Facing Coming Storms: Talking International Defence

Is the West ready for a multipolar storm? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Samir Puri, former British diplomat and Chatham House director, joins us to dissect the West’s fading unipolar dominance as the Global South asserts its weight. We shred the 1990s fantasy of universal democracy and capitalism, now eclipsed by India’s strategic tightrope and South Africa’s bold Hague plays. From our election-monitoring days in Ukraine and Kenya, we trace the collapse of the West’s “history’s victor” myth.Puri argues that navigating this fragmented world demands cultural fluency as much as strategic muscle—vital for military, policy, and business leaders alike. With Ukraine’s war, China’s economic sway, and the UAE’s multi-alignment reshaping power, we explore how to thrive in a chaotic, multipolar future.Key moments03:32 - Evolution of the Global South's Role11:50 - Emerging Powers and Autonomous Strategies23:33 - Southeast Asia's Multi-Alignment Approach33:06 - Russia's Asian Pivot and Sanctions35:49 - Engaging the Global South Militarily43:23 - India's Strategic Multi-Alignment50:33 - Optimism Amid a Multipolar TransitionFacing 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.

Are we heading toward endless wars or can we pull back? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Nikolas Gvosdev joins us to dissect 2025’s conflicts—from Ukraine and Gaza to Houthi attacks and India-Pakistan tensions. We explore “performative strikes” risking escalation and depleted arsenals, like US Tomahawks and Europe’s scarce shells.Gvosdev reveals how drones sinking ships expose Western military gaps, unprepared for long wars. We probe nuclear powers clashing indirectly and societies’ readiness for mass casualties. From White House de-escalation to tariff-hit economies, this episode unpacks a world teetering between posturing and disaster—a must for grasping today’s unstable global order.Key moments07:25 - Balancing Military Will and Resource Constraints13:21 - Lessons from Prolonged Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza17:50 - Evolving Norms of Nuclear Powers in Conflict21:46 - Societal Tolerance for Casualties in Modern Warfare30:36 - Global Economic Impacts on Conflict Dynamics35:12 - De-escalation Strategies in a Multipolar World43:12 - Cultural Influences on Military PreparednessFacing 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.

How do armies adapt as tech surges and geopolitics destabilise? Leo Blanken from the US Naval Postgraduate School and JP Clark from the US Army War College, contributors to Storm Proofing: Preparing Armies for a Future War from CHACR, out this week, share insights. With the world less safe, this book unites fifteen UK, US, and European experts to prepare for an unpredictable storm. Storm Proofing probes how armies approach war, how soldiers think, and how these human elements mesh with AI and tech.Drawing from Storm Proofing, we explore the 2020s, where AI, drones, and edge computing reshape warfare—from Ukraine’s drone units to US Navy’s Gulf patrols. Leo unpacks the human side of autonomous systems; JP examines organizing soldiers for all-domain operations, blending instincts with tech. This episode tackles 21st-century conflict.Key moments3:54 - The Rise of AI in Military Operations7:23 - Integration Challenges in Modern Warfare9:51 - Balancing Tradition and Technology18:46 - Navigating Organisational Tensions27:35 - The Complexity of International Alliances45:08 - Preparing for Uncertain Futures56:13 - Reflections on Military EvolutionFacing 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’s the world look like through a global defence lens today? On this special episode of Facing Coming Storms, we team up with Anna-Joy Rickard, host of The Great British Foreign Affairs Podcast. Peter takes the hot seat, quizzed by Anna-Joy on massive global shifts—Washington’s focus on China, Europe’s worry about Russia, and the UK stuck between big dreams and European realities. Recorded just after Trump’s first 100 days, we explore bold US moves in the Middle East, Taiwan’s growing tensions, and how trade wars, tech, and alliances are changing everything.Anna-Joy asks tough questions about NATO’s strength, rising isolationism, and the future of tech in warfare. Can Europe step up as the US looks to Asia? Is Taiwan’s 2027 deadline trouble? What’s J.D. Vance’s role in all this? It’s a clear, honest look at a world in turmoil —great for anyone wanting to understand what’s driving us toward calm or chaos.Key moments1:54 - US Global Threats Perspective14:09 - Shifts in Global Alliances22:35 - Taiwan's Risk Assessment31:33 - Technology's Impact on Warfare40:29 - The Future of NATOSubscribe to Peter's regular column for Reuters.Subscribe to Anna-Joy's 'Wonderful World, Wonderful Life' newsletter.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 we approach the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with conflicts like Ukraine still raging, we’re diving into the complex question of how wars truly end. Joined by Major General Andrew Sharpe, director of CHACR, the British Army’s think tank; Matthias Strohn, leading CHACR's historical analysis; and Andrew Stewart, CHACR’s conflict analysis expert, we unpack the messy paths to peace.From Germany’s stark post-World War II reset, where deterrence became key, to the blurred outcomes of Iraq and Afghanistan, we explore why victory often feels like a mirage. Ukraine’s war, rooted in centuries-old tensions, reminds us that some conflicts don’t resolve—they merely pause. In this episode, our discussion challenges us to rethink what peace means when history keeps resurfacing, demanding we confront the past’s enduring grip.Key moments05:32 - Clausewitzian Insights on War and Policy13:25 - German Perspectives on Post-War Reconciliation21:20 - Defining War vs. Conflict in Modern Context35:09 - Challenges of Ending Modern Wars of Choice46:22 - Rebuilding Societies After Conflict56:49 - Ukraine and the Complexity of Ceasefires01:04:01 - National Interests and Utopianism in Global ConflictsFacing 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.

Curious about the world of government, military, and global decisions, where power weighs a ton yet slips away? In this Facing Coming Storms episode, we’re joined by Ari Ratner, ex-Obama State Department insider turned D.C. sceptic; Liisa Past, Estonia’s former cybersecurity chief and NATO pro; and Brigadier Robbie Boyd, retired British officer with NATO and UN battle scars.We uncover the gritty truth of crisis leadership—creaking systems, gut-wrenching calls, and the razor’s edge of slashing red tape without sparking chaos. From D.C. to Tallinn to Brussels, it’s a no-filter take on uncertainty, rigid institutions, and humility as our last stand. Key moments10:51 - Military Perspectives on Governance15:20 - The Balance of Military and Civilian Roles22:27 - Navigating Bureaucracy in Government40:40 - Power Dynamics and Insecurity in Washington45:03 - Understanding Context in Global Governance53:41 - Hope and Challenges in Military ReformFacing 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.

In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we explore the Baltic states—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—as NATO’s frontline amid Russia’s growing shadow.Joined by Oliver Moody, Liis Mure, Aliide Naylor, and George Barros, we unpack the region’s turbulent history, current defences, and the human stakes. From Soviet echoes to NATO drones, we explore   how these nations face a resurgent Russia, with insights on military shifts, societal resolve, and the looming global flashpoint.Key moments0:37 - The Importance of the Baltic Region7:12 - NATO's Role in Baltic Security15:14 - Russia's Military Strategy23:54 - European Defence Industry Challenges35:33 - Addressing Russian Influence42:39 - Historical Context and Current Tensions45:48 - Preparing for Future ConflictsFacing 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.

How are the U.S. Marines getting ready for a chaotic, brutal battlefield? In this episode, we sit down with Captain Nicholas Royer, a simulation officer from the Second Marine Expeditionary Unit, to talk about “Downrange”—a tabletop war game that’s changing how Marines train. Using 3D-printed figures and tough, realistic rules, it throws junior Marines into the deep end of modern combat. They face tough calls, like risking a radio call for artillery support that could tip off enemy drones circling above.Captain Royer walks us through the shift from fighting insurgents to preparing for heavyweights like Russia or China. We dig into the human side of these simulations—Marines grappling with rising casualties when rescue helicopters can’t swoop in, or the civilian toll of their decisions. From stretching limited anti-tank rounds to working with both dedicated and unreliable partner forces, this episode looks at how the USMC approaches modern warfighting with a view to maintaining deterrence – or winning on the battlefield if deterrence fails. Key moments1:23 - Captain Nicholas Royer's Journey4:41 - Designing Tactical Training Games10:16 - Preparing for High-End Conflict22:11 - Strategies for Future Conflicts31:03 - Deterrence and Preparing for WarFacing 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.

Can Europe hold its ground if the U.S. pulls back?This week, we’re talking with Professor Sten Rynning, a NATO expert from the Danish Institute of Advanced Study and a lecturer at the NATO Defence College. We’re talking Donald Trump’s impact, the state of European unity, and whether NATO, the EU, and its members can get their act together fast enough.This is a no-filter look at a world where old rules, no longer apply.Key moments4:12 - Current European Security Concerns7:28 - The Evolution of European Defence Structures13:42 - The Future of Military Alliances15:22 - Germany and France's Defence Roles22:04 - The Need for European Self-Sufficiency28:29 - Preparing for a Less U.S.-Dependent DefenceFacing 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.

Ukraine’s war is shifting fast—US support was halted temporarily, Russia's tank losses remain staggering European resolve is yet to be determined.In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we unpack it all with George Barros (Institute for Study of War), Iuliia Osmolovska (Globsec Kyiv), and ex-British Army officer Nicholas Drummond.We explore Kyiv’s gritty fight, America’s exit shockwave, and Europe’s do-or-die moment. Peacekeepers? NATO rearming? Nuclear sharing? The stakes are sky-high. Is this Europe’s wake-up call—or Russia’s chance to dominate?Key moments10:50 - Perspectives from Ukraine18:26 - The Bigger Picture of Defence21:23 - Future of European Military Cooperation24:49 - Ukraine's Defence Strategy27:40 - The Complexities of US Foreign Policy36:38 - The Importance of Security Guarantees48:38 - Technology vs. Manpower in WarfareFacing 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.