The Voices of War

Vedran ’Maz’ Maslic

‘The Voices Of War’ is guided by a simple vision—to scratch below the simple narratives of war.

  1. 17 SEPT.

    118. The Rules-Based Order: Can the West Defend What It Undermines? with Dr Trita Parsi

    As the world fractures into competing blocs and narratives, the so-called "rules-based international order" is under growing strain. From Gaza to Ukraine, accusations of hypocrisy, selective enforcement, and double standards are eroding trust in the West’s claim to moral and legal authority. In this episode of The Voices of War, I’m joined by Dr. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and one of the most prominent voices calling for a shift in U.S. foreign policy toward restraint and diplomacy. Together, we unpack the contradictions at the heart of the West’s global strategy, the shifting balance of power in the Middle East, and why the next war between Israel and Iran may be closer than many realise. 🔍 What We Discuss: 🌍 Why the “rules-based order” is breaking down ⚖️ How Western double standards weaken international law 🛑 What “snapback sanctions” reveal about Europe’s strategy 🇮🇷 Why Iran missed its chance to become a regional middle power 🇮🇱 The real objectives behind Israel’s war with Iran—and why they failed ⚔️ The risks of escalation and U.S. involvement in a wider conflict 🧠 Whether external pressure will liberalise or harden Iran’s regime 🧭 How China and Russia are shaping a multi-order world 🤯 Why Europe is sacrificing its own principles—for Israel 📚 About the Guest: Dr. Trita Parsi is Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute, founder of the National Iranian American Council, and author of several acclaimed books on U.S.–Iran relations and Middle East geopolitics. He has advised diplomats, policymakers, and civil society leaders on diplomacy, multilateralism, and regional conflict resolution. 📎 Resources Mentioned: 📖 Trita's Books 🔗 Better Order Project 🔗 Quincy Institute 🔗 Trita Parsi on Twitter/X 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: 🌐 Website: https://thevoicesofwar.com 📬 Newsletter: https://thevoicesofwar.substack.com

    58 min
  2. 21 AOÛT

    116. Bearing Witness in Gaza: MSF, Neutrality, and the Fight for Dignity with Ashley Killeen

    The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has left hospitals in ruins, humanitarian corridors blocked, and millions of civilians struggling to survive. In this episode of The Voices of War, Maz speaks with Ashley Killeen, Director of Engagement at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Australia & New Zealand, about what it means to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza while upholding neutrality in the face of accusations of genocide and systematic violence. With MSF doctors and nurses forced to work in decimated hospitals, perform amputations without anaesthetic, and place five babies in a single incubator, Gaza’s collapse is exposing the limits of neutrality in modern conflict. Ashley explains why MSF calls Gaza a “systematic genocide”, the ethical red lines Israel wants humanitarian organisations to cross, and why silence can make humanitarians complicit. This episode dives deep into the medical ethics of war, the weaponisation of aid, and the toll on humanitarian staff who bear witness in one of the most politically charged conflicts of our time. It asks the hardest question: when does neutrality protect, and when does it kill? Resources This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing. – Read the report: https://msf.org.au/sites/default/files/2025-08/msf_gazareport_thisisnotaid.pdf Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Australia – Support their work: https://msf.org.au/donate The Voices of War Podcast Website – Full episodes and extras: https://thevoicesofwar.com Newsletter – Join for deeper analysis and updates: https://thevoicesofwar.substack.com

    46 min
  3. 28 JUIL.

    114. Military Ethics in the Age of Impunity: Gaza, Ukraine, and the Soldier’s Dilemma

    As civilian suffering mounts in Gaza and Ukraine, the moral rules of war appear increasingly irrelevant—and yet, militaries continue to train soldiers in ethics and restraint. In this powerful and timely conversation, Maz speaks with Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin, former Stockton Chair of Ethics at the U.S. Naval War College, and Dr. David Whetham, Professor of Ethics at King’s College London, to explore the crisis of military ethics in the face of realpolitik, information warfare, and institutional silence. Together, they explore: The erosion of Jus in Bello principles: distinction, proportionality, necessity The limits of moral courage in authoritarian vs democratic militaries Why disciplined disobedience may be the last refuge of the ethical soldier The role and politicisation of institutions like the ICC and ICJ The psychological burden of moral injury and loss of trust in leadership The tension between values and interests in modern warfare Why Pauline resigned from her post—and what it tells us about the U.S. military's ethical culture This is an unflinching look at what it means to serve with honour when the rules no longer seem to apply. 🔗 Related Episodes: 🎧 Ep. 75 – Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin on Obedience and Moral Courage 🎧 Ep. 52 – Dr. David Whetham on Ethics, War Crimes, and Military Judgement 💬 Connect with The Voices of War: 🌐 Website: @thevoicesofwar 🐦 X/Twitter: @Voices_of_War 📚 Guest Bios: Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin is a philosopher specialising in military ethics, the ethics of war, and the philosophy of obedience. Her most recent work, On Obedience, explores moral agency in military institutions. Dr. David Whetham leads the Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London and advises armed forces worldwide on professional military conduct and ethical leadership. 🎯 Tags: military ethics, just war theory, gaza war, ukraine war, war crimes, obedience, disciplined disobedience, moral injury, international law, ICC, ICJ, Israel Hamas, Russia Ukraine, ethical warfare, realpolitik, Pauline Shanks Kaurin, David Whetham, Maz Maslic, The Voices of War 🎧 Categories: Politics, Philosophy, Military, Society & Culture, News & Current Affairs, Ethics

    1 h 18 min
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À propos

‘The Voices Of War’ is guided by a simple vision—to scratch below the simple narratives of war.

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