Shows
Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceThe Middle East After the Iran StrikesWhat’s shaping the Middle East’s evolving landscape? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we’re joined by Hayat Alvi, Ph.D., a professor at the US Naval War College, to explore the factors driving change in the region. We discuss how Iran’s regional strategies are adapting to new challenges and what their measured responses might indicate, drawing on Hayat’s expertise in international relations.We also examine shifting global dynamics, including the US’s growing focus on Asia, Europe’s efforts to navigate its role, and the broader impact of ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Leban...2025-08-1153 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceRussia and China's Militaries: Similarities and DifferencesHow do Russia's and China's militaries align and differ in today’s world? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Mark Cozad, a RAND Corporation senior defence researcher and former US Air Force intelligence officer joins Peter Apps, to explore how NATO’s 1999 Kosovo campaign pushed both nations toward “non-contact warfare,” mixing precision strikes with political strategy to counter the West. Russia leans on mass mobilisation, as seen in Ukraine, while China bets on cutting-edge tech and institutional strength.We dive into the human and strategic factors - Russia’s purges and cultural shifts versus China’s lack of comb...2025-08-0449 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceUnderstanding Modern Combat with Battle Research GroupBen Connable, a former US Marine and leader of the Battle Research Group, discusses the realities of ground combat and their implications for future warfare. We explore the importance of studying battles like Ukraine’s Irpin River clash to understand tactics, human will, and war’s evolving nature, drawing on his team’s fieldwork in Iraq and Ukraine to fill gaps in modern military history often lost to digital records or overshadowed by high-tech solutions.We discuss how shrinking militaries and reliance on technology impact risk and decision-making, emphasising the need to preserve primary sources to prepare for fu...2025-07-2852 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceAfter the Summit: Europe's Defence Industrial BaseCan Europe’s fragmented defence industry meet the demands of a shifting geopolitical landscape? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Stuart Dee from RAND Europe joins Peter Apps to unpack the NATO summit in The Hague, where pledges to raise defence spending to 3.5%–5% of GDP signal a bold shift. They discuss why large budgets fail to deliver, hindered by a splintered industrial base.From Germany’s post-2022 rearmament to balancing tanks with tech like quantum computing, they explore innovative approaches like Helsing’s “resilience factories,” alongside challenges like the UK’s nuclear submarine goals and Ukraine’s agile drone in...2025-07-2156 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceAn Evolving "Trump Doctrine" and Its ImplicationsWhat’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...2025-07-1449 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceDrones and Data: The New Face of Global ConflictHow 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, providi...2025-06-3055 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceBritain’s Battle Plan: Land Warfare 2025In 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...2025-06-231h 01Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceStorm Proofing: Will AI Change the Way Soldiers Think?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 r...2025-06-1636 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceUnderstanding the Taiwan ConfrontationIn 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.2025-06-091h 05Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceJets, Drones, and the Evolving Air-Space BattleThe 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 t...2025-06-0245 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceWestlessness: Navigating a World Beyond Western RuleIs 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 m...2025-05-2656 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefencePerformative Strikes and New Forever WarsAre 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 grasp...2025-05-1947 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceStorm Proofing: Preparing Armies for a Future WarHow 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...2025-05-081h 05Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceA World in Turmoil with The Great British Foreign Affairs PodcastWhat’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 q...2025-05-0548 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceHow Wars EndAs 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...2025-04-281h 04Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceNavigating the Corridors of PowerCurious 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 uncerta...2025-04-071h 04Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceThe Baltics at the Crossroads of HistoryIn this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we explore the Baltic states—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—as NATO’s frontline amid Russia’s growing shadow.Joined by Oliver Moody, Liis Mure, Aliide Naylor, and George Barros, we unpack the region’s turbulent history, current defences, and the human stakes. From Soviet echoes to NATO drones, we explore how these nations face a resurgent Russia, with insights on military shifts, societal resolve, and the looming global flashpoint.Key moments0:37 - The Importance of the Baltic Region7:12 - NATO's Role in Baltic Security15:14 - Russia's Military Strategy23:54 ...2025-03-3158 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceSimulating Modern Combat with the United States Marine CorpsHow are the U.S. Marines getting ready for a chaotic, brutal battlefield? In this episode, we sit down with Captain Nicholas Royer, a simulation officer from the Second Marine Expeditionary Unit, to talk about “Downrange”—a tabletop war game that’s changing how Marines train. Using 3D-printed figures and tough, realistic rules, it throws junior Marines into the deep end of modern combat. They face tough calls, like risking a radio call for artillery support that could tip off enemy drones circling above.Captain Royer walks us through the shift from fighting insurgents to preparing for heavywei...2025-03-2441 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceNATO and Beyond in a Time of UncertaintyCan Europe hold its ground if the U.S. pulls back?This week, we’re talking with Professor Sten Rynning, a NATO expert from the Danish Institute of Advanced Study and a lecturer at the NATO Defence College. We’re talking Donald Trump’s impact, the state of European unity, and whether NATO, the EU, and its members can get their act together fast enough.This is a no-filter look at a world where old rules, no longer apply.Key moments4:12 - Current European Security Concerns7:28 - The Evolution of European Defence Struct...2025-03-1750 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceWhat Next for Ukraine and Its Wider LessonsUkraine’s war is shifting fast—US support was halted temporarily, Russia's tank losses remain staggering European resolve is yet to be determined.In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, we unpack it all with George Barros (Institute for Study of War), Iuliia Osmolovska (Globsec Kyiv), and ex-British Army officer Nicholas Drummond.We explore Kyiv’s gritty fight, America’s exit shockwave, and Europe’s do-or-die moment. Peacekeepers? NATO rearming? Nuclear sharing? The stakes are sky-high. Is this Europe’s wake-up call—or Russia’s chance to dominate?Key moments10:50 - Perspectives from Ukraine18:26 - The Bigg...2025-03-101h 08Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceThe US in the WorldIn this episode, I’m joined by Professor Nikolas Gvosdev of the US Naval War College, a leading expert in European and Russian international relations. Two months into 2025, with a new US president in office, we explore the shifting global order as America rethinks its traditional role.Nikolas offers sharp insights into how allies are adapting, while rivals like China wield their technological and shipbuilding strength to tip the scales. We discuss Ukraine’s defensive resilience, Europe’s push to lead—especially on Ukraine—and growing American scepticism about funding global security.Key moments7:45 - US Polic...2025-03-031h 01Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceMideast ConfrontationsIn this episode, I am joined by Hayat Alvi, Associate Professor of National Security Affairs at the United States Naval War College. We explore the constantly changing dynamics of the Middle East and its impact on global defence. With over 18 years of experience teaching military and government personnel, Hayat shares valuable insights into the region’s complex political, economic, and cultural landscape.We explore topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the power balance within the Gulf states, and the shifts in Syria after the Assad regime’s collapse. Hayat also emphasises the importance of critical thinking and a deep...2025-02-2452 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceGeneral Sir Nick Carter: War, Strategy, and LeadershipIn this episode, we’re joined by General Sir Nick Carter, one of the most influential British Army commanders of recent times. From commanding a battalion in Kosovo to leading as Chief of Defence Staff during some of the most pivotal moments in recent history, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the withdrawal from Afghanistan, General Carter offers a personal look at his remarkable leadership journey.He shares the challenges of leading multinational operations, navigating the unpredictable terrains of recent wars, and adapting to the evolving threats of the 21st century. We also discuss the strategic power of storytelling...2025-02-171h 03Facing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceFacing a Growing ChinaWhat does China’s growing military power mean for global stability? In this episode, experts former Rear Admiral Mike Studeman and Nigel Inkster discuss China’s rapid militarisation, its focus on Taiwan, and preparations for potential conflict. They explore China’s relationships with Russia and North Korea, and how these alliances are reshaping the global balance of power.With China’s expanding nuclear arsenal and stronger military, this conversation examines the strategies and ideologies driving its rise. As China becomes a dominant global force, Mike and Nigel offer insights into how the West can adapt to stay competiti...2025-02-1048 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefenceDefending Europe in a New and Deadly EraIn this episode, Brigadier Robbie Boyd and Rachel Rizzo join Peter and explore the shifting landscape of global security, revealing how NATO is adapting to the growing threats from Russia and China. As the U.S. pivots towards Asia and reduces its presence in the Middle East, Europe is stepping up to take on a far more prominent military role—an evolution that will reshape the future of defence.We uncover why strengthening alliances with European partners has never been more critical, and how NATO is rethinking its strategy to tackle the emerging challenges of the 21st ce...2025-02-0358 minFacing Coming Storms: Talking International DefencePreparing for a New Era of ConfrontationHow are shifting global tensions and new technological threats changing the way the world views war? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Peter Apps talks with with Major General Andrew Sharpe, Director of the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, Rocco Santurri, a former U.S. Army active-duty officer and now reservist serving with UN forces in Korea as well as a global affairs consultant, and Victoria Mackarness, a defence and communications expert, offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of modern warfare.We discuss the shift from counterinsurgency tactics to conventional warfare, the...2025-01-271h 02
Among the Ancients IIJuvenalIn this episode, we tackle Juvenal, whose sixteen satires influenced libertines, neoclassicists and early Christian moralists alike. Conservative to a fault, Juvenal’s Satires rails against the rapid expansion and transformation of Roman society in the early principate. But where his contemporary Tacitus handled the same material with restraint, Juvenal’s work explodes with vivid and vicious depictions of urban life, including immigration, sexual mores and eating habits. Emily and Tom explore the idiosyncrasies of Juvenal’s verse and its handling in Peter Green’s translation, and how best to parse his over-the-top hostility to everyone and everything.Non...2024-10-2414 min
Close ReadingsAmong the Ancients II: JuvenalIn this episode, we tackle Juvenal, whose sixteen satires influenced libertines, neoclassicists and early Christian moralists alike. Conservative to a fault, Juvenal’s Satires rails against the rapid expansion and transformation of Roman society in the early principate. But where his contemporary Tacitus handled the same material with restraint, Juvenal’s work explodes with vivid and vicious depictions of urban life, including immigration, sexual mores and eating habits. Emily and Tom explore the idiosyncrasies of Juvenal’s verse and its handling in Peter Green’s translation, and how best to parse his over-the-top hostility to everyone and everything.Non...2024-10-2414 min
Explore The Full Audiobook Everyone Is Talking About — So Captivating!The Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough by Michael EasterPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/653518to listen full audiobooks.
Title: The Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough
Author: Michael Easter
Narrator: Michael Easter
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hours 18 minutes
Release date: September 26, 2023
Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4.18 of Total 11
Ratings of Narrator: 4.5 of Total 2
Genres: Biology & Chemistry
Publisher's Summary:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Comfort Crisis asks: Are we hardwired to crave more? From food and stuff to information and influence, why can’t we ever get enough? “Reveals the biological and evolutionary foundations behind your brain’s fixations, so you c...2023-09-269h 18Grab: This High-Impact Full Audiobook For Busy Professionals.The Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough by Michael EasterPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/653518to listen full audiobooks.
Title: The Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough
Author: Michael Easter
Narrator: Michael Easter
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hours 18 minutes
Release date: September 26, 2023
Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4.18 of Total 11
Ratings of Narrator: 4.5 of Total 2
Genres: Mental Health & Psychology
Publisher's Summary:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Comfort Crisis asks: Are we hardwired to crave more? From food and stuff to information and influence, why can’t we ever get enough? “Reveals the biological and evolutionary foundations behind your brain’s fixation...2023-09-269h 18Access Must-Have Full Audiobooks in Non-Fiction, Biology & ChemistryThe Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough by Michael EasterPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/653518to listen full audiobooks.
Title: The Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough
Author: Michael Easter
Narrator: Michael Easter
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hours 18 minutes
Release date: September 26, 2023
Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4.18 of Total 11
Ratings of Narrator: 4.5 of Total 2
Genres: Biology & Chemistry
Publisher's Summary:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Comfort Crisis asks: Are we hardwired to crave more? From food and stuff to information and influence, why can’t we ever get enough? “Reveals the biological and evolutionary foundations behind your brain’s fixations, so you c...2023-09-269h 18
/Film WeeklyYellowstone is Ending (Kind Of), The Guns of Christmas Past, Karl Urban in Mortal Kombat 2, and MoreOn the May 5, 2023 episode of /Film Daily, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by no one to talk about the latest film and TV news, including the next Johnny Cage, Brad Pitt trying to be Tom Cruise, The Guns of Christmas Past, and more.In The News:Yellowstone Season 5 Will Be The Show's Final Season, Sequel Series Already OrderedThe Boys Star Karl Urban Is In Final Talks To Play Johnny Cage In Mortal Kombat 2The Guns Of Christmas Past Will Be John Wick Meets A Christmas Carol (No, We're Not Kidding)Brad Pitt Will Drive An...2023-05-0511 min
#onpoli, a TVO podcastOntario's budget braces for a recessionPeter Bethlenfalvy unveiled the province's budget with an eye to balancing it during some extraordinary financial times. The document outlines plans to get inflation back to its ideal target of 2 per cent and return to a surplus by 2025, but will it happen? If a recession hits, will Ontario be prepared? We also dig into health care spending, the biggest ticket item in the document.Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Doug Ford are at loggerheads over plans to develop around Rouge National Urban Park. We explain the federal act that's preventing development from going ahead....2023-03-2836 min