
Conflict of Interest
Celebrities ask the simple questions about the world’s most complex conflicts, from the First World War to the present day. Who was fighting in Vietnam? What was the Malayan Emergency? Why is Korea divided between North and South?
Guided by an IWM curator, each celebrity is taken on a journey through IWM - discovering the objects, people and stories that shape our understanding of the modern world.
Latest episodes

Jul 7, 2021 • 44min
Northern Ireland, with James Graham
So far, Conflict of Interest has examined wars in far-flung parts of the world like Yemen and Afghanistan. But in our final episode, we'll explore one much closer to home. When did ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland begin, and what was it like to live through them? Who were the IRA, and what happened on Bloody Sunday? And with the Good Friday agreement bringing an end to the conflict, what does Brexit mean for the peace process today? In this episode we were joined by James Graham, playwright and screenwriter behind This House, Quiz and Brexit: The Uncivil War. *credits* © AP Archive. Excerpt from ‘Reverend Ian Paisley | The price of Peace | This Week | 1974 https://youtu.be/wOsde5z0XsM Excerpt from Gerry Adams - Panorama Interview [1982] https://youtu.be/wqsfxs8qHu8

Jun 30, 2021 • 50min
Yemen, with Munya Chawawa
Until recently, Yemen was seen as a remote part of the world that many Westerners knew very little about, perhaps beyond the book-turned-film 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' and a Friends episode where Chandler moves to 15 Yemen Road. But in the last few years, the conflict there has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing starvation. So why did the violence start? Who are the Houthis? What has been the true impact on Yemen’s civilian population? And what is Britain’s role in all of this? In this episode we were joined by comedian, rapper and satirist Munya Chawawa, as well as Yemen expert Iona Craig. Credits © AP Archive. Boris Johnson remarks, 2017. Excerpt from CNN - 'This war has to end': Watch Biden's Yemen announcement - https://edition.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/02/04/joe-biden-foreign-policy-yemen-saudi-arabia-sot-vpx.cnn Audio clips from Iona Craig

Jun 23, 2021 • 41min
Syria, with Carey Mulligan
The Syrian conflict is one of the most complex and catastrophic wars of recent memory. It has left more than 380,000 people dead and over 10 million people displaced, has destroyed entire cities and drawn interventions from multiple countries. But what are the roots of this conflict? Why has it been so chaotic? And is there any hope on the horizon for Syria’s devastated civilian population? In this episode we were joined by Carey Mulligan, award winning actor and star of ‘Promising Young Woman’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ and Waad al-Kateab, Syrian filmmaker and creator of ‘For Sama’. CREDITS: Maysaloon - Pillars Of Creation (Single Performance) | Live at The Imperial War Museum, London, UK (YouTube video clip by Maysaloon) For Sama, Courtesy of Channel 4 / ITN Productions US President Barack Obama in 'red line' warning to Syria over chemical weapons, The Telegraph: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avQKLRGRhPU

Jun 16, 2021 • 39min
Libya, with Inua Ellams
Who was Muammar Gaddafi? What happened in the Arab Spring? What were the reasons behind Britain, France and America intervening in Libya in 2011? And why is there still fighting going on today? In this episode we’ll explain the story behind one of the most consequential (and confusing) conflicts of recent times. In this episode, we were joined by the renowned poet and playwright Inua Ellams, who has written plays including Barber Shop Chronicles and An Evening With An Immigrant. ----------------- CREDITS: Muammar Gaddafi - Zenga Zenga Song - Noy Alooshe Remix (YouTube video clip by Noy Alooshe) Clinton recalls night of Benghazi attack, © Associated Press British Foreign Secretary meets head of Libyan National Army, © Associated Press

Jun 9, 2021 • 51min
Iraq, with Rick Edwards
The Iraq War is one of the most controversial events in recent history. But who really was Saddam Hussein? What was the rationale behind the invasion? What went so badly wrong after 2003? And what are the consequences of the War today? In this episode we were joined by Rick Edwards, TV presenter and former host of T4 and Tool Academy. © AP Archive. © Parliamentary Recording Unit Excerpt from ‘Iraq War Peace Protests (2003) | Footage’ LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffEVrn6Kkpw&t=1547s&ab_channel=JourneymanPictures

Jun 2, 2021 • 48min
Afghanistan, with Jamali Maddix
9/11. Osama Bin Laden. The Taliban. Helmand. IEDs. These are some of the phrases associated with the War in Afghanistan. But why did Britain, America and others intervene there in 2001? Why did troops stay after the intervention? And what has happened in the region since, in what became America’s longest running conflict? In this week's episode we were joined by comedian Jamali Maddix, presenter of Hate Thy Neighbour and guest on Taskmaster. This episode was recorded in November 2020. *credits*© AP Archive. Trump address to press, March 2020 © AP Archive. Blair reacts to US attacks in Afghanistan, October 2001

May 26, 2021 • 50min
The Yugoslav Wars, with Deborah Frances White
In the 1990s, countries like Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia saw some of the worst violence in Europe since the Second World War. So why did war break out in the former Yugoslavia, how did the conflict play out, and how far back does the story go? In this week's episode we were joined by Deborah Frances-White, host of The Guilty Feminist podcast. Please be aware this episode includes descriptions of sexual violence that some listeners may find distressing. If you are affected by any of the issues raised, please vist Women for Women International for more information and advice. https://womenforwomen.org.uk/ ----------------- CREDITS: - Oj Alija Aljo - song by Koridor - The Fall of Žepa (Zenica) - video clip from United Nations Television (UNTV) Zagreb Collection, Yugoslavia (UNT 765 ©United Nations) - Excerpt from the Initial Appearance of Slobodan Milošević on 3 July 2001 - video clip from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5AnfAglPbI&t=31s&ab_channel=InternationalCriminalTribunalfortheformerYugoslavia%28ICTY%29 - Excerpt from ‘Gazimestan, 600th anniversary of the Kosovo polje battle’ LINK: https://archive.org/details/Gazimestan600thAnniversaryOfTheKosovoPoljeBattle

May 10, 2021 • 2min
What is Conflict Of Interest?
A new series from Imperial War Museums - subscribe now on your podcast app of choice.