In December 2024, the Assad regime in Syria was overthrown. Today, Ahmed al-Sharaa is acting as the interim president of Syria, at the head of a new transitional government.

What will the future look like for Syria under its new leader? Will the coalition of rebel factions be able to work together to build a stable future for Syrians?

Dr Nafees Hamid, Dr Rahaf Aldoughli, Nils Mallock and Broderick McDonald discuss their research surveying and interviewing Syrian rebel fighters both before and after the fall of Assad, sharing insights into the motivations and values of Syria’s new rulers.

*This episode was recorded before the announcement of the new government. Follow ICSR_Centre on X to stay up to date with this 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.

In 2016, the Colombian government signed a historic peace agreement with guerilla group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, also known as FARC. The agreement brought an end to 52 years of war, but today, eight years after the agreement was ratified, Colombia is still not at peace.

In this episode, Dr Nafees Hamid and Dr Andrés Casas discuss the motivations of guerilla group members in Colombia, public attitudes towards the 2016 peace agreement, and how behavioural science can facilitate peacebuilding efforts.

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.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) is considered a key player in Iran’s Axis of Resistance, and its connection to the state security forces in Iraq has raised concerns about its access to power and position. But the IRI isn’t a cohesive organisation; it’s made up of armed factions which have their own agendas and domestic interests to pursue, and not all of these align with Iran’s.

In this episode, Dr Craig Larkin, Dr Inna Rudolf, and Dr Renad Mansour discuss the domestic and transnational interests of Iraq's Islamic resistance factions and explore the extent to which the IRI can really be considered an Iranian ‘proxy’.

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.

What does the future of Australia's defence strategy look like in the face of rising geopolitical tensions? How are shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic influencing Australia’s approach to security? What role do partnerships like AUKUS play in shaping Australia’s military readiness for both the present and future?

In this episode, Admiral David Johnston AC RAN, the Australian Chief of the Defence Force, joins Professor Alessio Patalano to discuss these pressing issues. They explore the shrinking strategic warning time, the growing convergence of powers like China, Russia, and North Korea, and how Australia’s geographic position shapes its approach to defence. Admiral Johnston also reflects on the important role of universities in shaping international security.

This episode of the King’s War Studies Podcast is in collaboration with Security & Defence PLuS, a trilateral university partnership between King’s, Arizona State University and UNSW.

What does the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime mean for the future of Syria and the broader Middle East? How might the rise of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani reshape Syria’s governance and regional alliances? Can the rebel leader overcome immense challenges to stabilise the country, or will his leadership lead to further turmoil?

In this episode, Dr Shiraz Maher, Senior Lecturer, Dr Craig Larkin, Reader in Middle East Politics and Peace and Conflict Studies, and Siba Madwar, a journalist from Aleppo and PhD student in the Department of War Studies, discuss the dramatic collapse of Assad’s forces and its implications for international dynamics. They delve into Jolani’s vision for a rebuilt Syria, the power vacuum left by Assad’s departure, and how these developments could reshape alliances, challenge regional stability and alter the global security landscape.

In 2014, the self-styled Islamic State committed genocide against the Yezidi population in Iraq. To mark the anniversary of the genocide, Dr Inna Rudolf speaks to renowned Yezidi human rights advocate Mirza Dinnayi about what life is like for the Yezidi community 10 years on from the genocide.

Inna and Mirza discuss justice and accountability, the geopolitical situation in the Yezidis’ ancestral homeland, and what still needs to be done to support the community as they deal with a legacy of discrimination that precedes the atrocities of 2014.

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.

What would Trump’s return to the White House mean for Ukraine’s future and Europe’s security? How might his strategy for the war in Ukraine differ from the current administration’s? Can he deliver on his pledge to end the conflict quickly, and what might his approach involve?

In this episode, Dr Charlie Laderman, Dr Ruth Deyermond and Dr Barbara Zanchetta—Senior Lecturers in the Department of War Studies—delve into Trump’s stance on NATO, US-Russia relations, and his evolving approach to China, Iran and North Korea. They discuss how a second Trump term could reshape the war in Ukraine and leave a lasting impact on global security.

How is open-source data being used to uncover threats to human security, and what ethical challenges do practitioners face when working with open-source intelligence? In this episode, we delve into these questions with Henrietta Wilson, Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Science & Security Studies, King’s College London.

Henrietta, co-editor of the recently published book ‘Open-Source Investigations in the Age of Google’, unpacks how digital tools have transformed the way we uncover, verify, and interpret publicly available data. This shift has opened new avenues for global justice, transparency, and accountability, but it also raises significant ethical challenges that require careful navigation.

Liked the episode? Join Henrietta and the book’s co-authors at King’s College London for a captivating talk on open-source investigations on 1 October 2024! Sign up here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/open-source-investigations-in-the-age-of-google

What makes Taiwan such a crucial flashpoint in global politics? How has its historical journey shaped its current role on the world stage?

In this special 'War Studies Podcast Live' episode, Dr Charlie Laderman, Senior Lecturer in International History, talks with Professor Sulmaan Khan of Tufts University about his latest book, ‘The Struggle for Taiwan’.

From Taiwan’s significance during World War II and the Cairo Declaration of 1943, to the intricate dance of the US diplomacy during the Korean War and Nixon’s era, this conversation delves into how historical events continue to influence modern US-China relations. Professor Khan also explores Taiwan's path to democracy and how domestic American politics have shaped its status today.

This episode was recorded as part of a live event with the Centre for Grand Strategy at King’s College London and the Axon Johnson Institute for Statecraft and Diplomacy.

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.