Facing Coming Storms: Talking International Defence

In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we explore how the British Army is preparing for growing global threats. I’m joined by Nicholas Drummond, a former Army officer and KNDS defence consultant, straight from the Royal United Services Institute’s Land Warfare Conference. We discuss the Army’s bold plans to double its lethality by 2027 and align with NATO’s focus on countering Russia in Eastern Europe. Key conference themes include fighting smarter, boosting readiness, and strengthening resilience, despite a Strategic Defence Review that sets big goals but delays funding until 2027.We address the Army’s shrinking size, recruitment challenges, and the need for a stronger reserve force. Comparing Britain to Poland’s rocket buildup and Estonia’s bold defence strategies, we look at its role in a divided European defence landscape, with the US urging a focus on Europe over Asia. With honest talk on leadership, technology, and avoiding complacency, this episode reveals the Army’s efforts to adapt to an uncertain future.Key moments02:27 - Themes from RUSI Land Warfare Conference  08:08 - British Army’s Two-Division Strategy  10:09 - NATO’s Third Age and European Focus  24:08 - U.S. Military’s Social Contract  30:10 - Equipment Modernization Needs  37:33 - Cultural Shifts in Military Leadership  39:40 - Importance of NCO Education  47:41 - Autonomous Ground Vehicles  50:34 - Russia’s Internal Dynamics  51:19 - Leadership Longevity Concerns  52:33 - Risks in Eastern Europe  Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare, and in this episode, we explore its profound implications with Michael Nyberg, a professor at the US Army War College, and Tom Crosby, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College. Tom’s sociological view questions if AI could lead to a “post-human” war, eroding human limits and strengths, while Michael, a historian, sees AI distilling vast archives into actionable insights for leaders. Their insights, shaped by teaching future commanders, spark reflection on AI’s dual nature—amplifying or destabilising conflict.What You’ll LearnAI’s Risks: How non-human actors could redefine war’s escalation.Historical Insight: Using AI to query past conflicts for today’s strategies.Cultural Dynamics: Balancing warrior ethos with modern values in AI’s shadow.Officer Training: Preparing leaders for AI’s opportunities and limits.Both speakers contributed chapters on this topic to CHACR's latest book: Storm Proofing: Preparing Armies for Future War.Key Moments06:08 - Historical Insights via AI10:10 - AI-Driven Targeting in Conflict15:28 - Military Culture and AI Integration19:34 - Engaging Future Military Leaders24:54 - Crafting Effective AI Queries27:27 - AI as a Thinking Tool30:17 - Navigating Rapid Technological Shifts34:35 - AI’s Opportunities and LimitsFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Matthew Sperzel and Daniel Shats from the Institute for the Study of War join us to explore rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. We discuss China’s growing military and diplomatic pressure—daily aerial incursions, coast guard patrols near Taiwan’s islands—and debate if Xi Jinping’s 2027 deadline signals action or posturing.What You’ll LearnChina’s Coercion: How daily military moves pressure Taiwan.  Taiwan’s Defence: Asymmetric strategies against a giant.  US Ambiguity: The delicate balance of deterrence.  Global Stakes: Taiwan’s role in a wider geopolitical storm.Matthew and Daniel’s insights reveal Taiwan as a crucible for our turbulent times.Key moments04:18 - Escalating Chinese Pressure on Taiwan15:25 - Taiwan’s Asymmetric Military Strategy20:14 - U.S. Military Presence in Taiwan29:16 - China’s Blockade Drills and Scenarios42:34 - U.S. Preparations for a Taiwan Conflict51:29 - Hong Kong’s Impact on Taiwanese SentimentFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

The sky is the new battleground for global powers. In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, aerospace expert Douglas Barry from the International Institute for Strategic Studies joins us to unpack the rapid evolution of military aviation and space. From Ukraine’s drone tactics to China’s space defences and the U.S.’s next-generation fighters, we explore how drones, lasers, and sixth-generation aircraft are reshaping warfare.We dive into escalating costs, the race for air superiority, and the electromagnetic battlefield redefining missions. From fibre-optic drones to space militarization, we examine the toll on soldiers and commanders, plus the human cost.Key moments02:56 - Surge in Aerospace Innovation06:34 - Drone Proliferation and Countermeasures12:01 - Electronic Warfare and Fiber Optics15:14 - Role of Next-Gen Combat Aircraft19:19 - Impact of Space Systems on Warfare23:01 - Airspace Management Complexities26:20 - Recruitment and Retention Issues30:40 - AI-Driven Targeting Revolution34:33 - Performative Strikes and Escalation Risks38:14 - Space Vulnerabilities and Connectivity40:27 - Adapting to Rapid Technological ChangeFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

Is the West ready for a multipolar storm? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Samir Puri, former British diplomat and Chatham House director, joins us to dissect the West’s fading unipolar dominance as the Global South asserts its weight. We shred the 1990s fantasy of universal democracy and capitalism, now eclipsed by India’s strategic tightrope and South Africa’s bold Hague plays. From our election-monitoring days in Ukraine and Kenya, we trace the collapse of the West’s “history’s victor” myth.Puri argues that navigating this fragmented world demands cultural fluency as much as strategic muscle—vital for military, policy, and business leaders alike. With Ukraine’s war, China’s economic sway, and the UAE’s multi-alignment reshaping power, we explore how to thrive in a chaotic, multipolar future.Key moments03:32 - Evolution of the Global South's Role11:50 - Emerging Powers and Autonomous Strategies23:33 - Southeast Asia's Multi-Alignment Approach33:06 - Russia's Asian Pivot and Sanctions35:49 - Engaging the Global South Militarily43:23 - India's Strategic Multi-Alignment50:33 - Optimism Amid a Multipolar TransitionFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

Are we heading toward endless wars or can we pull back? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Nikolas Gvosdev joins us to dissect 2025’s conflicts—from Ukraine and Gaza to Houthi attacks and India-Pakistan tensions. We explore “performative strikes” risking escalation and depleted arsenals, like US Tomahawks and Europe’s scarce shells.Gvosdev reveals how drones sinking ships expose Western military gaps, unprepared for long wars. We probe nuclear powers clashing indirectly and societies’ readiness for mass casualties. From White House de-escalation to tariff-hit economies, this episode unpacks a world teetering between posturing and disaster—a must for grasping today’s unstable global order.Key moments07:25 - Balancing Military Will and Resource Constraints13:21 - Lessons from Prolonged Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza17:50 - Evolving Norms of Nuclear Powers in Conflict21:46 - Societal Tolerance for Casualties in Modern Warfare30:36 - Global Economic Impacts on Conflict Dynamics35:12 - De-escalation Strategies in a Multipolar World43:12 - Cultural Influences on Military PreparednessFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

How do armies adapt as tech surges and geopolitics destabilise? Leo Blanken from the US Naval Postgraduate School and JP Clark from the US Army War College, contributors to Storm Proofing: Preparing Armies for a Future War from CHACR, out this week, share insights. With the world less safe, this book unites fifteen UK, US, and European experts to prepare for an unpredictable storm. Storm Proofing probes how armies approach war, how soldiers think, and how these human elements mesh with AI and tech.Drawing from Storm Proofing, we explore the 2020s, where AI, drones, and edge computing reshape warfare—from Ukraine’s drone units to US Navy’s Gulf patrols. Leo unpacks the human side of autonomous systems; JP examines organizing soldiers for all-domain operations, blending instincts with tech. This episode tackles 21st-century conflict.Key moments3:54 - The Rise of AI in Military Operations7:23 - Integration Challenges in Modern Warfare9:51 - Balancing Tradition and Technology18:46 - Navigating Organisational Tensions27:35 - The Complexity of International Alliances45:08 - Preparing for Uncertain Futures56:13 - Reflections on Military EvolutionFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What’s the world look like through a global defence lens today? On this special episode of Facing Coming Storms, we team up with Anna-Joy Rickard, host of The Great British Foreign Affairs Podcast. Peter takes the hot seat, quizzed by Anna-Joy on massive global shifts—Washington’s focus on China, Europe’s worry about Russia, and the UK stuck between big dreams and European realities. Recorded just after Trump’s first 100 days, we explore bold US moves in the Middle East, Taiwan’s growing tensions, and how trade wars, tech, and alliances are changing everything.Anna-Joy asks tough questions about NATO’s strength, rising isolationism, and the future of tech in warfare. Can Europe step up as the US looks to Asia? Is Taiwan’s 2027 deadline trouble? What’s J.D. Vance’s role in all this? It’s a clear, honest look at a world in turmoil —great for anyone wanting to understand what’s driving us toward calm or chaos.Key moments1:54 - US Global Threats Perspective14:09 - Shifts in Global Alliances22:35 - Taiwan's Risk Assessment31:33 - Technology's Impact on Warfare40:29 - The Future of NATOSubscribe to Peter's regular column for Reuters.Subscribe to Anna-Joy's 'Wonderful World, Wonderful Life' newsletter.Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

As we approach the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with conflicts like Ukraine still raging, we’re diving into the complex question of how wars truly end. Joined by Major General Andrew Sharpe, director of CHACR, the British Army’s think tank; Matthias Strohn, leading CHACR's historical analysis; and Andrew Stewart, CHACR’s conflict analysis expert, we unpack the messy paths to peace.From Germany’s stark post-World War II reset, where deterrence became key, to the blurred outcomes of Iraq and Afghanistan, we explore why victory often feels like a mirage. Ukraine’s war, rooted in centuries-old tensions, reminds us that some conflicts don’t resolve—they merely pause. In this episode, our discussion challenges us to rethink what peace means when history keeps resurfacing, demanding we confront the past’s enduring grip.Key moments05:32 - Clausewitzian Insights on War and Policy13:25 - German Perspectives on Post-War Reconciliation21:20 - Defining War vs. Conflict in Modern Context35:09 - Challenges of Ending Modern Wars of Choice46:22 - Rebuilding Societies After Conflict56:49 - Ukraine and the Complexity of Ceasefires01:04:01 - National Interests and Utopianism in Global ConflictsFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

Curious about the world of government, military, and global decisions, where power weighs a ton yet slips away? In this Facing Coming Storms episode, we’re joined by Ari Ratner, ex-Obama State Department insider turned D.C. sceptic; Liisa Past, Estonia’s former cybersecurity chief and NATO pro; and Brigadier Robbie Boyd, retired British officer with NATO and UN battle scars.We uncover the gritty truth of crisis leadership—creaking systems, gut-wrenching calls, and the razor’s edge of slashing red tape without sparking chaos. From D.C. to Tallinn to Brussels, it’s a no-filter take on uncertainty, rigid institutions, and humility as our last stand. Key moments10:51 - Military Perspectives on Governance15:20 - The Balance of Military and Civilian Roles22:27 - Navigating Bureaucracy in Government40:40 - Power Dynamics and Insecurity in Washington45:03 - Understanding Context in Global Governance53:41 - Hope and Challenges in Military ReformFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.