When Diplomacy Fails Podcast

By Zack Twamley

What's When Diplomacy Fails Podcast about?

A podcast covering the build up to, breakout of and consequences of various conflicts in history. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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When Diplomacy Fails Podcast episodes:

04.18.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.12: Collusion And Delusion
1956 Episode 2.12 takes us to the 22-24 October 1956, where the war plan that would create the Suez Crisis was created, developed and signed by Britain, France and Israel in an unassuming Parisian suburb. This process was, of course, far...
04.11.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.11: A Protocol For War
1956 Episode 2.11 finally takes us to that controversial moment when Britain, France and Israel began to move closer together. The Sevres Protocol was neither developed nor signed in a day, and in the first two weeks of October, negotiations critically...
04.04.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.10: Israeli Sneaky
1956 Episode 2.10 takes us to the Commonwealth, seen as so vital to British interests, but fracturing over the question of the best course of action to take against President Nasser. The Canadian, Australian and NZ governments were all uneasy at...
04.02.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.9: The Fix Is In
1956 Episode 2.9 looks at that moment which has become infamous in history – the collusion between Britain, France and Israel. We are almost ready to see these sneaky meetings take place, and for the infamous agreement take shape, but first,...
03.28.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.8: Deception As Policy
1956 Episode 2.8 examines the increasingly secretive plotting which took place behind the scenes in early autumn 1956. While Eden worked feverishly to make the conflict he desired come together, the countless variables continued to haunt him. We see here a...
03.26.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.7: Blind Intrigue
1956 Episode 2.7 examines the steps which led towards the military intervention in Egypt, by placing the British behaviour in its imperial context. In spring 1955, Britain remained a premier power in the Middle East, while American representation in that theatre...
03.21.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.6: The Entente Rides Again!
1956 Episode 2.6 looks at the increasingly close cooperation between Britain and France in light of the signal defeat of Western imperialist ambitions in Egypt. We open our episode with a defining scene – President Nasser’s nationalisation of the Suez Canal....
03.19.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.5: Oh No Cairo
1956 Episode 2.5 looks at British commitments in the Middle East, and how setbacks there could massively drag down ideas of British ‘prestige’ in that region. What did the French have to fear from Colonel Nasser, and how did this tie...
03.14.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.4: Britain Bitten
1956 Episode 2.4 examines Britain's embarrassing and dissatisfying efforts to try and make Egypt see sense. Here we see what kind of Government Anthony Eden led, and how he shook it up, or failed to shake it up, after he assumed...
03.12.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.3: Egyptian Conniption
1956 Episode 2.3 examines British views of Suez and Nasser's new Egyptian regime. As the British government underwent a change and waved goodbye to great old men like Churchill, it was clear at the same time that this new government had...
03.07.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.2: Suez, A Life
A French investment opportunity, an ancient idea, and a British masterstroke - discover in this episode how the Suez Canal became so monumentally important for British imperial interests in the latter 19th century, and how this interest was then carried...
03.05.2024
1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.1: Bitter French Pills
In this episode, we will examine the painful post-war experience of France, why it was so reluctant to let go of its colonies and how this caused it more damage in the long run. As an integral, but largely forgotten...
03.05.2024
1956 Part Two: The Suez Crisis Introduction
1956 now enters its second season, and we are confronted with several pressing questions. How did the British, French, Israelis and Americans become involved in Egypt, and how did these events affect what was ongoing in Hungary? The incredible spectacle...
02.29.2024
1956 1.15: Socialism Stays
1956 Episode 1.15 examines the final moments of Imre Nagy, as the Soviet noose tightened around him. But the Kremlin was not safe yet. Of particular concern to Moscow and to the Hungarians was the stance of Yugoslavia, as its...
02.27.2024
1956 1.14: Lessons Learned and Forgotten
1956 Episode 1.14 analyses the Soviet response in the first week of November 1956, as the rug was finally pulled on Hungarian independence. Having already removed his country from the Warsaw Pact and requested Western assistance, Nagy was persona non...
02.22.2024
1956 1.13: Crushing Hope
1956 Episode 1.13 examines the unlikely triumph of the Hungarians in Budapest, even as the Soviets schemed for revenge. After somehow wresting a ceasefire agreement from the Soviet Union, the Hungarian revolution appeared – against all odds – to be...
02.20.2024
1956 1.12: Hope Springs
1956 Episode 1.12 examines a key moment when a Hungarian student protest exploded into something far more encouraging, and for the Soviets, far more dangerous. The demands of the protesters – joined by workers, peasants, Hungarian communists, soldiers and many...
02.15.2024
1956 1.11: Gone But Nagy Forgotten
1956 Episode 1.11 looks at what happened when Moscow decided it’d be a good idea to force Rakosi, the avowed Stalinist, to share power with Imre Nagy, his opposite in almost every respect. Rakosi wished to maintain the status quo...
02.13.2024
1956 1.10: I Did Nagy See That Coming
1956 Episode 1.10 continues where we left off last time, and looks a bit more at the person of Matyas Rakosi. Rakosi was the Stalinist dictator of Hungary from the late 1940s, and he set about establishing a Hungarian Stalinist regime,...
02.08.2024
1956 1.9: Desperately Hungary
1956 Episode 1.9 takes a somewhat depressing journey into post-war Hungary, to present a story and a people which suffered much over the course of the Soviet occupation – also known as the Soviet ‘liberation’. Liberation from what, one may...
02.06.2024
1956 1.8: The Star Pupil
We continue our story from last time, as the Polish situation is connected to other fascinating questions. Perhaps the most significant aspect of this chapter in Soviet-Polish relations was the notable involvement of China. The Chinese, it emerged, were very...
02.01.2024
1956 1.7: Soviet Sickles
1956 Episode 1.7 examines the continuing deterioration of the Polish situation, as Polish citizens dared to ask more and more questions, and to criticise the Soviet order, on their lips was one figure above all – Vladislav Gomulka (pictured). Gomulka...
01.30.2024
1956 1.6: Polish Hammers
1956 Episode 1.6 examines the tumultuous fallout of Khrushchev’s February speech in the context of Poland. What was the Polish experience of living in the Soviet orbit? Here we set the scene and trace a bit of the background. It’s...
01.25.2024
1956 1.5: Broken Springs
1956 Episode 1.5 examines the implications for the Soviet people, as Khrushchev’s speech is disseminated through the sprawling empire. The questions which many citizens had were to be restricted and constrained by the specific parameters set down by the Soviet...
01.23.2024
1956 1.4: The People Are Revolting!
1956 Episode 1.4 examines the immediate storm caused by Khrushchev’s denunciations of Stalin in late February. Above all, the greatest ingredient in this storm was that of confusion. Soviet officials didn’t know what to tell the assembled crowds, and schoolteachers didn’t...
01.18.2024
1956 1.3: A Not So Secret Speech
Episode 1.3 opens with the scene which greeted Khrushchev as he performed that incendiary speech over 24-25th of February 1956. It was a pivotal day in the history of the Soviet Union, and after we unwrap its major aspects, we...
01.16.2024
1956 1.2: Bolshevik Battle Royale
Episode 1.2 follows on from where our first episode left off. Here, the power struggle between the Soviet Union’s top men is in full swing, and power plays, character assassination, genuine assassination and even more tactics besides distinguish this period...
01.11.2024
1956 1.1: Death of a Comrade
What happened when the architect of the Cold War passed away? Would the Soviet Union Stalin built adapt to a new successor, or would a set of chain reactions doom the empire in its cradle? If you want to learn...
01.11.2024
1956: Introduction to Part One
Welcome to 1956, an era of schemes, revolution, propaganda, intrigue and a whole lot of diplomacy! Originally brought exclusively to patrons, I've repurposed this series for all listeners, and within it you will learn exactly why I believe this eventful year...
01.08.2024
PhD Thesis: Introduction Part 1
Like what you hear? Consider signing up on Patreon to access the entire series. Thanksss! For the last four+ years, this PhD thesis has been my obsession. Like pushing a boulder up a hill, the struggle was real. But, sometimes, struggle...
01.04.2024
Welcome to a New Season of WDF!
Welcome back! Here we talk about the State of the Podcast Address' HUGE NEWS 1) Our somewhat new series1956 and how it's all going to work. Also, is it actually interesting? 2) The new PhD Thesis series for Patrons! 3)...
01.04.2024
WDF State of the Podcast Address 1-4-24
We're back! In case you were unaware, the lack of content over the last while was because of the PhD, which is now finished. This means, yes, I am finally Dr Zack! Imagine that! I have a lot to say...
08.17.2023
Presenting: History Challenge w/ Ole Petter Høie
Join Ole and I for a fascinating chat about History Challenge, a new way for educators and students to make history thrive! If you want to try it out for yourself, the latest version of this project is available in...
07.12.2023
30YearsWar: Conclusion
And so it ends. After 82 episodes and what feels like thirty actual years, we finally wrap up this fascinating period of history. Thanksss so much for tuning in! Make sure to stay to the end to learn about our plans...
06.29.2023
30YearsWar #82: A Return To Prague [1648]
The final episode of our series involves no shortage of intrigue, scheming and mistrust, yet it is also the moment when diplomacy arguably succeeded. After three decades of war, Europe, and the Holy Roman Empire in particular, had come to...
06.14.2023
30YearsWar #81: The Last Campaign [1648]
Although the Dutch and Spanish had made their peace, 1648 had room for one more campaign, and there had arguably never been so much on the line. With warfare came the chance to secure more leverage at the peace table,...
06.03.2023
The State of America and the Brexit Debacle - ft Thom Daly
Please consider supporting our podcast friend Benjamin Jacobs during this difficult time. In this special episode, Thom Daly joins me to rant about the state of education in America, how Republican ideologues ban what they don't understand, how misinformation and...
05.31.2023
30YearsWar #80: Cardinal Sins [1647-1648]
Here, in our third-last episode of the series, we take the time to analyse Cardinal Mazarin's motives. What kind of role did religious motivations, strategic motivations, political or economic or any other kind of motivation have upon his behaviour? Was...
05.18.2023
30YearsWar #79: Bavarian Bargains [1646-1647]
As the war raged, Maximilian of Bavaria was forced to reconsider his position towards his Emperor. As the Habsburgs' most faithful and important German ally since the beginning, the rumours that Max was contemplating a truce had to be taken...
05.03.2023
30YearsWar #78: Alsace and Pomerania [1646-1647]
By the end of 1646, two massive problems plagued the negotiators. For France, the matter was Alsace, a huge chunk of territory along the sensitive Rhine region, which had long served as a buffer between the French and Imperial spheres....
04.19.2023
30YearsWar #77: Dutch Loose Ends [1646-1648]
Check out our series Diplomacy: Britain vs America to nerd out on a forgotten era of Anglo-American confrontation, complete with war scares, gunboat diplomacy, and me pronouncing many things incorrectly! It's time to get all emotional, as we tie up the...
04.05.2023
30YearsWar #76: The Emperor's Dilemma [1645]
The Battle of Jankau in 1645, followed by Allerheim later in the year, confirmed that the Emperor could expect few miracles from the battlefield. Bavaria seemed teetering on the edge, making secret moves towards the French, while the Spanish buckled,...
03.15.2023
30YearsWar #75: Westphalian Woes [1645-46]
The wide range of interests and powers that gathered at the two Westphalian cities each tell a fascinating story. Whether it was the two French agents that loathed one another; the Dutch tradition of representing each of the seven provinces;...
03.01.2023
30YearsWar #74: Destination Westphalia [1645]
After so long dancing around the issue, here we finally look at the moment when the Westphalian towns of Osnabruck and Munster hosted delegates from all across Europe and the Empire. Why were the French so eager to arrive with...
02.18.2023
30YearsWar #73: The Pen and the Sword [1644]
Don't forget that for a limited time you can get 16% off an annual Patreon membership - sign up now to get 40 hours of exclusive content AND listen to our new series on Anglo-American diplomacy from 1838-1846. Your support...
02.01.2023
30YearsWar #72: Torstensson's War [1643-45]
Don't forget that for a limited time you can get 16% off an annual Patreon membership - sign up now to get 40 hours of exclusive content AND listen to our new series on Anglo-American diplomacy from 1838-1846. Your support...
01.25.2023
National Honour and Victorian Diplomacy
Don't forget that for a limited time you can get 16% off an annual Patreon membership - sign up now to get 40 hours of exclusive content AND listen to our new series on Anglo-American diplomacy from 1838-1846. Your support...
01.14.2023
Introducing Diplomacy: Britain vs America 1838-1846
To get this series and 40+ hours of extra content, make sure you sign up for an annual Patreon membership to get 16% off NOW! I couldn't have got this far in the PhD without the support of you lovely...
01.11.2023
30YearsWar #71: Au Revoir Richelieu [1643]
Get 16% off an annual Patreon membership and access to our new series examining Anglo-American Relations from 1838-46 when you sign up now! The Battle of Rocroi was a signal French triumph, but it did not transform the face of the...
12.18.2022
30YearsWar #70: Enter Torstensson [1641-42]
Give yourself an early Christmas present including over 40 hours of extra content when you sign up on Patreon! I'll even lie about you in the opening monologue! Pay for a year's membership and get 5% off! 1641 was the year...

What's When Diplomacy Fails Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

When Diplomacy Fails Podcast episodes:

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.12: Collusion And Delusion

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.11: A Protocol For War

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.10: Israeli Sneaky

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.9: The Fix Is In

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.8: Deception As Policy

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.7: Blind Intrigue

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.6: The Entente Rides Again!

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.5: Oh No Cairo

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.4: Britain Bitten

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.3: Egyptian Conniption

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.2: Suez, A Life

1956 - The Suez Crisis #2.1: Bitter French Pills

1956 Part Two: The Suez Crisis Introduction

1956 1.15: Socialism Stays

1956 1.14: Lessons Learned and Forgotten

1956 1.13: Crushing Hope

1956 1.12: Hope Springs

1956 1.11: Gone But Nagy Forgotten

1956 1.10: I Did Nagy See That Coming

1956 1.9: Desperately Hungary

1956 1.8: The Star Pupil

1956 1.7: Soviet Sickles

1956 1.6: Polish Hammers

1956 1.5: Broken Springs

1956 1.4: The People Are Revolting!

1956 1.3: A Not So Secret Speech

1956 1.2: Bolshevik Battle Royale

1956 1.1: Death of a Comrade

1956: Introduction to Part One

PhD Thesis: Introduction Part 1

Welcome to a New Season of WDF!

WDF State of the Podcast Address 1-4-24

Presenting: History Challenge w/ Ole Petter Høie

30YearsWar: Conclusion

30YearsWar #82: A Return To Prague [1648]

30YearsWar #81: The Last Campaign [1648]

The State of America and the Brexit Debacle - ft Thom Daly

30YearsWar #80: Cardinal Sins [1647-1648]

30YearsWar #79: Bavarian Bargains [1646-1647]

30YearsWar #78: Alsace and Pomerania [1646-1647]

30YearsWar #77: Dutch Loose Ends [1646-1648]

30YearsWar #76: The Emperor's Dilemma [1645]

30YearsWar #75: Westphalian Woes [1645-46]

30YearsWar #74: Destination Westphalia [1645]

30YearsWar #73: The Pen and the Sword [1644]

30YearsWar #72: Torstensson's War [1643-45]

National Honour and Victorian Diplomacy

Introducing Diplomacy: Britain vs America 1838-1846

30YearsWar #71: Au Revoir Richelieu [1643]

30YearsWar #70: Enter Torstensson [1641-42]