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.
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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
Aug 19, 2024 • 48min
The Great Global Rebalancing with Dr Samir Puri
Are we witnessing the decline of Western power and influence? What could this mean for the future of the global order?
In this episode, Dr. Samir Puri—former UK diplomat and Visiting Lecturer in the Department of War Studies—delves into these critical questions and more. We discuss his new book, Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing, and explore the shifting dynamics of a world where Western dominance on the global stage is diminishing.
Jun 26, 2024 • 1h 2min
What is the ‘logic’ of intergroup conflict?
Why do groups enter into conflict when a peaceful resolution could be reached?
Dr Nafees Hamid interviews Dr Hannes Rusch about his work examining the ‘logic’ of intergroup conflict. Dr Rusch talks us through the basic models which explain why groups might choose conflict, and highlights key questions that remain unanswered by the research.
This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.
Jun 20, 2024 • 33min
Understanding conflict trauma and mental health in South Sudan
*This episode was recorded in early March 2024, before the recent escalation of violence in Sudan.
South Sudan may be the youngest country in the world, but it’s already undergone a huge amount of violence – and the ongoing civil war in Sudan looks set to bring further instability.
In this episode, Dr Costanza Torre and Dr Fiona McEwen discuss XCEPT’s research in South Sudan, which aims to understand how experiences of conflict may lead someone to engage in violent, instead of peaceful, behaviour. They discuss the importance of hiring local researchers, the challenges of carrying out research in South Sudan, and how mental health disorders may be understood differently in South Sudan.
This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.
XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.
Jun 12, 2024 • 51min
Building resilience to violent extremism
What makes a person or a community resilient to violent extremism? Are these inherent characteristics or are they something that can be taught?
‘Resilience’ has become a buzzword in the field of countering violent extremism (CVE), but how useful is it? In this episode, Federica Calissano interviews Dr Nafees Hamid about the benefits and drawbacks of CVE initiatives which focus on building resilience to violent extremism.
Read Federica’s blog post: What do we mean when we talk about ‘resilience’ to violent extremism?
This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.
Jun 6, 2024 • 1h 3min
How greening initiatives can help promote peace
After two decades of violent conflict in the city of Mosul, Iraq, Dr Omar Mohammed, founder of the Mosul Eye organisation, started a tree-planting initiative to help bring communities together. In the United States, Dr Marc Zimmerman examined how greening and improvement initiatives reduced crime in cities that had suffered economic decline.
In this episode, Dr Omar Mohammed and Dr Marc Zimmerman, interviewed by Dr Nafees Hamid, discuss the role of greening initiatives in these two different contexts, exploring how they can promote peace, build trust between communities and authorities, and help to increase resilience against violent crime and extremism.
This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace.
Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.
May 31, 2024 • 30min
Nuclear security and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with Dr Ross Peel
How has the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant impacted nuclear security and safety?
In this podcast episode we explore nuclear security and safety and the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with Dr Ross Peel, a Research Fellow in the Department of War Studies and the Centre for Science & Security Studies.
May 2, 2024 • 46min
Wargaming: Playing out uncertainty with Dr David Banks
Wargaming has surged in popularity in recent years, drawing substantial financial backing from militaries, governments and the private sector alike. But what are wargames and how are they being used within the defence industry to navigate present and future conflicts?
In this episode, Dr David Banks, Lecturer in Wargaming and co-director of King's Wargaming Network at King’s College London, guides us through the complex world of wargaming and its different applications. He talks us through some of the wargames he has created and how the method is likely to evolve with emerging technologies.
For more information, follow King’s Wargaming Network on Twitter @kclwargaming.
Mar 15, 2024 • 32min
The experiences of displaced Ukrainian women with Dr Daryna Dvornichenko
“So far, six million Ukrainians are estimated to have left the country to flee Russia's full-scale invasion. And because of military service requirements in Ukraine, most of these refugees are women. In some host countries, such as Italy, Poland and Estonia, the share of women among Ukrainian refugees exceeds 80%”, says Dr Daryna Dvornichenko a Visiting Research Fellow at The Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London and the University of Oxford.
In conversation with Nandana Thipperudraiah, co-leader of Women in War and International Politics (WIWIP) at King’s College London, Daryna shares insights gleaned from over 50 interviews with internally displaced women within Ukraine, shedding light on the challenges they face and the resilience they exhibit in the face of adversity.
Feb 24, 2024 • 44min
What do current conflicts tell us about the world today and our prospects for peace?
**We're bringing you a special episode of the World: we got this podcast**
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, there is also ongoing fighting in Gaza, attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea and subsequent US and UK air strikes. This has prompted some to warn we are moving from a post-war to a pre-war world.
In this latest episode, Dr Marina Miron, a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of War Studies, explores whether we are in a time of increased conflicts, what lies behind the current wars, NATO’s role and what we need to do differently if we want a more peaceful future.
*Note this episode was recorded prior to the appointment of General O. Syrkyi.
Feb 19, 2024 • 27min
Israel and conflict memory in Lebanon
Series: Breaking Cycles of Conflict
As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate, Dr Craig Larkin and Bronte Philips reflect on what this means for the people of Lebanon.
They explore how the escalation of violence is reigniting traumatic memories of conflict with Israel, how past experiences are shaping attitudes in the present, and why the current conflict risks cementing tensions amongst the country’s diverse populations.
*This episode was recorded in January 2024. Information was accurate at the time of recording, but the escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has continued to develop.
This research is being undertaken as part of a project called XCEPT, which is funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. XCEPT aims to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations – and to find solutions that support peace. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.
