Facing Coming Storms: Talking International Defence

What’s really shaping America’s foreign policy under Trump, and how does it ripple out to the rest of us? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we are joined with Nikolas Gvosdev, a professor at the US Naval War College sharing his personal insights, as we unpack unpredictable US strategy—from strikes on Iran to mixed signals on Ukraine and alliances. We explore tension between bold actions and restraint, questioning if there’s a coherent Trump doctrine or just competing visions in the administration.

We reflect on the NATO summit’s “America is back” vibe, challenges for allies like Japan amid tariffs and shifting priorities, and planning headaches with flip-flopping US commitments. From nuclear postures to balkanised alliances, it’s a candid look at how these dynamics force everyone to rethink agility and self-reliance in an era of endless escalation.

Key moments

02:08 - Uncertainty in U.S. National Security Decisions

09:58 - Crisis Response and Resource Constraints

16:01 - European Allies’ Role in Ukraine

24:53 - Russian Long-Term Struggle Narrative

33:35 - Potential Tensions in Administration

41:51 - Complexities in European Deterrence

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.

How are drone strikes and precision targeting transforming warfare? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, George Barrows from the Institute for the Study of War and Brian Carter from the American Enterprise Institute analyse Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web, smuggling drones into Russia to disrupt airfields, and Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program. These intelligence-driven operations expose air defence vulnerabilities and reshape global conflicts.

Iran’s proxy strategy crumbles under Israel’s precision, while Ukraine’s bold moves challenge Russian dominance. We examine how high-tech warfare, limited munitions, and interconnected flashpoints redefine battle lines, providing a stark view of war’s evolving nature.

Key moments

09:39 - Probing Air Defences Globally

19:42 - Strategic Impact of Spiderweb Operation

25:00 - AI-Driven Targeting Capabilities

36:03 - Targeting Key Personnel in Conflicts

37:29 - Defining Modern Warfare

39:31 - Russia’s Potential for Limited Wars

41:22 - Vulnerability to Stealth Strikes

43:12 - Chinese Concerns Over Penetration

43:29 - NATO’s Air Power Limitations

45:56 - Munitions and Sustainability Issues

53:12 - Drone Threats to Defences

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.

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 moments

02:27 - 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 Learn

• AI’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 Moments

06:08 - Historical Insights via AI

10:10 - AI-Driven Targeting in Conflict

15:28 - Military Culture and AI Integration

19:34 - Engaging Future Military Leaders

24:54 - Crafting Effective AI Queries

27:27 - AI as a Thinking Tool

30:17 - Navigating Rapid Technological Shifts

34:35 - AI’s Opportunities and Limits

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.

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 Learn

• China’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 moments

04:18 - Escalating Chinese Pressure on Taiwan

15:25 - Taiwan’s Asymmetric Military Strategy

20:14 - U.S. Military Presence in Taiwan

29:16 - China’s Blockade Drills and Scenarios

42:34 - U.S. Preparations for a Taiwan Conflict

51:29 - Hong Kong’s Impact on Taiwanese Sentiment

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.

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 moments

• 02:56 - Surge in Aerospace Innovation
• 06:34 - Drone Proliferation and Countermeasures
• 12:01 - Electronic Warfare and Fiber Optics
• 15:14 - Role of Next-Gen Combat Aircraft
• 19:19 - Impact of Space Systems on Warfare
• 23:01 - Airspace Management Complexities
• 26:20 - Recruitment and Retention Issues
• 30:40 - AI-Driven Targeting Revolution
• 34:33 - Performative Strikes and Escalation Risks
• 38:14 - Space Vulnerabilities and Connectivity
• 40:27 - Adapting to Rapid Technological Change

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.

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 moments

• 03:32 - Evolution of the Global South's Role
• 11:50 - Emerging Powers and Autonomous Strategies
• 23:33 - Southeast Asia's Multi-Alignment Approach
• 33:06 - Russia's Asian Pivot and Sanctions
• 35:49 - Engaging the Global South Militarily
• 43:23 - India's Strategic Multi-Alignment
• 50:33 - Optimism Amid a Multipolar Transition

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.

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 moments

• 07:25 - Balancing Military Will and Resource Constraints
• 13:21 - Lessons from Prolonged Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza
• 17:50 - Evolving Norms of Nuclear Powers in Conflict
• 21:46 - Societal Tolerance for Casualties in Modern Warfare
• 30:36 - Global Economic Impacts on Conflict Dynamics
• 35:12 - De-escalation Strategies in a Multipolar World
• 43:12 - Cultural Influences on Military Preparedness

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.

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 moments

• 3:54 - The Rise of AI in Military Operations
• 7:23 - Integration Challenges in Modern Warfare
• 9:51 - Balancing Tradition and Technology
• 18:46 - Navigating Organisational Tensions
• 27:35 - The Complexity of International Alliances
• 45:08 - Preparing for Uncertain Futures
• 56:13 - Reflections on Military Evolution

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.

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 moments

• 1:54 - US Global Threats Perspective
• 14:09 - Shifts in Global Alliances
• 22:35 - Taiwan's Risk Assessment
• 31:33 - Technology's Impact on Warfare
• 40:29 - The Future of NATO

Subscribe 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.