The Future of European Defense

The Future of European Defense

Author: Modern War Institute at West Point March 23, 2022 Duration: 55:07
This episode features a discussion with retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges. He served until 2017 as the commanding general of US Army Europe and now holds the pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis. The discussion was originally recorded in the spring of 2021, and the strategic landscape has been dramatically transformed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But as the war in Ukraine unfolds, this conversation offers some exceptionally important broader context within which the events of today are taking place. It also offers a framework within which to understand what the invasion means—not only how it happened but also what impact it will have as we look forward.

Hosted by the Modern War Institute at West Point, this series offers a direct, thoughtful examination of the ideas and strategies shaping contemporary and future battlefields. Each episode brings together the institute’s deep analytical resources with voices from the field, creating conversations that are both academic and grounded in real-world experience. You’ll hear from senior military leaders, policy experts, historians, and scholars who dissect complex topics-from emerging technologies and hybrid warfare to geopolitical shifts and the enduring human elements of conflict. Supported by the West Point Class of 1974, the podcast serves as a primary forum for the institute’s work, moving beyond headlines to explore the underlying mechanics and ethical considerations of modern defense. The discussions are detailed and nuanced, designed for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of national security challenges without the jargon and oversimplification. Tune in for a rigorous, accessible education on the art of war in the twenty-first century, where every conversation aims to inform and provoke thoughtful consideration.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Modern War Institute
Podcast Episodes
Twelve Months of War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
One year ago this week, Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Twelve months on, how should we think about the way the war has taken shape? What lessons about modern war should we be learning? What assumptions about the modern…
When Cities Become Battlefields [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:10
This episode features a conversation with MWI's chair of urban warfare studies, John Spencer. A leading expert on urban warfare and the coauthor of the book Understanding Urban Warfare, his deep practical experience and…
The Theory and Practice of Resistance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:23
In this episode, John Amble speaks to Sandor Fabian about a very specific approach to national defense: resistance. The war in Ukraine has made clear that comparatively small states can be vulnerable to the threat of agg…
Who Innovates Wins? Drones and Adaptation in the Ukraine War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:48
Ukrainian forces have been praised for their innovation efforts during their ongoing war with Russia, particularly with regard to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. But what has that innovation actually looked like? Is…
Introducing Social Science of War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:19
We're thrilled to announce a new podcast, launched in partnership with West Point's Department of Social Sciences, called Social Science of War. Each episode will leverage a unique strength of the department—pairing deep…
What Should We Make of the Protests in Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:33
Since the middle of September, when an Iranian woman died after being detained in Tehran for improperly wearing her headscarf, protests have gripped the country. But what sets them apart from previous periods of demonstr…
Data and the Battlefield [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:40
This episode examines how special operations forces are integrating high-tech tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize their operations. Dr. Richard Shultz of the Fletcher School of Law and Dip…
What Kind of Leader Will Al-Qaeda Choose Next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:29
The recent death of Ayman al-Zawahiri marks a rare inflection point for a terrorist organization that has had just two leaders in the more than three decades of its existence. Forecasting its future trajectory—and develo…
On the Streets: Irregular Warfare in an Urban World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:15
How are demographic and economic shifts increasing the importance of urban centers around the globe? What does this mean for military forces? To what extent do the local politics of a city complicate military operations…
Just How Crowded Is The Space Domain? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:53
As the US Space Force nears its third birthday, John Amble is joined by Dr. Moriba Jah on this episode to explore just how crowded the space domain is—especially with the surprising amount of detritus created over more t…