Free Daily Podcast Summary
War Studies: Daily Summaries Delivered
by 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. 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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago1h 33m
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.
- Aug 18, 202650 min
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.
- Aug 6, 20261h 7m
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
- Jul 15, 20261h 2m
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.
- Jun 25, 20261h 3m
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
- Jun 12, 202649 min
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.
- May 27, 202654 min
Afghanistan: 25 Years After 9/11. On the Brink of Another Crisis?
In this episode, Colin Smith, co-ordinator of the UN Security Council’s 1267/1988 Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, joins Tim Willasey-Wilsey, King’s Visiting Professor, Graham Aikin, PhD researcher at King’s, and Dr Paul McGarr, Lecturer in Intelligence Studies, to examine Afghanistan nearly 25 years after 9/11 and assess whether it is again becoming a base for international terrorism under Taliban rule. The discussion explores the presence of groups such as al-Qaeda, ISIL-K and regional militants, the Taliban’s internal dynamics, and how the global terrorist threat has become more fragmented and decentralised. It also considers evolving radicalisation pathways, the role of new technologies and the challenges facing Western counterterrorism policy. Further reading: 1. UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Monitoring Team Reports: https://bit.ly/4fAnGs3 2. UN Security Council 1988 Sanctions Monitoring Team Reports: https://bit.ly/4dzibc5 3. The British and 9/11: So Near and Yet So Far by Tim Willasey-Wilsey: https://bit.ly/3RGzmzH 4. 'Not your fathers Afghanistan': Has the West taken its eye off the al-Qaeda ball? by Graham Aikin: https://bit.ly/49Jgk1O 5. Operation Enduring Sentinel and Other U.S. Government Activities Related to Afghanistan: https://bit.ly/49Azp6v
- May 8, 20261h 9m
Nostalgia - Shared Histories, Divided Futures
In this episode, Dr Nafees Hamid speaks with Dr Craig Larkin (Research Lead on Memory and Conflict for the XCEPT research programme), Dr Clara Voyvodic (Lecturer in Peace Studies at the University of Bradford), and Maria El Sammak (XCEPT Research Assistant and King's College London MA student in the War Studies department) about the powerful and often divisive role of nostalgia in global politics. As populist leaders from the United States to Turkey increasingly harness nostalgic sentiment to mobilise political support, this episode explores whether this longing for the past is a harmless comfort or a driver of division. Drawing on research on “The Golden Age" of Lebanon, rebel governance in Colombia, The Troubles in Northern Ireland and beyond, the conversation reveals how collective nostalgia can foster intolerance and nativism. Together, they examine why the future can feel so precarious and whether art can help us imagine a more inclusive path forward. This episode is produced as part of the XCEPT programme, which seeks to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations and to support practical solutions for peace. Learn more at www.xcept-research.org. Image credit: RORY NUGENT.com / Shutterstock.com. British Army patrol with neighbourhood kids in West Belfast, Northern Ireland (February 25th 1994)
Get War Studies summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Irregular Warfare Podcast
Examines irregular warfare through expert discussions on small wars, special operations, counterterrorism, and conflict tactics.
Global Security Briefing
Experts analyze global security challenges and international defense policies, with a focus on the UK, Indo-Pacific, and Gulf regions.
The WW2 Podcast
A military history podcast exploring various aspects of World War II as it moves beyond living memory.
The Just Security Podcast
Expert analysis of national security, foreign policy, and rights from practitioners, academics, and affected individuals.
Wartime Stories
Veterans recount unexplained, terrifying, and awe-inspiring events from the battlefield and beyond.
The Real Story
Experts and decision makers analyze and debate major news stories.
The Lawfare Podcast
Discussions with experts on national security, law, and policy covering foreign policy, intelligence, cybersecurity, and governance.
WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
A comedian and historian explore World War II through detailed analysis, personal stories, and dark humor.
Shock and War: Iraq 20 Years On
A BBC investigation into the 2003 Iraq War, examining the decisions, intelligence, and legacy behind the US and UK invasion.
One Decision
Former intelligence leaders and journalists examine high-stakes decisions that shaped global events.
HistoryExtra podcast
Covers global history from ancient to modern times through expert interviews on events, figures, and eras.
The Team House
Deep-dive conversations on national security with special operations veterans, intelligence professionals, and frontline reporters.
About 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. 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.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from War Studies in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's War Studies daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of War Studies as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the War Studies podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official War Studies product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Department of War Studies.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
What topics does War Studies cover?
War Studies covers topics including Education. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting War Studies summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.