In this engaging discussion, Jill Kastner, an independent scholar and historian based in London, delves into the resurgence of historical power plays in international politics. She reveals how subversion, a strategy employed since ancient times, remains relevant in today's geopolitical struggles. Kastner highlights the delicate balance between diplomacy and conflict, using examples from Thucydides to modern tensions over Ukraine and Taiwan. She argues that subversive tactics emerge when war seems too costly, reminding us that history often repeats itself in intriguing ways.