 3rd Infantry Division            •      10:12 Platoon tactics         •      14:51 “Crossing tonight”     •      18:08 Preparing for combat     •      23:40 Tired       •      29:37 Baghdad     •      35:51 Thunder Runs Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Ryan McDermott, Army veteran of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and author of Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet,  joins the show to talk about his combat experiences.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:13 Introduction

    •      01:55 Seeking purpose 

    •      04:11 West Point  

    •      06:48 9/11 

    •      08:41 3rd Infantry Division       

    •      10:12 Platoon tactics    

    •      14:51 “Crossing tonight”

    •      18:08 Preparing for combat

    •      23:40 Tired  

    •      29:37 Baghdad

    •      35:51 Thunder Runs


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]]> 2306 Ep 214: Bryan Clark on the Coming Sensor War with China Bryan Clark, senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about how a war with China could play out. ▪️ Times      •      01:51 Introduction     •      02:00 Submariner     •      10:10 Environmental conditions       •      12:40 State of play      •      20:04 Complacency           •      23:36 Hellscape          •      32:14 Cultural differences      •      37:20 Party control     •      43:40 Degraded environment       •      48:02 Practice now     •      51:45 Deterrence Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 214: Bryan Clark on the Coming Sensor War with China full The Free Press Bryan Clark, senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about how a war with China could play out. Bryan Clark, senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about how a war with China could play out. ▪️ Times      •      01:51 Introduction     •      02:00 Submariner     •      10:10 Environmental conditions       •      12:40 State of play      •      20:04 Complacency           •      23:36 Hellscape          •      32:14 Cultural differences      •      37:20 Party control     •      43:40 Degraded environment       •      48:02 Practice now     •      51:45 Deterrence Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Bryan Clark, senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about how a war with China could play out.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:51 Introduction

    •      02:00 Submariner

    •      10:10 Environmental conditions  

    •      12:40 State of play 

    •      20:04 Complacency      

    •      23:36 Hellscape     

    •      32:14 Cultural differences 

    •      37:20 Party control

    •      43:40 Degraded environment  

    •      48:02 Practice now

    •      51:45 Deterrence


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]]> 3463 Ep 213: Paul Lay on Cromwell and the English Civil War Paul Lay, Senior Editor of Engelsberg Ideas and author of Providence Lost: The Rise and Fall of Cromwell's Protectorate,joins the show to talk about the turbulent age of the English Civil War, Cromwell, and the Protectorate. ▪️ Times      •      01:45 Introduction     •      02:00 17th century     •      03:51 The Thirty Years War       •      12:40 Anti-Catholicism      •      15:24 Underlying causes           •      21:46 Cromwell          •      30:34 Thatcher      •      33:04 The Rump Parliament     •      37:07 Western Design     •      54:44 Reverberations Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:36:00 -0000 Ep 213: Paul Lay on Cromwell and the English Civil War full The Free Press Paul Lay, Senior Editor of Engelsberg Ideas and author of Providence Lost: The Rise and Fall of Cromwell's Protectorate,joins the show to talk about the turbulent age of the English Civil War, Cromwell, and the Protectorate. Paul Lay, Senior Editor of Engelsberg Ideas and author of Providence Lost: The Rise and Fall of Cromwell's Protectorate,joins the show to talk about the turbulent age of the English Civil War, Cromwell, and the Protectorate. ▪️ Times      •      01:45 Introduction     •      02:00 17th century     •      03:51 The Thirty Years War       •      12:40 Anti-Catholicism      •      15:24 Underlying causes           •      21:46 Cromwell          •      30:34 Thatcher      •      33:04 The Rump Parliament     •      37:07 Western Design     •      54:44 Reverberations Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Paul Lay, Senior Editor of Engelsberg Ideas and author of Providence Lost: The Rise and Fall of Cromwell's Protectorate,joins the show to talk about the turbulent age of the English Civil War, Cromwell, and the Protectorate.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:45 Introduction

    •      02:00 17th century

    •      03:51 The Thirty Years War  

    •      12:40 Anti-Catholicism 

    •      15:24 Underlying causes      

    •      21:46 Cromwell     

    •      30:34 Thatcher 

    •      33:04 The Rump Parliament

    •      37:07 Western Design

    •      54:44 Reverberations


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]]> 3509 Ep 212: Arnold Punaro on Fighting in Vietnam and Washington Arnold Punaro, retired USMC Major General and author of If Confirmed: An Insider's View of the National Security Confirmation Process, joins the show to talk about his infantry service in Vietnam and his experiences serving in Washington DC. ▪️ Times      •      01:35 Introduction     •      05:40 5 weeks     •      10:51 Officer training       •      13:18 3/7     •      16:37 Jungle fighting           •      23:25 Wounded         •      31:32 Payback      •      36:35 Bad situation     •      40:10 Getting home      •      45:46 The Senate     •      49:28 Getting the facts     •      54:00 Service Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 04 Jul 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 212: Arnold Punaro on Fighting in Vietnam and Washington full The Free Press Arnold Punaro, retired USMC Major General and author of ⁠If Confirmed: An Insider's View of the National Security Confirmation Process⁠, joins the show to talk about his infantry service in Vietnam and his experiences serving in Washington DC. Arnold Punaro, retired USMC Major General and author of If Confirmed: An Insider's View of the National Security Confirmation Process, joins the show to talk about his infantry service in Vietnam and his experiences serving in Washington DC. ▪️ Times      •      01:35 Introduction     •      05:40 5 weeks     •      10:51 Officer training       •      13:18 3/7     •      16:37 Jungle fighting           •      23:25 Wounded         •      31:32 Payback      •      36:35 Bad situation     •      40:10 Getting home      •      45:46 The Senate     •      49:28 Getting the facts     •      54:00 Service Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Arnold Punaro, retired USMC Major General and author of If Confirmed: An Insider's View of the National Security Confirmation Process, joins the show to talk about his infantry service in Vietnam and his experiences serving in Washington DC.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:35 Introduction

    •      05:40 5 weeks

    •      10:51 Officer training  

    •      13:18 3/7

    •      16:37 Jungle fighting      

    •      23:25 Wounded    

    •      31:32 Payback 

    •      36:35 Bad situation

    •      40:10 Getting home 

    •      45:46 The Senate

    •      49:28 Getting the facts

    •      54:00 Service


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3639 Ep 211: Daniel Samet on the Origins of the U.S.-Israel Relationship Daniel Samet, the George P. Shultz Fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute and author of U.S. Defense Policy toward Israel: A Cold War History, joins the show to breakdown the origins of the important, if at times contentious, U.S.-Israel relationship. ▪️ Times      •      01:30 Introduction     •      02:28 1948     •      05:44 Arabist strategy       •      08:13 11 minutes     •      10:37 Looking for friends           •      15:40 Soviet-Arab relations     •      19:25 Republicans         •      25:16 Kennedy      •      29:29 Strong friends     •      32:02 Nuclear program      •      37:33 6 Day War     •      43:19 Mistake?     •      47:41 Kissinger Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcripts of episodes on our School of War Substack Tue, 01 Jul 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 211: Daniel Samet on the Origins of the U.S.-Israel Relationship full The Free Press Daniel Samet, the George P. Shultz Fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute and author of ⁠U.S. Defense Policy toward Israel: A Cold War History⁠, joins the show to breakdown the origins of the important, if at times contentious, U.S.-Israel relationship. Daniel Samet, the George P. Shultz Fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute and author of U.S. Defense Policy toward Israel: A Cold War History, joins the show to breakdown the origins of the important, if at times contentious, U.S.-Israel relationship. ▪️ Times      •      01:30 Introduction     •      02:28 1948     •      05:44 Arabist strategy       •      08:13 11 minutes     •      10:37 Looking for friends           •      15:40 Soviet-Arab relations     •      19:25 Republicans         •      25:16 Kennedy      •      29:29 Strong friends     •      32:02 Nuclear program      •      37:33 6 Day War     •      43:19 Mistake?     •      47:41 Kissinger Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcripts of episodes on our School of War Substack Daniel Samet, the George P. Shultz Fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute and author of U.S. Defense Policy toward Israel: A Cold War History, joins the show to breakdown the origins of the important, if at times contentious, U.S.-Israel relationship.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:30 Introduction

    •      02:28 1948

    •      05:44 Arabist strategy  

    •      08:13 11 minutes

    •      10:37 Looking for friends      

    •      15:40 Soviet-Arab relations

    •      19:25 Republicans    

    •      25:16 Kennedy 

    •      29:29 Strong friends

    •      32:02 Nuclear program 

    •      37:33 6 Day War

    •      43:19 Mistake?

    •      47:41 Kissinger


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Find a transcripts of episodes on our School of War Substack

]]> 3211 Ep 210: Scott Boorman on Sun Tzu Scott Boorman, Professor of Sociology at Yale University and author of Three Faces of Sun Tzu, joins the show to discuss the world and ideas of Sun Tzu. ▪️ Times      •      01:48 Introduction     •      02:10 “Know your enemy”     •      05:18 The Protracted Game       •      09:59 Text and application     •      16:05 Warring states           •      21:14 Chinese thinking     •      24:58 Net assessment      •      29:05 Cunning     •      32:02 Omissions      •      37:05 Memorization          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 27 Jun 2025 09:34:00 -0000 Ep 210: Scott Boorman on Sun Tzu full The Free Press Scott Boorman, Professor of Sociology at Yale University and author of ⁠Three Faces of Sun Tzu⁠, joins the show to discuss the world and ideas of Sun Tzu. Scott Boorman, Professor of Sociology at Yale University and author of Three Faces of Sun Tzu, joins the show to discuss the world and ideas of Sun Tzu. ▪️ Times      •      01:48 Introduction     •      02:10 “Know your enemy”     •      05:18 The Protracted Game       •      09:59 Text and application     •      16:05 Warring states           •      21:14 Chinese thinking     •      24:58 Net assessment      •      29:05 Cunning     •      32:02 Omissions      •      37:05 Memorization          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Scott Boorman, Professor of Sociology at Yale University and author of Three Faces of Sun Tzu, joins the show to discuss the world and ideas of Sun Tzu.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:48 Introduction

    •      02:10 “Know your enemy”

    •      05:18 The Protracted Game  

    •      09:59 Text and application

    •      16:05 Warring states      

    •      21:14 Chinese thinking

    •      24:58 Net assessment 

    •      29:05 Cunning

    •      32:02 Omissions 

    •      37:05 Memorization

        

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2325 Ep 209: Jonathan Schanzer on the Israel-Iran Ceasefire Jonathan Schanzer, executive director at FDD, joins the show to break down his time on the ground in Israel at the beginning of the war and what may come with the Israel-Iran ceasefire in place. ▪️ Times      •      01:27 Introduction     •      02:10 Extraction     •      05:50 Different       •      09:25 In the shelter     •      12:03 Damage taken           •      16:18 Stress     •      17:45 Getting out     •      24:57 Road ahead     •      30:40 Iranian risks     •      32:10 Hamas          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 24 Jun 2025 23:20:00 -0000 Ep 209: Jonathan Schanzer on the Israel-Iran Ceasefire full The Free Press Jonathan Schanzer, executive director at FDD, joins the show to break down his time on the ground in Israel at the beginning of the war and what may come with the Israel-Iran ceasefire in place. Jonathan Schanzer, executive director at FDD, joins the show to break down his time on the ground in Israel at the beginning of the war and what may come with the Israel-Iran ceasefire in place. ▪️ Times      •      01:27 Introduction     •      02:10 Extraction     •      05:50 Different       •      09:25 In the shelter     •      12:03 Damage taken           •      16:18 Stress     •      17:45 Getting out     •      24:57 Road ahead     •      30:40 Iranian risks     •      32:10 Hamas          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Jonathan Schanzer, executive director at FDD, joins the show to break down his time on the ground in Israel at the beginning of the war and what may come with the Israel-Iran ceasefire in place.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:27 Introduction

    •      02:10 Extraction

    •      05:50 Different  

    •      09:25 In the shelter

    •      12:03 Damage taken      

    •      16:18 Stress

    •      17:45 Getting out

    •      24:57 Road ahead

    •      30:40 Iranian risks

    •      32:10 Hamas

        

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2180 Ep 208: Mike Doran on America’s Strikes in Iran Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to break down America’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and what might come next. ▪️ Times      •      01:00 Reactions     •      08:00 Deception     •      12:00 More to come       •      17:00 Self-deception     •      24:00 Next few days           •      31:00 Escalation     •      34:00 Not over     •      41:00 Trump is serious     •      44:00 Restraintists          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Sun, 22 Jun 2025 04:23:00 -0000 Ep 208: Mike Doran on America’s Strikes in Iran full The Free Press Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to break down America’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and what might come next. Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to break down America’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and what might come next. ▪️ Times      •      01:00 Reactions     •      08:00 Deception     •      12:00 More to come       •      17:00 Self-deception     •      24:00 Next few days           •      31:00 Escalation     •      34:00 Not over     •      41:00 Trump is serious     •      44:00 Restraintists          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to break down America’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and what might come next.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:00 Reactions

    •      08:00 Deception

    •      12:00 More to come  

    •      17:00 Self-deception

    •      24:00 Next few days      

    •      31:00 Escalation

    •      34:00 Not over

    •      41:00 Trump is serious

    •      44:00 Restraintists

        

Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2727 Ep 207: Mark Dubowitz on the Israel-Iran War and American Intervention Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the Israel-Iran conflict, and the possibility of America’s intervention. ▪️ Times      •      01:00 Achievements     •      05:00 Retaliation       •      09:00 Hard math       •      16:00 Intervention     •      24:00 Outcomes           •      30:00 Ground operations     •      32:00 Another Iraq?           •      38:00 Resolve and stability      •      42:00 “Iraq Syndrome”          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:30:00 -0000 Ep 207: Mark Dubowitz on the Israel-Iran War and American Intervention full The Free Press Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the Israel-Iran conflict, and the possibility of America’s intervention. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the Israel-Iran conflict, and the possibility of America’s intervention. ▪️ Times      •      01:00 Achievements     •      05:00 Retaliation       •      09:00 Hard math       •      16:00 Intervention     •      24:00 Outcomes           •      30:00 Ground operations     •      32:00 Another Iraq?           •      38:00 Resolve and stability      •      42:00 “Iraq Syndrome”          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the Israel-Iran conflict, and the possibility of America’s intervention.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:00 Achievements

    •      05:00 Retaliation  

    •      09:00 Hard math  

    •      16:00 Intervention

    •      24:00 Outcomes      

    •      30:00 Ground operations

    •      32:00 Another Iraq?      

    •      38:00 Resolve and stability 

    •      42:00 “Iraq Syndrome”

        

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]]> 2555 Ep 206: Cleo Paskal on China’s Central Pacific Strategy Cleo Paskal, non-resident senior fellow at FDD and author of Crossroads of Competition, joins the show to discuss China’s campaign for influence and control at the scene of America’s bloody island-hopping campaign in WW2. ▪️ Times      •      01:35 Introduction     •      04:03 Pacific desert        •      07:45 Control       •      13:48 Post 1945     •      22:43 Significance           •      24:31 Yap     •      29:43 Divisions           •      32:18 Diplomatic maintenance     •      35:54 Designs     •      41:30 Strategic concerns            Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:39:00 -0000 Ep 206: Cleo Paskal on China’s Central Pacific Strategy full The Free Press Cleo Paskal, non-resident senior fellow at FDD and author of Crossroads of Competition, joins the show to discuss China’s campaign for influence and control at the scene of America’s bloody island-hopping campaign in WW2. Cleo Paskal, non-resident senior fellow at FDD and author of Crossroads of Competition, joins the show to discuss China’s campaign for influence and control at the scene of America’s bloody island-hopping campaign in WW2. ▪️ Times      •      01:35 Introduction     •      04:03 Pacific desert        •      07:45 Control       •      13:48 Post 1945     •      22:43 Significance           •      24:31 Yap     •      29:43 Divisions           •      32:18 Diplomatic maintenance     •      35:54 Designs     •      41:30 Strategic concerns            Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Cleo Paskal, non-resident senior fellow at FDD and author of Crossroads of Competition, joins the show to discuss China’s campaign for influence and control at the scene of America’s bloody island-hopping campaign in WW2.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:35 Introduction

    •      04:03 Pacific desert   

    •      07:45 Control  

    •      13:48 Post 1945

    •      22:43 Significance      

    •      24:31 Yap

    •      29:43 Divisions      

    •      32:18 Diplomatic maintenance

    •      35:54 Designs

    •      41:30 Strategic concerns  

        

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2989 Ep 205: Mark Dubowitz on Israel’s Unfolding Campaign in Iran Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to breakdown last night’s spectacular Israeli strikes against the Iranian Regime and its nuclear program, and what comes next. ▪️ Times      •      02:00 Deception     •      06:00 Targets        •      09:00 The Scientists       •      11:00 Complacency     •      14:00 Israeli goals           •      19:00 Regime change     •      23:00 Strikes and talks           •      29:00 Drones     •      31:00 Counterpunch?          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0000 Ep 205: Mark Dubowitz on Israel’s Unfolding Campaign in Iran full The Free Press Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to breakdown last night’s spectacular Israeli strikes against the Iranian Regime and its nuclear program, and what comes next. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to breakdown last night’s spectacular Israeli strikes against the Iranian Regime and its nuclear program, and what comes next. ▪️ Times      •      02:00 Deception     •      06:00 Targets        •      09:00 The Scientists       •      11:00 Complacency     •      14:00 Israeli goals           •      19:00 Regime change     •      23:00 Strikes and talks           •      29:00 Drones     •      31:00 Counterpunch?          Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to breakdown last night’s spectacular Israeli strikes against the Iranian Regime and its nuclear program, and what comes next.

▪️

Times 

    •      02:00 Deception

    •      06:00 Targets   

    •      09:00 The Scientists  

    •      11:00 Complacency

    •      14:00 Israeli goals      

    •      19:00 Regime change

    •      23:00 Strikes and talks      

    •      29:00 Drones

    •      31:00 Counterpunch?

        

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 1876 Ep 204: Annie Jacobsen on Nuclear War Annie Jacobsen, journalist and author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, joins the show to discuss nuclear weapons and their use. ▪️ Times      •      01:20 Introduction     •      02:50 Finding the music        •      07:02 Reporting      •      09:15 Hidden information     •      11:22 The scenario           •      13:50 Launch on warning     •      17:30 Villians           •      20:45 Annihilation         •      26:25 The Black Book      •      30:40 North Korea     •      34:03 Interception           •      37:42 ICBMs       •      43:39 Deterrence     •      49:29 Obama           •      52:50 Right to know       Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 10 Jun 2025 09:39:00 -0000 Ep 204: Annie Jacobsen on Nuclear War full The Free Press Annie Jacobsen, journalist and author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, joins the show to discuss nuclear weapons and their use. Annie Jacobsen, journalist and author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, joins the show to discuss nuclear weapons and their use. ▪️ Times      •      01:20 Introduction     •      02:50 Finding the music        •      07:02 Reporting      •      09:15 Hidden information     •      11:22 The scenario           •      13:50 Launch on warning     •      17:30 Villians           •      20:45 Annihilation         •      26:25 The Black Book      •      30:40 North Korea     •      34:03 Interception           •      37:42 ICBMs       •      43:39 Deterrence     •      49:29 Obama           •      52:50 Right to know       Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Annie Jacobsen, journalist and author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, joins the show to discuss nuclear weapons and their use.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:20 Introduction

    •      02:50 Finding the music   

    •      07:02 Reporting 

    •      09:15 Hidden information

    •      11:22 The scenario      

    •      13:50 Launch on warning

    •      17:30 Villians      

    •      20:45 Annihilation    

    •      26:25 The Black Book 

    •      30:40 North Korea

    •      34:03 Interception      

    •      37:42 ICBMs  

    •      43:39 Deterrence

    •      49:29 Obama      

    •      52:50 Right to know      


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3326 Ep 203: Stephen Rabe on the Invasion of Normandy Stephen Rabe, historian and author of The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy: A Story of Resistance, Courage, and Solidarity in a French Village, joins the show to discuss one of the countless, incredible stories from D-Day.  ▪️ Times      •      01:18 Introduction     •      01:25 Marine        •      02:50 Origins      •      06:48 Normandy     •      09:29 507th           •      15:20 Training     •      18:23 Overlord           •      21:21 The Villagers        •      25:20 A change in plans      •      30:07 HQ Battalion     •      36:17 Armageddon           •      39:00 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division       •      44:01 Staying behind     •      46:37 Return       Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 06 Jun 2025 09:42:00 -0000 Ep 203: Stephen Rabe on the Invasion of Normandy full The Free Press Stephen Rabe, historian and author of ⁠The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy: A Story of Resistance, Courage, and Solidarity in a French Village⁠, joins the show to discuss one of the countless, incredible stories from D-Day.  Stephen Rabe, historian and author of The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy: A Story of Resistance, Courage, and Solidarity in a French Village, joins the show to discuss one of the countless, incredible stories from D-Day.  ▪️ Times      •      01:18 Introduction     •      01:25 Marine        •      02:50 Origins      •      06:48 Normandy     •      09:29 507th           •      15:20 Training     •      18:23 Overlord           •      21:21 The Villagers        •      25:20 A change in plans      •      30:07 HQ Battalion     •      36:17 Armageddon           •      39:00 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division       •      44:01 Staying behind     •      46:37 Return       Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Stephen Rabe, historian and author of The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy: A Story of Resistance, Courage, and Solidarity in a French Village, joins the show to discuss one of the countless, incredible stories from D-Day. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:18 Introduction

    •      01:25 Marine   

    •      02:50 Origins 

    •      06:48 Normandy

    •      09:29 507th      

    •      15:20 Training

    •      18:23 Overlord      

    •      21:21 The Villagers   

    •      25:20 A change in plans 

    •      30:07 HQ Battalion

    •      36:17 Armageddon      

    •      39:00 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division  

    •      44:01 Staying behind

    •      46:37 Return      


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3038 Ep 202: Fred Kagan on Ukraine’s Attack and the Future of War Fred Kagan, senior fellow and the director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss Ukraine’s drone operation targeting Russia’s strategic air assets.  ▪️ Times      •      01:46 Introduction     •      02:25 What just happened?        •      07:48 Escalation risk      •      10:20 Control     •      12:39 Implications           •      21:10 Stratagems     •      24:04 Effects           •      30:40 Economic pressure        •      37:20 Continuing operations  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 03 Jun 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 202: Fred Kagan on Ukraine’s Attack and the Future of War full The Free Press Fred Kagan, senior fellow and the director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss Ukraine’s drone operation targeting Russia’s strategic air assets. Fred Kagan, senior fellow and the director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss Ukraine’s drone operation targeting Russia’s strategic air assets.  ▪️ Times      •      01:46 Introduction     •      02:25 What just happened?        •      07:48 Escalation risk      •      10:20 Control     •      12:39 Implications           •      21:10 Stratagems     •      24:04 Effects           •      30:40 Economic pressure        •      37:20 Continuing operations  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fred Kagan, senior fellow and the director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss Ukraine’s drone operation targeting Russia’s strategic air assets. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:46 Introduction

    •      02:25 What just happened?   

    •      07:48 Escalation risk 

    •      10:20 Control

    •      12:39 Implications      

    •      21:10 Stratagems

    •      24:04 Effects      

    •      30:40 Economic pressure   

    •      37:20 Continuing operations 


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2568 Ep 201: Zachary Griffiths & McKinsey Harb on the U.S. Army Lt. Col. Zachary Griffiths & Maj. McKinsey Harb joined the show to discuss the U.S. Army’s new Field Manual 1, FM 1 -THE ARMY: A PRIMER TO OUR PROFESSION OF ARMS.  ▪️ Times      •      01:22 Introduction     •      01:51 West Point        •      05:43 Culture shift      •      08:50 FM 1     •      12:00 Ben Salomon           •      18:06 Warrior     •      24:04 Tensions           •      31:05 Recruiting       •      35:18 Leader/follower      •      42:19 Mission command       Fri, 30 May 2025 09:37:00 -0000 Ep 201: Zachary Griffiths & McKinsey Harb on the U.S. Army full The Free Press Lt. Col. Zachary Griffiths & Maj. McKinsey Harb joined the show to discuss the U.S. Army’s new Field Manual 1, FM 1 -THE ARMY: A PRIMER TO OUR PROFESSION OF ARMS. Lt. Col. Zachary Griffiths & Maj. McKinsey Harb joined the show to discuss the U.S. Army’s new Field Manual 1, FM 1 -THE ARMY: A PRIMER TO OUR PROFESSION OF ARMS.  ▪️ Times      •      01:22 Introduction     •      01:51 West Point        •      05:43 Culture shift      •      08:50 FM 1     •      12:00 Ben Salomon           •      18:06 Warrior     •      24:04 Tensions           •      31:05 Recruiting       •      35:18 Leader/follower      •      42:19 Mission command       Lt. Col. Zachary Griffiths & Maj. McKinsey Harb joined the show to discuss the U.S. Army’s new Field Manual 1, FM 1 -THE ARMY: A PRIMER TO OUR PROFESSION OF ARMS. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:22 Introduction

    •      01:51 West Point   

    •      05:43 Culture shift 

    •      08:50 FM 1

    •      12:00 Ben Salomon      

    •      18:06 Warrior

    •      24:04 Tensions      

    •      31:05 Recruiting  

    •      35:18 Leader/follower 

    •      42:19 Mission command      

]]> 2759 Ep 200: Rick Atkinson on the American Revolution at 250 Rick Atkinson, historian and author of The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, joins the show to discuss the causes, conduct, and epic consequences of the American Revolution.   ▪️ Times      •      02:08 Introduction     •      02:21 Journalism        •      04:30 Mogadishu      •      09:30 Lessons     •      12:49 Ideology           •      16:36 Diplomacy     •      20:21 Boston           •      22:59 “Blows must decide”       •      28:05 British strategy      •      31:27 Washington          •      36:49 Franklin in Paris     •      41:15 Friendless Britain           •      45:57 Legacy     •      51:24 250th Celebration  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 27 May 2025 09:33:00 -0000 Ep 200: Rick Atkinson on the American Revolution at 250 full The Free Press Rick Atkinson, historian and author of ⁠The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780⁠, joins the show to discuss the causes, conduct, and epic consequences of the American Revolution.   Rick Atkinson, historian and author of The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, joins the show to discuss the causes, conduct, and epic consequences of the American Revolution.   ▪️ Times      •      02:08 Introduction     •      02:21 Journalism        •      04:30 Mogadishu      •      09:30 Lessons     •      12:49 Ideology           •      16:36 Diplomacy     •      20:21 Boston           •      22:59 “Blows must decide”       •      28:05 British strategy      •      31:27 Washington          •      36:49 Franklin in Paris     •      41:15 Friendless Britain           •      45:57 Legacy     •      51:24 250th Celebration  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Rick Atkinson, historian and author of The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, joins the show to discuss the causes, conduct, and epic consequences of the American Revolution.  

▪️

Times 

    •      02:08 Introduction

    •      02:21 Journalism   

    •      04:30 Mogadishu 

    •      09:30 Lessons

    •      12:49 Ideology      

    •      16:36 Diplomacy

    •      20:21 Boston      

    •      22:59 “Blows must decide”  

    •      28:05 British strategy 

    •      31:27 Washington     

    •      36:49 Franklin in Paris

    •      41:15 Friendless Britain      

    •      45:57 Legacy

    •      51:24 250th Celebration 


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3215 Ep 199: Jonathan Hackett on Our Failures in Iraq & Afghanistan Jonathan Hackett, former U.S. Marine Corps interrogator and author of Theory of Irregular War, joins the show to discuss America’s post-9/11 wars and how irregular warfare works.  ▪️ Times      •      01:12 Introduction     •      01:30 A good interrogator       •      03:26 Afghanistan     •      06:15 In the interrogation room       •      12:10 The Reid Technique         •      14:27 Galula     •      17:10 A military solution           •      23:32 Voluntary acceptance       •      25:34 Irregular War      •      28:20 The war we have          •      31:33 COIN     •      36:10 Speaking the language       Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 23 May 2025 09:38:00 -0000 Ep 199: Jonathan Hackett on Our Failures in Iraq & Afghanistan full The Free Press Jonathan Hackett, former U.S. Marine Corps interrogator and author of Theory of Irregular War, joins the show to discuss America’s post-9/11 wars and how irregular warfare works. Jonathan Hackett, former U.S. Marine Corps interrogator and author of Theory of Irregular War, joins the show to discuss America’s post-9/11 wars and how irregular warfare works.  ▪️ Times      •      01:12 Introduction     •      01:30 A good interrogator       •      03:26 Afghanistan     •      06:15 In the interrogation room       •      12:10 The Reid Technique         •      14:27 Galula     •      17:10 A military solution           •      23:32 Voluntary acceptance       •      25:34 Irregular War      •      28:20 The war we have          •      31:33 COIN     •      36:10 Speaking the language       Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Jonathan Hackett, former U.S. Marine Corps interrogator and author of Theory of Irregular War, joins the show to discuss America’s post-9/11 wars and how irregular warfare works. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:12 Introduction

    •      01:30 A good interrogator  

    •      03:26 Afghanistan

    •      06:15 In the interrogation room  

    •      12:10 The Reid Technique    

    •      14:27 Galula

    •      17:10 A military solution      

    •      23:32 Voluntary acceptance  

    •      25:34 Irregular War 

    •      28:20 The war we have     

    •      31:33 COIN

    •      36:10 Speaking the language      


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2460 Ep 198: Robert D. Kaplan on Crisis Robert D. Kaplan, Robert Strausz-Hupé Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and author of Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis, joins the show to discuss the world’s current state of “permanent crisis”.  ▪️ Times      •      01:40 Introduction     •      02:00 Far Rockaway      •      04:55 Balkan Ghosts     •      08:20 Geography and technology       •      10:55 Weimar         •      13:43 Mediocrities     •      17:44 Reading deeply           •      20:30 Shakespeare       •      23:20 Where to watch      •      26:59 Xi and Taiwan          •      28:39 Sacred honor     •      31:22 Post-modern cities        •      33:28 AI and atrophy     Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 20 May 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 198: Robert D. Kaplan on Crisis full The Free Press Robert D. Kaplan, Robert Strausz-Hupé Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and author of Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis, joins the show to discuss the world’s current state of “permanent crisis”. Robert D. Kaplan, Robert Strausz-Hupé Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and author of Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis, joins the show to discuss the world’s current state of “permanent crisis”.  ▪️ Times      •      01:40 Introduction     •      02:00 Far Rockaway      •      04:55 Balkan Ghosts     •      08:20 Geography and technology       •      10:55 Weimar         •      13:43 Mediocrities     •      17:44 Reading deeply           •      20:30 Shakespeare       •      23:20 Where to watch      •      26:59 Xi and Taiwan          •      28:39 Sacred honor     •      31:22 Post-modern cities        •      33:28 AI and atrophy     Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Robert D. Kaplan, Robert Strausz-Hupé Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and author of Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis, joins the show to discuss the world’s current state of “permanent crisis”. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:40 Introduction

    •      02:00 Far Rockaway 

    •      04:55 Balkan Ghosts

    •      08:20 Geography and technology  

    •      10:55 Weimar    

    •      13:43 Mediocrities

    •      17:44 Reading deeply      

    •      20:30 Shakespeare  

    •      23:20 Where to watch 

    •      26:59 Xi and Taiwan     

    •      28:39 Sacred honor

    •      31:22 Post-modern cities   

    •      33:28 AI and atrophy    


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]]> 2290 Ep 197: Mick Ryan on the Ukrainian Battlefield Mick Ryan, retired major general in the Australian Army and author of  The War for Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation Under Fire, joins the show to discuss the evolving battlefield and cycles of change and innovation going on in Ukraine.  ▪️ Times      •      01:35 Introduction     •      02:17 Touring the front      •      05:11 No place safe     •      07:01 Change       •      11:24 Wire guided drones        •      15:31 Task organization        •      20:38 Drone defense          •      22:49 Is artillery dead?     •      26:39 Rethinking procurement      •      30:34 2014          •      33:07 Putin’s objectives     •      36:05 Formula for ceasefire        •      38:02 A just solution        •      39:41 Surprise is alive and well      Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 13 May 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 197: Mick Ryan on the Ukrainian Battlefield full The Free Press Mick Ryan, retired major general in the Australian Army and author of  ⁠The War for Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation Under Fire⁠, joins the show to discuss the evolving battlefield and cycles of change and innovation going on in Ukraine.  Mick Ryan, retired major general in the Australian Army and author of  The War for Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation Under Fire, joins the show to discuss the evolving battlefield and cycles of change and innovation going on in Ukraine.  ▪️ Times      •      01:35 Introduction     •      02:17 Touring the front      •      05:11 No place safe     •      07:01 Change       •      11:24 Wire guided drones        •      15:31 Task organization        •      20:38 Drone defense          •      22:49 Is artillery dead?     •      26:39 Rethinking procurement      •      30:34 2014          •      33:07 Putin’s objectives     •      36:05 Formula for ceasefire        •      38:02 A just solution        •      39:41 Surprise is alive and well      Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mick Ryan, retired major general in the Australian Army and author of 

The War for Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation Under Fire, joins the show to discuss the evolving battlefield and cycles of change and innovation going on in Ukraine. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:35 Introduction

    •      02:17 Touring the front 

    •      05:11 No place safe

    •      07:01 Change  

    •      11:24 Wire guided drones   

    •      15:31 Task organization   

    •      20:38 Drone defense     

    •      22:49 Is artillery dead?

    •      26:39 Rethinking procurement 

    •      30:34 2014     

    •      33:07 Putin’s objectives

    •      36:05 Formula for ceasefire   

    •      38:02 A just solution   

    •      39:41 Surprise is alive and well     


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2515 Ep 196: Thomas Bruscino and Mitchell G. Klingenberg on Mapping Warfare Thomas Bruscino, professor at the U.S. Army War College, and Mitchell G. Klingenberg, assistant professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, join the show to discuss their article "Making War Upon the Map" The U.S. Army’s Forgotten Map Problem, Meade’s Gettysburg Campaign, and Depicting Operational Art.  ▪️ Times      •      02:05 Introduction     •      03:12 What’s missing?      •      06:17 A modern problem     •      09:27 Meade takes command       •      11:29 Seeing both sides        •      15:41 South Mountain        •      22:54 Lee’s mistakes           •      30:11 Meade’s good choices      •      36:32 Mapping in 2025     •      41:51 Visualization          •      47:37 Developing doctrine Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 09 May 2025 09:38:00 -0000 Ep 196: Thomas Bruscino and Mitchell G. Klingenberg on Mapping Warfare full The Free Press Thomas Bruscino, professor at the U.S. Army War College, and Mitchell G. Klingenberg, assistant professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, join the show to discuss their article "Making War Upon the Map" The U.S. Army’s Forgotten Map Problem, Meade’s Gettysburg Campaign, and Depicting Operational Art. Thomas Bruscino, professor at the U.S. Army War College, and Mitchell G. Klingenberg, assistant professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, join the show to discuss their article "Making War Upon the Map" The U.S. Army’s Forgotten Map Problem, Meade’s Gettysburg Campaign, and Depicting Operational Art.  ▪️ Times      •      02:05 Introduction     •      03:12 What’s missing?      •      06:17 A modern problem     •      09:27 Meade takes command       •      11:29 Seeing both sides        •      15:41 South Mountain        •      22:54 Lee’s mistakes           •      30:11 Meade’s good choices      •      36:32 Mapping in 2025     •      41:51 Visualization          •      47:37 Developing doctrine Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Thomas Bruscino, professor at the U.S. Army War College, and Mitchell G. Klingenberg, assistant professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, join the show to discuss their article "Making War Upon the Map" The U.S. Army’s Forgotten Map Problem, Meade’s Gettysburg Campaign, and Depicting Operational Art. 

▪️

Times 

    •      02:05 Introduction

    •      03:12 What’s missing? 

    •      06:17 A modern problem

    •      09:27 Meade takes command  

    •      11:29 Seeing both sides   

    •      15:41 South Mountain   

    •      22:54 Lee’s mistakes      

    •      30:11 Meade’s good choices 

    •      36:32 Mapping in 2025

    •      41:51 Visualization     

    •      47:37 Developing doctrine


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3046 Ep 195: John Hillen on Strategic Thinking John Hillen, James C. Wheat Professor in Leadership at Hampden-Sydney College and author of The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management, joins the show to talk about how to think strategically in war, business, and life. ▪️ Times      •      01:55 Introduction     •      02:31 An Army start      •      05:17 Cold War ends     •      10:14 The Gulf         •      13:15 Changing styles        •      18:00 73 Easting       •      22:59 Policy and business           •      26:09 Strategos      •      29:04 In the doing     •      32:17 Inside out & outside in         •      36:41 Seeking horizons      •      42:22 Goals are not strategy     •      43:42 Call of Duty        Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 06 May 2025 09:40:00 -0000 Ep 195: John Hillen on Strategic Thinking full The Free Press John Hillen, James C. Wheat Professor in Leadership at Hampden-Sydney College and author of The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management, joins the show to talk about how to think strategically in war, business, and life. John Hillen, James C. Wheat Professor in Leadership at Hampden-Sydney College and author of The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management, joins the show to talk about how to think strategically in war, business, and life. ▪️ Times      •      01:55 Introduction     •      02:31 An Army start      •      05:17 Cold War ends     •      10:14 The Gulf         •      13:15 Changing styles        •      18:00 73 Easting       •      22:59 Policy and business           •      26:09 Strategos      •      29:04 In the doing     •      32:17 Inside out & outside in         •      36:41 Seeking horizons      •      42:22 Goals are not strategy     •      43:42 Call of Duty        Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack John Hillen, James C. Wheat Professor in Leadership at Hampden-Sydney College and author of The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management, joins the show to talk about how to think strategically in war, business, and life.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:55 Introduction

    •      02:31 An Army start 

    •      05:17 Cold War ends

    •      10:14 The Gulf    

    •      13:15 Changing styles   

    •      18:00 73 Easting  

    •      22:59 Policy and business      

    •      26:09 Strategos 

    •      29:04 In the doing

    •      32:17 Inside out & outside in    

    •      36:41 Seeking horizons 

    •      42:22 Goals are not strategy

    •      43:42 Call of Duty     

 

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]]> 2792 Ep 194: Mark Moyar on the Vietnam War Mark Moyar, William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College and author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968,  joins the show to explain the major inflection points of the Vietnam War. ▪️ Times      •      01:58 Introduction     •      02:47 The “orthodox view”      •      05:51 Dominos     •      08:41 A Maoist vision         •      12:42 1963        •      15:30 Henry Cabot Lodge       •      21:10 Slow erosion           •      24:57 Ground troops      •      30:10 Morale     •      33:39 Nixon in office         •      37:30 Triangular diplomacy      •      39:31 Vietnamization fails      •      43:09 American mistakes          •      47:31 Wanting out      •      50:10 Aftermath   Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 02 May 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 194: Mark Moyar on the Vietnam War full The Free Press Mark Moyar, William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College and author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968, joins the show to explain the major inflection points of the Vietnam War. Mark Moyar, William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College and author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968,  joins the show to explain the major inflection points of the Vietnam War. ▪️ Times      •      01:58 Introduction     •      02:47 The “orthodox view”      •      05:51 Dominos     •      08:41 A Maoist vision         •      12:42 1963        •      15:30 Henry Cabot Lodge       •      21:10 Slow erosion           •      24:57 Ground troops      •      30:10 Morale     •      33:39 Nixon in office         •      37:30 Triangular diplomacy      •      39:31 Vietnamization fails      •      43:09 American mistakes          •      47:31 Wanting out      •      50:10 Aftermath   Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mark Moyar, William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College and author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968,  joins the show to explain the major inflection points of the Vietnam War.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:58 Introduction

    •      02:47 The “orthodox view” 

    •      05:51 Dominos

    •      08:41 A Maoist vision    

    •      12:42 1963   

    •      15:30 Henry Cabot Lodge  

    •      21:10 Slow erosion      

    •      24:57 Ground troops 

    •      30:10 Morale

    •      33:39 Nixon in office    

    •      37:30 Triangular diplomacy 

    •      39:31 Vietnamization fails 

    •      43:09 American mistakes     

    •      47:31 Wanting out 

    •      50:10 Aftermath

 

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]]> 3267 Ep 193: Douglas Murray on Israel’s War and its Global Consequences Douglas Murray, journalist and author of On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, joins the show for a wide ranging conversation that covers Death Cults, anti-Semitism, and recent shifts in the Right. ▪️ Times      •      01:42 Introduction     •      03:00 9/11 origins      •      09:50 It’s not 1939     •      13:45 Death cults         •      19:16 “I’m not a fascist, I’m an idealist.”        •      23:51 Vasily Grossman       •      37:05 What’s going on with the Right?          •      49:07 Nostalgia for the absolute      •      54:10 Regaining balance   Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:51:00 -0000 Ep 193: Douglas Murray on Israel’s War and its Global Consequences full The Free Press Douglas Murray, journalist and author of On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, joins the show for a wide ranging conversation. Douglas Murray, journalist and author of On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, joins the show for a wide ranging conversation that covers Death Cults, anti-Semitism, and recent shifts in the Right. ▪️ Times      •      01:42 Introduction     •      03:00 9/11 origins      •      09:50 It’s not 1939     •      13:45 Death cults         •      19:16 “I’m not a fascist, I’m an idealist.”        •      23:51 Vasily Grossman       •      37:05 What’s going on with the Right?          •      49:07 Nostalgia for the absolute      •      54:10 Regaining balance   Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Douglas Murray, journalist and author of On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, joins the show for a wide ranging conversation that covers Death Cults, anti-Semitism, and recent shifts in the Right.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:42 Introduction

    •      03:00 9/11 origins 

    •      09:50 It’s not 1939

    •      13:45 Death cults    

    •      19:16 “I’m not a fascist, I’m an idealist.”   

    •      23:51 Vasily Grossman  

    •      37:05 What’s going on with the Right?     

    •      49:07 Nostalgia for the absolute 

    •      54:10 Regaining balance

 

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3347 Ep 192: Raymond Jonas on Europe’s War on the Monroe Doctrine (~165 years ago) Raymond Jonas, Jon Bridgman Endowed Professor in History at the University of Washington and author of Habsburgs on the Rio Grande: The Rise and Fall of the Second Mexican Empire, joins the show to discuss a failed-but-spectacular 19th Century attempt by European powers to undermine the Monroe Doctrine. ▪️ Times      •      01:42 Introduction     •      03:31 Transatlantic relations      •      05:20 Europe distracted     •      08:39 Secession and unrest        •      12:46 Maximillian I        •      17:55 Continental powers      •      20:01 Britain, France and Spain         •      26:13 What the Americans did right      •      28:23 Napoleon III     •      30:09 Mexico and the Confederacy         •      35:20 Slavery adjacent       •      38:46 What went wrong         •      42:07 Benito Juarez    •       44:33 Maximillian’s execution    •       46:20 European alarm Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 25 Apr 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 192: Raymond Jonas on Europe’s War on the Monroe Doctrine (~165 year ago) full The Free Press Raymond Jonas, Jon Bridgman Endowed Professor in History at the University of Washington and author of Habsburgs on the Rio Grande: The Rise and Fall of the Second Mexican Empire, joins the show to discuss a failed-but-spectacular 19th Century attempt by European powers to undermine the Monroe Doctrine. Raymond Jonas, Jon Bridgman Endowed Professor in History at the University of Washington and author of Habsburgs on the Rio Grande: The Rise and Fall of the Second Mexican Empire, joins the show to discuss a failed-but-spectacular 19th Century attempt by European powers to undermine the Monroe Doctrine. ▪️ Times      •      01:42 Introduction     •      03:31 Transatlantic relations      •      05:20 Europe distracted     •      08:39 Secession and unrest        •      12:46 Maximillian I        •      17:55 Continental powers      •      20:01 Britain, France and Spain         •      26:13 What the Americans did right      •      28:23 Napoleon III     •      30:09 Mexico and the Confederacy         •      35:20 Slavery adjacent       •      38:46 What went wrong         •      42:07 Benito Juarez    •       44:33 Maximillian’s execution    •       46:20 European alarm Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Raymond Jonas, Jon Bridgman Endowed Professor in History at the University of Washington and author of Habsburgs on the Rio Grande: The Rise and Fall of the Second Mexican Empire, joins the show to discuss a failed-but-spectacular 19th Century attempt by European powers to undermine the Monroe Doctrine.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:42 Introduction

    •      03:31 Transatlantic relations 

    •      05:20 Europe distracted

    •      08:39 Secession and unrest   

    •      12:46 Maximillian I   

    •      17:55 Continental powers 

    •      20:01 Britain, France and Spain    

    •      26:13 What the Americans did right 

    •      28:23 Napoleon III

    •      30:09 Mexico and the Confederacy    

    •      35:20 Slavery adjacent  

    •      38:46 What went wrong    

    •      42:07 Benito Juarez

   •       44:33 Maximillian’s execution

   •       46:20 European alarm


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]]> 2900 Ep 191: Mark Dubowitz on Iran and the Trump Administration Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of The Iran Breakdown podcast, joins the show to discuss the Iranian nuclear program, where things stand with the Trump administration’s pursuit of a deal, and the prospects of an Israeli attack. ▪️ Times      •      01:33 Introduction     •      02:04 Beginnings      •      04:25 A weapon is the purpose     •      07:31 Enrichment        •      12:32 JCPOA        •      16:54 “The worst deal…”      •      18:46 Can Iran reach the U.S.?         •      23:53 Dismantle the program      •      29:01 Splitscreen     •      34:09 Risky and futile        •      41:02 Pacing   Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 191: Mark Dubowitz on Iran and the Trump Administration full The Free Press Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of The Iran Breakdown podcast, joins the show to discuss the Iranian nuclear program, where things stand with the Trump administration’s pursuit of a deal, and the prospects of an Israeli attack. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of The Iran Breakdown podcast, joins the show to discuss the Iranian nuclear program, where things stand with the Trump administration’s pursuit of a deal, and the prospects of an Israeli attack. ▪️ Times      •      01:33 Introduction     •      02:04 Beginnings      •      04:25 A weapon is the purpose     •      07:31 Enrichment        •      12:32 JCPOA        •      16:54 “The worst deal…”      •      18:46 Can Iran reach the U.S.?         •      23:53 Dismantle the program      •      29:01 Splitscreen     •      34:09 Risky and futile        •      41:02 Pacing   Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of The Iran Breakdown podcast, joins the show to discuss the Iranian nuclear program, where things stand with the Trump administration’s pursuit of a deal, and the prospects of an Israeli attack.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:33 Introduction

    •      02:04 Beginnings 

    •      04:25 A weapon is the purpose

    •      07:31 Enrichment   

    •      12:32 JCPOA   

    •      16:54 “The worst deal…” 

    •      18:46 Can Iran reach the U.S.?    

    •      23:53 Dismantle the program 

    •      29:01 Splitscreen

    •      34:09 Risky and futile   

    •      41:02 Pacing  


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]]> 2756 Ep 190: Michael Doran on “Restraint” and the Middle East Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss “restraintism” as a factor in Trump’s choices in the Middle East. ▪️ Times      •      01:46 Introduction     •      02:20 What is it?      •      05:01 Left, right, center      •      06:56 Syria ’07        •      11:47 Iraq Study Group        •      17:21 Populist expression      •      27:34 Balance         •      30:20 Obama v Trump      •      34:56 Oscillation     •      42:16 Back to JCPOA?         •      45:49 Snapback      •      47:44 Syria ’25     •      52:09 Iran and Turkey Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 190: Michael Doran on “Restraint” and the Middle East full The Free Press Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss “restraintism” as a factor in Trump’s choices in the Middle East. Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss “restraintism” as a factor in Trump’s choices in the Middle East. ▪️ Times      •      01:46 Introduction     •      02:20 What is it?      •      05:01 Left, right, center      •      06:56 Syria ’07        •      11:47 Iraq Study Group        •      17:21 Populist expression      •      27:34 Balance         •      30:20 Obama v Trump      •      34:56 Oscillation     •      42:16 Back to JCPOA?         •      45:49 Snapback      •      47:44 Syria ’25     •      52:09 Iran and Turkey Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss “restraintism” as a factor in Trump’s choices in the Middle East.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:46 Introduction

    •      02:20 What is it? 

    •      05:01 Left, right, center 

    •      06:56 Syria ’07   

    •      11:47 Iraq Study Group   

    •      17:21 Populist expression 

    •      27:34 Balance    

    •      30:20 Obama v Trump 

    •      34:56 Oscillation

    •      42:16 Back to JCPOA?    

    •      45:49 Snapback 

    •      47:44 Syria ’25

    •      52:09 Iran and Turkey



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]]> 3299 Ep 189: Andrew Roberts on October 7th and Antisemitism Lord Andrew Roberts, the Bonnie and Tom McCloskey Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and chair of the 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report, joins the show to discuss October 7th revisionism, the potency of antisemitism, and the strange effort to reinterpret World War II. ▪️ Times      •      01:56 Introduction     •      02:35 Why?      •     03:48 No room for debate      •      05:34 Not “accidental”        •     16:13 Cooper’s conclusions        •      20:13 Peace with Hitler      •      22:53 Destroying the foundation         •      25:06 Free speech     •      27:39 Gaza endgame Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 189: Andrew Roberts on October 7th and Antisemitism full The Free Press Lord Andrew Roberts, the Bonnie and Tom McCloskey Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and chair of the 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report, joins the show to discuss October 7th revisionism, the potency of antisemitism, and the strange effort to reinterpret World War II. Lord Andrew Roberts, the Bonnie and Tom McCloskey Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and chair of the 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report, joins the show to discuss October 7th revisionism, the potency of antisemitism, and the strange effort to reinterpret World War II. ▪️ Times      •      01:56 Introduction     •      02:35 Why?      •     03:48 No room for debate      •      05:34 Not “accidental”        •     16:13 Cooper’s conclusions        •      20:13 Peace with Hitler      •      22:53 Destroying the foundation         •      25:06 Free speech     •      27:39 Gaza endgame Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Lord Andrew Roberts, the Bonnie and Tom McCloskey Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and chair of the 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report, joins the show to discuss October 7th revisionism, the potency of antisemitism, and the strange effort to reinterpret World War II.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:56 Introduction

    •      02:35 Why? 

    •     03:48 No room for debate 

    •      05:34 Not “accidental”   

    •     16:13 Cooper’s conclusions   

    •      20:13 Peace with Hitler 

    •      22:53 Destroying the foundation    

    •      25:06 Free speech

    •      27:39 Gaza endgame


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]]> 1893 Ep 188: Jonathan Horn on MacArthur and the Battle for the Philippines Jonathan Horn, former White House speechwriter and author of The Fate of the Generals: MacArthur, Wainwright, and the Epic Battle for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the defeats, victories, and legacies of Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, the highest-ranking American POW of WWII. ▪️ Times      •      01:56 Introduction     •      04:36 Arthur MacArthur      •      09:33 The Philippines      •      16:13 Wainwright        •      18:20 War Plan Orange        •      27:06 Crisis      •      32:34 MacArthur leaves         •      35:20 Bataan and surrender        •      43:18 Captivity      •      48:34 Postwar  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 08 Apr 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 188: Jonathan Horn on MacArthur and the Battle for the Philippines full The Free Press Johnathan Horn, former White House speechwriter and author of The Fate of the Generals: MacArthur, Wainwright, and the Epic Battle for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the defeats, victories, and legacies of Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, the highest-ranking American POW of WWII. Jonathan Horn, former White House speechwriter and author of The Fate of the Generals: MacArthur, Wainwright, and the Epic Battle for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the defeats, victories, and legacies of Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, the highest-ranking American POW of WWII. ▪️ Times      •      01:56 Introduction     •      04:36 Arthur MacArthur      •      09:33 The Philippines      •      16:13 Wainwright        •      18:20 War Plan Orange        •      27:06 Crisis      •      32:34 MacArthur leaves         •      35:20 Bataan and surrender        •      43:18 Captivity      •      48:34 Postwar  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Jonathan Horn, former White House speechwriter and author of The Fate of the Generals: MacArthur, Wainwright, and the Epic Battle for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the defeats, victories, and legacies of Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, the highest-ranking American POW of WWII.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:56 Introduction

    •      04:36 Arthur MacArthur 

    •      09:33 The Philippines 

    •      16:13 Wainwright   

    •      18:20 War Plan Orange   

    •      27:06 Crisis 

    •      32:34 MacArthur leaves    

    •      35:20 Bataan and surrender   

    •      43:18 Captivity 

    •      48:34 Postwar 


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]]> 3198 Ep 187: Richard Fontaine on the “Reverse Kissinger” Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and co-author of No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy, joins the show to discuss Beijing-Moscow cooperation and the prospects of the U.S. driving a wedge between them. ▪️ Times      •      02:05 Introduction     •      02:21 Sino-Soviet split      •     06:20 Spheres of influence      •      09:17 Domination       •     13:20 Stabilizing effect        •      22:15 Xi & Putin      •      28:19 Pacific expansion         •      35:20 More resources       •      41:06 America in, Russians out, Germans down Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 187: Richard Fontaine on the “Reverse Kissinger” full The Free Press Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and co-author of No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy, joins the show to discuss the Beijing/Moscow relationship and the likelihood of the U.S. driving a wedge between the two. Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and co-author of No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy, joins the show to discuss Beijing-Moscow cooperation and the prospects of the U.S. driving a wedge between them. ▪️ Times      •      02:05 Introduction     •      02:21 Sino-Soviet split      •     06:20 Spheres of influence      •      09:17 Domination       •     13:20 Stabilizing effect        •      22:15 Xi & Putin      •      28:19 Pacific expansion         •      35:20 More resources       •      41:06 America in, Russians out, Germans down Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and co-author of No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy, joins the show to discuss Beijing-Moscow cooperation and the prospects of the U.S. driving a wedge between them.

▪️

Times 

    •      02:05 Introduction

    •      02:21 Sino-Soviet split 

    •     06:20 Spheres of influence 

    •      09:17 Domination  

    •     13:20 Stabilizing effect   

    •      22:15 Xi & Putin 

    •      28:19 Pacific expansion    

    •      35:20 More resources  

    •      41:06 America in, Russians out, Germans down


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2813 Ep 186: Walter Russell Mead on Trump, Strategy, and Mercantilism Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to talk about the role of economic issues in Trump’s strategic views. ▪️ Times      •      01:34 Introduction     •      04:09 Mercantilism & physiocracy      •      08:50 Silicon Valley      •      14:01 Coalitions       •      16:26 How things worked        •      22:52 Post-war policy & China      •      33:17 Tariffs         •      42:50 Executive overreach      •      45:53 The dollar  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 186: Walter Russell Mead on Trump, Strategy, and Mercantilism full 186 The Free Press Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to talk about the role of economic issues in Trump’s strategic views. Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to talk about the role of economic issues in Trump’s strategic views. ▪️ Times      •      01:34 Introduction     •      04:09 Mercantilism & physiocracy      •      08:50 Silicon Valley      •      14:01 Coalitions       •      16:26 How things worked        •      22:52 Post-war policy & China      •      33:17 Tariffs         •      42:50 Executive overreach      •      45:53 The dollar  Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to talk about the role of economic issues in Trump’s strategic views.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:34 Introduction

    •      04:09 Mercantilism & physiocracy 

    •      08:50 Silicon Valley 

    •      14:01 Coalitions  

    •      16:26 How things worked   

    •      22:52 Post-war policy & China 

    •      33:17 Tariffs    

    •      42:50 Executive overreach 

    •      45:53 The dollar 


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3238 Ep 185: Lara Burns on the Hamas Threat in America Lara Burns, retired FBI Special Agent and head of terrorism research at the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University, joins the show to talk about how Islamist groups operate in the United States. ▪️ Watch the interview on YouTube - Ep 185: Lara Burns on the Hamas Threat in America ▪️ Times      •      01:32 Introduction     •      01:48 Terrorism squad     •     03:10 The Muslim Brotherhood     •      06:20 Hamas      •     14:26 The money        •      26:03 Oppressors      •      32:39 American Muslims for Palestine       •     35:18 All connected        •      43:07 Information campaign      •      50:19 Understanding      •      55:01 Fighting back Follow along on Instagram and on X @schoolofwarpod Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:20:00 -0000 Ep 185: Lara Burns on the Hamas Threat in America full The Free Press Lara Burns, retired FBI Special Agent and head of terrorism research at the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University, joins the show to talk about how Islamist groups operate in the United States. Lara Burns, retired FBI Special Agent and head of terrorism research at the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University, joins the show to talk about how Islamist groups operate in the United States. ▪️ Watch the interview on YouTube - Ep 185: Lara Burns on the Hamas Threat in America ▪️ Times      •      01:32 Introduction     •      01:48 Terrorism squad     •     03:10 The Muslim Brotherhood     •      06:20 Hamas      •     14:26 The money        •      26:03 Oppressors      •      32:39 American Muslims for Palestine       •     35:18 All connected        •      43:07 Information campaign      •      50:19 Understanding      •      55:01 Fighting back Follow along on Instagram and on X @schoolofwarpod Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Lara Burns, retired FBI Special Agent and head of terrorism research at the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University, joins the show to talk about how Islamist groups operate in the United States.

▪️

Watch the interview on YouTube - Ep 185: Lara Burns on the Hamas Threat in America

▪️

Times 

    •      01:32 Introduction

    •      01:48 Terrorism squad

    •     03:10 The Muslim Brotherhood

    •      06:20 Hamas 

    •     14:26 The money   

    •      26:03 Oppressors 

    •      32:39 American Muslims for Palestine  

    •     35:18 All connected   

    •      43:07 Information campaign 

    •      50:19 Understanding 

    •      55:01 Fighting back


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3413 Ep 184: Alexander Burns on the Dawn of the Modern Battlefield Alexander Burns, Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University and author of Infantry in Battle 1733-1783 (From Reason to Revolution), joins the show to talk about how combat evolved in the decades between Marlborough and Napoleon. ▪️ Times      •     01:45 Introduction     •     02:19 1733     •     06:20 Infantry in battle     •     10:54 Achieving results       •     14:19 Tactical effectivness         •     18:40 Prussia       •     24:17 More than fear       •     29:45 Early nationalism        •     33:12 American evolution      •     38:50 Drones and prestige Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 184: Alexander Burns on the Dawn of the Modern Battlefield full The Free Press Alexander Burns, Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University and author of Infantry in Battle 1733-1783 (From Reason to Revolution), joins the show to talk about how combat evolved in the decades between Marlborough and Napoleon. Alexander Burns, Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University and author of Infantry in Battle 1733-1783 (From Reason to Revolution), joins the show to talk about how combat evolved in the decades between Marlborough and Napoleon. ▪️ Times      •     01:45 Introduction     •     02:19 1733     •     06:20 Infantry in battle     •     10:54 Achieving results       •     14:19 Tactical effectivness         •     18:40 Prussia       •     24:17 More than fear       •     29:45 Early nationalism        •     33:12 American evolution      •     38:50 Drones and prestige Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Alexander Burns, Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University and author of Infantry in Battle 1733-1783 (From Reason to Revolution), joins the show to talk about how combat evolved in the decades between Marlborough and Napoleon.

▪️

Times 

    •     01:45 Introduction

    •     02:19 1733

    •     06:20 Infantry in battle

    •     10:54 Achieving results  

    •     14:19 Tactical effectivness    

    •     18:40 Prussia  

    •     24:17 More than fear  

    •     29:45 Early nationalism   

    •     33:12 American evolution 

    •     38:50 Drones and prestige


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2597 Ep 183: Tom Cotton on China Tom Cotton, U.S. senator from Arkansas and author of Seven Things You Can't Say About China, joins the show to talk about the CCP’s global designs. ▪️ Times      •      01:48 Introduction     •      02:30 Paying attention     •     05:38 Bipartisan     •      08:38 Early days       •     13:54 Strategic delays         •      16:13 An evil empire       •      18:45 “What’s it to us?”       •     22:04 Lynchpin        •      25:24 Splitting the axis      •      28:39 China and Ukraine     •      34:00 More dangerous Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 11 Mar 2025 09:34:00 -0000 Ep 183: Tom Cotton on China full The Free Press Tom Cotton, U.S. senator from Arkansas and author of Seven Things You Can't Say About China, joins the show to talk about the CCP’s global designs. Tom Cotton, U.S. senator from Arkansas and author of Seven Things You Can't Say About China, joins the show to talk about the CCP’s global designs. ▪️ Times      •      01:48 Introduction     •      02:30 Paying attention     •     05:38 Bipartisan     •      08:38 Early days       •     13:54 Strategic delays         •      16:13 An evil empire       •      18:45 “What’s it to us?”       •     22:04 Lynchpin        •      25:24 Splitting the axis      •      28:39 China and Ukraine     •      34:00 More dangerous Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tom Cotton, U.S. senator from Arkansas and author of Seven Things You Can't Say About China, joins the show to talk about the CCP’s global designs.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:48 Introduction

    •      02:30 Paying attention

    •     05:38 Bipartisan

    •      08:38 Early days  

    •     13:54 Strategic delays    

    •      16:13 An evil empire  

    •      18:45 “What’s it to us?”  

    •     22:04 Lynchpin   

    •      25:24 Splitting the axis 

    •      28:39 China and Ukraine

    •      34:00 More dangerous


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2174 Ep 182: Sean McMeekin on Communism Sean McMeekin, Professor of European History and Culture at Bard College and author of To Overthrow the World: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Communism, joins the show to talk about Communist approaches to foreign policy and war. ▪️ Times      •      01:35 Introduction     •      02:39 Communism and war     •     11:02 Giving history a shove        •      16:41 Lenin’s vision       •     20:55 A united front         •      25:54 Infiltration       •      28:45 Stalin at the helm       •     34:51 Ups and downs        •      41:10 Driving a wedge      •      43:37 “We resemble them more than they resemble us…” Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 04 Mar 2025 10:35:00 -0000 Ep 182: Sean McMeekin on Communism full The Free Press Sean McMeekin, Professor of European History and Culture at Bard College and author of To Overthrow the World: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Communism, joins the show to talk about Communist approaches to foreign policy and war. Sean McMeekin, Professor of European History and Culture at Bard College and author of To Overthrow the World: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Communism, joins the show to talk about Communist approaches to foreign policy and war. ▪️ Times      •      01:35 Introduction     •      02:39 Communism and war     •     11:02 Giving history a shove        •      16:41 Lenin’s vision       •     20:55 A united front         •      25:54 Infiltration       •      28:45 Stalin at the helm       •     34:51 Ups and downs        •      41:10 Driving a wedge      •      43:37 “We resemble them more than they resemble us…” Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Sean McMeekin, Professor of European History and Culture at Bard College and author of To Overthrow the World: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Communism, joins the show to talk about Communist approaches to foreign policy and war.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:35 Introduction

    •      02:39 Communism and war

    •     11:02 Giving history a shove   

    •      16:41 Lenin’s vision  

    •     20:55 A united front    

    •      25:54 Infiltration  

    •      28:45 Stalin at the helm  

    •     34:51 Ups and downs   

    •      41:10 Driving a wedge 

    •      43:37 “We resemble them more than they resemble us…”


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2878 Ep 181: Michael Cook on the Islamic Conquests Michael Cook, Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and author of A History of the Muslim World: From Its Origins to the Dawn of Modernity, joins the show to discuss the sudden, explosive Arab expansion of the 7th century.  ▪️ Times      •     01:46 Introduction     •     03:05 Sources     •     04:42 War and politics        •     07:32 Grass and sand       •     09:30 Self-defense         •     12:21 Ibn Khaldun      •     16:11 An Arab identity       •     18:45 Knock on effects        •     26:40 Two targets      •     28:32 The Arab way of war       •     34:50 Coming out of the desert        •     38:48 Civil war      •     42:27 Jihad Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:35:00 -0000 Ep 181: Michael Cook on the Islamic Conquests full The Free Press Michael Cook, Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and author of A History of the Muslim World: From Its Origins to the Dawn of Modernity, joins the show to discuss the sudden, explosive Arab expansion of the 7th century. Michael Cook, Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and author of A History of the Muslim World: From Its Origins to the Dawn of Modernity, joins the show to discuss the sudden, explosive Arab expansion of the 7th century.  ▪️ Times      •     01:46 Introduction     •     03:05 Sources     •     04:42 War and politics        •     07:32 Grass and sand       •     09:30 Self-defense         •     12:21 Ibn Khaldun      •     16:11 An Arab identity       •     18:45 Knock on effects        •     26:40 Two targets      •     28:32 The Arab way of war       •     34:50 Coming out of the desert        •     38:48 Civil war      •     42:27 Jihad Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Michael Cook, Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and author of A History of the Muslim World: From Its Origins to the Dawn of Modernity, joins the show to discuss the sudden, explosive Arab expansion of the 7th century. 

▪️

Times 

    •     01:46 Introduction

    •     03:05 Sources

    •     04:42 War and politics   

    •     07:32 Grass and sand  

    •     09:30 Self-defense    

    •     12:21 Ibn Khaldun 

    •     16:11 An Arab identity  

    •     18:45 Knock on effects   

    •     26:40 Two targets 

    •     28:32 The Arab way of war  

    •     34:50 Coming out of the desert   

    •     38:48 Civil war 

    •     42:27 Jihad


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2780 Ep 180: Stephen Kotkin on Endgames in Ukraine Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins the show to discuss how both sides have lost the Ukraine War, and the risks of various routes to peace. ▪️ Times      •      02:47 Pressuring Putin     •      12:50 A new path     •     17:07 Avoiding a debacle        •      32:43 Friends     •     38:30 Realignment     •      46:58 Articulating strategy Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:37:00 -0000 Ep 180: Stephen Kotkin on Endgames in Ukraine full The Free Press Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins the show to discuss how both sides have lost the Ukraine War, and the risks of various routes to peace. Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins the show to discuss how both sides have lost the Ukraine War, and the risks of various routes to peace. ▪️ Times      •      02:47 Pressuring Putin     •      12:50 A new path     •     17:07 Avoiding a debacle        •      32:43 Friends     •     38:30 Realignment     •      46:58 Articulating strategy Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins the show to discuss how both sides have lost the Ukraine War, and the risks of various routes to peace.

▪️

Times 

    •      02:47 Pressuring Putin

    •      12:50 A new path

    •     17:07 Avoiding a debacle   

    •      32:43 Friends

    •     38:30 Realignment

    •      46:58 Articulating strategy


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3224 Ep 179: Phillips O’Brien on Grand Strategy in WW2 Phillips O’Brien, chair of Strategic Studies at the University of St. Andrews and author of The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler--How War Made Them and How They Made War, joins the show to discuss the nature of strategic decision making in World War II and beyond. ▪️ Times      •      01:50 Introduction     •      02:48 Germany 1st debunked     •     06:50 A matter of choices       •      08:20 Management styles       •     11:23 FDR the navalist        •      14:42 Strategic balance     •      16:52 The British Empire       •      18:58 Churchill the shapeshifter          •      26:42 Britain’s place     •      29:22 Casablanca      •      33:54 Making Hitler     •      38:43 Firepower + racial superiority      •      42:41 Delaying defeat     •      44:55 A childish view of war      •      46:50 Human decisions     •      48:28 Stalin the survivor     •      51:30 “Not nice people” Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 179: Phillips O’Brien on Grand Strategy in WW2 full The Free Press Phillips O’Brien, chair of Strategic Studies at the University of St. Andrews and author of The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler--How War Made Them and How They Made War, joins the show to discuss the nature of strategic decision making in World War II and beyond. Phillips O’Brien, chair of Strategic Studies at the University of St. Andrews and author of The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler--How War Made Them and How They Made War, joins the show to discuss the nature of strategic decision making in World War II and beyond. ▪️ Times      •      01:50 Introduction     •      02:48 Germany 1st debunked     •     06:50 A matter of choices       •      08:20 Management styles       •     11:23 FDR the navalist        •      14:42 Strategic balance     •      16:52 The British Empire       •      18:58 Churchill the shapeshifter          •      26:42 Britain’s place     •      29:22 Casablanca      •      33:54 Making Hitler     •      38:43 Firepower + racial superiority      •      42:41 Delaying defeat     •      44:55 A childish view of war      •      46:50 Human decisions     •      48:28 Stalin the survivor     •      51:30 “Not nice people” Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Phillips O’Brien, chair of Strategic Studies at the University of St. Andrews and author of The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler--How War Made Them and How They Made War, joins the show to discuss the nature of strategic decision making in World War II and beyond.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:50 Introduction

    •      02:48 Germany 1st debunked

    •     06:50 A matter of choices  

    •      08:20 Management styles  

    •     11:23 FDR the navalist   

    •      14:42 Strategic balance

    •      16:52 The British Empire  

    •      18:58 Churchill the shapeshifter     

    •      26:42 Britain’s place

    •      29:22 Casablanca 

    •      33:54 Making Hitler

    •      38:43 Firepower + racial superiority 

    •      42:41 Delaying defeat

    •      44:55 A childish view of war 

    •      46:50 Human decisions

    •      48:28 Stalin the survivor

    •      51:30 “Not nice people”


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3222 Ep 178: Mark Montgomery on Cyber War Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to discuss how prepared (or ill-prepared) the U.S. is for cyber warfare. ▪️ Times      •      03:24 Introduction     •      04:20 America: A Target Rich Environment     •     05:59 Cyber and mobilization       •      08:35 What actually happens?      •      11:36 Automation        •      16:18 Salt and volt typhoon     •      22:04 Continuity of the economy       •      28:33 Offense         •      35:05 Cyber responses     •      38:43 Public opinion      •      41:43 Defense of the homeland     •      49:30 A new kind of leader Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:45:00 -0000 Ep 178: Mark Montgomery on Cyber War full The Free Press Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to discuss how prepared (or ill-prepared) the U.S. is for cyber warfare. Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to discuss how prepared (or ill-prepared) the U.S. is for cyber warfare. ▪️ Times      •      03:24 Introduction     •      04:20 America: A Target Rich Environment     •     05:59 Cyber and mobilization       •      08:35 What actually happens?      •      11:36 Automation        •      16:18 Salt and volt typhoon     •      22:04 Continuity of the economy       •      28:33 Offense         •      35:05 Cyber responses     •      38:43 Public opinion      •      41:43 Defense of the homeland     •      49:30 A new kind of leader Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to discuss how prepared (or ill-prepared) the U.S. is for cyber warfare.

▪️

Times 

    •      03:24 Introduction

    •      04:20 America: A Target Rich Environment

    •     05:59 Cyber and mobilization  

    •      08:35 What actually happens? 

    •      11:36 Automation   

    •      16:18 Salt and volt typhoon

    •      22:04 Continuity of the economy  

    •      28:33 Offense    

    •      35:05 Cyber responses

    •      38:43 Public opinion 

    •      41:43 Defense of the homeland

    •      49:30 A new kind of leader


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3168 Ep 177: Christopher Kolakowski on Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. Christopher Kolakowski, director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and editor of Tenth Army Commander: The World War II Diary of Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr., joins the show to discuss the most senior U.S. officer killed by enemy action in WWII, Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.  ▪️ Times      •      01:44 Introduction     •      02:15 In the shadows     •     03:53 Fathers and sons      •      06:28 Childhood      •      09:30 West Point Commandant of Cadets        •      16:03 Alaska ’41     •      20:18 The Japanese threat      •      24:20 10th Army        •      29:03 Notes for an unwritten memoir     •      31:02 Operation Causeway     •      35:47 Okinawa     •      41:52 Attrition     •      43:50 Another Anzio?     •      50:57 Homeward bound Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 14 Feb 2025 10:35:00 -0000 Ep 177: Christopher Kolakowski on Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. full The Free Press Christopher Kolakowski, director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and editor of Tenth Army Commander: The World War II Diary of Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr., oins the show to discuss the most senior U.S. officer killed by enemy action in WWII, Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. Christopher Kolakowski, director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and editor of Tenth Army Commander: The World War II Diary of Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr., joins the show to discuss the most senior U.S. officer killed by enemy action in WWII, Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.  ▪️ Times      •      01:44 Introduction     •      02:15 In the shadows     •     03:53 Fathers and sons      •      06:28 Childhood      •      09:30 West Point Commandant of Cadets        •      16:03 Alaska ’41     •      20:18 The Japanese threat      •      24:20 10th Army        •      29:03 Notes for an unwritten memoir     •      31:02 Operation Causeway     •      35:47 Okinawa     •      41:52 Attrition     •      43:50 Another Anzio?     •      50:57 Homeward bound Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Christopher Kolakowski, director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and editor of Tenth Army Commander: The World War II Diary of Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr., joins the show to discuss the most senior U.S. officer killed by enemy action in WWII, Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:44 Introduction

    •      02:15 In the shadows

    •     03:53 Fathers and sons 

    •      06:28 Childhood 

    •      09:30 West Point Commandant of Cadets   

    •      16:03 Alaska ’41

    •      20:18 The Japanese threat 

    •      24:20 10th Army   

    •      29:03 Notes for an unwritten memoir

    •      31:02 Operation Causeway

    •      35:47 Okinawa

    •      41:52 Attrition

    •      43:50 Another Anzio?

    •      50:57 Homeward bound


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3138 Ep 176: David Betz on Modern Fortification David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London and author of The Guarded Age: Fortification in the Twenty-First Century, joins the show to discuss how fortification is alive, well, and everywhere.  ▪️ Times      •      01:22 Introduction     •      01:53 A default condition     •     13:20 Why is that there?      •      22:13 Alexandrian foundations      •      28:50 Security and mobility         •      39:53 The pendulum swings     •      48:54 Intrigue   Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 176: David Betz on Modern Fortification full The Free Press David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London and author of The Guarded Age: Fortification in the Twenty-First Century, joins the show to discuss how fortification is alive, well, and everywhere. David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London and author of The Guarded Age: Fortification in the Twenty-First Century, joins the show to discuss how fortification is alive, well, and everywhere.  ▪️ Times      •      01:22 Introduction     •      01:53 A default condition     •     13:20 Why is that there?      •      22:13 Alexandrian foundations      •      28:50 Security and mobility         •      39:53 The pendulum swings     •      48:54 Intrigue   Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London and author of The Guarded Age: Fortification in the Twenty-First Century, joins the show to discuss how fortification is alive, well, and everywhere. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:22 Introduction

    •      01:53 A default condition

    •     13:20 Why is that there? 

    •      22:13 Alexandrian foundations 

    •      28:50 Security and mobility    

    •      39:53 The pendulum swings

    •      48:54 Intrigue  


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3111 Ep 175: Mick Ryan on War & Fiction Mick Ryan, a retired major general in the Australian Army and author of War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict, joins the show to discuss future-war fiction and the possible futures of current wars. ▪️ Times      •      01:23 Introduction     •      02:10 Tom Clancy     •     05:40 Accessibility      •      07:14 The Battle of Dorking      •      09:57 White Sun War        •      13:39 Diplomatic failures     •      15:40 Friction      •      18:50 Israel transformed        •      23:00 Existential threats     •      25:25 Ukraine     •      32:31 Pressuring Putin        •      35:01 Taiwan and Japan Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 175: Mick Ryan on War & Fiction full The Free Press Mick Ryan, a retired major general in the Australian Army and author of War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict, joins the show to discuss future-war fiction and the possible futures of current wars. Mick Ryan, a retired major general in the Australian Army and author of War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict, joins the show to discuss future-war fiction and the possible futures of current wars. ▪️ Times      •      01:23 Introduction     •      02:10 Tom Clancy     •     05:40 Accessibility      •      07:14 The Battle of Dorking      •      09:57 White Sun War        •      13:39 Diplomatic failures     •      15:40 Friction      •      18:50 Israel transformed        •      23:00 Existential threats     •      25:25 Ukraine     •      32:31 Pressuring Putin        •      35:01 Taiwan and Japan Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mick Ryan, a retired major general in the Australian Army and author of War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict, joins the show to discuss future-war fiction and the possible futures of current wars.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:23 Introduction

    •      02:10 Tom Clancy

    •     05:40 Accessibility 

    •      07:14 The Battle of Dorking 

    •      09:57 White Sun War   

    •      13:39 Diplomatic failures

    •      15:40 Friction 

    •      18:50 Israel transformed   

    •      23:00 Existential threats

    •      25:25 Ukraine

    •      32:31 Pressuring Putin   

    •      35:01 Taiwan and Japan


Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2281 Ep 174: Hal Brands on the Long Struggle for Eurasia Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World, joins the show to discuss the continued relevance of geopolitics. ▪️ Times      •      01:29 Introduction     •      01:54 Twentieth century     •     03:29 Advent of geopolitical theory     •      07:08 Land versus sea      •      13:09 Authoritarianism        •      17:40 Struggle for power     •      20:30 Burdens of defense      •      23:25 Eurasia        •      27:50 Different politics     •      36:09 “…a kind of American realism”  Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:50:00 -0000 Ep 174: Hal Brands on the Long Struggle for Eurasia full The Free Press Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World, joins the show to discuss the continued relevance of geopolitics. Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World, joins the show to discuss the continued relevance of geopolitics. ▪️ Times      •      01:29 Introduction     •      01:54 Twentieth century     •     03:29 Advent of geopolitical theory     •      07:08 Land versus sea      •      13:09 Authoritarianism        •      17:40 Struggle for power     •      20:30 Burdens of defense      •      23:25 Eurasia        •      27:50 Different politics     •      36:09 “…a kind of American realism”  Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World, joins the show to discuss the continued relevance of geopolitics.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:29 Introduction

    •      01:54 Twentieth century

    •     03:29 Advent of geopolitical theory

    •      07:08 Land versus sea 

    •      13:09 Authoritarianism   

    •      17:40 Struggle for power

    •      20:30 Burdens of defense 

    •      23:25 Eurasia   

    •      27:50 Different politics

    •      36:09 “…a kind of American realism” 


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2289 Ep 173: Tom Karako on America’s Iron Dome Tom Karako, Senior Fellow and Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, joins the show to discuss what President Trump’s executive order on missile defense portends. ▪️ Times      •      01:15 Introduction     •      02:08 Dawn of missile defense      •     05:50 Ups and downs     •      10:40 Arguments against      •      14:50 Capabilities       •      18:45 A layered defense     •      22:20 Cost      •      26:42 Tried and tested       •      28:21 A “Pearl Harbor” Pearl Harbor  Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:31:00 -0000 Ep 173: Tom Karako on America’s Iron Dome full The Free Press Tom Karako, Senior Fellow and Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, joins the show to discuss what President Trump’s executive order on missile defense portends. Tom Karako, Senior Fellow and Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, joins the show to discuss what President Trump’s executive order on missile defense portends. ▪️ Times      •      01:15 Introduction     •      02:08 Dawn of missile defense      •     05:50 Ups and downs     •      10:40 Arguments against      •      14:50 Capabilities       •      18:45 A layered defense     •      22:20 Cost      •      26:42 Tried and tested       •      28:21 A “Pearl Harbor” Pearl Harbor  Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tom Karako, Senior Fellow and Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, joins the show to discuss what President Trump’s executive order on missile defense portends.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:15 Introduction

    •      02:08 Dawn of missile defense 

    •     05:50 Ups and downs

    •      10:40 Arguments against 

    •      14:50 Capabilities  

    •      18:45 A layered defense

    •      22:20 Cost 

    •      26:42 Tried and tested  

    •      28:21 A “Pearl Harbor” Pearl Harbor 


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


]]> 1830 Ep 172: Eric Chewning and Tom Moore on the Warship Production Crisis Eric Chewning and Thomas Moore of HII join the show to discuss America’s military shipbuilding challenges, and their potential solutions. ▪️ Times      •      01:32 Introduction     •      01:55 Origins      •     07:08 An eroded defense industrial base      •      10:20 Shipbuilding in 2025       •      17:11 Deindustrialization       •      21:46 Learning curves     •      27:00 Contract economics      •      32:26 Japan and South Korea       •      37:39 Thinking about the whole problem        •      39:03 Manned and unmanned        •      42:25 Force protection      •      45:06 Soft kills and hard kills Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 28 Jan 2025 10:35:00 -0000 Ep 172: Eric Chewning and Tom Moore on the Warship Production Crisis full The Free Press Eric Chewning and Thomas Moore of HII join the show to discuss America’s military shipbuilding challenges, and their potential solutions. Eric Chewning and Thomas Moore of HII join the show to discuss America’s military shipbuilding challenges, and their potential solutions. ▪️ Times      •      01:32 Introduction     •      01:55 Origins      •     07:08 An eroded defense industrial base      •      10:20 Shipbuilding in 2025       •      17:11 Deindustrialization       •      21:46 Learning curves     •      27:00 Contract economics      •      32:26 Japan and South Korea       •      37:39 Thinking about the whole problem        •      39:03 Manned and unmanned        •      42:25 Force protection      •      45:06 Soft kills and hard kills Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Eric Chewning and Thomas Moore of HII join the show to discuss America’s military shipbuilding challenges, and their potential solutions.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:32 Introduction

    •      01:55 Origins 

    •     07:08 An eroded defense industrial base 

    •      10:20 Shipbuilding in 2025  

    •      17:11 Deindustrialization  

    •      21:46 Learning curves

    •      27:00 Contract economics 

    •      32:26 Japan and South Korea  

    •      37:39 Thinking about the whole problem   

    •      39:03 Manned and unmanned   

    •      42:25 Force protection 

    •      45:06 Soft kills and hard kills


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2853 Ep 171: I Am André: German Jew, French Resistance Fighter, British Spy Diana Mara Henry and Gabe Scheinmann join the show to discuss the new book I Am André: German Jew, French Resistance Fighter, British Spy, which charts the astonishing, brave, and tragic World War II career of ‘André’ Joseph Scheinmann. ▪️ Times      •      01:50 Introduction     •      03:01 The story of a fighter      •     09:26 Born in Munich        •      11:87 Citizen without a country      •      17:08 Liaison to the High Command       •      21:46 MI6       •      25:20 Spycraft      •      30:27 London and capture      •      36:31 Interrogation       •      42:52 Max and Regina       •      46:40 Natzweiler      •      52:29 Dachau      •      55:30 America     •      01:01:17 “Jews as fighters” Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 24 Jan 2025 10:40:00 -0000 Ep 171: I Am André: German Jew, French Resistance Fighter, British Spy full The Free Press Diana Mara Henry and Gabe Scheinmann join the show to discuss the new book I Am André: German Jew, French Resistance Fighter, British Spy, which charts the astonishing, brave, and tragic World War II career of ‘André’ Joseph Scheinmann. Diana Mara Henry and Gabe Scheinmann join the show to discuss the new book I Am André: German Jew, French Resistance Fighter, British Spy, which charts the astonishing, brave, and tragic World War II career of ‘André’ Joseph Scheinmann. ▪️ Times      •      01:50 Introduction     •      03:01 The story of a fighter      •     09:26 Born in Munich        •      11:87 Citizen without a country      •      17:08 Liaison to the High Command       •      21:46 MI6       •      25:20 Spycraft      •      30:27 London and capture      •      36:31 Interrogation       •      42:52 Max and Regina       •      46:40 Natzweiler      •      52:29 Dachau      •      55:30 America     •      01:01:17 “Jews as fighters” Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Diana Mara Henry and Gabe Scheinmann join the show to discuss the new book I Am André: German Jew, French Resistance Fighter, British Spy, which charts the astonishing, brave, and tragic World War II career of ‘André’ Joseph Scheinmann.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:50 Introduction

    •      03:01 The story of a fighter 

    •     09:26 Born in Munich   

    •      11:87 Citizen without a country 

    •      17:08 Liaison to the High Command  

    •      21:46 MI6  

    •      25:20 Spycraft 

    •      30:27 London and capture 

    •      36:31 Interrogation  

    •      42:52 Max and Regina  

    •      46:40 Natzweiler 

    •      52:29 Dachau 

    •      55:30 America

    •      01:01:17 “Jews as fighters”


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3914 Ep 170: Evan Mawdsley on WW2 in the Central Pacific Evan Mawdsley, Honorary Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow and author of Supremacy at Sea: Task Force 58 and the Central Pacific Victory, joins the show to discuss the successful 1944 U.S. naval campaign through the Central Pacific in World War II. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction     •      02:27 The Central Pacific      •      11:15 Carrier air power      •     14:31 Embracing the task force        •      20:00 Replenishment at sea      •      24:28 A campaign for airbases      •      27:56 Limiting loss       •      33:38 Spruance & Mitscher      •      38:36 Japanese defense doctrine      •      45:58 Parallels today     Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 21 Jan 2025 10:35:00 -0000 Ep 170: Evan Mawdsley on WW2 in the Central Pacific full The Free Press Evan Mawdsley, Honorary Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow and author of Supremacy at Sea: Task Force 58 and the Central Pacific Victory, joins the show to discuss the successful 1944 U.S. naval campaign through the Central Pacific in World War II. Evan Mawdsley, Honorary Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow and author of Supremacy at Sea: Task Force 58 and the Central Pacific Victory, joins the show to discuss the successful 1944 U.S. naval campaign through the Central Pacific in World War II. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction     •      02:27 The Central Pacific      •      11:15 Carrier air power      •     14:31 Embracing the task force        •      20:00 Replenishment at sea      •      24:28 A campaign for airbases      •      27:56 Limiting loss       •      33:38 Spruance & Mitscher      •      38:36 Japanese defense doctrine      •      45:58 Parallels today     Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Evan Mawdsley, Honorary Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow and author of Supremacy at Sea: Task Force 58 and the Central Pacific Victory, joins the show to discuss the successful 1944 U.S. naval campaign through the Central Pacific in World War II.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:36 Introduction

    •      02:27 The Central Pacific 

    •      11:15 Carrier air power 

    •     14:31 Embracing the task force   

    •      20:00 Replenishment at sea 

    •      24:28 A campaign for airbases 

    •      27:56 Limiting loss  

    •      33:38 Spruance & Mitscher 

    •      38:36 Japanese defense doctrine 

    •      45:58 Parallels today    


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3004 Ep 169: Dmitry Filipoff on Naval Warfare in 2025 Dmitry Filipoff, associate research analyst at the Center for Navy Analyses, joins the show to discuss the U.S. Navy surface component and the grave challenges it faces. ▪️ Times      •      01:19 Introduction     •      02:09 Lessons from the Red Sea      •      06:35 Friendly fire       •      10:55 Depletion        •      13:45 2027       •      18:07 How do fleets fight?      •      21:47 Scope and scale        •      24:57 “Catastrophic destruction”      •      29:00 The first few hours     •      34:30 Scripted exercises          •      37:15 Managing the chaos      •      41:34 Failing constructively   Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 14 Jan 2025 10:45:00 -0000 Ep 169: Dmitry Filipoff on Naval Warfare in 2025 full The Free Press Dmitry Filipoff, associate research analyst at the Center for Navy Analyses, joins the show to discuss the U.S. Navy surface component and the grave challenges it faces. Dmitry Filipoff, associate research analyst at the Center for Navy Analyses, joins the show to discuss the U.S. Navy surface component and the grave challenges it faces. ▪️ Times      •      01:19 Introduction     •      02:09 Lessons from the Red Sea      •      06:35 Friendly fire       •      10:55 Depletion        •      13:45 2027       •      18:07 How do fleets fight?      •      21:47 Scope and scale        •      24:57 “Catastrophic destruction”      •      29:00 The first few hours     •      34:30 Scripted exercises          •      37:15 Managing the chaos      •      41:34 Failing constructively   Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Dmitry Filipoff, associate research analyst at the Center for Navy Analyses, joins the show to discuss the U.S. Navy surface component and the grave challenges it faces.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:19 Introduction

    •      02:09 Lessons from the Red Sea 

    •      06:35 Friendly fire  

    •      10:55 Depletion   

    •      13:45 2027  

    •      18:07 How do fleets fight? 

    •      21:47 Scope and scale   

    •      24:57 “Catastrophic destruction” 

    •      29:00 The first few hours

    •      34:30 Scripted exercises     

    •      37:15 Managing the chaos 

    •      41:34 Failing constructively  


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2770 Ep 168: Nadège Rolland on China’s Vision of Strategic Space Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research and author of Mapping China's Strategic Space, joins the show to discuss how to better understand the geopolitical premises of China’s strategic elites. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction     •      02:04 Strategic space      •      05:05 Mao’s strategic vision       •      11:12 Origin points       •      17:10 Geopolitical dimensions      •      20:25 Finding answers      •      26:35 Encirclement        •      33:55 Core interests      •      38:56 China’s end goal      •      45:37 Multilateralism        •      49:04 Risk and overextension  Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 07 Jan 2025 10:45:00 -0000 Ep 168: Nadège Rolland on China’s Vision of Strategic Space full The Free Press Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research and author of Mapping China's Strategic Space, joins the show to discuss how to better understand the geopolitical premises of China’s strategic elites. Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research and author of Mapping China's Strategic Space, joins the show to discuss how to better understand the geopolitical premises of China’s strategic elites. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction     •      02:04 Strategic space      •      05:05 Mao’s strategic vision       •      11:12 Origin points       •      17:10 Geopolitical dimensions      •      20:25 Finding answers      •      26:35 Encirclement        •      33:55 Core interests      •      38:56 China’s end goal      •      45:37 Multilateralism        •      49:04 Risk and overextension  Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research and author of Mapping China's Strategic Space, joins the show to discuss how to better understand the geopolitical premises of China’s strategic elites.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:36 Introduction

    •      02:04 Strategic space 

    •      05:05 Mao’s strategic vision  

    •      11:12 Origin points  

    •      17:10 Geopolitical dimensions 

    •      20:25 Finding answers 

    •      26:35 Encirclement   

    •      33:55 Core interests 

    •      38:56 China’s end goal 

    •      45:37 Multilateralism   

    •      49:04 Risk and overextension 


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack



]]> 3226 Ep 167: Dan Blumenthal and Kyle Balzer on China’s Nuclear Buildup Dan Blumenthal and Kyle Balzer, co-authors of The True Aims of China’s Nuclear Buildup for Foreign Affairs, join the show to discuss the geopolitical implications of China’s increasing and diversifying nuclear arsenal.  ▪️ Times      •      01:24 Introduction     •      02:40 China’s buildup      •      05:05 American perception       •     07:28 What is nuclear strategy?        •      11:49 Geopolitical vision      •      16:28 Shaping the world order      •      18:41 Restoring American credibility       •      25:10 Imagining failure      •      30:24 Prospects Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 167: Dan Blumenthal and Kyle Balzer on China’s Nuclear Buildup full The Free Press Dan Blumenthal and Kyle Balzer on China’s Nuclear Buildup , co-authors of The True Aims of China’s Nuclear Buildup for Foreign Affairs, join the show to discuss the geopolitical implications of China’s increasing and diversifying nuclear arsenal. Dan Blumenthal and Kyle Balzer, co-authors of The True Aims of China’s Nuclear Buildup for Foreign Affairs, join the show to discuss the geopolitical implications of China’s increasing and diversifying nuclear arsenal.  ▪️ Times      •      01:24 Introduction     •      02:40 China’s buildup      •      05:05 American perception       •     07:28 What is nuclear strategy?        •      11:49 Geopolitical vision      •      16:28 Shaping the world order      •      18:41 Restoring American credibility       •      25:10 Imagining failure      •      30:24 Prospects Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Dan Blumenthal and Kyle Balzer, co-authors of The True Aims of China’s Nuclear Buildup for Foreign Affairs, join the show to discuss the geopolitical implications of China’s increasing and diversifying nuclear arsenal. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:24 Introduction

    •      02:40 China’s buildup 

    •      05:05 American perception  

    •     07:28 What is nuclear strategy?   

    •      11:49 Geopolitical vision 

    •      16:28 Shaping the world order 

    •      18:41 Restoring American credibility  

    •      25:10 Imagining failure 

    •      30:24 Prospects


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2013 Ep 166: Rachel Kousser on Alexander the Great Rachel Kousser, professor of Classics and Art History at the City University of New York and author of Alexander at the End of the World, joins the show to talk about the violent, brilliant, complex career of Alexander the Great. ▪️ Times      •      01:27 Introduction     •      01:59 Early years and conquest     •      05:45 Pragmatic opportunist       •     09:20 Persepolis burning        •      11:48 Darius      •      14:36 Alexander in the field      •      19:30 Understanding the geography       •      25:56 Dreamer      •      29:50 “A war of choice…”     •      32:57 Building something new      •      34:36 Breaking point       •      38:00 King with consent      •      41:48 Harnessing strength Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 166: Rachel Kousser on Alexander the Great full The Free Press Rachel Kousser, professor of Classics and Art History at the City University of New York and author of Alexander at the End of the World, joins the show to talk about the violent, brilliant, complex career of Alexander the Great. Rachel Kousser, professor of Classics and Art History at the City University of New York and author of Alexander at the End of the World, joins the show to talk about the violent, brilliant, complex career of Alexander the Great. ▪️ Times      •      01:27 Introduction     •      01:59 Early years and conquest     •      05:45 Pragmatic opportunist       •     09:20 Persepolis burning        •      11:48 Darius      •      14:36 Alexander in the field      •      19:30 Understanding the geography       •      25:56 Dreamer      •      29:50 “A war of choice…”     •      32:57 Building something new      •      34:36 Breaking point       •      38:00 King with consent      •      41:48 Harnessing strength Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Rachel Kousser, professor of Classics and Art History at the City University of New York and author of Alexander at the End of the World, joins the show to talk about the violent, brilliant, complex career of Alexander the Great.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:27 Introduction

    •      01:59 Early years and conquest

    •      05:45 Pragmatic opportunist  

    •     09:20 Persepolis burning   

    •      11:48 Darius 

    •      14:36 Alexander in the field 

    •      19:30 Understanding the geography  

    •      25:56 Dreamer 

    •      29:50 “A war of choice…”

    •      32:57 Building something new 

    •      34:36 Breaking point  

    •      38:00 King with consent 

    •      41:48 Harnessing strength


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2757 Ep 165: Shyam Sankar on a Defense Reformation Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Palantir Technologies, joins the show to explain the broken Defense Department acquisition process and how he believes it can be fixed. ▪️ Times      •      01:24 Introduction     •      01:39 Employee #13      •      03:14 Palantir      •      06:22 Monopsony       •      11:18 Messy and chaotic      •      14:40 Dual purpose companies      •      17:18 The buying process      •      23:50 Pushback     •      25:59 Competing efforts     •      27:37 Heretics and heroes      •      31:22 Thinking about future war       •      35:05 A changing selection criteria      •      36:47 “The future is software defined”   Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 165: Shyam Sankar on a Defense Reformation full The Free Press Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Palantir Technologies, joins the show to explain the broken Defense Department acquisition process and how he believes it can be fixed. Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Palantir Technologies, joins the show to explain the broken Defense Department acquisition process and how he believes it can be fixed. ▪️ Times      •      01:24 Introduction     •      01:39 Employee #13      •      03:14 Palantir      •      06:22 Monopsony       •      11:18 Messy and chaotic      •      14:40 Dual purpose companies      •      17:18 The buying process      •      23:50 Pushback     •      25:59 Competing efforts     •      27:37 Heretics and heroes      •      31:22 Thinking about future war       •      35:05 A changing selection criteria      •      36:47 “The future is software defined”   Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Palantir Technologies, joins the show to explain the broken Defense Department acquisition process and how he believes it can be fixed.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:24 Introduction

    •      01:39 Employee #13 

    •      03:14 Palantir 

    •      06:22 Monopsony  

    •      11:18 Messy and chaotic 

    •      14:40 Dual purpose companies 

    •      17:18 The buying process 

    •      23:50 Pushback

    •      25:59 Competing efforts

    •      27:37 Heretics and heroes 

    •      31:22 Thinking about future war  

    •      35:05 A changing selection criteria 

    •      36:47 “The future is software defined”  


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2358 Ep 164: Mark Dubowitz on Syria’s Collapse Mark Dubowitz, chief executive officer of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to break down the collapse of the Assad regime and the implications for Israel, Turkey, and Iran. ▪️ Times      •      01:23 Introduction     •      02:49 What happened?       •      05:04 Rebels      •     08:17 Risk assessment       •      11:30 Factions     •      17:10 Extremists and radicals      •      19:15 “Our enemies lie to us…”       •      24:19 Defensive reshuffle     •      29:11 Nuclear Iran     •      34:59 A powerful message     •      42:40 Striking power       •      47:27 A new “Ring of Fire” Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 164: Mark Dubowitz on Syria’s Collapse full The Free Press Mark Dubowitz, chief executive officer of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to break down the collapse of the Assad regime and the implications for Israel, Turkey, and Iran. Mark Dubowitz, chief executive officer of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to break down the collapse of the Assad regime and the implications for Israel, Turkey, and Iran. ▪️ Times      •      01:23 Introduction     •      02:49 What happened?       •      05:04 Rebels      •     08:17 Risk assessment       •      11:30 Factions     •      17:10 Extremists and radicals      •      19:15 “Our enemies lie to us…”       •      24:19 Defensive reshuffle     •      29:11 Nuclear Iran     •      34:59 A powerful message     •      42:40 Striking power       •      47:27 A new “Ring of Fire” Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mark Dubowitz, chief executive officer of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to break down the collapse of the Assad regime and the implications for Israel, Turkey, and Iran.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:23 Introduction

    •      02:49 What happened?  

    •      05:04 Rebels 

    •     08:17 Risk assessment  

    •      11:30 Factions

    •      17:10 Extremists and radicals 

    •      19:15 “Our enemies lie to us…”  

    •      24:19 Defensive reshuffle

    •      29:11 Nuclear Iran

    •      34:59 A powerful message

    •      42:40 Striking power  

    •      47:27 A new “Ring of Fire”

Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3093 Ep 163: School of War Goes to Israel—Lessons from a Savage Year Host Aaron MacLean recently embedded with the Israeli Defense Forces and saw firsthand Israel’s war with Iranian proxy groups Hezbollah and Hamas. What lessons can Americans learn from Israel’s year of fighting for its survival?  ▪️ Times    •      03:28 The North      •    04:26 Metula      •    07:45 Yishai     •    10:00 Realities and misconceptions       •    18:06 Stalemate     •    22:33 Shaping the fight      •    40:00 Reconnaissance-strike complex       •    46:38 Dotan Razili     •    50:50 Iron Dome in action     •    54:43 Sarit Zehavi     •    1:11:01 Hezbollah defeated       •    1:12:58 “Knowing but not understanding” Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:20:00 -0000 Ep 163: School of War Goes to Israel—Lessons from a Savage Year full The Free Press Host Aaron MacLean recently embedded with the Israeli Defense Forces and saw firsthand Israel’s war with Iranian proxy groups Hezbollah and Hamas. What lessons can Americans learn from Israel’s year of fighting for its survival? Host Aaron MacLean recently embedded with the Israeli Defense Forces and saw firsthand Israel’s war with Iranian proxy groups Hezbollah and Hamas. What lessons can Americans learn from Israel’s year of fighting for its survival?  ▪️ Times    •      03:28 The North      •    04:26 Metula      •    07:45 Yishai     •    10:00 Realities and misconceptions       •    18:06 Stalemate     •    22:33 Shaping the fight      •    40:00 Reconnaissance-strike complex       •    46:38 Dotan Razili     •    50:50 Iron Dome in action     •    54:43 Sarit Zehavi     •    1:11:01 Hezbollah defeated       •    1:12:58 “Knowing but not understanding” Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Host Aaron MacLean recently embedded with the Israeli Defense Forces and saw firsthand Israel’s war with Iranian proxy groups Hezbollah and Hamas. What lessons can Americans learn from Israel’s year of fighting for its survival? 

▪️

Times 

  •      03:28 The North 

    •    04:26 Metula 

    •    07:45 Yishai

    •    10:00 Realities and misconceptions  

    •    18:06 Stalemate

    •    22:33 Shaping the fight 

    •    40:00 Reconnaissance-strike complex  

    •    46:38 Dotan Razili

    •    50:50 Iron Dome in action

    •    54:43 Sarit Zehavi

    •    1:11:01 Hezbollah defeated  

    •    1:12:58 “Knowing but not understanding”


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 4668 Ep 162: Michael Leggiere on Military History on Campus Michael Leggiere, Professor of Humanities at the University of Florida and editor of War Studies Journal 1, joins the show to discuss the sad state of military history in higher education. ▪️ Times      •      01:17 Introduction      •      02:48 Military history in academia      •      03:53 PME      •     05:22 What is “new” military history?       •      11:55 “History shouldn’t be a mystery”     •      17:55 The Journal     •      20:45 Suggested pieces       •      24:32 Napoleon       •      26:58 Lee Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 06 Dec 2024 09:45:00 -0000 Ep 162: Michael Leggiere on Military History on Campus full The Free Press Michael Leggiere, Professor of Humanities at the University of Florida and editor of War Studies Journal 1, joins the show to discuss the sad state of military history in higher education. Michael Leggiere, Professor of Humanities at the University of Florida and editor of War Studies Journal 1, joins the show to discuss the sad state of military history in higher education. ▪️ Times      •      01:17 Introduction      •      02:48 Military history in academia      •      03:53 PME      •     05:22 What is “new” military history?       •      11:55 “History shouldn’t be a mystery”     •      17:55 The Journal     •      20:45 Suggested pieces       •      24:32 Napoleon       •      26:58 Lee Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Michael Leggiere, Professor of Humanities at the University of Florida and editor of War Studies Journal 1, joins the show to discuss the sad state of military history in higher education.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:17 Introduction 

    •      02:48 Military history in academia 

    •      03:53 PME 

    •     05:22 What is “new” military history?  

    •      11:55 “History shouldn’t be a mystery”

    •      17:55 The Journal

    •      20:45 Suggested pieces  

    •      24:32 Napoleon  

    •      26:58 Lee


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 1755 Ep 161: Mackenzie Eaglen on China’s Military Spending and Ours Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at AEI and author of Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing’s Military Spending, joins the show to discuss the dire situation the U.S. defense budget is in.  ▪️ Times      •      01:22 Introduction      •      02:48 Keeping up      •      05:26 China’s spending      •     10:01 Equipment costs       •      13:46 “Stealing our stuff”     •      18:25 5 alarm fire     •      20:32 U.S. budget truths       •      24:50 BCA 101      •      31:32 Today or tomorrow      •      39:23 Defense is cheaper, not better     •      43:21 Solutions   Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 03 Dec 2024 11:25:00 -0000 Ep 161: Mackenzie Eaglen on China’s Military Spending and Ours full The Free Press Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at AEI and author of Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing’s Military Spending, joins the show to discuss the dire situation the U.S. defense budget is in. Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at AEI and author of Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing’s Military Spending, joins the show to discuss the dire situation the U.S. defense budget is in.  ▪️ Times      •      01:22 Introduction      •      02:48 Keeping up      •      05:26 China’s spending      •     10:01 Equipment costs       •      13:46 “Stealing our stuff”     •      18:25 5 alarm fire     •      20:32 U.S. budget truths       •      24:50 BCA 101      •      31:32 Today or tomorrow      •      39:23 Defense is cheaper, not better     •      43:21 Solutions   Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at AEI and author of Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing’s Military Spending, joins the show to discuss the dire situation the U.S. defense budget is in. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:22 Introduction 

    •      02:48 Keeping up 

    •      05:26 China’s spending 

    •     10:01 Equipment costs  

    •      13:46 “Stealing our stuff”

    •      18:25 5 alarm fire

    •      20:32 U.S. budget truths  

    •      24:50 BCA 101 

    •      31:32 Today or tomorrow 

    •      39:23 Defense is cheaper, not better

    •      43:21 Solutions  


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2945 Ep 160: Thomas Barfield on Empire and Imperial Strategies Today Thomas Barfield, Professor and Chairman of the Anthropology Department at Boston University and author of Shadow Empires: An Alternative Imperial History, joins the show to discuss empire.   ▪️ Times      •      01:15 Introduction      •      03:20 Understanding Afghanistan      •      05:15 Classifying empires      •     09:59 Failures and features       •      12:24 Borders     •      15:30 Exogenous empires     •      21:36 Brits and Athenians       •      26:40 Vulture empires      •      32:21 Taking responsibility      •      37:15 Empires of nostalgia     •      44:50 Vacuum empires       •      51:05 American/Athenian policy      •      54:53 China and empire today Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 26 Nov 2024 11:25:00 -0000 Ep 160: Thomas Barfield on Empire and Imperial Strategies Today full The Free Press Thomas Barfield, Professor and Chairman of the Anthropology Department at Boston University and author of Shadow Empires: An Alternative Imperial History, joins the show to discuss empire. Thomas Barfield, Professor and Chairman of the Anthropology Department at Boston University and author of Shadow Empires: An Alternative Imperial History, joins the show to discuss empire.   ▪️ Times      •      01:15 Introduction      •      03:20 Understanding Afghanistan      •      05:15 Classifying empires      •     09:59 Failures and features       •      12:24 Borders     •      15:30 Exogenous empires     •      21:36 Brits and Athenians       •      26:40 Vulture empires      •      32:21 Taking responsibility      •      37:15 Empires of nostalgia     •      44:50 Vacuum empires       •      51:05 American/Athenian policy      •      54:53 China and empire today Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Thomas Barfield, Professor and Chairman of the Anthropology Department at Boston University and author of Shadow Empires: An Alternative Imperial History, joins the show to discuss empire.  

▪️

Times 

    •      01:15 Introduction 

    •      03:20 Understanding Afghanistan 

    •      05:15 Classifying empires 

    •     09:59 Failures and features  

    •      12:24 Borders

    •      15:30 Exogenous empires

    •      21:36 Brits and Athenians  

    •      26:40 Vulture empires 

    •      32:21 Taking responsibility 

    •      37:15 Empires of nostalgia

    •      44:50 Vacuum empires  

    •      51:05 American/Athenian policy 

    •      54:53 China and empire today


Follow along on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3513 Ep 159: Rebeccah Heinrichs on the Morality of Nuclear Weapons Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of Duty to Deter: American Nuclear Deterrence and the Just War Doctrine, joins the show to make the moral argument for why the United States should modernize and grow its nuclear arsenal.  ▪️ Times      •      01:15 Introduction      •      01:48 A net good     •      04:50 Tactical nuclear weapons     •     10:25 The argument of disarmament      •      14:03 Cold War strategy     •      19:53 Capability and will     •      26:06 Downside of “no first use”       •      32:03 The nuclear triad      •      37:20 Russia and China      •      40:56 The moral argument Watch today’s episode on YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:30:00 -0000 Ep 159: Rebeccah Heinrichs on the Morality of Nuclear Weapons full The Free Press Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of Duty to Deter: American Nuclear Deterrence and the Just War Doctrine, joins the show to make the moral argument for why the United States should modernize and grow its nuclear arsenal. Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of Duty to Deter: American Nuclear Deterrence and the Just War Doctrine, joins the show to make the moral argument for why the United States should modernize and grow its nuclear arsenal.  ▪️ Times      •      01:15 Introduction      •      01:48 A net good     •      04:50 Tactical nuclear weapons     •     10:25 The argument of disarmament      •      14:03 Cold War strategy     •      19:53 Capability and will     •      26:06 Downside of “no first use”       •      32:03 The nuclear triad      •      37:20 Russia and China      •      40:56 The moral argument Watch today’s episode on YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of Duty to Deter: American Nuclear Deterrence and the Just War Doctrine, joins the show to make the moral argument for why the United States should modernize and grow its nuclear arsenal. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:15 Introduction 

    •      01:48 A net good

    •      04:50 Tactical nuclear weapons

    •     10:25 The argument of disarmament 

    •      14:03 Cold War strategy

    •      19:53 Capability and will

    •      26:06 Downside of “no first use”  

    •      32:03 The nuclear triad 

    •      37:20 Russia and China 

    •      40:56 The moral argument


Watch today’s episode on YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast

Follow along  on Instagram

Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2691 Ep 158: Randall Schriver and Dan Blumenthal on an Economic Strategy for China Randall Schriver, Chairman of the Board at The Project 2049 Institute, and Dan Blumenthal, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, join the show to discuss a road map for economic competition—and warfare—between the U.S. and China.  ▪️ Times      •      01:55 Introduction      •      02:30 Planning for economic warfare     •      06:27 Endstate     •     10:18 Leadership     •      12:21 NSDD     •      14:59 Starting points     •      17:10 Decoupling       •      20:03 Where is the stuff coming from?      •      23:50 Degrading the Chinese economy      •      27:33 A dream of cooperation     •      32:17 Slow the growth     •      36:08 Wargaming       •      41:41 Protraction     •      44:49 International and Congressional concerns Click the link to read the report - DEFEATING THE CCP A RUNNING START Follow along  on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:15:00 -0000 Ep 158: Randall Schriver and Dan Blumenthal on an Economic Strategy for China full The Free Press Randall Schriver, Chairman of the Board at The Project 2049 Institute, and Dan Blumenthal, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, join the show to discuss a road map for economic competition—and warfare—between the U.S. and China. Randall Schriver, Chairman of the Board at The Project 2049 Institute, and Dan Blumenthal, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, join the show to discuss a road map for economic competition—and warfare—between the U.S. and China.  ▪️ Times      •      01:55 Introduction      •      02:30 Planning for economic warfare     •      06:27 Endstate     •     10:18 Leadership     •      12:21 NSDD     •      14:59 Starting points     •      17:10 Decoupling       •      20:03 Where is the stuff coming from?      •      23:50 Degrading the Chinese economy      •      27:33 A dream of cooperation     •      32:17 Slow the growth     •      36:08 Wargaming       •      41:41 Protraction     •      44:49 International and Congressional concerns Click the link to read the report - DEFEATING THE CCP A RUNNING START Follow along  on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Randall Schriver, Chairman of the Board at The Project 2049 Institute, and Dan Blumenthal, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, join the show to discuss a road map for economic competition—and warfare—between the U.S. and China. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:55 Introduction 

    •      02:30 Planning for economic warfare

    •      06:27 Endstate

    •     10:18 Leadership

    •      12:21 NSDD

    •      14:59 Starting points

    •      17:10 Decoupling  

    •      20:03 Where is the stuff coming from? 

    •      23:50 Degrading the Chinese economy 

    •      27:33 A dream of cooperation

    •      32:17 Slow the growth

    •      36:08 Wargaming  

    •      41:41 Protraction

    •      44:49 International and Congressional concerns


Click the link to read the report - DEFEATING THE CCP A RUNNING START


Follow along  on Instagram or YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2903 Ep 157: Frank Cohn—Veterans Day Special Watch this episode on YouTube. Frank Cohn joins the show to talk about his life: fleeing Hitler’s Germany, his return as a U.S. soldier tasked with hunting Nazi’s, his service in Vietnam, and more. ▪️ Times      •      01:55 Introduction      •      02:15 A Nazi in the classroom     •      05:47 Martin and Ruth     •     17:35 Leaving Germany     •      19:22 New York City     •      22:50 Pearl Harbor     •      30:47 Back to Europe      •      35:30 Nazi Hunter      •      39:48 POW for a moment      •      42:32 The Dutch lady     •      50:40 Camps     •      52:30 Crossing the Elbe      •      59:20 Interrogations     •      01:05:40 Paying back the country      •      01:08:51 Paula      •      01:14:50 Military Police and Vietnam     •      01:18:40 Angus      •      01:21:12 Lessons Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:16:00 -0000 Ep 157: Frank Cohn—Veterans Day Special full The Free Press Frank Cohn joins the show to talk about his life: fleeing Hitler’s Germany, his return as a U.S. soldier tasked with hunting Nazi’s, his service in Vietnam, and more. Watch this episode on YouTube. Frank Cohn joins the show to talk about his life: fleeing Hitler’s Germany, his return as a U.S. soldier tasked with hunting Nazi’s, his service in Vietnam, and more. ▪️ Times      •      01:55 Introduction      •      02:15 A Nazi in the classroom     •      05:47 Martin and Ruth     •     17:35 Leaving Germany     •      19:22 New York City     •      22:50 Pearl Harbor     •      30:47 Back to Europe      •      35:30 Nazi Hunter      •      39:48 POW for a moment      •      42:32 The Dutch lady     •      50:40 Camps     •      52:30 Crossing the Elbe      •      59:20 Interrogations     •      01:05:40 Paying back the country      •      01:08:51 Paula      •      01:14:50 Military Police and Vietnam     •      01:18:40 Angus      •      01:21:12 Lessons Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Watch this episode on YouTube. Frank Cohn joins the show to talk about his life: fleeing Hitler’s Germany, his return as a U.S. soldier tasked with hunting Nazi’s, his service in Vietnam, and more.


▪️

Times 

    •      01:55 Introduction 

    •      02:15 A Nazi in the classroom

    •      05:47 Martin and Ruth

    •     17:35 Leaving Germany

    •      19:22 New York City

    •      22:50 Pearl Harbor

    •      30:47 Back to Europe 

    •      35:30 Nazi Hunter 

    •      39:48 POW for a moment 

    •      42:32 The Dutch lady

    •      50:40 Camps

    •      52:30 Crossing the Elbe 

    •      59:20 Interrogations

    •      01:05:40 Paying back the country 

    •      01:08:51 Paula 

    •      01:14:50 Military Police and Vietnam

    •      01:18:40 Angus 

    •      01:21:12 Lessons


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 5238 Ep 156: Nicholas Eberstadt on North Koreans in Russia Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the North Korean regime and the geopolitical impact of its decision to send troops to support Russia in Ukraine. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction      •      01:49 Finding North Korea     •      04:00 The Sung dynasty     •     09:24 Beijing and Moscow     •      14:43 Kim Jong Il     •      22:14 Mackinder’s World-Island     •      26:29 Interconnected      •      33:18 Why commit to Russia?      •      36:55 Limited imaginations       •      39:03 New differences Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 05 Nov 2024 11:15:00 -0000 Ep 156: Nicholas Eberstadt on North Koreans in Russia full The Free Press Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the North Korean regime and the geopolitical impact of its decision to send troops to support Russia in Ukraine. Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the North Korean regime and the geopolitical impact of its decision to send troops to support Russia in Ukraine. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction      •      01:49 Finding North Korea     •      04:00 The Sung dynasty     •     09:24 Beijing and Moscow     •      14:43 Kim Jong Il     •      22:14 Mackinder’s World-Island     •      26:29 Interconnected      •      33:18 Why commit to Russia?      •      36:55 Limited imaginations       •      39:03 New differences Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the North Korean regime and the geopolitical impact of its decision to send troops to support Russia in Ukraine.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:36 Introduction 

    •      01:49 Finding North Korea

    •      04:00 The Sung dynasty

    •     09:24 Beijing and Moscow

    •      14:43 Kim Jong Il

    •      22:14 Mackinder’s World-Island

    •      26:29 Interconnected 

    •      33:18 Why commit to Russia? 

    •      36:55 Limited imaginations  

    •      39:03 New differences


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2625 Ep 155: Nick Lloyd on World War I’s Eastern Front Nick Lloyd, Professor of Modern Warfare in the Defence Studies at King’s College London and author of The Eastern Front: A History of the Great War, 1914-1918, joins the show to discuss the critical role of the eastern front in World War I. ▪️ Times      •      01:43 Introduction      •      02:09 “The soul of the war”     •      04:00 Before the fighting     •     05:59 War aims     •      10:51 Tannenberg     •      15:54 Hindenburg and Ludendorff     •      19:57 Scale     •      22:40 Combat     •      27:14 Munitions scarcity      •      32:10 Russian collapse     •      36:45 Lenin returns     •      40:42 Brest-Litovsk     •      44:16 Proto-lebensraum     •      47:20 The West     •      52:30 War as a way out Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 155: Nick Lloyd on World War I’s Eastern Front full The Free Press Nick Lloyd, Professor of Modern Warfare in the Defence Studies at King’s College London and author of The Eastern Front: A History of the Great War, 1914-1918, joins the show to discuss the critical role of the eastern front in World War I. Nick Lloyd, Professor of Modern Warfare in the Defence Studies at King’s College London and author of The Eastern Front: A History of the Great War, 1914-1918, joins the show to discuss the critical role of the eastern front in World War I. ▪️ Times      •      01:43 Introduction      •      02:09 “The soul of the war”     •      04:00 Before the fighting     •     05:59 War aims     •      10:51 Tannenberg     •      15:54 Hindenburg and Ludendorff     •      19:57 Scale     •      22:40 Combat     •      27:14 Munitions scarcity      •      32:10 Russian collapse     •      36:45 Lenin returns     •      40:42 Brest-Litovsk     •      44:16 Proto-lebensraum     •      47:20 The West     •      52:30 War as a way out Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Nick Lloyd, Professor of Modern Warfare in the Defence Studies at King’s College London and author of The Eastern Front: A History of the Great War, 1914-1918, joins the show to discuss the critical role of the eastern front in World War I.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:43 Introduction 

    •      02:09 “The soul of the war”

    •      04:00 Before the fighting

    •     05:59 War aims

    •      10:51 Tannenberg

    •      15:54 Hindenburg and Ludendorff

    •      19:57 Scale

    •      22:40 Combat

    •      27:14 Munitions scarcity 

    •      32:10 Russian collapse

    •      36:45 Lenin returns

    •      40:42 Brest-Litovsk

    •      44:16 Proto-lebensraum

    •      47:20 The West

    •      52:30 War as a way out


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack



]]> 3324 Ep 154: Ben Noon on the U.S.-China Chip Wars Ben Noon of the Vandenberg Coalition writes about US-China rivalry and geopolitics. He joins the show to discuss the critical fight for semiconductor dominance. ▪️ Times      •      01:38 Introduction      •      02:15 Semiconductors      •      05:49 Legacy and advanced chips     •     09:47 China’s chip script     •      14:21 What’s the big deal?      •      19:20 Trade policy     •      25:11 Containment     •      28:10 Ratcheting up tensions Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 154: Ben Noon on the U.S.-China Chip Wars full The Free Press Ben Noon of the Vandenberg Coalition writes about US-China rivalry and geopolitics. He joins the show to discuss the critical fight for semiconductor dominance. Ben Noon of the Vandenberg Coalition writes about US-China rivalry and geopolitics. He joins the show to discuss the critical fight for semiconductor dominance. ▪️ Times      •      01:38 Introduction      •      02:15 Semiconductors      •      05:49 Legacy and advanced chips     •     09:47 China’s chip script     •      14:21 What’s the big deal?      •      19:20 Trade policy     •      25:11 Containment     •      28:10 Ratcheting up tensions Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Ben Noon of the Vandenberg Coalition writes about US-China rivalry and geopolitics. He joins the show to discuss the critical fight for semiconductor dominance.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:38 Introduction 

    •      02:15 Semiconductors 

    •      05:49 Legacy and advanced chips

    •     09:47 China’s chip script

    •      14:21 What’s the big deal? 

    •      19:20 Trade policy

    •      25:11 Containment

    •      28:10 Ratcheting up tensions


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 1830 Ep 153: Scott Hartwig on the Battle of Antietam Scott Hartwig, author ofI Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign, joins the show to discuss the single bloodiest day in American military history, the Battle of Antietam. ▪️ Times      •      01:46 Introduction      •      02:19 Why Antietam?     •      09:09 Sourcing history     •     12:45 Limited to total war     •      21:24 McClellan      •      28:00 Lee in Maryland      •      34:57 Geography      •      46:20 South Mountain to Antietam      •      55:49 The fighting     •      01:02:12 Mass and maneuver     •      01:04:44 Lee escapes Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 153: Scott Hartwig on the Battle of Antietam full The Free Press Scott Hartwig, author ofI Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign, joins the show to discuss the single bloodiest day in American military history, the Battle of Antietam. Scott Hartwig, author ofI Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign, joins the show to discuss the single bloodiest day in American military history, the Battle of Antietam. ▪️ Times      •      01:46 Introduction      •      02:19 Why Antietam?     •      09:09 Sourcing history     •     12:45 Limited to total war     •      21:24 McClellan      •      28:00 Lee in Maryland      •      34:57 Geography      •      46:20 South Mountain to Antietam      •      55:49 The fighting     •      01:02:12 Mass and maneuver     •      01:04:44 Lee escapes Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Scott Hartwig, author ofI Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign, joins the show to discuss the single bloodiest day in American military history, the Battle of Antietam.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:46 Introduction 

    •      02:19 Why Antietam?

    •      09:09 Sourcing history

    •     12:45 Limited to total war

    •      21:24 McClellan 

    •      28:00 Lee in Maryland 

    •      34:57 Geography 

    •      46:20 South Mountain to Antietam 

    •      55:49 The fighting

    •      01:02:12 Mass and maneuver

    •      01:04:44 Lee escapes


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 4625 Ep 152: Jacqueline Deal on China’s Strategy Jacqueline Deal, President and CEO of the Long Term Strategy Group and recently the author of the article Competing against Ourselves: How U.S. Policy Strengthens China, joins the show to discuss U.S.-China competition. ▪️ Times      •      01:15 Introduction      •      01:53 Net assessment     •      04:32 China’s view     •     08:20 Is entanglement the goal?     •      14:34 Changing the global balance     •      21:45 Communism      •      25:47 “Their own worst enemy”     •      30:12 CCP & manipulation      •      35:06 Weaponized supply chains     •      39:12 Getting their attention Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 152: Jacqueline Deal on China’s Strategy full The Free Press Jacqueline Deal, President and CEO of the Long Term Strategy Group and recently the author of the article Competing against Ourselves: How U.S. Policy Strengthens China, joins the show to discuss U.S.-China competition. Jacqueline Deal, President and CEO of the Long Term Strategy Group and recently the author of the article Competing against Ourselves: How U.S. Policy Strengthens China, joins the show to discuss U.S.-China competition. ▪️ Times      •      01:15 Introduction      •      01:53 Net assessment     •      04:32 China’s view     •     08:20 Is entanglement the goal?     •      14:34 Changing the global balance     •      21:45 Communism      •      25:47 “Their own worst enemy”     •      30:12 CCP & manipulation      •      35:06 Weaponized supply chains     •      39:12 Getting their attention Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Jacqueline Deal, President and CEO of the Long Term Strategy Group and recently the author of the article Competing against Ourselves: How U.S. Policy Strengthens China, joins the show to discuss U.S.-China competition.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:15 Introduction 

    •      01:53 Net assessment

    •      04:32 China’s view

    •     08:20 Is entanglement the goal?

    •      14:34 Changing the global balance

    •      21:45 Communism 

    •      25:47 “Their own worst enemy”

    •      30:12 CCP & manipulation 

    •      35:06 Weaponized supply chains

    •      39:12 Getting their attention


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2512 Ep 151: Nicholas Morton on the Crusades Nicholas Morton, Senior Lecturer in History, Nottingham Trent University and author of The Crusader States and their Neighbours: A Military History, 1099-1187, joins the show to discuss the Crusades. ▪️ Times      •      01:25 Introduction      •      02:21 What were the Crusades?     •      07:30 Franks and Turks     •     09:57 Combat     •      14:01 50/50     •      19:48 Sieges     •      23:47 Others     •      31:31 Seljuks     •      36:50 Crusader States     •      41:28 Why did they fail?     •      45:19 Continuity and complexity    •      49:45 Fluidity Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 11 Oct 2024 11:04:00 -0000 Ep 151: Nicholas Morton on the Crusades full The Free Press Nicholas Morton, Senior Lecturer in History, Nottingham Trent University and author of The Crusader States and their Neighbours: A Military History, 1099-1187, joins the show to discuss the Crusades. Nicholas Morton, Senior Lecturer in History, Nottingham Trent University and author of The Crusader States and their Neighbours: A Military History, 1099-1187, joins the show to discuss the Crusades. ▪️ Times      •      01:25 Introduction      •      02:21 What were the Crusades?     •      07:30 Franks and Turks     •     09:57 Combat     •      14:01 50/50     •      19:48 Sieges     •      23:47 Others     •      31:31 Seljuks     •      36:50 Crusader States     •      41:28 Why did they fail?     •      45:19 Continuity and complexity    •      49:45 Fluidity Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Nicholas Morton, Senior Lecturer in History, Nottingham Trent University and author of The Crusader States and their Neighbours: A Military History, 1099-1187, joins the show to discuss the Crusades.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:25 Introduction 

    •      02:21 What were the Crusades?

    •      07:30 Franks and Turks

    •     09:57 Combat

    •      14:01 50/50

    •      19:48 Sieges

    •      23:47 Others

    •      31:31 Seljuks

    •      36:50 Crusader States

    •      41:28 Why did they fail?

    •      45:19 Continuity and complexity

   •      49:45 Fluidity


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]]> 3126 Ep 150: Katherine Kuzminski on the Draft Katherine Kuzminski, Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at CNAS, joins the show to discuss recruiting and mass mobilization in the event of war. ▪️ Times      •      01:33 Introduction      •      02:08 Why worry about mobilization?     •      03:54 Meeting the threshold      •     06:58 Low yield     •      11:37 A loss of identity     •      15:42 Aging up     •      21:38 The Russian model      •      23:55 Israeli lessons     •      26:38 Working with what we have     •      32:05 Infantry concerns     •      35:05 Women in the draft     •      39:12 Deterrent value     •      41:20 Sustaining industry     •      43:45 An “I” society Back to the Drafting Board Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:25:00 -0000 Ep 150: Katherine Kuzminski on the Draft full The Free Press Katherine Kuzminski, Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at CNAS, joins the show to discuss recruiting and mass mobilization in the event of war. Katherine Kuzminski, Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at CNAS, joins the show to discuss recruiting and mass mobilization in the event of war. ▪️ Times      •      01:33 Introduction      •      02:08 Why worry about mobilization?     •      03:54 Meeting the threshold      •     06:58 Low yield     •      11:37 A loss of identity     •      15:42 Aging up     •      21:38 The Russian model      •      23:55 Israeli lessons     •      26:38 Working with what we have     •      32:05 Infantry concerns     •      35:05 Women in the draft     •      39:12 Deterrent value     •      41:20 Sustaining industry     •      43:45 An “I” society Back to the Drafting Board Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Katherine Kuzminski, Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at CNAS, joins the show to discuss recruiting and mass mobilization in the event of war.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:33 Introduction 

    •      02:08 Why worry about mobilization?

    •      03:54 Meeting the threshold 

    •     06:58 Low yield

    •      11:37 A loss of identity

    •      15:42 Aging up

    •      21:38 The Russian model 

    •      23:55 Israeli lessons

    •      26:38 Working with what we have

    •      32:05 Infantry concerns

    •      35:05 Women in the draft

    •      39:12 Deterrent value

    •      41:20 Sustaining industry

    •      43:45 An “I” society


Back to the Drafting Board


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]]> 2762 Ep 149: Mark Dubowitz on the Iran-Israel War Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to help us understand breaking developments in the war between Israel, Iran, and Iran’s regional proxies. ▪️ Times      •      01:41 Introduction      •      02:24 Iran’s missile attack     •      03:56 Iranian intentions     •     06:34 Options     •      11:27 Iranian concerns     •      14:59 Ring of fire     •      19:10 Near term calculus      •      23:49 Regime change     •      28:52 Reagan strategy     •      32:55 A “good” deal Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 01 Oct 2024 22:38:24 -0000 Ep 149: Mark Dubowitz on the Iran-Israel War full The Free Press Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to help us understand breaking developments in the war between Israel, Iran, and Iran’s regional proxies. Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to help us understand breaking developments in the war between Israel, Iran, and Iran’s regional proxies. ▪️ Times      •      01:41 Introduction      •      02:24 Iran’s missile attack     •      03:56 Iranian intentions     •     06:34 Options     •      11:27 Iranian concerns     •      14:59 Ring of fire     •      19:10 Near term calculus      •      23:49 Regime change     •      28:52 Reagan strategy     •      32:55 A “good” deal Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to help us understand breaking developments in the war between Israel, Iran, and Iran’s regional proxies.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:41 Introduction 

    •      02:24 Iran’s missile attack

    •      03:56 Iranian intentions

    •     06:34 Options

    •      11:27 Iranian concerns

    •      14:59 Ring of fire

    •      19:10 Near term calculus 

    •      23:49 Regime change

    •      28:52 Reagan strategy

    •      32:55 A “good” deal


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]]> 2234 Ep 148: Alex Miller on Battlefield Technology Alex Miller, Senior Advisor for Science and Technology and the CTO to the Chief of Staff of the Army, joins the show to talk about how we are preparing to fight on the battlefields of the future—which are here today. ▪️ Times      •      01:17 Introduction      •      01:32 CTO     •      04:48 Scale/E.W./drones     •     09:06 How we buy      •      13:07 Transforming in Contact     •      18:15 Electronic warfare     •      22:37 Defensive spectrum      •      25:20 An invisible world     •      28:12 Drone warfare     •      35:05 Humans and machines     •      37:49 What does the Army need? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 01 Oct 2024 10:39:00 -0000 Ep 148: Alex Miller on Battlefield Technology full The Free Press Alex Miller, Senior Advisor for Science and Technology and the CTO to the Chief of Staff of the Army, joins the show to talk about how we are preparing to fight on the battlefields of the future—which are here today. Alex Miller, Senior Advisor for Science and Technology and the CTO to the Chief of Staff of the Army, joins the show to talk about how we are preparing to fight on the battlefields of the future—which are here today. ▪️ Times      •      01:17 Introduction      •      01:32 CTO     •      04:48 Scale/E.W./drones     •     09:06 How we buy      •      13:07 Transforming in Contact     •      18:15 Electronic warfare     •      22:37 Defensive spectrum      •      25:20 An invisible world     •      28:12 Drone warfare     •      35:05 Humans and machines     •      37:49 What does the Army need? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Alex Miller, Senior Advisor for Science and Technology and the CTO to the Chief of Staff of the Army, joins the show to talk about how we are preparing to fight on the battlefields of the future—which are here today.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:17 Introduction 

    •      01:32 CTO

    •      04:48 Scale/E.W./drones

    •     09:06 How we buy 

    •      13:07 Transforming in Contact

    •      18:15 Electronic warfare

    •      22:37 Defensive spectrum 

    •      25:20 An invisible world

    •      28:12 Drone warfare

    •      35:05 Humans and machines

    •      37:49 What does the Army need?


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]]> 2486 Ep 147: Frank Ledwidge on War in Space Frank Ledwidge, Senior Fellow in Air Power and International Security at the Royal Air Force College and author of Aerial Warfare: The Battle for the Skies, joins the show to talk about warfare’s next frontier, space.  ▪️ Times      •      01:40 Introduction      •      03:24 Thinking about space     •      09:09 More than a conduit     •     14:15 ASAT      •      19:55 Space domain awareness     •      26:20 Directed energy and nuclear weapons     •      31:16 Congested/competitive/contested      •      39:44 36,000 earths     •      42:15 Commercial incentives     •      45:05 Who has the advantage? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 27 Sep 2024 11:11:09 -0000 Ep 147: Frank Ledwidge on War in Space full The Free Press Frank Ledwidge, Senior Fellow in Air Power and International Security at the Royal Air Force College and author of Aerial Warfare: The Battle for the Skies, joins the show to talk about warfare’s next frontier, space. Frank Ledwidge, Senior Fellow in Air Power and International Security at the Royal Air Force College and author of Aerial Warfare: The Battle for the Skies, joins the show to talk about warfare’s next frontier, space.  ▪️ Times      •      01:40 Introduction      •      03:24 Thinking about space     •      09:09 More than a conduit     •     14:15 ASAT      •      19:55 Space domain awareness     •      26:20 Directed energy and nuclear weapons     •      31:16 Congested/competitive/contested      •      39:44 36,000 earths     •      42:15 Commercial incentives     •      45:05 Who has the advantage? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Frank Ledwidge, Senior Fellow in Air Power and International Security at the Royal Air Force College and author of Aerial Warfare: The Battle for the Skies, joins the show to talk about warfare’s next frontier, space. 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:40 Introduction 

    •      03:24 Thinking about space

    •      09:09 More than a conduit

    •     14:15 ASAT 

    •      19:55 Space domain awareness

    •      26:20 Directed energy and nuclear weapons

    •      31:16 Congested/competitive/contested 

    •      39:44 36,000 earths

    •      42:15 Commercial incentives

    •      45:05 Who has the advantage?


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]]> 3197 Ep 146: Eric Edelman and Thomas Mahnken on America’s Defense Strategy Crisis Eric Edelman and Thomas Mahnken of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments join the show to talk about what our defense establishment has gotten right, and wrong, in planning for the next war.  ▪️ Times      •      02:10 Introduction      •      02:43 National Defense Strategy     •      06:58 Continuity between administrations     •     08:55 Multiple theater force construct      •      17:31 “A flawed net assessment”      •      28:30 An imbalance of power     •      34:46 Favoring the defense     •      38:42 Resources and cost Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 24 Sep 2024 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 146: Eric Edelman and Thomas Mahnken on America’s Defense Strategy Crisis full The Free Press Eric Edelman and Thomas Mahnken of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments join the show to talk about what our defense establishment has gotten right, and wrong, in planning for the next war. Eric Edelman and Thomas Mahnken of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments join the show to talk about what our defense establishment has gotten right, and wrong, in planning for the next war.  ▪️ Times      •      02:10 Introduction      •      02:43 National Defense Strategy     •      06:58 Continuity between administrations     •     08:55 Multiple theater force construct      •      17:31 “A flawed net assessment”      •      28:30 An imbalance of power     •      34:46 Favoring the defense     •      38:42 Resources and cost Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Eric Edelman and Thomas Mahnken of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments join the show to talk about what our defense establishment has gotten right, and wrong, in planning for the next war. 

▪️

Times 

    •      02:10 Introduction 

    •      02:43 National Defense Strategy

    •      06:58 Continuity between administrations

    •     08:55 Multiple theater force construct 

    •      17:31 “A flawed net assessment” 

    •      28:30 An imbalance of power

    •      34:46 Favoring the defense

    •      38:42 Resources and cost


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2718 Ep 145: Christopher Lynch on Machiavelli at War Christopher Lynch, Professor of Political Science at Missouri State University and author of Machiavelli on War, joins the show to talk about renaissance warfare and Niccolò Machiavelli. ▪️ Times      •      01:20 Introduction      •      01:56 Machiavelli’s world     •      03:52 French invasion     •     07:08 Republicanism      •      13:42 Mercenary armies      •      22:50 Time in office     •      27:30 Battle     •      33:17 Resurrecting Rome and Greece     •      38:00 Catastrophic endings     •      41:31 Exile and writings      •      45:54 Good guy or bad guy? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 20 Sep 2024 10:28:00 -0000 Ep 145: Christopher Lynch on Machiavelli at War full The Free Press Christopher Lynch, Professor of Political Science at Missouri State University and author of Machiavelli on War, joins the show to talk about renaissance warfare and Niccolò Machiavelli. Christopher Lynch, Professor of Political Science at Missouri State University and author of Machiavelli on War, joins the show to talk about renaissance warfare and Niccolò Machiavelli. ▪️ Times      •      01:20 Introduction      •      01:56 Machiavelli’s world     •      03:52 French invasion     •     07:08 Republicanism      •      13:42 Mercenary armies      •      22:50 Time in office     •      27:30 Battle     •      33:17 Resurrecting Rome and Greece     •      38:00 Catastrophic endings     •      41:31 Exile and writings      •      45:54 Good guy or bad guy? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Christopher Lynch, Professor of Political Science at Missouri State University and author of Machiavelli on War, joins the show to talk about renaissance warfare and Niccolò Machiavelli.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:20 Introduction 

    •      01:56 Machiavelli’s world

    •      03:52 French invasion

    •     07:08 Republicanism 

    •      13:42 Mercenary armies 

    •      22:50 Time in office

    •      27:30 Battle

    •      33:17 Resurrecting Rome and Greece

    •      38:00 Catastrophic endings

    •      41:31 Exile and writings 

    •      45:54 Good guy or bad guy?


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]]> 2899 Ep 144: Mark Montgomery on Defending Taiwan (Boiling Moat #2) Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and contributor to The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, joins the show to talk about Taiwan, tensions in the South China Sea, and more. ▪️ Times      •      01:27 Introduction      •      02:00 Why the Navy?     •      04:05 PACOM     •     06:53 Working with Senator McCain      •      10:51 Resource prioritization      •      15:19 Shortsighted decisions     •      19:56 Sink China’s Navy     •      25:30 Is Taiwan ready?     •      30:35 Imitate Estonia     •      33:31 Sensor complexes      •      37:26 Missile defense     •      43:30 Nuclear escalation Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 144: Mark Montgomery on Defending Taiwan (Boiling Moat #2) full The Free Press Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and contributor to The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, joins the show to talk about Taiwan, tensions in the South China Sea, and more. Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and contributor to The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, joins the show to talk about Taiwan, tensions in the South China Sea, and more. ▪️ Times      •      01:27 Introduction      •      02:00 Why the Navy?     •      04:05 PACOM     •     06:53 Working with Senator McCain      •      10:51 Resource prioritization      •      15:19 Shortsighted decisions     •      19:56 Sink China’s Navy     •      25:30 Is Taiwan ready?     •      30:35 Imitate Estonia     •      33:31 Sensor complexes      •      37:26 Missile defense     •      43:30 Nuclear escalation Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and contributor to The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, joins the show to talk about Taiwan, tensions in the South China Sea, and more.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:27 Introduction 

    •      02:00 Why the Navy?

    •      04:05 PACOM

    •     06:53 Working with Senator McCain 

    •      10:51 Resource prioritization 

    •      15:19 Shortsighted decisions

    •      19:56 Sink China’s Navy

    •      25:30 Is Taiwan ready?

    •      30:35 Imitate Estonia

    •      33:31 Sensor complexes 

    •      37:26 Missile defense

    •      43:30 Nuclear escalation


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3288 Ep 143: Sabin Howard on WWI, Art, and Honoring Veterans Sabin Howard, sculptor of A Soldier’s Journey, the central feature of the new World War I Memorial in Washington, DC, joins the show to talk about his work and the art of memorializing war and honoring veterans. ▪️ Times      •      01:50 Introduction      •      02:07 Becoming an artist     •      07:03 Spiritually classical     •     10:04 WWI      •      14:24 Getting it right     •      18:35 Daughter and father     •      21:37 The ordeal     •      25:00 The charging man      •      28:18 Modern methods     •      33:52 Aftermath     •      41:11 Return      •      51:00 Excite and engage Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 13 Sep 2024 11:06:01 -0000 Ep 143: Sabin Howard on WWI, Art, and Honoring Veterans full The Free Press Sabin Howard, sculptor of A Soldier’s Journey, the central feature of the new World War I Memorial in Washington, DC, joins the show to talk about his work and the art of memorializing war and honoring veterans. Sabin Howard, sculptor of A Soldier’s Journey, the central feature of the new World War I Memorial in Washington, DC, joins the show to talk about his work and the art of memorializing war and honoring veterans. ▪️ Times      •      01:50 Introduction      •      02:07 Becoming an artist     •      07:03 Spiritually classical     •     10:04 WWI      •      14:24 Getting it right     •      18:35 Daughter and father     •      21:37 The ordeal     •      25:00 The charging man      •      28:18 Modern methods     •      33:52 Aftermath     •      41:11 Return      •      51:00 Excite and engage Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Sabin Howard, sculptor of A Soldier’s Journey, the central feature of the new World War I Memorial in Washington, DC, joins the show to talk about his work and the art of memorializing war and honoring veterans.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:50 Introduction 

    •      02:07 Becoming an artist

    •      07:03 Spiritually classical

    •     10:04 WWI 

    •      14:24 Getting it right

    •      18:35 Daughter and father

    •      21:37 The ordeal

    •      25:00 The charging man 

    •      28:18 Modern methods

    •      33:52 Aftermath

    •      41:11 Return 

    •      51:00 Excite and engage


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3518 Ep 142: Andrew Roberts Debunks Darryl Cooper on Winston Churchill Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny, joins the show to give his thoughts on Tucker Carlson’s controversial guest Darryl Cooper. ▪️ Times      •      01:25 Introduction      •      02:34 Churchill the villain     •      05:20 Pat Buchanan     •     08:57 Dragging America into war      •      14:50 Barbarossa     •      20:06 “Mr. Cooper simply can’t have read Mein Kampf…”     •      21:37 Terror bombings     •      24:19 Dog whistles      •      26:11 Founding mythology Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:25:00 -0000 Ep 142: Andrew Roberts Debunks Darryl Cooper on Winston Churchill full The Free Press Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny, joins the show to give his thoughts on Tucker Carlson’s controversial guest Darryl Cooper. Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny, joins the show to give his thoughts on Tucker Carlson’s controversial guest Darryl Cooper. ▪️ Times      •      01:25 Introduction      •      02:34 Churchill the villain     •      05:20 Pat Buchanan     •     08:57 Dragging America into war      •      14:50 Barbarossa     •      20:06 “Mr. Cooper simply can’t have read Mein Kampf…”     •      21:37 Terror bombings     •      24:19 Dog whistles      •      26:11 Founding mythology Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny, joins the show to give his thoughts on Tucker Carlson’s controversial guest Darryl Cooper.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:25 Introduction 

    •      02:34 Churchill the villain

    •      05:20 Pat Buchanan

    •     08:57 Dragging America into war 

    •      14:50 Barbarossa

    •      20:06 “Mr. Cooper simply can’t have read Mein Kampf…”

    •      21:37 Terror bombings

    •      24:19 Dog whistles 

    •      26:11 Founding mythology


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]]> 1769 Ep 141: Matt Pottinger on the Defense of Taiwan (Boiling Moat #1) Matt Pottinger, distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, Chairman of FDD’s China Program, and author of The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, joins the show to talk about how a war over Taiwan might start and how it may be prevented. ▪️ Times      •      01:13 Introduction      •      03:11 The Boiling Moat     •      04:54 Is Xi serious?     •      11:35 How to deter China      •      17:40 Out with the old, in with the new     •      24:30 Mapping the scenarios     •      30:14 No such thing as an accidental war     •      35:44 A cognitive trap     •      39:22 Left with no choice Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 03 Sep 2024 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 141: Matt Pottinger on the Defense of Taiwan (Boiling Moat #1) full The Free Press Matt Pottinger, distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, Chairman of FDD’s China Program, and author of The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, joins the show to talk about how a war over Taiwan might start and how it may be prevented. Matt Pottinger, distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, Chairman of FDD’s China Program, and author of The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, joins the show to talk about how a war over Taiwan might start and how it may be prevented. ▪️ Times      •      01:13 Introduction      •      03:11 The Boiling Moat     •      04:54 Is Xi serious?     •      11:35 How to deter China      •      17:40 Out with the old, in with the new     •      24:30 Mapping the scenarios     •      30:14 No such thing as an accidental war     •      35:44 A cognitive trap     •      39:22 Left with no choice Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Matt Pottinger, distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, Chairman of FDD’s China Program, and author of The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, joins the show to talk about how a war over Taiwan might start and how it may be prevented.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:13 Introduction 

    •      03:11 The Boiling Moat

    •      04:54 Is Xi serious?

    •      11:35 How to deter China 

    •      17:40 Out with the old, in with the new

    •      24:30 Mapping the scenarios

    •      30:14 No such thing as an accidental war

    •      35:44 A cognitive trap

    •      39:22 Left with no choice


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]]> 2599 Ep 140: Roger Wicker on Defense Spending and Peace through Strength Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joins the show to discuss his plan to spend five percent of America’s GDP on defense. Click the link to read more Peace through Strength: A Generational Investment in the U.S. Military  ▪️ Times      •      01:31 Introduction      •      01:40 Service years     •      04:39 3% vs 5%     •      9:00 Peace through Strength        •      12:50 More money, more problems?     •      16:40 “Let’s get some more shipyards…”     •      19:37 Modernizing the nuclear arsenal     •      23:14 Force Design 2030 Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 27 Aug 2024 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 140: Roger Wicker on Defense Spending and Peace through Strength full The Free Press Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joins the show to discuss his plan to spend five percent of America’s GDP on defense. Click the link to read more Peace Through Strength: A Generational Investment in the U.S. Military. Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joins the show to discuss his plan to spend five percent of America’s GDP on defense. Click the link to read more Peace through Strength: A Generational Investment in the U.S. Military  ▪️ Times      •      01:31 Introduction      •      01:40 Service years     •      04:39 3% vs 5%     •      9:00 Peace through Strength        •      12:50 More money, more problems?     •      16:40 “Let’s get some more shipyards…”     •      19:37 Modernizing the nuclear arsenal     •      23:14 Force Design 2030 Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joins the show to discuss his plan to spend five percent of America’s GDP on defense. Click the link to read more Peace through Strength: A Generational Investment in the U.S. Military 

▪️

Times 

    •      01:31 Introduction 

    •      01:40 Service years

    •      04:39 3% vs 5%

    •      9:00 Peace through Strength   

    •      12:50 More money, more problems?

    •      16:40 “Let’s get some more shipyards…”

    •      19:37 Modernizing the nuclear arsenal

    •      23:14 Force Design 2030

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]]> 1466 Ep 139: Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. on CENTCOM General Kenneth F. McKenzie, USMC, retired as the fourteenth commander of U.S. Central Command in 2022 and is the author of The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century (https://a.co/d/a2RmIDK). He joins the show to talk about the strategic significance of the Middle East. ▪️ Times      •      01:16 Introduction      •      01:38 The Citadel     •      04:15 The humanities     •      10:00 Central Command        •      13:43 Thinking globally     •      17:53 Iran pushes back     •      23:05 Pursuing peace     •      26:15 Afghanistan     •      32:01 Collapse     •      37:58 A regional war Follow along on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:25:00 -0000 Ep 139: Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. on CENTCOM full The Free Press General Kenneth F. McKenzie, USMC, retired as the fourteenth commander of U.S. Central Command in 2022 and is the author of The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century. He joins the show to talk about the strategic significance of the Middle East. General Kenneth F. McKenzie, USMC, retired as the fourteenth commander of U.S. Central Command in 2022 and is the author of The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century (https://a.co/d/a2RmIDK). He joins the show to talk about the strategic significance of the Middle East. ▪️ Times      •      01:16 Introduction      •      01:38 The Citadel     •      04:15 The humanities     •      10:00 Central Command        •      13:43 Thinking globally     •      17:53 Iran pushes back     •      23:05 Pursuing peace     •      26:15 Afghanistan     •      32:01 Collapse     •      37:58 A regional war Follow along on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack General Kenneth F. McKenzie, USMC, retired as the fourteenth commander of U.S. Central Command in 2022 and is the author of The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century (https://a.co/d/a2RmIDK). He joins the show to talk about the strategic significance of the Middle East.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:16 Introduction 

    •      01:38 The Citadel

    •      04:15 The humanities

    •      10:00 Central Command   

    •      13:43 Thinking globally

    •      17:53 Iran pushes back

    •      23:05 Pursuing peace

    •      26:15 Afghanistan

    •      32:01 Collapse

    •      37:58 A regional war

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2478 Ep 138: Joshua S. Treviño on the Southern Border Crisis Joshua S. Treviño, Chief of Intelligence and Research and the Director for Texas Identity at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, joins the show to talk about the crisis on the U.S. southern border. ▪️ Times      •      01:28 Introduction      •      02:03 “The border itself is insecure…”     •      06:06 Immigration is not the issue      •      08:58 Texas remembers         •      21:44 The Mexican side     •      31:34 WWI in Mexico     •      32:25 PRC and cartels     •      39:24 DoD and the border     •      44:01 “A sincere security partner…”     •      46:03 The Caroline affair Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 13 Aug 2024 10:29:00 -0000 Ep 138: Joshua S. Treviño on the Southern Border Crisis full The Free Press Joshua S. Treviño, Chief of Intelligence and Research and the Director for Texas Identity at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, joins the show to talk about the crisis on the U.S. southern border. Joshua S. Treviño, Chief of Intelligence and Research and the Director for Texas Identity at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, joins the show to talk about the crisis on the U.S. southern border. ▪️ Times      •      01:28 Introduction      •      02:03 “The border itself is insecure…”     •      06:06 Immigration is not the issue      •      08:58 Texas remembers         •      21:44 The Mexican side     •      31:34 WWI in Mexico     •      32:25 PRC and cartels     •      39:24 DoD and the border     •      44:01 “A sincere security partner…”     •      46:03 The Caroline affair Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Joshua S. Treviño, Chief of Intelligence and Research and the Director for Texas Identity at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, joins the show to talk about the crisis on the U.S. southern border.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:28 Introduction 

    •      02:03 “The border itself is insecure…”

    •      06:06 Immigration is not the issue 

    •      08:58 Texas remembers    

    •      21:44 The Mexican side

    •      31:34 WWI in Mexico

    •      32:25 PRC and cartels

    •      39:24 DoD and the border

    •      44:01 “A sincere security partner…”

    •      46:03 The Caroline affair


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]]> 2937 Ep 137: Richard Frank on Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and World War II’s Endgame Richard Frank, historian and author of Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire and Tower of Skulls: A History of the Asia-Pacific War: July 1937-May 1942, joins the show to talk about the controversial legacy of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. ▪️ Times      •      02:05 Introduction      •      02:15 Soldier/Lawyer/Historian     •      09:19 Early controversy      •      14:55 Counting all the dead         •      21:54 Contemplating invasion     •      30:10 1:1 ratio, recipe for a bloodbath     •      38:03 Why unconditional surrender?      •      40:48 Two steps to end the war     •      46:54 A combination of forces      •      51:08 How many bombs?     •      54:01 Thinking as your enemy does Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 06 Aug 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 137: Richard Frank on Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and World War II’s Endgame full The Free Press Richard Frank, historian and author of Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire and Tower of Skulls: A History of the Asia-Pacific War: July 1937-May 1942, joins the show to talk about the controversial legacy of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Richard Frank, historian and author of Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire and Tower of Skulls: A History of the Asia-Pacific War: July 1937-May 1942, joins the show to talk about the controversial legacy of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. ▪️ Times      •      02:05 Introduction      •      02:15 Soldier/Lawyer/Historian     •      09:19 Early controversy      •      14:55 Counting all the dead         •      21:54 Contemplating invasion     •      30:10 1:1 ratio, recipe for a bloodbath     •      38:03 Why unconditional surrender?      •      40:48 Two steps to end the war     •      46:54 A combination of forces      •      51:08 How many bombs?     •      54:01 Thinking as your enemy does Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Richard Frank, historian and author of Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire and Tower of Skulls: A History of the Asia-Pacific War: July 1937-May 1942, joins the show to talk about the controversial legacy of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

▪️

Times 

    •      02:05 Introduction 

    •      02:15 Soldier/Lawyer/Historian

    •      09:19 Early controversy 

    •      14:55 Counting all the dead    

    •      21:54 Contemplating invasion

    •      30:10 1:1 ratio, recipe for a bloodbath

    •      38:03 Why unconditional surrender? 

    •      40:48 Two steps to end the war

    •      46:54 A combination of forces 

    •      51:08 How many bombs?

    •      54:01 Thinking as your enemy does


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack



]]> 3461  Ep 136: Ronald C. White on Joshua Chamberlain Ronald C. White, Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum and author of On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, joins the show to talk about the hero of Little Round Top, Joshua L. Chamberlain. ▪️ Times      •      01:37 Introduction      •      01:51 Why Chamberlain?     •      09:01 Fighting for the Union      •      14:05 The 20th Maine       •      18:10 Arriving at Gettysburg     •      21:34 The 15th & 47th Alabama      •      24:25 “Bayonets”     •      29:31 Fighting for Grant     •      33:40 Appomattox      •      35:53 Home     •      29:31 Battle Cry of Freedom Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 02 Aug 2024 10:20:00 -0000  Ep 136: Ronald C. White on Joshua Chamberlain full The Free Press Ronald C. White, Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum and author of On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, joins the show to talk about the hero of Little Round Top, Joshua L. Chamberlain. Ronald C. White, Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum and author of On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, joins the show to talk about the hero of Little Round Top, Joshua L. Chamberlain. ▪️ Times      •      01:37 Introduction      •      01:51 Why Chamberlain?     •      09:01 Fighting for the Union      •      14:05 The 20th Maine       •      18:10 Arriving at Gettysburg     •      21:34 The 15th & 47th Alabama      •      24:25 “Bayonets”     •      29:31 Fighting for Grant     •      33:40 Appomattox      •      35:53 Home     •      29:31 Battle Cry of Freedom Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Ronald C. White, Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum and author of On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, joins the show to talk about the hero of Little Round Top, Joshua L. Chamberlain.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:37 Introduction 

    •      01:51 Why Chamberlain?

    •      09:01 Fighting for the Union 

    •      14:05 The 20th Maine  

    •      18:10 Arriving at Gettysburg

    •      21:34 The 15th & 47th Alabama 

    •      24:25 “Bayonets”

    •      29:31 Fighting for Grant

    •      33:40 Appomattox 

    •      35:53 Home

    •      29:31 Battle Cry of Freedom

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2604 Ep 135: Rich Goldberg on Israel‘s Northern Crisis Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the expanding war between Israel and Iran. ▪️ Times      •      01:40 Introduction      •      03:30 Where things stand     •      15:25 Israeli expectations      •      24:44 Retaliation       •      31:39 Iran’s strategic concept     •      36:16 American interests     •      44:20 Projection     •      50:36 Once Iran has nuclear weapons Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:14:00 -0000 Ep 135: Rich Goldberg on Israel‘s Northern Crisis full The Free Press Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the expanding war between Israel and Iran. Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the expanding war between Israel and Iran. ▪️ Times      •      01:40 Introduction      •      03:30 Where things stand     •      15:25 Israeli expectations      •      24:44 Retaliation       •      31:39 Iran’s strategic concept     •      36:16 American interests     •      44:20 Projection     •      50:36 Once Iran has nuclear weapons Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the expanding war between Israel and Iran.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:40 Introduction 

    •      03:30 Where things stand

    •      15:25 Israeli expectations 

    •      24:44 Retaliation  

    •      31:39 Iran’s strategic concept

    •      36:16 American interests

    •      44:20 Projection

    •      50:36 Once Iran has nuclear weapons


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]]> 3198 Ep 134: Michael Sobolik on China’s Geostrategy Michael Sobolik, author of Countering China's Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance and Senior Fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council, joins the show to talk about China. ▪️ Times      •      01:38 Introduction      •      04:29 Belt and Road     •      07:54 The Beginning      •      13:12 Chinese imperialism     •      20:50 Mackinder’s math     •      25:19 Nazi geostrategic thinking     •      28:21 Spykman and BRI     •      31:42 Imperialism is not a relic     •      35:43 Countering China     •      40:40 Tracing BRI back to Beijing      •      46:55 Keeping Taiwan safe Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 23 Jul 2024 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 134: Michael Sobolik on China’s Geostrategy full The Free Press Michael Sobolik, author of Countering China's Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance and Senior Fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council, joins the show to talk about China. Michael Sobolik, author of Countering China's Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance and Senior Fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council, joins the show to talk about China. ▪️ Times      •      01:38 Introduction      •      04:29 Belt and Road     •      07:54 The Beginning      •      13:12 Chinese imperialism     •      20:50 Mackinder’s math     •      25:19 Nazi geostrategic thinking     •      28:21 Spykman and BRI     •      31:42 Imperialism is not a relic     •      35:43 Countering China     •      40:40 Tracing BRI back to Beijing      •      46:55 Keeping Taiwan safe Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Michael Sobolik, author of Countering China's Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance and Senior Fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council, joins the show to talk about China.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:38 Introduction 

    •      04:29 Belt and Road

    •      07:54 The Beginning 

    •      13:12 Chinese imperialism

    •      20:50 Mackinder’s math

    •      25:19 Nazi geostrategic thinking

    •      28:21 Spykman and BRI

    •      31:42 Imperialism is not a relic

    •      35:43 Countering China

    •      40:40 Tracing BRI back to Beijing 

    •      46:55 Keeping Taiwan safe


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3028 Ep 133: James Holland on World War II in Italy, 1943 James Holland, author of The Savage Storm: The Battle for Italy 1943 and host of the We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast, joins the show to talk about the Allied campaign in Italy. ▪️ Times      •      02:08 Introduction      •      04:23 “No greater moment of human drama…”     •      11:08 Why go into Italy at all?     •      18:24 Mission to Rome       •      29:33 Baytown and Avalanche     •      32:10 Salerno     •      36:25 rethinking Mark Clark     •      40:50 Very hard fighting       Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 133: James Holland on World War II in Italy, 1943 full The Free Press James Holland, author of The Savage Storm: The Battle for Italy 1943 and host of the We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast, joins the show to talk about the Allied campaign in Italy. James Holland, author of The Savage Storm: The Battle for Italy 1943 and host of the We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast, joins the show to talk about the Allied campaign in Italy. ▪️ Times      •      02:08 Introduction      •      04:23 “No greater moment of human drama…”     •      11:08 Why go into Italy at all?     •      18:24 Mission to Rome       •      29:33 Baytown and Avalanche     •      32:10 Salerno     •      36:25 rethinking Mark Clark     •      40:50 Very hard fighting       Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack James Holland, author of The Savage Storm: The Battle for Italy 1943 and host of the We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast, joins the show to talk about the Allied campaign in Italy.

▪️

Times 

    •      02:08 Introduction 

    •      04:23 “No greater moment of human drama…”

    •      11:08 Why go into Italy at all?

    •      18:24 Mission to Rome  

    •      29:33 Baytown and Avalanche

    •      32:10 Salerno

    •      36:25 rethinking Mark Clark

    •      40:50 Very hard fighting      


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2625 Ep 132: Michael Kofman on the Battlefield in Ukraine (War in Ukraine #4) Michael Kofman, Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about the operational phases of the war in Ukraine. ▪️ Times      •      01:28 Introduction      •      02:14 A case of “Two Wars”      •      09:37 Operating on assumptions     •      14:54 Contingency and structure     •      23:41 Figuring things out in the field       •      31:22 Cyber is overhyped     •      39:56 Achieving a favorable outcome Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 16 Jul 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 132: Michael Kofman on the Battlefield in Ukraine (War in Ukraine #4) full The Free Press Michael Kofman, Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about the operational phases of the war in Ukraine. Michael Kofman, Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about the operational phases of the war in Ukraine. ▪️ Times      •      01:28 Introduction      •      02:14 A case of “Two Wars”      •      09:37 Operating on assumptions     •      14:54 Contingency and structure     •      23:41 Figuring things out in the field       •      31:22 Cyber is overhyped     •      39:56 Achieving a favorable outcome Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Michael Kofman, Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about the operational phases of the war in Ukraine.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:28 Introduction 

    •      02:14 A case of “Two Wars” 

    •      09:37 Operating on assumptions

    •      14:54 Contingency and structure

    •      23:41 Figuring things out in the field  

    •      31:22 Cyber is overhyped

    •      39:56 Achieving a favorable outcome


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]]> 2853 Ep 131: Thomas Mahnken on Strategic Fallacies (War in Ukraine #3) Thomas Mahnken, President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about how strategic fallacies have played a role in Ukraine. ▪️ Times      •      01:33 Introduction      •      02:30 Fallacies of rationality      •      05:36 Is war irrational?      •      10:02 Germany willed WWI to happen     •      15:40 Fallacy of the irrational/hyper-rational adversary       •      22:53 Rational/irrational Hitler      •      28:09 Wrapped around the rational axle         •      30:34 Fallacy of over/underestimating the adversary     •      37:53 Losing the contingency       •      41:08 Fallacies of interaction         •      45:56 Learning but not doing     •      50:53 Building defenses against fallacies Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 09 Jul 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 131: Thomas Mahnken on Strategic Fallacies (War in Ukraine #3) full The Free Press Thomas Mahnken, President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about how strategic fallacies have played a role in Ukraine. Thomas Mahnken, President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about how strategic fallacies have played a role in Ukraine. ▪️ Times      •      01:33 Introduction      •      02:30 Fallacies of rationality      •      05:36 Is war irrational?      •      10:02 Germany willed WWI to happen     •      15:40 Fallacy of the irrational/hyper-rational adversary       •      22:53 Rational/irrational Hitler      •      28:09 Wrapped around the rational axle         •      30:34 Fallacy of over/underestimating the adversary     •      37:53 Losing the contingency       •      41:08 Fallacies of interaction         •      45:56 Learning but not doing     •      50:53 Building defenses against fallacies Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Thomas Mahnken, President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about how strategic fallacies have played a role in Ukraine.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:33 Introduction 

    •      02:30 Fallacies of rationality 

    •      05:36 Is war irrational? 

    •      10:02 Germany willed WWI to happen

    •      15:40 Fallacy of the irrational/hyper-rational adversary  

    •      22:53 Rational/irrational Hitler 

    •      28:09 Wrapped around the rational axle    

    •      30:34 Fallacy of over/underestimating the adversary

    •      37:53 Losing the contingency  

    •      41:08 Fallacies of interaction    

    •      45:56 Learning but not doing

    •      50:53 Building defenses against fallacies


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3311 Ep 130: John Spencer on Israel’s Unprecedented War (or, Urban Warfare 101) John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute and host of the Urban Warfare Project, joins the show to talk about urban combat and how Israel is fighting an unprecedented war against Hamas with justice and humanity. ▪️ Times      •      01:50 Introduction      •      02:08 Fighting and teaching     •      09:31 Changes in urban warfare     •      17:14 Terrain still matters     •      21:54 Israel’s unprecedented war       •      26:11 Learning on the ground      •      33:24 Genocide         •      43:57 The battle of Manila     •      49:41 Suffering is the strategic aim      •      51:04 Tunnels         •      55:51 Outthinking the enemy Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 02 Jul 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 130: John Spencer on Israel’s Unprecedented War (or, Urban Warfare 101) full The Free Press John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute and host of the Urban Warfare Project, joins the show to talk about urban combat and how Israel is fighting an unprecedented war against Hamas with justice and humanity. John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute and host of the Urban Warfare Project, joins the show to talk about urban combat and how Israel is fighting an unprecedented war against Hamas with justice and humanity. ▪️ Times      •      01:50 Introduction      •      02:08 Fighting and teaching     •      09:31 Changes in urban warfare     •      17:14 Terrain still matters     •      21:54 Israel’s unprecedented war       •      26:11 Learning on the ground      •      33:24 Genocide         •      43:57 The battle of Manila     •      49:41 Suffering is the strategic aim      •      51:04 Tunnels         •      55:51 Outthinking the enemy Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute and host of the Urban Warfare Project, joins the show to talk about urban combat and how Israel is fighting an unprecedented war against Hamas with justice and humanity.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:50 Introduction 

    •      02:08 Fighting and teaching

    •      09:31 Changes in urban warfare

    •      17:14 Terrain still matters

    •      21:54 Israel’s unprecedented war  

    •      26:11 Learning on the ground 

    •      33:24 Genocide    

    •      43:57 The battle of Manila

    •      49:41 Suffering is the strategic aim 

    •      51:04 Tunnels    

    •      55:51 Outthinking the enemy


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3538 Ep 129: Frank Gavin on Nuclear Strategy and Ukraine (War in Ukraine #2) Frank Gavin, the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and inaugural director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about nuclear strategy and the war in Ukraine. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction      •      01:53 What are nuclear weapons for?     •      04:15 Pervasive but not used     •      09:53 Invasion insurance     •      17:58 Better to be near-nuclear       •      22:26 How might Putin use nuclear weapons?      •      26:04 Learning by doing     •      33:48 “It’s all happening at once”     •      41:31 Rattling the saber works       •      48:04 “We will get them back”         •      50:07 History and Strategy Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World Tue, 25 Jun 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 129: Frank Gavin on Nuclear Strategy and Ukraine (War in Ukraine #2) full The Free Press Frank Gavin, the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and inaugural director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about nuclear strategy and the war in Ukraine. Frank Gavin, the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and inaugural director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about nuclear strategy and the war in Ukraine. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction      •      01:53 What are nuclear weapons for?     •      04:15 Pervasive but not used     •      09:53 Invasion insurance     •      17:58 Better to be near-nuclear       •      22:26 How might Putin use nuclear weapons?      •      26:04 Learning by doing     •      33:48 “It’s all happening at once”     •      41:31 Rattling the saber works       •      48:04 “We will get them back”         •      50:07 History and Strategy Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World Frank Gavin, the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and inaugural director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about nuclear strategy and the war in Ukraine.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:36 Introduction 

    •      01:53 What are nuclear weapons for?

    •      04:15 Pervasive but not used

    •      09:53 Invasion insurance

    •      17:58 Better to be near-nuclear  

    •      22:26 How might Putin use nuclear weapons? 

    •      26:04 Learning by doing

    •      33:48 “It’s all happening at once”

    •      41:31 Rattling the saber works  

    •      48:04 “We will get them back”    

    •      50:07 History and Strategy

Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Follow the link to buy the book - War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World

]]> 3201 Ep 128: Stephen Kotkin on Russia and Ukraine (War in Ukraine #1) Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about the war in Ukraine and what the endgame might look like. ▪️ Times      •      02:24 Introduction      •      05:09 Four victories     •      11:48 “Winning only on Twitter”     •      22:36 10/7 and Ukraine     •      28:27 Regime change in Russia       •      37:03 Keeping allies       •      45:24 Renting land armies         •      55:01 “European culturally but not Western”     Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World Tue, 18 Jun 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 128: Stephen Kotkin on Russia and Ukraine (War in Ukraine #1) full The Free Press Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about the war in Ukraine and what the endgame might look like. Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about the war in Ukraine and what the endgame might look like. ▪️ Times      •      02:24 Introduction      •      05:09 Four victories     •      11:48 “Winning only on Twitter”     •      22:36 10/7 and Ukraine     •      28:27 Regime change in Russia       •      37:03 Keeping allies       •      45:24 Renting land armies         •      55:01 “European culturally but not Western”     Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and contributor to War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World, joins the show to talk about the war in Ukraine and what the endgame might look like.

▪️

Times 

    •      02:24 Introduction 

    •      05:09 Four victories

    •      11:48 “Winning only on Twitter”

    •      22:36 10/7 and Ukraine

    •      28:27 Regime change in Russia  

    •      37:03 Keeping allies  

    •      45:24 Renting land armies    

    •      55:01 “European culturally but not Western”    


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Follow the link to buy the book - War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World

]]> 3518 Ep 127: Robert Blackwill & Richard Fontaine on the Failed Pivot to Asia Robert Blackwill & Richard Fontaine, authors of Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power, join the show to talk about America’s failed pivot to Asia and why they think it still needs to happen. ▪️ Times      •      01:59 Introduction      •      03:10 Was the pivot serious?     •      07:40 Absent compulsion     •      13:25 War in Europe?     •      22:46 Changes to the plan       •      28:28 A bigger budget      •      32:23 Domestic resistance to TPP         •      38:25 The ultimate goal         •      44:36 Why not regime change in China?     •      51:08 Henry Kissinger Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power Tue, 11 Jun 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 127: Robert Blackwill & Richard Fontaine on the Failed Pivot to Asia full The Free Press Robert Blackwill & Richard Fontaine, authors of Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power, join the show to talk about America’s failed pivot to Asia and why they think it still needs to happen. Robert Blackwill & Richard Fontaine, authors of Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power, join the show to talk about America’s failed pivot to Asia and why they think it still needs to happen. ▪️ Times      •      01:59 Introduction      •      03:10 Was the pivot serious?     •      07:40 Absent compulsion     •      13:25 War in Europe?     •      22:46 Changes to the plan       •      28:28 A bigger budget      •      32:23 Domestic resistance to TPP         •      38:25 The ultimate goal         •      44:36 Why not regime change in China?     •      51:08 Henry Kissinger Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power Robert Blackwill & Richard Fontaine, authors of Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power, join the show to talk about America’s failed pivot to Asia and why they think it still needs to happen.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:59 Introduction 

    •      03:10 Was the pivot serious?

    •      07:40 Absent compulsion

    •      13:25 War in Europe?

    •      22:46 Changes to the plan  

    •      28:28 A bigger budget 

    •      32:23 Domestic resistance to TPP    

    •      38:25 The ultimate goal    

    •      44:36 Why not regime change in China?

    •      51:08 Henry Kissinger


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Follow the link to buy the book - Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power

]]> 3248 Ep 126: Michel Paradis on D-Day and Eisenhower Michel Paradis—litigator, national security law scholar, and author of The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower—joins the show to talk about D-Day and the man behind the invasion, Dwight Eisenhower. ▪️ Times      •      01:49 Introduction      •      01:56 “Wildly under appreciated”     •      05:17 Upbringing       •      11:40 Seeing the world as it is     •      15:01 Not that long ago       •      22:14 British vs American plans     •      32:50 Using strategic advantages         •      36:03 Designing D-Day        •      46:58 Planning for failure Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower Tue, 04 Jun 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 126: Michel Paradis on D-Day and Eisenhower full The Free Press Michel Paradis—litigator, national security law scholar, and author of The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower—joins the show to talk about D-Day and the man behind the invasion, Dwight Eisenhower. Michel Paradis—litigator, national security law scholar, and author of The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower—joins the show to talk about D-Day and the man behind the invasion, Dwight Eisenhower. ▪️ Times      •      01:49 Introduction      •      01:56 “Wildly under appreciated”     •      05:17 Upbringing       •      11:40 Seeing the world as it is     •      15:01 Not that long ago       •      22:14 British vs American plans     •      32:50 Using strategic advantages         •      36:03 Designing D-Day        •      46:58 Planning for failure Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower Michel Paradis—litigator, national security law scholar, and author of The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower—joins the show to talk about D-Day and the man behind the invasion, Dwight Eisenhower.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:49 Introduction 

    •      01:56 “Wildly under appreciated”

    •      05:17 Upbringing  

    •      11:40 Seeing the world as it is

    •      15:01 Not that long ago  

    •      22:14 British vs American plans

    •      32:50 Using strategic advantages    

    •      36:03 Designing D-Day   

    •      46:58 Planning for failure


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Follow the link to buy the book - The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower

]]> 2976 Ep 125: Nick Bunker on America and the Early Cold War Nick Bunker, journalist and author of In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950, joins the show to talk about the first decade of the Cold War. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction      •      02:26 Countdown to war     •      05:17 Biden and Truman       •      09:05 A failure of American policy?     •      13:09 Present at the Creation       •      21:16 Stalin’s view of the world     •      25:50 Stalin and China         •      30:44 Developing nuclear thinking       •      32:39 Robert Taft     •      38:01 No choice but to defend Korea     •      46:44 NSC-68 Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950 Tue, 28 May 2024 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 125: Nick Bunker on America and the Early Cold War full The Free Press Nick Bunker, journalist and author of In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950, joins the show to talk about the first decade of the Cold War. Nick Bunker, journalist and author of In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950, joins the show to talk about the first decade of the Cold War. ▪️ Times      •      01:36 Introduction      •      02:26 Countdown to war     •      05:17 Biden and Truman       •      09:05 A failure of American policy?     •      13:09 Present at the Creation       •      21:16 Stalin’s view of the world     •      25:50 Stalin and China         •      30:44 Developing nuclear thinking       •      32:39 Robert Taft     •      38:01 No choice but to defend Korea     •      46:44 NSC-68 Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950 Nick Bunker, journalist and author of In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950, joins the show to talk about the first decade of the Cold War.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:36 Introduction 

    •      02:26 Countdown to war

    •      05:17 Biden and Truman  

    •      09:05 A failure of American policy?

    •      13:09 Present at the Creation  

    •      21:16 Stalin’s view of the world

    •      25:50 Stalin and China    

    •      30:44 Developing nuclear thinking  

    •      32:39 Robert Taft

    •      38:01 No choice but to defend Korea

    •      46:44 NSC-68


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Follow the link to buy the book - In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950

]]> 3150 Ep 124: Shane Brennan on Xenophon and Leadership Shane Brennan, Associate Professor of History and Classics at the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh and author of Xenophon's Anabasis: A Socratic History, joins the show to talk about why the Anabasis remains an important part of the Western canon of military writing. ▪️ Times      •      01:30 Introduction      •      02:05 Dubai to Bangladesh     •      05:37 Xenophon’s start       •      09:25 Several levels of failure     •      12:37 “An exemplary Socratic student”       •      14:40 Fighting for the Persians     •      17:18 Cyrus the Younger         •      20:46 A leader emerges       •      29:41 “How was he so right?”      •      36:43 Matterhorn     •      38:33 Exile     •      42:01 An instruction on leadership     •      44:16 “There is always something there…” Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - Xenophon's Anabasis: A Socratic History Tue, 21 May 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 124: Shane Brennan on Xenophon and Leadership full The Free Press Shane Brennan, Associate Professor of History and Classics at the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh and author of Xenophon's Anabasis: A Socratic History, joins the show to talk about why the Anabasis remains an important part of the Western canon of military writing. Shane Brennan, Associate Professor of History and Classics at the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh and author of Xenophon's Anabasis: A Socratic History, joins the show to talk about why the Anabasis remains an important part of the Western canon of military writing. ▪️ Times      •      01:30 Introduction      •      02:05 Dubai to Bangladesh     •      05:37 Xenophon’s start       •      09:25 Several levels of failure     •      12:37 “An exemplary Socratic student”       •      14:40 Fighting for the Persians     •      17:18 Cyrus the Younger         •      20:46 A leader emerges       •      29:41 “How was he so right?”      •      36:43 Matterhorn     •      38:33 Exile     •      42:01 An instruction on leadership     •      44:16 “There is always something there…” Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - Xenophon's Anabasis: A Socratic History Shane Brennan, Associate Professor of History and Classics at the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh and author of Xenophon's Anabasis: A Socratic History, joins the show to talk about why the Anabasis remains an important part of the Western canon of military writing.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:30 Introduction 

    •      02:05 Dubai to Bangladesh

    •      05:37 Xenophon’s start  

    •      09:25 Several levels of failure

    •      12:37 “An exemplary Socratic student”  

    •      14:40 Fighting for the Persians

    •      17:18 Cyrus the Younger    

    •      20:46 A leader emerges  

    •      29:41 “How was he so right?” 

    •      36:43 Matterhorn

    •      38:33 Exile

    •      42:01 An instruction on leadership

    •      44:16 “There is always something there…”


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Follow the link to buy the book - Xenophon's Anabasis: A Socratic History

]]> 2738 Ep 123: Sergey Radchenko on Soviet Motivations in the Cold War Sergey Radchenko, Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power, joins the show to talk about the strategic aims of the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War and how the Soviets attempted to run the world. ▪️ Times      •      01:17 Introduction      •      02:32 A novel argument     •      08:36 Power and recognition       •      11:51 Who started the Cold War?     •      14:55 The American dilemma       •      17:09 Fukuyama     •      21:21 Nuclear guarantees         •      25:16 The shadow of WWII       •      29:44 Flippancy and boredom      •      32:06 Détente     •      32:12 Backstabbing     •      37:52 American lecturing     •      45:39 Sources of Soviet collapse Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power Tue, 14 May 2024 10:10:00 -0000 Ep 123: Sergey Radchenko on Soviet Motivations in the Cold War full The Free Press Sergey Radchenko, Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power,joins the show to talk about the strategic aims of the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War and how the Soviets attempted to run the world. Sergey Radchenko, Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power, joins the show to talk about the strategic aims of the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War and how the Soviets attempted to run the world. ▪️ Times      •      01:17 Introduction      •      02:32 A novel argument     •      08:36 Power and recognition       •      11:51 Who started the Cold War?     •      14:55 The American dilemma       •      17:09 Fukuyama     •      21:21 Nuclear guarantees         •      25:16 The shadow of WWII       •      29:44 Flippancy and boredom      •      32:06 Détente     •      32:12 Backstabbing     •      37:52 American lecturing     •      45:39 Sources of Soviet collapse Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Follow the link to buy the book - To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power Sergey Radchenko, Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power, joins the show to talk about the strategic aims of the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War and how the Soviets attempted to run the world.

▪️

Times 

    •      01:17 Introduction 

    •      02:32 A novel argument

    •      08:36 Power and recognition  

    •      11:51 Who started the Cold War?

    •      14:55 The American dilemma  

    •      17:09 Fukuyama

    •      21:21 Nuclear guarantees    

    •      25:16 The shadow of WWII  

    •      29:44 Flippancy and boredom 

    •      32:06 Détente

    •      32:12 Backstabbing

    •      37:52 American lecturing

    •      45:39 Sources of Soviet collapse


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Follow the link to buy the book - To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power

]]> 2972  Ep 122: Mike Gallagher and Matt Pottinger on a Victory Strategy for China Mike Gallagher and Matt Pottinger join the show to discuss their recent Foreign Affairs essay on the need for a victory strategy in America’s cold war with China. ▪️  Times      •      01:53 Introduction      •      03:25 Meeting in Iraq     •      07:43 “There are bad guys…”     •      13:15 Why detente isn’t working       •      23:45 Real statesmanship?     •      32:12 Rearm/Reduce/Recruit      •      35:20 TikTok Follow along  on Instagram Read the Foreign Affairs piece here No Substitute for Victory America’s Competition With China Must Be Won, Not Managed  Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 07 May 2024 10:00:00 -0000  Ep 122: Mike Gallagher and Matt Pottinger on a Victory Strategy for China full The Free Press Mike Gallagher and Matt Pottinger join the show to discuss their recent Foreign Affairs essay on the need for a victory strategy in America’s cold war with China. Mike Gallagher and Matt Pottinger join the show to discuss their recent Foreign Affairs essay on the need for a victory strategy in America’s cold war with China. ▪️  Times      •      01:53 Introduction      •      03:25 Meeting in Iraq     •      07:43 “There are bad guys…”     •      13:15 Why detente isn’t working       •      23:45 Real statesmanship?     •      32:12 Rearm/Reduce/Recruit      •      35:20 TikTok Follow along  on Instagram Read the Foreign Affairs piece here No Substitute for Victory America’s Competition With China Must Be Won, Not Managed  Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Mike Gallagher and Matt Pottinger join the show to discuss their recent Foreign Affairs essay on the need for a victory strategy in America’s cold war with China.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:53 Introduction 

    •      03:25 Meeting in Iraq

    •      07:43 “There are bad guys…”

    •      13:15 Why detente isn’t working  

    •      23:45 Real statesmanship?

    •      32:12 Rearm/Reduce/Recruit 

    •      35:20 TikTok

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Read the Foreign Affairs piece here No Substitute for Victory America’s Competition With China Must Be Won, Not Managed 

Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2190 Ep 121: Andy Lowery on Drones and Directed Energy Andy Lowery, CEO of EPIRUS and a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, joins the show to talk about directed energy weapons on the modern battlefield. ▪️  Times      •      01:45 Introduction      •      02:02 Before EPIRUS     •      06:29 Drones on the battlefield     •      13:30 Current countermeasures      •      19:40 An answer for autonomy     •      21:32 How does it all work?      •      29:54 Beam specs      •      33:45 Sci-fi but familiar     •      38:11 Gallium nitride     •      40:31 Cat and mouse game Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 121: Andy Lowery on Drones and Directed Energy full The Free Press Andy Lowery, CEO of EPIRUS and a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, joins the show to talk about directed energy weapons on the modern battlefield. Andy Lowery, CEO of EPIRUS and a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, joins the show to talk about directed energy weapons on the modern battlefield. ▪️  Times      •      01:45 Introduction      •      02:02 Before EPIRUS     •      06:29 Drones on the battlefield     •      13:30 Current countermeasures      •      19:40 An answer for autonomy     •      21:32 How does it all work?      •      29:54 Beam specs      •      33:45 Sci-fi but familiar     •      38:11 Gallium nitride     •      40:31 Cat and mouse game Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Andy Lowery, CEO of EPIRUS and a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, joins the show to talk about directed energy weapons on the modern battlefield.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:45 Introduction 

    •      02:02 Before EPIRUS

    •      06:29 Drones on the battlefield

    •      13:30 Current countermeasures 

    •      19:40 An answer for autonomy

    •      21:32 How does it all work? 

    •      29:54 Beam specs 

    •      33:45 Sci-fi but familiar

    •      38:11 Gallium nitride

    •      40:31 Cat and mouse game


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2879 Ep 120: Iskander Rehman on the Emperor Tiberius and American Primacy Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at the Johns Hopkins SAIS Kissinger Center and author of Iron Imperator: Roman Grand Strategy Under Tiberius, joins the show to talk about the military career and statecraft of Tiberius and what his career has to teach us today. ▪️  Times      •      02:32 Introduction      •      03:29 The Pentagon and Rome     •      07:29 Why Tiberius?     •      15:04 Parallels      •      18:26 Germania     •      22:38 Roman criticism      •      28:03 Auxiliaries and proxies      •      32:09 Diplomacy and a recruitment crisis     •      34:00 A brilliant military career     •      37:17 Force structure     •      41:18 Parthian Cold War Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Iron Imperator: Roman Grand Strategy Under Tiberius Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 120: Iskander Rehman on the Emperor Tiberius and American Primacy full The Free Press Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at the Johns Hopkins SAIS Kissinger Center and author of Iron Imperator: Roman Grand Strategy Under Tiberius, joins the show to talk about the military career and statecraft of Tiberius and what his career has to teach us today. Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at the Johns Hopkins SAIS Kissinger Center and author of Iron Imperator: Roman Grand Strategy Under Tiberius, joins the show to talk about the military career and statecraft of Tiberius and what his career has to teach us today. ▪️  Times      •      02:32 Introduction      •      03:29 The Pentagon and Rome     •      07:29 Why Tiberius?     •      15:04 Parallels      •      18:26 Germania     •      22:38 Roman criticism      •      28:03 Auxiliaries and proxies      •      32:09 Diplomacy and a recruitment crisis     •      34:00 A brilliant military career     •      37:17 Force structure     •      41:18 Parthian Cold War Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Iron Imperator: Roman Grand Strategy Under Tiberius Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at the Johns Hopkins SAIS Kissinger Center and author of Iron Imperator: Roman Grand Strategy Under Tiberius, joins the show to talk about the military career and statecraft of Tiberius and what his career has to teach us today.

▪️

 Times 

    •      02:32 Introduction 

    •      03:29 The Pentagon and Rome

    •      07:29 Why Tiberius?

    •      15:04 Parallels 

    •      18:26 Germania

    •      22:38 Roman criticism 

    •      28:03 Auxiliaries and proxies 

    •      32:09 Diplomacy and a recruitment crisis

    •      34:00 A brilliant military career

    •      37:17 Force structure

    •      41:18 Parthian Cold War


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Buy the book here - Iron Imperator: Roman Grand Strategy Under Tiberius

]]> 2652 Ep 119: Yaroslav Trofimov on the War in Ukraine Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign-affairs correspondent at The Wall Street Journal and author of Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence, joins the show to talk about the early days of Russia’s war in Ukraine, how the battlefield has evolved, and where the war may be headed. ▪️  Times      •      01:48 Introduction      •      02:06 Growing up Ukranian     •      05:03 The collapse of Kabul     •      07:40 Leadership counts      •      10:14 Zelensky     •      16:20 How did Putin get Ukraine so wrong?      •      19:49 Touch and go     •      22:45 Draft confusion     •      26:09 Battlefield evolution     •      30:42 Countermeasures     •      34:33 Washington’s tepid support     •      38:11 Possible futures      •      40:26 Trump Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence Tue, 16 Apr 2024 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 119: Yaroslav Trofimov on the War in Ukraine full The Free Press Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign-affairs correspondent at The Wall Street Journal and author of Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence, joins the show to talk about the early days of Russia’s war in Ukraine, how the battlefield has evolved, and where the war may be headed. Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign-affairs correspondent at The Wall Street Journal and author of Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence, joins the show to talk about the early days of Russia’s war in Ukraine, how the battlefield has evolved, and where the war may be headed. ▪️  Times      •      01:48 Introduction      •      02:06 Growing up Ukranian     •      05:03 The collapse of Kabul     •      07:40 Leadership counts      •      10:14 Zelensky     •      16:20 How did Putin get Ukraine so wrong?      •      19:49 Touch and go     •      22:45 Draft confusion     •      26:09 Battlefield evolution     •      30:42 Countermeasures     •      34:33 Washington’s tepid support     •      38:11 Possible futures      •      40:26 Trump Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign-affairs correspondent at The Wall Street Journal and author of Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence, joins the show to talk about the early days of Russia’s war in Ukraine, how the battlefield has evolved, and where the war may be headed.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:48 Introduction 

    •      02:06 Growing up Ukranian

    •      05:03 The collapse of Kabul

    •      07:40 Leadership counts 

    •      10:14 Zelensky

    •      16:20 How did Putin get Ukraine so wrong? 

    •      19:49 Touch and go

    •      22:45 Draft confusion

    •      26:09 Battlefield evolution

    •      30:42 Countermeasures

    •      34:33 Washington’s tepid support

    •      38:11 Possible futures 

    •      40:26 Trump


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Buy the book here - Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence

]]> 2715 Ep 118: Michael Doran on Is Hamas Winning? Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute and co-host of the podcast Counterbalance, joins the show to talk about the Israel-Hamas war and the broader regional competition with Iran. ▪️  Times      •      02:04 Introduction      •      04:01 Is Hamas winning?     •      10:29 Fighting the clocks     •      13:10 Defeat from the jaws of victory      •      18:24 An Iranian-American conflict     •      22:44 Managing decline      •      26:40 Lessons not learned     •      33:00 The Iranian nuclear umbrella Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 09 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 118: Michael Doran on Is Hamas Winning? full The Free Press Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute and co-host of the podcast Counterbalance, joins the show to talk about the Israel-Hamas war and the broader regional competition with Iran. Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute and co-host of the podcast Counterbalance, joins the show to talk about the Israel-Hamas war and the broader regional competition with Iran. ▪️  Times      •      02:04 Introduction      •      04:01 Is Hamas winning?     •      10:29 Fighting the clocks     •      13:10 Defeat from the jaws of victory      •      18:24 An Iranian-American conflict     •      22:44 Managing decline      •      26:40 Lessons not learned     •      33:00 The Iranian nuclear umbrella Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute and co-host of the podcast Counterbalance, joins the show to talk about the Israel-Hamas war and the broader regional competition with Iran.

▪️

 Times 

    •      02:04 Introduction 

    •      04:01 Is Hamas winning?

    •      10:29 Fighting the clocks

    •      13:10 Defeat from the jaws of victory 

    •      18:24 An Iranian-American conflict

    •      22:44 Managing decline 

    •      26:40 Lessons not learned

    •      33:00 The Iranian nuclear umbrella


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2202 Ep 117: Shlomo Brody on the Ethics of War Rabbi Shlomo Brody, executive director of Ematai and author of Ethics of Our Fighters: A Jewish View on War and Morality, joins the show to talk about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the Jewish tradition of military ethics. ▪️  Times      •      01:28 Introduction      •      04:04 Just war     •      07:27 The Bible as a framework     •      13:34 International service      •      18:33 Reprisals     •      21:37 Purity of arms      •      27:09 Collateral damage     •      33:41 International law     •      35:48 Proportionality      •      39:40 A dangerous ideology   Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:23:00 -0000 Ep 117: Shlomo Brody on the Ethics of War full The Free Press Rabbi Shlomo Brody, executive director of Ematai and author of Ethics of Our Fighters: A Jewish View on War and Morality, joins the show to talk about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the Jewish tradition of military ethics. Rabbi Shlomo Brody, executive director of Ematai and author of Ethics of Our Fighters: A Jewish View on War and Morality, joins the show to talk about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the Jewish tradition of military ethics. ▪️  Times      •      01:28 Introduction      •      04:04 Just war     •      07:27 The Bible as a framework     •      13:34 International service      •      18:33 Reprisals     •      21:37 Purity of arms      •      27:09 Collateral damage     •      33:41 International law     •      35:48 Proportionality      •      39:40 A dangerous ideology   Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Rabbi Shlomo Brody, executive director of Ematai and author of Ethics of Our Fighters: A Jewish View on War and Morality, joins the show to talk about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the Jewish tradition of military ethics.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:28 Introduction 

    •      04:04 Just war

    •      07:27 The Bible as a framework

    •      13:34 International service 

    •      18:33 Reprisals

    •      21:37 Purity of arms 

    •      27:09 Collateral damage

    •      33:41 International law

    •      35:48 Proportionality 

    •      39:40 A dangerous ideology  


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2741 Ep 116: David Stahel on Guderian and Hitler’s Panzer Generals David Stahel, associate professor of history at the University of New South Wales and author of Hitler's Panzer Generals: Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded, joins the show to talk about Heinz Guderian, the myth and the man. ▪️  Times      •      01:38 Introduction      •      02:57 Diving into the letters     •      08:43 Debunking     •      15:30 A sinister figure       •      19:39 Achtung - Panzer!       •      27:37 Guderian the Nazi      •      33:42 Poland and France      •      45:49 Russia       •      50:50 Barbarossa bound to fail?     •      54:48 Guderian the chameleon    Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Hitler's Panzer Generals: Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 116: David Stahel on Guderian and Hitler’s Panzer Generals full The Free Press David Stahel, associate professor of history at the University of New South Wales and author of Hitler's Panzer Generals: Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded, joins the show to talk about Heinz Guderian, the myth and the man. David Stahel, associate professor of history at the University of New South Wales and author of Hitler's Panzer Generals: Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded, joins the show to talk about Heinz Guderian, the myth and the man. ▪️  Times      •      01:38 Introduction      •      02:57 Diving into the letters     •      08:43 Debunking     •      15:30 A sinister figure       •      19:39 Achtung - Panzer!       •      27:37 Guderian the Nazi      •      33:42 Poland and France      •      45:49 Russia       •      50:50 Barbarossa bound to fail?     •      54:48 Guderian the chameleon    Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Hitler's Panzer Generals: Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded David Stahel, associate professor of history at the University of New South Wales and author of Hitler's Panzer Generals: Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded, joins the show to talk about Heinz Guderian, the myth and the man.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:38 Introduction 

    •      02:57 Diving into the letters

    •      08:43 Debunking

    •      15:30 A sinister figure  

    •      19:39 Achtung - Panzer!  

    •      27:37 Guderian the Nazi 

    •      33:42 Poland and France 

    •      45:49 Russia  

    •      50:50 Barbarossa bound to fail?

    •      54:48 Guderian the chameleon   


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Buy the book here - Hitler's Panzer Generals: Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded

]]> 3784 Ep 115: Stephen Robinson on the Case against John Boyd Stephen Robinson, author of The Blind Strategist: John Boyd and the American Art of War, joins the show to talk about Boyd, the man who developed the concept of “maneuver warfare,” and what Boyd may have gotten wrong. ▪️  Times      •      01:21 Introduction      •      02:24 “A genuine polymath”     •      04:20 The OODA Loop     •      07:39 J.F.C. Fuller and B.H. Liddell Hart       •      13:28 The conventional blitzkrieg       •      19:26 Maneuver warfare      •      25:01 Cannae      •      29:07 Tactical success to operational failure       •      34:07 Post-Vietnam U.S. military woes     •      37:24 Active defense        •      43:31 Skeptical of technology     •      48:07 The Defense Reform Movement        •      53:50 Iraqi Freedom Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - The Blind Strategist: John Boyd and the American Art of War Tue, 19 Mar 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Ep 115: Stephen Robinson on the Case against John Boyd full The Free Press Stephen Robinson, author of The Blind Strategist: John Boyd and the American Art of War, joins the show to talk about Boyd, the man who developed the concept of “maneuver warfare,” and what Boyd may have gotten wrong. Stephen Robinson, author of The Blind Strategist: John Boyd and the American Art of War, joins the show to talk about Boyd, the man who developed the concept of “maneuver warfare,” and what Boyd may have gotten wrong. ▪️  Times      •      01:21 Introduction      •      02:24 “A genuine polymath”     •      04:20 The OODA Loop     •      07:39 J.F.C. Fuller and B.H. Liddell Hart       •      13:28 The conventional blitzkrieg       •      19:26 Maneuver warfare      •      25:01 Cannae      •      29:07 Tactical success to operational failure       •      34:07 Post-Vietnam U.S. military woes     •      37:24 Active defense        •      43:31 Skeptical of technology     •      48:07 The Defense Reform Movement        •      53:50 Iraqi Freedom Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - The Blind Strategist: John Boyd and the American Art of War Stephen Robinson, author of The Blind Strategist: John Boyd and the American Art of War, joins the show to talk about Boyd, the man who developed the concept of “maneuver warfare,” and what Boyd may have gotten wrong.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:21 Introduction 

    •      02:24 “A genuine polymath”

    •      04:20 The OODA Loop

    •      07:39 J.F.C. Fuller and B.H. Liddell Hart  

    •      13:28 The conventional blitzkrieg  

    •      19:26 Maneuver warfare 

    •      25:01 Cannae 

    •      29:07 Tactical success to operational failure  

    •      34:07 Post-Vietnam U.S. military woes

    •      37:24 Active defense   

    •      43:31 Skeptical of technology

    •      48:07 The Defense Reform Movement   

    •      53:50 Iraqi Freedom


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Buy the book here - The Blind Strategist: John Boyd and the American Art of War

]]> 3367 Ep 114: Eric Edelman on the Foundations of Nuclear Strategy (New Makers of Modern Strategy #11) Eric Edelman, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Ambassador to Turkey and Finland, joins the show to talk about how nuclear strategic thinking began and how those debates resonate today. ▪️  Times      •      01:47 Introduction      •      02:45 Oppenheimer’s Borden in reality     •      07:00 Brodie and The Absolute Power     •      11:12 Deterrence before Hiroshima      •      13:15 Blackett and Fear, War, and the Bomb       •      19:40 Counter-value vs counter-force      •      37:33 Russian nuclear strategy       •      42:44 Extended deterrence        •      52:37 Pain tolerance    Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 12 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 114: Eric Edelman on the Foundations of Nuclear Strategy (New Makers of Modern Strategy #11) full The Free Press Eric Edelman, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Ambassador to Turkey and Finland, joins the show to talk about how nuclear strategic thinking began and how those debates resonate today. Eric Edelman, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Ambassador to Turkey and Finland, joins the show to talk about how nuclear strategic thinking began and how those debates resonate today. ▪️  Times      •      01:47 Introduction      •      02:45 Oppenheimer’s Borden in reality     •      07:00 Brodie and The Absolute Power     •      11:12 Deterrence before Hiroshima      •      13:15 Blackett and Fear, War, and the Bomb       •      19:40 Counter-value vs counter-force      •      37:33 Russian nuclear strategy       •      42:44 Extended deterrence        •      52:37 Pain tolerance    Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Eric Edelman, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Ambassador to Turkey and Finland, joins the show to talk about how nuclear strategic thinking began and how those debates resonate today.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:47 Introduction 

    •      02:45 Oppenheimer’s Borden in reality

    •      07:00 Brodie and The Absolute Power

    •      11:12 Deterrence before Hiroshima 

    •      13:15 Blackett and Fear, War, and the Bomb  

    •      19:40 Counter-value vs counter-force 

    •      37:33 Russian nuclear strategy  

    •      42:44 Extended deterrence   

    •      52:37 Pain tolerance

  

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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3401 Ep 113: Rebeccah Heinrichs on Today’s Crisis of American Deterrence Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative, joins the show to talk about the state of U.S. deterrence of Russia, Iran, and China—and what Washington could be doing better. ▪️  Times      •      01:42 Introduction      •      02:18 Conventional and strategic deterrence     •      04:06 A failure of strategic deterrence     •      09:38 Integrated deterrence      •      13:33 Putin is committed to the bit       •      15:36 If Russia wins, what’s it to the US?      •      19:16 Options if Russia uses nuclear weapons     •      24:06 The pendulum keeps swinging       •      28:20 Washington’s confusion regarding Iran and Israel     •      31:56 Red Sea adrift     •      36:00 China and the rest     •      40:01 Pacific flashpoints    Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 05 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 113: Rebeccah Heinrichs on Today’s Crisis of American Deterrence full The Free Press Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative, joins the show to talk about the state of U.S. deterrence of Russia, Iran, and China—and what Washington could be doing better. Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative, joins the show to talk about the state of U.S. deterrence of Russia, Iran, and China—and what Washington could be doing better. ▪️  Times      •      01:42 Introduction      •      02:18 Conventional and strategic deterrence     •      04:06 A failure of strategic deterrence     •      09:38 Integrated deterrence      •      13:33 Putin is committed to the bit       •      15:36 If Russia wins, what’s it to the US?      •      19:16 Options if Russia uses nuclear weapons     •      24:06 The pendulum keeps swinging       •      28:20 Washington’s confusion regarding Iran and Israel     •      31:56 Red Sea adrift     •      36:00 China and the rest     •      40:01 Pacific flashpoints    Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative, joins the show to talk about the state of U.S. deterrence of Russia, Iran, and China—and what Washington could be doing better.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:42 Introduction 

    •      02:18 Conventional and strategic deterrence

    •      04:06 A failure of strategic deterrence

    •      09:38 Integrated deterrence 

    •      13:33 Putin is committed to the bit  

    •      15:36 If Russia wins, what’s it to the US? 

    •      19:16 Options if Russia uses nuclear weapons

    •      24:06 The pendulum keeps swinging  

    •      28:20 Washington’s confusion regarding Iran and Israel

    •      31:56 Red Sea adrift

    •      36:00 China and the rest

    •      40:01 Pacific flashpoints

  

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]]> 2612 Ep 112: Paul Scharre on AI 101 Paul Scharre, Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at CNAS and author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, joins the show to talk about how AI will change the battlefield. ▪️  Times      •      01:38 Introduction      •      01:54 Becoming a Ranger     •      03:48 A defining moment      •      07:25 A historical parallel for AI     •      11:16 Hardware      •      14:10 “Taiwan is the Saudi Arabia of chips”      •      16:20 Military applications     •      19:37 Battle damage assessment and AI tracking       •      22:50 Autonomous weapons     •      27:50 Legal, ethical, and control issues     •      30:08 Battlefield applications     •      32:43 Operational ability      •      36:51 WMDs     •      40:09 Countermeasures      •      43:53 Transportable?     •      46:40 AI and nuclear weapons Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Tue, 27 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 112: Paul Scharre on AI 101 full The Free Press Paul Scharre, Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at CNAS and author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, joins the show to talk about how AI will change the battlefield. Paul Scharre, Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at CNAS and author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, joins the show to talk about how AI will change the battlefield. ▪️  Times      •      01:38 Introduction      •      01:54 Becoming a Ranger     •      03:48 A defining moment      •      07:25 A historical parallel for AI     •      11:16 Hardware      •      14:10 “Taiwan is the Saudi Arabia of chips”      •      16:20 Military applications     •      19:37 Battle damage assessment and AI tracking       •      22:50 Autonomous weapons     •      27:50 Legal, ethical, and control issues     •      30:08 Battlefield applications     •      32:43 Operational ability      •      36:51 WMDs     •      40:09 Countermeasures      •      43:53 Transportable?     •      46:40 AI and nuclear weapons Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Paul Scharre, Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at CNAS and author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, joins the show to talk about how AI will change the battlefield.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:38 Introduction 

    •      01:54 Becoming a Ranger

    •      03:48 A defining moment 

    •      07:25 A historical parallel for AI

    •      11:16 Hardware 

    •      14:10 “Taiwan is the Saudi Arabia of chips” 

    •      16:20 Military applications

    •      19:37 Battle damage assessment and AI tracking  

    •      22:50 Autonomous weapons

    •      27:50 Legal, ethical, and control issues

    •      30:08 Battlefield applications

    •      32:43 Operational ability 

    •      36:51 WMDs

    •      40:09 Countermeasures 

    •      43:53 Transportable?

    •      46:40 AI and nuclear weapons


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Buy the book here - Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence



]]> 2984 Ep 111: Prit Buttar on the Siege of Leningrad and War in the East Prit Buttar, historian and author of To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941–42, joins the show to talk about the siege of Leningrad and about the nature of war on the Eastern Front.  ▪️  Times      •      01:56 Introduction      •      02:10 A familiar story     •      06:09 Themes of the Eastern Front      •      13:19 From Tsar to Stalin to Putin     •      11:10 Barbarosa      •      19:45 An immense scale      •      27:29 Doctrinal failure     •      33:17 Inside the Russian mindset       •      37:21 The myth of the “Clean Wehrmacht”     •      40:20 The siege      •      49:15 Who stays?     •      51:18 How did the Germans fail?      •      01:03:25 Staying vigilant Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941–42 Tue, 20 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 111: Prit Buttar on the Siege of Leningrad and War in the East full The Free Press Prit Buttar, historian and author of To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941–42, joins the show to talk about the siege of Leningrad and about the nature of war on the Eastern Front. Prit Buttar, historian and author of To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941–42, joins the show to talk about the siege of Leningrad and about the nature of war on the Eastern Front.  ▪️  Times      •      01:56 Introduction      •      02:10 A familiar story     •      06:09 Themes of the Eastern Front      •      13:19 From Tsar to Stalin to Putin     •      11:10 Barbarosa      •      19:45 An immense scale      •      27:29 Doctrinal failure     •      33:17 Inside the Russian mindset       •      37:21 The myth of the “Clean Wehrmacht”     •      40:20 The siege      •      49:15 Who stays?     •      51:18 How did the Germans fail?      •      01:03:25 Staying vigilant Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941–42 Prit Buttar, historian and author of To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941–42, joins the show to talk about the siege of Leningrad and about the nature of war on the Eastern Front. 

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:56 Introduction 

    •      02:10 A familiar story

    •      06:09 Themes of the Eastern Front 

    •      13:19 From Tsar to Stalin to Putin

    •      11:10 Barbarosa 

    •      19:45 An immense scale 

    •      27:29 Doctrinal failure

    •      33:17 Inside the Russian mindset  

    •      37:21 The myth of the “Clean Wehrmacht”

    •      40:20 The siege 

    •      49:15 Who stays?

    •      51:18 How did the Germans fail? 

    •      01:03:25 Staying vigilant


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Buy the book here - To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941–42



]]> 4031 Ep 110: Thomas Mahnken on Net Assessment Thomas Mahnken, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, joins the show to talk about net assessment and the future of war. ▪️  Times      •      01:39 Introduction      •      02:02 An interesting journey     •      03:33 The Office of Net Assessment      •      09:49 A tool, not a solution      •      13:19 Both quantity and quality matter      •      15:05 Soviet thinking      •      19:20 Leveraging insight      •      23:11 Potential outcomes     •      28:35 “The Houthis have friends.”       •      33:19 Danger and opportunity      •      37:20 The terms of success change     •      43:14 Solving the problem of the moment Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 13 Feb 2024 11:20:00 -0000 Ep 110: Thomas Mahnken on Net Assessment full The Free Press Thomas Mahnken, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, joins the show to talk about net assessment and the future of war. Thomas Mahnken, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, joins the show to talk about net assessment and the future of war. ▪️  Times      •      01:39 Introduction      •      02:02 An interesting journey     •      03:33 The Office of Net Assessment      •      09:49 A tool, not a solution      •      13:19 Both quantity and quality matter      •      15:05 Soviet thinking      •      19:20 Leveraging insight      •      23:11 Potential outcomes     •      28:35 “The Houthis have friends.”       •      33:19 Danger and opportunity      •      37:20 The terms of success change     •      43:14 Solving the problem of the moment Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Thomas Mahnken, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, joins the show to talk about net assessment and the future of war.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:39 Introduction 

    •      02:02 An interesting journey

    •      03:33 The Office of Net Assessment 

    •      09:49 A tool, not a solution 

    •      13:19 Both quantity and quality matter 

    •      15:05 Soviet thinking 

    •      19:20 Leveraging insight 

    •      23:11 Potential outcomes

    •      28:35 “The Houthis have friends.”  

    •      33:19 Danger and opportunity 

    •      37:20 The terms of success change

    •      43:14 Solving the problem of the moment


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2791 Ep 109: John Noonan on Nuclear Weapons and Policy John Noonan, senior advisor at POLARIS National Security, joins the show to talk about all things nuclear; the life of a missileer, the current U.S. arsenal and its production problems, the strategy of deterrence, and how Congressional oversight helps/hinders good government.  ▪️  Times      •      01:34 Introduction      •      02:04 VMI and the Air Force     •      05:13 Missileers      •      11:25 Targets of significance      •      16:33 Atrophy      •      22:18 Production problems      •      27:46 Congressional oversight      •      34:30 An unfocused military     •      44:17 Not getting it done      •      47:05 “Raw and abject stupidity” Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 06 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 109: John Noonan on Nuclear Weapons and Policy full The Free Press John Noonan, senior advisor at POLARIS National Security, joins the show to talk about all things nuclear; the life of a missileer, the current U.S. arsenal and its production problems, the strategy of deterrence, and how Congressional oversight helps/hinders good government. John Noonan, senior advisor at POLARIS National Security, joins the show to talk about all things nuclear; the life of a missileer, the current U.S. arsenal and its production problems, the strategy of deterrence, and how Congressional oversight helps/hinders good government.  ▪️  Times      •      01:34 Introduction      •      02:04 VMI and the Air Force     •      05:13 Missileers      •      11:25 Targets of significance      •      16:33 Atrophy      •      22:18 Production problems      •      27:46 Congressional oversight      •      34:30 An unfocused military     •      44:17 Not getting it done      •      47:05 “Raw and abject stupidity” Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack John Noonan, senior advisor at POLARIS National Security, joins the show to talk about all things nuclear; the life of a missileer, the current U.S. arsenal and its production problems, the strategy of deterrence, and how Congressional oversight helps/hinders good government. 

▪️

 Times 

    •      01:34 Introduction 

    •      02:04 VMI and the Air Force

    •      05:13 Missileers 

    •      11:25 Targets of significance 

    •      16:33 Atrophy 

    •      22:18 Production problems 

    •      27:46 Congressional oversight 

    •      34:30 An unfocused military

    •      44:17 Not getting it done 

    •      47:05 “Raw and abject stupidity”


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3323 Ep 108: Donald L. Miller on Masters of the Air Donald L. Miller, historian and author of Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany, the book behind Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, joins the show to talk about the air war over Europe during WWII. ▪️  Times      •      01 :41 Introduction      •      02:12 Growing up “surrounded by the war”     •      15:35 Both sides are losing      •      25:23 Highest percentage of casualties     •      34:36 Mass vs mass      •      37:20 A new battlefield      •      42:49 “Almost nothing held up.”      •      44:46 Robert Rosenthal      •      48:57 Working with Tom Hanks      •      53:51 Recreating air combat      •      56:02 Gil Cohen, Greyhound, and Das Boot      •      59:44 Narrative choices     •     01:06:36 The stress of command Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany  Tue, 30 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 108: Donald L. Miller on Masters of the Air full The Free Press Donald L. Miller, historian and author of Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany, the book behind Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, joins the show to talk about the air war over Europe during WWII. Donald L. Miller, historian and author of Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany, the book behind Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, joins the show to talk about the air war over Europe during WWII. ▪️  Times      •      01 :41 Introduction      •      02:12 Growing up “surrounded by the war”     •      15:35 Both sides are losing      •      25:23 Highest percentage of casualties     •      34:36 Mass vs mass      •      37:20 A new battlefield      •      42:49 “Almost nothing held up.”      •      44:46 Robert Rosenthal      •      48:57 Working with Tom Hanks      •      53:51 Recreating air combat      •      56:02 Gil Cohen, Greyhound, and Das Boot      •      59:44 Narrative choices     •     01:06:36 The stress of command Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Buy the book here - Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany  Donald L. Miller, historian and author of Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany, the book behind Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, joins the show to talk about the air war over Europe during WWII.

▪️

 Times 

    •      01 :41 Introduction 

    •      02:12 Growing up “surrounded by the war”

    •      15:35 Both sides are losing 

    •      25:23 Highest percentage of casualties

    •      34:36 Mass vs mass 

    •      37:20 A new battlefield 

    •      42:49 “Almost nothing held up.” 

    •      44:46 Robert Rosenthal 

    •      48:57 Working with Tom Hanks 

    •      53:51 Recreating air combat 

    •      56:02 Gil Cohen, Greyhound, and Das Boot 

    •      59:44 Narrative choices

    •     01:06:36 The stress of command


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


Buy the book here - Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany 

]]> 4252 Ep 107: John Orloff on Masters of the Air John Orloff, creator, writer and co-executive producer of Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, joins Aaron to talk about the new show highlighting the WWII experiences of the men of the 100th Bomb Group, a part of the 8th Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign over Europe. Masters of the Air streams January 26th only on Apple TV+. ▪️ Times    02:25 Introduction    03:00 Getting started   05:45 Band of Brothers    12:56 Finding the story   19:44 Masters of the Air    24:37 Core characters    30:12 Group level    32:11 Influences    37:38 Production challenges   40:25 Procedure as drama    43:50 Unique trauma    48:20 Casting Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 23 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 107: John Orloff on Masters of the Air full The Free Press John Orloff, creator, writer and co-executive producer of Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, joins Aaron to talk about the new show highlighting the WWII experiences of the men of the 100th Bomb Group, a part of the 8th Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign over Europe. Masters of the Air streams January 26th only on Apple TV+. John Orloff, creator, writer and co-executive producer of Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, joins Aaron to talk about the new show highlighting the WWII experiences of the men of the 100th Bomb Group, a part of the 8th Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign over Europe. Masters of the Air streams January 26th only on Apple TV+. ▪️ Times    02:25 Introduction    03:00 Getting started   05:45 Band of Brothers    12:56 Finding the story   19:44 Masters of the Air    24:37 Core characters    30:12 Group level    32:11 Influences    37:38 Production challenges   40:25 Procedure as drama    43:50 Unique trauma    48:20 Casting Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack John Orloff, creator, writer and co-executive producer of Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, joins Aaron to talk about the new show highlighting the WWII experiences of the men of the 100th Bomb Group, a part of the 8th Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign over Europe. Masters of the Air streams January 26th only on Apple TV+.

▪️

Times 

  •   02:25 Introduction 
  •   03:00 Getting started
  •   05:45 Band of Brothers 
  •   12:56 Finding the story
  •   19:44 Masters of the Air 
  •   24:37 Core characters 
  •   30:12 Group level 
  •   32:11 Influences 
  •   37:38 Production challenges
  •   40:25 Procedure as drama 
  •   43:50 Unique trauma 
  •   48:20 Casting


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3128 Ep 106: John McManus on the U.S. Army’s Pacific War John McManus, author of To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945 and host of the We Have Ways of Making You Talk in the USA podcast, joins the show to talk about why the U.S. Army’s war in the Pacific during WWII merit deeper study and recognition. ▪️ Times      •   02:12 Introduction      •   03:57 Lessons to be learned     •   05:32 The Army from Pearl to Tokyo      •   08:50 Winds of change     •   14:07 Europe first      •   21:16 Taiwan or the Philippines?      •   27:55 Battleground Manila      •   30:48 Bleeding the Americans     •   34:56 Failures in China     •   40:33 Chiang Kai-shek     •   45:07 Okinawa     •   48:06 Operation Downfall     •   52:24 Revisionist and reductionist history      •   55:19 Required reading Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack   Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 106: John McManus on the U.S. Army’s Pacific War full The Free Press John McManus, author of To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945 and host of the We Have Ways of Making You Talk in the USA podcast, joins the show to talk about why the U.S. Army’s war in the Pacific during WWII merit deeper study and recognition. John McManus, author of To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945 and host of the We Have Ways of Making You Talk in the USA podcast, joins the show to talk about why the U.S. Army’s war in the Pacific during WWII merit deeper study and recognition. ▪️ Times      •   02:12 Introduction      •   03:57 Lessons to be learned     •   05:32 The Army from Pearl to Tokyo      •   08:50 Winds of change     •   14:07 Europe first      •   21:16 Taiwan or the Philippines?      •   27:55 Battleground Manila      •   30:48 Bleeding the Americans     •   34:56 Failures in China     •   40:33 Chiang Kai-shek     •   45:07 Okinawa     •   48:06 Operation Downfall     •   52:24 Revisionist and reductionist history      •   55:19 Required reading Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack   John McManus, author of To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945 and host of the We Have Ways of Making You Talk in the USA podcast, joins the show to talk about why the U.S. Army’s war in the Pacific during WWII merit deeper study and recognition.

▪️

Times 

    •   02:12 Introduction 

    •   03:57 Lessons to be learned

    •   05:32 The Army from Pearl to Tokyo 

    •   08:50 Winds of change

    •   14:07 Europe first 

    •   21:16 Taiwan or the Philippines? 

    •   27:55 Battleground Manila 

    •   30:48 Bleeding the Americans

    •   34:56 Failures in China

    •   40:33 Chiang Kai-shek

    •   45:07 Okinawa

    •   48:06 Operation Downfall

    •   52:24 Revisionist and reductionist history 

    •   55:19 Required reading


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]]> 3719 Ep 105: Dmitry Filipoff on Modern Naval Tactics Dmitry Filipoff, head of online content at the Center for International Maritime Security, joins the show to talk about modern naval tactics and the readiness of the U.S. Navy for a surface engagement with the PLA Navy. ▪️ Times      •    01:26 Introduction      •    02:48 Evolution in naval warfare     •    05:46 Historical comps      •    08:01 Lessons from the Red Sea     •    09:37 Anti-ship missiles     •    12:16 DMO - Distributed Maritime Operations      •    15:00 What is the surface Navy’s purpose?     •    20:00 Massing fires     •    22:33 Defeating missile defenses     •    29:25 Scarcity and the network     •    34:12 Can the dynamic change?     •    37:13 Aircraft carriers     •    40:14 Is the U.S. Navy ready?      •    44:36 Exercises     •    47:51 Institutional knowledge     •    49:38 Is the PLAN ready? A FLEET ADRIFT: THE MOUNTING RISKS OF THE U.S. NAVY’S FORCE DEVELOPMENT Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 09 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 105: Dmitry Filipoff on Modern Naval Tactics full The Free Press Dmitry Filipoff, head of online content at the Center for International Maritime Security, joins the show to talk about modern naval tactics and the readiness of the U.S. Navy for a surface engagement with the PLA Navy. Dmitry Filipoff, head of online content at the Center for International Maritime Security, joins the show to talk about modern naval tactics and the readiness of the U.S. Navy for a surface engagement with the PLA Navy. ▪️ Times      •    01:26 Introduction      •    02:48 Evolution in naval warfare     •    05:46 Historical comps      •    08:01 Lessons from the Red Sea     •    09:37 Anti-ship missiles     •    12:16 DMO - Distributed Maritime Operations      •    15:00 What is the surface Navy’s purpose?     •    20:00 Massing fires     •    22:33 Defeating missile defenses     •    29:25 Scarcity and the network     •    34:12 Can the dynamic change?     •    37:13 Aircraft carriers     •    40:14 Is the U.S. Navy ready?      •    44:36 Exercises     •    47:51 Institutional knowledge     •    49:38 Is the PLAN ready? A FLEET ADRIFT: THE MOUNTING RISKS OF THE U.S. NAVY’S FORCE DEVELOPMENT Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Dmitry Filipoff, head of online content at the Center for International Maritime Security, joins the show to talk about modern naval tactics and the readiness of the U.S. Navy for a surface engagement with the PLA Navy.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:26 Introduction 

    •    02:48 Evolution in naval warfare

    •    05:46 Historical comps 

    •    08:01 Lessons from the Red Sea

    •    09:37 Anti-ship missiles

    •    12:16 DMO - Distributed Maritime Operations 

    •    15:00 What is the surface Navy’s purpose?

    •    20:00 Massing fires

    •    22:33 Defeating missile defenses

    •    29:25 Scarcity and the network

    •    34:12 Can the dynamic change?

    •    37:13 Aircraft carriers

    •    40:14 Is the U.S. Navy ready? 

    •    44:36 Exercises

    •    47:51 Institutional knowledge

    •    49:38 Is the PLAN ready?


A FLEET ADRIFT: THE MOUNTING RISKS OF THE U.S. NAVY’S FORCE DEVELOPMENT


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]]> 3153 Ep 104: Peter Feaver on “Wokeness,” Politics, and the Military Peter Feaver, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University and author of Thanks For Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the US Military, joins the show to talk about the state of civil-military relations in America, and to call for a truce on the issue of “wokism.” ▪️ Times      • 01:46 Introduction      • 2:40 Precedents     • 4:18 Citizen soldier to today      • 11:40 Expanding fissures     • 18:46 Downsides to a high approval rating     • 25:04 Isolationism and “wokeness”     • 33:56 Sloppy discourse     • 38:16 An echo of the ’90s     • 41:11 Progress     • 48:28 Race/Sexuality/Gender     • 55:03 A bit of Sparta in Athens Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 02 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 104: Peter Feaver on “Wokeness,” Politics, and the Military full The Free Press Peter Feaver, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University and author of Thanks For Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the US Military, joins the show to talk about the state of civil-military relations in America, and to call for a truce on the issue of “wokism.” Peter Feaver, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University and author of Thanks For Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the US Military, joins the show to talk about the state of civil-military relations in America, and to call for a truce on the issue of “wokism.” ▪️ Times      • 01:46 Introduction      • 2:40 Precedents     • 4:18 Citizen soldier to today      • 11:40 Expanding fissures     • 18:46 Downsides to a high approval rating     • 25:04 Isolationism and “wokeness”     • 33:56 Sloppy discourse     • 38:16 An echo of the ’90s     • 41:11 Progress     • 48:28 Race/Sexuality/Gender     • 55:03 A bit of Sparta in Athens Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Peter Feaver, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University and author of Thanks For Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the US Military, joins the show to talk about the state of civil-military relations in America, and to call for a truce on the issue of “wokism.”

▪️

Times 

    • 01:46 Introduction 

    • 2:40 Precedents

    • 4:18 Citizen soldier to today 

    • 11:40 Expanding fissures

    • 18:46 Downsides to a high approval rating

    • 25:04 Isolationism and “wokeness”

    • 33:56 Sloppy discourse

    • 38:16 An echo of the ’90s

    • 41:11 Progress

    • 48:28 Race/Sexuality/Gender

    • 55:03 A bit of Sparta in Athens


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3578 Ep 103: Sean Mirski on American Hegemony Sean Mirski, author of We May Dominate the World: Ambition, Anxiety, and the Rise of the American Colossus, joins the show to talk about how the United States came to its global position and China’s attempts to match it. ▪️ Times      •    01:40 Introduction      •    2:22 An accidental project     •    6:41 The view from Washington      •    13:18 American paranoia     •    16:43 Post Civil War Mexico     •    22:04 Smedley Butler     •    24:46 The problem of order     •   31:12 After WWI     •   33:04 Strategic vulnerabilities     •    38:32 Regional hegemony     •    44:51 A desire to dominate     •    48:36 A lesson and a warning  Here is a link to the article discussed today Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:30:00 -0000 Ep 103: Sean Mirski on American Hegemony full The Free Press Sean Mirski, author of We May Dominate the World: Ambition, Anxiety, and the Rise of the American Colossus, joins the show to talk about how the United States came to its global position and China’s attempts to match it. Sean Mirski, author of We May Dominate the World: Ambition, Anxiety, and the Rise of the American Colossus, joins the show to talk about how the United States came to its global position and China’s attempts to match it. ▪️ Times      •    01:40 Introduction      •    2:22 An accidental project     •    6:41 The view from Washington      •    13:18 American paranoia     •    16:43 Post Civil War Mexico     •    22:04 Smedley Butler     •    24:46 The problem of order     •   31:12 After WWI     •   33:04 Strategic vulnerabilities     •    38:32 Regional hegemony     •    44:51 A desire to dominate     •    48:36 A lesson and a warning  Here is a link to the article discussed today Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Sean Mirski, author of We May Dominate the World: Ambition, Anxiety, and the Rise of the American Colossus, joins the show to talk about how the United States came to its global position and China’s attempts to match it.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:40 Introduction 

    •    2:22 An accidental project

    •    6:41 The view from Washington 

    •    13:18 American paranoia

    •    16:43 Post Civil War Mexico

    •    22:04 Smedley Butler

    •    24:46 The problem of order

    •   31:12 After WWI

    •   33:04 Strategic vulnerabilities

    •    38:32 Regional hegemony

    •    44:51 A desire to dominate

    •    48:36 A lesson and a warning 


Here is a link to the article discussed today


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack


]]> 3124 Ep 102: Paul Edgar on the Warfare of the Ancient Near East Paul Edgar, Executive Director of the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas-Austin, a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a scholar of ancient Near Eastern warfare, joins the show to talk about war and peace in the old days—the very old days. ▪️ Times      •    02:58 Introduction      •    10:07 Olmsted     •    16:00 The Bronze Age     •   22:07 Verifying history     •    27:12 Idrimi     •    35:03 How did they fight?     •    39:46 Tactics of the time     •   42:34 Continuities in geopolitics Here is a link to the article discussed today Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 12 Dec 2023 11:30:00 -0000 Ep 102: Paul Edgar on the Warfare of the Ancient Near East full The Free Press Paul Edgar, Executive Director of the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas-Austin, a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a scholar of ancient Near Eastern warfare, joins the show to talk about war and peace in the old days—the very old days. Paul Edgar, Executive Director of the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas-Austin, a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a scholar of ancient Near Eastern warfare, joins the show to talk about war and peace in the old days—the very old days. ▪️ Times      •    02:58 Introduction      •    10:07 Olmsted     •    16:00 The Bronze Age     •   22:07 Verifying history     •    27:12 Idrimi     •    35:03 How did they fight?     •    39:46 Tactics of the time     •   42:34 Continuities in geopolitics Here is a link to the article discussed today Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Paul Edgar, Executive Director of the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas-Austin, a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a scholar of ancient Near Eastern warfare, joins the show to talk about war and peace in the old days—the very old days.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:58 Introduction 

    •    10:07 Olmsted

    •    16:00 The Bronze Age

    •   22:07 Verifying history

    •    27:12 Idrimi

    •    35:03 How did they fight?

    •    39:46 Tactics of the time

    •   42:34 Continuities in geopolitics


Here is a link to the article discussed today


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2851 Ep 101: Iskander Rehman on Wars of Protraction Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at SAIS’s Kissinger Center and author of Planning for Protraction: A Historically Informed Approach to Great-power War and Sino-US Competition, joins the show to talk about how future wars might be more a test of national endurance than expected. ▪️ Times      •    01:56 Introduction      •    04:01 Sharp and short wars     •    09:07 After the first salvo     •    12:33 Geography as a predictor     •    15:21 Will nuclear deterrence work?     •    21:16 “An informationized local war”     •    25:13 What matters in protracted wars     •    28:59 Innovation and adaptation     •    33:51 The role of national leadership in protracted conflict     •    38:49 Sino-U.S. competition      •    44:50 Absorbing massive casualties     •    48:06 Polybius Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack   Tue, 05 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 101: Iskander Rehman on Wars of Protraction full The Free Press Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at SAIS’s Kissinger Center and author of Planning for Protraction: A Historically Informed Approach to Great-power War and Sino-US Competition, joins the show to talk about how future wars might be more a test of national endurance than expected. Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at SAIS’s Kissinger Center and author of Planning for Protraction: A Historically Informed Approach to Great-power War and Sino-US Competition, joins the show to talk about how future wars might be more a test of national endurance than expected. ▪️ Times      •    01:56 Introduction      •    04:01 Sharp and short wars     •    09:07 After the first salvo     •    12:33 Geography as a predictor     •    15:21 Will nuclear deterrence work?     •    21:16 “An informationized local war”     •    25:13 What matters in protracted wars     •    28:59 Innovation and adaptation     •    33:51 The role of national leadership in protracted conflict     •    38:49 Sino-U.S. competition      •    44:50 Absorbing massive casualties     •    48:06 Polybius Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack   Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at SAIS’s Kissinger Center and author of Planning for Protraction: A Historically Informed Approach to Great-power War and Sino-US Competition, joins the show to talk about how future wars might be more a test of national endurance than expected.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:56 Introduction 

    •    04:01 Sharp and short wars

    •    09:07 After the first salvo

    •    12:33 Geography as a predictor

    •    15:21 Will nuclear deterrence work?

    •    21:16 “An informationized local war”

    •    25:13 What matters in protracted wars

    •    28:59 Innovation and adaptation

    •    33:51 The role of national leadership in protracted conflict

    •    38:49 Sino-U.S. competition 

    •    44:50 Absorbing massive casualties

    •    48:06 Polybius


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

 

]]> 3007 Ep 100: Alexander Mikaberidze on Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University and author of The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History, joins the show to talk about director Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. ▪️ Times      •    02:54 Introduction      •    04:52 First reactions     •    08:18 Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon     •    15:12 Propaganda of the time     •    17:14 No invention needed     •    21:22 Wellington and Talleyrand     •    23:24 Napoleon: Master Tactician     •    27:35 Waterloo     •    33:45 Josephine and Elba     •    35:44 More Napoleon content Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack   Tue, 28 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 100: Alexander Mikaberidze on Ridley Scott’s Napoleon full The Free Press Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University and author of The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History, joins the show to talk about director Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University and author of The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History, joins the show to talk about director Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. ▪️ Times      •    02:54 Introduction      •    04:52 First reactions     •    08:18 Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon     •    15:12 Propaganda of the time     •    17:14 No invention needed     •    21:22 Wellington and Talleyrand     •    23:24 Napoleon: Master Tactician     •    27:35 Waterloo     •    33:45 Josephine and Elba     •    35:44 More Napoleon content Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack   Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University and author of The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History, joins the show to talk about director Ridley Scott’s Napoleon.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:54 Introduction 

    •    04:52 First reactions

    •    08:18 Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon

    •    15:12 Propaganda of the time

    •    17:14 No invention needed

    •    21:22 Wellington and Talleyrand

    •    23:24 Napoleon: Master Tactician

    •    27:35 Waterloo

    •    33:45 Josephine and Elba

    •    35:44 More Napoleon content


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

 

]]> 2745 Ep 99: Nicholas Morton on the Mongol Invasions Nicholas Morton, associate professor of history at Nottingham Trent University and author of The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East, joins the show to talk about the Mongol invasions. ▪️ Times      •    01:40 Introduction      •    02:15 Central Asia before the Mongols     •    04:15 Mongol methods     •    09:15 Sailing the Eurasian Steppe     •   13:54 Temujin     •    18:38 A dearth of sources     •    21:50 Khwarazmian Empire     •    26:40 The Mongol secret     •   32:03 Selective savagery      •    36:30 The Near East     •    40:15 Mamluks    •    42:03 Mongol rule     •    45:17 Lasting effects Tue, 21 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 99: Nicholas Morton on the Mongol Invasions full The Free Press Nicholas Morton, associate professor of history at Nottingham Trent University and author of The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East, joins the show to talk about the Mongol invasions. Nicholas Morton, associate professor of history at Nottingham Trent University and author of The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East, joins the show to talk about the Mongol invasions. ▪️ Times      •    01:40 Introduction      •    02:15 Central Asia before the Mongols     •    04:15 Mongol methods     •    09:15 Sailing the Eurasian Steppe     •   13:54 Temujin     •    18:38 A dearth of sources     •    21:50 Khwarazmian Empire     •    26:40 The Mongol secret     •   32:03 Selective savagery      •    36:30 The Near East     •    40:15 Mamluks    •    42:03 Mongol rule     •    45:17 Lasting effects Nicholas Morton, associate professor of history at Nottingham Trent University and author of The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East, joins the show to talk about the Mongol invasions.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:40 Introduction 

    •    02:15 Central Asia before the Mongols

    •    04:15 Mongol methods

    •    09:15 Sailing the Eurasian Steppe

    •   13:54 Temujin

    •    18:38 A dearth of sources

    •    21:50 Khwarazmian Empire

    •    26:40 The Mongol secret

    •   32:03 Selective savagery 

    •    36:30 The Near East

    •    40:15 Mamluks

   •    42:03 Mongol rule

    •    45:17 Lasting effects

]]> 2967 Ep 98: Matthew Waxman on the Israel, Hamas, and the Law of Armed Conflict Matthew Waxman, Liviu Librescu Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, joins the show to talk about what’s lawful on the battlefield, what’s not, and how the laws of war apply to Israel and Hamas. ▪️ Times      •    01:49 Introduction      •    02:25 What is the law of war?     •    05:05 How does it all work?     •    08:15 What does it matter?     •    11:06 A rule of law society     •    12:16 10/7      •    15:14 Military necessity vs humanitarian interest     •    19:54 Bright line rules     •    25:23 Reasonableness     •    28:07 Sieges     •    32:30 Weaponizing the law     •    36:34 Perverse incentives     •    39:09 How does the law evolve? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 14 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 98: Matthew Waxman on the Israel, Hamas, and the Law of Armed Conflict full The Free Press Matthew Waxman, Liviu Librescu Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, joins the show to talk about what’s lawful on the battlefield, what’s not, and how the laws of war apply to Israel and Hamas. Matthew Waxman, Liviu Librescu Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, joins the show to talk about what’s lawful on the battlefield, what’s not, and how the laws of war apply to Israel and Hamas. ▪️ Times      •    01:49 Introduction      •    02:25 What is the law of war?     •    05:05 How does it all work?     •    08:15 What does it matter?     •    11:06 A rule of law society     •    12:16 10/7      •    15:14 Military necessity vs humanitarian interest     •    19:54 Bright line rules     •    25:23 Reasonableness     •    28:07 Sieges     •    32:30 Weaponizing the law     •    36:34 Perverse incentives     •    39:09 How does the law evolve? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Matthew Waxman, Liviu Librescu Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, joins the show to talk about what’s lawful on the battlefield, what’s not, and how the laws of war apply to Israel and Hamas.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:49 Introduction 

    •    02:25 What is the law of war?

    •    05:05 How does it all work?

    •    08:15 What does it matter?

    •    11:06 A rule of law society

    •    12:16 10/7 

    •    15:14 Military necessity vs humanitarian interest

    •    19:54 Bright line rules

    •    25:23 Reasonableness

    •    28:07 Sieges

    •    32:30 Weaponizing the law

    •    36:34 Perverse incentives

    •    39:09 How does the law evolve?


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2500 Ep 97: Edward Luttwak on the IDF and the War in Israel Edward Luttwak, strategist and co-author of The Art of Military Innovation: Lessons from the Israel Defense Forces, joins the show to talk about the research and development methods of the IDF and events on the ground in Israel. ▪️ Times      •    01:51 Introduction      •    03:05 R&D the IDF way     •    21:30 Evaluating Israel’s strategy     •    25:30 Stopping the clock     •   29:51 Downside of discipline      •    34:07 Macro-innovation     •    39:26 Iran     •    43:21 Qatar Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 07 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000 Ep 97: Edward Luttwak on the IDF and the War in Israel full The Free Press Edward Luttwak, strategist and co-author of The Art of Military Innovation: Lessons from the Israel Defense Forces, joins the show to talk about the research and development methods of the IDF and events on the ground in Israel. Edward Luttwak, strategist and co-author of The Art of Military Innovation: Lessons from the Israel Defense Forces, joins the show to talk about the research and development methods of the IDF and events on the ground in Israel. ▪️ Times      •    01:51 Introduction      •    03:05 R&D the IDF way     •    21:30 Evaluating Israel’s strategy     •    25:30 Stopping the clock     •   29:51 Downside of discipline      •    34:07 Macro-innovation     •    39:26 Iran     •    43:21 Qatar Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Edward Luttwak, strategist and co-author of The Art of Military Innovation: Lessons from the Israel Defense Forces, joins the show to talk about the research and development methods of the IDF and events on the ground in Israel.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:51 Introduction 

    •    03:05 R&D the IDF way

    •    21:30 Evaluating Israel’s strategy

    •    25:30 Stopping the clock

    •   29:51 Downside of discipline 

    •    34:07 Macro-innovation

    •    39:26 Iran

    •    43:21 Qatar


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2785 Ep 96: Vincent O’Hara and Trent Hone on Naval Combat at Night Vincent O’Hara and Trent Hone, naval historians and co-editors of Fighting in the Dark: Naval Combat at Night, 1904-1944, join the show to talk about how naval warfare was transformed by technology that made possible night combat at sea. ▪️ Times      •    02:01 Introduction      •    03:35 Night combat pre-19th century     •    06:02 Why do we fight at night?     •    09:30 Getting close in     •   13:47 Different approaches      •    19:28 German naval thinking pre-WWI     •    22:05 Jutland and after     •    27:09 Theory vs. experience      •   32:04 Japanese success at night     •    37:59 The Italian navy     •    40:52 Long range torpedoes     •   45:27 Changes in command expectations     •    49:44 Dealing with technological changes today     •    52:36 Is the U.S. Navy the “best”? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 31 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 96: Vincent O’Hara and Trent Hone on Naval Combat at Night full The Free Press Vincent O’Hara and Trent Hone, naval historians and co-editors of Fighting in the Dark: Naval Combat at Night, 1904-1944, join the show to talk about how naval warfare was transformed by technology that made possible night combat at sea. Vincent O’Hara and Trent Hone, naval historians and co-editors of Fighting in the Dark: Naval Combat at Night, 1904-1944, join the show to talk about how naval warfare was transformed by technology that made possible night combat at sea. ▪️ Times      •    02:01 Introduction      •    03:35 Night combat pre-19th century     •    06:02 Why do we fight at night?     •    09:30 Getting close in     •   13:47 Different approaches      •    19:28 German naval thinking pre-WWI     •    22:05 Jutland and after     •    27:09 Theory vs. experience      •   32:04 Japanese success at night     •    37:59 The Italian navy     •    40:52 Long range torpedoes     •   45:27 Changes in command expectations     •    49:44 Dealing with technological changes today     •    52:36 Is the U.S. Navy the “best”? Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Vincent O’Hara and Trent Hone, naval historians and co-editors of Fighting in the Dark: Naval Combat at Night, 1904-1944, join the show to talk about how naval warfare was transformed by technology that made possible night combat at sea.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:01 Introduction 

    •    03:35 Night combat pre-19th century

    •    06:02 Why do we fight at night?

    •    09:30 Getting close in

    •   13:47 Different approaches 

    •    19:28 German naval thinking pre-WWI

    •    22:05 Jutland and after

    •    27:09 Theory vs. experience 

    •   32:04 Japanese success at night

    •    37:59 The Italian navy

    •    40:52 Long range torpedoes

    •   45:27 Changes in command expectations

    •    49:44 Dealing with technological changes today

    •    52:36 Is the U.S. Navy the “best”?


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3373 Ep 95: Richard Goldberg on the War in Israel & American Strategy Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at Foundation for Defense of Democracies and co-host of Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability podcast, joins the show to talk about the war in Israel, Iran’s objectives, and America’s. ▪️ Times      •    01:41 Introduction      •    02:22 Sit Rep 10/23     •    12:05 Confused messaging from Washington     •    20:21 Too clever by half     •   24:54 Owner operated proxies?     •    32:40 What does Iran want     •    35:51 Volatile Israeli politics     •    40:52 Dancing to the enemy tune     •   42:51 The cost of being America’s ally     •    44:25 Deterrence Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 24 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 95: Richard Goldberg on the War in Israel & American Strategy full The Free Press Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at Foundation for Defense of Democracies and co-host of Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability podcast, joins the show to talk about the war in Israel, Iran’s objectives, and America’s. Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at Foundation for Defense of Democracies and co-host of Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability podcast, joins the show to talk about the war in Israel, Iran’s objectives, and America’s. ▪️ Times      •    01:41 Introduction      •    02:22 Sit Rep 10/23     •    12:05 Confused messaging from Washington     •    20:21 Too clever by half     •   24:54 Owner operated proxies?     •    32:40 What does Iran want     •    35:51 Volatile Israeli politics     •    40:52 Dancing to the enemy tune     •   42:51 The cost of being America’s ally     •    44:25 Deterrence Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at Foundation for Defense of Democracies and co-host of Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability podcast, joins the show to talk about the war in Israel, Iran’s objectives, and America’s.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:41 Introduction 

    •    02:22 Sit Rep 10/23

    •    12:05 Confused messaging from Washington

    •    20:21 Too clever by half

    •   24:54 Owner operated proxies?

    •    32:40 What does Iran want

    •    35:51 Volatile Israeli politics

    •    40:52 Dancing to the enemy tune

    •   42:51 The cost of being America’s ally

    •    44:25 Deterrence


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2839 Ep 94: Jonathan Schanzer on the War in Israel & Hamas Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the state of the war in Israel, the history of Hamas and its campaign to eradicate the Jewish state, and Israel’s plans to end the cycle forever. ▪️ Times      •    01:41 Introduction      •    02:24 The situation today     •    04:55 Gaza’s terrain     •    09:27 Focusing on the north     •   12:51 Gaza in Arab politics     •    18:41 Iranian support     •    25:41 Walls can work both ways      •    29:00 Israeli objectives     •   35:56 Strategic goals and military means      •    41:38 Dancing to an Iranian tune      •    46:01 Working against the clock     •   49:06 Staying informed To read the WSJ article discussed today click here Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 94: Jonathan Schanzer on the War in Israel & Hamas full The Free Press Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the state of the war in Israel, the history of Hamas and its campaign to eradicate the Jewish state, and Israel’s plans to end the cycle forever. Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the state of the war in Israel, the history of Hamas and its campaign to eradicate the Jewish state, and Israel’s plans to end the cycle forever. ▪️ Times      •    01:41 Introduction      •    02:24 The situation today     •    04:55 Gaza’s terrain     •    09:27 Focusing on the north     •   12:51 Gaza in Arab politics     •    18:41 Iranian support     •    25:41 Walls can work both ways      •    29:00 Israeli objectives     •   35:56 Strategic goals and military means      •    41:38 Dancing to an Iranian tune      •    46:01 Working against the clock     •   49:06 Staying informed To read the WSJ article discussed today click here Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the state of the war in Israel, the history of Hamas and its campaign to eradicate the Jewish state, and Israel’s plans to end the cycle forever.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:41 Introduction 

    •    02:24 The situation today

    •    04:55 Gaza’s terrain

    •    09:27 Focusing on the north

    •   12:51 Gaza in Arab politics

    •    18:41 Iranian support

    •    25:41 Walls can work both ways 

    •    29:00 Israeli objectives

    •   35:56 Strategic goals and military means 

    •    41:38 Dancing to an Iranian tune 

    •    46:01 Working against the clock

    •   49:06 Staying informed


To read the WSJ article discussed today click here


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3125 Ep 93: Michael Doran on the War in Israel & Ghosts of 1973 Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about Iran-backed Hamas’ savage attack on Israel, how we can expect Israel to act in Gaza, prospects for escalation, and the echoes of 1973. ▪️ Times      •    02:33 Introduction      •    03:16 10/7     •    08:51 Potential Israeli objectives in Gaza     •    20:18 A regional war?     •   27:20 Iranian objectives     •    34:28 Intelligence failures, operational catastrophes     •    42:11 Redeployments      •    44:45 Parallels with the Yom Kippur War     •   51:07 America and Israel today To read the article discussed today click here  Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 93: Michael Doran on the War in Israel & Ghosts of 1973 full The Free Press Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about Iran-backed Hamas’ savage attack on Israel, how we can expect Israel to act in Gaza, prospects for escalation, and the echoes of 1973. Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about Iran-backed Hamas’ savage attack on Israel, how we can expect Israel to act in Gaza, prospects for escalation, and the echoes of 1973. ▪️ Times      •    02:33 Introduction      •    03:16 10/7     •    08:51 Potential Israeli objectives in Gaza     •    20:18 A regional war?     •   27:20 Iranian objectives     •    34:28 Intelligence failures, operational catastrophes     •    42:11 Redeployments      •    44:45 Parallels with the Yom Kippur War     •   51:07 America and Israel today To read the article discussed today click here  Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about Iran-backed Hamas’ savage attack on Israel, how we can expect Israel to act in Gaza, prospects for escalation, and the echoes of 1973.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:33 Introduction 

    •    03:16 10/7

    •    08:51 Potential Israeli objectives in Gaza

    •    20:18 A regional war?

    •   27:20 Iranian objectives

    •    34:28 Intelligence failures, operational catastrophes

    •    42:11 Redeployments 

    •    44:45 Parallels with the Yom Kippur War

    •   51:07 America and Israel today


To read the article discussed today click here 


Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3233 Ep 92: Cliff May on Defending Democracies Cliff May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the neo-imperialism of America’s adversaries and what defending democracy requires. ▪️ Times      •    02:22 Introduction      •    02:39 Taking on Jon Stewart     •    06:50 Starting in the Soviet Union     •    12:26 Policy activism     •   20:11 Foundation for Defense of Democracies      •    26:31 Ending tyranny     •    34:53 The people have to want it     •    41:05 Are we misleading ourselves?     •   43:23 Cracks in the Axis of Tyrannies       •    47:26 Chinese imperialism     •    52:35 Understanding ourselves abroad Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack   Tue, 03 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 92: Cliff May on Defending Democracies full The Free Press Cliff May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the neo-imperialism of America’s adversaries and what defending democracy requires. Cliff May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the neo-imperialism of America’s adversaries and what defending democracy requires. ▪️ Times      •    02:22 Introduction      •    02:39 Taking on Jon Stewart     •    06:50 Starting in the Soviet Union     •    12:26 Policy activism     •   20:11 Foundation for Defense of Democracies      •    26:31 Ending tyranny     •    34:53 The people have to want it     •    41:05 Are we misleading ourselves?     •   43:23 Cracks in the Axis of Tyrannies       •    47:26 Chinese imperialism     •    52:35 Understanding ourselves abroad Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack   Cliff May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the neo-imperialism of America’s adversaries and what defending democracy requires.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:22 Introduction 

    •    02:39 Taking on Jon Stewart

    •    06:50 Starting in the Soviet Union

    •    12:26 Policy activism

    •   20:11 Foundation for Defense of Democracies 

    •    26:31 Ending tyranny

    •    34:53 The people have to want it

    •    41:05 Are we misleading ourselves?

    •   43:23 Cracks in the Axis of Tyrannies  

    •    47:26 Chinese imperialism

    •    52:35 Understanding ourselves abroad


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Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

 

]]> 3365 Ep 91: Paul Rahe on Sparta’s Grand Strategy Paul Rahe, Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee Chair in the Western Heritage at Hillsdale College, and author of Sparta's Sicilian Proxy War: The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta, 418-413 BC, joins the show to talk about proxy wars, the strategy of Sparta, and the role of regimes in the shaping of foreign policy. ▪️ Times      •    01:37 Introduction      •    06:43 Donald Kagan     •    08:32 The Spartan point of view     •   11:59 Why change the perspective?     •    17:30 Sparta’s goals     •    24:59 Why does Sparta matter?      •    31:56 “Putin’s completely irrational”     •   33:56 Is Realism dangerous?     •    39:17 Why do the Athenians go to Sicily?     •    44:35 Alcibiades     •    47:06 Could the Athenians have won?     •    49:11 The significance of victory Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 26 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 91: Paul Rahe on Sparta’s Grand Strategy full The Free Press Paul Rahe, Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee Chair in the Western Heritage at Hillsdale College, and author of Sparta's Sicilian Proxy War: The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta, 418-413 BC, joins the show to talk about proxy wars, the strategy of Sparta, and the role of regimes in the shaping of foreign policy. Paul Rahe, Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee Chair in the Western Heritage at Hillsdale College, and author of Sparta's Sicilian Proxy War: The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta, 418-413 BC, joins the show to talk about proxy wars, the strategy of Sparta, and the role of regimes in the shaping of foreign policy. ▪️ Times      •    01:37 Introduction      •    06:43 Donald Kagan     •    08:32 The Spartan point of view     •   11:59 Why change the perspective?     •    17:30 Sparta’s goals     •    24:59 Why does Sparta matter?      •    31:56 “Putin’s completely irrational”     •   33:56 Is Realism dangerous?     •    39:17 Why do the Athenians go to Sicily?     •    44:35 Alcibiades     •    47:06 Could the Athenians have won?     •    49:11 The significance of victory Follow along  on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Paul Rahe, Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee Chair in the Western Heritage at Hillsdale College, and author of Sparta's Sicilian Proxy War: The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta, 418-413 BC, joins the show to talk about proxy wars, the strategy of Sparta, and the role of regimes in the shaping of foreign policy.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:37 Introduction 

    •    06:43 Donald Kagan

    •    08:32 The Spartan point of view

    •   11:59 Why change the perspective?

    •    17:30 Sparta’s goals

    •    24:59 Why does Sparta matter? 

    •    31:56 “Putin’s completely irrational”

    •   33:56 Is Realism dangerous?

    •    39:17 Why do the Athenians go to Sicily?

    •    44:35 Alcibiades

    •    47:06 Could the Athenians have won?

    •    49:11 The significance of victory

Follow along  on Instagram


Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 3139 Ep 90: Andrew Krepinevich on Military Revolutions Andrew Krepinevich, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of The Origins of Victory: How Disruptive Military Innovation Determines the Fates of Great Powers, joins the show to talk about how to interpret and think about military revolutions of the past and how that can help us forecast the shape of war in the future. ▪️ Times      •    01:35 Introduction      •    02:50 Andy Marshall      •    07:45 A diagnostic outlook     •   10:11 The military technical revolution     •    19:14 How do military revolutions work?     •    24:49 Playing catch-up      •    27:35 The MRAP question     •   33:34 The pace of change      •    42:17 Mass and main force     •    46:12 What are we not doing that we need to be? Here is a link to the article referenced in the episode - Hudson Institute - Archipelagic Defense 2.0 Follow along on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Tue, 19 Sep 2023 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 90: Andrew Krepinevich on Military Revolutions full The Free Press Andrew Krepinevich, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of The Origins of Victory: How Disruptive Military Innovation Determines the Fates of Great Powers, joins the show to talk about how to interpret and think about military revolutions of the past and how that can help us forecast the shape of war in the future. Andrew Krepinevich, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of The Origins of Victory: How Disruptive Military Innovation Determines the Fates of Great Powers, joins the show to talk about how to interpret and think about military revolutions of the past and how that can help us forecast the shape of war in the future. ▪️ Times      •    01:35 Introduction      •    02:50 Andy Marshall      •    07:45 A diagnostic outlook     •   10:11 The military technical revolution     •    19:14 How do military revolutions work?     •    24:49 Playing catch-up      •    27:35 The MRAP question     •   33:34 The pace of change      •    42:17 Mass and main force     •    46:12 What are we not doing that we need to be? Here is a link to the article referenced in the episode - Hudson Institute - Archipelagic Defense 2.0 Follow along on Instagram Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack Andrew Krepinevich, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of The Origins of Victory: How Disruptive Military Innovation Determines the Fates of Great Powers, joins the show to talk about how to interpret and think about military revolutions of the past and how that can help us forecast the shape of war in the future.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:35 Introduction 

    •    02:50 Andy Marshall 

    •    07:45 A diagnostic outlook

    •   10:11 The military technical revolution

    •    19:14 How do military revolutions work?

    •    24:49 Playing catch-up 

    •    27:35 The MRAP question

    •   33:34 The pace of change 

    •    42:17 Mass and main force

    •    46:12 What are we not doing that we need to be?


Here is a link to the article referenced in the episode - Hudson Institute - Archipelagic Defense 2.0

Follow along on Instagram

Find a transcript of today’s episode on our School of War Substack

]]> 2899 Ep 89: Mick Ryan on Ukraine, Taiwan, and Future War Mick Ryan, Major General (retired) in the Australian Army and author of White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan, joins the show to talk about the war today in Ukraine, the potential war in Taiwan, and the changing character of war itself. ▪️ Times      •    02:22 Introduction      •    05:49 China on Australia’s radar     •    11:56 Ukrainian progress      •    17:26 Timeframe      •   24:00 “We’re helping them tread water. We’re not helping them swim.”     •    27:37 What is China learning from Ukraine?     •    35:20 Can China pull off its own Operation Neptune?      •    41:12 Looking to the past     •   44:35 White Sun War      •    51:23 Everything new is old Follow along on Instagram http://schoolofwar.substack.com Tue, 12 Sep 2023 10:20:00 -0000 Ep 89: Mick Ryan on Ukraine, Taiwan, and Future War full The Free Press Mick Ryan, Major General (retired) in the Australian Army and author of White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan, joins the show to talk about the war today in Ukraine, the potential war in Taiwan, and the changing character of war itself. Mick Ryan, Major General (retired) in the Australian Army and author of White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan, joins the show to talk about the war today in Ukraine, the potential war in Taiwan, and the changing character of war itself. ▪️ Times      •    02:22 Introduction      •    05:49 China on Australia’s radar     •    11:56 Ukrainian progress      •    17:26 Timeframe      •   24:00 “We’re helping them tread water. We’re not helping them swim.”     •    27:37 What is China learning from Ukraine?     •    35:20 Can China pull off its own Operation Neptune?      •    41:12 Looking to the past     •   44:35 White Sun War      •    51:23 Everything new is old Follow along on Instagram http://schoolofwar.substack.com Mick Ryan, Major General (retired) in the Australian Army and author of White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan, joins the show to talk about the war today in Ukraine, the potential war in Taiwan, and the changing character of war itself.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:22 Introduction 

    •    05:49 China on Australia’s radar

    •    11:56 Ukrainian progress 

    •    17:26 Timeframe 

    •   24:00 “We’re helping them tread water. We’re not helping them swim.”

    •    27:37 What is China learning from Ukraine?

    •    35:20 Can China pull off its own Operation Neptune? 

    •    41:12 Looking to the past

    •   44:35 White Sun War 

    •    51:23 Everything new is old



Follow along on Instagram


http://schoolofwar.substack.com

]]> 3260 Ep 88: John H. Maurer on Alfred Thayer Mahan (New Makers of Modern Strategy #10) John H. Maurer, the Alfred Thayer Mahan Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy at the Naval War College and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Mahan and his relevance today. ▪️ Times      •    01:30 Introduction      •    02:06 Mahan struck from the syllabus     •    06:30 Early writings     •    09:19 Looking out at the world      •   12:17 Six elements of seapower     •    15:01 Arming for peace     •    20:35 Corbett      •    22:54 The 18th century     •   29:49 A political scientist      •    35:10 Where might one go wrong?     •   39:03 Free security     •    42:26 Who should we be reading?  Follow along on Instagram http://schoolofwar.substack.com Tue, 05 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 88: John H. Maurer on Alfred Thayer Mahan (New Makers of Modern Strategy #10) full The Free Press John H. Maurer, the Alfred Thayer Mahan Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy at the Naval War College and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about the man behind The Influence of Sea Power upon History, Alfred T. Mahan. John H. Maurer, the Alfred Thayer Mahan Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy at the Naval War College and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Mahan and his relevance today. ▪️ Times      •    01:30 Introduction      •    02:06 Mahan struck from the syllabus     •    06:30 Early writings     •    09:19 Looking out at the world      •   12:17 Six elements of seapower     •    15:01 Arming for peace     •    20:35 Corbett      •    22:54 The 18th century     •   29:49 A political scientist      •    35:10 Where might one go wrong?     •   39:03 Free security     •    42:26 Who should we be reading?  Follow along on Instagram http://schoolofwar.substack.com John H. Maurer, the Alfred Thayer Mahan Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy at the Naval War College and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Mahan and his relevance today.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:30 Introduction 

    •    02:06 Mahan struck from the syllabus

    •    06:30 Early writings

    •    09:19 Looking out at the world 

    •   12:17 Six elements of seapower

    •    15:01 Arming for peace

    •    20:35 Corbett 

    •    22:54 The 18th century

    •   29:49 A political scientist 

    •    35:10 Where might one go wrong?

    •   39:03 Free security

    •    42:26 Who should we be reading? 


Follow along on Instagram


http://schoolofwar.substack.com

]]> 2706 Ep 87: Wayne Lee on Native American Warfare Wayne Lee, Bruce W. Carney Distinguished Professor of History at UNC and author of The Cutting-Off Way: Indigenous Warfare in Eastern North America, 1500-1800, joins the show to talk about war in the ‘Eastern Woodlands’, both before and after European contact. ▪️ Times      •    01:48 Introduction      •    02:50 Coincidences     •    07:19 “Woods and rivers, deer and rabbits, corn and beans”     •    12:51 Unused land     •   19:29 Sacred spaces     •    21:56 Strategic objectives     •    28:35 Why not occupy?      •    32:50 Logistics     •   41:57 The role of the prisoner      •    49:10 Something like the truth      •    54:34 Offense and defense Follow along on Instagram Tue, 29 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 87: Wayne Lee on Native American Warfare full The Free Press Wayne Lee, Bruce W. Carney Distinguished Professor of History at UNC and author of The Cutting-Off Way: Indigenous Warfare in Eastern North America, 1500-1800, joins the show to talk about war in the ‘Eastern Woodlands’, both before and after European contact. Wayne Lee, Bruce W. Carney Distinguished Professor of History at UNC and author of The Cutting-Off Way: Indigenous Warfare in Eastern North America, 1500-1800, joins the show to talk about war in the ‘Eastern Woodlands’, both before and after European contact. ▪️ Times      •    01:48 Introduction      •    02:50 Coincidences     •    07:19 “Woods and rivers, deer and rabbits, corn and beans”     •    12:51 Unused land     •   19:29 Sacred spaces     •    21:56 Strategic objectives     •    28:35 Why not occupy?      •    32:50 Logistics     •   41:57 The role of the prisoner      •    49:10 Something like the truth      •    54:34 Offense and defense Follow along on Instagram Wayne Lee, Bruce W. Carney Distinguished Professor of History at UNC and author of The Cutting-Off Way: Indigenous Warfare in Eastern North America, 1500-1800, joins the show to talk about war in the ‘Eastern Woodlands’, both before and after European contact.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:48 Introduction 

    •    02:50 Coincidences

    •    07:19 “Woods and rivers, deer and rabbits, corn and beans”

    •    12:51 Unused land

    •   19:29 Sacred spaces

    •    21:56 Strategic objectives

    •    28:35 Why not occupy? 

    •    32:50 Logistics

    •   41:57 The role of the prisoner 

    •    49:10 Something like the truth 

    •    54:34 Offense and defense


Follow along on Instagram


]]> 3742 Ep 86: David Betz on Ukraine’s Counteroffensive and Russia’s Defense David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London, joins the show to talk about what the status of the Ukrainian counteroffensive has to teach us about the enduring relevance of fortifications and the defense as a form of war. ▪️ Times      •    02:02 Introduction      •    02:16 Modern War     •    03:36 Counteroffensive progress     •    06:08 Tracking events     •   11:08 Russia’s defensive scheme     •    23:07 Fortified strategic complex     •    32:9 Maginot reconsidered      •    40:47 The pendulum      •   48:07 What if…  To read the article discussed on this episode click the link - Russian fortifications present an old problem for Ukraine - JULY 20, 2023 DAVID J BETZ Follow along on Instagram Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 86: David Betz on Ukraine’s Counteroffensive and Russia’s Defense full The Free Press David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London, joins the show to talk about what the status of the Ukrainian counteroffensive has to teach us about the enduring relevance of fortifications and the defense as a form of war. David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London, joins the show to talk about what the status of the Ukrainian counteroffensive has to teach us about the enduring relevance of fortifications and the defense as a form of war. ▪️ Times      •    02:02 Introduction      •    02:16 Modern War     •    03:36 Counteroffensive progress     •    06:08 Tracking events     •   11:08 Russia’s defensive scheme     •    23:07 Fortified strategic complex     •    32:9 Maginot reconsidered      •    40:47 The pendulum      •   48:07 What if…  To read the article discussed on this episode click the link - Russian fortifications present an old problem for Ukraine - JULY 20, 2023 DAVID J BETZ Follow along on Instagram David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London, joins the show to talk about what the status of the Ukrainian counteroffensive has to teach us about the enduring relevance of fortifications and the defense as a form of war.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:02 Introduction 

    •    02:16 Modern War

    •    03:36 Counteroffensive progress

    •    06:08 Tracking events

    •   11:08 Russia’s defensive scheme

    •    23:07 Fortified strategic complex

    •    32:9 Maginot reconsidered 

    •    40:47 The pendulum 

    •   48:07 What if… 


To read the article discussed on this episode click the link -

Russian fortifications present an old problem for Ukraine - JULY 20, 2023 DAVID J BETZ


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 3342 Ep 85: Antulio J. Echevarria on Jomini (New Makers of Modern Strategy #9) Antulio J. Echevarria, General Douglas MacArthur Chair of Research at the U.S. Army War College and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the most influential military thinkers of the modern age, Antoine-Henri Jomini.  ▪️ Times      •    01:55 Introduction      •    02:22 Who was Jomini?     •    06:13 A charlatan?     •    08:57 Summary of the Art of War     •   11:50 Clausewitz vs Jomini      •    14:26 The center of gravity     •    16:03 Lines of operation     •    21:21 Regard for the enemy     •   24:44 Interpreting Napoleon      •   28:09 Mahan and Jomini     •    30:47 Air power    •   31:55 Clausewitz revival     •    34:02 Jomini today Tue, 15 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 85: Antulio J. Echevarria on Jomini (New Makers of Modern Strategy #9) full The Free Press Antulio J. Echevarria, General Douglas MacArthur Chair of Research at the U.S. Army War College and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the most influential military thinkers of the modern age, Antoine-Henri Jomini. Antulio J. Echevarria, General Douglas MacArthur Chair of Research at the U.S. Army War College and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the most influential military thinkers of the modern age, Antoine-Henri Jomini.  ▪️ Times      •    01:55 Introduction      •    02:22 Who was Jomini?     •    06:13 A charlatan?     •    08:57 Summary of the Art of War     •   11:50 Clausewitz vs Jomini      •    14:26 The center of gravity     •    16:03 Lines of operation     •    21:21 Regard for the enemy     •   24:44 Interpreting Napoleon      •   28:09 Mahan and Jomini     •    30:47 Air power    •   31:55 Clausewitz revival     •    34:02 Jomini today Antulio J. Echevarria, General Douglas MacArthur Chair of Research at the U.S. Army War College and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the most influential military thinkers of the modern age, Antoine-Henri Jomini. 

▪️

Times 

    •    01:55 Introduction 

    •    02:22 Who was Jomini?

    •    06:13 A charlatan?

    •    08:57 Summary of the Art of War

    •   11:50 Clausewitz vs Jomini 

    •    14:26 The center of gravity

    •    16:03 Lines of operation

    •    21:21 Regard for the enemy

    •   24:44 Interpreting Napoleon 

    •   28:09 Mahan and Jomini

    •    30:47 Air power

   •   31:55 Clausewitz revival

    •    34:02 Jomini today

]]> 2139 Ep 84: Mike Gallagher on the Korean War and Confronting China Today Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district and Chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to talk about why the Korean War should be front-of-mind for American policymakers and strategists.  ▪️ Times      •    02:06 Introduction      •    04:05 Wolf-warrior diplomacy     •    10:42 A new Cold War     •    13:05 T.R. Fehrenbach     •   22:25 “This stuff matters”      •    25:25 Task Force Smith      •    29:44 Route clearances     •    31:23 Inchon     •   35:06 Truman’s failures      •    38:19 Eisenhower brings balance      •    42:24 China has gotten stronger Follow along on Instagram And here is a link to checkout the article Aaron and Mike wrote for Foreign Affairs Why America Forgets and China Remembers the Korean War Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 84: Mike Gallagher on the Korean War and Confronting China Today full The Free Press Mike Gallagher,  U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district and Chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to talk about why the Korean War should be front-of-mind for American policymakers and strategists. Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district and Chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to talk about why the Korean War should be front-of-mind for American policymakers and strategists.  ▪️ Times      •    02:06 Introduction      •    04:05 Wolf-warrior diplomacy     •    10:42 A new Cold War     •    13:05 T.R. Fehrenbach     •   22:25 “This stuff matters”      •    25:25 Task Force Smith      •    29:44 Route clearances     •    31:23 Inchon     •   35:06 Truman’s failures      •    38:19 Eisenhower brings balance      •    42:24 China has gotten stronger Follow along on Instagram And here is a link to checkout the article Aaron and Mike wrote for Foreign Affairs Why America Forgets and China Remembers the Korean War Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district and Chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to talk about why the Korean War should be front-of-mind for American policymakers and strategists. 

▪️

Times 

    •    02:06 Introduction 

    •    04:05 Wolf-warrior diplomacy

    •    10:42 A new Cold War

    •    13:05 T.R. Fehrenbach

    •   22:25 “This stuff matters” 

    •    25:25 Task Force Smith 

    •    29:44 Route clearances

    •    31:23 Inchon

    •   35:06 Truman’s failures 

    •    38:19 Eisenhower brings balance 

    •    42:24 China has gotten stronger


Follow along on Instagram

And here is a link to checkout the article Aaron and Mike wrote for Foreign Affairs Why America Forgets and China Remembers the Korean War

]]> 2652 Ep 84: B. Rivera and M. McGrath on John Boyd Mark McGrath and Brian Rivera, hosts of the No Way Out podcast, join the show to talk about strategist John Boyd.  ▪️ Times      •    02:09 Introduction      •    02:59 Who was John Boyd?     •    06:03 “40 Second” Boyd     •    08:05 Air to air combat     •   09:45 OODA Loop      •    14:20 Getting inside the enemy’s loop     •    18:44 Fast transients     •    21:41 Patterns of Conflict     •   26:27 Military reformer       •    29:46 Blitzkrieg and Entebbe      •    37:43 Detractors Follow along on Instagram For more on John Boyd and from Mark and Brian check out the ​​No Way Out Podcast Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 84: B. Rivera and M. McGrath on John Boyd full The Free Press Mark McGrath and Brian Rivera, hosts of the No Way Out podcast, join the show to talk about strategist John Boyd. Mark McGrath and Brian Rivera, hosts of the No Way Out podcast, join the show to talk about strategist John Boyd.  ▪️ Times      •    02:09 Introduction      •    02:59 Who was John Boyd?     •    06:03 “40 Second” Boyd     •    08:05 Air to air combat     •   09:45 OODA Loop      •    14:20 Getting inside the enemy’s loop     •    18:44 Fast transients     •    21:41 Patterns of Conflict     •   26:27 Military reformer       •    29:46 Blitzkrieg and Entebbe      •    37:43 Detractors Follow along on Instagram For more on John Boyd and from Mark and Brian check out the ​​No Way Out Podcast Mark McGrath and Brian Rivera, hosts of the No Way Out podcast, join the show to talk about strategist John Boyd. 

▪️

Times 

    •    02:09 Introduction 

    •    02:59 Who was John Boyd?

    •    06:03 “40 Second” Boyd

    •    08:05 Air to air combat

    •   09:45 OODA Loop 

    •    14:20 Getting inside the enemy’s loop

    •    18:44 Fast transients

    •    21:41 Patterns of Conflict

    •   26:27 Military reformer  

    •    29:46 Blitzkrieg and Entebbe 

    •    37:43 Detractors


Follow along on Instagram


For more on John Boyd and from Mark and Brian check out the ​​No Way Out Podcast

]]> 2608 Ep 83: Aaron O’Connell on 'Geopolitics 101' Aaron O’Connell, Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, joins the show to talk about the “founding fathers” of 20th century geopolitical thought: Mahan, Mackinder, and Spykman.  ▪️ Times    •    01:46 Introduction      •    02:20 From Marine to scholar to the NSC     •    06:24 Alfred T. Mahan     •    12:27 Choke points, decisive battle, and battleships     •   15:45 Security through imperialism       •    18:08 Chinese Mahanians     •    20:33 China’s crowded neighborhood     •    21:27 Halford Mackinder     •   28:56 Heartland rising       •    31:36 Inner and outer crescent     •    33:01 Nicholas Spykman      •    37:55 The nature of power     •    39:03 Containment     •   42:11 The American role     •    46:22 The path of partnerships Follow along on Instagram Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 83: Aaron O’Connell on 'Geopolitics 101' full The Free Press Aaron O’Connell, Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, joins the show to talk about the “founding fathers” of 20th century geopolitical thought: Mahan, Mackinder, and Spykman. Aaron O’Connell, Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, joins the show to talk about the “founding fathers” of 20th century geopolitical thought: Mahan, Mackinder, and Spykman.  ▪️ Times    •    01:46 Introduction      •    02:20 From Marine to scholar to the NSC     •    06:24 Alfred T. Mahan     •    12:27 Choke points, decisive battle, and battleships     •   15:45 Security through imperialism       •    18:08 Chinese Mahanians     •    20:33 China’s crowded neighborhood     •    21:27 Halford Mackinder     •   28:56 Heartland rising       •    31:36 Inner and outer crescent     •    33:01 Nicholas Spykman      •    37:55 The nature of power     •    39:03 Containment     •   42:11 The American role     •    46:22 The path of partnerships Follow along on Instagram Aaron O’Connell, Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, joins the show to talk about the “founding fathers” of 20th century geopolitical thought: Mahan, Mackinder, and Spykman. 

▪️

Times 

  •    01:46 Introduction 

    •    02:20 From Marine to scholar to the NSC

    •    06:24 Alfred T. Mahan

    •    12:27 Choke points, decisive battle, and battleships

    •   15:45 Security through imperialism  

    •    18:08 Chinese Mahanians

    •    20:33 China’s crowded neighborhood

    •    21:27 Halford Mackinder

    •   28:56 Heartland rising  

    •    31:36 Inner and outer crescent

    •    33:01 Nicholas Spykman 

    •    37:55 The nature of power

    •    39:03 Containment

    •   42:11 The American role

    •    46:22 The path of partnerships


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 2888 Ep 82: Charles Edel on John Quincy Adams (New Makers of Modern Strategy #8) Charles Edel, senior adviser and Australia Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the founding architects of American foreign policy, John Quincy Adams.  ▪️ Times      •    01:33 Introduction      •    02:20 Democratic strategy     •    04:43 Adams     •    08:03 Early threats to the Republic     •   13:20 A potential challenger to Europe     •    18:10 Unity and strength      •    25:08 “In search of monsters to destroy”     •    30:07 British parallels      •   34:11 Slavery      •    38:36 Public service Follow along on Instagram Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:41:09 -0000 Ep 82: Charles Edel on John Quincy Adams (New Makers of Modern Strategy #8) full The Free Press Charles Edel, senior adviser and Australia Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the founding architects of American foreign policy, John Quincy Adams. Charles Edel, senior adviser and Australia Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the founding architects of American foreign policy, John Quincy Adams.  ▪️ Times      •    01:33 Introduction      •    02:20 Democratic strategy     •    04:43 Adams     •    08:03 Early threats to the Republic     •   13:20 A potential challenger to Europe     •    18:10 Unity and strength      •    25:08 “In search of monsters to destroy”     •    30:07 British parallels      •   34:11 Slavery      •    38:36 Public service Follow along on Instagram Charles Edel, senior adviser and Australia Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the founding architects of American foreign policy, John Quincy Adams. 

▪️

Times 

    •    01:33 Introduction 

    •    02:20 Democratic strategy

    •    04:43 Adams

    •    08:03 Early threats to the Republic

    •   13:20 A potential challenger to Europe

    •    18:10 Unity and strength 

    •    25:08 “In search of monsters to destroy”

    •    30:07 British parallels 

    •   34:11 Slavery 

    •    38:36 Public service

Follow along on Instagram

]]> 2661 Ep 81: Max Hastings on the Cuban Missile Crisis Max Hastings, journalist, military historian, and author most recently of Abyss: The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962, joins the show to talk about the world’s brush with World War III.  ▪️ Times      •    01:41 Introduction      •    01:59 From journalism to history     •    07:06 Recollections     •    09:40 Castro and the Bay of Pigs     •   19:46 Overflights      •    26:46 Quarantine and blockade      •    33:45 Russian floundering     •    35:52 Dealmaking      •   40:07 Uncomfortable proximity      •    42:36 Spheres of influence Follow along on Instagram Tue, 11 Jul 2023 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 81: Max Hastings on the Cuban Missile Crisis full The Free Press Max Hastings, journalist, military historian, and author most recently of Abyss: The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962, joins the show to talk about the world’s brush with World War III. Max Hastings, journalist, military historian, and author most recently of Abyss: The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962, joins the show to talk about the world’s brush with World War III.  ▪️ Times      •    01:41 Introduction      •    01:59 From journalism to history     •    07:06 Recollections     •    09:40 Castro and the Bay of Pigs     •   19:46 Overflights      •    26:46 Quarantine and blockade      •    33:45 Russian floundering     •    35:52 Dealmaking      •   40:07 Uncomfortable proximity      •    42:36 Spheres of influence Follow along on Instagram Max Hastings, journalist, military historian, and author most recently of Abyss: The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962, joins the show to talk about the world’s brush with World War III. 

▪️

Times 

    •    01:41 Introduction 

    •    01:59 From journalism to history

    •    07:06 Recollections

    •    09:40 Castro and the Bay of Pigs

    •   19:46 Overflights 

    •    26:46 Quarantine and blockade 

    •    33:45 Russian floundering

    •    35:52 Dealmaking 

    •   40:07 Uncomfortable proximity 

    •    42:36 Spheres of influence


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 2932 Ep 80: Holger Afflerbach on How Germany Lost WWI Holger Afflerbach, Professor of Modern European History at the University of Leeds and author of On a Knife Edge: How Germany Lost the First World War, joins the show to talk about the origins of the First World War, how much Germany is to blame, and why the July Crisis of 1914 is relevant in 2023.  ▪️ Times      •    01:59 Introduction      •    02:46 Fritz Fischer      •    10:34 1914 and today     •    15:24 The Kaiser     •   21:54 Bethmann Hollweg     •    27:46 Military necessity     •    37:25 How did Germany lose?      •    44:10 Murderers or sleepwalkers? For context, and a better sense of the events unfolding in 1914, checkout the National World War One Museum Interactive Timeline and Summer 1914 Day By Day. Follow along on Instagram Tue, 04 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 80: Holger Afflerbach on How Germany Lost WWI full The Free Press Holger Afflerbach, Professor of Modern European History at the University of Leeds and author of On a Knife Edge: How Germany Lost the First World War, joins the show to talk about the origins of the First World War, how much Germany is to blame, and why the July Crisis of 1914 is relevant in 2023.  Holger Afflerbach, Professor of Modern European History at the University of Leeds and author of On a Knife Edge: How Germany Lost the First World War, joins the show to talk about the origins of the First World War, how much Germany is to blame, and why the July Crisis of 1914 is relevant in 2023.  ▪️ Times      •    01:59 Introduction      •    02:46 Fritz Fischer      •    10:34 1914 and today     •    15:24 The Kaiser     •   21:54 Bethmann Hollweg     •    27:46 Military necessity     •    37:25 How did Germany lose?      •    44:10 Murderers or sleepwalkers? For context, and a better sense of the events unfolding in 1914, checkout the National World War One Museum Interactive Timeline and Summer 1914 Day By Day. Follow along on Instagram Holger Afflerbach, Professor of Modern European History at the University of Leeds and author of On a Knife Edge: How Germany Lost the First World War, joins the show to talk about the origins of the First World War, how much Germany is to blame, and why the July Crisis of 1914 is relevant in 2023. 

▪️

Times 

    •    01:59 Introduction 

    •    02:46 Fritz Fischer 

    •    10:34 1914 and today

    •    15:24 The Kaiser

    •   21:54 Bethmann Hollweg

    •    27:46 Military necessity

    •    37:25 How did Germany lose? 

    •    44:10 Murderers or sleepwalkers?

For context, and a better sense of the events unfolding in 1914, checkout the National World War One Museum Interactive Timeline and Summer 1914 Day By Day.


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 2970 Ep 79: Mark Galeotti on Russia’s Military Mark Galeotti, director of Mayak Intelligence, host of the In Moscows’s Shadow podcast, and author of Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine, joins the show to talk about the post-Cold War Russian Armed Forces. ▪️ Times      •    02:13 Introduction      •    04:26 The peak      •    10:04 In decline     •    13:04 A day in the life of a ’90s Russian soldier     •    16:23 The First Chechen War      •    21:17 Putin and Chechnya     •    24:42 Russia’s claims     •    35:10 Modernization     •    40:49 Historical karma in Ukraine     •    46:10 Big picture      •    48:20 Ukraine’s counter-offensive     •    51:49 Wagner and Prigozhin Follow along on Instagram Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 79: Mark Galeotti on Russia’s Military full The Free Press Mark Galeotti, director of Mayak Intelligence, host of the In Moscows’s Shadow podcast, and author of Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine, joins the show to talk about the post-Cold War Russian Armed Forces. Mark Galeotti, director of Mayak Intelligence, host of the In Moscows’s Shadow podcast, and author of Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine, joins the show to talk about the post-Cold War Russian Armed Forces. ▪️ Times      •    02:13 Introduction      •    04:26 The peak      •    10:04 In decline     •    13:04 A day in the life of a ’90s Russian soldier     •    16:23 The First Chechen War      •    21:17 Putin and Chechnya     •    24:42 Russia’s claims     •    35:10 Modernization     •    40:49 Historical karma in Ukraine     •    46:10 Big picture      •    48:20 Ukraine’s counter-offensive     •    51:49 Wagner and Prigozhin Follow along on Instagram Mark Galeotti, director of Mayak Intelligence, host of the In Moscows’s Shadow podcast, and author of Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine, joins the show to talk about the post-Cold War Russian Armed Forces.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:13 Introduction 

    •    04:26 The peak 

    •    10:04 In decline

    •    13:04 A day in the life of a ’90s Russian soldier

    •    16:23 The First Chechen War 

    •    21:17 Putin and Chechnya

    •    24:42 Russia’s claims

    •    35:10 Modernization

    •    40:49 Historical karma in Ukraine

    •    46:10 Big picture 

    •    48:20 Ukraine’s counter-offensive

    •    51:49 Wagner and Prigozhin


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 3314 Ep 78: Hew Strachan on Clausewitz (New Makers of Modern Strategy #7) Hew Strachan, Bishop Wardlaw Professor at the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Carl von Clausewitz. ▪️ Times      •    02:10 Introduction      •    04:31 Serious-minded     •    09:43 On War      •    11:54 Deconstruct to construct     •    15:19 Distinctions in war      •    24:07 The American embrace of Clausewitz     •    28:00 Context is everything     •    32:14 Politics by other means     •    36:24 Clausewitz the Marxist     •    40:05 Absolute and Total Follow along on Instagram Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 78: Hew Strachan on Clausewitz (New Makers of Modern Strategy #7) full The Free Press Hew Strachan, Bishop Wardlaw Professor at the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Carl von Clausewitz. Hew Strachan, Bishop Wardlaw Professor at the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Carl von Clausewitz. ▪️ Times      •    02:10 Introduction      •    04:31 Serious-minded     •    09:43 On War      •    11:54 Deconstruct to construct     •    15:19 Distinctions in war      •    24:07 The American embrace of Clausewitz     •    28:00 Context is everything     •    32:14 Politics by other means     •    36:24 Clausewitz the Marxist     •    40:05 Absolute and Total Follow along on Instagram Hew Strachan, Bishop Wardlaw Professor at the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Carl von Clausewitz.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:10 Introduction 

    •    04:31 Serious-minded

    •    09:43 On War 

    •    11:54 Deconstruct to construct

    •    15:19 Distinctions in war 

    •    24:07 The American embrace of Clausewitz

    •    28:00 Context is everything

    •    32:14 Politics by other means

    •    36:24 Clausewitz the Marxist

    •    40:05 Absolute and Total


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]]> 2733 Ep 77: Iskander Rehman on Sully, Richelieu, and Mazarin (New Makers of Modern Strategy #6) Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at the Kissinger Center at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about French grand strategy during the 16th and 17th century rivalry between the Bourbons and Habsburg Spain.  ▪️ Times      •    02:41 Introduction      •    04:35 A nagging curiosity       •    06:59 Sully at the start      •    13:27 The genesis of a struggle     •    21:19 French internal cohesion      •    26:51 Naval power     •    29:28 Religious factions and Richelieu     •    32:14 The 30 Years War and France     •    36:22 The fruits of disorder     •    41:44 Defender of the faith     •    44:41 Mazarin      •    49:48 Hegemonic France     •    53:56 Rapid-fire lessons Follow along on Instagram Tue, 13 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 77: Iskander Rehman on Sully, Richelieu, and Mazarin (New Makers of Modern Strategy #6) full The Free Press Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at the Kissinger Center at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about French grand strategy during the 16th and 17th century rivalry between the Bourbons and Habsburg Spain.  Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at the Kissinger Center at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about French grand strategy during the 16th and 17th century rivalry between the Bourbons and Habsburg Spain.  ▪️ Times      •    02:41 Introduction      •    04:35 A nagging curiosity       •    06:59 Sully at the start      •    13:27 The genesis of a struggle     •    21:19 French internal cohesion      •    26:51 Naval power     •    29:28 Religious factions and Richelieu     •    32:14 The 30 Years War and France     •    36:22 The fruits of disorder     •    41:44 Defender of the faith     •    44:41 Mazarin      •    49:48 Hegemonic France     •    53:56 Rapid-fire lessons Follow along on Instagram Iskander Rehman, Ax:son Johnson Fellow at the Kissinger Center at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about French grand strategy during the 16th and 17th century rivalry between the Bourbons and Habsburg Spain. 

▪️

Times 

    •    02:41 Introduction 

    •    04:35 A nagging curiosity  

    •    06:59 Sully at the start 

    •    13:27 The genesis of a struggle

    •    21:19 French internal cohesion 

    •    26:51 Naval power

    •    29:28 Religious factions and Richelieu

    •    32:14 The 30 Years War and France

    •    36:22 The fruits of disorder

    •    41:44 Defender of the faith

    •    44:41 Mazarin 

    •    49:48 Hegemonic France

    •    53:56 Rapid-fire lessons

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]]> 3475 Ep 76: Levi Roach on the Normans Levi Roach, Associate Professor of Medieval History at the University of Exeter and author of Empires of the Normans: Conquerors of Europe, joins the show to talk about the rise, violent spread, and ultimate normalization of the group of Viking raiders know as the Normans.   ▪️ Times  • 01:25 Introduction  • 01:53 Who were the Normans?   • 06:40 Transformations • 11:41 Parallel outbursts • 14:35 “If a Frank is your neighbor, he’s not your friend” • 16:01 Towards 1066 • 22:20 Dukes and kings • 26:34 Hastings • 31:42 William’s victory • 36:13 Rule by castle • 39:26 Siege and counter-siege • 41:27 Normans in the Mediterranean • 47:24 “Noteworthy, not unique” Follow along on Instagram Tue, 06 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 76: Levi Roach on the Normans full The Free Press Levi Roach, Associate Professor of Medieval History at the University of Exeter and author of Empires of the Normans: Conquerors of Europe, joins the show to talk about the rise, violent spread, and ultimate normalization of the group of Viking raiders know as the Normans. Levi Roach, Associate Professor of Medieval History at the University of Exeter and author of Empires of the Normans: Conquerors of Europe, joins the show to talk about the rise, violent spread, and ultimate normalization of the group of Viking raiders know as the Normans.   ▪️ Times  • 01:25 Introduction  • 01:53 Who were the Normans?   • 06:40 Transformations • 11:41 Parallel outbursts • 14:35 “If a Frank is your neighbor, he’s not your friend” • 16:01 Towards 1066 • 22:20 Dukes and kings • 26:34 Hastings • 31:42 William’s victory • 36:13 Rule by castle • 39:26 Siege and counter-siege • 41:27 Normans in the Mediterranean • 47:24 “Noteworthy, not unique” Follow along on Instagram Levi Roach, Associate Professor of Medieval History at the University of Exeter and author of Empires of the Normans: Conquerors of Europe, joins the show to talk about the rise, violent spread, and ultimate normalization of the group of Viking raiders know as the Normans.  

▪️

Times 

• 01:25 Introduction 

• 01:53 Who were the Normans?  

• 06:40 Transformations

• 11:41 Parallel outbursts

• 14:35 “If a Frank is your neighbor, he’s not your friend”

• 16:01 Towards 1066

• 22:20 Dukes and kings

• 26:34 Hastings

• 31:42 William’s victory

• 36:13 Rule by castle

• 39:26 Siege and counter-siege

• 41:27 Normans in the Mediterranean

• 47:24 “Noteworthy, not unique”


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 3051 Ep 75: Toshi Yoshihara on Sun Tzu (New Makers of Modern Strategy #5) Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, author of Mao’s Army Goes to Sea, and contributor to the New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Sun Tzu and Mao’s strategic thought. ▪️ Times      •    02:14 Introduction      •    02:33 Who was Sun Tzu?       •    05:38 Spring and Autumn      •    08:27 Legitimizing the text     •    11:18 Rational analysis      •    13:51 Clausewitz versus Sun Tzu     •    20:28 A dangerous optimism      •    24:40 Shih     •    29:59 Mao in ’49 and ’50     •    34:11 Chinese intervention in Korea     •    38:36 The origins of Chinese sea power      •    43:11 Amphibious operations     •    47:33 D-Day without any advantages  Andrew Rhodes Map D-Day Invasion compared to potential Taiwan Invasion Follow along on Instagram Tue, 30 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 75: Toshi Yoshihara on Sun Tzu (New Makers of Modern Strategy #5) full The Free Press Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, author of Mao’s Army Goes to Sea, and contributor to the New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Sun Tzu and Mao’s strategic thought. Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, author of Mao’s Army Goes to Sea, and contributor to the New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Sun Tzu and Mao’s strategic thought. ▪️ Times      •    02:14 Introduction      •    02:33 Who was Sun Tzu?       •    05:38 Spring and Autumn      •    08:27 Legitimizing the text     •    11:18 Rational analysis      •    13:51 Clausewitz versus Sun Tzu     •    20:28 A dangerous optimism      •    24:40 Shih     •    29:59 Mao in ’49 and ’50     •    34:11 Chinese intervention in Korea     •    38:36 The origins of Chinese sea power      •    43:11 Amphibious operations     •    47:33 D-Day without any advantages  Andrew Rhodes Map D-Day Invasion compared to potential Taiwan Invasion Follow along on Instagram Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, author of Mao’s Army Goes to Sea, and contributor to the New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about Sun Tzu and Mao’s strategic thought.

▪️

Times 

    •    02:14 Introduction 

    •    02:33 Who was Sun Tzu?  

    •    05:38 Spring and Autumn 

    •    08:27 Legitimizing the text

    •    11:18 Rational analysis 

    •    13:51 Clausewitz versus Sun Tzu

    •    20:28 A dangerous optimism 

    •    24:40 Shih

    •    29:59 Mao in ’49 and ’50

    •    34:11 Chinese intervention in Korea

    •    38:36 The origins of Chinese sea power 

    •    43:11 Amphibious operations

    •    47:33 D-Day without any advantages 


Andrew Rhodes Map D-Day Invasion compared to potential Taiwan Invasion


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 3150 Ep 74: Mark Moyar on Vietnam (New Makers of Modern Strategy #4) Mark Moyar, the William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College, author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968 and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to reconsider the history of the Vietnam War. ▪️ Times  • 01:53 Introduction  • 04:30 Beginnings  • 08:43 Early success  • 12:23 Fallout from the coup • 14:00 LBJ takes over  • 19:06 Domino theory • 22:20 China and Vietnam  • 25:40 Buying time • 28:23 Johnson and McNamara • 34:22 Maintaining the shield  • 35:53 Westmoreland and attrition  • 41:42 South Vietnam  • 45:33 Parallels Follow along on Instagram Tue, 23 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 74: Mark Moyar on Vietnam (New Makers of Modern Strategy #4) full The Free Press Mark Moyar, the William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College, author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968 and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to reconsider history of the Vietnam War. Mark Moyar, the William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College, author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968 and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to reconsider the history of the Vietnam War. ▪️ Times  • 01:53 Introduction  • 04:30 Beginnings  • 08:43 Early success  • 12:23 Fallout from the coup • 14:00 LBJ takes over  • 19:06 Domino theory • 22:20 China and Vietnam  • 25:40 Buying time • 28:23 Johnson and McNamara • 34:22 Maintaining the shield  • 35:53 Westmoreland and attrition  • 41:42 South Vietnam  • 45:33 Parallels Follow along on Instagram Mark Moyar, the William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College, author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968 and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to reconsider the history of the Vietnam War.

▪️

Times 

• 01:53 Introduction 

• 04:30 Beginnings 

• 08:43 Early success 

• 12:23 Fallout from the coup

• 14:00 LBJ takes over 

• 19:06 Domino theory

• 22:20 China and Vietnam 

• 25:40 Buying time

• 28:23 Johnson and McNamara

• 34:22 Maintaining the shield 

• 35:53 Westmoreland and attrition 

• 41:42 South Vietnam 

• 45:33 Parallels


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 3057 Ep 73: Carter Malkasian on Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency (New Makers of Modern Strategy #3) Carter Malkasian, chair of the Defense Analysis Department at the Naval Postgraduate School and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about counterterrorism and counterinsurgency since 9/11. ▪️ Times      •    01:39 Introduction      •    02:01 From academia to Garmsir      •    03:48 Center for Naval Analysis      •    05:45 Two faces of the same coin     •    08:51 Counterterrorism vs counterinsurgency      •    13:00 McChrystal and Petraeus     •    16:29 Types of insurgency      •    20:34 The Sunni Awakening and the Surge     •    24:32 Two different wars     •    30:51 Gilding the lily      •    37:46 The Obama Administration     •    41:42 ISIS     •    44:45 Withdrawal deadline Follow along on Instagram Tue, 16 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 73: Carter Malkasian on Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency (New Makers of Modern Strategy #3) full The Free Press Carter Malkasian, chair of the Defense Analysis Department at the Naval Postgraduate School and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about counterterrorism and counterinsurgency since 9/11. Carter Malkasian, chair of the Defense Analysis Department at the Naval Postgraduate School and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about counterterrorism and counterinsurgency since 9/11. ▪️ Times      •    01:39 Introduction      •    02:01 From academia to Garmsir      •    03:48 Center for Naval Analysis      •    05:45 Two faces of the same coin     •    08:51 Counterterrorism vs counterinsurgency      •    13:00 McChrystal and Petraeus     •    16:29 Types of insurgency      •    20:34 The Sunni Awakening and the Surge     •    24:32 Two different wars     •    30:51 Gilding the lily      •    37:46 The Obama Administration     •    41:42 ISIS     •    44:45 Withdrawal deadline Follow along on Instagram Carter Malkasian, chair of the Defense Analysis Department at the Naval Postgraduate School and contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about counterterrorism and counterinsurgency since 9/11.

▪️

Times 

    •    01:39 Introduction 

    •    02:01 From academia to Garmsir 

    •    03:48 Center for Naval Analysis 

    •    05:45 Two faces of the same coin

    •    08:51 Counterterrorism vs counterinsurgency 

    •    13:00 McChrystal and Petraeus

    •    16:29 Types of insurgency 

    •    20:34 The Sunni Awakening and the Surge

    •    24:32 Two different wars

    •    30:51 Gilding the lily 

    •    37:46 The Obama Administration

    •    41:42 ISIS

    •    44:45 Withdrawal deadline


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 2829 Ep 72: Matthew Kroenig on Machiavelli (New Makers of Modern Strategy #2) Matthew Kroenig, professor in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and contributor to the New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the most influential strategic thinkers of all time, Niccolo Machiavelli. ▪️ Times  • 02:21 Introduction  • 03:52 Teaching Machiavelli  • 05:38 Machiavelli’s relevance • 07:49 Who was Niccolo? • 10:00 A lasting effect  • 12:16 The Art of War • 15:52 A bad reputation • 19:58 A return to republic • 22:25 The Prince • 25:45 An early realist  • 30:35 Classical influences • 35:12 Bullish on democracy Follow along on Instagram Tue, 09 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 72: Matthew Kroenig on Machiavelli (New Makers of Modern Strategy #2) full The Free Press Matthew Kroenig, professor in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and contributor to the New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the most influential strategic thinkers of all time, Niccolo Machiavelli. Matthew Kroenig, professor in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and contributor to the New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the most influential strategic thinkers of all time, Niccolo Machiavelli. ▪️ Times  • 02:21 Introduction  • 03:52 Teaching Machiavelli  • 05:38 Machiavelli’s relevance • 07:49 Who was Niccolo? • 10:00 A lasting effect  • 12:16 The Art of War • 15:52 A bad reputation • 19:58 A return to republic • 22:25 The Prince • 25:45 An early realist  • 30:35 Classical influences • 35:12 Bullish on democracy Follow along on Instagram Matthew Kroenig, professor in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and contributor to the New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about one of the most influential strategic thinkers of all time, Niccolo Machiavelli.

▪️

Times 

• 02:21 Introduction 

• 03:52 Teaching Machiavelli 

• 05:38 Machiavelli’s relevance

• 07:49 Who was Niccolo?

• 10:00 A lasting effect 

• 12:16 The Art of War

• 15:52 A bad reputation

• 19:58 A return to republic

• 22:25 The Prince

• 25:45 An early realist 

• 30:35 Classical influences

• 35:12 Bullish on democracy


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 2269 Ep 71: John Gaddis on Strategy (New Makers of Modern Strategy #1) John Gaddis, Robert A. Lovett Professor of Military & Naval History at Yale University and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about the foundations of strategic thought. ▪️ Times  • 02:01 Introduction  • 02:42 Makers of Modern Strategy  • 05:21 Democracy and strategy  • 07:42 Do authoritarians do strategy better? • 10:32 A guide for future action • 14:19 Grammar and logic • 17:42 Ecological sensitivity • 21:00 Maintain credibility  • 23:25 NSC-68 • 28:04 Reactions   • 32:18 Self-correction • 37:12 Tolerating contradictions  • 41:29 Robert Kagan • 42:43 Intellectual humility Follow along on Instagram Tue, 02 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 71: John Gaddis on Strategy (New Makers of Modern Strategy #1) full The Free Press John Gaddis, Robert A. Lovett Professor of Military & Naval History at Yale University and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about the foundations of strategic thought. John Gaddis, Robert A. Lovett Professor of Military & Naval History at Yale University and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about the foundations of strategic thought. ▪️ Times  • 02:01 Introduction  • 02:42 Makers of Modern Strategy  • 05:21 Democracy and strategy  • 07:42 Do authoritarians do strategy better? • 10:32 A guide for future action • 14:19 Grammar and logic • 17:42 Ecological sensitivity • 21:00 Maintain credibility  • 23:25 NSC-68 • 28:04 Reactions   • 32:18 Self-correction • 37:12 Tolerating contradictions  • 41:29 Robert Kagan • 42:43 Intellectual humility Follow along on Instagram John Gaddis, Robert A. Lovett Professor of Military & Naval History at Yale University and a contributor to New Makers of Modern Strategy, joins the show to talk about the foundations of strategic thought.

▪️

Times 

• 02:01 Introduction 

• 02:42 Makers of Modern Strategy 

• 05:21 Democracy and strategy 

• 07:42 Do authoritarians do strategy better?

• 10:32 A guide for future action

• 14:19 Grammar and logic

• 17:42 Ecological sensitivity

• 21:00 Maintain credibility 

• 23:25 NSC-68

• 28:04 Reactions  

• 32:18 Self-correction

• 37:12 Tolerating contradictions 

• 41:29 Robert Kagan

• 42:43 Intellectual humility


Follow along on Instagram



]]> 2635 Ep 70: Will Scharf on China’s Fentanyl War on America Will Scharf, former federal prosecutor and candidate for Missouri Attorney General, joins the show to talk about how the Chinese Communist Party uses fentanyl as part of a broader strategy to pressure the United States. ▪️ Times  • 01:16 Introduction  • 02:19 Law enforcement and policy • 04:39 What is fentanyl?  • 06:53 Violent Crimes • 09:00 Fentanyl’s strength • 12:02 Fentanyl vs opium • 13:24 Origins • 17:52 China’s role • 21:09 The Opium Wars  • 25:41 The Chinese enigma  • 34:13 What can we do?  • 38:02 The cartels • 41:03 Cui bono? Tue, 25 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 70: Will Scharf on China’s Fentanyl War on America full The Free Press Will Scharf, former federal prosecutor and candidate for Missouri Attorney General, joins the show to talk about how the Chinese Communist Party uses fentanyl as part of a broader strategy to pressure the United States. Will Scharf, former federal prosecutor and candidate for Missouri Attorney General, joins the show to talk about how the Chinese Communist Party uses fentanyl as part of a broader strategy to pressure the United States. ▪️ Times  • 01:16 Introduction  • 02:19 Law enforcement and policy • 04:39 What is fentanyl?  • 06:53 Violent Crimes • 09:00 Fentanyl’s strength • 12:02 Fentanyl vs opium • 13:24 Origins • 17:52 China’s role • 21:09 The Opium Wars  • 25:41 The Chinese enigma  • 34:13 What can we do?  • 38:02 The cartels • 41:03 Cui bono? Will Scharf, former federal prosecutor and candidate for Missouri Attorney General, joins the show to talk about how the Chinese Communist Party uses fentanyl as part of a broader strategy to pressure the United States.

▪️

Times 

• 01:16 Introduction 

• 02:19 Law enforcement and policy

• 04:39 What is fentanyl? 

• 06:53 Violent Crimes

• 09:00 Fentanyl’s strength

• 12:02 Fentanyl vs opium

• 13:24 Origins

• 17:52 China’s role

• 21:09 The Opium Wars 

• 25:41 The Chinese enigma 

• 34:13 What can we do? 

• 38:02 The cartels

• 41:03 Cui bono?

]]> 2756 Ep 69: John Lisle on the OSS and "Dirty Tricks" John Lisle, a historian of science and the American intelligence community and author of The Dirty Tricks Department, joins the show to talk about the World War Two-era Office of Strategic Services and its Research and Development Branch. ▪️ Times  • 01:44 Introduction  • 02:10 “Wild Bill” Donovan • 05:54 Donovan’s style  • 08:53 Stanley Lovell • 12:35 An unconventional training process • 16:40 Explosive pancake batter • 19:24 Limpet mines and Java Man • 23:33 A meaningful legacy? • 27:34 Target: Werner Heisenberg • 31:51 WMDs  • 35:40 Truth Serum • 39:02 From OSS to CIA Follow along on Instagram Tue, 18 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 69: John Lisle on the OSS and "Dirty Tricks" full The Free Press John Lisle, a historian of science and the American intelligence community and author of The Dirty Tricks Department, joins the show to talk about the World War Two-era Office of Strategic Services and its Research and Development Branch. John Lisle, a historian of science and the American intelligence community and author of The Dirty Tricks Department, joins the show to talk about the World War Two-era Office of Strategic Services and its Research and Development Branch. ▪️ Times  • 01:44 Introduction  • 02:10 “Wild Bill” Donovan • 05:54 Donovan’s style  • 08:53 Stanley Lovell • 12:35 An unconventional training process • 16:40 Explosive pancake batter • 19:24 Limpet mines and Java Man • 23:33 A meaningful legacy? • 27:34 Target: Werner Heisenberg • 31:51 WMDs  • 35:40 Truth Serum • 39:02 From OSS to CIA Follow along on Instagram John Lisle, a historian of science and the American intelligence community and author of The Dirty Tricks Department, joins the show to talk about the World War Two-era Office of Strategic Services and its Research and Development Branch.

▪️

Times 

• 01:44 Introduction 

• 02:10 “Wild Bill” Donovan

• 05:54 Donovan’s style 

• 08:53 Stanley Lovell

• 12:35 An unconventional training process

• 16:40 Explosive pancake batter

• 19:24 Limpet mines and Java Man

• 23:33 A meaningful legacy?

• 27:34 Target: Werner Heisenberg

• 31:51 WMDs 

• 35:40 Truth Serum

• 39:02 From OSS to CIA


Follow along on Instagram

]]> 2553 Ep 68: Peter H. Wilson on the Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples Peter H. Wilson, Chichele Professor of the History of War at All Souls, Oxford, and author of Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500, joins the show to talk about Germany, Germans, and German-speakers at war. ▪️ Times  • 01:52 Introduction  • 03:07 A dominance myth?  • 06:58 The Holy Roman Empire  • 10:33 HRE longevity • 12:38 The Thirty Years War • 15:31 Westphalia • 21:24 Prussia rising • 24:09 Prussia and Austria  • 27:56 Napoleon  • 31:43 The Imperial legacy  • 34:42 Bismarck’s wars   • 37:06 1914 vs 1940  • 40:03 Blitzkrieg Tue, 11 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 68: Peter H. Wilson on the Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples full The Free Press Peter H. Wilson, Chichele Professor of the History of War at All Souls, Oxford, and author of Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500, joins the show to talk about Germany, Germans, and German-speakers at war. Peter H. Wilson, Chichele Professor of the History of War at All Souls, Oxford, and author of Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500, joins the show to talk about Germany, Germans, and German-speakers at war. ▪️ Times  • 01:52 Introduction  • 03:07 A dominance myth?  • 06:58 The Holy Roman Empire  • 10:33 HRE longevity • 12:38 The Thirty Years War • 15:31 Westphalia • 21:24 Prussia rising • 24:09 Prussia and Austria  • 27:56 Napoleon  • 31:43 The Imperial legacy  • 34:42 Bismarck’s wars   • 37:06 1914 vs 1940  • 40:03 Blitzkrieg Peter H. Wilson, Chichele Professor of the History of War at All Souls, Oxford, and author of Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500, joins the show to talk about Germany, Germans, and German-speakers at war.

▪️

Times 

• 01:52 Introduction 

• 03:07 A dominance myth? 

• 06:58 The Holy Roman Empire 

• 10:33 HRE longevity

• 12:38 The Thirty Years War

• 15:31 Westphalia

• 21:24 Prussia rising

• 24:09 Prussia and Austria 

• 27:56 Napoleon 

• 31:43 The Imperial legacy 

• 34:42 Bismarck’s wars  

• 37:06 1914 vs 1940 

• 40:03 Blitzkrieg

]]> 2547 Ep 67: Stephen J. Hadley on George W. Bush’s Foreign Policy Stephen J. Hadley, National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush and lead editor of Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama, joins the show to talk about the lasting effects of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and the Bush administration’s dealings with Russia and China. ▪️ Times  • 01:38 Introduction  • 02:03 Transitions • 06:41 Russia and China then and now  • 08:45 Democratic values and our interests • 15:20 Democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan • 19:39 Missing ingredients in Afghanistan • 24:07 Departing Iraq • 30:05 A better outcome for Afghanistan?  • 33:33 Commitments • 38:30 China and Russia from ’01 to ’09  • 44:57 Integrating China into the international system   • 47:37 NATO expansion Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000 Ep 67: Stephen J. Hadley on George W. Bush’s Foreign Policy full The Free Press Stephen J. Hadley, National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush and lead editor of Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama, joins the show to talk about the lasting effects of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and the Bush administration’s dealings with Russia and China. Stephen J. Hadley, National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush and lead editor of Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama, joins the show to talk about the lasting effects of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and the Bush administration’s dealings with Russia and China. ▪️ Times  • 01:38 Introduction  • 02:03 Transitions • 06:41 Russia and China then and now  • 08:45 Democratic values and our interests • 15:20 Democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan • 19:39 Missing ingredients in Afghanistan • 24:07 Departing Iraq • 30:05 A better outcome for Afghanistan?  • 33:33 Commitments • 38:30 China and Russia from ’01 to ’09  • 44:57 Integrating China into the international system   • 47:37 NATO expansion Stephen J. Hadley, National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush and lead editor of Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama, joins the show to talk about the lasting effects of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and the Bush administration’s dealings with Russia and China.

▪️

Times 

• 01:38 Introduction 

• 02:03 Transitions

• 06:41 Russia and China then and now 

• 08:45 Democratic values and our interests

• 15:20 Democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan

• 19:39 Missing ingredients in Afghanistan

• 24:07 Departing Iraq

• 30:05 A better outcome for Afghanistan? 

• 33:33 Commitments

• 38:30 China and Russia from ’01 to ’09 

• 44:57 Integrating China into the international system  

• 47:37 NATO expansion

]]> 3115 Ep 66: Michael E. O’Hanlon on Military History and Modern Strategy Michael E. O’Hanlon, senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution and author of Military History for the Modern Strategist: America’s Major Wars Since 1861, joins the show to talk about how the patterns of military history can shed light on today’s concerns. ▪️ Times  • 01:16 Introduction  • 01:50 Military history for the modern strategist • 05:16 Is military history relevant?  • 09:05 Lessons from the Civil War • 22:47 Could the South have succeeded? • 27:46 America starts slow • 35:35 MaArthur’s dismissal • 41:16 Could the Korean War have ended earlier?  • 45:11 What is our grand strategy? Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000 Ep 66: Michael E. O’Hanlon on Military History and Modern Strategy full The Free Press Michael E. O’Hanlon, senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution and author of Military History for the Modern Strategist: America’s Major Wars Since 1861, joins the show to talk about how the patterns of military history can shed light on today’s concerns. Michael E. O’Hanlon, senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution and author of Military History for the Modern Strategist: America’s Major Wars Since 1861, joins the show to talk about how the patterns of military history can shed light on today’s concerns. ▪️ Times  • 01:16 Introduction  • 01:50 Military history for the modern strategist • 05:16 Is military history relevant?  • 09:05 Lessons from the Civil War • 22:47 Could the South have succeeded? • 27:46 America starts slow • 35:35 MaArthur’s dismissal • 41:16 Could the Korean War have ended earlier?  • 45:11 What is our grand strategy? Michael E. O’Hanlon, senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution and author of Military History for the Modern Strategist: America’s Major Wars Since 1861, joins the show to talk about how the patterns of military history can shed light on today’s concerns.

▪️

Times 

• 01:16 Introduction 

• 01:50 Military history for the modern strategist

• 05:16 Is military history relevant? 

• 09:05 Lessons from the Civil War

• 22:47 Could the South have succeeded?

• 27:46 America starts slow

• 35:35 MaArthur’s dismissal

• 41:16 Could the Korean War have ended earlier? 

• 45:11 What is our grand strategy?

]]> 2882 Ep 65: John Hosler on Jerusalem John Hosler, Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and author of Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace, joins the show to talk about the wars, and the peace, of medieval Jerusalem. ▪️ Times  • 01:26 Introduction  • 01:46 Why care about medieval military history? • 07:22 What is it about Jerusalem?  • 12:45 Continuities • 16:19 The Byzantines and the Jews • 23:54 The Arabs arrive  • 29:42 An “evidentiary problem” • 33:59 Three hundred years of peace • 36:29 Causes of the First Crusade • 40:36 The Crusaders • 42:32 Siege and conquest • 44:23 A Christian city • 47:31 The Crusader States  • 49:29 The Knights Templar Tue, 21 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000 Ep 65: John Hosler on Jerusalem full The Free Press John Hosler, Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and author of Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace, joins the show to talk about the wars, and the peace, of medieval Jerusalem. John Hosler, Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and author of Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace, joins the show to talk about the wars, and the peace, of medieval Jerusalem. ▪️ Times  • 01:26 Introduction  • 01:46 Why care about medieval military history? • 07:22 What is it about Jerusalem?  • 12:45 Continuities • 16:19 The Byzantines and the Jews • 23:54 The Arabs arrive  • 29:42 An “evidentiary problem” • 33:59 Three hundred years of peace • 36:29 Causes of the First Crusade • 40:36 The Crusaders • 42:32 Siege and conquest • 44:23 A Christian city • 47:31 The Crusader States  • 49:29 The Knights Templar John Hosler, Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and author of Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace, joins the show to talk about the wars, and the peace, of medieval Jerusalem.

▪️

Times 

• 01:26 Introduction 

• 01:46 Why care about medieval military history?

• 07:22 What is it about Jerusalem? 

• 12:45 Continuities

• 16:19 The Byzantines and the Jews

• 23:54 The Arabs arrive 

• 29:42 An “evidentiary problem”

• 33:59 Three hundred years of peace

• 36:29 Causes of the First Crusade

• 40:36 The Crusaders

• 42:32 Siege and conquest

• 44:23 A Christian city

• 47:31 The Crusader States 

• 49:29 The Knights Templar

]]> 3103 Ep 64: Dan Blumenthal and Fred Kagan on China’s Three Strategies for Taiwan Dan Blumenthal and Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute join the show to talk about the three strategies that China can use to seize control of Taiwan. ▪️ Times  • 01:40 China’s three approaches on Taiwan  • 02:09 Persuasion • 07:35 Complimentary campaigns  • 10:34 Dominance of discourse power • 14:40 Talk, talk, fight, fight • 18:45 Coercion  • 26:51 Speaker Pelosi's trip to Taiwan  • 30:02 Compellence • 35:24 CSIS war game conclusions  • 42:33 Fighting for themselves • 46:48 Ukraine or Taiwan, who gets what? • 51:38 Xi Jinping’s dilemma Tue, 14 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000 Ep 64: Dan Blumenthal and Fred Kagan on China’s Three Strategies for Taiwan full The Free Press Dan Blumenthal and Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute join the show to talk about the three strategies that China can use to seize control of Taiwan. Dan Blumenthal and Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute join the show to talk about the three strategies that China can use to seize control of Taiwan. ▪️ Times  • 01:40 China’s three approaches on Taiwan  • 02:09 Persuasion • 07:35 Complimentary campaigns  • 10:34 Dominance of discourse power • 14:40 Talk, talk, fight, fight • 18:45 Coercion  • 26:51 Speaker Pelosi's trip to Taiwan  • 30:02 Compellence • 35:24 CSIS war game conclusions  • 42:33 Fighting for themselves • 46:48 Ukraine or Taiwan, who gets what? • 51:38 Xi Jinping’s dilemma Dan Blumenthal and Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute join the show to talk about the three strategies that China can use to seize control of Taiwan.

▪️

Times 

• 01:40 China’s three approaches on Taiwan 

• 02:09 Persuasion

• 07:35 Complimentary campaigns 

• 10:34 Dominance of discourse power

• 14:40 Talk, talk, fight, fight

• 18:45 Coercion 

• 26:51 Speaker Pelosi's trip to Taiwan 

• 30:02 Compellence

• 35:24 CSIS war game conclusions 

• 42:33 Fighting for themselves

• 46:48 Ukraine or Taiwan, who gets what?

• 51:38 Xi Jinping’s dilemma

]]> 3305 Ep 63: Steve Kemper on Interwar Japan Steve Kemper, author most recently of Our Man in Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor, joins the show to talk about the political chaos in Tokyo in the years leading up to WWII and the man that tried to keep the peace, U.S. AmbassadorJoseph C. Grew. ▪️ Times  • 01:18 Introduction  • 01:50 Who was Joseph C. Grew?  • 04:36 Japanese politics in the ’30s  • 07:30 Imperial Army vs Imperial Navy • 11:00 First impressions • 17:31 Insurrection  • 22:12 Drifting towards war  • 26:08 Dynamics in D.C.  • 28:24 Appeasement  • 35:05 Japan’s plans • 37:40 Embargoes and FDR • 42:48 Distinct parallels Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 63: Steve Kemper on Interwar Japan full The Free Press Steve Kemper, author most recently of Our Man in Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor, joins the show to talk about the political chaos in Tokyo in the years leading up to WWII and the man that tried to keep the peace, U.S. AmbassadorJoseph C. Grew. Steve Kemper, author most recently of Our Man in Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor, joins the show to talk about the political chaos in Tokyo in the years leading up to WWII and the man that tried to keep the peace, U.S. AmbassadorJoseph C. Grew. ▪️ Times  • 01:18 Introduction  • 01:50 Who was Joseph C. Grew?  • 04:36 Japanese politics in the ’30s  • 07:30 Imperial Army vs Imperial Navy • 11:00 First impressions • 17:31 Insurrection  • 22:12 Drifting towards war  • 26:08 Dynamics in D.C.  • 28:24 Appeasement  • 35:05 Japan’s plans • 37:40 Embargoes and FDR • 42:48 Distinct parallels Steve Kemper, author most recently of Our Man in Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor, joins the show to talk about the political chaos in Tokyo in the years leading up to WWII and the man that tried to keep the peace, U.S. AmbassadorJoseph C. Grew.

▪️

Times 

• 01:18 Introduction 

• 01:50 Who was Joseph C. Grew? 

• 04:36 Japanese politics in the ’30s 

• 07:30 Imperial Army vs Imperial Navy

• 11:00 First impressions

• 17:31 Insurrection 

• 22:12 Drifting towards war 

• 26:08 Dynamics in D.C. 

• 28:24 Appeasement 

• 35:05 Japan’s plans

• 37:40 Embargoes and FDR

• 42:48 Distinct parallels

]]> 2792 Ep 62: Mike Pompeo on American Foreign Policy Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and author of Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, joins the show to talk about American foreign policy and his service in the Trump administration. Watch this video on YouTube. ▪️ Times  • 01:13 Introduction  • 02:12 Chinese surveillance balloons  • 05:01 Chinese espionage “inside the gates”  • 07:19 Meeting Xi Jinping  • 10:25 “Mushy Middle” diplomacy  • 15:58 Republicans and Russia  • 20:18 America in the Middle East  • 26:00 Why talk to the bad guys?  • 31:35 Afghanistan • 33:05 Resetting the conversation on human rights Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 62: Mike Pompeo on American Foreign Policy full The Free Press Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and author of Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, joins the show to talk about American foreign policy and his service in the Trump administration. Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and author of Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, joins the show to talk about American foreign policy and his service in the Trump administration. Watch this video on YouTube. ▪️ Times  • 01:13 Introduction  • 02:12 Chinese surveillance balloons  • 05:01 Chinese espionage “inside the gates”  • 07:19 Meeting Xi Jinping  • 10:25 “Mushy Middle” diplomacy  • 15:58 Republicans and Russia  • 20:18 America in the Middle East  • 26:00 Why talk to the bad guys?  • 31:35 Afghanistan • 33:05 Resetting the conversation on human rights Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and author of Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, joins the show to talk about American foreign policy and his service in the Trump administration.


Watch this video on YouTube.

▪️

Times 

• 01:13 Introduction 

• 02:12 Chinese surveillance balloons 

• 05:01 Chinese espionage “inside the gates” 

• 07:19 Meeting Xi Jinping 

• 10:25 “Mushy Middle” diplomacy 

• 15:58 Republicans and Russia 

• 20:18 America in the Middle East 

• 26:00 Why talk to the bad guys? 

• 31:35 Afghanistan

• 33:05 Resetting the conversation on human rights

]]> 2166 Ep 61: Sonny Bunch on War Movies Sonny Bunch, contributing columnist at the Washington Post and culture editor for The Bulwark, where he hosts The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood newsletter and podcast and Across the Movie Aisle, joins the show to talk about the best American war movies. ▪️ Times  • 01:35 Introduction • 02:16 What is a war movie? • 07:55 The Revolutionary War - The Patriot/John Adams • 13:15 The Civil War - Glory/Gettysburg • 16:56 World War I - Paths of Glory/Lawerence of Arabia (Hon. mention: Sgt. York) • 26:30 World War II - Inglorious Bastards/Patton/The Thin Red Line/Greyhound • 36:22 The Korean War - Heartbreak Ridge/The Manchurian Candidate  • 41:45 The Vietnam War - Full Metal Jacket (Hon. mention: Apocalypse Now) • 46:10 Post Cold War - Black Hawk Down/Jarhead • 49:00 Post 9/11 - 13 Hours/The Outpost/Generation Kill Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000 Ep 61: Sonny Bunch on War Movies full The Free Press Sonny Bunch, contributing columnist at the Washington Post and culture editor for The Bulwark, where he hosts The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood newsletter and podcast and Across the Movie Aisle, joins the show to talk about the best American war movies. Sonny Bunch, contributing columnist at the Washington Post and culture editor for The Bulwark, where he hosts The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood newsletter and podcast and Across the Movie Aisle, joins the show to talk about the best American war movies. ▪️ Times  • 01:35 Introduction • 02:16 What is a war movie? • 07:55 The Revolutionary War - The Patriot/John Adams • 13:15 The Civil War - Glory/Gettysburg • 16:56 World War I - Paths of Glory/Lawerence of Arabia (Hon. mention: Sgt. York) • 26:30 World War II - Inglorious Bastards/Patton/The Thin Red Line/Greyhound • 36:22 The Korean War - Heartbreak Ridge/The Manchurian Candidate  • 41:45 The Vietnam War - Full Metal Jacket (Hon. mention: Apocalypse Now) • 46:10 Post Cold War - Black Hawk Down/Jarhead • 49:00 Post 9/11 - 13 Hours/The Outpost/Generation Kill Sonny Bunch, contributing columnist at the Washington Post and culture editor for The Bulwark, where he hosts The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood newsletter and podcast and Across the Movie Aisle, joins the show to talk about the best American war movies.

▪️

Times 

• 01:35 Introduction

• 02:16 What is a war movie?

• 07:55 The Revolutionary War - The Patriot/John Adams

• 13:15 The Civil War - Glory/Gettysburg

• 16:56 World War I - Paths of Glory/Lawerence of Arabia (Hon. mention: Sgt. York)

• 26:30 World War II - Inglorious Bastards/Patton/The Thin Red Line/Greyhound

• 36:22 The Korean War - Heartbreak Ridge/The Manchurian Candidate 

• 41:45 The Vietnam War - Full Metal Jacket (Hon. mention: Apocalypse Now)

• 46:10 Post Cold War - Black Hawk Down/Jarhead

• 49:00 Post 9/11 - 13 Hours/The Outpost/Generation Kill

]]> 3339 Ep 60: Marc Hyden on Gaius Marius Marc Hyden, Director of State Government Affairs at R Street and author of Gaius Marius: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Saviour, joins the show to discuss the life of one of the Roman Republic’s most innovative and controversial generals: Gaius Marius. ▪️ Times  • 01:33 Introduction • 01:46 An interest in Rome • 04:06 Growing pains • 06:36 The man born in Arpinum • 09:46 Serving in the legions • 11:37 Jugurtha  • 13:25 Roman politics   • 20:31 Marius in Numidia  • 28:51 Sulla and political reform • 37:06 The Cimbri and Teutones and “Marius’s Mules”  • 43:05 Career on the rocks  • 49:02 Social War to Civil War • 56:27 “Do you dare kill Gaius Marius?” Tue, 07 Feb 2023 10:30:00 -0000 Ep 60: Marc Hyden on Gaius Marius full The Free Press Marc Hyden, Director of State Government Affairs at R Street and author of Gaius Marius: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Saviour, joins the show to discuss the life of one of the Roman Republic’s most innovative and controversial generals: Gaius Marius. Marc Hyden, Director of State Government Affairs at R Street and author of Gaius Marius: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Saviour, joins the show to discuss the life of one of the Roman Republic’s most innovative and controversial generals: Gaius Marius. ▪️ Times  • 01:33 Introduction • 01:46 An interest in Rome • 04:06 Growing pains • 06:36 The man born in Arpinum • 09:46 Serving in the legions • 11:37 Jugurtha  • 13:25 Roman politics   • 20:31 Marius in Numidia  • 28:51 Sulla and political reform • 37:06 The Cimbri and Teutones and “Marius’s Mules”  • 43:05 Career on the rocks  • 49:02 Social War to Civil War • 56:27 “Do you dare kill Gaius Marius?” Marc Hyden, Director of State Government Affairs at R Street and author of Gaius Marius: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Saviour, joins the show to discuss the life of one of the Roman Republic’s most innovative and controversial generals: Gaius Marius.

▪️

Times 

• 01:33 Introduction

• 01:46 An interest in Rome

• 04:06 Growing pains

• 06:36 The man born in Arpinum

• 09:46 Serving in the legions

• 11:37 Jugurtha 

• 13:25 Roman politics  

• 20:31 Marius in Numidia 

• 28:51 Sulla and political reform

• 37:06 The Cimbri and Teutones and “Marius’s Mules” 

• 43:05 Career on the rocks 

• 49:02 Social War to Civil War

• 56:27 “Do you dare kill Gaius Marius?”

]]> 3762 Ep 59: James Lacey on Roman Strategy James Lacey, the Major General Matthew C. Horner Chair of War Studies at Marine Corps University and author of Rome: Strategy of Empire, joins the show to discuss the grand strategy of the Roman Empire. ▪️ Times  • 01:33 Introduction • 01:59 A lover of history • 05:12 The “Plato to NATO” historian  • 08:40 Edward Luttwak  • 13:20 The Romans “obviously had a strategy” • 21:02 Speaking from historical silence • 26:27 The Republic vs the Empire   • 32:50 Cost benefit analysis in Rome • 35:57 Three moments of “muscle change”  • 41:33 Unable to adapt militarily   • 46:55 Lessons for America Tue, 31 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0000 Ep 59: James Lacey on Roman Strategy full The Free Press James Lacey, the Major General Matthew C. Horner Chair of War Studies at Marine Corps University and author of Rome: Strategy of Empire, joins the show to discuss the grand strategy of the Roman Empire. James Lacey, the Major General Matthew C. Horner Chair of War Studies at Marine Corps University and author of Rome: Strategy of Empire, joins the show to discuss the grand strategy of the Roman Empire. ▪️ Times  • 01:33 Introduction • 01:59 A lover of history • 05:12 The “Plato to NATO” historian  • 08:40 Edward Luttwak  • 13:20 The Romans “obviously had a strategy” • 21:02 Speaking from historical silence • 26:27 The Republic vs the Empire   • 32:50 Cost benefit analysis in Rome • 35:57 Three moments of “muscle change”  • 41:33 Unable to adapt militarily   • 46:55 Lessons for America James Lacey, the Major General Matthew C. Horner Chair of War Studies at Marine Corps University and author of Rome: Strategy of Empire, joins the show to discuss the grand strategy of the Roman Empire.

▪️

Times 

• 01:33 Introduction

• 01:59 A lover of history

• 05:12 The “Plato to NATO” historian 

• 08:40 Edward Luttwak 

• 13:20 The Romans “obviously had a strategy”

• 21:02 Speaking from historical silence

• 26:27 The Republic vs the Empire  

• 32:50 Cost benefit analysis in Rome

• 35:57 Three moments of “muscle change” 

• 41:33 Unable to adapt militarily  

• 46:55 Lessons for America

]]> 3133 Ep 58: Philip Taubman on George Shultz Philip Taubman, lecturer at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation and author of In The Nation's Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz, joins the show to discuss the legacy of American statesmen George P. Shultz. ▪️ Times  • 01:52 Introduction • 02:14 First encounters with Schultz • 06:44 An old-fashioned patriot  • 10:10 Secretary of State  • 15:38 Different approaches to defeating Communism  • 20:00 Two sides to Reagan  • 26:44 Hawks • 31:05 Schultz, Clark, and Dobrynin • 33:35 Arms control  • 38:24 The end of the Cold War • 41:55 Tension as a tool Tue, 24 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0000 Ep 58: Philip Taubman on George Shultz full The Free Press Philip Taubman, lecturer at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation and author of In The Nation's Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz, joins the show to discuss the legacy of American statesmen George P. Shultz. Philip Taubman, lecturer at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation and author of In The Nation's Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz, joins the show to discuss the legacy of American statesmen George P. Shultz. ▪️ Times  • 01:52 Introduction • 02:14 First encounters with Schultz • 06:44 An old-fashioned patriot  • 10:10 Secretary of State  • 15:38 Different approaches to defeating Communism  • 20:00 Two sides to Reagan  • 26:44 Hawks • 31:05 Schultz, Clark, and Dobrynin • 33:35 Arms control  • 38:24 The end of the Cold War • 41:55 Tension as a tool Philip Taubman, lecturer at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation and author of In The Nation's Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz, joins the show to discuss the legacy of American statesmen George P. Shultz.

▪️

Times 

• 01:52 Introduction

• 02:14 First encounters with Schultz

• 06:44 An old-fashioned patriot 

• 10:10 Secretary of State 

• 15:38 Different approaches to defeating Communism 

• 20:00 Two sides to Reagan 

• 26:44 Hawks

• 31:05 Schultz, Clark, and Dobrynin

• 33:35 Arms control 

• 38:24 The end of the Cold War

• 41:55 Tension as a tool

]]> 2707 Ep 57: Mike Gallagher on China and the U.S. Military Congressman Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin’s 8th district and chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to discuss his time as a Marine in Iraq, the dangers posed by the CCP, from Tik-Tok to maritime threats, and the crisis confronting our military’s culture. ▪️ Times  • 01:26 Introduction • 02:11 The China Committee • 08:56 What’s the problem with Tik-Tok? • 13:12 A reverse Opium War  • 15:25 A Marine from Green Bay  • 21:16 On the ground in Iraq • 28:52 What’s the American interest in Taiwan? • 32:05 Consequences of Taiwan’s defeat • 38:21 Marine Corps force design • 41:42 The Navy’s fighting spirit • 46:31 Culture in the military Tue, 17 Jan 2023 10:27:00 -0000 Ep 57: Mike Gallagher on China and the U.S. Military full The Free Press Congressman Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin’s 8th district and chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to discuss his time as a Marine in Iraq, the dangers posed by the CCP, from Tik-Tok to maritime threats, and the crisis confronting our military’s culture. Congressman Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin’s 8th district and chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to discuss his time as a Marine in Iraq, the dangers posed by the CCP, from Tik-Tok to maritime threats, and the crisis confronting our military’s culture. ▪️ Times  • 01:26 Introduction • 02:11 The China Committee • 08:56 What’s the problem with Tik-Tok? • 13:12 A reverse Opium War  • 15:25 A Marine from Green Bay  • 21:16 On the ground in Iraq • 28:52 What’s the American interest in Taiwan? • 32:05 Consequences of Taiwan’s defeat • 38:21 Marine Corps force design • 41:42 The Navy’s fighting spirit • 46:31 Culture in the military Congressman Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin’s 8th district and chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to discuss his time as a Marine in Iraq, the dangers posed by the CCP, from Tik-Tok to maritime threats, and the crisis confronting our military’s culture.

▪️

Times 

• 01:26 Introduction

• 02:11 The China Committee

• 08:56 What’s the problem with Tik-Tok?

• 13:12 A reverse Opium War 

• 15:25 A Marine from Green Bay 

• 21:16 On the ground in Iraq

• 28:52 What’s the American interest in Taiwan?

• 32:05 Consequences of Taiwan’s defeat

• 38:21 Marine Corps force design

• 41:42 The Navy’s fighting spirit

• 46:31 Culture in the military

]]> 3092 Ep 56: Ronald H. Spector and the Chaos of Postwar Asia Ronald H. Spector, Professor Emeritus of History at George Washington University and author of A Continent Erupts: Decolonization, Civil War, and Massacre in Postwar Asia, 1945-1955, joins the show to discuss the fall of Japan, the spread of Communism, and the role of the United States in postwar Asia. ▪️ Times  • 01:34 Introduction • 05:57 No clear plan • 08:30 The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere • 10:51 The Indian National Army  • 12:12 Marines in North China  • 15:49 Levels of violence • 17:24 Was 1949 preventable? • 22:32 U.S. attitudes towards Korea  • 26:25 Kim Il-sung • 28:17 Ho Chi Minh goes to Moscow • 31:08 Stopping the spread of communism  • 33:03 Reconstruction  • 35:09 Post 1955 Tue, 10 Jan 2023 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 56: Ronald H. Spector and the Chaos of Postwar Asia full The Free Press Ronald H. Spector, Professor Emeritus of History at George Washington University and author of A Continent Erupts: Decolonization, Civil War, and Massacre in Postwar Asia, 1945-1955, joins the show to discuss the fall of Japan, the spread of Communism, and the role of the United States in postwar Asia. Ronald H. Spector, Professor Emeritus of History at George Washington University and author of A Continent Erupts: Decolonization, Civil War, and Massacre in Postwar Asia, 1945-1955, joins the show to discuss the fall of Japan, the spread of Communism, and the role of the United States in postwar Asia. ▪️ Times  • 01:34 Introduction • 05:57 No clear plan • 08:30 The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere • 10:51 The Indian National Army  • 12:12 Marines in North China  • 15:49 Levels of violence • 17:24 Was 1949 preventable? • 22:32 U.S. attitudes towards Korea  • 26:25 Kim Il-sung • 28:17 Ho Chi Minh goes to Moscow • 31:08 Stopping the spread of communism  • 33:03 Reconstruction  • 35:09 Post 1955 Ronald H. Spector, Professor Emeritus of History at George Washington University and author of A Continent Erupts: Decolonization, Civil War, and Massacre in Postwar Asia, 1945-1955, joins the show to discuss the fall of Japan, the spread of Communism, and the role of the United States in postwar Asia.

▪️

Times 

• 01:34 Introduction

• 05:57 No clear plan

• 08:30 The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

• 10:51 The Indian National Army 

• 12:12 Marines in North China 

• 15:49 Levels of violence

• 17:24 Was 1949 preventable?

• 22:32 U.S. attitudes towards Korea 

• 26:25 Kim Il-sung

• 28:17 Ho Chi Minh goes to Moscow

• 31:08 Stopping the spread of communism 

• 33:03 Reconstruction 

• 35:09 Post 1955

]]> 2170 Ep 55: Myke Cole and the Spartan Myth Myke Cole, author of The Bronze Lie: Shattering the Myth of Spartan Warrior Supremacy, joins the show to discuss what most people get wrong about Sparta, arguing that Spartan warriors were neither more deadly, nor more successful in war, than other Greeks of their day. ▪️ Times  • 01:09 Introduction • 05:13 “Not especially tough” • 09:17 Getting it right, not being right • 10:48 What is the “Bronze Lie”?  • 16:57 Captured by politics • 23:23 Who were the Spartans? • 30:11 Spartan slavery  • 34:09 The Greco-Persian Wars  • 37:00 Thermopylae • 41:32 Sparta and soft power • 45:30 “Making the time” Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 55: Myke Cole and the Spartan Myth full The Free Press Myke Cole, author of The Bronze Lie: Shattering the Myth of Spartan Warrior Supremacy, joins the show to discuss what most people get wrong about Sparta, arguing that Spartan warriors were neither more deadly, nor more successful in war, than other Greeks of their day. Myke Cole, author of The Bronze Lie: Shattering the Myth of Spartan Warrior Supremacy, joins the show to discuss what most people get wrong about Sparta, arguing that Spartan warriors were neither more deadly, nor more successful in war, than other Greeks of their day. ▪️ Times  • 01:09 Introduction • 05:13 “Not especially tough” • 09:17 Getting it right, not being right • 10:48 What is the “Bronze Lie”?  • 16:57 Captured by politics • 23:23 Who were the Spartans? • 30:11 Spartan slavery  • 34:09 The Greco-Persian Wars  • 37:00 Thermopylae • 41:32 Sparta and soft power • 45:30 “Making the time” Myke Cole, author of The Bronze Lie: Shattering the Myth of Spartan Warrior Supremacy, joins the show to discuss what most people get wrong about Sparta, arguing that Spartan warriors were neither more deadly, nor more successful in war, than other Greeks of their day.

▪️

Times 

• 01:09 Introduction

• 05:13 “Not especially tough”

• 09:17 Getting it right, not being right

• 10:48 What is the “Bronze Lie”? 

• 16:57 Captured by politics

• 23:23 Who were the Spartans?

• 30:11 Spartan slavery 

• 34:09 The Greco-Persian Wars 

• 37:00 Thermopylae

• 41:32 Sparta and soft power

• 45:30 “Making the time”

]]> 3167 Ep 54: Jonathan Kirshner on Realism Jonathan Kirshner, Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Boston College and author of An Unwritten Future: Realism, Uncertainty, and World Politics, joins the show to discuss realism and realists. ▪️ Times • 01:40 Introduction • 02:25 What is Realism? • 07:10 The birth of modern Realism • 11:59 To be “scientific” and “predictive”  • 15:10 Not a rejection of social sciences • 19:30 “Purpose matters” • 23:40 Liberalism  • 28:04 The Twenty Years Crisis  • 36:00 Ideology matters • 42:07 The China challenge • 48:04 Sleepwalking into war? • 55:48 Where does classical realism fall short? • 01:02:10 Finding moral counsel Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:35:00 -0000 Ep 54: Jonathan Kirshner on Realism full The Free Press Jonathan Kirshner, Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Boston College and author of An Unwritten Future: Realism, Uncertainty, and World Politics, joins the show to discuss realism and realists. Jonathan Kirshner, Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Boston College and author of An Unwritten Future: Realism, Uncertainty, and World Politics, joins the show to discuss realism and realists. ▪️ Times • 01:40 Introduction • 02:25 What is Realism? • 07:10 The birth of modern Realism • 11:59 To be “scientific” and “predictive”  • 15:10 Not a rejection of social sciences • 19:30 “Purpose matters” • 23:40 Liberalism  • 28:04 The Twenty Years Crisis  • 36:00 Ideology matters • 42:07 The China challenge • 48:04 Sleepwalking into war? • 55:48 Where does classical realism fall short? • 01:02:10 Finding moral counsel Jonathan Kirshner, Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Boston College and author of An Unwritten Future: Realism, Uncertainty, and World Politics, joins the show to discuss realism and realists.

▪️

Times

• 01:40 Introduction

• 02:25 What is Realism?

• 07:10 The birth of modern Realism

• 11:59 To be “scientific” and “predictive” 

• 15:10 Not a rejection of social sciences

• 19:30 “Purpose matters”

• 23:40 Liberalism 

• 28:04 The Twenty Years Crisis 

• 36:00 Ideology matters

• 42:07 The China challenge

• 48:04 Sleepwalking into war?

• 55:48 Where does classical realism fall short?

• 01:02:10 Finding moral counsel

]]> 3819 Ep 53: David M. Pritchard on Athens at War David M. Pritchard, Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Queensland and author of Athenian Democracy at War, joins the show to discuss how and why ancient Athens fought its wars. ▪️ Times  • 01:41 Introduction • 02:3 Martial culture in Athens • 05:08 Democracy and victory • 11:42 Innovation and participation • 15:38 Joining up in ancient Athens • 19:10 Broad support for war • 24:43 Military morality  • 30:49 Control of the battlefield is victory • 38:28 Democracy and war today Tue, 13 Dec 2022 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 53: David M. Pritchard on Athens at War full The Free Press David M. Pritchard, Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Queensland and author of Athenian Democracy at War, joins the show to discuss how and why ancient Athens fought its wars. David M. Pritchard, Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Queensland and author of Athenian Democracy at War, joins the show to discuss how and why ancient Athens fought its wars. ▪️ Times  • 01:41 Introduction • 02:3 Martial culture in Athens • 05:08 Democracy and victory • 11:42 Innovation and participation • 15:38 Joining up in ancient Athens • 19:10 Broad support for war • 24:43 Military morality  • 30:49 Control of the battlefield is victory • 38:28 Democracy and war today David M. Pritchard, Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Queensland and author of Athenian Democracy at War, joins the show to discuss how and why ancient Athens fought its wars.

▪️

Times 


• 01:41 Introduction

• 02:3 Martial culture in Athens

• 05:08 Democracy and victory

• 11:42 Innovation and participation

• 15:38 Joining up in ancient Athens

• 19:10 Broad support for war

• 24:43 Military morality 

• 30:49 Control of the battlefield is victory

• 38:28 Democracy and war today

]]> 2623 Ep 52: Dr. Michael Livingston on the battle of Crécy Dr. Michael Livingston , Professor at The Citadel and author of Crécy: Battle of Five Kings, joins the show to discuss the Hundred Years War, medieval warfare, and the English victory at the battle of Crécy. ▪️ Times  • 01:53 Introduction • 02:33 Why Crécy • 05:53 The Hundred Years War • 10:29 The French-Scottish connection  • 14:08 Why invade France at all? • 20:51 Strengths/Weaknesses • 26:00 Medieval command and control • 34:01 Crécy the legend • 38:24 French losses • 39:17 Crécy the reality • 44:29 Costly French decisions • 51:11 The King of Bohemia’s last ride • 57:52 Hundred Years War ends Tue, 06 Dec 2022 12:04:00 -0000 Ep 52: Dr. Michael Livingston on the battle of Crécy full The Free Press Dr. Michael Livingston , Professor at The Citadel and author of Crécy: Battle of Five Kings, joins the show to discuss the Hundred Years War, medieval warfare, and the English victory at the battle of Crécy. Dr. Michael Livingston , Professor at The Citadel and author of Crécy: Battle of Five Kings, joins the show to discuss the Hundred Years War, medieval warfare, and the English victory at the battle of Crécy. ▪️ Times  • 01:53 Introduction • 02:33 Why Crécy • 05:53 The Hundred Years War • 10:29 The French-Scottish connection  • 14:08 Why invade France at all? • 20:51 Strengths/Weaknesses • 26:00 Medieval command and control • 34:01 Crécy the legend • 38:24 French losses • 39:17 Crécy the reality • 44:29 Costly French decisions • 51:11 The King of Bohemia’s last ride • 57:52 Hundred Years War ends Dr. Michael Livingston , Professor at The Citadel and author of Crécy: Battle of Five Kings, joins the show to discuss the Hundred Years War, medieval warfare, and the English victory at the battle of Crécy.

▪️

Times 


• 01:53 Introduction

• 02:33 Why Crécy

• 05:53 The Hundred Years War

• 10:29 The French-Scottish connection 

• 14:08 Why invade France at all?

• 20:51 Strengths/Weaknesses

• 26:00 Medieval command and control

• 34:01 Crécy the legend

• 38:24 French losses

• 39:17 Crécy the reality

• 44:29 Costly French decisions

• 51:11 The King of Bohemia’s last ride

• 57:52 Hundred Years War ends

]]> 3747 Ep 51: Alexander Mikaberidze on Kutuzov Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and author of Kutuzov: A Life in War and Peace, joins the show to discuss the Russian general Kutuzov, the hero of 1812. ▪️ Times  • 00:53 Introduction • 01:31 18th century Russia  • 04:00 A young officer • 08:57 Modernization   • 12:11 Catherine’s wars • 14:30 International relations • 17:00 Shot in the head - twice • 22:11 Promotions • 29:18 Tolstoy’s take on Kutuzov • 32:32 Czar Alexander • 39:21 Austerlitz • 48:28 Grand strategy in 1812 • 57:21 Tolstoy and reality • 1:02:09 Legacy Tue, 29 Nov 2022 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 51: Alexander Mikaberidze on Kutuzov full The Free Press Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and author of Kutuzov: A Life in War and Peace, joins the show to discuss the Russian general Kutuzov, the hero of 1812. Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and author of Kutuzov: A Life in War and Peace, joins the show to discuss the Russian general Kutuzov, the hero of 1812. ▪️ Times  • 00:53 Introduction • 01:31 18th century Russia  • 04:00 A young officer • 08:57 Modernization   • 12:11 Catherine’s wars • 14:30 International relations • 17:00 Shot in the head - twice • 22:11 Promotions • 29:18 Tolstoy’s take on Kutuzov • 32:32 Czar Alexander • 39:21 Austerlitz • 48:28 Grand strategy in 1812 • 57:21 Tolstoy and reality • 1:02:09 Legacy Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and author of Kutuzov: A Life in War and Peace, joins the show to discuss the Russian general Kutuzov, the hero of 1812.

▪️

Times 


• 00:53 Introduction

• 01:31 18th century Russia 

• 04:00 A young officer

• 08:57 Modernization  

• 12:11 Catherine’s wars

• 14:30 International relations

• 17:00 Shot in the head - twice

• 22:11 Promotions

• 29:18 Tolstoy’s take on Kutuzov

• 32:32 Czar Alexander

• 39:21 Austerlitz

• 48:28 Grand strategy in 1812

• 57:21 Tolstoy and reality

• 1:02:09 Legacy

]]> 4333 Ep 50: Lawrence Freedman on Command Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London and author of Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine, joins the show to discuss how politics and military command are inextricably linked. ▪️ Times  • 01:08 Introduction • 02:01 Command  • 05:44 Politics and generalship • 08:00 MacArthur myths  • 11:59 Educating future commanders • 15:50 France’s end of empire • 22:57 Democratic drawbacks • 27:51 Putin’s position • 33:49 Ukraine endgame • 37:27 Better off without Putin • 39:09 Winter is coming Tue, 22 Nov 2022 09:24:00 -0000 Ep 50: Lawrence Freedman on Command full The Free Press Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London and author of Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine, joins the show to discuss how politics and military command are inextricably linked. Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London and author of Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine, joins the show to discuss how politics and military command are inextricably linked. ▪️ Times  • 01:08 Introduction • 02:01 Command  • 05:44 Politics and generalship • 08:00 MacArthur myths  • 11:59 Educating future commanders • 15:50 France’s end of empire • 22:57 Democratic drawbacks • 27:51 Putin’s position • 33:49 Ukraine endgame • 37:27 Better off without Putin • 39:09 Winter is coming Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London and author of Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine, joins the show to discuss how politics and military command are inextricably linked.

▪️

Times 


• 01:08 Introduction

• 02:01 Command 

• 05:44 Politics and generalship

• 08:00 MacArthur myths 

• 11:59 Educating future commanders

• 15:50 France’s end of empire

• 22:57 Democratic drawbacks

• 27:51 Putin’s position

• 33:49 Ukraine endgame

• 37:27 Better off without Putin

• 39:09 Winter is coming

]]> 2568 Ep 49: William Inboden on Ronald Reagan William Inboden, executive director and William Powers, Jr. Chair at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas at Austin and author of The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink, joins the show to discuss Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy. ▪️ Times  • 01:32 Introduction • 02:09 Inheriting détente  • 06:13 The Soviet understanding • 09:56 Deterring strength, exploiting weakness  • 13:42 Religious Reagan • 17:32 Bush as teammate • 20:54 Win without fighting • 25:47 Contradictions • 30:00 South and Central America • 35:35 Gorbachev • 40:23 Did Reagan’s approach work? • 43:53 Kissinger • 45:09 Reagan as manager • 50:07 Reagan’s legacy on the Right Tue, 15 Nov 2022 09:30:00 -0000 Ep 49: William Inboden on Ronald Reagan full The Free Press William Inboden, executive director and William Powers, Jr. Chair at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas at Austin and author of The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink, joins the show to discuss Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy. William Inboden, executive director and William Powers, Jr. Chair at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas at Austin and author of The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink, joins the show to discuss Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy. ▪️ Times  • 01:32 Introduction • 02:09 Inheriting détente  • 06:13 The Soviet understanding • 09:56 Deterring strength, exploiting weakness  • 13:42 Religious Reagan • 17:32 Bush as teammate • 20:54 Win without fighting • 25:47 Contradictions • 30:00 South and Central America • 35:35 Gorbachev • 40:23 Did Reagan’s approach work? • 43:53 Kissinger • 45:09 Reagan as manager • 50:07 Reagan’s legacy on the Right William Inboden, executive director and William Powers, Jr. Chair at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas at Austin and author of The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink, joins the show to discuss Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy.

▪️

Times 


• 01:32 Introduction

• 02:09 Inheriting détente 

• 06:13 The Soviet understanding

• 09:56 Deterring strength, exploiting weakness 

• 13:42 Religious Reagan

• 17:32 Bush as teammate

• 20:54 Win without fighting

• 25:47 Contradictions

• 30:00 South and Central America

• 35:35 Gorbachev

• 40:23 Did Reagan’s approach work?

• 43:53 Kissinger

• 45:09 Reagan as manager

• 50:07 Reagan’s legacy on the Right

]]> 3337 Ep 48: Ian Beckett on the Anglo-Zulu War Ian Beckett, professor emeritus of military history at the University of Kent and author of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, joins the show to talk about the two most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War. ▪️ Times  • 01:58 Introduction • 02:22 British interests in Zululand  • 06:52 The Zulu system • 09:55 The British plan   • 13:12 The horns of the buffalo • 16:49 Isandlwana • 26:44 Innate warriors • 29:14 Aftermath • 33:18 Movies and myths • 42:11 Rorke’s Drift  • 48:38 Firepower wins out • 53:56 A western way of war? Tue, 08 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0000 Ep 48: Ian Beckett on the Anglo-Zulu War full The Free Press Ian Beckett, professor emeritus of military history at the University of Kent and author of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, joins the show to talk about the two most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War. Ian Beckett, professor emeritus of military history at the University of Kent and author of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, joins the show to talk about the two most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War. ▪️ Times  • 01:58 Introduction • 02:22 British interests in Zululand  • 06:52 The Zulu system • 09:55 The British plan   • 13:12 The horns of the buffalo • 16:49 Isandlwana • 26:44 Innate warriors • 29:14 Aftermath • 33:18 Movies and myths • 42:11 Rorke’s Drift  • 48:38 Firepower wins out • 53:56 A western way of war? Ian Beckett, professor emeritus of military history at the University of Kent and author of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, joins the show to talk about the two most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War.

▪️

Times 

• 01:58 Introduction

• 02:22 British interests in Zululand 

• 06:52 The Zulu system

• 09:55 The British plan  

• 13:12 The horns of the buffalo

• 16:49 Isandlwana

• 26:44 Innate warriors

• 29:14 Aftermath

• 33:18 Movies and myths

• 42:11 Rorke’s Drift 

• 48:38 Firepower wins out

• 53:56 A western way of war?

]]> 3316 Ep 47: Senator Tom Cotton on American Foreign Policy Tom Cotton, senator from Arkansas and author of Only the Strong: Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power, joins the show to talk about U.S. foreign policy. ▪️ Times  • 01:03 Introduction • 03:43 Formative Interests • 06:47 Bill Rood And The Distant Ramparts • 11:13 Joining The Infantry  • 13:30 Iraq & Afghanistan • 18:39 Congress  • 21:19 Foreign Entanglements • 25:54 Progressivism • 32:06 Vietnam • 38:52 Iran  • 44:26 Withdrawal • 47:15 American Interests And The Rimland Tue, 01 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 47: Senator Tom Cotton on American Foreign Policy full The Free Press Tom Cotton, senator from Arkansas and author of Only the Strong: Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power, joins the show to talk about U.S. foreign policy. Tom Cotton, senator from Arkansas and author of Only the Strong: Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power, joins the show to talk about U.S. foreign policy. ▪️ Times  • 01:03 Introduction • 03:43 Formative Interests • 06:47 Bill Rood And The Distant Ramparts • 11:13 Joining The Infantry  • 13:30 Iraq & Afghanistan • 18:39 Congress  • 21:19 Foreign Entanglements • 25:54 Progressivism • 32:06 Vietnam • 38:52 Iran  • 44:26 Withdrawal • 47:15 American Interests And The Rimland Tom Cotton, senator from Arkansas and author of Only the Strong: Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power, joins the show to talk about U.S. foreign policy.

▪️

Times 

• 01:03 Introduction

• 03:43 Formative Interests

• 06:47 Bill Rood And The Distant Ramparts

• 11:13 Joining The Infantry 

• 13:30 Iraq & Afghanistan

• 18:39 Congress 

• 21:19 Foreign Entanglements

• 25:54 Progressivism

• 32:06 Vietnam

• 38:52 Iran 

• 44:26 Withdrawal

• 47:15 American Interests And The Rimland

]]> 3159 Ep 46: James M. Scott on Curtis LeMay in World War II James M. Scott, author of Black Snow: Curtis LeMay, the Firebombing of Tokyo and the Road to the Atomic Bomb, joins the show to talk about the World War II career of one of the most important and controversial American generals of the 20th Century, Curtis LeMay, and his leadership of the strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific.   ▪️ Times  • 02:00 Introduction • 03:02 Teaching In Japan • 06:27 Lemay, Tireless Worker • 09:47 Bomber Vs Fighter  • 11:43 Europe, B-17, and B-29  • 19:54 Hansel & O’Donnell • 30:00 LeMay Takes Over  • 32:37 From Dresden To Tokyo • 35:10 On His Own Authority • 40:26 “We’ll Be Tried As War Criminals” • 43:07 Firestorm • 49:06 What Brought Peace? Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000 Ep 46: James M. Scott on Curtis LeMay in World War II full The Free Press James M. Scott, author of Black Snow: Curtis LeMay, the Firebombing of Tokyo and the Road to the Atomic Bomb, joins the show to talk about the World War II career of one of the most important and controversial American generals of the 20th Century, Curtis LeMay, and his leadership of the strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific. James M. Scott, author of Black Snow: Curtis LeMay, the Firebombing of Tokyo and the Road to the Atomic Bomb, joins the show to talk about the World War II career of one of the most important and controversial American generals of the 20th Century, Curtis LeMay, and his leadership of the strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific.   ▪️ Times  • 02:00 Introduction • 03:02 Teaching In Japan • 06:27 Lemay, Tireless Worker • 09:47 Bomber Vs Fighter  • 11:43 Europe, B-17, and B-29  • 19:54 Hansel & O’Donnell • 30:00 LeMay Takes Over  • 32:37 From Dresden To Tokyo • 35:10 On His Own Authority • 40:26 “We’ll Be Tried As War Criminals” • 43:07 Firestorm • 49:06 What Brought Peace? James M. Scott, author of Black Snow: Curtis LeMay, the Firebombing of Tokyo and the Road to the Atomic Bomb, joins the show to talk about the World War II career of one of the most important and controversial American generals of the 20th Century, Curtis LeMay, and his leadership of the strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific.  

▪️

Times 


• 02:00 Introduction

• 03:02 Teaching In Japan

• 06:27 Lemay, Tireless Worker

• 09:47 Bomber Vs Fighter 

• 11:43 Europe, B-17, and B-29 

• 19:54 Hansel & O’Donnell

• 30:00 LeMay Takes Over 

• 32:37 From Dresden To Tokyo

• 35:10 On His Own Authority

• 40:26 “We’ll Be Tried As War Criminals”

• 43:07 Firestorm

• 49:06 What Brought Peace?

]]> 3292 Ep 45: Randall Schriver on China Randall Schriver, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific affairs and Chairman of the Project 2049 Institute, joins the show to talk about U.S.-China relations and a new project, the China Economic & Strategy Initiative.  Times  • 02:10 Introduction • 03:36 “Take Chinese Language”  • 11:21 Why 2049? • 13:40 China In The ’90s  • 18:13 Power Projection and Missiles • 28:10 The Diplomatic Situation  • 35:00 Economic Entanglement  • 42:44 Decoupling  • 47:32 Urgency And Policy  • 52:00 Deterrence Check out the China Economic & Strategy Initiative here - https://cesionline.org Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 45: Randall Schriver on China full The Free Press Randall Schriver, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific affairs and Chairman of the Project 2049 Institute, joins the show to talk about U.S.-China relations and a new project, the China Economic & Strategy Initiative. Randall Schriver, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific affairs and Chairman of the Project 2049 Institute, joins the show to talk about U.S.-China relations and a new project, the China Economic & Strategy Initiative.  Times  • 02:10 Introduction • 03:36 “Take Chinese Language”  • 11:21 Why 2049? • 13:40 China In The ’90s  • 18:13 Power Projection and Missiles • 28:10 The Diplomatic Situation  • 35:00 Economic Entanglement  • 42:44 Decoupling  • 47:32 Urgency And Policy  • 52:00 Deterrence Check out the China Economic & Strategy Initiative here - https://cesionline.org Randall Schriver, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific affairs and Chairman of the Project 2049 Institute, joins the show to talk about U.S.-China relations and a new project, the China Economic & Strategy Initiative. 


Times 

• 02:10 Introduction

• 03:36 “Take Chinese Language” 

• 11:21 Why 2049?

• 13:40 China In The ’90s 

• 18:13 Power Projection and Missiles

• 28:10 The Diplomatic Situation 

• 35:00 Economic Entanglement 

• 42:44 Decoupling 

• 47:32 Urgency And Policy 

• 52:00 Deterrence


Check out the China Economic & Strategy Initiative here -

https://cesionline.org

]]> 3281 Ep 44: Jay Lockenour on Erich Ludendorff Ep 44: Jay Lockenour on Erich Ludendorff  ▪️ Jay Lockenour, associate professor of history at Temple University and author of Dragonslayer: The Legend of Erich Ludendorff in the Weimar Republic and Third Reich, joins the show to talk about the life of the infamous German general and politician.  ▪️ Times  • 01:30 Introduction • 02:00 Ludendorff’s Significance • 03:08 Ludendorff’s Early Life • 05:02 Not Quite A Matinee Idol  • 07:13 The German General Staff • 11:43 A General Without Portfolio • 17:50 The War And The Myth  • 22:23 For The Record - The German Military Lost  • 26:12 The Early 1920’s • 29:49 Erich And Adolf     • 34:10 Ludendorff And The Right • 37:00 The Holocaust And Ludendorff Tue, 11 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 44: Jay Lockenour on Erich Ludendorff full The Free Press Jay Lockenour, associate professor of history at Temple University and author of Dragonslayer: The Legend of Erich Ludendorff in the Weimar Republic and Third Reich, joins the show to talk about the life of the infamous German general and politician. Ep 44: Jay Lockenour on Erich Ludendorff  ▪️ Jay Lockenour, associate professor of history at Temple University and author of Dragonslayer: The Legend of Erich Ludendorff in the Weimar Republic and Third Reich, joins the show to talk about the life of the infamous German general and politician.  ▪️ Times  • 01:30 Introduction • 02:00 Ludendorff’s Significance • 03:08 Ludendorff’s Early Life • 05:02 Not Quite A Matinee Idol  • 07:13 The German General Staff • 11:43 A General Without Portfolio • 17:50 The War And The Myth  • 22:23 For The Record - The German Military Lost  • 26:12 The Early 1920’s • 29:49 Erich And Adolf     • 34:10 Ludendorff And The Right • 37:00 The Holocaust And Ludendorff Ep 44: Jay Lockenour on Erich Ludendorff 

▪️

Jay Lockenour, associate professor of history at Temple University and author of Dragonslayer: The Legend of Erich Ludendorff in the Weimar Republic and Third Reich, joins the show to talk about the life of the infamous German general and politician. 

▪️

Times 

• 01:30 Introduction

• 02:00 Ludendorff’s Significance

• 03:08 Ludendorff’s Early Life

• 05:02 Not Quite A Matinee Idol 

• 07:13 The German General Staff

• 11:43 A General Without Portfolio

• 17:50 The War And The Myth 

• 22:23 For The Record - The German Military Lost 

• 26:12 The Early 1920’s

• 29:49 Erich And Adolf

    • 34:10 Ludendorff And The Right

• 37:00 The Holocaust And Ludendorff

]]> 2538 Ep 43: Eli Lake on the Bush administration in the Middle East Eli Lake, host of The Re-Education and national security journalism fellow at the Clements Center, joins the show to talk about 9/11 and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.  ▪️ Times  • 02:04 Introduction • 02:43 From Philly To The Middle East • 05:14 9/11 • 07:49 The World Before  • 09:20 No More Nation Building • 12:03 Neo-Cons Or Not • 18:09 Liberal Internationalists  • 22:05 Early Mistakes • 29:08 Baking In Problems  • 32:46 The Bonn Conference     • 37:04 Capable Of Being Free • 41:04 Toppling Sadam - Right or Wrong?     • 45:47 WMDs And Insurgency • 53:25 New Strategies     • 56:51 The Surge  • 59:01 The Loss Of Choice Tue, 13 Sep 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 43: Eli Lake on the Bush administration in the Middle East full The Free Press Eli Lake, host of The Re-Education and national security journalism fellow at the Clements Center, joins the show to talk about 9/11 and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Eli Lake, host of The Re-Education and national security journalism fellow at the Clements Center, joins the show to talk about 9/11 and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.  ▪️ Times  • 02:04 Introduction • 02:43 From Philly To The Middle East • 05:14 9/11 • 07:49 The World Before  • 09:20 No More Nation Building • 12:03 Neo-Cons Or Not • 18:09 Liberal Internationalists  • 22:05 Early Mistakes • 29:08 Baking In Problems  • 32:46 The Bonn Conference     • 37:04 Capable Of Being Free • 41:04 Toppling Sadam - Right or Wrong?     • 45:47 WMDs And Insurgency • 53:25 New Strategies     • 56:51 The Surge  • 59:01 The Loss Of Choice Eli Lake, host of The Re-Education and national security journalism fellow at the Clements Center, joins the show to talk about 9/11 and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. 

▪️

Times 


• 02:04 Introduction

• 02:43 From Philly To The Middle East

• 05:14 9/11

• 07:49 The World Before 

• 09:20 No More Nation Building

• 12:03 Neo-Cons Or Not

• 18:09 Liberal Internationalists 

• 22:05 Early Mistakes

• 29:08 Baking In Problems 

• 32:46 The Bonn Conference

    • 37:04 Capable Of Being Free

• 41:04 Toppling Sadam - Right or Wrong?

    • 45:47 WMDs And Insurgency

• 53:25 New Strategies

    • 56:51 The Surge 

• 59:01 The Loss Of Choice

]]> 3696 Ep 42: Ian Easton on Xi Jinping and the CCP’s Grand Strategy Ian Easton, senior director at the Project 2049 Institute and author of The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy, joins the show to talk about Xi Jinping, the ideology that shaped Jinping and by which he rules, and why his vision for the world should not be dismissed.  ▪️ Times  • 01:56 Introduction • 02:22 Interested In China • 05:01 Discovering Taiwan • 10:32 Perceptions Of The PRC  • 13:11 How The Chinese Government Works • 17:47 Who Is Xi Jinping? • 23:42 The Tactics Of Ideology And Control • 26:29 The “Scourge Of The Corrupt” • 29:36 Authentic Socialism • 31:25 Does China’s Communism Matter?     • 37:04 The Blending Of Communism And Nationalism • 43:04 Exporting Xi Jinping Thought     • 49:19 Absolute Control • 52:41 Does Xi Jinping Have Rivals?       • 56:04 Optimisim To Pessimism In Taiwan   • 01:04:00 It’s Not All Dark Tue, 06 Sep 2022 08:30:00 -0000 Ep 42: Ian Easton on Xi Jinping and the CCP’s Grand Strategy full The Free Press Ian Easton, senior director at the Project 2049 Institute and author of The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy, joins the show to talk about Xi Jinping, the ideology that shaped Jinping and by which he rules, and why his vision for the world should not be dismissed. Ian Easton, senior director at the Project 2049 Institute and author of The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy, joins the show to talk about Xi Jinping, the ideology that shaped Jinping and by which he rules, and why his vision for the world should not be dismissed.  ▪️ Times  • 01:56 Introduction • 02:22 Interested In China • 05:01 Discovering Taiwan • 10:32 Perceptions Of The PRC  • 13:11 How The Chinese Government Works • 17:47 Who Is Xi Jinping? • 23:42 The Tactics Of Ideology And Control • 26:29 The “Scourge Of The Corrupt” • 29:36 Authentic Socialism • 31:25 Does China’s Communism Matter?     • 37:04 The Blending Of Communism And Nationalism • 43:04 Exporting Xi Jinping Thought     • 49:19 Absolute Control • 52:41 Does Xi Jinping Have Rivals?       • 56:04 Optimisim To Pessimism In Taiwan   • 01:04:00 It’s Not All Dark Ian Easton, senior director at the Project 2049 Institute and author of The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy, joins the show to talk about Xi Jinping, the ideology that shaped Jinping and by which he rules, and why his vision for the world should not be dismissed. 

▪️

Times 


• 01:56 Introduction

• 02:22 Interested In China

• 05:01 Discovering Taiwan

• 10:32 Perceptions Of The PRC 

• 13:11 How The Chinese Government Works

• 17:47 Who Is Xi Jinping?

• 23:42 The Tactics Of Ideology And Control

• 26:29 The “Scourge Of The Corrupt”

• 29:36 Authentic Socialism

• 31:25 Does China’s Communism Matter?

    • 37:04 The Blending Of Communism And Nationalism

• 43:04 Exporting Xi Jinping Thought

    • 49:19 Absolute Control

• 52:41 Does Xi Jinping Have Rivals?  

    • 56:04 Optimisim To Pessimism In Taiwan  

• 01:04:00 It’s Not All Dark

]]> 4002 Ep 41: Hal Brands and Michael Beckley on China Hal Brands, Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Michael Beckley, associate professor of political science at Tufts University, join the show to talk about how an armed confrontation with China could be coming more quickly than most expect.  ▪️ Times  • 01:30 Introduction • 02:28 Danger Zone  • 05:13 A Matter Of Timing • 07:55 A Thucydides Trap? • 13:07 Historical Analogies and 1914 • 20:32 Getting To The Long Game • 25:37 Sleepwalking Into War? • 31:10 China’s Problems And Plans • 35:06 The “Lenin Trap” • 36:44 Why Does Taiwan Matter?     • 40:27 Commitments And Capabilities  • 44:37 What Will War Look Like?     • 48:24 Cold War Lessons  • 52:22 Getting Through The Danger Zone  Tue, 30 Aug 2022 08:26:00 -0000 Ep 41: Hal Brands and Michael Beckley on China full The Free Press Hal Brands, Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Michael Beckley, associate professor of political science at Tufts University, join the show to talk about how an armed confrontation with China could be coming more quickly than most expect. Hal Brands, Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Michael Beckley, associate professor of political science at Tufts University, join the show to talk about how an armed confrontation with China could be coming more quickly than most expect.  ▪️ Times  • 01:30 Introduction • 02:28 Danger Zone  • 05:13 A Matter Of Timing • 07:55 A Thucydides Trap? • 13:07 Historical Analogies and 1914 • 20:32 Getting To The Long Game • 25:37 Sleepwalking Into War? • 31:10 China’s Problems And Plans • 35:06 The “Lenin Trap” • 36:44 Why Does Taiwan Matter?     • 40:27 Commitments And Capabilities  • 44:37 What Will War Look Like?     • 48:24 Cold War Lessons  • 52:22 Getting Through The Danger Zone  Hal Brands, Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Michael Beckley, associate professor of political science at Tufts University, join the show to talk about how an armed confrontation with China could be coming more quickly than most expect. 

▪️

Times 


• 01:30 Introduction

• 02:28 Danger Zone 

• 05:13 A Matter Of Timing

• 07:55 A Thucydides Trap?

• 13:07 Historical Analogies and 1914

• 20:32 Getting To The Long Game

• 25:37 Sleepwalking Into War?

• 31:10 China’s Problems And Plans

• 35:06 The “Lenin Trap”

• 36:44 Why Does Taiwan Matter?

    • 40:27 Commitments And Capabilities 

• 44:37 What Will War Look Like?

    • 48:24 Cold War Lessons 

• 52:22 Getting Through The Danger Zone 

]]> 3355 Ep 40: Michael S. Neiberg on Vichy France Michael S. Neiberg, Chair of War Studies in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College, joins the show to talk American policy towards Vichy France. ▪️ Times  • 01:21 Introduction • 02:15 Vichy France - An Overview • 06:38 A Phony War • 09:16 American Assumptions Pre-war • 13:09 Isolationism No Longer Works • 24:30 Roosevelt’s Policy  • 28:45 Stress In The Anglo-American Alliance • 33:03 American Vision Of A Post-War World • 36:00 Vichy Unveiled  • 39:01 Chaos In North Africa     • 43:19 Vichy’s Shame • 51:57 de Gaulle Tue, 09 Aug 2022 08:36:00 -0000 Ep 40: Michael S. Neiberg on Vichy France full The Free Press Michael S. Neiberg, Chair of War Studies in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College, joins the show to talk American policy towards Vichy France. Michael S. Neiberg, Chair of War Studies in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College, joins the show to talk American policy towards Vichy France. ▪️ Times  • 01:21 Introduction • 02:15 Vichy France - An Overview • 06:38 A Phony War • 09:16 American Assumptions Pre-war • 13:09 Isolationism No Longer Works • 24:30 Roosevelt’s Policy  • 28:45 Stress In The Anglo-American Alliance • 33:03 American Vision Of A Post-War World • 36:00 Vichy Unveiled  • 39:01 Chaos In North Africa     • 43:19 Vichy’s Shame • 51:57 de Gaulle Michael S. Neiberg, Chair of War Studies in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College, joins the show to talk American policy towards Vichy France.

▪️

Times 


• 01:21 Introduction

• 02:15 Vichy France - An Overview

• 06:38 A Phony War

• 09:16 American Assumptions Pre-war

• 13:09 Isolationism No Longer Works

• 24:30 Roosevelt’s Policy 

• 28:45 Stress In The Anglo-American Alliance

• 33:03 American Vision Of A Post-War World

• 36:00 Vichy Unveiled 

• 39:01 Chaos In North Africa

    • 43:19 Vichy’s Shame

• 51:57 de Gaulle

]]> 3375 Ep 39: Ocie Vest on the Marine Corps’ War in Afghanistan, Part 2 of 2 Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. Second of a two-part conversation. ▪️ Times  • 01:27 Violent Months • 06:15 “Do Whatever Those Guys Do” • 09:42 Tactical Adaptation • 13:32 A Fighting Exit • 18:03 “That Sucked…Why’d We Want To Do That So Bad?” • 21:29 Dispersed Operations • 26:36 Nimruz Province  • 30:43 Hope For The Future • 34:39 Leadership • 36:11 Medically Retired, Twice     • 38:53 The Work Works • 45:47 “Now Its Up To Them” Tue, 02 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 39: Ocie Vest on the Marine Corps’ War in Afghanistan, Part 2 of 2 full The Free Press Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. Second of a two-part conversation. Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. Second of a two-part conversation. ▪️ Times  • 01:27 Violent Months • 06:15 “Do Whatever Those Guys Do” • 09:42 Tactical Adaptation • 13:32 A Fighting Exit • 18:03 “That Sucked…Why’d We Want To Do That So Bad?” • 21:29 Dispersed Operations • 26:36 Nimruz Province  • 30:43 Hope For The Future • 34:39 Leadership • 36:11 Medically Retired, Twice     • 38:53 The Work Works • 45:47 “Now Its Up To Them” Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. Second of a two-part conversation.

▪️

Times 


• 01:27 Violent Months

• 06:15 “Do Whatever Those Guys Do”

• 09:42 Tactical Adaptation

• 13:32 A Fighting Exit

• 18:03 “That Sucked…Why’d We Want To Do That So Bad?”

• 21:29 Dispersed Operations

• 26:36 Nimruz Province 

• 30:43 Hope For The Future

• 34:39 Leadership

• 36:11 Medically Retired, Twice

    • 38:53 The Work Works

• 45:47 “Now Its Up To Them”

]]> 2810 Ep 38: Ocie Vest on the Marine Corps’ War in Afghanistan, Part 1 of 2 Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. First of a two-part conversation. ▪️ Times  • 01:46 Introduction • 02:24 Joining The Marines • 03:55 Quantico • 09:00 Becoming An Infantry Officer • 20:22 Camp Lejeune • 27:21 False Start • 35:06 Crossing The Line Of Departure  • 40:49 On The Job Learning • 44:40 Marjah • 50:43 First Combat     • 59:11 Sustained Combat • 1:02:45 Different Neighborhood, Different War Tue, 26 Jul 2022 08:30:00 -0000 Ep 38: Ocie Vest on the Marine Corps’ War in Afghanistan, Part 1 of 2 full The Free Press Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. First of a two-part conversation. Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. First of a two-part conversation. ▪️ Times  • 01:46 Introduction • 02:24 Joining The Marines • 03:55 Quantico • 09:00 Becoming An Infantry Officer • 20:22 Camp Lejeune • 27:21 False Start • 35:06 Crossing The Line Of Departure  • 40:49 On The Job Learning • 44:40 Marjah • 50:43 First Combat     • 59:11 Sustained Combat • 1:02:45 Different Neighborhood, Different War Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. First of a two-part conversation.


▪️

Times 


• 01:46 Introduction

• 02:24 Joining The Marines

• 03:55 Quantico

• 09:00 Becoming An Infantry Officer

• 20:22 Camp Lejeune

• 27:21 False Start

• 35:06 Crossing The Line Of Departure 

• 40:49 On The Job Learning

• 44:40 Marjah

• 50:43 First Combat

    • 59:11 Sustained Combat

• 1:02:45 Different Neighborhood, Different War

]]> 4329 Ep 37: Alexander Watson on WWI’s Siege of Przemysl and the Making of Europe’s Bloodlands Alexander Watson, Professor of History at Goldsmiths, University of London, joins the show to talk about the Eastern Front in World War One, and how the events of 1914/15 foreshadowed tragedies to come and the crisis in Ukraine today.  ▪️ Times  • 01:43 Introduction • 02:40 WWI In The East • 05:29 Battlefield - Austria-Hungary  • 10:10 The Austro-Hungarian Army • 13:28 Coveted Galicia • 17:44 1914 - A Primordial Soup • 19:02 The Siege Begins • 26:27 Przemysl’s Defensive Plan • 29:50 The Russians Take A Direct Approach • 36:08 Inside A City Under Siege     • 40:19 Total Exhaustion  • 44:45 Military And Human Consequences • 50:00 Birthplace Of The Bloodlands • 55:09 Strange Ends Maps Courtesy of United States Military Academy West Point Eastern Europe, 1914 and Planned Army Concentration Areas in Central Europe, 1914  Operations on The Eastern Front to 20 September 1914 Tue, 19 Jul 2022 08:30:00 -0000 Ep 37: Alexander Watson on WWI’s Siege of Przemysl and the Making of Europe’s Bloodlands full The Free Press Alexander Watson, Professor of History at Goldsmiths, University of London, joins the show to talk about the Eastern Front in World War One, and how the events of 1914/15 foreshadowed tragedies to come and the crisis in Ukraine today. Alexander Watson, Professor of History at Goldsmiths, University of London, joins the show to talk about the Eastern Front in World War One, and how the events of 1914/15 foreshadowed tragedies to come and the crisis in Ukraine today.  ▪️ Times  • 01:43 Introduction • 02:40 WWI In The East • 05:29 Battlefield - Austria-Hungary  • 10:10 The Austro-Hungarian Army • 13:28 Coveted Galicia • 17:44 1914 - A Primordial Soup • 19:02 The Siege Begins • 26:27 Przemysl’s Defensive Plan • 29:50 The Russians Take A Direct Approach • 36:08 Inside A City Under Siege     • 40:19 Total Exhaustion  • 44:45 Military And Human Consequences • 50:00 Birthplace Of The Bloodlands • 55:09 Strange Ends Maps Courtesy of United States Military Academy West Point Eastern Europe, 1914 and Planned Army Concentration Areas in Central Europe, 1914  Operations on The Eastern Front to 20 September 1914 Alexander Watson, Professor of History at Goldsmiths, University of London, joins the show to talk about the Eastern Front in World War One, and how the events of 1914/15 foreshadowed tragedies to come and the crisis in Ukraine today. 

▪️

Times 

• 01:43 Introduction

• 02:40 WWI In The East

• 05:29 Battlefield - Austria-Hungary 

• 10:10 The Austro-Hungarian Army

• 13:28 Coveted Galicia

• 17:44 1914 - A Primordial Soup

• 19:02 The Siege Begins

• 26:27 Przemysl’s Defensive Plan

• 29:50 The Russians Take A Direct Approach

• 36:08 Inside A City Under Siege

    • 40:19 Total Exhaustion 

• 44:45 Military And Human Consequences

• 50:00 Birthplace Of The Bloodlands

• 55:09 Strange Ends


Maps Courtesy of United States Military Academy West Point


Eastern Europe, 1914 and Planned Army Concentration Areas in Central Europe, 1914


 Operations on The Eastern Front to 20 September 1914

]]> 3645 Ep 36: Charlie Laderman on Hitler’s Decision to Declare War on America Charlie Laderman, lecturer at King’s College London and co-author of Hitler's American Gamble, joins the show to talk about his latest book, which covers the crucial days between the attack on Pearl Harbor and Hitler’s perplexing declaration of war on the United States. ▪️ Times  • 01:52 Introduction • 02:50 Wasn’t War Inevitable? • 07:12 Japan And Germany - Strange Bedfellows • 11:10 Hitler’s Blurred Vision • 14:45 Japan - Will They, Won’t They Attack  • 15:51 Churchill’s Outlook • 22:58 Anti-Interventionist Sentiment • 26:57 Anti-Semitism • 31:18 Roosevelt Sees Things Clearly • 35:21 A War With Germany, Not Japan     • 38:40 Catastrophic German Strategic Errors • 43:23 Hitler’s American Gamble  • 49:15 Pearl Harbor Condemned The European Jews • 53:54 Alarmingly Relevant Parallels Tue, 12 Jul 2022 08:45:00 -0000 Ep 36: Charlie Laderman on Hitler’s Decision to Declare War on America full The Free Press Charlie Laderman, lecturer at King’s College London and co-author of Hitler's American Gamble, joins the show to talk about his latest book, which covers the crucial days between the attack Pearl Harbor and Hitler’s perplexing declaration of war on the United States. Charlie Laderman, lecturer at King’s College London and co-author of Hitler's American Gamble, joins the show to talk about his latest book, which covers the crucial days between the attack on Pearl Harbor and Hitler’s perplexing declaration of war on the United States. ▪️ Times  • 01:52 Introduction • 02:50 Wasn’t War Inevitable? • 07:12 Japan And Germany - Strange Bedfellows • 11:10 Hitler’s Blurred Vision • 14:45 Japan - Will They, Won’t They Attack  • 15:51 Churchill’s Outlook • 22:58 Anti-Interventionist Sentiment • 26:57 Anti-Semitism • 31:18 Roosevelt Sees Things Clearly • 35:21 A War With Germany, Not Japan     • 38:40 Catastrophic German Strategic Errors • 43:23 Hitler’s American Gamble  • 49:15 Pearl Harbor Condemned The European Jews • 53:54 Alarmingly Relevant Parallels Charlie Laderman, lecturer at King’s College London and co-author of Hitler's American Gamble, joins the show to talk about his latest book, which covers the crucial days between the attack on Pearl Harbor and Hitler’s perplexing declaration of war on the United States.


▪️

Times 


• 01:52 Introduction

• 02:50 Wasn’t War Inevitable?

• 07:12 Japan And Germany - Strange Bedfellows

• 11:10 Hitler’s Blurred Vision

• 14:45 Japan - Will They, Won’t They Attack 

• 15:51 Churchill’s Outlook

• 22:58 Anti-Interventionist Sentiment

• 26:57 Anti-Semitism

• 31:18 Roosevelt Sees Things Clearly

• 35:21 A War With Germany, Not Japan

    • 38:40 Catastrophic German Strategic Errors

• 43:23 Hitler’s American Gamble 

• 49:15 Pearl Harbor Condemned The European Jews

• 53:54 Alarmingly Relevant Parallels

]]> 3578 Ep 35: Brendan Simms and Steven McGregor on the Battle of Midway Brendan Simms, Professor at the University of Cambridge, and his co-author, Steven McGregor, a U.S. Army vet, join the show to talk about their new book, The Silver Waterfall: How America Won the War in the Pacific at Midway. ▪️ Times  • 02:12 Introduction • 02:30 Why Write About Midway? • 05:54 Strategic Situation In The Pacific  • 08:26 Who Is Chester Nimitz?  • 11:02 Small Scale Start To The Large Scale Fight • 14:20 Intelligence Breaches And Carrier Combat  • 17:12 Dueling Carrier Doctrines  • 22:09 Lt. Dusty Kleiss On The Day Of Battle • 24:45 Hide And Seek In The Pacific Ocean • 28:45 Finding The Kido Butai At Midway • 30:53 To Dive Bomb Or Not • 32:11 Never Call Me A Hero • 33:38 A Fine Days Work  • 36:23 Preparation + Opportunity = Luck Tue, 28 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 35: Brendan Simms and Steven McGregor on the Battle of Midway full The Free Press Brendan Simms, Professor at the University of Cambridge, and his co-author, Steven McGregor a U.S. Army vet, join the show to talk about their new book, The Silver Waterfall: How America Won the War in the Pacific at Midway. Brendan Simms, Professor at the University of Cambridge, and his co-author, Steven McGregor, a U.S. Army vet, join the show to talk about their new book, The Silver Waterfall: How America Won the War in the Pacific at Midway. ▪️ Times  • 02:12 Introduction • 02:30 Why Write About Midway? • 05:54 Strategic Situation In The Pacific  • 08:26 Who Is Chester Nimitz?  • 11:02 Small Scale Start To The Large Scale Fight • 14:20 Intelligence Breaches And Carrier Combat  • 17:12 Dueling Carrier Doctrines  • 22:09 Lt. Dusty Kleiss On The Day Of Battle • 24:45 Hide And Seek In The Pacific Ocean • 28:45 Finding The Kido Butai At Midway • 30:53 To Dive Bomb Or Not • 32:11 Never Call Me A Hero • 33:38 A Fine Days Work  • 36:23 Preparation + Opportunity = Luck Brendan Simms, Professor at the University of Cambridge, and his co-author, Steven McGregor, a U.S. Army vet, join the show to talk about their new book, The Silver Waterfall: How America Won the War in the Pacific at Midway.

▪️

Times 


• 02:12 Introduction

• 02:30 Why Write About Midway?

• 05:54 Strategic Situation In The Pacific 

• 08:26 Who Is Chester Nimitz? 

• 11:02 Small Scale Start To The Large Scale Fight

• 14:20 Intelligence Breaches And Carrier Combat 

• 17:12 Dueling Carrier Doctrines 

• 22:09 Lt. Dusty Kleiss On The Day Of Battle

• 24:45 Hide And Seek In The Pacific Ocean

• 28:45 Finding The Kido Butai At Midway

• 30:53 To Dive Bomb Or Not

• 32:11 Never Call Me A Hero

• 33:38 A Fine Days Work 

• 36:23 Preparation + Opportunity = Luck

]]> 2307 Ep 34: Andrew Corbett on Britain’s Nukes Andrew Corbett, author of Supreme Emergency: How Britain Lives With the Bomb, joins the show to talk about what it’s like commanding one of Her Majesty’s deadliest weapons, how deterrence policy actually works, and why Britain has the Bomb. ▪️ Times  • 01:45 Introduction • 02:12 Why Join The Royal Navy? • 03:31 What’s In A Name? • 05:31 Day To Day Life  • 10:33 Disorienting Conditions  • 12:35 The Fighting Sub • 16:58 The Sound Of Silence  • 21:50 The Nuclear Triad • 24:12 Developments Under The Sea • 26:05 The British And The Bomb • 30:12 Command By Sub-Committee • 32:23 Extreme Secrecy  • 37:35 Morality In Nuclear Weapons  • 45:04 Why Should The UK Have Nukes • 50:07 Who Shouldn’t Have Nukes  • 54:46 Extended Deterrence Tue, 21 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 34: Andrew Corbett on Britain’s Nukes full The Free Press Andrew Corbett, author of Supreme Emergency: How Britain Lives With the Bomb, joins the show to talk about what it’s like commanding one of Her Majesty’s deadliest weapons, how deterrence policy actually works, and why Britain has the Bomb. Andrew Corbett, author of Supreme Emergency: How Britain Lives With the Bomb, joins the show to talk about what it’s like commanding one of Her Majesty’s deadliest weapons, how deterrence policy actually works, and why Britain has the Bomb. ▪️ Times  • 01:45 Introduction • 02:12 Why Join The Royal Navy? • 03:31 What’s In A Name? • 05:31 Day To Day Life  • 10:33 Disorienting Conditions  • 12:35 The Fighting Sub • 16:58 The Sound Of Silence  • 21:50 The Nuclear Triad • 24:12 Developments Under The Sea • 26:05 The British And The Bomb • 30:12 Command By Sub-Committee • 32:23 Extreme Secrecy  • 37:35 Morality In Nuclear Weapons  • 45:04 Why Should The UK Have Nukes • 50:07 Who Shouldn’t Have Nukes  • 54:46 Extended Deterrence Andrew Corbett, author of Supreme Emergency: How Britain Lives With the Bomb, joins the show to talk about what it’s like commanding one of Her Majesty’s deadliest weapons, how deterrence policy actually works, and why Britain has the Bomb.

▪️

Times 


• 01:45 Introduction

• 02:12 Why Join The Royal Navy?

• 03:31 What’s In A Name?

• 05:31 Day To Day Life 

• 10:33 Disorienting Conditions 

• 12:35 The Fighting Sub

• 16:58 The Sound Of Silence 

• 21:50 The Nuclear Triad

• 24:12 Developments Under The Sea

• 26:05 The British And The Bomb

• 30:12 Command By Sub-Committee

• 32:23 Extreme Secrecy 

• 37:35 Morality In Nuclear Weapons 

• 45:04 Why Should The UK Have Nukes

• 50:07 Who Shouldn’t Have Nukes 

• 54:46 Extended Deterrence

]]> 3485 Ep 33: Steven Pressfield on the Truth about War Steven Pressfield, author of A Man at Arms and Gates of Fire, joins the show to talk about writing historical fiction, telling the truth about war, and why the hardest part of art is “doing the work” . ▪️ Times  • 01:38 Introduction • 03:49 Why Historical Fiction? • 08:25 Creating The “Distant Mirror” • 12:12 Special Forces  • 14:17 Characters  • 19:44 A Man at Arms  • 22:01 Post-Warrior Life   • 23:46 The Warrior Ethos • 27:20 Society Needs, But Doesn’t Want, Warriors • 32:52 Citizen-Soldier  • 34:10 Reading History  • 37:48 Characters Are Uncovered, Not Made • 40:19 The War Of Art • 45:52 Telling Stories Tue, 14 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 33: Steven Pressfield on the Truth about War full The Free Press Steven Pressfield, author of A Man at Arms and Gates of Fire, joins the show to talk about writing historical fiction, telling the truth about war, and why the hardest part of art is “doing the work” . Steven Pressfield, author of A Man at Arms and Gates of Fire, joins the show to talk about writing historical fiction, telling the truth about war, and why the hardest part of art is “doing the work” . ▪️ Times  • 01:38 Introduction • 03:49 Why Historical Fiction? • 08:25 Creating The “Distant Mirror” • 12:12 Special Forces  • 14:17 Characters  • 19:44 A Man at Arms  • 22:01 Post-Warrior Life   • 23:46 The Warrior Ethos • 27:20 Society Needs, But Doesn’t Want, Warriors • 32:52 Citizen-Soldier  • 34:10 Reading History  • 37:48 Characters Are Uncovered, Not Made • 40:19 The War Of Art • 45:52 Telling Stories Steven Pressfield, author of A Man at Arms and Gates of Fire, joins the show to talk about writing historical fiction, telling the truth about war, and why the hardest part of art is “doing the work” .


▪️

Times 


• 01:38 Introduction

• 03:49 Why Historical Fiction?

• 08:25 Creating The “Distant Mirror”

• 12:12 Special Forces 

• 14:17 Characters 

• 19:44 A Man at Arms 

• 22:01 Post-Warrior Life  

• 23:46 The Warrior Ethos

• 27:20 Society Needs, But Doesn’t Want, Warriors

• 32:52 Citizen-Soldier 

• 34:10 Reading History 

• 37:48 Characters Are Uncovered, Not Made

• 40:19 The War Of Art

• 45:52 Telling Stories

]]> 2861 Ep 32: Barry S. Strauss on Actium Barry Strauss, Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies at Cornell University, joins the show to talk about Octavian, Antony, and Cleopatra, and the battle of Actium, the clash that “made the Roman Empire”. Times  • 02:04 Introduction • 02:36 Events Leading To Actium • 07:45 What Breaks The Second Triumvirate • 13:29 Strategy Is Not Sterile  • 15:04 Antony’s Will, Octavian’s Weapon • 20:24 Caesar’s Inheritance  • 22:42 Audacious Agrippa   • 25:26 Ancient Marines And War In The Mediterranean  • 31:18 Breakout Is Victory • 38:27 Antony In Defeat • 42:16 End Game Tue, 07 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 32: Barry S. Strauss on Actium full The Free Press Barry Strauss, Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies at Cornell University, joins the show to talk about Octavian, Antony, and Cleopatra, and the battle of Actium, the clash that “made the Roman Empire”. Barry Strauss, Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies at Cornell University, joins the show to talk about Octavian, Antony, and Cleopatra, and the battle of Actium, the clash that “made the Roman Empire”. Times  • 02:04 Introduction • 02:36 Events Leading To Actium • 07:45 What Breaks The Second Triumvirate • 13:29 Strategy Is Not Sterile  • 15:04 Antony’s Will, Octavian’s Weapon • 20:24 Caesar’s Inheritance  • 22:42 Audacious Agrippa   • 25:26 Ancient Marines And War In The Mediterranean  • 31:18 Breakout Is Victory • 38:27 Antony In Defeat • 42:16 End Game Barry Strauss, Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies at Cornell University, joins the show to talk about Octavian, Antony, and Cleopatra, and the battle of Actium, the clash that “made the Roman Empire”.


Times 


• 02:04 Introduction

• 02:36 Events Leading To Actium

• 07:45 What Breaks The Second Triumvirate

• 13:29 Strategy Is Not Sterile 

• 15:04 Antony’s Will, Octavian’s Weapon

• 20:24 Caesar’s Inheritance 

• 22:42 Audacious Agrippa  

• 25:26 Ancient Marines And War In The Mediterranean 

• 31:18 Breakout Is Victory

• 38:27 Antony In Defeat

• 42:16 End Game



]]> 2934 Ep 31: Rich Goldberg on Economic Sanctions and Financial Warfare Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of both the Cryptonite podcast and Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability podcast, joins the show to talk about economic sanctions and financial warfare. Times  • 01:30 Introduction • 08:19 The Dollar Is Still King • 10:10 Access Is Everything • 13:00 Whom Do Sanctions Effect  • 15:42 Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears A Crown • 21:50 Warfare By Other Means • 30:20 Working With Allies • 38:33 Exquisite Calibration  • 43:42 Usurping The Power Of The Dollar • 49:02 Integrated Deterrence  • 51:01 The Potency Of Sanctions Tue, 31 May 2022 08:20:00 -0000 Ep 31: Rich Goldberg on Economic Sanctions and Financial Warfare full The Free Press Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of both the Cryptonite podcast and Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability podcast, joins the show to talk about economic sanctions and financial warfare. Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of both the Cryptonite podcast and Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability podcast, joins the show to talk about economic sanctions and financial warfare. Times  • 01:30 Introduction • 08:19 The Dollar Is Still King • 10:10 Access Is Everything • 13:00 Whom Do Sanctions Effect  • 15:42 Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears A Crown • 21:50 Warfare By Other Means • 30:20 Working With Allies • 38:33 Exquisite Calibration  • 43:42 Usurping The Power Of The Dollar • 49:02 Integrated Deterrence  • 51:01 The Potency Of Sanctions Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of both the Cryptonite podcast and Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability podcast, joins the show to talk about economic sanctions and financial warfare.


Times 


• 01:30 Introduction

• 08:19 The Dollar Is Still King

• 10:10 Access Is Everything

• 13:00 Whom Do Sanctions Effect 

• 15:42 Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears A Crown

• 21:50 Warfare By Other Means

• 30:20 Working With Allies

• 38:33 Exquisite Calibration 

• 43:42 Usurping The Power Of The Dollar

• 49:02 Integrated Deterrence 

• 51:01 The Potency Of Sanctions

]]> 3500 Ep 30: Guy MacLean Rogers on The Jewish Revolt Guy MacLean Rogers, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of History and Classical Studies at Wellesley College and author of For the Freedom of Zion: The Great Revolt of Jews Against Romans, 66-74CE, joins the show to talk about the great uprising of the Jewish people against Rome—including moments that resonate to the present day, like the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem and the siege of Masada.  Times  • 02:20 Introduction • 04:21 The Jewish Revolt In Roman History  • 08:09 Flavius Josephus  • 13:41 Herod the Great  • 22:29 Little Causes, Big Revolt • 26:40 The Leadership Of Rebellion • 30:11 Jewish Strategy And Logistics • 35:03 Vespasian • 41:04 The Temple  • 50:01 The End of the Sacrificial Cult • 52:01 Destruction of the Temple • 56:00 The End Of The Revolt • 1:01:02 Josephus’ Speeches • 1:06:13 Could The Jews Have Won? Tue, 24 May 2022 09:00:00 -0000 Ep 30: Guy MacLean Rogers on The Jewish Revolt full The Free Press Guy MacLean Rogers, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of History and Classical Studies at Wellesley College and author of For the Freedom of Zion: The Great Revolt of Jews Against Romans, 66-74CE, joins the show to talk about the great uprising of the Jewish people against Rome—including moments that resonate to the present day, like the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem and the siege of Masada. Guy MacLean Rogers, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of History and Classical Studies at Wellesley College and author of For the Freedom of Zion: The Great Revolt of Jews Against Romans, 66-74CE, joins the show to talk about the great uprising of the Jewish people against Rome—including moments that resonate to the present day, like the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem and the siege of Masada.  Times  • 02:20 Introduction • 04:21 The Jewish Revolt In Roman History  • 08:09 Flavius Josephus  • 13:41 Herod the Great  • 22:29 Little Causes, Big Revolt • 26:40 The Leadership Of Rebellion • 30:11 Jewish Strategy And Logistics • 35:03 Vespasian • 41:04 The Temple  • 50:01 The End of the Sacrificial Cult • 52:01 Destruction of the Temple • 56:00 The End Of The Revolt • 1:01:02 Josephus’ Speeches • 1:06:13 Could The Jews Have Won? Guy MacLean Rogers, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of History and Classical Studies at Wellesley College and author of For the Freedom of Zion: The Great Revolt of Jews Against Romans, 66-74CE, joins the show to talk about the great uprising of the Jewish people against Rome—including moments that resonate to the present day, like the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem and the siege of Masada. 


Times 


• 02:20 Introduction

• 04:21 The Jewish Revolt In Roman History 

• 08:09 Flavius Josephus 

• 13:41 Herod the Great 

• 22:29 Little Causes, Big Revolt

• 26:40 The Leadership Of Rebellion

• 30:11 Jewish Strategy And Logistics

• 35:03 Vespasian

• 41:04 The Temple 

• 50:01 The End of the Sacrificial Cult

• 52:01 Destruction of the Temple

• 56:00 The End Of The Revolt

• 1:01:02 Josephus’ Speeches

• 1:06:13 Could The Jews Have Won?

]]> 4148 Ep 29: Wesley Morgan on Afghanistan, Part 2 of 2 Wesley Morgan, journalist and author of The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, joins the show to discuss his experiences in the Pech valley, one of Afghanistan’s most contested battlegrounds, and to talk about the U.S. counterinsurgency’s successes and failures.  Times  • 01:25 Illicit Economies • 04:13 Green Berets And CIA “Lost The Forest For The Trees” In Kunar • 06:57 Who Is Jim Gant? • 11:36 Self-Aware Proxy Warriors • 13:42 Counterinsurgency Styles and Outpost Building • 20:44 Central Government - Whether They Want It Or Not • 33:18 Cash For Calm - Paying For Peace • 37:22 War Winds Down In The Pech  • 41:30 The Afghan House Of Cards Collapses • 44:13 A Tired Afghan Army With No Good Options Tue, 17 May 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 29: Wesley Morgan on Afghanistan, Part 2 of 2 full The Free Press Wesley Morgan, journalist and author of The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, joins the show to discuss his experiences in the Pech valley, one of Afghanistan’s most contested battlegrounds, and to talk about the U.S. counterinsurgency’s successes and failures. This episode is part 1 of 2. Wesley Morgan, journalist and author of The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, joins the show to discuss his experiences in the Pech valley, one of Afghanistan’s most contested battlegrounds, and to talk about the U.S. counterinsurgency’s successes and failures.  Times  • 01:25 Illicit Economies • 04:13 Green Berets And CIA “Lost The Forest For The Trees” In Kunar • 06:57 Who Is Jim Gant? • 11:36 Self-Aware Proxy Warriors • 13:42 Counterinsurgency Styles and Outpost Building • 20:44 Central Government - Whether They Want It Or Not • 33:18 Cash For Calm - Paying For Peace • 37:22 War Winds Down In The Pech  • 41:30 The Afghan House Of Cards Collapses • 44:13 A Tired Afghan Army With No Good Options Wesley Morgan, journalist and author of The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, joins the show to discuss his experiences in the Pech valley, one of Afghanistan’s most contested battlegrounds, and to talk about the U.S. counterinsurgency’s successes and failures. 


Times 


• 01:25 Illicit Economies

• 04:13 Green Berets And CIA “Lost The Forest For The Trees” In Kunar

• 06:57 Who Is Jim Gant?

• 11:36 Self-Aware Proxy Warriors

• 13:42 Counterinsurgency Styles and Outpost Building

• 20:44 Central Government - Whether They Want It Or Not

• 33:18 Cash For Calm - Paying For Peace

• 37:22 War Winds Down In The Pech 

• 41:30 The Afghan House Of Cards Collapses

• 44:13 A Tired Afghan Army With No Good Options

]]> 2858 Ep 28: Wesley Morgan on Afghanistan, Part 1 of 2 Ep 28: Wesley Morgan on Afghanistan Wesley Morgan, journalist and author of The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, joins the show to discuss his experiences in the Pech Valley, one of Afghanistan’s most contested battlegrounds, and to talk about the U.S. counterinsurgency’s successes and failures. This episode is part 1 of 2. Times  02:52 Introduction 04:28 From Princeton to The Pech 07:25 The Age Dynamic  09:46 Fighting Styles In Helmand Province  12:42 The Episodic Nature Of Fighting In Afghanistan  13:42 The Terrain Of The Pech Valley 17:11 Seeking Bin Laden In Kunar  18:43 Kafiristan - Daniel Dravot’s Dream 20:27 Special Forces - A Tool For Every Task 24:21 The Role Of Seal Team Six and Delta Force 29:36 Seeking The Enemy  31:23 Who Was The Enemy In The Pech? 33:58 The Timber Mafia Tue, 10 May 2022 11:14:00 -0000 Ep 28: Wesley Morgan on Afghanistan, Part 1 of 2 full The Free Press Wesley Morgan, journalist and author of The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, joins the show to discuss his experiences in the Pech valley, one of Afghanistan’s most contested battlegrounds, and to talk about the U.S. counterinsurgency’s successes and failures. This episode is part 1 of 2. Ep 28: Wesley Morgan on Afghanistan Wesley Morgan, journalist and author of The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, joins the show to discuss his experiences in the Pech Valley, one of Afghanistan’s most contested battlegrounds, and to talk about the U.S. counterinsurgency’s successes and failures. This episode is part 1 of 2. Times  02:52 Introduction 04:28 From Princeton to The Pech 07:25 The Age Dynamic  09:46 Fighting Styles In Helmand Province  12:42 The Episodic Nature Of Fighting In Afghanistan  13:42 The Terrain Of The Pech Valley 17:11 Seeking Bin Laden In Kunar  18:43 Kafiristan - Daniel Dravot’s Dream 20:27 Special Forces - A Tool For Every Task 24:21 The Role Of Seal Team Six and Delta Force 29:36 Seeking The Enemy  31:23 Who Was The Enemy In The Pech? 33:58 The Timber Mafia Ep 28: Wesley Morgan on Afghanistan


Wesley Morgan, journalist and author of The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, joins the show to discuss his experiences in the Pech Valley, one of Afghanistan’s most contested battlegrounds, and to talk about the U.S. counterinsurgency’s successes and failures. This episode is part 1 of 2.


Times 


  • 02:52 Introduction
  • 04:28 From Princeton to The Pech
  • 07:25 The Age Dynamic 
  • 09:46 Fighting Styles In Helmand Province 
  • 12:42 The Episodic Nature Of Fighting In Afghanistan 
  • 13:42 The Terrain Of The Pech Valley
  • 17:11 Seeking Bin Laden In Kunar 
  • 18:43 Kafiristan - Daniel Dravot’s Dream
  • 20:27 Special Forces - A Tool For Every Task
  • 24:21 The Role Of Seal Team Six and Delta Force
  • 29:36 Seeking The Enemy 
  • 31:23 Who Was The Enemy In The Pech?
  • 33:58 The Timber Mafia
]]> 2148 Ep 27: Fred Kagan on Ukraine II Ep 27: Fred Kagan on Ukraine II Fred Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss where the war in Ukraine stands, how initial Russian designs failed, and where the conflict is headed. Times  02:14 Introduction 03:22 Accurate Predictions 06:45 The Baffling Russian Attack on Kyiv  08:36 A River Runs Through…The Russian Plan  10:22 Operational Design 101 13:22 Back To Basics - Reading Terrain Still Matters 16:33 Russian Objectives In The East 21:51 Russian Command And Control  26:29 Ukrainian Strikes On Senior Russian Officers 28:38 Russian Objectives In The South 33:06 Putin Still Seeking Total Victory? 36:42 Russian Game-plan For The South Coast 39:18 Transnistria 42:27 False Flags - Putin’s Comfort Zone 44:01 Moldovan Capabilities  47:46 Force Is A Kind Of Failure 50:47 Putin’s Options  54:48 Deterrence And Nuclear Taboos Ukraine Maps 05/02/2022 per ISW Tue, 03 May 2022 08:30:00 -0000 Ep 27: Fred Kagan on Ukraine II full 1 27 The Free Press Fred Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss where the war in Ukraine stands, how initial Russian designs failed, and where the conflict is headed. Ep 27: Fred Kagan on Ukraine II Fred Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss where the war in Ukraine stands, how initial Russian designs failed, and where the conflict is headed. Times  02:14 Introduction 03:22 Accurate Predictions 06:45 The Baffling Russian Attack on Kyiv  08:36 A River Runs Through…The Russian Plan  10:22 Operational Design 101 13:22 Back To Basics - Reading Terrain Still Matters 16:33 Russian Objectives In The East 21:51 Russian Command And Control  26:29 Ukrainian Strikes On Senior Russian Officers 28:38 Russian Objectives In The South 33:06 Putin Still Seeking Total Victory? 36:42 Russian Game-plan For The South Coast 39:18 Transnistria 42:27 False Flags - Putin’s Comfort Zone 44:01 Moldovan Capabilities  47:46 Force Is A Kind Of Failure 50:47 Putin’s Options  54:48 Deterrence And Nuclear Taboos Ukraine Maps 05/02/2022 per ISW Ep 27: Fred Kagan on Ukraine II


Fred Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss where the war in Ukraine stands, how initial Russian designs failed, and where the conflict is headed.


Times 


  • 02:14 Introduction
  • 03:22 Accurate Predictions
  • 06:45 The Baffling Russian Attack on Kyiv 
  • 08:36 A River Runs Through…The Russian Plan 
  • 10:22 Operational Design 101
  • 13:22 Back To Basics - Reading Terrain Still Matters
  • 16:33 Russian Objectives In The East
  • 21:51 Russian Command And Control 
  • 26:29 Ukrainian Strikes On Senior Russian Officers
  • 28:38 Russian Objectives In The South
  • 33:06 Putin Still Seeking Total Victory?
  • 36:42 Russian Game-plan For The South Coast
  • 39:18 Transnistria
  • 42:27 False Flags - Putin’s Comfort Zone
  • 44:01 Moldovan Capabilities 
  • 47:46 Force Is A Kind Of Failure
  • 50:47 Putin’s Options 
  • 54:48 Deterrence And Nuclear Taboos


Ukraine Maps 05/02/2022 per ISW

]]> 3414 Ep 26: Andrew Lambert on the Crimean War Ep 26: Andrew Lambert on the Crimean War  Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College, joins the show to discuss the Crimean War, including why it shouldn’t have been called by that name. Professor Lambert also explains the relevance of the Crimean War to today’s war in Ukraine. Times  • 01:28 Introduction • 02:20 Causes of the Crimean War • 07:57 Flashpoint in the Holy Land • 12:31 Steamships and Strategy • 16:34 Functional Dysfunction in Policymaking • 21:44 Why Target Sevastopol? • 26:44 What Went Wrong • 31:47 The Press and Public Opinion • 36:31 Reading Events Incorrectly  • 38:57 The Baltic Campaign • 45:30 Mahan and Corbett Interpret the War • 48:39 Ukraine War - An Echo of the Crimean War • 55:34 Can Russia Re-Integrate Into The Global Community?  • 58:32 Will Putin Use Tactical Nuclear Weapons?  Tue, 26 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0000 Ep 26: Andrew Lambert on the Crimean War full The Free Press Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College, joins the show to discuss the Crimean War, including why it shouldn’t have been called by that name. Professor Lambert also explains the relevance of the Crimean War to today’s war in Ukraine. Ep 26: Andrew Lambert on the Crimean War  Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College, joins the show to discuss the Crimean War, including why it shouldn’t have been called by that name. Professor Lambert also explains the relevance of the Crimean War to today’s war in Ukraine. Times  • 01:28 Introduction • 02:20 Causes of the Crimean War • 07:57 Flashpoint in the Holy Land • 12:31 Steamships and Strategy • 16:34 Functional Dysfunction in Policymaking • 21:44 Why Target Sevastopol? • 26:44 What Went Wrong • 31:47 The Press and Public Opinion • 36:31 Reading Events Incorrectly  • 38:57 The Baltic Campaign • 45:30 Mahan and Corbett Interpret the War • 48:39 Ukraine War - An Echo of the Crimean War • 55:34 Can Russia Re-Integrate Into The Global Community?  • 58:32 Will Putin Use Tactical Nuclear Weapons?  Ep 26: Andrew Lambert on the Crimean War 


Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, King's College, joins the show to discuss the Crimean War, including why it shouldn’t have been called by that name. Professor Lambert also explains the relevance of the Crimean War to today’s war in Ukraine.


Times 

• 01:28 Introduction

• 02:20 Causes of the Crimean War

• 07:57 Flashpoint in the Holy Land

• 12:31 Steamships and Strategy

• 16:34 Functional Dysfunction in Policymaking

• 21:44 Why Target Sevastopol?

• 26:44 What Went Wrong

• 31:47 The Press and Public Opinion

• 36:31 Reading Events Incorrectly 

• 38:57 The Baltic Campaign

• 45:30 Mahan and Corbett Interpret the War

• 48:39 Ukraine War - An Echo of the Crimean War

• 55:34 Can Russia Re-Integrate Into The Global Community? 

• 58:32 Will Putin Use Tactical Nuclear Weapons? 

]]> 3798 Ep. 25: Waller Newell on Putin and Tyranny Waller Newell, Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Carleton University, joins the show to discuss tyranny and tyrants—and Vladimir Putin in particular.  Times 02:05 Introduction 03:43 Let's talk about Vladimir Putin 05:40 What is the Russian "Soul"? 07:19 Quote from "The Russian Idea" 08:40 Who was Nikolai Berdyaev? 09:54 Is Berdyaev an influence on Aleksandr Dugin? 11:05 The West has a hard time understanding non-economic motivations. Why? 13:06 Who is Aleksandr Dugin? 15:21 “Eurasian Nationalist Bolshevism”  16:55 Rehabilitating Stalin 18:40 Are we seeing a perpetuation of Tsarist Russia? 20:40 What is fascism? 22:35 The many types of tyranny 25:12 What kind of tyrant is Putin? 26:50 Why has millenarian tyranny appeared so relatively recently in history? 29:51 The relationship between liberalism and millenarian tyranny 31:25 The next ten years in Russia 34:00 Did Putin know what he was getting himself into in Ukraine? 35:36 The prospect of Russian and Chinese collaboration in the future 36:55 Who drives Chinese policy - Xi Jinping or the Chinese Communist Party? 38:56 Staying sane while studying tyrants 42:10 What should we be reading to better recognize hostile actors for what they are? Tue, 12 Apr 2022 08:45:00 -0000 Ep. 25: Waller Newell on Putin and Tyranny full The Free Press Waller Newell, Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Carleton University, joins the show to discuss tyranny and tyrants—and Vladimir Putin in particular. Waller Newell, Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Carleton University, joins the show to discuss tyranny and tyrants—and Vladimir Putin in particular.  Times 02:05 Introduction 03:43 Let's talk about Vladimir Putin 05:40 What is the Russian "Soul"? 07:19 Quote from "The Russian Idea" 08:40 Who was Nikolai Berdyaev? 09:54 Is Berdyaev an influence on Aleksandr Dugin? 11:05 The West has a hard time understanding non-economic motivations. Why? 13:06 Who is Aleksandr Dugin? 15:21 “Eurasian Nationalist Bolshevism”  16:55 Rehabilitating Stalin 18:40 Are we seeing a perpetuation of Tsarist Russia? 20:40 What is fascism? 22:35 The many types of tyranny 25:12 What kind of tyrant is Putin? 26:50 Why has millenarian tyranny appeared so relatively recently in history? 29:51 The relationship between liberalism and millenarian tyranny 31:25 The next ten years in Russia 34:00 Did Putin know what he was getting himself into in Ukraine? 35:36 The prospect of Russian and Chinese collaboration in the future 36:55 Who drives Chinese policy - Xi Jinping or the Chinese Communist Party? 38:56 Staying sane while studying tyrants 42:10 What should we be reading to better recognize hostile actors for what they are? Waller Newell, Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Carleton University, joins the show to discuss tyranny and tyrants—and Vladimir Putin in particular. 


Times

  • 02:05 Introduction
  • 03:43 Let's talk about Vladimir Putin
  • 05:40 What is the Russian "Soul"?
  • 07:19 Quote from "The Russian Idea"
  • 08:40 Who was Nikolai Berdyaev?
  • 09:54 Is Berdyaev an influence on Aleksandr Dugin?
  • 11:05 The West has a hard time understanding non-economic motivations. Why?
  • 13:06 Who is Aleksandr Dugin?
  • 15:21 “Eurasian Nationalist Bolshevism” 
  • 16:55 Rehabilitating Stalin
  • 18:40 Are we seeing a perpetuation of Tsarist Russia?
  • 20:40 What is fascism?
  • 22:35 The many types of tyranny
  • 25:12 What kind of tyrant is Putin?
  • 26:50 Why has millenarian tyranny appeared so relatively recently in history?
  • 29:51 The relationship between liberalism and millenarian tyranny
  • 31:25 The next ten years in Russia
  • 34:00 Did Putin know what he was getting himself into in Ukraine?
  • 35:36 The prospect of Russian and Chinese collaboration in the future
  • 36:55 Who drives Chinese policy - Xi Jinping or the Chinese Communist Party?
  • 38:56 Staying sane while studying tyrants
  • 42:10 What should we be reading to better recognize hostile actors for what they are?
]]> 2694 Ep. 24: Richard Overy on World War II Richard Overy, professor of history at the University of Exeter, joins the show to discuss World War II and the wars of imperial aggression. Times 02:23 - Introduction 04:24 - Imperialism prior to World War II 06:00 - Nations as empires 08:32 -Traditional imperialism versus the Axis Powers' concept 11:02 - Who is Halford Mackinder? 13:14 - The development of Germany's vision of empire 14:36 - German war aims in World War I and World War II 17:02 - Germany and the East 22:16 - The Japanese vision of empire 25:01 - How Japan modernization 26:33 - Japan's methods of rule 27:50 - American and the USSR 34:06 - World War II book recommendations Tue, 05 Apr 2022 08:45:00 -0000 Ep. 24: Richard Overy on World War II full The Free Press Richard Overy, professor of history at the University of Exeter, joins the show to discuss World War II and the wars of imperial aggression. Richard Overy, professor of history at the University of Exeter, joins the show to discuss World War II and the wars of imperial aggression. Times 02:23 - Introduction 04:24 - Imperialism prior to World War II 06:00 - Nations as empires 08:32 -Traditional imperialism versus the Axis Powers' concept 11:02 - Who is Halford Mackinder? 13:14 - The development of Germany's vision of empire 14:36 - German war aims in World War I and World War II 17:02 - Germany and the East 22:16 - The Japanese vision of empire 25:01 - How Japan modernization 26:33 - Japan's methods of rule 27:50 - American and the USSR 34:06 - World War II book recommendations Richard Overy, professor of history at the University of Exeter, joins the show to discuss World War II and the wars of imperial aggression.


Times

  • 02:23 - Introduction
  • 04:24 - Imperialism prior to World War II
  • 06:00 - Nations as empires
  • 08:32 -Traditional imperialism versus the Axis Powers' concept
  • 11:02 - Who is Halford Mackinder?
  • 13:14 - The development of Germany's vision of empire
  • 14:36 - German war aims in World War I and World War II
  • 17:02 - Germany and the East
  • 22:16 - The Japanese vision of empire
  • 25:01 - How Japan modernization
  • 26:33 - Japan's methods of rule
  • 27:50 - American and the USSR
  • 34:06 - World War II book recommendations
]]> 2337 Ep. 23: James Holmes on Sea Power James Holmes, the J.C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College, joins the show to discuss sea power, the war in Ukraine, and the possibility of war in the Pacific Times 00:58 - Introduction  01:57 - Time spent considering Russia and the NATO alliance’s naval power 04:05 - Russian President Vladimir Putin’s grand strategy 05:35 - What does Ukraine mean to Putin? 06:58 - The Crimean War  10:32 - Closing the Bosporus 16:15 - Does the war end well for Putin?  21:28 - Zelensky’s survival  23:12 - Worst-case scenario for Putin  25:43 - What the outcome in Ukraine will mean for Taiwan 28:35 - China’s challenge in Taiwan 31:02 - How security concerns in the early American Republic influence China’s thinking 35:25 - Should the United States shift national security focus to Asia?  Tue, 29 Mar 2022 08:45:00 -0000 Ep. 23: James Holmes on Sea Power full The Free Press James Holmes, the J.C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College, joins the show to discuss seapower, the war in Ukraine, and the possibility of war in the Pacific. James Holmes, the J.C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College, joins the show to discuss sea power, the war in Ukraine, and the possibility of war in the Pacific Times 00:58 - Introduction  01:57 - Time spent considering Russia and the NATO alliance’s naval power 04:05 - Russian President Vladimir Putin’s grand strategy 05:35 - What does Ukraine mean to Putin? 06:58 - The Crimean War  10:32 - Closing the Bosporus 16:15 - Does the war end well for Putin?  21:28 - Zelensky’s survival  23:12 - Worst-case scenario for Putin  25:43 - What the outcome in Ukraine will mean for Taiwan 28:35 - China’s challenge in Taiwan 31:02 - How security concerns in the early American Republic influence China’s thinking 35:25 - Should the United States shift national security focus to Asia?  James Holmes, the J.C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College, joins the show to discuss sea power, the war in Ukraine, and the possibility of war in the Pacific

Times

  • 00:58 - Introduction 
  • 01:57 - Time spent considering Russia and the NATO alliance’s naval power
  • 04:05 - Russian President Vladimir Putin’s grand strategy
  • 05:35 - What does Ukraine mean to Putin?
  • 06:58 - The Crimean War 
  • 10:32 - Closing the Bosporus
  • 16:15 - Does the war end well for Putin? 
  • 21:28 - Zelensky’s survival 
  • 23:12 - Worst-case scenario for Putin 
  • 25:43 - What the outcome in Ukraine will mean for Taiwan
  • 28:35 - China’s challenge in Taiwan
  • 31:02 - How security concerns in the early American Republic influence China’s thinking
  • 35:25 - Should the United States shift national security focus to Asia? 
]]> 2509 Ep. 22: Jeremy Black on Tank Warfare Jeremy Black, Professor of History at the University of Exeter, joins the show to discuss tank warfare from its origins to the battlefields of Ukraine Times 01:13 - Introduction 02:02 - The creation of the tank 07:48 - Parallel technological development of tanks and aircraft 14:20 - Developing thoughts on employing tanks leading into World War II 18:24 - Blitzkrieg and the role of armored vehicles, speed, and communication during invasions 24:13 - The Soviet Union's invasion of Finland 28:07 - The development of armored technology during the Arab-Israeli wars after World War II 35:06 - Russia's strategy for invasion, the likelihood of Putin overtaking Ukraine, and the future of the tank Wed, 23 Mar 2022 08:45:00 -0000 Ep. 22: Jeremy Black on Tank Warfare full The Free Press Jeremy Black, Professor of History at the University of Exeter, joins the show to discuss tank warfare from its origins to the battlefields of Ukraine Jeremy Black, Professor of History at the University of Exeter, joins the show to discuss tank warfare from its origins to the battlefields of Ukraine Times 01:13 - Introduction 02:02 - The creation of the tank 07:48 - Parallel technological development of tanks and aircraft 14:20 - Developing thoughts on employing tanks leading into World War II 18:24 - Blitzkrieg and the role of armored vehicles, speed, and communication during invasions 24:13 - The Soviet Union's invasion of Finland 28:07 - The development of armored technology during the Arab-Israeli wars after World War II 35:06 - Russia's strategy for invasion, the likelihood of Putin overtaking Ukraine, and the future of the tank Jeremy Black, Professor of History at the University of Exeter, joins the show to discuss tank warfare from its origins to the battlefields of Ukraine


Times

  • 01:13 - Introduction
  • 02:02 - The creation of the tank
  • 07:48 - Parallel technological development of tanks and aircraft
  • 14:20 - Developing thoughts on employing tanks leading into World War II
  • 18:24 - Blitzkrieg and the role of armored vehicles, speed, and communication during invasions
  • 24:13 - The Soviet Union's invasion of Finland
  • 28:07 - The development of armored technology during the Arab-Israeli wars after World War II
  • 35:06 - Russia's strategy for invasion, the likelihood of Putin overtaking Ukraine, and the future of the tank



]]> 2937 Ep. 21: Matthew Kroenig on Ukraine and Putin’s Nuclear Weapons Matthew Kroenig, Professor in the Department of Government and Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and Director of Studies at the Atlantic Council, joins the show to discuss Russian nuclear doctrine and what it means for the war in Ukraine. Times 00:49 - Introduction 01:07 - Forecasting Russia's potential gains in Ukraine 02:45 - The nuclear dimension in Ukraine 05:05 - Russian nuclear doctrine: escalate to de-escalate 10:52 - Potential U.S. responses to Russian nuclear strikes on NATO allies 12:54 - Perceptions of nuclear weapons, from the Cold War to now 15:46 - Battlefield nuclear tactics 18:32 - Russian thinking on employing chemical weapons 21:05 - U.S. nuclear weapons policy 25:44 - Scenarios when Russia would use nuclear weapons 27:16 - Putin's rationale and next steps 29:21 - Russian strikes and potential fault lines in Western unity 32:30 - U.S. reliance on Russia's brokerage of a nuclear deal with Iran Wed, 16 Mar 2022 17:50:52 -0000 Ep. 21: Matthew Kroenig on Ukraine and Putin’s Nuclear Weapons full The Free Press Matthew Kroenig, Professor in the Department of Government and Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and Director of Studies at the Atlantic Council, joins the show to discuss Russian nuclear doctrine and what it means for the war in Ukraine. Matthew Kroenig, Professor in the Department of Government and Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and Director of Studies at the Atlantic Council, joins the show to discuss Russian nuclear doctrine and what it means for the war in Ukraine. Times 00:49 - Introduction 01:07 - Forecasting Russia's potential gains in Ukraine 02:45 - The nuclear dimension in Ukraine 05:05 - Russian nuclear doctrine: escalate to de-escalate 10:52 - Potential U.S. responses to Russian nuclear strikes on NATO allies 12:54 - Perceptions of nuclear weapons, from the Cold War to now 15:46 - Battlefield nuclear tactics 18:32 - Russian thinking on employing chemical weapons 21:05 - U.S. nuclear weapons policy 25:44 - Scenarios when Russia would use nuclear weapons 27:16 - Putin's rationale and next steps 29:21 - Russian strikes and potential fault lines in Western unity 32:30 - U.S. reliance on Russia's brokerage of a nuclear deal with Iran Matthew Kroenig, Professor in the Department of Government and Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and Director of Studies at the Atlantic Council, joins the show to discuss Russian nuclear doctrine and what it means for the war in Ukraine.


Times

  • 00:49 - Introduction
  • 01:07 - Forecasting Russia's potential gains in Ukraine
  • 02:45 - The nuclear dimension in Ukraine
  • 05:05 - Russian nuclear doctrine: escalate to de-escalate
  • 10:52 - Potential U.S. responses to Russian nuclear strikes on NATO allies
  • 12:54 - Perceptions of nuclear weapons, from the Cold War to now
  • 15:46 - Battlefield nuclear tactics
  • 18:32 - Russian thinking on employing chemical weapons
  • 21:05 - U.S. nuclear weapons policy
  • 25:44 - Scenarios when Russia would use nuclear weapons
  • 27:16 - Putin's rationale and next steps
  • 29:21 - Russian strikes and potential fault lines in Western unity
  • 32:30 - U.S. reliance on Russia's brokerage of a nuclear deal with Iran


]]> 2194 Ep. 20: Bill Roggio on Ukraine Ep. 20: Bill Roggio on Ukraine Bill Roggio, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of the Long War Journal, joins the show to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 01:10 - Introduction 7:32 - Assessing Russian objectives in Ukraine 13:25 - Russian shortfalls 23:12 - Limits on Russian resources 28:37 - Does the lack of preparation hurt Russian troops? 32:21 - No fly zones 38:36 - Escalation scenarios 43:00 - Prospects for insurgency  49:32 - How does this end? Wed, 09 Mar 2022 09:45:00 -0000 full The Free Press Bill Roggio, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of the Long War Journal, joins the show to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ep. 20: Bill Roggio on Ukraine Bill Roggio, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of the Long War Journal, joins the show to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 01:10 - Introduction 7:32 - Assessing Russian objectives in Ukraine 13:25 - Russian shortfalls 23:12 - Limits on Russian resources 28:37 - Does the lack of preparation hurt Russian troops? 32:21 - No fly zones 38:36 - Escalation scenarios 43:00 - Prospects for insurgency  49:32 - How does this end? Ep. 20: Bill Roggio on Ukraine


Bill Roggio, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of the Long War Journal, joins the show to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine.


01:10 - Introduction

7:32 - Assessing Russian objectives in Ukraine

13:25 - Russian shortfalls

23:12 - Limits on Russian resources

28:37 - Does the lack of preparation hurt Russian troops?

32:21 - No fly zones

38:36 - Escalation scenarios

43:00 - Prospects for insurgency 

49:32 - How does this end?

]]> 3282 Ep. 19: Fred Kagan on Ukraine Fred Kagan, Director of Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss the first week of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Times: 00:42 - Introduction  01:40 - The situation at present 06:39 - Nature of original build-up of Russian forces 14:50 - Russian strategic and operational style 17:47 - Lack of political preparation 20:44 - Putin's background 24:22 - Will Russia win? 30:14 - What are Putin's weaknesses? 34:20 - What happens next if Kyiv falls? 39:41 - Impact on American national security Thu, 03 Mar 2022 09:45:00 -0000 full The Free Press Fred Kagan, Director of Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss the first week of the Russian invasion into Ukraine. Fred Kagan, Director of Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss the first week of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Times: 00:42 - Introduction  01:40 - The situation at present 06:39 - Nature of original build-up of Russian forces 14:50 - Russian strategic and operational style 17:47 - Lack of political preparation 20:44 - Putin's background 24:22 - Will Russia win? 30:14 - What are Putin's weaknesses? 34:20 - What happens next if Kyiv falls? 39:41 - Impact on American national security Fred Kagan, Director of Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss the first week of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.


Times:

00:42 - Introduction 

01:40 - The situation at present

06:39 - Nature of original build-up of Russian forces

14:50 - Russian strategic and operational style

17:47 - Lack of political preparation

20:44 - Putin's background

24:22 - Will Russia win?

30:14 - What are Putin's weaknesses?

34:20 - What happens next if Kyiv falls?

39:41 - Impact on American national security

]]> 2673 Ep. 18: Bruce Jones on Seapower Bruce Jones, director of the Project on International Order and Strategy of the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, joins the show to discuss seapower.  Times 00:51 - Introduction  01:17 - The importance of seapower today 06:45 - Innovation of container shipping and how that changed the global economy  12:50 - China re-enters the seas  16:54 - China’s security challenges at sea 22:44 - Shallow seas, narrow passages, and massive ships  24:06 - China’s strategic interest in Taiwan   26:10 - China’s alienation of potential allies   29:08 - American strategic view of the Pacific Ocean 34:41 - Relations between the United States and India, specifically in terms of taking on China  39:12 - Seapower theorist Alfred Thayer Mahan 44:55 - Comparing America’s quest for power at sea during the 20th century and China’s return to the sea today  48:48 - The role of oceanography in nation-state power competition Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 18: Bruce Jones on Seapower full The Free Press Bruce Jones, director of the Project on International Order and Strategy of the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, joins the show to discuss seapower. Bruce Jones, director of the Project on International Order and Strategy of the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, joins the show to discuss seapower.  Times 00:51 - Introduction  01:17 - The importance of seapower today 06:45 - Innovation of container shipping and how that changed the global economy  12:50 - China re-enters the seas  16:54 - China’s security challenges at sea 22:44 - Shallow seas, narrow passages, and massive ships  24:06 - China’s strategic interest in Taiwan   26:10 - China’s alienation of potential allies   29:08 - American strategic view of the Pacific Ocean 34:41 - Relations between the United States and India, specifically in terms of taking on China  39:12 - Seapower theorist Alfred Thayer Mahan 44:55 - Comparing America’s quest for power at sea during the 20th century and China’s return to the sea today  48:48 - The role of oceanography in nation-state power competition Bruce Jones, director of the Project on International Order and Strategy of the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, joins the show to discuss seapower. 


Times

  • 00:51 - Introduction 
  • 01:17 - The importance of seapower today
  • 06:45 - Innovation of container shipping and how that changed the global economy 
  • 12:50 - China re-enters the seas 
  • 16:54 - China’s security challenges at sea
  • 22:44 - Shallow seas, narrow passages, and massive ships 
  • 24:06 - China’s strategic interest in Taiwan  
  • 26:10 - China’s alienation of potential allies  
  • 29:08 - American strategic view of the Pacific Ocean
  • 34:41 - Relations between the United States and India, specifically in terms of taking on China 
  • 39:12 - Seapower theorist Alfred Thayer Mahan
  • 44:55 - Comparing America’s quest for power at sea during the 20th century and China’s return to the sea today 
  • 48:48 - The role of oceanography in nation-state power competition



]]> 3188 Ep. 17: Alexander Mikaberidze on Napoleon Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, joins the show to discuss the Napoleonic Wars. Times 01:12 - Introduction 07:38 - How did European attitudes toward Napoleon change over his life? 13:34 - Nuances of nationalist sentiment Napoleon inspired 15:13 - Napoleonic wars, French hegemony, and geopolitics 20:23 - Napoleon's youth and the French Revolution 24:49 - Napoleon's early campaigns and his rise to power 29:16 - What is the Napoleonic way of war? 33:43 - What is Combined Arms and what are its advantages? 37:42 - What is the Eastern Question to Napoleon?  45:55 - How did Napoleon think about the Western Hemisphere?  53:46 - What remains of Napoleon's legacy after the Congress of Vienna? Link Book: The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History Tue, 15 Feb 2022 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 17: Alexander Mikaberidze on Napoleon full The Free Press Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, joins the show to discuss the Napoleonic Wars. Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, joins the show to discuss the Napoleonic Wars. Times 01:12 - Introduction 07:38 - How did European attitudes toward Napoleon change over his life? 13:34 - Nuances of nationalist sentiment Napoleon inspired 15:13 - Napoleonic wars, French hegemony, and geopolitics 20:23 - Napoleon's youth and the French Revolution 24:49 - Napoleon's early campaigns and his rise to power 29:16 - What is the Napoleonic way of war? 33:43 - What is Combined Arms and what are its advantages? 37:42 - What is the Eastern Question to Napoleon?  45:55 - How did Napoleon think about the Western Hemisphere?  53:46 - What remains of Napoleon's legacy after the Congress of Vienna? Link Book: The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, joins the show to discuss the Napoleonic Wars.


Times

  • 01:12 - Introduction
  • 07:38 - How did European attitudes toward Napoleon change over his life?
  • 13:34 - Nuances of nationalist sentiment Napoleon inspired
  • 15:13 - Napoleonic wars, French hegemony, and geopolitics
  • 20:23 - Napoleon's youth and the French Revolution
  • 24:49 - Napoleon's early campaigns and his rise to power
  • 29:16 - What is the Napoleonic way of war?
  • 33:43 - What is Combined Arms and what are its advantages?
  • 37:42 - What is the Eastern Question to Napoleon? 
  • 45:55 - How did Napoleon think about the Western Hemisphere? 
  • 53:46 - What remains of Napoleon's legacy after the Congress of Vienna?


Link

Book: The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History

]]> 3679 Ep. 16: Gerry Roncolato on the U.S. Navy Is the United States Navy prepared for war? Retired Navy Captain Gerry Roncolato joins the show to discuss the past, present, and future of American maritime power. Times 02:08 - Introduction  03:31 - Is the U.S. Navy prepared for a great-power war? 04:59 - The Navy during the Interwar Period and the Battle of Guadalcanal 09:41 - The experience of war at sea 16:30 - Historical examples—and lessons for the Navy today—in Roncolato’s article, A Warfighting Imperative: Back to Basics for the Navy 20:49 - Alarming incidents during operations at sea and underlying problems 27:23 - Are the troops adequately prepared for war at sea?  38:20 - Books aspiring officers should read 40:52 - Maneuver warfare at sea 48:20 - Managing troops in the barracks versus maneuvering men in battle  Link Roncolato’s article, A Warfighting Imperative: Back to Basics for the Navy Tue, 08 Feb 2022 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 16: Gerry Roncolato on the U.S. Navy full The Free Press Is the United States Navy prepared for war? Retired Navy Captain Gerry Roncolato joins the show to discuss the past, present, and future of American maritime power. Is the United States Navy prepared for war? Retired Navy Captain Gerry Roncolato joins the show to discuss the past, present, and future of American maritime power. Times 02:08 - Introduction  03:31 - Is the U.S. Navy prepared for a great-power war? 04:59 - The Navy during the Interwar Period and the Battle of Guadalcanal 09:41 - The experience of war at sea 16:30 - Historical examples—and lessons for the Navy today—in Roncolato’s article, A Warfighting Imperative: Back to Basics for the Navy 20:49 - Alarming incidents during operations at sea and underlying problems 27:23 - Are the troops adequately prepared for war at sea?  38:20 - Books aspiring officers should read 40:52 - Maneuver warfare at sea 48:20 - Managing troops in the barracks versus maneuvering men in battle  Link Roncolato’s article, A Warfighting Imperative: Back to Basics for the Navy Is the United States Navy prepared for war? Retired Navy Captain Gerry Roncolato joins the show to discuss the past, present, and future of American maritime power.


Times

  • 02:08 - Introduction 
  • 03:31 - Is the U.S. Navy prepared for a great-power war?
  • 04:59 - The Navy during the Interwar Period and the Battle of Guadalcanal
  • 09:41 - The experience of war at sea
  • 16:30 - Historical examples—and lessons for the Navy today—in Roncolato’s article, A Warfighting Imperative: Back to Basics for the Navy
  • 20:49 - Alarming incidents during operations at sea and underlying problems
  • 27:23 - Are the troops adequately prepared for war at sea? 
  • 38:20 - Books aspiring officers should read
  • 40:52 - Maneuver warfare at sea
  • 48:20 - Managing troops in the barracks versus maneuvering men in battle 


Link

Roncolato’s article, A Warfighting Imperative: Back to Basics for the Navy

]]> 3361 Ep. 15: Andrew Lambert on Julian Corbett Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies at King's College, London, joins the show to discuss British strategist Julian Corbett and his vision of seapower at the turn of the 20th century. Times 01:37 - Introduction  02:02 - The British Empire during the 19th and 20th centuries 04:43 - Corbett as a lawyer, novelist, and strategist 09:05 - The Boer War and the future of the British Empire  13:26 - Corbett’s education on the principals of British power 16:12 - Britain’s power on land versus at sea  19:04 - British power in the Mediterranean  22:30 - How Corbett differentiates himself from Alfred Mahan 28:14 - The principles at the core of Corbett’s strategy  35: 56 - Maritime strategy throughout history 37:29 - An argument for a continental strategy   41:28 - What Corbett envisioned during World War I  51:43 - How Corbett’s ideas apply to British and American military strategy today Tue, 01 Feb 2022 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 15: Andrew Lambert on Julian Corbett full The Free Press Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies at King's College, London, joins the show to discuss British strategist Julian Corbett and his vision of seapower at the turn of the 20th century Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies at King's College, London, joins the show to discuss British strategist Julian Corbett and his vision of seapower at the turn of the 20th century. Times 01:37 - Introduction  02:02 - The British Empire during the 19th and 20th centuries 04:43 - Corbett as a lawyer, novelist, and strategist 09:05 - The Boer War and the future of the British Empire  13:26 - Corbett’s education on the principals of British power 16:12 - Britain’s power on land versus at sea  19:04 - British power in the Mediterranean  22:30 - How Corbett differentiates himself from Alfred Mahan 28:14 - The principles at the core of Corbett’s strategy  35: 56 - Maritime strategy throughout history 37:29 - An argument for a continental strategy   41:28 - What Corbett envisioned during World War I  51:43 - How Corbett’s ideas apply to British and American military strategy today Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies at King's College, London, joins the show to discuss British strategist Julian Corbett and his vision of seapower at the turn of the 20th century.


Times

  • 01:37 - Introduction 
  • 02:02 - The British Empire during the 19th and 20th centuries
  • 04:43 - Corbett as a lawyer, novelist, and strategist
  • 09:05 - The Boer War and the future of the British Empire 
  • 13:26 - Corbett’s education on the principals of British power
  • 16:12 - Britain’s power on land versus at sea 
  • 19:04 - British power in the Mediterranean 
  • 22:30 - How Corbett differentiates himself from Alfred Mahan
  • 28:14 - The principles at the core of Corbett’s strategy 
  • 35: 56 - Maritime strategy throughout history
  • 37:29 - An argument for a continental strategy  
  • 41:28 - What Corbett envisioned during World War I 
  • 51:43 - How Corbett’s ideas apply to British and American military strategy today
]]> 3508 Ep. 14: Kevin Hymel on General George S. Patton Historian Kevin Hymel joins the show to discuss the life and leadership of the American World War II general most feared by the Nazis: George S. Patton. Times 01:48 - Introduction 04:38 - Recently uncovered details about General Patton 08:38 - History’s first draft 10:51 - How Patton became one of the most famous World War II leaders 13:35 - Patton before the war 17:34 - Patton in North Africa 23:08 - Problems with General Dwight D. Eisenhower 26:55 - Patton’s leadership style 28:20 - Fighting in Tunisia  32:49 - Patton’s risk calculations 34:16 - Patton’s behavior, temperament, and treatment of other officers 43:05 - The Civil War and Patton’s strategy in North Africa 45:00 - Patton’s role in Sicily  49:49 - Shell shock and Patton's anti-Semitism 55:21 - Sicily and combat stress Tue, 25 Jan 2022 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 14: Kevin Hymel on General George S. Patton full The Free Press Historian Kevin Hymel joins the show to discuss the life and leadership of the American World War II general most feared by the Nazis: George S. Patton Historian Kevin Hymel joins the show to discuss the life and leadership of the American World War II general most feared by the Nazis: George S. Patton. Times 01:48 - Introduction 04:38 - Recently uncovered details about General Patton 08:38 - History’s first draft 10:51 - How Patton became one of the most famous World War II leaders 13:35 - Patton before the war 17:34 - Patton in North Africa 23:08 - Problems with General Dwight D. Eisenhower 26:55 - Patton’s leadership style 28:20 - Fighting in Tunisia  32:49 - Patton’s risk calculations 34:16 - Patton’s behavior, temperament, and treatment of other officers 43:05 - The Civil War and Patton’s strategy in North Africa 45:00 - Patton’s role in Sicily  49:49 - Shell shock and Patton's anti-Semitism 55:21 - Sicily and combat stress Historian Kevin Hymel joins the show to discuss the life and leadership of the American World War II general most feared by the Nazis: George S. Patton.


Times

  • 01:48 - Introduction
  • 04:38 - Recently uncovered details about General Patton
  • 08:38 - History’s first draft
  • 10:51 - How Patton became one of the most famous World War II leaders
  • 13:35 - Patton before the war
  • 17:34 - Patton in North Africa
  • 23:08 - Problems with General Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • 26:55 - Patton’s leadership style
  • 28:20 - Fighting in Tunisia 
  • 32:49 - Patton’s risk calculations
  • 34:16 - Patton’s behavior, temperament, and treatment of other officers
  • 43:05 - The Civil War and Patton’s strategy in North Africa
  • 45:00 - Patton’s role in Sicily 
  • 49:49 - Shell shock and Patton's anti-Semitism
  • 55:21 - Sicily and combat stress


]]> 3566 Ep. 13: Thomas Clavin on Joe Moser Journalist and author Thomas Clavin joins the show to discuss the harrowing journey of Joe Moser, an American fighter pilot during World War II and the subject of Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival.  Times 01:41 - Introduction  03:33 - Why a book on Joe Moser 09:44 - The Lockheed P-38 Lightning  11:09 - August 13, 1944 13:48 - Nazis send Moser to Buchenwald 15:44 - Buchenwald and the concentration camp system 17:48 - Karl-Otto and Ilse Koch 19:36 - Life at Buchenwald 21:34 - Colonel Phil Lamason 23:00 - Hannes Trautloft and Moser’s survival 27:27 - Leaving Buchenwald  31:47 - Joe after the war Tue, 18 Jan 2022 19:23:00 -0000 Ep. 13: Thomas Clavin on Joe Moser full The Free Press Journalist and author Thomas Clavin joins the show to discuss the harrowing journey of Joe Moser, an American fighter pilot during World War II and the subject of Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival. Journalist and author Thomas Clavin joins the show to discuss the harrowing journey of Joe Moser, an American fighter pilot during World War II and the subject of Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival.  Times 01:41 - Introduction  03:33 - Why a book on Joe Moser 09:44 - The Lockheed P-38 Lightning  11:09 - August 13, 1944 13:48 - Nazis send Moser to Buchenwald 15:44 - Buchenwald and the concentration camp system 17:48 - Karl-Otto and Ilse Koch 19:36 - Life at Buchenwald 21:34 - Colonel Phil Lamason 23:00 - Hannes Trautloft and Moser’s survival 27:27 - Leaving Buchenwald  31:47 - Joe after the war Journalist and author Thomas Clavin joins the show to discuss the harrowing journey of Joe Moser, an American fighter pilot during World War II and the subject of Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival. 


Times

  • 01:41 - Introduction 
  • 03:33 - Why a book on Joe Moser
  • 09:44 - The Lockheed P-38 Lightning 
  • 11:09 - August 13, 1944
  • 13:48 - Nazis send Moser to Buchenwald
  • 15:44 - Buchenwald and the concentration camp system
  • 17:48 - Karl-Otto and Ilse Koch
  • 19:36 - Life at Buchenwald
  • 21:34 - Colonel Phil Lamason
  • 23:00 - Hannes Trautloft and Moser’s survival
  • 27:27 - Leaving Buchenwald 
  • 31:47 - Joe after the war
]]> 2218 Ep. 12: Hal Brands on the Cold War Hal Brands, the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, joins the show to discuss the Cold War's lessons for great-power rivalry today. Times 01:24 - Introduction 02:47 - Halford Mackinder and how Eurasian geopolitics framed the Cold War 05:37 - Mackinder's theory of the heartland 07:47 - China's Belt and Road Initiative as an application of Mackinder's theory 09:07 - Comparing the United States' approaches to the USSR and China 13:04 - Nuclear power during the Cold War 17:24 - How Cold War-era nuclear logic applies today 21:02 - No first use policy 26:56 - The Nixon administration's critique of containment strategy 29:58 - The collapse of the Soviet Union 32:15 - Theories of victory that led to the Vietnam War 35:08 - End of the Cold War 39:17 - Infrastructure needed to fight the Soviets in the United States, and what the U.S. needs to take on China today 44:02 - China's moves to decouple economically from the United States 46:47 - The United States' harrowing responsibility to take on adversarial powers Tue, 11 Jan 2022 15:15:00 -0000 Ep. 12: Hal Brands on the Cold War full The Free Press Hal Brands, the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, joins the show to discuss the Cold War's lessons for great-power rivalry today Hal Brands, the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, joins the show to discuss the Cold War's lessons for great-power rivalry today. Times 01:24 - Introduction 02:47 - Halford Mackinder and how Eurasian geopolitics framed the Cold War 05:37 - Mackinder's theory of the heartland 07:47 - China's Belt and Road Initiative as an application of Mackinder's theory 09:07 - Comparing the United States' approaches to the USSR and China 13:04 - Nuclear power during the Cold War 17:24 - How Cold War-era nuclear logic applies today 21:02 - No first use policy 26:56 - The Nixon administration's critique of containment strategy 29:58 - The collapse of the Soviet Union 32:15 - Theories of victory that led to the Vietnam War 35:08 - End of the Cold War 39:17 - Infrastructure needed to fight the Soviets in the United States, and what the U.S. needs to take on China today 44:02 - China's moves to decouple economically from the United States 46:47 - The United States' harrowing responsibility to take on adversarial powers Hal Brands, the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, joins the show to discuss the Cold War's lessons for great-power rivalry today.


Times

  • 01:24 - Introduction
  • 02:47 - Halford Mackinder and how Eurasian geopolitics framed the Cold War
  • 05:37 - Mackinder's theory of the heartland
  • 07:47 - China's Belt and Road Initiative as an application of Mackinder's theory
  • 09:07 - Comparing the United States' approaches to the USSR and China
  • 13:04 - Nuclear power during the Cold War
  • 17:24 - How Cold War-era nuclear logic applies today
  • 21:02 - No first use policy
  • 26:56 - The Nixon administration's critique of containment strategy
  • 29:58 - The collapse of the Soviet Union
  • 32:15 - Theories of victory that led to the Vietnam War
  • 35:08 - End of the Cold War
  • 39:17 - Infrastructure needed to fight the Soviets in the United States, and what the U.S. needs to take on China today
  • 44:02 - China's moves to decouple economically from the United States
  • 46:47 - The United States' harrowing responsibility to take on adversarial powers
]]> 3024 Ep. 11: John Matteson on the Civil War's Cultural Impact John Matteson, Distinguished Professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, joins the show to discuss how the Civil War—and in particular the fall of 1862—left its mark on the nation's culture and on some of its most famous citizens. Times 01:25 - Introduction 03:28 - Fall of 1862 09:19 - Matteson's selection of Americans included in A Worse Place Than Hell 12:17 - Oliver Wendell Holmes and the 20th Massachusetts 16:13 - John Pelham 18:23 - Holmes, Pelham, and the battle of Antietam 23:56 - Holmes, Pelham, and the battle of Fredericksburg 27:23 - Valor and luck in battle 30:22 - The 20th Massachusetts in the battle of Fredericksburg 36:38 - Walt Whitman 40:17 - Oliver Wendell Holmes Recorded December 7, 2021 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 11: John Matteson on the Civil War's Cultural Impact full The Free Press John Matteson, Distinguished Professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, joins the show to discuss how the Civil War—and in particular the fall of 1862—left its mark on the nation's culture and on some of its most famous citizens. John Matteson, Distinguished Professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, joins the show to discuss how the Civil War—and in particular the fall of 1862—left its mark on the nation's culture and on some of its most famous citizens. Times 01:25 - Introduction 03:28 - Fall of 1862 09:19 - Matteson's selection of Americans included in A Worse Place Than Hell 12:17 - Oliver Wendell Holmes and the 20th Massachusetts 16:13 - John Pelham 18:23 - Holmes, Pelham, and the battle of Antietam 23:56 - Holmes, Pelham, and the battle of Fredericksburg 27:23 - Valor and luck in battle 30:22 - The 20th Massachusetts in the battle of Fredericksburg 36:38 - Walt Whitman 40:17 - Oliver Wendell Holmes Recorded December 7, 2021 John Matteson, Distinguished Professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, joins the show to discuss how the Civil War—and in particular the fall of 1862—left its mark on the nation's culture and on some of its most famous citizens.


Times

  • 01:25 - Introduction
  • 03:28 - Fall of 1862
  • 09:19 - Matteson's selection of Americans included in A Worse Place Than Hell
  • 12:17 - Oliver Wendell Holmes and the 20th Massachusetts
  • 16:13 - John Pelham
  • 18:23 - Holmes, Pelham, and the battle of Antietam
  • 23:56 - Holmes, Pelham, and the battle of Fredericksburg
  • 27:23 - Valor and luck in battle
  • 30:22 - The 20th Massachusetts in the battle of Fredericksburg
  • 36:38 - Walt Whitman
  • 40:17 - Oliver Wendell Holmes


Recorded December 7, 2021

]]> 2702 Ep. 10: Shane Brennan on Xenophon Shane Brennan, associate professor of history at the American University in Dubai, joins the show to discuss the new Landmark edition of Xenophon's Anabasis, which he co-edits. The Anabasis, long unjustly neglected, is Xenophon's classic memoir of war and command in the lands which today constitute Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Times 01:26 - Introduction 05:07 - Who was Xenophon 06:09 - Late 5th century Athens 09:07 - Prince Cyrus of Persia 12:17 - The Greek's position and Xenophon's rise to leadership 16:46 - The army's path though Syria, Iraq and Turkey 20:42 - The end of Xenophon's expedition 23:42 - Xenophon's lessons for military leadership today 27:40 - Importance of Xenophon's work Recorded December 9, 2021 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 10: Shane Brennan on Xenophon full The Free Press Shane Brennan, associate professor of history at the American University in Dubai, joins the show to discuss the new Landmark edition of Xenophon's Anabasis, which he co-edits. The Anabasis, long unjustly neglected, is Xenophon's classic memoir of war and command in the lands which today constitute Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Shane Brennan, associate professor of history at the American University in Dubai, joins the show to discuss the new Landmark edition of Xenophon's Anabasis, which he co-edits. The Anabasis, long unjustly neglected, is Xenophon's classic memoir of war and command in the lands which today constitute Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Times 01:26 - Introduction 05:07 - Who was Xenophon 06:09 - Late 5th century Athens 09:07 - Prince Cyrus of Persia 12:17 - The Greek's position and Xenophon's rise to leadership 16:46 - The army's path though Syria, Iraq and Turkey 20:42 - The end of Xenophon's expedition 23:42 - Xenophon's lessons for military leadership today 27:40 - Importance of Xenophon's work Recorded December 9, 2021 Shane Brennan, associate professor of history at the American University in Dubai, joins the show to discuss the new Landmark edition of Xenophon's Anabasis, which he co-edits. The Anabasis, long unjustly neglected, is Xenophon's classic memoir of war and command in the lands which today constitute Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.


Times

  • 01:26 - Introduction
  • 05:07 - Who was Xenophon
  • 06:09 - Late 5th century Athens
  • 09:07 - Prince Cyrus of Persia
  • 12:17 - The Greek's position and Xenophon's rise to leadership
  • 16:46 - The army's path though Syria, Iraq and Turkey
  • 20:42 - The end of Xenophon's expedition
  • 23:42 - Xenophon's lessons for military leadership today
  • 27:40 - Importance of Xenophon's work



Recorded December 9, 2021

]]> 1995 Ep. 9: David Stahel on the Eastern Front in WWII Biography David Stahel is a senior lecturer of history at the University of New South Wales in Australia. His research focuses on European military history, specifically Nazi-Soviet warfare from 1941-1945. Stahel is the author of several books, including his latest, Retreat from Moscow: A New History of Germany's Winter Campaign, 1941-1942. Times 01:29 - Introduction 06:33 - Germany sends troops into the Soviet Union, summer 1941 12:24 - Flaws in Germany's plan 14:50 - "Cauldron" battle 22:10 - Culpability of German soldiers for atrocities during Operation Barbarossa 26:55 - Germans cede land to the Soviet Union, winter 1941-1942 29:38 - German's defensive position and strategy during the winter 39:11 - Ideology and military strategy 45:20 - Applicable lessons to strategists today Recorded on November 23, 2021 Tue, 14 Dec 2021 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 9: David Stahel on the Eastern Front in WWII full The Free Press David Stahel joins Aaron MacLean to discuss Operation Barbarossa—the German's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II Biography David Stahel is a senior lecturer of history at the University of New South Wales in Australia. His research focuses on European military history, specifically Nazi-Soviet warfare from 1941-1945. Stahel is the author of several books, including his latest, Retreat from Moscow: A New History of Germany's Winter Campaign, 1941-1942. Times 01:29 - Introduction 06:33 - Germany sends troops into the Soviet Union, summer 1941 12:24 - Flaws in Germany's plan 14:50 - "Cauldron" battle 22:10 - Culpability of German soldiers for atrocities during Operation Barbarossa 26:55 - Germans cede land to the Soviet Union, winter 1941-1942 29:38 - German's defensive position and strategy during the winter 39:11 - Ideology and military strategy 45:20 - Applicable lessons to strategists today Recorded on November 23, 2021 Biography

David Stahel is a senior lecturer of history at the University of New South Wales in Australia. His research focuses on European military history, specifically Nazi-Soviet warfare from 1941-1945. Stahel is the author of several books, including his latest, Retreat from Moscow: A New History of Germany's Winter Campaign, 1941-1942.


Times

  • 01:29 - Introduction
  • 06:33 - Germany sends troops into the Soviet Union, summer 1941
  • 12:24 - Flaws in Germany's plan
  • 14:50 - "Cauldron" battle
  • 22:10 - Culpability of German soldiers for atrocities during Operation Barbarossa
  • 26:55 - Germans cede land to the Soviet Union, winter 1941-1942
  • 29:38 - German's defensive position and strategy during the winter
  • 39:11 - Ideology and military strategy
  • 45:20 - Applicable lessons to strategists today


Recorded on November 23, 2021

]]> 2904 Ep. 8: H.W. Brands on the Patriots and the Loyalists Biography H.W, Brands is the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his doctorate in history. He is the author of thirty books, including two which have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize: The First American and Traitor to His Class. His latest book, released November 9, is Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution. Times 01:51- Introduction 07:36 - The sidelining of the Loyalists in American history and memory 12:53 - Individual decisions in the context of the Revolutionary War 18:42 - The Indian population and Joseph Brant 23:20 - The decision to rebel Recorded on November 9, 2021 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 8: H.W. Brands on the Patriots and the Loyalists full The Free Press Professor and historian H.W. Brands discusses the Patriots and the Loyalists during the Revolutionary War, drawing from his new book, Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution Biography H.W, Brands is the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his doctorate in history. He is the author of thirty books, including two which have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize: The First American and Traitor to His Class. His latest book, released November 9, is Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution. Times 01:51- Introduction 07:36 - The sidelining of the Loyalists in American history and memory 12:53 - Individual decisions in the context of the Revolutionary War 18:42 - The Indian population and Joseph Brant 23:20 - The decision to rebel Recorded on November 9, 2021 Biography

H.W, Brands is the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his doctorate in history. He is the author of thirty books, including two which have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize: The First American and Traitor to His Class. His latest book, released November 9, is Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution.


Times

  • 01:51- Introduction
  • 07:36 - The sidelining of the Loyalists in American history and memory
  • 12:53 - Individual decisions in the context of the Revolutionary War
  • 18:42 - The Indian population and Joseph Brant
  • 23:20 - The decision to rebel


Recorded on November 9, 2021

]]> 1933 Ep. 7: John McManus on the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II Biography John McManus is the Curators' Distinguished Professor of U.S. military history at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. McManus completed his doctorate in military history at the University of Tennessee and is the author of more than a dozen books. His latest, Island Infernos: The US Army's Pacific War Odyssey, 1944, is the second installment of a trilogy detailing the U.S. Army's role in the Pacific theater during World War II. Times 01:12 - Introduction 03:38 - Misperceptions of the Army and Marines in Guadalcanal 08:44 - The Army's role in the Pacific 12:46 - Geography of the Pacific and dividing the theater between General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz 18:30 - Island hopping and the turning point in the Pacific theater 22:26 - The infantry's experience in combat 23:52 - The Pearl Harbor Conference and the endgame of war in the Pacific 31:55 - General Joseph Stilwell and China 38:39 - Prisoners of War in Japan 41:32 - The legacy of the War in the Pacific Recorded November 23, 2021 Tue, 30 Nov 2021 14:06:22 -0000 Ep. 7: John McManus on the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II full The Free Press Professor John McManus discusses his new book, Island Infernos, and the United States Army's role in the Pacific theater during the Second World War Biography John McManus is the Curators' Distinguished Professor of U.S. military history at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. McManus completed his doctorate in military history at the University of Tennessee and is the author of more than a dozen books. His latest, Island Infernos: The US Army's Pacific War Odyssey, 1944, is the second installment of a trilogy detailing the U.S. Army's role in the Pacific theater during World War II. Times 01:12 - Introduction 03:38 - Misperceptions of the Army and Marines in Guadalcanal 08:44 - The Army's role in the Pacific 12:46 - Geography of the Pacific and dividing the theater between General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz 18:30 - Island hopping and the turning point in the Pacific theater 22:26 - The infantry's experience in combat 23:52 - The Pearl Harbor Conference and the endgame of war in the Pacific 31:55 - General Joseph Stilwell and China 38:39 - Prisoners of War in Japan 41:32 - The legacy of the War in the Pacific Recorded November 23, 2021 Biography

John McManus is the Curators' Distinguished Professor of U.S. military history at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. McManus completed his doctorate in military history at the University of Tennessee and is the author of more than a dozen books. His latest, Island Infernos: The US Army's Pacific War Odyssey, 1944, is the second installment of a trilogy detailing the U.S. Army's role in the Pacific theater during World War II.


Times

  • 01:12 - Introduction
  • 03:38 - Misperceptions of the Army and Marines in Guadalcanal
  • 08:44 - The Army's role in the Pacific
  • 12:46 - Geography of the Pacific and dividing the theater between General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz
  • 18:30 - Island hopping and the turning point in the Pacific theater
  • 22:26 - The infantry's experience in combat
  • 23:52 - The Pearl Harbor Conference and the endgame of war in the Pacific
  • 31:55 - General Joseph Stilwell and China
  • 38:39 - Prisoners of War in Japan
  • 41:32 - The legacy of the War in the Pacific


Recorded November 23, 2021

]]> 2721 Ep. 6: Frank Ledwidge on Airpower Biography Frank Ledwidge is a senior fellow of law and strategy at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell, England. Ledwidge served as an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve and later worked in British foreign policy, focusing on the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia. In 2015, Ledwidge earned his doctorate in War Studies at the King's College in London. He is the author of several books, including Losing Small Wars: British Military Failure in Iraq and Afghanistan, Investment in Blood: The True Cost of Britain's Afghan War, and Aerial Warfare: The Battle for the Skies.  Times 01:14 - Introduction 04:27 - Origins and importance of airpower in the World War I 10:43 - From air reconnaissance to air bombings 12:43 - The Interwar Period and the "prophets" of air war 17:57 - How air bombing theories influence British and American World War II strategy 22:04 - Air raid casualties 29:05 - Control of the air during the Cold War 34:49 - Perceptions of the U.S.'s mistaken bombing of the Chinese Embassy 36:49 - Airpower in modern wars 38:57 - Theories of air warfare applied to space Recorded November 2, 2021 Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:25:55 -0000 Ep. 6: Frank Ledwidge on Airpower full The Free Press Professor Frank Ledwidge discusses airpower, from its origins in World War I to its applications in space Biography Frank Ledwidge is a senior fellow of law and strategy at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell, England. Ledwidge served as an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve and later worked in British foreign policy, focusing on the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia. In 2015, Ledwidge earned his doctorate in War Studies at the King's College in London. He is the author of several books, including Losing Small Wars: British Military Failure in Iraq and Afghanistan, Investment in Blood: The True Cost of Britain's Afghan War, and Aerial Warfare: The Battle for the Skies.  Times 01:14 - Introduction 04:27 - Origins and importance of airpower in the World War I 10:43 - From air reconnaissance to air bombings 12:43 - The Interwar Period and the "prophets" of air war 17:57 - How air bombing theories influence British and American World War II strategy 22:04 - Air raid casualties 29:05 - Control of the air during the Cold War 34:49 - Perceptions of the U.S.'s mistaken bombing of the Chinese Embassy 36:49 - Airpower in modern wars 38:57 - Theories of air warfare applied to space Recorded November 2, 2021 Biography

Frank Ledwidge is a senior fellow of law and strategy at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell, England. Ledwidge served as an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve and later worked in British foreign policy, focusing on the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia. In 2015, Ledwidge earned his doctorate in War Studies at the King's College in London. He is the author of several books, including Losing Small Wars: British Military Failure in Iraq and Afghanistan, Investment in Blood: The True Cost of Britain's Afghan War, and Aerial Warfare: The Battle for the Skies. 


Times

  • 01:14 - Introduction
  • 04:27 - Origins and importance of airpower in the World War I
  • 10:43 - From air reconnaissance to air bombings
  • 12:43 - The Interwar Period and the "prophets" of air war
  • 17:57 - How air bombing theories influence British and American World War II strategy
  • 22:04 - Air raid casualties
  • 29:05 - Control of the air during the Cold War
  • 34:49 - Perceptions of the U.S.'s mistaken bombing of the Chinese Embassy
  • 36:49 - Airpower in modern wars
  • 38:57 - Theories of air warfare applied to space


Recorded November 2, 2021

]]> 2481 Ep. 5: Wayne Hsieh on Robert E. Lee Biography Wayne Hsieh is a history professor at the United States Naval Academy. He served on the State Department's provincial reconstruction team in Iraq from 2008 to 2009 and is the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including the Army's Commander's Award for Civilian Service and the State Department's Meritorious Honors Award. Hsieh is the author of numerous articles and the co-author of The Savage War: A Military History of the Civil War. Times 01:17 - Introduction 06:50 - Hostility toward studying Robert E. Lee 12:50 - Lee and West Point 15:18 - Senior leadership of Confederate and Union armies at West Point 17:17 - Lee's job as a junior officer in the Army Corps of Engineers 19:17 - Lee's rise during the Mexican War 23:27 - Ulysses Grant 26:21 - Stereotypes and temperaments of Civil War leaders 31:50 - What drives Lee's tactical decision-making 34:07 - Lee's strategic mistake Recorded October 6, 2021 Tue, 16 Nov 2021 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 5: Wayne Hsieh on Robert E. Lee full The Free Press Wayne Hsieh discusses Robert E. Lee's military strategy as the commander of the Confederate Army during the Civil War Biography Wayne Hsieh is a history professor at the United States Naval Academy. He served on the State Department's provincial reconstruction team in Iraq from 2008 to 2009 and is the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including the Army's Commander's Award for Civilian Service and the State Department's Meritorious Honors Award. Hsieh is the author of numerous articles and the co-author of The Savage War: A Military History of the Civil War. Times 01:17 - Introduction 06:50 - Hostility toward studying Robert E. Lee 12:50 - Lee and West Point 15:18 - Senior leadership of Confederate and Union armies at West Point 17:17 - Lee's job as a junior officer in the Army Corps of Engineers 19:17 - Lee's rise during the Mexican War 23:27 - Ulysses Grant 26:21 - Stereotypes and temperaments of Civil War leaders 31:50 - What drives Lee's tactical decision-making 34:07 - Lee's strategic mistake Recorded October 6, 2021 Biography

Wayne Hsieh is a history professor at the United States Naval Academy. He served on the State Department's provincial reconstruction team in Iraq from 2008 to 2009 and is the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including the Army's Commander's Award for Civilian Service and the State Department's Meritorious Honors Award. Hsieh is the author of numerous articles and the co-author of The Savage War: A Military History of the Civil War.

Times

  • 01:17 - Introduction
  • 06:50 - Hostility toward studying Robert E. Lee
  • 12:50 - Lee and West Point
  • 15:18 - Senior leadership of Confederate and Union armies at West Point
  • 17:17 - Lee's job as a junior officer in the Army Corps of Engineers
  • 19:17 - Lee's rise during the Mexican War
  • 23:27 - Ulysses Grant
  • 26:21 - Stereotypes and temperaments of Civil War leaders
  • 31:50 - What drives Lee's tactical decision-making
  • 34:07 - Lee's strategic mistake


Recorded October 6, 2021

]]> 2187 Ep. 4: Sean McMeekin on Stalin and World War II Biography Sean McMeekin is a professor and historian who focuses on early 20th century Europe. In addition to his latest book, Stalin's War: A New History of World War II, McMeekin is the author of The Russian Revolution: A New History, July 1914: Countdown to War, and The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution, and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908 - 1923, as well as several other books. McMeekin currently serves as the Francis Flournoy Professor of European History at Bard College in New York. Times 02:02 - Introduction 05:35 - The American understanding of Russia and Joseph Stalin in World War II 09:12 - Politics and Stalin's legacy 11:37 - Stalin's foreign policy prior to WWII 17:40 - Stalin secures the Japanese non-aggression pact 24:03 - The Soviets push for a war between Japan and the United States 27:29 - Harry Hopkins and the Lend-Lease Policy 33:58 - Stalin as an ally 37:17 - Demanding unconditional surrender 40:16 - Debate over what compelled the Japanese to surrender 42:03 - Reception of Stalin's War Recorded October 6, 2021 Tue, 09 Nov 2021 09:45:00 -0000 Ep. 4: Sean McMeekin on Stalin and World War II full The Free Press Sean McMeekin discusses World War II through the lens of Stalin, as outlined in his new book: Stalin's War Biography Sean McMeekin is a professor and historian who focuses on early 20th century Europe. In addition to his latest book, Stalin's War: A New History of World War II, McMeekin is the author of The Russian Revolution: A New History, July 1914: Countdown to War, and The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution, and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908 - 1923, as well as several other books. McMeekin currently serves as the Francis Flournoy Professor of European History at Bard College in New York. Times 02:02 - Introduction 05:35 - The American understanding of Russia and Joseph Stalin in World War II 09:12 - Politics and Stalin's legacy 11:37 - Stalin's foreign policy prior to WWII 17:40 - Stalin secures the Japanese non-aggression pact 24:03 - The Soviets push for a war between Japan and the United States 27:29 - Harry Hopkins and the Lend-Lease Policy 33:58 - Stalin as an ally 37:17 - Demanding unconditional surrender 40:16 - Debate over what compelled the Japanese to surrender 42:03 - Reception of Stalin's War Recorded October 6, 2021 Biography

Sean McMeekin is a professor and historian who focuses on early 20th century Europe. In addition to his latest book, Stalin's War: A New History of World War II, McMeekin is the author of The Russian Revolution: A New History, July 1914: Countdown to War, and The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution, and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908 - 1923, as well as several other books. McMeekin currently serves as the Francis Flournoy Professor of European History at Bard College in New York.

Times

  • 02:02 - Introduction
  • 05:35 - The American understanding of Russia and Joseph Stalin in World War II
  • 09:12 - Politics and Stalin's legacy
  • 11:37 - Stalin's foreign policy prior to WWII
  • 17:40 - Stalin secures the Japanese non-aggression pact
  • 24:03 - The Soviets push for a war between Japan and the United States
  • 27:29 - Harry Hopkins and the Lend-Lease Policy
  • 33:58 - Stalin as an ally
  • 37:17 - Demanding unconditional surrender
  • 40:16 - Debate over what compelled the Japanese to surrender
  • 42:03 - Reception of Stalin's War


Recorded October 6, 2021

]]> 2641 Ep. 3: Andrew Roberts on King George III Biography Andrew Roberts is a professor, author, and military historian. He's written or edited nearly 20 books, including biographies of Sir Winston Churchill and Napoleon, as well as his latest title, The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III. Roberts is a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and the War Studies Department at King’s College, London. Times 03:02- Introduction 04:05 - Why King George? 06:20 - How Britain wages war 13:39 - Party and class politics 15:44 - Britain's military strategy during the Revolutionary War 19:10 - Comparisons between the Revolution and World War II 20:30 - Fabian strategy in the Revolution 23:15 - George III's role in the War 25:52 - Forming new regiments 28:01 - What the British learn from their defeat 31:32 - Modern American portrayals of King George III 33:23 - Critiquing King George III's leadership and performance Recorded September 17, 2021 Tue, 02 Nov 2021 08:45:00 -0000 Ep. 3: Andrew Roberts on King George III full The Free Press Historian Andrew Roberts discusses his new book, The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III Biography Andrew Roberts is a professor, author, and military historian. He's written or edited nearly 20 books, including biographies of Sir Winston Churchill and Napoleon, as well as his latest title, The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III. Roberts is a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and the War Studies Department at King’s College, London. Times 03:02- Introduction 04:05 - Why King George? 06:20 - How Britain wages war 13:39 - Party and class politics 15:44 - Britain's military strategy during the Revolutionary War 19:10 - Comparisons between the Revolution and World War II 20:30 - Fabian strategy in the Revolution 23:15 - George III's role in the War 25:52 - Forming new regiments 28:01 - What the British learn from their defeat 31:32 - Modern American portrayals of King George III 33:23 - Critiquing King George III's leadership and performance Recorded September 17, 2021 Biography

Andrew Roberts is a professor, author, and military historian. He's written or edited nearly 20 books, including biographies of Sir Winston Churchill and Napoleon, as well as his latest title, The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III. Roberts is a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and the War Studies Department at King’s College, London.

Times

  • 03:02- Introduction
  • 04:05 - Why King George?
  • 06:20 - How Britain wages war
  • 13:39 - Party and class politics
  • 15:44 - Britain's military strategy during the Revolutionary War
  • 19:10 - Comparisons between the Revolution and World War II
  • 20:30 - Fabian strategy in the Revolution
  • 23:15 - George III's role in the War
  • 25:52 - Forming new regiments
  • 28:01 - What the British learn from their defeat
  • 31:32 - Modern American portrayals of King George III
  • 33:23 - Critiquing King George III's leadership and performance


Recorded September 17, 2021

]]> 2145 Ep. 2: Daniel Bolger on Maurice Rose Biography Daniel Bolger is a retired Lieutenant General of the United States Army. A graduate of the Citadel, Lt. General Bolger earned five bronze stars during his time in the military. He served as the commander of several units, including the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, as well as the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan. He earned a Ph.D. in military history form the University of Chicago and currently teaches at North Carolina State University. Times 02:04 - Introduction 03:15 - Why Maurice Rose? 06:30 - What we know about Rose 10:39 - Rose's Motivations and relentless leadership 12:31 - Tank divisions in World War II 17:14 - Tank warfare following D-Day and maneuvering through the bocages 22:29 - Rose's command in the Battle of the Falaise Pocket 27:06 - Exhaustion and perseverance during battle 29:55 - What it takes to be a successful commander 34:07 - The final months of the War for Rose 40:09 - Leadership in today's forces Recorded August 27, 2021 Tue, 26 Oct 2021 08:45:00 -0000 Ep. 2: Daniel Bolger on Maurice Rose full The Free Press Retired Lieutenant General Daniel Bolger discusses his new book, The Panzer Killers, and World War II General Maurice Rose Biography Daniel Bolger is a retired Lieutenant General of the United States Army. A graduate of the Citadel, Lt. General Bolger earned five bronze stars during his time in the military. He served as the commander of several units, including the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, as well as the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan. He earned a Ph.D. in military history form the University of Chicago and currently teaches at North Carolina State University. Times 02:04 - Introduction 03:15 - Why Maurice Rose? 06:30 - What we know about Rose 10:39 - Rose's Motivations and relentless leadership 12:31 - Tank divisions in World War II 17:14 - Tank warfare following D-Day and maneuvering through the bocages 22:29 - Rose's command in the Battle of the Falaise Pocket 27:06 - Exhaustion and perseverance during battle 29:55 - What it takes to be a successful commander 34:07 - The final months of the War for Rose 40:09 - Leadership in today's forces Recorded August 27, 2021 Biography

Daniel Bolger is a retired Lieutenant General of the United States Army. A graduate of the Citadel, Lt. General Bolger earned five bronze stars during his time in the military. He served as the commander of several units, including the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, as well as the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan. He earned a Ph.D. in military history form the University of Chicago and currently teaches at North Carolina State University.


Times

  • 02:04 - Introduction
  • 03:15 - Why Maurice Rose?
  • 06:30 - What we know about Rose
  • 10:39 - Rose's Motivations and relentless leadership
  • 12:31 - Tank divisions in World War II
  • 17:14 - Tank warfare following D-Day and maneuvering through the bocages
  • 22:29 - Rose's command in the Battle of the Falaise Pocket
  • 27:06 - Exhaustion and perseverance during battle
  • 29:55 - What it takes to be a successful commander
  • 34:07 - The final months of the War for Rose
  • 40:09 - Leadership in today's forces


Recorded August 27, 2021

]]> 2594 Ep. 1: H.R. McMaster on the Gulf War Biography H. R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He was the 26th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018. He is the author of Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World and Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Lies that Led to Vietnam.  Times 03:10 - Introduction 04:02 - Biography 06:35 - Leading Eagle Troop 08:16 - Post Cold War preparation for Desert Shield and Desert Storm 15:17 - The Battle of the 73 Easting 23:17 - Advantages of the American military 26:12 - Overconfidence in American military dominance 29:16 - China's reaction to the Gulf War and technological development 32:30 - China's tactics 35:04 - The Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan Recorded August 31, 2021 Tue, 19 Oct 2021 08:45:00 -0000 Ep. 1: H.R. McMaster on the Gulf War full The Free Press Retired Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster discusses his new book, Battlegrounds, and his time leading troops during the Gulf War Biography H. R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He was the 26th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018. He is the author of Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World and Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Lies that Led to Vietnam.  Times 03:10 - Introduction 04:02 - Biography 06:35 - Leading Eagle Troop 08:16 - Post Cold War preparation for Desert Shield and Desert Storm 15:17 - The Battle of the 73 Easting 23:17 - Advantages of the American military 26:12 - Overconfidence in American military dominance 29:16 - China's reaction to the Gulf War and technological development 32:30 - China's tactics 35:04 - The Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan Recorded August 31, 2021 Biography

H. R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He was the 26th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

He is the author of Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World and Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Lies that Led to Vietnam. 


Times

  • 03:10 - Introduction
  • 04:02 - Biography
  • 06:35 - Leading Eagle Troop
  • 08:16 - Post Cold War preparation for Desert Shield and Desert Storm
  • 15:17 - The Battle of the 73 Easting
  • 23:17 - Advantages of the American military
  • 26:12 - Overconfidence in American military dominance
  • 29:16 - China's reaction to the Gulf War and technological development
  • 32:30 - China's tactics
  • 35:04 - The Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan


Recorded August 31, 2021

]]> 2657 Trailer An introduction to the School of War podcast Wed, 06 Oct 2021 20:48:17 -0000 Trailer trailer The Free Press Learn what war teaches An introduction to the School of War podcast An introduction to the School of War podcast

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