Explorations on War - Episode 4, with Lt Gen Doug Chalmers

Explorations on War - Episode 4, with Lt Gen Doug Chalmers

Author: Centre for Geopolitics November 10, 2025 Duration: 35:44

Former British Army officer Lieutenant General Doug Chalmers — who served as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy & Operations) from 2018 to 2021, and is the current Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge — joins Professor William Hurst to discuss the importance of having local and regional political understandings whilst carrying out military campaigns. They also explore how actors in war should understand their own positionalities, and reflect on how their own biases and relationships impact their knowledge and judgements.


Stepping beyond the headlines and soundbites, On Geopolitics offers a deeper, more considered look at the forces shaping our world. Produced by the Centre for Geopolitics, this podcast is now guided by two distinct academic voices. Professor John Nilsson-Wright leads "Currents," a series of timely conversations that bring together experts from government, business, science, and journalism to dissect the most pressing international events as they unfold. In parallel, Professor William Hurst curates "Explorations," dedicating extended episodes to foundational ideas and historical patterns that underpin global affairs, providing crucial context for today's complexities. Together, these formats create a rich dialogue that connects immediate crises to their deeper roots. Tuning into this podcast means moving past superficial analysis to engage with nuanced perspectives on power, history, and strategy, all grounded in rigorous thought and diverse expertise. It’s for anyone who feels that understanding the world requires more than a daily news update, seeking instead a sustained inquiry into how nations interact, compete, and coexist. Each episode, whether focused on a breaking development or a perennial theme, is built to inform and challenge, making sense of a disordered global landscape through thoughtful discussion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 85

On Geopolitics
Podcast Episodes
Currents - Episode 2: Trump and the Fourth Estate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:13
John Nilsson-Wright talks to Steve Herman — until recently Voice of America’s Chief National Correspondent — about the Trump administration’s relationship with private and public media organisations in the United States.…
Episode 54: What just happened? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:28
What just happened? To look back at a momentous month Suzanne Raine and Ali Ansari are joined by Bill Hurst and John Nilsson-Wright. Ali offers his views on Iran, Bill on China, John on Japan and North and South Korea, a…
Episode 53: Trump, US Policy & Asia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:22
Suzanne Raine and John Nilsson-Wright talk with Professor John Delury, Sinologist, Korea expert and currently a visiting professor in Rome, about the current state of policy under Donald Trump towards the United States'…
Episode 52: Martial law & repercussions in South Korea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:52
Ali and Suzanne are joined by John Nilsson-Wright, who was in Seoul in early December when President Yoon Suk-yeol moved to declare martial law, to discuss the recent tumultuous events in South Korea and the implications…
Episode 51: Revolution in Syria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:58
Ali and Suzanne take stock of the dramatic events in Syria and the implications of the collapse of the Assad regime for Iran, looking at themes common across many revolutions and possible areas to watch.
Episode 50: Trump, China and Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:52
Ali and Suzanne are joined by Professor Bill Hurst to look at the implications of Trump's election win on US policy positions towards China and Iran. How might China navigate what America does next?Why are some in Iran s…
Episode 49: War in the Middle East [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:00
Ali and Suzanne take stock on the contest between Iran and Israel, especially considering the impact in Iran of recent setbacks. What might be the consequences domestically and in terms of the conflict?
Episode 48: North Korea's TikTok sensation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:45
Suzanne Raine is joined by Dr John Nilssen-Wright and Alexandra Leonzini to learn more about the story behind a recent North Korean viral TikTok hit. Alexandra and John explore the role of music in the creation and stren…
Episode 47: Death of a President [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:18
What happens next in Iran? Ali Ansari and Suzanne Raine look at the consequences of the death of President Raisi, and discuss the forthcoming Iranian elections on 28 June. Who will stand, and how will the process play ou…