War Studies
Department of War Studies
Welcome to the War Studies podcast. We bring you world-leading research from the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, the largest community of scholars in the world dedicated to the study of all aspects of security, defence and international relations. We aim to explore the complex realm of conflict and uncover the challenges at the heart of navigating world affairs and diplomatic relations, because we believe the study of war is fundamental to understanding the world we live in and the world we want to live in.
If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, please rate and review us on your preferred podcast provider – it really helps us reach more listeners.
The School of Security Studies harnesses the depth and breadth of expertise across War Studies and Defence Studies to produce world-leading research and teaching on issues of global security that develops new empirical knowledge, employs innovative theory, and addresses vital policy issues.
Visit our website: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/security-studies
Sign up to our mailing list: https://kcl.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cc0521a63c9b286223dea9d18&id=730233761d
DISCLAIMER: Any information, statements or opinions contained in these podcasts are those of the individual speakers. They do not represent the opinions of the Department of War Studies or King's College London.
If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, please rate and review us on your preferred podcast provider – it really helps us reach more listeners.
The School of Security Studies harnesses the depth and breadth of expertise across War Studies and Defence Studies to produce world-leading research and teaching on issues of global security that develops new empirical knowledge, employs innovative theory, and addresses vital policy issues.
Visit our website: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/security-studies
Sign up to our mailing list: https://kcl.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cc0521a63c9b286223dea9d18&id=730233761d
DISCLAIMER: Any information, statements or opinions contained in these podcasts are those of the individual speakers. They do not represent the opinions of the Department of War Studies or King's College London.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 20, 2020 • 38min
Cold War spies with Professor Mike Goodman
Cold War Moscow was a place like no other. The eyes and ears of the Soviet secret police, the KGB, were everywhere; the only place that was really safe, one political prisoner would later write, was in your dreams...
Professor Mike Goodman, Head of the Department of War Studies, and expert in the history of intelligence joins us for the first episode in our new series. We discuss who were the individuals who turned traitor against their own country to spy for the other side during the Cold War, what impact they had on stopping the conflict from becoming 'hot' and the gizmos and gadgets they used that wouldn't look out of place in a James Bond film.
Apr 14, 2020 • 29min
Podcast: Perspectives on COVID-19 (part two)
This is the part 2 of a 2 part special podcast series produced by BA IR students Julia Thommessen and Adam Beswick. In these podcasts King's students discuss different perspectives on COVID-19 and share their experiences. And as an Easter bonus: Sally shares her blueberry muffin recipe. Hosted by Adam Beswick, Peter Busch and Sally Horspool.
Apr 11, 2020 • 45min
Podcast: Perspectives on COVID-19 (part one)
This is the part 1 of a 2 part special podcast series produced by BA IR students Julia Thommessen and Adam Beswick. In these podcasts King's students discuss different perspectives on COVID-19 and share their experiences. And as an Easter bonus: Sally shares her blueberry muffin recipe. Hosted by Adam Beswick, Peter Busch and Sally Horspool.
Apr 2, 2020 • 24min
Podcast: India and COVID-19 / student trip to WW2 battlefields
Dr Rudra Chaudhuri, Director of Carnegie India and Senior Lecturer in the department joins us from Delhi and gives his insights on the COVID-19 crisis in India. Find out more on https://carnegieindia.org
And third-year students Kleber and Cassy talk about a student trip to Second World War battlefields in Italy earlier this year. Presented by Adam Beswick, Peter Busch and Sally Horspool.
Mar 30, 2020 • 24min
Podcast: OSINT analysts and algorithms /DWS students at EU Brexit vote/ DWS on Instagram
In this episode of our War Studies 'at home' series we talk to IR student Aanvi who organised a visit to the EU and January (see also her blogpost: https://kingsthinktank.com/2020/02/07/eu-brussels-visit/#more-2951
Dr Matt Moran, co-director of the Department's Centre for Science and Security talks about his research on Open Source Intelligence and Big Data (his article: with C Hobbs and C Eldridge: ‘Fusing algorithms and analysts’: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02684527.2017.1406677
And Adam tells us more about his Instagram story (the department on Instagram: kcl_warstudies). Presented by Adam Beswick, Peter Busch, Sally Horspool
Mar 25, 2020 • 25min
Podcast: student experience / report on 4chan and 'radicalisation'
We have a report on right-wing 'radicalisation' on platforms like 4chan with insights from our colleague Dr Thomas Colley. We also talk to Sanjana Balu, the department's student experience and outreach officer. Adam caught up with two students and asked them about adapting to study from home. Presented by Adam Beswick, Dr Peter Busch and Sally Horspool.
Mar 24, 2020 • 24min
Podcast: War Studies 'at home'
We are talking to staff and students on how they are coping with the coronavirus crisis. Dr Amanda Chisholm also explains how 'virtual writing sprints' work.
Feb 28, 2020 • 21min
Podcast: Free Speech, Religion and the United Nations - Heini i Skorini
In this edition of the War Studies podcast, Heini i Skorini from the University of the Faroe Islands in Denmark discusses the theme of his latest book. He investigates how the struggle to define the limits of free speech with regards to religion unfolds within the United Nations system. The publication gives a broad overview of the political struggle to interpret and define the meaning of human rights and freedom of expression.
Feb 17, 2020 • 35min
Event: Brendan Simms - Hitler: A Global Biography
In this latest event recording, Professor Brendan Simms of the University of Cambridge discusses his new biography of Adolf Hitler, entitled Hitler: A Global Biography. He argues that contrary to past accounts, Hitler was driven by a desire to confront the United States and capitalism more broadly.
Feb 15, 2020 • 12min
Podcast: The debate around realism, reflection on Stephen Walt's Talk
Two BA International Relations student from the Department of War Studies report on a talk given by Professor Stephen Walt. Professor Walt, one of the leading scholars of realism. For the full recording of Professor Walt's presentation visit: https://soundcloud.com/warstudies/event-why-is-it-useful-to-think-like-a-realist?in=warstudies/sets/events


