Why Soldiers Fight: History, Power, and the Ritual of War

In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Tarak Barkawi—an international relations scholar, military historian, and sharp critic of the way we often misunderstand war.

We talk about everything from colonial troops and battlefield ritual to the power of memoirs and the global legacy of regimental tradition. From the jungles of Burma to the camps of Korea, Barkawi explores what really drives soldiers to fight—and why the stories we tell about war often miss the point.

We also get into his groundbreaking book Soldiers of Empire, the myth of the “martial race,” and the deeper, often uncomfortable truths behind military discipline, nationalism, and the afterlives of imperial armies.

Tarak Barkawi’s Work

Soldiers of Empire – https://amzn.to/3Hh7MDO

Orientalism and War – https://amzn.to/4kqGYQ3

Globalization and War – https://amzn.to/3YR281q

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