The Voices of War

Latest Episodes:

119. Genocide, Gaza, and Global Justice — with Professor William Schabas Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

In this landmark episode, Professor William Schabas — one of the world’s foremost experts on international criminal law and the legal architect behind much of our modern understanding of genocide — joins The Voices of War to unpack the explosive legal and political debates surrounding Israel’s war in Gaza.

🔥 With over 20 books and 400 articles to his name, Schabas walks us through:

What legally constitutes genocide under the 1948 Convention
How intent is proven in international courts
Why the ICJ is now handling four major genocide cases
Why Gaza meets the threshold for genocide, in his legal opinion
The unprecedented global response — and 50+ states intervening
Western double standards: Ukraine vs Gaza
Whether states like the US and Germany could be complicit
The future of the Genocide Convention in a multipolar world

📚 This is the definitive episode on the politics of accountability and the contested meaning of genocide in a rapidly shifting global order.

🎥 Full video episode: https://youtu.be/OhHavUpazyc
🌐 More: https://www.thevoicesofwar.com
📬 Substack: https://thevoicesofwar.substack.com

118. The Rules-Based Order: Can the West Defend What It Undermines? with Dr Trita Parsi Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

As the world fractures into competing blocs and narratives, the so-called "rules-based international order" is under growing strain. From Gaza to Ukraine, accusations of hypocrisy, selective enforcement, and double standards are eroding trust in the West’s claim to moral and legal authority.

In this episode of The Voices of War, I’m joined by Dr. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and one of the most prominent voices calling for a shift in U.S. foreign policy toward restraint and diplomacy.

Together, we unpack the contradictions at the heart of the West’s global strategy, the shifting balance of power in the Middle East, and why the next war between Israel and Iran may be closer than many realise.

🔍 What We Discuss:

🌍 Why the “rules-based order” is breaking down
⚖️ How Western double standards weaken international law
🛑 What “snapback sanctions” reveal about Europe’s strategy
🇮🇷 Why Iran missed its chance to become a regional middle power
🇮🇱 The real objectives behind Israel’s war with Iran—and why they failed
⚔️ The risks of escalation and U.S. involvement in a wider conflict
🧠 Whether external pressure will liberalise or harden Iran’s regime
🧭 How China and Russia are shaping a multi-order world
🤯 Why Europe is sacrificing its own principles—for Israel

📚 About the Guest:

Dr. Trita Parsi is Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute, founder of the National Iranian American Council, and author of several acclaimed books on U.S.–Iran relations and Middle East geopolitics. He has advised diplomats, policymakers, and civil society leaders on diplomacy, multilateralism, and regional conflict resolution.

📎 Resources Mentioned:

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
🌐 Website: https://thevoicesofwar.com
📬 Newsletter: https://thevoicesofwar.substack.com

117. Westlessness Explained: Decline, Division, and a New Global Era with Dr Samir Puri Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Voices of War, I speak with Dr Samir Puri—former British diplomat, Senior Fellow at King’s College London, and author of Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing—to explore the seismic global shift away from Western dominance.

We unpack the concept of “Westlessness”, which Dr Puri defines as the psychological and strategic unravelling of the West’s central role in global affairs. As traditional Western powers lose their edge—militarily, economically, and morally—new global actors like China, India, and coalitions like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are stepping in to reshape the international system.

But this isn’t a story of collapse. Instead, it’s about rebalancing—and the West’s growing crisis of identity, cohesion, and moral authority. We discuss the rise of soft power from non-Western states, the consequences of Western hypocrisy in conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza, and how hybrid identities, populism, and cultural fragmentation are transforming politics at home.

Dr Puri also reflects on whether a multipolar world could be fairer—and what risks it might bring.

Resources:

Dr Puri’s website: https://twitter.com/thevoicesofwar
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thevoicesofwar
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/the-voices-of-war

116. Bearing Witness in Gaza: MSF, Neutrality, and the Fight for Dignity with Ashley Killeen Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has left hospitals in ruins, humanitarian corridors blocked, and millions of civilians struggling to survive. In this episode of The Voices of War, Maz speaks with Ashley Killeen, Director of Engagement at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Australia & New Zealand, about what it means to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza while upholding neutrality in the face of accusations of genocide and systematic violence.

With MSF doctors and nurses forced to work in decimated hospitals, perform amputations without anaesthetic, and place five babies in a single incubator, Gaza’s collapse is exposing the limits of neutrality in modern conflict. Ashley explains why MSF calls Gaza a “systematic genocide”, the ethical red lines Israel wants humanitarian organisations to cross, and why silence can make humanitarians complicit.

This episode dives deep into the medical ethics of war, the weaponisation of aid, and the toll on humanitarian staff who bear witness in one of the most politically charged conflicts of our time. It asks the hardest question: when does neutrality protect, and when does it kill?

Resources

This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing. – Read the report: https://msf.org.au/sites/default/files/2025-08/msf_gazareport_thisisnotaid.pdf
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Australia – Support their work: https://msf.org.au/donate
The Voices of War Podcast Website – Full episodes and extras: https://thevoicesofwar.com
Newsletter – Join for deeper analysis and updates: https://thevoicesofwar.substack.com

115. The Battle for Reality: AI, Disinformation & Information Warfare with Carl Miller Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Voices of War, I’m joined once again by Carl Miller, investigative researcher and author of The Death of the Gods. This is Carl’s third time on the show, and arguably his most urgent.

We explore:

Why AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a battlefield
How governments and companies manipulate LLMs
Emotional bonds with AI and their strategic risks
Digital addiction, dopamine loops, and persuasive tech
Russia’s asymmetric war on Western democratic trust
Carl’s D-RAIL strategy to disrupt narrative warfare
The WAVES model for digital democracy
The chilling reality of murder-for-hire on the dark web

📍 Guest Bio:
Carl Miller is the co-founder of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at Demos, host of The Kill List podcast, and a leading voice on information integrity and power in the digital age.

🔗 Connect with Carl: NEW REPORT: Russian propaganda may be flooding AI models

Carl’s UnHerd article – Will Chatbots Become Cult Leaders?

Study: AI reduces conspiracy thinking by 20%

Apple in China by Patrick McGee

D-RAIL report – Disinfo.eu

WAVES project at Demos

The Kill List podcast – Wondery

114. Military Ethics in the Age of Impunity: Gaza, Ukraine, and the Soldier’s Dilemma Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

As civilian suffering mounts in Gaza and Ukraine, the moral rules of war appear increasingly irrelevant—and yet, militaries continue to train soldiers in ethics and restraint.

In this powerful and timely conversation, Maz speaks with Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin, former Stockton Chair of Ethics at the U.S. Naval War College, and Dr. David Whetham, Professor of Ethics at King’s College London, to explore the crisis of military ethics in the face of realpolitik, information warfare, and institutional silence.

Together, they explore:

The erosion of Jus in Bello principles: distinction, proportionality, necessity
The limits of moral courage in authoritarian vs democratic militaries
Why disciplined disobedience may be the last refuge of the ethical soldier
The role and politicisation of institutions like the ICC and ICJ
The psychological burden of moral injury and loss of trust in leadership
The tension between values and interests in modern warfare
Why Pauline resigned from her post—and what it tells us about the U.S. military's ethical culture

This is an unflinching look at what it means to serve with honour when the rules no longer seem to apply.

🔗 Related Episodes:

🎧 Ep. 75 – Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin on Obedience and Moral Courage
🎧 Ep. 52 – Dr. David Whetham on Ethics, War Crimes, and Military Judgement

💬 Connect with The Voices of War:

🌐 Website: @thevoicesofwar
🐦 X/Twitter: @Voices_of_War

📚 Guest Bios:

Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin is a philosopher specialising in military ethics, the ethics of war, and the philosophy of obedience. Her most recent work, On Obedience, explores moral agency in military institutions.

Dr. David Whetham leads the Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London and advises armed forces worldwide on professional military conduct and ethical leadership.

🎯 Tags:

military ethics, just war theory, gaza war, ukraine war, war crimes, obedience, disciplined disobedience, moral injury, international law, ICC, ICJ, Israel Hamas, Russia Ukraine, ethical warfare, realpolitik, Pauline Shanks Kaurin, David Whetham, Maz Maslic, The Voices of War

🎧 Categories:

Politics, Philosophy, Military, Society & Culture, News & Current Affairs, Ethics

113. What the Headlines Don’t Show: Inside the Middle East’s Hidden Wars with Nadim Shehadi Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

As the world watches Gaza burn, Iran tremble, and diplomacy stall, what if the real war isn't between nations—but within them?

In this powerful episode, Maz is joined once again by Lebanese economist and seasoned political analyst Nadim Shehadi to explore the often-overlooked internal fractures driving conflict in the Middle East.

🔥 Key Themes

Israel’s impunity — and the global powers that enable it
The breakdown of the rules-based order — from UN paralysis to EU dysfunction
The human cost of war — and who bears responsibility
...and indirectly touches on:
Russia and regional distraction
Global realignment via JCPOA, Iran, and the Gulf
US culture wars shaping foreign policy
Erosion of institutional trust
Diplomacy as performance — and power play

🔗 Subscribe for more: https://thevoicesofwar.com

🎧 Listen on your preferred podcast platform
🔗 Spotify | Apple | Substack | More: https://thevoicesofwar.com

💬 Join the Conversation
📸 Instagram: [@thevoicesofwar](https://www.instagram.com/the_voices_of_war/)
🐦 Twitter/X: [@TheVoicesOfWar](https://x.com/TheVoicesOfWar)
📩 Subscribe: https://thevoicesofwar.substack.com

112. The Voices of War Returns — And I Have Questions Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ The Voices of War is a podcast that cuts through the noise to explore the unseen realities of war, peace, and power.

Hosted by Vedran ‘Maz’ Maslić—former refugee, and intelligence officer—this show brings you unfiltered conversations with those whose lives have been shaped by conflict: survivors, scholars, diplomats, soldiers, and even perpetrators.

In this new season, after a year-long pause, The Voices of War returns with intention.
Each episode will tackle eight core questions that probe the fault lines of our global order—from Gaza to Ukraine, from collapsed trust in institutions to the uncertain future of diplomacy.

💥 Why is Israel allowed to act with impunity?
🛡️ Is Russia truly a threat—or are we being sold a war?
🌍 Is the war in Ukraine part of a global realignment?
📜 Has the “rules-based international order” already died?
🧠 Are culture wars destabilising our democracies?
🏛️ How do we rebuild trust in broken institutions?
🕊️ Can diplomacy survive an age of outrage?
👥 And what does war really do to people?

If you're tired of black-and-white narratives and want to hear real voices from the grey zones of war, you're in the right place.

Also available on Substack: https://thevoicesofwar.substack.com/

111. Lest We Forget: Our Duty Is Not To The People with David McBride Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

David McBride, a retired Major and former legal officer in the Australian Army, discusses his actions of leaking information to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that ultimately led to the exposure of alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. David highlights the political manipulation of the war narrative and emphasises the need for clear rules of engagement. David became disillusioned with the Australian military's handling of war crimes and the seeming politicisation of the war in Afghanistan. He observed a lack of proper investigations into war crimes and a focus on appearances rather than effectiveness. McBride suspected that the Australian government was trying to cover up war crimes to maintain their alliance with the US. David decided to take action and expose the political games played by leaking classified documents to the media. David McBride discusses his career and the challenges he faced when he discovered evidence of mishandling of allegations by Defence and political seniors. He highlights the lack of accountability and poor leadership within the military, and the difficulty he faced in trying to bring attention to these issues. McBride emphasises the need for a fair trial and public support to address the systemic problems within the military. He also shares his thoughts on ANZAC Day and the importance of genuine care for veterans.
Key Takeaways

David McBride, a former legal officer in the Australian Army, leaked information about alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.
He highlights the excessive investigation of special forces soldiers and the political manipulation of the war narrative.
McBride emphasises the need for clear rules of engagement and the importance of holding soldiers accountable for their actions.
He also discusses how the Australian military mishandled war crimes and prioritised appearances over justice.
The government may have tried to cover up war crimes to maintain their alliance with the US.
David McBride took action by leaking classified documents to expose political games. The military leadership needs to be held accountable for potential war crimes and poor leadership.
There is a need for a fair trial and public support to address systemic problems within the military.
ANZAC Day should be a day of genuine care for veterans, not just political window dressing.

Chapters
03:00 Uncovering Alleged War Crimes 12:01 The Power of Narratives 35:46 The Australian Military's Mishandling of War Crimes 01:02:06 David McBride's Whistleblowing and Exposing the Truth 01:12:22 The Problem Starts at the Top 01:21:09 The Need for Accountability and Leadership 01:32:11 The Legal Dilemma

110. 🎙 AI's Impact on Massive Death Toll in Gaza with Meron Rapoport Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Summary The conversation with Meron Rapoport, an Israeli journalist, focuses on the use of AI in Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza. The investigation reveals that an AI machine, called Lavender, was used to create a list of targets, resulting in a high death toll and destruction. The conversation covers the level of involvement in the investigation, the role of military censorship in Israel, the surprise at the article passing censorship, and the lack of awareness about this process globally. The main themes include the technological side of AI in warfare, the use of private homes as targets, the collateral damage caused, and the allocation of munitions based on target importance. The conversation explores the principal themes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, focusing on the trauma experienced by Jewish Israelis, the goals of the Israeli military campaign, the impact on the Gaza population, the lack of reporting in Israel, and the long-term consequences for Israeli society. The conversation also touches on the use of AI technology in warfare and the potential dangers it poses. The main takeaways include the need for a political solution, the fear and insecurity felt by Jewish Israelis, and the importance of understanding the human cost of the conflict. Keywords AI, Israel, Gaza, bombing campaign, investigation, military censorship, surprise, technological side, private homes, collateral damage, munitions, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, trauma, military campaign, Gaza, reporting, AI technology, political solution, fear, insecurity, human cost
Takeaways

AI was used in Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza, resulting in a high death toll and destruction.
The military censorship in Israel requires approval for any information related to the army, leading to self-censorship and limited dialogue.
The use of private homes as targets and the high collateral damage raises ethical concerns.
The allocation of munitions based on target importance shows a pragmatic and systematic approach to warfare. The trauma experienced by Jewish Israelis is a significant aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The goals of the Israeli military campaign include destroying Hamas and making life in Gaza impossible.
There is limited reporting on the conflict in Israel, leading to a lack of awareness of the human and infrastructure costs in Gaza.
The use of AI technology in warfare raises ethical concerns and can lead to large-scale destruction.
A political solution is necessary to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure long-term peace.

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