Peter H. Wilson, Chichele Professor of the History of War at All Souls, Oxford, and author of Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500, joins the show to talk about Germany, Germans, and German-speakers at war. ▪️ Times • 01:52 Introduction • 03:07 A dominance myth? • 06:58 The Holy Roman Empire • 10:33 HRE longevity • 12:38 The Thirty Years War • 15:31 Westphalia • 21:24 Prussia rising • 24:09 Prussia and Austria • 27:56 Napoleon • 31:43 The Imperial legacy •...
Apr 11, 2023•42 min
Stephen J. Hadley, National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush and lead editor of Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama, joins the show to talk about the lasting effects of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and the Bush administration’s dealings with Russia and China. ▪️ Times • 01:38 Introduction • 02:03 Transitions • 06:41 Russia and China then and now • 08:45 Democratic values and our interests • 15:20 Democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan • 19:39 Missin...
Apr 04, 2023•52 min
Michael E. O’Hanlon, senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution and author of Military History for the Modern Strategist: America’s Major Wars Since 1861, joins the show to talk about how the patterns of military history can shed light on today’s concerns. ▪️ Times • 01:16 Introduction • 01:50 Military history for the modern strategist • 05:16 Is military history relevant? • 09:05 Lessons from the Civil War • 22:47 Could the South have succeeded? • 27:4...
Mar 28, 2023•48 min
John Hosler, Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and author of Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace, joins the show to talk about the wars, and the peace, of medieval Jerusalem. ▪️ Times • 01:26 Introduction • 01:46 Why care about medieval military history? • 07:22 What is it about Jerusalem? • 12:45 Continuities • 16:19 The Byzantines and the Jews • 23:54 The Arabs arrive • 29:42 An “evidentiary problem” • 33:59 Three hundred years of pe...
Mar 21, 2023•52 min
Dan Blumenthal and Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute join the show to talk about the three strategies that China can use to seize control of Taiwan. ▪️ Times • 01:40 China’s three approaches on Taiwan • 02:09 Persuasion • 07:35 Complimentary campaigns • 10:34 Dominance of discourse power • 14:40 Talk, talk, fight, fight • 18:45 Coercion • 26:51 Speaker Pelosi's trip to Taiwan • 30:02 Compellence • 35:24 CSIS war game conclusions • 42:33 Fighting for themselves • 46:48 Ukraine or Ta...
Mar 14, 2023•55 min
Steve Kemper, author most recently of Our Man in Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor, joins the show to talk about the political chaos in Tokyo in the years leading up to WWII and the man that tried to keep the peace, U.S. AmbassadorJoseph C. Grew. ▪️ Times • 01:18 Introduction • 01:50 Who was Joseph C. Grew? • 04:36 Japanese politics in the ’30s • 07:30 Imperial Army vs Imperial Navy • 11:00 First impressions • 17:31 Insurrection • 22:12 Drifting towards war • 26:08 ...
Feb 28, 2023•47 min
Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and author of Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, joins the show to talk about American foreign policy and his service in the Trump administration. Watch this video on YouTube. ▪️ Times • 01:13 Introduction • 02:12 Chinese surveillance balloons • 05:01 Chinese espionage “inside the gates” • 07:19 Meeting Xi Jinping • 10:25 “Mushy Middle” diplomacy • 15:58 Republicans and Russia • 20:18 Americ...
Feb 21, 2023•36 min
Sonny Bunch, contributing columnist at the Washington Post and culture editor for The Bulwark, where he hosts The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood newsletter and podcast and Across the Movie Aisle, joins the show to talk about the best American war movies. ▪️ Times • 01:35 Introduction • 02:16 What is a war movie? • 07:55 The Revolutionary War - The Patriot/John Adams • 13:15 The Civil War - Glory/Gettysburg • 16:56 World War I - Paths of Glory/Lawerence of Arabia (Hon. mention: Sgt. York) • 26:30 Worl...
Feb 14, 2023•56 min
Marc Hyden, Director of State Government Affairs at R Street and author of Gaius Marius: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Saviour, joins the show to discuss the life of one of the Roman Republic’s most innovative and controversial generals: Gaius Marius. ▪️ Times • 01:33 Introduction • 01:46 An interest in Rome • 04:06 Growing pains • 06:36 The man born in Arpinum • 09:46 Serving in the legions • 11:37 Jugurtha • 13:25 Roman politics • 20:31 Marius in Numidia • 28:51 Sulla and political reform • 37:0...
Feb 07, 2023•1 hr 3 min
James Lacey, the Major General Matthew C. Horner Chair of War Studies at Marine Corps University and author of Rome: Strategy of Empire, joins the show to discuss the grand strategy of the Roman Empire. ▪️ Times • 01:33 Introduction • 01:59 A lover of history • 05:12 The “Plato to NATO” historian • 08:40 Edward Luttwak • 13:20 The Romans “obviously had a strategy” • 21:02 Speaking from historical silence • 26:27 The Republic vs the Empire • 32:50 Cost benefit analysis in Rome • 35:57 Three momen...
Jan 31, 2023•52 min
Philip Taubman, lecturer at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation and author of In The Nation's Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz, joins the show to discuss the legacy of American statesmen George P. Shultz. ▪️ Times • 01:52 Introduction • 02:14 First encounters with Schultz • 06:44 An old-fashioned patriot • 10:10 Secretary of State • 15:38 Different approaches to defeating Communism • 20:00 Two sides to Reagan • 26:44 Hawks • 31:05 Schultz, Clark...
Jan 24, 2023•45 min
Congressman Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin’s 8th district and chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, joins the show to discuss his time as a Marine in Iraq, the dangers posed by the CCP, from Tik-Tok to maritime threats, and the crisis confronting our military’s culture. ▪️ Times • 01:26 Introduction • 02:11 The China Committee • 08:56 What’s the problem with Tik-Tok? • 13:12 A reverse Opium War •...
Jan 17, 2023•52 min
Ronald H. Spector, Professor Emeritus of History at George Washington University and author of A Continent Erupts: Decolonization, Civil War, and Massacre in Postwar Asia, 1945-1955, joins the show to discuss the fall of Japan, the spread of Communism, and the role of the United States in postwar Asia. ▪️ Times • 01:34 Introduction • 05:57 No clear plan • 08:30 The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere • 10:51 The Indian National Army • 12:12 Marines in North China • 15:49 Levels of violence • ...
Jan 10, 2023•36 min
Myke Cole, author of The Bronze Lie: Shattering the Myth of Spartan Warrior Supremacy, joins the show to discuss what most people get wrong about Sparta, arguing that Spartan warriors were neither more deadly, nor more successful in war, than other Greeks of their day. ▪️ Times • 01:09 Introduction • 05:13 “Not especially tough” • 09:17 Getting it right, not being right • 10:48 What is the “Bronze Lie”? • 16:57 Captured by politics • 23:23 Who were the Spartans? • 30:11 Spartan slavery • 34:09 T...
Jan 03, 2023•53 min
Jonathan Kirshner, Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Boston College and author of An Unwritten Future: Realism, Uncertainty, and World Politics , joins the show to discuss realism and realists. ▪️ Times • 01:40 Introduction • 02:25 What is Realism? • 07:10 The birth of modern Realism • 11:59 To be “scientific” and “predictive” • 15:10 Not a rejection of social sciences • 19:30 “Purpose matters” • 23:40 Liberalism • 28:04 The Twenty Years Crisis • 36:00 Ideology matters ...
Dec 20, 2022•1 hr 4 min
David M. Pritchard, Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Queensland and author of Athenian Democracy at War , joins the show to discuss how and why ancient Athens fought its wars. ▪️ Times • 01:41 Introduction • 02:3 Martial culture in Athens • 05:08 Democracy and victory • 11:42 Innovation and participation • 15:38 Joining up in ancient Athens • 19:10 Broad support for war • 24:43 Military morality • 30:49 Control of the battlefield is victory • 38:28 Democracy and war toda...
Dec 13, 2022•44 min
Dr. Michael Livingston , Professor at The Citadel and author of Crécy: Battle of Five Kings , joins the show to discuss the Hundred Years War, medieval warfare, and the English victory at the battle of Crécy. ▪️ Times • 01:53 Introduction • 02:33 Why Crécy • 05:53 The Hundred Years War • 10:29 The French-Scottish connection • 14:08 Why invade France at all? • 20:51 Strengths/Weaknesses • 26:00 Medieval command and control • 34:01 Crécy the legend • 38:24 French losses • 39:17 Crécy the reality •...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History and Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and author of Kutuzov: A Life in War and Peace , joins the show to discuss the Russian general Kutuzov, the hero of 1812. ▪️ Times • 00:53 Introduction • 01:31 18th century Russia • 04:00 A young officer • 08:57 Modernization • 12:11 Catherine’s wars • 14:30 International relations • 17:00 Shot in the head - twice • 22:11 Promotions • 29:18 Tolstoy’s take on Kutuzov • 32:32...
Nov 29, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London and author of Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine, joins the show to discuss how politics and military command are inextricably linked. ▪️ Times • 01:08 Introduction • 02:01 Command • 05:44 Politics and generalship • 08:00 MacArthur myths • 11:59 Educating future commanders • 15:50 France’s end of empire • 22:57 Democratic drawbacks • 27:51 Putin’s position • 33:49 Ukraine endgame • 3...
Nov 22, 2022•43 min
William Inboden, executive director and William Powers, Jr. Chair at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas at Austin and author of The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink, joins the show to discuss Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy. ▪️ Times • 01:32 Introduction • 02:09 Inheriting détente • 06:13 The Soviet understanding • 09:56 Deterring strength, exploiting weakness • 13:42 Religious Reagan • 17:32 Bush as teammate • 20:54 Win without...
Nov 15, 2022•56 min
Ian Beckett, professor emeritus of military history at the University of Kent and author of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, joins the show to talk about the two most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War. ▪️ Times • 01:58 Introduction • 02:22 British interests in Zululand • 06:52 The Zulu system • 09:55 The British plan • 13:12 The horns of the buffalo • 16:49 Isandlwana • 26:44 Innate warriors • 29:14 Aftermath • 33:18 Movies and myths • 42:11 Rorke’s Drift • 48:38 Firepower wins out • 53:56 A wes...
Nov 08, 2022•55 min
Tom Cotton, senator from Arkansas and author of Only the Strong: Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power, joins the show to talk about U.S. foreign policy. ▪️ Times • 01:03 Introduction • 03:43 Formative Interests • 06:47 Bill Rood And The Distant Ramparts • 11:13 Joining The Infantry • 13:30 Iraq & Afghanistan • 18:39 Congress • 21:19 Foreign Entanglements • 25:54 Progressivism • 32:06 Vietnam • 38:52 Iran • 44:26 Withdrawal • 47:15 American Interests And The Rimland...
Nov 01, 2022•53 min
James M. Scott, author of Black Snow: Curtis LeMay, the Firebombing of Tokyo and the Road to the Atomic Bomb , joins the show to talk about the World War II career of one of the most important and controversial American generals of the 20th Century, Curtis LeMay, and his leadership of the strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific. ▪️ Times • 02:00 Introduction • 03:02 Teaching In Japan • 06:27 Lemay, Tireless Worker • 09:47 Bomber Vs Fighter • 11:43 Europe, B-17, and B-29 • 19:54 Hansel & O’...
Oct 25, 2022•55 min
Randall Schriver, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific affairs and Chairman of the Project 2049 Institute, joins the show to talk about U.S.-China relations and a new project, the China Economic & Strategy Initiative. Times • 02:10 Introduction • 03:36 “Take Chinese Language” • 11:21 Why 2049? • 13:40 China In The ’90s • 18:13 Power Projection and Missiles • 28:10 The Diplomatic Situation • 35:00 Economic Entanglement • 42:44 Decoupling • 47:32 Urgency And Policy • 52:00 De...
Oct 18, 2022•55 min
Ep 44: Jay Lockenour on Erich Ludendorff ▪️ Jay Lockenour, associate professor of history at Temple University and author of Dragonslayer: The Legend of Erich Ludendorff in the Weimar Republic and Third Reic h, joins the show to talk about the life of the infamous German general and politician. ▪️ Times • 01:30 Introduction • 02:00 Ludendorff’s Significance • 03:08 Ludendorff’s Early Life • 05:02 Not Quite A Matinee Idol • 07:13 The German General Staff • 11:43 A General Without Portfolio • 17:5...
Oct 11, 2022•42 min
Eli Lake, host of The Re-Education and national security journalism fellow at the Clements Center, joins the show to talk about 9/11 and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. ▪️ Times • 02:04 Introduction • 02:43 From Philly To The Middle East • 05:14 9/11 • 07:49 The World Before • 09:20 No More Nation Building • 12:03 Neo-Cons Or Not • 18:09 Liberal Internationalists • 22:05 Early Mistakes • 29:08 Baking In Problems • 32:46 The Bonn Conference • 37:04 Capable Of Being Free • 41:04 Toppling Sa...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Ian Easton, senior director at the Project 2049 Institute and author of The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy, joins the show to talk about Xi Jinping, the ideology that shaped Jinping and by which he rules, and why his vision for the world should not be dismissed. ▪️ Times • 01:56 Introduction • 02:22 Interested In China • 05:01 Discovering Taiwan • 10:32 Perceptions Of The PRC • 13:11 How The Chinese Government Works • 17:47 Who Is Xi Jinping? • 23:42 The Tactics Of Ideology And C...
Sep 06, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Hal Brands, Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and Michael Beckley, associate professor of political science at Tufts University, join the show to talk about how an armed confrontation with China could be coming more quickly than most expect. ▪️ Times • 01:30 Introduction • 02:28 Danger Zone • 05:13 A Matter Of Timing • 07:55 A Thucydides Trap? • 13:07 Historical Analogies and 1914 • 20:32 Getting To The Long Game • 25:37 Sleepwalking Into War? • 31:10 China’s P...
Aug 30, 2022•56 min
Michael S. Neiberg , Chair of War Studies in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College , joins the show to talk American policy towards Vichy France . ▪️ Times • 01:21 Introduction • 02:15 Vichy France - An Overview • 06:38 A Phony War • 09:16 American Assumptions Pre-war • 13:09 Isolationism No Longer Works • 24:30 Roosevelt’s Policy • 28:45 Stress In The Anglo-American Alliance • 33:03 American Vision Of A Post-War World • 36:00 Vichy Unveiled • 39:01 Chaos ...
Aug 09, 2022•56 min
Ocie Vest, retired Marine infantry officer, joins the show to talk about his experiences as a platoon commander in the Battle of Marjah and later as a combat leader in Nimruz Province, lessons learned in training and in combat, and how the war can continue after the fighting ends. Second of a two-part conversation. ▪️ Times • 01:27 Violent Months • 06:15 “Do Whatever Those Guys Do” • 09:42 Tactical Adaptation • 13:32 A Fighting Exit • 18:03 “That Sucked…Why’d We Want To Do That So Bad?” • 21:29 ...
Aug 02, 2022•47 min
