Hew Strachan

Professor Sir Hew Strachan, noted First World War historian and government defence adviser. He explores how Britain had partial plans and nascent institutions before 1914. Short steps in naval readiness, industrial mobilization and cross-government coordination mattered. He traces how those early measures influenced later mobilization and what that means for modern readiness.

Hew Strachan, Bishop Wardlaw Professor at the University of St. Andrews, digs into the enduring impact of Carl von Clausewitz on military strategy. He discusses the distinctions between limited and total war, emphasizing the emotional and political contexts that shaped Clausewitz's insights. The conversation explores the American embrace of Clausewitz and how his theories continue to influence modern conflicts, especially in light of the situation in Ukraine. Strachan also contrasts Clausewitz's ideas with those of Jomini, highlighting the complexities of military decision-making.