War Studies

Department of War Studies

Welcome to the War Studies podcast. We bring you world-leading research from the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, the largest community of scholars in the world dedicated to the study of all aspects of security, defence and international relations. We aim to explore the complex realm of conflict and uncover the challenges at the heart of navigating world affairs and diplomatic relations, because we believe the study of war is fundamental to understanding the world we live in and the world we want to live in. If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, please rate and review us on your preferred podcast provider – it really helps us reach more listeners. The School of Security Studies harnesses the depth and breadth of expertise across War Studies and Defence Studies to produce world-leading research and teaching on issues of global security that develops new empirical knowledge, employs innovative theory, and addresses vital policy issues. Visit our website: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/security-studies Sign up to our mailing list: https://kcl.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cc0521a63c9b286223dea9d18&id=730233761d DISCLAIMER: Any information, statements or opinions contained in these podcasts are those of the individual speakers. They do not represent the opinions of the Department of War Studies or King's College London.

  1. 9 Oct

    Biosecurity in an Age of Disinformation

    What happens when public health, biology and conflict meet? In this episode of the War Studies Podcast, Dr Julia Pearce is joined by Dr Filippa Lentzos and Dr Gemma Bowsher from King’s College London to explore the changing landscape of biosecurity, CBRN threats and health security in conflict. The conversation examines how chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear disinformation is being used as a weapon of war, with a particular focus on Russia’s narratives around biological laboratories in Ukraine. The episode also discusses the CBRN Disinformation Tracker, the challenge of maintaining trust in public health during conflict, and how Ukraine has become a critical case study for understanding health security under pressure. They also look beyond Ukraine to the Arctic and other regions, introducing the Matryoshka model: a way of understanding how a core disinformation claim is adapted to different local contexts, like Russian nesting dolls, by examining local histories, mistrust and geopolitical narratives. The discussion then turns to AI, dual-use science, biological weapons governance, and whether existing arms control regimes — including the Biological Weapons Convention — are fit for a rapidly changing world. Featuring: Dr Julia Pearce, Reader in Social Psychology and Security Studies Dr Filippa Lentzos, Reader in Science and International Security Dr Gemma Bowsher, physician social scientist affiliated with the King’s Centre for Conflict and Health Security

  2. 29 Sept

    The Brazillian Marine Corps Today

    In this episode of the War Studies Podcast, PhD student Charlotte Bascaule speaks with Admiral Carlos Chagas Viana Braga, Commandant of the Brazilian Marine Corps. They discuss changes to the Brazilian Marine Corps, new technologies, maritime operations, peacekeeping and the challenges facing Brazil’s armed forces today.

    The Brazillian Marine Corps Today

  3. 9 Sept

    War Stories, Episode 6: A British Infantry Commander in Urban Combat, Iraq, 2007

    In the sixth edition of the King’s College London War Studies War Stories podcast miniseries, hosted by King’s alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (BA War Studies, 2002–2005), Nick hosts and Rupert takes to the guest seat to speak about his own experience of war. As a young officer with 4th Battalion The Rifles, Rupert deployed to Basra, Iraq, in 2007, where he commanded a platoon given the task of defending the Provincial Joint Coordination Centre (PJCC), an isolated position in the centre of the city. One night in April, Rupert and 24 soldiers found themselves defending the PJCC against an attack by around 200 militia fighters. Over four hours, the defenders fought to prevent the position being overrun, for which the platoon was recognised with three gallantry awards, including two Military Crosses. Expect to learn: - What it means to command a mechanised rifle platoon in an urban counter-insurgency. - How 24 soldiers defended an isolated position against a much larger force during four hours of intense urban combat. - How leadership, training and individual initiative manifest in the pressure cooker of a defensive battle.

    War Stories, Episode 6: A British Infantry Commander in Urban Combat, Iraq, 2007

  4. 18 Aug

    The Divided Brain with Dr Iain McGilchrist

    In this episode of the Breaking Cycles of Conflict mini-series, XCEPT's Dr Nafees Hamid talks to Dr Iain McGilchrist – psychiatrist, philosopher, neuroscientist and author of The Master and His Emissary and The Matter with Things – about how the brain's left and right hemispheres attend to the world in fundamentally different ways. They explore how shifts in hemispheric dominance have shaped trust, institutions and the rise and fall of civilisations throughout history, and what this means for how governments, mediators and practitioners build, and lose, legitimacy in fragile and conflict-affected settings today. This research is part of XCEPT (Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends), a UK aid-funded programme. King's College London's contribution to XCEPT focuses on the factors that shape violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

    The Divided Brain with Dr Iain McGilchrist

  5. 6 Aug

    War Stories, Episode 5: An Indian Army officer in counter-insurgency operations, Assam, 2010-2012

    In the fifth edition of the King's College London War Studies War Stories podcast miniseries, hosted by King's alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (BA War Studies, 2002–2005), Ru and Nick speak with Aravind Rajendran (MA Conflict, Security & Development, 2020–2021). A former commissioned officer in the Indian Army (2009 to 2020), Aravind served with the 3rd Battalion The Mahar Regiment, during counter-insurgency operations in Assam between 2010 and 2012, before later serving in Jharkhand and spending four years with Indian Special Forces. Expect to learn: • What it means to be a young officer commander operating in a second language with his troops, while engaging with local communities speaking a range of additional languages and dialects • What it is to navigate a complex insurgency in a remarkable cultural landscape, using leadership, trust-building and operational adaptability

    War Stories, Episode 5: An Indian Army officer in counter-insurgency operations, Assam, 2010-2012

  6. 15 Jul

    A Journalist on the frontline of the 'War on Terror', Iraq and Afghanistan, 2001-2010

    In the fourth edition of the King’s College London War Studies War Stories podcast miniseries, hosted by King’s alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (BA War Studies, 2002-2005), Ru and Nick speak to Dr. Tiania Stevens (MA War Studies, 2007-2008), who was embedded as an Australian journalist with both US and British forces in Iraq, as well as US forces in Afghanistan through the 2000s, with various news agencies. They dig into the challenges of being a non-combatant on the frontlines, a firsthand witness to combat, from explosive devices to small arms fire, where you are being protected by the teams you live with, retaining as independent a view as you can, against a reporting chain that needs stories for headlines. Tiania is now a lecturer on Journalism at the University of Sydney.

    A Journalist on the frontline of the 'War on Terror', Iraq and Afghanistan, 2001-2010

  7. 25 Jun

    War Stories, Episode 3: A Humanitarian in a conflict zone, Afghanistan and Ukraine, 2009-2021

    In the third edition of the King’s College London War Studies War Stories podcast miniseries, hosted by King’s alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (War Studies, 2002-2005), Ru and Nick speak to Rory Moylan (War Studies, 2002-2005), who worked as a humanitarian in Afghanistan, in Mazar-i-Sharif, with first ACTED and then the International Committee of the Red Cross through 2009-2013, and Sloviansk in the Ukraine, amongst others. They delve into the complexity of operating across conflict lines as an independent humanitarian during an ongoing conflict, where risk is almost as high as that of a soldier in the same environment, yet protection depends on neutrality being respected by all sides. Rory, who is fluent in Farsi and Dari, focussed on dialogue between state, non-state actors and civilians, as well as detention centres. Further Reading: Kabul Disco, by Nicolas Wild: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26155829 Key Locations Described: Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan; Sloviansk, Donbas, Ukraine

    War Stories, Episode 3: A Humanitarian in a conflict zone, Afghanistan and Ukraine, 2009-2021

  8. 12 Jun

    The Helsinki Brief, Episode 3: Finland's Comprehensive Security Model

    In this third episode of The Helsinki Brief: Inside Finnish Intelligence and Security, Dr Paul McGarr (King’s College London) is joined again by Hannamiina Tanninen of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (SUPO) to explore Finland’s 'comprehensive security' model — a point of reference in international debates on resilience. They unpack what “comprehensive security” means in practice: an all-of-society approach designed to keep Finland functioning as normally as possible during crises, from major disruptions and natural disasters to heightened security threats. The conversation looks at how the model is embedded across government, the private sector and civil society — and why joint exercises, consultation and coordination are central to making it work. The episode also looks at the foundations that make this approach work in Finland — including high public trust, the welfare state, a broad-based education system and mandatory conscription — as well as the role of the National Emergency Supply Agency. Finally, the discussion considers which elements of the Finnish model might be transferable elsewhere — and which are rooted in Finland’s specific history, size and social cohesion. Hannamiina Tanninen is a doctoral researcher at the National Defence University in Finland, researching on modelling the strategic environment of the Finnish security of supply system with emphasis on defining economic intelligence and economic security in intelligence studies. She is also a visiting researcher at Imperial College London.

    The Helsinki Brief, Episode 3: Finland's Comprehensive Security Model
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About

Welcome to the War Studies podcast. We bring you world-leading research from the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, the largest community of scholars in the world dedicated to the study of all aspects of security, defence and international relations. We aim to explore the complex realm of conflict and uncover the challenges at the heart of navigating world affairs and diplomatic relations, because we believe the study of war is fundamental to understanding the world we live in and the world we want to live in. If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, please rate and review us on your preferred podcast provider – it really helps us reach more listeners. The School of Security Studies harnesses the depth and breadth of expertise across War Studies and Defence Studies to produce world-leading research and teaching on issues of global security that develops new empirical knowledge, employs innovative theory, and addresses vital policy issues. Visit our website: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/security-studies Sign up to our mailing list: https://kcl.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cc0521a63c9b286223dea9d18&id=730233761d DISCLAIMER: Any information, statements or opinions contained in these podcasts are those of the individual speakers. They do not represent the opinions of the Department of War Studies or King's College London.

Information

  • Creator
    Department of War Studies
  • Years Active
    2010 - 2026
  • Episodes
    196
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    War Studies

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