Leadership in a divided world

Leadership in a divided world

Author: Department of War Studies February 25, 2026 Duration: 59:33
In this episode, Dr Nafees Hamid speaks with Michael Shipler, King’s College London War Studies alumnus and Vice President of Leadership Development & Partnerships at Search for Common Ground (SFCG), the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organisation. With global cooperation declining and populism and authoritarianism on the rise, Nafees and Michael explore how those on opposite sides can be brought together. Drawing on SFCG’s work in conflict‑affected regions around the world, their conversation covers topics from moral injury to the use of art in peacebuilding, and why conflict itself isn’t the problem - it’s how we choose to manage it. Learn more about SFCG and their work here: https://www.sfcg.org/ This episode is produced as part of the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) programme, which seeks to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict‑affected populations and to support practical solutions for peace. Learn more at www.xcept-research.org.

Drawn from the work of the School of Security Studies at King's College London, War Studies offers a direct line to one of the world's largest and most dedicated academic communities focused on security, defence, and international relations. This isn't about surface-level headlines; each episode digs into the intricate realities of conflict, diplomacy, and global power. You'll hear scholars and researchers unpack the underlying forces that shape world affairs, moving beyond theory to examine the tangible challenges faced by those navigating these complex spaces. The Department of War Studies produces this podcast to share its world-leading research, treating each conversation as an opportunity to question assumptions and deepen understanding. Tuning in means engaging with rigorous analysis that connects academic insight to the pressing security issues of our time. The consistent thread is a belief that examining the nature of war is essential for comprehending the broader landscape of human conflict and cooperation. Expect thoughtful, evidence-driven discussions that refuse to simplify the difficult questions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

War Studies
Podcast Episodes
The war in Ukraine: Hear from our experts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:49
Many pundits did not believe Russia was going to attack Ukraine. Yet on 24th February 2022 Vladimir Putin launched a terrestrial invasion entering through the North, South, and East of the country. As we continue to make…
The fall of the Soviet Union 30 years on [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:19
“The USSR as a geopolitical reality and subject of international law has ceased to exist.” In December 1991, the Presidents of Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus came together in the forests of the Polish-Belarussian border…
Challenges and Solutions of Climate Geoengineering [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:11
What is climate engineering? How and why are certain shifting geoengineering policies engendering conflict? How do we differentiate between and prioritise the multitude of governance factors? How does funding affect the…
Climate change and the securitization of vulnerable nations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:00
Vulnerable nations are really feeling the negative effects and implications of climate change and the associated security repercussions. To what extent is climate change a security issue in vulnerable states? How are the…