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 moments

05:32 - Clausewitzian Insights on War and Policy
13:25 - German Perspectives on Post-War Reconciliation
21:20 - Defining War vs. Conflict in Modern Context
35:09 - Challenges of Ending Modern Wars of Choice
46:22 - Rebuilding Societies After Conflict
56:49 - Ukraine and the Complexity of Ceasefires
01:04:01 - National Interests and Utopianism in Global Conflicts

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.

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