Facing Coming Storms: Talking International Defence

Power without a plan: what happens when the world’s strongest military hits pause?In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Pete Apps sits down with Nikolas Gvosdev, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and Professor of National Security Studies at the U.S. Naval War College, to unpack the geopolitical and strategic turbulence surrounding the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.From unpaid federal workers to the future of American global posture, they explore how domestic political deadlock collides with an increasingly unpredictable international landscape. Nikolas sheds light on how this uncertainty ripples across alliances, procurement, and operations from the Caribbean to Eastern Europe and why questions about U.S. reliability are reshaping how friends and rivals alike see America’s role in the world.What You’ll LearnShutdown Shockwaves: How a lapse in funding disrupts U.S. military operations, civilian workforces, and global confidence.Strategic Drift: Why political instability is creating unpredictable shifts in U.S. defence posture and alliance planning.New Power Models: How Washington’s turn towards private-sector security and external funding could reshape future military commitments.This episode is a reminder that strategy doesn’t exist in a vacuum - it’s forged in the space between politics, power, and perception.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

As the balance shifts beneath our feet, new maps are drawn - not on paper, but in power itself.In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Peter Apps is joined by Dr Peter Layton, retired Royal Australian Air Force officer and visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, to unpack how changing power dynamics are reshaping security in the Indo-Pacific.From China’s rapid military expansion and the future of Taiwan, to the evolving roles of Australia, the US, and regional players like Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, together they explore the tensions, alliances, and strategic calculations shaping the decade ahead.What You’ll LearnStrategic Shifts: How alliances, basing decisions, and military postures are changing across the Indo-Pacific.Economic Power Plays: Why China’s manufacturing strength and strategic signalling are as influential as its military might.Uncertain Futures: How regional hedging, accidental escalation, and innovation will shape how nations respond to rising tensions.This conversation is a timely reminder that the future of global security may be decided far from Europe’s borders. Understanding the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific is no longer optional, it’s essential.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What happens when an army built for the past must face an uncertain future?In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Peter Apps sits down with Ben Barry - Senior Fellow for Defence and Military Analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and author of The Rise and Fall of the British Army, 1975–2025 for a sweeping conversation charting five turbulent decades of British military history.From Cold War tank battles and the Falklands to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the modern NATO front line, they trace how the British Army has evolved, adapted, and in some ways, struggled to keep pace with the world it’s meant to protect against.What You’ll LearnPast Lessons, Future Fights: How the Cold War, Falklands, and Gulf War shaped the Army’s doctrine and what those lessons mean for today’s threats.Culture & Capability: Why the shrinking size of the force has widened the gap between the Army and the society it serves, and why that matters for modern warfare.Strategic Realities: The hard truths behind NATO’s Strategic Reserve Corps role and the logistics, readiness, and ambition it demands.This episode is a powerful reminder that military capability isn’t just about equipment or numbers - it’s about mindset, memory, and preparation. Ben shows us why understanding the past isn’t nostalgia, i’s strategy.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What if the wars of the future look nothing like the wars of the past?In this live edition of Facing Coming Storms, recorded at the Hereford Military History Festival, Pete Apps is joined by two leading voices on conflict: Sir Antony Beevor, Britain’s most acclaimed military historian, and Patrick Bury, former Royal Irish Regiment officer and security lecturer at the University of Bath. Together, they explore how the character of war is shifting - from the trenches of history to the drone-filled skies of today.The discussion ranges from the lessons of Stalingrad and the Second World War to the realities of Ukraine and beyond. Along the way, they tackle the rise of AI and autonomous weapons, the brutality of state-on-state fighting, and the question of how democratic societies can mobilise for conflict in an age of disinformation and division.What You’ll Learn- History’s Lessons: Why the past never repeats neatly - but still offers vital warnings for the present.- Technology and Warfare: How drones, AI, and modern weapons are changing the battlefield in unexpected ways.- Resilience and Society: What it takes for nations to prepare, mobilise, and endure in times of war.This thought-provoking conversation reminds us that while the tools of war may change, its human costs remain constant. It’s a call to understand the storms gathering on the horizon and to think seriously about how we face them.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What if the next great naval revolution was already underway?In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Peter Apps speaks with Admiral Nils Wang - former head of the Danish Navy and Danish Defence College, now senior naval advisor and defence industry board member about the future of maritime warfare in an era defined by drones, AI, and hybrid threats.Together, they explore how unmanned systems are reshaping naval power, why Europe faces a shipbuilding crisis, and what Denmark's position between the North Sea and Baltic reveals about the challenges ahead. From the Arctic to the North Atlantic, Admiral Wang explains why navies must rethink force structure, embrace AI-supported surveillance, and adapt doctrine to a new tempo of conflict.What You'll Learn- Unmanned at Sea: Why drones and AI are as disruptive as the missile revolution of the 1960s.- Industrial Deterrence: How shipbuilding and missile production bottlenecks threaten Western resilience.- Future of Navies: Why numbers, adaptability, and young innovators will define the next decade.Admiral Wang's insights remind us that the coming storms at sea will demand not just powerful ships, but new ways of thinking, producing, and leading.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What if NATO's biggest threat wasn't Russia but America's retreat?In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we welcome back Sten Rynning, Professor of War Studies at the Danish Institute for Advanced Studies and lecturer at the NATO Defence College. Author of NATO: From Cold War to Ukraine, Sten returns to unpack the turbulence shaking the alliance as the Trump administration redefines transatlantic security.From drone incursions into Polish airspace to NATO's shifting command structures, we explore how the U.S. is pulling back from conventional defence, doubling down on nuclear control, and leaving Europeans to fill the gap. Sten explains the rise of "mini-lateral" coalitions, the dangers of de-institutionalisation, and the growing unpredictability of both Russian provocations and Western political shifts.What You'll Learn- US-NATO Tensions: Why America's "tough love" approach risks weakening alliance cohesion.- European Security Shifts: How regional coalitions and defence spending are reshaping the balance.- Future Risks: What Russian provocations, far-right politics, and China mean for Europe's stability.Sten's insights remind us that NATO's strength has always come from unity and that preserving it in an era of uncertainty may be the hardest challenge yet.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

The war in Ukraine is not just a regional conflict – it is a testing ground for the future of warfare and a frontline in the wider confrontation between authoritarian regimes and the West.In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Peter Apps is joined by Bob Seely, former Member of Parliament, reservist and author of The New Total War. Drawing on his unique background and family legacy, Bob shares how the war in Ukraine is reshaping modern conflict and what it reveals about Russia's strategy, from the battlefield to political warfare.We discuss the rapid evolution of drone technology, why Ukraine has become the crucible of 21st-century ground warfare, and how the West risks falling behind in both readiness and resilience. Bob also explains how Russia's approach blends military and non-military tools-from propaganda to cyber operations-into a single, integrated form of warfare, and what that means for NATO, Eastern Europe, and the global balance of power.What You'll Learn- Modern Warfare Lessons: Why Ukraine and Russia are redefining ground tactics for the drone age.- Russia's Strategy: How Moscow combines military force with political, economic, and information warfare.- Global Implications: What this conflict means for NATO, Eastern Europe, and the risks of wider escalation.Bob's insights remind us that Ukraine is not just fighting for its survival-it is showing the world the future of warfare, and the urgent need for us to be ready.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What if cutting-edge technology could redefine global defence strategies?In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Peter Apps is joined by James Black, Deputy Director at RAND Europe and an expert in strategic competition and emerging technologies. Together, they explore the transformative power of defence technology, its profound implications for global security and industry, and key lessons from history, with a spotlight on the DSEI showcase - a premier event for defence industry leaders.What You'll Discover- Technological Innovation: How soldiers and strategists can leverage AI, drones, and other breakthroughs to drive defence advancements.- Alliance Building: Why strengthening coalitions is critical to countering authoritarian advantages during peacetime.- Deterrence Strategies: How coordinated, resilient responses can prevent conflicts and enhance global stability.We dive into military applications, tackle procurement challenges, and analyse industrial dynamics, revealing how democracies can harness alliances for robust deterrence. James' insights provide strategic clarity, empowering listeners to navigate future challenges and foster global collaboration.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What if understanding limited nuclear war could prevent global catastrophe? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we explore the chilling realities of nuclear risks and war planning with Bob Manning, Senior Research Fellow for Strategic Deterrence at the Heritage Foundation and a veteran of nearly 20 years in the US Department of Defence, and Leo Keay, a PhD candidate and parliamentary researcher.We explore non-strategic nuclear weapons, escalation scenarios involving Russia and China, NATO's role, and US deterrence strategies, drawing from their report on learning to navigate the bomb.What You'll Learn- Deterrence Dynamics: Grasp how non-strategic weapons influence limited conflicts to inform strategic planning.- Escalation Risks: Recognise thresholds in Russian and Chinese doctrines to anticipate potential nuclear use.- Policy Preparedness: Evaluate NATO's vulnerabilities and advocate for robust responses to emerging threats.We discuss real-world implications like Russia's aerospace attacks, China's hypersonic capabilities, and the need for credible US deterrence, including insights from historical contexts like the siege of Leningrad. Practical tips include fostering international dialogue and enhancing allied coordination for stronger security.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What if peering into one leader's mind could shape the future of global defence? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Peter Apps explores the psyche of Chinese President Xi Jinping with Michael Sheridan, a veteran foreign correspondent and author of The Red Emperor. Michael, who first reported for Reuters in 1980, shares insights from Xi's revolutionary roots to his iron grip on power, exploring his strategic thinking, Taiwan ambitions, and what might follow his rule.What You’ll Learn- Xi's Formative Influences: Grasp how his father's Red Army legacy and personal hardships forged a leader focused on discipline and national revival.- Taiwan Risks: Assess the calculated path to potential conflict by 2027, balancing military readiness with political caution.- Succession Scenarios: Prepare for a shift to collective leadership post-Xi, potentially easing tensions and opening reform paths.We discuss Xi's purge of rivals, his emphasis on consensus in decision-making, and the evolution of China's governance from Mao's era to today. For defence professionals, it's a toolkit for understanding adversary mindsets and anticipating strategic moves.Key Moments2:10 - The Rise of Xi Jinping4:35 - Impact of the Cultural Revolution9:05 - The Complexities of Taiwan14:03 - Taiwan's Independence and China's Stance19:20 - Understanding Chinese Military Structure25:04 - The Stakes of Potential Conflict28:38 - The Role of the U.S. in Taiwan32:21 - The China-Russia Relationship35:25 - Historical Grievances and Alliances40:06 - Benefits of the Ukraine War for China43:27 - Xi Jinping's Approach to U.S. Relations55:14 - Future Leadership in ChinaFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.