School of War
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
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
Episodes
Mentioned books
30 snips
Mar 27, 2026 • 44min
How Can America Defeat Iran? With John Spencer
John Spencer, retired Army officer and urban warfare expert, explains a 'neurological' campaign of precision strikes on Iran’s centers of gravity. He discusses targeting as strategy, psychological effects on leadership, the limits of decapitation, and which capabilities make such strikes possible. Short, strategic, and focused on modern methods of influence in conflict.
44 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 58min
Are We About to Send the Marines Into Iran? With Rich Goldberg and Garrett Exner
Garrett Exner, a Marine and special operations veteran, and Rich Goldberg, a Navy intelligence reservist and analyst, unpack Iran’s crisis. They debate reopening the Strait of Hormuz. They weigh amphibious raids, Kharg Island’s importance, MEU capabilities, covert strikes on nuclear sites, intelligence gaps, and timelines for quick raids versus longer campaigns.
76 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 58min
Did Trump Miscalculate on Iran? with Niall Ferguson
Niall Ferguson, historian and author known for works on economic and military history, offers a brisk tour of chokepoints like the Dardanelles and the Strait of Hormuz. He compares Gallipoli, the Tanker War, and Ukraine’s sea tactics. Short takes on drone warfare, U.S. munitions limits, timelines for reopening Hormuz, and how Beijing might exploit U.S. distractions.
24 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 37min
Can Trump Beat China by Winning In Iran? with Zineb Riboua
Zineb Riboua, research fellow at the Hudson Institute who analyzes China and the Middle East. She discusses how the U.S.-Israeli campaign could undermine Chinese investments in Iran. She outlines China’s economic and energy ties, its shadow oil networks, and how regional leverage plays into great-power competition. She also covers strategic timing between Washington and Beijing and risks in the Strait of Hormuz.
11 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 56min
Did the Islamic Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh
Ray Takeyh, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and scholar of Iranian history, reflects on living through 1979 and Iran’s diverse pre-revolution society. He discusses how the revolution took hold, contrasts Khomeini and Khamenei, examines dynastic succession to Mojtaba, and explores the regime’s resilience versus conditions that might spark another uprising.
37 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 50min
How the War in Iran Actually Works with Mark Montgomery
Mark Montgomery, retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and senior director at FDD, offers frontline perspective on the Iran conflict. He breaks down naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz. He digs into drone warfare, missile defense, radar vulnerabilities, and how Russia and Ukraine shape the fight. He also explains challenges of reopening maritime transit and life at sea.
40 snips
Mar 6, 2026 • 41min
General Frank McKenzie on the War in Iran
General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie Jr, retired four-star Marine and former CENTCOM commander, offers strategic analysis on Iran. He discusses Iran’s regional retaliation approach and why it was a mistake. He breaks down ballistic missile and drone threats, naval and mining risks, and how Soleimani and proxy networks shaped Iran’s posture. He explores possible military outcomes and paths toward regime change.
33 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 45min
Ep 281: Fred Kagan on the Iran War, Drone Defense, and the Future of the Middle East
Fred Kagan, senior fellow at AEI known for Iran and military strategy, breaks down aerial campaigns and Iran’s shifting strike tactics. He discusses drone versus missile defense challenges and interceptor shortages. He explores lessons from Ukraine on low-cost defenses, Tehran’s weakened domestic position, and how targeting regime organs could reshape the regional order.
33 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 50min
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, explains the Iran conflict as a race of exhaustion. He outlines Iran’s calibrated retaliation, limits of interceptors and counterstrikes, and three possible end states for the regime. He also details deep U.S.-Israel operational integration and what to watch next.
39 snips
Feb 28, 2026 • 32min
Ep 279: Mark Dubowitz on U.S.-Israel War with Iran
Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Iran policy expert, breaks down a sudden U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran. Discussions cover reported strikes on leadership, the campaign’s historical roots, Iran’s likely all-in retaliation, and how the U.S. and Israel divide roles targeting capabilities versus leadership. High-stakes coordination and the limits of airpower are explored.
