The Department of War Studies, King's College London, focuses on promoting understanding of war, conflict and international security. The podcasts highlight the department's research and teaching activities. They also cover events the department organises for its students and the public. 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.

Podcast

Events

Playlist for all matters naval and maritime at Kings College London.

It was established in 2001 and has been named in honour of the founding father of naval history, Professor Sir John Knox Laughton (1830-1915), who taught at the College between 1885 and 1914 and before that at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich. This initiative builds on a tradition of excellence in the subject going back over a century, and demonstrates King's leadership in the field. The Laughton Unit is also a core component in the College wide engagement with the history of war and strategic studies.

The Laughton Unit educates and researches in the field of naval history and maritime strategy to support and shape the evolution of naval history as a tool across a broad spectrum of disciplines and debates in the world around us. It is the aim of this unit to further naval history and maritime strategic theory through academic leadership, teaching, research, publication, events and  activities. The unit teaches naval history and maritime strategy within the broader context of War Studies to undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. The Laughton Unit provides the ideal basis for original and challenging research on all aspects of naval history, sea power studies and strategy, preparing the next generation of thinkers from all around the world, ready and able, for a spectrum of career possibilities and destinations.

The unit supports a broad range of academic activity in naval history, from individual staff research projects, research groups and networks through collaborative ventures and lectures to international conferences.

Laughton Unit  [Naval History and Maritime Strategic Research]

The Wargaming Network (WN) is a research group within the School of Security Studies that aims to advance the theory and application of wargaming as a method of inquiry and as a method of learning and teaching. The WN builds on a rich history of King’s wargaming activities and serves as a hub for the growing community of King’s students and staff studying, researching and applying wargames and simulations. It seeks to engage and convene world-class wargaming scholars, practitioners and emerging talent.

In line with King’s 2029 Vision, the WN seeks to:

Educate to inspire and improve by advancing and democratising wargaming education,
Research to inform and innovate by developing wargaming as an academic discipline, and
Serve to shape and transform by applying wargaming to generate and deliver big ideas in service to society.
The WN engages in 5 types of activities. It convenes public lectures and workshops; enables King’s faculty, staff and post-graduate student research; trains rapporteurs and analysts for analytical wargaming; supports the testing and execution of wargames for King’s faculty, staff and partners; and organises networking events.

King's College London Wargaming Network

Throughout October and November we're bringing you the special podcast mini-series ‘Climate Change and National Security’, in the run up to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), hosted by the Environmental and Security Research Group in the School of the Security Studies.

How do different states view the relationship between climate and security? Is there a best practice for climate security and a sense of momentum as we move into COP26? Should we be worried about the securitisation of the climate agenda?

In the first of this five part mini-series Climate Change and National Security, Professor Matt McDonald from the University of Queensland and Dr Duraid Jalili from the King's Environmental Security Research Group consider different governmental responses to climate change and national security from '50,000 feet’.

Government responses to climate change and national security

What's the UN's role in addressing the security risks of climate change? And what are the obstacles faced by UN bodies in meeting these challenges? 

In the second episode of this five-part mini-series on Climate Change and National Security, Dr Duraid Jalili from the King’s Environmental Security Research Group and Professor Matt McDonald from the University of Queensland, speak to Dr Lucile Maertens, Senior Lecturer at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

As a leading expert on the actions being taken by international organisations relating to climate change and securitisation, Dr Maertens will discuss the ways in which the climate change agenda is being driven at the UN and the obstacles affecting the implementation of these principles.

From the fear that bringing climate change at the UN Security Council will give too much power for the UN over national sovereignty, to the ignorance, competition and collaboration of different UN entities, she shares how much the UN is engaging with wider perspectives on the security implications of climate change, beyond its potential status as a driver of conflict

Drivers and obstacles of the UN Climate Change Agenda

What’s happening on the ground in Ukraine? Why has Russia’s hopes of a swift, decisive victory turned into a long, drawn-out, brutal war of attrition? How has Russia revised it’s strategy and tactics, as Putin loses interest in a diplomatic solution with Ukraine? Is a nuclear, chemical or biological attack still likely? Can Putin be put on trial for Russia’s alleged war crimes? 

Two months on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we’ve gone back to experts in the School of Security Studies to get their take on how the war is unravelling and get answers to the many questions that have arisen since the war began. 

This episode was taken from a webinar recorded at the end of April. You can watch the full video including questions and answers from the audience on the War Studies Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLAIzmrMZ-U

The war in Ukraine explained: More from our experts

Over the winter of 2019 in India, 519 riots took place causing mass casualties and deaths. This in part was a reaction to the introduction of the Citizenship Amendments Act (CAA), government legislation that enabled non-Muslim immigrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh to become Indian citizens. The exclusion of Muslims was seen by many as a fundamental challenge to principles of secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution, resulting in violent altercations between protestors, the police and Hindu nationalists. Yet, this was not the only cause. Far removed from CAA agitations, political violence in a variety of forms was waged across India and their neighbouring countries. 

75 years since the Partition of the India, we speak to Dr Adnan Naseemullah, Reader in International Politics in the Department of War Studies, to explore the roots of political violence across India, Pakistan and Bangledesh. Discussing his new book, ‘Patchwork States: The Historical Roots of Subnational Conflict and Competition in South Asia’, he argues that the enduring differences in state capacity and state-society relations, built during the colonial period, continue to shape patterns of political violence across the Indian subcontinent. 

In bridging the gap between the past and present, he asks us to think critically about the legacy of colonial rule and the state in modern-day conflicts, while keeping in mind that history is not determinative.

Patchwork States: The roots of political violence in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

What drives one person to violence and another to peace? How does experience of trauma lead to radicalisation? Are there interventions that can help deflect people from trajectories of extremism? These are some of the questions that researchers at the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) programme at King’s College London are trying to answer.

In this episode Dr Nafees Hamid and Dr Fiona McEwen introduce the work being done as part of the XCEPT programme at King’s College London and give us a glimpse of what’s to come. 
 
Funded by UK aid, XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour, and to propose interventions and policies that can bring about peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org

Breaking cycles of conflict

“They couldn’t scrape together enough food to feed a family… It was very, very, very desperate.”

On August 15 2021, international troops withdrew from Afghanistan. 

Two years on, what has been the impact of the Taliban’s rule? How has the country experienced both conflict and peace? And with a significant humanitarian crisis affecting the country, what can we do to support the people of Afghanistan?

In this episode, Dr Christine Cheng explores the balances of power, security and conflict that led to the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. She discusses the mindsets that led to the USA’s expedited withdrawal, why countries aren’t prepared to send foreign aid to support Afghanistan, and the experiences of people – particularly women – living under the Taliban’s rule.

Afghanistan after the Fall of Kabul with Dr Christine Cheng

Israel’s military response to the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas has been subject to much discussion. In a two-part series, we consider specific questions related to the use of force, jus ad bellum, and the laws governing the conduct of hostilities, means, and methods of warfare, referred to as jus in bello.  

In this episode, Dr Maria Varaki, Lecturer in International Law at King’s College London, speaks to Marko Milanovic, Professor of Public international Law at the University of Reading and prolific author in Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian and Criminal Law.  

They discuss Professor Milanovic’s blog post ‘Does Israel Have the Right to Defend Itself?’ in EJIL Talk, exploring his legal analysis of complex questions related to the right of self-defence under article 51 of the UN Charter and the concept of proportionality. 
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In response to the ongoing situation and humanitarian crisis, all those at King’s College London affected by the events in Israel and Gaza can access support here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/students/support-for-students-and-staff-affected-by-the-israel-and-gaza-conflict

Israel-Hamas war: International Law and the Use of Force with Professor Marko Milanovic

Series: Breaking Cycles of Conflict 

"Let’s imagine tomorrow Mosul is brick by brick exactly what it was like before ISIS took over – the city has still fundamentally changed." 

In this episode, Dr Craig Larkin, Dr Inna Rudolf, and Dr Rajan Basra explore issues surrounding post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, and recovery in Iraq.  

Sharing insights from their research trip to Iraq, the trio discuss the hurdles faced by local practitioners, disillusionment with the ‘industry of peacebuilding’, and the impact that legacies of conflict and violence have had on Iraq’s diverse communities. 

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

Reconciliation and reconstruction in post-conflict Iraq

Series: Breaking Cycles of Conflict

"Imagine that dad is a neo-Nazi, mum has joined a jihadist group" 

As governments across Europe face the challenge of reintegrating returnees from Iraq and Syria, Dr Joana Cook examines institutional and societal responses to children growing up in violent extremist affiliated families. 

Dr Cook talks to Dr Fiona McEwen about the different ways a child’s life can be impacted when a family member is involved in violent extremism, why the narrative of ‘ticking time bombs’ is detrimental to healthy development, and why we need to change the way we engage with these families. Dr Cook’s research was conducted as part of the PREPARE project. To find out more about PREPARE, please visit: https://prepare-project.eu/ 

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

Growing up in violent extremist families

A translator’s job is to take something in one language and convert it to another – but when you’re translating the stories of people affected by conflict, how do you ensure your own feelings don’t get in the way? 

In this episode, Mohamad El Kari, translator on the XCEPT project, speaks about the personal and professional challenges he faces in the course of his work. He explores the importance of understanding local culture, the need to remain sensitive to different interpretations of a word or phrase, and the ethical and moral difficulties that arise when working in the context of a conflict. Mohamad also turns to the issue of wellbeing, highlighting the emotional toll that a translator can face when working with stories of conflict trauma. 

This research is being undertaken as part of the XCEPT research programme, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

Translating the stories of conflict-affected populations

Tens of thousands of children currently live in dire conditions in Al Hol camp in Syria – and there are concerns this makes them vulnerable to radicalisation and recruitment. But what is the evidence behind this? 

Caterina Ceccarelli examines what we know about the link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and violent extremism, and explores the pathways by which experiencing tough and potentially traumatic events in childhood might turn someone to extremism later in life. 

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

Violent extremism and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Series: Breaking Cycles of Conflict

As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate, Dr Craig Larkin and Bronte Philips reflect on what this means for the people of Lebanon. 

They explore how the escalation of violence is reigniting traumatic memories of conflict with Israel, how past experiences are shaping attitudes in the present, and why the current conflict risks cementing tensions amongst the country’s diverse populations. 

*This episode was recorded in January 2024. Information was accurate at the time of recording, but the escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has continued to develop. 

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

Israel and conflict memory in Lebanon

**We're bringing you a special episode of the World: we got this podcast**

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, there is also ongoing fighting in Gaza, attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea and subsequent US and UK air strikes. This has prompted some to warn we are moving from a post-war to a pre-war world.

In this latest episode, Dr Marina Miron, a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of War Studies, explores whether we are in a time of increased conflicts, what lies behind the current wars, NATO’s role and what we need to do differently if we want a more peaceful future.

*Note this episode was recorded prior to the appointment of General O. Syrkyi.

What do current conflicts tell us about the world today and our prospects for peace?

Wargaming has surged in popularity in recent years, drawing substantial financial backing from militaries, governments and the private sector alike. But what are wargames and how are they being used within the defence industry to navigate present and future conflicts?
 
In this episode, Dr David Banks, Lecturer in Wargaming and co-director of King's Wargaming Network at King’s College London, guides us through the complex world of wargaming and its different applications. He talks us through some of the wargames he has created and how the method is likely to evolve with emerging technologies.
 
For more information, follow King’s Wargaming Network on Twitter @kclwargaming.

Wargaming: Playing out uncertainty with Dr David Banks

How has the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant impacted nuclear security and safety?

In this podcast episode we explore nuclear security and safety and the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with Dr Ross Peel, a Research Fellow in the Department of War Studies and the Centre for Science & Security Studies.

Nuclear security and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with Dr Ross Peel

What makes a person or a community resilient to violent extremism? Are these inherent characteristics or are they something that can be taught? 

‘Resilience’ has become a buzzword in the field of countering violent extremism (CVE), but how useful is it? In this episode, Federica Calissano interviews Dr Nafees Hamid about the benefits and drawbacks of CVE initiatives which focus on building resilience to violent extremism. 

Read Federica’s blog post: What do we mean when we talk about ‘resilience’ to violent extremism? 

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

Building resilience to violent extremism

*This episode was recorded in early March 2024, before the recent escalation of violence in Sudan.

South Sudan may be the youngest country in the world, but it’s already undergone a huge amount of violence – and the ongoing civil war in Sudan looks set to bring further instability.

In this episode, Dr Costanza Torre and Dr Fiona McEwen discuss XCEPT’s research in South Sudan, which aims to understand how experiences of conflict may lead someone to engage in violent, instead of peaceful, behaviour. They discuss the importance of hiring local researchers, the challenges of carrying out research in South Sudan, and how mental health disorders may be understood differently in South Sudan. 

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. 

XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

Understanding conflict trauma and mental health in South Sudan

Why do groups enter into conflict when a peaceful resolution could be reached? 

Dr Nafees Hamid interviews Dr Hannes Rusch about his work examining the ‘logic’ of intergroup conflict. Dr Rusch talks us through the basic models which explain why groups might choose conflict, and highlights key questions that remain unanswered by the research. 

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

What is the ‘logic’ of intergroup conflict?

Are we witnessing the decline of Western power and influence? What could this mean for the future of the global order? 

In this episode, Dr. Samir Puri—former UK diplomat and Visiting Lecturer in the Department of War Studies—delves into these critical questions and more. We discuss his new book, Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing, and explore the shifting dynamics of a world where Western dominance on the global stage is diminishing.

The Great Global Rebalancing with Dr Samir Puri

What makes Taiwan such a crucial flashpoint in global politics? How has its historical journey shaped its current role on the world stage?  

In this special 'War Studies Podcast Live' episode, Dr Charlie Laderman, Senior Lecturer in International History, talks with Professor Sulmaan Khan of Tufts University about his latest book, ‘The Struggle for Taiwan’.  

From Taiwan’s significance during World War II and the Cairo Declaration of 1943, to the intricate dance of the US diplomacy during the Korean War and Nixon’s era, this conversation delves into how historical events continue to influence modern US-China relations. Professor Khan also explores Taiwan's path to democracy and how domestic American politics have shaped its status today. 

This episode was recorded as part of a live event with the Centre for Grand Strategy at King’s College London and the Axon Johnson Institute for Statecraft and Diplomacy.

The Strugle for Taiwan with Professor Sulmaan Khan

How is open-source data being used to uncover threats to human security, and what ethical challenges do practitioners face when working with open-source intelligence? In this episode, we delve into these questions with Henrietta Wilson, Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Science & Security Studies, King’s College London. 

Henrietta, co-editor of the recently published book ‘Open-Source Investigations in the Age of Google’, unpacks how digital tools have transformed the way we uncover, verify, and interpret publicly available data. This shift has opened new avenues for global justice, transparency, and accountability, but it also raises significant ethical challenges that require careful navigation. 

Liked the episode? Join Henrietta and the book’s co-authors at King’s College London for a captivating talk on open-source investigations on 1 October 2024! Sign up here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/open-source-investigations-in-the-age-of-google

The power of open-source intelligence with Henrietta Wilson

What would Trump’s return to the White House mean for Ukraine’s future and Europe’s security? How might his strategy for the war in Ukraine differ from the current administration’s? Can he deliver on his pledge to end the conflict quickly, and what might his approach involve?
 
In this episode, Dr Charlie Laderman, Dr Ruth Deyermond and Dr Barbara Zanchetta—Senior Lecturers in the Department of War Studies—delve into Trump’s stance on NATO, US-Russia relations, and his evolving approach to China, Iran and North Korea. They discuss how a second Trump term could reshape the war in Ukraine and leave a lasting impact on global security.

Trump and the future of the Russia-Ukraine war

In 2014, the self-styled Islamic State committed genocide against the Yezidi population in Iraq. To mark the anniversary of the genocide, Dr Inna Rudolf speaks to renowned Yezidi human rights advocate Mirza Dinnayi about what life is like for the Yezidi community 10 years on from the genocide. 

Inna and Mirza discuss justice and accountability, the geopolitical situation in the Yezidis’ ancestral homeland, and what still needs to be done to support the community as they deal with a legacy of discrimination that precedes the atrocities of 2014. 
 
This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

The legacy of the Yezidi genocide with Mirza Dinnayi

What does the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime mean for the future of Syria and the broader Middle East? How might the rise of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani reshape Syria’s governance and regional alliances? Can the rebel leader overcome immense challenges to stabilise the country, or will his leadership lead to further turmoil? 

In this episode, Dr Shiraz Maher, Senior Lecturer, Dr Craig Larkin, Reader in Middle East Politics and Peace and Conflict Studies, and Siba Madwar, a journalist from Aleppo and PhD student in the Department of War Studies, discuss the dramatic collapse of Assad’s forces and its implications for international dynamics. They delve into Jolani’s vision for a rebuilt Syria, the power vacuum left by Assad’s departure, and how these developments could reshape alliances, challenge regional stability and alter the global security landscape.

The fall of Assad and its impact on international dynamics

What does the future of Australia's defence strategy look like in the face of rising geopolitical tensions? How are shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic influencing Australia’s approach to security? What role do partnerships like AUKUS play in shaping Australia’s military readiness for both the present and future? 

In this episode, Admiral David Johnston AC RAN, the Australian Chief of the Defence Force, joins Professor Alessio Patalano to discuss these pressing issues. They explore the shrinking strategic warning time, the growing convergence of powers like China, Russia, and North Korea, and how Australia’s geographic position shapes its approach to defence. Admiral Johnston also reflects on the important role of universities in shaping international security.

This episode of the King’s War Studies Podcast is in collaboration with Security & Defence PLuS, a trilateral university partnership between King’s, Arizona State University and UNSW. 

Eyes on the Indo-Pacific: Australia’s Defence Strategy

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) is considered a key player in Iran’s Axis of Resistance, and its connection to the state security forces in Iraq has raised concerns about its access to power and position. But the IRI isn’t a cohesive organisation; it’s made up of armed factions which have their own agendas and domestic interests to pursue, and not all of these align with Iran’s.
 
In this episode, Dr Craig Larkin, Dr Inna Rudolf, and Dr Renad Mansour discuss the domestic and transnational interests of Iraq's Islamic resistance factions and explore the extent to which the IRI can really be considered an Iranian ‘proxy’.
 
This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.
 
XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

The national and transnational dynamics of Iraq's Islamic Resistance landscape

In 2016, the Colombian government signed a historic peace agreement with guerilla group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, also known as FARC. The agreement brought an end to 52 years of war, but today, eight years after the agreement was ratified, Colombia is still not at peace.

In this episode, Dr Nafees Hamid and Dr Andrés Casas discuss the motivations of guerilla group members in Colombia, public attitudes towards the 2016 peace agreement, and how behavioural science can facilitate peacebuilding efforts.

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. 

XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

How behavioural science can pave the way to peace in Colombia

In December 2024, the Assad regime in Syria was overthrown. Today, Ahmed al-Sharaa is acting as the interim president of Syria, at the head of a new transitional government.

What will the future look like for Syria under its new leader? Will the coalition of rebel factions be able to work together to build a stable future for Syrians?

Dr Nafees Hamid, Dr Rahaf Aldoughli, Nils Mallock and Broderick McDonald discuss their research surveying and interviewing Syrian rebel fighters both before and after the fall of Assad, sharing insights into the motivations and values of Syria’s new rulers.

*This episode was recorded before the announcement of the new government. Follow ICSR_Centre on X to stay up to date with this research.

This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.

XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

From rebels to rulers: Who are Syria’s new leaders?

How did Cold War intelligence operations shape postcolonial India’s domestic politics and international alignments? Why did Western agencies prioritise relationships with Indian counterparts while publicly decrying non-alignment? And what can today’s policymakers learn from the legacies of covert cooperation in the Global South?

In this episode, Dr Paul McGarr, Lecturer in Intelligence Studies in the Department of War Studies, discusses his latest book Spying in South Asia. He explores the complex, often contradictory intelligence relationships between post-independence India and agencies such as MI5, MI6 and the CIA. From clandestine support to Cold War defections, and from covert propaganda campaigns to today's intelligence partnerships, Dr McGarr traces how secrecy, sovereignty and strategic necessity shaped India’s place in global affairs—and continues to inform the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific today.

Spying in South Asia: Cold War Intelligence and the Making of Modern India

How did communist Czechoslovakia become a hub for Cold War terrorists like Carlos the Jackal and Abu Daoud? And what can today’s intelligence professionals learn from its uneasy covert alliances?
 
In this episode, Dr Daniela Richterova, Senior Lecturer in Intelligence Studies at the Department of War Studies, joins Dorothea Gioe, Visiting Research Fellow at the King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence, to discuss her new book Watching the Jackals. Drawing on newly declassified archives, she reveals how Czechoslovakia’s State Security Service (StB) navigated its complex, and often contradictory, ties with radical non-state actors—and how those Cold War entanglements still echo in today’s security landscape.

Watching the Jackals: Cold War Terror, Espionage, and Prague’s Secret Role

Recorded: 10/05/2018

Speaker: Benjamin W. D. Redding, University of Warwick

Abstract: 

Between the 20th and 30th of August 1546, Claude d’Annebault, Admiral of France, visited London as an honorary ambassador following the signing of the Treaty of Ardres. After a major French naval invasion attempt in the previous year, it was appropriate that d’Annebault’s entrance via the Thames was planned to include a ceremonial presentation of England’s naval resources. 

Bio: 

Dr Redding defended his doctoral thesis at the University of Warwick in March 2017. The project assessed the relationship between navy and state in the early modern period and argued that naval advances should always be considered within their broader international context. His article ‘English Naval Expansion under the French Threat, 1556-64’ was published in November 2016 in the International Journal of Maritime History. Current research interests include the role of visual culture in early modern naval developments and a reassessment of the fall of Calais in January 1558.
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This event is being hosted by the Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War.
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Maritime Seminars 2017-2018:  Pageantry and Diplomacy in the late-Henrician Navy

Professor Andrew Lambert and Professor Eric Grove discuss the development of discipline of naval history and its relationship with military history, Kings College London and War Studies.

Department of War Studies' Podcast

Laughton Paper 2012: The Navy & War Studies

Kings Maritime Seminar Series 2017-2018. Helen Sellers presents on the topic of 'Australia and India at Sea: The Contemporary Security implications of Two Maritime Histories from ancient to modern times.'. The seminar took place on the 7th December 2017 in the Department of War Studies, Kings College London.

Maritime Seminars 2017-2018: Australia and India at Sea: Contemporary Security, Helen Sellers

Laughton Occasional Paper, James W.E. Smith details discussions points over the challenges naval historians faced post 1945 when attempting to communicate the value of the study of history when considering future defence policy and maritime strategy.

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.

Laughton Paper 2017: Studying Naval History Matters to the Modern Navy by James W.E. Smith

Date of Recording: 21/11/2018

Description: Andrew Lambert, author of The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812—winner of the prestigious Anderson Medal—turns his attention to Athens, Carthage, Venice, the Dutch Republic, and Britain, examining how their identities as “seapowers” informed their actions and enabled them to achieve success disproportionate to their size. Lambert demonstrates how creating maritime identities made these states more dynamic, open, and inclusive than their lumbering continental rivals. Only when they forgot this aspect of their identity did these nations begin to decline. Recognizing that the United States and China are modern naval powers—rather than seapowers—is essential to understanding current affairs, as well as the long-term trends in world history. This volume is a highly original “big think” analysis of five states whose success—and eventual failure—is a subject of enduring interest, by a scholar at the top of his game.  Andrew Lambert is Laughton Professor of Naval History at King’s College, London, and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
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For more news and information on upcoming events, please visit our website at KCL.AC.UK/WARSTUDIES

Event: Seapower States

Date of Recording: 07/12/2018

Description:

Dr Peter Perla, 'The Art and Science of Wargaming to Innovate and Educate in an Era of Strategic Competition'

What can we know about pressing security challenges through wargaming? How do we know?

To mark the establishment of a new Wargaming Network, the School of Security Studies is launching a public lecture series on wargaming. The lectures will examine fundamental challenges for adapting wargaming theory and practice to usefully address contemporary security problems facing the UK and its NATO allies.

The UK and its NATO allies have revived their interest in wargaming as a tool for strategic, operational and technological innovation in a new strategic environment marked by the return of major power competition. While the value of wargaming as a method for learning and teaching is well-accepted, its value as a rigorous academic method of inquiry is still largely contested.

Dr Perla will re-examine the fundamental theoretical debate of whether wargaming should be considered an art or a science in the context of the changed security environment. The aim of the talk is to bring wargaming theory and practice to a new multi-disciplinary epistemological ground that would enable its useful contribution to advancing knowledge, informing policy and furthering education.

Event: The Art and Science of Wargaming (KCL Wargaming Network Inaugural Lecture)

Date of Recording: 16/01/2019

Description:

While a renaissance in wargaming is currently underway across the political, military, educational, and commercial sectors, there is no academic discipline dedicated to the study and practice of wargaming. While wargame design, research and execution is advancing, a lack of integration limits the impact of these innovative activities. And although the body of scholarly work on wargaming is growing, it has yet to be drawn together to develop best-practice guidance for research and teaching.

In this public lecture, Dr Yuna Wong (RAND) discusses how we can build an integrated, globally-recognised academic field in which knowledge about wargaming may be produced, preserved, and transmitted. She addresses the questions: Why do we need an academic discipline of wargaming? What concrete steps can we take in the short and medium terms to establish such a discipline? What obstacles might we face in this endeavour?
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For more news and information on upcoming events, please visit our website at kcl.ac.uk/warstudies or follow us on Twitter @warstudies.

Event: Developing an Academic Discipline of Wargaming

Date of Recording: 02/04/2019

Description:

Air Marshal Edward Stringer, the Director General of Joint Force Development and the Defence Academy, will kickstart the week with a public lecture, part of the WN’s inaugural wargaming lecture series. He will discuss the need for a reinvigorated wargaming effort in the UK and among NATO allies to support robust analysis and innovation in the context of the new strategic challenges facing the alliance. In this lecture he will discuss three sets of questions:

1. What new analytical requirements does the changing security environment present to the UK and its allies? What is the value of wargaming as part of the broader analytical toolkit in meeting these requirements? 

2. What has the UK done to reinvigorate wargaming as a tool for strategic and operational analysis? 

3. How should the current practice of wargaming adapt to meet the new policy requirements? What could the policy, professional wargaming and academic communities do to further the utility of wargaming?

Professor Wyn Bowen, head of the School of Security Studies, will deliver welcome remarks. Ivanka Barzashka, founder and co-director of the Wargaming Network, will chair the lecture.

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For more news and information on upcoming events, please visit our website at kcl.ac.uk/warstudies

Event: Advancing the UK’s Analytical Tools to Address Strategic Competition and Modern Deterrence

Throughout history, conflict and war have created conditions in which enslavement thrives. In turn, slavery has featured centrally in many conflicts as both a strategic goal and a means of waging war.

Professor Kevin Bales will present the findings to date of a major research project at the Rights Lab (University of Nottingham) exploring the links between slavery and war. This project seeks to map the connections between slavery and conflict, determining how incidences and patterns of enslavement vary depending on the forms of conflict, levels of intensity and duration, and the nature of the combatants and their objectives.

This event was hosted by the Centre for Strand Strategy https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/kcl-centre-for-grand-strategy

Event: Strategic and Tactical Slavery in War

King's College London event recording from 22 January 2020 entitled: 'Applying Insights from the UK-Ireland split in 1921 to Post-Brexit UK-EU Relations.' Panellists included Dr. Bill Kissane (LSE), Prof. Mary Daly (Univ. College Dublin) and Brendan Simms (Univ. of Cambridge).

Event: Applying Insights from the UK-Ireland Split in 1921 to Post - Brexit UK-EU Relations

What should be done after the end of a repressive regime or a civil war? How can bitter divisions be resolved in a way that combines reconciliation with accountability? These are typical questions within the field of transitional justice, but each of them is complex and contested and discussed in a wide range of disciplines.  Michael Newman draws on his new book, Transitional Justice: Contending with the Past, to explore some of the major debates and themes.

Michael Newman is Emeritus Professor at London Metropolitan University, He has been teaching ‘War, Peace and World Order’, at NYU London since 2011. This talk is part of the War Crimes Spring Term Seminar Series at King's College London.

Event: Michael Newman - Transitional Justice: Contending with the Past

In this latest event recording, Professor Brendan Simms of the University of Cambridge discusses his new biography of Adolf Hitler,  entitled Hitler: A Global Biography. He argues that contrary to past accounts, Hitler was driven by a desire to confront the United States and capitalism more broadly.

Event: Brendan Simms - Hitler: A  Global Biography

William Fenrick, former military lawyer and legal adviser for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) reflects on his experience at varying stages of his career within the field of international criminal justice. 

This event took place at the Department of War Studies, King's College London and was entitled: 'Putting Law into War: Reflections on the Birth of International Criminal Justice at the ICTY.

Event: Reflections on the Birth of International Criminal Justice at the ICTY

We have a report on right-wing 'radicalisation' on platforms like 4chan with insights from our colleague Dr Thomas Colley. We also talk to Sanjana Balu, the department's student experience and outreach officer. Adam caught up with two students and asked them about adapting to study from home. Presented by Adam Beswick, Dr Peter Busch and Sally Horspool.

Podcast: student experience / report on 4chan and 'radicalisation'

In this episode of our War Studies 'at home' series we talk to IR student Aanvi who organised a visit to the EU and January (see also her blogpost: https://kingsthinktank.com/2020/02/07/eu-brussels-visit/#more-2951
Dr Matt Moran, co-director of the Department's Centre for Science and Security talks about his research on Open Source Intelligence and Big Data (his article: with C Hobbs and C Eldridge: ‘Fusing algorithms and analysts’: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02684527.2017.1406677
And Adam tells us more about his Instagram story (the department on Instagram: kcl_warstudies). Presented by Adam Beswick, Peter Busch, Sally Horspool

Podcast: OSINT analysts and algorithms /DWS students at EU Brexit vote/ DWS on Instagram

Dr Rudra Chaudhuri, Director of Carnegie India and Senior Lecturer in the department joins us from Delhi and gives his insights on the COVID-19 crisis in India. Find out more on https://carnegieindia.org
And third-year students Kleber and Cassy talk about a student trip to Second World War battlefields in Italy earlier this year. Presented by Adam Beswick, Peter Busch and Sally Horspool.

Podcast: India and COVID-19 / student trip to WW2 battlefields

This is the part 1 of a 2 part special podcast series produced by BA IR students Julia Thommessen and Adam Beswick. In these podcasts King's students discuss different perspectives on COVID-19 and share their experiences. And as an Easter bonus: Sally shares her blueberry muffin recipe. Hosted by Adam Beswick, Peter Busch and Sally Horspool.

Podcast: Perspectives on COVID-19 (part one)

This is the part 2 of a 2 part special podcast series produced by BA IR students Julia Thommessen and Adam Beswick. In these podcasts King's students discuss different perspectives on COVID-19 and share their experiences. And as an Easter bonus: Sally shares her blueberry muffin recipe. Hosted by Adam Beswick, Peter Busch and Sally Horspool.

Podcast: Perspectives on COVID-19 (part two)

The new strategic environment brings with it many new challenges: a renewal of major power rivalry, long-term strategic competition, the emergence of one and possibly more nuclear-armed regional challengers, and the possibility of regional conventional wars under the nuclear shadow, among many others. To meet these challenges, the U.S. National Defense Strategy of 2018 calls for efforts to “out-think, out-maneuver, out-partner, and out-innovate” potential adversaries, all as part of a more “competitive mindset” for the United States and its allies and partners.

What can wargaming contribute to out-competing potential adversaries? How can it become more effective in developing theories of victory and success? Roberts will explore these questions from his perspective as analyst and former senior policymaker.

About the Speakers

Dr Brad Roberts is director of the Center for Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. From April 2009 to March 2013 he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy. In this role, he served as policy director of the Obama administration’s Nuclear Posture Review and Ballistic Missile Defense Review. From September 2013 through December 2014, Dr. Roberts was a consulting professor and William Perry Fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. Prior to joining the Obama administration, Dr. Roberts was a member of the research staff at the Institute for Defense Analyses and an adjunct professor at George Washington University.

Ivanka Barzashka, Director of the King's Wargaming Network, chaired the lecture.

The event, which was recorded in April 2020, is part of the King's Wargaming Network Public Lecture Series. The 2019/20 lectures examine how experts are building the future of wargaming to advance analytical wargaming and to develop wargaming education.

Event: The Future of Wargaming - innovating to out-think and out-compete

Recorded June 2020.
 
This webinar features Matthew B. Caffrey Jr., who provides wargame support to the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Material Command, Air Staff and NATO.

We now know we live in a world where a novel illness can take lives, livelihoods and liberties worldwide with rapid speed. At the same time, the character of war is evolving in novel and dangerous ways that are not fully known.

Wargaming can help decision makers better understand and address new challenges in a complex and uncertain environment, but reaping these benefits requires the right organisational structures and processes.

For almost 40 years, Matthew B. Caffrey Jr. has been building organisations to help adapt wargaming to meet evolving threats and opportunities.

During the lecture, he will addressed the following questions:
How have wargaming structures adapted in the past to respond to changes in the strategic environment?

What institutional adaptations are currently underway in the United States and NATO?

What more can and should be done to increase the utility of wargaming to address the full set of threats facing NATO allies?
Ivanka Barzashka, Director of the King's Wargaming Network, chaired the lecture.

About the speaker:

Matthew B. Caffrey Jr. provides wargame support to the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Material Command, Air Staff and to NATO.

In 1993 he helped found the Connections interdisciplinary wargaming conference. Since then Connections has grown to be held in six nations, including Connections UK, at King's College London from 2013-2019.

He authored On Wargaming, how wargames have shaped our past and can shape our futures, published by the US Naval War College Press in 2019.

A retired Colonel, US Air Force Reserve, he served with the US Air Staff’s Checkmate Division and at the major command, wing, group and squadron levels. His civilian positions include Professor of Wargaming and Campaign Planning at the US Air Force Command and Staff College and Research Assistant for Wargaming at the USAF’s School for Advanced Airpower Studies.

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The event is part of the King's Wargaming Network Public Lecture Series. The 2019/20 lectures feature speakers who are building the future of wargaming to usefully address contemporary security problems facing the UK and its NATO allies.

Event: Wargaming in a Post-Pandemic World: Adapting Institutions to Out-Think and Out-Partner

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.

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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

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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.

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