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War Studies — Education
War Studies

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.

Latest Episodes:

The untold story of Chinese naval officers in D-Day Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Professor Andrew Lambert FKC, Laughton Professor of Naval History, Geoff Browell, Head of Heritage Collections, and Angus Hui, curator of the D-Day Hong Kong, explore the untold story of 24 Chinese naval officers who trained with the Royal Navy during World War II and took part in the D-Day landings. Angus discusses the fascinating discovery of a personal diary from one of these officers, providing a rare, first-hand account of their training, military operations and experiences. The episode also delves into the broader historical context of China’s naval rebuilding efforts during the war, the officers' contributions and their post-war journeys. This conversation sheds light on an important yet often overlooked chapter of naval history and World War II. You can find more information about the exhibition here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/lost-found-in-hong-kong-the-unsung-chinese-heroes-at-d-day

The Spy and the Devil: The forgotten MI6 agent who changed British intelligence Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Professor Tim Willasey-Wilsey, Visiting Professor at the Department of War Studies, joins Dr Huw Dylan, Reader in Intelligence Studies and International Security, to delve into Tim’s new book, The Spy and the Devil: The Untold Story of the MI6 Agent Who Penetrated Hitler’s Inner Circle. They discuss the remarkable story of Baron William de Ropp—MI6’s key source inside Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Tim shares how de Ropp, a little-known Baltic German aristocrat, became responsible for over 70% of British intelligence reporting on Nazi Germany before World War II. Fluent in four languages and able to move through elite German circles undetected, de Ropp developed close ties with senior Nazis like Alfred Rosenberg—and even secured face time with Adolf Hitler himself. Tim and Huw explore how de Ropp’s intelligence work marked a turning point for MI6, transforming it from a low-level, tactical service into a strategic intelligence agency. They also explore the risks of improvisational espionage, the moral ambiguities of cultivating Nazi contacts, and how the agency learned—often painfully—how to run a new kind of agent.

Our Dear Friends in Moscow: Journalism, fear, and betrayal in the age of Putin Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, investigative journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan—both Visiting Fellows at the Department of War Studies—join Dr Daniela Richterová, Senior Lecturer in Intelligence Studies, to discuss their new book, Our Dear Friends in Moscow: The Inside Story of a Broken Generation. The book reflects on a generation of young Russians who came of age in the hopeful yet turbulent 1990s. In the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse, many embraced the promise of reform and openness. But economic turmoil, war and terrorism soon reshaped the country, as the state moved steadily toward authoritarianism. Blending personal narrative with political analysis, Andrei and Irina explore how a once close-knit group of friends—united by shared ideals—fractured under the pressure of Putin’s rise. Some aligned with the regime; others, like the authors, chose exile. Drawing on two decades of reporting, they examine the rise of Russia’s security state and the moral decisions that shaped their generation.

Imaging Peace: Photographing everyday peace Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr Tiffany Fairey, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of War Studies, and Dr Pamina Firchow, Associate Professor at Brandeis University, join Professor Rachel Kerr, Professor of War and Society at the Department of War Studies, to delve into their groundbreaking research that uses photography and community-defined indicators to rethink peace from the ground up. To coincide with the large-scale Imaging Peace street exhibition on The Strand and drawing on their work in Colombia, they explore how participatory methods like photovoice and Everyday Peace Indicators empower communities to shape their own visions of peace—challenging traditional research models and transforming peacebuilding practices in the process. Websites: Imaging Peace: https://imagingpeace.org/ Everyday Peace Indicators: https://www.everydaypeaceindicators.org/ Peace Photography: A Guide: https://imagingpeace.org/index.php/peace-photography-guide/ Articles: Photography and everyday peacebuilding. Examining the impact of photographing everyday peace in Colombia: https://bit.ly/43XGE4F Images and indicators: mixing participatory methods to build inclusive rigour: https://bit.ly/4kIMs9i

Watching the Jackals: Cold War terror, espionage, and Prague’s secret role May 21, 2025

Show notes

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.

Spying in South Asia: Cold War intelligence and the making of modern India May 16, 2025

Show notes

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.

From rebels to rulers: Who are Syria’s new leaders? Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

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.

How behavioural science can pave the way to peace in Colombia Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

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.

The national and transnational dynamics of Iraq's Islamic Resistance landscape Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

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.

Eyes on the Indo-Pacific: Australia’s defence strategy Jan 26, 2025

Show notes

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.

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